Fried Beef Rolls

Fried Beef Rolls are an awesome afternoon snack, appetizer, or lunch! These are so easy to make that they are sure to become one of your favorite easy recipes!

I found a great deal on egg roll wrappers (25 cents a package!!) so I had to make something with them. A quick glance in my fridge and these are the ingredients I settled on.

• Slow Roasted Roast Beef
• Bacon Cheddar
• Egg Roll Wrappers
• Vegetable Oil

Directions:

1. Layer 2 slices of roast beef and one slice of cheese into an egg roll wrapper.
2. "Tuck" the ends in, then roll the wrapper.
3. Brush with water to seal.
4. Repeat as desired for additional fried beef rolls
5. Heat 1 to 2 cups of vegetable oil in a medium size pot over medium heat, then drop the beef rolls into the oil carefully.
6. Allow to cook for about 3 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown, then turn and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Allow to drain on paper towels to reduce the grease.

After I made a few with beef and cheese, and my family declared them delicious. I tried adding a pickle to the center. It was awesome and reminded me of Cuban sandwiches in a way.

Have you ever made a unique egg roll at home?

You might also want to check out my cheese stick crab cake recipe or this cheesy chicken taquito recipe.

15+ Winter Books for Preschoolers

The winter Rolf was 3, it was cold! We spent a lot of time curled up in his tiny little boy bedroom with stacks of books at our elbows. We read everything we could get our hands on in his tiny room, where it was the warmest!

Well, here we are again, in the midst of winter, and I happen to have another preschooler to snuggle up with and read the cold days away with! This year, we have picked 15 books that we felt like we MUST READ and I am happy to share our list with you for winter reading with your little one.

I am a participant in the amazon affiliate program. Should you make a purchase from one of these links I will earn a small commission. These titles should also be available at your local library.

Animals in Winter

The Thing About Yetis

Let It Snow

The Mitten

My Snowman,Paul

Winter Dance

The Snowy Day

Tracks in the Snow

Dream Snow

Snowmen at Night

The First Day of Winter

Pizza Pie Snowman

Winter is Here

The Animals Winter Sleep

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow

Welcome Winter


I have a collection of snowman painting ideas you might also want to check out for a fun winter day with your preschooler!

Oil and Water Science for Kids

This easy science experiment for kids is so much fun! It produces visually stunning results with common pantry items.

I loved this experiment because we had everything on hand. Within a few moments I had the area ready and both kids were ready to get involved. If you don't have pipettes, you could use a medicine dropper, or even a straw.

Supplies:

Affiliate links are included, if you click and purchase I earn a small commission from the company.

Vegetable Oil

Food Coloring

Water

A Few Small Dishes

Pipettes

I added 3 drops of food coloring to each bowl of water. We decided to try green and blue.

I gave the kids a few pipettes. I asked them what they thought would happen if they added the color to the oil. Harp said it would be like paint. Rolf said it would turn the same color.

They began dropping the watercolor into the oil.

They discovered that the color didn't mix, it just formed little balls of color in the oil.

We added more food coloring to see if that affected it.

We added more water to the food coloring.

It still didn't change the way the oil and water color didn't mix.

This project was completely visually stunning. Both of the kids were hooked!

I was pretty impressed too. I thought this was a great experiment for the kids!

I am glad I got photos as it was basically a form of liquid art!

This is a great way to explore common household items with kids, and see how they react to each other. This is a very economical experiment too; only pennies to complete!

I loved that with this super easy project we could encourage the inner scientist that lives in every curious kid. 

Tropical Fruit Boats

Making food interesting to a picky eater takes patience and creativity. My son Roo is going through the phase of eating only specific foods (chicken fingers, applesauce, yogurt, cheese quesadillas). I am trying to help him experience a variety of food and enjoy eating it... Which hasn't gone well... If he lays eyes on cucumbers, he will hide. When I eat carrots, he cries for me to stop...

I am taking the approach of healthy eating to a new level by making food fun.

What could be more fun and appealing than this Tropical Fruit Boat?

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 3/4 cup blueberry or grape juice
• 2 bananas
• 1/2 cup watermelon cubes (1/2-inch)
• 1/2 cup pineapple cubes (1/2-inch)
• 1 cup mango cubes (1/2 inch)
• 2 fruit roll-up sheets, any flavor
• 4 thin pretzel sticks, each 4 inches long

Directions:

1. In each of 4 shallow bowls, place ½-cup blueberries and 3 tablespoons juice.
2. Cut each banana in half crosswise on a diagonal, then split halves lengthwise.
3. In the center of each bowl, arrange 2 banana slices to form the sides of the “boat.”
4. Evenly divide the watermelon, pineapple and mango in the banana boats.
5. To make the boat “sails,”: on a cutting board, lay one fruit roll-up sheet over the other and press together; cut the double layer into 4 triangles.
6. Make 3 small cuts along one edge of each triangle; thread onto pretzel sticks.
7. Push the pretzel sail into a fruit cube.
8. Serve immediately.

Thanks to my pals at the Blueberry Council for supplying the recipe and image.

15+ Gifts for Wine Lovers

Nothing says I love you to a wine enthusiast like a gift that will indulge their hobby! If you need a gift this Valentine's Day for someone special who happens to LOVE wine, you are in the right place. These gifts are perfect for a variety of budgets and include fun ideas from board games to a wine tasting journal. 

I am a participant in the amazon affiliate program. If you make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Under $10
Wine Tasting Journal
Wine Gummies
Unbreakable Wine Glass
Wine Bottle String Lights

Under $25
Electric Wine Opener
Wine and Picnic Set
Stainless Steel Wine Glasses
Wine Bottle Lights
Wine Cork Holder Monogram
Wineopoly 

Under $50
Wine Infused Coffee
Wall Mounted Wine Rack
One Button Aerator and Decanter 
Wine Purse
44 Bottle Wine Rack

Under $100
6 Bottle Wine Cooler
Mobile Wine Storage Cart
Aervana Wine Aerator

I would love ANY of these gifts! How about you? If you have a great gift idea for a wine lover, I would love to hear about it!

Print the I is for Igloo Coloring Page

School is out but we are still working on our letters! When the temps reached 92 last week, all Harper and Rolf could think of was popsicles, ice cream and playing with the hose. It seemed fitting to make an igloo for the letter I!

This printable combines handwriting practice and coloring for the win.

This post contains affiliate or compensated links.

To keep the fun of igloos going, we got some fun Toob toys from Safari LTD. We went with the Arctic Toob series because it had so many fun options including a seal, a fox, a whale, an igloo and more! Harper loved adding these fun toys to a bin of ice for a fun sensory experience.

We followed it up with a great book, Curious George Builds an Igloo. An afternoon playing in ice, learning about the letter Ii, and reading a great story in the cool comforts of our house made for an experience that even Rolfie, who is too cool on his own, couldn't resist getting involved in!

Print the I is for Igloo Coloring Page

Pin this page for later, or share it with a preschool parent!

You can find more FREE preschool printables here

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Chewy Cherry-Nut Bar

We love healthy snacks that we can grab and go. With 2 very busy kids and a schedule that never stops I have to make choices that can satisfy the family and that can be eaten easily {as little mess as possible}. We love cereal. We can't resist the chance to try recipes that are made with cereal. I think you will enjoy this recipe too. It is perfect for back to school breakfast or an after school snack.

Chewy Cherry-Nut Bar

Ingredients 

1 cup Great Grains Crunchy Pecan cereal

Nonstick organic canola oil spray

2/3 cup whole raw almonds, very coarsely chopped

2/3 cup raw pecans, very coarsely copped

2/3 cup dried tart cherries, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons golden flaxseeds

1/4 teaspoon fine-grained sea salt

Grated zest of 1 orange

1/2 cup agave syrup

Baking Instructions

Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 275 degrees fahrenheit. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil, allowing some foil to hang over the edges of the pan, then spray the foil with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, combine the cereal, nuts, cherries, flaxseeds, and salt. Mix in the orange zest. Add the syrup and stir to coat. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan.

Bake for 30 minutes, gently stirring the mixture occasionally with a silicone spatula to coat with the syrup. Pat the mixture firmly into the pan with a metal spatula. Continue baking (without stirring) until the mixture is golden brown and still pliable, about 40 minutes.

Cool in the pan on a rack for 25 minutes. Using the overhanging sides of the foil, lift the mixture out of the pan and press firmly on the mixture to help compact it on all sides. Then, using the bottom of the pan, gently press on the top of the mixture to compact it more. Cool on the rack until barely warm, about 10 minutes.

With the foil still attached, cut the nut and cereal sheet into 12 bars with a large sharp knife. Allow the bars to cool completely on the rack.

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature. Remove the foil before serving.

Makes 12 bars.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes

Thanks to my friends at Post Foods for sending the recipe and inspiring me to share it with you.

Are You Adventurous With Your Foods?

We like what we like, and we like to like what we like. A tongue twister to start this article
might be fitting, because the more adventurous you are with your foods, the more you tangle
with your tastebuds. It’s easy however to walk into the same restaurant you always do, and
eat the same order you always do, because you know what you’re going to get out of it. Is it
not easier to order what you know you’re going to like, rather than paying for a meal you’re
disappointed in? Of course it is, but without taking risks with our foods, we will never truly
discover what’s out there. Foods you never even thought could exist and work together, and
tastes you never thought would be possible. So hopefully this article is going to explain to you
how you can begin trying new foods, and the way it might even change your life.

Tucking Into Some New Grub

So, first things first, you need to get out of the habit of going to the typical foods that you usually
go to. You might waste some money along the way, but you could also find the tastiest thing in
the world that you just didn’t know exist. If you check out this Doordash vs Ubereats review,
you’ll find one company who can help you do it all from the comfort of your own home. Sometimes
it’s the simplicity of exploring a simple take out menu, that can introduce you to flavours you
didn’t know before. Especially on Indian and Chinese takeaways, there’s so much variety, and
so much good cooking to experience. Then, you can take it up a notch and start eating at
restaurants that do different delicacies you’ll eventually find yourself trying something that
you fall in love with.

Going Super Adventurous

We’re not talking about having a McChicken sandwich next time you go to McDonald’s, instead
of a Big Mac. We’re talking about trying the really unique dishes out there, that at first glance
might put you off. Fine cooked sushi for example, is something not many people are willing to
try. But when cooked by a beautiful Japanese chef, the flavours are incredible. There are a lot of
Japanese and Chinese tasting restaurants, where mini dishes are served to you, allowing you to
try a range of unique dishes. Any places like this where you can have a taste of anything, are
definitely recommended.

The Benefits It Could Have For Your Life

Food changes your life, and once you get a passion for it, you really start discovering what is out
there. It could lead you around the world tasting different foods, and it could definitely
enrich your diet. When you’re only used to eating the same types of food, you’re not necessarily
giving your body the diversity of vitamins and nutrients it needs. As long as your quest to try new
foods doesn’t take you down an unhealthy route, you might find your health really does improve.

6 Yummy Cookie Recipes

I am watching what I eat so all I can think about is... cookies!  While this is semi-torturous for me, it is good for you. My sudden obsession  interest in cookies inspired me to check out some of the great links submitted to the Tell Me About It Tuesday linky party hosted right here on Sweet Silly Sara and compile a small roundup of mouth watering temptation- cookie style.

Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Bars from Bakewell Junction have me tempted to bake now and use the elliptical for an extra hour tomorrow.

A while ago I made something yummy and easy that I have been dreaming about...Donut Balls.

Bitz and Giggles made these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites just to make me drool. I am sure of it.

Homemade Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies... hmmm almonds have protein... so that makes these health food right?

This Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe from A Few Shortcuts is dairy and gluten free.

Unicorn Poop Cookies? If the name didn't draw you in, maybe the knowledge that this recipe comes from the coolest blog ever {Kids Activities Blog} will.

When you are dieting, what do you crave? I can't wait to hear from you. If you are one of those lucky people that never diet, tell me your secret ;)

20+ Best Marvel Gifts for Kids

If you are looking for the best marvel gifts for kids, you are in luck! I have rounded up more than 20 ideas for you that will work with any budget!  From a fun black panther mask to a fantastically fun remote control Hulk truck, this list is going to give you some ideas to bring the wow to the holiday season!

I am a participant in the amazon affiliate program, Making a purchase will earn a small commission for my site at no cost to you.

Under $10
6" Captain America Figure
Black Panther Claw
Infinity Wars Gauntlet
Spiderman Glove
Funko Pop Captain America
Spiderman Figure with Web Racer
Bobble Head Groot
Marvel Edition of Uno

Under $20
Captain America Reveal Shield
I Can Do That Marvel Game
Black Panther Vibranium Power FX Mask by Marvel
Stark Tech Armor with Tony Stark Figure
Marvel Mr. Potato Head
Spiderman Walkie Talkies
LEGO Infinity War Outrider Dropship Attack 


Under $50
Marvel Avengers Age of Ultron Iron Man Arc FX Armor
Playskool Heroes Marvel Super Hero Adventures Spider-Man Web-Quarters
Set of 4 Marvel Capes and Masks
6" Hulkbuster & 2" Iron Man Set
Dancing Groot
Captain America Drone
Thor's Hammer Decorative Light
Funko Groot

15+ Gifts for Outdoor Enthusiasts

If you are shopping for someone who loves to camp, hike or generally be outdoors, you won't need to think too hard on the perfect gift, because I have rounded up 15+ gift ideas for outdoor enthusiasts! These ideas are great for any budget with gifts that are under $20 like a great pair of polarized sunglasses to fog free binoculars that will help them take in the scenery no matter where their adventures take them!

I am a participant in the Amazon affiliate program. Making a purchase earns me a small commission at no cost to you!

Under $20
Earth Pak Waterproof Bag
RIVBOS Polarized Sunglasses
Cactaki Infusing Water Bottles
Wool Socks
Rechargeable Waterproof Headlamp
Lifestraw Personal Water Filter

Under $50
Extra Large Picnic Blanket
Grid Deep Tissue Foam Roller
Weather Predicting Storm Glass
Trail Cam with Night Vision
Solar Charging Panel for Cell Phones


Under $100
Portable Pressure Shower with Foot Pump
High Performance Down Blanket
Leatherman Multi Tool
Fog Free Binoculars
All Season Double Sleeping Bag


If you have a great gift idea please leave a comment to inspire other shoppers this holiday season!

20+ Gift Ideas for Women

Getting a great gift for a special woman in your life just got easier! I found 20+ Ideas that are awesome and will work with any budget! From a special size perfume for a chick on the go to a smart water bottle for a honey who needs to stay hydrated, this list has something on it for every woman!

I am a participant in the amazon affiliate program, clicking on a link and making a purchase results in my site earning a small commission at no cost to you.

Under $15
Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Set
Merlot Soap
Christmas Embossed Rolling Pin
Rose Gold Charging Stand
DKNY Stories  Parfum Travel Size

Under $25
Paperwhite Winter Bulb Kit
Archway Style Glass Terrarium 
Pedicure Foot Spa with Heat
Basil Mason Jar Growing Kit

Under $50
Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager
Bamboo Bathtub Caddy and Tray
Smart Water Bottle
Kate Spade Garden Drive Jewelry Box
Homesick Candles in Road Trip Scent
Wine Saving Carafe 

Under $100
Gold Flatware Set
Agate Coaster Set
Bamboo Cheese Board with Cutlery
Coach Havana Sunglasses
Espresso and Cappuccino Machine

15+ Unicorn Gifts for Teens

If you need a great gift for a teen girl who LOVES unicorns, this is the gift guide for you!

Almost all girls love unicorns, they are funtastic! Picking a unicorn gift for a teen girl is a sure way to give her a big smile as she unwraps her gift this holiday season! This list has things to wear, things to make and functional gifts that mix in a lot of fun! 

In addition, unicorn lapel pins are also a good gift for girls, they are widely used and can be kept secure on a canvas bag, a hat and a sweater. If the stock unicorn pins aren't unique enough for you, you can also opt to get a unicorn-theme custom lapel pin you want on GS-JJ. They offer a free design page with a variety of templates and symbols to choose from. Customized gifts can fully express your heart and their finished products that make you feel that the wait is worth it. Your lovely girl will love this special gift.

I am a participant in the amazon affiliate program. If you make a purchase I will earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Unicorn Makeup Brushes
Unicorn Leggings
Unicorn Tablet Stand
Unicorn Print Hoodie
Snuggly Unicorn Hooded Blanket
Unicorn Robe
Unicorn Slippers
Unicorn Bedding Set
Unicorn Journal
Unicorn Donut Socks
Unicorn Light Up Marquee Sign
Unicorn Adult Coloring Book
Unicorn Car Decal
Crossbody Unicorn Purse
Unicorn Zippered Clutch
Yarn Unicorn Kit

Which of these unicorn gifts seem like the best idea for a teen girl you know and love this Christmas? I would love to hear which one you would buy first!

Getting Holiday Ready with Biz

The holiday hustle is in full swing around here. There are gifts to buy and wrap, cookies to bake and share, and loads of cleaning to do to get ready for the friends and family that will come calling. This year I am not sweating it, because I have a secret helper at my disposal that keeps my linens, clothes and tree skirts looking great, and it can even lend a hand with household cleaning.

I am a BIZ Stain Fighter Ambassador. I was compensated to write this post, but all opinions are my own.

I have been using BIZ all year. I used it to keep my kids looking great after ball games, to get food stains, paint and marker stains out of clothes, and even to clean up my house. Now that the holidays are here, Biz is my trusty helper again.

Biz has more stain fighting ingredients, this makes it a really great helper for laundry and more. It can tackle greasy food stains as well as juice or chocolate stains. No matter what delicious fun comes near my linens and clothes, handmade rugs and one of a kind tree skirt, BIZ has my back for easy and stress free stain removal. It is as simple as adding Biz to the wash and forgetting about it.

This year as I prep for the holidays, I am using Biz along the way. My kitchen and bathroom are sparkling and inviting and my baseboards? They are so clean! All I did was dissolve a little Biz in warm water, then clean, going over it all again with a damp clean rag.

Biz is inexpensive, it is available almost everywhere and it can multi task all over the house for a clean that is company ready. I love that I can spend a few dollars and get a product that works in so many ways.

If you use Biz around the house, share a cleaning tip with me for the holiday guest season.