Teriyaki Hamburgers Recipe

1 Pound Ground Beef
3 Tbsp Teriyaki Sauce
1 Tsp Ground Ginger
1 Tbsp McCormick’s Montreal Steak Seasoning
1 Tbsp homemade version of Paula Deen’s House Blend Seasoning
3 Tbsp Dried Chopped Onions
Hamburger Buns,  toasted

Combine first 6 ingredients, shape into 3-4 patties.  Cook patties on grill. Toast buns on grill. Assemble. Tonight I was using the George Foreman Panini Grill my Mom got me for Christmas. So, I placed the assembled burger on the grill and let it warm up a few seconds to melt the cheese some.

Enjoy!

Teriyaki Burgers Recipe is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

by Jill Cooper
www.LivingOnADime.com

Thanksgiving can be a great opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed at the thought of everything that you need to do. By making some simple changes to the way you approach some of the Thanksgiving preparation, you can save time and money and spend more time enjoying Thanksgiving and less time dreading it! Here are a few tips to help you make this Thanksgiving more fun and less stressful!

Larger turkeys are usually less expensive, so buy the largest one you can. If you have a small family, ask the butcher to cut your turkey in half and wrap each half separately. Then you can freeze half and save it for later so you won’t have weeks of Thanksgiving leftovers. Half a turkey is also much easier to handle and prepare for roasting. Just wrap the other half and freeze it to use for Christmas.

I’ve often made ham for Christmas just because by Christmas we are so sick of turkey that we don’t want to think of preparing another one – ever! If there are fewer leftovers after Thanksgiving, your family might not mind having turkey again. Then you would have one less thing to buy for Christmas dinner.

If you still don’t want to have turkey at Christmas, save it for some cold day in January. If you have a large enough crockpot, cook the turkey in the crockpot. If not, cook it on very low in the oven so that it slow cooks all day. It is amazingly delightful it is to come home to the yummy smell of slow cooked turkey!

Save money by making your own pies instead of buying the expensive pre-made ones. If the thought of making pie crust is too daunting, just buy a ready made crust. They are usually on sale for very little around Thanksgiving.

It really isn’t that difficult to make the filling for most pies. Pies are often easier to make than cakes or cookies. If you like the traditional pumpkin pie, most cans of pumpkin have the recipe on the back.

If your family and friends aren’t fussy about having the traditional pumpkin pie, you can make banana cream, chocolate, or butterscotch pie. Just mix a box of banana pudding and pour it into a baked pie crust. Cover it with sliced bananas and whipped topping. For the chocolate pie, use chocolate pudding with chocolate chips in it and cover it with whipped topping. For the butterscotch, use butterscotch pudding and whipped topping and sprinkle with butterscotch chips.

You don’t have to make so many pies that you could open a bakery. I have found that most kids are just as happy with a platter of cookies. Don’t overdo it. You’ll just wear yourself out! If you have time, make the cookies in the shapes of pumpkins and turkeys.

Save on your relish dish. Buying ingredients for a relish dish can get expensive, especially where we live. One year I paid more for my relish dish items than my turkey. If you have this problem, only use 3 or 4 vegetables on the relish dish instead of 10 and cut out on the more expensive vegetables. Broccoli and cauliflower are very high priced for us so, if I needed to save, I would probably use carrots and celery. Fill the celery with cheese or peanut butter or cut them into fancy shapes. On this occasion, the turkey is the star and most people won’t even notice that you cut back on the relish dish.

Don’t make so many side dishes. Like I said, the turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes are more important than everything else. By the time everyone stuffs themselves on those, they only eat a token amount of the side dishes. Why? Because, of course, everyone wants to save room for dessert!!!!!

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit www.LivingOnADime.com , sign up for our free Living On A Dime Newsletter and learn to save more!

Note from Shannon: The tips and ideas in this story are the types of things that are found in the Dining On a Dime Cookbook. I own this cookbook in the printed version and it quickly became a must have and my favorite go to cookbook. Check out the PDF version and download your copy today.

Save Big At Thanksgiving! is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

photo credit: The Lamb Family

by Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam
www.LivingOnADime.com

Here are some tips for using all of that extra Halloween Candy!

• To prevent sugar shock, have a big bag of popcorn waiting when everyone comes back from Trick or Treating. It’s easy to fix and will counteract some of the sweet stuff.
• You can freeze candy up to a year in the freezer.
• Don’t forget to buy discounted Halloween candy for Christmas stockings and parties. Most kids don’t care if their Christmas candy is orange and black or if it has silver and gold wrappers instead of red and green.
• Use leftover Halloween candy in Christmas baking and for making gingerbread houses.
• Use grated or chopped chocolate in place of chocolate chips in cookies.
• It is easier to cut candy into pieces if you freeze it first.
• Break Butterfinger candy bars into peanut butter cookie dough.
• Sprinkle chopped chocolates on a white or chocolate frosted cake or use them to top ice cream and cheesecake.
• Mix leftover chopped chocolates into cake mixes.
• When making cupcakes, decorate the tops with one Hershey’s kiss or a mini candy bar.
• Pour some leftover candy into a basket or pretty bowl to give to someone for a special gift.
• Even a Christmas bag full of an assortment of candies would be a gift that would delight anyone – kids, adults, co-workers or neighbors.
• When making apple butter, instead of your usual spices use 1/2 cup red cinnamon candies and 1 Tbsp. cinnamon for every 10 cups apples and your regular amount of sugar.

We talk a lot about what to do with leftover candy, but don’t forget you can also do nothing with it but eat it! …my favorite thing! Stockpile bags of candy to use for school parties, birthday parties and so on. In my case, I have a huge candy jar I keep full for when the grandkids come to visit. I can go through pounds of it that way. It keeps forever so don’t feel that you have to hurry and use it.

One reader, Karen, says, “After the kids are done Halloweening, I grab 24 candies for each child (I have 4) to save for a countdown to Christmas instead of buying the calendars in the stores. I usually keep them in a bag but you can get the kids to decorate shoe boxes or stick the candy to a calendar with tape.”

Here are some leftover candy recipes for you to try:

Stained Glass Cookies

Cut a hole in the center of rolled out sugar cookie dough. Place a hard colored candy into the center. Bake as usual. The candies will create a stained glass look.

Candy Bar Milkshakes

1 cup mini candy bars, chopped
2 cups (1 pint) ice cream (chocolate or vanilla)
1/2 cup chocolate syrup
1 1/4 cups milk

Chop candies in a food processor. They are easier to chop if they are partially frozen. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix until blended. This makes a thick shake. Add 1/4 cup milk for a thinner shake. Makes 2 milkshakes.

Chocolate Chip Candy Bar Cookies

45 mini Hershey’s candy bars
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 cups flour

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Chop candy bars. Cream butter and sugars in a bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend well. Fold in candy bar pieces. Scoop batter onto a greased cookie sheet with a teaspoon. Bake 9-11 minutes until golden. Let rest on cookie sheet 2 minutes before moving to a cooling rack. Cool completely. Makes 2-3 dozen.

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit www.LivingOnADime.com, sign up for our free Living On A Dime Newsletter and learn to save more!

Note from Shannon: The tips and ideas in this story are the types of things that are found in the Dining On a Dime Cookbook. I own this cookbook in the printed version and it quickly became a must have and my favorite go to cookbook. Check out the PDF version and download your copy today.

Great Ways To Use Leftover Halloween Candy is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

Of course running a business takes hard work too. You’ll need to be prepared for the Holiday season and the orders that will come in. You will need to make sure that you are stocked up on postage, leave yourself enough time to get the letters mailed so that they reach their destination on time. Remember these letters are coming from the North Pole after all

First before you start thinking about taking orders for the letters you need to think about the business aspect of things. You will need to appear as professional as possible and follow some basic business principles like having a business checking account. It’s a good idea to have a website to promote your business too. These are all things you will need to think about.

Maybe the thought of doing this year round has you questioning how that’s possible. After all Santa letters are only going to be in ‘season’ for a few short months. Believe it or not there are many options for this business.

If you are interested in taking your Santa Letter business a step further and turning it into a year round business pick up your copy of Santa Letter Business Mom’s Talk Biz Guide to Starting Your Own Santa Letter Business. It provides tips on how to make it a full-time business. The guide also provides pointers such as the skills to get your business off the ground, tools and materials needed, how to get a North Pole postmark, marketing to your local area as well as some basic business tips such as whether or not you need to register your Santa Letter business and tax deductions and tips.

A Santa Letter Business is a Great Business for Both Seasonal or Year Round is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

Wordless Wednesday is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

Maybe…

Now on to this week’s …

Monday: Andrew stayed the night with his cousin so I had some Knorr/Lipton Noodles & Sauce, Chicken Flavor

Tuesday: Marlboro Man Sandwiches

Wednesday: Lasagna (which was leftover and frozen from a couple weeks ago)

Thursday: Creamy Broccoli Tuna Helper with extra Broccoli

Friday: Andrew has a Cub Scout Camping Trip so some kind of camping type food.

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Chicken & Dumplings

Menu Plan Monday is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

(StatePoint) Do you wish for a little more time in your busy schedule to spend with the kids, friends or even just by yourself?

You’re not alone.

“Most American moms average nearly 7.5 hours per day on parenting tasks, while dads clock an average of 4.3 hours per day,” says parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba. “That’s an extra 1150 hours of parenting duty for moms each year.”

In fact, nearly 70 percent of working moms have an hour or less to themselves each day, according to the “Moms Who Do More” National Report, commissioned by VTech.

If you feel like your “me time” has been completely tapped out, Dr. Borba is offering some fresh ideas on ways moms can find time for themselves yet still teach, nourish and nurture their children:

• Ask for help. More than 60 percent of moms want help with parenting but are afraid to ask. If you opt out of the “supermom” myth, you’ll probably find that other moms feel just as stressed as you. And if you ask for help, you may be surprised by the friends and family members who come to your aid.
• Synchronize activities. Instead of sneaking off to check emails or Facebook, synchronize your online time with your child. A tech toy, like VTech’s web-enabled Tote & Go Laptop, will let your child emulate Mommy while having fun. And with 20 learning activities, online downloads and a pretend “social network,” this is a great way to teach your child about responsible tech habits.
• Create a “mom-semble.” Whether it’s your friends, your playgroup or the ladies you see at the coffee shop daily, most moms are going through the same issues as you and want relaxation time with friends. Plan fun events and activities that act as a support system and let you have some girl time while the kids play.
• Pool your resources. Get a small group of moms organized to plan tasks weekly, such as dinner preparation. Everyone splits the ingredient list and takes turns hosting a cooking night. This way, each family gets a week’s worth of meals for their families! This is a great way to make tasty, healthy family dinners with a fraction of the effort.
• “Edu-tain” after school. Playtime can easily be repurposed as a learning opportunity for kids, but parents often ignore this in favor of traditional methods. Sometimes, kids need a break. When they return from school, let them de-compress with educational games and toys. For example, a realistic-looking children’s laptop with a color screen, like the Brilliant Creations Advanced Notebook, lets grade school children have fun while improving their skills in language arts, science, math, foreign languages and other areas.

For more fun learning ideas, visit www.vtechkids.com or Amazon.

Great Tips for Busy Moms is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

Now on to this week’s …

Monday: Italian Shells Hamburger Helper with Green Beans

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Chuck Roast with Carrots, Mashed Potatoes and Mike’s Baking Powder Biscuits

Wednesday: Creamy Broccoli Tuna Helper with extra Broccoli

Thursday: Chicken & Dumplings

Friday: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Fried Rice, Egg Rolls, Pot Stickers

Saturday: Marlboro Man Sandwiches

Sunday: Mozzarella, Ham and Basil Paninis  (Nice and light because did you not check out yesterday’s recipe?)

Menu Plan Monday is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

Did you know you can help Andrew earn his own way in Scouting and as well as a chance at some really great prizes including a TV, camera or a chance to visit the Challenger Learning Center?

Just click here or on the scout to the left (which Andrew had a blast creating) and place an order on his behalf. You’ll be helping Andrew and it will be shipped straight to your home!

All microwave products are made with canola oil and all chocolate products contain no hydrogenated oils, so there are plenty of healthy, flavorful snacks to choose from. There are even white chocolate covered pretzels if you can’t have or don’t want popcorn! Don’t want either? Donate your purchase to the military. There’s an option for that too.

If he sells $200 worth by October 6th, he can be part of the ice cream party at the camp out in November. Please help me make that happen for him!

Your purchase will benefit Andrew’s unit, council and Scout rewards. Online purchases help us fund fun, educational activities and help more kids experience all the things that make Scouting great.

Thank you for your support!

Support Andrew, Buy Cub Scout Popcorn is a post from: Staying Home with My Son

“Parents will always have a lot to worry about,” says Tony Pham, vice president at Life360, a company that uses technology to keep families connected everyday and during emergencies. “But having a plan can really help families be prepared for any type of safety situation.”

Parents should consider the following tips when talking to their children about safety:

Emphasize Solutions Over Danger

Constantly warning your children, whether they’re 8 or 18, about all the dangers of the world, can do more harm than good by increasing anxiety and feelings of powerlessness. Instead, focus on presenting solutions to known threats.

For example, tell children that they have every right to yell, scream and kick if a stranger grabs them. More importantly, since the majority of abductions in the United States are by people children know, teach kids to check-in with you if their instincts tell them something is wrong. For younger kids, this may mean running back to you before doing something adventurous, while for older children this may mean sending a text message before heading off with a family friend.

Get Mobile Help

Advances in mobile technology are making it easier than ever to keep children safe. For example, Life360 has created a mobile app that allows family members to request a “Check In” from another family member, along with a GPS location update.  This simple technology proved useful during the tornadoes in the Midwest in early 2011, when thousands of families were able to contact their loved ones to share location and status updates even though phone calls weren’t going through.

But before it gets to that, make sure your family has a disaster plan in place. Kids and teens should know where to go in your home to stay safe during an earthquake, tornado or whatever disasters may hit your area. You should also agree on a meeting place away from your home (a neighbor or relative’s house or even a specific street corner) where you will reconnect if you were separated in an emergency.

Virtual Safety

Children need to know that strangers exist on the Internet, too. Parents should warn them about connecting with strangers or “friends” of friends on social networking sites. Children should also not disclose any personal information such as a home address, social security number or bank account without first checking with an adult.

For more information on how to keep your children safe in today’s busy world, visit www.life360.com.

Then get started on a plan that works for you and your loved ones — so you are ready when it counts.

Tips For Keeping Kids Safe is a post from: Staying Home with My Son