Grilled Chicken Pita Pizza

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Robin B. — No Comments ↓

Grilled Chicken Pita Pizza is the subject of today’s Make Ahead Monday post.

Use the chicken you’ve grilled ahead (and a few other ingredients) to put this delicious entree together in no time. It is one of our favorite choices for pizza night.

Here is what you’ll need: pizza sauce, pitas or flatbread, sliced zucchini, yellow pepper slices, grilled chicken cut into strips, Mozzarella cheese.

Place pitas on a foil-covered baking sheet. Spread with sauce and add toppings. Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese on last. Bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 min.

Serve and eat! We like to have fresh veggies on the side and some fruit, too. Easy, delicious & satisfying, for sure.

This recipe comes from Eating for Life by Bill Phillips.

Making complete meals ahead or making components of favorite meals ahead makes dinners easier to plan and manage. And, who doesn’t like easier? :)

Happy Make Ahead Monday, Neat Nesters, and a warm welcome to the new subscribers, too! We’re glad that you’re here

Robin

This post may contain affiliate links which support this site. Please see my Disclosure Policy under About at the top of this page.

Tagged with: make ahead meals, Make Ahead Mondays
Posted in home

Organize Summer Supplies

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Robin B. — 2 Comments ↓

Organize summer supplies with this idea!

Remember a few months back when I showed you how to make a winter gear organizer? Repurpose that tool by switching out winter gear for summer supplies. That’s what I do!

Since my summer supplies are heavier than the winter gear I started with, I changed out the magnetic curtain rod holders with 3lb capacity Command hooks.
The organizer is secure and easily holds that extra weight with no slipping or falling.

Supplies I include are those we are often looking for or need before we leave the house on a summer day:

*gum

*sunglasses

*glasses case

*sunscreen

*hand wipes

*bug spray

This year I will also be changing out our bug spray for an all-natural version called Outdoor Armor. It is made by my friend, Lynn, at The Soap Hag.com and should be available soon.

Leaving the house is much easier and less stressful when you have what you need at hand. How do you organize summer supplies in your space?

Robin

Tagged with: DIY organizers, mudroom, quick organizing tips
Posted in home

DIY Scarf Organizer That Works

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Robin B. — 4 Comments ↓

Make a DIY scarf organizer that works!

Here’s how. Gather a few inexpensive supplies: plastic hanger, shower curtain rings & duct tape.

Cut a short length of duct tape – about 3 – 4 inches.

Make a slit in the middle of the length of tape.

Then, let her rip! Tear it down the middle. Duct tape is meant to work this way. DON’T TRY TO CUT IT – too sticky & difficult.

Use the duct tape strips to attach the rings to the hanger.

Rip a length of duct tape into thirds; use a smaller strip to attach rings on the sides.

Continue for the length of the hanger.

Add a second row. Attach the tops and sides with duct tape.

Done!

Thank you to Irina’s Cute Box for this great idea! It was inexpensive and ridiculously easy to make.

NOTES:

*I used duct tape to add durability instead of the original idea which called for scotch tape.

*I had patterned duct tape on hand and thought it would make for better blog pictures. Feel free to use plain white duct tape or any other pattern of your choice.

*Attaching the rings to the hanger means your scarves won’t slide around and all hang to one side.

*It is inexpensive! A sleeve of 12 rings will cost you $1 at the Dollar Store as will a pack of 6 plastic hangers. The duct tape runs about $4/roll and can be used for other projects.

What do you think of this DIY Scarf Organizer?

Robin

Tagged with: accessories, DIY organizers, duct tape, quick organizing tips
Posted in home

Make Ahead Cheesy Garlic Chicken

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Robin B. — No Comments ↓

Make Ahead Cheesy Garlic Chicken is the subject of today’s post.

Start with a few simple ingredients.

Combine 1/2 packet of the Savory Herb with Garlic soup mix, 1/3 cup water and 1 T. olive oil.

Whisk together and mix well.

Label a gallon-sized zip-top freezer bag with the recipe’s name and date. Fold over the top of the bag and place it in a mixing bowl.

Add 4 – 6 boneless chicken breasts to the bag. (I use 2 – 3 large breasts and make them into smaller, thinner cutlets first.)

Seal the bag tightly and then turn the chicken breasts until all are coated well.

Squeeze any remaining air out of the bag and re-seal. Fit the bag into an 8×8 pan. Place in the freezer. When frozen solid, pop it out and stack it.

To serve, thaw chicken completely in refrigerator 24 hours or overnight; or defrost in microwave. Place thawed chicken in baking dish that has been coated with non-stick spray.

Top with fresh, chopped tomatoes. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Remove from oven. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and shredded Mozzarella. Bake for 5 min longer or until chicken tests done.

Remove from oven and serve!

We like this meal with Angel hair pasta (cooks up in 5 min) and steamed veggies.

Thank you to Lipton soups for this easy, delicious recipe!

Happy Make Ahead Monday!

Robin

Tagged with: make ahead meals, Make Ahead Mondays
Posted in home

Stuffed Animal Storage Ideas

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Robin B. — 6 Comments ↓

Stuffed animal storage ideas is the subject of today’s post. This great idea was sent to me by one of my readers!

Take a chaotic pile of your children’s stuffed animals……

Buy an empty bean bag chair from Bed, Bath & Beyond….

Put all of the stuffed animals inside, and….

Voila! You have a bean bag chair in which to sit AND a neat, orderly way to store stuffed animals until it is time to play again.

Notes:

*The bean bag chair pictured here is the large size and holds about a hundred stuffed animals.

*If you have less stuffed animals, there are smaller-sized empty bean bag chairs available for purchase.

*Use your 20% off Bed, Bath & Beyond coupon to score an even better price on the bean bag chair! (Currently, the size pictured above would be about $13.50 with coupon.)

*Not only is this a great storage idea, but the kids really enjoy unzipping the bean bag to get the animals out. That becomes part of the joy of playing with them, too.

Special thanks goes to my dear friend, Ann, for sharing this space-saving, inexpensive, orderly way to store stuffed animals and for providing the pictures, too!

What do you think of this idea? How do you store stuffed animals in your child’s room? Please share your comments below!

An organized space is a peaceful, happy place Looking at that bean bag chair in the corner makes me feel just that.

Robin

Tagged with: kids, quick organizing tips, stuffed animals
Posted in home

Decluttering Tips for Quick Organizing

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Robin B. — No Comments ↓

The subject of today’s post is decluttering tips for quick organizing.

Check out this list of tips from Oprah.com. They asked readers to tweet their quick tips for decluttering.

I like this one: Just commit yourself to 15 mins a day of cleaning up… anything! — @transition_girl

Do you have a quick declutter tip that helps you or did you find one you liked there? Please share it by commenting below.

Robin

Tagged with: clutter, quick organizing tips
Posted in clutter

Purse Organizer Insert

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Robin B. — 2 Comments ↓

Using a purse organizer insert is the subject of today’s post.

About a month ago, I finally purchased a purse organizer insert for my backpack purse. As a busy mom of younger children, I still enjoy the hands-free benefits that a backpack can offer me. The wide open space inside of the bag, however, was becoming source of frustration for me. All of the items were jumbled together and made it hard to quickly find what I needed. Plus, it was difficult to see inside the bag due to the the black lining.

Enter the pink purse organizer!

This small purse organizer insert fits perfectly in the bottom of my backpack purse. I chose the pink color on purpose to make it easier to see inside the dark lining. It keeps all of my items divided and conquered for quick and easy access and eliminates the aggravation of rummaging around. When I want to use another purse for a different occasion, I simply pull this organizer out of my backpack and put into my other purse. It provides a no-hassle transfer that makes it easy to switch purses, too.

I ordered this on Amazon.com for only $12.45 and got free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership. For more information (pictures, color choices etc ) and to order one for yourself, click here. Now that I have been enjoying the benefits of this organizing tool, I wish I had ordered one sooner!

Do you use a purse organizer? How has it helped you?

Robin

This post contains affiliate links which support this site. See my Disclosure Policy under the About tab at the top of this page.

Tagged with: divide and conquer, purses, quick organizing tips
Posted in home

Scooter Storage Idea

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Robin B. — No Comments ↓

A scooter storage idea is the subject of today’s post. With this easy, inexpensive tool, you will never trip over another scooter again

Here’s how you can do this in your garage: Head over to Amazon.com and order a Scooterbox. (Click here to check one out and order.)

Grab your kids’ scooters that are strewn across the garage floor…

…and place the scooters in the stand.

Easy, and at about $13 each (includes shipping), inexpensive, too!

We’ve been using these scooterbox stands since last spring and they have made a big difference in keeping our garage neater and making it more orderly. My children know exactly where to “park” and can easily return their scooters to the stands. No more tripping hazards or messy garage floor = a peaceful, happier place!

What do you think of this scooter storage idea? Might this work in your garage?

Robin

This post contains affiliate links which support this site. See my Disclosure Policy under the About tab at the top of this page.

Tagged with: garage, kids, scooters
Posted in home

Meatball Stroganoff

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Robin B. — No Comments ↓

Meatball Stroganoff is the subject of today’s Make Ahead Monday post.

Use the make ahead meatballs in your freezer to put together this satisfying dinner in no time!

Here’s how to make it:

*Thaw a dinner-sized portion of meatballs. (I make mine small; we use a dozen for a meal.)

*In a medium saucepan, combine 1 (12 oz.) jar of prepared brown gravy with 1/2 cup of sour cream. Add a can of mushrooms, if desired.

*Cook over medium heat until hot through.

*Add meatballs and let simmer until meatballs are heated through (about 10 min. or so).

*Serve over hot, cooked egg noodles.

Special thanks to Kraft Foods for this easy recipe that has become a favorite staple in our family’s meal planning.

Happy Make Ahead Monday!

Robin

Tagged with: make ahead meals, Make Ahead Mondays
Posted in home

Clear Out Clothing – Winter Sweaters

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Robin B. — No Comments ↓

In today’s post I want to encourage you to clear out clothing – winter sweaters, in particular.

Here is my stack!

I sent these FIVE sweaters packing and off to the donation bin where I’m trusting that someone else will benefit from them.

Here’s how I made my decision:

*I had not worn any of them even ONCE this entire winter.

*Since I did not wear any of them once this winter, it is most likely that I would not choose to wear them next winter.

*I recognized that though I really enjoyed these sweaters at one time, their time had passed. I gave myself permission to let someone else get some use out of them.

My favorite place to donate used clothing items : St. Pauly Textile. This western NY business collects and sends clothing to people who can use it both in the US and internationally. Plus, they directly help local non-profits with their fundraising. And, there is a drop box located on the way to my local shopping area. It is very convenient for me to pack up items, put them in the car and deposit them on the way. Tax receipts are available there as well.

Remember, the 80/20 rule is in effect. With regards to clothing, that means we tend to wear 20 percent of what we have, 80 percent of the time. There are a lot of clothing items taking up valuable space and time in our closets and drawers. Why not clear out some of the 80% and make room for the 20% that you love, look good in and actually wear? You will feel so much better, freer and happier if you do!

I cleared out five sweaters today. How many can you? Let me know, and I will be happy to celebrate your new found freedom and space with you!

Robin

I apologize to my subscribers that yesterday’s Make Ahead Monday post did not come by email. Though the post published on the website, a technology glitch prevented it from going to inboxes. Hopefully that won’t happen today! You can read about Make Ahead Sweet Potatoes here. :)

Tagged with: closets, clothing
Posted in home