5 Months

Making Life Better

Anything titled makinglifebetter gets my attention. I mean really - who doesn't want to make their life (of the lives of others) better? So when Mom Central asked me to spread the work about how makinglifebetter was going to make dinnertime easy and fun, I was excited to do just that. 

I headed over to their website and was quite eager to see how exactly they were going to make my dinnertime better. And there I found recipes. Lots and lots of recipes. Tons of time and a huge budget are not things that I necessarily have, and makinglifebetter clearly understands that. 

makinglifebetter has a huge number of recipes, using ingredients easily found and probably already in your pantry. Quick, easy and priced for the times, there are so many that I cant wait to try. 

Here is just one that I recommend you try:

Grilled Pineapple a La Mode

3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
6 Tbsp. I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread
3 Tbsp. rum
8 slices fresh pineapple
3 cups Breyers® All Natural Vanilla Ice Cream
1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans
Bring sugar, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread and rum to a boil over medium heat in small saucepan. Boil 1 minute, then set aside.

Pour 1/4 cup rum sauce over pineapple in small bowl, turning pineapple to coat. Grill or broil pineapple, turning once, until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Cut into bite-size pieces.

Scoop Breyers® All Natural Vanilla Ice Cream into 6 dessert dishes. Top with pineapple and remaining rum sauce, then sprinkle with pecans.

Cost per recipe*: $11.10

Cost per serving*: $1.85

*Based on average retail prices at national supermarkets.

Not so comfortable in the kitchen? You can even link to their YouTube channel for cooking coach videos. See many ideas on how to make dinnertime fun for the whole family, not a chore for the cook. Check out this link for recipes and ideas for a family game night.

Mamapedia

There are many situations that Moms have been dealing with since the beginning of time. The terrible twos, teenage angst, weird rashes, allergy treatments, when is the best age to introduce a pet - the list is endless. They are universal struggles that most parents will deal with at one time or another. 

Wouldn't it be great if there was a place people could go and ask anything (and I mean anything)? A place where we can learn from the mistakes of others and maybe even soak in some well earned wisdom of those who have already been there, done that? A resource and sounding board all in one...

Well, a magical place just like this does exist. Blogosphere, meet Mamapedia. 

 

Mamapedia enables you to search answers for your most pressing questions, such as childhood crushes, renting a house, and summer camps, to get empathetic and insightful answers from moms around the country. Everyone know of Wikipedia, right? Mamapedia is like that - only better. 

An encyclopedia of motherhood? Umm, sign me up please. 

Whether you have kids, or nieces and nephews, or have friends with kids and you want to have a small clue as to what they are complaining about all the time - you need to check it out. 

Take One

We are attempting to get a picture of all 4 kids together. I think Michael may have to be asleep for this to be successful.

Rogers Family Jeopardy

Answer: A pacifier, a small truck, a marker, 7 pretzels and 2 wipes. 

Question:  What is the pile of "stuff" I pulled out of the VCR yesterday? 

*

Answer: Michael

Question: Who is the one responsible for the aforementioned pile of stuff pulled out of the VCR?

Earn Your Stripes: Help rebuild America's playing fields

Mom Central teamed up with Kellogg's Frosted Flakes back in January to let our community know about its Earn Your Stripes (EYS) field renovation program. Aimed at renovating neighborhood sports fields across the U.S., thousands of fields have been nominated  - some with as many as 700,000 supporters! 

The semifinalist fields were chosen based on the feasibility of the field makeover, the location and age of the field, how often it gets used, how many events take place, what teams use it, the number of other athletic fields in the community, the demand, condition, and the impact a field renovation would have on the community. 

100 semifinalists are now counting on you to vote, and hopefully your favorite field will get a makeover. Maybe there isn't a field near you, but maybe there is one near where you grew up. How about near your favorite vacation spot, or even near distant family or friends who you know would appreciate the upgrade in their community. 

Whichever story or field strikes a cord with you and your family, make sure you vote for it. We will all benefit from happy, healthy and active kids! Voting runs through this month.

Miss Faith

Sisters