When making caramel, use a nonstick pot. That way, when you pour the mixture out, there is no waste, and cleaning the pot is a breeze.

Stuck in an exercise rut? Don’t have a ton of time to fit in both your cardio and resistance training? Haven’t started resistance training, but would like to start? Get a kettlebell set and enjoy a two-for-one exercise! Kettlebells combine the benefits of resistance training and cardiovascular conditioning in one powerful exercise.  You can really […]

Eggs! YUMMY, high in protein and an all around healthy snack. Who doesn’t love a great hard boiled egg? Perfect for egg salads, chopped and tossed in a fresh green or chef salad and a delicious appetizer as a deviled egg.  Hard boiled eggs are a staple in my home. They are perfect on the […]

Are you cleaning your windows and glass surfaces?Clean a window with vinegar and newspaper to avoid streaks.

Keep seeds from falling into citrus juice! Wrap citrus fruits in cheesecloth (or a clean stocking) for seed-free juice.

Run the cut side of a lemon over the cutting board to remove food stains and smells. For extra cleaning power, sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first.

Stock up on super-cheap, random cuts of meat. A freezer full of roasted turkey necks and bony beef cuts will ensure you always have what you need to make broth.

Write in your cookbooks! Could soup have used more tomato? Chicken needed ten more minutes in the oven? Make a note of it and you’ll never make that mistake again.

I recently ran over an article written by the Robb Report (link is at the end of this article) that outlined some of the most influential restaurants in the last 3 decades. It’s interesting to see how restaurant trends have shaped how we eat and view food. I think some of the list is on […]

Hanging fridge storage. Using below-shelf hanging organizers in your fridge to keep small food items from getting lost in the shuffle.

Silence squeaky floors. Noise pollution is a real thing, people. Pour baby powder onto your wooden floor and sweep it into the cracks to quiet creaking floorboards. Wipe away the excess, and enjoy the sounds of silence.

Do you want to prevent bacteria growth on your dairy? In order to make cottage cheese or sour cream last longer, place the container upside down in the fridge. Inverting the tub creates a vacuum that inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes food to spoil.

Knock On Doors That You Know. Encourage your children to only trick-or-treat at homes where they know the inhabitants. If they know everyone on the street, except for one house, they could ask the neighbors about that one house. If a home is dark or has no Halloween decorations, that is typically a good sign […]

When making mashed potatoes, after you drain the potatoes, return them to the hot pan, cover tightly and let steam for 5 minutes. This allows the potatoes to dry out so they’ll mash to a beautiful texture and soak up the butter and cream more easily.

Make an earthy-smelling cleaner. Infuse a homemade vinegar solution with sage or orange peels.

To keep towels from getting musty in between showers, hang them where they can air-dry thoroughly. A hook is fine, but a towel bar is better.

Use old CD racks and DVD towers to keep those annoying tupperware lids organized and in place in drawers and cupboards! Cuz – I mean – are you really using them for CDs anymore?

Extend nuts’ shelf life! Freeze shelled nuts to preserve their natural oils (which may go rancid at room temperature over time).

Make your shower sparkle. To clean grimy grout, mix 3/4 cup household chlorine bleach with 1 gallon water and use a stiff brush to apply to one small area at a time. Let it sit for several minutes, then scrub and rinse.

Put marshmallows on cupcakes in the oven in place of icing! This awesome baking hack saves me TONS of time! If you’re not feeling like icing your cupcakes, just put marshmallows on top of your cupcakes and let the oven do the work for you!

Always crack eggs on a flat surface, never the edge of a bowl. Otherwise, you’ll risk shell shards and possible contamination of your food.

For a satisfyingly thick but dairy-free soup, add some cashew cream. It’s delicious and easy to make: Soak one cup of raw cashews in water for six to eight hours, drain and rinse them, and blend with 3/4 cup water until smooth.

Skip the roast and grill steaks instead! Steaks require minimal cooking time compared to their whole-cut counterpart. Throw them on the grill for some extra depth of flavor, and elevate the meal to feast status by serving with a rich sauce.

Caramelize onions very quickly by cooking them in a dry nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. They will caramelize beautifully in a lot less time than with traditional methods.