Product Test Review

I've done the testing for you....I have tried just about every All Day, Stay On, Doesn't Come off, lip product out there to find one that works as well as "they" claim. I finally found one that does what it claims, it stays on, it doesn't flake off and get gritty after reapplying. It is Maybelline SuperStay LipColor. This compact lip color has the color on one end and the moisturizing clear cover on the other. If like me you have just about given up on finding one that really works and is affordable, don't give up, try this product.


-Paula

Quick and Easy Recipe

1 jar Chili Sauce
1 jar Orange Marmalade (sp?)
1 bag Frozen Meatballs.

Put all the above in a crock Pot and put on low. You can cook them all day
serve with rice. They are great!!!!!
-Barb Fraley

How Can I Keep from Singing

The Vocal Artistry Seminar held this past Saturday (4/21) at Christ Church in Columbia Station was quite an experience! Darlene's daughter, Beranda, flew in from VA to attend and said it was an experience she will NEVER forget. The instructor, Tim Carson, former Praise and Worship leader for the awesome Willow Creek Community Church in Illinois, was funny, knowledgeable and presented the info in such a personable manner, she felt he was speaking only to her (there were probably 200+ in attendance). He really helped the audience to explore different aspects of voice and presentation to help them express their vocal freedom. They engaged in various exercises to help them feel comfortable with each other. Before it was all over, total strangers felt like a family. Beranda gained a better knowledge of how the voice works, how to strengthen her voice and to take care of it so as not to harm it. She learned that vocalists, do not have to settle for the voice they were born with. There are tools to equip vocalists not only to match their voices with lyrics but to match and identify their lives with the experience of the song and to express that emotion through their voice so they can minister from the heart. The voice is an Artistry Tool. This 7 hour Seminar is highly recommended. www.vocalartistry.com

Also just a quick mention, the Christ Church coordinator of the event, Julie, was phenomenal. She had attended the event in the past and really wanted to bring the experience to the Cleveland area. Her attention to every detail made the experience an overall success for each and every person. Also Christ Church served the BEST oatmeal raisin cookies and banana bread to those attending the seminar, made by one of their own, Charlie, who also gets up every Sunday morning and makes 500 cookies and other treats before services. A big THANK YOU to them and the entire staff for all their hospitality. Lovely church...Lovely people.

-Darlene

Savings and Style!

Steve and Barry's...Store with Style and Purchasing Savvy

If you haven't heard already, Steve and Barry's is worth looking into. If you or your child are looking for stylish, somewhat trendy clothing and accessories at VERY reasonable prices you won't be disappointed. The quality of the merchandise is great and the selection is fantastic! This chain is giving Walmart a run for its money. The atmosphere will remind you of Old Navy at first, but once you have spent a few moments there, you will realize they are in a class all their own. I have visited 1 location on the Westside and one on the Eastside and was impressed with the cleanliness of the stores and the customer service.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_15/b3979091.htm

Someday I'll Go.......

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">

This is a fun book to flip through and not only see what places are considered worth seeing but also to see what places you've already seen. It may surprise you, it did me, as to how many of these 1000 places I've already seen.
This is a great conversation starter too. Keep it laying around and see how many times someone picks it up and begins to read. Even your kids can find this book fascinating, it can open up the world to them and help them realize that there are so many other places to see and go outside our own little worlds.
Enjoy your 'travels'

Cleaning Product Must-Have

Cleaning is not something I enjoy…therefore I am always on the lookout for quick and easy ways to clean.
A product that I believe was mentioned in the Mom Squad Blog a while a go needs to be repeated.

It is the Magic Easer from Mr. Clean.

This is a great product, it cleans everything, even permanent marker. And with the summer coming (and it is coming), it is wonderful for cleaning all that plastic lawn furniture that has sat around all winter. If you haven’t ever tried it be sure and go out and pick one up today.

The other idea for easy, quick cleaning is keeping a roll of paper towels and a bottle of Windex in your bathroom. Windex is great for quick cleanups of mirrors, counters, sinks, toilets and tubs. And if you keep a bottle and paper towels right there in the bathroom it makes it easier to make those clean ups happen. Even the kids seem to like help out with cleaning if they know they don’t have to go looking for what to use.

If you have any great product ideas to share please send the information to themomsquad@955thefish.com We'd love to hear from you!

Recipe of the Week!

White Bean, Pasta & Sausage Soup
(prep time 10 to 15 min) - Cooking time: 30 minutes

16 oz of Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage
1 large onion chopped – or onion powder to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
As many baby carrots as desired

1 ½ quarts chicken broth
3 cups of water

1 teaspoon dry basil
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
3 whole bay leaves

1 cup dry large shell shaped pasta

1 small can tomato sauce
2 cans of Great Northern beans - drained

Grated Parmesan Cheese (for topping)

Put some olive oil in a large Dutch oven, sauté garlic, add sausage (break apart) and carrots
When sausage is browned add chicken broth and water, bring to a boil,
Add salt and basil, bring to a boil again, add pasta.
Cook until pasta is done, then add tomato sauce and cans of beans (drained), heat through.

Serve with Parmesan Cheese as a topping.
Store leftovers in refrigerator – tastes even better the second day.

T.P. Tidbit!

Do your kids use too much toilet paper? Here is a great way to help that. This product made by Cottonelle for kids is not only cute and fun for the kids, but a great way to teach them that you do not need a lot! Just follow the puppy feet to the puppy and this is where you tear! It has been a great way for us to save money at our house! I felt like every time I turned around, we were out of toilet paper. Not anymore thanks to this!! If you go to www.cottonelle.com you can get a free coupon today!

-Susan in Richfield

Recipe of the Week!

Balsamic Glazed Chicken
recipe ingredients
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup chicken stock
2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
4 tablespoons green onion tops, thinly sliced

recipe directions
In large fry pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, turning and sprinkling pepper equally on each side of chicken, about 10 minutes or until slightly brown on all sides.

Remove chicken from pan and drain off any excess oil. Add garlic to pan; sauté over medium heat for 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and slowly add chicken stock, scraping to dissolve any bits clinging to bottom of pan. Increase heat to medium-high; add vinegar and honey and rapidly boil for 3 minutes to reduce liquid to one cup. Return chicken to pan; reduce heat to medium. Cook, turning, about 30 minutes or until liquid thickens and becomes a dark mahogany glaze and chicken is done.

Serve with rice.

Low-Fat Recipe of the Week!

Ground Turkey w Black Beans and Rice

Hey Everybody. I am 70 lbs lighter and learning more about fitness and enjoying delicious tasting healthy meals every day. Here's one that I hope you will love too.

1 lb or so of Lean Ground Turkey 85/15 or Ground Turkey Breast
1 can Black Beans
1 pack Yellow Rice
1 teaspoon or so of A-1 Sauce
Onion, Salt & Pepper if you like

Follow the instructions on the package of yellow rice and prepare in a separate sauce pan.
Brown your turkey in a skillet and drain. I prepare all meats and fish in a small amount of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Add chopped onions (I love using different types of onions, especially the red but any will do), salt and pepper to taste.
Sprinkle in the A-1 Sauce and stir.
Pour the undrained Black Beans into the skillet
Add the Yellow Rice into the skillet
Give it one more light toss and Voila! Enjoy!

-Darlene

Ideas for Education

Many parents are looking for education alternatives for their children, especially Christian parents. We come from a home schooling background in Northern VA and what a magnificent experience it was, as there are thousands of families home schooling there and there are co-ops where the parents come together to alternate teaching various courses. Groups of children meet in libraries, churches, civic centers and in homes to participate in a classroom environment. This also allows the children to interact with each other to build friendships and socialize. I was not sure what Ohio offered when we first moved here and since my son had no friends in this area, I opted for a Christian School and fell in love with Bethel Christian Academy in Parma, Ohio. www.bcakids.com. Unfortunately, Bethel only goes through 8th grade. Micah is now ready for high school.

I received information today regarding Connections Academy. They are a home school alternative and have an Ohio division and in reviewing the website, it sounds wonderful. I liked the way the curriculum is presented. There are informational sessions coming up:

April 3 Comfort Inn 1860 Austinburg Rd. Austinburg, OH at 6:30 pm
May 23 Cuyahoga County Public Library 22035 Clarkwood Pkwy Warrensville Hts., OH 6:30 pm
Or interested parties may attend a virtual session on line. www.connectionsacademy.com.

-Darlene