Posts Tagged ‘Free Stuff’

SLOW COOKER BEEF AND BROCCOLI

Posted on: February 10th, 2018 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Winter is a great time to use a slow cooker. It’s nice to come home at the end of your work day, and dinner is ready.

SLOW COOKER BEEF AND BROCCOLI
Renee’s Kitchen Adventures

Tender sweet and savory beef strips and gravy served over steamed broccoli and rice

Ingredients

  • 1 – 2 pounds Flat Iron Steaks, cut into 1/2 inch thick strips
  • 1 cup beef consomme (you can sub beef broth)
  • 1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar (not packed)
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • Fresh or Frozen broccoli florets, steamed until crisp tender (as many as you like)
  • Hot cooked brown or white rice
  • Toasted sesame seeds and sliced radishes, for garnish, if desired

Instructions

  • Place beef strips in crock of slow cooker.
    In small bowl or 2 cup glass measure, combine the consomme, soy sauce, brown sugar, oil and garlic. Pour over meat.
  • Put lid on and cook on LOW for 6 -7 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours, or until the meat is fork tender.
  • Turn slow cooker up to HIGH. Combine the cornstarch and the water in a small bowl and stir to dissolve.
  • Add to the beef mixture in the slow cooker and mix. Allow to cook for another 10-20 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
  • To serve, plate the rice, top with broccoli and then beef and gravy mixture. Finish with sesame seeds and radishes, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 00 hrs. 10 mins.

Cook time: 08 hrs. 00 mins.

Check out more recipes at 25 Dump and Go Slow Cooker Recipes.

And for dessert, try these Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownies!

It’s never too late to make healthier choices!


I HIGHLY Recommend this…

Posted on: February 6th, 2018 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Consider using a Time Timer. Learn more about it in PR Newswire’s Seven Practical Tips for Making 2018 The Year You Get Organized and Manage Time.



Freezer Content Checklist!

Posted on: January 29th, 2018 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Get Checking...

Create a Freezer Inventory list, and keep it close to your freezer. That way you’ll know what’s in your freezer.

Check out 20 Household Items You Didn’t Realize Had Expiration Dates.

 



Who Wants FREE Promotion?

Posted on: January 26th, 2018 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Do you own a business? Would you like to submit an article for a future newsletter? Contact A New Leaf to promote your business–at no charge!



5 Keys to Forming Any Habit

Posted on: January 23rd, 2018 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Get Productive...


If you’re looking to make some changes in 2018, check out Leo Babauta’s The 5 Keys to Forming Any Habit.

Ask yourself, “How can I be more productive?”



A Quote from Twyla Tharp!

Posted on: January 19th, 2018 by Cathy Mendler No Comments



CLEAN OUT and ORGANIZE YOUR FREEZER

Posted on: January 16th, 2018 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Cathy MendlerHappy New Year!

It’s mid-January, and winter has certainly arrived.

What are your New Year’s resolutions? Or did you decide not to make any this year? Do whatever feels most comfortable for you.

Chances are you don’t remember the last time you cleaned out your freezer.

We’ve had a lot of extremely cold weather already this winter. Take advantage of it, and clean out your freezer.

CLEAN OUT and ORGANIZE YOUR FREEZER

Step 1 – Remove Food

Remove all frozen food from your refrigerator freezer or deep freezer. Place food in an alternate location–refrigerator freezer, deep freezer, garage or a neighbour’s freezer. Or you can store food in coolers filled with ice. I use laundry baskets to hold frozen food and put it in our garage.

Discard any items that show signs of freezer burn or that won’t be eaten.

Step 2 – Clean Out Freezer

  • Check your owner’s manual.
  • Turn off and unplug your deep freezer. Leave the doors or lid open.
  • Once the ice is melted, remove any water.
  • Wipe out your freezer and any shelves or baskets with warm soapy water. I prefer to use baking soda and warm water.
  • Don’t forget to wipe down the outside of your freezer too.

Food Storage Guidelines

How Long You Can Freeze Everything, In One Chart

How Long You Can Store (Almost) Anything in the Fridge, Freezer and Pantry

Step 3 – Refill the Freezer

Once your freezer is clean, plug it in and turn it on. Check your owner’s manual regarding the length of time required before putting food back into the freezer. 

Some suggestions:

  • Group like items together–meat, vegetables, butter, ice cream, etc.
  • Place containers in your freezer to hold small items.
  • Keep frequently used items close to the front or top to allow easy access.
  • Label items so everyone can find them easily.
  • Put a date on items and/or containers.

Clean out your freezer on a regular basis–just before green bin or garbage day.

Remember – Many food items have best before dates. It’s helpful to follow the First In, First Out principle. Use the oldest items first. When unpacking groceries, place new items behind/under the older items. This seems like it should be common sense, but I’m surprised how many clients don’t do this.

Now that you’ve cleaned out your freezer, keep going and clean out your kitchen cupboards too. Check out our archived Organizing Your Kitchen blog post.  

Get started and turn over another leaf!

Until next month,

Cathy Mendler



Mmmmmmm…. chicken!

Posted on: December 7th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

If you’re craving comfort food on a cold winter’s day, here’s a recipe to try.

CHEESY CHICKEN STUFFED SHELLS – Courtesy of CentsLessMEALS 

Ingredients

  • 1 lb jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese divided
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 12 oz evaporated milk
  • 10.5 oz condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 4 oz herb & garlic cream cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Boil and drain pasta shells until al dente. Rinse in cold water and set aside.
  3. In a medium sized dish combine the shredded chicken, ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, garlic powder, parsley, and salt & pepper to taste.
  4. Pour cream of chicken soup into a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stir in evaporated milk and whisk until mixed.
  5. Add cream cheese to soup mixture stirring over medium heat until melted. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
  6. Fill pasta shells with chicken mixture and place in a 9×13 pan. Top with sauce and remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until hot & bubbly (about 25 minutes).

Looking for new cookie ideas this year? Check out 50+ of the BEST Christmas Cookie Recipes.

 

It’s never too late to make healthier choices!
 

 



POC Conference 2017 and more!

Posted on: December 4th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

What’s Happening?  Click Here

In early November, I was in Toronto to attend the annual Professional Organizers in Canada conference. It was filled with learning, networking, catching up with organizing colleagues I hadn’t seen in a year or two, meeting new professional organizers and enjoying great food!

POC Conference 2017



Countdown to Christmas!

Posted on: November 29th, 2017 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Get Checking...

“He’s making a list, He’s checking it twice …” Even Santa is a list maker!

The countdown to the holidays has begun. Don’t stress! A small amount of planning now can provide you with more time for those extra chores on your list in the coming weeks.

 

Check out these archived blog posts if you need some help getting started.

Planning for the Holidays – Part 1 and Part 2