Shopping Masterlist for Homekeeping Binder

A while ago I started working on my homekeeping binder. The latest addition to the binder is my shopping masterlist. My intention is to have a few of these lists printed and on hand, so that when I notice an item that we need, I simply tick the checkbox on the list. Hopefully this will get rid of the bits of paper floating around the house on which I write items as we need them.

You can view the shopping masterlist here. (The original document has checkboxes beside the grocery item. However, when I upload it, these checkboxes are edited out).

2:49 PM - Dec. 21, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Homekeeping Binder: Deep Cleaning / Spring Cleaning the Kitchen

In one of my earlier posts I added a link to the article Family meals: Make them more frequent by making them fun. One of the points made in this article was that for family meals to be more enjoyable the kitchen should be decluttered. Although I am still working on my meals and recipes section of the homekeeping binder, the next part that I will be adding is the chores and cleaning section. Part of this section will contain cleaning checklists. After browsing the internet for tips and advice on cleaning the kitchen, I have compiled the following checklist:

 Deep Cleaning / Spring Cleaning the Kitchen

1. Clean the inside and outside of the major appliances. This includes the fridge, microwave, and oven.

2. Clean and organize the insides of the cabinets. This includes the pantry.

3. Clean and wipe down counter surfaces and cabinet doors.

4. Clean the kitchen sink. To make your sink shine (adapted from flylady.net):

a. Fill sink to the rim with very hot water; add one cup regular bleach. Soak for one hour.
b. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
c. Scrub with Ajax, Bon Ami, or baking soda.
d. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
e. Shine with Windex or another glass-cleaning spray. Dry thoroughly.

5. Sweep and clean kitchen floor.

1:31 PM - May. 17, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Family meals: Make them more frequent by making them fun

I found the following article online about family meals:

Family meals: Make them more frequent by making them fun

Cooking and eating offer abundant opportunities to bring rituals of comfort and pleasure into daily life, simply because we all need to eat every day. Yet often, they’re missed opportunities, as frozen entrées, makeshift meals, and take-out menus call to our craving for convenience. No wonder so many Western cultures have become overfed and undernourished. Serving fresh food that’s been prepared with love (or at least a good attitude) and seasoned with camaraderie is a simple formula for nourishing both body and soul on a daily basis.

Meals aren’t only about the food on the table. The setting, atmosphere, stories, and conversations that accompany the food all contribute to making even the most ordinary meal memorable. And don’t forget that fun and memorable family meals can include breakfast, picnics, and meals shared with extended family and friends. Here are some ideas to consider if mealtime at your home has become more of a chore than one of life’s simple pleasures:

Declutter your kitchen: Because of its central location in most homes and apartments, kitchens often become repositories for mail, bills, school notices, homework, recent purchases, newspapers, unfinished projects, toys, and more. Make sure your kitchen suggests comfort, not chaos. The kitchen should be comfortable, functional, and as clutter-free as possible.

Read the rest of the article here: Everyday Traditions

This article is an excerpt from the following book:

2:34 PM - May. 14, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Homekeeping Binder: Breakfast Menu

Back to my Homekeeping Binder...

The dinner menu has been put into practice. I no longer have to think about what Im going to cook daily. All that I do now is make sure I have the necessary ingredients for the next three dinners or so until our next visit to the grocery store.

This week I intend to incorporate our breakfast menu. Below is my quick breakfast menu.

I really want to change the atmosphere in my home during the mornings. As I have never been a morning person, until now everyone has looked after themselves. Most mornings were not spent together. While one person was having their breakfast, another person would be getting ready for their day. I'm hoping that by being more prepared we can begin spending the mornings together.

In order to achieve this, I realize that, apart from having breakfast planned, several other things will have to be done to make the transition easier. Firstly, I will need to make sure that my kitchen is cleaned the night before so I dont waste time in the morning cleaning and making room for breakfast. Also, preparing the items I will need for the following morning will make it easier for me to get going with the task at hand. Lastly, and probably most importantly, I will need to get to bed at a reasonable hour so I can get up in the morning without being grumpy.

This is what I will be working on beginning this week. I want this to become a habit and not a struggle.

6:47 PM - May. 13, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Homekeeping Binder: Dinner Menu Page

I have finally created my first dinner menu page. I have decided to create separate pages for dinners, lunches, and breakfast, instead of creating a single page for a week listing all three for each day. The main reason for that is our plans often change and although we might have breakfast and lunch at home, we might not have dinner at home. It would be too difficult to follow the various meals if they were all listed on the one page according to a specific day. To have a better look at my menu page click on the image below.

Just taking this small step in organizing myself, I already feel more confident about my days being more efficient and less haphazard.

You should not look down on even small virtuous actions. Remember that even small drops of water will eventually fill a huge pot.

---Bardor Tulku Rinpoche---

10:48 PM - May. 9, 2007 - comments {1} - post comment

Homekeeping Binder: School Lunches

Now that Munchkin is attending school I have to consider school lunches. Here are some ideas for school lunches. Some of the recipes and ideas for morning and afternoon snacks are also applicable to this category.

Sandwiches

• Cream Cheese and ...
  • Cucumber, smoked salmon, or ham
• Tuna and ...
  • mayonnaise, tomatoe, lettuce and mayonnaise, or avocado and mayonnaise
• Peanut butter and ...
  • sliced banana with or without honey, or strawberry jam
• Mashed hard boiled egg mixed with mayonnaise and lettuce
• Sliced cheese, tomatoes and lettuce
• Ham or Bacon, lettuce and tomato
• Turkey and tomato
• Chicken and tomato

Easy Extras

• Dried fruit (apricots, dates)
• Raisins
• Nuts (Honey Roasted Cashew Nuts, Almonds)
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Popcorn
• Hardboiled Egg
• Cold Chicken Pieces
• Cheese and Crackers
• Carrot, Celery and Cucumber sticks with Dip
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Fresh Fruit (Mandarins, Oranges, Bananas, Apples, Grapes)
• Apple wedges tossed in lemon juice
• Celery sticks filled with cream cheese

9:44 PM - May. 7, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Homekeeping Binder: Recipes for Desserts

This list of recipes and ideas is something I intend to use on special occassions and weekends.

• Baked Caramel Custards
• Apple Crumble
• Rice Pudding
• Creme Caramel
• Black Forest Trifles
• Caramel Mud Cake
• Caramel Popcorn
• Carrot Cake
• Chocolate Caramel Slice
• Chocolate Mousse
• Sticky Date Pudding

6:52 PM - May. 5, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Homekeeping Binder: Recipes for Dinner

This is probably the area I need to work on the most. I was never taught to cook by my parents and only learned once I had my own home. Perhaps because of this, I never really enjoyed cooking. It has always been a struggle. So here is my list of recipes and ideas for dinner. I hope to expand on this list and make cooking a more enjoyable process.

• Chicken Fried Rice
• Chicken Schnitzel with potatoes and vegetables
• Chicken Schnitzel with Macaroni & Cheese and Salad
• Pork Schnitzel with Potatoes and Vegies
• Chicken Kiev with Mashed Potates and Vegies
• Chicken Caesar Salad
• Quiche Lorraine with Salad
• Devilled Sausages with Mashed Potatoes
• Home-made Pizza (Pizza Dough)
• Oven Baked Fish and Chips with Salad
• Grilled Fish with Brown Rice and Steamed Vegetables
• Spaghetti Bolognaise with Herb or Garlic Bread
• Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Cottage Pie
• Beef Stroganoff
• Nachos
• Roast Lamb with Baked Potatoes and Vegetables
• Roast Chicken with Herb Butter
• Roast Pork Cutlets with Creamy Mustard Sauce
• Creamy Bacon and Mushroom Fettucine
• Gnocchi with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
• Chicken and Vegetable Soup
• Chicken, Rice and Vegetable Soup
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Cream of Chicken Soup
• Asian Chicken Noodle Soup
• Tomato Soup
• Roasted Tomato Soup
• Minestrone Soup
• Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup
• Pumpkin Soup  / Another Pumpkin Soup Recipe
• Marinated Chicken Drumsticks with Asian Green Stir Fry and Rice
• Honey Soy Chicken Wings
• Honey Teriyaki Chicken
• Bacon and Cheese Chicken
• Steak Sandwiches
• Chicken Laksa
• Honey Baked Pumpkin Risotto
• Beef Rissoles with Tomato Salsa
• Parmesan Crumbed Baked Fish
• Parmesan Crumbed Veal Cutlets with Sweet Potato Mash
• Penne with Tomato and Basil Sauce
• Penne with Tuna and Tomato
• Pork Chops with Honey Roasted Vegetables
• Roast Pumpkin and Spinach Risotto
• Satay Chicken
• Steak Diane
• Sweet and Sour Pork
• Tomato and Chicken Paella

Sides

• Cauliflower and Brocolli Gratin
• Crispy Rosemary and Garlic Potatoes
• Greek Salad
• Pasta Salad
• Perfect Roast Potatoes
• Potato Salad with Dijon Mustard Mayonnaise
• Potato Salad
• Potato, Bacon and Egg Salad
• Pumpkin and Spinach salad
• Smoked Chicken Waldorf Salad

12:06 PM - May. 5, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Homekeeping Binder: Morning and Afternoon Snacks

Here is my list of snack recipes and ideas.

• Popcorn Balls
• Muffin Pizzas
• Fruity Kebobs
• After School Apple Cake
• Apple Turnovers
• Scrumptious Pretzels
• Cottage Cheese and Apple Snack
• Oatmeal Cookies
• Cinnamon Toast
• Fruit Salad
• Grilled Cheese Sandwhiches
• Fruit Smoothie (Banana, Strawberry)
• Fruit Platter with Dip (Honey Ricotta Dip)
• Vegetable Platter with Dip
• Ham and Tomato Cheese Scrolls
• Fairy Bread
• Frozen Fruit Crush
• Puff Pastry Twists
• Apple and Sultana Scrolls
• Scones
• Homemade Chunky Salsa with Corn Chips
• Semi Dried Tomato Pesto Damper Scrolls
• Roasted Capsicum Dip
• Semi Dried Tomato Dip
• Tomato Bruschetta
• Tomato and Corn Muffins
• Chicken Balls

12:41 PM - May. 4, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Homekeeping Binder: Recipes for Breakfast

Cook Wanted Art Print
Buy at AllPosters.com

I've decided to start my homekeeping binder with the recipes and menu section. I spend too much time trying to work out what to cook and often I end up cooking the easiest and fastest recipe. So the first thing I have done is listed all the breakfast recipes and ideas. These include:

9:42 AM - May. 4, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment

Advent and Christmas Unit 2007