Thoughts on recipes and cooking during the school year

I'm starting to figure out the fall meal plan and so far so good.  BUT I don't want my children to get sick of sandwiches and yogurt for lunch so I need to figure out some ways to 'spice things up' for them.  I need to keep it to things that they'll actually eat but things that are interesting and tasty too.  Combine needing variety in their lunch box with avoiding "Chicken Thursdays" leaves me wondering.  I know I'm not the only one who is thinking this so maybe its time to create some kid friendly, healthy, fun and easy on mom (or dad) ideas. 
In the next few blogs I will be including some recipes for school lunches, easy suppers and even mom's (or dad's) 'special' lunches.  We always take time looking after everyone else and sometimes we need to treat ourselves too.  I will do my best to use leftovers for lunches or keep it to the basics that most of us already have in our homes.  Obviously I will be using my Epicure Selections seasonings for many of the recipes so if you see something you want to try let me know and I will add your items to my next order.  But selling is not my only goal.  I have had friends asking for better ideas for their family for years and I thought this is the perfect forum for sharing these ideas.  I just happen to LOVE the items offered by Epicure.  (My gingerbread cookines are just one example of how people thought I changed my recipe just by changing to Epicure spices/herbs.)
They have a lot of fabulous recipes online at http://www.epicureselections.com/ and I will have some of those featured here but I will also let you know some of my family's favourites.  I have SO many of the products but I rarely use them as the labels suggest!  Yes folks I can 'go outside the box' when it comes to cooking. 
For my gluten free friends I will also include some of my gluten free versions in combination with the 'standard' versions but know that the taste tests in my home will be the gluten free versions so it may be a wee bit different using 'regular off the shelf' non-GF products and flour combinations.
Then the quick and easy clean up using my Norwex Enviro Products... using the Enviro Cloth to clean up most of the messes most of the time.  If you want to check those offerings out don't forget to check out http://virginiamoffat.norwex.biz/ but again its about helping NOT selling.  Keeping things simple and fast to help the family meal maker with easy solutions.
I can't wait to share!
Enjoy.  Virginia

Here comes the fall...

September is here! Our oldest has returned to school and our youngest has just started JK.  So here I sit with no children under foot for the first time in nearly 7 years. How am I taking advantage of this time?  Well so far there has been some mommy quiet time and a tea date with another mommy friend.  So how has my Cooking and Cleaning with Virginia business and the state of my own home?? 
Well to be honest I let things slack off over the summer with my business but I am somewhat back in the saddle now.  Why do I say somewhat?  Well I'm three and a half months pregnant and have been instructed to 'take it easy'.  Thus the reason my business slacked off this summer.  Now that things seem to be settling down somewhat I am able to return to home parties and developing my business just a little more slowly than before.  I will be offering 1-2 party dates per week and doing an open house in my home once a month in order to keep things going.  But of course email and online orders are always going to be handled as efficiently as possible throughout the pregnancy and after the baby comes.
As for my own home... well let me tell you how glad I am to have Norwex in my life.  Although my home is messy and somewhat cluttered I still manage to take moments, which is all that are needed, to clean my floor, wipe my counters or swish my toilets.  The ease of cleaning with Norwex makes it possible to actually keep it clean, most of the time.  The fact that I don't have to use chemicals to clean not only makes it quicker and easier it also means it means that I'm not worrying about the chemicals and my baby.  I can clean my oven with our fabulous Oven and Grill Cleaner .  By myself without vacating the house or making myself sick.  I can clean the bathroom without feeling like I've been gassed by the bleach cleaners and other noxious chemicals.
The microfiber and enzyme based cleaning products have allowed me to feel confident that my home is clean and safe for my family.
Now I guess I should get off the computer and do some Norwexing and put the laundry away.