Blog Posts in 2013

• Go Green: Make Your Appliances Energy-Efficient

  May 29, 2013

  When you step inside your home you should see green. As a matter of fact, the greener…the better. Why green? Three reasons: A green home has lower energy costs A green home has a positive impact on the environment. A green home simply doesn’t use as many of our earth’s valuable natural resources. So, just out of curiosity, how green is your home? If you don’t know, Mr. Appliance® has some ...

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• Cool Runnings

  May 8, 2013

  You work hard in your kitchen, but is your kitchen working too hard for you? To keep your refrigerator in top shape, remember to limit the number of times you open the refrigerator door. The air suction created by the action of opening the door causes the refrigerator to lose more air than if the door were left open a little longer. Also, keep the refrigerator and freezer moderately full. Cooled ...

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• Love Your Kitchen

  April 29, 2013

  Take time to love your appliances and they will love you back. Follow these steps from Mr. Appliance® to cook up some romance, instead of frustration with inefficient appliances. Give Your Oven Some Lovin’ Don’t run the self-cleaning cycle within one week of a big dinner - ovens have a tendency to fail during or right after a self-cleaning cycle. Clean the reflector bowls under the burners to help ...

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• Laundry Love

  April 29, 2013

  Live, Laugh, Wash, Repeat If your family is like most families, your laundry room is one of the busiest rooms in the house. Large and small families are constantly over-working their washer and dryer, especially during the school year. The harder your washer and dryer have to work, the more money and energy you waste. When washing clothes you should use the high-speed spin cycle, which takes more ...

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• End the Frustration of Unloading Dirty Dishes: 5 Tips to Help Your Dishwasher Do its Best Work.

  April 29, 2013

  Do you have to wash your dishes more than once to get them clean? If so, your dishwasher may be slacking on its job, and there could be many possible reasons. Whether your old dishwasher just doesn’t clean like it used to, or you have a new dishwasher that doesn’t seem to have the cleaning power of your old one, you can increase the effectiveness of your dishwasher with these tips: Use appropriate ...

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• Take it from the experts: 7 Tips for Success

  April 29, 2013

  We can all use an extra bit of motivation now and then to remind us how to achieve greatness. Enjoy seven tips from people listed among the top 50 Successful Americans according to Success magazine. Warren Buffett: “It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.” The cliche “bad company corrupts good ...

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• Reduce. Reuse. Upcycle.

  April 29, 2013

  Break free of the circle and follow the arrows to sustainable cleaning. Save money and fresh air this season by spring cleaning your household with products you can find behind milk cartons and spaghetti boxes. No need to make a special trip to the store, discover cleaning goods within your home that can transform your kitchen from the winter blues to the bright white of spring. Instead of ...

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• How to Choose the Best Dishwasher

  April 29, 2013

  Buying a new appliance can be confusing and stressful. If you are unsure which features are necessary for your lifestyle, how do you get the most bang for your buck without overspending or under-compensating your needs? Choosing the right dishwasher model is largely dependent upon your lifestyle and size of residence. Check out the following key questions flowchart to help figure out what models ...

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• Live, Laugh and Learn with Lillyan: Home Style Happiness

  April 29, 2013

  Sometimes all you need is a little bit of chicken and potatoes to turn your ordinary Saturday night into a home-cooked Sunday supper with your family. Last Saturday night when the rain poured and the wind blew, I knew soup couldn’t cut the cold of winter; only starches would do. A few years ago I created an oil and lemon dipping sauce for a bread appetizer that I soon realized would taste even ...

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• Live, Laugh and Learn with Lillyan: Supporting Side Dishes

  April 29, 2013

  Filet mignon, a salmon steak and a perfectly roasted chicken often get all the attention. It’s time to share the stoplight with these supporting side dishes that will make your guests ask for more. These recipes feature a perfect party appetizer, side dish and a ramekin dessert that guests can serve up individually and talk about long after the party is over. Lillyan’s Whipped Goat Cheese with ...

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• Live, Laugh & Learn with Lillyan: Spring Saturdays

  April 29, 2013

  Spring Saturdays are my favorite. I love sleeping in and waking up to the bright, seasonal light that shines through my curtains. There is something sweeter about making breakfast on a Saturday morning than my normal work week. Celebrate the season of new beginnings by incorporating fresh fruit with energy-packed carbs to get you through your weekend of errands, or just relaxing in the springtime ...

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• Live, Laugh & Learn with Lillyan: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Tapas

  April 29, 2013

  Forget the chips and salsa, it’s time to step up your Cinco de Mayo menu and serve your guests fiesta tapas that they will never forget. This Cinco de Mayo, I had the chance to celebrate and cook with Chef Bill at Gourmet Gallery in Waco, Texas. Chef Bill transformed the ordinary kitchen into a fiesta with his Spanish-style recipes. From tomato and watermelon skewers to tortilla espanola to a ...

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• Live, Laugh & Learn with Lillyan: One-Dish Party

  April 29, 2013

  As the weather begins to warm up, I love having family and friends over for dinner. Sometimes the stress of grocery shopping, decorating the table and prepping the meal can be dinner-overload. As a moving gift, my mom sent me this lasagna recipe from Martha Stewart that Trey and my neighbors absolutely loved. Paired with pesto and gruyere bruschetta as an inviting appetizer, this one-dish meal is ...

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• Live, Laugh and Learn with Lillyan: Summer Solstice Social

  April 29, 2013

  by Lillyan Baker Summer is here and it is time to serve your guests the tastes of the season. Celebrate the longest day of the year with fresh fruit from the local farmer’s market and herbs picked right from the backyard garden. This featured appetizer and sparkling drink will make guests remember this social as the party that made the sun stand still. Fried Polenta with Veggies Ingredients: 1 ...

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• National Love Your Pet Day

  April 29, 2013

  Chicken Jerky Ingredients: Two to four chicken breasts Instructions: Preheat oven to 200 degrees After removing any excess fat, slice the chicken into 1/8-inch thick strips Bake the strips on a baking sheet two hours (your chicken should be dry and hard) Let it cool and watch your dog go crazy of their jerky! Trail Mix Ingredients: Unseasoned meat pieces Potatoes Assorted fruits and veggies ...

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