It’s Springtime and when I think of Spring I think of grass growing, trees getting their leaves back, flowers blossoming, animals running around, kids playing outside. Basically, when I think of Spring I think of “Life”.

With that being said I’m going to write about something that combines two spring like topics….

Life & Gardening.

Okay, before you start think I have absolutely gone bazerk let me explain.

There is a lesson that every parent should teach their children. It is the lesson of Respecting other Living things.

This lesson can be a very tough one to teach, but when you start teaching this lesson early and continue throughout the child’s life you have a better chance of raising happy human beings that won’t take life for granted. And, using Gardening can help you teach your children this life lesson without them knowing that you are teaching them any lesson at all.

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Last summer I moved from Washington, DC to Minnesota, just in time to behold Minnesota’s pride: The State Fair. I had never seen any fair that rivaled it in sheer size and variety. As someone who loves food and cooking, the attraction which interested me most was the home arts area. It showcased the baked goods, vegetables, pickles, jams and more of eager competitors vying for the coveted blue ribbons.

The world of competitive cooking, local and State Fair recipe contests, as well as brand sponsored, commercial contests is fascinating. Some competitive cooks devote a great deal of time and effort to developing recipes and entering contests and even win prestigious prizes like the famous “Bake-off” contest multiple times. (There is even this Hall of Fame for noteworthy contesters.)

For some contestants, the incentive is the fun of competition, and for others, it is the prizes, which are sometimes small or large, and can be anything from a set of measuring spoons to an all expense-paid trip, to a small cash prize to a million dollars. I once won a pedometer in a recipe contest that featured sour cream, and I am terrifically proud of it.

Cooking (recipe development especially) is a way to test creativity and develop diligence. Entering a competitive cooking contest would be a great project for a family to undertake. Brainstorming and decision making prompts conversation. Imagine a reticent ‘tween getting excited by the idea, taking out her I-pod ear buds, and actually wanting to spend quality time with a parent. Imagine bored siblings getting along as they excitedly develop the next winning recipe. Wouldn’t it be great to turn the television off and make cooking a family activity? Wouldn’t it be great to celebrate a win together?

Malt-O-Meal has announced its 2009 recipe contest season, which will include 25 state fairs, offering great prizes all across the country. What recipe featuring Malt-O-Meal cold cereal will your family invent? For specific rules, contact your local fair directly.

Ready to get cooking? Here’s some resources:
• watch videos of winning Malt-O-Meal contest recipes
• for more competitive cooking contests, see State Fair Recipes
• see winning recipes for inspiration
• get advice and tips on how to win

Have you competed in the Malt-O-Meal cooking competition in the past? Write a post about your experience here! I’m looking forward to reading about your experience.

Jill Bloomfield

As a mother we have tons of responsibilities and duties to take care of throughout our day. We wear a ton of hats as a mom. And, much of the time moms feel they are taken for granted. We work hard and there isn’t a payday at the end of the week. However, our payday comes throughout everyday. No, nothing monetarily, but something worth so much more. A paycheck that is worth so much more than any bank can cash. I am talking about the sentimental things. The things our children do or say without even realizing they are giving us the strength as a mom to keep going and keep taking care of our family.

Happy Mother’s Day my fellow Mothers. I know you work so hard. And, you do it without thought or resist. Here are a few of the hats you and I wear everyday.

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For many people April brings tons of rain, green grass, leaves on the trees, beautiful flowers, longer days and warmer weather. But, there is something else that April brings that many people dread…..

Tax Season.

But, for people who receive refunds instead of dread their thoughts are consumed with trying to figure out what they are going to do with their tax refund. Should they save it? Should they pay-off a credit card? Should they put on an addition on the house? Should they invest it?

While all are fantastic ideas on traditional things to do with your tax refund. I’m going to write about something a bit non-traditional.
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Making Time for yourself is so important. In order to be happy and healthy you need to do things for yourself. But, this can be very difficult for many mothers. Putting others first is part of our job description, right? Wrong. We keep saying to ourselves if there is time left over at the end of the day for me then I will do something for myself. But truthfully, when does that time every come? Usually never.

Truth is most mothers give so much to their children, husband and households that there is usually never time left for themselves. And, the fact is that this is not good for them or their families. Not only could you as a mother be suffering, but chances are if you are not taking time for yourself than not only are you suffering, but your children and your husband are suffering as well. (more…)

Are you overcome with a case of sticker shock every time you see the price of a jar of spices? Buying these little guys at your neighborhood grocery store can be super expensive. However, if you shop at ethnic-whether they’re Chinese, Mexican, Vietnamese, or Indian– grocery stores, you can find great deals on spices and many other products that you cook with every day. (more…)

The Easter Holidays are just around the corner. And, I don’t know about your household, but in my household my kids love to celebrate each upcoming holiday with some holiday crafts. Not only do crafts entertain my children, but it also builds their excitement for the Holiday itself. Plus, their artistic creations always fill my home with Holiday Decorations which the entire family and all that visit can enjoy.

So, with that being said, I thought I would do a link round-up of some of my favorite Easter Crafts I found through-out the blogosphere. Some of the following Crafts are more for the adults and some are meant more for children. But, all are sure to give your family plenty of Easter enjoyment. And, the Easter Bunny will be sure to know how excited your family is when he comes to your house for his annual visit.

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If you are like me and have a child whose birthday happens to be in March then I’m sure you know the struggles it can be to plan a birthday party. You never know what kind of weather it will be on their special day. March’s weather is very iffy…. Is it going to snow? Is it going to rain? Will it be cold, warm or chilly? Will it be windy or icy? Will it be a beautiful Spring day? Do I plan a birthday party inside or outside? (more…)

As a children’s cooking instructor, one of the services I used to offer clients was a hands-on children’s cooking party. I would bring all the supplies and make foods as complex as chicken cordon bleu to foods as simple as pizza. The simple foods were always the biggest hit with kids, and often they enjoyed the creating more than the eating.

To me, kids’ parties are the best and most fun if they are active and novel. Moonbounces and trips to pizza play places are active, but they do not necessarily engage children in creative play. And, these kinds of parties are expensive and not terrifically memorable. This year, do something totally new and kid-friendly: a breakfast cereal party. (more…)

In today’s world there are so many things holding us back from including kids exercise in our children’s lives. We have…

• Long hours at work – we just want to relax, so children relax with us.
• Kids have tons of homework giving them less play time.
• Internet and online Chats
• Video Games
• Tons of TV shows (more…)