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A Busy Mom's Kitchen A Minute with Noel |
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Greetings!
Greetings and Happy New Year!
It's a brand new year and while I know that a new year is nothing more than another day on the calendar, I still feel emotional and excited to the idea of a fresh start to a new year and motivated about setting some kind of goals to improve this year. What about you?
A New Year's resolution for a busy mom sounds like a magic trick that a magician has up his sleeve, doesn't it? Most moms are so busy that they do not have time to make a so-called list that many experts recommend this time of year. But, since you have decided that it is time to get your life in order, your short list needs to be produced rather quickly. Reality tells us that moms (and dads) are extremely busy people, as they are what makes many of our homes tick today. New Year's resolutions, or not, the new year will be an awesome time for you and your family.
All moms should make the necessary steps to make more time for themselves. You may ask yourself if this is possible. If you choose to think it is not possible, it probably will not be. Take a minimum of 10 minutes a day, and read a short devotion for the day and reflect on what it means to you. By taking a few minutes out of your day, your family will thank you.
As we move into this new year, I tend to ponder on the blessings and hardships of this past year. In 2011, my biggest resolution, is one that is always at the top of my list; to verve away from the mechanics of life and lean more towards what is really important...spending quality time with my treasured family. The time to embrace quality family time is NOW, before driving, dating and college (gasp).
Noel
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From The Blog:
 | | Noel's Kitchen Tips.com |
Here is a recap of what we shared on the blog last week, just in case you missed a post or two!
Since most of my blog posts at the end of last month were in reference to Christmas and New Year's celebrations, I won't be listing them here. However, there are a couple blog posts I'd like to point out. |
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Family Time
Time Savers For Busy Moms!
Now that we've talked a bit about our new year's resoliutions, how about some tools that will help busy moms easily plan meals, quickly organize, and budget so that you can have more family time.
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BIG NEWS!
It's A Mom's World
This month, I had the pleasure to be featured as Raley's "It's A Mom's World" January Mom of the Month. It's great knowing there's a grocery store who is committed to helping busy moms like us create wonderful meals with a great selection of ingredients and feed our families for less. To read my latest interview with Ashley Zepernick of Raley's, go HERE.
Want to join their team of Moms?
- Your opinions about products, ideas or advertising.
- Your feedback on new products you can test at home.
- Your thoughts on how we can make shopping more mom-friendly
It's easy to join the Mom's World Panel. If you already have a raleys.com account, log in using the form on the right column of this page. If you don't have a raleys.com account yet, use the "Sign Up Free" form on this page or click here. Once you've logged in, you'll be able to complete our Mom's World registration form and become a member.
I hope you'll join us.
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Featured Recipe: Italian Sausage & Escarole Stew
Ingredients:
2 medium red onions
1 large red bell pepper
1 1/4lbs (575 g) hot Italian sausage links (5 links), casings removed
4 garlic cloves, pressed
6 cups (1.5 L) chicken stock
1 can (28 oz or 796 mL) petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup (250 mL) uncooked ditalini pasta
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 small head (12 oz/350 g) escarole (about 12 cups/2.8 L sliced)
2 tbsp (30 mL) balsamic vinegar
1 tsp (5 mL) salt
2 oz (60 g) Parmesan cheese, shaved
Directions:
Dice onions and bell pepper using Chef's Knife. Cut sausage in half lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/2-in. (1-cm) pieces. Place sausage into (8-qt./7.6-L) Stockpot. Cook over medium heat 6-7 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove sausage from Stockpot; drain on paper towels.
Add onions and bell pepper to Stockpot. Cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until browned. Add garlic pressed with Garlic Press; cook an additional 30 seconds or until fragrant. Stir in sausage, stock, tomatoes, pasta and rosemary. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender. Remove from heat and remove rosemary sprigs.
Meanwhile, cut escarole head in half lengthwise. Cut off and discard root end. Slice escarole crosswise. Rinse and spin dry using Salad & Berry Spinner. Stir escarole, vinegar and salt into Stockpot; let stand 2-3 minutes or until escarole is wilted. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
Recipe tip: Escarole, commonly used in Italian cooking, is a leafy green related to chicory. Use the green, leafy part of the escarole head for this stew. If desired, 1 bag (6 oz/175 g) fresh baby spinach leaves can be substituted for the escarole.
This stew can be made up to two days in advance. Prepare as recipe directs, omitting escarole; cool, cover and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat the stew over medium heat until hot. Proceed as recipe directs in Step 3.
The Vegetable Peeler does a great job of shaving hard cheeses such as Parmesan.
Kitchen Tools and Seasonings used in this recipe can be found by visiting www.NoelsKitchen.com.
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I'm so thrilled with the new recipes I'll be sharing with all of you in 2011! I'll have fresh new recipes as well as many new article additions each issue of A Busy Mom's Kitchen Newsletter. In 2011 we'll be working through simple menus, saving money all along the way. I would love to hear about your family's kitchen stories and ideas.
Show us your family kitchen stories, favorite family recipes or what tips work for you in preparing family mealtimes! I'd love to showcase your kitchen talents or oganization in the kitchen, but I need to hear from you soon! Send me your story.
Until Next Time!
Sincerely,
Noel Chapman
Noel's Kitchen Tips |
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Cookbooks & Kitchen Digests
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 | | A Busy Mom's Guide To Family Meal Planning E-Cookbook |
Get your copy today for just $8.95 
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The official desciption:
Isn't it worth the investment of effort and time to gather your family to the dinner table?
Want to make that special connection with your kids?
As a Busy Mom myself I share tips and tricks in the kitchen to Revitalize family meal times and give Busy Mom's like you more time to spend with those you love!
What makes spending time in the kitchen even better are shortcuts in food preparation from useful tools to cookware.
Get ready for an unforgettable experience as I share with you how to create those memorable family meal times, in my first E-Cookbook........
A Busy Mom's Guide To Family Meal Planning Fast Recipe Ideas For Busy Moms On The Go Just click the link above to get yours today!
Make-Ahead Cooking for Busy Moms: Cook It, Freeze It! Volume One: Beef Recipes
Are you like many of the rest of us, so busy with work and the kids that it's hard to find the time to cook a decent meal for your family each night? Would you like to be able to enjoy a family dinner each night and not have to eat fast food or take-out? Let me introduce you to Make-Ahead Cooking for Busy Moms: Cook It, Freeze It! Ebook Volume One:Beef Recipes And it's yours, for just $3.95!
Get your copy today!
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