Mom on the go in Holy Toledo

Moms’ Timeout Show: Simplifying Thanksgiving (includes a Giveaway)

November 19, 2012November 19, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Calling all moms! As moms we are no stranger to the act of giving. However, at Thanksgiving we moms tend to have a different type of challenge. The challenge of finding the balance between perfection and reality, so that Thanksgiving can be enjoyed by all, including mom. Sometimes we get too caught up in the Norman Rockwell or Martha Stewart illusion of Thanksgiving. And that is precisely what it is, an illusion. In this segment of Moms’ Timeout will be discussing ways to simplify Thanksgiving through the use of more conveniently prepared food and lowering our expectations.

Remember moms, you set the tone for the day. If you envision a calm and enjoyable Thanksgiving Day then you need to convey a calm and enjoyable atmosphere and it all starts with your expectations. Your family will not think less of you because you did not prepare everything from scratch, or to a specific family member’s preferred liking. If they do then they need to reevaluate their own priorities and perhaps next year that individual should make the said dish from scratch, and to their liking, since it is their favorite. Don’t allow your Thanksgiving to fall prey to the frazzled host, simplify!

And to help you simplify your Thanksgiving feast we have a giveaway!

Moms’ Timeout and Among Friends Healthy Baking Mixes are teaming up to provide one lucky follower two packages of convenient and healthy cookie mixes, one chocolate chip cookie mix and one oatmeal raisin. Since the winner will be chosen after Thanksgiving we felt cookie mixes might be just what moms are looking for to get their holiday baking started.

How to enter:

Like the Among Friends Healthy Baking Mixes Facebook Page

Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo Facebook Page

Follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo via Twitter

Once you have done all three please post a comment stating you have done so and share your favorite Thanksgiving dish.

Winner will be randomly selected Dec. 3^rd

Also, we are so happy and excited for Allie and Lilly as they start-up their own businesses! Each has some really fabulous finds for the holiday season be sure to check them out, click here to be linked to Allie’s Thirty One Bags Website and click here to be linked to Lilly’s Avon Website.

THE Tailgating Game of the Season! (GIVEAWAY)

November 12, 2012November 13, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Here in the Midwest November means two things, Thanksgiving and Ohio State vs. Michigan college football game. Being so close to the Ohio Michigan border often means families are divided. So, during the border battle, you often find deeply intensified rivals.

There have been some crazy stories of Ohio State and Michigan fans going head to head but, for the most part it is a friendly rivalry. I suppose it depends on where you decide to watch the game. But one thing is for sure, no matter where you are watching the game, or what team you are rooting for, the one thing that remains constant, GRILLING!

Perhaps you have been blessed with ticket to the game or are simply tailgating before the big show down. Maybe your neighbor, family member, or you are hosting a party. Thus, no matter where the grill may reside make certain it is accompanied by Heinz! You can forget a lawn chair, you can forget an umbrella, shoot, you can even forget your beverages, those are all forgivable by fellow tailgaters/party goers, but never, I repeat NEVER, forget the Heinz!

Heinz and Mom on the go in Holy Toledo want to make certain you do not drop the ball at your tailgating party. So, Heinz is giving away a fun tailgating pack that includes the following:

• Heinz 57 Sauce, Heinz 57 Steak Sauce and Heinz 57 Sauce with Honey

• Grilling tools

• Heinz blanket

• Mini football

• Heinz tailgating book (Has Q & A to test your football IQ, Football Facts, Heinz field highlights, and recipes!)

(Over a $60 value)

The Heinz Tailgating book has some pretty amazing, mouth-watering recipes. Here is one my family really enjoyed…

Heinz 57 Pulled Pork

Serves: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Heinz 57® Sauce
1/4 cup Lea & Perrins® Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tbsp. yellow mustard
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 medium onion, chopped, or about 2 cups
3 1/2 lb. boneless pork shoulder-blade roast, trimmed and cut into 4 pieces

Directions:

1. In a 5-6 quart slow cooker, mix together 57 Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, mustard, sugar, tomato paste, and onion. Season with salt & pepper if desired. Add pork, turning until well coated. Cover and cook on low heat setting for about 8 hours, or until pork is cooked through (no longer pink or an internal temperature of 165°F) and tender, turning occasionally.

2. To serve, remove pork from slow cooker. Pull pork into shreds using two forks. Return pork to slow cooker and stir until well mixed with sauce. Serve onto your favorite sandwich buns and serve immediately.

TIP: If desired, cook on high heat setting for 4 hours, or until pork is cooked through (no longer pink or an internal temperature of 165°F) and tender, turning occasionally.

And here are two more teasers from Heinz Touchdown to Tailgating book…

Franco’s 1972 Cocktail Meatballs

BBQ Chicken Quesadilla with Avocado Salsa

To be entered into the giveaway you will need to do the following:

Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo facebook page

Follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo on twitter

Like Heinz 57 Sauce Facebook page

Post a comment stating you have done all three and then share who you will be rooting for, Ohio State or Michigan?

Winner will be selected randomly Nov. 19th!

Disclosure: Heinz provided me with a tailgating fun pack, love it! No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Bathtub Fingerpaint

November 10, 2012May 10, 2014momonthegoinholytoledo

I have come to realize that every minute of every day has the potential for a learning opportunity. When in the car the kiddos enjoy spelling and sounding out words on signs and our toddler enjoys yelling out the colors on traffic signs/lights and alerting me of any trucks or busses. Though this can be a little annoying at times I do find joy in the cheers coming from the back seat when they realize they have successfully identified, spelt, or sounded out a word. A trip to the grocery store is another opportunity to learn. The children like to help pick out the produce which means they locate, identify, and help count the requested amount, and of course, our toddler once again identifies the colors. She is obsessed! Cooking with mommy, doing laundry, playing games, doing yard work, etc. are all great opportunities for learning experiences, so why not the bathtub?

The other day we made fun paint for the bathtub!

Recipe for Bathtub Finger Paint:

Ingredients:

1 cup Soap, I prefer the body wash the children normal use since they will be bathing in it.
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
5-6 drops food coloring, varies, depending on the saturation of color you are going for
1 Jar, I prefer to have one with a lid so we can use it for the entire week

(Yields one color or one jar of paint)

Directions:

Place all ingredients in the jar. Put lid on jar tightly and shake over sink (just in case).

Repeat for as many colors as you would like or do as we did and simply make the primary colors then have the kiddos mix the secondary on their own.

The kiddos had so much fun with the paint! Our first Grader taught our toddler how to mix the primary colors together in order to make the secondary and she thought it was magic, haha! I then took it a step further and taught our daughters about complementary colors.

We then did a few math equations, had some fun with spelling, and I enjoyed seeing the amazing masterpieces the kiddos created.

It was so much fun! It is amazing how much fun learning can be when you don’t make it a chore but rather integrate it into daily activities in life, use various mediums, and have a positive disposition.

Have you ever used paints during your kiddos bath time? Did your kiddos enjoy them? Do you have fun games you play with your kiddos in the car? What about the grocery store? Where is a favorite place, besides school, that you children learn a lot?

Preparing for Advent: Final Installment of Best-Selling Series! GIVEAWAY (great Christmas gift)

November 9, 2012November 17, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

The momentous third and final volume in the Pope’s international bestselling Jesus of Nazareth series details the stories of Jesus’ infancy and boyhood, and how they are relevant today in the modern world.

Ultimately, Jesus’ life and message is a story for today, one that speaks to the restlessness of the human heart searching for the sole truth which alone leads to profound joy.

“I can at last consign to the reader the long promised little book on the narratives of Jesus’ childhood . . . Here I have sought to interpret, in dialogue with exegetes of the past and of the present, what Matthew and Luke recount at the beginning of their Gospels about the infancy of Jesus.” – Pope Benedict XVI

To be entered into the Giveaway simply…

Follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo

Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo facebook page

Like Image Books facebook page

Then post a comment stating you have done all 3 and share a favorite childhood memory.

Winner will be randomly selected Dec. 4th

Acts of Kindness Countdown to Thanksgiving

November 5, 2012November 1, 2014momonthegoinholytoledo

Last November our family lived 30 days of Gratitude which was extremely fulfilling. This November we are doing something similar but this time there will be more order to the activity and the children are involved in preparing the activity…Acts of Kindness Countdown to Thanksgiving!

The idea is kind of similar to an Advent calendar. However in addition to a piece of candy each day there is also an act of kindness for the children to engage. First things first…assembling an Acts of Kindness Countdown to Thanksgiving….

What you will need:

1 mini 24 count muffin tin/pan
4 sheets of construction paper (let kiddos select colors, need two colors)
1 bag candy corn or equivalent sized candy pieces
22 Adhesive dots (Scotch has great ones)
Thanksgiving themed stickers
22 Acts of Kindness (See our list below…feel free to add, or alter the list so that it is age appropriate for your children. Ours is geared more towards our 5 and 6 year olds.)

Acts of Kindness List:

Make an afterschool snack for your sibling.
Put together a fun package for friends who live out-of-town. Make a card; include stickers, and other fun activities.
Help clean out the pantry. Put all canned goods in a pile to be donated to the shelter.
Give someone a compliment.
Organize your clothes and place the ones that no longer fit in a pile and you and mommy can donate them to a clothing drive or shelter.
Hold the door for someone; allow them to enter the building first.
Go through your toys and books and those that you no longer use will be donated to children in need.
Help around the house without being asked to do so, such as cleaning your room, the family room, or arts & craft drawers.
Help your sister or brother with something in a kind manner.
Teach your sibling how to do something, to put their shoes on, a crafts, trick, etc.
Visit or call a relative or family friend that you do not see often.
Make and Send a Random Card of Kindness to an ill child. http://loveletterscares.org
Help mommy make dinner for a relative or family friend.
Write a letter to a soldier and send to http://Kidz4Troops.org
Get out your crayons and color one of the coloring pages found on Color A Smile and then send it to Color a Smile where it will be distributed to the elderly in a Nursing Homes or through Meals on Wheels Programs. http://www.colorasmile.org/coloring.html
Help organize books in the book shelf.
Read an extra story with mommy. (Or read to mommy, if old enough).
Help pack a Shoe Box filled with items for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/
Praise your siblings or a classmate when they do something kind.
Kids Choice (allow your child to come up with their own Act of Kindness)
Purchase mittens and hats to donate to the homeless shelter.
Help mommy collect and drop off donations to the animal shelter.

Instructions:

Please encourage your kiddos to participate in the assembling of the Acts of Kindness Countdown to Thanksgiving. By doing so they have the opportunity to practice and sharpen up on their fine motor skills, patterns, sequencing, addition, subtraction, etc. (steps towards writing, reading comprehension, and practicing math skills).

Print off the Acts of Kindness list and cut each into one strip.
Have children trace circles on the construction paper (we used the bottom of a cup as our template).
Cut circles out.
Have children place stickers on the circles.
Have children place circles on the table in patterns. Have some fun with this, take your time and see how many different types of patterns they can create.
Have children wash their hands and then open candy corn or equivalent sized pieces of candy, package. Then take a few minutes and have some fun with math! Do some simple addition… place 5 pieces of candy on the table and then add 3 more, ask your child how many there are? Then subtract two from the table and ask your child how many are left. If you have older kiddos have some fun with multiplication! Add five pieces to each cubby in the first row; have them multiply 4 x 5 and then check their work by actually counting out each piece of candy.
Once you are finished having some fun with math have children count out however many you wish to include in each cubby (we included 3 pieces in each because all three of them will be participating in the countdown, so each will receive one piece of candy each day)
Then have them roll up each Act of Kindness and place one in each cubby. (Well, 22 of the cubbies since Thanksgiving in on the 22^nd, or adjust to your liking…24 days).
Then place one Scotch adhesive dot at the top of each circle. And place circles over the cubbies thus hiding the candy and Act of Kindness.

Then each day have the children take turns uncovering the Act of Kindness for the day. Take a moment and discuss the act of kindness with your child/children to make certain it is comprehended accurately and then later in the day (we like to do this over the dinner table) discuss how they accomplished the act of kindness. Ask them how it made them feel, how they think it made the other person feel, and any addition questions associated with the act.

Does your family have a similar tradition around this time of year? Do you have any suggestions for additional acts of Kindness? Was there an act of kindness you did or received from someone who had a strong impact on your life? Please share…

Homage to Halloween

November 1, 2012October 17, 2013momonthegoinholytoledo

I can’t believe Halloween is over. We had so much Spooktacular fun all month! I thought I would take a second to give Homage to all the fun had Halloween 2012!

The kiddos don’t get to have all the fun. I made these crazy brownies for a Moms’ Movie Night that included wine, pizza, and scary stories. Bonus, it was on an evening with a full moon! The fact that my hubby and older two kiddos were away on a campout made the night even scarier.

The kiddos gave their teachers these jars filled with candy corn for Halloween. Yes, it says Boo! on top of the jars but I ran out of white fabric so I thought yellow would be the closest.

While decorating these I ran out of black glaze. So I figured I would run to the store to get more. Mind you this was the night before Halloween and guess what? They ran out of black glaze, shocker right!?! So we went with the chocolate icing instead and I think those turned out better than the ones with the glaze. Funny how a mishap can actually improve the quality…I wonder what other mishaps have contributed to amazing results…like PB & J, what is the story there?

When it comes to pumpkin carving in our house tradition has been to have all of us together. We make it a fun family experience. We usually have Halloween music playing in the background and some pumpkin or fall inspired treat. In the past we have made candy apples, pumpkin pie, apple pie, pumpkin pancakes, etc. This year we strayed from tradition. (My hubby and older two kiddos carved their pumpkins at camp).Which I struggle with, I am slowly learning to become more flexible with the less important traditions as the children get older. However I refuse to budge when it comes to Christmas.

Our 5 and 6-year-old helped their little sister clean and carve her pumpkin, it was really sweet. I suppose I would have missed out on that moment if each had their own pumpkins to carve. There is nothing more precious than watching your children teach each other in a tender and loving way.

Halloween Day! We eagerly anticipated the Halloween parades at our son’s preschool and our daughter’s elementary school. Our son’s was at 11 and it was precious. I so enjoy seeking the munchkins in their costumes and the big smiles on their faces as they march past their parents and relatives. I also find so much joy in seeing the expressions on the parent’s faces when they see their little ones, there is nothing like it on this earth.

For Halloween evening I made finger food for dinner, lol! Hot dogs in crescent rolls, they are supposed to look like fingers, use your imagination, I had to rush it a little because trick-or-treating started at 6pm.

And I made these super easy and super cute white chocolate ghost suckers; thanks to Family Life with a Mom Who is all Hart. The kiddos loved them! I am seriously making these for the kiddos’ future Halloween parties!

And then it was time! Here in Northwest Ohio it was really cold and misty. So we bundled up in our winter coats, mittens, and hats. (Yes, I did carry a pumpkin pail but not for candy, inside it I placed an extra bag in case theirs tore or malfunctioned, as well as water, tissues, and the camera.) Under all those coats and hats is a Princess, Queen, and Red power Ranger.

We are so blessed to live near my parents and in-laws. We alternate whom set of parents come to pass out candy each year. This year my dad and sister passed out candy so that we could all go trick-or-treating together.

This house is so cool. They were on the news one year thanks to all their festive outdoor decorations.

Our toddler walked to about two houses then she started tripping over her dress so daddy carried her door-to-door until 7pm, he is amazing! Our little Power Ranger made it to 7:30pm and the champ of Halloween 2012 is our Queen, she made it till the end, 8pm!

Though it is sad to see Halloween 2012 end a few Twix and Reese’s cups softens, or rather sweeten the sorrow.

How was your Halloween? Did you have any costume malfunctions or food conundrums?

Tuesday’s Tip: Car Clutter AHH…

October 30, 2012October 30, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Car Clutter AHHHH……..

Car clutter is inevitable; you are a mom on the go, car pooling, practice, school, grocery store, parties, vacations, etc. In-between the various activities snacks are divvied out, water, juice box’s, baby biscuits, Cheerios, items to occupy time, etc. There are often enough random eatable items left in our car to feed the family for at least a week, although, that is a diet plan I prefer to skip. Granted, it is not just the children contributing to this mess, mommy also contributes to the clutter with a half-dozen coffee cups in the front seat. So, how do you maintain a semi clean car with your hectic schedule? You can keep the clutter at bay with this simple acronym, T.O.S.S.

T.O.S.S.

T- Trash

Keep a small garbage bag in the front seat and one in the back with the children. Encourage children to throw all trash and any left over food items into the bag. This includes you mom, you need to model good habits for the pairs of eyes watching you from the backseat, put the coffee cups in the trash.

O-Objects

Children leave behind various items, a few things I have found in my car includes, pencils, parts of pens, sweaters, underwear, socks, half grilled cheese sandwich (this one was embarrassing, had to move around car seats and a relative was the lucky grilled cheese sandwich winner), toys, keys, sunglasses, tissues, etc. Have children help remove any random objects after each days worth of errands. If your children are too young to help than do this once a week.

88215628-260x260-0-0_Euro+Pro+Shark+SV748 — The Handheld Shark is a must for Motherhood. I never travel without mine!

S-Sweep

I always have a handheld vacuum plugged in and ready to go. Grab the vacuum and sweep up any small items like Cheerios, leaves, dirt, etc. once a week. When you go on a long journey bring the handheld vacuum with you as well as the charger. Traveling is much easier in a clean vehicle.

S- Sanitize

Once you have tossed the trash, removed the objects, and swept the vehicle it is time to remove any germs that are not seen by the naked eye. I keep a hand towel and small spray bottle filled with vinegar, water, and lemon juice for this very purpose. Spray down the door handles, any random sticky goo, cup holders, radio, and don’t forget your steering wheel; it has nine times more germs than a public restroom (makes you want to wash your hands? Go ahead, I will wait).

If you enjoyed this tip you might also like:

Donating Done Easily

No more Kittens Losing their Mittens

Travel While You Train (Potty Train)

Kelly’s Kits: Multisensory tool, Geography lesson, Contests and more!

October 29, 2012October 29, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

We received our Kelly’s Kit last week and the kiddos were beyond excited! They were begging me to open the box so they could see the fun that awaited them inside the package! So we tore that sucker open and our 6 year screamed with excitement when we saw that it was Kelly’s Klay! (Each month is different so it is exciting to see what surprise is inside).

So we retrieved the directions and started mixing up the clay.

Then each kiddo had a chance to play with the clay.

For our preschooler and toddler we used Kelly Klay as a multisensory tool to teach letter and number identification! We simply formed the clay into alphabet letters and numbers. I then encourage each to identify the letter they made and practice the phonic sounds of each. As an added bonus I had our preschool, with a little help from his older sister, do a few addition problems with the numbers. For example, I formed a 2, +, and 3, and then he formed the solutions, the number 5.

For our first grader we focused on geography, to be more precise, the state she resides in, Ohio. She formed the clay into the shape of the state, identified the major cities, and included a couple of rivers. Not bad for a six-year-old.

The kiddos have been playing with the clay since we opened the package. We stored it in an airtight container so they could quiz each other on addition equations and their phonics whenever they pleased (I got it out while I prepared dinner, it was perfect, they were occupied for a few minutes and I liked the fact that they were having fun while learning, that is what I like most about Kelly’s Kits).

Yesterday they did finally decide on a Krazy Kritter for the Masterpiece Challenge. What is the Masterpiece challenge? Glad you asked….

Masterpiece Challenge (all ages): Use simple “found” objects to incorporate into your Kelly Klay assemblage and create a Krazy Kritter! Found objects can include: buttons, dried pasta, rice, beans, nuts & bolts, toothpicks, corks, old jewelry, bottle caps, use your imagination!!!! Found object art is using “found” items that have a non-art purpose to create art from! Submit your entries to win a $50 visa card!

Please say hello to Happy Rainbow Turkey (yep, they all decided on that name). Wish them luck!

We so enjoyed this month’s Kelly’s Kit and can’t wait for next months to arrive! Want in on all the fun? Enter to win one of 10 annual memberships valued at $99.90 each! BONUS: Everyone who enters will also get a promotional code for FREE Kit (one-time $2.49 shipping fee applies). Click here to be linked to the facebook page, click like, and then enter to receive your promotional code for a FREE Kit and your chance to win an annual subscription. Good Luck!

Moms’ Timeout Show & Organic allergen-free Candy Giveaway!

October 24, 2012November 7, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

Calling all moms, do you feel like you are a walking zombie, are you having trouble getting through the witching hour, do you feel like you are in the twilight zone? If you answered yes to any of these help is on the way, simply click on the video below to learn some serious, and humorous, ways to Survive the Tricks & Treats of Motherhood!

And now for the Giveaway!

YummyEarth is giving away a package of their amazing lollipops. Why are they so amazing? Because they are:

Certified Organic
Gluten Free
Contain no Artificial Dyes
100% Natural Flavors
100% Vegan
Tree-nut Free
GMO-Free
Peanut-Free
Soy-Free
Wheat-Free
Dairy-Free
No MSG
No Corn Syrup
Casein-Free

You might be thinking wow…so, what is left? Real fruit extracts….they help flavor and color YummyEarth! And they taste amazing…my kiddos eat them up. YummyEarth products are great treats for your kiddos to take to school parties because they do not contain ingredients that children are commonly allergic to. I personally like these lollipops as incentives for potty training. You Poop you get a lolliPop!

To read more about YummyEarth’s inventors (two dads, I love that!) and their focus on making sure the ingredients are grown responsibly… on small family farms, enabling hard-working families to earn a fair income while avoiding harsh pesticides and unsustainable farming practices. CLICK HERE

Rules:

Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo’s facebook page

Like Lilly’s Kitchen Lab’s facebook page

Like YumEarth’s facebook page

Then post a comment stating you have done so and give a guesstimate of how many different types of headpieces we wore throughout the clip and/or which one was your favorite!

Winner will be randomly selected on Halloween!

Tuesday’s Tip: Donating Done Easily

October 23, 2012momonthegoinholytoledo

I realize most moms always have the best intentions of donating to a charity on a regular basis but it can be difficult – life gets in the way. Also with the current state of the economy most families are on a strict budget leaving little room for charities. But it can be done. After some trial and error we have adopted a foolproof method for collecting items for our local charities at a fraction of the price – and you can too with these simple steps.

Purchase a bin; you can decide what size works best based on how many items you will be donating and how frequently you will donate. (I have a small one I keep in my pantry and a larger one in the basement to place the items when the smaller bin is full).
Print off the charities wish list.
Tape that wish list on the inside lid of bin.
Before a trip to the grocery store reference the list with the weekly ad, note if any items are on sale, then take it a step further, clip for the cause, check your coupons to see if you have any for the items that are listed. Write those items down, grab the coupons, and hit the road.
When you get home place those items in the bin. I like to have mine conveniently placed in the pantry but you can decide what location works best for you.
Then, determine a day that you will designate as donation day and drive to the charity and drop off your donation. I often wait till I have a large bin to donate, usually every other month.

Once you are in the habit of referencing the charity’s list prior to a grocery trip donating can become second nature and thanks to the weekly deals and coupons the items cost mere pennies.

Learning Opportunity

Whenever possible be certain to share what you are doing with your children. Explain why the bin is there, that others do not have everything that your family has, and why it is important to donate. Also, when possible, have your children go with you to donate the goods.