Here's a Tip Tuesday: The 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Have you heard Jack Johnson's song The 3 R's?  It's a happy song that talks about different ways to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.  It's really a song for kids, but I love it.  What can I say?  I'm a kid at heart. :o)   
Here he is in Hawaii with Dave Matthews.  I just love guitars, so I LOVE this pairing!  Enjoy!

Speaking of the 3 R's, this weekend I stopped by a local pastry shop and picked up some yummy treats. Here's a shot of SOME of them.  Sorry.  I didn't bring my camera on this trip and I couldn't wait to dig in.

 

After I polished off my treats, I washed the container, traced a template of the box on to a piece of scrapbook paper, cut it out and placed it in the box.  Then I adorned it with a ribbon and dropped it off at my friend's house.  I HAVE to get rid of my baked goods as soon as I can or else they'll all end up in my belly.

I like the after. It makes me smile.  Yellow is my new favorite color.

I tried out a new recipe for this one. Alton Brown's chocolate chip cookies.  I was curious about it because it calls for melted butter and I've never tried that before.  The result was a light fluffy cookie and I could really taste the butter.  Yum!

**Check out my 100th post and giveaway HERE**

Alton Brown's Chocolate Chip Cookie:

2 sticks unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottom medium saucepan over low heat. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.
Pour the melted butter in the mixer’s work bowl. Add the sugar and brown sugar. Cream the butter and sugars on medium speed. Add the egg, yolk, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Chill the dough, then scoop onto parchment-lined baking sheets, 6 cookies per sheet. Bake for 14 minutes or until golden brown, checking the cookies after 5 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet for even browning. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Here's a Tip: Unsweetened Chocolate Squares-- A Thrifty Alternative

First off, I have to apologize.  I'm a lame-o.  I was so excited about doing my 100th post and having a giveaway. I started reminiscing and decided to look through my list of old posts and realized that I had a few drafts in there that I never posted.  So I deleted those and I think this is post #96.  So it'll be a couple more days.  Sorry. :o(   Please come back though.  It'll be worth it.  At least I think it will.  I want to keep the giveaway for myself... but it IS more fun to give than receive, so I'll part with the gifts no matter how difficult it is. :o)


So on to today's tip... Now that baking season is upon us, I thought I'd share a money saving tip I use when I have to use unsweetened chocolate squares.  They come in boxes like this:

The price per box can range anywhere from $3.50 - 5.00.  When you're using a lot of these, it can really add up.  So instead of investing in these unsweetened squares, I save A LOT of money by using:
3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (that I buy from the bulk section)

1 Tablespoon oil (I usually use vegetable oil) 

Just add both of them to whatever you're baking and it comes out perfect. 

This equals a 1oz. square of unsweetened chocolate. 

And how about a recipe that I just made using this tip???

Cheesecake Marbled Brownies

Oh yeah baby!!!  I found this recipe on SmittenKitten.  This girl has some serious baking talent! Once I saw pictures of this recipe, I knew I had to make it. I'm such a sucker for pictures. 

Makes 16 2-inch square, thick brownies
Brownie batter
1 stick (1/2 cup or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
Cheesecake batter 
8 ounces cream cheese, well softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Plus
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips


Make brownie batter: Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Heat butter and chocolate in a 3-quart heavy saucepan — though I did mine double-boiler style, placing the mixing bowl I was using over simmering water, thereby creating one less dirty dish and melting the chocolate more gently — over moderately low heat, whisking occasionally, just until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar, eggs, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until well combined. Whisk in flour until just combined and spread in baking pan.


Make cheesecake batter: Whisk together cheesecake batter ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Dollop over brownie batter, then swirl in with a knife or spatula.
[I actually like using a butter knife because the tip of it is round enough that you can use it to fold bits of the brownie batter over the cheesecake batter for a more visibly marbled effect. Try it!]
Sprinkle chocolate chips over cheesecake/brownie batter swirl. Although it might be more logical to just mix them into the cheesecake batter (and feel free to do this, it will have no ill-effect) I thought it might interrupt the swirl-ability of it.


Bake brownies: Bake until edges are slightly puffed and center is just set, about 35 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.


Slicing tip: I like to chill my brownies until they’re almost frozen before cutting them. It makes it much easier to get a clean slice. I also like to eat my brownies super-cold, but that’s just personal taste.

I'm linking to Tasty Tuesdays.

Here's a Tip Tuesday--Removing Large Stickers

Have you ever been intimidated with the task of removing a really large sticker?  Maybe it's not a daunting task for many, but it has been for me... in the past.  Recently I found this cute container at a yard sale and I thought it would be fun to use for a project. So I picked it up and brought it home and got to work on removing two large stickers from both sides.

First, I saturated the stickers with vegetable oil.  I just poured it directly on to the sticker and rubbed it in. I let it sit for five minutes.

The sticker actually loosened a bit just from the oil alone and I was able to start peeling it away.

It started getting difficult to remove so next, I filled the sink with warm water and dish soap and let the stickers soak in it for 3 minutes. Then I took my scraper and worked the rest of the sticker off. 

I was left with a little sticky residue, so I applied more oil, and scraped it off.  And voila! A clean, brand new looking container!

Here's a Tip Tuesday--Healthy Eating & God's Pharmacy

Today's tip has to do with the amazing fact that God has given us clues as to what foods help what part of our body... Read on... it's amazing. And here's to healthy eating and healthy bodies.  :)


I apologize that something quirky is happening with my margins and some of the text is cut off below.  I can't figure it out. 

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes. A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All o f the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food. Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food. A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums.  Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function. Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys. Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body. Avocados, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs . Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this?  It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them). Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility. Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics. Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries   Oranges ,Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts. Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

Here's a Tip Tuesday: Free Ideas

Looking for some yummy ideas at a great price??  How about for FREE?? Does that work for you?  Does for me! :)

Look no further, check out THIS new online magazine chock-full of great ideas.
http://www.lonnymag.com/

The pages are filled with beautiful images, great articles, DIY tips, and much, much more.

It's actually pretty crazy, you can directly link to blogs, websites, esty shops, and more by clicking on pages or objects while you're looking through the magazine.  Technology never ceases to amaze me.
Enjoy!!

Besides blogs, where do you go to get inspired?

Here's a Tip Tuesday (and a recipe!)--Mess Free Way To Top Your Streusel Muffins or Bruschetta

How many times have you made bruschetta or a muffin with streusel and was frustrated that the topping went everywhere but the top of your bread or muffin?

I can’t take credit for today’s tip. I picked up this tip from my uncle.  I watched him as he prepared bruschetta one holiday and loved his technique.  I also love that it’s green.  I’m totally getting into finding a new use for something used. 

Take an empty yogurt container.

Cut out the bottom.

Hold it over your bread or muffin.

Spoon in your topping.

Voila!  Pretty, mess free topping!!

Yum!!

Here’s the recipe for Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar 
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups peeled cored and chopped apples
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons butter

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Lightly grease 18 muffin cups or use paper liners.

In a large bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt.

In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, pumpkin and oil.

Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stirring just to moisten.

Fold in apples.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons flour, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Sprinkle topping evenly over muffin batter.

Bake in preheated oven for 24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.

Enjoy!


I'm participating in Tasty Tuesday... hop on over and check out the other yummy things people are making. 

Here's a Tip Tuesday--Loads of DIY Tips for Fixing Things Around the House

Today's tip isn't going to come from me.  It's going to come from someone that truly emulates Girl Power!

Have you heard of Barbara K?  She's awesome. 

Do you love Barbara K?  I do!

Barbara K spent 10 years in the construction industry and now and she shares her wealth of knowledge with us!  She has created a line of products that are ergonomically designed for women.  Here is one set that I own.

I also have her emergency car kit and a screwdriver set.  Whenever you use her tools, you just know they were created for women by a woman.  They feel great in your hands and everything is so carefully thought out.  The tools are so great that guys have even tried to bribe me out of my kit.  My car kit has so much in it including gloves, a towel, jumper cables, and a poncho just in case I'm stuck in bad weather.  Every kit contains instruction manuals for common things you would use the tools for.

Her website has a WEALTH of information ranging from DIY projects for beginners to advanced skilled people to instructions for common home repair issues.

She even has video tutorials to help you with things like repairing a hole in the wall to replacing a door knob.

Enjoy!  Please leave a comment and let me know if you learn something new on her site or use one of her tutorials to complete a project in your home. 

Here's a Tip Tuesday-- Pretty Feet

I told you my tips will be all over the map.  ;)

My feet are claustrophobic... well, not really but I love open-toed shoes and in So Cal you can get away with that 11 months a year.  Since they're out in the open, I am obsessed with keeping them pretty.  I could do them myself, but as I get older my back kills me when I'm bent over painting my nails.  I don't want to pay $$$$ so this is what I have been doing for years.

Tip: How to keep your feet painted all month for less than the cost of 1 pedicure. 

Here's my nail bucket:

These are my can't-live-without supplies:

• Creative's Cuticle Remover: Soak your feet and then apply.  Let sit for a couple of minutes and then you can either use the cuticle pusher or a wet towel to remove your cuticles.
• Nail Polish Dryer: for those people who don't have the time to wait for paint to dry.  Just spray and go. 

Don't you hate chipped nails? 

Use this combo and you'll be chippy-free. 

• Nail Life Gripper Basecoat: Keeps your polish sticking to your nails
• Out the Door Topcoat: Leaves a beautiful professional shine, use twice a week to keep your pretty toes protected. 

Here's my bi-weekly routine:

• Clean up my nails (remove cuticles and trim nails) 
• Apply basecoat
• Visit my local nail salon for a polish $5 (I bring my own polish and top coat)
• Get a massage in the salon chair while waiting for my nails to dry
• Catch up on all the celebrity smut magazines or read a book while waiting for my nails to dry
• Tip the professional $2
• Leave relaxed with pretty toes

Make sure to price it out.  I have found that salons can charge anywhere between $5 - $10 for a polish only.  It's cheaper when you take your own polish. I like to take my own color just in case I get a chip during the week.  Then it's just a quick touch-up that I can do on my own. 

So for an entire month it costs me $14 to keep my toes looking pretty instead of $20+ to have them done just once. 

Here's a Tip Tuesday-- Adding a 3rd Column to Your Blog

å

Does working on your computer ever make you feel like this?

I've felt like this quite often.  Ask my dad.  Poor guy has received many a text messages and desperate phone calls regarding my computer woes.  He's even made a couple of emergency trips to Southern Cal from Northern Cal to fix my problems (isn't he great????).  So the fact that I finally jumped in with both feet and decided to start a blog was shocking (well to me at least).  

I believe the common thread between us DIY women is the fact that we don't shy away from a challenge and we approach every task head on with the attitude that we can figure it out one way or another.  In my quest to figure things out, I always Google. {{I lub Google}}  How many others out there have been proclaimed "Google Queens" by your friends or family members??  

So in my latest quest to add another dimension to my blog by adding another column, what did I do?  I Googled of course!  And I found the best site and the most helpful guy.  Now I have NEVER dealt with HTML's and quite honestly, the thought of attacking that made me break out in a sweat.  But I took a deep breath and made my way through his easy to read instructions and.... I did it!!!!  Check me out!  Did you check out my coolio new columns on <---- BOTH sides ---->  I could be a computer programer now!  Well... not really.  That would cause me to have a nervous breakdown.   I'll stick to baking and painting.

So if you'd like to take the plunge and add a 3rd column to your blog, here's a few tips:

1. Start HERE
2. When you've completed that, go HERE (didn't I tell you he's awesome?? He added that link after my question)
3. After you've been successful, show him some love and leave him a comment
4. Leave ME a comment with your link so I can check you out being all computer savy!

I hope that sharing these links with you have made you feel this way about your computer.

In the spirit of DIYism, you can either create one of these contraptions, 

or just reach around and give yourself a pat on the back... GREAT JOB!! :)

Here's a Tip Tuesday

I'm a firm believer in the thought that we should be life-long learners. Because of this, I like to read about different things pertaining to health and fitness, saving money, crafts, finances, and anything else I find interesting at the moment. So on "Here's a Tip Tuesday" I'll share an interesting tidbit I stumbled across this week.

Did you know that avocados can lower your cholesterol because of the healthy fats it contains? Avocados contain more soluble fiber and protein than any other fruit, and half a medium avocado provides more potassium than a banana.

When I pick up an avocado at the store I feel like I have to gobble it up right away or else it'll get all yucky and brown. I was excited to find out how I can keep my avocados fresher longer.

TIP:
1. To prevent a sliced avocado from turning brown in the refrigerator, remove the seed and spray the flesh with cooking spray, then wrap in plastic. Use within 3 days.
2. You can save an avocado for up to 4 months by mashing them with 1/2 tablespoon lemon or lime per avocado and placing it in an airtight container in the freezer.
(source:Food Cures by Reader's Digest)

I hope you find this interesting too. Follow me if you'd like to get my tips every Tuesday. :)

(Please be patient with me. I'm a complete novice and I'm trying to figure out how to add a 3rd column to my blog. As you can see I was successful in adding the 3rd column,(see all of the blank space over there? ------> now I have to figure out how to move it to the left side of my blog. If I'm successful then maybe it'll be a future post on a Tuesday! Cross your fingers!)