The Essentials: Creating Your Spice Cabinet

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Your culinary journey begins in your kitchen. The endless possibilities of foods are at your disposal with the right spices and knowledge. If you are just beginning to create your spice cabinet, there are thousands of spices to explore. However, becoming familiar with a handful of spices can go along way. Here are the top ten spices to begin with when creating your spice cabinet.

Basil

This herb is an excellent start to your spice rack or cabinet. Basil is perfect for helping to spruce up sauces or many Mediterranean cuisines. If you really want to get the full flavor of this excellent herb, you can also invest in fresh basil to keep in your refrigerator or grow your own.

Cayenne Pepper

This pepper is a Capsicum Annuum. It is typically grounded up into a fine powder to use to add spice to food. Try adding cayenne pepper to any dish you are looking to zest up the flavor.

Cilantro

Also known as Chinese parsley, this leafy herb is potent. It can give a distinct flavor to many dishes. Cilantro has a much bolder flavor than parsley. It is also great for bone and heart health, as well.

Cinnamon

Another spice you should have on hand is cinnamon. Cinnamon is made from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees. It has been used in different cuisines for thousands of years while being a staple in many dessert dishes and pairs excellent with sugar. It also has many health benefits from anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants and lowers blood sugar levels.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is another great spice. It is rich in antioxidants and tastes great. Plus, it can be used in coffee or other dairy-based dishes. Typically, it is used in combination with cinnamon for holiday sweets.

Onion Powder

Onion powder is a very useful spice in the kitchen. Use this to help add the delectable flavor of onions evenly throughout an entire dish.

Oregano

Oregano is excellent to add to sauces or pizza. This herb strongly complements tomato-based dishes. It also is loaded with antioxidants and an excellent source of fiber.

Parsley

Parsley is a milder herb than cilantro. It can be used to accentuate Middle Eastern or Mediterranean cuisines. Parsley is mildly bitter yet helps lifts the natural flavors in your dish.

Rosemary

This is great for a wide variety of dishes from soups and salads or chicken and fish. Rosemary can help improve digestion and is very versatile. With its distinct lemon-pine flavor, it can easily brighten up any dish you make in the kitchen.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is essential for many baking recipes. It goes great with almost any dessert that you are looking to create. Help make a bland cake taste delicious with this powerful extract.

There are still hundreds of more spices to explore. These spices are great for kickstarting your spice cabinet and beginning your seasoning adventures. What are some of your favorite spices that we did not mention? Let us know below in the comment section!

How to Maintain a Fresh & Clean Fridge

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The refrigerator is most likely the most-used appliance in your home. It is running twenty-four hours a day and continuously has items taken from it or placed in it. Inevitably, items get spilled, and things are forgotten and left to spoil or rot. Soon your fridge begins to smell and, even worse, work less efficiently. While the colder environment slows the growth of bacteria, it can still grow and spread to other items in your fridge, causing them to spoil at a faster rate. That is why it is essential to keep your refrigerator clean to ensure that what you eat stays fresh, and you remain healthy.

Cleaning

In order to maintain a fresh refrigerator, you should be cleaning it as needed, whether that be daily, weekly, or entirely at least once a year. You will likely open your fridge at least once a day when you do take a quick scan of your items and make sure nothing is past its expiration. If you spill anything in the refrigerator, simply wipe it up right away to keep it from spoiling. Also, make sure that the items you put into the fridge are clean and free of drips and leaks.

On a weekly basis, take a full inventory of everything in your refrigerator, throwing out anything that has gone bad and prioritizing older items. Wipe down the outside of the doors weekly as well by using soap and water and pay special attention to the door handles. The exterior of your refrigerator is constantly being touched and can become home to a lot of germs. Cleaning it can help prevent colds and other illnesses from spreading throughout your household.

It is good to give your entire fridge a thorough deep cleaning once a year. Completely empty out the fridge of any and all items and unplug it, allowing it to reach room temperature before cleaning it. Remove all of the shelves and drawers; it is much easier to wash them separately from the fridge. Scrub down your entire fridge with soap and water, as well as the shelves and doors. This is also an excellent opportunity to clean your door seals. Over time crumbs and dirt collect in the door seals and lessen their efficiency. Cleaning them can help your fridge stay cooler and ensure items remain fresh as long as possible. Lastly, make sure everything is dry before putting your fridge back together, returning any items, and turning it on to the normal setting.

Tips for Maintaining a Clean Fridge

  • Make sure that items are clean before putting them in the fridge.
  • Place items that are defrosting on a plate to keep liquid from spreading.
  • Ensure leftovers are packed in sealed containers. 
  • Keep a box of baking soda in the fridge to keep it smelling fresh. 
  • Coffee grounds, activated charcoal, or cat litter can be spread on a tray and placed in the fridge for a while to neutralize more stubborn odors.

The fridge stores your food and drink, so it is vital to keep it clean in order to keep you healthy. The easiest way to ensure your fridge stays clean is to keep the stuff you put in the refrigerator clean and properly sealed. Maintaining a clean and odor-free fridge is simple as long as you keep up with it. If you have any additional tips, feel free to leave them below in the comment section, we would love to hear from you!

Tips & Tricks for Decorating Your Coffee Table

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Most living rooms are traditionally set up with seating, some end tables, and your coffee table. However, how you decorate your coffee table can say a lot about your style. If you are looking to spruce up your living room, it can be the perfect place to start. Here are some general rules to consider when decorating your coffee table:

Less Is More

Your coffee table is very exposed, and this makes clutter on your table more noticeable. If your coffee table is already home to your remotes or magazines, you may want to consider finding these belongings a new home. Less is more when it comes to decorating your coffee table. You want to add just enough to make a statement without adding clutter.

Complement Color Palette

Your décor may not be the highlight point of the room, but it can enhance your design. Choose décor that complements your overall design, and try to keep your color ratio to the room in check with your décor.

Rule of Threes

When decorating your coffee table, consider the rule of threes. It can be visually-appealing to have three pieces of décor. These should be offset to make a triangle shape. Additionally, you should have a variety of sizes for your décor. Consider having a large, medium, and small element for your design to look complete.

Coffee Tray

Coffee trays and coffee tables go together like salt and pepper. Find a stylish coffee tray to help the aesthetics of your table. While being stylish, they should also provide a functional aspect to the room and can be very convenient to access.

Seasonal Change

Help keep your home fresh and up-to-date by adding seasonal décor. You will want to try to make your décor complementary to the season. In fact, the coffee table is the perfect spot in your living room to swap out with seasonal décor regularly. From Christmas to Easter and everything in between, your coffee table is the ideal place to showcase your décor.

Your coffee table provides a realm of possibilities to help spruce up your design, so make sure you are facilitating this useful piece of furniture in your home. We hope that these tricks will bring your coffee table to the next level. Let us know some of your favorite décor pieces in the comments below, and make sure to subscribe.

Christmas Tree Care and Maintenance

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Christmas is quickly approaching, and it is time to start putting up the festive décor. Of course, what is Christmas décor without the iconic Christmas tree? There something extraordinary about having a real pine for Christmas. Picking out the perfect tree can be fun in and of itself, but maintaining the tree until Christmas comes with a handful of challenges. So if you are planning on having a real Christmas pine this season, it is essential to understand care and maintenance to have it last for the season.

Picking the Tree

When picking a Christmas tree, you need to find a species that can last well into the season without being rooted. Some of the top species of trees are Scotch Pine, Douglas Fir, White Pine, and Balsam Fir. If you are planning on planting your tree after the holidays, you will need to understand that the tree cannot last very long inside. Most trees can only be replanted on if they have been in your home for shorter than five days. If you are getting a tree, check to make sure none of the pines easily fall off when you touch the tree. You want a tree as freshly cut as possible to allow it to last the season.

Care and Maintenance

When you purchase your tree, have the stem re-opened so the tree can easily drink water. When you get it home, keep it away from any heat source that can speed up the drying out process. While Christmas trees may look great by the fireplace, they can dry out quicker. You should create the stand and allow the tree to drink up a gallon of water immediately. Your tree will need to be watered daily to last until Christmas. The best water to use is just plain tap water. You will notice if your tree is dehydrated when bristles begin falling off, or your water stand for Christmas tree is empty.

After the Holidays

After Christmas, you can consider cutting your tree into firewood for your home. You can also have it chipped into mulch to use around your house. If you have no use for your tree, you can consider donating it. Many nonprofit organizations have many purposes in which they can repose the tree from creating energy, enriching zoo animal habitats, or even hiking trails in parks.

Let’s be honest; what is Christmas without a tree? If you have only ever had faux trees, consider having a real Christmas tree this holiday season. The authentic nature and pine scent throughout the home is just one more way to add to the festive season.

Holiday Meals for the Entire Family

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The holidays are full of memorable events, but nothing brings a family together like food. Sitting down with your loved ones and sharing a meal brings a sense of togetherness and evokes feelings of thankfulness and comfort. It provides the assurance that the people who have gathered with you are full and happy.

Today, cooking a holiday meal that can be eaten by the entire family can be a difficult task. Beliefs, preferences, and allergies can make catering to everyone’s needs frustrating and nearly impossible. Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives out there that can be used to make holiday dishes available to almost everyone at your table this year.

Plant-based cooking not only ensures that vegetarians and vegans in your family can enjoy your meal, but it also eliminates dairy, making it okay for anyone who is lactose-intolerant. Plus, it eliminates any type of meat which may be avoided due to someone’s religious beliefs.

While drinks are just as important at the dinner table as the food, you can make sure everyone is catered to this year with an easy to make vegan eggnog.

Vegan Eggnog

Ingredients: 

  • 24 ounces silken tofu (crumbled) 
  • 2 cups of soy milk
  • 2/3 cup turbinado sugar 
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt 
  • 1 cup water (cold) 
  • 1 cup rum
  • 4 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
  • 20 ice cubes 
  • Nutmeg for garnishing

Instructions: 

  • Place the tofu, soy milk, sugar, and salt in a blender and blend until the mixture is smooth.
  • Pour the mixture into a bowl and whisk in the water, rum, and vanilla extract.
  • You will want to keep the mixture refrigerated until it is ready to be served.
  • When you are ready to serve the eggnog, blend the mix with the ice cubes until frothed 
  • Enjoy! 

A hearty vegan Shepherd’s pie is an excellent way to ensure all your guests are able to enjoy a warm and filling entree this holiday season.

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients: 

  • 4 Potatoes 
  • 2 tbsp vegan margarine 
  • ¼ cup unsweetened soy milk 
  • Salt and pepper (to taste) 
  • One onion 
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil 
  • 1 ½ cups vegan ground beef substitute 
  • 1 ¼ cups vegan gravy 
  • ½ cup green peas 
  • ½ cup of corn 
  • ½ tsp garlic powder 
  • Dash of cayenne pepper 

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F 
  • Dice potatoes and chop onions
  • Boil or microwave potatoes until soft 
  • Drain potatoes and mash with vegan margarine and soy milk 
  • Add salt and pepper to add taste 
  • Saute the chopped onions in the vegetable oil 
  • Combine the onions, beef substitute, vegan gravy, peas, corn, garlic powder, and a dash of cayenne pepper in a large mixing bowl and pour into a pie pan 
  • Spread the mashed potatoes over your vegetable mixture 
  • Bake for 30 to 40 minutes 
  • Enjoy! 

The holidays are full of wonderful sweets, so give vegan gingerbread cookies a try this holiday season to ensure everyone satiates their sweet tooth.

Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup of vegan margarine 
  • 1 cup of sugar 
  • Egg Replacer for one egg 
  • 1 cup molasses 
  • Two TBSP apple cider vinegar 
  • 5 cups flour 
  • 1/2 tsp salt 
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 TBSP ginger 
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon 
  • 1 tsp cloves 
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Instructions:

  • Beat the margarine and sugar together in a large bowl 
  • Add the egg replace, molasses, and apple cider vinegar to the mixture 
  • In a separate bowl, combine your dry ingredients: flour, salt, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. 
  • Pour the dry ingredients into the large bowl of wet ingredients and combine well 
  • Let the dough refrigerate for at least two hours to become firm 
  • Preheat the oven to 375 F 
  • Either roll out your dough and cut it into holiday shapes with cookie cutters or form it into ½ inch balls 
  • Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper 
  • Place your cookies on the sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes until done 
  • Enjoy! 

The holidays bring a lot of different people from separate walks of life together. Plant-based options make sure that you are prepared to cater to anyone this holiday season. Feel free to leave a comment below with your favorite go-to holiday dish and make sure to subscribe!

The Essentials: Cleaning Products Every House Needs

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Keeping your house clean can be a job on its own. There are many areas that need extra care and cleaning throughout your home, but not every area of your home demands the same products. Having a diverse set of cleaning products can allow you to tackle any project in your home. Today, we are going to focus on ten essential cleaning products your home needs. Let’s get started!

All-Purpose Cleaner

Not one product will clean everything, but an all-purpose cleaner is very close to perfect. It does an effective job on multiple surfaces. In fact, an all-purpose cleaner is exceptionally versatile and able to be used around your entire home.

Cleaning Cloths and Scrubs

You will need an efficient way to distribute your cleaning products around your home. A good start is to have several cloths and scrub brushes to tackle the mess. For instance, get a toothbrush and some other brushes to clean difficult areas in your home like grout lines. You should also get a microfiber brush for other more delicate areas.

Sponges

Another great tool to have at your disposal is a sponge. Have a couple of sponges and understand what each one is used to prevent cross-contamination. Perhaps keep one in the bathroom and one in the kitchen to avoid spreading bacteria.

Paper Towels

No cleaning kit is complete without some generic paper towels. You can even go a step further and invest in some garage paper towels as well. These work great for oil messes and other greasy messes.

Glass Cleaner

Mirrors and windows can show every smudge and fingerprint on them. Getting a good glass cleaner that does not leave streaks or smears is essential.

Toilet Bowl and Shower Cleaners

Your bathroom is an entire cleaning project on its own. Bathrooms are wet environments that are the perfect home for unwanted bacteria to thrive. Getting a toilet bowl cleaner and some shower cleaner can be essential in your mix of household cleaning items.

Wood Polish

For wooden areas in your home, find a good wood polish. These typically smell great and can leave a great aroma throughout your house. They are not generally suitable for hardwood floors, however, because they can leave the surface slick, make sure you know what surfaces are best for your wood polish.

Disinfectant

Being able to kill and eliminate germs quickly is essential. You may not want to deep clean your home, but keeping a clean and healthy atmosphere can start with disinfectant. Most disinfectant cleaners will kill 99.99% of germs and help prevent the transfer of germs. This can be essential for day-to-day cleaning tasks.

Dish Soap

Dish soap can have a multitude of purposes to use in your home. While, of course, you can use it to clean your dishes and silverware, it is always nice to be able to create a soap-based cleaner for other areas throughout your home.

Bleach

To finish off your cleaning kit, you should have a very powerful cleaning agent. We recommend bleach or hydrogen peroxide. These compounds can remove the most difficult of stains. However, these products can be very potent. Understanding their uses and risks is vital before cleaning.

With this cleaning kit, you will able to clean nearly every area in your home. It is not only a great start, but it can contain the perfect essentials for all different areas of the house.

What are some of your go-to cleaning products? We would love to hear from you. Let us know below in the comment section and make sure to subscribe!

Five Ways You Can Bring the Outdoors Inside

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You can bring nature inside by decorating with natural elements. In doing so, you will bring a hint of the outdoors into your home. So if you are nature-starved, what are some easy ways you can implement nature into your home’s decor? We are glad you asked! Here are five ways you can incorporate nature into your home design:

Faux Fireplace

Love looking at a campfire? Well, you can get the same look anytime you desire by purchasing a faux fireplace. Faux indoor fireplaces look so realistic, and they even sound similar to the crackling sound of a campfire. Plus, they are perfect for homes that do not already have a fireplace. They give everyone the opportunity to have a fireplace in their design.

Decorate with Greenery

Of course, the most obvious way to bring nature indoors is to bring in some plants. Plants can brighten any space. That being said, when incorporating greenery into your design scheme, look for ways to steer clear of the traditional flowers in a vase. Mix it up by using a variety of pots in your plant area. You can even opt-out of using flower pots, and instead of having them against the wall, try using plant hangers.

Natural Wood Furnishing

Decorating with natural wood furnishing is a great way to create a rustic feel. Wood furniture is super durable, and with exceptional craftsmanship, it can be formed into all kinds of beautiful designs. You can add wood furniture as sparingly as you want. For example, perhaps a wood-finished rocking chair in the living room or a wooden coffee table would set the scene; whereas, a sleek, wood-finished headboard adds a bit of outdoors to your bedroom.

Buy a Grass Rug

You can easily purchase an artificial rug that simulates the look of grass from popular furniture companies. It can serve as a focal point for your living room or the man cave. Plus, the grass can withstand foot traffic, and it is available in a variety of sizes.

Constellation Projection Lamp

Do you enjoy staring up at the stars at night? Well, you can do so right from the comfort of your bed. A constellation projector lamp allows you to project the beautiful heavens on your walls and ceilings.

Be imaginative when searching for ways that you can make your home reflect your love for nature. Use different colors, textures, and patterns that are inspired by nature to energize a space.

Arizona HOV Lane and Freeway Driving

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The Arizona Valley is continuously growing and flooding in with new residents. This enormous increase in population has created very dense traffic for daily commutes. To combat this, Arizona has facilitated carpool lanes on the freeways. These carpool lanes are for individuals who choose to carpool together to help decrease the amount of traffic on the highway. Many states use these carpool lanes, and each state has its own set of different laws and regulations. Knowing these rules is essential to prevent you from getting a very heavy ticket fine this holiday season.

How Does the HOV Lane Work?

Using this carpool lane can help you commute much faster. The HOV lane is on most of Arizona’s highways and loops. It runs with the freeways but can have its own exits and moves much easier during heavy traffic hours of the day. There are several rules which can allow you to use the carpool lane:

  1. Having a vehicle with two or more people in it will enable you to use the carpool lane.
  2. Motorcycles with only one individual can use the lane since their vehicle is at max capacity.
  3. Armor Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) such as military tanks and armored vehicles can also use this lane.
  4. Firetrucks, police cars, ambulances, and any emergency response vehicle.
  5. Arizona has an Energy Efficient Plate Program. These hybrid vehicles can apply to be issued an Energy Efficient license plate – only so many are allotted a year.
  6. Arizona Valley Metro buses.

HOV Lane Times and Exceptions

The HOV lane has restricted hours. These hours are Monday-Friday 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm – this is during prime rush hour times. If you are an individual without a passenger in your vehicle, you cannot use these lanes during this time. There are no holiday exceptions nor can you use the lane to pass other vehicles during restricted hours.

Cost?

Currently, Arizona’s HOV lanes are free. In some states, the HOV and carpool lanes can cost. They have been considered adding a toll booth to these lanes, yet they have not added them to date. However, if you use the HOV lane and do not have a passenger or an accepted vehicle, you may be fined a hefty toll. Arizona’s penalty for using the HOV lane can be a minimum of $400. This fine will also affect your driver’s license with points as a moving vehicle violation. 

Be safe while traveling this holiday season and from your friends at Fulton Homes, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Choosing the Right Mattress for a Good Night’s Sleep

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Did you know that the average person spends 1/3 of their life sleeping? Since we spend so much time sleeping, it is essential to invest in a quality mattress. If you have not been sleeping well lately or you are waking up with aches and pains, it may be a sign that it is time to replace your mattress. Of course, shopping for a new mattress is no easy task – what may be considered a luxury mattress to one person can be a backache waiting to happen for someone else. So, how can you choose the best mattress for you? We are here to help!

What Is Your Budget?

Start by first determining how much you can afford to spend a mattress. Remember that you are probably going to be sleeping on this mattress for the next five to ten years; therefore, you will want to purchase a mattress of quality, so consider it an investment. Also, what many people do not know is that you should never pay full price for a mattress. Look for sales and see if the sales associates are open to negotiation.

Test out the Mattress

Perhaps the best way to determine whether a mattress might be good for your body is to test it out in the store. When shopping in-store, do not be afraid to lay down on the mattress for a minute to see how it feels. Let the salesperson know that you need a minute so that you do not feel pressured while taking it for a test run. Make sure you spend a few minutes laying in different positions to get a true feel for the support and comfort of the mattress.

What Is the Return Policy?

Sometimes the mattress buying process can be a trial and error. You may get a mattress home and realize that it is not for you. That is why it is essential to inquire about the store’s return policy. This is especially critical if you are mattress shopping online. Only purchase from a store that offers a full refund or credit towards another mattress. Additionally, some retailers may charge a restocking fee.

Did You Read the Warranty?

Before you leave the store, make sure you understand the warranty on the mattress. Some warranties range from ten to twenty-five years and can only cover production defects.

In the end, deciding on a mattress comes down to your budget, the comfort of the mattress and the return policy. If you are comfortable with all of these factors, you probably have found the right mattress for you.

Arizona Hiking Precautions

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Arizona has one of the most beautiful landscapes this country has to offer. In fact, because of its landscape, many Arizonians love the ability to hike. With so many diverse trails and scenic views, it can be a great way to stay physically active throughout the year. However, while hiking can be fun, Arizona’s deserts have some very harsh terrain. Improperly preparing for some of these elements can set you up for failure. To help, here are three things you need to remember before hitting the trails:

Stay Hydrated

Arizona’s heat is no joke, especially during the summer! If you plan on hiking during the summer, plan on going very early morning. Arizona’s peak heat time is in the afternoon, so evening hikes can still be very hot. Bring plenty of water for the trails. Be cognitive of how much water you are drinking. When you have consumed more than half your water, you should start heading back. This way, you are paced to not run out of water deep in the desert or high up in the mountains.

Stay on the Trails

The desert is beautiful, but many animals and plants in the desert should be admired from afar. Arizona is home to many venomous snakes and insects. Scorpions, Black Widows, Rattlesnakes, Gila Monsters, Tarantula, Brown Recluse, and Desert Centipedes are among some of the few critters to be concerned. Some cacti are even called jumping cacti and can “leap” towards you in your come into close proximity. Your best bet is to stay on trails and watch where you are stepping.

Know When Sunset Is

Sunset and sunrise change throughout the year. Arizona does not have a time change, but sunset can be pretty early in the Valley. Know when sunset is so you do not get caught in the desert at night. The desert comes alive at night with coyotes and javelinas. Be cognitive of the time while you explore the trails. 

Do Not Hike Alone

Lastly, while you may be excited to go explore, do not hike alone. Having a companion with you is always smart. Know your limits and be responsible for your own safety and others.

While there are elements to be concern about, hiking is still very safe when done right. Be smart and prepare for your trails before you go out for the day. Staying hydrated and being wary of your surrounds will allow you to have the best experience when hiking the beautiful desert oasis!