Thursday, March 27, 2008

Aprons


Check out this website http://www.epicureanstyle.com/index.php for the cutest aprons I have ever seen. Now you can cook and clean in style.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Mongolian Beef

I know, I always post recipes. It's just that I love food so much! :) I especially love Chinese food but I hate the cost and the distance of Chinese take-out. I was excited to find this recipe last night and it was delicious.

1 teaspoon sesame seeds (I left them out b/c I didn't have any)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound beef round steak, cut into thin strips
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1 bunch green onions, cut into 2 inch pieces

1. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the seeds begin to turn golden brown; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and minced garlic. Stir in beef strips. Let stand for at least 10 minutes.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together water, 2 tablepoons soy sauce, 2 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, sugar, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes; set aside.
4. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Cook and stir beef in hot oil for 1 minutes; remove, and set aside. Heat remaining tablespoon of oil in the same pan. Saute carrots and white part of green onions for 2 minutes. Stir in green parts of the green onion, and saute for 1 minute. Stir in sesame seed mixture and beef. Cook and stir until sauce boils and thickens.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Potty Training Queen

So, I don't want to brag, but there is some reason that children respond to me when it comes time for them to potty train. I have potty trained well over 30 kids. My (3) boys have been potty trained by age two and some think that is insane. So, I'm here to post about how to make your lives easier when it comes to potty training.
1. Teach them how to pull on and off their underwear. (very important skill for them to learn)
2. Always set your child on the toliet backwards(facing the wall). They will not be as afraid of falling in or off the toliet.
3. Myth Busted- Your child IS ready to potty train when you are willing to put forth the time and effort it will take.
4. Never get mad over an accident, they will happen, even at age five. Keep encouraging.
5. Watch your child closely, especially when they are playing. You can see it in their faces and movements when they have to use the bathroom. (usually they will be playing and will stop, just for a second because the urge just hit them).
6. Usually when you ask a child to use the bathroom, they will not. Don't fret, watch the clock and take them in there a few minutes later.
7. If you notice the URGE in their face to use the bathroom, tell them, but don't make them go because you just scared the pee back! Take them a few minutes later (or you will have an accident.)
8. Show them how it is done. They copy everything else we do, why not this.
9. There is no need for a little potty. You can get a step stool so they can climb up themselves onto the toliet.
10. Pooing on the toliet will be harder to control. Most children you can tell when they need to go. If your child is 2 1/2 and under, watch carefully the red face, noises. Try to catch them in the act. You may scare it back in but now you know they have to go. 2 1/2 and older, also watch carefully, they will hide whenever they need to go. Whether it be just around the corner or behind a chair. They are old enough to know what they are doing and it now embaresses them.

If you are still having trouble, leave a question in comments and I'll fill you in to more of BrookesMusings.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Movies

We love Netflix. It is definitely in my top ten list right now. Since we don't watch television and we rarely get out for a date, we've enjoyed getting DVDs delivered right to our mailbox. (This is actually not an advertisement for Netflix.) I thought I would include a list of some of the movies that we have enjoyed recently (in no particular order). They are [mostly] clean movies. We've especially enjoyed watching foreign and independent films. Add a few to your list and enjoy.

Vitus
Children of Heaven
Mother Theresa
One Night with the King (story of Queen Esther)
Sweet Land
Flyboys
The Fastest Indian in the World
The Ultimate Gift
Gracie
The Last Sin Eater
On a Clear Day
The Snow Walker
Amazing Grace
Merry Christmas
Dear Frankie
I am David
Raise the Red Lantern
Millions
Saving Sarah Cain
The King of Masks