Summer is finally here and with the kids home all day this is the perfect time for a picnic. Pack up some food, cool drinks and a blanket and head for the park, playground or even just the backyard. You can even entertain your little ones with a picnic on the kitchen or living room floor on a rainy day.

Of course you could just fix some PB&J sandwiches, pack a couple of juice boxes and call it a picnic, but there are so many other fun and delicious things you could prepare. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

A New Twist for PB&J
Pack a few rice cakes, a small jar of peanut butter, some raisins and other dried fruit as well as some apples. When it’s time to eat, spread peanut butter on the rice cake and let your child decorate it with the dried and fresh fruit. Raisins become eyes, a slice of apple the mouth and a berry makes a great nose.

Crackers and Cheese
Buy some hard cheese, such as cheddar, slice it (or buy it pre-sliced from the deli), and cut shapes out with small cookie cutters. You can also use cookie cutters on thicker slices of ham, salami or bologna. Serve with an assortment of crackers, and fresh fruit, such as grapes or berries.

Deli Style Sandwiches
Get some sub rolls, a little mayo and mustard (the small packs you get at fast food places work great for a picnic), and a variety of deli style sandwich meat and cheeses. Top it all off with a few leaves of lettuce that you washed at home and brought in a plastic baggie. Let each family member create their own sub with their favorite meats and cheeses. A bag of chips completes the meal.

“Fried Chicken Strips” With Veggies n’ Dip
Use some crushed cornflakes to bread chicken breast strips and bake them in the oven until done. You can do this the night before the picnic and refrigerate the chicken strips – they are delicious cold. Cut up some veggies like peppers, celery, cucumber, broccoli and cauliflower and add some baby carrots. Bring a little ranch dressing to use as a dip and your picnic is complete.

Desserts
Fresh fruit of course always makes for a great portable dessert on a picnic. Some homemade or store-bought cookies are another great option. Bake a batch of brownies, cut them and bag them after they have cooled completely for a chocolaty treat.

Grab a cooler, fix some sandwiches and head out to the park, playground or even the backyard for a picnic. Don’t forget lots of water on warm days!

Want more family friendly recipes and crafts ideas? Visit http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/info for a sample weekly menu plan your entire family will love and www.kinderinfo.com for tons of craft and activity ideas that are sure to keep your little ones entertained.

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Creator & Seller: Dan Feildman

Summary:

Digital cameras have made photography affordable, quick and easy even for non-professionals. By following a few simple principles, even beginners can take photos like pros.

Product Details:

“Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros” is a free 28-page special report from LearnDigitalPhotographyNow.com.

Format:

Digital report (PDF)

Thoughts on the Product:

“Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros” gives an overview of the special features of digital cameras compared to film cameras, then guides the reader through some basic principles of digital photography.

The report is perfect for somebody who’s venturing into digital photography for the very first time – or someone who has been using a digital camera but has never taken the time to really figure it out. For example, ever wonder what a RAW format was and whether you should select that as your camera’s file format? This report has the answer.

The report has plenty of tips that may be new even to intermediate users, such as:

- How to deal with shutter lag (page 9)

- How to take fast-action shots (page 12)

- How to warm up a picture without using a special lens (page 16)

- When and how to use fill flash (page 18)

- How much memory you really need (page 22)

Even if you’ve been using a point-and-shoot digital camera for family photos, this report will surely have you exploring your camera’s many features to get better and more interesting pictures with it!

While the report is full of useful advice and tips, some beginners may find parts of it too advance. For example, the author assumes that the readers know “white balance,” “depth of field,” and other basic photography terms. Total newbies will need to look up these concepts, in order to catch up.

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Your growing toddler needs to snack quite a few times a day in addition to eating regular meals with the rest of the family. Here are a few quick and easy snack ideas that you can put together in just a few minutes. You toddler will enjoy these yummy snacks.

Ham and Cheese Crackers

Cut up some pieces of ham and cheese and serve them with some crackers. If you want to make it fun, use a cookie cutter to cut fun shapes out of the cheese.

Fruit Dip

Caution, this can get a little messy! Cut up some fruit in bite size chunks and serve with a small bowl of yogurt. Encourage your toddler to dip the fruit in the yogurt. This is an easy way to get your toddler to eat a serving of fruit, while also getting some extra calcium and protein in his/her diet from the yogurt.

Low Sugar Cereal

I always keep a box of low sugar cereal like cheerios in my pantry. They make a great snack with a little milk, or even just a bowl of dry cereal. Dry cereal also make a great take-along snack. Just throw a serving in a Ziploc bag and toss it in your purse.

Veggies and Dip

Keep some cut up veggies in the fridge. Small pieces of carrot, peeled cucumber, celery as well as small sections of broccoli and cauliflower all make great finger food for toddlers. Make sure the pieces are very small to prevent choking or steam them to soften them up. Serve with a little ranch dressing if desired.

Peanut Butter Sandwich

A PB&J has been a snack staple for ages. Mix things up by toping the peanut butter with some thin slices of apple or banana instead of the jelly. Or try smearing the peanut butter on a tortilla. Add jelly and roll it up. Cut the rolled up tortilla into strips for a fun new way to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Quick Cheese Quesadilla

Place a soft tortilla on a microwave safe plate. Top one half with cheese and fold the other half over it. Microwave 30-60 seconds or until the cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and let it cool a little before serving.

Quick Smoothie

Throw half a banana or some berries in a blender along with some vanilla yogurt and a splash of milk. Add a little ice if desired and blend until smooth. Serve in a sippy cup or with a straw for a quick fruit smoothie. Your toddler will love drinking a milkshake for a snack.

Give these fast, easy and healthy snack ideas for your toddler a try. By the way, these make great snacks for everyone else in the family as well – including mom.

Christine Steendahl Is The Founder Of Dine Without Whine – A Family Friendly Weekly Menu Planner. Eliminate Your Dinner Hour Stress And Re-Discover The Pleasure Of The Dinner Hour! For A Free Sample Menu Visit http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/info

(Want to republish this content on your site? Filed Under: Schmoozin on Moms

Well…you can get 2 extra hours for f ree right now.

Moms sure are overworked. We hardly have a moment to ourselves. We’re always looking out for somebody else’s needs – and wants.

Have you ever stopped to think what you would do if you had 2 hours free to spend any way you want, every week? I did, and was surprised how hard it was for me to come up with ideas. I guess it’s been THAT long since I had time all for myself.

Well, I want YOU to start making plans for two free hours. No, I’m not coming over to clean your house, LOL! But I am giving you a free meal plan and grocery list good for one week of dinners and side dishes, plus 2 brunch recipes and 2 desserts. It’s a sample from Dine Without Whine.

So for the next week, you won’t have to make your own meal plan and food shopping list. Not only do you get to use this time to do something else, but by meal planning and shopping with a list, you will:

• Save big bucks (the average family saves $60 a week by eating at home!)
• Help your family eat healthier
• Enjoy relaxed family dinners, which make for healthier,  smarter and more relaxed family members
• Save time and money when food shopping

Go ahead and grab your one-week meal plan and grocery list  here.

…there’s no charge or any obligation of any kind.

Enjoy your sample meal plan – and those two extra hours!

With the weather being nice and warm outside, why not let the kids help prepare dinner for dad on Father’s Day and make it a fun night out by the grill.

During the day, let the kids make decorations like handprints on a paper tablecloth, blow up balloons or make some simple paper lanterns. Then let them help you with dinner preparations. A great Father’s Day dinner from the grill includes delicious grilled steaks, pasta salad and Texas toast. Finish it all off with scrumptious brownies a la mode.

Start by making this simple pasta salad. Cook the pasta ahead of time, and then let the kids mix all the salad ingredients together. Chill the pasta salad for several hours before serving.

Pasta Salad
Makes 5 servings
1 16-ounce package corkscrew pasta
1 cucumber
3 carrots
1 bunch broccoli
1 15 1/2-ounce can garbanzo beans
3 tablespoons salad supreme
1 16-fluid ounce bottle Italian herb dressing
Cook noodles and combine with everything else.

Now it’s time to prepare the marinade for the steaks.

Marinated Steaks
Makes 4 servings
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons garlic minced
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 pinch cayenne pepper
4 beef steaks – cut of your choice – rib eye is one of our favorites – but whatever you prefer
1. In a medium bowl, mix the vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, honey, olive oil, ground black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, salt, liquid smoke, and cayenne pepper.

2. Place steaks in a shallow glass dish with the marinade, and turn to coat. For optimum flavor, rub the liquid into the meat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator overnight or up to two days.

Now it’s time to cook those steaks on the grill. Of course Mom or Dad should be taking care of this.

3. Preheat grill for medium-high to high heat.

4. Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill steaks 7 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.

Texas Toast
What would dinner be without some sort of bread? Dad is sure to love this hearty Texas Toast. Kids can help spread the butter and sprinkle the seasoned salt.

1/4 cup butter or stick margarine, softened
4 slices thick-cut white bread, about 1 inch thick
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1. Set oven control to broil.

2. Spread butter on both sides of bread slices. Sprinkle with seasoned salt. Place on rack in broiler pan.

3. Broil with tops 4 to 6 inches from heat 2 to 4 minutes, turning once, until lightly toasted. Cut each slice diagonally in half. Serve warm or cool.

Dessert
Help the kids mix up a boxed brownie mix and bake them just before you sit down for dinner. Allow the brownies to cool while you eat, then get the kids to make dessert by placing a piece of brownie in a bowl, top it with some vanilla ice cream. Drizzle chocolate syrup over the ice cream and dessert is ready.

There you have it…the perfect Father’s Day dinner that Dad is sure to love, especially since the kids were busy making most of it.

Want more family friendly recipes and crafts ideas? Visit http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/info for weekly menu plans your entire family will love and www.kinderinfo.com for tons of craft and activity ideas that are sure to keep your little ones entertained.

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The traditional birthday cake isn’t the only yummy option you have when it comes to baked goods for your child’s birthday party. We have come up with some other ideas that are more than just a substitute for a birthday cake. They are creative, delicious and just plain different.

Decorate A Cookie

• Sugar Cookie Dough
• Cookie Cutters
• Wax Paper
• Confectioner’s Sugar
• Water
• Food Coloring
• Assorted candies
• Colored Sugar (different colors)
• Sprinkles

Prepare a batch of your favorite cookie dough, or purchase some refrigerated sugar dough. Roll it out and place it on the wax paper. Let the kids cut out cookies using the cookie cutter, then bake them according to the baking instructions for your dough. Allow the cookies do cool. Prepare “Glue” by mixing the confectioner’s sugar with water to form a sticky paste. You can add food coloring to turn it into different colors. The kids can paint the cookies with this glue, then add candies sprinkles and colored sugar. Allow them to dry and either let the kids eat them at the party, or place them in plastic bags so they can take them home after the party.

Magic Wands

* Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough

* Star Cookie Cutter

* Popsicle Stick

* Confectioners’ Sugar

* Hot Water

* Food Coloring

Roll out the sugar cookie dough and cut using a star-shaped cookie cutter; bake according to package instructions. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, and are still soft to the

touch, carefully push a Popsicle stick between any two points of the star. This makes the handle for your wand. Frost the cookies with glossy icing. To make glossy icing, simply sift confectioners’ sugar into a bowl. Slowly add hot water, while mixing, until it becomes a smooth paste. Add a few drops of food coloring to make extra colorful treats. These wand cookies are somewhat fragile, but

they’re delicious and a lot of fun to eat!

Dessert Pizza

* Sugar cookie dough, store bought

* 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature

* 1 cup sugar

* 1 teaspoon vanilla

* Fruit slices like banana, strawberries, apples and blueberries

* Greased cookie sheet or pizza pan

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Slice up the dough like you’re making cookies. Press the dough into a pizza pan. You should end up with thin, sweet pizza dough. Bake it for about 8 minutes and cool it on a rack. Combine the sugar, vanilla and softened cream cheese. Spread it all over

you pizza crust. Top with the fruit slices. There you have it … Three fun baked treats that not only make a great addition to any birthday party, whether you are serving cake or not. They are also a fun activity for the kids during the party. Give one of these a try at the next child birthday party you throw.

For tips and ideas to plan the perfect birthday party visit http://www.littlegirlbirthdayparty.com and for more kid-friendly recipes delivered to you inbox every week visit http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/info

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Barbecuing season is coming upon us and food safety is definitely important. If you are buying meat cuts to grill, always make sure they are put in separate grocery bags, so no juices can contaminate your other foods.

In the heat of summer, if you’re taking the meat with you to the cottage, make sure you have a cooler with ice packs. Perishable food should not remain outside a fridge for more than two hours, or one hour if the temperature is over 90F.

All meats should be cooked right through, to the proper temperature. The nature of barbecuing, particularly over charcoal, means that food often gets overcooked and even burned on the outside, before the inside reaches the right temperature. To avoid this, set your rack higher, cook on foil, and always use a thermometer to ensure you reach the following safe temperatures: whole chickens 180F, breasts
170F, ground chicken 165F, ground beef burgers 160F, any cut of pork 160F, and steaks, roasts, or chops of veal, lamb, and beef, 145F.

If you are looking for a different Mother’s Day present this year, give the gift of convenience. For many mothers thinking of nutritious, great tasting and simple to create meals can be extremely time consuming. Many moms can spend hours each week just deciding on what to make and putting together dinner for their family. If you are looking for a gift that will not only save her some time, but also make the entire family happy and satisfied with a delicious meal, look into a menu planning service.

Menu Planning Services are an extremely convenient and effective way to help mom plan the family dinner each evening of the week. But planning what to cook for each dinner is just the beginning. Such services generally also include easy to follow grocery lists that show all the ingredients for the meals of the week, so mom can easily shop one time and pick up all the ingredients she needs to prepare each week’s meals. No more running to the store each day after work and wasting precious time that should be spent with you.

Menu Planning is also especially helpful for those that are on a budget or who would like to save more. You can save hundreds of dollars each month by not taking the family out to eat, and instead providing a tasty and nutritious meal right at home.

With a menu planning service you generally get recipes for each night along with side dishes and desserts that can be cooked any time. Additionally, you also get a tailored shopping list for each week of food that goes along with your meals. No more scouring all the recipes for the ingredients you need. It’s already done for you. Plus, you will receive lots of extras each month that can help you save on your grocery bill and ensure your family is eating delicious and nutritious meals. Something mom is sure to love!

If you are searching for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, give her the enjoyment of Meal Planning.

To Give Mom a Menu Planning Gift this Mother’s Day visit http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/info.

(Want to republish this content on your site? Filed Under: Schmoozin on Moms

Are you ready to save some time, feed your family healthier meals and save some money along the way? These are just some of the benefits of family meal planning. Let’s look at all of them in a little more detail.

Eat Healthier

Planning your family meals will cut down on your trips to your favorite fast food restaurant and the amount of pizza you have delivered to your door. Food you prepare at home tends to be much healthier than hamburgers with fries, fried chicken or pizza. When you plan your meals include some lean protein like chicken breast, as well as some salads and vegetables. Your entire family will benefit from the healthier meals.

Save Time

How much time are you spending now running to the grocery store a few times a week. I used to run to the store at least 3 times a week to buy something to fix for dinner. Planning your meals out for a week at a time and then putting together a grocery list with everything you need to cook those meals will cut your trips to the store down to one a week. This alone will save you a few hours each week. Plus you won’t be standing in front of your fridge and pantry every night trying to come up with something you can fix with what you have at hand.

Save Money

All that eating out and having food delivered can quickly add up. By preparing more meals at home you will save quite a few dollars each week. In addition, you will save on your monthly grocery bill, since you will be making a list of everything you need for the week and won’t end up buying extras that just go to waste. I used to throw out food almost every week before I started meal planning.

Less Stress

You know the routine. It’s 6 pm, everyone in the family is starving and you have no idea what’s for dinner. Trying to come up with something to cook from what you have in the kitchen while your kids are tired, hungry and screaming isn’t one of the most fun family activities. You will be much more relaxed about dinner, when you know exactly what you are going to cook ahead of time and known you have everything you need in the house.

Quality Time Together

Meal Planning also encourages everyone to gather around the dinner table each day. Who could resist the delicious smells coming out of the kitchen? Dinnertime has always been a great time for families to gather and share news and experiences of the day. Parents and children can pay each other undivided attention. Cook some dinner, set the table and don’t forget to turn off the TV. Make dinner a daily family tradition again.

I encourage you to give family meal planning a try. I am sure you and your family will see the benefits within less than a week.

Don’t have the time or patience to plan your family meals? Let us do it for you!

Christine Steendahl Is The Founder Of Dine Without Whine – A Family Friendly Weekly Menu Planner. Eliminate Your Dinner Hour Stress And Re-Discover The Pleasure Of The Dinner Hour! For A Free Sample Menu http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/info

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This serves a big group – it makes 16 servings. Perfect or a barbecue party.

Ingredients:

Dijon Mustard – 8 oz jar
Olive Oil – 1/2 cup
Dry Red Wine – 2 tablespoons
Minced Garlic Cloves – 2
Crushed and Dried Rosemary – 1 teaspoon
Crushed and Dried Basil – 1 teaspoon
Crushed and Dried Oregano – 1/2 teaspoon
Crushed and Dried Thyme – 1/2 teaspoon
Pepper – 1/4 teaspoon
Boned and Butter flied Leg of Lamb – about 4 lbs.

Process:

* Mix the garlic, pepper, wine, mustard, oil, rosemary, thyme, basil and oregano in a medium sized container.
* Remove the fell, which is the pinkish red layer from the meat. Cut the fat off. Marinate the lamb in the mustard mixture, cover and leave overnight in the refrigerator.
* Take only the lamb and skewer criss-crossed with two 12 inch skewers. BBQ the lamb 45 to 55 minutes for rare, 55 to 65 minutes for medium and 1 to 1 1/4 hours for medium well. For the last 10 minutes apply the reserved marinade.