Ways to Save Time When Preparing Meals
February 3rd, 2012 | Ground Layerz
If you have a busy life, which most of us do, then you are probably looking for ways to save time when you are making meals. There are many things you can do to get food on the table faster. If you follow these simple steps, then your meal will be ready before you know it.
Step #1 – Make a menu for the week
If you sit down one day and make a menu for everything you plan to eat, it will eliminate the guesswork. When you do this, you will know exactly what you are going to have and you will not need to spend time trying to figure it out. Try to choose meals that do not require much cooking time. Also, when you make the menu, make a shopping list. This way you can just run to the grocery store one time for all of the weeks food.
Step #2 – Prep food when you get it home from the supermarket
When you get home, go ahead and start separating the food for your different meals. If you got fresh herbs, wrap them in paper towels and put them in a Baggie. If you have meat, separate it, cut it, and put it in baggies. If you are not immediately using the meat, go ahead and freeze it. Basically, go ahead and get any prep work done that you can, so you don’t have to do it at meal time.
Step #3 – Prep your meal and cook
Since you went ahead and got everything ready after you went shopping, this should not take long. You simply now need to assemble what ever it is you are going to eat and go ahead and cook it.
Step #4 – Enjoy your meal!
If you follow these easy steps, you will find the time it takes to prepare your food is cut way down. A little bit of pre-planning goes a long way when it comes to cooking. It can allow you to spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the meal with your family.
Preparing for House Guests
January 22nd, 2012 | Ground Layerz
When preparing for house guests, get as much done ahead of time as possible so you are not frazzled by the time they arrive. You want your home clean and tidy, your meals planned, the accommodations ready and a pleasant smile on your face when you greet them at the door.
Much of your preparation will depend on how many guests you are expecting, how long they will be staying, if children and pets are included and if there any special needs you should know about such as diet restrictions.
Accommodations
Provide a comfortable place for your guests to stay. If possible, give them a room of their own near a bathroom and with a TV. Put fresh linens on the bed and make the room cozy and attractive. Provide plenty of towels, coat hangers and other items your guests may need during their stay. As a special touch, make up a guest basket filled with travel-size soaps, shampoos, conditioners, toothbrushes, toothpaste and tissues, even a few magazines. To complete the welcome package, place a vase of fresh flowers on the night stand.
Food
Draw up a meal plan. Prepare several meals ahead and store in the freezer. Stock up on snacks, fresh fruit and vegetables, desserts, beverages and some special treats. Ask your guests what their favorite foods are and include some of them in your menu. Also ask if there are any issues you should know about such as food allergies or the need for low-salt or low-sugar foods.
Children and pets
If your guests are bringing children, is your house safe or does it need some childproofing? Make sure potentially hazardous items are locked away. If you have any valuables or breakables, store them out of reach. If your guests are allergic to your dog or cat, have a plan to keep your pet away from your guests. If your guests are bringing their pet, have some accommodations ready.
Entertainment
Have some activities planned to entertain your guests. Get in a good supply of home movies. Plan some sightseeing trips in the area or dinner out at a local restaurant. If kids are expected, have plenty of activities lined up to keep them busy.
Be polite and courteous to your guests. Respect their privacy. Don’t blast your TV when they are sleeping. Always make them feel welcome and never unwanted or in the way.
Deciding on a Present for Pet Lovers
December 7th, 2011 | Ground Layerz
Do you need to get an amazing present for the pet lover in your life? If so you’re in luck, gift shopping for a pet lover is usually incredibly easy. From cats and dogs to birds and snakes it is always easy to find pet themed gifts for your friends and family members who own pets. Here are some things to take into consideration when shopping for a pet lover.
Buying for the Pet
One of the great things about shopping for a pet owner is that you can decide to buy a gift for the owner or the pet, increasing your number of options. If you are getting a gift for the person’s pet try and make it a gift that will enhance your friend or family member’s time with the pet. For example, if the person you’re purchasing the gift for is a dog lover buy a toy that he or she can use to play with the dog as opposed to just getting the dog a bone or chew toy. In a way, this is like killing two birds with one stone since you’re purchasing a present that both the pet and the owner can enjoy.
Buying for the Owner
If you want to get a present that is specifically for the pets owner there are many options as well. If your friend or family member loves cats you can get him or her cat themed merchandise. For example, you could purchase a cat plushy, a cat pillow case or a DVD about cats. If you really want to go the extra mile you can even get personalized pet merchandize. If you have a picture of your friend or family member’s pet you can have it applied to T-Shirts, mugs and much more for a very special gift.
What to Avoid
When buying a gift for a pet lover there one rule you must not break: never buy the person another pet. Even if your friend or family member is the most fanatical cat lover in the world don’t get them another cat. The reasons for this is that pets carry with them the cost of time and money. You don’t want to impose that responsibility onto your friend or family member without their consent. Additionally you have no idea how a new pet will react to the pets they already own. Even if your friend or family member recently had a pet who died don’t automatically assume that they want another one yet.
Conclusion
Deciding on a present for pet lovers is fairly easy. You have plenty of options to choose from and you can get really creative if you want. Due to the relatively low price of most pet related merchandise you can even get more than one gift if you’re unsure of what your friend or family member would like. In the end just remember it’s the thought that counts.
Making Your Own Holiday Greeting Cards
November 20th, 2011 | Ground Layerz
Holidays are major highlights of the year. People are always preparing gifts and cards for their loved ones, friends and co-workers. Although gift stores are filled with a large variety of holiday greeting cards, some want to add a personal touch and make their own. Many fail to realize that making your own holiday greeting cards is quite easy. Very few supplies are needed in order to make a beautiful card. All the supplies needed to make holiday greeting cards or any other cards are photo paper, printer, design software, and a printer. Once you have the supplies needed follow these steps.
1. Create a new document using your design software.
The usual document size for a standard card can be either 4 by 6 inches or 5 by 6 inches.
2. Select a theme and/or color palette.
This adds a professional feel to the overall design of the card and makes the card more visually interesting.
3. Add photos/ digital art to the card.
Go to file and insert or upload photo. Once this is done place photo to the desired location.
4. Add desired frames/decorations around the photo.
This is a great way to highlight the focal point of the card (the picture).
5. Use text tool to add a greeting on your card.
This greeting should be a bold and very visible font.
6. Open another document.
This document is where you can write a message for the inside of your card. This document should be that same size as the other document.
7. Print
Insert photo paper and print both documents. If more than one card is needed enter the amount of copies needed.
8. Add other decorations/embellishments until you are happy with the look of your cards.
Overall making your own holiday greeting cards is simple, fast and affordable. All you need are a few supplies and a little creativity. Your friends and family will appreciate the personal touches. A holiday card made personally shows your loved ones that you care.
Strangest Holidays Around the World
October 3rd, 2011 | Ground Layerz
The world is filled with an incredible variety of cultures. The celebrations that are embraced by many people are as varied as the citizens of the globe. Some of the strangest holidays include the following:
*Bonza Bottler Day
This is an Australian celebration that was begun in 1985. It is designed around providing every month with a special day. The genius behind Bonza Bottler Day decided to create a celebration when the numbers that represent the day and month correspond. For example, January 1, February 2, March 3. Celebrations are centered on a groundhog that dances around the city throwing confetti.
*Straw Bear Day
This is an English holiday that is designed to provide luck for the beginning of the farming year. It is held on January 7. This English holiday features a boy who is covered in straw and led to the various houses of a village or town. He begs and dances while farmers provide him with money, beer or food.
*Setsubun
This holiday occurs in Japan and is known as bean throwing day. It is held on February 2 or 3. This is the first day of spring according to the lunar calendar. During the celebrations, residents scatter beans around their home to ward off evil spirits.
*Magpie Festival
China is home to the Magpie Festival. This event is held annually on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. On this day, women pray for good husbands and show off their homemaking skills.
*Hangul Day
The Koreans celebrate this holiday which is also known as the Korean Alphabet Day. It is held on different dates in North and South Korea. South Koreans celebrate on October 8, while North Koreans celebrate on January 15. Apparently, they think their alphabets were created on different days.
*Goat Tossing Festival
Manganeses de la Polvorasa, Spain is home to a goat tossing festival that is dedicated to the village’s patron saint, St. Vincent. During this celebration, the town gathers and a goat is thrown from a bell tower. Anxious villagers wait for the goat to land and try to catch it with a sheet.
*Lopburi Monkey Feast
This is a new holiday that is held in Thailand. It was originally designed to help promote tourism. This event is held in November, and monkeys are given a huge feast that is in honor of Rama. The celebration is held to honor the fact that the town was given from Rama to the monkey king, Hanuman.
Casual Clothing Trends
September 14th, 2011 | Ground Layerz
Throughout 2011 and 2012, casual clothing fashion trends in young women can be easily raced to one word: comfort. When asked, many women referred to a comfortable “staple” piece–an item on which to focus their entire ensemble, or else a piece that really pulled the outfit together.
It should come as no surprise that many women cited their favorite pairs of blue jeans as the number one mandatory item in their casual clothing repertoire. This season, the skinny jean moves from most popular style to share the stage with the classic boot cut. Casual jeans are also praised for their ability to hug curves in all the right places, offering both give and support where needed. Whether the jeans are of a dark-wash or slightly faded variety, the factor they all have in common is total comfort.
The popularity of skinny and boot cut jeans is no surprise considering the continuation of the Ugg boot trend. Obviously more common during the winter months but still plenty visible as we move into spring, Uggs double as some of the warmest and most comfortable books on the market. Both jeans and sweatpants are often tucked into the boots, providing insulation and comfort during chillier weather.
Another popular bottom option (favored for both its comfort and practicality) is a comfy pair of yoga pants. These pants, intended to give the lower body control and to have a slimming effect, have grown so widely in popularity during the past year that it is difficult to find a department store that doesn’t carry them. Not only are yoga pants great for yoga and aerobic activities, but they also allow women to look acute and comfortable without breaking their banks or causing them to put a lot of effort into their outfits.
Cotton button downs, classic v-neck and graphic tees also rule the world of casual clothing. Paired with jeans, minis, or layered over leggings, these tops are both versatile and timeless.
And speaking of timeless, spotted on the feet of both young women AND men across the country are the ever popular and always classic Chuck Taylors by Converse. In stylish colors like red, black, and grey, Chucks provide both a high level of comfort and the ability to be that “staple piece” that can pull any casual outfit together.