Parent's Time Out 
July 27, 2001

Welcome to our new addition to the OnLine Exchange. Running an online business or working outside of the home takes much time and effort away from your family. This new weekly feature will be committed to helping parents take back that quality time and devote it more fully to spending it with their children. Here is where you can start to take a Time Out from the TV, computer, housework, and bills. It only takes a few minutes to do fun and memorable things with your children and we will lend a hand each week to get you started. Tune in here for encouragement, fun and easy things to do, and other tidbits, all geared just for you and your precious ones.

~ Time Out for the Week

My daughter has been asking about having a picnic lately. This is such a simple thing that we overlook as being easy and fun. For kids, you don't have to go all out. Set aside a old sheet or blanket just for spontaneous picnics. You can go for quick PB&J sandwiches, or a snack like graham crackers. Whatever it is, let your little ones help get it around. They will surprise you, even at a young age, at how good they can be at spreading jelly on bread! Dig out your thermos and fill them with instant lemonade or juice. Put everything in a basket, backpack or bag, then go enjoy the shade under a nice tree. We have a small park on a lake less then a block away. It feels so good to just sit there and share nature with your children. Let them run around or roll in the grass for a little while. Your emails will wait a little while more.

Here is a suggestion for something yummy, quick, and fun to make:

Graham Cracker Sandwiches

~ What's for Dinner?

Beef and Salsa Stuffed Potatoes

 

4 large baking potatoes

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 cup tomato-based salsa

Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 green onions, finely sliced (tops included)

Sour cream for accompaniment (optional)

1. Scrub potatoes and dry well. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour at 425*F (220*C) until tender, or microwave on HIGH 8 to 10 minutes or until tender, rotating 1/4 turn after 4 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cook ground beef and onion together until meat is done; drain if necessary. Stir in salsa and continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; fluff up pulp with fork. Place potato halves on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper to taste
4. Spoon an equal amount of beef mixture onto each potato half. Top with equal amounts of cheese and green onion.
5. Return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese has melted.
6. Serve garnished with dollop of sour cream, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

You can find this and more at www.cooksrecipes.com. Check out this very handy site for quality, printer-ready recipes geared for all taste buds. 

~ Just for You

Pampering

A very important part of life that we tend to go without is setting aside time to pamper ourselves. Check out the tips at http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/pamper.html and make a goal of treating yourself once a week. Even if you don't have the time to make up these bath treats, you can at least light your favorite candle, pour yourself your favorite relaxing beverage, and soak for a while! 

~ Recommended Site of the Week

Tons of crafts

Tons of crafts for you to do with your kids. Perfect for summer! They have everything you could want for kids crafts- hard to find toddler crafts, bead crafts, yucky stuff, gifts kids can make and tons more. Be careful, you can spend a lot of time here, and you might run out of ink printing all of the great projects! 
http://www.makingfriends.com

Thank you for joining us for this weeks Time Out! Now the rest is up to you. Take the time to do the things suggested, or think of your own ways to spend precious time with your family. But most importantly, HAVE FUN!!  

Be sure to tell your friends about us! Highlight the parts of the page you like the best and print it. Then keep a folder of ideas and recipes.

We would like to hear from you! If you have a favorite family site or craft,
send it to us and we might share it with our readers. Or, just let us know
what you think about this new feature. Contact Sara.


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Find all of the Parent's Time Out Editions in our Archives.

Giving Credit were Credit is Due...
We search all over for great tips, ideas and recipes and don't want to forget to let you know where it all comes from. This week we would like to thank the following:
www.seedsofknowledge.com
www.makingfriends.com
www.cooksrecipes.com