Trying to limit 'screen time'

Here is the system we are using to try and limit 'screen' time with my 8 year old.  I created this chart for the fridge.

We were having trouble keeping track of time on a clock so I went with time slots where he has time to choose his activity.  He is responsible to sign up for time slots. He can only choose screens for 3 of the time slots. He MUST pick 2 of 3 of the following, homework, playing outside, and reading.

I should tell you that my husband and I both teach at the school our son goes to so he 'hangs out' with us before and after school.  That accounts for the time slots that are 'in dad's office' and 'extra waiting at school' (when we have meetings or practice after school).

This is a work in progress.

Today he signed up for a time slot at school and he forgot his DS.  I told him that it was his responsibility and if he didn't have his DS then he didn't get to play.

Click here for my chart

Farmers Market Haul

I got all of this from my indoor Farmer's Market today

For under $30.00 *chicken $11.00

Organic chicken, green beans, scallions, carrots, eggs, cheese, and in the back is pak choi, lettuce, and spinach.  

We still have snow on the ground where I live but there are farmers who are growing produce inside greenhouses and bringing it to the Farmer's market. 

This week's menu is a little less on a budget.  I am splurging.  Especially with this organic chicken which I am not sure I can make into something tasty for my family.  

Saturday - Taco Salad (lettuce, scallions, cheese from above)

Sunday -  Pulled barbecue chicken sandwiches on homemade hamburger rolls. 

Monday - Pasta and sauce with tossed salad (lettuce, spinach, scallions, carrots, egg)

Tuesday - Chinese (Anne Chun's chow mein box) (green beans, pak choi, carrots, scallions)

Wednesday - (Happy Birthday to me and my son) - Tuna noodle casserole and applesauce at my sisters

Thursday - I think leftovers

Friday - Meatless - Pierogies with apple green bean saute as a side dish (green beans, scallions)

Preparing for Easter

I got this idea from We are that Family and I wanted to use it with my family as we prepare for Easter.
Here is how I set up my egg carton.

12 days before Easter we will start opening each egg and talk about the Easter story.  I am excited to find a way of making Easter more about Jesus than chocolate.  Here are the directions from Kristen @ We are that Family.

Make a list of 12 items that are in the Resurrection Story and if we couldn’t find the object around the house/yard, we just used our creativity.*I used pictures and folded them up inside the egg.

1. A picture of a donkey (Jesus triumphal entry)

2. Palm leaf from our front yard

3. A cup (from the Last Supper) We used a small lid to a water bottle

4. A flower (representing the Garden where Jesus prayed)

5. Some coins (Judas’ betrayal)

6. A piece of leather (symbolizing the whip)

7. A thorn (crown of thorns)

8. A paper cross

9. A dice (represent the soldiers who gambled for his clothes)

10. A nail (crucifixion)

11. A rock (to cover the tomb)

12. An empty egg (to remember the empty tomb!)

Storing my homemade granola

Getting ready to cut the bars!

Thinking about starting a business in granola bars.  

What do you think?

  Voila... Breakfast or snacks for the week.

I have to thank Melissa again for the idea and recipe. 

I love this!

Homemade Granola bars

Ok, so my husband and son wanted granola bars for our grab and go breakfast this week.   I didn't want to buy granola bars at the store for two reasons, money and healthfulness (is that a word?).  So I remembered a recipe from Melissa @ Another Lunch for chocolate chip granola bites and I decided to make them.

 

I had to improvise because I didn't have any Crisped Rice cereal.  So here is the recipe I used.   I substituted frosted mini shredded wheats and lowered the sugar.

2 1/2 cups quick oats

1/2 cup crushed up frosted mini shredded wheats

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup canola oil

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup chocolate chips

*In a large bowl combine the first 4 ingredients.  Mix well.  In another bowl/container (I used my 2cup glass measuring cup) combine the vanilla, oil, and honey and pour over the dry mixture.  Mix really well.  Then add chocolate chips to mixture.

If you have these great mini silicone baking cups then press the mixture into them and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 min.  OR in a 8X8 glass baking dish lined with parchment paper press in and bake for 17-22 min. If you want to make them into bars you have to give them a long time to cool down.  Check out Melissa's post for all the tips on baking and on cutting bars.  She explains it well.

Breakfast on the Go idea

I know it doesn't look awesome, I am working on this recipe.  I got the idea from Deb @ Lincoln recipe swap when she commented on my breakfast post - *Always accepting ideas please*. 

I had made some clover rolls for St' Patrick's day and I am not a bread maker so call it fate that Deb commented on my post the day before I was going to make some bread dough. 

I used some of my dough to make these breakfast pockets which I froze, thawed the night before I wanted them, and popped them in the microwave in the morning. I rolled out two circles and put some scrambled eggs, cheese, and ham (Homel's :) in the middle and topped with another circle then crimped with a fork.  I guessed when I baked them and based the time on the roll recipe. 

The concept is great.  I need to work on my dough though because it is a little dense and bland.  I like these sandwiches though, and I dip mine in salsa to add a bit more taste. (and some veggies too).  Like I said, it is a work in progress.

Make my own chilli powder...? Yikes

This week in my CSA share I got three stems full of cayenne peppers that were partially dried.  What the heck was I to do with dried peppers?  Well after a bit of research I decided to make my own chili powder.  I have been moving away from the traditional spices because there are all sorts of chemicals and preservatives in them.  I have bought a few organic spices that we use often (cumin, garlic, cinnamon and parsley).

1.  Cut off the tops of the peppers and take out the seeds (unless you want it really hot)

2.  I finished drying them in the oven.  They were partially dry already

3.  Shook out any remaining seeds :)

4.  Put them in the food processor and grinded to powder

 

5.  In a dry jar I added  (The jar on the left is the mixture, on the right is just the cayenne)

• 1Tablespoon cayenne powder
• 2 Tablespoons cumin
• 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon cloves