Cheap and Easy Recipes for the Kids

My intent for the past week was to post daily on different  ideas to keep them busy while on winter break. Each day I planned to share different recipes for kids that were fun for the kids to help bake or create.

I only succeeded in getting one days worth online. Our house seemed to somewhat fall apart on Monday. My parenting skills were totally hidden under a mean mommy face with no patience to be found no matter how hard I tried.

So considering the fact that gas prices are so cheap right now, my kids and I went on daily road trips. I had to get out of the house and the kids needed a break.

Each day we loaded in the family van and with no particular destination in mind we drove. I packed snacks and a lunch and I have to admit what started off as a week from hell ended up being pretty great.

We sang, we talked and when the kids got a little to loud I turned the radio up louder.

The kids head back to school on Monday so now I can focus on my work again. I wanted to quickly post some of the great recipes kids like to create with my kids and share with my readers.

Slime

The Kids Need:

  • 1 1/2 cups of water
  • 1 cup white glue
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 2 tsp. Borax
  • food coloring

Okay MOM it’s Your Turn:
Mix 1 1/2 cups water with 1 cup of glue. Add color if you want. In another bowl, mix 1 cup hot water and 2 tsp. Borax until Borax is dissolved. Add slowly to glue mixture. Mix and let stand for 1 minute. Store in air tight containers or Zip-lock bags.
Now The Fun Part:
Give each of the kids some slime and keep some 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 slime 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 are some simple cooking for kids recipe’s the kids will have fun making and even more fun eating and mom there not too messy!

Purple Cow

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup grape juice
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 banana sliced

Mix all ingredients together in a blender. Makes 4-6 small servings.

Nuts and Bolts

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups of bite-sized shredded wheat
  • 1/3 cup margarine, melted
  • garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 cups stick pretzels, broke in half
  • 1/2 cup peanuts
  • 1/2 cup raisins

Spread shredded wheat in a baking pan. Cover with melted margarine and sprinkle with garlic powder to taste. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Add pretzel sticks, peanuts and raisins. Store in an airtight container or Zip-lock bag.

Bird Nest Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 1/2 cup crispy chow mein noodles
  • mayonnaise
  • peas or grapes
  • lettuce leaves (optional)

Mix carrot and chow mein noodles with enough mayonnaise to moisten. For each salad, place a mound of the mixture on a plate and push the back of a spoon down into the center to form a “nest.” Add peas or grapes for the eggs. If desired, form each nest on top of a lettuce leaf. Makes two salads.

Marshmallow Spiders

Ingredients:

  • 6 large marshmallows
  • 12 M & M’s
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • string licorice (16 inches for each spider)

Poke 8 pieces of 2 in string licorice into each marshmallow for legs. Melt chocolate chips over low heat. Set spider on wax paper and pour a spoonful of melted chocolate over each marshmallow so that it is coated thoroughly. Add 2 M & M’s for eyes. Allow to cool before eating.

Have fun with the kids. These recipes are cheap and easy to prepare for those little hands that are always willing to help out. To all the parents out their trying to keep their sanity – God Bless!

January 3rd, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: cheap snack ideas, Kids Recipes Made easy | Leave a comment

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.

****************************************************************************************************************

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 Dip Recipes That are Cheap and Easy To Prepare

Everyone is looking for Holiday Dip ideas that are cheap and easy to prepare so I dusted off some of my favorite Holiday Cookbooks and pulled out a few of the cheapest recipes that will be a hit for you Holiday Party but won’t put a dent in your wallet.

Chicken Dip Recipe

(also called Buffalo Chicken Dip)

Meal Preparation Ingredients:
·    2 cans (10oz.) chicken chunks
·    2 pkg. cream cheese
·    1 cup ranch dressing
·    1/4 pepper sauce ( I use Franks REDHOT)
·    1 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese
Meal Preparation Directions:
1.    Place cream cheese in shallow casserole dish and microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
2.    Stir in drained chicken, ranch dressing, pepper sauce and 1 cup of the cheese.
3.    Sprinkle top with remaining cheese.
4.    Microwave on high 2-4 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Meal Assembly:
Makes 6 cups – serves 20 to 24. Serve with crackers, tortilla chips or celery sticks.

7 Layer Mexican Dip Recipe

(also called bean dip, 7 layer dip)

Meal Preparation Ingredients:

  • 1 can re-fried beans (16oz.)
  • 1 container sour cream (16oz.)
  • 1 pkg taco dry seasoning mix
  • 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup guacamole ( can use the dry guacamole seasoning mix)
  • 1 cup of chopped tomato
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onion
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives

Meal Preparation Directions:
1.    Spread re-fried beans in shallow serving dish.
2.    Mix sour cream and seasoning mix until well blended. Spread over re-fried beans.
3.    Top with cheese, dollops of guacamole, tomatoes, onions and olives.
Meal Assembly:
Makes 8 cups – serves 20 to 24. Serve tortilla chips.

Easy Sunset Dip

Meal Preparation Ingredients:
·    8 oz. softened cream cheese
·    1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
·    1 cup chunky salsa
Meal Preparation Directions:
1.    Spread cream cheese in 9″ microwave safe dish.
2.    Sprinkle cheese on top and microwave on high 2-3 minutes or until cheese melts.
3.    Top with chunky salsa.
Meal Assembly:
Makes 3 cups – serves 8 to 10. Serve with tortilla chips or Frito’s scoops.

Creamy Ranch Dip

Meal Preparation Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup of sour cream
  • 1/2 cup of ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup grates Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup bacon bits
  • 2 Tbsp. sliced green onion

Meal Preparation Directions:
1.    Mix all ingredients and refrigerate.
Meal Assembly:
Makes 1 1/2 cups. Serve with crackers, or cut up fresh vegetables
TIP: Use leftover dip as a tasty sandwich spread or tortilla roll up spread.

I would love to hear about your family favorite dip recipes or Holiday Meal Ideas. Please leave a comment or sent me an email. Happy Holidays -Machelle

December 12th, 2008 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: cheap snack ideas | 2 comments