Would you chew food for your baby?

I saw this video of Alicia Silverstone chewing food for her baby and then transferring that food mouth-to-mouth, and my first reaction was "EWWW". I know everyone has their own way of parenting and I'm not condemning Alicia Silverstone. I'm just saying that this is something I wouldn't do (doesn't mean I'm right or wrong). To me, I don't think it's hygienic. You wouldn't eat food that I spit out for you, would you? Actually, I'd never even thought of mashing up my baby's food this way. My way would be cutting up the food with scissors or cooking the food till it is really soft and then smashing it with a fork/spoon or use a blender.

Some of you will probably have the same reaction as me (grossed out) and some of you will think nothing of it. However, I think the majority of moms will probably opt for mashing baby food a different way though.

So, what do you think? Is this something you would or wouldn't do?

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

It's Thursday and that means you get another free scrapbooking kit. The last two weeks we had kits that you could use to make candy wrappers. Now we have another craft project for you and that is making bookmarks. Everyone is eager to go watch the show Hunger Games. Maybe you'd like to read the books too. My 11 year old daughter has just finished reading all 3 books. If you know of an avid reader, you could make bookmarks as a thoughtful gift.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

You can get it by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

The elements and papers are can be used with any graphic software. However, I encourage you to use MyMemories Suite because it is so easy to use.

HOW TO DO :

• Open MyMemories Suite software and choose your album size (e.g. 8.5 x 11 for a printable project). 
• Add the papers and elements you wish to use to create your own printable project. The picture above is an example of a bookmark design you can create. 
• When you are finished, click: SHARE ALBUM ====> EXPORT PAGES and save as a .jpg! The new .jpg papers you created are now usable as stand alone printable projects to use and reuse anytime!

If you don't have MyMemories Suite scrapbooking software yet, you can use this discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code upon purchase:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING


Hope to hear from you soon and happy scrapping!

Goodnight Gadgets Everywhere

Cute video that we all can relate to.



So parents, do you try to prevent electronics overdose in your home?

Help for teaching kids money management skills

(ARA) - Even though financial education courses for children are proven to contribute to improved savings rates and other financial measures, only 12 states require a personal finance course for high school graduation, according to the Council for Economic Education's 2011 Survey of the States.

In classrooms, studies show teachers want to provide personal finance instruction, but only 20 percent believe they have the capability to teach the subject, according to a study by the National Endowment for Financial Education. The benefits to students are real: Treasury Department research shows that high school graduates in states that mandate financial education have higher savings rates and a greater net worth than graduates from states without financial education.

As a result of the growing awareness about the importance of financial education, more resources are becoming available to teachers and parents. To help with funding for schools, a program called Pathway to Financial Success (www.PathwaytoFinancialSuccess.org), from Discover Financial Services, recently announced thousands of dollars in grants to public high schools to implement financial education curriculum and test students to make sure they are learning the content. Schools can apply for the grants via the website, and Discover will fund the grants up to a total of $2 million annually. Additionally, nonprofits like The Council for Economic Education are training teachers around the country, helping them teach children from kindergarten through high school about personal finance topics, such as saving and investing.

At home, parents can help reinforce what children learn about money. Unfortunately, these conversations are often not happening, as experts say parents are often more comfortable talking about sex, drugs and alcohol than they are about money - usually because parents do not trust their own financial acumen.

Indeed, it can be an awkward conversation, as the issue of money raises other concerns and priorities. But a number of resources are available to help parents talk to their children about money, such as the Jump$tart Coalition (www.jumpstart.org).  

Pathway to Financial Success also offers an online resource center for parents, providing tips on how to talk to their kids about how to manage money effectively. Additionally, through the site parents can identify their school district contacts and find resources to reach out to their school administrators and teachers about bringing financial education into their children's classrooms.

For teachers, PathwaytoFinancialSuccess.org also provides sample lesson plans and other resources they can use in their classrooms.

Parents can start helping ensure their children are financially savvy by talking to their kids about money using a few simple steps at home:

* Use everyday experiences to talk about money. With tax season around the corner, talk to kids about the process, or engage them in the discussion of purchasing a large item and weighing the "wants" versus "needs" of the purchase.

* Talk to your kids about saving for a special purchase, and set small, manageable goals for them to reach.

* Be honest about your financial situation or poor financial decisions you have made in the past, and then talk to your kids about how you could have handled the situation differently.

* Make it fun by playing online games that teach common lessons of budgeting and saving.

Talking about money may not be fun - or even comfortable - but it is an issue that all families and young adults should confront with as much information as possible. There are resources available to help for all situations.

Stopping a Generational Curse from Being Passed to Children

What is a generational curse? Well, what is a curse? First off, we’re not talking about some zombie, horror-film thing. Curses are real. They are bad habits and wrong thinking. No one curses you; you curse yourself. Or, in the case of generational curses, your family passes along a curse. But curses are not indestructible. They are net eternal or unavoidable. There are ways to stop a generational curse.

Let me give some examples. What are some generational curses that are common? Alcoholism, child abuse, drug addition, spouse abuse, incorrect sexual urges, laziness, selfishness, divorce. There are many, many more. If your family has no history of this, if you are the only individual with these issues, then you are not under a generational curse. However, if your family does have a history of these issues, then you are under a generational curse. What do I mean by that?

A generational curse is part nature and part nurture. Your DNA comes from your parents. Their genes determine your color, your race, your hair, your height, and some of your health. They also have an impact on your disposition and lifestyle. How you are raised influences you just as much as whom you were born from. Not only are you born with certain tendencies, you are raised to embrace or reject them.

But you’re an adult now. How you were raised doesn’t have any influence on who you are now, right? Wrong. If you don’t understand that who you are now is connected to who your family is and how you were brought up, you will never be able to break free of the curse. A generational curse is powerful because it is ubiquitous. If your parents did it, if your aunts and uncles and cousins did it, then it is no longer odd or outrageous when you do it. It is just an accepted part of life. That is how curses work. They fool you into believing they are ordinary, customary, or inescapable. But they are not.

So, how can you stop a generational curse? First acknowledge your own contribution. Claim your own actions, repent of your own involvement. But you don’t want to do that. You want to make the excuse that you’re just like your father, so it’s not really your fault. Well, okay then, your children are going to end up just like him too. You are an adult now. Express your own participation in the curse so that you can stop it. You can’t stop what you won’t face.

Second, admit your family’s involvement. You will get nowhere by covering up the past. You must unearth the who and why and how and bring it to light. Even if the contributors are long dead and gone, the curse must be uncovered so that it can be stopped. It might have started with your grandfather or great grandfather, but it must be brought out and dealt with. Only once the source is exposed will the curse be stopped. The issue is not whether the originators are alive, but is their curse alive?

Generational curses can be enormous. They can influence entire groups and races of people. Generational curses played a part in slavery and prejudice and warped family structure and they go so, so deep. Whole countries can be founded on generational curses and the complications that accompany them. So never think you are by yourself in this. Stopping a generational curse is not easy. You are breaking a chain. A chain that can have many, many links.

Jenny Ellis is a freelance writer, and a regular contributor for aupair jobs. She welcomes your comments at: ellisjenny728 @ gmail.com.

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

Digital scrapbook kits are not only good for creating scrapbook pages. It is also perfect for making printable projects such as candy wrappers, cards and tags. Here's a kit that you can print and make into candy wrappers.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

This kit includes 2 digital papers, 4 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get it by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

Although this freebie is courtesy of MyMemories, it is not a MyMemories Suite template. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. You can use it with any software.

MyMemories Suite is not just about photos, you can insert videos and music as well to make a CD. Now they have a Version 3 of the software. The latest version includes enhancements, including the ability to zoom in on a page for precise editing and more drag-and-drop functionality (digital scrapbook papers, embellishments, shapes, etc.). It also has a word art creator.

DONT PAY FULL PRICE
You don't have to pay full price when you buy MyMemories Suite. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING

DON'T FORGET THIS LIMITED SPECIAL TIME OFFER
Purchase MyMemories Suite by 31 March 2012 and you'll receive 1 year RAKStar membership.
You've got 16 more days before this offer expires. Don't miss it. Real value for money.

With the discount code, you only pay $29.99 = MyMemories Suite Software ($39.99) + Free merchandise ($10) + RAKStar membership($19.95).

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO CLAIM THIS SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER

• You can make the purchase here: http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software
• Remember to use my promo code when you check out: STMMMS86598
• Email me the receipt (limailian@gmail.com). Receipt must be dated between (February 24, 2012 – March 31, 2012)
• I will then give you a Gift Certificate that will allow you to receive 1 year of RAKStar membership.

Not sure what is MyMemories Suite? Here's a video to show you what you can do with it.


Hope to hear from you soon and happy scrapping!

Char Siew Fried Rice

If you're looking for a yummy dish that doesn't take too long to put together, Char Siew (Barbecued Pork) Fried Rice is a good choice. I usually do this on the weekends when I'm already tired from cooking all week. It's also good for using up whatever leftover rice you have in the fridge.

Ingredients

• Cooked rice - You don't want to use rice that you just cooked as it will be a little sticky. Leftover rice is good. If not cook the rice earlier and let it sit until cooled down.
• Garlic - minced
• Onions - sliced
• Carrot - cubed
• French beans - sliced finely 
• 1-2 eggs - beat the eggs (Not with a rotan okay. Hehe)
• Char Siew (Barbecued Pork) - chopped into small pieces. If you want to make your own Char Siew, you can try this guy's recipe. Fortunately for me there are some shops in town that sell it, or even the wet market.
• Salt, soy sauce and black/thick soy sauce

How to cook?

• Fry garlic and onion in oil until fragrant
• Add in the carrots and french beans. Fry until cooked.
• Push the vege aside and pour in the eggs. Scramble the eggs. 
• Add in the pork.
• Add in the cooked rice. Make sure there are no lumps of rice. Just use your  hands to squish out the lumps. Make sure you wash your hands first.
• Season with salt, soy sauce and dark soy sauce. Not too much dark soy sauce coz' you don't want to have black fried rice. Just want to give it a nice brown color. With the salt, I usually just use my fingers to grab a bit and then sprinkle it over all the rice. 

I would usually cook about 3 cups of rice (maybe a little bit less) for my family of 6 (2 adults and 4 kids). When you buy char siew, they usually give you the sauce. Dribble some of that sauce on the rice before you eat. Yummm... real good.

Okay, happy cooking!

Is Your Parenting Style Hurting or Helping Your Children?

Have you ever given much thought to what parenting style you want to practice or are you just doing what comes naturally to you?  I hate to say it but doing what comes naturally is not always the best way.

If you've never given much thought to parenting styles, I would urge you to do so now. Obviously, how you parent is going to affect how your children behave. You want to change your child's behavior, you have to change your parenting ways first. 


When it comes to parenting styles, there are generally 3 categories:

• Autocratic or Authoritarian - Like a dictator, you don't give your children much opportunities for them to make choices. Lots of limitations, not much freedom. You are very strict and very demanding and you give out harsh punishments. Think of a drill sergeant.
• Permissive - You let your children run the show. Lots of freedom and not much limits. You don't demand a lot from your children. You are very lenient and give in to your children's needs and wishes.
• Authoritative - Rules and guidelines are clear. However, there is democracy as well. You give your children a chance to make choices and have their voices heard. You are assertive but also encouraging and supportive. There is a balance between limitations and freedom. Instead of harsh punishments, there is forgiveness and teaching.

Children raised through autocratic parenting are usually very obedient but have problems with self esteem and social competence. 

Children that have permissive parents usually end up being spoilt brats. They have problems with authority and don't do very well in school. 

Children with authoritative parents are usually happy, independent and successful.


I hope after reading the description of the 3 parenting styles, you will want to follow the 3rd style which is the authoritative style.

Children need rules and guidelines and you need to make them clear. BUT if they make a mistake, don't come down too hard. Definitely there must be a consequence to their bad choice, however the goal should not be to make them feel bad about themselves. The goal should be to teach them to make better choices. 

Communication is important. If you feel upset and angry about your children's bad behavior, let yourself calm down first and then have a heart-to-heart discussion about it later. Don't just hit them, send them to their room or punish them without any explanation except for "because I said so." Explain to your children why they have to sit in time-out or have their computer time taken away or whatever else.

If you want your children to be independent, you must allow them to make their own choices and solve their own problems but with your guidance.


So, what kind of parenting style are your practicing?


p.s. If you need parenting ideas, I highly recommend this book. I've read it and it is a treasure trove of good advices. The examples shared makes it easy for parents to relate to. I had hope of being a better parent after reading it.
 Liberated Parents, Liberated Children: Your Guide to a Happier Family

A lot on your plate? These quick chores won't make you late

(ARA) - Time is very valuable to busy parents with active lifestyles. Between work, school and family plans, the big rush to get everything accomplished leaves little time to tackle basic household chores.

One room that can often be neglected in all the hustle and bustle is the kitchen, yet it's also the area of the house where all the activity happens. And when visitors come over, everyone tends to congregate in the kitchen - so it really needs to be an area that you can keep clean without a lot of hassle.

To accomplish all the traditional kitchen chores without taking a lot of valuable time, consider these time savers:

* Set aside a different area in the house for the collection of mail, school homework and work projects. Because the kitchen is often a gathering area, it's a good idea to keep these items in another storage area so you can easily use the kitchen to cook when needed. It also makes a quick pick up much easier when unexpected visitors stop by.

* Keep food covered in the microwave. A covering - like a dampened paper towel - can help prevent heating food from splattering all over your microwave and leaving a baked-on mess. If you do experience a food spill, clean it up immediately. This will help prevent the need to spend valuable time scraping and scrubbing the microwave to remove these difficult messes later.

* Condense dish time. Only run your dishwasher when it is full to save water and energy. You can do this effectively by using  Cascade Complete Action Pacs, which remove stuck-on food and greasy messes up to 24 hours later, guaranteed. So let the breakfast and lunch plates sit in the dishwasher until after your dinner without worrying if they will get clean.

The Cascade Complete Pacs are also powerful enough that you can skip the pre-rinse. Really, you can stop running the faucet and rinsing he dishes before you put them in the dishwasher. Just scrape off any scraps, and put them straight in the dishwasher. Skipping the pre-rinse can save up to 2,600 gallons of water per year (based on 12.5 gallons of water used to pre-rinse, at four loads per week).

* Planning can save valuable time. If you plan your family's meals once a week, and do all the grocery shopping in one trip, you can help save time and money on the purchase of groceries alone. Prepare a list of all the meals you'll be making, the snacks you'll need, and don't forget the breakfast items. From this list, develop a grocery list and then head out to the store. This organization can also help keep your refrigerator cleaner. That's because food items stored in the fridge will be consumed in a timely manner, preventing accidental spoilage which could result in a mess to clean up.

Making small changes in your kitchen routines - like only running the dish washer when it's full and not pre-rinsing dishes, or condensing the number of trips you take to the grocery store each week - also helps improve your environmental footprint, in addition to helping you to save time. And each small change you make as a family helps lead to a big environmental impact.

Visit www.facebook.com/futurefriendly to find more future-friendly tips both in the kitchen and around the house your family can participate in.

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

Use this week's scrapbook kit to make a candy wrapper. The papers and elements in this kit can be used to make your own printable craft project.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit:

This kit includes 2 digital papers, 3 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get it by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

How to do instructions

• Open MyMemories Suite software and choose your album size (I chose 8.5 x 11 for a printable project). 
• Add the papers and elements you wish to use to create your own printable project 
• When you are finished, click: SHARE ALBUM ====> EXPORT PAGES and save as a .jpg! 
• The new .jpg papers you created are now usable as stand alone printable projects to use and reuse anytime!

Although this freebie is courtesy of MyMemories, it is not a MyMemories Suite template. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format. You can use it with any software.

MyMemories Suite Version 3 is loaded with features that make scrapbooking easy and fun. It is one of the best scrapbook software out there. Here's a discount code that will slash $10 off the price. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste this code:
STMMMS86598

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING

DON'T FORGET THIS LIMITED SPECIAL TIME OFFER
Purchase MyMemories Suite by 31 March 2012 and you'll receive 1 year RAKStar membership.
You've got 16 more days before this offer expires. Don't miss it. Real value for money.

With the discount code, you only pay $29.99 = MyMemories Suite Software ($39.99) + Free merchandise ($10) + RAKStar membership($19.95).

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO CLAIM THIS SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER

• You can make the purchase here: http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software
• Remember to use my promo code when you check out: STMMMS86598
• Email me the receipt (limailian@gmail.com). Receipt must be dated between (February 24, 2012 – March 31, 2012)
• I will then give you a Gift Certificate that will allow you to receive 1 year of RAKStar membership.

Print out your family's memories into a photobook. This is a video to show how you can upload your completed MyMemories Suite album project for printing with MyMemories.com

Hope to hear from you soon and happy scrapping!

Fever facts for parents: What you should know when treating your child

(ARA) - With cold and flu season also comes fever season, and across the country, parents will experience anxiety levels that rise in tandem with their children's temperatures. In fact, more than half of parents report feeling anxious, fearful or helpless when their child comes down with a fever, according to the recent "Dose of Reality" survey by the makers of Children's Advil (R).

In addition to their concern, many parents also seem unaware of the proper ways to deal with their child's fever. In fact, in the survey of more than 1,000 parents of children younger than 12, more than half said they have sent their child back to school or daycare less than 24 hours after a fever passed, and nearly a quarter admitted to giving their children an adult over-the-counter medication at an estimated lower dose to treat a fever.

"Even some of the most seasoned parents worry about fever," says Dr. Alanna Levine, a nationally recognized pediatrician, mother of two and spokesperson for Children's Advil. "It's the most common reason I'm paged after office hours. I like to reassure parents with 'fever phobia' that fever is their friend."

On its HealthyChildren.org website, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) points out that fever is the body's natural response to infection. The AAP also notes that a fever does not necessarily mean a child needs to go to the emergency room or even see a doctor.

Yet one third of pediatricians surveyed by Pfizer estimate that up to half of their patient's parents have taken their child to the emergency room due to a fever before calling the doctor. And 94 percent of the doctors surveyed said they feel parents need more education on fever management.

Levine has partnered with Children's Advil this cold and flu season to offer parents some helpful advice for proper management of their child's fever:

* Stay cool. Remember that most fevers indicate that the body is fighting an underlying illness.

* Be prepared. Talk to your pediatrician about fever at the start of cold and flu season, and ask for information on proper fever management. Also, check your medicine cabinet to ensure that all medications have not expired or been recalled. Check recalls.gov to stay aware of any recalls.

* Watch for serious signs. Generally, you should call your pediatrician if your child is 3 months or younger and has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, if your child is older than 3 months and has a fever that exceeds 103 degrees, if your child has a fever and looks and acts very sick, or if the fever lasts for more than three days. As always, call your pediatrician with any concerns.

* Dose appropriately. More than a third of parents dose their children primarily based on age, rather than weight, according to the survey. Yet, weight is more accurate and the basis preferred by doctors. If weight is not known, dosing by age is acceptable.

* Do not give your child an adult medication. Nearly one in four parents surveyed admit to giving their children an adult over-the-counter fever medication at an estimated lower dose. Parents should always use a children's medication and never give an adult product to a child, unless specifically recommended by your child's physician.

* Medicate wisely. When choosing a fever medication, be sure to consider how long it will last. For example, Children's Advil, which contains ibuprofen, provides up to eight hours of relief with just one dose.

* Let sleeping children rest. More than half of parents surveyed said they wake their child in the middle of the night just to give them fever medication, yet most pediatricians believe a sleeping child should not be awakened solely to be given fever medication. Parents should closely monitor their children, and if they have any concerns about treating the child's fever, they should check with their pediatrician.

* Allow time to recover. The AAP recommends that parents keep their children home from school or daycare until the child is fever-free for at least 24 hours.

You can learn more about fevers and Children's Advil at www.ChildrensAdvil.com or at Facebook.com/ChildrensAdvil.

"The goal of treating the fever is really to make the child feel better," Levine says. "During this cold and flu season, all parents should be armed with the proper facts about fevers and how to manage them."

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, the maker of Children's Advil, sponsored this article.

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

Are you ready for some scrapbooking today? Grab this kit and do a quick one. I'm sure you have a photo sitting on your harddisk (or still in your camera's memory) that deserves a spotlight.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit. Remember, this is only available this week. So don't procrastinate and download it now.

This scrapbook kit includes 2 digital papers, 3 page elements and 2 quick pages. 

The pictures above are just an example of what you can create. You can easily come up with your own design.

You can get it by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

You can easily create your own digital paper in the MyMemories Suite v3 Software!! Here's how you do it:

• Open MyMemories Suite software and choose your album size.
• Add the papers and elements and arrange them to your liking to create your own digital paper
• When you're done, click: SHARE ALBUM ====> EXPORT PAGES and save as a .jpg!
• The new .jpg papers you created are now usable as stand alone papers to use and reuse anytime!

The papers and elements offered in this freebie can be used by any graphics software. However, I do recommend that you use MyMemories Suite to do your scrapbooking because it has many features that make it easy to use. Using this code, STMMMS86598, you can get a discount of $10. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste the code.

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING

Happy Scrapping!

Add a dash of creativity in the kitchen

(ARA) - Teaching kids how to find their way around the kitchen is a good way to encourage them to think creatively and get excited about eating well. In addition to imparting practical culinary knowledge to children - including math skills by teaching them about measurements - parents can help foster creativity by letting them "mix it up" a bit.
Here are some suggestions on how to nurture your child's creativity by having fun together in the kitchen:

* Fun with shapes: We all know how much fun cookie cutters can be for children. Take that idea to the next level by encouraging your children to sculpt their own shapes when baking items like cookies. Have them trace the pattern they'd like to use on cardboard or a thick piece of paper and use it as a template.

* Batter up: Get kids involved in the cooking process when making food they love. Turn over the spoon and let them mix batter for that next batch of pancakes as an opportunity to introduce them to basic cooking activities. You can also encourage them to top their creations with a unique variety of toppings from bananas to granola.

* Start from scratch: In kids' minds, noodles come from a box and bread comes from a bag that you buy from the store. Having children help make bread, pasta or pretzels from scratch can be a fascinating experience for them, and will help them appreciate how their food gets to the table.

* Recipe redo: Children have vivid imaginations that can really flourish in the kitchen. Over the past decade, savvy kid chefs around the country have submitted their most inventive creations in the Jif(R) Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest(TM) and the creators of 10 uniquely creative sandwiches have won grand prize money for college along the way. Between March 26 and April 20, 2012, peanut butter fans can visit www.jif.com to view the 10 winning sandwiches from 2003 to 2012 and then vote for the best sandwich in the Jif Sandwich of the Decade Promotion. Each vote cast will be entered into a daily giveaway where 10 winners will be selected to win a Jif gift pack. For complete Official Rules visit www.jif.com. Promotion open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 18 years and older. Void where prohibited.

Hungry for some kitchen creativity? Try the 2011 winning recipe featured below.


Wushu Chicken Tacos

Sauce:
1/8-inch thick slice fresh ginger, peeled and cut in half
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons Jif Creamy Peanut Butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon chili paste with garlic, or to taste
2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 1/4 teaspoons sesame oil
3 1/2 teaspoons water

Ingredients:
1/2 cup diced rotisserie cooked chicken
1/4 cup asparagus pieces, about 1-inch long
1/4 cup yellow squash pieces, cut into half circles
2 fajita-size (6-inch) flour tortillas
2 lime wedges

Directions:
1. Chop ginger and garlic in a small food processor as finely as possible. Add remaining sauce ingredients and process until sauce is completely smooth. If sauce is too thick, add more water, a little at a time. If sauce is too thin, add more peanut butter. Toss about half the sauce with the chicken and put aside in a covered bowl.

2. Boil about 1 inch of water in a large skillet; add asparagus. Cover skillet and turn off heat. In 1-2 minutes, lift off cover and remove asparagus using tongs.

3. Place squash pieces into a microwave-safe bowl; add a little water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high about 2-3 minutes. Let cool slightly; carefully drain off water.

4. Microwave tortillas on high about 15 seconds, or until tortillas are warm and are pliable. Put chicken on tortillas, top with asparagus and squash; drizzle with additional peanut butter sauce. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.

Special Limited Time Offer For MyMemories Suite Scrapbook Software

Make your own photo slideshow at Animoto.

If you love to do digital scrapbooks or wish to start, then you'll be glad to hear about this LIMITED SPECIAL TIME OFFER... 

Purchase MyMemories Suite by 31 March 2012 and you'll receive 1 year RAKStar membership. 

It's a great deal because you get to buy the software for a discounted price, and you receive extra $10 to spend at their store and also a huge digital scrapbook kit every month as a member of the RAKStar membership. For more details, click here.

So, the slide above are some of the scrapbooks that I've done with MyMemories Suite. It's just to give you an idea of what you can do with it. The scrapbook software makes it really easy for me to put it together.  Read my full review of MyMemories Suite.

Terrific Thursday Freebie: MyMemories Scrapbook Kit

Today's freebie is about creating your own digital papers. You can use the papers and elements that come with this kit to design various creations.  Download this kit today because next week, I'm going to share a new one.

Here's the preview to this week's scrapbook kit.  These are just samples of digital papers that you can make!

The kit includes 2 digital papers, 3 page elements and 2 quick pages.

You can get by clicking this link:

I WANT THIS DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK KIT

You can easily create your own digital paper in the MyMemories Suite v3 Software!! Here's how you do it:

• Open MyMemories Suite software and choose your album size. 
• Add the papers and elements and arrange them to your liking to create your own digital paper
• When you're done, click: SHARE ALBUM ====> EXPORT PAGES and save as a .jpg! 
• The new .jpg papers you created are now usable as stand alone papers to use and reuse anytime!

The papers and elements offered in this freebie can be used by any graphics software. However, I do recommend that you use MyMemories Suite to do your scrapbooking because it has many features that make it easy to use. Using this code, STMMMS86598, you can get a discount of $10. Plus, you get another $10 gift certificate to buy stuff at their online store. Just copy and paste the code.

Here's where you can get the software:
MY MEMORIES SUITE: SOFTWARE FOR SCRAPBOOKING

Hope to hear from you soon and happy scrapping!