There are apps out there that claim to make life easier but honestly they take more time than they save. I’m sure we have all done it, downloaded an app for our iphone or ipad thinking it will organize some part of our crazy lives but come to find out we have to spend more time entering data than we actually get out of it. Well here is a run down of some apps that I have found to be helpful without feeling like they are extra work.

Grocery IQ; I don’t know about you but when I grocery shop I have to have a list. I also have to create a meal plan for the week, otherwise there goes $100 and we have nothing to eat. With this app you can create as many lists as you like. One for the grocery store, one for Target, anything you need. Adding items is super easy you can type them in or scan the bar code if you already have the package. Once the item is entered you can specify the quantity and price. That way while you are shopping you add the item to your cart and it keeps track of your total. The other cool thing is if you have an ipad and an iphone the app will sync your lists. So for instance you can create the list while on your ipad browsing for recipes, then sync it to your phone for when you actually go to the store. It also keeps track of your history so you can easily add items you shop for every week.

My Fitness Pal; This handy app allows you to enter in your daily food and exercise diary. You start with your allotted calories for the day and as you enter in what you ate they go down but when you enter in what you have done for exercise they go up! It’s a really cool way to keep track of what you are really eating. The database of foods is vast so you are bound to find exactly what you ate and exactly how many calories it was. Plus you can find friends who also have the app and send them encouraging notes.

Dash Magazine; This monthly magazine is full of awesome recipes and handy kitchen tips and tricks. It pulls information from Bon Appétit, Parade, Gourmet, and other great food resources. There are interactive videos and extra recipes imbedded in the pages.

PS Express; Otherwise known as Photoshop Express. With this handy app you can easily edit your photos without having to buy the full version of Photoshop. It comes with some pretty great effects you can add as well. Once you have doctored up your picture you can share it via Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, or regular old email.

The best thing about all of these apps is that they are both great for your iphone or ipad. And even better they are all free!

My husband and his best friend have decided to call 2013, “The Year of the Dream.” At first when they text me on New Year’s Eve and said, “Year of the Dream begins soon,” I replied with, “Is that a new movie?” Yeah. Sometimes I can be a bit slower than the rest. This year they have taken it upon themselves to work on a project they have had in their minds since the day they met. My husband and I are continuing to work on our health by starting a Facebook page to support others along thier journey. I also have some other special dreams that I hope can one day come true, and maybe this year!

So what is your dream? Have you thought about it? Let’s see if we all can take it on, and empower “The Year of the Dream” and maybe, just maybe, our dreams will come true!

When the new year comes we all try and improve different aspects of our lives. One common thing a lot of people do in the new year is save money. A good percentage of our income goes toward what we eat so it’s important to stay on a budget when shopping at the grocery store!
I recently came across an article that gave 4 tips for lowering a grocery bill and I wanted to share with you all.

1. <strong>Choose items you can do without</strong> – Do you buy orange juice every week but usually end up pouring half of it down the drain? Juices can be expensive and we can get the same vitamins from fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. <strong>Don’t be a brand snob</strong> – I immediately thought of my husband when reading this one. He is VERY brand loyal and insists on buying the pickles with the silly bird on the label. Opt for the store brand instead to save!
3. <strong>Cook from scratch</strong> – pre-packaged items certainly save us some time but baking items (like sweets) from scratch is a way to get more bang for your buck.
4. <strong>Keep a price list</strong> – Check other local markets and find out who has the best price on items you buy regularly. You might find that a different store offers your usual items for less!

Garlic Prime Rib
Rated:
Submitted By: Chef Mike
Photo By: SISSYZEKE
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Servings: 15

“Quick and easy marinade and so tasty, I was trusted with this recipe but I can’t keep it to myself!”
INGREDIENTS:
1 (10 pound) prime rib roast
10 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dried thyme
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place the roast in a roasting pan with the fatty side up. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme. Spread the mixture over the fatty layer of the roast, and let the roast sit out until it is at room temperature, no longer than 1 hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
3. Bake the roast for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C), and continue roasting for an additional 60 to 75 minutes. The internal temperature of the roast should be at 135 degrees F (57 degrees C) for medium rare.
4. Allow the roast to rest for 10 or 15 minutes before carving so the meat can retain its juices.

I got into boxing a year ago and I must say after a few training sessions I wondered why I hadn’t tried it sooner. Those who know me best would never picture me in the ring but I’ve gotten very good at it and it’s my favorite thing to do in my spare time. Boxing is a very intense but amazing full body work out.  At first it was the most intimidating feeling walking into class being the only woman there. I knew it was a rough contact sport and that I would have to endure some hard hits but I refused to give up. I still struggle with it, the training sessions are always a series of different exercises from jumping rope  to dropping down for mountain climbers followed by burpies and that’s just the warm up.  After that you glove up and get ready to work on combos such as upper cut, hook  1,2 it’s all very fast pace moves while concentrating on form and good body mechanics . My coach incorporates a lot of self defense into my sessions as well which thankfully I’ve never had to use. The most challenging thing I ran into was proper body mechanics I injured myself numerous times for not having the right form before attempting a move. I now boldly take on any of the boys that want to spar with my bright pink gloves and matching mouth guard. It keeps me in shape and very conscious of what I eat, I’ve developed strength I never thought I’d have! I really wish more women would join the group. I go to Combat Sports Club in North Chelmsford. The owner is so great to train with and teaches a lot of the classes himself. I really encourage anyone who’s interested to try it out.

Since 2007, I have been taking friends and family ice skating at The Boston Common Frog Pond rink around the holidays. Growing up in the Boston area we were always looking for new things to do near down town at the holiday season. I figured I would share this information with you. If you are looking for something different to do this New Years Eve, Frog Pond will be hosting the First Night skating spectacular at 6:00pm. Students from The Skating Club of Boston Skating Academy will be putting on a show open to the public. Season competitor’s national and local champions will be performing. Whether you are a fan of the art of Ice Skating or not, it’s a great idea for an outing. If you don’t get a chance to watch the show New Years Eve, Frog Pond is open for public use until March for Ice skating. In the past years, I’ve always parked in Malden and taken the orange line to downtown, this year we decided to find parking close to downtown, and come to find out there is a parking garage right on the common. I would recommend if you can handle the craziness of city drivers, parking in the garage near the commons was fairly inexpensive and much easier with little ones. They also have a mini cafe right on the rink, offering hot/cold refreshments and food. If you get a chance, it makes for a day trip not to mention it is right in downtown close to all the stores for shopping. I highly recommend looking into it!  Happy Skating!

Enjoying all the typical holiday foods and drinks is one of the best parts of the season and for many one of the hardest. Getting through the holidays without gaining that extra 5 lbs is easier than you think just be realistic and honest with yourself. Here’s a couple ways to cut down those holiday LB’s

Bring your favorite healthy dish to your upcoming get together. This way you’ll have a dish you know you’ll like and won’t feel guilty eat.

Cook from scratch! Whenever possible it is always best to make your dishes from scratch. This cuts out all the added fats, sodium, sugar and other unnecessary ingredients that can add to your scale.

Choose veggies instead when deciding from one of the many yummy appetizers and finger foods often available at your holiday events. This doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid those delicious pigs in a blanket but instead of two or three take one and substitute the others for a more healthy choice like carrot sticks. Avoid those creamy dips!

Try leaner meats like roasted turkey. A small portion of white meat without the skin is your best choice for your holiday meat. If you like to enjoy stuffing with your turkey cook it separate in a casserole dish to keep the added fat from the turkey soaking into it.

Water! As we all know one of the best parts of the holidays is the many different beverages like eggnog, cider, beer, wine and other cocktails and juice. It’s okay to enjoy a glass of wine or some eggnog while decorating your tree or during your meal or get together but in between these occasions drink water and lots of it. Drinking water is one of the best ways to avoid weight gain and to even lose weight.

As always continue to exercise daily, get plenty of rest, and make sure you are eating three well balanced meals per day. Good luck and happy holidays!

Attitudes at this time of year are tell-tale; the holidays are not always cheerful. Some people may be facing the first Christmas without a beloved family member. Others may be afraid that the dark memories of last year will poison this year’s celebration. Many people are alone or isolated. Still more are just stressed, tired, and financially overextended from the expectation of living up to Martha Stewart -esque festivities.

But then we see the tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT replayed and analyzed on television or filling up our Facebook feeds and it seems like there is no sense in the world, only evilness.

However, I can’t help but try to see a silver lining in this horror. In the fallout of Friday’s crisis, people are pulling closer to their loved ones, reaching out to help those whose lives were forever affected, taking a moment to slow down and be a little kinder than necessary, and cherishing the minute details of life.

And aren’t those things that bring us happiness in the long run? Isn’t a feeling of support and togetherness what the season is all about? Unquestionably, a mass shooting is horrible and distressing, but please don’t let this incident make you bitter; let it make you better. Let it give you the opportunity to reach out, to share, to mourn, to pray, to connect, to contribute, and most of all, to show love

There really is no place like home for the holidays, and even though I’ve lived in New Hampshire for thirty one years (!), Springfield Mass is still “home”. My very favorite thing to do around the holidays is to visit Forest Park in Springfield for their famous “Bright Nights at Forest Park”.

This 735 acre park has been a landmark in Springfield since the late 1800’s and is worth a trip any time of year. But for THE BEST lights display, head to the park between 11/21 and 1/1/13. For a small fee, you can pack your car with as many people as will fit and drive through a 2.6 mile route lined all around with lighted displays. Some are actually cleverly timed so they look alive (my favorite is the deer leaping across the road, or maybe it’s the frog jumping into the pond, but I do love the kids sledding down the hill…hmm can’t pick).

Add to the atmosphere by tuning in your radio to a special station that plays Christmas music (the station is listed as you enter the park) then stop at the snack area for a hot chocolate and salted pretzel (sweet and salt – is there a better combination?).

My last recommendation for the perfect outing is to have your dinner at Red Rose Pizzeria on Main Street in Springfield – great food, fun atmosphere, and another Springfield landmark.
Here are the links; check them out, get directions, pack your car, head to Springfield, and have a really great time!

http://brightnights.org
http://www.redrosepizzeria.com

Looking for something fun to do after the Holidays? Or having a hard time with finding the perfect gift? Check out the Portland Harbor Hotel Ice Bar. This year the Ice Bar is happening January 26th to the 28th. Tickets are fairly inexpensive and each ticket comes with a free drink token. The Portland Harbor Hotel has a beautiful terrace area where they set up two ice sculpted bars. The terrace is all lit up and all around are these amazing ice sculptures. As a Christmas present last year, my mom got my sister and I tickets, we had such a blast! It all starts at 5:00 and goes trough till 9:00 each night. We sipped on our Hot Buttered Rum cocktails, looked at all the sculptures and had fun mingling. You will want to dress warm that’s for sure! Inside the hotel they have complimentary hors d’oeuvres from various restaurants that are in the Old Port. There is also live entertainment as well. We had so much fun and it was just nice to do something different! Cheers to the Portland Harbor Hotel!

Take a quick peek at a video of the Ice Bar!

http://www.portlandharborhotel.com/video-icebar.php