The Disadvantages of Public Schooling

As soon as we enroll our children in a public school, somehow, we give out this sigh of relief, thinking that our children are getting quality education. But there is always more than one possibility in any situation. So probably they are learning the right way and the right things while we are getting our money's worth. But what if it's the other possibility? What if we realize that 'quality education' is just but a dream after paying real money for it? What happens to our children?

Socialization is deemed to be the biggest benefit of normal schools. The child gets to meet different kids from different backgrounds. He gets to be taught by people he initially has (or may never have) any emotional attachment to. He will be forced to behave in a social circle outside his own comfort zone. He will learn fear and embarrassment and probably pay the price later on. Nobody knows really because the environment can't be controlled. Normal school environment, because of 'need' to fit in, will encourage the child to interact only with his peers. In a homeschool environment, the comfort of the child is used to his advantage. He can interact with anybody.

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The artificial business imposed on the child by the normal school environment takes away the important moments of silence when he can think deeply about his interests before he expresses them. He can't read literature for all the other kids might think he's a nerd. The idea of bullies and weaklings are more pronounced in a public school environment where there is a variety of children from different backgrounds of upbringing.

The Disadvantages of Public Schooling

Retention of knowledge may also be low in normal schools as usually, school-goers are forced to study within a time period to pass an exam which is on nearing deadline. It's about what comes out of the school card at the end of the semester rather than how much a child has truly and willingly learned. Learning and understanding are two different things. A child may have learned just to keep up with the requirements but he may not have understood. This is where homeschoolers beat normal school-goers. Surprising for those who are used to the normal system of education, homeschoolers turn out to be more adept in facing the realities of the social world.

The Disadvantages of Public Schooling

If you enjoyed this article, please visit the The Parenting Magazine for more. The Parenting Magazine is a popular online publication providing useful parenting information on child education, infant care, child care, child safety, child development, child behavior problems, kids activities and even great food recipes for kids!

Ravioli With Meat Filling - Recipe for Homemade Pasta

Ravioli, famous Italian pasta, are small squares of pasta filled with a savoury mixture of meat, cheese, etc. The word ravioli derives from the Italian verb " ravvolgere" ("to wrap").

Since raviolis are typical product of italian cuisine, almost every Italian region has its own varieties of ravioli with different forms and stuffings. Both cities of Cremona and Genoa claim to have created ravioli. Legend has it that the raviolis were invented in 1200 by a family who ran an inn on the road that led from Genoa to the Po Valley.

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But the earliest written mentions of ravioli appear in 14th century manuscripts by Francesco di Marco Datini, a merchant of Prato, Tuscany. Even cuisines of Babylon, Egypt, Greece and Rome already had similar dishes.

Ravioli With Meat Filling - Recipe for Homemade Pasta

FOR HOMEMADE RAVIOLI

Ingredients:

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups of flour (American bread flour or grade 00 Italian flour)

1/2 teaspoon of salt

3 tablespoons of cold water

Preparation:

1. Put the flour on a work surface (countertop or a bread-board) and form a mound. Make a well in the middle of it, and pour the eggs into it.

2. Add the salt and the water, and mix all together until you have a smooth paste which you can roll out. Knead the dough for about ten to fifteen minutes.

3. Flour your countertop, use a rolling-pin and roll the dough out very thin, flouring it as necessary, about the thickness of a dime. Let it stay spread out like this until it dries a little.

FOR MEAT FILLING

Ingredients:

cooked meat (turkey, chicken, veal); you can also use left-over meat

1 egg

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

a pinch of grated lemon zest

a pinch of nutmeg

1 tablespoon of butter

Preparation:

1. Finely chop the meat and put in a bowl. Add egg, grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of nutmeg, a pinch of grated lemon zest, and a tablespoon of cold butter. Mix all ingredients.

2. Take about a teaspoon of the filling and put it into the paste sheet, out two inches from the margin of the sheet. Take another spoonful of filling and put it about two inches away from the first scoop. Continue doing like this until you have a row of scoops across the paste. Carefully fold the pasta over the spoonfuls of filling.

3. Then start cutting the ravioli out by slicing between the filling pillows to get individual pockets. Edges should be well pressed together so that the meat filling cannot fall out when the ravioli are cooked.

4. Cook the meat ravioli in a large quantity of boiling salted water and boil for ten minutes. Serve with tomato sauce, or with butter and grated Parmesan cheese.

Ravioli With Meat Filling - Recipe for Homemade Pasta

Sandra D. is a blogger and owner of http://www.stainlesssteelbacksplashguide.com

Spooky Treats and Ghoulish Eats - Kids Halloween Recipes

These Halloween recipes for kids are a great addition to your holiday fare. This time of year is all about ghosts and goblins, witches and wizards, bats and vampires and even monsters and more. Making fun treats to eat at your party will set the tone for a spooky and scary good time. These ideas will need some adult supervision as there is some heating and cooking involved with these recipes. Don't forget some food coloring to make these ideas even extra special for the upcoming day. You can make creepy ice cream spiders, witches brew punch or even scrumptious munchable scarecrows.

Kids Halloween Recipe #1 - Ice Cream Spider Cups

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Everyone loves ice cream and for your festive party they will love the looks of these spiders made from ice cream and other tasty ingredients.

Spooky Treats and Ghoulish Eats - Kids Halloween Recipes

Ingredients

• 8 individual graham cracker tart shells
• 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
• 16 Oreo Cookies (crumbled)
• 16 red M&M candy pieces
• 16 pieces of black shoestring licorice

Directions

1. Lay out the shells on a baking sheet.
2. Add 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream to each shell.
3. In a bowl, crumble the Oreo cookies.
4. Sprinkle the crumbles on each scoop of ice cream to create a black furry looking spider body.
5. Put the filled shells in the freezer for 30 minutes or until ice cream is hardened.
6. Remove from the freezer and press 2 red M&M's into the front of each scoop for the spider's eyes.
7. Cut the licorice strips into fourths.
8. Press 8 strips of licorice into each ice cream scoop to form the spider's legs.
9. Return to the freezer until ready to serve.

Makes 8 servings

These simple little spiders are so easy make and the kids will love them. You can use any flavor of ice cream you want and different colors of M&M's for the eyes. Mix it up and give each guest a slightly different looking spider or flavor.

Kids Halloween Recipe #2 - Red Witches Brew Fruit Punch

This blood red punch will sure to quench the thirst of all the vampires attending your party.

Ingredients

• 3 (48 ounce) cans pineapple juice
• 1 (2 liter) lemon lime soda
• 1 large package strawberry or cherry flavored drink mix
• 1 can frozen strawberries
• 12 - 24 gummy worms

Directions

1. Place a gummy worm in an ice cube tray (1 in each tray). Fill with water and freeze.
2. Mix all other ingredients together and chill.
3. Once the ice cubes (with the gummy worms) are frozen, place in the punch and serve.

Makes about 1 to 1 1/2 gallons

You can make your witches brew even scarier looking by adding raisins and/or other frozen fruits.

Kids Halloween Recipe #3 - Coconut Munchable Scarecrows

These yummy scarecrows will brighten up your party with their bright clothes and tasty hat. Kids will have a blast frosting these little guys.

Ingredients

• 1 (18 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• Yellow, orange, red and blue food coloring
• 18 gum drop fruit slices
• 1 can vanilla frosting
• 1 package mini chocolate chips

Directions

1. Roll out the cookie dough on a flat surface. You can flour the surface to prevent sticking.
2. Use gingerbread men cutters and cut out 18 shapes.
3. Place the cutouts onto a baking sheet and bake according the directions on the package.
4. Remove the cookies and cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
5. Using a small bowl, mix the coconut and yellow food coloring to achieve a straw like color.
6. To make the scarecrow hats place the gum drops on a lightly sugared surface and press and roll them flat.
7. Using a butter knife, cut hat shapes for each flattened gum drop.
8. Place the vanilla frosting evenly into 3 separate bowls.
9. Add drops of orange, red and blue food coloring into each of the bowls (one color per bowl).
10. After the cookies have cooled, frost each cookie with the blue and red frosting making the shirts and pants. Make some shirts blue and pants red and with some shirts red and pants blue.
11. Next frost the head, feet and hands with the orange frosting.
12. Press your colored coconut into the hands and feet to form the straw.
13. Place the hat onto the scarecrows head by placing a little orange frosting on the back of the hat and pressing it onto the scarecrow.
14. Place 2 to 3 of mini chocolate chips down the front of the scarecrows shirt for buttons. Place chips on the head for the eyes, nose and mouth.

Makes 18 cookies.

These scarecrows will look so yummy that your guests will eat them quickly.

Spooky Treats and Ghoulish Eats - Kids Halloween Recipes

In addition to these kids Halloween recipes, try making your own decorations with these kids Halloween Crafts.

Nachos Recipe - How to Make Healthy Nachos

Have you ever been in the mood for a festive Mexican dinner, just for it to be ruined with all of the grease that drips out from a dish at a Mexican restaurant? Why not create your own Mexican restaurant at home. This way you can not only save money, but you health as well. No more grease stains on your shirt or added pounds after a night out at your local Mexican restaurant. I am going to give you a recipe for healthy nachos that will make you never eat restaurant nachos again. These healthy nachos are made with a natural cracker that tastes just like corn chips, 2% cheese, and loads of veggies as your toppings.

Step 1
Pick your chips wisely. The best chip you can use to make healthy nachos is Blue Diamond's Almond Nut Thins. They are made out of rice flour and almonds. They are shaped just like bite size tortilla chips and taste just like them too! They are wonderfully nutritious for you and not greasy at all.

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If you can't find Nut Thins in your local market, go for the Baked Lay's tortilla chips.

Nachos Recipe - How to Make Healthy Nachos

Step 2
Pick your cheese wisely too. You want to make sure that you get a 2% cheese. Go for the Mexican Blend when available, but sharp cheddar works just as well.

If you have a shredded cheese, which works the best for healthy nachos, simply lay out about 10-15 Nut Thins on a sprayed baking sheet and sprinkle 1/4 c to 1/2 cup of 2% cheese on top. Bake at 375 degrees for around 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

When using a cheese slice, either melt the cheese in the microwave with a tiny bit of milk and pour it over your Nut Thins (warning: this is messy), or place the slice of cheese over the Nut Thins and bake in the oven as directed above.

Step 3
Now choose your toppings. Try a nice dash of all-natural salsa, fat free sour cream, lettuce, onions, peppers, or any other festive veggies you like.

If you have to have a meat, go for a spicy seasoned chicken that has been chopped or shredded. That way you get some added protein without adding extra fat and grease to your healthy nachos.

So, the next time you crave a festive Mexican dinner remember, you don't run out to your local Mexican restaurant to get your fix. Simply go in the kitchen, grab Nut Thins, 2% cheese, and your desired toppings. Prepare a festive dish to serve your loved ones, or let everyone in on the fun of making their own dish. Chances are they will never even know they are eating or making healthy nachos!

Nachos Recipe - How to Make Healthy Nachos

Kelli Stevens is a girl with a passion for making food healthy. She is not a nutritionist or a professional, she is simply a girl who has overcome an eating disorder. She decided to take control of her food, and stop letting it control her life. She hopes to take her personal experience and use it to help others better their lives by eating better.

For more ideas, recipes, or to share ideas Click Here.

Fruit Salad Recipes - Best Ambrosia Fruit Salad

Here's a classic recipe for fruit salad that many people love. It features pineapple, oranges, cherries, marshmallows and coconut.

2 cans pineapple chunks, drained

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2 cans mandarin oranges, drained

Fruit Salad Recipes - Best Ambrosia Fruit Salad

2 jars maraschino cherries, drained

1 can coconut flakes

1/2 bag mini marshmallows

4 oz. sour cream

16 oz. container Cool Whip

Directions

In a bowl, combine the sour cream and the Cool Whip. Fold in the remaining ingredients. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.

=> Fruit Salad Recipe: Fancy Frozen Fruit Salad

A deliciously cool salad to serve on a hot summer day.

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese

1/3 cup powdered sugar

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing

1(16 oz.) can sliced peaches, drained

1/3 cup maraschino cherry halves

1 (16 oz.) can fruit cocktail, drained

1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained

2 cups miniature marshmallows

1/3 cup whipped cream

Few drops red food coloring

Additional whipped cream for garnish

Directions

In a bowl, whip the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until well blended. Add in the vanilla and blend in the mayonnaise. Fold in the fruit and marshmallows. Fold the whipped cream into the mixture.

Add food coloring to mixture. Salad should now be a pale pink color. Ladle mixture into 5 ounce serving or soufflé cups. Place in freezer and freeze overnight.

Defrost at least 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with dollops of whipped cream and cherries.

=> Fresh Fruit Salad Recipe: Summer Fresh Fruit Salad

Loaded with of fresh fruit, this salad also makes a nice centerpiece display.

1/2 watermelon

Cantaloupe balls

Seedless grapes

Peach slices

Pear slices

Strawberries, sliced

Red and black raspberries

Banana Slices

Pineapple cubes

Black cherries

Apple cubes

Fruit Salad Dressing

Directions

Scoop the red flesh out from inside of the watermelon with melon ball cutter. Drain the shell well.

Cut up the other fruits into chunks. Fill the watermelon shell with the watermelon balls and other assorted fruit chunks and berries. Chill until ready to serve.

Fruit Salad Dressing

4 1/2 teaspoons all purpose flour

1 (6 oz.) can pineapple juice

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup orange juice concentrate

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook for 2 minutes or until thickened; stirring constantly. Cool. Serve over fruit. Refrigerate left over dressing.

=> Easy Fruit Salad Recipe: Quick and Easy Fruit Salad

If you need to make fruit salad for a crowd, like for a picnic or potluck, this recipe is a snap.

1 (30 oz.) can fruit cocktail, drained

1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained

1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks, do not drain

2 firm bananas, sliced 1-inch thick (optional)*

1 box instant vanilla pudding

Directions

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir until the dry pudding mixture is fully incorporated into the fruit mixture. Salad will appear to be runny, but will thicken as the pudding absorbs the pineapple juice.

Chill overnight. Stir before serving.

*Note: Add bananas just before serving.

Fruit Salad Recipes - Best Ambrosia Fruit Salad

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Tuna Salad Recipes - Deliciously Simple Tuna Salad

This is one of the classic tuna fish salad recipes that you can make in just a few minutes. Makes a family sized amount.

4 (6 oz.) cans tuna, drained
1 lemon, juiced (optional)
2 cups mayonnaise
4 stalks celery, diced
1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
Salt and pepper to taste

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Directions

Tuna Salad Recipes - Deliciously Simple Tuna Salad

In a bowl, combine the tuna, lemon juice, mayonnaise, celery and pickle relish. Mix together well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

=> Tuna Salad Recipe: Gourmet Tuna Salad

Here's a restaurant quality tuna recipe that is absolutely delicious for tuna salad sandwiches.

1 (7 oz.) can white tuna, drained and flaked
6 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1/8 teaspoon dried minced onion flakes
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 pinch garlic powder

Directions

In a medium bowl, stir together the tuna, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and onion flakes. Add in the curry powder, parsley, dill weed and garlic powder.

Mix well and serve with crackers or as a sandwich.

=> Low Fat Tuna Salad: Fabulous Bean Tuna Salad

You can do a lot more with tuna salad than make sandwiches. This healthy recipe features albacore tuna, fresh green beans, Northern beans, black olives and hard boiled eggs.

3/4 pound green beans, trimmed and snapped in half
1 (12 oz.) can solid white albacore tuna, drained
1 (16 oz.) can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 (2.25 oz.) can sliced black olives, drained
1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Salt and pepper to taste
4 large hard cooked eggs, peeled and quartered

Directions

Place green beans, 1/3 cup water and a large pinch of salt into a medium skillet. Cover, turn heat on high and bring water to a boil.

Once the beans start to steam, set the timer and cook until tender and crisp (about 5 minutes. Note: do not let the skillet run dry). Immediately dump the beans into a lipped cookie sheet that is lined with paper towels. Let cool.

In a bowl, combine the tuna, olives and onion.

In another bowl, whisk together the oregano, oil, lemon juice and zest. Pour over the tuna mixture; gently stirring. Add salt and pepper to taste. Arrange a portion of the tuna salad, green beans and hard cooked eggs onto 4 plates.

Tuna Salad Recipes - Deliciously Simple Tuna Salad

Mmmm . . . homemade bread bakes in the oven while you toss a healthy green salad with homemade dressing, and that soup sure smells good too. Get your free recipes here => [http://www.best-salad-recipes.com]