For a quick and easy appetizer, try Roasted Red Beet & White Bean Hummus. It’s like a nutritional powerhouse dip that you can serve with veggies or tortilla chips.
Roasted Beet Salad with Oranges and Walnutsmight seem like a weird combination, but I promise, it is delicious. This cold salad on a warm day is a perfect side dish.
Grated Raw Beet Salad is an easy way to whip up a side dish with minimal prep work.
If you want to taper down the “beet” flavor try mixing it with potatoes. This Roasted Beet, Potato, and Walnut Salad does an amazing job of combining all of the flavors.
If you have have extra here are a couple of tips for ways to use them up or preserve them:
The great thing about beets is that they store reaaaallly, reaaaally well. So, preserving them becomes just about storing them in a way that they won’t go bad before the next growing season comes around and you can replenish your stocks. I’ve written an entire post on storing them, so just clickety-click on the link above to find out the details.
Can them. Pickled beets are basically awesome. They are easy to make, but be aware, you need to let them sit in their jars for about 2 months before cracking them open to get all of the flavors to come out.
Freeze them. This is a great option if you want to roast them in meals throughout the winter. To freeze them, just trim the tops, cook them in boiling water for about 30 minutes–a little longer if they are larger beets. Then peel them {remove the stem and tap root if you haven’t already}, then slice or cube them.
Lay them out on a cookie tray flat to freeze {that way they don’t stick together}. Once they are frozen all of the way through, put them into freezer safe bags and store them in the freezer until you are ready to eat ’em up.
Make dehydrated beet chips. Want to healthify your chips? Beet chips are the way to go. Just wash the beets really well, cut off tops and roots, then slice them. The food processor works best if you have one. Then, toss them in a little olive oil and salt {or whatever seasonings float your boat} and lay them flat on dehydrator trays {or cookie sheets if using the oven}.
Let them dry for about 10-12 hours. If you are using the oven, do the same at 140 degrees. When you are done, store them in an airtight container.
[TAG2]
How about YOU, what is your favorite way to enjoy beets?
~Mavis
The post How to Cook Beets appeared first on One Hundred Dollars a Month.
Cleaning wax off counters can be a real challenge for homeowners. Whether it's candle wax or hair removal wax, the stickiness and stubbornness of the substance can make it difficult to remove completely. Fortunately, there are a variety of methods and products that can help. It may take some patience and elbow grease, but with a little knowledge and effort, you can easily remove wax from your counters.
You might enjoy these cleaning posts:
To remove dried stubborn wax off surfaces, try using an ice cube. Rub the ice cube over the wax residue until it has hardened, and then use a butter knife or other blunt object to scrape off the wax.
These simple steps allow you to easily and effectively remove wax from a countertop without damaging the surface. Be sure to take your time and use gentle pressure when cleaning so that the surface remains unscathed.
Finding a cleaner that dissolves wax effectively is crucial to remove wax from surfaces. Common solvents like rubbing alcohol, bleach, and window cleaner can be used to remove wax from surfaces. Choosing the appropriate solvent based on the surface you are trying to clean is essential, and always follow product instructions and safety guidelines carefully.
To get soft wax off a countertop, use a non-metal instrument like a wooden chopstick or credit card to scrape up as much wax as possible. Afterward, you can use an iron and paper towels to remove the remaining wax.
The best cleaner to remove candle wax is a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Apply the solution to the wax stain and let it sit for about 10 minutes before wiping it away.
Overall, removing wax from countertops doesn't have to be a difficult task. With some basic knowledge and the right products, you can easily remove wax off your countertop without causing damage.
Remember to use non-metal instruments to scrape away as much of the wax as possible, and test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous spot first.
Dawn dish soap can be used to remove candle wax. Mix a few drops of Dawn in warm water and apply it to the wax stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth or paper towel.
While the task of removing wax from countertops can be daunting at first, with the right knowledge and products, you can easily tackle this tricky job. With a little patience and elbow grease, your countertop will look spotless in no time.
When it comes to removing wax from countertops, using non-metal instruments can be a game-changer. Plastic putty knives and credit cards make great scraping tools for hard surfaces. Use rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining residue and buff off any remaining wax with a paper towel.
One solution is to use a paper towel or cloth and an iron. Place the paper towel or cloth over the wax and apply the iron in circular motions. The heat from the iron will cause the wax to melt and transfer onto the paper towel or cloth.
Once the wax has been transferred, cleaning the surface with a cleaner is important to remove any leftover residue.
Goo Gone and rubbing alcohol are both effective solutions for removing wax from countertops. Apply the cleaner to a cloth or sponge and remove the wax residue.
The mineral oil trick is a go-to solution for getting stuck-on wax off surfaces. Just rub a small amount of mineral oil onto the wax, then wipe the wax away with a clean cloth. It's a safe and effective method and can be used on various surfaces such as wood, metal, and plastic. This trick is a household favorite because it doesn't involve harsh chemicals and is easy to execute.
One way to remove residual wax from a countertop is to work with hot water. Start by filling a sink or bowl with hot water. Then, submerge the affected area in the water for a few minutes, allowing the wax to soften and loosen up. After a few minutes, use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe away the softened wax.
Lastly, if any wax residue is left behind, use a blow dryer to remove it. Be sure to keep the heat setting low and move the blow dryer in circular motions. This will help to melt away any remaining wax and make it easy to wipe off with a cloth or paper towel.
Removing candle wax is easy and not time-consuming as long as you remove it quickly!
The post How To Clean Wax Off Counters appeared first on My Stay At Home Adventures.
]]>Love ’em or hate ’em, trends have been shaping and reshaping the hotel design and wider hospitality industry for decades. Whether you choose to be a follower or not, certain movements in interior design are fast evolving the look and feel of hotel design. To understand how certain trends are translated in hotels around the world, during Clerkenwell Design Week 2023, I spoke to a handful of designers, each experts in their field, to help me understand globally how trends are being absorbed.
On the panel:
[TAG1] [TAG2] [TAG4] [TAG5] [TAG6]The conversation started by Kilburn asking the panel what made trends hit universally. “I believe that something is universal, long-lasting that has meaning,” said Trevor To, Senior Associate, Gensler. “When I think about this I think of Monet, because everybody knows it’s beautiful. I think biophilia is one of those theme that connect everybody because we as human beings just connect very much to and around nature – I really believe that the indoor-outdoor connection is really important.”
Watch the full panel discussion here (video credit: CUBE):
Approaching the topic from a different angle, James Dilley, Director, Jestico + Whiles, challenging the value of a trend that is accepted globally. “Sometimes a universal trend is not always positive,” he said. “I think what often we’re talking about is a reaction to the globalisation of design. Design is, all of a sudden, instantly accessible after being a bombarded with looks, styles and trends from social media. People, and clients, are seeing things that they like and reacting to them. It’s a bit like baking a cake. You may have all the ingredients in front of you, but to bake a cake you need to be a good baker. The people who know how to assemble a good design scheme are living in a world of Pinterest.”
Diana Darmina, Associate Interior Designer at LXA, responded with a wider look at the social and emotional response to social media and hotel design. “I think consumers buy with emotion,” she explained. “But I would say it’s also this idea of escapism and people seeking new experiences. Especially in hospitality, what I’ve seen is that designers tend to go and create something a little bit more out there, in bathrooms for example, because of social media, which isn’t a bad thing. That’s something that is probably being influenced from the Middle East.”
Challenging pre-existing trends around wellness in the bathroom is difficult, given the practical need and nature of these spaces. Kilburn asked the panel what trends, in particular, are emerging in hotel bathrooms in 2023 and beyond. Brooke Radtke, Senior Associate at Woods Bagot, responded. “I’m not sure, beyond wellbeing being at the forefront of traveller demands, what is driving bathroom trends, but I would say that we have certainly noticed bathrooms becoming hero spaces in hotels,” she said. “We had this brilliant opportunity recently because in a building we converted from an existing office building to a hotel. And one of the really great things about the structure was the corner had a glazed facade. And so we very quickly pinpointed that as a great opportunity to create these really impressive bathrooms, drawing on the context of that land and feeling of theatre in with big roll-top brass baths.”
The demographic of the ‘luxury traveller‘ is changing rapidly. Claire Smith, Director, ABDA, injected the conversation with a view on how luxury trends are being translated to cater for multi-generations. “I think the definition of luxury is being challenged where ever you look,” she said. “We are in really early stages of working on a project that is pegged as a luxury eco resort, but not luxury in the sense of materials and finishes, but more in experience. So, the focus is on emotional elements such as the lighting and the in-between spaces as you walk through the hotel; the details, if you like. I think that’s where luxury is going. It’s more about how the space makes you feel.”
Sanipex is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Mel Yates Photography
Roundtable: translating trends in hotel design
Hamish Kilburn.
Summer is officially upon us, and that means it’s time for some of those great summertime activities: going to the beach, camping, and of course, grilling. If you’re hoping to enjoy barbeque during your Summer adventures, then the best way to start is using a good portable grill. Enter the Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Grill.
The Everdure CUBE is a portable, easy-to-clean charcoal grill that incorporates a food storage tray and preparation board into its design. It has a grilling capacity of 115 square inches, and is available in multiple colors. The CUBE is designed by Everdure, an Australian brand with 30+ years with barbeque, and in collaboration with Michelin Star chef Heston Blumenthal. The CUBE retails for $199, but at the time of this writing you can get it for as low as $149 on Amazon, depending on the color.
When you open the box, you’ll find everything already assembled and wrapped in plastic.
Once you get the plastic wrap off, you pop open the latches to remove the food storage tray and bamboo preparation board. Inside you’ll find some foam, bubble wrap, and cardboard that keep the interior components from moving about during shipping.
Once you’ve removed all the packing material, you need to reassemble the grill. This is an easy enough process. However, I did find that getting the charcoal chamber back in place can be a little tricky, as you have to keep it almost perfectly horizontal while moving it into position, in order to clear the interior parts of the handles (which also double as supports to hold the grill rack).
From there, you simply place the charcoal grid into the charcoal chamber.
At this point, you’re ready to add the charcoal and light it up! I wasn’t getting too fancy with my charcoal; I used some Kingsford briquets that were on sale at the supermarket that week.
As you can see, I used the food storage tray mostly just to transport the food to the table in my yard. However, it could readily be used to carry whatever you were grilling, especially if you were taking the CUBE on a short enough trip that you didn’t need an ice chest.
Depending on what you’re cooking, there’s just enough surface area that you could move the charcoal around to have hotter and cooler sides of the grill for cooking. According to Everdure, the CUBE can make up to 6 small hamburgers or 3 medium steaks at one time. I was only grilling a package of 4 sausages, but there was definitely room to have made a second package, had there been more people to feed.
That being said, you may not be adding grill marks to your hot dog buns if you’re feeding more than a couple of people. With the size of the buns when they’re open, you can only fit one at a time on the grill.
I sadly didn’t take any pictures while I was grilling. I was a bit distracted talking with my girlfriend, and of course I also wanted to make sure the sausages came out perfectly. And they did! Here’s the end result:
Getting set up and cooking with the Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill was a breeze. As I said before, the only hiccup was a little fiddling to get the charcoal chamber situated.
It was a little breezy on the evening that I was grilling, so I was happy to see there’s enough height between the charcoal and the top of the grill that I had no problem getting a flame going. Not that you’d want to try using the Cube during strong winds. But then again, you really shouldn’t be using any grill during that kind of weather.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to call the surface area of the CUBE spacious, there’s more than enough room to comfortably cook for a small group. And of course, you do have to sacrifice some grilling area for portability.
While you’re probably not going to have to move the CUBE while it’s hot, it is good to know that the handles stay cool, as Everdure advertises.
Cleaning the Everdure CUBE went quickly and smoothly. The only issue is that the interior nuts and bolts can slow you down a little when wiping down around that hardware.
The Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill is solidly built, with lightweight steel construction. It’s easy to use, and will produce great results. The grill is lacking a cover for cooking, so it won’t cook as fast as, say, a portable Weber grill.
However, the Everdure CUBE makes up for it with how convenient it is to transport. You can put the food you’ll be grilling into the food storage tray, latch it down, and then carry everything easily by the CUBE’s handles.
If you’re looking for a well-made and stylish portable grill for your Summer adventures, then definitely check out the Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill. It’s also great to use at home for when you don’t have the room for a full-sized grill. You can place it on any heat-resistant tabletop.
For more information on the Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill, head to the Everdure website.
Everdure provided a unit for evaluation but had no input into this review. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small commission on qualified purchases.
Click through to read all of "Get Your Grilling to Go With the Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill" at GeekDad.If you value content from GeekDad, please support us via Patreon or use this link to shop at Amazon. Thanks!
]]>25.00 USD
This one-of-a-kind Sunflower Mini Canvas Painting is the perfect addition to your home decor! This original acrylic painting features a stunning 4 x 4 sunflower art that shines bright and adds a warm touch to any room. It's a unique gift for a loved one or a special treat for yourself. Bring the beauty of nature indoors with this lovely sunflower decor piece.
an original painting by the artist, Sharon Foster - ME! A Mississippi artist.
No staples on the side.
Painting continues on sides.
All rights for the painting stay with the artist, Sharon Foster (c)2021
Decorating with mini paintings
* Mini paintings are very versatile. Mini canvases can be arranged in groups and hung on the wall. All you need is a push pin to hang each little work of art.
* Mini canvases add a unique element in book shelves! Set books flat at differing heights and add a mini acrylic painting on an easel to top each group.
* Or coral a group of mini canvases and parade them on easels across a mantle or shelf.
* Take your little mini art to work. Brighten your cube or work area with a splash of art.
* Add to tablescapes, mantels, or use as place cards with a small gift tag.
See more of my colorful mini paintings here ->
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SharonFosterArt?section_id=11621181&ref=shopsection_leftnav_3
To make my Sweet Potato Puree for babies you will only need:
Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make my Sweet Potato Baby Food Recipe, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.
Prep: Peel and cube your sweet potato.
Step one: Place in a saucepan with water. Cover, with a lid, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes until the sweet potato are tender and can be squashed easily with a fork.
Step two: Drain, reserving the liquid.
Step three: Blend your sweet potato with the (optional spices if using) until a smooth texture is achieved, add liquid as needed to reach your desired consistency. The liquid used can be either the reserved liquid or a little breast milk or baby formula.
You can use either a blender or a food processor for this step.
Enjoy!
Here is how you can make Sweet Potato Puree perfectly every time!
Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and rich in vitamin A, they are also a source of fiber, Vitamin C and potassium. Their soft texture when cooked makes them popular as a baby food.
Store your sweet potato puree in a clean airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to four months.
Blurb
The post Sweet Potato Baby Food appeared first on My Kids Lick The Bowl.
]]>The pastry world is buzzing with a new food trend—cube-shaped croissants. The cube croissant phenomenon began at the London-based bakery, Le Deli Robuchon, where an influencer accidentally made it a social media sensation.
— Read the rest ]]>In January, Le Deli Robochon invited an influencer from TikTok to sample a different pastry.
Searching for an impressive, hearty dinner? Look no further than this steak au poivre! This delectable French dish consists of peppercorn-crusted beef tenderloins coated in a garlic herb cream sauce. It’s so flavorful, so delicious, and perfect for any occasion!
Whether it’s a special occasion or just a weeknight dinner, steak is a great choice! Here are a few more recipes you’re sure to love: perfectly juicy grilled steak, steak Diane, or cube steaks with mushroom gravy!
Steak au poivre is a French dish that’s all about flavor and indulgence. You start with tenderloin steaks, seasoning them with salt and covering them in crushed peppercorns for a spicy crust. Then you sear the steaks until they’re perfectly cooked, with a nice crispy outside and juicy inside. They’re so tender and delicious, you will love every bite!
But what makes steak au poivre really special is the creamy sauce that goes with it. After you take out the steaks, you use the leftover flavors in the pan to make the sauce. You sauté butter, thyme, and garlic to make it extra tasty! Then you add beef stock and heavy cream, which make the sauce rich and thick. When you pour that sauce over the steaks, it adds a burst of delicious flavor that is truly irresistible. The spicy pepper crust and the smooth creamy sauce are the best combination!
Juicy tenderloin steaks coated in crushed peppercorns, simmered in a creamy sauce with garlic, thyme, and a touch of richness from butter and heavy cream. Using these ingredients, you can create pure indulgence on a plate! Check out the recipe card at the end of the post for exact measurements.
Before you dive into making steak au poivre, here’s a friendly tip: this French dish is all about big, bold flavors and pure indulgence. The secret to nailing it is finding that perfect harmony between the spicy pepper crust and the creamy sauce. Get ready for a taste sensation that’ll leave you craving seconds!
Before you jump into making a scrumptious steak au poivre, here are a few handy tips to set you up for success. These pointers will help you nail the perfect tenderness, peppery goodness, and creamy sauce!
If possible, store your steaks and sauce separately for the best results. This way, the steak won’t become too saturated with the sauce and lose its original texture.
Once you start making steaks at home, you’ll be hooked. You can flavor them and cook them just to your liking! Whether you’re a fan of juicy tomahawks, New York steaks, or skirt steaks, these recipes offer a range of flavors, seasonings, and cooking methods that will make your taste buds sing.
Travelling with kids is hardly a simple endeavour. The disruption in routine and logistical challenges can be enough to call off the whole trip.
But there are ways to make the experience a little smoother and more enjoyable — and a lot of it starts with the packing process.
HuffPost asked parents to share the one thing they always make sure to pack when they travel with their children to make the experience smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s what they had to say:
“As a mother of a three-year-old and an infant, the one item I always bring with me is my baby monitor and camera and the chargers for them. I like to book suites or vacation rentals with private pools, so that my husband and I can have the kids sleeping or napping in one room and we watch movies in the living room, or relax in the private pool or jacuzzi.
Having the baby monitor allows us to do this while still monitoring and listening to the kids. We put the kids to sleep in the pack and play, turn the noise machine on, and set up the camera, and then we can utilise the rest of the house or suite and enjoy our vacation too.”
―Stephanie Claytor, founder of the travel brand Blacktrekking
“We always take a kids travel journal with us so that our boys can record all their adventures. Rather than a formatted journal with daily prompts, we prefer a standard notebook as this allows for more creative freedom. Some days they may just want to write a line or two, other days they may want to draw a picture or stick in tickets, and other days they may be inspired to write pages and pages. With a standard notebook they can write what they want when they want. And we always have glue and scissors at the ready to stick things in.”
― Jenny Lynn, blogger at TraveLynn Family
“We never travel without the special stuffed animals that the kids sleep with so they feel some comfort from home during naps on the go or unexpected delays.”
― Caroline Hershey, blogger at Jet With a Set
“I’d say I’d never travel without quick-dry alcohol ear drops to prevent ear infections you can get from lakes, pools or ocean spots on the road. Kids can get screaming ear infections, because of their short tubes, and sitting in urgent care can ruin your whole day and cut a trip short. And you only have so many days for vacation.”
― Maria De La O., editor at Roam Family Travel
“Snacks are a must-have to keep hunger at bay and avoid any mid-flight meltdowns. I make sure to pack a variety of healthy and non-messy snacks that my kids enjoy.”
―Marvyn Harrison, founder of Dope Black Dads
“I always bring my mirrorless camera to capture memorable moments my family and I can relive forever. This is something I didn’t have as a child, but something I know my children will appreciate in the future.” ― Roland Pollard, digital content creator
“I always bring my DSLR camera, because I like to slow down and capture some moments through my big lens that isn’t my mobile device I use all the time.”
― Jennifer Borget, digital content creator
“There are so many things you have to pack when traveling with children, especially when they are younger. We often joke that the smaller the kids, the more stuff you need. But if I can mention just one thing that we always carry with us, it has to be a first-aid kit and, more precisely, adhesive bandages.
With three active and very adventurous boys, we have used bandages on more occasions than I can remember, and this hasn’t changed ever since their first steps. Even now, when our kids are teenagers, we always carry a few bandages with us, just in case. And yes, we still use them on practically every trip.”
― Jurga Rubinovaite, blogger at FullSuitcase.com
“My favourite kid travel hack is toys from the dollar store! They’re cheap but still have the new toy appeal that kids look for. Guaranteed entertainment that doesn’t revolve around a screen!
― Riky Williams aka @MommyCocktail
“The one item we always take with us when we travel, without fail and no matter what, is a tablet. Specifically, three tablets, one for each of our kids. We don’t allow tablets at home, opting for limited TV and video game time, colouring and books instead, so when they get to use tablets on trips, it feels like a true vacation and something extra special (and helps avoid the age-old question of ‘Are we there yet?’). We download their favourite movies and TV shows beforehand so that on long road trips they always have something to watch. It entertains them and helps keep us focused on the task at hand.”
―PJ and Thomas McKay, bloggers at The Property Lovers
“My kids are 6 and 8. Each of them having a tablet with games that don’t require Wi-Fi keeps them contentedly in their own universes with only the occasional breaks for food or the bathroom and little need to ask the question parents hate. Forgetting car chargers or not checking to see if they have games that don’t require Wi-Fi can fully nullify this hack.”
― La Guardia Cross, YouTube influencer
“One indispensable item in my arsenal is a well-curated, compact entertainment bag for each of my kids. It invariably includes an activity book that incites curiosity, offering various puzzles and riddles. I also pack a book that has a narrative interesting to them. Some small old figurines that they haven’t played with in a while also make their way into the bag. Their surprise in rediscovering these forgotten toys adds a pinch of excitement to the journey and sparks imagination and indulging in some storytelling.
“A simple notebook and set of pencils allows them to jot down their thoughts or doodle. The notebook also doubles as a gaming pad where we can play traditional paper games like tic-tac-toe or hangman, or even invent our own games. A few random Lego bricks are also thrown in to challenge them to build something creative with limited resources. Finally, a Rubik’s cube or another brain teaser is a must.”
― Sergei Urban, founder of The Dad Lab
“Invest in lightweight, space-saving packing cubes. These handy organisers not only keep your luggage tidy but also maximise space. Each child can have their own cube, making it easy to find their clothes and accessories. Additionally, packing cubes help prevent the dreaded ‘suitcase explosion’ when searching for a specific item. It’s a game-changer for stress-free travel!”
― James Brockbank, founder of The Family Vacation Guide
Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Do you love sweet hot mustard? Growing up, this style of mustard was only available at the Swiss Colony shops that used to be in the malls. Today, you can buy this mustard ready-made – for example, Hickory Farms Sweet Hot Mustard. However, now you can recreate this mustard at home.
This delicious mustard is spicy, like a Chinese Hot Mustard you find in a Chinese restaurant, but the heat is toned down just a bit with the sweetness.
Hot sweet mustard is a great treat. It’s perfect for when you want spicy mustard, but with the added sweet touch; you can enjoy it to your heart’s desire without getting overwhelmed by the heat.
When you make things from scratch at home, you can really control what is in your food – you can knock out all the chemicals! And this recipe is also a way to make a fair amount of this gourmet mustard inexpensively. Once you try this sweet hot mustard recipe, you will want to always keep a jar in your fridge!
What can sweet and hot mustard be used on? You are only limited by your imagination! See below for some ideas.
This hot sweet mustard also makes a perfect hostess gift or a wonderful gift for friends and family members, especially serious mustard lovers. Think about presenting it in a cute little glass jar with a small tin of very thin toasts that have been buttered and sprinkled liberally with sesame seeds and dried in the oven until they’ve achieved golden cracker status.
Remember to attach a recipe tag with the recipe because whoever you give this to will be asking for it!
A recipe can’t get much simpler than this. This sweet hot mustard recipe uses just four basic ingredients, as follows:
Mustard: If you have a grocery store that has mustard powder in the bulk section, you can get the main ingredient for less. I really like Coleman’s Mustard because it seems to pack more heat than other brands.
Sugar: Granulated sugar will help structure the mustard. Using powdered sugar (if that’s all you have) would not be ideal. If you want to substitute honey or agave for the sugar, use a bit less than a 1 to 1 ratio.
This hot sweet mustard tastes similar to Hickory Farms Sweet Hot Mustard. It’s very easy to make – here are the simple steps:
Note: You need to combine the vinegar and powdered mustard in a non-reactive bowl and let it sit overnight. This will give the mustard a chance to become a little less harsh when you first try it, as the flavor will mellow slightly.
Well, this mustard is both sweet and hot. The sweetness comes first; then, you’ll get a lingering heat. The heat isn’t like hot pepper heat or buffalo wing heat; it’s more like wasabi heat in that “clear your sinuses” type of way, but way much milder.
Bottom Line: This must-have mustard is a little bit sweet, a little bit hot, and totally delicious. Get ready for your taste buds to go WOW!
This thick, tangy mustard is perfect as a spread or a dipping sauce. This mustard is the perfect balance of sweetness and hotness and is full of flavor. There are so many ways to use this spicy sweet mustard. Here are some ideas:
Store this sweet hot mustard in a non-reactive airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
Check out more of my easy sauce recipes and the best DIY recipes on CopyKat!
At this point, who hasn’t seen the scathing reviews about HBO’s drama, The Idol – particularly its bizarre sex scenes.
The series premiered earlier in June and tells the story of pop star Jocelyn (played by Lily-Rose Depp) and her romance with The Weeknd’s character, the creepy Tedros.
British GQ declared one particularly steamy scene between them as “the worst sex scene in history” – but, just before they actually do the deed, Tedros says Jocelyn needs to sing like she “knows how to fuck”.
He then teased Jocelyn by rubbing an ice cube down her leg and then, uh, putting it somewhere off-screen.
Anyway, the next episode Jocelyn shows she clearly enjoyed this as she masturbates with a full glass of ice cubes.
And Google Trends shows that viewers then started to search for “ice cube sex” – but, here’s how to do temperature play safely – and not like Tedros...
The sex and relationship expert at condoms.uk, Pippa Murphy, told HuffPost UK that there are benefits to adding ice cubes to foreplay “due to the sensory experience that they create”.
This is because they create a contrast in temperature which elevates “the sensitivity of the skin” – and so Murphy recommended sucking on an ice cube before kissing, or performing oral sex.
The ice cubes also cause blood vessels to constrict, which then dilate as soon as they are removed.
“This can increase blood flow and arousal in the erogenous zones such as your nipples, neck, wrists and more.”
Of course, it’s not all about sex (although this does increase your libido) – being more aroused also lowers your blood pressure, improves your immune system and lowers your chances of heart disease.
It can also build anticipate, and surprise, which builds to a “better and stronger orgasm”, according to Murphy.
Sex educator and author of All The F*cking Mistakes, Gig Engle told Mashable: “When we experience this kind of hyper-focus, we’re flooded with positive brain chemicals like oxytocin and endorphins. When this play is sexual, it can lead to deep erotic feelings.”
Don’t copy Tedros. If you’re going to insert the cube into a body cavity, then it must be covered with a condom “as they can stick to the vagina or anal walls and create painful ice burns,” Murphy said.
But, feel free to rub the cube on your partner’s body just wrapped in a thin cloth as a protective barrier.
Murphy added that for first-time ice cube users, “start slowly” and try it out on less sensitive areas instead, to make sure your partner is comfortable.
You can then build up to the erogenous zones, and possibly to insertion, if you get consent.
If you’re not sure how to ask your partner if you can introduce this element to your sex life, ask them when you’re not in the mood so it can turn into an informative conversation.
If you’re asked but you don’t want to try out this kink, you need to be careful with how you turn down your partner, Murphy said.
“Kink-shaming can make it seem like their sexual interests are immoral which can cause communication and trust issues further down the line,” she explained.
Instead, say that you’re grateful they were so open – but you would rather focus on another fantasy of theirs.
The Idol airs Sundays Sky Atlantic and NOW.
Don’t be embarrassed; I learned how to bake a sweet potato much later in life than I should have. Had I known they were so much tastier but just as versatile as their plain potato cousins, I would have made a point of learning how to prepare them while I was still in elementary school. Oh well. Hindsight and all that.
Nevertheless, I have tried to make up for lost time by having baked sweet potatoes as often as possible. Luckily, there are so many dishes that go well with them that it’s not difficult to finish off a square meal with one of these delectable little guys.
What’s more, baked sweet potatoes can be the base of a filling lunch, depending on which fixins you add to it. You can make them as light as you would like or as hearty — it’s your call.
Don’t worry, I explain what chervil is (and what it isn’t) in the FAQs section.
Prep
Preheat the oven to 425°F. With a fork, poke holes into the sweet potatoes and top each with a cube of butter.
Bake
Bake for 30 minutes or until soft inside. Remove from the oven and transfer to a plate.
Cool
Let the cooked sweet potatoes cool down. Make a small cut in the top of each.
Garnish
Top each potato with a dollop of Greek yogurt and garnish with the chopped chervil.
DEVOUR!
While baked sweet potatoes can be eaten as a snack or loaded up as a lunch, they pair nicely with an assortment of entrées:
No-Bean Keto Chili In An Instant Pot: This is a great one to pair. Both the chili and the potato are hearty and ideal for cold winter days. This recipe is paleo and whole30 friendly, too.
Juicy Boneless Pork Ribs: Another hearty dish. These ribs lose the bone but bring the juices — plus, they can be ready in no time.
Lobster Rolls: An East Coast delicacy, creamy chunks of lobster are served in a brioche bun. If you’d rather lose the bread, you could perhaps add the lobster directly to the sweet potato. (I haven’t tried this, myself, but doesn’t it sound good!)
Chervil is an aromatic herb. While it belongs to the parsley family, it is not actually parsley. It has a taste not unlike licorice or anise and is used as a finishing herb (i.e., added just before serving) so it doesn’t lose its flavor.
Yes, this can be done in a microwave. Pierce the potatoes with a fork then wrap them in a paper towel. Microwave on HIGH for 5 to 10 minutes until they are soft. Keep in mind, though, that you will get more flavor baking them in the oven!
Sweet potatoes and regular potatoes differ in taste and color. While regular potatoes have white or yellow flesh, sweet potatoes are orange in color. Sweet potatoes are generally healthier than regular potatoes. The main difference is their flavor profile — sweet potatoes are unsurprisingly sweeter than regular potatoes.
Let the potatoes cool completely before wrapping them in plastic or aluminum. Wrap them tightly to prevent them from drying out. Then store them in a resealable bag or an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Speaking of which, you can either microwave them (poke holes in them then heat for 1-2 minutes), warm them in the oven (unwrapped, on a baking sheet, at 350°F for 10-15 minutes), or do so on the stove (heat in a covered pan).
The post How to Bake Sweet Potato appeared first on Food Faith Fitness.
]]>To be honest, I never knew how much simple life hacks a glue gun could do until now. I always knew a glue gun was handy since it’s one of my essential tools for a lot of DIY projects, but these simple life hacks are a pleasant surprise. Take a look at this infographic, take down notes, and be amazed at what your glue gun can do!
Get to spring cleaning by taking care of your beauty tools — especially your makeup brushes. Here's a neat hack for DIYing your very own makeup brush cleaning board.
Since you'll be using this project to clean your makeup brushes, it's very important to make sure the clipboard is clean. Once it's clean, prep your glue gun.
Using your hot glue gun, make an assortment of different lines and dots on your clipboard. Feel free to go crazy on this one by making straight, curved, and zigzag lines, and different sizes of dots.
Let your glue gun dry completely. I recommend letting them dry for 3-5 minutes, just to be safe. While drying, prep the brushes to be cleaned.
Lastly, clean your dirty brushes by letting them run under warm water. While they're wet, run the bristles against the glue marks on the clipboard. This will help remove the dirty makeup from your brushes.
Tired of writing with a frustratingly short pencil? Who says you can't put a twist on it to make it a better instrument to write with? I'll teach you the steps below.
Take a glue stick and puncture a hole in one of the ends with your hot glue gun. This will help serve as the mold for your short pencil.
Squeeze your pencil into the hole making sure to press it deep into the glue stick. By the way, don't forget to let it dry for a few minutes before using.
Annoyed with how the small end of your glue stick can't be pushed forward? Don't worry, it won't have to go to waste. Here's a simple way to make the most of it.
Take a new piece of glue stick and add hot glue to one of the ends using your glue gun.
Tip: Don’t put too much otherwise it could turn into a mess.
Insert the new glue stick into your glue gun as you normally would, but be sure to connect the glued end to the other end of the short glue stick. Don’t forget to give it a little push to lock the two glue sticks together.
Tired of using your pliers with the yucky handles? Instead of throwing it out and buying a new pair, I recommend doing this nifty trick instead. It'll save you a couple of dollars too!
Use one hand to hold the pliers on its head — I recommend using your less dominant hand for this. Using your other hand, apply glue on your plier's handles. Be sure to cover all the sides.
Let the glue dry before you begin touching the handles. I recommend letting it dry for 8-10 minutes. To check if the glue has dried, you may give the handles a soft tap. If it resists the pressure of your finger, then it's dry.
Stop your floor mat from budging with the help of a glue gun. Trust me, sometimes all it takes is this little hack to prevent any possible slips and falls.
Grab your mat and flip it over so the bottom side is facing you. Then prep your glue gun.
Apply lines of glue on the floor mat. You won't need to cover the entire thing. A few lines and squiggles on each of the sides will do. Once you've finished, let the glue dry. Then, flip it over and say goodbye moving floor mats.
Once you're done working on the simple life hacks with your glue gun, it's time to clean your handy tool! Make clean up a breeze with these tips and tricks:
Rid your wooden tables and floors of dried glue stick residue. Would you believe me if I said all you needed was an ice cube or two?
Rub an ice cube on the dried up glue residue. The cold temperature of the ice cube will cause the dried up glue to become harder and easier to peel off.
Once the ice cube has hardened the dried up glue, simply use your fingers to pry out the glue from the wooden surface. A couple of tries should take the glue off in one piece.
Try and clean your glue gun after every craft session. Need a handy way of taking off the glue residue around your glue gun? This trick has you covered.
Grab a piece of aluminum foil and roll it into a tight ball.
Tip: You won’t need too much foil for this. A balled up piece smaller than a table tennis ball is fine.
Scrub your glue gun with the balled up aluminum foil. Don’t forget to scrub both the body and the spout with your ball of aluminum foil.
See everything in action by clicking this video:
Aren’t these simple life hacks ingenious? I’ll admit, I’ve never been this impressed before about how much a glue gun can do. I might actually try the DIY makeup brush cleaner board idea this week.
Got any simple life hacks you’d love to share? Let us know in the comments below!
Want more hacks in your life? Check out this list of DIY hacks to make your clothing last longer!
Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!
Feature image via Happy Hooligans
]]>Last December, a tangibly charming restaurant called Etrusca opened on theoretically charm-adjacent Stone Street in Lower Manhattan. In February, I awarded it four stars in a review, citing executive chef Elisa Da Prato’s excellent beef tartare with New Mexico chiles, grated cured egg yolk and polenta crisp, pastas like lumache al ragù and delightfully unique fried quail, among its more cosmetic attributes and a relatively rare, chic neighborhood destination vibe.
Although lodged in the looming, inhospitable Financial District, Etrusca felt like an idealized home: warm, friendly, comfortable and inviting, with a great dinner menu. It was the kind of spot where I wanted to be a regular, and, in addition to the published piece, I’ve recommended it in person more than any other new restaurant in the intervening months. Recent news that Etrusca would permanently close gave me greater pause than places that I’ve been going to for years, ones that seemed to populate best-of lists for this or that season after season. Etrusca received more media attention than most in its brief existence, too, earned media that, combined with my firsthand knowledge of its excellence and a back-of-the-envelope assumption (based somewhat on lease term expectations) that it would be allowed a little more time to grow, made its closing seem puzzlingly premature.
“We would like to thank our many wonderful guests for their support and excitement for this tender little jewel of a restaurant and especially thank our incredible team that made some of the best food this city had to offer in one of the most lovely dining rooms to ever be,” first-time NYC hospitality operator Da Prato wrote in an Instagram post this month. Da Prato’s previous venture was in Barga, Italy. She spoke with me by phone about Etrusca’s truncated run after the announcement.
“Obviously, I wanted the restaurant to be financially successful, and everyone wants their restaurant to be full,” says Da Prato, who, in spite of having become Etrusca’s public-facing name, was a contracted employee.
“I wasn't the owner of the restaurant. I created the restaurant and conceptualized it, named it and all that stuff; it was my concept and my menu and my thing, but it was funded by a small group, which owns other, mostly bars, in Manhattan, and elsewhere.”
One of those titles is Mad Dog & Beans, a self-billed “Mexican cantina” with margarita towers nearby in FiDi and up in midtown. The pair of quick-to-crowd watering holes share little DNA with Etrusca. Da Prato provided a statement about the shutdown provided to her from the backers to share with the press: “Etrusca has permanently closed. Despite our best efforts and the support of our guests, unfortunately, we were not financially viable. We want to thank Chef Elisa Da Prato and her staff for their wonderful creativity and tremendous efforts.” (A Mad Dog & Beans representative did not return a request for comment.)
Da Prato was initially connected with the eventual investors through a mutual acquaintance in 2021. Etrusca opened a year later.
“I wasn't totally sure what to expect, to be honest. We were opening in a very particular location, with a very particular market, I mean, you said yourself, very eloquently in the review, this, like, Narnia, little pocket in this kind of other, very specific block in New York, which a lot of people don't really even know is there, apparently.”
Da Prato, who grew up between Italy and the U.S., says that she had envisioned a convivial, romantic, multi-occasion space for the frenetic, after-work crowd block: a destination where one could saunter in for a few glasses of wine and a plate of pasta, or linger longer over a self-guided, four-course tasting.
“I like being able to go to a restaurant and being able to have either one of those experiences. I think that that's really nice, and very special,” she says. “I wanted to offer something of very good quality, something sincere, something that I felt was genuine and representative of a very specific kind of perspective on Italian food and Italian energy.”
As I wrote in my review, that all landed, and things began with cautious promise. Those early positive notices were encouraging and moved the dial.
“Whenever these reviews would hit, you could see the direct correlation with folks coming into the restaurant,” she says. “People were coming back, which was great, we were generating a lot of regulars.”
There are always appearances. Most New Yorkers can probably name an address that always seems to be something new; “cursed locations,” I call them. Many can also likely remember others that always looked crowded, respected and successful, and seemed to suddenly close. Etrusca was in the latter category—busy and buzzing at peak dinner hours with reservations on the books and waits for walk-ins. But there were, in this case, too many hours in the day; one of a few hurdles that needed more time to clear.
“Lunch was dead as a doornail all the time,” Da Prato, who hesitated to open midday at this stage, says. Hours shouldering those primetime slots, the ones creating, to a passerby, a boisterous tableau were quiet, too.
“We needed to be doing about twice as much business,” she says. We were about 50% of the way there.”
Bridging that lunch gap would have helped, of course. Maybe prior to the pandemic, they would have. And, as always, concrete and abstract factors contributed to the outcome.
Among the somewhat abstract, near-unknowables: Etrusca was an enchanting, independent-by-posture outlier on what feels like a much more corporate strip. It could have begun to change the landscape, or stumbled in cementing its footprint. Maybe it faltered. Or maybe it would have surpassed its peers if it had been allowed to find its pace.
Among the concrete, which Da Prato is firmly realistic about, Etrusca simply did not make enough money in the six months it was open for its owners to remain committed, she says. It only sat about 55, limiting covers even during those more popular service times. Labor costs contributed, in part because Da Prato insisted on paying an improved wage compared to wider local practices.
“Our labor costs were high because I wanted people to get paid a decent amount of money,” she says. “Our cooks were making between $22 and $25 an hour. We had a salaried sous chef. We had two dishwashers on payroll, which isn’t very many, they were both getting paid $22 an hour, which I don’t even think that’s that much money. But for a restaurant, it’s a shit ton of money, apparently, and it was a big deal. I had to fight to get those rates for folks. The costs still, in the end, weren’t horrific costs, we were just not doing enough business to resolve those costs.”
Food costs contributed, too. It takes more product to present anything approaching generous plates.
“I didn't want the portions to be nothing,” she says.
Nearly every restaurant juggles these same issues, and the frustratingly unanswerable question is why some objectively mediocre operations last for half a generation, and others, like Etrusca, which I’ve often wished hadn’t had those few December shifts so that I could accurately include it on my fast-approaching list of 2023’s best new restaurants, disappear. It’s as unsatisfying as that corny old adage about how some people stay married for so long: they didn’t get divorced.
“It was just like a Rubik’s Cube, trying to figure it out. But the bottom line issue was that, again, the restaurant was not profitable. And they did not see a future for it in that location.”
That future-view pulled into focus around Memorial Day, when slowly steadily increasing business dragged.
“Memorial Day week, as is the case with many restaurants in the city, we had a big dip.” Da Prato says. “I think that was the big break point for the investors. I think they saw the summer ahead of them. And they were like, no dice.”
On Tuesday, June 6, between lunch and dinner, she was informed on-site that Etrusca would close immediately.
“The restaurant was closed abruptly. It was shocking to the staff,” she says.
Still, she says, she’s leaving the venture on good terms with the owners.
“It just wasn’t the right fit. And they were very kind to me, in terms of saying, ‘we want to make it clear that you know, your work, or the quality of the food, or the quality of any of this was never an issue; it was never up for discussion.’ It was always as to whether or not the restaurant was financially viable,” she says.
“I think they thought it would be really cool, and interesting to introduce something different to Stone Street. They definitely expressed to me that the other owners on the street were excited to have something to vary up the scene a little bit, but in the end, it just didn’t make the money that they thought it was gonna make, or at least not fast enough.”
Hindsight’s only marginally more helpful than a crystal ball. Some people got to visit this great little restaurant that only lasted for a little while. And, while her next move might be coming a little sooner than expected, Da Prato is already looking out.
“I’m gonna just keep on and see what else is out there,” she says.
]]>...and it's 25% off with code EVERYGIRL
Not only can this make your suitcase more streamlined and organized to begin with, but it can also protect your clothing from the dirt and grime your shoes are bound to pick up during your travels. It’s a smart solution all-around and a worthy investment if you’re prone to shoving shoes into your suitcase wherever they’ll fit. If you’re ready to up your packing game, read on for our round-up of the best shoe bags for travel.
The best shoes for traveling aren’t always the easiest to pack, which is why a separate organizer for footwear is always a good idea. Keep scrolling for some of our favorites.
If you like your suitcase to look as good as the outfits you packed, cloth shoe bags are the way to go. They’re available in tons of different materials and colors to match your aesthetic, and many include a handle for easy carrying.
Our love for the CALPAK brand runs deep, and their shoe bags definitely live up to the hype. Along with a handle for carrying, this set of two features a top flap zipper with an interior mesh pocket that could easily store an additional pair of flat sandals. Available in over a dozen on-trend colors and patterns, these do the job and look good doing it.
Keep individual shoes separate from each other with this divided shoe organizer. Made of water-resistant nylon, it’s the perfect solution if you’re worried about your favorite travel shoes getting scuffed or marred in transit.
The high-quality canvas material is what sold us on this shoe bag. It features a wax coating that makes it extra durable and ensures it’ll wear well over time. Plus, you can monogram it with your initials for added personalization.
Sorting your items into packing cubes is one of our best packing tips, but it’s even more effective if those individual bags are clear. That way, you can easily see what’s inside each one without having to rummage around your suitcase. Shoe bags are no exception, which is why these clear picks are ideal for a super-organized suitcase:
Sold in a set of three, these no-fuss drawstring bags are perfect for protecting your shoes from scuffs and keeping dirt contained on the go. The tear-resistant construction is designed to last through 25 trips or more, so you’re set for a while.
These bags have a translucent front that allows you to see what’s inside, while the waterproof material keeps any smells or dirt contained. A small carrying handle at the top makes them easy to grab and go—or hang at home in your closet!
If your itinerary involves activities near water, add a waterproof shoe bag to your list of travel essentials. Headed back to your hotel from the beach? Toss your damp, sandy shoes into one of these bags to keep the rest of your beach bag mess-free. Packing up at the end of your trip? Toss any wet or muddy shoes in a separate waterproof sack to avoid dirtying up your whole suitcase.
Since this shoe bag can fold completely flat, you can simply slip it into your bag and keep it there until you need it. Thanks to the carrying handle, it’s easy to tote back with you from the pool, beach, or trail.
Made of waterproof nylon, these shoe bags zip up securely to keep any moisture contained. The set includes both standard and extra-large sizes, so you can pack a variety of styles or multiple shoes in one bag.
If you truly can’t live without a whole selection of shoes while you travel, this is the solution for you. Big enough to pack several shoes at once, these organizers were made for those with a shoe collection to rival Carrie Bradshaw.
This unique bag flips open to reveal six separate compartments for a whole week’s worth of shoes. It even has a pass-through pocket on the back so you can slide it over your luggage handle. So go ahead, fill your entire personal item with shoes—no judgment here!
This option is great if you have several pairs of investment shoes that you’d be devasted to lose or get damaged. Thanks to the adjustable dividers, it can keep up to four pairs of shoes separate so you don’t have to worry about one pair dirtying another. Plus, it makes a great gift for the sneakerhead in your life!
The post 9 Shoe Bags for Travel That’ll Let You Easily Pack Every Pair appeared first on The Everygirl.
]]>26.00 USD
Brighten up your space with this original Sunflower Mini Canvas Art! At just 3x4, it's the perfect size for adding a pop of color to any small space. This original acrylic painting showcases a stunning sunflower, capturing the beauty of this beloved flower. Display it on the Mini Easel that comes with it or hang it on the wall to add some sunflower decor to your home or office. This mini canvas art is a unique and cheerful addition to any art collection.
an original painting by the artist, Sharon Foster - ME! A Mississippi artist.
No staples on the side. Painting continues on sides.
rights for the painting stay with the artist, Sharon Foster (c)2023
#72.V
Decorating with mini paintings
* Mini paintings are very versatile. Mini canvases can be arranged in groups and hung on the wall. All you need is a push pin to hang each little work of art.
* Mini canvases are super in book shelves! Lay some books flat at differing heights and add a mini acrylic painting on an easel to top each group.
* Or coral a group of mini canvases and parade them with easels across a shelf.
* Take your little mini art to work. Brighten your cube or work area with a splash of art.
* Add to tablescapes, mantels, or use as place cards with a small gift tag. acrylic painting mini, acrylic painting small
MORPH TRAIL: Just in time for the summer holidays, a trail of up to 70 sculptures of TV character Morph is unveiled around the South Bank and the City. A map and app are available, with fun facts for kids to unlock along the way, and a programme of accompanying events to be announced. Crucially, the trail is step-free, to make it accessible to as many people as possible, and afterwards, the many Morphs will be auctioned off to raise money for Whizz Kids. FREE, 19 June-20 August
FREE WELLBEING FESTIVAL: A major festival exploring the relationship between mental health and environmental change takes place at Wellcome Collection this week. Land Body Ecologies encompasses sound, touch, taste and vision, for a four-day festival of free art installations, workshops, talks, films and performances that probe the deep interconnections of the health of the earth and our wellbeing. FREE, 22-25 June
LONDON DESIGN BIENNALE: This is the final weekend of the 2023 London Design Biennale. The theme this year is The Global Game: Remapping Collaborations, and Somerset House hosts the work of more than 40 designers from around the world, created in response to the theme. Until 25 June
LONDON FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE: A celebration of architecture and 'city-making', the London Festival of Architecture programme continues. Highlights this weekend include a chance to go behind the scenes at Boston Manor House, a look at how climate change is affecting Victorian architecture, and a tour of the Sikh history of east London. Until 30 June
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY: Finally, after a three-year closure, the National Portrait Gallery reopens its doors to the public. It'll look a little different from how we remember it, with a brand new entrance, a complete rehang of the artworks (so your old favourites might not be in the same place) and the reopening of the East Wing. Note: it's likely to be VERY busy this first weekend. FREE, from 22 June
LONDON INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL: Europe's largest South Asian film festival returns to BFI Southbank for a week of screenings, including several UK premieres. This weekend, catch a selection of short films by upcoming British-Asian filmmakers, and Max, Min & Meowzaki, an Indian film about what happens to the cat when a couple breaks up. 22-29 June
MAASAI MARA PHOTOGRAPHY: See an exhibition of photographs taken in the Masaai Mara by wildlife photographer Matthew Williams-Ellis. Images portray the animals he photographed as independent and emotional creatures, rather than just one in a whole species, and includes elephants, lions, hyenas and cheetahs. FREE, 22 June-2 July
BOTANICAL ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY: Feast your eyes on stunning interpretations of the natural world — from intricate depictions of Greek wildflowers, to works exploring the serenity of Kyoto’s temple gardens — at the Saatchi Gallery. The RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show brings together artists and photographers from across the globe, all vying for a coveted RHS medal. Tickets from £5. Until 9 July (sponsor)
ILLUSIONARIES: Apparently 'London's first-ever story-based immersive art experience', Illusionaries is at Crossrail Place in Canary Wharf. The first show is Memories of a Dead Poet, a 40-minute experience across three galleries featuring wraparound projections, an infinity cube mirror and a soundscape room. 22 June-24 September
ENGINEERS GALLERY: Science Museum unveils its brand new major gallery, Engineers, designed to challenge misconceptions about what engineers do, and offer a new look at the range of topics the role can cover. Stories from more than 60 engineers feature in the gallery. FREE, from 23 June
HERNE HILL VELOFETE: Herne Hill Velodrome's annual open weekend, Velofete, is this weekend. It's a chance to have a go at cycling in one of the world's oldest velodromes, with taster sessions, races to watch, and talks by experts on the Cycle Chat Stage. 23-25 June
RIVER STAGE: Shubbak Festival takes over National Theatre's free, open-air River Stage on South Bank, for a weekend of contemporary Arab culture. Jordanian-British actor Lara Sawalha hosts both days, with entertainment including traditional and contemporary dance performances, live music from a range of genres and countries, origami and tapestry sessions, and plenty more. FREE, 23-25 June
JURASSIC LIVE: Head to Fairfield Halls in Croydon for Jurassic Live, a touring production which uses professional puppeteers and special effects to bring dinosaurs back to life. Aimed at age 2+, the show follows a team of dino rangers hunting for a missing baby dinosaur, meeting several different species of dinosaur along the way. 24-25 June
DIVA: One of the biggest exhibitions opening this month is DIVA, the V&A's deep-dive into the power and creativity of iconic performers from the 19th century onwards, looking at the origins of the term 'diva' and how it has been subverted and embraced. It features costumes worn by Maria Callas, Cher, Elton John, Janelle Monae and Marilyn Monroe, as well as the late Tina Turner. From 24 June
SUMMER IN BATTERSEA PARK: Wandsworth hosts a free series of outdoor events, Summer in Battersea Park, across four weekends in June and July, beginning today. Events include live music from the bandstand, free screenings of sports events, kids' activities, a dog show and plenty more. FREE 24 June-16 July
GREAT WILD WALK: Sign up to take part in a six- or 10-mile walk through Epping Forest, raising money for the World Wildlife Fund. The Great Wild Walk is a family-friendly event, and dogs are welcome, with a fundraising target of £150 per person, and money raised going to the WWF's conservation projects around the world. 10am
WINDRUSH FRONT ROOM: You'll probably have noticed Windrush events going on all week, because 22 June is Windrush Day, and this year is the 75th anniversary of the Empire Windrush docking in Tilbury. Events continue this weekend too, including The Windrush Front Room at Horniman Museum. See inside a recreation of a Windrush era living room, with a chance to meet community elders. FREE, 10am-5.30pm
THE BUBBLY SHOW: Today's the final day of the first ever Bubbly Show, a two-day celebration of all things fizz by restaurant brand Searcys. It includes exhibitors from champagne houses and English sparkling wine producers, as well as tastings, talks, masterclasses and even a lesson in sabrage. 10am-6pm
ENCANTO: We don't talk about Bruno... except at Family Film Club in Canary Wharf, which screens 2021 Disney animated film Encanto this week. Get there in plenty of time to pick your spot in front of the open-air cinema screen. Find other outdoor cinemas in London this summer. FREE, 10.30am
FAMILY WAR WALK: Museum of London Docklands offers a family-friendly walking tour through the City of London, looking at how local residents were affected by the second world war. Find out how women and children lived during the war, and how food supplies were rationed. Age 7+. 10.30am
WRENATHON: 11 community choirs. Nine City of London Churches. A wealth of musical genres. Wrenathon: A Vocal Marathon invites you to explore a number of churches (four of which were designed by Wren), while soaking up music in them from the likes of Filament Theatre Company and Newham-based youth choir NewYVC. 12pm-7.30pm
WINDRUSH 75: The Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham is another venue celebrating Windrush today; tt hosts a Windrush 75 Block Party, with live music, workshops, performances and DJ sets all afternoon. 12pm-8pm
WINDRUSH SECRET: Meanwhile, the British Museum hosts a performance of play Windrush Secret, which looks at different perspectives on the Windrush migrants. Hear speeches by a young, white, far-right racist party leader, a black Caribbean diplomat, and an Oxford-educated Home Office government official — all given on the same day in different locations, with very different viewpoints. Followed by a Q&A. FREE, 2.30pm-4.30pm
WEAPONS OF MASS HILARITY: What happens when an Arab, Persian and Turk walk into a bar? Find out at tonight's Weapons of Mass Hilarity — a night which showcases Middle Eastern comedians. Tonight they include multi award-winning American-Egyptian Maria Shehata; Palestinian comic Nadz; and AYN Theatre Group alumnus Baz Shadnia. It's also a fundraiser for the Turkey and Syria earthquake fund. 8pm-10.30pm
SHENANIGANS CABARET: The Golden Hinde on Bankside hosts Shenanigans Cabaret, an evening of debauchery featuring contortionists, burlesque acts, drag stars and an extreme violinist. The event celebrates the replica galleon's 50th anniversary. Age 18+. 8pm-11pm
WHITEWEBBS MUSEUM: 'Tis the monthly opening of Whitewebbs Museum, London's *other* transport museum which is located up in Enfield, in an old Victorian water pumping station. The eclectic collection includes model aeroplanes, toys, motorbikes, vintage fire engines, classic cars, a train carriage and much more. Read all about our visit. 10am-4pm
ANTIQUES FAIR: More than 120 exhibitors flock to the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster for the Adams Antique Fair. Browse and buy antique jewellery, silver, decorative pieces and collectables. 10am-4.30pm
CERAMICS MARKET: If you're looking for something a bit more contemporary to liven up your home, the Independent Ceramics Market takes place at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow. 90 ceramic artists are present, selling cups, tableware, vases, sculptures and more. 11am-5pm
REFUGEE WEEK: As Refugee Week comes to an end, Southbank Centre holds a day of events around this year's theme, Compassion. Take part in a mass singing performance, hear a panel debate about protests against immigration raids, and take the kids to a West African dance workshop. Some events FREE, 11.45am-8pm
WOMEN OF THE CITY: For much of its history, the City of London was not a place where women could easily make their mark. But there were exceptions. Join London on the Ground's Groundbreaking Women of the City tour to "Hear tales of pioneers and leaders from queens to thieves, including publishers and poets, artists and rebels, business leaders and socialites." 2.30pm
THE LOST PATHS: Jack Cornish, Head of Paths at the Ramblers, has dedicated the last five years of his life to walking forgotten routes through the British countryside. Today he's taking the more urban route to Conway Hall, to talk about his book, The Lost Paths, which shows how special these routes are, and the role they played in Britain's history. 3pm
INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING: Queer Britain in King's Cross hosts an interactive storytelling event celebrating LGBTQ+ families. It's led by Jodie Lancet-Grant, author of The Pirate Mums, and aimed at children aged 3-7 and their parents/carers. Hear the story of Billy, whose two mums are pirates. 3pm-5pm
MEZCALERIA: KOL Mezcaleria in Marylebone hosts a pop-up by Amsterdam bar Sins of Sal. Tuck into six special cocktails created by the Sins of Sal team and the KOL Mezcaleria team, using three different expressions of agave available from The Lost Explorer Mezcal (Espadín, Tobalá, Salmiana). 5pm-10pm
JEY: Korean-Australian singer, and FA Crew member, Jey, goes solo at The Garage in Highbury tonight. Support comes from KHAKII. 7pm
UKRAINIAN MUSIC: Musicians from a variety of countries team up for a concert in aid of the Odesa Peace Fund, which helps those affected by war in Ukraine. It's a chance to hear pieces of music written by Ukrainians including Boris Lyatoshinsky, Leonid Desyatnikov, Valentin Silvestrov and Artem Lyakhovic. Takes place at The Duke's Hall in Marylebone. 7.30pm-10.30pm
]]>Whether you follow a dairy free and plant based diet or not, here are 25 of the best vegan ice cream recipes for everyone to enjoy.
With five recipes for different ice cream flavors, this almond milk ice cream can be dairy free, corn syrup free, banana free, sugar free, and nut free (no cashews). It contains no preservatives or xanthan gum, no coconut milk, and no ice cream maker required.
Dole Whip Recipe – Just like the famous Disney version
The original pineapple Dole Whip is a swirled pineapple soft serve dessert that tastes like a cross between pineapple frozen yogurt and creamy vanilla ice cream. Whip up this homemade copycat recipe in your own kitchen.
Vegan Pistachio Ice Cream, from the Hello Breakfast cookbook
This frozen vegan treat is packed with delicious pistachio flavor. In fact, it is my favorite recipe in the entire book, even though it has no chocolate.
Hopefully you will love it as much as I do!
Many store bought vegan ice cream brands are coconut based, and for good reason. Coconut milk and coconut cream yield a thick and smooth texture that mimics heavy cream or whole milk.
With dairy free, gluten free, and paleo options, this chocolate or vanilla avocado ice cream is sure to win you over. While it may seem an unusual idea to US consumers, it’s been a classic flavor around the world for years.
For those on a low carb or sugar free diet, this frozen keto dessert offers the same luxurious creaminess of regular dairy ice cream, just with no sugar.
If you are looking for an option that is not only coconut milk free but also nut free, soy free, and egg free, be sure to try this oatmilk ice cream.
Above, watch the video of how to make vegan ice cream
Banana Ice Cream – 10 New Recipes
Banana ice cream, also called nice cream, is a super popular healthy alternative to traditional ice cream high in calories and saturated fat. All you need to make the frozen dessert are ripe frozen bananas and a blender or food processor.
If you’ve ever finished a workout by going straight to the freezer for a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, this vitamin, fiber, and nutrition packed healthy ice cream recipe is for you.
With just 150 calories per serving, this homemade peanut butter dessert calls for pantry staple ingredients and is a huge fan favorite flavor.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Nice Cream
Extra smooth and chocolatey, this peanut butter nice cream tastes like eating a frozen Reese’s peanut butter cup. The healthy ice cream dessert gives you protein, vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
Mint Chocolate Chip Nice Cream
Before going vegan, Baskin Robbins’ mint chocolate chip ice cream was my absolute favorite. This naturally sweetened and healthy vegan version is perfect for mint lovers.
How to make homemade frozen yogurt with only two ingredients. You can customize the base recipe for as many vegan frozen yogurt flavors as your heart desires.
This high protein and healthy chocolate ice cream alternative is a fantastic low calorie dessert for a hot summer day. Unlike many other chocolate froyo recipes, this one requires no heavy cream or condensed milk.
Sweet cherry frozen yogurt is swirled with rich dark chocolate in this easy recipe for homemade Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt that tastes like the one from Ben & Jerry’s.
Make this rich chocolate sorbet for a naturally plant based treat with no eggs or dairy. This vegan dessert is for true chocolate lovers. I serve it with Coconut Whipped Cream and fresh raspberries on top.
Light and refreshing, this simple lemon sorbet recipe is a perfect balance of tart and sweet. You can make the recipe with just three ingredients.
Bring Starbucks to your kitchen, with a single serving frosty vegan coffee Frappuccino drink that you can throw together in under five minutes from start to finish.
Chocolate Brownie Batter Blizzard
Dairy Queen goes vegan! If you grew up on the popular DQ Blizzards, give this thick homemade vegan blizzard a whirl. Just like the fast food version, it stays in the serving cup if you hold it upside down.
These family friendly chocolate popsicles will take you straight back to childhood. If you don’t own popsicle molds, use paper cups instead and insert a spoon or wooden popsicle stick when the fudge pop is halfway frozen.
Most vegan ice cream recipes call for one of three methods.
The first method is to use an ice cream machine. You simply whisk all ingredients together, then churn according to manufacturer’s instructions for your machine.
Be aware that most ice cream makers require freezing the base container for up to forty eight hours prior to churning.
A second option is to freeze the liquid ingredients in ice cube trays. Once frozen, blend the ice cubes in a high speed blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec until smooth.
Another way to make ice cream without an ice cream machine is to whisk the ingredients together, pour the mixture into a long and shallow container, and place it in the freezer.
Use a fork to stir the contents every half hour, breaking up ice crystals. This third method will be the least creamy, but it still yields a yummy ice milk or granita texture.
Go to almost any regular grocery store, Whole Foods, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, or Target freezer aisle, and you will find multiple plant based ice cream options on display.
These include fully vegan ice cream brands like So Delicious, Oatly, and Nada Moo, and offerings from larger traditional brands such as Breyer’s, Halo Top, and Haagen Dazs.
They even sell vegan Magnum bars and nondairy ice cream sandwiches.
More and more shops around the nation, as well as in Canada and worldwide, are starting to offer vegan items for those who don’t eat dairy.
You can find vegan scoops in an array of flavors at chains like Jeni’s and Van Leeuwen’s and in smaller ice cream, frozen yogurt, or gelato shops.
Most of these options are coconut milk, oat milk, or cashew based.
Below is a wonderful basic vegan coconut ice cream recipe that lets you save money by skipping the store bought ice cream.
Eat it in a bowl or cone, or use it to top Vegan Cheesecake or Vegan Brownies.
This homemade version can be turned into unlimited flavors like cookies and cream, vegan butter pecan or white chocolate, birthday cake batter, rocky road, French vanilla, maple walnut, peach vanilla bean, or strawberry.
The post Vegan Ice Cream appeared first on Chocolate Covered Katie.
]]>While many people stick to the same interior design style throughout most of their home, some choose a different approach for their bedroom. They see the bedroom as a space that is personal to them, and it is somewhere they can reflect their personality and passions. In the bedroom, they can choose a different theme that represents anything in which they are interested. If your favorite decade was the 80s or you are a fan of music from this decade, then you may wish to have an 80s themed bedroom. It was an interesting decade that introduced many new trends, both in terms of interior design and in many other aspects of culture. If you decide that this is the decade you wish to use as a theme in your bedroom, then here are 10 essentials for the perfect 80s bedroom to inspire you.
The 1980s was the era when people began to attempt decorating themselves rather than getting in the experts. DIY was all the rage during this decade, and people became increasingly daring and experimental in the home décor effects they were attempting to make. Stippling and stenciling were two popular paint effect styles. If you find these a little dated, then you might give paint splattering a try, as this was also a popular paint effect used in the 1980s, says Home Guides.
People also became more daring about the colors used in the 1980s. While colors such as mauve and apple green were popular choices in country homes, neon colors became a big hit during this decade. People began wearing neon-colored leg warmers, and kids’ accessories were often in neon colors. Consider having some neon surfaces in your 80s bedroom to reflect the trend for these bright colors in that decade.
The art you display on your walls can make a significant difference to the overall look of a room and the success of any theme you apply. In the 1980s, adorning the bedroom walls with posters was the most popular way of adding interesting focal points around the room. Most people put up posters of their favorite bands or movies. Doing this is something that you can do to add to the 80s theme in your bedroom.
The most common type of furniture you would see in homes during the 1980s was either oak or pine furniture. People opted for the plain wood look rather than for stained or painted wood. Choose a wooden bed frame, and add a pine or oak chest of drawers, wardrobe, and bedside cabinet to the room. In-built furniture became popular much later, so freestanding furniture is a better reflection of the era.
There are many iconic toys that come from the 1980s, many of which are still popular today. Some of the most popular toys from this era include the Rubik’s cube, Barbies, Transformers, Care Bears, and My Little Pony figures. Adorning the room with some of these toys will reflect the theme perfectly and add an element of fun to your 80s bedroom.
An interior accessory that became popular during the 1980s was character lamps. These reflected the trends in movies, television programs, and decade’s music. It is still possible to get hold of some of the original character lamps from the 80s on sites specializing in selling retro items or from sites such as eBay. Although many are collector’s items, they are an affordable item that will add to your interior décor theme. They are also an interesting talking point if you invite guests into your bedroom to see your themed room.
It was during the 1980s that the popularity of themed bed linen began to grow. Usually, these were seen in the bedrooms of children and teenagers, rather than adults. However, many adults now use themed bed linen to create a retro look or to make an ironic statement. Some of the most popular bed linen themes during the 1980s were Care Bears, Star Wars, My Little Pony, and Transformers. Using themed bed linen is a fun way to create the 1980s theme in a bedroom, especially in children’s bedrooms.
According to the Huffington Post, VHS tapes were to the 1980s what the iPad is to the modern-day. If you have a video player, then you can still watch your old VHS tapes. However, you can also use old VHS tapes as decorative items that add to the theme. Stack them on shelves or create a piece of art using your old tapes.
Modern soft furnishing trends often focus on pieces that are a solid color that acts as an accent to the colors on your walls. There is also a focus on introducing different fabrics and textures. However, people took a different approach to soft furnishings in the 1980s. Then, the trend was for patterned soft furnishings, with floral prints, stripes, and geometric designs. Adding soft furnishings to your 80s bedroom will create additional points of interest. However, choose prints and colors carefully to avoid clashing too much with the other designs and colors in your bedroom.
According to Retro Planet, one of the most common décor accessories in the 80s was houseplants. During this decade, most homes would have houseplants in every room, including the bedroom. It is a simple and cheap way of contributing to your 80s theme, and it will add a natural element to the room. In addition to house plants, there was also a trend for dried flowers. If you are forgetful when it comes to caring for plants, then dried flowers are an excellent alternative. Add them to your windowsill, bedside cabinet, or the top of your drawers.
If there was one thing that all interior designers in the 80s agreed on was putting up large mirrors in every home. From round frameless mirrors and glass blocks to floor-to-ceiling mirrors, people had their fill of mirrors around the house. According to Family Handyman, although not every home had floor-to-ceiling mirrors, they were often seen in movies or TV shows. If you want to incorporate a mirrored look into your 80’s themed bedroom, then these are perfect ways to add that effect. Mirrors added the illusion of more space while also hiding cabinets. This is great for a small bedroom as it makes the room feel bigger than it is.
Blinds and especially mini blinds became popular in the 80s. It was almost impossible to walk into a house and not find blinds. By 1981, mini-blinds had taken over the market for window coverings. Modern blinds can dramatize a window, give the room a new look, or even take attention away from a window.
Mini-blinds give a room an 80s feel and can help you hide structural errors around your windows or bad designs. Now, if you already have an 80s-themed wallpaper or even wall patterns from the era, you can find blinds that seamlessly match your wall designs.
People around that decade started to appreciate faux stone fireplaces. They moved away from brick fireplaces and walls that were classics in the 70s. Exposed brick designs were popular in the 70s and made houses look like old warehouses. In the 80s, people started covering up exposed brick and using fake fireplace designs that looked like a rock, making their houses look very pretty.
You can include a fake rock fireplace design in your house, especially if your bedroom already has a fireplace. Although not for everyone, this design will bring back the fiery 80s era to your room.
A Boom box is the ultimate 80s décor for your room. Although the first boom box was released in 1966, it was not until the late 70s that they started to become popular. By the 80s, almost every music lover in the country owned a boom box. Young people were purchasing boom boxes in large numbers, especially those who lived in cities.
They became a staple in all major music events and carnivals. They also became linked with the hip-hop culture at the time. Although now it would be hard to find cassette tapes to play in your boom, it would certainly add an 80s flair to the room.
Although telephone communication devices were invented in the 1800s, by the 1980s, landlines were the most popular communication devices. Technology had taken off, and people had phones in their houses.
Even though mobile phones as we know them now had not been developed, communication was made easier by landlines, which almost every house in America had. Phone companies have even come up with ways of making the phones look fun, with most having different colors.
In the 80s, neon colors had taken off, and many landlines from the time had bright neon green, pink, and red colors, to mention a few. You can add a brightly colored old landline from vintage stores to finish the 80s look.
As mentioned above, the mirror craze in the 80s was booming, and another easy and functional way people incorporated mirrors into their bedrooms was by putting mirrors on their closet doors.
This is functional and a great way to add an 80s vibe to the bedroom. Instead of putting your mirror up on the wall, consider putting it on your closet doors. This way, you can look at yourself as you dress up and make sure you look good.
A trend that started in the 70s and continued to the 80s was wall-to-wall shag carpeting. The wall-to-wall carpet was king during the 80s. It was especially popular in bright colors such as orange. If you want to add the 80s vibe to your bedroom, you can choose a brightly colored caret to accompany all the other 80s accessories in the room. As stated by SFGate, if you don’t want to add a wall-to-wall carpet, you can consider adding area rugs with bright colors, geometric designs, or graphic prints. People who do not want a bright carpet can get them in other colors that were also popular at the time, including mauve, peach, grey, and dusty blue.
These comfy, plush chairs were extremely popular then, and it was challenging to find a home without one. Although they originated in Italy, they became popular in the US, especially among young people and hippies. These shapeless chairs were comfortable and are also popular today.
The most popular designs in the 80s were colorful, bold, and lively prints. If you want to bring out the 80s theme, look for a brightly colored bean bag or one with bold patterns and plop it up in the corner of the room. This functional addition to the bedroom will add some color and comfort to your bedroom.
Forget the alarm clock on your phone. Before the world was digitized and mobile phones got features like the alarm, people were woken up daily by portable alarm clocks, which were loud and needed to be banged on to stop. The 1980s alarm clocks were different and cute.
The clocks had numbers that flipped and came in fake wood veneer. Some of them sported bright colors significantly in the 80s and made clicking sounds. Adding a cool 80s alarm clock and ditching your phone’s alarm will make you feel like you are living in the 80s.
Much like every other décor piece in the 70s and 80s, furniture tended to have bright upholstery. Sofas, in particular, sported bright, bold colors with floral prints. While wallpapers and rugs tended to lean towards geometric patterns, floral designs were the go-to furniture designs.
While floral sofas can be a great addition to your bedroom, especially if it is a big room and you want to add a seating area, you have to consider what designs you want your sofa to have as mixing a lot of the popular floral designs from the 80s can make your room look very busy and overwhelming to the eyes.
Quite a few of such wild requests have been discussed by the members of the ‘Ask Reddit’ community. Redditor u/Repulsive_Compote955 started the thread by addressing the restaurant servers in the group and they didn’t disappoint with their answers. Having witnessed everything from people pouring soy sauce in their Pepsi to fearing certain colors in their salad, they certainly had plenty of stories to share. Scroll down to find them on the list below and enjoy.
You will also find some of the OP’s thoughts on the matter, which they shared with Bored Panda during a recent interview.
Image credits: jreed356
Image credits: Sub_pup
Image credits: shadowgnome396
The surprises servers face at work often call for lots of patience and nerves of steel, especially when it comes to rude customers. The OP told Bored Panda that they have worked as a server themselves for four years, and the main reason stopping them from quitting earlier was their co-workers.
They added that unbearable customers can be both, though, a pain in the neck and a source of entertainment. “I think the best thing [about the job] is the crazy customers that just are so crazy it's funny. Worst thing is rude customers acting like I'm the reason they didn't get their burger three minutes earlier,” they said.
Image credits: lioncorazon
Image credits: Honestnt
The OP said the story in the thread they loved the most was a person asking the server to take all the purple-colored food out of their dish. When it comes to their personal stories, they recalled someone asking for “a burger without the bun or thick stuff” when they worked as a server themselves.
Image credits: jjwax
Image credits: m48a5_patton
Image credits: McFeely_Smackup
According to Zippia, there are nearly 1,700,000 restaurant servers employed in the US. It revealed that despite women comprising the larger share of employees (59.2% vs 40.8%), they earn 96 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts.
It also pointed out that the state with the largest demand for servers is New York, while Arizona is considered to be the best one of them all for servers to work in. When it comes to the worst ones—unfriendly customer-wise, at least—Forbes pointed out that Missouri, Oklahoma, and Georgia rank among the top.
Image credits: rohothemadlad
Image credits: Strasshole13
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Image credits: waffle-house420
Image credits: jsphwllr
Image credits: Saltyseabanshee
Image credits: horton_hears_a_homie
Image credits: Sunless_Tatooine
Image credits: -eDgAR-
Image credits: tehvillageidiot
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Image credits: Guacamole86Avocados
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]]>Got your eye on something from QVC? We’ve got an exclusive deal! ❤️
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!doctype>]]>Happy 4th Gotcha Day, Oscar. We love you and we’re celebrating with your favorite Watermelon Dog Treats today.
It’s hard to believe that our sweet Oscar has been with us for four years now! It’s hard to imagine our lives without him.
After saying for so many years that I wasn’t a dog person, I’ve had to eat those words. He has very much become a member of our family and I love him dearly.
So many of you have shared in our excitement over the past few years, as we’ve become first-time dog owners.
You messaged me countless tips and endless advice and I’ve loved it all. So, I wanted to share our pup’s favorite treats with you.
Several people sent me recipes for their favorite homemade dog treats when Oscar first arrived. The most popular treats by far were these watermelon dog treats – made simply by blending fruit with a bit of yogurt to make dog popsicles.
This combination has become Oscar’s favorite treat too. It cracks me up when he hovers near the freezer and peeks inside to see where the treats are.
Lucky for him, these are as easy as can be to make. Place cut-up watermelon into the blender, add a scoop of yogurt, and blend until liquid.
Pour the fruit mixture into ice cube trays (or these cute paw print molds!) and freeze until solid. Pop the frozen cubes into an airtight container and store them in the freezer.
These frozen treats are so easy to make, I typically use whichever fruits we have on hand. Super ripe bananas? Check. Berries? Check. Cantaloupe? Check.
I use about ¼ cup of yogurt for every 2 cups of chopped fruit. That’s it. Just blend them together and pour the mixture into ice cube trays or molds.
Don’t worry about spillage or mess on the molds when making these. Just set the molds on a sheet pan and it will catch any spills. Freeze on the tray and easily pop the cubes out when frozen.
I hope that your pup enjoys these treats every bit as much as Oscar does!
We adopted Oscar on Father’s Day the year we moved to Ohio and surprised the kids with him when we picked them up at camp the following day.
Our youngest son had wanted a dog for as long as we could remember, so we told him that after we were settled in Ohio we would look for one.
We found our family’s perfect match with our Oscar. He’s the sweetest dog I’ve ever known and he’s been the best gift in our lives.
His chin is almost entirely gray now and there are gray hairs sprinkled throughout his coat. It just makes our sweet boy that much more distinguished.
{originally published 6/16/20 – notes and photos updated 6/15/23}
The post Watermelon Dog Treat Popsicles appeared first on Barefeet in the Kitchen.
]]>Few cocktails deserve the label “legendary” but the Sazerac is not like most cocktails. It originates from 19-century New Orleans, Louisiana, which already makes it a pretty cool beverage in my books. It matches its rich history with a rich taste, comprising rye (i.e., Canadian whisky), sugar, Peychaud’s bitters, a splash of absinthe, and a twist of lemon peel for garnish.
The Sazerac can be compared to other whiskey-based cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Whiskey Sour, but what gives it that NOLA charm is the use of Peychaud’s bitters, which comes from New Orleans, to bring a certain depth and warmth. Absinthe, meanwhile, adds a hint of licorice. The drink is as varied as the city that created it, rich in taste and history; it brings together some of the best flavors the world of mixology has to offer.
Though absinthe was considered an hallucinogenic and was therefore, banned, it is now merely a highly alcoholic spirit and should be available at most decent liquor stores.
To prepare this Sazerac, you will need:
Rinse
Take an old-fashioned glass and rinse it with absinthe, swirling it to coat the inside of the glass. Discard any excess absinthe.
Muddle
Muddle the sugar cube with Peychaud’s bitters until the sugar is dissolved. Add the rye and a handful of ice cubes to the mixing glass.
Stir
Stir gently for about 30 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
Strain
Strain the mixture from the mixing glass into your glass. Twist a lemon peel over the drink, then drop it into the glass for garnish.
A well-chilled old-fashioned glass will help maintain the drink’s optimal temperature. As well, the condensation that occurs on the glass’s surface will add a touch of sophistication and coolness (both literally and figuratively).
As the base for this drink, a high-quality rye will make for a high-quality Sazerac. The rye possesses a certain spiciness that will complement the other ingredients. Also, be sure you use the genuine article — Peychaud’s bitters — for authenticity. As mentioned, Peychaud’s is a NOLA product; if you want to make a Sazerac as it was intended to be made, you need the Peychaud’s. Other bitters may alter the flavor profile.
Yes, you can use too much absinthe despite only using it as a rinse. Give it a swirl — enough to coat the inside of the glass — then discard what remains. The licorice taste can be overpowering for some, so it’s better to err on the side of caution and remove the residual liqueur.
Don’t rush this process. The sugar cube must dissolve completely in the bitters before you can move on to the next step. Doing so ensures a smooth texture and evenly distributes the sweetness throughout the drink.
It may be the last touch but it’s by no means the least important. To twist the lemon peel, turn it so that the yellow side faces down (i.e., towards the cocktail). Partially tear the peel to release the fragrant oils into the drink and bring to the fore the citrusy aroma. To complete the move, gently rub the peel around the rim of the glass so that the citrus can be tasted with every sip.
A typical Sazerac Cocktail contains 150-200 calories, thanks to the rye (as the main ingredient) and, of course, the sugar. This is just an estimate, as serving size, brand of liquor, etc. will influence the final calorie count.
The Sazerac is to be sipped and enjoyed slowly. There are a lot of flavors in this cocktail so you don’t want to chug it back and miss out on all the subtlety of its ingredients. Savor the boldness of the rye, the delicacy of the absinthe, and the cheery demeanor of the lemon twist. You don’t usually serve a Sazerac with ice so it’s important you chill the glasses beforehand.
Rye is the traditional choice for a Sazerac but if you’d like, you can try other whiskeys, with bourbon a popular replacement. Obviously, it won’t taste as a Sazerac should, but it will make for a delicious drink nonetheless.
Peychaud’s bitters is an intrinsic part of a Sazerac, having been formulated in New Orleans. You can, however, experiment with other types of bitters (Angostura being one of the most popular varieties) and see how you like it. Just know that the resulting concoction will not be a traditional Sazerac.
For a healthier version of a Sazerac, replace the sugar cube with a sugar-free sweetener or a natural alternative like stevia or Erythritol. The drink will still be sweet but won’t contain as many carbs.
This one is for the mixology history lovers. Pay homage to the original Sazerac de Forge et Fils cognac by featuring it instead of the rye. It is velvety smooth with fruity undertones.
If you prefer Scotch whisky to the Canadian variety, replace the rye with your favorite liquor from the highlands. An Islay Scotch, with its rich and smoky flavor profile, would work best.
If you are having your drink after a meal, you may choose to turn your digestif into a dessert by adding a splash of chocolate liqueur. Before garnishing the Sazerac, gently pour chocolate liqueur over the back of a spoon and let it diffuse atop the drink. The sweetness works well with whisky, bitters, and the licorice flavor of the absinthe.
To add a spicy element, muddle a slice of ginger with the sugar cube and bitters during the early stages of the recipe. The ginger’s zest will revitalize you and give the drink more warmth.
You can pre-mix the rye, sugar, and Peychaud’s bitters in a sealed jar or container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. This not only saves you time on the day you plan to drink but will also let the flavors meld together. The completed Sazeracs can be stored in these same containers but should still be used before that original 3-day period expires.
The Sazerac, like most cocktails, should not be stored for the long term. Its low acidity means its shelf life is limited so it’s best to enjoy this one within a few days of making it.
The post Best Sazerac Recipe appeared first on Food Faith Fitness.
]]>I'm Mel from Decor Craft Design and I'm your host for this entire June! I always have a difficult time choosing from all of the great posts that all of you share here on the party. I'm so glad that I get to choose during this month of Spring-Summer!
So, what are you waiting for? Let's go to the party! But, before we go straight to the party, let's see all the features from last week! And click here in case you've missed last week's features.
Great way of upcycling old stuff! Find out how Ann from Apple Street Cottage upcycling a mail sorter into this! And I agree with her of try to make something pretty and useful out of something that may look ugly or old or used.
Crochet Wall Mounted Plant Holders
T'onna from Sew Crafty Crochet has this cute idea of a plant holder. She made it from a crochet! Super cute! It looks like the crochet holder is cuddling the plant.
End of the year teacher gift idea and free printable
End of school year is a perfect time to send gratitude for your kid's beloved teacher. This teacher gift idea from Nicolle - Our Tiny Nest is very lovely.
This pink flamingo drink looks very refreshing and pretty! Get the recipe from Spaceships and Laser Beams!
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