Bargain biscuits for lunchbox snacks

I'm a big fan of quick snacks that you can grab and throw into lunchboxes, so it's no surprise I LOVE the Paradise Viva Lites that come in a multipack of 8. They are super yummy and very convenient.

BUT... I'm also a big fan of doing things yourself, cheaper so I set out to find the perfect recipe for BARGAIN BISCUITS that you can bag into individual snap lock bags, perfect for munching.

Homemade Bargain Biscuits
Makes 120 mini cookies

Ingredients
225g butter, softened
140g caster sugar
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
2 tsp vanilla extract
250g plain flour
350g choc chips
pinch of salt

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees celcius and line a baking tray with baking sheets and spray with cooking oil.

2. Put the butter and sugar into a bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon, then beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Sift together the flour and pinch of salt into the mixture. Then add the choc cips and stir until thoroughly combined.

3. Scoop up tablespoons of the mixture and shape into small balls. Put them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced will apart and flatten slightly.

4. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes. Leave to cool on the baking sheets for 5 - 10 minutes, then using a palette knife, carefully transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

5. Bag up into resealable plastic bags (which can be reused for next time).


You may need to repeat this process several times to achieve the full amount.

Paradise Viva Lites 8pk - $4.80
Homemade Bargain Biscuits (120) - $1.20

Awesome saving and delicious little treat!!

Make your own baby wipes

Whether it's because your child has a reaction to the solution used in commercial wipes or you want to save money, making your own baby wipes is easier than you might think!



There are a few different types of wipes that you can make. My sister-in-law buys a whole heap of Chux cleaning cloths, and cuts each cloth into smaller rectangles - about the size that would fit into a Huggies wipes plastic box. Then, she places one cloth into the plastic box, layers it with a small amount of sorbolene cream before putting another cloth on top. Repeat until the box is full. These wipes are friendly on the skin and are far cheaper and more effective than your regular commerical brand wipe. Used wipes can be washed out and used a second time.



A variation on this is to use a roll of paper towels (preferably a thick and strong brand). Cut the paper towel roll in half (leave the cardboard roll on). Then, in a plastic container (one that can be sealed and used to store the home made wipes) mix 2Tb of baby bath lotion or wash, 1Tb of baby oil and 2 cups of water in the container. Place one half of the towel roll into the container and let set for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip the container and allow to rest for a further 10 minutes.



You want to make sure that the ingredients have soaked through all of the paper towels. When all of the ingredients have absorbed, open the container and stand the paper towels on end with the jagged side that was cut down. Pull the brown cardboard out of the middle, so that you can pull the wipes through the center. Then you just pull the wipes as needed. They tear apart very easily and make nappy changing simple.

Repeat for the second half of the towel roll.