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    About

    Hi! I'm Vicky and I am the cook, writer, and photographer here at Mess for Less.

    Vicky from Mess for Less.

    History of Mess for Less

    I started Mess For Less in 2011 when I had 3-year-old twins and a 1-year-old, because I knew there had to be other moms like me out there. Moms who wanted to entertain and educate their children while spending quality time with them.

    As my children have gotten older (twins in high school and the youngest in middle school), I have posted more and more family-friendly recipes since I spend the majority of my time cooking.

    What You'll Find at Mess for Less

    You will find a wonderful catalog of children's activities and crafts since this blog started out as a kids activities blog. As my kids got older, I started sharing family-friendly recipes as a way to help out fellow busy moms.

    I have always wanted to make moms' lives easier and my recipes do just that. No fancy ingredients or cooking methods. Simply straightforward comfort food that the whole family will love. I am a self-taught cook, and if I can do it, you can too!

    My Background

    I was a teacher for close to 10 years before having my kids. I taught Preschool, Kindergarten, First and Fourth grade. I have a Masters in Early Childhood Education.

    I have been cooking and baking since I was a kid. I have always loved simple recipes that come together quickly and use ingredients that most of us have in our pantry.

    Advertise and Work with Mess for Less

    I want to work with you! I have worked with many amazing brands such as Disney, Bounty, Kraft, McDonald's, Reynolds, Swiffer, Oscar Mayer, and many more!

    collage of business logos such as Disney, Bounty, Oscar Mayer, Kraft, Swiffer, McDonald's, Safeway and Reynolds.

    I offer advertising options, sponsored posts, recipe development, social media consulting, and freelance pieces for your website. Let's work together to create a custom solution for you!

    If you are interested in working together, send me an email and request a media kit. 

    Vicky's Favorite Recipes

    • crack chicken in the crock pot 6
      Keto Crack Chicken in the Crock Pot
    • breakfast casserole 11 1024x685 1
      The BEST Sausage, Egg and Biscuit Breakfast Casserole
    • cropped-corn-flake-hash-brown-casserole-1.jpg
      Hash Brown Casserole with Corn Flakes
    • toasted italian sandwich 2
      Toasted Italian Sandwich - Food Fun Friday
    • blueberry bagel recipe
      The Best Homemade Blueberry Bagels
    • chicken broccoli alfredo bake 6
      Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake
    • crack chicken casserole 10
      Crack Chicken Casserole
    • Instant Pot Banana Bread 10
      Instant Pot Banana Bread

    More About Vicky and Mess for Less

    What does Mess for Less mean?

    I am a pretty frugal person and was always looking for ways to entertain my kids on the cheap. Since the activities we would do would often result in a mess, the name Mess for Less was fitting.

    Where do you get your inspiration for recipes?

    Typically, I have a bunch of ingredients I bought for no specific reason and I think of a fun and easy recipe I can make with them. Often times, if I make something and it is a hit, I will try and make in different ways and using different cooking methods. For example, our Crack Chicken in the Crockpot and Crack Chicken Casserole.

    Do you have any tips for cooking with kids?

    When you cook with kids, it will be messy, so just accept that. Start off with a simple recipe where they can just help to prepare something such as this Monkey Rice Cake Curious George Snack.

    See how that goes, and move up to a recipe where they can help with mixing such as our Easy Bread Recipe. My kids started helping in the kitchen around around 3 years of age. Please supervise kids the entire time and keep them away from hot stoves and ovens and sharp cooking utensils.

    Where to find Mess for Less

    Please follow Mess For Less on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or sign up to get the Mess For Less newsletter in your inbox. I'm everywhere! Resistance is futile!

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    beef and bean enchilada dip 23 2

    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

    Fall Activities and Recipes

    • fall sensory activities
      Fall Sensory Activities
    • q tip fall tree 663x1024
      Q-Tip Fall Tree
    • pumpkin pie crescent roll recipes1
      Pumpkin Pie Crescent Roll Recipe
    • pumpkin spice donuts
      Pumpkin Donut Recipe

    Kids Recipes

    • Monkey Rice Cakes Curious George Snack 7
      Monkey Rice Cake Curious George Snack
    • carrot muffin recipe
      Carrot Muffin Recipe for Kids
    • monster cookie energy balls 12
      Monster Cookie Energy Balls
    • kid made english muffin pizza 11
      Kid Made English Muffin Pizzas

    Popular Recipes

    • crack chicken casserole 10
      Crack Chicken Casserole
    • overnight egg casserole 12 1
      Overnight Egg Casserole
    • toasted italian sandwich 2
      Toasted Italian Sandwich - Food Fun Friday
    • chicken broccoli alfredo bake 6
      Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

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