Family Best: Life, Family, Farm, Fun, Food and Everything Else Under The North Georgia Mountains Sun!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Summer is nearing an end but there are still memories to be made
Although summer is coming to an end and school will be starting again soon, there are plenty of things to do with your kids. Spending afternoons making memories that will last a lifetime is important when raising kids. Take a little time to find something affordable and exciting to do with your family. READ MORE
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Playground safety and children
Taking a child to the park for the afternoon is memory making fun. The playground can be an exciting place for a child to play. Climbing and swinging and going down the slide. Safety is important as injuries on playgrounds are astounding. READ MORE
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Asthma in children
Stress can cause asthma in children, along with other triggers. This new research is concerning to a parent. There are more and more children diagnosed with asthma each year and parents need to be educated on asthma even if their child hasn't been diagnosed to be aware of symptoms and triggers. All children should live in healthy environments. Read More
Friday, July 24, 2009
Family coming to visit
I love when family comes to visit, once they get here and we all say our hellos and I can take that deep breath and relax. The week prior is like a military regime in my house trying to get the kids to clean their rooms and get everything in what I call "company order" It's not hard and my house isn't that messy, its' just ME and my panic mode. I don't know why I worry so much about a magazine being left out or the kids room looking messy. It makes me crazy and I want my home to look perfect when visitors arrive.
Now that today is the day I'm on the panic mode of what to do to entertain them. Do they even want to be entertained or do they want to sit around and relax. I never know and try to offer up suggestions either way, but do I sound like I'm trying to push one way or the other? I hope not, I'm just trying to be a gracious host.
Living so close to Atlanta there is a plethora of things to do with visitors or just with the family. It's almost overwhelming all the things that are around that are fun and entertaining. We live in the North Georgia mountains and just visiting areas around here can take up more than a weekend. I love where we live, its so central to culture and scenery and within two hours we can be in another state looking for their fun activities as well.
My hopes are that this weekend goes well and everyone has a great time, including myself if I can relax a little bit, and I have some amazing photos to show off on my blog.
I'm going to make something yummy that will feed a large crowd and the kids love and that's spaghetti. It's my traditional visitors dinner when I know I'm going to feed an army. I used to work all day putting together my sauce, but have streamlined it down to as Sandra Lee says "Semi Homemade". The best thing about my sauce is that I always get rave reviews as if I had slaved over it all day!
Jaymie's Spaghetti Sauce:
4 cans Hunts garlic and Herb spaghetti sauce
1 can Hunts Italian style chopped tomatoes
1 can Hunts tomato paste
1 beer, any kind will do
2 lbs ground beef
2 small cans mushrooms,(I use one container of fresh sometimes)
1 small onion chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (I go light on this it can be overwhelming)
Brown the ground beef and chopped onion together and drain off fat. Place the ground beef, sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste, beer, mushrooms and seasonings into the pot. Let simmer for one hour on low heat. Serve over cooked noodles of your choice (spaghetti, angel hair, vermicelli)
Now that today is the day I'm on the panic mode of what to do to entertain them. Do they even want to be entertained or do they want to sit around and relax. I never know and try to offer up suggestions either way, but do I sound like I'm trying to push one way or the other? I hope not, I'm just trying to be a gracious host.
Living so close to Atlanta there is a plethora of things to do with visitors or just with the family. It's almost overwhelming all the things that are around that are fun and entertaining. We live in the North Georgia mountains and just visiting areas around here can take up more than a weekend. I love where we live, its so central to culture and scenery and within two hours we can be in another state looking for their fun activities as well.
My hopes are that this weekend goes well and everyone has a great time, including myself if I can relax a little bit, and I have some amazing photos to show off on my blog.
I'm going to make something yummy that will feed a large crowd and the kids love and that's spaghetti. It's my traditional visitors dinner when I know I'm going to feed an army. I used to work all day putting together my sauce, but have streamlined it down to as Sandra Lee says "Semi Homemade". The best thing about my sauce is that I always get rave reviews as if I had slaved over it all day!
Jaymie's Spaghetti Sauce:
4 cans Hunts garlic and Herb spaghetti sauce
1 can Hunts Italian style chopped tomatoes
1 can Hunts tomato paste
1 beer, any kind will do
2 lbs ground beef
2 small cans mushrooms,(I use one container of fresh sometimes)
1 small onion chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (I go light on this it can be overwhelming)
Brown the ground beef and chopped onion together and drain off fat. Place the ground beef, sauce, tomatoes, tomato paste, beer, mushrooms and seasonings into the pot. Let simmer for one hour on low heat. Serve over cooked noodles of your choice (spaghetti, angel hair, vermicelli)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Cooking with your kids
I enjoy getting into the kitchen with my kids, teaching them how to cook and bake and knowing that they will be able to survive when adults. What is the saying give him a fish and he eats for a day, teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime. That is my philosophy with cooking and my children. Around age 6 I will start letting them use the toaster and the microwave and we move up from there into baking and cooking full course meals. Now that my children are older they love food competitions. I give them $20.00 and take them to the store they have a theme, ground beef or chicken or a vegetable and they have to make a dish. It's a steal from food networks food challenge shows, but made for home fun. It brings out the best in them and they are so proud of their hard work. My husband and I will judge along with a neighbor or friend. It's a lot of fun and this summer they have had a few cooking competitions. Most recently a ground beef competition where my 14 year old son made a delicious baked ziti and my 10 year old, now 11 years old made a Mexican ground beef casserole. They were hard to judge both being so tasty. Recently my daughter made monkey bread and I wanted to share the recipe. Maybe you could share it with your child.
16 to 20 whole pecans
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup butter
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 10 oz cans refrigerator biscuits
Directions:
Grease a muffin pan. Place 2 or 3 whole pecans in each cup, and sprinkle half of the chopped pecans over them. In a saucepan melt the butter. Add the sugar, water, and the remaining chopped nuts. Cut the biscuits in thirds and roll into balls. Place 3 in each cup, then drizzle with sauce. Add 2 balls and drizzle with the remaining sauce. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 15 minutes.
16 to 20 whole pecans
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup butter
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 10 oz cans refrigerator biscuits
Directions:
Grease a muffin pan. Place 2 or 3 whole pecans in each cup, and sprinkle half of the chopped pecans over them. In a saucepan melt the butter. Add the sugar, water, and the remaining chopped nuts. Cut the biscuits in thirds and roll into balls. Place 3 in each cup, then drizzle with sauce. Add 2 balls and drizzle with the remaining sauce. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 15 minutes.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Find out about recalls
There are a lot of product recalls, that we don't hear about on the news or in the newspaper. That leaves me a bit concerned but I am not going to be left in the dark. I've learned to check for the recalls myself on a regular basis.
For instance, just today there have been 5 child seat recalls. This is alarming because how many people strapped their child into one of these child safety seats today?
There are food product recalls this week and how many people have consumed those products and we know nothing about it? You have to look for yourself but you will be shocked to see how many recalls are happening that the public isn't warned about until it's too late!
For instance, just today there have been 5 child seat recalls. This is alarming because how many people strapped their child into one of these child safety seats today?
There are food product recalls this week and how many people have consumed those products and we know nothing about it? You have to look for yourself but you will be shocked to see how many recalls are happening that the public isn't warned about until it's too late!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Birthdays and Big Days
My daughter turned eleven this week and her birthday isn't just one day its everyday of the week in her mind. But, we all accommodate her because we all love birthdays around here. She got her precious puppy Ziggy a week early and has been babying him like mad and hes already rotten. We had cake and a nice dinner on Wednesday for her actual birthday. We went to the park on Tuesday for a picnic for her pre-birthday and are out to bowling and the movies tomorrow for her post birthday. It's an exhausting week for everyone but we are all enjoying the special fun. We are going to see Ice Age in 3D tomorrow then to bowl a few games with her friends. It should be good, I've heard great things about the film.
A few pictures of Keegan and Ziggy at the park:
Aren't they cute?
Looking forward to the weekend and then getting life back to normal, at least until the next birthday comes around!
A few pictures of Keegan and Ziggy at the park:
Aren't they cute?
Looking forward to the weekend and then getting life back to normal, at least until the next birthday comes around!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Avocado in Tortilla Cups
Try this great recipe for a snack in the afternoon or a side dish with dinner. This also makes a great appetizer for parties or luncheons. This is a diabetic friendly and Vegetarian recipe, but is yummy for everyone!
(makes 40 pieces)
10 6-inch corn tortillas
vegetable cooking spray
3 large ripe avocados
2 cups plain nonfat yogurt, drained
1 large plum tomato, seeded and finely minced
2 tablespoons minced shallots or red onion
2 large cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon chili powder
dash cayenne pepper
10 pitted ripe olives for garnish
minced fresh cilantro for garnish
1. Preheat oven to 375°F Lightly spray mini-muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. Cut tortillas into quarters. Mist tortilla quarters with water and place 1 quarter in each muffin cup opening, pushing down in the center to form a cup. Spray again with cooking spay. Bake until cups are golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Tip out the cups and cool on a rack.
3. Cut avocados in half lengthwise; remove and discard the pits. Using a spoon worked in between the flesh and the skin, remove the avocado half from the skin. Cut the avocado into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces. Using a large mixing spoon, mix the avocado with the yogurt, mashing the avocado as you mix to a chunky consistency. Stir in tomato, shallot, garlic, lemon juice, lime juice, chili powder, and cayenne. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Cut each olive into 4 crosswise slices. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. To assemble, spoon some of the avocado mixture into each tortilla cup. Sprinkle the top of each with some of the minced cilantro and top with an olive slice. Arrange on a large serving platter.
Per 2-piece serving: 95 calories (45% calories from fat), 3 g protein, 5 g total fat (0.8 g saturated fat), 11 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber, 0 cholesterol, 25 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 1/2 carbohydrate (bread/starch), 1 fat
(Image credit: Google Images)
(Recipe Credit: http://www.diabetic-recipes.com/recipes.htm)
(makes 40 pieces)
10 6-inch corn tortillas
vegetable cooking spray
3 large ripe avocados
2 cups plain nonfat yogurt, drained
1 large plum tomato, seeded and finely minced
2 tablespoons minced shallots or red onion
2 large cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon chili powder
dash cayenne pepper
10 pitted ripe olives for garnish
minced fresh cilantro for garnish
1. Preheat oven to 375°F Lightly spray mini-muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. Cut tortillas into quarters. Mist tortilla quarters with water and place 1 quarter in each muffin cup opening, pushing down in the center to form a cup. Spray again with cooking spay. Bake until cups are golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Tip out the cups and cool on a rack.
3. Cut avocados in half lengthwise; remove and discard the pits. Using a spoon worked in between the flesh and the skin, remove the avocado half from the skin. Cut the avocado into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces. Using a large mixing spoon, mix the avocado with the yogurt, mashing the avocado as you mix to a chunky consistency. Stir in tomato, shallot, garlic, lemon juice, lime juice, chili powder, and cayenne. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Cut each olive into 4 crosswise slices. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. To assemble, spoon some of the avocado mixture into each tortilla cup. Sprinkle the top of each with some of the minced cilantro and top with an olive slice. Arrange on a large serving platter.
Per 2-piece serving: 95 calories (45% calories from fat), 3 g protein, 5 g total fat (0.8 g saturated fat), 11 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber, 0 cholesterol, 25 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 1/2 carbohydrate (bread/starch), 1 fat
(Image credit: Google Images)
(Recipe Credit: http://www.diabetic-recipes.com/recipes.htm)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
YouData
There is a great little extra money earner that I have been using and I can't keep secret any longer. After signing up and trying it for a couple of weeks to see if it was legitimate I am ready to say that YouData is the real deal. You click on advertisements and get paid a few cents for them and they deposit the funds into your Paypal every Friday like clockwork. No matter how small the amount is you get your deposit. It is a new program getting off the ground so you won't get rich quick but if you are willing to try it you will be adding a little something into your Paypal account every week and that can add up. It's better than digging through the sofa for change isn't it? Sign up today and start adding your money to your account every week.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Doggone Good Oatmeal Cookies for the Pups!
Make a sweet tasty treat for your puppies! If your dogs are like mine, they love things from the kitchen. Feeling like they just got something special after watching you cook, you can treat them with these great little cookies, just for the dogs!
Oatmeal Cookies for the Pups
2 cups cooked rice
2 packages Regular Flavor Instant Oatmeal
(mixed with 3/4 cup milk)
1/4 cup molasses
1 cup carrots pureed
1/3 cup spinach
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tbsp brown gravy mix
4 tbsp applesauce
1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Stir Ingredients together, adding flour gradually. Drop by spoon onto cookie sheet. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool before offering to your pups!
Makes approx. 20 cookies
Oatmeal Cookies for the Pups
2 cups cooked rice
2 packages Regular Flavor Instant Oatmeal
(mixed with 3/4 cup milk)
1/4 cup molasses
1 cup carrots pureed
1/3 cup spinach
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tbsp brown gravy mix
4 tbsp applesauce
1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Stir Ingredients together, adding flour gradually. Drop by spoon onto cookie sheet. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool before offering to your pups!
Makes approx. 20 cookies
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)