Posts made in December 2017

Elechomes 6-in-1 Multi-Cooker Only $29.99!

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Do you want to get in on the pressure cooker craze but don’t have the money for an Instant Pot? Amazon is offering the Elechomes 6-in-1 Multi-Cooker for only $29.99 when you use coupon code 25UA26DV at checkout.

  • 6-IN-1 MULTI-FUNCTION: Multi-functional cooker means you can use that one same pot as a vegetable steamer, rice cooker and to whip up a comforting stew
  • Induction Heating (IH): Adopt effective energy-gathered induction heating technology and armed with a heat preservation honeycomb lid. In most cases, your Elechomes multi-cooker reduces the cooking time by 50%, and preserves more vitamins and minerals in the food ingredients.
  • Heat Up Evenly: Thickened inner cooking pot and stereoscopic induction heating technology make food heating up evenly. Non-stick surface coatings for easy cleaning.
  • Unique IMD control panel: Unique integrated IMD control panel, elegant, durable, water-resistant and nice to touch. Extra-large LED digital display will show you more content about working state and cooking time.
  • 24H Preset Function: For the busy bee, simply use the preset timer and delay start function to set the cooking start time to free up your time to conquer the world.

*Amazon pricing and promotions can change at any time so act now if interested! These prices are current at the time of this posting.

The Best Ways for Your Family to Live More Sustainably

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Sustainable living isn’t some crazy trend that’s impossible to stick to. If you want to make sure that your family has a bright future, you need to take the sustainable approach now rather than later. It’s not something that has to be particularly challenging for you either if you don’t want it to be. Simple steps in the right direction will eventually get you to where you want to be in terms of sustainability. Read on now to learn more about this.

Change How You Use Energy

The way in which you use the energy in your home will have a big impact on how sustainable your life is. It’s up to you to think about how you use and how you waste energy in your home. If you’re wasting too much of it, you will damage the environment and your wallet. That’s not something you can allow to happen, so now is the time for you to make real changes.

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Reduce Your Debts and Stop Borrowing

Your debt situation also needs to be tackled if your family is going to live more sustainably in the months and years ahead. It should be your aim to pay off your debts as soon as possible, and there are sites like debtconsolidation.co that can help you with that. On top of that, you need to stop borrowing so much money because that will keep you locked into that vicious cycle of debt.

Use Locally Sourced Products

Where your products come from might not be something you think about so much, but that should change. It’s a good idea for you to try buying as many locally produced and sourced products as possible. And that’s something that can apply to everything from the food you eat to the furniture you put in your home. It’s better for the environment and you won’t be paying for the long haul transportation of goods.

Sell or Donate What You No Longer Need

If there’s something you no longer want or need, it doesn’t make sense to hold onto it. Instead, you should sell or donate those kinds of items. You will then do something positive by giving to a charity or to people less fortunate to you. And if you choose to sell those things, you will make a little extra money and improve your living area by freeing up a bit more of that vital space.

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Conserve and Recycle Water

Water is another thing that gets wasted, and that’s why you should try to conserve and recycle it. Go to care2.com/8-ways-to-recycle-water-around-your-house if you want to find out how to recycle water around your home. You can also collect rainwater in a tank in your garden and then make use of it.

Take all of these top ideas on board and put them into action in your family’s everyday life. There are so many ways in which sustainability can be harnessed to your advantage, so what are you waiting for?

Super Easy Dorito Taco Salad

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Are you looking to spice up your weekend with something different on the menu? This Super easy recipe for Dorito Taco Salad may just be what you need! I have to thank my best friend Charity to introducing me to this recipe several years ago. My family loves it so much and there are very rarely leftovers!

INGREDIENTS:

1lb. ground turkey or hamburger

1 packet of taco seasoning

1 head Romaine lettuce

2-3 diced tomatoes

1 Can of black olives

Chopped green onions

1-2 Cups of shredded Colby Jack or Cheddar Cheese

1 8oz. bottle of Italian Dressing (Start with about 3/4 of the bottle then add more as you need it)

1 Bag of Doritos crushed up (you may not need the entire bag-I think I used 3/4 bag the last time I made this)

Any other taco fixin’s that your family may like

DIRECTIONS:

Brown the meat and add the Taco Seasoning Packet according to instructions on the packet.

Cut up all of your veggies and add into a large bowl.

Add in the browned taco meat and shredded cheese.

Right before you are ready to eat add in the Italian Dressing.

Add the Crushed Doritos on top and mix together everything.

Enjoy! This is sure to be a family favorite!

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls

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Today is for all the Mexican fans out there! I love Chipotle and always opt for the Burrito Bowls so this recipe of Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls is my take on that. I will tell you that this make a lot so be prepared. I like to take the leftovers and the next day we actually make burritos. My boys LOVE this dish. I like that you can really customize it to your liking and add whatever veggies that you and your family prefer.

INGREDIENTS:

2 Large Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

2 Teaspoons Chili Powder

2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder

2 Teaspoons Onion Powder

2 Teaspoons Cumin

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Pepper

4 Cups Chicken Broth

1 Can Diced Tomatoes (drained, rinsed)

1 Can Corn (Optional)

1 Can Black Beans (drained, rinsed)

2 3/4 Cup Rice of your Choice (we love Jasmine)

Toppings of your choice: Avacado slices, Fresh Tomatoes, Green Onions, Cilantro, Shredded Cheese, Etc…

DIRECTIONS:

Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.

Pour the Chicken Broth, Diced Tomatoes, Olive Oil, Chili Powder, Cumin, Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder and Garlic Powder in the Slow Cooker.

Cook on low for around 4 hours until the chicken is cooked through.

Remove the chicken from Slow Cooker and set aside. I like to cut the chicken up in chunks at this point.

Place Rice, Black Beans and Corn (if used) in Slow Cooker.

Place Slow Cooker on High for 45 Minutes-1 Hour or until Rice is cooked. (Do not over cook or rice will become mushy)

Add the chunks of chicken back in the Slow Cooker. You can also add the Shredded Cheese in at this point if you prefer, but we like to add it on ourselves in the bowls.

Serve the Chicken and Rice mixture in bowls and add your favorite toppings like fresh Avacado slices, Fresh Tomatoes, Green Onions, Cilantro, Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Tortilla Chips, Etc…

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

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Salsa Chicken is always a crowd pleaser not to mention it is super versatile. You can use it just as it is right from the slow cooker served over rice, or take your Taco Tuesday from Drab to Fab and serve the shredded mixture in tortillas with cheese and all of your favorite taco fixins! Yum! I also sometimes will add in a can of black beans or corn. You can also add in a block of cream cheese 30 minutes before you turn off the slow cooker and let in melt into the mixture. Ummm, yes, please! It is ridiculous! Let’s get to the recipe, right? Oh and did I mention the base of this recipe has 2 ingredients? Yep, SUPER easy!

INGREDIENTS:

3-4 Frozen Chicken Breasts

1 16-oz Jar of your Favorite Salsa

DIRECTIONS:

Place the frozen chicken breasts and salsa inside the Slow Cooker. Turn on Low Temperature for 6-8 hours.

Shred the mixture and enjoy just as is over rice or serve in your favorite tortillas as tacos. Either way, you will love this one and make it again and again!

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs

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Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs is absolutely delicious and a great way to get the kiddos to eat their veggies! My boys actually jump up and down when I tell them that we are having this for dinner! I love to stock up on Frozen Meatballs when they are on sale BOGO and the Pre-Sliced veggies that you can buy in the Produce Department are such a timesaver! Remember, the Slow Cooker is your friend. It is a way to get meals on the table that are Easy, Affordable and Stress-Free!

INGREDIENTS:

1 Bottle of your favorite Sweet and Sour Sauce

1 Small Can of Pineapple Tidbits or Chunks

1 Package of Pre-Sliced Mixed Pepper Rings and Onions (these are a HUGE time-saver!)

1 Package of Frozen Meatballs

 

DIRECTIONS:

Place all ingredients in Slow Cooker and Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Serve over White or Brown Rice and Enjoy!  

Slow Cooker Lasagna

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If you love Lasagna but don’t enjoy the tedious task of assembling it, this dish is for you! Lasagna made right in your slow cooker! My family loves this dish and raves over it even more than when I make a regular lasagna in the oven. And, the best part? It can cook in the slow cooker and be ready for you when you need dinner on the table at night!

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound of Ground Turkey or Ground Beef

1 Small Onion Diced

Dried Garlic

Uncooked Lasagna noodles

1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce

1 1/2 cups cottage cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Brown the Ground Beef or Turkey with Diced Onion and Sprinkle Dried Garlic over. Drain. Spoon 1 Cup of Spaghetti Sauce over the bottom of the Slow Cooker. Place 2-3 Lasagna Noodles on Top of the Sauce. Next, Place 1/3 of the Meat mixture on top of the noodles. Spread 3/4 Cup of Cottage Cheese on top of Meat Mixture followed by 1/2 cup of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese. Repeat these steps 2 more times. For the last step, place the 2 tablespoons of Parmesan Cheese on top. Cook on low for 4 hours. Do not cook more than 4 hours or it may get overdone.

Using Credit Cards Post-Debt

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If you’ve experienced the lows of credit card debt and the relief and joy of finally paying it all off and coming out the other side, you’re probably very wary of even keeping your existing credit cards, let alone using them. That’s fine if you can manage it, but unfortunately, a lot of you reading this will need access to credit cards again. That’s also fine if you use them more wisely this time around.

The things is, you simply cannot blame your credit cards for your debt. They are nothing more than a tool, and it is the way you use them that makes the difference between drowning in debt and swimming in the savvy waters of a sound financial life.

So, chances are you will use your credit card again. When that happens, you need to ensure that you don’t end up back in serious debt. Here are some things that could help you with that:

Use Only in Emergencies

Using your credit card only when you really have no other option is a great way to ensure it is used responsibly. Of course, it is not always so easy – you need a real resolve to not simply whip out the plastic at every opportunity!

Lower Your Limits

If you have credit cards with high limits, then it might eventually get too tempting for you not to use them to their fullest.If you at least call up your card company and ask them to lower the limit to a much more sensible amount, then you won’t be able to do nearly as much damage to your financial life.

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Apply for Low Interest Cards

If and when you decide to apply for a new credit card, make sure that you do your research and find credit cards with low interest rates. Of course, you should pay off your card in full at the end of each month, but if you occasionally neglect to do that and you have a low interest rate, it won’t be the end of the world.

Leave Your Card at Home

When you’re entering what are high-risk places for you – bars, malls, the Apple Store – leave your credit card at home and draw out only the amount of cash that you can really afford to spend. After all, you can’t go crazy with your credit card if you don’t have it with you.

Pay Off the Balance Every Month

As I mentioned above, if you’re using a credit card, you really should be paying off the totality of the balance at the end of every month. There is a massive difference between spending and paying off the minimum only and spending and settling your balance each month. The former will get you into trouble; the latter is a convenient method of paying for stuff and tracking your spending.

If you stick to these simple rules, then using your credit cards again after clearing your debt, shouldn’t be a problem and you can use your cards to gain cash back and other rewards, which will actually boost your bank balance!

Comfortable Living: How to Choose a Super Sofa

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You probably spend a lot of time in your living room slumped in front of the TV, right? You spend a lot of time in there chilling out, correct? Well, do this chilling out time of yours justice by making it is as comfortable as can be. More to the point, do this time for yourself justice by making the sofa you slum and chill on as comfortable and super as can be. For advice on how to choose the best sofa for you, make sure to read on.

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Take size into consideration

Yes, you may want a big sofa that will allow you to sprawl all over it, but do you realistically have the space in your living room to accommodate it? You see, it’s all good and well getting yourself a sofa that will allow you to be comfortable, but if you’re making the rest of the room feel cramped (which will happen if you end up buying a sofa that is too big for it) you won’t feel comfortable at all. In fact, you’ll probably feel that claustrophobic in your living room that you won’t want to spend any time in their at all, no matter the size or comfort of your sofa.

If you do you have a small living room, a top tip is to buy yourself a sofa with low arms as doing so will not impact the apparent size of your room and won’t make it look cramped.

Consider wear and tear

When you buy a new sofa you don’t want to be thinking about what it is going to look like a few years down the line, and you certainly don’t want to be thinking about issues of wear and tear. But, if you truly want to get yourself a super sofa, you’re going to have to. Yes, you’re simply going to have to be practical with your choosing process and take how worn your sofa is likely to become depending on how much it is going to be used and what it is going to be used for. For instance, if you have small children then practically you aren’t going to be able to control them at all times when they use your sofa, and that means anything could happen to it — they could be playing on it with their new Hot Wheels set. So, if this were to be the case, a practical sofa choice would be one that is not too expensive.

Be mindful of the style

A comfortable sofa isn’t just comfortable because it’s comfortable to sit on. No, a comfortable sofa is one that is induces calmness in the area that it is placed in. And, the best way to make your sofa choice induce calmness in this sense is to ensure that its style matches that of the rest of the room.  So, if your living room is one that is adorned in a neutral colour palette, then make sure to get a sofa that matches this, such as the rhino grey Ashfield Sofa found athttp://sunpan.com/usa/products/living/sofas. By doing this you will induce a calming, comforting feel in your living room.

For more advice on how to choose the perfect sofa, make sure to head over to this helpful articleon the matter.