Chill Out This Summer
By Tawra Kellam
www.LivingOnADime.com
The day moms dread all year long has arrived: the last day of school and the first day of summer vacation. To help moms keep their cool by helping their kids chill out, here are some recipes from
www.LivingOnADime.com
Snow Cones
Crushed Ice
1 pkg. flavored drink mix (flavor of your choice)
Mix drink mix half strength according to directions. Chill 1 hour. Just before serving, crush some ice. You can use either a snow cone maker or put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and pound with hammer. Pack ice chips into cups, pour chilled drink mix over the ice and serve. You can also use fruit juice boiled down to half with food coloring added.
Apple juice: green or red food coloring
Grape juice: purple food coloring
Frozen Bananas
bananas
skewers (optional)
Cut bananas in half crosswise. Insert skewer in the thicker end. Place bananas on a tray and place in freezer. When frozen, move to a plastic bag and keep frozen until ready to use.
Toppings
yogurtnuts, finely chopped
peanut butter
applesauce
melted chocolate
coconut
wheat germ
Allow bananas to thaw slightly. Put toppings in small bowls. Dip banana before each bite. Eat plain or roll or dip into any of the toppings. Use the wet topping first so the others will stick.
Play Dough
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 tsp. cream of tartar
2 Tbsp. oil
2 cups water
food coloring
Mix together all ingredients except food coloring in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture gathers on the spoon and forms dough (about 6 minutes). Dump onto waxed paper until cool enough to handle and knead until pliable. Store in a covered container or plastic bag. Add food coloring for different colors. Makes about 2 pounds.
Let them have some creative in the pool out back with these finger paint recipes.
Finger Paints
1 pkg. unflavored gelatin
frac12; cup cold water
frac12; cup cornstarch
1 frac12; cups water
liquid dish detergent
food coloring
Dissolve gelatin in frac12; cup water. Set aside. In a saucepan add cornstarch then slowly stir in 1 frac12; cups water until well blended over medium heat. Cook until it boils, becomes smooth, thickens and turns clear. Add gelatin mixture and stir well. Pour into containers and add a drop of liquid dish detergent. Add food coloring until you get the desired shade. Store covered in the refrigerator 4-6 weeks.
Easy Finger Paints
frac14; cup cornstarch
2 cups water
Mix in saucepan and boil until thick. Then pour into a jar and add food coloring until the desired shade is achieved. Store covered in the refrigerator.
Tawra Kellam is a frugal living expert and is the author of Dining On A Dime Cookbook. For more free tips and recipes visit her web site at
www.LivingOnADime.com
. In 5 years, Tawra and her husband paid off $20,000 personal debt on an average income of $22,000 per year. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com.
