Thrifty Thursday: Cut the Chemicals (and cost)

We got a waffle maker for Christmas that we've loved. As we were making a cozy snow day breakfast a couple days after Christmas, my sister in law informed us that Bisquick has aluminum in it (cue the Downer Debbie "wah waaaahhhh"). That fact had never dawned on me and I tried to disregard it because we had a big honkin' box of Bisquick in our pantry that we use all the time.

BUT since then, everytime I've fed the children something with Bisquick, I can't help but think "aluminum, aluminum, aluminum" since it's linked to ADD (and also Alzheimer's). I've been looking more closely at the ingredients on boxes of similar mixes. Turns out, aluminum is in many pancake mixes as well. The only mix I've noticed it's not in is Krusteaz.

I've found 2 recipes that are easy peasy and give me a piece of mind knowing what my kids are putting in their mouths. Most of the things you probably have on hand so it should cut your costs to use these mixes whenever a recipe calls for Bisquick or pancake mix. My kids seem to likey, too, so it's a win win!

Homemade DRY Pancake Mix
4 cups all-purpose flour (I use 3 cups of the flour and 1 cup of wheat germ)


2 cups whole wheat flour

2/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons baking powder (without Aluminum)

1 tablespoon baking soda

Mix dry ingredients and store in air tight container. You can use this mix in a recipe that calls for pancake mix OR make pancakes by adding 1 egg and 3/4 cup milk (plus an optional medium banana and/or 3/4 cup blueberries).

I most recently used this mix in Jessica Seinfeld's Pink Pancake recipe and my meat n' taters husband said, "These are the best pancakes I've ever had!" Now, THAT's a compliment. Another healthy pancake recipe you may want to try (it does not call for pancake mix) is posted here on The Carolina Clipper.

Dry Bisquick like mix (can use for anything that calls for Bisquick)
3 1/4 Cups all purpose unbleached White Flour


1/2 Cup White Sugar

1 Cup Non Fat Dry Milk Powder

1/4 Cup Cornstarch

1 tbls Baking Powder (without Aluminum)

2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp Salt

• In a medium/large mixing bowl, Add flour, non-fat dry milk powder, and sugar, mix with spoon until blended.
• Add cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch and salt, mix together with flour mixture.
• Store in an Airtight Container in a cool dry place. Mix ingredients before using for a recipe.

This Chicken Pot Pie recipe is one of my favorite's where I typically use Bisquick. I think I'll give this mix a whirl instead.

By the way, I've also learned most deodorants are full of aluminum. Haven't researched a way to make that or cut that cost yet. Let me know if ya'll come up with something--besides settling for BO. :)

Happy Thursday!
HPS