Parent's Time Out 
September 14, 2001

Update- Info on helping Children deal with the news of terrorist attacks 

This weekly feature of the Online Exchange is committed to helping parents take back 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

Shake, Shake, Shake

This week's Time Out is a great learning opportunity. I've done this twice with my daughter now, and it is really cool. 

Have you ever made butter? Well, there is no time like the present. It is super easy.
Get a small carton of Heavy whipping cream. Pour it into a empty, clean jar and put the lid on. Make sure nothing leaks out. Now start shaking it. The faster you shake it, the sooner you get butter. Let the kids shake it for as long as they want. It thickens gradually until it is clumpy. You can take the lid off periodically to observe the changes the cream is going through. Now, the butter will be pale in color, so you will have to explain to your kids that this is real butter, because they will expect what they are used to. Add a little salt after the butter is done, if desired. Spread on bread and enjoy!

~ What's for Dinner?

Sausage Burrito Casserole

Ingredients 
************** 
1 lb. hot or mild Italian sausage 
1 small onion (chopped) 
1 sweet green pepper (chopped) 
2 cloves garlic (minced) 
1/2 tsp. dried marjoram 
1/2 tsp. dried oregano 
1 can - 14 oz. red kidney beans (drained and rinsed) 
2 cups salsa 
1/4 cup freshly parmesan cheese (grated) 
8 flour tortillas 
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 
1/4 cup chopped green onions


Procedure 
************* 
Remove meat from sausage casings. In large nonstick skillet, cook meat over medium heat for 5 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking up. Pour off any fat. Add onion, green pepper, garlic, marjoram and oregano; cook for 3 minutes or until softened. Mix in beans; cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally and mashing beans slightly. Stir in 1 cup of the salsa and parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Spoon about 1/2 cup onto lower third of each tortilla. Fold tortilla over filling and roll up, folding in sides to enclose completely. Place, seam side down, in 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella; bake in 350 F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through. Spoon remaining salsa over top; sprinkle with green onions. Makes 4 servings. 

Temperature: 350°

Baking Time: 15-20 minutes.

~ Just for You

Menus

I have always found it useful to take some time out each week to sit down and plan meals for the week before going grocery shopping. I realize that this is not a relaxing suggestion, but I feel this is "Just for you" because it takes the guess work out of each day by knowing what you will be preparing for dinner each night. It is so simple and can really help to take the sting out of that infamous question, "What's for dinner?", not to mention save you money at the store.

Note: We provide one new recipe a week so you can include it in your menu. One down, 6 more to go.

~ Recommended Site of the Week

Here's a wonderful site that was created to help you in your health and fitness goals & your children. 
www.online-health-fitness.com
Check it out. It is great to find so much geared toward children's health and exercise!

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. 
Contact Sara.


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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.recipeplace.com