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Food Canning 101: 5 Basics You Need to Know

September 4, 2014 by

Your grandmother may have been on to something with all of those canned fruits and vegetables. Canning is a great way to preserve the lifespan of fresh produce, and it creates a number of unique new ways to eat your favorite veggies. If you want to start canning in your own home, here are 5 things that you need to know.

  1. Do not use overripe produce. Although canning helps you to extend the lifespan of produce, it won’t reverse the ripening process if it has already happened. Be sure to use only crisp, fresh fruits and vegetables.
  2. Sterilize cans before starting. Because your produce will be sealed tightly inside of the glass jars, you want to make sure that there is no bacteria inside of there as well. Wash each jar with hot, soapy water and soak them in a boiling water bath for at least 10 minutes before you begin.
  3. Research acid additions. Many types of fruits and vegetables require ascorbic acid or citric acid to prevent browning or maintain pH levels, so do your research before canning.
  4. Do not fill the jars completely. Your produce will expand during the boiling process, so be sure leave an inch or so of space at the top of each jar.

More Canning Tips and Do's/Don'ts [Pick Your Own]
Canning 101: The Basics [Simple Bites]
USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, 2009 revision [NCHFP]

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Check Out the Major Renovations on These HGTV Shows

August 21, 2014 by

There’s something so entertaining about watching skilled carpenters and designers take an old, outdated house and, with a few coats of paint or some new cabinets, turn it into something entirely fresh and modern. Follow along with some of HGTV’s most popular home renovation experts on these immensely entertaining shows.

Property Brothers
Hosts Jonathan and Drew Scott are some of HGTV’s most beloved hosts for their quirky personalities and the always-entertaining bond between twins. On their HGTV show, Property Brothers, realtor Drew convinces potential homebuyers to buy a fixer-upper instead of the overpriced home of their dreams. Over the course of an hour-long episode, designer Jonathan completely renovates the more affordable (if less admirable) home into something even better than the house they originally imagined.

Cousins Undercover
On this equally entertaining HGTV show, cousins Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri are on a mission to reward do-gooders in a community with a well-deserved home makeover. The show’s recipients include selfless teachers, single parents, and dedicated doctors, the stories of whom will surely tug at your heartstrings. If you’re a fan of happy endings and beautiful home renovations, Cousins Undercover is for you.

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2 Helpful Websites for Luxury Car Enthusiasts

July 24, 2014 by

The combination of speed and beauty makes luxury car brands like Bugatti, Maserati, and BMW covetable among car enthusiasts around the world. Whether you own one of these priceless automobiles or you’re simply a luxury car admirer, these informative and image-heavy websites will provide hours of eye candy for gear heads of all ages.

Motor Authority
Just like the name implies, the Motor Authority website is a respected authority for every type of luxury car on the market today. This site is filled with the latest news about new automobile models from Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini, and more, and it also features detailed reviews to give readers the most information possible before purchasing a new luxury vehicle. Motor Authority is a great resource for locating auto shows around the country as well, and the site’s Spy Shots section even allows visitors to take a sneak peek at prototypes of car models that haven’t been released yet.

U.S. News Rankings and Reviews
If you’re simply looking for detailed rankings of the world’s leading luxury cars without all of the extra features, the U.S. News’ Car Rankings page is one of the very best resources. This informative website ranks cars priced at $60,000 or more in order based on a consensus of the top automobile experts in the country and other safety and reliability data. The rankings take into consideration each car’s handling, braking, comfort, cargo space, critics’ ratings, awards, and many other features that might help car owners decide which model is best for them.

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Deliciously Unique Uses for Fresh Parsley

June 19, 2014 by

Fresh parsley is a very versatile herb, and it’s also one of the most common in any at-home herb garden. If you love the bright, fresh taste of parsley but you’re growing tired of your usual recipes, all it takes is a bit of inspiration to come up with brand new dishes. Here are three unique uses for parsley.

Parsley Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce
Instead of the traditional Italian ravioli, why not spice things up with the decadent flavors of brown butter, ricotta cheese, and parsley. These homemade raviolis are made using won ton wrappers instead of pasta, and the robust taste of flat-leaf parsley really shines against the creamy flavor of the brown butter sauce.

Cucumber, Onion and Parsley Salad with Feta Cheese
This fast and easy salad is perfect for a quick lunch at home. The cucumber and onion make a crisp, crunchy base, while the lemon juice and olive oil blend to create a healthy dressing. Sprinkle some fresh parsley and crumbled feta cheese across the top before serving.

Chimichurri
This Argentinean sauce is similar to traditional pesto, but the addition of chili pepper gives it a bit of added spice. Fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, and olive oil create a lovely deep green color throughout the oil-based sauce. Argentineans use chimichurri as everything from a steak marinade to a pasta sauce.

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4 Brunch Casseroles for Everyone’s Favorite Weekend Meal

May 14, 2014 by

Is there any meal better than brunch? It marks the end of a long work week, and it allows you to sleep in and still enjoy your favorite breakfast foods. If you prefer to host a brunch at home rather than battle the crowds at trendy eateries, these simple and elegant casseroles make truly scrumptious main courses that your guests will love.

Sausage Brunch Casserole [AllRecipes]
This traditional casserole incorporates hearty breakfast meats, eggs, and a fluffy crescent roll crust to create a filling brunch dish. Pair it with lighter sides such as fruit or a green salad to even things out.

One Dish Blackberry French Toast [My Recipes]
French toast is a delicious breakfast treat, but it can be difficult to make for a large group of people. If you want to enjoy the flavor of French toast without all of the dipping and grilling, this casserole takes just 20 minutes to bake and can even be prepared the night before.

Sunday Brunch Casserole [Bakerette]
Combining eggs, bacon, veggies, and hash browns, this simple and filling casserole includes just about every breakfast food into one indulgent main course.

Brunch Casserole [Betty Crocker]
This casserole includes a hearty assortment of meats and cheeses to create a dish that will leave even the hungriest members of your family feeling satisfied.

Public Domain/Photos-public-domain
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Decode That Recipe With This Glossary of Common Cooking Terms

April 17, 2014 by

Even the most experienced chef gets stumped by a recipe every now and then. To prevent road blocks during your next cooking session, memorize these three common cooking terms.

Baste
You've probably come across this term when cooking that Thanksgiving turkey. Simply put, to baste is to keep meat or other foods moist during the cooking process by spooning over a sauce, water, or its own juices. This adds flavor, while preventing the meat from drying out.

Roux
Used as the foundation of thicker sauces and gravies, a roux is a mixture of equal parts butter and flour that's stirred constantly over low heat until smooth.

Macerate
Commonly applied to dessert recipes, macerating entails covering fruits or veggies in liquid, then letting them marinate until the fruits and veggies soften and the liquid's flavor has been absorbed. Said liquid is typically a mixture of lemon juice and sugar.

Cooking Terms [Recipe Goldmine]
The Basic Kitchen: Glossary of Cooking Terms [Les Petites Gourmettes]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [BHG]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Cookery]

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Plan a Beautiful Brunch with These Websites

March 20, 2014 by

If the in-between brunch is your favorite meal of the day, you might simply adore the sweet and savory recipes on these great websites.

Food Network
Your favorite Food Network show hosts offer their own favorite brunch recipes on the network’s website. They offer tips and tricks for how to plan a beautiful brunch, ideas for food themes, and, of course, detailed recipes for how to create tasty dishes. The Sausage Bread Brunch Sandwich from the Sandwich King Jeff Mauro is great for a causal weekend breakfast, while the Ted Allen’s Brunch Tart with Spinach, Olives and Leeks is a great main course for a more sophisticated meal. Whatever your brunch style, you’ll find something for everyone on the Food Network's website.

AllRecipes
Browse by type of food, plan a breakfast buffet or search brunch foods by ingredient on the AllRecipes Breakfast and Brunch section. Each of these simple recipes are rated by users and feature the complete nutritional information, so you can plan your brunch right down to the smallest detail.

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Listen to the Radio on Your Smartphone With These Apps

February 20, 2014 by

You can do just about anything right from your smartphone nowadays, from booking a hotel to paying your bills. There are even handy apps that make it possible to turn your phone into a portable radio, with a variety of music stations, podcasts, talk shows, and just about anything you would expect from a traditional radio. Check out these great radio apps to learn more.

Stitcher
Stitcher is a free app that offers the latest sports, talk, news, and entertainment radio stations anywhere you are, right from your mobile device. It includes over 20,000 different radio shows, live radio stations, and podcasts, and they’re all completely on demand, so you can listen whenever you want to. Stitcher is also available for just about any type of smartphone or device, including the iPhone, iPad, Android, and Kindle Fire.

TuneIn Radio
The TuneIn app offers an attractive interface and boundless browsing capabilities, giving you access to 100,000 live radio stations and two million podcasts, concerts, and shows. You can listen to the local radio in your town even when you’re away from your car or home, and it also features trending radio stations that enable you to check out what other users are listening to. 

 

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6 Tips for Decorating a Bookshelf

January 22, 2014 by

Bookshelves can be more than just a place to organize your library. The shelves can also double as a way to express yourself and your passions. Here are six tips to help you create a bookshelf display that's as unique as you are.

1. If you have a childhood toy or a memento from a vacation, place them around your books to make an interesting narrative. This will keep your display personal, while also creating a conversation piece.

2. Make sure that there is cohesion to your placement. Keep animal figures one shelf and flower vases on another for the best results.

3. Use an empty photo frame to bring color and shape to a bookshelf. Pick up a few old frames from an antiques shop, add a coat of paint, and you’ve got a great new look. Arrange a few frames together to create a bold focal point.

4. Placing mirrors along the backside of your bookshelves gives off a cool, modern vibe. It also deepens the look, make the room seem a bit longer and lighter.

5. If you have great pieces of artwork but are short on wall space, placing piece in between books can be an interesting way to dress up a room. Eyes will happily move between the books and the pictures, curious for what else to find.

6. Don’t forget about the top of the bookshelf. Utilize the top for bigger objects that won’t fit anywhere else, like paintings or sculptures.

Decorating tips for shelves and bookcases [HGTV]
Tips on Decorating a Bookshelf [Overstock.com]
22 Ways to Arrange Your Shelves [Real Simple]
Decorating a Bookcase [Its Overflowing]

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Smart Investing Principles from the Securities and Exchange Commission

January 8, 2014 by

Whether you’re an experienced investor or you’re considering investing for the first time, we can all learn a few things about making smart investments. These helpful Guiding Principles from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission won’t tell you exactly which investments to make, but they will offer you some useful guidelines:

Make a plan
This principle advises people to consider the things they want to save for in the future – from a car to your children’s college education – and plan to save and invest to meet those costs.

Save and invest for the long term
The next principle recommends saving and investing for the long term. Because the stock market goes up and down, it is important to put in the time to see the effects of your investment. Don't fret about day-to-day fluctuations of the market.

Investigate before you invest
It is always a good idea to research any investment before putting money into it, and this principle details a few key ways to make sure that your investment is worthwhile. From calling your state securities regulator to identifying “get rich quick” schemes, this tip can prevent headaches down the line.

Guiding Principles [U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]

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