Homemaking Archives • Page 6 of 16 • New Nostalgia

4 Kitchen Tips From Rachel Ray That I Use Everyday

Of all the cooking shows on TV, Rachel Ray 30 Minute Meals is one that I love to watch. It is so practical! She gives so many great tips and for some reason, her tips actually stick in my brain and I use them!

Here are 4 tips of hers that I use everyday, that have changed my life. Dramatic, I know. But true! Eating a plant based diet does mean time in the kitchen, and lots of chopping of fruits and vegetables, but this does not have to be a tedious task if you have the right tools! I personally find being in the kitchen is quite cathartic as long as I have a clean kitchen, efficient tools, and a good work space.

My time in the kitchen is so much more enjoyable and efficient because of these four tips:

1. Use a Large Cutting Board — Rachel Ray’s entire counter top is a cutting board. Lucky her! I keep my 24×18 inch wooden cutting board out on the counter at all times. I love having the room to chop many veggies at a time, and being able to push each pile over with my knife towards the back of the board. There is nothing worse than a small, nasty, plastic cutting board where everything runs off and messes up the counter & floor!

I use one side of my cutting board for fruits and sweets. I use the other side of it for vegetables & strong, savory items like garlic and onions.

We rarely eat meat anymore, but if we do, I use a small plastic cutting board for that.

You have seen it in many of my photos as I use the natural light from my kitchen window and the neutral background of the board to take many of my recipe photos. Handy!

2. A Waste Bowl — our trash can is kept in the pantry, which is a few steps away from my cooking area and has sliding doors that need opened every time I need to throw something away. When I am cooking, I make sure I take out my handy dandy waste bowl. It saves me all those steps to my trash can & having to open and close the doors each time. It makes a huge difference in my cooking time. It also makes separating out plastic or cans for recycling or veggie scraps for composting quite easy. When meal prep is done, I quick grab the bowl, separate out what is really trash and what can be reused. So efficient, convenient, and easy. I have Rachel Rays rubber bottomed waste bowl. It stays right where you need it. I have the blue one, but the orange one is super fun, too!

3. One Main Knife--Rachel Ray does 90% of her slicing and dicing with one main knife. I love the simplicity of this. You really don’t need an entire knife block taking up precious space on the counter. I have one main large knife, a small paring knife, and a serrated bread knife. That is it. 3 knifes, kept in a drawer, one used the majority of the time. Simple!

4. Bench Scrape Shovel–I feel totally professional when my oil is heated in my pan, I have chopped my garlic and onion on my cutting board using my knife, and I use this awesome bench scrap shovel to scoop my cuttings from the board to the pan. I love the sizzle sound and the immediate scent of vegetables sauteing. This shovel might seem like a tool that you don’t need, but I make room for it in my tiny kitchen due to the convenience of scooping up what I have chopped in one swipe. It keeps my floor free from dropped pieces of onion, which used to happen when I would try to transfer my cuttings using just a knife and my hands. This bench scrape shovel is a must have in my opinion.

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Got any great time-saving, space-saving kitchen tips for me?

FUN/DIY/ HOME/ Homemaking/ Sponsored

Streaming Music From Your Showerhead

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kohler Co. for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I thought there was nothing better than a great showerhead with a steady stream of hot water, until I found out about a shower head that streams both water and music!

Meet Moxie. Cute name, right?

It is the new, brilliant, music -streaming shower head from Kohler.

KOHLER Moxie is a shower head + wireless speaker that will give you a new way to sing in the shower. Sync a streaming source enabled with Bluetooth technology of your choice (my choice is my iphone, my daughter’s choice is her Kindle Fire) with the wireless speaker from up to 32 feet away.
Streaming your music playlist is just the beginning! You can stream audio books, podcasts, live news…whatever you are in the mood for.

The speaker offers up to 7 hours of battery life before needing to be recharged. It pops right out of the showerhead to recharge.

Here is the cool thing. Not only can you use it in the shower, but you can also use it as a wireless speaker. You can take it poolside, slip it in your car drink holder, or just take it out in your backyard as a way to provide music for all to enjoy.

My youngest girl takes it to the art desk with her to listen to an audio book as she creates. I take it into the laundry room with me to listen to my Daily Audio Bible app while folding laundry. I also use it while I take a bath, keeping it tucked into the shower head so I no longer have to worry about dropping my iphone into the tub!

I’ve used it to play romantic music in the bedroom; I’ve put zen music on while doing yoga –the possibilities are endless.

I must say, my favorite way to use it is in the shower. There is nothing like listening to Viva La Vida by Coldplay to wake up in the morning while showering. I plan on playing a few practical jokes with it, too. Since you can stream from up to 32 feet away, I will stand outside the bathroom door and sync Madesa’s ‘Good Morning’ song when a grumpy someone is needing a little morning pick-me-up. I’m sure it will make them jump out of their skin!

I am super impressed with the sound quality of the speaker, and Kohler certainly did not compromise quality in the sprayface feature. The spray is perfection. Installation is a breeze.

My middle daughter likes to take long showers, so I plan on using the shower head as a sort of timer for her, reminding her that 3-4 songs should be long enough. My youngest daughter takes the worlds fastest showers, so to make sure she stays in there long enought to smell good when she comes out, she has to stay in there for at least 3 songs.

The cute factor does not end with its cute Moxie name. The colors you can choose from are Chartreuse, Navy Blue, Cherry Red, Retro Blue and Original White. I prefer Original white to match my simple grey and white bathroom. My daughter went bananas over the Retro Blue.

Make sure you follow KOHLER on Facebook and on Twitter to see how others are using it, and learn little fun tidbits of information–like the fact that KOHLER Moxie was inside this year’s Grammy gift bags!

What do you think?
What color would you choose?
What would be your songs of choice for the shower?
Would you use the speak outside of the shower? How?

Cancer Journey/ Christmas/ HEALTH/ Holidays/Parties/ HOME/ Homemaking

A Health Update & Our Chrismas Decor

I’ve been resting and taking it easy as my body fights this infection. I am not as inflamed and the pain is much, much better…but things still are not how they should be. The skin is pulled so thin where the doctor put the stitch, and I worry about pulling it further as I don’t have nerves in that area. I still have redness, but the area is smaller. I will see Doctor tomorrow. I am nervous. I wonder if he is going to continue his gamble on me or say “that expander needs to come out.” He warned me that 90% of expanders fail once there is exposure and infection, so it is not like I was not warned, but still, it will be hard news to hear. It will mean another surgery, moving backward instead of forwards, losing this awesome feminine shape I have expanded into, healing for 2-3 months, & then starting over.

No. Fun.

I’m trying to keep my thought patterns on the positive. It really helps to remember that THIS IS ALL COSMETIC AND NOT CANCER. I think of those fighting for their lives right now and I find my perspective. I have been there, and yes, this is all long and hard & I’ve cried about it, but I remember that am not fighting for my life and those tears dry up pretty quickly.

I also can’t help but look around and be so thankful. I love Christmas. Love, love love it! I love the focus on relationship.. time with family and those I love, festivity & beautiful atmosphere, nostalgic music….all celebrating the birthday of the God-man I love so very much.

I have managed to slowly get our Christmas decorations out. I minimized them last year and kept just my favorites and larger decorations. I got rid of a lot of small knick- knacks that take work to dust and put away. That stocking candy dish is one of the very few small items I kept. I am so glad I got rid of the excess. Christmas decorating has been easy & a joy.

Instead of my usual hot cocoa, I sipped on immunity building fresh juice. It was really tart and good!

~one beet + green leafy tops & stems

~two carrots

~one green apple

~one lemon

{Paper Snowflake How-To}

My 10 year old has been so busy looking at my Pinterest boards and getting all kinds of ideas for homemade decorations. It has been a delight to see what she comes up with and using her creations to make our home feel so festive. I decided to go for a more whimsical look this year, decorating with her homemade snowflakes & ornaments, putting our nutcrackers front and center, & decorating with our children’s Christmas books. Our traditional tree is usually in the basement family room, with a fancy tree in our main living area, but not this year! This year I only have the energy to do one tree and it will be our traditional tree with all our meaningful family ornaments on it in the main living area. It is not done yet. We keep making plans to get it done and then plans fall through or I need to rest. Again, I’m learning to exhale & take my time…setting it up with lights tonight and on our Friday family night we will all decorate it with ornaments.

A forced-slow Christmas. I will take it!

__________

To get the whole scoop on my health, click on the MY CANCER STORY button in the left sidebar. To get firsthand updates, follow New Nostalgia’s Facebook page.

HOME/ Homemaking/ Kids/Family/ Sponsored

Pumpkin Patch, Fall Allergies, & Kleenex Pocket Packet

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Kleenex but all my opinions are my own. #KleenexAllergy #pmedia http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

August, September & October are the months of the year where my family suffers the most with allergies, thanks to ragweed season! My husband and 2 of my daughters are all on prescription nose spray right now because of allergies, and honestly the spray works GREAT! As much as I try to stay away from meds, I have been very thankful for this particular prescription, as it keeps my husband from sniffing constantly (sniffing is NOT sexy) and it keeps my youngest from asthma attacks. Her allergies and post nasal drip is what causes her attacks, so as long as we can keep her allergies under control, she can breath & so can her Momma!

Even though allergies are pretty under control now in our household, I still think I can benefit from having Kleenex brand tissues in my home. You all know I’m pretty frugal and if you are a close friend and have needed a facial tissue in my home, you often would get handed a roll of tp. Granted, it would always be a nice new roll, but still…I’m too frugal to buy a bunch of facial tissue…unless:

1.) They are the cute little Wallet Packet or Pocket Packet from Kleenex. Kleenex brand is so soft, and I love the small packet sizes. They are so convenient!

2.) My family is in the middle of allergy season or are sick. This doesn’t happen too often so I smile when my girls get excited about soft Kleenex tissue for their noses. I know when I do have Kleenex tissues on hand it makes them feel loved and cared for. If they get sick it is one of the first things I throw in my basket.

3.) When I have an awesome coupon like this one that I can use at Target, a store I frequent anyway, so an extra trip is not needed! The coupon offer? Buy 1 Kleenex 4 pack, get 1 free wallet pack (2-pk) or 1 pocket pack (3-pk) -bothe are $1.00 value. This offer is good while supplies last, so click here for coupon. Because of this offer, my friends are not going to get handed a roll of tp when they come to our home and need a tissue, as I will be able to stock up Kleenex and get free pocket packs to boot!

The Pocket Packet came in very handy just this last weekend. I took two of my girls to the pumpkin patch and they both ended up needing to use tissues. Between sitting on bales of hay (allergen), the smoke from the pit fire, and all the dust in the air from people walking around on dirt paths, it didn’t take long for my girls to start sniffing. Having Kleenex on hand helped make our day at the pumpkin patch one that was full of smiles and memories!

5 Minute Fridays/ HOME/ Homemaking/ Simplifying

How To Fall In Love With Doing Laundry

5 minute friday prompt? Laundry.

{5 Minutes of unedited, nonstop writing on the week’s given theme.}

GO.

Laundry and love are two words I never thought I would use together. Laundry FAIL is more like it for most of my life. I always said that if I ever have laundry caught up AND put away, then I will have arrived as a Mom. Well, recently there have been many more days of caught up & put away laundry, but I so have not “arrived” as a Mom. SO. NOT.

But I have grown.

I have become wiser over the years.

More efficient.

I have learned that undone laundry does not define what kind of mother/housewife/woman I am.

I have learned that it is ok to do things imperfectly.

I have learned that it is ok to ask for help and allow kids to participate.

I have learned how to love laundry.

Love is a dramatic word, especially when it comes to laundry…but hear me out.

I have changed my thought patterns when it comes to laundry and now it does not control or define me.

We are friends now. Not besties, but a friend that I don’t take for granted.

My new thought pattern?

I love laundry because it shows God has provided.

~He has provided clothes for our family.

~He has provided water & a washing machine that works…a luxury many do not have.

~He has given me children who are healthy enough to play soccer and get dirty.

~He has given me girls that have such great fashion sense that some days it takes numerous outfit changes to find the exact one…which means more laundry…the most challenging kind, clean laundry caught up in the dirty. The kind that takes sacrifice to wash again without complaint.

Isn’t that life, the clean and the dirty mixed up together on a regular basis?

Not ideal, but real.

Signs of life, of living the beautiful imperfect.

Signs that we need Him.

He knows all about the washing of dirty laundry.

Of sacrifice.

Of loving that which can be as repulsive as a muddy soccer sock.

Of lovingly washing us, whiter than snow.

STOP.

Need some practical tips to help you love laundry?

~Kids 12 and older do their own. This has changed my life and my relationship with laundry. My two oldest do their own now. It has saved my sanity and our relationship. Now, if clean clothes are on the floor, it does not affect me or my sanity, as I am not the one who will have to rewash them. They now take much better care of their clothes. The occasional times I surprise them and do it for them…they are grateful. Kids who are grateful that their laundry is done = winning!

~If you have younger kids, have a dirty clothes bucket in their room and another for clean clothes that need hung up. The goal is to keep clothes off the floor. If they are old enough, teach them to hang up the clean clothes. Give it as one of their 3 daily chores.

~Use hooks in closets for things like robes, coats, jackets. These things are a pain to hang up on hangers and kids will struggle with that. If an item is used almost daily, have a hook for it.

~Buy a laundry sorter. I have one like this one and I love it! Do NOT sort according to color. Sort according to person in the family. Mark it clearly so everyone knows where to put their dirty clothes. Keep in a central location where you can keep an eye on it, and where it is easy for everyone to bring their dirties when asked.

~When you see a part of the sorter get full, you know whose turn it is to do laundry. I have a sorter that has 4 baskets hanging from it. A full basket makes a perfect full load. One for my 14 year old, one for my 12 year old, one for my 10 year old, and husband and I share one. I only have to worry about 2 of the 4, as the older two girls do their own. I keep our sorter on the main floor in the hallway.

~Don’t sort laundry. Unless we have a new item of clothing that I know will bleed when first washed, I don’t sort. I think it is a waste of time. I like to do loads according to person, not according to color. It makes the folding and putting away so much easier when loads are according to person.

~Use sturdy, pretty baskets. The top picture was taken before I had my oldest 2 start doing their own laundry. As you can see, I had 3 smaller baskets where I would fold and put each child’s clothes, and they would put their own clothes away. I folded in the living room so the clothes would not sit. If they are out and about in my way, I will remember to tell the littles to put their clothes away. This system worked well when they were younger. The larger basket was for Todd and I. The medium basket held all socks.

~Have a hook for each person in the family to keep their towel. I only wash towels once or twice a week. I just grab them from the hooks in the bathroom and throw them right into the washer. Yes, I wash the white towels with the black towels. It works fine, but make sure to wash separately when brand new a few times. We only have one bathroom with a shower, so the girls towels are the three on the hooks…they know what color is theirs. Todd and I use white towels on hooks behind the door.

~Wash sheets/bedding/blankets on the weekend. I just rotate a bed each weekend. Yes, each persons bedding only gets washed once a month, except for Todd and I, our bedding gets washed twice a month. Good enough.

~Keep a sock basket. Keep the sock basket in a central location, where all mismatched or found socks go. Occasionally grab the basket and have child match any socks as a chore.

~Make your own laundry detergent. LOVE love easy liquid recipe.

What is your favorite tip?

Decorating/ FUN/DIY/ Halloween/ HOME/ Homemaking

Minimal Warm & Friendly Halloween Home Decor

This is a repost from last year. Little one asked to get the halloween decorations out this weekend, and it reminded me of this post. My oh MY am I glad that I sorted all the decor last year and got rid of a bunch. I will be doing the same decorations as last time. Read on to hear all about it.

When I got our Halloween decorations out, I was surprised to see that over the years my one bin of Halloween decorations have multiplied to three! I knew right away that would just not do. Why? I have been much more purposeful in minimizing, thanks to the influence of Joshua at Becoming Minimalist. I love the freedom I am feeling from both getting rid of stuff and refraining from buying more unnecessary stuff.

I went through the bins and tried to keep things that would add just a touch of festive fall. I’m not putting lights up outside. I’m not hanging messy spiderwebs. I did not keep every little pumpkin I had. I only kept things that I liked and that I knew would add atmosphere.

My kids love Halloween, and I know they delight in fun decorations the season brings. I kept things that I knew would appeal to them, like faces that light up and the sparkle of a pumpkin wrapped in white twinkle lights.

There were a few sentimental things in the bins. Paper pumpkins my kids made. I threw those away, but kept these little monster jars we made together a few years ago. They loved creating these jars and knew exactly which monster was ‘theirs.’ They look so cute all aglow in my windowsill. Click here for how-to.

I did not decorate every room. I added some decor to the living room and dining room, which is our main living space. I put a festive candle holder in the bathroom and a pumpkin in my sunroom. My kitchen got an apple cider scented candle. I let my girls go through the bins and choose some things they wanted in their rooms. Just a couple small things like a couple plastic spiders and a rubber mouse, a skeleton head. Things I didn’t want in my main living space, although they keep showing up all over, strategically placed to make Mom scream and jump.

Things I kept:
~monster jars made by little hands that bring the memories
~large lit pumpkin
~a few fake pumpkins and gourds
~festive candle holders to make our evenings at home glowy & fun

Things I got rid of:
~large outdoor decorations that take up too much storage room
~messy cotton spiderwebs that catch all things including dust and leaves
~old Halloween costumes
~old creations made by my girls, especially paper fragile ones (confession…I took a pic of a few for memories sake. It is hard to get rid of such cute little things!)
~lots of fake fall foliage that used to sit around and collect dust & get in the way of dusting!
~fall twigs for vases…I’m over it.

Last night was the first night with our minimal fall decor out. I really am starting to believe in this “less is more” thing. It was so warm and glowy and festive and fun in our home. The girls loved it and did not comment on missing any of the things that I didn’t put out. Love it!

DIY/Crafts/ FUN/DIY/ HOME/ Homemade Gifts/ Homemaking

24 Best DIY Mason Jar Vases, Votives & Photo Holders

It is no secret I am a mason jar lover! Here are some great links of vases, votives & photo holders using mason jars that I have collected at my Pinterest site. Enjoy!