Hey you!  End of the week is here and I wanted to switch up things a little bit and share with you some tips I try to use when planning for a get together or party.  Now these ideas are nothing earth shattering or unheard of but it is just a guideline that may ease some stress around “PARTY TIME“.

1. For a simple centerpiece, arrange bunches of flowers ( daisies, etc in small tin buckets )
2. Plastic glasses and utensils make cleanup easy
3. When serving messy meals like ribs, use lightweight bandannas instead of thin napkins
4. Dress salads just before serving
5. Keep lots of napkins and or paper towel on hand to wipe up spills
6. To keep beverages cold longer, place in a full tub of ice, water and salt ( 1 Tbsp. per Quart of water )
7. Use checklists and try to divide up tasks among your helpers
8. Plan ahead and prep whatever you can ahead of time.
9. Have Fun while doing it

Ok, so it is 8:55 pm o’clock in the evening ( last night ) and I just realized I have a client meeting at 9:00 that I totally forgot about so that is going to eat into my evening of relaxation.  Oh well – I will still try and sneak a piece of fudge and possibly some killer banana bread before hitting the sack.

Have a great weekend and I will talk to you on Monday.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

Happy Monday!  I had a very busy weekend with most of the time spent at the house or shopping for lights.  But guess what? We finally bought all of the lights and we are pumped.  We had a little hiccup with the pendant lighting located above the Island but we lucked out at a local hardware store and scored the final two lights of a list of five.  This is a huge week at the house so I will be sure to keep you posted on the progress.

With winter setting in and a few months into school, universities and just a routine in general – a lot of us can fall into a lunch box rut.  Do you find yourself getting bored of your lunch?  I tend to keep mine pretty broad and open to almost anything but every now and again I feel like I am getting sick of sandwiches and need to kick it up a notch.

Below are some ideas that I try to use to be both effective at keeping it simple and fresh.

Lunch Box Ideas

Many of these lunchbox ideas make economical (and time-saving) use of leftovers and all of them are fast, easy, and delicious!

1. Cottage cheese topped with toasted walnuts, blueberries or pumpkin seeds.



2. Hummus with finely-chopped bell pepper, scallion, or sunflower seeds for extra nutrition ( scooped up with some of your favorite crackers )
3. Bite-size raw veggies with a separate container of sesame dipping sauce or your favorite ranch dressing.
4. Apple slices with peanut,  or almond butter.
5. Make up a mix of chopped dried fruit, seeds and nuts . Buy the items separately and mix them yourself in a big airtight container.  Much cheaper than buying little bags of trail mix.



6. Cheese cubes with tiny cherry tomatoes. ( I just had this one  the other day! )
7. Leftovers: The trick is to think ahead and make a little extra at dinner for lunch the next day.

Desserts from the freezer: Just place a few of these below in the freezer before you go to bed and then throw toss them in your lunch bag the next morning. They’ll be thawed by lunchtime–and keep the rest of lunch nicely cold in the meantime.

1. Individual yogurts. Add a separate container of wheat germ, toasted coconut, berries, or chopped walnuts for a kid-pleasing crunchy topping.



2. Banana slices (you can top them with yogurt, maple syrup, and wheat germ, if you like).

Tell me this

1. Do you pack your lunch?
2. What are your favorite things to pack in your lunch box?
3. Do you pack the night before or in the morning?

For me the answers are:

1. Usually
2. Leftovers
3. Night Before ( if I remember )

I hope you have a great Monday and I will talk to you tomorrow.  A really fun announcement coming tomorrow regarding Open Sky.  I hope you are excited!!

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

There’s only 10 days until Christmas!  Do you have any shopping left?  How does your list look so far, any hard to buy kitchen lovers?  If so, I think I have some simple and great ideas for you.

I love getting gifts that I can use in the kitchen, I find them so useful and practical – and if you have a kitchen and food enthusiast on your list – check out these items below.

When looking for kitchen gadgets, I always try to find tools/gadgets that will make your job easier, whether it is food preparation or clean-up – simple and quick are my two favorite words.

1.  Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender

Whether you are making a quick sauce for your pasta or pureeing a soup – this hand blender is great for the tough jobs and is no mess.  Just place it in the bowl or pot you are using and you are ready to blend.

2.  Silpat Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat

This is ideal for baking.  There is no more sticking and no clean up.  Just lift it up and shake it when you are finished.  Similar to parchment paper but totally reusable.  I love it.

3.  Rachael Ray 3-Piece Spoonula Set

Despite the funny colors, these are actually quite useful.  They have many uses, excellent for stirring, mixing tossing and serving.  Tough to beat in one gadget.

4.  Microplane Grater/Zester

Well now this one is mandatory.  Being zesty and all – this is the best to get the zest off any citrus fruit.  It is also an excellent grater for ginger, Parmesan cheese or anything that you need to grate in a hurry.  Small and compact – this has to be in everyone’s utility drawer.

5.  Swissmar Borner V-Slicer Plus

This is one of my favorite items in the kitchen.  It is great for slicing just about anything.  You may remember this from a post a while back – Healthy Homemade French Fries.  This tool is so quick and easy to use along with very little clean up.  I have this at home and it cuts perfect french fries every time.  Get this for the french fry person in your family.

So there you have it!  A little help to complete your Christmas shopping.  I am not yet finished and struggling for ideas so I am always open to suggestions.  If you have not already heard, our latest giveaway may help you out on your last minute shopping for yourself or a loved one.

Have a great Monday and I will be back tomorrow for a holiday treat.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty