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Premeditated Leftovers™

Prep-Ahead Meals, Cooking Tips, and Frugal Living


How to Make Chicken Broth in a Slow Cooker

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Making homemade chicken broth is not that time consuming and is a great way to stretch your groceries budget a little farther. Use this tutorial on how to make chicken broth in a slow cooker. Chicken broth is easy to make in a slow cooker. I buy organic, free-range, whole chickens because I can oftenRead More

Tips for Buying Chicken in Bulk

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These tips on buying chicken in bulk will help you stock your freezer with quality chicken. There are many good reasons to purchase chicken in bulk. You can stock up when you find a good deal and freeze the chicken for later use. Maybe you just need to make a bulk purchase to cook aRead More

Pulled Pork Nachos

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This Pulled Pork Nachos recipe is a hit at parties and gatherings! Football season is almost here! Which means it is time for game day appetizers and snacks. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that leftovers make their way into appetizers at my house. I shredded leftover pork roast and combine it to makeRead More

Tips for Buying Beef in Bulk

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Buying a whole or half cow will save you a lot of money on beef in the long run. These tips for buying beef in bulk will help you get started. If you are trying to save money on your grocery bill, chances are you have considered buying your beef in bulk. If so, youRead More

Raspberry and Blueberry Popsicles

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This raspberry and blueberry popsicles recipe is proof that kids will willingly consume fruit! My kids love frozen fruit. I can freeze grapes or berries and then serve them while still frozen to my kids and they will gobble them up. I am not sure what the makes frozen fruit more appealing than fresh fruitRead More

How to Make Lemonade

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Use this recipe and tips for how to make lemonade with fresh lemons to quench your thirst on a hot summer day! I walked into the kitchen and discovered my son juicing lemons. He had already located the sugar and told me he was going to make lemonade. I took a picture because I wantedRead More

Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad Recipe

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This Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad recipe is a delicious twist on traditional potato salad recipes. It combines the flavors of jalapeno poppers (cream cheese, jalapenos, bacon, and cheese) with a potato salad. Warm or chilled, this Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad is the perfect side dish for your next barbecue or potluck! Do you know how to makeRead More

Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe with Cauliflower Rice

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Fresh kale, roasted tomatoes, and cauliflower rice combine to create this delicious roasted  Riced Cauliflower and Tomato Soup with Kale Recipe. Roasting the cauliflower and tomatoes before adding them to this  Tomato Soup Recipe Cauliflower Rice and Kale gives it a deeper rich flavor that you won’t be able to resist. Low-carb soups can haveRead More

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

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f you find you are out of taco seasoning while cooking dinner, you don’t have to run to the store. Instead, you can make homemade taco seasoning mix using this recipe. My taco seasoning mix recipe was born out of necessity. Years ago, I had started preparing dinner when I realized I didn’t have a packet ofRead More

Grain-Free Mocha Chocolate Chip Muffins

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These grain-free mocha chocolate chip muffins are a hit with my family. They make an easy breakfast on the go or a tasty afternoon snack. These grain-free mocha chocolate chip muffins are not only tender and moist but also gluten-free and dairy-free. The combination of cocoa, coffee, and chocolate chips creates a rich chocolate muffin.Read More

Grain-Free Pancakes

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These grain-free pancakes are light and fluffy and have a delicious vanilla flavor. Our family has been gluten-free for many years, but in June we eliminated most grains from our diet. While following a gluten-free diet has made me feel much better, I noticed that when I ate too many foods made with rice flourRead More

Easy Homemade Raspberry Popsicles Recipe

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It is easy to make this homemade raspberry popsicles recipe using fresh raspberries. Whenever possible, I like to give my kids treats that are made with real fruit! When I am feeling lazy, I just pour pure fruit juice in popsicle molds. But when I have a few extra minutes, I like to puree freshRead More

Gluten-Free Pizza Muffins

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This gluten-free pizza muffins recipe is a hit with my kids. It is easy to pack in lunches and can be customized with your favorite pizza toppings. My daughter says you need a scratch and sniff screen to smell these delicious pizza muffins. Pictures just don’t do them justice! Apparently, my pictures are especially badRead More

Glazed Carrots Recipe with Parsley

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This quick and easy glazed carrots recipe only takes 15 minutes to cook. This simple recipe for glazed carrots is based on one my cousin shared at a family dinner years ago. My kids enjoy the sweetness of the glazed carrots, it is easy to make, and its mild flavor goes well with just aboutRead More

Green Peas Recipe with Green Onions and Basil

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This quick and easy recipe for green peas with green onions and basil is a family favorite! In our house, this recipe is called “Astronaut Peas”. When my husband was a little boy he saw footage of astronauts at a dinner where peas were served as a side dish. He asked his parents if youRead More

How to Save Money on Coffee

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Your coffee habit doesn’t have to be expensive! Here are some tips on how to save money on coffee. I love my morning cup of coffee. I don’t love how expensive it can be to pick up a cup at a drive-through, so I make it at home. While making coffee at home is aRead More

Great Uses for Leftover Coffee

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Don’t let your leftover coffee go to waste! Here are 11 great uses for leftover coffee. If your morning cup of Joe usually leaves behind a little bit in your pot, you may feel guilty just pouring it down the drain but reheated coffee just doesn’t taste as good as that fresh pot. With coffeeRead More

Welcome. I'm Alea!

On Premeditated Leftovers I share simple recipes made with whole foods, practical shopping tips, time saving techniques, and meal planning strategies. I also share tips for minimizing food waste, so more of the food that is purchased ends up on the table.

While volunteering as a budget counselor, I realized that food is the element of most people’s budgets where they have the greatest control. I set out to develop low-cost recipes from scratch to prove it’s possible to create delicious meals on a limited budget. Eating well while spending less is about more than just creating recipes using inexpensive ingredients; it’s about creatively combining ingredients so you don’t feel deprived and are inspired to stick to your budget.