Healthy Fridge

By Lisa VanWilliams

 

Simply as that. It's all about setting yourself up to make better choices.  Try to keep things visually appealing by keeping fruits & veggies washed and sliced - keep them in clear containers so you can see what is in your fridge. 

 

What are some good choices to keep on stock at all times?

• sliced up fruit (melons, berries, pineapple, etc) or mixed fruit salad
• sliced carrots, celery, radishes, fresh broccoli and cauliflower, any veggies of preference
• hummus
• eggs
• almond milk for shakes
• Greek yogurt
• bagged salad ready to go
• sliced low-sodium turkey from deli
• low-fat cheese
• lemon and cucumber to add to your water
• olives and pickles
• Perrier when water gets boring and you need some fizzles
• pre-cooked grilled chicken breast
• low-fat dressings
• roasted red peppers
• sun-dried tomatoes
• salsa
• whole wheat pasta salad with artichoke hearts/olives/red onion/crushed red pepper/olive oil & balsamic
• tortillas

 

 

Tapestry Tricks

By Lisa VanWilliams

We found these great tapestries at Urban Outfitters and there are so many uses for them. Make that drab corner become a pop of interest, surprise the kids and make them a special nook, or we use them on our bed so our lazy-long haired cats don't mess up our white Down Comforter (would apply for dogs, husbands & children too:).  It creates a great layered look on the bed and looks invitingly wonderful with a bunch of colorful pillows of various sizes & designs.  Prices of these tapestries range from $35-$79. It's a great way to change the whole look of your bedroom without spending tons of money on a brand new sheet/comforter set.

To view all the tapestries you can go to:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/index.jsp

Some of these that would be used on a wall look so real !! I can't tell where it ends and where the wall begins.

Bedding tapestry:

Door Knockers For Hand Towels

By Lisa VanWilliams

Little novelty items can add great character in areas you don't expect them. Are you guilty of keeping a dish towel lying around your kitchen sink or near your drain board?  This is a unique idea to customize your kitchen or bathroom space by adding a door knocker to hold your towel instead of your ordinary everyday towel holder.  You can go with the antique look, nautical theme, equestrian, or whatever works best with your décor, taste, & personal interests.  Vintage finds at flea markets or antique shops are even better finds flawed with character.  Here our some pics of our fav's:

 

Leave Designs

By Lisa VanWilliams

Impress your guests during the holidays with this simple creative touch we found in Parents Magazine.  It's a great way to get the kids to join in too by having them collect some leaves.  You can add this detail to any store bought pumpkin cake or anything you might bake up at home. Put your leaves on and sift your confection sugar over the top remove the leaves and Voilà! you have a masterpiece. 

Indoor Herb Garden

By Lisa VanWilliams

With freezing temps soon approaching I want to bring my herbs inside so we can enjoy the fresh flavors all winter long. Decorating ideas are abundant online and here our a few of our favorite picks to bring your outdoor garden inside with style.  You can pick up shabby chic boxes like these at any craft store or Christmas Tree Shop. You might even some old things lying around the house you could use like old wine crates, or get creative and use that old mason jar or tea box.  


Try to keep them in a window or area of direct sunlight and don't over water :)  Let the soil dry out before you water again.

 

 

Barely A Vitamin

By Lisa VanWilliams

Have you ever stopped to consider the brand of vitamins or supplements you take? How did you find them? Did a friend refer them? Did you research brands and find the best product? Did you buy what was on sale? Did you grab what was convenient on your way through the store?

Not all vitamins are the same. They can vary in quality, purity, & potency just to name a few criteria.  Independent consultant Greg Marshall created MultivitaminGuide.org, "to educate consumers on how to tell the difference between ineffective supplements and high-quality ones that can truly make a difference to their health."

He did in-depth research in four specific areas on multivitamins: completeness, potency, bioavailability, and safety. 

Check out the score ratings below and see where your brand falls.  You might want to reconsider your brand loyalties when you see the results.  Vitamins are supplements are not cheap and you often get what you pay for.  Try to research your brand and make sure it's right for you and your family. 

Look here to see where your brand falls on the list:
http://www.multivitaminguide.org/best-multivitamin.html

Pork Loin With Roasted Mango Chipotle Sauce & Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes

By Lisa VanWilliams

Easy peasy pork loin for dinner and the hardest part was peeling the potatoes! Try adding a little flair to your pork with Bronco Bob's Roasted Mango Chipotle Sauce. We picked up a 2.5 oz mini sample size at World Market the other day for $1.99. It was a perfect sample size for a loin and I wanted to try it before I bought the bigger bottle - I would buy the bigger bottle now.  It added a tangy sweet taste to the pork and paired perfectly with the maple cinnamon mash.  This sauce would also be delicious with some grilled shrimp.

Ingredients:

1 marinated pork loin
salt&pepper
garlic powder
2.5oz Bronco Bob's Roasted Mango Chipotle Sauce

4 medium sweet potatoes peeled, boiled, & mashed
salt&pepper
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 cup low fat milk
sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat over to 350.  Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to loin.  Bake in oven 1 hour or until internal temp reaches 145 degrees.  Let is rest and cool before pouring Mango sauce over it. In the meantime, peel and cook your sweet potatoes.  Enjoy!

If you don't have a World Market near you, you can order online here:
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/bronco-bobs-roasted-mango-mini-chipotle-sauce.do