Month

February 2015

Thirsty Thursday: Fresh Pineapple Whip Shake

This week we have been prepping for a very special Disney party which you will be hearing more about next week. In order for me to get ready for such an event I have been trying different recipes and decorating (you can see a sneak peak below).

 

We have never been to Disneyland, but I know there is a special treat there that everyone loves called a Dole Whip. They sound divine, and if you search for one on Pinterest there are about 100 different ways to make them at home. However, because I like things to sipped through a straw and I already had some fresh pineapple in the house for brinner (breakfast for dinner) and cream (for some homemade ice cream) I thought why not try whipping up my own version.

 

I know adding cream to a shake sounds kind of decadent, but I didn’t add any ice cream, so I feel like it was kind of a wash.

 

Fresh Pineapple Whip Shake (make two medium sized shakes)

3/4 to 1 cup cup fresh pineapple cut into chunks
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup milk
1/2 of a lemon squeezed
1 tsp sugar (optional)
lots of ice

 

In a blender add all the ingredients and blend until smooth.

Serve in a large glass with a straw.

 

I have a feeling everyone will like these a lot!

For all things beverage related, check out my previous Thirsty Thursday post or the THIRSTY THURSDAY page for recipes for all kinds of drinks, cocktails, and all things drinkable!

 

 

Want to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor? Become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest.

 

Thirsty Thursday: Hot Lemonade with Vanilla

When you have a sore throat, a cold, the flu it is best to push fluids. When you have the chills, all you want is a hot beverage to warm you up. Tea always seems to be the best option, but Not everyone likes tea (especially little ones).

My little ones have been under the weather recently, and I wanted to help them, but not all three love tea like I do. However, there is an alternative.

After surfing the web, I found a few things that people do to stay hydrated and warm when they are ill. The first was to warm some water and put some citrus or herbs into the water for a little flavor. The other was hot lemonade. This seemed weird at first, but when I read through some of the recipes, I started thinking, this sounds pretty good. So, I made up my own.

Hot Lemonade with Vanilla (makes one serving but can be made in batches)

1 cup lemonade (I used Minute Maid fresh squeezed in the refrigerator section)
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
pinch of cinnamon

Heat the lemonade in a small sauce pan over low heat or in a heat safe mug in the microwave. I like things very warm, but heat until your desired temperature.

Once in a heat safe mug, stir in honey, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Serve immediately.

For all things beverage related, check out my previous Thirsty Thursday post or the THIRSTY THURSDAY page for recipes for all kinds of drinks, cocktails, and all things drinkable!

 

 

Want to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor? Become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest.

 

On Point Care Package Tips

Since I have lived in the Midwest my whole life, I have noticed that this is about the time I am over Winter. I like the hot beverages, and snuggling, and snow days. However, I start longing for some outdoor time. I am aching to put away the boots, get my garden going, go for a walk that doesn’t require me to put on a dozen layers of clothing, or just sit outside and soak in some rays.

I want to take a deep breath of fresh air and not feel my lungs freeze and my eyes sting.
Then, I thought if I am sick of Winter, I cannot imagine how my niece (god-daughter) away at college feels. Walking to class is just the worst in weather like this.
So, I decided to send her a care package.
Here are some tips for sending an on point care package.
Food: Send a little treat or something you know will last a few days. Perhaps some cookies, a favorite nut butter, or even some candy. You can even try and send something homemade. However, keep in mind the weather. If it the weather is extremely cold, or very warm it might not hold up, so make sure to keep that in mind.
Thoughtful: Try and send something that you know the person will especially like or need. Perhaps a favorite movie on DVD to watch for a study break, a good book, a few photos, some fancy pens for school work, or their favorite brand of coffee.
Small but Sturdy: Whatever you send make sure it is small, light, and sturdy. Remember you had to send these things through the mail so make sure it can hold up through the mail, isn’t too fragile, and  make sure it is light enough so that if it has to be carried to a class or two before headed back to the dorms it isn’t a burden. Items like snuggly socks, a favorite lip balm, new gloves would do nicely.
Note: A note is always a perfect way to tell someone you’re thinking of them and hope things are going well. Also, a few kid drawings to brighten someone’s day are nice too.
Packaging: A small box packed tightly and stuffed with tissue is perfect. Make sure to slip a piece of paper with the recipients address inside the box too. Seal it up with packing tape, label it and ship it off.
What would be in your ideal care package?If you like this post and would like to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest.

The Easiest Recipe for Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

The kids were sick.

That’s all I have to say for you to understand that soup was needed around here. I like to make it homemade because when the kids are already sick, I want them eating healthy whole foods. Also, when their drink of choice when they are sick is Gatarade, I feel like I want to control what I can.

 

This recipe for this Chicken Noodle Soup is the easiest, and honestly doesn’t take as long as you’d think. The main trick is to boil the noodles separately and store separately from the soup.

The Easiest Chicken Noodle Soup

2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Large onion diced
2 or 3 stalks celery diced
4 carrots peeled and diced
2 zucchini diced
1 clove garlic minced
1 dried bay leaf
2 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp dried rosemary
1 lb package chicken breast tenders cut into small chunks
1 1/2 (32 oz) boxes low sodium chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
1 package of tiny cut pasta cooked according to package instructions  and set aside.
(NOTE: I used star pasta, but orzo or another kind would be fine.)


In a large stock pot over medium heat add olive oil. When oil is shimmering, add onion, celery, carrots, zucchini, carrots, salt and pepper. Stir occasionally until the onions are translucent and the carrots start to get tender. This should take about 3 to 5 minutes.

Next, add garlic, bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary, and stir for another minute. Add the chicken broth.

Bring the chicken broth to a rolling simmer.

Add the chicken, and let the chicken cook in the simmering broth for about 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

To serve, add a scoop of noodles to a bowl. Then ladle the soup over the noodles.

This soup is sure to make your loved ones feel better.

If you like this post and would like to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest.

 

7 Awesome Food Free Valentines {FREE PRINTABLES}

Valentine’s Day is almost here! This typically means flowers and candy, but for those who suffer from allergies, it can mean trouble.  With schools becoming more supportive of kids with allergies and other food related illnesses such as diabetes by keep parties FOOD FREE, it can be hard to know what to bring to a class Valentine’s Day Party.

As a Mom of kids who have several food allergies, I thought I would share some ideas (7 of them) for some cute and clever Valentines that are FOOD FREE, but not free of fun.

With the help of Canva (for the printable cards) and my favorite store Target (for the little goodies), I came up with a few ideas to share some FOOD FREE FUN this Valentine’s Day. I hope you enjoy it as much as my little ones have.

1.) Pencil Valentines are adorable (and handy for when you need an extra one for homework.)

 

Print out this card HERE and attach a cute pencil.

2.) When you’ve got it you’ve got it, and with these little notebooks

 

you can tell your friend they have the “write stuff.”

Print out this card HERE and add a small notebook.

3.) Erasers are always easily found in bulk for big class parties, and are nice to have on hand for mistakes. My kids have started an “eraser collection” from all the cool ones they have collected over the years. These cute erasers

 

and a card make a great Valentine.

 

Print out this card HERE, then add a cute eraser.

4.) Bubbles will never go out of style for kids. They are easily found this time of year, but can also be found around Easter time and in the wedding sections.

 

Tell your friends how you feel with a card.

 

Print out this card HERE, then attach bubbles.

And voila.

 

5.) Small action figures or toys are always a fun gift, and when you’re telling your friends they are DINO-MITE they can’t be beat.

 

 

Print out this card HERE, then add a dinosaur figure or eraser.

6.) These small heart shaped slinkies I found at Target (but regular ones would work just fine too), are an adorable way to tell your pal how you feel.

 

 

You can find the spring card HERE!

7.) Small mazes are awesome for traveling or on the go. It is fun to remember your friend when you play it too.

 

The maze card can be found HERE!

For a complete list of the printable cards you can CLICK HERE!

 

Happy Valentine’s Day, Readers!

If you like this post and would like to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest.

Thirsty Thursday: Cocktail Terms Beginner Bartender and Mixologist Should Know

Ever watch an old movie and wonder what some of those old cocktail terms everyone is using actually mean? Ever host a cocktail party and not know how to exactly measure out a guest’s drink? Or go out for a fancy night on the town and not know what some of those “fancy” drinks like Port are?

Your Thirsty Thursday gal is here to for the rescue! While I am not a professional bartender, I know enough from watching movies and asking questions and a little research on the internet to figure it out, and I have put it all here for you in one convenient location. Also, I have my favorite “go to” cocktail recipe with a literal twist at the end to get you ready for Valentine’s Day and impress your friends.

Measurements: I will share the most basic forms of measuring when it comes to creating your cocktails. For those that read me regularly know, measuring ingredients is not my strong suit, however when it comes to cocktailing and mixology it can make or break a drink.

 

 

  • Shot: this is the size of a standard shot glass 1 1/2 oz (45mL)
  • Jigger: a special tool used to measure spirits that has two ends. The larger end has holds 2 oz (60 mL) and the smaller end holds 1 1/2 oz (45 mL)
  • Pony: 1 oz
  • Dash: this measurement is often used to describe things like bitters, tobacco sauce, or other ver strong cocktail ingredients. The bottles these drink ingredients come in often have a top that helps to control how much goes into the cocktail. However, the actual measurement is 1/32 of an oz.
  • Splash: this is for slightly larger additions to drinks such as water, grenadine, syrup, or a stronger spirit. Its actual measurement is 1/8 of an oz.
  • Barspoon: Have you ever seen one of those spoons with the long corkscrew handles? That is a barspoon and used to mix up things in tall glasses or pitchers. Sometimes it can be used to measure a bit of something too (or in my case fish out some maraschino cherries out of a jar). This is about a teaspoon.
Jargon: when you’re hosting a large party or even have a few friends over for dinner it is important to have some basic bar jargon down so as to prepare their favorite drink the way they like it. 

 

  • Neat: this is serving a spirit with no mixers, ice, or water. Typically it is served in a tumbler glass meant to be sipped. (“I’ll have a whiskey neat, please.”)
  • On The Rocks: this is when someone prefers to have their favorite spirit poured over ice. (“A vodka on the rocks, please.”)
  • With a Twist: this is when a thin strip of citrus peel is squeezed and put into a mixed cocktail, spirit, or even non-alcholohic beverage for added flavor.
  • Mixers: non-alcholic additions to drinks such as sodas, juices, or syrups.
  • Nightcap: a mixed drink, liqueur, or wine served at the end of the evening, typically after dessert.
What Kind of Drink is That? here are some terms when it comes drinks.

 

  • Cocktail: a drink made with combinations of both spirits and mixers. (Note: Not all cocktails are martinis, a martini is a specific kind of drink.)
  • Dirty Martini: A martini (a cocktail made with gin and vermouth typically served with either an olive or a twist) with olive brine stirred into it.
  • Port: a fortified wine (meaning brandy has been added at sometime during the fermentation process) that is typically served as a nightcap
  • Liqueur: a very sweet liquor or spirit often used for mixing, but can be consumed alone as well. An example is Baily’s Irish Cream.
  • Shot or Shooter: this is a combination of spirits and mixers poured into a shot glass and meant to be drank quickly.
  • Virgin or Mocktail: these are drinks that contain no spirits but often replicate a standard spirit drink.
Now that you know some basic beginner mixologist terminology, how about a recipe with all of your knowledge? A Cranberry and Vodka is one of my favorite drinks and it is such a pretty color for Valentine’s Day. It also uses a lot of the terms we talked about today, and I can show you how to make a twist! 

Cranberry and Vodka
1 jigger vodka
1 cup cranberry juice
splash of lemon lime soda
twist of lime
ice
In a glass, add ice, vodka and cranberry. Stir. Top with splash of soda and twist of lime. Serve immediately.To make a twist, simply take a vegetable peeler and very carefully peel a small the skin of a lime, being careful to only peel the skin and not the white part (known at the pith).

 

Once you have your piece of lime.

 

Twist over your drink to release the oils into the drink and add into the drink or put on the rim as a garnish.

 

 

Enjoy!For all things beverage related, check out the THIRSTY THURSDAY page for recipes for all kinds of drinks, cocktails, and all things drinkable!

 

Want to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor? Become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest.

Sour Cream Cinnamon Coffee Cake: Kindness Goes a Long Way

One of my absolute favorite things to do is cook and bake for other people who least expect it. There is nothing like some homemade sugar, carbs, or hot steamy comfort food to make someone’s day. I love it.

Brian asked me to bake some breakfast treats for the staff where he works as a thank you. Because it is a big staff, I called my Mom for reinforcements and had her make some loaves of her Irish Soda Bread. I, then, made a few batches of chocolate chip zucchini bread.

Finally, I thought it would be a great time to bring out an old recipe from my Grandma Nano. Nothing says “thank you and you are appreciated” like a recipe from your grandma. I made her famous Sour Cream Cinnamon Coffee Cake.

 

I made an extra batch just for us, too. I served it up on the cake plate I inherited from my Grandma Nano. The kids loved it!

Sour Cream and Cinnamon Coffee Cake

2 sticks of unsalted butter softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Cinnamon Filling
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon

Glaze
1/2 stick of unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 TBS milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 9 x 13 OR bundt pan and set aside.

In small bowl mix together, the cinnamon filling of sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon. Set it aside.

 

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

 

In a mixer bowl with paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until combined. Add in eggs and sour cream and mix on low until completely incorporated. Next, add vanilla extract.

 

With mixer on low speed, carefully add flour mixture until all the flour is added. However, DO NOT over mix. A few lumps is fine.

 

Pour half the batter into the greased pan. Add the cinnamon mixture in an even thin layer on top of the batter.

 

Then, add the rest of the batter on top.

 

Bake for 35-40 minutes until the cake knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

 

While, the cake is baking put together glaze by melting butter in a small sauce pan. Whisk in sugar, vanilla and milk.

 

When cake is cooled, remove from pan and drizzle with glaze.

 

Bring to a friend and enjoy with a steaming cup of coffee or tea!

If you like this post and would like to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest.