MidessaMommies

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2012-03-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

MidessaMommies' fabulous Flower Power fundraiser is drawing to a close, so if you haven't placed your order yet, now is the time! It's never too early to plan to improve your curb appeal or beautify your backyard. From begonias to tiger lilies and everything in between, Flower Power is the place for quality flower bulbs with a 100 percent money guarantee. This fundraiser runs until March 20, 2012, and your bulbs will arrive in April and May, just in time for beautiful summer blooms. Time is running out! Save time, money, and gas by planning your perfect garden from the comfort of your computer. Spring over to http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/i/t/240220/HWG05nOk4366, and check out the wide array of lovely lilies and pretty peonies, among other bulbs. As a bonus, if you spend $40 or more, Flower Power will send you a free bag of 10 Twilight gladiolus, a $10 value. So what are you waiting for? Don't delay: Grow with us today! Profits made through our fundraising link go toward our chapter's operating expenses.

Free Premium Membership Access for a Limited Time

2012-02-28T17:00:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what's so special about Premium Access to the National Forum? For a limited time The Mommies Network is offering FREE access to premium content like Debate This and Buy/Sell/Swap to all members.
See what you've been missing by logging on to http://www.themommiesnetwork.org/nationalforum/index.php and get started today.

Free Premium Access is available to all current and new members of The Mommies Network National Forum. It is available NOW through April 30th.

Learn a New Language During Cultural Awareness Month!

2012-02-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

Bonjour! Ciao! Hola! Have you been checking the National Chapter and participating in Cultural Awareness Month? In our Multicultural Mommies forum, we’re talking about foreign languages and discovering fun facts about different cultures. Join the celebration, and add some new words and phrases to your linguistic repertoire!

Do you have something to add to the conversation? Share your knowledge with other moms who are learning a language with their children. Go global with TMN as we highlight the many languages and cultures that make our world wonderful!

February Is Cultural Awareness Month!

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

February is Cultural Awareness Month at The Mommies Network, and we're thinking globally! Share a love for foreign language and different cultures with your child in our Multicultural Mommies forum on our National Chapter. Each week, we'll feature several languages and cultural tidbits. You may also participate and strengthen your language lingo in a special webinar. Additionally, our sponsor will provide information on how you can continue your language-learning experience after the month is over.

According to Associated Content, brain research shows that children are at an optimal age for language learning. Although language study is effective at any age, some studies suggest that the human brain is more open to learning a foreign language from birth to preadolescence. Fortunately, researchers have not found an age in which the language window closes completely, especially in the areas of grammar and vocabulary.

Take advantage of this opportunity to think globally, and join us as we learn about foreign languages and different ways of life during Cultural Awareness Month at TMN!

Do You Have Flower Power?

2012-01-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for some curb appeal? Do you need to beautify your backyard? Spring planting season may be a few months away, but there's no better time than now to grow with MidessaMommies! We've partnered with Flower Power to bring you a fabulous fundraiser to help you plan the garden of your dreams. Flower Power sells quality flower bulbs with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. Gorgeous geraniums, tantalizing tiger lilies, and beautiful begonias are just a few of the many bulbs available and ready to be shipped to your door. This fundraiser runs Jan. 22–March 20, 2012, and your bulbs will arrive in April and May, just in time for beautiful summer blooms. So save some gas and the trip to your local nursery or big-box store, and plan your perfect garden from the comfort of your computer. Visit http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/i/t/240220/HWG05nOk4366 to view the enormous array of flower bulbs, and spring into Flower Power and MidessaMommies' fabulous fundraiser! Special bonus: Spend $40 or more to receive a free bag of 10 Twilight gladiolus, a $10 value. Grow with us! Profits made through our fundraising link go toward our chapter's operating expenses.

Reminder: Ring in the New Year with TMN!

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

The New Year's parties may have ended, but our sponsorship promotion hasn't! We're still ringing in the New Year at The Mommies Network with an incredible deal that will have you reaching for your noisemakers. Moms may have the greatest buying power, sharing business experiences and trends with one another. And since women make more than 80 percent of all purchasing decisions and control two thirds of the nation’s disposable income, targeting this group benefits your company. Resolve to reach this influential portion of the population by taking advantage of this limited-time promotion. With all new/renewed sponsorship agreements, your business will receive a complimentary blog feature (advertorial to include logo/product image and 500 words). Prepaid agreements receive a 5 percent discount and a complimentary two months on one sponsorship listing. Sponsors also receive 20 percent off event sponsorships. Offer expires Jan. 31, 2012. The end of the month is just around the corner, so what are you waiting for? Celebrate with TMN by taking advantage of this amazing deal. For more details on how your business can ring in the New Year with moms across the nation, please contact Jessica Van Dyke at Jessica.VanDyke@TheMommiesNetwork.org.

TMN Weigh-In Challenge News

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, and Happy New Year to everyone!

My name is Karen Skidmore, and I am the owner of Completely Fit, a personal training and fitness company located in Mount Airy, Md. I am a team leader for one of the groups in The Mommies Network Weigh-In Challenge.

All my team members have started off strong and are working very hard to accomplish their goals. They were asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire about their current nutritional and fitness habits, and answer questions about what changes they wanted to create. Based on that information, I have helped each person come up with a detailed action plan that will not only help to accomplish her goals, but more importantly, help to improve her lifestyle.

If you are looking to make a change in your life but are not a part of the Weigh-In Challenge, you too can do it with just a few small changes at a time.

If your nutrition is off track, start by taking away one unhealthy food once a week and replacing it with a healthy food.

If your exercise routine is off track, start by finding something you really enjoy doing — walking, biking, or swimming — and adding 10 minutes of that exercise to your day. Before you know it, exercise will have become a daily routine.

Be sure to track your results, as we do much better when we can see our progress.

I am very excited to be a part of this group and team, and I look forward to reporting our successes back to you each month. — Karen Skidmore, Completely Fit

This Week with the Mommies

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

We chat online in a private forum — discussing everything from the best photographers to the worst temper tantrums and all that lies between — and meet up regularly at member-driven events around town. Whether it's a late-night commiseration about a crying baby (there are 4 a.m. posts to prove it) or a Moms' Night Out, MidessaMommies provides what our members need, when and how they need it.

Click here to go directly to our calendar, and stay up-to-date on all of our events scheduled for this week.

Staying Healthy This Winter

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

A runny nose, coughing, an aching body, and choking phlegm are just a few of the unattractive and uncomfortable symptoms related to the common cold and flu. During the chilly winter months, we find ourselves spending the majority of our time indoors, making it quite easy to send and receive those unwanted cold and flu cooties. Both the common cold and the flu are extremely contagious. Many of these germs are spread by hand-to-hand contact and are also airborne. It seems as though we are destined for some sort of sniffle each year. However, we have control to a certain extent! Give it your best shot this winter and beyond to avoid those pesky cold and flu critter invasions. Here are the top 10 tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season:

Sleep eight hours a night. Yes, lack of sleep can affect the immune system. While we sleep, our immune system releases proteins called cytokines. Cytokines are necessary for fighting infection.
Get stress levels under control. Stress can decrease immune system function. Research has found that cortisol and catecholamines, hormones that are released during times of stress, can turn down the effects of the immune system. The following link provides more info on the effects of stress: http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2007/Januar ... res_01.htm.
Yoga, deep breathing, meditation, exercise, and getting yourself into the present moment are all ways to cope with stress.
Get outdoors every day. Spending too much time indoors, especially around people, can increase your chances of contracting those cold and flu cooties! In addition, getting sunlight for 15 minutes every day can improve your mood and Vitamin D levels.
Exercise! Indoors or outdoors, exercise has repeatedly been shown to strengthen not only our bodies but also our immune systems. For detailed information regarding exercise and immunity, check out this link: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders ... ystem.aspx.
To review guidelines on physical activity, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website: http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/eve ... index.html.
Wash your hands!
Consume a balanced and nutritionally dense diet. Proper nutrition goes a long way! There is no better way to receive vitamins and minerals than through fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. For the dairy lovers and meat eaters out there, choose the leanest options available. Vitamins and minerals provide our cells with the building blocks it needs to fight off disease! Excess sugar and fat can create a systemic inflammatory response, making it more difficult for our bodies to fight off disease and illness.
Hydrate! Water can flush toxins from the body and carry much-needed nutrients to our body’s cells and tissues. The dry winter months can cause insensible hydration losses that we are typically not aware of. In addition, mild dehydration can make you feel drained and more susceptible to the dreaded "C": constipation.
Rinse the nasal passages! A practice that many refer to as nasal flushing is a safe and effective way to clean out the nasal passages. During cold-weather months, the respiratory tract creates more mucus in an attempt to warm and moisten our airways. When that mucus spends too much time inside the body, germs can linger and proliferate. By flushing the mucus from your nose, you are removing some of those unwanted infestations. For more information, check out http://www.neilmed.com/usa/index.php.
Avoid the inevitable. It may be best to avoid situations where you know you will encounter individuals with the cold or flu. In many instances, this is not possible, or perhaps you are unaware of someone's pending illness. Nonetheless, take precautions by strengthening your own immune system and washing your hands postvisit. Also, remember to avoid putting your hands near your face until a thorough washing occurs.
Keep your living spaces clean and tidy. Keyboards, doorknobs, countertops, and fruits and vegetables can all be hosts and carriers of bacteria and viruses. Disinfect often!

For more tips regarding nutritional supplements and vitamins to complement the tips mentioned above, consult your health care provider.

And remember, an apple a day just may keep the doctor away! Best to you and your family for a safe and healthy holiday!

Post submitted by Marisa from The Mommies Network's Content Team

To Die For Blueberry Muffins

2012-01-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

I am not a morning person at all. When my daughter screams, "Mommy!" in the morning, all I want to do is hide under the covers for a few more minutes. So usually, I am not in the mood to make a huge breakfast, either. I like something that is good and quick.

Lately, Virginia has been on a blueberry kick. She loves her some blueberry waffles. When I was at the grocery store, I grabbed some fresh blueberries for her. Well, don't you know, my silly goose turned up her nose at the blueberries. I don't like to waste food, so I decided to make blueberry muffins. I usually use the store-bought muffin packs, but I ran across this To Die for Blueberry Muffin recipe on AllRecipes and decided to give it a shot.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups, or line with muffin liners. I always like to put two liners in one muffin spot. Like my mother, I tell my family that the one that gets the double liner is going to have a lucky day. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt, and baking powder.

Measure 1 cup of vegetable oil; add egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture.

Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups to the top, and sprinkle with crumb-topping mixture.

To make crumb topping: Mix 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven or until done.

Post originally submitted by Kathy (absolutelykathy) to the CentralPiedmontMommies blog on Sept. 8, 2011.

This Week with the Mommies

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

MOMics Comics - Installing a Carseat is Easy!

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

Illustration by Rainey Niklawski from RichmondMommies.com, A3 for The Mommies Network

If you enjoy drawing or designing mom-centered comics of your own, consider contributing to our weekly "Momics" column! Send us an email at blogs@themommiesnetwork.org

Menu Monday: Kiss Me Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-12-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

I am always making CCC a million different ways, just search Chocolate Chip Cookie/s on here and you'll get a few hits. Can't help it. These are chewy soft yummies. And I had a ton of chips I needed to use up. When a few cooled I took them on a plate to Pixie girl- she took one, walked away took a bite and came back towards me, I told DH, "yup she wants one in each hand..." NOPE. She came over, put her arms around me and kissed me... then took the other cookie. I love that little baby.

2 sticks melted butter

1/4 c sugar
1 1/4 c brown sugar (lightly packed)
2Tbs milk
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs

2 Tbs sour cream

Sift-

2 1/4c bread flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt- I used kosher last night

1 cup oats
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup nuts (optional)

Cream sugars and butter until light and fluffy. Add remaining wet ingredients. Beat well. Mix in flour mixture. Stir in oats, chocolate and nuts.

Chill dough thoroughly. I left this dough overnight in the fridge. I used a small cookie scoop for these cookies. I baked them on stoneware. Which took longer, than my standard parchment lined jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-10 minutes depending on your oven.

You can also scoop the dough onto a cookie sheet, flash freeze the dough balls and put them in a Zip top bag and bake a few at a time.

OR roll the dough into logs and wrap in plastic wrap and slice and bake them also.

Post provided by the Please Give Peas a Chance Blog.

Ring in the New Year with TMN!

2011-12-05T05:47:00.001-08:00

Ring in the New Year by reaching moms across the nation!

Women make more than 80 percent of all purchasing decisions and control two thirds of the nation’s disposable income. And moms may have the greatest buying power. What mom doesn’t share the latest trends or personal experiences with a business that has provided products or services for her family or herself?

To help you start the New Year with a bang, The Mommies Network is offering the following:
With all new/renewed sponsorship agreements, your business will receive a complimentary blog feature (advertorial to include logo/product image and 500 words). Prepaid agreements receive a 5 percent discount and a complimentary two months on one sponsorship listing. Sponsors also receive 20 percent off event sponsorships. Offer expires Jan. 31, 2012.

The Mommies Network can help your business reach moms across the nation or in your community. We are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a safe, secure, free place for mothers to find support and encouragement from other mothers and to empower them to be better women, parents, and community leaders. Through our online forums, our chapters connect local mothers, enabling them to ask questions, seek support, offer encouragement, find volunteer opportunities, and grow as leaders as they volunteer their time with our site. Our organization provides a valuable service to a portion of the population that is nearly always overlooked, overworked, and taken for granted: moms!

For more details on how your business can ring in the New Year with moms across the nation, please contact Jessica Van Dyke at Jessica.VanDyke@TheMommiesNetwork.org.

How are you reaching the greatest buying power in our nation?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-30T06:02:00.000-08:00

Credit: Free photos from acobox.com

Menu Monday~Homemade Mall Pretzels

2011-11-28T04:33:00.000-08:00

Every time I go to the mall, I can't say no to those delicious Mall Pretzels. The smell hits me as soon as I hit the food court. I love the crispy outside and soft inside. I enjoy dunking them in mustard or melted cheese. Last night I was brain storming ideas for the Monday recipe and I thought pretzels! I told my husband right away that I was going to make mall pretzels. He looked at me and laughed so hard and said, "your going to bake homemade pretzels? Please don't burn down our apartment." Well this just made me 1000 times more excited to make pretzels, just so I could prove my husband wrong.

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast, 2tbs. brown sugar and 1 1/8 tsp. salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water.

Stir in 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 cup bread flour, and knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. The video above is of me kneading dough. I thought I knew how to knead dough, but after I googled a how to video on kneading dough. I can say that I was totally wrong. Some tips I would share are first spray your surface with pam cooking spray and put flour on your hands and dough. If your surface and dough start sticking lay down more pam or flour. This will help the dough not to stick to you or your rolling surface.

Place dough in a pam cooking spray greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel, and let rise for one hour.

After the dough as sat and allowed to rise for an hour, cut into twelve pieces.

Roll each piece of dough into a 3 foot rope, pencil thin or thinner.

Twist the dough into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution. The baking soda solution is 2 cups warm water and baking soda combined in an 8 inch square pan. I found a helpful video on how to twist your dough into the perfect pretzel shape. The video also gives some great suggestions on other uses for your pretzel dough. Honestly, rolling the doll out into the three foot long rope is the toughest part. I found working from right to left was the best for me.

After dipping the dough into the baking soda solution, place on a towel to soak up the bottom side of the dough. Then place the pretzel on a greased cookie sheet, reshape pretzel if needed. Let the pretzels sit on the cookie sheet for twenty minutes before putting in the oven. Sprinkle dough with salt if desired, before baking.

Bake at 450 degrees F for five minutes, turn 180 degrees and cook another five minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with garlic salt or cinnamon sugar.

The best part of this recipe is it is kid friendly. Kids will love playing with the dough and seeing what creations they can make. One warning I have is not to leave your balls of dough in reach of a two year old, they will eat it. Also it takes time to roll out all the dough so you may want to bag half of the dough and put it in the refrigerator.

The finished product is hot and delicious! Kid tested and mother approved!

Post submitted by Kathy from CentralPeidmontMommies.comOriginally posted on the CentralPiedmontMommies Blog on 5/16/11

Don't Forget: Santa Letters!

2011-11-25T07:05:00.001-08:00

The elves are busy coordinating delivery of Santa letters to boys and girls across the United States. Is your letter in the bunch? If you haven't yet ordered your letter(s), don't delay! Place your order by Nov. 30 to ensure delivery before Christmas.

Remember, Your first custom letter is only $6. If you purchase more than one, you will receive a 10 percent discount on the entire order. Use coupon code SANTA at checkout to receive 10 percent off the total.

You will be asked a few questions about your child during the ordering process. Your answers will assist Santa in creating a unique letter for your child. Letters will be printed on Santa's special stationery, signed by the jolly fellow himself, and with the help of a special elf, shipped in bulk to North Pole, Alaska, in time for your little one to receive a special letter before the holidays.

Reserve your letter(s) before Nov. 30 to ensure delivery before Christmas. We hope you'll take advantage of this terrific treat from the North Pole. Place your order now! http://www.themommiesnetwork.org/santa.html

The proceeds of this fundraiser will support The Mommies Network and your local chapter. Please mention your chapter's name to ensure they receive credit for your purchase.

Black Friday Shopping Tips

2011-11-23T04:24:00.000-08:00

Black Friday is quickly approaching so make sure to have your plans in order! Including which store to hit first and what items are priority. Here are some tips to help you on your shopping adventure.

Check Out the Ads~~Your Thanksgiving Day paper will be stuffed (like your Thanksgiving Turkey...hahaha!!) full of circulars, coupons and store buster deals. Many times these ads can be found early online.

Compare Prices~~Just because it's on sale does not always mean it's a good deal. Make sure the advertisements are legitimate savings. A good rule of thumb is 20%, otherwise you have a great chance finding it for less at another time or place.

Online Shopping~~Some stores allow shoppers online to grab those awesome savings as well. Before you brave the crowds, double check to see if you can purchase it online for the same price.

Know the Store's Policy & Hours~~A new trend is price matching...actually it's not new but has been excluded from "doorbusters" until now for some stores. For instance, Target is price matching the sale price if you bought the exact same item a week prior! Just bring your receipt in during the sale to have the difference refunded. And of course know the store's hours so you can plan your route accordingly.

Want to know where our mommies are shopping? Join us here to find out.

Menu Monday~Pumpkin Pie

2011-11-21T04:58:00.000-08:00

Pie Crust

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening, cold
3 Tablespoons ice water

Directions:

Combine flour and salt in medium bowl, cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.
Sprinkle water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, over flour mixture, tossing lightly with a fork until mixture forms an even dough.
Form dough into ball and refrigerate, wrapped in plastic, for 1 hour.
Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface into circle about 12 to 14 inches round.
Carefully fold in quarters, lift gently and unfold into 9-inch pie pan.
Gently press pastry against bottom and sides of pan. Trim overhang to 1/2 inch, then fold the edge under. Pinch edges to flute.

Pumpkin Puree

To make pumpkin purée from a sugar pumpkin: start with a small-medium sugar pumpkin, cut out the stem, scrape out the inners and discard. Cut the pumpkin in half and lay cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet lined with silpat or aluminum foil. Bake at 350°F until fork tender, about an hour to an hour and a half. Remove from oven, let cool, scoop out the pulp. If you want the pulp to be extra smooth, put it through a food mill or chinois.

Pumpkin Pie

2 cups of pumpkin pulp purée from a sugar pumpkin* or from canned pumpkin purée
1 1/2 cup heavy cream or 1 12 oz. can of evaporated milk
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs plus the yolk of a third egg
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamon
1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Mix sugars, salt, and spices, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Beat the eggs and add to the bowl. Stir in the pumpkin purée. Stir in cream. Whisk all together until well incorporated.
Pour into pie shell and bake at 425°F for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes reduce the temperature to 350°F. Bake 40-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack for 2 hours.
Serve with whipped cream.

Events this Week

2011-11-20T16:49:00.000-08:00

Events hosted by MidessaMommies:

~Indians & Potluck Playdate, Odessa

Please check the calendar for more details on the above events. Not yet a member? It's free to join!!

Events within Midland or Odessa:

Heritage Holiday Tree Lighting & Starbright Village Opening

Thursday, December 1st 6-8pm

McKinney Park, 625 W Pool Rd, Odessa

The Heritage Holiday Starbright Village will be open until December 24th and will be from 6-9pm each night. Santa will be visiting Saturdays and Sundays.

HEB Feast of Sharing

Friday, December 2nd 4-7pm

Ector County Coliseum Bldg D & E, Odessa

Heritage Holiday Parade of Lights

Saturday, December 3rd 6-7:30pm

Odessa College

The parade will start at 23rd Street on Andrews highway and travel south on Andrews Highway to Grant Street, where it will turn west on 4th Street to Medical Center Hospital Oncology parking lot for de-staging. All riders will de-stage at that point and ride the buses provided back to the OC parking lot.

Tall City Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Saturday, December 3rd 6:30pm

Downtown, Midland

Christmas at the Mansion

Sunday, December 4th 2-5pm

Museum of the Southwest, 1705 Missouri, Midland

Come and join the Holiday Festivities at the Museum of the Southwest for the Community Open House! This annual event is the Museum's holiday extravaganza with Christmas decor and special exhibits. Santa will be making a special appearance, bring the kids and enjoy cookies and punch. Free admission.

Mommies Weigh-In Challenge

2011-11-16T05:17:00.001-08:00

Are you looking to shed a few pounds? Need some help with your fitness goals? Or just searching for the right foods to eat? The Mommies Network challenges you to be the best you can be in 2012!

Join mommies across the country on their journey to be healthy for themselves and their families. Participants will be assigned to regional teams led by a TMN member and a wellness collaborator. Results, tips, and stories will be shared monthly to keep all participants motivated. This challenge is a six-month commitment, running January–June.

Email fitness@themommiesnetwork.org for more information about this program. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 23, 2011.

Menu Monday~Chicken Paprikash

2011-11-14T12:31:00.000-08:00

Chicken Paprikash is so easy to make, it requires very little effort and not a lot of past culinary experience.

Ingredients:

1 pound of chicken (diced)
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1/2 stick of butter
1 small onion (diced)
2 cloves of garlic (diced)
1 cup of sour cream
1/2 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of cornstarch
1 tablespoon of paprika
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup of chicken broth
1 package of spaetzle or you can make your own

To get started gather all of your ingredients and prepare them so this meal takes you 20 minutes from start to finish!

Dice up your onion and garlic

Melt 1/2 stick of butter in skillet

Add onions and garlic to butter and saute until soft

Combine sour cream, milk, cornstarch and paprika and whisk together, then set aside.

Add spaetzle to your butter/onion/garlic mixture and saute until golden brown.

If you are using your own dumplings you may opt to omit adding them to this mixture depending on their consistency.

Warm up the olive oil and then add chicken until it is cooked completely. Add the chicken broth slowly to deglaze the pan and turn heat to medium.

Add the sour cream mixture to the chicken, mix well, then add your spaetzle/onion mixture to it.

You are done, you have now made Chicken Paprikash! How easy was that!

This recipe was brought to you by Joelyn Morgan, Chapter Manager of ClevelandMommies.
Originally posted on the ClevelandMommies Blog on May 3, 2011

Events this Week

2011-11-13T04:08:00.000-08:00

Events hosted by MidessaMommies:

~National Teddy Bear Day

~Midland Tot's Book Club

~Family Night @ Jumping Party, Odessa

For more details on exact date/location/time, please visit the calendar. Not yet a member? It's FREE to join!

Other events within Midland & Odessa:

Laura Bush Literacy Program Reading Event, George W. Bush Childhood Home

Thursday, November 17th 4:30-5:30

Children Pre-K to 2nd grade will be read a selection of books including "My First Thanksgiving" and each child will receive a free copy of the book along with refreshments. Space is limited so call 685-1112 to reserve a space for your child.

Santa Claus is coming to Town!, MCM Plaza Gazebo

Saturday, November 19th 10am

Santa Claus will officially arrive for the holiday season via Medical Center Hospital's CareStar Helicopter! There will be refreshments, free gifts for the kids, holiday music, and free skating until noon at the MCM Ice Rink. Lightning McQueen, the talking car will be there, along with Geoffrey from Toys R Us Express and Zambie.

11.11.11

2011-11-11T15:54:00.000-08:00

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War." In 1938, President Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" And with this it became a legal federal holiday. Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World War I & II on or near November 11th.

Today the date is written 11/11/11 and on this Veterans Day take time to honor all of those who are serving and have served in the Armed Forces to protect our country. Feel free to share their or your story in a comment or join in our conversation here on our Mommy Forum.

Grocery Shopping with Preschoolers

2011-11-09T04:34:00.000-08:00

Grocery shopping alone can be a task, but add one or two preschoolers in the mix and you are now dealing with "gotta-have-itis" and possibly the dreaded tantrum. How are mothers to cope when there is no choice but to take their little helpers? Better yet, how are our kids to cope when they are surrounded by many new things and are strapped into a hard metal shopping buggy or drug aisle by aisle and told "do not touch!"?

Below are some ideas that our members have shared in our Pre-School forum:

Timing is Everything. As with any outing, it is crucial that your preschooler is well rested and has a full tummy. And if hunger strikes during the trip, keep crackers or cheese handy to prevent purchasing unnecessary snacks.

Prep Work. While you create your shopping list, allow your little ones to draw or create a list of their own. If you coupon, cut out the image from the circular and have them paste it to a page and help you find it on the shelf.

The One Finger Rule. Preschoolers learn by touch and it never fails if you tell them not to touch...they find it even harder to resist that temptation. So let them touch, but provide limits. The one finger rule will allow them to explore the various textures while also learning self control.

Our Colorful World of Food. Do you fear your child grabbing that one potato which will domino effect and knock down the entire display? Do not fear the dreaded fruits & veggies section! This is a great area to enforce the one finger rule unless they are helping you make selections. Engage them with a color learning lesson. Ask them "Can you find a yellow fruit?" Or "Look how many different colors apples can be, what is your favorite?"

I Can Do It. Keeping them occupied up and down many aisles can be exhausting but allow them to pick out a few items such as the color of the soap or shape of the pasta. Have them select between two types of cereal or snacks. If the store is not too crowded, let them have a chance to push the buggy.

Technology & Rewards. Mobile phones and their games have their place. And they can be extremely helpful when the lines are longer than expected. This can also help distract them from the gauntlet of candy and treats. Rewards for good behavior are popular as well!