Life hack

Hacking is ususally associated with computers, the internet and software. "Life hack" is a term coined by personal productivity coaches and generally means shortcuts to make life easier. I wrote a blog at the end of last year about keeping a couple of pounds of frozen shrimp and pasta for really quick meals. DinnerSmith is all about that kind of shortcut - things that get dinner done or food on the table with a minimum amount of time effort and clean-up.

BTW, we know you can do it yourself. You could do your own nails and mow your own lawn. Great food from your own kitchen every day could either be DinnerSmith or you could get extremely organized and do-it-yourself. You will need lots of tools, electric and not, in working order with all their parts, a well-stocked pantry, a clean frig and an empty freezer. Oh and lots of plastic to freeze store and contain all the ingrediants. Fran and Sharon and I used to do all this and more. We discovered this concept and knew it would change lives.

Try us out...give us a true road test. Eat DinnerSmith for a month six days a week. You will get a part of your life back...equal to a part-time job. Your kitchen will stay cleaner and less will go in to the trash. 24 meals for a small family is only $240; that's two to three people or parents and a tot or two. Double that for a family of four to six; $480 for a months worth of groceries.

A further lifehack for food is to call Ed at Suncrest Farms and get your diary products delievered. Milk and juice in a box by the door every week is soooo stressfree.

Mary

DinnerSmith goes to school

One of our customers is a first grade teacher in Newark who feeds her family DinnerSmith every day. She gets Chicken and Dumplings a couple times each month because one of her sons loves it. This month she substituted Chicken and Matzo Balls. She took one batch of Soup to school and shared it with her first grade class, most had never had matzo balls in fresh homemade chicken soup. The fifteen little tykes loved the matzo balls and the vegetables. We heard there is a thank you note coming after they finish a writing project in conjunction with the Newark Library System. We will post it in the store.

We are using a homemade chicken stock from Sharon's and Fran's kitchen this month because true matzo ball soup demands the best chicken soup we can give it! If you miss it on this month menu, there will be a couple in the freezer.

matzo balls and dumplings

This is April the season for Passover and Easter. DinnerSmith celebrated both with dumplings and matzo balls. I thought that people would love my chicken and dumplings but Fran and Sharon were surprised how many we sold. Then Sharon thought families would love her matzo ball soup. I have eaten some bad matzo balls but Sharon assured me that hers would be yummy. They were! so light and fluffy. I am a convert. Sharon says the secret not to over work them unless you like them firm.

As we finish up our first year in business, we have created a menu that reflects our different cultures. We hope we have influenced your family culture, giving you more time and great dinners.

Webkins and DinnerSmith

DinnerSmith meals have been in the freezer case at Libby's Family Pharmacy for a while and it is a great place to go and get ice cream. They carry Webkins and the Pharmacist is a great guy,who gives personal service and attention to everyone. He is a family man with small kids and really understands moms and all we have to contend with. Can't say enough about Rick Libby. The store is on Mountain Ave in Springfield just down the street from the DMV.

This weekend they are having a huge Webkins weekend with games and giveaways. Every $10 (except for prescriptions) spent earns a free Webkins. Rick sells a lot of Webkins and has a ton of accessories, too. DinnerSmith meals and ice cream counts towards your purchases. Everything starts Friday @ six. and runs thru the weekend.

The ice cream is made on the premises and is to die for! try the Double dark Chocolate!

summer is coming

We are gearing up for summer and the grill season. Sharon has been testing all kinds of marinades and sides for the summer. I said I loved last summers salsa made with mangoes and peaches. I really want everyone to try them so we came up with a new solution. In July we will offer a grill choice option. mango salsa with pork chops or chicken or fish. and in August we will offer peach salsa with the same three options. That way there is something for everyone.

Sharon and Fran are also working on a quinoa cake with an eggplant ragu. I am enclosing this link to wiki quinoa if you have not had much experience with this interesting grain. This will be a great vegetarian option because the quinoa is so high in protein. The cakes came out crunchy and brown: I like them with the fresh lemon salsa with lemongrass. A neighbor who stopped by thought they were good all by themselves. Sharon also wants to make sure that folks know they do not have to grill everything, it can be made on the stove top.

June's menu is developing. Check it out and let us know if your favorite does not get included. There is still time to add more.