Monday, December 21, 2009

Easy Bake Oven Recipe's

Hello,

So, this morning I will be baking and preparing for the big day. We will be having dinner at my home with my 5 kids and our extended family.
I usually have all my baking done by now so as you can imagine I am running a bit behind.

My daughter has an Easy Bake oven and I have no time to buy the cookie mixes that comes with them.

Here is a link to some great recipe's that I found this morning.

Joeji's Holiday Crafts and Recipe's

I am putting my girl to work this morning baking and decorating sugar cookies.
I am sure she will be delighted.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas.

Joeji

Monday, November 16, 2009

Getting Ready for Christmas

Well it is now 39 days to Christmas, as I have just read on the northpole site. My Aunt just sent me this link and I think it is great. On this site you will find recipe's from Mrs. Claus's kitchen. A great big deal in our home because baking seems to be the centre of this festive season. One great idea that I'd like to pass on is how the baking exchange works well for those who are not into baking. Gather 6 friends or so that are willing to get involved, it works great. Just pick 6 recipe's, put them on cards, place them in a hat and draw them with your friends. Each friend has to back 13 dozen of the single recipe that they picked. When all the baking is done you make a meeting date to exchange the baking. At the meeting you can visit and sample the goodies. I like to do this close to Christmas with their families and we exchange gifts as well. I am sure this will turn out to be a yearly event with you and your friends. We have fond memories and gathered some great recipe's as well.

Below is a list of ideas on the northpole site.

  • Fun things for Kids
  • Stories to read, hear and color
  • Activities for Teachers
  • Stuff for Parents
  • Send a letter to Santa
  • E cards to send to friends
  • Games and Puzzles
  • Recipes

Enjoy and stay tuned for some future Christmas craft ideas.
send me an email if you'd like to get notified when the blog is updated.

Joeji

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Developing Great Listening Skills


Listening to audio books with your family gives you an idea of what it was like back in the day when there were no Televisions. They help develope great listening skills for you and your kids. They give me a warm fuzzy feeling when the kids sit on my lap and snuggle up with their ears willing and ready to help process wonderful imaginary pictures in their heads. You have to try it and I recommend this audio book I recently bought.
The 7 Habits of Happy Kids is a wonderful learning experience for the whole family. It is also offered as a hard cover book that has wonderful pictures. My plan is to get the hard cover copy so my kids can do a comparison. What will be interesting, is to hear what they say about the pictures they had in their heads while listening to the audio version, to what the pictures look like in the book.

The audio book is written by Sean Covey and is composed of 7 stories about a group of Seven Oaks friends. Very entertaining and I love the fact that we learn without knowing that we are learning.
For the Seven Oaks friends, there is always something to do. Whether they're singing along with Pokey Porcupine's harmonica or playing soccer with Jumper Rabbit, everyone is having fun and learning all sorts of things. These seven stories show how practicing the 7 Habits makes this possible for the whole Seven Oaks Community. From learning how to take charge of their own lives to discovering how balance is best, the Seven Oaks friends have tons of adventures and find out how each and every kid can be a happy kid!
Here is a link where you can hear a sample of the Audio Book. 7 Habits of Happy Kids
Happy Listening,
Joeji

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Back to School Healthy Snacks and Lunches

Summer vacation is over and this brings new challenges for teachers, parents and the children.
One challenge some of us find are school snacks and lunches. Making them fun, different and healthy can be time consuming. Although putting an effort into creating an appetizing lunch for your children can be rewarding. The children will be happier and you know that saying "food for thought" really carries alot of weight. If the lunches are healthy the children will be able to concentrate and focus because those brain neurons will be able to work faster and produce quicker answers. This means that the child will also feel smarter and more confident. It's a win win situation for both the child and the cook. So let's share some great healthy snack and lunch ideas here. Try and keep in mind...Litterless Lunches. Don't hold out on us because sharing is caring. Below is my first healthy snack addition.


Healthy Homemade Crackers


Cheddar cheese Crackers


2 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 tsp paprika

1/2 cup butter, frozen

1/2 cup water

Extra whole wheat flour for rolling

1/2 cup sesame seeds (optional) just in case there is an allergy


Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Mix flour, cheese, sugar, salt, paprika, together in a bowl.

Grate frozen butter into this dry mixture and toss to mix.

Add water and mix until just conbined to form a dough. Cut dough

into four equal parts. Flatten out one portion of dough in your hands

and sprinkle a small amount of flour on the counter and on top

of the portion of the dough. Roll the dough making sure the counter

stays well flours to avoid sticking. Roll to approximately 1/8 inch thick.

If using sesame seeds you can sprinkle them over the dough and gently

roll them into the dough at this point. Cut the dough will with cookie

cutter and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes

but watch because they can burn quickly.

These crackers will keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container.