Tip Of The Day: Maintain Your Leather Furniture's Oils With Help From The Steam Team

I like to stick to the Foodie posts in my blog but sometimes we like to make room for our Sponsors. So I try to bring in some helpful tips from those Sponsors not just "an ad" to sell their product.

The Steam Team in Austin is a cleaning service. I have been reviewing their site and came across some helpful information new to me and want to pass along to my readers.

The page I came across was leather furniture cleaning tips from their leather furniture cleaning service austin site. I have a few leather pieces as well as my Fathers old leather chair that is very sentimental to me. I did not know that dyed leather furniture has been treated with special oils to protect and moisturize the leather which it is no longer able to do on it's own. And that it needs to be redone every fews years! The oils need to be removed and then replaced???? Really!

This prevents fading, smells and discoloration and needs to be redone every so often. That is why leather furniture cleaning service austin also offers this service in their business. It is up to the owner of the leather furniture to know this! And for what ever reason the furniture store that you purchase it from really does not tell you! They just want to sell you their line of Scotch Guard or some other product to up their sales.

So go online and read about maintaining your valuable pieces of furniture!

Spring Time Uniform Shopping With Bluesky

Wandering around the house waiting for Spring time to arrive I know I am big time! So why not go shopping. I don't leave the house if I don't have to. After dropping of the kids at school, laundry, dishes who has the time?

We are in need of some bright Spring colors to cheer and warm our hearts. Blue Sky Scrubs can help in that department. Bouncing around their site they have some really fun Spring colors of every kind of scrubs and lab coats.

Gone are days when you go to Dr. and see the nurse in those stark white uniforms. Almost giving you a strange sterile feeling. Just like in Fashion the work place has evolved and moved forward. Blue Sky Scrubs has been leading the pack in the nursing uniform department.

Scrub hats are now in many trendy colors and are available more and more. One place Blue Sky is the place to buy nursing uniforms check them out. Don't be left out.

20 Worst Drinks In America

20 WORST DRINKS

From Tend Setter:

The photomentary 20 Worst Drinks In America is a shockingly real way to create initiative among people to change their current diet.

You know you have a problem when the drink you are consuming has as much sugar as eight donuts, and you have several of them a day. When viewing the ‘20 Worst Drinks in America’ you may find yourself thinking, “No wonder we are all getting fat,” to yourself—at least, I did.

Cooking Humor: Why did the Chef get arrested?

Why did the Chef get arrested?

Because he was caught beating an egg!

NFL Superbowl Worthy Sloppy Joe's Made Easy!

These Sloppy Joe's will e a huge hit with the Men watching the Superbowl game as well as the kids. This easy recipe can be made any time as well as being made ahead and reheated.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups onion chopped
• 3 lbs. ground beef or ground chicken or ground turkey
• 2 cups Open Pit Barbecue sauce
• 1 cup yellow prepared mustard
• 1/2 Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• slices of cheddar or American cheese (optional)
• 24 slider buns or 12 hamburger buns

Heat 1 1/2 tbsp oil in large pot. Saute the chopped onions 3 to 4 minutes until just tender.

Add the ground beef, cook until browned stirring often. Drain.

Add the cooked ground beef back to the pot and add the barbecue sauce, mustard, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer about 15 minutes. Spoon onto buns, top with cheese and serve.

You can also set up a Sloppy Joe Bar, in small bowls have several toppings for your guests to create their own version of a Sloppy Joe some toppings are:

• jalapeno peppers
• hot sauce
• cole slaw
• cooked bacon chopped
• shredded lettuce
• sliced tomato's

You can keep the Sloppy Joe's warm in a crock pot on the buffet and have everyone self serve them selves.

Go Team!

Robin's Cheesy Shredded Hashbrown Potato Casserole

My Family loves "Company Potatoes" however, I don't make them very often. They take so many different ingredients every time I think I can make the recipe I am missing an item!

My Friend Robin made these Cheesy Hashbrown Potatoes for New Years Eve and my Family LOVED them! I have to say they move the Company Potatoes to the back of the line. The best part, they are SO EASY!

Ingredients:

• 1 - 2 lb bag of frozen shredded hashbrowns (remove from freezer to slightly defrost)
• 1 - 1 lb package of low fat (or regular) Velvetta Cheese
• 1 medium onion chopped small
• 1 cup of mayo (olive oil mayo is healthier)
• 1 cup of milk
• salt/pepper
• 4 slices of raw bacon chopped (or you could use bacon bits)

Preheat oven to 350, rack in the middle.

Prepare a 9 x 13 baking dish with non stick spray.

Break up the Velvetta cheese into a large micro proof mixing bowl, heat in microwave until melted, stirring occasionally.

Combine the melted Velvetta cheese, onion, mayo, milk and dash of salt and pepper. Stir.

Add the shredded hasbrowns mixing to combine well. Pour hashbrown mixture into prepared pan.

Top with chopped bacon.

Cover with tented foil and bake for 1/2 hour. Remove foil and continue to cook for an additional 40 minutes.

We served these wonderful potatoes with my Valentines Veal Chops Made Easy! and with the Wine Pick Of The Day! Guenoc Meritage Red Wine 2006!

Serves 6 - 8, reheats in oven nicely the next day!

Enjoy!

Wine Pick Of The Day! Guenoc Meritage Red Wine 2006

Wine Pick Of The Day: Guenoc Mertiage Red Wine 2006 from Lake County, California.

We served this with the Valentines Veal Chops Made Easy! It's a lovely wine that went great with our dinner.

Made with Bordeaux style varieties of grape from the estate acquired in 1888 by Lilie Langtry a famed Victorian actress and vintner. We found it smooth and layered. Even from the first sip!

Definitely a thumbs up and do recommend for your next dinner.

Enjoy ;)

Valentines Veal Chops Made Easy!

Valentine Veal Chops made easy!

Why not treat your someone special to something a bit special. Try Veal Chops!

Go to your local Butcher and get a fresh cut Veal Chop (one per person). There was some in the case but I asked if they had some in the back and they said yes and they would be cut fresh ;)

The color will be bright pink and will have no smell.

Season with salt, fresh cracked black pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Let sit and bring to room temperature.

Preheat your grill or grill pan to med high heat.

Here I used a cast iron well seasoned grill pan.

When the grill is good and hot place your Veal Chop on the grill cook for three to four minutes on each side depending on how well done you would like your meat. To keep from serving "cold" meat in the center, make sure you bring the meat to room temp prior to cooking.

Remove from heat add a dab of butter, cover and let the meat rest for about five minutes before serving.

Serve with Cheesy Hash Browns and Wine Pick Of The Day! Guenoc Meritage Red Wine 2006

Enjoy!

Superbowl Football Game Day Bratwurst Simmered With Beer, Peppers and Onions!

Get ready for some Football!

Superbowl Football Game Day is a big event and why not make a big splash with some great half time food. Here is a simple way to have some great Bratwurst or even Italian Sausage that will be a crowd pleaser for everyone.... even those who don't like peppers!

To make a pan full of Sausage or Brats you will need a disposable 1/2 sheet pan size deep aluminum pan. A grill if you have one.

1 to 2 Brats or Sausages per person

3 Large Bell Peppers (1 green, 1 red, 1 yellow) sliced

1 Large Sweet Onion, sliced

2 Tablespoons Dried Oregano

1 Tablespoon Dried Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

3 Bottles of Beer

Salt/Pepper

Grill your Bratwurst on the grill like shown above, do not over cook, cover and set aside.

Bring a large skillet to med high heat with about 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil. Add the sliced peppers and onions, season with Oregano, Salt and Pepper.

Cook just until onions are tender.

Combine the beer, onion and peppers mixture into 1/2 sheet pan. Keep on grill on low heat or stove. Add the Bratwurst or Sausages and simmer until all the flavors combine and the Brats are heated through.

Pile on large Hoagie buns with plenty of Deli Mustard! The Brats will stay juicy and have tons of flavor. Even those who don't like to eat peppers can just grab the onions. Even the little ones like this recipe and everyone keeps coming back for more.

Happy Superbowl Game Day!

Different Wine Glasses for Different Occasions with Michael Green at Ack...

Do you know what correct wine glass to use while drinking your fav glass of vino? Are you having a dinner party and "need" to know now? Well here you go.

Directly from my Friend Michael Green a how to video on wine glass etiquette:

I learned a few new tips from Michael watching this did you? Leave a comment, let us know what you learned :)

Happy Winter ;)

Shopping With Blue Sky

Blue Sky Scrubs is an online store for all your nursing uniforms and scrubs needs. Blue Sky offers a full selection and then some. They carry every size shape and color from green scrubsto the multi colored caps as seen on Grey's Anatomy and many other shows.

It's great to have some new choices other than the plain old green scrubs these days that is just plain boring! Blue Sky's prices are great. Check it out first and compare before heading off to the store. Why not have them delivered right to your door.

Happy Shopping ;)

Holiday Cherry Cheesecake With Lucky Leaf Pie Filling

Here is my favorite cheesecake recipe. To make it fancy like this one all you need is some extra creamy whip cream and some Lucky Leaf Pie Fillings of your choice. They have the best flavor with the most fruit packed into the can! I recommend this brand it's thicker and works better for all your baking needs.

Ingredients:

1-3/4 cups HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs

1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted

1-1/4 cups sugar, divided

3 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

2 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

1 can (21 oz.) Lucky Leaf Pie Fillings

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 350°F if using a silver 8- or 9-inch springform pan (or to 325°F if using a dark nonstick 8- or 9-inch springform pan). Mix graham cracker crumbs, margarine and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Press firmly onto bottom and 2-1/2 inches up side of pan; set aside.

BEAT cream cheese and the remaining 1 cup sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour into crust.

BAKE 1 hour to 1 hour 10 min. or until center is almost set. Turn oven off. Open oven door slightly. Let cheesecake set in oven 1 hour. Remove cheesecake from oven; cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Loosen cheesecake from rim of pan; remove rim. Top cheesecake with pie filling just before serving. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

Happy Baking ;)

Apple Itunes Holiday Bar Cocktail Creation Apps

Apple Itunes has some new applications now available for you Foodies! They now have Apps that you can download your favorite Holiday Bar Cocktail recipes along with the photo's to show you what the finished Cocktail will look like.

Kim Haasarud a James Beard honored Mixologist, is presenting her Holiday Cocktail Creations. Working for companies such as the Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons Resort Maui, Moet Hennessy, Skyy Spirits and oh so many more.... has had her famous cocktails featured in the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, LA Times and of course more....

A guest Judge on Iron Chef America wears many many hats. Her cocktails such as Blackberry Rum Punch, festive Bellinis and the Salted Caramel Mocha are all available on the app.

The Itunes app show the photo, recipe, directions and how many the recipe will serve. There is so much more than I can write about today.

Go check it out... down load it to your IPad I am ;)

Happy Mixology ;)

Five Diet Rules You Can Break

Five Diet Rules You Can Break - From The Today Show

• Don't deprive yourself dessert, as long as you work the calories in it's doable! Bank your dessert calories during the week and treat yourself on Friday or Saturday.

• Portion control? Don't worry about it when it comes to non starchy veggies eat your carrots, peas, celery, spinach etc... they are filling and healthy.

• Never skip breakfast?.... it's okay too!

• Salads are best? Not all the time.... make sure they are filled with non starchy veggies, you can have a low cal whole grain sandwich if your not a salad person. Salad's are not for everyone.

Happy Weight Loss ;)