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News Bites September 4, 2019

10 Things you should never microwave

The microwave is a magical place. Frozen dinners, hot water, and leftovers all become ready in mere minutes. Every year they save us countless hours of cooking and put that time back into our busy lives. Microwaves were probably even the first way you learned to feed yourself warm food as a kid. But just because microwave ovens are ubiquitous in homes, doesn’t mean they can’t be dangerous. From leaching heavy metals into foods to starting fires, there are a number of things that just can’t be microwaved. Here are a few you should look out for: MEAT If you forgot to defrost your chicken thighs in the fridge the night before, it can be tempting to toss them in the microwave for a while to speed up the process. But this simple step could actually be exposing you to harmful bacteria. Microwaves aren’t great at distributing heat, so thinner edges on your cut of…

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News Bites July 16, 2019

Why you should photograph your stove dials before a trip

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After weeks of planning, days of packing and hours of travel, you’re finally relaxing on vacation — swearing you’re not going to worry about life back home. But inevitably, one thought creeps into your mind: “Did I leave the stove on?” Maybe it’s the hair straightener, or leaving the garage door open, or even locking the front door. Whatever plagues your peacefulness, Lifehacker shares this genius tip: Use your smartphone to snap a shot of your stove dials (or whatever it is you worry about most) before you head out the door. Make it a part of your usual pre-travel routine. That’s it. It’s so simple, but such a small step can save you from feeling stressed ever again when you’re away from home. If you’re lounging on the beach and anxiety about the little things back home start to pop up, whip out your smart phone and put your mind at…

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News Bites June 1, 2019

Thunderstorm? Here’s why you should skip washing those dishes

Every grade school kid knows to seek shelter during a thunderstorm, but did you know that washing dishes or taking a shower can be dangerous during a storm? It turns out that lightning can still shock you through the pipes in your house. According to John Jensenius, a lightening safety specialist for the National Weather Service, during a storm, you need to stay away from anything that conducts electricity. That includes both wires and plumbing. “Certainly showers would be dangerous. It would be dangerous to be washing your hands or washing dishes,” Jensenius said. “Just avoid those any time you hear thunder.” Anything that plugs into a wall is also dangerous. That means avoid using dishwashers and washing machines, too. If you have plastic pipes in your home, you’re still at risk. Impurities in tap water can also conduct electricity. “Water can conduct electricity as well,” Jensenius said. “We see that on the outside…

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News Bites August 2, 2018

Is a dishwasher or washing dishes by hand a better option?

“If you want something done right you have to do it yourself.” This may be the case for lots of things, but when it comes to your dishes, you need to back off a bit. It’s 2018, and while most of us have dishwashers, there’s something that makes us think washing dishes by hand gets them cleaner. We might even do double time and wash dishes by hand and then put them in the dishwasher for a cycle. But according the Consumer Reports, we should just “let the dishwasher do its job.” Many people will argue that hand washing is better from an environmental perspective, but the truth is that the machines have grown so energy-efficient — especially the Energy Star-certified models — and require less and less water because of improved appliance standards. “While it may be possible to use less water/energy by washing dishes by hand, it is extremely…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes July 28, 2018

Zucchini Panini with corn and goat cheese

Ever since I got my panini maker I’ve been experimenting with all kinds of sandwich combinations. I’m convinced that pretty much everything tastes better inside a sandwich. But summer gives you an extra advantage — delicious, fresh produce. Not only is this zucchini panini fun to say out loud, but it’s loaded with fresh veggies and it’s so good for you. Stuff it full of whatever you have left from last week’s farmers market haul, and it will be that much more delicious. Add sliced tomatoes for the ultimate summer sandwich. Zucchini Panini with corn and goat cheese Ingredients 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1/2 tbsp minced garlic 1 small zucchini, halved and sliced lengthwise 1 ear corn, kernels removed salt pepper 6-8 slices of bakery bread (depending how much filling you like in your sandwiches) 2 tbsp garlic butter (or just butter is fine), softened 1/2 cup goat cheese…

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News Bites December 25, 2017

Can you still eat freezer burned foods?

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The freezer can be a lifesaver when it comes to food prep. Whether it’s that container of frozen mashed potatoes, a homemade pie or that slow cooker starter, frozen foods can be a lifesaver, but there’s always the risk of dreaded freezer burn. So what exactly is this icy crust composed of, and is the food still safe to eat? Freezer burn occurs when foods dry out in cold temperatures. Those icy crystals are a result of moisture escaping your pint of ice cream or bag of chicken breasts and turning to ice on the outside of the food. This means either the food wasn’t stored properly, or it has been frozen for too long — everything dries out eventually. But fear not, a little freezer burn never hurt anyone. It’s entirely safe to eat foods that have a little burn, though they might not be as tasty. Texture of freezer burnt foods…

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News Bites April 10, 2017

Garbage disposals: Don’t dump these items down the drain

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If you’re lucky enough to have a garbage disposal, then you know how convenient it is. While some households diligently scrape goo from pots and pans into the trashcan (not a pretty sight), you toss untold things into your sink without much thought. Besides being a time saver, garbage disposals are much more environmentally responsible. Regular operation of a disposal unit only costs only a few dollars per year to operate and uses very little water. In return, you get to reduce the amount of food waste that ends up producing methane gas, while decomposing in your local landfill. Instead, a garbage disposal moves your food scraps through the sewer system to be treated at the water plant where they will likely be recycled and reclaimed as clean water and fertilizer. Much of the food waste that goes down the drain is made up largely of water anyway, so you’re, in a way, returning it to its essence. We…

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News Bites April 3, 2017

The latest kitchen trend is dark and daring

The freshest thing in kitchens right now is daring, bold and black. While the classic color isn’t exactly new to home design, it’s recent rise in popularity is in contrast to the all-white look of the past few years. The bold hue is has been splashed across small kitchen accessories, walls, ceilings and sinks. The color is timeless and adds a certain elegance and goes with just about anything. See it on pots, pans, cabinets, backsplashes and countertops this year. A few black touches are easily welcomed into any style of decor from farmhouse to traditional or modern. The inky color is easy to incorporate into incorporate into your own home. A semi-gloss sheen will work best in most homes, with gloss working with both modern and retro vibes. Grab a few ghoulish accessories or go for a whole room remodel: 1. KitchenAid’s Artisan Black Tie 5-Quart Stand Mixer ($999.99) 2. Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 1…

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