GivingNSharing's Sunday Recipes

Hmmm, I seem to be a on food kick lately.  Could it be that it's FINALLY cooling off (in August yet)?  Could it be all the yummy veggies that are hitting the farmer's markets?  I don't know.  I do know that it's probably a good thing that I've been wanting to cook lately since I'm trying to cut back on my spending and eating out.  I've got a recipe that I thought I would share this time and a BIG announcement too!

Should I start with the announcement?  I think so.....

Coming Review! 

Discover a new source of freedom and change your life
Cook one day, then eat for a month!
With delicious meals in your freezer you can always say,
Dinner is Ready!

Would anyone like to join me and do some cooking?
I'll cook from the Lunch Book and if someone would like to use the recipes from the website and share their experience we can get a better overview of the program.  Anyone interested?

 Broccoli Ranch Salad

Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix packet

2/3 cups oil

1/4 cup vinegar

Mix together and set aside.

Broccoli & Cauliflower (chopped into florets)

Cherry Tomatoes (1/2'd)

1/2 red onion (chopped or in 1/2 rings)

Black Olives

Pour ranch dressing oil/vinegar mixture on top.  Marinate in the fridge at least 2 hours, I go overnight.

Fed Up with Lunch

I'm doing a little blog hopping tonight and thought I'd share this great post from Melissa at Another Lunch! Before you leave, besure to click on the link for the EasyLunchboxes.com giveaway - then YOU can make up GREAT lunches for your kids like Melissa!

Click HERE to check out Melissa's blog!

Melissa has a FUN and informative blog filled with tricks and ideas to encourage waste free lunches and lunches YOUR kids will WANT to eat.  If you are just starting to pack your kids lunches and don't want to hear how YOUR kid traded his carrots (that's what I did in school) or maybe their Turkey whole wheat sandwich for Candy and Chips, then you might want to start on this page: Home Page. She also has fun ideas like how to make Shaped Hard Boiled Eggs and yummy recipes like: Chocolate Chip Granola Bits and more.

Mrs. Q over at the Fed Up with School Lunch blog has posted some interesting discussion questions all about school lunch as part of a lunch revolution "blog party" and "twitter party". Fun stuff! Right up my little lunch-nerd alley. :) 

•How is “Back to School” going for your family?
If I could describe it in one word it would be "phew!". It's been crazy town! 
The logistics of juggling four kids, three in school, two different schools, three different schedules is a little overwhelming. We were rezoned to a brand new elementary school this year which my two older boys attend, so there are a lot of new teachers to meet and procedures to learn. In the two weeks and two days since we've been back in school there has been a heaping amount of school drama involving a lot of unexpected upheaval and tears. I think we are in for some smooth sailing ahead, but we still have some waves to get over first.  Oh, and in the midst of all this we've had over two dozen lunches packed! ;-)

•Is school lunch important part of your child’s day?
Hmm. Let me ask him.... LOL.  Okay, his response was, and I quote: "yes, lunch is a very important part of my day because if I didn't have lunch I'd have a tummy ache and feel tired and get a headache." 

•What is school lunch like at your school or your child’s school?It's pretty typical school fare. Nothing to write home about. If the kids don't like the entree they can choose to get a packaged PBJ (you know THE ONES...sort of goes along with "Detestables") and icee instead. At least that's how it was at their last elementary school, which is in the same district. I suspect something may be different this year because we have some major nut-allergic kids in school his year and we are supposed to be nut-free. 

One thing I am totally stoked about is our new school is a GREEN school and the cafeteria is stocked with reusable lunch trays! (YAY!!!)

•Do you pack lunch for your kids and what do you pack?
LOL - Um, yes, I pack lunch for my kids. Maybe you have seen my blog? anotherlunch.com ? ;-)

•Do you write notes in your kid’s lunches and what do you write?
Yes! So fun! I write jokes, riddles, fun facts, and little love notes of various degrees of mushiness. I'm so happy to even have my own collection of free down-loadable lunch notes that were custom illustrated to match my blog! :)

•What are some of your favorite lunch recipes (kid-friendly or adult-friendly)?
It really depends on who I am packing my lunch for. A unanimous favorite for the whole family are ourhomemade granola bars and granola bites. 

•What are some products that you use when you pack lunch?
Just take a look around. :) Reusable lunch containers, bento boxes, silicone cups to contain foods within the bento boxes, little food picks to hold small pieces of food, etc.! My goal in packing lunches is to make it waste-free and to create a pleasant presentation to make it appealing for my little lunch eaters. :)

Now, how about YOU? I'd love to hear about what all of you have to say! If you take Mrs. Q's interview, please post a link to your answers here in the comments so I can check it out! :)

______________________________________________________

EasyLunchboxes.com is giving away a Lunchbox set to one of my lucky readers.  Click HERE to enter.

EasyLunchBoxes.com Review and Giveaway

*** Hi! I got the links for Easy Lunchbox fixed ***

This Giveaway is now closed!  9/6/10
Jamie #83 won our drawing:
Jamie will have 48 hours to respond or I will pick another.
Thank you Jamie!


I'd like to thank everyone for joining us.  It got a little competitive there at the end.  LOL =D

The Easy Lunchbox system is great for school, work, or travel.  The perfect size for kids and adults.  No BPA, PVC, phthalates, lead or vinyl and they are dishwasher and microwave safe.  The containers are very thick, light and the lids fit beautifully - great for Kindergarten teachers with 30 little kids asking her to open their lunches!  You can pack waste-free lunch boxes fast with our single-lid, 3-compartment, bento-style plastic food containers. These are affordable lunch box containers and cooler bags for work or school lunches. 


The Easy Lunchbox system is a Streamlined Solution for packing lunches, benefits adults who want to eat a healthy meal away from home, saves time!, is eco-friendly, saves space and the the cooler is so large you can fit up to 3 containers in it!  Perfect for clean eating, a day on the town or the park, or school.

What do you like to make for lunch?  

Here are some of our tasty meal ideas to inspire your culinary talents.  EasyLunchbox containers are perfect for packing yummy lunches for school, work, or travel. Pack up to 3 containers in one cooler for a day trip to the park or zoo!

Click on the photo to your left to get some great ideas for lunches or if you'd like other great ideas try the following links:

• Yummy Lunch Ideas
• Back to School Lunch Ideas - Print this chart out and post it for the kids to refer to for ideas.
• Snack Packs - now this is a great idea!
• Kid Friendly Snacks for Staycations or Vacations
• O'Boy Organic's Blog

The system comes in 2 parts: a set of lunch box containers (set of 4 w/ 4 different colored lids).  If you have 4 kids - each kid can have an assigned color so they always know which color box is theirs.

  

You will also want to use the specially designed cooler.  At $7.95 each, each child can have their own color - no more grabbing the wrong bag/lunch and then being disappointed about their lunch.  

Our vinyl-free insulated lunch bag (a roomy 9” x 6.5” x 6.5”) will easily hold your entire meal! Plenty of room for the container(s), a water bottle, ice block and an extra snack or two

There are 2 ways to get your HOT little hands on a Lunchbox System!  

Buy It: At $13.95 for these heavy duty, restaurant quality containers and $7.95 for your choice of 5 coolers ($22 for the set) this is a quality investment that will last you a long time and save you money in the long run.  Remember, they're dishwasher and microwave safe and perfect for everything from sandwiches to leftovers.

WIN It: EasyLunchbox.com has very kindly offered a set of lunch box containers and a cooler bag of your choice to one of my readers.  This is such a popular giveaway that I'm going to make you work a little for it.  The drawing will take place on September 5th at Midnight and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or I will draw another name.  To enter this giveaway be sure to do the Mandatory entry first - before you do any of the other entries - OH, and be sure to do individual entries - 3 entries=3 comments.  Thanks!

Mandatory Entries: (Both combined for 1 entry)
1.  Go to EasyLunchboxes.com and then come back and tell me something you learned.  Alternatively you can visit the Yummy Lunch Ideas and tell me what looks Yummy to you!
2.  Follow ME on GivingNSharing publicly on GFC (look on the right sidebar).  Thanks!


Optional entries:
{Go to Easy Lunchbox's blog and sign up for their newsletter.  It's packed with  recipe ideas, lunch making resources, product updates, and special offers for our valued customers! Come back and leave a comment that you have signed up.

{Follow Easy Lunchbox on Twitter. (Leave your twitter handle in your comment)
{Follow Easy Lunchbox on Facebook. (Leave your FB handle  in your comment)
{Follow Family Literacy on Facebook (family literacy).
{Follow Family Literacy on Twitter and leave this message.  (3 entries)      
" @familyliteracy WIN an Easy Lunchbox System at GivingNSharing, Ends 9/5, US only http://ning.it/9piPVx " (You can leave this up to 3 times daily for 3 entries each time)  Leave the link with your comment so I can track it.
{Follow GivingNSharing on Networked Blogs (look on the right sidebar).
{Tell me what color of cooler you would like if you win and who will use it.
{Add my button to your sidebar or my link to your blog roll - 5 entries! (right sidebar near the top)
{Add Easy Lunchboxes button to your sidebar and blog about this giveaway w/ a link to this page.  - 5 entries


Please note:

• Each entry requires a separate comment.
• Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.
• Giveaway ends on Sunday, September 5th, 2010.
• Winner will be selected by Random.org and contacted by email.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond to claim your prize!
• Please do not enter this giveaway if you have won or received free product from Easy Lunch Boxes within the past 3 months.

Can't wait for the contest to end?  Click here to be re-directed to Easy Lunchboxes.com and order today.

CSN knows the way to THIS girls heart!

CSN's Cookware.com

Dutch oven (s) are excellent for long slow cooking recipes, such as in making roasts, stews, and casseroles. With cast iron dutch ovens, stainless steel dutch ovens and aluminum dutch ovens, you can bring versatility into your kitchen with an assortment of new recipes that are sure to heat things up!


I love cooking.  Roasted veggies, roasted chicken, berry cobblers (shall we add some vanilla ice cream to the top of that?).  I used to manage a gourmet store where we carried the awesome line of Le Creuset Cookware and I was lucky enough to get a lesson in how Le Creuset is made.  


Each individual piece of cookware is made using 2 separate molds.  One for the inside and one for the outside and then they are connected so there is a small gap created between them.  Pig iron is then melted at an extremely high temperature and then poured into the mold.  Once the iron cools, it is removed and is then ready for the finishing process.  To remove the mold, each mold is broken and destroyed, meaning no 2 pieces of Le Creuset are ever the same.  


After being removed from the mold, several finishing processes begin under the hands of skilled craftsmen for cleaning and smoothing, rough edges and burrs are removed in a hand process called "fettling". Then each piece is blasted by tiny metal pellets to prepare a uniform surface for enameling.


The benefits to using Le Creuset cast iron cookware are many: 

Distributes heat more evenly, preventing "hot spots", ensures moisture and flavours are sealed in by perfectly fitting lids, keeps its shape and maintains a flat, steady base, and it retains heat longer which keeps foods hot when serving.

Le Creuset enameled cast iron can be used on different forms of stoves and ovens: Ceramic, Halogen or Induction hobs, Gas, Electric, Solid fuel or Aga/Rayburn. Perfect for sautéing, grilling, baking, roasting or casseroling, Le Creuset has a pot, pan or dish to do the job. Most pieces can be used in the oven or under the grill.


The vitreous enamel cooking surface is completely hygienic and impervious to flavors and odors.


Cleans easily by hand or by dishwasher if used in accordance with Le Creuset's care and use instructions.


No ‘hot spots,’ the base, side walls and lid are all of the same quality and thickness so there are no areas where heat can be lost rapidly. Cast iron retains heat so that food will be kept hot for some considerable time when served at the table. 

It's Energy efficient! 
Once hot, you require only a low to medium heat setting to maintain a good cooking performance.and it can be removed from the heat leaving the food to cook in its own heat.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes and I'd LOVE if you'd share one of yours. And also if you know the trick to removing shortening from a recipe and only using margarine or butter I'd love to know. I use shortening once a year - so a block of it lasts me like 5 years! Ewwwww.

I have an interactive blog so please share your favorite dessert recipe using fruit in the comments area.
Blueberry, Raspberry and Strawberry Cobbler
Makes 6-8 portions
1 pint blueberries, lightly rinsed, drained and picked over
1 pint raspberries
1 quart strawberries, lightly rinsed, drained and hulled
½ cup plus 3 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Finely grated zest of ½ lemon
2 cups unbleached white flour
Pinch of salt
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
Preheat oven to 425. Butter a large (14” long) baking dish or casserole. A 2 ½ to 3 quart dish is perfect.
• Combine the berries, ½ cup sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest in a large bowl. Toss well to combine and spoon into the dish.
• In another bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder and 1 tablespoon sugar. Work the shortening and butter in with a pastry blender, 2 knives or your fingers until it looks like coarse crumbs. Lightly beat the egg and milk together and then slowly stir into the mixture. Knead lightly, adding more flour if necessary to form a smooth, not sticky dough.
• Break of spoonfuls of the dough (or do with your fingers) and put on top of fruit, press slightly and flatten the dough. Cover entire top with dough.
• Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar over the dough and bake till well browned, 35-45 minutes. Serve immediately.

Welcome to all of my NEW Friends!

Please take some time and look around my blog. You will find book reviews, special notices of sales, new titles, family literacy tips and more on Family Literacy and You.

My name is Tina Peterson, also known as "The Book Lady" to my customer's kids. They know me as the lady who brings the Touchy-Feely Books, the "See Inside" Books and they also know I have a passion for a Great Book!

Most of you know that I have a Monthly giveaway for $50 in FREE Books through Usborne Books that you can sign up for.  This giveaway in an ongoing event, and all entry information is destroyed after the drawing - so be sure to sign up every month!

Today, there are several giveaways and reviews I'd love to hear your thoughts on:

Ends Today: Low Entries!  Kumon Books, 8/16, US

Low Entries: RockNLearn Phonics DVD Giveaway/Review, 8/22, US

While you’re here be sure to follow the link to http://www.oboyorganic.com/

Trina’s goal is to help parents feed their children through education, interaction and know how in a manner that is fun and exciting for mommies, daddies and children alike.

O’BoyOrganic.com and I are giving away The Usborne Healthy Cookbook to one lucky winner on 8/22.  You don’t want to miss her informative review of this cookbook, complete with recipes and tips on cooking with kids!

Please stay awhile and visit - and if you leave a comment, please leave your blog or contact information so I can thank you!  ~ Tina "The Book Lady"

Tina "The Book Lady"

www.MyUsborneBooks.com

http://givingnsharing.blogspot.com

http://familyliteracyandyou.blogspot.com