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Archive for April, 2009

Honoring Mom Part 2

30 Apr


Food

Whether you will be cooking breakfast, taking your mother out for brunch or lunch, preparing an elaborate dinner or just going out for a picnic in the park food will mostly likely take a starring role in the honoring of your mother this Mother’s Day. Make sure to ask her what her preferences are so you can make those plans in advance.

 

Gifts

The gift you give your mother on Mother’s Day will be the representation of your love and appreciation for her so take the time to choose something she would enjoy. If you know your mother loves to read but rarely gets the time to do so, consider giving her a few hours, or even a whole day, of quiet time to read that book she has had her eye on – maybe even buy it for her if she doesn’t already have it. Whatever you decide to give to your mom make sure it looks like you took the time to carefully plan for her desires.

 

 

More than anything honoring your mom on Mother’s Day will be about the memories you make this day and all the others throughout the year. Whether you remember this day or not, your mother most likely will. She keeps every card, letter and poem you have ever written her and cherishes each one as the treasure it is. Make sure to spend quality time with your mother this year and let her know how much you love her. Don’t forget to take a picture to commemorate the day.


 
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Fruit That Says I Love You Mom

29 Apr


What You Need:

 

1/4 C of fresh peach slices

1/4 C of fresh pineapple slices

1/4 C of fresh raspberries

1/4 C of fresh black berries

2 slices of fresh watermelon

 

How to Make It:

 

Place the peaches onto a serving plate.

Layer the pineapple slices over the peaches.

Sprinkle the raspberries and black berries over the top.

Using a heart shaped cookie cutter cut out 8 to 10 pieces of the watermelon.

Place the watermelon cut outs around the outside edge of the plate.

 

Makes 1 serving

 

What better way to tell Mom how much she is appreciated.  This fruit salad made by a child’s own hands will give Mom that special something to always remember.  Any type of fruit will work.  If you can find letter shaped cutters cut out I Love You Mom and place across the center of the plate before adding the fruit around it. 

 
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Honoring Mom Part 1

28 Apr


Mother’s Day is about more than giving gifts and eating good food. Mother’s Day was created to honor the job of mothering. Honoring mothers dates back to the time of gods and goddesses and it wasn’t until 1908 that Mother’s Day was recognized and celebrated in the United States, Mexico and Canada. By 1948 over 40 countries were recognizing and celebrating Mother’s Day, although not always on the same day. The United States Congress officially approved Mother’s Day in 1948 and it has been celebrated on the second Sunday in May ever since. So, what will you be doing to honor your mother on Mother’s Day? Here is a short list of things you can do for your mom to show her how much you appreciate her.

 

Flowers

Roses and carnations are a popular choice to give mom’s. In fact, florists see more sales for Mother’s Day than they do for Valentine’s Day. In addition to flowers, plants for your mother’s garden might be a good choice to present her with, especially if she has a green thumb as is always working in her garden.

 

Outings

You know better than most what your mom would enjoy for her special day. Would she like to visit a local museum or the zoo? Perhaps she’d prefer a day trip to a nearby city or even a long weekend away. Maybe she would just like to stay near home and have a picnic or go out to her favorite restaurant for her Mother’s Day meal.

 
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Chicken Alfredo and Wild Rice Casserole

27 Apr


What You Need:

 

1 (10 oz.) jar Alfredo pasta sauce

1/2 C milk

2 1/2 C wild rice, cooked

2 C chicken, cooked and cubed

1 C of frozen peas

1/3 C bottled roasted red sweet peppers, chopped

1/4 C slivered almonds, toasted

1/2 t dried basil

1 C soft bread crumb

1 T of butter, melted

 

How to Make It:

 

Set the oven temperature to 350 degrees and allow the oven to heat while preparing the casserole.

Place the pasta sauce into a large mixing bowl.

Pour the milk into the bowl and stir until well blended.

Fold in the rice, chicken, peas and sweet peppers.

Add the almond slivers and basil and stir again until well combined.

Transfer the mixture into an ungreased 1 1/2 qt. casserole dish.

Cover and bake 30 minutes.

Place the bread crumbs into a mixing bowl.

Pour the melted butter over the crumbs and toss to coat well.

Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top of the casserole being sure to reach the edges of the casserole.

Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake an additional 20 minutes or until the crumbs are a golden brown.

 

Makes 4 servings

 

Preparation time:  approximately 25 minutes

Baking time:  approximately 50 minutes

Total time:  approximately 1 hour 15 minutes

 

If you don’t have cooked rice on hand use 1 C of uncooked rice and prepare as directed on the package.  White rice can also be substituted for the wild rice.  To toast almond slivers place them on an ungreased cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven.  Stirring often toast for 5 minutes or until a golden brown.

 
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It’s Mother’s Day – Where Ya Gonna Eat? Part 2

26 Apr


If you are going to try to get a table at a restaurant that doesn’t accept reservations think about having brunch –a popular choice- or eating during the off hours between lunch and dinner – usually 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to avoid larger crowds.

 

Of course, deciding on what type of restaurant to visit in another choice to be made. Do you think your mother would enjoy a buffet style restaurant, one with a limited menu or a restaurant serving their full menu for the day? Once you have figured that out you can move on to the cuisine your mom would like. Is she a fan of Mexican, Italian, German or French cooking? Perhaps she would prefer steak, seafood or sushi instead. When you have the answers to these questions then you can take steps to deciding where and when you will take your mother to her special Mother’s Day meal.

 

Of course, if your mother would really rather have a quiet meal at home with her family then it is possible that you just might have to go ahead and cook this Mother’s Day anyway.

 
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Chicken and More Spinach Salad

25 Apr


What You Need:

 

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast halves

3/4 t ground cumin, divided

1/2 t salt, divided

1/4 t pepper, divided

1 t + 1 T of olive oil, divided

2 T of lemon juice

2 T of honey

2 t lemon peel, grated

2 pints strawberries, halved

1 (5 oz.) pkg. baby spinach leaves

1/3 C red onion, sliced thin

 

How to Make It:

 

Sprinkle the chicken breasts with 1/4 t of the cumin, 1/4 t of the salt and 1/8 t of the pepper being sure to completely cover the chicken.

Place 1 T of the olive oil into a skillet and set the skillet over medium heat.

When the oil is hot but not smoking add the chicken.

Brown the chicken for 5 minutes, turn and continue cooking 4 more minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle.

Remove the chicken to a platter and cover loosely with aluminum foil.

Place the lemon juice into a small mixing bowl.

Add the honey and lemon peel and whisk until well combined.

Place the remaining cumin, salt and pepper into the mixture and whisk again until completely incorporated into the dressing.

Gradually whisk in the remaining 1 T of the olive oil.

Place the strawberries, spinach and onion into a large salad bowl and toss.

Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss to coat well.

Slice the chicken and arrange the slices over the salad before serving.

 

Makes 4 servings

 

This salad takes a little time to prepare but will be worth it when you see the look on Mom’s eyes when she tastes it.  For a little crunch add toasted pecan pieces to the salad before adding the chicken slices. 

 

 
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It’s Mother’s Day – Where Ya Gonna Eat? Part 1

24 Apr


Your mother loves to eat and would like to have a special meal. There are many options available to you for your Mother’s Day meal and cooking for your mother is only one of the options. If you dread the cooking and clean up associated with well, cooking and cleaning up a meal then you might enjoy taking mom out to eat. The restaurants might be crowded but should be able to find somewhere to enjoy a good meal with a little planning.

 

If you have decided that this year you are going to take your mother out to eat for Mother’s Day then your next step is to find out which of your mom’s favorite restaurants in your area are open and if you need reservations. Mother’s Day is one of the most popular days of the year to eat out so make your reservations well in advance. The closer you get to Mother’s Day the harder it will be to get a reservation. Make them early your mom is not disappointed when you arrive at the restaurant. Websites like OpenTable.com or Gayot.com can help you with restaurant reservations in some of the bigger cities across the United States.

 
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Just for Mom Tuna Melt

23 Apr


What You Need:

 

1 (6 oz.) can light tuna in water, drained and flaked

1/4 C of mayonnaise

1 celery rib, rinsed, trimmed and chopped

 1/4 C of black olives, pitted and chopped

1 t parsley flakes

1/8 t pepper

1/4 t lemon juice

2 slices rye bread, lightly toasted

1/2 C sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

 

How to Make It:

 

Set the broiler to preheat.

Cover a cookie sheet completely with heavy duty aluminum foil.

Place the tuna into a mixing bowl.

Fold the mayonnaise in with the tuna.

Add the celery and olives and blend to combine well.

Sprinkle in the parsley and pepper.

Pour the lemon juice into the mixture and stir until all the ingredients are combined together well.

Place the rye bread slices on the prepared baking sheet.

Divide the tuna mixture between the 2 slices of bread spreading it out evenly.

Sprinkle the cheese over the top of both slices of bread.

Broil 6 inches from the heat for 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

 

Makes 2 servings

 

Preparation time:  approximately 10 minutes

Cooking time:  approximately 2 minutes

Total time:  approximately 12 minutes

 

This sandwich is a perfect addition to any surprise Mother’s Day lunch.  Be sure to taste the tuna before spreading it on the bread because you may need to add a little salt.  Because tuna and mayonnaise both contain a lot of salt it should not be added until after it’s mixed together and tasted.

 
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Mother’s Day Fun for Moms by Kids Part 2

22 Apr


A Day To Herself

 

When she wakes up Mother’s Day morning, present her your gift certificate filled with love. If you want to really impress her, ask a grown up to buy a book you know she’s been wanting to read. You could even present the book and coupon with a pretty cup or mug so she can enjoy her favorite beverage while she’s reading quietly. As for the “quiet” part – ask the grown up helping you to make sure you are kept busy as well as supervised so that mom doesn’t have to worry about anything the whole day long.

 

Family Time

 

If you think your mom would prefer spending time with the family instead of a quiet day alone, plan something fun your mom enjoys doing. She spends a lot of time making sure you are entertained and often will not do something she enjoys because she know you would enjoy doing something else better. Why not repay that kindness by planning a day of fun family activities that you might not ordinarily do?

 

Need some suggestions of what mom might like to do? Here are a few:

 

If your mom likes art, you could take her to the local museum. Many museums even have a place where you can enjoy lunch together.

 

If mom likes the outdoors, pack a picnic lunch and head to the park or trails.

 

Does mom like music? Take her to a concert with music from “when she was a girl.” Buy tickets for the whole family and go enjoy.

 
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Crispy Peach Breakfast Cup

21 Apr


What You Need:

 

1/2 C canned peaches in light syrup, drained

1/8 t ground cinnamon

1/2 C vanilla yogurt, frozen

1/4 C honey oats and almond cereal

 

How to Make It:

 

Place the peaches into a microwave safe bowl.

Sprinkle the cinnamon over the peaches covering them well.

Place the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds on high or until the peaches are warmed through.

Place the yogurt into a serving dish.

Add the warmed peaches to the dish.

Sprinkle the top with the cereal.

 

Makes 1 serving

 

This makes a great breakfast for Mom on her special day.  Serve it to her in bed with a nice hot cup of tea, flowers and her special card. 

 
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