Mommy Has to Work

Functional Food: The 3 Best Family Meals You Can Batch-Cook

March 6, 2023 By Anne

Ensuring we provide tasty nutritious meals for our families when we lead such a busy life is taxing. When there’s work to do, extracurricular activities to manage, and the less-than-easy task of looking after your home, you may find it hard to get everything in balance, especially when it comes to the right meals, but this is where batch cooking comes to the rescue! Batch cooking is, very simply, cooking a larger portion of your favorite foods that you can store for future use, either in freezers or in the fridge for later in the week. Here are some of the best batch-cooked meals out there you can cook.

Sloppy Joes

One of the old-fashioned staples for most kids growing up, Sloppy Joes are easily freezable and when you create such a massive amount, a lot of people are concerned when they bring something out of the freezer that it either loses its texture and goes all runny, but this is nothing to be concerned about when it comes to Sloppy Joes because they are already sloppy in nature! If you feel they are too runny after you take them out of the freezer, just brown them off in the frying pan to reduce the liquid!

Casseroles

The great thing about having a slow cooker is that you can make meals with minimum effort. Another great benefit is that most of these meals can be portioned up and frozen. A little trick if you want to maximize freezer space is to not portion up less solid meals into Tupperware boxes, but instead, put them in freezer bags. This means that you may have to cut up the meat into smaller portions for it to maintain that liquidy consistency, but when you have more freezer space, you can get into the habit of batch-cooking a meal whenever you have some time spare. The great thing about batch-cooked meals is that they last at least up to six months in the freezer. Just make sure you put the date the meal was cooked on the Tupperware box or freezer bag!

Lasagna

One of those dishes that tastes amazing, in or out of the freezer. Lasagna is an amazing way for you to not just create a filling family staple, but is the perfect opportunity to load this dish with lots of vegetables. Your children may very well turn their noses up at the sight of vegetables, which is why you can benefit from making your own tomato sauce that has a wide variety of onions, carrots, zucchinis, peppers, and almost anything to create this amazing base. The benefit of this type of tomato sauce is that you can also freeze it, making short work of pasta dishes beyond lasagna, but spaghetti bolognese and even chili!

Ensuring we have an idea of the best batch-cooked meals we can portion up is critical because it means we’re not just working more effectively within the time constraints, but we’ve also got more opportunities to do the things that we want!

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!

Create Delicious Dishes With Fresh Ingredients: A Step-by-Step Guide

March 6, 2023 By Anne

Do you ever feel like you’re in a cooking rut? You want to make something delicious, but you can’t seem to come up with an idea. Maybe you resort to eating out more often than you’d like or ordering takeout. Well, fresh ingredients are not only healthier and tastier, but they’re also easier to work with than dried herbs and spices. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to use fresh ingredients to create delicious dishes that will wow your taste buds!

via Pexels

Start with a tasty base

One of the best ways to start a delicious recipe is with a tasty base. This is where you will build the flavors and structure of your dish, so it’s important to choose ingredients that will complement the other flavors you’ll be adding. Start by selecting a quality protein such as lean ground beef or chicken, shrimp, pork, or even tofu. Once you have chosen your protein, pick out fresh vegetables like onions, peppers, carrots, garlic, and mushrooms for flavor and texture. Finally, add some grains such as quinoa or brown rice for extra nutrition. These ingredients form the foundation of your dish and provide essential nutrients as well as taste.

Boost the flavor

Once you have a tasty base for your dish, it is time to boost the flavor. The best way to do this is by adding sauces and marinades. This can give your meals an extra kick of flavor and help to balance out the ingredients. For example, if you are making a stir-fry or curry with vegetables, try adding some soy sauce or fish sauce for umami notes. For Mexican dishes, add salsa or pico de gallo for some zesty acidity. And for Mediterranean dishes, try using olive oil and vinegar as a marinade for meats. These sauces can add depth and complexity of flavor that will take your dish from ordinary to extraordinary!

Another great way to enhance flavors is through herbs and spices. Fresh herbs can all be used in The Butter Half’s tabouli salad, as well as different combinations to create unique flavor nuances in your dishes. You can also use dried herbs and spices such as paprika, cumin, coriander powder, or chili powder, depending on what kind of cuisine you are trying to achieve. By experimenting with different combinations of these ingredients, you can create layers upon layers of flavor in your dish!

Use fresh ingredients

Fresh ingredients can make a huge difference in the flavor and quality of any dish. By using fresh ingredients, you can ensure that your dish will be bursting with vibrant flavors and nutrients. Fresh vegetables like onions, peppers, carrots, garlic, and mushrooms not only add flavor and texture to dishes but also provide essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

In conclusion, there are many different ways to create a flavorful and nutritious dish. By using the right combination of ingredients and techniques, such as adding sauces, marinades, herbs, and spices, you can create delicious dishes with layers of flavor that will impress even the toughest critics. Don’t forget to use fresh ingredients for maximum nutrition and taste! With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating mouth-watering meals in no time!

Anne

Create a Flavor Explosion: Arranging a Surprise 50th Birthday Party

March 5, 2023 By Anne

Your parents have done a lot for you. They’ve been there through thick and thin, always offering their support. So it’s time to return the favor and throw them an incredible 50th birthday party! But how do you make sure it’s a surprise? Here are some tips for preparing that special dinner to arrange the best party.

1) Choose a Suitable Location:

Choose the location for your party with discretion. You don’t want to alert your parents of the surprise by having them see decorations or people around their house. Instead, try to find a venue that is close enough and suitable for all guests, such as a restaurant or banquet hall. In addition, make sure there is enough space to accommodate everyone.

2) Food Options:

When it comes to food options, you want to choose something exciting and special. Get the siblings all involved, to help prepare this special dinner. Consider a buffet-style dinner made up of dishes that your parents like. Offer a variety of flavors such as Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese and more. You could also put together specialized bars like sushi or a taco bar. It would be extra meaningful if you could get a favorite family recipe to serve as one of the dishes, such as dad’s simple steak seasoning recipe for a BBQ on the side.

3) Decorate Strategically:

When it comes to decorations, carefully plan your decor. If the location allows you, create a theme for your parent’s 50th birthday that is special to them – maybe a beach-side celebration or an entertainment-themed party. Choose decorations accordingly and use colors that will be eye-catching but not too flashy. You can also add some personal touches, like pictures of your parents during their younger years and make sure to include lots of balloons!

4) Music and Entertainment:

Once you’ve done the decorating, set the mood with some music:

Curate a playlist of old and new songs that have meaning to them or will get everyone dancing.
Consider adding some interactive activities like karaoke and trivia games that will keep everyone entertained throughout the night.
Ensure ample seating is available for those who might need a break from all the fun!

5) Photos and memories:

Create an area at the party where people can take photos to capture all the memorable moments. Have a professional photographer on hand or set up a photo booth with props and silly accessories. You can also arrange for friends, family members and colleagues to give speeches about your parents and share stories from days gone by. This will make for a truly special event that your parents won’t soon forget.

Via Pexels

6) Cake:

No birthday party is complete without cake! Choose one that reflects their personality – maybe you could even recreate a childhood favorite like banana bread pudding. Make sure to order it ahead of time and keep it in hiding until the big moment! As for presentation, go all out with vibrant colors and tasty toppings like strawberries, cream cheese frosting or chocolate ganache.

7) Gifts:

The final element of throwing a surprise 50th birthday party is finding the perfect gifts for your parents. If budget permits, you could get them something special, like jewelry or tickets to their favorite show. Alternatively, you could make it more sentimental by creating a scrapbook full of pictures from their younger days.

In conclusion, throwing a surprise 50th birthday party takes time and dedication. However, with the right planning and preparation, you can create an unforgettable event that your parents will cherish for years to come.

Anne

Planning a Weekend Getaway in New Orleans

March 2, 2023 By Anne

New Orleans is one of the most famous cities in the world, alongside the likes of Barcelona, New York and Paris. It is located along the great Mississippi River in the southeastern region of Louisiana, USA. With its diverse culture, incredible cuisines and magnificent architecture, the city should be at the top of your list as you plan your next weekend getaway.

The city is widely known for its distinctive culture, jazz music and for the iconic New Orleans streetcars, vintage-looking carriages have become a symbol of charm and romance for more than 150 years they’ve been operational. The 32-mile street railway starts in a street uptown and stretches all the way to Canal Street, making a few stops along St Charles Avenue, Loyola and Audubon Park.

If you need more reasons to visit New Orleans, here are a few of them.

Visit the French Quarter

The French Quarter is the oldest and most popular neighborhood in New Orleans. It is home to a few centuries-old buildings with beautiful little balconies wrapping around them. The neighborhood also serves as the roots of the city’s rich and unique culture, with museums, art galleries and amazing cuisines to go along with the soothing sounds of jazz music as you walk down the old streets.

Steamboat Tour on the Mississippi River

Like the streetcars, the Mississippi river boats have become permanently ingrained into the New Orleans culture. Your weekend getaway wouldn’t really be complete without a short cruise in one of these steam-powered paddle boats. They offer tour options for both night and day. Day tours generally involve sightseeing and learning more about the city’s history, while evening cruises are perfect for dinners, cocktails and live jazz music.

Jackson Square

If you are an art enthusiast, an afternoon stroll around Jackson Square would be a great way to start your weekend getaway. The park is located in front of the St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter and is just a few steps from the Mississippi river. It is surrounded by some of the oldest buildings in the city, housing various stores and restaurants. As you explore Jackson Square, you can take a few minutes to appreciate local artists who display their paintings, drawings and other works of art around the park.

St. Louis Cathedral

Founded in 1720, the St. Louis Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals in North America. It is one of the many architectural masterpieces in New Orleans and includes both Renaissance and Spanish Colonial architecture. Despite being over three centuries old, the cathedral is still in use, hosting masses every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. You can also visit the cathedral any other day for tours between 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Enjoy the Local Cuisine

If you get hungry after exploring the city, it might be time to try some fantastic local cuisine. The city has a few signature dishes, including Creole gumbo, beignet doughnuts and Cajun jambalaya. You can also try out a muffaletta and po’boy sandwich if you are on a tight budget. New Orleans has something for everyone – whatever cuisine route you choose; every mouthful will have a flavor of the city’s unique melting pot.

So, have you ever been to New Orleans? If yes, leave us some recommendations of the best places and things to see in the city!

Anne

Exploring Your Options: Alternatives to Public Education

February 23, 2023 By Anne

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More and more parents are choosing to find alternative education options for their kids. As modern technology allows us to access the world like never before, the ability to home-educate or find different teaching methods has also exploded to allow alternative options to the public school education system.

If you want to know what is available, this post has some options to consider.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular option for families who want to provide their children with an education tailored to their needs. Homeschooling is defined as “the practice of educating children at home, typically by parents or guardians, rather than in a public or private school.” With homeschooling, parents have the freedom to choose their child’s curriculum and pace of learning, as well as the ability to customize their learning environment. Homeschooling allows families to create a learning environment that meets the needs of their children and works best for their family dynamic.

Montessori

The Montessori approach is based on the idea that children are born with a natural desire to learn. This approach allows children to develop at their own pace and encourages them to explore their environment to learn. Montessori classrooms are typically designed to be hands-on learning environments, and the curriculum is often tailored to each child’s individual needs. The advantages of Montessori education include the opportunity for children to develop self-discipline and independence and the chance to explore their own interests. A Primary Montessori Day School also allows children to develop social skills and emotional intelligence.

Charter School

The primary advantage of charter schools is that they are usually smaller than traditional public schools and offer more individualized attention to students. The primary disadvantage of charter schools is that they are not always subject to the same standards and regulations as traditional public schools. Additionally, charter schools often have more flexible curriculums and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the students. The second advantage of charter schools is that they are often more innovative than traditional public schools, as the same bureaucratic restrictions do not limit them. This can lead to more creative and engaging learning experiences. A third advantage of charter schools is that they often offer more extracurricular activities than traditional public schools. This can include music and art classes, sports teams, and more.

Forest Schools

Forest Schools are outdoor educational programs that provide children with a unique learning experience. These programs are typically held in a natural environment, such as a forest or park, and focus on teaching children about respecting and protecting the natural environment. Forest Schools also provide children with the opportunity to explore and discover the joys of nature.

Forest Schools are an excellent option for families seeking an alternative to traditional public education. These programs provide an immersive learning experience tailored to each child’s individual needs. Forest Schools also offer a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn and explore.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision of which educational option to pursue is a personal one and should be made with careful consideration. We hope this guide has provided the information and resources you need to decide what’s right for you.