Well January is coming to a close, and am I organized yet? Maybe...halfway there. The pantry challenge was a success (will post on that fingers crossed tomorrow) and my other goal was to create a home organization binder. Seeing as I have never had one before I am starting off rather basic to see what works for us and what doesn't. In the past I have always used a giant wall calendar (which I LOVED), as well as an agenda off and on. Bills and important paperwork didn't really have a home (kitchen counter doesn't count!) until I filed it away.
My new binder starts off with a yearly calendar, then a school yearly calendar. Next every month I have a monthly calendar page where there is room to write notes, important dates and a list of all bills due that month and when they are due. Right after that page I am hole punching my bills and putting them in the order they are due in. I am liking this so far.
Next I have another monthly calendar page where I can see a monthly view of appointments, kids activities and whatever else. Then I start going by week. Every week I start of with a weekly to do list. I LOVE LOVE LOVE lists. I am much more productive when all my tasks are written down and I can check them off when I have completed them. I have even contemplated buying those little gold star stickers that teachers use just to use for when I complete my tasks. No I am not kidding! I am thinking in the weeks to come of starting chore charts with my 2 oldest so that will be my excuse to buy the stars.
Next I have a weekly overview which pretty much is like a weekly agenda page where I can view my week at a glance. I write more specific goals on this than I would on the monthly calendar. For example today Jan.31 Monday I have the following notes: AVERY- NO SCHOOL, BAKE: orange oatmeal bread (recipe in later post) Lunch: ?
My last sheet for the week is my grocery shopping list with meal plan, you can get your own here $5 Dinners
At the end of my binder I have some lined paper that I am using to plan out the themed crafts for the month and what materials I need, as well as any projects I have on the go. I really need to get started on curtains for the kids new rooms and book slings for them. I always have so many project ideas and NO TIME!
Things I still want to add to my binder are something for my coupons. I don't use too many so I think a simple envelope will work. Also something to write down our expenses every month, nothing complicated as a lot of our expenses remain pretty constant. Also looking for something to organize my thoughts on the activities I do in the home with the kids. I don't homeschool but I firmly believe that it is still the parents primary role to teach your child. Avery goes to Jr.K 4 or 5 mornings a week but in the afternoon it is quite common for us to do a craft, storytime, baking or other activity based on a theme that I have planned out in advance. Seeing as my kids are so young I keep the plan very loose and flexible dependent on time and the mood that day. If any of you homeschooling moms out there want to share some advice on planning pages for preschool children I would love to hear from you!
Do you have a household notebook or binder? I would love ideas and comments from you!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Routine put on hold
Oh my, a week has gone by and I haven't blogged. I do have a very good reason. Last weekend our new baby Reid, came down with a little cough. Being that it is winter and both the other kids were down with colds in the previous weeks, I wasn't unusually worried. By monday night however it was obvious that this was no normal case of the sniffles. Reid was having trouble breathing and was inconsolable. I rushed him to the ER where we spent the night getting blood work, a chest X-ray and working with a respiratory therapist. The next day we found out he had tested positive for RSV which was causing bronchiolitis which was why he was having trouble breathing. He was put on inhalers and after 3 separate trips to the hospital we finally got his breathing under control. His fever finally broke yesterday and it seems like he is through the worst. He is still wheezy and needs his inhalers frequently but is back to his sunny self and we are so thankful for that.
We have company arriving tomorrow and so it might be a few more days before I get back to my regular posting.
We have company arriving tomorrow and so it might be a few more days before I get back to my regular posting.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Book Club 2011
The snow is finally lessening here...can you believe it? The sun made a rare visit today. The roads are still horrible but getting better. Thank goodness. We have been trapped in the house for far to long. Avery is getting over his cold and went back to school this morning, and tomorrow Reid has a checkup.
So I am officially joining Book Club over at Life as Mom.
I plan on reading the assigned reading as well as whatever else I feel like adding on. The first book is The Happiness Project which is due Feb.10. I just got lucky and ordered it from my library for my ipad e-reader and got it right away!! Can't wait to start. Please check out this book club and link up over at Life as Mom and leave me a link in the comments. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to read and would love to hear what everybody is reading.
This should be so much fun!
So I am officially joining Book Club over at Life as Mom.
I plan on reading the assigned reading as well as whatever else I feel like adding on. The first book is The Happiness Project which is due Feb.10. I just got lucky and ordered it from my library for my ipad e-reader and got it right away!! Can't wait to start. Please check out this book club and link up over at Life as Mom and leave me a link in the comments. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to read and would love to hear what everybody is reading.
This should be so much fun!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Weekly Menu Plan
I know I know, the week is half over and I am just now getting around to posting my menu plan...such is life!
A rather tempting book arrived in the mail and I got sidetracked ;)
Monday: Past:a with Salad
Tuesday: Zucchini Boats with Rice (vegan)
Wednesday: Meat Pie and Salad
Thursday: Chicken with mushroom sauce
Friday: Slow cooker chicken
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Roast and Mashed Potatoes
The kids and I have just spent another day cooped up in the house! Avery has a cold and the roads are STILL impassable. Just checked the weather and Environment Canada has put out ANOTHER heavy snowfall warning for tonight! This winter is becoming the snowiest one I can remember. The city was hoping to have our community roads ploughed by tomorrow, but now with this new snowstorm coming we might be stuck here awhile longer. We are very lucky hubby has a truck so we can get out if need be. The roads here are like driving on a glacier.
I do have one beautiful picture from the one day the snow stopped and before it started again...
Seeing as we have been stuck inside I have been catching up on the never ending pile of laundry and catching up on some baking.
Our favorite granola bars:
3 cups crisp cereal (we like the organic gluten free kind)
3 cups o-shaped toasted oat cereal (any type of cheerios works great)
1 1/2 cups raisins or craisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup honey
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Grease a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, stir together the cereals, raisins, and sunflower seeds.
In a medium saucepan, combine the honey and sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, then lower the heat and continue boiling for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Add the peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until the peanut butter is liquefied.
Pour over the cereal in the bowl and stir.
Pour onto the baking sheet, patting it down into a compact layer.
Place in the fridge until firm.
Then cut into bars and store in a container in the fridge.
A rather tempting book arrived in the mail and I got sidetracked ;)
Monday: Past:a with Salad
Tuesday: Zucchini Boats with Rice (vegan)
Wednesday: Meat Pie and Salad
Thursday: Chicken with mushroom sauce
Friday: Slow cooker chicken
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Roast and Mashed Potatoes
The kids and I have just spent another day cooped up in the house! Avery has a cold and the roads are STILL impassable. Just checked the weather and Environment Canada has put out ANOTHER heavy snowfall warning for tonight! This winter is becoming the snowiest one I can remember. The city was hoping to have our community roads ploughed by tomorrow, but now with this new snowstorm coming we might be stuck here awhile longer. We are very lucky hubby has a truck so we can get out if need be. The roads here are like driving on a glacier.
I do have one beautiful picture from the one day the snow stopped and before it started again...
 | ||
| A Moose behind our house trying her best to trek through the deep snow. |
Our favorite granola bars:
3 cups crisp cereal (we like the organic gluten free kind)
3 cups o-shaped toasted oat cereal (any type of cheerios works great)
1 1/2 cups raisins or craisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup honey
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Grease a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, stir together the cereals, raisins, and sunflower seeds.
In a medium saucepan, combine the honey and sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, then lower the heat and continue boiling for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Add the peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until the peanut butter is liquefied.
Pour over the cereal in the bowl and stir.
Pour onto the baking sheet, patting it down into a compact layer.
Place in the fridge until firm.
Then cut into bars and store in a container in the fridge.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Oh the weather outside is frightful...but the fire is so delightful
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| Our deck! |
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| Out our living room window during the snowstorm. |
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| The kids playhouse! |
We had a record snowfall and it was below minus 30 C.
We spent pretty much the whole weekend digging ourselves out, and then just when it seemed we made some progress, Mother Nature showed us who was boss! Such is winter in the north.
We spent the weekend inside crafting:
For dinner that night I made chicken parmesan
3 chicken breasts
3 tbsp. bread crumbs
3 tbsp. parmesan
1 tsp. chicken bouillon powder
1 tsp. oregano
Coat the chicken and fry them up 4 min per side until browned, then turn down to low and cover for 20 min.
I was hoping on posting some of my household organizing ideas...but none of that got accomplished this weekend! Maybe next one...
I figured out my meal plan for the coming week...ALL DAIRY FREE just tonight and I will post it tomorrow.
Poor hubby got sent out on our HORRIBLE roads to go get some fresh fruits and veggies at the store tonight. Our roads are impassable right now for my mini-van and it looks like they will be that way until Thursday!! I am getting some major cabin fever!! How many days until spring?
One final picture thought of the weekend:
Stay warm friends!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Pantry Challenge: Week 2 Day 4
Well it is still snowing here and extremely cold. Minus 40 C with the windchill tonight. Needless to say, we have been staying close to home, warm by the fire. Good thing I have a well stocked pantry to avoid needless trips to the grocery store ;)
The kids and I are getting a bit of cabin fever so we decided to make Lime Meltaway Cookies. They were seriously addictive and I think all my hard work trying to get back in shape after baby #3 took a hit today with all the cookies I ate!!
For dinner I whipped together spaghetti with meat sauce with some of my pantry stockpiles. I used up my crushed tomato, tomato paste and one of my cans of mushrooms (think I still have 3 more of those to go).
Tomorrow night Avery has soccer right when we normally eat dinner. For the last few months that meant that we would just pick something up on the way home, but with my goal of lowering our food budget and trying to use up what we have I am going to use my slow cooker tomorrow. I must say I love the idea of the slow cooker- having a home cooked meal without having to rush around during the "crazy" hour, but I am never really happy with how my food turns out. How about you? Do you use a slow cooker frequently or hardly ever? If you have a favorite recipe that you would be willing to share please post it in the comments. I would love to use my slow cooker more.
The kids and I are getting a bit of cabin fever so we decided to make Lime Meltaway Cookies. They were seriously addictive and I think all my hard work trying to get back in shape after baby #3 took a hit today with all the cookies I ate!!
For dinner I whipped together spaghetti with meat sauce with some of my pantry stockpiles. I used up my crushed tomato, tomato paste and one of my cans of mushrooms (think I still have 3 more of those to go).
Tomorrow night Avery has soccer right when we normally eat dinner. For the last few months that meant that we would just pick something up on the way home, but with my goal of lowering our food budget and trying to use up what we have I am going to use my slow cooker tomorrow. I must say I love the idea of the slow cooker- having a home cooked meal without having to rush around during the "crazy" hour, but I am never really happy with how my food turns out. How about you? Do you use a slow cooker frequently or hardly ever? If you have a favorite recipe that you would be willing to share please post it in the comments. I would love to use my slow cooker more.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Week 2 Pantry Challenge: Day 2 and 3
So last post I said I was waiting for inspiration to strike before I wrote up my meal plan for the week...and guess what? Still hasn't happened. I am just winging it this week, using all the ingredients I have on hand.
On Tuesday I made one of my family's go to weeknight meals. It is quick, easy and I usually have all the ingredients.
Hashbrown Casserole
1/2 pkg. frozen hashbrowns
1 lb.ground beef
1 cup frozen corn
3 green onions
1 1/4 cup salsa
1 cup grated cheddar
Pour the hashbrowns in a 9x13 pan. Then top with 1/4 cup of the cheese.
Brown the ground beef, and put on top of the hashbrowns. Then layer the green onions, corn and the salsa. Then top with the remaining cheese and bake at 400F for 30 minutes.
EASY EASY!
Tonight (Wednesday) I made a stirfry. I cut up some chicken breast and cooked them up with some teriyaki sauce. Added a can of pineapple (I have 2 more still in my pantry that I want to use up before the January Pantry Challenge is over- Idea's anyone?) as well as some veggies from the fridge; red pepper, snow peas and zucchini. Served over rice it was MOST delicious!
I have no clue what I will be making tomorrow night...something with ground beef I think.
On Tuesday I made one of my family's go to weeknight meals. It is quick, easy and I usually have all the ingredients.
Hashbrown Casserole
1/2 pkg. frozen hashbrowns
1 lb.ground beef
1 cup frozen corn
3 green onions
1 1/4 cup salsa
1 cup grated cheddar
Pour the hashbrowns in a 9x13 pan. Then top with 1/4 cup of the cheese.
Brown the ground beef, and put on top of the hashbrowns. Then layer the green onions, corn and the salsa. Then top with the remaining cheese and bake at 400F for 30 minutes.
EASY EASY!
Tonight (Wednesday) I made a stirfry. I cut up some chicken breast and cooked them up with some teriyaki sauce. Added a can of pineapple (I have 2 more still in my pantry that I want to use up before the January Pantry Challenge is over- Idea's anyone?) as well as some veggies from the fridge; red pepper, snow peas and zucchini. Served over rice it was MOST delicious!
I have no clue what I will be making tomorrow night...something with ground beef I think.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Pantry Challenge Week 1 Wrap up!
Week 1 of the pantry challenge has ended and was a huge success. I only spent about $60 on groceries which is AMAZING! Ten dollars of that was probably on milk (my kids love the stuff) and twenty five dollars was spent on coffee. You might be thinking...WHAT!? $25 on coffee?? But we *love* our coffee. We got an espresso machine for Christmas so we have been making all sorts of yummy lattes. We bought some good espresso beans and a HUGE can of Tim Horton's coffee for the coffee pot. Saves me from making multiple trips a day to timmy's!! The remaining amount was spent on fresh vegetables and a few ingredients needed for meals.
On Friday I had written down that we were going to have leftovers but we ended up eating them all for lunches so instead the kids had grilled cheese (a favorite) and Greg and I had appetizers. We had loads of frozen appy's left in the freezer from new years.
On Saturday we were very busy running errands (on a day where we got hammered with snow, up to our knees!) so we had lunch out at the mall. This was our only meal that wasn't cooked at home this week.
For dinner that night I picked up a roast chicken at the deli and we had it with some rice and nice organic salad.
On Sunday we spent the day cleaning and making snow forts.
Greg made crepes for breakfast. We had crepes filled with berries, apples and cinnamon and my personal favorite, nutella and banana.Top that off with a soy latte and it was a pretty perfect start to a snowy Sunday morning. For lunch I made one of our favorites, Tuna Cakes. I will try to post this recipe in a separate post if I have time. For dinner Greg cooked his signature meal, breaded pork chops, his gourmet potatoes and corn. It is becoming somewhat of a Sunday tradition!
So here we are on Week 2 of the pantry challenge. I don't have my meal plan done yet, I am still waiting for inspiration to strike, but I did make a delicious pot pie for dinner tonight to use up the leftover roast chicken as well as the vegetables I had on hand. I am finding that this pantry challenge is really helping me create more meals without a recipe. I have been relying more on my cooking sense and tasting what I am creating and it has been turning out wonderfully.
Dairy Free Chicken Pot Pie
3 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2 cloves of garlic
1 cup diced carrots
Salt and pepper
Heat the oil in a large pan. Add your diced carrots (I had some organic baby carrots that were going to go bad soon so I just sliced them up.) and garlic with some salt and pepper to season and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup white wine
1 3/4 cup chicken stock
2 potatoes peeled and diced
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
Dash of Thyme
Sprinkle the flour over the carrots, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan. Then add the wine and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and add the rest of the vegetables and the thyme. Let simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until it begins to thicken and the potatoes start to soften.
Then pour into a casserole pan. Cover with your favorite pastry crust. Bake at 400 for about 40 minutes .
On Friday I had written down that we were going to have leftovers but we ended up eating them all for lunches so instead the kids had grilled cheese (a favorite) and Greg and I had appetizers. We had loads of frozen appy's left in the freezer from new years.
On Saturday we were very busy running errands (on a day where we got hammered with snow, up to our knees!) so we had lunch out at the mall. This was our only meal that wasn't cooked at home this week.
For dinner that night I picked up a roast chicken at the deli and we had it with some rice and nice organic salad.
On Sunday we spent the day cleaning and making snow forts.
Greg made crepes for breakfast. We had crepes filled with berries, apples and cinnamon and my personal favorite, nutella and banana.Top that off with a soy latte and it was a pretty perfect start to a snowy Sunday morning. For lunch I made one of our favorites, Tuna Cakes. I will try to post this recipe in a separate post if I have time. For dinner Greg cooked his signature meal, breaded pork chops, his gourmet potatoes and corn. It is becoming somewhat of a Sunday tradition!
So here we are on Week 2 of the pantry challenge. I don't have my meal plan done yet, I am still waiting for inspiration to strike, but I did make a delicious pot pie for dinner tonight to use up the leftover roast chicken as well as the vegetables I had on hand. I am finding that this pantry challenge is really helping me create more meals without a recipe. I have been relying more on my cooking sense and tasting what I am creating and it has been turning out wonderfully.
Dairy Free Chicken Pot Pie
3 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2 cloves of garlic
1 cup diced carrots
Salt and pepper
Heat the oil in a large pan. Add your diced carrots (I had some organic baby carrots that were going to go bad soon so I just sliced them up.) and garlic with some salt and pepper to season and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup white wine
1 3/4 cup chicken stock
2 potatoes peeled and diced
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
Dash of Thyme
Sprinkle the flour over the carrots, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan. Then add the wine and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and add the rest of the vegetables and the thyme. Let simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until it begins to thicken and the potatoes start to soften.
Then pour into a casserole pan. Cover with your favorite pastry crust. Bake at 400 for about 40 minutes .
 | ||||
| It smelled SO good we couldn't wait to eat it! Everybody loved it, what a perfect winter meal. |
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Pantry Challenge Day 4
Pantry Challenge Day 4
Today on the menu was pork chops with mustard crumb crust.
1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
1 Tbsp. Mayo
2 green onions, minces
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. parsley
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 pork chops
In a small bowl combine, mustard , mayo, and onions. In another bowl, combine bread crumbs, parsley, 1 tbsp. of the oil and garlic.
Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat oil in skillet and brown the chops.
Transfer to ovenproof pan and spread mustard mixture over chops and top with bread crumb mixture. Roast at 425F for 15 minutes.
We served ours with rice and steamed vegetables
Today on the menu was pork chops with mustard crumb crust.
1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
1 Tbsp. Mayo
2 green onions, minces
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. parsley
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 pork chops
In a small bowl combine, mustard , mayo, and onions. In another bowl, combine bread crumbs, parsley, 1 tbsp. of the oil and garlic.
Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat oil in skillet and brown the chops.
Transfer to ovenproof pan and spread mustard mixture over chops and top with bread crumb mixture. Roast at 425F for 15 minutes.
We served ours with rice and steamed vegetables
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
2010 in Books & Pantry Challenge Day 3
I am joining in on 2010 in books on Amongst Lovely Things
I LOVE to read and have devoured countless books over the past year. I haven't really kept track of what I have read and I get most of my books from the library but thought this post seemed like so much fun! I think I will keep record of what I read this year a bit better so I can share all the great reads I find with you.
If anyone is interested in participating please link to me on your page, and leave me your link in a comment, I would love to see what you are reading ;)
What was the best new (to you) author that you discovered this year?
Stieg Larsson
What was you favorite new (to you) series?
Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire Mysteries Novels These are the books that the TV show True Blood is based on
Book that made you cry?
hmmm....nothing comes to mind. I read mostly non-fiction this year...
Books that made you laugh out loud?
Twenties Girl I have read all the books by Sophie Kinsella, they are quick entertaining reads that always make me smile. They are the perfect bathtub book ;)
Book that totally changed your perspective on something?
Well I wouldn't say these books changed my perspective but they helped reinforce what I already believe and made me contemplate the choices I make everyday.
Playful Parenting
You are your Child's First Teacher
Best homeschooling book?
I didn't read a whole lot on homeschooling this year but I read quite a few books centered around Waldorf education. One of my favorites was Understanding Waldorf Education
Worst book that you managed to finish?
Finish a book that I don't like? Whats the point? I have such a small amount of time on a daily basis to read, why would I waste it? Enough Said!
Most disappointing book?
Nothing comes to mind, I read so many GREAT ones!
Best feel good book of the year?
The many many, and I mean MANY books that I have spent countless hours reading to my children. Can't think of a better way to feel good than to spend quality time reading to them.
Best Children's book of the year?
I really enjoyed reading my children Jan Brett books and I think our favorite was The Mitten
Book you've been meaning to read for years, and finally got to?
I didn't?! Better luck in 2011...
Best Non-fiction?
I really enjoyed Living Simply with Children I would love to have it for my home library.
Favourite fiction of the year?
The Girl who played with Fire This was the second book in the Steig Larsson series and it was my favorite. I couldn't put it down. I am currently reading the third one The Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest and so far it is just as good!
Book that you feel is so integral to your library, that you would even pay full price for it?
I DID! I'm a little Teapot is my go to book for story, fingerplay and song ideas for the kids. It never fails!
Now on to my Pantry Challenge Day 3.
On the menu today was Chicken Fajita Pizza
It turned out to be....DELICIOUS! Day 3= SUCCESS!
I changed a few things in the recipe. First I made my own tried and true pizza crust recipe. Maybe I will share it in a later post :) Also instead of making homemade ranch I used up some of the caesar salad dressing that was in my fridge (in keeping with the pantry challenge) The only thing I had to buy for this was the peppers!
On the menu for tomorrow is Pork Chops with Mustard Crumb crust.
I LOVE to read and have devoured countless books over the past year. I haven't really kept track of what I have read and I get most of my books from the library but thought this post seemed like so much fun! I think I will keep record of what I read this year a bit better so I can share all the great reads I find with you.
If anyone is interested in participating please link to me on your page, and leave me your link in a comment, I would love to see what you are reading ;)
What was the best new (to you) author that you discovered this year?
Stieg Larsson
What was you favorite new (to you) series?
Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire Mysteries Novels These are the books that the TV show True Blood is based on
Book that made you cry?
hmmm....nothing comes to mind. I read mostly non-fiction this year...
Books that made you laugh out loud?
Twenties Girl I have read all the books by Sophie Kinsella, they are quick entertaining reads that always make me smile. They are the perfect bathtub book ;)
Book that totally changed your perspective on something?
Well I wouldn't say these books changed my perspective but they helped reinforce what I already believe and made me contemplate the choices I make everyday.
Playful Parenting
You are your Child's First Teacher
Best homeschooling book?
I didn't read a whole lot on homeschooling this year but I read quite a few books centered around Waldorf education. One of my favorites was Understanding Waldorf Education
Worst book that you managed to finish?
Finish a book that I don't like? Whats the point? I have such a small amount of time on a daily basis to read, why would I waste it? Enough Said!
Most disappointing book?
Nothing comes to mind, I read so many GREAT ones!
Best feel good book of the year?
The many many, and I mean MANY books that I have spent countless hours reading to my children. Can't think of a better way to feel good than to spend quality time reading to them.
Best Children's book of the year?
I really enjoyed reading my children Jan Brett books and I think our favorite was The Mitten
Book you've been meaning to read for years, and finally got to?
I didn't?! Better luck in 2011...
Best Non-fiction?
I really enjoyed Living Simply with Children I would love to have it for my home library.
Favourite fiction of the year?
The Girl who played with Fire This was the second book in the Steig Larsson series and it was my favorite. I couldn't put it down. I am currently reading the third one The Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest and so far it is just as good!
Book that you feel is so integral to your library, that you would even pay full price for it?
I DID! I'm a little Teapot is my go to book for story, fingerplay and song ideas for the kids. It never fails!
Now on to my Pantry Challenge Day 3.
On the menu today was Chicken Fajita Pizza
I changed a few things in the recipe. First I made my own tried and true pizza crust recipe. Maybe I will share it in a later post :) Also instead of making homemade ranch I used up some of the caesar salad dressing that was in my fridge (in keeping with the pantry challenge) The only thing I had to buy for this was the peppers!
On the menu for tomorrow is Pork Chops with Mustard Crumb crust.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Pantry Challenge: Day 2
Day 2 of the pantry challenge = SUCCESS
On the menu today was Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy. I had all the ingredients on hand except the beef stock (which I bought at the store this week, seeing as it is a pantry essential that I just happened to be out of) Also the recipe calls for fresh mushrooms but I had canned ones to use up.
1 lb. ground beef, turkey, lamb or pork
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg
salt and pepper
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1 med onion, chopped
8 oz. mushrooms
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 tbsp. flour
1 cup beef or chicken (use chicken broth if patties are turkey; otherwise beef)
In a bowl combine the meat, bread crumbs, egg, salt and pepper. Mix well and form in patties.
Heat the oil in large pan over medium heat. Add the patties and brown them on both sides (about 3 min)
Remove them from the pan.
Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook stirring for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and thyme. Cook another 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and stir well, then add the broth. Cook, stirring constantly to eliminate lumps, until sauce starts simmering and begins to thicken.
Return patties to pan, nestling them into the sauce amid the mushrooms.
Reduce heat to low, cover the pan and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
I also made some mashed potatoes (used up the remaining potatoes in my pantry-YAY!) to go with all the yummy gravy, and we had some organic peas from the freezer.
Enjoy!
On the menu today was Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy. I had all the ingredients on hand except the beef stock (which I bought at the store this week, seeing as it is a pantry essential that I just happened to be out of) Also the recipe calls for fresh mushrooms but I had canned ones to use up.
1 lb. ground beef, turkey, lamb or pork
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg
salt and pepper
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1 med onion, chopped
8 oz. mushrooms
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 tbsp. flour
1 cup beef or chicken (use chicken broth if patties are turkey; otherwise beef)
Heat the oil in large pan over medium heat. Add the patties and brown them on both sides (about 3 min)
Remove them from the pan.
Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook stirring for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and thyme. Cook another 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and stir well, then add the broth. Cook, stirring constantly to eliminate lumps, until sauce starts simmering and begins to thicken.
Return patties to pan, nestling them into the sauce amid the mushrooms.
Reduce heat to low, cover the pan and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
I also made some mashed potatoes (used up the remaining potatoes in my pantry-YAY!) to go with all the yummy gravy, and we had some organic peas from the freezer.
Enjoy!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Pantry Challenge January 2011!!
Happy New Year!
I am not much of a resolutions person, but have been thinking about trying really hard to live more deliberately
With the craziness of having a new baby in October, and now having 3 kids under 4 we have fallen away a little bit from our simple living goals.
Where to begin?
This is where the pantry challenge comes in. I know a few other bloggers are doing this as well.
The goal for every family may be different.
Mine is to lower our weekly food budget by:
1) Using up what is in our pantry stockpile
2) Planning our menus around what is in the pantry as well as what is on SALE at the grocery store
3) COUPONS (My favorite site for coupons is www.save.ca where you order the coupons you will use and they mail them to you for FREE)
Your goals might be to focus on buying healthier foods or cooking more from scratch.
I am going to keep track of every dollar and cent that I spend on groceries (not including baby items, toiletries, cleaning items etc.) My goal is to feed the 4 of us for $70 a week. Yikes! I normally menu plan and watch for sales but am not used to constricting our food budget so tightly. I am excited to try.
This year I really want to stay on top of our budget. The less we can spend on the day to day the more we have to save for things that really matter to us like travel.
Every Monday I will post my menu plan, and will post the recipe on the day I make it. Keep in mind these are not necessarily frugal recipes but are using up what is in MY pantry.
Monday: Pasta with Chicken and Alfredo Sauce and ceasar salad
Tuesday: Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes and peas
Wednesday: Chicken fajita pizza
Thursday: Pork chops with mustard crumb crust, rice and steamed vegetables
Friday: Leftovers/ Sandwich night
I invite you to please join me on your own pantry challenge, and I would love to read your comments on your menu plan ideas and grocery saving money ideas.
I am not much of a resolutions person, but have been thinking about trying really hard to live more deliberately
With the craziness of having a new baby in October, and now having 3 kids under 4 we have fallen away a little bit from our simple living goals.
Where to begin?
This is where the pantry challenge comes in. I know a few other bloggers are doing this as well.
The goal for every family may be different.
Mine is to lower our weekly food budget by:
1) Using up what is in our pantry stockpile
2) Planning our menus around what is in the pantry as well as what is on SALE at the grocery store
3) COUPONS (My favorite site for coupons is www.save.ca where you order the coupons you will use and they mail them to you for FREE)
Your goals might be to focus on buying healthier foods or cooking more from scratch.
I am going to keep track of every dollar and cent that I spend on groceries (not including baby items, toiletries, cleaning items etc.) My goal is to feed the 4 of us for $70 a week. Yikes! I normally menu plan and watch for sales but am not used to constricting our food budget so tightly. I am excited to try.
This year I really want to stay on top of our budget. The less we can spend on the day to day the more we have to save for things that really matter to us like travel.
Every Monday I will post my menu plan, and will post the recipe on the day I make it. Keep in mind these are not necessarily frugal recipes but are using up what is in MY pantry.
Monday: Pasta with Chicken and Alfredo Sauce and ceasar salad
Tuesday: Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes and peas
Wednesday: Chicken fajita pizza
Thursday: Pork chops with mustard crumb crust, rice and steamed vegetables
Friday: Leftovers/ Sandwich night
I invite you to please join me on your own pantry challenge, and I would love to read your comments on your menu plan ideas and grocery saving money ideas.
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