Thank you Mr. Perdue for Saving Dinner

So as you can tell from my posts (or lack of posts I should say) I have had a difficult time getting back to work (I am a teacher) and back to my children's school schedules.There is the initial challenge of getting everyone where they need to be in the morning.  After work is one big taxi ride between a gazillion activities (baseball, soccer, religion, etc...)  I finally feel like I am getting the hang of it (in October!).

My next challenge is DINNER!  I have tried crockpotting it, cooking ahead, eating pancakes, it just so hard for me.  My kids are not  picky eaters, they just are basic- chicken, macaroni, and a veggie.  I am really trying to watch our grocery budget lately.  We are spending too much money on fast food and take-out because I am just so exhausted by the time we get home after all our our stops.
In my last supermarket visit, I found this:

PERDUE OVEN READY ROASTER 

This was super easy to make and NO MESS!  

All I did was preheat the oven (400 degrees), lined a roasting pan with aluminum foil, and opened the outer bag.  Inside was a marinated roaster in a cooking bag.  I cut a small slit, plopped the bagged bird onto the pan, and popped it in the oven. 

I followed the cooking directions as listed and an hour and 45 minutes later, I have a delicious roasted chicken.  

I paid $8.99 for the roaster.  Yes, I know that if I shopped around I could have probably gotten a better deal on the chicken and marinated it myself.  This is a great alternative if you are in a rush and want a healthy and easy meal.  This is much a better option than fast food or take-out and cheaper, too!  I served my roaster with corn on the cob (from the farm- YUM) and a ceasar salad (E Tu salad kit). 

The Perdue Oven Ready Roasters make a great meal and are worth giving a try.  I have not checked prices from store to store, so they may even be cheaper depending on where you shop.  Maybe there is even a coupon?  

What are your cooking shortcuts?  Share them!  

Organize, Smorganize AKA How I get everyone where they need to be

I try to stay organized.  I really do!  It's not easy being the CEO of the household.  I have 5 different schedules to manage.  And as many times I share the schedule with DH, he never seems to remember it.  Annoying!


MomAgenda is an amazing website with tons of organizing planners and items to make a mommy's life a little more manageable.

Every year I "arm" myself with a new momAgenda (this year it will be this). The momAgenda Mini-Daily is great to carry in your purse and allows you to keep the family's schedule at your fingertips.  The calendar runs from August to August, so it is perfect to pick up when you are shopping for all those school supplies.

To keep my hubbie on track, I use a Family Planner.  I copy the schedule from my Mini-Daily to the Family Planner that is magnetically attached to my fridge.  There are no questions about who belongs where because everything is posted.

If you can see the picture clearly, the Family Planner has the same format as the day planners.  There is a large section at the top for my appointments, where I also include all family events as well.  There are four smaller section below.  I use one for each child and DH.  In addition, there is small box to plan for dinner.  The Desktop and Mini-Daily also include monthly calendars, which I use to keep track of bills due and birthday parties, an area for party lists, vacation planning,and holiday calendars by year.  There is also an address book that is detachable, which is transferred between planners easily.  Can you get anymore organized than this?

I also have the Kitchen Folio.  I use this to keep track of the kids' physicals, class lists, doctor information, and important phone numbers for the babysitter (in the unlikely event I mighty actually go out WITHOUT the kids!)

I can't say enough great things about momAgenda.  Its products have helped keep my family "on track" and me where I have to be.

Luckily for you, momAgenda is a offering a great deal! 

Take 10% off all orders of $65+ at momAgenda! Code: MOM10OFF65 Offer Expires 8/31

Can't wait to get my Mini-Daily in the mail!

What systems do you use to keep the family "on track"?