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October Menu

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Photo by Ceyhun Özden on Pexels.com

WEEK 1

Monday: One Pan Meal – Baked Chicken and Potatoes

One Pan Meal of Baked Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes is all made on one sheet pan with carrots, which makes dinner prep a breeze. Chicken drumsticks are baked with garlic, paprika and olive oil. Comforting ‘Meat & Potatoes’ dinner that takes only 10 minutes of prep, and is all done in one baking dish? Win-win

https://letthebakingbegin.com/one-pan-meal-baked-chicken-potatoes/

Tuesday:  Tex-Mex Sausage and Rice Skillet

20 MINUTE TexMex Sausage and Rice Skillet is quick, delicious and bursting with flavor from the most amazing Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Jalapeno Sauce for a hearty, comforting one pot meal the whole family will love!

http://carlsbadcravings.com/tex-mex-sausage-and-rice-skillet-recipe/

Wednesday: Capellini with Tomatoes and Basil

Capellini with Tomatoes and Basil

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/capellini-with-tomatoes-and-basil-recipe-1949902?ic1=obinsite

Thursday: Garlic-Mustard Grilled Beef Skewers

Garlic-Mustard Grilled Beef Skewers

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/garlic-mustard-grilled-beef-skewers-recipe-2103460

Friday:  PIZZA NIGHT – Order take out!

Saturday: Green Well Salad

https://thebalancedlifeonline.com/bread-wine-part-2/

Sunday: Crockpot Italian Sausage Soup

This Crockpot Italian sausage soup recipe is hearty, filling, and full of flavor. A wonderful and easy set it and forget it soup recipe.

https://www.saltandlavender.com/crockpot-italian-sausage-soup/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes

WEEK 2

Monday: Asian Chicken Skewers for Kids

Asian Chicken Skewers

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/asian-chicken-skewers-recipe-2126107

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g1903/slow-cooker-recipes/?slide=8

Wednesday: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Favorite Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/chicken-enchilada-casserole-recipe/

Thursday: Entree Kitchen Make Ahead Meal

https://www.entreekitchen.com

Friday: PIZZA Take OUT!!

Saturday: Juicy Pan-Seared Porks with Citrus Dressing

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https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/pan-seared-pork-chops-with-citrus-dressing

Sunday: Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce Pappardelle Pasta

https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-bolognese-sauce-pappardelle-pasta

WEEK 3

Monday: Fish Skewers with Basil Chimichurri

Fish Skewers with Basil Chimichurri

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/fish-skewers-with-basil-chimichurri-recipe-1921826

Tuesday: Chicken Taco Pasta

http://bevcooks.com/2012/06/chicken-taco-pasta/

Wednesday: Entree Kitchen Make Ahead Meal

Thursday: Roasted Salmon with Green Herbs

Roasted Salmon with Green Herbs

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-salmon-with-green-herbs-recipe-1925053

Friday: Take OUT!!! Don’t cook!!

Saturday: Roasted Turkey, Apple, Cheddar Sandwich (Panera CopyCat)

Copycat Panera Roasted Turkey, Apple, and Cheddar Sandwich: Slices of roasted turkey, sweet apples, and sharp cheddar cheese are piled high on homemade cranberry walnut bread with a tangy honey mustard.

https://amindfullmom.com/copycat-panera-roasted-turkey-apple-and-cheddar-sandwich/

Sunday: Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Potato Soup -- so delicious, and made extra-easy in the crock pot! | gimmesomeoven.com

https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/slow-cooker-potato-soup-recipe/

WEEK 4

Monday: Herb and Citrus Oven Roasted Chicken

Herb and Citrus Oven Roasted Chicken – Super easy, elegant roasted chicken with fresh lemons, oranges and herbs! | thecomfortofcooking.com

http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2013/04/herb-and-citrus-oven-roasted-chicken.html

Tuesday: Chicken and Black Bean Chimichangas

https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-black-bean-chimichangas

Wednesday: Entree Kitchen Make Ahead Meal

Thursday: Slow Cooker Chicken and Mushroom Stroganoff

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https://therecipecritic.com/slow-cooker-chicken-mushroom-stroganoff/

Friday: Take OUT!!!

Saturday: Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Peach BBQ Sauce

http://www.destinationdelish.com/grilled-pork-tenderloin-with-peach-bbq-sauce/

Sunday: One-Pot Baked Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe 

one pot baked pasta with sausage and broccoli rabe

https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/one-pot-baked-pasta-with-sausage-and-broccoli-rabe

This post is sponsored by Entree Kitchen:

https://www.entreekitchen.com

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Sunshine Dance!

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Sunshine Dance in Glen Ellyn, is a dynamic and energetic dance company that offers a wide range of classes for kids of all ages. They value fun and all share the joyous “Sunshine” spirit, but also make the commitment to dance in order to gain quality techniques to be competitive. Jared Titus is the proud Owner and Director of Sunshine Dance.  Jared is also Owner and Artistic Director of Bright Lights Theatre, a local children’s theatre company in Glen Ellyn.  Jared and his dedicated staff are all about inspiring creativity, joy, and passion for their students. Glen Ellyn Moms Village was excited to learn more about this award winning dance company!

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  • What inspired the change in ownership for Sunshine Dance?

I have been a part of Sunshine Dance’s journey for the past few years, but I am so excited to be able to put my personal stamp on it now that I am the owner. I have big dreams for Sunshine Dance and can’t wait to share them with the fabulous Glen Ellyn community.

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  • How do you find staff to bring into your organization that truly care about Sunshine Dance the way you do?

I am so blessed to have an INCREDIBLE staff that share my same ideals for the quality and type of dance education I want to offer. They all care about the students so much and put their heart and soul into each and every class they teach.

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  • Why should Glen Ellyn Moms send their kids to Sunshine Dance?

I truly believe that we have the best education and quality to offer the Glen Ellyn community and surrounding areas. Our instructors are so passionate about not only teaching dance but instilling confidence, discipline, passion, and providing an outlet for students of all ages to express themselves and their creativity!

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  • Tell us more about the classes you offer!

We offer classes for ages 2 – 19 in many different styles of dance including: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Conditioning, and Turns and Leaps. We offer Pre-Core and Core classes (open to any students wanting to participate in dance) for our beginning through intermediate dancers, Level classes (by audition only) for our more advanced dancers, and the Sunshine Dance Company (by audition only) for those students wanting a professional quality intensive training program.

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  • What is the most rewarding thing about being a new business owner:

The most rewarding thing about being a teacher/business owner is seeing the difference dance can make in a child’s life. I see students who come in at the beginning of the year very shy and throughout their experience in class gain confidence and an ability to express their emotions more freely. We get so many parents that tell us what a difference they see in their student’s ability to speak in front of their peers and overall confidence they exude in a public setting after participating in dance.  Dance and theatre changed my life as a young boy and I am so grateful that I get to share my love of the arts with students every day and see first hand the difference it makes in their lives.

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Sunshine dance is located in the heart of downtown at 515 Crescent Blvd in Glen Ellyn.
To find out more about Sunshine Dance please visit their website:

Call  (630) 790-1880 or Email: sunshine.dance.info@gmail.com

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HOT MESS!

Laurie Palau of Simply B Organized will be in the Chicagoland area to help get our HOT MESS organized.  Between book signings, shopping AND presenting her Clutter Clinic you will have plenty of chances to meet Laurie.

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 SEPTEMBER 12th 7:00-9:00 pm : Clutter Clinic and Book Signing Lake Ellyn Boathouse in Glen Ellyn!  Register here!

SEPTEMBER 13th : Shopping with Laurie at The Container Store in Oakbrook (stay tuned for times)

SEPTEMBER 13th 6:30 pm:  Book Signing at Prairie Path Books in Wheaton

For more information please email: glenellynmoms@gmail.com

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Believe in Yourself

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Parenting is no small task. There are many times when the days seems insurmountable. Like it might be better to just fall down and let the kids run all over you. Trust me there are many times I’ve let that happen. But I take small steps and try to remember that no matter how big the challenge I want to show my boys that having faith and believing in yourself will always lead them to grandeur things in life.

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KIDS BOOK NOOK: Ambrose Deception

IMG_E2395.JPGNAME OF THE BOOK: The Ambrose Deception by Emily Ecton

AGE RANGE: 8-14

THIS BOOK WAS ABOUT: Three very different kids that have to compete against each other and solve various clues that take them all over they city of Chicago. The prize is a $10,000 scholarship or so they think. Melissa, Wilf, and Brondi, are not who you would expect to be competing in this contest. At first they work separately but soon realize that things might not be as they seem and they start to uncover a mystery.

I LOVED: How the book had so many twists and turns. Everything would be going good but then there would be a giant twist that changed everything. I also loved how the clues brought you to different places in Chicago.

READING THIS BOOK MADE ME WONDER: What if I competed in a scholarship contest like this!?!  Who would I choose to help me solve the clues?

OVERALL THIS BOOK WAS: This book was fantastic and perfect for middle school kids.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 4 stars

This book report was written by a very sweet eleven year old  boy 🙂