Granted, going back to school (public, private, or charter) is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful for all parties involved. I think the kids have the worst end of the stick though. Leaving their comfort zone (home), venturing out into a new environment, let by new authority figures, different rules, expectations, peers, trends, schedules, etc. No wonder some kids (especially with pre-existing behavioral or emotional issues) struggle.
So what can we do as moms to lighten the blow? Can we start by helping them feel prepared and empowered? Help them appreciate the opportunity to obtain an education? (Check out this clip for instant gratitude) How about helping them by filling their tummies with unhealthy yummy chocolaty laden goodness? That's right, I'm talking Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chip Cookies and no, they're not organic. But you can pretend they're fat free. ;)
I feel so "Donna Reed" right now, but each year, on the 1st day of school, I move mountains to make sure there's a big plate of warm chocolate chip cookies on the table when the kids get home. I may not get the dishes washed, or even get dressed that day, but I'll own a freaky hairless chihuahua before I'll let this tradition die.
Quick story, My Grandma lived in Woodland, Utah across the valley from Mrs. Fields, who graciously shared her Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe with Grandma. I should clarify, I don't know if it was her top secret recipe, but really, I don't care, they're delicious.
Try them out. Just be aware that you may need to alternate baking times depending on your altitude.
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Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Non-Oatmeal Version
1 lb. room temperature real butter
1 1/2 c. White Sugar
2 c. Brown Sugar
4 Large Eggs
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
5 1/2 -6 c. Flour
1 Bag of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Bake at 350 Degrees 9-11 minutes (or till desired golden brown-ness).
Oatmeal Version
1 lb. room temperature real butter
2 c. White Sugar
2 c. Brown Sugar
4 Large Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Baking Soda
4 1/2 c. Flour
4 1/2 c. Oats
1 Bag of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Bake at 400 Degrees for 8 to 10 minutes (or till desired golden brown-ness).
Beat butter and sugar well. Beat in eggs vanilla, baking powder, soda and salt. Stir in flour. Add Chocolate Chips and Oatmeal last. Bake on a greased cookie sheet, I like to undercook them just a little so they are nice and soft.
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(Lifting a cookie in the air, and talking with my mouth full) Here's to hoping the back to school chaos goes as quickly as it comes, and that you like the recipe.
p.s. If you're not a chocolate fan, we can still be friends and you are welcome to try my firend Lydia's amazing "Back To School Cinnamon Rolls." Hey, different treat - same good feelings generated by ingestion of semi-unhealthy gooey comfort food. Thanks Lydia!
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Beck's Back-to-School Cinnamon Rolls
Dough:
2 Tbsp. Yeast
1 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar
1tsp. Salt
1 c. Warm Water
1 c. Milk
6 Tbsp. Butter
1/2 c. Granulated Sugar
3 Eggs, well beaten
7 c. Flour
Filling:
4 Tbsp. Butter, Melted
1 c. Brown Sugar, packed
2 Tbsp. Cinnamon
Dissolve yeast, 1 Tbsp. Granulated sugar and salt in water. Scald mild and add 6 Tbsp. butter and 1/2 c. granulated sugar. Cool. Add eggs. Add 2 cups flour to the yeast mixture. Beat until smooth. Add the milk mixture to the batter and stir in remaining flour. Knead to make a smooth dough and place dough in a greased bowl. Cover and allow to rise to double the bulk. Divide dough into four sections and roll each 1/2 inch. Brush top with butter. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top. Roll jelly-roll fashion and cut into 1/2 slices (dental floss works really well for cutting). Place cut side down in greased cookie sheet. Cover and allow to rise until doubled (about an hour), then bake at 350 until lightly golden brown (approx. 18-20 minutes). Cool and frost with buttercream frosting.
Frosting:
1/2 c. Butter, Softened
2 Tbsp. Shortening
4 c. Powdered Sugar
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
Dash of Salt
2 Tbsp. Milk
Mix until smooth. Add more milk if too thick and more sugar if too thin.
**Then be sure to deliver them to some friends and neighbors, so they TOO can look forward to something on the first day of school :)
Please pass the milk.
So what can we do as moms to lighten the blow? Can we start by helping them feel prepared and empowered? Help them appreciate the opportunity to obtain an education? (Check out this clip for instant gratitude) How about helping them by filling their tummies with unhealthy yummy chocolaty laden goodness? That's right, I'm talking Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chip Cookies and no, they're not organic. But you can pretend they're fat free. ;)
I feel so "Donna Reed" right now, but each year, on the 1st day of school, I move mountains to make sure there's a big plate of warm chocolate chip cookies on the table when the kids get home. I may not get the dishes washed, or even get dressed that day, but I'll own a freaky hairless chihuahua before I'll let this tradition die.
Quick story, My Grandma lived in Woodland, Utah across the valley from Mrs. Fields, who graciously shared her Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe with Grandma. I should clarify, I don't know if it was her top secret recipe, but really, I don't care, they're delicious.
Try them out. Just be aware that you may need to alternate baking times depending on your altitude.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Non-Oatmeal Version
1 lb. room temperature real butter
1 1/2 c. White Sugar
2 c. Brown Sugar
4 Large Eggs
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
5 1/2 -6 c. Flour
1 Bag of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Bake at 350 Degrees 9-11 minutes (or till desired golden brown-ness).
Oatmeal Version
1 lb. room temperature real butter
2 c. White Sugar
2 c. Brown Sugar
4 Large Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Baking Soda
4 1/2 c. Flour
4 1/2 c. Oats
1 Bag of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Bake at 400 Degrees for 8 to 10 minutes (or till desired golden brown-ness).
Beat butter and sugar well. Beat in eggs vanilla, baking powder, soda and salt. Stir in flour. Add Chocolate Chips and Oatmeal last. Bake on a greased cookie sheet, I like to undercook them just a little so they are nice and soft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Lifting a cookie in the air, and talking with my mouth full) Here's to hoping the back to school chaos goes as quickly as it comes, and that you like the recipe.
p.s. If you're not a chocolate fan, we can still be friends and you are welcome to try my firend Lydia's amazing "Back To School Cinnamon Rolls." Hey, different treat - same good feelings generated by ingestion of semi-unhealthy gooey comfort food. Thanks Lydia!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beck's Back-to-School Cinnamon Rolls
Dough:
2 Tbsp. Yeast
1 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar
1tsp. Salt
1 c. Warm Water
1 c. Milk
6 Tbsp. Butter
1/2 c. Granulated Sugar
3 Eggs, well beaten
7 c. Flour
Filling:
4 Tbsp. Butter, Melted
1 c. Brown Sugar, packed
2 Tbsp. Cinnamon
Dissolve yeast, 1 Tbsp. Granulated sugar and salt in water. Scald mild and add 6 Tbsp. butter and 1/2 c. granulated sugar. Cool. Add eggs. Add 2 cups flour to the yeast mixture. Beat until smooth. Add the milk mixture to the batter and stir in remaining flour. Knead to make a smooth dough and place dough in a greased bowl. Cover and allow to rise to double the bulk. Divide dough into four sections and roll each 1/2 inch. Brush top with butter. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top. Roll jelly-roll fashion and cut into 1/2 slices (dental floss works really well for cutting). Place cut side down in greased cookie sheet. Cover and allow to rise until doubled (about an hour), then bake at 350 until lightly golden brown (approx. 18-20 minutes). Cool and frost with buttercream frosting.
Frosting:
1/2 c. Butter, Softened
2 Tbsp. Shortening
4 c. Powdered Sugar
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
Dash of Salt
2 Tbsp. Milk
Mix until smooth. Add more milk if too thick and more sugar if too thin.
**Then be sure to deliver them to some friends and neighbors, so they TOO can look forward to something on the first day of school :)
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Please pass the milk.
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