Bake and Take Recipes | Meal Trains and Meal Exchanges

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June 11, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, Facebook, Hacks, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Recipe, Social Media

Tired of preparing dinner each night? Bake and take recipes might be your busy mom solution! Details on how to get a weeks worth of throw in the oven meals for your family. What is a meal train, dinner ideas for neighbors, and hosting a girls night out party with a meal exchange ideas.

Bake and Take Recipes

Bake and take can mean one of many things. It can be an opportunity where people get together for a meal exchange. A bake can take can be an easy recipe for a new baby meal train. It can be a meal recipe you for bringing dinner to neighbors who have medical issue or are experiencing tough times.

Whatever the reason, we have the best bake and take recipes for parties, meal trains, neighbors and friends.

Bake and Take Party

Fist let’s address a Bake and Take Party. This is most appropriate when you are not in quarantine. Similar to a cookie exchange, only a meal exchange. Invite 5 to 7 people (too many people can be quite challenging.)

For a meal exchange party, each person brings the same dish x number of times. For example, for five people, each person brings the same meal in five different disposable foil pans. Exchange meals among friends and at the end of the night, go home with five different dinners for your family. This meal exchange can be done by prepping or baking the dish ahead.

Another option for a take and bake party is you bring your ingredients. Together, friends can sip wine and prep five dishes. Each person goes home with a meal prepared that they can make later that week for their family.

Bonus if your final bake and take meals can be frozen for easy prep on a busy night. For for a take and bake recipe exchange party, you will need Freezer Bags and/or Aluminum Disposable Pans.

What is a Meal Train

I meal train is an effective way to organize meal giving to a person or family for births, surgeries, illnesses and during tough times. A friend group or family community comes together to coordinating dropping off a home-made meal for a family who could use help.

If cooking is not an option, alternatively, you could coordinating restaurant delivery (like pizza or a local restaurant) or send a restaurant gift card for the person/family to use at their own time and need.

Mealtrain.com is a great resource for creating a group meal sign up, organizing meal giving, and scheduling meals to a calendar.

Bringing Dinner to Neighbors

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s the importance of those in close proximity like immediate family and neighbors. Bake and take recipes are great for neighbors. You can rotate the responsibility of meals, each person assigned a different night of the week. You can also, bless an elderly, sickly or a neighbor in trouble with the gift of a home cooked meal.

Consider hosting a bake and take party for the neighborhood or create a meal train for a neighbor who could a little extra help.

Social Distance Meals

Let’s take bake and take a step further. During quarantine and times of distancing, social distance meals are an option. Again, choose 5 to 7 people and each person is assigned a day.

The social distancing parties can work one of two ways. Let’s use our party of five people again.

Option 1

Each person is assigned a day. On your assigned day, that person prepares (and bakes) five of the same dinners. They drive to five separate houses leaving the dinner on the step or front porch. This gives each party goer five nights of meals, only preparing dinner one night.

Option 2

Similar to a meal train, each person signs up for one day to bless a friend/neighbor in need with a meal. That person is assigned the job of putting a meal on the porch for the calendar date they have scheduled.

Bake and Take Recipe Ideas

For bake and take recipes, it is very important to know allergy and diet restrictions. We looked for easy recipes, casserole dishes, or throw in the oven meals that were free from many common allergies. Before hosting a bake and take party or meal train, get each persons dietary restrictions and any foods for which they may have an allergy.

This easy Green Bean Tater Tot Casserole is a dump recipe you can quickly prepare and bring to a neighbor or friend. | Neighbor Food Blog

Everything bakes together in one dish with this Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe. | Happy Go Lucky Blog

Want a good-for-you dinner option for your neighbors? This Creamy Chicken Quinoa and Broccoli Casserole is quick and easy, a comfort dish that is like a big gentle hug. | Pinch of Yum

This savory Slow Cooker Beef on Rice with has a flavorful gravy. Serve it over a warm bed of rice. If you are exchanging with a large group of people at once, bring Uncle Ben’s 90 second rice. So easy and quick. | Le Creme de la Crumb

This nutritious minestrone soup is protein packed with red kidney beans and great northern beans. Exchange with frozen dinner rolls. | Little Spice Jar

With just 5 ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep, this Dump-and-Bake Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is an easy dinner that cooks in one dish! Cook ahead and reheat. Consider serving with a mixed salad bag. | The Seasoned Mom

Another easy prep. Try a dump and bake easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta Casserole. | Lil Luna

This kid-friendly comfort food casserole is great for exchanges. Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional Irish dish made with a saucy ground beef, peas, and carrots and topped with a mashed potato crust. Easy and tasty. | Savory Nothings

A family favorite casserole for us. This creamy tuna noodle casserole is loved by all ages – kids and adults. Goes perfect with a steam fresh veggie. | Mom Dot

Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is a quick and healthy crock pot recipe that’s perfect for busy nights. Add all the ingredients in the crock pot then push on! Serve with frozen dinner rolls. | Iowa Girl Eats

This super simple chicken pot pie recipe is made with buttermilk biscuits! | I Heart Recipes

Looking for more ideas? Take a look at our printable meal plans including meatless dinners, chicken dinners, pasta dinners, Mexican dinners, Italian dinners and even salad dinner ideas.

Freezer meals are so friendly when it comes to meal exchanges. Take a look at these make-ahead Freezer Crockpot and Dump Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.

Enjoy these Busy Mom Hacks and Tips including an mom tip for making multiple meals in one night! Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Cricut Tutorials, Projects, Crafts and Freebies

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June 8, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Cricut Tutorials and Freebies. Master your personal electronic cutting machine with these Cricut projects and crafts for your Design Space.

Cricut Tutorials, Crafts and Freebies

You guys loved our Cricut Freebies and Tutorials so we wanted to bring you more! These easy and inspiring Cricut Projects will have you crafting again and again. From beautiful succulents, to creative place settings, floral arrangements, party supplies and more.

Dad will love this BBQ Spice Rub Mason Jar Craft with Free SVG File for your Cricut maker. He will save it for year to come, plus it’s nice eye candy in the kitchen. | Frugal Coupon Living

We have one more gift idea for dad. Birthday or Father’s Day Photo frame with free SVG file download. | Frugal Coupon Living

Turn your mason jars into kitchen canisters with Rae Dunn font.

Make a party beverage tub for a group gathering or a backyard BBQ. Comes with a free SVG file.

Can you believe these aren’t real? Get the low down on how to make easy realistic paper succulents with your Cricut maker. No need to water! | Damask Love

Using felt and your Cricut maker, create the perfect DIY Chrysanthemum Felt Flowers. | Coral and Co

Create this modern pineapple from paper with your Cricut Maker and a Cricut scoring wheel! | Mad in Crafts

Learn to design custom invitations in Cricut Design Space from scratch! I am so in love with this design! | Printable Crush

Amber is killing it with the creativity! Follow her directions and make these adorable DIY paper flowers. | Damask Love

Is farmhouse your style? Then this craft is the ultimate fixer upper craft! Make a paper magnolia garland out of a roll of craft paper! I am in love! | The House that Lars Built

You guys, how amazing is this graduation lei craft? Whether you have a graduation coming up or just want to make the ultimate charm bracelet craft, this step by step design is pretty awesome. | The House that Lars Built

Share the love! Cut stencils with your Cricut machine and use spray chalk to leave inspiring messages around town. | Lovely Indeed

Learn how to make these diy terracotta plates that double as place cards! | A Coastal Bride

With inexpensive wooden spoons and colorful paint, you can create adorable spoon garden markers that are practical as well as pretty! | Kingston Crafts

These adorable clear acetate favor boxes allow your party favors to add extra color to your decorations! You will need your Cricut scoring wheel again. | Mad in Crafts

Add a monogram to a plain tea towel by using the Cricut Explore! This DIY can be made in just a few minutes and makes the perfect gift! | Kingston Crafts

Protect your eyes with these DIY Flower Sunnies! | Persia Lou

Your Circut Maker can update your curb appeal. See how we gave our mid-century wall-mounted mailbox a facelift with Brasso, and custom numbers cut with a Cricut machine! | Dream Green DIY

I mustache you a question, like how did you create these adorable Easter Egg Stickers? | The Crafty Gentleman

Cricut Tutorials and Freebies. Master your personal electronic cutting machine with these Cricut projects and crafts for your Design Space. #Cricutmade #CricutDesignSpace

Say it with a DIY Cake Topper! | Club Crafted

You say it’s your birthday! Make these adorable happy birthday letter garlands. So fun and easy! | The House that Lars Built

Can you believe a Cricut Explore made this DIY ombre lace ruffle skirt? | Handmade in the Heartland

Create these fun, patterned gift pouches out of inexpensive felt. | A Kailo Chic Life

Make your own punny makeup up bag with this free hand-lettered printable template …. because mascara is a girls best friend! | Shrimp Salad Circus

Take a look at these other Cricut Freebies – Tutorials for Your Cricut Projects. Pin to Pinterest.

Fonts are so fun on a Cricut Machine. Take a look at this Cricut Monogram Tutorial. Pin to Pinterest.

Want Another Cricut Tutorial? Learn How to Add Your Own Images to Cricut Design Space. Pin to Pinterest.

DIY Party Beverage Tub with Cricut SVG Files

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June 8, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media, Summer

Make your own party beverage tub with these free SVG files for Cricut Design Space. This outdoor galvanized ice bucket has two optional messages “Chillin” or “Enjoy.” Also create your own vinyl personalized beverage tub and ice bucket with this step-by-step Cricut tutorial.

DIY Party Beverage Tub

In no time you can have a perfect Outdoor Beverage Tub. Using our free SVG files, add the summertime phrase “chillin” or “enjoy” to create a summertime drink bucket to keep your beverages cool.

Fill your DIY beverage tub with your favorite ice cold drinks, chill and enjoy (all the pun!)

Galvanized Beverage Tub

For this DIY Cricut Project, we used a Galvanized Beverage Tub similar to this one at Michaels or this one on Amazon. The reason we chose galvanized for our backyard beverage tub, was because it is known to have a protective zinc coating to prevent rusting, so they’re suitable for indoor and outdoor use, as well as, water exposure.

Another popular backyard beverage cooler is the Igloo Party Bucket Cooler. This double walled cooler has a foam insulated body to keep drinks cold but it will prevent condensation or “sweat” like unlined tubs. Whichever cooler you choose for your personalized beverage holder (ice bucket), make sure it has an area with a smooth surface to apply your Cricut vinyl summertime phrases – chillin or enjoy.

DIY Beverage Bucket

Materials

Enjoy and Chillin SVG File (see below or get it here)
Cricut Maker cutting machine with Fine Point Blade
Cricut Outdoor Permanent Glossy Vinyl in white
Standard grip mat
Cricut Transfer Tape*
Galvanized Beverage Bucket
Scissors
Cricut Weeder Tool

*If you do want to use transfer tape for this project, consider using Duck Brand Peel Clear Laminate as an alternative to Cricut transfer tape. Some people prefer this brand more.

Directions

Gather your supplies and in a few simple minutes, you will have your personalized beverage tub. This outdoor drink tub is perfect for a gathering or just for storing on your patio or deck for quick family get togethers.

Cricut Design Space

Open Cricut Design Space.

Click on the “+” sign to start a new project, opening up a blank canvas.

Click on the “Upload” button from the toolbar and browse your downloaded files to insert the summertime SVG files – chillin or enjoy.

The cut image will appear on the canvas.

With the image selected, click on the “Attach” button to secure all parts of the image together for cutting.

Maintain the size or adjust to fit your ice bucket. To adjust the size, highlight the image and click on the size box in the top toolbar.

Change the measurement to suit your galvanized beverage tub size accordingly.

How to Print SVG Files

Select “Make It” in the upper right corner to proceed with cutting.

Choose the Outdoor Vinyl, Permanent from the list of options in the drop down menu.

Place the Permanent Vinyl on the standard grip mat.

Following the instructions prompted on the screen, cut out the vinyl.

Making the Beverage Bucket

Cut around the image(s) with a pair of scissors.

Using the weeding tool, peel away the excess vinyl around the cut images and discard.

Cut a piece of transfer tape a bit larger than the size of the image.

Peel away the transfer tape backing and place the transfer tape on top of the cut image. Gently rub the vinyl to help it stick to the transfer tape.

Peel away the vinyl backing, leaving just the image adhered to the transfer tape. Trim transfer tape if needed.

Carefully consider the placement before applying as the permanent vinyl can’t be removed if placed incorrectly. Position the image with the transfer tape on to the beverage tub and press in place.

Press the image down with your fingers or with the Cricut scraping tool to help it to stick to the tub.

Slowly remove the transfer tape leaving the vinyl image on the tub. Repeat with the other image on the opposite side of the tub if desired.

Fill the galvanized beverage bucket with your favorite drinks, chill and enjoy (all the pun!)

Cricut Free SVG Files

Get all of our free printables including the free SVG cut files. Cut files include both phrases “chillin” and “enjoy” for you to add to your party tub. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.

1.) Enter your email address HERE.

2.) Confirm the email request in your inbox.

3.) Look for the link and passcode in your inbox.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final Cricut DIY Beverage Tub. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Also save these Free Cricut Craft Tutorials throughout the entire year. Pin to Pinterest.

Save these Cricut Tutorials, Projects and Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Running Out of Dinner Ideas? Meal Planning Ideas for Families

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June 7, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Recipe, Social Media

Running out of dinner ideas? Take a look at these Meal Planning Ideas for Families. Over sixty dinner ideas so you can easily go two months (or longer) never repeating the same entree. Personalize and add your own family recipes to the Meal Planning Template for a quick and easy reference.

Meal Planning Ideas

For busy moms, meal planning is a challenge. For me, I lack ideas. We tend to repeat the same dinner ideas over and over creating a boring rut.

This Meal Planning printable provides some unique recipe ideas. For example, when was the last time you made an Italian Calzone? We have an easy recipe from Pillsbury. Or what exactly is chicken biryani? We have another easy Indian recipe to add to your dinner rotation.

By following these meal planning ideas, you hold the ability to have a different dinner recipe, every night, for over two months. Add your own ideas to the list and never repeat a recipe for up to three months!

Meal Planning Ideas for Families

Our meal planning ideas are categorized by Meatless, Chicken, Pasta, Mexican, Italian and Salads. Take a look below at some examples and ideas.

Meatless Meal Ideas

Baked Eggplant Parmesan
Mushroom Risotto
Healthy Three Bean Chili
The Cheesecake Factory Korean Fried Cauliflower (Seen in our Easy Asian Recipes too)

Plenty more options in our Meatless Monday Dinner Ideas.

Chicken Meal Ideas

Visit our Low-Carb Chicken Recipes.

Pasta Dinner Ideas

Mexican Dinner Ideas

Get inspiration from our Cinco De Mayo Recipes and Taco Tuesday Recipes.

Italian Dinner Ideas

Salad Dinner Ideas

Visit our 25 Summer Salads you can make today!

Meal Planning Tips

These meal planning ideas will save money, keep your pantry organized and provide a variety of meals.

Menu planning tips for Families:

Print. Download and print Frugal Coupon Living’s menu planning template PDF.
Sales. Plan your meals around grocery items that are on sale. If beans are at a low price this week, stock up on cans and make a taco soup.
Save. Save money by eating one Meatless meal a week. We enjoy these Meatless Monday Dinners.
Stockpile. Plan dinner based on the stockpile in your pantry, fridge or freezer.
Leftovers. Save leftovers and declare one night a week a leftover night to empty the fridge.

Freeze. Our favorite meal prep idea and tip comes from our Busy Mom Hacks. Chances are if you are here Family Menu Planning, you consider yourself a busy mom.

This Busy Mom Life Hack came to me from a friend and it is great for creating a quick and easy stockpile of freezer meals. I personally have used it and have found it very helpful. One night a week, double or triple a recipe. Take that extra recipe and freeze it. On an incredibly busy night, pull that frozen meal out of the freezer. Bake it as a quick and easy family dinner recipe. If you do this each week, your freezer meals will grow!

Meal Ideas Printable

One last menu planning tip is saving our Meal Planning Ideas for Families. Download this menu planning template and personalize to your family. Keep your family from getting bored of the “same ‘ole dinner.” Try checking off every recipe before beginning again.

Download Your Free Printable

Get all of Frugal Coupon Living’s free printables including our Meal Planning Template. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.

1.) Enter your email address HERE.

2.) Confirm the email request in your inbox.

3.) Look for the link and passcode in your inbox.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

How to Print at Staples

I have a video to show you how I print my PDF documents at Staples.

Print from the Staples Printing Services Online. Ship or pickup at the store.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final meal planner and show us the recipes you made! Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

We have made a Pinterest recipe board of all of these Meal Planning Ideas for Families.

Need to hop on a meal train? Planning meals for others can be hard. Take a look at these Bake and Take Recipes as well as Meal Train Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Want more tips? Visit our Busy Mom Life Hacks. Pin to Pinterest.

You will love this Busy Mom Printable Binder. As quoted from one user “Oh my goodness! This makes my mama heart so happy. After every page I thought ‘this is perfect, I wish it had xyz’… and then it showed up! ” We including a grocery shopping list, weekly meal planner and more! Pin to Pinterest.

Frugal Fashion Friday Cozy and Comfy Fall Fashion

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June 7, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Amazon, Amazon Clothes, Facebook, Fashion, Frugal Fashion, Frugal Fashion Friday, Instagram, Nordstrom Clothes, Online Shopping, Pinterest, Social Media

It’s another Frugal Fashion Friday with Cozy and Comfy Fall Fashion. Clothing that is comfy, cute, and trendy for the Autumn Season!

Frugal Fashion Friday Cozy and Comfy Fall Fashion

Pin to Pinterest

It can be hard to look cute when all you want is to be comfy. That is our goal with this cozy and comfy fall fashion piece. Relaxed jeans and an oversized sweater – polish off with adorable earrings and a stand out purse. We love this Chloe knock-off, you will love the price too!

Frugal Fashion Friday Cozy and Comfy Fall Fashion

Pearl Embellished Sweater in Black

Long Sleeved Striped Tee

AE Vintage Mom Jeans

Suede Vince Camuto Booties in Black

Leather Crossbody/Shoulder Bag

Blush Pink Drop Earrings

Tip: Before you shop, take a look at Raise.com. Raise is an awesome site that helps save money when buying supplies by buying people’s gift cards they don’t want at a percent off. It is were I pick up all my Nordstrom gift cards. You can save up to 30% off electronic gift cards and use them as soon as you buy. You get $5 off your first order and they frequently send coupon codes to your email for an extra percent off certain stores. All orders are covered by Raise’s 1 Year Money-Back Guarantee.

Don’t forget last week’s Frugal Fashion Friday Outfit, the Relaxed Weekend Loungewear – Pin It.

Reminder to follow Frugal Coupon Living on Instagram and Pinterest. Find more Frugal Fashion Outfits.

Frugal Fashion Friday Outfits

the Relaxed Boatneck Sweater Outfit – Pin It
the Fur Vest Fall Fashion Outfit – Pin It
the Apple Picking Fall Fashion Outfit – Pin It
the Cranberry and Black Fall Fashion Outfit – Pin It
the Pumpkin Patch Halloween Outfit – Pin It
the Relaxed Halloween Outfit – Pin It
the Southern Tailgating Outfit – Pin It
the Purple Fall Outfit – Pin It
the Fall Tailgating Outfit – Pin It
the Football Tailgating Outfit – Pin It
the Geoometric Oversized Sweater Outfit – Pin It
the Morning Drop-Off Outfit – Pin It
the Disney Outfit for Her – Pin It
the Joanna Gaines Inspired Outfit – Pin It
the Plane Outfit for Travel – Pin It

Easy Healthy Crockpot Freezer Meals

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June 7, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media

Rushed nights don’t have to be full of calories. These Healthy Crockpot Freezer Meals are freezer friendly dump dinners that are impossible to mess up. Prep ahead, freeze, and cook.

Healthy Crockpot Freezer Meals

Have a short window of time on the weekend? Take a look at these make-ahead meals to make the most of your week nights. These Easy Healthy Crockpot Freezer Meals can be prepped in a short period of time and saved for busier night. In order to get the most out of your make ahead, freeze and cook later recipes, it’s important to cook in bulk. You can prep many of these recipes at once (in fact, some of these recipes go to landing pages of many recipes) or you can quadruple any of the recipes and split them up in the the freezer so you have four freezer bags of the same recipe.

The most important thing you can do with your freezer bags is, first, use freezer bags. Don’t think I am joking. More often than not I have picked up a regular Ziploc and ruined the prep. Also, label your meal. (These deep freezer labels are great!) What is it? How much does it serve and the date of when you prepped it – so very important. Organize your deep freezer so you can keep track of newest to the oldest.

Kitchen Hack: When preparing freezer meals, I highly recommend a freezer bag holder stand. This cooking gadget is an extra set of hands allowing you to clip the top of your freezer bags into a standing, upright position while you fill them.

Before you begin, don’t forget our Easy Bake and Take Recipes. These recipes and be used for a Girls Night In, or Neighbor Meal Exchange or even a New Baby Recipe idea. Pin to Pinterest.

Slow Cooker Freezer Meals

This slow cooker Butternut Squash Lentil Curry (Sweet Peas and Saffron) is the healthiest comfort food you can find. Plus it’s packed full of protein to keep you full!

Apples? This is a winner. Add this Slow Cooker Pork with Spiced Apples (The Seasoned Mom) to your list of repeats.

Stock your freezer with the easiest, quickest slow cooker meal, Cilantro Lime Chicken (Damn Delicious). Simply drop into the Crock-Pot and you’re set!

Prep 20 freezer meals in 4 hours including this Ginger Peach Chicken (Stockpiling Moms).

This easy Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken (Sweat Pea Chef) is quick to prep, better than takeout, and way healthier for you, too! Perfect for easy weeknight dinner and best of all, it is kid approved!

This freezer Asian Peanut Chicken (Sweet Peas and Saffron) can be assembled ahead and stashed in the freezer until you’re ready to cook it up in the slow cooker or Instant Pot!

Boneless chicken breasts, crushed pineapple, and a secret (easy) sauce make this Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken (Mommy’s Fabulous Finds). See 7 other make ahead slow cooker meals!

Transport yourself to the villas of Tuscany with this tasty Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup (The Magical Slow Cooker).

Freeze and cook these Cool Ranch Shredded Tacos (The Family Freezer) later. Serve on soft tortillas, rice, or lettuce with your favorite taco toppings.

Tangy with a sweet sauce for broccoli or rice, this Slow Cooker Lemon Pesto Chicken (The Magical Slow Cooker) is a freezer friendly family meal.

Red Lentil Sweet Potato Dahl (Catching Seeds) is an easy and healthy freezer meal made in the Crock-pot with just 8 simple ingredients!

This Crockpot Ginger Chicken with Snow Peas (Family Freezer) is an easy and healthy recipe. Assemble and freeze for a busy weeknight.

Beef Stew with Vegetables (About a Mom) is a tried and true favorite for every family!

This Slow Cooker Lemon Sesame Chicken Noodle Soup (Sweet Peas and Saffron) can be assembled ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to cook it up!

We love a good curry recipe. Slow Cooker Cauliflower Chicken Curry (Sweat Pea Chef). This delicious recipe is paleo, gluten-free, and healthy, and delicious!

Also take a look at these Family-friendly Sheet Pan Suppers. Pin to Pinterest.

Also save these Warming Winter Meals Using the Slow Cooker. Pin to Pinterest.

Common Sense Media Books & Movies for Kids

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June 6, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Kids, Parenting, Pinterest, Social Media

Common Sense Media Books & Movies for Kids. Have you wanted to review a book or movie before your child has the opportunity to read/watch it? The best parental resource for movies, games, apps, and TV shows is Common Sense Media. See ratings from other parents, reviews from experts, as well key topics for discussions with your child.

Common Sense Media Books & Movies

As a former fifth grade teacher, I did not need much help when it came to book recommendations. Ten years ago, I was on my game and knew various chapter books, what appropriate/in-appropriate language mgiht be inside, and topic areas the book addressed. That was ten years ago.

My child is officially reading above a fifth grade level. In fact, since fourth grade, she has easily been reading middle and high school level books. For a child who is advanced in reading and a mother who didn’t study books beyond fifth grade, we hit a bend in the road – the road the library shelves.

What is Common Sense Media?

I was introduced to Common Sense Media via Google search. Thanks, Google! I needed to review a book my daughter picked up and see if her above grade level book didn’t have inappropriate content for a ten year old. Common Sense Media provides reviews of children’s media to families promote safe technology and resources for children. It is a great resource to offer aged-based media reviews for families on both books, movies, TV shows and games.

On Common Sense Media, the book had two age levels. One age voted on by parents, one age voted on by kids. They never match up but give you a clear level of the appropriate age range. Each book (movie, game, show) has a 1 to 5 stars for likes so you can see if others liked the novel. There also is a list of need-to-know topics inside the books including messages of violence, romance, language, etc.

How to Review Books with Common Sense Media

Want to review a book before your child? Following these steps, read age-appropriate book reviews for kids written by experts and fellow parents.

Visit CommonSenseMedia.org/
Type in your book name and/or author (for books that have been adapted to TV or film, I recommend you type in the author’s name too to appropriately narrow down your search.)
Find your book in the search (search returns are listed by media – DVD, novel, etc.)
Select your book by clicking on the book image.
See details about the age recommendation and novel description.

Book Recommendations for Kids

Looking for a book recommendation for your child? Easily navigate Common Sense Media by age, entertainment type (books), genre, topics and more.

Visit CommonSenseMedia.org/Book-Reviews
Use the left column to narrow your search results by age, type, genre, etc.
Research a children’s novel by clicking the novel image.
See details about the age recommendation and novel description.

How to Review Movies with Common Sense Media

It is easy to review kids movies and read details about the movie parental rating guide without having to watch them before your child. To review kids movies on Common Sense Media, follow these steps.

Visit CommonSenseMedia.org/
Type in your movie name
Find your movie in the search (search returns are listed by media – DVD, streaming, novel, etc.)
Select your movie by clicking on the movie image.
See details about the age recommendation and description. You can even watch the movie trailer!

Movie Recommendations for Kids

Looking for a movie recommendation for your child? Easily navigate Common Sense Media by age, entertainment type (movie), genre, topics and more.

Visit CommonSenseMedia.org/Movie-Reviews
Use the left column to narrow your search results by age, type, genre, etc.
Research a children’s movie by clicking the movie image.
See details about the age recommendation and movie details.

Give the gift of screen time with our Printable Screen Time Tickets. Pin to Pinterest.

Shopping online? Don’t let the kids see your orders. How to Hide Amazon Orders from the Kids – Pin to Pinterest.

Home Command Centers and Homework Center Ideas

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June 4, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Home Command Centers and Homework Center Ideas

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Is Back to School on your mind? It is in the forefront of ours and we are preparing an organized home to create an organized year. Below is some of our favorite Family Command Centers and Homework Center Ideas for getting the year off to a great start!

Want to get organized? Easily organize your life with our Busy Mom Binder!

I get it guys, I am so busy too. I work and raise three kids and cart them to and fro from after school activities In order to get a hold and re-organize my life, I created the Busy Mom Binder. This keeps your family command center in one spot. It easily organizes your home, your kids and you and gives you a place to direct your husband when he asks that home/kids question for the 100th time – wink!

Get the Busy Mom Binder Digital Download!