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After taking a year off from teaching for maternity leave, I am headed back to work today. While I am excited to head back to the classroom and continue teaching, I'm also a bit nervous when I think about how our busy lives will change. I sat down and decide to create a meal plan for the next few weeks with some of our simple meals, just until we can catch our breath again. The kids and I listed out our favorite meals. Then I picked the meals that were easiest to make and ones I knew they would eat. And which one made the top of our list? Baked Mac and Cheese of course!
Simple Baked Mac and Cheese
You Need:
--One (1) box of elbow macaroni
--One (1) package of shredded cheese
--One (1) cup of heavy cream
--One (1) cup of milk
--Four (4) tablespoons of butter
--Four (4) tablespoons of flour
How to Make It:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. While your oven is preheating, boil your water and prepare your noodles according to the directions on the box.
2. In another pan, melt the butter and mix in the flour. It will be a clumpy consistency.
4. Bring your cream mixture to a boil and simmer for about ten minutes to thicken it up.
5. Then, slowly add your cheese, mixing it in until melted.
6. Add the noodles to the cheese mixture to coat them in the sauce.
7. Transfer the noddles and cheese into a sprayed baking dish and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown on top.
While our Baked Mac and Cheese is seriously amazing, the clean up, well is not so much. Luckily during a recent trip to Kroger I found new Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloths that give non-scratch rubbing power with the wiping and drying functions of a dish cloth. This dish cloth features two sides - one with a soft, fiber that's perfect for gentle wiping and the other with the scrubbing dot technology which originated from their stay clean sponges. I love the high quality of this Scotch-Brite Scrubbing Dish Cloth along with the power of the Scotch-Brite scrubbing dots because it makes cleaning these tough messes easier and quicker. No more nails or knives to get that forever stuck crust off the pots and pans!
These dish clothes are washable, reusable and sturdy to be used for messes time and time again. I threw mine in the wash yesterday and it cleaned up like a charm! I also love that the Scotch-Brite Scrubbing Dish Cloths are super affordable too! Just $2.99 for a 1 pack and $5.49 for the two pack which come in grey, navy, mint and tan colors. (Right now you can get them on sale for $1 off the 1 pack and $1.50 off 2 pack!) I found my Scotch-Brite Scrubbing Dish Cloth in the cleaning aisle, near the section with the mops and sponges.
With the stress of going back to school, my goal is also make my house as organized and clean as possible. You know that saying, "work smarter, not harder?" That's my plan. I want to do it now when I have time and get things done so I don't have to think about them for awhile. Under my sink has been on my to-do list for a long time. Things are just throw into baskets and its is nothing more than an unorganized mess. But the one thing about under the sink that drives me nuts is how we just throw our plastic bags from the grocery store under there. While we reuse these bags for almost everything, I need to be able to grab a bag when I need one without grabbing 382 in a jumble mess. So recently I made a plastic bag holder by reusing an old container. It was so easy and probably the best solution yet!
DIY Plastic Bag Container
You Need:
--Empty round container
--Plastic Bags
--Craft Tape
How to Make It:
1. Begin by laying your plastic bags out flat, with the handles of the bag facing the left.
2. Fold the bag in half, lengthwise. Next, fold the handles in half so they are at the top, facing up.
3. Begin rolling the bag, with the handles still at the top.
4. Make sure your next bag is folded in half and add it to the end of the first bag, with the handles facing in first.
5. Continue rolling with the desired amount of bags.
6. Place the roll into your container and pull the handle out of the top.
7. Add your craft tape to decorate your container as you wish!
This simple container has eliminated so much mess and chaos under my sink, I'm kinda mad at myself for not doing it sooner! Plus I can easily place it in the basket with the rest of the cleaners, so I grab and go as needed.
Going back to work after a year off is going to be hard adjustment for everyone. But I'm glad I'm preparing myself with these simple meals and even simpler solutions to the clean up because it will help make the transition a little easier.
Don't miss out on some great recipes and other cleaning tutorials featuring the Scotch-Brite Scrubbing Cloth! Check it out here!
Share with Me!
What are some of your cleaning tips to make the work easier for your family?
xoxo,
These dish clothes are washable, reusable and sturdy to be used for messes time and time again. I threw mine in the wash yesterday and it cleaned up like a charm! I also love that the Scotch-Brite Scrubbing Dish Cloths are super affordable too! Just $2.99 for a 1 pack and $5.49 for the two pack which come in grey, navy, mint and tan colors. (Right now you can get them on sale for $1 off the 1 pack and $1.50 off 2 pack!) I found my Scotch-Brite Scrubbing Dish Cloth in the cleaning aisle, near the section with the mops and sponges.
DIY Plastic Bag Container
You Need:
--Empty round container
--Plastic Bags
--Craft Tape
How to Make It:
1. Begin by laying your plastic bags out flat, with the handles of the bag facing the left.
2. Fold the bag in half, lengthwise. Next, fold the handles in half so they are at the top, facing up.
3. Begin rolling the bag, with the handles still at the top.
4. Make sure your next bag is folded in half and add it to the end of the first bag, with the handles facing in first.
5. Continue rolling with the desired amount of bags.
6. Place the roll into your container and pull the handle out of the top.
7. Add your craft tape to decorate your container as you wish!
This simple container has eliminated so much mess and chaos under my sink, I'm kinda mad at myself for not doing it sooner! Plus I can easily place it in the basket with the rest of the cleaners, so I grab and go as needed.
Going back to work after a year off is going to be hard adjustment for everyone. But I'm glad I'm preparing myself with these simple meals and even simpler solutions to the clean up because it will help make the transition a little easier.
Don't miss out on some great recipes and other cleaning tutorials featuring the Scotch-Brite Scrubbing Cloth! Check it out here!
Share with Me!
What are some of your cleaning tips to make the work easier for your family?
xoxo,