Turnitupmom

Photo by Aaron Geller

Last week, a friend commented, “Did you get a haircut? Love the hair!”

“No, I just did it,” I laughed, brushing off the ridiculous amount of time it takes to tame my wild mane.

I don’t choose to spend much time in the bathroom, with a hairdryer and a flat-iron. I prefer the extra hour of sleep in the morning, or the chance to watch a mindless TV show at night, which means that my hair is usually in a ponytail. So I’m not the hottest mom on the block. My daughter still thinks I’m pretty cool. 

This incident sheds light on one of my biggest challenges: time management. As a SAHM, I arguably have more time on my hands than ever before, and yet I feel like I’m never satisfied with my abilities as a home manager. I’m not juggling a career, a home, and a family, so why is this so hard to manage?

A few months ago, I read something at Simple Mom that resonated with me: “Every choice we make in life is both a choice to do something and a choice to not do something.” 

I can choose to stay in my pajamas and read books and play with legos, but that means choosing not to do chores. 

I can choose to prepare dinner during naptime, but that means no computer time. 

I can choose to fold laundry, but that means not spending quality time with my child (although we have had some laundry laughing incidents involving mommy’s underwear on our heads). 

You get my point. 

If staying at home is just about playing and mothering, I am more than measuring up. But it’s not. Here’s my problem: I can’t justify focusing on the mundane tasks of everyday life when I could be making the most of the reason why I choose to stay home in the first place. Little fingers. Little hugs. Little giggles. Little phrases. (Even little problems.) Honestly, I’m afraid to blink. 

I’m consciously working to re-program my thinking about my role as a SAHM. Here’s what I’ve begun to do: 

• Make a mental to-do list of things that I WANT to do each day. Sometimes it’s easy to feel trapped as a SAHM, but I’ve found that replacing “have to” with “want to” is freeing. Being intentional gives me focus and purpose, and I generally feel happier, because I control the outcome of the day (rather than feeling like a slave to all that needs to get done). Does that mean I never do chores? No. Sometimes I bang out 3 loads of laundry at once. Ironically, I’m more productive when I allow myself the freedom to choose. 

• Eliminate “should” from my vocabulary. Rather than saying, “I should be doing those dishes,” I acknowledge what I’m choosing to do instead. Yesterday, when I ran out the door to dance class, the sink was piled high with dishes. I had to let that go for the time being in order to do something that replenishes my own well. Although I paid for it later, it was well worth it. 

• Recognize that every decision is a both a choice to do and not to do. Just the mere acknowledgement that I’m choosing one thing over another adds clarity to my day when I look around at the piles and messes. Maybe I didn’t file the bills. Instead, I took my daughter to story hour at the library, filled the car with gas, and picked up dinner at the supermarket. When I focus on what I have chosen to do, I can live with what I’ve chosen not to do. 

• Ask myself: Are my actions congruent with my priorities? I almost never choose housekeeping over playing. The reason is simple: I wanted to be present for the little moments (the good, the bad, and the ugly; okay, maybe not the ugly). So here’s my confession: My husband and I have budgeted for someone to clean our home twice a month. Playing is a priority for me; mopping floors isn’t. 

I don’t know a single mom who doesn’t struggle with how she spends her day: Am I giving enough time to my children? Am I giving enough time to my spouse, my home, myself? This concept of choosing has helped me to align my priorities and my mental to-do list in a way that feels good. Would it feel good to have a few more “Love the hair” compliments too? Absolutely. But for now, that’s pretty far down on the list.

**The following guest post is the third in a series of four by Chef Dave Zino, Executive Chef with the National Cattleman’s Beef Association**

Hello again, everyone. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Now that we are “officially”  in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I figured it would be a great time to share some tips on quick, simple appetizers and small bite beef plates for kids and time-strapped families.

Everyone knows that kids can be picky eaters. I meet many parents who say their kids turn up their noses at anything that isn’t delivered by a local pizzeria or that comes in a box with a toy. So if you want to broaden your children’s culinary horizons, it helps to pick fun, easy-to-eat snacks that don’t require them to be seated at the dinner table with a fork and knife.

What’s also great about the three recipes below is that they are easy-to-prepare and use ingredients that can be found at any major grocery store. Not to mention they are fun and tasty, guaranteed to please everyone.

Spicy Buffalo-Style Meatballs

These bite-size meatballs have a nice kick that can be balanced with a side of cool blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping. They are super easy to make and would be an ideal option when cooking for a group of your child’s friends at a sleepover. If the kids don’t like spicy foods, you can easily substitute your favorite sweet or tangy BBQ sauce. 

Grilled Salsa Steak Appetizer

Kids love chips and salsa, and this recipe will make for a perfect protein-packed afternoon snack. All you need are two beef shoulder top blade (flat iron) steaks, a jar of your favorite chunky salsa, some guacamole (store bought is fine), and a little cilantro. The steaks are marinated right in the salsa to give them a little extra zip too. 

Hot Beef “Sundaes”

I know, I know, sundaes are usually associated with desserts, but trust me – this unique interpretation is a fun, colorful change of pace. As an added benefit, they can be served in simple plastic cups, which make them easy for kids to carry and eat.  
 
So, go ahead and give one of these recipes a try next time you’ve got a pack of hungry, anxious kids to feed. Drop me a line on Twitter too; I’d love to hear what they thought. If you’d like more easy beef recipes, remember that you can find hundreds of free recipes by checking out BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com on your home computer or mobile device. The site truly gives you all the know before you go.

Until next time, have fun with your kids and your food this holiday season!

Chef Dave

As Executive Chef for the leading food authority on beef and veal, Dave Zino is responsible for concept development, ideation and recipe development for the beef industry. Dave also works very closely with the checkoff-funded Beef Innovations Group in evaluating and developing new beef products.

Connect with us online!

Visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com

Join the BeefItsWhatsForDinner Facebook Fan Page

Follow Chef Dave @zcooks on Twitter

Follow @BeefForDinner on Twitter

Have you ever read something that seems to be speaking directly to you? Like it was written with you in mind? And you have to read it again because you’re in disbelief? This was the feeling I had after reading Maira Kalman’s NY Times blog post, Back to the Land. I’ve read it again and again. It’s absolutely brilliant. 

And moving. Well, moving me to replace the swingset with an edible garden. I don’t know if this was Kalman’s intention, but I think Thomas Jefferson would approve. I’ve been itching to dig my fingers into this well-defined area of our backyard for awhile now. But I keep putting it off. It feels wrong to dismantle the swing and the slide. From my experience, they are the crowned jewels of childhood. 

But then I read this piece. Dammit. 

And in it, I read this quote from Cicero: “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” 

How do you explain that to a two-year-old? 

Something is calling me to begin a family garden. How cool would it be to make our own veggie pizza on Friday nights? Maybe there’s a new family ritual in our future. Or maybe I’m being a Pollyanna. I just can’t get Cicero out of my head.

**This post is a part of the Moms’ 30 Minute Blog Challenge at Steady Mom**

**If you are coming to my home for Thanksgiving, please do NOT read this post until after the holiday**

Well, here we are, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. If you’re hosting, you might feel totally overwhelmed and stressed out right now. Perhaps you still need to go shopping or the house is a wreck, and you’re wondering if there are even enough hours between now and Thursday to get it all done. 

Or maybe you’re calm, cool, and collected. (For the record, that’s not me!) And you’d love a simple Thanksgiving ritual that will center your family and creatively involve your children in the Thanksgiving table preparations. 

Kind Over Matter’s Thanksgiving Fortune Cookies are quick and easy to make and immediately brought me back to the reason for this holiday (which is often lost when I’m waiting on long lines in the supermarket). You can easily print their PDF, complete with colorful patterned circles and fortunes. 

Or if your children are old enough, consider involving the entire family. Circles are easy to cut and kids can write their own fortunes of gratitude to slip inside. This is a perfect opportunity to teach our children the value of having a thankful heart. When you are setting the table, place one fortune cookie at each person’s place setting. Then, before digging in, open the fortunes and read them aloud. What a wonderful celebration of gratitude! Happy Thanksgiving! 

**This post is a part of the Moms’ 30-Minute Blog Challenge at Steady Mom**

**The following guest post is the second in a series of four by Chef Dave Zino, Executive Chef with the National Cattleman’s Beef Association**

During the holidays it seems we’re all a little busier, but there’s an easy way to get a home-cooked meal on the table for your family, while still having time to do the million other things on your list.  Braising is one of my favorite cooking methods because it brings out the best in beef. And you know what? It’s easy, requires little prep, your family will love the results and it’s a low maintenance way to cook.

Braising is the cooking method of choice for large, less tender cuts of beef, such as a bottom round roast, an eye round roast, brisket or chuck roast. A stockpot or other large heavy pan with a tight-fitting lid provides the best results. With a chill in the air now, I made a Beef Post Roast with Cider Maple Gravy and Mashed Butternut Squash last weekend and used an old heavy pan that my grandmother gave me, and it worked great.  

Here are three simple steps for slow cooking with beef:

Step One:

Lightly coat the roast with flour and slowly brown the beef on all sides in a small amount of oil over medium heat. Browning the beef is a key to success because it will lock in the juices and flavors of the beef as it cooks for hours. After it’s browned on all sides, I like to add a bit of seasoning before placing it in the liquid.

Step Two:

Add liquid, such as broth, water, apple juice or apple cider, to a heavy pan. Toss in herbs or seasonings as desired. I like to add a fresh sprig of thyme. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat. For pot roasts and other braised dishes, use about 1-1/2 to 2 cups of liquid. You don’t want to submerge the beef.  

Step Three:

Cover the pan tightly and simmer over low heat on top of the range or in a preheated 325ºF oven until fork tender. Serve with a healthy side dish of your choice. 

My suggestions for three no-fuss, easy recipes this winter are: 

• Autumn Beef and Cider Stew I like this recipe because if you’re in a hurry, you can pick up a package of pre-cut beef for this recipe. Feel free to omit the bacon if you don’t have any on-hand and toss in any other veggies you have in your fridge.

• Slow Cooked Beef Risotto Buy beef cut for stew and risotto mix at the store and this dish is already half-way done. 

• Pot Roast with Maple Sweet Potatoes and Cider Gravy This recipe takes a bit more time than the first two, but I love this because of the kid friendly flavors (sweet apple cider!) and the chuck shoulder is one of the 29 lean cuts.

And, to channel my inner Dave Letterman, I thought I’d share… 

Chef Dave’s Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Braise with Beef

10. You can sneak healthy veggies into your kids’ diets: toss baby carrots or another root vegetable into the slow cooker when the roast has about 20 more minutes left to cook.

9. Pot roast pairs perfectly with mashed sweet potatoes (full of vitamins!) or mashed acorn squash; reward the kids by sprinkling brown sugar on top.

8. Roasts are a great value. Remember to evaluate beef based on cost per serving rather than price per pound. This will allow you to realize the most savings and get the most from your dollar.

7. You can make your own signature dish by incorporating your favorite seasonal ingredients. Love garlic? Drop a couple of fresh cloves in the pot. 

6. Braising allows you to experiment with great flavors. If you’re hosting a dinner party, consider cooking with a seasonal spiced American Ale or add a little red wine to the pan. The cooking liquid can be strained and reduced to use as a sauce.

5. You can cook once and dine twice! Slice up the tender beef slices and serve on a bed of lettuce for a protein-packed lunch the next day. Reference our guide to serving and leftovers

4.  Roasts are great lean options (opt for the Bottom Round Roast or a Round Tip Roast) that meet government guidelines for lean (less than 10 grams of total fat, less than 4.5 grams of saturated fat, and less than 95 mg of cholesterol per serving).

3. Our Classic Beef Pot Roast utilizes the affordable chuck shoulder pot roast for a timeless family favorite. And next day shredded beef sandwiches are fast and delicious.

2. Minimal maintenance is required; it’s not necessary to turn or move the roast once it’s in the stovetop pot braising. Simply check on it from time to time. 

And the number one reason why you should love to braise with beef is…

1. Serving a fork tender, succulent, slow cooked beef roast will bring smiles to faces and will leave family and friends satisfied and wanting more!

Until next time, have fun braising with beef! 

Chef Dave 
 

As Executive Chef for the leading food authority on beef and veal, Dave Zino is responsible for concept development, ideation and recipe development for the beef industry. Dave also works very closely with the checkoff-funded Beef Innovations Group in evaluating and developing new beef products.

Connect with us online!

Visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com

Join the BeefItsWhatsForDinner Facebook Fan Page

Follow Chef Dave @zcooks on Twitter

Follow @BeefForDinner on Twitter

Photo by jekert gwapo

My daughter and I attend a Mommy and Me class once a week. I thought this would be a nice transition into preschool, since Liza is shy and cautious, rarely venturing out of my sight. Initially, she hesitated to sit at the children’s table for snack time while I chatted with other moms about hot toddler topics (well, as “hot” as they get). 

That was until she comprehended the word snack. 

More recently, I’ve caught her glancing over her shoulder for reassurance: Mommy isn’t leaving me. She’s right over there. And as soon as I’m finished with this delicious cookie, I’ll give her some love. But, really, cookie first. Love later. 

Here’s what I learned (by the way, it’s part of every grandparent’s arsenal of tricks, those sneaky folks): If you give a toddler more graham crackers, she’ll do whatever you want. Yup, that’s right. She’ll stuff her little face with sugary goodness. And she’ll keep asking for more. And it won’t matter where Mommy is, or where anyone is, in fact.

Because today, she was the last one left at the table. I laughed, slightly embarrassed (for her and me). Nobody wants to have the kid who’s always asking for more. Look where it got poor Oliver! But I have to say, she didn’t have a care in the world. She was doing her own thing, and she was perfectly okay with it. 

And when she was done, she showed me some love- bringing me the napkin to wipe up the cracker crumbles pasted to her cheeks.

**This post is a part of the Moms’ 30-Minute Blog Challenge at Steady Mom**

**The following guest post is the first in a series of four by Chef Dave Zino, Executive Chef with the National Cattleman’s Beef Association (you know, the team behind the glorious slogan: “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.”)**

I love the holidays and I especially love cooking for large groups of people. Call it the professional chef in me. There’s something to be said about a warm house full of people, all naturally gravitating toward the kitchen. The kitchen is a magnet for houseguests. To kick off my series of blog posts, I wanted to share some tips and tricks for choosing the best beef for your budget this holiday season.

First and foremost, the best thing about beef is the variety of cuts that can be found at any local grocery store or butcher. With so many options at your fingertips, including 29 cuts that qualify as lean, you can easily find a cut of beef that is right for you and that meets your budgetary needs.  

When preparing for a big meal, I always think about a few factors aside from simply that final, beautiful plated dish – though that’s obviously near the top of the list! Below I’ve put together a few extra considerations to keep in mind, which can help pave the way for a more efficient and rewarding shopping experience.  

Looking for the cut that counts

• Think about making your purchases based on the cost per serving – not just the price per pound. Things such as bone and fat trim will affect the yield of the final product, so depending on what you want to serve, the amount of beef to buy will vary. For example, while bone-in rib roasts are wonderfully delicious, consider purchasing its boneless ribeye roast cousin as an alternative, which eliminates the cost of the bone and does not jeopardize the final taste. 

Planning ahead for leftovers

• One of my favorite dishes is a quick and easy shredded beef sandwich a la leftovers from the previous night’s pot roast, so I always think ahead about how I can turn that one meal into two. Likewise, top sirloin steaks are not only good for serving multiple people, but you can also cut the leftover meat into cubes to make a quick and easy steak salad. So in addition to thinking about how much to buy to feed the number of people that you will be entertaining with the initial dish, think about that next step before you shop as a way to extend your dollar and tap into the versatility of beef.  

Buying beef in bulk

• Pay attention to specials and coupons. Buying in bulk and freezing beef is a great way to capitalize on lower prices and can save you money over time. Fresh ground beef can be frozen for up to three months and steaks/roasts for up to 6-12 months, which is plenty of time to make a few meals throughout the holiday season all from one purchase.

The website BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com also lists more ways to help you during this busy timeframe within the “Shopping for Beef” tab, including some downloadable tip sheets and plenty of holiday recipes.  

You can also access hundreds of free recipes via your mobile device which offers a streamlined version of the original site. Now home cooks, busy moms and anyone on-the-go can navigate the meat case and plan menus in a pinch. Simply enter “Beef For Dinner” into your web browser (it’s available for all carriers, blackberry, iphone, etc) and you’ll have instantaneous access to hundreds of delicious beef recipes and related shopping lists in the palm of your hand without any downloads.

However, if you forget your cheat sheet and your cell phone is flashing its last bar, don’t be afraid to ask your friendly and knowledgeable butcher behind the meat case. They are there to help and usually they have some great tips of their own to share.  

Until next time, happy shopping! 

Chef Dave
 

As Executive Chef for the leading food authority on beef and veal, Dave Zino is responsible for concept development, ideation and recipe development for the beef industry. Dave also works very closely with the checkoff-funded Beef Innovations Group in evaluating and developing new beef products.

Connect with us online!

Visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com

Join the BeefItsWhatsForDinner Facebook Fan Page

Follow Chef Dave @zcooks on Twitter

Follow @BeefForDinner on Twitter

Ever since the pumpkins arrived, I’d had my eye on the enormous empty cardboard boxes at our local farm. It pains me to see them piled on pallets, awaiting their fate at the recycling center. So I decided to take one home. It wasn’t hard for me to convince my husband to haul one into the back of our Subaru. I think he was secretly tickled pink that I was so excited to make a fort.  

This fort cost us nothing, but the payoff was huge. We spent quality time together as a family, laughed, played, and got some great photos before mommy got stuck in the door. 

From a parent’s perspective, the only thing that I needed to invest in this fort was my time and my presence. I think this is what our children really want- for us to be there with them, in the small moments. Not physically, but emotionally. To temporarily abandon our lists, obligations, and judgmental thoughts and to get silly and have fun, and be a kid again. 

Sometimes the best things in life are free. Cardboard included.

Photo from ralphbijker

I watch very little television, although I have been known to say that the only good thing about winter is American Idol. And in the fall, college football. Aside from that, my TV watching is generally limited to a mindless TiVo’d sitcom before conking out on the couch. 

As a parent, I limit my daughter’s TV watching to one Sesame Street episode in the evening. I’m all for turning off the TV and playing in dirt. It’s funny, though, that some of my fondest family memories include the television. I remember singing the theme song to Fame with my mom, laughing at Bill Cosby’s antics with my dad, and watching Saturday morning cartoons with my sisters while fishing for the prize inside the Cheerios box. 

Is TV all that bad? Or in some instances, when used in moderation, can it actually bring families together? 

If you call my house on a Saturday afternoon in the fall, you’ll get voice mail. I’m probably glued to the TV, watching Notre Dame football on NBC. With my family. For me, ND football is more than a sporting event. It’s something that rallies my family around spirit, tradition, and fun. We throw on our Irish gear, yell the cheers, and shake our car keys for a defensive “key” play. And it’s simply adorable when my 2 year old throws her arms up for a “Touchdown!” 

Some families get pumped up for March Madness. For others, it’s the World Series, the Daytona 500, or the Olympics. Sports can be enjoyed by all ages, and they nurture a spirit of healthy competition and teamwork. When families get revved up together, it builds camaraderie and a shared identity. This is what stays with kids. 

Maybe you’re not a sports fan. That’s okay; watch the Discovery Channel and learn about an endangered animal. Or pop in an old family favorite on DVD (I have all 8 seasons of the Cosby Show). If your children are older, tune into a family-friendly reality show with them. Whatever you choose, pick a set date and time and make it ritualistic. You’ll be glad you did.

Photo by Tammra McCauley

When the phone rings, my daughter inevitably holds her hand up to her ear and exclaims, “Me-a!” (She knows that it’s likely to be Aunt Mir from California.) When the remote control is laying on the couch cushion, she grabs it and points to the television. When I’m brushing my teeth, she reaches for her toothbrush. When I dance or jump, she too bends at the knees or gets that hip going.  

She’s learning, and it’s all the result of observation and imitation. Notice how I didn’t say that it’s the result of Baby Einstein or flashcards or Leap Frog’s latest talking, flashing toy. I think we’ve overcomplicated matters. It’s time to get back to basics and to simplify our teaching methods. Our children are watching, so don’t be caught picking your nose. But do consider using everyday objects, routines, and tasks as learning opportunities. 

1. Walking up the Stairs: Since my daughter is just learning how to navigate stairs, we’ve started counting them. Now it’s a routine, and she lights up when I start to count. Nine is her favorite number these days. It often sounds something like this: Me: One, Her: Nine, Me: Two, Her: Nine, and so on.   

2. Washing Hands: While you’re hanging your child over the ledge of the sink, why not sing the ABCs? It’s just the right amount of time to wash away those germs before mealtimes or after playing in dirt. If you have to wash up, you might as well sing!  

3. Diaper Changes: From chatting with other moms, it seems that diaper changes can often be a source of frustration for parents as even the sweetest toddlers transform into wiggle worms with a will (Think skid marks in undies are bad? Now multiply that across your living room floor.). I’ve found that distraction is key. I either sing a song she’s heard before or talk about our day. During this time, I focus on enunciating clearly, as my daughter is generally in tune with the movement of my mouth and lips.  

4. Driving in the Car: Depending on your family situation and schedule, you might spend a significant amount of time in the car. The other day I heard this coming from the back seat: “Lello (yellow), re (red), bo (brown), lello.” It finally came to me that my daughter was naming the fall colors on the trees. She’ll do this with cars as well. Point out the train, trucks, stop signs, supermarket, and other landmarks in your neighborhood. Just stay focused on the road so you don’t have to cover the red and blue flashing lights lesson. 

5. Real World Objects: I’m willing to bet that your children know the difference between the real cell phone and the Fisher-Price one. Same thing with your keys. They want to be like us, and they’re not fools. Get out an extra broom, hairbrush, mixing bowl, washcloth, and let them explore and learn. 

6. Playtime: Human interaction trumps all. Nothing can replace encouraging exploration and imagination by playing with blocks, dolls, or cars. I find that many stay-at-home moms struggle with this, because it’s easy to feel that we should be managing household chores and tasks first and foremost. We could be playing (By playing, I do not mean a rousing game of “scrub the tub.”). And our little copy cats would be, without a doubt, observing and imitating.