Easy Peasy Applesauce

For those of you only following this blog you have probably began to assume that I must have inherited a bunch of money and decided to throw this whole frugal deal out the window.  Not exactly.  To keep it short and sweet for the past 5 months I have been busy trying to figure out how to become a parent to 3 toddlers.  We are adopting and in that process I literally became a mini van Mom by Friday.  Life is a trip.  Check out our adoption blog here for the complete story. 

Although life's expenses go up a little with 3 kiddos in tow, I still like to think I am finding ways to be frugal.  My most recent favorite things are garage sales (who knew they got like 1,000 times greater once you have kids to buy for?)  and in one word: Aldi.  I have grown to love and appreciate that store more than I ever thought I would or could.  With that in mind it brings me to today's blog highlight:  applesauce. 

My kid's love applesauce.  I love the idea of organic applesauce. However, I hate the idea of paying for the stuff.  More than the idea of organic it really bugs me that it is almost impossible to find applesauce that isn't loaded full of other stuff including high fructose corn syrup.  Hey, I have an idea- let's take something that is seemingly good for our bodies (apples) and put a bunch of highly processed sugar in it and then market it as a healthy snack.  OK, off back off the soapbox and onto the fugal find- Easy Peasy Applesauce. 

After coming across this recipe on Pinterest and being intrigued by the fact it contained only natural sugars, I thought I would give it a whirl.  It was simple, delicious, and is becoming a family favorite around here.  Aldi has begun to carry a line of Organic products and produce and this week had Apples on sale.  I stocked up and ended up with 112 ounces of applesauce for only $7.38.  Our freezer is full, my kids are thrilled, and I am happy knowing we didn't break the bank for applesauce- real food style.  Check out 100 Day of Real Food for the recipe. 

Apples washed and ready to go.  Let the applesauce making adventures begin.

This handy kitchen gadget will save you so much time and energy! Another time saving gadget is an immersion blender so you can blend the applesauce right in the pan.  (Garage sales are great for kitchen gadgets.  I scored this sweet apple cutter at a garage sale this season for 50 cents.)

Apples simmering on the stove- added bonus- what your house will smell like in the process!

Finished project.  I like to freeze mine since I have the space.