Fun Time! What Convenience Food or Item makes your Life Easier (& isn't too pricey!)

Parent Cafe
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<p>Yea, forgot I have a convection microwave & could probably get it to roast veggies too. I did roast brussell sprouts. You cut them in half from the base and them drizzle or mist them with olive oil & salt & pepper. Watch them carefully & take them out when they are brown. It was a big hit at the party, tho hubby & the kids didn’t like them much.</p>

<p>Have roasted veggies in the toaster oven and our traditional/convection oven. The toaster oven only takes such small batches, it’s OK for just our family but for parties, really need the regular oven.</p>

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<p>Peanut butter cream cheese from Trader Joe’s.
Try it on a bagel with slices of banana.
Or on slices of apple.</p>

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<p>I heard these tiny carrots are really the hard pulp center of full size carrots and this is why they take forever to soften up if you toss them in a soup or a stew. (I am talking about those super skinny tiny ones with a hint of green on top)</p>

<p>My favorite food item for convenience is the minced garlic in a jar.</p>

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<p>*My favorite food item for convenience is the minced garlic in a jar. *</p>

<p>Has anyone tried freezing minced garlic from a jar?</p>

<p>One of my fav convenience items is one of those things (don’t know what they’re called) that keep your coffee cup warm. The thing plugs in, and heats up, and you keep your coffee cup on it. </p>

<p>I also like that shower sprayer machine…i think Scrubbing Bubbles makes it. you press the button after getting out and it sprays a mist around the shower.</p>

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<p>I’m surprised no one has mentioned Swifter mops yet. Those things are pretty cool. (For a mop, that is.)</p>

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<p>Trader Joe’s sells cubes of frozen herbs (limited selection) and minced garlic. They can be found in the frozen veggie section.</p>

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<p>worrywart, I really like Ina’s roasted brussel sprouts and shock of shock, the whole family even eats them now. This coming from life long confirmed brussel sprout haters. The secret IMO is to use a heavy duty sheet pan and to keep shaking the sprouts so that they cook evenly and don’t burn. I don’t use as much salt as she does and they are still good. </p>

<p>[Roasted</a> Brussels Sprouts Recipe : Ina Garten : Food Network](<a href=“http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-brussels-sprouts-recipe2/index.html]Roasted”>http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-brussels-sprouts-recipe2/index.html)</p>

<p>There’s a Japanese ginger dressing and marinade called Ton Ton Ginger that is good. Our Costco carries it.</p>

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<p>Thanks roshke.</p>

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<p>salads in a bag…esp. spinach, which goes quickly in a million dishes!</p>

<p>frozen pasta dinners…like Bertolli.</p>

<p>sorry, I still love baby carrots (i know what they are, but they TASTE better! and are easy to cook for a side dish with some orange juice and cinnamon)</p>

<p>LOVE the poster who said the “husband” is their favorite convenience item…:)</p>

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<p>Our black lab. Never have to worry about spilled food or crumbs on the floor.</p>

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<p>lol… ditto, only mine’s yellow. :)</p>

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<p>mom2collegekids: I love those coffee cup warmers. My family also puts those candles that come in a glass jar on them, they melt the wax and give off the scent without having to burn the candle.</p>

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<p>We like seedless grapes and seedless watermelon.</p>

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<p>"Trader Joe’s sells cubes of frozen herbs (limited selection) and minced garlic. They can be found in the frozen veggie section. "</p>

<p>Likes.</p>

<p>Especially cilantro.</p>