Introducing Christina!

Here is a customer of mine who has some great advice to share! If you or anyone else would like to join the BabyKeyes "team," let me know!

With Labor Day behind us, summer is officially over. The kids are back in school and maybe you’re even experiencing some cooler temperatures. How do you feel? Happy to be back to a routine? Or are you having a hard getting the kids off to school every morning? Maybe you’re anxious about getting dinner on the table every night? If you are anything like me, the thought of fall is stressful because that means snow is not too far off!

But whatever anxiety I feel as the sky begins to darken earlier and earlier, I try to re-establish some of the tried and true rules in my house – at least a few days a week! More balanced dinners during the week, the same bedtime every night, and less trips to our neighborhood ice cream parlor.

Experts say consistency is very important for kids. They learn best through repeated exposure. I am sure you have heard that if you put broccoli in front of your kids enough times, eventually they’ll eat it? I am still hoping for that!

What about routine? Experts say that establishing a routine for children will help create peace around the house and a sense of security in the child’s mind. Establishing a good bedtime routine for infants will help when the child is three and can suddenly manipulate you into staying up later. And not always buying your kids something at Target will teach them important rules about earning things, whether they save their money, or help out around the house for that new toy.

As I write this, I feel overwhelmed already! But then I tell myself, baby steps. Not every parent can be a perfect parent every minute of every day. Try out a new recipe once per week – that’s a realistic goal. And with that said, here is my easy, go-to dinner. I make it regularly for my family, as well as for my “new mom” friends. Dinner is the best gift after having a new baby.

Turkey Tacos

½ onion, chopped

1 pound ground turkey breast

1 tsp. cumin

1 tbsp. chili powder

1 small jar prepared salsa (I like to get a chunky mild salsa)

Chopped veggies such as red pepper or mushrooms (or whatever your kids will eat!)

Brown onions in non-stick sauté pan with a tbsp. of oil or cooking spray. Add turkey and cook until no longer pink (about 8-10 minutes). Add cumin and chili powder and mix well. Add salsa and mix well. I often will then add a few tablespoons of water and mix well. Let simmer for 30-45 minutes, mixing a couple of times. Add any chopped veggies you want and cook thoroughly, about 10-15 minutes. Serve with soft or hard taco shells and any sides – shredded lettuce, cheese, black olives, sour cream or guacamole.

If I have time, I like to make this about 2pm, and simmer on very low, mixing every 30 minutes until dinner time. This allows the meat to really soak up the flavors.

And if you wondering, this recipe doesn’t taste as good with ground beef!

Enjoy and Happy almost Fall!

Christina Ramon

Mommy Wisdom

www.mommywisdom.net