Just~One~Donna

How to Freeze Chicken the Right Way (Save Money and Make Meal Prep Easier) Buying chicken in bulk is one of the easiest ways to save money on groceries—but only if you freeze it the right way. Quick Answer The best way to freeze chicken is to trim it, divide it into meal-sized portions, wrap it tightly, place it in freezer bags, remove as much air as possible, label each package with the date, and freeze immediately. I never put a family pack of chicken directly into the freezer. Instead, I spend about 20 minutes trimming, portioning, and packaging it so it's ready for quick weeknight meals. That one habit saves me time, reduces waste, and makes meal planning much easier. The secret isn't just buying more chicken; it's preparing it properly before it goes into the freezer. This simple habit has saved me countless hours in the kitchen and helped reduce food waste. Spending about 20 minutes today means you'll have meal...

How to Choose the Best Kitchen Appliances for Your Home Shopping for new kitchen appliances can feel overwhelming, but a little planning makes the process smoother, less stressful, and far more successful.  Whether you're replacing an aging refrigerator or updating your entire appliance suite, knowing your needs, understanding your budget, and comparing models efficiently will help you make smart, confident choices. I just went through the process of replacing my refrigerator, range, microwave, and dishwasher.   Today, I'm sharing my tips for simplifying the process, reducing overwhelm, and making it more enjoyable.  I also have a handy-dandy checklist to help you out.

Simple tips to help you get consistent results from your bread machine. If you have a bread machine sitting in your cupboard, you’re not alone. Many people used theirs for a while, then set it aside when results felt inconsistent, or life got busy. The good news is, your bread machine is still one of the simplest ways to make bread at home. Once you understand what to look for, it becomes much more dependable. I love my bread machine because it allows me to enjoy homemade bread recipes without any fuss. As a rule, I use the dough cycle on my bread machine, preferring to shape and bake my bread the traditional way. Master Your Bread Machine for Homemade Deliciousness Let's explore the benefits of using a bread machine, some key factors to consider when choosing one, and some tips and tricks for successful bread-making with your machine.  This post includes affiliate links. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this site at no extra...

You can unlock a world of delicious possibilities with deboned chicken thighs easily customizing your meals and saving money in the process. Deboned thighs can be stuffed, rolled, pounded thin for cutlets, or simply pan-seared for a quick and flavorful meal. There's no need to pay extra for boneless chicken thighs! This quick and easy tutorial shows you exactly how to debone chicken thighs yourself at home! You'll need just a few minutes and a sharp knife to unlock a pocketful of savings and versatile boneless chicken dishes. Eight Easy Steps to Debone Chicken Thighs You'll be amazed at just how easy it is to remove the bone from a chicken thigh and you'll appreciate the savings you'll realize for your food budget!

There's no time like the present to refresh or upgrade your kitchen essentials. Think of those times when a recipe calls for whisking delicate eggs, only to realize your trusty metal whisk might leave scratches on your beautiful new non-stick pan? The truth is, our kitchens need both the sleek functionality of stainless steel and the gentle touch of wood or silicone to protect some of our equipment. Today we're talking about building a well-rounded kitchen arsenal by refreshing and updating ten essential tools that will make our kitchens a joy to cook in.  I've searched out the best of the best on Amazon with the added benefit of really great prices.  The 10 Kitchen Tools You Need Now In honor of the first day of spring, I am refreshing some of the most used essentials in my kitchen. Come shop with me #Ad, using my Amazon affiliate links, and refresh your kitchen, too! 

 Kitchen knives are the backbone of your kitchen, making it crucial to invest in the best quality knives you can afford and to learn how to maintain them properly.  How to Choose and Care for Kitchen Knives I've included affiliate links in this blog post. Caring for your kitchen knives is fundamental to maintaining their performance and longevity. By investing in the right knives, keeping them sharp, storing them properly, and washing them with care, you can ensure that your kitchen knives remain reliable and efficient for years to come. 

Have you considered installing a water-filtering system in your kitchen? If you are like me, you may have been curious about water filtration systems and how they can improve the quality and taste of your tap water for some time. Every year about this time I get a report from my town about the quality of water it supplies. It always makes me stop and wonder if I can do better. Installing Stand-Alone Countertop Water Filtration in Your Kitchen So when BigBerkey gave me  the BigBerkey countertop water filtration system  to try in my home for the first time, I was very excited. Here are some of the reasons why I decided to give it a try and what I have learned so far from the experience.

 Have you faced sticker shock at the grocery store lately? When you're looking to cut down on your grocery bill, taking advantage of sales can be a great way to save money, especially on meats. One of the most versatile and popular meats is chicken, and boneless chicken breasts and bone-in chicken thighs often go on sale.  How to Freeze Chicken and Save Money at the Grocery Store When you buy chicken on sale, it is easy to freeze boneless chicken breasts and bone-in chicken thighs to maximize their shelf life and help lower food costs.

It’s time to get busy baking memorable holiday treats.  Holiday baking often requires baking tools you don't use frequently throughout the year and some of your tools may need a refresh. This is the time of year to take inventory of your kitchen tools as you prepare for your holiday baking.  Having the right tools on hand makes baking easier and less frustrating when you have a lot to do.  Some of these would make nice gifts or stocking stuffers for the bakers on your list, too. Prepare for Holiday Baking with the Right Tools  I’ve made it easier for you to think through what you might need by assembling a list of highly-rated kitchen tools essential for your holiday baking. Use these affiliate links and you’ll be baking holiday treats in a few short days.

If you have fruit flies in your kitchen, the fastest homemade solution is a simple mixture of apple cider vinegar and one or two drops of dish soap.  The vinegar attracts the fruit flies, while the dish soap breaks the surface tension so they sink instead of escaping. Most people begin seeing results within a few hours. No chemicals. No special equipment. Just a quick fix that actually works. The Best Homemade Fruit Fly Trap (Works in Hours) Those pesky little buggers can often be brought into your home on the vegetables and fruit you buy. You don't have to put up with the annoyance. This homemade fruit fly trap is one I have been using for many years, and it works every time.

Is decluttering on your list of things to accomplish in the new year? Think about starting with something easy, like your kitchen junk drawer. The time is now.  January is a great month for decluttering. We all have them.  Yes, I'm talking about that unsightly junk drawer.  Have you looked in your kitchen junk drawer lately?  How do you feel every time you open that drawer?  Does it frustrate you?  Can you find what you are looking for?  If you are ready to tackle your kitchen junk drawer I can help. How to Declutter Your Kitchen Junk Drawer (This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  Purchases made through these links help support this blog.) My Organized Kitchen Junk Drawer This is a tip I use whenever I am decluttering. It is very useful for drawers and closets in your home that seem to accumulate all matter of stuff.  I'm talking about those black holes where stuff goes and never seems to come out again. ...

This week the organizing bug got hold of me. Specifically, my laundry room was in dire need of drastic reorganization. It was a chore I had put off far too long.  Friends, I had been procrastinating for three years in tackling this project. Well, it's done and I am happy as can be.  This is not a pretty reorganization.  The pictures of this reorganization will not be Pinterest worthy. This laundry space is pretty much my space these days and I wanted to reorganize it for me. I don't love doing laundry and wanted to think through how I could make this a more productive space for me. This reorganization emphasizes practical solutions and reflects what I need. If you love practicality, too, stick with me. If not, do you. Three Steps and Three Days to Organize a Laundry Room This post contains affiliate links.  If you shop using these links we receive a small compensation.  Small Laundry Room Before Let's step back for a minute and talk about my laund...

Let's start 2018 with some ideas for being more efficient in the kitchen.  I don't know about you, but I am always grateful for any suggestions that will save me time, money, or both in my kitchen. Twenty Five Kitchen Hacks to Save You Time and Money I've been gathering these kitchen tips over the years and use them all in my own kitchen.  How many do you use, too?

I don't know what I would do without my pantry.  It is because of my pantry that I can whip up meals for my family relatively quickly any day of the week.   Regular followers of Just One Donna  know that my recipes are straightforward, flavorful, and simple to prepare.  Good food, prepared simply is my goal day in and day out.   A well-stocked pantry will help you to do the same.  September is a perfect time to update your pantry in preparation for end-of-year holidays and family gatherings. A Guide to a Well-Stocked Pantry (This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  Purchases made through these links will help support this blog.) What is a Pantry? For me, the term pantry refers to the places in your kitchen where essential meal-planning ingredients and tools are stored.  When I use the term pantry I am talking about the ingredient cabinets and refrigerator space in my kitchen. The most important space I have dedic...

Have you ever made a pizza with garden-fresh tomatoes? When my garden tomatoes are ready to harvest one of the ways I like to highlight their sweetness is with a pizza.  I keep it simple. The three tomato plants I have in my garden just keep on giving.  I'm not complaining.  I wait for my tomato bounty all year long.  That's why you'll find a lot of tomato recipes on Just One Donna in the summer.     This fresh tomato and mozzarella cheese pizza is a favorite. A Fresh Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza (This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  Your purchases made through these links help to support this blog.) Fresh Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza Pizza became easier to make at home than ordering out when I got a pizza stone.  It took me a little while to get the hang of baking pizza with the pizza stone, but once I did my preference for pizza became any kind of pizza I make at home.  

Hydrangeas make an elegant statement when used in your home floral arrangements. If you are lucky, you live in a place where hydrangeas grow in abundance.  New England is one of those places.  Summer in New England is a feast for the eyes with all of the hydrangea bushes in full bloom. Tips for Making Beautiful Hydrangea Arrangements for Your Home Hydrangea Arrangement Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers, so as soon as the blossoms start to open you'll find me cutting them to bring into the house.  

Simple Homemade Ant Bait That Works If you’ve ever had ants show up in your kitchen, you know how quickly a small problem turns into a big one. This simple homemade ant bait uses just three ingredients and works by eliminating the colony, not just the ants you see. No sprays. No guesswork. Just a method that actually works.

Don't shy away from bringing orchids into your home. Orchids are easy to grow and simple to care for.  Just follow these tips for beautiful orchids that will bloom time and again. Seven Tips for How to Care for Orchids in Your Home A Reblooming Orchid In my opinion, orchids are one of the best values available in flowers and household plants.  You can buy a beautiful orchid full of buds and blooms for less than $20 at grocery stores and garden centers across the United States.  Those flowers will last for about three months of colorful beauty in your home and require minimal care. My Reblooming White Orchid When purchasing your orchid, choose a plant with just a couple of open blooms  and many closed buds. This orchid will give you many months of lovely flowers.  Pass up any orchid that has wilting blossoms or signs that flowers have dropped off the plant. When the blooms fade, don't throw your orchid plant out.  Save th...

We all know and love zucchini season. It is the season that comes between summer and fall. It's the season when you'll go out of your front door in the morning and find a bag of zucchini there that the zucchini elves left for you during the night. That's exactly what happened to me today, so I knew zucchini season had once again arrived in my neighborhood. Make a Zucchini-Based Grilled Vegetable Medley (This post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through one of the links on this page, I will receive compensation.) Grilled Vegetable Medley Has zucchini season arrived in your neighborhood?  If not yet, it will arrive soon and I want you to be prepared. 

The burst of color from African violet flowers can really brighten up your home and perk up your spirits.  Is your thumb more brown than green?  Not to worry, African violet care is very easy. Read on to learn the best tips to care for African violets. How to Grow Beautiful African Violets (This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  I will be compensated when you make a purchase using these links.) My African Violet Pin This Post For Later:   Seven Tips for African Violet Care Here's a nine-minute video that will show you how I care for my African violets. Watch My African Violet Care Video Seven Tips for African Violet Care African violets like diffused, bright light.   I have them in rooms with either a southern or a western exposure.  That's not to say that you can't grow them in other sunlight exposures, but these work beautifully for me.  It's best not to put your plants on a window sill.  Try ta...