Healthy Wealthy Living

YOU ARE INVITED!!! To the     Family Made Simple 1st Annual Virtual Cookie Swap Date : Thursday, December 1st Time : Anytime during the day Where : From the comfort of your computer, phone or ipad RSVP : By clicking on the "LIKE" button under the invite on our Facebook Page Please comment/share your favorite cookie recipe. At the end of our FMS cookie swap, you should have a collection of cookie recipes that you can copy/paste into a Word doc and print.  I will also post a collection of recipes on our Blog!  Hope you can attend! ~ Tessa

It’s 5:00, I just got out of work and guess what? I know exactly what we’re having for dinner. The chicken is either defrosting in the fridge or already in my trusty lil’ crock-pot.  No stress here! This wasn’t always the case. At the end of a very long day, I’d realize that I didn’t have anything defrosting, had no idea what to cook and thus found myself at the supermarket strolling the aisles filling my cart with unnecessary items. (Note: do not ever go to the market when you are tired, cranky and famished!) I’d leave the market having spent $70 on nothing noteworthy! I had to come up with another plan. Not only was I tired of my almost daily trips to the market, but I was spending way too much money. Money-Saving Meal Plan : The last Saturday or Sunday of the month, take inventory of what is in your cabinets, fridge and freezer. For example, 4 chicken breasts, 2 boxes of pasta, bag of frozen spinach.  Peruse a cookbook or two looking for recipes you want to try. ...

Lately, my 3 year old has not wanted to get dressed in the morning or get ready for bed. I think it is because she was trying to exert control. In the end, we both lost the power struggle and ended up frustrated. I had to figure out a way to make the morning and nightime routines a little easier and happier for all involved. Option A : A sticker reward chart. I could make one for the the morning and nightime routines. "Little Family Made Simple " could get a sticker for each completed task. The "pee pee sticker chart" worked so well during the potty training stage, but I wanted to come up with something new. I know.... Option B : A picture schedule chart! Picture Shedule Reward Chart Need : Google Images ( For Morning : Go Potty, Take Off Pajamas, Get Dressed, Eat Breakfast, Brush Teeth, Put on Coat, Get in Car. For Night : Brush Teeth, Put On Pajamas, Read a Book, Go to Bed). Poster Board or Store Bought Wall Calendar (I found this...

Ladies, You Know You're A Mom when...... YKYAM- You Know You're A Mom: when going to the bathroom w/the door closed is considered ME TIME!!! YKYAM- You Know You're A Mom: when your idea of sexy lingerie is warm flannel pants and a MATCHING, not-stained t-shirt (don't forget the wooly socks)! YKYAM- You Know You're A Mom: when you find yourself sitting in your car in a Sonic parking lot, biting the apple skins off the apple "fries" because your 3 yr old just doesn't "like the red things". YKYAM- You Know You're A Mom: when without thinking, you automatically add "IE" to everything... tubbie, nappie, lunchie, sockie, milkie. What's embarrassing is when you use these "IE" words with an adult at work! "I can't wait to eat my lunchie". YKYAM- You Know You're A Mom: when your idea of a nice long bath/shower is when you get to actually shave your legs (including above the knee) a...

Organize the Family Made Simple way. Make a home for everything and you'll never stub your toe on a little toy, lose Barbie's shoe or a puzzle piece from your child's favorite Toy Story puzzle again. Here are just a few ideas for organizing not only toys, but other household items as well: An over-the-door or under-the-bed shoe organizer (like the one shown below) is perfect for storing tiny toy pieces such as blocks, little toy cars, barbie dolls and clothes, game pieces (the game board will lie nicely on top), puzzle pieces, even crayons, markers etc. Preschoolers size princess costumes, shoes and tiaras also fit nicely in these compartments. Then neatly hide/store under the bed. An over-the-door shoe organizer is also perfect for storing your costume jewelry. The compartments are the perfect size for oversized bangles and beaded necklaces. An old baby wipes container or coffee jar is perfect for keeping crayons, markers, hair bows, ela...

Tip for Stress-Free Shopping Trips with the Little Ones I have done this with my 3yr old and it works wonders! Grocery Shopping Trips - While you’re still at home, give your child a piece of paper and crayon, pencil, etc. Name a few items that you have to buy. Have her write it down (or scribble something onto the paper). IMPORTANT: Explain before you go that if something is not on the list (such as snacks you are not intending to buy), you cannot get it.  This way you will avoid the possible melt-downs. If you have enough time, you can even cut out or have her cut out pictures from flyers and put them in a ziploc baggie. When you are at the store, ask the child things like: "What do we need to buy now"? "Can you find the Cheerios"? Non-Grocery Store Trips - Does your child always ask or beg for a toy while at the store? My 3 yr old would not only ask for something but would cry and yell. I decided to try something new that worked. She no longer asks ...

8 Must-Have Foods for Family-Friendly Meals in 10-15 minutes or LESS! I have been pretty good about planning our meals ahead of time and have been using the crock-pot a lot lately; however, there are those nights when I get home late, have nothing planned but still need to get dinner on the table. There are now 8 must-haves that I keep in the house at all times in order to get dinner prepped, cooked and served in about 10-15 minutes or less. (Note: These items can be on the pricey side but are often on sale! Keep a look out for when these items go on sale and buy a few at a time). 1     Fully Cooked Meats - Fully cooked Perdue ChickenStrips , microwaveable Hormel Bacon, Fully Cooked Tyson Roast & BeefTips , Deli Roast Beef Use the chicken strips in wraps, quesadillas, tacos, quick stir fry (mix with micro stir fry veggies and rice) or casseroles (chicken strips, cream of mushroom or chicken soup, broccoli and shredded cheese, mix and top w/Ritz cracker crumbs an...