Food Fun Family

5 Fun Family Road Trips for Fall Foliage

Lolli — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 18:55:48 +0000

Fall is the perfect time to take a family road trip and enjoy some quality time together on the road. The weather is cool, the crowds may be thinned out, and if you go during the right time, the trees will be full of vibrant leaves waiting to be kissed by the sun.

Exploring the country in the fall means you’ll get to do some sight-seeing at gorgeous locations that are decked out in autumn splendor. America is full of many scenic locations that make for perfect road trips, so why not plan a trip to one of the five below?

Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway spans 500 miles and is a great route to take for a road trip because you get to enjoy a variety of farmland and forests. The drive takes you near some popular cities such as Asheville, North Carolina and smaller mountain towns like Blowing Rock and Galax, which is a popular destination for bluegrass fans because of the Blue Ridge Music Center.

Another popular road trip destination in Virginia is the Shenandoah National Park. You could plan two separate trips and enjoy the sights that both routes have to offer. The Shenandoah National Park is home to Skyline Drive, which is a 105-mile road that goes through the park and has abundant views.

No matter which route you decide to take, be sure to check the foliage update on the state’s website to go during peak viewing season. You might want to plan ahead and book a hotel in advance during the peak season because rooms go quickly in the area.

Vermont’s Green Mountain and Mad River Byways

Vermont is a very popular destination for travelers who love seeing the fall foliage. You can drive leisurely on one-lane highways that take you through mountains and valleys that are full of color. To get the best views, start where the Mad River flows in Waitsfield, travel through Waterbury, and go on to Stowe. Stowe is home to the highest colorful peak in Vermont. The entire route is a short 23.9 miles.

While you’re there, you can enjoy a cider tasting at Cold Hollow Cider Mill or go shopping at the Cabot Annex, which happens to include the famous Cabot Cheese and Lake Champlain Chocolates. These little attractions are a perfect follow-up after a beautiful drive such as the one in Vermont. Since it’s a short route, you will still have some time and energy to explore the area.

The Coast of Michigan

Michigan’s coast offers plenty of opportunities to view breathtaking fall foliage. The route starts in Traverse City and runs 100 miles through Northeast Michigan. You will see fishing towns to explore and sweet coves from Lake Michigan’s shores as well as beautiful, fiery-red oak and maple leaves contrasting against the green fir, pine and spruce trees of Grand Traverse Bay.

You can stop and enjoy the views from Inspiration Point, walk through the idyllic villages of Omena and Peshwabestown that are located by the lake or visit an attraction from the 19^th Century, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. There is something for the whole family to enjoy in Michigan.

Lake Moosehead, Maine

Lake Moosehead is Maine’s largest lake and is lined with vibrant trees full of fall foliage for you to enjoy. To see the best views, start at Maine’s white-water-rafting location, The Forks, and travel to Jackman and into the North Woods. Be sure to stop at the Attean Overlook to see its famous views that extend all the way to the Canadian border.

Then go on over to Rockwood towards Lake Moosehead’s shores and stay a while in Greenville before driving under the trees as you take unpaved logging roads that boast beautiful sights. The entire route spans 75.2 miles.

If you and your family are feeling up for a challenge – why not hop on the 3,271 mile path of The Oregon Trail? It begins in Maine and takes you on the path the American settlers took across the nation to Oregon and you’ll see miles of beautiful country along the way.

Before you plan your trip, check the state’s website for the best times to see the leaves at their peak.

New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway

This 84-mile route is home to some of the best views in the southwest. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway runs from Taos to Eagle Nest, through Angel Fire, and then back to Taos again. There are many things to see along the route.

Eagle Nest is home to Wheeler Peak, a 13,161-foot peak. Along the route, you will see aspens in shades of orange, cinquefoil in purple and cottonwoods in red and yellow. You might spot some of the wildlife as well, such as black bear, eagles and elk.

In this area you can visit Elizabethtown, which is an old gold-mining town, or stop by the Taos Fall Arts Festival if you’re in the area when it’s open.

So the next time you get the itch to enjoy a long drive on some open road with beautiful scenery, consider one of these destinations during the fall. Grab a map and plan your trip so you won’t miss out anything. All that’s left to do is pack your suitcases and load up the family for your next adventure.

About the Author

Jennifer Landis is a foodie, mama, and healthy living blogger. She loves yoga, tea, and running really far (but not really fast). Follow her on Twitter @JenniferELandis and check out her blog, Mindfulness Mama.

5 Ways to Revive Your Living Space for Less

Lolli — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 13:04:57 +0000

I’m happy to introduce Becca Grady, today’s guest poster, who has some tips for reviving your living space for less (something we are in the middle of doing right now!). I love her tips and can’t wait to dig into a few of them this spring!

5 Simple Ways to Revive Your Living Space for Less

With the newly blossoming flowers and green grass sprouting, it’s clear that spring is in full swing. If you’re feeling inspired to refresh your living space, you may consider changes like new flooring, fresh paint, updated furniture and subtle accents to tie it together beautifully.

Although you may crave a full blown living room makeover, these updates can quickly become costly. And it doesn’t take a huge budget to make a big splash in your space. Try carving out a weekend and use some of these tips to refresh your living room without busting your budget.

Paint

Source: Justin & Juhee Kim, Catherine Houston on Zillow Digs®

Paint is an easy, relatively low-cost way to transform a room quickly. A fresh coat of paint looks clean and can transform the entire feel of the room. If you’re stumped by what color, shade or tone to choose, consider sticking with neutrals shades. Neutrals are a safe, classic and timeless option. If you’re feeling adventurous, try creating an accent wall with a bold pop of color.

Furniture

Aside from flooring, furniture can be the next most expensive upgrade. But there are ways to save serious cash while adding new furniture. Try looking for vintage or upcycled finds, then add a new coat of paint or take it up a notch with new upholstering. Consider purchasing just one large, new piece, like a main couch or coffee table. One new item in the living room will bring a renewed energy and instantly ground the room.

Lighting

Source: Kent Brasloff on Zillow Digs®

Improving the lighting and ensuring it’s soft and natural can make a world of a difference. A living room should be warm, relaxing and inviting, so it’s important to make sure that natural light is utilized during the day, while ample soft light is used in the evening. Rearrange your lamps to best accommodate the room and consider installing overhead lights that can be dimmed and adjusted.

Millwork

Source: Tuckahoe Creek Construction, Inc. on Zillow Digs®

Millwork is an underrated, yet beautiful way to make your space look brand new with a craftsman touch. Millwork includes crown molding, base trim, door frames and window casings. Beautiful millwork is a great addition to a living room, adding a clean finish, especially once painted or finished. It can also be found at a price that’s gentle on your wallet, while still creating a fresh feel.

Accessories

With accessories, less is more. However, the ones you choose can have a greater impactful and tie the overall design together. If you are tired of the look and feel of your space, try swapping out your throw pillows for ones that bring a fresh burst of color. Also consider changing your curtains to display a new textile, pattern or color, further adding to the visual interest.

Now that the sun is shining, you may be feeling inspired to change your space to match the transformation happening outside. Whether you choose one or a mix of a few updates, consider using these simple tips to revive your living space for less.

Meatloaf Muffins with Ranch Style Mashed Potatoes

Lolli — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 15:13:06 +0000

I am excited to feature a guest post recipe from a fellow blogger today as I get ready to head out of town for my daughter’s wedding. Please show her some love!

Mariah is a full time children’s photographer and the owner of “Spaghetti and Mashed Potatoes”, a food blog about eating healthy and unprocessed foods without crazy ingredients, and doing it all on the average person’s income. Eating healthy and avoiding chemicals and additives does not have to be complicated or expensive, see how she does it here: spaghettiandmashedpotatoes.com

Meatloaf Muffins | Two Recipes in One!

An old classic: Meatloaf. Mom’s signature dish. Either you like it or you don’t (I, for one, love it!). Which is odd since I am not a fan of eating a lot of meat all at once. But the meat with the mashed potatoes in these recipes mixes it up just enough to make it one of our favorites!

This is also a very easy dump, mix and bake type recipe. There are no difficult steps, or weird things that you’ll have to spend tons of money on. Just simple wholesome ingredients!

For the meatloaf, I would recommend grass-fed organic beef, or at least a low fat content variety. Since you will be baking it, the fat won’t be drained out, so a low fat content will help with not having a lot of excess fat with your meal.

You can eat the meatloaf muffins as is, (with some optional ketchup on top per the comfort food rule!) or add the mashed potato topping, which you can whip up before your meatloaf is done in the oven.

The mashed potatoes can be made with any kind of potatoes, even sweet potatoes would work! I used large reds for this recipe.

5.0 from 2 reviews

Meatloaf Muffins with Ranch Style Mashed Potatoes

Author: Lolli

Serves: 12

Ingredients

Meatloaf

1 lb Ground Beef
½ Cup Whole Grain Rolled Oats
1 Egg
½ Tsp Pepper
1 Tsp Salt
½ Cup Diced Onion
2 Cloves of Garlic minced, or an equal amount of store bought minced garlic.
¼ Cup Ketchup
¼ Cup Milk

Ranch Style Mashed Potatoes

5 Medium Potatoes
¼ tsp Parsley
¼ tsp Dill
¼ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Pepper
¼ tsp Garlic Powder
¼ tsp Onion Powder
⅓ Cup Buttermilk

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix with your hands or a stand mixer. Be sure to get everything incorporated well.
Grease a cupcake pan, or place silicone cupcake liners in one. (I swear by silicone and it works exceptionally well with meat, it won’t stick!)
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for one hour. Be sure to cut one open before calling it done to be sure it’s cooked all the way through to your liking.

Ranch Style Mashed Potatoes

Put a pot of water on the stove the appropriate size for your potatoes to cook in. Let it heat up while you do step number two.
Peel and chop your potatoes, you can leave the peel on, but be sure to clean them well if you do.
Once the water is boiling add in the potatoes and cook them until they are tender, about 20 minutes.
Strain the potatoes, and put them into a stand mixer or a bowl to use a hand mixer with.
Add in the spices and buttermilk and mix well. They should fluff up a bit.
I used an ice-cream scoop to put the mashed potatoes on the meatloaf muffins, but you can use a spoon, or simply just eat them together.

Notes

For the Ketchup, since I have tried and just dislike making my own ketchup a lot, I use Hunts brand. There are no corn syrups, just a few ingredients, and it’s affordable. Even when you make ketchup at home you add sugar, it just doesn’t taste right without it!
I used whole milk, but any milk will work, including almond or soy!
An optional ingredient would be cheese, just mix it in with the rest of it before putting it into the muffin cups.

Note: The amount that this makes will vary by the amount of potatoes and the size that you use. It also depends on how much your family likes potatoes, more might be better for those who love their potatoes!

Grapes Devonshire (Minnesota Grape Salad)

Lolli — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 14:12:14 +0000

Hi new friend! Janel here from the sister team of NellieBellie. I’m the short, redhead to counteract my sister Lanet’s tall blondeness. We create healthy recipes, ridiculously decadent desserts, cozy drinks, cocktails, and pretty crafts & diy’s. You know, the important things in a Minnesota life. We’d love for you to pop by nelliebellie.com, our sister site thecampwhisperer.com, or our favorite social media these days… Instagram!

If you aren’t from Minnesota you may not be aware of the hubabaloo that the NY Times recently caused when they chose Grape Salad as the dish that best represents our beloved state.

Say what? Grape what?

Those are the questions heard around the state. Rightfully so. Grape salad is a virtual unknown to most Minnesotans, even those born and raised here. I hadn’t heard of it, that is for sure. But my sister Lanet had. She had served it, even. What?

True story. She is a part-time server at the historic Lowell Inn here in Stillwater, MN. Stillwater takes pride in it’s history as the birthplace of MN and is one of the oldest cities in the state. Lowell Inn is one of the older businesses of the city. Apparently, it serves Grapes Devonshire (Grape Salad) and has been for decades.

Perhaps Grape Salad is a MN dish from decades past? Eh, we still think the hotdish should be the NY Times pick and will be campaigning for that next time. Tatertot Hotdish anyone?

We are proud to be able to bring you an original recipe for Grapes Devonshire. It’s a true original made with clotted cream, grapes, strawberries, and brown sugar. From the oldest city in the state of MN.

Grapes Devonshire (Minnesota Grape Salad)

5.0 from 4 reviews

Grapes Devonshire (Minnesota Grape Salad)

Author: Nellie Bellie

Ingredients

1 cup grapes
1 cup sliced strawberries
4 Tbsp brown sugar
3 oz cream cheese
1 Tbsp sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
pinch of salt

Instructions

For the devonshire cream:
Mix cream cheese, 1 Tbsp sugar, whipping cream, and salt together until smooth and creamy with a mixer.

For the dessert:
Fill individual bowls/cups half full with grapes.
Fill to top with strawberries.
Add a tablespoon of brown sugar to each bowl.
Top with devonshire cream.
Enjoy!

Who’s ready for some grape salad?

Love this grape salad? Try this green salad with raisins from Better in Bulk >>

Easy Food Preservation with Freezer Label Printables

Lolli — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 15:42:41 +0000

How many times have you packaged up leftovers or some meat you bought on sale only to discover the bag in the freezer a few months later. It’s unrecognizable, unlabeled, and eventually ends up getting trashed. Today I have a guest post from a fellow blogger who has a great resource to share. She’s got a collection of freezer labels that can be quite handy to foodies and anyone involved with meal planning.

Each label template can be downloaded as a PDF and printed out on self-adhesive or regular paper. Since freezing can help people avoid junk food and save time on
preparing healthy meals on busy days, these labels can save you time and money.

We don’t think much about freezers, unless they break and give us a hard time. They simply exist in our kitchen and make our lives easier. But without them we would need to go shopping much more frequently, and we would probably end up throwing away a lot of meat and produce, because it is difficult to predict the amount of food we can eat in a week. So, thanks to freezers we can preserve everything that we won’t be using in the following few days, and we certainly save money and time on frequent shopping trips.

Going a step further in better home organization, a lot of us like to use freezer labels on food packaging. It’s actually not a good idea to freeze anything without a label, because we can’t really remember when we froze all the items in our freezer, and food loses quality and taste after it’s been frozen for too long.

In order to prevent food waste, it is important to label all food packaging with accurate information. People who have a lot of space in their freezer and keep many items in there will benefit from additional information on freezer stickers that will help them categorize food according to type of food, ingredients used, whether it contains allergens, etc.

The following collection of free freezer stickers can really come in handy with food preservation. They are categorized into:

Frozen meal calendar labels: These are no fuss stickers where you only need to circle the date of freezing and apply them quickly to your food packaging.
Recipe label printables
Freezer tags: Recipe and freezer tags offer additional blank space where you can write out more information about the food packaging contents (recipe, ingredients, etc.)
Special event stickers: Special events category is reserved for labels for food that we prepare on special occasions. This section will be updated on a regular basis.

Take a look at each of these freezer label printables, and find the type of label that best suits your needs!

Maryland Crab Deviled Eggs

Lolli — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:00:41 +0000

Another of my fantastic local friends, Lara from Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom (which is just about the coolest name for a blog, dontcha think?) is guest posting today. Lara has a recipe for a very-Maryland version of deviled eggs that I can’t wait to try! Stay tuned this week for more egg recipes! Want more Chicken Nuggets? You can find Lara on twitter (@dipaolamomma) or on Facebook.

There are certain things about Spring that just sing, “Celebration.” Radiant tulips blooming in a rainbow of colors. The smell of hyacinths wafting on those first warm breezes of the year. And eggs. Yes, eggs!

We color them, fill them, give them and hunt for them. Eggs are Spring, and what springtime celebration complete without the simply scrumptious Deviled Egg? Around our family table there are epic battles over who gets the last one left on the platter. In fact my eldest son still has to suffer through the annual retelling of the year he scarfed down a dozen of them and the ensuing gastronomic upheaval. Yeah you didn’t need that picture, did ya?

Deviled Eggs are like edible canvases. You can create nearly any palate pleasing concoction your brave family is willing to taste test – though I’ll be steering clear of the PB&J suggestion my seven year old made. Being transplants to Maryland, we’ve come to love crab like true locals. I first had a crab deviled egg at Wit and Wisdom Tavern at the Four Seasons Baltimore. It was a bite of bliss. So, naturally I had to try and recreate it. Here is my version…

Maryland Crab Deviled Eggs

Ingredients

10 Extra Large Eggs
1 ¼ cups Mayonnaise
¾ cup Dijon Mustard
2-3 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
1 ½ cups Crab Claw Meat (this is cheaper and has a fuller flavor, though you can use lump if you like)
¼ cup Chives (minced, with a few reserved for garnish)
Fried Onions (for garnish)

Supplies

Large Pot
Medium Sized Mixing Bowl
Fork
Sharp Knife
Pastry Bag
Plastic Container with Lid

Directions:

1. Boil eggs 17 to 19 minutes. Place in an ice water bath right after removing from heat. This can actually make peeling easier. Allow to cool, then peel and place on a paper towel to soak up excess water. Slice lengthwise, removing yolks into mixing bowl and placing egg whites on to your work surface.

2. Using a fork, mash the yolks until you get a powder-like consistency. Add in all other ingredients and mix well. Fill a pastry bag with your mixture and pipe the filling into each egg white. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so that the flavors combine.

3. When ready to serve, place on your serving dish and garnish each egg with fried onions and a sprig of chive. ENJOY!

Voila! A unique and tasty twist on deviled eggs!

The Non Importance of Being Liked and Things Being Fair

Lolli — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 12:00:39 +0000

Please welcome my good friend, Jodi, who is guest posting today. Jodi is the mother of Michael, the blogger behind Jodifur.com, and a fellow DC-area resident (which means I get to bump in to her every once in a while…or catch a day-time, just-for-fun movie together).

This picture is one that I took of my nieces on Easter 2 years ago. It has nothing to do with Jodi’s post except that I can imagine my niece saying “It’s not fair!”

It used to really matter to me that people “like” me. Much more than it should. To the point that if people didn’t like me, I would make it my personal quest to make them like me. I would kill them with kindness. I would become the ultimate suck up. I would say things like, “I just don’t understand why they don’t like me. I am immensely likeable.”

This, of course, backfired. When you get in the face of someone who doesn’t like you, they like you less, not more.

Somewhere along the way, probably in the last 5 years or so, I stopped caring. Go ahead, don’t like me. I care more about how people TREAT me, and less about how they actually feel about me. It is like I tell Michael, “it is okay to not like someone, you are entitled to your feelings. But there is no reason to be mean. You need to at least be kind. And treat people with respect.”

I find, more and more, we have lost that. A basic level of respect and decency when we interact with each other. And I am not perfect either. I yell and strangers more than I should. I lose my patience at store clerks more than I should. I speak harshly, more than I should.

It doesn’t matter if we like each other, it matters how we treat each other.

I spend a lot of time talking to Michael lately about fairness. Yes, we discuss the old “life isn’t fair” adage, and he has encountered what he believes is unfairness recently, and we talk about what he could have done to have things work out differently. But what matters to me is not the WHY this happened, but how he reacts to it. Does he stomp his feet and rally at the world? (Because in all honesty, my worst quality is my utter inability to let things go.) Michael, on the other hand, manages to pick his head up and keep going. I admire that about him. I’m trying to learn that skill from him.

I want him to know that even when you think you are treated unfairly, or someone doesn’t like you, that doesn’t mean you have to retaliate. It also doesn’t mean you have to suck up, like I used to do. Just keep your head up, and keep going. I believe, at least I’m starting to believe, at least I’m TRYING to believe, it all evens out in the end.

There is I really good quote in a book I read over the weekend “Lunch in the Park.” “Fair is not everyone getting the same thing. Fair is everyone getting what the need.” My husband taught me that. He likes to say, “people get what they need, not what is fair.”

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts on being “fair.”

Jodi blogs at Jodifur about life, motherhood, working, and shoes. Mostly shoes.

Enjoy the Moment, With Snow and All

Lolli — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 12:00:45 +0000

Guest post by Katja Presnal

I laughed at the snowy day post last week, because I love snow! In fact, skiing in Colorado is one of my favorite things to do in the entire world, that’s why I named my lifestyle brand “skimbaco”, combining a Finnish slang word “skimba” meaning skis and skiing, and CO for Colorado. Oddly, my brand has very little to do with skiing, or snow, but it has everything to do with enjoying the moment and doing what you love.

See, my take on everything in life is that I want to experience the cold blizzards every now and then, because then the sunny days and rainbows are even more spectacular after that. Better yet – I think the key to happiness in life IS to learn to love the snowy days and enjoy the heck out of the bad weather.

I currently live in Sweden where they have a saying “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing” and it’s not really a metaphor, but literally means that you can enjoy the outdoors in any weather, as long as you are equipped for it. I think it works as a great metaphor as well. Maybe it can mean that when you are just prepared enough for something, it won’t actually be bad at all, but in fact the opposite: a lot of fun, like skiing.

If you are not the outdoorsy-type winter sports person, try these ways to enjoy the snowy days.

1. Go to a museum, no lines!
2. Make some tea, coffee or hot cocoa. Hot drinks never tasted this good.
3. Take the Christmas photos – for once you have card photos done on time, who cares your kids will be bigger and your hair color has changed by Christmas, but you’ve got winter wonderland in your cards.
4. Take some me-time, and have a spa day at home.

I would like to invite you to read my first issue of Skimbaco Lifestyle magazine with a theme “coffee, tea or me” and get a Scandinavian recipe of sweet buns, which we eat on a “sledding day”. Or get a DIY coffee scrub recipe for your spa day at home and 16 shades of Valentine’s Day gift ideas to keep your relationship hot.

Guest post by Katja Presnal, editor-in-chief of Skimbaco Lifestyle, global lifestyle magazine. You can connect with Katja on Instagram as Skimbaco

Brighten Your Holiday Season with Energy Savings

Lolli — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 13:00:40 +0000

This guest post was written by Virginia Energy Sense. This is not a compensated post, but shared as a PSA. Let’s have a cozy and energy-efficient holiday season!

We love Christmas lights during the holidays!

Whether it’s wrapping presents, baking cookies or donating to local charities, there are a handful of traditions we follow each holiday season. Many Virginians also find themselves in an unintended holiday tradition of paying higher energy bills. Between holiday lighting displays, hosting festive gatherings and staying warm in the cold weather, Americans use the largest amount of energy in December and January.

But there is good news for festive Virginians: Spreading holiday cheer doesn’t have to come with a hefty energy bill. There are many ways you can celebrate and keep cozy this winter while saving energy in the process. The Commonwealth’s Virginia Energy Sense program, a statewide energy education initiative under the guidance of the State Corporation Commission, was created to help Virginians make their homes, businesses and schools more energy efficient all year long.
This is the perfect time of year to start saving energy and money for your family, and we’ve put together a handful of tips to help.

Holiday Tricks

Use energy efficient holiday lights to see big savings at the end of the month. Running a string of traditional incandescent holiday bulbs for 12 hours per day for 40 days can cost more than $25. But the cost of running a string of LED lights for the same amount of time is 56 cents!

As much as 15% of the energy in the average American home is used in the kitchen. When using the oven to cook a big family meal, open the oven door as infrequently as possible. Every time the oven door is opened the temperature inside is reduced by as much as 25 degrees. You can use the oven window to check on your dish without forcing the oven to work harder and use more energy. For smaller gatherings, consider using the toaster oven, electric skillet, slow cooker or microwave, which all use much less energy than your conventional oven.

Beat the Winter Chills

Energy is often wasted heating and cooling empty homes. Installing a programmable thermostat allows you to give the heating system a rest whether you’re out visiting grandma or finding that perfect present, which can save up to $180 per year. Remember that as much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling.

Cold weather has its way of infiltrating homes through even the smallest of gaps and cracks, especially around doors and windows. As part of your holiday party preparations, consider caulking, weatherstripping and air sealing to reduce drafts. It will make you and your guests more comfortable and cut energy bills by as much as 30 percent.

Warm air travels up, meaning that your attic is a prime place to add insulation that will improve the comfort of your home. Insulation is measured in R-values—the higher the R-value, the more insulated and efficient your home will be. Visit the insulation homepage on energy.gov for more detailed information about how to ensure your home is properly insulated.

What’s In Your Home’s Stocking?

–>One of the best ways to diagnose your home’s biggest energy problems is with an energy audit. Consider hiring a professional that can evaluate your home and provide custom solutions to realize big energy savings. Get started cost-free with Virginia Energy Sense’s free online Home Energy Test.

Consuming less energy this holiday season just makes sense: it will help curb your energy costs, boost your holiday cheer and support your state. In Virginia, we’ve made a commitment to help our economy and natural resources by setting a goal to reduce the Commonwealth’s electric energy use by 10 percent by 2022. It’s a goal we can reach with the support of residents, families and businesses across Virginia.

There are numerous opportunities for you to cut energy waste and save money, many that are low-cost and simple to do yourself. For a complete list of tips for every season, visit virginiaenergysense.org. The website includes a guide for Do-it-Yourself projects, a listing of available rebates and incentives to help offset the costs of energy improvements and equipment, and kids’ activities to get the whole family involved in becoming smarter energy users. Whether you’re an energy novice or DIY warrior, there are steps you can take to live more efficiently.

Thank you for your support in becoming more mindful of our energy use. Have a safe, happy and energy efficient holiday season.

Spring is in the Air…Shoes, Exercise, Puzzles, and More

Lolli — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:00:46 +0000

Spring is in the air and I’ve been busy this month, writing like crazy (yes, I have a life beyond this little blog!). Since I had so many articles published on other sites in April, I thought I’d post a short recap of each of my posts.

PS – every time I get a new post assignment, I think “Someone must really know me!” If I’m not an old pro (like in the case of the grocery shopping with kids post) then I probably need some extra help (like in the case of fitting exercise into your busy schedule post). Don’t they always say that the teacher always learns more than the students?

Below are the teasers…click over to each individual article to read the rest.

Kid-Proof Grocery Shopping: Get In, Get Out and Get On Your Way

Shopping with kids doesn’t have to be torture.

Between the middle-of-the-store tantrums, the shouts of “Mom, can we buy that?” and the inconvenient potty breaks, grocery shopping with kids can be taxing. Despite the fact that shopping alone is quicker and easier, needing the kids to tag along every once in a while is inevitable.

Luckily, a few simple steps will ensure that you’re in and out of the store as quickly as possible and arrive home with the food you need and smiles on everyone’s faces.

Have you tried any of these tricks in the grocery store with your kids?

Five Easy Ways to Fit More Exercise in Your Day

Moms these days have a lot on their plates. Between keeping the family fed and the house clean, endless driving to and from practices and events, and overseeing homework, it’s easy to see why many moms have a hard time finding time to exercise more. If you’re anything like me, you check off those to-do list items that involve other people and leave the “me” items unchecked. All too often, exercise becomes one of those perpetually put-off tasks you never get around to.

Finding time to exercise more during the week is easier than you might think, and by following these five simple tips, you can get started today.

Check out my 5 tips for fitting exercise into your day (do you do any of these?)…

Smart Shopping for Spring: Women’s Shoes

Spring is my favorite time of the year, not only because I enjoy the sun and warm breeze, but because I love spring fashion and women’s spring shoes. Colors are brighter, fabrics are lighter and the shoes are so much fun. (I’m sure I’m not the only one who loves showing off newly-painted toenails!)

Although I would love to buy a wardrobe of new shoes for the season, my pocket book wouldn’t be too happy about that. Luckily, I’ve got a few tips to keep in mind while you’re shopping for shoes this spring that will help you find pairs that will be useful for multiple occasions.

What Spring shoes do you have your eyes on?

Fun and Fashionable Kids’ Shoes: How To Get More Bang For Your Buck When Kids Grow So Fast

Recently, I sat down with my kids to assess their shoe status for spring and summer. Their feet grow so fast, it’s hard to keep up with their need for new shoes!

If your boys are anything like mine, they’ll wear their shoes out long before they grow out of them. While my girls may not be as rough on their shoes, I seem to be shopping for them just as often. I suppose my love of shoes has rubbed off on them — they are always on the lookout for the next fashionable pair to add to their collection.

With so many feet to cover, I’ve kept a few tips in mind as I’ve shopped for new shoes. These ideas help moms get plenty of bang for their buck while shopping for kids’ shoes, and their kids can enjoy the latest styles throughout the year.

Take a peek at these adorable kids shoes for Spring…

How to Make Your Own Puzzles

Puzzles are a fun activity for children and parents, plus they make an excellent tool for exercising the brain and developing important skills like concentration, spatial thinking, fine motor skills and more. Here are a few DIY puzzles that you can make at home with supplies you probably already have on hand or can easily find at the craft store.

Check out all of the super-cute and easy puzzle ideas here…

Would you like to send out a tweet or two about these articles? (a huge favor to me!) Here are some sample tweets!

Fun & Fashionable Kids’ #Shoes: How To Get More Bang For Your Buck When Kids Grow So Fast https://mvb.me/s/b3fe15 via @1momof5

Do your kids love puzzles? Check out these amazingly simple #DIY puzzles kids can make at home via @1momof5 https://mvb.me/s/73eec4

#Spring is here! Colors are brighter, fabrics are lighter and the #shoes are so much fun: https://mvb.me/s/de2f76 via @1momof5

Grocery #Shopping with kids doesn’t have to be torture. Get In, Get Out & Get On Your Way via @1momof5 https://mvb.me/s/499589

Five Easy Ways to Fit More #Exercise in Your Day (RT if you need this, too! via @1momof5 https://mvb.me/s/9ebc15