Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Sheet Washing Trick

Are you sick of making your bed and washing the sheets?  Here is a great trick that will let you wash your sheets less.  You can learn more at apartment therapy.


nullOk. I'm going to admit a secret here....I use the flat sheet, but not the way I think it was intended. I make the bed with both the fitted and flat sheet, and then I sleep on top of the flat sheet until it is time to change the sheets (generally for about a week) and then remove the flat sheet and sleep on the fitted sheet for about the same amount of time.
 

Then I wash both sheets and start over again. It makes for less sheet washing, because instead of washing the sheets every week I only need to wash them ever other week!

Monday, February 17, 2014

Comfort Foods From Around the Planet

Do you enjoy comfort food?  Here are some great recipes from around the world.  Each of these recipes is considered a "comfort food" in their country.  You can learn more at The Kitchn.


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Authentic Spaghetti alla Carbonara
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How to Make Baklava

Monday, February 10, 2014

A New Idea for Your V-Day Date!

Valentine's Day is coming up, and we want to know what you have planned?  Here are 11 great creative Valentine's Day ideas for you and your loved one. You can learn more here.


Valentine's DayI don’t consider myself a romantic, so celebrating Valentine’s Day really isn’t my thing. It’s certainly one of the more popular romantic date nights of the year, and it’s obvious love is in the air that night.
If you and your partner have been together for a while, like me and my husband, and if you’re able to get a rare night out — you don’t want to spend it doing the typical. Say goodbye to the generic “dinner and a movie” dates, and make this year’s Valentine’s Day date one you’ll remember for years by doing something a little more unique. The romance will still be in the air, but you’ll have a better story to go with it.
Here are 11 Valentine’s Day dates that go beyond dinner and a movie:
1.) Recreate the first date you ever had together
First dates are always a little awkward, but chances are since you and your partner are still together, you made it past the awkward stage. Relive it all for Valentine’s Day without the awkward by recreating that first date. If you went to a movie, rent it and make out at home like you did that night. If you went out for dinner, go back to the same restaurant or one-up it by making the same recipe at home.

2.) Take a boxing class together, and throw punches
It’s kind of the anti-love date, but I bet the two of you will be laughing the entire time. The endorphins from exercising are a bonus, too. You may end up finding a new passion or, at the very least, you’ll lie in bed the next day and nurse your bruises. If you’re on the hunt for a good boxing class, read how to find a good gym on ExpertBoxing.com

3.) Give back some love by volunteering at a local charity.
Doing good always helps us feel better, and what way to both give each other the love vibes plus help those in need? Find a local animal shelter in your area that needs some help. And if you’re an animal lover like me, find a local shelter in your area at The Humane Society of the United States.

hearts4.) Try your hand at funny!
If you’ve always been the funny couple in your circle, try your hand at comedy for real! Sign yourselves up for an amateur night of stand-up comedy. If you’ve never done stand-up comedy, be sure to read up on your performance first by reading 6 Tips for Performing Comedy.

5.) Rent your or your partner’s “dream car.”
Take your partner and your dream car you’ve rented on a weekend adventure, and enjoy the fast pace while reconnecting! You may want to check out something like Gotham Dream Cars to find something that will have all eyes on you.
cupid6.) Play “Truth or Dare.”
Stay home, and play a fun game of “truth or dare” and see where the night takes you. Forget how to play? Brush up on your rules, and check out these must-ask questions for your romantic game for two.

7.) Change up your bedroom.
Spend the day shopping at home decor shops for upgrades to your bedroom. Take care of quick-fixes during the day, and then enjoy the new room in the evening.

8.) Play paintball, but in the dark.
It’s fun, exciting, romantic, and again, the exercise will get those endorphins rushing! You don’t want to actually hurt each other so be sure to read up on how to play safely while still having fun.

9) Do something scary!
Think about the one thing you’ve always wanted to do, yet seem to be a little too afraid to do. Think skydiving or bungee jumping! Who better to take that plunge with than your partner on the most romantic day of the year?

10.) Live it up!
Go out to a fancy bar in your best getup, and sip on a fancy cocktail with your beau. Try something new off the list of exotic cocktails and find your new signature drink!

11.) At-home art class!
Go to the art supply store, and pick up big canvases and all the paint you need. Spend the next few hours doing finger-painting portraits of each other, and laugh or marvel at the artwork you’ve created. Don’t forget to hang it in the house afterward!

Monday, February 3, 2014

Grown Up Tater-Tots

Are you craving that familiar food from your childhood? You can have grown up tater-tots that do not look like they come from a school cafeteria?  Here is a great recipe from The Kitchn.


Grown Up Tater-Tots


Serves 2 to 3
1 pound small potatoes, like baby Yukon Golds or fingerlings
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Italian parsley, finely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly scrub the potatoes and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until they are tender enough to pierce with a fork, but not browned. Let the potatoes rest for 10 minutes or until they are cool enough to handle.
Turn the oven up to 450°F. Using the bottom of a plate, a sturdy rocks glass, or measuring cup, smash the potatoes with firm, downward pressure. Squish each potato to about 3/4-inch thick. They will crack and split, but they should, for the most part, stay in one piece.
Brush or drizzle generously with olive oil, sprinkle with minced garlic, and place back in the oven. Bake until crispy and golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and parsley, and try not to eat the whole pan by yourself.
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