Monday, December 26, 2011

6 No-Bake Uses For Cookie Cutter Favors

!±8± 6 No-Bake Uses For Cookie Cutter Favors

We all have gotten them before-cookie cutter party favors, especially at baby showers.  At the time, we think they're so cute in the shapes of stars, hearts, fruit, leaves and even palm trees.  But, let's face it.  Unless you're a good cook or into baking, you're probably also thinking you won't have much use for it.  Well, you couldn't be more wrong.  Helping out with all sorts of projects around the house, cookie cutters are some multi-tasking tools with tons of creativity inside just waiting to be explored.  Here's how you can have some fun with cookie cutters, without baking a thing!

Make mini party sandwiches!

Cookie cutters are a great way to cut out small, shaped sandwiches for parties. Add some pizzazz to that PB&J for kids parties or those ham sandwiches or cucumber sandwiches for adults.  Just make your sandwiches as normal and use your sharpest cookie cutter to cut out the shapes.  You can also use it to jazz up the slices on your meat and cheese tray.  Voila!  Your party food just went gourmet.

Fruit is fun on a stick!

Making fruit pops is so easy, a child can do it.  That's why this making them is a fun activity that also encourages healthy eating.  All you have to do is cut the fruit into fun shapes with the cookie cutter and insert a sucker stick.  They'll love eating real watermelon, honey dew, apples, kiwi and more in these fun shapes.  (Note:  This also works great for cutting Rice Krispy treats.)

Start a cookie cutter collection!

Cookie cutters are quite cute these days, and collecting them is a pretty inexpensive hobby.  You'll find them for holidays, special occasions and all sorts of themes.  It would make you a little eccentric and will always be an interesting conversation starter when you're at parties. 

Make a lasting impression!

Talk about home improvement.  If you're planning some cement upgrades at your home, personalize your property using a cookie cutter.  Press the cookie cutter into the cement to create the pattern.  Then, simply sign your name in the star, car, duck or other cute shape for posterity.  It really says something about you--long after you may have moved away. 

Enjoy the sound of music!

Music, you say?  From a cookie cutter?  Yes, wind and cookie cutters can create a melody all their own.  Simply hang the cookie cutters at varying heights to make a wind chime, hang it in a great spot and let the wind do the rest. 

Roll in the dough!

Play-Doh, that is.  Children can cut out all sorts of shapes and designs with Play-Doh.  Guaranteeing hours of fun, you'll be amazed with their creativity.

With these alternative uses, you can unleash the magical versatility of cookie cutters.  Soon, you'll discover that you were cut out for each other!


6 No-Bake Uses For Cookie Cutter Favors

Used Howard Miller Library

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Sweet Temptations of Chocolate Covered Snacks

!±8± The Sweet Temptations of Chocolate Covered Snacks

The sweet temptations of chocolate covered snacks are very hard to resist. Many individuals can enjoy savoring various types of snacks to help satisfy their inner chocoholic. Just image the wonderful and tasty combinations of some of your very favorite snack items being covered in chocolate. Think about that for just a minute.

Share the Love

You, your family, friends and other associates can enjoy many different types of chocolaty flavors combined with various types of snacks you already enjoy eating. When you would like to try dipped or covered chips, pretzels, nuts and so many more, you can only make a really great choice.

A Chocoholic Dream come True

Whether you are shopping for personal treats or delicious snacks to share with others, the sweet temptations of chocolate covered snacks are very hard to resist. They make one of the most impressive, eye-appealing and mouthwatering presentation. In fact, these types of treats are ideal for any special occasion, holiday celebration, social gathering or corporate event. They also make the most marvelous choice as a special thank you gift to let others know that you appreciate their efforts as well as an every day snack. You may even choose to customize your selection to suit any occasion or event.

Delicious Choices of Chocolates

While you are shopping for various treats and snacks for you or others, you have a wide assortment from which you can choose. For instance, you may want to try various flavors that include:
- Cashew Turtles
- Chocolate Pecan Pralines
- Covered Almond Clusters
- Covered Cashew Clusters
- Covered Carmel Clusters
- Covered Coconut
- Covered Coconut Clusters
- Covered Graham Crackers
- Covered Marshmallows
- Covered Peanut Clusters
- Covered Pecan Clusters
- Covered Pretzel Bits and Caramel
- Covered Raisin Clusters
- Dipped Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Dipped Glaceed Oranges
- Dipped Marshmallows
- Dipped Rice Krispies Treats
- Gourmet Caramel Clusters
- Milk Chocolate Covered Potato Chips
- Dark Chocolate Covered Potato Chips

Anyone who loves eating and enjoying the smooth, creamy richness of chocolaty snacks and treats will surely be able to find something to satisfy his or her sweet-tooth with such a tempting assortment. When you are planning a gift idea, you should consider choosing gift baskets or gift boxes and gift tin boxes as well as various selections of novelty snacks and treats.

Sweet Alternatives

Of course, you may also choose various types of kosher, sugar-free and vegan chocolate covered snacks for anyone who may be on any type of restricted diet or is an observer of Jewish laws and traditions. This can be a very special snack or treat for those who love the delicious and creamy tastes of chocolate. Imagine that you really do love such treats and never being able to ever eat them again. Those who are on a restricted diet or is an observer of Jewish laws and traditions can stay safely within the boundaries of his or her necessary nutritional requirements without the worry or hassle of eating regular and gourmet snacks.

You may choose from various types of delicious and tasty treats that can impress anyone with the wonderful sweet temptations of chocolate covered snacks, you can find such treats when you Indulge In Chocolate.


The Sweet Temptations of Chocolate Covered Snacks

Buyers Car Detailing Milwaukee Aveeno Commercial Buy Now

Sunday, December 4, 2011

What's For Dinner? 30-Minute Menus For Week of Nov 16

!±8± What's For Dinner? 30-Minute Menus For Week of Nov 16

How are your plans coming for the holidays? Tis the season (already!).

The menus this week will help me calm down and I hope they do the same for you. This time of year is very busy which can be quite stressful but we can do something about that with the menus we choose. You will find the menus this week are economical and hearty; many of them are my personal comfort foods.

I do enjoy having guests in our house! We will be hosting a small buffet party Friday night so I have selected Shrimp and Grits. This is a menu that we serve as brunch during our holiday family get-togethers. It is easy to prepare and the flavors are warm and soothing. This will really get me 'in the mood' for family times to come as well as enjoying our guests Friday night.

For a speedy appetizer course for the party, I will serve a wedge of brie, smoked salmon on cucumber slices with a dollop of sour cream and fresh dillweed sprig, a quick dip of yogurt with Maya Kaimal's Vindaloo spooned in to taste, bagged & precut veggies, and assorted crackers, baguettes, and bread sticks. This covers the bases for my vegetarian guests along with those preferring mild, medium, and hot foods.

You will find that I use several cooking methods, mix and match, to get dinner on the table quickly! You can always substitute your favorite made-from-scratch recipes when you have more time.

I hope you have a great week!

Sunday:
Roast Beef (crock pot with a packet of dry onion soup mix; save some beef for Tuesday)
Potatoes, Onions, Carrots (added to crock pot)
Tossed Salad with Blue Cheese
Ginger Shortcakes with Caramelized Pears (baking mix and canned pears)

Monday:
BBQ Chicken Quarters (marinated ahead of time)
Curried Pineapple Slices (canned pineapple slices)
Potato Salad (canned potatoes)
Green Beans
Spiced Oatmeal Cookies

Tuesday:
Roast Beef and Brie Panini (beef from Sunday)
Bread and Condiments
Tex-Mex Salad
Tapioca Apples over Ice Cream

Wednesday:
Baby Blue Salad Supper (bagged salad greens)
Crusty Bread, Butter (purchased bread)
Chocolate Cupcakes (prepared chocolate frosting)

Thursday:
Lemony Pork Chops (boneless pork chops in a light lemon sauce)
Angel Hair Pasta
Broccoli Spears
Rice Krispy Treats (save some treats for Saturday)

Friday:
Company Shrimp and Grits (cleaned and deveined shrimp, quick grits)
Spinach Salad
Croissants, Butter (purchased croissants)
Lemon Tart (prepared pie crust, bottled lemon juice)

Saturday:
Corn Bread and Chili Strata (purchased corn bread, canned chili)
Citrus Salad
Rice Krispy Treats (treats reserved from Thursday)

I sincerely hope you have fun with your meal planning and preparation,
Elizabeth Randall and Family


What's For Dinner? 30-Minute Menus For Week of Nov 16

Leachco Maternity Pillow Right Now Mini Garden Tillers Right Now

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Great Snack Ideas For the Classroom

!±8± Great Snack Ideas For the Classroom

Pre-schoolers and elementary students alike need a little pick-me-up now and then. Whether you need to send in treats on a regular schedule, or you have volunteered to help out with a special event, a special snack from this list is sure to please. Depending on how festive you want the occasion to be, you can package snacks in plain zip top bags, decorate your own bags, or purchase special treat bags that are designed to suit the occasion and then tie them up with pieces of ribbon when you have them filled.

Make sure you check with your school or teacher to see if there are any foods they don't allow at snack time. There are many restrictions in schools that don't allow you to serve certain types of foods to children, which can make it difficult to plan for snacks that are fun for kids. Many schools don't allow you to serve any peanuts or peanut butter due to allergy severity, and you may not have the option of giving kids foods that contain added sugar. If you are restricted to those foods that are deemed "safe and healthy", then you will need to add even more imagination to the presentation of the food to make it appealing to small children.

Great snack ideas:

Rice Krispie Treats are a favorite of children and adults alike. If you want to give them something besides the typical Rice Krispie square, mix up a big batch of the treats and add colored Krispies or food coloring. You do not need to be restricted to rice cereal-try a variety of different cereals for a different look, or go whole grain for a healthy, energy packed choice. Use cookie cutters in fun shapes or for the holiday to cut out the treats and you can add a popsicle stick to make eating them easier and neater!

Popcorn balls are a favorite treat, especially in the fall. Try mixing in a few M&M's and putting the ball on a stick. You can find many recipes online for caramel, cinnamon, and other flavored popcorn balls to give kids something a little less traditional. Popcorn may not be suitable for kids under the age of five, so be sure to check with your child's teacher if needed.

Veggies with Dip is a great snack for kids. One of the things that increases children's taste for vegetables is ranch dressing. If you can afford to get them the individual dipping cups with the dressing then have the carrot and celery sticks, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. already prepared, then it's just a matter of having the veggies divided and ready to eat. If this takes too much out of your budget, then get some little paper cups or holiday treat holders that won't easily spill and spoon out from the jar.

Fruit and Yogurt is another great snack time combo. Cut the fruit into small pieces for dipping, and serve with vanilla yogurt "dip. Home made trail mix is another great idea. You can easily make it in bulk, use the ingredients you want, and then package it in a variety of fun containers. This is a treat that is healthy, delicious, and approved by most schools! Ingredients can include any dry, bite sized morsels, like cereals, raisins, crackers, or seeds. Adding a small amount of a "fun" item like M&Ms can make your snack mix more appealing-just watch out for poachers!

You can also mix up a batch of "Chex" party mix. The recipe should be right on the box of cereal and is usually made in bulk. Kids will love helping to make their own snack right in the classroom and all you need are fun containers to scoop it into!

Whatever you choose as a snack for the classroom, keep in mind that packaging is a big part of the fun. Look for inexpensive and creative ways to serve great classroom snacks!


Great Snack Ideas For the Classroom

Shopping Lightweight Mountaineering Boots Glycerin Soap Base Right Now


Twitter Facebook Flickr RSS



Fran�ais Deutsch Italiano Portugu�s
Espa�ol ??? ??? ?????







Sponsor Links