Showing posts with label Misc.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Misc.. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Kitchen Favorites and New Finds

Hello blog friends! Wow it feels so weird not blogging every single day—it became such a routine for the past 5 or so months. I cannot wait for this semester to be over in 2 weeks so blogging can become a daily occurrence again. I barely have time to keep up with all my blog reading, which I consider a must in my day just because I love the variety of people, topics, etc. Anyway I plan on baking up an awesome surprise this weekend because I am going to finish the last 2 papers of the semester this week so I will have ample time to for some R&R on the weekend and of course like I said, bake this recipe I have been dying to try out!

Today I decided to whip together something fun. I was packing up a lot of my kitchen stuff today to make its way back to my real home, and I kept out a few things—one being a favorite of mine! So I thought it would be fun to see what your favorite kitchen item is—whether it is something practical, or something that makes you feel like a kid again—like mine! If you want to shoot me over a picture or even just tell me about it in the comment section, I’d love to hear! Without further ado, here is mine--

CIMG0008 Call me crazy, but I absolutely am in love with SpongeBob. I have been since he burst into the scene in 1999 when I was 7, and I have a feeling we’ll be pals for a long time. He’s a guy who has me wishing Sponge guys really existed because he is always so cheerful! And plus have you seen him whip up a mean Krabby Patty? Wow! I might even have to bend my vegetarian ways if SpongeBob offered me one of those! Anyway, this is a TV tray, so not a typical kitchen “tool” but I love to display it or eat on it when I want to watch some TV. Other kitchen favorites of mine include my Kitchen Aid Mixer, my whole round up of pink kitchen things (you can see them in the header of my blog), my Food Network rolling pins, my pizzele press and basically anything that can make my cooking experience fun and easy! 

Besides that, I recently got a new catalog called Kitchen Krafts. I wanted to share some goodies I have my eye on and that I may potentially buy in the near future. Check, check, check em’ out—>

Rolling Pin and Rings Set

Rolling Pin & Rings Set

Price: $19.95

“The ultimate in ease and control is provided with this simple rolling pin design. Roll and direct with slightly arched palms. No-handle design reduces strain often caused by grasping. Preferred by many professional bakers for its large working length and ease of maintenance. Solid wood, 18" x 1-1/2" diameter pin. Use roller rings to roll your dough to a uniform thickness. Rubber rings slip onto any standard size rolling pin. Four sets of rings provide 1/16", 1/8", 1/4" or 3/8" thickness.”

Self Leveling Measuring Spoons

 Self-Level Spoons

Price: $12.95

“Easily measure and level ingredients with a quick slide of your thumb. Scoop the ingredients, then slide the lever over the top to level the ingredients, and add to your food . It keeps fingers and food clean. Set of 4 spoons includes: 1 Tbsp., 1 tsp., 1/2 tsp., 1/4 tsp. Dishwasher safe.”

Silicone Pastry Mat

 Silicone Pastry Mat

Price: $29.95

“Use it as a working surface to roll or knead dough - it will stay put on your counter or table and not move around while in use. And since nothing sticks to the silicone, the mat works great for rolling out pie crust, pastry dough, cookies, biscuits, and pizza dough. Mat is 19” x 25-1/2” and preprinted with imperial and metric measurement, line and circle guides. FDA approved. Easy-to-clean up, just wash with hot soapy water.”

Cupcake Bouquet Kit

 Cupcake Bouquet Kit

Price: $10.95

Cupcakes seem to be blooming in all sorts of places - bakeries, delis, baby showers and even weddings! Now you can have cupcakes blooming on your counter or table. Create a delightful bouquet of 6 cupcakes to set on the table, serve to guests, or give as a gift. Enjoy the sight as well as the taste of dessert! Kit includes: flowerpot base with floral sticker, flowerpot cover, stems, and cupcake cups. Instructions for assembly included.”

Hope you enjoyed this post! Stay tuned tomorrow for brand spanking new Good for You Goodies review—you won’t want to miss this one if you’re in the market for some new ways to get your fruit and veggies.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Short But Sweet!

Unfortunately todays post needs to be short because I am leaving for my finals soon--wish me luck! Yesterday my brain was literally on the verge of exploding due to the 3+hours I did of studying. Gotta love college haha. Anyway, today's post is based upon the new vending machines popping up around the country. When you think of vending machines, you tend to think of candy bars or mini bags of chips. No longer are they just for snacks people! Check these out!

The Twirl Pasta Machine

This may just be the best invention for pasta lovers since who knows what. Now instead of waiting at a restaurant for a long time, you can have a bowl of steaming hot pasta in record timing; 90 seconds!. You press a button to fill the carousel with noodles, then push another button to start cooking, and watch as it covers your noodles in sauce. I say "Bon appetit!"



http://www.twirlpasta.com/

The Moobella Machine

What about for the sweet tooth, ice cream lovers like me?! Well head on over to a MooBella vending machine for a treat! Their company prides themselves for having fresh ice cream, on the spot, made to order. Smooth texture, fresh flavors, great mix-ins. The whole creation is made up and ready to be devoured in 45 seconds!!!!!

http://www.moobella.com/

Check out the websites to find these awesome new creations at a vending area nearest to you!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Chew Reviews

foar01_momkid_snacks

Chew Reviews

Sweets n’ Treats

Chips

 

Crackers, Wraps, Breads, Pasta and Bagels

Cereals, Granola, and Other Breakfast Finds

Dried Goodies

Bars

Baking Mixes

Soups

Frozen Finds

Meats

Spreads, Sides, Sauces, Etc.

Drinks

Yogurts, Milks, Etc.

Miscellaneous

 

 

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Everyone Deserves a Little Holiday Cheer

I have always been passionate about supporting our soldiers. Without them, we wouldn't have anyone to defend our great nation. And it is even more meaningful that most of them do it voluntary because they want to protect us! They spend many months(some even years)away from family, friends, and the safe comfort of being at home. They also miss out on holidays. While we are all enjoying the warm feelings of family, friends, and food, they are probably in a dangerous situation wishing they could share in the treasures of the holiday season as well. I even was thinking how little things like enjoying Christmas lights throughout my neighboorhood, and just smelling the signature holiday scents are all missing from a soldier's December month. But thankfully we have something called the Postal Service and they do ship overseas! Which is why I see no excuse not to share some holiday joy with our soldiers. Whether it be a little care package of holiday cheer or you could go all out sending them a buffett of holiday goodies, I think it is the least we can do to show that although they will not be in our homes this season, they will be in our hearts.

This is a new idea that came about a couple weeks ago for me. A woman came into a store where my grandma works and was buying up a BUNCH of random things. My grandma looked on curiously and she explained she sends care packages overseas to some soldiers. As I told you in one of my first blogs, my grandma, mom, and I bake tons of goodies all through December to deliver to the less fortunate, friends, and families around our area. So my grandma with her giant heart for giving, got the soldiers' addresses and volunteered us to send cookies to them! When she told me I was more than excited; not only would this change up our routine a little, it would mean baking more cookies(yay!)and being able to give back to these wonderful people who are certainly giving more than we could ask for to us and our country.

If you like this idea and would also want to take part, you can visit http://www.soldiersangels.org and register to be paired up with a soldier to send things to. This doesn't even have to be just for the holidays, you can do it all year long! =) They have a branch on their website called "Angel Bakers" which you could join if you want to specialize in sending baked goodies.

So this left me having to research the best goodies to send and how to package them up the best way possible to keep them fresh and in good shape. Here's what I found:

*Instead of using packing peanuts(which are bad for the environment)why not try using air-popped popcorn? It honestly works and is a fun twist on the boring ol' packing peanuts.

*If your ever unsure if your packing method will hold up for your goodies, shake it a few times; if the packaging holds shape and your cookies are still as they were before, they should ship well.

*You should get a big packing box to ship in, and littler ones to put the wrapped cookies in just to provide some more cushion.

*How to wrap the goodies? I would suggest stacking everything(cookies back to back, wrap bars individually, then stack)first with a layer of plastic wrap, then tinfoil to ensure freshness upon arrival.

*Now to choose which service to ship your package. You may want to visit the websites of USPS,UPS,FedEx,and DHL to compare shipping rates based on the estimated weight of your box/package.

*What goodies are good for sending?

Cakes: Fruit cakes, Pound cake, Spice cake, Carrot Cake(layered cakes do not ship well) Pour-on icing is a good choice also because it keeps things moist.

Candies:Hard candies generally work better than fudges.

Cookies:Generally any cookies that are not crispy, but moist will do well. Try to use eggs, which hold up the cookies better. Some examples to send: Molasses, Rangers, Oatmeal, Sugar, Peanut butter, Nut cookies.

Breads:Any quick breads ship well!

*Also make sure to label the cookies so the soldiers will know what flavors they are. =)


I hope anyone with members in the military have a blessed holiday season and know that those of us back home are sharing the joy with our loved ones overseas.