Cookbook Recipe: Fully Loaded Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

It's the age-old question: what's for dinner? 

In my house, this question is often followed by: what's for dessert? If I haven't done my meal planning and shopping for the week, instead of a real answer, you will get a blank stare from me.

Problem solved!

The Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook can be purchased in print for just $7.99 (free shipping with Amazon Prime!)* so you can hold it in your hot little hands and keep it on your bookshelf for easy reference. I have even included a chapter on Meal Planning, so you can figure out which night of the week will be the very best one to serve one of my 35 tater tot casserole options (and 13 desserts!).

This cookbook is a unique holiday gift or birthday gift, so you not only get a fun resource for your own kitchen, but you can at the same time make someone else very happy with a fun present!

5 Ways to Unwind Before Bed

 After a busy day, it’s not always easy to switch straight into sleep mode. Whether you’ve been working or looking after the kids, your mind and body often need a little time to slow down. 

Creating a relaxing evening routine can make it easier to fall asleep and improve the quality of your rest. The purpose is not to force yourself to sleep because that never works. It is to help your body recognise that it’s time to wind down naturally. 

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#1. Enjoy a Relaxing Essential Oil Massage

A gentle massage before bed can help release tension that has built up throughout the day. When you combine the massage with essential oils, it can become a soothing ritual that signals it's time to relax. 

Many essential oils contain aromatic compounds that stimulate the brain through the sense of smell. The scents can encourage feelings of calm and relaxation, which helps reduce the mental chatter that tends to keep you awake at night. 

You don’t need a full-body massage to enjoy the benefits! Simply warming a small amount of massage oil between your hands and gently rubbing your neck or feet for a few minutes can help ease muscle tightness. 

#2. Sleep-Friendly Chocolate

A warm drink is often associated with bedtime comfort. Today’s sleep drinks can offer even a little more than traditional hot chocolate. Some blends contain melatonin, a hormone that your body naturally produces as darkness falls. Melatonin helps regulate your internal body clock by signalling it’s time to prepare for sleep. 

For those whose sleep is regularly disrupted through stress or irregular schedules, a melatonin-infused hot chocolate can become part of a comforting evening wind-down routine. 

#3. CBD & CBN Support

Cannabinoid-based wellness products have become increasingly popular among people looking to support relaxation before bed. 

CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring compound found in hemp that doesn’t produce the intoxicating effects associated with THC. Instead, many people use it as part of their evening routine to help feel calmer after a busy day. 

CBN (cannabinol) is another naturally occurring cannabinoid that has attracted growing interest for its potential role in supporting restful sleep. Many bedtime products combine them to create formulations designed specifically for evening use, such as CBN gummies that combine both in convenient doses. 

#4. Gentle Stretching and Bedtime Yoga

While vigorous workouts are better suited earlier in the day, gentle stretching or a few simple yoga movements in the evening can help release physical tension while calming your mind. 

Focus on comfortable and slow movements to relax your neck, shoulders, and hips. Ideally, you want to dim the lights to further encourage relaxation. 

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#5. Practise Simple Breathing Techniques

Changing the way you breathe can help activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the rest and digest response. This helps slow down your heart rate and relax your muscles. 

The technique is simple and involves breathing in gently through your nose for 4 seconds, holding for a moment, and then breathing out slowly through your mouth for 6 seconds. You can repeat this pattern for a few minutes to encourage your body to settle naturally. 

Ultimately, there’s rarely one magic solution for better sleep. Instead, quality rest often comes from consistently practising small habits that help your body unwind each evening.

Beyond the Gym: Finding Adventure in Outdoor Hobbies

 

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Feeling stuck in your gym routine? If endless treadmill sessions staring at a wall aren't sparking joy anymore, maybe it's time to take your workouts outside. Getting into outdoor hobbies can shake things up and bring a whole new level of challenge and satisfaction. Think hiking rugged trails or kayaking across calm lakes. The world is packed with adventures that double as amazing workouts.

Embracing the Outdoors for Wellness

Moving your body out in nature offers some pretty special perks you just won't get at a gym. That fresh air, changing scenery, and natural ground really get your mind and body working in a more exciting way. Studies even show there are tons of benefits of being active in nature, like feeling less stressed and thinking more clearly. Plus, uneven trails make those little stabiliser muscles work hard, which a flat gym floor just can't do. All the sights and sounds keep you engaged. It's not just exercise; it's exploring, and that makes the effort feel less like a chore and more like an experience. Many people also discover that eco-therapy at home and other nature-based activities can support emotional wellbeing, even when they can't get out for a full outdoor adventure.

Exploring Active Recreation

Finding your perfect outdoor hobby is all about matching an activity to what you like and how fit you are. There are so many options! If you love pushing your endurance, trail running or long-distance cycling could be right up your alley. For folks who enjoy strategy and teamwork, things like airsoft or orienteering offer both a mental and physical challenge. And if you're a water person, try kayaking, paddleboarding, or even swimming in open water. The main thing is to pick something that genuinely excites you. What did you love doing as a kid? Climbing trees? Exploring the woods? You can totally find an adult version of that, and there are plenty of creative ways to stay active beyond just traditional exercise.

Essential Safety for Outdoor Adventures

Venturing into the great outdoors means you'll need to prep a bit more than just heading to the gym. Your safety should always be the main thing you think about. Before you go, always check the weather and tell someone your plans, like where you're going and when you expect to be back. Pack a basic first-aid kit, lots of water, and some extra food. Depending on what you're doing, you might need special protective gear. For hobbies in dusty places or areas with bad air quality, a good-quality tactical respirator can keep your lungs safe from tiny particles, helping you breathe easier and do better.

Gearing Up for Any Challenge

Having the right gear makes any outdoor activity safer and way more fun. You don't need the most expensive stuff to start, but it's smart to invest in good quality basics. For most activities, that means proper shoes made for the kind of ground you'll be on. Then, think about clothes. Fabrics that wick away moisture are important for staying dry and comfy. Depending on your hobby, you might also need special items like a tough backpack for hiking, a helmet for biking or climbing, or protective pads for sports like airsoft. Just start with the essentials and add more gear as you get more into your hobby.

Building Skills for Your Next Hobby

Many outdoor activities need specific skills to do them safely and well. Don't let learning something new scare you off. Start small and build up your confidence over time. If you want to try rock climbing, begin at an indoor climbing gym to learn how to use ropes and basic moves. If kayaking is your goal, take an intro class to get good at paddle strokes and how to rescue yourself. Lots of communities have clubs and groups for outdoor hobbies. Joining one is a fantastic way to learn from experienced people, discover new places to explore, and make friends who love the same things you do.

Taking your fitness outside opens up a whole world of new challenges and rewards. It's a chance to build real-world strength, feel better mentally, and make lasting memories along the way.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: A Guide to Low-Barrier Food Resources in KC

We all hit seasons where life gets a little too heavy. Whether it’s an unexpected bill, a gap between paychecks, or just a really tough month, knowing where to find a little extra support shouldn’t be a source of stress.

In Kansas City, we are lucky to have a community that believes in looking out for one another. But I know that sometimes the biggest hurdle to getting help is the paperwork. The idea of standing in a long line or having to prove your need can feel daunting when you're already exhausted.

That’s why I’ve gathered this list of low-barrier food resources around the metro. These are places where you can "pick up and go" with:

• No personal ID required

• No lengthy applications

• No appointments needed

From 24/7 "little free pantries" tucked into neighborhood sidewalks to efficient drive-thru distributions, these spots prioritize your privacy and your time. If you or someone you know could use a hand this week, please know these resources are here for you—no explanations necessary.

Pop-Up & Drive-Thru Distribution

These events are designed for high volume and low friction. Most only ask for the number of people in your household for their own statistics, not for your personal identity.

Bridge Over Troubled Water Food Pantry Bus: They have Summer Snack Packs for families and each family can receive one snack pack per child, every week for free. Each snack pack contains 8-10 snacks and fresh fruit. No sign-up or registration required. For more information or to help provide healthy food for kids this summer, please visit their website at www.mofamilyresource.org.

Mission Community Food Pantry: They explicitly state that no ID is required and there are no qualifications. They operate on trust and only ask for a last name and household count for tracking purposes. 

Salem Lutheran Church: Their pantry requires no ID and is open on Thursday mornings and evenings to accommodate different work schedules.

Santa Fe Waystation Food Pantry: This is a drive-thru pantry that requires no documentation. It’s a great "pick up and go" option on Mondays during their morning or evening sessions. 6422 Santa Fe Drive, Mission, KS at St. Mark's United Methodist Church.

Coronation of Our Lady Catholic Church in Grandview, MO has a food pantry, but even though my family attends services there, I'm ashamed to say I don't know how it works. I'm not sure if those attending need to drive around back or need to come inside.

No-Appointment Walk-Ins

If you need fresh items like bread or dairy, these locations allow walk-ins without the typical multi-step registration process.

Harvesters — The Community Food Network: While Harvesters is a large hub, they maintain a searchable map on their website that specifically allows you to filter for "Mobile Pantries," which are almost always paperwork-free.

Shawnee Community Services: They offer fresh bread and bakery items Monday through Saturday on a walk-in basis with no appointment, no application, and no ID required.

The "Little Free Pantry" Movement

These are essentially oversized birdhouses for food. They are open 24/7, scattered throughout neighborhoods, and operate on a "take what you need, leave what you can" basis with zero interaction required.

Little Free Pantry: (NW Waukomis Dr): This location is open 24 hours a day for non-perishable food items and basic necessities.

The Little Pantry at New City Church at 8711 Wornall Road in Kansas City, MO. Located in an urban suburb, this neighborhood pantry is easily accessible from the sidewalk.

Tiny Pantry Times: (Overland Park): Unlike some church-based pantries, this one is located outside the building and is accessible daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM without an appointment.

School Summer Lunch Programs

Please come back to find out more about these free resources.

A Final Thought on Community

If you found this list helpful, please consider bookmarking it or sharing it with a friend. You never know who might be quietly struggling or looking for a way to bridge the gap this month.

For those who are currently in a position to give back, many of these little free pantries rely entirely on neighbors helping neighbors. Dropping off a few non-perishable items—like canned proteins, pasta, or even basic toiletries—is a simple, jargon-free way to keep this vital infrastructure running.

We’re all in this together, Kansas City. Let’s keep looking out for one another.

Help Me Grow This Resource

If you represent a church, a neighborhood group, or a community center in the Kansas City area that hosts a low-barrier food pantry or a little free pantry, I would love to include you on this list. My goal is to keep this resource as up-to-date and comprehensive as possible for our neighbors in need.

Please reach out to me at thekerrieshow@gmail.com with your location, hours, and any specific details about your distribution process. Together, we can make sure no one in our community has to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

Julie's Chocolate Euphoria Recipe

I made this for Eva’s first birthday party along with a strawberry cake. We also had three ice cream choices (all Edy’s): Espresso Chip (my favorite!), Vanilla and Double Fudge Brownie.

This recipe can also be found in my book The Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook on Amazon!

Julie's Chocolate Euphoria

You will need:

1 box Devil's food cake mix (including the ingredients needed: eggs, oil, water)
12 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons butter

Bake cake according to directions. Let cool completely.

Ganache:
Place chocolate chips in a medium-sized bowl.
In saucepan, heat cream and butter until mixture boils.
Pour mixture over chocolate chips and let stand for 30 seconds.
Whisk until smooth.
Let cool for 15-20 minutes

Cake:
Crumble cooled cake into small pieces and put into a large bowl.
Add half the ganache mixture and mix well (it should resemble fudge).
Place in prepared cake pan, press down, and smooth the top.
Freeze for one hour.

Remove cake from freezer, cover top with remaining ganache.

You can put berries on it to make it look pretty or just dig in! 

Make provisions for your small children if you have some still living at home because you will go into a chocolate coma and might be unavailable for a few hours!

A birthday FYI: I did a PowerPoint slideshow for Eva’s birthday with EMF’s song “UnbeliEVAble” (available on request). I also do a birthday letter for each kid for their birthday every single year. I put a copy in a binder, a copy in our fireproof box for the kids to have someday and a copy in my scrapbook.

2026 update: Yeah, I don't do any of that birthday stuff anymore because it got very overwhelming. Be careful what traditions you choose to start when your kids are little because they will come to expect them. And if you have a large family, and if you started having kids when you were older like I did, your brain will start to glitch and you will forget some of the traditions, you'll go into a guilt-spiral, etc. and we don't need that happening!

Originally published 12/8/2008

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