Family Fun Favorites - Think-ets and Barefoot books

Two of my family fun favorites

My Favorite New Family Game

Think-ets tiny trinkets for imaginative play – What is Think-ets? Remember when we were kids, and we played endless games of jacks? Think-ets is the 21st century version, a fun and unique assortment of 15 miniature trinkets from around the world contained in a small carrying pouch, perfect for playing games, collecting and trading with others.

Think-ets is portable, fun, even brainy. No two pouches are exactly alike; there are 10 different games you can play with think-ets. It's the perfect game for restaurants, traveling, and small group conversation starters. Children and adults enjoy this amazing game.

My first time playing was with a group of teen girls, and we had a blast playing What’s Your Story? Each of us chose a trinket and began a story popcorn style. It was fun to hear as each teen added her part of the story using her trinket.

You can purchase these online at http://www.think-ets.com/

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My Favorite New Family Reading Books (WIN one!)

"Kick off your shoes & go Barefoot" is the slogan at Barefoot Books http://www.letsreadbarefoot.com/. They have a great selection of books and CD’s for children that inspire them to read. Barefoot Books stories and artwork combined with sharing the world’s diversity and different cultures while focusing on themes that encourage our children is outstanding.

The most recent book I have shared with my two boys (ages 6 and 9) is Mama Panya’s Pancakes by Mary and Rick Chamberlin. This great story teaches readers about life in Kenya and has a wonderful lesson on sharing.

Thanks to Julie Doherty of Barefoot Books, 24/7 MOMS is giving away a copy of Mama Panya’s Pancakes to one of our 24/7 MOMS. Leave a comment here on the 24/7 MOMS blog with your email address, and on November 20th we will draw one winner.

What is your Favorite Family Fun this week?

Birthday Traditions to celebrate your Child's special day

Three of my five children have birthdays over the next three months – October, November and December. Can you tell the mother with the organization obsession was not very organized when it came to planning out her children? Seriously - 3 birthdays in a row along with Thanksgiving and Christmas!

However, even with the chaos of birthdays, holidays and the various others fall events in our family, I still enjoy celebrating each child's birthday with special traditions. If you are like me and always looking for new ideas, then you might find my list of birthday tradition ideas helpful along your mom journey.

It is true, I have often been referred to as a tradition junkie. And NO, I do not do each and every one of the ideas on the list. So, do not stress out for me or you.

Enjoy celebrating your child’s special day!

Birthdays are an opportunity for us to celebrate our children and show them that they are special and valued.

Choose any of these Birthday Celebration/Tradition Ideas to celebrate your child’s special day:

· Write on bathroom mirror with lipstick: “Happy Birthday”.

· Serve a family morning breakfast: Child wakes up to decorated table with a theme (use leftovers from past parties). Be sure to have a small gift at their seat.

· Serve breakfast to them in bed.

· Make them King or Queen for the day – even use a pretend crown.

· Surprise your child with a new birthday outfit to wear.

· Decorate their bedroom so they wake up to it or comes home to it after school.

· Each year give the birthday child a special place setting at their birthday meal. (new plastic plate and cup)

· Give them special gifts all day long:
o Next to their bed when they wake-up
o At their breakfast table
o In their lunch
o On their school desk
o At the dinner table
o Etc.

· Have Dad send flowers, candy, cards, etc. to school for them.

· Have the dinner table decorated, special table cloth, etc.

· Allow your child to choose their favorite meal or place to go out to eat.

· Decorate your child’s classroom door with poster decorated with pictures of the birthday child.

· Decorate their school desk.

· Make a time capsule.

· Make a birthday video tape each year of the child. Keep adding to it year after year.

· Write a letter or card each year to your child.

· Hang a special birthday flag outside your house.

· Mark child’s height each birthday on a growth stick.

· Host a family party.

· Host a friends party.

· Have the birthday guests sign something – sheets, piggy bank, frames, pillow case, etc.

· For the December birthday child, celebrate with family on the December date, then with friends in January. Every child likes their birthday to last for a month.

· Celebrate ½ birthdays – 5½ or 10½ with ½ a cake, ½ a glass of milk, ½ a toy & they earn the other half.

· Celebrate with an adopted birthday party on their adoption date.

· Send a birthday-in-a-box if your child is away from home on their birthday.

· Have professional portraits taken each year.

· Tablecloth signed and hand printed by birthday child each year.

· Give your child helium balloons for the number of years old they are, and let them go outside and release them into the air.

· Hand prints on paper.

· Take your child shopping to pick out their birthday party supplies.

· Sit down and plan their party with them, get their ideas.

· Send birthday cards:

o 1 month before their birthday
o 1 week before their birthday
o Every day the entire week of their birthday

How do you Celebrtae your Child/Children's Birthdays? Leave a comment and share your ideas with the 24/7 MOMS

Being a MOM means

I recently picked up a book titled 1001 Things it Means to Be a Mom (The Good, The Bad and the Smelly), by Harry H. Harrison Jr. (Yes, that is a man author.)

It got me thinking - what does it mean to me to be a MOM?

We could probably each come up with our own list of 1001 things. So, today I toss the question out to you, the 24/7 MOMS - What does it mean to YOU to be a MOM?

Leave a comment or email us at team@247moms.com and share with us what it means to you to be a mom.

This week some of the things I would place on my list would be:

Being a mom means I fulfill promises I make to my children

Being a mom means I tolerate having a puppy so my kids can have a pet

Being a mom means I get in my car and drive to pick up my boys at school when they ask for parent pick up (isn't the bus more fun?)

Being a mom means I attend Family Fun Night with 800 other parents in a crammed gymnasium. Not sure why they call it family FUN night

Being a mom means I drop off, pick up, drop off, pick up, drop off, and pick up over and over again my teenage girls to keep up with their social life

Being a mom means I wear my teen daughters' clothes and shoes because theirs are trendier than mine

Being a mom means I still worry when my college son doesn't call me when he arrives back on campus after leaving home

Being a mom means I get to track down the rings my daughter left at a local restaurant

Being a mom means I remind my children to love others, and that life isn't all about them

Being a mom means I get to wash 15 loads of laundry

Being a mom means I have the best job in the entire universe

Thrifty Tuesday Finds- Freebies, Bargains for moms

Tuesday has arrived again, and it’s time for this week's thrifty finds!

FREEbies:

FREE – Haydee Chocolatier sample box of 8 assorted truffles - http://www.haydeechocolatier.com/sample.php Haydee Chocolatier represents an idea: An idea that gourmet chocolate shouldn't cost gourmet prices. An idea that quality is not just an ideal, it's a standard. The philosophy that every single truffle that rolls off of our line and into your hands should be excellent. The notion that natural products are worth the hassle.

FREE – Popeye’s 2-piece dinner meal – Join Popeye’s e-mail club and receive a free 2-piece dinner as well as monthly coupons and special offers, special promotion notifications and much more at http://www.popeyescustomerclub.com/

Online Bargains:

My online Bargain find this week came out of the NEED for a new back pack for Nate-no, thanks to our puppy, Sophie, who decided to make Nate-no's backpack her new chew toy.
I quickly went to the computer and began bargain hunting, and I came across some great clearance bargains at Target. http://www.target.com/

They had a variety of backpacks starting as low as $3.19 which were 75% off the original price. These are such great deals I even bought an extra one just in case.

You might take time and search other clearance items online at Target. I was impressed with the numerous clearance items available.
Stretching the Mighty Dollar:

Looking for ways to stretch the mighty dollar for holiday shopping means beginning my holiday shopping early, so that I can find great sales and bargains.

Here are SIX places to check for great deals:




1. www.bigidea.com, home to Veggie Tales, 3-2-1 Penguins and Larry Boy, is having a great sale right now. A variety of CD’s are on sale for $3.99 each and DVD’s for $9.95.

2. Markdown Mondays at Amazon is a great place to check on Monday to see which toys they have on sale - http://www.amazon.com/. Also, be sure to check out their other clearance and sale items.

3. To stay in the know about the great sales and bargains at your local stores during the holidays, sign up to receive email updates from the Official Black Friday website - http://bfads.net/

4. The Disney Store outlet has some wonderful bargains on clothes, toys and much more at www.disneystore.com, then click over to Disney Outlet.
5. A new web site I came across was http://www.kidsurplus.com/ - they have a big selection as well as a clearance section. Right now they have a shipping offer of $1.99 on all orders over $50.00.


6. Clearance toys at Target online can be found at this link http://www.target.com/Toys-Clearance/b?ie=UTF8&node=1041688

Where do you shop for bargains? Comment or email 24/7 moms at trisha@247moms.com with your great shopping hints.

Let's Make a Meal Mondays - Mom recipes

During my mom journey I have found the best place to collect new recipes that my family loves - from other mom friends. 24/7 MOMS is looking for new mom recipes to share with the 24/7 MOMS community.

What is your family's favorite mealtime recipe? Send your recipe submissions to trisha@247moms.com.

This week's recipe was submitted by 24/7 MOM Tanya.

I am a cream cheese lover! I buy those great big containers of cream cheese at Costco and use it all before it goes bad. I use it in, well, pretty much everything!

I also love stroganoff. I could eat it once a week or more. My husband, on the other hand was not a big fan of my current stroganoff recipe. So, I searched on my favorite recipe website - http://www.allrecipes.com/ - and found a super easy stroganoff recipe with cream cheese, and my husband likes it! Here is the recipe courtesy of All Recipes.

Simple Hambuger Stroganoff

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package egg noodles
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (.75 ounce) packet dry brown gravy mix
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 (6 ounce) can chopped mushrooms, with liquid
1/2 cup milk
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup

Directions
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no pink shows; drain.
Mix brown gravy, cream cheese and mushrooms with hamburger until cream cheese has given the mixture a whitish look. Add milk, sour cream, and mushroom soup to cooked pasta. Blend hamburger mixture with pasta.

Tanya Peila
http://tanyapeila.blogspot.com/

Remember to Send your recipe submissions to trisha@247moms.com.

henjen Bags for Cool Mom Chicks

Have you seen the adorable henjen bags? Right now henjen is offering our 24/7 MOMS a 20% off online discount at http://www.henjenhandbags.com/ through October 31, 2008. Use code 247mom at checkout.

.

henjen bags are the perfect size and perfectly adorable. They come in a variety of fabric choices. Henjen bags are:
* 100% cotton, vinyl-covered tote
* Exterior slip pocket for your cell phone
* Interior key fob
* Durable and soft cotton webbing straps covered in fabric
* Interior pocket
* Magnetic snap closure
* 10"h x 15"w x 4"d

Thanks to henjen we were able to giveaway one of these Fun, Funky and Functional mom bags at our 2008 24/7 MOMS Conference, making a cool mom chick who is now strutting around with her very own new henjen bag.

Thrifty Tuesday Finds

I am always on the hunt 24/7 for bargains, FREEbies and dollar stretching ideas. Here are today’s Thrifty Tuesday Finds to help you save money as a 24/7 MOM.

FREEbies:

Free sample of Betty Crocker Instant Potatoes: http://www.startsampling.com/sm/BettyCrockerPotatoes/captureAddress.iphtml?item=100371&source=

Free REACH Access Flosser : http://www.reachaccess.com/sample_accept_decline.htm

Free Greenies sample for your pet http://www.greenies.com/en_US/Freesample/?Product_ID=

Stretching the Mighty Dollar:

My youngest, Nate-no, is a popcorn addict. So today I did a little research on homemade popcorn recipes to help stretch the mighty dollar on snack foods in my home.

Here are 4 popcorn recipes I came across:

Stove Top Popcorn, from www.recipezaar.com
3 tablespoons oil (NOT butter)
1/2 cup popcorn
3-4 tablespoons melted butter (optional)
salt

Put the oil in a 4 quart heavy pot and let it heat over medium heat for 30 seconds.
Stir in the kernels, turning with a spoon so that they are evenly covered with oil, then spread them in one layer on the bottom of the pot. (I just shake them around a bit).
Cover the pot, leaving a small space at the edge for escaping steam. As soon as the first kernel pops, move the pot gently and continuously back and forth over medium-high heat until the popping stops.

Turn into a warm bowl. Toss with melted butter, if desired, and salt to taste.

Microwave Popcorn Balls, from my friend Sue Beck
10 cups popped corn
10 regular size marshmallows
½ cup butter
½ cup granulated sugar

Put sugar, butter and marshmallows in a large bowl. Microwave on high for five minutes, stirring twice.
Pour over popped corn, tossing with a wooden spoon, with clean buttered hands, form into balls. Place on waxed paper or aluminum foil. Allow to set, then EAT your yummy treat or wrap in colorful saran wrap for gift treats.



Microwave Carmel Corn, from www.cooks.com

3 qts. popped popcorn (2/3 - 1 c. unpopped)
1/2 cup butter1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup light Karo syrup
1 tsp. baking soda
Microwave butter, brown sugar and syrup in a 1 3/4 quart bowl on High for 5 minutes. Stir 1/2 way through. After 5 minutes, stir in baking soda. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes more. Put popped popcorn in a large paper bag. Pour mixture over the popcorn. Shake well. Place bag in the microwave on High for 1 minute. Pour caramel corn into a bowl or onto a tray. Allow to cool. Break apart. Enjoy.


Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn, at Rachel Ray web site www.rachelraymag.com
By David Lawrence - MAKES TEN CUPS Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: 5 min
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ cup popcorn kernels
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon coarse salt
In a large pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the popcorn. When the oil sizzles, sprinkle the sugar over the kernels. Cover and shake the pan until the popping slows down, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and toss with the salt.

Online Bargains:
Looking from some great bargains on books, gift items, CDs and DVDs? Check out the bargain section at http://www.cbd.com/. I found great stuff for kids, teens and even us moms. There are 100’s of great bargains.
Here is a sample of items I found today:


The Star of Christmas – A Veggie Tales picture book on sale for $2.99, regularly priced at $14.99

Hermie and Friends The 12 Bugs of Christmas by Max Lucado on sale for $2.99, regularly priced at $6.99

Surprise Endings, Christy Miller Series #4 on sale for .99 cents, regularly priced at $6.99

Shopping Bargain:

Payless Shoe Source has their BOGO Buy One, Get One ½ off everything sale going on right now through October 27, 2008. You can even shop online and get FREE shipping, if you're willing to pick them up at your local Payless Shoe Source store. Choose store delivery at check out. http://www.payless.com/

Let's Make a Meal Mondays - More Crock Pot recipes

Busy, fun, crazy, on-the-go - are what the fall season has been so far for this 24/7 MOM. Once again I am thankful for the Crock-Pot recipes the moms have been emailing me.

Here are two more recipes for you to try out in your Crock-Pots.

Saturday I made the Taco Soup for my family, along with chicken quesadillas - a simple yet yummy meal.

Tina’s Crock-Pot Taco Soup

1 pound lean ground beef
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans
1 can (11-15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (10 oz) "Rotel" tomatoes (it is a Mexican brand...I think regular would work as well)
1 package taco seasoning
1 can (28 oz) can chopped tomatoes
1 sm. can (4oz) diced green chiles
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans
1 envelope Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing

Brown the beef and drain. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with sour cream, cheddar cheese and tortilla chips.



Lisa's Crock-Pot Chicken

2 or 3 bone in chicken breasts
1 sweet onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, pressed
2 or 3 stalks of celery, chopped
2 or 3 pieces of rosemary, stripped and chopped
½ a bunch of parsley, chopped (divide into 2 – one in the soup and one to garnish when done)
lemon zest from one lemon, then cut and squeeze in the juice
½ cup of white wine
salt and pepper
chicken broth to about 2” below the top
The end rind piece of parmesan cheese

Place all ingredients in Crock-Pot to cook. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Before serving, de-bone the chicken, take out the parmesan rind, and add either fresh spinach or green beans or even kale (they’ll cook just enough by the time you de-bone the chicken). Serve with the parsley garnish and maybe some grated parmesan cheese.


Do you have a Crock-Pot recipe to share with the 24/7 MOMS? Email it to trisha@247moms.com

30 Days to Natural with Green Works

It's all over the media - Go Green, Go Natural. But where do I begin, especially when it comes to my house cleaning products? In my search for natural cleaning products I was introduced to Green Works by Clorox, a line of natural cleaning products that actually cleans with all the power we expect in Clorox products.

Green Works' full line of plant and mineral based cleaning products are at least 99% natural.

Say "Hello, deep clean. Goodbye, harsh chemical fumes." when you begin using one of the many available products. You can check out their full product line at http://www.greenworkscleaners.com/.

Green Works has challenged me to 30 Days to Natural - http://www.30daystonatural.com/. So, for the next 30 days, this 24/7 Mom will give up using her cabinet full of cleaning chemicals and use only the Green Works cleaning products that Mom Central and Green Works (Clorox) sent me.

Would you like to take on the same challenge? Check out http://www.30daystonatural.com/. Sign up for the daily email or text tips to keep you going the natural cleaning way. Be sure to watch the video diaries of other moms who are taking the 30 day challenge and plant your daisy at http://www.30daystonatural.com/.

Comment and let me know if you have accepted the 30 Days to Natural challenge.

October 15th Pregnancy and Infant Loss Rememberance day

Today, October 15th is the offical Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance day. A day for Moms, like myself, to remember our babies that took an early flight into the arms of Jesus.

I often visit the Remembering Babies web site http://www.october15th.com/. There are some great resources and ideas to help those who have experienced loss, as well as memorial keepsake items to purchase, and much more.

I recently came across two sweet poems to share with you about the early loss of a baby.

I'll Hold You in Heaven
From the very beginning I loved you,As I made plans to hold you and rock you:You were tiny and helpless as you lay in my womb,But something went wrong and soon you were gone;My young heart was broken, my tears fell like rain,I'd never known such heartache and pain. I wonder who you look like, me or your dad,Do you have my smile and his eyes?Would you have been big and tall or tiny and small?We had dreams for you that reached to the skies.It was long, long ago and I still miss you so,Thanks to Jesus, I'll see you in heaven. I'll hold you in heaven someday,When my trials on earth pass away;The angels have rocked you, the Father watches over you,I know you're waiting for me;I never could hold you or tell you "Goodbye",But I'll hold you in heaven someday.
In loving memory of Darrell Keith and Melody Joy Taylor. (c) 1998 Jo Ann Taylor All Rights Reserved
Please See Me Through My Tears
You asked, "How are you doing?" As I told you, tears came to my eyes...and you looked away and quickly began to talk again.
All the attention you had given me had drained away. "How am I doing?" I do better when people listen, though I may shed a tear or two.
This pain is indescribable. If you've never known it, you cannot fully understand.
Yet I need you. When you look away, I am again alone with it. Your attention means more than you can ever know.
Really, tears are not a bad sign, you know! They're nature's way of helping me to heal.
They relieve some of the stress of sadness ....but you are wrong. The memory of my loved one's death will always be with me, Only a thought away.
My tears make my pain more visible to you, but you did not give me the pain...it was already there. When I cry, could it be that you feel helpless, Not knowing what to do?
You are not helpless, And you don't need to do a thing but be there.
When I feel your permission to allow my tears to flow, you've helped me You need not speak. Your silence as I cry is all I need. Be patient...do not fear.
Listening with your heart to "how I am doing" relieves the pain for when the tears can freely come and go, I feel lighter.
Talking to you releases what I've wanted to say aloud, clearing space for a touch of joy in my life. I'll cry for a minute or two... and then I'll wipe my eyes and sometimes you'll even find I'm laughing later. When I hold back the tears, my throat grows tight, my chest aches, my stomach knots... because I'm trying to protect YOU from my tears. Then we both hurt ME, because my pain is held inside, a shield against our closeness and YOU, because suddenly we are distant. So please, take my hand and see me through my tears... then we can be close again.
Author Unknown

A wonderful resource I have read over the years in dealing with my own personal loss and also have given to numerous other moms who have faced loss is a book titled "I'll Hold You in Heaven", by, Jack Hayford.

Wanted Mom Writers and Authors no experience needed

Have you ever dreamt of being a writer, sharing your thoughts and ideas with others?

Have you recently discovered a love of or interest in writing or blogging as a mom?

24/7 MOMS is seeking MOM writers for various publications –
- Monthly e-News
- Blog posts
- Website articles and various content

If you are a MOM and enjoy writing, especially to Inspire, Equip and Connect Moms during their mom journey then 24/7 MOMS wants YOU. NO Experience needed.

Email trisha@247moms.com for additional details.

2008 24/7 MOMS Conference Highlights

WOW, Amazing, Incredible, Out of this world, Too much fun, Inspiring - these are some of the many comments we heard from moms about their experiences at the first 24/7 MOMS Conference.

The fun was un-ending:

Julie Barnill kept us laughing, Jenn Alexander shared her heart through music, the overflowing bag of Mom Favorites, the “Oh, how sweet it was candy buffet”, the inspiring workshops , 24/7 MOMS cool lime green canvas goodie bags for each mom, late night fun, games, spa time and movie night.


The 2008 24/7 MOMS Conference was truly a MOMorable time.




Sign-up today at www.247moms.com to be in the MOM know of future 24/7 MOMS events and happenings.

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24/7 MOMS in the Gig Harbor Gateway

Weekend conference comes to moms’ rescue24/7 Moms hopes to inspire and inform local women raising a family

Susan Schell
of the Gateway
Published: 01:34PM October 8th, 2008


There’s a new organization in town for moms.

“24/7 Moms” will host its first two-day conference Friday and Saturday at the Best Western Wesley Inn in Gig Harbor. The group’s founder, Gig Harbor’s Trisha Novotny, hopes attendees will walk away inspired the the knowledge that what they do really matters.

“Being a mom is the most important job in the world,” she said. “They’re raising little people. Yet a lot of them don’t feel appreciated. The family consumes them, and they feel like they have to do it all.”

Novotny was a member of MOPS International — Mothers of Preschool Children — for 13 years. She formed 24/7 Moms in January to help mothers connect with each other after those preschool years.

“All those years I realized there was nothing after that,” Novotny said. “I wanted to begin an organization by getting other moms together. It’s not just those preschool years — we want to be there for moms struggling with teenagers as well. Our goal is to inspire, equip and connect moms in all stages of mothering.”

Novotny said today’s families are overwhelmed because there are more expectations on them. Many don’t have the support of an extended family.

“Back in the 1930s and ’40s, women had grandmothers, sisters and aunts around them,” she said. “People didn’t pack up and move out of town. I raised five children with no family around me.

“We move away because of jobs and the military. We want moms to realize that there are others out there like them. We want to provide them with a support group.”

The conference this weekend will feature guest speakers from across the nation, including author and mothering expert Julie Barnhill, Dream Dinners co-founder Stephanie Allen and Krista Colvin, a guest blogger for Working Mother Magazine.

Guest speaker Alicia Gunderson, a leader for MOPS, will talk about “identity for moms.”
“I think when we give birth, our identity falls out at the same time,” she said. “We have to rediscover who we are. We can find ways to utilize our strengths and weaknesses in this new journey called mothering.”

Gunderson said stress is the new identity thieves for moms.

“We’re always trying to live up to others’ expectations,” she said. “We need to come back to basics. We need to know we’re loved just how we are and that, if we accept ourselves, our kids will learn how to accept themselves and others how they are.”

For more information or for a conference schedule, visit www.247momsconference.com.

For information about the organization, call 253-222-5434. A Web site is under construction for the group at www.247moms.com.

24/7 Moms conference this weekend
For conference schedule or to register, visit www.247momsconference.com.

Dates: Friday and Saturday.

Place: Best Western Wesley Inn and Conference Center, 6575 Kimball Drive in Gig Harbor.

Reach reporter Susan Schell at 253-853-9240 or by e-mail at susan.schell@gateline.com.

Safeway Coupons

Calling all Safeway shoppers

Safeway now features online printable coupons.

Select and Print the coupons you desire, then head to your local Safeway to Redeem and Save.

Check out the Safeway coupon site at http://www.safeway.com/ifl/grocery/Coupons#iframetop to see what great coupon savings are available in your area today.

Where do you find your grocery coupons?

Let's Make a Meal Monday's - More Crock Pot Meals

Did you get out your Crock-Pot yet and try one of those simple meals from last week's “Let’s Make a Meal Mondays” recipes?

If you don’t own a Crock-Pot, I would encourage you to check your local thrift stores or watch for some great fall sales on them. It is one mom tool that is worth purchasing!

This week I have two more simple, family-pleasing meals to share with you.


Recipe #1
Debbie’s "BBQ in a Bag" (a personal favorite because it's really simple)

2 cups brown rice

2 cups water

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

12 chicken thighs or 6 large chicken breasts

2 envelopes BBQ flavored Shake-n-Bake (yes, stores still sell it!)

Spray crock with non-stick cooking spray.Mix rice, water, and soup. Pour into crock.Put the thawed chicken and Shake-n-Bake into a roasting bag . Inflate the bag, twisting the top to trap air and shake to coat the chicken.Poke 3-4 holes in the bag and place on top of the rice.

Cook on low 8-10 hours. (I also have done it on high for 4-5 hours and the chicken still falls right off the bone!)


Recipe #2
Diane’s Crock-Pot Chicken

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 pkg Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix
8 oz. cream cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Place chicken in crock-pot, then all other ingredients on top. Cook all day on low. Serve over rice. Makes plenty for leftovers

Can it get any easier than these great recipes? Send your simple Crock-Pot recipes to trisha@247moms.com to share with the 24/7 MOMS.

The MOM Fun is about to begin

There are only 6 days left until the MOMS arrive at the first 24/7 MOMS conference, and the FUN begins.

I can hardly wait to hear Julie Barnhill Inspire me as a MOM, to Give-a-way all the GREAT Mom Favorite stuff, taste the incredible SWEETS at the buffet and meet all my new mom friends who are joining us.

Will you be there? There is still time to register at http://www.247momsconference.com/ and Im still taking $20.00 of your registration so hurry register TODAY.

Friday Freebies for MOMS

Hey Mom - Do you love FREEBies? Not only did I find 5 FREEbies for you today but if you attend the 24/7 MOMS conference you will go home with an ARM LOAD of stuff .....I can't spoil all the fun surprises. So, sign-up today and join us at the 24/7 MOMS Conference http://www.247momsconference.com/

Here are todays 5 FREEbie offers for you to enjoy -

FREEbie Recipes - Looking for new holiday baking ideas? Check out the free Holiday baking recipes from Land O'Lakes. You can print them or order the brochure to be sent to you in the mail at http://www.landolakes.com/holiday2008/Holiday-Classics-with-Twist-Recipe-Brochure.cfm

FREEbie Cookie – Try the new Kashi Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Cookie - the cookie that is good and good for you. Full of whole-grain nutrition along with chocolaty, chewy satisfaction. Orders your today at http://www.kashi.com/stealacookie/getmycookie

FREEbie Tacos – Free Del Taco chicken tacos - just sign-up for the Raving Fan E-club online at http://www.deltaco.com/page8.html and you will get 2 free chicken soft tacos. Plus, on your birthday you will receive a free milkshake.

FREEbie Bertolli Pasta Sauce – Receive a free sample of Bertolli’s Premium Sauce in a microwaveable pouch when you sign-up at http://www.condenet.com/promo/bertolli/sweeps/saucegiveaway/entry/long

FREEbie Jelly Beans – It's true - Gimbal’s Gourmet Jelly beans is giving away a free delectable sampling of their exceptional variety including: Tiramisu, Strawberry Daiquiri, Lemon Meringue, and Red Delicious. Each jelly bean bursts with an intense flavor that you can’t resist. Just fill out the quick form at http://beta.candydirect.com:8222/Sample/SampleForm.aspx?id=3 and get your free sample today.

www.GreatSchools.com

Have you surfed over to http://www.greatschools.com/? It's a web site that allows you to read and post REAL mom (parent) and student reviews on your local schools.

Some of the other great features on this site are the ability to research and compare schools, the parent community - a place to ask question to other parents for education advice, wonderful information on helping children with learning disabilities, along with many articles on education topics.

Their slogan is “Involved Parents. Successful Kids.” So, if you are planning a move in location or looking for some information on your child’s education, check out http://www.greatschoools.com/.

24/7 MOMS Conference - Sign -up today

Join us for an AMAZING time for MOMS

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Check out all the FUN details

Click over to www.247momsconference.com