Archives for September 2016

Tips for Helping Your Family Get into a Routine After School Starts

09/13/2016 By Jenn 9 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

School is starting quickly and one of the biggest issues families face is getting into a routine after school starts. If your family doesn’t find a routine, family members get grumpy and everything works against itself.

For a happier school year for everyone, check out these tips for helping your family get into a routine after school starts.

#1. Write out a schedule.

If your family has a hard time getting into a routine, don’t be afraid to write out a schedule. Sometimes kids do better when they know what’s coming next.

#2. Get into a sleeping routine.

Sleep is such an important part of life. Get your kids into a successful routine by allowing them to fall into a great sleep routine. Getting to bed early and even taking naps if needed.

#3. Do homework at the same time every day.

Sometimes it’s no fun when your child has to sit down and do homework after school, but it’s a part of life so they might as well make the most of it. Doing homework after school or at the same time every day can help kids get into a routine after school starts.

#4. Eat dinner as a family.

Another way to get your family into a routine after school starts is to eat dinner as a family every night. There’s just something about eating dinner together that helps the day go smoother and it keeps everyone on track.

#5. Have a bedtime routine.

It was mentioned to get into a sleeping routine to help the family get into a simulated routine after school starts, but a bedtime routine is also crucial. Have your kids start their bedtime routine at the same time every day. Ensure they are brushing their teeth, brushing their hair, and washing up. All of these things help your child fall into a daily routine.

#5. Be predictable.

Sure, it’s okay to be wild and crazy from time to time, but also be predictable for your kids. They don’t want to come home every evening wondering “what’s happening next.” Children need that security during those early years.

#6. Keep your priorities in check.

It can hard to get into a family routine if you’re not focused on what your priorities are. Make sure you keep a mental note of what’s most important during your evenings with the kids.

Getting into a routine after school starts just takes some time and effort. Use the tips to get the most out of your days with your kids and for a successful school year. Do you have any tips to add?

Roasted Garlic Turkey Spinach Pasta Casserole Dish

09/08/2016 By Jenn 16 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

With school back in full swing I love making simple and delicious pasta dishes. This week I came up with this amazing Turkey Spinach Pasta Casserole. It is so easy to throw together on busy school nights and is “SO yummy” according to JJ my 5 year old. All my kids asked for second helpings last night when we had it for dinner.

This Turkey Spinach Pasta Casserole is packed with roasted garlic flavor since I used my go to Ragu Homestyle pasta sauce. Combined with the fresh spinach and ground turkey this casserole will become a regular dinner option in our house from now on.

The Ragu Homestyle pasta sauce is their thickest sauce! It soaks into the pasta making for the perfect bite every time. I really love that they don’t use artificial flavors, artificial colors or high fructose corn syrup in any of their Ragu pasta sauces. The sauce tastes like you have been slaving in the kitchen all day for an amazing homemade taste.

Turkey Spinach Pasta Casserole

Ingredients:

16oz box of Rotini Pasta
1 lb. Ground Turkey
16 oz bag of fresh baby spinach
1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley
2 cups of Italian Style 5 Cheese Blend (divided)
1 jar Homestyle Thick and Hearty Roasted Garlic Sauce Pasta Sauce
Salted for pasta water

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350
Bring your salted water up to a boil and drop your pasta
Cook your pasta until al dente (about 9-11 mins)
While the pasta is cooking brown the ground turkey and drain (set aside)
Wilt the baby spinach in the same pan as you cooked the turkey
Combine the cooked pasta, turkey, spinach
Add 1 jar of the Homestyle Thick and Hearty Roasted Garlic Sauce Ragu Pasta Sauce
Add 1 1/2 cups of the Italian cheese blend and mix well
Put the combined mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish lightly sprayed with cooking spray
Sprinkle the remaining Italian cheese on top
Bake at 350 for 15 -1 20 mins or until golden bubbly
Finely chop your parsley to sprinkle on top when you are ready to serve
ENJOY!

Be sure to check out all the new Homestyle Thick and Hearty Traditional Sauces Ragu has to offer! And for more delicious recipes from Ragu Traditions Pasta Sauce.

Roasted Garlic Turkey Spinach Pasta Casserole

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins

Ingredients

16 oz box of Rotini Pasta
1 lb. Ground Turkey
16 oz bag of fresh baby spinach
1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley
2 cups of Italian Style 5 Cheese Blend divided
1 jar Homestyle Thick and Hearty Roasted Garlic Sauce Pasta Sauce
Salted for pasta water

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350
Bring your salted water up to a boil and drop your pasta
Cook your pasta until al dente (about 9-11 mins)
While the pasta is cooking brown the ground turkey and drain (set aside)
Wilt the baby spinach in the same pan as you cooked the turkey
Combine the cooked pasta, turkey, spinach
Add 1 jar of the Homestyle Thick and Hearty Roasted Garlic Sauce Ragu Pasta Sauce
Add 1 1/2 cups of the Italian cheese blend and mix well
Put the combined mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish lightly sprayed with cooking spray
Sprinkle the remaining Italian cheese on top
Bake at 350 for 15 -1 20 mins or until golden bubbly
Finely chop your parsley to sprinkle on top when you are ready to serve
ENJOY!

Looking for more simple pasta dishes?

Summer Vegetable Baked Ziti

Spinach and Mushroom Bow Tie Pasta

Money Saving Tips for Decorating the Home and Staying On Budget

09/07/2016 By Jenn 9 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

When it comes to decorating your home you don’t have to break the bank to show your decorating skills. Finding great deals to decorate your home is all a matter of planning and timing.

There are many different ways to decorate on a budget. Here are money saving tips for decorating the home.

Shop thrift shops, second hand stores, and garage sales

Thrift shops, second hand stores, and garage sales are all great ways to find amazing deals on good quality items for decorating your home. You have to look past the dust and old paint but look at the bones of the item. If it has good bones, you can clean the items up or repaint the items.

Refurbish items yourself

This is the part of fixing up the good quality used items that you find for great deals. Cleaning the item, repairing any damage, and painting will go long in making a used item look new again. There are so many things you can do to take items that are used and recycle, reuse and make a difference in your decor. It is, also, valuable to the environment to reduce, reuse, and recycle by keeping items out of the landfills.

Buy your big items during the big sales

There are times of the year that you can get amazing deals on the pieces of furniture or other big ticket items to decorate your home. Save up your money and buy during black Friday sales, New Year’s is another good sales time, or during Memorial weekend. You can save a lot of money by shopping during these times of the year.

Make small changes that make a big difference

Even making small changes can make a big difference. Small changes like changing your curtains, adding a new painting or re-staining your dining room table can make a huge difference in your overall decor.

Use your creative side

Whatever you like to do, bring your creative side, and decorate your home putting your personal touch. If you like to paint, repainting your room will make great strides in redecorating your home. If you like to sew, make new curtains or new pillow covers for your sofa. All the small changes add up to help you get the decor look you want.

Whenever you can DIY

Just because you’ve never done something before doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Use DIY websites to look up any project you want to take on. If you want to refurbish a piece of furniture and you’ve never done it before, find a website to get instructions. You can watch videos to show you demonstrations on how to do the project you want to do.

Buying smart, refurbishing items, making small changes, using your creative side, and doing it yourself are all great ways to help you decorate your home while saving money. You can have the home you’re proud of with a little planning and creative work.

What saving money tips to decorate would you add to this list?

Tips On How To Pay off $10,000 of Debt in 6 Months or Less

09/01/2016 By Jenn 4 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

When you are in debt it can weigh heavy in your mind and cause loads of stress. This is especially true if you are struggling to make ends meet. Paying the rent or mortgage, paying the bills, buying food, and your family’s necessities on top of debt can be very discouraging. In fact, most people get into debt as a way to try to make ends meet but actually starts turning the tables on you, in the end.

Here are some ideas of how to pay off $10,000 in 6 months or less.

Evaluate where you are spending all of your money

This part of evaluating is very important. It is so easy to spend money without realizing how much you are actually spending. You can’t fix a problem if you don’t know it exists. You may be surprised to realize you spend $4000 a year on renting movies and video games. Just by cutting one unnecessary spending habit can get you halfway to your goals.

Make a budget that you will stick too

This is a very important part of saving money or paying off debt. If you make a budget and stick to it, you can start making strides toward your goal of paying off your debt. A budget helps you keep tabs on your funds and not spend blindly.

Call your credit cards and ask them to cut your interest rate

Believe it or not, you can call your credit cards, and let them know you want to pay off your debt with them. You can ask them to lower your interest rate, so you can get them paid off in the amount of time you have set.

Get a low interest rate loan and pay off all of your credit cards.

If your credit score is good enough, get a low interest rate loan to pay off all of your credit cards. A loan can be a great way to consolidate everything. That way you only have one place to pay, and you get charged less interest, in the long run. Just be sure to spend all of the loan on your credit cards and cancel them, so you aren’t tempted to use the again.

Save money any way you can

Cutting costs any way you can will help you reach your goals. Don’t eat out, make your meals at home, don’t go out to the movies, watch movies on Netflix, don’t buy expensive coffee, make coffee at home. All of the small things add up to big savings each month.

Look into state programs that help you save and match your investment

Look into state programs that help you save money for a specific goal. Sometimes it’s for a down payment on a house or money for college, but can be allocated to help payoff your debt. Many programs will match 50% up to dollar for dollar. They may match up to $3000 or $4000. What ever you can get to help you stay focused and reach your goals it is worth it. Many times they have classes for you to take, to help you even further with your finances.

There are many ways to spend money more efficiently and effectively. You can set goals for yourself, and you can reach any goals you are determined to work toward.

It is possible to pay off $10,000 in 6 months or less if you make a plan and stick with it. What tips would you add?