I Can’t Remember

My kids luuuv their computers (yes, they each have their own–blame their father, the Systems Architect.)

But what are they getting out of it?
Child #1 learned addition and letters. Familiarity with computers helped at school.
Now, Child #1 just plays games, and still can’t really type.
Child #2 likes to play games more than playing outside, and is learning letters and addition OFF the computer better than on.
Time limits aren’t working, and there are more fights and tears over the computer than anything else.

What do I get out of my computer?
Email, driving directions, rechecking library books, goofing off, and pocket change (from Helium.)

Hmmm..
Maybe we all need a break from the computer.

Let me look into my crystal ball…I predict that Sunday night the “Network” will go down. Kids’ computers will no longer work, and Mom’s computer will no longer work except after bedtime. Mom’s computer will allow email checking and library business a couple times a week, and Helium rating once a month (because Helium now requires that I rate in order to get the pocket change for the articles I wrote–NOT what I signed up for, can you tell I’m displeased? If you want to write, do it at Associated Content!)

A year should do it.
At that point, we’ll all be out of the habit of Computer Time Suckage (also known as Computer Stealing Your Life.)
Child #1 should be ready to learn how to type, and Child #2 should be ready to “get familiar” with computers in time for school.

Yes, this is EXTREME!
But I’m an extreme kinda gal, and so are my kids.

COLD TURKEY IT IS!!!!!

(for those of you who wondered what happened to my blog:
1. I almost died last summer, which kinda interrupted my flow, and
2. mommy blogs are soooo 2006!)

Boy, do I feel like an amateur! I only use my crockpot once a week!

There’s a woman named Stephanie who used her crockpot every day in 2008!!

Her most frugal recipes can be found here.

I was delighted to find out that crockpots cost about 2 cents an hour to operate. That’s saving $$ and the environment!

Technorati Tags: crockpot, dinner, frugal, save money, slow cooker

[This is part of the Italian Style Chicken 4 X 4 Meal plan.
For information on the Meal plan, go to Chicken 4 X 4 Meal Plan..]

Chicken Carbonara Casserole

-one portion of the chicken you cooked (or 1-2 cups of cooked chicken), chopped or shredded
-4 slices of bacon, chopped
-1 small onion, chopped
-3 Tablespoons of Butter or Olive Oil
-16 oz, shaped pasta, cooked and drained
-6 to 8 oz. of mozzarella and parmesan
-optional black pepper to taste
-optional frozen peas, thawed and drained
Read the rest of this entry »

[This is part of the Italian Style Chicken 4 X 4 Meal plan.
For information on the Meal plan, go to Chicken 4 X 4 Meal Plan..]

Spaghetti with Chicken Bolognese Sauce

-one portion of the chicken you cooked (or 1-2 cups of cooked chicken), chopped or shredded
-4 oz of tomato paste (reserved from last night!)
-1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
-1 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes
-3 Tablespoons Butter
-2 Tablespoons powdered garlic
-3 Tablespoons Basil
-1 Tablespoon Marjoram or 1/2 Tablespoon Oregano
-1 teaspoon Thyme
-1 teaspoon Nutmeg
-1 teaspoon Sugar
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[This is part of the Italian Style Chicken 4 X 4 Meal plan.
For information on the Meal plan, go to Chicken 4 X 4 Meal Plan..]

Home-made Polenta

-2 cups of Cornmeal
-6 cups of cold water

STEP ONE: Mix water and cornmeal in a pot.
STEP TWO: Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until done. (Polenta can be served when it reaches the consistency of mashed potatoes. If you prefer your polenta firmer and dryer, cook until it pulls away from the sides.)

Chicken Cacciatore

-one portion of the chicken you cooked (or 1-2 cups of cooked chicken), chopped or shredded
-1 small onion, diced
-2 cloves garlic
-1 carrot, peeled and diced
-1 small bell pepper, diced
-2 oz of tomato paste (reserve the rest of the can for tomorrow!)
-1 large can of mushrooms, rinsed and drained OR chopped fresh mushrooms
-1/2 cup of wine or water
-2 T olive oil
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[This is part of the Italian Style Chicken 4 X 4 Meal plan.
For information on the Meal plan, go to Chicken 4 X 4 Meal Plan..]

Italian Chicken Noodle Soup & Provolone-Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Ingredients for Soup:
- 4-5 cups of Chicken Broth (or what’s in the slow cooker after you remove the chicken!)
- 1 cup Acini de Pepe or Orzo or stars or the smallest pasta you can find
-4 small cloves of garlic, minced
-OPTIONAL: 1 cup of Fresh Basil OR Fresh Spinach OR Endive OR Swiss Chard, chopped*
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This week we’ll be making four Italian dinners out of one chicken.

For instructions on cooking the chicken in the slow cooker, go to Chicken 4 X 4 Meal Plan.

Day One: Italian Chicken Noodle Soup
Day Two: Chicken Cacciatore with Home-made Polenta
Day Three: Spaghetti with Chicken Bolognese Sauce
Day Four: Carbonara Casserole

Technorati Tags: cacciatore, chicken, chicken noodle soup, frugal, Italian, lasagna, pasta, recipe, spaghetti