Christa Wagner

Stuffing doesn’t have to come out of a box. Here’s how you can quickly whip up a favorite Thanksgiving treat.

• 1 bag croutons
• 1 cup celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cups water

Cut all vegetables the evening prior. Thanksgiving morning, boil the onions and celery in water until celery is soft. Add croutons until moist. Place inside cleaned turkey.

We recommend using our Meal Planning Made Easy System in conjunction with our Guide To A Relaxing And Organized Thanksgiving. This will make the entire week’s meal planning and grocery shopping easier.

Cranberries are a great fall favorite. Here’s a recipe for cranberry Jell-O salad, which can be prepared two days in advance:

• 2 cups cranberries – raw, whole round.
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 packages or 3oz. strawberry Jell-O
• 1 orange
• I cup crushed pineapples – drained
• 1 cup diced apples
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup walnuts

1. Wash and remove stems from cranberries and peel orange; chop both in food processor.
2. Mix with sugar and refrigerate overnight.
3. Dissolve Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water.
4. Add 2 cups cold water and cool.
5. Add remaining ingredients and place in 9 x 13 container.
6. Refrigerate until dinner.

We recommend using our Meal Planning Made Easy System in conjunction with our Guide To A Relaxing And Organized Thanksgiving. This will make the entire week’s meal planning and grocery shopping easier.

Attention busy moms who want her kids to eat a healthy dinner, but don’t have more than 30 minutes to  prepare.  I understand your pain and know you want some help in the kitchen.  I cook nearly every day so I like to share with you recipes that are tried and true and winners in my home.   Most of the food I make is simple and easy and can be made in 30 minutes.  I use my Meal Planning Made Easy System to plan the meal and make sure I have all my ingredients. 

Today’s recipe is Cashew Chicken.   I originally found this recipe in Martha Stewart’s Every Day Food Fast Cookbook; a fantastic cookbook that I use several night a week for fast, healthy meals. 

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Continuing with our 10 Positives To A Challenging Economy Series is #2:  Better Food Choices.  I love going out to dinner as much as the next person, but eating out takes its toll on your waistline and your budget.  By dining at home, you save a tremendous amount of money and you will eat fewer calories.  Also, who knows you may learn you love to cook and develop a yummy, new skill. 

Select a family favorite or pick a new recipe and stay in this evening. I know what we’re having; homemade pizza! 

To read our previous tip, go to 10 Positives To A Challenging Economy, #1 and be sure to check out a few of our recipe favorites under the category “food.”

One of the most common complaints I hear from women is how to get healthy food on the dinner table every night.  I recently came across a great tool to help you do just that.  Its called Hot By 6. 

Ladies, how cool is this?  Six (6) moms located in Oregon came up with a unique money saving solution by helping families prepare delicious meals economically through their Hot by 6 Membership.  You can browse their delicious recipes, create your own personal meal plans to fit your family’s food preferences, print categorized grocery lists, and much more all at the click of a button. 

I received an email from Hot by 6 yesterday and they are offering my clients a free trial so you can experience ‘Hot by 6′ for yourself.  You are invited to go to www.hotby6.com and sign up using the Promo Code… GetOrganized.  This promo code will stay active through October 31st, 2008.

The system is set up to where a promo code will allow you to sign up for a membership at no charge, but since it is a monthly service a credit card number is required at checkout.  No charges will be processed on your card unless you choose to continue membership beyond 30 days.  When you are ready to cancel it is as easy as clicking cancel.

One way to simplify your life is to take advantage of the tools available to you.  If you find yourself having trouble getting dinner on the table or tired of the same old recipes; give this a try.  Also, check out two of our favorite recipes: Chicken Noodle Soup or BBQ Kilbasa.

Mom and Me In the Kitchen

You know it’s funny, you never know what people want to read and I got several emails about our first recipe.  Glad you liked it.  We organize a lot of busy families and everyone is always searching for a great meal that is quick, easy and healthy.  I also love meals you can make a lot of and then freeze.  Here is a great one, again from my Mom.  It may not be a holiday recipe, but sure it could be served on one of those busy, cold December days. 

Chicken Noodle Soup:  This is one of my favorite ones and John and I even have a deal.  If someone isn’t feeling well, we make this for the other.  There is nothing like homemade soup to make you feel better. 

1 large can of chicken stock
Fill can with Water
1 chicken breast
3 stocks sliced celery
3 stocks sliced carrot
Handful of frozen spinach
Handful Rosemarina Rice Pasta or Large Egg Noodles

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Now this may be a little unconventional, recipes from an organizer.  But if it’s helpful who cares.  I come from a family of fantastic cooks and my Mom is the best cook I know.  She also happens to know how to cut corners and no one would know otherwise. 

For us, cooking is a way of life and we spend so much time cooking and in the kitchen.  We laugh, sing, dance, drink wine and just love to cook and celebrate food.  I know cooking and entertaining can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be so stressful.  Between now and the new year, I am going to share some of our favorite, yet simple and delicious recipes.  

BBQ Kilbasa:  This is always a crowd pleaser, and I know the ingredients are strange.  Give it a try as an appetiser and I promise everyone will be wanting more.  As a tip, you may not want to tell them ingredients until after they have tried it. 

Kilbalsa – Beef or Turkey
Grape Jelly
Yellow mustard

1. Cut kilbalsa into bite size pieces.
2. Boil kilbalsa for 15 minutes. 
3. In a separate saucepan, use equal amounts of jelly and mustard; typically ¼ cup. 
4. Simmer for 15-20 minutes on medium. 
5. Refrigerate until needed, heat for five minutes.  Serve with toothpicks.

You can prepare one day in advance if needed.  Actually this dish is best when prepared ahead of time.  Serve it a cocktail party, a football tailgate, as a holiday appetiser or just a healthy snack for the family.  

For more help getting dinner on the table, use our Meal Planning Made Easy system with step-by-step reminders to make meal planning and shopping easier for busy people.  For less than take out, you can get dinner on the table every night.

Bon Appetit!