Shared Blessings

Sometimes, during the holiday season, we get super busy and start to feel overextended with all that has to be done.  But try not to let that happen - try not to get so caught up in the "holiday fever" that you forget about those that might be a little less fortunate.

Last week, we were Blessed with a little extra money for the holidays so last night, when we were at our local Wal-mart, we noticed that the food pantry from our area was there and they were doing their once a year food drive.  They stand out there from 6am to 8pm collecting donations that will be used here in our local area and to be honest, I can't think of a better place to share our Blessings with than right here in our own neighborhood.

The kids and I looked at the list the food pantry was handing out and then we got right to it.  We ended up with 2 bags of flour, 4 packets of cornbread mix, 2 bags of split green peas, 2 bags of lentils, 2 cans of corn, 2 cans of green beans and 2 cans of peas - all for a mere $10.04.  And while it's not a shopping cart full, I don't think we did too bad and I'm sure that some family or person will appreciate it and it will go to good use.  

So if you can, share a little something this holiday season with your local food pantry - you never know who it might go to help and how much they might really need it.  As you can see - it sometimes doesn't take more than $10.00 to help those in need.

Try This Game - Crowd Squeezer

Here's another great game for you to play with your family and/or relatives this Thanksgiving holiday......and it won't cost a thing!  It's called "Crowd Squeezer" and all you need are people and a blanket.

Spread the blanket out on the floor - everyone gets on top of the blanket with no body parts hanging off.  If you succeed with this, then everyone gets up and the blanket is folded in half.  Now put the blanket back down and same thing - everyone gets on top of the blanket with no body parts hanging off.  If you are able to do it again, then the blanket is folded in half one more time.  You keep going until the blanket is as small as you can go with everyone on it.  What interesting combinations can you come up with to get everyone on!!

Leftovers Made New

Thanksgiving is almost here and some of you are about to have a house full of relatives that are ready to celebrate with you as we give Thanks for everything we are Blessed with in our lives.

But Thanksgiving also means - LEFTOVERS!!!!!!

Instead of getting everyone "sick of turkey" - turn the leftovers into a fun, family event that won't cost a thing!  Take those leftovers and any other ingredients you have in your kitchen and host a "Thanksgiving Leftover Cook-Off".

Divide up the relatives into cooks and judges - see who can come up with the best recipe and the best way to use up some of those leftovers.  Not only will you have fun and laughs but everyone will be able to try "something new".

Cold Weather Fun For Indoors

It's that time of year again where the weather tends to keep a lot of us indoors - and you know what that can mean - cranky, bored children!

So lets give them a fun outlet that isn't the same old thing - put away the video games, the dvds and get together for some silly, cheap fun.

Pull out some inexpensive, brown paper bags, markers, leftover yarn and any other scraps or craft materials you have hanging around and make Paper Bag Puppets!

And when they are all done, have your kids do a little puppet show that you can record and share online for all your friends and family.  Cheap entertainment for everyone!

Or what about this classic -

Thumb Wrestling!

Make it even more fun by adding faces to the thumbs with ink pens.  Cute, fun and cheap!

Bertolli Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe

If you just read my last post about how I got my kids involved in the kitchen the other night, you might be having a craving for some easy, delicious spaghetti and meatballs right about now.  No worries, here is the recipe that we used - like I said - it's super simple for the kids to do and if your kids are older than mine, then they should be able to make the pasta as well.  Great times, lots of laughs and good food - time spent with family doesn't get any better than that.  Enjoy!

RECIPE SERVES: 4

PREP TIME	20 Minutes
COOK TIME	20 Minutes

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serving Size1 serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories	600
Calories From Fat	180
Saturated Fat	7 g
Trans Fat	0.5 g
Total Fat	20 g
Cholesterol	130 mg
Sodium	1150 mg
Carbohydrates	66 g
Sugars	19 g
Dietary Fibre	6 g
Protein	40 g
Vitamin A	25 %
Vitamin C	10 %
Calcium	25 %
Iron	40 %

Bertolli Spaghetti & Meatballs

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. garlic
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 jar Bertolli® Tomato & Basil Sauce
• 8 ounces spaghetti, cooked and drained

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine ground beef, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, water, egg, garlic and salt in medium bowl; shape into 12 meatballs.
2. Bring Sauce to a boil over medium-high heat in 3-quart saucepan. Gently stir in uncooked meatballs.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are done, about 20 minutes. Serve over hot spaghetti and sprinkle, if desired, with additional Parmesan cheese.

Cost per recipe*: $8.39. Cost per serving*: $2.10. *Based on average retail prices at national supermarkets.

Get Kids Involved

Spending time with your kids is very important.  You all need to "disconnect" from technology every now and again to actually spend time together.  Sitting down at the table to have a family meal is a great place to start, but what about getting your kids involved in cooking the dinner with you?   It not only allows you to spend time with each other, but they end up learning valuable skills that will help them as they become young adults.

The other night, I decided to pull my kids away from the televisions and get them involved with making our dinner.  We decided on a simple Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe that we found in a Bertolli ad.  It wasn't difficult, it didn't have a lot of ingredients and that meant it wasn't going to cost a lot of money to make.

While I got the pasta cooking, the kids measured, mixed and rolled the meatballs.  Then they lowered them into the sauce where the meatballs cooked.  When everything was finished, we sat down together and shared this fabulously fun meal.  Not only did it taste good, but the kids were really proud of themselves and felt a great sense of accomplishment.

So get your kids involved - you might be surprised at how much fun you have with something as simple as cooking together.