Mandy off the Radio

Back on the Blog Horse

2011-10-03T17:34:00.000-07:00

It has been so long!
I am so glad to get back to blogging....I've missed it. I am not going to lie, I've noticed a lot of my friends/co-workers getting back into blogging and it made me want to start up again. So I totally followed the crowd on this one - not ashamed to admit it :)
I am not claiming that I will have a lot of wise words to share everyday...but it will feel good to get some of the crazy stuff in my brain out onto the world wide interweb.
I made lasagna tonight. I haven't made lasagna in forever...probably because I used to make it ALL the time and my family got super sick of it. It was to the point where if I mentioned lasagna, my boys would start whining. So we took a lasagna break....a year break. I made one tonight and it was raves all around. Taking a break from something can make you appreciate it.
Maybe if I take a break from exercise I will appreciate it more...doubt it. Maybe it doesn't work for everything :) just lasagna and blogging :)

5 Helpful Tax Hints!

2010-03-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

Planning to do taxes soon?!
Taxes are due in less than a month and if you are doing them yourself....you may want to check this out!
There are a bunch of helpful hints for things that you may be missing...and it may be costing you money.
There are things here that I have overlooked - so don't make the same mistake. Enjoy the info!! :)

http://www.shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/five-commonly-missed-tax-write-offs-1172601/;_ylt=Am.qD1mMlqtpk6SA0daLW5NdbqU5

5 days to a more organized kitchen!!

2010-03-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

We have been talking about this all this week on the show :)

It's Spring Cleaning Time - and if your kitchen is like mine...it needs some TLC in the organizational department.

I found this and thought it was an easy breakdown of tasks so you could do a little bit each day.

I am posting all of the tips in case you want to work ahead...or tackle it all in one big bite this weekend!

5 Days to a More Organized Kitchen

Day 1 Move the monsters. Reassign large or rarely used appliances (turkey roasters, bread makers) to the garage or basement. “Make items earn their real estate in the kitchen,” says Deniece Schofield, author of Kitchen Organization Tips and Secrets.

Day 2 Face the madness. Pull out all kitchen items and group them (dishes, silverware, pans, cookbooks). Toss damaged items; set aside extras to donate. Once storage areas are empty, measure them and make a list of containers to buy.

Day 3 Find storage. But before you do, “break away from what you think a kitchen should look like,” says Joe Provey, author of 1,001 Ideas for Kitchen Organization. “It will enable you to do more with the space.” It worked for Julia Child:Her kitchen, now at the Smithsonian, was a testament to how to rethink that room. Could you put a lazy Susan atop the fridge? Hang hooks inside a pantry door? When you restock everything, include this new storage.

Day 4 Create stations. “Keep things where you use them,” Schofield says. Have a jones for java? Arrange coffee, mugs, spoons, sugar and the coffeemaker together on a counter tray. Love to bake? Store items you’ll need in a movable butcher block.

Day 5 Add polish. “Ah, the joy of clean surfaces,” says Norris. Make your newly organized space look even nicer: Put fresh flowers or a big bowl of colorful fruit in a nook.

Sleep Dash...wait Sheep Dash!

2010-03-07T19:36:00.001-08:00

Did you get enough sleep last night??

I could probably use 2 hours extra every night...but that is a different story :)

Before you grab your coffee...try this fun quiz to see if you got enough sleep last night. It tests your reflexes and your hand eye coordination - things that should be pretty good if you got enough sleep!

I am not gonna lie...I tried this at 9pm...and I failed miserably the first six times :) I am not one that likes to quit though so I kept trying and eventually did pretty decent...though I do not think that was how it was suppose to work :)

It comes from the bbc....it is fun and a great Monday challenge!

Sheep Dash

Later kittens!

Super Yummy Superbowl Recipes!

2010-02-05T04:09:00.000-08:00

Looking for something to make or take to your Superbowl party this Sunday?

Have some ideas for you - something sweet and something savory!

Choose your favorite or make both :)

Mandy's Homemade Brownies (the recipe she found online) :)

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

Mandy Tip: Sometimes I add dark cocoa powder or even chocolate chips for richer brownies...you can frost them - but you won't need to...they are SOOOO good - you will never make box brownies again!!

That was the SWEET!!! Now here is the recipe for the SAVORY fans!!

Seans Super Duper Superbowl Dip

1 brick of cream cheese 1 16 oz. container of sour cream
1 package of mexi/taco blend shredded cheese
1 small jar of taco sauce (taco sauce, not salsa)
1 packet of taco seasoning

Blend the cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning. Spread the concoction inside an 8x8 square pan. Pour jar of taco sauce over creamy mixture then top with cheese. Cover and refrigerate until it’s party time! Serve with tortilla chips.

Reduced fat cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese works just as well.

People will freak out over this. Guaranteed. When you tell them how easy it was, they will hate you. Also guaranteed.

French Puffs of Goodness!

2010-01-05T05:11:00.000-08:00

I think that these are the best treat I have ever had.

I received some of these for Christmas and my family didn't even know the name we just called them sugary dough balls of yumminess. When I finally asked my friend their "official name", I found out their called "french puffs"....oh my goodness you are going to LOVE these!

They are perfect for breakfast...ok anytime they are delicious ENJOY!!

Recipe for French Puffs....I double this by the way :)

French Puffs Recipe!

Stuck in Newark!

2010-01-05T04:46:00.000-08:00

Cool stuff!
Music Artist Josh Wilson (his big song is "Savior Please") was stuck in Newark with lots of other people over the New Years Weekend. Josh made the best of the situation and got everybody to sing along with him...it made for a cool video!
Enjoy

Back to Blogging!

2010-01-05T04:44:00.000-08:00

So after the move...and the holidays...I am finally back!! :) Sorry for the lack of blogging. Life has been crazy crazy but I feel like things are starting to calm down a bit - so lots of fun blogging tidbits coming your way soon!
Glad to be back!!

Homemade Microwave Popcorn

2009-11-17T07:38:00.000-08:00

I think we talked about this not too long ago and I wanted to post the recipe...not that it is really hard...but still - i think the idea is brilliant - and from experience it really works!

We tried this thinking - it will probably crash and burn - but it tastes just like you made it on the stove and you don't have that artificial buttery thing going on...I don't like that fake taste - give me the real thing baby!! :)

So here you go - go for it - and if you try it...let me know if you like it!!

Homemade Microwave Popcorn Recipe!

Oreo Thanksgiving Turkey

2009-11-16T06:47:00.000-08:00

I love this!!

I found this at one of my favorite blogs to read "make and takes".

I was looking for a "Thanksgiving Craft Tradition" to start with the boys...and you know I ain't crafty ;)

So I found this and thought...I can do that!! Now obviously this is a treat...you won't find any vegetables in this recipe, but it looks really cute and I think it would look fabulous at your Thanksgiving Table!

We are making these next week - although we are not having anyone over for Thanksgiving, it is just the 4 of us - so we will be eating these ourselves...not that I mind!

Happy Crafting!!

Oreo Turkey Craft!

Which Sesame Street Character are you!?!?

2009-11-11T12:07:00.000-08:00

Maybe something you have never thought of but it is a fun and harmless quiz to take to find out which character you resemble. I am Elmo - though I really thought I was going to be Big Bird...oh well...Elmo is ok I guess :)
Hope you are having a wonderful day - This blog post was brought to you by the letter C and L and by the number 5!

Sesame Street Interactive Quiz...which character are you!?

Video Mom Tip!

2009-11-11T12:02:00.000-08:00

As promised - here is the Mom Tip about peeling a potato without a potato peeler!
It is much easier to see it then to have it explained on the radio so that is why I put it up here for you - Enjoy...and let me know if it works for you!

Best Cupcake EVER!

2009-11-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

Bob - a listener friend - sent me this recipe when I mentioned that I was trying to come up with the perfect cupcake that people went nuts over...Bob said he was on a mission to do the same thing and finally found it!! He sent me the recipe and I get to share it with you now!! I know a lot of people were looking for this so enjoy...I've included the frosting recipe too...yum!!

Bob's Perfect Chocolate Cupcake Recipe -

2 cups sugar
1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
¾ cup Cocoa
1 ½ tsps baking soda
1 ½ tsps baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup whole milk (can substitute 2%)
½ cup peanut oil (can substitute vegetable oil)
2 tsps vanilla
1 cup boiling water
Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare boiling water. Have a good rolling boil. Prepare baking pans by spraying PAM spray and flouring them. Can use single 9-inch x 13-inch x 2-inch pan, three square pans 8-inch x 8-inch or three 9-inch round pans. Can also make 18-24 cupcakes, but use the foil cupcake wrappers.
In large mixer bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla into bowl, then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in the boiling water, this will cause the batter to bubble and thin, that is just fine.
Pour batter into prepared pans or use 1 cup measure to pour into cupcake wrappers. Fill wrappers 1/3 to 1/2 full.
Bake 25-30 minutes for square or round pans, 30-35 minutes for rectangular pan, or 20-25 minutes for cupcakes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks and complete cooling. Frost if desired.

Bob's Famous Frosting

Single Recipe (Original)
3/8 cup softened butter
1/8 cup Crisco
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp vanilla
6 Tbsp milk (add more if needed)
Combine ingredients and frost cake, cupcakes, cookies, etc.
1 ½ recipes covers Dark & Rich Chocolate Cake
½ recipe covers 1 recipe sugar cookies.
1 ½ Recipe (Modified 2009)
This recipe is modified from the original to remove the Crisco, and still provide a stiff frosting for the cake layers. The coconut oil and the whole milk are thicker than 2% milk and only using butter.
6 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
3 Tbsp Coconut Oil
2 tsp vanilla
3/8 – 1/2 cup whole milk (start with 3/8 and add more if needed)
Let the cake cool, and micro the frosting for 5-8 seconds to soften it just before you apply.

10 Tips to Save on Christmas Shopping!

2009-11-03T07:50:00.000-08:00

I think that maybe all of us could use one of these tips this season...Our family already has a plan in motion that I think will benefit us greatly in our desire to "cut back" this year...we say it every year but this year it has to happen!!

I was proud to read through this list and find that I do a lot on the list already! You may too...but I think the whole list is good advice!

Happy Shopping

10 Tips to Save on Shopping this Christmas!

What "Soda" does to your body!

2009-11-03T07:42:00.001-08:00

So I put this up on my blog today with great disappointment...see I LOVE Diet Pepsi...I have drank WAY too much of it over the years....When I entered my 30's I began to notice a lot of wacky health issues and when I would stop drinking Diet Pepsi...they would go away. So - last week I gave it up for good. Now I know that Diet is worse for you than regular soda so if I feel the need to indulge I may have a Coke every now and again but according to this article, both regular and diet are not great for you...it scared me straight...so I offer it to you. I know that it helped me to feel better - so maybe it could do the same for you.

I read a book recently that called pop "liquid satan" - thought that was a little harsh...but I see their point!

What soda does to your body! - Read the article here

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies - Oh My!

2009-11-03T07:36:00.000-08:00

Yeah - I can't do it...I promise no more pumpkin...and then I see this. When the picture makes me want to eat the screen - I have to share it with you! I love pumpkin so much I may adopt it and make it part of my family :)

So here you go...do with it what you will- but I hope you enjoy...and let me know if you make it and you love it...I am going to do the "thanksgiving practice run" this week so I will let you know how it goes!

Hugs!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Recipe!

Last Pumpkin Recipe of the Season!

2009-11-01T18:18:00.001-08:00

This is a keeper! It is best to dip with gingersnaps...so delish!

I promise - this is the last pumpkin recipe of the season - it has been fun!!

Ingredients:

8 oz. light or fat free cream cheese
2/3 cup light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree

Preparation:

In a food processor (or in a bowl by hand) pulse the cream cheese until smooth. Add next four ingredients (brown sugar, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon) to food processor and blend well. Empty cream cheese mixture into a bowl, add the pumpkin puree and mix well. Refrigerate until served.

Enjoy!

Cold and Flu Survival Guide!

2009-11-01T18:08:00.001-08:00

As I type this...I am sniffing and coughing...my kids will be home from school tomorrow because they feel the same way - and we are generally just "icky". So I thought I would post a nice list of things you can do to fight the colds and flu this winter...A survival guide you might say.

I am sitting here with kleenex, a big glass of water and a fuzzy blanket that makes me feel somewhat better - I want you to be able to fight it so here you go - have a healthy week!

Cold and Flu Survival Guide - the 12 things you need!

Pumpkin/Cake Mix Delight!

2009-11-01T17:54:00.000-08:00

I have had a TON of requests for this - so I wanted to put it into written form so you can try it before "pumpkin season" is thru! It may seem hard to believe that you can just take a cake mix and a can of pumpkin...mix and cook - but you can! I have pasted the recipe below...

Now - let me tell you that you can use a chocolate cake mix...I actually prefer that...and you do not have to add pumpkin pie spice - that is optional...sometimes I do...sometimes I don't.

I love this recipe - they are dense, but I think they are good! Enjoy!!

Ingredients

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
*optional - 1-2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with paper liners.
In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, pumpkin puree, until smooth. Spoon equal amounts of batter into the prepared muffin cups.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out clean.

Pumpkin Roll Time!

2009-11-01T17:47:00.001-08:00

This is what I have promised to bring to Thanksgiving this year...and what has been devoured every time I bring it to a function...the people love it! =)

I never tried to make a pumpkin roll before because I thought it would be difficult and I would somehow mess it up - but it actually turned out great.

Now - you will notice in the recipe that it talks about how to roll it out after it cooks...let me tell you what I do - you can follow the recipe or my way - either way - I think it will work.

When I take out the roll - I immediately take it out of the pan and put it on parchment paper that i dust heavily with powdered sugar. I roll it up immediately and leave it there for 20 minutes. Then I unroll, frost the inside, roll back up and put into the freezer for 45 minutes...I wrap it in an outer layer of foil before I put it in the freezer...and that's all folks! Again - you are welcome to try it any way you like - but don't be afraid!! =)

Pumpkin Roll Recipe - the best I have found (and I have tried a bunch!!)

No Pumpkin I Promise!

2009-10-02T15:36:00.000-07:00

Ok - I felt guilty about all the pumpkin recipes...so this one has no pumpkin...just a lot of chocolate and a lot of cookies and a lot of calories...though I have heard if you eat things like this in large groups - everyone absorbs the calories equally so you only get a portion of them...I'm just saying that is what I heard... =)

This one looks divine...and totally a pot luck kind of goodness...ENJOY

The Picky Palate's Mother Load Cookie Bars!

Friday Foodie!

2009-10-02T15:29:00.001-07:00

This comes from my favorite food blog - the picky palate....I am in love with that blog - mostly because she can make anything look BEAUTIFUL with the pictures she takes...makes you want to make the recipes right away!!

Ok - so this one has pumpkin in it again...i know - i have a problem...but look at that picture and tell me that doesn't look good...you know it does =) So try it - and tell me what you think...and have a great weekend...and I promise no more pumpkin...at least for this weekend!! =)

Recipe for Black Bottomed Mini Caramel Cheesecake Bites!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Recipe

2009-10-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

I am in love with Pumpkin Cream Cheese...have I mentioned that in the last 10 minutes??

All this week it has been my passion...I am in love with it - I could eat in everything...seriously everything.

Thought you might like a recipe so you could make it at home...I wouldn't add the maple syrup but this is my opinion...do what you like!! =)

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread

4 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a small bowl, beat softened cream cheese, sugar, and syrup til creamy.
2. Add pumpkin, spices and vanilla and beat til smooth.
3. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
4. Enjoy!

The Test I would Fail...maybe

2009-10-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the video I promised!

A great lesson about patience and temptation!! I don't know if I would have passed this test...at 5 years old...or now at 32...that is my sad story - but I speak the truth. =)

Hope you are having a great day...your pumpkin cream cheese recipe is coming soon!

Time to Rebound!

2009-09-30T08:14:00.001-07:00

Every tried rebounding? It is being called the Fall Fitness Trend of 2009!
I love rebounding...I started rebounding this summer and it is my favorite workout. It is easy on the ankles and knees...burns more calories than running in 30 minutes and I can do it while watching television...which is always a bonus.

Rebounding is a facy term for jumping on a mini trampoline. So go dig yours out from the 80's and make sure to put on your purple leg warmers...and rebound with me!

I found this workout online and it starts you off slow but in 6 weeks you will be toned and tightened - give it a try...not the sleek...a little bulky but hey- it works and if you like it...rebound with me today!

6 week rebound workout!