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Simple Home Tips and Solutions

Decorating Your Living Room for the Holidays on a Budget

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Most Americans, especially those with children, love to turn their homes into a holiday winter wonderland complete with lights, stockings, door wreaths and music. This is especially in the living room, where the family spends most of their time.

There are so many ways to beautifully and simply decorate your living room for the holidays on a budget. I have a few tips to get you started. All of the items I am suggesting you use, can be easily purchased at your local Dollar Store, with the exception of the glue and glue gun.

So, first set your budget and write a list. Include:

– wrapping paper

– bows

– lights

– garland

– holiday arts and crafts

  • A glue gun can be your best friend when decorating. Reason being, is when the glue cools it stays adhered to the object, yet, it is easy to remove. Start by attaching little red holiday bows around any mirrors that you have in your living room using your glue gun.
  • Next, wrap your end tables with holiday wrapping paper to resemble gifts. If you do not have extra wrapping paper, simply use brown paper bags and the red ribbon. Make sure to tie the ribbon into a bow, so that it again resembles a gift.
  • Purchase white, red or green candles at the dollar store — it’s a simple and affordable way to add to your holiday decor.
  • Another way to beautify your living room is to purchase colorful garland to wrap your staircase railings.
  • Another suggestion is to purchase colorful balls in the arts and craft section of the store. Put those balls into any clear vases or trays you may have in the living room. You can even buy assorted colorful wrapped candy to put into a clear bowls of any size around the living room.
  • Finally, I have even found traditional holiday classic CDs at the dollar stores and discount stores. They’re songs that everyone knows and can sing along to.

Be creative, include the kids, play music and have fun this holiday season!!

Posted by Eve

Eve’s Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe

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As an adult, I now am fond of all different types of curries. One curry, in particular enticed my taste buds, so much that I tweaked a recipe to enjoy with chicken thighs. It has a spicy kick and a hearty feel. Here it is!!!

Ingredients

2 Lbs Chicken Thighs
3 Tablespoons of Jamaican Curry Powder
2 Large White Potatoes Diced
3 Cups of Water
1 Medium Yellow Onion Diced
3 Fresh Sprigs of Thyme
3 Large Garlic Cloves Finely Diced
1 Scotch Bonnet Pepper Whole (do not chop or cut, its insanely hot) 1 Can of Butter Beans Drained
2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons Oil

Instructions

Clean chicken thighs ( leave skin attached )
In a large bowl add all ingredients EXCEPT oil, butter beans, water and scotch bonnet pepper.
Add chicken thighs to bowl, gently stir and allow chicken to marinate for at least an hour
After chicken marinates, put oil into a large, deep cooking pot on medium high heat Allow oil to heat 1-2 minutes
Take chicken thighs and place in pot and sear chicken on both sides (approximately 3 minutes on both sides) Add water, scotch bonnet and remaining marinade to the pot with the chicken
Allow to simmer on medium low heat for 45 minutes to an hour to fully cook chicken and blend flavors ( this allows mixture to reduce and thicken ) Stir gently every 10 minutes or so
Add butter beans 30 minutes into cooking process

Best served over rice!!

Posted by Eve

Tips for How to Make Grocery Shopping Quick and Easy

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I use to spend most of my Saturdays shopping for groceries. I was so tired when I got back home that I did not even want to take the groceries into the house. So, I came up with a plan that drastically cut much of my shopping time, by at least 60%. EUREKA!!!

First, I never leave home without a shopping list. I first look through my pantry to see what I am lacking.

Next, I research all of my local grocery circulars to locate the best sale on those items. Then on a piece of paper, I put the store names on top (no more than three or four) and proceed to write down what I need from each store.

To make my experience even less time consuming, I write my list of needs according to each store’s layout. For example, I begin in the deli then proceed directly to the fruits and vegetables, so on and so forth. More importantly, I avoid that aisles that I don’t need to walk down, which saves massive time and money.

My last stop (if needed at that store) is to visit the freezer section. Finally, I proceed to check out and then I am off to the next store.

Each store should take no more than 15-20 minutes of shopping time if planned out correctly. Hopefully, by following my tips, you will be amazed at how much time you have left to enjoy your day and relax!

Posted by Eve

Tips for How to Select and Prepare Avocados

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I grew up eating avocados, on a regular basis. I find that avocados have a light refreshing taste and can add flavor to most any meal. I was amazed to find out, how many people have never tried avocados. I believe the reason is because many do not know how to prepare or pick them. So, I decided to give some ideas on how to quickly and simply select and prepare avocados.

There are two main types of avocados, one is called a Dominican avocado and the other is called Haas avocados. The Dominican avocado (shown in picture) is large, bright green and has smooth skin. The Haas avocado is much smaller in size, is a dark color and has wrinkly skin.

Avocados are good for you — they are high in vitamin K, C and folate. Try to add at least one to your diet each week.

My tip on how to pick an avocado is easy. Simply, pick it up in your hand and squeeze gently with your thumb. Now, if it has no give and is rock hard it is not ready to be consumed, yet. You want it to feel soft but not mushy.

As for preparing the avocado, you just need a sharp knife and a large spoon. Cut it in half and twist it open. One side will have a non edible pit that needs to be removed. To remove the pit, strike the pit safely and firmly with the knife and give it a twist. The pit should be stuck on the knife, discard the pit. Now, place your spoon, starting at the top and scoop out the ” meat ” of the avocado. You can either cut it into long slices or cut it into chunks.

Avocado pairs well with salads of all kinds and sandwiches as well as Mexican and Spanish foods.

Posted by Eve

Homemade Spanish Stew

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As far back as I can remember, I have enjoyed a hearty stew during the cold winter months. I like to make a homemade Spanish stew that consists of Spanish spices and some ethnic vegetables. This is a filling stew that can be enjoyed for either lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

2 Lbs Chicken Thighs
1 Yellow Plantain
2 Large Potatoes
1 Medium Yuca
1 Large Corn On The Cob
2 Packs Of Sazon ( I use Sazon Goya made with Coriander & Annatto )

Some ingredients that go in homemade Spanish stew. Flickr credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/runlevel0/6297898421
Some ingredients that go in homemade Spanish stew.

1 1/2 Tablespoons of Adobo ( I use Goya brand Adobo )
1 Chicken Bouillon Cube
2 Medium Onions
1 Large Red Pepper
4 Cloves Of Garlic
1 Bush Of Fresh Cilantro
1 8 oz Can Of Tomato Sauce
3 Tablespoons Of Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Of Cumin

Instructions

Place a large stew pot on the stove

Clean your chicken thighs (leave skin on, it adds flavor, discard skin after stew is completed) Add 6 cups of water to the pot ( enough to cover the chicken ) Add the chicken bouillon

Boil chicken on high until chicken is cooked

While chicken is cooking you can now make the Sofrito. Sofrito is a secret ingredient to a lot of Latin Caribbean dishes. It is a sauce made of tomatoes, onion, peppers, garlic, and herbs.

Sofrito Instructions
In a large food processor place:
Onions ( cut into quarters )
Peppers ( cut into quarters)
Garlic ( remove peel )
Tomato Sauce
Sazon
Adobo
Cumin
Olive oil
Cilantro ( make sure to rinse cilantro under cold water )
Blend ingredients together at a high speed & set aside.

Peel and cut the:
Yuca ( cut into 1/2 inch slices )
Potatoes ( cut into large cubes )
Corn On The Cob ( cut into 1/2 inch slices )
Yellow Plantain ( cut into 1/2 slices )

Now, add all of your Sofrito mixture to the pot with chicken (make sure chicken is thoroughly cooked ) Add your yuca, potatoes, corn and plantain to pot.
Stir ingredients gently.
Place on lid and heat on medium low for 30-45 minutes to allow ingredients to simmer ( stir occasionally ) or until potatoes and yuca are fork tender.

Serve your homemade Spanish stew in a large bowl with a sprinkle of fresh lime juice on top.

* You can also use pork neck bones or pork short ribs, instead of or with the chicken thighs. * I enjoy fresh cubed slices of avocado as a garnish.

ENJOY!!!

Posted by Eve

Healthy Snack Ideas for the Holidays

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The holidays are here and so are the dinner parties full of all kinds of fantastic foods. With that being said, so are all of the extra calories. However, you can still enjoy your favorite holiday foods, if you substitute some healthy snack ideas for meals. That way you can feel more relaxed while indulging at your next holiday party.

Here are some low calorie snacks to make. I suggest that you have a balanced breakfast and eat these healthy snacks during the day before going to your holiday gatherings.

Baked Cinnamon Apple

Preheat oven 350*
Core the apple ( I Recommend Using Red Delicious Type Apples ) Peel the skin from around the top of apple
Fill the core with raisins
Generously, sprinkle apple with cinnamon
Drizzle honey on top of the apple
Cover the core with a pat of butter
Place apple in a bowl and add 2 tablespoons of water to the bowl Place bowl on a cookie sheet
Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes until apple is soft
Allow apple to cool for 5 minutes before eating

Cucumber Slices With Sea Salt

Wash and dry cucumber
Cut into 1/4 inch slices
Sprinkle with sea salt

Celery Sticks With Hummus

Wash and peel celery
Fill the center of the stalk with store bought hummus
(health food stores has a great selection of hummus)
Cut into edible pieces.

Enjoy these simple healthy snack ideas and Happy Holidays !!!!

Posted by Eve