It’s that time of year again folks. Fall is almost here! Sept. 23rd, 2011 is the official first day of fall. Don’t forget to set your clocks behind November 6th, 2011.
Below you will find a great many recipes, craft ideas, coupons, freebies and much more!
FOODS & RECIPES
Pomegranates – Great for your health, good source of Vitamin C, potassium, and anti-oxidants.
Sweet Potatoes – Provide large amounts of Vitamins A, C, B6, niacin, fiber and potassium. Great mashed or as fries.
Pumpkins – Who doesn’t love pumpkin everything this time of year! Okay, so there are probably a lot of people that don’t care much for pumpkin at all. But, for those of you who do, please, keep reading. Pumpkins are loaded with Vitamins A, C, E, and B6. They can be home grown or store bought, either way they are the perfect ingredient to all things fall! Check out http://www.pumpkinnook.com/ for all things Pumpkin!!!
Pumpkin Bread – (Yields 1 loaf)
Ingredients:
Preheat oven to 350 F.
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Sift together flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.
Mix pumpkin, oil, eggs, water and spices together, combine with dry ingredients. (Mixture does not need to be mixed thoroughly.) Stir in nuts.
Pour into well-buttered loaf pan. Bake 50-60 mins. Use a toothpick or small skewer to poke center of loaf. If it comes out clean, bread is ready. Remove from pan by flipping upside down onto a cooling rack.
Pumpkin Seeds-
1. Rinse seeds in cold water, picking out pulp and strings.
2. Place seeds on baking sheet in a single layer. Sheet should be oil coated (or use non-stick cooking spray.)
3. Sprinkle with salt.
4. Bake 325 F until toasted (approx. 25mins.) Check and stir after first 10mins.
5. Let cool and store in air-tight container.
FUN FALL SNACKS
Cheese Roll-Ups – Roll shredded cheese into tortilla microwave until soft and cheese is melted. Dip in salsa and Enjoy!!
Fruit Pops – Using sliced fruit, dip into yogurt then crushed breakfast cereal. Enjoy it just like that or freeze them for a great frozen treat!
Pretzel Towers – This one couldn’t be any simpler. Cut small cubes of the cheese of your choice, using pretzel sticks, poke the cheese. Allow children to use their imaginations and build away. *Here’s a challenge: Give each child the same amount of cheese and pretzels. Decide on a time limit (30 sec. – 1min.) The object of the challenge is to see who can make the tallest tower without falling over in the amount of time giving.
Cereal Jewelry – Using various cereals, (fruit-loops, cheerios) string them onto different size strings and tie the ends together. Kids will love these as a take-a-long all day snack!
This time of year also brings to mind the book by Marcia Brown, known as Stone Soup. The story tells of sharing. You can find the story at: http://www.michaelppowers.com/prosperity/stonesoup.html
My daughter read this in her first grade class and students brought in various items the teacher selected and re-created their version of Stone Soup. In the book the soldiers and peasants use the following ingredients:
· 3 small smooth stones
· Salt and Pepper to taste
· A carrot or two
· A cabbage
· A bit of beef
· A few potatoes
· A little barley
· A cup of milk
This recipe seems simple, but if you are not much of a chef, it may not be as simple. Check out these sites for different recipes:
**And don’t forget to read the story out loud to your children and let them help, there is plenty for everyone to do. While you prepare the meal, talk about the story and its meaning. Encourage your kids to share with others.
FALL CRAFT IDEAS
Bag-Leaf Bouquet-
· Small brown bag
· Paint
· Twigs
· Leaves (dried, fresh or silk)
· Twine or ribbon
Use the paints to decorate your brown bag. Once the bag has dried; stuff the bottom of the bag with old newspaper. Use leaves and twigs to fill the top of the bag. Tie off the top of the bag with the twine allowing leaves and twigs to flow out. Makes for a great centerpiece!
You can also cut the brown bag about halfway, so that you do not need to stuff the bottom with paper and its much smaller. Use other items like buttons, bows, flower’s, and anything else you can find. BE CREATIVE! And since there’s no gluing this craft is fun for all ages!
For more Great Paper Bag Crafts for Kids visit: http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/paperbagsartscraftsideaskids.html
Well folks, that about wraps it up for today. Continue to check back for more fun, food and freebies!
