Care Packages

It is nice to be able to send a taste of home to those we love who are far away. Although Colby is not 'away' at college I know many of you have children who are. What a better way to let them know how much they are missed than to send a taste of home to them? All of the ideas below can be packaged in glass canning jars, rolled in bubble wrap, packed in paper and sent off to those you miss the most, those you want to take care of and pamper just a bit in this new cooler weather are experiencing. They can also be measured and prepackaged for individual servings in ziplock bags. I like the jars because you can decorate them and it becomes more than just a food item. I know these are not 'homemade' in the sense that everything is fresh. They are quick and easy things that can be prepared with a microwave in a dorm. With studying there isn't always time for students to eat well and these are better than sodas and candy bars. They are warm and filling and relatively inexpensive to prepare. A cup of tea or a warm cup of soup after a bad day does a lot to sooth ruffled feathers. I have included a cocoa, a tea, soup and a dessert recipe that can be prepared in under 5 minutes in a dorm setting with the use of only a microwave. Hot Cocoa / Mocha Java 2 cups nonfat dry milk 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup cocoa, unsweetened 1/2 cup non-dairy creamer 1 dash of salt Package in a clean dry jar. Lable: Add 3 - 4 tbsp to a cup of hot water for hot cocoa. Add to a cup of coffee for mocha. You can tuck into the box the individual packages of marshmellows, a small box cinnamon and the flavored creamers like hazelnut, french vanilla or irish cream to add a special touch. Spiced Tea 2 1/2 cups sugar 2 cups orange flavor drink 1 cup instant tea 1 cup lemonade mix 2 teaspoonful cinnamon 1 teaspoonful cloves Mix well and store in a clean dry canning jar. Lable: Add 1 - 2 tsp to 1 cup of hot water. Quick and Easy Cup 'o Soup Potato 1-3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes 1-1/2 cups dry milk 2 Tb. instant chicken bullion 2 tsp. dried minced onion 1 tsp. dried parsley 1/4 tsp. ground pepper 1/4 tsp. dried thyme 1/8 tsp. turmeric 1-1/2 tsp. seasoning salt Mix all ingredients well and pour into a clean dry canning jar or measure out into 1/2 cup servings in small sandwich bags. Lable: place 1/2 cup mix in soup mug and add 1 cup boiling water. Stir until smooth. For a nice variation added chopped ham pieces and/or cheese. I would also add a package of crackers or croutons to have with the soup. Cake in a Mug 1 boxed cake mix (choose any flavor) 1 (4 serving size) pudding mix (complimentary flavor) **lemon cake mix and a lemon pudding, yellow cake mix and a vanilla pudding, chocolate cake mix and a chocolate pudding - I think you get the idea. To every 1/2 cup of dry mix add 2 tsp Just Whites egg substitute powder. Mix well and place in a clean dry jar or measure out into sandwich bags for single servings. Lable: Spray a mug with nonstick cooking spray. Add 1/2 cup mix, 1 tbsp cooking oil and 2 tbsp water. Mix well. Microwave on high for approx 2 min. (every microwave is different, check the progress, do not over cook). Icing 1/3 cup powdered sugar (in a baggie) to be mixed with 1 1/2 tsp water. Drizzle glazed icing over the warm microwaved cake. Eat while moist and warm. To the mailing box I would also add an oversized mug for the soup recipes, a normal sized mug for the drink mixes and a fun and funky spoon. Include seasonal decorated napkins, a kitchen cloth and towel for cleaning the mugs, and a plastic measuring cup and plastic measuring spoons. I might would even add a bottle of multi-vitamins and instant Tang. I was out at Burlington not long ago and found a mug, soup bowl and small sandwich plate in colors and patterns that girls go nuts over, the parisian style coffee and dessert plates. I picked up a set of each for our girls because they like 'special' breakfast dishes. I was thinking how a set like this would be the envy of the dorm to send to a college student for the drink and soup mixes. When the kids are home for the holidays send them back with a big box of these types of easy to make quick meals to save yourself on postage. It is election day here in Virginia. We will be heading out this morning to cast our votes. For Steven it seems to be an especially big day because like so many other firsts he will be taking Colby to vote for the first time before she goes to school. It is a HUGE deal! He is such a proud papa at times like these. So many firsts to experience and explore and he loves being there for every single one. A reminder that tomorrow is Secret Chef #3 day. Who will it be?