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1). Adapting Your Recipes for the Slow Cooker Now that you’ve started using your crock pot slow cooker regularly, you’re probably wondering how you can adapt your traditional recipes to use in a crock pot. The ease of preparing a meal with a slow cooker has literally changed the lives of busy families. With the help of their slow cookers, families are eating healthier and consuming less greasy... 2). Helping Toddlers Learn Through Make-Believe Kayleen is serving tea and muffins to Oscar the Grouch while sporting a faded felt snowman hat. Not too far away, C.J. is holding a baby doll and gently taking her temperature with a big plastic thermometer. What do these two year olds have in common? They’re both engaging in the time-less activity of ‘make-believe’ play. Through make-... 3). I'm a Work at Home Mom, but I Still Use My Crock Pot Most of my friends work outside of their homes. That's not unusual. There are a few of us, however, who have chosen to stay at home with our young chi 4). Kids' Toys. Think Before You Buy. There is a chore in my home that brings out the procrastinator in me. This particular chore is so big and so difficult, that I create new tasks just to avoid starting the dreaded job. What could be so bad: My toddler’s bedroom – a.k.a. fighting the battle of ‘too many toys!’ The problem doesn’t arrive from a lack of organization or spa... 5). Lift Your Soul With A Good Bowl of Chili "Next to music there is nothing that lifts the spirits and strengthens the soul more than a good bowl of chili." – Harry James. Source: http://whatscookingamerica.net When your day has been hard and your soul is longing for the comforts of home, what better to come home to but a delicious bowl of heartwarming chili. The hearty dish has... 6). Pumpkin – A Super Food! Think of the word pumpkin and images of jack-o-lanterns and whipped cream covered Thanksgiving pies will probably pop into your mind. Pumpkin is traditionally considered a holiday food and is a staple in our kitchen pantries and freezers during that festive time of the year. However, did you know that pumpkin now heralded as one of the ‘Super Foods... 7). Sharing Books with Children One of my first memories of childhood is that of my mother reading Dr. Seuss books to me in a big brown recliner in our living room. That memory brings with it sounds and smells and a general feeling of safety and comfort that never fades, even after all these years. Naturally, one of the first memories I have of my own first born child is sitting ... 8). Spare Change and Calories…They All Add Up! My young son, like most toddlers, has a piggy bank. Every evening he and his Daddy have fun putting spare change from Dad’s pockets into the pig. In fact, we’ve had to empty the pig contents several times in the past months. It sure does fill up quickly. Before the pig, the spare change was just left lying on the dresser, leaving us with a big mess... 9). What’s So Great About Slow Cooking Anyway? As I walked through the grocery store aisles a few weeks ago, I noticed the increase in prepackaged slow cooker meals. I’ve been using my slow cooker and reaping the rewards for years, so it was no real surprise to me when others started proclaiming the benefits of cooking with a crock pot. Why did it take the rest of the country so long to catch u... 10). When You Give a Kid a Muffin, You're Gonna Get a Smile. In our house muffins hold a grand place of honor – in the hands of the toddlers. These ‘travel friendly’ little cakes are, in my opinion, the perfect food; especially for little kids. Muffins are just the right size for little hands and little mouths as well. During the warm months, I can give a kid a muffin from the back door and they run gleefull... 11). Why Creativity and Self-Expression are Important to Little Kids Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don’t consider themselves artistic. Parents do, however, worry about their toddler’s art abilities. As a child care provider for the past 10 years, I’ve had many discussions with parents about ‘how their toddler is doing’ as far as getting ready for preschool or kindergarten. They worry a lot about the fina...