Practical encouragement based on the biblical principles of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 for today's woman
Mentoring Moments for Christian Women
In the Kitchen
"Homemaking is the deliberate cultivation of beauty and productivity in a family relationships. This continuing series of articles and tips will challenge you to go beyond "housekeeping" to "homemaking."
Getting Started:
30-Day Cooking
Looking for a way to save time and money? Join Lori Lauth as she explains how to get started with 30-day cooking. She discusses the three basic methods of 30 day cooking, her favorite resource cookbooks, benefits, and costs involved. This is podcast 1 in
a series of 4 on 30-day cooking. To access, click the widget above below the green line that reads, 'select a past episode'. A drop-down menu will appear. Choose Episode 1: Getting Started.
Shopping & Chopping: 30-Day Cooking
Lori Lauth shares in this second podcast on 30-day cooking how to plan a menu, organize for shopping, and prep the food ahead of time for the big cooking day. This is podcast 2 in a series of 4 on 30-day cooking. To access, click the widget above below the green
line that reads, 'select a past episode'. A drop-down menu will appear.
Choose Episode 2: Shopping and Chopping.
Freezer Cookbook Reviews
Lori Lauth Once-a-Month Cooking by Mim Wilson & Mary Beth Lagerborg. A time-saving, budget-stretching cookbook to prepare delicious meals. This is the book I started with years ago. Shopping lists are included. Two-week cooking plans as well as full 30-day menus. Light cooking two-week menu plan included too.
Frozen Assets Lite & Easy by Deborah Taylor-Hough. Cook for a day, eat for a month. Shopping lists included. This book covers mini cooking sessions grouped together by type of meat, chicken, etc. Good for those who plan family meals around purchases made on sale. The Best Freezer Cookbook by Jan Main. Freezer-friendly recipes, tips, and techniques. My newest addition to my freezer cookbook library. Lots of beautiful pictures. Most recipes geared for entertaining.
Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half
Learn how Molly Evert has cut her grocery bill in half by using the Grocery Game. Read her article on the Abundant Living page.
Thanksgiving Blessings
This month's issue introduces our newThanksgiving Blessing web pages in our Special Occasions section.
Palmer Family Thanksgivng is Loi's family recipes complete with a countdown planner to get a head start now.
A Thankful Heart includes ideas for meaningful family traditions and ways to bless others.
Thanksgiving Decorations shows how to put together simple low-cost centerpieces and ideas.
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Kellie Renfroe
Get a jump start on Thanksgiving appetizers and football game munchies with these easy recipes.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread.
This recipe yields two loafs that can be made now and frozen until needed. Simply thaw in the fridge. It's a wonderful dessert bread that is perfect for gift giving or to take to any event where you need a dessert.
Royal Plum Cake
A co-worker's wife gave me this recipe years ago. It can be made in a bundt cake pan or in mini-bundt pans for gifts. It's one of those cakes that's better the next day. This cake will not last long at any gathering.
Pumpkin Pie Dip
Loi shared this recipe with me last year and it's a hit. Easy to throw together for game day or take to a party.
Pizza Bites
If your crew likes pizza bites then this is the recipe for you. Make ahead and freeze. Takes only minutes to reheat in the oven for game day munchies.
Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
This has to be my all time favorite cheese ball. The combination of cream cheese and chocolate chips can't be beat. This can be made well in advance and stored in the fridge until your gathering. Serve with chocolate graham crackers.
Simple Roasted Pecans
At a recent women's retreat these were the hit of the weekend. Toss pecans in salt and melted butter and roast in the oven at 350 degrees until dark brown (be careful not to burn). Store in an air tight container until the big game.
Pigs in a Blanket
So it's not homemade, but Hebrew National's pigs in a blanket make excellent appetizers. At about $11 for a large box at Publix they can be put in the fridge for any holiday event. Save time and your guests will never know!
Dinner-On-the-Go
Kellie Renfroe
Fall sports and music practices are well underway. Between practices and work, many families are eating on the run during the week. To save money and enjoy a family meal together, here are some tips and recipes for dinner-on-the-go.
* Keep a stocked cooler in the trunk with juice boxes and bottled water.
Even if you go through a drive-thru, you can save money buy not ordering drinks and
instead drink what you have in the cooler.
* Pre-package your own chips, veggies, and snacks on the weekend. One bag
of chips can be divided into 10 or 12 plastic baggies. A bag of mini- carrots
will divide into about 6 baggies. A large bag of trail mix will make 10 or 12
one-cup portions. Pre-pack a picnic basket with non-perishables and sit by the
door to grab on the way out the door. Store items that need to be kept cool in a
cooler with ice.
* Stock a picnic basket with napkins, paper plates and plastic utensils along
with a few plastic bags from the grocery store to put trash in.
* Who says sandwiches have to be dull? Instead of loaf bread use pita or
make rollups with flat bread. Chicken, tuna, and egg salads are also good
choices.
* If your family eats on the road more than at home consider investing in individual thermoses for everyone. A thermos is perfect for beef stew, chili, taco soup, pasta, and
tomato soup. Have crackers and even a salad on hand for a good weeknight
meal.
Kellie Renfroe The phrase 'lazy days of summer' does not apply much to my home. Summer is just as busy with vacation Bible school, family visits, vacation, and day-to-day activities. On top of a busy summer schedule is the rising cost of food and gas. What's a mom to do?
Now is the perfect time to incorporate 30-day freezer cooking methods into meal planning. Thirty-day cooking saves time, money, and the dreaded 5 o'clock question: what's for dinner? Menu planning, a day of shopping and chopping, followed by a day of cooking will net 30 home-cooked meals waiting in the freezer.
This month Lori Lauth has recorded podcasts teaching 30-day cooking. (This will be a series of four podcasts - check back in June for the last two.) She explains the entire process from planning to cooking with plenty of tips and techiques to make the job easier. Lori gives helpful hints and also discusses the ministry benefits of freezer cooking. In addition, a new Freezer Cookingpage has been added to our online Recipe Box which includes tried and true freezer recipes for breakfast, lunch, supper, and dessert.
Chicken and Rice Wraps (Kellie's Note: I found this recipe online years ago. I love chicken and rice wraps for their simplicity and huge yield (66 wraps!). My children, ages 3 to 14, give this recipe high marks. I wish I knew who to give credit to but I lost the web address.)
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded.
2 cups water
1 cup mild salsa
1 package taco seasoning mix
2 cups uncooked instant rice
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
8-12 flour tortillas. (I use the small tortillas)
In a skillet or saucepan combine chicken, water, salsa, and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Add rice. Simmer on low for 5 minutes. Spoon mixture into center of tortillas, sprinkle with cheese and wrap.
To freeze: wrap each folded tortilla in aluminum foil and place them in one-gallon freezer bags.
To serve: Reheat in oven for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Great as a snack, lunch, or dinner when served with salad. Additional tip: if you get tired of making wraps, fill a casserole dish and sprinkle with cheese and it's a great casserole. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly.
Ground Turkey Burgers
Lori Lauth
2 lbs. ground turkey
2 small grated zucchinis
1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese
1/2 cup minced red onion
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 tablespoon salt
grated lemon peel
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Form into 8 patties. Wrap each patty in wax paper and place patties in a 1 gallon freezer bag. To cook: grill and serve.
Can't Live Without It!
Lori Lauth
My
favorite kitchen gadget is my Food Saver. In the last five years I used
it only during my 30 day cooking sessions and then packed put it back up in
my cabinet. I have a hard and fast rule that if I don’t use an
appliance or tool everyday it does not sit out on the counter.
This
summer my Food Saver died. I bought a replacement but this time left it
out on the counter. With the easy access, I now re-seal the potato chip
bags and bags of shredded cheese. I also reseal cereal and have been
creating my own frozen vegetable steam bags.
I like to buy in
bulk and can purchase big bags of frozen vegetables. The process of
grabbing the big bag, measuring veggies out, covering with plastic wrap
and then putting away before cooking can sometimes make things hectic.
I now put smaller portions in my own bags created with the Food Saver
and freeze. At dinner time I pierce the plastic with a fork and
microwave. The same can be done with a regular freezer plastic bag like
Ziploc.
If you have been considering a vacuuming and sealing
type tool for your kitchen, I’d highly recommend it. We are running a
more cost-efficient kitchen to provide healthier meals for our family.
What's your favorite kitchen tool or gadget? Send us an email -- include a photo if you'd like! Mentoringmoments@aol.com
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some
people have entertained angels without knowing it."
~ Hebrews 13:2
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Favorite Vacation Spots
Where are your favorite vacation spots? We are putting together a special vacation issue for this summer and need your input! Send us your vacation packing tips, locations, and travel strategies for the family. mentoringmoments@aol.com
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