I am so excited to share this recipe with you because it was sent to us from one of our very loyal fans. It’s kid tested and mother approved — and no, we’re not talking about Kix here, we’re talking chicken enchiladas.
Chicken Enchiladas
May 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
FDA Says BPA Is Safe for Kids…
April 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
You know how we’ve been complaining about bisphenol A, also known as BPA, in food packaging? The National Institutes of Health say it could harm the health and development of unborn and young children. But what do they know? This morning the FDA ruled yet again that it’s perrrrrfectly safe.
But guess who’s treating the FDA ruling like a pile of baloney? Besides me, of course. Campbell’s and Hunt’s have decided to ditch the BPA anyway — because moms are demanding it. Yeah, someone listened to us! For once!
Ahead of the FDA ruling, Campbell’s and Hunt’s said they would phase out PBA from their food packaging. This means it won’t happen overnight, or even this year. For all I know, it could take decades for them to phase out the PBA. Which means our children’s children’s children will be safe from BPA in their canned Mars beans, yippee.
I don’t feed my family much canned food. Just canned tuna, tomatoes, chick peas, black beans, pinto beans, coconut milk … aw crap. I feed my family a LOT of canned food.
Dear food companies: Don’t drag your heels on this one. While our kids are still young, okay?
Well the good news is the transition is already happening. About 10 percent of the cans at Silgan, the largest can maker in North America, are BPA-free. They’re going to keep going because that’s what we parents want. But in the meantime, the damage may already be done for too many kids. As far as parents like me go, this transition isn’t happening fast enough. But we’re glad it’s happening.
Do you worry about BPA in your food packaging?
via FDA Says BPA Is Safe for Kids, But Moms & Food Manufacturers Know Better | The Stir.
Free Printable Meal Planner
January 25, 2012 by 1 Comment
Do you meal plan? It really takes about 5 minutes to do and saves me a boatload of headache during the week. Now that I’m a mom, I no longer just run to the grocery store to pick up the ingredients for tonight’s dinner. No, grocery shopping has now turned into an ordeal and I despise every second of it. If I’m going to make the trip, it better be worth my while. Meal planning definitely helps me stay organized and get everything I need for the week’s meals in one trip. I’ve seen other meal planners that have a ton of details including planning for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Like most of you moms out there, I don’t have time to plan for breakfast or lunch. Heck, I’m lucky if I scarf down a piece of toast in the morning. I wanted something simple and something I would actually use, so here it is:
I’ve printed a number of these and stacked them in the pantry. Each week I pull out a fresh one and slap it on my refrigerator. No more coming home from a busy day and asking, “What’s for dinner?”
Another idea I love is to print this version and place it in a 8×10 frame. With a dry erase marker, it instantly becomes a reusable menu board. Prop it up on your counter or hang it on a wall. Voila!
Click on the link below for your free printable menu:
The Easiest Chicken Lo Mein
January 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment
This recipe could not be more simple. It’s perfect for those nights when you have a late meeting or you’re running between baseball games and dance class. Who doesn’t like ramen noodles?
Grocery Deals for the Year
January 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Have you ever stopped to notice when things go on sale at the grocery store? Well, here’s your answer.
This list gives you a great idea on when to stock up on sale items.
January
National Oatmeal Month: Quaker
Diet Foods: Healthy Choice, South Beach, Lean Cuisine, Special K, Kashi, Smart Start, 100 Calorie Packs, Yogurt
Super Bowl Sunday: Pepsi, Coke, Chips, Dips, Cheese, Sandwich Items, Crackers, Snacks, Wings
Seasonal Produce: Oranges, Pears, Grapefruit, Tangerines, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Cabbage, Spinach
Clearance: Christmas Decorations, Toys, Wrapping Papers,
Winter Health: Cold Medicines and Vitamins
February
National Canned Food Month: Canned Fruit, Pie Fillings, Vegetables, Meats: Tuna, Chicken, Salmon
National Hot Breakfast Month: Malt O Meal, Oatmeal, Eggo Waffles, Syrup
Valentines: Chocolate, Hershey’s, KY Lubricant, etc
Chinese New Year: Soy Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Noodles, Canned Water Chestnuts
Seasonal Produce: Artichoke, Asparagus, Raspberries, Potatoes, Strawberries, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Spinach
March
Frozen Food Month: Ice Cream, Frozen Vegetables (Boxed, Bag, or Steam), Frozen Meals, Foster Farms Chicken, Waffles, Pizza
Seasonal Produce: Artichoke, Asparagus, Haas Avocado, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Fennel, Kale, Leek, Lemon, Lime, Mushrooms, Spring Onions, Orange, Peas, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries, Tangerine
April
Easter: Ham, Eggs, Spices, Baking Supplies: Sugar, Spices, Baking Mixes, Chocolate Chips, Butter, Coconut, Marshmallows, Brownie Mix, Cake Mix
Earth Day: Organic Foods, Energy Saver, Reusable Totes
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbages, Carrots, Grapefruit, Haas Avocado, Mushrooms, Onions, Peas, Rhubarb
Clearance: After Easter sales
May
Memorial Day: BBQ Sauce, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips, Grilling Meats, Hot Dogs, Hamburger Meat, Marinade, Salad Greens
Paper Products: Plates, Utensils, Insect Repellant, Sunscreen
Cinco De Mayo: Salsa, tortillas
Seasonal Produce: Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado, Beans, Green, Beets, Blackberries, Carrots, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Peas, New Potatoes, Raspberries, Strawberries
June
National Dairy Month: Eggs, Milk, Ice Cream, Cheese, Cream Cheese, Butter, Yogurt, Whipping Cream, Whipped Cream, Cool Whip
End of June is Fourth or July Sales: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips
Seasonal Produce: Apricots, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cherries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Honeydew, Nectarines, Peaches, Potatoes, Raspberries, Red Onions, Squash, Summer, Strawberries, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Tomatoes, Watermelon
July
National Ice Cream Month
More 4th of July BBQ Sales: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Condiments, Charcoal, Salad Dressing, Potato Chips, Dips
End of July: Back to School Sales Begin: Crayons, Pencils, Folders, Binders
Seasonal Produce: Asian Pears, Bartlett Pears, Beans, Green, Blueberries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Garlic, Grapes, Nectarines, Onions, Red, Valencia Oranges, Peaches, Sweet/Bell Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Watermelon
August
Back to School: Pudding cups, Lunch meat, Lunchables, Bread, Cold Cereal, Waffles, Lunchboxes
Disinfectant: Clorox, Purell
Clearance: Insect Repellant, Sunscreen, charcoal
Seasonal Produce: Gravenstein Apple, Haas Avocado, Green Beans, Beans, Berries, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Grapes, Melons, Onion, Peaches, Bartlett Pears, Bell Pepper, Plums, Raspberries, Squash, Summer, Tomatillo, Tomato
September
Back to School Sales through Labor Day: Crayons, Pencils, Folders, Binders
Diabetes: Bayer Glucose Meters, Glucerna Cereal
Seasonal Produce: Apples, Artichokes, Beans, Bell Peppers, Chili Peppers, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Onion, Valencia Orange, Asian Pears, Bartlett Pears, Pomegranate, Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes, Winter Squash
Baby Items: Major Baby Equipment, Baby Safety
October
Halloween: Candy, Fresh Pumpkin
Beginning of the Baking Sales: Canned pumpkin, Evaporated Milk, Baking Chips
Daylight Savings Time Ends Promotions: Alarm Clocks, Batteries, Safety Equipment, Smoke Detectors
National Seafood Month
Adopt a Shelter-Dog Month: Pedigree, Purina
Seasonal Produce: Almonds, Apples, Artichokes, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Chard, Chestnuts, Cranberries, Lemons, Parsnip, Pears, Pomegranate, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Winter, Turnips, Yams
November
Hot Cocoa, Coffee, Tea
Baking Sales in Full Swing: Nuts, Chocolate Chips, Evaporated Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Coconut, Cake Mixes
Canned foods: Soup, Broth, Vegetables, Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce
Thanksgiving Items: Turkey, Canned Pumpkin, Stovetop Stuffing, Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes, Gravy Mixes, Frozen Pies, Cranberry Sauce, Jello, Marshmallows
Seasonal Produce: Anjou Pears, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Celery, Comice Pears, Cranberries, Kiwi, Lemons, Orange, Potato, Squash, Yams
Clearance: After Halloween Sales
December
Holiday Dinner: Egg Nog, Deli Platters, Instant Potatoes, Gravy Mixes, Frozen Pies, Cranberry Sauce, Jello, Marshmallows. Sour Cream Dips, Crackers, Chips, Soda, Ham
Baking: Flour, Sugar, Butter, Cream, Cake Mix, Brownie Mix, Muffin Mix, Breads, Pie Crust, Marshmallow, Whipped cream
Canned Foods: Soup, Broth, Condensed Milk, Vegetables, Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce
Seasonal Produce: Anjou Pears, Bok Choy, Bosc Pears, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Dates, Grapefruit, Haas Avocados, Kale, Kiwi, Kumquat, Lemon, Napa Cabbage, Oranges, Sweet Potatoes, Red Cabbage, Rutabaga, Savoy Cabbage, Spinach, Winter Squash, Yams, Turnips, White Potato
Clearance: After Thanksgiving and After Christmas Sales
Courtesy of Living Richly on a Budget
Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
January 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment
It’s Sunday. In my book, the only way to start a Sunday is to gather the family around the table and eat a delicious breakfast together. Our weeks are so busy with meetings, little league games, parties, errands and so on, it’s nice to be able to slow down and enjoy the company of your own family at least once a week. One of my favorite dishes is this cheesy hash brown breakfast casserole. Now, if you read the “About Nora” section to the right —-> you will see that I am an admitted picky eater. When I say something is good, trust me. It’s good. You need to add this to your Sunday morning feast, it will be a hit with young and old alike. I’ve also been known to make this dish for potlucks, parties and guests. It’s a hit every.single.time.
If you try this recipe, come back and leave a comment. I’d love to hear what you think! Click on the Title of this post for the recipe.
Buffalo Chicken
January 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
This recipe could not be more simple, and it was a complete HIT at our Christmas Eve party. You’re going to thank me, I swear. Just click on the title to find the recipe.
A little bit of chicken goes a long way in this recipe, so I use the leftovers for buffalo chicken nachos or salad. Yum!
