Meals

Two almost two year olds can be an adventure when it comes to feedings, but I have to say, we have been really lucky. Our nanny has done a great job of introducing the use of forks and spoons when the boys eat.
So much so, that if they don’t have their forks on their trays when it is time to eat, they will actually fuss.  Sure, feedings now take a little longer, but it is really neat to watch them feed themselves.

I sit and watch them eat in amazement. When did they grow up? It seems like yesterday, their feedings consisted of us spoon feeding them everything, now they are feeding themselves.  Where have the last almost two years gone?

 

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A little tip for when traveling, use Gift Cards. I am a big fan of trying local restaurants when traveling, but if you have a lot of gift cards, why not save a little money?On our last trip, we were able to eat out 4 times using gift cards, which meant that we saved almost $120, if not more.  So using the gift cards not only saves money, but it is a very thrifty way to travel and save money.

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To keep up with the 52 week challenge, I found this recipe for Chicken Wings and made a few minor modifications. But this will definitely be in the rotation for food, starting again this weekend for the Super Bowl.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

Buffalo Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup hot pepper sauce (such as Frank’s)

Wings

  • 5 pounds chicken wings, tips removed, drumettes and flats separated
    NOTE: Instead of wings, I used chicken tenders
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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One of my resolutions for the year, is to do a 52 Week Challenge and trying 1 new recipe a week.  I am trying to make a new recipe each week and not only make 1 new recipe each week, but also cook enough for a few additional meals for left overs.

Follow my journey with these recipes here.

 

 

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This past weekend, the boys started refusing to eat and I stood in front of them and just figured that I would give them forks to see what they would do.

Well, to my surprise, that dinners feeding turned into a lot of fun, because they sat there and figured out how to feed themselves using a fork. The excitement that they had when they were feeding themselves was classic.

Another chapter in their learning has started.

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After getting home from the pumpkin patch this past weekend, we decided to make some Homemade Apple Sauce. I have to say, at first, I was a little unsure how good it would be, but seriously? I’ll never eat apple sauce out of a jar again.

At the pumpkin patch, we picked up 6 large apples that were grown on the farm. Then we peeled and diced them up. Put them in the crock pot for 6 hours with 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, squeezed out 1/2 lemon (to prevent the apples from browning) and then put some lemon zest in the pot and we waited. Man, to say that it was good is a complete would not do it justice.

Not only was it easy to make, it will be healthier for the boys. And when they are older, they will be able to help make homemade apple sauce.

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The boys were drinking formula for right at 1 year and man, it was financially killing us. I hugged the Dr. when he told us that we could start the transition from formula to milk. No lie, I had to wipe the tears from my eyes. Think about it, a container of formula is about $22.00 – $24.00, depending on what you are getting. And because we had twins, we were going through a container about every 5 days. Our monthly spend for formula was about $200.00 a month. Whereas now, we buy 3 gallons of milk a week, at $3.00 a gallon and we are spending $48 a month.

We were also very lucky too, as the boys immediately took to the milk as well. We didn’t have to do a mixture of formula and milk. We saw the Dr. on a Friday afternoon and we gave them their first full taste of Milk that night. So, once again, we have been very lucky.

This is a huge savings. Now, if you are close to 1 year, I would wait and talk with your child’s Dr. before making the transition from formula to milk, as I have read that if you start this too soon, that there are allergies that could be developed. That being said, with a savings of close to $140 a month, we are able to use the additional money for other foods for the boys and also, put more into their college funds.

 

 

 

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I took the boys out Saturday to lunch and was amazed by the number of people that stopped by and spoke to the boys. And the funny thing, is that most of the parents complimented me on how well behaved that the boys were. I guess because I am with them all the time, I do not think anything of it.

The hardest part for me when we go out to eat, is how messy that they can be sometimes. I have to remember that they are only 1, but still. They drop puffs on the floor. They drop really whatever we give them to eat on the floor to be honest. But all in all, they are good eaters are not as messy as I have seen some. But the one thing that I always do, is I always try to ask our wait staff for a broom so that I can clean up after them. It is not the wait staffs problem that the boys drop their food.  Now, in saying that, I have yet to be handed a broom, but I really think that the wait staff just appreciates the offer.

I think that the earlier that you can get your kids into a routine in a restaurant, the better that you’ll all be down the road. And the reality of it, is that a 1 year old, will be messy. That is just part of life. But you can also start by setting a good example by offering to clean up too, so that your children can follow suit in the future.

 

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The title says it all, because who does not love chicken wings? So, I wanted to put together a quick and easy recipe for chicken wings for the crock pot.

Here goes:Chicken Wings

  • 3 lbs of chicken wings
  • Salt & Pepper to your liking
  • 2 – 3 cups of BBQ Sauce
  • 1/2 cup of honey
  • Crushed Red Peppers – this is a personal preference
  • 1 Tablespoon of spicy mustard
  • 2 minced cloves of garlic
  • Add Salt & Pepper then combine BBQ Sauce, Honey, Crushed Red Peppers and Spicy Mustard.
  • Cook in the crock pot for 4 – 5 hours

This was a quick and easy chicken wings recipe that is going to be tweaked, but thus far been a pretty tasty meal. Because who does not love chicken wings?

 

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American Flag
Happy 4th of July to you and your family. Enjoy your time together with friends and family and if you are lucky, spend sometime around the grill.

I don’t know if we will take the boys to see fireworks this year or not? They are still probably a little too young, not to mention the fact that it is past their bedtime. But regardless, we will all be together enjoying the day.

So from my family to yours, Happy 4th of July!

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