tricks and tips of a mother

How to peel a clove of garlic in less than 10 seconds

2012-01-18T18:04:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d3oc24fD-c&feature=share

This awesome!

Kick-butt workout (Literally!)

2011-06-02T18:14:00.001-07:00

So this work out literally will kick your butt! I love it! Try it for yourself. Jillian Michaels sure knows how to get your butt in gear!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWQpqx66vUs&feature=player_embedded#at=11

Free stuff

2011-03-10T15:06:00.000-08:00

There are two awesome deals going on right now! The first one is canvaspeople.com is giving away a free 8x10 canvas print. You only have to pay for shipping! If you want a larger size they will apply a $50 credit to your order. AWESOME!!!!

The second one is at picaboo.com They are giving away a free 20 page photo book! Use promo code FREECC to claim your free photo book. Once again, you ONLY have to pay for shipping!

These deals were too good not to share. Hope you love your free stuff!

Valentine cupcakes

2011-01-25T13:09:00.000-08:00

Is this not the cutest cupcake you have ever seen???!!!! I Can't wait to make these for Valentine's day! Here is this fun little recipe. http://bakeitinacake.com/recipes/heartinacupcake

Soapapilla Cheesecake

2011-01-25T13:01:00.000-08:00

I am a HUGE sucker for Cheesecake and my dear friend Amber made this for me once and I couldn't stop eating it! It is amazing!

Soapapilla Cheesecake

2 cans Pillsbury Crescent rolls
2-8oz Cream Cheese (room temperature)
1 1/2 cups Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 stick butter (1/2 cup real butter not margarine)

Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Unroll and press 1 can crescent rolls into the bottom of your baking dish press the seams together. In a separate bowl blend the cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla. spread over top of dough. Unroll the second can of crescent rolls and place on top of the cream cheese mixture pressing seams together again. Melt butter and pour over top layer of crescents. Mix the reaming 1/2 cup of sugar & cinnamon together. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the top. If you don't think that's enough cinnamon sugar on top add more its really up to you there's no rules on this part of the recipe. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until bubbly and bottom crust is slightly brown. Enjoy!

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON

2011-01-18T18:56:00.000-08:00

I love this saying so much that I just bought this poster. This was a poster made by the British Government in during the beginning of World War II intended to raise the morale of the British public under the threat of impending invasion.

I think this little saying will help raise my morale during the threat and impending invasion of my lack patience during the day. I can't wait to hang this little reminder somewhere in my house with a funky colored frame! :)

5 Minute Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake

2011-01-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

Since we never buy sweets, and only buy the stuff to make sweets this little secret comes in handy when my hubby and I have a craving for some thing sweet.... The kind of craving where you need it fast! This is also the perfect little cake for a date night in!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
2-3 tablespoons sugar (according to desired sweetness)
1 tablespoon flour
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as canola
3 tablespoons egg white or plain Egg Whites in a carton
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
optional but so necessary if you are a chocolate lover:1 tablespoon chocolate chips or any kind of chip

In a microwave safe mug, blend cocoa, sugar, and flour together.

Add milk, oil, egg white and vanilla. Stir vigorously for 2 minutes. Bake in microwave for 2 minutes. Check to make sure it is cooked on the bottom by lifting it a little with a spoon. If it is runny, cook 10 seconds more at a time until done. Do not overcook, as it will be rubbery. It puffs up and may overflow, don't worry it deflates.

Empty on a plate and cut in half. Serve with ice cream or make a sauce using heavy cream and sugar and add raspberries on top! DELISH!!!!! Bon appetit!

How to Make Dollar Tree Hurricanes

2011-01-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

I love Hurricanes but some of them can be expensive. I made these for 3$ a piece.

Dollar Tree has everything you need found in the candle isle. You will need a hurricane vase, a candle stick holder and a stinky white candle (found next to the saints candles). Clean off all labels and try. Then you will take your hurricane vase, find the center and super glue the candle stick holder to the bottom. I but a few books on top and let it dry for a few hours. Next get a hot glue gun and put a dab of glue on the skinny white candle. Place white candle into hurricane. Beautiful hurricanes for 3 dollars! Can't beat that!

I wish I took pictures before I assembled them together. :(

Chalk board plate

2011-01-05T11:28:00.000-08:00

I got this cute idea from this adorable blog called http://enchantresses3.blogspot.com/.

Just get a ceramic, glass or plastic plate and paint chalk board paint it. Use painters tape to help you stay in the lines. I made a few of this for Christmas presents. You can even go to Goodwill to buy your plates/platters.

15 bean soup- A super cheap meal

2011-01-05T10:21:00.000-08:00

This soup is nice and hearty. My T-Rex(husband) loves this soup. He says soup is not a meal, its an appetizer, but this hits the spot. The best part..... is its super cheap to make and super yummy!

****Make sure to first soak your beans as directed on 15 bean soup bean bag**************

Ingredients

(1 lb) bag of 15 bean soup mix
1 cup tomatoe sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons chopped green chile
1 tablespoon oregano
1 (15-30 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
1 pound cooked and drained ground beef
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 tsp dill
1 tsp pepper
4 c chicken broth
5 cups water
1 c cooked rice

Throw everything into a large pot except the cooked rice. Cook as directed on bean package. Once beans are fully cooked add the cooked rice. Serve each bowl with grated cheese on top.

Green Chile Fettuccine Alfredo

2011-01-05T10:02:00.000-08:00

This is my all time favorite recipe! I am a sucker for Italian food, but with a kick of Mexican this recipe hits the spot every time!

Ingredients
24 ounces dry fettuccine pasta
1 cup butter
3/4 pint heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste
1 dash garlic salt

2 tablespoons of drained chopped green chile
3/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a large saucepan, melt butter into cream over low heat. Add salt, pepper and garlic salt. Stir in cheese over medium heat until melted; this will thicken the sauce.
Add pasta to sauce. Use enough of the pasta so that all of the sauce is used and the pasta is thoroughly coated. Serve immediately.

Homemade BBQ sauce

2011-01-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

I love to make crock-pot recipes because you can just set it and forget it. I never follow a particular recipe and I usually just make up my own, but here is what I did today.

Place all ingredients in crock pot and mix there with a silicon spatula.

1 1/2 cup tomato sauce or ketchup
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
6 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
5 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1/4 cup light corn syrup
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Once you have made your sauce place crock pot on high and add thawed chicken to it. Allow 7 to 10 hours on LOW or 3 to 4 hours on HIGH. Hope you enjoy it! :)

****Remember***** We all have different taste buds, BE BRAVE! Its okay to stray away from a recipe. Taste whatever you are making as you go along. If you feel it needs more of something add it. Your best and favorite meals/recipes will be the ones you create.

300 workout for busy Mothers

2011-01-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

Okay Moms, I know its hard to find time to workout in the day but we need to make time for it. Many of us have made a New Years Resolution to get in shape. Please don't tell me or yourself you don't have 15 minutes in your day for yourself! Wake up 15 minutes early, do it before lunch, at nap time, once the kids are in bed or while they watch their favorite show! You can do it!!! you Feel great and your husbands will love it! Here is a quick modified 300 workout. It takes 15 minutes max to complete and you will feel the burn. :)

Those of you who are not familiar with the 300 workout, it is the workout that the actors used to get ready for the movie 300.

Just do two sets of the following:

15 bodyweight rows (I do these using the bars on the trampoline.)
25 bodyweight squats
15 pushups
50 jumping jacks
20 mountain climbers
10 close grip pushups
15 bodyweight rows

Gingerbread recipe

2011-01-04T10:26:00.000-08:00

Ingredients

1 (3.5 ounce) package cook and serve butterscotch pudding mix
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
1. In a medium bowl, cream together the dry butterscotch pudding mix, butter, and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon; stir into the pudding mixture. Cover, and chill dough until firm, about 1 hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease baking sheets. On a floured board, roll dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness, and cut into man shapes using a cookie cutter. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are golden at the edges. Cool on wire racks.

It's starting to smell a little like Christmas!

2011-01-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas Potpourri

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup fresh cranberries

1 orange

1 lemon

1-2 whole nutmeg

1 tbsp whole cloves

1 tbsp whole allspice

2 cinnamon sticks

2-3 bay leaves

DIRECTIONS:~Cut fruit into 1/2 inch thick slices~Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan and cover with water~Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer uncovered, add water throughout the day as needed~Enjoy the holiday scent throughout your home!

Hand print Christmas ornaments

2011-01-04T10:19:00.001-08:00

homemade hand print Christmas ornaments

I made this for Christmas for all the Grandparents and they loved them! I think it will be neat to see them every year and see how fast they grow.

Makes: 12 small hand prints

Ingredients4 cups flour1 cup salt1 1/2 cups waterDirections1. Combine ingredients and knead dough for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Roll dough out and cut around hand or cut circles out for making hand imprints. Use cookie cutters for ornaments or gift tags. If necessary, slightly dampen pieces to make them stick together.
3. Make a small hole for the hanger and prick to prevent air bubbles.
4. Bake at 300ºF about 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. You may have to bake considerably longer depending on how thick your items are. They may not feel hard right away but will harden as they cool.tip: make sure to use parchment paper to bake ornaments on.
5. Paint and decorate as desired. Acrylic paints work best and use a varnish to make them shiny.

Food storage- White Chocolate Craisin Cookies

2011-01-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

White Chocolate Craisin Cookies

1/3 c. butter, softened
2 T. water
3/4 c. whole wheat flour1/2 t. baking soda1/4 t. salt1 T. dry egg powder1/3 c. brown sugar3/4 c. oats
1/2 c. Craisins1/3 c. white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Using an electric mixer, beat butter until smooth. Add water. Mix in remaining contents except white chocolate chips. Once everything is well, spoon mix white chocolate chips in. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown

Hamburger Soup

2010-11-21T15:35:00.000-08:00

Now that it is finally cooling down I just love having nice warm meals to eat. This my husbands favorite soup because it is pretty hearty. It is full of lots of flavor and lots of meat.

1 1/2 lbs cooked hamburger meat
1 cup chopped onion
4 cloves of minced garlic
4 Cups vegetable juice/broth
2 Cups water
1 1/2 Cups cubed potatoes
3 medium carrots chopped
1 Cup fresh green beans
1 can of corn
1 chopped Zucchini
2 chopped bell peppers
3 stalks of celery chopped
2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon
1 Tbsp. celery seeds
1tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pepper
1 cup fresh chopped tomatoes
1 can of whole tomatoes

Brown hamburger meat. Usually when I cook hamburger meat I like it really fine, but for this meal I try to make it chunky by not separating it to much. In a large pot add the chopped onions and garlic. Cook until onions are slightly brown. Add cooked hamburger meat, vegetable juice, water, potatoes, carrots, green beans, zucchini, bell peppers celery, corn, bullion, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and tomatoes.

Heat to a boil and then lower to low. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender. About 90 minutes.

Enjoy!

Sliky Smooth Legs

2010-11-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

Just because we are Mom's now, doesn't mean we shouldn't take care of ourselves anymore. Here is my trick for silky smooth legs that your husband will love! Shave your legs with a schick quattro (Or any good Men's razor). It may sound silly but a men's razor is sooo much better than a womens! TRY ME! It is strong enough to shave those rough facial hairs and delicate enough not to cut it at the same time. Just make sure the razor has at least 4 blades on it. Apply a fair amount of shaving cream and shave away! After your shave apply a thin layer of virgin coconut oil. The coconut oil sooths the skin and gives them a nice radiant glow. You can find virgin coconut oil at any health food store.

Crayon cakes

2010-11-15T15:38:00.000-08:00

I absolutely hate broken crayons! I like to make these little crayon cakes for my daughter so I don't have broken crayons everywhere. They are cute and hard to break.

Pre-heat your oven to 350

Tear off crayon wrapper.

Get a cupcake pan and break crayons in half.

Place crayon pieces into pan. You can place like colors together or make multi-colored ones.

Bake for about 15 minutes or until they are completly melted. Once they are melted you can add some glitter for a little sparkle or just leave them plain. If you add glitter you will need to stir it in with a toothpick.

Place cupcake pan in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes to coo. Once they become solid just turn the pan over and knock out your crayon cakes! Your kids will love them and you will love that you dont have crayon pieces everywhere.

Cleaning your garbage disposal

2010-11-04T21:42:00.000-07:00

Well.....we all know that sometimes we put some pretty yucky stuff down our kitchen sinks at times. Here is a way to keep our garbage disposal blades clean, sharp and smelling good!

Place 2 cups of ice in disposal and turn it on. It may sound a little scary but it actually sharpens and cleans the blades. After you have done that place lemon, orange or grapefruit rinds in the disposal and turn on again. It will leave your sink smelling clean! I like to do this anytime I know I put something really yucky down and every time I eat some citrus filled fruit.

Free Calendars and other personalized gifts!

2010-11-04T21:29:00.000-07:00

Vistaprint is having a sale on pretty much everything! I have an obsession with personalized gifts. Just last week a bought 7 personalized calendars but I realized I didn't make one for us! So if you missed last weeks sale at Walgreen's this one is even better! They are FREE!!!!!!!!!! You only have to pay for shipping. I added photos straight from facebook and it was quick as can be. I cant wait for my calendar to come in! The website is vistaprint.com just click on calendars.

Cute Inexpensive Christmas Ideas

2010-10-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

Walgreens.com is having a huge sale on all photo gifts! I just love personalizing Christmas gifts. I just bought 7 personalized calendars for a ridiculously cheap price. Sale ends October 30th so act fast!

Zip'n Steam Bags

2010-10-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

These little bags are a life saver when time is running short for lunch or Dinner. Just throw your veggies, or meat with your favorite seasonings into these bags and pop them into the microwave. The bag has suggested cook times for about anything you can think of. I love how it can cook a bake potato in 4 minutes and a frozen piece of chicken in 7! Its fast and super healthy! These would be perfect for a collage student or someone who only cooks for oneself.

No Gas Beans

2010-10-26T19:56:00.000-07:00

So I love beans. People always joke about beans giving you gas, but with this little secret there will be no gas. So you can eat all the beans you want without the consequences. This little secret is called Baking Soda! Just mix 1/8 teaspoon baking soda into your water that you will be soaking your beans in. In the morning just rinse as usual. Bye-bye bloating!

My Favorite Make-up tip

2010-10-24T19:41:00.000-07:00

Don't leave you make-up around, because this could happen. My silly girl just loves getting into my make-up.

Fast drying nails!

2010-10-24T19:19:00.000-07:00

As a Mother I am always on the run. I am also a woman who can't stand to have naked nails. Having my nails unpainted or having chipped polish makes me feel half dressed. Sad..... but true. This little trick ables me to pick up a screaming baby off the floor in minutes after painting my nails! It sounds a little weird but it totally works so don't laugh! The trick is called Pam. Yes, the cooking spray. After you finish painting both hands or both feet depending on what your are painting, spray some Pam over your nails. Make sure to hold the can about a foot away, otherwise it will not save you anytime because it will leave little bumps on your nails and you will have to repaint them. Believe me, I know from experience. Just rub your hands together after a few minutes to add a little moister to your hands and cuticles.

Healing Diaper rash and Insect bites

2010-10-24T18:58:00.000-07:00

If you do not have any diaper ointment on hand when your child has a diaper rash, Corn Starch does the trick. Just sprinkle on as you would baby power.

The make the itch go away on a nasty but bite just mix a small amount of corn starch with a few drops of water to create a paste. Rub on irritated area and in a few minutes swelling and itching will be gone!

Killing Bactria In your Sponge

2010-10-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

There is nothing I hate more than a stinky sponge! You can kill Bactria that

is living in your sponge my microwaving it in a bowl of water for 5 minutes. Let it cool a few minutes before removing. You should sanitize your sponge as often as you can. I like to do mine at least every other day.

The power of Ketchup

2010-10-23T22:39:00.001-07:00

While getting things ready for my Grandmas 80th birthday celebrations I pulled out a tarnished serving dish. I worried about getting it to look presentable in time for the party. My Dad told me to rub ketchup on it. I laughed thinking he was joking he insisted that he was serious. Sure enough it worked. After about 20 minutes of rubbing it looked good as new! You can do this with any tarnished piece of silver.

Chocolate covered cherry cookies

2010-10-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

Joe's Mom made these once and I tried one only to be nice, because I am not fond of cherries, but these cookies are amazing! They are probably my favorite cookie.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 10. ounce jar of maraschino cherries
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350' degrees
2. Beat butter and sugar together. Add egg and vanilla and beat well. Add flour, cocoa power, salt, baking powder, baking soda, mix until its smooth.
3. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Press middle of cookies with thumb, creating a dip.
4. Drain cherries and save juice. Place a cherry inside each indention.
5. In a sauce pan, heat condensed milk and chocolate chips until the chocolate is melted. stir in 4 teaspoons of cherry juice.
6. Spoon mixture of each cookie covering the cherry.
7. Bake for about 10 minutes.

Bye-Bye foggy mirrors!

2010-10-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

After I shower, before I get dressed, before I do my hair, the very first thing I do is put on my make-up. I take such hot showers that my mirror is so foggy when get out I cant see. One day I got out and the mirror was clear! I asked Joe if he cleaned it for me and he said he rubbed shaving cream on it. The shaving cream creates a film over the mirror so no moister can stick to it. And now my mirror always looks sparkly clean!

The magic of a slice of bread

2010-10-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

Have you ever left your cookies out for too long and they got hard? Or even slightly over cooked your cookies or brownies or a cake? Well.... I have. This is one of my all time favorite tricks! Put a slice of bread into your container of bake goods over nite and it will put the moister back into them. You can also do this with your brown sugar!

Fuzzi Bunz!

2010-10-23T19:56:00.000-07:00

Ike and Man wearing their Fuzzi Bunz!

Nifty little sprayer that connects to your toilet.

My Mom lives out of town, so when ever she comes to visit she likes to spoil her Grand babies. Last time she came she asked what they needed/wanted. I told her I was interested in using cloth diapers with the twins and she bought me some of these diapers I wanted. NO..... I AM NOT A HIPPIE! haha but seriously the average American spends $700-1000 on diapers a year! I have twins so double that! I realized how much money I could be saving if we tried cloth. Everyone told me not to do it. That it was too much work, and that the money you pay for disposables is worth it. They said they leaked, gave rashes, and were too hard to clean. But the people who told me this didn't realize how much cloth diapers have changed since they used them. The new cloth diapers requires no pins! They are make them with buttons or Velcro to make changing easy. They also have invented a nifty little sprayer that attaches to your toilet to make rinsing the soiled diaper a piece of cake! My boys wore the more 12 hours straight because they slept forever. I thought surely the would have leaked, but NOPE! And for the record they have not had a single diaper rash since we have changed to cloth diapers. You have to take care of your diapers and wash them in detergent that is made for cloth diapers, otherwise your child will receive diaper rash. And they are better for the environment. If you decide to buy cloth diapers its best to buy them new unless you know they have been properly cared for. Some of them are even adjustable so grow with your baby, no more needing to by cloth diapers in a bigger size = saving even more! Cloth diapers can pretty pricey but I see them as an investment. My favorite called Fuzzi Bunz run about $20 a piece. You only have to buy them once and they can last through all your kids. Yes, you do need to wash them everyday and it can be a pain for some people but I do at least 2 loads of laundry everyday whats another load? I love cloth diapers! I only wish I used them with Sophie. I also think they are much cuter looking than disposables. You can learn more about fuzzi bunz here http://www.fuzzibunz.com/ learn more about cloth diapers and how to care for your cloth diapers here http://www.diaperjungle.com/

Homemade Chicken Noodle soup

2010-10-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

Today I had the rare opportunity of serving the Bishop and his wife. They were both feeling sick and his sweet, little, hilarious wife was about to go to the store to buy canned soup. I wasn't going to let that one happen! They serve the people in our ward 24 hours day every day I wanted them to get a little taste of the service that they give. They also happen to be close friends/adopted parents. I like to call them my Alamo parents. They live close to us so we like to share goodies with each other, We have gone on double dates with them, and I know I could call them at any hour and they would be here in a heart beat. They are amazing people and not to mention hilarious! Most of this recipe came from Joe's Grandma, Irma Infante. I say most bc I never follow a recipe. I like to take somethings from them, and add some of my own ideas.

Grandma Irma's Chicken Noodle Soup

-Boil 10 cups of water
-4 chicken breasts- cube and boil in water
-2 Chicken broth cubes
- Add whatever spices make you happy. I like to add parsley, basil, garlic, and celery seeds.

Bring these ingredients to a boil on medium-high until chicken cooks.

Then add the following:

-2 medium sized cubed potatoes
-2 medium sized carrots sliced
-1 cup fresh peas

While this is cooking you can start on your noodles. Making noodles sounds like it could be lots of work but its totally simple!

All you need is 1 Cup Flour, 1 extra large egg, and a pinch of salt!
Mix everything in a mixer.

Then roll out on some floured parchment paper to make clean up simple. Roll out dough pretty thin. Not too thin bc it will tear, but not too thick bc they will thicken as they cook. After all the dough is sliced, place noodle one by one into the pot. In about 1o minutes everything should be cooked. And there you go, Chicken noodle soup that will make anyone feel better.