Forget the Defrosting

We always forget to take our dinner out of the freezer. However, there are certain foods that you can cook right out of the freezer. You do not need to worry about defrosting or setting these ingredients out. They are ready as soon as you take them out of the bag. You can learn more at The Kitchn.


The more hectic life gets with work, friends, and family, the more grateful I am that freezers were invented. A well-stocked freezer full of fruits, vegetables, and homemade meals has enabled me to eat more healthy and not spend money on takeout.

The downside of a lot of frozen foods, however, is that they usually need to be thawed in order to cook or reheat well. But did you know there are still plenty of foods out there that you can cook straight from the freezer, no thawing necessary? Here are our seven favorites!

1. Bacon

Whether you want to fry up a big batch of bacon for a leisurely weekend morning or just need a slice or two to flavor a dish, there's so much fat in bacon that it can thaw and start cooking in a pan in just a few minutes. Make sure you freeze the bacon in individual slices first so that it's not frozen into one big block.


2. Fruit

We all know that frozen fruit is a great way to add texture and keep smoothies cold, but if you bake with frozen fruit, there's no need to defrost it — just mix it straight into batter or dough. If you're making a compote or fruit syrup, just throw it straight into the pot and start simmering.



3. Vegetables

Because frozen vegetables are usually frozen at the peak of freshness, they're a great, healthy choice to always have a stash of. Small vegetables like peas and corn can quickly cook and cool down in soup, and you can even throw mixed frozen vegetables straight into a skillet pasta.


4. Dumplings

Since Asian dumplings can be a bit time-consuming to make, make a big batch and then freeze them for a quick and satisfying snack or weeknight meal. Dumplings cook best straight from the freezer since thawing them will make the wrappers sticky and cook up soggy.


5. Pasta

Similar to Asian dumplings, fresh uncooked pastas and filled pastas like ravioli and agnolotti freeze extremely well. Don't thaw them or the pasta will start to stick together. Frozen pasta only takes a minute or two longer to cook than fresh before it's ready to be tossed in your favorite sauce.

6. Cooked Rice

Did you know that day-old rice makes the best fried rice? It's a great way to use up leftover steamed rice, but if you're not ready to fry up the rice just yet, stash it in the freezer. If frozen properly, the rice freezes into individual grains that you can just toss right into the wok or frying pan when the fried rice craving hits.


7. Fish

Skip the thawing of frozen fish — all you have to do is rinse the fillets off, pat them dry, and get cooking. It'll take a few more minutes to cook than a piece of fresh fish, but now you have no excuse not to have fish for dinner on a weeknight!

Make Your Baking Top Notch

Do you love to bake?  We always enjoy making sweet treats for our friends.  However, we have found five tips to help bring your baking skills to the next level!  The Kitchn has gathered some easy ingredients to use to make your next baked good the best it can be. 

1. Espresso Powder

Instant espresso powder is the unsung hero of deep, dark chocolate cakes. A little of the intense coffee powder brings depth to chocolate recipes without being overwhelming, but you can also up the amount if you're inspired to take a mocha route instead. It's also great to keep on hand for recipes calling for brewed coffee, especially if you're not the type that typically drinks a lot of it at home.



More about espresso powder
Espresso Powder in the Kitchen: What's it Good For?
Recipe: Dark Molasses Gingerbread Cake
Recipe: Peanut Butter & Espresso Truffle Blossoms



2. Chocolate Baking Bars

While chocolate chips are a handy pantry staple to have around, nothing beats a real chocolate bar. Unlike chocolate chips which have additives and stabilizers to help them keep their shape, pure chocolate bars have unrivaled flavor and versatility.

You can shave a bar for decorations or cut them into irregular pieces to stir into chocolate chip cookie dough — odd-shaped pieces create random small and large pockets of chocolate and distribute widely and melt beautifully here.



More about chocolate bars
Five Reasons to Keep a Chocolate Bar on Hand
Recipe: How To Make Chocolate Ganache for Any Dessert
Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Bars







3. Real Extracts

You can't replicate the flavor of real vanilla extract. Period. It may seem like a costly purchase, but you can easily make a big bottle at home with some cheap liquor and a few vanilla beans instead.

Fake extracts contain chemicals that almost but don't quite replicate the flavor of the real stuff, and the gap there will really throw off the taste of what you're making. The real stuff will infuse it with natural flavor. So ditch the imitation and invest in real vanilla, almond, or even coconut extract to really enhance your next batch of sweets.




→ Learn how to make your own: How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract



4. Turbinado Sugar

Coarse, natural cane sugar is baking's secret weapon. It's less refined than white or regular brown sugars, so it has a more robust flavor, and it's beautiful and sparkly to boot. Sprinkle some on your next batch of muffins for added crunch, or roll a log of sugar cookie dough in it before slicing and baking to add elegance without much extra work.



More about turbinado sugar
Turbinado Sugar
Recipe: Molasses Spice Cookies with Orange Sugar





Recipe: Toffee-Chocolate Chip Shortbread

5. Flavored Baking Chips

Last, but not least, keep some flavored baking chips other than chocolate on hand. Swapping out or replacing some of the chocolate chips in a recipe with cinnamon, toffee, or caramel chips is a fun way to turn a trusted recipe into something new and fun. Plus, they'll even appease those few people in the world who don't like chocolate!

Get a recipe
Chocolate Chip and Toffee Shortbread Cookies
Giant Gooey Cinnamon Biscuits

Improve Your Sleep

There are many devices and apps that will tell you why you are not sleeping! However, this new device not only tracks your movement but environmental conditions that may cause you to wake up. Keep reading and check out Apartment Therapy for more information on this new device.

There are plenty of devices and apps that track your sleep, but not many that explain why you're waking up. Sense is a ball that sits on your bedside table and records changes in sound and light that might wake you. It corresponds to a "Pill" that clips on to your pillow that records your movement, and an app that gives you a full report of the night, so you you can do something to get some more shut eye.


• This Smart Sleep Tracker Tells You Why You're Not Getting Enough Sleep |Co.Exist

Make That Twin Bed Feel Like a King

Do you not have enough room in your apartment for a big bed? Just because you could not buy that King, does not mean you can not feel like you have a giant bed to come home too. We have some great tips on how to make that small bed feel like it is from a hotel. Keep reading and check out Apartment Therapy for more information.

Blessed with only enough room for a twin bed? Trying to make a double work for two while you save up for that California king? Buying a bed that's properly in proportion to your space (or your budget) means you're usually left wishing there was a little more room to spread out at night.

Not all of these strategies will work for your life, and some of them only give you extra space visually. But when you're desperate for a few extra inches of sleeping space, it just might help you get through the night.

Go monochromatic with linens.

It's fun to get punchy with patterns, but to visually maximize the size of your bed, stick to an array of solid colors in the same color family; whites with other light colors give the biggest boost.

Be a minimalist with pillows and throws.

Most people sleep with too many pillows beneath their heads at night. Figure out what you really need on the bed, then stash the rest of it in a storage bin. The exception? A neatly folded plush comforter can actually make your bed look bigger.



Grab a headboard (or a big piece of art).

A headboard does more than keep you from losing pillows. It visually frames your bed, making the whole thing look more substantial in both big and small rooms. In lieu of a headboard, a large-scale piece of art (just smaller than the width of your bed) hung above can work in the same way and make the bed a focal point in the room.

Add a bench to the end.

A well-proportioned bench can actually elongate a bed for taller folks or pets who like to sleep at your feet. It's tempting to snag a storage bench for the extra space, but if you've got a small room to start with, a bench with lean legs won't take up more visual real estate.


Kick pets (or kids) out of bed.

My tiny dog manages to take up as much room in our queen bed as either one of his human companions. I'm thinking it might be time to wean him off of sleeping with us so we can reclaim our space.

Save the bed for sleeping.

Stop watching TV or surfing the web in the bedroom. Treat your boudoir as the sanctuary that it is and you might find your small bed seems that much more calm and inviting at the end of a long day.

New Creative Workout Ideas

Are you bored with running and the gym? These are not the only ways to stay active. We have some great ideas on how to mix up your daily workout. Have you ever thought about skateboarding or an aerials class? Keep reading and check out designsponge for more information.




1. Aerial Silk – After my first silks class with Laura, I couldn’t believe how sore I was or how little I could actually do on the silks. Just lifting myself up was a challenge. Each class, I’m able to do a little bit more and that is all the motivation that I need to keep coming back. And most importantly, it’s so fun!!!
2. Skateboarding – A couple of years ago, Grace mentioned that she wanted to try longboarding so on her birthday, I surprised her with a lesson for the two of us in McCarren Park. We had so much fun that we went straight to Bustin Boards and picked out longboards. When the weather is nice, I skate into work almost every day (This was the video that hooked both of us).
3. Roller Derby – This is a great one for community bonding as well as having the added benefit of keeping you healthy. (Here’s a great NYTimes article about Roller Derby Classes)
4. Hula Hooping – The first time I realized someone could be good at hula hooping, I was at an outside concert here in Brooklyn. I couldn’t stop staring at a girl with four hula hoops, grooving to the music.
5. Trapeze – I’ve got my hands full with Aerial, but watching people do trapeze makes it seem pretty fun. (And you end up with killer arms.)
6. Trampoline is another one that falls into the circus skills. When I take aerial, I watch the folks do tricks on the trampoline – my favorite trick is watching them bounce on their backs as they run up the wall. (Like this)
7. Surfing – A couple of summers ago, I took surfing lessons in the Rockaways. It was amazingly fun, but the 45 minute train ride out the beach made it a little tough. I’m tempted to try a Surfset Fitness class (as seen by Grace on Shark Tank!)
8. Synchronized Swim Team – If you don’t have one in your town, you should start your own. (To get you inspired, here are the Brooklyn Peaches)
9. Barre Classes – Barre classes seem to be everywhere lately and if you loved dance class as a child, this might be for you. (Just do an online search for Barre Classes in your area)
10. Indoor Climbing – I’ve yet to try outdoor climbing, but I have great fun at Brooklyn Boulders. It can be a little nerve wracking to climb up, but once you become obsessed with finding the right path to the top, it’s addictive!

Back to College

It is almost time to go back to class and Texas Tech University!  Are you ready yet?  We have gathered some great tips on how to have a great start to your next year as a Raider.  Keep reading and check out College Countdown for more information.


1. Choose your courses carefully.

Some colleges have what’s known as a “shopping period,” in which students can add and drop courses to their hearts’ content. If you have this opportunity, being a smart shopper can set you up for success. In the first week of school, try sitting in on a number of classes that you’re interested in and qualified for. Getting a sense of the workload and the professor’s teaching style for each class will help you make an informed decision when it comes time to finalize your schedule. By choosing the courses that are best for you, you’ll maximize your GPA at the end of the term.

2. Treasure your syllabi.

When you get the syllabi for your classes, don’t just toss them into your backpack and never look at them again. Treat them as your guide to getting an A. As soon as you get them, make a master schedule with all the deadlines and assignments you’ll have for the rest of the term. You can do this by using a regular calendar or day planner, or a more high-tech tool such as Google Calendar or iStudiez Pro—whatever you’re most comfortable with. See when your crunch times are and set alerts for when you have to start key projects. You should also reread your syllabi often, as they may contain the teachers’ expectations, guidelines for writing papers, clues about exams, and other tips that will come in handy throughout the semester.

3. Start studying as soon as possible.

Lots of students view the beginning of the semester as an opportunity for slacking off. There isn’t much homework yet, the first test seems far away, and they’re still in a post-summer haze. But this is actually the perfect time to get a leg up on your studies. Keep up with all your assignments and, if possible, read ahead. The more you get done now, the easier it’ll be to keep your head above water when the work starts pouring in.

4. Make connections from day one.

The first day of class can be pretty nerve-wracking, but it’s also the best time to forge new relationships. Everyone is in the same boat, and students haven’t yet pigeonholed themselves into groups or cliques. It’s easy to make friends in the beginning of the year: just lean over and introduce yourself; the other person will probably be happy you’ve broken the ice. Having people you can depend on in class is important for a number of reasons. When you’re absent, you can get class assignments and notes that you missed. You can study for tests together—explaining a concept to somebody else is one of the best ways to learn. And of course, having a friend in the seat next to you makes going to class much more enjoyable!

5. Establish healthy habits.

This is the perfect time to develop smart strategies for sleep, diet, and exercise. If you forge these habits now, before you get distracted by tests and assignments, you’ll be more likely to stick with them in the long run. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep a night, and keep a regular bedtime even on the weekends. Set up a schedule for exercising at least three times a week. And get in the habit of eating well, not skipping meals, and packing healthy snacks to eat on campus. Remember: your brain can’t function at full capacity unless you treat your body right!

Make Your Morning Latte Better!

We love a good caffeinated drink to wake up in the morning! However, there are ways to make your normal iced latte even better! This blog will tell you how to make your own homemade iced lattes better than ever. You can learn more at The Kitchn.

Here are five things to try to make that homemade iced latte oh so worthy worthy of a warm summer afternoon.

Now of course, there are those who will tell you that putting milk and a sweetener in good coffee is practically sacrilegious. I agree.

Only 35% of Americans take their coffee black, which I think has more to do with the fact that we're used to bad coffee than it does that we love milk and sugar.

But really good coffee doesn't need to be diluted with milk and sweetener; it's good on its own; in fact, if it's made with quality beans, it's better on its own. Adding milk and sweetener is almost a must if you're drinking cafeteria style coffee that's been sitting on the warmer for too long, but when you're going for a pour over of craft roasted beans, you want the coffee all to itself.

That being said, I do have one exception: iced lattes. Because come on, an iced latte is a tasty thing, especially on warm summer days. It's sort of like if you're a wine lover. Inevitably when it's hot out, and you need a refreshing late afternoon drink, you'll take the sangria now won't you?

So, how to make the best iced latte? The standard milk and sugar route is boring and expected, you need something different.

1. Create homemade syrups

Forget sugar, make your own simple syrups. All you have to do for homemade syrups is to start with a basic simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water ratio) and then figure out a flavor that will pair well with your iced coffee or cold brew.

→ How to make simple syrup: Straight Up: DIY Simple Syrup

Here is where you can get creative. I am intrigued by the blackberry syrup fromHow Sweet it Is, made with fresh blackberries, sugar and water. Cardamom syrup perhaps?

→ Try a recipe: Recipe: Homemade Caramel Syrup for Your Coffee

2. Pair almond milk and a dash of almond extract

You can easily make your own almond-flavored creamer by adding in a few drops of pure almond extract. Pair it with almond for an extra dose of almond flavor.

3. Use coconut milk

Coconut milk is a popular iced latte ingredient in the non-dairy crowd. It works well because of its very creamy consistency. In fact there's even a recipe for making coconut cold brew by adding in toasted coconut with the coffee grounds before adding in the cold water.

4. Use your blender

If you want the ultimate in a summer drink then you're going to want your coffee blended. It's easy to make blended coffee drinks at home, which allows you to make them cheaper and healthier than they would be at a cafe. Try this recipe for a Mint and Choco Frappucino, made with dates instead of sugar and cocoa nibs as well.

5. Spike it!

It's summer after all, and if you want to add a little booze to your iced coffee then have at it. You can make your own coffee liqueur and mix that in with your iced drink, or take a tip from the bartenders making craft coffee cocktails and experiment with flavor combinations. Amaretto perhaps?