72hr kits

My sister-in-law put this together and I thought it was pretty cool.

Assembly Date:

Suggested Rotation: 2 years

Water Needed: 1 gallon

Day 1

BREAKFAST 1 pkg Oatmeal1 can Juice

LUNCH 1 pkg Ramen1 pkg Crackers

DINNER 1 pkg Beef Jerky1 Fruit Snack1 Apple Cider

Day 2

BREAKFAST 1 pkg Oatmeal1 Hot Chocolate

LUNCH 1 Granola Bar1 Fruit Snack1 Apple Cider

DINNER 1 can Soup1 pkg Crackers

Day 3

BREAKFAST 1 Granola Bar1 Fruit Snack1 Instant Breakfast

LUNCH 1 pkg Ramen1 pkg Crackers

DINNER 2 Granola Bars1 Fruit Snack1 Hot Chocolate

SNACKS Hard Candy

(suggestion use a Kearns Fruit Drink as an extra for ea. meal)

Saving Money Adds Up

I know we're having a mid-week activity at the end of the month but I thought I'd share this website now. It's called Sister Savings. A good friend passed this along and from what I've checked out it seems to be really useful. Every little bit counts, right?

Midweek Calendar

So, I am very excited that I figured out this new google calendar feature. Anyhow... Scroll to the bottom of the blog and you will find the midweek activities for the upcoming months. If you click on one of the dates, it will have the info on the activity. I know some of us are looking for things to do, and now you can stay updated with this cool calendar. Maybe it will or won't be helpful. -you will have to let me know. Also, if you know of people that are not on this blog, and you think will be interested... please let me know and I would be happy to add them.
PS... we have some fun stuff this next month... Pump it Up and a tour at the Marana Fire station. -I hope these days work out for you guys!

WHEAT GRINDERS

I want to buy a wheat grinder, but I know nothing about them. Does anyone own one or have any tips for me? I've been looking online, but it's overwhelming with all the choices.
Thanks, Denae

Really Good Recipes

http://greenlitebites.com/2007/11/21/moist-pumpkin-bran-muffins/

My sister in law has found some really good recipes from this site that are super healthy. These muffins were really good. We added shredded carrot and chocolate chips (that was Darrell's doing) Turner loved them!

Yogurt Recipe

I should have just posted this before. Sorry!
Let me know if this is unclear or you need one of us to explain.


(Recipe courtesy of Renee :))

Yogurt

2 quarts milk
3 T fresh plain yogurt must contain active cultures -not gelatin (use Mt. High original/plain yogurt, can be purchased at Fry’s) -call me if you want some, I have a large container!
2 C instant milk
¼ C sugar

*make sure utensils and jars are sterilized

heat 1 qt milk to warm, 110 degrees
whisk in yogurt, powdered milk, and sugar
scald 2nd quart of milk, heat until small bubbles form in pan
add (hot) 2nd qt of milk to yogurt mixture and stir together
yields 2 qts and 1 pint jar

Wrap in blanket folding in fourths roll jars in it and place in cooler
Maintaining a temperature between 106 and 120 degrees and let sit in cooler for 6-8 hours

Gigglin' Gecko Kids Day

Gigglin' Geckos Kids Day at Foothills Mall is this next Tuesday, April 15th from 9 to 10. This month Gymboree will be there. The post card says.. come enjoy an exciting hour of movement, musical instruments, parachute play and bulled time with Gymboree. It is on the south end of the mall just outside of Barnes and Nobles inner door in the Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th Courtyard. If any of you are interested come have some fun. See you there!!

Allergies

Just to add a little plug to the Oro Valley Farmer's Market... I was speaking with my pediatrician the other day about wholistic methods of treating children. She was telling me that she has put a few of her patients (that have allergies and need allergy shots) on 1 tblsp of honey a day instead. This honey is purchased at the Oro Valley Farmer's Market. She was saying that a man sells honey from his -local- bee's. She was explaining that because of the pollen they carry (being local, from our plants/flowers) is the same as giving your children allergy shots. Basically helping them create an immunity or helping their body fight the allergy -caused by the pollen here locally.
Kinda cool and interesting huh? So, for all of you allergy people -here ya go! :)

Farmers Market

Oro Valley Farmers Market at the Town Hall 11000 N. La Canada Dr. Organic fruits, vegetables, breads, pastries, aromatherapy, salsa, flowers, soap and more.

8am-Noon Saturdays

http://www.ourgardencatalina.com/ is another place you can find fresh produce.

HotSlings

When I read the last blog it reminded me about the HotSlings contraption that I used to use for Turner all the time. I even used it when Turner was 11 months old to carry him on my hip when we had tons of running around to do (it goes up to 30lbs). I fully intend to use it when I have another child so that I can keep my sanity around the house. (Especially if you have a baby that just will not let you set them down!) I have seen other carriers, but this one was SO easy to put on and so portable-just fold up and carry around in the diaper bag. I had to go way on the East side but now Target sells them is cool colors. Make sure that you check out their measurement chart and several ways to "sling" you baby on their website.

Question for seasoned moms

How do you take a newborn and a two-year-old grocery shopping? Miles needs the child seat in the cart because I know he won't sit still enough without it, but I obviously can't just stick Hailey's car seat in the cart because there will be no room for food. I'm at a loss...What have you guys in the same situation done?

Homemade Yogurt

So the other day Renee and I decided to experiment with making yogurt. I can't take the credit, it was Renee's idea and recipe. Anyhow, not only was it suprisingly easy it was amazing! -I think it took us maybe an hour, and then you leave it in a cooler for several hours. Lets just say, anyone can do it! I don't usually eat yogurt but I love this! Not to mention you can flavor it however you want. Kayden eats yogurt for breakfast everyday and I am so excited for this cheaper better option. If you want the recipe let us know.
-Cherise & Renee

Recipe for some good Taco Soup

My sister made this while I was at her house and it is so good that I thought I would share the recipe.

Chicken (either 4 breasts or 6 tenderloins)
Boil with water (shallow) until cooked and tender, chopping up slightly.

Dashes of salt
Garlic powder or salt
Onion powder or chopped onion
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn, or frozen
1 can refried beans
1 can pork & beans
1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can of pinto or kidney beans
Stir together

Add 1 pkg dry ranch dressing
Stir and cook over medium heat until beans are soft and is thick. Then put on low heat.

Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, and cheese sprinkled on top. And enjoy!!

cute creative ideas

I found this website the other day and was so excited with this woman's ideas. Mostly sewing ideas, (but easy, easy stuff) She includes her patterns. I am excited to make some soft sole shoes that are normally over 20$ at the store. They are kind of like robeez. Anyway, thought I'd share! http://stardustshoes.blogspot.com/2006/05/another-totebag.html

Staying organized!

I found this website and thought that I would share it. I think it has some great ideas on how to keep your house clean and organized. I haven't started doing it yet, but I am going to try it this week and see how it works for me.

http://www.flylady.com/index.asp

Burrito Baby

Another "mom blog" I am a part of has been talking about this so I thought I'd share it with you guys. Apparently this is a big hit in Utah. The lady who started the company came to my old ward's enrichment to show how to do a "baby burrito" swaddle....several moms commented on the blog how well it works. I don't know if I'd buy it, but it was fun to check out what they're talking about. Here's the link:

www.bbsleepsolutions.com

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

I just thought I'd share this recipe with anyone who is interested. I posted it on my family blog, but thought I'd share it here too. I made this soup last night after craving it for weeks. My favorite soup is the Pasta e Fagioli Soup from Olive Garden, so I did some snooping on Google and found a few recipes that sounded good and came up with this one. It seriously tasted just like the real deal.

Ingredients:3 tsp. Oil2 lb. Ground beef 12 oz. Onion; chopped 14 oz. Carrots; slivered 14 oz. Celery; diced 48 oz. Tomatoes; canned, diced 2 C. cooked Red Kidney beans 2 C cooked White kidney beans 88 oz. Beef stock 3 tsp. Oregano 2-1/2 tsp. Pepper 5 tsp. Parsley; (fresh chopped) 1-1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce 48 oz. Spaghetti sauce8 oz. dry pasta Shell macaroni; or other pasta

Directions:Saute beef in oil in large 10-qt. pot until beef starts to brown. Add onions, carrots, celery and tomatoes and simmer for about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse beans and add to the pot. Also add beef stock, oregano, pepper, Tabasco, spaghetti sauce, and noodles. Add chopped parsley. Simmer until celery and carrots are tender, about 45 minutes. Makes 9 qts. of soup! **Just cut the recipe in 1/2 for smaller family needs!

A Mouthy One....

So I need your advice. I am having problems with Kayden talking back to me. Not necessarily in a rude way but fairly snappy. Growing up as kids we didn't dare tell my parents no or even argue. I know this starts at a very young age and this is why I am concerned about it. My problem is that he is often repeating me in my commands to him. For example, Kayden will say, "Mommy you do it right now! I said now!" How do you explain to them that it is ok for me to tell him what to do but not ok for him to do it? Do you put them in time out? what are your thoughts? even if your kids haven't faced this (lucky you) I still would appreciate your ideas!

First Official Post

So I thought this would be fun to post fun things to do, maybe ideas or questions about your kids, and any other fun comments to keep us better connected. Feel free to pass this along to others in the ward, those that have moved, or in the community. Please email me so I can give you permission to sign on and make posts. cherisegraham at gmail dot com