Easy Mexican Bean Casserole

This is a really easy recipe for a Mexican style bean casserole that can be used as a side dish or a main dish. I usually use it as a main dish myself. You can throw it together pretty quickly for a convenient, easy dinner. This recipe will feed my family for one meal, it can easily be doubled if you want to have seconds, or leftovers, or just need a bigger main dish (just use a 9x13 pan instead). Enjoy!

Mexican Bean Casserole

4 1/2 cups Corn Chex cereal
2 cans kidney beans, drained, or 2 cups pre-cooked kidney beans
2 cups shredded cheese
1 1/2 cups salsa

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In bottom of 8x8 square baking dish, spread 2 1/2 cups Corn Chex. Next, spread kidney beans evenly across the top of the cereal. Then sprinkle 1 cup of cheese on top of the beans. Spread salsa over the cheese. Place the remaining 2 cups of cereal over the top, then finish topping with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes.

Diapers.com Coupon Code

I recently had a baby, and after sorting through all of the promotional materials they sent home with me from the hospital, I came across a pretty good coupon code for diapers.com. This code is good for $10 off, plus free two day shipping, any order order over $49. The catch is that the order must include diapers or formula. This offer expires 9/30/2011. The code is SIMJUN10.

Homeschool and Teacher Discount at Border's Bookstore

Border's, the bookstore, has a 25% discount available for both teachers and homeschoolers. To receive the discount, you will need to provide proof to them that you are a homeschooler or a teacher (they can take care of getting the discount card at the registers). They will then give you a card that you will need to present when you make a purchase. The discount is good for any materials you will use for school or homeschooling. The discount is available even on sale and clearance merchandise, so if you do your shopping right, you can get some really good deals!

Butterfinger Bars Recipe

I am currently 3 weeks postpartum, and I was looking for an easy recipe to make for snacks today. I came across a recipe for Butterfinger Bars that looked relatively simple, so I decided to try it out. My almost four year old pulled up a chair to the kitchen counter and helped me make them. These bars don't taste like the candybar, but they are quite yummy. My husband informed me that they were not going to last long around here!

Butterfinger Bars

Crust:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter, softened
4 cups quick cooking oatmeal

Topping:
6 oz. chocolate chips (about half a bag)
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix crust ingredients together well. Press mixture into a 9x13 inch baking pan, bake for 15 minutes. Next, melt topping ingredients together in a medium saucepan, over medium heat, stirring constantly until a smooth consistency is reached. Spread topping mixture evenly over crust. Chill in the refrigerator approximately one hour.

Vitacost Free Shipping February

Vitacost.com is offering free shipping during the month of February on orders over $49. No coupon code is required, but it is only valid on orders placed online. If you need to place an order, now would be a good time! This offer expires 2/28/11.

Free Math Website - Preschool through 8th Grade

Just thought I would share a cool math website. It is free, and has interactive games and practice exercises for mathematical concepts ranging from preschool age through 8th grade. We will be utilizing this resource with our children, it looks to be promising as a supplement for strengthening their math skills! Membership is also available via this site for a fee.

http://www.ixl.com/

Common Courtesy

I have been noticing lately that there seems to be lacking basic manners and common courtesies amongst the public. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I am currently 9 months pregnant. Or maybe it's because we are just finishing up with a busy holiday season, which can bring stress on for many people. It just seems like the last few times I have ventured out into the public, I have run across rudeness in many different forms. Maybe it was the rude lady at Sam's Club today, who curtly said, "Excuse me!" and shoved past my very pregnant form, that was the last straw for me. So, since I have a blog, I decided that I was going to vent out loud about the recent rashes of rudeness I have experienced, in hopes of inspiring others to think twice about how they respond to and interact with others, and perhaps show a little bit of kindness, even when they don't feel like it.

Don't get me wrong, most people are polite and pleasant when I go out in public places. It's usually only a handful of people that have issues. It used to be common place for others to hold open a door or offer a seat to the elderly, disabled, pregnant, or the mama with her hands full. Not so much anymore. And if someone does hold a door open, how many of those being served by this kindness remember to say thank you for the good deed? Or how about the crowded parking lot scenario? Someone has been patiently waiting for a parking spot, complete with a blinker indication that they are planning on parking there, only to have another car speed up and take the spot real fast, regardless of the fact that someone else was obviously waiting to park there. That happened to me (yet again) this last week. Or how about people swearing in public places and talking about inappropriate subjects when small children are close by? BIG pet peeve, I tell you!

I know that I don't have to let these acts of rudeness get to me, and I am in charge of choosing how I handle and react to it. Often times, if someone flips me the bird in traffic, I smile and wave. I try to choose to be positive and friendly back to those who act unbecomingly. Most of the time, it is not worth it to confront people on their rudeness, and in this day and age, discernment must be used in doing so. And sometimes, reacting kindly is not what people expect, and hopefully it makes a positive impact on those who choose to act like barbarians.

I am encouraging others to please remember your manners, common courtesies, and kindness. Hey, it's a new year, it could even be a resolution! Say please and thank you to those who serve you (restaurants, stores, other businesses, etc.). The poor door clerk at Sam's Club today was visibly frustrated when she asked several customers to see their Club Card, and was repeatedly ignored. She was just trying to do her job, cut the working people who serve you a little slack! Say "excuse me" politely if you are trying to get through a crowded aisle or past someone. Hold the door open for others. The world is a tough enough place as it is. Spread a little bit of goodwill and cheer by being courteous and kind!