Reference List: Halving a Recipe

So, some of my recipes make very.large.quanities.  What can I say?  I need to feed my man of 6' 4" and our son (who seems to have gotten everything from daddy, including his appetite)!  I won't mention that I, myself, could probably out eat the both of them put together any day of the week!  But even with this house full of little (and big) piggies, we still have tons of leftovers that Chris likes to bring to work and that I like to feel little man for lunch.  Let's also put it this way.  If there aren't any leftovers, poor Chris goes to work with no lunch!  So I try to make sure I always cook a decent amount.

But, anyway!  Back to the point.  This list should have every possible measurement that you may come across in a recipe.  Bookmark this page, print it out and laminate it, do whatever you want with it!  It truly is a great reference:)



Halving a Recipe

When you need:                                      Then Use:
1/4 Cup                                                    2 Tablespoons
1/3 Cup                                                    2 Tablespoons and 2 Teaspoons
1/2 Cup                                                    1/4 Cup
2/3 Cup                                                    1/3 Cup
3/4 Cup                                                    6 Tablespoons
1 Tablespoon                                           1 1/2 Teaspoons
1 Teaspoon                                              1/2 Teaspoon
1/2 Teaspoon                                           1/4 Teaspoon


While I'm at it, here's a few major ones for making One-third of a Recipe!


Making 1/3 a Recipe

When you need:                                       Then Use:
1/4 Cup                                                     1 Tablespoon and 1 Teaspoon
1/3 Cup                                                     1 Tablespoon and 2 1/3 Teaspoons
1/2 Cup                                                     2 Tablespoons and 2 Teaspoons



And some words for thought today:  Find someone who knows that you're not perfect but treats you as if you are. <3

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Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

I must admit, I am a little obsessed with green beans.  I guess that's because my mom always knew how to dress them up and they always seemed to be one of the tastier vegetables.  Well, I now have tons of green bean recipes, but this seems to be one of the favorites among everyone.  Every time we have dinner guests, my boyfriend asks me to make these green beans for them.  And every single time they are a hit!  I don't think one person has walked away without asking for this recipe.  So here it is!

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

8 oz Green Beans

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 400.  Trim off the ends of green beans if necessary (I usually buy the bags of green beans that already have the ends cut off).  Put the green beans in a medium sized mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil and a little salt & pepper.  Mix this all together and then lay the green beans in a single layer onto a cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with a generous amount of Parmesan Cheese and let it bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes!  They will be nice and crispy on the outside, yet still tender on the inside.  You can also add some more cheese on top right before you serve them, but I always put on more than enough before baking.

I personally feel these are better than french fries (and I lOVE fries, especially with some vanilla ice cream.. mmm:)... but lets not get into that!).  These green beans have that salty, crunchy feel of fries, but are so much healthier, and so much tastier! ;)

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Valentine's Day Contest!

Hello all my beautiful followers :)

It's almost Valentine's Day, and we have a little contest currently going on!  All you have to do is like Painted Pretty Designs on facebook, and then inbox us a number of how many hearts you think are in this cup!  The winner will receive a Valentine's Day mug.

Contest ends January 31st and it is only open to U.S. residents.

*The mug has not yet been created, but will be posted within a couple days.

www.KitchenPaintedPretty.etsy.com

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Instagram: @PaintedPrettyDesigns

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*This cup demonstrated my handmade Goo Gone here!

Handmade Goo Gone

So, I just purchased a fruit infuser water bottle.  With a baby, I thought it'd be best to ditch the juices and soda, and try to create my own naturally flavored water.  It's healthier for me and baby boy and I'm setting a good example :).

Well I normally make a big thing of it in a huge mason jar, but I figured I'd purchase a water bottle for those quick times I want to just shove some fruit in there and run some errands.  All while still getting my daily dose of fruit infused water!

Well I got the water bottle in the mail today and it has sticky labels all over it (labels that obviously aren't supposed to stay on the bottle).  I tried my best to peal the labels off, but of course, it was nearly impossible to get it all.  I felt like I would be there for hours scraping away at it, and even then, I'm sure there'd still be a gross residue left!

I went into my pantry and found a very cheap and quick way to get that label off!

And guess what you need?  Only TWO ingredients!  Both of which you probably most definitely already have in your home...

Vegetable Oil & Baking Soda

It's a 1:1 ratio.  I only needed a little bit, so I used a 1 teaspoon of each and mix them both together (in a little baby-sized party cup that I bought for my son!  He refuses sippy cups :/ )

Put a nice generous layer over your sticky spot, let it stand for 5-10 minutes and then just rinse with some warm water!  Voila!!  No Goo Gone needed.

*There are many functions I've used this cup for.  You can see it here, being the holder for my Valentine's Day contest!

A little bit more about Painted Pretty Designs

Hello everyone!

I'm sorry I've been M.I.A. lately. As some of you know, I've started a business called Painted Pretty Designs and didn't realize just how quickly business would pick up! I am so thankful for that, but between a new baby, a new business and a house that hasn't had my attention in 9 months, it's a tad hard to sit down and write on top of it all. But I'm back (hopefully), because I have a LOT of stuff to share with you guys. Really awesome dinners, desserts, workouts, house tips, and more!

But right now I just want to share a little bit more about Painted Pretty Designs. I started Painted Pretty Designs so that I could be a work at home mom for my little man. I've never been good with sitting still for too long, and I like to be able to bring home some of the bacon as well ;).  But how can I leave my little man everyday!?  I just didn't think I could.

Right now, I only have one section of Painted Pretty Designs open, Kitchen Painted Pretty. It's a shop full of mostly ceramics that are hand painted by moi! The most popular items are my Long Distance Mugs. It's just the most adorable way to tell someone you are missing them. Here is just one that I offer:

And with Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I'm getting swamped as thought it's Christmas all over again!

I also started another section of Painted Pretty Designs that will be offering Jewelry and accessories (Jewels Painted Pretty). However, since I am so swamped with Kitchen Painted Pretty, I have hired some help for Jewels Painted Pretty, so although it won't be 100% my work, I promise it will still be gorgeous!

Well, I've got to run! I'm listening to a screechy little man that needs to eat, take a bath and be put to bed! Hopefully I'll be back later to give you a very delicious recipe (or something just as yummy to take home!).

Good-bye for now!
Lauren Elizabeth

*Mug shown is $22 and can be purchased here!

My New Etsy Shop!

As you all know, I'm a first time mom, to a now 6 month old.  He is my love, my bundle of joy and giggles.  I am on cloud 9 (when I'm not begging him to let me sleep just a little bit longer!).  But anyway, we live in New York (not a cheap place to live), and we are living off just my boyfriends salary.  It can be tough at times, so I decided to do something about it!  I am naturally very artsy and crafty.  I've always wanted to do something with art.  So!  I finally put my mind to it, and now I'm an Etsy seller!  I know it can be tough to make a living off of Etsy, but I am one determined and passionate mama, so I am going to make it work!

My shop is called Kitchen Painted Pretty.  Right now I'm just selling mugs (and soon I'll be selling bowls, plates, etc.)  I hope to expand it to something a bit bigger in the near future, depending on how well we do!  

Well, lucky for you, I'm starting my venture with a GIVEAWAY!  My very first creation, a rabbit mug!  

If you would like to see the full listing, please click here!  

Enter below!...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to Read Fruit Stickers

Ok, so I'm a little bit more neurotic now that I have a little one to care for.  What goes into my body, ultimately ends up in his body (for the most part).  And when I'm no longer nursing, I'll actually be putting that same food into his little body!  It's scary out there in the food world!  People believe certain things are linked to autism, and cancer, and well obviously diabetes, but the list goes on and on and you can't help but wonder, maybe it does have something to do with what you put in your mouth.  So, I found out that if you read the sticker of your fruits and veggies, you can tell which ones are organic, which ones are grown conventionally and which ones have been genetically modified!  Yikes!  I can't help but wonder how many genetically modified fruit I've bought in the past.  Yes, I like my fruit to look pretty, but obviously that means they were probably genetically modified to appear that way to get people (like myself), to buy them.

So are you ready?

You know how there's that little, annoying sticker on the fruits and veggies?  Well, that annoying little sticker holds the number that tells it all!  If it is organic, the number will be 5 digits long and start with a 9.  Shopping at my local Stop and Shop, I found that they have little baskets that say, "organic" on them to let us know where the organic stuff is, and guess what?!  These were all 5 digits and started with a 9.  So good job Stop and Shop:) (you never know when people are lyin' to ya!!).  

Conventional, (which I GUESS is the next best thing ;)), starts with either a 3 or a 4 and is 4 digits long.  And hey, sometimes I have a recipe that calls for something which I can't find organic, so that's ok.

But STAY AWAY from anything that is 5 digits long and starts with an 8.  These are the genetically modified!  Ugh, I can't even imagine what's been put into them.

Well there's my tip for today!  Have a wonderful rest of your weekend:))

And stay healthy!

Simple (yet effective!) Post-Pregnancy Workout!

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Crock-Pot Chicken Teriyaki

This is another meal that I make at least once a week.  It is so absolutely delicious and I don't have to do anything but throw everything in the crock-pot and let it do it's job! :)  What more could a new mom want?  This dinner looks and tastes like you did a lot more than just throw it in the crock-pot.  Not to mention, I love the way my house smells after I'm done cooking in the crock-pot.  You walk in and are immediately hit with the sweet scent of dinner!

To save on money and extra unnecessary trips to the store, I like to buy these ingredients in bulk (except for the chicken, unless frozen).  I usually go to Costco:)

Ready for this truly simple recipe!?

Here we go...

Ingredients:

1lb of diced chicken

1 cup of chicken broth

1/2 cup of teriyaki sauce

1/3 cup of brown sugar

3 cloves of minced garlic

Rice

1. Mix together the chicken broth, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar and minced garlic
2. Add chicken and stir to coat
3. Cook on low 4-6 hours
4. Serve over rice!  

So delicious!  I didn't take pictures because, well quite frankly, mine turned out looking like dog food bits :/ haha.  I was actually scared to taste it at first but after I did... OMG!  Heavenly!  I fell innnn lOVE!

Poor Posture Stretches

I know I  have terrible posture.  I can feel it when I sit and walk, and I can see it if there's a mirror in sight (or if there are pictures taken!).  I hate it.  I always forget to hold myself up properly, which sucks.  I'm barely 5', so every inch counts!  When I hold my myself taller, I also miraculously seem to lose 5 pounds!  Ever notice that?  You belly appears to lose inches, your arms looks thinner and your neck looks longer.  Well I happened to fall across a yoga stretch that is said to help your posture and guess what?!  The other day my mom said my posture looked better!  It takes all of 2 minutes to complete.  Something I can definitely afford to fit into my day! :))

It's a simple combination of a forward bend and and backward bend.  I do this once a day, and I repeat it 4 times.

1. Take a hand towel with hands positioned at each end, and stand with your feet hip with apart, your toes pointing forward
2. While inhaling, bring arms straight up above your head, shoulders down.   Arch your back backwards while exhaling (like a halfmoon backbend), keeping your chin up.
3. Inhale while coming back up and bring your hands behind your butt.  Exhale while bending forward (knees slightly bent), and bringing arms up and perpendicular to your back, keeping your arms straight.  
4. Come back up with an inhale.  Breath, and repeat!

Happy posture correcting! :)

Cheap, Easy, DELICIOUS Meal

When I was pregnant, I often thought of life after the baby.  I'd be the perfect mom and housewife.  My house would be sparkling, I'd have dinner on the table for when my man gets home, my baby would be well bathed and in bed sleeping like an angel, and I would finally get my body back (only a little bit sleeker and sexier!).  Man was I in for a rude awakening!

Lets just say that up until recently my house looked like a bomb went off, and it's still not at that "sparkling" point of where I want it.  I'm finally just starting to workout again (3 months later!  And with a ton of stretch marks I might add), and I'm just starting to get the hang of nap time.  What's even better is that I'm able to start cooking some dinner again (when baby doesn't want to eat or isn't cranky).  One thing that is on my menu every single week (I kid you not!) is this simple mexican dish.

My mom even has me making extra and bringing it to her house now!  It's a hit all around.  Even for picky eaters, like myself! lol

Mexican Chicken Lettuce Wrap

What you need:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 1/2 cups salsa
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Juice of 1 lime
• Lettuce leaves
• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream

1. Add oil in a large skillet and cook onion until it's softened. Add the garlic and cook and stir for 30 seconds. 

2. Add the chicken, beans, corn, salsa, chili powder and cumin and heat until chicken is cooked thorougly. Stir in lime juice right before serving.

3. Place a portion of the chicken mixture in lettuce leaf and top with shredded cheese and sour cream.

OH SO YUMMY!!  And OH SO EASY!! :)

 Inspired by Taste of Home

Summery Shimmery Nails

First off, can I just say I have a new obsession and it's called Nicole by O.P.I.  Its cheaper than the original OPI, lasts longer and has so many different colors.  Not to mention, it's a lot easier to find a place to buy it.  I get the majority of mine at Target!  I love the brush and my newest addiction has been a color from the Selena Gomez line -- Stars at Night.  I have it over an iridescent green on my toes right now, and this is what's on my fingers!!

I seriously plan to slowly but surely get every color!  Wish me luckk :)

My Simply Perfect Morning Routine

As some of you might know, living with an 11 week old could be quite tough at times.  You have midnight feedings and diaper changes and everyone says, "nap when he naps!", but we all know that is next to impossible.  I have a house to clean, dinner to cook and not to mention, he is a terrrrrrible napper! So, as you can imagine, I look like a walking zombie in the morning.  So what do I do?  Put my mask on and continue on my day like a normal person.  

My routine consists of inexpensive (but awesome!) drugstore items, which will work for anyone on a budget!  Let's get started!

I start my morning with a refreshing shower to wake me up (baby is in his snuggabunny, watching baby einstein's on my ipad [which is propped up on the toilet!])

Thankfully, he is obsessed with TV (shame on me!) so I have time to shave and do all that :)

Tip of the day: use baby oil instead of shaving cream!  I've never felt smoother, my razor blade has never lasted longer, AND I have yet to see an ingrown hair since! :)  Plus I go through sOoOo much shaving cream!  This at least lasts a little longer before I have to buy a new bottle.

Also, the face wash I use? OMG.  I've always had problems with my skin, so I've spent plentyyy of money on department store products, none with too much success.  Then one day I was shopping in my local Trader's Joe's (quality health foods for cheap!!) when I decided to try their face wash.  I picked up Trader Joe's Nourish All-In-One Facial Cleanser, and wow!  I love it!  It leaves my skin baby soft, no more pimples, and it helps fight against aging!  Plus, it's only $5.99.  What a steal!

But ok, now to my beauty routine:

I start with a moisturizer (haven't quite found one that I'm in love with yet).  Then I apply the Aquaphor Healing Ointment on any open acne wounds.  It heals them by the next day!

Since I still have acne scars, I use a liquid foundation to cover up all the redness, but go over that with Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Pressed Powder in Translucent.  It has an SPF in it, which I love.  Sun is the number one contributor to fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.  Not to mention skin cancer!  I also keep one of these powders in my bag for those little touch ups during the day.

Next is my bronzer.  I don't use blush, and after using the powder, my face definitely needs some color!  Don't laugh at me, but I use Wet 'n' Wild Ultimate Bronzer.  It is such a fantastic colored bronzer with little shimmery specs in it.  Since it's the summer, I absolutely lOVE when my face gives off a glimmery glow in the light of the sun.  This is perfect for that look.

I don't really have time to go crazy with my eyeshadows like how I used to, so I only spruce up my eyes with liner and mascara.  I use the Revlon Liquid Liner on the top to create that winged out, cat eye look (but I don't go crazy, just a little wing is necessary), and I use Wet 'n' Wild Eyeliner pencil on the bottom waterline.  For my lashes I recently switched from Estee Lauder to L'Oreal Voluminous in Carbon Black.  With just these three item's my eyes look brighter and more awake and alert!  Just what I need to fake the world out ;)  Oh!  I forgot to mention.  I also use a Revlon Lash Curler.  A little trick to make your eyes look brighter is to bring the mascara wand out towards your ears when you brush them through your lashes.  And apply more mascara to the outer corners!

The only thing I apply to my lips is (once again) the Aquaphor Healing Ointment.  Nothing makes my lips feel smoother.

Last but not least, my hair:

My hair is cut in a way so that I have long layers (with the shortest being chin length).  I actually just got rid of my side bangs because I can only imagine how annoying they would be with a baby.  I breastfeed and I know they would only get in the way.  

So, I use Psssssst Instant Dry Shampoo for the days I don't make it into the shower. :/ (C'mon!  We're all guilty of having these days!)

When I want beachy waves, I throw in some texturizing balm.

And, no matter what, I always used the L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray.  It does smell a tad funky, but it's worth it!  My hair stays frizz-free and in place.  I'm also able to run my fingers through it smoothly, AND it makes my hair so silky!  Plus the smell seems to disappear by the time I'm out of the bathroom (although, I don't know if it's just me getting used to it). 

TA-DA! 

And that's my beauty routine on a budget!  I'm able to pretend I've gotten a good night's rest and I didn't have to break my bank while doing it!