Recipe Corner: Easy Cheesy Frittata

I found this yummy breakfast recipe at kraftrecipes.com. So good and easy to manipulate to fit your family’s likes and dislikes. Enjoy!

What You Need!
4 whole eggs
4 egg whites
2 Tbsp. water
1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1/2 cup chopped seeded tomatoes
2 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon or OSCAR MAYER Turkey Bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Make It!
HEAT oven to 350°F. Beat whole eggs, egg whites and water with whisk in medium bowl until blended.
STIR in 1/2 cup cheese, tomatoes, bacon and basil. Pour into greased 9-inch pie plate.
BAKE 25 min. or until puffed and golden brown. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake 5 min. or until melted.

Useless Fact of the Day

The six most dangerous jobs in America are: _____________________.

Take a guess in the comments below.  Try to guess one or them all!

I Won!!!

A few weeks ago, I entered my first ever giveaways. I never thought anything would come from it, but it seemed like the “popular” thing to do in this new blogosphere that I’ve discovered. :)  I couldn’t believe when I found out that I had won two of the giveaways (the others haven’t closed yet, so my fingers are still crossed)! My first win came from Marenda Stiles at ButterFly Flutter. I won a beautiful cross to hang in my house. Thanks Marenda! It is more beautiful in person than in its picture.

My second win was thanks to Christy Klein at Wired Whismy. Christy designs beautiful jewelry and sells them in her Etsy shop. The giveaway was for mommy and daughter matching necklaces. Christy went way beyond the call of duty when she saw that I had two daughters and made an extra one so we could all match. Thanks Christy! My girls will love getting these in their Easter Baskets!

Open Discussion: Health Care

One question….What are your thoughts on the new Health Care Reform Bill??? Are you happy it passed? Worried about its effects? Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

Useless Fact of the Day

Ketchup was sold in the 1830's as a ____________________.
Take a guess in the comments below.

Theta Mom Thursday and Movie Reviews

It is Theta Mom Thursday once again and I am happy to report that this month I was able to sneak out of the house not once, but twice! I know… I can’t believe it either! This month I was able to go out with the girls one evening for a movie and drinks. I also convinced my husband to hire a baby-sitter and we went to lunch and a movie on a different day. I enjoyed both dates, even though the movies weren’t the best. My girlfriends and I went to see Remember Me, starring Robert Pattison and Emilie de Ravin. Remember Me is a romantic drama that focuses on two lovers that have lost loved ones in the past. This movie starts intense and ends intense. The problem is, the extra stuff in the middle, was very boring! I can’t say that it was the worse movie I’d ever seen (although a few of my friends did say that), but it definitely wasn’t very good. The acting was poor and storyline very slow. My recommendation is to skip it or wait for the DVD.

Luckily, the second movie was much better. My husband and I saw The Bounty Hunter, starring Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston. I’m not sure if they categorize The Bounty Hunter as a romantic comedy, but that seems to be the best description for it. That being said, my husband didn’t enjoy it as much as I did. He is usually happiest when things are being blown up, and unfortunately for him (lucky for me), there weren’t too many things being destroyed in this movie. Although I enjoyed The Bounty Hunter, I probably wouldn’t see it again. Some movies I can watch repeatedly and never get bored. I was glad that I saw this one, but I have no need to re-watch it. My recommendation is, if you need to get out of the house to see a movie, this one won’t disappoint. But if you miss it on the big screen, the DVD will be just fine. Did you find any time to yourself this past month? Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

Recipe Corner: White Cheese Chicken Lasagna

This recipe reminds me of my favorite Spinach Manicotti from Planet Hollywood. I found it on allrecipe.com and plan to make it this weekend (of course I will have to leave the spinach out of my family’s portion). I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

• 9 lasagna noodles
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken meat
• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic in the butter until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in the flour and salt, and simmer until bubbly. Mix in the broth and milk, and boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Season with the basil, oregano, and ground black pepper. Remove from heat, and set aside.
3. Spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer with 1/3 of the noodles, the ricotta, and the chicken. Arrange 1/3 of the noodles over the chicken, and layer with 1/3 of the sauce mixture, spinach, and the remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Arrange remaining noodles over cheese, and spread remaining sauce evenly over noodles. Sprinkle with parsley and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven.

Useless Fact of the Day

90% of all cells in the body are _____________________.
Take a guess in the comments below.

Phobias

My family likes to joke about my germ phobia. They laugh at the number of times I wash my hands and the fact that I won’t share drinks or food with anyone. It is all in fun, so I don’t mind. In reality though, I know I don’t really have a phobia, just a strong dislike of germs. If I had to share a drink with someone, I wouldn’t have a panic attack or hyperventilate. The same holds true with my “claustrophobia”. Do I like being in small spaces? Not a bit! Can I close my eyes and pretend I’m not “trapped”? Absolutely! My semi-phobias got me thinking about other people who suffer from actual phobias and how hard it must be to get thorough a day. Of course, with some phobias (like the fear of heights), the person can just avoid certain situations and go on with their day. Other phobias, unfortunately, can dictate a person’s entire life.


On Merriam-webster.com, I found a list of very unusual phobias. The first listed is Haphephobia. This is the fear of being touched. Can you imagine how different your life would be if you were afraid of physical contact? I can’t get through my day without hugs from my girls. They make me feel stronger and loved. I can’t imagine being afraid to touch them. The second listed was Doraphobia. This is one that can be avoided easily enough. It is the fear of touching animal fur. The third phobia is hard to imagine. It is called Eremophobia, the morbid fear of being alone. As most mothers know, the few minutes alone each day are like heaven. As much as we love our kids, we look forward to our moments of solitude. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to live with the feeling that I always needed someone around. Another unusual phobia is Hypnophobia. This is the fear of falling to sleep. This particular phobia could lead to many other issues that go along with insomnia and lack of sleep. I would be so sad to develop this phobia.  I love sleeping!!!!  To check out the entire list of unusual phobias, go to http://www.merriam-webster.com/top-ten-lists/be-very-afraid/haphephobia.html . What unusual phobias have you encountered in others? Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

Recipe Corner: Blueberry Sour Cream Bundt Cake

If you are looking for a healthy snack cake, this is not it. This delicious cake, from allrecipe.com, has 24 grams of fat per serving (12 per cake), but it may just be worth every bite. Enjoy if you dare!

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 5/8 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch Bundt pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the batter just until blended. Fold in blueberries.
3. Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Sprinkle half of this mixture over the batter in the pan. Spoon remaining batter over the top, and then sprinkle the remaining pecan mixture over. Use a knife or thin spatula to swirl the sugar layer into the cake.
4. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the crown of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan over a wire rack. Invert onto a serving plate, and tap firmly to remove from the pan. Dust with confectioners'

Useless Fact of the Day

The animal responsible for the most human deaths world-wide is the ______________.
Take a guess in the comments below.

How Safe Are Public Schools?

Since my daughter began Kindergarten in the fall, I have been very concerned with school safety. As a teacher, we were taught how to handle crisis situations, bullying, and even first aid. But as a parent in a new school district, how can I be sure that my child is safe? My concerns began when I picked my daughter up for the first time, ID in hand, and no one asked who I was. I walked into the office, signed my name (which no one looked at) and they let me walk right into the school. The ladies in the office had never seen me before, but they trusted that I was safe. I figured I looked pretty harmless in my jeans and t-shirt. Not to mention, I had a little three year old in tow. But why does my appearance automatically deem me safe? The next few times I came in, they still didn’t ask who I was. They even stopped looking up from their work. So I decided to start asking some safety questions.

My questions definitely caught them off guard, but I don’t believe it should have. My first question was simple enough; does your school have a crisis situation plan? A simple yes or no would have seemed to be the logical answer. But what I got was a blank stare, followed by a “what do you mean, crisis plan?”. When I was a teacher, we all had to go to a crisis plan seminar and our students even practiced putting the plan into action, like you would a fire drill. If any parent was to ask us our plan, we would know the answer automatically. However, the secretary had to ask the Vice Principal. The Vice Principal’s response was, “Yes, we have lots of plans for crisis situations.” My response, “Well, what is your open shooter plan?” Her response, “If you leave your email, I can look it up for you.” Look it up for me?!?!?!? If the staff of my daughter’s elementary school encounters an open shooter, they will have to ask him/her to stop firing while they look up their plan. How do they not see the problem here? My husband tries to calm me down by reminding me that they are only in elementary school. What real harm could a grade school child do? First off, a grade school child could do as much harm as any grown adult with a gun. Second, this past week a third grader put a fork to someone’s throat on the school bus. And third, an angry parent or other adult could enter the building at anytime.

To further my “investigation” on school safety, I sent my husband to have lunch with my daughter. My husband has never been in her school, and the secretaries and teachers have never met him. I told him to go sign in at the office without speaking to the secretaries or offering an ID. I was hoping that when a strange man was entering the school someone would speak up and ask for some identification. But unfortunately, they didn’t. He walked right in and no one gave him a second glance.

If you feel unsure of your child’s safety in his/her school, I found a great list from FamilyEducation.com that you can take to your next PTO meeting or to your own private meeting with the school’s principal.


The List

1. Is student safety a priority for your school and your community?

2. Do parents have access to reports that include information about the number of violent or other unsafe incidents at the school?


3. Does your school have procedures for responding quickly to unsafe situations?

4. Is your school addressing ways to prevent as well as respond to crises?

5. Are the school board, school principal, school superintendent, teachers, school staff, parents, students, and community professionals all involved in these efforts?

6. Has someone been designated to coordinate activities to maintain a safe and healthy environment?


7. Are counselors and psychologists available to work with students who are troubled or disruptive?

8. Do students in all grades participate in classes to help them develop conflict resolution and other life skills?

9. Do school health service providers help or refer students who come to them with concerns about safety?

10. Does the school emphasize promoting self-esteem and respect for others in all aspects of the school program?

11. Are parents and students involved in activities that promote school safety?

12. Are teachers encouraged to set examples of positive physical, social, and emotional health?

13. Does the school have fair, firm, consistent discipline policies?

14. Are school facilities attractive and hazard-free?

15. Is safety addressed in all aspects of the school program-the cafeteria, physical education, classrooms, playgrounds, after-school programs, etc.?

16. Do school staff, parents, and community members working on school safety collaborate?

Do you feel safe sending your child to public school? Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

Recipe Corner: Sesame Ginger Chicken

This recipe from Taste of Home is delicious. It is easy to make and yummy to eat. Serve it with sticky rice or fried rice. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 2 green onions with tops, cut into thin strips

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the first four ingredients; set aside. Pound the chicken breasts to 1/4-in. thickness. Grill over medium-hot heat, turning and basting frequently with soy sauce mixture, for 8 minutes or until juices run clear. Garnish with onions.

Useless Fact of the Day

Girls have more ______________ than boys.

Take a guess in the comments below.

Open Discussion: Home Owner Associations

How many of you out there have an HOA? Are you happy with it or would you rather do without? While the idea of an HOA sounds great on paper, the actual interference of an HOA may be less than pleasant. I will admit that I enjoy certain benefits of having an HOA. I enjoy the pool (and its maintenance), I appreciate the uniform privacy fence (a lot nicer looking when houses are so close together), and I am thankful for the cheaper trash and recycling service. On the flip side, I do not enjoy having someone critiquing every little move I make. Our HOA requires documentation and approval for any changes made on our property. Whether it is something as big as installing a fence or something as small as adding a small bush, the HOA wants to know. One of our neighbors has been cited several times for not filing paperwork on his patio. A patio that the previous owner installed without approval. The HOA doesn’t care that the patio was there when he bought the house. Another neighbor got cited for planting a new flower bed in their front yard. They actually made her walk around to all her neighbors and asked if they approved of her new flowers! If one of us had not signed the paperwork, she would have had to rip out her flowers. What are your feelings on Home Owner Association’s? Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

Recipe Corner: Breakfast Cookie

I originally got this recipe from a good friend of mine. I found another recipe that was similar and kind of fused the two together to get a cookie that suited my family best. Although these are “cookies”, they are great for breakfast or snack time because they are low fat, low sugar, and have lots of “good” stuff in it!

Ingredients

• 2 cups brown sugar (I use the Splenda mixture to make it healthier)
• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup prune puree
• 2 tablespoons water
• 5 egg whites
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup chopped dried cranberries (apricots work well too)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the brown sugar, oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Make a well in the center and pour in the canola oil, prune puree, water, egg whites and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Stir in the raisins, walnuts and apricots. Scoop cookies using an ice cream scoop, or roll into golf ball sized balls. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets and flatten to 1/2 tall with wet hands. These cookies do not flatten very much while baking.
3. In the preheated oven, bake 8 minutes for chewy cookies 10 to 12 minutes for dry cookies. Cookies will not get crisp. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Useless Fact of the Day

A female ferret will die if it ________________________.
Take a guess in the comments below.

Silent Sunday

Making our own playdough.

Adding a little green for St. Patrick's Day!

Not quite like the store bought, but fun!

Are you sure this is Playdough?

OK!  It's fun!

Slimy, drippy, and exciting!