What You Should Have In Your Medicine Cabinet

What You Should Have In Your Medicine Cabinet

Your medicine cabinet is a lot more important than you might think because it’s the ideal way to ensure you and your family can live a happy, healthy life and deal with any problems (small ones that don’t need a professional, at least) that come your way. In other words, that medicine cabinet you might not really have thought about could be one of the most important areas of your home. But what’s in it? It might not actually contain many (or any) of the things you really need, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out what those things might be.

The Basics 

It always makes sense to start with the basics, no matter what you’re doing, so that’s where we need to start when it comes to ensuring you’ve got what you need in your medicine cabinet. You’re going to need, at the very least, some painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen, to deal with the day-to-day aches and pains we all have to endure, like headaches, pulled muscles, cuts and bruises, period paid, and so on. 

Continue reading “What You Should Have In Your Medicine Cabinet”

Crockpot Broccoli and Cheese Soup Recipe

Crockpot Broccoli and Cheese Soup Recipe

I’m not sure about y’all, but we are trying to eat more veggies in this family.  I have found one of my favorite ways to sneak veggies into meals is in soups. Here’s a simple and delicious crockpot broccoli cheese soup recipe that is sure to please even the pickiest eater.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (or frozen, thawed)
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Add broccoli, carrots, onion, garlic, and broth to the crockpot. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika if using.  Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the broccoli is tender.

About 30 minutes before serving, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream, ensuring no lumps form. Let it thicken for a few minutes, then stir it into the crockpot.  Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and combined.

Pro tip: For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to blend to your desired consistency. Leave some chunks for texture if preferred.

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Optionally, garnish with extra cheese, croutons, or a dollop of sour cream.

What is your favorite way to sneak veggies into meals?  Share with us in the comments!

Easy Stovetop Stuffing Recipe

Easy Stovetop Stuffing Recipe

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving is the stuffing that goes alongside the turkey!!!  Here is a super easy stovetop recipe, along with some variations on the classic recipe. When it comes to comforting, quick, and flavorful side dishes, stovetop stuffing is a classic choice. Whether it’s for a holiday dinner, a casual family meal, or a last-minute addition to your menu, this easy stovetop stuffing recipe comes together in just minutes and pairs well with nearly any main course. With a combination of aromatic vegetables, hearty bread, and savory herbs, it’s the ultimate comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups cubed day-old bread
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10 minutes until slightly dry. Skip this step if your bread is already stale. Continue reading “Easy Stovetop Stuffing Recipe”

Beef and Bean Chili Recipe

Beef and Bean Chili Recipe

I don’t know about you, but I love chili.  I’m one of those people who like beans in my chili though!  Here’s a hearty and flavorful beef and bean chili recipe that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion:

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for richness)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red, green, or both)
• 1 medium jalapeño, finely diced (optional, for heat)
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef or chicken broth
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, balances acidity)
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (for depth of flavor) Continue reading “Beef and Bean Chili Recipe”

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Fall is in the air, and one of my favorite fall things is it’s also soup season!

Here’s a delicious and easy chicken tortilla soup recipe sure to warm you up.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced (optional)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder Continue reading “Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe”

Fun Crafts for Kids This Christmas

Fun Crafts for Kids This Christmas

I know it’s only mid November, but it’s never too early to plan for Christmas!  Here are a few fun Christmas crafts for kids, perfect for adding holiday cheer to your home!

Pine Cone Christmas Trees: Gather some pine cones, paint them green, and glue on mini pom-poms, beads, or glitter to make “ornaments.” Add a small star at the top and place them in small clay pots.

Paper Plate Snowmen: Use two paper plates, one for the head and one for the body, and glue them together. Add googly eyes, a paper carrot nose, and buttons for a cute snowman decoration.

Handprint Wreaths: Trace kids’ handprints on green paper, cut them out, and glue them into a wreath shape. Decorate with red pom-poms as “berries” and add a bow at the top.

Ornament Suncatchers: Cut out ornament shapes from clear contact paper. Stick bits of tissue paper and glitter onto them, then hang in a window to catch the light.

Popsicle Stick Reindeer: Glue three popsicle sticks in a triangle shape, add googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose, and attach a ribbon for hanging. These make great tree ornaments!

Salt Dough Ornaments: Make salt dough using 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of salt, and 1/2 cup of water. Shape with cookie cutters, bake, and paint once they cool.

Christmas Slime: This is a winner at my house! Make a simple slime with glue and baking soda, then add green or red food coloring, glitter, and small holiday-themed sequins.

Do you have a favorite Christmas craft you do with your kids?  Tell me about your craft tradition in the comments!

How to Easily Apply Clip-In Hair Extensions

How to Easily Apply Clip-In Hair Extensions

Clip-in hair extensions are a fantastic way to quickly transform your look. These extensions offer an easy method to add length, volume, or even a splash of color to your natural hair. Many people love clip-in hair extensions for their convenience and versatility. Proper application is key to achieving a natural appearance, ensuring the extensions blend seamlessly with your own hair. Mastering this skill ensures a flawless finish every time you use clip-in hair extensions.

Preparing for Application

Assessing Your Hair

Determine Hair Type and Texture

Understanding your hair type and texture is crucial. Understanding your hair type is crucial. Straight hair, wavy hair, or curly hair will affect how clip-in extensions blend. Run your fingers through your hair to feel its texture. Look in the mirror to see if your hair is fine, medium, or thick. Knowing your hair type helps you choose the right extensions. Continue reading “How to Easily Apply Clip-In Hair Extensions”

Spongebob Squarepants: Another 100 Episodes and The Best 300 Episodes Ever on DVD

Spongebob Squarepants: Another 100 Episodes and The Best 300 Episodes Ever on DVD

LOS ANGELES–(October9, 2024)–SpongeBob SquarePants, which has reigned as the most-watched animated series for 22 consecutive years, is at the center of two brand-new DVD collections timed for the landmark 25th anniversary of the series! Follow the nautical adventures of the optimistic sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea as he and his friends surf the waves of laughter in these two collections.

Another 100 Episodes features the complete Seasons 10-14 on 14 discs. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Best 300 Episodes Ever includes the complete Seasons 1-14 on 44 discs. Take a deep dive into Bikini Bottom and beyond with Special Features that include “The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants, “a music video, a special crossover episode, several animated shorts and much, much more!

Another 100 Episodes and SpongeBob SquarePants: The Best 300 Episodes Ever will each be available on DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment and Nickelodeon Home Entertainment on October 15th,2024 for the suggested retail price of  $33.99and $67.99 respectively.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Another 100 Episodes synopsis:

Another 100 episodes later…reels in more nautical nonsense with the Bikini Bottom denizens, SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Gary, Sandy, Plankton, and of course, Squidward! This collection is bubbling up with episodes from Seasons 10-14. Venture to the Doodle Dimension and encounter doodle versions of SpongeBob and friends, see Dirty Bubble become Clean Bubble in Dirty Bubble Returns, watch Squidward get lost in SpongeBob’s imagination box in Squidiot Box, and so much more! Surf the waves of laughter in this 14-disc collection!

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Best 300 Episodes Ever synopsis:

SHELLEBRATE GOOD TIMES with the best ever 300 episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants! Submerge into 20,000 leagues of waterlogged hilarity and unsinkable friendships featuring hours of your favorite Bikini Bottom Buddies from Season 1 all the way through Season 14. Get ready, get weird and get drenched in this seaworthy 44-disc collection with over 300 episodes. Order up for F.U.N.!

The West Wing: The Complete Series Press Release

The West Wing: The Complete Series Press Release

In celebration of the 25th Anniversary, All 156 Episodes From The Critically Acclaimed Series Will Be Available To Purchase For The First Time On Blu-ray October 1, 2024

BURBANK, CA (September 17, 2024) – Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment will be releasing The West Wing: The Complete Series for the first time ever on Blu-ray, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the critically acclaimed series. Get ready to binge all 156 episodes from NBC/WBTV’sEmmy® Award-winning original series, along with hours of special features including over 20 commentaries, behind the scenes featurettes, unaired scenes, gag reels and more. The brilliant political drama, following an extraordinarily intimate look at an American President and the inner workings of the White House, will be available to own on Blu-ray on October 1. Continue reading “The West Wing: The Complete Series Press Release”

Are You Afraid Of The Dark? The Limited Series Three Season Collection on DVD Press Release

Are You Afraid Of The Dark? The Limited Series Three Season Collection on DVD Press Release

THE COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION OF THE REIMAGINED BELOVED ANTHOLOGY RELEASES IN TIME FOR SPOOKY SEASON!  ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? THE LIMITED SERIES THREE-SEASON COLLECTION

LOS ANGELES – October 1, 2024 – Beloved horror anthology miniseries based on the ‘90s kids’ cult classic, Are You Afraid of the Dark? will be available as a limited series three-season collection through Paramount Home Entertainment and Nickelodeon. The series introduces all-new Midnight Society groups of kids who tell terrifying tales that lead to spooky and shocking revelations.

The reimagined “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” premiered in October 2019 as a limited series and introduced a new Midnight Society as they tell a scary story only to have the events of the story come to life. Season two Are You Afraid of the Dark?Curse of the Shadows, premiered in February 2021 and followed a new group of kids, who learn of a terrifying curse cast over their small town and are haunted by a mysterious creature. The third chapter, Are You Afraid of the Dark?Ghost Island, premiered in July 2022 and features another Midnight Society as they go on vacation on a resort island, until they learn about something sinister haunting the guests. Relive all the scary stories with The Limited Series Three-Season Collection, just in time for spooky-season and Halloween! Continue reading “Are You Afraid Of The Dark? The Limited Series Three Season Collection on DVD Press Release”