The Kids are making Dinner!

Its crazy I know especially since my kids are still in the toddler years (5, 3 1/2, 2). Its also true that your kids will eat better when they help you in the kitchen. My oldest is getting so independent now and she loves to help with everything. (I have been waiting for this day!!!) She now sweeps the floor, washes the table off, and helps daddy make sure the garbage is ready to be taken out. I love having her help!
I am a person who LOVES to try out a new recipe. But as of lately... give me something that is care free and take only seconds to prepare. I don't know how our Mom had dinner on the table at 5 while taking care of 6 plus kids that ranged in the ages from 1 to 10. Mom would always make everything for scratch and it would take all day for dinner. Me, I like to find a fast easy way out.
For instance.... We made Pizzas for Dinner the other night. The kids loved them!! Why? Because they made them. I thawed some Rhodes Rolls and the kids made their pizza rounds then we simply added our toppings. Then put in the oven until the crust was golden! Even my 2 year old could do this. They each ate 2 of them! They loved using their "Chef" skills. And now ask me if they can make Dinner tonight. (I dont know if I am ready for Pizza everynight, but maybe once a month we can have a special Pizza night!)

What are you making for Dinner tonight? Do your Kids help you in the kitchen?

It's Miracle Soup!!

We are still under the weather over here (the reason of lack of postings)

The other night for Dinner I made this DEVINE Chicken Noodle Soup My kids (including the Hubby) Felt almost instantly better. Its that type of soup. Packed FULL of Flavor!

Because I wasn't feeling any better then the rest of the clan I made a couple easy steps to it. Instead of cutting all the veggies I used frozen veggies and I didn't have any egg noodles or the energy to go to the store to get any so I used Quinoa (keen-wah). It was great! Everyone asked to have it for lunch the next day. My 5 year old told me that this soup is her most favorite ever and that she isn't sick anymore! IT'S A MIRACLE Soup!!!

I also love to freeze the extra broth for another day. Warm it up in a mug and you really do feel better! Thank you to the Chef of this fine Meal!!!

What meal warms you up?

New Menu Board

Our new menu board (It might be a little overkill but we like it)

The all time favorite question in our house is "what's for dinner?" The kids now love being able to know what's on the menu each day, and Shane loves to change something if he is not in the mood for what we are having.

Sunday Dinners

Looks DE-LISH huh? We got a pork pic-nic butt roast over the weekend ($1.48 a pound) and I roasted it for 5 hours at 350. I sprinkled Moms favorite seasoning of all times....OLD BAY and that was it. It reminded me of all those wonderful Sunday Dinners that would bring us all together. And not just our immediate family...everyone could smell our parents cooking and everyone enjoyed it until there were NO leftovers.
One summer we had our family (parents plus 6 kids) and our Moms sister's family (parents plus 6 kids (they were visiting for TX for a couple of weeks)) so meal time at the house was a HUGE ordeal. One morning they made a MASSIVE amount of pancakes and eggs and bacon and toast..you name it if it was a breakfast food it was on the table. Mom was teasing one of the older boys (a Nephew) that the last one form the table had to finish everything! There wasn't room in the fridge for all the leftovers. SO needless to say he was the last and he finished eating everything on the table. It was one thing that mom and him remembered to talk about EVERY TIME they got together. She would always ask if he wanted pancakes! (I think he still turns green if you mention them!)
Great food, Great company and most of all GREAT memories.

I got our BB this morning!

This is our first Bountiful Basket

2 Lemons,10 Banana's, 8 Apples, 16 oz. Strawberries, 5 Oranges, 5 pounds Potatoes, 2 pounds Carrots, 1 bunch Broccoli, 1 bunch Swiss Chard, 1 bunch leaf lettuce, 3 bunches Asparagus, and 10 Cucumbers Amazing and all for $15!!!! (there is a $3 charge for first time and $1.50 handling)
I also had the opportunity to volunteer and I think that I will do that EVERY time. Not only do you get your basket first but you get a little extra (2 small items or 1 big item) if there are leftovers after the separating is done. I really enjoyed it. Great people and so much fun.

I am HOOKED!!

Healthy for You and Kids

I have just recently joined a Co-op called Bountiful Baskets and rumor has it that this week there might be some Swiss Chard in the Veggie basket.

So not ever having Swiss Chard in my life and wanting to introduce new things to my family I went on a search for a recipe that MIGHT be worth trying out. I came across Natural Family Recipes and found this. I am SO looking forward to my BB and hope that the Chard is in it so I can try this for Sunday Dinner!

Here's to the start of Healthy eating.... I will let you know how it all goes!

Calzone...

One of my hobbies that I picked up from Mom was baking. We would always try new recipes or at least tear it out of a magazine in hopes that we would try it.
So I thought that I would share with you what my 2 year old daughter and I made for Dinner one night last week. CALZONES!!!
You can use whatever pizza crust recipes that you like. I just used one out of the Betty Crocker Cookbook and because I am trying to start making things that are food storage friendly I ground up some wheat and did the half white flour half whole wheat flour.
Just roll out the dough into small rounds and let the little one go at it with the toppings. My daughter LOVED this part.

Fold over and press with fork around the edges and brush with 1 beaten egg. then bake. About 350 for 20 mins or until nice and golden.

And Presto..... delish!