Monday, November 26, 2012

Easy Peanut Brittle

Mom's Easy Peanut Brittle. Photo by Bayhill


Ingredients:

  • 2 cups sugar

  • 1 cup white light corn syrup

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 1 teaspoon butter

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • 2 teaspoons baking soda

  • 1 -1 1/2 cup raw Spanish peanut
  •  
     
     
    Directions:
     
     
    1. Stir syrup, water and sugar together in large, heavy pan to hard ball stage (250*F- 265*F-- A little of this syrup dropped into cold water will form a hard ball).
    2.  
    3. Stir in butter and peanuts until golden brown.
    4.  
    5. Stir in vanilla and soda.
    6.  
    7. Pour into 2 buttered pizza pans, just shaking pan to even out mixture.
    8.  
    9. Cool and break into pieces.

    Sunday, November 25, 2012

    Turkey Casserole

    Ingredients:


  • 4 cups leftover prepared stuffing, divided

  • 1 lb leftover cooked turkey, coarsely chopped

  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise

  • 1/4 cup whole berry cranberry sauce

  • 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes

  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  •  

    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    2.  
    3. Spray 8 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
    4.  
    5. Spoon in 2 cups stuffing, and top with turkey.
    6.  
    7. Combine 1/4 cup mayo with the cranberry sauce, spread evenly over turkey.
    8.  
    9. Combine remaining mayo, potatoes, and cheese in a large bowl, and spread on turkey, and top with remaining stuffing.
    10.  
    11. Bake 40 minutes or until heated through.
    12.  
    13. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
     

    Saturday, November 24, 2012

    Basic Potato Soup

    Potato Soup. Photo by Pismo

    Ingredients:

    SERVINGS: 6


    Directions:

    1. Peel, cube, boil, drain and "mush" potatoes to the consistency you like.
    2. In separate pan, melt butter, add flour and cook while stirring for about a minute or so.
    3. Add half the milk and stir until lumps are out of flour mixture.
    4. Add remaining milk and on med-high heat, heat to a boil.
    5. Stir almost constantly or it will scorch.
    6. After boiling, turn heat off and add remaining ingredients.
     
     
    Top with bacon, cheese, green onion, & sour cream for a tasty treat!!!!

     

    Saturday, November 17, 2012

    Lemon Sugar Hand Scrub

    Here's what you need:

         2 1/2 cups - SUGAR
        
         1 cup - OLIVE OIL

         4 tablespoons - LEMON JUICE




    Here's what you do:

        Mix all ingredients well until a gritty paste forms. Spoon into a glass container with a lid and begin enjoying soft, smooth hands!!! You may have to stir ingredients prior to use after sitting for awhile, the sugar may settle.








    Wednesday, November 14, 2012

    Bed Bug Infestations are Increasing at an Alarming Rate

    Bed Bug Infestations are Increasing at an Alarming Rate| Smarter Households

    Autumn Potato Gratin




    Total Time: 40 min
     
    Prep: 5 min

    Cook: 35 min

    Yield: 8 servings
    Level: Easy

    Ingredients

    • 4 pounds mixed baby potatoes, such as Red Bliss, Peruvian Purples, and Fingerlings
    • 2 cups heavy cream, plus some to cover
    • 4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick)
    • 2 sprigs each fresh thyme, sage, and rosemary
    • 2 garlic cloves, cracked
    • Salt and pepper
    • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

    Directions

    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
    Halve the potatoes and toss them into a large baking dish and season with salt and pepper.
    Meanwhile, put the cream, butter, herbs, and garlic in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, to infuse the cream with flavor. Season with salt and pepper.
    Pour the hot cream mixture through a strainer over the potatoes, (discard the herbs and garlic), if there is not enough cream to go 3/4 of the way up the potatoes then pour some additional cream on top to make up the difference. Sprinkle the Parmesan evenly over the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the potatoes are cooked through and top begins to brown. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
     

    Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip Recipe

    Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip Recipe : Paula Deen : Recipes : Food Network

    Tuesday, November 13, 2012

    Home Remedies for Colds

    Are cold symptoms making you feel miserable? Here are 12 cold remedies you can use right now -- at home -- to feel better.


    Cold Remedy #1: Drink plenty of fluids to help break up your congestion. Drinking water or juice will prevent dehydration and keep your throat moist. You should drink at least 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of water daily. Include fluids such as water, sports drinks, herbal teas, fruit drinks, or ginger ale. Your mother's chicken soup might help too! (Limit cola, coffee, and other drinks with caffeine because it acts like a diuretic and may dehydrate you.)

    Cold Remedy #2: Inhale steam to ease your congestion and drippy nose. Hold your head over a pot of boiling water and breathe through your nose. Be careful. If the steam burns your nose, breathe in more slowly. You can buy a humidifier, but the steam will be the same as the water on the stove. Moisture from a hot shower with the door closed, saline nasal spray, or a room humidifier is just as helpful to ease congestion.

    Cold Remedy #3: Blow your nose often, but do it the proper way. It's important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can carry germ-carrying phlegm back into your ear passages, causing earache. The best way to blow your nose is to press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently to clear the other.

    Cold Remedy #4: Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinse to irrigate your nose. Salt-water rinsing helps break nasal congestion while also removing virus particles and bacteria from your nose. Here's a popular recipe:
    Mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. Fill a bulb syringe with this mixture (or use a Neti pot, available at most health foods stores). Lean your head over a basin, and using the bulb syringe, gently squirt the salt water into your nose. Hold one nostril closed by applying light finger pressure while squirting the salt mixture into the other nostril. Let it drain. Repeat two to three times, and then treat the other nostril.
    To avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections, it's important to watch what you put in your nose. According to the CDC, if you are irrigating, flushing, or rinsing your sinuses, use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution. It’s also important to rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry.

    Cold Remedy #5: Stay warm and rested. Staying warm and resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle taxes the body. So give it a little help by lying down under a blanket to stay warm if necessary.

    Cold Remedy #6: Gargle with warm salt water. Gargling can moisten a sore or scratchy throat and bring temporary relief. Try a half teaspoon of salt dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water four times daily. To reduce the tickle in your throat, try an astringent gargle -- such as tea that contains tannin -- to tighten the membranes. Or use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey, popular in folk medicine. Steep one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water; mix with one teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before gargling.

    Cold Remedy #7: Drink hot liquids. Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration, and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat. If you're so congested you can't sleep at night, try a hot toddy, an age-old remedy. Make a cup of hot herbal tea. Add one teaspoon of honey and one small shot (about 1 ounce) of whiskey or bourbon if you wish. Limit yourself to one. Too much alcohol inflames those membranes and is counterproductive.

    Cold Remedy #8: Take a steamy shower. Steamy showers moisturize your nasal passages and relax you. If you're dizzy from the flu, run a steamy shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath.

    Cold Remedy #9: Try a small dab of mentholated salve under your nose to help open breathing passages and help restore the irritated skin at the base of the nose. Menthol, eucalyptus, and camphor all have mild numbing ingredients that may help relieve the pain of a nose rubbed raw.

    Cold Remedy #10: Apply hot packs around your congested sinuses. You can buy reusable hot packs at a drugstore. Or make your own. Take a damp washcloth and heat it for 30 seconds in a microwave. (Test the temperature first to make sure it's right for you.)

    Cold Remedy #11: Sleep with an extra pillow under your head. This will help relieve congested nasal passages. If the angle is too awkward, try placing the pillows between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.

    Cold Remedy #12: Learn about natural remedies like zinc, echinacea, and vitamin C. People looking for natural cold remedies often turn to supplements. Many of these remedies have not been shown to help and some hurt.

    Zinc: While early studies showed that zinc could help fight off a cold more quickly, the latest consensus seems to be that zinc has a minimal benefit at best. According to the Food and Drug Administration, zinc nasal spray can cause permanent loss of smell.

    Monday, August 27, 2012

    9 Great Homework Habits that Work

    By , About.com Guide



    Since homework starts as early as kindergarten these days, it’s a good idea to get kids into a rhythm of great homework habits as soon as possible. From ways to help your kids get more organized to giving them ways to minimize and eliminate homework stress, here are some great tips for good homework habits that work.


    1.) Divide and Conquer:
    Kids can often feel overwhelmed when they look over their list of assignments for the week. Help your child manage his assignments by planning out his work on a daily planner. (This can be particularly helpful if you are at work when your child gets home from school; having a list like this can help your child and your childcare provider manage his workload when you are not there.)
    For example, if all the homework is due on Friday, you can try scheduling several minutes for different subject such as reading, math problems or spelling words. Or you may want to have him spend Monday doing reading and reserve Tuesday for math, and so on.

    Writing down what needs to be done can be a great way to manage homework, and crossing off assignments when they are completed and tracking their own progress can be satisfying for kids and help give them motivation to continue their work.

    2.) Cut Down After-School Activities:The reality is that there are only a few precious hours after school to tackle homework assignments. If your child has an after-school activity every day and is unable to manage her workload, it may be time to take a look at which extracurricular activities can be cut out of her schedule. If she has ballet, soccer, piano lessons, and regularly-scheduled playdates, you may want to consider moving a couple of activities to the next semester and making more time for homework.

    3.) Get into a Regular Routine:
    Maybe your child is the kind of kid who works better on a full stomach or after fooling around with his toys for a few minutes after school. If so, start with snack time and unscheduled downtime, and set up homework time for about 20 to 30 minutes after he gets home.

    If he tends to focus better if he goes right into his work after school, then let him get right to work as soon as he gets home. The important thing is to find what works for you and stick with it so that you have a regular routine. If your child knows what is expected and when, it’ll be easier for him to work more efficiently.

    4.) Set Up a Great Homework Area:Having a quiet and comfortable place to do homework is essential to building good study and homework habits. Whether you establish her work area at the kitchen table or in her room, make sure she is surrounded by peaceful quiet, free from TV or other distractions.

    5.) Make Homework Fun:Kids are more likely to view homework as less of a chore if you help them adopt a more playful attitude toward their work. For instance, if your first-grader is working on simple math problems, help him visualize addition and subtraction by using small toys such as marbles or even playing cards. If a third-grader is working on multiplication problems, challenge him to get as many correct answers as possible while racing you (to be fair, he should be allotted twice the time as you).
    And if you’re lucky enough to get fun puzzles and brain-teasers such as Sudoku puzzles in the homework packet, then work with him on those and make it a fun way to connect with your child after a long day. One word of caution: Try not to take over and do the problems yourself. Your child needs guidance and help getting the right answers -- not the answers themselves.

    Be sure to check his work everyday, and try to make that a fun routine as well. Challenge your child to find mistakes on your work, or have him check his own work to see if he can spot any errors. If you take a relaxed approach to the homework and adopt a fun attitude about it, your child will follow suit.

    6.) Tie-in Homework to Everyday Life:Learning can often be more fun for kids when they are able to relate the material to things in their own lives. For instance, if your child has to read about immigrants and answer questions about them, continue the discussion over dinner. Talk about your own family’s immigrant experience (“Great-Grandma came from Italy and had to work very hard” or some such) or talk about the ways our world has been shaped by immigrants (“What would life be like today without pizza?”).

    By making homework something that is an extension of learning and life, you can help your child see that it is not some separate chore or extra work that they are forced to do.

    7.) Work Alongside Your Child:Younger children tend to work better when an adult is nearby, ready to answer questions or help work out a problem. You can sit down with your own work or a magazine article or bills -- whatever quiet activity you can do while your child does her homework.

    8.) Schedule Breaks:You know the importance of stretching your legs or taking a break here and there during your workday. Just walking away from your desk for a few minutes can often do wonders to help your concentration and improve mood. The importance of breaks applies to kids as well, and may be even more important because kids tend to be more active and full of energy than adults.

    Whether it’s a five-minute break to have some fruit and cheese and crackers or other healthy snack or a few minutes to play with a pet or water the plants, schedule a few breaks into homework time. And consider taking a short walk or doing a few at-home yoga poses for kids with your child to rejuvenate his brain cells; studies have shown that physical activity can help stimulate concentration and cognitive function.

    9.) Help Kids Manage Stress:
    Some kids can experience more stress over homework and schoolwork than other children. If you see signs of stress in your child or your child is experiencing difficulty with the workload, check with other parents to see whether any other kids are having similar problems. For instance, kids in first grade are usually not expected to spend more than a half hour on homework each day; if your child is having difficulty with the workload, find out what the problem may be and schedule some time to meet with your child’s teacher.

    Talk to your child’s teacher about any problems and get on the same page about the teacher’s expectations for the school year. Ask her what you can do to help your child with homework. By working together, you and your child’s teacher can find ways to identify and handle any homework problems that may be creating stress for your child.


    Wednesday, August 22, 2012

    Peach Cobbler Recipe

    Peach Cobbler Recipe


  • Prep: 20 min. Bake: 40 min.

  • Yield: 8 Servings
  • 20 40 60

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup milk
    • 3 cups sliced peeled fresh or frozen peaches
    • TOPPING:
    • 2 cups water
    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • Ground cinnamon, optional
    • Half-and-half cream

    Directions

    • In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in the milk just until combined; fold in peaches. Spread into a greased 8-in. square baking dish.
    • In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugars, butter and nutmeg and cinnamon if desired. Bring to boil, stirring until sugars are dissolved. Pour over top.
    • Bake at 400° for 40-50 minutes or until filling is bubbly and a toothpick inserted in topping comes out clean. Serve warm or cold with cream. Yield: 8 servings.

    Thrifty Nifty Mommy: The Busy Mom's Cookbook Review & Giveaway

    Thrifty Nifty Mommy: The Busy Mom's Cookbook Review & Giveaway

    Friday, August 10, 2012

    Getting Kids to Clean Their Rooms

    Cleaning is not an intuitive skill. Nobody is born knowing how to attack a messy room and turn it to serenity. Few of us can effectively wield a broom, dust pan, or dust rag without a lesson or two—and a lot of practice. Making beds takes time. Here are some suggestions for making clean bedrooms possible, and defusing the dust bombs.
    • Teach your child how to clean by incorporating him into your own cleaning.
    • Cleaning can be a lonely task, and for the social child, it may feel like a punishment instead of a way to contribute to the family. Become the clean team—make the jobs go faster by working together. Your child helps you clean your areas of responsibility, you help him with his room (you're excused for a cup of afternoon tea while he hides all the pictures of the Baywatch beauties—and worse).
    • Plan a special activity or adventure for the family to celebrate a successful day of cleaning. It's not really a bribe—it's a treat!
    • Be clear about what you mean by “a clean room.” Check out the clean room checklist, below.

    Clean? What Do You Mean?

    We all know what a truly clean room looks like, but how do you get from here to there? How much of it is your child's responsibility? “Go clean your room” could mean tossing things in the closet until company has gone. It could mean clearing the toys from the floor and sorting game pieces into their boxes, throwing the dirty clothes in the hamper and pulling up the bedspread. It could mean changing the bed, dusting, and vacuuming. It could mean polishing the windows and mirror until they sparkle. Here's your choice (you're balancing on a high crag in the wind, choose now, parent, choose now!): Define, or face the conflict!
    Below, I've broken down the process of cleaning a filthy bedroom into small, manageable chunks. You can use these suggestions (and others!) to create an individualized bedroom chore list for each member of the family. If this is successful for you, consider making a chore list for other areas of your home.
    Behave Yourself!
    When it comes to clean bedrooms, keep your expectations very low. Few kids have clean rooms. They like them dirty, it's the only place where they have control over their environment, and for some kids, a dirty room is a point of honor! This may be an area where something needs to give, and that something may be you.
    When you make chore lists for your child, always take your child's age and development into consideration. A five-year-old can get the books back on the shelf and the clothes in the hamper, but she won't be able to do much with the bed. A 12-year-old can do his own laundry with some supervision. Remember, your expectations will change as your child matures.
    Using the list will help you define your expectations. It will help your child organize his time and remember his tasks. You'll have an easy, stress-reduced way to check if things have been done. Keep the list small. Better to have too few things on the list than too many (aim for success!)
    Here are two quick hints: Separate the job into straightening and cleaning, and don't clean before you've straightened, you'll just make yourself frustrated; and, a filthy room is like an archaeological dig. You've gotta approach it in layers.


    Read more on FamilyEducation: http://life.familyeducation.com/parenting/jobs-and-chores/45294.html#ixzz23AWLEbkh

    Coping with Backaches and Edema Discomforts During Pregnancy

    Backache, edema

    The following are the most common pregnancy concerns and the strategies to deal with them while you are on the job: Backache
    Backaches are common during pregnancy because of the increased weight you're carrying, especially if your baby is resting on your spine. Neck and shoulder aches can be due to tension and/or the increased weight of your growing breasts. Lower back pain that extends or shoots down one buttock and into one leg is probably sciatica, caused when the baby's head compresses the sciatic nerve. The tips that follow will help to relieve the discomfort of backaches or avoid them altogether:
    • Drive comfortably—Move your car seat forward to keep your knees bent and higher than your hips. Use a small pillow to support your lower back area.
    • Lift correctly—Stabilize your body first by assuming a wide stance and tucking in your buttocks. Bend at the knees, not at the waist, and lift with your arms and legs, which will take the stress off your back. Lift objects only chest high. If your job demands frequent heavy lifting, ask to be assigned to less taxing duties.
    • Limit your standing—Try not to stand in one place or one position for too long. If your job requires long periods of standing, keep one foot on a raised surface, such as a step or a box, to prevent your lower back from curving inward; or stand on a small, skid-proof rug. When standing at a table, lean forward with your knees slightly bent, and support your weight with your hands or elbows.
    • Use ice or a cold pack—Place a bag with ice, wrapped in a towel, against the small of your back when you're sitting down.
    • Relieve strain—When seated at your desk, prop up one leg on a footstool, stack of files, trash can, or anything else available. When walking, sitting, or lying down, avoid putting stress on your back muscles by tucking in your buttocks. Keep your back from arching forward when you stand or lie on your side. At work or at home, you can also lean forward in a chair and lower your head to your knees for thirty seconds. Rise and repeat six times, up to six times a day.
    • Stretch daily—Try setting the clock on your computer to beep at you every thirty minutes to remind you to stretch.
    • Avoid wearing high heels to work—Wear sturdy shoes, with a heel no higher than one inch. Save higher heels for special meetings and appointments with clients, and place thin, foam-rubber inserts in the toes to reduce pressure.
    • Wear a maternity belt—A wide, soft, supportive elastic band that wraps around your lower back and under your belly can take over part of the job of tired, stretched abdominal and back muscles as it cradles the weight of your growing belly.
    • Poor posture can also cause your back to ache—Try to keep your shoulders and hips in line as you walk, and keep your back straight by tucking a pillow behind you when you're seated.
    Edema (Swelling)
    More than 70 percent of pregnant women experience some fluid accumulation in their feet, legs, face, and hands. This condition is related to hormone buildup in your system, which results in the kidneys collecting more water and salt than normal. If your job keeps you on your feet, you are also more likely to experience edema.
    If you experience sudden, extreme swelling, you should immediately alert your physician. This could be a warning sign of preclampsia or toxemia. Mild swelling, which is considered normal and beneficial, can be relieved by these methods.
    • Raise your legs—Prop up your legs at work on anything available: a stack of papers, books, or a box. Also, elevate your feet and hands above your heart to reduce swelling by gravity. If possible, lie down during the day on your left(heart) side, not on your back. This position prevents your uterus from compressing major arteries and lets your system reabsorb the fluid. Also try walking around the block on your lunch hour.
    • Soak your feet—Tired, burning feet should be soaked at the end of a workday. Rotate your ankles to reduce swelling.
    • Keep water at your desk—Consuming extra water will help to draw fluid from puffy tissues back into your bloodstream to be excreted by your kidneys later. Have a glass or a squeeze bottle of water nearby throughout the day.
    • Wear loose clothing—Although you always want to look well dressed at work, choose looser clothes for maternity wear. Wear elastic support hose, too, and remove tight-fitting rings and other jewelry. Keep an extra, larger pair of shoes in your office to wear when your feet swell.
    • Watch your diet—Stay away from fatty foods, eat plenty of protein, and cut down on salt, which causes fluid retention.
    • Avoid chemicals—Chemical diuretics have been found to be harmful to a pregnant woman. Try taking a couple of spoonfuls of apple-cider vinegar, a natural diuretic, before each meal. Herbal and homeopathic remedies can help.

    Asian Style Beef Stew

     
     
     
    Number of Servings: 6

          Ingredients:

      1.25 pounds of beef stew meat, cut into chunks
      1 large onion, sliced
      2 cloves garlic, crushed
      1 red pepper, sliced
      20 baby carrots whole
      4 oz baby portabella mushrooms, sliced
      1 10 oz. bottle Whole Foods 365 Soy Ginger Sauce
      1/2 cup water

      Directions:

      Cut all vegetables and put in crock pot, add beef, sauce, and water. Cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or 3 - 4 hours on high.

      Makes 6 1-cup servings.

      Number of Servings: 6

    What (and What Not) to Feed Your Kids

    Feeding kids can often become a battle; feeding them healthy foods can be a war.

    “I have found that if you explain to your children why a food is good or not good for them, things become easier,” advises Maria-Paula Carrillo, M.S., a clinical dietitian at Children’s. “Allowing them to make certain food choices also helps. For example, give them two fruit choices with their meal or let them pick the flavor of their yogurt for a snack.”

    Here, Carrillo recommends five healthy foods to serve your kids along with serving suggestions, and she also lists five not-so-healthy choices to think twice about letting them eat and alternatives for them.

    Consider these…

    Pizza

    Stay away from toppings like high-fat meats and extra cheese as well as dips like butter or ranch dressing. But pizza can be a balanced meal if you add some vegetables or fruits and lean meats (like grilled chicken), and choose a thin crust.
    Serving suggestionmake your own at home using an English muffin, marinara sauce, low fat cheese, ham or chicken and their favorite vegetable.

    Think twice before giving your kids ...


    Doughnuts

    They can have up to 20 g fat and 20 g sugar per serving, and from 250 to 450 calories per doughnut. In addition, eating one of these for breakfast will have your little one sleepy and hungry within a few hours.
    Alternative — offer a whole grain waffle with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and ½ a banana as the topping.

    Berries

    Good sources of lutein (good for vision) as well as antioxidants and phytochemicals (which help prevent many diseases). Naturally low in calories and fat and rich in fiber. Quick and colorful snack for kids.
    Serving suggestion — blend them with milk and ice to make a refreshing smoothie or layer them on top of yogurt and high fiber cereals for an easy breakfast or afternoon snack.

    Think twice before giving your kids ...


    Candied Fruit Snacks

    These sticky “candies” may contain only a small amount of fruit or fruit juice; are usually made of sugar, gelatin, and more sugar; and can cause tooth decay. May have added vitamins but fresh fruits have them, too, and they are natural.
    Alternative — try a small serving (1/4 cup) of dried fruit.

    Popcorn

    The air-popped kind not covered in butter. This snack is a whole grain and good fiber source. Without extra toppings, it is a low–fat, low–calorie snack. For flavor, sprinkle with small amounts of salt or butter-flavored sprays.
    Serving suggestion — for a quick snack, have 100 calorie bags of popcorn ready to pop at any time.

    Think twice before giving your kids ...


    Sugary Beverages

    Juice, soda, fruit punch, flavored milks, sweet tea, etc. These high-calorie, high-sugar drinks can cause many problems in children, including rapid weight gain, decreased appetite, cavities, and change in bowel patterns.
    Alternative — choose water or skim or 1 percent milk.

    Hummus

    Made of chickpeas, which are rich in fiber and protein and a good iron source. High in fat, but mostly unsaturated fats (the healthy ones) that decrease the risk for heart disease. Good alternative to animal protein.
    Serving suggestion — let them dip carrot sticks and pretzels in it or spread it over bread or crackers.

    Think twice before giving your kids ...


    Salad Toppings

    Can be deceiving. Many salads are very high in calories and fat because of the toppings we choose, such as nuts, bacon, cheese, and regular salad dressing.
    Alternative — choose a low-fat dressing (2 tablespoons or less) and limit high-calorie toppings (nuts, bacon pieces, cheese, croutons) to 1 tablespoon per ingredient and no more than four “extra”ingredients.

    Eggs

    Back on the “good” list. A good protein source but also contain choline, which helps regulate the brain as well as the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Good for vision, too, due to their carotenoid content.
    Serving suggestion — include them in more than just breakfast. Eggs are a great variation to your typical dinner protein. Scramble them and mix in a new vegetable or boil it and add it to a salad.

    Think twice before giving your kids ...


    Sweet Cereals

    Many cereals children like best have more sugar per serving than a few cookies. Fiber is also important; make sure breakfast gives kids energy and nutrients that last and help them grow.
    Alternative — choose cereal with less than 10 gram sugar and at least 3 gm fiber/serving.

    West Nile: Is your child really at risk? | Childrens Med Dallas Blog

    West Nile: Is your child really at risk? | Childrens Med Dallas Blog

    Wednesday, August 8, 2012

    Fried Pork Chops with Buttered Beans

     

    Ingredients

    Buttered Beans:

    • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
    •  1 thick slices deli ham (1/8 pound), diced
    • 1 medium onion, chopped
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 3 (15-ounce) cans butter beans

    Directions

    In a heavy-bottomed skillet heat the canola oil over medium-high heat.
    In a shallow baking dish or pie plate combine the flour with cornmeal, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper, to taste. Put the pork chops into the flour mixture coating completely and shaking off excess. Fry in hot oil until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove the chops from oil and drain on a sheet pan lined with a brown paper bag.

    Buttered Beans:
    In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, then add diced ham and saute until lightly browned. Add the onions, and remaining 2 tablespoons butter, salt and pepper, to taste and saute until translucent. Add the butter beans and saute for 5 minutes. Arrange the chops on serving plates and serve with the beans alongside.


    Total Time:
     
    28 min

    Prep:
    10 min

    Cook:
    18 min

    Yield:
    4 servings
     

    Tuesday, August 7, 2012

    Crescent Breakfast Casserole



    Ingredients:

    8 oz. can of crescent rolls

    8-10 slices of bacon, fried and crumbled OR your choice of breakfast meat (ham, sausage, etc.)

    6-8 eggs, beaten

    2 cups shredded cheese (jack, cheddar, colby – whatever you have on hand)

    2-3 tbsp milk

    salt and pepper, to taste

    cooking spray



    Directions:

    1.) Preheat oven to 400 degrees and prepare a 13 x 9 or 11 x 9 baking dish with cooking spray (use 6ish eggs if you’re using the 11 x 9 and 8ish if you’re using the 13 x 9).

    2.) Line the prepared baking dish with unrolled crescent roll dough, letting it come up the sides a bit.

    3.) Press together seams.

    4.) Layer the crumbled bacon and cheese over the crescent dough. Beat eggs with milk, salt and pepper and pour over bacon and cheese.

    5.) Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the center is set. Let cool for a few minutes and then cut into squares and serve.

    6.) ENJOY!!!!

    Thursday, August 2, 2012

    Fruit Salsa with Baked Cinnamon Chips

    fruit salsa with baked cinnamon chips sm



    Ingredients:
    • Fruit Salsa:

    • Juice of 1 lime

    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

    • 4 fresh basil leaves, chopped

    • 1 kiwi, peeled and cut in 1/4-inch dice

    • 1 crisp apple, peeled, cored, and cut in 1/4-inch dice

    • 1 cup strawberries, hulled and cut into 1/4-inch dice

    • 1 mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/4-inch dice

    • Baked Cinnamon Chips:

    • Eight 10-inch flour tortillas

    • Butter-flavored cooking spray

    • 1 cup cinnamon sugar (scant 1 cup granulated sugar plus 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon)




    Instructions:
    1. To make the fruit salsa, whisk the lime juice, sugar, cinnamon, and basil together in a small bowl. In a large bowl, combine the kiwi, apple, strawberries, and mango. Pour the lime juice mixture over the fruit and mix gently. Transfer to a large serving bowl.
    2. To make the cinnamon chips, preheat the oven to 350°F.
    3. Coat each side of the tortillas with cooking spray. Make a single stack of the tortillas and slice through the stack to make 8 wedges from each tortilla. Working in batches, spread the tortilla wedges in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle the wedges with cinnamon sugar, and spray them again with cooking spray. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until nice and crispy. Repeat to make the rest of the cinnamon chips. Allow the chips to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

    Burrito Cups


    Yield – 4 servings
    Preparation Time – 20 minutes
    Cooking Time – 50 minutes for the rice, none for assembling cups

    Ingredients




    Directions

    • Cook the rice as directed.
    • Set out the black beans, shredded cheese, diced avocado, and salsa (along with any other mixins).
    • Spoon the ingredients into cups. Eat. Repeat.
    • Serve Burrito Cups, as is, or with tortilla chips.







    Corn Toss

    Farmers' Market Corn Toss recipe

    What you'll need:
    1- Tbsp. olive oil

    1- small sweet onion, chopped

    1- red pepper, chopped
    2- ears corn on the cob, kernels cut off

    1- large zucchini, sliced
    1/4cup- chopped fresh parsley

    1/4tsp.- black pepper
    4Tbsp.- KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided



    Make It:



    HEAT oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add onions and red peppers; cook and stir 3 min. Stir in corn and zucchini; cook and stir 5 min. or until all vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove from heat.
    STIR in parsley, black pepper and 2 Tbsp. cheese.
    TOP with remaining cheese.


    Lansinoh: Happy National Breastfeeding Month: We're giving away over $3,000 worth of breastfeeding supplies!

    Lansinoh: Happy National Breastfeeding Month: We're giving away over $3,000 worth of breastfeeding supplies!

    Wednesday, August 1, 2012

    Salt Dough Footprint Keepsakes




    Salt dough recipe:

    1 cup salt
    1 cup plain flour
    1/2 cup of water









    Mix together into a large bowl and knead it until smooth and stretchy. This last part is important otherwise the dough remains sticky and quite granular from the salt. If it is still too sticky add a bit more flour, if too dry and crumbly then add a tiny touch more water. A little bit of trial and error is all that is needed and it really is so easy!

    Once the dough is kneaded, divided it into equal parts and found a shallow bowl that was big enough to accommodate the full length of the childs feet.  Then squish one part into the bowl and flattened it around to the edges.

    Then teased it away from the edges slightly and flip it out onto a plate. The underside will be very smooth with a lovely finish, perfect as a canvas for the footprints!

    Then get the child to tread one foot into the middle of their dough plaques, one at a time. A firm straight down impression and then lift straight off again works really well. If it gets messed up, the great thing is that you can reform it and try again!

    The plaques then go into the oven for 3 hours at 100 degrees C (around 200 degrees F). They need to be placed on baking parchment or greaseproof paper so that they don't stick. It needs to be on a very low heat for a length of time to thoroughly dry out and harden. If the oven is too hot they will rise and "cook". The thinner the dough and the lower the temperature, the better these will turn out! If they are still doughy in the centre after 3 hours then turn them over and put them back in for another 2 hours. If you want to hang yours on the wall then you need to add a hole with a straw before it goes in the oven.

    Allow the plaques to cool over night, then feel free to paint & decorate. It's truely that simple & a great keepsake or gift. HAVE FUN!!!!

    Tuesday, July 31, 2012

    Beef Stew and Noodles

    Yield – 4-6 servings
    Preparation Time – 5 minutes
    Cooking Time – 10 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 2 cans of beef stew
    • 1 bag of egg noodles
    • Dash of salt

    Directions

    • Gather ingredients from the pantry {my 3.5 year old loves helping with this step}.
    • Set a large pot of water on the stove to boil.
    • When the water is rapidly boiling, add a dash of salt and the bag of egg noodles – adjust the temperature to maintain a low boil.
    • Boil according to package instructions {about 7-8 minutes}.
    • Open the cans of beef stew and dump them into a large microwavable bowl {my 5.5 year old loves helping with this step}.
    • Cover the stew bowl and microwave according to package instructions {about 5 minutes}.
    • When the noodles are cooked, drain them and return them to the pot {remove the pot from the heat source}
    • Dump the beef stew {cooked} onto the noodles.
    • Stir the beef stew and noodles together and serve.


    Sunday, July 29, 2012

    Chunky Bolognese Sauce



    Ingredients:

    • 3- carrot sticks, peeled and grated
    • 1/2- red onion, finely chopped
    • 2- celery stalks, chopped
    • 4- slices bacon
    • 2- garlic cloves, crushed
    • 1- lb. ground beef
    • 2- 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
    • 2- 6 oz cans tomato paste
    • 1Tbsp Italian seasonings
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 lb. whole wheat spaghetti noodles
    • 1- box frozen spinach





    Directions

    1. Peel and grate carrots, chop red onion and celery.
    2. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, cook the bacon. Then set aside on paper towels and crush/chop.
    3. In the same saucepan, saute all the veggies with the crushed garlic for 5 minutes. Add the ground beef and brown.
    4. Once browned, add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste and about 3 tomato paste cans worth of water. Stir in the bacon and the Italian seasonings. Let simmer for about 15 minutes. (Cover if you simmer longer.) Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    5. Cook noodles and spinach as directed on package.
    6. Serve Chunky Bolognese Sauce over noodles with side of spinach.





    Berry Cake Mix Cobbler

    Ingredients

    • Approximately 2 cups fresh berries (out of season, you may use canned) – enough to cover the bottom of a 9×13 pan
    • 3 cups sugar
    • 2 – 2 1/2 cups water
    • 1 box yellow cake mix (on sale!)
    • 1 stick butter


    Directions

    • Preheat oven to 350.
    • Spray the bottom and sides of a large (at least 9×13”) pan.
    • Peel and slice up enough fruit to cover the bottom of the pan.
    • Sprinkle 3 cups of sugar over the fruit.
    • Pour 2 or 2 ½ cups tap water over the sugared fruit.
    • Sprinkle box of yellow cake mix evenly over the fruit mixture.
    • Dot the top of all with one stick of butter.
    • Cook for 1 hour or 1 1/2hrs. until topping is browned; the cobbler will “jiggle” a little when you take it out of the oven; it will thicken up as it cools.
    • Let sit and cool for at least 30 minutes.
    • Scoop up into bowls or plates and top with vanilla ice cream.

    Southern Beans and Rice


    Here's What You Need:

    Dried beans ($1 for a pound)
    Onion, celery, carrot ($1 for one piece of each)
    Green Pepper ($.50 for half)
    Veggie stock ($.50 for roughly two cups)
    Brown rice ($.50 for half pound)
    Diced tomatoes ($1 for a can)
    Sour cream or cheese ($.50 for a little topping)

    Directions:


    Soak beans for at least a few hours, or better, overnight. Chop and saute veggies for a few minutes to get a little color on them before adding the beans. Add just enough water to cover the beans. Keep adding just enough water to keep them covered. Cook until beans are nearly done, but not yet soft. Add stock, tomatoes, and rice. Cook until rice and beans are finished. Add salt if needed, and top with cheese or sour cream.

    Saturday, July 28, 2012

    Cheesy Bologna Wraps




    Ingredients:

    1 Bologna Slice
    1 Cheese Slice
    1 small flour tortilla
    1 tsp. Dijon Mustard
    1 Dill Sandwich Slice Pickle



    Directions:

    Spread mustard on tortilla. Top with remaining ingredients; roll up. (Microwave if preferred)
    SERVE immediately or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Back to School Budgeting

    Back to School Budgeting

    Penne with Creamy Pesto Sauce

    pesto pasta


    Ingredients:

    1 1/2 cup (12 ounces) whole-wheat penne pasta
    1/2 cup homemade or store-bought pesto
    1/4 cup milk
    Shredded parmesan cheese
    Fresh basil leaves for garnish

    Directions:

    Boil the penne noodles, drain and rinse with cool water.

    In a mixing bowl, combine the pesto and milk. Toss with the cooled pasta. Top with shredded Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

    Cranberry Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes


    Ingredients:

    • 4 pork chops
    • 1/2 bag fresh cranberries
    • 1/2 cup apple or orange juice
    • 1/4 cup sugar
    • 3 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 3 large sweet potatoes

    Yields: 4 servings

    Preparation:

    1. Place pork chops in bottom of crockpot.
    2. In bowl, combine fresh or canned cranberries, apple or orange juice, sugars and ground cloves. Stir well. Pour over the pork chops in the crockpot. Cook on low for 8 hours.
    3. Slit sweet potatoes with knife or vent with fork. Bake sweet potatoes at 350 for 1 hour in baking dish with 1/4 inch water. Cover with foil. Remove and let cool about 10 minutes. Peel skins off of the potato and mash. Serve with cinnamon and butter if you like.
    4. Serve pork chops with cranberry sauce and a side of mashed sweet potatoes.

    Bacon and Egg Quesadillas

    Erin Chase's Bacon and Egg Quesadillas


    Cook breakfast for less than $5!


    Ingredients:

    • 6 strips of bacon
    • 6 to 8 eggs
    • 1 cup shredded cheese
    • 8 tortillas
    • Salsa
    • 2 Pears or 2 pieces of your favorite fruit!


    Yields: 4 servings

    Preparation:

    1. Preheat oven to 300˚F.
    2. Cook bacon in skillet on stovetop. Remove and place on paper towel to drain excess fats. Pour most of the fat from the skillet.
    3. Scramble eggs in skillet that you cooked the bacon in. This way you don’t need to add salt, as it’s already in the bacon. Might not be the healthiest, but its certainly the tastiest!
    4.Place 4 tortillas on cookie sheet, top with scrambled eggs, bacon strips and sprinkle cheese on top. Place remaining tortillas on top.
    5. Bake for 10 minutes, until cheese melts and tortillas are slightly crispy. Remove and slice quesadillas into quarters.
    6. Serve Bacon and Egg Quesadillas with salsa and sliced pears or other fresh fruit!


    Thursday, July 5, 2012

    Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie

    Ingredients:

    • 2 squares (2-ounces) semisweet chocolate
    • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 2 eggs, beaten
    • 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

    Directions:

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
    Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Remove the pan from the heat and add the sugar, then the eggs; beat well. Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake for 25 minutes or until just set. Serve warm or cold, with ice cream or whipped cream.

    Monday, June 11, 2012

    Pork Chops with Salsa Verde

    IngredientsServes 4 servings Change

    :

    4 pork chops (thinly sliced)
    4 tbsps olive oil
    1 onion (thinly sliced)
    1 tsp garlic salt
    1 tsp black pepper
    16 ozs salsa verde (herdez)
    2 cups white rice (uncooked)
    4 cups water
    2 cups white rice (uncooked)
    2 cups instant rice (quicker option 2 cups of white, prepared according to directions)
    Pork Chops:
    .
    2. Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet.
    3. Once olive oil is heated place onion slices across the bottom of the skillet
    4. Season pork chops with the garlic salt and pepper.
    5. Place pork chops over onions and cover skillet with a lid.
    6. Cook for 20 minutes.
    7. Pour HERDEZ® Salsa Verde over pork chops and simmer for 5 minutes.
    8. Serve
    Rice:
    In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to boil. Add rice, stir with a fork to ensure rice is level and covered in water.
    Cover and reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes.

    Teen Abortion Facts

    The Feminist Women's Health Center reports that a sexually active teenager who does not use contraception has a 90 percent chance of becoming pregnant within one year. Teenagers also become pregnant when contraceptive methods, such as condoms or birth control pills, fail. Of those teenagers who become pregnant, more than one-third obtain an abortion, a forceful termination of the pregnancy through the removal of the embryo or fetus from the uterus.

    Teenagers and Sex

    According to the National Abortion Federation, four out five Americans have had sex by 20 years of age. The average age that individuals lose their virginity is 17, although most do not get married until approximately 10 years after that. This means that teenagers and young adults are at risk for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy for several years. The National Abortion Federation also states that 78 percent of teenage pregnancies are unintended.

    Abortion Statistics

    More than half of abortions are obtained by women under 25 years of age. In fact, 35 percent of pregnant teenagers have an abortion, according to the National Abortion Federation. The Guttmacher Institute reports that in 2006, there were 200,420 abortions among teenagers, and the majority of these teenagers are ages 15 to 19 years.

    Laws

    Laws involving teenagers and abortion vary by state. In some states, a teenager is required to get parental consent in order to have an abortion. If her situation prevents her from getting parental consent, she can attend a hearing and obtain permission from a judge. The majority of the time, one or both parents of the teenage mother know of the abortion. However, the younger the teenager, the less likely she is to tell her parents. The Guttmacher Institute reports that as of 2010, 34 states require a minor teenager to obtain consent from her parents for an abortion.

    Reasons

    Teenagers seek abortions for many reasons. Some are concerned about how a baby would change their lives and feel that they are not prepared or mature enough for the responsibility. Lack of money, partner or family support are reasons as well. Teenagers who decide to have the baby are more likely to drop out of school and rely on state assistance, so there is some basis for the fear of how a child will affect future plans. Because of all the factors that affect a teenager's decision, teens are more likely than other women to seek late abortions.

    Abortion Methods

    According to Pregnant Teen Help, in 2000 there were more than 1,800 places to get an abortion in the United States. Abortions can be done both surgically and medically. Some are performed by administering medications orally and vaginally, and this is typically done in the first trimester. In the second trimester, the baby is removed from the uterus wall with a vacuum or electric pump. Third trimester abortions are usually not performed unless the mother is in danger. Teenagers are most likely to get a second trimester abortion.

    References