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/
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
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/
http://www.mint.com/
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
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.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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.
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
- Ella Enchanted
- Shrek 1, 2, or 3
- Toy Story 1 or 2
- The Sound of Music
- Finding Nemo
- Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (with Gene Wilder)
- The Wizard of Oz
- A Bug's Life
- Monsters, Inc.
Monday, April 26, 2010
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
Kuhn Rikon Magic Cover, Set of 2
Sunday, April 25, 2010
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
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
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