4 Smart Martha Tips of the Month:

1. While you are setting up your schedule, try using a calendar on your computer.  Get into the habit of checking it every morning and/or evening before bed.  Make as many hard copies as you need.  Put one on your bulletin board, one in your planner. Give one to your spouse, etc.

I used to use Google calendar.  It is very easy, quick and simple to use.  I am now using Cozi.com.  It is not as quick or simple as Google, but it has a couple of other features I like to use: the to do lists and the journal.  You can also transfer all your Google or Yahoo appointments to the Cozi Calendar.

2. And while we easily are checking our schedule every morning on the computer, we can also read about the Saint of the Day.  Why not start your day off with the encouraging stories and words of these great men and women?  It comes into your inbox daily.  http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/Default.aspx#SaintofTheDay

3. But we either need to stop there or set a limit for the amount of time we spend doing our emails or surfing the web.  The real world is happening around us.  Don't miss those real people around you who need real attention and real conversations.  

For me, emails are such an important part of managing my  "home business"--soccer practice changes, school news, home school co-op happenings, prayer concerns,carpool rides, etc. but even though email saves me a lot of time, I know I can get caught up and end up losing valuable family time.  I try to only read and respond to my emails first thing in the morning before the school day begins or late in the evening after the younger children have gone to bed.  We need to know ourselves and set our own limits.

4. Plan ahead to use your slow cooker on your busiest day every week.  Check out    http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Slow-Cookers-Still-Hot/Detail.aspx.   to spruce up your menu!

AllReceipes.com has over 400 slow cooker recipes that are easy to find.  I like using the website for other recipes, as well.  I find the reviews very helpful.

Slow Cooker Italian Beef for Sandwiches (From AllRecipes.com)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon onion salt
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix (or not--just double the other spices)
• 1 (5 pound) rump roast

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine water with salt, ground black pepper, oregano, basil, onion salt, parsley, garlic powder, bay leaf, and salad dressing mix in a saucepan. Stir well, and bring to a boil. (I just mix it together in a bowl?)
2. Place roast in slow cooker, and pour salad dressing mixture over the meat.
3. Cover, and cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours, or on High for 4 to 5 hours. When done, remove bay leaf, and shred meat with a fork.

 Serve on crusty bread with mozzarella cheese. Or roasted red peppers. . . yum!

Of course I vary this tremendously depending on our mood and which ingredients we have.  Use Mexican seasonings for a great burrito filling.  Or thicken sauce at end with corn starch dissolved in cold water and serve over rice.  Throw in some vegetables. . .It's really that easy.