easier nights

You, being the super mommie, already know about doing the following the night before school:  laying out clothes, packing lunches, signing permission slips, and checking and packing homework into backpacks.  You got those right?  But what about these efficiency kiddie tips to make your p.m.'s run just a wee bit smoother:  1. Have your kiddies match socks AND put them away.  2. Have them pack their own lunch – make an assembly line of food and get it done before nighty night time.  They might be more likely to eat what they packed.  3. Get them to work.  I have my girls ages 4 and 6 sweep the floors after dinner, wipe counters and unload the dishwashed utensils. It’s NEVER too early to start chores.  Even Elastigirl couldn’t do it all.  4. Place permission slips and homework on refrigerator or a bulletin board – otherwise...out of sight out of mind.  View eco-friendlybulletin boards here.

Freeze it baby

/freezertips

The freezer is your friend.  Repeat this again.  Before your left-overs go sour, FREEZE them puppies.  Use a plastic freezer bag or Tupperware.  Don’t forget to write it’s contents on the container and the date.  Nothing like defrosting some marinara sauce only to find it’s…surprise…chili.  I made a very healthy     easy meal of boxed macaroni and cheese, kosher beef hot dogs (from the freezer) and peas for the girls the other day.  Efficiencies – Save money by freezing your scraps. Save time by boiling your hot dogs with the pasta.  View eco-friendly freeze containers here.

meal of oats

The girls eat Quaker oatmeal a couple of times a week.  I make them the rolled oats hidden mixed with some hearty steel cut oatmeal which I buy in bulk. Be efficient and make extra for the week.  Mix in your milk (regular, almond or soy) and sweetener ( brown sugar or honey) before refrigerating in a glass bowl.  Efficiencies – You only clean that sticky oatmeal pot once a week and when you are ready to eat it again, just zap the bowl in the wave.  Throw the blueberries, strawberries or bananas on just before serving.  View organic oatmeal and steel cut oatmeal here. Check out Alton Brown's steel cut recipe.  On the run?  Jamba Juice makes the tastiest steel cut oatmeal topped with bananas, blueberries or cinnamon apples.  Laaahve Laaahve!