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You might be storing your ice cream all wrong

You might be storing you ice cream all wrong

It’s extra hot outside, but that doesn’t have to bother you — mostly because it’s the perfect excuse to enjoy an extra scoop of ice cream. (Is there really anything better than ice cream on a hot summer day?) But before you go and load your freezer full of pints of your favorite flavors, you may want to consider how you’re handling that frozen treat. Ice cream is a perishable product, and it needs to be treated with care. Whether ice cream lasts in your house a few days or a few months (who are these people?), you should pay attention to how you’re storing and handling it. Of course the easiest way to deal with ice cream is buying it and eating it in one sitting. (You may take this as your permission to do so — after all, food waste is a huge concern nowadays.) But, if you’re…

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Seasonal

How to pick the perfect cantaloupe

How to pick the perfect cantaloupe

Is there anything more disappointing in the world of food than getting home from the supermarket with a bunch of fresh produce only slice it open and find you’ve literally picked a bad apple… or pineapple.. or cantaloupe. Cantaloupe can be particularly tricky because they pretty much all look the same from the outside. So how do you tell what’s happening underneath that rough, tannish-grey skin? With a few tips you can actually get a pretty good idea. Here’s what you need to know: Buy only in season You just aren’t going to get the juicy, sweet cantaloupe you crave if you’re shopping in January. In the off season, cantaloupe are shipped from South America, meaning that by the time they make it to your mouth, they’ve been off the vine for quite some time. In the U.S., cantaloupe are at their peak from June until August. So if you’re…

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Piña Colada Cupcakes

Piña Colada Cupcakes_4

Enjoy the taste of the classic cocktail now as a cupcake! These are kid-friendly, and the perfect way to incorporate fresh summer pineapples in your desserts. You can use canned pineapple, but if you have the time to crush a few slices of fresh pineapple, go for it. You’ll get so much more flavor. Top with maraschino cherries, extra coconut flakes, and a bright and cheery drink umbrella, and your crew will fall in love with this cute little taste of the tropics. Piña Colada Cupcakes Ingredients 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 cup pineapple juice (from the crushed pineapple) 3 egg whites 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes 2/3 cup crushed pineapple 1 tsp coconut extract   Frosting: 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp coconut extract 3-4 cups powdered sugar   Toppings: another…

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Seasonal

10 Hydrating foods your summer diet needs now

10 Hydrating foods to add to your diet this summer

Not drinking enough water is an all-too-common summertime woe. Combine beach boozing, outdoor activities, and a whole lot of sun, and you’re creating a recipe for splitting headaches and serious dehydration. When above average temperatures join the mix, not drinking enough water can be downright dangerous, leading to muscle cramps, low blood pressure, and even organ failure. But dehydration doesn’t have to spoil your summer fun. While water is always your best bet, there are many fresh summer foods that can give your body the extra boost of H2O it needs to make it through the day. Here are some of our favorites: Watermelon Biting into a big slice of juicy watermelon is so enjoyable, you’ll forget it’s good for you, too. Watermelon is 93% water, so it’s an ideal snack on a hot summer day or trip to the beach. Eat it alone, or blend it into a juice…

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

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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Caprese Summer Rolls are the newest must-have recipe for warm weather days

Caprese Summer Rolls are the newest must-have recipe for warm weather days

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Caprese Salad. The combination of ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and soft mozzarella is a recipe that doesn’t need much improvement. But when you just can’t get enough of the Italian trio, it is fun to experiment with other ways to enjoy these classic ingredients. Welcome your first summer produce haul with these light and refreshing hand-held bits of sunshine. Roasting the tomatoes amps up their flavor and can make these spring rolls feel like more of a meal. Also, if you have trouble finding super thin rice noodles, you can always substitute with Romaine lettuce. The lettuce will nicely fill out the roll, soak up the dressing, and give your rolls a nice crunchy bite. If you’re new to working with rice paper, here are a few tips: Fill a pie pan with room temperature water. Soak wrappers briefly, one at a time. Moisten your…

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The top 10 best ballparks for vegans, according to PETA

The top 10 best ballparks for vegans, according to PETA

Eating a veggie diet at the ballpark this summer doesn’t have to be all peanuts and Crackerjacks (though those are vegan, too!). Stadiums around the country are hitting it out of the park when it comes to vegan-friendly food options. If you’re wondering where you can buy the best vegan bratwurst, animal rights organization PETA has released its annual list of the top 10 vegan-friendly Major League Baseball parks. Also check out which condiments are PETA-approved for vegans. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxqeBO4FE1w/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 1. Globe Life Park in Arlington (Texas Rangers) It may come as a surprise that barbecue-loving Texas hosts the most vegan-friendly ballpark, but Ranger’s stadium has earned the praise by offering Texas classics with a vegan twist. Street tacos with Beyond Meat beef crumbles, Frito pies, and Black bean tamales are just a few foods vegan fans in Texas can enjoy. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn3xPEXnpRa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 2. Citi Field (New York Mets) Citi Field takes…

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Seasonal

A USDA food safety reminder for summer outings

A USDA food safety reminder for summer outings

Don’t let pathogens crash your summer picnic. With summer officially underway, people are gearing up their picnic baskets and grills for a long summer of outdoor dining. But remember that excess heat and humidity combined with outdoor activities make for the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply and spoil your food and your fun. If your idea of summer is indulgent whipped cream fruit salads, deviled eggs, and grilled chicken and burgers, you should take a few steps to make sure your meal won’t make you sick. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a few tips that will help keep summer fun and food handling safe: Lather up. If running water might not be present, bring soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer or moist towelettes. It’s good to wash hands before eating, but it’s extra important if you’re handling raw meat or poultry. Bring plenty of plates and utensils. Don’t place cooked…

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Restaurants open on Memorial Day 2019

Restaurants open on Memorial Day 2019

Believe it or not, Memorial Day is almost here. It felt like winter would never leave, but here we are at the end of May, getting ready for the unofficial kick-off to summer. It’s important to remember that Memorial Day isn’t just about soaking up the sunshine and gorging on grilled meats — it’s so much more than that. It’s a day to honor those who selflessly gave their lives servings our country. Of course, the annual Monday federal holiday does give just about everyone a long three-day weekend, but while many will choose to cookout at home and finish their meal with patriotic desserts, many others want to enjoy a stress-free. Thankfully, a handful of restaurants will be open to cater to those not wanting to cook — but also those whose backyard barbecue didn’t go according to plan. Here are some eating establishments ready for your business on…

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Crave-Worthy Recipes

Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats Flags are perfect for summer holidays

Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats are perfect for summer holidays

Serve these Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats Flags this summer and you’ll be waving goodbye to them in no time! You’re never too old for Rice Krispie Treats — especially when they’re this fun! Try these red, white, and blue beauties at your patriotic summer party. These Flags aren’t difficult to make, but they do require three separate batches of Krispies — one for each color. You’ll also need to wait for them to harden a bit before cutting. But the results are worth it. Aren’t they too irresistible not to make this summer? I found the little edible star decorations at my everyday grocery store, so you might have some luck at yours, too. White or silver would have been nice. I only found gold, but figured that I think that works, too! Star-spangled Rice Krispie Treats Ingredients 1 large box Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cereal 3 10-ounce bags of mini marshmallows…

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