Peel Garlic in Seconds!

If your family cooks anything like my hubby and I do, you probably use a lot of garlic. We have handy little tools to make things easier, such as our garlic press (on the left), and the silicone peeler (on the right). But when you need more than a few cloves, this simple trick is SO much quicker!

Now, whether you're making a big pot of chili or canning pickles, you can peel all of your garlic in just 10 seconds! 

No joke!

How to do it:

1. Peel the desired amount of cloves from the bulb.

2. Place them all in a plastic container with a lid. (I just used a Ziploc container.)

3. Then, shake vigorously for 10 seconds.

When you open the container, the skins will be empty and your cloves will be peeled!

Now, go ahead and peel a whole bulb of garlic!

Just be sure to have a few after-dinner mints handy. :)

Wedding Day Emergency Basket

Everyone knows the usual wedding traditions. 

-Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

-Bride and groom can't see each other before the wedding.

-Bouquet & garter toss.

-Tying cans to the car bumper.

-Carrying the bride over the threshold.

-Always have an emergency basket.

Okay, so maybe the last one isn't necessarily a tradition, but it's definitely a good idea. My mom helped me compile a list of things that may be helpful during the big day. (She's one smart cookie.) This basket is perfect to have while getting ready, then to have in the bathroom (or somewhere handy) during the reception. I just used a plastic basket from the dollar store, but I was thinking you could also put it in a cute little tote bag marked with the bride's new name!

Contents:

Throat drops,

Lint brush,

Gum,

Tissues,

Band-aids,

Nail File,

Mini Sewing Kit,

Floss Picks,

Bobby Pins,

Granola Bars,

Nail Clipper,

Pain Reliever ,

Panty Liners,

Tampons,

Lotion,

Deodorant,

Chapstick,

Mouthwash,

& Chocolate!

**Additional Items: Bottled water, body spray, clear nail polish (and color that the bride is wearing in case of chipping), flip-flops, antacid tablets, breath mints, cough drops, contact solution/eye drops, eyeliner, mascara, pressed powder, lipstick, anti-static spray, Tide-to-Go, and hair spray.

{Each wedding will have variations in their basket to fit their needs. 

Does the bride have allergies and need some medication? What about contacts/glasses? It would be a good idea to check with the bride beforehand to see if there is anything she thinks she may need that day.}

Using the back of their wedding invitation, I wrote a little note and the list of items that were in the basket. That way the bride was able to see exactly what it contained, rather than wasting time fishing around in the basket during the busy day.

{I've also seen baskets with a bigger selection and set out for all the guests to use, which is really nice!}

Tuck it all in together, and enjoy the day! 

Hopefully, there won't be any issues at the wedding, but if there are, better to be prepared! :)

Organizing Your Checkbook Register

The other day I was thinking to myself that I should be receiving my bank statement soon.  I don't know if many are like me, but I LOVE balancing my checkbook!  It has not always been like that though.  Unfortunately, a few years back, my husband and myself where victims of fraud.  It was a horrible experience and I wish it on NO ONE!  Long story short, my checkbook was a MESS!  I was scared, stressed, and just plain freaking out. I ended up going to the bank because my checkbook register didn't match my statements, obviously.  Luckily, they understood that I wasn't in India making purchases so they sat down with me and calmly helped me sort it out.  

This little tip is the good that came from a bad situation.  When helping me balance my checkbook the patient bank lady grabbed my register, my statements, a calculator, and HIGHLIGHTERS!    

Going through, she used the highlighter on the statement as well as in the register.  After balancing that month, she would continue.  Grabbing a new color, she started on the next month.  It is something so simple but has made my life so much easier!!  When looking through your register, it is so clear what bills went with what month!

People may read this post and think I am crazy but I am going to bet that there are some nerds (like me!) out there that will really appreciate this tip.  I know I have.  Thank you again calm bank lady!! :)

"Magic Mouthwash"

Fall is almost here, and along with the changing season, it seems people tend to have their allergies act up, or the flu & cold season sets in. Unfortunately, it seems I'm ahead of schedule. I started to get a cough last week. With coworkers telling me they've heard a lot of people having their allergies bothering them recently, I dismissed it as that. But by Saturday, I was coughing and hacking so badly that it was causing my head to throb and straining the back of my neck. 

My congestion was so deep in my chest that it was almost like "coughing attacks" to clear it. However, the more I would cough, the more my head & throat would hurt, causing a tickle in my throat to make me cough more. It seemed to be a never-ending, vicious circle. 

Except, once I used Heather's advice on sprittibee.com, I was actually able to relax long enough to let me sleep through the night without waking my hubby up to a cough attack. She says it's great for a sore throat and even mouth sores! Granted, since my cough was so extreme, it didn't heal it completely, but it definitely helped give me the relief I needed! It literally coated and numbed my throat to relieve the itchy, scratchy sensations, giving my coughing fits a break. 

All you have to do is gargle with a mixture of equal parts Milk of Magnesia {or Maalox}, and Children's Benedryl (I used the generic Target version).

I gargled with very warm salt water first, then followed it by gargling the "Magic Mouthwash" mixture, and swallowing about 1/3 of it, so it could coat my throat going down.

It did burn at the back of my throat for awhile, but it was still much better than having the irritation there instead.

"Magic Mouthwash"

1 part Milk of Magnesia (or Maalox)

1 part Children's Benedryl

*Please keep in mind that I'm not a doctor, and I don't pretend to be. Be sure to read labels carefully before using this mixture, or swallowing anything! Don't use more than recommended, and be cautious if using with children! Please, be careful, and consult with your physician.

Delightful Pecan Pie

With fall around the corner, I decided to share a dessert that screams fall---pecan pie!!  I used to hate pecan pie with a passion!!  I don't know if my taste buds have now realized what is actually yummy or I have just grown up.  Skittles and Mountain Dew are no longer my sugar choices.  :)

There are many different versions of pecan pie.  When I started baking at the diner I work at, this recipe was shared with me.  I really enjoy it!  I hope you do too!

Ingredients Needed:

Pie Crust (To make your own pie crust, check out this link.)

1/2 cup butter

1 cup corn syrup

1 cup sugar

4 eggs beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/3 cup chopped pecans

In a medium saucepan, combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup.  Stir continuously on low heat until sugar is dissolved (as seen below).

Remove pan from stove as soon as the sugar is dissolved. 

While giving the above mixture a chance to cool a bit, use a blender to mix eggs, vanilla, and salt. This does get a little 'frothy' looking. 

Now, slowly pour sugar mixture into the egg mixture.  I like to use a hand whisk at this point.  Mix well. 

 Now grab your prepared pie crust and pour the mixture into the shell.  Be sure not to fill too full.  Using a measuring cup, sprinkle 1 1/3 cups of pecans on the top.  I like to use a spoon and GENTLY push the pecans down into the mixture.  Some people prefer to mix these two together but I like the consistency this option gives. :)

 Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 1 hour.  DO NOT TRY TO RUSH IT!  :)

Allow to cool at room temperature...then ENJOY! 

Blueberry Banana Bread

We have a grocery store near us that always seems to have excellent deals on produce. Unfortunately, the low prices generally tempt me to buy more than we really need. This last shopping trip filled our fridge with fruits and veggies, but there was no way we could eat all of it before it was going to go bad. Usually, I'm able to clean the fruit and toss it in the freezer for smoothies, but I was holding onto a carton of blueberries. I wanted to use them for something I've never made before. Since we also had a cluster of bananas that were very ripe, I decided to try something a little different than our usual route when making banana bread.

It turned out very well, and made much more than I intended! This recipe made 2 loaves, as well as 12 regular-sized muffins. We now not only have fruit in the freezer, but Blueberry Banana bread & muffins, too! :)

The recipe was adapted from ShopGirlMaria.blogspot.com. Her recipe was for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Greek Yogurt. If you would like her recipe, go ahead and click the link, otherwise you will find my version with the changes below.

Ingredients

4 eggs

1 c. applesauce

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

3 c. flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 c. plain yogurt

4-6 bananas, mashed (4 large or 6 small/medium)

1 1/4 c. fresh blueberries

Directions

In a large bowl, beat the eggs until light and frothy.

Add applesauce, sugar, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.

Slowly add it to the egg mixture and mix well.

Stir in the yogurt.

Fold in the bananas.

Gently add the blueberries.

Pour into greased loaf pans and/or lined muffin tins.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

(Bake for less time if using muffin tins or smaller loaf pans.)

(Directions with Photos)

In a large bowl, beat the eggs until light and frothy.

Add applesauce, sugar, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.

Slowly add it to the egg mixture and mix well.

Stir in the yogurt. 

{You can use regular plain yogurt, or Greek yogurt. If you would like to try your hand at making homemade yogurt, click here for an easy recipe that uses your crock pot!}

Fold in the mashed bananas.

Gently add the blueberries.

{Personally, I really liked the whole blueberries, but Tony said he thinks he would prefer the blueberries to be a little blended. (He had a texture issue with the whole berries studding the bread.) I haven't tried blending the berries, but I would love to hear how it tastes if you do!}

Pour into greased loaf pans and/or lined muffin tins.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

*Bake for less time if using muffin tins or smaller loaf pans.

*If freezing the bread or muffins, be sure to let them cool completely, then seal them in a Ziploc freezer bag. When ready to use, I just pulled a loaf out of the freezer and let it thaw overnight before cutting into it.

Homemade Microwave Potato Chips!

Hold on to your stockings, readers, because I have something to tell you that is going to knock your socks right off! You can make too-good-to-be-true, salty, crispity-crunchety potato chips in your microwave!!

I was pretty skeptical in the beginning, so I just started with some basic salted chips. They turned out great, so I kept experimenting and came up with four different flavors!

Original Salted

Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper

Onion & Dill

Vinegar & Sea Salt

I got the idea from Carolyn at foodgal.com, and am shocked at how quickly you can make this delicious snack! If you experiment with different flavors, I would love to hear how they turn out!

Start with a clean potato. 

(Food Gal said to use Yukon Gold or red potatoes, but I used a Russet and they turned out great!)

If you have a mandolin, I would suggest using it! :)

Unfortunately, I don't, so I settled for a cheese slicer that my brother bought me. It worked surprisingly well!

If you don't have either, just slice them as thin as you can with a knife.

Place them in a bowl.

Drizzle with some olive oil (enough to coat them all) and your chosen seasonings.

{I have my suggestions for seasonings posted below.}

Shake them up, so everything is evenly distributed. 

(Since it's the original salted flavor pictured, it's hard to see the "seasonings".)

Coat a microwave-safe plate with some non-stick spray (I just used some olive oil) and spread your potato slices out.

Place in the microwave on HIGH for 2-4 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.

Quickly, but carefully, flip them all over and microwave for another 1-3 minutes, or until they are golden. Be careful not to scorch them!

*They will probably stick to the plate, so have a small tongs or spatula nearby. Since you have to work quickly, you don't want your fingers to burn by trying to flip them fast enough.

Once they are golden brown, transfer them to a cooling rack. They should feel like they are starting to get crispy when you remove them from the microwave, but they will get much crispier once they cool.

{It wouldn't be a potato chip without that satisfying crunch!}

Original Salted

Just used salt. Nice and simple.

Vinegar & Sea Salt

I soaked the potato slices in vinegar for about 30 minutes, then drained the excess vinegar and added the salt and olive oil before spreading them out on the plate.

{This is probably my favorite!}

Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper

Along with the sea salt, I added some freshly cracked black pepper.

Onion & Dill

I added some onion powder to the sea salt and olive oil, along with a generous sprinkling of dill weed.

Hope you like them!! :)