SimpleSolutionsDiva.com

Month: May 2013

Simple Tip: Poll Says Mother’s Day Gifts Should Focus On Family

/ Simple Ideas, Simple Stories / 0 comment
SimpleSolutionsDiva.com
The Simple Solutions Diva herself, Laura Morey!

Going crazy trying to find the right gift for Mom on Mother’s Day? Stay away from store bought gifts and lean towards more meaningful family time with her, says an informal poll by SimpleSolutionsDiva.com.

SimpleSolutionsDiva.com, the site for simple solutions and ideas for the home, kitchen, garden and more, asked Facebook followers one question:

What would be your IDEAL Mother’s Day Gift to receive? (Just pretend you could have anything without feeling guilty!)  Answer Options Were:

  • A Store Bought Gift
  • A Homemade/Child-made gift
  • A Family Experience (like a family outing or Brunch/Dinner out)
  • A Personal Service (like a mani/pedi or spa treatment)
  • A Day To Yourself (To do whatever YOU want)

Out of 51 responses, 22 people responded Family Experience, with Personal Service a close second, with 17 responses. A Day To Yourself came in at 7 responses, with Homemade/Child-made gift sneaking in 5 responses.

Highlighting, perhaps, the fact that Moms value time, relationships and rest, absolutely no one selected A Store Bought Gift.  Far from a scientific poll, the results did offer some fun personal comments from moms:

“A big honkin’ gift card so I could buy all the other things on the list (and the day to myself to spend it)!!!!!”

“I believe I would enjoy the Spa treatment deal since my eye brows now look like caterpillars.”

“I would like a maid, personal chef, nanny, and a driver. Is that too much to ask?”

“Cards and gifts were fun when the kids were little. Now I’d like a day to work on mini/dollhouse projects.”

“When my kids were little I would have cherished the homemade gift, but now that they are much older, and I work full-time plus some, I would love a day to just BE.”

Join Laura Morey, your Simple Solutions Diva, each week on Saturday where she features a new video highlighting simple ideas, recipes, or products that can make life easier.  “Keep it simple, make life easier, and enjoy your time.”

Simple Recipe: Easy Brie/Apple/Caramelized Onion Stuffed Crescent Rolls

/ Cooking With The Kids, Simple Recipes / 0 comment

Crescent Rolls Stuffed with Brie/Apple/Caramelized Onions

 

I am always looking for simple recipes for foods I know I love.  In my book, there is nothing better than apples and brie together. So when I found this recipe on the website, Kasey’s Kitchen, I knew I had to include it!  I know it will make SimpleSolutionsDiva.com’s  Simple Holiday Survival Video Series in November 2013!  It also would be a great little appetizer for kids to make and serve for a Mother’s Day Brunch (with help from an adult, of course!)!

Ingredients:

  • 1 Green Apple (I love Granny Smith), thinly sliced
  • 1 small brie round, sliced into thin wedges
  • 1 roll of crescent rolls
  • 1/2 sweet vidalia onion, thinly sliced
  • brown sugar
  • cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Saute onions in cooking spray until translucent.  Add a sprinkle of brown sugar and set aside.

Roll out crescent dough, separate into pieces (it is usually perforated for you).

Lay 2 slices of apple, 1 slice/wedge of brie and small spoonful of onion mixture onto dough and roll it up.

Place onto lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.

Serve on their own, or try it with a dab of cranberry relish! Enjoy!

 

Summer Dreaming: Cool Beach Accessory

/ Simple Ideas / 0 comment

Turtle Back Cup HolderYes, I know, it may be a tad too early to be dreaming of the beach (not in Florida, but i don’t want to make anyone jealous!), but I found these cool little cup/beverage holders that would be perfect for the beach!

They are called TurtleBacks, and they are nifty little plastic beverage holders that nestle into the sand. Prevents beverages from tipping over PLUS you don’t get sand all over the cup or bottle!

The products start at $5.00 (for a plain one), $6.00 with a symbol (like the orange one above), and for $10.00 you can even have them customized with a logo or saying (50th Birthday Party Anyone?)!  Perfect way to enjoy your summer at the beach!

Screen Shot 2013-05-08 at 3.08.40 PM

Simple Recipe: Easy Chicken Pad Thai

/ Simple Recipes / 0 comment

Easy Chicken Pad Thai

 

I LOVE Thai food, especially Pad Thai, but I never try to make it at home.  Well, now I have a recipe that is easy and I’m going to try out!  It is from Kasey’s Kitchen website (a very cute website worth checking out!).  Hope you enjoy it, too!

Ingredients:

  • 2 Chicken Breasts, ground or chopped
  • 1 Package Rice Noodles or Thai Noodles (Kasey used Nasoya’s Pasta Zero noodles)
  • 1 Egg, scrambled
  • 1 Tbs. Peanut Butter
  • 1 Tbs. soy sauce
  • water
  • honey
  • Dash of sweet chili sauce (optional)
  • frozen edamame
  • green onions, chopped

Preparation:

Cook the chicken through in a little wok oil or coconut oil.  Cook your noodles according to their package directions and set aside.  You want them to dry out a little bit before adding them into your dish.

Add in your scrambled egg and let it cook with the chicken.

Add peanut butter, soy sauce and a drizzle of honey for the chicken and eggs. Mix thoroughly and then add a bit of water to thin out the sauce. At this point, throw in the edamame and let simmer.

Add in noodles and a little sweet chili sauce if you would like.

Presentation:

Pile high in a large dish, top with sliced green onions

(Thanks, Kasey, for letting me repost this here on Simple Solutions Diva! Photo Courtesy of Kasey’s Kitchen.)

1 2

© 2015 SIMPLESOLUTIONSDIVA.COM Designed by The Web Design Chic | ADMIN LOGIN