Arm Warmers Made From Socks

My kids love Arm Warmers! They are probably the easiest and fastest thing I have ever made. I love that they allow my kids to wear their favorite short sleeve shirts all year long. They are also wonderful for these fall days when it is chilly in the morning, but warms up in the afternoon. My kids can leave for school with their arms covered and it is easy to strip off their Arm Warmers as the temperature goes up.

To make Arm Warmers you will need just a few supplies:
Needle
Thread
Scissors
A pair of Socks (To make warmers for children you will need a pair of adult size knee high socks. To make warmers for an adult you will need a pair of adult size thigh high socks)

 

Step One- Cut foot part of socks off, just above heel.

Step Two- Fold cut edge of sock tube over about 3/8 of an inch and whip stitch all the way around opening.

And they are ready to go!

Arm Warmers make a very thoughtful, handmade Christmas gift (hmmm, maybe a stocking stuffer idea?). The last few times I have been to Big Lots they have had 4 packs of Knee Highs for $5. That makes each pair of Arm Warmers $1.25 and they only take 15-20 minutes to whip up.

100 Calorie Chocolate Cupcakes

I always gain weight in the summer. Am I the only one this happens to? The lack of schedule and abundance of fun summery activities cause me to lose all track of what I am putting in my mouth. Uggghhh, it's horrible! Now that summer is over, I am on a mission to lose my summer weight plus some.

On a recent episode of The Biggest Loser, they featured cupcakes made by Curtis Stone that were only 100 calories. A very exciting prospect! I had to have them. I Googled it to find the recipe. Disappointment is what followed. The recipe was not simple and ALL of the reviews were terrible. The internet consensus was that these cupcakes were disgusting. I was undetoured and I Googled on... I'm so glad I did.

I found this awesome recipe on Medicinenet.com and it is fantastic. These cupcakes ring in at a super-duper 98 calories, and 1.8 g of fat. My kids ate them today for their after-school snack and had absolutely no idea that they were anything but typical cupcakes. When I informed them that the cupcakes were not bad for them they asked to have them EVERYDAY!

If you are going to try one recipe, this is the one. I'm going to be making these often!

100 Calorie Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

• 18.25-ounce box Devil's Food Cake Mix
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 1/2 cup fat free sour cream
• 5 large egg whites (or 3/4 cup egg substitute)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375. Mix all ingredients (except powdered sugar) in a large mixing bowl. Blend with hand mixer for 2 minutes. Divide batter between 24 greased or paper lined cupcake tins. Bake for 17 minutes.  Once cooled dust with powdered sugar.

Ooey- Gooey Cake Mix Recipe

Do yourself a favor... make this recipe! ( didn't say it would be a favor to your waistband, but oh my goodness, the deliciousness)

A few months ago, cake mixes were on a major sale. I felt compelled to stock up, adding these to my food storage supply... then they went on sale even cheaper! I ended up with over 20 boxes of cake mix in my pantry. After buying all of the mixes it occurred to me that at most I make 5-6 birthday cakes a year, and I'm not really too fond of cake, so I started to think creatively. This is what was created:

Ingredients:

• 1 stick butter/margarine, melted
• 1 pkg. chocolate cake mix
• 1.5-2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups chopped almonds
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (additional)
  
• 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place butter and cake mix in large bowl. Mix with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over bottom of 15x10" cookie sheet pan and press. Sprinkle with 1.5-2 cups semisweet chocolate chips and almonds. In microwave melt milk chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in 20 second intervals until melted. Pour milk mixture evenly over pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-25 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely and cut into bars.

Hair Detangler Spray

This is so easy and works so well, even my six year old was impressed. Recently, we ran out of store-bought hair detangler spray and I decided to make my own. I made my homemade version right in my empty bottle, however this could also be done in a dollar store spray bottle just as well. To mix Detangler Spray in this 10 oz bottle I combined 2 oz. of regular, super cheapo conditioner with tap water and shook it up. (Told you it was easy!)

It works perfect in my daughters hair and does not cause any greasiness. It works every bit as well as the store-bought stuff and the snarls come right out. No need to have morning drama over getting the tangles out, this takes care of the problem and makes hair smooth, soft and shiny to boot.

Knoedel Recipe

I say Kanoodle, you say knoedel... let's call the whole thing off!

In an effort to broaden our families culinary horizons I stumbled into the world of Knoedels.

Knoedel is an Austrian dish of pure comfort and merriment. By definition, they are big, round, poached or boiled dumplings made without yeast. By taste they are hot, moist, yumminess floating in delicious broth.

I found many recipes for Knoedels made out of potatoes, but I didn't have any potatoes on hand. Then I found a recipe for Knoedels made out of Cream of Wheat. Yeah, Cream of Wheat, like the yummy hot cereal that we love so much in winter time. Also known as Farina (C of W) Knoedels. I browsed over the recipe (cream of wheat... good, butter... good, eggs... good!) and decided that there was nothing not to like and oh boy, was I ever right!

The easy, peasy recipe:
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 tsp. salt
1 cup cream of wheat

Mix together butter (just slightly softened) and 2 eggs. Add salt and slowly stir in Cream of Wheat. Shape into small teaspoon sized balls(they will triple in size when cooked). Drop all balls into boiling water at the same time. Boil uncovered for 2 minutes then remove from heat and cover for 15 minutes... don't peek at them durning this time. After the 15 minutes remove dumplings from hot water and add them to 1 quart (32 oz) of hot broth (chicken, veggie, ham, beef). Serve hot and enjoy.
These have become a staple in our house. They require easy ingredients that are always in my pantry and they are quick and easy.

These are fantastic when you are sick, easy when you don't have many ingredients on hand and a wonderful "memory" food for the kids.

Cooking a Perfect Ear of Corn

 

I was looking for a definitive answer on how to cook the world's greatest corn on the cob. Googling the question brought me a million different answers. I had no idea who to believe or which method to start with. Then it occurred to me, what do you do when you want to cook the best sweet corn? You ask someone who really knows about sweet corn. Well, where do they really know about sweet corn? Iowa, of course! So that is exactly what I did. I went to the source of the matter. I got myself a lesson from a good friend of mine who grew up in Iowa. And let me tell you something, it was the most worthwhile lesson I have ever gotten.

Not only is this method fast and super easy. I have now repeated the method about a dozen times and had perfect, delicious, kernel popping, sweet corn each time! I was surprised at how easy it is to get a perfectly cooked ear of corn. Want to know the insider secrets? Alright, here it is...

-Husk corn and remove silk
-Bring a large pot of water to boil on the stove. You want to have enough room and water for your ears of corn to float freely in the pot.
-Carefully, drop corn into boiling water (unfortunately, this is a warning from experience.)
-Cover with lid and boil for exactly 6 minutes.
-At the end of six minutes your corn should have a strong corn smell and the color will have deepened.

That's it! Perfect corn every time!

*One last fantastic insider tip. If you get a batch of corn that isn't as sweet as you would like, add a little sugar to the boiling water before dropping in the corn. It'll sweeten your ears right up.

Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe

When I was newly married we had a Back-2-School themed church activity. We were served food on cafeteria style disposable plates and the main course was Sloppy Joes. I had never been a fan of sloppy joes, I was still young enough to have vivid memories of real cafeteria sloppy joes that smelled more like Fido's lunch than something I should be eating. But when I took that first bite at the church activity I was a sloppy joe convert. I begged for the recipe and it became a staple meal in my cooking rotation. I like it because it doesn't have that greasy taste of typical sloppy joes and absolutely doesn't stink. It tastes like real food and it is even better topped with shredded cheese, but what isn't better with cheese?

Sloppy Joe Recipe
1 lb extra lean ground beef or turkey
2 cans tomato soup
2 cans chicken gumbo soup

Brown meat in skillet. Add all four cans of soup and simmer, the longer it simmers the better it is, but just warming it through is sufficient if you are in a rush. Serve over hamburger buns and top with shredded cheddar cheese. It's easy and it's good!

This recipe is ideal for multiplying and serving a large crowd. It can also be simmered in the crockpot... again, the longer the better. I like this meal for summer eating, because it does not require the use of the oven. But, believe me it is also warm and comforting and filling enough for a cool winter evening.

Painting Laminate Countertops

(Kitchen After Mini Makeover)

I got frustrated with my kitchen. It is horribly small and it was horribly outdated. We have a portable dishwasher with a laminate top on it and our counters were a different laminate we also have a microwave stand that we use for counterspace that had another laminate on it, all different versions of fake wood. It needed updating... look!

(Kitchen Before)

Painting was the solution I came up with. I wish that a new kitchen was in the budget, but there is just no way. After pulling up many Internet articles about laminate painting and sending my family away for the weekend, I decided I was ready to take on the task. I took a deep breath and headed to the hardware store to buy paint. $60 later I was ready to makeover my counters.

Supplies needed for Painting Laminate Countertops
180 Grit Sandpaper
Oil Based Primer (I used Kilz)
3 quarts of oil based paint in different colors
1 quart of oil based polyurethane
Paper Towels

*Sand all counter surfaces
*Prime counter with 2 coats of oil based primer
*Dab on other paint colors in a random pattern using crumbled paper towels and slightly blending as you go
*Apply 5-7 coats of Polyurethane allowing to dry 2 hours between coats

At one point in the process, I didn't like the look at all, so I painted the whole thing in my lightest color and started dabbing again this time I was much happier.

I love the results! Lets look at the before and after again...

(Before

(After)

Now, I can't wait to get a backsplash up. I couldn't have asked for a more dramatic or cheaper change in my kitchen. I feel like my kitchen has gotten a whole new life and it really wasn't hard! It took me a weekend of work. I was scared to start this project, but I am so glad I did it!

Perfect Pedicure

Yes, those are my chubby little toes. Yes, this post almost... well... really seems silly! But I promise you this might be the very most valuable piece of advice I will ever give you. It works and it will save you loads and loads of moo-la!

A couple months ago I stumbled across this most hilarious post on Mary The Kay. She wittily and cleverly turned me on to the most genius process of self pedicure that I could ever imagine. When I first read her advice to just go crazy and paint every possible surface of my toenail with no concern over it getting on my skin, I thought she had lost her mind. That just goes against every nail polish rule I have ever had. I don't want to walk around with toes that look like they were painted by a blind three year old. She continued to explain that after you paint all over like a wild woman, you simply allow them to dry adequately and then go to bed. Seriously? I'm supposed to paint my toenails like that and then go to bed... that made me even more concerned. What if there was a fire in the middle of the night and I have to run out of my house in my pajamas with my feet painted in this manner, I would surely be admitted to the looney bin! Mary The Kay goes on to explain that the next morning in the shower you can easily scratch the polish off your skin and it leaves a most perfect polish job.

Despite my fears, because of my even greater fear of paying a fortune for a professional pedicure and my inability to give myself a decent paint job, I decided to throw caution to the wind and give it a whirl. I painted them up and prayed that we would not have a house fire that night. It works wonderfully! I have repeated this trick three times now. This is the best pedicure I have ever given myself. My toes turn out so wonderful even with the 99 cent Wet 'n Wild polish that I use. I see absolutely no reason to pay for a pedicure ever again.

Try it, you too will be a believer... promise!

Homemade Granola Recipe

My wonderful mother-in-law created this fantastically easy granola recipe. I've tried others, but have always returned to this one. It is easy, has convenient ingredients and tastes so good. I try to keep some made up at all times. The recipe is versatile so each time I make it, I will add something different.


Originally, she created this recipe to be sugar-free. I have made it both with Splenda and with regular granulated sugar, it tastes equally delicious both ways.

Homemade Granola Recipe
4 cups rolled oats
4 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup coconut (optional)
1 tsp salt
1 cup Splenda or Sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup water
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup sliced almonds or walnuts (optional)

Mix all ingredients together until moistened. Spread on large cookie sheet. Bake on low heat (225 degrees) for 2 hours(or longer, mine usually takes about 2.5 hours) turning every 30 minutes. Stir in other ingredients like raisins, or dried bananas, as desired Store in airtight container with tight lid.

*I have tried mixing my raisins in before baking and for some reason the raisins become bitter. It is much better to mix them in after the granola is baked.

**To achieve "clumpier" granola turn it a little more gingerly at the 30 minute marks.

This granola is a fantastic addition to Homemade Yogurt, is nutritious and very simple to make.

Bored Box

They're cooommming!!! I'm talking about those days the kids are so excited for and we parents are so nervous about. It's almost time for the long days of summer. Let's face it, even the most industrious of children are bound to utter the two most dreaded words in the English language, "I'm bored!" at some point before that beautiful fall day when they head back to school. The most frustrating part of these words is that kids are rarely interested in a parent's solution for their boredom.

Last summer my husband came up with a solution. It's called the "Bored Box." Alright, in our house it is more of a tube shape, but you get the point. The bored box is filled with activities for the kids. The instructions are simple:

If you are bored, you can choose a slip of paper from the Bored Box. However, if you decide to choose one, it might be something fun, or it could be a chore you will have to do. So, you really need to figure out if you are bored enough to take that chance. If you decide to take the chance and pick a slip from the box, the following rules must be followed:


1. You must do the activity for a full 20 minutes
2. You cannot choose another activity to do unless your first choice is impossible (to be decided by a parent)
3. You must clean up the activity when you are done.
4. The parent allowing you to choose, must also allow you to do the activity (example-if you picked video games, we must allow you to play, even if you just got done playing)

To assist you with creating your own Bored Box, I have provided the list we use for our box. Add or delete from this list to fit your own needs. You can access the list by clicking the link below. Print your list and cut it  into strips.


List of Bored Box Ideas Document

Many items on our list do require some parental assistance and many are also adaptable for multiple children to participate.

The kids LOVED this idea. They had so much fun with the items in the box and the gamble of getting chores really made them reconsider their boredom. The box simplified the summer for me and it even helped with my own occasional boredom by giving me ideas of things to do with the kiddos.

Simple Measuring Technique

This easy trick saves me a headache almost every time I bake! When measuring sticky things like honey or peanut butter (you know those things you need to measure if you are going to make some delicious granola bars) spray your measuring cup with cooking spray before filling. Even honey just slippy slides right out of there! This is such a simple little thing that saves so much energy and clean up later. I hate cleaning peanut butter out of measuring cups and it gets baked on in the dishwasher, but a spray before measuring eliminates that issue. I love any tricks that will make the baking/homemade process simpler and easier!

*As a side note, I baked up a batch of granola bars this weekend and substituted 1 Tbs ground Flax Seed + 3 Tbs water in place of the egg. This simple substitution makes them a Vegetarian Granola Bar Recipe and works great! 

How to make Wrinkle Releaser Spray

Ironing is for the birds. Really, I don't do it! Recently, my friend borrowed my iron for more than a week and I didn't even notice it was gone. I would rather be wrinkled than take the time to iron clothes, but with Wrinkle Releaser Spray, I don't have to iron and I don't have to look like I just crawled out of the bottom of my closet. A couple years ago my mom told me about this easy peasy tip to make my own.

I bought a jug of ultra cheap fabric softener at the dollar store and a spray bottle. By mixing fabric softener with water at a ratio of 1 part softener to 10 parts water, you can make your own wrinkle releaser. Pour them both in a bottle and shake it up. How easy is that? Then the only thing to do is tackle your pile of wrinkled clothes... you know the ones that came out of the dryer and have been sitting in the laundry basket for 3 days waiting to be folded (I can't be the only one who does this!)

I hang my clothes, give them a good spray down with the wrinkle releaser and then shake them out. The wrinkles disappear and you can't even tell that I'm an ironing rogue. For extra stubborn wrinkles, spray clothing down and throw it back in the dryer for a couple minutes.

Homemade Wrinkle Releaser is an inexpensive solution that will save you loads of time standing at the ironing board when you could be doing something more interesting, like making a delicious dessert!



Tuesday: Buttermilk Biscuits