Operation Christmas Child: Get in the Spirit of Giving

As I was doing some catching up on my blog feed this morning, I came across Operation Christmas Child . Now yes I am aware that it is well before "Christmas Season" because it is only the beginning of November, but sometime things need a little planning and preparation.

During Christmas time I do enjoy giving to less fortunate families, especially the kiddos. I have always been blessed to be surrounded by family, tradition, and of course a fantastic Santa Claus each Christmas morning. Yet, I understand there is a deeper meaning for this holiday and sometime it does get lost in the hustle and bustle that we as a society have created the holiday season to be. I love giving. I love knowing that someones day was a little brighter and I had something to do with that smile. Operation Christmas Child is a seasonal charity drive which is supported by Samaritan Purse, which is an international relief organization. During this charity drive they collect shoe boxes packed with little trinkets and other small gifts for children in need. This was right up my alley! So I was quite excited when I came across this, albeit a few days late for this initial posting but I have decided to participate and I hope that some of my readers will as well. This is not for just Bloggers but for everyone. By participating in this charity event, it is the hope that a community of bloggers and non-bloggers will impact several hundreds of children who would most likely be without this holiday season. 

So how does it work? Simple. Dig out one of those shoe boxes from your closet that you are going to use for "something" and get to packing! If you don't have a shoe box, pick up one of the cheap boxes from the dollar store because that will work as well! You will want to pick the gender and age bracket for the child and buy according to that. Think personal items such personal items (tooth brush, tooth paste), school supplies, small toys, and hard candies. Then you drop off the box at a predetermine location which you locate on their website. Then the boxes go to children all over the world. 

So you want to give but don't really have time to do running around (or like me - you have limited time and could leave the country on the drop of a dime) well there is a build a box option on the website! Now that is convenient. It takes you through the categories and you pick the items. Once completed you write a short note, can attach a picture, then pay. Voila! 

Can I also say that I am digging the follow your box feature so you can see exactly where you box goes!! I am pretty pumped about this awesome opportunity to give back. I plan on building my box online, I think. I will post later this week with my building and my choices. I hope that you decide to join and post your box so we can make lots of kids holidays just a little brighter this year.

For questions, Hayley from A Beautiful Exchange has created this document to help guide you through making your box and linking up! 

Jazzy Noodle-Roni : Comfort food

Sometime you just need some comfort food. Sometimes you just don't have a lot in the fridge or pantry but the last thing you wanna do is put a bra on and haul your butt to Publix to get something to make a meal. So I present to you - Jazzy Noodle-Roni! Ohhhh....ahhhhh!

What you will need for this throw together meal that will please almost any crowd:

1 box of pasta - I used spiral because that was what I had available but any type would work!

1 jar of spaghetti sauce

1 pound of ground beef or turkey

8 slices of kraft cheese slices

Shredded Mozzarella

-Preheat your own to 325

-Boil water for your pasta, once it reaches a boil throw your noodles in and cook to al dente. 

-While your pasta is cooking, begin to brown the ground beef and season as you like. I used garlic and some Italian seasoning

-Once your pasta is cooked and strained, put back into original pan and add half the jar of spaghetti sauce and mix, adding ground beef once cooked. Mix well till evenly coated.

-Place half of noodle mixture into a 9x13 pan then place the slices of cheese on top of the noodles.

-Spread remaining noodle mixture over the top of the cheese slices as another layer.

-Pour remaining sauce over the top and spread with a spoon.

-Add as much (or as little) cheese as you'd like to the top. I was feeling like a fatty so I definitely used about 3/4 of the bag. 

-Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted to a golden color.

Serve it up on a fun Chevron Plate, yes that is a paper plate cause that is totally how I roll, and you have a winner winner easy cook dinner with plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day.