Cleaning Tip of the Week

Using Vinegar in the Microwave
There are many ways to use vinegar as a natural cleaner around your home.
This weeks cleaning tip comes straight from the queen of cleaning, my mother in law, Andrea.

 Often by then end of the week there is caked on crumbs, sauces, and vegetables in our microwave. I used to just take a scotch pad and scrub it. That is until Andrea taught  for me an easier way that made this task 10 times easier.

Using a microwave safe bowl, mix 1 parts water to 3 parts vinegar. (if the smell of vinegar is to strong for you, you can lessen the amount to half and half.)

Put the bowl, uncovered, in the microwave for 5- 7 minutes. When the time is up you will notice that the steam from the vinegar water has softened any stuck on matter. You should be able to take a rag or paper towel and wipe it off with ease. If things are still stuck, just pop it back in for a few more minutes.

Warning: This will make your kitchen smell like vinegar for a little while. So it is wise to do in between meals when you don't have to be in the area.

Happy Cleaning.

Summer School Courses

Summer is a great time to offer extra curricular classes for your children. This summer I have decided to do 2 different classes with our boys. Basic Cooking and How to Clean. (not pick up, but clean). This is something that I would like to do every summer. It is also something that can advance with their age. I decided to do these classes because at some point the boys will be moving on and out of our home. They are going to have to know how to do the basics for themselves. That knowledge will be a wonderful asset for them once the enter into marriage.

Here is how our weeks will go:

Week 1~
Basic Cooking:
Day 1:
            Following directions
            Clean as you go
            Boiling water
            Cooking noodles
Day 2:
            Measuring properly
            Scrambled eggs
            Frying Bacon(Different ways to cook)
           
Day 3:
             Stove and oven safety, burn treatment
             Homemade chicken noodle soup
             Grilled cheese

Day 4:
             Sanitation
             Baking chicken breast
             Boiling raw vegetables
             Rice
Day 5:
               Cooking temperatures(eggs, meat)/Uncooked food illness
               Sausage Gravy
               Biscuits(refrigerated containers and homemade)
Extra: Learn about meals that freeze well(lasagna, tuna casserole). Make some meals for some families in need.

Toward the beginning of the school we plan to attend Mixing Bowl Academy. Mixing Bowl academy offers live cooking classes that are made just for kids. You have the option to look at the menus ahead of time and pick out a month of live classes that sound the most interesting to you. The best part is its an inexpensive and fun way to introduce your kiddos to cooking.
              
Week 2:
Basic Cleaning

Day 1:
       Germs and bacteria
       Bathroom Cleanliness

Day 2:
       Why we clean/Whats in the air
        Laundry(separating, loading)

Day 3:
       Whats Dust?
        Dusting and sweeping
        Windows

Day 4:
        Organized cleaning(All toys in correct bucket, laundry in correct drawers)
        Clean as you go

Day 5:
        Create our new chore charts
        Discuss rewards
        Discuss initiative and teamwork
Extra-  "Adopt" an elderly widow/widower and help them clean their home a few times a month


What extra curricular classes do you enjoy doing with your kiddos?