Top 5 Time-Saving Kitchen Tools

The holiday season is here and (can you tell what’s on my mind?) every SAHM will be making the most of every minute of every day. As I stood cleaning up in my kitchen tonight, I thought about the kitchen tools I’ll be relying on heavily to help me through.

Here are the five kitchen tools I most adore. Though I have equal emotional attachment to them all, I’ve ranked them from 1 to 5, with 1 being “I love this, but in a pinch I can improvise (even though I really don’t want to)” and 5 being “Don’t even think about getting between the two of us. Unless, of course, you enjoy watching a grown woman weep uncontrollably.”

1) Prepared Cookie Dough. Yes, I do enjoy making home-made cookies from scratch, but let’s face it: you don’t always have the 1 to 2 hours to pour, mix, form, and sometimes chill the dough that you need to make a batch.

When I’m short on time (which is often) these make wonderfully delicious cookies, and guess what? My kids and husband can’t tell the difference.

There are lots of varieties for the holidays; I’m sure you’ve seen them in your grocery store. Before you shop, check out all of these cookie dough choices from Pillsbury.

2) Electronic Mixer. The kind that holds the bowl for you, and comes with two sets of beaters. I love this thing! Mine is a West Bend variety, a few years old, and going strong.

If you do choose to make cookies from scratch, you definitely want one of these. See what I mean here.

3) Bread Machine. I’m not one for kneading dough, but I love wholesome ingredients and the smell of freshly baked bread. My bread machine satisfies both of these and – you guessed it – I don’t need to knead. Love that!

I’ve had a Regal bread machine for almost 11 years and have never had a single problem with it. If you're considering the purchase, I found a bread machine review that may be helpful.

4) Pillsbury Pie Crusts. The roll-‘em-out-right-into-the-pie-pan variety. I used these for the first time this past week for an apple pie and OH…MY…GOD. They are as delicious as they are amazing.

I even got the ultimate compliment: “This crust is so good! Did you make it?” Enough said.

Look for them in the refrigerator section (not the frozen dessert section) of the grocery store. Or, check them out here.

5) Crock Pot. I absolutely love this invention. I love crock pots so much that, if I could, I would award the Nobel Peace Prize to the crock pot creator. I happen to have three of them, in varying sizes.

A small one, for dips and appetizers.
A medium one, for when the large one is too big.
A large one, for when the medium one is not big enough. I can fit an entire ham in my large crock pot. And believe me, I have.

My small and large pots also have the added bonus feature of removable stoneware liners, a feature I now consider indispensable in the crock pot realm.

If you don’t already have a crock pot, run (do not walk) to your nearest crock pot supplier and purchase one. Or, save even more time and shop on-line. I found a nice selection of them at Bizrate.com.

Now that you've saved all that time you should be ready to just sit back, put your feet up, and just let the holiday happen...

...yeah right! But with these tools in your kitchen, you just might have a minute or two, here and there, to enjoy. Here's hoping! ;)

Beat Cabin Fever with My Favorite Websites

The fact that my mind is a-flutter with thoughts of a Thanksgiving feast is a clear sign (at least to me) that fall is over and winter is beginning.

And that my beloved 6-year old will be home (and not in school) with me and my beloved 4-year old, for four days. In a row.

All panicking aside, school breaks and winter in general are usually great times in our house. Like most kids I've known, mine look forward to this season with its hot cocoa, an annual visit from Santa (of course), and lots and lots of snow. They actually want to wear their big, clunky boots.

Ahhhh...to be a kid again when fashion wasn't a worry.

But, as wonderful as it all is, that "winter wonder" has its tradeoffs. Cold weather and snow also mean my kids spend a lot more time cooped up. Inside the house. With yours truly.

This year, I plan to make the most of the time and, as always, maintain an "acceptable" level of sanity. Luckily, there are folks in the world (ie. not me) whose creative juices are a-flowing this time of year.

Crafts and Activities (or "Things to do Together - Patience Required")

One website in particular has saved me on many a rainy day (read: kept me from going stark-raving-mad). And after a quick visit over to FamilyFun.com it's obvious they will do the same this winter. Check out their Christmas ideas for treats, stockings, and characters. Two of my favorite features include the printables and how-to videos.

More ideas abound in the kids area of MarthaStewart.com. You can skip the homepage if you like and go directly to the kids section. Here they feature a craft of the week, a party of the week, and lots of recipes. Search through the message boards for even more great ideas.

Another website you can rely on is pbs.org. In the parents section you'll find the "Parent's Guide to Creativity." Definitely worth a look.

Computer Games - (or "Places to Turn When Your Patience is MIA")

Pbs.org also offers a huge array of games for kids. Since they're engaging and educational I don't feel guilty letting my kids sit at the computer for an hour playing them. Plus, I trust the content enough to allow my 4-year old to click around without constant supervision. Find the games here.

Nickjr.com is another kid fave for games in our house. Again, great content, so as a parent I don't worry about what they'll see. You'll need to start at the homepage. From there just click on "Play Now" under "Nick Jr. Playtime."

There. Now we're armed and ready for this year's season of cabin fever. I've got my fingers crossed for us!!

Wondering about Homeschooling?

It crosses the minds of so many SAHMs – is homeschooling a better option than public school?

Many of us chose to be home with our kids in the first place so that we can be the major influence on their lives, and so that they would be free from other influences. Think peer pressure to do any number of undesirable things. And when I consider the maze of social interactions I went through as a kid, it’s kind of attractive to spare my own of that.

On the other hand, when kids hit kindergarten age, you’re looking at a little more freedom for yourself. And darn-it…that’s attractive. Add to that the copious amounts of advantages a public school can offer.

If you are considering homeschooling, or wonder what all the fuss is about, I found some articles that may help.

Amy Weed is one mother who finds that homeschooling allows her to give her kids the influences she decides are appropriate. Likewise, Brooke Richwine feels homeschooling provides her children with her belief system, and it allows their family much needed flexibility. They both discuss the advantages of homeschooling in this article.

But what about educational standards? Parents may wonder how they would know if their kids are learning. It turns out that kids who are homeschooled are monitored annually to ensure progress. And, if parents do decide to put their kids in public school, they are tested so they get placed in the appropriate grade level.

Are you wondering if you, the parent, are up for the job of teacher? It’s very likely there is a homeschooling organization in your area that can help with curriculum. In the article I mentioned above, these parents utilize a homeschooling group in their community.

What about extracurriculars, like sports? Being home-schooled and without their own gym, you might think the a high school basketball team wouldn’t do very well. But the Traverse City Bulldogs girls high school basketball team proves just the opposite can happen. Check out the success of this homeschooled team.

The most interesting perspective I found on this topic came from Cameron, a homeschooled 7-th grader. She gives her take on being homeschooled, both pros and cons, in this article.

What to do? As parents, we are already our kids first teachers. Some of us are called to go beyond that – some are not. The truth is, kids in both a public school or a homeschool do well. So, in the end, it’s really up to you.

The good news? We - the parents - have the power to choose what is best for our kids and their education. I'm good with that.

Mom as CEO

Remember June Cleaver, who seemed so content to be home in her high-heeled shoes and pearl necklace, taking great pride in her dusting, vaccuuming and cooking?

Isn't it great to know that being a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) today is seen as so much more than that??

Heck, yes.

Truth be told, SAHMs today are being viewed more as a CEO of a company, rather than a maid to their family. It's a growing trend, really. Largely due to today's high-tech gadgets, SAHMs are able to take care of the business of running a household and family, and in many cases actually run an additional business from their home. All of this adds to a growing sense of "coolness" about their chosen lifestyle.

Why? Let's compare:

CEO
Must spend within a prescribed budget

SAHM
Must stick to a weekly/monthly spending budget for food, clothes, fun...wow...basically everything she does


CEO
Must communicate effectively with others

SAHM
Must be, at one moment, able to converse with the bank teller about rising interest rates, while simultaneously "calmly" explaining to her 4-year old why it's not appropriate to lay in the middle of the bank floor singing at the top of his lungs "This Old Man."


CEO
Must be able to multitask

SAHM
Must be able to bake and frost cupcakes, watch the latest "cool trick" her son can do, help with homework, get dinner started, answer the phone, go through the mail, supervise an art project...need I continue?


CEO
Must have good inter-personal skills

SAHM
Must make daily negotians regarding such things as whose turn it is with the red pirate and green dragon; who will have the Curious George cup and who will have the Dragon Tales cup; or convince certain toddlers that it is, in fact, time to stop watching Barney and start brushing their teeth.

Yep, the demands on a SAHM - I would argue - could most days probably match or even outweigh those on a typical CEO. For more perspective on this view, here is one great article and another on this topic.

Don't business cards, displaying "Title: CEO/SAHM," seem appropriate?