The Heart of Michelle

Name: Chocolate Buttermilk Cake with Frosting
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 cup butter cut into pieces or pats; 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa; 1 cup water; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups sugar; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup butter; 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa; 1/3 cup buttermilk; 1 (16-ounce) package confectioners' sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup toasted pecans (optional but this IS a rich frosting, so you might want them)

How to Create an Awesome Backyard Playspace for Autistic Kids

2021-05-16T04:06:00.002-04:00

Guest Post by Rob Woods

It's simple to create a safe, fun, sensory friendly backyard playspace for autistic kids. Here are a few tips to help you accomplish the task.

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My son was 6 when we got his formal diagnosis of autism, but I had been managing his autism since he was about a year old. The first time I held his bare feet above spring grass in the yard, he drew them up toward his torso and wailed; he didn’t like the feel of it on his feet. He had deep-seated texture aversions, and one of them was grass.

This was a sign of things to come: My son hates the great outdoors.

However, with a little ingenuity and a lot of trial and error, we were able to create a safe and engaging play area in the backyard of our home that he’s begun to enjoy.

Thanks to Michelle of The Heart of Michelle, I’m able to offer up the following insight on how we were able to make this play area happen.

Give your autistic child a structured setting for unstructured play.

When you first assess your yard, make sure yours is a fully-fenced backyard that can help eliminate wandering. Greater Learning LP suggests also doing a perimeter check on a regular basis to address any structural issues. For extra safety, consider installing a keyed or combination lock on any gates kids have access to, which ensures that a curious hand won’t be able to swing gates open.

Typically, a young child with autism will engage in parallel play, alongside other children, more than interactive or cooperative play. You can encourage involvement with other kids by offering multiple designated areas within your playspace for many different activities. Group noisy activities together, and create separate locations for quiet play.

Autistic kids need sensory-friendly spaces.

Set up a sandbox area to enhance sensory play. This should be a contained space with clean play sand, and utensils for scooping, sorting and building. This can be a great place for a pretend building site, or an imaginary archaeological excavation.

You can also work with your child’s interests here. Create a treasure hunt for buried Pokemon, or help him draw out a map of his world with colored sands.

Children with autism frequently experience vestibular abnormalities that can cause issues with balance. Scholastic notes that a swing set and jungle gym help kids develop coordination and dexterity, and learning to cooperate with other children to use the equipment is great for improving social skills and communication.

Climbing, spinning, swinging and sliding all work to help your child understand how his body occupies space and moves within it.

Prevent sensory overload with a quiet, calm place.

Set aside a quiet space in the yard where your child can recoup his energies and calm down when he needs to. A playhouse, gazebo or even just a shady area with comfy seating, such as a glider, can be a good addition for the whole family.

This will permit your child to move away from loud or uncomfortable situations going on elsewhere in the yard. Consider keeping some quiet time toys in the area. For restorative downtime, you can provide a table for building blocks, or even keep a waterproof toy box containing books and art supplies.

Add non-toxic, colorful flowers and plants for visual interest. You can even encourage your child to participate by cultivating his own garden. Consider teaching your child how to use a good pair of gloves and tools to develop his own floral or vegetable garden.

A word on water-safety and autism.

Access to water can be a great sensory tool in the garden, but be careful when installing fountains and pools. As PBS points out, children with autism can be drawn to water, as many find it calming. But this can be extremely hazardous if they are not strong swimmers.

Any pool should be fenced in such a way that your child cannot access it without adult supervision. Pool alarms can let you know if someone has entered the pool without authorization, helping you respond quickly in case of an emergency.

Outdoor water features should be designed so that your child cannot enter them or fall into them, behind fencing or landscaping and in open lines of sight.

By no means do these tips provide a comprehensive look at what you can do for a playspace for your child with ASD, but my hope is that it offers you some food for thought.

Children with autistic spectrum disorder like to climb, swing, run, and play as much as any neurotypical child. They just need a little more attention to help keep them safe and engaged. With the right preparations, any parent can create a functional play space that is both safe and stimulating for their whole family.

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake with Frosting

2021-01-23T02:30:00.018-05:00

This Chocolate Buttermilk Cake is moist, rich, and easy to make. The frosting is EVERYTHING - it spreads itself, and tastes amazing! Perfect for any occasion, or just because you want chocolate cake!

I love old fashioned cakes. I'll always opt for skipping the boxed mixes in favor of fresh ingredients, like this Old Fashioned Carrot Cake made with real carrots. I especially enjoy cakes that include buttermilk frostings like this Lemon Cake.

But the ULTIMATE is an old fashioned chocolate cake with a buttermilk frosting.

What could be better? Nothing.

This Chocolate Cake is my ultimate favorite cake. It's moist, chocolaty, and just perfect for any occasion that calls for cake. Trust me, once you try this chocolate cake, it will be on your list of favorite desserts!

Why You Will Love This Chocolate Buttermilk Sheet Cake

Quick and easy: The prep time on this is about 15 minutes. Seriously, it's so easy.
Rich and chocolaty: The chocolate flavor in this cake is perfection. It's just what you'd expect from a cake.
Real ingredients: No packaged mixes or frostings with all their additives and preservatives. This is the real deal chocolate cake!

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake Ingredients

The list of ingredients may seem a bit long, but they're pretty basic to cakes. Also, the frosting contains many of the same ingredients as the cake, so don't be thrown off by what seems like a long list.

FOR THE CHOCOLATE CAKE:

butter

unsweetened cocoa

water

buttermilk

eggs

baking soda

vanilla extract

sugar

all-purpose flour

salt

FOR THE FROSTING:

butter

unsweetened cocoa

buttermilk

confectioners' sugar

vanilla extract

toasted pecans - these are optional, but the frosting is rich. Pecans offer a balance to the sweetness.

How to Make a Chocolate Buttermilk Cake

To make cake:

Combine butter, cocoa, and water in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat until butter is fully melted. Remove from heat.
Beat buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Gradually add melted butter mixture, beating until mixed.
Combine sugar, flour, and salt. Add to buttermilk mixture and beat until blended. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake.

To make frosting:

Combine butter, cocoa, and buttermilk in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and pecans. Pour over cake while cake is still warm.

Easy as pie! Except, ya know, it's cake.

Can you freeze a chocolate buttermilk cake?

You can make this cake ahead of time and freeze it. Whether frosted or not, wrap the cake in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. Write the date and cake type on the wrapper.

You can freeze it for up to one month. When it's time to thaw the cake, loosen the wrapping and place in the refrigerator one day before frosting.

Note: Thawing at room temperature will change the texture from frozen to mushy. Don't do this.

Recipe Notes and Tips for Chocolate Buttermilk Cake with Frosting

As with any homemade cake, do not over-mix the batter. Mix only until ingredients are blended.

The heat from making both the frosting and the cake allow the frosting to pour onto the cake. The other side is that you'll have to wait for all of it to cool before slicing it. Otherwise, the frosting will simply fill the spot where you cut the cake. Be patient. It won't stay warm forever.

You might also like these recipes:

- Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

- Old Fashioned Carrot Cake

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter, where I'll share even more delicious recipes!

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Encourage Learning by Reading with Your Children

2020-12-16T02:16:00.003-05:00

Guests Post by Yvie

Reading aloud with your children is an excellent way to educate them. Whether your homeschool or not, your children will greatly benefit from time spent reading together.

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When you were a kid, did you learn more from textbooks, or from reading books just for fun? I definitely learned a lot more from historical fiction than from any history textbook! When you use living books in your homeschool, your students are also apt to retain more once the year ends.

Reading together as a family helps to encourage a lifelong love of reading and literature. It provides a sense of cohesiveness, as the family is involved in a singular activity. Whether you begin when your child is a newborn or as a teen, there are so many positive effects!

** If you do not start reading aloud until your child is a teen, there will be a transitional time as they become accustomed to this new concept. Don’t give up!**

How Living Books Help Children Learn

Living books bring a story to life! They pull the reader into a subject, allowing him to visit another era, and experience the culture or history. They get you emotionally involved with the characters, so it’s easier to remember the events and facts.

It’s helpful to read multiple books about the same event. Seeing different perspectives help students to learn critical thinking skills.

A well-written book allows your children to experience different cultures and places that they may not otherwise see. The more detailed the descriptions, the more vividly your child will relate. It is through learning about and relating to other cultures that we break down barriers.

It's helpful if you have some background knowledge to incorporate the protagonist’s perspective — so if you are going to read a book set during the Civil War, do a bit of research on the Civil War before reading the novel. It will help bring the story to life!

Tips for Living Books Read-Aloud Time

Nothing gets children engaged in a story faster than having a different voice for each character. Challenge yourself to pull off as many different accents and dialects as possible!

Keeping little ones (and even big ones!) active with Legos, play-doh, and coloring books will keeps hands occupied and ears listening. When you stop to ask questions, you’ll probably find that they are more engaged than you think!

Read from many different genres, including historical fiction from multiple eras, contemporary fiction, and the occasional non-fiction. Also read from various reading levels. Sometimes a children’s book is the perfect way to illustrate a complicated concept. Books above grade level will spark conversations about vocabulary and events.

Whether you read for five minutes or an hour, set aside some time each and every day to read.

Naturally, busy days mean shorter reading times, but it’s too easy to get out of the habit, so make it a priority!

If you’re unsure of where to start looking for living books, check out this post on Historic Novels for Middle School. It includes ten series that cover a wide variety of eras.

Whether you’re studying American History, World History, science and technology, or writing concepts, there are Literature-Based Studies to help you incorporate those concepts with novels. If you want to jump start your journey to using living books in your homeschool, scoop up this limited time offer today! Use coupon code NOVELSTUDY50 to take 50% off a novel study bundle.

About the Author: Yvie is a veteran homeschooling mom and the high school counselor for The Homeschool House, a non-profit organization. She helps to create unit studies and enjoys helping other families on their homeschool journey. When not teaching or counseling, she enjoys reading, spending time in her garden, and traveling the country with her boys. You can find her at Homeschool On the Range, on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

Why Play Is Crucial For Shaping Young Minds

2020-06-05T14:28:00.003-04:00

Playing is one of the most important ways children gain essential skills to succeed later in life. Here are four big ways play is crucial in shaping young minds.

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These days, we put a lot of emphasis on learning and education — often to the detriment of fun and play.

But playing is a huge part of a child’s development. Play is never “just” play, so don’t feel bad if your kids are having a break from homeschooling to play outside — or if you have a high level of play in your homeschooling schedule when other moms seem to be sticking to a strict lesson plan.

Playing is one of the most important ways in which young children gain essential skills and knowledge to succeed later in life.

Here are four big reasons why play is crucial for shaping young minds:

Play helps kids to learn about the world

Children play to make sense of the world. Playing — including environment, interactions, and objects — has a big impact on how kids learn about, understand, and experience the world around them.

Play is the vehicle through which kids acquire knowledge and skills, whether this is through solitary play or play with others. Kids don’t necessarily think “what am I going to learn from this playing activity?” but their playing does create powerful learning opportunities.

It gives them a chance to try out different ideas and options and see how they work, whether this is through something like stacking building blocks to create towers, or seeing how different color paints mix to form a new color.

These experiments can be frustrating to your child if they don’t go right the first time, but they give children the opportunity to revisit the challenge and revise their hypotheses until they get it right or achieve the desired result. This repetition, practicing of skills, and testing out possible outcomes leads to deeper learning.

As a parent, there are all sorts of things you can do to enrich your child’s learning experience. Providing them with new scenarios, playing activities and challenging tasks will provide them with valuable learning opportunities.

Play boosts confidence & self-esteem

You might not think that something as simple as playing has the power to boost a small child’s confidence, but it really does — it provides a safe space for kids to experiment and express themselves. It also helps kids to build confidence by taking the lead in play, by taking ownership and making decisions during a playing session.

There are a few ways you can provide this confidence-boosting opportunity for kids. A “make and play” kids subscription box like Sago Mini Box is perfect for encouraging child-led play; each box provides an exciting project where your child is given ownership over the learning and playing process (with a teeny bit of guidance, of course!).

Completing tasks, thinking creatively, trialing real life scenarios, and exploring different concepts — all without the fear of repercussions or judgment — is super important. It means that children can test out ideas and make mistakes — and most importantly, learn from them.

This works two-fold: kids build up their confidence and self-esteem through getting things right and risks paying off when they overcome a challenge and are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment. And secondly, when their risks don’t pay off and things do go wrong in play (even if this is as simple as a tower being knocked down or falling off a climbing frame), they learn resilience and problem-solving.

Play allows for experiments through trial and error, which is incredibly valuable as a small child learning more about the world every day. It helps kids at the start of their journey to think critically and develop flexibility — crucial for young minds.

Play encourages creativity & expression

Playing encourages creativity, which is crucial for shaping young minds — it provides a safe space for children to explore their own creativity, express their ideas, and exercise their imagination.

If your child doesn’t have siblings, and lock-down measures mean that they aren’t able to play with kids outside of your household, then you might worry that playing on their own won’t be as beneficial for them.

This isn’t the case at all; solitary play encourages creativity and promotes imagination as kids figure out how to amuse themselves. Likewise, guided play — such as arts and crafts activities — can also encourage creative thinking and spark curiosity.

Pretend play — which is sometimes called “symbolic” or “dramatic” play — is also beneficial for stimulating the imagination and promoting creative thinking. This could be things like playing house or doctors and nurses. When your child engages in pretend play like this and takes on a role, they’re exploring and nurturing their own imagination, which is linked to intellectual development.

This creativity helps children to explore their own emotions and feelings, personal likes and dislikes, and learn how to express themselves clearly. And by putting themselves into different roles and scenarios, kids can develop their empathy skills — learning how to see life from a different perspective and how someone else might feel or act.

Play helps develop social skills

Play is a great opportunity for children to develop social skills and how to interact with others. Play teaches kids listening, collaborating, and communicating skills — all in a setting where this means something to them. It puts these important qualities into perspective for a small child: if things go well, play is fun. If they don’t, it’s probably going to end in tears.

Playing with others teaches kids all about sharing, compromise, and conflict resolution. At home, this could be with siblings, parents, or other members of the household. Whoever it is, kids have to listen to what the person they are playing with wants, as well as effectively communicating what they want or their ideas back.

Of course (as you probably already know), siblings don’t always see eye to eye, and sharing can be a challenge. Learning how to work together to find a compromise is a valuable skill that will serve kids well in their adult lives too (as well as making your life as a mom easier!).

And not only does play teach children how to socially interact with others, but it also helps them emotionally understand and empathize with others better, which will help them to build stronger relationships in the future.

Play is crucial for shaping young minds — for many different reasons. The best thing you can do as a parent is to encourage play as part of your homeschooling routine and provide lots of opportunities for different types of play, whether it’s guided play, pretend play, or free play.

Try to strike a balance; providing your child with crafting activities and set tasks is great, but give them plenty of chances to let loose with their own imaginations. Most of all, believe in the power of play — it’s more than just a bit of fun!

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

2019-12-13T10:58:00.003-05:00

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie is classic comfort food. This pot pie is loaded with chicken and veggies, seasoned just right. Once you try this chicken pot pie recipe, you'll never go back to store-bought!

There are certain dishes my kids associate with me, and this Homemade Chicken Pot Pie is one of them. In fact, it's in the top three most requested dishes in this family.

Recipe for a hearty Chicken Pot Pie

I like this chicken pot pie recipe because it's not a wimpy pie. Most restaurant and grocery store pot pies are seriously lacking in chicken and vegetables. It's more like a canned chicken soup poured into a crust. So disappointing!

That is not what you'll get with this pot pie. It's absolutely packed with big chunks of chicken and vegetables. It's so good, you probably won't even have leftovers. Bake two.

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Tips for making a Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

- Shredded chicken. You can purchase chicken breasts and shred it yourself. It's simple enough. You could even use your Instant Pot to make the task easier. If you're in a real hurry, buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it.

- Sage to taste. My recipe lists a certain amount of sage in the ingredient list, but truth be known, I just eyeball it. As the chicken is cooking, I sprinkle my spices on until it looks good to me. You can do the same, but if you're not comfortable with that, just follow the ingredient list.

Can you freeze a Chicken Pot Pie?

Freezing a pot pie is a fantastic way to plan ahead, and it's easy!

To freeze an unbaked pot pie: assemble the pot pie in a pie pan, freeze it, then pop it out of the pie pan. Wrap it in aluminum foil, and then in freezer-quality plastic wrap. Freeze it for up to 3 months. To cook it, bake at 375 degrees for about 50 minutes.

To freeze a baked pot pie: Cook according to directions. Cook completely. Let the pie cool for at least 30 minutes. At this point, it's safe to chill in the refrigerator if needed. Then wrap according to the directions above. To reheat it, bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. (no need to thaw)

What do you serve with Chicken Pot Pie?

Like beef stew, chicken pot pie is packed with meat and vegetables, so it's a great stand-alone meal. If you want to serve something else, I'd keep it light. Perhaps some fruit, or a salad.

You might also like these recipes:

- Crockpot Ground Beef Stew

- Perfect Hearty Chili

- Tex Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter, where I'll share even more delicious recipes!

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Perfect Hearty Chili Recipe

2019-09-27T01:54:00.003-04:00

This Perfect Hearty Chili recipe brings together just the right balance of sweet and spicy. Packed with meat and beans, this chili is, hands-down, my family's favorite homemade chili!

Fall has arrived! In my world, that means it's time for this hearty chili recipe.

I don't know what fall means to you, but for my family, getting outdoors to explore downtown areas of other cities and towns, more hiking, and food fests.

With fall also comes this chili recipe. My kids ask me to make it year-round, but to me, chili is an autumn food. That's when it appeals to me. It's right up there with my Grandma's ground beef stew recipe for perfect fall and winter foods.

This is a thick, hearty chili. If you like a more soupy type, just add 3-4 cups of broth or water. Not only is it hearty, it has just the right blend of spicy and sweet, in my opinion. It does lean on the spicy side, but for the younger kids, we just add sour cream and that tends to balance it out.

I've been making this chili for years because it's a winner with everyone. I'll bet your family will love it, too!

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

How to make Chili - Step by Step

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions; cook and stir until they start to become soft. Add the green peppers, red peppers, garlic. Cook and stir until vegetables are tender.

Pour the beans into a large pot and set to low heat. Stir in the vegetables. Add tomatoes. Add ground beef.

Season with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, oregano, vinegar and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil.

Stir and reduce heat low; simmer, covered, for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally.

Can you freeze chili?

Yes, you can freeze chili. I recommend freezing it in small batches; then you can reheat it at needed.

Freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, chili will be at it's best quality for 4-6 months. However, it's still safe beyond that time.

How to thaw frozen chili:

Cooked chili that has been thawed in the refrigerator can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before cooking. Chili that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be eaten immediately.

Once reheated, any remaining should be thrown away.

What to serve with Chili

This one will probably depend on your family, culture, or geographic location. Here in the south, a favorite is cornbread. Of course, there are many good pairings for chili. A few ideas are:

Cornbread
Quesadillas
Nachos
Loaded potato skins
Sweet potato or regular fries
Breadsticks
Crackers
Tortilla chips

Vegetarian Chili Option

There are several options for making making this a vegetarian chili.

Simply leave out the beef. Voilà! Vegetarian!
Replace the beef with 8 oz. of cubed firm tofu.
Replace the beef with meatless version of beef.

If you're looking for more recipes perfect for fall:

- Buffalo Chicken Nachos
- Tex Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet
- Grandma's Crockpot Ground Beef Stew

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter, where I'll share even more delicious dessert recipes!

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Perfect Hearty Chili Recipe

Yield: 12

Author: Michelle Cannon

prep time: 15 Mcook time: 1 H & 30 Mtotal time: 1 H & 45 M

This Perfect Hearty Chili recipe brings together just the right balance of sweet and spicy. It's a dish everyone loves!

ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 green bell peppers, seeded and chopped
2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground beef, browned and
2(15.5 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
2 (15.5 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained
2 (15oz) cans crushed tomatoes
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp ground cumin
4 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp dried oregano
2 tbsp distilled white vinegar
2 1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce

instructions:

How to cook Perfect Hearty Chili Recipe

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions; cook and stir until they start to become soft. Add the green peppers, red peppers, garlic. Cook and stir until vegetables are tender.
Pour the beans into a large pot and set to low heat. Stir in the vegetables and tomatoes. Add ground beef. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, oregano, vinegar and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil.
Stir and reduce heat low; simmer, covered, 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally.

Recommended Products:

Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

KitchenAid 17-piece Tools

Calories
312.88

Fat (grams)
16.87

Sat. Fat (grams)
3.94

Carbs (grams)
24.48

Fiber (grams)
7.31

Net carbs
17.17

Sugar (grams)
4.86

Protein (grams)
17.70

Sodium (milligrams)
664.44

Cholesterol (grams)
33.64

https://www.heartofmichelle.com/perfect-hearty-chili-recipe-with.html

Michelle Cannon/The Heart of Michelle

chili,

main dish

Tex Mex

Created using The Recipes Generator

Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

2019-05-04T00:35:00.014-04:00

This Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a delectable dessert packed with lemon flavor from real lemons. It's sure to be a favorite with your family and friends!

If lemon desserts are your thing, you are really going to love this Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting. Just like my carrot cake recipe, this recipe results in a moist cake, with an irresistible creamy frosting.

I've made this cake twice in the last month. First, I made it for my family. My daughter, Lorelai, loves lemons, but doesn't enjoy lemon-flavored candies or desserts. She did, however, tell me how delicious this cake is. Three nights ago, I made it again. It was the last dance practice before recital, so I wanted to bring something special to class. It was a hit! Not only did I receive compliments the night of class, but in the Facebook group the next day, as well.

"...that cake was sooooo yummy!"
"It was deeeeelicious!! The frosting was exceptionally yummy."
"I've never had cream cheese frosting that was so smooth and light."

So let's talk about that frosting. It's indescribably delicious. Light, fluffy, smooth, and super lemony! You'll find it hard not to eat it with a spoon. (Ahem - I may or may not have been the one who ate what was left in the mixing bowl.)

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

Besides that incredible frosting, I love the simplicity of this cake. This lemon cake is made from scratch using very basic ingredients. It gets it's citrus zing from lemon zest and plenty of lemon juice. The buttermilk and sour cream make it a wonderfully moist cake.

How to make Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

In a medium bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a large bowl, with mixer on medium, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy - a full 3-5 minutes. Then beat in the eggs and vanilla, followed by the sour cream.

Turn the mixer down to low speed and carefully beat in the flour mixture followed by the buttermilk. Do not over mix. Then turn off the mixer and stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice using a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 27-33 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Allow to cool before frosting.

If you thought the cake was easy, the frosting is even easier.

- Using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until smooth and no lumps remain, about 3 full minutes.

- Reduce the mixer speed to low, then add the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and salt. Once the sugar begins to incorporate, increase the mixer to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Add the remaining tablespoon lemon juice to thin if desired.

How to Make Lemon Cake that Tastes Like Lemon

All too often, lemon cakes don't taste like lemon. The flavor is usually so faint, it's barely detectable, or not detectable at all. I have two suggestions for giving your lemon cake more flavor.

- Use real butter. Not margarine. Not oil. In the case of faintly flavored cakes, butter works wonders.
- Use fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Bottled lemon juice is not only too tart, but it simply doesn't taste like an actual lemon. Fresh lemon juice, along with zest, make this lemon cake burst with real lemon flavor.

How to Make a Moist Lemon Cake

No one wants a dry, crumbly cake. There are a few good practices which will guarantee your lemon cake is soft, moist, and fluffy.

- Use buttermilk and sour cream. (Greek yogurt works in place of sour cream) make the cake moist and give it a soft crumb.
- Room temperature ingredients. Make sure your butter and sour cream are room temperature before you start. At the very least, make sure the butter is.
- Avoid over mixing your batter. Mixing for too long can result in a tough cake. Instead, beat the butter and sugar for a full 3-5 minutes on medium. On low, mix the butter milk in, only until it's mixed. Don't over do it. Blend the lemon juice and zest into the batter using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.

What makes the Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting so light and fluffy?

The lemon cake is just a cake until you add this frosting, but how make it so good you don't want to stop eating it? Easy.

Don't under mix. You can't over mix the frosting, but you can under mix it. The directions are perfect, just follow those and you'll have a light and fluffy cream cheese frosting.

Love this recipe? Check out my Old Fashioned Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter, where I'll share even more delicious dessert recipes!

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Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Yield: 12

Author: Michelle Cannon

prep time: 10 Mcook time: 30 Mtotal time: 40 M

This Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a delectable dessert packed with lemon flavor from real lemons. It's sure to be a favorite with your family and friends!

ingredients:

Lemon Cake

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup sour cream, room temperature
1/3 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
3 tablespoons lemon zest (freshly grated)
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese — softened
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2 3/4 cups powdered sugar - sifted
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice — divided (from about 1/2 a large lemon)
2 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

instructions:

How to cook Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Cake

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In a large bowl, with mixer on medium, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy - a full 3-5 minutes.
Then beat in the eggs and vanilla, followed by the sour cream.
Turn the mixer down to low speed and carefully beat in the flour mixture followed by the buttermilk.
Then turn off the mixer and stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice using a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 27-33 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Allow to cool fully before frosting

Frosting

Using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until smooth and no lumps remain, about 3 full minutes.
Reduce the mixer speed to low, then add the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and salt. Once the sugar begins to incorporate, increase the mixer to high speed and beat for 3 minutes.
Add the remaining tablespoon lemon juice to thin or add extra flavor, if desired.

NOTES:

Make sure your butter and sour cream are room temperature before you start. At the very least, make sure the butter is. Avoid over mixing your batter. Mixing for too long can result in a tough cake. Instead, beat the butter and sugar for a full 3-5 minutes on medium. On low, mix the butter milk in, only until it's mixed. Blend the lemon juice and zest into the batter using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Do not under mix your frosting. Longer mixing will create a lighter, fluffier cream cheese frosting.

Recommended Products:

KitchenAid 2-Piece Silicone Spatula Set with Bamboo Handles

Cucina Nonstick Bakeware Steel Cake Pan 9 Inch x 13 Inch

KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer

Calories
495.41

Fat (grams)
22.67

Sat. Fat (grams)
13.50

Carbs (grams)
69.91

Fiber (grams)
0.94

Net carbs
68.96

Sugar (grams)
50.65

Protein (grams)
4.78

Sodium (milligrams)
224.17

Cholesterol (grams)
103.64

https://www.heartofmichelle.com/2019/05/lemon-sheet-cake.html

lemon cake, cream cheese frosting

desserts, cakes

Created using The Recipes Generator

Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake

2019-03-19T01:12:00.000-04:00

Topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting, this Old Fashioned Carrot Cake is incredibly moist, deliciously spiced, and melt-in-your-mouth fluffy!

Springtime is here and that makes me think of carrot cake. I'm not sure why, exactly. I mean, carrot cake is an incredible dessert all year long, but it does get extra attention at this time of year.

If you've ever been hesitant to make a carrot cake from scratch, let me tell you: It's easy. No, really. A beginner cook can do this. It requires no special skills, and once you realize how easy it is to make this cake from scratch, you'll want to make it again and again.

And once you taste it? Boom! New favorite.

This cake is perfect for serving at parties and celebrations, too. I can almost guarantee you won't be bringing any leftovers home. It will be the hit of the event!

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Everyone loves this carrot cake.

Not everyone in my family loves carrot cake. In fact, carrot cake has always been a take-it-or-leave-it dessert for me. Most of the time I find carrot cakes dense and, if they have mix-ins I don't care for, too sweet.

My daughter, Lorelai, was convinced she didn't like carrot cake. When I made this cake, I was sure she, and one of my sons-in-law (he's a confirmed carrot-cake-hater), would not eat it. I left the cake to cool, and went off to run an errand. When I returned, I saw that not only had Lorelai had frosted it, but everyone was in the kitchen eating it, and singing the praises of this cake.

Even Lorelai.
Even the carrot-cake-hating son-in-law.

Carrots are the key to a moist carrot cake.

Maybe you've tried to make a carrot cake before, but it turned out too dry. One cause for that is prepackaged carrots. Buying a bag of carrot sticks will not serve you well when it comes to making a carrot cake. The moisture content of the carrots is what gives the cake moisture. Once carrots have been sliced and bagged, the moisture evaporates. Use freshly grated carrots.

If you do that, this is a fail-proof recipe.

How to Make Old Fashioned Carrot Cake - Step by Step

First you'll whisk together your dry ingredients which are the flour and spices. This is also where you add in the optional ingredients - nuts, raisins, coconut, pineapple or whatever. Then you'll set those aside.

Next, you mix beat sugar and oil on with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, one at time, beating until mixed well into batter.

On low-speed, gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in grated carrots.

Pour into two 9-inch round cake pans that are greased and floured. Gently tap the filled cake pans on the counter to release air bubbles.

Bake for 40 minutes.

Place pans on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and continue to cool completely on racks before icing.

See how easy that is? Dry ingredients>wet ingredients>mix ingredients.

How to Store Carrot Cake

While most cakes can be wrapped in plastic and kept at room temperature, this is not the case with carrot cake. Due to it's vegetable content, carrot cake is prone to mold if it's stored at room temperature. As well, the cream cheese frosting, being a dairy product, obviously cannot be left on the counter top.

Storing an unfrosted cake

Once the cake as cooled, wrap the sides and bottom with plastic wrap. Alternately, you could place the layers in large zip storage bags to prevent the cake from absorbing any odors from the refrigerator. Store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to frost it. Bring to room temperature before frosting.

Storing a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting

The safest way to store your frosted cake is in the refrigerator. Stored in the refrigerator, and uncut cake will stay fresh for up to one week. Once the cake is cut, use plastic wrap, an over-turned plate, a cake keeper, or fresh frosting to cover the exposed sides of the cake to prevent drying.

Freezing a carrot cake

Freezing your carrot cake allows you to store it up to two months. This is perfect if you're making it ahead of time for a special event or occasion. Whether frosted or unfrosted, wrap the layers in plastic wrap or tin foil to prevent freezer burn. Write the date and cake type on the wrapper. When it's time to thaw the cake, loosen the wrapping and place in the refrigerator one day before frosting.
Note: Thawing at room temperature will change the texture from frozen to mushy. Don't do this.

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Top Tips for Making Carrot Cake

- If you want added moisture, you can split the 2 cups of white sugar - 1 cup of white and 1 cup of brown sugar.

- Make sure you use freshly grated carrots.

- I recommend 9-inch spring form or silicone pans, but any pans will do.

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Old Fashioned Carrot Cake

Yield: 12 slices

Author: Michelle Cannon

prep time: 30 Mcook time: 40 Mtotal time: 70 M

Topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting, this Old Fashioned Carrot Cake is incredibly moist, deliciously spiced, and melt-in-your-mouth fluffy!

ingredients:

Carrot Cake

3 cups self-rising flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 cups pecan, chopped
1 cup raisins
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
3 cups grated carrots

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
16 ounces powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

instructions:

How to cook Old Fashioned Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake

Whisk together flour and cinnamon. Add pecans and raisins and stir until well coated. Set aside.
With an electric mixer, beat sugar and oil on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs, one at time, beating until mixed well into batter.
On low-speed, gradually beat in flour mixture.
Stir in grated carrots.
Pour into 2 (9-inch) round cake pans that are well-greased and floured. Gently tap the filled cake pans on the counter to release air bubbles.
Bake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Remove pans and place on a cooling rack for 1o minutes. Remove cakes from pans and continue to cool completely on racks before icing.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add in powdered sugar, beating until smooth and creamy. Add one tablespoon vanilla extra and beat.

NOTES:

- If you want added moisture, you can split the 2 cups of white sugar - 1 cup of white and 1 cup of brown sugar. - Make sure you use freshly grated carrots to ensure a moist cake

Calories
1002.64

Fat (grams)
60.26

Sat. Fat (grams)
19.51

Carbs (grams)
110.61

Fiber (grams)
3.23

Net carbs
107.38

Sugar (grams)
80.95

Protein (grams)
10.84

Sodium (milligrams)
582.23

Cholesterol (grams)
140.92

carrot cake recipe,

desserts, cakes

Created using The Recipes Generator

Buffalo Chicken Nachos

2019-03-11T12:11:00.001-04:00

Buffalo Chicken Nachos are easy to make, and they're perfect for a party or an easy dinner. Guaranteed to satisfy your hungry crowd!

I was never big on nachos. I know - I'm weird. Who doesn't like nachos? It wasn't so much that I didn't like them, as it was that I didn't care one way or the other.

A couple of years ago, however, I started making nacho recipes. I don't know why, but I found myself trying a new recipe every week for a few months. I have quite a collection going now.

This one stands out to me, though. When I think of nachos, I think Buffalo Chicken. They are so good! Not just regular good, but that kind of good that will leave you wondering why you don't make them more often.

So good!

Except for my vegetarian daughter, all of my kids and sons-in-law love these nacho. I'm sure you will, too!

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Buffalo Chicken Nachos Is a Quick and Easy Recipe

Whether you're entertaining friends, or just need to feed your family, you'll appreciate how easy this Buffalo Chicken Nachos recipe is.

To make it super easy, buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it. Personally, I just toss a couple of chicken breasts into the Instant Pot, and set it for 15 minutes with natural release, then shred it. (My friend Corey can show you how to make pulled chicken in the Instant Pot.)

After that, it's just a matter of putting it all together. I'm listing the prep time as 20 minutes, but really, if you have a rotisserie chicken all ready to go, it doesn't take even that long. You can have this dish on the table in no time.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Nachos - Step by Step

1. Preheat oven to 400° F.

2. Stir together 1/4 cup wing sauce, lime juice, and salt, and chicken in a bowl.

3. Arrange half of the chips in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4. Top with half of the chicken mixture, half of beans, and half of cheeses. Repeat the layers.

5. Bake 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

6. Stir together sour ceam and 1/4 cup wing sauce.

7. Drizzle over baked nachos. Top with avocados and salsa.

What goes with Buffalo Chicken Nachos?

Well-thought-out answer: I think this depends on how you're using the nachos. If it's an appetizer or game day food, then you'll probably make other appetizers to go with it. In the case of a meal, I like to add some sweetness to the savory. Having a variety of colors is also important for proper nutrient balance. What I like to serve with these nachos is cantaloupe slices drizzled with fresh lime juice.

Simple Answer: Margaritas

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Top Tips for Buffalo Chicken Nachos

- If you'd prefer to avoid store-bought rotisserie chicken, make your own pulled chicken in the Instant Pot.
- If sour cream isn't your thing, simple drizzle the hot sauce on the nachos. And I do mean drizzle - that sauce is spicy!
- If you want to make this ahead of time, you can create the chicken mixture and put it in the fridge the night before. Then all you need to do is layer your nachos, and pop them in the oven.
- This cast iron skillet is perfect for making nachos.

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Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Yield: 6

Author: Michelle Cannon

prep time: 20 Mcook time: 20 Mtotal time: 40 M

Buffalo Chicken Nachos are easy to make, and they're perfect for a party or an easy dinner. Guaranteed to satisfy your hungry crowd!

ingredients:

1/2 cup Frank's buffalo wing sauce, divided in half
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp salt
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1 (11 oz) bag tortilla chips
1 (15 oz) can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz) carton sour cream
2 avocados, pitted and diced
1 (16 oz) container of restaurant-style salsa

instructions:

How to cook Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Preheat oven to 400° F
Stir together 1/4 cup wing sauce, lime juice, salt, and chicken in a bowl.
Arrange half of chips in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Top with half of chicken mixture, half of beans, and half of cheeses. Repeat layers.
Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Stir together sour cream and 1/4 cup wing sauce.
Drizzle over baked nachos. Top with avocados and salsa.

NOTES:

- If you'd prefer to avoid store-bought rotisserie chicken, make your own pulled chicken in the Instant Pot. - If sour cream isn't your thing, simple drizzle the hot sauce on the nachos. And I do mean drizzle - that sauce is spicy! - If you want to make this ahead of time, you can create the chicken mixture and put it in the fridge the night before. Then all you need to do is layer your nachos, and pop them in the oven. - A cast iron skillet is perfect for making nachos.

Calories
675.70

Fat (grams)
39.04

Sat. Fat (grams)
12.22

Carbs (grams)
38.24

Fiber (grams)
9.07

Net carbs
29.17

Sugar (grams)
1.59

Protein (grams)
46.72

Sodium (milligrams)
1393.27

Cholesterol (grams)
145.45

Created using The Recipes Generator

Chicken with Strawberry Balsamic Sauce

2019-02-20T00:57:00.000-05:00

Chicken with Strawberry Balsamic Sauce is the perfect combination of sweet and savory. It's simple enough for a family meal, yet elegant enough to serve guests.

There's something special about combining savory and sweet flavors, am I right? That's why this Chicken with Strawberry Balsamic Sauce is one of my favorite recipes.

The combination of rosemary, garlic, strawberries, balsamic vinegar and honey make this an amazingly flavorful dish. It's not something I serve all the time, but I definitely try to make it once or twice during strawberry season.

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Chicken with Strawberry Balsamic Sauce is a Family Favorite Recipe

It also perfect for my busy family. I'm all about quick meals. Just like this Tex-Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet or these Buffalo Chicken Nachos, you can have this Chicken with Strawberry Balsamic Sauce on the table in about 30 minutes!

With four adult kids, one teenager, and four grandchildren in my life, food has to be family-friendly, not just kid-friendly.

This dish pleases both adults and kids, so it's perfect. It's elegant enough, too, that you can easily whip this up for guests. They'll never know you didn't spend all afternoon in the kitchen!

How to Make Chicken with Strawberry Balsamic Sauce - Step by Step

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper; rub with rosemary and garlic.

2. Cook chicken butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat 2-3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from skillet and keep warm.

3. Add strawberries, vinegar, and honey to skillet. Cook 8-10 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Spoon sauce over chicken.

What goes with Chicken with Strawberry Balsamic Sauce?

Simple is usually best. I like to serve it with steamed rice and garlic butter green beans. You could serve the chicken over a bed of greens for a tasty salad. Also, kids enjoy it with plain pasta. There are plenty of options.

Top Tips for Chicken with Strawberry Balsamic Sauce
- I'm not big on using oil, but butter has a low smoke point. To avoid using oil, I put a few spoonfuls of water or broth in the pan with the butter. Replenish as needed. This also makes for tender chicken.
- Also, using a good cast iron pan, or a heavy bottom stainless steel pan makes it easier to cook without oil.

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Chicken with Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce

Yield: 4

Author: Michelle Cannon

prep time: 10 Mcook time: 15 Mtotal time: 25 M

Chicken with Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce is the perfect blending of sweet and savory. It's simple enough for a family meal, yet elegant enough to serve guests. Oh, and that sauce is life!

ingredients:

1 lb chicken cutlets
1 Tbsp dried rosemary
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp vegetable oil or butter
2 cups sliced strawberries
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp honey
Salt and pepper

instructions:

How to cook Chicken with Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce

Season chicken with salt and pepper; rub with rosemary and garlic.
Cook chicken in oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat 2-3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
Add strawberries, vinegar, and honey to skillet. Cook 8-10 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Spoon sauce over chicken.

NOTES:

- I'm not big on using oil, but butter has a low smoke point. To avoid using oil, I put a few spoonfuls of water or broth in the pan with the butter. Replenish as needed. This also makes for tender chicken. - Also, using a good cast iron pan, or a heavy bottom stainless steel pan makes it easier to cook without oil.

Calories
407.75

Fat (grams)
17.63

Sat. Fat (grams)
4.07

Carbs (grams)
33.52

Fiber (grams)
2.91

Net carbs
30.61

Sugar (grams)
16.11

Protein (grams)
28.28

Sodium (milligrams)
271.82

Cholesterol (grams)
139.68

Created using The Recipes Generator

The Not-Elvis Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

2019-02-14T16:17:00.002-05:00

Elvis didn't invent the peanut butter and banana sandwich, but he sure did make it famous. This version includes bacon, and is a family favorite!

This sandwich has been a long time in coming. I've posted it on my personal Facebook wall several times. Every time, my friends ask "What is it?" and "How do I make it." So I've decided to share it here. Finally!

Peanut butter and banana sandwiches were not invented by Elvis.

You've probably seen it around the Internet before, in various versions with Elvis Presley's name attached to it. I almost want to roll my eyes every time I see that

You see, I'm a Southerner. I grew up eating peanut butter and banana sandwiches. We never even knew Elvis Presley ate them. When Elvis died, an interview with his cook revealed he loved fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

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{This post may contain affiliate links.}

Most of the country had never heard of this bizarre concoction, but we Southerners were quite familiar with it. I was 9 years old at the time, and didn't understand why everyone thought it was so odd. I'd been eating it my whole life.

Didn't everyone?

Of course, as an adult, I realize the uniqueness of our Southern culture, and that many things we do, say, and eat differ from other parts of the country. While I can't tell you how Mr. Presley ate his sandwiches, I can share how we eat ours.

The Basic Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

When I was a kid, I remember it being made two ways. Neither was toasted or grilled.

The first way I remember it being made was to spread peanut butter, and sometimes mayonnaise, on the bread. Then slices of banana were added. The other way was to mash up the banana, peanut butter, and mayo in a bowl, then spread it on the bread.

Both ways are good, but my favorite was the mashed up version. Seriously, I'd eat it with a spoon. So good! The version I'm sharing with you today is a bit more than basic.

So let's talk about this sandwich I'm calling The Not-Elvis Peanut Butter Sandwich.

How to make The Not-Elvis Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

This recipe is so simple, I hesitate to even call it a recipe. I think it makes a perfectly fine lunch. We don't have it often, maybe a few times a year, and it's so good!

1. Spread the peanut butter on one side of one slice of bread. Top with sliced banana, then slices of bacon. Drizzle with a bit of honey.

2. Cover with the other slice of bread. Spread butter on the outside of the sandwich.

3. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Grill sandwich on each side until golden brown and peanut butter is melted, about 2 minutes on each side.

How easy is that!

Tips and Equipment

I recommend using a cast iron pan or griddle or this grill pan.

When I make these, I cut the banana in half, then slice it lengthwise twice, creating three slices. You can do whatever you want, I just do it this way because it covers the bread with the least amount of effort.

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Yield: 2Author: Michelle Cannon

The Not-Elvis Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

prep time: 5 minscook time: 8 minstotal time: 13 mins

Elvis didn't invent the peanut butter and banana sandwich, but he sure did make it famous. This version includes bacon, and is a family favorite! Perfect for lunch.

ingredients:

4 slices bread (your choice - I use wheat)
4 Tbsp peanut butter(crunchy or creamy, your choice)
4 strips cooked bacon
1 banana, cut in half and sliced lengthwise
3 tsp butter
Honey

instructions:

Spread the peanut butter on one side of one slice of bread. Top with sliced banana, then slices of bacon. Drizzle with a bit of honey.
Cover with the other slice of bread. Spread butter on the outside of the sandwich.
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Grill sandwich on each side until golden brown and peanut butter is melted, about 2 minutes on each side.

Tex-Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet

2019-01-16T22:43:00.000-05:00

Quick, easy, and delicious, this Tex-Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet is an easy go-to dish. It'll be your family's new favorite!

Tex-Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet is the go-to dish everyone loves!

On days when I just don't have the time for a big dinner production, this is the dish I go back to. It's perfect after a day of hiking, or a quick meal after Lorelai's dance class. Tex-Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet recipe requires only a few ingredients you probably have in your kitchen, and is on the table in about 30 minutes!

I first made this recipe about a year and a half ago. It was planned for three people, but I ended up feeding three of my kids, plus a son-in-law, and the grandkids. It was a hit! All of them wanted seconds and thirds. I regretted not making twice the amount. Since then, it's been requested countless times.

In fact, I sometimes forget all about it - for weeks! That's when Lorelai requests it.

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Tex-Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet is great as leftovers!

What's especially good, for me, is that Lorelai loves this so much. This kid, who won't eat the same thing twice within a month will eat this dish three days in a row if it's in the refrigerator. In fact, she did that this week. I made it for dinner on Sunday. She went to the bento boxes for lunch on Monday and Tuesday!

That brings me to another benefit - meal prep! Packing up leftovers into bento boxes is my thing. If I can make a lunch out of dinner, I'm all for it. Tex-Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet is just as good on Day 3 as it was on Day 1. You could also just make use it as a lunch prep in the first place.

Remember to save this Recipe for later!

How to make Tex-Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet

This recipe is so simple, you'll find yourself making it on a regular basis. I mean, it's not a go-to recipe for no reason, right?

1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned; drain and return to skillet.

2. Stir in taco seasoning, water, salsa, and beans.

3. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3-4 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.

4. Stir in tortilla strips.

5. Sprinkle with cheese. Let stand 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.

6. Top each serving with sour cream.

Seriously, does it get any easier than that?

Tips and Equipment

- The recipe calls for 2 cups, each, of the beans. This would basically be two 15 oz cans, if you go that route. I can't do that because I taste metal in the food (yeah, that's a thing - a very annoying thing). I buy dry beans and use my Instant Pot to cook them. Once cooked, I freeze them, 2 cups per freezer bag. When I need them, I steam them for 3-5 minutes in the Instant Pot.

This 9.5-inch Copper Chef pan, like the one in the photos, helps you cook this recipe pretty quickly, plus you can take it straight to the table!

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tex-mex skillet recipe, beef, quick meal ideas

beef, recipes

Tex-Mex

Yield: 6Author: Michelle Cannon

Tex-Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet

prep time: 10 minscook time: 20 minstotal time: 30 mins

Tex-Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet is a hearty dish you can have on the table in 30 minutes. It's the perfect go-to on busy nights, and the whole family will enjoy it!

ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
4 Tbsp taco seasoning
1 cup water
1 cup refrigerated salsa (restaurant style)
2 cups black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups pinto beans, rinsed and drained
4 fajita-sized tortillas, cut in strips
1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
8 oz container of sour cream

instructions:

In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned; drain and return to skillet.
Stir in taco seasoning, water, salsa, and beans.
Cook, stirring occasionally, 3-4 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
Stir in tortilla strips.
Sprinkle with cheese. Let stand 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.
Top each serving with sour cream

How Talking to Your Children About Mental Health Can Help End the Stigma

2018-12-23T23:32:00.000-05:00

Mental health is a topic that affects every human on earth. Talking with kids de-stigmatizes the topic and saves lives!

Bipolar disorder. Depression. Suicide. Mental illness.

These are words that often are brushed under the rug. People fear talking about them in public. There still exists a stigma that comes with mental illness.

The truth is talking about mental health with our children can help end the stigma. Nothing else is stronger than letting our children know that they, or those they know, with mental illness should not live in fear.

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Everyone has mental health.

If I told you 1 in 4 people has physical health issues, what would your response be?

It's silly to think only 1 out of 4 humans suffers with physical illness, right? Right. Whether it's something common to us all, such as a cold, or something more serious like cancer, everyone has physical health issues at some point, to one degree or another.

The same applies to mental health. Everyone struggles with it, whether it's stress from a job or marriage, or anxiety about final exams, or something more serious, like bipolar or borderline personality disorder, everyone has degrees of mental health issues.

Let your children know how prevalent mental illness is.

If your children are exhibiting signs of depression or other mental illness, the first thing you can do is let them know that it is OK to talk about, and it’s extremely common. In fact, one in four people do have a serious mental illness.

They’re in your daughter’s dance class or your spouse’s office. They are your next door neighbor or your best friend. They are you. They are your children.

People with mental illness are everywhere. Talking about how widespread mental illness is will let your child know that they, and those they love, are not alone. (If you are the parent of a child who has a mental illness, you are not alone, either.)

Let them know they can talk to you about mental health.

Often survivors of those who die by suicide don’t know that the person was depressed or contemplating suicide until it is too late. Having open conversations with your children about depression and other mental illness will let them know that you care and will not judge them.

You’ll also know sooner if they are hurting so you can get them the help they need.

These conversations can be uncomfortable, but not only are they necessary to end the stigma of mental illness, they can also save lives.

That’s worth having the hard talks.

If you suspect that your child or someone you care about is contemplating suicide, ask if they have thought about killing themselves. According to the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, talking about suicide will not plant the idea in your child’s head. They are already aware of the option, and talking about their thoughts or fears will actually help in prevention.

Encourage activities and behaviors that improve their mental health.

Playing sports, writing, or going out with friends will not cure a mental illness. However, engaging in positive behaviors and preferred activities can help children develop a feeling of connectedness.

Knowing that others care about them and they belong can go a long way when their mental illness feels like it is too much to handle.

If you find your child, or someone they care about, avoiding activities they once enjoyed, talk about it. Don’t push them to go back to their sport, club, or activity before they’re ready, but recognize that the withdrawal may be a sign of mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

Talking about mental health with our children can help end the stigma.

We need to start treating mental illness like any other illness. If someone has diabetes, heart problems, or a broken bone, we don't shut them up or shun them. In fact, we seek help in treating that illness or injury. The same thing should apply for matters of the mind.

Our kids need to know that we will not negatively judge them based on their health.

Make sure your children know that getting help is not only normal and commendable, but it may save their life, or the life of someone they love.

If you suffer from depression of any kind, know there is help available to you. If you are contemplating suicide, please call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter, where I share even more information about mental health.

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35 Delicious Steel Cut Oatmeal Recipes You Need to Try

2018-12-17T02:11:00.002-05:00

No more mushy oats! These 35 delicious steel cut oatmeal recipes are so good, they'll turn oatmeal haters into oatmeal lovers! Plus, you can make many of them ahead of time for quick and easy breakfasts.

Earlier this year, I really wanted to try overnight oats. I'm a social media manager for food bloggers, so I see all the trends and delicious recipes, and oh, those overnight oats looked so good! Then I tried them.

Nope. I just couldn't do it. So mushy!

Recently, I discovered steel cut oats. Overnight oats made with steel cut oats? Now, that's something I can do! They've got more chew to them than rolled oats, so when they're soaked in milk overnight, they don't turn into a jar of goo. No mushy goo, for the win!

Of course, discovering steel cut oats meant I had to scour the Internet for recipes because, well, fixating is what I do. I have tried several recipes, and made up a few of my own over the last few weeks, and now I'm sharing.

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

35 Delicious Steel Cut Oatmeal Recipes You Need to Try

What are steel cut oats?

Oats in their whole, unbroken form are oat groats. The difference between steel cut, rolled, and instant lies in the way the oat groat is processed.

Steel cut oats, also called Irish Oats, is the least processed of the three. As the name suggests, the groats have been cut with steel blades. That's it. They're cut into tiny pieces that resemble rice grains.

Rolled oats, also called old-fashioned oats, are steamed and then rolled flat.

Instant oats are pre-cooked, dried, rolled and pressed into a thinner oat so they'll cook more quickly. Obviously, instant is highly-processed.

If you want your food more whole than processed, steel cut is the way to go.

How to Cook Steel Cut Oats

Because steel cut oats are minimally processed, they take longer to cook. Some recipes will say 30 minutes, while others say 45. It depends on the recipe, but 25-30 minutes seems to be the minimum amount of time to cook them on the stove top.

Stove top method: Bring 3-4 cups of liquid (water, milk, or a combination) to a boil. Pour in 1 cup of steel cut oats and about 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Reduce to low heat. Cook 20-30 minutes. *At about the 20-minute mark, start checking it until it reaches a consistency you like.

Instant Pot method: Coat inside of pot with cooking spray. Pour in 3 cups liquid (milk, water, or any combination of the two), 1 cup of oats, and whatever spices or sweetener you choose. Seal vent and set on high for 4 minutes. Let it naturally release pressure for 10-15 minutes. Voila! Oatmeal!

Cooking Tip: If the recipe calls for quick cook steel cut oats, do NOT make that recipe in the Instant Pot or, if you do, you'll need to convert the recipe using steel cut oats (not quick-cook). Otherwise, it will become mush.

Don't own an Instant Pot yet?

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Can I Meal Prep with Steel Cut Oats?

Yes, you can! As I mentioned earlier, my original interest was overnight oats. In the process of learning to make steel cut oatmeal, I discovered I can also freeze it!

There are only three people in my household - two daughters and me. Going back for seconds isn't so much a thing because they're so filling, so we always have leftover oatmeal. I freeze what's left in a muffin pan. Once it's frozen, I just pop them out and put them into a freezer bag. Right now, I have several bags in the fridge - apple cinnamon, banana walnut, and vanilla cinnamon.

These frozen oatmeal "muffins" are perfect for busy mornings - or any other morning, for that matter. I eat them almost daily. It's just easy to grab one from the freezer, put it in a bowl with a splash of oat milk, and microwave it for a couple of minutes. Boom! Instant oatmeal!

So, yes, I'm in love with this easy, delicious, not-gooey oatmeal. Not only have I pinned all these recipes, I wanted to share them with you. I'm sure you'll find something here your family will enjoy, too!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter, where I'll share even more quick and easy recipes!

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5 Amazing Ways Travel Can Boost Your Health

2018-12-08T00:09:00.002-05:00

Guest Post by Sam Ross

We all know travel is fun and educational, but did you know it's also good for your physical and mental health?

Any seasoned traveler could tell you that health is something to pay careful attention to while on the road. Wherever you are in the world, health should be a top priority; after all, when health deteriorates, it can be incredibly worrying and debilitating.

Looking after your health doesn’t need to be difficult, however. When traveling, healthcare may simply take a little more forward planning but on the plus side, there is evidence that traveling itself can have profound health benefits.

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

The richness and diversity of your travel experiences can do wonders for mental health; likewise, aspects of the environment and the activities you participate in along the way can bring physical benefits you may not otherwise have received.

World travel is an attractive prospect for people from all walks of life, and some of the healthiest people you’ll meet on your travels are this way because they regularly indulged their wanderlust!

Here are some of the reasons travel can benefit your health:

Traveling reduces stress

When we’re traveling, we are usually able to forget about the trials and tribulations of our everyday lives. It helps to put into perspective what is really important. We need new experiences in life so that it doesn’t become mundane and unfulfilling.

The joy of novel experiences on the road create endorphins – those feel good chemicals in the brain that reduce stress and help you to appreciate the present moment.

Mental health is greatly improved by travel. When you’re navigating new places and dealing with new situations on a regular basis, you become more mentally and emotionally resilient. You start to realize that you can handle many more situations than you might have previously thought. You’re developing new life and communication skills, and exploring your own capabilities.

The result is a sense of strength and trust in yourself, so when you are faced with challenges in the future, you are far less likely to become flustered or panicked.

You find that you’re able to manage situations with minimal stress, which leads to mental and emotional stability.

Traveling can boost your immune system

From a young age, exposure to bacteria in the environment helps you to build immunity.

This never really stops, as with each new germ you encounter, your body can build resistance to it. When traveling, you’re going to come into contact with many new strains of viruses and bacteria, in foods, water, the air, and via insects and animals. That’s not necessarily anything to worry about – it’s part of life wherever you are.

Yet each time you encounter these things, your body is able to produce antibodies that fight disease. Ultimately this makes it stronger. Obviously we want to avoid getting sick on the road, so precautionary measures are sensible, but the odd ailment now and then is inevitable.

Sunlight helps your body to produce vitamin D

Our bodies don’t naturally produce vitamin D, and it can’t be attained through food, yet it is vital to your health and well-being.

Sunlight triggers a reaction in your skin that causes it to produce vitamin D, which has a range of positive effects on the body. Like magnesium, Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating calcium levels, improving absorption and maintaining phosphorus levels in your blood. In combination, these factors help to maintain healthy bones, strengthening your body at the deepest level.

Vitamin D assists in the general healing of your body, as it boosts your immune system in a big way. It has many other benefits too, all worth knowing about! It’s always smart to moderate sun exposure, of course. It’s no secret that too much sun can have a detrimental impact, and nobody likes sunstroke.

Protecting your skin with natural sunscreens will allow vitamin D production while limiting the damage caused by excessive UVB exposure. So when you’re traveling through sunny climates, provided that you’re protecting your skin, you’ll receive multiple health benefits.

Travel makes you physically strong and fit

Who doesn’t want to be physically strong, fit and capable?

It doesn’t matter what age you are – maintaining and improving physical fitness is always going to be of benefit. While traveling, you’re probably going to participate in a range of new activities. Most people don’t get the chance to go on epic hikes, kayak around lakes, windsurf etc. on a regular basis in their daily lives.

You’ll probably find yourself walking and cycling considerable distances from time to time while on the road. This is not only fun, but sometimes necessary to get from A to B, dependent on your location.

Obviously this increases your stamina and muscle tone, which never hurt anyone!

Even low-impact, casual activities like sightseeing, lengths in the pool, and beach strolls mean regular movement – you don’t have to participate in extreme sports to get some health benefits. The stronger and fitter you are, the more your experience of life in general will improve.

So that’s just one more thing to thank your traveling is for!

Being in the sea boosts mental and physical health

There’s something about that sea air… we all know that refreshed feeling after a day at the beach.

That wonderful sea breeze is carrying negative hydrogen ions, which are charged particles found in moving water. The sea spray is abundant with these, and they are carried around in the fresh air; this improves our ability to absorb oxygen, and protects us from free radical damage.

The sea itself is full of wonderful health benefits.

This water is mineral-rich, so when you’re soaking in it you’re absorbing plenty of magnesium, for example. Magnesium is crucial to human health as it regulates all other minerals in your body and keeps calcium levels in balance.

Magnesium will allay muscle cramps and spasms, and help you to get a good night’s sleep too.

Magnesium is the anti-ageing mineral, and it’s anti-inflammatory. So that’s just one more reason to immerse yourself in the ocean!

Last, but by no means least, is the relaxation you’ll experience by the sea. Stress levels can’t help but diminish, so your mental health is bound to benefit too.

Travel brings so many benefits that it’s hard to list them all. Whatever challenges travelers face, it’s clear that the benefits substantially outweigh them.

Traveling is fun, healthy and educational. There’s a whole world out there waiting to be explored, so make the most of it safe in the knowledge that it’s enhancing your life immeasurably.

Author Bio: Sam Ross runs the blog thehammockhombre.com - a travel blog focused around the digital nomad lifestyle. Over the past 3 years, he's traveled to every continent, and so writes on a broad range of countries, cities, and destinations.

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5 Important Skills College Bound Kids Need

2018-11-29T01:21:00.002-05:00

Guest Post by Groza Learning Center

These five life skills should help any student be more successful when they get into college. Encourage your child to practice these skills in their everyday lives.

5 Important Skills College Bound Kids Need

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

Although college prep classes teach your children the writing, math, and science skills that they will need for college, there are other skills that a child will need to focus on before leaving home. These skills will also be extremely important to employers after their college education is completed.
These skills focus on the ability to change and adapt to circumstances as well as having the willingness to learn through their own experiences. These five skills are important in all future aspects of their lives. Below, Groza Learning Center shares five most important skills for college-bound students to have.

Kids need to learn collaboration skills.

Functioning appropriately and efficiently in groups is imperative for students who are headed for college. Having the ability to collaborate on projects, as well as accepting constructive criticism from group members, is certainly an important skill for college classes and the jobs that follow. If your child works well alone, but struggles in groups, they will have a hard time both in college and their career. Developing these skills can accomplished by having your child participate in extracurricular activities and athletics; participating in homeschool groups or co-ops, and of course working in groups in their homeschool. There are a variety of community service opportunities that your child can take advantage of to help with these skills, as well.

Teach your child communication skills.

Young people need to learn how to effectively have a conversation. This skill should include maintaining eye contact, actively listening, and asking questions. In this day in age, electronic devices have drastically altered the way people connect with one another. It has lessened many young people's ability to communicate effectively in person, or on the telephone. These skills remain important in college and the real world. Students will be expected to interact with professors, and gain recommendations and references for future use.

Most homeschoolers are able to build relationships with people of all ages. Still, some may find it more difficult to communicate with authority figures. If your child is unable to effectively communicate, it will show in college interviews. If your child is taking classes outside of them home, such as in a co-op or some other class or even a team sport, they can improve this skill by talking to their teachers alone. Not only will this help train them to speak to their college professors, but this will also give them an opportunity to gain references prior to beginning college. Another option is taking part in an internship to enhance their communication skills.

Problem-solving skills are a must for all college students.

Your children will be faced with many unexpected challenges in life and will ultimately face these challenges alone. They must be ready to solve the problems that arise in creative ways, and figure out solutions to issues that have no single answer. Students who are used to following a learned process, and cannot veer from that learned way of thinking, will struggle when a more difficult problem arises. Students can work on their problem-solving abilities by taking in classes or homeschool courses that use experiences as a learning tool, rather than memorization. Students can also participate in extracurricular activities that put them in difficult situations, such as a debate club.

Time-management is an essential life skill for daily life.

The structure that public high school students become familiar with to organize their work and finish assignments is almost non-existent in college. It is important that they learn to become self-sufficient when it comes to managing their time and prioritizing the things they do. Time management is essential when it comes to everyday life. This skill can be improved by taking on more responsibility during high school. They also need a good academic planner for organizing their lessons and activities. Being able to keep track of many different projects in an efficient and organized way, and prioritizing these tasks intelligently is important for students beyond just school. A student who can balance their school work, a part-time job, and extracurricular activities should be able to maintain their ability to manage time throughout the rest of their lives.

Give your kids opportunities to assume leadership roles.

Leadership skills are another important aspect of a successful college life. If your child can assume a leadership role in their volunteer work or a sports activity, take advantage of the opportunity.

Need more assistance?

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Top Instagram Spots In Atlanta

2018-11-24T22:34:00.000-05:00

If you’re on a mission to share some fun new photos from Atlanta with your Instagram feed, this post is for you!

As many of you know, I spent a few months in Georgia this year. One of the passions I pursued, during that time, was downtown exploring. In fact, downtown exploring, along with hiking, is the focus on my Instagram account.
Isn't it fun to find just the right shot? You probably enjoy finding just the right spot for Instagram pics, too.

While you won’t struggle to find a worthy spot to snap a photo of in the city, there are some places that stand out as excellent places to capture the moment - especially if you’re only in town for a quick visit. From unique street art and impressive architecture to hidden gems and picture-perfect meals, Atlanta has a lot to offer photographers of all skill levels.

If you’re on the hunt for the top Instagram spots in Atlanta, make sure these locations are on your list:

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

The Jackson Street Bridge

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A post shared by Ε L L Λ S Z Y N K O W S K I (@ella_szynkowski) on Nov 20, 2018 at 10:36am PST

Due to the panaramic view, The Jackson Street Bridge is one of Atlanta's most popular photoshoot locations. From the bridge, you can see the city's skyscrapers, which makes a eye-catching backdrop to any photo.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

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A post shared by 一个没有感情的杀手🚫 (@fakehelen.ca) on Nov 4, 2018 at 9:33pm PST

When it’s time for a snack, head to this well-loved ice cream shop. You’ll find a few locations scattered around Atlanta, but for the best opportunities for your Instagram shot, check out the location in Decatur Square. The bright white tiled walls, draped strings of lights, and retro chalkboard menu create the perfect environment to enjoy a picture-perfect scoops of everyone’s favorite sweet dessert

Centennial Olympic Park

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Make a splash in #ATL. #DiscoverATL | #📷: @tripatsahi
A post shared by Discover Atlanta (@discoveratlanta) on Sep 20, 2018 at 5:28pm PDT

Originally constructed for the 1996 Summer Olympics, this park is situated in the heart of Atlanta, and is surrounded by many of the city’s most recognized landmarks, like the CNN Center and the Georgia Aquarium. Photograph one of the park’s water features, like the popular Fountain of Rings, or share a picture of the SkyView Atlanta, an eye-catching ferris wheel that offers great views of the city.

Atlanta Beltline

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A post shared by Micah Davis (@micahiman_) on Apr 21, 2018 at 3:20pm PDT

The Atlanta beltline is, of course, a way to get around the city, but more it's more than that. It's also home to some amazing artwork, which makes it idea for taking memorable photos.

Georgia Aquarium

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A post shared by Cony Ferrer (@conyvff) on Nov 15, 2018 at 9:23am PST

This impressive aquarium is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and is easily one of the city’s top tourist attractions, so chances are it’s already on your list of spots to visit. Snap a photo with an otter, whale, or penguin, or capture the sheer size of the tanks with a floor-to-ceiling shot of the glass (and the fish behind it) in hues of blue.

The Westin Peachtree Plaza

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A post shared by 요가강사 양다람🐿 (@daramgyang) on Oct 4, 2018 at 2:03am PDT

If you’re willing to splurge on lunch, dinner or drinks, check out the Sun Dial Restaurant at the Westin Peachtree Plaza for incredible Instagram-worthy views. This may not be the best recommendation if you’re afraid of heights - you’ll dine on the 72nd floor in a restaurant that boasts 360-degree views of the city below - but you will be treated to some of the best views you’ll find in Atlanta, making this a great place to snap a photo for your Instagram feed.

From delicious eats to impressive views, these spots are sure to provide some excellent photo opportunities for your Instagram feed.

Did your favorite Instagram-able spot in Atlanta make my list? If not, leave a comment and let me know what I left out!

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Why Teaching Textbooks 3.0 Is Perfect for Our Homeschool

2018-11-14T09:51:00.000-05:00

Looking for a homeschool math curriculum that your child can use independently? Teaching Textbooks may be the answer for you!

Thank you to Teaching Textbooks for sponsoring this post and providing us with the newest 3.0 version. All opinions are 100% my own.

In all the years I've been homeschooling my kids, math has always been the one piece of curriculum that has never fit. Ever.

I've never been 100% pleased with anything. Lorelai is good at math all on her own, but that didn't help the fact that there was always an issue. There was that one curriculum that moved forward at a snail's pace. Then there was that one math book that seemed to start off at college level for 8 year olds. Nothing was ever just right.

That's all changed with Teaching Textbooks 3.0.

Teaching Textbooks is perfect for independent learning.

For a long time, Lorelai couldn't work independently. Between the dyslexia and the mental health issues, she needed me every step of the way. Now that we've overcome the mental health issues, and she's learned to navigate most of her dyslexia issues, she doesn't need me for all things. Since math comes easier to her than any other subject, she really doesn't need me for that.

Teaching Textbooks 3.0 is an online math program. She can just hop on the computer, tablet, or phone to do math whenever she wants. I've never been big on digital learning, and neither have my kids. In fact, they usually hate it. But that's not the case with this curriculum.

Lorelai actually enjoys this curriculum.Lately, it has become her go-to when she's bored. Also, it's the first thing she does when she wakes up. She jumps online to do math even before she's had breakfast!

You guys have no idea what that means in my world!

She feels good about her independence. (#1 reason!)
She can see her progress.
She can go out her own pace. (Some days, she does one lesson, while on others she'll do five.)
It's one less thing I have to worry about.

Follow me on Instagram!

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I love that she can do her math ANYWHERE!

Teaching Textbooks tracks progress.

I've never been big on grades in our homeschool. In fact, I don't grade anything until high school, and only because I need them for the transcript.

This program keeps the grades, which I can view from the Parent Page.

Teaching Textbooks is an affordable math curriculum.

As a single mom, one of my top considerations in anything is cost. Teaching textbooks is affordable.Just look at their pricing. Most of the time, it's less than $5 per month! I don't know about you, but that speaks to this mom's budget.

"Yes, Michelle, but you're only homeschooling ONE child. I have 7 kids."

Good news for large families!

Discount for large families.

The discount works for a family of 4-8 students. You will pay $199.08 for the year and have access to one level per student. Students will only receive access to one level per year.

Teaching Textbooks offers free tutoring to struggling students.

Bet you didn't know this little fact: If your child is struggling with a concept, they can call Teaching Textbooks to speak with a free tutor who will help them work thru a problem area. We haven't had to use it, but how great is that!

Is Teaching Textbooks right for your family?

Still not sure if Teaching Textbooks is right for you? That's OK. You can try it out FREE! Take advantage of the free trial. (no credit card required!)

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A Beginner's Guide to Family Camping

2018-11-11T23:39:00.001-05:00

Camping is the perfect way to reconnect with the outdoors, nature, and your family. This guide for beginners will help you plan your first adventure!

Guest Post by Cal Bailey

In a world dominated by gadgets and smart devices, it’s just healthy to return to nature once in a while. No matter how advanced technology becomes, we’ll always find the need to relax, put our phones down, and enjoy some new scenery.

This is probably why camping is still one of the top choices for families looking for a fun activity. Not only does it relax the mind, it is also a pretty exciting adventure. If you’re about to go camping for the first time, here’s an easy guide to help you prepare.

A Beginner's Guide to Family Camping

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

What to bring on a camping trip

Camping essentials are probably everyone’s utmost concern. Besides, who wants to leave important stuff behind? You don’t want to end up rubbing stones to make fire. With that said, don’t forget to bring some matches. Add in a couple of flashlights, appropriate clothing, your sleeping gear, and you’re good to go.

The most basic sleeping gear consists of sleeping bags, mats, blankets and, most importantly, tents.

Tents are tricky.

You can get the wrong tent and end up freezing at night. This is why it is important to consider the climate at your campsite. If it’s cold where you’re camping, using an insulated tent is best. Tents with pockets and clasps inside can make your life easier, as well.

Having matches, lights and sleeping essentials can already make you comfortable while camping. But if you want extra comfort, bring this other stuff as well:

- a portable stove,
- a cooking pot,
- disposable utensils,
- a cooler, garbage bags,
- a clothesline,
- extra footwear (preferably waterproof),
- headlamps,
- toilet paper,
- bathing essentials,
- towels,
- sunblock and
- sanitary pads for women.

If you have babies, don’t forget their important items too. This can include diapers, milk, bottles, pacifiers, medicines and a toy or two.

Speaking of meds, carry a first-aid kit as well. Complete it with the basics like Band-Aids, gauze, plasters, rash cream, antibacterial cream, anti-allergy meds, sunburn cream and other medicines prescribed by your doctor.

You may also want to bring some stuff for fun activities such as waterproof cards and a Frisbee. Shovels and buckets are great for the kids as well.

If swimming and hiking are possible at the campsite, don’t forget your swimsuits and hiking gear.

Bring plenty of food and water on your camping trip

Of all the things that you can forget, let it not be food and water. These are the most basic human needs, so put them at the top of your list.

I suggest bringing food items that are easy to eat like bread, spreads, energy bars, and cheese. Fruits and veggies, such as baby carrots, apples, pears and oranges are great picks, too.

If you like to cook, prepare easy one-pot dishes like stews and chili. If you want the kids to join the cooking fun, you can also let them help in preparing easy dishes like mac and cheese and toasted fruits.

You can definitely also enjoy the camping tradition of making some s’mores by the campfire. Add some graham crackers and chocolate to your toasted marshmallows, and your snack is complete.

Things to consider when choosing a campsite

There are campsites in almost every state. You just have to choose a location that you are willing to travel to. There are different types of campsites you can choose from, too.

Depending on your budget, you can stay at a luxurious resort-type campsite, or opt for basic outdoor camping if you want to experience roughing it in the wild.

You can also go to campsites for RVs and trailers if you’d rather not sleep in a tent. But as a whole, the principle is that the more money you spend, the better the amenities that you can use.

Some sites have full baths and toilets and others just have outhouses. Additionally, each campsite is different. There are those that are more social than others, hosting scavenger hunts and ranger talks.

If you prefer a quieter trip, I suggest going to campsites in less popular states.

More Camping Tips

If you’re anxious to know how your camping trip will go, do a trial run in your backyard, and make a list of everything you anticipate you will need. Book your trip in advance, especially if you’re going during a busy month.

Researching about your campsite, as well as the travel, is also a smart way to prepare.

About The Author: Cal Bailey runs www.MountainLeon.com - a travel blog he started after two years on backpacking around the world. If you want to more about camping and camping adventures, you should read his sleeping bag guide.

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Simplify Your Homeschool with Science Kits

2018-10-26T16:44:00.000-04:00

Wish you could do more science experiments with your homeschool kids? Science kits may be the answer!

Homeschool science experiments are fun, but sometimes the very idea of planning, gathering supplies, and working out the kinks in the plan, can be overwhelming to moms.

One tool that can make your life easier: science kits for kids. With all the supplies, and simple directions, science experiments can be fun!

I've gathered a list of science kits to help you get started when you don't know where to start.

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

Big Bag of Science

Be Amazing Toys Big Bag Of Science +70 Activities

Need many of science experiments to keep your child's learning for the entire homeschool year? This kit comes with supplies for over 70 activities that will keep your children excited to learn all year long.

Crystal Growing Experiments

4M Crystal Growing Experiment

Growing your own crystals is a great way to get children interested in geology. This kit allows you to grow crystals and get hands-on with how they form and shape int he natural world. While these are not real crystals, they do form in the same way natural ones do, only much faster so your child can watch the process. This set allows them to display what they made.

LEGO Chain Reactions

Klutz LEGO Chain Reactions Craft Kit

Kids love LEGO. This chain reaction kit using LEGO elements is sure to keep them busy for hours exploring cause and effect, friction, force, and movement in a way that is easy to understand, bringing your physical science lessons to life in an unforgettable way.

Light-Up Terrarium Science Kit

Mini Explorer Light-up Terrarium Kit for Kids with LED Light on Lid | Create Your Own Customized Mini Garden in a Jar that Glows at Night | Great Science Kits Gifts for Children | Kids Toys | by

Teach your child about how plants grow with this simple and fun terrarium kids are bound to love.

Tasty Science

Scientific Explorer Tasty Science Kit

If nothing else is interesting to your child, food always does the trick! Explore the science behind your child's favorite treats and leave them begging to learn more.

The Magic School Bus Chemistry Lab

The Magic School Bus - Chemistry Lab

Kids love The Magic School bus. This educational show helped children learn science better than they ever remembered what they learned in class. Grab this science kit to help you make The Magic School Bus hands-on for your homeschool kids.

Disgusting Science

Scientific Explorer Disgusting Science Kit

Let's face it: a lot of things are just gross. The good news: kids love everything disgusting. If you are looking for a way to fascinate your child and draw them into learning, try this disgusting science kit.

Get a Microscope Kit

JuniorScope Microscope for Kids - 3 Magnification Levels - 40x, 100x, 400x - Includes Slides, Science Experiments & Accessories - Portable Student Microscope

When I was 11, I begged for a microscope. I wanted nothing more that Christmas, so my dad bought me a portable microscope kit. I spent countless hours hours with that microscope and slides. Maybe this is what will interest your child.

Your child can dive into the microscopic world with this science kit. Kids love to see the world unseen, and explore things in a new light. This is a fun kit to get your kids exploring, and leave them room explore things on their own, too.

Crime Catchers Spy Science Kit

Scientific Explorer Crime Catchers Spy Science Kit

Kids love to play spy. This set lets them solve mysteries while learning about forensic science. This fun and exciting activity will keep your children busy and learning.

Weather Science Kit

4M Weather Science Kit

Exploring weather is a natural way to get kids interested in science. Children are always interested in weather because it's a natural part of our lives. This weather science kit is a great way to follow that interest.

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How to Keep Your Homeschool Kids Motivated

2018-07-08T16:53:00.001-04:00

Guest Post by Mary of Growing As They Grow.

Sometimes our kids just don't want to do their homeschool lessons. The key lies in motivation.

How many of you have kids who always eagerly do their school work with no complaining? What? No one?

Okay, then. Let’s talk motivation.

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

Give your homeschool kids meaningful work.

No one likes busy work. Ever.

The beauty of homeschooling is that we get to decide what to do. Use that power to eliminate the busy work! Your kids will have to do things they don’t like at some point. That is a fact. But they don’t have to do busy work!

When deciding what to include in your homeschooling, make sure everything has a purpose.

They might have to spend more time on certain subject, and that is okay. That work isn’t busy work, it is needful work. If they have something mastered though? Move on.

All the motivators in the world won’t help you if they are not a good fit for your child. That means you need to get to the core of who your kids are in order to help them succeed.

With that being said, let us explore a couple of personality types and how they find motivation.

Get to know your kids' personality types.

The Obliger

In other words, a people pleaser. This is me to the max! Obligers hate to let people down. Because of this, working as a team and having someone depend on them is important!

If your child falls into this category, then go over deadlines with them, set goals together, find projects you can work on with them. When they feel like what they are doing has outward accountability and expectations are clear, they will work hard to meet those expectations.

The Questioner

These people want to make the best decision possible, which means they always want a lot of information before acting. They may seem unwilling to do work, but it really comes from a place of wanting to understand the purpose of the work.

If your child falls into this category, then you should make sure they understand the bigger picture of what they are doing.

Try to incorporate multiple subjects into one lesson so they can see the benefit of the work in multiple areas of their lives. They will also benefit from knowing how what they are learning will help them in the future with goals they have for their lives.

The Rebel

Rebels are all about self-expression and freedom. They don’t want to feel confined and restricted. They hate being forced into doing things. Rebels do well when they are a part of making the plans.

If your child is able, have them help you make lesson plans and have them set their own goals. They are also usually pretty competitive, so have them race to meet a deadline or compete as much as possible!

The Upholder

Upholders are rule followers. This may seem like you hit the jackpot, but it also means they have a hard time being flexible.

If you tell them to do something, they will want you to outline exactly how to do it, because they don’t want to do it the wrong way. This means they won’t do things sometimes because they don’t know how to move forward.

They thrive with a lot of structure and clear expectations. Make sure you go over any questions they have before they get started.

When you know how your child works and what they need to be successful, you both can stop banging your head against the wall!

Mary Winfield is the media manager and blog editor at SPED Homeschool and blogs about special needs parenting and homeschooling at Growing As They Grow.

She is the mom to 2 rambunctious toddlers who are more dirt than boys most of the time. She is an avid reader and loves to write in many genres. She especially loves connecting to other moms so she can learn from them and maybe even offer a little help in return.

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5 Things I Don't Do in Our Homeschool

2018-06-19T01:54:00.001-04:00

From curriculum to homeschooling methods, I've done a lot of things in my homeschool, but there are 5 things I do not do.

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I've switched curricula many times. I've tried different methods. I've even gotten my kid to hate learning. And gotten my kids to love learning.

While there are plenty of things I've done, there are a few things I do not do.

I do not do school-at-home.

My homeschool looks absolutely nothing like a classroom. We don't follow schedules. We don't use a bunch of text-based learning. We just don't.

Not that I've never done those things. Boy, did I do them! That's the story of how my son learned to hate learning. That's why I don't do school at home.

It makes no sense at all to emulate the very system that is failing kids every day. It makes no sense to create a fake environment for learning when a natural home environment works so well.

I don't let homeschool stress me.

This would tie into the fact that I don't do school at home, but maybe it's more than that.

I belong to a few homeschool mom groups on Facebook, and I am a homeschool consultant. I often read and hear things like "homeschooling is hard" and I feel like the oddball because I don't think so.

Of all the struggles I have in my life, educating my kids isn't one of them.

Now, before you start thinking I'm full of myself, or one of those bloggers who paints a perfect life on social media, let's get a few things straight.

I'm no homeschool snob, and certainly I've not done things perfectly. I haven't.

I've made homeschool mistakes.
I'm certainly no super mom.
And I can even give you lessons in how to ruin a homeschool day in 10 easy steps.

So, no. I don't put on a show for social media, and I know I'm imperfect.

Still, I find myself wondering how homeschool is so hard. Despite the many mistakes I've made, I've never been stressed by homeschool. Well, not since I tried to force my son into that school-at-home box, anyway.

We are incredibly relaxed in our homeschool approach. I do have lessons, books, and things to do, but I don't stress over it.

The children will learn. They will. No matter what I do or don't do, they will learn.

I know this because, despite all my mistakes, and despite 10 years of basically unschooling them in a near-radical but not-quite-radical sense, my kids got into college. So. Yes. They will learn.

That is the lesson I learned from my previous mistakes. No matter how badly I believe I've screwed up, my adult children did obtain an education.

They became self-educators, as I wanted them to. Even more importantly, they're loving, kind, generous, considerate, respectful human beings.

I don't make lesson plans.

I don't. I won't.

I used to create lesson plans, but it's a pain. It takes more time to map it all out than it does to do the lessons! It gives me anxiety, quite frankly. Then, if we don't get through the day's planned activities, I feel like I've failed. They feel like they've failed.

It's just a big ol' pot of failure for us to stew in. Who needs that?

Instead, I write down what we did today. Tomorrow, I'll just pick up where we left off. That's easier.

If life happens, we're OK.
If mental illness happens, we're OK.
If it's just a beautiful day, and we decided to take a field trip or go hiking, we're OK.

No guilt.

I don't follow a schedule.

I love schedules, honestly, but for years, they didn't work in my homeschool.

(Read all about our schedule for bipolar disorder, and how my kids' bipolar disorder had my life turned upside down for years.)

Nowadays, they could work a little better. My daughter has been bipolar symptom-free for 22 months. She's up in the day and sleeps at night, but it's not a perfect life. We're still dealing with borderline personality disorder, me being a self-employed WAHM, and other real-life stuff.

So - schedules? Not so much. Routines are more like it. We do A, B, C, and D in that order. Whether the day starts at 7 a.m. or noon.

I don't do preschool.

During the preschool years, I don't conduct any formal lessons. In fact, I don't start formal lessons until age 6 or 7. Traditionally, children didn't go to school until this age, even in the U.S., but around the world, it's still the standard.

In fact, in most U.S. states, the age of compulsory education is 6 or 7 years of age.

Before then, I let my kids learn naturally. Sure, I'll teach the alphabet, counting, colors, and all the things any parent would teach. We'll follow rabbit trails when the children ask questions.

But mostly, we do things that help them developmentally - games that increase observation skills, fine and gross motor skills, drawing, and such things.

Basically, I let my preschoolers be preschoolers. Childhood is too short. I see no need to push them to be older faster.

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Should You Really Homeschool Year-Round?

2018-06-15T04:06:00.000-04:00

Guest Post by Mary of Growing As They Grow.

Whether to homeschool year-round or not is an important decision, so take the time to consider all the factors.

To School Year-Round or Not? That is the Question.

Summer is here! One big decision homeschoolers need to make is whether to homeschool year-round or to stick with a traditional school year. There are benefits to both ways of thinking, so it all boils down to what fits your family’s lifestyle the best.

Here are some things to consider when making the decision.

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Homeschooling Laws in Your State

Before you make any big decisions, you need to make sure you know what the requirements for homeschooling are in the state you live in. If you have been homeschooling for a while you probably already know them, but it never hurts to double check before you switch up your schedule.

This website is pretty great for special needs homeschooling, and they keep an up-to-date page on their website for the laws in each state.

Most states require a certain number of “school” days, and that usually hovers around 180. The traditional way to cover those days is to do most days starting in the middle of August and ending around the end of May.

With that method you get a couple days off for holidays and a Christmas break and Spring break. You could even eliminate or shorten those breaks and end early if you wanted. This is great for kids who participate in summer camps and have busy schedules when everyone else is off of school too.

The alternative is to school year-round.

This way you can take time off of school for longer breaks during the traditional school year (good if you live far away from family and travel to see them over the holidays) and then just make up that time in the summer months.

It is also good if you worry about your child losing some of the information they learn over the summer months. Learning year-round helps them to retain the knowledge and not lose it.

It can also be beneficial if you have a child who is interested in graduating early because they can complete more than one grade in a year by doing continuous school.

Family Vacations or Travel

I have heard a lot of people say that they love year-round schooling because they travel a lot as a family. They don’t have to do all their traveling in two months in the summer when everyone else is traveling as well. They have the flexibility to take time off whenever they want and school when they aren’t home.

I also know of some “road-schoolers” who like to travel so much that they homeschool while they travel so they don’t have to miss out on any trips!

If you are not big into traveling (like me. I’m pretty much a Hobbit over here who wants to stay her little hole and not be late for dinner), then you don’t have to worry so much about how to work around time away from home.

Taking the summer off of school might seem really appealing. It all depends on your preference.

Your Child’s Structure Needs

One more thing to consider, before I wrap it up, is if you have a child with special needs. Most people who are on the autism spectrum have a hard time being flexible and transitioning from a set routine.

This could alter your decision either way!

Maybe you feel like your child is old enough that they need to get used to things changing. Schooling during the regular school year, and then taking summer off, will allow him or her to practice transitioning from “school” routine to “summer” routine and then back again.

Depending on your child, you may have to brace yourself for a couple rough weeks during transition, but hopefully they will start to get the hang of it with time.

Or maybe that means you feel like keeping their schedule consistent with schooling year-round will help them to regulate their anxieties and regulation. Maybe they are in a place in their life where stability is more important than learning to adapt to changes, so year-round schooling can help their schedule to remain more predictable.

Kids with special needs really blossom when given the right environment to work in, and maybe year-round schooling does that for your child.

One Final Thought

Just because you choose to do year-round schooling doesn’t mean that it has to be formal learning. For instance, I know some year-round schoolers who focus a lot on science and nature study in the summer because the warm weather lends itself to experiments outside and gardening and biology lessons.

Either way you choose to approach your school year, the summer is a great time to learn; you just have to know what will benefit your family the most.

4 Habits of Highly Effective Single Moms

2018-06-13T23:40:00.002-04:00

Life isn’t easy, but you can develop healthy habits to be an effective, successful single mom.

Parenting can be hard.

You have those days when you feel defeated. You feel as though you've made every mistake you could possibly make, and you wonder if you're doing it all wrong.

As if parenting and life aren't enough, add being a single mom to the mix.

Single mom life is difficult. You are the sole parent, trying to be two parents, while also trying to maintain a a household, pay the bills, and keep it all balanced. The juggling is real.

(For the purposes of this post, I'm using the phrase single moms, but it can apply to any single parent.)

I’m sharing 4 habits of highly effective single moms to give you hope, inspiration, and a whole new outlook on your day.

{This post may contain affiliate links.}

Create a Positive Vision

While it’s easy to develop self-pity habits when you first become a single mom, due to the overwhelming responsibilities to handle alone, you need to create a positive vision.

Determine what your values, goals, and aspirations are as a single mom. What memories and values do you want your children to have when they’re grown and ready to start their own family?

Look at your life as a creative process. What are you trying to create? Then create it. Life is more than muddling through the day-to-day when you feel you're fulfilling a purpose.

Be Proactive

Develop the pattern of behavior where you’re proactive about everything. The easiest way to be more proactive in single motherhood is to view the future before it happens.

This goes hand-in-hand with your vision. You need to learn to predict all possible outcomes so that you have a plan A and a plan B to attack any scenario that heads your way.

Be Interactive

Stop stressing out about bills that are piling up, and everything that you haven’t accomplished today.

Designate a specific time every day when you let go of work, stress, and all of your adult responsibilities to spend time with your children. I know that sounds difficult, but trust me, it's entirely possible.

I feel no greater relief from the stresses of my life than when I take my kids out to do something completely unrelated to our daily life. Maybe it's a walk downtown, or a trip to the aquarium. Maybe it's a hike through a state park.

Just as we should switch up the activities our kids are doing, to keep their minds fresh, we need to do the same for ourselves.

Childhood slips by far too quickly to not interact and enjoy the little moments with your children while you can.

Make Peace with Your Ex

(If you don’t have to co-parent with your ex for whatever reason, then this won’t apply to you. Also, ignore this if you're dealing with an abusive ex because that's a different situation altogether.)
This is probably the most difficult part of being a highly effective single mom. In order to be at peace, as a single mom, you must make peace with your ex. If you have an ex who is involved with the children, make peace with them, and treat your co-parenting relationship with respect.

Make Me Time a Priority

All highly effective single moms have learned that quality alone time is important to their success.

Raising children in a household with just one parent is challenging. In order to cope with all of the stress and responsibilities on your shoulders, you must learn to make me time a priority.

Self-care has many different meanings. Yes, it can mean a hot bubble bath and chocolates, but it can also mean enjoying a favorite pastime. For me, that would be reading or gardening. Maybe it means shopping for things you need, or don't need. Maybe it's that one hour at the local coffee shop where you treat yourself to lunch.

Whatever recharges you, do that.

Each of these habits of highly effective single moms has allowed many single moms of the world to enjoy parenthood when raising children by themselves. Being a single mom will never be easy. Practicing each of these habits and mastering them will allow single motherhood to be a little less overwhelming and in turn, allow your children to live happy lives.

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Simple Ways to Build Confidence in Kids

2018-05-18T01:02:00.002-04:00

Raising kids to be confident adults who don't possess a sense of entitlement is a balancing act, but it's a balance you can strike.

Building and maintaining confidence in our children isn't always easy. On the one hand, you want them to be confident. On the other hand, you don't want them to grow up with a sense of entitlement.

You may find yourself frustrated with trying to find the perfect balance, but I've got good news: It can be done!

Here are a few simple ways to build confidence in kids without also building a sense of entitlement. (We'll call that The Balance.)

Simple Ways to Build Confidence in Kids

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Allow Children to Take Safe Risks

As a parent, it’s hard to step back sometimes.

Of course, you want to make sure your children don’t end up with broken bones, but you also need to let them make mistakes. Allowing them to take risks while they're young is important because they still have you for guidance.

Mistakes are opportunities for your child to learn, and you are the perfect person to help them through those learning experiences.

The Balance: Allowing your children to take safe risks, you will help build their confidence as they learn more about their personal limits and strengths.

Provide Constructive Feedback

I preface this section with the statement that I have not, in 30 years, used the phrase "constructive criticism." I have long considered it to be an oxymoron, reasoning, "How do you build something up (construct) by tearing it down (criticize)?"

I do, however, get the meaning - it's constructive feedback, so I'll call it that.

In a world where everyone gets a trophy, whether or not they've earned it, it’s important to maintain a level of constructive feedback with your children. Let them know what they did and did not do correctly in a given situation. This allows them to make changes; to grow; to learn.

As the parent, you’re the safest person to provide this feedback to your child in a private home environment that fuels the inner desire to do better.

The Balance: Learning how to embrace, accept, and learn from constructive feedback (or even criticism) will help your kids build confidence while also preparing them for the real world.

Let Your Child Help

One of the easiest ways to build confidence in kids is to let them help around the home. Letting your child, even during the toddler stage, help with cooking and cleaning around the home will build their confidence as they succeed in new household tasks.

Kids enjoy feeling important and thrive to be a part of a team. Household chores are a great way to help them feel independent. Not only will this build their confidence, but it helps them to perfect life skills necessary for adult life.

The Balance: The feeling of accomplishment and the satisfaction of a job well done will build their confidence.

Don't Bail Them Out

Lastly, many of us are guilty of feeling badly for our kids when they are kicked off a sports team, or didn’t make the cut for the next theatrical performance at school. This s a totally normal, healthy response, but don't let that feeling cloud your judgement. In this case, your head must overrule your heart.

Let your child know you sympathize, even empathize with him, but don't let that feeling take over. In other words: Don't protect him from the experience.

Remember that you’re the first example that sets the tone for how your kids respond to disappointment. When things don’t go as hoped, teach them how to rise above and move on by setting the positive example that they can try again next time.

The Balance: Expressing your feelings let's your child know he is loved and understood. This builds confidence that he is, in fact, a worthy, lovable person. Allowing him to endure through disappointments prevents him from feeling he is entitled to all he desires and teaches him to respect other people's decisions, even if he disagrees.

These are a few simple ways to build confidence in kids. There is no one-size-fits-all on how to raise children, but these simple tips will give you a jump start towards providing that nurturing environment that encourages your kids to be confident, balanced people.

What other tips do you have for building confidence in kids? Share in the comments.

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The Heart of Michelle

How to Create an Awesome Backyard Playspace for Autistic Kids

Give your autistic child a structured setting for unstructured play.

Autistic kids need sensory-friendly spaces.

Prevent sensory overload with a quiet, calm place.

A word on water-safety and autism.

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Encourage Learning by Reading with Your Children

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Play encourages creativity & expression

Play helps develop social skills

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