Time for Zucchini-Pineapple Muffins?Shortcuts for Fresh-Baked Treats…

I love baking, but it sure has become a more difficult task in recent years.  Everything takes longer because I have six pairs of hands trying to cook, instead of two.  Instead of taking 30 seconds to crack 4 eggs, it now takes 5 minutes to painfully watch my little helpers “crack” the eggs, and then another 5 minutes to dig all the pieces of eggshell out of the batter.  I’ve now conceded that when baking, I need to plan for two things: 1) Expect “help” from the tiny sous-chef team.  2) Get more mileage out of this patience-requiring and slow-paced baking experience by making an extra batch or two of treats in one-shot. 

This is one of my favorite muffin recipes that whips up in a jiffy, is packed with fruit/veggies, freezes easily, and is perfect for last minute play dates, brunches, etc.  Feel free to scale the recipe – the one below makes over 4 dozen muffins!

Ingredients – (Makes a Whopping 48 Muffins!):

4-1/2 Cups of All-Purpose Flour

2-1/2 Cups of White Sugar

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

1 Tablespoon Baking Soda

1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon

1-1/2 Teaspoons Salt

2 Cups Vegetable Oil

6 Eggs

3 Cups Shredded Zucchini

1 (20 Oz) Can Crushed Pineapple, drained

3 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. If you plan to cook a batch immediately, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  Grease and flour as many muffin pans or use paper liners.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.  Make a well in the center of dry ingredients and pour in the oil, eggs, zucchini, pineapple, and vanilla.  Mix until smooth.

3. Set 4 Ziploc Gallon Freezer Bags up in measuring cups/containers.  I find that old deli and large yogurt containers work best for stabilizing the bags because they’re deep enough to make filling the bags easy, but wide enough so you can roll the top that the bag over to keep things in place.

4. Divide batter evenly into the 4 freezer bags nested in containers.  I find it easiest to use a clean measuring cup to scoop out the same amount batter for each bag, and then divide the remaining batter by eyeballing it.  Remove the bags from their containers, squeeze out air, and freeze flat (to save space).

5. When ready to use the muffin batter, simply thaw, snip the corner of the Ziploc bag, and then pipe 2/3 to 3/4 full into paper-filled muffin cups.  Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Voila!   Fresh-baked muffins ready to go in a jiffy.  Your tiny sous-chefs will love helping you squeeze the muffin batter out of the Ziploc bag, and you’ll love how relatively mess-free the task will be.  You’ll be amazed by how little time this takes!   I’ve actually been in such a hurry before that I’ve even shamelessly defrosted the muffin batter in the microwave the morning-of.  It’s okay… nobody will know.  ;)

Eco-Friendly Snack Bags

As a kid, my mom used the fold-over sandwich bags, much to my disappointment.  I remember her explanation of how Ziplocs were “the expensive” sandwich bag, and “not necessary”, after she praised my fold-over bag’s ability to carry my food.  Nice, mom… Several years later, I’m shocked to realize the pace at which we smoke through a CASE of Ziplocs from Costco…  although they have become cheaper, I do feel a little bad about all the waste!  (A side effect of West Coast living is the development of an eco-conscience.) 

My friend introduced me to reusable snack bags a couple of years ago, and I just love them!  They come in several sizes and shapes, and can be purchased from a variety of different vendors in all sorts of adorable prints that match your taste or your kids’ personalities.  Most of these are lined with a water-resistant/proof lining and close with a Velcro closure.  To clean, simply them toss in the washing machine or wash by hand with your evening dishes. 

Google “Reusable Snack Bag” to start your search for more of an eco-friendly snack-containment solution, or check out the deal Plum District has right now on Pouch Pals.  Valid now through 9/26, you can purchase a $30 voucher for Pouch Pals products for only $15.

$25 Restaurant Certificates for $2! Take a Guilt-less Break from Cooking…

If you haven’t tried Restaurant.com already, this is the time to do so. Help make family meals out and date nights more budget-friendly by purchasing these dining gift certificates at a discounted price. Restaurant.com partners with various restaurants across the country to offer heavily discounted dining gift certificates at multiple price points. A example of one of these looks something like this: $25 Gift Certificate (valid with $35 minimum food purchase) for the price of $10.

Several times a year, however, Restaurant.com has massive sales. Valid now until 9/26, you will receive 80% off your order using the promotion “AUTUMN” at checkout.

This means that a $25 dining gift certificate costs you a whopping $2. The certificates don’t expire, so purchase now and eat later.

In my experience, the hardest part will be remembering to use these gift certificates once you’ve bought them, but they really do come in handy on those Can’t-Bear-the-Thought-of-Cooking and When-Was-Our-Last-Date? nights.

*Seattle locals: A couple of participating Seattle-area restaurants (the list changes constantly as the certificates sell out and add…) that I’ve snagged this deal at are: Mission, Wasabi Bistro, Ravish, Moshe Moshe Sushi, Amante, Sazerac, Julia’s, Cellar 46, and Racha.

Fall is in the Air

Happy 1st day of fall! I love this time of the year... I’m mad-sentimental, so fall basically kicks off a season packed with holidays, gatherings, indulgent eating, shopping, and football. Another thing I love is that “fall smell”. You know, the cool, crisp air that smells like a wood burning fireplace in the distance… Well, we live in Seattle, so the air can be cool, but is often damp and not crisp. We also live in a neighborhood of newer homes, so wood burning fireplaces are all but a thing of the past.

Since I can’t get the real “fall smell” outside, I make sure I have it inside. This candle is my all-time seasonal favorite... I must have gone through at least four of the large ones last year! The Leaves candle from Slatkin & Co instantly fills your home with notes of ripe apples, mulling spices, citrus, and berries. It is simply delicious and will have you craving pumpkin spice lattes and football-Sundays in no time… and for a very palatable price of less than $20.

*Tip: The 4 oz. candle size is currently sale for 2 for $10 – perfect to stock up for hostess & teacher gifts as the busy holiday season starts. :)

Get-It-Sold Craiglist Tips

I like buying things…  I can point to everything in my house and tell you exactly why it was “necessary” at that particular time and moment.  That time and moment, however, has since passed on many items, and they need to find renewed purpose in another home.  The thought of a garage sale makes my head want to explode.  The sorting, tagging, set up, waiting, making change, all of it – no, thank you!  So how do I get rid of stuff?  Craigslist, of course!   I’ve sold and purchased a ton of items using this virtual garage sale web site, and think it’s better than sliced bread.  It does have its quirks, however… here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years that have helped me move things out in a hurry:

- Create an account with Craigslist

It’s free and easy.  They don’t spam or sell your address.  They will, however, keep track of all your ads for you so when something expires, you don’t have to re-enter all the text.  You will still need to re-upload pictures, but it’s a huge time-saver, since in many markets CL ads only last 7 days.  Having an account also gives you a color-coded, at-a-glance view of your listings, which make them easier to manage. 

- Price your item appropriately

As much as it might hurt to let your former special-something go for a low price, remember that you’re getting absolutely nothing by having it sit in your house and take up space.  Real-estate in a garage or closet are often priceless. 

- Search your competition on Craigslist prior to listing

Craigslist is all about timing.  It may just be your bad luck that you are one of many sellers selling the same item.  You can either price your item lower, or hold off for a week or so until the competition sells.  I’ve actually gotten more money for an item by taking it off and waiting a couple of weeks.  Also, consider timing for season-appropriate items.  Selling your old snowboard boots will be much easier to do in December than June, for example.

- Take excellent pictures

To prevent surprise walk-aways, post very good pictures of your items from multiple angles.  If you’re selling something NIB, post a picture that shows a sealed box.  If you’re selling a name brand item, make sure to include a picture of the brand insignia.  If you’re selling an item that reflects wear, photograph the wear marks.  Consider this: The buyers will see the item in all its honest glory when they arrive, so save both of you some time and let them know what to expect.

- Be detailed in your product description

If you want to limit the amount of correspondence required with potential buyers, put as much info into your posting as possible.  I frequently go to Amazon.com to obtain product information (dimensions, features, etc…) since I often can’t remember this info.  Note that cut-and-pasting product information is fine from web sites, but using manufacturer photos is misrepresenting your item unless you explicitly state that the photo is not your item.

- Use keywords at the end of your posting

To increase traffic to your item, post keywords at the bottom of your listing.  By doing this, your ad will pull up more often for those searching for a similar item.  Buyers will otherwise only see your add if they search for a specific word that is present in your title/ad. 

These keywords can be similar names for your item (If you’re selling a TV stand, you might also want to list: “*Key words: Media Center, Cabinet, Table, Storage”) or words that describe a similar aesthetic/style (If you have a Pottery Barn couch for sale, you might also want to list: “*Keywords: Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware, West Elm, Sofa, Sectional”)

- Be specific about your payment and terms

Since I’m not interested in dealing with bounced checks, I always write “Cash only, thanks” after the price in my listings.  Also, if you’re selling a large item, it’s a good idea to list “U-haul” or “U-load” in your posting so the buyer doesn’t expect you to be free to help him/her move, load, or secure the item.

- Always ask for a contact number when you make an appointment to meet

This will always put the ball in your court since buyers are notoriously flaky on CL when it comes to appointments.  I usually reply with my cell phone # and ask them for one as well, “just in case something comes up”.  If you happen to schedule your meeting several days out, it’s always a good idea to call and confirm the day before.

- When possible, meet the buyer in a public place or outside your home

I’m pretty sure most of the people buying my old baby gates aren’t out to harm me, but common sense applies here.  Since I’m often alone with two kids that don’t seem to have any sense of stranger danger or even understand why they should be wearing pants around our house, I often move an item to my front porch or garage prior to a CL exchange and do not meet buyers after dark.  Another alternative option is to arrange a meeting in a public space such as a parking lot or coffee shop.

Moose’s Loose Tooth

Every once and a while, you find a great book that is completely under the radar – I love that feeling. Moose's Loose Tooth, a Scholastic publication by Jacqueline A. Clarke, was one of our recent finds that gave me that feeling. It’s age-relevant for my 5 year old (her friends seem to be losing their first teeth like a trend for fall), and practices great sounds like the “s” & “th”.

A general plot summary goes something like this:

An impatient Moose discovers that he has a loose tooth. After several days of waiting and trying to pry it out in order to get a visit from the tooth fairy, Moose turns to his friends for help. One by one, Moose’s animal friends join in to try to pull it out for him. After many failed attempts, the tooth finally flies out, but sails clear over friends’ heads and into the mouth/stomach of the elephant. Determined to still get a visit from the Tooth Fairy, Moose carries the elephant and puts him under his pillow that night. In the morning, each of the friends are delighted to receive a quarter for their help… but elephant receives a dollar!

It’s a fun little book to add to your library and best of all, costs less than your latte at about $4.

$56 for 8-hours of Drop-in Childcare @ Adventure Kids in Issaquah – It’s Mama Time!

School is back in session, which can make finding a sitter especially hard.  Daytime appointments or weekends are often trumped by our sitters’ school (obviously!) and football games.  So what type of back-up options are available?   On the Eastside, we have Adventure Kids, which provides fun, clean childcare on a drop-in basis.  CPR and First Aid trained, the folks @ AK help facilitate hours packed full of activities and fun.  They have a huge playscape, movie theater, playhouses, air hockey, arts and crafts, video games, oodles of toys, staff-led activities, and much more!   For the next 3 days, Plum District has a fantastic steal of a deal: $56 for 8 hours of childcare  ($72 Value), plus your first year’s annual registration fee FREE ($40)!!  Act fast, and get yourself some Mama Time!!

Villain-less Kids Movies

As a gal in her 30’s (I see no need to be specific here), I have fond memories of Disney movies. I still remember watching Beauty and the Beast at sleepovers with my little gal pals and memorizing every song on the The Little Mermaid soundtrack. I guess that’s why I was surprised to realize as an adult that most of these Disney movies aren’t as kid-friendly as I had remembered. At least not for the pre-elementary crowd. So what on earth does a mom, who is finally over the guilt of using the TV to get an undisturbed chunk of time, to do?! Let’s face it, most of us don’t put the movie on and then curl up with a book and a glass of wine (not judging, if you do…) . Most of us use movies as a rare treat for the kids in order to buy a little peace and quiet at the end of a busy day.

Since giant tentacles, daddy-murdering lions, poisoning witches, and castle-storming angry mobs aren’t a big hit in our household, I’ve been on the search for some “not scary” movies and here’s a short list of a some that work well for us. These movies might have their moments, but for the most part, they lack villain-type characters.

• - Toy Story 1 & 2
  
• - Finding Nemo
  
• - Cars
  
• - Madagascar
  
• - Curious George
  
• - Space Buddies

* When in doubt, it doesn’t hurt to go old-school, either.

• - Otis & Milo
  
• - Mary Poppins
  
• - Incredible Journey

$65 for 2-Hour Professional House Cleaning!

Great deal on Mamapedia for the next few days… A team of a 3 people from A Sure Clean will come for 2 hours for only $65! And to make it even better, Mamapedia donates 5% of your purchase back to a school of your choosing.

Busting the Old Navy Deal Buster

If you’re like me, there’s no feeling like getting a great deal.  Since the introduction of preschool paint and playground sandboxes, I’ve become quite the Old Navy patron.  The clothing is basic and cute, but cheap enough to not stress about the inevitable stains!  So when Old Navy has a deal buster, it is *dirt* cheap.  These deals are advertised in prime time commercials and only valid for a couple of days in the stores (not online). 

Problem: How do you get the Deal Buster $4 Girls’ Legging without having to lug two kids to Old Navy and wade through a pool of other moms-with-kids, searching for what feels to be the exact same size (which will, of course, be the only size already sold out…)? 

Solution: Go to Old Navy and purchase the advertised deal buster product a few days before the sale.  Old Navy has a 14-day price adjustment policy, so if you go into the store the day of the sale with your receipt, they will adjust your price.  This way, you have the advantage of no crowds and the sizes you need at the price you want. 

Happy Shopping!

Not Your Mom’s Paper Dolls

I wish I could turn of the toy-seeking portion of my brain. Our toy room and closets are packed with the reasons why. But I can’t, so I at least have started looking for more compact, creative toys. I recently purchased this for my daughter and loved it so much that I’ve purchased it three more times as a gift.

The Fabulous Book of Paper Dolls by Klutz is a completely self-contained, bound book containing sheets of punch out paper dolls, outfits, and accessories. No scissors required. Really! The different items punch out cleanly and easily without tearing. After all, what would be more of a buzz-kill to than trying to put clothing on a paper doll with no head and a ripped arm, right?

Another brilliant part of this book’s design is the fact that all the clothing and accessories stick onto the little paper dolls with reusable, double-sided adhesive stickers. These stickers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes (small dots, large dots, squares, rectangles, crescents, hearts) to fit the different parts of the dolls. Best of all, when you eventually run out of these adhesive stickers, you can re-order these separately from Klutz.

Once the multi-ethnic and multi-gender dolls are dressed up, your child can flip through the book to select a background, prop it open on the table, and let his/her imagination take flight!

Clean up is a snap as well - When playtime is over, the last page of the book has an armoire with pockets for your clothing and accessories that velcros shut! Brilliant!!

This is a fabulous option if you need to start thinking of gifts for the holidays. It’s not only reasonably priced at just over $15, but easy to ship and store. The parents will love this almost as much as the lucky gift recipient!