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Preserve the Tastes of Summer With These Easy Canning Recipes

July 5, 2016 by

When the weather begins to heat up, it can only mean one thing: Berry season is upon us! Preserve the flavors of summer for a bit longer by canning your favorite warm-weather fruits. Here are a few easy summer canning recipes.

Peach Preserves [allrecipes.com]
Few fruits taste more like summer than juicy peaches, and this recipe for sweet peach preserves is just as delicious as an actual peach. Spread it on crusty bread, your morning bagel or even hearty biscuits once colder weather strikes.

Pineapple Chili Salsa [freshpreserving.com/]
Most people don’t live in the type of climate where pineapples grow, but these tropical fruits certainly do feel like summer even if they’re store-bought. Make a zesty pineapple salsa to last you all winter long using those whole pineapples from your local grocer.

Strawberry Refrigerator Jam [thekitchn.com]
Strawberries are just as delicate as they are delicious, so elongate their short lifespans by using them in a simple, basic jam. This easy recipe is perfect for even the most novice jam-makers, and it tastes much more special than name brand versions. Best of all, it only takes a surplus of strawberries and a bit of sugar to make.

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Let the Sunshine In: DIY Spring Home Decor Projects

April 5, 2016 by

After your spring cleaning is complete, you may start to feel like your home could use a bit of a decorating revamp, as well. No matter your budget, you can easily give your home a springtime makeover with DIY home decor projects. Here are just a few of the best spring-themed decorating projects for every room in your home.

Colorful Egg Window Dressing [familycircle.com]
Set to work crafting colorful paper eggs that will dress up those newly cleaned windows. This simple tutorial only requires multicolored construction paper and some scissors to complete, and it’s easy enough that even the kids can help out.

Heart-Shaped Sachets [countryliving.com]
Freshen up your drawers and closets with these adorable DIY sachets. Simply take some scrap fabric in a pattern that you like, cut out two heart shapes, and sew them together around the edges. Fill them with potpourri just before you sew them closed, then seal them shut and enjoy the scent.

Daffodil Flower Care [marthastewart.com]
One of the best ways to spruce up your home for the springtime is by adding fresh flowers wherever you can. Freshly cut daffodils are the picture of spring, but they can often be difficult to care for. This tutorial will show you how to properly cut daffodils and arrange them in a vase in a way that even a florist would admire.

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Hold the Sauce: Deliciously Unexpected Ways to Enjoy Cranberries

November 3, 2015 by

The usual cranberry sauce can start to feel a bit overdone come Thanksgiving time, but that doesn’t mean that you should rule out cranberries entirely. This tart berry offers a wonderful fall flavor, and they can be used in ways that you might not have ever imagined. Check out these creative culinary uses for cranberries.

Cranberry-Apple Brined Pork Chops [cranberries.org]
Applesauce isn’t the only fruit sauce that pairs well with hearty pork chops. This recipe involves brining the pork with cranberry juice and some simple spices for up to eight hours in the refrigerator before baking, ensuring that the sweet and tart flavor is incorporated into every bite.

Cranberry-Orange Pancakes with Cranberry-Maple Syrup [myrecipes.com]
This recipe offers a double dose of cranberry first thing in the morning, which is a great way to start the day. Zesty cranberry and orange add a full flavor to the buttermilk pancakes, while the cranberry-infused maple syrup topping gives the short stack a sweet flavor that’s perfect for fall.

Cranberry-Maple Bread Pudding [marthastewart.com]
Make the most of that seemingly useless stale bread by turning it into a bread pudding with a complex cranberry-maple compote topping. Since the bread is already made, this recipe is especially great as a last-minute dessert.

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Fall Is Here! Read About the Health Benefits of Pumpkins and Squash!

October 6, 2015 by

Now that fall is here, your meal plans are filled with pumpkins and squash. You love these foods because of their delicious taste and cooking versatility, but did you know that they’re also filled with health benefits? Here are just a few of the most beneficial nutrients in pumpkins and squash.

  1. Pumpkins contain a great deal of vitamin A, which boosts the immune system to prevent you from getting sick once the seasons change. Vitamin A also helps to maintain the health of your eyes.
  2. The carotenoids that give pumpkins their bright orange color protect you against heart disease, prevent wrinkles on the skin and even fight off the free radicals that cause cancer.
  3. Pumpkins are great for digestion because they contain a good deal of fiber. The fiber also balances your blood sugar and lowers bad cholesterol, which is especially important as you age.
  4. Just one serving of butternut squash offers 35% of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C. This essential vitamin can greatly reduce your risk for heart attack.
  5. Acorn, butternut and spaghetti squashes are filled with anti-inflammatory properties, which alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and soothe aching joints.

Eat Your Pumpkin! 9 Reasons Why It's Good For You [Mind Body Green]
6 Health Secrets of Winter Squash [Organic Authority]

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Three Unique Ways to Enjoy Iced Tea

September 3, 2014 by

From Southern-style sweet teas to berry-infused varieties, there is a seemingly endless number of ways to enjoy iced tea. This cool, refreshing beverage is as versatile as it is delicious, and it’s usually very simple to make. Here are three creative ways to enjoy iced tea.

Smooth Sweet Tea [AllRecipes]
Timeless and traditional, this recipe for Smooth Sweet Tea shows you just how to properly prepare the Southern favorite. Steeping black tea bags in boiling water creates a rich, aromatic base, while white sugar gives it that wonderfully sweet flavor.

Pomegranate and Lime Iced Tea [Real Simple]
Hot summer days call for a drink that will really quench your thirst, and this tart, fruity recipe does just that. Pomegranate juice gives the tea a real fruit flavor, while thinly sliced limes add a zesty taste that really complements the sweetness.

Green Jasmine-Mint Iced Tea with Lemon [Eating Well]
A wide assortment of flavors go into this simple tea recipe, but they all work together seamlessly. The jasmine green tea is light and mild, while the mint adds a cool flavor that will help you to unwind after a long day. Lemon juice and honey also provide a bit of added sweetness and tart flavor that’s more typical of green tea.

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