best tortilla chips

These are the best tortilla chips!  They have the perfect level of saltiness, crunchiness, and they taste like they just came out of the kitchen.

Reading List

If you have children, please follow along. This is a no brainer!

 

In our home, we have more than one child that is reading age and, well, it is basically impossible to keep up with what book each child is currently reading.  When they were younger, we all read together, so I knew what information they were getting.  I wish I could tell you that I kept up with all of it until they were teenagers reading novels.  This is not the case, however, I was left in a cloud of dust just after they passed picture books.  How was I supposed to keep ahead of these little reading maniacs?  To be a good mom, I was sure that I needed to pre-read everything before handing it over to their little spongy, naive minds.  How in the world was I going to get ahead of them?  Was I supposed to start reading at 3 a.m. for crying out loud?!  I didn't want to hand over a book that would disturb them for life. 

 

I also wanted them to know and read good literature, not just a bunch of words on paper.  According to Gladys Hunt, a good book is always an experience containing spiritual, emotional, and intellectual dimensions.  Sounds pretty good to me! 

 

Sure, I could give them each any random book from the library, but that doesn't mean it is quality literature, or even appropriate.  "Honey for a child's heart" is a compelling, essential guide to finding the best books for your children.

In this book, Gladys Hunt has done all of the hard work for us!  She has compiled reading lists for various age groups (ex. age 0-3, 4-8, 9-12), as well as special interests lists (ex. animal lovers, fantasy novels).  This is super easy.  All you have to do now, is open the book, go down the list and reserve your picks at your local library.  You no longer have to worry  about whether the book your child is reading is "okay" with you or not. 

 

You can use this amazing resource however it best fits your family.  I go through and pick 2 books per child each week and reserve them at the library.  Then as we make our visit to library, I pick up the books I have on hold and then also let them pick a few more books per child.  I know when we leave that each of my children have at least 2 books that are good stories.  Quality literature is a high priority.  This will be a book that you truly utilize every week.  You can purchase this book at any bookstore.  Enjoy!

Menu Planner

Fix the "What's for dinner?" conundrum with this effortless meal plan system! 

A menu planner that works!!  I have tried time and time again, different ways of menu planning.  I love to cook, but sometimes, I am not in the mood to come up with what we are having for dinner.  This is the best meal planning idea that I have seen.  This idea comes from Better Homes and Gardens.  My family loves it.  Everyone can now get involved in what's for dinner.  

You will print out labels of the foods that your family enjoys.  Then, everyone can simply place the labels in your weekly meal planner that they would like to have.  There are categories for breakfast, meat, veggies, fruits, breads, seafood, and salads.  My family immediately noticed there wasn't a "dessert" category....so I solved the crisis and printed them on a separate color.  You may not be as psychotic as I am about organization, but this is super pleasing to me.

You can choose to put your labels directly onto your refrigerator.  I have this one on a magnetic board, which is then hooked to our RV refrigerator.  Also, I drew the weekly calendar with permanent marker.  You can use any magnetic calendar that you have.

Here is how it works. 

Purchase "gloss white magnetic paper" from any office supplies store.  There are 4 sheets per package for about $10.  These magnetic paper sheets feed right into any ink jet printer.  I promise, I have ran 8 of these through my printer and it hasn't hurt it at all.  This is the coolest stuff to use.  Once you see how neat it is, you will start using it for other things like pictures, etc.

Now, go to bhg.com/foodlabels to download the label templates for free.  You can either type in your food items and then print, or you can print and then write them in with permanent marker.

Now, simply cut each label out and stick to your fridge or magnetic board. 

Seriously, you must give this one a try.  My kids and my husband now stand at the fridge and move items into meal spots.  I don't have to wonder what my family wants for dinner anymore.......I just have to look at the menu board.

RV pantry organization

I am always looking for better ways to organize my pantry in our class A RV.  My husband accuses me of having a "nuclear storage" of food and perishables at home.  I am trying to fight back the desire to do the same thing on a smaller scale in our RV.  So, all of that to say.....I have implemented a few things that have freed up more cabinet space for more..........FOOD!

Above you will see the canisters from IKEA for flour, sugar, etc.  Below that are 2 plastic bins with a handle on the end from Wal-Mart.  These are good  for organizing snacks for the kids, drinks, etc.  They are both great for your home pantries also.