Holiday recipes to cook with family

Cooking is fun but when only you must slog in the kitchen to make festive feasts for friends and family, some frustration is justified. Spending hours in the kitchen makes you lose out on quality time with loved ones. Not anymore! This holiday season, make cooking a family affair and get your whole family to cook some fresh and easy festive delights. Involving kids in the kitchen is a great way to enjoy some family time and teach them important skills that last a lifetime. Check out these quick and easy holiday recipes that you could make with your entire family.

Popeye breads
Making breakfast with your little ones is a great idea during Christmas holidays. You could make healthy meals that can help them learn the benefits of healthy eating and nutrition. What’s best, they wouldn’t be picky about eating what they spent time making. Toast some spinach bread and help your kids understand the goodness of embracing spinach at breakfast time. After all their favorite hero Popeye knew what he was doing. Popeye breads are easy to make. Toast breads and blend a batter of cherry tomatoes, ham, eggs and spinach. Add the mixture between the toasted breads and let it grill. Once grilled, serve with some fried eggs and enjoy!

Choco porridge
Porridge is a great breakfast item and has all the makings of a wholesome meal. With Christmas and kids around, playing a bit with this staple food wouldn’t hurt. Get your troupe to make porridge with some cocoa powder, toasted hazelnut and orange zest and see how your little ones enjoy devouring this heavenly potion.

Christmas Tree Cupcakes
Since it’s Christmas why not get your little ones bake a super cool Christmas tree. Get your family to make tasty mini vanilla almond cupcakes and assemble the divine dessert in the shape of a Christmas tree. Dust some green sprinklers and jimmies over the assembled tree and embellish it with edible red and golden jellies and ribbons. How cool is that!

Heavenly thanksgiving leftover sandwich
If you have a fridge full of leftovers from last night’s thanksgiving dinner, make quick and easy turkey sandwiches. Making these sandwiches with leftovers will not only reduce your family’s prep time, it would also teach your kiddos resourcefulness. Make some comfort sandwich with turkey, cream cheese and cherry tomatoes. If you also have some cranberry relish left from the dinner, use that to give your sandwich that extra punch!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  • Using mason jars in home decor
    Mason jars are a huge hit in home decor. The modest molded glass jar has been used just to preserve food but also in lighting, accents, and even for a great display. This article examines some great ways in which we can use Mason jars and incorporate them effectively and beautifully into home decor: Using Mason jars as soap dispensers: Add a vintage touch to the modest, basic space of the kitchen by making cute dispensers with these pretty-looking, functional Manson jars. What you need: Mason Jar, empty soap bottle with a pump, water-resistant glue and a spray paint (just for styling). What you need to do:
    • On the lid at the back of the Mason jar (upside down), draw a circle the size of the soap bottle pump. Then, place a small screwdriver inside the circle and tap the screwdriver by using a hammer.
    • Continue until you get a smooth perfect circle shape. Now just make sure that the opening of the soap bottle fits within and inside the circle of the lid. Next, cut off the soap bottle just below the thread (it is easy to do so a hand saw). Now attach the top of the soap bottle on the underside of the lid with a good amount of glue, and once it dries, screw the soap pump into the lid.
    • Now fix the lid onto the Mason jar and mark the center of the lid. With the screwdriver and hammer, pierce through the lid gently. Create a hole just large enough to fit the pump inside. Once you complete this process, spray the paint on the lid if needed. Latter fix the pump to the lid with the help of glue (underside of the lid around the pump).
    • Once dried, your new soap dispenser is ready to use!
    Using Mason jars as makeup brushes holder: Slip off the lid of the Mason jar and add some funky artwork to it and voila! You now have a chic makeup brush holder to display on your dressing table. Using Mason jars to store makeup paraphernalia: Take a slim board and pipe clamps. Paint and screw them onto the washroom wall, install Mason jars on them and stuff them with cosmetic sponges, swabs and cotton balls in a unique manner. Using Mason jars for terrariums: If you're a green person, then you can simply use Mason jars to create beautiful indoor terrariums or even use them for growing your own indoor garden.
  • Ways to perfectly light up your bathroom
    Regardless of size, lighting is a crucial factor for bathrooms of all shapes and styles. Bathroom lights are not only important for aesthetic reasons, but also for your safety. For the elderly and small kids, the bathroom needs to be completely lit, be it through natural or decorative lights. Also, your bathroom needs to be illuminated perfectly whenever in use so that you can avoid accidents or injuries. Whenever possible, let natural light brighten and freshen up your bathroom. But for night time, use sufficient decorative lights for each of your tasks. Here are some ways to light up your bathroom using decorative lighting fixtures. For general lighting, you can use recessed lighting, chandeliers, or ceiling-mounted bathroom lights. You can use an ambient light fixture with a dimmer to help you with visual clarity at different times of the day. For overall illumination, fluorescent light bulbs or strips can work in the bathrooms. Go by your local area's building codes when using pendant lights or chandeliers in the bathroom, especially above the tub. If your bath or shower area is large, you might need more than one bathroom light. For your shower area, safety is really important, so use practical bathroom light fixtures rather than mere decorative ones. Another important bathroom light aspect is brightness by the vanity. Scone lights at both sides of the mirror work best as task lighting in this area of the bathroom. Install these lights at your eye level for best results. You can also use the side space on the walls by the mirror to install these scones. Avoid any bathroom light fixtures above the mirror as this can make it difficult for you to see and perform tasks in front of the mirror. For task lighting in the bathroom, use fluorescent lights with minimum 24 watts and for light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures, use at least 20 watts if not more. To add style to your bathroom, you can use wall arts with accent lights or an interesting-looking pendant light at the entrance or by the vanity. For large-sized bathrooms, you can easily use 34 pendant lights in all areas other than the shower space. One of the best ways to light up your bathroom is to keep the artificial illumination as close to natural light as possible. For this, you can use bathroom light fixtures with white bulbs or you can use compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) or LED lights. If you want a functional bathroom only with fancy features, you can opt for just the basics. You will need bathroom lights at the vanity and general lighting for overall illumination. If you can add an extra pendant light in the entryway or wall-mounted lights by the shower area, then these are the only lights you will need in your bathroom. To minimize your power bills, you can use all LED light fixtures in your bathroom.
  • Things you must look for when buying a Shih Tzu puppy

    Have you decided what your new family member will be like? So, it is a Shih Tzu puppy, eh? But before going for a Shih Tzu puppies sale, you must know everything about it and certain things must be kept in mind.

    • Always buy from a registered breeder Many of you out there must be thinking what wrong has the unregistered breeder done. Well, it is always better to be on the safe side. It is not that a perfectly healthy and cheerful Shih Tzu cannot be raised by a non-registered breeder. There are several of them who have raised perfect Shih Tzu. It is not that the dog raised by the non-registered ones will not meet the standards of size and proportion. But when you are buying from a registered breeder, the main advantage is that you will know the entire history of the puppy. You will know the origin of the puppy and even have information about its parents and grandparents. You will stay assured about the genetic background of the puppy that you are bringing home.
    • Buy a book on the maintenance and lifestyle of a Shih Tzu A proper lifestyle of your puppy will keep it happy and cheerful throughout her life. So, the most important aspect is the knowledge about the thing you must do to maintain a healthy lifestyle for your Shih Tzu. Invest a small amount now, and you will see better results in future.
    • Know about the potential health issues in your puppy's breed You must have knowledge about the potential health issues that are present in your puppy's breed and are inherent to it. Every breed has an issue of its own. For the Shih Tzu, one of the most inherent health issues is the hip dysplasia. So when you are going to a Shih Tzu puppies sale event, you must always check this aspect in not only the puppy, but also its mother.
    • Visit the surrounding in which the puppy was born Insist on seeing the place where your puppy was born. Know the place which it has seen since it has opened its eyes. Weigh out the circumstances and decide whether the puppy would love its new home. One more factor that you must check when you visit the place is its cleanliness. See how clean the surroundings were in which the puppy was born. This would give you an idea about how healthy its upbringing was.
    • Visit the siblings and the mother of your Shih Tzu The reason for visiting the siblings and mother of your puppy is to check whether the group seems cheerful. See the temperament and health of the mother. Check whether the characteristics are the ones you want in your puppy. Check whether the siblings are well cared for. After all, your puppy has come from that same family.

    Only after checking and making sure the above points, finalize your decision on the puppy.

  • Reasons why Super Nintendo is still popular
    Nostalgia might not be a precious commodity but it is still a powerful one and no one can harness it better than Nintendo, which over a span of 30 years has innovated on gaming consoles on universally adored franchises like Zelda and Mario. In 2016, Nintendo launched Super Nintendo Classic, a tiny version of the celebrated Super Nintendo Console introduced in 1990. The classic version comes inbuilt with 21 of the greatest hits. Loaded with some new features, the Super Nintendo is unique and worth a buy for $80. Let us have a look at some of the features that still make it a good console to enjoy. There is no doubt as to why the Super Nintendo Classic should be the best gift to give to any gamer. With confirmation from Nintendo that they will introduce the 2016 classic version again from June 2018, everyone can see these little fun boxes hit the retailers soon. When one looks into the newer SNES, one thing that everyone will notice is Nintendo providing two controllers with longer cables. The pads offered by SNES still feel the same and they have updated the ports with universal Nintendo ports which supports the Wii’s Classic Controller as well as the Classic Controller Pro. The device has an HDMI port for the video out and a micro-USB slot for power. Over time, the console size has been slimmed down but the controllers still retain the same size. Talking about the processor used, SNES Classic offers the exact same experience as the original console, but Nintendo surely has put some time to improve the menu system and have added some tricks to make it a more attractive buy. One of the biggest upgrades that anyone would like is the ability to drop the game and resume it later from the exact point where it was left last time. The console offers four slots which enable the players to save the game by just pressing the reset followed by D-pad. They have even added a rewind option which lets the user rewind from a suspended point and can replay for a minute or so. Nintendo offers three display options for the games: CRT filter, 4:3 that is the original appearance on a standard TV and a Pixel Perfect display option which has a narrow view. Overall the Super Nintendo is a nearly perfect console and is a must buy for all retro gaming enthusiasts.
  • Cleaning tips for 3 important kitchen appliances 
    Your kitchen appliances and utensils need that extra care and polishing to keep them safe and protected. Shining your kitchen appliances adds that fresh outlook to your kitchen that makes your kitchen glow. A vibrant kitchen helps keep you feeling fresh and delightful all day long. Also clean and glowing kitchen appliances bring in more smiles to those who are visiting your place. Here are a few kitchen cleaning tips to help you keep some of your kitchen appliances spotless, which are frequently used. Microwave Cleaning a microwave oven is a tumultuous affair! However, it is possible with simple kitchen cleaning tips. The easiest way to clean your microwave without any hassle is to just place a handful of wet paper towels inside it and run it high for three to five minutes. Leave them aside for some time. When microwave cools down, gently wipe away the grime from its interior walls. Blender For most everyday kitchen preparations, blenders can be an extremely handy appliance. By using straightforward kitchen cleaning tips, you can ensure that your blender remains squeaky clean. Just fill the blender with some liquid soap and water. Start off by gently cleansing it with your hand, then without throwing away the dirty water, put the lid on and get the blender running for a few seconds. You will notice that the sticky leftovers are effectively removed from the inside portion of the blender. Refrigerator A refrigerator without a doubt is one of the most used home appliance of a kitchen. Not just on a daily basis, even over the course of the day you and your family, peruse through the refrigerator. A refrigerator's exterior is often used as a board for attaching pictures, notes, grocery lists, etc. Naturally, this calls for an occasional cleaning of the surface. Since you are dealing with the outside part of the refrigerator, you can use commercial cleaning products or a simple solution of vinegar and water.
  • Brands to look out for if you want to buy barbecue grills
    With the summer holidays drawing nearer, it's time to dust off your outdoor bbq grills and plan your cookouts. But if you intend to buy a new one, summer's certainly not the time to think about it. This is peak grilling season, and if the weather holds, prices aren't going to fall any time soon. The best time to purchase barbecue grills on sale is when summer's over and stores are carrying huge unsold inventories. End of July and into August are the right times to snap up a deal on some of the best gas grills in the market. Bargain hunters can look through the local papers for gas grills on sale, bbq grills for brick bbq on factory websites, people moving out, garage sales, local stores offloading older models and easy-purchase terms direct from manufacturers. Some of the most popular, best-rated barbecue grills include: Broil-Mate 165154: This may not rate very high in the looks department, but it's a steal at $200 and gives you great performance. It's compact and can be assembled at home. The company offers a lifetime warranty for the housing, with a 5-year guarantee on burners and steel components. Napoleon Rogue 425: This is a luxury appliance that is large, spacious and powerful. This Canadian brand isn't very well-known but it's a winner. You can switch from gas to charcoal by use of the optional tray, and it gives you even cooking temperature and has an in-built thermometer for gourmet cuisine. Weber: This brand has a comprehensive range of models to suit your pocket, tastes, and preferences. From the tiny, kettle-charcoal grill at $99, prices go all the way up to luxury models with a $2000 plus price tag. Traeger: They make wood-fired grills for those who love the authentic taste of smoky meats. The Junior Elite 20 Wood-fired Pellet Grill in bronze is a classic piece priced at $429. It has a convenient temperature controller and is portable and versatile for different types of cooking. Black Knight: You can buy grill sets from this well-known British brand from online sellers like Amazon. The Black Knight 401 Brick Built-In Bbq Grill Kit comes with a warming pan and it's pegged at $139.95. Cuisinart: If you're in the market for portable, stylish, compact models, look for Cuisinart barbecue grills on sale. There are cute, table-top models, rollaway types and more, with charcoal, propane, and electric fuel/power-options. Picnic Time: These folding portable grills are just the thing for holiday/camping trips. The Vulcan features a PVC cooler that fits neatly into the accompanying tote. At $288.99 it's priced on the higher side, but watch out for these barbeque grills on sale. It's foldable, versatile and convenient.