Summertime Food Budget

Summertime can turn into one giant boredom snack fest. Kids are home all day and in many parts of the country it can be almost unbearably hot for them to play outside. When I was young, I would "chunk" up each summer, eating too much and not exercising enough. School shopping was never a fun experience, and typically had to be postponed until I was back in school, on a normal eating routine and active again. I'm certain that my parents food budget was probably adversely effected each summer by my boredom snacking. I dreaded seeing my kids fall into the same cycle so I decided to have a plan.

With four kids and a tight budget it is important for me to have a summertime plan. The BIGGEST tip that has worked for me in regards to controlling my kids' snacking appetite is planning!

Here's how summer food works in our home:
-The kids eat breakfast between 7:30 and 8, just like they would if they were in school.
-Lunch is served at 12. I make a typical "sack lunch" for them most days even though they will be eating it at our own kitchen table on a plate. They each get a sandwich, a fruit, a granola bar and a miscellaneous extra such as homemade cookies, apple sauce, carrot sticks etc. 
-I serve one afternoon snack, at 3:30, the time they would normally be getting home from school. This snack MUST include a protein and a complex carb (sometimes I get a little lackadaisical about the complexity of the carb) Some afternoon snack examples include apple and peanut butter, cherries and string cheese, watermelon and nuts or a banana and chocolate protein shake. This combination is important because it must tide them over till dinner even though summertime dinners usually are a bit later in our home.
-Dinner is served around 6:30

The kitchen is closed for service at all other times. Most days I will post a menu on the refrigerator so the kids know exactly what to expect and what to look forward to. This simple plan has stopped our summer food budget from soaring and keeps us about even with the rest of the year.

Easy Steps to a Perfectly Clean Kitchen Sink

I spent much of my life in kitchen sink frustration. I would clean and clean and clean and no matter what I did I was never satisfied with the appearance of my stainless steel sink. Abrasive cleaners like Ajax and Comet would leave a white residue that was ugly. More mild cleaners like 409 would leave hard water build up. No combination was ever satisfying. Lots of experimentation caused me to mix methods until I finally came up with a perfect sink cleaning system.

Step one: Clean entire sink with a scrub pad and abrasive cleaner
Step two: Rinse sink completely
Step three: Clean hard water around faucet using vinegar and an old toothbrush
Step four: Rinse sink completely
Step five: Spray entire sink with window cleaner
Step six: Wipe sink down with a lint free towel until sink is dry

Your sink will sparkle and it will make your whole world feel happy again! You can maintain the sparkle by drying your sink after each use.

10 Minute Meal

My fabulous college roommate (who is really exactly like family) taught me this recipe. My roomie had grown up with her mom, who by the way is a genius mother of 4, making these. This is not a culinary delectability, but it is a kid pleaser and it is as easy as any meal could ever be. My children gobble these up with the same enthusiasm that they would eat a McDonald's kid's meal. I like that I can get home from a long busy day and have these on the table in less than 10 minutes, it was a meal sent from heaven during the hectic years that I was a working mom.

Flying Saucer Recipe (for one)
1 piece of bologne
1/4 cup of mashed potatoes (instant or leftover)
grated cheddar cheese

Layer the three ingredients and cook in an ungreased fry pan or on an electric griddle over medium low heat until bottom is toasty brown and cheese is melted.

Because this is obviously not the healthiest meal I have ever made my family, I like to combine it with nutritionally sound side dishes... like carrots and unsweetened applesauce.

Favorite Things Friday- ReStore

I commented about this on The Common Cents Home facebook site, but in case you missed it, I thought it was worth mentioning over here. My husband and I recently discovered the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. If you aren't familiar with it, you really should check it out.

I was surprised to discover that they have locations spread across the country. ReStore sells reusable and surplus building materials to the public. They have fantastic deals on home improvement products. ReStore is a DIYer's paradise.

If you are looking for tile, this is your place. They have tons of tile and it is the lowest prices I have ever seen. We bought an over the range microwave for $45, not bad considering that they sell new for almost $200. We also bought a new light fixture for our laundry room for $6. Other things that you can find at the ReStore are windows, doors, paint, cabinet doors, toilets... everything for your project.

Go to the store with an open mind, it is a lot like thrift store shopping, you just never know exactly what you will find. Check the list of locations, then go check out the store.

My Most Favorite Salad in the Whole World

Are you ready for it? This is my "Tastes so Good it Makes my Heart Flutter With Delight" Salad! I have been making this salad for the last 3 years, since I first had it in a local restaurant and decided that I could copy the recipe at home without any trouble. That first time I tasted it in the restaurant I was in love and I was beyond excited when my home salad turned out equally tasty. I eat this so much, I might just turn into blue cheese myself.

Spinach and Apple Salad
2-3 cups baby spinach
1/2 Granny Smith apple (cut into small pieces)
2 Tbs toasted chopped walnuts
2 Tbs blue cheese crumbles
2 Tbs Poppy Seed Dressing (the most recent one I've been making is from Trainer Momma, it's a good one)

Combine all ingredients and join me in Spinach Salad Heaven!

DIY Over-Sized Ottoman

I desperately wanted an over-sized ottoman for our living room, but because I didn't want to pay for one it required getting creative.

I found this large, square coffee table at a thrift store. It was in very rough condition, but that was alright by me. It only cost me $5. I brought it home and painted the bottom of it white, everything but the table top. I then covered the top of it with two layers of foam egg crate mattress padding. Over the top of the egg crate I placed a cotton material that I was fond of. I secured the cotton under the bottom edge of the table top using a staple gun, pulling it tightly as I went.

Because we use this as an ottoman, I sprayed the entire thing with two coats of Scotchguard. The entire project cost less than $15. That is one excellent deal for an ottoman, especially one that is so cute and functional.

Homemade Granola Recipe

My wonderful mother-in-law created this fantastically easy granola recipe. I've tried others, but have always returned to this one. It is easy, has convenient ingredients and tastes so good. I try to keep some made up at all times. The recipe is versatile so each time I make it, I will add something different.


Originally, she created this recipe to be sugar-free. I have made it both with Splenda and with regular granulated sugar, it tastes equally delicious both ways.

Homemade Granola Recipe
4 cups rolled oats
4 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup coconut (optional)
1 tsp salt
1 cup Splenda or Sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup water
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup sliced almonds or walnuts (optional)

Mix all ingredients together until moistened. Spread on large cookie sheet. Bake on low heat (225 degrees) for 2 hours(or longer, mine usually takes about 2.5 hours) turning every 30 minutes. Stir in other ingredients like raisins, or dried bananas, as desired Store in airtight container with tight lid.

*I have tried mixing my raisins in before baking and for some reason the raisins become bitter. It is much better to mix them in after the granola is baked.

**To achieve "clumpier" granola turn it a little more gingerly at the 30 minute marks.

This granola is a fantastic addition to Homemade Yogurt, is nutritious and very simple to make.