Back to school recipes....

Because school is starting, & weekends with my daughters have shortened again, I'm going to try & get into crock pot dump cooking, & make-your-own type meals with the girls. I go grocery shopping this coming Sunday, so I'm gathering recipes this week that'll cover a full month so I don't have to worry about "what's for lunch, or dinner" when they're here. Finding meals for my husband & I is simple, so I'm just going to do my shopping how I always do, & just find recipes according to that. Like this one, I'm running low on oatmeal anyway, so its added to my list....I found this one on Pintrest this morning: I did tweak the directions a little so my daughters can just grab a bag, dump in a bowl, & heat. My 11y/o always is up before I am, so I try & have healthy things for her to eat that she can do on her own.
   As soon as I walk my happy butt over there, usually you can get free icing buckets from the Casey's General Store/Gas station. My mom got a good amount for her Girl Scouts troop last year, so I'm trying to get at least 10 of them so I have enough food storage containers w/o buying them! If you don't have a Casey's, check with your local stations that has a deli in there.

Oatmeal baggies
http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2013/04/homemade-instant-oatmeal-packets/

Ingredients

• 10 cups of quick oats
• 2 cups of brown sugar
• 1 cup of non dairy coffee creamer OR powdered milk (note: if using powdered milk, please consume the mix within one month since it is a dairy product, it has a tendency to mold)

Instructions

Place 7 cups of quick oats into a large bowl. Puree the remaining 3 cups in a blender or food processor. Stir the pureed oatmeal into non-pureed quick oats. Stir in the brown sugar & non dairy coffee creamer or powdered milk. Package in resealable plastic bags with 1/2 cup of instant oatmeal mix in each one -OR- store the entire mix in an airtight container, scooping out 1/2 cup of mix each time you would like to make a bowl of oatmeal.

To prepare oatmeal: Mix 1/2 cup of oatmeal mix with 3/4 cup of water. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, depending on your microwave.

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  Here's a recipe from OMAC for homemade pop tarts. I plan on adding these in my weekend menu for the girls.
Homemade Pop Tarts

Author/Source:

Tricia @ Onceamonthmom.com

Ingredients:

Pop Tarts:

• 1    box refrigerated pie crusts (2 per pkg)
• 1    cups Jam/Jelly (any flavor)

Glaze:

• 1.25    cup powdered sugar
• 4    Tablespoons milk
• optional sprinkles

Directions:

Using a pizza cutter trim the edges so that you have a square/rectangle to work with. Using the pizza cutter divide each rectangle into 4 squares. Place and spread 1-2 Tablespoons of jam/jelly on each square in the middle. Fold over the dough and seal edges with a fork. (With extra cut off dough, roll out and make 2 additional squares). Place on cookie sheet for baking. Bake at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes. After baking remove for cooling and prepare glaze by mixing in milk until desired consistency. Spread on top of pop tarts and allow to cool. 

Freezing Directions:

Once cool, flash freeze. When partially frozen place in gallon freezer bag for storage. To serve: Thaw or heat in microwave for 1-2 minutes or heat in oven. If adding glaze DO NOT put in toaster.

Servings: 10

  Don't forget! This is just the first of many! Now, please note, my girls are only here every other weekend, so if you need to double/triple, whatever, you see, go for it!