Transition your Kitchen from Summer to Fall
Open your refrigerator and clear out old condiments. Check expiration dates on dressings and prepared foods. Revamp your grocery list to include "snack size" foods that are perfect for lunch boxes. Hearty granola bars, baby carrots with dip, single serve push-ups are good foods to keep on hand.
School lunches need to not only look good and taste good, but should provide about one-third of the calories and nutrients a child needs for the day.
meat or protein: 2-3 ozs
bread or grain: 1-2 slices or 1/2-3/4 cup
fruit and vegetable: at least 2 different choices
milk of dairy: 1 cup
Most children have trouble getting enough fruits and vegetables each day. Topping a sandwich with lettuce and tomato or grated carrots and sprouts adds one vegetable serving.
Add some fun to lunch. Use different breads for sandwiches: muffins, tortillas, mini bagels, pocket bread or whole grain crackers. It's OK to sneak in a little treat occasionally, like a chocolate kiss or hard candy.
Most importantly, pack foods so that they stay safe. Use cold pieces of fruit or a small frozen juice box to help keep lunch items cold. Small containers of yogurt can be frozen and will safely thaw in time for lunch. You can improve the keeping temperature of a thermos by filling it with hot or cold water a few minutes before packing foods or drinks. Buy one or two small ice packs and warm packs to keep foods safe that won't fit into a thermos.
Offering children appealing choices at lunchtime is just part of the back to school routine. Start each day with a nourishing breakfast. Even gifted students don't do well on an empty stomach. Studies show that children do better in school and on tests when they eat breakfast. And good eating doesn't end when the last school bell rings. Be sure to stock the cupboards with plenty of after-school snacks that are nutritious, good tasting, and fun to eat.
Need some fresh ideas for lunch? Try this Pillsbury website.
Open your refrigerator and clear out old condiments. Check expiration dates on dressings and prepared foods. Revamp your grocery list to include "snack size" foods that are perfect for lunch boxes. Hearty granola bars, baby carrots with dip, single serve push-ups are good foods to keep on hand.
School lunches need to not only look good and taste good, but should provide about one-third of the calories and nutrients a child needs for the day.
meat or protein: 2-3 ozs
bread or grain: 1-2 slices or 1/2-3/4 cup
fruit and vegetable: at least 2 different choices
milk of dairy: 1 cup
Most children have trouble getting enough fruits and vegetables each day. Topping a sandwich with lettuce and tomato or grated carrots and sprouts adds one vegetable serving.
Add some fun to lunch. Use different breads for sandwiches: muffins, tortillas, mini bagels, pocket bread or whole grain crackers. It's OK to sneak in a little treat occasionally, like a chocolate kiss or hard candy.
Most importantly, pack foods so that they stay safe. Use cold pieces of fruit or a small frozen juice box to help keep lunch items cold. Small containers of yogurt can be frozen and will safely thaw in time for lunch. You can improve the keeping temperature of a thermos by filling it with hot or cold water a few minutes before packing foods or drinks. Buy one or two small ice packs and warm packs to keep foods safe that won't fit into a thermos.
Offering children appealing choices at lunchtime is just part of the back to school routine. Start each day with a nourishing breakfast. Even gifted students don't do well on an empty stomach. Studies show that children do better in school and on tests when they eat breakfast. And good eating doesn't end when the last school bell rings. Be sure to stock the cupboards with plenty of after-school snacks that are nutritious, good tasting, and fun to eat.
Need some fresh ideas for lunch? Try this Pillsbury website.
Haagen Dazs, Ben &
Jerry’s and Target Archer Farms Top in Ice Cream Test
There is nothing better than indulging in ice cream on a hot, summer day! And although there are fancy flavors to fill your freezer, the two top sellers are still chocolate and vanilla.
Consumer Reports trained testers tried 13 vanilla and 11 chocolate, with varying amounts of fat, and found 7 excellent choices. Six of the seven rated by Consumer Reports rated Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s “excellent.” The seventh is from Archer Farms (Target) which offers a tasty alternative at about a third the cost.
All are dense and creamy with strong high-quality flavors. Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean topped the list of vanillas at $1.13 per 1/2 cup serving. Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla ($.97 per serving) and Haagen-Dazs Five Vanilla Bean ($1.13 per serving) took other top vanilla spots.
Among the excellent chocolates is Archer Farms Belgian ($.33 per serving) which has an intense, chocolate flavor enhanced by bits of dark chocolate.
Lower rated ice creams are less creamy and less flavorful with flaws such as gumminess and artificial taste. According to Consumer Reports testers, it seems to be harder to make a high quality vanilla than a high quality chocolate. The chocolate may help mask mistakes.
Most top rated ice creams are a bit pricey - $.97 to $1.16 per serving. For a less expensive alternative, try Archer Farms Belgian Chocolate or Walmart’s Great Value Chocolate ($.23 per serving). Both are Consumer Reports best buys and offer excellent quality at a great price!
There is nothing better than indulging in ice cream on a hot, summer day! And although there are fancy flavors to fill your freezer, the two top sellers are still chocolate and vanilla.
Consumer Reports trained testers tried 13 vanilla and 11 chocolate, with varying amounts of fat, and found 7 excellent choices. Six of the seven rated by Consumer Reports rated Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s “excellent.” The seventh is from Archer Farms (Target) which offers a tasty alternative at about a third the cost.
All are dense and creamy with strong high-quality flavors. Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean topped the list of vanillas at $1.13 per 1/2 cup serving. Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla ($.97 per serving) and Haagen-Dazs Five Vanilla Bean ($1.13 per serving) took other top vanilla spots.
Among the excellent chocolates is Archer Farms Belgian ($.33 per serving) which has an intense, chocolate flavor enhanced by bits of dark chocolate.
Lower rated ice creams are less creamy and less flavorful with flaws such as gumminess and artificial taste. According to Consumer Reports testers, it seems to be harder to make a high quality vanilla than a high quality chocolate. The chocolate may help mask mistakes.
Most top rated ice creams are a bit pricey - $.97 to $1.16 per serving. For a less expensive alternative, try Archer Farms Belgian Chocolate or Walmart’s Great Value Chocolate ($.23 per serving). Both are Consumer Reports best buys and offer excellent quality at a great price!
P&G and Dawn Dish Soap Rush to the Rescue
With the BP Oil Spill continuing to gush into the Gulf, P&G is rushing to the rescue of birds and wildlife in that region. They are sending the best product for the job, Dawn Dish Soap, to help. In a 2003 document by the "Best Practices" Document in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they tell how to clean birds caught in oil slicks:
"The only bird-cleaning agent that is recommended at this time is Dawn® dishwashing liquid (regular, not antibacterial formula) because it removes oil from feathers; is non-toxic; and does not leave a residue. Other methods or products are not recommended for use or testing during an oil spill at this time."
Wildlife rescuers have used Dawn for three decades.
P&G is shipping 2,000 bottles of Dawn to the Gulf region where the oil is expected to hit. P&G is expected to ship more Dawn as needed.
If you go to Dawn's website and register the code from your Dawn bottle, $1 will be donated to save wildlife.
To support Dawn and wildlife, see if its on sale at your favorite store by going to shoppingsmart.com. Also, there is a $.25 off coupon for Dawn in the P&G coupon booklet which came in the Newspaper on May 2, 2010.
http://www.dawn-dish.com/en_US/savingwildlife/home.do - Donate $1 to help the cleanup with a bottle.
http://www.dawn-dish.com/en_US/savingwildlife/specialedition.do -
http://www.facebook.com/dawnsaveswildlife?ref=ts - Facebook
With the BP Oil Spill continuing to gush into the Gulf, P&G is rushing to the rescue of birds and wildlife in that region. They are sending the best product for the job, Dawn Dish Soap, to help. In a 2003 document by the "Best Practices" Document in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they tell how to clean birds caught in oil slicks:
"The only bird-cleaning agent that is recommended at this time is Dawn® dishwashing liquid (regular, not antibacterial formula) because it removes oil from feathers; is non-toxic; and does not leave a residue. Other methods or products are not recommended for use or testing during an oil spill at this time."
Wildlife rescuers have used Dawn for three decades.
P&G is shipping 2,000 bottles of Dawn to the Gulf region where the oil is expected to hit. P&G is expected to ship more Dawn as needed.
If you go to Dawn's website and register the code from your Dawn bottle, $1 will be donated to save wildlife.
To support Dawn and wildlife, see if its on sale at your favorite store by going to shoppingsmart.com. Also, there is a $.25 off coupon for Dawn in the P&G coupon booklet which came in the Newspaper on May 2, 2010.
http://www.dawn-dish.com/en_US/savingwildlife/home.do - Donate $1 to help the cleanup with a bottle.
http://www.dawn-dish.com/en_US/savingwildlife/specialedition.do -
http://www.facebook.com/dawnsaveswildlife?ref=ts - Facebook
WinCo Foods
If you haven't visited a WinCo Foods yet, you have shop there. It is always an experience! They are clean and big. Their bulk section is practically where I live. Their seafood and deli areas are full of selections and great prices hard to find other places.
Last but certainly not least, it is heavenly in the produce area. There is so many fruits and vegetables to choose from. The variety of salad mixes and dressings is also a treat!
Try them out! Everything in their ad rated 4* except one item (and that was a 3*).
If you haven't visited a WinCo Foods yet, you have shop there. It is always an experience! They are clean and big. Their bulk section is practically where I live. Their seafood and deli areas are full of selections and great prices hard to find other places.
Last but certainly not least, it is heavenly in the produce area. There is so many fruits and vegetables to choose from. The variety of salad mixes and dressings is also a treat!
Try them out! Everything in their ad rated 4* except one item (and that was a 3*).
We found a website with ideas of entertaining grandchildren (or children) and spending little money. From watching old movies, learning video games, enjoying nature, or cooking, there are some fun ideas here.
Look a little deeper to find travel, recipes or games to participate with the family!
Click here.
Look a little deeper to find travel, recipes or games to participate with the family!
Click here.
But it is also National Craft Month and Woman's History Month.
The most interesting, as it pertains to Shopping Smart and food is March is National Nutrition Month, Frozen Food Month and Noodle Month. (Busy month!)
These are some fun links we found to celebrate the food part of March:
Make Ahead RecipesFind the best Appetizer recipes in Woman's Day's recipe database! WomansDay.com
RecipesRecipes Online. Fast & Free Recipes. www.MyDailyMoment.com
RecipesHundreds of recipes by ingredient, course, difficulty & cooking time! www.ivillage.com
Free Delicious RecipesLook Up Any Recipe! Get Daily Recipes Now. Free Toolbar Recipes.alot.com
February 2010 Holidays and Events
- Black History Month (U.S.)
- February 7 (Sunday), Super Bowl XLIV (Miami)
- February 11 (Thursday), Berlin International Film Festival (through February 21)
- February 12 (Friday), Lincoln’s Birthday (U.S.)
- February 12 (Friday), Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games (through February 28)
- February 14 (Sunday), Valentine's Day
- February 14 (Sunday), Chinese New Year
- February 14 (Sunday), Daytona 500
- February 16 (Tuesday), President’s Day (Washington's Birhtday observed, U.S.)
- February 16 (Tuesday), Mardi Gras
- February 17 (Wednesday), Ash Wednesday
More fun days:
February Events (2010)
As always there are several health issues we should be aware of, we must pay more attention to eating disorders and understand that they can affect anyone. National Eating Disorders Awareness Week starts February 21, learn more about it.
Monthly Events
American Heart Month. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, but it doesn’t have to be. American Heart Month seeks to increase public knowledge of cardiovascular diseases, raise funds for research, and prevent heart disease by encouraging heart-healthy habits. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/
Black History Month . Established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926 as Negro History Week to celebrate and honor the achievements and contributions of African-Americans. For more information, visit www.history.com/content/blackhistory
Library Lovers’ Month . Celebrate the value of school, public, and private libraries, and work to ensure that libraries of all kinds continue to thrive and serve. For more information visit www.folusa.org/sharing/library-celebrations.php and www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17060.asp
Low Vision Awareness Month . Low vision can interfere with the ability to perform all kinds of common daily activities. Fortunately, many low vision aids available today can help people make the most of their remaining vision so they can still enjoy a satisfying, independent life. For more information, visit www.preventblindness.org/
Weekly Events
National School Counseling Week, Feb. 1-5 . Focusing public attention on the important contribution of school counselors, this week highlights the impact these professionals can have in helping students succeed in school and in their future careers. For more information, visit http://www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?pl=325&sl=127&contentid=271
International Flirting Week, Feb. 8-14. Flirting is not only a great way to connect with people and make new friends (and romantic partners), it’s also a fun way to get romance back into your relationship. I had never heard of this week before and was unable to find any background on it, however, I do love the idea of it, especially since it is runs into Valentines Day. So go ahead and flirt. See Valentines Day information below.
National Engineers Week, Feb. 14-20. A celebration intended to honor the engineers of today and to cultivate future generations of engineering talent. For more information, visit www.eweek.org
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Feb. 21-27 . Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses. The aim of NED Awareness Week is to prevent eating disorders, reduce the stigma surrounding them, increase awareness of body image issues, and improve access to treatment. For more information, visit http://www.nedic.ca/
Daily
National Freedom Day, Feb 1 . Commemorates the signing of the resolution proposing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, outlawing slavery. For more information, visit http://www.americaslibrary.gov/es/pa/es_pa_free_1.html
Groundhog Day, Feb. 2 . If the groundhog sees his shadow, we’ll have six more weeks of winter. For more information, visit http://www.groundhog.org/
Weatherman’s Day, Feb. 5 . The birthday of John Jeffries (1744), one of the nation’s first weather observers, this day celebrates all the meteorologists. For more information, visit http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=wxmanday
White Shirt Day, Feb. 11 . The anniversary of the UAW-GM agreement ending a 44-day sit-down strike against General Motors in 1937. “Blue-collar” workers wear a white shirt on this day to honor their victory. For more information, visit http://www.uaw.org/solidarity/09/0209/feature06.php
Valentine’s Day, Feb 14 . Celebrate love in your life. Valentine’s Day is more than cute cards. Learn more about its patron saint. Find out who St. Valentine was. For more information, visit http://www.history.com/content/valentine/history-of-valentine-s-day
Susan B. Anthony Day, Feb. 15 . One of the first women’s rights advocates and leaders, Susan B. Anthony was born in 1820 in Adams, Mass. For more information, visit http://www.susanbanthonyhouse.org
January is a month with some interesting holidays. For example, it's Eye Care Month, Hot Tea Month, and National Blood Donor Month. But the National Hobby Month is the most fascinating holiday this month!
If you're not cleaning, organizing or skiing on snowy slopes, take time to start a new hobby. Here's a list of some interesting hobbies you may have been putting off learning. Try them now!
This information is from About.com.
If you're not cleaning, organizing or skiing on snowy slopes, take time to start a new hobby. Here's a list of some interesting hobbies you may have been putting off learning. Try them now!
This information is from About.com.
Arts / Crafts
- Arts / Crafts Business
- Beadwork
- Candle & Soap Making
- Crochet
- Cross-Stitch
- Drawing / Sketching
- Jewelry Making
- Knitting
- Needlepoint
- Painting
- Pottery
- Quilting
- Rubber Stamping
- Scrapbooking
- Sewing
- Woodworking
Collecting
(Collecting Continued)
Electronic Games
- Computer Action Games
- Computer Sim Games
- Internet Games
- PlayStation Games
- Video Game Cheats
- Wii Games
- XBox Games
Games
Holiday Recipes & Ideas
Click on these links to find some fun Holiday recipes and ideas!
Rhodes Bake 'n Serve Rolls - Frosty the Doughman, Savory Wreath Rolls, and Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree. These are fun treats the whole family can make.
Woman's Day - 60 Christmas Cookies, 15 Hearty Casseroles, 12 Breakfasts and Brunches, Christmas Feasts, 10 Holiday Treats, and much more! There are also ideas to help with stress and many decorating and crafts.
All Recipes - Christmas cookies, Christmas dinners and breakfasts, cheeseballs, eggnog, Mexican hot chocolate, and much more.
Kaboose - This is a fun website for ideas on kid's crafts. Christmas ornaments, table decorations, Christmas cards are just a few ideas.
Kraft Foods - This is a great location to get ideas for all holiday activities. Top 10 Gift Ideas, Hosting a cookie exchange, Holiday recipes & ideas, Edible gifts, and Dinner by the Numbers to name a few.
Happy Holidays!
Click on these links to find some fun Holiday recipes and ideas!
Rhodes Bake 'n Serve Rolls - Frosty the Doughman, Savory Wreath Rolls, and Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree. These are fun treats the whole family can make.
Woman's Day - 60 Christmas Cookies, 15 Hearty Casseroles, 12 Breakfasts and Brunches, Christmas Feasts, 10 Holiday Treats, and much more! There are also ideas to help with stress and many decorating and crafts.
All Recipes - Christmas cookies, Christmas dinners and breakfasts, cheeseballs, eggnog, Mexican hot chocolate, and much more.
Kaboose - This is a fun website for ideas on kid's crafts. Christmas ornaments, table decorations, Christmas cards are just a few ideas.
Kraft Foods - This is a great location to get ideas for all holiday activities. Top 10 Gift Ideas, Hosting a cookie exchange, Holiday recipes & ideas, Edible gifts, and Dinner by the Numbers to name a few.
Happy Holidays!
Thanksgiving Decorating, Crafts & Foods
f you're looking for some new, creative ideas for your Thanksgiving dinner and table? Check out these links!
Double Duty Thanksgiving & Christmas Decoration
Thanksgiving Crafts - Tabletop Crafts, Thanksgiving Decorations, Paper Crafts, Table Ideas, and Thanksgiving Kids Ideas.
Perfect Roast Turkey - Recipe
How To Make Gravy - Recipe
Kids Tables, Center Pieces and Place Cards
Thanksgiving Pies, Breads & Cakes - Recipes
Happy Thanksgiving!
f you're looking for some new, creative ideas for your Thanksgiving dinner and table? Check out these links!
Double Duty Thanksgiving & Christmas Decoration
Thanksgiving Crafts - Tabletop Crafts, Thanksgiving Decorations, Paper Crafts, Table Ideas, and Thanksgiving Kids Ideas.
Perfect Roast Turkey - Recipe
How To Make Gravy - Recipe
Kids Tables, Center Pieces and Place Cards
Thanksgiving Pies, Breads & Cakes - Recipes
Happy Thanksgiving!
