Catching Fireflies

One of my favorite summertime activities as a child was catching fireflies (aka lightning bugs). Sometimes I would just catch and release over and over, while other times I would put them in a jar with holes poked through the lid.

Fireflies can be found on hot summer nights, but don't appear everywhere. Our kids have typically gone to bed around 7, meaning they are in bed before the lightning bugs come out. However, we've been allowing them to stay up later recently, so they were actually awake and outside when the lightning bugs came out the other night.

The kids had a great time! Zeke is quite the natural bug catcher, so he had a jar full before we knew it.
Quinn eventually figured it out and a couple nights later was successfully grabbing them in between her forefinger and tumb, but surprisingly not squishing them. Wyatt hasn't had much luck catching them, but he doesn't care; he has a great time chasing the bugs.

We allowed the kids to watch the bugs in the jar for awhile, but explained they needed to be let go, so they wouldn't die in the jar. They agreed and now eagerly await every chance they get to catch more.

Are there fireflies in your area? Have you ever caught one?

Making a Chicken Brooder

One of our objectives for raising chickens is to teach the kids about chickens and responsibility, so we wanted easy access for everyone. At first we only had 6 chicks, so that is what David built the brooder for. I've asked David to give some basic instructions for the process, so without further ado, here's David:

I found this basic design on-line at backyardchickens.com. It looked simple enough and effective. The original guy made his about 7 ft long by 3 ft tall. I thought that was a bit large for only six chickens and I wanted to build this on-the-cheap and wanted to only use one sheet of plywood. A standard sheet of plywood is 8ft x 4ft. With that in mind I made my coop 4ft wide x 2ft deep x 2ft tall.

I bought the wood at Home Depot and they cut the plywood for me, which saved me the hassle of getting out my table saw and also made it easier to haul home since we don't have a truck. I had the guy make the first cut across the width of the board at 2 ft for the base, (2) at 1 ft for the front and back and a last one at 1 ft to make the sides. This left me with a 3x4 piece left over but I have plans for that when I finish the coop.

The cage part is made of 2x2 lumber, just basic pine. I bought 8ft long sticks so most of my cuts were just cutting them in half or the halves in half, I try to make my math easy.

Once the cage was made, I got out my T-50 staple gun and stapled the netting to the outside of the frame.

Lastly, I built a door to fit and screwed on some hinges. The stick on the side was an after thought, I had a four foot stick left and needed a way to mount the light so I just screwed it to the side.

Nothing fancy, what you see is what you get. But for temporary housing it does the job and it only cost about $60.

Have you done any DIY projects recently?

This post was originally published on 5/9/14 @oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. David and I wrote, updated, and transferred it here.

Healthier Stuffed Peppers

I love stuffed peppers! Unfortunately for me, David is not a pepper fan, so I don't make them as often as I'd like. There is something so satisfying about digging your fork into the middle of a steaming pepper and pulling out this rich and comforting combination. Mmm, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Serves 6

6 medium/large bell peppers, seeded

1 lb ground turkey/venison/beef

1/2 onion, chopped

8 oz tomato sauce

1 T minced garlic

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1 T Worcestershire sauce

salt and pepper to taste

2-3 C cooked rice

Preheat oven to 350 F

Cut tops off the peppers and remove cores. Trim the stems from the tops and discard. Chop the remaining part of the tops; set aside. 

Arrange pepper shells in a steamer over boiling water, cover, and steam 5-10 minutes, until tender. Drain shells and set aside.

In large skillet, combine turkey, onion, and reserved chopped pepper. Cook over medium heat until turkey is cooked- approximately 7-8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease. 

Add the tomato sauce, garlic, basil, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer 5 minutes. 

Mix in the rice (use less rice for smaller peppers and more rice for bigger peppers or leftover filling).

Spoon mixture into the pepper shells; then place the peppers upright in a baking dish. Bake 10-15 minutes, until peppers are thoroughly heated. 

Serve and enjoy!

If desired, add mozzarella cheese or an additional 8oz of tomato sauce on top of the peppers before baking.

This post was originally published on 5/30/12 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I revised it and transferred it here.

Stretcher Foods

The secret to low-cost meals is easy: stretcher foods. Stretcher foods are inexpensive foods that "stretch" your expensive ingredients, your meal, and your budget.
My favorite stretcher foods are beans, rice, pasta, oats, and veggies. They can be used with just about anything if you use your imagination. In fact, there were a couple semesters in college that I cooked almost exclusively with these stretcher foods.

If you're wondering how they work, think stir-fry, and chili. Still confused? Allow me to explain. 
In stir-fry you take meat and seasoning then add some vegetables to make it more balanced and filling. Then to make it even more filling you serve it with rice or noodles. Chili is made with a little meat, a little seasoning, a lot of beans, and some vegetables. To make it even more filling, some people add pasta.
These are such common examples, that it's easy to overlook their "stretching" ingredients.

If you're still confused allow me to break it down:

• Beans are a great additive to ground meat. You can use as much as a 2:1 ratio meat:bean and still have a predominately meat feel to your dish. I use this most often on taco/burrito night and always have plenty of leftovers to freeze and/or have for lunch the next day.
• Veggies are so versatile! When you pair them with meat (any cut) you get a meal that is more filling and visually satisfying. I've actually found that most recipes can be modified by increasing the amount of vegetables and cutting the amount of meat.
• Rice and pasta are similar in how they are used. You can add them as a side or mix them right into lots of dishes to fill you up and "stretch" the meal.

Oats aren't quite as versatile, but they pair well with ground meats. I use them regularly in sloppy joes and meatloaf. If you don't want to be too obvious about using oats, simply cut the oats up in a food processor first. Adding oats will make the dish more filling/ rib-sticking and in some cases less messy.

What's your favorite meal that utilizes stretcher foods? 

 This post is a revised compilation of two posts I originally published in October 2011 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com.

Mini Pulled-Pork Taco Boats

This is such a fun way for the kids to get involved with dinner. I brought out a plate of the boats plus all of the ingredients, so everyone could make their own if they wanted. Zeke (5) had a great time assembling his little boats and ended up eating several.

Makes about 40 boats

1 C pulled pork
1 T taco sauce
1 tsp tajin
1/2 bag scoop tortilla chips
1 small handful leafy green, torn to bite size pieces
1/2 C shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 recipe pico de gallo

Mix together pork*, taco sauce, and tajin.
To assemble boats: place leafy greens in a tortilla chip, add a small scoop of pork mixture, top with a pinch of cheese and pico de gallo.
Enjoy!

*Shredded chicken or beef can be substituted.

12 Tips to Make Grocery Shopping with Children More Enjoyable

I have 4 kids, ages 5 months to 5 years, grocery shopping with all of them presents it's challenges, but it's essential. During the school year, I did my best to go while my two preschoolers were in school, but during the summer they are usually all in tow. Most of the time, we have an enjoyable shopping experience and people compliment the kids on their behavior. So, I've compiled my list of things that make it happen.

1. Have a meal plan and grocery list. For more tips on this, check out my series on meal planning and list making.
2. If possible, shop in the morning or after dinner. At least try to avoid the after work/ before dinner rush and the pre-holiday rush. I find the store to be less crowded in the morning. So, if my kids aren't on their best behavior, there are less people around to get annoyed. This means I get less stressed and am able to calm the situation a little easier.
3. Go to a store with family friendly carts. Aldi is nice, but they have one type of cart and it's chained up outside, so there is a greater chance my kids will get into something they shouldn't. Plus, if I want more than one kid to ride in a cart I need a second cart. I am currently loving Kroger. They have these car carts that can hold up to 4 small children and still have room for groceries.
4. Wear your baby (if applicable). I am constantly getting comments concerning my wrap and carrier. People can't get over how adorable and content my babies are. By wearing my baby, I don't need to take up space with a big bulky carseat and my baby is more likely to fall asleep and stay asleep.
5. Let the kids know what's going on and your expectations. If you have a big trip planned, let them know. A simple, "We have a lot of shopping to do. I need you on your best behavior, so we can get it all done and go home quickly" can be very effective
6. Let them know their consequences. I almost always tell my kids that if they are good the whole time we're in the first part of the store, they can have a cookie when we get to the bakery. Did you know many grocery stores give these away for free to children as a courtesy? If they aren't behaving, they can't have the cookie. That's just our rule and no one has ever pushed it far enough to get their cookie taken away- we've come close and needed reminders, but that immediate reward helps. 
7. Bring snacks. Having a snack or getting a cookie (or both) can be a great distraction. Sometimes kids whine because they are hungry and being surrounded by all of the food doesn't help the matter. 
8. Let them help. You don't have to make them their own special list to get them to help. My kids love helping to pick out produce; I tell them what we are getting and they help to pick it out. I also teach them what each item should look and feel like and we usually end up practicing our counting. In the aisles, you could ask the kids that walk to find a certain item, this can be especially helpful if they are getting antsy and wanting to wander.
9. Praise them. I do my best to make the store a happy place for my kids. I make it a point to let the kids know I appreciate their good behavior. If they are struggling, I make it and even bigger point. A trip with a rough start can quickly turn around when you give them a second chance and are quick to praise their efforts. 
10. Let employees do their job. Since my kids are younger, I find it easiest to only worry about getting my groceries onto the conveyor belt. The cashier rings it all up (I pay attention if I can) and the bagger, bags it and puts it back into my cart.
11. Ask for help if you need it. Usually, I will get asked if I need help to my car, so I simply say yes, but don't be afraid to ask the bagger or let the cashier know you need help (they can usually get someone to assist you). This little bit of help cuts my time in the parking lot in half since they usually have all the groceries neatly stacked in the trunk by the time I finish buckling all of my kids in. 
12. The grocery trip isn't over until everything is inside. When you get home, let the kids help again. My kids know that everyone helps bring in the groceries. Even little Wyatt (1) takes a bag and carries it to the kitchen. Everyone is usually tired and hungry by the time we get home, so if I can reduce the number of trips I need to take, I can start getting lunch ready that much sooner.

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Is there anything else you do to make your shopping trips more enjoyable?

More Baby Chicks

It's official, we're hooked. After we added ducklings to our flock, we acquired 12 more baby chicks. We've had them almost 2 weeks now and they are getting along quite well with the ducklings.

We made a little playpen for them in the yard the other day so we could try introducing some of the bigger chickens, but they've been living in the brooder David made for our first batch. The bigger chickens didn't express much opinion one way or the other.

We aren't planning to keep all of them, though our city does not have restrictions on the number of poultry we can keep, so we could if we wanted. We just want more hens, but it's so easy to get attached to these little creatures. Let's just hope they are all pullets (girls) so we don't have to find new homes for the cockerels (boys).

What are your thoughts? Do you think they are as cute as I do? Do you want little chicks of your own?

Mild Pico de Gallo

I love fresh salsa! I could eat it by the spoonful, but I find it really shines when it sits on top of a dish. I hope you enjoy this quick and easy version.

Makes about 1/2 C

1 tomato, seeded and diced
1 T finely diced white onion
1 1/2 tsp chopped cilantro
1 squeeze lime juice

Stir all ingredients together and enjoy!

Super easy, right?

Cheerio Treats

These treats were a huge hit on the old blog and for good reason: they are cute, easy, and delicious. They are not the healthiest treat, so we eat them very sparingly. The first time I ever made these, my kids went nuts. Zeke (2 at the time) stood next to them pointing and rapidly babbling and smiling while Quinn (back then, 1) stood on tippy toes trying her hardest to reach the treats. It really was adorable.
This recipe comes in around $3.50 (give or take depending on sales) and makes about 36 heaping tablespoon sized snacks. That's roughly $.10 per treat!

 Ingredients:
1 C sugar
1 C corn syrup
1 C creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
5 C cheerios (we prefer the multigrain in the purple box)

In a large pot, bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Boil 1 minute.
Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.
Gently stir in cheerios to coat with syrup.
Drop heaping tablespoons of the mixture unto wax paper laid out on a large flat surface.
Allow to cool at least 10-15 minutes.
Enjoy!

This post was originally published on 11/30/11 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I wrote, revised, and moved it here.

South Carolina Style Barbeque Sauce

My brother-in-law makes the best pulled pork. He takes it seriously and does all the extra work to get the flavor and texture just right. Getting an invite to his house for pulled pork is kind of a big deal. While dining at his house one evening, he introduced me to South Carolina barbeque sauce and I've been hooked ever since.
I was in the habit of buying the sauce, but it's not always easy and inexpensive to find quality versions around here. So, last time I bought a bottle, I played around with the ingredients until I came up with this easy recipe that, according to David, tastes even better.

 This recipe makes enough for about 4 sandwiches

Ingredients
3 T tomato paste
2 T yellow mustard
1 T +1tsp white vinegar
2 tsp packed brown sugar
10 drops Franks Red Hot 
1 smidgen* kosher salt
1 smidgen* garlic powder

Wisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.
Serve and enjoy!
Leftovers should be refrigerated.

 *A smidgen is 1/2 pinch or 1/32 tsp, or you could use special measuring spoons. The following affiliate link shows the spoons I got for my birthday:

Keeping Baby Safe Outside

It can be challenging trying to figure out how to do things with a baby. For most situations, I use one of my carriers.*I regularly use 2 types of carriers, a Moby Wrap* and an Ergo.* I prefer the Moby when the babies are little, it keeps them close and has a few different wrap options. You can also nurse privately while walking through a store if needed. I prefer to nurse in a private setting, but I had a few situations when Wyatt was a baby, that I was glad I had looked up instructions for doing so. I've even been known to exercise (mostly walking workouts) with a baby tucked securely in the wrap. My biggest complaint about the Moby is that when I am putting it on the ends of the wrap touch the ground, so it's not something I like to do spur of the moment while out and about.

I was still wearing it almost halfway into Claire's pregnancy.

As the babies get older, I use the Ergo most of the time. It's easier to put on while out and about and can be worn in the front or back. The best part is it's durable enough to hold Quinn- which she loves, she has even tried to climb in on her own a couple times. What really sets this carrier apart from the cheaper easy-to-find-second-hand carriers is the comfort for both me and baby. Their hips and bottom are cradled and wrapped around my body, so their legs aren't just dangling. The supports of the wrap are ideally located to take strain off my back and shoulders, so I can wear it comfortable all day and still not be in pain at the end of the day. I bought my Ergo second hand from a friend, but as much as I have already used it and will continue to use it, I wouldn't have been upset to pay the new price.

As much as I love my carriers,* they just won't cut it when I'm working in the garden. So what's a mom to do?

 Put her in a pack and play, of course! To keep her shaded and safe from any falling leaves and such, simply put a crib sheet over the top.

 Claire loves hanging out in the backyard with us. She spends most of her time cooing, but drifts in and out of sleep too.

How do you keep your little ones safe outside?

*For your convenience, I have added a couple affiliate links to the carriers I use and love:



This post originally appeared on 5/26/14 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I wrote and transferred it here.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

When I prepare a larger cut of meat, I am usually hoping to get at least 2 meals out of it, so I prefer to cook it with a somewhat neutral flavor. This allows me to have a tangy barbeque flavor for one meal and a zesty Tex-Mex flavor in the next one without any issues.

I have a few different versions that I rotate through depending on what foods are in my pantry or on sale, but here's one of my most recent:

4lb pork shoulder or butt (just about any pork roast will work too)
1 T celery salt
1 T (6 cloves) minced garlic
2 C apple juice

Rub the celery salt all over pork.
Place in slow cooker and sprinkle with garlic. Pour juice on top.
Cook on low 6-9 hours. Shred pork and return to slow cooker on warm setting until ready to serve. Refrigerate  leftovers.

A good slow cooker can make a big difference. In case you're in the market for one, I've included an affiliate link to my slow cooker. I got this as a wedding gift 6 1/2 years ago and it's still going strong. I love this thing and can't imagine my kitchen without it.


What's your favorite way to eat pulled pork?

101 Conversation Starters for Couples: a book review

I recently received a free copy of 101 Conversation Starters for Couples by Gary Chapman and Ramon Presson from Moody Publishers to review- all opinions are my own. I was rather curious to tryout this book with David and I'm glad I did.

This book is designed to be taken in small doses. The authors suggest 1-2 questions 3-4 times a week. If you don't keep this in mind, you could probably go through the whole book in one long evening.

Depending on how long you've been with your partner, you may already know some of the answers. I imagine this is good, but we already knew the answers to several questions.
There were a lot of questions that I would not have thought to ask and that probably never would've come up without the prompts. We had a lot of laughs and some very serious moments with the variety of questions asked.
Our favorite question was #37 "If you could hire Martha Stewart for a day, what would you have her do?"

David and I came to the conclusion that this book is best suited for couples that have difficulty talking or are still getting to know each other. However, there is definitely value in it for all couples.

Do you know a couple that would enjoy some fresh conversation starters? You can buy it through the publisher here.

Strawberry Salad with Apple Basalmic Vinaigrette

It's strawberry season around here, so that means not only are they tastier, but they are cheaper too! My kids and I absolutely love this time of year. Most of the time we just eat the berries as is or with some whipped cream, but this simple salad is a great way to enjoy them too.
This vinaigrette is pretty strong on its own, but it totally works in this salad. I wanted to make a vinaigrette that I could make anytime, from pantry staples, without a bunch of extra sugar. I hope you like the result as well as I do.

Serves 4

For the Vinaigrette:
2 T apple cider vinegar
2 T basalmic vinegar
1/4 C apple juice
1/2 C vegetable oil
1 pinch (about 1/16 tsp) kosher salt
1 pinch (about 1/16 tsp) onion powder
2 turns of a pepper shaker

For the Salad:
4 cooked chicken tenders, sliced
4 handfuls Mixed Baby Greens
1 lb Strawberries, cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 C red onion, cut into bite-size pieces
2 T honey roasted sliced almonds (or sunflower seeds)

To make the vinaigrette:
Whisk all ingredients together.

To make the salad:
Toss all ingredients together with 1/3 C vinaigrette.
Divide between 4 plates.
Drizzle with more vinaigrette if desired.
Serve and enjoy!


What's your favorite way to enjoy strawberries?

Brassicas: a cookbook review

I recently read and tried recipes from Brassicas by Laura B. Russell. I was so excited to review this book, because as much as I love many of these often misunderstood vegetables, I had no clue what to do with part of them.

First of all, what is a brassica? Brassicas include, but are not limited to Kale, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Broccoli, Collard Greens, Mustard Greens, Arugula, Bok Choy, Mizuna, Raddishes, Turnips, and Kohlrabi.

This book's photography is beautiful. David commented on the beautiful cover as I pulled the book out of the package.
When I did my initial flip through, I was a little disappointed by the lack of recipe pictures. Each section has three recipe pictures, which I suppose is sufficient, but I prefer to decide what I'm making based upon a browse through the pictures.
Lack of pictures aside, it is a really good book. The organization is logical and the recipes are easy to follow. I was actually able to learn about the vegetables; the author goes over how to pick out, prep, and cook each of them. There is also a special diet/allergy section in the back of the book that gives a quick reference to allergens and suggestions for modifying the recipes.

One thing I always look for when evaluating a cookbook is how many recipes are my family likely to eat without any hassle. The answer for this book is not very many. However, I am very interested in the majority of the recipes, and most of them are side dishes anyway, so I'll still be trying them.

For this review, David and I picked two recipes that were somewhat kid-friendly: Broccoli and Pepper Jack Frittata and White Pizza with Arugula and Prosciutto.

Both recipes were good, nothing to write home about, but good. My boys eventually ate both, but Quinn (3) cried and refused to eat. Zeke (5) liked the frittata, but after one bite of the pizza said it wasn't good for him. Wyatt (1) kept spitting out his bites of the frittata, but happily munched on the pizza.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. All opinions and words are my own.

If you'd like to buy this book through my amazon affiliate link, check it out here:
 

What is your favorite brassica?

Adding Ducklings to the Family

 A few weeks ago we learned that we would need to cull part of our chickens much earlier than we had anticipated. This led us to a search for new chickens. During that search we found a guy selling ducklings a mere 30 minutes from our house.
During that time we attended a picnic for preschool. At the picnic they had a small petting zoo which included a Pekin duck. The lady sang their praises and had us convinced we needed to add a couple to our family.

They live for about 10 years, so we can get attached. They make great companions, because they basically imprint within their first week. They can be extremely social and loyal; they are a lot like dog really plus if they're girls you get really good eggs.

We originally set out to buy 3-4 Pekin ducklings, but most of the eggs from his most recent batch did not hatch, so he only had a total of 3 ducklings -a Pekin, Rouen, and Cayuga.  We decided to take all of them.

 Here's the 3 of them huddled in the brooder. The brooder is on our back porch protected from the elements.

 This little Rouen duckling had a piece of shell stuck to his wing after s/he was born, so it may or may not end up being a bum wing all his life. Since they are flightless birds anyway, this won't have much effect on his quality of life. We've decided to call him Nemo.

On their first day at our house, these ducklings were entirely determined to cuddle with Claire (baby). I set them on the grass and they immediately ran onto the blanket toward her. I had to use my arm as a barrier to keep them away from her. Zeke (5) decided to name the black one Quackers, so the yellow one is Cheeze.

Did you know the safest and earliest way to distinguish male drakes from the female ducks is by their quack? The females will begin making the actual quacking sound around 4 weeks while the males will continue to have the high pitched chirp for several more weeks until it becomes a lower, raspy, monotone squeak.

Meal Planning Part 6: Shopping Day

It's shopping day and thanks to all of your planning, you should be set up for an easy trip that will take less time than trips done without the prep work.
When you are at the store, stick to your list and your budget. You'll save time and money this way.
I find it helpful to keep a calculator and pen with me to make sure my initial calculations are going according to plan and to aid when I can't find something on my list. If they don't have a sale item, ask for a raincheck to use another week and/or try to formulate a back-up plan that still falls within your budget. Check the clearance and meat mark-downs for any needed inspiration.

When you get home with all of your groceries, take the time to properly put everything away.
Remember all that time and effort spent on taking inventory? Don't waste it by randomly stuffing items on your shelves or leaving everything in bags on the floor.
Write the expiration date of all items in permanent marker where it is easy to see on any items not being consumed right away. Then put the items away in an orderly fashion.
If you have items to freeze, make sure they are properly packaged and easy to read.
I find it helpful to prep most of my produce at this time too. I wash and properly contain all snack fruits, to make them easier to access when my toddler is throwing a tantrum because he needs to eat something.

Click the following links for the other parts in this series:
part 1: inventory
part 2: check sales
part 3: pick meals
part 4: make a list
part 5: meal inspiration

Do you have any food/money saving tips or tricks for grocery shopping day?What is your favorite/least favorite part about shopping and putting away groceries?

I originally published this post on 10/29/11 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I updated it and republished it here.

Fruit and Veggie Popsicles

Today's recipe is so simple that I sort of feel silly even posting it. However, these popsicles are both super yummy and healthy! I don't hesitate to offer these to the kids on a warm day. What's even better is the kids -even my little Wyatt- can help make these. So, I'd be selfish not to share it with you.

All you need for these is some popsicle molds* and a fruit and vegetable juice like Tropicana Farmstand. BTW: This is NOT a sponsored post.  
They have four great flavors:

Orange Pineapple, Strawberry Banana, Peach Mango, and Pomegranate Blueberry. Yum!

Simply pour the juice into the molds and freeze for at least 4 hours. To remove popsicle from mold, run it under hot water from a few seconds. Enjoy!

*Let me tell you about these popsicle molds. I love Tovolo molds, they are easy to use, dishwasher safe, and durable. The molds shown here are great for my little ones, because they are a good size and have a little pocket that catches part of the juice before it can run down their hands.
Here's an affiliate link if you want to take a closer look or purchase them:

Meal Planning Part 5: Meal Inspiration

Lets take a couple steps back and look from a different angle at meal planning from a different angle. I still suggest going from your inventory and sales, but what if you're stuck? It happens to the best of us, so don't be discouraged. There are a few ways I have found to help get inspired when all you are seeing is lists of ingredients.

"Creole Chicken"

Use recipe searches. Going to a website such as allrecipes.com and typing in an ingredient can produce a nice variety of options to chose from. When I've wanted more ideas on how to use an ingredient, I've simply typed into a search engine "what can i make with ____?"

Another way to get the brain thinking is assigning theme nights.

Theme nights can be used in different ways, it can merely be a guide for which meals to pick, it can provide a way for your family to know approximately what's for dinner, or it can be a guide for what types of food to have on hand so that you can quickly pull dinner together at the last minute.

I periodically use theme nights to give myself a little direction and variety from day to day. Here are some themes I've used over the years: New/Special, Pasta, Chicken, International, Pizza, Grill, Leftovers/Easy. 

Allow me to explain:

• New/Special: I try a new recipe or something special that takes a little more time and attention. I might make this fabulous corn chowder I haven't made in a couple years, or I'll try that new recipe my friend has been raving about. I mainly have this category for things that don't fit into other categories or for when we have company over.
• Pasta: this is pretty straight forward, I make anything from spaghetti and meatballs to fettuccine alfredo to BLT mac n cheese
• Chicken: I guess technically this is poultry night, because sometimes I roast a turkey for this dinner, but again this is pretty straight forward- anything from chicken primavera to shredded chicken sandwiches to chicken pillows.
• International: This is the night I make stir fry, fried rice, gyros, tacos, enchiladas, anything that makes you think of a specific country.
• Pizza: This is David's favorite night of the week. I make a batch of my favorite pizza dough and then make pizza, strombolli, or calzones.
• Grill: This is usually my favorite night of the week. It also usually means that David is making at least part of dinner. We have something on the grill or over the fire pit, be it fish, chicken, steak, burgers, or hot dogs. 



"Quick and Easy Chow Mein"

• Leftovers/Easy: Most weeks we have at least one leftover meal that wasn't consumed for a lunch, but if we don't then we do something easy like a freezer meal, salad, soup, or sandwiches.  

Some additional ideas for a theme night include: Fish, soup/salad/sandwich, comfort food, southern, casserole, slow cooker, make your own take-out, and breakfast for dinner.

Click the following links for the other parts in this series:
part 1: inventory
part 2: check sales
part 3: pick meals
part 4: make a list
part 6: shopping day

How do you get inspired to cook?

I originally published this post on 10/28/11 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I updated it and republished it here.

Quick and Easy Chow Mein

I love this Chow Mein. No joke, I could probably eat this a couple times a week without any issue. It's healthier and tastier than the stuff you'll find at many restaurants. Bonus: It's extremely quick and easy to put together too.

 Printable version

1/2 standard sized box whole wheat linguine noodles (spaghetti works too)
1/2 C frozen peas
1/4 C hoisin sauce
1/4 C broth (vegetable or chicken)
3 T soy sauce
2 tsp chili garlic sauce
vegetable oil
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp ground ginger
1 package rainbow slaw (matchsticked carrots, cauliflower heads, and cabbage with little broccoli florets)

Boil noodles according to package directions. Add peas to boiling water just before draining noodles. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, mix together hoisin, broth, soy sauce, and chili garlic sauce in a small bowl and set aside.
Saute oil and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat until onion is soft.
Stir in garlic, ginger, and slaw and cook 2-3 minutes.
Stir in cooked noodles, peas, and prepared sauce until everything is warm and evenly coated in sauce.
Serve and enjoy!

A note on the ingredients: the ingredients should all be available at your local grocery (though maybe not walmart), but for best prices on hoisin and chili garlic sauces, check out an Asian market (if they are available- the closest for me is 40 minutes away)

Meal Planning Part 4: Make List

Taking the time to plan out your meals based on the sales and your inventory wouldn't do you much good if you couldn't remember what to buy when you got to the store. So next you'll need to make a list.

not an actual grocery list

If you've never made a list for the grocery store, now is the time to start. You will shop smarter and faster with a list than without. A list can avoid those last minute runs to the store and keep your budget in check.
A good list is very detailed: include the quantity you need, sale prices, and any coupons you have for each item. I also recommend dividing your list into sections- I divide mine by type of food, but you may find it beneficial to sort by aisle. Most stores have maps that can assist you with this task.

Here's how I make my lists:

• Go through each meal on my menu to make sure I have the needed ingredients and add any needed items to the list.
• Add good sale items that I want to stock up on.
• Add basic items that I have recently run out of or am running low on. 
• Mark the price of each item and note all coupons.
• Mark the quantity I want of each item.
• Calculate the cost for all my items.
• Compare the cost to my budget and remove any unnecessary items if over budget.

Making a detailed list can get difficult if you don't have exact prices for everything, so in these cases, I put a maximum price I can afford in place of the actual price.  Here's a sampling from an old grocery list of mine:

Pork loin (cut into 1/2 in chops) $1.99lb need at least 1 1/2 lbs -max price $10
Ground Turkey 20% off  need at least 3 lbs -max price $15
5 qt bucket ice cream $5.99 + $1/1 store coupon x1 =$4.99
boxed chopped spinach $1 + $.60/3 MF coupon (doubled) = $.60each x3 =$1.80 total

By putting in a maximum price for items like meat that you won't know the price for until you get to the store, it forces you to draw your line somewhere. When I got to the store, I only found a few packages of pork loin in my price range, so it made the decision easy.

Click the following links for the other parts in this series:
part 1: inventory
part 2: check for sales
part 3: pick meals
part 5: meal inspiration
part 6: shopping day

How do you organize your lists?

I originally posted this on 10/27/11 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I have since revised it and moved it here. 

Chick Mix-up

If you followed me on the old site, you probably know we bought chickens this spring. If you're new, you only missed my thoughts on my first 5 weeks as a chicken owner.

We purchased 6 Buff Orpington chicks, but there was an error and we had 5 white birds. We hoped it was just a color error and not breed. As the weeks went by our buff began to look like a runt compared to the whites, so we felt pretty certain that they weren't the same breed. After a little search on backyardchickens.com it became blatantly obvious we had 5 Cornish Cross chickens.

We are still a bit heartbroken by the news. Cornish Cross are considered meat birds. They were bred to be table ready in as little as 6 weeks. Ours are closer to 9 weeks at this point.

From all the research we've done, we would be lucky if any of them lived to 18 months. They are prone to heart problems and have even been known to get so big so fast that their legs break.

Ours are doing extremely well because we have been feeding them a regular chicken diet instead of a boosted diet. Even so, you can tell they aren't always very comfortable. We certainly aren't opposed to raising meat birds, but we're mostly in it for the eggs and figured we wouldn't need to cull one for a couple years.

The store we bought them from only sells them for a limited time each year, so we looked around for various hatcheries and were pleasantly surprised to find a wonderful couple that is NPIP certified and only a little over an hour away from our house. David and I were both astounded by their setup and now have all sorts of ideas for the maybe-someday file. If you live in central Ohio and would like to buy some chickens, I highly recommend sending Darby Ridge Chicks an e-mail (jason@darbyridgechicks.com) for more information.

For a very reasonable price, we purchased 4 black Australorps (1 cockerel and 3 pullets) and 1 black sex-link pullet. The best part is that they are 8 weeks, so all of our chickens should be able to get along.

What's your favorite chicken breed?

Meal Planning Part 3: Pick Meals

The most important part of meal planning is deciding what food you're going to eat.

Since you've already taken inventory of your available supplies and figured out what's on sale, it'd be silly not to use this knowledge when planning your meals.

For example, if boneless skinless chicken is on sale for $1.87/lb, consider making several chicken dishes and/or buying extra chicken for the freezer. Lets also say you have cream of celery soup, and frozen mixed vegetables in your inventory, you might want to make chicken pot pie, so either add pie crust to your list or make sure you have the ingredients to make your own.

If sales are slim, consider making as many meals as possible from your inventory and shop at a store that has everyday low prices for the missing pieces.

Here's a sample menu I might use this time of year when outdoor cooking is popular and those items are on sale:

"Nuts About Oatmeal Muffins"

Breakfasts: (These options are made primarily from basic pantry items I don't like to be without.)

• pancakes
• oatmeal
• cereal
• muffins
• egg in a nest
• parfaits 

Lunches: (Again, these options are made primarily from basic pantry items. I primarily use lunch to eat leftovers, so I need ideas that will not spoil if I need to eat leftovers instead.)

• sandwiches -PB&J or tuna salad w/ pretzels and fruit
• leftovers

"Healthier Stuffed Peppers"

Dinners: (This is where our menu really depends on sales and time of year.)

• burgers, corn on the cob, watermelon
• brats, cole slaw
• taco salad
• grilled chicken salad
• kabobs
• fajitas
• stuffed peppers

 Snacks/Desserts

• sale produce
• veggies w/ dip
• pretzels
• s'mores
• popsicles

This meal plan would be on a week like last week that had peppers in addition to the burgers and brats. They'd likely have buns and either chicken or a ground beef/turkey on sale too.

After finalizing the menu, it's time to make the list.

Click the following links for the other parts in this series:
part 1: inventory
part 2: check for sales
part 4: make a list
part 5: meal inspiration
part 6: shopping day

How do you pick your meals?

I originally published this post on 10/25/11 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I revised it and republished it here.

The Chopped Cookbook: a review

I don't know about you, but I could watch the Food Network for hours upon hours. During college, the network regularly accompanied me while I worked up a sweat on the treadmill. That's normal, right?
One of my favorite shows to watch has always been Chopped. I love learning about new ingredients and seeing the different ways the contestants use them. So imagine my delight when I discovered The Chopped Cookbook by Food Network Kitchen was available for review.*

To simply read through the book without trying the recipes, you'll find lots of great information like:

• pantry items grouped by purpose they serve in a recipe (this is great for knowing what ingredients can be substituted for each other)
• general cooking tips
• new but not completely unusual ingredients and what you can substitute them for if you can't find them at your local grocery
• what to look for and how to store fresh vegetables

The book explains how to take the random items from your pantry, fridge, and freezer and turn them into a quality meal you're sure to love. It even says multiple times, not to worry about it if you don't have all the ingredients for a recipe, swap it out for something comparable.

As I drooled over these pages trying to decide what to make, I became aware that a good half of the recipes would not fly with the current palates of my young family, but I find that to be true with just about every cookbook I've picked up in the last few years. I found several options in each section of the book that I was sure would please the family and at least one in each section that I had all of the ingredients to make (at least if you factor in swaps).

Later, I handed the cookbook to the kids to see if they had any interest in the delicious looking pictures and they did. They picked Black Forest Dessert Pizza, Skillet Spaghetti Casserole, and Thin Lemon Pancakes with Sweetened Sour Cream and Blueberries.

For my tester recipe, I chose a basic, kid friendly, lunch appropriate dish that reminded me of an old Alfredo recipe of mine. The Tortellini with Cream Cheese Alfredo and Peas was easy and delicious. The books instructions minimized my overall cook time and had everything finishing at the same time. After one of his bites, Wyatt said, "mmmm" to which Zeke responded, "I like it too." David thought it was a little pea heavy, but Wyatt couldn't get enough of them. I'll definitely be making this one again.

I can't wait to try out more recipes and suggestions from this wonderful cookbook.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

To buy the book from Random House click this link.

If you prefer amazon and want to use my affiliate link use the following link:

This post was originally published on 5/30/14 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I wrote it and transferred it here.

Meal Planning Part 2: Checking for Sales

The second step in meal planning is checking the store ads for sales.

Even if you buy the same things every week, it's a good idea to check the ads, you may find the sale prices at the local grocery to beat the prices at the big box store. You may save enough there to afford extras of your regularly purchased items and continuing the process each week will save you money.

If you are pressed for time, there are websites that will make lists for you, match sales with coupons, or allow you to browse the ad and pick recipes based on the sales. These are often sites that require you to pay for the service, so I've never tried one and therefore cannot recommend one. A quick google search should give you the information you need.

If you have a little time, I suggest looking through the ads yourself. Doing so helps me pick out the best sales and things I actually need and use.

If you are looking to match sales with coupons, I do suggest www.coupondealsandsteals.com as a good place to start. I actually know the lady that runs that blog, and she knows her stuff. I'm not really into couponing anymore, but she constantly makes me rethink myself.

My process pretty much looks like this:

• Go through each ad circling any good sales and marking if I think I have a coupon*.
• Decide which store or two will be my go to stores for the week.
• If I am going to Kroger or another store with e-coupons, I get online and add any new e-coupons.

It actually only takes me a few minutes per ad,because  I don't bother looking at things I don't use or have plenty of.

*While I no longer consider myself a couponer, I do still use the occasional coupon. I use coupons that are given to me in the mail or at the checkout. I also use e-coupons through things like rewards cards, mperks, and cartwheel.

Click the following links for the other parts in this series:
part 1: inventory
part 3: pick meals
part 4: make a list
part 5: meal inspiration
part 6: shopping day

When do you prefer to check the ads? as soon as they come? as you walk through the store?

I originally published this post on 10/25/11 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I revised it and republished it here.

Marshmallow Fondant Tutorial Using a Stand Mixer

This post contains affiliate links
I am often asked what type of fondant I use and when I reply that I usually make my own, the next question is usually to find out which recipe I use. Well, today I'm going to let you in on that secret. I use this recipe (slightly modified) for my Marshmallow Fondant. I make it in my Kitchen Aid, but you can do it by hand. Do not use a hand mixer.

You'll need: 15 oz. mini marshmallows, 2 T water, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp lemon juice, 2 tsp light corn syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp lemon extract, 7 1/2 C (a little over 2lbs) confectioner's sugar, sifted, and Crisco or vegetable shortening (not pictured)

Thoroughly grease a large plastic bowl, wooden spoon, mixing bowl, and kneading tool of stand mixer with Crisco.

Put 15 oz marshmallows and 2 T water into the greased plastic bowl and microwave 2 minutes, stir with the greased wooden spoon at 40 second intervals.

The marshmallows should be completely melted and soupy when it is ready.

Transfer melted marshmallows to Kitchen Aid mixing bowl and immediately add the lemon juice, both extracts, salt, and corn syrup.

If you want a full batch of one color, now is the time to do it. Use gel colors and keep adding until you achieve your desired shade.

Start adding the 7 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar and knead on 2 (low).

I find it helpful to add some shortening in with the last 1/2 C sugar (this differs from original recipe).

Once it is thoroughly mixed, prep a piece of plastic wrap by greasing it with shortening, grease your hands, and remove fondant from bowl. It will probably be stuck to the sides a bit, so you'll have to really dig at it. Form it into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Wrap it in a second piece of plastic wrap and seal in a plastic bag with the air squeezed out.

Allow it to at least sit overnight before using. Easy right?

What will you make with your first batch?

This post was previously published on 6/17/13 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I wrote it and transferred it here.