What do Play Dough and Dog Bones Have in Common?

With one more week of winter break left for the kids, I am starting to go crazy. My kids are so bored. It’s too cold to play outside and considering the fact that we were all sick during Christmas I’m not eager to let them play outside. They have have all the new toys Santa brought them yet they cannot seem to be entertained for more than 5 minutes at a time making it nearly impossible to accomplish anything during the day.

I needed a plan. I needed a creative way to get them busy so I could work. So I found some great recipes kids like. Each day this week I will dedicate different recipes including slime, play dough and even some treats. These recipes are kid friendly, mom approved and just plain fun to make together.

So the question:
“What do play dough and dog bones have in common?”
Answer:
MOM’S SANITY FOR AN HOUR OR SO!!

Kool-Aid Play Dough

The Kids Need:
2 1/2 plus cups of flour
2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup salt
3 Tbsp. oil
2 pkg. Kool-Aid (same color)
Okay MOM it’s Your Turn:
Mix dry ingredients together.
Add oil and water then add in extra flour for desired consistency.
Now The Fun Part:
Give each of the kids a blob and keep one blob for yourself. As a stay-at-home mom I find myself running around to get housework done, bills or whatever and I don’t play with my kids as much as I should. This would a great time to just sit down, get your hands dirty and create a mommy moment with your kids.

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Now once the kids help get the mess from the play dough cleaned up now together you and the kids can make a YUMMY snack. My kids love to help cook and if I would let them help more, I would have a lot less chaos because they actually behave well in the kitchen. Here is a fun recipe for Dog Bones (not for the 4 legged friend) the kids will have fun making and even more fun eating and mom it’s not too messy!

Dog Bones

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of peanut butter
1/2 cup of dry milk
1 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. of graham cracker crumbs, finely crushed

In a bowl mix the peanut butter and dry milk. Add the honey and mix thoroughly. Divide the dough into six pieces. Mold each piece into the shape of a dog bone. Sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs on both side.
Serve their Dog Bones with a glass of milk or juice. What a great way to finish off an hour or two of simple and cheap entertainment with the kids.
**CHECK BACK EACH DAY THIS WEEK AS WE WILL MAKE SOME SLIME, A PURPLE COW AND NUTS AND BOLTS WILL HOLD EVERYTHING TOGETHER.**

December 30th, 2008 | Tags: , , , , | Category: cheap snack ideas, Kids Recipes Made easy | Leave a comment

Holiday Brunch One Dish Bake for Less Than $5 To Make

Christmas is only a few days away so I thought I would add one last Holiday recipe.

Many families celebrate the Holiday with a Christmas Brunch so I wanted to include a simple One Dish Bake that is inexpensive and YUMMY!

My husband loves to cook but our family tradition for Christmas involves visiting family and celebrating Christmas Dinner at their home.

So to try and get some nutrition into our children after a chocolate high from their stocking candy we prepare this simple One Dish Breakfast Casserole.

It is easy to prepare and costs less than $5 to make. We add some fresh fruit and hash-browns and my family loves it.

Breakfast Casserole

Personal Cookbook
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour

Meal Preparation Ingredients:

  • 2 cups diced ham
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups grated cheese
  • 6 eggs
  • 10 slices of bread – no crust
  • 1 Tbsp.. green onion (optional)

Meal Preparation Directions:

  1. Mix together and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

Meal Assembly:
Serves 6. Add some fresh fruit and hash-browns for delicious breakfast or brunch that is complete, nutritious and simple to prepare.
TIP: This is the perfect One Dish Bake for a Holiday Brunch!

December 22nd, 2008 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Dinner Recipes, Casserole Cooking, cheap breakfast ideas | Leave a comment

A Cheap Family Meal With A Crockpot Beef Recipe

Cooking a Roast in the Crockpot can give you so many cheap meal idea options.

I though I would share with you a $5 meal idea using the crockpot and a roast.

My family loves french dip sandwiches and to purchase roast beef from the deli is out of our budget so I found a great recipe that slow cooks a roast to perfection.

It’s full of flavor and so tender it just melts in your mouth.

Not only is the meal simple to prepare but if you can purchase the roast on sale like I did today, for only $2.49 out the door (not per lb.), then you have a the perfect cheap family meal for $5 or less.

French Dip Sandwiches Crockpot Style

Personal Cookbook
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7-9 hours low or 4-5 hours high

Meal Preparation Ingredients:

  • 2 large onions
  • 1/4 cup of butter
  • 3-4 lb. rump roast
  • 5 cups of water
  • 1/2 cup of soy sauce
  • 1 envelope onion soup mix
  • (optional) 1 clove minced garlic

Meal Preparation Directions:

  1. Saute 2 large onions, slice 1/4 inch in 1/4 cup of butter until tender then add onions to crockpot
  2. Add rump roast to crock pot – cut in half if thick
  3. Mix water, soy sauce, dry soup mix and garlic(optional) and pour over roast
  4. Cook on low 7- 9 hours

Meal Assembly:
Serves 6-8. Slice meat and put on french rolls. Use juice from roast for dipping sauce. Serve with a handful of potato chips and side salad.
TIP: Add shredded Swiss Cheese and broil before serving if desired.
TIP: Save leftovers for the perfect make ahead freezer lunch meal throughout the week!

December 21st, 2008 | Tags: , , | Category: Dinner Recipes, Best Crockpot Recipes | 2 comments
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