All you need is olive oil & an ice tray

Keywords: herbs, winter, preserving, olive oil

 

As I stared out at my basil plant today I wondered if moving it inside the house during the winter would be a good idea… The weather is going to change quickly around here and it’s grown pretty large this year, still with tons of leaves begging to be made into something delicious.  I have no where to put it though, so the idea quickly left me.  Then I came across an article that suggested freezing fresh herbs in olive oil.

 

 

 

Most dishes use olive oil as their base… so just grab a cube of the frozen olive oil and heat it up in your sauce pan.  Nothings better than cooking with herb infused oil.  Rosemary, thyme, sage and oregano take best to the freezer method {hardy herbs}.  Unfortunately, the basil will probably lose some of its potency after freezing, but it’s better than the whole thing dying outside once the temperature drops.

 

After freezing the cubes store them in an air tight container, and be sure to label it so you know which you’re reaching for while cooking.

Keeping your snacks fresh

Keywords: gadgets, housewares, snack, resealable

 

 

As I sit here eating a bag of soft and chewy pretzels {two ways one should never describe a pretzel a rod} I am reminded of how I have yet again forgotten to order the iTouchless Bag Re-sealer that I saw online and so badly wanted.  I hate nothing more than when my snacks go stale because I didn’t repackage them tightly enough.  These available on Amazon and come in a pack of 2 for only $12.99.

 

The thing I really love about this little gadget is that the back is magnetic, so you can stick it on your refrigerator and it’s right there next time you need it.  No fumbling through the “junk drawer” in search of an apparatus.  I think I may have to retire my chip clips and pick up a package of these!

Your frosty brew served from a cube

Keywords: food news, heineken, cube, beer

 

It’s sort of like being back in the cafeteria at school and drinking from a milk carton… except it’s glass… and there’s beer inside not milk.  OK, so really the two aren’t similar, but this is a fun and interesting concept that Heineken is playing around with.

 

The cube shape would make storage, stacking, and transporting easier – that’s the driving force behind the design idea.  They’re not out on the market yet, it’s still just a concept.  But these very well could make their way to the production line.  What are your thoughts?  Would you ditch the familiar feel of the old bottle shape for a cube of beer?

Mood Enhancing Foods – Berries & Chocolate

Keywords: food news, chocolate, berries, depression

 

Many of us try to “eat healthy.”  But what does that really mean?  Just maintaining a balanced diet?  Skipping the processed junk and opting for natural/organic choices?  If people start to see food as more than just a means to fuel our bodies, a whole world of natural remedies would open up to them.  It’s about eating to live instead of living to eat.

 

Berries, chocolate, and tea are a few foods that help to stabilize mood and combat depression.  Researchers have discovered that these foods contain mood-enhancing chemicals which are strikingly similar to those found in popular anti-depressant drugs.  And who wouldn’t want to a square of chocolate and handful of berries, washed down with a nice cup of tea, as opposed to a handful of pills?!

 

The chemicals in these foods bear structural similarities to valproic acid, which is sold under names like Depakene, Depakote and Stavzor.  While those who truly require an anti-depressant drug regiment are not advised to ditch the meds and switch to chocolate covered strawberries, including these foods in your well balanced diet will over time lead to improved moods.

Game, Set, Sweets!

Keywords: maria sharapova, sugarpova, tennis, food news

 

As someone who has played tennis since elementary school, I’m already a huge fan of Maria Sharapova. She’s a fantastically talented athlete {obviously, if she’s the top-paid female athlete in the world for eight years running}…. and she’s gorgeous!  She’s also just launched her own line of premium gummy, gumball, and soft chew candies – Sugarpova.

 

 

Sugarpova is available at Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue, at It’sugar outlets in malls worldwide, online at sugarpova.com, and at select hotels in their minibars and a few Madame Tussauds wax museums {hmm..random?}.  There are about a dozen different varieties available ~ like the lip-shaped Flirty, the bear-shaped Cheeky, the tennis ball-shaped Sporty and the handbag, sunglasses and shoe-shaped Chic. Bags sell for around $5.99

Burger King is practically giving away ice cream

Keywords: burger king, ice cream, soft serve

 

From now until August 31st you can pop into any Burger King and pick up a vanilla soft serve for only 50¢!  Offer is good towards either a cup or a cone ~ but, unfortunately for our bacon loving friends, the promotion doesn’t include the bacon sundae.  Summer is coming to a close, get in all the refreshing ice cream you can before we’re all reaching for the hot chocolate.

Welcoming our new nephew into the world!

Keywords: weeatny.com, baby, newborn photography

 

Today we have welcomed our first nephew into the world, our family, and our hearts!  We have two beautiful nieces so all we were missing was a little man in the mix.  You are already so loved, Baby Andre!  Looking forward to lots of cuddles and kisses and diapers.