Summer ends on a sweet note with fresh corn
August 17, 2015
I grew up in the southern thumb if Michigan. My neighborhood didn’t have sidewalks and corner stores – we experienced budding childhood in between cornfields and cow farms. It wasn’t uncommon for kids to drive around at night and steal ears of corn, fresh and ripe from the towering stalks.
The summer treat is no stranger to me and while my favorite way to enjoy it remains a simple boil in some sugar water, there are many new ways I incorporate the staple in my diet today.
For the basics, I must have some quality cob holders. These rubber handles with strong stainless steel prongs make it super simple to hold hot corn fresh from the pot. These heat-resistant holders from OXO are non-slip and come in a set of eight – enough for a family of four.
If oven roasting is your style, a silicone brush is a must. Simply place cobs on a baking sheet, brush with melted butter, season liberally and bake until tender with golden brown spots. This silicone brush is heat resistant and holds onto whatever sauce or baste you are using. The silicone bristles remove for easy cleaning and the rosewood handle is easy to hold.
For something a little different, consider fire roasted corn salsa. It sounds complicated, but this multi-use dish is as easy as it gets. For this project there are two must-haves that I recommend: a corn peeler and a strawberry huller. The peeler makes sense; roast the corn and then easily remove the kernels. But a strawberry huller? Good salsa means good tomatoes, which if you’re like me, are not the easiest to dice. Using a strawberry huller makes it real easy to remove the pit. These simple tools will make crafting your own salsa a cinch.
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Find this recipe and more on our Pinterest page.
Survive hot days with delicious fruit infused water
August 10, 2015
Infused waters are an excellent way to cool down — and with the last hot days of summer approaching, there’s no better time than now to start exploring their benefits. Acclaimed to have the magic powers to help you detox and slim down, fruit infused water is a healthy alternative to fruit juice. So grab your favorite water bottle, carafe or pitcher:
Water infuser
This infusing pitcher is top of the line. This pitcher comes with three different inserts: a mesh tea steeper, a perforated fruit infuser and a solid insert for ice. Make your favorite fruit infusions, homemade iced tea or keep mixed drinks cool without watering them down. This glass pitcher is BPA free and dishwasher safe. Use it hot or cold and enjoy the gasket seal which offers a spill-proof pour.
Fruit infusion pitcher
This simple pitcher is perfect for those just looking to try infused water. The middle insert is designed to hold fresh fruit, herbs and veggies in place while the side slits allow the flavor and nutrients to seep into the water. The clear finish makes an excellent display piece during a get together and the entire piece is super easy to clean. This acrylic pitcher is long-lasting and durable – perfect for standing up to the wear and tear of a busy family home.
Tumbler infuser
It doesn’t matter how fast paced your life is, delicious fruit infused water is still obtainable. This great tumbler is also an infuser – perfect for hot loose leaf tea and cold water alike. This piece is also BPA free and features a leak-proof seal. Th double wall insulation keeps beverages cold and hot while the convenient soft grip makes travel easy. Add you favorite natural flavors and throw this tumbler in your backpack, gym bag, lunch box and anywhere else you need to easily take it on the go.
Flavors
Check our our favorite recipes:
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Find excellent fruit infusion recipes on our Pinterest page.
Go back to college with these dorm room necessities
August 3, 2015
The list of dorm room essentials is a never ending trail of miscellaneous products – quite a few of which will most likely sit untouched the entire semester. Before you get carried away and over buy, sit down and write down what you think you need – then dissect it. Consider these overlooked ideas:
Filtered water pitcher
At first the idea of having a heavy duty filtering water pitcher at hand may seem like over kill, but keep this in mind: most dorm rooms do not have sinks. And unless you have no problem constantly filling up bottles in the drinking fountain or – dare I say it – the bathroom sink, you’ll want to have fresh water on hand. A lot of new college student’s struggle maintaining a healthy diet and drinking plenty of clean water is the easiest way to combat that. Find a model that fits in your provided mini-fridge and enjoy a glass of fresh water without leaving the room.
Coffee pot
This may seem like a large purchase as well, but one trip to Pinterest will show you that the uses for a standard coffee pot are limitless in a dorm room. Yes, caffeine intake is necessary for a good study session, but there are a lot of other things these staple appliances can accomplish. Steam veggies, make instant oatmeal or mac & cheese, boil hot dogs and make the classic college delicacy – that’s right, the good ol’ cup o noodles. You can even get crafty and buy a small pan to fry an egg or a grilled cheese on the bottom hot plate. It’s up to you.
Vertical storage pieces
You don’t need me to tell you that dorm rooms have very limited space. That’s why it’s important to think vertically when it comes time to organize. Apply door and wall organizers to keep possessions in place. Get creative with how you use these storage pieces too — An over the door shoe organizer can be used to store cleaning products, snack foods and more.
Lap desk
Yes, when you move into your dorm room you will be provided with two pieces of furniture, one being a desk. But believe me when I tell you that you won’t always want to sit in front of it. A good, sturdy lap desk makes studying more comfortable and laid back. Crawl into bed and study for an exam or type up a paper without worrying about your computer overheating. A lap desk can always be used to watch movies in bed or eat dinner on the couch without having to balance plates or bowls on your lap. For an inexpensive addition, a lap desk can make daily college life extremely more comfortable.
Bean bag chair
The classic. It may seem silly now, but trust me you will be grateful for the extra seating. Whether you’re hanging out with friends or just wanting to relax with some Netflix, this lounging bean bag chair is your savior.
Most importantly be safe, be smart and be open-minded. Every year of your college life will help you grow and experience the world around you in new ways. Good luck!
Find these products and more like them at OrganizeIt.com.
Get dorm room decor and organization ideas from our friend, At Home With Nikki.