January--the start of the new year. How are your New Year's resolutions coming? Is menu planning one of your goals? If not, maybe you should add it. I heard a good piece of advice one time. It went something like this "never leave your house in the morning without putting in a load of laundry, picking up the house, or knowing what you are having for dinner." We are going to focus on knowing what you are having for dinner.
Do you have a menu plan? If not you can make one really easy. The first thing you need to do to start a menu plan is to write down a list of things your family likes to have for dinner (or any other meal, we are focusing on dinner). It only takes a few minutes because if you are like most families you have your favorites. You know, the things you cook all the time. This might include pizza or tacos or spaghetti. Get your family involved and ask for what they would like to add to the list. I think it will surprise you at how many things you can come up with. I sat down for a minute and listed our family favorites and came up with 65 things and I keep thinking of others that I can add. My husband has celiac disease which means he cannot eat things that contain gluten (wheat, barley, rye). It is somewhat challenging to cook for him but all of my menu items can be adapted to gluten free cooking. I will add a link to my menu list so you can get the idea. This is the first step in menu planning. As a first step in menu planning, make your list and then we can add ideas on how to actually adapt your list to an actual menu plan in upcoming posts!! How easy is that?
DINNER IDEAS
CHICKEN
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
Ranch Chicken
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Apricot Chicken
Red Flame Chicken
Spicy Chicken Alfredo
Fiesta Lime Chicken
Chicken Salsa Wraps
Sweet Mexican Chicken
Chinese Chicken Salad
Stir Fry
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Stroganoff
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken Pot Pie
Swiss Chicken
Lon’s Chicken
Chicken Enchiladas
White Chicken Chili
Chicken Rice Bowls
Whole Chicken
Honey Sesame Chicken
Chicken and Broccoli
BEEF
Spaghetti
Spareribs
Tacos
Lasagne
Stroganoff
Beef Roast
Pot Roast
Hungarian Beef
Saucepot Meatballs
Nadine’s Meatballs
Hamburgers
Red Swiss Steak
Mushroom Swiss Steak
London Broil
Steak
Tostadas
Beef Enchiladas
Nacho’s Grande
French Dip
Chili
PORK
Spareribs
Cranberry Pork Roast
Café Rio Pork
Chicken Licken Pork Chop
Red Pork Chops
Pork chops and Potatoes
Pork Roast
Sweet and Sour Pork
OTHER
BBQ Turkey
Pizza
Breakfast for dinner
Creamy Potato Soup
Cheese Soup
Broccoli Cheese Soup
Salmon
Talapia
Friday, January 29, 2010
A Place for everything and eveything in its place
Hello All!!
Today I wanted to introduce another concept in organizing. Have you ever heard the phrase "a place for everything and everything in its place"? Easier said than done, right? Well it may be true but if this one concept is put into place, it can make a HUGE difference in the way your home is organized.
Do you have a "home" for things in your home? If you asked someone to go get the tape, could they walk right to where it is located and retieve it in one or two motions, or would it be a frantic time of tearing every drawer apart trying to find it? If you can't find the tape, (or anything else) this concept might be one for you to work on. If you can teach yourself and your family that there is one place that an item is kept, it will be much easier to keep those things organized and in place. There are many things in our homes that we already do this with like dishes or silverware in the kitchen. At our home the plates go in the cupboard and are stacked in an orderly manner and the silverware goes in the drawer in seperate sections in the drawer organizer. But what about other things in your home? Are your kids toys in a jumble or are your other kitchen utensils somewhere you know exactly where they are and you can reach them in one or two motions? Do you know where your bills are? Can you find what you need at your desk at work? Can find your keys every time you need to walk out the door? The list could go on and on.
Think about where the items in your home are located. Do they have a permanent "home"? Think about finding "a place for everything and everything in its place." Make a home for them and no matter how hard it is at first, put them back in the right place everytime. TEACH your family how to do the same and you will be amazed at how much easier you life will be. How easy is that?
Today I wanted to introduce another concept in organizing. Have you ever heard the phrase "a place for everything and everything in its place"? Easier said than done, right? Well it may be true but if this one concept is put into place, it can make a HUGE difference in the way your home is organized.
Do you have a "home" for things in your home? If you asked someone to go get the tape, could they walk right to where it is located and retieve it in one or two motions, or would it be a frantic time of tearing every drawer apart trying to find it? If you can't find the tape, (or anything else) this concept might be one for you to work on. If you can teach yourself and your family that there is one place that an item is kept, it will be much easier to keep those things organized and in place. There are many things in our homes that we already do this with like dishes or silverware in the kitchen. At our home the plates go in the cupboard and are stacked in an orderly manner and the silverware goes in the drawer in seperate sections in the drawer organizer. But what about other things in your home? Are your kids toys in a jumble or are your other kitchen utensils somewhere you know exactly where they are and you can reach them in one or two motions? Do you know where your bills are? Can you find what you need at your desk at work? Can find your keys every time you need to walk out the door? The list could go on and on.
Think about where the items in your home are located. Do they have a permanent "home"? Think about finding "a place for everything and everything in its place." Make a home for them and no matter how hard it is at first, put them back in the right place everytime. TEACH your family how to do the same and you will be amazed at how much easier you life will be. How easy is that?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Slow Cooker Liners
Dear Inventor,
I can't tell you how much I LOVE your invention: Slow Cooker Liners. I love crock pot cooking, in fact, I have 4 crock pots! Your product helps make cooking in the crock pot so easy...and easy to clean up! I love to use the liners when I cook a whole ham, or a whole rotisserie style chicken. Thank you for being so smart!
Sincerely,
A grateful woman who loves convenient cooking
For a whole rotisserie style chicken: place liner in your crock pot. Put chicken in pot, breasts up. If you don't want the neck and giblets, discard them prior to placing chicken in the crockpot...it will cook a bit faster. Sprinkle with a little seasoning if desired (I use season salt), no need to add water! Cook on High for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. If your chicken is frozen, add 2 extra hours of cooking time on High, or 4 extra hours on low.
You can eat the chicken, and it is super moist and tender. You can also shred the chicken and use it for a whole variety of things: salads, pastas, enchiladas, burritos, tacos...my recipe list goes on!
If you want to cook a ham in your crock pot, but are concerned because "the lid won't fit on"...never fear! Thank you Aluminum Foil! Place your ham in the crock-pot...however it fits best, and then cover the top opening with aluminum foil (like a lid covers the opening, you want the foil to insulate...it is ok if the foil touches the ham!). Then cook! A general rule of thumb is that most meats will reach their appropriate internal temperature after 4 hours.
In numbers: Low crock pot temperature is generally about 170 degrees F, and High temperature is around 200 degrees F. The best way to know that your meat is done, is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Generally beef should be 170 degrees, and poultry should be 190 degrees. Instructions on your ham will usually tell you what the internal temperature should be.
Also, if you cook on low, you can assume to add 4 hours more than high. For example if you cook 3 hours on high, you would cook 7 hours on low, or 4 hours on high would cook 8 hours on low.
Using the slow cooker liner makes clean-up so easy. You can just pull the actual meat out of the crockpot, leaving all the juices and bones in the bag. Simply remove bag from the crockpot, tie it off, and toss it in the trash! All you have to do is a simple rinse of your crock-pot, and you're all done! How easy is that?
Organization
ORGANIZING--You either love it or hate. I love it!! It is kind of a hobby and I find it very therapeutic. I would like to share some of the easy ideas I have learned over the years. The first idea I would like to share is the idea of ONE MOTION STORAGE. This is a concept I learned years ago and has stuck with me.
What is ONE MOTION STORAGE? Can you retrieve an item from a closet or a drawer in one motion? Can you put the same item back in the closet or drawer in one motion? Let me give you an example. If you need a pair of scissors from the drawer, can you open the drawer and automatically find the scissors and pull them out without moving anything else in the drawer? If you can, this is ONE MOTION STORAGE. If you can't, let see if we can help you achieve it. If we can find something and pull it out or put it back in one motion, you are much more likely to put it back where it goes. If you have to dig in a drawer or worry that something will fall on your head when you get something out of the closet, you might have some work to do. Using scissors as our example, put scissors in all the places you use them maybe not just in one spot. I have several places I have scissors because I use them in the kitchen, at the desk, in the craft room, with the gift wrapping supplies. If you have multiples you can find a place in the drawer or in the area where you use them and put them where you can reach in and grab them in one motion and you can put them back in one motion.
Think about this. If you can even retieve things in two motions you are more likely to keep the area in order. Practice one motion storage maybe using your scissors as a practice tool. Then try it with other things in your home that seem to never get back where they should go.
How easy is that?
What is ONE MOTION STORAGE? Can you retrieve an item from a closet or a drawer in one motion? Can you put the same item back in the closet or drawer in one motion? Let me give you an example. If you need a pair of scissors from the drawer, can you open the drawer and automatically find the scissors and pull them out without moving anything else in the drawer? If you can, this is ONE MOTION STORAGE. If you can't, let see if we can help you achieve it. If we can find something and pull it out or put it back in one motion, you are much more likely to put it back where it goes. If you have to dig in a drawer or worry that something will fall on your head when you get something out of the closet, you might have some work to do. Using scissors as our example, put scissors in all the places you use them maybe not just in one spot. I have several places I have scissors because I use them in the kitchen, at the desk, in the craft room, with the gift wrapping supplies. If you have multiples you can find a place in the drawer or in the area where you use them and put them where you can reach in and grab them in one motion and you can put them back in one motion.
Think about this. If you can even retieve things in two motions you are more likely to keep the area in order. Practice one motion storage maybe using your scissors as a practice tool. Then try it with other things in your home that seem to never get back where they should go.
How easy is that?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Crockpot Cooking
I love the crockpot. I own 5 or 6 because I use them for everything. I needed to take dinner to a friend last night so I decided to make one of my husband's favorite recipe. I made Apricot Chicken. All you need is 4-6 chicken breasts, 1 bottle of Russian Salad Dressing (16 oz.), 1 bottle of Apricot Jam (18 oz.) and 1 package of Lipton Onion Soup Mix. Spray the crockpot with cooking spray before you use it and it will clean up much easier. Mix the dressing, jam and soup mix in the bottom of your medium sized crockpot. Add the chicken pieces and cook 4-5 hours on high or 6-7 hour on low. Serve over rice. It is fast and yummy. How easy is that?
Monday, January 25, 2010
Convenience or Cost?
Sometimes when faced with a situation, you have to decide which is more important to you. Convenience or Cost? Here is the example I ran into this week.
I LOVE Clorox or Lysol wipes. They make cleaning SO Much easier, and I am more likely to keep my house clean if I use them. Being in med school makes money tight...always. As I was running low on my supply of wipes, I had a decision to make.
1. I can buy more cleaning wipes
2. I can buy cleaners, and clean the old-fashioned way
3. I can make cleaners (Thanks to the Book "Clean your house and everything in it", which deserves its own special post), or use cheap cleaners (Thank-you Bleach)
4. I can skip the cleaning all together (trust me, this was NOT actually an option!)
For me, with two kids, school, and being on the go, I had to decide if the convenience of wipes was more important, or if the buying/making more cost-effective products was better. I am all about saving money, but sometimes in order for things to get done, it is worth it to spend a little extra money and save your sanity!
In this particular case, both convenience and cost won!I chose to buy more cleaning wipes to have on hand for things like the counters and sinks (when I'm in a hurry). But I opted to make my own glass cleaner:
1 tsp. rubbing alcohol and 1 pint of water, mixed into a spray bottle.
How easy is that?
Another tip for cleaning glass: Use coffee filters, rather than paper towels, to clean windows and mirrors...they leave a streak-free, lint-free shine! :) Can't complain!
How easy is that?
I LOVE Clorox or Lysol wipes. They make cleaning SO Much easier, and I am more likely to keep my house clean if I use them. Being in med school makes money tight...always. As I was running low on my supply of wipes, I had a decision to make.
1. I can buy more cleaning wipes
2. I can buy cleaners, and clean the old-fashioned way
3. I can make cleaners (Thanks to the Book "Clean your house and everything in it", which deserves its own special post), or use cheap cleaners (Thank-you Bleach)
4. I can skip the cleaning all together (trust me, this was NOT actually an option!)
For me, with two kids, school, and being on the go, I had to decide if the convenience of wipes was more important, or if the buying/making more cost-effective products was better. I am all about saving money, but sometimes in order for things to get done, it is worth it to spend a little extra money and save your sanity!
In this particular case, both convenience and cost won!I chose to buy more cleaning wipes to have on hand for things like the counters and sinks (when I'm in a hurry). But I opted to make my own glass cleaner:
1 tsp. rubbing alcohol and 1 pint of water, mixed into a spray bottle.
How easy is that?
Another tip for cleaning glass: Use coffee filters, rather than paper towels, to clean windows and mirrors...they leave a streak-free, lint-free shine! :) Can't complain!
How easy is that?
Date Night Swap
With my husband being in medical school, me finishing up my bachelor's degree in nursing (all online), raising two kids, and doing all of those other things life requires...I definitely do NOT get enough time alone with my husband. As each year of medical school passes, and a new class of families move in, I have been asked the question on multiple occassions "How do you do it?"
Medical school is no "walk in the park"...for the student, or for his/her family. There are a few things that have helped me survive through these few years of medical school, but one of them tops them all. DATE NIGHT.
Sure, we all make excuses: I'm too busy, my spouse is too busy, we don't have time to find a babysitter, we don't have money to pay a babysitter (trust me, this one is HUGE in med school!), We don't have anything to do on a date, our kids need us....and the list goes on.
The first few months of medical school, I didn't dare ask my husband for a date, because I knew he needed to study. But, after months of not spending any alone time with him, I NEEDED to get out of the house, and go on a date. A few other girls in our townhome complex (also student wives) were feeling the same thing. So, we decided to do a date night swap.
There are 4 couples, each with kids. We each take one Saturday a month (you could do whatever weekend night that works for you), and for 2 hours (we do 6:30-8:30), we watch all of the kids. So, we always take the third Saturday of each month. This is great because it allows us 3 free weekend nights to spend time together. Often times we hit Redbox, go grocery shopping, eat dinner at home, eat at the food court at the Mall, stay home and do homework, or occassionally go out to dinner...but the bottom line is that we are together, without kids. Date night has become so important. It is something we look forward to...and when you KNOW that it is coming, you plan the rest of your week accordingly. For example, both my husband and I make sure that all of our studying/homework is caught up prior to date night, or else we know that we will spend our date night studying. We try to use one of our free weekends to go to dinner, play Wii, or do something other than homework, but I can't tell you how much this has brought us closer together. If you can't find 4 couples, use two, and swap every other week. If you want to have a little longer of a date night...like for dinner AND a movie...just make sure to make arrangements with those who are watching kids, and offer to watch their kids longer the next time!
Find other couples, plan to have a date night EVERY week, be a little flexible, and enjoy your time together with your spouse. How easy is that?!
Medical school is no "walk in the park"...for the student, or for his/her family. There are a few things that have helped me survive through these few years of medical school, but one of them tops them all. DATE NIGHT.
Sure, we all make excuses: I'm too busy, my spouse is too busy, we don't have time to find a babysitter, we don't have money to pay a babysitter (trust me, this one is HUGE in med school!), We don't have anything to do on a date, our kids need us....and the list goes on.
The first few months of medical school, I didn't dare ask my husband for a date, because I knew he needed to study. But, after months of not spending any alone time with him, I NEEDED to get out of the house, and go on a date. A few other girls in our townhome complex (also student wives) were feeling the same thing. So, we decided to do a date night swap.
There are 4 couples, each with kids. We each take one Saturday a month (you could do whatever weekend night that works for you), and for 2 hours (we do 6:30-8:30), we watch all of the kids. So, we always take the third Saturday of each month. This is great because it allows us 3 free weekend nights to spend time together. Often times we hit Redbox, go grocery shopping, eat dinner at home, eat at the food court at the Mall, stay home and do homework, or occassionally go out to dinner...but the bottom line is that we are together, without kids. Date night has become so important. It is something we look forward to...and when you KNOW that it is coming, you plan the rest of your week accordingly. For example, both my husband and I make sure that all of our studying/homework is caught up prior to date night, or else we know that we will spend our date night studying. We try to use one of our free weekends to go to dinner, play Wii, or do something other than homework, but I can't tell you how much this has brought us closer together. If you can't find 4 couples, use two, and swap every other week. If you want to have a little longer of a date night...like for dinner AND a movie...just make sure to make arrangements with those who are watching kids, and offer to watch their kids longer the next time!
Find other couples, plan to have a date night EVERY week, be a little flexible, and enjoy your time together with your spouse. How easy is that?!
Can I do without?
I love the saying "Eat it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." I have several examples of people in my life that know how to live this principle. I do have to say that it has taken me awhile to learn how to implement it into my own life and I'm not sure I can still do it very well, but when I do use this principle, it is amazing how many money saving benefits I receive. I have learned that if I can do without something, I feel like I have accomplished something great. It is kind of a fun challenge. I have adopted some personal questions I ask myself when I am thinking about buying something. The first one is " Do I really need it?" The second one is "Do I love it?" The third is "Where will I use it and where will I store it if I am not using it?" The fourth one is "Can I use something that I already have?" An example of using this last question for a real life situation is at Christmas time I was having a party at my home. I wanted to make things nice but didn't want to have to spend a lot of money. I was trying to think of something inexpensive to decorate with. I went over several options, all included going to the store. I didn't want to go to the store and spend more money. I racked by brain and remembered I had a bag of whole cranberries in the fridge I didn't completely use from Thanksgiving. I pulled them out and they were still good. I decided pull out some of my clear glass bowls and vases to use with the cranberries. I filled them with water, added the cranberries and added candles that I already had at home. It looked beautiful and was very easy and I had used what I had. I felt very triumphant that I could pull something together without having to go to the store and buy something.
These simple questions have saved me a lot of money over the years. Try them out or come up with some of your own personal questions that might help you make a better decision when thinking about buying something. How easy is that?
These simple questions have saved me a lot of money over the years. Try them out or come up with some of your own personal questions that might help you make a better decision when thinking about buying something. How easy is that?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Silpat
I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
Some come from from cooking, and going Ker Splat!
Thank Heavens for something called a Silpat
Silpats are something you use when you cook,
For making and baking in your own little nook
It sits in your pan, and doesn't let anything stick,
Which means everything comes off, nothing short of slick!
Make pizza, pastries, cookies, or rolls,
Anything that smells good, and tickles your nose.
Can be used in the microwave, oven, or freezer,
As a gift it even makes a perfect people pleaser.
They come in a variety of shapes and sizes,
They might even help you win a handful of prizes
They are easy to use, and easy to clean
Easy enough to be used by your husband or teen.
Used by chefs and cooks around the world,
Martha Stewart has been known to give it a whirl!
There's nothing that can beat this AMAZING mat,
Give it a try, How easy is that?
Silpats are AMAZING! We use them for nearly everything! Their non-stick surface makes them useful for many situations. You can find them at many grocery stores, Bed Bath and Beyond, kitchen stores, and online. Visit their website for more information. (Picture courtesy of Silpat.com) How easy is that?
The ultimate stain fighter
I have raised 3 kids and am now enjoying 3 beautiful grandchildren. One of the things my next door neighbor recommended to me when I was first married was something called Felsnaptha. It comes in a bar like soap but is found in the laundry isle. I have used this over the years as has my daughter and daughter-in-law and it is a miracle worker on stains. I have yet to find one that it cannot get out. Just dampen your garment with a little water and work in some of the soap. Scrub it around a bit, making sure to not damage your laundry item, and either throw into the wash right away or let sit for a bit if the stain is more set in. I don't normally swear, but I swear by Felsnaptha soap. Check out Felsnapth.com How easy is that?
What I wish I would have known when I was younger
I wished I would have known that if I had bought all white towels, all I needed to do was to bleach them to keep them clean. How easy is that. If they get dirty, throw them in the wash with some bleach and they come clean. They may seem like they get dirtier faster but I think that is good way to remind you they need to be washed. This can cover every type of towel you own including kitchen towels and rags. A good type of dishtowels and dishcloths are Bar Mops. They are white and come in a package of two or three. They absorb easily and are a good size, not too big and not too small. Give it a try! How easy is that?
UNLIMITED EASY IDEAS
This is a blog for anyone and everyone. Have you ever wanted to find a place where you could find a quick and easy tip to implment into your life? We have!! We decided we would like to share some of the things we know, and even some things we don't but that someone else does. We hope we might be able to share some of our vast knowledge and wisdom (lol) of different things we have found to be helpful in life. We want to include easy ideas on cleaning, cooking, recipes, organization, family activities, crafts, gluten free living, time savers, budget savers, do it yourself projects.....obviously this list is unlimited, thus the name UNLIMITED EASY IDEAS. Life is short, don't waste it!! You can do easy things to simplify and enhance your life.
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