Debt is one of the biggest troubles facing most American families these days. Families are struggling to make car payments and high monthly mortgages, and many are taking on even more debt by sending their kids to college. In fact, the debt crisis has become so severe that the Federal Reserve’s July report noted that the total U.S. revolving debt was a staggering $793.1 billion, 98 percent of which belonged to credit cards with the average American household having nearly $16,000 in credit card debt.

This high level of debt can cause extreme anxiety, and has made many decide to choose reducing their debt as their New Year’s Resolution. So if you are one of millions that has chosen to reduce their debt in their upcoming year, consider adhering to the following tips:

Create a Budget

One of the things that leads people to overspend is the lack of foresight in regards to their monthly budget. People don’t always take into consideration just how much they spend monthly compared to how much they bring in. To make an adequate monthly budget, be real with yourself. Write down exactly how much you make and take into account on how much you spend on everything from your mortgage to your entertainment, and then see where you can feasibly reduce your expenses.

Cut Up the Cards

Credit cards are the most likely cause of debt, next to school loans and mortgages with many people actually paying more to their credit card companies than they do on their car payment. If you find yourself frequently reaching for your credit cards when you can’t afford an unnecessary purchase, cut them up.  Go head and get rid of those cards so that you can pay them off without racking up more debt.

If you do choose to keep a credit card or two in your wallet, make sure that you choose the best rebate credit cards so that you are able to benefit the most from what you charge each month. Most credit cards with great rebates offer reviews online, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred review and the Discover review are a few of the more popular.  However, if you use these cards, make sure that you can pay off the balance at the end of every month.

Make Your Morning Coffee and Bring Your Lunch

Hundreds of dollars are wasted every year on fancy coffees and eating out – even opting for a regular cup of coffee daily instead of your normal drink can total up to a staggering $80 a month, and that’s the minimum.

To save yourself some money, money which would be better spent paying off debt, make your morning coffee at home and bring your lunch to work. Sure, eating in the office isn’t always as fun as escaping the office for a brief period, but it can save you $200 or more a month – a cutback well worth it if you are serious about getting out of debt.

Choosing to get out of debt isn’t as easy as simply paying a few extra dollars to your creditors each month. Choosing to get out of debt is a lifestyle change. In addition to paying extra each month, you will need to change your life so that you can live more frugally which means avoiding the coffee shops, shopping sprees, and unnecessary trips.

*This is a guest post by Becky W.

Start Your New Year Off Right By Minimizing Debt is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

Are you planning on planting a garden?  Last year I built a small raised garden bed and it was so easy to do.  You don’t need a lot of space and the raised bed created a fertile, well-drained area even though my existing ground had poor  soil and drainage.  If you want your own fresh veggies and have a restricted space, a raised bed is the perfect option to meet your growing needs. You can either purchase the already kits containing the material you need or buy some untreated lumber and build the box yourself.  The construction is basic and relatively inexpensive to create.

This year on Earth Day I am going to make a few raised garden beds and plant tomatoes, lettuce, and a variety of herbs.  I think it will be a fun way to celebrate and teach my son about the importance of knowing how to grow his own food and the environment.  He is 31/2, but it’s never to early to begin teaching a child and if he only grasps a brief understanding than it was all worth it to me!

A large part of getting the best out of a garden is to safely keep the fungus, mites, and insects of the growing vegetable plants.  Battling the determined buggers can be a task, but if you don’t nip them in the bud they will fast destroy all your yummy hard work.  You can make an all-natural insecticide by mixing 1 to 2 tablespoons of liquid plant-based soap and 1 quart water. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and spray pests as needed.  Or if you would rather purchase a safe insecticide stick with products approved for organic gardens, such as Garden Safe Fungicide 3.  The treatment contains the active ingredient extract of NEEM oil .9% and wards off caterpillars, aphids, spider mites, and red mites. Plus, it also helps prevent and control black spot, powdery mildew, downy mildew and other fungal diseases!  The 3 in one formula can be found at Lowes for approximately $5.50 for 24 ounces.

What are your plans this Earth Day?

[ad#Google Adsense-1]

Earth Day Gardening Plans & Homemade Insecticide is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

When I was in my 20′s I had a very bad experience at the hairdresser’s and it scared me from ever getting my hair professional styled plus cut ever again.  The woman gave me a kinky perm and kept the solution on too long.  My hair ended up badly damaged and had the consistency of mashed potatoes.  Trying to salvage what was left of it,  she decided to cut away as much of the burnt hair as she could.  My long  beautiful  hair was turned into a short hair style that resembled a frizzy Q-tip.  I was mortified, since I helped manage an officer’s prestigious establishment and it was imperative I maintained a professional appearance at all times.  Going to work and rubbing elbows with VIPs while looking like a punk rocker was out of the question!  Needless to say,  I had to figure out a way of trying to make my ugly hairdo look presentable and it wasn’t easy.  I felt very self-conscious and my confidence level took a serious nose dive.  Thank God hair grows back!  Nevertheless, I have avoided returning to the salon like it was the black plague and have managed to cut my own hair over the years.

Recently I was browsing the Internet to find an easier way of cutting long layers and stumbled upon the CreaClip.  The hair cutting little miracle was created by a professional hairdresser named Mai Lieu.  Mia has over 15 years experience in the beauty industry and won more than 7 first-place international hairdressing awards.  In 2008 she was recognized in Cambridge’s Who’s Who as one of the top 4 business women chosen out of 500,000 businesses and has advanced training with well known top Academies under Vidal Sassoon, Toni & Guy, Sebastian and Wella.  She wanted to help her clients keep their hair looking fantastic between visits and invented a tool to allow them to evenly trim their bangs, cut layers, and get rid of split ends simply at home.  Hence, the CreaClip was born!

WOW, knowing how many times I have cut my own hair and had to go back and straighten the ends  due  to mistakes,  I knew I had to have the CreaClip!  Plus, my daughter was begging me to cut her hair and give her long layers, but I was apprehensive until I could find a foolproof method.  However, I have to be honest.  I was rather nervous ordering the CreaClip, because I wasn’t sure how long it would take to arrive and I didn’t want to wait weeks before being able to use it.  Sometimes you order things online and it can take close to 30 days to receive it depending upon where it is being shipped from.  I didn’t want that to happen!  I purchased it at CreaClip.com on March 1st for $29.99 (not including shipping) and it was delivered on my doorstep March 5th!  VERY FAST SHIPPING!

The package includes 1 small CreaClip for bangs along with a large CreaClip for long hair and layers.  Each clip is made of Polypropylene and Stainless Steel making it durable.  It should last for years!  On the inside of the clip contains teeth which evenly comb and distribute the hair for perfect results.  The teeth also help secure the hair in place which allows you to view the desired length and free  your hands for scissors.  The outside  is equipped with a cool rotating leveler giving you a precise and perfect cut every time.  You can simply switch the leveler to create angle cuts, side bangs, and countless professional looking hairstyles!

I tried the long CreaClip on my daughter’s hair.  I made sure her hair was free from  snarls and completely dry.  Next I checked that the level was aligned horizontally straight on the body of the clip and clipped it onto her hair.  Then I slid it down to the desired length and adjusted the clip making sure the bubble was in the middle of the leveler.  In the final step I cut her hair with the trimmers and trimmed the back using the clip so it was completely even.  PRESTO, a beautiful and perfect haircut within a few minutes!  I quickly styled her hair with a large curl iron to give it some body and she looks fabulous!

You know I’m all about being frugal and I believe the CreaClip is an amazing tool which can save you hundreds of dollars while giving professional results in the comfort of your home.  No more waiting for appointments at the salon or holding your breath wondering if your hair is going to be cut to short!  Your in control of your own hair length and style!  No matter if your hair is long, short, curly, straight, thick, or thin…the CreaClip should work for you!  It’s also perfect for traveling or taking along on business trips when you might need a quick trim.  LOVE IT!

[ad#Google Adsense]

CreaClip Saving You Money While Giving Professional Results is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

In celebration of the November 16th DVD, Blu-ray and 3D release of Disney’s A Christmas Carol,  Disney has sent me some fun holiday tips to share with you!  Don’t be a Scrooge this holiday season and follow these simple yet wise gifting tips from gift expert Robyn Spizman, entertaining tips from Kate Paul of Food Ink and traveling tips from CBS News Traveler Editor Peter Greenberg.

Don’t Be a Scrooge!

In the midst of a sluggish economy, high unemployment rates and rising airfares, there’s a reason so many people utter Charles Dickens’ memorable line, “Bah, humbug!” at some point during the holiday season. However, with a little ingenuity—and planning—you can have a memorable celebration even if money is tight. We have numerous tips to help you spend wisely on gifts, entertaining and travel. Ebenezer Scrooge, be damned!

Gift-Giving Guidance

Give from your heart. “Think about your attitude of gratitude and a kind deed someone did for you this past year. Express your thanks by writing a heartfelt note or poem or get creative and write an acrostic based on their name like Thank you Tony: T is for Terrific, O is for One of a Kind, N is for Nice and Y is for You…Terrific, One of a Kind, Nice – You!”

Gift a page turning gift! “Re-gift your favorite book. While you should avoid being a Scrooge and re-gifting things you don’t want—what makes you think anyone else wants them—when it comes to a treasured book you loved reading, that’s anti-Scrooge and approved. Add a bookmark or self-sticking notes throughout the book with little messages of what a novel friend or family member they are.”

Give them a hand! “Give a gift that saves time and frustration. Grandma might love to sew, but threading those needles can be a Scrooge moment. Thread up a month’s worth of needles for Grandma and just watch your gift sew up her affection. It will clearly keep her in stitches and put a smile on her face.”

Think free and fabulous. “Give the age-old coupon that you personalize for an errand, from getting your best bud organized, driving carpool, pet-sitting, babysitting, to cake baking!”

Give mini wishes! “Consider filling a care package with their favorite chewing gum, free samples of higher-priced items, etc. Small gifts can be a big way of giving a variety of your favorite things, such as new products to try. You can include some coupons from the newspaper or stores to save them time, money and energy!”

Give a do-together gift. “Choose something for a friend that you two can do together, such as tickets for a friend or a mani and pedi.”

Share a recipe. “Give a favorite recipe and the ingredients and maybe even a lesson in cake baking. Bring everything with you, stir up some fun and voila! You’ve made dessert for them.”

Consider freezer pleasers. “Fill up a friend or family member’s freezer with casseroles, home-baked goodies and anything destined to freeze and then please! It’s such a thoughtful gift that’s certain to warm up even a Scrooge’s cold heart!”

Entertaining With Ease

“Easy floral décor for the table: do one type of flower so that there is no time-consuming arranging that might make you tear your hair out! Mismatched mason jars or small juice bottles (Italian fruit juice bottles are the best for a designer look) filled with one bloom—and underlit by tealights—is an easy, ten-minute design.”

“Place candles outside the doorway, perhaps even up the path, to greet guests and let them know that you are happy to see them.”

“Don’t forget hand towels, a candle and a small bud vase filled with fragrant flowers in the bathroom. These three things will make all the difference and guests will feel like they are at a high-end restaurant!”

“Always offer a cheese platter, which you can set up the night before. Add crackers and berries just before the party starts. That way if guests turn up early (someone always does) they will have something to eat.”

“In this challenging economy, think about potlucks with your friends so that you can all see each other without huge expenses falling to one person. Perhaps designate a theme and ask people to bring along a dish of their choice that fits the theme. You designate appetizer, salad, vegetable, side, dessert, etc., or just serve all heavy appetizers!”

“Don’t be overly ambitious with the menu. It is better to offer the best-tasting four appetizers EVER than try to replicate that French Laundry Chef’s Table Experience. Good as you are, you won’t relax!”

“Take one day to visit your local gourmet stores to see what new appetizers and prepared foods they have in stock. That way you can pre-plan food that can be oven easy if you don’t have it in you to cook every element.”

“Ask your local liquor store if they will supply you with alcohol on a sale/return basis. You send back unused and unopened bottles so you only pay what is consumed and don’t have any leftovers that cost you money.”

“Set up a proper bar, even if you’re only serving beer and wine. Put wine in a wine cooler, line glasses up on trays, and be sure to have the extras like sliced citrus for water, a bottle opener and a small garbage can nearby for trash.”

“Take the time to introduce your guests to each other, note what each may have in common or how you know them, and make sure that no one is left without a glass in their hand.”

Travel Tips

One of the most stressful things about the holidays is travel: from packing to security lines, crowded flights to inevitable delays. Add to that the fact that airfares are on the rise again this year and it’s hard to get too excited about leaving town. Fortunately, expert Peter Greenberg, CBS News Travel Editor and author of “Tough Times, Great Travels,” has lots of good advice for surviving the season:

“I’m a contrarian traveler, so my advice is this: it’s best to travel when everyone else ISN’T,” says Greenberg. “That means not hitting the road the Wednesday before or the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and definitely not the day before Christmas. But guess what? Winter does provide two great opportunities to travel when there are no crowds: the week AFTER Thanksgiving and just after New Year’s. Those are known as the dead weeks in travel, which means great deals, no crowds, and best of all, no traffic.”

Use the Internet to your advantage, advises Greenberg on his website, PeterGreenberg.com. “Sign up for fare alerts for your specific city so you’ll be notified if and when the price goes down. Specific airlines have them, as do resources like Farecompare.com and AirfareWatchdog.com. Also, take a look at Bing Travel’s Farecast alert which tells you with reasonable confidence whether prices will go up, down, or stay flat.”

If you have the time, connect. “Look for connecting flights rather than non-stops for better deals,” he says. “But make sure the layover is at least an hour. If you miss a connection due to a delay, it will be difficult to get on another flight.”

“Last, but not least, on short trips, remember the most economical alternative is to skip the planes altogether and opt for a bus or train,” says Greenberg. “Prices around the holidays remain relatively stable, whether you’re traveling before, on or during Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.   Not all reservations are guaranteed, so arrive early to avoid being bumped.”

Favorite Tip?

What is your favorite tip?  Mine is the potluck idea of designating a theme and having everyone bring a dish of their choice that fits the theme.  This could really cut down on individual expense and create an ultimate feast in the process.

SAVE $10!

In celebration of Disney’s A Christmas Carol coming to DVD, 3D and Blu-ray next Tuesday Disney is offering a $10 off coupon for the 4-Disc Blu-ray Combo! Go here to download your coupon.

Don’t Be A Scrooge- Holiday Tips & $10 Off Disney’s A Christmas Carol Coupon! is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

A few days ago I touched briefly on the subject of finding blog sponsorship programs.  Today I want to share how you can generate some revenue by offering your readers free samples, coupons, and money saving offers by joining affiliate programs.

MySavings Media

One of my favorite affiliate networks happens to be MySavings Media Super Affiliate Program.   They specialize in only legitimate,  attractive brand name offers, Free Samples, and Printable Coupons.  This ensures your users receive the best.  You don’t have to sort through a bunch of spammy or scam offers to find Freebies your readers will enjoy.

The first step to is to apply.  Complete the publisher application making sure to fill in all the required fields.  The form requests site views per month so be prepared to be able to supply that traffic information.  If for some reason you don’t get accepted into the program, don’t worry you can always try again at a later date.

After being accepted you will receive an email welcoming you into the program and explaining how to setup the campaigns on your site.  Their easy plug-n- play “syndicated savings” page quickly allows you to add a  hot deals, free samples, and coupons section to your blog. Choose your layout, generate the code,  paste it where you want the ads to show, and your ready to go.

Every so often I receive emails from MySavings Media informing me of new campaigns I can add.  They keep you up to date on any new offers or  campaign alterations which is really great.  This way you can make speedy changes to  give your readers  the new offers and increase your money making possibilities.

Strategically Place Offers/Ads

The first suggestion I want to make is you want to be able to give your blog visitors special offers they will enjoy without irritating them with too many ads.  Nothing is worse (in my opinion) than going to a blog and being welcomed by hundreds of flashing annoying advertisements.  The ads clutter up the blog and distract away from the true content.  Your audience will more than likely be looking for the escape button within seconds and not returning.  You’ve not only lost a possible loyal reader,  but any extra cash that could have been produced by the ads.  Strategically place the offers on your sidebar or create another page within your site to display them.

Sensible Goals

Have sensible goals in mind.  Your not going to get rich quick by joining an affiliate program.  I’m happy if I can make enough income to cover the costs of running my website.  Sure I would like to have fists full of cash, but any extra income gained is better than what I started out with!

(FTC  disclosure :  In adherence to the recent FTC changes pertaining to blogger product reviews and sponsored postings  it  is necessary to add when ever I receive any compensation in return for posting about a company or product.  I received compensation for this post. My opinions were of my own.)

MySavings Media- Monetize Your Blog With Legitimate Offers is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

My family is a one income household,  and we have felt the full thrashing of the weak economy.  Cutting back is important and saving money on grocery items helps make our dollars stretch to be able to place more food on the table.  If I don’t have a coupon to bring a name brand item below the cost of a generic product, I will try and grab the money saving product instead.

Recently I was sent some Walmart Great Value products to sample and asked to give my opinion.  The items I tested and tasted were…

Great Value  Twist & Shout Sandwich Cookies.  Compared to the Nabisco’s Oreos.

The Great Value Chocolate Twist & Shout Sandwich Cookies cost $2.00 in comparison to the Nabisco Oreos which were on sale for $2.78.  Giving you a savings of $0.78.

The Great Value Cheese Crackers. Compared to the Sunshine Cheez-It.

The Great Value Cheese Crackers cost $2.38 in comparison to the Cheez-It crackers which were regularly $2.98.  Buying the Great Value crackers would save you $0.60.

The Great Value Cinnamon Crunch cereal. Compared to the GM’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

The Great Value Cinnamon Crunch can be purchased at $2.24.  The GM cereal costs $3.24.  Your saving $1.00 by buying the Great Value product.

The Great Value Pecan Shortbread Cookies. Compared to Keebler’s Pecan Sandies.

The Great Value Pecan Shortbread Cookies were $2.38 in comparison to the Sandies which cost $2.98.  Buying the Great Value cookies saves you $0.60.

The Great Value Honey Nut Spins.  Compared to the GM’s Honey Nut Cheerios.

The Great Value Honey Nut Spins can be purchased for $2.36.  The Honey Nut Cheerios cost $3.24.  You save $0.88.

The total savings of choosing the five Great Value products over the name brand items is $3.86.  The money I saved can help place more food in my cart.  The Wamart Great Value line consists of more than 5,200 products. Imagine if you could do this with most of the items on your grocery list!  How much would you save?

The only problem I have with the Great Value products is the packaging SCREAMS generic.  I understand there is a need to keep production costs down in order to bring the products to the shelves at a low cost, but the packaging needs a face-lift.  Walmart already changed the look of the items  not to long ago, but I think there is a need for a new design and a  more sustainable packaging idea.   What do you think about the packaging?

The actual taste of the Great Value products are delicious and taste as good or better than the name brand items.

Have you tried the Great Value products?  What is your opinion about them?

(prices may vary depending on location)

Walmart Great Value Products – How Do They Compare? is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

I love autumn and all the special gifts it brings.  The apple festivals, beautiful foliage, Halloween festivities, Thanksgiving, and the sweet aroma of fresh baked apple pie make it my favorite time of the year.

Try this homemade aromatic mixture to give your house a homey  fresh baked apple pie scent and help get you in the mood for fall.  It only costs a few pennies to make and beats the smell of pricey commercial room fresheners.

3 cups water

6 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

6 pieces dried orange peel

In a small pan, combine all the ingredients and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until your home is filled with the  spicy fragrance.  Make sure to keep checking the water level!

Homemade Pie Spice Air Freshener is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

This time of year it is important for me to pinch pennies.  The more I save, the more school supplies my daughter gets for going back to school!  The best way for me to be thrifty is by grabbing deals and cutting the costs further by using coupons!

I’m always hunting for Walmart Coupons and other manufactures coupons online and in my Sunday paper.  Sometimes I even find great deals at Amazon.com and other places like Overstock.com.    If I purchase anything at Overstock.com I always do an Internet search  looking for Overstock.com Coupons and percentage discount codes that can be applied before checking out.   Especially for free shipping since your not saving if the shipping costs exceed the total price of what you would pay for an item at your local store.

There are tons of great back to school deals going on in stores and online, but make sure you do your research first as to what method will save you more money and time in the end.   Even if I save only a dollar it can be used for buying extra pens or pencils for my daughter!

Pinching Pennies is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

With summer underway its time to start thinking about protecting yourself from the buzzing blood sucking pests.  Instead of spraying yourself with poisons why not try an all natural  insect repellent?  The essential ingredients in this homemade insect repellent have been shown to keep the nasty little biters far, far, ————–>far away.  However, if you are in the deep woods or in an area of a high rate of mosquito-transmitted diseases, such as West Nile, you may need a stronger protection.

This repellent is not recommended to be used on small children or infants.

15-20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

15-20 drops lemon essential oil

15-20 drops lemongrass essential oil

15-20 drops citronella essential oil

1 ounce olive oil

In a small spray bottle, mix the essential oils with the olive oil.  Use as needed.

Homemade Insect Repellent is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

Why not treat yourself to a relaxing facial?  You deserve it!

The ingredients in this  facial mask are not only yummy but nourish your skin too!

Ingredients

1/2 cup hot water

10 tablespoons quick oats

1/2 apple, cored but with peel

2 tablespoons plain yogurt

2 tablespoons honey

1 egg white

Directions:

1. Clean your face thoroughly with a natural cleanser.  In a small bowl,  add oats into the hot water until the mixture is smooth.  Let stand 5 minutes or until mixture thickens.

2. Place the apple, yogurt, honey, and egg white in a blender and pulse for 45 seconds to mix.  Next add oat mixture and pulse for 20 seconds more.

3.  Apply the mask evenly to the face, being careful to avoid the eyes, and let sit for 15 minutes or until skin feels tight.  Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Honey Mask is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

Most woman develop cellulite at some time during their life.  The thighs, abdomen, and buttocks get attacked with unattractive pockets of fat which cause the skin to dimple.

There are huge varieties of costly products on the market that claim to rid your body of cellulite but don’t perform as they claim.   The most effective way of treating cellulite is to eat a healthy diet along with regular exercise.  Massaging the area with oil also helps in decreasing the appearance by  moisturizing the skin and increasing circulation to aid in breaking down the fatty deposits.

Here is a recipe for a natural massage oil which may help increase blood flow and lessen the look of cellulite.

Cellulite Massage Oil Recipe

2 tablespoons almond oil

1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil

1/2 teaspoon carrot oil

14 drops geranium essential oil

6 drops lemongrass essential oil

4 drops cypress essential oil

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a 1 1/2 to 2 ounce sterilized glass jar with a secure fitting lid.  Shake to well mixed.

After showering, dry skin and massage a small amount of the oil on the cellulite areas, using  circular movements.  Apply only once a day.

Cellulite Massage Oil is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

Citrus Disinfectant is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

Frugal Housekeeping Tips is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

Green Tip Of The Day.

Switch your light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. CFL bulbs happen to be 4 to 6 times more efficient than an incandescent bulb. Even though the initial cost of a CFL is higher than a standard bulb, the money savings over the lifetime of the bulb can be significant. A CFL lasts approximately 10,000 hours compared to the standard bulb only lasting 1,000 hours. They also produce 70% less heat making them safer to operate and cut energy costs associated with cooling your home. The Consumer Reports declares that switching a single bulb to CFL can save $5.00 a year in electrical costs. Imagine the savings if you switch all your bulbs to CFL!

Switching all the bulbs in your home can be expensive at first so just switch a few at a time.

Green Tip Of The Day. is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom

INGREDIENTS
12 ounces whole wheat penne
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 pounds chicken sausage removed from casing
1 bunch Swiss chard (about 1 pound) cleaned, stems and leaves separated and chopped
1 (9-ounce) box frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3/4 cup grated Parmesan (about 2 ounces), plus more for serving
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

DIRECTIONS:

1. Set a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta. Mean while, in a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking sausage into pieces, until cooked through and lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes

2. Add remaining oil, chard stems, artichoke hearts, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook until chard stems soften slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Add chard leaves and cook, stirring, until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

3. Add pasta to boiling water; Cook until 2 minutes short of al dente. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook 2 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain pasta; return to pot.

4. Pour half of reserved pasta water into a small bowl. Add tomato paste and whisk to combine. Add tomato paste mixture, sausage mixture, Parmesan, basil, and red pepper flakes to pasta in pot. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper.

SERVES 4
PREP TIME: 35 MINUTES
TOTAL TIME: 35 MINUTES

Recipe borrowed from Body and Soul Magazine

Eating Right On A Shoestring Budget is a post from: A Happy Hippy Mom