We have a new cold-weather favorite: Snowflake cocoa. Creamy white-chocolate bliss! I heat it and serve it from my slow cooker so it’s perfect for holiday gatherings. I prefer to sprinkle a little nutmeg and cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice mix on top for a little extra flavor. It’s also a great way to welcome the kids after playing [...]
An Easy Christmas Treat for Teachers and Neighbors
December 15, 2009 By
After I pulled this recipe out, I decided to hang up my apron, the banana bread, and oodles of Christmas cookies, and that, uh, “frosted” look on my kitchen and my kids. My kids and I had fun mixing a big canister of this homemade cocoa mix together last night. Then I doled it out into cellophane bags that we [...]
“What do You Want for Dinner?”
November 30, 2009 By
Recently I’ve observed an interesting practice by a number of parents with young children. As dinner time draws near the parent asks the child, “What would you like for dinner?” One child wants macaroni and cheese, another chicken soup, absolutely no peas insists one, while another can’t decide what she wants. Negotiating and persuading and [...]
Simple “Souper” Suppers
November 14, 2009 By
Two simple soups—made from”souped-up” canned soup—to welcome autumn on a busy night! Thai Coconut Soup 2 14- to 19-ounce cans chicken noodle soup 1/2 cup coconut milk 2 teaspoons lime juice Simmer the soup and coconut (add 2 cans water for condensed soup), then add the lime juice. Yum! Smoked Sausage Stew (from www.tasteofhome.com) 2 cans (11-1/2 ounces each) condensed bean [...]
Fall Recipes for a Sweet Tooth
October 24, 2009 By
Simple Pumpkin Muffins 1 box chocolate cake mix 1 can pumpkin Mix together and spoon into a muffin tin. Bake according to package directions for cupcakes. Your kids won’t taste the pumpkin—or the vitamin A. Pumpkin Pudding Cake 6 eggs 1 12-oz. can evaporated milk 1 1/2 c. (300 g) sugar 30 oz. (2 small cans) [...]
Easy, Healthy After-School Snacks
October 16, 2009 By
Some recipes for somewhat healthy, quick treats to celebrate the new school year: Simple veggie dip: Light sour cream; add seasoning salt (like Lowry’s), dill, and onion powder to taste. Quick sandwich cookies: Layer leftover frosting between two graham crackers. (Bonus: up to five grams of whole wheat per serving of the crackers! I wonder [...]
Chicken Chili … a Family Favorite
October 9, 2009 By
Here is our family’s favorite chili—a real winner for fall nights! Chicken Chili 3-4 chicken breasts 1-2 cups of chicken broth 1, 14-ounce can of navy beans 1, 14-ounce can of fire roasted diced tomatoes 1 package of McCormick white chili seasoning or taco seasoning In a large pot, cook chicken breasts in 2-3 cups [...]
Brown Bag Favorites
August 24, 2009 By
The new school year is a hot topic in our household in August. Checking over supply lists, taking inventory of school wardrobes, and wondering which friends will be in the kids’ classroom this year are frequent conversations. The week before school begins we make a list of favorite lunches to pack so we can have the [...]
The Joy of Family Cooking
August 5, 2009 By
When our five kids were young, we used to go to the beach for family vacation. In the early years macaroni and cheese and peanut butter and jelly were the staple foods. But as the kids became teenagers, they expected bigger and better meals, and I wanted to model good nutrition. But at the same time, our week [...]
Facebook Faux Pas
August 1, 2009 By
Last night, my hubby cracked up while looking at his email. He looked at me with his eyebrows raised. “Evaporated. Just keep stirring to get rid of lumps?” I stared at him. “Um, those are the recipe instructions I sent to a friend through Facebook… Wait, how did you know that?” Once he’d caught his [...]
