Yummy Easy Cheesy Corn

I took these to a party at work today. It is quick and easy to make in the crock pot.  I think they were a hit.

16 oz of shredded cheddar cheese

1 block of cream cheese

4 tbsp. of butter

2 lbs of corn

salt and pepper to taste about 1/2 tsp salt and1/4 tsp pepper

Cut the butter and cream cheese into chucks. Throw everything in the crockpot. Put on low for about 4 hours. Stir every hour or so. Enjoy!!

Here is the original recipe, http://www.sweettmakesthree.com/2011/01/easy-corn-recipe-and-only-way-youll/#_a5y_p=1213013 I took out 1/2 the butter and added salt and pepper.

8 Tips For Mommies Going Back to School

(This is our princess helping me with my homework.)

1. Find a school for working adults. Shop around for the right fit. My school allows me to take one class at a time. Ask people were they went to school. Finding the right fit will make you a more successful student.

2. Shop for price.You want a degree in the end, not student loan debt.








3. Plan ahead. Freeze meals. Buy toilet paper. Anything you can do ahead of time or on break helps.








4. Don't get behind!!! Keep up with assignments and readings. Ask your instructor what you can do ahead.








5. Dress professionally. When I was in undergrad, students wore work out clothes to class. Sadly, those days are gone.








6. Buy books on Amazon. Try not to buy at the bookstore. Get the ISN code and shop on line. It will save you a ton of money.








7. Make friends in class. Connections are important in the real world after school, but also connections help at school too. A classmate can take notes for you while your sick. Also, others may have a different point of view that is helpful.








8. Do homework together or at least at the same time. I let my children see me study. They are usually quiet while they do their homework.






Good luck!! You can do it!!

Simple Homemade Baby Food

Eight years ago I had twins. I stayed home with them a while and they ate a ton. They still do. The solution was to make their baby food. It is more simple than it seems and very inexpensive. My boys now are great vegetable eaters and I think it is from the good early start.

 Princess won't be six months old for a little while, but I wanted to feed her local, in season, food. This time I am only cooking for one baby. I have just been using left over food. These apples above are ready to become baby food.

Before you start make sure everything is very clean.  Be careful not to contaminate the baby food.  If your baby has a food allergy, you might not be able to tell what they are allergic too. 

I fill the pan with water to cover the bottom. Then put in sliced up fruit (or veggies). Steam them until soft. Allow to cool.

When the fruit cools put it in a food processer. (I have used a blender in the past, but you need lots of liquid. Include in the food processer the cooking liquid remaining.) The liquid will contain some nutrients. I have put formula in the mixture to add nutrients for foster children in our care. Process until smooth. Smaller babies prefer less texture.  It may take babies longer to get used to homemade food, because it won't be as smooth as store bought. My babies would not eat store bought food.

When complete spoon into ice trays and freeze.  When frozen, place in Ziploc bags for storage.

So far, I have made zucchini, yellow squash, blueberry, blueberry banana, apple, plums (which are not worth the work) and green beans.

A great resource is wholesomebabyfood.com.

How to Make Sausage Gravy

While I was pregnant, I craved sausage gravy and biscuits.  We now live in Pennsylvania and there is no where to get good biscuits and gravy. Luckily, my mom taught me to make them from scratch. The last time I made them I thought about my sister who makes gravy from a packet you buy at the grocery store. This is written for her!!

Also, this gravy with eggs and biscuits are a good quick supper!

 

First I start with a large skillet and sausage.

Then I brown the sausage on medium heat. I brown the entire package. I will only use two patties for the gravy.  I usually save the rest for another recipe, if I can keep the boys from eating it all. When it is brown I take out the sausage and leave the rendered fat.

Then I add about 3 tablespoons of flour. Sprinkle it evenly around the pan as above. The flour should soak up the sausage fat. You want the flour to slightly brown, which takes about 3-4 minutes. I always get nervous at this point, that it will burn. But, don't add the milk too fast or your gravy tastes like paste.

Then add the milk, about 2-3 cups. I use skim milk, because it is what I have. You could use any kind of milk.

Then whisk to combine browned flour and milk. I don't like lumpy gravy, so I stir like crazy. When you get all the flour incorporated. Then remember to add salt. I frequently forget and that is not good. It does not taste as good if you forget the salt.

Continue to whisk as it heats and begins to bubble. Then crumble a few pieces of sausage back in the pan.

When the gravy has thickened it is ready to eat.

Hauling Around Sports Equipment

This week we picked up football equipment for our 8 year old twin boys.  Our family is from Oklahoma were football is king. The start of football is a big deal in our family. Although, one of them has a broken wrist and won't be hitting for a few weeks. 

With the start of practice, comes tons of stuff!!!! I somehow become responsible for said equipment.  I don't even know what pads go where.  And apparently, you are not supposed to wash uniforms with bleach. Oops!!

This year I have found a solution. Thirty one large utility tote holds everything.  I bought one for each boy in team colors, one with stripes and one without. They can haul them to practice and they have a spot in the house.

One small thing that makes my life easier!

Quiche for Mommy's Lunch

I am always looking for lunches to take to work. I need them to taste good, last all week in the fridge and be healthy.  I tried a new recipe for this week and it was good so I thought I would share.

It is from Mom on a Time Out. Below is the link to the original recipe.

http://www.momontimeout.com/2012/08/zucchini-green-chile-quiche-recipe/

I reduced the cheese and chiles, left out the cottage cheese and changed the shallots to green onion. Next time I might make it without a crust. It will have significantly less calories without a crust. Half a can of green chiles created a mild flavor. Mild was perfect for me, but if you want more spice add more.

1 pie crust

1 medium zucchini

1 Tbls olive oil

2 green onions 

1/4 c all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp Kosher salt

 Dash of pepper

1/2 tsp baking powder

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese, grated

1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained

Directions:

First prebake the crust for 7 minutes at 375 degrees.

Then grate the zucchini, I used a paper towel to soak up the extra moisture.

Cook the zucchini and green onions in a skillet about five minutes. While the zucchini mixture is cooking, combine the rest of the ingredients in a bowl. Use a fork to fluff the eggs and combine. Add zucchini mixture.

Place mixture in the pie crust and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

11 Quick Meals Before Football Practice

Next week my boys start football practice, Go Spartans.  It starts early, in the evening, and it is always a race to feed them between work and practice.  They get hot and sweaty, so we keep it light. The coaches don't appreciate puking, because they ate a heavy meal. All meals have carbs for quick energy and protein to sustain them through practice.

1. tomato soup and Barilla tortellini (cook all in one pot)

2. hard-boiled eggs and fruit

3. French bread pizza

4. grilled cheese

5. scrambled eggs and toast

6. ham and cheese sandwich

7. chicken noodle soup with cheddar cheese

8. peanut butter with celery and raisins

9. pretzel rods wrapped with cheese and turkey

11. tortilla pizza

They will eat again when they get home, but these usually hold them over.  Tell me about your quick meal ideas.