What's hidding in your fridge?!

Around the time the crazy tornadoes went through and cause such utter devastation in Joplin, Missouri we were living in St. Louis, MO.  We didn't have the awful tornado come through, but we did get enough of the storm to knock out our power.  Thankfully it was only for about a day.  This is when I picked up on the habit of cleaning out the fridge.  I never realized how often something spills and you just don't realize it.  Cleaning the kitchen is almost up there with my hate of cleaning the bathrooms.  But since it is Monday (my grocery shopping day), we will just be tackling the refrigerator. 

I pick Monday mornings because my husband can be home with the boys while I do my shopping.  But before I go to the store, I tackle the refrigerator.  Sometimes my husband does this for me while I am at the store. Yeah, he is pretty great! :)  The main thing I do is check the expiration dates on the food and toss anything that is old.  In the process I wipe down all of the shelves.  I mix vinegar and water in a bowl and use a wash cloth.  I don't really measure how much vinegar to water.  I usually just smell it and make sure you can smell a little vinegar but that it is not overpowering. Then I go shelf by shelf.  Toss the leftovers that have been there more than a day.  Check the deli, fruit and veggie drawers to make sure you don't over look anything.  Don't forget to wipe down the sides and underneath the fruit and veggie drawers.  You would be surprised how often something spills and you don't even realize.  For Newbies: Don't use any kind of chemical clean the inside of your refrigerator.  Don't laugh either, you would be surprised how often people do this without thinking.  Vinegar and water is a natural cleaner that can clean just about anything!  If you have time to do your clean out the day of your shopping you can save your self the hassle of thinking you have something just to find it is expired!

By cleaning out your fridge once a week you ensure your new, fresh food wont get contaminated by anything that may be lurking in there.  Also, if you are like my family and move often, this can save you time later.  Nothing sucks more than packing up the house and realizing you still have to scrub the refrigerator!

Now pick a day and clean out your fridge! You'll thank me later when you bring your groceries home to a clean fridge and it is so much easier to put stuff away!

What are your refrigerator tips? I would love to hear from you!

<3 Ashley

If only I were a runner

I really wish that I loved to run.  I read posts from friends about these 3-5 mile runs they do.  On top of it they seemed so happy after.  What is that?! When I run I feel like a huffing puffing fool! I will do most anything to get out of running.  When I was in jr. high, my best friend and I used to fake asthma attacks to get out of running the mile.  Yes, bad I know.  Although while everyone else was running around the school huffing and puffing, we were drinking water with inhaler in hand.  Then in high school I got this bright idea to join the volleyball team freshman year.  I swear there was not that much running in volleyball in jr. high!!! Needless to say, I only lasted the one season (it didn't help that I wasn't that great at volleyball).  I have gone through these periods of time where I make a decision that I am going to try running and like it.  Why am I so determined to like it? Runners look so fit, for one thing.  I have struggled with my weight since I was in jr. high.  I have also been into working out since then.  So you can look forward to seeing some of my favorite workouts in this blog.  And even though working out can be hard, it can also be fun.  Runners who like running look like they are having fun!

So when a friend of mine posted a 30 day challenge on facebook for running/jogging 30 miles in 30 days, I decided it was time to try AGAIN!  I mean, 1 mile a day?! How hard could that be.  It doesn't help that it is super hot outside, even first thing in the morning.  But, I am doing it!! I have clocked in 6.40miles in 5 days!  So I am challenging the runners and the non-runners to join me.  Tomorrow is Monday and the perfect time to start.  I wont take no for an answer! If I can do it, you can!! Of course, if you have any health conditions consult a doctor first.

Some things that I use that I LOVE: The nike+ app on my phone.  I love it because it tells me how far I have gone, how many calories I have burned, and it keeps a running total of how far I have gone so far in this challenge.  I love the iHeart radio app on my phone too.  It keeps me from having to make my own playlist :).  If you don't workout usually may I suggest ear buds.  They help block out the outside noise so that you just hear the music.  My ear buds are skull candy.

Don't forget to drink lots of water before and after.  You may dehydrate fast than you would think.  Now lace up those shoes and get outside!! You can thank me later. ;)

I would love to hear how you are doing with the challenge! Leave me a comment and good luck!

<3 Ashley

Didn't I JUST scrub the toilet?!

Cleaning...the necessary evil!  Growing up I was not the cleanest person.  I actually remember a time when I was around the age of 7 and I had so many clothes on my bedroom floor you could not see it.  (I used to change my clothes about 5 times a day just because I wanted to try new outfits.) I got really embarrassed when one of our neighbors came over so I got a little better about cleaning up...but not much. My mom would ask me, my brother and sister to do chores around the house, but it never became a habit for me. It wasn't until my first year in college in a dorm room that I started to pick up on regular cleaning habits.  My second year of college i became a little obsessive about everything having a place.  I am sure a therapist would have fun with me! Ever since then this seems to be more the usual than not.  I am not perfect by any means.  I do not have the "catalogue house" as I call it.  What is a "catalogue house?"  It is a house that is clean, everything has it's place and not too many personal knick naks in the house.  I strive for somewhere between a "catalogue house" and a "lived in house" (clean, floors picked up, lots of personal knick naks).

So in order to keep a clean and tidy house with 2 young boys running around the house I decided I need to dedicate certain days to certain cleaning tasks.  Since it is Saturday I thought I would share the list of the day's chores with you and some tips to go along with it.  I have tried many different combinations of when to do which room of the house and this is the first time that I found a combo that works for me.  Now I know that Saturday may not be the best choice for everyone.  My husband doesn't work in retail, but he works retail hours.  His craziest days at work are Friday and Saturday, and his days off are Sunday and Monday.  I try to have everything done before Sunday so that those two days can be family days. 

My most dreaded thing to do are BATHROOMS!!! Especially with 2 small boys who are always in a rush and tend to make messes when going potty. :/  So Saturdays I suck it up and scrub the bathrooms.  I also wash all of the bedding, towels and bathmats.  TIP: I read somewhere that you should wash your bedding once a week to help reduce allergens, germs and any other fun stuff that maybe lurking within...YUCK!!  So maybe your just starting out on your own, or maybe you just need a new routine.  Try dedicating one day a week to these super fun chores (said very sarcastically) and you just may feel a little bit better going into the rest of your week! :)

Bathrooms:

1. The first thing I do is put the toilet bowl cleaner in the toilet so that it has time to sit and disinfect.
2. Next up, mirror(s), top of toilet and anything else that may need Windex.
3. Then I do counter top and sink(s).  I really like Clorox Green Works for when I am doing my weekly cleaning.  I only use a Lysol based cleaner when someone is sick.  The smell is too strong and I always worry I don't rinse enough.
4. I use the same on the shower/tub.  I don't get a cleaner just for the shower any more...I decided it was a waste. 
5. Same thing with the outside of my toilet.  I find the Clorox all-purpose cleaner works well for me.  Some toilet tips for newbies:  Make sure you clean the toilet seat before anything else on the toilet...you don't want to spread the germs from under the seat.  Don't forget to clean the whole outside of the basin...including down at the foot of the toilet. If you have boys or plan on potty training one soon, the foot of the toilet and the very back of the toilet seat will need most of your attention!!!
6. Then I vacuum the whole floor, giving extra attention to baseboards.
7. Wipe down your baseboards! You never know what is lurking there...especially around the toilet. Don't forget your cabinets!!
8. wash the floors, take out the trash and your finished!

TIP: Get rubber gloves! Your hands will thank you later!!  Here is another tip! Commit to a time, get all of your supplies in one area and don't leave until it's done! I always make sure the boys are set up with a new activity/show and a snack right before I start. 

Through out the day I do the necessary switches on the laundry to get done what I want to get done.  When the hubbs gets home he can always tell what I have been up to and is very appreciative of the clean sheets after a long day of work! 

Now get cleaning!!;)

<3 Ashley

Scooby Doo Birthday Cake

Trying to come up with your first Blog topic isn't as easy as you would think.  So, I was think that since next Friday is my son, Logan's 4th birthday I thought I would start off with a blast from the past.  Last year Logan insisted on a Scooby Doo birthday cake.  This is about the time that I got really into baking.  We had moved to St. Louis March 2011 from Illinois/Wisconsin and since I didn't have my best friend or any family down there I threw myself into trying new recipes and making my husband take them to work so I wouldn't eat them all.

So, I went on-line and searched for some kind of template for the cake.  I found the picture of a cake someone else did and sadly do not have that link to give her credit.  So I will share my picture and recipe for the cake and frosting.  Let me just say that this was my first time decorating a cake, so do not judge harshly ;)

 I used a cookie sheet flipped over and covered with foil as my base.  You will want to start off with baking your cake in a 9x13in pan.  After it cools, place on a base and carve the edges off to make the shape.  The spare tire on the front is made from the spare cake, attach with frosting.  Start by putting down a layer of frosting over the whole cake (white).  This is helpful when u are doing your outline...you can make marks in the frosting to guide you.  Then, make your outline with black frosting.  Here is the first trial and error tip...don't use liquid food coloring for the black! It takes a lot of the food coloring to get the desired black, which makes the frosting very thin.  I like Wilton's colors because they don't mess with the consistency of the frosting. You can get the colors on Amazon, WalMart or Michael's Craft Store.  Use a #3 round tip for the outline.  Trust me, if I can do this...anyone can.  I have never been an artist and even I think that the cake turned out ok.  Then you are going to mix up the color orange, green, blue, brown and a little yellow for the collar.  Use a tip#16 star  to fill in.  Keep in mind that this is slightly time consuming and you may need to take a break to refrigerate the cake and the frosting, especially if you're making it in August like me ;).  Finish off with the writing on the bottom and then take a picture and remember the moment!  It wasn't easy for me but I was so proud that I was able to make Logan the cake he wanted!

Now for the recipes...I grew up with a mom who loved to cook and bake.  My sister picked up a knack for it when she was still in high school.  I always admired the way she could just add a little of this and a little of that and create something yummy. I am still not there yet, so it is very fortunate that my mom purchased me a cookbook in hopes that one day I would get the cooking gene.  I am still trying Mama!!! So these particular recipes came from Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book.  Logan wanted a chocolate cake and this recipe is awesome! It is super moist and just enough chocolate.

Chocolate Cake
3/4 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
2 cups call-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1-1/2 cups milk

1. Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. (This is something I think most non-seasoned bakers know...good TIP!!).  Meanwhile, lightly grease bottom of desired pan (for scooby cake I used 9x13).  Line bottom of pan with waxed paper or parchment paper. Grease and lightly flour bottoms and sides of pan.  (DO NOT skip this step if you are planning on taking the cake out of the pan to decorate...it is a life saver!!!)  In a medium bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.

2.In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 second.  Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined (3-4 min).  Scrape sides of bowl; continue beating on medium speed for 2 min.  Add eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition (about 1 min total).  Beat in vanilla.

3. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beating on a low speed after each addition just until combined. (I hear somewhere that you should always end with the liquid...not sure if it is true, but I do it just in case;).) Beat on medium to high speed for 20 seconds more.  Spread batter into prepared pan.

4.  Bake in a 350 oven for 35-40 min or until wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool cake in pan for 10min.  Remove from pan.  Peel off waxed paper. Cool thoroughly on rack.


Butter Frosting
3/4 cup butter, softened
9 cups sifted powdered sugar (about 2 pounds)
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
Milk

1. In a very large mixing bowl beat butter until smooth.  Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar (make sure you sift first, otherwise you will have lumps that are not easily worked out), beating well.  Slowly beat in the 1/4 cup of milk and vanilla.

2. Gradually beat in remaining powdered sugar.  Beat in enough additional milk to reach spreading consistency.  (be careful here...you don't want it too stiff or too soft...for the most part sticking to the recipe with maybe a tablespoon of milk added is good)  And when you are ready add coloring to for decorating.


The one thing I learned about this cake is that if I challenge myself I rise to the occasion.  It may not be perfect, but who is?!

Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you!