Quarantine Homeschool Routine and Homemade Butter
Last month, if you would have told me we would be on a state lockdown with stay in place orders due to a pandemic I would have said you’ve been watching too much Walking Dead. I’d suggest you take a little break from the post-apocalyptic tv show binging. I never would have guessed this could all be real.
But here we are.
Day who knows what of quarantine...
Most days I wear the same sweatpants from the day before promising I’ll actually pull myself together and get dressed... only it rarely happens. My husband knows what this hot mess express looks like, bags and all. He’s already stuck with me so what’s the point of actual pants? Sweats will do in a pandemic.
My husband and I attempt to work from home with three rowdy boys and an almost 2 month old baby who’s decided she rules the house. Oh did I mention we’re supposed to be teaching our kids now too...
I send my kids to public school because I know I can’t hack it as a homeschool mom!
I tried. I blew it. I happily sent them to their school each day knowing full well teachers are my hero! Now it’s all on me. I have to entertain the kids, teach them so they don’t lose it all, and remind them they aren’t wild animals. I mean come on... is it that hard to throw the freaking granola bar wrappers away when you’re done???
After about a week of no routine I finally bought workbooks for all the kids. I thought letting them hack the summer routine now would be fine. Then I remembered that we’re rarely home in the summer. “Summer routine” while stuck at home was terrible. The worst. I decided homeschooling it was. The workbooks have worked out surprisingly well. It’s mainly review for the kids so they don’t complain about getting it done each day. We set a 30 minute timer and they get through with as many pages as they can. If they do their best work they get a sticker and damn do they want those stickers. I’ve decided I want my own sticker reward each day. If I make it until 5 without a glass of wine I get a sticker!
Once the workbooks are done it’s chore time. I write the kids chores on the fridge with a dry erase marker. Each kid has their own list they are in charge of. The lists have the basic things like get dressed, brush teeth, make your bed. They also have the kids weekly room assignment. We used to give the kids a single chore to get done each day, but that seem too easy. Now each kid is assigned a room during the week. They are responsible for keeping that room tidy. For example one kid gets the kitchen. That means they have to unload the dishwasher, sweep the floor, and wipe down the counters. They each have to tidy up their room about 1 to 2 times a day. We are a little looser with the kitchen over something like the dining room, but it works out really well. Obviously no kid wants the kitchen and they are so excited at the end of the week when it goes on to the next brother!
Read more about our chore lists here
Typically during this time, I am in my office on work phone calls or trying to get my list done. My schedule is pretty flexible for work, so I try to get everything done in the mornings. That way I’m not scrambling throughout the day trying to check off my to do list. Some days this works out really nicely. Other days I’m having zoom calls while rocking a baby and texting my children threats for the next one who knocks on my door or passes a note under the door asking to play video games. Somehow I’ve become less scary to them. I don’t know what I’ve done wrong. Apparently they’ve learned all my threats are useless and I won’t follow through. One day I really will kick them out of the house and make them live off the land…
If my kids haven’t killed each other by this point, I send them outside for a little bit while I get my third or fourth glass of iced coffee. I feed the baby and make sure she’s all good to go and then call the kids back in to start reading. Our family absolutely loves reading. My oldest son is in second grade, but reads at a third-grade level. This by no means has anything to do with my parenting skills, it’s all him. He straight up loves to read and devours all books. My first grade son has followed in his brothers footsteps. He is a first grader reading at almost a second grade level!
I will admit, my husband and I are ridiculously proud that our kids love to read so much. As everything in the world seems to be upside down right now, one thing we try to do every day regardless of anything that’s happened is read together. Sometimes the kids go up to my husbands office and will read on his couch. Sometimes they hang upside down the couch, reading to themselves. Since they've been home from school we started reading together while curled up on the couch. The kids pass around Emelia like a little doll while I read to them. We decided to start a new book and while looking around I found my prized possession. I found a copy of Little House on the Prairie and our bookshelves.
Growing up I used to be obsessed with this book series. I was so obsessed that I even started waking up at 5:30, before the bus picked me up to watch it on Nick at Night. Let’s take a second to remember Nick at Night. Hands up if used to stay up as late as you could or wake up as early as you could to watch it! It used to be a badge of honor between my brother and I and who could stay up until 10 when Nick At Nite would come on.
I wasn’t sure what the kids would think, but they have already become obsessed. They love hearing about living off the land, hunting, and what it was like for the Ingles to live on the Prairie. We even got my husband in on the action. All five of us eagerly listen to each new chapter and talk about everything afterwards!
One of my friends saw how into the series we started getting and shared an activity to make her own butter. We just talked about it in the book and I knew the kids would love it. Plus if Ma can till the fields while Pa is injured in bed or make clothes for the entire family I can make some freaking butter with the kids!
Check out the recipe below! It was so easy! We modified it a bit and the kids danced around the house shaking up their little jars until they had butter! They couldn’t believe they made butter with their own two hands! We even made banana bread so they could try out their butter!
I loved seeing the kids do this activity because it brought the book to life for them. Like you all know, I’m truly far from a homeschool mom. My homeschool mom friends are hero’s in my eyes! If I can do this project with the kids, you can too!
ALSO, if you haven’t read The Little House On The Prairie series, now is the time! You can even buy the whole series on Apple TV for under $20. The first two episodes are slow but then it gets going.
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A Quick And Easy Dinner- Chana Masala
People tend to have quite a few crazy ideas about Indian food. They think it all tastes the same and takes days to make to start off with... Well, this mom of 3 (about to be 4!!!) is all about quick and easy. I need recipes that make my life easier!Today, I'm showing you a simple vegetarian dish that will make your bellies thank me!All you need is a few ingredients and you're off! It hardly takes anytime at all! You can serve it alone with a chapati or serve up some Karahi Chicken with it! Guess what... It's even kid approved!Heat the butter over medium heat. When the butter has melted add in your onions and jalapeño.
When these have browned add in your ginger garlic paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add in your coriander, cumin, and turmeric. Allow these to cook together for another 1-2 minutes.
Stir in your tomato and cook for five minutes.
Add in your potatoes, chickpeas, and water. Turn up the heat to medium/high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer.
Sprinkle in the garam masala, salt, and squeeze in your lemon juice. Allow all of the ingredients to simmer until the potatoes are tender.
Serve with rice or next to another one of your favorite Indian main dishes.
[ If you like this, you'll love my Karahi Chicken Recipe ]
Spicy Chicken Chili Kebabs
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc. The opinions and text are all mine. #TurnUpSummerClick below on the item you want to try out for yourself!
We made it! We got through the last few weeks of school craziness, the early school drop-offs, the never-ending homework, and now it's SUMMER! Instead of planning hundreds of things to keep us busy, I'm keeping it simple.The kids are outside as we speak, jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler under it! Admit it, you've tried that one and had a blast!?As parents, we over complicate things. We want our kids to have a blast, so we find dozens of things a day to keep them entertained. I don't know about you, but we kept things simple as a kid, and I had amazing summers! I was just happy to spend more time with my friends, go swimming, and grill all summer long.I don't think we cooked inside at all during the summer. Everything we made was on the grill. Heck, if we could have made breakfast on the grill, I bet we would have! My mom loved it because it meant no mess in the kitchen, and the food always tasted better!That is exactly what I'm doing this summer!We're starting off our grilling adventures with Ball Park® Hot Dogs and Ball Park® Hot Dog Buns! It's a summer rite of passage! How many times have you sat down and enjoyed a grilled hot dog?! Exactly!Hot dogs are my favorite because they take minutes on the grill AND my kids are obsessive! They can all top them with whatever they want to and make them their own. Anyone with multiple kids knows how hard it is to find a meal all the kids like! Hot dogs are a win-win for everyone! You can top it with ketchup, mustard, relish, chili, jalapeños, or just about anything else!Ok, maybe not ANYTHING! My kids got a little adventurous today and started to see what would work. Let's just say ketchup is a big yes and peanut butter is a BIG FAT NO! Kids...If you're going to whip up some hot dogs for the family this summer, be sure to use Ball Park® Beef Franks. They are made with 100% beef. They understand that ingredients are important and don't try to hide anything crazy inside. Plus the Ball Park® Hot Dog Buns are America's favorite hot dog bun!
While you're at Walmart picking up your hot dogs and buns, don't forget the Chinet® Classic White™ dinner plates! Momma doesn't want to waste my summer cleaning up! I'd rather pick up these bad boys and have more time to spend with the whole family!Now, I'm curious. What does your grilling experience look like?
When my husband and I are outside grilling, we have the music turned up and the kids are outside playing. I love that it becomes a family affair! Plus, I'm not sure how it happens every time, but somehow the music gets louder and louder every time! Music and grilling just go together like peanut butter and jelly.This is exactly why Tyson Foods, Inc. and Cole Swindell are partnering together for a sweepstakes! You have a chance to win a VIP concert experience with Cole Swindell! All you need to do is purchase any 3 participating products from Walmart, save your receipt and upload it online at turnupsummer.com! If you do online grocery pickup like me, you can still upload your receipt!The fun doesn't stop there! You can head over to your local Walmart and enjoy one of their Turn Up Summer Walmart Parking Lot Events! There you will be able to try samples of the Ball Park® Hot Dogs and Tyson® Chicken served on Chinet® Classic White™ plates, hear live music (at Saturday events), and have fun at the photo booth. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. The Walmart Summer Grilling Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., at least the legal age of majority in the state/territory in which they reside at the time of entry. Sweepstakes begins 12:00 a.m. ET 5/14/19 and ends 11:59 p.m. ET on 7/22/19. For a list of participating products and Official Rules, visit www.turnupsummer.com where prohibited. Sponsor: Tyson Foods, Inc., 2200 W. Don Tyson Pkwy., Springdale, AR 72762. 
If you're still looking for a way to take your grilling up a level, you can pick up a bag of the Tyson® Individually Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts and whip up Spicy Chili Chicken Kebabs! I even through in some paneer to wow the fam!Before I threw the hot dogs on the grill, I took a few minutes to make up a quick dry rub. This dry rub is great because it can go on any of your meat or paneer! It's quick, simple, and easy to make!The exotic flavors of the chili powder and garam masala take your grilling to a whole new level!Throw your kebabs on the grill a few minutes before your hot dogs and get ready to impress the entire family! Watch out, though... As soon as your neighbors smell what's cooking, they may try to join you!
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Mom's Famous Lamb Biryani Recipe
Mom's Famous Lamb Biryani
Ever since I met Joel, I have developed an uncanny obsession for all things Indian food. I've tried more than I ever imagined I would and I haven't found one I don't like yet!The problem has been deciding which one my favorite is.Every time I share a new recipe, I call it my favorite.... Then I share another one and it becomes my new favorite! Well, I'm back at it again today. Lamb biryani is by far one of my absolute favorites. It's the equivalent of the Thanksgiving turkey of meals. I've had it maybe a dozen times since I've been married to my husband for the last ten years.I look forward to it on every holiday and even my kids BEG for lam biryani!The problem is my mother in law lives a few hundred miles away and her lamb biryani is THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD. If there was an award for amazing biryani she would have it! Her biryani can cure illnesses, make the world go round, and give us world peace! Ok, maybe that's a little much but come on guys.Try it out and see what you think!
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Serve with raita or some delicious coconut green beans!
Simple Tomato Curry
Are you looking for an easy to make vegetarian recipe? This recipe is exactly what you need! Traditional Hyderabadi Tomato Curry is delicious and perfect for any meal!
Over the years, my husband and I have I learned just how different we are. We disagree on so many things, from the style of our house to the kind of music we play in the car...However, it always reminds me of that little saying. Opposites attract. It couldn't be more true in our marriage. I love that we're different. It's pushed us to find ways to blend it all together to make it work.One thing we've struggled to agree on is vegetables. My husband is secretly a child and still hates to eat his veggies. I've had to hide it in his foods and trick him into eating it. Then something happened and he finally realized how important they are. I have no idea what it was. It wasn't his mom or I nagging him (if anything that only made him stomp his feet into the sand deeper).
Regardless of what it was, it did the trick. I got him to do Whole 30 with me and now he actually eats them!One of his favorites is tomato curry. This curry is versatile because you can eat it alone with rice or alongside tandoori chicken like we do. It blends together so well with different Indian dishes and it's simple!This momma is always looking for simple dishes to make for her family!You can whip up tomato curry in a hurry (that rhymed!) and the whole family will love it!
Simple Tomato Curry Recipe
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Simple Indian Lemon Rice
Are you looking for a quick dish full of flavor and fresh ingredients? Whip up a simple batch of Indian Lemon Rice! It's the easiest way to use leftover rice and spice up any meal!
You are all about to love me. I'm about to share a super tasty, save the day, oh so quick recipe with all of you! My husband's family thinks it's hilarious how much I love this dish, but I can't help it!I love how simple it is and the fact that I can whip it up on a whim.There's even something that makes it better... My kids love it! All three of my boys will eat this and beg for seconds. Moms out there fully understand this one.
What is this delicious dish you ask?Lemon rice.It's a fresh Indian side dish, perfect to go along with your favorite chicken curry or daal. Every bite is fragrant and full of delicious spice.
Our house is always full of rice. It's a staple with just about every one of our meals and sometimes we have too much leftover. Lemon rice is perfect because you can use leftover rice from the night before.I love just about any dish that saves me time and money. This dish is definitely that. If you don't believe me, you need to whip some up tonight! Your family will thank you and so will your grocery budget.
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Sweet Potato Parathas
This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Rubbermaid® however all opinions expressed are my own.
I'm not sure about you, but I could live off off veggies. I whip up a dish of roasted veggies just about every night and wow they're delicious! I assumed my family would be the same way, but nope.
They cringe when they see veggies on the dinner table. Over the years, I've had to learn how to get a little creative. I know they need them in their diets, but it gets tricky!
If you know our family at all, you know we love Indian food. As I was trying to decide how I could get a little creative with our veggies, I thought about the perfect fall dish.
Sweet potato parathas.
I whipped up a batch of these boys today and they were gone before my husband could even try one. Can you guess who the culprits were?My boys! They loved them! They're full of sweet potatoes, but in their eyes it was simply Indian bread.They even asked me to whip up more with dinner tonight! I think that's one thing I can happily oblige too!
They're beyond easy to make and you only need a handful of ingredients!I made up a batch in under thirty minutes and I can already tell you these are going to be a new staple our house this Fall!Admit it... Your mouth is watering just looking at the pictures!These are the perfect side to dinner or even a quick afternoon snack. Sneak in some sweet potatoes for the family and enjoy these bad boys!
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Chef Tips And A GIVEAWAY!
Whether you are a professional chef or the resident chef for your family, you need to check out the Rubbermaid Fresh Works Produce Savers! They come in all different sizes and work hard to keep your veggies fresh longer! I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for ways to save money for my family.We're a family of 5 and our food bill quickly adds up! The worst part is looking in my fridge at the end of the week only to find our fresh produce has gone bad. I always think I'll get to it in time, but then life happens!
These Rubbermaid Fresh Produce Savers have saved me twice this week already! Their containers are designed with us in mind! They're easy to use and when you're done simply toss them in the dishwasher!Did you really think I'd talk about them and not help you get one of your own? Enter my giveaway today and get a chance to win your own!All you need to do to enter is share this recipe with your friends and comment with one chef tip of your own!
*Based on strawberries in FreshWorks™ containers vs. store packaging. Results may vary depending upon produce and use.*
Quick and Easy Samosas
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RealFlavorRealFast #CollectiveBias
This week has given us a little taste of the beautiful weather North Carolina has to offer. We wake up in the morning and it's already warm outside. The last thing we want to do on these warm days is heat up the oven. Instead, we go straight outside and turn on the grill.Today, we grilled up a gorgeous piece of Smithfield Marinated Pork. We love using their pork because you can create real flavor real fast! They use 100% pork and none of that nasty added stuff.* It's perfect for a midweek meal because it hardly takes any time at all to cook!It was so easy to cook and it smelled heavenly. It hardly took anytime at all for it to reach the right temperature and then we brought it inside to put together our samosas.
The best part of these quick samosas is that you can fill them with anything! My families favorite is meat and potato. They're filling and perfect for any meal!Traditional samosas take a bit of time from your day. You have to make the dough from scratch, wait for it to rise, and then start the rest of the process. Not today. We made it easy by using a tortilla!
Head over to your local Walmart and pick up your own Smithfield Marinated Pork. They have so many options on the types of marinades you want to fit everyones tastebuds. You can use them to whip up your own homemade samosas or eat them on their own!They've taken all the work out of it by marinading it for you! All you need to do is sauté it, roast it, or even throw it on the grill! Our family loves to grill up our Smithfield Marinated Pork and then use the left overs in our samosas the next day! Seriously delicious meals two days in a row!
*FDA has determined that there is no significant different between milk derived from rBST-treated and non rBST-treated cows
Baked Masala Egg Cups
Breakfast On The Go
As a momma with three little boys, I've quickly learned some of the best ways to find a smooth morning routine. Okay, I'm not sure about "smooth," but less chaotic. Little boys are full of energy and if I'm not careful, I end up with all of their wardrobe on the floor because they had a battle with a hot lava monster.So what do we do?We start some of our mornings off with a park trip! We're very blessed to live in walking distance to one and there are even a few more close by. It's been the perfect start to our day lately.The boys run around the park, jumping off every play structure they can climb!On park days, we're always looking for a quick and simple breakfast. Sometimes it's a bag of cereal or even a quick trip Chick-Fil-A.This week, we decided to mix things up a bit. I spent my weekend doing some meal prep so we could have quick and easy meals. One of our favorites so far has been our Masala Egg Cups.Can you say... YUM.
Masala Egg Cups
These breakfast egg cups are delicious and quick to make. We made up 2 dozen on Sunday and froze half of them. All we have to do is stick them in the fridge the night before and pop them in the microwave.We love whipping up our Masala Egg Cups and serving them with a warm chapati if we're at home or we take them on the go!
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20+ Easy Indian Recipes
Are you looking for a few new recipes to try? Check out my round up and see all of my favorite Indian recipes!
20+ Of My Favorite Indian Recipes
I want to make it easy for you and to prevent you from finding disappointing Indian recipes online! Here are a few of my favorite Indian recipes that have been passed down to me from my in laws. They're delicious and simple to make!
Simple Indian Dinners
Almond Chicken CurryChicken Tikka MasalaBaked Tandoori ChickenSamosa Hand PiesTraditional Butter Chicken RecipeLahori Fish FryKarahi ChickenSimple Pav Bhaji (Vegetarian)Keema Curry
Sweet Indian Desserts
Indian DonutsVermicelli KheerMango Lassi SmoothieChai Spiced Donuts
Tasty Indian Side Dishes
Cumin Salad DressingGarlic NaanHyderabadi CabbageCoconut Green BeansCoconut Chana MasalaKhichidi Lemon RicePappu
Which one is your favorite?
Don't forget to PIN this round up for later!
Enjoy Family Dinner With An Indian Fusion Cucumber Salad!
Dinner Time Is More Than Just A Meal
At the end of the day families start to wind down and put dinner on the table. Whether it's just you and your spouse or the entire family, dinner time is special.It's one thing most cultures across the globe agree on. Since marrying into an East Indian family, I've seen just how important meals are. Everything is created around them.Special events, birthday parties, engagement ceremonies..You name it and I bet you it's tied in with a big family meal. Dinner time isn't just about food, it's about community.
Creating memories together as a family.
As my kids are getting older, I'm finding it harder to have one on one time with them. We get so busy throughout the day with our own tasks that we forget to take time to spend with one another. It only gets more difficult as children get older.This is exactly why dinner time in our family is something we fight for. It would be easy to set up dinner in front of the TV and just relax from the chaotic day, but we choose not to. We choose to turn everything off and enjoy dinner together.It's the one time during the day that I have my children's undivided attention and they have mine.We've created memories around our dinner table. I look at it and see giggling children, silly conversations, and a happy family.Don't let life distract you from making memories with your family.What do you do during dinner time? Do you sit around the dinner table talking about your day? Do you ask silly questions like we do?
On The Table Tonight
Tonight, my family is enjoying delicious Bertolli® Chicken Florentine and Farfalle pasta served with a cumin and lemon cucumber salad. Can you say yum?!The best part of dinner tonight is that most of it is done for me! Bertolli® understands how busy families get and they don't want anything getting in the way of dinner time with the family. We picked up their family size pasta and simply had to fry it up on the stove.Within minutes it was done and the family started rushing into the kitchen asking what I was making.I even kicked things up a notch by adding in a refreshing salad.
Bring Bertolli® Into Your Home
Bertolli® understands how important meals are to the family. Their slogan even drives the message home!Don't just eat. Mangia! 
Mangia means eat in Italian. They're reminding families that dinner isn't just about good food. It's about having fun with your family and eating together.
** Kroger owns the following stores: Dillon, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Gerbes, City Market, Kessel, King Soopers, Quality Food Centers, Ralphs, Smith's. Also Cala Foods, Bell Markets, Owen's, Jay C, Pay Less, Food 4 Less, Hilander, Marianos.**
Bertolli® is a registered trademark of R&B Foods, Inc., used under license.
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Samosa Hand Pies Recipe
Are you looking for a quick and simple snack? You're in the right place! These samosa hand pies are delicious and simple to make!
The Perfect On The Go Snack
Over the last few years my day to day routine has become extremely chaotic. There are so many pieces to the puzzle throughout the day. I can't just pick up and go whenever I feel like it. Now, I have to plan out the whole day and decide on how many diapers I need, how many changes of clothes for the "uh-oh moments," and of course snacks.Snacks are one of the most important things... according to my three boys!If I don't bring a quick on the go snack, they end up "starving" and begging me to buy every snack they see.I'm sure those of you with kids in school, multiples like us, or working parents fully understand! The moment you pick them up they're hungry! They're looking to see what goodie you brought them.Or maybe you're trying to find a quick snack in between sports practices or ballet?
Simple Samosa Hand Pies
I've got you covered! I have the perfect on the go snack! You can whip up a delicious batch of Samosa Hand Pies! These little pockets of goodness are so easy to make and they're a fun twist on your every day meals.Our family is obsessed with samosas! They're traditionally served as an appetizer and look more like triangle pockets. It's also our go to appetizer every time we go out to an Indian restaurant with the kids! The only problem we ran into with traditional samosas is that they were a little tricky as an on the go snack.These little samosa hand pies are the perfect on the go meal! You can make them smaller like we did today or larger for a tasty lunch.The filling is what makes these little beauties so amazing. You can fill them up with meat and veggies or just veggies! Either way they're tasty!One of our favorite things to serve our Samosa Hand Pies with is cilantro chutney. YUM.
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What's your favorite on the go snack?
AD Back To School Tips With Tyson!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BoostBackToSchool #CollectiveBias
Parents everywhere are waving their kids goodbye as they begin another year of school. Some watch as their kids walk away asking themselves where the time went and others race away from school, turning up the music excited for some alone time! It doesn't matter where you fit in, school is still back in session.
As you enter into another busy year, I'm sure you're looking for a few back to school tips that can save you time and money. Don't let another day pass you by without trying these tips! I'm sure your family will thank you.
Back To School Tips
Tip #1 Schedule Time To Sit Down For Breakfast As A Family
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but often gets rushed and maybe even forgotten as parents rush to get their kids ready for school. This year make a goal to sit down for breakfast as a family. This allows your kids to start off their day with a healthy breakfast and quality time with the people they care about most.Our family loves to begin our day with Jimmy Dean® Croissant Sausage Egg Cheese. They're already prepared which is perfect for the back to school season. They're ready to go in under thirty minutes and not to mention it's all real ingredients. None of that fake egg stuff! They're done and your kids are ready for school with a full belly and excitement for another day at school.
Tip #2 Spice Up Your Kid's Lunch
Our family is always looking for creative ways to blend cultures; whether it's Bollywood themed birthday parties or delicious fusion dishes. This year we've decided to make some simple back to school lunches with an Indian kick. One of our favorites so far has been turkey and potato stuffed parathas with cilantro chutney. It's quick, easy, and you can make it in under thirty minutes. You can send it to school with your children or prep it for a homeschool lunch.In this recipe, we used Hillshire Farm® Naturals Slow Roasted Turkey Lunch Meat. It's one of our favorites because I'm always on the hunt for natural ingredients for my kids that they actually like! They can't get enough of this stuff!
Stuffed Turkey and Potato Paratha Recipe
Chutney Recipe
Ingredients:1 bunch cilantro1 green chili2 tbs lemon juice1 tbs sugar2 tbs water1 tbs oil
Directions:Combine all ingredients in the blender until smooth.
Start Saving Your Time And Money Today With Meijer!
Head over to your local Meijer today to pick up your Hillshire Natural Slow Roasted Turkey and Jimmy Dean® Croissant Sausage Egg Cheese. Meijer makes your grocery trip simple and gets your kids excited to drop by!Don't forget to clip your $2 off Back To School coupon as well as meet your neighborhood friend, Sandy!
Share this coupon with your friends!
Simple Potato Curry Recipe
Evenings in my house are hectic to say the least. While some people are winding down for the night, my family is just getting started. My kids have had their second wind from nap time and are bouncing off the walls.They jump from couch to couch, flipping cushions, pretending the floor is lava. Come on, why would it not be hot lava that forces them to jump all over my furniture and throw toys to fight the supposed lava beast... They even make sure to let me know how important their fight is because they're saving me of course.Far be it for me to stop them. I just sit there hoping they'll get all their energy out before dinner. It only backfires 5 times out of 10. I'd say that's pretty good odds for a parent...Needless to say, I'm always looking for simple hacks to help my nights run a little smoother. Otherwise my kids end up eating peanut butter and jelly more often than I'd like to admit. Lately, I've been letting Indian cuisine influence my meals plans and I've found the easiest dish you have to try!Whether you're making an Indian meal or trying to sneak an Indian side dish in, potato curry is perfect.
Potato Curry Recipe
Ingredients:
6-7 boiled potatoes (quartered)1/2 diced onion1 tsp turmeric1 tbs black mustard seeds2 tbs butter or ghee1 green chili (halved)1 tbs salt
Directions:
Boil your potatoes until tender. Make sure they aren't too tender otherwise this will turn into Indian mashed potatoes! Set them aside.Heat a small pan on medium low. When the pan is hot, add the butter, onion, and green chili.Cook them for about 5-10 minutes until golden brown. Add in the turmeric, salt, and mustard seeds.Cook for two minutes. Add them into the boiled potatoes and mix.
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Emergency Curry
One of my favorite things about my husband's family is how close they are. They would do anything for each other. I was able to see this first hand after we had my first son, Liam. My in laws knew we would need help after the baby, so they sent my father in law to stay with us for a few months. It was great because I was able to sit and relax with Liam while my father in law cooked for us. Maybe this is why Liam loves Indian food! We ate Indian food for every meal and it was delicious. The morning after he got to our house, he went to go and make us lunch. Our fridge and pantry were pretty bare because my husband and I hadn't been grocery shopping. I'm pretty sure we were delirious in the first few weeks of newborn exhaustion, so remembering to go grocery shopping wasn't likely. He smiled and said, that's ok. I'll make curry. He made us a delicious omelet and served it with chapatis. As he gave it to us, he told us it was his emergency curry. I think the name was perfect. It's so simple, but so good. You can have it for breakfast, a quick lunch, or next to a dish like keema curry. 
Ingredients:4 eggs1/4 tsp salt1 tbs curry powder1 tbs ginger garlic paste1/4 of a small diced onion*Optional 1/2 green chili chopped2-4 chapatisOlive oil or ghee for pan**optional add ins** spinich, peppers, mushrooms, ham, turkey, bacon, sausage.Directions:Heat your pan to medium/ low heat. Add oil or ghee to your pan. Then add your onions and green chilies. Allow them to brown for about 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine your eggs, ginger garlic paste, curry powder, salt, and your cooked onions. Mix well. Add more butter or ghee to your pan and pour in half of your egg mixture.Place a lid on your pan and allow it to cook for about 3-5 minutes until most of the egg mixture is cooked and it is easy to fold in half. Cook for 1 more minute or until the egg in the middle is cooked. Serve with a chapati and enjoy!
What is your go to "emergency meal?"
Summer Recipes
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Summer is almost here! My favorite season in the Pacific Northwest is definitely the summers! It's perfect outside! My family and I have been soaking it up. We had a Mother's Day Tea, which was the cutest thing ever! We went to the funnest park around! Then of course some good old thumb sucking. The other reason I love summers is that it's the perfect time to host dinner parties! My husband and I love inviting people over to indulge in some delicious Indian food.Most of our friends have always either loved Indian food or super excited to try it. I quickly stumbled upon a routine for our get togethers. I have a list of dishes I will make if people have never tried Indian food, tried it and loved it, vegetarians, and spicy food addicts. Here are a few party menus for you to try on your next early summer party!Never tried Indian food before? Here are a few dishes for you!Keema CurryChicken KeemaNaanDo you LOVE Indian food and can't wait for more? Here you go!Chicken CurryChicken Tikka MasalaParathasButter ChickenAny vegetarians in the house?Delicious DalGreek YogurtHyderabadi CabbagePotato MasalaWhat are your favorite Indian dishes?
Sharline's Famous Coconut Green Beans
We all have that one person in our lives. That person who's known for one recipe. One amazing dish. Joel's family has Sharline or Chinnapinni as we call her. She makes this dish every time she has people come over. It's famous with all of her Indian and white friends! The true test is that Joel hates vegetables and this is one of his favorite sides! What is it you ask? Coconut green beans. While we were on vacation, I begged her to teach me how to make them. I've tried to make them before with no success. They were missing a key ingredient, the coconut! As soon as you try these bad boys, they'll be a staple in your house. There is just one rule that comes with these green beans. Tell everyone they are Sharline's Green Beans!!
Ingredients:
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1 pound of frozen green beans2 tbs oil2 tbs ginger garlic paste2 tsp turmeric1 tsp Indian chili powder1-2 tsp salt1 1/2 tbs coconut powder **I got my coconut "powder" from the Indian store. It looks more like coconut flakes.**
Directions:
Heat your pan to medium heat. Add in your oil. When the oil is hot add your onion and brown. Drop in your turmeric, ginger garlic paste, salt, and chili powder. Cook down for 2 minutes. Add your green beans.**You can use fresh or frozen green beans. If you decide on using fresh, add in 1/8 cup of water.**Put a lid on your green beans and cook until tender. I like to cook mine and leave a bite to it. At the very end, add in your coconut and cook for another minute or so.Serve and enjoy!
Family Fridays #1 Chile Salsa
Hello Almost Indian Wife followers! I feel like Brittany should create a catchy name for you, a la celebrity fans like Beliebers or Little Monsters…she’ll have to think on that one.Brittany knew that I had married into a culturally rich family like her and asked if I could write something about my experiences in living that life. Being ¼ Mexican, I think I always craved the experience of rich culture that had been so watered down by the time it got to me. Seriously, when Toula was complaining about being Greek in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, I was ready to jump through the screen, push her out of the way and start yelling “opa!” while snapping my fingers in the air.It comes as no surprise to me that I ended up marrying someone with the last name Muzzalupo-Rivas. My husband is half Mexican, half Italian (yes, he is as gorgeous as you might imagine) and while these cultures may not be as foreign to most Americans as the Indian culture, there are still certainly some gaps to leap over as the Mexican/Italian version of being a “thella.” The first time I made my husband burritos he politely over-looked my canned Rosarita beans, under-seasoned ground beef and Pace salsa but the moment I tried to heat my tortillas in the microwave, I thought he might leave me. You can just call me Blanquita! For the record, the proper way is to heat them in a pan until they are pliable and slightly crispy.When I first met Luis’s grandparents I was so nervous and really had no idea what to say. They both have very thick Mexican accents and I struggled to correctly answer his grandfather’s questions without just nodding, smiling and giving vague “yeah, it’s really great” answers. Grandma was suspiciously and nerve-rackingly quiet and after a slightly awkward moment of silence about 15 minutes into the visit she finally said, “So, you cook?” After bumbling around a bit I finally managed “yes, actually, I love to cook.” We’ve been pretty cool ever since. I grew up eating PB&J’s, Mac ‘N’ Cheese, and vegetables out of the can. Bleak, I know. Being a part of this family has been a culinary revelation! I’m talking homemade tamales, guacamole, POZOLE, chile…the list goes on and on. I really am so grateful to be part of my own “Big Fat Mexican Family” but let’s get real…I’m there for the food. Just kidding. Kind of. I thought I would share with you all Grandma Rivas’s chile recipe as it especially close to my heart. And stomach. Enjoy!You may be wondering what that even is! I think I’ve come to take this knowledge for granted. Chile is the “salsa” that many Mexicans use in authentic cuisine. It is a smoky, spicy, a little salty but mostly just amazing concentration of charred hot peppers, tomatoes and garlic. It’s awesome on grilled meats, beans, or shoot, just try it on anything!
Chile Salsa
16-20 small chiles of your choice (guajillo, mora, arbol, red jalapeno pepper , chipotle)1 small whole tomato3 clove garlic1/4 cup waterSalt
Cooking Instructions
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat; add all ingredients to the pan. Cook each chile, until slightly blackened, garlic until lightly browned and tomato until tender.Puree the vegetables and chilies with 1/4 cup water in a food processor into a coarse salsa. Season with salt to taste.