Beef Jerky

Beef Jerky

1/2 cup dark soy sauce

2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp monosodium glutamate (optional)

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp powdered ginger

2 Tbls. freshly ground black pepper

1/2 tsp Tabasco

1/2 tsp liquid smoke seasoning

2 lbs lean beef brisket, eye-of-round or flank steak,

trimmed completely of fat and cut across grain into

slices 1/4 inch thick

To aid in slicing meat thinly, freeze the meat slightly

until ice crystals are formed.

Blend all ingredients except meat in small bowl. Dip each piece

of meat into marinade, coating well. Place in shallow dish.

Pour remaining marinade over top, cover and refrigerate

overnight.

Oven method: Preheat oven to lowest setting (about 130F).

Place several layers of paper towels on baking sheets. Arrange

meat in single layer on prepared sheets and cover with

additional toweling. Flatten meat with rolling pin. Discard

towels and set meat directly on oven racks, with foil below

to catch any drips.

Let dry 8 to 12 hours (depending on temperature of oven).

Dehydrator method: Arrange meat on trays in single layer and

dehydrate 10 to 12 hours, depending on thickness.

Store jerky in plastic bags or in tightly covered containers in

cool, dry area.

MaryJane Angelo 

Potato Pierogi

Pierogis are a great kid recipe to make. It teaches them a lot of skills and it's something they enjoy eating.

Plus it's way better to make your own pierogis than to buy them from the store - a huge money savings right here. I made these Pierogis a few days ago and with a side salad we really enjoyed our dinner that day.

Maryjane

Pierogi dough 
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup cake flour

* 1 teaspoon salt 
* 2 large eggs 
* 1/3 cup water

Filling
* 3 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks (about 4 cups) 
* 2 tablespoons butter 
* 1 cup finely chopped onion 
* 1/4 cup sour cream 
* 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese 
* 3 to 5 tablespoons milk 
* Salt and pepper to taste

Combine the flours and salt in a mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Add the eggs and water.
Using a fork or whisk, mix just the liquids.
Now with a spoon stir the flour into the liquid from the sides of the bowl.

When you have made a dough, knead it for 7-8 minutes on lightly floured surface with lightly floured hands.
Put the dough aside in a bowl covered with plastic wrap while you prepare the filling.

Put the potatoes in a pan with just enough water to cover them.
Heat to a boil. Cook 10 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender.

Meanwhile melt butter in a sautée pan and add the onion, stirring until it's a light golden brown.

Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl. 
Add the onion, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, 3 tbsp milk and about ¼ tsp salt.
Mash adding salt and pepper to taste. If mixture is a little dry, add more milk.

Roll dough out very thinly on a lightly floured surface. Cut with 3-inch circle cookie cutter.
Place 1 tablespoon of potato filling in center of dough cut-outs.
Moisten half the edges with a finger dipped in water and fold the moistened end over onto the dry end to seal.
Press the edges firmly together.

Bring a pot of water to a boil and place pierogis into the boiling water.
Let them boil for 7 minutes. Serve with sour cream.

 Maryjane Angelo

Streusel-Topped Pumpkin Pie

Hi Everyone,

Here is a special recipe for Pumpkin Pie that I make any time during the year,it is such a delicacy and a treat to the palate
enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 Maryjane 

                                 

                                

Streusel-Topped Pumpkin Pie

Crust

1
box Pillsbury™ refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
Filling

2
eggs, beaten
1/2
cup granulated sugar
1
can (16 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1
can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1
teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2
teaspoon salt
1/2
teaspoon ground ginger
1/8
teaspoon ground cloves

Topping
1/2
cup quick-cooking oats
1/2
cup packed brown sugar
1/4
cup butter or margarine, softened

Directions
1
Heat oven to 425°F. Place pie crust in 9-inch glass pie plate as directed on box for One-Crust Filled Pie.

2
In large bowl, beat all filling ingredients with hand beater or wire whisk until blended. Pour filling into pie crust-lined pie plate.

3
Bake 15 minutes. Remove pie from oven; reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Cover crust edge with 2- to 3-inch-wide strips of foil to prevent excessive browning. Bake 35 minutes. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix topping ingredients until crumbly with fork; set aside.

4
Sprinkle topping over pie. Bake about 10 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on cooling rack 30 minutes. Refrigerate about 4 hours or until chilled before serving. Store pie covered in refrigerator.

Do you have a special pie recipe?

Maryjane Angelo

This Holiday Season Send Thanks To Our
US Soldiers on patrol in Afghanistan. 

Cook a Whole Meal for Less Than $10

Making meals that are inexpensive is something many families are striving for. Having them taste good or maybe even restaurant quality while still not eating a huge hole in your budget can really be a challenge, though. But, it can be done. Here are five tasty meals that can be made for less than $10 each and will feed your whole family.

1. Roast Chicken

Because you can get a whole chicken for very cheap this is a perfect meal that seems expensive, but isn't. Just include some potatoes and carrots in the roasting pan with the chicken and you have a whole meal in one pan that won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Simply take your roast chicken and season with some salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Place it in a roasting pan with rack. Surround the chicken with quartered potatoes and some cut up carrots with half a cup of water and place in a preheated 350 degree oven. Allow to cook half an hour per pound of chicken.

About half an hour before the chicken is done cooking, pour some chicken broth over it. Once done cooking, remove the vegetables from the pan. Mash the potatoes if you'd like and season with a little salt and pepper. Remove chicken to a cutting board and let stand a few minutes before carving. Meanwhile use the drippings from the pan to make gravy if desired. And there you have it - a full meal for under $10.

2. Meatloaf

This is an American classic that's inexpensive to boot. Pair this with some green beans and egg noodles for a meal that's less than $10. 

* 1 lb ground beef
* 1 egg
* 1/3 cup ketchup
* 1/4 cup water 
* ½ cup bread crumbs
* 1 envelope onion soup mix

Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed. Place in a loaf pan. Put in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and serve over egg noodles.

3. Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

A nice hearty meal to really fill you up. And it's easy because you can set it to cook all day in the crockpot.

* 6 pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into strips
* 2 tbsp vegetable oil
* 6 red potatoes, quartered
* 4 cups chicken broth
* Carrots and peas

Brown chicken on both sides in oil. Season with a little salt and pepper. Remove to slow cooker. Add vegetables and chicken broth to slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours (high for 4 hours).

4. Chili

Here's another hearty meal that won't break the bank, but will fill you right up.

* 1 onion
* 1 head of garlic
* Bell pepper
* 15 ounce can of black beans
* 14 ounce chicken broth
* 14 ounce stewed tomatoes
* ½ pound ground turkey

In a large saucepan heat onion, garlic, pepper, and ground turkey. Cook until turkey is done, about 6 minutes. Drain the canned beans. Add to turkey with stewed tomatoes and half of the chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for half an hour.

5. Vegetarian Tacos

This is really very simple and basic. To make it more filling, use beans instead of meat. Just heat a can of beans in a pan with some chipotle pepper. Add your taco shells, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese and you have a quick and cheap taco dinner for the whole family.

So those are just five recipes you can make that won't break the bank. What other meals do you like to make that cost less than $10?

Maryjane Angelo

This Holiday Season Remember Our Soldiers

Fun Recipes to Cook with the Kids to Save Time and Money

Cooking with the kids has many benefits. Shocker of shockers - you can even save time and money when you let the kids get involved in cooking. Here are some fun recipes you can cook with the kids that will save you time and money.

Homemade Pizza

You really can't go wrong with kids when it comes to pizza. Let them put their own toppings on it and they will be more likely to eat it. But why not let them make the whole thing, dough and all? Here's a super easy recipe.

Dough
* 2 ½ cups flour
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 cup warm water 
* 1 tbsp yeast
* 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
* 1 tbsp oil

Toppings
* Pizza sauce
* Mozzarella cheese
* Pepperoni
* Ham
* Meatballs
* Sausage
* Pineapple
* Pepper
* Mushrooms
* Olives

Dissolve yeast in warm water and add a dash of sugar. In a mixing bowl add salt, flour, Italian seasoning, and oil. When yeast is bubbly, pour into flour mixture to make dough. Form into a ball and place in lightly greased bowl. Allow to rise 30-60 minutes.

Roll out dough on a floured surface and stretch into pizza pan. With multiple children you can make individual pizzas so they can add the toppings they desire. Spread sauce, cheese, and any other toppings over crust and bake in a 450 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese bubbles.

The gift that keeps giving and giving and will provide lasting positive memories for your children, grandchildren or any child in your life 

(For More Information)

Click Here

Potato Pierogi
Pierogis are a great kid recipe to make. It teaches them a lot of skills and it's something they enjoy eating. Plus it's way better to make your own pierogis than to buy them from the store - a huge money savings right here.

Pierogi dough 
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
* 1/2 cup cake flour 
* 1 teaspoon salt 
* 2 large eggs 
* 1/3 cup water

Filling
* 3 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks (about 4 cups) 
* 2 tablespoons butter 
* 1 cup finely chopped onion 
* 1/4 cup sour cream 
* 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese 
* 3 to 5 tablespoons milk 
* Salt and pepper to taste

Combine the flours and salt in a mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Add the eggs and water. Using a fork or whisk, mix just the liquids. Now with a spoon stir the flour into the liquid from the sides of the bowl.

When you have made a dough, knead it for 7-8 minutes on lightly floured surface with lightly floured hands. Put the dough aside in a bowl covered with a plastic wrap while you prepare the filling.

Put the potatoes in a pan with just enough water to cover them. Heat to a boil. Cook 10 minutes until the potatoes are fork tender.

Meanwhile melt butter in a sautée pan and add the onion, stirring until it's a light golden brown.

Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl. Add the onion, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, 3 tbsp milk and about ¼ tsp salt. Mash adding salt and pepper to taste. If mixture is a little dry, add more milk.

Roll dough out very thinly on a lightly floured surface. Cut with 3-inch circle cookie cutter. Place 1 tablespoon of potato filling in center of dough cut-outs. Moisten half the edges with a finger dipped in water and fold the moistened end over onto the dry end to seal. Press the edges firmly together.

Bring a pot of water to a boil and place pierogis into the boiling water. Let them boil for 7 minutes. Serve with sour cream.


Chicken Cutlets and Fries

Kids love chicken, but you might not be so crazy about having them fry chicken fingers. All that grease spraying everywhere. But baking them like in this recipe is not only healthier, but also not as dangerous for the kids.

* 2 large baking potatoes
* ¼ cup zesty Italian dressing
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
* 1 lb boneless chicken breast, pounded and cut into strips
* ½ cup bread crumbs

Heat oven to 425 degrees.

Cut potatoes into ½-inch strips and place in a bowl. Toss with dressing and ¼ cup cheese until coated. Spread evenly into a lightly greased baking dish. Bake 12 minutes.

Meanwhile mix bread crumbs and the rest of the cheese together. Wet chicken and dip in breading mixture.

Add the chicken to the baking dish with potatoes. Turn the potatoes. Bake 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is done. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

These recipes are all great to get kids cooking with you and to save money. It's all stuff they'll love so they will not be throwing any food away, especially since they helped make it.

What are your favorite recipes to cook with kids?

Maryjane Angelo

Saving Money on Groceries with the Internet

We use the internet for everything these days. And now with smartphones keeping the internet with us at all times, there are plenty of ways we can use the internet to save on our grocery shopping. Here are the top five apps for saving money on groceries.

1. ZipList

We need a list to go grocery shopping, correct? Well, we should have one. That right there is a huge money saver. Getting only what you do need and nothing you don't, but keeping up with the list or remembering to bring the list with you is always my downfall. I do always have my phone, though. And with ZipList, all of my list making troubles are over.

Not only is this great at keeping your recipes all in one place, but it can help you create a shopping list with the items you need. It can even organize your list based on the layout of your store. What better way to keep those impulse buys at bay?

2. Weekly Ads & Sales

This app is great for more than just your grocery shopping. Really, it's no wonder that newspapers are struggling so mightily in this information age. This takes away the need for your weekly Sunday paper. You can get all of your local stores weekly sales and deals right there on your phone. This way you can decide where the best place to shop for what you need is right at the touch of your finger.

3. Grocery iQ

This is another grocery list which allows you to check off things as you go. You can completely customize and sort your list. You can even use your phone to scan the barcode to add things to your list. But on top of that you can also find coupons for the items on your list. No more forgetting your coupons when you go shopping.

4. SavingStar

This is more ways to get coupons. SavingStar will take all of your stores loyalty cards and store them and give you exclusive savings on the items you purchase. You can get ecoupons to use. No more coupon clipping with this app at the ready. Beyond that, you get savings when you shop online at places like Groupon, Travelocity, LandsEnd.com, and ProFlowers.

5. Cellfire

This might be the perfect app for everyone. There's really nothing for you to do. It will alert you to special savings as soon as you walk into a store and automatically loads coupon savings onto your loyalty card so you no longer have to worry about those coupons. It's just that easy to save money on the things you buy. This will even work at restaurants, department stores, and entertainment as well.

Grocery shopping has really gotten much easier with all of these great coupon apps you can add to your phone. And you'll never forget your list again. With your lists stored into these apps, it will make it that much easier to remember all of the ingredients you need to make your favorite recipes.

Saving money using the internet has become so much easier. Aside from using your phone and apps, don't forget that a Google search will often reveal helpful coupons and where the best sales are. So make the internet a part of your weekly grocery shopping. It will not only save you time, but it will also save you money.

Maryjane Angelo

Maryjane: Enjoy Simplicity and Simple Pleasures

Maryjane: Enjoy Simplicity and Simple Pleasures: Entire books have been written on how to slow down, enjoy simple pleasures, and lead a simple lifestyle. These books exist because people o...

Enjoy Simplicity and Simple Pleasures

Entire books have been written on how to slow down, enjoy simple pleasures, and lead a simple lifestyle. These books exist because people often long for simplicity, but don't know how to get out of the rat race long enough to learn it. The good news is, you can start small by implementing some simple tips and suggestions. Here are some ideas.

Ten Minutes

Ten minutes is a doable time increment for even the busiest person, so it's a good place to start. Pick when your ten minutes will be - right before bed, maybe, or at noon. The point is to be quiet and focused during those ten minutes, and to enjoy a simple pleasure for that time. Draw a picture, read a book, meditate, write a few lines in a journal. Make it a quiet ten minutes - no phone, no television, no computer.

If you do this every day, you will carve out an hour and ten minutes each week. Think of it as a small investment in your simpler future.

What's Necessary?

Many of us feel driven by what we think we must do; we live in a world of "have to's" and "need to's." But do we really? Sit down and evaluate things for a moment, and consider what you really need versus what you want.

Are you running around with no time to breathe because you have too many commitments? Ask yourself tough questions - do these things/events/people really need you there? If you said no, could they still carry on? Chances are, yes, they could. The same goes for your kids' activities. Where can you say no? When does an opportunity become a burden? No one can do everything. Sometimes, you really have to pick and choose.

Entertainment

This is an area where people often feel conflict. Many of us admire people who can do without television and movies and computer games, and who get their pleasures from simple things like a walk in the forest. But although we may admire them, we don't feel like we can do the same. Chances are, though, that those simple-pleasure people you admire were once in the rat race, too - talk to them about it (more on that below).

In the meantime, think about your entertainment choices. Entertainment is a pleasure, and if you're moving toward enjoying simple pleasures, maybe you need to think about where you get that pleasure.

The only program on the Internet

where we get paid before the program owner.

100% Payout That Works

One idea is to start with one simple replacement. Instead of watching a television program, take a walk. Notice the landscape, the colors, the shapes and lines. Little by little, replace electronic, complicated pleasure with simple ones.

Talk to Each Other

Prioritizing relationships is key to living simply. In fact, as you connect with others who live simply, you can ask them about how they came to that place. Putting people ahead of tasks and "to do's" is a way to connect with your community and enjoy the simple pleasure of companionship.


Maryjane Angelo

Educational Toys

Many parents are on the lookout for educational toys. The reasons for this are varied; some parents find that they want their "money's worth" in the toys they buy, and find that educational toys last longer and hold children's attention longer (even for years). Others choose educational toys as a way to jump-start learning and give their kids the best start in life. Some educational toys can be used to help children with disabilities as well.

What constitutes an "educational toy"? Generally, educational toys have learning as their primary purpose. While a child can learn through free play with random objects, educational toys often have a particular agenda such as learning colors, the alphabet, or how electricity works. 

Examples of Educational Toys

Some examples of educational toys include the following:

* Wooden building blocks - Did you know these are considered educational toys? Many of us grew up with these sturdy toys that teach young children important concepts such as spatial relationships, three-dimensional shapes, and the principles of building. Alphabet blocks are helpful in learning letters; children will recognize the names and shapes of letters when it comes time for school.

* Models - Learning to build model airplanes, boats, cars, and so forth is quite educational. Children learn how things go together and fit, not unlike a three-dimensional puzzle.

* Puzzles - Speaking of puzzles, these are considered educational toys as well. They are said to improve hand-eye coordination, enhance problem-solving skills, and sharpen fine motor skills.

* Musical instruments - Children tend to gravitate toward musical instruments, and learning to play an instrument can help children learn discipline and foster a sense of achievement.

* Electronic and Musical instruments - From learning about how electricity and circuits work to building a motor, this category of toys teaches children the principles of science and may help them with learning across the spectrum.

What are the Best Educational Toys for Babies and Toddlers?

* Activity tables - These engaging toys are rated as top toys for toddlers.

* Refrigerator magnets - Believe it or not, there are singing magnetic alphabet letters for kids to use on the refrigerator! Children can form words with the magnets and learn the names and sounds of letters.

* Wooden toys - Generally speaking, wooden toys have advantages over plastic ones. For one thing, wooden toys do not contain any BPAs or other dubious or harmful chemicals used in the making of plastics. For another, wooden toys tend to last a long time - even a lifetime - and can be passed on to another generation.

* Art supplies - Clay, watercolor, pencils, markers, and so forth enchant many a toddler and help them learn as well.

Maryjane Angelo

Free Play in Children Is Important...

Free Play in Children Is Important...
.but unfortunately, this essential component of childhood is often denied in today's hectic world of school, extracurricular activities, after-school childcare, and after-school clubs. Children's time is largely scheduled, leaving little to no time for children to engage in unscheduled, free play time.

How Important Is Free Play?

According to research, very! The childhood obesity epidemic is telling us something; but also, children's cognitive, social, psychological and emotional development are all said to be affected by free play (or the lack of it). Play is also an opportunity for parents to engage with their children without interruption. (This can be really fun for adults!)

The American Academy of Pediatrics put out a recent report about the importance of play in children's development. Here are some of the ways children benefit from free play:

* Creativity is employed as children imagine scenarios and act out as characters. This prepares them for adult scenarios, much the same way that baby animals' play is actually preparation for adulthood.

* Children learn about their strengths and abilities during free play, which may boost confidence. They discover areas of interest and things they care about.




* Playing is an effective way for children to learn how to work together in groups, to give and take, and to resolve conflicts. Free play also encourages decision making, an essential life skill.

How Can Parents Implement More Free Play in Their Kids' Lives?

Parents can help their kids be free from the hurried, hyper-scheduled lifestyle that is so prevalent today. Here are some ideas on how to do that.

* Give your kids "real" toys, like wooden blocks and dolls that are not patterned after a preconceived character. Doll houses, cars, trucks, stuffed animals, and other toys that encourage imagination help toward encouraging free play.

* Parents may want to rethink their ideas of "success" for their children. Academic preparedness and performance and excelling in multiple areas are not the only measures of success, the AAP reminds us. Creativity, philosophical intelligence, imagination, negotiation, and artistic integrity are also measures of success and character.

* Let your kids play outside without an agenda. Sometimes, it takes an agenda to get them out there - say, collecting leaves or something - but once outside, try to pry yourselves loose from an agenda and just enjoy playing.

* Invite other kids to play, too. Although "play dates" are scheduled, it's non-scheduled time you're scheduling in! Arrange to meet at a park, at one another's house, or other area where free play can take place.

Maryjane Angelo

Gentle Discipline Instead of Harsh Discipline and Spanking

The benefits of physical discipline and spanking have come into question, and the whole question of spanking has come to the fore of national consciousness. Some of this is because there have been injuries and even deaths of children recently, children whose parents claimed to hold to a prescrembed manner of spanking. Besides, sometimes parents just want to know of an alternative to hitting their kids.

So many of us were raised in spanking households that we aren't sure what non-spanking discipline looks like. If you don't spank, what do you do? Does not spanking mean being permissive?

Non-spankers are not permissive (and some spankers are!). Instead, they implement a different discipline approach. Here are some tips on alternatives to spanking, and how to implement gentle discipline.

Remove Spanking from Your Toolbox

First, take spanking out of your disciplinary toolbox. If you always hold it in the back of your mind that you might, just might pull out the spanking weapon if things get bad enough, then you are more likely to spank out of emotion or at the wrong time. So just take the notion of hitting as a means of discipline out of your toolbox.

Fill Your Toolbox with Alternatives

Now it's time to be proactive! Fill your parenting toolbox with creative discipline ideas that you can draw on in those difficult moments. This is key to preventing emotional reactions and decisions made in the heat of the moment. Read on for some alternatives.

Laugh

Laughter is a wonderful way to diffuse a frustrating situation, and it can go a long way in garnering a child's cooperation. Make funny voices and mock the situation (don't mock the child), and laugh at it together. For example, if your child constantly leaves his toys in the middle of the living room floor, you could give the toys funny voices and have them "beg" your child to put them away before they get stepped on and "hurt."

Engage

Engaging your child is a way to build the close relationship that makes discipline much easier. Engaging her means looking at her, explaining step-by-step what you want her to do, and being clear about consequences. For parents who were raised in non-confrontational households themselves, this can be challenging - but it may be very helpful if you can work on directly engaging your child and let her know what you expect very clearly.

Consequences, not Punishment

Consequences are more true to life than punishment when you think about it. If you are caught embezzling money from the company you work for, for instance, you are not going to get hit on the bottom and told to go on about your business. No, you'll suffer consequences - the loss of your job, legal prosecution, and possibly prison.

So if you can arrange for consequences, it can help shape your child's behavior. For instance, instead of threatening your child with a spanking if he doesn't clean his room, just calmly lay out the consequences: if he doesn't clean up his room, you will "clean" it - by throwing everything in a garbage bag!

These are just a few ideas. The important thing is to plan ahead and be ready so you aren't trying to discipline off the cuff. And you may end up with a much happier child who is better prepared for the real world.

Maryjane Angelo

Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD)

Richard Louv coined the term "Nature Deficit Disorder" (NDD) in his book "Last Child in the Woods." Because of this, it's become a rather accepted and well-known term, although it's not a recognized medical disorder. Some, however, believe that it should be.

What Is NDD?

NDD refers to the lack of exposure to the natural world that is experienced by so many modern children in developed nations. The results of this nature deficiency are said to range from the development of ADHD to behavior problems.

Nature as Therapy

It's been said that the use of drugs and pharmaceuticals in kids could be greatly reduced if nature were used as a form of therapy instead. Reports abound of children who had behavior and learning problems that greatly improved after the child spent time connecting with nature. Also, children who are obese may find that they lose a great deal of weight when they get outside and get active.

Using nature as therapy is not necessarily scientific in approach. Really, just getting kids out into the natural world to play is where it starts. Some kids, though, aren't sure how to engage in free play, or may not have access to a natural setting. Not to worry - here are some ideas from those who are advocates of using nature as therapy for kids.

* Build a tree house, like you or your neighbors might have done as kids. If you don't want to build a tree house, consider a playhouse on the ground. Your kids can help you build it, and enjoy all kinds of time there.

* Interact with wildlife as a sightseer or, as Louv suggests, help turtles cross busy roads safely when they are undergoing their annual migration. Put up a bird feeder and look up and identify the various birds that visit. 

* Explore space with binoculars and/or a telescope from your front porch.

* Find a vacant lot and discover bits of nature in the soil, among the plants, and the plants themselves. Nature is amazingly resilient, setting up shop the moment an area is abandoned.

* Start a rooftop or balcony garden, growing fruits and vegetables and potted trees. You can create a mini forest this way, even including a fountain or water feature. 

Maybe NDD is a result of our technology getting ahead of our biological make-up. Maybe NDD comes from deviating from our "wiring" as nature-dwellers. Regardless of the reasons, getting our kids back to nature is a growing movement.

Maryjane Angelo

How to Raise a Natural Child

Raising a natural child is something that many parents are interested in these days. Some parents hear about "natural living" or have a vague notion that they should be "more natural" in their homes, but aren't sure how to do it. Raising a natural child can begin with some small steps and move forward into an overall natural lifestyle. Here are some tips.

Foster an Interest in Nature

Most children naturally love to be out in nature. Others may have been raised in an environment with little exposure to nature, and might not have an immediate interest in it. Either way, getting your kids out into nature can help raise a natural child. To do this, try some of the following.

* Encourage a collection of natural objects, such as pine cones, feathers, rocks, or nuts. Whirly maple "keys" make fun seasonal collections that you can release from a porch or deck and watch them twirl on their way down.

* Direct your kids outside when they are bored or getting underfoot in the house. This will help teach them where to turn - nature - when they need something to do.

* Take walks and hikes together as a family instead of going to a movie, watching TV, or playing computer games.

* Nature crafts can open your kids' eyes to the artistic world around them. They can gather twigs to weave into picture frames and wreaths, or collect acorns to decorate various objects. They can weave flowers into chains or build cabins out of sticks. Check your local library and/or the internet to find more nature craft ideas.

Attachment Parenting

Many people consider attachment parenting to be the most natural form of parenting. This makes sense - carrying your baby on your body and nursing as-needed is very much what animals do and what our ancestors were likely to have done. Attachment parenting largely shuns the use of artificial accoutrements like pacifiers, bottles, bouncy seats, and even cribs. Attachment parenting is usually considered a component of raising a natural child.

Confidence is the one thing all children need more of and now you can help them gain confidence

Attachment and natural parenting can begin before birth with a natural pregnancy, and follow with a natural birth.

Diapers

Use cloth diapers for a more natural parenting approach. Some natural parents like to practice "elimination communication," which means you hold the baby over the toilet when he eliminates. This is one less diaper to wash and hopefully a step toward toilet training.

Food

Natural food is certainly a way to connect your child to the natural world. Homemade baby food, toddler snacks, and meals can go a long way in fostering an appreciation for food and nature. Consider growing a garden for at least some of your food, and let your child help with the gardening and harvesting. You might consider raising a few chickens, too. Your kids will know more than most kids about where food comes from!

Maryjane Angelo

How to Choose the Right Daycare for Your Family's Needs

Choosing a daycare can be a tough decision. For one thing, not all daycare centers are the same; for another, even a good daycare with a positive reputation may not be the right one for your family,to help you make this important choice, here are some tips on how to choose the right daycare for your family's needs.

1. Locate the Daycare Centers

If you are not sure what centers are in your area, try placing a call to your local child care experts. Look in the phone book or do an internet search to see what's out there, and to locate child care agencies like the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency.

2. Ask about Requirements

When you're on the phone with the CCR&R, ask them what the laws are in your area about licensing, violations, and, if applicable, financial assistance. There may be laws about child-to-caregiver ratio and how and where to complain if you believe a daycare center is in violation of a licensing requirement or has some other problem.

3. Make an Unannounced Visit

Your first visit should be unannounced. Simply come in to the center and, without being disruptive, ask to observe the daycare. Take note of how you're treated - were the staff welcoming? Did they ask for and listen to your observations and opinions of their facility? Look at how the kids are acting, too - are they getting plenty of attention? Are there enough adults present? It's amazing what you can observe in just a few minutes.

If you like what you see and are considering that particular daycare as a possibility for your child(ren), it's a good idea to follow up your unannounced visit with a scheduled one so you can be shown around the whole facility.

4. An Educational Approach

Do you want the daycare your child attends to have an educational approach? If this matters to you, find out about the daily activities and see if they meet your criteria. See if the activities are educational but also age-appropriate, and taught in a manner that you think would work for your child.

For example, some daycare centers take a playful approach which might be just what your child needs. Others are more academic and regimented, which may be more like your cup of tea. So finding out details about the daycare center's activities is important.

5. Hours

Make sure that the center's hours fit your schedule. What is the plan if you get held up and can't make it to the daycare center at closing time? Also, how flexible is the daycare about hours? You may have to pay for a whole day even if your child is only there for a few hours, depending on their policy. 

6. Health and Nutrition

You'll want to know what kind of food is being served at the daycare. Look for healthy, easy-to-eat foods that are age-appropriate. If you breastfeed, ask about their storage and preparation of breastmilk.

Hopefully, asking some of the right questions will help you make the right decision for your child's daycare. Never be afraid to ask the daycare staff any questions you may have.

Maryjane Angelo

In-Home versus Daycare Center: Pros and Cons

There are a variety of options available for parents looking for child care these days. Sometimes, it seems like there are too many options! One of the main decisions for parents is whether to go with in-home care or a daycare center,as you make this very important decision, it's important to weigh the pros and cons. Here are some things to think about as you consider in-home care versus a daycare center.

# In-Home Care: Pros

1. Convenience and flexibility are advantages of in-home care. If the provider or nanny lives with you, she (or he) is always present, making for a great deal of flexibility on the part of the parents.

2. She might help with the housework and cooking, too.

3. Your children will get familiar with an in-home provider, and maybe more comfortable with her because they don't have to leave their familiar surroundings.

4. A trusted in-home provider may be able to take your children on "field trips" or outings.

# In-Home Care: Cons

1. In-home care tends to be more expensive than daycare, and you can't get financial aid like you can in a daycare facility.

2. A nanny is only human, so if she gets sick or has other problems being available, you will need to have a back-up plan in place.

3. There is more paperwork involved in hiring in-home care if it's a nanny (such as reporting her on your taxes). But a more casual arrangement may not be so paperwork-intensive.

4. Finding a qualified in-home provider can be challenging.


# Daycare Center: Pros

1. Your child will be with other children in a social setting.

2. If you need financial help, it's possible that you qualify for state or federal aid.

3. Generally speaking, daycare is more affordable than paying an individual for in-home care, even if you don't use any financial aid.

4. The staff are trained and held accountable by a regulatory organization.

5. It may be much easier to discern credentials, qualifications, and references.

You Can Help Children And

Make Money at the Same Time?

And How About If You Can Do This at

Absolutely NO Cost To You

# Daycare Center: Cons

1. Let's face it - even the cleanest daycare centers are total germ factories. Having your children in a large group may mean that you're dealing with a sick baby or child on a fairly regular basis.

2. There may be a waiting list at a reputable facility. (This is a good reason to start this search early.)

3. In a group setting, your child may not receive the individual attention you think he/she needs.

4. You will need to transport your child to and from the daycare center, which may get difficult depending on your work hours. 

Hopefully, this list has helped you as you consider the best child care options for your family.

Maryjane Angelo

Communication with Your Child Care Provider:

What to Discuss Ahead of Time

It's really important to have an open line of communication with your child care provider. This starts with a thorough discussion of important topics that need to be on the table up front.

Here are some ways to open up communication with your child care provider, and what to discuss ahead of time.

1. Allergies

If you've lived with your child's allergies for a long time, you may get so used to living with them that you'll forget to mention them. But allergies can be scary or even life-threatening, depending on what your child is allergic to. So make sure you make a list of things your child is allergic to and post it in a prominent place after you've gone over it with your child care provider.

Also, if your child has any medications - regular or for emergencies - make sure your child care provider knows where they are and how and when to administer them.

2. Discipline

This is a biggie. In fact, many articles could be (and have been) written on this issue alone! But it's a key issue to discuss with any child care provider, especially if he or she will be with your kids all day. Children quickly learn who's lenient and who's strict, and who will discipline like their parents and who won't.

First, you have to be clear about what your own disciplinary approach will be. Then, write this out in clear and concise language so that your caregiver understands exactly what tools they can use in their disciplinary toolbox. It's important for everyone to know the rules clearly, and what will happen if the rules aren't followed.

3. Drop Off, Pick Up, Hours, and So Forth

Whether you are having an in-home caregiver or taking your child to a daycare facility, make sure you're clear about what time to pick up and drop off your kids, or what time you expect your caregiver to arrive or be ready to be picked up. Be sure you know what time the facility closes, too, and what their policies are regarding snow days, holidays, etc.

In-home caregivers should also be up front about days they want off, holidays, what provision to make in case of illness or car trouble, and so forth. Everyone involved needs to know these things ahead of time so they can plan their days and weeks, and so no child is left in a dangerous or tenuous situation.

4. What's the Back-Up Plan?

Have a back-up plan and show it to your caregiver, or come up with one together. Back-up plans are essential in case of emergencies (such as a natural disaster or bad weather), illness, or transportation snafus.

While these tips can help as a guideline for what to discuss ahead of time, it's important to keep those lines of communication open all the time. It's not a bad idea to schedule regular talks with your provider to make sure everyone is still on the same page.

Maryjane Angelo

How to Choose a Child Care Provider: A Checklist

Choosing the right child care provider is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. Children begin to learn long before kindergarten, and the kind of child care they have prior to that can make a big difference in their academic performance. For older kids, the right child care provider is just as important during these formative years.

Here's a helpful checklist to help you choose a child care provider.

1. Space for Your Child

Is there an opening for your child? This is an important first question, whether you are contacting an individual or child care facility. There's no use wasting time on other queries if they are not taking any new children.

2. Adult to Child Ratio

What is the ratio of adults to children? If you're going with a home-based caregiver, find out if he/she has children at home as well. If it's a family of six kids, adding more children can push the ratio out of balance. The same is true for a commercial facility. A rough guideline is this: there should be 1 adult for every:
* 4 newborns
* 5 infants from 6 weeks to 18 months
* 8 preschoolers
* 10 children aged 5 to 9
* 20 children aged 10 to 12

Again, this is a rough guideline. Your local regulations may differ, and your personal requirements may be different also.

3. Find Out about Violations and Complaints

Contact your local child care information agency regarding a provider's record of complaints and/or violations. If there are some complaints, it pays to do your research - there might be violations in the past that are no longer an issue, for example, or that have gotten worse instead.

4. Do an Internet Search for Reviews

When you have several names of providers, type them into your search engine with the word "reviews." This can yield a lot of information.

5. Food

Small children need to eat frequently, and babies do too. Ask about the food policies of the child care provider. If you demand-feed your infant, will the provider do the same? If you take a more scheduled approach, will the child care provider respect that? For older kids, you'll want to ask about the kind of food that's served and how often. Find out if there are provisions made for kids with food allergies.

6. Hours

Make sure the hours of the provider fit with yours. If there are scheduling problems or delays in pick-up times, ask about the provider's policy in case you're late or early with pick-up or drop-off.

7. Credentials and References

Ask for references and credentials. The provider should be glad to give you the contact information of individuals who have used their services. Ask about licensing, accreditation, and how long the provider has been in business.

Above all, sit down and make a list of things that are important to you and your family in choosing a child care provider. You may have specifications that are not standard, and those are still important. So having a master list helps a lot in keeping you grounded during your research.

Maryjane Angelo

Should You Hire a Teenager to Care for Your Children? Pros and Cons

There was a time when babysitting was a common way for teens to earn money, and it was often a teen's first job. These days, though, there are a lot more options, and parents are well aware that there is more than one way to find child care if they want to have a date night out,

of course, it's still acceptable to hire a teenager to care for your children. But like any child care choice, it has some pros and cons. Here are some of those pros and cons to consider as you decide whether or not you should hire a teenager to care for your children.

Pros

1. Children Like Teenagers

Children often respond really well to teenagers. They're fun, and children know that teenagers are not quite adults yet.

2. Teenagers Cost Less

It's pretty well known that an inexperienced teen is a lot more affordable than, say, a professional nanny or older adult with lots of experience and financial responsibilities. Most teens earn babysitting money as spending money or to save toward a particular purchase or goal. They do not have the financial obligations and responsibilities that adults do.

3. They Are Fun

Teenagers have more energy to spare than your average adult. This can come in very handy if you have multiple children or a high-energy child who loves to play.

4. Teenagers Come to Your Home

It can help ease any anxiety about your leaving if children are in their own home. It's also convenient; you don't have to pack up your kids and drive them somewhere.


Cons

1. Lack of Experience

This is probably the number one con to hiring a teenager to care for your children. Teenagers do not typically have children of their own, and unless they grew up with baby brothers and sisters to care for, they aren't going to have a very broad frame of reference for handling problems and issues with your kids.

2. They're a "Kid" Themselves

While this can come in handy in the energy department, the fact that teenagers are, brain-wise, still kids themselves can't be overlooked.

3. Young Teens Can't Drive

This is a concern in the case of emergencies. Some parents are uncomfortable with a caretaker who can't drive, or who doesn't have a car of his or her own.

4. Teenagers are Busier and More Distracted Than Ever

These days, teenagers have a lot of distractions (cell phones, video games), activities (sports, drama, music, etc.), and schoolwork. College preparation and competition are more intense than ever, and teenagers just don't have as much spare time as they used to.  

As you can see, there are pros and cons of hiring a teenager to care for your children. Hopefully, you'll be able to arrive at a decision you're comfortable with that works for your family.

Maryjane Angelo