Tips To Make Cooking Less Of A Chore And More Enjoyable

 Cooking can be a chore. It's often seen as something that needs to be done rather than something that is enjoyed. This doesn't have to be the case, though! With the right tips, cooking can be an enjoyable experience. Here are some tips to make cooking less of a chore and more enjoyable:

Photo by Anna Shvets

1) Make It A Social Event

Cooking can be a solitary activity, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, cooking together can be a lot of fun, and it's also a great way to bond with loved ones. All you need is some ingredients, a few pots and pans, and some friends or family members. Cooking together is a great way to spend time together and create something delicious simultaneously.

There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking together. First, it's essential to have a plan. It's helpful to decide who will do what ahead of time so that everyone knows their role and there is no confusion in the kitchen. It's also important to be organized. Make sure all of the ingredients are gathered before you start cooking and that everyone knows where everything is. This will help the cooking process go smoothly and efficiently.

Once you have a plan and are organized, it's time to start cooking! One person can be in charge of chopping vegetables while another stirs the pot. Or, everyone can pitch in and help with different tasks. It's up to you! The important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process.

2) Try New Recipes

One of the best ways to make cooking more enjoyable is to try new recipes. This way, you can explore different flavors and ingredients and find new dishes that you love. A few key things to keep in mind when trying new recipes include.

It's essential to read the recipe thoroughly before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients and the steps involved so that you can be prepared. It's also helpful to have all of the ingredients on hand before you start cooking. This way, you won't have to stop in the middle of cooking to run to the store for something.

Another thing to keep in mind when trying new recipes is that it's okay to make substitutions. If you don't have an ingredient that the recipe calls for, feel free to substitute something else. For example, if you are trying out grilled lobster by overthefirecooking.com but don't have any fresh lemons, you could use lemon juice from a bottle. Just be creative and experiment! This is a great way to make a recipe your own and to experiment with different flavors.

3) Make It A Relaxing Experience

Cooking doesn't have to be a stressful experience. In fact, it can be quite relaxing! If you find yourself getting stressed out while cooking, try to take a few deep breaths and focus on the task at hand. One way to make cooking more relaxing is to create a playlist of calming music to listen to while you cook. You could also light some candles or diffusers with soothing scents like lavender or chamomile.

Another way to make cooking more relaxing is to set the mood in your kitchen. If you have a cluttered and chaotic kitchen, it will be harder to relax while you cook. So before you start cooking, tidy up your kitchen and create a calm and inviting space. This will help you feel more relaxed while you cook and make the experience more enjoyable.

4) Take Your Time

One of the best ways to make cooking more enjoyable is to take your time. This way, you can savor the experience and enjoy the process. So, instead of rushing through your meal, take your time to smell the aromas, taste the flavors, and appreciate the finished product.

Suppose you get impatient while cooking; try focusing on the task. Instead of thinking about everything else you have to do that day, focus on the present moment and savor the experience. This way, you'll be more likely to enjoy your meal and create lasting memories. By doing this cooking can be a fun and relaxing experience instead of a chore.

You can do a few key things to make cooking more enjoyable. First, it's essential to be organized and to have a plan. Second, try new recipes and be open to experimenting with different flavors. Third, make it a relaxing experience by setting the mood and taking your time. By following these tips, you'll be sure to enjoy your next cooking experience.

Getting Bored in the Kitchen? Here's How to Feel More Inspired

 

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So you’re starting to feel a little bored of being in the kitchen? It's a common feeling, especially if you cook the same meals

 day in and day out. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get out of your cooking rut and feel inspired in the kitchen again. In today’s post, let’s take a look at a few ideas to get you started.

1. Get a New Cookbook

One of the easiest ways to feel inspired in the kitchen is to get your hands on a new cookbook or scour cooking blogs. Whether you're into healthy eating, comfort food, or trying new cuisines, there's sure to be a bunch of recipes out there that will pique your interest. Maybe you want t give the marry me chicken recipe a go? Or you want to pick up a cookbook from East Asia to try new things? When you're feeling uninspired, you can choose one of those recipes to make for dinner.

2. Take a Cooking Class

If you really want to step up your cooking game, sign up for a cooking class. It's a great way to learn new techniques, expand your culinary repertoire, and meet other foodies in your area. To find a cooking class near you, simply do a quick search online or ask around at your local grocery store or kitchen supply store.

3. Go on a Foodie Adventure

When was the last time you tried something new? If it's been awhile, then it might be time for a foodie adventure. Head to a restaurant that specializes in cuisine you've never tried before or visit a farmers market and buy ingredients that are new to you. Then, come home and experiment with those ingredients until you create something delicious. Who knows? You might just discover your new favorite dish!

4. Watch Cooking Shows and Videos

If leaving your house isn't really your thing, don't worry—there are plenty of ways to get inspired from the comfort of your own home. One option is to watch cooking shows and videos online or on TV. Not only will you get some great recipe ideas, but you'll also pick up helpful tips and tricks that will make cooking easier (and more fun).

5. Find a Cooking Buddy

Last but not least, one of the best ways to feel inspired in the kitchen is to find someone else who loves to cook as much as you do. Having a cooking buddy makes trying new things more fun and less daunting because you have someone else to help with the prep work and clean-up—plus, it's always more fun to share a meal with someone else! If you don't have any friends or family members who share your passion for cooking, search online for local cooking clubs or groups that meet regularly.

No matter how much you love spending time in the kitchen, there will inevitably be times when you feel bored or uninspired by what's in your pantry and fridge. When that happens, use these tips to jump start your creativity and get back into the swing of things!

Weekend In the Woods With The Kids, Family Time

 With technology at our fingertips, it's hard to tear families away from their gadgets and get them outside. But unplugging and spending time together in nature have tons of benefits for both children and adults. So if you're looking for ideas on how to spend a fun weekend in the woods with your kids, look no further! This blog post will provide tips on everything from camping to hiking to enjoying nature crafts and also give you some great ideas for family-friendly activities that will keep everyone entertained all weekend long. So pack your bags and get ready for some outdoor fun!

1) Camping:

Camping is a great way to spend quality time with your family and bond with nature. It's also a fantastic way to teach kids about Leave No Trace principles and how to respect the outdoors. When camping with kids, be sure to pack plenty of activities to keep them occupied, as well as snacks and food that everyone will enjoy. And, of course, don't forget the marshmallows for roasting over the campfire!

Via Pexels

2) Hiking:

One of the best ways to explore the woods is by taking a hike together as a family. Kids will love getting out and seeing all the different plants and animals, and you can even turn it into a learning experience by teaching them about different species of trees or birds along the way. If your kids are young, be sure to bring along a carrier or pack so they can take a break when needed. And always remember to pack plenty of water and snacks!

3) Nature Crafts:

Another great way to spend time in the woods with your kids is by doing some nature crafts together. There are tons of different ideas out there, but some of our favourites include making leaf rubbings, painting with rocks, and creating woodland creature puppets out of sticks and leaves. These activities not only get kids interacting with nature, but they'll also have a blast being creative and using their imaginations.

4) Picnicking:

What could be more perfect than enjoying a lovely picnic lunch surrounded by nature? Pack up some sandwiches, snacks, and that easy mashed potatoes recipe with cold meats and drinks and head out to a nearby park or forest. Let the kids run around and explore while you relax and enjoy the scenery. And don't forget to save some room for dessert!

5) Geocaching:

Geocaching is a great way to combine spending time outdoors with a bit of friendly competition. Families can search for hidden "caches" that contain treasures using GPS coordinates. It's a perfect activity for kids of all ages and a great way to explore new areas.

In conclusion, there are tons of great ways to spend a weekend in the woods with your kids. Whether you're camping, hiking, picnicking, or doing nature crafts, your family is sure to have a blast spending time together outdoors. And who knows, you might even find that you all enjoy it so much that you want to make it a regular weekend activity!

 

If you love sugar cookies, then this is the place for you! I gathered 15 of my favorite sugar cookie recipes to share with you. Make sure you click thru to the full recipe.

Almond Sugar Cookies by The Taylor House

These are the perfect cookies to make with your kids, they make great cut outs that the kids can decorate and sprinkle!

Perfect Sugar Cookies by Spend with Pennies

This Sugar Cookie recipe is the perfect year-round holiday cookie! A simple mixture of butter, sugar and flour (with a few additions), these sugar cookies bake up beautifully every time. 

Cut Out Cookies with Marbled Icing by Easy Cookie Recipes

 These Cutout ugar Cookies with Marbled Icing are basically edible art. Each delicious sugar cookie is dipped into homemade swirled icing to create a unique marbled effect.

Peppermint Sugar Cookies by Gimme Some Sugar

If you’re headed to a holiday party or just love baking during the holidays, try this homemade Christmas cookie recipe. If you’re looking for a quick solution for the holidays, this is the best Christmas sugar cookie recipes out there! Seriously, I’ve never seen one easier.

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies by Cooking on Caffeine

This recipe is like the holy grail of “safe” sugar cookie recipes. No eggs. No milk. No wheat. No nuts or peanuts. Easily made soy-free. Use a different flour blend if you have issues with legumes or potatoes. And no chilling the dough, because who has time for that? We just want cookies! 

Soft Lemon Cookies by On My Kids Plate

These sweet and easy soft lemon cookies are the perfect little cookie for a delicious treat. Full of fresh lemon zest, these are bright, yummy cookies you’ll want to make again and again!

Chai Sugar Cookies by Lovely Indeed

These chai spice sugar cookies are the perfect cookie to go with a cup of tea or coffee! The easy recipe makes soft, chewy cookies that will be a hit at any party or cookie swap.

Buttery Almond Sugar Cookies by On Ty’s Plate

Buttery Almond Sugar Cookies — buttery soft almond flavored sugar cookies rolled in almond flakes. It's the perfect cookie!

Crispy Sugar Cookies by Creative Lifestyles

Do you ever just want a little crunch in your cookie? I don’t mean the crunch you get from over cooking the cookie. I mean a little crunch inside the softest yummiest cookie you will ever try. This amazing krispy sugar cookie is so easy to make, but it is hands down one of my favorite cookies of all time.

Swirl Sugar Cookies by Bride on a Budget

This recipe is time consuming, but so worth it for the way these swirl sugar cookies turn out! These are perfect for special occasions!

Vegan Dairy Free Sugar Cookies by Delightful Adventures

Easy homemade cut-out vegan gluten-free sugar cookies you can make for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween…they’re perfect for ANY occasion! These cookies can be made soft or crispy, it’s up to you. Decorate simply with sanding sugar or buttercream frosting or get fancy with a simple vegan icing that hardens.

Spiced Sugar Cookies by Bean Around the Bowl

These Spiced Sugar Cookies are warm and cozy with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

Perfect for the holidays and simple to make. These can be topped with additional sugar before baking to add a nice texture. They are not overly sweet to begin, so don’t worry about them being too sweet with added sugar.

Vegan Lofthouse Copycat Cookies by Strength and Sunshine

Sure, you could make classic cut-out sugar cookies for decorating, but no one can pass up one of the soft, cake-like, frosted gems that have been gracing grocery store shelves since 1994 from Lofthouse! Like a cake and a cookie all baked up into one delicious buttery, sweet, colorfully frosted treat! Can you still have this classic cookie even if you're gluten-free, vegan, or have food allergies? Sure you can! With this easy copycat homemade version of the classic soft-baked frosted cookie, you'll never have to miss out again!

Classic Sugar Cookies by Healthy Kitchen 101

This sugar cookies recipe makes fun treats for Christmas and any other occasion. Also, making and decorating cookies is a great activity to get everyone in the kitchen to spend time together.

Super Soft Sugar Cookies by Emily Fabulous

These Super Soft Sugar Cookies are easy to make and taste just like the Lofthouse sugar cookies in the grocery store. This recipe is perfect for making with kids and will work for Valentine’s Day or any occasion because you can choose whatever color and decoration you want to use!

Find more favorite recipes here

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Selecting Your HVAC Provider: Some Vital Considerations

 Mechanical ventilation and air conditioning system installation and maintenance are complex tasks best left to trained professionals. A lot of individuals have problems with their system because they don't pay attention to who they employ to fix it. And that's it? Their time and money are wasted, and their houses may no longer be secure. So how do you go about picking an HVAC firm to deal with everything?

Reputation

Do a search on the BBB's website to read consumer reviews and discover the HVAC company's rating. Other review sites, such as Yelp and Google reviews, might be just as useful in learning more about the business you're considering hiring.

Accreditation and background check records for contractors

Hiring a professional contractor ought to be a top priority when dealing with one of the priciest assets you have in your house. It is crucial that the service provider you choose has been trained to operate with your system and has the appropriate licenses to demonstrate that they have the necessary experience.

Be sure the staff servicing your system is qualified by asking about their HVAC-specific expertise, training, and memberships. The ability to employ cutting-edge equipment and methods in the business requires training and education that can only be gained via maintaining a current license.

Research the firm at the Better Business Bureau

In Canada, companies who care about their reputation as providers of excellent customer service should aspire to the BBB's high standards. A business is not obligated to join the BBB, and it is not simple to get the organization's approval. Consequently, you should give serious thought to any Los Angeles heating and air firms who has willingly gone through the accreditation procedure AND has maintained an "A" or above grade.

After passing the exam, the HVAC contractor must complete at least 10 hours of continuing education each year. They must also renew their citizenship each year while maintaining a clean criminal history and no felony convictions.

Property inspection

Having a reputable contractor come out and assess your property is essential when investing in a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit. They need to suggest the most appropriate size and model for your needs, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. Ask any questions you may have while they do the assessment, and you'll have a better idea of what's needed for a successful installation. The more alternatives you have, the more carefully you must consider each one, thus this is crucial.

Provision of service assurances

To avoid hiring a contractor who vanishes as soon as the task is done, verify that the HVAC firm of your choice provides a warranty on its services. Some examples of what they should provide include a fair guarantee, the promise of no- or low-cost emergency service, online monitoring, and so on.

Make sure to inquire about the company's commitment to its job beyond the original service time. Knowing the answers to these and other questions will help you choose the HVAC services firm that meets your needs.

The lesson

You should take excellent care of your HVAC system, since it is an important aspect of your house, by hiring a reliable professional. Don't be in a rush to choose an HVAC firm; a thorough search will provide the best results and guarantee that your system lasts as long as possible, saving you money in the long run.

What are Futures in Crypto?

 With the cryptocurrency market's rapid development, many new trading and investment platforms are emerging. The largest and most trusted of them are Binance, FTX, Huobi, WhiteBIT, Coinbase and others. Besides elementary options such as buy crypto, sell it, swap, they offer a wide range of functions, for example:

• staking;

• futures trading;

• margin;

• leverage;

• etc.

Crypto futures trading is one of the most complex financial instruments, and it refers to both traditional markets and markets of digital assets. In a traditional economy, futures contracts are used for gas, oil, gold, grains, and other commodities. In a digital economy, futures are used for trading crypto.

Understanding Crypto Futures

To put it shortly, futures are contracts where two parties “bet” on the future asset’s rate. There can be a “long” and “short” position, where “long” means a trader believes the asset’s value will increase over time and aims to sell his holdings, making a profit from the price changes. A “short” stands for a supposedly dropping market, where a trader sells his holdings beforehand and opens a futures contract on buying coins in the future at a low price. 

Obviously, this trading technique demands deep theoretical knowledge of how the market works and the ability to analyze the future asset’s value based on technical, fundamental and quantitative research. In addition to theoretical knowledge, successful futures trading requires a lot of practice.

Where To Practice crypto futures trading?

A crypto exchange WhiteBIT is a young platform that has already earned the trust of millions of users worldwide. The exchange is easy to handle, so even a novice user will cope with it. On WhiteBIT, you can register a demo account and try yourself in crypto futures trading. It implies using different leverage (borrowed funds to multiply your initial investments), so by practicing demo trading, you can see all the benefits and pitfalls of leverages of different sizes available on WhiteBIT.

Building a Strong Relationship with Your Dog

 

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They say that a dog is a man’s best friend, and this can definitely be true; when you go to the effort of building a strong relationship with your dog, they will always be there for you, and you will dote on them too.

But, how exactly do you build a strong relationship with your pooch? Here are a few things you might want to do:

Invest in high-quality training

When you get a dog, it is a good idea to invest in high-quality in home dog training. This will help you to build a relationship of respect and security with your dog while ensuring he also knows you are the head of the family and must be deferred to. Dogs need to know their place in the family pack if they are to feel safe and secure, so this is really important.

Understand their behavior

If you want to build a strong relationship with your dog, you need to be able to understand their behavior as well as possible, When you know why they do what they do, instead of getting mad at them for peeing on the floor, you will now that they are feeling anxious, and take steps to help them or instead of getting upset when they chew your shoes, you will know they are bored and get them a dog puzzle toy to play. You need to know them to love them so read up on some dog psychology.

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Bond with them

There are no strong relationships with anyone without working hard to form bonds. When it comes to your dog, you can bond with them very easily by feeding them regularly, petting them often, playing with them wherever you can, and taking them for lots of walkies. The more tie you spend with your dog doing things you both enjoy, the stronger your relationship as pet and owner is likely to be.

Be calm, be patient

Dogs do not always behave in an ideal manner. When this happens, the worst thing you can do is to get angry with them. Your pet will feel most secure when you stay calm and treat them with patience, especially if they are new to your home and trying to adjust to living with your family. The more gentle you are, the stronger your bonds will be and the more you will get out of being a dog owner because he will love you like no other.

Create a safe space for him

As you can probably tell by now, dogs need to feel safe to build strong relationships, so creating a safe space in your home where your dog can retreat when he needs to - a crate in a quiet corner is ideal - will help him to settle in and feel comfortable being part of your wider family.

The stronger the relationship you build with your dog, the more rewarding having a dog will be for you, and the happier your pet will be, so what are you waiting for?

How to Make Working out Feel More Fun

 Do you feel as though working out feels like more of a chore than it should be? If this is the case, then you have to understand that you are not alone. So many people are in the same situation as you are but there are things that you can do to try and turn things around for yourself. By making your workouts more fun and by trying to cater them to the schedule you have, you will soon find that you can keep shedding those pounds without too much stress.

Workout with a Close Friend

Think about it, you would not blow off your run at 6am if you knew you had a buddy waiting for you at the park would you? This is why it is a very good idea for you to arrange some workout dates. Not only will this help you to get out of bed in the morning because it will also make your sweat session much more fun too. When you are done with your workout, you can even choose to go out with your friend after to grab a healthy smoothie or even a protein shake. When you do this, you will soon find that it is much easier for you to stay motivated and that you can get way more done too so be mindful of this if you can.

Add some Messages to your Alarms

If you have to set an alarm at 5am so you can get up for your workout, then why not make it a bit more tolerable by adding a label to your phone? Set yourself a nice motivational message and also make sure that you create something that puts a smile on your face every single morning. If you can do this, then you will soon find that those grueling mornings become a bit more bearable.

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Get Your Gear Ready the Day Before

If you can, it is a very good idea for you to lay out all of the gear you need, the day before you intend to do your workout. If you can, it is also very wise go to bed in it as this will save you even more time in the morning. If you do this, then you will soon find that you are able to get the result you want out of your morning routine and you don’t have to waste half an hour digging out your running shoes from your wardrobe. The easier you can make your mornings the better.

Sign up with a Class

If you want to make your workouts feel easier, then one thing you can do is try and sign up for a class. There are a ton of dance studios out there that you can sign up with and when you do, you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to move around without having to drag yourself out for a run. You may even find that it helps you to stay more focused on what matters too, which is having fun while getting the results you are hoping for.

Have Brunch after You’ve Done your Workout

This may sound a bit odd, but if you can create some plans with your friends after you have done your run or your workout then this will make sure that you do those miles. If you tell everyone that you are going to arrive for brunch after your workout, then this helps to ensure that you are accountable, and it also means that you have something good to look forward to as well. If you show up for brunch clearly not having done your workout, then your friends may begin to question why you haven’t put the work in and this can leave you feeling more fired up for next time.

Compete with your Family and Friends

If you have a Fitbit or something else similar, then it is very easy for you to challenge your friends to some kind of activity. You can then see how you are moving compared to your friends and you can even go head-to-head if you want. By doing this you can then make sure that you are able to compete with each other while also working as a team to try and reach a common goal. It will work in your favor, and it will also make it much easier for you to stay motivated in the future when it comes to the goals that you set and the dopamine you get from achieving them.

 

Lego Stamped Pumpkin Art

 Harper and I love to paint with, well, anything but a paint brush! Last week she came home from school and asked me if I wanted to make something with paint, and how could I resist the invitation? This lego pumpkin idea was just the thing. It pairs cute and creepy together just right.

This is such an easy activity, and it is fun for kids of all ages! Even Rolf, who is 12 now, was curious about this and told us it was a "cool idea" before dashing back to his busy preteen activities. 

Supplies:

Orange Paint

Black Paint

Green Paint

Legos

Paper Plate

Paper

Directions:

Pour a small amount of orange, black and green paint onto a paper plate.

Offer your child legos in assorted sizes and paper.

Encourage your child to dip a lego into the orange paint and make the shape of a pumpkin.

Now, fill that shape in with more lego stamps.

When you have filled in the shape of the pumpkin, dip a lego into the black paint and make a face.

Next, give your pumpkin a stem with the green paint.

Allow to dry and display.

These were a really fun, kid led Halloween craft. I know your kids will love making pumpkin art this way.

You can find all of my Halloween crafts here

Painting projects here:

Reader favorites include:

Pumpkin Window Clings

Ghost Play Dough Ornaments

Freaky Halloween Foods

 Halloween is such a fun time of year. We certainly love to go all out with decorations, epic costumes for the kids, and of course, the best treats! This year why not bring the festivities to the dinner table with these Freaky Halloween Foods? These ideas are sure to delight your family and maybe even creep them out a little.

I have so many fun Halloween ideas on site. While you are here, you might want to check out these homemade play dough ghost ornaments.

This collection of freaky foods has some really fun ideas in it! From puking pumpkin taco boards to scary spaghetti and pumpkin stuffed peppers. I am sure you are going to find something you want to make for your family! Be sure to click through the links below to check out the full recipe.

Puking Pumpkin Taco Board by Maple and Mango

Meatball Mummies by Spend with Pennies

Deviled Spider Eggs by Living Sweet Moments

Scary Spaghetti by By Andrea Jannsen

Jack O Lantern Stuffed Peppers by Hip Homeschool Moms

Black Bean Pasta by Vegan Dollhouse

Trick or Treat Cheese Ball by Centsless Meals

Spooky Gnocchi by Wild Vegan Flower

Pumpkin Stuffed Peppers by Sula and Spice

Spooky Spaghetti by Summer Yule

Pretzel Mummy Snacks are a great freaky Halloween food for later in the evening, maybe as a movie snack.