DIY CRAFT read more PARTY DECOR read more PATTERNS read more RECIPES read more DIY CRAFT read more PARTY DECOR read more TRAVEL TIPS read more Party Planner and DIY Projects Camp BannerAugust 10, 2022Kids can make a cool banner to decorate their camp mess hall or cabin. All you need is paper, glue and buttons (or other found objects). What You Need: Construction paper: light blue, yellow, orange, brown, blue, red, purple, green White craft glue Buttons Twine, about 5 feet Glue stick Pattern What You Do: Use pattern to cut two tents from light blue paper, 6 logs from brown paper, and two sets of fire from yellow and orange. Cut 4 squares, 4.5” x 4.5”, from purple, red, blue and green paper. Cut strips, 4” x 1”, from the following colored papers: 2 each from yellow and light blue 1 each from purple, red, green and blue Assemble the campfires by gluing the yellow flame to the orange flame, and gluing 3 logs together, then combining the two. Use white craft glue to write the letters C, A, M, and P on each of the construction paper squares. Place buttons onto the white glue and let them letters dry. Use a glue stick to add paper strip hangers to the back of each of the letter squares, tents and campfires. Lay the twine out onto the work surface. Find the center of the twine and attach the letter “A” to the twine by folding the paper strip hanger over the twine and gluing it around the twine and to the back of the letter. Add each of the letters and the tents and campfires to the twine in the same fashion. Tips: Instead of buttons, you can use beans, dried split peas, pony beads or sequins.... Read more...Sunflower Letter MatchingAugust 8, 2022Kids will have fun working on visual discrimination and learning their ABCs with these super cute sunflower themed, Letter Matching activity. This is a fun way to practice pairing upper and lowercase letters. This ABC Game is perfect for preschool, pre k, kindergarten, and first grade students. Letter Matching Whether you are looking for a summer learning activity, flower themed activity, or just a free engaging literacy center idea – you will love these super cute Sunflower Letter Matching printable puzzles. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler – these cheery yellow sunflowers are a great way to make learning fun for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartens, and grade 1 students. Printable Alphabet Puzzles Start out by scrolling to the bottom of the post, under the terms of use and clicking on the text link that says >> _____ <<. The pdf file will open for you to save and print. Print the alphabet sunflower pages in color on cardstock or laminating for durability. Letter Matching Activity Cut the alphabet printable into separate cards. You will have a lowercase stem and uppercase sunflowers for each letter of the alphabet from A to Z. Whether you are a parents, teacher, or homeschooler – you will love these low prep alphabet cards to help preschool, pre k, and kindergarten age children work on matching capital to lower case letters. Alphabet Matching Game In this literacy activity for spring, summer, or fall, students will match the upper and lowercase letters together to make complete sunflowers. Sunflower Printable Kids will have fun making a field of alphabet sunflowers! This is a perfect kindergarten activity for around labor day / fall when the sunflowers are in bloom. ... Read more...DIY Tie Dye Headbands from T-ShirtsAugust 3, 2022These DIY tie dye headbands are easy to make from t-shirts and look great! Both kids and adults will love this fashion craft. Make a DIY headband for spring or summer using one of these three methods! If you want to see this craft in action, scroll to the bottom of the post for a video! Well, hi there! I’m Liz from The Pretty Life Girls and I love tie dye! It’s colorful, crazier you are with it the more awesome it turns out, and it is a fool-proof way to add some fun to your summer wardrobe. If you like fashion crafts, you’re going to enjoy this project! Tie dye is also a great boredom buster, especially for tweens and teens. I love tie dye! I made a tie dye dress before, and now I want to change things up a little bit! I decided to take some white t-shirts that were taking up space in my closet and give them a little tie-dye makeover, turning them into a handful of fun DIY tie dye headbands perfect for basking in the summer sun. This is one of those easy crafts for adults you’ll have to try! It’s also a great summer craft for kids. Tweens and teens love this idea! DIY Headbands For my DIY tie dye headbands, I picked up a basic tie-dye kit you can find at any craft store. If you’re wondering how to tie dye a headband, this kit works perfectly. However, if you choose to buy your tie dye separately, make sure you have rubber bands, gloves, and plastic wrap (these supplies are generally included in a kit). Like mentioned before, I used a plain white t-shirt and turned it into fabric for the DIY headbands. You could also use any light colored t-shirt you have around the house. Lastly, you will need a sewing machine and a good pair of scissors to put the DIY headbands together. One of the most fun parts about using tie-dye is the different patterns you can make depending on how you fold and bundle your fabric. I love the surprise of seeing how they turn out after the colors have set! Once you have chosen your pattern, fold and bundle accordingly, apply tie-dye according to package directions, and wrap in plastic wrap to keep moist. For DIY headbands with the most vibrant colors, allow your shirts to set for 6 – 8 hours. If you want to produce more pastel colors, let set for 30 minutes or so. Once the dye is set to your desired intensity, unwrap, remove rubber bands, rinse off the remaining dye, and toss the t-shirt(s) alone in a hot washer with minimal soap. Dry normally and you’re done! You have now created some one-of-a-kind fabric for some adorable DIY headbands! Here are the kinds of tie dye headbands I made with my t-shirts and the steps and tutorials I used. Tips and Tricks for Successful DIY Tie Dye Before you begin, I want to share a few quick tips! DIY tie dye projects are relatively easy, but there are a few things you should know: Wear gloves unless you want your fingers dyed for awhile. Also wear an apron or old clothing and cover any working surface. Tie dye stains most things and it’s permanent on fabric! Use cotton items. Some poly blends will dye, but are much more likely to fade during the wash cycle. Stick with 100% cotton. Tie tightly as material (like a cotton t-shirt) expands when it’s wet. Make sure to get dye into the folds if you want the fabric completely covered with color. Remember your color wheel! Select colors that are next to each other. I’m sure you remember that ed and blue make purple. Don’t choose complimentary colors; you’ll make a brown mess if you combine orange and blue (for example). Are you ready to make a DIY headband? Try one of the three methods below! 1. Braided DIY Headband If you can braid, you can make this tie headband! Cut your fabric into nine 1/2-inch strips, long enough to wrap around your head. Create three braids. Connect the ends of each braid individually by running them through your sewing machine. Once each braid is connect separately, line up each braid and run through the sewing machine again, attaching them to each other. 2. Knotted DIY Tie Headbands Once I got the hang of this tie headbands technique, I liked it so much that I made it twice! I can’t say that I came up with the tutorial for this one though. Instead, I followed the tie headbands tutorial shown here and adjusted them to fit my head. Tie headbands are nice because you can adjust them easily on your head. I love that part! 3. Twisted DIY Headband To make this twisted DIY tie dye headband I followed the steps shown. This was definitely the easiest to make, and I love the way this style lends itself to really letting the tie dye patterns stand out! Which DIY headband is your favorite? I’d love to heard in the comments! Are you ready to see a video of these DIY headbands in action? Just watch it in the post! Learn how to make a tie dye headband three different ways! This is such a cute fashion statement for summer. PREP TIME30 minutes ACTIVE TIME1 hour SET TIME8 hours TOTAL TIME9 hours 30 minutes DIFFICULTYEasy ESTIMATED COST$5 Materials Basic tie dye kit Plain white t-shirt Tools Sewing machine Scissors Iron Instructions Tie Dye the Shirts Wash and dry the t-shirts. Bind them with rubber bands and dye them according to package instructions. Let set for 6 – 8 hours and then proceed with one of the patterns below. Braided Headband Cut a portion of a t-shirt into nine 1/2-inch strips, long enough to wrap around your head. Create three braids. Connect the ends of each braid individually by running them through the sewing machine. Once each braid is connect separately, line up each braid and run through the sewing machine again, attaching them to each other. Knotted Headband Cut a large piece of fabric from the t-shirt. With the fabric folded, cut two rectangles 13″ long (along the stretch) and 2 1/2″ wide. Use a rounded object to trace a half circle on the open end (opposite the fold) of the rectangle and cut. You’ll have two long ovals. Place them right sides together, press a little with some steam if the knit starts rolling over on itself. Use a serger or a zigzag stitch to sew all the way around the ovals. You want the knit to maintain its stretch, so don’t use a regular straight stitch. Leave a 1 – 2″ opening at the center along one side only for turning the headband right side out. Turn the headband right side out and reshape. Press. Cose up the opening. You can just zigzag stitch on the outside of the fabric since this spot will be at the nape of the neck and won’t show OR you can slipstitch it closed so it doesn’t show. Wrap around the head and double knot. Twisted Headband Cut two long pieces of t-shirt about 6 inches wide; fold in half and sew. Turn right side out. Measure your head and trim the sewn pieces down. Fold the two pieces in half and cross over. Sew together each end. Make sure to not sew the wrong pieces together! Sew inside the slit to keep the pieces together.. ... Read more...DIY Spray ChalkAugust 1, 2022While I was at 5 Below I also picked up a few empty mini spray bottles. For $1 I figured we’d use them for something this summer. I saw a recipe to make your own spray chalk and gave it a try. It took a few minutes to make and these little bottles have lasted us a while. I bought a set of Watercolor Magic colors on Amazon. They seem pricey but they are amazing. The color washes out SO easy. My kid hands and clothes were covered in paint after this activity and it washed right out. These are great to have on hand for all kinds of crafts with kids. Supplies: spray bottles, Watercolor Magic (you can use food coloring too, but I have no idea how that would stain), baking soda and cornstarch Directions: Put some baking soda and cornstarch in the bottles – a little of each, filling the bottle about 1/3 of the way. Add in some of the Watercolor Magic. Fill the rest of the bottle with warm water and shake it up. Then spray on the sidewalk! My girls had fun spraying it on their hands and making chalk handprints. The spray goes onto the sidewalk like paint and dries really pretty like chalk.... Read more...DIY Sun Print Leaf ArtJuly 29, 2022HOW TO MAKE ART WITH SUN PRINTS Here’s an art project that is a science experiment, a nature exploration, a great kids’ activity, and a beautiful piece of decor all wrapped up in one! This sun print leaf garland was made using leaves found in our yard. Hazel and I spent an afternoon outside gathering leaves and making prints using sun sensitive paper from Oriental Trading. Then I turned the prints into a pretty summery garland for our living room mantel. Have you ever used sun sensitive paper? If not, it is a must try! I love the deep indigo blue created by the sun prints – it just happens to be one of the trendiest colors in home decor right now! The garland adds a nice punch of color and nature to our living room. We found that ferns and plants with small intricate leaves made the most beautiful prints. This is such a fun project to do with kids. Hazel was a big helper with gathering the leaves and making the prints.... Read more...DIY Lava Lamps For Your Dorm RoomJuly 27, 2022How many of you have owned a lava lamp in your lifetime? I remember having one of those glitter ones when I was younger, and after leaving it in front of the window for too long it stopped working. Ha! I definitely learned that sunlight and lava lamps don’t work well together. Anyways, with all this talk about lava lamps, we’re obviously bringing them back today in a DIY way for your dorm room decor! It’s so easy to create a lava lamp-like reaction, and you probably already own everything you’ll need to do so. If you’re gonna use a lamp, you might as well have a really fun, colorful lamp, right?! Let’s get makin’! Supplies: Glass bottle Vegetable oil Liquid food coloring Water Alka seltzer tablets Waterproof tea lights How To: 1. Put a small amount of water in a bowl and color it with liquid food coloring. Set aside. 2. Fill your glass bottle 3/4 of the way with vegetable shortening. Pour the colored water into the bottle, leaving a little bit of room empty at the top. Allow the water to settle at the bottom of the glass. 3. Drop your tea light into the bottom of the glass. 4. Break up an alka seltzer tablet into small pieces and place them one at a time into the bottle. Close the lid and watch the magic happen! (Note: this reaction does only last a few minutes, but you can keep putting more alka seltzer in time and time again to continue the reaction) How fun would these be to make with your roommates? I know I wish I would’ve had these for my dorm room! And if you’re looking for another back-to-school project, we’ve got a DIY for some sweet lunchboxes right over here!... Read more...Toddler Camp: Rainbow Day (Themed Activities and Crafts)July 25, 2022Since our home is filled with so many colors, rainbow day was a no-brainer theme for our Toddler Camp! This day focused on learning, recognizing and talking about all the different colors of the rainbow (and then some!) and we had so much fun. Take a look at all the ideas below for different rainbow crafts, sensory activities and more to do at home! MOVIES + SHOWS TO WATCH Here are some movies and shows that perfectly fit the rainbow theme: The Wizard of Oz Up – Available on Disney+ Inside Out – Available on Disney+ ACTIVE PLAY Color Hunt Set up different baskets or sections, one for each color. Then send your kiddo(s) on a hunt to find items around the house of each color and race them back to the corresponding basket/section. You can give them specific challenges like “Find something pink! Now something yellow!” or just let them loose and they can find different colors on their own terms. SENSORY PLAY Marbled Paper with Shaving Cream This is a great sensory project that results in art you can frame or re-make into gifts and cards! You’ll want to cover your work/play space with something like a towel or tablecloth for this! Start with a plastic tub filled with shaving cream (the classic, foaming type!) and drop drops of food coloring or paint on top. Swirl the colors together with a butter knife, bamboo skewer or paint brush etc. Place a piece of card stockor other thick paper on top of the colors swirled and remove. Scrape off the shaving cream and you’re left with beautiful marbled paper! CRAFTS Cardboard Rainbows I saw this project on The Mama Notes and loved it! We gathered up some different materials like yarn, pipe cleaners and ribbon. Then, depending on your child’s age, you can draw the glue lines and have them place the different materials along the lines. Or, they can do it all themselves! If you have any cotton fill or cotton balls, use those for clouds! Rainbow Coloring Sheets There are so many rainbow coloring sheets online and these make a great coloring excercise! Make a dot of color on each side of the different stripes of the rainbow and have your child connect them with the corresponding color! The one I used was from Lil’ Libros email newsletter, but you can find many by googling “rainbow coloring sheet”! GAMES + PUZZLES Here are a few rainbow toys, games and items that would be a great gift or addition to your toy collection: Rainbow Stacker (Pictured Above) Rainbow Peg Dolls Rainbow Wooden Blocks Set Rainbow Alphabet Puzzle Rainbow Baskets (Great for toy storage, and for the color hunt!) BOOKS If you’re looking for children’s books about rainbows, here are a few of our favorites: What Makes A Rainbow by Betty Schwartz Steam Train Dream Train: Colors by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld A Pocket Full of Colors by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima And there you have it, a full day of rainbow fun!! If you want to learn more about how I structure our “camp” days, check out this post. The schedule allows for free play and downtime as well. ... Read more...Pool Noodle BoatsJuly 22, 2022These pool noodle boats are such a fun way to make a DIY water toy that kids will love. All you need is a pool noodle and a few other supplies to make these adorable boats! Pool Noodle Boats – A Fun Summer Craft! Pool noodles cut easily with a serrated knife, so you can make a whole bunch of boats from just one noodle! Have an adult cut the noodle up and then kids can help decorate it with a sail, straw and flag. If you have old pool noodles starting to rip in one spot – this is also a great craft to recycle those old pool noodles into something new! Then grab some water toys and animals or small figurines to ride on your finished boats! Supplies Needed To Make Pool Noodle Boats 1 Pool Noodle Colored foam sheets Paper Straws – we like these colorful ones Colored washi tape Scissors Steps To Make A Pool Noodle Boat 1. Using a serrated knife, have an adult cut the pool noodle into pieces that are about 3 inches thick. 2. Cut foam sheets into the shape of a sail. 3. Using scissors, make 1/2 inch slits in the top and bottom of the sail. 4. Thread a straw through the foam sheet. 5. Add washi tape to the top of the straw. 6. Cut a triangle piece out of the end of the washi tape. 7. Push the straw into the pool noodle. You may need to make a small hole in the noodle with scissors to help attach the straw. Now your pool noodle boat is ready to float! Grab a clear bin and fill it with some water and watch them sail away. Play with them in the pool or even the bath tub. This would also be a fun craft for a summer birthday party! ... Read more...Kids Craft: Popsicle Stick BoxesJuly 20, 2022My two older boys (age 6 and 7) are hardcore crafters. There’s nothing they like more than a good project. I often find them surrounded by a pile of construction paper, glue, and scissors, so when they came up with the idea to make popsicle stick boxes I grabbed my camera and let them have at it. SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE POPSICLE STICK BOXES: Craft Sticks (or clean recycled popsicle sticks) White Glue Craft Paint Optional embellishments – glitter, sequins, rhinestones, etc. Start by painting your wooden craft sticks and allowing them to dry (alternatively, you can also purchase colored craft sticks). Lay out the base of your box – depending on the size of the sticks you will need 10-11 to make a square-ish base. Glue two sticks on top of the base along the perpendicular edges. This will hold the base sticks together. My kids still get a little glue-happy, so to cut down on the mess and waste, I like to give them a small bowl of glue and a q-tip. The q-tip is the perfect size for making dots of glue at each corner as you build your box up layer by layer. Continue layering until you reach the desired height. These boxes have a million and one uses! They make a great desk set that would be perfect for a homemade Father’s Day gift! Organize your party supplies in style! These boxes are great for straws and plastic cutlery! Let the kiddos store their favorite treasures inside their craft stick boxes. You can even add a lid if you want! LEGO T-rex on the loose? We’ve got a solution for that, too! 😉 Add a mason jar insert, and these popsicle stick boxes also double as a great vase! Add a tealight candle to the mason jar to create fun party lights! These useful little boxes are fun for the entire family to create together, and I guarantee you’ll want to make a bunch once you realize just how handy they are!... Read more...Diy Pineapple PlantersJuly 18, 2022Making with my kids is one of my favorite things to do in the world. We recently made some awesome DIY pineapple planters that I absolutely love and want to share with you! These DIY pineapple planters are a great craft for both adults and kids. When I think of my ultimate summer, I picture sitting in the sand drinking a pina colada on a tropical island out in the middle of nowhere with my hair blowing in the ocean breeze and the sound of waves crashing and splashing on the shore. Sounds delightful, doesn’t it?! While I don’t have any immediate plans to visit a tropical paradise (yet), I can still whisk myself away every time that I do laundry with new all® Fresh Tropical Mist™. I recently discovered the new laundry soap at Albertsons, and was immediately drawn to the tropical scent. It smells so fresh and clean and reminds me of water- the ocean waves or a rushing waterfall in the tropical jungle. It inspired me to add a bit of the tropics to my own backyard by making these colorful DIY pineapple planters. DIY Pineapple Planters Tutorial Supplies: Terra cotta pots (Ours are 4″ posts) Potting soil Succulents or other plants that resemble the top of a pineapple Yellow and black craft paint Foam paintbrush Small paintbrush Spray sealer (optional) Directions: Step 1. Make sure the pots are nice and clean. Use a foam brush to paint several coats of yellow paint over the entire outside of the pot. You’ll want to paint the top few inches of the inside of the post as well, since you’ll be seeing it above the soil. It was a warm day when we were painting so we didn’t have to wait in between coats. The kids just kept painting their pots until they were completely covered in yellow and the terra cotta color wasn’t peeking through. Let dry to the touch. Step 2. Now it’s time to get creative! Pineapples have an intricate pattern, so I let the kids decide how they wanted to paint the pattern with a small black paintbrush and some black paint. My middle two children decided to go with upside down V shapes, while my youngest wanted to do polka dots instead, which were perfect for his small hands to make. Let the black paint dry. Step 3. Now it’s time to plant the “pineapple tops.” I found some succulents for the kids to plant that looked just like pineapple tops to me, so the kids each chose the one they wanted, and we added some more soil to the pots and planted them. The good thing about succulents is that they don’t need a lot of water, which is especially good for us dealing with the drought in Southern California. Aren’t they so colorful and fun?! I love how each pot is a little different. The kids were so proud of their creations, which are currently out in the yard basking in the sun. ... Read more... Recipes, Parties, Crafts & Travel Avocado, Chèvre and Bacon OmeletteAugust 4, 2022SERVES: 2 PREP TIME: 5 min COOK TIME: 5 min CALORIES: 334 Avocado, chèvre and bacon are the very best omelette filling on the planet, and that’s what we’re here to talk about today. A Classic 3-Egg Omelette, Our Way. A fussy, custardy French omelette is great and all, but when we’re making eggs, we don’t usually have the energy to be quite as persnickety as those silky-smooth, just-done omelettes demand. Plus, between us, we grew up eating diner-style omelettes—the kind made with 3 eggs that are cooked-through and then loaded with whatever your heart desires. We love a classic western omelette, 4-cheese, spinach and feta—you name it! Just about any diner-style omelet combo you can think of, it’s a safe bet that we’ve eaten it and loved it. Today, though, we’re sharing our very favorite filling of all. What Ingredients Go Well in an Omelette? As we’ve said, we’ve hardly ever met an omelette filling that we didn’t like. We’re big egg lovers, you know. That said, while we like them all, it’s not everyday that you fall truly in love with an omelette filling. Bacon is a breakfast given, and putting it in your omelette recipe—instead of serving it on the side—just makes good sense. Bacon and avocado are a killer combo—if you are not in the habit of adding bacon to your BLTs, well, it’s never too late to get it right. And then there’s chèvre! Oooooooh chèvre. Chèvre just means goat cheese, and usually means (as it does here) fresh, young goats cheese. Tangy and light, it adds just the right amount of sharpness and contrast to this omelette recipe, countering the richness of the bacon and avocado perfectly. So, to reiterate, the most perfect omelette filling is the following trio: Bacon Chèvre Avocado Omelette VS Omelet. What’s The Difference? You’ve probably seen the word “omelette” spelled both ways, and that’s for a pretty good reason—both are correct! Omelette is the French spelling, and “omelet” is just an Americanized version of the word. To go a little deeper, usually people use the word “omelette” to indicate a particular style of French omelette that’s custardy inside and smooth and fluffy on the outside. You might know that in the culinary word, supposedly making a simple eggs-only omelette is the true test of a French chef, as it requires incredible skill to make it perfectly. But that’s neither here nor there, because this omelette recipe is anything but fussy or precise. It’s about loading up your breakfast plate with an omelette—or omelet—that overflows with deliciousness. How to Make an Omelette So yeah—there are a LOT of opinions out there about how to make the best omelette. Most of us agree that a non-stick pan is hugely helpful, but from there, things get a little fight-y. Do you salt the eggs before whisking them? Do you need to add a splash of cream of milk to the eggs, or is to do so a complete abomination? We think that the most perfect omelette is the one that satisfies YOU, and exactly what that omelette looks like? Well, that’s always going to be a little different for every person. So, we’ll just walk you through how to make this particular omelette recipe—one of our personal faves—and we’ll let you tinker from there. Begin by melting the butter in the pan until the bottom is nicely coated in butter. Whisk the eggs until the whites and yolks are fully cohesive. Slowly pour the eggs into the buttered pan and season them now. When they’re almost cooked through, gently flip the whole thing so that the uncooked side cooks. Pull the eggs from the heat and add the avocado, goat cheese and bacon! Fold it over and dig in! Tools You’ll Need: Non-stick skillet Large spatula Sharp knife Cutting board More Egg Recipes To Try Tomato, Basil & Caramelized Onion Quiche Caramelized Onion Frittata Soft-Scrambled Eggs Spring Asparagus Frittata With Crème Fraîche Ingredients 1/2 tbspbutter 3eggs, whisked salt freshly ground pepper 2 ozchèvre (goat cheese), crumbled 2strips thick cut bacon, cooked until crisp and roughly cut 1/2avocado microgreens for garnish Method In a 8” fry pan, melt butter over medium/low heat and swirl to coat bottom. Slowly pour the eggs into the pan. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper and allow to cook until eggs are almost set. About 2-3 minutes. Using a large spatula, carefully flip the eggs and remove from heat. On one half of the eggs add goat cheese, bacon and avocado. Fold in half and serve with microgreens. Nutrition Info CALORIES334 PROTEIN18 g CARBOHYDRATES6 g TOTAL FAT28 g DIETARY FIBER3 g CHOLESTEROL327 mg SODIUM730 mg TOTAL SUGARS1 g ... Read more...Crock Pot Ribs Recipe (Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs)July 28, 2022Crock Pot Ribs are an easy way to make the most delicious pork ribs for any occasion. This slow cooker ribs recipe is so simple! You can cook these crock pot BBQ ribs stress-free, and they’ll come out super tender and flavorful. Find out how to cook fall-off-the-bone ribs in a crock pot, and serve them on game day, at BBQs, or any get together that needs a delicious dish. Best Crockpot Ribs Recipe This easy ribs recipe will be your new favorite way to make pork ribs. There’s nothing easier (or tastier) than slow cooker ribs! BBQ Ribs are always a favorite for any occasion. Weeknight dinners, summer time barbecues, holidays and get togethers, and especially game day! There’s never a bad time to eat ribs. This easy crock pot ribs recipe is the best way to make them because it’s so simple and hassle free. Slow cooking the meat into the juiciest most delicious flavor! These Crock Pot BBQ ribs are a real winner. Moist, tender, fall off the bone meat cooked in BBQ sauce. Everyone will devour these! I love serving ribs on game day, and cooking ribs in a crock pot is the easiest way to do that. Why You’ll Love this Slow Cooker Ribs Recipe: EASY RECIPE: Making BBQ ribs in a crock pot is one of the EASIEST ways to make them. Prep time is quick, then just let them cook! PERFECT BBQ RIBS: Get the most perfect, succulent, tender, and flavorful ribs with this recipe! ANY OCCASION: Make delicious slow cooker BBQ ribs for any occasion. They’re great for game day, the Super Bowl, summer BBQs, and weeknight dinners. You can just let them cook while the game is on, and serve them with plenty of BBQ sauce! We love Oven Baked Ribs, but this recipe is just so much easier. No matter when you serve these, make sure you add in some Cheesy Texas Toast, BBQ Baked Beans, or your favorite BBQ sides. Easy Crock Pot BBQ Ribs Slow cooker ribs are the easiest way to make delicious BBQ ribs! Just place them in the crock pot, add your BBQ sauce, and let them cook. That’s all there is to it! I love these for game day. In addition to all of the appetizers, you need something more substantial too. Whether it’s burgers, tacos, or something else, it’s nice to have a sort of “main dish” to make sure everyone can fill up while watching the game, drinking beer, and eating snacks. So crock pot BBQ ribs are a front runner for game day, especially Super Bowl Sunday! Ingredients Pork Ribs: You can use St. Louis style spare ribs OR baby back ribs. Either type works fine (and tastes great!). Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce for his recipe. Any kind works, store-bought or homemade. Try this “homemade” barbecue sauce that we love. Dry Rub: We use a mix of paprika, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to make the dry rub seasoning for these ribs. Cider Vinegar: This is optional, but I recommend adding it in if you’re using a sweeter BBQ sauce. It adds a tanginess and just helps balance out the flavor. How do you prep ribs before cooking in a slow cooker? Prep time for these BBQ ribs is super quick, and you only need to do a few simple things. Remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs. Place a knife under the membrane, lift, and pull. I’ve linked to an instructional video in the recipe card. You can also buy ribs that have already had this removed. Make sure the racks will fit in your slow cooker. I like to keep them as big as possible, but you’ll still have to cut them into a few pieces. See the recipe card for details on how to place them in the slow cooker. You can eyeball it to make sure you cut to the right size. How to Cook Ribs in a Crock Pot Prep ribs and set crock pot to LOW setting. Mix ingredients to make the dry rub, and rub evenly over the ribs. Brush ribs with BBQ sauce and place them in the slow cooker. Pour sauce on top and add vinegar. Cover and cook 5-6 hours. Slice and serve with extra barbecue sauce, and enjoy! TIPS! You will need to cut the ribs a bit to make them fit in the slow cooker. It’s easy to just eyeball it as you work them into the cooker. Make sure you remove the silver membrane before cooking! When done cooking, simply slice between the bones and serve with extra BBQ sauce! Store leftover crock pot ribs in the fridge up to 3 days. You can wrap them tightly in aluminum foil and place them in airtight containers. Let them cool before refrigerating. Pork ribs should reach an internal temperature of at least 145F before consuming. However, we will be cooking them to a higher temperature to make sure they’re super tender. We want them closer to 195F. Cooking BBQ Ribs in the Crockpot Cooking ribs in a crock pot seems too good to be true! Who knew you could make the most amazing BBQ ribs in a slow cooker? This crockpot ribs recipe is just so easy. Basically, you just need to season the ribs, set them in the crock pot, and let them cook! You can use spare ribs or baby back ribs for this slow cooker BBQ ribs recipe. Simple as that! To serve the crock pot BBQ ribs, just slice the meat between the bones and serve with extra BBQ sauce. So juicy, so tender, so delicious! If you prefer to grill, we’ve got an awesome St. Louis Grilled Ribs recipe for you! Why make ribs in a crock pot? This method is a super easy way to slow cook ribs. Prep time is short, and the rest of the cooking time is totally hands-off. You can set it and forget it most of the day. What style ribs should I use? Use pork ribs for this recipe. You can use spare ribs or baby back ribs, whichever you prefer. You can also use boneless ribs. Can ribs be overcooked in a slow cooker? Yes, it is possible to overcook ribs, which would turn the meat into mush. Cooking them on the low setting is ideal to prevent this from happening. Just check on them regularly towards the end for doneness. Do you season BBQ ribs before saucing? Yes, add the dry rub FIRST to season the ribs. Then add the BBQ sauce. Do you sauce both sides of the ribs? Yes. Before cooking, brush BBQ sauce onto both sides of the ribs. Why do you need to remove the silverskin from the ribs? The silver skin/membrane on the back of the ribs will make them super tough and rubbery when cooked. It also acts as a shield and will prevent seasonings from fully penetrating the meat (and we want them to be well-seasoned!). So you absolutely want to remove it. Can I cook frozen ribs in a crock pot? No, do not add frozen ribs directly into the slow cooker. They won’t cook fast enough in relation to the thawing, and it could cause issues with food safety. If you are going to use frozen ribs, fully defrost them in the fridge before cooking. How long to cook ribs in a crock pot? With the slow cooker set to low, give the slow cooker ribs about 5-6 hours to fully cook. They will come out super juicy and tender, ready to eat! You can also cook on high for 3-4 hours, but I recommend using the low setting if you have the time. Can I use boneless pork ribs for this recipe? Yes! You can totally use boneless ribs. Just check for tenderness before serving, they might need a bit more time in the crockpot. Sometimes boneless ribs are just easier, and that’s totally fine! Side Dishes for Slow Cooker Ribs: Creamy Homemade Coleslaw BBQ Baked Beans Instant Pot Potato Salad Perfect Baked Potato See More BBQ Side Dishes Baby Back Ribs vs Spare Ribs This crock pot recipe works with both baby back ribs and spare ribs, so the choice is up to you. Baby back ribs are smaller than spare ribs. They are shorter, and will generally weigh less and feed fewer people, but they are super tender and lean. Spare ribs are going to be meatier, with more fat, making them super flavorful when cooked. A rack of spareribs will usually feed 3-4 people. Because of the size difference, expect the spare ribs to take a bit longer to cook than baby back ribs. Again, you can use either type of pork ribs for this slow cooker ribs recipe. Both will turn out amazing, it’s really up to your preferences. These slow cooker BBQ ribs are just so easy, so tender, and so flavorful. They’re a reader favorite and a family favorite too! Cooking pork ribs in a crock pot is the easiest method, and perfect for days when you have a lot of other cooking to do. Make them for game day, parties, or just a weeknight dinner at home.... Read more...Baked Chicken Tacos RecipeJuly 26, 2022Chicken Tacos are the perfect EASY weeknight dinner. These OVEN BAKED chicken tacos have lots of flavor and none of the stress. The ultimate recipe for serving a crowd. This is the most popular recipe on The Cookie Rookie, being pinned over 2 million times and viewed over 6 million times. Make the best tacos ever for dinner tonight! Best Chicken Tacos You’ll Ever Have This Spicy Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe is the ultimate easy recipe. Chicken Tacos are great for serving a crowd, taking to a potluck, chowing down on for a tailgating party, and of course, Cinco de Mayo! Baked tacos can be made in any flavor combination! You can make these as Baked Breakfast Tacos, BBQ Chicken Tacos, and so much more! The possibilities are endless and I love that. These are one of the easiest and tastiest dinners, plus they’re made in under 30 minutes. It’s one of our favorites to make at our house. Do you see all that melty cheese? What’s not to love! If you’re not making these easy chicken tacos for Taco Tuesday, what are you doing with your life? Your family will thank you! This is one of the most popular recipes on The Cookie Rookie! I’ve published a lot of posts on this site (over 1000 to be exact), but this Spicy Oven Baked Chicken Tacos recipe is the #1 recipe by a landslide. There’s something about this recipe that people just go crazy for! How to Make Chicken Tacos (Step by Step) Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions! Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add onion to skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and fragrant. Stir in the chicken, taco seasoning, tomatoes (FULLY DRAINED), and green chiles (FULLY DRAINED) *see note. Stir to combine fully. Reduce to simmer and allow to cook for 5-8 minutes. Place the taco shells in the baking dish, standing up. I was able to fit 10 taco shells in the dish by adding 2 on each side. Bake the taco shells for 5 minutes by themselves to allow them to crisp up. Remove from the oven. Spoon 1 tablespoon of beans into the bottom of each taco shell. Top with the chicken mixture, almost to the top of each shell. Sprinkle each shell generously with shredded cheese, the more the better! Bake for 7-10 minutes or until cheese is fully melted and the edges of the shells are browned. Remove from the oven and top with your favorite items such as jalapenos, sour cream, cilantro, and salsa. Baked Tacos I make these baked tacos so often at our house, and they’re one of the recipes Pat asks for the most. When he comes home and sees these babies are ready to go, he’s a happy camper. You can make them with so many different flavor combos. Be creative and enjoy! Don’t forget to top these with a LOT of cheese! That’s the only way to make them. We aren’t playing around when it comes to melted cheese! Chicken Taco Topping Ideas: Sliced jalapenos Sour cream Salsa (pico de gallo, salsa verde, blender salsa) Chopped cilantro Shredded lettuce Guacamole Cotija cheese Red onions Caramelized Onions Taco Sauce Serving Suggestions You can serve these for so many different occasions, including weeknight dinners at home or big get-togethers. These are the perfect easy appetizer or meal for New Years Eve, the Super Bowl, Cinco de Mayo, Summer BBQs, Taco Night and more. Why spend all your time in the kitchen when you can have these baked chicken tacos ready for a crowd in around 30 minutes? And I can’t recommend these as a weeknight dinner recipe enough. The family NEVER gets tired of these tacos! Side Dishes for Mexican Night Almost every time we make these baked spicy chicken tacos, we serve them with my Easy Cheesy Tex Mex Rice and simple black beans with cotija cheese. If we really want to indulge, we will make some White Queso and Tequila Lime Chicken Nachos! That’s for parties like the Super Bowl where calories have been shown to actually not count. ‘ Pair this with: Homemade Salsa Best Guacamole Recipe Grilled Corn Skinny Mexican Street Corn Healthy Queso Bean and Cheese Taquitos Layered Bean Dip Foil Packet Nachos Tips for the Best Chicken Tacos (& Crispy Shells!) When making baked tacos, one of the issues people seem to run into is soggy taco shells. Something nobody wants! I take good tacos seriously, so I’ve worked to troubleshoot this problem so you can have the crispiest shells when you make these tacos! TIPS! I always bake the shells for 5 minutes on their own before stuffing them with all the delicious toppings and cooking all the way. This way they have the chance to really crisp up on their own before you get started. I also make sure refried beans are the bottom layer, creating a bit of a barrier between the chicken mixture and the shell. The shells are bound to be less crispy on the bottom than they are at the top, and that’s just part of what happens when you bake them, but they SHOULD NOT break or be soggy. The other truly important step is FULLY DRAINING the tomatoes and green chiles before adding into the chicken mixture. I recommend first draining, then letting sit over a bowl in a strainer for about 5 minutes to make sure they drain all the way. These tips will all help to keep the shells crispy, so important! Cocktail Pairings Oh okay, so you’re my people! My fave pairings are either a Classic Skinny Margarita or our Sparkling Strawberry Margarita Punch. You can also go with a great Mexican beer and be in business. Every great chicken taco recipe needs a great drink, especially if you’re entertaining a crowd, but that doesn’t mean you have to make something fancy. Have fun with the cocktail pairings and you’ll be a star in no time! Want more fun cocktails to chase down these Chicken Tacos? We’ve got you covered! Best Margaritas Peach Frozen Margaritas Grapefruit Salty Dogs Pink Summer Shandy Tequila Sunrise White Wine Margaritas Margaritas and Tacos There’s nothing better to pair with this easy chicken tacos than an amazing Margarita! We have compiled all our favorite Margarita Recipes in the ULTIMATE MARGARITA GUIDE. From classic to unique to flavored to frozen, we have you covered! Be sure to check it out today. This recipe for Baked Chicken Tacos is the MOST popular recipe on The Cookie Rookie and I hope you love it as much as we do! It’s a family favorite and a reader favorite, so what are you waiting for? More Chicken Mexican Recipes we Love Enchilada Stuffed Chicken Mexican Chicken Salad Cheesy Chicken Chowder Tequila Lime Chicken Nachos Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Queso Smothered Chicken Fajitas Chicken Tortilla Soup Chicken Enchilada Dip King Ranch Chicken Casserole Chicken Quesadillas for a Crowd If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!... Read more...Baked Pork ChopsJuly 21, 2022Level: Easy Total: 40 min Active: 10 min Yield: 4 servings These easy oven roasted pork chops are coated with a seasoned breadcrumb mixture that won’t make a mess – perfect for weeknight dinners. Look for rough and crunchy Japanese panko crumbs. This recipe calls for Italian seasoning, but feels capable of customizing the flavor with your choice of herb and spice blend (just check the label to make sure no sodium has been added): a pepper mix or even pumpkin pie spice would work well. Or try adding chopped fresh herbs like parsley, tarragon and dill along with fresh lemon zest to the breadcrumbs. You can even make seasoned crumbs ahead of time and store them in a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator – just add oil and shake and bake your pork chops. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups panko 5 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Four 3/4-inch bone-in pork chops (about 2 1/4 pounds) Lemon wedges, for serving, optional Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. 2. Combine the panko, oil, Parmesan, Italian seasoning and 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Put the pork chops in a large bowl and toss to coat with 1 tablespoon water. Place the pork chops in the bag and shake well to coat, pressing the breadcrumb mixture firmly into the meat. 3. Place the pork chops on a wire rack set on a baking sheet and top evenly with any breadcrumbs remaining in the bag. Bake until the breadcrumbs are dark golden and the internal temperature of the chops registers 145 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer (avoid touching bone), 15 to 20 minutes. 4. Serve immediately with lemon wedges if using. ... Read more...Cold Brew Iced CoffeeJuly 19, 2022Level: Easy Total: 18 hr 5 min (includes steeping time) Active: 5 min Yield: 2 servings This recipe only makes two cold brews. So if you’re not familiar with the method, this is a good test batch to know exactly how strong you want your infusion to be. Once you find the ideal brew time, you can double, triple or even quadruple your output. The sieved concentrate can be stored airtight in the refrigerator for up to a week Ingredients 1/3 cup whole coffee beans (see Cook’s Note) 1 1/2 cups cold water Milk and sweetener of your choice, optional (see Cook’s Note) Directions Special equipment: coffee grinder, cheesecloth and kitchen twine or a coffee filter, pint Mason jar or other glass container 1. Grind the beans in a coffee grinder on the coarse setting; the ground coffee should resemble coarse sugar or sand. 2. Cut a 6-by-6-inch double thickness of cheesecloth. Put the coffee in the middle and tie tightly with kitchen twine. Put the sachet in a pint Mason jar or other 2-cup glass container. Add the cold water and seal tightly. (If you prefer, you can just add the coffee directly to the cold water and strain through cheesecloth after steeping.) 3. Refrigerate and steep for at least 12 hours, though 18 to 24 hours is best. Remove the sachet, press to extract as much liquid as possible back into the jar and discard the sachet. 4. To serve, pour equal parts cold brew concentrate and cold water over ice. Add milk and sweetener if using. Cook’s Note You can use a heaping 1/3 cup of pre-ground coffee so long as it is very coarse. If you don’t have cheesecloth, you can use a coffee filter to strain in a pinch. If you’d like to sweeten your coffee, make a batch of simple syrup and keep it in the refrigerator. Combine equal parts water and sugar, simmer to dissolve the sugar, then cool and refrigerate. ... Read more...Tortilla Breakfast WrapJuly 14, 2022Level: Easy Total: 10 min Active: 10 min Inspired by an egg, cheese, and bread omelet, we’ve made a complete breakfast roll that includes tortillas, eggs, spinach, cheese, and ham in a single pan for a quick meal. Enjoy straight from the pot or with a few drops of your favorite hot sauce. Ingredients 2 large eggs Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon unsalted butter One 8-inch whole-wheat tortilla 1/3 cup lightly packed baby spinach 2 slices American cheese 2 thin slices deli Black Forest ham Directions 1. Combine the eggs with a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper in a small bowl and whisk to combine. 2. Melt the butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pour in the egg mixture and swirl the skillet to coat the bottom. Working quickly, dip the tortilla in the eggs, then flip it over and place it back in the skillet (both sides should be coated in egg). Season with another pinch of salt. 3. Continue to cook the eggs until they are completely set on the bottom, 1 to 2 minutes. Slide a large rubber or silicone spatula under the tortilla and flip the whole tortilla and egg over in one single motion. Scatter the spinach on the half of the tortilla that’s closest to you, then top with the cheese and finally the ham. Continue to cook until the bottom is golden brown, about 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and slide onto a plate. 4. Starting with the side that has all the filling, start rolling the tortilla into a tight wrap or burrito. Keep the seam side facing downward so the wrap stays closed. Cut in half crosswise and serve. ... Read more...Ham-Jam SandwichesJuly 12, 2022No summer picnic is complete without these easy sandwiches from 2007’s Best New Chef Gabriel Rucker, the genius behind amazing Portland attractions Le Pigeon, Canard and Little Bird Bistro. Top baguettes are slathered with butter and goat cheese, jewel-toned blueberry Beaujolais jam and salty prosciutto. Wrap these sandwiches in plastic wrap and tuck them into the top of the fridge for the perfect sunny Saturday lunch. Ingredients Ingredient Checklist 3 ounces goat cheese 1/4 cup unsalted butter (2 ounces), softened 1 (20-inch) good-quality baguette 5 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto 1/3 cup Blueberry-Beaujolais Jam Directions Instructions Checklist Step 1 Combine cheese and butter in bowl of a food processor; pulse until smooth. (Goat cheese butter may be covered and set aside at room temperature until ready to assemble sandwiches, up to 2 hours.) Step 2 Cut baguette in half lengthwise; spread 1 cut side with goat cheese butter, and top with a layer of prosciutto. Spread second cut side with jam, and place on top of other half. Cut baguette into even pieces, and serve. Suggested Pairing Light-bodied cru Beaujolais. ... Read more...Crispy Buttermilk Fried ChickenJuly 7, 2022Active: 45 mins Total: 2 hrs 35 mins Yield: 6 Grace Parisi of Food & Wine rounds out one of our all-time favorite dishes with this extra crispy buttermilk chicken. A buttermilk marinade with a hint of chili ensures juicy meat, while a flour dredger dusted with garlic and onion powder delivers a crispy and delicious crust with every bite. Ingredients Buttermilk Soak 3 cups buttermilk 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper 4 pounds medium chicken wings, thighs and drumsticks Flour Dredge 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper Vegetable oil, for frying Directions Instructions Checklist Step 1 In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk with the salt, black pepper and cayenne. Step 2 Add the chicken and stir to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 2 hours or refrigerate for 4 hours. Step 3 In a large, resealable plastic bag, mix the flour with the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and cayenne and shake to combine. Step 4 Set a rack on a baking sheet. Working with one piece at a time, remove the chicken from the buttermilk soak, letting the excess drip back into the bowl. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, pressing so it adheres all over. Transfer the coated chicken to the rack and let stand for 30 minutes. Step 5 In a deep skillet, heat 1 inch of oil to 350°. Set another rack over a baking sheet; line with paper towels. Fry the chicken in batches at 315°, turning once, until golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of each piece registers 160°, 15 to 18 minutes. Step 6 Transfer the chicken to the paper-lined rack and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Suggested Pairing Wine or Beer Sparkling wine and fried chicken work well together. Try Prosecco from northern Italy, which has a soft fruitiness, like the citrusy NV Mionetto Brut. Or drink a crisp pilsner like the pleasantly bitter Victory Prima Pils or the more delicate Pilsner Urquell. ... Read more...Cucumber SaladJuly 5, 2022Vinegar, sugar, salt, and onions add a smooth, versatile flavor to this quick and easy cucumber salad recipe. It only takes a few extra minutes of marinating time to soften the flavor of the onion and help the tangy spice infuse every bite of the cucumber. Pair the salad with grilled hot dogs or pork chops in the summer, or create a cool contrast with grilled chicken or poached salmon in the colder months. Feel free to make it a day ahead and keep it in the fridge – the salad only gets spicier and tastier once it sits. Ingredients Ingredient Checklist 1 pound seedless cucumbers, thinly sliced crosswise on a mandoline 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced Directions Instructions Checklist Step 1 In a medium bowl, toss the cucumber slices with the sugar and salt and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and onion and refrigerate for 10 minutes, then serve. ... Read more...Red, White and Blue Deviled EggsJune 30, 2022Additional: 30 mins Total: 1 hr Prep: 30 mins Servings: 16 Yield: 16 egg halves These are a great 4th of July appetizer! They’re a bit finicky to make, but the colorful demos are so much fun and worth checking out. Spicy horseradish and smoked Spanish paprika add flavor to these deviled eggs. This recipe is easy to expand upon; just make sure to go easy on the amount of salt and your preferred season. Ingredients 3 drops red gel food coloring ⅔ cup water, or as needed 2 drops blue gel food coloring toothpicks 8 hard-cooked eggs, peeled 2 ½ tablespoons mayonnaise 1 tablespoon hot prepared horseradish 1 teaspoon rice vinegar ⅛ teaspoon salt, or to taste 1 pinch fresh-ground black pepper ¼ teaspoon smoked hot paprika 1 teaspoon snipped fresh chives (Optional) Directions Step 1 Combine red food coloring and 1/3 cup water in a ramekin or small bowl; do the same with the blue food coloring in a separate ramekin. Step 2 Gently insert 3 or 4 toothpicks about 1/4-inch deep through the center of an egg and balance it so that one end is dipped in one of the dyes. (Don’t pierce the eggs too much, or they’ll break after you halve them). Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes, depending upon how strong you like the colors. Dip the other end of the egg in the other dye so the eggs have red, white, and blue bands. Dye the rest of the eggs and let dry on paper towels. Step 3 Slice colored eggs in half lengthwise and set the whites aside on a serving platter. Push the yolks through a sieve into a bowl or use a potato ricer. Step 4 Mix mayonnaise, horseradish, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper into the yolks and stir until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Transfer filling into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Step 5 Pipe filling into each egg white half. Place smoked paprika in a fine mesh strainer; hold the strainer over each egg half and tap gently to dust with paprika. Sprinkle deviled eggs with chives. Chill until ready to serve. Cook’s Notes: It took me about half an hour to dye the eggs, but you could speed up the process if you want to use multiple dishes and use more food coloring. I sometimes add a pinch of pimentón to the filling as well as sprinkling it on top for a garnish. I use my pressure cooker for steaming the eggs; it’s my favorite method, because it makes them easy to peel. I chill them for about 10 minutes in the ice bath. Get the recipe for Pressure Cooker Hard-Boiled Eggs. Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 55 calories; protein 3.2g; carbohydrates 0.5g; fat 4.4g; cholesterol 106.8mg; sodium 64.7mg. ... Read more... Get Our Newsletter Thank you for signing up. You will be the first to know new releases, giveaways & special projects. Stay tuned. First Name Last Name Email Subscribe Latest Posts Vegan Banana PancakesAugust 9, 2022Breakfast / VegetarianIf you like banana bread, then you’ll love these vegan banana pancakes! They’re lightly sweet, thick, fluffy, and filled with yummy banana flavor. This stack of vegan banana pancakes pretty much sums up my ideal Saturday morning. Except, well, I don’t eat 7 pancakes on my individual plate, but Jack would if I put them in front of him. Portion control aside, if you have ripe bananas hanging around, give these vegan banana pancakes a try! They’re easy to make in one bowl, and they’re thick, fluffy, and full of yummy banana flavor. I think you’re going to love them! Vegan Banana Pancakes Ingredients Bananas, of course! You’ll need one large or two small ripe bananas to make this recipe. The spottier, the better! There’s no added sweetener in this recipe, so you want your bananas to be nice and sweet. Ground flaxseed + water – They take the place of the egg that you’d find in a traditional pancake recipe, helping bind the pancake batter together. Extra-virgin olive oil – Or a neutral oil of your choice. You’ll add some to the batter and use more for greasing the pan. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract – For warm depth of flavor. Almond milk – Or another milk you like! My homemade oat milk would work well here too. Whole wheat pastry flour and oat flour – They pack this recipe with a whole grain punch, and they give the pancakes an amazing soft texture. Baking powder and baking soda – They help these vegan pancakes rise. And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop! Of course, you’ll want maple syrup for serving, too! Find the complete recipe with measurements below. Change Up These Vegan Banana Pancakes! I love this vegan banana pancake recipe as written, but don’t hesitate to make it your own! Fold a scoop of chocolate chips or blueberries into the batter, or try a different mix of spices. A dash of cardamom or ginger would be a lovely addition here. Have fun playing with the toppings, too. I often go for sliced bananas and classic maple syrup, but so many other toppings would also be delicious. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Slather the pancakes with peanut or almond butter. Dollop them with vegan yogurt and sprinkle them with homemade granola. Top them with fresh berries and/or toasted nuts. Let me know what variations you try! Ingredients 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed 3 tablespoons water ½ cup mashed banana, about 1 large 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for brushing 1 teaspoon vanilla ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons almond milk, more if needed 1½ cup whole wheat pastry flour* ½ cup oat flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon nutmeg heaping ¼ teaspoon sea salt Maple syrup, banana slices, pecans, for serving Instructions In a large bowl, combine the flaxseed, water, and banana. Mash and stir until well combined. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to thicken. Add the olive oil, vanilla, and almond milk and whisk. Add the flour and sprinkle the baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt evenly over the top. Stir until all the ingredients are combined, but the batter is still a bit lumpy. The batter should be a bit thick, but if it’s too thick to scoop, stir in an additional 1 tablespoon almond milk. Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle to medium heat. Brush the skillet with a little olive oil and use a ⅓-cup measuring cup to pour the batter onto the pan. Use the back of the cup to gently spread the batter a little more. Cook the pancakes until bubbles appear, about 1½ minutes, then flip and cook for another 1½ minutes, or until the pancakes are golden brown. Turn the heat to low as needed so that the middles cook without burning the outsides. I usually start with medium heat and move to low heat as my pan starts to hold residual heat after each batch. Serve with maple syrup, sliced bananas, and pecans, if desired. Notes *I like Bob’s Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour... Read more...Cheap Ways To Stay Warm This WinterAugust 7, 2022House Hold TipsWith the cold winter months soon to be appearing and utility bills rising to never-before-seen levels that many will not be able to manage, there has never been a better time to find the cheapest ways to stay warm. Fortunately this guide contains a range of effective tips and ideas that you can make the most of to stay warm this winter without having to spend a small fortune in the process, so if you’re ready to discover more, then simply read on! Cook Up A Hearty, Warming Meal One of the best ways to stay warm this winter without having to spend lots of money on heating is by cooking up a hearty, comforting meal that can warm you from the inside out. A great recipe that you can try would be something like a Dutch oven beef stew or even a chicken casserole, as a hot broth based dish that boasts lots of filling and sustaining foods like meat and potatoes will help you to feel cosy and comfortable no matter how cold it may be outdoors. Whether you choose to indulge some hot soup that you can keep in a thermos to stay warm, or even simply prepare yourself a piping bowl of porridge that can give you some energy for the cold day ahead, just be sure that you can fill up on healthy, hearty foods that can make you feel toasty both inside and out. It can even be beneficial to eat spicy foods rather than those which are just physically hot, as spice can certainly help to get your blood pumping and increase your body temperature! Making the mistake of eating a salad or having a bowl of ice cream would certainly ruin your day during the winter, as you’ll feel even more icy cold than you did before. Stock Up On Blankets, Rugs & More Stocking up on cosy soft furnishings should be your next focus, as being able to wrap yourself up in a super thick blanket will certainly help to protect you against the cold without having to spend any extra cash. You can add plush rugs to hard floor areas such as wood or tiles, as putting your bare foot on tiles or wood during the depths of winter can feel almost like stepping onto a big block of ice! Add some furry pillows to your sofa and swap out your summer duvet for a thicker winter alternative. Having lots of thick pyjamas and loungewear can also be of benefit, as you won’t feel the need to switch on your heating when you can wrap up in a long sleeve shirt, a jumper and some comfy sweatpants. The more cosy soft furnishings and accessories that you can have at home, the warmer you’re going to feel (for free!). Staying warm this winter without having to spend a small fortune in the process has never been such a simple task when you can take the time to utilize some of the brilliant tips and ideas that have been carefully detailed in this guide.... Read more...DIY Rollup Organizer Back SchoolAugust 5, 2022CornerI get it. There’s nothing super exciting about a pencil caddy. BUT a rollup organizer that can store tons of pens and pencils without taking up too much space? I’d make one of those. As long as it’s cute. And it is! Here’s the story… I’ve been working on getting the studio organized (and ‘finished’ to the point of sharing an official studio tour) this last month and a half. And it’s led me to some organizational project stuff that I’ve been wanting to share. Some projects are large (can’t wait to show you what I’m talking about – very soon) and some are small. Today happens to be on the small side… It’s a 15 minute project that is almost too easy (and functional) not to take the time to make. It’s a DIY rollup caddy that makes the perfect pen and pencil organizer. All you need is a tea towel and a sewing machine (and thread). That’s it! We made a couple and I’ve been using them to keep small items like pencils, scissors, paint brushes, etc handy at the studio. But it also totally works for back to school, if you have any little ones. Click through for the step by step instructions. How to Make a DIY Pencil Organizer Materials for Rollup Pencil Caddy tea towel with an interesting design* sewing machine / thread (optional) thin leather strip 8-12 inches long *In case you’re curious, the pink pattern tea towel I used for this DIY is vintage. But the green tea towel can be found right here. Making a Pencil Organizer (Instructions) 1. Lay your tea towel flat and using a pencil to measure fold up the bottom section, pin on each side and sew. 2. Continuing to use your pencil to measure decide how wide you would like for each section to be, pin and then sew. 3. Fold over your top section and decide how far you would like the fold to come. If your towel is just the right length you can skip this step. But if not, cut off excess fabric and hem. 4. To finish, iron your fabric at the fold and sew a seam from side to side to make a flap that will lay flat. 5. (Optional) To keep the rollup secure, you can add a leather strip, tied in a knot. I didn’t attach mine to the actual rollup – just wrapped it around and knotted it after everything was rolled. But you can sew the two pieces together, if it makes more sense to have that piece connected. What else can I use this rollup organizer for? This rollup pencil organizer that works for all kinds of things, not just pencils. It would make the perfect makeup organizer! You can use it for makeup brushes and tubular makeup items (like eyeliner, lipgloss, etc). Or what about as a makeup brush organizer? This would be perfect for that. Speaking of brushes, artist brushes would fit perfectly in the slots of this rollup too. What else could you use this organizer for? I’m sure I’m forgetting something. Honestly, I am always, ALWAYS losing small things in my desk. These pencils organizers are a lot harder to lose track of than one single pencil. Right? Hope you like ’em too.... Read more...Avocado, Chèvre and Bacon OmeletteAugust 4, 2022Breakfast / RecipesSERVES: 2 PREP TIME: 5 min COOK TIME: 5 min CALORIES: 334 Avocado, chèvre and bacon are the very best omelette filling on the planet, and that’s what we’re here to talk about today. A Classic 3-Egg Omelette, Our Way. A fussy, custardy French omelette is great and all, but when we’re making eggs, we don’t usually have the energy to be quite as persnickety as those silky-smooth, just-done omelettes demand. Plus, between us, we grew up eating diner-style omelettes—the kind made with 3 eggs that are cooked-through and then loaded with whatever your heart desires. We love a classic western omelette, 4-cheese, spinach and feta—you name it! Just about any diner-style omelet combo you can think of, it’s a safe bet that we’ve eaten it and loved it. Today, though, we’re sharing our very favorite filling of all. What Ingredients Go Well in an Omelette? As we’ve said, we’ve hardly ever met an omelette filling that we didn’t like. We’re big egg lovers, you know. That said, while we like them all, it’s not everyday that you fall truly in love with an omelette filling. Bacon is a breakfast given, and putting it in your omelette recipe—instead of serving it on the side—just makes good sense. Bacon and avocado are a killer combo—if you are not in the habit of adding bacon to your BLTs, well, it’s never too late to get it right. And then there’s chèvre! Oooooooh chèvre. Chèvre just means goat cheese, and usually means (as it does here) fresh, young goats cheese. Tangy and light, it adds just the right amount of sharpness and contrast to this omelette recipe, countering the richness of the bacon and avocado perfectly. So, to reiterate, the most perfect omelette filling is the following trio: Bacon Chèvre Avocado Omelette VS Omelet. What’s The Difference? You’ve probably seen the word “omelette” spelled both ways, and that’s for a pretty good reason—both are correct! Omelette is the French spelling, and “omelet” is just an Americanized version of the word. To go a little deeper, usually people use the word “omelette” to indicate a particular style of French omelette that’s custardy inside and smooth and fluffy on the outside. You might know that in the culinary word, supposedly making a simple eggs-only omelette is the true test of a French chef, as it requires incredible skill to make it perfectly. But that’s neither here nor there, because this omelette recipe is anything but fussy or precise. It’s about loading up your breakfast plate with an omelette—or omelet—that overflows with deliciousness. How to Make an Omelette So yeah—there are a LOT of opinions out there about how to make the best omelette. Most of us agree that a non-stick pan is hugely helpful, but from there, things get a little fight-y. Do you salt the eggs before whisking them? Do you need to add a splash of cream of milk to the eggs, or is to do so a complete abomination? We think that the most perfect omelette is the one that satisfies YOU, and exactly what that omelette looks like? Well, that’s always going to be a little different for every person. So, we’ll just walk you through how to make this particular omelette recipe—one of our personal faves—and we’ll let you tinker from there. Begin by melting the butter in the pan until the bottom is nicely coated in butter. Whisk the eggs until the whites and yolks are fully cohesive. Slowly pour the eggs into the buttered pan and season them now. When they’re almost cooked through, gently flip the whole thing so that the uncooked side cooks. Pull the eggs from the heat and add the avocado, goat cheese and bacon! Fold it over and dig in! Tools You’ll Need: Non-stick skillet Large spatula Sharp knife Cutting board More Egg Recipes To Try Tomato, Basil & Caramelized Onion Quiche Caramelized Onion Frittata Soft-Scrambled Eggs Spring Asparagus Frittata With Crème Fraîche Ingredients 1/2 tbspbutter 3eggs, whisked salt freshly ground pepper 2 ozchèvre (goat cheese), crumbled 2strips thick cut bacon, cooked until crisp and roughly cut 1/2avocado microgreens for garnish Method In a 8” fry pan, melt butter over medium/low heat and swirl to coat bottom. Slowly pour the eggs into the pan. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper and allow to cook until eggs are almost set. About 2-3 minutes. Using a large spatula, carefully flip the eggs and remove from heat. On one half of the eggs add goat cheese, bacon and avocado. Fold in half and serve with microgreens. Nutrition Info CALORIES334 PROTEIN18 g CARBOHYDRATES6 g TOTAL FAT28 g DIETARY FIBER3 g CHOLESTEROL327 mg SODIUM730 mg TOTAL SUGARS1 g ... Read more...Classic Shrimp ScampiAugust 2, 2022CornerEvel: Easy Total: 30 min Active: 30 min America can’t seem to get enough of prawns: It’s one of FoodNetwork.com’s 10 most-searched recipes this summer (more popular than a burger!), and #shrimpscampi has more than 134,000 posts on Instagram. What’s all the fuss about? Do we love prawns because they are simple but look so chic? Or because it’s ready in 30 minutes? Or is it because we can’t resist butterwine sauce? all of the above! Ingredients Deselect All Kosher salt 12 ounces linguine 1 1/4 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 5 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/3 cup dry white wine Juice of 1/2 lemon, plus wedges for serving 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley Directions Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain. Meanwhile, season the shrimp with salt. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is just golden, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until pink and just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove the shrimp to a plate. Add the wine and lemon juice to the skillet and simmer until slightly reduced, 2 minutes. Return the shrimp and any juices from the plate to the skillet along with the linguine, butter and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water. Continue to cook, tossing, until the butter is melted and the shrimp is hot, about 2 minutes, adding more of the reserved cooking water as needed. Season with salt; stir in the parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.... Read more...Providing Real Quality Of Life, Not Just Care, For An Elderly Loved OneJuly 29, 2022Parenting TipsAre you concerned that some of your aging relatives no longer have the ability to live safely by themselves? If that’s the case, you want to make sure that their primary needs are taken care of, first and foremost, ensuring they are safe, eating, and not at too much risk of accident or injury. However, our human needs go beyond that, and you should always ensure that quality of life is a top priority. The specter of isolation By far one of the greatest threats to people in older age is the isolation they can feel. Our social circles shrink over time and our family starts families of their own, having less time for us. As such, it is vital to not only visit regularly, but to help them find communities that they can connect. Ensuring the decision is theirs You might feel like you sometimes need to put a little pressure on your loved ones to make sure that they are going to get the care that they need. However, how you talk to them about their needs can play a bigger role in their mental health than you might think. The feeling of losing control over one’s own life can be truly devastating at any age, so try to frame conversations positively, considering their wants and concerns, too. Keeping busy is more than just keeping busy It’s always important to make sure that we have something to occupy our time and to help us explore life outside of our own bubbles. While it is true we may have fewer options as we get older and can’t do everything that we used to, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have options. Look at the volunteer groups and community efforts near you that welcome older people, as well as hobby groups. These activities can help us retain a sense of meaning and community. Be mindful of the kind of care that you choose When you’re looking at care options for your loved one, you should always take a closer look to see what, exactly, they provide. Nursing home services should always provide the basic needs of eating, bathing, and grooming that we all need on a day-to-day basis, but do they also provide access to things like therapy and activity groups? Do they help take care of your loved one’s needs or do they help them live an independent and fulfilled life? Be proactive about their health Offer your loved ones your assistance when it comes to managing their health. They might not be going to the doctor as often as they should, which can be especially detrimental if they have a chronic illness that they are not managing. You can also look at steps you can take to improve their general health, such as eating healthier meals with them and looking for ways to get active with them. Balancing the different needs that you have to be able to help your aging relatives meet can be difficult, but it’s necessary to do it. Otherwise, it can have lasting repercussions on their health.... Read more...Simple Steps To Achieve Better PostureJuly 28, 2022Health & FitnessMany people struggle with maintaining a good posture, and regularly find themselves slumping down in their chair or experience neck pain as a result of a dropped head when standing. Fortunately you needn’t struggle through such symptoms for much longer, as this guide contains some of the most effective steps that you can follow to start improving your posture in no time at all, allowing you to get rid of back pain and hold your head high as a confident, proud individual. So, if you’re interested in discovering more, then simply read on to find some of the best tips and tricks to utilize today! Avoid ‘Text Neck’ You might never have heard of text neck, but most doctors now genuinely recognise this condition as a real problem. Text neck can be described as pain or discomfort that you feel as a result of holding your head down to look at your phone, as this takes your head out of alignment with your spine and such an unnatural drooped position can cause all kinds of issues over time. Text neck can change your posture permanently, leaving you in a bent over position with your head left hanging downwards as if you are on your phone even if it’s in your pocket. Far too many people suffer from text neck and therefore put their posture at risk, so it’s vital that you can recognize that text neck could be holding you back from achieving the best posture. The less that you can use your phone the better your chances are of avoiding text neck, but simply choosing to hold your phone in a higher position call also be of benefit. You can even add speech settings to your phone that will read things out loud or even type things that you say on your behalf, meaning you can actually use your phone without having to stare at the screen. You’ll notice a near immediate improvement in your posture when you can acknowledge and prevent text neck! Perform Strengthening & Stretching Exercises It’s more than likely that exercise is one of the last things on your mind when you are suffering from a bad posture and subsequent back pain or discomfort, but in reality getting involved with some strengthening and stretching exercises can be of real benefit for your posture. Taking part in something such as a session of low impact yoga will certainly aid you in maintaining a better posture, as the positions that you will place your body in will be gentle on your spine and neck while promoting alignment. You can even find yoga sessions which are specifically designed to help promote great posture, so this should be something you consider. You can also visit an expert such as a chiropractor to learn a few beneficial exercises that can improve your posture, as someone with such credentials will know more than enough to reduce your spine troubles and help you achieve great posture in no time at all.... Read more...How To Minimize Your Back PainJuly 28, 2022Health & FitnessAre you suffering from terrible back pain? Then you’re not alone, as many people fall victim to a serious case of bad back pain every day, simply not knowing how to minimize their symptoms so that they can get back to their usual self. Fortunately that’s exactly what this guide aims to explain, as below are some of the most effective steps that you can follow to start reducing your back pain in a noticeable way in no time at all. So, if you would like to be able to jump out of bed every morning without any kind of aches or pains troubling your back, then simply read on to discover more! Do Low Impact Exercise One of the best options that you can explore to help minimize your back pain is to take part in low impact exercise on a regular basis. This does not mean that you need to sign up for a marathon and join your local boxing gym – low impact exercises are those which are gentle on your joints rather than putting them under extreme pressure, and this is exactly what you need when you’re attempting to relieve your back pain. A great low impact exercise that you can try out to help with your back pain is swimming, as being in the water will take all of the pressure off your joints and bones, allowing you to move freely without feeling any weight or pressure. To add to this, you can take part in some kind of stretching exercise such as Pilates or yoga, as these can also be extremely beneficial for those looking to minimize their back pain. Just make sure you don’t go overboard and start working out day in day out, as you should aim for no more than 30-60 minutes of low impact exercise per day if you want to slowly but safely reduce the pain and inflammation in your back. See A Specialist If you take the opportunity to try and exercise through your back pain yet things seem to get worse instead of better, then this a sure fire sign that you need to go and see a specialist. A specialist can be anyone who studies spines as their main focus, so consider an expert such as a chiropractor who can use their years of knowledge and experience to both diagnose and treat your spinal issue. A good chiropractor can have an enormous impact on the pain you feel, helping you to get back to full mobility with limited aches and pains, allowing you to thrive once more in a matter of sessions. A physiotherapist can be of benefit too, as they often treat back pain due to injuries by using a variety of different movements, stretches and positions to help stretch and strengthen your back. Learning how you can start to minimize your back pain has never been such a simple task when you can utilize some of the brilliant ideas detailed in this informative guide!... Read more... 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