Friday, March 16, 2012

Try a Satisfying Salad for Dinner!

Crunchy Cobb Salad
         
 
photo from FoodNetwork

For some reason, warm spring weather makes me want to eat a hearty salad for dinner, and what could be more satisfying when having that craving than biting into a delicious cobb salad?  I made the following cobb salad the other night with an assortment of leftover ingredients I had in my refrigerator.  

Ingredients:  

Mixed spring greens and lettuces 
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Fresh string beans, clean and snap off ends, then boil for 4-5 minutes and shock in ice water 
2-3 hard cooked eggs, peeled and sliced (I BAKED mine for the first time ever based on an idea I saw on Pinterest).  Preheat oven to 325.  Carefully place cold eggs directly on rack.  Bake for 30 minutes, then shock in ice bath and then peel once cool). 
Diced cheese (I had some wonderful Havarti in my fridge so I used that).
3-4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled. I buy high quality bacon and believe the flavor difference is huge.
1 avocado, diced.
Leftover diced chicken, turkey, or in my case this week, salmon.  

Assemble a generous pile of lettuce on each plate.  Then make a beautiful line of each ingredient going across the top of the salad.  Serve with a creamy dressing on the side and let your family/guests mix the ingredients to their liking!  
  




  


  

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Crafts and Stories at the Zoo!


Did you know the Maryland Zoo of Baltimore has a special story time and toddler station with fun barnyard crafts and books just for the little ones?  I decided to check this out last week on Wednesday.  The story leader was very dynamic and fun, and he played his guitar and sang songs to welcome the kids.  He guided them through an egg counting activity, let them pick playdough out of animal hooves to practice cleaning them, and told them about where different food from the grocery store comes from.

After the story hour we let our toddlers run wild in the awesome Children's Zoo, where they explored different wildlife habitats, played in tortoise shells, and got to brush real goats at the petting farm.

Click on this link for more information about zoo activities:  Maryland Zoo.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Beefed Up Brown Rice

If you think brown rice is too healthy sounding or boring for your family, try adding a big punch of flavor with this recipe.  It is incredibly savory and is one of my entire family's favorite sides.

Ingredients:

2 T. butter
1 small onion, chopped
2 cans beef consommé
1 1/2 cups brown rice

Sauté the 2 T. butter and chopped onion in a medium saucepan on the stove.  After onion has begun to soften, add 2 cans of beef consommé and one can of water.  Bring to a boil.  Add 1 1/2 c. rice.  Either cover in saucepan or transfer to covered casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until all liquid is absorbed.

This smells delicious while it is cooking and pairs well with pork chops, chicken, or ham.
Monday, March 5, 2012

Mommy Monday


Well Balanced Moms Have More Fun




Or should I say "Well Balanced Moms Are More Fun"? Let me ask you, When was the last time you had lunch with some girl friends, or went on a girl's night out? When was the last time you went on a romantic weekend getaway with your spouse? If you can't remember, we definitely have to talk.

It's so easy to fall into the mommy guilt trap. We feel guilty if we take time for ourselves, so we end up taking care of everyone in the family but us. It's easy to lose ourselves in the quest to become Super Mom. Along the way we get stressed out and aggravated. It's important to do something just for us to stay balanced moms. Here are some ways for you to get started on your journey to rediscover YOU.

1. Get together with some girlfriends. One of the best ways to rediscover yourself is to spend some time with your girlfriends each week. Have lunch together, go to the movies to watch the latest chick flick, or plan a girl's night out every once in a while.

2. If you are having a bad day, call one of your girlfriends to vent, or just chat. You'll be surprised how much better you feel and how it puts things back in perspective that seemed like the end of the world a few minutes ago.

3. Spend a romantic weekend with your spouse anywhere but at home. Go away for a romantic weekend with your spouse a few times a year. Rekindle your passion for each other and feel in love again, instead just partners in dealing with the everyday stuff involved in raising kids.

4. Go on a date every week. Get a sitter once a week and go on a date with your significant other. Spend some time reconnecting with each other. If you have an activity that you both enjoy, take a class together.

5. Pamper Yourself. Do something every week to pamper yourself. Go get a new haircut. Visit your favorite nail saloon for a manicure, pedicure or to get your nails done. Call your favorite day spa and schedule a facial. Get a massage.

If you are on a budget, pamper yourself at home. Send Dad and the kids to the park. Take a hot bubble bath and paint your toenails. Honey makes a quick facial. Place a cloth in warm water and apply to your face to open the pores. Smear on honey, and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Don't feel guilty about taking time for yourself a few times a week. Your kids will appreciate it when they get a balanced and fun mom in return. You will be more relaxed, happier and actually be able to enjoy your family. After all, that's why you had kids in the first place, didn't you?

This article was originally published by SaltLakeCityMommies.
Friday, March 2, 2012

How Does Your Garden Grow?

BaltimoreMommies' fabulous Flower Power fundraiser is drawing to a close, so if you haven't placed your order yet, now is the time! It's never too early to plan to improve your curb appeal or beautify your backyard. From begonias to tiger lilies and everything in between, Flower Power is the place for quality flower bulbs with a 100 percent money guarantee.

This fundraiser runs until March 20, 2012, and your bulbs will arrive in April and May, just in time for beautiful summer blooms. Time is running out!

Save time, money, and gas by planning your perfect garden from the comfort of your computer. Spring over to http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/i/t/240177/0Qns064NE1q9, and check out the wide array of lovely lilies and pretty peonies, among other bulbs. As a bonus, if you spend $40 or more, Flower Power will send you a free bag of 10 Twilight gladiolus, a $10 value.

So what are you waiting for? Don't delay: Grow with us today!

Profits made through our fundraising link go toward our chapter's operating expenses.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Spanakopita: Yummy, Flaky, Triangular Goodness

"Olives, fish, and wine make the Greeks healthy and so fine!" Kali cackled as she slathered her last pita wedge with hummus. She was a prankster and had lots of sayings and dirty jokes.

"No, it just makes you a lush," commented her sister from the other side of the kitchen.

Dia and Kali, two middle-aged sisters from Mykonos, co-owned the Taste of Greece; an awesome little dive that offered great wine, food, and an unfortunate English homophone.

During my two years with these ladies, I endured countless hours of Yanni performances to earn money for college. Thankfully, I also gained knowledge that still serves me today: Greek phrases inappropriate for polite society, a case study on sibling rivalry in seniors, and one awesome recipe for spinach and feta cheese pie. This is a great way to add veggies to your menu.

Supplies:
Colander
1 baking tray
2 trays or cutting boards
Wax paper
Kitchen towel
Pastry brush
1 large bowl
1 small bowl
Sharp knife or scissors

Ingredients:
Phyllo dough
2 8-ounce bags frozen spinach, chopped
8 ounces feta cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella
1 bunch green onions
2 tablespoons garlic
2 tablespoons dill weed
1/4 cup parsley
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pepper and nutmeg, to taste
1 slightly beaten egg
1 cup melted butter mixed with equal amount of olive oil











Instructions 
  1. The filling: After draining the spinach, mix in all ingredients minus the egg. Mix well, then add the egg. It acts like a glue to hold the filling together.
  2. Working with phyllo: This dough is delicate, like antique parchment paper. The key is keeping it covered. Have a tray or cutting board ready with wax paper covered with a damp kitchen towel.
  3. Take out one of the plastic bags from the box of phyllo dough, and cut it into thirds. You will have three sections of rolled-up dough. Put two of the strips in a storage bag, and seal it for later. Unroll the last one on your empty tray, placing the wax paper and towel over it.
  4. Triangle folding: Set up all your supplies: covered tray of phyllo, large bowl of spinach mix, empty tray to work on, baking tray, and small bowl of butter and oil with a pastry brush.
  5. Remember making little paper footballs with notebook paper? That's what you do with the phyllo here. Take two sheets, and lay them on the empty tray. Put a spoonful of the spinach mix at one end of the phyllo. Fold one corner down and across the filling, making a triangle shape. Continue folding the length of the phyllo strip.
This post submitted by Misty from The Mommies Network's Content Team
Tuesday, February 28, 2012

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