I don’t know about you, but I love, love love summer grilling! I like it all year round (the George Forman Grill works well indoors), but especially in the summer, paired with a little cocktail, out on the patio – Yum-o! I have found with summer in full bloom now, spending a lot of time preparing dinner is not something I am particularly fond of. So my Jem for this week is how to plan ahead for some quick and easy meals.
When I can, I try to buy in bulk, chicken, beef, fish, whatever I fancy. If you’re a member of Sam’s Club or BJ’s, you can always get great deals, but often your grocery store will have sales and cheaper prices when you buy in bulk, or you can purchase “family packs”. When you get home from the store, separate your meat/fish into Ziploc bags – one meal per bag – and throw in a marinade. There are lots of store bought ones that are great, but you can also make your own according to your taste. Put it all in the fridge and keep it in for a day or two, then throw anything you won’t be eating in the next few days in the freezer. When you are ready to cook it up, pull it out of the freezer, defrost and pop it on the grill. Viola! Throw it on a salad, cook up some sides, it really doesn’t matter. A little prep ahead of time, and dinner is effortless. And an added bonus to using Ziploc bags is that they’re great for holding marinades, take up less room in your refrigerator and freezer, and you throw them away when you are done – alleviating pots and pans to clean. Sweet!
This may sound like a cheesy plug for Ziploc, but it seriously is not. It really does make my summer grilling so easy. And any readers out there from Ziploc, just have your people put my check in the mail. ;)
Happy Grilling and Happy Summer!
“Storage-space users have traditionally rented for short periods, most commonly during life changes like divorce or relocation. But in recent years a new kind of renter has emerged, one who rents for longer periods, sometimes paying thousands of dollars a year, sometimes for units in faraway cities. These new renters seem compelled to keep trading up, from a cozy “personal closet,” say, to a garage-like room, and then to a second unit or even a third.”
Read More:
Hooked on Storage | New York Times | 3.8.07
Summer is officially upon us, however if you live in the Northeast like I do, it certainly does not feel like it! When you think summer, it’s only natural to think of being outdoors, running, playing, swimming, loading up on sunscreen, right? It’s been raining here for weeks, and the sun has made but only a few cameo appearances. Couple that with school being out, and in sets panic! It’s hard enough trying to think of ways to entertain your children for an entire summer, but when you are stuck inside it makes it even more challenging. Enter PBS Kids Sprout.
I am not a huge fan of sitting my kids in front of a tv, in fact, during any given day their television viewing is quite limited. Often I will record certain favorites my kids like to watch, to have access to them during “show time”. Several of the shows they enjoy are broadcast on Sprout, which has introduced me to a great website Sprout Online (you didn’t think this jem was going to be all about sitting your kids in front of a tv when you are stuck inside, did you – as appealing as that may sound at times, I know!)
Sprout Online has a nice variety of activities for you and your child. Everything from games and activities, crafts and coloring, even recipes you can make with your children, are all available on this site. I try to do one craft daily with my kids, and since they are 3 years apart in age, it’s easy to modify them to fit their level. The rainsticks we recently made, you know, in honor of all the rain, were a huge hit! The directions are all online, along with templates when needed, and many of the activities also feature some of your children’s favorite characters – Thomas, Elmo, even the Wiggles are coming to Sprout soon. Oh, can you hear the excitement in my voice????
You don’t need to sit the kids in front of the tv to enjoy their favorite fictional friends. Grab your little “sproutlet” and get creative! And while you’re there, tap into the resources on Sprout for Parents! A little somethin’ somethin’ for everyone!
Hope the sun shines where you are this week, if not outside, make it shine inside.
Have a great week!
Here’s a little fact that I shared back in March 2009…
I have all these facts in my brain that I feel I MUST share! Actually, while I have a whole lot of stuff floating around my head, random facts or even organizing tidbits don’t always hang around for very long. None the less, I’m intrigued by stats I come across and I’ve decided to share some “did you know?” information with you on Fridays. I find them interesting and thought you might, too. Who knows, they might even motivate you to bring more order into your life.
So, here’s the first edition of “Fact Friday.”
“Workers’ productivity decreases by 20%-40% every time they multitask or “task switch.”
Please share your own “did you know?” info because inquiring minds always want to know! Just be sure to list your source, and keep in mind that Wikipedia
is publicly updated – meaning that anyone can edit it – so it’s not always recognized as legit in some circles.
That said, have a FABULOUS weekend! (for some reason, FABULOUS is my word of the week!) …this hasn’t changed…just abbreviated now in June to FABU!
With summer approaching and school out, many parents look for ways to entertain their children during the summer months. I know I do! I already have the summer calendar going, adding events and activities daily, so I a) have something special and fun to look forward to with my boys, b) have something to threaten my children with if they don’t behave, and c) am certain everything works better with a plan!
While many summer activities occur outdoors, sometimes it’s great to have indoor options as well. What about a movie? Both AMC and Regal Theaters offer children’s movies during the week for little or no cost to you (AMC charges $1 for a ticket, Regal is FREE). A different G or PG rated movie is offered each week, typically on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings, and while the movies shown aren’t the newest releases, what kid doesn’t find it thrilling to see a flick on the Big Screen? The biggest bonus is that fact that, since they are children’s movies, and cost nothing, if your child is not interested in the movie, if they’re having a less than quiet moment (read TANTRUM) or if the novelty of the whole movie experience has worn off, soon after the popcorn has been consumed, you can choose to leave and not feel bad about shelling out 15 bucks per ticket. And it they love it, you have something fun to do once a week during the summer. I think this Jem is worth the price of popcorn to find out, don’t ya think?
“If you don’t pay appropriate attention to what has your attention, it’ll take more of your attention than it deserves.”
[@gtdguy (a.k.a. David Allen) via Twitter · From the web · 9:29 AM Jun 10th]
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Recently, a reader of our blog asked when the next shred event would be. I did a bit of research and found that there are several events this month in Maryland and Virginia. So, no more excuses. It’s time to kick your paper clutter to the curb!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
ProShed of Northern Virgina
Time: 9 am – 12 pm (or until the truck fills up)
Where: Keller Williams Realty @ 11700 Plaza America Drive, Reston, VA 20190 (703-679-1700)
Cost: FREE
Info: No need to take out staples, paper clips, or other small fasteners. Watch your documents be destroyed via closed circuit TV right on the shredding truck. All shredded material will be recycled. Individuals only please. 10 boxes per vehicle maximum.
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Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Grateful Shred II (All-Shred)
Time: 9 am – 12 pm
Where: Clara Barton Community Center @ 7425 MacArthur Boulevard, Cabin John, MD 20818 (301-229-0010)
Voluntary Suggested Donation: $5 per one cubic foot box of paper, $3 per half box and $2 per quarter box
Info: You do not have to remove staples, paper clips, rubber bands, folders, or binder clips. Hanging folders (even with metal strips) and labels are ok, too.
DO NOT BRING: Newspapers, 3-ring binders, cardboard, heavy plastic, heavy metals, boxes, trash, floppy disks, or CDs.
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Saturday, June 13, 2009
PC Recycler Residential Paper Shredding
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Where: PC Recycler Inc. @ 4005 Westfax Drive, Suite A, Chantilly, VA 20151 (800-731-1909)
Cost: $10 per bankers box (a box 24″x12″)
Info: The paper shredding truck will be on site so you can watch your sensitive materials get destroyed. Representatives will be present to address any questions that you may have about paper shredding. You may also bring your electronics to be recycled. Click here for a list of acceptable electronics and fees.
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Saturday, June 20, 2009
NBC 4 Safe and Secure Community Shred (Shred-It)
Time: 8 am – 11 am
Where: Northern Virginia Community College @ 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 2200 3 (703-323-3000)
Cost: FREE
Info: Bring up to 5 boxes of personal papers
DO NOT BRING: Credit Cards or CDs
How much patience is required to be a parent? Seriously, I would say more than one could put into words on any given day. A while back I had blogged about shopping with kids, and different options for making it a painless experience. Sometimes I can follow my own advice, but other times I need to just roll with it, and this week was one of those situations.
I was in dire need of groceries, and doing an online order was not on option. So, I put both kids in the car, and thought, “Really, had bad could it be?” Apparently it had been quite some time since I did a major grocery shopping with both kids in tow, and must have clearly lost my head. We were in aisle 2, yes folks, I said 2, when it all when to crap, and I thought, “there is no way I am going to make it another 12 aisles without someone getting hurt, or losing their mind!” The bag of tricks didn’t work, the Dunkin’ Donuts “reward” was of no interest, and it was at that very moment that I saw it – Scrunchy’s Play Center. Oh Scrunchy, where have you been all of my shopping life?
In the past, I had seen the play center before but always walked right past it. In 5 years of being a parent, I have never left my children with anyone other than a family member, so the thought of putting my kids in a grocery store play center, WITHOUT ME, and WITH STRANGERS nonetheless, was never given a second thought. But I was desperate, and figured there was no time like the present to get over it. So, I walked up to the window and said, “How does this work and where do I sign?” All in all, it was a great concept. It was very secure, a clean environment with an array of activities for the kids, there was a camera where I could fully see my children, and I was never more than a few aisles away and could get to them in a mere 15 seconds if needed. Plus it was FREE, though I would have certainly paid top dollar for this convenience. As a result of my kids playing with “Scrunchy”, I was able to get my shopping done in record time, without stress, and we were all much happier.
Check out your local grocery store and see if they offer anything like this. I have heard certain Wegmans offer a similar service. If they do, this could be a Jem to you, too. Hmmm, now if only I could find Scrunchy when I need a pedicure!!!!
“Parents spend an average of 23 percent of their free time outside of work scheduling and coordinating their children’s and family’s schedules.”
[Harris Interactive · August 2008 · http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters/clientnews/2008_centerd.pdf]
Photo Credit: Google Images
Do you have a plan? I don’t mean a plan for what you’re having for dinner this week, or a plan on how you are going to get everything on your to do list completed, though it’s good to have a plan for those things as well. I mean an emergency plan – do you have one?
The other day I was driving with my husband and we passed a pretty bad accident on the road. I asked him if he had emergency contacts in his phone and to my surprise, he did not. I then said to him, “If, God forbid, something were to happen to you, how would anyone know who to contact?”
I am sure they would eventually find the info, but how long would that take? I remember quite some time ago seeing something on Good Morning America about ICE, which stands for In Case of Emergency. Some cell phones may have an Emergency Contact option already in the phone, but for those that don’t, a great idea is to enter ICE into your contacts. Under that name, you enter the number of whom to call in the event of an emergency.
As a back up, I also keep a card in my wallet, and have my husband do the same, with emergency contacts. There is always that chance that your phone is dead, or you forget to grab it as you walk out the door, but you have less of a chance of forgetting your phone AND your wallet.
It just takes a few minutes, and then you won’t have to worry about who will be contacted or how you will be notified if you are needed in an emergency situation. Hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but if it’s needed you can remain cool with ICE!
Have a great week!
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