Thrifty Thursdays: DIY Ornaments

Here are a few cute and easy ornaments your family can make together. Save money on expensive store bought ornaments and create lasting memories!

• Easy Christmas Ornaments 
• Homemade Christmas Ornaments
• Homemade Ornaments the Kids Can Make

Wisdom Wednesdays: 12/14/11

I received this quote this morning and I love it. I applies to my life and businesses right now, so I thought I'd share it on this Wisdom Wednesday.

"Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon!"

Thanks Jay!

Teach Them Tuesdays: Christmas Week 2

I will be continuing with Christmas activities for the next two weeks. If you missed last week's lesson check it out here.

• Reading:   
• The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
• Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

• Activities:
• Donate a toy to Toys for Tots or a needy child in your life
• Christmas is another great time to instill the values of giving and kindness in your little ones. Many stores have nice toys for $10 or less around the holidays. Let your child choose one to give to a child in need. If your child has his/her own money earmarked for charity this is a great way to use it.

• Crafts & Cooking:
• Kids Christmas Craft Ideas

• Worksheets
• Christmas Computer Games
• choose worksheets for your child's skill level
• Christmas Worksheets
• choose worksheets for your child's skill level
• Christmas Coloring Pages

Menu Mondays: 12/12/11

Monday: Steak w/ Potatoes, Steamed Veggies, & Brown Rice

• Place steaks and potatoes in pressure cooker
• Season to taste with steak seasoning and Worcestershire sauce
• Add enough beef broth to cover pot bottom
• Cook for 20-25 minutes on high

Tuesday: Ravioli in Butternut Squash Sauce

• Use this recipe for butternut squash soup
• Cook ravioli (or any other cheese filled pasta, like tortellini) according to package directions
• Stir ravioli into hot soup and serve

Wednesday: Chicken & Dumplings

• 4 chicken breasts
• Prepare this homemade cream of chicken
• If you use this recipe add milk to slow cooker with biscuits during the last 30 minutes of cooking 
• You can also substitute canned cream of: chicken, mushroom, or celery 
• Place seasoned chicken in the bottom of slow cooker
• Cover with soup
• Cook on low 5-6 hours
• Prepare Easy Drop Biscuits, but do not bake
• Drop tablespoonfuls of dough into slow cooker 30 minutes before serving 
• This is a great base recipe that can be tailored to suit your tastes

Thursday: Chicken Satay w/ Rice Noodles & Thai Peanut Sauce

• These are good base recipes that can easily be tweaked to suit your family's tastes

Friday: Tacos

• Prepare ground meat according to taco season packet instructions
• Fill your favorite taco shells with meat
• Add your favorite toppings

Saturday: Chicken Picatta

Wisdom Wednesdays: Dessert For Your Child's Breakfast?

My husband and I read Jorge Cruise's The Belly Fat Cure a few months ago. The book really opened our eyes to the dangers of the high sugar diet that has become America's staple. We were shocked to learn about the high concentrations of sugar lurking in "healthy" foods we feel great about our families eating, like whole grain bread and yogurt. Our family has been on a very low sugar diet ever since and the effects of this change are evident every time we look in the mirror.

Yahoo's article on the worst children's cereals on the market was no surprise to me, but I hope it enlightens more families. The food industry can only sell us what we allow them to. When more people refuse to buy the garbage being pushed on us the industry will have no choice but to change the fare they offer us for our tables.

Click on this link to read the article. Does seeing the numbers change your view on cereals you serve your family?

Teach Them Tuesdays: Christmas Week 1

In anticipation of holiday I'll be focusing on Christmas themed activities for the next few weeks. Here is the first installment of my Christmas lesson plans.

• Reading:   
• Santa Kid by James Patterson
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
• 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
• there are hundreds of versions of this Christmas classic

• Activities:
• Santa Advent Calendar

• Crafts & Cooking:
• Homemade Christmas Gifts & Cards

• Worksheets
• Christmas Math Worksheets
• choose worksheets for your child's skill level
• Christmas Worksheets
• choose worksheets for your child's skill level
• Christmas Coloring Pages

Menu Mondays: 12/05/11

Monday: Buffalo Chicken w/ Celery & Blue Cheese Dip

1. Use chicken strip recipe from my 10/03/11 post
2. Whens strips are cooked brush tops with your favorite buffalo sauce (I use Ken's)
3. Broil on high for 3-4 minutes
4. Turn over and repeat steps 2 & 3

Tuesday: Slow Cooker White Bean Chili

• I'm going to try this recipe with ground turkey

Wednesday: Beef Stew

• Try adapting this recipe to your family's tastes

Thursday: Crock Nutty Chicken

• From Leanne Ely's Saving Dinner

Friday: Chili Dogs

• Hot dogs topped with leftover chili and cheese

Saturday: Chicken & Noodle One-Pot

• From Greatest Ever One Pot