Making a grocery shopping list isn't always easy, and sometimes can be a downright bore of a chore. But there are a few simple tips you can use to easily create your meal plan for the week - and save a little time and money in the process: Make a Master List One day I sat down and wrote out all the meals we like to eat. I made a list of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, side items, and snacks. I created this list so I could easily go down the list of foods to create our meal plan. This also ... Continue Reading
Get Grocery Shopping: Easy Meal Planning
May 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Quick tips for easy meal planning by implementing a master grocery list.
Green Grilling: Environmentally-Friendly Barbecuing
May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Barbecuing season is upon us – here are some ways to make your grilling a little more green.
With summer fast approaching we are getting into one of my favorite times of year - barbecuing season. I love barbecuing - whether I'm grilling up some traditional pork ribs, grass-fed beef hot dogs, or grilling some eggplant, the grill is a staple in our backyard. However, grilling and barbecuing are not always the most environmentally-friendly activities.Here are a few tips to help make your barbecues a little greener. Don’t Over-Buy If you are having guests over for a good old fashion ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post Blog of the Week: MOMables
February 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The SocialMoms Blog of the Week is MOMables – where lunch is streamlined for even the pickest eaters.
Congratulations to MOMables™: the SocialMoms Blog of the Week! Looking for innovative ways to get your kids to eat a healthy lunch? Feeding your kids wholesome food doesn’t have to be complicated. MOMables picky-eater, kid-tested recipes are made quickly — in ten minutes or less — with simple and fresh ingredients. They even streamline the lunch making process with a weekly menu and a shopping list. I recently chatted with Laura Fuentes, chief mom of MOMables about running the ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post Get Sneaky: Make Your Meals Healthier with Secret Ingredients
January 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Incorporate a secret healthy ingredients in your meals – fruits and vegetables.
Getting your kids to eat fruits and vegetables can be similar to pulling teeth or even moving mountains. For some reason, kids always shy away from anything that resembles a fruit or a vegetable, but that's about half of the food they should be eating. Ohio State University conducted a study in 2009 that showed only 22% of kids get enough fruits and vegetables in their diet. Furthermore, the number of kids that eat the recommended amount decreases as the kids become older. How is a busy mom ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post To Make A Second Meal or Not To Make a Second Meal: That is the Question
January 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Should you make another meal for the picky child in your house?
If there is one daily question in our house that is sure to get me aggravated, it's "What's for dinner?" This is because dinnertime has been, and continues to be a thing of frustration for me. Just the sound of the question drives me bananas. Trying to accommodate the nutritional needs and eating preferences of 4 different people. So, dinnertime in our house kinda goes something like this. Kids eat 5:30PM. Parents eat anywhere from 6:30 to 7:30PM, (while the kids eat their fruits so at least ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post Spend Time With Your Spouse on Little or No Money
November 15, 2011 By 1 Comment
Ways to spend quality time with your spouse, without spending large quantities of money.
Married life can be hectic ... filled with kids, jobs, activities. Taking time out with your spouse has to be deliberate or it tends not to happen. Also, with today's economy, sometimes it is hard to carve out any extra money to do so. If you are able to go out dinner and babysitter included ... fabulous. If not, here are a few suggestions for spending quality time with your spouse for little or no money. Go on a walk together. Yes, it is a simple thing, but valuable in that it ... Continue Reading
The Secret to Going Green for Thanksgiving? Prepare, Prepare, Prepare.
November 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Thanksgiving should be the greenest holiday of all. All you need to do is prepare, plan, and be aware.
Holidays are often filled with excess, waste, and too much focus on things over people. Yet Thanksgiving, by its very nature, could very well be the greenest holiday of them all. All it takes is a little planning and a little awareness to make your Thanksgiving a fun-filled, family oriented, environmentally friendly holiday that everyone will enjoy. Two Weeks Out: Food Planning Traditionally, a Thanksgiving meal calls for a turkey, several side dishes, and of course, dessert! To green your ... Continue Reading
Green your Thanksgiving & Support Local Farmers
November 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Consider helping your local farmers and buying fresh food for Thanksgiving dinner.
As November approaches, thoughts turn to the planning and anticipation of the Thanksgiving Day feast. But before you run out the door to stock up on supplies, consider the meaning behind the celebration. Thanksgiving came about as the direct result of farmers that had a plentiful harvest. Tables were filled with foods of the season that were all products on the land surrounding that particular family’s home. Thanksgiving celebrations revolved around being thankful for the bounty of food ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post Healthy Crockpot Meals and Options
October 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Cooking with the crockpot can be healthy, organic, and nutritious.
As a wife and mother I am always looking for those "short-cuts" to everyday tasks. One thing that I have recently started incorporating into our routine is Crockpot meals. I normally steered clear of the Crockpot because most recipes are filled with high levels of sodium, fat, and calories. The "traditional" Crockpot recipes call for numerous canned items such as soups and veggies and fatty meats. Cooking with a Crockpot can be healthy though. Follow these simple tips to create easy, healthy, ... Continue Reading
Join the forum discussion on this post Avoid Frustration at the Dinner Table
August 29, 2011 By 1 Comment
Learn the tips for avoiding frustration at the dinner table and getting your children to eat.
Part of our busy back to school preparations include dinner planning and healthy, delicious, quick meal ideas are always on a parent's most wanted list. We long for our time at the dinner table to go smoothly and for our kids to eat and actually enjoy what we've prepared. But, truth be told, all of us have at one time or another experienced frustration at the dinner table. You’ve painstakingly prepared a good meal only to find yourself bombarded with sounds of, "I’m not hungry" or "I don’t ... Continue Reading
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