Keep your summer skeeter free

Summer is right around the corner and unfortunately those pesky mosquitos are already here. There are few simply tricks to keep those nasty bloodsuckers at bay. Mosquitos breed in damp places and standing water so scour your yard and porch for places that collect water like buckets, wheelbarrows and garbage cans and either store them upside down or add drainage holes if possible. If your landscaping includes water features that do not have plants or fish in them adding chlorine bleach will keep the mosquitos away and it is much cheaper than pool chlorine. (Check with a garden center or pet shop before adding any chemicals to a pond or water feature that contains live plants, fish or reptiles.) This works great for small kiddy pools too. Just dump in some bleach when your kids are done playing for the evening. It is still a good idea to change the water every week or two as needed.
Once the breeding areas have been gotten rid of you need to keep other skeeters from flying into your yard. The safest and most effective way that I have discovered is spraying around entrance doors, the patio and play area with Listerine. Yes, Listerine, the mouthwash. Last summer I wrote an article about it and how I discovered it and I planned on linking you to it. However, in one of my redesigns I deleted the page and apparently did not save a copy or at least not in a place where I can find it. So, I will give a brief overview.
I received a forwarded email a few years ago that claimed if you spray Listerine outside around doors (avoid directly spraying on woodwork) and around areas like your patio and swing set the mosquitos will stay away. I tried it without telling my skeptical husband and he noticed the difference. You do need to repeat about once a week or so or after a rain, but it does work. Although I do not notice the mosquitos fly immediately away, like the email claimed but I do notice they do leave and do not come back if I keep it sprayed. I have used a generic brand and it works just as well and either are much cheaper than using bug spray (for the same coverage) and I don't worry about my kids or pets breathing in a little mouthwash. As far as I know it hasn't caused any of the scary side effects that deet (a chemical in many commercial mosquito sprays) does.
If you still get bit before you scratch and tear the skin open, wet the bite and sprinkle with salt and let dry then brush off. As long as the skin is not open it will not hurt or sting. Or apply a baking soda paste to the bite and let dry. These will help draw the venom out and therefore reduce the itching. For bee stings applying a baking soda paste or tenderizing salt (applied like regular salt as described for mosquito bites) will help draw out the venom and speed healing times.

Looking for graduation, teacher or end of school gifts?

Looking for a gift for as the school year ends? Then head on over to BarnesandNoble.com for inspiring children's books about moving up, moving an and following your dreams. While you're there don't forget a gift for your favorite teacher. A new addition to her or his classroom library is always a welcome gift. Books also make great end of school/good job gifts for kids because they encourage summer reading and continued learning. But hurry cause this deal ends June 15,2011.
 Children's Books For Graduation :Save up to 45%!

Mommy Tip- Keep a blanket in your car

I always keep an old, but clean throw blanket in my in the trunk of my mini van and it gets used more than you might guess. I originally put it in there one winter just in case I broke down and needed to keep warm. I haven't needed it for that... yet. Since I have two young children I now keep two blankets in the trunk since they don't take up much room. Here are the ways I have used my blankets:

• To cover a tired or cold child- this works great when you've been on the go all day and your child is over tired and won't fall asleep in his car-seat. (Even kids that don't normally carry a blankie)
• To protect my seat's leather or trunk carpet when transporting something, big, sharp or dirty
• To make a soft bed in a shopping cart (I have one who sleeps who like the dead and has gone through more than one grocery trip sound asleep in one cart while I pulled another cart full of groceries.)
• As an impromptu picnic blanket
• A place to lay a young baby for tummy time in the park
• To hold up for privacy so one of my kids can change clothes
• A place to sit during a parade when we've forgotten our lawn chairs
• To wrap up with during a sporting event- especially during kids' sports games when the weather is always cold or raining on game day or at least it seems to be.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo With This Simple Recipe

Several months ago I discovered a recipe for Green Chili Enchilada Casserole on familyfun.com, but it was a bit time consuming for a normal weeknight dinner for me. Although the recipe said the sauce could be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge, tomatillos if found at all in my area usually cost a small fortune. So, I did some doctoring up and I made my own version with the help of some store bought foods (like the way Sandra Lee does on Tastefully Simple.) Since I cook by experimenting and tasting and a whole lot of trial and error not all my measurements are exact, but this recipe is so easy there really is no right or wrong other than what you think tastes good. 

The first thing I changed was that I substituted the homemade tomatillo sauce for a store bought in a jar sauce. The only brand I could find was Ortega Mild Green Taco Sauce. (16 oz jar), but you could use what ever brand of tomatillo sauce (also known as salsa verde) that you like. I originally started out with about 2 jars, but since my husband sometimes like to have extra I like to have a third jar on hand. (Since this recipe has become a family favorite I usually have one opened jar in the fridge for dipping or using with tacos or other recipes and 2 jars for the recipe.)

The original recipe also calls for soft corn tortillas. For the first several times I made this I did use the corn, however the last time I was not thinking and I grabbed the flour tortillas out of the fridge. My family raved and raved like it was the first time I made it. Later I figured out my mistake, so I have decided to stick with the flour tortillas.  

Also this is a great way of using left over cooked chicken or you can boil a couple boneless chicken breasts if you don't have any cooked chicken on hand or in the freezer.

So here is my recipe:

Easy Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Casserole

2-3 jars green taco sauce, salsa verde or tomatillo sauce (16 oz. each jar)

12 (6 inch) corn or flour tortillas

3 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 1/2 C grated Cheddar*

1 1/2 C grated Monterey Jack*  

1/2 C finely chopped onion

Preheat oven to 375F. In a large bowl combine the shredded chicken, 1/2 cup of the tomatillo sauce, half of the Cheddar, half of the Monterey Jack and the onion. Mix well. Spread 1/3 of the remaining tomatillo sauce in the bottom of 9"x13" baking dish. ( I use the what is left in the jar from which I took the 1/2 cup.) Place 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture in the center of a tortilla. Roll up the tortilla and place it seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the other tortillas. Pour the remaining sauce over the enchiladas. Top with the rest of the cheese.  Bake in a 375F oven about 20-30 minutes or until the enchiladas are heated and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown. Makes 6-8 servings.

*You can use any combination of these cheeses or even use Colby-Jack just have the total amount of cheese equal 3 cups and use 1 1/2 cups for the filling and the remaining 1 1/2 cups for the topping.