Teacher Appreciation Week- Fast, Easy, & Affordable

Fanta & Mentos Teacher Appreciation with Printable

This year we are on a tight budget, so while I searched the internet and wondered the store with the kids we had a hard time finding something affordable for all of their teachers. Paige is in preschool with a teacher and aid, while Parker is in the dual immersion with an english and chinese teacher. 

We saw a bunch of people using Fanta for a fantastic teacher, but I wanted something a little more.  It was just a coincidence Parker has been talking about dropping Mentos in soda all week. We snatched up a 6 pack for about $4.00 and the Fanta's a $1.00 each, $1.70 each roughly. We made these fun gift tags that say "You are a FANTA-stic teacher & you MENT-O so much to me." 

We glued them to some construction paper for stability and an extra pop of color. The kids signed them and we tied them together with some scrap raffia, double knotted since the kids will carry them.

Hopefully there teachers like them! 

Here is the free printable, enjoy!

Cookie Dough Blizzard

Medifast Food Fixer 

Cookie dough Blizzard 

1 cup ice

1/2 cup water 

1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

1 TB reduced fat cream cheese 

1 packet chocolate chip soft bake cookie

*blend it all in a personal blender*

Lemon Salmon with Spinach & Mushroom

Medifast Lean & Green Meal 

Lemon Salmon with Spinach & Mushroom

5oz pan seared or grilled salmon (1 Lean)

3/4 cup chopped spinach (1.5 green)

3/4 cup chopped portabella mushrooms (1.5 green)

1 TB lemon juice (.5 condiment)

1/4 tsp thyme (.25 condiment)

1/4 tsp onion powder (.5 condiment)

salt and pepper to taste

1. Light salt and pepper both sides of fillets and pan sear or grill. 
2. In same frying pan add lemon juice mushrooms and spices. Cook 3 minutes.
3. Toss in spinach and cook about 30 more seconds. Pour over salmon and enjoy.
   
   

Omelette Fritatta

Medifast Lean & Green Meal

Omelette Fritatta

2 eggs  (2/3 lean)
1 TB water
1/2 c spaghetti squash (1 green)
1/8 tsp onion powder (.25 condiment)
1/8 tsp garlic powder (.25 condiment)
1/8 tsp paprika (.25 condiment)
1/4 tsp parsley 
dash of salt and pepper
1/4 c chopped peppers any color (1/2 green)
1/4 c chopped portabella mushrooms (1/2 green)
1/2 c spinach chopped (1 green)
1 oz low fat cheese (1/3 lean)

1. Wisk eggs in a metal bowl with water and squash till nice and frothy. Spray preheated frying pan and pour in eggs. 
2. While eggs are starting to cook spray a small pan and saute peppers and mushrooms for about 3 minutes then toss with spinach and cook 30 seconds. Sprinkle over eggs along with cheese. 
3. Fold omelette in half and finish cooking. 

*Uses 1 lean, 3 greens, and about 1 condiment*

Other condiments that would be good: red pepper flakes, cumin, basil, etc...

Families Can Be Together Forever Nursery cue cards

Needed some picture cues for a nursery class for when we sing Families Can Be Together Forever so I through together this quick assortment of pictures. Just print them on card-stock  laminate, and add a popsicle stick for easy holding plus the kids love to help. You could also enlarge them to use for singing time. 

Get the printable here:Families Can Be Together Forever

Best Cinnabon Knock Off Reciepe & Orange Rolls

All Things Sweet has this fantastic Cinnabon Knock Off Reciepe

Its so yummy! I have never seen a more beautiful looking dough, I just knew they would be good when started kneading. They raise nicely and they taste divine.  I left them plain and had the cream cheese frosting, caramel, and pecans on the side so that everyone could make them the way they wanted and they where a big hit! We enjoyed them the next day reheated for 15 seconds in the microwave. 

I really loved the dough and wanted to make an orange version. After scouring the internet I combine All Things Sweets recipe with some others. It worked perfect and very orange. 

Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Rolls:1 package dry yeast (2 1/4tsp)
1/2 cup warm milk
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tb orange peel shredded
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup margarine
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
4 cups flour


Filling:1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
1tb orange juice
1tb orange peel
1/3 cup margarine, softened


Icing:6 tablespoons margarine
3-4 tb orange juice
2 tb orange peel
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar sifted


1. Set out eggs and milk to warm to room temp.  When milk is warm stir in yeast and let rise for 5 min. 
2. Combine all ingredients and mix well. 
3. Let rise about 1 hour till doubled.
4. While dough is rising combine brown sugar, cinnamon, orange juice, and orange peel till crumbly. 
5. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Let the paper go up the sides to keep the sauces in the bottom. 
6. Kneed dough and roll out to a rectangle around 21"x16" and about a 1/4" thick.
7. Spead softened margin on rectangle and coat evenly with filling. Roll and cut into 1 3/4" slices and place on prepared dishes. 
8. Raise for 30 minutes and then bake at 350 for about 15 minutes till lightly golden. 
9. Frost and enjoy!

* I never worry too much if there are lumps in my frosting, when you put it on warm rolls it melts perfect.

* The tighter the cinnamon rolls in the pan the more gooey goodness stays on them.  

St. Patrick's Day Treats

Since St. Patrick's is on Sunday this year I thought I would include some all day meals, snacks, drinks,  and treats to make.  Most of us will be home so why not make it a festive occasion. 

I love these Rainbow Pancakes from Mom to 2 posh little divas. What a fun way to start the day! The bananas make great clouds.  Serve it with some Shamrock juice from Creative Juice. 

These St. Patrick's Egg Rolls look so yummy and easy to eat. Check out the recipe from sweet Peas Kitchen. This would make a great lunch for the whole family. 

For dinner I think I am in love with a site I just discovered called skinnytaste.com. She has some amazing looking food and the best photographed. I am a visual person so I love seeing pictures of the recipe. Try her easy Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage and pair it with these Guacamole Deviled Eggs. Plus they are both Gluten free. She has a whole section of St. Patrick's Recipes be sure to check them out!

Now on to the good part: SWEETS!

I made these a while back and they are so good! Check out the reciepe Em's Key Lime Truffles from Tastebook. 

If you love fudge this one is looks divine. Its Bailey's Irish Cream & Pistachip Fudge from Lea & Jay. I love the flavor of Irish Cream. 

An Irish float from Heart and Country. . This one is made with beer,but I don't drink and will be with my kids so I will simply use some good old root beer. Love the simplicity. 

Fruit skewers whether you prefer that all green version from Creative Juice or the rainbow version from The Family Kitchen both are sure to make you smile. Its a great way to get kids to eat their fruit as well. 

Love the push pop idea and the option to make it as a trifle. Check out the easy reciepe from HoosierHomade.com

Jello rainbow cups, with a "pot" of gold. This is a fun idea for all ages thanks to Glorious Treats for the inspiration.

This is a fun rainbow cupcake that is rainbow inside and out. I like the simplicity in decorating them, it really wouldn't take much time. Check out the tutorial from The Fickle Pickle. 

Thanks for this fun and easy idea from Crazy for Crust. 

Check out this not too sweet and not too heavy Glazed Key Lime Snack Cake from sprinkled with flour. The color and flavor are spot on for St. Patricks Day.