Author Archives: Lea Barlow

It was a long, rainy day in Florida yesterday so while the kiddos napped I cranked down the AC, fogged up the windows and pretended it was fall in Maine.  It worked until I looked outside and caught a glimpse of one of my dead palm trees.  While the cool weather may still be a couple months away, thankfully, school isn’t.  It actually begins in 26 days, 3 hrs and 14 minutes but who’s counting?  And, yes, I still shop like I am going back to school as well.  It makes me happy.   *Full back-to-school Kid’s Edition coming soon.

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Ingredients

• 3  tablespoons  low-sodium soy sauce
• 4  teaspoons  cornstarch
• 1  tablespoon  hoisin sauce
• 2  to 3 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (such as Lee Kum Kee)
• 1  (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 2  teaspoons  dark sesame oil, divided
• 1/4  cup  finely chopped green onions
• 2  tablespoons  minced peeled fresh ginger
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  pound  boneless sirloin steak, cut into 1/4-inch strips
• 5  cups  (2-inch) cut green beans (about 1 1/4 pounds)
• 1  cup  red bell pepper strips
• 3/4  cup  (2-inch) slices green onion tops
• 2  cups  hot cooked white rice  (or not!)

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Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

As moms, we have all wiped our share of asses and then some.  After the 9th trip to the bathroom with my 3-year-old yesterday, I began to wonder if it will ever end. But I have to say, those over-priced baby wipes will remain a staple in my house long after my diapering and potty-training days are behind me.  Here are a few more uses I have found for the most versatile baby product I have come across since having kids:

1. - Heavy-duty booger extractor
2. - Impromptu ‘shower’ before kid pick-up
3. - Deodorant mark remover (Pampers brand only)
4. - Car Detailer (dashboard, leather, car-seat)
5. - Fur-ball extraction, containment, and disposal
6. - Restroom currency
7. - Croc shoeshiner
8. - Dusting cloth for housekeeper’s ‘off-week’
9. - Removing crayon, food, and unmentionables from walls
10. - Dead roach collection and disposal
11. - Full-body beach and playground sand remover
12. - Public restroom ‘glove’ for toilet seat, flush lever and all handles
13. - On-the-go face freshener and make-up remover
14. - Emergency toilet paper for boating, camping and play-dates gone horribly awry

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Ingredients

• 2  teaspoons  bottled minced garlic, divided
• 1  teaspoon  fresh lemon juice
• 1  teaspoon  extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2  teaspoon  dried oregano
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  black pepper
• 1  pound  skinless, boneless chicken breast
• 3  cups  cubed peeled cucumber (about 3 cucumbers)
• 1/2  cup  vertically sliced red onion
• 1/2  cup  (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
• 2  tablespoons  chopped pitted kalamata olives
• 2  ripe tomatoes, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 pound)
• 1/2  cup  plain fat-free yogurt
• 1/4  cup  grated peeled cucumber
• 1  teaspoon  white wine vinegar
• 1/2  teaspoon  garlic powder
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground red pepper
• 1/4  teaspoon  black pepper

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Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment