I need my Grabbers!!!

My friends laugh at me when I grab my silicone coated tongs to grab the wine glasses on the very top shelf in my kitchen!!!  I'm tellin ya, they work for grabbing anything!  I especially use them to grab spices that are up high and in the back of the spice cabinet.  They can lift pretty heavy items too....like our coffee grinder! No more pulling out the step stool or stepping on my chairs...they are a life saver!!!

Cheap Eats

This dinner on a budget is super simple...

Kielbasa & Cabbage! 

I bought turkey sausage in a two pack for $1.87, you can buy kielbasa or polish sausage, then slice thin (so it goes a long way), brown real well in large crock or pan.  Remove and set aside. Chop up fresh cabbage (i paid $3.44 for a large head), place in pan that you used for your sausage (all the bits from the browning will give lots of flavor!)  I drizzle a bit of olive oil and saute my cabbage. (thanks to my sis, who talked me into frying it!  Yummiest thing ever!)   You can also add water and boil it with salt and pepper.  You can add diced potatoes to make it stretch further too!  When the cabbage is done to your likeness....dinner is served!! 

Usually this is way more than one meal, save the leftovers for a side dish!

Kellogg's & Scholastic Team up

With the purchase of any 2 pariticipationg Kellogg's products...you can get a FREE BOOK of your choice from Scholastic.  Visit The Scholastic Page HERE for details and list of products! 

Pork Roast = 3 Dinners !!!

I love a 3-in01 dinner!  I put a large, still frozen,  pork roast (4lb roast bought on sale for $9.87) in my crock pot.  I set in on a stool in my garage...YES, I am trying to keep the heat out of my kitchen!  It was almost 100 degrees today and the last thing I want is a crock putting out more heat in my house! 

#1 Dinner
Frozen roast in crock, salt, pepper, cup of water...done by 4pm. I usually cut up some potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and sometimes onions, drizzled with evoo, salt and garlic powder and roast at 400 degrees for approx. 20 minutes or until caramelized and soft.  But, this time, b/c I didn't want to heat up the oven, I steamed carrots and potatoes in my pampered chef microwave dish.  Add em all together and you have a classic roast.  You could do mashed potatoes instead!

#2 Dinner
Pulled pork BBQ sammies.  This meal just consists of heating up some of the pork, piling up on a wheat bun, and covering in your favorite sauce.  You can add a drop of liquid smoke to meat as you heat it up to add more BBQ flavor.  Don't add it to ALL of the meat though, there is still another night to change up for!  Serve with Kettle Chips, Slaw, or Baked Beans

#3 Dinner
Mexican Salsa Verde Burritos.   Season the pork roast with some cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder, reheat.  OR pour in a can/jar of Salsa Verde or green enchilada sauce.  Serve on top of wheat or regular flour tortillas with sliced avocados and cilantro.  You can add lime juice to Greek yogurt for a nice flavor in place of sour cream.  Add your favorite toppings and salsa.  I serve with a side of black beans and sometimes Mexican rice.  Enjoy! 

Time Saving Lunch Making

That sounds like a tongue-twister AND that's just how my brain felt making all these lunches and breakfasts first thing in the morning!!!  The first day of school threw me off...I try sooo hard to be organized and NOT stressed and yelling before school, but it never fails...I get down to the last few minutes and freak out!  Shoes?  Teeth brushed? Backpack? Lunch box?  Car keys?  Oh yeah, the kids loaded up for the haul to school! LOL!

Thinking about what to pack in lunches, making sandwiches, and preparing breakfast all at the same time BEFORE I have even taken a drink of my coffee IS NOT gonna work!  So, I took the advice of my dear friend, Karen, and packed the lunches the night before.  Morning came,  I had everything ready to pack, backpack by the door, clothes laid out, and all went smoothly!  I have to keep this schedule if I want to keep my sanity...I can't believe how my brain overloads so quickly!  If anyone has any tips to making life easier, please fill me in!!






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Healthy Breakfast for School Time

I am trying to think of healthy breakfasts that I can fix my son, before sending him out the door  to school...
I want to pack in some super nutritious foods, so that, in case he doesn't eat his lunch, he can make it through the day.  He's a slow eater, so I'm always afraid that he won't get all his lunch eaten by the time lunch ends...So far this is what I currently do:

scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast, fruit, and glass of milk

wheat toaster waffles spread w/peanut butter, a drizzle of syrup, fruit on the side, milk

whole wheat french toast (I really soak up the egg!!) , fruit, juice/milk

ham & cheese omelette w/wheat toast, fruit, milk/juice

cereal w/milk, juice

These are the same breakfasts that I have done for years, it's absolutely ALL I can think of...if you have suggestions, please help !!!   :)

Miracle for the Skin

My doctor recommended Aquaphor.  It is made by Eucerin and since I had a huge tub of cream already, I just decided to use what I already have...As it turns out, it really DOES need to be Aquaphor...my daughter has had a rash on her chin off and on for 6 months...she is allergic to sunscreen I think, but anyways, any time a skin issue is brought to my doctor's attention, she ALWAYS tells me to buy Aquaphor!!  Well, the last time we had to visit her, I ran to Walgreen's right after the appointment and bought a tube of the name brand Aquaphor...I was frustrated and felt ridiculous spending $6 bucks on a little tube of salve since I have 5 others at home...Thank goodness I did!! 

 It has proven to be a miracle skin ointment around my home...diaper rash, sunburn, bug bites, rashes, itchy bumps, dry skin, even scrapes/minor cuts heal almost immediately!    My elbows have NEVER been so soft!  When you apply it to irritated chafing, it immediately makes it feel better...it was the best money spent...and it has lasted so long b/c it only takes a tiny bit!!  Next time you need skin help, give this a try :)