Pumpkin Pancakes...A New Tradition

So, Mason has started pre-school! I am so excited for him and so far he LOVES it. Each day he goes to school, he comes home singing another song and babbles on and on about what he did.

I remember the first day of school with fond memories and would like Mason to have the same memories.  I wanted to make the first day of school extra special so I decided to make him a batch of pumpkin pancakes that just screams the first day of school.

I can't take credit for coming up with this recipe all on my own.  I looked around for different recipes, but in the end, I decided to use the recipe from Martha Stewart.

Directions:

• Whisk 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt; 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg; and a pinch of ground cloves.
• In a separate bowl, stir together 1 cup milk, 6 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 egg;

• fold mixture into dry ingredients.

 

• Melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat; pour in 1/4 cup batter for each pancake.
• Cook pancakes about 3 minutes per side; serve with butter and syrup.
• Makes 8 to 10.

These pancakes turned out to be quite delicious.  They were a big hit with the whole family.  The pancakes were fluffy and moist, not at all heavy.  The pumpkin taste was just right and the spices added a feeling of fall that was perfect for the first day of school.  They were very simple and I wound up freezing the leftovers so I have them handy whenever I need a quick breakfast.

A New Favorite Recipe..Pumpkin Muffins!

Recently, I was perusing some of my favorite sites for super easy and quick recipes.  Here is a great recipe I found on That's Country Living for Pumpkin Spiced Muffins that require only two ingredients.  Yes, you read that right, two ingredients!

Ingredients:

• 1 box of Spiced Cake Mix
• 1 can Pumpkin (15oz can)

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees.
2. Combine both ingredients in a bowl.  I also added about 1/4 to 1/2 cup water to moisten it a little.  You can add it to your liking if you wish.
3. Blend until well mixed together.
4. Spoon batter into greased cupcake pan.
5. Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes (or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean)
6. Let cool and enjoy!

We have been enjoying these treats for a couple of days now.  They are so yummy and don't last long, so I will be making more next week!

FREE Fall Printables

The leaves have already started to fall off of our trees, a sure sign that the seasons are changing.  Not only are the leaves falling, but the kids are going back to school, and I am pulling out all my Fall decor and best pumpkin recipes. 

Here is a roundup of some free Fall and Autumn printables to enjoy with your kids.

Click HERE for free Fall coloring pages from ColoringPagesforKids.com

Click HERE for free Fall printables including dot to dot, word searches, mazes, coloring pages and more from printactivities.com.

Click HERE for free Fall printables from RaisingOurKids.com

Click HERE for free Fall printables from apples4theteacher.com

Click HERE for free Fall coloring pages from educationalcoloringpages.com

Click HERE for free Fall printables from makingfriends.com

Click HERE for free Fall activities from holidays.kaboose.com

Getting Back On Track With Back To School

It's the most wonderful time of the year.....oh wait, that's not right.  Unless you have spent the entire Summer, everyday with your kids, you might not be happy that the kiddies are going back to school.  Then there is the group of parents who are dancing as the school bus pulls away, taking their loves off for another school year. 

I am somewhere in between.  I LOVE being at home everyday with Mason and Amanda, but on the other hand, Mason is ready for pre-school.  The benefits of pre-school far outweigh Mason being home with me everyday.  This is the first time we will really have to follow a schedule.  I mean, I loosely follow one each day, but we kind of just go with the flow. 

Mason and sleeping have never gone together.  Since he was a baby, he was a cat napper and is still up several times through the night.  So, I know that getting him to bed and having him get enough sleep will be our biggest challenge.  We have a bedtime routine of bath, pj's, brushing teeth, stories, etc.  And we have always tried to stick to it, even through the Summer. Most days we were successful, others we gave in to a later bedtime. So how do we get back on track?

A gradual transition of establishing your child's school routine is probably best.  It will allow for your child to reset their internal clock and in turn, get enough sleep.  Hopefully, this will put off the dreaded bedtime battles that surely ensue.

According to a recent article from Parents.com, most elementary school students need 10 to 11 hours of sleep, while most teenagers need 8 to 9 hours of sleep nightly. Inadequate sleep leads to irritability, impaired focus, and can heighten symptoms of ADD/ADHD
.
Here's some additional suggestions from Parents.com on how to re establish your child's bedtime routine just in time for school:

• Begin the transition by setting up a 30-minute routine of pre-bedtime activities.
• Use a checklist to help your child take ownership of her routine.
• A good pre-bedtime routine helps a child slow down and prepare for sleep. Plus it helps set the stage for a smooth start in the morning.

Here are some ideas for pre-bedtime activities:

• Review the next day's agenda
• Pack the backpack and set it out
• Set out clothes for the next day
• Bathe
• Put on pajamas
• Do a quiet activity that does not include the computer, video games, or TV.

Transition gradually. Start the pre-bedtime routine 10 to 15 minutes earlier every few nights. It may take two weeks to adjust to going to bed an hour earlier. But consistency is important in establishing the routine, so try to follow the schedule on weekends as well.

Following a transition plan will help prepare your child for a new school year with as little stress as possible -- for the whole family.

Homemade Granite Counter Top Cleaner

I have recently come across some interesting information regarding the chemicals in household products we use everyday.  I will be discussing this in another post.  But, I have been inspired to become more green conscious in my home.  OK, I have all said I am going to do it, but do I ever really? Is it worth the time, hassel, and money? I am here to say it is and it is so easy that I am sorry I never did this before.

Recently, my husband and I remodeled out kitchen. With that remodel came the decision between a granite counter top, another natural stone or formica. In the end, we chose the granite. For us, the benefits of granite out weighed the other natural stones or formica.

On the day of installation, the counter top was so shiny and perfect. Then the reality of keeping it clean set in. I only use a soft cloth with mild dish soap and water as suggested, but I find that it leaves water marks and that drives me crazy! I decided to go to the local hardware store and purchase granite cleaner. On the tune of $9.00 per bottle, decided that I needed to find a better solution to cleaning my counter tops and fast.

I completed my research of what to use and what not to use on granite counter tops. Here is my summary:

Like marble, granite, and most natural stones, using acidic cleaners, citrus based cleansers (such as lemon) or vinegar will dull and etch the counter top. Check. Warm water and mild detergent or alcohol seem to be the best cleansers. Check. Using Windex will take the sealing agent off sooner that it would normally wear. Check. Granite cleaning cloth or chamois are recommended because of the ultra smooth nap, it will make for a streak free finish. Check. If you do not have a chamois or cloth, paper towels will work just fine and leave a streak free finish as well. Check.

Ok, now that I am armed with the proper knowledge and feel like I am back in chemistry class, I was ready to mix the solution. Below is the receipe I liked best:

     1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (you may also use vodka)

     3 drops of dish detergent

     1 cup water

     a few drops of essential oil (to help mask alcohol smell). I used Caramel
     Apple.

Add the ingredients to a spray bottle, gently mix, and you are done!

I tested this new concoction and could not believe how pleased I was with the results. An added bonus I noted was that the counter top was not prone to fingerprint marks after cleaning with this solution. This is so easy, cheap and the greenest way I know how to clean a counter top. You can also use this natural cleanser on appliances. But, most importantly, it is effective. The alcohol will kill bacteria and this is safe to use around children and pets, as long as they do not drink the mixture. So go ahead, save some money AND make a green cleaning product for your home!



Disclaimer: ALWAYS check a small spot for effectiveness before you clean any surface.

All-Natural Facial

Since Amanda was born I have been neglecting my regular beauty routine.  Well, it isn't much of a routine, but every so often I would pamper myself with a facial or scrub.  I have used ones that I bought from the store, but they always leave my face red and irritated. 

This recipe, created by KIWI magazine contributing editor Todra Payne, is best suited for normal to dry skin.  This recipe uses apricots, which are full of Vitamin A and C.  It will help to soften skin and stimulate cell turnover.  If you are looking for an all natural (and inexpensive) facial, give this one a try.

Here's what to do:

• Bring 2 tablespoons whole milk to a gentle simmer in a saucepan. 
• In a blender, add the milk, 1 ripe apricot (pit removed) and 1 tablespoon raw honey.  Blend until smooth. 
• Apply to face and neck.  Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. 

Yields enough for two facials.

CuddleTug Review and Giveaway

I love nursing Amanda and I wouldn't have it any other way.  It works for us and I love the special time we get to spend together, even at all odd hours of the night.  What I don't particularly like is her pulling at my clothes, and especially, my hair while I am nursing her.  Somehow, her little fingers mange to get a few strands of hair and pull them out each time I feed her.  I remember Mason doing the same thing to me and I wound up cutting off my hair and donating it to Locks of Love. 

I was just about to make another donation and chop off my hair when I was introduced to CuddleTug.  Could this simple necklace be the answer to my problems?  Since I didn't want to cut my hair off just yet, I had to check it out.

So, what is a CuddleTug?  It is a "stretchy ribbon necklace" that can be used while feeding and playing.  The CuddleTug claims that it will "keep your baby from pinching skin, tugging on jewelry and pulling hair".

The first day I got it, I slipped it on around my neck while nursing Amanda, and guess what?  Her little fingers went right to the CuddleTug and not my hair.  I thought maybe it was just a coincidence since it was something new for her to play with.  I thought, it can't be that easy.  So the next time I nursed her, I slipped the CuddleTug around my neck and again, Amanda played with the tags on the CuddleTug.  Not only has this been so helpful for nursing Amanda, she also loves to play with it while doing tummy time. 

Each day, I sit with Amanda and lay her toys around her and let her play.  The CuddleTug is almost always one of the first toys she goes for.  She loves to suck on it and chew the tags.  I can play with her and gently pull at the necklace and watch her go for it when I hide it in with her other toys.  I feel comfortable knowing she is chewing on something safe, all while entertaining her.

There are so many uses for the CuddleTug, too.  The CuddleTug can be attached to a high chair, car seat or stroller and your child can't toss it on the floor.  The CuddleTug can be used while breast feeding or bottle feeding.  The CuddleTug also makes a great shower gift!

There are so many cute designs to choose from too.  With over 20 designs to choose from, there is a CuddleTug for just about anyone.  I also love that the CuddleTug is machine washable.  After a few times sucking on it, carrying it around, playing with it on the floor, etc., it's time for a washing.  Another perk of the CuddleTug is that it is proudly handmade in the USA.  Love it!

CuddleTugs are $15.75 (plus tax and shipping) and if you are looking for a customized CuddleTug, that will run you $19.99 (plus tax and shipping). It's nice to have that option too. Check out CuddleTug.com or find them on Facebook or you can also find them on Etsy.com.

Discount offer – Pick up a CuddleTug today at www.shop.cuddletug.com and use promo code MAMACHEAPS20 to save 20% on your order! Offer valid through 9/30/12.

If you would like to get a chance to win a CuddleTug of your own, head on over to Mama Cheaps and fill out the form to enter.  Good Luck!