National Egg Day: Baked Eggs Recipe

June 3, 2012 is National Egg Day! Aren't you Egg-cited? To celebrate, think outside the carton and make an egg dish that's a bit more egg-traordinary. Scrambled, fried, poached, omletts...those are for everyday. Today is special.  Here is a delicious, easy to prepare, and different egg dish to serve the family: Baked Eggs

Baked Eggs

Makes 3 servings

6 large eggs

6 tbsp low fat shredded cheese of choice

3 tbsp chopped chives

Salt

Pepper

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Take 3 10 oz casserole dishes, spray with a non-stick spray. Carefully crack two eggs in each dish. Sprinkle a tbsp of chives, salt & pepper on each dish. Put dishes in a large 13x9 baking pan. Pour hot water into the baking pan about 1" deep.

Place pan in oven, bake for 20 minutes. Add 2 tbsp shredded cheese on each casserole dish and place back in oven for 5 more minutes. Be very careful pulling the pan out, the water is hot and can splash out if you get all Speedy Gonzalez on it.

Serve warm with whole grain toast or a plate of fried hash-browns! Yum!

CEO Series: What I Learned Homeschooling Preschool

Rookie Homeschooling a first year Preschooler

Three Lessons learned by a rookie homeschool teacher! It took a full school year to figure out what works best for me & my daughter.

Thank God for summer! Little does my daughter know but I have put her on a summer break from planned homeschooling. I need time to regroup and apply the lessons I learned to a more productive and smooth second year preschool. (Of course yesterday she eagerly set everything up then came to me smiling "Let's do a reading circle!". It was nice. I just had to show up and read with no learning objective.)

Lesson #1: Planning

Even with homeschooling, and it only being preschool, I must plan ahead and have the weeks set. This past year I was planning the week/day the couple hours I had to myself before she woke. My printer took the brunt of my angst for my poor time-management. Lack of planning on my part does not constitute an emergency on yours, I'm sorry Epson CX9400.

The month of June is my planning month. Since this will be her 2nd year as a preschooler I will be reusing much of what we did last year saving me TONS of time. She turns four June 17th so a main planning tool I am using is Active Learning for Fours. I used the version for Threes, more as a last minute reference. This time it's a manual!

Lesson #2: Winging it

Even with the best plans, it's OK to wing-it when necessary. This was a big lesson for me. My Type-A, slightly OCD side wanted to stick to whatever last minute plans I made. Near the end of the year I learned it's OK to throw the day's plan out the window and do something else. I can incorporate the learning objective on the fly. Example: chucking the day's plan, jumping in the car and go to the mall. While walking and during our intense conversations asking pertinent questions like "What letter does that store's name start with?" "Which color bracelet do you like?" "Let's count the steps to the next store." etc. all were opportunities to reinforce what she already learned and teach new stuff as needed.

Lesson #3: Relax, she still has 18+ years of schooling to learn everything!

All parents want their children to accelerate at learning. When I was feeling flustered B wasn't learning as quickly as I, her MBA mother thought she should, a close friend and fellow homeschool mom would remind me "Kim, she's ONLY 3!" Then I'd look at B and let it sink in that less than a year ago she was still in diapers! Reading the encyclopedia is not necessary right now; learning to wipe her butt is!

Though I've taken the summer off from active homeschooling, B has a very filled one! She will be attending a preschool-like program through the park district one day a week. My goal is for her to learn more discipline and group behavior with other kids. She is also registered for swim lessons and dance. This girl will be busy starting Monday! 

If you are thinking of homeschooling and it seems overwhelming or that you are not capable, learn from me. One, yes you can teach your children. Two, the best plans are organic and ever evolving. Leave the static plans to the schools!

Foreign Language Learning

We took a break from Italian School for the summer so it is on my & my in-laws shoulders to keep her moving forward in her bilingual education these next few months. Mondays will still be Italian Day and I have the curriculum book from last year to use. Also there are many ways to immerse foreign language throughout the day, even if the parent does not speak it! Stay tuned for my next CEO Series post "Language Immersion The Mom Standard Style".

Recipe: Go Greek! Yogurt & Cucumber Sauce. EASY!

Tzatziki (Yogurt &Cucumber Sauce)

Tzatziki is definitely not an Italian dish; it's 100% Mediterranean and delicious! I suggest to make this a few hours to a day before you plan on using it just so the flavors set in and get stronger. If you can't wait that long, it's still good immediately after making. I use this on falafel, as a side salad, and thin it with a bit of water to use as a dressing for a baby spinach salad. It's of course great with gyro meat and any lamb dish.

1 large, long cucumber

Salt

2 Garlic Cloves

1 tbsp White Wine Vinegar

2 tbsp Olive Oil

1 1/2 cups Plain Greek Yogurt, non fat can be used

1 tbsp Dried Mint or 2 tbsp fresh mint (I use fresh wild mint from my garden)

2 tbsp Fresh Mint for garnish

Peel the cucumber. Thinly slice and quarter it. Put in a bowl, sprinkled with salt. Let sit for about 15 minutes to draw out some of the water.

In the main bowl, crush the garlic with 1 tsp salt until it is almost a paste consistency.  Add the vinegar and olive oil, mix thoroughly. Stir in the yogurt and dried mint.

Place sliced cucumber in colander and rinse for 5 minutes under cold water to remove all the salt. Stir it into the yogurt mixture. Garnish with fresh mint.

Best served chilled.

DIY on a Budget: Little Tikes Kiddie Pool turned Flower Bed

How to convert a kiddie pool into a flower bed

Year 4 of our Little Tikes Butterfly Beach Sandbox & Wading Pool  meant total repurpose. B is too big to sit in it as a pool and she has a big sandbox behind her playhouse. This year she needed her own space for flowers, per her request.


Queue the drill and some dirt! My husband drilled a few holes for drainage in each wing then filled it with planting soil. A family trip to Menards for flowers, a couple garden signs from Target's dollar bin, and presto! B's very own flower bed in front of her Little Tikes Victorian Cottage home. She has a pretty good set up I have to say!


I love watching her tend to her flower bed, gingerly kissing the flowers, patting them lightly and telling them "good night honey". Since I'm lightening up on the homeschooling for the summer, this bit of nurturing nature is a perfect learning experience for her.


I foresee at least another four years of use from this pool turned flower bed now!

Setting my Thighs Ablaze in my Reebok Running Skirt

Running Skirts have been my hearts desire since I began running. They are so darn cute and ladylike. This past year I told myself, when I lose 20 I will get a set. Well, the 20 is still on me and yesterday I bought a set to try out.

Reebok Playdry Pleated Skirt. Adorable. TJ Maxx had it on sale for $16.99 and in an XL.

This morning I tried it out during my 3 mile easy jog. Here's where it started to cause some friction...literally. The shorts under the skirt are not compression shorts. When 2 thighs that touch start a 4 mph jog the shorts ride up above the areas that touch. OUCH! The skirt itself pretty much stayed in place, thus hiding the turning-red-by-each-stride inside thighs!

Saturday I will wear this skirt for the Soldier Field 10 Mile, over compression running capris and see if the added layer helps with the short ride-up. Then maybe I'll do some cross-training to focus on these all-my-life troublesome areas to avoid this problem once and for all!

What brand running skirt do you wear? Pros, cons? How are they with inner thigh friction?

650 Chicago Youth Celebrate “Youth Spectacle: The Commitment Project”

650 Chicago Youth Celebrate “Youth Spectacle: The Commitment Project”

Redmoon at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum May 22-25  & in Homan Square May 31

CHICAGO – May 14, 2011 – Audiences of all ages, from diverse Chicago neighborhoods will gather to witness a major cultural event designed, authored, built and performed by 650 young people from around Chicago: May 22 - 25 at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and May 31 in Homan Square. Produced by Chicago’s acclaimed theater spectacle company, Redmoon, the Youth Spectacle will give Chicagoans a fantastical glimpse into the way local youth experience, interpret and generate spectacle art inspired by powerful promises— promises made to themselves and their community.

Through Redmoon’s internationally renown Neighborhood Arts Program, over the past nine months, 650 school-age youth from diverse Chicago communities have come together to make something bigger than themselves—a commitment to one another, to their community, and to their city.  The youth will use shadow animation, sound installation, surreal visual art and performance to transform the Nature Museum’s South Gallery and Terrace into a complex celebration of commitments – as seen from their unique perspectives. The final performance will take place at the Homan Square Community Center.

Institutions involved in the production include the CPS American Indian Education Program Title VII Program, Audubon Elementary School in Roscoe Village; EMBARC of Englewood; and Family Focus Lawndale Center, Skinner West Elementary School in the West Loop and the Center for Community Arts Partnership of Columbia College.

The Redmoon Youth Spectacle was conceived by Artistic Directors Frank Maugeri and Jim Lasko and led by co-creators Matt Rudy and Nikki Zaleski.

WHAT:                   Redmoon Youth Spectacle 2012: The Commitment Project

WHEN/WHERE:   5/22* - 5/25 at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago
                                   entry times:  6:15pm, 7:15pm and 8:15pm

*PREVIEW- May 22nd at 6:15pm (with participant talk-back symposium at 7:15pm) at the 

  Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

   5/31 - Homan Square Community Center, 3517 West Arthington Street, Chicago

                                   entry times:  6:15pm, 7:15pm and 8:15pm

                                                  

ADMISSION:        Individual tickets at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - $10 for adults, $3 for ages 17   

                               and under, and free for children under age 3.
                               Ticket access includes full access to the Youth Spectacle and Nature Museum.

                               Tickets on sale, and can be purchased by visiting www.redmoon.org  or
                               by calling 312.850.8440 x111.

                                  FREE: 5/22 – Preview at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum & 5/31 at Homan Square!

About Redmoon Theater

Redmoon’s mission is to transform the experience of our urban landscape through ephemeral events that disrupt everyday life and provide opportunities for public engagement, community building and recognition of the possibility of change. Founded in 1990, Redmoon transforms streets, stages, and architectural landmarks, bridging economic, cultural and generational boundaries with a unique brand of Spectacle: a public art form that is equal parts pageantry, gadgetry, puppetry, robust physical performance and visual art. Through its vibrant outdoor performances, high-profile collaborations, and youth-focused Neighborhood Arts Programming, Redmoon fosters civic well-being and community engagement, reaching an annual audience of more than 15,000 people across Chicagoland. Redmoon has garnered national and international attention for its unique productions, site-specific performances and events—which have been seen across the US from New York to Los Angeles with a 2009 appearance at the White House, and around the globe in Holland, Ireland, France, Australia and Brazil. For more information, visit www.redmoon.org.

About the Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum serves as an urban gateway to nature and science. Located in an eco-friendly building amidst abundant wildlife and nature in Lincoln Park, hands-on exhibitions allow visitors of all ages to connect with regional wildlife and public programs that inspire green living and sustainability. With a history that spans more than 150 years, the Academy’s conservation efforts study, explore and protect urban wildlife and the unique natural history of the Great Lakes region. Today, collaborative conservation programs include citizen science initiatives, native habitat restoration and one of the region’s largest environmental education programs. For more information, visit www.naturemuseum.org or call 773-755-5100.

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Overwhelmed? Ground Yourself.

Overwhelmed and ready to explode by all the "stuff" you are responsible for?  How does an Executive Homemaker reduce daily anxiety and still function?

Stop and smell the roses. 

There are days I want to crawl in a hole and just weep from the pressure of being overwhelmed. The days I don't weep I'm maniacally screaming my head off. Both are not good coping skills. Yesterday I was taught a Grounding Technique that needs to be incorporated into everyone's daily lives. It works!

Grounding techniques are intended to bring you to the present. They calm your mind by drawing it to your physical sensations and surroundings, essentially shutting off the have to's, should haves, when am I's that build up in your mind. Anxiety builds up from past feelings/experiences/tasks and worry for the future. I find my anxiety level peaks when I fall behind on the household maintenance for the week,  my time is crunched due to work orders, and throw in a beautiful day I should be spending solely focused on my daughter making memories. Time Bomb Ignited.

Time to Ground. No tools are needed nor a large time commitment. At the peak of your daily anxiety, first, LOOK UP! Strange as it may sound, when we are focused on tasks and feel overwhelmed we have ours eyes pointed down. Look up so your mind knows that you are taking a little break to regroup.

Next, take a few slow DEEP breaths. Then FEEL your "connection to the earth" aka, grounding. Start at your feet and focus on how they feel in your shoe and how it feels on the ground. Work your way up noticing how all your body parts feel touching whatever surface they are. Feel the weight on your shoulders lift. Listen to your surroundings, hear the birds outside, the traffic humming, the air conditioner/laundry machine/TV in the background, etc. Choose your rose (an object in front of you)  and hone in on it's details. What does it look like? What color? Does it smell? Does it make noise? Look at it's structure. Appreciate it for what it is, at this very moment. Do this for a few minutes, until you  feel calm and in control of this very moment.

Yes, your tasks still need to be done, but now your mind has stepped up by shutting up and you can calmly prioritize your next move.