Thanksgiving Countdown With Family Activities

November is the perfect month to place focus on being Thankful using family activities to countdown the days until Thanksgiving.

Step 1 - Decide how many days you would like to count down with activities
- The entire month of November.
- 12 Days of Thankfulness ( start 12 days until Thanksgiving with day 12 being Thanksgiving).
- Choose the number of days that works for your family.

Step 2 - Create a Countdown to Thanksgiving

1. Write daily Thankful activities on slips of papers that you then roll into scrolls and place into a decorated jar.

2. Make A Tree or Turkey out of poster board. Then cut out leaves or feathers and write on each one a Thankful activity allowing your children to choose one each day to do.

3. Number envelopes and fill with slips of paper that you have written daily activities on allowing your children to open one envelop each day.

4. Make a paper chain out of strips of construction paper. Write a thankful activity on each slip of paper. Allow your kids to tear one off each day as they count down.

5. Purchase a Thanksgiving advent calendar from one of the below online stores


Thanksgiving Advent Calendar From Christianbook.com

Give Thanks Thanksgiving Countdown Calendar From Everyday Celebrations

Thanksgiving Countdown Calendar From Pottery Barn

Step 3 - Choose Thankful activities for you and your family to do each day of your Thanksgiving countdown.

Below you will find a list I created of activity ideas you can choose from or create your own ideas.

We are Thankful for our Grandparents
Call or send them an email saying how much you are thankful for them.

We are Thankful For our Missionaries
Send them a letter, email or care package to let them know you are praying for them.

We are Thankful for our Teachers
Make a thank you card or bake a treat to give to them

We are Thankful for our Fire fighters. Policemen, Doctors etc.
Deliver a basket of treats to them.

We are Thankful for our toys.
Clean out your toys and donate to a local shelter.

We are thankful for Daddy.
Do something nice or a chore for Daddy - Wash his car, take out the trash.

We are Thankful for Mommy
Do one extra chore today for her.

We are Thankful for our Clothes.
Clean out our clothes and donate clothing to a local shelter.

We are Thankful for our Sister (s).
Write a Thankful note or do a chore or something nice for her.

We are Thankful for our Brothers (s).
Write a Thankful note or do a chore or something nice for him.

We are Thankful for our friends.
Write a note, send an email, bake a special treat for them.

We are Thankful for our family.
Have a family game night.

We are Thankful for our food.
Collect food for your local shelter.

We are Thankful for our Eyes.
Watch a Movie together as a family.

We are Thankful For a Church to go to.
Volunteer to help at church this week or sign-up for a project.

We are Thankful for books.
Start a new book to read together as a family.

We are Thankful for our Neighbors.
Deliver a treat and note of thanks to their porch - play door bell ditch.

We are Thankful we are able to pray.
During dinner time prayer have each person pray one thing they are Thankful to God for.

We are Thankful for our Country.
Decide as a family another way yo will become ECO friendly.

We are Thankful we can write.
Write three things we are thankful for.

We are Thankful helpers.
Draw names of family members and do a secret chore for that person by tomorrow.

We are Thankful for our classmates.
Make blessing mix or another treat and give to your classmates.

We are Thankful for shoes.
Fill empty shoe boxes with items and donate to Operation Christmas Child.

We are Thankful for our pet.
Take them on a walk, clean their cage, play with them.

We are Thankful for our Military.
Make a care package to send to them or write a letter.


We are Thankful to be Thankful.
Make a Thankful box - all year the entire family can write what they are thankful for and then read them next Thanksgiving.

We are Thankful for our Car,
Go for a fall drive, visit a relative or friend.

We are Thankful for family memories.
Start a Thankful journal or scrapbook.

We are Thankful we can spell.
Spell out the word T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L. go around the table and ask each person to say one thing they're thankful for. The first person's answer must begin with "T." The second person's answer must begin with "H," and so on.

We are Thankful for our City.
Volunteer for a city clean-up project or other way you can serve your city.

We are Thankful for Thanksgiving Dinner.
Provide Thanksgiving dinner for a family in need or invite a family to join you.

2 Hour "Holiday Favorites" Christmas Giveaway Event

24/7 MOMS is hosting a 2 hour LIVE
"Holiday Favorites" giveaway event

Join us for the 24/7 MOMS LIVE Virtual Party -(TV show on your computer).
Put on your comfy sweats or PJ’s and join us for a fast paced night of "Holiday Favorites" 2 hours of Giveaways , Live MOMversation , and Tons of MOM fun. Invite your MOM friends to meet you online at the 24/7 MOMS Virtual party.

When: Tuesday November 10th, 2009

Time: 7:00pm PST / 10:00pm EST

Location: www.247moms.com

MOMS, if you would like to add our "Holiday Giveaway" button to your blog, please use the code below.

<a href="http://www.247moms.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252/tpeila/christmas.jpg" />

WIN- Math Dash Game

It can get exhausting as a mom going over math facts with our kids night after night. So why not add some fun and excitement with games that help our kids learn their math facts?

Math Dash is a fun way for children to learn and review their facts while having fun. It is not fast paced so it's great for children just learning their facts as well as those who need review (mulitple ages can play together). Sometimes playing games that players have to race to answer the questions can frustrate children who may not know their facts as well as those they are playing with. The cost of Math Dash is $21.99 at www.familygamecoach.com

The Family Game Coach is offering 24/7 MOMS 10% off their entire order. Enter the code 24/7 moms at check out.

Check our the Family Game Coach web site they make great Christmas and Holiday gifts. They have a huge selection of math games and other education games, brain training games, and games that are just plain fun!!

Family Game Coach's vision is to help instill a time of family togetherness that will promote character and enhance learning and develop strong family values. They encourage parents to take the home field advantage in teaching your child academics, creativity, and healthy competition by using our Game Plan. On their site parents can find more info on incorporating a family game night in their families schedule. Also rules for family game night so the entire family is encouraging to one another. You?ll be amazed at the bond playing games will create among family members and the increase in mental stimulation it will provide, even for mom and dad.

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and Family Game Coach are giving away one Math Dash math game to one of our moms.

To enter for your chance to win:

1. Go to the Family Game Coach web site www.familygamecoach.com and find the answer to the following question

What is the game of the month? (hint: click GAMES on the home page). Be sure to sign-up for their Newsletter while there.

Then complete step 2 or 3 below and leave your answer in the comments.

2. Become a 24/7 MOMS Subscriber Enter your email address below then leave a comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

3. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.


US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on November 15th, 2009.

Enter your email address:

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5 Simple DIY (do it yourself) Math Games

Create DIY ( do it yourself) Math games out of your everyday games at home to teach your kids their mat facts.

Go Fish - (addition)

Use flash cards from 0-10 (3 sets of each number) as your deck of cards. Play "Go Fish" to add numbers up to 10. (Ex: Tim has the number 8, he asks another player for the number 2 because 8+ 2+10.)

Concentration -(addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)

Using index cards make one set of math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division)writing the math problem on one index card and the answer on another index card.

The object of the game is to find pairs of matching cards in all of the face down cards.

Shuffle the cards and place them face down in rows (like the memory game). The first player turns over two cards. If they match, ( Problem and answer) the player keeps the two cards and takes another turn. The next player continues by trying to find two matching cards. When all cards have been collected, the player with the most pairs wins.

Board Games - Choose any of your kids favorite board games, such as " Candy Land" "Chutes and Ladders", "Sorry," "Monopoly,"or other game. Take post-it notes and write math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and place them onto the game spaces. Play the game as you usually do, but whenever a player lands on a math space, they must answer the problem correctly before moving forward.

The 1 to 10 Game - (addition)
Supplies Needed : 2 dice, 1 deck of cards, and one other player.

Separate the cards and use only the ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 cards.

Divide the cards into two piles one red and one black. One player takes the red cards, and one takes the black cards.

First player rolls the dice and figures out the sum. Then removes the cards from their hand to add up to that sum. For example, if they roll a 4 and a 2, you can make 6 in several ways (3+3, 2+4, 1+3+2, 6, etc...). If they can't make up the sum with the cards in their hand, they roll again. After three rolls they can't make up the sum in their hand , you lose the game. You win the game if the other player can't make the sum in three rolls or if you use up all of your cards.


Number of the Day - Choose a number for each day and have your child think of a variety of Math problems that the answer is the number of the day..for young children begin with single digit numbers. ( Today is October 31 - 15 + 16 = 31, 50-29 =31 etc.)

Table Talk

Tonight's Table Talk
....to create conversation

Q:Tell us three adjectives that describe your day today.

Riddle:
Q: What is the difference between here and there?
A: The letter “t”.

(each day 24/7 MOMS posts a question and riddle to help you create dinner time conversation with your families)

WIN - Math Noodlers Game

Can it really be fun to solve math problems? Yes, when playing Math Noodles our kids get the fun of solving oodles of math problems and even a few giggles. A great game for a family game night that encourages learning.

Math Noodlers is a fun board game where players answer math trivia questions as they travel around the board. Math Noodlers has won several awards including Dr. Toys Best Products winner and iparenting Media Award.

In the game of Math Noodles players choose a card based on the color they land on, they must either Choose it, Write it, show it, or doodle it. On choose it players answer multiple choose questions. In Show It players use the manipulatives provided to show their answer. In Write it players use a scratch piece of paper to work out their answer. In Doodle it they have to draw out their answer using pictures. Sometimes players get wacky cards where they must sing, hop on one foot or act out an answer.

The cost of Math Noodlers is $21.99 at www.familygamecoach.com

The Family Game Coach is offering 24/7 MOMS 10% off their entire order. Enter the code 24/7 moms at check out.

Check our the Family Game Coach web site they make great Christmas and Holiday gifts. They have a huge selection of math games and other education games, brain training games, and games that are just plain fun!!

Family Game Coach's vision is to help instill a time of family togetherness that will promote character and enhance learning and develop strong family values. They encourage parents to take the home field advantage in teaching your child academics, creativity, and healthy competition by using our Game Plan. On their site parents can find more info on incorporating a family game night in their families schedule. Also rules for family game night so the entire family is encouraging to one another. You?ll be amazed at the bond playing games will create among family members and the increase in mental stimulation it will provide, even for mom and dad.

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and Family Game Coach are giving away one Math Noodlers math game to one of our moms.

To enter for your chance to win:

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS Subscriber Enter your email address below then leave a comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.


US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on November 15th, 2009.

Enter your email address:

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7 Favorite Math Web Sites for Fun Learning

Surf these fun MATH sites to encourage your kids to sharpen their Math skills.

Fun Brain - Fun Online Math games

Math Playground - An action-packed site for elementary and middle school students. Practice your math skills, play a logic game and have some fun!

Math Stories - House of Math Word Problems for Children

Rhymes Tables - The multiplication times tables can be learned using Rhymes Tables Times Tables™ in as little as one hour. It's a fun and interactive system that is easier than any other method available.

Cool Math For Kids - An "amusement park of math", this site offers online games, brain benders, flash cards, and a game zone. Parents and teachers will appreciate the printable flash cards.

Math Fact Cafe - Free math worksheets for elementary school and home use. This includes generators for math drills, flashcards, time, money, and more!

Custom Math Sheets - Your source for free customized math worksheets!

WIN - The Game Of Chips

One of the most effective ways I have found to inspire my kids to learn is with the use of games. So, when I was introduced to The Family Game Coach web site I was excited to see so many options for great games to use for family game nights that inspire my kids to learn.

This week we will be featuring several of their great Math games along wit giveaway so stop by daily to see how you can INSPIRE your kids Math education.

The Game of Chips is a great early math game where children roll dice and choose chips based on what they roll. Children who play with dice have better math scores because they understand what's behind the number.

In the game of chips this is taken even further by using the chips to form different addition problems to come up with the same number as they rolled. Example. if you roll a 5 + 3 you have 8, you may then choose the 6 and 2 chip, the 7 and 1, the 5 and 3, or any other 1 or 2 chips that equals 8. Players keep rolling until they can no longer can take anymore chips. The leftover chips are negative points. The player with the least negative points wins.

The Family Game Coach is offering 24/7 MOMS 10% off their entire order. Enter the code 24/7 moms at check out.

Check our the Family Game Coach web site they make great Christmas and Holiday gifts. They have a huge selection of math games and other education games, brain training games, and games that are just plain fun!!

Family Game Coach's vision is to help instill a time of family togetherness that will promote character and enhance learning and develop strong family values. They encourage parents to take the home field advantage in teaching your child academics, creativity, and healthy competition by using our Game Plan. On their site parents can find more info on incorporating a family game night in their families schedule. Also rules for family game night so the entire family is encouraging to one another. You?ll be amazed at the bond playing games will create among family members and the increase in mental stimulation it will provide, even for mom and dad.

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and Family Game Coach are giving away one The Game of CHIPS math game to one of our moms.

To enter for your chance to win:
1. Become a 24/7 MOMS Subscriber Enter your email address below then leave a comment that you subscribed along with your email address.
2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.


US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on November 15th, 2009.

Enter your email address:


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Friday Fun Day - Pumpkin Time

Friday Fun Day - My boys count down the days until it's "Friday fun day". Tonight for the Novotny's Friday fun day we are carving pumpkins.

What are you doing?

* Friday Fun Day - Each Friday I create something " FUN" for my kids. My goal is to encourage them to keep up on their family responsibilities ( chores) , homework, daily reading etc. and on Friday we celebrate with a treat. It can be as simple as placing a fruit by the foot in their lunches with an attached note saying "Happy Friday Fun Day" or more elaborate with a family outing or at home movie night.

Halloween Pizza For A Simple Dinner

I am already preparing for a busy and crazy Halloween. With 2 little guys dreaming of trick -or-treating the entire city and two teen daughters attending their High School Homecoming dance I realize I need to simplify as much as I can that day.

So, thanks to my MOM friend Valerie who reminded me to place my order for my Papa Murphy's Pumpkin pizza I will now have a simple, fun and yummy Halloween dinner for the kiddos that night.

Call ahead and order yours so it is waiting for you to pick -up. Another way to simplify your day.

Deal Of The Day - 50% Payless Shoe Source TODAY

Deal Of The Day - Payless ShoeSource is excited to offer Oprah Show viewers 50 percent off their entire purchase at Payless stores in the United States, Canada, Guam and Saipan*. This in-store offer is good from now through close of business on Friday, October 30.

Click Here to get your coupon

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20091016-tows-payless

Table Talk

Tonight's Table Talk
....to create conversation

Q: If you could be an Olympic athlete, what would you be?

Riddle:
Q: What do you call a fairy that hasn't taken a bath?
A: Stinkerbell

(each day 24/7 MOMS posts a question and riddle to help you create dinner time conversation with your families)

WIN: “Here’s Lily” Book

By Nancy Rue - zonderkidz

Hello, this is Emma again. This time I am going to tell you about the Lily Series of books by Nancy Rue. The Lily series is not really a series that you have to go in order with. You can pick what you want to read about. The one I read was “Here’s Lily” about beauty. It’s about a girl who gets a compliment about her looks and instantly wants to be a model. Then one night before the fashion show something unexpected happens and she learns about real beauty. Also, for each book there is a side book that talks more about each topic. For “Here’s Lily” it is called “The Beauty Book.” I Love the Lily Series and already asked my mom to get more!

In this fun and savvy book by noted youth author Nancy Rue, irrepressible Lily is mesmerized by a compliment about her looks and throws herself into pursuing modeling. The boys start to tease her and her friends, so Lily forms the GIRLZ ONLY CLUB. The girls support each other and prepare for a big "model search" fashion show. But when she burns her face the night before the show, Lily learns that beauty isn't about hair, makeup, and self-confidence as much as it is about health, character, and "God-confidence."

WIN : 24/7 MOMS and Zonderkiz are giving away Book #1 “Here’s Lily” .

To enter for your chance to win:

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS Subscriber Enter your email address below then leave a comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.


US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on November 8th, 2009.

Enter your email address:

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BOO! The Halloween Tradition

Have you been BOO'd?

For the past 15 years the booing tradition has continued in my both neighborhoods that we have lived in. It is SIMPLE and FUN for kids of all ages.

Start your own haunting with a fun neighborhood tradition – Halloween Booing! Your kids will love leaving secret "Boo" bags filled with goodies on your neighbor's doorstep to get your street into the Halloween spirit. Then watch as eventually the whole neighborhood is Boo'd!

Here's how it works:

1.Create a treat bag with treats of candies and chocolates.

2.Choose one of the two Booing poem styles, click here to print the poem and sign on the Hershey web site.

3. Secretly leave the goodies bag with the Booing poem and sign on your neighbor's doorstep. Ring the doorbell and run to hide!

4.It's now up to your neighbor to continue the Halloween Booing fun, and haunt the rest of the neighborhood.

Deal Of The Day - FREEbie From Kodak

Deal of the Day - Kodak is giving away a million FREE GIFTS to celebrate the New Kodak Gallery. It is as east as 1-2-3 to find our what you win. Click here to WIN

- 1 FREE gift of $15 good towards the Kodak Gallery website (fulfilled as a digital code) per person limit.

- If/once the $15 gift codes are exhausted in each phase, 40% off gift codes will be given away.

- If you are the recipient of a 40% off gift code, you may come back to the promotion during the next phase to receive a $15 gift code.

- Visitors must register for the promotion and opt-in to receive future information from the Kodak Gallery in accordance with our privacy policy to be eligible for the FREE gift and/or discount code.

-300,000 $15 gift codes will be given away over the course of the promotion. Please see the breakdown to see how many $15 digital codes will be given away per promotion phase. Kodak Gallery is also giving away other gifts through other offers, totaling 1 million gifts.

There are a million reasons why you’ll want to try the New Kodak Gallery, all thanks to YOU!

Holiday Shopping Made Easy and More Affordable

(And you’re helping your “gifting groups” and favorite charities too!)

Amy Hannold, of FamilyTimeandMoney.com

Two Websites Which Offer Convenience When Purchasing Group Gifts:

Families across miles, offices with several employees, or baby shower guests can work together online to choose and contribute to a group gift (for one recipient). This alleviates the task of collecting the cash to another busy person. Group gift contributions do make some sense, when you know your budgeted amount for a gift will go towards a need or wish of someone special.

Edivvy.com; “Spend Less, Give More”:

http://www.edivvy.com/

Family/Gift Group members can register at Edivvy.com to contribute to the gift event. Edivvy.com is affiliated with several online retailers. Edivvy.com walks you through the process of choosing a gift, determining your gift group members, and creating an invitation to your members asking for their contribution. There are options such as privatizing individual contributions, allowing participants to invite others, etc.

For the convenience of working out a group gift on line, Edivvy.com charges fifty-cents per member contribution and four-percent of the gift’s retail price. Should the contributions fall short or exceed the gift price, gift cards are available and will be given to the recipient following the gift deadline.

Lolligift.com; “Gift Together”:

http://www.lolligift.com/

Beta-Version of Lolligift.com is a “Gift Pool” service which helps gift givers give what they can towards a gift of someone’s choosing. They offer gift-giving advice and you can share these recommendations within your “Gift Pool” members. E-notices can be sent to the recipient that a gift is in the works and an E-Card at the conclusion of the collection is sent to the recipient with the well wishes of each member.

Your group is sent invitations to contribute, which can be done through credit cards or PayPal. As the organizer, you are sent the funds contributed in the form of a check or to your PayPal account (3% pay pal fee) to shop where and how you choose. During the beta-period of Lolligift.com, service charges are waived.

Save Money, Support Your Local Charities:

CommonKindness.com

http://www.commonkindness.com/

CommonKindess.com, a new online startup website, appears to be a “win-win” situation for shoppers and charities. Once you’re registered, you can choose the local charity you would like to support – or add a charity that is not currently listed. Commonkindess.com will give your choice organization a percentage of revenue from your use of coupon or discounts they offer. While you’re saving money, you’re donating to a cause of your choice. One attractive opportunity at CommonKindess.com is fundraising for schools. Anyone, anywhere, can choose your child’s school as their beneficiary – adding to the funds you could raise.

Online shopping, printable grocery coupons, magazines, entertainment tickets, and local coupons are among the money saving offers found on Commonkindess.com. When you find a good deal online at CommonKindness.com, you will also be helping your community.

WIN - The Good Cheer Company Charm

I love appreciation and affirmation. Who doesn't and honestly many of you don't get it often enough!!!

Piece of the Puzzle Affirmative Jewelry - small puzzle-shaped pewter tokens with I AM on one side and an AFFIRMATIVE WORD on the other; 40 words available loose, on small rings, as bracelets and necklaces; empowering gifts for all occasions - for yourself, family, friends, students, co-workers - for anyone who needs to be reminded of who they really are. There are nine additional tokens for your animal companion (I AM A GOOD KISSER, I AM PURE LOVE, and more). Your pet will thank you!

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and The Good Cheer Company are giving away one Piece of the Puzzle Affirmative charm to one of the 24/7 MOMS.
To enter for your chance to win:
1. Become a 24/7 MOMS Subscriber Enter your email address below then leave a comment that you subscribed along with your email address.
2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.


US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on November 8th, 2009.

Enter your email address:

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Review by Tanya Peila

24/7 MOMS Project Manager

tanya@247moms.com

Table Talk

Tonight's Table Talk
....to create conversation

Q: If you could invent something that would make life easier, what would it do?

Riddle:
Q: Did you hear the joke about the roof?
A: "Never mind, it's over your head! "

(each day 24/7 MOMS posts a question and riddle to help you create dinner time conversation with your families)

Gooey Baby Ruth Brownies

www.verybestbaking.com
Featured on 24/7 MOMS Live Web Show as "Sweet of the week"

Ingredients

• 1 package (18.25 ounces) chocolate brownie mix
• 3 (2.1 ounces each) NESTLÉ BABY RUTH Candy Bars, chopped
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons milk

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

PREPARE brownie batter according to package directions; stir in chopped Baby Ruth. Pour into prepared pan.

BEAT cream cheese and sugar in small mixer bowl until smooth. Beat in egg and milk. Using knife or spatula, swirl cream cheese mixture into brownie batter to create a marbling effect.

BAKE for 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars using wet knife

Desserts In The Slow Cooker

Caramel Apples
Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook

Ingredients
4 very large tart apples, cored
½ cup apple juice
8 Tbsp. brown sugar
12 hot cinnamon candies
4 Tbsp. butter or margarine
8 caramel candies
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
Whipped cream

Directions
1. Remove ½ inch –wide strip of peel off the top of each apple and place apples in slow cooker.
2. Pour apple juice over apples.
3. Fill the center of each apple with 2 Tbsp. brown sugar, 3 hot cinnamon candies, 1 Tbsp. Butter or margarine, and sprinkle with cinnamon.
4. Cover and cook on Low 4-6 hours, or until tender
5. Serve hot with whipped cream.



Peach Crisp
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/peach-crisp.html

You can make wonderful desserts, like this peach crisp, in the summer by using fruit from farmer’s markets. This simple peach crisp recipe allows you to really enjoy the flavor of the tree-ripened fruit.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 3 hours on Low
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients
2 pounds ripe peaches
2/3 cup old-fashioned oats
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Pinch salt
3/4 cup (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened

Directions
1. Peel and pit the peaches.
2. Cut them into 1/4-inch slices.
3. Lightly spray a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with vegetable oil cooking spray.
4. Layer the peach slices in the slow cooker.
5. Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
6. Add the softened butter.
7. Combine until the mixture is crumbly.
You can use a fork or your fingers.
8. Sprinkle the butter mixture over the peaches.
9. Cover and cook on Low for 3 hours.
Per serving: Calories 441 (From fat 231); Fat 26g (Saturated 15g); Cholesterol 66mg; Sodium 303mg; Carbohydrate 50g (Dietary fiber 4g); Protein 5g.


Chocolate Fondue

Ingredients
24 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1-1/4 C. evaporated milk
1/4 C. sugar
2 t. vanilla extract
Directions
Place ingredients in crock pot. Cover and cook on high 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. Dip pieces of pound cake, fruit, pretzels, cookies or mini marshmallows.

Easy Chocolate Dip Recipe
Ingredients
1 small carton whipping cream
Place whipping cream in crock pot and stir well.

Directions
Add chopped chocolate Whisk until smooth and turn crackpot on to low heat for 1 hour. This chocolate dip goes great with bananas, pound cake, strawberries and so much more.

8 ounces semisweet chocolate



Yo'Plait Yogurt Dip

Ingredients
4 containers Yo'Plait Vanilla Yogurt

1 small carton Whipping Cream

1 package Bird's Eye Sliced Frozen Strawberries (thaw to room temp)

Directions
Place whipping cream in a mixing bowl and add in ½ cup sugar. Beat until fluffy.

Add in the yogurt and strawberries and mix well. Place in crock-pot for 20 minutes or just until slightly warm.

This dip goes great with pound cake, bananas, kiwi, strawberries and peaches.

Chocolate Brownie Pudding Cake

Ingredients
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup water
2 Tbsp cocoa
2 1/2 cups brownie mix (half of a 21.5oz pkg)
1 egg
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon soft butter or margarine
1/4 cup water
1/4 to 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, if desired
Preparation:

Directions
Combine 3/4 cup water, brown sugar, and cocoa in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. In the meantime combine the remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl. Whisk together or mix well with a spoon. Spread the batter evenly in the bottom of a lightly buttered slow cooker/Crock Pot. Pour boiling mixture over the batter. Cover and cook on high about 2 hours; turn heat off and let stand for about 30 minutes. I made this in a 5-quart pot, but I'm sure it would be fine in a 3 1/2- quart. Spoon into dessert dishes while warm; serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
Serves 6 to 8.

WIN - Himalayan Trading Post Candle

Handmade candles are by far the best candles we have found to use. They always bunn great and have such unique senses!

Himalayan Trading Post is a small boutique business specializing in handmade candles that are different, decorative and reusable. Himalayan Trading Post supplies high end candles to retail stores, boutiques and catalogs around the country. Our candles are all hand poured and packaged at our studio in Georgia. This allows us to maintain high standards of quality and customer satisfaction. Our wooden and glass containers are sourced from small manufacturers in northern India. We work with manufacturers directly ensuring transparent working conditions and better supplier relationships. The company was born in 2004 by owner, Julia Leaphart. Growing up in a small hill town in the Himalayas, it started as way to maintain a connection to a childhood spent in a very small but lovely corner of the world. The idea was to create eyecatching and unique candles for the home that would add a sense of warmth and character and provide a natural focal point.

Review by Tanya Peila

24/7 MOMS Project Manager

tanya@247moms.com

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and Himalayan Trading Post are giving away one Fleur de Lys Green Tea & Lemongrass tumbler candle to one of the 24/7 MOMS.
To enter for your chance to win:

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS Subscriber Enter your email address below then leave a comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

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US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on November 8th, 2009.

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Table Talk

Tonight's Table Talk
....to create conversation

Q: Who is your favorite cartoon character?

Riddle:
Q: What bird steals from the rich to give to the poor?
A: Robin Hood

(each day 24/7 MOMS posts a question and riddle to help you create dinner time conversation with your families)

Simple Slow Cooker Main Dish Recipes

Time to get Dinner back on the table with a simple Slow Cooker meals your family will enjoy

Cranberry Pork Roast
From www.cdkitchen.com

3 lbs. lean boneless pork roast
1 can whole berry cranberries (I used Ocean Spray, much better than store brand I feel)
1 bottle Catalina dressing-can use non-fat (I used Kraft)

Place roast in crock pot. Blend together cranberries and dressing. Salt and pepper, if desired. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hrs, until pork is tender and registers 170F on meat thermometer

BBQ Chicken
1 bottle Kraft Honey BBQ sauce
2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast.
Cook on low 8-10 hrs.
Doesn't get easier than that.



BBQ Pork

Adapted from www.Foodreference.com

3 pound boneless pork loin roast
garlic salt
1 1/2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
2 cups hot water
sauce:
3/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
12 to 16 hamburger buns, split and toasted

Cooking Directions
Sprinkle pork roast generously with garlic salt. Place roast in slow cooker. Dissolve bouillon granules in hot water, pour over roast. Cook on low 8-10 hrs. or until you can break the roast apart with a fork. Carefully remove most of the juices from the crock pot, pour through a strainer into a measuring cup to get 1 cup of juice.

For Sauce, combine the reserved 1 cup pan juices, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, honey, dried minced onion and Worcestershire sauce in small saucepan. Heat and stir until bubbly. Use 2 forks to shred pork. Return to crock and pour sauce over pork, stir to coat. Heat in crock until warm again. Serve on hamburger buns or rolls.


Presidential Chili
From Make it Fast, Cook it slow by Stephanie O’Dea

1 pound lean ground meat (I used ground chicken)
5-6 medium tomatoes, chopped, (include seeds and all)
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 rein bell pepper, chopped
1 (15ounce) can kidney beans (and goop)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1-2 tsp. chili powder (starts with 1, add more to taste before serving)
1 tsp. kosher salt
3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

Directions: Use a 6 qt. slow cooker. I used ground chicken and opted not brown the meat. If you use a fattier type of meat, or enjoy browning meat, go ahead and do so. Otherwise, crumble the meat directly into your stoneware, add the tomatoes, garlic, onion, and bell pepper, and add the beans. Stir in all of the herbs and spices, the salt, and the red wine vinegar. Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hrs, Or on high for 4-5 hrs. Season to taste with a bit more salt and chili powder, if desired. President Obama serves his chili over rice.

Country Baked Bean Soup
From Country Baked Hams

Rinse 2 cups beans- I use Hurst’s HamBeens 15 Bean Soup Mix
Soak overnight. Drain. Put in Crock Pot
Add 2 ½ Qts. Water
1 bay leaf
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 cans stewed or crushed tomatoes. (My kids prefer crushed, they don’t like the chunks)
Chopped celery and carrots, as much as desired
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 lb. ham pieces
1 ham bone
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook on low 10-12 hrs.

Crock Pot Ravioli
From www.Myvintagekitchen.com
Ingredients
1 (25 ounce) bag cheese ravioli
3-4 cups pasta sauce
1 cup water
1-2 handfuls of shredded mozzarella cheese

Pour about half of the pasta sauce in the bottom of slow cooker. Add frozen ravioli. Pour additional pasta sauce, and water over ravioli. Sprinkle cheese on top. Turn slow cooker on low and cook for four to five hours.

I like to serve this with either Texas Toast of garlic bread sticks.


Crock Pot Chili
From www.thesimpledollar.com

1 large can tomato sauce
1 pound lean ground beef
2 cans beans (kidney beans are fine, but you can use whatever you like)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 cup diced onion (or onion salt)
Combine all of this into a crock pot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Turn it on low and walk away for eight hours. Add a quarter of a cup of water for every additional two hours you intend to cook it.
Simple Pot Roast
From www.thesimpledollar.com

1 2 to 2.5 lb. roast
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped potatoes
1 cup chopped celery
3 cups beef broth or beef stock
Combine all of this into a crock pot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Turn it on low and walk away for eight hours. Add a quarter of a cup of water for every additional two hours you intend to cook it.

Ham and Potato Casserole
From www.thesimpledollar.com

4 red potatoes, sliced
2 red onions, finely chopped
1 1/2 pounds cubed ham
1 can condensed cream of celery soup, diluted according to can directions
2 tablespoons flour
Combine all of this into a crock pot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Turn it on low and walk away for eight hours. Add a quarter of a cup of water for every additional two hours you intend to cook it.
(This one is very good with cheese on top just before you serve it.)

Shredded Beef Sandwiches
From www.thesimpledollar.com

2 pounds beef brisket
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 1/2 cups beef broth or beef stock
2 cloves minced garlic
1 chopped red onion
Combine all of this into a crock pot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Turn it on low and walk away for eight hours. Add a quarter of a cup of water for every additional two hours you intend to cook it.
(Serve this on buns – magnificent!)

From 365 days cook book

4 pounds boneless pork shoulder
1 onion, sliced in rings
2 cups ketchup (this is the contents of a 24-ounce bottle)
1/2 cup warm water
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tsp. gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. Tabasco sauce
1/2 tsp. kosher salt

Directions
Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Trim the meat, and place it into the stoneware. Add the onion rings. Squeeze in the ketchup, and then pour the 1/2 cup warm water into the ketchup bottle and shake. Pour the ketchup-y water into your crock. Add the vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco and salt. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until meat shreds easily with a fork. Serve over rice, or make sandwiches on rolls or sliced bread.

Strawberry Ghosts Recipe

From: Taste Of Home

Kids will gasp in delight at these adorable ghosts from Nancy Mueller in Bloomington, Minnesota. Juicy strawberries, chocolate and a lick of almond flavor make these little bites a howling success!

Ingredients

• 30 fresh strawberries
• 8 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
• 1 teaspoon shortening
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
  
  

Directions

• Wash strawberries and gently pat with paper towels until completely dry. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate and shortening at 50% power; stir until smooth. Stir in extract.
• Dip strawberries in chocolate mixture; place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet, allowing excess chocolate to form the ghosts' tails. Immediately press chocolate chips into coating for eyes. Freeze for 5 minutes.
• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt remaining chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Dip a toothpick into melted chocolate and draw a mouth on each face. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.