What's For Dinner Wednesday Week 3

Touch of Gourmet Sandwich Plate

Ingredients  Needed
4 slices multi-grain Bread
4 slices of your favorite cheese
Enough of your favorite lunch meat (for two)
1 avocado
2 pieces of lettuce
1 box of mushrooms
grapes
2 garlic cloves
1 TB olive oil


Supplies Needed
butter knife
medium frying pan
wooden spoon
sharp knife


Directions
1) mash up the avocado and spread it on bread in place of mayo
2) make sandwich with meat, cheese, and lettuce and/or anything else you desire, and cut in half
3) separate sandwich halves, and place a cluster of grapes in between them
4) slice mushrooms
5) dice garlic
6) heat up olive oil in medium frying pan, add garlic, brown slightly
7) add mushrooms and saute 10 minutes until browned (they will be soft)
8) add to plate and enjoy it all.

Makes 2 servings



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More Homemade Cleaning

Needed to get some cleaning done, so I whipped up a couple new homemade recipes.

I went to wash my ginormous van and wanted something stronger for the tires (with whitewalls) than the castile soap I use on the rest of the van. I went in the kitchen and made a handy and heavy duty cleaner that got those tires CLEAN AND WHITE. I should have taken pictures of the before and after, but I was so excited about cleaning, I got distracted. Anyway, mix up some of this when you want nice clean tires.

Tire Scrub

1/4 cup castile soap
1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
juice of two lemons

Directions
Mix everything together and add enough water to make a slightly watery paste. Get a rough scrubber and scrub those tires real well. Rinse with clean water and marvel at the black (and white) shining back at you.




Inside, I am trying out a new disenfecting spray for the bathroom, kitchen, and table tops. Thanks to Farmer's Market, I found some fresh thyme for the job.

Thyme Disinfecting Spray

2 cups hot water
6-8 sprigs of fresh thyme
1/4 cup borax

Directions
1) Boil water and pour over thyme in a heat resistant container
2) Allow to steep until cool
3) Pour into spray bottle
4) Add borax and shake well
5) Spray on surfaces and wipe clean

Remember to shake it well each time you use it.



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Letting Kids Choose for Themselves

I have this theory about raising children. I feel that it is vital to their self confidence to be able to choose things for themselves. Especially when it has everything to do with them. Which toy they play with, what clothing they wear, what friends they like, etc. I have been practicing this with my son for the whole almost three years he has been alive now, and what I have created is a happy, decisive, and creative child.

I've been in quite a few situations already, in which I am watching a parent make decisions for their children, influencing what they want, and/or pressuring the kids into doing what the parents want. On the other hand, I have also been in a few situations where people are shocked that I let my son choose for himself. Not only because I give him so much control, but for letting him choose what he does. Prime example here: We went to Olvera Street in Downtown LA and while we were there we decided to get him a little guitar. We made sure he got to choose which one he wanted, as they have many options in colors. Although he could have been influenced into getting a "normal" looking one, or a "boyish" one, we let our son follow his hearts desires (as this would be a toy for him after all) and he went ahead and chose a beautiful purple guitar with pink and white flowers on it.

Many have shot dirty looks or comments when he makes these so called "girly" choices. I personally, hold no prejudice against colors, designs, or pictures. I'm not going to put a dress on the boy, but if he likes pink let him wear pink. It's just a color. Likewise, if our daughter wants a Mohawk, then she will have one.

I feel proud that my son is allowed to make his own choices, and I feel confident he will grow up knowing what he wants and go for it, without letting others pressure him into doing or getting things he isn't entirely happy with.

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