Is your recycling box running over? Mine is. I got a great idea from the Science Center this summer. Instead of recycling all of your grocery boxes, margarine tubs and plastic bottles, wash them out and glue the tops on (or the boxes closed). Create a grocery store for your little ones to play make-believe. They will love it! If your kids are old enough not to put things in their mouths, you can forget the glue. Just be careful or they might fill the bottles up with toilet water!
Have fun...
I never have everything I need on hand, so when cooking and baking I use a lot of substitutes. Here is a list of common substitutes. Print it off and keep it handy in the kitchen:
1 tablespoon baking powder = 1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 5/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup sugar = 1 3/4 cups icing sugar (powdered sugar)
1 ounce baking chocolate = 3 tablespoons cocoa + 1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon cornstarch = 2 tablespoons flour (for thickening only)
1 cup corn syrup = 1 1/4 cups sugar + 1/4 cup water. Boil to dissolve sugar.
1 cup honey = 1 1/4 cups sugar + 1/3 cup liquid (ex. milk if used in recipe). Boil to dissolve sugar.
1 cup whole milk = 1 cup skim milk + 2 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup sour cream = 3/4 cup plain whole yogurt plus 1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup buttermilk or yogurt = 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar (let sit 5 minutes)
1 cup butter = 7/8 cup vegetable oil or 1 cup shortening
1 cup mayo = 1 cup whole sour cream or yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice = 1/2 teaspoon vinegar
1 small onion = 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1 clove garlic = 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt or 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 cup ketchup = 1 cup tomato sauce + 4 tablespoons sugar + 2 tablespoons vinegar
1 jalapeno pepper = 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup broth = 1 bouillon cube
1 tablespoon fresh herbs = 1 teaspoon dried herbs
1 cup fresh berries = 8 ounces frozen berries
1 cup red wine = 1 cup grape or cranberry juice + 1 tablespoon vinegar
Ricotta cheese = cottage cheese
Adapted from Real Simple Solutions by Amanda Hinnant
Whenever I am looking for family friendly ideas, crafts or great articles, I always end up at the same site... www.familyfun.go.com. I highly recommend it.
One of my favourite articles is about teaching a child how to cook. One article, 6 short pages covering all age levels and how to get started. Safety tips, sample recipes and an outline of skills to learn for every age... it is simple, quick to read and smart. Find it here -> . Teaching Kids to Cook.
Happy reading!
It occured to me today that God has made me (and all of you wives and mothers out there) QUEEN of the castle. So often we women step down from our God given authority in the home, and sit by tearfully while things go on that we don't like.
For example, have you ever been timid when it comes to your child's discipline?
Have you ever wished people would COME when you call them for dinner?
Do you like all of your kids' toys?
Does your husband help out where you need him to?
Do you allow your husband or kids to talk to you in a way that is disrespectful?
Read Proverbs 31. A woman is queen of her home. Be confident, and of a gentle spirit (1 Peter 3:4), and subdue your part of the earth (Genesis 1:28)... the part that lies within your property lines! We are gifted women with a special part to play.
Today I am cleaning out my kids' toys. I've even been confident to donate things that were recent gifts, if I felt the kids weren't playing with them, or they were not appropriate.
And tonight I am reading my kids a book... the Root Cellar. They love it when I read to them.
And right now, they are having quiet time. They may not be taking a nap but they are required to have a rest with quiet activities.
So I thank God for what He has given me, and under His direction, care for it... the way I believe it should be cared for. Go for it ladies! You are special.
Our school is peanut-free. That means packing lunches is a bit harder than it could be. However with some ingenuity, I can generally come up with something good. I like to buy ready made snacks in the grocery store though, so I need to be savvy about ingredient lists. I looked up what other names peanuts can be listed under. Health Canada reports these:
Arachide
Arachis oil
Beer nuts
Cacahouète/cacahouette/cacahuète
Goober nuts, goober peas
Ground nuts
Kernels
Mandelonas, Nu-Nuts™
Nut meats
Valencias
Be aware! And happy snacking! :-)
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