Five Tasty German Foods Your Family Will Love

July 23, 2018 By Anne

Are you anxious to spice up your kitchen with new dishes for your family but are getting a lot of backlash?

Wanting to create diverse meals while still pleasing picky kids is a challenge for any parent, especially when it comes to food they might not be used to like sauerkraut or schnitzel.

If you want to try out German recipes, here are a few that are familiar to kids already and guaranteed to satisfy even the most difficult-to-please eater.

1) German Pancake Bites

Not many children know that many of the delicious American foods they’re so used to enjoying can be served with a European twist.

These pancakes are petite and deliciously covered in fruit. They’re very easy to make and include all the same ingredients as homemade buttermilk pancakes: eggs, milk, flour, and butter. What makes German pancakes unique is the use of an Air Fryer.

Interested in this recipe but don’t have an air fryer of your own? There are several models that are very popular in Germany and not too expensive. If these pancake bites are a hit with your kids, an air fryer might just be a worthwhile addition to your kitchen.

2) Kasespatzle

This rich and creamy dish is Germany’s version of macaroni and cheese. Made with soft egg noodles and covered in melted cheese (this dish gets its name from the German word for cheese), Kasespatzle is a very popular German meal and considered a German specialty. It’s a great side that pairs well with meats, but could also be served on its own if your kid is a strict mac n’ cheese eater.

3) Rote grutze

This is a refreshing dessert that’s considered to be a pudding and popular in north Germany. This pudding is popularly made with black and red currants, raspberries and, depending on the season, strawberries and cherries. To mellow out the tartness of the berries, the dish is served with a later of cream, a glass of milk, or vanilla ice cream. It’s the perfect treat for a summer’s day and simple to put together.

4) Eintopf

This dish is perfect for any meat eater that’s looking for a hearty stew, or on a cold winter’s day after playing in the snow. This dish is a German stew that means “one pot,” because of the way the stew is cooked. Ingredients sit in a large pot for several hours, including meat, vegetables, and a thick broth. Eintopf is delicious, flavorful, and will warm up any child on a cold day.

5) Brezel

Your kids are already used to the famous German pretzel at a carnival or fair, so it’s a perfect dish to make from scratch because they’ll already be interested in eating it.

Made from flour, water and yeast with a dash of salt, Brezels are perfect for a light snack or on the go. In Germany you’ll never see a street corner without a Brezel carrier or a bakery that specializes in their buttery goodness. You might also want to try pairing cheese or cold meats with this dish for a well-rounded lunch.

Even if your kids are content eating their favorite foods, it never hurts to take them slightly out of their comfort zone to get them interested in a new menu. German food hosts many accessible substitutes for American foods, so there’s bound to be a few your kids will like.

Try getting your kids to cook these dishes with you as a way for them to see what they’re going to eat and realize it doesn’t look so foreign after all. It’s also an opportunity to spend time with your kids and teach them about the fundamentals of cooking if they don’t normally step into your kitchen unless it’s to eat. If you try to incorporate these foods into your cookbook, perhaps your kids will become fond of new and exciting European dishes.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Ways to Keep Children Healthy

July 23, 2018 By Anne

Every parent wants a happy and healthy child. Luckily, there are many ways to achieve this. By providing a home that offers a sanitary environment, giving kids the proper amount of rest, a nutritious diet, and an abundance of exercise, parents can ensure they raise a happy and healthy child.

Keeping Your Home Clean

Children spend a lot of time indoors inside the home. If it’s not sanitary and does not have a desirable air quality, children can develop temporary symptoms of a cold, irritations to the skin and the bronchial tubes which can lead to symptoms similar to asthma. The good news is that you can correct and improve your indoor air quality. If you have pets, vacuum and brush them often. If you smoke, do it outside away from the entrance to your dwelling. If you have a fireplace, make sure that you clean it and have the flute and chimney cleaned once yearly prior to use. There are other things you can do too such as washing the windows and floors often, wiping down counters and sinks, tubs and toilets. You should also change the bedding once a week to eliminate the presence of germs.

Removing Pests

Insects and animals are dirty. They don’t wash after meals like you do and they often eat things that are dangerous for you to consume like feces and rotting meat. They also leave behind saliva or droppings on surfaces that if consumed can cause sickness or even a serious disease. Thankfully, you can prevent the spread of germs throughout your home by having a pest control service do a thorough check of your home. Many of the insects and rodents hide very well inside walls, the attic or in dark, cool places. Having a specialist come in and make a complete evaluation, allows you to fix the problem before anyone in the home gets sick.

Proper Nutrition

In order for your child to develop properly and grow in body and mind to their full potential, they need the proper nourishment. Lean meats, fish, poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk. Limiting their intake of sugar and processed foods that have no significant nutritional value can prevent them from developing type 2 diabetes, becoming overweight and other health issues attributed to poor eating habits. In addition to eating right, making sure that children have access to a clean source of water is also essential. Freshwater keeps the body hydrated and functioning at its best. It can also help protect against heat exhaustion during the warm summer months.

Active Lifestyle

Today it seems like children lack the drive to get outdoors and run around. A lot has to do with advancements in technology with the video gaming systems, tablets, and cell phones. The good news is that you can encourage kids to get up and move by creating fun activities. Take them to the park to fly kites, to the beach to collect sea shells and enjoy a good swim or play hide and seek in the backyard. Indoors, limit their time on the gaming systems and encourage them to join in with your exercise routine 4 to 5 days each week for a half hour. There are many exercise videos designed specifically for kids.

Sound Sleep

Sleep is just as important as eating good food and exercising regularly. When the body is asleep it performs amazing work. It fights off infections, promotes healthy growth, keeps the mind sharp and can prevent mood swings. It can also keep their heart functioning top notch and prevent the development of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, a well-rested child performs better in school because they have a better attention span. The younger the child is, the more sleep they require to sustain overall health. Generally, kids ages 3 to 5 years should have 11 to 13 hours each night, whereas children ages 5 to 12 require 10 to 11 hours.

As a parent, you want your child to grow to their full potential in body and mind and sustain a happy and healthy life. By following a good diet, getting adequate exercise, plenty of rest and keeping your home free of pests and providing a clean indoor environment, you give them the best chance of succeeding.

Anne

Family Game Nights are Better with Blue Orange Games! (Review and Giveaway)

July 20, 2018 By Marijean

My family and I love having family game nights. At least once a week we enjoy playing a family game together. If it is raining out, or we are having a low key day, we will also play games together. Looking in my game closet, I noticed I really need to switch games out and update. Luckily, Blue Orange Games contacted me to review 4 of their new games.

About Blue Orange Games:

At Blue Orange Games, we have been publishing and promoting award-winning games for over 18 years.

We prioritize quality and durability, and pledge to make games that will stand the test of time.

We make sure each and every game is easy to learn, fun to play, and engaging for all- it’s our not-so-secret formula to success!

Many of our games help children build important skills such as dexterity, memory, math, logic, and cooperation.

We pride ourselves in helping people unplug and bond for hours of good old fashion fun.

As a company dedicated to growing with families, we are confident there is a little something for everyone in our catalog.

We are strong advocates of the value of play and would like to thank all the retailers and players around the world who support our games and help to make play an everyday reality.

In addition to the 200+ awards our products have received, Blue Orange Games has won three prestigious industry awards:

• 2012 ASTRA Excellence Award

– Vendor of the Year

• 2011 Toy Collection Award

– Vendor of the Year

• 2011 Learning Express Award

– Best Store Support Vendor Award

The first thing I noticed about Blue Orange Games is that they have really cool and fun looking games. Totally different than the usually department store game selection. I couldn’t wait to get the games and play them with my two children.

The first game I played with my children was Pool Party. What a perfect game for the hot summer weather we are having here in Florida! The box is colorful and fun, my kids couldn’t wait to open and play!

Pool Party ($21.99)

Ages 6 and UP
2-4 Players

Summer is here, and so is pool party season! It’s time to beat the heat and cool off in the topsy-turvy pool. Better yet, join in on the cannon ball contest and form a team with your fellow party-goers. But watch out! Too many swimmers and this wacky pool can easily spill over, tossing you and everyone else out. Make big splashes by propelling your teammates into the unsteady pool, and be the first to successfully land 3 divers in to win! Unique components and high energy gameplay will make Pool Party your family’s new favorite.

This game is so much fun! My kids and I had a blast trying to get out swimmers in the pool! My kids said they could play this forever. It was the perfect game for my 7 year old who usually gets upset when he doesn’t win or doesn’t understand how to play.

The second game we played is called Maki Stack. My daughter loves sushi, so when she saw the box she automatically wanted to play it right away.

Maki Stack ($27.99)

Ages 7 and UP
2-6 Players

Order’s up- it’s time for a sushi showdown! Put on your mask and grab your teammate, or prepare to use your fingers as chopsticks. Balance and arrange the sushi, plates, and soy sauce bottles, and make sure to execute the order exactly as shown on the card. But be careful, one wrong move and everything might tumble over! Race a friend or challenge as a team in this sushi stacking extravaganza. High-quality wooden pieces and crazy stacking combinations make Maki Stack perfect for a game night full of fun and laughs.

This game is so much fun! My daughter loved where you have to use a blindfold to stack the pieces. We both had so much fun playing this game.

The third game is called Who did it? If you have a child that loves emojis, especially the “poop” emoji, they will love this game.

Who did it?

Ages 6 and UP
3-6 Players

In this hilarious card game, players race to get rid of their cards so they can avoid the blame of owning the animal that pooped. Each game is as funny as it is fast; quickly find your card, be the first to throw it down, and then blame someone else! Was it YOUR cat that pooped in the living room? Because it wasn’t my fish!

Break it out at the next family game night, social gathering, or cocktail party. Who Did It? is sure to bring laughs and just the right amount of potty humor. Plus the cute, plushy zippered pouch keeps all the cards and tokens safe, and is the perfect size for on-the-go fun.

This game had all of us lagging the whole time! A simple yet fun card game that was all about Poop!! So fun!

Last but not least….my absolute favorite out of all of them, Shaky Manor!!

Shaky Manor ($25.99)

Ages 7 and UP
2-4 Players

Local legend says the house on the corner contains hidden treasures… you find yourself taking a chance and entering to strike it rich, but it isn’t that easy to keep the treasures safe from the creatures that haunt the dusty rooms!

In this game, race to position your Meeple Player and 2 Treasure Chests into the room indicated on the Challenge Card by shaking and tilting your box. Each time you succeed in keeping the treasure safe, you win the card as a point and the player to your right adds a new spooky creature into your box to make the next round harder!

I love how you can start playing this game before opening the box! Start tilting! Two of the rooms are together with the play pieces, so you can see through the box and start playing. This game was so much fun, I love games of skill and logic. My 9-year-old had a blast playing this as well did I!

I was super impressed with these awesome games from Blue Orange! These games would be a great addition to your family game nights. They would also make fabulous gifts!

To learn more and to purchase, please go to Blue Orange Games.

Connect with Blue Orange Games on social media: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter

*I received these games in exchange for my honest opinion.

Giveaway

Blue Orange is letting me give away my favorite game, Shaky Manor, to one lucky winner! U.S Residents only, giveaway ends on 8/3/18. Please enter using the giveaway rafflecopter below. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Decluttering the Eco-Friendly Way: Tips for Environmentally Friendly Cleaning

July 16, 2018 By Anne

Decluttering a home that’s overrun with the flotsam of daily life is an excellent way to create a clean and orderly home environment. Unfortunately, getting rid of junk means introducing it into the natural environment, including loading up landfills, expelling toxic material into the atmosphere, and sapping precious natural resources. Enhanced environmental awareness among homeowners and a renewed appreciation of nature’s gifts have led many people to seek eco-friendly ways of discarding household material. Today, dragging old mattresses to the dump and using bleach and other harmful liquids to clean are giving way to healthier, safer alternatives. Not knowing how and where to start can be overwhelming for anyone, however the amazing thing is there are tons of articles online to guide you through the process step by step.

Recycling the Big Stuff

Appliances are a major problem when it comes to disposal because of their size and composition. Unfortunately, people often throw them out because they’re upgrading to a newer, better-looking model, not because they’ve stopped working. This throw-away mentality lies at the root of many environmental issues we’re grappling with today. If that trusty old microwave or refrigerator has looked better, donate it to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or Habitat for Humanity rather than sending it to the landfill. You can also wait for a community scrap metal drive or post it on a free-exchange website like Freecycle. When it comes to bedding and furniture padding, many people are unaware that these materials can be reused. Look for textile drop-off points in your community, or look for a clothing and textile recycling facility nearest you.

Electronics and “e-waste” represent one of the greatest threats to the environment. Last year, more than 44 million tons of e-waste were discarded, according to the United Nations, but only 20 percent of it was disposed of responsibly and safely. Many of these products contain heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium. Consider donating old cell phones, keyboards, and tablets to a local non-profit or charity or to organizations like Dell Reconnect or the World Computer Exchange, which refurbish and donate electronics to people in developing countries.

Embrace the “Cloud”

Old photos and documents can create a tremendous amount of clutter because they tend to accumulate with alarming rapidity. Fortunately, technology and the storage miracle known as “the cloud” makes it very easy to remove all those loose papers and pictures with a few clicks of your computer mouse. Simply scan photos and documents and upload them to secure digital storage space. That frees you to take it all to a shredder and free up your drawer space. Be sure to consult a tax accountant before you dispose of something you might need to keep a hard copy of.

Green Clean

Cleaning your home with products that contain toxic materials is not only bad for the environment, but it’s also unhealthy for you and your family and can cause problems over time. When people clean using products and methods that are free of toxic or unsafe materials, and that are safe for the environment and human health, it is called green cleaning. There are many environmentally safe, eco-friendly cleaning products on the market today that are as effective as anything you’ve ever used. You can also use natural household materials, like vinegar or baking soda, for a number of cleaning needs. Avoid bleach and ammonia, which emit fumes that can cause respiratory problems and are toxic pollutants. Instead of aerosols, use an essential oil like lavender or lemons to get rid of odors.

Decluttering your home can be a freeing experience that opens up new vistas of practical and aesthetic possibilities. Decluttering the eco-friendly way takes a little extra effort. It’s as much an investment in your health as it is a means of protecting our environment.

It’s also a good idea to see if you can find a company who uses green cleaning products if you would like to hire someone to take on this task for you. Someone like Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy is a good place to start your search!

Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

Anne

7 Things You Do for Your Dog That You Wouldn’t Do for Anyone Else

July 16, 2018 By Anne

Dogs, we love them and they love us. If you are a mommy or a daddy to a pet dog then you know you would do certain things for them that you wouldn’t for anybody. Why? Because your dog is cute, and it knows nothing else other than to love you unconditionally.

You Clean up Their Poop: Can you imagine doing this for anyone else? Millions of dog parents worldwide take their dogs out for walks and happily clean up after them. Maybe not happily, but they do it anyways. Thank god for biodegradable poop bags and poop scoopers.

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You Spend Hours Finding Things for Them on the Internet: One of the many joys of pet parenting is constantly browsing the net to find discount pet items such as treats and toys. In fact, if you are like most dog parents, this has become a thing that you have grown to love.

You Keep on Making Awful Songs for Them: Your spouse or significant other may appreciate you making songs for them, but all you do is make silly rhymes for your dog. Your dogs may not understand a single word, but they seem mighty happy when they see you sing. They might even join the band by howling along.

You Carry Food in Your Pocket: Every time you go out with your dog, you prepare a little goodie bag for your dog. By “goodie” we mean dog treats and by “bag” we mean your pocket. While your dog enjoys an occasional outdoor snack, you have to deal with a pocket full of biscuit crumbs. You wouldn’t do it for anyone else.

You Crowd Your Phone’s Memory with Their Photos: Your phone’s memory is a sacred space where only the most deserving apps and photos retain their right to survive. If your phone has limited space, you often need to go on clean-up sprees, deleting everything you find remotely nonessential. Yet you never think of deleting any one of those thousands of doggie photos and selfies that are crowding your phone’s memory. Now, that’s love.

You Inspect Their Poop for Signs of Intestinal Worms: There are times when pet parents are forced to closely inspect their dogs’ poop. They often do it because vets recommend them to keep an eye out for common intestinal worms such as tapeworms and roundworms. If that wasn’t enough, you might even need to collect the smelly sample and carry it to your vet’s office.

Instantly Forgiving Serious Offenses: From chewing on your expensive leather boots to peeing on important documents, dogs seem to always find new ways to get into trouble. Their curious nature coupled with their mischievous demeanors often causes irrecoverable damages to human property. What follows after something like that happens? You start making a YouTube video of the mess with you saying, “What did you do Max?” Max responds appropriately giving you the guiltiest expression ever. You have no option but to forgive your pet almost instantly.