Category: Organize

5 Simple Tips to Get Dinner on the Table

May 19, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Cookout, Food, Grilling, Organize, Produce, Recipes

The challenge working parents face in maintaining work-life balance is often compared to a juggling act. Finding time together, especially on weeknights when family schedules tend to be hectic, is no small task.

But finding time together, particularly at the dinner table, can pay a host of dividends. According to the Family Dinner Project, studies have linked regular family dinners with higher grade-point averages and self-esteem in children, as well as lower rates of obesity and eating disorders in both children and adolescents.

Cook, writer, activist and mother of two Katie Workman knows full well how difficult it can be to make nightly dinners together part of a family’s routine. But Workman, whose latest book, “Dinner Solved!” (Workman Publishing), provides 100 family-friendly recipes and variations to ensure that everyone at the table is happy, relishes the opportunity to help others make family dinners a fun part of their nightly routines.

“Many of us put so much pressure on ourselves when it comes to family meals,” says Workman. “But when we ease up on that pressure, dinner actually seems to happen more often, and the meals are a lot more fun.”

To help even the busiest moms and dads find time for family dinners, Workman offers the following tips so parents can produce weeknight meals the whole family can enjoy.

1. Less is more

Don’t make yourself crazy trying to master a recipe with an endless ingredient list on a Wednesday night. Weeknight meals don’t have to be perfect or exotic. Even the simplest recipes can make for delicious meals.

2. Change it up

Skip those time-consuming, last-minute trips to the grocery store for missing ingredients by replacing them with something similar that you already have on hand.

3. Elevate your meal from simple to sophisticated

Pairing weeknight meals with the perfect wine can elevate midweek meatballs to something more memorable. Versatile and budget-friendly, Greystone Cellars® wines are approachable and easy to drink. Since 1995, Markham Vineyards has been producing a small amount of Greystone Cellars wines exclusively for the Culinary Institute of America, which receives a portion of the proceeds for each Greystone Cellars bottle sold. Befitting their connection to the CIA, Greystone Cellars wines enhance any meal, making them ideal options for cooks whose weekly meal schedule includes pasta, pork chops and everything in between.

4. Get a head start on prep work

Whenever possible, reduce the stress of weeknight meals by doing some of your meal prep long before dinnertime. Chop veggies for the week on Sunday nights or take a few minutes each morning to gather ingredients for that night’s meal.

5. Make it a family affair

Make weeknight meals more fun by involving the whole family. Parents can let the kids peel carrots or measure rice or perform other age-appropriate activities.

Nightly family dinners help families build stronger bonds, and weeknight meals need not be lavish undertakings. Learn more about Greystone Cellars wines at www.greystonecellars.com.

Delicious and easy-to-prepare, this recipe for “Maple-Barbecue Pork Meatballs” from Katie Workman’s “Dinner Solved!” makes the perfect weeknight family meal. Pile them on rice or couscous or quinoa with a few extra spoonfuls of barbecue sauce for an easy and different weeknight dinner.

Maple-Barbecue Pork Meatballs

Serves 6

3/4 cup panko bread crumbs

1/2 cup barbecue sauce, plus more for dipping if you like

1/2 cup grated peeled apple

1/3 cup minced onion

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Kosher or coarse salt, to taste

1 tablespoon maple syrup

11/2 pounds ground pork

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet.

2. Combine the bread crumbs, barbecue sauce, apple, onion, egg, and salt in a large bowl. Add the maple syrup and stir to blend. Add the pork and combine well using your hands, but try not to squeeze the mixture too much. Form 1-inch-round meatballs and place them on the baking sheet.

3. Bake the meatballs until cooked through, 16 to 20 minutes. Serve hot, with extra barbecue sauce on the side.

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Boost Energy at the Office

May 15, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Healthy, Organize

Maintaining energy throughout the workday can sometimes be difficult. For busy professionals, compromised energy levels can be especially problematic, causing workers to fall behind and maybe even forcing them to work extra hours just to catch up.

While infrequent days of low energy should not pose too great a threat, working professionals who routinely find their energy levels sagging by the end of the workday might want to take certain steps to boost their energy and ensure their productivity doesn’t wane.

· Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Failing to get adequate sleep can have an adverse impact on your career. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, failure to get enough sleep, even for just one night, can impair a person’s ability to function by affecting his or her ability to focus and access high-level cognitive functions. A panel of experts from sleep, anatomy and physiology, as well as pediatrics, neurology, gerontology and gynecology convened by the National Sleep Foundation in 2015 recommended adults between the ages of 26 and 64 get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. Make a concerted effort to get more sleep if you’re falling short of those recommended guidelines.

· Eat a productivity-friendly lunch. If afternoons are when your productivity really starts to drop off, it might be time to reconsider what you eat for lunch. The body, which converts the foods we eat into glucose that energizes our brains and promotes alertness, processes different types of foods differently. So the food you eat for lunch may affect your energy levels for the rest of the day. For example, eating pasta provides a quick burst of energy because pasta releases glucose quickly. But that burst is often followed by a noticeable downturn in energy levels sparked by fading glucose levels that make it difficult for the brain to focus. In contrast, fruits and vegetables aid in the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps the brain stay motivated and engaged. Including some fruits and vegetables in your lunch or snacks may just lead to a more productive workday.

· Squeeze in a midday workout. Numerous studies have shown the many benefits to daily exercise, but professionals may not know that exercise can help improve their productivity at the office. A 2005 study from researchers at the then-named Leeds Metropolitan University in England asked 200 workers to answer questions regarding their productivity on days when they exercised at lunchtime and days when they did not exercise. Sixty percent said their job performance, including their ability to meet deadlines and manage their time, improved by a considerable amount on the days when they exercised.

· Limit caffeine consumption. According to the Mayo Clinic, consuming more than 500 to 600 milligrams of caffeine per day can contribute to insomnia and lead to feelings of nervousness, restlessness and irritability, among others. While that afternoon cup of coffee might provide an immediate jolt, it could be contributing to sleeping problems that will affect your productivity in the days to come.

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Transition Your Wardrobes From One Season to the Next

May 12, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Cleaning, DIY, Home Improvement, Organize, Projects

People who put a lot of thought into their wardrobes know that one of the challenges presented by the changing seasons is figuring out what to wear and when. For example, as spring transitions into summer, the occasional chilly day is to be expected, removing summertime attire like shorts and sleeveless shirts from consideration.

Such sudden changes can be problematic, as not everyone has the room to store multiple seasons’ worth of clothing in their closets and drawers. Yet, with a little ingenuity, men and women can make their seasonal wardrobe transitions a little easier.

· Layering: Layering is the key to keeping comfortable no matter the weather. Layering enables you to take off layers or put them on as needed. Lightweight sweaters or blazers can be worn over short sleeves or sleeveless ensembles when temperatures have yet to reach their midday highs. Layers also can prove invaluable in office settings where the air conditioning may make working environments especially chilly. Leggings can be worn under skirts or dresses and then removed as temperatures rise.

· Long-sleeved shirts: Keep a few long-sleeved shirts at the ready. Simple sleeve length can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort. Covering shoulders and/or arms with a lightweight top also can protect against the rays of the sun. Choose among your most versatile long-sleeved shirts, meaning basic colors that will blend well with any outfit.

· Bright colors: Bright colors go hand in hand with warm weather. Keep bright-colored items you typically wear during other seasons so they can be paired, if necessary, with summer staples. This may include a thick sweater for cooler nights on the beach or trousers for formal evenings out on the town.

· Maxidresses: When shopping, invest in maxidresses. They’re easy and cool for hot days and nights, but they also can be refashioned if you wear them with long sleeves or knit sweaters. When covering up, use a waist-cinching belt or scarf to add structure to the look.

· Vary shoes: While flip-flops and other sandals may be summer staples, have a few other pairs of more traditional shoes at the ready as well. One can get away with boots with a maxi-dress. Ballet-style slippers are delicate enough for the season and provide extra foot coverage for comfort. If you walk a lot, look for shoes with structure, as summer footwear tends to provide less support than footwear worn during other times of the year.

Transitioning clothing from one season to the next takes a little ingenuity. While it may not require a person to keep all of his or her clothing out of storage, transitioning from one season to the next may require reserving a couple of versatile items that can be worn throughout the year.

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Make Weeknight Meals Healthy and Simple

March 14, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Cookout, Food, Organize, Recipes

Households in which both parents work and kids have school and extracurricular commitments can get a little hectic, particularly on weeknights. Parents who want to prepare nutritious dinners may feel it’s impossible to do so without making elaborate, time-consuming recipes. But there are ways for busy, time-strapped parents to make sure weeknight dinners are both healthy and simple.

· Stock a healthy pantry. When grocery shopping, purchase some healthy nonperishable foods that you can rely on in a pinch. Instead of stocking the freezer with unhealthy yet easily prepared frozen foods that are often loaded with saturated fat, stock your pantry with whole grain pastas. Whole grain pastas are lower in calories and higher in fiber and contain more nutrients than refined white pastas. And once water is boiled, whole grain pastas can be prepared in roughly 10 minutes.

· Rely on a slow cooker. One of the simplest ways to prepare healthy meals that won’t take much time to prepare each night is to use a slow cooker. Set dinner in the slow cooker in the morning before leaving for work, and by the time you arrive home each night you will have a fully prepared, healthy meal ready to be served.

· Make meal prep a family affair. Families who share the responsibility of making dinner on weeknights may find it easier to prepare healthy meals. Younger children may not be able to join in the preparation of too many dishes, but middle school and high school students can help out by chopping vegetables while their parents work on other parts of the meal. Preparing meals can take as much time, if not more, than cooking meals, so making meal prep a family affair can save a substantial amount of time.

· Cook meals in advance. Families who are hesitant to use slow cookers may benefit by preparing healthy meals over the weekend and then refrigerating or freezing them so they can be cooked on weeknights. If you plan to freeze meals prepared in advance, remember to remove them from the freezer the night before and place them in the refrigerator so they are thawed out when you arrive home from work to place them in the oven.

· Choose simple recipes. Trying new recipes is one of the joys of cooking. But trying new recipes on weeknights can be time-consuming because cooks have yet to grow accustomed to each step in the recipe. When looking for new weeknight recipes, look for meals that can be prepared in five steps or less, leaving the more complicated recipes for weekend meals. FP165057

Slow Cooking = Convenient & Delicious

January 23, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Cookout, DIY, Organize, Recipes, Seasonal

Slow cooking has become very popular in recent years. The convenience of slow cooking, which allows home cooks to begin preparing meals in the morning or afternoon and then enjoy a delicious dinner without having to put in much work after a day at the office, no doubt plays a big role in that popularity.

Slow cooking also allows home cooks to experiment with various ethnic cuisines. For those who love Mexican food and slow cooking, the following recipe for “Pork and Shrimp Posole” from Andrew Schloss’ “Cooking Slow” (Chronicle Books) makes the perfect meal.

Pork and Shrimp Posole

Makes 6 servings

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
21/2 pound boneless pork shoulder (picnic ham), trimmed of most of the exterior fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium Spanish onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 fresh long red chile or serrano chile, seeded and minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup good-quality, low-sodium chicken broth or fish broth
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 15-ounce can posole (whole hominy), drained and rinsed
12 ounces large (26-30 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime
3/4 cups chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat the oven to 200 F.

Mix together the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper on a sheet of aluminum foil. Toss the pork pieces in the seasoned flour to coat completely.

In a large Dutch oven, pour enough olive oil to coat the bottom generously and place over medium-high heat. Heat until the oil is shimmering hot. Working in batches as needed to avoid crowding the pot, add the pork to the hot oil and cook to brown nicely on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer the pork pieces to a plate as they are finished. When all of the pork is browned, set aside. Do not discard the remaining flour mixture.

If the pot seems dry, add more olive oil and return to medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and saute^a until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Add the chile and garlic and saute^a until the garlic is aromatic, about 30 seconds more.

Add the reserved flour mixture and stir until dissolved in the oil in the pot. Cook, stirring constantly, until the flour toasts lightly, about 1 minute. Add the broth and the tomatoes with their juices and stir to mix well. Return to a simmer and season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Return the pork to the pot, along with any juices that accumulated on the plate. Stir in the posole. Cover, transfer to the oven, and cook until the flavors have blended and the pork is fork-tender, about 6 hours.

Remove the pot from the oven, uncover, and stir in the shrimp and lime juice and zest. Re-cover and set aside and let the shrimp cook in the steam until firm and opaque throughout, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and serve.

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Top Organizing Tips

January 14, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Cleaning, DIY, Home Improvement, Organize, Seasonal

Tired of clutter? Can’t find what you need? Time to get organized! Getting organized can be simpler than it seems. Here is some top advice we found when it comes to getting back on track!

*Vacuum seal bulky items like winter sweaters and blankets during the summer to save space!

*Declutter your countertop by adding hanging utensil containers from the kitchen wall & magnet spice holders on the fridge!

*Consider re-selling or donating gently used items to a local charity

*Tackle the junk drawer! Use a silverware holder to organize miscellaneous items.

Best Buys for the New Year!

January 7, 2016MBEhleAdvice, DIY, Organize, Projects, Repair, Seasonal, Shopping

Smart shopping involves making budget-friendly purchases. Never paying full price is a mantra shoppers can follow to help keep their finances in check.

In addition to coupons and other discounts, shoppers can usually score deals based on which time of year they shop for particular items. Each year, various consumer resources offer advice on the best time to buy certain items.

The beginning of the year is often an ideal time to purchase certain items. Consumers who take advantage of sales offered at the start of the new year can save substantial amounts of money. Now that the holiday season has passed, consumers can begin to find deals on items for themselves.

· Clothing: Post-Christmas sales are booming, and stores are looking to sell what’s left of their inventories to make room for spring and summer selections. Even though the weather outside is still cold, sweaters, pants, coats, and more are usually available at a discount come January. It may take some digging through the racks, but there’s an excellent chance to discover some great items.

· Boats: Wintertime is boat show season, but it’s also the offseason for boaters who live in cooler climates. These factors combine to make it easier and less expensive to find a new boat. According to boat-buying retailer Boatline, consumers can probably get one of last year’s models at a good price.

· Air conditioners: If the warm-weather season was particularly steamy this past year, it might be time to revamp the HVAC system or invest in some new portable units. Bankrate offers that the first few months of the year are prime times to shop for air conditioners. While you may not get the latest model, it’s likely you can find a reliable unit at below-market cost.

· Theater tickets: January and February are not especially busy seasons for theaters, which means there will be greater opportunity to get discounted seats for many popular shows.

· Linens and bedding: John Wannamaker was a retail entrepreneur and had a few department stores in New York and Philadelphia. Wannamakers held the first “white sale” in 1878, and since then many stores have continued the tradition. January is a great month to buy towels, sheets, bedspreads, and more at a discount.

· Motorcycles: Riding a motorcycle is a fair-weather hobby, and retailers are aware of this. The easy riders of tomorrow might be able to find great deals today.

· Video games: Those who haven’t purchased their fill of video games for the holidays can benefit from post-holiday drops in price.

· Furniture: Many furniture manufacturers begin to churn out new inventory in February, so last season’s items will need to move quickly. Shoppers can often negotiate some good deals now and upgrade their homes’ decor.

· Wedding-related services: Couples who don’t mind the chilly weather can enjoy steep savings by hosting their weddings in January. Spring and summer are by far the more popular seasons to tie the knot, but reception halls, musical acts, florists, and other vendors may heavily discount their services in winter.

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New Year, New You!

January 2, 2016MBEhleAdvice, Healthy, Organize, Seasonal

Happy New Year!

The beginning of a new year is full of excitement and expectations. Planning ahead for a successful new year and focusing on how we plan on improving ourselves. Most people – whether they admit it or not – make some sort of resolution or goal for the new year.

Some of the top resolutions are:

*Fitness / Lose Weight

*Eat Healthier

*Travel

*Get Out of Debt / Save Money

*Learn Something New

When considering goals for the new year – think not just about yourself, but your community as well! How can you help make a difference in the new year for your local community?

*Cleaning out clutter part of your new year resolution? Consider donating gently used items.

*Donating your time is also a great option – or – contact a local charity and ask what is on their current needs list.

Wishing you a happy & successful new year!

Homework Help: Creating a Helpful Homework Atmosphere for your Children

August 27, 2015MBEhleAdvice, Home Improvement, Organize, School

Classrooms conducive to learning may go a long way toward helping students understand the subjects they study in school, but the environment kids encounter at home also plays a big role in how well kids do in their studies. A homework-friendly atmosphere at home can facilitate learning, and there are many ways parents can create such an environment for their school-aged children.

· Designate a homework zone in a distraction-free area of your home. Some youngsters are easily distracted, and those distractions come in many forms. A living room where the television is blaring, a noisy kitchen where dinner is being prepared and a room where pets can roam free are not ideal homework areas, as each can take kids’ attention away from their assignments. Designate a room in your home that is quiet and well lit so kids can do their homework free from distraction.

· Choose the right location for the homework room. When choosing an area of your home where kids will do their homework, avoid rooms adjacent to the kitchen and living room, as these rooms tend to be popular and subject to heavy foot traffic. But don’t choose a room that’s too far away from the hustle and bustle, such as the basement, as that may make kids feel as though they are being punished. In addition, you want to be able to periodically check in on kids to see if they need help and make sure they aren’t spending their homework time surfing the Internet or procrastinating.

· Keep the homework room clean. A cluttered homework room may be less appealing to children, and such disorganization also can distract kids from the tasks at hand. Encourage kids to keep their homework rooms clean, and help them clean up if need be. Supplies and other items kids need should be easily accessible in the homework room so kids are not wasting time looking for items they need to complete their homework.

· Let kids rest or relax before starting their homework. Another element of a good homework atmosphere is letting kids unwind between getting home from school and cracking open the books. A break between school and homework time can help kids focus better on their studies. In the interim between arriving home from school and starting on their homework, give kids a healthy snack that can provide an extra jolt of energy they can use once they start their homework.

· Evaluate how the homework zone is working. Once an ample amount of time has passed, examine how kids are performing on their homework assignments. If they are doing well, then there is no reason to break up the current routine. If they are struggling, ask them if there is anything about the current setup they dislike and address those issues accordingly.

Kids rarely look forward to doing their homework. But the right atmosphere can make homework seem like less of a chore and more of an opportunity for kids to apply themselves.

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Make School Mornings Easier

August 5, 2015MBEhleAdvice, Organize, School

School day mornings can be hectic, as getting kids ready for school and out the door on time is not always easy. Working parents may find school day mornings especially difficult, as their own work schedules can make mornings feel even more rushed. Fortunately, parents can employ several strategies to free up time in the morning so everyone starts their days off in a more relaxing atmosphere.

· Wake up earlier. Sleep might seem like a precious commodity, but waking up just 10 to 15 minutes earlier can remove some of the stress from weekday mornings without costing you a lot of sack time. Let kids sleep in until their normal wakeup time, using your extra 10 or 15 minutes to shower or enjoy your morning cup of coffee before the house is abuzz with activity.

· Tackle certain chores the night before. Delaying certain chores until you wake up makes for a hectic morning, so tackle as many morning chores as possible before you go to bed for the night. Prepare school lunches, lay clothes out for yourself and your children, and make sure kids have their backpacks packed and ready to go before they go to bed. Each of these things may only take a few minutes, but when left for the morning, they can add up to a substantial amount of time.

· Encourage youngsters to pick up the pace. Some people are morning people, while others dread setting their alarms for early morning hours. Kids who fall into the latter group may drag their feet in the morning, but parents should offer encouragement when kids are moving slowly in the morning. Allowing your frustration to show may only make kids less fond of mornings, so remind them as nicely as possible that everyone has a schedule to stick to if they seem to be dragging their feet.

· Keep the television off. If watching the television is ingrained in your morning routine, try going a few days without it to see if this makes it easier to get out the door on time. Kids might grow distracted by morning cartoons, and even adults may get caught up in morning news shows or other forecasts. Eliminating television from your morning routine can save time and also may help your family grow closer, as you will have more distraction-free time to speak to one another. In addition to turning off the television, resist the urge to turn on your devices or scan work emails when getting ready in the morning.

Parents know that school day mornings can be hectic. But there are several ways to make such mornings go more smoothly so everyone gets where they need to be on time.

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Happy New Year!

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