The Bryan Times - July 1, 2019 - Summertime Teaching Opportunities

​Happy 243rd Birthday, America!  May you all enjoy a safe and fun holiday week, no matter where you are in this great land we are blessed to call home. 

Summertime brings great opportunities for us to teach our children and grandchildren. I've always believed we're robbing our children of important life skills if we don't teach them to successfully do chores at home.  They want privileges?  Then teach them that responsibilities go along with that. 

I knew some wise young parents who, on each of their children's birthdays, would give them a new responsibility and a new privilege.  SMART!

Raspberry Sweeties

While it is sometimes easier just to do it yourself, take time to teach because children need to learn those skills that are important for a successful future. 

Kids can learn that life requires work. By loading the dishwasher, mowing the grass, or doing their laundry, "kids learn how the world works." 

To take the sting out of chores, set aside a time each week when the whole family does chores, Saturday morning from 8 to 9 for example. Then you don’t get into battles about when chores get done. Having the whole family do chores at the same time also helps. Your kid knows that every Saturday morning, this is what the family does.

And don't forget to add some fun in the mix.  Play upbeat music or a silly song. It can make a real difference in everyone's attitude. Vacuum or dust to the beat of the music and let the kids have a turn. 

Assign Chores By Age: Tasks that are clearly over your child’s head will make chore time dreadful for everyone. Don't forget to change up the chores from time to time. 

After dinner, do a "10-minute Tidy." Set a timer and have family members scatter through the house putting away the day's clutter.

Once chores are done, maybe the kids could have fun making some good snacks. Here's a few simple ideas to get them started. Kids will always be more willing to eat something they've helped create themselves. Spending time in the kitchen also teaches your kids about measuring as well as learning to do team work with other family members. 

GRAHAM CRACKER GOODIES 

1 tub (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 box (3.4 oz.) instant vanilla (or your favorite) pudding (4-serv. size)

30 graham cracker squares

sprinkles

In large bowl, combine whipped topping and dry pudding mix. Stir until pudding is completely combined. (It shouldn't be grainy.) Spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of 'frosting' on a graham cracker square. Put second graham cracker square on top and squish it down just a little.(you'll want some of the filling to ooze out the sides just a bit because you need something for sprinkles to stick to). Dip each of the four sides in sprinkles. Place each 'sandwich' on a cookie sheet; freeze for about 2 hours (the hardest part is waiting!) Place all goodies in a freezer bag - the kids can 'grab and go', right from the freezer. 

RASPBERRY SWEETIES

Just wash and dry berries and put white or milk chocolate chips upside down in them. The kids will be so proud they made this sweet treat for you. 

My grandkids have really enjoyed this cooling fun treat. 

KID-FRIENDLY ICE CREAM IN A BAG

1 c. light cream (Try using half vanilla flavored creamer) MM!

3 Tb. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

qt. size ziplock freezer bag

2 gallon size ziploc freezer bags

crushed ice or cubes

rock salt

Mix first 3 ingredients together and pour into the qt. bag. Squeeze the air out and place it into a gallon bag (for safety sake). In the bottom of the second gallon bag, place some ice cubes and rock salt.  Place the other bags on top, then fill in the sides with more layers of ice and rock salt so that it is higher than the level of cream. Then let the kids toss the bags back and forth to each other, back and forth, and in about 10 minutes or so, they'll have ice cream.  Yield: 2 -3 servings 

Enjoy a wonderful summer! 

"I love how summer just wraps her arms around you like a warm blanket" - Kellie Elmore

Leader Enterprise - Good Starts for school days - August 8, 2018

Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie

Can we even imagine summer is almost over and it's nearly time for school again - already????

I love breakfast. (I even love it for supper. Maybe you do too?) Research shows that kids who eat breakfast fare much better in school. It not only helps maximize school performance, but helps them grow properly also. With the rush of trying to get kids out the door on time for school, things get a little crazy. I decided to share a few recipes to help simplify those busy mornings, and to help make you feel better as a parent, sending them off with good food in their bellies. 

I was thrilled to find a recipe for making your own instant oatmeal. Those little store-purchased packets are handy, but cost more. Have your children help make this and they'll be more excited about eating it. There are options listed so it doesn't have to be boring. It's a real money-saver as everyone gets their favorite flavor without the expense. To speed time, the oatmeal mixture may be pre-measured and bagged in small ziploc bags.

INSTANT OATMEAL ALA-HOME

1 - 18 oz container quick cooking oats

1/3 c. dry powdered milk (omit if lactose-intolerant)

1/2  c. packed brown sugar, or less

1 - 2 tsp. cinnamon

1 c. raisins or dried fruits

Mix all of the ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Label the container with directions. Yields 16 servings.

To prepare oatmeal: scoop 1/2 cup oatmeal mixture into a bowl and mix with 3/4 cup water. Add more water if you prefer it thinner; less water if you like it thicker. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir and enjoy. Older children can help younger ones.

Options:

- Fruit/cream-add 1 TB. nondairy coffee creamer and 2 TB. dried fruit, or applesauce.

- S'Mores-add 6 mini marshmallows and 1 TB.milk chocolate chips to prepared oatmeal.

- Celebration-add 1 tsp. sugar and 1/2 tsp. "Pop Rocks"-this is fun for a birthday.

-No-Bake Cookie-(my personal favorite). Stir in a TB. peanut butter to prepared oats, then add 1 - 2 TB.of (lite) chocolate syrup. It's very filling and satisfying.

These omelets freeze nicely, and can be reheated in microwave, wrapped in a paper towel. 

MINI MUFFIN OMELETS

11 eggs 

2 Tb. milk

1 c. chopped deli ham or cooked bacon or sausage

2 ozs. shredded cheddar cheese

salt and pepper, to taste

blanched or sauteed veggies of choice

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 12 muffin tins generously with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix eggs and milk; pour evenly into pans. Sprinkle with add-ins, then salt and pepper. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from tins and serve, or cool and freeze. (If you place them on a Pam-sprayed cookie sheet and freeze for 2 hours, you can pop them all into a bag and they won't stick together and can easily be removed individually.)

I love quick and filling smoothies. This is a simple one that can be whipped up quickly and the kids can drink on the way to school on a time-crunched morning! This is just an 'outline' - feel free to add to or subtract from it to make it your own. 

PEANUT BUTTER-BANANA-OATMEAL SMOOTHIE

1/4 c. oats

1 or 2 bananas, sliced and frozen

1/4 c. peanut butter (or nutella if preferred)

1 c. milk

Put oats in blender and blend until powder-y. Add remaining ingredients and blend until there are no more chunks of frozen banana. Yield: 2 servings

STRAWBERRY PINA COLADA SMOOTHIE 

2 c. strawberries (frozen or fresh)

2 c. pineapple (frozen or fresh)

1 c. water

1 c. unsweetened coconut (or almond) milk

1/2 c. vanilla Greek yogurt 

1 c. crushed ice..(or more, if not using frozen fruit)

1 banana, sliced or chunked

Drizzle of honey or 1 pkt. Truvia  

Place ingredients in blender and blend on high until smooth. Pour and enjoy every luscious sip! Serves 4 or 5. 

I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught. 

~Winston Churchill

​

Leader Enterprise - April 12, 2017 - Spring Cleaning Helps

"Lightened" Ham & Swiss Rollups

Hope you're enjoying the spring season. The day after we returned from 2 months in Florida, (early March) my dear hubby was hospitalized for 13 days, most of those days far from home at the Ann Arbor VA. He received such awesome care there and we adore the doctors and nurses. He began dialysis while there and is now going to Bryan 3 days a week for the process.  Life is settling down as we strive to find our 'new normal'. We are more than blessed, in so many ways, and covet your thoughts and prayers for the days ahead. There's no place like home! 

This is the time of year we begin thinking about spring cleaning. There are many uses for household products such as vinegar and baking soda, so I thought I would remind you of some cleaning ‘tricks’ using these simple on-hand products to help get your home sparkling.

Special Egg Salad & Tips for Cooking Eggs

Nontoxic Bathroom Cleaner: Here’s a terrific deep-cleaning cleanser recipe that works on any bathroom surface. It cuts through soap scum and mildew as well as any commercial bathroom product and costs just pennies. Clean Green!

Ingredients:

1-2/3 c. baking soda

1/2 c. liquid soap

1/2 c. water

2 Tb. white vinegar

1 clean 16-ounce spray bottle 

Mix baking soda and liquid soap in a bowl. Dilute with water and add the vinegar. Stir the mixture with a fork until any lumps have been dissolved. Pour the liquid into the bottle. Shake well before using. Spray on area to be cleaned. Scrub with a nylon-backed sponge. Rinse off with water.

Refresh the Fridge: Did you know that vinegar might be an even more effective safe cleanser for your refrigerator than baking soda? Use equal parts white vinegar and water to wash both the interior and exterior of your fridge. To prevent mildew growth, wash the inside walls and bin interiors with some full-strength vinegar on a cloth. Also use undiluted vinegar to wipe off accumulated dust and grime on top of your refrigerator. Of course, you’ll still want to put that box of baking soda inside your refrigerator to keep it smelling clean when you’re done.

Vinegar acts as an odor absorber. That in and of itself, is interesting. My favorite use for vinegar is to set a bowl of it in a musty room. It absorbs the odor and does not leave the room smelling like vinegar.

This recipe makes a simple snack or lunch. Great for using up leftover ham. 

HAM AND SWISS ROLLUPS 

1-(8 ozs.) tube refrigerated crescent rolls

1 c. diced fully cooked ham

(or 99% fat free deli slices)

3/4 c. finely shredded swiss cheese

1-1/2 tsp. prepared (dijon) mustard

1 tsp. finely chopped onion

Preheat oven to 375. Separate crescent rolls into 8 triangles. In a small bowl, combine ham, cheese, mustard and onion; place 2 Tb. mixture in center of each triangle. Fold points toward center and pinch edges to seal. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 11 - 13 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: 4 servings (2 rolls each) 

I know I've shared this recipe before, but this egg salad is the best I’ve ever tasted and the only kind I’ll make anymore. The cream cheese keeps it from getting runny like traditional egg salad. Another idea for using up all those leftover Easter eggs. You may use reduced fat cream cheese and fat free mayo if desired.

SPECIAL EGG SALAD

1 (3 ozs) pkg.cream cheese, softened

1/4 c. mayonnaise or salad dressing

1/2 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

6 hard cooked eggs, chopped

In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add mayo, sugar, onion and garlic powder, salt and pepper; fold in the eggs. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.Yield: 6 servings

May you all enjoy a blessed Easter season as we celebrate our Risen Savior! 

P.S. (Pssst!  Wanted you to know I'm working hard on my #3 cookbook, hopefully delivered in early fall. Lots more simple and easy recipes under cover.) 

Jackson H. Brown has said "Success is getting what you want.  Happiness is liking what you get." 

Homemade Bisquick Mix (& Recipes to use it)

I've used this simple recipe for years.  Use it just as you would Bisquick. 
It's really great to have this on hand with all the holiday baking looming ahead! 

I made some wonderful Garlic Cheese Biscuits with it.  MMM! It's a wonderful and quick way to have biscuits on the table in no time.  Faster than mixing from scratch. 

Use it for coating chicken or veggies..whatever recipe you use that calls for Bisquick. 

It's family friendly and frugal.  Enjoy soon!

(hover over photo to pin) 

HOMEMADE BISQUICK 

6 c. all purpose flour

1/3 c. baking powder

2 tsp. salt

3 Tb. sugar

1 c. Crisco

In large bowl, combine dry ingredients; add Crisco and blend with pastry blender (or 2 forks) until it's a fine consistency.  Store airtight. 

To make 'regular' biscuits, blend 1 cup mix with 1/3 c. milk, or buttermilk. 

Drop and bake 8 - 10 minutes at 425. 

GARLIC CHEESE BISCUITS
(photo above)

2 c. Homemade Bisquick mix
2/3 c. milk
1/2 c. cheddar cheese
(we like cojack)
2 Tb. butter, melted
1/8 tsp. garlic powder

Preheat oven to 450. In large bowl, combine Bisquick mix, milk and cheese until soft dough forms.  Drop dough into 9 spoonfuls onto an UNgreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 - 10 minutes or until golden brown. Combine butter and garlic powder; brush over tops of biscuits.  Serve warm. 

FLUFFY PANCAKES 

2 c. Bisquick mix
1 c. milk (or buttermilk) 
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
add-ins - chocolate chips, blueberries, etc. - optional

In large bowl, combine mix, milk, eggs & vanilla; stir until blended.  (Stir in up to a cup of add-ins if using). Pour just less than 1/4 cupful onto hot greased skillet. Cook until edges are dry and pancakes are bubbly. Turn; cook until done. Serve hot with warm maple syrup.  Yield: about 14 pancakes

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