Understand Your Septic System

Many people live in rural areas that are not supplied with municipal water or sewer, and they face a new form of sewage disposal: a septic system. Whether you're a new homeowner or not, understanding your septic system is a must. Here's what you should know:

The septic system consists of three main parts: the septic tank, the septic field, and the soil beneath the septic field. 



The septic tank is a watertight concrete box that temporarily holds household wastes. The tank is connected to the septic field by a buried pipe. The purpose of the septic field is to deliver wastewater to the soil. The soil purifies the wastewater by removing the germs and chemicals before they reach the groundwater or any adjacent surface waters such as rivers, lakes, and estuaries.

Appropriate septic system maintenance is necessary to prevent damage and costly replacement that may run anywhere between $5,000 and $25,000, depending on the system that you have.

These suggestions might help you to prolong your septic tank’s life:

Do not put too much water into the septic system; typical water use is about 50 gallons per day for each person in the family.

Spread your laundry over the week to avoid dumping a lot of water into the tank at once.

Dispose only toilet water and water from bathing, showering, dishwashing, and laundry into the septic system.

Use biodegradable cleaners and soaps, as harsh chemicals will kill the bacteria that aids in breaking down the sludge in your septic system.

Don’t drive or build on the septic field. The majority of water in the field evaporates. Soil compaction prevents oxygen from getting into the soil.

For more information, check out this guide: Septic System Maintenance

Enhanced Chicken?

I rarely buy frozen chicken, but when I read an article in Consumer Reports about how some companies enhance the flavor of poultry and alter its weight by injecting it with broth and salt, I vowed to start reading labels more carefully.

Supposedly, the practice of injecting broth into poultry renders the meat tastier, juicier, and more tender...but at the cost of high sodium levels. So, those of you with elevated blood pressure, beware! 

According to Consumer Reports, by buying enhanced chicken, customers may pay up to an extra $1.70 for the added broth! I don't know about you, but I don’t feel like paying extra for chicken that has been pumped with a broth and sodium concoction behind my back. I would rather go an extra mile to get fresh, organic chicken from a local farm and know that I am getting the real thing. 

To find a local farm near you, go to: local harvest.org.

Understanding Your Septic System

Many people live in rural areas that are not supplied with municipal water or sewer, and they face a new form of sewage disposal: a septic system. Whether you're a new homeowner or not, understanding your septic system is a must. Here's what you should know:

The septic system consists of three main parts: the septic tank, the septic field, and the soil beneath the septic field. 





















The septic tank is a watertight concrete box that temporarily holds household wastes. The tank is connected to the septic field by a buried pipe. The purpose of the septic field is to deliver wastewater to the soil. The soil purifies the wastewater by removing the germs and chemicals before they reach the groundwater or any adjacent surface waters such as rivers, lakes, and estuaries.

Appropriate septic system maintenance is necessary to prevent damage and costly replacement that may run anywhere between $5,000 and $25,000, depending on the system that you have.

These suggestions might help you to prolong your septic tank’s life:

Do not put too much water into the septic system; typical water use is about 50 gallons per day for each person in the family.

Spread your laundry over the week to avoid dumping a lot of water into the tank at once.

Dispose only toilet water and water from bathing, showering, dishwashing, and laundry into the septic system.

Use biodegradable cleaners and soaps, as harsh chemicals will kill the bacteria that aids in breaking down the sludge in your septic system.

Don’t drive or build on the septic field. The majority of water in the field evaporates. Soil compaction prevents oxygen from getting into the soil.

Budget Meal Planning

Ed Jackson

Amber S. is a stay-at-home mother of three. With only her husband's income to count on, budget meal planning has become an art form, as well as a necessity.

Amber was happy to share one of her weekly menus with us, which we've reproduced below. The first meal listed for each day is what she served her family for breakfast, the second is lunch, and the third is dinner.


Sunday 
Pancakes from a box mix
Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup
A roast with potatoes and a canned vegetable

Amber makes a full box of pancake mix every Sunday. She freezes the extra pancakes in bags of 3. This way her children can choose pancakes or cereal every day of the week. It costs Amber less than a dollar a day for each breakfast, whether it's leftover pancakes or cereal.


Monday
Leftover pancakes from the freezer, or cereal
Mac & Cheese (3 boxes) and hot dogs with fruit
Cheesy Ham and Potatoes

For Cheesy Ham and Potatoes, Amber cooks 2 family size boxes of scalloped potatoes, according to the package directions, and then adds 1 can of canned ham, diced up. The recipe is super easy and only costs about $5.00.


Tuesday
Pancakes or cereal
Leftover Cheesy ham and potatoes
Spaghetti with garlic toast

Spaghetti is just a can of Hunts pasta sauce (because it's usually only $1 a can), a can of diced tomatoes, 1 pound of cooked ground beef, and 1 pound of spaghetti noodles. This meal cost Amber about $3.56.


Wednesday
Pancakes or cereal
Leftover spaghetti
Chicken and Rice

Click here for Amber's Chicken and Rice recipe. 


Thursday
Pancakes or cereal
Leftover Chicken and rice
Beef Stroganoff

Click here for Amber's Beef Stroganoff recipe.


Friday
Pancakes or cereal
Canned soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
Three Bean Chili

Click here for Amber's Three Bean Chili recipe.


Saturday
French Toast
Leftovers (clean out the fridge day)
Spanish Rice

For Spanish Rice, Amber combines 6 cups cooked rice, diced tomatoes, canned corn, and 1 pound cooked ground beef.


Amber also shared her grocery list and prices with us.

1 box Pancake mix -- $1.27
2 loaves bread -- $2.50
1 (5 lb) roast -- $4.97
3 boxes of Mac & Cheese -- $1.79
1 package of hot dogs -- $0.99
2 family boxes of scalloped potatoes -- $2.50
1 can of canned ham -- $2.49
2 lb. box spaghetti noodles -- $1.39
1 can Hunts spaghetti sauce -- $1.00
4 cans diced tomatoes -- $0.86 ea
1 pound ground chicken -- $1.00
2 family cans cream of mushroom soup -- $1.92
1 family can cream of chicken soup -- $.96
5 pounds ground beef -- $4.95
1 bag of egg noodles -- $1.06
1 family can baked beans -- $.96
1 family can chilli beans -- $1.05
1 family can kidney beans -- $1.05
1 box of instant rice -- $1.74
10 cans of various vegetables -- $3.00
2 gallons milk -- $5.00
2 bags cereal -- $4.50

for a total of $49.53


Prices may vary depending on your location's cost of living and the types of stores available to you. But here are Amber's tips for always getting a bargain:

 Don't do your shopping all at the same store.
Amber shops at three different stores to get the best bargains: Cub Foods (which is a wholesale store like Costco or Sam's Club) for meats and canned goods (canned vegetables are on sale twice a month at Cub Foods -- 10 for $3.00!), Super Walmart for pasta, potatoes, pancake mix, cereal, family size cream of mushroom and chicken soups, and a budget store like Rainbow, Roundy's, Aldi, etc. for the rest of her necessities like bread and eggs.

 Do your research.
Amber says she always talks to the butcher in the meat section to find out when meats are going to be marked down. At Cub Foods, they knock the price of ground beef down from $1.97/lb to just $.99/lb. on Sunday mornings. Amber keeps out a pound or two of beef that she will use right away, then freezes the rest in 1.5 pound bags.

 Don't be afraid of store brands.
"There are some store brand foods that my family just won't eat," says Amber, "like Mac N Cheese--it has to be Kraft. They don't like the flavor of the other brands. But cereal and pasta, beans, canned or frozen veggies--they're all made by the same few manufacturing companies so the flavor is the same."

 Stick to your list.
Amber checks out the ads, and sets her menu based on the items that are on sale that week. She makes a list according to that menu and does not deviate from it. Adding extra impulse items will put you over your budget within seconds.

 Plan your trips.
"We do shop at three different stores," says Amber, "but we try to combine the trips so we aren't wasting a bunch of time and gas. We hit Cub Foods and Walmart on Sundays after church, because all three are within a couple miles of each other. We hit Rainbow on Monday because it's on the way to our son's preschool. Some weeks we get lucky and one store will have all the items we need for what we are willing to pay. Thats always a bonus."

 Always make enough for leftovers.
Each of Amber's recipes yield 12-14 servings. By making larger quantities, you'll have enough to feed your family at least two times, maybe three. This saves on the budget, as well as multiple trips to the store.

ED JACKSON Ed has a business degree and years of experience in management and marketing in both the mortgage and automotive industry. He is currently a marketing and financial consultant, and shares his financial advice with parents via PluggedInParents.com. He is a seasoned world traveler and loves good food.

Holiday Salads

Cheryl Tallman  

Including a salad on your Holiday dinner menu offers guests a pleasant balance to some of the more traditionally heavy side dishes.  Ensure your salad pairs nicely with the rest of the feast by including traditional holiday ingredients such as dried fruits, nuts, apples, and beets.

Salads and dressings can be made ahead and refrigerated until you are ready to serve. For maximum freshness, toss the dressing into the salad just before serving (unless the recipe specifically states otherwise). 

Waldorf Salad
In the 1890's, the famed Waldorf Salad was invented by the maître d'hôtel of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Our version includes carrots, apples and grapes making it kid-friendly. 

Salad Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups julienne or shredded carrots 

1 apple peeled, cored and diced 

2 tsp lemon juice 

10-12 seedless grapes, cut in half 

¼ cup chopped dates 

¼ cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Directions: Toss apple and lemon juice in a medium sized salad bowl.  Add remaining ingredients and gently toss. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
     
Waldorf Dressing

1/3 cup mayonnaise 

2 tsp. sugar 

1 Tbsp lime juice 

1 Tbsp olive oil

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Before Serving: Drizzle dressing over salad ingredients and toss gently. 

  

Broccoli Slaw

This recipe uses store-bought broccoli slaw mix and ramen noodles. It's simple and full of great flavor.

Salad Ingredients:
Directions: Crush ramen noodles.  In a skillet, heat butter, walnuts and ramen noodles over medium heat.  Stir constantly until golden brown, about 10 minutes.  Drain on paper towel and cool. Set aside at room temperature until just before serving.

Salad Ingredients:

¼ cup butter 

1 cup chopped walnuts 

1 3-oz package of ramen noodles, chicken flavored 

1 16 oz. package shredded broccoli slaw mix 

¼ cup thin sliced sweet onion 

Dressing:

2 Tbsp olive oil 

2 Tbsp sugar 

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 

2 Tbsp soy sauce 

Chicken flavored seasoning packet from Ramen noodles
 

In saucepan, combine all ingredients over medium heat.  Stir constantly until sugar dissolves about 2 minutes.  Set aside at room temperature until just before serving.

Before Serving: Toss broccoli slaw mix and onions together in salad bowl. Toss nut mixture into salad mixture. Whisk the dressing and drizzle it over the salad ingredients and toss gently. 

Spinach & Beet Salad
This colorful salad is a more traditional tossed green salad with a holiday lift. 

Salad:
9-12 oz baby spinach, washed and dried 
½ cup canned beets, drained, sliced or julienned 
½ cup mandarin oranges, drained 
¼ cup feta or blue cheese, crumbled 
¼ cup sunflower seeds 
Dressing: 

¼ cup balsamic vinegar 

¾ cup extra virgin olive oil 

1 Tbsp sugar 

1 Tbsp minced garlic 

2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped 

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients in an airtight container, cover and shake. Refrigerate until ready to use. (Dressing can be made a day ahead). 

Before serving: Whisk salad dressing and toss with spinach leaves.  Spread spinach on a large platter or flat bowl.  Add beets and oranges on top of spinach. Sprinkle cheese and sunflower seeds.  Serve.

About the Author: Cheryl Tallman is the co-founder of Fresh Baby, creators of the award-winning So Easy Baby Food Kit, and author of the So Easy Baby Food and the new book So Easy Toddler Food: Survival Tips and Simple Recipes for the Toddler Years. Visit Cheryl online at HYPERLINKwww.FreshBaby.com for more delicious tips.

Parenting on the Fly: The Joys of Holiday Air Travel

Erik Fisher, PhD

Ahhh, the joys of holiday air travel. So much to do before you leave, and add the stress of rushing around to the airport and through security. Then add potential stress of family conflict when you get there. Finally add your kids to this holiday cocktail and it can become an experiment in hair loss.

So, just what can you do to keep your sanity and your hair line intact?

Many parents know and are prepared for the fact that many air travelers feel a sense of dread when they see infants and young children board a plane. Because of this, parents can be prepared for the worst instead of expecting the best. So just how can you make the most of this situation and make your holiday travel pleasurable for you, your children, and the passengers around you?

Here are my Top Ten Tips and Tricks to help you parents out there on your flight.

1. Prepare your kids for the flight. Start to talk about air travel with your kids and what they should expect days in advance.  Don't think your child is too young to understand what you are talking about.  Try to point out pictures of planes in books, on television or movies, and let them know where their destination is and what they will be doing there. Children often need to be prepared for new events and/or change, and when they know what to expect, they often adapt to it quicker than if they were not prepared. Add the excitement of the holidays to this, and kids can be off the hook.

2. Bring your own snacks/drinks on your trip. And plenty of them. You never know when you may be delayed or stuck on the tarmac or at the gate and food / drink is not available. When your kids feel hungry, there is often no stopping their discomfort, and patience is not a virtue that many of your kids understand.

However, on my recent trip I was able to discuss the concept of patience with my 2 year-old daughter. She wanted get on the plane (unrelated to the food issue), but it was not time to board. She saw other people boarding and began to cry and plead to get on the plane. I talked about patience and waiting. I said that patience is when someone waits for something and they choose not to feel upset. She stopped crying and started saying “patience… wait…”.  The biggest disservice I feel we do with our children is to not believe that they can understand concepts. The second disservice is getting upset when we set our expectations too high.

3. Realize that you are taking your child out of their normal routine. Keep in mind how they respond to change in other situations involving change, and don't expect them to behave any differently. Be aware of your child's temperament (easy, slow to warm up, or difficult or any mix of the three), and know that even if they normally do behave well, they may react out of character when under stress.

4. Note that when you are under stress, your children are under stress. You cannot avoid this. Travel is rough enough, but visiting family can add to the undercurrent of your stress. Your children are often a mirror for you, whether you recognize it or not.  In my work with children and families, I can confidently say that most of the time that children are having challenges, it is because the parents are also having challenges in some way.  Check your own attitude and your feelings about traveling with your children before you leave, and check in with yourself or spouse many times throughout your flight, if necessary.  If you are having a tough time with your stress, calmly let your kids know and be honest about it.  If you know that you may feel stress before you take a flight, prepare yourself and prepare with different strategies to keep your kids and yourself cool.

5. Don't blame your kids for your stress. This is your stress, and even if they are doing things to contribute to how you're feeling, be careful not to take it out on them. When parents are in public situations, they're less likely to outwardly lose their temper, however sometimes they may say things or do things to try to quiet their children. Don’t make threats or promises that you will not or cannot follow through on.  Realize that you are affecting their trust in you and are likely using fear or manipulation to gain control.  While this may get you what you want in the short run, it can have long-term consequences on your relationship.

6. Don’t expect the friendly passenger to baby-sit your child the entire flight. There are many passengers who enjoy kids and will talk with them and play peek-a-boo for a few minutes, but they don’t want to spend their flight with your kids. The hard part is finding the balance. Some parents are almost militant about not letting their kids talk to or play with passengers, because some don’t trust others or feel afraid of upsetting fellow passengers.  So ask the passenger if they mind your child interacting with them for a few minutes. You can usually glean their feelings from their response or body language. Put a cap on your child’s play time with other passengers so as to not over extend their welcome. It also helps your kids learn limits and boundaries. If they want to play later with the passenger, just ask the passenger again. We once had a passenger ask if our daughter could sit on their lap after a few balanced interactions. We were fine with this, because we had spent the past hour talking with them and we were right there.

7. Make sure you have activities to keep your kids occupied. Even if your kids are not interested in what you may have brought or planned. Instead of feeling upset, get creative. The plane is a great place to teach about colors, letters, numbers and also to play “I Spy”. One of my favorite games is to play who can be quiet the longest. Make up games, and see if your children can make up games too. The more that your children feel invested in what you are doing, the better response you will get.

8. Use technology in moderation. There are a number of parents who bring DVD players or game systems for their kids, and from the moment that they get on the plane until the moment they land, their kids are glued in front of the DVD player or game system. I am not a proponent of these to the degree that they are often used. You are developing habits that your kids are going to have possibly for a lifetime. Be careful not to develop a tendency for your child to bury themselves. The plane flight is a great time to interact with your kids. You have a captive audience. Make sure you pay attention to all of your kids. While kids who are younger may need attention for their needs, older kids also require attention and communication. Take the time to talk to your kids about school, friends, dreams, and hopes.

9. Create an area where your child can move. You don’t have to keep them tethered to their seat, and you don’t want to let them wander the plane. Let them know their boundary and have them stick to it. Some kids cannot sit in their seat for an entire flight, and if you expect them to, you are setting all of you up for failure. Give your kids a little space to be kids, but put limits around it. If they want to stand or move a little, show them their area to move around in when the seatbelt light is off. If it is time to sit when the seat belt light is on and they do not want to, have a consequence in place.  If your kids get upset and cry or scream, you have to be willing to weather this storm so that they understand the limits of their behavior. Keep in mind that you are setting the standard not only for this flight, but for all future flights.

10. Remember that your kids are only young once. See the wisdom in creating positive memories, especially on these special events and seasons. Find the joys in your children and bring that energy into your experience, not just on your flight but every day.

About the Author: Erik Fisher, PhD, aka Dr. E…, is a licensed psychologist and author of two books whose work has been featured NBC, CBS, FOX and CNN. Visit him at www.DrEPresents.com.

Festive Vegetable Side Dishes

Cheryl Tallman

Side dishes made with lightly cooked fresh vegetables can add rich flavor, festive color and a dose of delicious nutrition to your holiday dinner table.  Try a few of these side dish recipes:

Mashed Potatoes & Parsnips
Ingredients: 
4 medium/large baking potatoes 
3 medium parsnips 
5-7 garlic cloves, peeled 
4 cups (32 oz) Chicken broth 
4 Tbsp butter or margarine 
Salt and pepper to taste 

Directions: Wash and peel the potatoes and parsnips. Cut them into 2-inch chunks and place them and the garlic cloves in a 5 qt. stockpot; add chicken broth until it covers the potatoes. Set pan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 12-15 minutes, until a fork slides easily through the potatoes. Drain potatoes, reserving ¾ cup of the cooking liquid. Mash the potato-parsnip mixture with a potato masher until smooth and lump-free. Stir in butter or margarine. Add the reserved liquid ¼ cup at a time, until potatoes have a creamy, whipped texture. Serves 4-6.

Green Beans with Corn & Bacon
2 lbs green beans 
1 ear sweet corn, kernels cut off cob 
1 clove garlic, minced 
¼ cup onion, diced 
3 strips bacon 
2 Tbsp butter 
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions: Slice bacon into small (1/2 inch) pieces and fry in saucepan until crispy.  Remove from pan and drain on paper towel. Set aside.

Leave 1-2 Tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan, add garlic, onion and corn kernels. Saute about 5 minutes over medium high heat.  

Wash green beans and remove ends.  Place beans in microwave-safe dish, cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 minutes (until bright green and crisp tender). Toss with butter and place in serving dish. Spoon the corn mixture over the green beans and sprinkle with bacon bits. Serve. 

Mixed Mushroom Casserole 
2 Tbsp of olive oil 
1 pound mushrooms (different varieties) 
1 small onion, chopped 
1 cup chicken broth 
1 tsp Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence 
Juice of ½ lemon 
Salt & pepper, to taste 
½ cup breadcrumbs (panko crumbs preferred) 
1 Tbsp butter
Directions: Clean and slice mushrooms.  In large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat, add mushrooms, onion, chicken broth, seasoning and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and reduce liquid by about half. Season with salt and pepper.  Turn mixture into an oven-proof casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs and dot with butter. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. If needed, broil for 1-2 minutes to brown bread crumbs.  Serve.

Spinach and Sweet Potato Risotto
Risotto (see recipe below) 
1 medium sweet potato, diced 
2 cups of fresh spinach, washed and chopped 
3 Tbsp. olive oil 
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions: Prepare risotto using recipe below. In a separate pan, sauté the diced sweet potato in the olive oil until soft and nicely browned (about 10 minutes over medium-high heat), add the chopped spinach. Toss gently and let the spinach wilt in the pan. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix sweet potato-spinach mixture with risotto. Serve.

Risotto:
1 ½ cups white arborio rice 

1 Tbsp. olive oil 

1 large onion, chopped 

1/2 cup white wine 

5 cups hot chicken broth 

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions: Heat olive oil in a heavy non-stick 2-quart pot at medium heat. Add onion and sauté for about 4-5 minutes. Add rice and stir until grains are coated with oil.  Add wine and stir constantly on medium heat until wine is absorbed. Add 1 cup hot stock or water, stirring until liquid is absorbed. Continue cooking for about 20 minutes and adding the remaining liquid 1 cup at a time. This rice will create its own creamy sauce. Remove from heat, stir in cheese. 

About the Author: Cheryl Tallman is the co-founder of Fresh Baby, creators of the award-winning So Easy Baby Food Kit, and author of the So Easy Baby Food and the new book So Easy Toddler Food: Survival Tips and Simple Recipes for the Toddler Years. Visit Cheryl online at www.FreshBaby.com for more delicious tips.

Dinner Advice for the Hectic Holiday Season

Cheryl Tallman

Homemade foods have always been healthier than processed, prepared, or restaurant meals which are generally much higher in fat, salt and calories than home cooked foods.  Eating too much of these unhealthy foods can pack on the Holiday pounds and slow your kids down at school. 

But let’s face it, the days leading up to the holidays are hectic. Getting a home cooked dinner on the table during the holidays may seem to be an impossible feat, but here are few tips to ease the burden of getting dinner on the table during the hectic holiday season: 

• The holidays are a great time to entertain with friends. Make dinner at home a reason to get together.  Team up with a friend and have a family dinner at their house one night and switch to your house on another. Divide up the menu between families and have each family bring a dish. 
• The Holidays are a great time to make family memories. Get closer to your kids. Invite them into the kitchen and teach them a few things about cooking. It’s a life skill that they will certainly thank you for some day. Some of the meals you make together can become family traditions for Holidays to come!
• Invest in a slow cooker. This is fabulous machine for busy families on-the-go. A slow cooker allows you to make simple, one-dish meals in a snap.  Simply prep the ingredients in the morning, turn the slow cooker on and come home to a delicious ready-to- eat dinner.
• Make foods in advance and freeze them in family sizes and individual servings too. Have some fun and cook with a friend, double each other’s recipes, and split up the meals for both families.
• The clean and prep is often the most time consuming part of cooking. Buy pre-washed veggies in the produce section of stores. The “open and steam” convenience of these pre-washed products is great.
• Serve “no cook” side dishes with your dinners.  Apples, pears, avocadoes, tomatoes are just few foods that don’t need to be cooked and taste great all by themselves. A fruit or veggie plate makes a terrific side dish.
• Plan on Holiday leftovers. Don’t spend all your time in the kitchen cooking just one big feast. Make enough food to make several “leftover meals”.  Happy cooking…and Happy Holidays!

About the Author: Cheryl Tallman is the co-founder of Fresh Baby, creators of the award-winning So Easy Baby Food Kit, and author of the So Easy Baby Food and the new book So Easy Toddler Food: Survival Tips and Simple Recipes for the Toddler Years. Visit Cheryl online at www.FreshBaby.com for more delicious tips.

The Holidays: Where Food and Tradition Make Memories

Cheryl Tallman

The holiday season would not be complete without thoughts of great dishes being served to friends and family. Family food traditions draw us to the season, and the dining room table. Whether you carry on the traditions of your family or invent new ones, these on going traditions provide your family with something to look forward to, talk about, and of course add to the memory of the season. 

In addition to serving traditional recipes from your grandmother at a holiday feast, there are many ways to celebrate with your family. Here are a few ideas for starting food traditions that may remain with your family for generations: 

Pot Luck Dinner Party: This type of party is an easy and economical way to get friends together in celebrating the holidays. Here is how: Invite each family to the Pot Luck party and ask them to bring a dish. To get a good variety and enough food, specify the type of dish (i.e. pasta, veggie, appetizer, main dish, etc.) and how many people it needs to serve. Before the party, set up a buffet-style serving table and as guests arrive add their dish to the table.

For more fun and memories ask your guests to bring recipe cards for their dish. Collect all the recipe cards and send each family home with a "mini" cookbook of the evening.  

Make homemade gifts: Preserves, salsa, relishes, and candies make thoughtful gifts. Find one of your grandmother's famous recipes and bring it back in her honor. The kids can help cook, decorate the package/cards and deliver a homemade gift made with love. 

Volunteer at a food pantry or soup kitchen: The holidays are a time of giving and volunteering your time is a great way to help those who are less fortunate. Your children may not realize how many people go hungry in this country. Helping out at a food pantry or soup kitchen is great way to enlighten them, and can be a great bonding experience for everyone. 

Winter Outdoor fun: Playing in the snow (if you have it) or just playing outside for a while can sure build up an appetite. It creates the perfect atmosphere to start your own food tradition. Try bringing along a thermos of thick, creamy hot chocolate with plenty of whipped cream when you take off on outside adventures. Or simply have a nice pot of the warm soup ready when you come inside from your winter activities. A new jigsaw puzzle, firewood, hot spiced apple cider and cheese fondue (recipes follow) are a great way to celebrate the first snowstorm of the year too. 

Traditional Recipes from my mom’s kitchen:

Hot Spiced Cider

½ gallon apple cider 

1 quart cranberry apple juice 

½ cup orange juice 

Juice of a lemon 

8-10 whole cloves 

4 cinnamon sticks 

¼ - ½ cup sugar, to taste 

It’s best to make apple cider a day ahead. Heat all of the ingredients in a large pan and stir them in until the sugar melts. Refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, reheat and ladle into cups. Cloves and cinnamon sticks are only for flavor, so avoid putting them into the cups. 

Cheese Fondue:
8 oz of each Emmentaler and Gruyere cheese
1 ½ cups white wine
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 Tbsp. butter
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp corn starch
1 Tbsp apple juice
½ tsp salt
Dash pepper

Crusty French bread cut into cubes
Fondue pot and fondue forks

Shred cheeses and set aside. Mix corn starch and apple juice, salt and pepper in a small bowl and set aside

In a stock pot (5 Qt), simmer wine, garlic, butter, nutmeg and lemon juice until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Add cheeses 1/3 at a time while stirring with a wooden spoon (use a back and forth motion do not stir in round circles) until cheese is melted. Stir in the corn starch mixture
Pour into a fondue pot 

Make 4 cups (serves about 4-6 people) 

About the Author: Cheryl Tallman is the co-founder of Fresh Baby, creators of the award-winning So Easy Baby Food Kit, and author of the So Easy Baby Food and the new book So Easy Toddler Food: Survival Tips and Simple Recipes for the Toddler Years. Visit Cheryl online at  www.FreshBaby.com for more delicious tips.

The Joy of Cooking with Kids During the Holidays

With special treats and family gatherings, the holidays are the perfect time to teach your child about cooking and nutrition.

Kids will not only get to try the new foods they prepare, they will also get a big boost to their confidence when they see family and friends enjoying their creations. Most importantly, cooking with your children promotes future health by teaching them about nutrition and how to prepare healthy meals.

Safety Precautions

To be safe, cover a few ground rules before getting started in the kitchen. Teach kids to wash their hands with warm, soapy water while singing two choruses of "Happy Birthday" to kill all germs.

Stress that it is never safe to eat mixtures containing raw eggs—even the cookie dough of their favorite holiday cookies. To ensure your kids will keep their fingers out of the batter, have them take the "Cookie Rookie Pledge" from www.homefoodsafety.org/kids.

Teaching Basics

To begin cooking, teach your child the basics, such as cracking an egg or gathering the ingredients for a favorite holiday recipe. Convey to your child the importance of measuring the correct amount of each ingredient and the different types of utensils you need to use.

Look Who's Cooking!

To keep your children enthusiastic about cooking, assign tasks of a holiday recipe they are able to prepare based on their abilities. Here are some ideas depending on your child's age:

• Five and six year olds Stir instant pudding, snap green beans, prepare lettuce for a salad, press cookie cutters, pour liquids into batter

• Seven and eight year olds Rinse vegetables, shuck corn, mix and shake ingredients, beat eggs, measure dry ingredients

• Nine and 10 year olds Knead bread dough, stir hot mixtures, blend batters, broil foods in toaster oven, cut foods with a table knife

• Children age 10 and older Slice or chop vegetables, boil potatoes, microwave foods, bake foods in the oven, simmer ingredients on the stove.

Remember to allow your child to gradually master cooking methods. Start with simple techniques like rolling dough, using a cookie cutter or spreading frosting. Give your child time to work his or her way up to completing the entire cookie making process, from pouring liquids into batter to baking them in the oven. Explain different methods for cooking and their purpose, such as baking versus broiling and how you would cook different dishes.

From an early age, take advantage of the holidays and start cooking your favorite recipe with your children.

Reprinted with permission from The American Dietetic Association www.eatright.org

For more tips from the American Dietetic Association, visit www.kidseatright.org.

Homemade Gifts

Michelle Collins

Each year, I'm surprised by the hoards of people who get in their cars and hurry off to the big sales at midnight on Black Friday. I'm shocked by the stories of store scuffles I hear about on the news. To make it worse, I saw a Target television ad that stated, "Don't let anyone get in your way," when talking about taking advantage of their tremendous sales. I couldn't believe a store would condone this obsessive attitude...but then again, that's how they make their profit. 

I'm burdened by what we're teaching our children. Is obsessive consumerism a habit we should be passing down? Ask yourself this: would your child be happy with a homemade gift rather than the latest gadget at Circuit City? If not, you have a problem that needs to be addressed. Gifts should be from the heart--a reflection of how well we know a person, a way to show them we've been paying attention to them, like spending time with them, and love them. Any kid would love a new iPod, so how is that gift personal? Special? Meant only for them? Is spending hours in a long shopping line and plunking down a credit card an expression of love and gratitude? Or would a hand-crafted photo album of all your favorite moments together mean more? 

If you'd like to teach your kids what gift-giving is really all about, and you'd like to spend a lovely afternoon or two with them, why not make some homemade gifts this year? Here are some ideas to get you started.

Baked Goods:
No matter who you are, everyone loves baked goods. Homemade scones, biscotti, cookies, brownies, chocolate covered strawberries or pretzels, or candy are sure to brighten up someone's face this holiday season. Just line a festive, holiday tin (found at most stores like Target or Wal-Mart) with wax paper, fill with your baked goods, then tie the tin closed with a bow. Great at making bread? Wrap a loaf in colored plastic wrap and tie with a bow. Yum!

Drinks:
Why not make your own special, homemade hot chocolate mix? Pour the mix into a jar or canister and attach a tablespoon with ribbon to the lid. For another idea, most coffee houses give away free samples of whole coffee beans in a variety of flavors and roasts for you to try at home. Three or four of those samples stashed into a festive coffee mug would make a delicious gift. Add some of your homemade biscotti and you're sure to please any coffee lover in your family.

Jewelry:
If your daughter has a jewelry making kit and hoards of beads, have her make some beaded or woven jewelry for the women in the family. Expand your imagination and make earrings, eyeglass strings, brooches, or rings. I received a festive pin one year with a Christmas bell, holly berries, and glitter and I look forward to wearing it every year!

Holiday Cards:
Making your own Christmas cards is a snap when you've got scrap-booking supplies on hand. Tailor make each card to the interest of each family member with card stock, ribbon, eyelets, brads, stickers, you name it! 

Desserts In A Jar:
Ever see those beautiful mason jars filled to the brim with baking ingredients? Why not make your own? There are tons of recipes for these jars online--just pick one and go from there. Add some festive material to the top of the lid and a fancy ribbon and you've got an excellent holiday gift.

Other Foods:
Don't stop at baked goods alone. Why not try your hand at your own salsa recipe? With a small bag of tortilla chips, salsa is sure to be a hit. You can also make jams or jellies to go with a loaf of homemade bread.

Needlework:
If you know how to knit or crochet, why not make scarves, hats, mittens, or sweaters? A homemade quilt is always a lovely gift. Or how about a special pillow case? Handmade purses or backpacks are especially fun this year. Fleece blankets and ponchos are a snap to make and kids love them. Just pick out the yarn or material and get cracking!

Bath & Body:
Did you know that you can find kits at most hobby stores to make your own soap, lip balm, candles, and even bath salts at home? Just pick out your favorite scented oils and when you're done, arrange all your own, handcrafted bath products in a gift basket.

Books:
Got a lot of great recipes that someone in your family keeps asking for? Why not make them a cookbook? Just type all your recipes into a computer and print them out, make a personalized front and back cover, then bind the book with ribbon or binder rings. Or how about a scrapbook photo album I mentioned earlier of all your favorite moments with a loved one? 

Other Items:
Homemade gifts don't have to stop there. You could also make a personalized photo frame, a bird house or feeder, decorate a jewelry box, or paint or stain a piece of furniture you found at a garage sale. Or if you're an artist, paint a portrait or sculpt a wall-hanging. Holiday ornaments are so much fun to make and they become keepsakes for years to come. You can even buy some magnetic strips at a hobby store and make refrigerator magnets.

Gift Certificates:
If you aren't that handy, but love to help out around the house or fix things, why not make up your own gift certificate, detailing one free gutter cleaning, offer to help paint the kitchen, or give a free back rub. Or for the child who needs to liquidate some of their old toys or clothes, have them give a younger sibling a gift certificate to pick out any item they want from the gift-giver's toy box or closet. The possibilities are endless.


Whatever homemade gift you decide to make, remember to teach your children along the way that there's more to gift giving than just receiving. Taking a little time out of our busy schedules to hand craft a gift says that we cherish our family and friends, and we're happy to make time for them. 

Happy holidays from Plugged In Parents!

Christmas Tree: Real or Artificial?

To answer this I consulted with environmentalists at Arbor Day. They feel that getting a real tree from forest thinnings or grown for the purpose of Christmas is much more environmentally sound. As it happens, many artificial trees are made from plastic and metal and may contain lead. And many of these trees end up in our landfills! Also, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, 85% of artificial Christmas trees are made overseas.

Arbor Day supports the traditional Christmas tree industry because of these reasons:

- Trees are renewable
- Tree farms provide jobs in rural areas and support American families 
- Trees provide erosion control, provide habitat for animals, and help with the oxygen and carbon dioxide control
- Trees provide to preserve open spaces
- Trees are biodegradable and recyclable: they can be made into chips or compost

This holiday season, consider using one of the evergreen trees in your yard as an outdoor Christmas tree! Have your kids help you decorate it with apples, nuts, carrots, or even corn, so that your resident animals can enjoy the holidays with you. 

Reducing Holiday Meal Madness!

Cheryl Tallman

Is it your turn to host Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner this year? Lucky you! I wish I could give you an "Easy" button for your holiday meals, but the best I can do is to share some terrific tips that will help you get through the Holidays smoothly.

Develop the menu: The best way to get started with planning a big meal is to develop a menu. For inspiration, flip through magazines, cookbooks and ask friends for recipe ideas. Unless you’re a pro in the kitchen, don’t pick a bunch of new dishes with long lists of ingredients. It’s best to keep it simple.

Holiday meals should be feasts, but you don’t need to make an entire cookbook worth of side dishes. Side dishes are often the most time consuming part of making the meal. Select a menu that includes 3-4 side dishes that compliment your main entrée. As a general rule, the menu will include a main entree (i.e. Turkey), 3-4 side dishes and a dessert. If guests plan to arrive a couple hours before dinner, plan on having a simple light appetizer.

Select make-ahead foods: The less you need to do the day of the event, the more you will enjoy it. Most foods can be made 2-4 days ahead and warmed up prior to serving. Many foods often taste better when they have a chance to set. Review your menu and identify the dishes you will make ahead of time, and set aside the time to make them a few days before the event.

Accept help: When you call your relatives and friends to extend the invitation, be ready to graciously accept any offer to help. When they ask, “What can I bring?” have a suggestion ready and when possible, match up the person with what you know they do best. Keep track of who is committed to bringing specific dishes on your menu. If your relative does not cook, ask him to bring a no cook item - wine, juice, dinner rolls, pie etc.

Create a shopping list: Once the menu is set, review each recipe and write down the ingredients you’ll need for a shopping list. Depending on the size of your guest list you may need to double or triple your recipes.  When figuring the number of servings, count kids under 12 as a ½ serving.

For faster shopping in the market, organize your shopping list by the departments in your market.  For example, write down all produce items in one part of the list and Dairy items in another.  Grocery shopping is easier with a list.  Check the cupboards to make sure you’re not running low of the basics – flour, sugar, butter, etc…

Buy prepared foods and ingredients: It’s a holiday meal not a test to make dinner for 20 from scratch. Don't hesitate to buy prepared ingredients that will cut down on meal prep time.  Items such as canned soup stock, chopped nuts and dates, stuffing mix and pre-washed vegetables will all save time in the kitchen.

There is also no need to go out on a “culinary limb”. If you don’t know how to make gravy, buy it. If you are not a baker, ask people to bring desserts or buy them at the bakery.

The Table & Serving Plan: If you can do it, set the table the night before your party. A fun children’s activity is to have them make place cards for the dinner table. A quick Google Search for “Thanksgiving place cards” will provide plenty of kid-friendly place card ideas.

Decide if you will serve family or buffet style. Family style means that food is passed around the table.  Buffet style means that a food area is set up where guests fill their plates and then seat themselves at your dining table.

Get serving dishes ready by writing down menu items on small pieces of paper and place each piece of paper in the serving dish you plan to use for that food. If you are serving buffet style, set out the serving dishes as you want them for the meal. This type of planning and organization allows guests who have volunteered to help be the most helpful. Have a great get together.

Happy Cooking and Happy Holidays!

About the author: Cheryl Tallman is the co-founder of Fresh Baby, creators of the award-winning So Easy Baby Food Kit, and author of the So Easy Baby Food and the new book So Easy Toddler Food: Survival Tips and Simple Recipes for the Toddler Years. Visit Cheryl online at www.FreshBaby.com for more delicious tips.