Sunday, August 23, 2009

Infinity Online Math Tutoring Demo

This is my other hobby…that I am slowly turning into my work. :D  Check it out and pass the word along. 

I wanted to share with all of you the demo of my online math tutoring business.  Please keep me in mind if you hear of anyone needing tutoring.

I just released my math tutoring demo.  This is to get an idea of how the interactive online tutoring works.  Check it out and take a look at my website, Infinity Online Math Tutoring.  New Customers:  Intro offer--The first 30 minutes of tutoring is free and I also give discounts when you opt for 4 sessions instead of individual sessions. 

Keep coming back as I will be releasing some FREE tutorial videos on various common problem math topics. 

Infinity Online Math Tutoring Demo

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Edamame (soy beans in the pod)

I read a long time ago on someone’s blog (I cannot remember whose), that Edamame was a perfect finger food for kids. I had never had Edamame, so I thought we would try it.

The food itself is extremely healthy and if you buy the frozen type in the pod, you only have to defrost it to eat it. This makes it a super easy and simple snack or side for any meal.

Tonight, I reintroduced Edamame to my boys. Bert liked it last time we had it, so I reminded him of this and showed him how to pop open the pod to expose the seed. In my opinion, Edamame have a nutty flavor, and Bert likes nuts…So, I made sure to remind him that they taste like nuts. He started eating them right away.

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HPIM3967

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As you can see, he liked the Edamame. Please excuse my “shirtless” boys at the dinner table. I didn’t notice until they had already gotten dinner underway.

Ernie is not a fan of anything un-fruit-like. He still had fun learning how to open the Edamame. The green soybeans never once crossed his lips. He did get a math lesson in though…

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Perfectly lined up and counted to 5! So, apparently Edamame doubles as a wonderful math manipulative.

In this household, 50% is passing when it comes to food. If I can get one kid to like and eat it, I'm happy. (kind of reminiscent of the Texas TAKS math test—well, I think they have to have a 65% or something…at one time it was 55% though).

You all have a wonderful day, and let me know how your kids like Edamame!

HPIM3971

Darn Good Green Beans

I’ve been doing these A LA Ozuna style the last couple of times I have made them.  My in-laws make their beans similarly to these.  I have stumbled onto their secret.

Ingredients:

Fresh green beans (however many your family eats…I usually do a couple handfuls for me and my husband.  The boys eat carrots)

1/4 c.  Onion (a couple thinly sliced rings chopped up)

2 Tbsp.  Bacon Grease (you could cook some bacon or just use the grease that you have saved from cooking bacon, either way it’s yummy)

1 Tomato diced

mushrooms (1/2 basket chopped)

salt

pepper

Directions:

Heat pan to medium high.  Add bacon grease, onion, and chopped green beans.  Salt to taste.  Cover.  Let cook for a bit, stirring occasionally.  After green beans and onion have cooked down a little (become a little soft), add mushrooms and tomato.  Salt again.  Pepper. Cover.  When beans are cooked but still have a bite to them, and when tomato has cooked down, they are done.

Check the seasoning…add more salt/pepper if needed.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Freezer Chicken Tortilla Soup

Last night I wanted something quick and easy.  I had leftover fajita chicken from the other day, pinto beans in the freezer and homemade hot sauce in the freezer, and freezer cream of chicken soup.  From that, I made Freezer Chicken Tortilla soup!  It took about 20 minutes to defrost everything in the microwave, and about 10 minutes to cook!  Perfect Meal!!

Ingredients:

Cream of chicken soup from freezer (about 4 ladle-fulls)

Salsa from the freezer (about 2 cups)

Pinto Beans from freezer (about 4 ladle-fulls)

Fajita Chicken meat cubed (equivalent of a couple chicken breasts)

Tomato (diced)

salt (to taste)

pepper (to taste)

tortilla chips (a handful)

shredded cheddar cheese (a couple tablespoons)

Directions:

Dump it all in a pot except the last two ingredients.  Heat through.  Ladle into bowl.  Crunch up a couple tortilla chips and top with cheese.  YUMMO! 

 

*I suggest adding a little bit of cut up avacado to the top too.  I was out.

 

Monday, July 20, 2009

Catastrophe in the Making

It’s official!  Cooking Catastrophe is a catastrophe!  Can we say “bite off more than you can chew?” 

I will keep the blog because I do like having a record of good recipes, BUT I will update less often.

If that bothers you, I completely understand.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

July 5th shopping trip

I made my weekly Sunday morning trip yesterday.  Let me tell you…Walmart before 12:00pm on the SUNDAY after JULY 4th ROCKS!!!  No one was there!

Walmart:

  • Great Value Froot Loops (the boys seem to like them…I tried them, tasted like the real stuff)
  • Smart Start Cereal
  • Facial cleanser (noxema)
  • turkey sandwich slices
  • Ranch dressing
  • Spaghetti noodles
  • Tortillas (refrigerated ready to cook)
  • breakfast turkey sausage
  • cherries
  • fuji apples
  • brocolli crowns
  • mushrooms
  • 3 big yogurt containers (we are on a yogurt and granola kick right now)
  • apple juice
  • coke
  • sams cola zero (thought I would try it…it’s okay—I’ll drink it for .56 cents a 2 Liter)
  • Total:  $44.96

United Marketstreet:

  • Granola (ginger snap)
  • Granola
  • Cherries (okay, they were REALLY Ripe and looking great!  I am a cherry fan)
  • White grapes
  • bananas
  • Total:  $13.44

Grand total:  $58.40

I realized I will need to make a trip to Sams for milk by the end of the week (maybe this weekend).

Monday, July 6, 2009

June 28 Shopping Trip

Here we go again!  I am a week behind on this, but amazingly I found my receipts tucked (not so neatly) in the bottom of my purse. ;0)

Walmart:

  • Diapers
  • Cheetoes
  • Bananas
  • Tomato
  • Asparagus
  • Mushrooms
  • Turkey Sandwich meat
  • Skippy Peanut Butter
  • Turkey Bacon
  • Yogurt (2 big containers)
  • Lactaid tablets (chewable)
  • coke
  • apple juice
  • Total:  $54.11

United Market Street:

  • Granola (ginger snap)
  • Granola
  • Avacado
  • Large Nectarines
  • Black Plums
  • Total:  $10.55

One more trip:  This one I don’t have the receipt to….

SAMS:

  • Milk (2 for about $5.50)
  • Bread (4 for about $7)
  • Total:  approx. $13.00

 

Grand total:  approx. $77.66

That’s awesome!!! My new budget of $80 a week stayed in place here!!! Yay!