Remembering the Leftovers

I've had too many moldy Leftovers because I can't remember when I put them in the frig. Since were in the restaurant business we have to put dates on everything. I realized I needed to do this quick tip at home.


I just use these plain white circle labels to put the item name & date of when it was cooked & then its ready to be organized in the frig. Before I wash the container I just take the circle sticker off.

Clean Cut Brownies

A friend shared this tip with me: use a plastic knife to cut Brownies. Make sure you let the brownies cool first before cutting.

I'm amazed that the brownies don't stick unlike when using a "real" knife.

It's Genius!!

Perfect {Sunny Up} EGGS

My friend Holly shared a wonderful tip with me a while back on how to make perfect Sunny Side Up Eggs. I have been using this method ever since.


Spray your pan, crack your eggs into it, put 1 ice cube inside then put a lid on top. The steam from the ice cooks the egg. No need to flip it over. No broken yolks.


Perfect & Yummy!

Simple Message

I know this is Message is Super Simple but for Father's Day this was my husbands surprise for breakfast. I used the squeeze bottles to do the ketchup one & a knife to do the jam one.

Publish a Group Cookbook

Have you ever been in charge of putting together a WARD COOKBOOK (ward or other big group)? Or as a fundraiser for the PTA? These things are not an easy feat. In fact, friends in my last ward on the cookbook committee, said it was so time-consuming that they'd never want to be in charge of that kind of project again.

I want to let you all know that doing a ward (or group) cookbook has gotten a whole lot easier, and less time-consuming for the committee! And it is a wonderful fundraising opportunity for the PTA or other organization you're involved in. The PTA did this as a fundraiser for my children's school this year, and that is how I found out the easy way to do a group cookbook.

After shopping them out and comparing the different cookbook websites online, I decided to go with MORRIS PRESS COOKBOOKS (the same company that our PTA went with).

The most wonderful thing about this company is that everyone in your group/family/organization can contribute and submit their own recipes THEMSELVES! It takes HOURS of work OFF the ones in charge!!

It's super easy to get started. Go to their website and order a FREE starter kit. They will take you step-by-easy-step into this fun project!

Here's my 2-cents worth of advice
(if this is a ward cookbook)...
-Have a small committee. We had just 2 of us- myself as chairperson and another as co-chair. (The RS presidency were committee members, but just for moral support and insight- not expected to do anything.) Designate your responsibilities. (I was in charge of getting people excited about the cookbook, emailing them information, and proofing recipes. Brenda was in charge of passing around the sign-up sheets, making the spreadsheet, collecting the money, and sending in the final order after we filled out the form together.)
-Start with a sign-up sheet for names, email addresses and phone numbers (for those wanting to contribute and/or participate). This will give you their permission to contact them in regards to this project. With that list, start a spreadsheet that you can update and send back and forth between you and the co-chair.
-Email me at TheCreativeHomemaker at gmail dot com if you would like to see the message I typed up and clipart I used to introduce this project to our RS.
-Make sure you clearly explain exactly how you would like everyone to label their measurements. ie: "Please follow the guideline examples given in 'Typensave'." or "Please use 'T' for Tablespoon and 't' for teaspoon." and so on. (This is something I did not do and wish I had. It would've saved me a lot of time in the proofing process!)
-Proof the recipes every few days when you have a second here and there. I waited and did them all at once. Exhausting!

We were able to get 200+ cookbooks with 400 recipes for about $5 each. It's been a success! The money has been collected (the hard part), Brenda and I are alive and well, the order is in, and we are anxiously awaiting our books!!
*Please Note: In our church, these are NOT (and should not be) used as a fundraiser. This is simply a fun, unifying opportunity for our ward relief society. I think every ward needs a ward cookbook every once in a while!

Tip for Today

My aunt Rena taught me a little tip I thought was interesting: Put OATS in your meatballs!

Last night we had meatball sandwiches. I just added 3/4 cup of old fashioned OATS to 2 lbs meat, 3 egg yolks & seasonings. I put them in the crockpot on low for 5 to 6 hours with sauce to cook. They held together well and tasted great.

My Organized Home, Part 2- Meal Prep

My daily dilemma- "What should I make for dinner tonight?" Can you relate? Then when you finally figure it out, you realize you're missing one or two of the ingredients to make that meal? It's the story of my life (when I don't plan ahead).

Making dinner (or any other meal) is my least favorite job as a homemaker!! For me, the worst part of it is choosing just WHAT to make every day. I've done a few different things to help in this area...

A. I've done FREEZER MEALS, (both alone and exchanged in groups with other women).
PROs (for me): cooking/preparing only once a month.
CONs: Still have to choose what to have for dinner everyday, and have to remember to pull out of freezer to thaw.

B. I've done the FRESH MEAL exchange/co-op with friends. *Did this one for a long time and loved it!
PROs (my opinion): Cooking once a week, no freezing, menu is scheduled and we know what we're having, fresh!, side dish included.
CONs: Finding that perfect group (4 of you) with similar size families and similar taste.

C. Right now I'm doing the 4-WEEK MENU method, and I'm really liking it so far. Here's how I'm doing it...

1. On the back of a laminated poster I had, I wrote down (with a dry-erase marker) all the dinners that I know my kids will eat. Then I presented it to my family and let my kids (and husband) vote to veto any they couldn't stand.

2. I then printed off one of my blank Four Week Menu Plans, and penciled in some weekly menu ideas. (I was sure to use a pencil because I had to erase several times to get it just right.)
*This was quite time-consuming, trying to figure out which meals to have in a week. I wanted to make sure we were switching it up enough, while trying to have similar ingredients (or sides) to use 2 nights in a row in 2 different meals. It's kind of tricky!

Click HERE to print my blank menu!

(Click on image below to read my "menu" up close.)


3. Now you can make a binder like Heather's that has all of the recipes for your menu. (Most of my recipes are in my "memory bank", so I haven't taken the time to do this step yet.)

4. Now I needed to make a grocery list to correspond with my menu. So I used my finished menu to guide me while I made a grocery list for each week, (also with consideration for the amounts of each item I would need for the whole week).
*It's a good idea to use a spreadsheet for this. I didn't, so it took me forever!
*I had already made a list of food and non-food staples, so I incorporated my weekly menu items into this list (4 times for the 4 different weeks) and color-coded the weekly items in each one. (I think my list is too big, so I am still making notes on them and changing things as I go, which is an easy fix as long as it's on the computer.)
*Categorizing and alphabetizing also help!

5. I printed out my four lists and put them into sheet protectors to keep in my coupon binder.
*I use plastic sheet protectors instead of laminating them, so I can easily change them up if needs be. Also, so I can check things off with a wipe-off marker without having to reprint the list.


I go grocery shopping every Friday (or Saturday) for the new week, and I have my lists ready and waiting. All I have to do before going to the store is to go through the list and check off all of the items I don't need. This took me a long time to organize, and I still make small changes; but it is saving me so much time and headache in the long run! Especially since I now work outside the home, part-time.

Love in Small Packages

I think these little baby food containers are perfect for "re-gifting". They are so CUTE! My youngest is 4 years old so I don't actually use the item for its intent but I get use out of both parts.

The OUTER PART=CONTAINER:

I'm filling it with a note & candies to let our little ones know how much I love them. This will be a fun treat to start their Friday night. I just decorated it with paper & stickers. I love that this could be used for any holiday, birthday party or just because.

The INNER PART=PUREED GOODNESS:
This stuff is the best! I use this in my baking. It just makes the food healthier, & more moist. I usually put it in pancakes, muffins, sauces, shakes & even desserts. If I need the container I will do it the baby food way but. . .

This is the way I usually add to our baked goods. I followed Jessica Seinfeld's way of preparing it. I do 1/2 cup pureed veggies in snack size ziplocks, freeze on a sheet pan then transfer them to this container to put in the freezer. Then they are ready to use. I so appreciate this idea-it has been one of the greatest cooking tips!

Egg Shells

My niece(early 20's) shared this Kitchen Tip with me the other day while cracking Eggs. I'm always irritated when I get a shell in with the egg yolk & white. There's nothing worse than eating eggs and then tasting a "crunch" that's not supposed to be there.


Take the shell and dip it back into the egg white to "pick up" the broken shell. It's amazing how the broken piece clings to the larger shell.

I know this is a simple tip but it will be very valuable in the kitchen.

I'm so excited to crack more eggs now.

{Sunday China} Caddy

Since Sunday is the Day of Rest, I like to rest from my labors of doing dishes. Unless its a special Holiday(even then the thought does cross my mind to use paper & plastic products) I really don't like to do the dishes on Sunday. We started this tradition a few years back and it has become a Family Favorite. Until now I have just put all the eating supplies on the counter (we store them in a cabinet in the garage) but often times I will forget at least one of them. I knew we needed a Caddy for our Sunday China.

As I was walking thru Walmart getting containers for our business I found these for only $5.50.


I just added some ribbon, a marker(for writing names on cups) & cups/plates/bowls/napkins/forks/spoons/knives.

Now its all organized in one place!

Being Prepared for {Mealtime}

After this & this attempt of getting mealtime organized last year, I'm hoping this 3rd idea will be a "charm". Now that things have changed in our lives (yet again) I'm trying to make adjustments to be Prepared for Mealtime as well.


I got a binder & used these tabs I already had. I just altered them with numbers 1-31 for each day of the month. I wanted them separate so in each tab I could add[Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Dessert] Recipes.


I then copied recipes from cookbooks and magazines to put in each day. (Thanks Fabi for this idea!) And labeled (You could just write the name of each meal but I thought it would be easier to put a sticker on. I did 1/2 circle stickers because I love to color code anything - green=breakfast, yellow=lunch, red=dinner, blue=dessert)them for each meal. It will be great to take a couple of days at the begining of the month to prepare & then go shopping 4 times during the month(I think Saturday night is perfect!). I'm hoping this will help in the "food going bad" department.


I printed off a calendar & labeled each day of the week a type of dinner.

Sunday: Crockpot Meals

Monday: Freezer Meals

Tuesday: "S" Meals

(soups/salads/sandwiches)

Wednesday:Anything Goes

(casseroles/meats with side dishes...)

Thursday: Family "Favorites" Meals

(meals our kids ask for frequently when I didn't have anything prepared)

Friday: Finger Food Meals

(foods on sticks/burritos/pizza/nachos/fries/nuggets...)

Saturday: Leftovers

{Desserts are filtered in throughout the month}

I'm excited that for 5 days a week we will be able to try new recipes. If our family ends up liking the recipe I can just add it to our "Favorites" Recipe Binder.

UPDATE(1/11/11): I have been doing this now for one week and finally I have a system that works for me-it is Heaven!

{Kitchen Cleanup} Job Chart

I've had "ah ha" moments (thanks Cami!) the last couple of weeks about Cleaning up the Kitchen(or maybe I've just reached my "limit" of having to do it all). The kitchen stays pretty clean during the day but as soon as the kids come home from school until bedtime it looks like a tornado hit. I'm usually too tired by the end of the day so most of the time it stays messy until morning. Not a good way to start each day.

So I'm hoping this "Cleanup Chart" will be the solution.


1-Cut & paint a board to your desire(mine is 9"x12") The magnetic metal piece was 6"x10.5"(found at Craft Warehouse).


2-I found this adorable paper(at Paper Cottage by Little Yellow Bicycle/Savor-"kitchenware") to use.



3-Glue the paper onto the magnetic metal with spray adhesive & then glue it to the board.


4-Roll the clay(Sculpty) out. Use the cardstock shape (1 1/2"x2") as your guide, cut the clay with the exacto knife. Stamp the letter onto the clay shape. "Age" the edges with the stamp pad. Bake as directed. Brush on a protective coat(I use clear fingernail polish because that is what I have-it works). Then glue the letter shape onto the magnetic board.

FYI-I decided to use the alphabet letters instead of pictures because I don't have time to change them often.


5-Cut the magnet sheet for the "job descriptions". I taped some scrapbook paper to the magnet. And wrote on it with a sharpie. I love how this can easily be changed.

The kids thought it would be nice to change it every week-I agree.

Mealtime Plan

With life being so crazy right now(and the kids schedule adjusted) I need an improved Mealtime Plan. I've been inspired by my friend Holly, who does a 2 week meal plan. She loves having everything ready to go for dinner for 2 weeks. It will be good to have the Plan posted on my frig(with a cute magnet-of course).

I found this great site and printed off the planning sheet. I picked one of my cookbooks like I did here to plan out of for the 2 week period.

I'm hoping that it being written down and in plain view will ease my dinner time worries.

Drinking Enough {Water}?

My husband and I watch a show called "the Colony". They do a mock experiment to see what people would do in a distaster. They don't have a lot of the comforts we enjoy. All they are trying to do is just survive.

They mentioned on there about drinking water and the importance of it. You can live without food for 3 weeks but only water for 4 days. They mentioned some of the side effects of not getting enough water and its no wonder why I feel so sluggish, tired and have so many headaches.


My old solution: I would use these water bottles and mark how many I needed to drink.


My new solution: a frig magnet with move over beads. I jsut put it on the frig by my water cup. After I drink a cup full I just move over a bead. I'm so glad I won't have to keep track in my mind. Yah!


The piece of wood is 3"x3" & the wire is 6" in length. I then added some beads before gluing (liquid nails or E6000)the wire in the drilled holes and the magnet on back.


Mod Podge some scrapbook paper and sand the edges.


This might be a little corky but if I feel better its all worth it!

Summer Snack

Our kids decided to try their idea of freezing some Grapes for a snack a couple of years ago. It has become one of their favorite summer snack(besides popcycles). And such a blessing on those hot summer days. I even look forward to eating some!

{Just wash them & place them in a pan to chill for at least 2 hours before eating} ENJOY!

Dishwasher {MAGIC}

Sharing a BIG dishwasher tip: Dishwasher Magic.
This stuff truely is MAGIC!
I am so excited to have clean dishes! A few months back our dishwasher started to leave a film & left over food on the "clean" dishes. I've had to handwash and its not fun when you have 6 people using the dishes. We had a repair man come and he told use we have hard water and a water softener would be great ($1500.00-$2400.00-too much right now) but then he did mention to give this product a try. That was one of the best $4.00 (Walmart)we have spent! I will be doing this once a month(recommended) to keep our dishes clean!