Tips and Timesavers

In 2013, I'm finally embracing the power of saying NO. I admit, I'm an overachiever. I like to volunteer and I have trouble admitting that I can't do it all. But the bottom line is, I can't do it all! So lately I've been prioritizing based on HAVE TO, NEED TO, and LIKE TO classifications. Work can fall into all three, but I tent to put individual tasks into these categories to help me stay organized. On the home front, the prioritization is key. I hold these truths to be self evident:

 1. What gets attended to, gets done
2. Do it now, lest you forget later
3. Embrace the chaos
4. Do, or do not. There is no try. :)
5. Plan ahead
6. Do what has to be done.
7. Let go of the rest.

In that frame of mind, there are tips and timesavers that can help you succeed.
Personally, I use a day planner type calendar. And I write down EVERYTHING. Ok - I try to at least. I'm not actually anal retentive. At least, I don't think so. I'm just a busy mom who has too much going on to try to remember everything. I need to write it down. I tell my husband, write it down or it didn't happen. ;)

It's kind of like my method of housekeeping. I never used to worry much about putting things back immediately. Now? My counter is cluttered 90% of the time. I HAVE to put things where they belong quickly. At least the important things! Otherwise it will get lost in the paper mountain, never to be found again...

* I use a large bulletin board to pin important paperwork like school schedules, permission slips, song lyrics for a concert, tickets to the circus etc.

* I use highlighters to bring out doctors appointments in one color, important meetings in another color, etc in my day planner and on the family calendar.

* I found the wonderful idea on pinterest to hang clothesline across the wall and use clothespins to hold artwork. I have two of these going. I have a self generated rule that I must take down something when I put something else up. And then either throw away or file.

* Kids papers or pictures that I save go into a hanging folder of my "KIDS, to be filed" initially and later to their individual plastic totes (large size) that I keep in the basement. I wish I could say that I have neat and organized folders by grade or age? But in my house, it's a bunch of momentos piled in there (generally in time order) for the kids or me to explore later. It works for me.

* Homework papers go in another hanging file for each child. I need to do better about sorting out old papers we don't need anymore, but at least we know where homework is!

* Each child has a basket / bin that they keep some toys and books in, for the main family room. They have a toy space elsewhere as well but this is an attempt to keep them neat in the main area.

* As I said in a prior post or two, I use my crockpot a lot. It's a relief to have a meal ready when I get home.

* As I said before as well, I try to keep veggies chopped and frozen for quick inclusion in meals (ie green peppers, diced onion, sliced carrots etc).

* I try to meal plan weekly and make grocery lists at the same time. When time is short, this item slips, as it has been lately. I keep frozen meatballs and jarred sauce, fish sticks, and the whole grain chicken strips on hand for quick meals on nights that I haven't planned.

* The kids do some chores like feed the dogs, set the table, clear the table, empty the dishwasher. We have a chore chart to show who's turn it is, which cuts back on fights. This frees up my time to do other things that need to be done.

* My toddler loves to sweep the floor. I give her the swiffer type sweeper and let her loose. This keeps her from clinging to me while I'm making dinner. And usually she picks up some dog hair at least!

* If the swiffer doesn't work, I like to put her in her high chair with some measuring cups and either frozen peas or cheerios (or both) to pour into the cups, stir and snack on. It works to occupy her for a while :)

* I set my 4 year old to work "washing" dishes. He loves it, it occupies him, AND it usually saves me time washing later.

* I use a rice cooker! I LOVE that thing - set the rice and hit the timer and forget about it. Easy cleanup.

* I have personal email on my phone. I know this isn't for everyone, but there is NO way I'd be able to handle what I do, if I was needing to login to my home computer every night. It just wouldn't happen. This way I can check in periodically during my day and respond to teachers, coaches, PTA etc.

There are lots of areas that could use improvement and I continue to learn every day. But these are a few items I think I do well. :) Leave me your tips and strategies!

Simple Crockpot Roast

I love roast beef.  Even better, I love roast beef sandwiches which are so yummy and must faster to prep in the morning. Plus its such and indulgence to have white rolls when all we ever eat is wheat! ;)  Either way, the basic recipe is the same:

One round roast or roast of your choice (approx 3-4lbs)
One package Lipton Onion soup mix
2-3 cups of beef broth (can also use water but it's better with the beef broth! :))

Stir together broth and soup mix and pour over the roast in your crockpot. Cook on low 6-8 hours.  Slice the roast and serve on your roll of choice with the juice. Yum!

To create more of a traditional meal, add peeled and quartered potatoes, baby or regular carrots in chunks, onion or celery to your taste.

Crockpot Baked Potato Soup

There are days or weeks (or let's face it, months!) where you just need comfort.  What better place to find comfort than in a big, cheesy, bacon-y, smooth bowl of baked potato soup?  After all, bacon really does make everything better!  I love my potato soup smooth and creamy so I used my brand new immersion blender to finish it off.  In case you are not aware, the immersion blender ROCKS! I would trade my husband's golf clubs for it in a heartbeat! (Ok, he would not agree, but that's my commitment level).  If you don't have an immersion blender now is the time to invest.  It's only about $30-35 and so much nicer than trying to move hot soup into a traditional blender or food processor.  Ok now the info-mercial is over and on to the recipe...

Crock Pot Loaded Baked Potato Soup
http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-style-loaded-baked-potato-soup-301754

Ingredients:
6 large baking potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large onion peeled and chopped
1 quart of chicken broth
3 cloves of garlic minced or pressed
1/2 cup of butter
2 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
1 tsp black pepper

1 cup cream or half and half
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 tbsp chopped fresh chives

Toppings:
8 sliced of bacon cooked and crumbled
sour cream (optional)
sharp cheese for sprinkling

Combine the first set of ingredients (up to cream) in your slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.  Mash the mixture (or use your immersion blender!) until it is to your desired consistency.  Add the cream, cheese and chives and stir to combine.  If using the immersion blender, now is a good time to give it another blend just for fun :)
Serve with extra cheese, bacon crumbles and sour cream if desired. Enjoy!

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

This morning I decided to put another of my favorite crockpot recipes in the crockpot. I am looking forward to coming home to this one tonight!  Normally I'm quite happy with 5 ingredient recipes for busy mornings.  This one is a little more labor intensive than I like, but it's worth it.  My kids all like it but of course I have to be careful not to put the peppers or onions or mushrooms on their plates.  I suggest larger families may want to double the recipe. It's quite good leftover also.

 I usually keep sliced green pepper, sliced onion and sliced mushrooms in my freezer. This way I can quickly grab them for this recipe and toss it in.  The freezer tip is also helpful because we don't eat mushrooms in many recipes. This one, the mushrooms do add value to the flavor and I don't really notice them when I'm eating it.  As with the onions and green peppers, I try to remove the mushrooms before a child spots it. :)

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore
http://busycooks.about.com/od/chickenthighrecipes/r/cpcacciatore.htm

Chicken Thighs - I usually use four frozen

14 oz. can diced tomatoes with Italian seasoning (if you only have diced tomatoes just add more Italian seasoning separate)
6 oz. can tomato paste
1 cup chicken broth
1 onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, sliced or chopped (I slice mine so I can easily identify them for the kids)
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine the above ingredients in your crockpot and mix to blend evenly.  The original recipe also calls for 1/2 cup dry red wine but I've never added it. We aren't wine drinkers in my house and I never seem to have any easily on hand. The recipe is just as good without but if you have wine you may want to try adding it. I imagine it adds a depth of flavor.  Cook on low 6-8 hours (I do 8 hours for my frozen thighs).

About a half hour before serving combine:

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

3 Tbsp. cold water

Add to the crockpot and continue cooking. This should help thicken the sauce.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we do! It's a nice twist to the traditional spaghetti and healthier too!

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings for the busy mom

I've adapted this recipe from a similar recipe on Allrecipes.com. Nearly everyone in my house seems to like it, which is a great accomplishment with younger children! :)

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
1 onion diced
2 carrots peeled and sliced
1 stalk of celery washed and sliced
2 potatoes peeled and diced into big chunks
4 chicken breasts (I usually use frozen)
1 1/2 cups of chicken broth
a few good shakes of Pepper
~ 1 tsp Thyme

Dumplings
Bisquick
Water as directed on the box
(as an alternative you can use refrigerated biscuit dough instead)

Combine the above in your crockpot. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8 hours (use the longer cooking time if you are using frozen breasts or if your slow cooker is slower than average.  About an hour before the end of cooking time, mix up your Bisquick by following the directions for dumplings on the box.  Drop by tablespoon-fulls into your crockpot mixture and let cook for an additional hour to hour and a half.   Add additional salt / pepper as needed.

The Crockpot - A mom's best friend

I love coming home to a home cooked meal.  The smells that hit you when you walk in the door are priceless.  I love the relaxing evening of just eating. I love a night off from rushing to put together a meal in the midst of kids and dogs and endless demands. 

My crockpot is my best friend.  Seriously. I kicked my husband to the couch, so my crockpot could have a spot to rest ;)  Of course I'm kidding. Thankfully the crockpot doesn't speak or it would have me making all kinds of concessions.  A good meal that I don't have to make is hard to come by!  Well, technically I did make this meal, but since I made it on average 8-10 hours prior... it doesn't FEEL like I'm making it, know what I mean?

Last night I made one of the simplest and yummiest meals I've found for my crockpot. I call it Mexican Chicken (actually, that might even be the name of the dish? I'm not sure since I've lost the original poster's information. If it's you, please claim it!).

Crockpot Mexican Chicken
Chicken breasts (I usually use 3-4 frozen)
Taco Seasoning packet (or use your own if you like)
A jar of salsa

Spray your crockpot / slow cooker with cooking spray.  Mix the taco seasoning and salsa together. Place your chicken in the crockpot and pour the salsa mix on top. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (I usually do 8-9 hours with frozen chicken) or on high for 4 hours.  Shred the chicken and serve warm on tortillas with shredded cheese of your choice (I like the mexican blend) and any other toppings you like.  Serves 4-6.