Recipes focusing on the addition of veggies :)

I love veggies and thankfully hubby and the Prince also enjoy them. Otherwise, goodness I would never leave the kitchen...trying to figure out who will eat what. Last night, we were out to dinner with friends :) and the discussion was had about individuals not caring for veggies or only liking a limited number of veggies; it got me to thinking, I have heard this a lot and I, on some level, understand it...I don't like meat, you don't like veggies! (I know my beloved meat-eaters, you don't get that one HA!) Anywho, as I arose this morning and discussed with the Prince our daily kitchen creation, we decided on zucchini muffins, again! (He just made the recipe I am going to share in his Lil'Chef online cooking class, this week. It inspired me to share a couple of recipes that even non-veggie eaters might enjoy, or at least not gag on! hehehehhe. In addition, I want to share a corn recipe, I have heard many folks say "I don't like veggies, but I can eat corn." I assume this is because of the mild flavor and starchiness...but what do I know!; other than fresh corn on the cob is only offered for a certain seasonal time period and eating plan corn out of a can may get old after a while! (So I am also posting a recipe to add some pizazz to corn!)  I hope someone will venture out to make one of more of these and tell me what you thought!! ( Actually, my 17 y.o niece in FL is making the zucchini muffins today,:)

WHEW!!! Aren't you glad the rambling is over and you finally reached the recipes? BUT, first a picture of my favorite 4-year-old!

ZUCCHINI MUFFINS!!

Note: You don't have to peel the zucchini before shredding it for this recipe. It won't affect the taste and the peel will provide some extra fiber. (YOU CAN NOT TASTE THE ZUCCHINI!!!)
What you need:1½ c. shredded zucchini (about 2 small)
2 c. whole-grain pancake or biscuit mix  (We of course used GF bisquick and added GF gluten substitute so they would rise!)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
2 eggs
¾ c. brown sugar
¼ c. unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
powdered sugar (enough to dust the muffins)

Equipment and supplies:oven
bowls — one large, one medium
grater 
measuring cups and spoons
muffin tin and paper liners  ( or just grease a muffin til!)


What to do:Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
Wash zucchini and remove ends.
Shred zucchini using largest holes on grater.
Wrap grated zucchini in a dish towel and squeeze to remove water into the sink (must do this!).In a large bowl, mix whole-grain pancake mix (or biscuit mix) with spices.
In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, applesauce, and lemon juice.
Fold the egg-sugar mixture and shredded zucchini into the pancake-spice mixture; do not over mix.
Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full with batter.
Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden.
Remove muffins from tin (with help from your adult assistant) and cool on a wire rack.
Sprinkle muffins with a dusting of powdered sugar.


CAULIFLOWER MASH POTATOES!



Okay this is simple! No recipe like before. First do you make homemade mash potatoes or do you use a pouch? Either way here is the recipe to add veggies and you'll never know it!

Instant Potatoes First!
Dice up a 1/2 a head of cauliflower and out is in a pot with about 2 inches of water and boil the hello out of it...until it's mushy. Then drain any remaining water and mash to death with a fork!!
Make your pouch of instant potato (example, Idahoan, Roasted Garlic, 4 oz) as instructed on packed.
Now! Mix, thoroughly together...VIOLA!

Homemade Mashed Next!!
HAHAHAHAHA!! Essentially same as above!
Cook cauliflower to death, drain and mash to death...again!
Add to yummy homemade mash potatoes...mix well!

(okay, okay...I use the entire head of cauliflower, but you make start with 1/2)



Okay the 3rd recipe, taste like corn! if you like corn and want a new way to make it..then try this!


Baked Corn

Ingredients:
1 cup of milk (cow, soy, whatever!)
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp flour (GF around here, of course)
1 15 oz can of whole corn...DRAINED
2 eggs (BEATEN WELL)

Directions:

Boil 3/4 cup of milk with butter and sugar. Dissolve flour in 1/4 cup of milk (not boiled). Pour flour mixture into milk mixture to make then white sauce. Add corn, mix. Add beaten eggs, mix again. Grease (we use spray Pam) a 1 to 1.5 Pyrex loaf pan or dish. Bake about 1 hour at 400 degree F.

Virtual Science Activities!!!

The Prince was so impressed with the dissection and got every organ correct, (insert big mommy smile:)

VIRTUAL FROG DISSECTION!

Virtual Electron Microscope - Discovery Channel School

school.discoveryeducation.com

We thought trying to figure out the slides were fun! The Prince nailed the red blood cells and the daisy, but we did some educated guessing on others ;)



Thx, Free Homeschooling 101

Birthday Freebies!!!

The only reason I put this one...is because we are laughing and I love going to see shows! with you!!

 

Tomorrow is my best friend's day of birth. Everyone should have someone like I do; someone that will not only laugh and cry with you, but will laugh at you and cry for you! I love you, Valorie!!! We're on the crazy ride of life together 'til it ends!!!

On to the post!

 

Free Dessert

Applebee’s – Free Dessert and Song
Bakers Square – Free Piece of Pie
Baskin Robbins – Free 2.5 oz. Ice Cream Scoop (must register)
Big Boy – Free Hot Fudge Ice Cream (must register)
Carrows – Free Dessert (must register)
Cattlemen’s – Free Dessert (must register)
Chevy’s – Free Dessert (must register)
Claim Jumper – Free Dessert (must register)
Cold Stone Creamery – Free Ice Cream (currently on hold)
Dairy Queen – Free Ice Cream Cone (must register)
Friendly’s – Free Offer  (must register)
Hard Rock Cafe – Free Dessert
Joe’s Crab Shack – Free Piece of Cake
Macaroni Grill – Free Dessert and Song
Marble Slab – Free Small Ice Cream and One Mix-In (register)
Outback – Free Dessert and Song
P.F. Chang’s – Free Dessert
Texas Roadhouse – Free Dessert or Appetizer (must register)
Zio’s – Free Dessert (must register)

Free Adult Meal

Bruegger’s – Free Bagel (must register)
Captain D’s – Free Adult Meal (must register)
Denny’s - Free Grand Slam
Firehouse Subs – Free Medium Sub w/ ID
Fuddruckers - Free Burger (must register)
Moe’s – Free Entree (must register)
Noodles and Company – Free Entree (must register)
Provinos – Free Birthday Dinner w/ ID
Red Robin – Free Burger (must register)
Ruby Tuesday – Free Burger (must register)
Tony Roma’s – Free Dinner (must register)
Qdoba – Free entree when you buy one (must register)

Free Kid’s Meal

Bob Evans – Free Kid’s Meal (must register)
Burger King – Free Kid’s Hamburger Meal (must register)
California Pizza Kitchen – Free Kid’s Meal (must register)
Captain D’s – Free Kid’s Meal (must register)
Claim Jumper – Free Little Jumper’s meal (must register)
Shoney’s – Free Kid’s Meal (must register)
Sonic – Free Wacky Pack (must register)
Taco Time – Free Kid’s Meal (must register)

Other

Austin Grill – Special Reward on your birthday and anniversary (must register)
Desperados – $10 Gift Certificate (must register)
TGI Friday’s – Free appetizer (must register)
Lone Star Steakhouse – Gift on your Birthday (must register)
Marie Callender’s – $5 off your meal and piece of pie (must register)
Olan Meals – Free Photo Package (must register)
On the Border – Free appetizer (must register)
Red Lobster – Gift on your Birthday (must register)
Sephora – Free Gift (must register)
Starbucks – Free Drinks (must register)
Toy’s R Us – Birthday card and surprise gift (must register)

Discovery Cruise Line – Free 1 day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island. One birthday passenger travels free with each full-fare paying adult. Birthday passengers are required to pay $45 per person administration fee (must register)

Thanks, southernsavers

Disney Junior, Watch Full Episodes Online for Free.

So during the time that the Prince is allowed to watch TV, he is upstairs, but I am often downstairs cooking, preparing lessons, cleaning, etc. I like the idea of these episodes, because he can now be sitting at the kitchen island near me while watching a show. I honestly try to watch shows with him, because many of the ones he is allowed to watch have an educational component that I can expand on or discuss during or after the show! Now, I won't miss that opportunity. I try not to allow TV to be a babysitter, but another source of educational entertainment.....HA! Wonder what type of education I get from watching the Housewives of Where ever??? HAHAHAHAHHEHEHEHE~




Disney Junior is offering 39 different full episodes of some off their most popular shows online. Just go here to start watching.

Here are the episodes available:
Agent Oso – 3 episodes
Chuggington – 4 episodes
Handy Manny  – 5 episodes
Imagination Movers – 5 episodes
Jungle Junction – 5 episodes
Little Einsteins  – 3 episodes
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – 5 episodes
Neverland Pirates – 5 episodes

thanks couponing to disney

Free Redbox Rental (Think Walgreens, where you pick up your free collage!)

Today only (2/24), get a free Redbox movie rental! To get your free movie code you just need to “like” Redbox on Facebook and then click on the “freebie” tab.

So when I head over to pick up my FREE 8X10 COLLAGE, I will also pick up a FREE Redbox movie!!

Free Starbucks Coffee at Barnes and Noble on 2/26 EXPIRED

Barnes & Noble is offering a FREE Starbucks coffee on February 26th only.

To get your cup of coffee, you must go through a guided Nook Color tour with a Barnes & Noble bookseller.

I was plannin on going to the bookstore this weekend anyway...so Free coffee, here I come!

WALGREENS: FREE 8X10 Collage

Walgreens is offering a great deal today – get 1 FREE 8 x 10 photo collage print!

To redeem this offer:

1. Click “See Today’s Deal”
2. Click “Redeem Now” and the credit will be added to your account
3. Choose your photos and create a collage.

You must place your order online today. You will still need to pay for taxes – but this GREAT freebie!  Choose pick up at store to save even more.

Thx, Southern Savers

Here is the one I just made!!!!!!

Recent Sharp Academy of Excellence Ongoings.....

When we went out for frozen yogurt and book store time last weekend, I saw this strategy in a workbook, of course I didn't buy it, but I decide to make my own "bootleg" version :)

The Prince prefers to write in all caps right now, and I am cool with that..just thought I would introduce this to him and he seemed to like it. Later, when making a mini-drum with his daddy he wrote dad with lower case d's!

Another freebie from a FABULOUS NM friend!!! If I blog anything that you would like me to scan and email you, please contact me!!! I try to make it large enough to read the instructions on here...but the game cards I will send you, you can print them, laminate them (or not) and cut them apart!!

Do we play games on lesson that the Prince could do with his eyes closed??? Yes! We do play games on topics that the Prince learned ages ago. A couple of reasons for that, we love games, we love review, if it's fun! and  I love practicing taking turns, be patient and learning that "sometimes you win and sometimes you lose." Sometimes those things are not the main focus when it a brand new lesson :)

I swear Thunder Love is going to be one well-educated pooch!

The Prince was seeing how "long" his "winning" cards were and Thunder is in her FAVORITE spot, in front of the fireplace.

After counting our cards, here is the humble winner. HA!

If you wanted to play this game, I get that you don't have this nifty board, but seriously you could make a "bootleg" version of this with a couple of pieces of construction paper...feel free to decorate with stickers or markers...or not!

Then we moved on to the kitchen! We had a make-up online cooking class. This week colorful Quinoa!

The only modification the Prince made was adding tomato-basil feta cheese (his FAVORITE cheese!) to the final product. YUM!!!! It was really good!

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) isn't a true grain but a plant related to chard and spinach.
With the most complete nutrition and highest protein content of any grain, quinoa is an ideal food for vegetarians and vegans, a good source of vitamins and minerals - iron, magnesium, Vit E, potassium, amino acids, and fiber.

Colorful Quinoa1½ cups veggie stock or water
1 cup quinoa, thoroughly rinsed and drained
½ teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup frozen chopped, mixed vegetables such as peas, carrots, green beans, corn
Equipment and supplies:Medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Fork
Add chicken stock or water to medium saucepan.
With an adult's help, bring chicken stock or water to a boil over medium-high heat.
Stir in quinoa, salt, and pepper.
Switch heat to low and cover pot with lid.
Cook until water is evaporated and quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes.
Remove lid and stir in veggies with a fork.
Place lid back on quinoa so that the heat from the quinoa cooks the vegetables.

Served with Feta Cheese sprinkled on top!

Science Center Card Project (#36) EASY and FUN!!



One of my new NM mommy friends, was extremely thoughtful and provided me with lots of FREE homeschooling materials!! Included in her fabulous gift to us were these GREAT Science Center Cards! I tried to take a clear enough picture, in order for you to print or easily read these directions; if you were interested in actually using this for a fun "science center" activity in your own home. You most likely have all of the things needed for these two instruments, already in your home!



Instructions and materials needed for both instruments!

#1 Tube Kazoo!!

Let's make music! Here he is feeling sound vibrations!

Humming, Jingle Bells!

AND feeling VERY PROUD!!

The Prince wanted to wait for daddy to make his (#2)Drum. Here are my two favorite musicians at work!

I think he is more handsome, than my beloved Tommy Lee! :)

On his own, he decided to make music using the "bumpy" side of the can (Empty Sweet Pea can, just in case you wondered!)

What is a Prince to do in a hotel room while waiting for the WaterPark to open?

First, you hang out with daddy as mommy runs to Starbucks for apple juice and lattes!





Then, you take silly pictures of mommy, while she is texting...



Then you take TONS of pretend sleeping pictures

with mommy, as daddy, wonders why the two of you are so silly!



Then you move on to ACTUAL fun things...while your mommy continues on..  torturing the smallest family member.

A couple of GF products that are YUMMY!

I have friends who are or thinking of going GF (for various reasons of course.) So, I thought I would hop on and quickly post some YUMMIES! If you are new to GF then feel free to ask me about a product, honestly I have tried a lot and will hopefully be able to save you some $$...some are NOT YUMMY!!! ewwww. Anywho...these are random items, but YUMMY none the less! OH! Where can you buy them, I typically find them at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Natural Grocers (I know two of these are not in FL...but they are in NM!) Sometimes you can luck up and find them in my beloved and missed Publix!

AT WALMART!!!! This is what I just used (elbow shaped) to make the Mac and Cheese recipe I posted, earlier.

I LOVE Udi's, there bread, bagels, pizza crust and muffins! Often you can find this brand in the freezer section at Publix (haven't seen the muffins there)! HINT!!! The bread, in my opinion, is the best GF sandwich bread right now...and it is EVEN better if you make a hot sandwich, grilled cheese, hot ham and cheese, etc - Oh for the Prince his daddy has made a hot PB&J with powdered sugar sprinkled on top and OH MY!!! it was YUM_O!

The Prince's fav...lemon!

AND THESE!!!! ARE SOOOOO DELICIOUS! when frozen heat for about 20 seconds in the microwave and serve! We had them for breakfast this morning with coffee! The Prince with soy milk! - OH! the maple glaze is our fav...but shhh..I haven't told hubby they have chocolate!