Some general tips on sprucing up your home and making it clutter free!

Whether you are planning on selling your home or that you feel it's time to get a little more organized here are a few of the things I do to keep my home organized.  I am by no means a trained interior decorator but if I can make my house tastefully decorated and clutter free you can as well.  All it takes is putting your mind to it and not ignoring a few simple no no's.

First to make things easy let's start with eliminating all the clutter.  Books, magazines, newspapers must go!!  Go through them and keep a few that are important to you but get rid of all else. You have to! that's a start!  

Kitchen counter:  You must clear all unnecessary items.  Depending on the size of your counter and space, only allow items that you use frequently on the counter.  Example:  Coffee maker, toaster and possibly utensil keeper. Salt and Pepper shaker too! Eliminating items will give your kitchen a free flow and look so much neater and yes larger!

A very handy utensil and easy to grab for that tool you need immediately.

Living room, Dining room: Time to let go of all the nick knacks and books laying on tables.  A few items (as in one or two) look nice.  Anymore makes your tables look cluttered and I don't think you want that!  Again your rooms will look larger and neater. Check out the cookbooks in the next room..I use an upright plant stand to store my cookbooks. 

Simplicity is best.  A few books or magazines and throw away the rest...or donate!!

Choose either a table cloth or place mats.  A versatile centerpiece you can change different color schemes for the seasons. I use mine all year.  I change the bottom dish items spring, fall and holidays. (This is my spring/summer)

Bath:  Again get rid of clutter on counter.  The only thing that should be on your counter is a soap dispenser and hand towel.  If possible place a nice hand towel rack on wall.  It'll look much neater. Place any other items under cabinet or in a bin(basket) that you can store either in your cabinet or under sink.

A small flower arrangement might add a nice touch

Bedroom:  Any dressers should be clear for the exception of a lamp or phone.  I hate to repeat myself but the room will look larger as well.  Keep draperies to a minimum. If you don't have them already, shades, mini blinds or light valances really are enough.  No bulky draperies (remember you want the room to look large)

A valance, blinds, or sheer drapes is all you need.  You do not have to have all three.

9/9/12
4/19/13

Some stay slim suggestions

Hello everyone!

Spring is on it's way!   I am sure it is!!!! 

Although it is hard to imagine that it is only a few months away with all the cold, wind and snow that has been plaguing the states.

I want to be ready for spring and summer so I have complied a few suggestions to help with the everyday temptations that we are dealt with all the time. 

I'm a stress eater.  Need I say more.  Those few minutes I eat something satisfying all my stress is gone!  but the feeling I get after is worse.  So let's try to do something  for us!!! and give our self a gift.  A feel good feeling that will last more than 15 minutes and we will be healthier too!

I need motivation and if you do too here are a few tips that I have found to be helpful.

Print out the below list and place it on your refrigerator as a reminder. Give yourself a weight loss goal.  Also we want to be healthy for sure and being overweight has many downfalls regarding our health.

 Start small,  maybe 5 or 10 pounds and then when you hit that goal go for several more.  I have found it frustrating to set my goal too high and so far I have been loosing about 1 pound a week.

Have a planned treat, like a cookie or a few animal crackers or pretzels. Look on the bag or box and check the calories in regard to amount.   I like crunchy treats.  Also I get very tired of water so  I mix cranberry/grape or raspberry juice with club soda.  It is refreshing and really tasty. Sometimes regardless of the weather I have an ice pop or frozen yogurt..  Remember it's MODERATION NOT DEPRIVATION!!

When you have a planned treat it is easier to skip high calorie foods during the day.

Try smelling fresh fruit like orange before you dive into chocolate.  Woman's day magazine says the 60% of dieters ate less chocolate when doing so.

Spreading a small amount of peanut butter on a banana or slice of bread will satisfy and make you fuller.

 Sometimes I have been known  to stop a craving with a tsp. of peanut butter.

Instead of bottled salad dressing mix orange juice with olive oil.

When making tuna salad eliminate the mayo and toss with red wine vinegar and olive oil. Add diced red and green peppers, onions and any other raw veggie to the tuna to make a great salad.  

Have a cup of hot lemon water in the morning!  It helps flush out the toxins in your body.

Try to cut back on carbs...Make sure they are small portions when you do.   Example:  half of a baked potato!!

In your coffee or tea use use a 1/2 tsp. of coffee creamer.  Instead of just pouring measure and then you'll know the amount.  Sometimes just a little gives you enough to give some color and sweet to your cup.

Know your limits.  I've been known to  mix diet soda with regular if I need a carbonated beverage.  I do not like artificial sweeteners but if water with lemon isn't want you are craving an occasional diet beverage or mix just may satisfy that craving.

I rely on gum a lot.  When I think I'm going to grab something that will add calories I chew gum..Of course I like gum and always have so I keep gum in my purse and in my car to keep me focused.

The above are just a few of the things I am doing to help with weight loss. 

Also walk the mall or do some at home exercise.  Just keep moving!

Keep yourself motivated.  Close your eyes and picture yourself the way you want to look and feel.   A healthier you!

We'll do this together...Step by step inch by inch!  I know we can!!!

Hugs,

Making use of some Fresh Strawberries:

I'm thinking ahead this year and remembering the high prices of strawberries come December so last week they had some beautiful strawberries at a reasonable price and I bought two pound..Picture perfect and sweet so I cut some up and used them on a piece of cheesecake (I freeze my cheesecake and pieces as well) and the rest I chopped in my food processor, sugared and froze for that December day I want some great strawberry shortcake..Here are some pictures.   Check and see if there are some,reasonably priced, and you could have fresh strawberries to share for the holidays... Enjoy!

I found some reasonably prices strawberries, cleaned them well , and froze both crushed and whole.

I use my food processor but a mini chopper works as well..

Either buying a nice pound cake or angel food cake makes for a quick dessert.

10/18/11

How to pick, core, cut and slice a pineapple:

When I first started blogging I received a comment from someone who mentioned why would I do a post on picking and cleaning a pineapple?  The below short story is why.  This is a repost! for those who haven't had a chance to check it out. I think it helped some before and hopefully it'll help some again. 

Do you know how to pick a great pineapple?

If it comes out easily...it's ripe :)

When I was at the market the other day a young woman was attempting to pick out a pineapple.  It appeared that she didn't know how to chose one. She was picking several up turning them around and looked puzzled. She turned and asked me if I knew how to tell if one was ripe... Here's how!  Hold the pineapple firmly with your hand and pull out a piece from the center.  It should come out very easily; if not, it isn't ripe enough. Try another. You may have to try several!

Now for the fun part.  Rinse pineapple well under cold water before cutting to clean it a bit.  Cut top and bottom off  then slice it in about 1 inch sections.  Remove core and take edge off (almost like cutting the skin off a cantaloupe) and slice in pieces..  It is that easy!

Pineapple can be used in various recipes and is a welcome addition in a fruit tray or just to eat by itself.

Happy Baking and Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

M.J.

7/23/12
8/17/13

Hello Bloggers! It's Spring! A few ideas to help get organized:

Today I decided to work on the area of my home that always seems unorganized, my pantry or kitchen storage area..

One of the first things I did was go and buy a medium size plastic container(if you have the room you can buy a large one) and separated my plastic storage containers..

The first one is for square containers and lids and the other will be for round..Keeping them separated will help with the clutter..Also I found keeping cookie sheets and muffin pans to be a challenge..they keep falling from the shelf..I went and bought a small rack for them..both items cost less than $5.00 each...If you are tired of everything looking disorganized, try these two suggestions..You'll be surprised how much  you'll like having things organized...It'll make you feel better too!!!...Happy getting organized!

I bought one rack..depending on the length and depth of your storing space you may be able to use two.

I decided to get rid of a lot of messy containers..Really how many do you need? Depending on size a few of each should do.



10/10/11

Handy Kitchen Tools: A few more to add your list

When I bake and cook there are some handy dandy kitchen tools that I use and I'd like to share some pictures of them with you.

It isn't necessary to spend a fortune on them and you can buy them gradually.  You may come across one or two when you are shopping and might like to add them to your list of must have kitchen utensils.  I'll add a few every now and then to help you get a well equipped useful gadget drawer.

  If you bake, cook or do both I imagine the kitchen section catches your eye when you are in any store that carries kitchen fun stuff and of course essentials!

Happy Baking and Cooking!!

A must have!

Liquid measuring cups..1 and 2 cup size

Garlic Press.  A must!!

Jar Opener!  I'd be lost without it!!

Hand mixer

Cooling racks

Peeler

Not everyone likes to cook with an apron but there are some days they really come in handy when you want to stay clean, case in point, the holidays!!

Large and Small strainer..A must!

Pie server and small food (narrow) flipper.  Hard to serve areas.

I'm a bit old fashion but I live my cheese grater. 

Two scooper's.  I use the larger to control portion size

Small fipper (wide) and vegetable brush.

8/24/11

Handy kitchen tools #4

Silicone pastry brush..much better the a bristle brush

Here's a few of my favorite Handy Kitchen Tools!

A must have to proper roasting.

Love my food processor

Poultry scissors

I use these for spaghetti or even salad tossing

Great for brownies or small pieces

Jar Opener (need I say more)

Some kitchen gadgets!

I went shopping this week with two of my good friends and we had so much fun.

We went to a quaint town called Volant not too far from where we live.  Unfortunately small towns are having difficulty surviving with the way the economy is,  which is a shame. It is the cutest town and a relaxing way to spend a few hours.

There are several shoppes, one of which is a kitchen shoppe to I loved browsing and did manage to find a few must have items.

Happy Baking and Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

No more broken nails with this handy gadget!

Collapsible Colander

Collapsible

Mini measuring bowls

Not a gadget but I have been looking for a new torte/tart/quiche pan for a very long time.  Found at Le Creuset!

Handy Kitchen Tools #3

Hope you are finding these suggestions helpful!!! I know most of us love gadgets for the kitchen and these are some of my favorites..

 This is not a gadget but it sure saves me lots of time..I love my Kitchen Aid..I've had it for years..Worth the price...I remember I saved up for this one..

My handy dandy scooper..I use it for meatballs, melon balls, cookies..I could go on and on.

I use this for salads tossing, spaghetti serving..

Dust Buster..I keep plenty of extra filters on hand...This is a great tool for fast clean up of crumbs that fall on the floor

Potato scrubber

An Introduction to Kale! Recipe to follow

I for one haven't eaten Kale before.  Can't tell you why but I guess the reason has been I thought it was a garnish..I knew it was eatable but I had never thought of how I might prepare it.  Today I will start with a little introduction on my first experience cleaning and cutting Kale.

I decided to research it a bit and found it to be known now as a Super Food.  Rich in Vitamin A, C.  Loaded with antioxidants, calcium and soluble fiber..Sound good to you?  It sure does to me.

Kale belongs to the Brassica family which includes cabbage, collard greens and brussel sprouts.  It has a mild flavor and after tasting a bit of it raw I think it definitely belongs in that family.  I love all in the cabbage family so I am pretty sure I'm going to like it especially since it can be sauteed with garlic and olive oil too!

 Here are some illustrations to show how easy it is to clean.  Hopefully this will encourage you to include it in one of your meals. There are several recipes that I have found; the latest was in one of my magazines.  I'll be posting it as soon as I get a chance.  The kale is all washed and ready to go, I just need to stay home!!!  A very busy week for me.  Enjoy!

 Happy Baking and Cooking from my kitchen to yours!

Look for bright green color.  It's curly too!

 Cutting or breaking in pieces.  If breaking in pieces tear in pieces as you would leaf lettuce.

From my kitchen to yours,