Favorites Party

So I've been excited to try and do some of the things that I learned at the Favorites Party.  Basically I went to this party knowing only thee people and went away feeling like sisters with everyone.  It was so great.  Here are a few I am going to do for sure or already have started!
Cleaning the Kitchen Sink at Angie's-  Our family did this tonight for FHE.  A local restaurant piles a kitchen sink full of ice cream, three toppings, two bananas, and whip cream.  If you eat it all you get a bumper sticker that says, "I cleaned the kitchen sink at Angie's"  I've seen those on cars around here and had no idea what it was talking about.  Our family did it together, and the kids thought it was so great.  The kitchen sink is not really as big as a real kitchen sink but it is a miniature one.  It's a lot of ice cream.

"And They Were Not Ashamed"  A book about marriage that was highly recommended.  So I picked up a copy today and I'm excited to start reading.

Salt Lake City Connect Pass-  This sounds so fun and I think Devin and I will do this for an anniversary someday.  It's a pass you buy on-line and it gets you into 13 venues in SLC plus Dinner or Lunch at the Lion House.  Some of the venues are the Children Museum, This is the Place Monument, a movie at the Gateway, The Planetarium.

FHE Idea:  Learn about the Quorum of the 12 apostles before conference and have a treat for the kids when they can identify each of the apostles' picture by name.

Going to Yellowstone in the fall-Less crowds, great hotel deals and active wildlife.

Homemade Kitchen Floor Solution:  Fill your sink with 2-3 inches of water, then pour in 1 cup of rubbing alcohol, followed by one drop of liquid dish soap.  No residue and it dries fast!

Web Protection for you and your children:  I haven't done this but am planning on checking out both of these sites and seeing what is better for our family:  k9webprotection.com  and onlinefamily.norton  Both are a free online security where you can manage where your children go online and protect from pornography.

Bottling Chicken:  Pressure cooking chicken when it goes on sale.  Great food storage item and makes it so easy to put in your favorite recipe all cooked and ready to go.

www.vrbo.com:  This is a site you can rent vacation homes and condos for a great price.

7 days of Valentines for your children and hubby:  Give little tokens of love for the whole week of valentines for your kids and husband to find at random throughout their day

New Recipe: CREAMY WHITE CHILI

 

 

1 POUND BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREASTS, CUT INTO 1/2-CUBES

1 MEDIUM ONION, CHOPPED

1-1/2 TEASPOON GARLIC POWDER

1 TABLESPOON VEGETABLE OIL

2 CANS (15 1/2 OUNCES EACH) GREAT NORTHERN BEANS, RINSED AND DRAINED

1 CAN (14-1/2 OUNCES) CHICKEN BROTH

2 CANS (4 OUNCES EACH) CHOPPED GREEN CHILIES

1 TEASPOON SALT

1 TEASPOON GROUND CUMIN

1 TEASPOON DRIED OREGANO

1/2 TEASPOON PEPPER

1/4 TEASPOON CAYENNE PEPPER  ( I OMITTED THIS)

1 CUP SOUR CREAM  ( I USED LIGHT)

1/2 CUP HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM  (I USED HALF AND HALF)

 

1)  IN A LARGE SAUCEPAN, SAUTE CHICKEN, ONION, AND GARLIC POWDER IN OIL UNTIL CHICKEN IS NO LONGER PINK.  ADD THE BEANS, BROTH, CHILIES AND SEASONINGS.  BRING TO A BOIL.

 

2)  REDUCE HEAT;  SIMMER, UNCOVERED, FOR 30 MINUTES.  REMOVE FROM THE HEAT; STIR IN SOUR CREAM AND CREAM.  SERVE IMMEDIATELY.  ENJOY!!!!

 

WHEN I USE MY BOTTLED CHICKEN I SAUTE THE ONION BY ITSELF ADDING THE GARLIC POWDER.  I ADD THE CHICKEN WHEN I ADD ALL THE OTHER INGREDIENTS.  I ALSO USED LESS GREEN CHILIES THEN THE RECIPE CALLED FOR, IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU THINK YOUR FAMILY WILL LIKE.

My Favorite Things in 2009

I got to go to a way fun party at Deonne's house last night with my best friend Claire.  What a great time we had tasting peoples favorite recipes, and sharing our favorite things.  I learned so much from these incredible women whom I hadn't met until last night.  They all were amazing, and had such neat ideas.  I'll share some of there ideas in another post someday.  Here is the things I shared which most of these things I'm sure you have already heard about but it was fun to think about the things that helped me progress and make things enjoyable last year.

My Favorite Things this year:

Babysitting Co-op 

            Got a bunch of girls with children who swap babysitting with each other.  Saves us tons of money and headache on finding a babysitter.  We swap coupons for babysitting.  1 coupon = 1 hour per kid of babysitting.  We also have date night coupons as well.  Get more details about it at: childrenareworthit.blogspot.com

Bountiful Baskets

            Get fresh produce for your family at a great price.  I love the variety, the price, and the spirit of healthy eating.  There are a few sites in Cache Valley and more to be opened soon.  It is really hard to get a basket because the demand is so high.  But every time I get one I love love it!  http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/

Google Calendar

            This great tool online can make individual calendars for all the members of your family.  I have each person a different color so it’s easy to see who has an event that day.  It also has a task list that you can put due dates on.  This has helped me organize my life a little better.

Heather’s Recipes

            This year I put all my recipes on the computer and then printed them in small three ring binders.  Thanks to Deonne the formatting was a breeze.

Breakfast Schedule

            I was so tired of cereal for breakfast because I didn’t plan anything we organized our breakfast so every

Monday-Cold Cereal Tuesday-Hot Cereal    Wed. - Eggs    Thurs. - Hot Cereal     Friday-Yogurt and Muffins            Saturday-Sugar Cereal            Sunday-Pancakes, Waffles etc.

Kids and Mom’s Job Chart

            Made a simple excel sheet, laminated it, and the kids mark daily their jobs with a dry erase marker.  Mom’s helper boy is on their everyday so I can pick something that I need help with that day.  Sometimes it’s things they do on their own and other times they work along side me.  No Wii, TV, friends until all their jobs are complete! 

Mulligan Card

            Our kids practice their instruments before school every morning.  Most of the time they do really great, but there are days they need a break.  We give them two mulligan cards a month and these can be used at anytime they feel like they would like a break from practicing. You can do this with jobs at home to.

IPod and ITunes Playlists

            I decide to orchestrate my date with different playlists to help me program my mind and body to do different tasks.  I have a Clean up Kitchen playlist, get ready, kids focus (help my little ones do their jobs), e-mail declutter, desk cleanup.  I’m currently going to experiment with a new scripture study playlist.  The music of course fits the job and also gives me an automatic timer to say “Hey you are done with this task lets move on to the next” 

Favorite Websites

            Saving money when ordering online:  www.retailmenot.com

            Tracking your weight loss goals and other things:  tickerfactor.com

Counting calories, fat intake, or even just seeing if your getting enough fruits and veggies:  mypyramid.gov/

            Watching my favorite show when I want:  www.hulu.com

            Listening to fun music:  http://www.pandora.com/

Allowing myself the time for Self-Care

            Taking time when I need to take care of myself (running, reading a book, blogging, temple worship, prayer and study, shopping whatever I may need at the moment) It helps to have a friend or husband who can be there to take care of the kids sometimes.  

Pumpkin Waffles

Waffles:                                                                                              Syrup:

2 cups flour                                                                            1/2 cup butter

1 TB cinnamon                                                                     1 cup sugar

1 TB sugar                                                                              1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 tsp nutmeg                                                                       1 tsp corn syrup

2 TBS baking power                                     Boil these then take off heat then add:

4 eggs separated                                                                     1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cup milk                                                                        1 tsp vanilla

1 cup pumpkin (can use squash as a substitute)

3/4 cup butter

1 TB vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

Mix dry ingredients. Mix egg yolk, milk, pumpkin, melted butter, and vanilla. Beat egg whites until stiff. Combine liquid and dry ingredients. Fold in egg whites.

Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Thanks to the Brittany and the Carmichael Family I got the recipe I lost. Some of you expressed an interest of getting the recipe so here it is...

Mrs Field's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

2 C brown sugar packed

2 C white sugar

2 C butter

4 eggs
1 tsp salt

3 C raisins or choc chips
3 C chopped walnuts

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp vanilla

4 C flour

5 C oatmeal
Cream sugars and butter. Then add eggs and beat well. Add
remaining ingredients. Bake 6 min at 400 degrees.

I always use raisins and it is so yummy. Probably because of all the butter. =)

Requesting a lost Recipe

So I've been entering all my favorite recipes in the computer so I can have them in one book. I just got them all done last night. What a project! I had all my recipes on little recipe cards and I can't find one that I love. Does anyone have Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Recipe? These are so good and stay moist for a week. Maybe one of you gave me this recipe I can't remember. I have looked on the internet and haven't found the right one. It is not the one with blendered oatmeal. If anyone can help me out that would be awesome!

Recipes for Mothers Day

My family wanted the recipes we used for mothers day.

Sensational Spiced Salmon

2 TB brown sugar

4 tsp chili powder

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

3/4 teas ground cumin

1/2 teas salt

1/4 teas ground cinnamon

4 salmon fillets (4 ounces each)

Combine the first six ingredients; rub over salmon.  Place in a large baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 15-20 min. or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Rice Pilaf

1/2 cup uncooked fine egg noodles, broken

2 teas canola oil

1 TB butter

1 cup uncooked long grain rice (I use brown and some black rice)

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 c water (increase water by 3/4 cup)

2 teas low sodium chicken bouillon granules

1/4 teas salt

1/4 teas pepper

1/4 c minced fresh parley (I used 1 TB dried)

In a large saucepan, cook and stir noodles in oil and butter until lightly browned.  Stir in the rice and garlic; cook 2 min longer.  Add the water, bouillon, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 13 min.  Stir in parsley; cover and cook 2-5 min longer or until rice is tender.  Brown rice will take longer to cook.

Homemade Yogurt Recipe

Set up yogurt

Bottles in water bath the second time with lids on.

Bottles in water bath the first time-lids off

All the ingredients

1 Gallon Milk (any percent you like)

1 cup powdered milk

1 cup sugar (use only in vanilla-no sugar for plain yogurt)

1 tea. cc 773 (USU creamery stabilizer)--can do without-may have something similar at a natural food store-ask about homemade yogurt.  

4 TB Plain Yogurt (be sure it has several active cultures-I like Mountain High Brand)

1 tea vanilla (for each quart of vanilla)

Mix 1/4 of the first four ingredients in blender ( 4 cups of milk, 1/4 cup powdered milk, 1/4 cup of sugar)  and place in glass jars without lids.  Place in water bath and heat milk to 185 F (takes about 45 min) --the thermometer is very important in this.  I have a digital one I really like, it beaps when it hits the target temperature.  This first process is to kill all the bad bacteria in the milk.

Cool in fridge to 105 F (takes about 1 hour) 

Add culture (1 TB per quart jar) This is the good bacteria

Place in water bath and keep water between 105-110 F for 5 hours.

The milk will be about 103-108 F

The longer it sits the more bitter the taste of the yogurt will be.  For plain yogurt do not add sugar.  If you want to have vanilla yogurt add 1 tsp of vanilla at the time of the plain yogurt.  It is always amazing and gratifying once the yogurt is set up.  I just tip the bottle to see if it set up.  See pictures above to get an idea of the step by step process.  It really isn't as hard as it sounds.  

I actually made this batch of yogurt when Samantha was sick and had to leave while it was setting up.  I made sure the temp. was good before I left and came back 4 hour later and the yogurt was all done and set.  I regulate the temperature, when I'm home about once an hour.  I just turn the stove on for just a little bit until it gets back to where it should be and then turn the stove off.  I put a lid on it to keep the temp. at one place for a while.  The pictures are backwards in order.  I am still figuring out how to do this picture thing.  If anyone has a good idea of formatting pictures within your text let me know.  If you try it let me know, it is pretty fun!  I challenge you.  =)   

Money Saver tip.  I pay about $2.00 a quart for commercial yogurt and for the same about of money I can make one gallon of yogurt.  That is 1/4 the cost.  It is a staple in our home now.  We have yogurt parfaits for breakfast, make smoothies, yogurt for lunch, put it in fruit salads instead of cool whip.  We go through about 1 gallon of yogurt in 2 weeks.  I make one quart of plain yogurt to 3 quarts of vanilla.  I use plain in recipes to substitute buttermilk, and sour cream.  Much healthier and cheaper for us.