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Home Sweet Home – Simple Home Organizing Solutions

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When we think of home improvement some of the things that come to our mind is the cost, the contractors and the length of the project.  I have 15 simple solutions that will help you organize your home without the cost of contractors and can be done in a couple of hours.

Clothes Closet

  • Use a variety of organizers to store belts, scarves and other accessories
  • Use shelves to store sweaters and tee shirts
  • Store shoes on racks or in shoe boxes

Linen Closet

  • Fold bed linens sets as a unit
  • Stack linens by room
  • Roll your towels to save space

Hall Closet

  • Use containers to store small items ( flash lights, batteries, chargers)
  • Use shoe racks to organize shoes that are kept near entrance
  • Place hats, gloves and scarves in bins or baskets

Kitchen Cabinet Storage

  • Mount hooks underneath inside shelf to hang cups
  • Attach an organizer on the inside of a cabinet door to store sponges, rubber gloves, etc.
  • Use a lazy Susan in an awkward corner to maximize space

Under the bed

  • Use storage boxes on wheels to utilize space underneath the bed to store linens or seasonal clothes.

Medicine Cabinet

  • Designate a shelf for items such as hair care, first aid items, skin and body care.
  • Periodically check the expiration date on all items in medicine cabinet

 

Janet M. Taylor is a professional organizer, speaker and author with over 20 years of experience helping people get organized.

If you are ready to get your life visit her website at www.janetmtaylor.com

Time to Get Your Home Office Organized

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Are you cramped up in your office? Do you see dozens of pens, outdated electronics, and miscellaneous notepads spread out all over the room?

Follow these 5 simple steps to get your home office in tip-top shape at one fell swoop.

1. Tame the Paper Monster
Paperwork systems can easily get out of whack if they are not efficient. Piles can stack up quickly if the documents are not processed in a timely manner. Address this mess by spending time sorting the paperwork into categories such as receipts, action items, forms to file or review, etc. Recycle paper that isn’t needed, and contain everything that needs to be shredded (which can be done later).

2. Contain Pens, Paper Clips & Rubber Bands
Many have too many writing instruments, paper clips and rubber bands scattered all over their office. Instead of starting out by testing which pens work, just gather all of them in one container. Pick out your favorite few and place them in a pen holder on your desk. You can deal with the rest of them later, deciding which to toss, donate, or store. Usable paper clips and rubber bands can be stored in small containers as well.

3. Streamline Your Office Supplies
Sort through your supplies such as staplers, notebooks, staple removers, and other tools to decide how many you need on your desk and in your drawers. With the leftovers, decide whether you want to donate them or store them in a closet to use for back-ups. If business cards you have collected are spread all around the room, get a business card organizer and categorize the ones you want to keep in it.

4. Let Go of Unnecessary Promotional Swag
If you don’t want your office to appear too cluttered, you may have to part with some office swag that is strewn about. Say goodbye to the desk toys, convention handouts, squeeze balls, old cards, and other similar items that aren’t sentimental. This will also give your office a more “adult” sophisticated look.

5. Dust and Disinfect
Finally, it’s time to do the cleaning. You can use a dust cloth, Lysol wipes, dust buster, and air duster (also used to clean computer keyboards) to get all the surfaces squeaky clean.

Finish up by completing any other small tasks that are required to get your office presentable. That’s it!

Enjoy your “new” office space, and make sure to reward yourself for your hard work!

On the Menu: Chicken Cacciatore

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Having people over for dinner, but don’t have time for that overly-complicated meal you found in a cookbook? Then try this recipe and impress your friends and family with its deliciousness.

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour for coating
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (4 pound) chicken, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup white wine
2 cups fresh mushrooms, quartered
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a plastic bag. Shake the chicken pieces in flour until coated. Heat the oil in a large skillet (one that has a cover/lid). Fry the chicken pieces until they are browned on both sides. Remove from skillet.
  2. Add the onion, garlic and bell pepper to the skillet and sauté until the onion is slightly browned. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the tomatoes, oregano and wine.
  3. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes over medium low heat.
  4. Add the mushrooms and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 more minutes.

Dee’s Tweaks

  1. Used Perdue SimplySmart lightly breaded chicken cutlets
  2. Seasoned flour and coated frozen chicken cutlets-brown on both sides and remove
  3. Substitute wine for chicken broth. Use about a cup for more sauce
  4. Cook the veggies and add soy sauce and sugar. Cook down for about 20 minutes
  5. Thicken the sauce with cornstarch, then add the chicken back to the pan to simmer for a few minutes
  6. Serve with buttered noodles and garnish with basil

 

Read the original recipe HERE

Bored with Breakfast?! | JenniferDent.com

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It’s time to rethink your traditional breakfast meals.

Banish the bagel.
Oust the oatmeal.
Dismiss the donuts.
Eradicate the boiled egg.
Remove the rice cake.

The average American breakfast is packed with sugar, empty carbs and faux, fruity flavoring. This kind of breakfast can send your blood sugar into a fast downward spiral instead of fueling your body.

In this blog post, I am offering a savory, collection of ten breakfast recipes for you to download. In it, you’ll find some healthier alternatives to the traditional American breakfast, but be prepared to cook. Real food doesn’t come out of a box and “cook” in the microwave in 60 seconds!

Inside you’ll find these delicious recipes:

  • Kale + Mushroom Frittata
  • Honey Nut Bars
  • Wheat Free Pancakes
  • Berry Bright Chia Pudding
  • Coconut Flour Biscuits
  • Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
  • Clean Green Smoothie
  • Vegan Blueberry Muffins
  • Superfood Chocolate Breakfast Bowl
  • Homemade Breakfast Sausage

I hope you find this mini recipe collection delightful and useful. It will really help you get excited about breakfast again. Drop me a comment and let me know if you plan to make any of these delicious recipes and more importantly, how they tasted!

Bon appétit!

 

DOWNLOAD RECIPES, HERE

VIEW MORE ABOUT JENNIFER DENT, HEALTH COACH + SUCCESS STYLIST, HERE

On the Menu: Lemon Ricotta Cookies

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Are you looking for a delicious recipe to add to your Christmas cookie repertoire? These cookies are fresh and delicious and are sure to leave your guests happy and smiling this holiday season.

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Ingredients:

Cookies:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 lemon, zested

Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 lemon, zested

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cookies:

  1. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

  2. In the large bowl combine the butter and the sugar. Using an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients.

  3. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon the dough (about 2 tablespoons for each cookie) onto the baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.

Glaze:

Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1/2-teaspoon onto each cookie and use the back of the spoon to gently spread. Let the glaze harden for about 2 hours. Pack the cookies into a decorative container.

Check out the original recipe HERE 

Recipe Ideas For A Light Meal After Thanksgiving

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Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with friends and family. After having good and hearty meals over the holiday, here are a couple of light recipes to help reuse some of your dinner items.

 

 

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This recipe is good for either an appetizer or entrée and is surely to leave your feeling satisfied. It is packed full with hearty and delicious ingredients and will present a pop of color to your dinner selection. Also a great use for all the Turkey left over after Thanksgiving.

Turkey Chili

Ingredients:
10 Ounces Ground Turkey
1 15-Ounce Can Crushed Tomatoes
1¾ Cups Red Kidney Beans
4 Cloves Garlic
3 Stalks Celery
1 Avocado
1 Lime
1 Yellow Onion
1 Bunch Cilantro
2 Ounces Cheddar Cheese
1 Jalapeño Pepper
1½ Tablespoons Turkey Chili Spice Blend (Smoked Chile Powder & Ground Cumin)

Directions:

  1. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Drain and rinse the beans. Peel and mince the garlic. Small dice the celery. Halve the lime; slice one half into thin rounds, leaving the other half whole. Pit, peel and medium dice the avocado; toss with the juice of the lime half to prevent browning. Peel and small dice the onion. Pick the cilantro leaves off the stems; discard the stems. Grate the cheddar cheese. Remove and discard the ribs and seeds of the jalapeño; small dice the jalapeño, washing your hands immediately afterwards.

  2. In a large pot, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the ground turkey; season with salt and pepper. Cook, frequently breaking the meat apart with a spoon, 4 to 6 minutes, or until lightly browned.

  3. To the pot of browned turkey, add the garlic, celery, onion and as much of the jalapeño as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened and fragrant.

  4. Add the spice blend to the pot of ground turkey and aromatics; cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until toasted and fragrant. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beans and ½ cup of water; heat to boiling on high. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes, or until slightly reduced in volume. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.

  5. Divide the finished chili between 2 bowls. Garnish with the avocado, cheddar cheese, lime rounds and cilantro. Enjoy!

More on the recipe: https://www.blueapron.com/recipes/organic-turkey-chili-with-avocado-cilantro-new-york-state-cheddar

 

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If you’re on the lookout for a clean, healthy recipe, this one is good for both lunch and dinner. Whether you eat the crab cake over salad or by itself, it is sure to keep you full and on the move.

Crab Cake Salad

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 green onions, chopped
3/8 cup olive oil
1 (16 oz.) can crabmeat, drained
1 egg
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dry mustard
8 ounces buttery round, crushed
½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning ™
Salt to taste
Ground black pepper to taste
1 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs) or regular dry bread crumbs

Directions:

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a skillet over high heat. Sauté green onions briefly until tender; cool slightly.

  2. Combine crabmeat, sautéed green onions, egg, mayonnaise, dry mustard, crushed crackers, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, salt and pepper. Form into 1/2 inch thick patties. Coat the patties with bread crumbs.

  3. Heat 1/2 cup oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Cook cakes until golden brown on each side. Drain briefly on paper towels and serve hot.

  4. Serve over your favorite salad.

More on the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/19490/my-crab-cakes/

Janet’s 21 Top Home Organizing Tips

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  1. Establish a location for your keys by using a hook on the wall or a decorative dish.
  2. Use baskets to place incoming mail and bills.
  3. Open mail by the wastebasket.
  4. Keep your recycling bin accessible for mail inserts that you don’t need.
  5. Shred mail with personal information.
  6. Avoid additional clutter by deciding which catalogs/magazines you will keep and toss those you are no longer interested in reading. Make sure you remove your name from their mailing list.
  7. Discard coupons that have expired.
  8. Discard manuals to equipment you no longer own.
  9. Lay clothes out the night before.
  10. Pack your purse, tote or briefcase the night before.
  11. Create a yearly purging schedule. Purge closets in the spring and fall.  Purge paperwork and files when you have to gather documents for yearly taxes.
  12. Establish a location where you will pay bills, manage the home, etc. (spare room, corner of a room).
  13. Designate a place to keep personal documents (filing cabinet, file box).
  14. Clean the refrigerator as you put away groceries, tossing containers either in the sink or the trash.
  15. Minimize counter clutter by keeping only those appliances that are used at least once a day on top.
  16. Use hanging mesh or wire baskets to store fruit, onions, potatoes, etc.
  17. Maximize the space in your cabinets by installing small hooks on the bottoms of shelves for mugs that won’t stack.
  18. Put in back-of-door organizing racks to neatly hold boxes of foil, pot lids and extra shopping bags.
  19. Go through your medicine cabinet and throw away expired items.
  20. Get rid of dried-up cosmetics, nail polish and face creams.
  21. Turntables used underneath sinks can maximize space and make items accessible.

Janet M. Taylor is a professional organizer, speaker and author with over 20 years of experience helping people get organized.

If you are ready to get your life visit her website at www.janetmtaylor.com

Bedroom – Canamould Extrusions Inc. –Marycroft Homes

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Combining bedroom and living area, this transitional design speaks to the modern homeowner with its wide space, dark wood floors, and ceiling-to-floor gray wall partition. On one side of the wall, you have a comfy semi-living room, complete with gray velvet armchairs, glass coffee table, and limestone fire place. What better place is there to spend lazy weekends when you don’t want to feel too lazy by staying in bed all day? Not to mention, the fire place keeps the room warm and toasty on those chillier nights.

On the other side of the partition is the actual bedroom with its attractive, tufted headboard and modern black furniture. The wall creates a sense of privacy and also doubles as the ideal place to mount a television for late night channel surfing. Topping this all off is the beautiful coffered ceiling and fun chandelier that compliments the room’s design perfectly.

This bedroom design is ideal for the homeowner on a budget because it does technically double as two rooms. Why waste money on a bigger house, when you can just get this room design instead? All that is needed is a splash of color by way of some extra throw pillows and this dream room is complete.

To find more bedroom ideas, visit: Houzz – http://bit.ly/1MapMWP

Kitchen – Rich Baum Photography

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This design is ideal for the homeowner, who likes his or her space in the kitchen. With its multiple countertops and classy traditional design, this room is perfect for the average or professional chef, and even has the feel of a Food Network home cooking show. Even if you don’t like to cook, what better way is there to utilize the counter space than to cover it entirely with takeout galore? One counter for food, one counter to eat it on.

Then there is the round kitchen table, accented by elegant, tufted white chairs that make eating dinner a comfortable, yet fashionable experience. The round table ensures that family and guests are intimate and fully able to have their share in conversation about embarrassing childhood memories, awkward teenage experiences, and every day dealings at work.

This traditional galley eat-in kitchen with its beautiful, multi-hued, dark work floor is perfect for house parties, holiday dinners, and even early morning family breakfasts before work/school. The wide space is certainly airy enough to avoid claustrophobia during any large get-together, and once you add the spice rack and kitchen ware, you are sure to have the kitchen of your dreams.

 To view more kitchen ideas, visit: Houzz – http://bit.ly/1kA0pYL

Living Room – Jeffrey King Interiors

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This living room, with its warm colors and contemporary design, makes a perfect area to enjoy a lazy, rainy day with the family, watching your favorite movie or binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix. It also doubles as the classy, yet comfy rendezvous for your book club, girls’ night, get together, and can even pass for a man cave for game nights.

The white leather sectional is comfortable enough to lay back and be immersed in its squashiness, yet it is also sophisticated enough to seat that nosy neighbor you have just been dying to outdo. Add to that the matching coffee table, floating shelves, and tray ceiling, and you have enough bragging rights to last until said neighbor puts in for a home makeover.

This living room design is very fashionable and ideal for family, bachelor, or bachelorette. Not only is the design itself beautifully conceptualized, but once you add your own personal effects—cozy blankets, family photos, some more throw pillows—it instantly becomes the fitting room for living for any potential homeowner.

 To view more Living Room ideas, visit: Houzz – http://bit.ly/1LSbZZf