February 22nd, 2012

Laundry Apps

smart_phone_iconLet’s face it. We do laundry all the time. But despite our laundry laurels, there are time when we get stumped. Whether it is an ink stain or an oil stain, or whether to use fabric softener or not, I want a go-to resource. Not just “Google General”.

So if you have a smart phone, it may be worth downloading some apps to help.

One to consider is an app (iPhone and Blackberry) from Purex. It has a Stain Guide with best ways to remove tough laundry stains by fabric type. It has Fabric Care with instructions on how to wash and dry specific fabric types. It also includes a Clothing Label Decoder to decipher all the laundry care symbols on your clothes, and even has a Timer – two countdown timers are available to remind you about what is in the wash or dryer.

Tide has an app called Tide Stain Brain (Android, iPhone) with more than 85 different stains with on-the-go tips and easy, step-by-step washing instructions. If you just want a laundry reminder, these for the Android and iPhone have decent review. Clorox also has a laundry advisor app for the iPhone and Android phones.

I hope some of these make laundry duties more manageable and helpful. Any laundry apps you like?

Just remember not to wash your phone.

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post.

 

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February 17th, 2012

Quinn Popcorn

When I was grocery shopping last weekend at Whole Foods, I saw this in a display section.

Quinn Popcorn Box

I don’t know what drew me to it. The box design? The fact that it was microwave popcorn? Well, whatever the reason, the ploy worked. The really cool popcorn flavors sweetened the pot. Parmesan & Rosemary? Lemon & Sea Salt? Vermont Maple & Sea Salt?

Yes, please.

Then I saw that is was all natural popcorn, with no hydrogenated oils, no preservatives, GMO free, rBGH free, with a pure bag that is just paper. That sealed the deal. I squirreled it away in my shopping cart.

Just like ordinary microwave popcorn, you put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Then you get to be a bit of a culinary wonder.

Quinn Popcorn Spices

You add the separate packet of GMO free canola oil into the bag. Give it a shake. Then you add the packet of natural spices. Shimmy shake again. Then dig in or put into a bowl for sharing. Though, really, you may not want to share.

But I had to fork over the goods, because my toddler got a whiff. Actually, I think the popping noise in the microwave gave me away. (Microwave traitor!) I think he ate more than his fair share, so if you wonder if it passes the kid test, I would say a strong yes.

I love how the product, and the packaging, is pure as can be. I love how it is a Massachusetts-based company. (I’m a bit biased.) I also love their website and super cute instructions on the packaging. Oh, and this is just the first round. More posh popcorn is coming down the pike. And they are totally open to feedback.

Quinn Popcorn Pack

So for a fancy popcorn and wine party (great idea, eh?) or a Saturday afternoon movie fest, pop a bag, know it is free of yucky stuff and still yummy too.

Happy noshing. (You can thank me later.)

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Image Credit: ©CharleneChronicles

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I just loved the popcorn and thought I would share to popcorn goodness. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For ingredients and calorie information, visit their website directly.

 

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February 9th, 2012

Popover Recipe – BLT Steakhouse

BLT Steakhouse PopoversWhen I was in New York a couple of months ago, my hubby took me out for my Birthday. Not only had it been four months since we had gone out to eat together, without a child in tow, but being in my first trimester of pregnancy, I had pretty specific requirements as to what I wanted to eat and where.

We opted to eat at a restaurant we tried when I was last in New York for a getaway weekend three years ago. The place is called BLT Steakhouse in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The place was just as fantastic as I remembered it.

I think I swooned when I took my first bite of steak, and the knowledge of the staff in all things steak-related is top notch. (Especially since I had to have a well-done steak-they recommended a great cut that could be thoroughly cooked and still be moist and delicious.) Sides and appetizers weren’t afterthoughts. They were just as amazing as the main dishes; including their famous complimentary Popovers.

The popovers were fabulous. Larger than your fist, warm, soft and flaky. (I think I am swooning again.) Since we probably won’t be able to do a New York getaway for another three years, I snagged the recipe. So here it is and it is totally worth making. You will be a rock star at your next dinner party.

What you Need:

4 Cups Milk, Warmed
8 Eggs
4 cups flour
1 1/2 heaping tbsp salt
2 1/4 cups grated gruyere cheese
Popover Pan

How to Make:

Makes 12. Place the popover pan in the oven. Heat oven and pan to 350 degrees. Gently warm the milk over low heat and set aside. Whisk the eggs until frothy and slowly whisk in the milk (so as not to cook the eggs). Set the mixture aside. Sift the flour with the salt. Slowly add the dry mixture to the eggs and combine until mostly smooth. Once combined remove the popover pan from the oven and spray with non stick vegetable spray. Fill each popover cup 3/4 full and top each with 2 1/2 cups of gruyere cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, rotating pan half a turn after 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

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Image Credit: Williams-Sonoma

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February 7th, 2012

Be Cupid for Valentine’s Day

I cannot believe Valentine’s Day is one week away. While the hubby and I don’t do too much for each other, my brothers and I do something special for my Mom and Grandmother. My Grandfather passed away 12 years ago and my Father is in Afghanistan – so there is even more reason for us kids to step up to the plate and share a little love to the matriarchs of the family.

But we are usually scrambling and searching websites for decent flowers or the drugstore aisles for decent candy. Then scouring the internet for discount codes. This year, I’m on it, and I am sharing the love. Here are two awesome discounts for fabulous florals from Pro-Flowers and yummy chocolate dipped berries from Shari’s Berries. Two great companies that you can trust to deliver the prettiest and freshest flowers and berries. Trust them – they’ll make you look good. With the huge options you can find on their respective websites, you definitely will see something fabulous too.

Blogger Logo_Vday20

Blogger SB Logo_Vday20

 

So go. Now. Order flowers for your Mom, or order chocolate dipped strawberries for your significant other. Plus, since I heart you guys so much, I’m helping you to rock the V-day love fest even more: I’m giving away a $50 code for Pro-Flowers or Shari’s Berries. Yes, fifty smack-a-roos.

Rep Lips

Now you totally can be the cupid of Valentine’s Day.

 

 

 

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Rules: (Gotta have them)

+Leave a comment about this post; US entrants welcome. Include your name and email in the appropriate fields so I can contact you if you win. (Including just first name or first name + last initial is OK!). For your safety, please do not put your email in the actual comment. Anonymous or SPAM-like comments will be discarded. Entry period closes at 11:59PM ET, Friday, February 10, 2012.

+ One lucky winner (drawn randomly via “And the Winner is” WordPress plugin) will receive a $50 code to ProFlowers or Shari’s Berries. No substitutions and the winner will be notified directly via e-mail who has roughly 48 hours to respond and claim their prize. They then will be listed back at this post using first name only.

+A minimum of 5 people must enter in order for the Giveaway to occur. Winner must comply with all rules mentioned here, or a new winner will be selected. Charlene Chronicles has the final decision on the winner and is not responsible for wrong email addresses or notification being tagged as spam. Full legal disclosures can be found here.

++Or Tweet using this link for extra entries.

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Disclosure: I received a $50 ProFlowers code for flowers for my Mother and Grandmother, but the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Image Credit: Used with permission and via © Jenny Rollo (stock.xchng.com)

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February 5th, 2012

Chicken Wing Cupcakes

There are only a matter of hours until the Super Bowl XLVI kickoff. Regardless of what team you root for, or who ultimately wins, the best part of the game is the food.

While I wrote a post about fun Super Bowl food ideas, and even shared Coloring Sheets for the kids…..here is one recipe you should try.

While you can order from this Albany, New York bakery (who came up with this lovely creation) directly, I’m sure you can pull this treat off at home. If you really wanted to. And really, who wouldn’t want to.

If you can’t make it in time for the game tonight, serve it at your next basketball bash or baseball BBQ. You need corn muffin baking mix. Then mix a small amount of blue cheese into a can of cream cheese frosting.

Oh, and top with a chicken wing.

Score.

ChickenWingCupcakes

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Source: MyFoxBoston.com

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February 4th, 2012

February Photo A Day Challenge

When I saw this photography challenge, I decided to jump in and document 29 days of photos based on the daily prompts. I like the challenge of being creative and hopefully by the end of the month, my photography skills might improve? The former is doable, the latter probably not so much, but here are all the pictures I have taken as part of the February Photo A Day Challenge.

February Photo a Day Challenge

Day One (View) and Day Two (Words)

#FebPhotoaDay 1 and 2

Day Three (Hands) and Day Four (Stranger)

#FebPhotoaDay 3 and 4

Day Five (10am)

#FebPhotaDay 5

Day Six (Dinner)

#FebPhotoaDay 6

 

Day Seven (Button)

#FebPhotoaDay 7

 

Day Eight (Sun)

#FebPhotoaDay 8

 

Day Ten (Self-Portrait)

#FebPhotoaDay 10 (Self-Portrait)

Day Eleven (What Makes You Happy)

#FebPhotoaDay 11 (What Makes You Happy)

Day Twelve (Inside Your Closet)

#FebPhotoaDay 12 (Inside Your Closet)

Day Thirteen (Blue)

#FebPhotoaDay 13 (Blue)

 

Day Nine and Fourteen (Front Door and Heart)

#FebPhotoaDay 9 and 14

Day Fifteen (Phone)

#FebPhotoaDay 15

 

Day 16 (Something New)

#FebPhotoaDay 16

 

Day 17 (Time)

#FebPhotoaDay 17

Day 18 (Drink)

#FebPhotoaDay 18

 

Day 19 (Something I Hate to Do)

#FebPhotoaDay 19

Day 20 (Handwriting)

#FebPhotoaDay 20

Day 21 (Fav Photo of Me)

#FebPhotoaDay 21

Day 22 (Where I Work)

#FebPhotoaDay 22

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February 2nd, 2012

Super Bowl Ideas

FootballThe Super Bowl can be a fun event to get the kids excited – even if your family members are not big sports fans.

Here are some fun crafts to make the big game, big fun.

1. Buy some plain T-shirts at a thrift store or at a local dollar store. Then take some fabric markers found at stores like Michaels or AC Moore (worth the investment) and have the kids draw footballs, cheerleaders, the name of their favorite team, the number of their favorite quarterback, all over the T-shirts. They can sport their custom designed gear on the day of the big game.

2. Buy some pre-made sugar cookie dough and make football cutouts. Bake and then have kids decorate with chocolate frosting and white piping, to make football cookies.

3. As an alternative to cookies, make a sheet cake and then mix green food coloring into white frosting. Have the kids frost the cake green. Take white piping and make lines like you would see on a football field. For goal posts, take popsicle sticks, or lollipop sticks, and glue or tape together. Place on each end of the cake.

To make game day lunch or dinner into a Super Bowl feast, here are some ideas to serve up.

1. Make a fun football dip to serve with veggies or whole grain chips.

  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) provolone cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
  • 2 teaspoons seafood seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, crab, cottage cheese, seafood seasoning, Worcestershire sauce and mustard; mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • Form mixture into a football shape. Arrange some pretzel sticks over the top for football-like ‘laces’. Serve with crackers and/or vegetables. 

2. Make chili or chowder (or buy the stuff premade!) Buy boule bread and hollow out. Serve the chowder or soup in these “super bowls”.

3. Take brown construction paper and wrap around a juice box. Use a white crayon to create football ‘laces’ for a fun way to serve juice.

Serve the cookies or cake you made, wear the t-shirts, and get ready to root for your favorite team! For fun coloring sheets to keep them entertained during the game, visit my post here.

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January 14th, 2012

Football Game Dip Recipe

Shrimp Dip

It is time for football playoffs! and what could be better than an awesome dip recipe to serve during the game.
I love this cottage cheese dip recipe because it is low in fat and calories and high in protein and taste. Plus, you can whip it up in under 15 minutes max. I use Daisy Cottage Cheese because I think the flavor is top notch even with 2% milk fat. Plus, it is made only with four ingredients: cultured skim milk, cream, salt, and Vitamin A Palmitate. Nothing fru-fru or fake. Total touchdown.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 avocado, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked peeled small shrimp, thawed if frozen and patted dry
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro

Directions

Mix the cottage cheese and garlic together. Spread the cottage cheese mixture onto a 9-inch serving platter. Top with the green onion, cayenne pepper, avocado, shrimp, and cilantro. Serve with your favorite dippers, such as crackers, pita chips, or bagel chips. Serves about 10 people (or 5 really hungry ones).

Calories 64 cals
Total Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 39 mg
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sodium 270 mg
Protein 8 g
Total Carbohydrate 3 g

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December 31st, 2011

New Year’s Goals

Happy New Year 2012!

(Not Resolutions)

To be honest, I kinda loathe the whole ‘New Year’s Resolution’ thing. Maybe because the term is overused. Or maybe because many resolutions are way to lofty (and doomed for failure.) I also hate all of the weight loss pressures too. I’ve noticed the recent influx of weight loss commercials, the Living Social deal on lipo, and the huge sales on exercise equipment. (Really, people?)

So I wanted to chat about setting goals, not resolutions, and setting goals that have nothing to do with weight loss. So here are my top six 2012 goals to consider incorporating in your new year. Each goal mirrors the six categories I have in this blog: style, health, home, travel, technology, parenting. So here they are:

1. [Home] Start saving for college: Open a college specific banking account and put money in it every month that is only for education. $5, $50, $500, whatever. Anything adds up (unless it’s zero!) To make your cash go further, consider signing up for a program like UPromise. Whenever you do online shopping through UPromise, or eat out at a participating restaurant, you get a certain percentage back that goes into your college savings account. You can even earn money for grocery shopping or buying stuff like diapers or clothes. Seriously easy (and easy money as they say).

2. [Health] Go to a chiropractor or get a massage: I could link the heck out of all the articles that show the health benefits of chiropractic care and massage work, even for pregnant women. It’s real and proven, so add it to your healthy living goal for 2012. Just do your research and find a reputable chiropractor and massage therapist. Call your state board of registration to make sure they are registered, and there are no complaints against them. Ask friends and family for references and even look to see who local sports teams use. Then call your health insurance company to see if some of the care is covered or ask for a gift certificate for a birthday present.

3. [Travel] Have lunch with a friend you haven’t seen in a long time: Get in the car and go. Pick up the phone and call. Get a babysitter, tell your partner to watch the kids, or tell your regular friends you are busy, and go see someone you have wanted to see in person. It doesn’t matter if you chat with them on Facebook daily, go see them face to face. Even if it has been 15 years and if you weigh 15 pounds more; they will be so happy to see you.

4. [Style] Stop wearing sweatpants or workout clothes everywhere: Yes, I am guilty of this, but whether it is to the end of the driveway at the bus stop or the quick trips to the grocery store, try to make a conscious decision at least one day a week to not wear workout gear in public. While this is a more ‘stay-at-home’ parenting goal, the same challenge can be applied to working moms and dads who often wear sweats from 5pm Friday-7am Monday morning. By no means do I mean put on the stilettos or wear office attire, but wear a dark wash jean and a cute pair of flats, at least. (Ahem, note to self.)

5. [Parenting] Do something as a family once a month: Life can get seriously busy. Weekends can be filled with games and practices, homework and errands. But once a month, do something as an entire family. It can be just making pizza and playing a board game, or taking a trip to a museum. It doesn’t have to be costly as there are many free family-friendly events (that I even post on my local site) of which to take advantage every month.

6. [Technology] Change at least one password on an online account: We have all heard about hacking and online security breaches. One way to avoid that is to change your passwords frequently and to have different passwords for different accounts. Easier said then done. So at a minimum, pick one account to change and make the password difficult for someone to guess. And check out this article on some tools to keep track of all those passwords.

All in all, enjoy each day. Remember to pause as your tuck your kids in at night, make sure to hug someone you love everyday, and remember that no matter how many people try to knock you down, you have the strength, and the friends to help, get back up. So go and rock the heck out of 2012, my friends.

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Image Credit: Creativity103 via Flickr Creative Commons

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December 30th, 2011

Festive New Year’s Eve Drink Recipes

Champagne Glasses(Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic)

Whether you are going out for New Year’s Eve or staying in, here are some fun drink recipes to kick off the New Year.

One classy option at a New Year’s Eve soiree is chilled champagne with a splash of raspberry liqueur – otherwise known as a Kir Royale. Just add a tablespoon of the liqueur (like Chambord) – to each flute of champagne or sparkling wine before serving. Add some frozen raspberries for style and to keep the champagne or sparking wine chilled.

To celebrate the New Year’s Eve smooches, how about trying an Amaretto Cranberry Kiss. Fill a shaker with a cup of cranberry juice, 1/2 cup of vodka, 4 cup of amaretto and the juice of a fresh-squeezed orange. Serve in a martini glass and garnish with clementine slices. If you want to make in bulk for a party, this drink can be made a day ahead.

What if you are staying at home watching the festivities on TV in front of a fireplace? How about curling up with a cup of hot cocoa – with a twist. Make your favorite hot chocolate (from scratch or from a mix) and add a sweet flavored vodka whipped cream to each cup. Make it extra festive by sprinkling cinnamon, nutmeg or shaved chocolate on top.

If you are pregnant (like me), then libations are on the no-no list. Or perhaps you are the designated driver (you rock!), or just want to pass on the liquor, it doesn’t mean you have to stick with soda all night. Try some of these fun mocktails like the Mocktail Mojito. Take 1/4 cup peeled and diced cucumber, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 4 to 5 fresh basil leaves and place in the bottom of a glass. Add ice and 6 ounces of ginger ale. Delish!

Who doesn’t love a Cosmopolitan? So here is non-alcoholic one to order up (in a martini glass, of course) and party with the rest of them: 3 ounces of cranberry juice, 5 ounces of orange flavored sparking water and one lime wedge. (Note: if you or the bartender doesn’t have orange-flavored sparkling water, ask for 2 ounces of orange juice and 3 ounces of sparking water to substitute.) For a New Year’s Day brunch, try this mocktail mimosa: 3 ounces of fresh orange juice and 3 ounces of ginger ale.

Enjoy and make sure to drink responsibly! (And never Drink and Drive!)

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Image Credit: Fangol via stock.xchng

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