You are here: Home / Featured

Tips from a pro!

October 28, 2011 By Tori Leave a Comment

Today we are re-featuring Perplexus, one of the most popular holiday gifts (and in our opinion, one of the most fun!). Michael McGinnis first came up with the concept for this 3D puzzle maze in the 1970′s during art class and has since released 3 versions that we are sharing with you today.

We love that these mazes appeal to all ages, requires no batteries, and can be taken anywhere. We’re sharing an extra a video Michael put together with an introduction to Perplexus Epic. In this video he describes various moves, part names and techniques for successful navigation.

What do you think? Do you know someone who would like to give the Perplexus a  go?

Filed Under: Featured, Inventor Spotlight

Alma’s Tres Leches Recipe

October 20, 2011 By Tori 3 Comments

Because her zucchini bread recipe looked so delicious, we asked Grommet friend Alma Soto, if she had any other famous recipes she would be willing to share with us — and she did! Here’s Alma’s Tres Leches recipe (one of my favorite desserts, so I’m definitely going to have to try this one for myself).

by Alma Soto

I have always loved cold/moist desserts and tres leches in particular has been one of those desserts I find sinfully delicious. Growing up in the Mexican culture with parents from there, and having had many a Mexican pastry, something I always noticed, was the bread typically used for a tres leches is quite a thick and heavy pound cake which tends to be on the dry side. It can absorb all the milks put into it, but can be too heavy. I’d searched for recipes for some time and just gave up. What was an accident of frustration and surrender turned out to be a recipe friends, family and strangers to this day beg me to make because they can’t get enough of it! It goes fast too!

Tres Leche Recipe

Mama Soto’s Tres Leches
Ingredients
•1 box of store bought basic yellow cake mix (nothing special, the cheapest brand will do)
•1 can of condensed milk (14oz)
•1 can evaporated milk (12oz)
•Heavy whipping cream (32oz carton)

Topping
•Whipped cream (taken from 32oz carton)
•Strawberries, mandarin oranges, kiwi, and pineapple slices
•Crushed pecans
Bake cake mix as per box instructions. Mix can of condensed milk, evaporated milk and 1cup of heavy whipping cream and put aside. When cake is done, while still hot, make round holes throughout cake top using a wooden spoon handle, and pour milk mixture throughout holes.* Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight. Make fresh whipped topping with remainder of whipping cream- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, and 1-2 drops of vanilla (literally drops, I fill the vanilla cap). Frost the cake with the whipped topping and decorate with strawberries, mandarin oranges, kiwi and pineapple slices. Sprinkle crushed pecans. Keep refrigerated.

NOTE* Keep in mind that you do not have to use ALL the milk mixture. You can choose to use less or more if it proves to be too wet or dry for you. For a less sweeter taste you can also cut the condensed milk back in 2oz increments.

Have you ever made tres leche? What is your all-time favorite dessert?

Filed Under: Featured, Guest Post

Alma’s Zucchini Bread Recipe

October 13, 2011 By Tori Leave a Comment

Last week while tweeting with our pal Alma Soto, we learned that she loves to bake. Next thing we know,  we had struck up a conversation about the types of things she bakes often and it turns out she’s got this famous zucchini bread recipe that folks beg her to make. Naturally, we asked her to share the recipe with us and she agreed! Alma whipped up a fresh loaf for us to snap this photo (now if only she delivered)!

More from Alma:

This recipe was handed down to me by one of my mom’s friends, who made this bread regularly but never had a recipe for it. We begged her to write it down and to this day I still have my copy, oil, cinnamon stains and all!

When I first told my kids I was going to make this they thought, zucchini? A vegetable in a bread? Ew! They were convinced they would hate it. Little did they realize how absolutely awesome it is.

Suffice to say this deliciously moist and tasty, spice infused bread has become a staple during the fall and winter months and holidays in my house! Perfect for a morning coffee, a splurge snack, the talk of the office coffee room, or your next group social potluck. Enjoy!

Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:

•3 eggs

•1 cup oil

•2 cups sugar

•2 tsp vanilla

•2 cups grated zucchini

•1 small can crushed pineapple (well drained)

•3 cups flour

•2 tsp baking soda

•1 tsp salt

•1/4 tsp baking powder

•1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

•3/4 tsp nutmeg

Optional

•1 cup crushed pecans

•1 cup raisins

Topping

•Glaze drizzle

•Pecan topping

•Powdered sugar

Add all ingredients into mixing bowl and mix well. Add crushed pecans and or raisins. Bake at 350º for about 1 hour (time may vary depending on baking pan used).

Create a glaze of confectioners sugar, water, and a 1-2 drops of lemon juice. Drizzle over bread, sprinkle pecans on top (run through food processor) and powdered sugar.

Thank you Alma for sharing your zucchini bread recipe with us!

Do you have a recipe you are known for? We’d love to hear what you’re baking in the kitchen!

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: ,

Apple picking & Jen’s best apple pie recipe

October 4, 2011 By Jen 4 Comments

When the air becomes crisp and the leaves begin to change color, it signals the start of fall and apple picking season. What’s great about living in New England is that there are so many farms that grow apples in close proximity to Boston. It has become our family tradition to head out to Honey Pot Farms in Stowe, MA to pick our own apples. There is nothing better then an apple that has been fresh picked. The cool fall temperatures make the apple snap as you bite in to it. The fresh apples are crunchy and juicy all at the same time.

best apple pie recipe

Because of this bounty of apples, we end up with bushels of apples that are not only great for eating but also great for making apple pie. My secret weapon in pie making is my mom’s pie crust. What I love about this pie crust recipe is it is easy to handle, turns out flaky, and can be frozen for future use. The crust makes for the best apple pie recipe. Don’t be surprised by the secret ingredients in this recipe.

Pie Crust

4 cups unsifted flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

4 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups Cold Shortening (Crisco Sticks work best)

1 egg

1 Tablespoon Vinegar

Water

Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt into bowl. Cut in shortening. Break one egg into 1 cup glass measuring cup add vinegar, fill to ¾ cup with water. Stir lightly to break egg. Add to flour shortening mixture. Divide dough into quarters. Chill 10-15 minutes. Roll out for pies. Can be frozen, be sure to divide into quarters before freezing.

best apple pie recipe - fillingAs for the apples filling, I like to make apple pies with Cortland apples. For the filling you’ll need about 6-8 apples depending on the size or 8 cups. You’ll need to peel, core, and slice the apples and put in a bowl and combine with the following ingredients-3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 2 Tablespoons flour. Then pour the filling in to the rolled out bottom pie crust. Roll out the top crust and place on top of the filling. Pinch the sides of the pie and make decorative cuts in the top pie crust to let the steam out. Then place in a 400 degrees oven for about 40-50 minutes.

 

 

I can smell the pie baking right now!

best apple pie recipe

Do you have a twist on apple pie? Let me know your best apple pie recipe.

Filed Under: Featured

9 Tips from Spa Week to get pampered like a pro

October 3, 2011 By Tori Leave a Comment

We share many of our favorite bath and body products here on Daily Grommet, and although bringing a piece of the spa into your home is wonderful — there really is somehting so relaxing about  a nice trip to the spa. We’ve asked our pal Michelle Joni Lapidos (Social Media Director at Spa Week), to share some tips for first time spa-goers.

by Michelle Joni Lapidos

As the editor of Spa Week Daily, I have fallen madly in love with the all the healthy benefits of the spa lifestyle (here is video evidence). I’ve discovered that Cupping and Gua Sha banish back pain overnight, and that Photo Facials can change your complexion in an instant. I’m thrilled that so many more of you will get to experience the wonders of spa-ing this fall, and many of you for the first time! In that spirit, here are 9 tips to get your “spa on” like a pro:

1. Book in advance and share information ahead of time

Most spas don’t accept walk-ins, especially during Spa Week when they’re at their busiest. Book your appointment beforehand and be sure to let the receptionist know if you are pregnant, have any special needs, allergies or medical conditions. By offering this information ahead of time, the spa will be fully prepared to accommodate you upon your arrival.

2. Request a Male or Female therapist upon booking

If you’re booking a hands-on treatment such as a massage, body wrap, or scrub, be sure to request a therapist based on your comfort level. If you don’t mind either way, then you don’t have to say anything.

3. Arrive (at least!) 15 minutes early

For many, a spa visit is the ticket for a bit of R&R. Arrive at the spa earlier than the time of your appointment so you can unwind and clear your mind before beginning your treatment.

4. Wear casual attire

If you’re coming from the office, bring casual clothes to wear after your treatment. You may walk in feeling stiff and stressed, but you’ll leave feeling refreshed and revitalized, so bring something comfortable to wear post-treatment.

5. Speak Up!

Is the pressure okay? Is the water too hot or cold? Are you comfortable? Remember, your therapist isn’t a mind reader. If there is anything they can do to make your experience more pleasurable, don’t be afraid to let them know.

6. Avoid consumption of alcohol on the day of the treatment

Alcohol consumption and spa treatments are similar in one aspect: the dehydration factor. Avoid any alcoholic beverages if you are planning a trip to the spa.

7. Drink plenty of water

A spa treatment often releases toxins from the body, so be sure to drink plenty of water before and after your treatment to keep yourself properly hydrated. This also comes into play if you plan on using spa facilities such as a steam room, sauna, or whirlpool.

8. Tax and gratuity are not included

Standard gratuity is 15-20% of the orginal spa treatment cost. Even though the spa is giving Spa Week customers a discounted treatment, your therapist is still doing the same amount of work. If you are unsure of the original price of the treatment, don’t be afraid to ask. While you are not required to tip, it is common courtesy and a great way to show your therapist that they did an exceptional job.

9. (My favorite tip)… Embrace the NUDE!

 Don’t be afraid to shed your inhibitions – and your panties – for your deep tissue massage. For our video guide to spa etiquette, press play.

Interested in booking a spa treatment? Learn more about Spa Week Fall 2011, featuring $50 spa treatments at 800 spas nationwide, starting ONE WEEK away, Oct 10-16. (See all participating spas on spaweek.com, and book yours now!)

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With:

The most popular toys, which was your favorite?

September 28, 2011 By Tori 1 Comment

We all remember our favorite childhood toy (mine was an etc-a-sketch) and with the holiday season fast approaching, we’re likely wondering  what the most popular toy out there is. It’s fun to think back to what was popular when we were kids and compare them to what toys are at the top of  our kids’, nieces’, nephews’, and grandkids’ lists.

most popular toys

In the 1900′s the most sought after gift were Crayola Crayons and between 1910-1920 it was all about Raggedy Ann dolls.

The 1930′s brought on the craze of the View Master and in the 1940′s, everyone wanted their own game of Candyland (still my favorite board game!).

most popular toys

The 1950′s brought Mr. Potato Head, who happened to be the first toy ever advertised on TV and one of the most popular toys of all time. In the 60′s, the Troll doll was the big hit (with a second big boom during their 90′s comeback). Speaking of the 90′s, anyone still have their collection of Beanie Babies? I bet a few of you do!

What was your favorite childhood toy?

most popular toys - Perplexus

Check out two of our unique toy discoveries: Perplexus and AFO Flash Flyer. We are asking you to vote for your favorite and enter to win one of these cool toys for yourself (or a cool kid in your life)! Check out all the details on our Facebook page. Can’t wait to hear which toy is your favorite!

source and photos via Forbes.com

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: ,

Give a dog a bone

September 26, 2011 By Tori Leave a Comment

We had so much fun on National Dog Day that we just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to celebrate National Dog Week!

Our Twitter pals @DogTipper (husband & wife team, Paris and John) offered to share one of their go-to (doggie) recipes with us that’s very paw-pular on their site, DogTipper.com. Let us know if you try it out and what your pooch thinks!

Peanut Butter  & Carrot Dog Bones

Dog treats for your four-legged friend are easy and fun to make. Bone-shaped and other dog-related cookie cutters are fun but your dog won’t mind if you simply cut the dough into squares.

homemade dog treats

Ingredients

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 cup multigrain cereal or bran flakes, crushed (do NOT use cereals with raisins)

1/2 cup shredded carrots

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 tablespoon molasses

1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients then add the wet ingredients, adding the water just a spoonful at a time. The amount of water required will vary based on the moisture in the peanut butter.

Work the dough on a lightly floured surface. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle with more flour; if it’s too dry, add just a little water.

Roll out the dough to about a 1/4-inch thickness then cut with a cookie cutter.

Place cookies at least half inch apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes until both sides are lightly browned, then cool treats before refrigerating.

Filed Under: Featured

Grandparents Day, a closer look

September 16, 2011 By Sara Leave a Comment

 We always get excited when our pals from Grandparents.com stop by to share what’s new in the land of … Grandparents! Today, Gary Drevitch, Editor-in-Chief of Grandparents.com is here to share a bit about Grandparents Day (which was last week, did you know that?) and how this young holiday go its start.

by Gary Drevitch

Last week was Grandparents Day, did you do anything special for your loved ones? It’s a holiday that does not get a lot of attention, partly because it’s somewhat young. Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation creating the first National Grandparents Day in 1979, to recognize “the importance and worth of the 17 million grandparents in our nation.” (Today, by the way, there are 70 million.)
 
Carter’s declaration was the culmination of years of grassroots lobbying led not by the nation’s greeting-card companies, as some might suspect, but by an Oak Hill, W.V., housewife named Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade. She had worked with senior citizens for many years and had come to conclude that too few were given the attention they deserved. She imagined the holiday as a day that would bring attention to the needs of people living in nursing homes.
 

Grandparents Day - Founder

Marian McQuade, Founder National Grandparents Day

She began her campaign in 1970, and eventually drew the attention of U.S. Senator Jennings Randolph (D-WV), who introduced a Grandparents Day resolution in Congress in 1973. When neither the House nor the Senate acted on the proposal, McQuade and her growing ranks of supporters turned to the media to bring new attention for their efforts. The pressure paid off – in 1978 Congress passed legislation declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day to be National Grandparents Day. The day was first celebrated on September 9, 1979. McQuade, the mother of 15, the grandmother of 43, and the great-grandmother of 15. passed away in September 2008, at age 91.
 
In his proclamation, Carter wrote that because grandparents “are usually free to love and guide and befriend the young without having to take daily responsibility for them, they can often reach out past pride and fear of failure and close the space between generations.”
 
Today, millions of grandparents do far more than that. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2.7 million grandparents across the country have primary responsibility for raising grandchildren, and 4.9 million children live in a grandparent’s home. Of children younger than 5 with a working mother, 30 percent are cared for on a regular basis by a grandparent while their mom works.

Why do they do it? Grandparents.com readers recently shared with us what they cherish about their role:

“I love being a grandparent because they love you unconditionally.”
 
“The best is when that child sees you and her face lights up and she flies into your arms! It never gets old.”
 
“Nothing in the world could ever match being a grandma.”
 
“Every moment with her is special … She really is a gift, a gift from God.”
 
“My world is a better place with my grandchildren. They give my life a purpose.”
 
“The best part is hearing them say, ‘I want to stay with Gramma!’”
 
“When I see the smiles on their faces and the light in their eyes, I know we’re making memories.”
 
“I know I’ll always live in their hearts the way my grandmother still lives in mine.”
 
“I get to do all the things with my grandson I never got to do as a kid.”
 
Or, as Carter put it more than 30 years ago, “Grandparents are our continuing tie to the near-past, to the events and beliefs and experiences that so strongly affect our lives and the world around us.”

Visit Grandparents.com for cards to send Grandparents, coloring pages, great quotes about grandparents, and grandparenting ideas and tips.

And we’d love to know, what do you love best about being a Grandparent or what are your best memories with your own  Grandparents?

Filed Under: Featured, Guest Post

Operation Shower

September 14, 2011 By Tori Leave a Comment

Every day here at Daily Grommet, we are making new connections and learning the stories of so many people doing impressive things. Our online community is expanding daily, and we enjoy getting to know each new friend. Whenever we get the chance to meet up (in person) with  our virtual community, we jump at the chance.  I recently had a opportunity to meet up with several of our friends from Twitter, Facebook and the blogosphere at an event in San Diego. There, I hit it off with Amy Belle Isle, the Chief Event Planner for Operation Shower. After learning about the amazing work they is doing, I knew I had to report back and help spread the word!

Q&A with Amy Belle Isle

Tell us a bit about Operation Shower, what is it and how did it begin?

Operation Shower started in March 2007 as a simple project, when founder LeAnn Morrissey, was looking for a way to give back to her uncle who was deployed overseas. LeAnn asked her uncle what she could do and he replied that many people send items to the soldiers but what she could do was send a card to four women who were expecting babies while their spouses were deployed. That sparked an idea, so LeAnn got family and friends together to send a “shower in a box” to each mom. After the reception those first boxes got, she knew she was onto something that really made a difference to these women and to their husbands. She teamed up with a friend and held the very first unit-wide shower at Ft. Bragg, NC in June 2007. Since then, Operation Shower has showered more than 450 women on military bases and other locations for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and National Guard.

How do you organize (and execute!) these wonderful baby showers?

Little sleep!

From a party standpoint, I am fortunate that I have made so many wonderful friends in the event planning, party printables and online party blog world. That helps! Time and time again, these wonderful women volunteer to help design printables, send gorgeous product for our dessert tables, set up if it’s in their neighborhood etc. Once we decide on a theme and I have a general concept in mind, I work with the graphic/printables designer to get a feel for the paperie. Then it’s off to come up with centerpieces, feature areas, locate local vendors…the works!

From a product standpoint, we are working on securing companies to donate to all showers for a year or for multiple showers. We are gaining more success with that, but still often must secure most product for each and every shower we host. See below for ways to help!

What has been the most surprising and/or rewarding part of working for Operation Shower?

Surprising? Maybe that it never, ever gets old being at a shower with the moms. Each one is as special as the other because, for those moms, that is their only Operation Shower experience. That or how much has happened in just this past year alone. While still an extremely small organization we have managed to accomplish some really big things.

One of the special parts about Operation Shower is that we give every event as much love and attention as if you were hosting a shower for your best friend. A recent mom-to-be said our shower was “the one thing during this whole deployment she has been looking forward to.” That is big to us. It is our duty to make sure she, and every other mom that walks into our showers, has the experience of a lifetime.

To that, the single most rewarding part is being in that room with the moms when they open their Showers In A Box and win the amazing raffle prizes. Seeing the smiles and, often, the tears are the biggest joy you can imagine. At our last shower, one mom I spoke to said, “I don’t know how I can ever repay you.” After we hugged and both cried a little I told her that she has already paid tenfold with her family’s service every single day. There is no greater reward than knowing that you made a difference to someone.

How can others get involved?

There are many ways to help! As a non-profit, our biggest need is financial support. We have on-line donation through Paypal and Google Checkout on our website (www.operationshower.org) and also gladly accept checks to the address on our site.

We’ve got an Amazon Wish List where anyone can purchase items and have them sent directly to us to be included in our Showers In A Box. This has been a great new way for people to help without having to head to the post office! Lately, we’ve had some wonderful groups of people around the country get together and host events in their home for Operation Shower. The Wish List is a good way to see what we are most in need of at this time. People can point their guests to our Amazon Wish List or possibly pick a theme from our Shower Kits list. Simply host a party and have every guest brings donations. It’s a great thing to incorporate into all of holiday parties that people might be hosting soon!

Operation Shower event with special guests: First Lady, Michelle Obama and Second Lady, Dr. Jill and Martha Stewart

What’s next for Operation Shower?

Lots of fun things! First of all the continuation of our “Fall Tour” of 4 states. We’ve just completed a shower in Groton, CT and are about to head to Norfolk, VA and Atlanta, GA this month and then off to Ft Campbell, KY in November. It’s a busy Fall full of lots of happy moms!

We are also currently working on planning where we will be able to go in 2012. Our goal for 2012 is eight unit-wide showers. Where we are able to go is dependent upon securing sponsors, so we’re working hard on that to plan our calendar! Sponsors welcome.

As mentioned, we are also starting to work on a program to better utilize those around the country that want to volunteer. So much of what we do cannot be “farmed out” at this point but we know there is a way we can involve others in our mission. We look forward to coming up with the plan that works for everyone and helps us grow and reach more moms!

Oh, and 2012 is the year of “Ellen.” A small non-profit can dream, right? We had a goal of having the First Lady attend one of our showers to honor our moms. Well, earlier this year the White House reached out to us and asked us to help kick off the Joining Forces campaign at Camp Lejeune, NC. First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden and Martha Stewart were all there! Following that, we were listed in a Parade Magazine article as one of three of Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden’s “favorite groups that are helping America’s military families.” So, next stop on our “dream list” is is to be a part of Ellen’s Mother’s Day special where she honors military moms. That, or we’ll take any other episode, too! We’d love to come up with an effective social media campaign to get on Ellen!

Thank you Amy for taking the time to share Operation Shower with us. Keep up the amazing work, we know you will continue to grow. Ellen, here they come!

Filed Under: Featured, Guest Post Tagged With: , ,

Fashion Week Fun

September 8, 2011 By Tori Leave a Comment

New York Fashion Week kicks off today and everyone from editors to celebs and even fashion bloggers will be soaking in what’s new and hot this fall. Whether you’re a fashonista, fashion-junkie, or just want a little stylish distraction, you can follow along and view most of the fashion shows right from your computer.

And since fashion week starts today, we thought we’d kick it off with a fun giveaway! Head  on over to our Facebook page and enter our Fashion Week Giveaway — there are four great fashion finds up for grabs!

What’s your favorite accessory? Do tell!

Filed Under: Contests & Giveaways, Featured
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »