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Recipes

Growing up it always seemed that your grandma or mom could whip together a hotdish with basics from the cupboard, and it was perfect for those cold winter days when you were looking for comfort food to fill your belly. This is a classic that never disappoints. Enjoy!



American Goulash


 Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 ½ cups chopped onion

1 pound lean ground beef

2 large cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground pepper

1 (14 ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (8 ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce

1 cup low-sodium beef or chicken broth

1¼ cups whole-wheat elbow macaroni

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and beef; cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and their juices, tomato sauce and broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add macaroni and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 6 to 9 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired.


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Cheesy Shrimp & Grits Bites


These are a little time consuming, but for some, worth all the effort. 

Ingredients
4 slices thick-sliced bacon
3 1/2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
1 1/4 cups uncooked quick-cooking grits
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 lb uncooked medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, drained
4 medium green onions, chopped (1/4 cup)


Step 1
In a 10-inch skillet, cook bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble; set aside. Reserve drippings. Spray a 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In a 2-quart saucepan, heat the broth to boiling over high heat. Gradually stir in grits and salt. Reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often, until grits are thickened. Stir in cheese and bacon. Spoon into pan. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
Step 2
Heat oven to 450°F. Run spatula around edge of pan and under grits to loosen edges; turn upside down onto large cutting board. Using 1 3/4-inch round cutter, cut grits into 30 rounds. Place in a single layer on a large cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes; turn cakes over. Bake 10 to 12 minutes longer or until crisp and browned.
Step 3
Meanwhile, add shrimp and garlic to bacon drippings in a skillet. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until shrimp are pink. Stir in tomatoes. Reduce heat; simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat; cover to keep warm.
Step 4
Top each grits cake with 1 heaping teaspoon shrimp mixture; sprinkle with onions.

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Crafts

Salt Paint Snowflakes

What You’ll Need

What To Do

Step 1

Start by downloading and printing the free snowflake template. You can mix and match the different shapes and sizes of snowflakes to create your own unique snowflake design. If you’d prefer something ready to go, I’ve also created five pre-designed snowflake pictures that you can use as-is.

Step 2

Place your template behind a piece of card stock or watercolor paper and hold it up to a window. With your pencil trace the outline of the snowflake.

Step 3

Once your designs are traced the way you want them, place your paper on a cookie sheet or glass baking dish. This will catch all the salt and keep the mess to a minimum. The next step is to outline the snowflakes with white glue.

Step 4

While the glue is still wet, sprinkle a generous amount of salt over the glue. sprinkle right from the box. Then tip your paper to remove the excess salt. I kept sprinkling salt until I couldn’t see any shiny glue spots.

Step 5

You can either let the glue dry completely before painting, or you can jump right in and start painting right away. I’ve tried both ways and they both work well. Now for the fun part. Mix some food coloring with a bit of water, dip your paintbrush into the mixture, and touch it to the salt covered snowflakes. Watch as the color spreads, creating stunning frosty designs Have the kids experiment with blending colors for unique snowflakes. You could also use liquid watercolor paints for this part.


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Book Recommendation 

The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben


Are trees social beings? In The Hidden Life of Trees forester and author Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers. Wohlleben also shares his deep love of woods and forests, explaining the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration that he has observed in his woodland.



“A declaration of love and an engrossing primer on trees, brimming with facts and an unashamed awe for nature.”—Washington Post

“Heavily dusted with the glitter of wonderment.”—The New Yorker

Includes a Note From a Forest Scientist by Dr.Suzanne Simard


A NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER • One of the most beloved books of our time: an illuminating account of the forest, and the science that shows us how trees communicate, feel, and live in social networks. After reading this book, a walk in the woods will never be the same again.

“Breaks entirely new ground ... [Peter Wohlleben] has listened to trees and decoded their language. Now he speaks for them.”—The New York Review of Books

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BRAINPICKINGS • HONORABLE MENTION: SEJ Rachel Carson Environment Book Award • Shortlisted: Audible International Book of the Year Award • Books For a Better Life Award • Indie Choice Award—Nonfiction Book of the Year


Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute


Seasonal Tips

Here are seasonal apartment tips to help you maintain a comfortable and efficient living space throughout the year:

Winter❄️
Prevent Frozen Pipes – Let faucets drip in extreme cold and keep cabinet doors open to circulate warm air. 
Use Rugs & Curtains – They help insulate and keep your space warmer.
Be Prepared for Storms – Keep emergency supplies like flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable food. Most local utility companies will post updates on outages on their website where you can check when the lights might come back on. 
Monitor Heating Bills – Use space heaters wisely and dress in layers to save energy.
Holiday Decor & Safety – Use LED lights and avoid overloading outlets.

Pointers for Moving

Before the Move:

  1. Read Your Lease Carefully – Understand your lease terms, including security deposits, move-in dates, and any restrictions.
  2. Notify Current Landlord – Give proper notice as required in your lease to avoid penalties.
  3. Create a Moving Checklist – List all tasks, such as packing, hiring movers, and updating your address, turning on/off utilities. 
  4. Set a Budget – Account for moving costs, security deposit, utility setup fees, and other expenses.
  5. Declutter Before Packing – Donate, sell, or discard items you no longer need to lighten your load.
  6. Gather Packing Supplies – Collect boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and markers for labeling.
  7. Label Everything – Clearly mark boxes by room and contents to make unpacking easier.
  8. Take Photos of Your Current Apartment – Document any damages before moving out to ensure you get your security deposit back.


Moving Day:

  1. Pack an Essentials Box – Include toiletries, clothes, chargers, and important documents for easy access.
  2. Use Proper Lifting Techniques – Avoid injuries by lifting with your legs and not your back.
  3. Check Apartment Condition – Inspect your new place for damages and report them to the landlord immediately by filling out the "Move In Inspection/Acceptance Form" and take pictures of damage you note to retain until you vacate the unit. 
  4. Confirm Utility Setups – Ensure water, electricity, internet, and other services are active.
  5. Meet the Neighbors – Introduce yourself to start on a positive note in your new community.


After the Move:

  1. Unpack Strategically – Start with essentials, then move on to other rooms gradually.
  2. Change Your Address – Update it with your bank, employer, subscriptions, and DMV.
  3. Test Appliances and Fixtures – Check if everything is working properly and report issues to your landlord.
  4. Secure Your Home – Check locks on doors and windows to confirm they work properly, check smoke detectors, and familiarize yourself with emergency exits.
  5. Decorate and Organize – Make the space feel like home by arranging furniture and adding personal touches.



Most importantly, take your time, have fun and reach out to your property manager with any questions, or concerns, you have as you acquaint yourself with your new home. 


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