Category: Food
10 Easy Ways to Pay it Forward
In the spirit of our Princeton Gives Back contest beginning this week, we wanted to share with you all 10 easy ways you can “pay it forward” on a daily basis! Read the list below and share with us which acts of kindness you practiced!
1. Say what you’re thinking – Walk by someone and think “I love that shirt.” Instead of keeping it to yourself, tell them! Giving a compliment can brighten someone’s day.
2. Pick up an extra coffee. While in the drive thru line in the morning, ask the cashier to add the bill for the person behind you to your order.
3. Give up some food. There are probably some items in your pantry that you can do without. Throw them in a box and drop them off at your local food shelter.
4. Offer a helping hand. See someone struggling to get on the bus or having a hard time carrying their groceries? Give them some assistance.
5. Not in a rush? Check to see who’s behind you in line at the grocery store and offer them your place. A mom shopping with kids is sure to appreciate this!
6. Take a picture! See someone taking a “group selfie?” Offer to take the photo for them. They’ll be grateful and have a better photo.
7. Feed the meter. Have some extra quarters floating around your car? Take a minute to feed someone’s meter so they can avoid getting a parking ticket!
8. Leave a little extra. Next time you’re dining out, think about leaving a little extra tip for your waiter or waitress. Write “pay it forward” on the check so they can continue the cycle.
9. Hold the door. See a mom or dad with a stroller in the parking lot? Try getting ahead of them so you can hold the doors.
10. Write a positive review. Love the place you live or the shop you order pizza from? Visit their Facebook page or Yelp account and leave them some love. It will be sure to make them smile!
5 Tips for Lowering Your Grocery Bill
We’re all guilty of racking up a big grocery bill! By the time we’ve gone up and down every aisle in the supermarket our shopping carts can overflow. The next time you are heading to the store to fill your pantry, remember these tips so you can keep your grocery bill on the low side!
1. Plan your weekly menu. By thinking ahead of time what you want to eat for meals throughout the week, you’ll not only save money you’ll also save time at the store. Making a menu keeps us from throwing lots of random, unnecessary items in our carts.
2. Make a list and stick to it. When you write out your shopping list, try to write it in order of the flow of the store. You can follow it as you go up and down the aisles and avoid going off track and overspending.
3. Buy items that are store brand when you can. Store brand items can be significantly cheaper than name brand and most of the time you won’t even be able to tell the difference (other than having more cash in your wallet!)
4. Avoid coupons that say “buy one get one.” Typically the items that are offered in these deals are items you don’t even need in the first place. What’s even worse is that the stores tend to mark up the prices on these items anyway so you’re actually paying for the “free” item in the long run.
5. Make sure you’re not hungry! Food shopping on an empty stomach can force us to make some bad decisions. Make sure you’ve recently eaten so you aren’t basing your grocery choices off of your growling stomach.
Tips for Hosting a Great 4th of July Party
We can’t believe Independence Day is right around the corner! If you are planning to host a celebration for the 4th keep reading to learn our tips for throwing a great 4th of July party at your home!
1. Decorate in red white and blue – People love getting decked out for the 4th of July so make sure your home is looking Patriotic for the event. Get red, white and blue tablecloths and cups and blow up matching balloons for color.
2. Set up an activity for kids – Remember this post we wrote last year? (DIY 4th of July Parade Wands) Take a look and learn how the kids at your party can make some 4th of July parade wands to stay busy.
3. Have plenty of cold beverages – July 4th is notorious for being hot! Make sure your guests have plenty of cold drinks available to them to stay hydrated. Fill a few coolers and label them with what’s inside so people don’t have to dig through them to find what they’re looking for.
4. Make festive desserts – A red, white and blue trifle or star-sprinkled cupcakes? Why not make both? Your guests (especially the kids) will love devouring these.
5. Make room in the shade – Have plenty of umbrellas and shaded areas available to your guests so they can step out of the sun if needed.
6. Add a sunscreen and bug spray station – If your party is going to take place outdoors, think about filling a bucket with sunscreens and bug sprays for your guests to use. Place them in a central place that’s easily accessible.
7. Dress the part – Pick up some fun items from your local party store for your guests to wear. Think beads, glasses and hats that are inspired by Uncle Sam!
How to Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party
Tomorrow is the fifth of May which means it’s time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!
Go ahead and invite your friends over to enjoy the holiday together. We’ve come up with some great tips for hosting the perfect Cinco de Mayo party right in your home.
1. Nothing says Cinco de Mayo like a delicious margarita. Fill up some pitchers in your refrigerator with margaritas so you don’t have to stop and make each drink individually as guests arrive.
2. There’s no need to sit down and have a formal dinner. Instead, cook up some simple Mexican appetizers for your guests like quesadillas, taquitos and chips and salsa (don’t forget the guacamole!)
3. In order to feel like you’re in Mexico you need to dress the part! Head to your local party store and pick up some sombreros for your guests.
4. Create a great playlist of music to play as you mingle. Just hookup your iphone to some speakers and enjoy! Don’t forget the Gypsy Kings or Santana when you’re downloading your new tunes.
5. Create some entertainment for your guests. What’s more fun than a traditional pinata? Set it up outside and let your friends take a whack at it for the chance to win some candy or prizes.
Creativity Corner Presents….DIY Easter Carrot Snacks!
Watch the video below to learn an easy DIY for Easter that the kids will love!
5 Fun Facts About St. Patrick’s Day
Besides drinking green drinks and eating corn beef and cabbage what do you really know about St. Patrick’s Day? Here are five fun facts you can share around the dinner table tonight!
1. The word “shamrock” comes from the Irish word “seamróg,” meaning “little clover.” It is the symbol of Ireland
2. We all get decked out in green on St. Patrick’s Day, but the holiday was originally associated with the color blue. It’s thought that everything shifted to green because of Ireland’s nickname “The Emerald Isle,” the green in the Irish flag and the shamrock, or clover.
3. The world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade is held in the Irish village of Dripsey. It lasts only 100 yards, which is the exact distance between the village’s two pubs.
4. St. Patrick was a Christian missionary, bishop and a patron saint of Ireland. He was born in Britain. When he was only sixteen, he was captured by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland, where he spent six years in captivity, working as a shepherd.
5. The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the largest parade in the world. It was first held in 1762 by a group of homesick Irish expats and soldiers who served with the British army.
Tips for Cleaning Your Stemware
Does your stemware look dingy? Do you want to clean it properly but you’re unsure how? Keep reading to learn how to clean those fancy wine glasses without getting spots or residue!
1. Crystal stemware should always be hand-washed. Glass stemware can be washed in the dishwasher on a gentle cycle.
2. Never let red wine sit in glasses over night. Pour out the contents and fill the glass with hot water if you’re not ready to wash yet to avoid red wine stains.
3. Always hold the stemware by the base when hand-washing.
4. Use a gentle sponge and mild soap or detergent. You don’t want to use anything too abrasive that could scratch.
5. Use a lint-free towel to dry the stemware off. If you let them air dry you will risk getting spots. Make sure to dry both the inside and outside of the glass and handle with care to avoid fingerprints!
5 Tips for Hosting a Super Bowl Party
Super Bowl Sunday is almost here! Before you open your door to your football-loving guests, read our tips for throwing a successful Super Bowl Party!
1. Make sure you have plenty of seating. Not only do you need seats for your guests, you need seats that have a great view of the TV. Count how many people you need to accommodate and rearrange furniture if necessary. Use giant pillows on the floor as an option so people can be close to the action!
2. Cook finger foods. Your guests are going to be sitting in your living room and paying attention to the game so there’s no point serving a five star meal! Make a bunch of appetizers or throw something in the crock pot to snack on.
3. Play your own games. Design your own version of Super Bowl squares for your guests. Ask everyone to pay $1 per square and divide up the pot at the end of each quarter. This is a great way to get guests who aren’t huge football fans in on the action.
4. Use coolers. Instead of filling your fridge full of beverages for your guests (and taking up all the room), display a large cooler in the living room. This way your guests don’t have to leave the excitement to replenish their drinks.
5. Dress the part. Ask your guests to show up wearing their favorite team’s swag! Want to take it a step further? Break out the face paint! Give the kids at the party something fun to do by painting their faces before game time.
Blizzard Preparation Checklist
A blizzard is heading our way and it’s time to start checking to make sure we are prepared at home! Before settling in for the night tonight make sure your home is prepared with the following items. Once the snow starts falling many local businesses will be closed so it’s important to prepare! Do you have all of the items on this list?
• Non-perishable food—at least a 3-day
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered radio
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications
• Fully-charged cell phones
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Pet food
• Candles/matches
• Sand or rock salt
• Warm coats, gloves, hats and boots
• Firewood (if you have a fireplace)
• Warm blankets
• Snow shovel
5 Thanksgiving Traditions to Start This Year
Interested in starting some Thanksgiving traditions with your family and friends? Here’s a list of five great ways to make memories this turkey day.
1. Have every person at your dinner table write down one positive thing about each person in the room. Throw all of the answers into a bowl and read your own compliments aloud. This game will be sure to make everyone smile.
2. Have an award ceremony! Make everyone vote and hand out ribbons to the winners. Ideas for achievements could include “the best pie,” “the biggest eater,” “best dish washer” etc.
3. Watch a certain movie after dinner. Gather the family and friends around the TV after dessert and start a tradition of watching a great classic movie. Promise that the only night each year you’ll watch that flick is on Thanksgiving.
4. Make a thankful tree! Have all of your guests write what they are thankful for on a paper leaf and hang it on a tree used as your table centerpiece.
5. Are you a competitive bunch? Why not have some turkey trivia? After dinner let the games begin, break up into two teams and play some good old fashioned trivia!