Makes about 2 cups of spread
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1/4 cup frozen basil, thawed
6 oz. goat cheese (chevre)
1/4 cup cream
Soak the tomatoes in hot water for 10 minutes to soften. Put tomatoes food processor and pulse until tomatoes are chopped add basil and pulse a few more times until mixture is well combined. Remove tomato/basil mixture to a bowl.
Put cheese and cream in processor bowl and pulse until mixture is blended. Put cheese mixture in the bowl with tomato/basil mixture and gently combine. Chill mixture for a few hours before serving. Great with Triscuits, French bread, or whole wheat pita triangles.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Garden Abundance-Zucchini
Zucchini Chips
Trim off ends of washed zucchini. If they are too large to put through the food chute on your food processor, cut them in quarters lengthwise. Using a food processor slicing attachment, run zucchini through to create thin slices.
Spread these out in your dehydrator trays and sprinkle liberally with garlic salt(mix 2 tsp garlic with 1tsp sea salt). Dry for several hours then turn the chips over to prevent them from sticking too much to the trays. Dry until crispy. Store in airtight container to prevent them from reabsorbing moisture. YUM!
Trim off ends of washed zucchini. If they are too large to put through the food chute on your food processor, cut them in quarters lengthwise. Using a food processor slicing attachment, run zucchini through to create thin slices.
Spread these out in your dehydrator trays and sprinkle liberally with garlic salt(mix 2 tsp garlic with 1tsp sea salt). Dry for several hours then turn the chips over to prevent them from sticking too much to the trays. Dry until crispy. Store in airtight container to prevent them from reabsorbing moisture. YUM!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Garden Abundance-Zucchini
Ever walked out to your garden and found a zucchini the size of Texas hiding in a corner? Everyone knows someone with an abundance of this green garden staple. Here is a great way to use some up and its delicious!
Zucchini Squares
3 cups grated zucchini
1 cup biscuit mix
1/2 cup finely chopped onion(sweet)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried pepper
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
2 T chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 olive oil
4 eggs lightly beaten
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Pour into greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until knife comes out clean and top is lightly browned. Cut into squares and serve.
Zucchini Squares
3 cups grated zucchini
1 cup biscuit mix
1/2 cup finely chopped onion(sweet)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried pepper
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
2 T chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 olive oil
4 eggs lightly beaten
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Pour into greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until knife comes out clean and top is lightly browned. Cut into squares and serve.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Coupon Adventures 7/23
Harris Teeter is doing Super Doubles this week. That means they will double coupons up to $1.99. Here are some freeebies you could get there. I plan to stop for foil and coffee :) If I find any more, I will post later...
Bumble Bee Tuna Pouch (2.5oz.): $1.99 - $1.00 coupon doubled = FREE!
(coupon from 6/14 SmartSource insert)
Heluva Good Dips: $1.49 - $.75 coupon doubled = FREE!
(coupon from 5/17 or 6/28 SmartSource insert)
Kellogg's Pop-Tarts (8ct.): $2.39 - $1.00 coupon doubled = $0.39
(coupon from 6/7 RedPlum insert)
Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Foil (35-50sq.ft.): $2.97 - $1.00 coupon doubled = $0.97
(coupon from 6/28 SmartSource)
Wholly Guacamole Dip 7 oz: $1.99 - $1 coupon doubled = FREE
(coupon from 6/28 SmartSource)
Mayfield Ice Cream -- $1.99 ea -- w/$1.00 q = FREE
Penquin Tearpads in some stores
New England Cofee-- $ 3.24(b1g1) ea —w/$1.00 q= FREE!!!!
sign up for coupon here.
Bumble Bee Tuna Pouch (2.5oz.): $1.99 - $1.00 coupon doubled = FREE!
(coupon from 6/14 SmartSource insert)
Heluva Good Dips: $1.49 - $.75 coupon doubled = FREE!
(coupon from 5/17 or 6/28 SmartSource insert)
Kellogg's Pop-Tarts (8ct.): $2.39 - $1.00 coupon doubled = $0.39
(coupon from 6/7 RedPlum insert)
Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Foil (35-50sq.ft.): $2.97 - $1.00 coupon doubled = $0.97
(coupon from 6/28 SmartSource)
Wholly Guacamole Dip 7 oz: $1.99 - $1 coupon doubled = FREE
(coupon from 6/28 SmartSource)
Mayfield Ice Cream -- $1.99 ea -- w/$1.00 q = FREE
Penquin Tearpads in some stores
New England Cofee-- $ 3.24(b1g1) ea —w/$1.00 q= FREE!!!!
sign up for coupon here.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Coupon Adventures 7/20
Food Lion deals went well today:
Purchased
1 package of Duncan Hines cupcake mix
1 package of papertowels(360 brand)
2 packages of Chinet dinner plates
2 packages of Chinet lunch plates
1 bottle of healthy accents Hydrogen peroxide
1 bottle of diet coke
Subtotal; $17.26(before tax)
Coupons:
$1.00 off Duncan Hines cake mix(FLIP)
$1.00 off chinet
$1.00 off chinet
Free lunch plates ifyou buy dinner plates($2.99)
free lunch plates if you buy dinner plates($2.99)
$1.00 off home 360 product (FLIP)
$1.00 off healthy accents product(FLIP)
$5.98 off for plates(sales price)
$ .36 off for paper towels(sales price)
Total out of pocket: $ .51
Purchased
1 package of Duncan Hines cupcake mix
1 package of papertowels(360 brand)
2 packages of Chinet dinner plates
2 packages of Chinet lunch plates
1 bottle of healthy accents Hydrogen peroxide
1 bottle of diet coke
Subtotal; $17.26(before tax)
Coupons:
$1.00 off Duncan Hines cake mix(FLIP)
$1.00 off chinet
$1.00 off chinet
Free lunch plates ifyou buy dinner plates($2.99)
free lunch plates if you buy dinner plates($2.99)
$1.00 off home 360 product (FLIP)
$1.00 off healthy accents product(FLIP)
$5.98 off for plates(sales price)
$ .36 off for paper towels(sales price)
Total out of pocket: $ .51
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Coupon adventures 7/19
I was excited to see more school supplies free after ECB's at CVS this week, so I went today(Sunday) to get them since I know they will run out quickly. I had several ECB's from last weeks couponing. CVS offered free spiral notebooks, pens and several other items. I also had ECB's from the arthritis Tylenol that made me $1 per box. In the store I picked up 2 packages of filler paper, 1 package of panty liners, 2 packages of pens, 2 packages of pencils, 2 bottles of shampoo, 2 memo pads and then went hunting for the 1" binders that were supposed to be free after ECB's. I couldn't find these, so I found the manager and asked if they had them. He said no but could substitute another binder. He found me two Avery 1" binders and had the cashier ring them up as free since the other ones would have been free after ECB's. I love it when the manager does that because I don't have to keep worrying about whether or not my ECB's are expiring! I checked out and after using last weeks ECBS I paid .89 for the items I got and received $12.94 in ECB's for my next shopping trip!
Here is how it looked:
2 pkgs filler paper: $4.00
2 pkgs of pens: $1.98
1 pkg panti liners: $ .89
2 pkgs of pencils: $3.98
2 bottles of Violage shampoo: $3.99
2 Avery Binders: $ 0.00
2 memo notepads: $1.98
Subtotal $17.++
Coupons Used:
$1 coupon off of Violage
$1 coupon off of Violage
$ .99 ECB
$1.00 ECB
$1.00 ECB
$4.00 ECB
$9.00 ECB
Total out of pocket: .89
Received these new coupons:
.89 ECB(panty liners)
1.98 ECB(memo pads)
$1.98 ECB(pens)
$3.98(pencils)
$4.00(paper)
$5 off $25 coupon
Here is how it looked:
2 pkgs filler paper: $4.00
2 pkgs of pens: $1.98
1 pkg panti liners: $ .89
2 pkgs of pencils: $3.98
2 bottles of Violage shampoo: $3.99
2 Avery Binders: $ 0.00
2 memo notepads: $1.98
Subtotal $17.++
Coupons Used:
$1 coupon off of Violage
$1 coupon off of Violage
$ .99 ECB
$1.00 ECB
$1.00 ECB
$4.00 ECB
$9.00 ECB
Total out of pocket: .89
Received these new coupons:
.89 ECB(panty liners)
1.98 ECB(memo pads)
$1.98 ECB(pens)
$3.98(pencils)
$4.00(paper)
$5 off $25 coupon
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Learning Styles
Knowing your child's learning style is important. With this information, you can truly enhance the communication in your home because you will gain a tool to speak their language. If you know their learning style, as a homeschooling mom, you can determine why certain products can enhance your child’s learning style and strengthen their weaker learning styles.
The best way for children to learn is to play. One of the ways to make play engaging and effective is to understand how to match a toy with a child’s learning style, to best engage the child, and more importantly, to help experiences that will enable a child to develop additional learning styles. When children develop more than one learning style, they can increase their understanding and retention. Allow me to explain; when a child learns about the letter C visually, by seeing it on a blackboard, for instance, a neural pathway is laid down in the brain. When that child also learns about the letter "C", auditorily, by sounding it out, another neural pathway is laid down in a different place in the brain. And if a child lays his body down in the shape of the letter "C", kinesthetically, a third neural pathway is laid down in the brain. That is three pathways for learning the same thing. Can you see what an edge in learning this would be?
Let me give you another example: suppose you’ve just purchased a new desk. You know, the kind you have to put together at home? It comes in fifty separate pieces, accompanied by an instruction booklet to help you assemble it. How do you manage this? If you need to start working with the parts physically, you’re probably a kinesthetic learner. If reading the instructions clarifies things for you, you are most likely visual. If you can put it together if you ask someone to tell you how, you are probably primarily an auditory learner.
It is important to know that people use all three learning modes every day, yet usually there is one dominant learning style by which each of us can best access information. It is also good to remember that people tend to revert to their dominant learning style when strong emotions such as anger, sadness or embarrassment prevail or when there is stress or pressure...you know...like school. It’s the difference between learning and loving to learn or reading and loving to read!
Isn't loving to learn the goal? When you can, try to teach your child through their dominant learning style and practice using the weaker learning styles on less stressful topics.
This can start at a very early age. For example lets using reading a book. Cuddle a child on your lap and let him turn the pages. Books that normallly appeal to visual and auditory learners now satisfy the needs of a kinesthetic learner. I will admit that the ambitious helper may not let you finish reading the page before turning, but the important thing is that they are participating, which is important to a kinesthetic learner. Even children with learning challenges, such as dyslexia, can often overcome such barriers and become voracious readers with a little cuddle and some interaction.
The Quiz
Since how you learn can play an important roll in homeschooling or any schooling for that matter, its important to identify that primary learning style. It helps you to know what tools will be best when teaching him/her. A child that is completely auditory in learning style will not do well reading from a textbook on a daily basis and a kinesthetic learning doesn't want to look at a diagram, they want to do it themselves. The quiz below will help you to identify your child's learning style a little better and hopefully direct your efforts when teaching picking a curriculum or teaching a difficult concept.
Learning Styles Quiz
This quiz was designed to help you determine your child’s natural learning style. Circle all answers that apply.
1. When my child is learning something new, he/she:
a) Says “show me.”
b) Needs to listen and/or talk it through.
c) Gets his or her hands on it.
2. The activities my child enjoys most are:
a) Playing computer games or watching videos or movies.
b) Listening to the radio or tapes and CD’s.
c) Outdoor games and sports.
3. My child expresses his/her feelings by:
a) Making facial expressions.
b) Talking about them.
c) Using touch or her body instead of words.
4. When placed in an unfamiliar setting, my child:
a) Warms up slowly.
b) Joins right in.
c) Relates to others with his or her body instead of words.
5. As a baby, my child:
a) Especially enjoyed looking at things.
b) Babbled a lot.
c) Often needed to be held.
6. My child’s personality can be best described as:
a) Not very emotional outwardly.
b) Very dramatic, enjoys having an audience.
c) Sensitive, with easily hurt feelings.
7. My child is easily distracted by:
a) Color and movement.
b) Voices and music.
c) Movement and sounds.
8. My child prefers:
a) Looking at things, being an observer.
b) Listening and talking.
c) Touching things, engaging in activities involving movement.
9. The skills that are strongest in my child are his/her:
a) Fine motor skills (i.e. holding small pieces, coloring, etc.).
b) Ability to follow directions.
c) Eye-hand coordination.
Count all the “a”, “b”, and “c” answers. Mostly “a” answers, indicate a visual learner, “b” answers indicate an auditory learner, mostly “c” answers indicate a kinesthetic learner.
The best way for children to learn is to play. One of the ways to make play engaging and effective is to understand how to match a toy with a child’s learning style, to best engage the child, and more importantly, to help experiences that will enable a child to develop additional learning styles. When children develop more than one learning style, they can increase their understanding and retention. Allow me to explain; when a child learns about the letter C visually, by seeing it on a blackboard, for instance, a neural pathway is laid down in the brain. When that child also learns about the letter "C", auditorily, by sounding it out, another neural pathway is laid down in a different place in the brain. And if a child lays his body down in the shape of the letter "C", kinesthetically, a third neural pathway is laid down in the brain. That is three pathways for learning the same thing. Can you see what an edge in learning this would be?
Let me give you another example: suppose you’ve just purchased a new desk. You know, the kind you have to put together at home? It comes in fifty separate pieces, accompanied by an instruction booklet to help you assemble it. How do you manage this? If you need to start working with the parts physically, you’re probably a kinesthetic learner. If reading the instructions clarifies things for you, you are most likely visual. If you can put it together if you ask someone to tell you how, you are probably primarily an auditory learner.
It is important to know that people use all three learning modes every day, yet usually there is one dominant learning style by which each of us can best access information. It is also good to remember that people tend to revert to their dominant learning style when strong emotions such as anger, sadness or embarrassment prevail or when there is stress or pressure...you know...like school. It’s the difference between learning and loving to learn or reading and loving to read!
Isn't loving to learn the goal? When you can, try to teach your child through their dominant learning style and practice using the weaker learning styles on less stressful topics.
This can start at a very early age. For example lets using reading a book. Cuddle a child on your lap and let him turn the pages. Books that normallly appeal to visual and auditory learners now satisfy the needs of a kinesthetic learner. I will admit that the ambitious helper may not let you finish reading the page before turning, but the important thing is that they are participating, which is important to a kinesthetic learner. Even children with learning challenges, such as dyslexia, can often overcome such barriers and become voracious readers with a little cuddle and some interaction.
The Quiz
Since how you learn can play an important roll in homeschooling or any schooling for that matter, its important to identify that primary learning style. It helps you to know what tools will be best when teaching him/her. A child that is completely auditory in learning style will not do well reading from a textbook on a daily basis and a kinesthetic learning doesn't want to look at a diagram, they want to do it themselves. The quiz below will help you to identify your child's learning style a little better and hopefully direct your efforts when teaching picking a curriculum or teaching a difficult concept.
Learning Styles Quiz
This quiz was designed to help you determine your child’s natural learning style. Circle all answers that apply.
1. When my child is learning something new, he/she:
a) Says “show me.”
b) Needs to listen and/or talk it through.
c) Gets his or her hands on it.
2. The activities my child enjoys most are:
a) Playing computer games or watching videos or movies.
b) Listening to the radio or tapes and CD’s.
c) Outdoor games and sports.
3. My child expresses his/her feelings by:
a) Making facial expressions.
b) Talking about them.
c) Using touch or her body instead of words.
4. When placed in an unfamiliar setting, my child:
a) Warms up slowly.
b) Joins right in.
c) Relates to others with his or her body instead of words.
5. As a baby, my child:
a) Especially enjoyed looking at things.
b) Babbled a lot.
c) Often needed to be held.
6. My child’s personality can be best described as:
a) Not very emotional outwardly.
b) Very dramatic, enjoys having an audience.
c) Sensitive, with easily hurt feelings.
7. My child is easily distracted by:
a) Color and movement.
b) Voices and music.
c) Movement and sounds.
8. My child prefers:
a) Looking at things, being an observer.
b) Listening and talking.
c) Touching things, engaging in activities involving movement.
9. The skills that are strongest in my child are his/her:
a) Fine motor skills (i.e. holding small pieces, coloring, etc.).
b) Ability to follow directions.
c) Eye-hand coordination.
Count all the “a”, “b”, and “c” answers. Mostly “a” answers, indicate a visual learner, “b” answers indicate an auditory learner, mostly “c” answers indicate a kinesthetic learner.
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