Creative Family FunCheck out some fun and practical ideas that will help make family life fun! If you have any helpful tips or funny family stories that you would like to share, please send it to kristi@entrustedministries.com. You may see it on our website!

Creative Family Fun

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ThuThursdayAprApril26th2012 Fresh Veggie Sandwich
Posted Thursday, April 26 2012 @ 9 AM byAnnette Menconi Tagged Recipes 0 comments Add comment
One of our favorite sandwiches was from a local store we frequented when we lived in Chicago. Several years ago I decided to try to duplicate it so we could enjoy them whenever we had a taste for something really healthy. This recipe makes about two good-sized sandwiches so if you're making more just adjust the amounts of everything.

4 slices whole grain wheat bread, or bread of your choice
2 cups Mesculin lettuce
1/2 English cucumber, sliced thin
1 large tomato, sliced
1-2 carrots, shredded
4 slices Muenster cheese
Mayonnaise (In the summer I chop fresh basil, oregano or other herbs from my garden into the mayo to give another layer of flavor to the sandwich)
Salt and pepper, optional

Spread bread with mayonnaise. Begin building sandwiches with lettuce, cheese, cucumber, tomato (I salt and pepper the tomatoes a little) and carrots. Adjust amounts of ingredients depending on the number of sandwiches you are making and how big you want them.

Note: Feel free to be creative with adding other ingredients, i.e., fresh spinach, pesto, sprouts, sliced avocado, different cheeses or raw veggies.
ThuThursdayMarMarch29th2012 Amos & Andy Cookies
Posted Thursday, March 29 2012 @ 10 AM byAnnette Menconi Tagged Recipes 0 comments Add comment
This recipe takes chocolate chip cookies to a whole new level. They are crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside (if you don't over bake them). The coconut adds a great consistency without giving a strong coconut flavor. And, I just break the pecans with my hands so the pieces are larger and not uniform. Whenever I bring these anywhere people ask for the recipe.

3 sticks butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup Crisco shortening
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

7 ounces flaked, sweetened coconut
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 ounces pecans, coarsely chopped or broken

Cream the butter and shortening until light and fluffy. Add brown and granulated sugar and combine well. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. In separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture and mix well. Add coconut, chocolate chips and pecans and stir until well combined. Refrigerate until cold. Shape into 2” balls (or use a cookie scoop) and place 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and let sit for a few minutes before removing from cookie sheets.

Note: This recipe makes a large number of cookies, about six dozen. I usually mix up the cookie batter and spoon the dough onto the baking sheets and freeze. When frozen I put all the unbaked cookies in a plastic container or zip-lock bag and freeze. When I want some fresh-baked cookies, I just take the amount I need and bake them. **When baking from frozen, add about five minutes to the baking time and lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees. The baked cookies also freeze well.

To make a special treat put a scoop of ice cream between two cookies and press gently to form an ice cream sandwich. Roll edges in mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts.
FriFridayJanJanuary13th2012 Aunt Martha's Chili
Posted Friday, January 13 2012 @ 9 AM byAnnette Menconi Tagged Recipes 0 comments Add comment
My Aunt Martha shared this recipe with me when I was first married, and it’s the only chili recipe I have ever used. If you make it the day before, the flavors get even better. And I usually double the recipe to serve for another meal later in the week or freeze for another dinner on those days I don't have time to cook.



1 lb. ground beef or ground chuck
2 16 oz. cans dark red kidney beans, drained
1 green or red pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 16 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 T. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt

Brown ground beef, onion and green pepper in large pot until meat is browned and onion and pepper are softened. Add remaining ingredients, stir and cover pot. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Note: This recipe works well in a crock pot. I sometimes add a little more tomato sauce to the recipe if it looks too dry. It's also fun to make a chili bar by filling bowls with shredded Mexican cheese, sour cream, chopped scallions, Rufina's Homemade Salsa, and guacamole, along with a basket filled with tortilla chips. Your family, or dinner guests, will enjoy building their own bowl of chili.  
WedWednesdayOctOctober19th2011 Lunch Box Love
Posted Wednesday, October 19 2011 @ 9 AM byErika Morris Tagged Handmade 0 comments Add comment


Here is a great way to use up all those odd sizes of scrapbook paper you have left over from other projects. Not into scrapbooking? That's okay, you can also use wrapping paper or construction paper to wrap these special gifts. Then use various stamps or simply hand-write a message to glue on top before slipping it in their lunch boxes. These cute treats will get a smile on their face at lunch time!

Materials needed: Bite-sized candy bars, paper cut to fit the bar, tape and your creativity!
FriFridayOctOctober7th2011 Top Tech Tips for Families?
Posted Friday, October 07 2011 @ 11 AM byEntrusted Staff Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment
This past spring, while speaking at a family conference, Dave and Betsy Corning met a dynamic couple named Robbie and Denise Grimes. They were so excited to hear that the Grimeses share the same passion for Scripture Memorization! In fact, their ministry, Higher Ground Family offers many biblical resources for families, such as a Family Devotional with Scripture Memory Songs, (coming out soon) and fun children’s DVDs that contain a biblical message.

Robbie also speaks at schools on the topic of modern technology. Since we frequently receive questions on this topic from parents, we asked Robbie to share his insights with us. We will pass on to our Entrusted blog readers five today and five next week.

It is such a challenge to keep on top of the latest technology advances and this is a source of real concern for many parents. For that reason, we are extremely grateful for Robbie’s expertise and for his willingness to share it with us.

Get in the game — your kids already are!

Robbie's Top Tech Tips for Families

  • At a minimum, set the safe search settings in your browser or computer to “Block Inappropriate Content.” There are also accountability and filtering tools, like www.covenanteyes.com and www.netnanny.com. These filters and controls are helpful, but don’t rely fully on them. The Internet cannot be “childproofed.” That job is up to us as parents.
  • Check social networking rules for the minimum age requirement, but also use your parental judgment to determine whether your child is educated and mature enough to handle this type of social interaction. Just because 13 is the minimum age for having a Facebook page, does not mean your child is ready to be a member of the Facebook community.
  • Become a member and get to know the culture of the cyber-environments your children are interested in using before they join. Be sure they understand there will be an “open-door policy” with all technology they are using. They must understand you will be their “Friend” on Facebook and MySpace, will be following them on Twitter, and will be checking in on their other friends and the communication that is happening. Your children need to know you are there to help keep them safe.
  • Utilize the parental controls that are available on your child’s cell phone. Most providers have options to limit the amount and times of usage and to block specific incoming and outgoing texts or calls. Certain plans also allow you to set up a list of approved callers who can call or send text messages to your child.
  • Show your children positive ways to use technology. Model the use of an online Bible tool such as www.biblegateway.com or www.blueletterbible.org.  Introduce them to a new educational game available on-line like www.funbrain.com,  www.coolmath.com, www.exploratorium.com, or let the creative part of their brain grow by using a site like www.glogster.com.  
  • Stress the importance of security with the technology they are using. Children should NEVER submit any personal information online unless they’ve checked with you first. Some websites require an email address and first or last names. Explain the dangers of sharing usernames and passwords with others. Additionally, ensure that your computer software is up-to-date.  This includes the updates for the operating system as well as a firewall and virus and spam protection. Some popular virus/spam programs are www.symantec.com, www.norton.com, and www.mcafee.com. A free virus/spamware program can be found at http://free.avg.com.
TueTuesdayJulJuly19th2011 Playdoh Lollipops
Posted Tuesday, July 19 2011 @ 8 AM byKristi Jezek Tagged Recipes 0 comments Add comment
I recently came across this "playdoh" recipe that is not only okay but delicious for kids to eat! My children enjoyed the process...

of mixing the dough,
customizing the colors,
rolling it out,
and shaping it into lollipops...

almost as much as they enjoyed eating the finished cookies.

As you can see in the picture, they made all different sizes for various people in our family including some extra small ones for their favorite stuffed animals and dolls.

It was a fun and tasty summertime activity!

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
assorted colors of paste food coloring
24 lollipop sticks (we used wooden skewers since it's what we had on hand)

Directions
  1. In a bowl cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until smooth.
  2. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir till soft dough forms. Divide dough into fourths. Tint each with a different food color. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Working with half of each color, shape dough into 3/4 inch balls and for each cookie place 1 pink, 1 green, 1 blue and 1 orange ball together to make 1 large ball. Shape into a 12 inch long roll (like a snake), starting at one end, coil roll to make a 2 3/4 inch round cookie. Place cookies 3 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Carefully insert lollipop sticks into bottoms of cookies.
  4. Bake cookies for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and store in an airtight container.
(recipe is courtesy of www.allrecipes.com)
MonMondayMayMay30th2011 Summer Fun
Posted Monday, May 30 2011 @ 8 AM byBecky Armstrong Tagged Activities 0 comments Add comment
Summer is quickly approaching at my house…The countdown is on until my daughter completes Kindergarten, which means our family is on the brink of our first summer break now that we have entered the “school years” phase.

I am approaching this season with mixed feelings—some days I am excited at the thought of having more time with my daughter at home, but admittedly there are days when my thoughts are more concerning. I moan, “what will I ever do to keep my kids entertained at home for eleven weeks ALL day?”

Of course my thinking is erred because it should not be my goal as a parent to provide 24/7 stimulation and fun for my children. However, I do want to avoid prolonged hours of watching television, and hearing the dreaded, “I’m bored!” My desire is to make the most of our days together, knowing that the time I have to pour into my children slips away far too quickly.

I’m gearing up to enter this summer season prepared with plans and ideas to enjoy the time together. Here are a few of the ideas I have brainstormed:

Daily Activities
  • Quiet Time together. We started out the school year with a family devotional at breakfast but that habit has waned. Summer is a great time to restart that commitment, especially when the school bus is not calling! I plan to have my quiet time in the morning and during that time let my kids read Bible storybooks on their own, and then read a devotional and pray together.
  • Scripture Memory. I am grateful to my own Mom who always made Scripture memory a fun part of our summer breaks. I can still remember the prizes I earned for learning Psalm 23 one summer and Psalm 139 another. I plan to review AWANA verses with my kids this summer and give them a special prize upon completion. Of course the greatest reward is God’s Word hidden in their hearts!
  • Limit TV time. My goal for this summer is to try to not turn on the TV til after 4pm as a wind-down activity before supper.

Weekly Activities
  • Let my kids choose a recipe and make that together (alternate dessert recipes with healthier snacks and entrees).
  • Write and draw pictures in a summer journal weekly or make a summer scrapbook together.

Special activities.
Of course we will make trips to the pool, the zoo and other fun places, but I don’t want to feel like we have to leave the house for it to be a fun day. I’ve compiled a lengthy list of crafty ideas and other unusual games and activities that are low-cost and easy.

Here are a few to get you started:
  • Puzzle Mania. Find every puzzle in your house and complete them all. Set a timer and see how long it takes.
  • Counting Game. Make a list of household items and have your kids count how many they can find in your house (doorknobs, windows, spoons, etc).
  • Create your own city using toilet paper rolls and shoeboxes.
  • How many different playgrounds can you visit? Print a map of your town/surrounding area and see how many you can walk to, bike to, or drive to. Rate each for number of swings, slides, best overall, and more.
  • Use all of your outdoor toys (such as hula hoops, balls, and jump ropes) to create an obstacle course for your kids.

So that last day of school is almost here. Are you ready? I’m excited to have extended time with the precious little ones the Lord has entrusted to me. Galatians 6:9-10 says “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Becky Armstrong lives in Palatine, IL and has two children ages 4 and 6. She has served as first a small group leader and then later as a facilitator for her church's Entrusted with a Child's Heart group. Some of her own favorite summertime activities include spending time with family and friends, scrapbooking, baking, running, and dark chocolate.

Have more ideas for summer fun with kids? Please share them below!
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