Mothers know best...especially Teachers!

OK, first off, I have to apologize to my daughter's teacher who gave me a great idea for a blog about a month ago, and it has taken me this long to make it happen!  What can I say, life has been crazy hectic, throw in the flu, change of job and an increase in sales with Stella and Dot, and something has to give!

The title, is self explanatory.  And so true!

So, Jenna has been blessed with a great teacher for her Grade 5 and Grade 6 class years - one who is open to communicating with me and Jenna and genuinely cares about the growth of her students.  On top of that, she is a wife and mother of two boys with a busy schedule!  Regardless, she still has time to mention some of her own tips to maintaining her sanity and the all-important work-life balance, so how could I not pass these on to THE GOODS readers - I mean, isn't that the whole point of this blog?

Mrs. McLeod has re-introduced us to a proud Albertan and master of time management, Sandy Richardson.  Sandy has been gathering a large following over the past few years with her cookbooks, helpful tips of keeping nutrition in a busy household while still managing to spend time with her family.  She is probably the most well-known meal planning expert in North America as well as a known TV personality, while her wisdom is shared and supported by both medical doctors and nutritionist across the country.

Check out her website, filled with recipes, tips and even a grocery store generator:

http://www.cookingfortherushed.com/

Sandy's new book and movement, Eating Forward, is all about bringing families back to the dinner table while improving relationships in the home.  And I would suspect that being a modern mother of seven children probably had something to do with her fantastic time management skills!

One of the many recipes that have been mother/Teacher/family approved is a chicken and Caesar recipe.  I did come across one on the Food Network website, it was rate 4/5 with lots of shortcuts to make the meal in under 15 minutes, so hopefully this is the right one:

Chicken Caesar Salad with Garlic Bread

Ingredients


1x1 kilogram precooked roaster chicken from deli

2 Caesar salad kits (complete with Romaine lettuce, dressing, croutons.)

2 tablespoons real bacon bits (optional)

2 – 4 teaspoons Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy seasoning

2 tablespoons low-fat grated Parmesan cheese

1 whole-wheat baguettes

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes


Directions

1.Cut chicken into bite-size pieces. Place in a microwave safe bowl. Let stand in fridge.

2.Put salad into salad bowl. Pour dressing as desired over salad and toss.

3.Sprinkle with bacon bits and croutons.

4.Divide onto individual serving plates.

5.Toss chicken pieces with spice and cook in microwave at high for 2 minutes or until hot.

6.Toss and heat again for 1 minute.

7.Divide chicken equal over lettuce and finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan.

8.Slice bread lengthwise, lightly butter and sprinkle with garlic powder and parsley.

9.Turn oven off and toss bread in, butter side up.


So, for those that find themselves at a loss of what to have for dinner en route from work, I suggest you take tomorrow's lunch break and have a glance at Sandy Richardson's website.  Not only will she give you some new ideas for dinner, healthy alternative meals and, like the recipe above, ideas for quick, last minute meals, she also inspires you to take that daily stress off your shoulders and plan in advance, let the kids help out and enjoy each others company around the table.

Although our family is very busy, we always make time to eat dinner together and without interruption.  I took to meal planning a few years ago when juggling life and managing a team was becoming too much work with too little hours.  Every Saturday I try to decide what we will have for dinner, or possible combinations, and then plan my grocery list for the following day.  Though not as systematic as Sandy's routine, it works.

And many thanks to Cheryl McLeod, who took the time to share this cookbook and website with me.  Detention for tardiness is more than acceptable!