Tag Archives: tips

Chef Marcus Samuelsson Cooking Tips

June 28, 2015 superexhausted

Chef Marcus Samuelsson cooking tips: This past Thursday I when to a Macy’s Culinary Council Table talk I was able to hear Chef Marcus Samuelsson speak. He was really charming and fun. It was a great free event for the public. The chefs food was super yummy and the presentations of the dishes was spot were beautiful all the actualy dishes were made out of bamboo, so cool.

During the event Chef Marcus Samuelsson provided some great cooking tips

Chef Marcus Samuelsson cooking tips

To get the best fresh fish always ask fish monger for Sushi Grade fish
Always ask for fish with bone in. When you take the bones out add to water and make your own stock in about 2 hours of simmering
With stock you make add some miso, then add veggies, tofu, or noddle for a simple meal
When you make any meal you can think about left overs for your next meal
Left over rice: rinse rice toss in Rice Flour or corn starch then pan fry with oil or butter for crispy fried rice add veggies and protein
Want a more vegan diet try pecans w/ sour cherry’s fry them up great meal
Spices and seasoning keep in darkroom or dark space
Try grinding your own Chili peppers, flavored Salt, pepper, or Curry
Try a store bought mole for a easy meal with big flavor great on chicken
Cooks tool must have wok, cast iron pan, Dutch oven, non stick pan
Cast Iron pans do not put in dishwasher, the older the pan the better season with oil and air dry

He also spoke about a creating a spiritual relationship with your food. That the best food invokes emotion or a memory. He mentioned if you grew up the 80’s it might be tacos.. I had to laugh because that reminded me of my childhood. Taco night is the best.

I really thought the event was fun and we learned many new ideas.

Chef Marcus Samuelsson really inspired my meal plan this week:

Menu Planning

Monday: Fried Rice with shrimp

Tuesday: Roasted Chicken with Potato salad

Wednesday: Fresh vegetable pasta

Thursday: Homemade Pizza with sliced tomatoes, arugula from garden

Friday: Stuffed Cabbage

Saturday : 4th of July : I am bring Fresh 1/2 sour Pickles and Starbucks Lemon Cake

I am linking up to Motivation Monday and Organizing Junkie

Check out my some other posts

Asia ColeSlaw

Sriracha Dressing

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links

Check out Chef Marcus Samuelsson new book Marcus Off Duty: The Recipes I Cook at Home

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LIfe, Parenting, Product Reviews

Tips on getting childrens ears piercing

March 26, 2014 superexhausted 4 Comments

Childrens ears piercing: When I was 8 my mother took me to get my ears pierced. I will never forget my sister and I went the Rockaway mall to Bejewled a store on the upper level. They had white seats with chrome arms and orange and pink walls it was 1979. My sister and I got them done the same time. The earring lady sat us down. Then one ear at a time we had the gun placed to our ears. Sliver studs. We we so proud and could not wait till we could wear all the earrings they sold in the store. My mother made sure we twisted the post every day. I remember once having to take them out .. the hole started closing up and my mother put the stud back in. ouch!!

Childrens ears piercing

So the time came when for my daughters birthday, after months of waiting for her birthday she got her ears pierced. My mom came down for her birthday so it was perfect we all went it was like a right of passage for her to get her ears done. So here is a video of that day a year ago, they did a dual piercing:

So a year later what did I learn..Children’s Ear Piercing

My Top Tips on getting children’s ears piercing :

My daughter was 8 years old I waited because I wanted her to take the the responsibility for the earring. For us the age 8 was perfect. I never had to get involved with the daily care of her earring when she got the piercing for the most part.
Try to have both done at the same exact time it avoids they chicken out on the the other ear. Claries did great!
The solution must be used on a regular basis twice a day. Keep them clean
Twist the earrings
Earrings change after 6 weeks we were told my daughter could switch her earring to another Post/stud earring. We stuck to this.
We did not want my daughter ears got pussy from the cheaper “fun” earring, so we did avoid them.
Watch how tight is the earing back. my daughter became very concerned she would loose the back or the earring them so she pushed the back on to tight.. the ear got sore
If the cheaper earrings hurt take out immediately and switch to better sterling silver studs.
“I cant get the earring through the holes mom” She was not great at changing earrings.. she could never get it through the hole.
Wait for dangles till 6 months..We did not around month 4, because of her concerns and cheap earring.. I went and purchased sterling silver mini continuous (tiny) hoops at Target.
The little silver hoops solved many problems, she could swim with them, her ears could get air so there was no pressure on her ears from the backs.

My advice is wait till they are 8 and go with little hoops non dangle after the 5-6 months of the studs.

Have fun!

LIfe, Parenting, Product Reviews

Online Shopping Tips

November 30, 2013 superexhausted 6 Comments

Online Shopping Tips : Every holiday season I watch and and plan looking for the best on line deals. Then excitement sets in Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday, Latest and great lowest prices. Just last night I got caught up in a purchase for 25% off and a free-ship. Yea another site had the items at a lower price with free ship. So off we are to cancel the order. So I want to share and remind myself of my rules to online shopping.

Online Shopping tips :

Shopping Plan: Have a plan, if it is a paper list, Pintrest Board, or Amazon wishlist : Know what you are looking for. If you use an Amazon wish list .. it tells you the price you added the item to your wish list, then what is the current price and if it changes the saving difference.. I was surprised how many of my items went down.
Compare: Spend the time price shopping and comparing prices.. I know it seems like time consuming but think you are not driving to the store.
Order Early: Order Custom items 1st ! Like Frames,Blankets, Shirts, Frame, If you think you want something customized order early , because gives the seller time plus if a mistake is made gives the seller time to correct.
Shopping Email Account: Do create a separate shopping email- so you can sign up for those newsletters and sale emails. So they dont clog up your inbox but you still can get the deals.
Watch shipping deadlines. Many sellers will have normal holiday cut off, then after a certain day rush processing and shipping fees come into place.
Avoid the hype: My husband wanted a video game, A big box retailer offered it in store at $20 off but another on line retailer offer it for the same price. The prices on many items will reduce as the holiday get closer.
Coupons Codes: Stop check for coupons a simple search in your Google search bar for “thestore.com coupons 2013” can save you 10-40% and free ship so worth
No Hassle Rebates: Do sign up for rebate sites like Ebates these sites allow you to earn more back when you are already shopping at these stores. You sign up for the account, then look up the site and shop. Also if you are already on the site you can look up the store on ebates click through ebates and your cart will still be loaded. Ebates and site like Ebates are shopping portholes, How it works is the Online retailer pays Ebates a percentage, they take a cut and then also give money back to you in the form of a rebate. This is on top of any coupon codes you are already using. It is a win win. Ebates gives you rebate on most retailers like Amazon, Target, QVC, Macys and more. Also when you share ebates you can earn more. So I will share my ebates with you, go sign up so worth it, I earned $20 last night.
Security: Avoid sites where they say a Security is not current. A retailer should always have there security rank current. If a pop up window comes up and say the site is not secure .. leave.
Avoid: A retailer should never ask you to give them your credit card in an email. Also if you purchased with a retailer and making a return, they should never ask for your card for the return. They can return it through the original transaction. NEVER email your credit card numbers. Also do trust paypal. As a retailer for years on my superhero kids cape store, I can tell you pay pal is secure and will assist you if you have a problem.
Safe Packages: When shipping to your home and you are not home you might want to have a secure place to have the packages be left (behind a stack of wood, or a bench) or have the items shipped to a more secure place neighbor, work, or grandmas.

I love online shopping because it make life easy and my family happy. Because they are not stuck in lines at a store. Try some of these tips and your holidays will be much more enjoyable.. because you can shop anytime. I am off to find that great item for my kids..

Disclosure this post contains affiliate links.. which I earn a small amount that is basically enough to buy coffee at a fast food chain.

dogs, Giveaways, Photography

14 tips for take great Holiday Photos &Giveaway

November 12, 2012 superexhausted 4 Comments

So every year around this time I start think the Holidays are around the corner. I start taking pictures in hopes that one might be perfect for theholiday card of the year. The one that sent to all friends and family.

People might know that I love taking pictures, if you read my blog you will see that most of the photos are mine.

Tips for getting great Photos to use on your Holiday cards:

Clean lens of the camera with a proper lens cloth
Take the shots on your largest and highest resolution it will give you a lot to work with later allowing you to crop and edit.
Make sure kids are well rested
Time of day to take Pictures are better taken not in high sun or bright sun, try late afternoon, or early morning, and overcast days. This will help you avoid over exposure and white burn spots.
Get outside and take them natural light is best, and will avoid using the flash.. see #3
Location choose a place where the kids are happy and not too distracted, walk in the woods, a deserted playground.
Avoid clutters background, use nature as a back drop, but make sure there is not a garbage behind you.
Wear colors, but you don’t have to be matchy matchy.. one accent color on every one can tie a picture together.
Step close when taking a shot. (when you take a picture take 2 steps closer, the shot will be better) No one cares what shoes your family had on they want to see your smiling face, unless you are just taking a just shoe shot to show how big your kids feet are.
Take a lot of photos a better chance of getting the shot or you can use multiple shots on your holiday cards.
Take from different angles, your knees bend so get down on there level, or get on a chair
If you are worried about a dbl chin.. always take the picture with you looking up to the camera, from above)
Include yourself and spouse you are part of the picture
If you want a family shot .. no one around , it is ok to ask a stranger (if they have a big camera around there neck even better, and ask them to step in for the shot (tell them you want a close shot)
Also you can make all you photos look similar using an effect to join them all like this.. I used a cross process effect on picmonkey.

So you want to save some money from Shutterfly for your Holiday cards be sure to visit Shutterfly’s Special Offers page.

You want to win ? Giveaway prize: an extra $50 off order of $50 or more (excluding tax and shipping & cannot be combined with any other promos (expire 12/14/2012 – no extensions)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This post is sponsored by Shutterfly, Disclosure I will receive product from Shutterfly in exchange for this post.

Parenting, Philadelphia

10 Top Tips Consignment Sale Shopping Success

September 13, 2012 superexhausted

Consignment sales they are a great way to find wonderful gently used and new items for your family. Consignment sale are bargain shopping on a grand scale. Here are my top 10 tips for making your shopping more sucessful.

Go with a plan look to see what you need for the kids.. take an inventory
Shop with knowing your kids sizes, take measurements before you go, or take kids with you if allowed (but beware you will buy more toys if you take the kids)
Know your brands, I shop high end when ever I buy 2nd hand the reason Quality. My favorite brands: Gap, Gymboree, Hanna Anderson, Landsend, Columbia, American Girl Boutique Brands: Hannah Banana, Deux par Deux, Lemon loves Lime, Queen Circus, Tea, Catimini, 3Pommes, Biscotti, Jean Bourget
Great Place to buy the dresses and clothes that don’t get alot of use- like holidays, church clothes and special occasion so look at your calendar and see what is on the schedule. Tip buy Jackets for dress up clothes like brand: Rothschild one of the best wool children’s coats out there.
To get some of the best picks of the sale volunteer your time at the sale- sale organized gives volunteers 1st pick.
Go the last day of the sale many items are discounted significantly some are 50% off
Consignments sales have a large amount of unopened toys.. so they can help you save on Santa gifts.
Think about bring something to carry your purchases while shopping- some people bring in kids wagons, beach wheeled carts. Check with your consignments sale organizers to see what they will accept as a carry item.
Review the website of the sale to make sure understand restrictions- such as you are not allow to shop with strollers. Also discounts might be given on website.
If you see something Do not put it down! Unless you are sure you don’t want it because someone might pick it up, there is only one of that item.

This weekend is the JustBetweenFriends Consignments sale in Oaks Pa.

This weekend Sales Event: September 13th – 15th

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center – HALL C – 100 Station Ave., Oaks

Thursday, September 13th ~ OPENING DAY!

9am-7pm: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – $3 Admission Fee Charged Today Only; Children and Strollers Welcomed.

Friday, September 14th ~ OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

10am-7pm: No admission; children and strollers welcomed!

Saturday, September 15th – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

8am -6pm: HALF PRICE SALE ALL DAY!! Many items will be an additional 50% off all day; children and strollers welcomed!

Disclosure: I did receive gift from JBF in exchange for this post. These tips are my tips I use when shopping.

Philadelphia, Product Reviews, Travel

10 Tips for Monster Trucks Shows

June 10, 2012 superexhausted 2 Comments

Monster Trucks, yea I saw them.. Advance Auto Part Monster Jam. Here are my 10 tips of how to make a monster truck show event more fun and what to expect. I have to say it was a 1st. My husband went as a child from time to time. Me never been and now I can check it off my list. My friend Hillary at My Scraps was doing a giveaway her winner could not go, so she was nice enough to share the Monster Jam Tickets with my family.

My son was a little hesitant about the Monster Jam, because of the noise so we got ear protect for both the kids (the head phone kind that covers entire ear). It was loud. We saw Monster Jams at the “Link” Lincoln finical center where the NFL Eagles play football. So to was open top stadium I could understand that a closed dome would be deafening. The Monster trucks are loud, to put it mildly.

So we found our seats. they we great 1st row 2nd tier at the 50yard line. There was also no one behind us so we could stand up (handicapped seats were on a platform behind is- over our heads) The kids stood and cheered for the quad racing teams and different monster trucks. The truck hold a race to see who gets around the track the fasted that is the 1st half of the show, the mixing in team quad races with some good old city against city competition. (NYC vs Philly). The the big show is the free style.. which seemed to be lets see how hard we can push there large trucks just to watch them fall apart of crash. The crowd loves it. I was in awe how high the trucks fly in the air and the hang time on these trucks I was able to get 3-5 pictures taken from the time they attempt the jump to when the land. I was in awe.

Many of the trucks did back flips here is the World Famous Grave Digger doing a back flip. He landed on is side on the second flip.

It was a really different evening for my family and it was a really fun event to watch. I wish I brought my telephoto lens.

10 Tips for Monster Truck Shows :

Sunscreen
Ear protection for the kids and yourself
camera with telephoto lens
Unopened water drinks bring a lot of water it is hot in the stands (security will not let you carry them in if opened)
arrive early and do attend the pit party if you can – you can see the trucks up close
it is a long day for the kids 5 hours in seats.
Snacks (fruit snacks , little thing kids tend to eat alot, and save the money on the $14 cotton candy)
Poster board signs of favorite trucks, if in the lower tiers the driver might choose them for a special gift
Do let you kids look on line at the trucks prior them having knowledge makes them more excited and enjoy the races
Tail Gating is acceptable and done.. so make a day of it.
Baby wipes.. added Per comment below

They have another Advanced Auto Parts Monster Jam event this up coming weekend June 16, 2012 at The Meadowland (East Rutherford NJ)

thanks Hillary

What truck do you like the best?

Superexhausted