Tuesday Tip

Prevent sweat stains on white shirts:

 via Real Simple

Sprinkle powder on the underarms and the collar, then iron. The powder acts as a barrier.

Tuesday Tip

Cake Support

via Martha Stewart Living, October 2004

Using the sturdy removable bottom of a tart pan underneath a cake simplifies the job of transferring it -- whether to a cake stand on your dining-room table or to a box for taking to a friend's home.

Using the sturdy removable bottom of a tart pan underneath a cake simplifies the job of transferring it.

Ina Garten's Cape Cod Chopped Salad

Barefoot Contessa

 

Photo: House Beautiful

"This quick and easy recipe made with apples, bacon, and blue cheese is hearty enough for a main dish, great for the fall, and one of those perfect salads when you're short on time." By Ina Garten

Cape Cod Chopped Salad
Serves 4 to 5
8 slices (8 ounces) thick-cut bacon, such as Niman Ranch
8 ounces baby arugula
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
1/2 cup toasted walnut halves, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
6 ounces blue cheese, such as Roquefort, crumbled
For the Dressing:
3 tablespoons good apple-cider vinegar
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup good olive oil
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and lay the bacon slices on the rack. Roast the bacon for about 20 minutes, until nicely browned. Allow to cool.
3. In a large bowl, toss together the arugula, apple, walnuts, cranberries, and blue cheese. For the dressing, whisk together the vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, mustard, maple syrup, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper in a bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.
4. Chop the bacon into large pieces and add it to the salad. Toss the salad with just enough dressing to moisten. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and toss well. Serve immediately.

Tuesday Tip - Back To School

Magnetic Lunch Chart

A kid may be more likely to eat her lunch if she helps choose the menu. When she uses this magnetic chart to map out her meals for the week, it saves time and helps make grocery shopping easier. 

Just download and print the magnetic chart onto a full-size magnet sheet. 

Then print the food name label onto a second magnetic sheet and cut it out. 

Together, come up with a variety of sandwiches, fruits, healthy snacks, and desserts; then print them out and let the child fill in the blanks.

Tuesday Tip

Repurpose an old frame for a vanity tray that’s pretty as a picture.

Place a piece of colored paper or fabric inside as a finishing touch.

Chocolate AND Caramel Cookies

Chocolate Caramel Surprise

via Martha Stewart

Ingredients

Makes 36

• 36 pecan halves
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup firmly packed dark-brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 10 individually wrapped caramels, coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking pans with Silpats (French nonstick baking mats); set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars on medium speed for 1 minute. Beat in egg and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture and beat to combine.
4. Use a 1 1/4-inch ice-cream scoop to form a ball of dough. Place a pecan in the dough, pressing lightly to secure. Place the dough pecan side down onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough and pecans.
5. Using the back of a teaspoon or your thumb, create an indentation in the top of each cookie and fill with 1/4 teaspoon of chopped caramel. Bake until firm, about 15 minutes. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Tuesday Tip - Baby Powder

5 Great Uses for Baby Powder

 

1. Clean sand off damp skin. Do ocean water and summer humidity have beach sand clinging to you? Sprinkle baby powder on skin to help absorb excess moisture, then simply brush the sand right off.

2. Untangle knots. Usually recognized for its absorbent qualities, powder also works as a light lubricant. Next time you have a tangled necklace or shoelace, sprinkle the knots with a bit of baby powder to help unlock the snarls with ease.

3. Give your dog a dry shampoo. If Fido needs a quick freshening up, sprinkle some baby powder into his fur and rub into the roots. Wait several minutes, allowing the powder a few minutes to absorb any oil, then brush his coat with a doggy comb. (Psst: This works as a quick fix for dog owners, too!)

4. De-squeak floorboards. If your floor boards tend to squeak when you walk over certain areas, sprinkle baby powder between the creaky slats to help cut friction and quiet any noise.

5. Line dish-washing gloves for easy on and off. Love your protective dish-washing gloves but hate how hard it is to slip them on and off? The next time you tackle the dishes, coat your hands with baby powder, which will help prevent the gloves from sticking to your skin.