As you know I am not against but I am careful with boxed meals. I rather have a home made meal any day. I also am careful with money.
One of the areas we lose money and might not even realize it,is wasting left overs. I tend to re use food in the fridge as many of my readers know.
First recipe is Twice mashed Taters.
Left over mashed potato
Green onion
Shredded cheese(any kind,I love sharp cheddar)
1/2 milk or more depending on much you have left over
2 TBS butter
Take everything and mix it. Green onion should be chopped pretty small. Sometimes you need to add more depending on how dry the potatoes are. Heat in microwave for 4 mins. Serve.
Second is Grilled Fresh Green Beans
After snapping the ends of the green beans,mix with Italian seasoning,minced onion and a touch of pepper. Place into foil with cut up butter. I used half a stick for two packets.(what I call the foil with green beans in it) This is a recipe though you could do anything with. Other seasonings.Italian dressing. Olive oil. Add garlic cloves.
We double wrap then place on the top portion of the grill not directly on the heat but either is fine. Cook for about 25-30 mins. Take off and serve.
I know its hard to admit that your not no Martha and no Rachael. Neither am I. I am more like that contestant on Hell's Kitchen that keeps getting yelled at. I am no Martha because I don't do cute,I rarely match anything and I am about as crafty as a snake. (you know since they don't have hands) Yea so metaphors is not my thing either. Anyway point being since being a mom I have found a few things to make life easier. I have lots. These are just a few and more simple ones.
I'm also going to share 5 meals that I almost always have on hand. Cheap,fast yet good!
1. Chicken Alfredo or Kielbasa.
You can go either way.
Cut your meat up into bite size pieces,the kielbasa I usually just cut into half's. Saute, With the chicken I season it. Usually some garlic powder,salt,pepper and minced onion. At the same time have your water on for your pasta. Salt your pasta and if your using fettuccine use olive oil to keep them apart better. And because we are not Rachael Ray you will use jar Alfredo sauce. When pasta is done drain and stir in sauce,then add meat. Ta da. Serve with green beans or some other veggie and you have a meal.
2.Crock pot Chicken
Chicken breasts cut in half if they are thick. 4-6 pieces. Baby carrots,and cut up potato's. Not peeled. Put your veggies in,put some seasonings on, I do celery salt,minced onion,parsley and salt. Top with Chicken gravy then add chicken and season if want then add chicken gravy. Cook for 6-8 hrs on lo. Remember you can mix and match veggies or use a different meat.
3. Beef Pasta (Credit for this goes to my friend Becky)
Ground beef.
Beef Gravy
Egg Noodles
Cook your pasta,brown your beef. I put seasonings in my beef. Drain pasta,add beef and 2 jars of gravy.
4. Cube steak Dinner
Cook your cube steak in crock pot with Ajur gravy and beef gravy on lo for 2-4 hrs. You can cut up if you want, I leave pieces whole. I sometimes add baby carrots. When done serve on top of mashed potatoes,home made or boxed. I always serve with green beans,sometimes I put them on top of cube steak.
5.Veggie pizza!
Pillsbury thin crust,pizza sauce,shredded cheese and veggies of your choice. You know how to make pizza. Only thing I do a little different is I put veggies on before cheese. My kids can't see them well and usually digs in before noticing and by then they like the taste so they continue eating!
Now as you can see these are not fancy! If you want to fancy them up or change something go a head.
6 items I always have on hand:
1-Spaghetti sauce.
2-Pasta
3-Shredded cheese
4-Potato's
5- Cheese
6-Different gravy's
Of course I stay stocked up on veggies,meats and bread. I know money is tight. Thats why I do things pretty simple. I know how to make my own cheese sauce,white sauce etc but its cheaper when I buy a jar.
I also make big things of macaroni salad and potato salad during summer. A fast snack or meal for the kids. Or my whole family.
Now my 4 tips for cleaning and frankly I am not sure your going to like them.
1. I never get behind on laundry and if I do,I do it up. And by that I mean I wash,dry,fold and put away. I have never in the years I have lived on my own folded laundry and had it sit on a couch,table etc while it waited to be put away. If they fall and people step on it,you have made more work for you.
2.Wash your dishes after a meal. Or put the dish washer on. =) Do you sit down for dinner? Then why must you go sit down after dinner? Do your dishes right after,no stuck on food and when your done,your done. You will wake up and not see a huge mess.
3. Wash your walls at-least once a month. Base boards,behind your stove,behind your table,etc. Food splatters. Muddy paws splatter etc. You can wash it down and see the difference for yourself! I am wild about cleaning so I wash my walls down once a week. And I am talking more like in your main living space and kitchen then any other room. Mud room might be a good place too.
4.Keep your fridge clean and leftovers right up front and cleaned out. You tend to eat more if you can see them and know your not going to open one that is moldy. Now even I have opened some and realized YUCK but for the most part my fridge is cleaned out and always clean.
I am a vacuum almost every day,mop 3 times a week maybe more kind of chick. I live on a schedule so I am never behind. And I do thinks quickly. It does not take me a whole weekend to even clean my whole house. I am not behind on anything besides a paint job. I get to have fun because I am not behind. It takes me 30 mins a day to finish my chores,sometimes more if there is a sickness going around or animal cage cleaning days.
Tip of the month from a reader:
"Don't over furniture your rooms. That can make a space smaller and seem too busy which looks messy."
?Raven? Send me your tips! =)
I love love love cleaning! It calms me.
And its that time of season where we are all trying to spring clean.
Here are 6 tips from me that I feel will help!
1. You can have a clean house but still have a messy house. This come from too much clutter! So its time to throw away!! Get your donation bags or your garbage bags and get cracking.
2. Make a plan. If you stand and realize how many rooms you have to do, you will get overwhelmed. Pick one room a day or even two depending on your house/place. I start with bedrooms.
3. Take the room apart piece by piece then as you clean it put it back. My boyfriend has a wall of Nascar cars, I take them all down,dust,wash wall,wash shelves and then put them back and move clockwise around the room.
4. The dollar store has cheap baskets and organizing tools. My daughter has play food all over her room, I bought her 3 dollar baskets that are pink and lined them up on her shelf's in her room labeled. No clutter and looks adorable. Anything you can find to help update,orginize or hide items will improve any room.
5. Wash curtains!! Sounds funny but really,when you spring clean give it your all. Curtains get dusty and loose color after awhile. Go to tag sale? Look out for some new curtains,it will help any room. Same with blinds,set them in a tub full of soap,or bleach, anything to clean them then wipe them down. Your going to find cobwebs in places this also gives you time to dust with the stuff down and away from windows.
6. Wash windows!!
7. Try change. Sometimes changing a room around does wonders for a persons mood or even for the household. You might find more space with it another way or realize you can fit in that comfy recliner you have in storage now. =)
8.This is the funniest one but for me cleaning my ceiling in each room. It seems to be dirty even though they never look it. Also spruce up your floors. Do a bleach run down or get some polish for those wood floors. Maybe rent a Rug Dr for those nasty stains on the carpets.
Clutter for me is the worse that and the up high cob webs. I also wash my windows once a year. I know shame on me.
Spring cleaning when I am done feels amazing. You don't realize how much got dirty till you see the room afterwards. Or even de-cluttering a room. Its worth the time.
Most of all think of it as a "worth it" moment not a "have to" moment and if you have some extra cash add something new to each room. New pillows. New curtains. New area rug. New paint. Etc. As a woman we can find good deals on new stuff. And it makes us feel fresh and good at the end of the day.
Happy Hump day!
If your a parent and you have kids in school more then likely you have seen your share of sickness this year. Which....
Got me thinking the other day,about how we could do more as parents to help our kids bodies fight off those icky germs/bacteria etc.
We give our kids medicine the first sign of anything it seems. And I for one am thankful for medicine but my dad who bless his heart is 83 years young told me "Medicine just hides the sickness,it does not cure it" (Unless its antibiotics of course). Hes probably right.
We can make them take medicine? but we can't make them take their vitamins? I think we are backwards.
Natural things help. Strong immune systems help. These are things as parents we can provide. I am not a naturalist so giving your kids medicine is fine, my kids just had cough medicine.
What I want to do is help keep our kids healthy. Help raise awareness on what lack of vitamins and minerals can negatively cause.
Share some tips on what I have learned since being a parent and dealing with sickness.
One thing first.
Sometimes kids will be uncomfy. Do your research before giving medicine. We as parents sometimes act to fast because we are being selfish and we just want the crying to stop or the crankiness to stop. We can do more as parents then just shoving medicine at our kids. We can soothe.
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/ucm250024.htm
Now that's out of my system lets move on to naturally keeping our kids healthy.
http://health.yahoo.net/articles/children/8-child-friendly-vitamins-and-nutrients-boost-their-immune-systems
Above is a link to what helps boost immune systems. Kids should have vitamins all the time.
This is my parenting fails and my parenting yay's!
I have orange juice in my fridge all the time. Okay. I have it on hand but I am usually the only who drinks it. Fail.
My kids take a kids multivitamin every morning. Okay like once a week....
You have your basic hand washing etc rules as well. Which my kids do not follow.
My kids get sunshine. Vitamin D. If the sun is out your going outside at least once. (This one I got right! My kids go outside all the time)
Calcium!! I believe it does wonders for our bodies. Its also proven. Heres a link to talk more about calcium and what foods its in.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=45
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/raising-fit-kids/food/kid-nutrition-basics
We eat fruits and veggies. Simple. A rule all parents can and should follow.
Milk and water alternate turns for drinks. We don't have sugary drinks. Well.Sorta. We drink apple juice.
And then sometomes kids get sick anyway. Lets try as parents to prevent it. We can't catch every germ and throw it the other way but if we can build our kids bodies up to be strong we are helping in the best way we can.
I know I am going to fix everything I am doing wrong. I am sick of being sick and watching my kids be sick.
We are not perfect and no one has too but lets be smart. The meals your kids eat are important. Now my kids have cheez-its and other snacks too. Pizza not healthy but its on our menu. We after all are human!
Here are a few tips.
I keep disinfectant spray on hand at home. I don't over do it but I will pray once a day.
I have disinfectant wipes that I wipe down door knobs,fridge handle,lid to garbage can,etc.
I give NO DAIRY to kids who are full of mucus. Old advice that holds true,dairy creates more mucus.
Once kids seem on the mend, I wash their sheets. Fresh and clean always made me feel even better as a kid.
I will water down depending on age, ginger ale made with real ginger for a tummy issue. Pedialyte is a great thing but if the kids is not throwing up sometimes Ginger ale can help settle it and the ginger helps in other ways.
Tissues do not sit around. Right to the garbage. We actually use hankerchiefs.
Phones get a wipe down.
We tend to give medicine(see I am not against it) before bed so the kids will sleep better as that's important when sick. Sleep.Sleep.
Everyone has their ways. As parents we need to know everything we can,figure out everything we can. I listen to elders and what worked back then. I listen to Drs.(even though I do not always agree)..that's me as a parent. And I need improvement. I have a few things backwards. But you live and you learn. =)
?Raven?
First of all, Hi.
Second of all I am so against online dog/animal shopping that I went against grammar police and wrote this sentence.
Third I am talking more specifically about Craigslist,area online tag sales type things. Because those are less likely from a puppy mill.
When you go to eBay and buy a dog or go to breeders websites. Those make me sick,you make me sick if you do that. You are supporting puppy mills.
Now back to it.
Sometimes, okay a lot of times people have to surrender their pet for some reason or another and they end up on craigslist or the online tag sale sites in your area etc. Those pets need homes too. GOOD homes. So if you have found yourself considering an animal I have a few tips that might make life easier for you.
I have gotten 3 animals through online tag sales. One was a rabbit about to be stew meat and I said NO! And 2 guinea pigs for my kids birthday. We still have all three,all three were lovely ideas. We love them very much. Neither home was a breeding home,they came from families who either made a mistake and put two animals together that was a female and male or a family whose kids lost interest in the animal. So please don't think I am against re-homing animals.
Once you make the decision, if its a dog,cat,bird...ferret etc. I would really try to make a vet visit before you even bring it home. ESPECIALLY if its a puppy. I know that's hard when your eager to bring home your new life love companion. I get it. But puppies especially,parvo,worms,ring worms,etc can be in them and you bring them home and you have a whole 'nother mess on your hands. Sadly I have also seen death and people who are so mad they give up the animal. Yea. Stupid but people seem to think animals are easy, if you want easy get a Betta fish or a stuffed dog.
Try to get some vet info,proof they have been taken care of and some people don't have this so that's when you need to step up and have the animal checked out. Remember this is for most animals not just dogs. Make sure everything is ready at home. Again or eagerness to bring home our furry,hairless,long, what ever creature sometimes makes us not be prepared and that can cause issues. Are they potty trained if not get the items you need before getting them. Do they come with items like a leash or collar? If not get those before or right after. Make a plan of whose responsibility is which.What is expected of the household. New pets are "cute" for kids but you need to be ready because 8 times out of 10 the kids are just not ready. or will lack in some areas. We as adults lack in areas. Perfectly normal,just be ready. We were. I knew I was getting our piggies for my kids but also knew they couldn't clean a cage as wonderfully as it needed to be or remember EVERY day to check their water so that's where this mama steps up. =)
1.Get vet checked.
2.Be ready
3.Spay and neuter.
3.LOVE THEM!
hehe.
Also a few warning signs that something may be wrong.
1. Small in size.
2.People will not tell you much about the animal.
3.Stray. (deff vet check)
4. Look at their eyes,their eyes say a lot.
5.Check for signs too of neglect. Too small of a cage for a rodent,reptile etc. Weight.Fur. Too long nails. etc so you can handle those things. Bath time.Extra protein food,bigger cage,nail clippers and so on.
6.Sometimes parents are on site. Check them out if you can.
***Our Timber's mom was over bred. Very sad. Timber has a few health issues. (our boxer dog) They were not breeders they just were uneducated people who figured fixing their animals would help the world in no shape or form.
It never hurts to check up on the breed you are getting or type of animal to learn all you can. Read about some common things to be on the look out for. Don't scare yourself but educate yourself.
I would bring home
every animal anyone posted if I didn't have a big enough heart to know
these animals could get better homes then mine if I had 1239347356
animals living here lol.Enjoy your new pet. And please spay and neuter. <3
?Raven?
I have been contacted a few times about my pictures I have on here..Some people had brains others did not..let me copy a few of those comments for you.
"I love that you are a strong woman,shows us we can do just about anything and be feminine." <---Has brains.
"I wonder how you work out yet it noticed in ur pictures your arms are large" <--No brains.
"i feel working out makes a woman look to butch"<---BIG lack of brains.
Mhm. Now most of you are wondering if crazy lady showed up...She didn't. Everyone has an opinion and now Im about to be a fly in your coffee.
That is not fat on my arms my dear readers that is what you call a tricep and yes its a bit bigger then most woman's. My shoulders sit higher then most woman my height and build. But I am not butch nor do I like that term and second I can kick your a$$.
Now I am for healthy eating and habits! I have no game consoles in my house and no tv. I do that so my kids know the outside and being active is the way to go. But let me tell you if I catch my daughter acting like teens do today which more then likely she will,I will be stationed at fort Crazy lady until I get it through her head what real beauty is.
Teens today are so worried about being fat its disgusting. I won't allow that around my daughter for as long as I can protect her. I don't want her skipping meals or eating candy for meals. I don't want to hear her at age 10 or 11 or 12 that shes fat.
She does not need to be hit on or get attention to know shes beautiful.
This is how my house hold works. I work out to be strong and if I lose the baby fat from my daughter I had 5 years ago....then awesome. I am a size 7-9. Not a 1...I'm cool with that. I will not be stopping my eating anytime soon. I will not be skipping meals and pretending I am not hungry any time soon. You can eat your salad. I'll take the steak and taters any day my dear.
Look, I could eat a water cress salad and go out and get hit by a bus....I live once. I am healthy. I might not eat the greatest things but I feel good,I have energy, I am not tired,I know what vitamins,minerals and sources my body needs. We eat no pork. We have a veggie almost 3 times a day. We drink our milk. Fresh fruit is a must. Iron,calcium,potassium are all considered into what I feed my family. I don't buy very many if any some months,sweets. We do not eat candy here. Except special occasions of course. Processed food is a don't. Red dye 40 is avoiding. We take vitamins. We drink OJ by the gallons during cold season. lol. And we are active. Best thing is because I don't stress over diets and dieting I have not gained weight in 3 years,I crave salads like crazy because no one has instilled in me that I MUST eat them. My kids don't see me stress,they don't think they have to be perfect and to them me working out is their mama being strong and independent. I'm OK with that.
I know some people have to diet and excersise to regain their healthy status. Thats fine. Your kids seeing that is normal. They will understand. And hopefully you make them understand its for your health not for a man/woman/media..etc.
Please though remember to be a parent. Don't allow or at-least try to keep your kids from saying they are fat. Pre teens and teens don't need to even think that. Watch what they say on FB,in your living room or anywhere. Make sure you don't just laugh it off,say something to them. I do with my daughter and she is 4.
And remember to be a human. If your into exercise and perfect eating then awesome. But if your that person that does it to be "sexier then the other woman" or "so he will keep loving you"... "Make sure your wanted by men"...if your doing it the un safe way? Then your wasting your life and if I meet you I will be the fly in your coffee because I will tell you off. I won't allow you near my kids.
My size 9 butt and my bigger then normal biceps and triceps will go on and eat our pasta and drink our coffee and be fine with who we are. I love me and I have a man that does too not that I need him too ;-) My confidence is when I look in the mirror and feel healthy not skinny. Not perfect. But me.
Now excuse me while I box the calories right off me and keep these arms fit.
*Please remember I won't judge you no matter what but society does enough to destroy what woman are really worth. What REAL woman look like. Lets not contribute to it. *
?Raven?
So I searched the internet the other day,and by search I mean I went to one website couldn't find what I was looking for so I called my mother... but anyhow for a CROCK-POT Cheeseburger Soup. I found some recipes,but a lot had carrots. I like carrots but not in a cheeseburger. I found none that was for a slow cooker though. Even the one my mom had was no help so I decided to wing it. I made my own. It was delicious. Even more the second time around.
I have one rule when you read my recipes that you don't shoot it down because its missing something or has something you don't like in it. If I say celery and you don't like it then don't put it in. If you would add more salt then do it. Cooking is a open book.
1lb ground beef I use the less fattier kind 85%
1/2 of a onion.
1/3 cup of Celery
3 Cups Chicken or Beef Broth. I used Beef.
5-6 Smaller sized potatoes peeled & cut up.
2 TBSP butter
1/2 Cup Half and Half
1 cup whole Kernel corn(I used canned and put it in last but you could use frozen and add at the same time as the rest of the food)
4 cups of Shredded cheese. I used double Cheddar and a blend called Mac and Cheese mix. You can use what ever you want. Most recipes call for a 1/2lb of Velveeta so you could use that instead.
Salt (I added quite a bit so you add what you want)
Pepper
Italian Seasoning
Basil
Garlic Powder
Cook your ground beef and onion with the butter in a pan. Once browned add to crock-pot with everything else except cheese,corn and half and half.
I cooked on high. In the 3rd hr of cooking, I put in the corn and half and half. Then at the 4th hr and about the time I was going to serve it. I put in the cheese to melt. Then Served. Of course make sure your potato's are cooked through and done.
You could add taco seasoning,more cheese,more seasonings,carrots,diced tomatoes,chilli peppers...list is endless.
Sometimes simplicity in food is not what people want,they want clams in it and odd ingredients that I just don't cook with. For this house though that has two semi picky kids the soup was a hit! Thicken it up and you have a chowder as well.
Happy Eating!
