Archive for the Tips and More Category
Posted on November 15, 2010 by admin
My friend swears by the effectivity of the weight loss pills she recently tried. I admit I am tempted to try it out especially now that I hit my weight loss plateau and I badly need to jumpstart it if I want to reach my goal weight. And maybe I can start eating healthier, too. I have been trying to do that actually, but just like everyone, I fail at times.
Anyway, I came across these tips on how to make healthy eating a part of our lifestyle.
1. Buy Whole Foods. Avoid anything that comes packaged in a box.
2. Prepare Your Own Food.
3. Drink Water. Switching to water as your main drink, can make a huge difference to your health overall.
{Source: http://www.serenejourney.com/2010/11/3-simple-ways-to-eat-healthier/}
Posted on November 15, 2010 by admin
1. A bowl for waste. Set a large empty bowl on the counter near your prep area and use it for all garbage.
2. Warm soapy water. Fill your sink with warm soapy water. As you finish using something, a knife or measuring spoon for example, wash it immediately.
3. Dishwasher. If youLeave the door down during prep and as you’re done with an item pop it directly in the dishwasher. As soon as it’s full and can’t take any more start it up. Done.
4. Wipe down. Use a damp soapy cloth to wipe down your work area periodically. Prevent contamination and possible food poisoning by cleaning the counter, cutting boards and utensils well after handling meat.
5. Shine your sink. This is a great habit to get into.
6. Sweep. Pick it up as soon as you notice it and wipe up any spills immediately so they don’t have time to dry and become really difficult to clean up.
7. Purge the fridge. As you’re cooking and you reach into the fridge have a quick look around for anything you know has been in there a while or you think might be past due.
{Source: http://www.serenejourney.com/2009/04/7-tips-for-cleaning-your-kitchen-as-you-go/}
Posted on November 15, 2010 by admin
A friend of mine is meaning to try out some diet pills. However after reading about hoodia side effects and such got her thinking. I guess she needs to do more research, probably consult a nutrionist and maybe try out the ideas below to help her lose weight.
1. Drink water before each meal
2. Reduce your plate size
3. Eat slowly
4. Don’t eat from the package
5. Don’t eat in front of the television or computer
6. Choose smaller portions
7. Eat nutrient rich foods
{Source: http://www.dietriffic.com/2010/11/09/portion-sizes/}
Posted on November 6, 2010 by admin
There’s no winter from where I am but it’s getting really cold now, so I thought this natural moisturizers will be of use, too.
Avocado Face Mask
Simply mix together a little mashed avocado and a few drops of olive oil. Massage gently into skin, allow to sit for a few minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
Avocados are rich in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, D, and E. Your face will soak up all that goodness and be much happier the next day.
Coconut Oil Moisturizer.
You can use coconut oil not only on your face, but over your entire body. If you don’t use too much, it will absorb right into the skin without leaving any greasiness behind. Coconut oil is high in antioxidants and a great source of vitamin E. It is full of fatty acids that moisturize wonderfully.
Source: http://simpleorganic.net/green-gorgeous-natural-moisturizers-for-winter-skin-care/.
Posted on October 23, 2010 by admin
Here’s one in the series of devotions of how to be more joyful from Life as a Mom – Get Out of the Kitchen.
And can you do that?
1. Plan your meals this week.
2. Reorganize your kitchen.
3. Find a night for takeout or eating out.
4. Serve dinner elsewhere.
5. Take a shortcut.
6. Fill your freezer.
Read more: http://lifeasmom.com/2010/07/to-be-more-joyful-get-out-of-the-kitchen.html.
Posted on October 4, 2010 by admin
1. Hide your paper towels
2. Same with disposable plastics, like sandwich bags or plastic wrap.
3. Use cloth napkins instead of paper
4. Make yogurt out of milk that’ll go bad before you can use it.
6. Bake bread every now and then instead of buying
7. Make chicken broth instead of buying cans of it
8. Read this series {http://goodcheapeats.com/2010/02/build-frugal-pantry/} by Good Cheap Eats.
9. Buy meat on super sale
10. Bake cookies/brownies/etc. with the kids once a week
11. Keep your kitchen organized
12. Buy staple ingredients that you can use for multiple uses
13. Plan your menu
14. In a pinch, use equal parts washing soda and borax for dishwasher detergent
15. Use equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle for light cleaning
Read more: http://thecheapskatecook.com/2010/09/13/15-green-frugal-foodie-tips/.
Posted on September 7, 2010 by admin
1. Rub some love into it
Before cooking, flavor and moisture can be added to a roast chicken in the form of seasonings and fats. Or you can merely rub the entire chicken over with a stick of butter and season with salt and pepper before roasting.
2. Bring it up to room temperature before cooking
Bringing the meat up to room temperature (about 70°F) will both cut down on the cooking time and ensure the fowl cooks evenly. Depending on the size of the bird, it will need to sit out between 1/2 hour to 1-1/2 hours.
3. Don’t rush it
So how can you tell when your chicken is cooked? Pay attention to the legs and they will tell you everything you need to know:
* Juices run yellow, not pink, when drumstick is pierced.
* The drumstick wiggles freely at the joint when manipulated.
* A meat thermometer registers 170°F when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (but not touching the bone).
Approximate free-range chicken roasting times (unstuffed)
2½ – 3 lbs – 1 – 1¾ hrs
3½ – 4 lbs – 1½ – 1¾ hrs
4½ – 5 lbs -1½ – 2 hrs
5 – 6 lbs – 1¾ – 2½ hrs
4. Let it rest
Upon it’s exit from the oven, do not transfer the roast chicken directly to its place of honor at the center of the table. Instead, let it rest for at least twenty minutes on a tray that will collect any juices that may accumulate. This will allow the cooking juices to be re-absorbed by the meat, instead of leaking out all over as soon as the chicken is sliced into.
Snagged from http://www.simplebites.net/.
Posted on August 30, 2010 by admin
Washing
Submerge the herbs in cold water rather than just rinsing them off.
Removing Stems
For many herbs, you’ll be removing stems. When working with herbs such as parsley, dill and sage, removing the main stem or stalk is the most important part. The smaller stems that the leaves are attached too are okay to leave a bit on here and there.
For herbs with woody stalks like rosemary and thyme you’ll want to strip the leaves at their base to avoid any bitter stems.
Preserving
Ice Cubes
Extra chopped herbs can easily be preserved by adding a teaspoon to ice cube trays, covering with a teaspoon of water and frozen. These frozen herb-sicles can be added to soups or dishes as they are heating for a fresh burst of flavor in winter months.
Rolled Packets
After rinsing and drying fresh herbs, stack them as evenly as possible into a pile. Roll tightly and place in the bottom of a freezer zip-top bag or reusable bag. Remove all air from the bag and seal tightly. Freeze. You can slice strips in the desired amount of the end of this roll to add to dishes once it is frozen.
Read more: http://www.simplebites.net/back-to-cooking-school-working-with-fresh-herbs/.
Posted on July 19, 2010 by admin
By planning ahead for the week I reduce the number of trips to the grocery store, avoid last-minute fast food dinners, and totally skip over the hour of doom…
I will try these tips. It is indeed not easy planning and preparing meals for the family. I bet I won’t be having sleepless nights and won’t be needing even the best sleep aid out there, if everything that I need to do is planned and listed. It really does free my mind.
For the tips:
1. For menu planning to be done most effectively, you need to set aside a regular time to do it
2. Write Monday through Sunday down the side of the paper, leaving space enough between them to write the meal plus comments.
3. Note on the paper any things in the upcoming week that affect your day.
4. Decide what to prepare.
5. Save one day a week for a new dish from a cookbook or a food blog if you like to try new things.
6. Make a note of where the recipe is as you write down the menu for each day.
7. Have your shopping list next to your menu planning sheet.
8. If you tend to have a lot of leftovers from your meals, plan one day as LO (leftover) day.
9. Lastly, look for twofer opportunities. What’s a twofer? It’s getting two meals from the effort of one.
Read more: http://www.simplebites.net/9-tips-to-successful-menu-planning/.
Posted on February 26, 2010 by admin
1. Eat breakfast every morning
2. Get a good night’s rest
3, Drink water
4. Get some exercise
5. Enjoy fish a few times a week
6. Eat at home
7. Go to church
8. Enjoy a hobby
9. Make an effort to be happy
10. Be thankful
11. Be frugal
12. Save
13. Stop worrying
14. Quit procrastinating
15. Be organized
You can find more of the ways {there are 100 of these} at http://www.100bestdatingsites.com/blog/2008/100-simple-ways-to-change-your-life-for-the-better/.
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