Delicious Recipes for Thanksgiving Turkey leftovers!

Thanksgiving is around the corner and it is time to enjoy that yummy turkey dinner.  The only problem is what to do with all the leftovers.  Here are a few delicious recipes to help you enjoy the bird for a few extra days.


Help Yourself Turkey Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 g) lean ground turkey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) chili powder
• 2 tsp (10 mL) dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) chili sauce
• 8 taco shells
• 1 cup (250 mL) shredded lettuce
• 2 small plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup (250 mL) shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) light sour cream
• 1 small avocado, peeled, pitted and chopped

Preparation:

In large nonstick skillet, sauté turkey over medium-high heat, breaking up with fork, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Drain off fat.
Add garlic, chili powder, oregano, salt and pepper; sauté over medium heat to blend flavours and evaporate liquid, about 6 minutes. Stir in green onions and chili sauce. Scrape into serving bowl.
Meanwhile, heat taco shells in microwave oven at medium (50% power) for 30 seconds.
Serve meat mixture and bowls of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and avocado for everyone to spoon into taco shells.

Slow Cooker Smoked Turkey and Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 smoked turkey leg, (about 1 lb/500 g)
• 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) chopped carrots
• 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) chopped celery
• 1 cup (250 mL) sliced mushrooms
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 sprigs fresh parsley
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper
• 3 cups (750 mL) sodium-reduced chicken stock
• 1 sweet red pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) frozen peas
• 2 cups (500 mL) small pasta, cooked

Preparation:

Remove skin and meat from turkey leg. Reserve bone; discard skin. Cut meat into bite-size pieces; set aside.

In slow cooker, combine carrots, celery, mushrooms, onion, parsley, bay leaf, thyme and pepper. Add turkey bone, stock and 3 cups (750 mL) water. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until vegetables are tender.

Add red pepper, peas and turkey meat. Cover and cook on high until vegetables are tender-crisp, about 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf and parsley. Stir in pasta.
Additional information : Tip:?If you can find only a large turkey leg, use 2 cups (500 mL) meat for this soup and the rest in pastas, salads or sandwiches.

Turkey, Sage and Squash Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pkg (450 g pkg) frozen rolled butter puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 1 acorn squash, (about 500 g), peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (500 mL) sodium-reduced chicken broth
• 3 cups (750 mL) shredded cooked turkey, white and dark meat
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) thinly sliced fresh sage
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 2 cups (500 mL) fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) 10% cream

Preparation:

On parchment paper, unroll pastry; cut lengthwise then crosswise into 4 equal sections. Brush with egg. Transfer paper with pastry onto baking sheet; bake in 400°F (200°C) oven until puffed and golden, 16 to 18 minutes.

Meanwhile, in Dutch oven or large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; cook onion, celery, squash, salt and pepper until squash is tender, 7 to 8 minutes.

Stir in flour; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually stir in broth and bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 8 minutes.

Stir in turkey, sage and nutmeg; cook until turkey is hot, about 4 minutes. Stir in spinach and cream; cook until spinach is wilted. Ladle into bowls; top with puff pastry.

Looking for more?  Check out these yummy recipes and more on Canadian Living or momstown.ca
 

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This Blog was written by Angela Hickman - mother of 2, momstown Milton member and blogger - Mommy TimeOut.

Think Twice Before Buying Cosmetic Contact Lenses This Year For Halloween

Thinking of buying a pair of really cool looking cosmetic contact lenses you saw in the store this year as part of your Halloween costume?  Better think twice before popping them into your eyes.   

 

We know that Halloween is a popular time for people to use decorative contact lenses to enhance their costumes. From blood-drenched vampire eyes to glow-in-the-dark lizard lenses, decorative contacts can certainly add a spooky, eye-popping touch.  But very few people know the risks that come with these types of lenses. Most people believe that decorative lenses do not require the same level of care or consideration as a standard contact lens because they can be purchased over-the-counter or on the internet.  Consumers need to know that contact lenses are a medical device, and that there is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’ contact lens.  There are a whole range of ocular problems associated with improperly fitting lenses and lenses purchased without a prescription from an Optometrist.  In some cases, severe eye infections have been reported in as little as 24 hours of wear time.  

Tips for parents and consumers about cosmetic contact lenses for Halloween: 

• Go to an Optometrist for a proper contact lens assessment to ensure you have contact lenses that fit properly and are the right type for your eyes.  Lenses that are not properly fitted can scratch and cause damage to the eye.

• Never buy decorative contact lenses from someone that does not ask for a prescription. 

• Never wear lenses that are torn or discoloured. Contact lenses should always be inspected to make sure that they are safe to wear. Cosmetic contact lenses purchased from a non-regulated source could be defective, used, expired or not approved for wear in Canada.  

• Never share lenses with someone else. Swapping contact lenses significantly increases the risk of contamination and the spread of infection.  
  
  
• Do not sleep in contact lenses unless your Optometrist has provided you with an appropriate extended wear lens.  Over-wearing contact lenses can cause oxygen deprivation to the eye, which can cause long-term vision problems. 

Milton Optometry recommends comprehensive eye exams every year, and welcome infants, toddlers and children of all ages to our family-friendly office!  Visit www.miltonoptometry.ca or phone 905-636-9500 to reserve an appointment for your family. 

 

How to be Leg Smart During and After your Pregnancy

No one needs to tell you that pregnancy causes an amazing transformation to your body.  Unfortunately not all transformations are desirable and it was my mother’s hard earned advice to start early when it comes to preventing varicose veins.

Three children later and the veins to prove it- she underwent surgery to remove a few of the veins that were exceptionally painful and unsightly, but without continuing to wear her compression stockings or socks the  varicosities eventually came back, worse the second time around requiring a second surgery. This led me to become more educated in the causes of damage to our veins, including pregnancy –induced varicose veins. Consequently it led to the purchase of my very own compression stockings even though I’m not expecting.

Most women don’t wear compression stockings during the first pregnancy. They may only start to wear them once they experience pain which may not be till years later or during a subsequent pregnancy. By then the veins are already distended, with valve damage. Of the women who have multiple births, a majority will develop varicose veins. Compression stockings may be difficult to put on, (more on that below), but they really do make a difference in the long term. Although compression stockings help relieve pain and symptoms, the key is preventing the damage from occurring before you feel the negative effects!

So, now that I’ve given you my two cents,
which compression stockings should you buy?

You may, of course, walk into a surgical supply store and purchase compression tights identical to those your grandmother wore in the 1970’s. But that is no longer necessary, as there are designers out there designing compression tights that are actually somewhat fashion forward.

Here is what to consider before you make your purchase:

1. Compression. Compression stockings are available in graduated support levels, starting at 8-15mm/Hg and topping out at 40-50mm/Hg (you’ll need a prescription for the higher support levels such as 20-30mm/Hg at which are covered by most extended health coverage). Some drug stores or maternity stores may sell support stockings but there is no attached support level. These are not compression stockings and will not provide the therapeutic effect. Furthermore make sure you are getting a medical gradient compression stocking to help promote blood flow back to the heart (highest level of compression at the ankle, least amount of compression at the thigh). As a certified custom fitter for compression stockings I always recommend going to a clinic to be fitted to ensure the proper support.

2. Opaque or Sheer? Compression stockings are available in both sheer and opaque styles. The sheer have a higher chance of ripping or tearing so going with an opaque may last longer. Besides- if Kate Middleton and other celebs can pull off the “tight” look under media scrutiny, so can you!

3. Pantyhose or Socks? Even the sock will help prevent varicosities. Remember 100% of the compression should happen at the ankle and gets less and less up the leg. The choice is really up to you and what your needs require.

4. Price. Compression stockings are not inexpensive- be prepared to spend $100-$200 on a high quality pair. If you wear them every day, they should last you about 6 months. Once they become easy to put on you should replace them.

5. How to put them on? There are many aides available for donning and doffing your compression stockings however I find that simply turning them inside out when putting them on will do the trick.

For more information of if you would like to book a compression stocking fitting call the Health Centre of Milton at 905-878-8131.

Dr. Sarah Chajka believes that Chiropractic care is beneficial to all. Her upbringing in an active family and years of discipline through sport and dance have reinforced this as well as witnessing the transforming effect of chiropractic treatment on all ages. While working at the Health Centre of Milton she has further developed her interest in preventative health and healing and has taken extra courses in order to give specialized attention to pregnancy and paediatrics.



Dr. Sarah Chajka, HBKin, DC, Webster Certified
Health Centre of Milton
905-878-8131
420 Main St E. Unit 102 &103
Milton Ontario
L9T 1P9

momstown Milton Mom of the Month: Lisa Roach- October 2013

Name: Lisa Roach

Age: 34

Born In: Kingston, Ontario

Children’s name and age: Kaitlyn 4, Matthew 3, Alexander 17months

Childhood Ambition: Veterinarian

Fondest Memory: Feeding ducks in Gananoque when I was 3 years old with my sister, nana and grandpa…I still remember the white knit cardigan both my sister and I were wearing.

Wildest Dream: Vacation homes in other countries and private jets to get there

Proudest Moment: Kaitlyn’s first day of school

Biggest Challenge: I struggle between being a good housekeeper or just being a good mom

Perfect Day: I think I came close to my perfect day on our 5th Anniversary! We went to Niagara on the Lake, slept in, had breakfast, had massages, then a long stroll to the water which had a view of Toronto in the distance (of course that would have been better if it were overseas…lol). We swam, had an incredible dinner and all around just relaxed! I LOVE my kids, but that was an AWESOME day:)

First Job: Toys R Us

Indulgence: Home décor…I realized the other day that I may have a light fixture fetish…lol.

Last Big Purchase: Our investment property

Favorite Movie or Favourite Sport? I have lots of favourite movies. I am a big fan of almost everything Disney, but Annie, Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins are among my all time favourites.

How long have you been a member of momstown Milton? 1 month shy of 4 years

Describe your experience as a momstown member? I LOVE momstown! I tell everyone about it. I am so happy to have found a place to make friends and socialize with my kids and at the very least have that in common with EVERYONE.

We would love to have you join us and become part of our momstown Milton family!

 

Register here for your 6 week FREE trial.

momstown Milton Jr. Chef's make Hungarian Apple Soup

What better month of the year to celebrate the delicious apple than September?  All month long, momstown's theme will centre on this fruit that is near and dear to the heart of our community, surrounded by orchards.  Apples, apples, apples!

Our momstown Milton Junior Chefs got busy in the kitchen, creating a delicious Hungarian Apple Soup.  It was a great chance for the little ones to practice their chopping, measuring and stirring.  What a fantastic soup to enjoy on a brisk autumn day
.

We started by identifying the ingredients in the recipe.  Our little chefs were very clever and had no problems calling out the names of the main ingredients - potato, celery, onion and the star of the show, apples.  They needed some help with the thyme and paprika!

This is the recipe we used:

Hungarian Apple Soup

 

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons canola oil
• 2 medium tart apple, peeled and finely chopped
• 1.5 cup diced peeled Yukon Gold potato
• 2/3 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery, plus leaves for garnish
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Pinch of paprika, preferably hot Hungarian
• 1 large tetra pack reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 6 tablespoons sour cream

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add apple, potato, onion and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt, thyme, paprika; cook for 30 seconds. Pour in broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat, cover, and gently simmer until the potato is tender when pierced with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Transfer the soup to a large blender or food processor, add sour cream and process until smooth. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Garnish with celery leaves, if desired.

We got busy chopping up the celery, potatoes and apples.  The onions were chopped in advance.  Their chopping skills were impressive considering they were using butter knives!  Our youngest Junior Chef was much more interested in tasting the ingredients, but we all agreed that tasting is always an important part of cooking!

We chopped enough to fill our measuring cups, and then added the ingredients to our pot. The kids took turns measuring out the thyme, paprika and salt.  Everyone got a turn adding the stock to the pan, and stirring it all up before it went on the heat of the stove.

Usually for Junior Chef we have another batch of the completed recipe ready for tasting, but today I decided that we would wait for it to cook so that we could smell the yummy smells, and see it get blended up in the blender.  This recipe is simple, quick and healthy - perfect for making with kids.

While our soup cooked, the kids had some fun playing.  Once it was ready to be blended, the kids stood back and watched as their soup got whizzed into a creamy smooth liquid.

We all enjoyed tasting the soup, and us moms agreed that it would have been even better with the addition of some shredded cheddar!

As usual, we had a great time at our Junior Chef program.  The momstown Milton kids really know how to stir up a good time in the kitchen, and are always so brave trying new flavours or new combinations.  We'll see you next month for more kitchen adventures!

To learn more about what momstown Milton is all about - Click Here

To register for a 6 week FREE trial membership - Click Here 

If you are a business that would like to sponsor our events or advertise with us please contact info.milton@momstown.ca

Submitted by Paula Porter, a momstown Milton member and

 mother of two amazing girls.

momstown Milton Jr Chefs learned how to make quick and easy meals with Chef Boyardee

This month our momstown Milton  Jr. Chefs were eager to get busy in the kitchen at our Chef Boyardee Sponsored Event. The moms were interested in finding out just exactly how they could take this out of the can product (with  no preservatives)  and turn it into a nutritious and delicious meal that the entire family would enjoy.

On the menu was Chef Pizza-Roni Skillet. The kids started off by chopping up the brightly coloured red, yellow and orange peppers. Adding vibrant colours to your food makes it fun and appealing to little ones.

Next we tore up the leaves of  spinach and scooped the olives out of the jar to add in with the other veggies.

The kids then opened the cans of Chef Boyardee Beefaroni, poured it into the bowl and mixed up all of the yummy goodness. The pull tab made it easy for little hands to open up the cans themselves.

Then came the layers. We choose to try out vegetarian pepperoni. We had the kids count out loud as we added each one. I believe we had a grand total of 36! Handfuls of cheese were poured on top and then it was time to heat it all up. I opted to put it in the oven so that I was free to do our craft while we were waiting for it to heat up but you could easily do it in the skillet to save some time.  We also used a disposable foil container - great when you are going to a potluck dinner so that you don't have to worry about dishes!

 

While lunch was heating up we had some fun making tomato plants. What you need:

 

paint brush

paper

green yarn

red and green paint

glue

cans of chef Boyardee

 

We glued on the green yarn to make the vine and then the kids painted the bottom of the cans and stamped them all over to make the tomatoes. The stamp left an outline so they used their brushes to paint it in,. It was great practice trying to keep the paint in the circle. Thumb and finger prints were used to make the leaves.

 

 



 
 We served up the Chef Pizza-Roni Skillet onto whole wheat pitas which the kids had fun rolling up themselves. I wish I had a stop watch on me because the kids cleared their plates in record time! 

This easy to assemble hearty meal is a great go to when you need to whip up something in a pinch.

Here's what our mamas had to say:

"What an easy meal! I never thought of using Chef Boyardee as an ingredient vs a stand alone meal. Laura loved the skillet and ate the whole thing! The event was so fun! Thanks for putting it together!"

J.Sibbitt

"Emily absolutely loved this class! She loved preparing the food and nana was very impressed with the different ideas for chef Boyarde products and we will for sure be trying these recipes. Thanks so much! These recipes are great for busy mamas"

J.Freedman

"My kiddos had a great time preparing and making the casserole! I'd never thought to add anything to a can of pasta before! We will definitely try out more!
My kids loved the meal!! Hannah even requested that we make it again for dinner that night on our car ride home! We actually made it tonight using whatever veggies we had on hand. My hubby also gobbled it up!"

S.White-Ferris

 

 



Thank you Chef Boyardee for such a terrific event! The kids had a blast and loved the free swag they got to take home!

 

 

To learn more about what momstown Milton is all about - Click Here

 

To register for a 6 week FREE trial membership - Click Here  

If you are a business that would like to sponsor our events or advertise with us please contact info.milton@momstown.ca

 



Fun games to play while walking to school

Walking our kids to school is a great way to stay in shape but how do you make the walk fun for all?  Playing games with your kids during the walk can make a long walk seem short and can even help our little one's keep warm on those colder mornings.  It is also a great way to start the lessons for the day.  Here are some fun games that you can play.

1)      Eye Spy – this is a fun one for kids of all ages.  It is also a great game for preschoolers learning their colours.  This is especially fun during holidays when people decorate their homes.

2)      Counting steps – This is a great way to teach your little ones how to count and it can be fun to see if you can beat how many steps you took the day before.

3)      Calling out the colours of the cars and trucks passing by.

4)      Monkey See, Monkey Do – Have your child perform an action and then you copy it.

5)      Simon Says

6)      Go through the alphabet and see if you can pick out items along the route that start with that letter.
 
7)      Red Light, Green Light

What games do you play with your kids walking to and from school?

To learn more about what momstown Milton is all about - Click Here

To register for a 6 week FREE trial membership - Click Here 

This Blog was written by Angela Hickman - mother of 2, momstown Milton member and blogger - Mommy TimeOut.

Recycled Treasures - Apple Tree Craft for kids

Our theme for the month of September is "apples", so our momstown Milton kids had a fun morning creating apple tree crafts at our Recycled Treasures program!  It was a gorgeous morning so we spent our time in the back yard.

The trees were made from recycled cardboard, and paper towel tubes, and decorated with red and green buttons.

The kids had fun painting their trees green.  Now that it is back to school season, our group of artists seems a little younger than before!  Regardless of their age, these little ones loved getting their hands dirty and painting.

The trees were then decorated with the colourful buttons.

 

Moms helped with the cutting of the paper towel tubes, and once the paint was dry, the little ones helped to assemble their trees, taping them to paper plates so they would stand on their own.

The kids were proud of their beautiful creations, and enjoyed having their pictures taken holding their trees.

When it was time for a snack, we had some delicious apples (recently picked at a local orchard!), crackers, veggies and hummus.  As usual the moms wondered at how quiet this rambunctious group became once the snack arrived!

We would love to see you at our next Recycled Treasures group!  

 

To learn more about what momstown Milton is all about - Click Here

To register for a 6 week FREE trial membership - Click Here 

If you are a business that would like to sponsor our events or advertise with us please contact info.milton@momstown.ca

Submitted by Paula Porter, a momstown Milton member and

 mother of two amazing girls.