Savory Squash Crisp

Savory Squash Crisp

2 lbs. butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 3/4 in cubes
1/4 cup butter or margarine, divided
1/2 tsp salt, divided
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup onion, chopped
2 cups bread cubes, toasted
1/4 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 cup walnut, chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop in squash cubes. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes or until fork tender. Drain well. Spoon squash into a 3-quart baking dish. Toss with 1 tablespoon butter, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Set aside.

Meanwhile, melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in bread cubes, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and rosemary and saute 1 to 2 minutes to coat with butter. Stir in walnuts; spoon over squash.

Bake for 10 minutes or until bread cubes are lightly browned, tossing before serving.

Source: Walmart

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Broccoli Salad

Broccoli Salad

1 1/2 lbs. fresh broccoli flowerets
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1 small bell pepper, red or green, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1 4 oz. jar pimientos, diced
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar
5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

In a large bowl combine broccoli, cheese, carrots, bell pepper, onion and pimiento. For dressing in a small bowl stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, and sugar. Add to broccoli mixture; toss to coat.

Source: Walmart

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Crock-Pot Cooking w/ Two Recipes

The Benefits Crock-Pot Cooking + Two Delicious Recipes
by Monica Resinger

A lot of us have a very efficient and time saving appliance sitting high on a kitchen shelf collecting dust. What is it? It's the crock- pot! I have taken mine down from that high shelf and have actually purchased another one because I have found them to be so helpful. How are they helpful? Read on.

There are a lot of days that it's very hard for me to get a meal on the table either because I lack the motivation or because we are busy. Lacking motivation stems from being tired at dinnertime; I have had an active day and by 5:00 p.m., I'm just plain worn out and am not in the mood to cook. Because of this, we end up eating fast food more often than we should or we eat a meal that tastes like there was no effort put into it.



I have found a solution to this problem and that is the crock-pot! In the morning when I am ambitious and creative, I prepare the basis of our meals by adding meat, liquids, seasonings or other ingredients to the crock-pot. Then at dinnertime, all I have to do is prepare side dishes such as heat and serve rolls and a green salad. Sometimes I even prepare the side dishes early too so that way I have hardly anything to do at mealtime when I'm lacking energy. If you have two crock-pots, use them both at the same time with the main dish in one and a side dish in the other.

Another benefit of the crock-pot is that it doesn't heat up the kitchen. This can be valuable in the summer but don't limit it to summertime cooking. It's an any-season appliance. You'll be pleased smelling the delicious aroma of your food cooking all day long in the fall, winter and spring. You can even cook desserts in them such as apple dumplings.

For those of you that work away from home, the crock-pot is safe enough to leave turned on low all day. When you get home, most of your dinner is cooked and ready to eat!

You can buy crock-pots at any retail store for around $30.00 for the average size and more or less for a bigger or smaller one. But why spend $30.00 when they are abundant in thrift stores and yard sales? I purchased my second one at a thrift store for $2.99! If you decide to purchase one at a thrift store or yard sale, be sure to plug it in and see if it heats up.

Here is one of my favorite crock-pot meals.


Pork Ribs and Kraut

Brown desired amount of pork spareribs in a frying pan over medium heat; season with seasoning salt and place in crock-pot. Stir sauerkraut juice into the pan you browned the ribs in and stir with a fork to loosen brown bits. Add this juice to the crock-pot along with desired amount of sauerkraut. Set crock-pot to low and cook 6-8 hours.

For a side dish to this meal, I make homemade rolls using the bread machine to make dough, or I just serve plain old bread and butter. A crusty loaf of French bread would be good too.


Chunky Applesauce

This would make a great side dish to the meal above. Peel and cut desired amount of apples into 1/2 - 1 inch chunks. Place the chunks in your crock-pot and add about 1/2 cup water. Set the crock-pot to low and cook 4-6 hours or until the apple chunks are very soft. Mash with a potato masher to desired consistency and add sugar to taste if desired.

If you need crock-pot recipes, I have published an e-cookbook called 'The Slowcooker E-cookbook' that has tons of scrumptious recipes for your crockpot in easy-to-print format! For more information, click here:
http://homemakersjournal.com/slowcooker.htm

I hope this article brings you the inspiration to dust off your crock- pot!

Get Monica's FREE e-zine for homemakers that includes delicious recipes and fun & informative home and garden articles 3 times per week! To subscribe, just send a blank e-mail to: HomemakersJournal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Get FREE home and garden e-books at Monica's website, 'Homemaker's Journal
E-publications'; Click here: http://homemakersjournal.com

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Eight Simple Stress-Busters for Moms

by Susie Michelle Cortright, http://www.momscape.com

Among our most critical responsibilities as mothers is the
responsibility to the self -- the responsibility to recharge
our resources so that we feel balanced, energized and able
to thrive under life's demands (and to model this healthy
approach to stress for our children).

Choose a life of less stress by identifying your stress points.
You can start by answering the following eight questions in your
personal journal:

1. Whether you're a WAHM, a SAHM, or a mom who works outside
the home, why did you make that lifestyle choice? Write down
all the reasons, both personal and professional.

Such a list is an excellent tool for positive affirmation, particularly
on those days when the sacrifices you've made stare you squarely
in the face. If you discover that the choice you've made isn't
the right one, outline the changes you need to make.

2. What are your priorities? How important is your spirituality,
your family, your professional identity? Consider this ranking
when you're called to make choices and compromises.

When have you put your identity, your plans, and your
self-nurturing on hold while you took care of someone else?


3. If you had 15 to 30 minutes each day for yourself, how would
you spend it? Schedule time for yourself. Mark it in your day
planner or on the family calendar.


4. How much of your stress level is the effect of over-dramatization?
Remind yourself that the level of stress you experience is directly
related to the way you internalize it and the importance you
place on your own dramatization.


5. Do nutrition and exercise contribute to your stress or help
you manage it? If you aren't sure, keep an energy diary to
help you determine the hidden factors in your lifestyle that
may be robbing you of energy. Make a plan to change or eliminate
those influences.

Log the times each day when you feel beat or burned out.
For me, it's 3 pm -- about the time I want to hit the cookie
jar. Try to schedule your workout (not a great big snack) for the
time of day when you need an energy boost.

6. How easy is it for you to say "no"? Respect yourself and
your time enough to delegate tasks and refuse to take on
more than you can handle.

7. Are you multi-tasking yourself into more stress? When we try to do too much at once, we are raising, not lowering, our stress level. Multi-task only when you can realistically fulfill all tasks adequately. It's hard to tune into your kids while you catch up on your own reading, for example, and you can't take time out for
yourself while simultaneously devoting the time to anyone else. Decide which tasks deserve your full attention. Then give it.

8. Do you have the support network you need? Conduct a
search at http://groups.yahoo.com or http://www.topica.com
for an online group that shares your hobbies, interests,
or lifestyle.

Copyright 2005 by Susie Cortright
About the Author:
Susie Cortright is the founder of momscape.com - http://www.momscape.com and Momscape's Scrapbooking Playground - http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking - devoted to helping visitors record and preserve their cherished memories. Subscribe to her free scrapbooking newsletter here: http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking/scrapbook-club

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Pasta Recipes

Pasta Recipes -- The Very Best in Italian Cuisine!

These pasta recipes are excellent for dinners or parties.

In this article, I'm going to share with you three delicious
pasta recipes that you can prepare for any occasion that suits you.
The recipes are very easy and can be prepare in less than 30 minutes.

So, here we go...

LEMON TUNA PASTA

4 tsp Butter
18 Black olives, pitted & sliced
1 tsp Oil; olive
2 can Tuna; chunk, drained
4 large Garlic cloves, chopped
Pasta; penne, cooked and drained
1/8 cup Lemon juice
4 tsp Butter (add at end)
3 tsp Capers, drained

Melt butter with oil in skillet. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes. Add
lemon juice, capers and olives and cook another 2 minutes. Turn heat
to lowest setting. Add tuna & separate it (do NOT flake) with a fork.
Heat through, stirring gently. Drain pasta. Add remainder of butter
and sauce to hot pasta, tossing well.



TOMATO SOUP WITH PASTA

3 tbsp Olive oil
1/2 tsp Black pepper
1 small Onion, chopped
1 tsp Basil
1 lb Tomatoes, chopped
3 pt Stock
1 Carrot, sliced
1 cup Small pasta / broken vermicelli
1 Celery stick, sliced
1 tbsp Chopped parsley
1 tsp Salt

Heat oil in soup pot & gently fry the onion for 2 minutes. Add
tomatoes, carrot & celery. Mix well with the oil. Sprinkle in the
seasonings & stir together. Fry for 3 minutes. Add stock & bring to a
boil. Simmer for 10 minutes then add pasta. When pasta is tender,
serve, garnished with parsley.

Note: Both Pasta Recipes yield 4 servings

If you are concerned about your health and think that the above pasta recipes are too rich in calories, here is one recipe that I'm sure you'll love...


BROCCOLI PASTA TOSS

2 cups Broccoli flowerets
3 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
4 oz Fettuccine, broken up
1 tsp Sesame seed, toasted
1 tbsp Oil, cooking
1/8 tsp Garlic powder

In a large saucepan cook broccoli and pasta in a large amount of
boiling water for 6 -8 minutes or just until tender, stirring once or
twice. Drain. Add oil to pasta mixture and toss. Add cheese, sesame
seeds, garlic, and pepper to taste. Toss gently to coat. Serve
immediately. 4 servings.

PER SERVING: 168 cal., 6g Pro., 24g carbo., 5g fat, 3mg chol., 72mg
sodium.

Copyright 2005

Jonathan loves eating! If you are like him, then you definitely need
to visit http://www.easy-recipes-secrets.com – The special place
where Jonathan reveals 3 BIG secrets to make any recipe a pure
success!

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10 No-Fee Family Tree Resources

10 No-Fee Resources for Climbing Your Family Tree Online
By: Nancy Hendrickson


As the Webmaster of Genealogy-and-History.com, I'm often asked if
it's possible to find family tree data that doesn't come with a
price tag. My answer is yes! My favorite no-fee sites are:


1. FamilySearch.org This popular site now has over 1 BILLION names
in its online database. Search by surname (last name), spouse's
name, parents' name or place. Includes no-fee access to the 1880
United States census, 1881 British Isles and Canada censuses, as
well as the Social Security Death Index.


2. USGenWeb.com Perhaps the best place for beginning American
research. With a Website for every single county in the United
States, this site provides no-charge access to items like county
histories, biographies, court records, census transcripts, and
historic photos. Each county site is managed by a volunteer, so the
amount of information varies dependent on the volunteer's efforts.


3. EllisIsland.org Want to find your immigrant ancestor? Head to
this Website. No charge access to database containing 25 million
ships' passenger records covering entry through the Port of New York
and Ellis Island from 1892-1924. This site was first launched on
April 17, 2001, and has received over 6 billion hits.


4. WorldConnect.Rootsweb.com Search more than 385 million names in
researcher-donated files. Download ancestor and descendant results,
view individual records and sources, and contact people who are
researching the same surname. Although Rootsweb is now owned by
Ancestry, this database has no-fee access.


5. Linkpendium.com More than 2 million links to genealogy resources.
Includes links to both surname Websites, and regional resources by
state. Includes links to mailing lists, clubs, message boards,
personal surname pages, and cemeteries.


6. Geneasearch.com This fascinating site is loaded with genealogy
records, including military rosters, regional resources, links to
biographies and surname registries, and obituaries. In addition, you
can request a no-charge lookup from the many volunteers associated
with this site; the volunteers will look up your surnames in both
genealogy CDs and genealogy books.


7. GenCircles.com Search and view millions of names that have been
uploaded by other family tree researchers—all without a charge. New
policies have instituted a small fee for use of the "smart matching"
technology, but all searches and viewing of data remain without a
cost.


8. Interment.net No cost search of close to 4 million names in more
than 8,000 cemeteries world-wide. If you are hitting a brick wall in
your research, be sure to search for the surname on this site as you
may find a burial notice in a state or area that you have not yet
researched. Special collections include some National Cemeteries and
flooded cemeteries.


9. CousinConnect.com Sometimes the quickest way to climb your
family tree is to connect with other people who are researching the
same names. This Website has more than 83,000 genealogy queries
posted; these are posts by people who are searching for a specific
surname. It's possible you'll find an Internet cousin or two on this
site. Sharing research is an excellent technique for getting faster
results.


10. OliveTreeGenealogy.com One of the oldest genealogy sites on the
Internet, and filled with no-fee searchable databases. This site is
huge (more than 1,7000 pages and almost 1,500 databases!) so take
some time going through the site so you don't miss out on any family
information. Includes ships passenger lists, church records,
military records, city directories, and links to Native American
genealogy sites.


copyright 2005 Nancy Hendrickson
Nancy Hendrickson is the Webmaster of http://www.genealogy-and-history.com/ and the author of Finding Your Roots Online. Learn more about climbing your family tree with her dozens of no-charge articles and monthly newsletter.

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How To Clean Your House In Hurry

By HomeOrganizationHelp.com

You're lying on the couch in your living room, in one of your husband's old t-shirts and a pair of baggie sweatpants, watching last night's taped episode of Desperate Housewives, when suddenly - the phone rings. You don't recognize the number on caller ID and you make the mistake of answering it. It's your long lost best friend from the sixth grade. She's in town and she just happens to be in your neighborhood. She'll be over in 10 minutes, and your house is a MESS.

So, how do you clean up for unexpected guests in 10 minutes or less?!

1. Stay calm!

2. Do a clean sweep. Grab a trash bag or laundry basket and gather up everything that is lying around that shouldn't be, and throw it into the bag. Hide the bag.

3. Plump up pillows on couches and chairs in living room, fold blankets. Give each cushion a swat for crumbs.

4. Stack mail, newspapers and magazines in a nice, neat pile. Stick the pile in a corner or on a kitchen chair.

5. Give the bathroom a speedy sprucing up! Wipe out the sink, wipe off the toilet seat and quickly swish the bowl. Then, close the shower curtain, and throw odds and ends in cabinets or drawers. Spray some air freshener so the bathroom will smell clean - even if it's far from it.

6. Rinse off any dishes in the sink and stack them neatly or toss them in the dishwasher. Wipe off the table and counter tops.

7. Take a peek inside the fridge - what beverages and snacks do you have that you can offer your guests?

8. Close the doors to all rooms that you don't want on display.

9. Light a yummy scented candle in the kitchen - like Cinnamon Buns or Chocolate Cake. Lighting a few scented candles will uplift the mood of your home and make guests feel welcome. Throw some fruit in a bowl and place it in the center of your table. Fresh flowers also do wonders, if you have them on hand.

10. Take a deep breath. Give yourself a squirt of perfume and you're all set! You may even have enough time to get changed into something a little more presentable.

Cleaning up for unexpected guests does not have to be a mad rush, if you stay caught up on your housework as a rule. A friend of mine gave me some really good advice right after my husband and I got married, she said "The best way to keep a clean house is to entertain in your home at least once a month." There's nothing like having company coming to get cleaning!

About The Author: Visit http://www.homeorganizationhelp.com/free-ebook-cleaning.htm for your free copy of the "I Hate House Cleaning" ebook for Busy Moms. Or stop by http://www.free-ebooksonline.com/ for many more free ebooks!

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