The Tweens News | English

Baked Tomatoes Stuffed With Tuna And Rice!

•No touching knives or the stove
•Do not touch any appliances without adult supervision.
•Always wash your hands before handling food.

These mini salads are as eye-catching as they are delicious. Easy enough for younger siblings to help make, they would make a perfect lunch for the whole family. Using a fragrant rice, adds a delicate flavor boost. Plus, the ingredients for this recipe don’t cost more than $10 — this is one great cheap eat!

Ingredients

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
2. In medium bowl, combine tuna, rice, all but one teaspoon of the olives, chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, vinegar and thyme. Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Slice top off 4 large tomatoes and scoop out the flesh and seeds. Fill to top with tuna and rice mixture. Place tomatoes in baking dish.
4. Bake stuffed tomatoes in oven for 12-15 minutes or until filling is hot. Remove, garnish with chopped olives and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

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Smashed Potato Salad!

•No touching knives or the stove
•Do not touch any appliances without adult supervision.
•Always wash your hands before handling food.

This combination of fingerling potatoes and fresh vegetables would make a healthy side dish for dinner. “Kid-friendly” preparation means the whole family can help. Plus, the ingredients for this recipe don’t cost more than $10 — this is one great cheap eat!

Ingredients

Cooking Instructions

1. Add potatoes to large pot. Fill with enough cold water to cover; add salt to taste. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer about 15-20 minutes, depending on size of potatoes, until potatoes are tender throughout.
2. While potatoes cook, make vinaigrette dressing. Whisk together vinegar, olive oil and oregano. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
3. Drain potatoes and let cool. Cut potatoes into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Smash down gently on slices using flat side of the knife; set aside.
4. In medium bowl, combine potatoes, tomatoes, onion, capers and cilantro. Toss gently.
5. Pour balsamic vinaigrette dressing over potato mixture and mix until well-coated. Serve warm or slightly chilled.

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Ham, Egg, Potato And Cheese Pot Pie!

•No touching knives or the stove
•Do not touch any appliances without adult supervision.
•Always wash your hands before handling food.

These hearty pot pies would make a delightful and filling brunch. Easy enough for younger siblings to help with, the recipe uses puff pastry for an elegant touch. Plus, the ingredients for this recipe don’t cost more than $10 — this is one great cheap eat!

Ingredients

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Unroll puff pastry sheets, one at a time, until flat. Cut into 4 squares each sheet. These will be used as the base and top of the pot pies.
2. Coat pie tins with non-stick cooking spray. Line each one with one pastry square; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, carrots, peas, ham, cheese and dry mustard. Season with salt and pepper; mix well.
4. Pour 1/4 of beaten egg into each pie tin. Layer on ham, cheese and vegetable mixture. Top with one pastry square.
5. Crimp edges of pastry to seal, then cut small hole into top of pie to ventilate. Brush top of each pie with egg wash.
6. Bake for 30-45 minutes. Remove from oven and serve.

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Spinach And Cheese Ravioli!

•No touching knives or the stove
•Do not touch any appliances without adult supervision.
•Always wash your hands before handling food.

This tasty twist on an Italian classic uses Won Ton wrappers to hold the spinach filling; you cut your prep time in half and the preparation is simple enough that your younger siblings can help. Plus, the ingredients for this recipe don’t cost more than $10 — this is one great cheap eat!

Ingredients

Cooking Instructions

1. Warm a pat of butter in a pan over medium heat; add spinach and sauté until wilted, about 5 minutes. Let cool, then chop coarsely.
2. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Italian-blend cheeses, basil and nutmeg. Add spinach and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
3. Line a baking sheet with non-stick parchment paper; you will use this to lay out your won tons. Fill a small bowl with cool water. Remove won ton wrappers from package, dip them one at a time in water, and lay flat on parchment.
4. Spoon spinach and cheese mixture onto wrappers. Fold in half and, using a fork, crimp the edges. Run a wet finger along the edges to seal, then put ravioli sheet in refrigerator for about 5 minutes to set.
5. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the water, to keep ravioli from sticking together.
6. Add ravioli to boiling water; cook for about 8-10 minutes. Remove immediately and drain. Serve with marinara sauce and grated parmesan cheese.

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Lemon Granita Ice!

•No touching knives or the stove
•Do not touch any appliances without adult supervision.
•Always wash your hands before handling food.

This cool treat makes a refreshing summer dessert, that’s simple enough for your younger siblings to help make. You’ll find this sweet and tart chiller is perfect for all. Plus, the ingredients for this recipe don’t cost more than $10 — this is one great cheap eat!

Ingredients

Cooking Instructions

1. Dissolve sugar in water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add lemon juice and zest; blend well. Let cool.
2. Pour lemon mixture into a large dish; freeze for 20 minutes.
3. Take out of freezer; scrape ice chips with a fork and stir into remaining liquid. Return lemon mixture to freezer for 20 minutes. Repeat until entire mixture is frozen, allowing 20 minutes between stirs.

Source:

- http://recipes.kaboose.com/baked-tomatoes-stuffed-with-tuna-and-rice.html

- http://recipes.kaboose.com/smashed-potato-salad.html

- http://recipes.kaboose.com/ham-egg-potato-and-cheese-pot-pies.html

- http://recipes.kaboose.com/spinach-and-cheese-ravioli.html

- http://recipes.kaboose.com/lemon-granita-ice.html

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The Tweens News | English

Family Marble Magnets!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

Give a set of these adorable little magnets and your parents will need no reminder of how much you love them! These make a perfect gift for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Choose photos that have family members smiling and their faces will fit inside the marble. Place the marble onto the photo to gauge size. This is great for using snapshots that don’t have very good framing or are otherwise not frame worthy. (Picture #1)
2. Once you have decided on a photo, place marble over face and trace around with a pen. (Picture #2)
3. Cut the face out inside the trace line.
4. Use your finger to smear a thin layer of white glue onto the flat back of the marble.
5. Press the marble gently down onto the cut out photo face. Allow to dry. 6. Glue a magnet to the back and let dry. (Picture #3)

Tips:

• If you prefer not to cut up photos, you can draw faces on white paper using crayons. Markers may run with the glue, so crayons are best.
• Make a great gift set by creating magnets using the faces of everyone in your family–Mom, Dad, brother, sister, and even your pet!
• These are perfect for hanging on an office file cabinet, at home on the fridge or on Dad’s toolbox.

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Recycled Flower Pot!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

This recycled flower pot craft is a fun Earth Day project that keeps plastic milk jugs out of the landfill and provides a pretty and useful pot to plant flowers in. Makes a wonderful Mother’s Day gift, too!

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Cut the top off of the plastic jug, just under the handle. (Picture #1)
2. Turn bottom of jug upside down and have an adult poke 4 small drain holes in the bottom. (Picture #2)
3. Cut fabric or tear paper into 1” squares.  (Picture #3)
4. Mix 2 parts glue and 1 part water in a bowl.
5. Paint glue mixture onto one side of the outside of the milk jug. (Picture #4)
6. Decoupage the fabric or paper all over the sides of the jug, applying glue onto the jug first, then over the fabric or paper to adhere. (Picture #5)
7. Cut 1.5” wide strips from felt, enough to go around the opening of the pot. (Picture #6)
8. Glue the strip onto the lip of the pot, overlapping both sides, inside and out. (Picture #7)
9. Add a handful of gravel or small rocks to the bottom of the pot.
10. Add a small amount of soil then add the potted flower.
11. Fill pot with soil, carefully but firmly patting down the soil around the flower.
12. Water your flower and place near a sunny window.

Tips:

• This pot makes a lovely accent to a patio table; however the decoupage will be ruined should it rain. To avoid this, before adding gravel, soil and flower, place the pot inside a clear plastic bag. Insert the overlap of the bag inside the pot, roll up the side if needed, you don’t want the plastic blocking the drain holes.
• Place your pot on a plate before watering to catch any water that may drain out the holes.
• These make great pots for herbs as well!

Picture #1:

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Source:

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/family-marble-magnets.html

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/recycled-flower-pot.html

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The Tweens News | English

Recycled Flower Pot!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

This recycled flower pot craft is a fun Earth Day project that keeps plastic milk jugs out of the landfill and provides a pretty and useful pot to plant flowers in. Makes a wonderful Mother’s Day gift, too!

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Cut the top off of the plastic jug, just under the handle. Save the handle to make other crafts. (Picture #1)
2. Turn bottom of jug upside down and have an adult poke 4 small drain holes in the bottom. (Picture #2)
3. Cut fabric or tear paper into 1” squares.  (Picture #3)
4. Mix 2 parts glue and 1 part water in a bowl.
5. Paint glue mixture onto one side of the outside of the milk jug. (Picture #4)
6. Decoupage the fabric or paper all over the sides of the jug, applying glue onto the jug first, then over the fabric or paper to adhere. (Picture #5)
7. Cut 1.5” wide strips from felt, enough to go around the opening of the pot. (Picture #6)
8. Glue the strip onto the lip of the pot, overlapping both sides, inside and out. (Picture #7)
9. Add a handful of gravel or small rocks to the bottom of the pot.
10. Add a small amount of soil then add the potted flower.
11. Fill pot with soil, carefully but firmly patting down the soil around the flower.
12. Water your flower and place near a sunny window.

Tips:

• This pot makes a lovely accent to a patio table; however the decoupage will be ruined should it rain. To avoid this, before adding gravel, soil and flower, place the pot inside a clear plastic bag. Insert the overlap of the bag inside the pot, roll up the side if needed, you don’t want the plastic blocking the drain holes.
• Place your pot on a plate before watering to catch any water that may drain out the holes.
• These make great pots for herbs as well!

Picture #1:

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Decorate A Compost Bin!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

This project isn’t only fun, it’s great for the environment and your garden. This Earth Day craft will help you create your own compost bin to keep on your porch or back deck.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Have an adult cut the following holes into the storage bin: A series of holes, about a centimeter wide and three centimeters apart, along both edges of the bin. On the bottom of the bin, cut a hole one centimeter wide and three centimeters long in two opposite corners. The compost bin will need ventilation in order to let air and moisture circulate.
2. Place plastic bin on its side and use the craft pain to create designs. Use bright colors to create simple flowers, stems, leaves and grass. (Picture #1 & #2)
3. Use your pointer finger to dot on insects with bright colors, using the end of a paint brush, dot white on either side of the finger print to make their wings.
4. To decorate the lid, paint each foam stamp with a good amount of paint, and press carefully but firmly onto the lid surface. Continue with each letter until your have spelled out “COMPOST”. (Picture #3)
5. Paint leaf stamps with green paint and decorate the lid around the word “compost”.
6. Allow all the paint to dry.
7. In a well-ventilated area (preferably outdoors) spray all painted surfaces with acrylic sealer spray. Let dry. Repeat this process for a total of three times. This will help protect your painted surface form the outside elements.
8. Make your starter compost (instructions below) and place outside. If you are placing the bin on the porch or patio, you may want to use an extra lid cover as a drip pan.

Making Compost

Line your bin with a few inches of clean potting soil. (Picture #4)You can also add dry leaves to the soil, as they are full of nutrients. Sand and small pieces of black and white newspaper will work as well.

There are many items that can be added to your bin and just as many that should be avoided. Vegetable and fruit scraps (potato and carrot peeling, apple cores, banana peels, etc) are a great addition to your compost bin. These items will add moisture so you will also need dry matter to keep the moisture level from getting too high.

Avoid meats, dairy, fish, or bones–they decompose very slowly and the smell they create will attract animals. Also no glossy magazine paper or materials from the side of the street (they might contain chemicals or other debris).

Dry matter can include dry leaves, straw (not hay), grass clippings, and even sawdust from untreated wood.

Add a layer of moist matter covered by a layer of dry matter. Turn and mix (aerate) your compost bin contents every 4-5 days. If you feel heat coming from the mixture you know that your bin is working properly.

Tips:

• Teaching younger siblings about composting is a great way to introduce them to the magic of Mother Nature.
• Composting also keeps biodegradable items out of the landfill and makes great soil to place in potted plants or in gardens.

Picture #1 & #2:

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Picture #4:

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Scrap Cloth Pencil Holder!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

Don’t throw away those bits and pieces of cloth that are left over from all your different projects. Save them and make new projects, such as this adorable and unique pencil holder.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Mix together equal parts of white craft glue and water. Mixture should be paintable but not too thin.
2. Paint can with one coat of white craft paint. Let dry.
3. Start anywhere on the can, paint a small amount of glue mixture on to the surface. Apply a fabric scrap and paint more of the mixture over the top of the fabric and smooth it out. Repeat this process, overlapping the fabric scraps so that none of the can’s surface shows through.
4. Use scissors to trim any pieces of fabric that are sticking out above the can.
5. Let dry completely before using.

Tips:

• Decoupage is great for many surfaces, including picture frames, wooden boxes, cardboard, glass and plastic.
• Use zipper gallon storage bags to keep fabric scraps together. Squeeze out the air to store them as flat as possible.
• If you like, add a lip of fabric or felt around the top of the can.

Source:

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/recycled-flower-pot.html

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/compost-bin.html

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/scrap-cloth-pencil-holder.html

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The Tweens News | English

Terrarium!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

You can plant just about any kind of seed in this terrarium. People love to see the plants growing. Using recycled soda bottles, it makes the perfect Earth Day craft for you and your friends.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Remove the label from the bottle. Discard label. Save cap! (Picture #1)
2. Wash and rinse out the bottle and cap.
3. Cut the bottle close to the bottom. There may be a “line” near the end of where the label was, that’s a good place to cut. You can cut it higher if you wish. (Picture #2)
4. Lightly place dirt or potting soil in the base.
5. Plant a few seeds in the dirt. (Picture #3)
6. Lightly water.
7. Put the cap on the bottle.
8. Cover the base with the top of the bottle. You will have to fiddle with it a bit to fit back inside the base. (Picture #4)
9. Place in a sunny spot and watch for your seeds to grow. (Picture #5)
10. When the plants are ready, repot them or plant them in your garden.

Tips:

• If your soil starts to look a little dry before your seeds come up, you can unscrew the cap and insert the head of spray bottle of water. Spritz several squirts into the terrarium.
• This project can also be done with individual sized water bottles. Don’t plant more than two seeds in a small bottle like this or they will be overcrowded and won’t grow.
• This makes a great classroom project, just ask each student to bring in a water bottle or 2 liter bottle. Ask students if any of their parents have a garden and would be willing to donate seeds. Bird seed will work for the project as well!

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Egghead Eggshell Planter!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

This egghead eggshell planter is a fun project for Easter, Earth Day or just about any spring day you can think of. No fancy materials are needed. With just an eggshell, a little soil and some seeds, you can grow your own planter. It’s the ultimate in eco-friendly craft ideas!

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. If you wish, decorate your strip of cardstock. We flecked some yellow and blue paint onto ours with an old toothbrush.
2. Tape or glue the cardstock into a ring to hold the egg.
3. Use a small spoon to fill the egg almost to the top with potting soil.
4. Sprinkle the soil with seed.
5. Add a thin layer of potting soil on the top.
6. Carefully water so as not to overflow or soak it.
7. Keep in a sunny location.
8. Your seeds will begin to sprout in a day or two and your egghead will grow “hair” in about a week! (Picture #1)
9. If you like, you can decorate the outside of the egg with a black marker by drawing a face on your egghead.

Tips:

• Use a small measuring spoon to scoop the soil and add it to the egg. Use a small spoon to add the seeds as well.
• If you have cats, wheat seed grows thick wheat grass and is a tasty and nutritional addition to their diet. It also aids in food digestion!
• You can also use an egg carton to sprout any kind of seeds that you like. Some seeds that sprout quickly and grow easily are green beans and radishes.

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Tin Can Herb Pots!

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

Make these charming tin can herb pots and watch them grow all summer long! This project not only recycles, it creates new life, and is a great Earth Day craft. You can watch the plants grow for months to come and be proud that you created the container that holds them.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Completely wash and dry aluminum can. If necessary, sand off any rough edges from opening of can.
2. Turn can upside down. Parent should use screwdriver or other pointed object to poke holes in the bottom of the can. Use a hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver to make the holes.
3. Paint outside of can with one coat of gesso. Let dry completely.
4. Paint can in the desired color, repeat coats if needed.
5. Decorate however you like. Use a thin paint brush for long lines, dip the end of the paint brush into paint for polka dots.
6. Decorate with stickers if desired.
7. In a well-ventilated area, spray the outside of the completed can with acrylic sealer spray. Let dry.
8. Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to form a single layer.
9. Add enough potting soil to fill the can two-thirds full.
10. Remove potted herb from its container and transplant into the can.
11. Fill edges with remaining potting soil, gently pat down so that plant is firmly in the can but not compacted so much that it’s too tight.
12. Place can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add some water to the newly planted herbs.
13. Paint craft stick whatever color you like. Allow to dry.
14. Cut a piece of thin cardboard into a small rectangle (about 1.5 x 3 inches) using pinking shears.
15. Paint both side of the cardboard with gesso, let dry.
16. Glue the rectangle to the top of the craft stick.
17. Use a black permanent marker to write the herb name onto the rectangle.
18. Insert your plant marker into the soil, being careful not to crush any roots along the way.
19. Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember to water them!

Tips:

• A 4-inch potted plant will be enough to make 2-3 vegetable sized cans (15 oz) or one larger tomato sauce type can (28 oz).
• This is a great project to teach younger siblings and yourself about growing plants, especially edible ones. Take this opportunity to visit your local library and check out a book on simple container gardening or gardening.
• Keep your younger siblings involved, be sure they take care of “their” plant. Have them water their plant and show them how to check to see if the soil is too dry or just right by gently touching the soil surface with their finger.
• Eat these herbs! They will light up when they get to pinch off a basil leaf to add to your spaghetti sauce.

Source:

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/terrarium.html

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/egghead.html

- http://crafts.kaboose.com/earth-tin-can-herb-pots.html

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The Tweens News | English

You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

This pot of gold craft can be used as a table decoration for St. Patrick’s Day or as the number shaker in our “Pot of Gold Game”.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

1. Wash and dry thoroughly the yogurt cup.
2. Spray paint the yogurt cup with black paint. Let dry. You may need to spray a few coats to cover.
3. Cut circles out of cardboard.
4. Spray paint the cardboard circles with gold paint. Let dry.
5. Fill your “pot” with “gold.” Display on your table as a place setting.
6. Use a gold paint pen to write on a name on the pot, if desired.

Source: http://crafts.kaboose.com/potgold.html

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