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16 posts from August 2011

Power Up: Trail Mix

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Aug
31
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2011

Trail mix has long been a healthy snack alternative for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.  A handful of the right stuff can provide some important protein and carbohydrates to keep you going.  That's perfect for prolonged outdoor activity, but great for other purposes, too.  Kids will usually find this more enjoyable than other 'healthy' snacks and it can keep them going for hours between meals.

Trailmix1 

While there is some debate over the origin, the general idea has remained the same for centuries.  In many european countries the mix has a name that loosely translates as student food.  So whether you are on the path to a mountain top view or the path to higher learning, this stuff can give you just the boost you need to keep on moving.

savour... happy trails

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Treat of the Week: Simple Cherry Cobbler

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Aug
26
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2011

OK, summer, it's official.  I am over you.

I have been doing my best to be cordial, but I simply cannot take much more.  With more days over 100° than I have ever experienced, I am beginning to feel like a prisoner in my home.  To add fuel to the fire, the next ten days are all forecast over 100°, as well.

The kids are back to school and where I grew up that was synonymous with cooler temperatures.  We have decided to force a change by beginning some of our fall routine ahead of schedule.  My wife got out her jeans and sweaters (she'll probably burst into flames) and I have started baking hot desserts.

Cherrycobbler4 

Our first hot dessert treat for you this season is a simple cherry cobbler.  This dish is impossibly easy to make and takes like absolute comfort.  The lime rounds out the flavor of the filling nicely and I never eat it without vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh make whipped cream.  Cherries happen to be widely available right now, but the basic recipe could be followed/adapted with other fruit, as well.

savour... signs of the season

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Miracle Liquid: Uncommon Uses For Vinegar

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Aug
24
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2011

Vinegar is an absolute natural marvel.  Thousands of years ago someone accidentally discovered it by letting some wine go a bit too long.  The world has never been the same.  Although made with various bases as the sugar component, the basic process has remained the same... sugars fermented to alcohol (wine) and alcohol further fermented to vinegar.  Of course, that is the simple version, but you get the general idea.

There is a proliferation of posts and sites out there dedicated to vinegar.  The uses are seemingly endless.  Within the past few sentences you have probably already started thinking of all the ways you know to use vinegar.  In fact, we just posted a tip about it a couple of weeks ago as a laptop cleaner.

Today we cover some less common uses for vinegar.  From jellyfish stings to fresher lunchboxes, it does it all.  Send us some of your favorite uses for vinegar after the post so we can share with the other readers.  Don't forget to check out our simple solution for keeping basil flavor in our salads year round in the second half of this post.

Vinegarcollage 

Garbage Disposal Cleaner - Freshen your garbage disposal with vinegar cubes.  Distribute one cup of vinegar evenly over an ice cube tray.  Fill remaining space with water and freeze.  Grind ice cubes in garbage disposal.  Flush with cold water for 1 minute.

Grass Killer - Pour distilled white vinegar full strength on grass growing in cracks and driveways to kill it.

Lunchbox Freshener - Lunchboxes take on an odor all their own.  To rid yourself of the smelly menace completely, wipe the lunchbox out with a damp rag.  Moisten a slice of white bread with distilled white vinegar and place it in the lunchbox overnight. In the morning, remove the bread and any crumbs.

Jellyfish Sting Relief - To relieve the pain of a jellyfish sting, try blotting with a paper towel doused in vinegar.  Do this over a sink to avoid any mess.  Repeat as necessary to reduce sting.

savour... multi-purpose miracles

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Two for Tuesday Tips: Clothes Hangtags and Lunch Ideas

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Aug
23
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2011

School has begun and the transition from summer behavior to a more structured way of life may be proving difficult for you and your kids.  Today's tips are meant to alleviate some of the strain and simplify things just a bit.

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Tip #1 Our first tip includes these printable pdf files (one and two) that you can use to make your own hang tags.  Use these for your kids to plan out their own weekly wardrobe in advance.  Dedicate part of the weekend to getting all of the necessary clothing together and matching it up.  This will raise a flag for anything that needs to be washed, steamed, ironed, etc.  Of course, there will be some occassional last minute changes, but by following this routine you will avoid many a mid-week meltdown.

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Tip #2 School has just begun so your kids probably haven't grown weary with your lunch bag menu just yet.  However, it won't be long until you are hearing the cry for something different.  Before you get to that point go get this book... 400 Best Sandwich Recipes by Alison Lewis.  There are loads of recipes here to inspire you and delight your kids.  You will find it for sale at Alison's website.

Treat of the Week: Celebration Cake

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Aug
19
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2011

This week we are wrapping up summer break around our house and getting ready for back to school.  The boys are excited and anxious.  There are many new experiences ahead... and lots of studying.

In an effort to keep the positive momentum going, we decided to throw a little ‘new year’ party.  My wife and I imagined how amazing it would be for schools to begin each school year with fanfare and celebration.  I can just picture the front lawn of the elementary school full of cheerleaders turning flips while the marching band plays.  What kid wouldn’t love to begin his academic adventure that way?

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For our party this week we made what we call a celebration cake.  It is called that mostly because it fits nearly every celebration… cake, ice cream, chocolate.  You can make the cakes and ice cream from scratch using one of our recipes or another.  Or in a pinch, you can simply use box mix and store bought ice cream.  In this way, the combinations are virtually endless.

Our celebration is rounded out with some simple star decorations hung from our knob wall and a little inspirational music like “Proud” by Heather Small and “Shine On” by Eric Bibb.  I’m not sure how it will end, but we are determined to get off to a good start.

savour… planners and pencils

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Dog Days are Over: Back to School

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Aug
18
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2011

Summer is winding to a close.  In some regions, the temperatures will soon start to drop.  School has either begun or soon will and kids are filled with excitement and anxiety.  To ease everyone into the transition we have compiled a few things for you to consider and a few to enjoy before the chaos of scheduling practice, tryouts, and studies ensues.  Enjoy… 

  1. Rich Thrift Store Challenge for Kids & Teens – summer break is almost over and may be for some already.  You may have exhausted your bag of tricks, but still want to keep summer light and fun.  Why not introduce a thrift store challenge for your kids and their friends.  Armed with $5 and a couple of rules (no running, no grabbing, extra credit for repurposing, etc.) and 15 minutes, challenge them to have fun, stay in budget, and may the best thrifter win.  A children's book to go along with this (best for ages 8-11) is Rich by Nikki Grimes.  Our heroine of the story Diamond Daniel has a very unique spin on what is trash and what is treasure.
  2. Blog break - One of our favorite blog writers is Kate Lewis of The Civilized Minute.  She's the Seinfeld of home affairs and balancing life.  You'll immediate relate to her quick wit and charm and likely share a chuckle or two because you both completely get it.
  3. Sensible shopping - Tired of spending 2 hours of your precious Saturday at the store trying to figure what to eat and who needs what for lunch?  Pop this list up on the fridge on Sunday before the week begins and have the family capture the needs as they arise.  Also have them jot down dinner ideas, so that you aren't struggling at the last minute to create meals everyone is willing to eat. (insert shopping list post)
  4. Single Flange Wall Hook - Dad Hooked on Storage -- if you haven't created a centralized storage area for shoes, bags, coats, then do so NOW with our easy "hooked on storage" approach.  Nothing says BTS ready like bags, jackets, shoes, and essentials all in one convenient location -- by the door!
  5. Junk+ion (junktion) -- inspired & creative.  If you don't have a shoe caddy (like the one in the aforementioned post) then grab or DIY the one from junk+ion made from reclaimed pallets.  By the way, pallets are everywhere once you start looking.
  6. BTS Celebration! - Celebrate Back to School properly -- with a party!  We often secretly celebrate the return to school because in those last two weeks before school starts the kids are driving us crazy.  The bickering, the heat, the boredom have all reached an all time high and there's simply nothing to do about it.  But truthfully, we should be celebrating the promise of a new year, the growth in maturity, the knowledge gained, and the friends made.  We celebrate the turn of a calendar year with much fanfare, but why not treat your student to the same level of celebration?  Some kids dread the beginning of the new school year.  Some welcome it.  Either way, try celebrating the new adventure.  Get noise makers, balloons, and streamers and have a party.  Be sure to include a celebration cake (see tomorrow’s post).

Design Files: Chair Love Part 3

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Aug
17
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2011

This month we are talking about Chair Love.  We have already covered some other important chairs and their designers here and here.  We continue today with some of the most recognizable names and chairs in modern furniture.  The examples here are just small samples of the contributions these designers have made to the world of architecture and design.  The Eames’ are often credited for an entire era and Saarinen is responsible for some of the most important architecture in the US including the Gateway Arch in St.Louis.  Enjoy… 

  ChairLove3