The Race Against the Clock!

All moms have a few tricks up their sleeves, with 5 kids, I don't have enough sleeves for all the tricks I need!!!  Apart from being a busy mom, I also have a full-time job.  I have often found myself scrambling for a quick fix dinner between work and after school activities.  After all, pizza or the drive thru can really add up and I just dislike feeding my kids fast food too often, for nutritional reasons but also because they don't ask if it's not an option!!  Another area that tends to be a race against the clock is the morning scramble to get the kids to school on time!  My husband leaves for work at 3:30am everyday so it is up to me to get all the kids ready each morning, which is quite challenging!!  The 2 steps to our morning routine that always seem to get skipped or "forgot" when we are in a time crunch is Breakfast and brushing their teeth!!  Of course, once we are in the car on the way to school tummies start growling, the whining follows and then the bad breath becomes very evident!!  Don't fret though... I have found the solutions!!  So for all you moms out there in need of some new ideas, here are a few little "tricks" I have found to be helpful in the race against the clock... enjoy!!

1.  Quick Fix Dinner

Taco Mac
 (It's filling enough to keep you out of the drive through, cheap, but lacks a little on the nutritional side but it tastes good and I often get asked to make it even when we aren't in a hurry!)

2 boxes of Mac and cheese
1 lb of ground beef
1 packet of Taco Seasoning
1 can of corn

Prepare the mac & cheese as per directions on the box.  Brown the hamburger meat in a skillet, drain the fat,  add seasoning and corn.  Pour the contents of the skillet in the pot with the mac & cheese and enjoy!!  This dish typically costs me about $5-$6 and makes Plenty for all 7 of us and I keep all of these ingredients on hand at all times!  If I forget to take the meat out of the freezer, I make a quick dash to the grocery store for a thawed pack on my way home from work... for me it's easier and faster than waiting on defrosting meat!!

Grandma's Goulash
(My grandma made this dish for us a lot when she lived with us and we loved it!  My kids are now big fans and it doesn't take a lot of time.)

5-6 Large Potatoes
1 1/2 lb of ground beef (season with garlic salt)
2 cans of green beans
serve with tortillas or sliced bread (optional)

Cut the potatoes in cubes and prepare "country style" like you would for breakfast.  Brown the beef in a skillet and season.  Drain green beans and add to the meat once it is cooked, add cooked potatoes and enjoy!!  This dish also cost about $5-$6 and you'll be surprised at how much food it actually makes!

2.  Mom: "What is that smell?"
    Child: "I forgot to brush my teeth..."


I saw these commercials for "Colgate Wisps" and thought, "really? you can't just pop a mint or piece of gum like everyone else?"  Well, I was at the local dollar store and I saw them in a 4 pack for $1!!! Immediately I had an idea!! I bought several packs and threw them in my purse and the next time one of my little ones forgot to bush their teeth before we left for school , I pulled it out an handed it over!  At first the others were all jealous because they thought it was the coolest little thing!  I thought my plan backfired and that the next day I'd have a car full of dirty mouths begging for a Wisp!! However, they soon learned by their siblings reaction that those "cute" little brushes pack an unfavorable taste!  It was nothing like their bubble gum flavored children's toothpaste at home!! They have all had their turn with the wisps at some point and have vowed to remember to brush their teeth everyday!!

3.  No Time for Breakfast?

This one is pretty easy, kind of a no brainer but sometimes even those slip our minds!  I keep granola bars and trail mix in the car for snacks when the kids get fussy or forget their morning breakfast.

Feel free to share your ideas below! I'd love to hear them!!