Simple Stuffed Shells Bake

There are some days that I am just not into thinking about making dinner. I make decisions all day long and what to eat can feel overwhelming at times. Silly, I know, but true.

Anyway, A few nights back I took a chance and threw some things in a pan, baked it, and the results were AWESOME! So here it is.

From my dysfunctional kitchen to yours….

Stuffed Shell Bake

What you need:

• Package of frozen stuffed shells
• Family size jar of Alfredo sauce. I used Ragu because I had a coupon for it and got it for $1.50!
• Fresh vegetables, I used asparagus, carrots and celery. If I had an onion, that would have gone in there too. I wouldn’t recommend frozen vegetables if you want them to be a little crisp when you eat
• Seasoning of your choice. I went with some dried parsley and a cracked pepper blend with garlic powder and celery powder
• Mozzarella cheese (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

What to do:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
• Spread your frozen stuffed shells out in a shallow baking pan. I used a 9×13
• Wash and dice your vegetables, then lay them out evenly in the pan with the stuffed shells
• Sprinkle with your seasonings
• Pour the sauce over everything in the pan and stir it up good so it is all coated evenly
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees
• Uncover and if you want sprinkle some mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for another 5 minutes
• Serve and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese

*Adjust accordingly if you are making a double size of the recipe. I would suggest a second jar of sauce if using two bags of frozen stuffed shells.

Please come back and share if you decided to try this out. It was a hit in our house and the leftovers were even better.

Until next time,

One Cool Nerd Mommy

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So, I spoiled myself with some retail therapy….

So I saved a ton of money doing my holiday shopping through Ebates and Ibotta. I decided to use that money as a little spoil gift for myself and I signed up for the FabFitFun Editors box and a year subscription (mailed with each season). I have to say, I am super excited for this box of goodies including a poncho, necklace, muscle soak, nourishing dew mask, eyeshadow palette, and other fun stuff. If you need a little pampering, I seriously suggest checking this out 👌🏻

FabFitFun is the perfect way to treat yourself!

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Until next time,

One Cool Nerd Mommy

Crayon Recycling

We recently made recycled multi colored “Elsa” snowflake crayons. To make your own new crayons just follow these easy steps and get to coloring!

Take all of your broken and beat up crayons (even the little pieces) and peel all of the paper off.

Either make little cups out of foil or use oven safe cups like a ramekin. Have enough cups for as many colors as you want to make. You can also put several colors in one cups, just don’t mix them up together.

Place the crayon pieces in the cups in the color pairings you want or alone – please make sure it’s oven safe. The foil makes for easy clean up too.

Melt the crayons in the cups in the oven. I was baking prior to making these, so I just left the oven at 350 degrees.

Keep an eye on the crayons and when they are melted remove from the oven.

For the next step you will need a silicone baking tray. I used this Wilton snowflake shaped tray that I got on clearance from Kohl’s.

Pour the melted crayons into the compartments of the tray. You can layer colors or pour different colors at the same time.

Let cool and then pop out and get to coloring with your kiddos – or by yourself, I have had a lot of fun with these too!

Enjoy!

Until next time,

One Cool Nerd Mommy

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Copyright One Cool Nerd Mommy 2017

Easy Stick Puppets

If you are anything like me, you probably try to keep things as simplified as possible. I am always looking for ways to have fun with my kids, but not spend a fortune.

I was breaking down the box from a recent purchase of GoodNites underwear when I got the idea to use the Tinkerbell picture as a puppet.

The steps are easy:

• Cut out the character (there are several to choose from in both the girls and boys packaging)
• Smooth out any rough edges with the scissors ✂️
• Flip the cutout over and tape or glue sticks, straws, etc (something to use as the handle – we used two straws taped together)
• That’s it! Put on a puppet show, dress your character up with paper hats, Pom Poms, anything you can think of. Let the imagination take flight and watch your little ones have fun!

Feel free to share this post with friends, on Pinterest, Facebook, etc.

*Just as a side note, we love the GoodNites brand in our house. We have been using them for two years now and haven’t had a single leak, rash, or problem the entire time. They slip on and off easy and aren’t incredibly bulky either. Check them out here:

For the ones featured in my blog click here (there is a $3 coupon available on Amazon Prime

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Summer Boredom Blasters

With the summer season finally here, I began thinking of different things to do with my kiddos and as a family. I couldn’t keep the list just to myself, so I had to share it with my One Cool Nerd Mommy followers. Some are for kids, some for adults, some for families and all fun. Please feel free to add your own ideas in the comments and come back to share your thoughts, ideas, and pictures of your summer adventures.

Visit a local fair

Buy locally grown fruits and veggies at the farmers market or stand

Visit local museums or historical societies

Go out for ice cream (I always say yes to this one)

Do chalk art outside

Hopscotch

Jump rope

Bean bag toss

Freeze dance

Have a dance party

Go to local gymnastics place for open gym

Bubbles (We picked some super fun bubble makers at the dollar store. They even make bubbles inside of bubbles!)

Attend story hour at your local library

Visit your local hardware store if they offer kids crafts. They usually cost you no more than $10 each

Attend music classes

Watch your kids play, they will only be that age for this summer. Take it all in. 

Find music in the park events. A lot of these are free and give kids the chance to move, play, and dance 

Grow your own herbs and reap the benefits. I grew fresh basil for the first time this year and paired it with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and balsamic dressing. I had some leftover bacon from a Sunday breakfast and put it on toasted sourdough with a little bit of mayo and the salad and it was AMAZING!

Go out to eat where there is outdoor seating, preferably by water. It instantly calms and relaxes you.

Check with your local movie theatre to see if they offer summer children’s movies. One of ours has the movie, popcorn, and drink for less than $5 each and its in the late morning before naps. 

Fill a large bucket or bin with water and give your kids different things to play in the water with. We bring a lot of our bath toys out or kitchen strainers and gadgets. 

Color outside of the lines and in a box

Visit a local winery

Sign up for a paint class (wine optional)

Read a book

Ride a bike

Sit outside at some point every day

Breath the fresh air

Go for a walk

Leave rock art on a trail for the next person

Find some form of beauty every day in the summer and post it to Instagram account

Volunteer at an animal shelter

Find a food truck festival and have a day of eating

Take a day trip to a town you’ve never visited

Fill a kids pool and let’s your kiddos have fun – soak your feet too

Attend festivals and try something new

Visit the zoo

Give your dog a bath and don’t be afraid to get wet

Play in the sprinkler with your kids

Visit a pool

Create a scavenger hunt and go out as a family to find everything

Visit a splash pad 

Take your favorite canine(s) for an early morning or evening walk (when it’s not so hot and the pavement is cooled down – don’t forget water for them too)

Attend a local sporting event 

Have breakfast outside

Watch the clouds pass by, find shapes within

Barbecue – don’t forget to grill your veggies too

Create an amazing fresh salad with the goodies from the Farmers Market

Bake muffins with your kids

Have a water gun fight

Collect rocks, paint them, display them outside in a rock garden

See if any local parks are hosting a movie after dark

Visit a drive in movie theatre 

Go out for happy hour

Watch the sunset

Go to the beach

Play in the sand

Pay for someone’s coffee on line behind you at the drive through 

Visit an arcade

Play a game on the boardwalk or at a carnival and try to win a prize

Freeze coffee to make coffee ice cubes for iced coffee

Visit a botanical garden

Do yoga at the park or the beach

Make a fort

Play mini golf

Play an outdoor game with your kids

Freeze blended yogurt and fruits in popsicle molds for a yummy treat

Spend time with those that mean the most

Take time to relax

Buy a few beers or wine you have never had and have a sampling at home

Stay in a B&B, even if it’s down the road from you

Visit a waterfall

Swim in the ocean

Go kayaking

Have a hula hooping contest 

Create an obstacle course

Have a movie night

Enjoy an ice cream sundae night at home – don’t forget the toppings!

Enjoy every day. You won’t ever get that day again. Take it all in, take photos to remember, and have an awesome summer!
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Copyright One Cool Nerd Mommy 2017

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