Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Our favorite treat are these delicious homemade cookies! They are so fast and easy to make and a whole lot better for you than store bought ones (at least I tell myself that).

Here is the full recipe.

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened to room temperature

1/2 - 3/4 cup peanut butter

1 egg

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1-1/2 c flour

1 (12 oz) bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In your mixer bowl, or other bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and cane sugar.

Beat in 1 egg.

Add baking soda and vanilla. Mix.

Add half the flour. Mix.

Add the rest of the flour. Mix

Stir in chocolate chips.

Scoop spoonfuls of dough onto trays lined with sil-mats or baking paper.

Bake for 10-15 minutes (based on your preference of gooey vs crunchiness).

Grab a tall glass of ice cold whole milk and ENJOY!

March Week 1 & 2 Grocery Hauls

I didn't get to film last week's grocery haul or meal plan, but we did stay under budget at $85.27! This included a portion of our Costco goodies that my mom picked up for us as well as $20 worth of meat to stock up the freezer for a while.

This week, we are cutting it close with the budget and should be within a couple of dollars of our max of $100 for the week. I will also be stocking up on some meat items as well as tea bags and grabbing a couple gallons of milk with coupons that I have. Publix is running another Gas Card Deal this week, so we will be taking advantage of that as well. My Walmart Pick Up order includes a variety of fruits and veggies as well as some items that will last past this week like the huge jug of maple syrup.

Items I like to keep on hand:

-flour

-sugar

-butter

-eggs

-yeast

-quinoa

-peanut butter

-chocolate chips

-canned tomatoes

-chicken breast

-'easy' meats

-stock/broth

-basic spices

-cheese

-nuts

These are items I tend to stock up on when they are on sale, especially buy one get one sales.

Items we buy fresh every week:

-MILK!!!

-bananas

-green veggies of some sort

-another couple options of fruit

-any meat we might need

I hope this sheds some light on how we do groceries and meals in our house, explains why I shop the way I do, and inspires you to start your own grocery shopping system. I totally believe in the power of coupons and shopping sales. As you can see through these hauls, I am able to get wholesome and delicious foods for our family without going crazy over budget, and you can too!! Happy shopping!

Please share you questions and comments below. I would love to hear any recipe ideas you have or new things to try! From the Homemade Kitchen to your hearts, have a blessed day!

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Snuggle up with a bowl of this delicious soup that will warm you to the soul.

Recipe (4 servings)

Ingredients

- 1 onion (whichever variation you prefer)

-1-2 cloves of garlic (crushed or minced)

-1/2 stick of butter

-2-3 cans of tomatoes (whatever type you prefer)

-Italian seasonings

-Salt and pepper

Directions

-Melt the butter in a pot.

-Chop onions and garlic.

-Add onions and garlic to pot.

-Saute to get the aromatics working.

-Add tomatoes. Put a lid on the pot and simmer for 10 minutes or until bubbling.

-Using an immersion blender or food processor, blend the soup until creamy smooth. If you prefer your soup a little chunkier, don't blend it as long.

-Add what seasonings you prefer, to taste and it's ready to serve.

Enjoy!!

We really like to eat this with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. What is your favorite side to Tomato Soup?