Now when it's homework time, there is no searching for supplies to complete it, it's all in one neat little box. It's a time saver and takes the frustration out of doing homework by being organized and having everything available.
By HerkDia from Baltimore, MD
We get bi-weekly all of the up coming new places, re-openings, new management, etc. booklet. It always has "buy one - get one free" or another great deal, that can make it a real treat. Since I am always trying to save, the first thing I do is look online. Check everything you can about the place, and the chef.
Most places are known for one or two really great things or specialize in seafood, steak, etc. Even if what is prepared is fresh or frozen. I live near the ocean so if its just off the boat, they say so. Chain restaurants usually always get their meat and supplies from the same place. All of this can be found out before you go.
Have a plan, don't wait until you are sitting looking at the menu (others got that same coupon). If there is a line, it can lead to bad decision making. Eating healthy is a life style for me, I assume if you are wondering it is for you also. Don't stray too far from your way of eating. Be careful you can't see how anything is being prepared.
That is why you try and find out everything you can before hand. Do they fry everything, marinate it all in "special sauce"? Do they have open flame cooking? If you can't find it, ask. When asking do it in a polite way, they don't mind when asked nicely, nor do they mind substitution of anything if it's already on the menu. Example: if you want a entree see it has something in it you don't usually eat, see they offer if in another dish that means its prepped ready to go already.
I don't eat red meat. If they have broiled chicken or fish being served, I can get it in place where the dish says "steak" as the base of a certain dish. Same goes for dishes with pork. Many don't eat pork. If you would like chicken or no meat in a dish that place is known for, if it's somewhere else on the menu, it's fine to substitute. I just did that when I had company. They even used a clean, oil free skillet when preparing it.
When going to a steak house, looking ahead of time usually answers most of your questions. An example being open flame cooking or fried. If it is fried, some of the best chefs are doing what's called flash frying. It save hundreds of calories. It is where the pan is 400 degrees F so the meat is in it such a small amount of time, either going into the oven to finish cooking or being in the oven first.
In the USA we have 12.5 million people who are obese. Much is being blames on eating out life style. They really don't mind trying to help.They hope you will return next time you go out.
Watch the little things like appetizers, salads if you don't you may be breaking every rule you have (or had) going in to eat. Look if you are going to enjoy a appetizer have something that is light, not fried, if they offer fresh go for that. Out of season its very expensive so get the most for your buck. Eating a bunch of bread,chips, dip is only filling you up fast so you want enjoy your meal as much, not to even mentioning all of the unwanted calories.
Salad is big problem. We always mean well, but make mistakes on topping, croutons or dressing. Look at menu what veggies are on it to go with a certain entree? They easily can be put on top of a regular house salad without adding unwanted calories of corn, peas, beans, etc. Ask for low calorie dressing on the side. Trust me when I say it has the same if not more calories away from home! They use real mayo for example, not low calorie. It most likely is from scratch so that's oil and eggs.
Instead of eating a bunch of bread, they have celery sticks, carrots so if you want to munch on something with your salad that is a good choice. If you have to have anything get crackers instead of bread (whole wheat ones are better yet).
Entree is next, you know what you like. What you eat and you did picked the place you are. Hopefully you checked online, called before you went so you have all of the knowledge to have fun, and not eat anything you shouldn't. It can be tempting looking around at the other tables, pictures or the wonderful smells surrounding you. Our sense of smell is what triggers hunger when we aren't hungry at all. Ask to sit in a place where maybe the view will distract you.
If you are just getting started on a new life style of healthy eating, never go out being really hungry. Grab a carrot, apple slice something good before you go out if it's been long time between meals. Once you have had your appetizer or salad, you shouldn't be totally starving. The entree is why you probably picked this particular restaurant so stick to your rules of how you eat at home. No fried anything is what I do.
However if you only get to go out once in awhile, don't eat what you always do at home. Try something new, and have something you like. It's all in how this chef prepares it. Usually everything tastes better out. If it's chicken five nights a week at home, don't go for the chicken.
Seafood is always a good choice unless it's fried. Remember if you ask, they will usually broil it for you. Unlike home, eating out has all ovens hot, pans ready to go, and a staff of many ready to make you happy. Almost anything can be made to your liking. Stay away from sauces, may be made the same, probably using more of everything like butter when the waiter is at your table listen for things like wine reduction, the alcohol burns off if you don't drink. It is great substitute for a gravy base.
Serving sizes are the same, 4oz. is 4oz. at home or out. The seafood if you like it is wonderful out in any kind of restaurant. If you don't have salmon at home, now is a good time to try it. If you know you don't like seafood, and you are going to have your usual steak, politely say how you would like it to be prepared. I don't mean raw or well done.
It's alright to say "I don't eat fried foods" or check if it is drowned in a sauce. If you enjoy red meat and it is cooked right, take advantage of a wonderfully trained chef putting a new twist on it. The rule is two thirds of your meal should be veggies; dark green, bright green anything green and fresh, so stick to the rule.
Even eating at a Mexican place (which can be very high in calories due to how they prepare it) can be made healthy. I just did it not so long ago. I asked for pork to be exchanged for just the vegetables. Please no oil and shared broiled (not fried) chicken with my brother in a separate entree. They even had brown rice there. This showed me more places are aware of the problem of obesity, and willing to make changes so you will leave satisfied and hopefully return.
Dessert is where many just can't seem to help themselves. At home, we just don't buy it. If it's not in the house, then there isn't anything to be tempted by. After you have changed your life style, these cravings go away. Still when presented to you, it's hard. Since you now have made all of the right decisions eating your meal, you shouldn't be hungry just wanting to taste that beautiful desert or maybe celebrating? Why not split something, if you get one desert, two forks or spoons you get to taste it and not ruin all you did to save calories through the meal.
I lost my sweet tooth long ago. Still last year, I split a slice of cheese cake with a friend who took me out. We both didn't eat all of it, so no guilt. There are good choices here also like fresh fruit. At home, it may be out of season so how great to get a treat without waiting months for it to be fresh again. Also with cake, ask for no icing and smaller slices.
Whatever you do, know it's your decision. You are not the first, or will be the last to do or ask for anything I have suggested. An important thing is have a good time, good conversation, and making happy memories. I say this because look for all of those deals out there making it an affordable option to some.
Don't waste eating out on fast food or eating something that puts back on the pounds. This causes you to leave feeling guilty, and ruins the treat. I hadn't been out to eat for a year until I had company. Their company, eating slow, and tasting something I usually don't have, made it a night I won't soon forget.
If you drink and have never looked up how many calories are in one drink, a suggestion would be do it. You can eat healthy, and save on all of those unwanted calories, but if you have a couple of drinks, you drank what you saved maybe more in alcohol. My doctor says red wine is good for you once in awhile (unless have migraines). But she says alcohol is full of so many wasted calories, without putting anything good back into the system.
So I drink water for 0 calories, and still have a great time. The bill is half without drinking. I was so surprised how much drinks costs. They also aren't included in the coupons (unless stated). Being one of the biggest money maker for any place who serves drinks or wine.
If you eat healthy at home, know what is high in calories, recognize certain things like sauces then eating out at a buffet is very cost effective. Buffets are filled with awesome, healthy choices always have specials.
If you are one who is easily tempted,or just started living a healthy life style, I would recommend not going out to a buffet for a few months. They have the best salad bars, wonderful fruits along with tables of cakes, fried foods and breads. Buffets are not a good option when you may have a question on a certain food. Other than a salad bar, this kind of eating out isn't wise for almost anyone. We can't know how long the food has been out, who has touched it or how it was fixed. Not a good idea.
If you live a healthy life style ,I believe you do it where ever you go. Holidays, and special events aren't an exception. So enjoy eating out, remembering the rules you live by at home without the dishes or cleaning the kitchen. I can't wait until I get a chance to do it again. Once a year is not enough.
Source: I watch everything I eat. When my brother came I did everything I suggested; I read, and watched shows on top chiefs. They are trying to help stop obesity everywhere. Rachel Ray is a good one to watch.
By Luana M. from San Diego, CA
By Beverley from Oak Hills, CA
This is my homework center, I used magnetic paint to do a chore chart. I put window brackets and a long piece of wood to hold paper work/pictures. There is also: a toothbrush holder to hold dry erase markers, an Alka Seltzer box covered with streamers holds my pencils and pens, a dry erase board for keeping track of stars, (if they earn 15 stars, they get to pick a prize out of the prize box) By Moonseekerjade from Onset
How do I get my smart 7 year old daughter to do her homework? She leaves it for the last minute and then cries when she finally has to sit down and complete it. Am I a bad parent?
By Bob S.
By frugalsunnie03/08/2012What Sallly said. I did this with my son (now 30), and he's doing it with his son (9). My son said knowing he would have an hour break before sitting down to the homework was a great relief to him. He could watch TV, play a GameBoy game, or play, and when the hour was up he would sit at the kitchen table with his homework while I made supper. I was there if he needed me:)
He wasn't allowed to watch TV or play a video game again until after the homework was finished-correctly. It worked pretty well for us, although being a kid he would balk every now and again-usually when he was either coming down with something or facing a very difficult homework assignment.
BTW, @Sallly, I totally agree with you that kids today have way too much homework, and will go a bit further to say that from what this Gran sees, very little of that massive load is really meaningful.
I can see the point of homework, but an assignment every night in every subject is simply too much. Interestingly it seems a global trend, it's something I'm seeing here in the UK, hearing from my son in the States, and from friends in NZ, AU, and European zones. Kids all over the planet are just being swamped with tonnes of homework, a tough assignment in every subject every night including Friday.
My son says sometimes my grandson needs to spend up to an hour on each assignment, and there is frequently one he simply didn't have time or energy to finish.
My son is in 4th grade and frequently forgets to bring his homework home from school. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make him remember to make sure that he puts his homework in his backpack? Thank you.
Lena from Chicago, IL
By Nancy (Guest Post)01/21/2009Has this problem just started this year, or has it happened in prior years? If this is a new problem, I would have my child write out his homework and the date in a small tablet, (if the school does not require a specific binder), and keep the tablet on his desk as a reminder to check it daily as he is packing up.
There could be other factors affecting him for not bringing the proper books home. Perhaps he has more than one teacher, and is having difficulty keeping assignments straight. Fourth grade is a very demanding year and is difficult for many students. I taught school for 36 years, the last 16 as a fourth grade teacher. When all else fails, ask the teacher(s) for a conference and see what is suggested to help your child with his problem. Have you son sit in at the conference, so he knows everyone is on his side. Good Luck!
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