How to Be a Super Mom: Part 1: What's For Dinner?

The following is the first in a guest post series by Krystal Taylor my good friend, “Super Mom” of three, and blogger…

Krystal, and her beautiful family. Photo courtesy of questofacrazymom.com 

Our family first began with one beautiful little baby boy. We were blessed and happy, life was easy. Around the time our son, Karson, was about one, my husband and I decided we were ready for another baby. Boy, oh, boy did life change! All I can remember from the day of the ultrasound was my doctor saying, “Congratulations, you are having twins,” and my husband saying, “Now we need a minivan.” All I wanted to do was cry! I was happy, sad, overwhelmed, and scared all at once; what a rush of emotions. Time went on and I soon go to meet my two precious babies. Life was good, staying at home raising my children.

Then a few months later, my husband got laid off! As if life with three children was not time consuming enough, I had to go back to work. This meant I had to do everything at home and manage a job. Well, to my pleasant surprise, my husband was a big help.  I also learned that in order to be somewhat successful at this parenting thing, I was really going to have to get organized and manage my time better. Every parent knows how hard being a parent is…. but I thought, “What if I can make my life easier?” so I tried. Here are a few things I have learned along the way. They may not work for everyone, but they sure are life savers for me. J

Krystals DIY Meal Planning Chalkboard

What is for dinner!!?!?!?  
Even if you don’t have children, this is something most people don’t know until a few hours, or even one hour before its time to eat. So I decided to plan ahead with a menu for the whole week. It’s easy…no thinking necessary! I first shop for whatever meat is on sale (I buy in bulk). I then plan my meals around the sales and figure out side dishes! I cannot tell you what I lifesaver this has been for me!

To help keep my family organized and informed, I made a chalkboard to hang in my kitchen so everyone knows what’s for dinner- and it helps me!

Here's the best part: I made it for only $10.00!!!

I bought a cheap framed picture for $6.00 from the store. Used chalkboard paint to paint over the glass. I simply use the kid’s sidewalk chalk to write on it ;)

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Want to hear more from Krystal? Look out for the next installment of her guest posts and check out her blog at: Quest Of A Crazy Mom!

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How To Set Up A 'House Account' - Guest Post By Krystal Taylor

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Eat Cheaply: Lentil Soup

My lunch today.  Remember my "secret" to making any meal look fancy.

Bean dishes are known for being especially tasty, especially cheap, and healthy to boot! According to this site, lentils are high in fiber, iron, B vitamins, and protein. So eat up! 

Here's my very own cheap and easy recipe for lentil soup.

 

 

Ingredients:

2 cups dry lentils
Water
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt
Black pepper

Optional:

Ham or Steak bone (already cooked, meat removed from bone)
Red pepper flakes
Minced onions
Chopped chives
Fresh parsley for garnish

Prep:

1. Put 2 cups of lentils in a big bowl. I prefer a Tupperware bowl or Mason jar, but anything big enough that can hold liquid will do.
2. Rinse and strain.
3. Then cover with twice as much water. Loosely cover with a lid.
4.  Let sit overnight at room temperature. The lentils will soak up all the water and grow up to double their size. They may even possibly show signs of beginning to sprout. This is perfect!

Cooking:

1. Rinse the beans one more time.
2. Then pour them into a saucepan, and top with water, just above the beans, or more if you like your soup thin.
3. If you have a ham or steak bone, now is the time to add it.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Add spices to taste (sorry, I never measure...trust your senses).
6. Boil for 20 minutes or until beans are soft.

Enjoy:

1. Remove bone and give it to your dog. He will love you.
2. Scoop soup into bowls and add garnish before serving.
3. Take a photo and post it on my blog. ;)

This is a great soup when you are stuck home sick (like I have been the past 2 days) or when the weather gets chilly.

I wrote this blog using the Blogger app while sitting in the doctors office. Do you have any go-to soup recipes for when you are sick?

How to Make Any Meal Look Fancy!

So I'll admit. I love to cook, but I'm no personal chef... With a background in art, at least I can kind of make it look like it! Whether it’s take-out, served last minute to friends, or a garnished 35 cents box of macaroni and cheese-  here are some key tips taken from discussions with my brilliant personal chef sister, Chef Melody...

Disclaimer: all of the photos of fancy food below were 100% home made. My brilliant sister reminded me she would "never, ever make boxed macaroni and cheese and garnish it," so there are, of course, no photos of macaroni below. Humor me and enjoy my side of dry italicized sisterly sarcasm. 

Here’s the secret: let the food take center stage:

Red and Yellow Tomato Salad by Chef Melody of  Order In With Me Photographed by Penny Weaver Frazier.

Treat your table as if it is a blank canvas. Each dish is a work of art. Presentation is key!

-Set the mood. 

S: Did anyone else hear some weird old man with a creepy deep voice saying that in your mind when you read it?
 
Beautiful lighting makes any meal look fancy. Create a low light setting with a darker room. Add soft light with candles or low watt bulbs, lampshades and curtains to dim the lights. Keep in mind that you can enhance mood lighting with reflective materials like mirrors or shiny vases.

- Invest in a pretty set of dishes

S: No, apparently pretty paper plates don't count. ;)

Molten Chocolate Cake by Chef Melody of  Order In With Me
Photographed by Penny Weaver Frazier.

Most upscale restaurants use plates that are white or black or at least a single neutral color.

- Serve smaller portions on large plates

S: as opposed to the American all-you-can-eat way of piling it as high as possible. You stop earning points for your mashed potato tower after graduating from college.

Seared Scallops by Chef Melody of  Order In With Me
Photographed by Penny Weaver Frazier.

The negative space makes the presentation look more appealing. It features the food.

- Serve each item separately, in courses

S: the way Martha would do it. "It's a good thing."

 Shrimp Scampi by Chef Melody of  Order In With Me
Photographed by Penny Weaver Frazier.

This allows your dinner guests the chance to focus on one set of flavors at a time and allows everyone to eat more slowly and savor the meal, without feeling the need to rush to the next course.

- Vary your colors.

S: You're S.O.L. if you're colorblind... vary textures?

Salad by Chef Melody of  Order In With Me Photographed by Penny Weaver Frazier.

If you absolutely must serve everything on one plate, make sure you have at least 3-4 different colors on the plate. A meal of macaroni and cheese, carrots, and orange juice is bright but boring! Mix it up as much as you can! Bonus: meals that vary in color supposedly have more balanced nutrition.

- Add decorative flourishes to semi home made meals.

S: OK, I'll admit it- this tip is mine. My sister doesn't make "semi home made" anything.

Completely Home Made Twice Baked Potato Soup by Chef Melody of Order In With Me
Photographed by Penny Weaver Frazier.

A  sprinkle of hand-ground pepper and a sprig of something as simple as a celery leaf on top of a scoop of boxed macaroni and cheese can elevate a basic meal to a higher level. A hand full of fresh berries and little bit of chocolate syrup swirled around a store bought angel food cake can turn your table into desert heaven and make your guests feel special regardless of what you spent on the meal.

- Last but not least, a smiling host makes any meal delightful!

S; OK, OK... it's cheesier than the boxed mac and cheese my sister detests, but it's true.

One of my own "fancy" semi-home made meals.

Regardless of your budget, you are the king or queen of your household. Relax and have fun! Don't take yourself too seriously. :) It doesn't have to be perfect.  It’s okay when there are surprises. That’s what makes life interesting and entertaining guests entertaining!