crock pot chicken tacos

Here is the direct link for: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos.

I went on vacation with my family and brought along the crock pot. It worked wonderfully. After a day of hiking ourselves to death, we returned to our cabin and dinner was just about ready. Great planning, eh?

This taco recipe comes from the blog, Chocolate Therapy. The blog's author, Sarah, says this about the recipe, "If there is one crock pot recipe you need in your repertoire, this is it." Well, of course, I had to try it then, didn't I?

It sure is an easy enough recipe with only three ingredients: chicken breasts, taco seasoning, and a jar of your favorite salsa. I used my 'home-made taco seasoning' again! The chicken was very tender and flavorful. Is it the best taco recipe ever? I don't know about that. It does however make LOTS, great for a crowd.

As a bonus, Sarah gives you another recipe, Tortilla Soup, to make with your leftover shredded chicken. I haven't tried that yet, but just might with my leftover chicken.

The red pin award for a new twist on an all-time favorite: tacos.

I love putting Queso Fresco on my tacos with a little avocado and cilantro.




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pant hanger as drying rack

Here is the direct link for: Pant Hanger as Drying Rack.

This pin comes from Real Simple's Making New Uses for Old Things series. This idea came from Kana Okada:

Use a pant hanger to air-dry a bath mat after showering. Simply hang it over the shower curtain rod.

This is a very clever idea. Our bath mat never seems to dry with two active teenagers, especially in this warm weather. Hang the mat up and overnight it is ready for a new day. In this humidity it would be dry in no time.

FYI. Go buy a pant hanger with the traditional two clips on it. Less struggle and easier to hang up a wet mat with!

The red pin award for helpful hint that is very doable!






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dryer sheet as scum buster

Here is the direct link for: Dryer Sheet as Scum Buster.

This pin comes from Real Simple's Making New Uses for Old Things series. This idea came from Antonis Achilleos:

Remove obstinate soap buildup from glass shower doors by sprinkling a few drops of water onto a used fabric-softener sheet and scrubbing.

Believe it or not, this really works! I sprayed glass cleaner afterwards and wiped with a paper towel. And the scum at the bottom of the shower door was gone. Amazing! Why this works I wish I knew.

The red pin award for a simple solution to a 'scummy' problem!

How on earth did Antonis Achilleos even come up with this idea? Thank you, Antonis, for being so clever!




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cotton swab as computer detailer

click on photo to enlarge

Here is the direct link for: Cotton Swab as Computer Detailer.

This pin comes from Real Simple's Making New Uses for Old Things series. This idea came from Antonis Achilleos:

With the machine turned off, disconnect the keyboard and trace between the keys with a cotton swab lightly dipped in isopropyl alcohol. If your mouse is the kind that rolls on a ball, unscrew the bottom and go over the ball and the interior with a cotton swab too.

As you can see by my 'before' photo, my keyboard was filthy! Now it is so squeeky clean, it looks and feels like brand new. Isopropyl alcohol leaves the area smelling clean and antiseptic. Nice job, Marie!

Detailing my computer keyboard inspired me then to wipe down all our household phones as well. Wow! It's amazing how grimy these everyday utensils can get!

The red pin award for this simple 'detailing' technique! And again, for getting me off my butt and cleaning something thoroughly.






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words to live by

http://handmaderyangosling.tumblr.com/page/

Here's this month's quote from my board: Words to Live By. Ever seen these? Every time I see one of these pins with Ryan Gosling come across Pinterest I just burst out laughing. I especially love the knitting and craft related ones. I don't know who comes up with these, but they're very clever and silly.

Here is a whole Pinterest board of fun pins: Hey Girl Board.

Finally, a quick little video from an interview with Ryan Gosling in which he reads a few fun 'Hey Girl' excerpts: Ryan Gosling Acts Out "Hey Girl" Meme. 

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cooking spray as grater helper

Here is the direct link for Real Simple's: Cooking Spray as Grater Helper.

Real Simple magazine is continuously looking for new suggestions for their New Uses for Old Things series. So keep this in mind if you have a fun idea to share.

This entry was submitted by James Wojcik. His suggestion is to:

Make that chunk of cheddar slide across your grater with ease by coating it with a little bit of non-stick cooking spray first.

I tried it with a block of cheddar cheese and didn't notice a difference with or without the non-stick spray. Oh well. It sure sounded like a good idea.

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UPDATE! the benefits of drinking lemon water

Today, August 7th, is exactly one month that I have been drinking a glass or two of lemon water every day. How do I feel?

Here are my honest observations:

One. I go to the bathroom like crazy now, all day long, not just after I drink it. And my urine isn't so dark like before.

Two. My body seems to be running 'warmer', if that makes sense. Could be menopause, but I hadn't had it before. Not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. I learned that lemon juice first thing helps to purify your liver and once your liver is running better, fat is burned more easily. We can only hope!

Three. I have not seen any significant changes in my weight because of drinking lemon water, sorry to say.

Four.  I seem to have more energy, more focus. But I still could use a little more.

Five.  I have noticed that my teeth are a little grey-looking. I now only drink lemon water with a straw. I recently read that lemon juice can be hard on the enamel of your teeth. With the addition of the straw, my teeth are looking lots brighter.

Will I continue drinking lemon water? We'll see. I am going to take a month off and see if I notice any differences with NOT drinking it daily. And then I will officially decide. I want to see if my body running 'warmer' is the lemon juice or hormones.

Here is the direct link for my original post: The Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water.

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parchment paper as muffin tin liner

Here is the direct link for: Parchment Paper as Muffin Tin Liner.

Years ago I had bought a 6-pack of muffins that came in parchment paper liners. They were gorgeous to behold. I have always wanted to try duplicate this idea , and then I saw this pin.

This pin comes from Real Simple's Making New Uses for Old Things series. This idea came from John Lawton:

"When you're out of those pastel (and predictable!) paper guys, line each cup with a large square of parchment, allowing for ample overhang for a fresh-from-the-bakery look."

Of course, the pin doesn't give particular details like the actual size to cut the paper. Through trial and error, I found that a 5-1/2 to 6-inch square paper sheet worked best.

And the bottom of a juice glass worked best for molding the paper over. Simply smooth the paper over the bottom of the glass and down the sides several times to reinforce the shape.

The hardest part? Keeping the muffin papers clean while spooning in the batter. Take your time, these are definitely your 'presentation-type' muffin liners. My muffins did not rise very high, but that might be the nature of a double-chocolate chip muffin mix. It looks more like a brownie than a muffin.

FYI. Next time, try a muffin recipe for a beautifully sugar-crusted blueberry muffin.

Don't want to make your own liners? Gourmet made a little easier, try these brown parchment muffin liners.

Making your own parchment paper liners really isn't worth all the effort, unless you are desperate and have no where else to turn. I would rather buy the brown parchment muffin liners above!


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egg slicer as a mozzarella slicer

Here is the direct link for: Egg Slicer as a Mozzarella Slicer.

Tis' the season for fresh tomato and mozzarella slices. Add a little fresh basil and drizzle it all with olive oil. My favorite summer-time salad!

This pin comes from Real Simple's Making New Uses for Old Things series. This idea came from Anson Smart:

Slice perfect pieces of mozzarella―and cut out the mess that goes with it. The wires divide the soft cheese into equal segments without squashing it. It's a clean cut, any way you slice it.

The key is the 'dividing the soft cheese into equal segments' part. It works beautifully. In fact you forget you're slicing cheese it feels just like slicing an egg. Obviously this works great on those premade round balls of fresh mozzarella. If your cheese, like mine, comes as a log of mozzarella, first cut it into thirds. The slices are naturally thin with the egg slicer, but if you want a thicker slice just double up the slices.

I wonder if they make larger egg slicers? Wouldn't that be handy?

The red pin award for helpful tip and very useable too!






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vanilla ice cubes

Here is the direct link for: Vanilla Ice Cubes (for Delicious Summer Drinks).

This recipe comes from the blog, Oh My Veggies. The blog's author, Kiersten, says this about vanilla ice, "Not only do they add the flavor of vanilla to a drink, they also add some creaminess and a touch of sweetness. They are perfect of iced coffee, tea, Chai, or even lemonade". I don't know about the lemonade part, but all the others sound wonderful.

Vanilla ice solve the age-old problem of watered-down drinks near the end, adding more flavor to the very last sip!

The recipe calls for almond milk which I had never had before; I like it now! I bought the 'vanilla' almond milk (sweetened version) rather than the original flavor. I put the vanilla bean into the milk to steep atop the stove. I didn't add the 'extra' sugar or vanilla as the recipe requested. The sweetened vanilla almond milk was sweet enough for my tastes.

I originally thought vanilla ice would be perfect addition to an iced cold Chai drink, shown above. These little guys are tasty. I had my serious doubts at first but am pleasantly surprised how yummy they are.

I also tried them in a diet coke. It tastes like a diet-version of a coke float, very vanilla-y. It's a bit messy looking, but surprisingly tasty. I recommend trying it!

FYI. Next time try the unsweetened version of Vanilla Almond Milk. Just curious the difference in flavor.

The red pin award for a delicious idea and for getting me to try something new. I would never of tried Almond milk otherwise!

Vanilla ice would also make wonderful popsicles!




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