Parent's Time Out 
September 28, 2001

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

Edible clay!

Chocolate modeling clay is made by combining melted chocolate and light corn syrup. American pastry chefs invented the recipe and have been using this delicious edible clay to make garnishes and unique decorations. Here is their secret! 

Ingredients and Preparation:

10 ounces of chocolate (chopped chunks or chips) 
1/3 cup light corn syrup 
Note: the chocolate can be substituted with almond bark, or colored candy disks to create different colored flowers 
Melt the chocolate in a microwave for 1 minute. Stir. If chocolate is not completely melted, return to the microwave for 30 seconds at a time and stir until smooth. If you don't have a microwave, place the chocolate in the top of a double broiler over hot water and stir until melted. 
When the chocolate is melted, add the corn syrup and blend. 
Pour the mixture onto a waxed paper sheet. 
Spread the chocolate with your fingers until it's about 1/2 inch thick. 
Cover loosely with waxed paper and let it stiffen for at least a couple hours or overnight. The chocolate will become very pliable. 

Making a Chocolate Rose: 
Have the kids roll 10 marble-sized balls out of the chocolate clay. 
Place the balls on a waxed paper sheet, about 1 inch apart. 
Place another waxed paper sheet on top. Big or little thumbs can press each marble into a flat disk (about the size of a quarter). Use some pressure! 
To form the rose: 

Remove 1 disk and curl it into a "teepee" shape, narrow at the top and wider at the bottom. 
Wrap the next disk around the opening of the teepee and the third disk at the back of the teepee. This is the rose bud. Continue adding disks which will look like petals. Continue to layer them to create a rose in bloom. 
Roses can be used as edible decorations for a cake or to create a basketful of blooms. They will harden after a few days and can be saved by storing in a cool, dry place. 
Since this recipe is the consistency of modeling clay, you can mold any shape you want.

Important note: Adult supervision and participation is required for this activity. 

~ What's for Dinner?

Spicy Taco Lasagna

(To make the UNSPICY recipe just delete the peppers, use mild picante` sauce, and only use 1 packet of taco seasoning.)

What You Need:

1-2 lbs. lean ground beef 
1 box (16oz) lasagna noodles 
1 (48oz.) jar spaghetti sauce 
1-2 packets taco seasoning (more if you like more spice) 
2 packages(12-16 oz) shredded cheese
(I use Monterey Jack and Sharp Cheddar) 
1 small can jalapeno` peppers or green chilies 
1 small can black olives 
shredded lettuce 
picante` sauce 
sour cream 
What You Do:

In skillet brown ground beef, then add taco seasoning packets with 1/4c. water. Mix thoroughly. Boil noodles (add few drops oil to prevent sticking). 
In large pan (9x13 works great, spray bottom first w/non-stick spray) put 1 layer of noodles, cover with a layer of cheese, then meat, then sauce, adding chilies or peppers with sauce. Continue adding layers till you have about 2 1/2 inches left at top of pan. At last layer make sure to cover completely with cheese. 
Bake in 300 degree oven for 45 minutes (if time permits or fast method is 375 degrees for 35 minutes) covered with foil, then uncover and bake another 15 minutes at 375. (slower cooking lets cheese get brown and bubbly). 
To serve add shredded lettuce and sour cream in dollops on top then cover with black olives. serve with picante` sauce on side. 

~ Just for You

Enjoying more time with your family

Here is a goal you can set for yourself so that you can enjoy weekends more.
All during the week, work toward getting the house clean. By the end of the week, finish up what needs to get done, laundry, vacuuming, etc. Then enjoy more fully the 2 days off you have with your family. You will feel so much better with clean surroundings, and a weight will be gone from your shoulders! This goal is well worth setting and helps you have a routine so that your house isn't neglected due to working all of the time. 

~ Recommended Site of the Week

Something for daughters

www.barbie.com
Here you can design and order a custom-made doll from eye and hair color to clothing ensembles.

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 of our feature. 
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.homeschoolzone.com
www.cooksrecipes.com
www.barbie.com