In the News--Houts & Home Publications LLC
Valentine Board Game is Created with the Help of NWMSU
Published on the Northwest Missouri State University website, this article describes how Northwest students helped to design a board game created by Amy Houts, and how kindergarten students at Horace Mann Lab School (on the Northwest campus) helped to test it. http://www.nwmissouri.edu/media/news/2016/02/12houtsboardgame.htm
A University and Community Partnership
Published in Children's Ministry Magazine and reprinted on the Northwest Missouri State University website, this article by Amy Houts describes how the University partnered with the First United Methodist Church to provide volunteers for the church's Wednesday evening children's programming, creating a wonderful partnership that benefits both the Northwest students and the children attending church. http://www.nwmissouri.edu/media/news/2016/02/0203educationfumcpartnership.htm
Lighthearted Book Celebrates the Love Between Mother, Child
April 8, 2015 Nodaway News Leader, Maryville, Missouri
Mother-daughter team, Amy Houts and Emily Dettmer Bush, have co-authored a picture book that celebrates the mother/child bond. The artwork for “What Do Moms Do?” was created by award-winning illustrator, Lisa Thiesing. The book was first released as an e-book and is now also available in paperback.
Sweet, funny animal illustrations help tell the story of the everyday ways moms show their love. A newly-hatched duckling asks her animal friends, “What do moms do?” They answer by showing the different things their moms do to make them feel special. One example is a mother skunk sitting by the bathtub while her child takes a bath. The ironic text states, “My mom gives me extra time in the tub—even if I’m already clean.”
Houts and Bush wrote the book years ago. They were discussing some of the little sacrifices that moms make that seem trivial but make everyday routines special.
Houts remembered, “Emily and I started making a list of all the things that moms do. Because I write children’s books, I naturally thought it was a good topic to feature in a book because the underlying theme is love.”
“When we came up with the idea for this book several years ago,” said Bush, “it was fun to remember the little things that my mom did for me throughout my childhood. Now that I am a mom, too, our book has a new meaning for me and I have a deeper appreciation for my mom.”
Houts and Thiesing met at a writers conference in New York City in 1999. They kept in touch through email, cards and get-togethers when Houts visited her family, who live in the New York City area. Thiesing lives in upstate New York. Houts and Thiesing have cheered each other on with their professional successes. Houts has authored over 60 books, for educational publishers such as McGraw Hill, Pearson and Capstone. Thiesing has written and illustrated over 40 books for top publishing houses such as Dutton, Random House and Harper Collins.
“I am thrilled that Lisa agreed to collaborate on this book!” said Houts. “Her artwork captures the love that moms share with their children.”
Houts, a long-time resident of Maryville, freelances full-time. She started a publishing company, Houts & Home Publications LLC, in 2011, releasing “Mealtime Magic: Delicious dinners in half the time” in 2013. Bush, the mother of twin boys, is a 2000 graduate of Maryville High School and lives in West Des Moines, IA.
“It’s been a real joy working with my daughter, Emily, on this book,” said Houts. “A dream come true.”
“What Do Moms Do?” is published by Houts & Home Publications LLC. In the Kindle e-book version, engaging features enhance reading. Hidden pop-ups identify objects on the page. Text enlarges with a touch. The e-book is available at amazon.com for $2.99. “What Do Moms Do?” is perfect for bedtime or any time a soothing story is desired. Cost for the paperback is $6.99, available at Hy-Vee, amazon.com or through houtsandhome.com.
Houts will be autographing “What Do Moms Do?” at the Hy-Vee Authors Showcase from 2 to 3 pm, Saturday, April 25.
Mother-daughter team, Amy Houts and Emily Dettmer Bush, have co-authored a picture book that celebrates the mother/child bond. The artwork for “What Do Moms Do?” was created by award-winning illustrator, Lisa Thiesing. The book was first released as an e-book and is now also available in paperback.
Sweet, funny animal illustrations help tell the story of the everyday ways moms show their love. A newly-hatched duckling asks her animal friends, “What do moms do?” They answer by showing the different things their moms do to make them feel special. One example is a mother skunk sitting by the bathtub while her child takes a bath. The ironic text states, “My mom gives me extra time in the tub—even if I’m already clean.”
Houts and Bush wrote the book years ago. They were discussing some of the little sacrifices that moms make that seem trivial but make everyday routines special.
Houts remembered, “Emily and I started making a list of all the things that moms do. Because I write children’s books, I naturally thought it was a good topic to feature in a book because the underlying theme is love.”
“When we came up with the idea for this book several years ago,” said Bush, “it was fun to remember the little things that my mom did for me throughout my childhood. Now that I am a mom, too, our book has a new meaning for me and I have a deeper appreciation for my mom.”
Houts and Thiesing met at a writers conference in New York City in 1999. They kept in touch through email, cards and get-togethers when Houts visited her family, who live in the New York City area. Thiesing lives in upstate New York. Houts and Thiesing have cheered each other on with their professional successes. Houts has authored over 60 books, for educational publishers such as McGraw Hill, Pearson and Capstone. Thiesing has written and illustrated over 40 books for top publishing houses such as Dutton, Random House and Harper Collins.
“I am thrilled that Lisa agreed to collaborate on this book!” said Houts. “Her artwork captures the love that moms share with their children.”
Houts, a long-time resident of Maryville, freelances full-time. She started a publishing company, Houts & Home Publications LLC, in 2011, releasing “Mealtime Magic: Delicious dinners in half the time” in 2013. Bush, the mother of twin boys, is a 2000 graduate of Maryville High School and lives in West Des Moines, IA.
“It’s been a real joy working with my daughter, Emily, on this book,” said Houts. “A dream come true.”
“What Do Moms Do?” is published by Houts & Home Publications LLC. In the Kindle e-book version, engaging features enhance reading. Hidden pop-ups identify objects on the page. Text enlarges with a touch. The e-book is available at amazon.com for $2.99. “What Do Moms Do?” is perfect for bedtime or any time a soothing story is desired. Cost for the paperback is $6.99, available at Hy-Vee, amazon.com or through houtsandhome.com.
Houts will be autographing “What Do Moms Do?” at the Hy-Vee Authors Showcase from 2 to 3 pm, Saturday, April 25.
Make magic out of your leftovers
Posted: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 11:55 pm | Updated: 8:11 am, Thu May 30, 2013.
By Brooke VanCleave St. Joseph News-Press |
It’s 6 p.m. on a busy weeknight. The family is complaining of hunger pangs. The fridge is full of leftovers that have seen better days. What do you do?
Maryville, Mo., author Amy Houts has a meal plan and recipe book for busy, budget-strapped families looking for variety in their weekly dinners.
“I’m not the person that loves to be in the kitchen all day. I like to make good food as quickly and efficiently as I can, and so I wanted to share my idea for doing that with other people,” Mrs. Houts says.
Her new book is called “Mealtime Magic: Delicious Dinners in Half the Time.” Mrs. Houts developed recipes around the concept of intentionally using leftovers in new ways.
“This book is based on the way that I’ve cooked for a long time, which is that I cook more meat than I need for that night and then I use that meat, or the sauce or the broth or something, in at least one other meal. ... Once you have part of your meal cooked, all you need is to add to it” she says.
Most of the entries in “Mealtime Magic” center around three-day plans featuring a specific meat item like chicken breasts or ground beef. The first night’s meal requires preparing that meat in bulk, then reserving a portion of it to use for nights two and three.
“I tried to make each recipe in the three-day plan different so that you wouldn’t be having all Italian or all Mexican or all Asian,” she says.
For instance, a meal plan might include Asian Pepper Steak the first night, Spicy Steak and Eggs the second night and Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches the third night.
“Mealtime Magic” also includes fish and meatless meal plans. All recipes use basic ingredients that are already in your pantry or can be found easily in the grocery store. It’s best to make a grocery list ahead of time based on recipe ingredients you want to try each week.
Here is a recipe utilizing homemade meatballs, which then contribute to two other meals.
Meatball Heroes
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
2 teaspoons salt
Dash pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
1/2 cup cold water
2 tablespoons oil
1 (16-ounce) jar pasta sauce
4 submarine sandwich rolls
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, onion and water in a large bowl. Roll into small balls, 1/2 to 1 inch. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs in batches; do not crowd pan. Brown on all sides, about 10 minutes total. Add more oil if needed. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Reserve two-thirds of the meatballs for the next two recipes. Heat spaghetti sauce and meatballs in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Split rolls in half; toast. Spoon meatballs and sauce onto rolls. Sprinkle on cheese. Place under broiler for a minute to melt cheese. Good served with three-bean salad. Yield: 4 servings
BEFORE SERVING: Reserve 2/3 of the meatballs from Meatball Heroes for Easy Lasagna and Meatball Stew. Those recipes can be found at www.houtsandhome.com/1/archives/03-2013/1.html.
Besides finding a simpler way to prepare dinners, Mrs. Houts says she wants her new book to encourage families to eat healthier at home and avoid creating food waste.
“I did some research ... and found out families usually throw away about 20 pounds of food per month. That costs about $500 a year,” she says. She hopes reusing items people already have in their kitchen will help eliminate this waste.
The book itself is easy to follow, with detailed instructions, easy variation options, an extensive index, a spiral binding that lies flat on the counter and coated pages that make it easy to wipe of splatters. Most of the recipes feed four people, though the amounts can be doubled or cut down depending on need.
Mrs. Houts already is an accomplished author, with more than 40 children’s books, cookbooks and other materials in publication. However, “Mealtime Magic” is the first book she’s produced out of her own publishing company, Houts and Home Publications. She eventually would like to start publishing other writers’ content. She says each day is a learning process.
Find her book on her website, www.houtsandhome.com, or Amazon.com. It’s also for sale at the Maryville Hy-Vee.
Brooke VanCleave can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @SJNPVanCleave.
© 2013 St. Joseph News-Press and FOX 26 KNPN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
By Brooke VanCleave St. Joseph News-Press |
It’s 6 p.m. on a busy weeknight. The family is complaining of hunger pangs. The fridge is full of leftovers that have seen better days. What do you do?
Maryville, Mo., author Amy Houts has a meal plan and recipe book for busy, budget-strapped families looking for variety in their weekly dinners.
“I’m not the person that loves to be in the kitchen all day. I like to make good food as quickly and efficiently as I can, and so I wanted to share my idea for doing that with other people,” Mrs. Houts says.
Her new book is called “Mealtime Magic: Delicious Dinners in Half the Time.” Mrs. Houts developed recipes around the concept of intentionally using leftovers in new ways.
“This book is based on the way that I’ve cooked for a long time, which is that I cook more meat than I need for that night and then I use that meat, or the sauce or the broth or something, in at least one other meal. ... Once you have part of your meal cooked, all you need is to add to it” she says.
Most of the entries in “Mealtime Magic” center around three-day plans featuring a specific meat item like chicken breasts or ground beef. The first night’s meal requires preparing that meat in bulk, then reserving a portion of it to use for nights two and three.
“I tried to make each recipe in the three-day plan different so that you wouldn’t be having all Italian or all Mexican or all Asian,” she says.
For instance, a meal plan might include Asian Pepper Steak the first night, Spicy Steak and Eggs the second night and Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches the third night.
“Mealtime Magic” also includes fish and meatless meal plans. All recipes use basic ingredients that are already in your pantry or can be found easily in the grocery store. It’s best to make a grocery list ahead of time based on recipe ingredients you want to try each week.
Here is a recipe utilizing homemade meatballs, which then contribute to two other meals.
Meatball Heroes
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
2 teaspoons salt
Dash pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
1/2 cup cold water
2 tablespoons oil
1 (16-ounce) jar pasta sauce
4 submarine sandwich rolls
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, onion and water in a large bowl. Roll into small balls, 1/2 to 1 inch. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs in batches; do not crowd pan. Brown on all sides, about 10 minutes total. Add more oil if needed. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Reserve two-thirds of the meatballs for the next two recipes. Heat spaghetti sauce and meatballs in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Split rolls in half; toast. Spoon meatballs and sauce onto rolls. Sprinkle on cheese. Place under broiler for a minute to melt cheese. Good served with three-bean salad. Yield: 4 servings
BEFORE SERVING: Reserve 2/3 of the meatballs from Meatball Heroes for Easy Lasagna and Meatball Stew. Those recipes can be found at www.houtsandhome.com/1/archives/03-2013/1.html.
Besides finding a simpler way to prepare dinners, Mrs. Houts says she wants her new book to encourage families to eat healthier at home and avoid creating food waste.
“I did some research ... and found out families usually throw away about 20 pounds of food per month. That costs about $500 a year,” she says. She hopes reusing items people already have in their kitchen will help eliminate this waste.
The book itself is easy to follow, with detailed instructions, easy variation options, an extensive index, a spiral binding that lies flat on the counter and coated pages that make it easy to wipe of splatters. Most of the recipes feed four people, though the amounts can be doubled or cut down depending on need.
Mrs. Houts already is an accomplished author, with more than 40 children’s books, cookbooks and other materials in publication. However, “Mealtime Magic” is the first book she’s produced out of her own publishing company, Houts and Home Publications. She eventually would like to start publishing other writers’ content. She says each day is a learning process.
Find her book on her website, www.houtsandhome.com, or Amazon.com. It’s also for sale at the Maryville Hy-Vee.
Brooke VanCleave can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @SJNPVanCleave.
© 2013 St. Joseph News-Press and FOX 26 KNPN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Cookbook sizzles for local author
By Jesse Murphy
Maryville Daily Forum
Updated May. 8, 2013 @ 7:04 am
Local author Amy Houts has ventured into a new world as she recently self-published her newest book, "Mealtime Magic: Delicious Dinners in Half the Time."
The cookbook highlights a plan that not only simplifies cooking daily meals, Houts says it saves time and money -- something many Americans don't have much of these days. Houts, already an award-winning author and freelance writer, said that the idea has always been with her.
"I've been cooking this way for a long time," Houts said. "But I was kind of getting in a rut. I just wanted to figure out different meals to make it more interesting."
Her love for cooking began at a young age and inspired her to attend the Culinary Institue of America. When she decided that she did not want to be a professional chef, she realized that she could share her passion by writing about it.
The cooking strategy, which Houts developed over the years, involves intentionally planning meals with leftovers. Those leftovers are used the next two days to make completely different meals. For instance, by cooking chicken breasts, you can have chicken enchiladas one night, chicken noodle soup the next, and chicken quesadillas the third.
The book includes ideas for side dishes, which are also available on Houts’ website, www.houtsandhome.com. So in essence, the plan saves money by creating less food waste, which Houts says American households throw away an average of 240 pounds per year, an estimated $500.
According to Houts, the average American homemaker spends 175 hours in the kitchen per month, and she says her plan saves some of that time because at least some parts of each meal will already be prepared.
“I just thought that maybe other busy families could benefit from the idea,” Houts said. “It’s easy and quicker. I wanted to share what I’ve been doing all these years. And I’ve tested all of these recipes on our daughters, one of them is very picky, and they love it.”
This will be the 40th book that Houts has had authored. Her works include books for children, some of which contain recipes and tips for getting children involved in the cooking process. But this is the first book she has written that is self-published through her new company, Houts and Home Publishing, LLC.
She said that the reason for going solo was to have more creative control.
“I wanted a bigger role over some basic things,” Houts said. “Like the cover and how it was laid out. I also wanted to set the price for it to be a good buy.”
Houts lives just east of Maryville with her husband, Steve. Their two daughters, Emily Bush and Sarah Dettmer, are both grown and out of the house, but Houts still uses the meal plan.
She thinks that this style of cooking has many advantages, including nutrition.
“Eating at home is definitely more nutritious than eating out,” Houts said. “You know what is in your food, and you can add nutritional value without losing flavor.”
The book does include some meatless meals, and has an extensive index for those who want to change things up a bit by mixing up some of the meals in the plan. There is even a section in each chapter for the reader to create their own three-day plans.Guidelines for food safety and preservation are included, since some foods don’t keep as long as others.
The book is available for purchase at Houts’ website, www.houtsandhome.com, www.amazon.com, and at Hy-Vee in Maryville for $12.95. Her website is offering a summer special, with free shipping on orders of “Mealtime Magic.”
“The whole purpose is that I just want to share my ideas,” Houts said. “I really think that this will help people.”
Maryville Daily Forum
Updated May. 8, 2013 @ 7:04 am
Local author Amy Houts has ventured into a new world as she recently self-published her newest book, "Mealtime Magic: Delicious Dinners in Half the Time."
The cookbook highlights a plan that not only simplifies cooking daily meals, Houts says it saves time and money -- something many Americans don't have much of these days. Houts, already an award-winning author and freelance writer, said that the idea has always been with her.
"I've been cooking this way for a long time," Houts said. "But I was kind of getting in a rut. I just wanted to figure out different meals to make it more interesting."
Her love for cooking began at a young age and inspired her to attend the Culinary Institue of America. When she decided that she did not want to be a professional chef, she realized that she could share her passion by writing about it.
The cooking strategy, which Houts developed over the years, involves intentionally planning meals with leftovers. Those leftovers are used the next two days to make completely different meals. For instance, by cooking chicken breasts, you can have chicken enchiladas one night, chicken noodle soup the next, and chicken quesadillas the third.
The book includes ideas for side dishes, which are also available on Houts’ website, www.houtsandhome.com. So in essence, the plan saves money by creating less food waste, which Houts says American households throw away an average of 240 pounds per year, an estimated $500.
According to Houts, the average American homemaker spends 175 hours in the kitchen per month, and she says her plan saves some of that time because at least some parts of each meal will already be prepared.
“I just thought that maybe other busy families could benefit from the idea,” Houts said. “It’s easy and quicker. I wanted to share what I’ve been doing all these years. And I’ve tested all of these recipes on our daughters, one of them is very picky, and they love it.”
This will be the 40th book that Houts has had authored. Her works include books for children, some of which contain recipes and tips for getting children involved in the cooking process. But this is the first book she has written that is self-published through her new company, Houts and Home Publishing, LLC.
She said that the reason for going solo was to have more creative control.
“I wanted a bigger role over some basic things,” Houts said. “Like the cover and how it was laid out. I also wanted to set the price for it to be a good buy.”
Houts lives just east of Maryville with her husband, Steve. Their two daughters, Emily Bush and Sarah Dettmer, are both grown and out of the house, but Houts still uses the meal plan.
She thinks that this style of cooking has many advantages, including nutrition.
“Eating at home is definitely more nutritious than eating out,” Houts said. “You know what is in your food, and you can add nutritional value without losing flavor.”
The book does include some meatless meals, and has an extensive index for those who want to change things up a bit by mixing up some of the meals in the plan. There is even a section in each chapter for the reader to create their own three-day plans.Guidelines for food safety and preservation are included, since some foods don’t keep as long as others.
The book is available for purchase at Houts’ website, www.houtsandhome.com, www.amazon.com, and at Hy-Vee in Maryville for $12.95. Her website is offering a summer special, with free shipping on orders of “Mealtime Magic.”
“The whole purpose is that I just want to share my ideas,” Houts said. “I really think that this will help people.”
Midwest Book Review
See: http://www.midwestbookreview.com
Mealtime Magic
Amy Houts
Houts & Home Publications LLC
26162 Ridge Drive, Maryville, MO 64468-8338
www.houtsandhome.com
9780985508401, $12.95, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: With Amy Houts's "Mealtime Magic: Delicious Dinners in Half the Time", the family cook can save $500 a year in their grocery bills while spending fewer hours in the kitchen. Over 200 pages of recipes with clear, detailed directions will enable even the most novice kitchen chef to provide delicious, home-cooked meals quickly and efficiently. Amy's method (where one dinner becomes the basis of two additional meals) is practical and doable. Each meal is completely different, so different that no one will guess they are eating leftovers. And with little food waste, food budget money is saved.. Multicultural recipes in "Mealtime Magic" represent the melting pot of the USA. Recipes use ordinary ingredients available at any local grocery store. A semi-concealed spiral binding allows for easy recognition on the bookshelf and easy reading while cooking.
Critique: The recipes range from Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad; Turkey Tetrazzini; Grandma Lil's Stuffed Cabbage; and Nana's Beef Brisket; to Reuben Sandwiches; Lentil Soup with Brats; Pulled Pork with Honey-Mustard Sauce; and a Cheesy Ham & Potato Casserole. "Mealtime Magic: Delicious Dinners in Half the Time" will prove to be an extraordinarily popular addition to 'budget conscious' and time-stressed family cookbook collections.
See "The Cookbook Shelf," July, 2014: http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/jul_14.htm
Mealtime Magic
Amy Houts
Houts & Home Publications LLC
26162 Ridge Drive, Maryville, MO 64468-8338
www.houtsandhome.com
9780985508401, $12.95, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: With Amy Houts's "Mealtime Magic: Delicious Dinners in Half the Time", the family cook can save $500 a year in their grocery bills while spending fewer hours in the kitchen. Over 200 pages of recipes with clear, detailed directions will enable even the most novice kitchen chef to provide delicious, home-cooked meals quickly and efficiently. Amy's method (where one dinner becomes the basis of two additional meals) is practical and doable. Each meal is completely different, so different that no one will guess they are eating leftovers. And with little food waste, food budget money is saved.. Multicultural recipes in "Mealtime Magic" represent the melting pot of the USA. Recipes use ordinary ingredients available at any local grocery store. A semi-concealed spiral binding allows for easy recognition on the bookshelf and easy reading while cooking.
Critique: The recipes range from Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad; Turkey Tetrazzini; Grandma Lil's Stuffed Cabbage; and Nana's Beef Brisket; to Reuben Sandwiches; Lentil Soup with Brats; Pulled Pork with Honey-Mustard Sauce; and a Cheesy Ham & Potato Casserole. "Mealtime Magic: Delicious Dinners in Half the Time" will prove to be an extraordinarily popular addition to 'budget conscious' and time-stressed family cookbook collections.
See "The Cookbook Shelf," July, 2014: http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/jul_14.htm
The mission of the Baby and Kid Expo is to provide the best opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services in a fun, exciting, family-focused venue while supporting those in need in our community.
Baby Kid Expo, LLC purchased the Fabulous Baby and Kids Expo in early 2008. The Expo started in the St. Charles, MO area in 2007 to bring information on children’s health, activities, schools, products, and services together all under one roof!
The event keeps growing every year with more exhibitors, performers and FUN! We will also be expanding and offering more events in other geographic areas in the future.
We are excited about partnering with businesses in the area in order to educate families in the St. Louis market and beyond.
Please contact us anytime at 1-866-654-EXPO or [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!
Baby Kid Expo, LLC purchased the Fabulous Baby and Kids Expo in early 2008. The Expo started in the St. Charles, MO area in 2007 to bring information on children’s health, activities, schools, products, and services together all under one roof!
The event keeps growing every year with more exhibitors, performers and FUN! We will also be expanding and offering more events in other geographic areas in the future.
We are excited about partnering with businesses in the area in order to educate families in the St. Louis market and beyond.
Please contact us anytime at 1-866-654-EXPO or [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!