Wednesday, May 11, 2011

There Are How Many Uses for WD-40?


WD-40
Known as "the can with thousands of uses," WD-40 is truly one of the most versatile, multi-purpose problem solvers on the market! The formula remains a secret but the product definitely isn't. It can be found in virtually every household in America! With over 2,000 excuses collected to date more and more are added to the list each day. The "water displacement 40th Attempt" does anything from protect metal from rust and corrosion, penetrate stuck parts, provide a great moisture barrier and lubricates just about anything. Below are some ways to to use WD-40 at home! If you think of any more, feel free to comment!

- Erases marks caused by chair backs on running boards of wall
- Cleans piano keys
- Lubricates screws on lawn furniture
- Removes grime from grout on bathroom floors (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes crayon from carpet (be sure to test WD-40 on low visibility area of carpet before using)
- Removes scuff marks from ceramic tile flooring (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Removes marks from floors left by chair feet (be sure to wipe floor clean after using WD-40)
- Clean grease off kitchen hoods
- Take the squeak out of door hinges
- Remove glue residue left beyond by stickers, labels and contact labels
- Remove permanent marker from hard surfaces
- Remove crayons from wallpaper chalkboards, brick, dryer drums & many other surfaces
- Clean and lubricate garden cutting & digging tools

There are thousands more uses on the WD-40 website! Check it out and see all that you can do with it!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tips for Getting Around Exercise Excuses


No Excuses! You Can Always Fit Exercise into Your Day! Here are some tips for getting around the typical excuses why not to exercise!

Excuse: My child is too young to do much and I can't always just take her for walks.
Fix: Look for local yoga or gymnastics academies in your city. Many offer classes geared towards toddlers or have open gym times where you can join in and have fun too. Get a child trailer for your bike and go for bike rides. Look for strolled friendly walking trails or get a baby carrier. You'll increase the intensity of your walks with the extra weight and your baby will out of the sttoller. Look for gyms with child care. Most accept babies 6 months or older and are only $2-5 each time you drop them off.

Excuse: I don't have time to exercise and after a long, crazy day, I'd rather just grab fast food.
Fix: Squeeze it in before your kids get up or after the go to bed. Pop in an exercise DVD or tune into FitTV. Both are available around the clock, mo matter when you're ready to workout. There are also several websites available with free online workouts. Go for a quick run in the morning or squeeze a brisk walk in at lunch time. As for dinner, get a crock pot, prep it, put it in the fridge and turn it on before you leave for work. When you get home, dinner is all set to be served. Forgot to prep the crock pot or didn't have time? Buy a cooked rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store & serve with baked potatoes, corn or steamed veggies (microwaveable in minutes).

Excuse: I'm tired and don't have the energy.
Fix: if you start making the time to exercise, you'll realize that working out actually helps you gain energy. It seems counterintuitive but the endorphin release from exercise improves mood and alertness and reduces fatigue. Drag yourself to the.gym & start...if you're there, you're bound to get something accomplished.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Fast & Easy Pasta Sauce

Looking to make some fast & easy pasta recipe but don't have tons of prep time? Try the semi-homemade version below! It makes enough to save & freeze and take out for future dinners too! Hope you like it!

Use one jar of pre-made pasta sauce (Prego, Ragu, etc). Add 1 can stewed tomatoes, 1 lb cooked ground turkey, browned chopped onions & 2 chopped garlic clove. Spice with your choice of spices (basil, oregano, rosemary, etc). Simmer & serve over pasta. It takes like homemade spaghetti sauce but it's much easier to make. The turkey adds lean protein too! The recipe makes plenty to save & use throughout the month. Divide the leftovers in freezer bags or tupperware containers, air out the bags or containers, seal them and freeze them. This way you'll have pasta sauce ready to go at a moments notice. You can pull out a bag, thaw, hear and serve. Do this for soups, sauces and stews too.

Friday, May 6, 2011

5 Recipes Using Cornflakes!


Believe it or not, there is lots you can do with the corn flakes your kids eat every day for breakfast! Incorporate them into dinners, snacks, desserts & more. Try any of the recipes below and see what your family thinks!

Honey Mustard Chicken Fingers

Preheat oven to 450. Place wire rack in large jelly roll pan. In pie plate, crush 3 cups cornflakes, with 1 Tbsp honey, ½ tsp finely grated lemon peel, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper until blended. Coat 1 lb chicken tenders or breast with 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard. Dredge each in cornflake mixture. Place on rack. Bake 12 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the center. Serves 4. Double or triple recipe for larger families.

Chocolate Clusters

In large glass bowl, microwave 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips and ¼ cup peanut butter on high for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until melted. Mix in 2 cups of cornflakes, ½ crushed potato chips & ½ cup unsalted peanuts. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate until hard. Makes 3-4 dozen.

Lemon Butter Broccoli

In 12 inch skillet, heat 1 inch water to boiling on high. Add 1 lb broccoli florets. Cook 3 minutes or until tender. Drain and sprinkle with 1/8 tsp salt. In skillet, melt 2 Tbsp of butter on medium. Add 1 cup of cornflakes and cook 2 minutes while stirring. Add 1 tsp grated lemon peel and 1/8 tsp pepper. Sprinkle over broccoli. Serves 4.

Apple Pear Crisp

Preheat oven to 400 f. Cut & peel 3 lbs apples and pears into ½ inch chunks. In buttered 13 by 9 inch baking dish, toss apples, pears, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, ½ tsp apple pie spice and ¼ tsp salt. In a bowl, crush 3 ½ cups of cornflakes with 5 Tbsp butter, 1/3 cups of brown sugar and ½ tsp of apple pie spice until blended. Sprinkle over fruit. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 8.

Mini Salmon Cakes

In a food processor, pulse 1 lb skinless salmon fillet, 1 ½ cup of cornflakes, 1 tsp of grated orange peel, 2 Tbsp of cilantro, ½ tsp of salt & ¼ tsp of pepper until finely chopped. Form into 9 patties. Cook in a 12 in nonstick skillet on medium heat for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Combine 1 orange, peeled and diced, 2 Tbsp of chopped cilantro and ¼ tsp each of salt and pepper. Serve it as a garnish with the cakes and serve. Serves 9


Via Good Housekeeping March 2011