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Creative Holiday Refrigerator Décor Ideas
If you’re looking for a cheap, easy, DIY way to spruce up your kitchen for Christmas, look no further than your refrigerator door! There are so many ways to decorate the blank, empty door of your fridge, and the list below contains some of our favorites. Happy decorating! Pro tip: Be prepared to use lots of construction paper! Snowman Source: You, Me, And B This one’s a classic! All you’ll need are scissors, tape, construction paper, and Christmas carols to keep you motivated. While it’s up to you how much time you’d like to spend on this project, it’s undeniable that the best decorations are the more detailed ones. Good luck! Tip: Don’t forget to double up on the snowman décor by dressing up your mini fridge too! Source: Pinterest Christmas Present Source: Pinterest This project incredibly simple and a good way to dress up your fridge without too much effort. The only materials you’ll need are ribbons, scissors, and tape. Reindeer If you believe less is more, then this décor idea is for you! The materials required for this craft are googly eyes, tape, scissors, and felt/construction paper (your choice). Once you’ve cut out your shapes, place everything on the fridge and leave the rest to your imagination! Penguin Source: Pinterest This is one of the cutest ideas ever. All you’ll need are construction paper and tape! Don’t hesitate to get fancy with Mr. Penguin’s tie! Don’t like this particular design? Check out these fun penguin décor ideas too: Source: Pinterest Fireplace and Stockings Source: Door Decorate While the above picture is admittedly not a fridge door, the idea... read more
Everything You Need to Know About Reheating Leftovers
Amateur Hour is Over. Why destroy the dinner you worked so hard to make by reheating it incorrectly? There are right and wrong ways to cook leftovers, and learning them can save your food from being wasted. Around the holidays it is always better to prepare more food than you need, so hopefully these techniques will make you more confident that none of that extra food will be unappreciated! The Golden Rule The best way to reheat a food is to emulate the way it was cooked. So for example, it is good to reheat soup over the stove, and casseroles in the oven. If it is possible to reheat your leftovers by recooking them the way they were originally made, that is the best way to retain their taste and texture. Microwaves are known to be harsh on leftovers, and will often make cheese chewy and bread soggy. If you have access to a toaster oven try to use it for reheating crunchy foods like pizza. If a microwave is your only option, try covering your food with a wet paper towel to prevent it from drying out. Pizza can be microwaved with a glass of water underneath it to minimize sogginess. If you are reheating noodles feel free to sprinkle some water directly on the dish. Turkey & Ham Any turkey or ham that has already been cooked does not need to be reheated to safely eat. However if you don’t want to use these leftovers as sandwich meat you may want to heat them back up. First preheat the oven to 350 F. Reglaze your... read more
Why Right Now is the Best Time to Work in the Trades
As the cost of college and unemployment rose, this led many people to turn back to the trades. People began to realize that working a trade job could have as many as (or even more) benefits as working a white collar job.
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5 Creative Things to Do With Your Pumpkin Seeds & Guts
Art projects and recipes are just some ideas for what to do with your leftover pumpkin innards, but there are many more where those came from! To start, check out the following five top creative things to do with leftover pumpkin seeds and guts.
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10 Best OC Trails for the Entire Family to Enjoy
Wherever you live in OC, and whatever your budget (and whatever your capacity for critter encounters), there is at least one trail, and probably many more, that will make you want to return again and again.
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What is the Lifespan of Your Appliances?
Common household appliances can include: refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, oven ranges, cooktops, and dishwashers. If you’ve been using these appliances for a few years now, you’re probably starting to wonder how much longer they can last.
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8 Easy Ways To Make Your Laundry “Green”
Here are a few ways to make your home eco-friendly, save water, and cut back on energy costs—by using two common household appliances, the washer, and dryer!
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Fun Summer Family Activities in Orange County
We’re in the midst of summer, and it’s the perfect time for fun family activities in Orange County. Here’s a list of 10+ great places for you and your family to visit.
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Essential Cooking Oils Everyone Should Have in Their Kitchen
Knowing what cooking oils to have in your kitchen for cooking can be tough, here are the essential cooking oils everyone should have in their kitchen.
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Tips & Tricks to Keeping Food Fresh
No one likes letting food go to waste, here are some tips and tricks that will help keep your food fresh.
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The Importance of Saving Water
With the increased amount of droughts, the importance of saving water is becoming more and more necessary. Here are some tips to decrease water usage and save water.
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Grill Safety Tips: Do’s & Don’ts for Memorial Day Weekend
As Memorial Day approaches, you’re sure to be making plans to spend the holiday weekend with friends and family. Here are some grill safety tips: do’s & don’ts to ensure a safe and fun weekend for you and your family.
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Laundry Labels for Low Dryer IQ
If you have a low dryer IQ, chances are you’ve accidently ruined lots of pieces of clothing. Many people find doing laundry to be difficult, but doing laundry doesn’t have to be hard. Here’s a guide to some laundry labels.
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The 12 Best Appliances for the Ultimate Chef’s Kitchen
A good recipe can only get you so far when it comes to amazing taste. Sometimes, the tools are the final stretch when it comes to an award-winning dinner. Don’t fall behind. If you love to cook, investing in a few of these must-have chef tools are a must!
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Last Minute DIY Easter Treats for Kids
Easter is easily one of the cutest holidays. It may be the constant sugar coma or the subtle pastel colors everywhere, but it is remarkably easy to feel at ease when you’re looking into the eyes of a chocolate bunny. It wasn’t just the bunnies that make this holiday special. It’s baking cookies with Mother with her slight, sweet frown when I dipped my hand in the frosting and the joy of showcasing the cookies off to neighbors. We were always able to take the cuteness that Easter had to offer and use it to try our best to bake something new and fun. Now, the tradition continues, but it’s not just my family, but yours too. So go grab your kids and take these recipes by storm; they’re easy enough that not even Peter Cotton Tail could mess them up. Just think, simply reading this is your first step toward a fruitful Easter season. Hopefully, these easy, last-minute Do it yourself recipes will give you the chance to really embrace this holiday before it’s too late. 1. Easter Egg Cookies 1 Ah yes, the classic cookie. These are the staple of everything that is great about baking. The softly colored frosting and common Easter egg shape really help take these from simply sugar to simply fabulous. I love the look of these, and the taste is probably even better. Check out the recipe at two twenty one and get that oven preheated! 2. Spring Rice Krispies Pops 2 Rice Krispies treats are great for a quick and easy dessert, and these take that fast and simple charm but with an... read more
15 Gadgets & Upgrades Every Kitchen Remodel Needs
It’s no secret that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your house. It’s where meals are prepared, memories are made, and where most family members and friends spend a good amount of time. When a kitchen is looking a little worse for wear, however, it can damper this all-important part of your home. Many people think a kitchen remodel will cost lots of money, but the truth is that a few simple upgrades and gadgets can transform your kitchen into a bright, stylish, yet functional room your family will love without breaking the bank. The following 15 gadgets and upgrades will make your kitchen one of the most inviting, and functional, rooms in your home. Gadgets & Upgrades for Your Kitchen Remodel KitchenAid 17 Piece Red Tool Set: This stylish set of necessary kitchen tools and essentials will increase the efficiency of your kitchen by at 80%. This set includes everything from a whisk, tongs, and cheese grater, to a can opener, measuring cups, a vegetable peeler. The signature red finishmakes it easy to keep these tools together at all times, and you’ll love how effective they are whether baking, frying, broiling, or chopping. Find it here. Home Basics Chrome Dish Rack: This piece is perfect for giving your kitchen a polished look. The chrome finish makes the rack, which costs less than $30, look expensive and high end, while giving a great place to store and dry your dishes. The chrome foundation provides a space for water to run off and easy clean up, and it stores a whole kitchen set of plates, cups,... read more
20 Delicious Crock Pot Recipes for Families On the Go
A home cooked meal is a prized possession in today’s fast-paced world, which is why many parents strive to make it to the kitchen to play chef even after a long day at work. One way they can combat this issue is by investing in a Crockpot. This slow cooking sensation allows meals to be prepared without having to be physically present for a few hours, which means you can throw in a couple chicken breasts, take Maggie to her play rehearsal, and come home to the best shredded chicken tacos in the world without having to sauté or stir! So, if you are a soccer mom on the go, or a dad in charge of the swim team carpool, then check out these 20 life-saving and delicious crock pot recipes: Tip: To find recipe’s faster click “Control/Command + F” and search for one of the following: Soups and Stews Chicken Main Dishes Beef Main Dishes Desserts Source: Olive Garden Soups and Stews 1. Italian Hillside Garden Soup (6 servings) 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 cup chopped green bell pepper 1 cup chopped onion ½ cup sliced celery 1 can (14 ½ ounces) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, undrained 1 can (15 ½ ounces) navy beans, drained and rinsed 1 medium zucchini, chopped 1 cup frozen cut green beans, thawed 2 cans (14 ounces each) chicken broth ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 1 package (9 ounces) refrigerator sausage or cheese filled tortellini pasta 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil * Option but delicious: grate Asiago or Parmesan cheese over the top* Steps for Preparation: Heat oil... read more
7 Reasons Why You Should Clean Out Your Fridge
You open your fridge to look for a midnight snack when BAM! You’re smacked in the face with a glorious smell. The kind of smell that causes you to regurgitate a little then shut the door immediately. You’re not quite sure what exactly died in there, but you know something is definitely not OK. As you do a detailed scan, you also notice that sticky spill that’s been there for… how long now? So, when was the last time you actually did a deep clean of your refrigerator? We suggest cleaning out your fridge at least twice a month to avoid bacteria to spread and a possible E. Coli outbreak in your home (gross!). Your fridge is one of the most used appliances in your entire home so a little extra TLC may have to go its way. Here are 10 reasons why it’s time to bust out the gloves and give your fridge a scrub down (regularly!): 1. Your Food is Moldy (Ew.) If your food is getting moldy, that’s a red flag that you haven’t been paying attention to your food (and also haven’t been eating it). The mold in your fridge can spread to other items sitting beside or underneath it, so it’s crucial to keep a clean fridge for you and your family. To help you determine how long each item in your fridge will last, check out EatByDate.com for more information on food expiration dates and what you can do to help preserve your food longer. 2. You’ll Save a Ton of Money!! By having a clean fridge, you’ll be able to easily see your weekly intake when taking inventory. This... read more
8 Effective Safety Tips for a Successful Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving. It’s the single, annual meal dedicated to gathering beloved friends and family together to celebrate the blessings that life has given us. A cascading overflow of perfectly prepared food takes over the table where an array of bright and smiling faces surrounds the display in good cheer. If you have the honor of being this year’s chef, you may receive the brunt of the blow, and sometimes that means putting out the fire on the burning biscuits in the oven. Let’s not forget the joys each blessed moment brings. These chaotic moments can be the stories of laughter to look back on years later. Nonetheless, it’s still a good idea to take some precaution in order to keep the cook safe and the danger down to a minimum. When it comes to keeping your Thanksgiving injury free, there are some definite rules to adhere to, and luckily we have got the best “do’s and don’ts” to keep your holiday from going up in flames: 1. Check All Your Appliances Prior to Cooking Before the beastly battle of boiling and baking begins, it is essential to make sure you have every speck and spice needed for the extended turkey trek. Yes, you’ve made sure your pantry is stocked to the gills with every crumb necessary but have you checked your kitchen appliances to do their abled function? It will be rather difficult to cook a 12lb bird in an oven that only halfway heats, or sauté the veggies on a stove that flares up, so be sure to check everything prior to the big day. It will save you the headache of... read more