Chore Dice

Doing the same chores over and over is slowly driving my kids, and myself insane. There is more bickering over doing chores than anything else in my house. Colby is tired of always taking out the trash, and Kaylee is whining when it is time to empty the dishwasher. I had to come up with a solution to this problem and quick. What does any blogging mom do when she needs an idea? I went to google and searched as many family fun sites as I could. I came across a great site called "Disney Family Fun" I searched the site a little and came across a fun way for the kids to do chores. My kids love Yatzee, Bunco, or any other game that uses dice. There is a fun way to do chores by using Chore Dice. Materials, instructions, and a printable template are all available to construct your dice. It was easy and fun to do. My kids' get excited to roll the dice everyday and see what new chore they will get! Colby discovered he loves to empty the dishwasher, and I discovered that my kids doing the chores doesn't always have to be a fiasco.

http://www.familyfun.go.com/

Great way to manage your money

My friend introduced me to a free website that links to your bank account, credit card account, and all auto or home loans, and keeps track of them on one handy site. The website is called mint.com. It is awesome! You have to take about 30-45 minutes to initially enter your information. Once you are set-up, managing your accounts is a breeze. I get weekly email updates, and texts if I make a purchase on my account over $50. It is great for keeping track of credit cards, so that you will not become a victim of identity theft. I highly recommend this site to everyone. I have been using it for almost a year and it has helped me budget, and has shown me where I spend too much money or where I am saving money monthly!

http://www.mint.com/

Ten Dollar Dinners

I have been watching a great new show on the food network called Ten Dollar Dinners hosted by Melissa d'Arabian. It is a really great show for a mommy on a budget. It's on Sunday's at 12:30 on the food network. You can also check out the recipes online at http://www.foodnetwork.com/ and search for Ten Dollar Dinners.

Have a Family Movie Night!

Family movie night is a fan favorite in our house! Here is a list of the top 10 best movies for family movie night.

1. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
2. Ella Enchanted
3. Shrek 1, 2, or 3
4. Toy Story 1 or 2
5. The Sound of Music
6. Finding Nemo
7. Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (with Gene Wilder)
8. The Wizard of Oz
9. A Bug's Life
10. Monsters, Inc.

Great New Gadget

Not that we have many leftovers in my house, but when we do, it is nice to find a product that makes storing leftovers easier! Kuhn Rikon Magic Covers ($18 for two at Amazon.com) is a reusable silicone lid that fits over plates, and bowls. Just press down on the center to get a tight seal, that keeps the food fresh in the fridge or the freezer. It is great for pre meal prep and food storage for the week. I highly recommend this product, and know that it keeps lettuce fresh for a week!

Kuhn Rikon Magic Cover, Set of 2

Weekly Dinner Menu

Quick and Easy! That is our theme this month isn't it. All recipes can be made in about 30 minutes or less. Just enough time for the busy working mom to prepare a great meal!

Monday: Garlic Lime Fajitas (seasonings and recipe by McCormick Recipe Inspirations)

Tuesday:  Black Bean and Corn Chicken Chili (recipe by McCormick)
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut in 1-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
4 teaspoons McCormick® Chili Powder
2 teaspoons McCormick® Cumin, Ground
1 teaspoon McCormick® Garlic Powder
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 ounces) great Northern beans, undrained
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 3/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken, bell pepper and onion; cook and stir 7 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned.
2. Heat small nonstick skillet on medium heat 2 minutes. Add chili powder, cumin and garlic; toast 30 seconds or until aromatic, stirring constantly. Add to chicken mixture.
3. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 20 minutes

Wednesday: Stove-Top Tamale Pie with veggies
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2 packages Taco Seasoning Mix
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, undrained
1 package (8 ounces) corn muffin mix
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions
Directions:
1. Brown ground beef in large skillet on medium-high heat. Drain fat.
2. Stir in Seasoning Mix, tomato sauce and beans. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, prepare corn muffin mix as directed on package. Drop small spoonfuls of batter over meat mixture. Cover.
4. Cook on medium-low heat 15 minutes or until corn bread is cooked through. Sprinkle with cheese and green onions. Cover. Cook on low heat until cheese is melted.

Thursday: Ultimate Barbecue-Rubbed Chicken with corn and cole slaw
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons smoked Spanish paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon ancho chili powder
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup barbecue sauce, warmed
Directions:
1. Heat gas or charcoal grill. In small bowl, mix brown sugar, paprika, cumin, garlic salt and chili powder. Rub both sides of chicken with seasoning mixture.
2. Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F).
3. Serve chicken with barbecue sauce.

Friday:  Grilled Chicken Kabob Caesar Salad
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
8 medium green onions, cut into 4-inch pieces
1 large red bell pepper, cut into wedges
3/4 cup fat-free Caesar dressing
1 bag (10 ounces) ready-to-eat romaine lettuce
1/2 cup croutons
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)
Directions:
1. Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Thread chicken, onions and bell pepper alternately on each of four 10-inch metal skewers, leaving space between each piece. Reserve 1/2 cup of the dressing for serving. Brush skewers with remaining 1/4 cup dressing.
2. Cover and grill kabobs 4 to 6 inches from medium heat 10 to 12 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
3. Arrange kabobs on romaine; top with croutons and cheese. Serve with reserved 1/2 cup dressing.

Saturday: Sloppy Joes, steak fries, mixed greens

Quote of the Week

"My mother's menu consisted of two choices: Take it or leave it."

~ Buddy Hackett

Great New App for your Smartphone

Find a deal on your phone! The ShopSavvy app shows you where to find an item for the cheapest price online and in stores. You use your phone to scan the barcodes to find the best prices! It's that easy, and I love it!!

McCormick Recipe Inspirations

A few days ago I came across a new product that is perfect for any busy mom. It's McCormicks NEW Recipe Inspirations! Each package includes all the  pre-measured spices you need, and a collectible recipe card. It makes cooking fast and easy! They have many flavors to choose from.

1. Apple and Sage Pork Chops
2. Garlic Lime Fajitas
3. Quesadilla Casserole
4. Rosemary Roasted Chicken with Potatoes
5. Shrimp and Pasta Primavera
6. Spanish Chicken Skillet

I tried the Rosemary Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and it was fantastic. I am going to make it again this week and add it to the weekly menu! I can't wait to try the other flavors. You can go to http://www.mccormick.com/ to find out more about this product! Happy Cooking!

Helping Your Family Go Green Checklist

Since it is Earth day, I thought it would be fitting to post a checklist that can help you start GOING GREEN today!

1. Save water by decreasing your shower time -- or rather take a bath, which uses less water than a shower.
2. Get in the habit of brushing your teeth with the water off, and encourage your children to do so, as well.
3. Switch from paper and plastic bags to reusable bags and totes.
4. Opt for direct deposit, online banking, and paperless statements to reduce your paper usage.
5. Unplug all of your appliances when you leave the house to save energy (and prevent a fire hazard).
6. Keep one set of dishes at the office, including: a cup, utensils, bowl, and plate. This will prevent you from reaching for disposable utensils, cups, and plates.
7. Use rechargeable batteries -- Duracell now has a line of pre-charged rechargeable batteries!

HAPPY EARTH DAY! TOGETHER WE CAN TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

21 ways to enjoy being a mom!

From The Fun Book for Moms by Melina Gerosa Bellows. copyright 2007 by Melina Gerosa Bellows. To be published by Andrews McMeel Publishing in May.



21 ways to enjoy being a mom

1.When you're tired, hand your kids a brush, point to your head, and tell them to play beauty parlor. When you're really tired, pretend that you're Sleeping Beauty.

2.Take your mother to a spa. While you're both getting seaweed wraps, tell her all your favorite memories of growing up.

3.Take a bath with your infant. Make sure your husband is around for the handoff, so you can relax until the last minute. (Don't forget to smell your baby right afterward. Heaven!)

4.At the end of every summer, take a family photo for the holiday card (you'll be happy to have this accomplished once December comes). Every year, add a framed 11-by-14-inch print to your front hall. Your kids will be proud now and laugh later at the funny styles.

5.On St. Patrick's Day, dye the milk and eggs green and turn the furniture upside down so your home looks like total chaos. When your little ones wake up, tell them that the leprechauns came.

6.The next time you have to go to a boring kiddie activity, invite another mom-friend along. Hide wine in sippy cups for the two of you to nurse undercover.

7.Play Freaky Friday with your husband and switch roles for a day. Enjoy his renewed appreciation for his Super Mom wife.

8. In the dead of winter, fix some snacks, get under warm quilts, and watch Happy Feet on DVD. Tell your kids you love them even more than the penguins love their chicks.

9.Go to the beach in the off-season. Throw rocks in the water and collect shells. Put them in a vase and use it as shelf decor in your living room.

10.Skip the Raffi and Barney. Turn your kids on to Bob Marley, They Might Be Giants, and Gwen Stefani.

11.Take your baby out to the movies at night. (Infants love the dark, and loud trailers make them snooze immediately.) Then you can sip your soda and munch your popcorn in peace.

12.Buy yourself that fancy watch, strand of pearls, or whatever piece of expensive jewelry you've been lusting after. Justify your purchase by rationalizing that you'll pass it down to your daughter (or son's wife) eventually.

13.Take your kids to live music performances from very early ages. Cheap ones outdoors are great to start with in case you need to make a hasty exit (like when a diaper explodes).

14.Use your kids as an excuse to do the things you want to do, like going to silly feel-good movies, eating mac and cheese for dinner, and jumping in the moonbounce. Use your kids as an excuse to get out of things you don't want to do, like going to a wedding or office party.

15.Every Mother's Day, have a picture taken with your kids. Keep the photos all together - along with special cards, ticket stubs, mementos, and anything else that makes you feel good about being a mom - in a shoe box. (Of course, you must get those new shoes you love in order to do this correctly.) Every year, look through your Goddess Mom box and see how much your kids have grown.

16.Give your kids quiet time every day. Let them learn to be by themselves with books, crayons, or blocks.

17.Let your whole family take a day off and hang out in pj's all day long.

18.Rent Sex and the City on DVD, and reminisce about the days when you were single and the biggest problem you had was whether the "He" of the moment was going to call. Let the romance of your youth seduce you. Then remember that, despite your freedom, all you really wanted was to fall in love and have beautiful babies.

19.Pitch a tent in the backyard. Use it as your outdoor reading room. Or when there's a full moon, plan a family campout with sleeping bags, a transistor radio, and s'mores, of course.

20.Invent a house fairy. Give her a name, and tell your kids that she is always watching them and counting up their good deeds.

21.Listen for the deep, happy sighs that come after your kids play or laugh really hard. Tuck them away in your heart.
 
Being a mom is the best blessing in the world. Learn how to enjoy it!

Eat together, Eat better!

Do you want to make a real impact on your family today, and for years to come?

Eat together! Research shows that kids and parents are more emotionally fit if they eat regularly scheduled meals together. Kids who eat regular meals with their families are less picky, and eat more nutritious food, have higher grades, and are less likely to get involved with alcohol, and drugs.

(The TV is not a family member! Turn it off and enjoy eachother!)

Send what kids like

Ask your kids to make a list of their favorite lunch items from each of the food groups. Then use their list to create lunch menus. Send them to school with a healthy home lunch that you know they will enjoy!

Weekly Dinner Menu

This week is another busy busy week for me. I am really relying on making meals that are fast, healthy, and somewhat kid friendly!

Monday:
Teriyaki chicken, salad, and rice

Tuesday:
Tacos with black beans

Wednesday: Herb Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
Ingredients:

1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/3 cup water
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves, crushed
4 medium potatoes, cut into quarters
2 cups fresh or frozen whole baby carrots
4 bone-in chicken breast halves
1/2 teaspoon paprika

Directions
Mix soup, water, 1 teaspoon oregano, potatoes and carrots in shallow roasting pan.
Top with chicken. Sprinkle with remaining oregano and paprika.
Bake at 400 degrees F 50 minutes or until chicken is done. Stir vegetables.

Thursday: Mahi Mahi with Quinoa, and a salad

Friday:
BLT's with homemade fries

Saturday:
Homemade hamburgers with chips, and baked beans

Quote of the Week

"Working mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment to show that sleep is not necessary to human life."

~ Anonymous

Family Mailboxes

Kids love getting mail and as long as the mail isn't bills, parents love mail too. Add some fun to your family communications by making a family mailbox. Great for leaving messages of encouragement, love, and support for family members. It's also a great way for kids to "vent" and get some things that may be troubling them, and are unable to express verbally of their chests. A great activity for family nights. All of the supplies for this activity can be found at your local hardware and craft store.

You will need a steel mailbox. You can purchase a regular steel mailbox at your local hardware store for around $10-$15.

Wood cut out shapes (you can find these at your local craft store) one for each member of the family.

Acrylic Paints (don't use Tempera paint.) It won't stick to the steel.

Mini Wood Clothes Pins

Glue

Paint Brushes

Markers and Pencil

Directions:
Begin by having every family member choose a wood cut out shape. After they have chosen, let them decorate them with paint, or markers. (If more than one person has chosen the same shape be sure to write their names on them.)

Next using the pencil, pencil in the design for the mailbox, making sure to get everyone's input and thoughts.

Once the mailbox design is penciled in, paint over it with the acrylic paints. More than one coat may be necessary. Let dry overnight.

After the wood cut outs have completely dried, glue a small wooden clothes pin to the back.

Place the mailbox in a central location and begin leaving mail for each other. When leaving mail for a particular person in the family raise the flag and clip on their wood cut out. This gives notice that someone has mail!

This is a great and fun way to give the kids allowances, birthday cards, and small surprises. Don't forget to encourage your kids to use the mailbox when something is troubling them. Kids often have difficulty expressing themselves verbally and would feel more comfortable writing it down. Have fun with this family fun family project!

Bye Bye Smelly Kitchen Sponge

At work the other day, a few of us were in the break room for some much needed down time. I could smell this stale smell coming from the sink. Come to find out, it was the sponge. It doesn't get used that often, and it smelt really bad. One of the Dr's I work with suggested wetting the sponge and putting it in the microwave for 20 seconds. He stated that the radiation in the microwave would kill any bacteria on the sponge. We did it, and it worked. The sponge did not smell as bad any longer. I haven't yet figured out how often this has to be done, but I suggest if you are going out of town for a week or so, and you don't want a smelly sponge when you get home, try it!

The Art of Juggling

As a full time working mommy, I find it incredibly difficult to find time to really clean my home. After a hard day's work, my feet are killing me, and I don't really feel like scrubbing toilets. After working all day I miss my kids, I miss my husband, and I miss the comfort of just being home. Bottom line moms is this... you are not going to be able to do it all. I would love to vaccum everyday, but realistically I don't have time to do that. I would love to be able to eat off the floor, but that is not going to happen. Instead I do what my husband refers to as surface cleaning. I run through the house every night before bed like a Tasmanian devil, and put away everything on the floors, and counters that are visible to the naked eye. I make sure the dishes are done, and the laundry is at least in a hamper to be done whenever. This routine helps me manage my home, so that I am less stressed. On my Friday's off, I do the deep clean, so that I can enjoy my weekends at home with my family!

Pay ahead on your mortgage

By paying an extra $100 a month toward the principal on a $150,000, 30-year mortgage with a fixed interest rate of 6.5 percent, you’ll save more than $51,000 in interest and be able to retire your mortgage nearly seven years early. An extra monthly payment of even $20 or $25 can make a surprising difference. Granted, you’d stand to benefit more if you could invest that extra payment in an interest-bearing account offering a guaranteed higher rate of return than your mortgage rate. And paying off your mortgage early means you won’t have the tax benefits of home ownership for the same number of years. But if you’re after the psychological benefit of owning your home outright and spending far less on interest over time, then the extra-payment approach is the way to go.

Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/16369214/#ixzz0kO9JT3gp

Take Care of Yourself, Too!

While taking care of parental, relationship, household and workplace responsibilities, it’s easy for mothers to put taking care of themselves last on the list. However, not only is taking care of yourself a good idea for physical and emotional health, it’s a good time management tip for moms as well. When we’re tired or haven’t had enough healthy food to function at our best, we’re often less productive and organized, and this lack of clarity can translate into more time wasted throughout the day and less time available to get everything done that needs doing.Get quality sleep, eat a healthy diet, and find quite time for yourself, and you’ll be operating at your best, and be less stressed.
Mothers are so busy taking care of everyone else in the family, mothers often put themselves last on the list, or leave themselves off the list altogether! However, since the rest of the family relies heavily on moms, they need to take care of themselves, and accept help from others as well. The following are self care resources for mothers:

Body Care: Mothers need to keep their bodies in prime condition, or suffer some potentially serious consequences down the road. And aside from avoiding illness, moms who eat right, get enough sleep, and in other ways take good care of their bodies experience greater levels of energy, lower levels of stress, and good feelings of self esteem. In fact, some forms of exercise can be fun to do with kids, so everyone gets the benefits.

Home Spa: Moms deserve pampering, but don’t always have the time or budget to get away for some spa time. Fortunately, it’s easy to turn one’s bathroom into a home spa and enjoy the relaxation and beauty benefits of a sublime soak.

Time Alone: Again, while mothers usually have very busy schedules, fitting in even fifteen minutes a day for some quite time alone can bring valuable benefits. Taking time out for journaling, meditation, or just being alone with one’s thoughts are all important ways for mothers stay in touch with who they are outside of their relationship rolls.

Time for mom-Me: 5 Essential Strategies for A Mother's Self-Care

Pay yourself first

With a weak economy, and bad economic news via the media, its a great time to learn how to save for your future. This is a good time for an honest self-analysis: What have your saving habits been like in the past year? If it seems like all the money you make falls straight through your fingers, and gets gobbled up by bills and other expenses, think hard about a reasonable amount you could start to view as yet another monthly bill. Could you handle one more $50 bill? How about a $200 bill? Even if you can't handle one more bill, try saving $15 or $20 a month, that’s better than nothing. Start putting that money away for yourself, pronto.

Pay Yourself First - A Guide to Financial Success


Momma Always Said, "Pay Yourself First"

Weekly Dinner Menu

This week I am super busy, so my dinners will be quick and easy! I went to Costco and did my monthly meat shopping, and came home to promptly prepackage all my meat in meal size vacuumed sealed packages.

Monday: BLT's on Wheat Bread, Steak Fries, frozen sweet corn

Tuesday: High Fiber tomato bisque soup (from Progresso) on sale at Fred Meyer, grilled cheese sandwiches

Wednesday: Pot Roast w/pot, carrots, onion, and a salad
Ingredients:
Pot Roast
12 cleaned red potatoes
1 sweet onion sliced
4 cups washed baby carrots
1 package onion soup mix
1 package brown gravy mix

Directions:
In a skillet, brown your pot roast. Place browned meat into crock-pot. Add red potatoes, and baby carrots. In a measuring cup mix 2 cups water with onion soup package. Pour over roast. Next mix brown gravy mix with 2 cups water and pour over roast. Lay sliced onions on top of roast, cover, and cook for 6 hours. ENJOY!

Thursday: Sloppy Joes, and salad

Friday: Marinated Chicken Breasts, chicken flavored stove top stuffing, veggie's

Saturday: Crock Pot Shepherds Pie
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
2 cups frozen peas, and carrots
10 potatoes to mash
1 12 oz jar beef gravy
1 package shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
I a medium skillet, over medium heat, crumble and cook ground beef. Peel and mash potatoes. Place ground beef in slow cooker. Add peas and carrots. Add mashed potatoes. Pour gravy on top of potatoes. Pour cheese over top of gravy, cover, and cook for 6 hrs.

Quote of the Week

"I know how to do anything—I'm a mom."

~ Roseanne Barr

Date Night

My husband and I have been married for almost 11 yrs. We have consistently went out on a "Date Night" at least 2-3 times a month since we have been married. We try new restaurants, go to happy hours, or take a nice walk. This is our time to be with one another alone, and it is a great way to reconnect after our busy week. We talk about everything. I find that I still learn a lot of interesting, and funny things about my wonderful husband that I never knew. It helps strengthen our bond, and makes us better parents. I think all couples should dedicate a few nights a month to "Date Night". It could quite possibly become your favorite night of the week!

Life Is for Living

This is your life, right now. Would you rather spend it rushing around to finish your to-do list, or actually enjoying yourself? Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’ll relax once you reach the bottom of the list because there will always be something more to do. Instead, prioritize and eliminate tasks that don’t absolutely have to get done.

If you’ve having trouble carving out time for yourself, start small. Say you always wanted to do yoga: wake up twenty minutes early for some deep breathing and sun salutations. Or if you miss exercising regularly, schedule a once-a-week power walk during lunch. If it’s on your calendar, you can plan work around it.

And the next time you have some breathing space, don’t fill it with errands. Instead, just breathe.

5 Ways To Beat The Belly Bloat

1: DRINK WATER

2: SKIP THE SODA

3: EAT SLOWLY

4: DON'T CHEW GUM

5: SALT LIGHTLY

Bounce Dryer Bar

It's been around for a few months, but I am here to tell you about my first hand experience with the Bounce Dryer Bar. I have been using it for 3 months now, and I love, love, love it! It works like this: The bounce dryer bar comes with a sticky pad, that you adhere to the inside wall of your dryer. The bar lasts for 2 or 4 months depending on the size you get. (I got the 4 month version.) It has an indicator bar that shows you when you need to purchase a new bar. I do a ton of laundry (about 8 loads a week) and my bar looks fairly new! It eliminates the need for fabric sheets, and it leaves my clothes smelling fresh wash after wash. It does not stain my clothes. I highly recommend this product for any mom who loves great smelling laundry, without the hassle of dryer sheets. You can purchase your Bounce Dryer Bars from the link below, or at any grocery store. Happy drying!!

Great new application for your smart phone

I found a very cool application that would be great for "Date Night" with you partner! This application is free for your iPhone, or Blackberry. The app is called "GOOD FOOD NEAR YOU"
How it works: The GPS function will pinpoint your location, and you'll get a list of the 20 healthiest meals at nearby restaurants.
It's worth checking out... and it's FREE!

Cut back by a few dashes

Did you know?

92,000 numbers of lives can be saved each year if everyone curbed their salt intake by 1/2 teaspoon per day! By cutting back on a few dashes of salt, you can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. You should stay below 2,300mg of sodium (which equals about 1 teaspoon of salt a day!)

Weekly Dinner Menu

Here's the dinner menu for this week. Don't forget to shop in your cupboards before you head out to the store. Check coupons.com and local ads for great coupon savings!

Monday:
Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients:
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup milk

2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts
Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)
2.In a saucepan, combine chicken, carrots, peas, and celery. Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.
3.In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.
4.Place the chicken mixture in bottom pie crust. Pour hot liquid mixture over. Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
5.Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Tuesday: Mickey Chicken Nuggets(from Costco), mac & cheese, and a veggie

Wednesday:
Crock Pot Meatloaf
Ingredients
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons dry onion soup mix
1 teaspoon steak seasoning
3 tablespoons ketchup

Directions:
1.In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, eggs, 3 tablespoons ketchup, onion soup mix and steak seasoning using your hands. Pat lightly into the bottom of a slow cooker. Spread remaining ketchup over the top. Cover, and cook for 6 hours.

Thursday:
Crock Pot Taco Soup
Ingredients
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts
shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
sour cream (optional)
crushed tortilla chips (optional)

Directions:
1.Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.
2.Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Shred the chicken and stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.

Friday:
Marinated top sirloin steaks with baked potato, and salad

Saturday:
Homemade French Bread Pizza
Ingredients
French bread loaf x 2
1 jar pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese (mix together)
any pizza fixing's you desire

Directions:
Cut french bread in half length wise. Then spread a generous amount of pizza sauce on the loaf halves. Put 1 1/2 cups of your cheese mixture on your pizza halves. Layer your pizza toppings. Bake at 350 degrees C, until cheese is a light golden brown. Cool and enjoy!!

Quote of the Week

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things, and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."
~ Agatha Christie

FUN Easter craft to do with your kids

My kids really enjoyed making these paper cup Easter treat holders. They are fun and easy to do!

You'll Need:
yellow or white paper cups
construction paper; pink, white or orange
2 wiggle eyes per cup
white or pink pom-pom - for bunny
white or pink pipe cleaners for bunny whiskers
craft feathers for chick
scissors, glue, stapler

How to make the Chick:
From the construction paper, cut an orange triangle for the beak
and a heart for the feet. Staple a few feathers to the back edge of the cup.
You'll want them sticking out from the top of the cup. Now glue the beak and the eyes to the front of the cup. Glue the base of the cup to the heart so that the edges stick out in front to create feet.

How to make the Bunny:
From constuction paper, cut two white ovals, two smaller pink ovals and a heart from either color. Glue the pink onto the white and set them aside to dry.
Use a pipe cleaner for the whiskers. Glue the whiskers on the cup, and then the nose on top of the whiskers, and then add the eyes. Glue or staple the ears to the back edge of the cup. Glue the base of the cup to the heart so that the edges stick
out in front to create feet.

Fill your new Easter friends with grass and fill with treats! SO MUCH FUN!!

Eat this and you will spend less

Have you ever spent more at the grocery store than you planned? It has happened to the best and most disciplined mom's. I spend time every week on a detailed grocery list, but there are many times that I come home with extra items. Stores strategically place impulse items at the end of the isles, so that we will be more likely to purchase them. Many times we are on the run as working mom's, and go to the store hungry. That is when I tend to buy the impulse items!
A recent University of Utah study suggests you may want to eat tryptophan rich foods two to three hours before your next trip to the grocery store. "We found that a combination of tryptophan rich foods (like nuts, meat, and dairy) and carbs can increase your levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that may make you less prone to make impulse buys," says researcher Himansha Mishra, Ph.D. So eat a turkey sandwich, or pack a few nuts in your purse the next time you shop!

Common places where GERMS LURK!

I recently read and article in Real Simple magazine and I wanted to share the data that was written with all my MOMS out there! These numbers represent colony forming units (CFUs) per square inch. A CFU is a measurement of a microbial organism. The surfaces tested in this study contained everyday bacteria; most of which are not harmful to healthy people, and have no traces of serious germs, like E. coli.


Store shopping cart: 2
Restaurant restroom door handle: 4
Children’s library book: 7
Stuffed toy in a doctor’s office: 8
School desk surface: 12
School computer mouse: 23
Store floor: 33
Public park swing: 59
Restaurant tray: 204
School musical instrument: 262
Video game controller in an arcade: 551
Public park sandbox: 7,440
Classroom faucet handle: 32,000
Cafeteria water fountain spigot: 62,000

Just another reason to keep hand sanitizer handy at all times!

(Research was performed by NSF International Swab Testing, with thanks to Greta Houlahan and Robin Bechanko; article courtesy of Real Simple Magazine)