Sustainability vs. Economical

Okay, I have decided that there are two things I would like to do this summer.
First, I want a garden. I would like to try to grow our own fruit and vegetables. It seems that all groceries are going up and...it is a good learning opportunity that will keep the kids busy!
I have never done this and I also have the attention span of a knat so we will see how it goes. I will update accordingly. I also, see this as an opportunity to pay it forward in a manner that yet again costs little or no money. Sweat equity is always a good investment and yields more than I could give in a lesson.

The second, is that I would like to be more active. Yes, I said it out loud. I am hoping this makes me accountable and gives me the strength to do so. I don't mean active in run a marathon but just getting out and taking a walk with the kids. I am wanting to set a good example for my kids. I just never knew that the little bugges could zap my energy so bad. Yea, yea, I hear my whole family and all of my friends saying a gigantic "We told you!". I am hoping by being more active and the kids being more active, someone is going to get some sleep around here.

I hope that everyone has a great and safe weekend. I am hoping that we do not get the snow that the weatherman is predicting! I love the spring!

What's Cookin'-#2

I was at the grocery store and found 5.5#'s of 93/7 ground beef for $13.00. Considering I usually pay $3.78/#, I bought it.
So with my 5.5 #'s of Ground, I plan to make:
1) Spaghetti
2) Tacos
3) Vegetable Beef Soup
4) Hamburgers (remember-I have 2 under three, so my meat goes a bit further)
5) Quesadillas
I will keep the other 1/2# frozen for later. I won't serve all of these in one week but I do keep in the back of my mind what is the planned menu.

I also made Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup this week. Remember the chicken stock I made and put in the freezer? Well, I pulled it out. I put it on to boil, added some fresh sliced carrots, onions, celery and 1 can of chicken. Homemade Soup in minutes! The boys ate it after school and Greer took it for lunch yesterday. Greg, Fiona and I are having it for lunch today. It is a quick way to get dinner on the table or just something good for lunch. I made it because everyone has been so sick. It can't hurt, right?!

I was in one of the three grocery stores I visit and they had small packages of brownie mix on sale-10/$10. I like this kind because all you do is add water. I see brownies for Greer! He loves to cook, or watch, no matter how simple. I figure this is a good activity for him. He will also have bragging rights when the kids get out of school! Nothing better for a 2 1/2 year old!

So for this week, we have made the following:
1) Chicken Noodle Soup
2) Pork Tenderloin, steamed Broccoli and carrots served over rice. (ate on this for two nights)
3) Spaghetti & salad
4) Tacos, Black Beans, & rice (I will use the already cooked rice and reuse it to make spanish rice)
This means for the weekend- we are eating leftovers. I love these meals because they make plenty on not a lot. They also provide meals so I can concentrate on other things during the weekend. If we really need- I always keep a frozen pizza in the fridge!

Being-sometimes it just takes an effort.

This weekend we ran the gammet of yuck at our house. Greer had a virus, Fiona had an ear infection and Daddy had allergies! Mommy-well she had no sleep and space issues-funny how they coincide.
We did get to watch March Madness! Greg and I started filling out brackets when we were dating and it is one of the things we still do. I think it is because we are both so competitive. His looks pretty good-mine, not so much. Can you make a come back in round three?

Greg gave me some interesting information this weekend. Did you know that Tide buys old marine battery liquid and recycles it into detergent. Hmmmm. I am thinking that now I will definitely be using backing soda and vinegar and less detergent in my wash. Could this be the reason that my favorite jeans always end up with holes. It can't be because I love to wear them!

My MIL was telling me of a program the Campbell's Soup is doing. They will send you tomato seeds to plant and they even give instructions. Of course you start with a Campbell's Tomato Soup can (what else). I thought it was a good learning experience and if it fails-you didn't buy the seeds anyway. If it works- well you can check back later for a homemade tomato soup recipe!
Enjoy and check back tomorrow. School is back in session= chaos for the making!

The Children’s Place is having a sale! Spring items are marked down an additional 25% plus if you use code NEXTJ78 you will get an additional 10% off. Shipping is $5!

Kids Games-Back to basics

Going outside is not yet an option for some. It is hard when your kids are bored. I do have a couple of activities that I keep in reserve:
1)Shaving cream- This is a fun sensory for every age and the clean up is minimal. A dry wash cloth for clothes and wet for the table. My kids like to clean up as much as they like to play in it. 2)Bag Races-I grew up where we had, and went to, home birthday parties. The gunnysack race was/is a family favorite. Take out a pillow case for each child. Draw two lines on your floor with tape and let the races begin!
3)Shoe sort-This works best with a lot of shoes. Take your same lines on the floor, divide the pairs between the two sides and have the children relay to see who can make the most matches.
4)Parachute-Turn on some music, take a top sheet, grab the sides and place a small object in the middle. See if you can go slow when the music goes slow and fast etc. The children can take turns going under the sheet also. This game is loud and gets energy going and out easily!
5)Balloon Tennis- Place a small balloon inside a knee-high (if it pops the pieces will stay inside) and tie yarn to the tied end of the balloon. Be sure to make the yarn long enough to hang from a door frame to your child's swing. Make paddles from a paper plate, tongue depressor or Popsicle stick, and masking tape. This activity is great for teaching hand eye coordination and taking turns. It also gets the energy out. (Thanks to our P.A.T. partner-Arlene.)
My children LOVE this game! I have all the children(8-1) playing this game.
I hope this makes the day a bit easier and gives you some new games to try. If nothing else it will be good family time spent trying! Have a great weekend!

What's cookin'?

This picture is from quite sometime ago but I love it. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I think it is where all things come to life. One of my goals as a parent is to make sure that when given the chance my children have the life skills needed to succeed. Cooking being one of them.

In our house it is imperative that we make our budget stretch. I was thinking that some of my cooking tips may help someone else. When cooking, make a bag of things that you would normally throw away (or compost if you are that good). Things like onion skin, celery ends, any veg item. You can put them in a stock pot, cover with water, add salt and pepper, and let simmer for 45 min. Cool and strain. Then freeze. This will make a great veg stock for future recipes. You can also do this with left over chicken bone and skin. This will eliminate the need to buy an item you would already have paid for and didn't know it. I realize that it seems like a lot of work but in the time that it takes to prepare a meal, you can also have homemade stock!

When I make out a menu for the week, or sometimes two if I am lucky (or smart enough). I try to dual purpose my proteins. Meat is so expensive and we just can't seem to give it up. For example:

Monday: Roasted Chicken with potatoes, onions and carrots.

You can cook this in a roasting bag or just buy a wire stand to make your own roasted chicken. Our family eats the breast and we save the rest of the chicken.

Tuesday: Pick the rest of the meat from the bone. Use the skin and bone to make your stock. Use the meat to make Sesame Chicken. I serve this with brown rice and broccoli. We usually have enough that my husband can take the leftovers for lunch. I put the pulled chicken in a skillet with onion, heat and add sauce.

The sauce is made from:

1cup of Soy sauce

2/3 cup brown sugar

1Tbs of minced garlic

1/3 cup ketchup

Place all of this in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Pour over chicken and simmer for 10-15 minutes. The sauce has extra so it can cover the rice.

Wednesday: I will buy 2 1/2 pounds of hamburger at a time. I have the time to make homemade meatballs since Greer goes to school on Wednesday. I use 1/2 # to feed my whole family. I brown them and add them to the crock pot with my sauce. Spaghetti with Meatballs, salad and bread tonight! Greg can take leftovers for lunch again!

Thursday: Since I have 2#'s of meat in the fridge waiting to be cooked I can either make Meatloaf or use the meat in two separate meals. I will stretch a bit further this week. We are having Shepherd's Pie. I like this because it is contained all in one. Pie crust(in a pan), pre bake, brown 1 # meat with onion, place in crust, cover with cheese, add either frozen peas(our favorite) or veg mix, and top with mashed potatoes. You can use the potatoes from the roasted chicken if you have any leftover! Bake for 30 minutes on 375. Serve like this or with cream gravy.

Friday: Vegetable Beef Soup. I like this recipe because it is mostly dump, pour and simmer. Brown the last # of hamburger with onion once again. Add two cups of frozen mixed vegetables and 1 bottle of V-8 juice(64 oz). Then add an all purpose seasoning and let cook for 45 min on med heat. Serve with cornbread.

Saturday: Usually by this point I am either all about it or not at all. Soup and sandwiches are my fallback. Since we happen to have a large pot of Veg/Beef soup left-we are having soup and grilled cheese.

Sunday: If there are leftovers that haven't been eaten to day is the day! If not, then well, frozen lasagna it is! Everyone deserves a day off!

I hope this gives you some new ideas to try over the weekend. I try to do as much cooking as possible on the weekend so I don't have to do it during the week. It saves time and usually money. When I don't have something prepared or at least thawed out -is when we go out and that is a budget buster! Have a good weekend!

Motherhood on the upswing!

Here I am again, in the wee hours of the morning, writing. It is one of my most valued times. I have been thinking about ways that I can teach my children to be generous without thinking in terms of money. Well, I was able to be an example yesterday. It was kind of nice to know that we are able to pay it forward.

I spent the day with my friend Lynnette and her 1 month old son. Zac. They have had a rough go of it to say the least. Birth, Mom with pneumonia, in the hospital and baby with RSV in the hospital. I am sure Michael was just beside himself. I went to take lunch and hold the dear while mamma got some sleep. Well being a true mom-she didn't sleep! She did get a shower. I really enjoyed spending time with them both. I think it is the best way to pay it forward.

I have a few talents that I am proud of and take forgranted most days. Cooking ( and loving it) is one of them. I would rather have a cleaning crew come in once a month than be able to have a chef eveyday. Cooking is my cathartic activity! It gives my hands something to do and keeps my mind just busy enough to let me sort through and be clear. If you ever see me coming with lots of food-life is either really good or really bad! If you watch Grey's-think Izzie. Muffins for everyone! Life has been good and I am able to cook again.

Birthday update-39 is fabulous! Robin Williams-hilarious! The Pretenders-goodness I so want to be Chrissie Hines in another life! I was surprised from my family with a nice dinner(without children) to one of my favorite sushi resturants!I was also surprised with a birthday cake and balloons from the children after school! I think they loved it as much as I. I had a wonderful week with my husband and felt love from all around.

I am still using my Wednesdays to have some "me" time. It really feels good and makes me a better mommy. I highly suggest it to everyone I know. Even if your kids are too big. I think when they go to school I will save Wed. for a movie date with myself.

My friend Laurie is having a baby on Friday-her 4th! We are keeping the older 2 and the third is sick so he will possibly stay with grandparents! We are excited for them and can't wait to meet Mac. After holding Zac yesterday, I am really looking forward to holding a little one again. Given my children don't throw him out. (We are having bouts of jealousy.)

Fiona is babling up a storm and even says several words: momma, Daddy, ball, baby, banana(baba), and eat. Greer is still working on the potty. We make it to the bathroom on most occassions for pee but poo is still illusive. We are laundry doing fools around here!

We love you all and wish you all the best life has to give. Jana, Greg, Fiona, Greer and Sophie