Simplest BBQ dinner ever!

Things are crazy, you’re busy, the kids have afterschool activities…. Need a quick and really easy dinner idea? Try this slow-cooker BBQ recipe you can throw together in under 5 minutes in the morning.  You’ll need:

• Your slowcooker  (crockpot)
• A bag of boneless, skinless chicken thighs (you can find these individually frozen in a bag in the freezer section of the grocery store, and they’re quite economical).
• A bottle of honey or hickory BBQ sauce  (get a good one!)
• Optional:  a half cup of dark beer

Place as many of the chicken thighs as you need inside the slow cooker- (I use 1-2 per person, depending on age).  If you are using the beer, mix a 1/2 cup of so of the beer with the BBQ sauce beforehand.  Pour the sauce over the chicken thighs, making sure all pieces are covered.

Turn the slow cooker on low, for up to 8 hours.  Don’t add additional liquid, as the chicken will produce its own liquid as it cooks, and very little liquid escapes during slowcooking.  The meat will be tender and tasty.  Serve with a side of rice and a salad, and you have an easy, quick, and inexpensive dinner that even small kids will eat, especially since the meat is super tender and there is no skin and no bones!

Rethinking Seasonal Produce

Lately I’ve been thinking about how to cut the cost of groceries.  Most sources on time management will tell you to make a meal plan for the week, list everything you’ll need for the menu, and go to the grocery store to buy it all.  The problem with that is you may not be capitalizing on the weekly sales and seasonal fluctuations in the market price of produce.  So I’ve taken another approach.  Perhaps it is not quite as efficient as the first method; but I think it’s more economical and probably is healthier since I’m often getting locally grown and in-season produce. 

When going to the grocery store, I have started to pay attention (for me, that means making a mental note of the price) of various produce items.  For instance, back in the fall, I was sucked in by a beautiful seasonal display of winter squash- spaghetti squash, acorn, and butternut.  I bought a couple at $1.50 a lb.  The next week, in the same grocery store, the price had dropped to 48 cents/lb.  That’s a more than 66% price drop!  These are especially good to stock up on, because they have a long shelf life, so I bought several more.  This week’s sale produce dictated the week’s menu, which included butternut squash bisque; spaghetti squash with olive oil and parmesan; and roasted acorn squash. 

Yes, my kids like strawberries in the dead of winter and asparagus in the heat of summer.  Hey, they’re great on the grill!  But for true economy, paying attention to the seasonal produce and taking advantage of market fluctuations can make a big difference in the grocery bill!  In the fall, when apples were on sale, we bought apples.  In the summer, when yellow squash and tomatoes were coming in from local farms, that’s what we had for dinner.  Check local farmer’s markets; produce markets; and other grocery store fliers.  You’ll get the tastiest and least expensive food when you aim for seasonally appropriate food.

Clutter Control!

Beyond Easter Baskets!  Looking for an easy, attractive way to control clutter in your house, and in your child’s room?  Try an array of baskets.  The kids can’t seem to keep books stacked neatly on shelves?  Try a laundry basket.  If a big gawky plastic basket doesn’t fit your decor, try a wicker laundry basket.  You can find them at home goods stores or even Walmart, and they make a great portable, simple way to corral those board books that seem to multiply. 

Try smaller baskets for crayons, video games (especially the small ones like those for Gameboys), hair bows, and even kitchen counter clutter like vitamin bottles, coffee accoutrements, and snacks.

Thank You Notes- from the kids!

In today’s world of scattered families, many special events are marked by gifts through the mail.  One of the most frustrating things for grandmothers, family friends, and favorite aunts is to not know if a gift was ever received.  A thank you note is more than just a social nicety or formality.  Whether it comes via email or snail mail, a thank you note not only allows the sender to be sure the gift arrived intact, but lets the recipient express his or her gratitude for someone’s thoughtfulness. 

For small children, however, thank you notes often fall by the wayside.  Try taking a picture of your child opening or enjoying the gift.  Let your kids draw a picture if they are small.  If your kids have reached the age to understand who and where the gift came from, write a note yourself while explaining what you’re doing; once your child is big enough to write simple words, utilize the fill-in-the-blank thank you notes available where stationary and party supplies are sold.  I often write out the name of the sender and the item on a scrap of paper, and let my young son copy into the blanks.  His grandparents like to receive it in his handwriting, and they know he’s aware who gave him that nifty new toy.   For older kids, find a cute set of blank cards and let them write their own- it’s a social skill that will last a lifetime! 

For a good selection of fill-in-the-blank cards, try My Expression.

Get Stuck in a Rut!

Sometimes being stuck in a rut is good- routine is comforting and efficient.  Make a routine for you and your kids each night to make the morning flow more smoothly.  My twins were at the age where they wanted to do everything for themselves.  Rather than have the morning fight over what we would wear each day, I solved the problem by laying everyone’s clothes out the night before- yes, it’s one of the oldest tricks in the book, but that’s because it works! 

I have a small bench in the boys’ room, and every night before bed, their pants, shirts, shoes, and socks are all laid out and ready to go, and the boys have happily gotten up and dressed themselves without issue since they were three.  Socks, preschool nap mats, coats, backpacks, and lunches are all readied the evening before as well, and ready to grad on the way out the door, including mom and dad’s!

Start Planning for Summer Vacation

Yes, it seems like summer will never get here, but it’s really not far off.  For an interesting yet economical trip, consider a home exchange.  I know what you’re thinking.  I don’t want strangers in my house.  My house is not big or fancy enough.  Who wants to come here? 

Some locations are always top picks- beaches, ski areas, NYC.  But you’d be surprised how many people want to visit where you  live!  A number of websites are out there to help find a match.  Most charge an annual fee, but compared to the cost of a hotel, it’s miniscule.  You could also try Craig’s List, which is free.  Most websites allow searching by desired desination, or a reverse search, which looks for listers who want to come to your locale.  You can search by number of bedrooms, and other amenities.  Try Home Exchange, (the website used in the movie The Holiday) Digsville, or 1st Home Exchange.

My family exchanged with a family in California last summer.  We spent nearly 10 days in the Central California coastal area, while a teacher and her daughter stayed in our home.  We communicated via email several times beforehand, and left lists of ‘must do’ activities in our area for each other.  Here’s why this is great for families with kids:

• It’s CHEAP!  You pay for gas, food, incidentals.  But no HOTEL. 
• You have a full home to operate in, and wind down each evening without worrying about disturbing the old fogies next door in your hotel or trying to keep your kids quietly confined to a 100 sq foot room. 
• You have a full kitchen!  With a frige, stove, coffee maker, etc.  It’s cheaper and more convenient.
• You likely have access to a washer and dryer, which makes life easier when traveling with kids (especially if it’s summer and you’re doing outdoor or water activities)
• The home may have other bonus amenities, like a view, a grill, a pool or hot tub (our exchange home had a hot tub which was lovely for soaking in after a full day of sightseeing!)
• Someone is watching over your house, and possibly feeding  your pets (yay, no boarding!) and watering your plants.  A neighbor can drop in to introduce themselves to make everyone feel more secure if you like.

Give it a try- most exchange matching websites will allow you to browse even without registering, if you just want to take a look what’s out there!

Avoiding the Dr.

Spring is here, and that means flowers…. and pollen…. and allergies…. sniffly noses, spring colds, sneezing, etc.  One of the best and often most overlooked ways to keep from getting sick is to make sure you and your kids eat right and get the right vitamins and minerals your body needs to fight sickness. 

After doing a little research, I made a list of the top immunity boosting foods and posted it on the side of the refrigerator.  That way, it’s easy to remember what we need to be eating on a regular basis and I incorporate these items as often as possible into our regular meals. For example, when I make chicken and dumplings, a family favorite, I use partial whole wheat flour (for whole grains), and throw a few handfuls of chopped kale into the broth; it mixes with the broth and gets tender, and the boys never even notice.  I keep yogurt and fruit around for after-school snacks; and try to add much of the boys’ favorites into other not-so-favorite dishes.  For instance, when I make a spinach salad, I sprinkle nuts and strawberries or raspberries on top to make it more enticing. 

Here’s a few of the top immunity boosting foods: 

• Peppers- bell and chile pepers
  

  Source: ABC News

• garlic
• yogurt
• turmeric (the yellow spice in curry)
• oregano (which has antibacterial properties)
• green tea
• ginger
• oysters
• green veggies, including broccoli, kale, and spinach
• Pumpkins (next fall, actually cook those pumpkins your little ones got at the local pumpkin patch!) 
• Berries- blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, etc.
• whole grains 

To find out more about why these super foods work, ABC News recently ran a piece by Radha Chitale on avoiding the cold or flu; the story does a great job of explaining which vitamins are available in what foods and how the body uses them.

Making travel less stressful for little ones

Taking the kids on a spring break or summer vacation?  Going away to summer camp or to Grandma’s for a week?  Being away from home can be stressful for kids of all ages, from toddlers to pre-teens.  Here’s a simple trip to make bedtime in a strange bed feel more like home:

Pack your child’s special pillow case.  If your child doesn’t already use a special pillow case, buy one in his or her favorite cartoon character or sports team a few weeks in advance, just for fun.  Wash it in your normal detergent so it gets that smell of home.  (As a kid, my mom always used Gain- I still think of home when I smell it!) 

Pack it in your bag, and when you arrive at the hotel or rental or Grandma’s, slip your little one’s favorite pillowcase over the pillow that’s already there.  While adults are known to be picky about their pillow’s fluff factor, kids are generally easier to please and the familiarity of the favorite character pillow case makes it seem more like home; and bedtime just got easier! 

One bonus- buying separate pillow cases with characters for your kids is much less expensive than purchasing the entire sheet set- plus if you choose a neutral set of sheets, you can switch out pillow cases as their latest fixation changes!  We’ve been through Dragon Tails, Scooby Doo, Football teams, etc…..  For some cute ideas try these at Find Gifts.com!

Clean your financial house, so to speak

It is some of the most dreaded jobs around- balancing the checkbook, paying bills, planning for your kids’ college fund and retirement….  it’s so complicated, and stressful and who wants to do it!??  Here’s a tool that can help make it easier for you- 

Mint.com!  This tool is online financial software- it helps not only budget, but to plan for many financial goals, whether those are to pay off debt like credit cards or student loans; save for college for your kids- or yourself!; save for a big purchase, or even retirement; find great ways to save money; and best of all- TRACK YOUR SPENDING!  The really cool thing about this program is you don’t have to do a lot of data entry- it simply links up to your bank account online and allows you to track your spending by category. You can set up alerts for various items; you can compare different credit cards or banks to find the best fees. 

Mint.com can also help you set up graphs and other easy to read graphics that show you exactly how much money you spend and where you spend it.  But the best part is this:  It’s FREE.  That’s right.  According to the website, the company occasionally earns a referral fee for recommending a bank account or credit card, but the site only recommends in order of best price/lowest cost, so the company only earns if it is the lowest one and you decide to switch.  We all dread money management tasks- finally, here’s a tool to make a bit easier………

Travel meds

If you travel with kids, at some point you’re going to have a sick child on the road.  It might be a bout of carsickness, or an allergic reaction, or even a fever.  Keep these few necessities in a ziplock bag at all times, and grab it any time you hit the road.

• A bottle of children’s benadryl.  It can be used for runny noses and allergic reactions.  It’s also usable by both adults and children. (make sure to follow labeling instructions.)
• A bottle of children’s ibuprofen.  Treats everything from fevers to headaches to other aches and pains.
• A few Tums for kids and parents.  Sometimes too much takeout and riding can cause an ill tummy.
• A thermometer, bandaids, a tube of antibiotic cream, and a liquid measuring cup for meds. 

Of course, if you’re making a road trip, it always helps to have an extra change of clothes for each child and a pack of wet wipes (for all ages) within quick reach.  I always keep a small tote bag with these in the back of my car, even if there are suitcases.  I also line the backseats of the car with a doubled sheet for road trips to catch everything from crayons to crackers to spills (including ‘carsickness!’)

Family Traditions

When it comes to family time, what do you remember most?  What you got in your Easter basket/Christmas gifts/birthday presents?  Or do you remember trekking to the pumpkin patch each year?  Or other family traditions from being a kid? 

In today’s world of internet shopping, instant communication, and satellite tiv, it’s easy to forget, but things and toys are rarely what stick in kids’ minds- what they remember is what we  do with them, and how we spend our free time.  Make family traditions- they can be as simple as a certain kind of dessert at Easter, or as elaborate as a special summer vacation spot, or even making caramel apples in the fall. 

Our family has tried to implement a handful of activities we do regularly- Daddy cooks pancakes every Sunday morning.  Every Christmas we try to find a tree farm to cut a fresh tree.  (We’ve lived in 3 states- In New Mexico, you can buy a $10 permit to cut your own from the National Forest.)  We have a special bedtime routine.  And Mom and the boys make chocolate chip cookies regularly. 

And every Friday night is PIZZA NIGHT.  No takeout or delivery involved.  We get a kid movie from netflix, and dad makes pizza to order for each person.  It’s the one night the boys are allowed to eat in the living room.  [as an aside, this post sounds like mom doesn't cook, which isn't true... not sure why dad's cooking seems more special... I do mix the pizza dough when I arrive home from work, and it rises until dad is ready to cook.]  Pizza night is special, and our kids look forward to it all week.  By about Thursday, when they are exhausted, the words, ‘one more night til pizza night’ is enough to get them going.  In a few years, they’ll be too big and busy for family pizza night,  but while they’re little, we are soaking it up.

Our routines are not perfect for anyone else- each family has to create their own traditions and special activities for themselves.  They can be simple or involved.  The important thing is that you make it special and fun for your family!  Just think, in 25 years or so, your kids may be telling their own kids, ‘when I was little, we would always…….’

A Playdate for Mom!

Moms organize playdates, after-school activites, birthday parties, family vacations, holidays, and everything else.  Well, how about a playdate for mom?  Women’s groups range from book clubs to supper clubs.  Here’s a idea - game night.  Organize a group of women to get together monthly for a grown-up, women only game night.  It might be bridge, pinochle, or bingo.  Here are a few ideas for a fun, moms only get together!

• Set up a monthly schedule for several months in advance.  Then stick to it.  Pick the most available day, but whoever can make it, makes it.
• Each person brings a small door prize.  The hostess can supply a larger prize.  Play in rounds for prizes.  Use a timer if necessary. 
• The hostess supplies a light dinner and dessert. 
• Take turns hosting, and pass off the game pieces to next month’s hostess at the close of each evening. 
• No kids or husbands allowed!  (OK, they may be upstairs confined to the den eating takeout pizza…) 
• Everyone goes home with a prize, and has had a relaxing evening with friends.  This is also a great way to meet new people; encourage participants to bring a friend, sister, mother, neighbor. 
• Set up an RSVP policy so the hostess knows how much food to prepare.
• HAVE FUN!  It’s playtime for mom! 

Simple Fruit Dessert

Want a quick, tasty dessert tonight?  Try a fruit salad!  No, not your grandma’s, the kind that incorporated a can of fruit cocktail in heavy syrup. 

Grab whatever tasty fruit is in season- berries, apples, pears, oranges, bananas, kiwis, mangos, etc. 

Wash, (peel if necessary), and slice or chop- I often use slices or spears rather than chopping into chunks.  It makes it easier for the kids to eat and gives a nice mixed texture. 

Squeeze a little lime juice and drizzle honey over the top of the fruit, stirring together.  Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon or nutmeg, or add toasted chopped nuts.  Serve in individual bowls for a quick, healthy dessert!  And for a touch of fun, a dollop of whipped cream.

Snow in the tub

Yes, it’s spring, but many areas of the country get a late snow in April- it’s cold, wet, and often breezy.  And what do you do with the kids?  Why, bring it inside, of course!  Tired of muddy boots, wet gloves, and pink noses?  Fill a large plastic tub with snow, and haul it into the bathroom.  Don’t worry, it’s light.  Bring 3 or 4 loads in and dump it into a clean bathtub.  Give the kids a couple of big spoons, a few beach toys, and throw some towels on the floor.  It’s clean and it melts clear, and best of all, you don’t have to stand outside in the cold for your little ones to enjoy the snow!  And aside from a few (or a lot!) of drips on the floor, there’s no cleanup- it simply melts and runs down the drain!

Economizing on Groceries

For many families with kids, grocery shopping eats a huge chuck of change each week.  Of that weekly bill, a large portion goes to meat.  This source of protein and vitamins is one of the most expensive components of most meals.  So you’re not ready to go vegetarian?  Here’s a couple of tips for cutting the cost while still incorporating meat into the menu.

• Buy less expensive cuts.  Use the crockpot to slow cook and tenderize.
• Learn how to braise meat.  It’s pretty simple- pop a chunk of meat (a pork or beef roast) into the oven at a high temperature; cook for a short period.  Lower the temperature and cover the dish and cook for a longer period, depending on the meat- it makes for moist and tender meats.  This works for inexpensive roasts and is great to add inexpensive root veggies like potatoes and carrots.
• Incorporate meat into larger dishes, rather than making it the main attraction.  Stir fry chicken breasts and cut into slices- add to a salad or stir fry veggies.  Toss chicken or shrimp into pasta with alfredo sauce.  Pan fry a few fish filets, break into pieces, and make fish tacos.  Make regional specialties like shrimp and grits; chicken and dumplings; gumbo; green chile and pork stew. 

The Never Ending Fruit Bowl

I have three boys- it seems like they eat non-stop!  To quell the before-dinner snacking, I filled a big pretty fruitbowl with seasonal fresh fruits that are easy to eat out-of-hand, and sat it smack in the middle of the kitchen table.  The bowl may hold apples, pears, bananas, tangerines, and often those miniature boxes of raisins. 

When the boys come in for a late afternoon snack, I simply point them to the fruit bowl, especially if dinner is within site!  Sure, kids often want to eat junk, but if they’re really hungry, that fruit bowl gets more and more tempting…….. and it keeps them satisfied until dinner!  And if any of the fruit gets past its prime, I use it in banana bread, baked apples, or other simple recipes- That they boys will also eat!

Don’t think your kids are that into fruit? Take them to the grocery store or farmer’s market, or even a local fruit farm and let them pick it out themselves.

Quick Easter Treats!

Easter is on the way, and many moms will need to come up with an easy and fast treat for school parties or Easter goodies- try Easter Peeps Cupcakes!  All you need are frosted cupcakes (your own or courtesy of the local bakery), green sprinkles, pretzel sticks, and peeps!  Frost the cupcakes, sprinkle on the green sprinkles (for grass), and use the pretzel sticks like anchors- insert half into the bottom of the peep, and the other half into the top of the cupcake.  Simple and fun! 

-Hint- don’t do this the night before- the cupcake’s moisture can make the pretzel get too soft and fall apart.

From Field to Table

With all the media attention on fresh, local food, here’s a great idea for getting your kids involved.  Try a local pick-your-own, or U-Pick farm.  These are found all over the country, and kids absolutely love it.  I grew up on a farm, but my three boys are suburbanites, so the chance to get their hands dirty is always a great spring activity for them, especially when it involves food, another of their favorites.  We’ve picked raspberries in California and Northern New Mexico, peaches and blueberries in Florida, strawberries in Louisiana, and more.  Most U-Pick farms are family friendly and don’t frown on eating while you pick.  In fact, if the raspberry farms were really concerned with making money, they would have weighed the boys on their way in and again on the way out!  Most will have baskets to pick in, and some even supply little red wagons for carrying what you pick.  (or tired kids!) 

To find a local farm in your area, visit www.pickyourown.org , which lists u-pick farms by state.

Travel Snacks

Spring break is upon us, and many families will be taking a vacation, even if it is relatively close to home.  Long rides in the car with kids can result in multiple fast-food drive thru’s, (plus the accompanying squished trash in the floor of the backseat), never-ending discussion of they want to eat, and the always popular, “how much further?” 

To keep down the cost, hassle, and junk the kids consume, I make them a snack pack before we leave.  For each child, I put in several healthy snacks plus a napkin or two in a paper lunch bag.  Great options include cheese sticks, raisins, crackers, fruit in a ziplock, and other easy to handle snacks.  When the first child starts asking for snacks, I pass out the brown bags.  They don’t all have to eat the same thing, and they can pick and choose what they want, plus the brown bag makes a handy trash bag.  The only other thing I need is a small cooler with juice boxes or water on gel ice packs, and we’re set for a road trip!

April Fools!

Looking for something fun and unexpected for your little ones?  Try an April Fool’s trick.  Tell them tonight they can have dessert first- make turkey meatloaf muffins for dinner, with mashed potatoes.  Using a little food coloring, color the potatoes and frost the muffins.  Then for dessert, make a mock grilled cheese sandwich- using frozen store bought pound cake (the Sara Lee type that comes in a loaf) slice it like bread, toast briefly in a skillet, and slather orange colored canned frosting between the cake slices to look like melted cheese.  Your kids will be in for a tasty surprise!