Quick and Easy Energy Boosters

The following article came from imom.  To read more articles like this and other great encouraging things, head over to imom.com!

- When you wake up, shower with lavender-scented soap—the scent has energizing power.
- Don't skip breakfast, but don't eat lots of sugar either. Instead grab a mix of protein, carbs and healthy fat —   like an egg on whole-grain toast with a slice of cheese.
- If you need a pick-me-up, have a cup of fragrant herbal tea instead of coffee.
- Take a break. Sit quietly for five minutes, close your eyes and take deep breaths.
- If you're sliding into a slump, perk up with some citrus! Eat an orange, wash your hands with lemon   soap or put on some grapefruit-scented lotion.
- Make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep. If you get enough rest every night you'll be ready to go the next morning.
- Exercise! Even if you don't feel like it at the time, getting up and moving will re-energize you and put you in a better mood for the rest of the day. And this can be a fun activity for you to share with your kids.
- Massage your scalp or temples to get your circulation flowing.
- Drink a glass of ice water – did you know you're supposed to have eight 8 oz. glasses of water a day?
- Have a healthy, high-energy snack. A mix of carbs and protein can provide a prolonged boost to your blood-sugar level, giving you energy for hours. Try nuts, dried fruit such as raisins, whole wheat bagels with peanut butter, or yogurt.


© 2011 iMOM. All Rights Reserved. Family First, All Pro Dad, iMOM, and Family Minute with Mark Merrill are registered trademarks.

What's for dinner? {Chicken Crescent Rolls}

This is one of our all time favorite dinner recipes!  I have recently started making my own cream of chicken soup (which I will share the recipe at a later time) instead of using the canned soup and milk.  My next goal is homemade crescent rolls, but I'm not there yet.  I always serve these with a couple veggies as well to round out the meal!

Ingredients:

1 boneless skinless chicken breast

1 can crescent rolls

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup milk

3/4 cup shredded cheese

The first step is to take one good size boneless, skinless chicken breast and cut into cubes. Next brown it in a skillet on tkhe stove. Once you have done that, you can begin to stuff your crescent rolls.

After you have placed the chicken on the crescent roll, you can roll them up.

Place each stuffed crescent roll in a baking dish.

Mix 1 can of cream of chicken soup with a half cup of milk.

Pour the soup mixture over the crescent rolls.

Sprinkle 3/4 cup of shredded cheese over the crescent rolls and soup mixture.

Bake Crescent rolls at 350 degrees until soup mixture bubbles and cheese is golden brown.

What to do this week????

Here is a list of child friendly activities going on in the Cookeville area this week!

Monday February 6, 2012:  Wiggle Time / Jumpville open from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
                                                 Messy Monday - Cookeville Children's Museum 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday February 7, 2012:  Story Time - Putnam County Library (Cookeville Branch)  10:00 a.m.

Wednesday February 8, 2012:  Story Time - Putnam County Library (Cookeville Branch)  10:00 a.m.
                                             Picnic and Play - First United Methodist Church - 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Thursday February 9, 2012:  Wiggle Time / Jumpville open from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
                                          Story Time - Putnam County Library (Cookeville Branch)  10:00 a.m.

Friday February 10, 2012:  Wiggle Time / Jumpville open from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

We are working on compiling a more complete list of activities.  If anyone knows something else going on, please e-mail us at cookevillemops@yahoo.com and we will add it to the list!

Our Next MOPS Meeting!!!!

We are a little over a week away from our next MOPS meeting!!  Be sure to mark your calendars for Monday, February 13th!  The meeting begins at 9:00 a.m., and we are asking that everyone make a special effort to be there on time this month.  We have a wonderful speaker who will be sharing some great first aid information with us.  She will just be getting off work (from the night shift) and will need to get home to her kids (and bed) as soon as possible.  We will be adjusting the schedule this month to help her get home a little faster by allowing her to speak first (then we will enjoy breakfast, discussion, and creative activity time).  We hope everyone can make it to this month's meeting!  Tell your friends!  We still have room for more mommies to join us!

Yummy Recipe {Valentine's Chex Mix}

Who doesn't love chex mix???  And this looks like a yummy treat for Valentine's Day!  I found this recipe on Pinterest (who doesn't love Pinterest, too??), and the orignal recipe came from http://bettycrocker.com/.

9 cups Rice Chex® cereal (gluten free)

1 cup white vanilla baking chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup red, white and pink candy-coated chocolate candies
1/4 cup red or pink jimmies sprinkles

{STEP ONE}
In large bowl, place cereal. In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.

{STEP TWO}
Place 1/2 of the cereal mixture in 1-gallon food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.

{STEP THREE}
Meanwhile, stir candies and sprinkles into remaining cereal mixture. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.

{STEP FOUR}
In serving bowl, mix both cereal mixtures. Store in airtight container.

Getting Crafty {Free Valentine Printables}

Today, I thought I would share some free Valentine Printables that I have found.  These are some fun (and easy) ideas for some Valentine themed projects! Enjoy!


Click here for the link to this free printable.

Click here for the link to this free printable.



Click here for the link to this free printable.

Click here for the link to this free printable.

Click here for the link to 90 Free Printables!!!

15 Minute, One Room, 4-Step Spruce Up

The following article came from imom.  To read more articles like this and other great encouraging things, head over to imom.com!

You'll need:

1. Broom or sweeper

2. Vacuum (if you have rugs or carpet)

3. Ability to kick it into high gear

Minutes	Action
1:00 - 4:00	Work clockwise around the perimeter of your room, straightening and picking up any items that belong somewhere else.  Put those items by the room's exit, to take on your way out.
4:00 - 10:00	If you have tile, wood or laminate flooring, sweep and mop (if you only have time for one of those – sweep).  If you have rugs or carpet, vacuum.
10:00 - 15:00	Grab the items that belong elsewhere.  If you have time, put them in the rooms where they belong.  If you don't, put them in an out of the way place – or under a bed (LOL)!

Minutes	Action
1:00 - 4:00	Work clockwise around the perimeter of your room, straightening and picking up any items that belong somewhere else.  Put those items by the room's exit, to take on your way out.
4:00 - 10:00	If you have tile, wood or laminate flooring, sweep and mop (if you only have time for one of those – sweep).  If you have rugs or carpet, vacuum.
10:00 - 15:00	Grab the items that belong elsewhere.  If you have time, put them in the rooms where they belong.  If you don't, put them in an out of the way place – or under a bed (LOL)!

© 2010 iMOM. All Rights Reserved. Family First, All Pro Dad, iMOM, and Family Minute with Mark Merrill are registered trademarks.