Coriander-Crusted Salmon

With wild sockeye salmon now in season, this is the perfect time for this super-simple dinner. The recipe is adapted from Publix Apron's Simple Meals. This dinner is very quick to prepare, yet so tasty.

3 tablespoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 lb. salmon filets

2 tablespoons olive oil

In a small bowl, combine coriander, salt, and pepper. Rub mixture on both sides of salmon.

Place olive oil in a large saute pan. Heat oil on medium-high. Cook salmon until it flakes easily (3 to 4 minutes per side). Serve with Chickpea and Artichoke Salad.

Chickpea and Artichoke Salad

1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts, finely chopped

1/2 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed

5 oz. bag baby arugula

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Whisk vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, and pepper until blended.

Toss arugula, artichoke hearts, and chickpeas. Drizzle with dressing and toss. Serve topped with coriander crusted salmon.



This recipe is linked up at Friday Favorites, Remodelaholic's Anonymous,  Tidy Mom, Chic and Crafty Party and House of Hepworths.

Decorative Plaque Redo

I found these plastic plaques at a thrift store over the weekend. They were $1.91 a piece, so I purchased all four.

Although I love the details and the shape, I did not love the color. These plaques were in need of a spray paint makeover!

I had some leftover Rust-oleum spray paint in Shell White (satin finish). With all the detail in the plaques, they required three light coats just to get all the crevises.

I haven't decided on a final spot for these four pieces, but one of them has a temporary spot here. Quite a transformation using only leftover spray paint.

To see more great spray paint projects, visit the Sensational Spray Paint Linky Party and the Sensational Spray Paint Round-Up.

This project is linked to Tutorials and Tips, Weekend Warrior, Metamorphasis Monday, Thrifty Treasures, Sunday Showcase, Friday Favorites, Remodelaholic's Anonymous, Tidy Mom, Chic and Crafty Party and House of Hepworths.

Updated Frames

With just a little spray paint (Rust-oleum Dark Brown), these dated gold frames were transformed.

Instant update for under $4.00!

Check out the other great spray paint projects at the Sensational Spray Paint Linky Party and The Prudent Pantry's Sensational Spray Paint Round-Up.

This project is linked to DIY Showoff, Friday Favorites, Remodelaholic's Anonymous, Finer Things Friday, Tidy Mom, Chic and Crafty Party and Somewhat Simple.

Free Printable Book Labels

Head on over to It Is What It Is and print these adorable book labels just in time for back to school. So cute!

Feed Your Faith...

Photo Credit





Granola Clusters

I have been making all sorts of granola bars lately, but the one problem with bars is that they tend to be crumbly. When you want a pop-in-your-mouth treat with zero chance of crumbs, a switch to granola clusters will do the trick. Although they take longer to create than do bars, clusters are perfect for in the car or school lunches.

This recipe makes approximately 60 1-inch clusters.

1 cup pecans
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup almond meal
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a food processor, combine pecans, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Pulse to a coarse meal.

In a medium bowl, combine the processed mixture with almond meal, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well to combine. Add dried cranberries and stir to mix.

In a small bowl, combine honey, peanut butter, water, and vanilla. Stir until smooth. Add this to the dry ingredients and mix well.

Using wet hands (makes it a lot easier), form dough into 1-inch balls or clusters. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before eating or storing.


Find more great recipes at Healthy Recipes, Tickled Pink, Friday Favorites, Foodie Friday and Chic and Crafty.

Sensational Spray Paint Projects Linky Party

As you know by now, spray paint is my favorite frugal way to transform something to better-than-new! It's simple, it's frugal, and (usually) it's fast. And there are so many possibilities!

Click here to see some of my favorite spray paint projects. What are yours?

Tweet about this party and help spread the word to make this party even better. When you link up, please link back so that everyone can see all the great projects.

Under-the-Bed Storage

Take advantage of space under the bed by using bed risers such as these. With the bed frame lifted slightly, you gain extra storage space. I purchased wooden crates from a craft store (these came from Michael's) and spray painted them white. I used a primer, then two coats of spray paint.

An 18-inch dust ruffle will keep your storage out of sight. I was able to fit 6 of these wooded crates under my daughter's twin-size bed. That's a lot of extra storage space in a child's bedroom.

Visit the Sensational Spray Paint Linky Party for more great spray paint projects!

This post is linked to Think Pink Sundays, Petite Hermine, Sunday Showcase, Sundae Scoop, Check Me Out Saturday, Show and Tell Saturday, Weekend Wrap-up Party, Thrilling Thursday, Fantastic Friday, Friday Favorites, Show and Tell Friday, Home and Family Friday, Feature Yourself Friday and Organizing Junkie.

Chewy Granola Bars (GFCF)

I make this recipe at least once a week. It is so much quicker than making cookies and is a great grab-and-go snack. Because of dietary restrictions in our family, this recipe can be made gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free.

1 cup rolled oats
½ cup whole wheat flour (or GF oat flour  - just grind some GF rolled oats in a food processor)
½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
¼ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. sea salt
⅓ cup honey

Optional add-ins (to total 1 cup):
shredded coconut
chopped nuts
dried fruit
chocolate chips (dairy and soy free)

In medium bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. (I often have this prepared ahead in bags marked "Granola Bar Mix").

Add honey and mix well.

Include any of the optional add-ins to total one cup.

Press the mix evenly into a greased 8” x 8” pan. To keep this dairy and soy free, I grease the pan either with coconut oil or with Spectrum Organic palm oil. 

Bake at 325 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes.

For a printable version of this recipe, click here.

This post is linked to Melt in Your Mouth Monday, Remodelaholic, Think Pink Sundays, Petite Hermine, Sunday Showcase, Sundae Scoop, Check Me Out Saturday, Show and Tell Saturday, Weekend Wrap-up Party, Fun with Food,  Fantastic Friday, Friday Favorites, Show and Tell Friday, Home and Family Friday, Foodie Friday, Feature Yourself Friday, Flaunt it Friday, Frugal Friday, Sweet Tooth Friday, I'm Lovin' It, Chic and Crafty Party and House of Hepworths.

Laundry Room Art

After spray painting the laundry room baskets, I couldn't wait to spray those old frames that I have had forever. I picked them up at Goodwill ages ago, but the $.99 price tag was still on them. Here's what they looked like after I cleaned them up.

I used that lovely Rust-oleum "Eden" that I used on the baskets. I gave the frames two coats. Don't you just love the detail on these old frames?

I could have spent all afternoon at Sprik Space looking for the perfect graphics to fill the frames. Aimee has so many beautiful graphics available free for personal use. Here is just some of what I downloaded, there are tons of fun graphics at her site.

So there you have it. Using baskets and frames that I already had, a $3 can of spray paint, and some free printables, I have updated the laundry room.

Looking for more Sensational Spray Paint Projects? Head on over to the Sensational Spray Paint Project round-up right here.

On July 14th, The Prudent Pantry will be hosting our first spray paint linky party. Get your projects ready to share!

Laundry Room update: See how I added extra storage in the laundry room here.




For more great projects, visit Thrifty Treasures,  Crafty Creative, Flaunt it Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin' It, Chic and Crafty Party, House of Hepworths, Thrifty Thursday, The Inspiration Board, A Little Bird Told Me, Show Me What Ya Got, Handmade Tuesdays, Tip Junkie, Metamorphasis Monday, Sunday Showcase Party, Petite Hermine, DIY Showoff, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sunday Scoop, Think Pink Sunday, Weekend Soiree, Saturday Nite Special, Saturday Swagger, Check Me Out Saturday, and Show & Tell Saturday.

Laundry Room Organization

I have a very small laundry room that is used for all sorts of storage. To keep my laundry supplies handy and organized, I have a shelf installed just above the washer and dryer. My detergent and bleach fit nicely on the shelf, but all of the smaller bottles and laundry items (hosiery bags, spot remover, etc.) are housed in these wicker baskets.

Like I said, the laundry room is really small so it was difficult to get a good picture. While I really like the baskets and have used them for years, I felt I needed a little pick-me-up in an otherwise dull area. I wanted some color in the laundry room.

Spray paint to the rescue. For less than $3.00, I was able to purchase this cheery color called "Eden" at the Home Depot and get a burst of color in the laundry room. I also have some small frames I plan to spray paint using this same color. The paint is by Rust-oleum and has a satin finish.

Update: The frames are done! Go here to see how they turned out.

Don't you love the difference a can of spray paint can make?

Coming Soon: Sensational Spray Paint Linky Party

Nothing transforms like spray paint. For only a few dollars and a small amount of work, you can make something old look better-than-new. I can't wait to see all your creative uses for spray paint!

The Celebrate Spray Paint Linky Party is coming to The Prudent Pantry. Mark your calendar for July 14th, and be ready to link up your best spray paint creations.

Help spread the word to make this the best collection of spray paint projects ever. Tweet about the party right now!

Can't wait to see some great spray paint projects? Check out the Sensational Spray Paint Projects round-up here.

Peanut Butter Cashew Kisses (GFCF)

Luckily, I keep these in the refrigerator. Because if they were out on the counter, they would be gone in no time. Here's my version of these super-simple, no-cook balls.

1/3 cup natural peanut butter

1/3 cup honey

3/4 cup oat flour

1/4 cup chopped cashews

shredded coconut (for rolling)

I use my Cuisinart Mini-Prep to make oat flour from gluten-free oats. I also use the mini-prep to chop the shredded coconut since they shreds can sometimes be too large for these small balls.

Combine the peanut butter and honey in a bowl until smooth. Slowly add the oat flour until all the flour is incorporated (it will be very thick). Add the cashews and mix well.

Form small balls by rolling the mixture in your hands. Roll in the coconut. Place on waxed paper and store in the refrigerator. 

Makes about 15 balls, depending on size.

For more great recipes, visit Mingle Monday, Melt in Your Mouth Monday, Sweets for a Saturday, Saturday Nite Special, Friday Favorites, Foodie Friday, Sweets This Week, Sweet Tooth Friday, I'm Lovin' It Fridays, The Frugal Girls, It's a Keeper Thursday, A Glimpse Inside, Allie Makes, A Crafty Soiree, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays and House of Hepworths.

Sensational Spray Paint Roundup

Looking for the

Sensational Spray Paint Projects?

We have them all right here.

Click on the caption, to get to the post.

Oil Rubbed Bronze A/C Vents



Outgoing Mail Holder





Knife Block Makeover



Extreme Soap Dispenser Makeover

Oil Rubbed Bronze A/C Vents

My A/C vents were badly in need of an update.

I live in Florida, so our vents are at the ceiling. However, this makeover would work just as well if you have vents on the floor or baseboard.

I had some oil rubbed bronze spray paint left over from the Extreme Soap Dispenser Makeover so I used what I had. At first I thought it was going to be too "shiny-metallic" for what I wanted, but in the end I decided that I liked it. I may experiment with some other oil rubbed bronze spray paints in other rooms when this can runs out.

This project was so easy. I just wiped down the vent to prepare for spraying. The paint that I used says it's primer and paint in one so there was no need for any primer. I gave it two coats of paint, approximately an hour apart. And here you have it.

I hadn't replaced the screws yet when I took the picture, which is why you can see the screw holes--sorry!

I think this small update makes a huge difference in our living area. It was so simple and inexpensive.

Looking for more sensational spray paint projects? Check out the spray paint project round-up here.

Be sure to stop by on July 14th for our first Sensational Spray Paint Projects party. Read about it here.



Find more great projects at Chic and Crafty, Feature Yourself Friday, Remodelaholics Anonymous, The Shabby Nest, Flaunt It Friday, The Frugal Girls, A Glimpse Inside, Allie Makes, A Crafty Soiree, Thrifty Thursdays, House of Hepworths, Transformation Thursday and Strut Your Stuff Thursday.