1. Kitchen The Problem: Bulky appliances, lunch boxes, coupons, and cookbooks quickly cover up wide-open counter space. The Solution: Start by purging your kitchen of items you no longer use. If you can’t remember the last time you plugged in the quesadilla maker or opened a cookbook, it’s time to go. If there are countertop items you use only a few times a year, give them a permanent home in the basement or at the back of the pantry....
1. Expect a Payback Finishing a basement can be a good investment. According to cost versus value surveys conducted annually by Remodeling magazine, nationally, the average return on investment for a basement project is around 75 cents on the dollar. Besides the financial gains, refinishing a basement will add new functionality to your home: more bedrooms, more efficient storage, and more space for entertaining. 2. Flex Your DIY Muscle Plumbing and wiring are best left to professionals....
1. Practice Organic Gardening Going organic is an important part of sustainable gardening. Using fewer chemicals in your garden is more ecologically sound and more cost-effective. If you’re raising food for your family, gardening organically is even more important. Start from the ground up by building good soil rich in nutrients and add natural compost to amend the soil. If you discover insect pests or plant disease in your garden, treat them with organic solutions....
Buy It: 3-Quart Threshold Rectangular Baking Dish ($20, Target)
Buy It: OXO Softworks Pizza Wheel ($12, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: Make these cookie sandwiches ahead by storing them unassembled in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw and assemble as directed when it’s party time. Buy It: Wilton Ultra Bake Cookie Sheet Set ($16, Target)
Bacon. Potato tots. Alfredo sauce. Talk about a comfort food trifecta! Package that all in one cozy casserole, and you have a supremely mouthwatering meal to make for a crowd. (Psst…this is also the perfect vehicle to put leftover chicken to great use.) You can use that or rotisserie chicken to hit the “easy” button on this big-batch chicken chili. With three types of peppers—poblano, green bell, and canned chipotle—in the mix, this good dinner for a crowd really packs a punch....
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Buy It: Nostalgia Air-Pop Hot Air Popcorn Popper ($20, Target) Buy It: Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker ($50, Target) Buy It: Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Half Sheet Pan ($10, Walmart) Test Kitchen Tip: Line your baking pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
Buy It: Crock-Pot Slow Cooker ($25, Target)
Beans are a budget cook’s BFF. At about a dollar a can, they’re one of the cheapest protein sources you can snag at the supermarket. Black and pinto beans are the stars of this warmly spiced Mexican lasagna. To turn up the heat for about the same price, trade in a poblano for the green bell pepper to give this budget Mexican casserole some mild kick. Buy It: 2-Piece Pyrex Glass Bakeware Set, $11, Walmart A pound of chicken breasts is plenty to feed six when you incorporate bite-size pieces of the protein with hearty, fiber-filled ingredients like sliced mushrooms, broccoli, and farro....
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Editor’s Tip: Make a Father’s Day mocktail by trading lemon-lime sparkling water for the vodka.
Editor’s Tip: If you want to use a pot that has a drainage hole, simply plug the hole with silicone sealant (like the kind you’d use to seal seams in your shower)
Pegboard Storage Hacks for Every Room Open Shelving Inspiration Everything you need to know about cabinets and storage - HERE! Discover everything you need to know about your cabinets here. Find more clever ways to store your cooking equipment. Find more ways to keep small appliances out of sight. Learn how to properly organize a pantry. Get message-center design ideas. DIY a spice drawer organizer.
Buy It: Calphalon Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan Set ($42, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Aluminum 5qt. Ceramic Coating Jumbo Cooker with Lid ($32, Target) Buy It: Smoked Spanish Paprika Flatpack ($9, The Spice House) Buy It: Oster DuraCeramic Electric Skillet ($50, Target) Buy It: Select by Calphalon Hard-Anodized Non-Stick Stir Fry Pan ($50, Target) Buy It: Mango Chutney ($7, Stonewall Kitchen)
