Mommy Has to Work

Sick Of Your Basic Meals? How To Approach Advanced Cooking Techniques

July 23, 2022 By Anne

Want to become a pro chef from the comfort of your own home? Start experimenting! Even for people who don’t cook all that often, this is a great way to kickstart your passion for the culinary world. Indeed, one of the best ways to fall in love with cooking again is to try something new and exciting.

The kitchen is a place of endless wonder when it comes to making meals, and there are plenty of advanced techniques you can put to good use here. Check out some of the most important to pick up below for a quick starter course.

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Buy ‘Good’ Ingredients

No matter where you shop, some ingredients are going to be better than others. It’s up to you to be able to identify them and pick them out, and it’s not all about price either! It’s about color, shape, and size, and how something feels and smells in your hand. Take your time shopping for fresh ingredients to make sure you get the best of the bunch; they’ll add so much more to your meals.

Take Your Time Practicing

Practice makes perfect, and that’s certainly true in the kitchen! The more you do something, the more you’ll figure out about what can go wrong, what warning signs to look out for, and what substitutes you can use in place of ingredients you don’t have much of. And this is especially essential when it comes to cooking methods like learning how to toss a pan without losing anything – put a small amount of an ingredient in, and then slowly build up until you’re confident in your tossing ability.

Cheat Where You Can

All the pros do this, truly! They make ahead of time, cut corners using equipment, and sometimes buy already prepared ingredients straight from the market. If the main bulk of work is done in 5 to 10 minutes, you’ll have an easy time getting through the 20 to 40 minutes actual cooking time. If you’re making kombucha, for example, you can buy a yeast starter from a store instead of trying to cultivate one yourself. That’ll save you a lot of time and effort, and make sure you and the kids have something delicious to drink sooner rather than later!

Learn How to Plate

Presentation is everything. When a plate looks good, people will want to dig in no matter what’s on there. And not only that, but when you know how to make a plate look good, you know what garnishes and side dishes to include as well. That makes more of a complete meal that features all the right nutrients, and it won’t be hard to get the kids to try something new and tasty every time you cook. Plate up right for more inviting meals, no matter what you’ve cooked.

If you’re getting sick of the basic meals you make everyday, all you need to do is practice until you’ve grasped the advanced techniques all the pros use!

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!

The Top 4 Stress Triggers for Single Moms and How to Overcome Them

July 19, 2022 By Anne

No one ever said being a single mom was easy, but it’s definitely manageable with the right tools. As a single mom, you have to juggle a lot of balls in the air – work, childcare, household responsibilities, and more. It can be tough to keep your head above water, especially when stress starts to pile up. In this blog post, we will discuss four common stress triggers for single moms and how to overcome them.

Photo by Benjamin Manley on Unsplash

Financial Stress

Single moms often bear the brunt of financial responsibility. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, it can be very stressful. There are a few things you can do to ease financial stress. First, make a budget and stick to it. Second, try to save money where you can. Third, don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by financial stress, there are plenty of resources available to help you get back on track. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is a great place to start. They offer free or low-cost counseling services nationwide. Another option is to contact your local United Way office. They can connect you with programs in your area that can help with food, housing, childcare, and more.

Time Management Stress

Trying to balance work, childcare, and household responsibilities can be tough. It’s important to try to find a good balance between work and home life. If you’re feeling stressed out by your never-ending to-do list, there are a few things you can do to manage your time better. First, make a list of your priorities and stick to it. Second, delegate tasks whenever possible. Ask family and friends for help with childcare or housework. Third, take some time for yourself every day – even if it’s just 15 minutes. Dedicate this time to doing something you enjoy, like reading or taking a walk.

Relationship Stress

If you’re a single mom, relationship stress can be a big trigger. Whether you’re co-parenting with an ex or trying to date as a single parent, relationships can be complicated. It’s important to communicate openly and honestly with your partner or potential partner. Set boundaries and stick to them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – whether it’s from a therapist or a friend. If you’re feeling stressed about your love life, there are plenty of resources available to help you out. The website SingleParentMatch offers advice on dating as a single parent. They also have a forum where you can connect with other single parents and share tips and advice.

Child Custody Stress

If you’re going through a child custody battle, it can be very stressful. The best thing you can do is to stay calm and focused. Don’t let emotions take over. Hire a good lawyer and listen to their advice. If possible, try to reach an agreement with your ex outside of court. This will save you time, money, and stress in the long run. The website CustodyXChange offers resources and information for parents who are going through a custody battle. They have a forum where you can connect with other parents and share tips and advice.

Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA from Pexels

Stress is a normal part of being a single mom. But it doesn’t have to take over your life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try to identify the source of your stress and take steps to address it. There are plenty of resources available to help you out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Anne

Happy Birthday to Me!

July 17, 2022 By Anne

In January I turned 50. It feels weird to say as I do not feel what I thought 50 would feel like. LOL For my big day my friend, Nikki and I went up to Charlston for a girl’s weekend. We had such a great time. Here are some fun pictures from our trip…

When picking out a card for a special occasion there are so many basic cards. Have you heard of Lovepop cards? No basic cards here. Lovepop is on a mission to create one billion magical moments. Check out their Birthday Card collection page for a creative, meaningful, and fun way for you to share love with the people around you.

Lovepop has a card for every occasion. What’s even better is that you can get 5 beautiful magical cards for only $50. Just look for the 5 for $50 in the top left corner. I was able to pick out 5 cards and I cannot wait to give them to my friends!

Anne

How to Enjoy More Family Time Together

July 12, 2022 By Anne

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In today’s world, it is not uncommon for parents to feel like they are constantly on the go. They are juggling work and family life in a way that is not always satisfying. The constant need to be available and responsive to their kids, their partners, and their employers has left many feeling like they are missing out on important moments with the people that matter most to them.

The best way to create more quality time for ourselves as parents is by creating boundaries between work and family life. Let’s take a look at how you can make the most of this.

How to Spend More Quality Time Together

It is important to spend quality time with family. But it is not always easy to find the time. So it’s more about proactively and consciously making the time. This can involve having a better a better routine in place, making more time for your life together as a family, ensuring that your self-care is prioritized first, and that you’re making your life exactly how you want it to be.

In today’s world, it is not uncommon for people to work more than 40 hours a week. This leaves them with little time to spend with their family. To make the most of the time that they have, you need to make it count.

Ways of Spending More Quality Time Together

The ideas for family time are endless and can be tailored to your specific needs. For example, you can use a family game night to spend more quality time with your kids while teaching them and having fun at the same time. Some families choose to go out on a date night every month or so, while others prefer movie nights that allow them to watch their favorite movies together or work out how to watch hbo max outside us. You can come up with your own ideas for family time, as long as you have the right attitude and make it fun for everyone!

Tips for Families With Busy Schedules

There are some tips that can help families who have busy schedules to maximize the time they spend together.

– Schedule a regular family dinner hour.

– Take turns cooking dinner each night.

– Set aside one day of the week to do an activity as a family, like going to the movie theater or taking a walk in the park.

– Plan ahead for special occasions and holidays and take turns hosting them at your home.

How Children Benefit from Spending More Quality Time With Their Families

Children need to have a bond with their family members in order to grow up as healthy individuals. They need to spend quality time with their parents, grandparents and siblings. It is important for them to learn how to communicate and socialize with other people from the start of their lives.

In today’s world, children are spending too much time on screens. They are not interacting with the people around them and they don’t understand how relationships work. This type of lifestyle leads to unhealthy habits that will affect them in the future.

Anne

5 Tips For Coping With Stress As A Mother

July 8, 2022 By Anne

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As a mother, you’re constantly torn in different directions – your children, your relationship, yourself, your home, your work. There are so many stressors that can impact your mental and physical health, so it’s important to take stock of the situation and make sure that you’re doing okay. Stress is unavoidable as a mum, but you can manage it and do your best not to feel overwhelmed or out of control. So, for five tips for coping with stress as a mother, read on.

Diarise time for yourself

It can be impossible to find time for yourself when you’re constantly worrying about other people. So, to avoid burnout, try scheduling time for yourself that’s non-negotiable. It doesn’t need to be an adventurous two-day break, but it can be a couple of hours one day or an evening where you leave the kids with someone else. What’s important is that you note it down (writing it down physically in a planner can help) and you actually stick to the plan. Enlist family and friends to help you out if you need childcare.

Keep talking

Keeping everything bottled up inside you is a recipe for disaster. Life as a mother can be stressful, so make sure to keep up lines of communication with someone you trust so you can get everything off your chest. If you don’t have someone that you want to confide in, then you can seek out online therapy with an independent and accredited counselor or therapist who can listen to you.

Get moving

It can be all too easy to stay sedentary when you’re so busy, but exercise is a brilliant stress reliever. You don’t need to spend loads of money on a gym membership (although they can be brilliant for making sure you turn up, any kind of activity is good for you. That could be working, following pilates workouts on YouTube or finding a local swimming pool to go to a couple of times a week. Get the blood pumping and those endorphins flowing.

Supplement your life

Supplements can be great for balancing hormones, making sure you’re getting the right vitamins in and leveling out your hormones. So, make sure you’re getting the right ones in. In winter, vitamin D is important as your body doesn’t see as much sunlight. Magnesium is great for helping cell functions and reducing stress levels, too. Consider the benefits of other, more alternative supplements, such as delta 10 products, which are Cannabinoids.

Practice daily meditation

Meditation is an ancient practice that people have been doing for thousands of years. It has proven stress-reducing aspects and can be a great tool to help you as a busy mother. It doesn’t have to take hours every day and you can come to the practice as a novice – all you need to do is download an app that can guide you through quick, simple meditations that help you calm your mind.

Hopefully, this article helps you to copy with stress as a busy mother.