This recipe inspirations comes just after Hostess, the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, announced it is going out of business.  It’s truly a sad day for all.  What’s even more sad is the fact that Twinkies are selling on Amazon for a crazy amount of money.

Don’t worry though, you can still make your cream puffed pastry in your own kitchen!  Here’s the Best Twinkies Copy Cat Recipe I have ever tried!  Here’s a pan that works perfectly for this recipe.  You don’t have to have this pan because you can make molds out of tin foil too.

Easy Homemade Twinkies Copy Cat Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cake Ingredients

• nonstick spray
• 4 egg whites only
• 1 (16 oz) box of pound cake mix of your choice
• 2/3 cup of water

Filling Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons of hot water
• 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt kosher salt is a milder flavor
• 2 cups of marshmallow screen I use the Jetpuffed
• 1/3 cup of shortening plain, not buttered
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

How to Make Homemade Twinkies

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees f.
2. Use a molded pan (as seen in my post) or create your own molds by wrapping a square seasoning jar around tin foil to create the mold shape. Place these molds that you create, side by side on a cookie sheet.

Start making the cake part:

1. Beat the egg whites until stiff (it should peak when you lift your blender beaters up from the egg whites)
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the cake mix and water. After it’s blended with no lumps (about 2 minutes) fold in the egg whites.
3. Pour the batter into the molds, filling each mold about 3/4 of an inch.
4. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Let the cakes cool before filling them.

Make the Filling:

1. Combine salt with the hot water in a small bowl. Stir it long enough for the salt to dissolve. Let cool.
2. Combine the marshmallow creme, shortening, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a medium bowl and mix with a blender until fluffy.
3. Next, add the salt water mixture in the last step of blending the filling.
4. Fill the cooled pound cakes with this filling by poking three holes in the bottom of each cake. I used a straw to do this. I moved the straw around to open the inside of the cake part leaving the hole the same size as the straw.
5. Use a pastry bag to insert the filling mixture into the holes you just created.
6. Enjoy!

Be sure to grab the printable recipe below and pin this for later!

Print

Easy Twinkies Copy Cat Recipe

Make your very own Twinkies the easy way!

Course Dessert

Keyword copycat recipe, homemade twinkies, twinkie recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Author Jennifer

Ingredients

Cake Ingredients

• nonstick spray
• 4 egg whites only
• 1 (16 oz) box of pound cake mix of your choice
• 2/3 cup water

Filling Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons hot water
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt kosher salt is a milder flavor
• 2 cups marshmallow screen I use the Jetpuffed
• 1/3 cup shortening plain, not buttered
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees f.
• Use a molded pan (as seen in my post) or create your own molds by wrapping a square seasoning jar around tin foil to create the mold shape. Place these molds that you create, side by side on a cookie sheet.

Start making the cake part:

• Beat the egg whites until stiff (it should peak when you lift your blender beaters up from the egg whites)
• In a separate bowl, mix together the cake mix and water. After it’s blended with no lumps (about 2 minutes) fold in the egg whites.
• Pour the batter into the molds, filling each mold about 3/4 of an inch.
• Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
• Let the cakes cool before filling them.

Make the Filling:

• Combine salt with the hot water in a small bowl. Stir it long enough for the salt to dissolve. Let cool.
• Combine the marshmallow creme, shortening, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a medium bowl and mix with a blender until fluffy.
• Next, add the salt water mixture in the last step of blending the filling.
• Fill the cooled pound cakes with this filling by poking three holes in the bottom of each cake. I used a straw to do this. I moved the straw around to open the inside of the cake part leaving the hole the same size as the straw.
• Use a pastry bag to insert the filling mixture into the holes you just created.
• Enjoy!

The post Easy Twinkies Copy Cat Recipe appeared first on iSaveA2Z.com.

Get ready for the Best Cupcake recipe ever!  I just tested a white cupcake recipe that I am in love with!  It has a velvet texture, very moist and Oh, so delicious!  Best part, my kids think so too!  You need to add this as a recipe for cupcakes that you need to try!

I tend to make cupcakes for almost every occasion.  I can just image these as my Valentines Day Cupcakes especially if I make them with a Red Velvet Cake mix!

You can add this to your recipes for chocolate cupcakes too!  It’s easy, just get a box of chocolate cake mix!  I love the devils food chocolate mix!  It’s the best!

I used the Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix for my recipe but you can do so many different things to make this fun.  Give it a try to Birthday cupcakes!  Kids love it!  (Tip:  Have a cupcake Birthday party and let the kids decorate their own)

Next time, I am going to make rainbow cupcakes with this recipe.  Rainbow cupcakes are just cupcake mix with food coloring!  (Just divide the cupcake mixture into the amount of colors you want and add drops of food coloring to each separate mix and add spoonfuls of the different colors to the cupcake muffin and Voila!  Rainbow cupcakes!)

Here’s the ingredients I used:

Best Cupcake Recipe: Made with Greek Yogurt = healthy option!

Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Total time: 25 mins

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 box cake mix of your choice
• 1 cup greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
• 1 cup water

How To Make Greek Yogurt Cupcakes

1. Mix the cake dry mixture with one cup of water and one cup of yogurt.
2. add mixture to cupcake pan with cupcake foils
3. bake according to the time frame on your cake box
4. no icing is needed (unless you desire it) because these are super moist and tasty already.

Print

Greek Yogurt Cupcake Recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword cupcake recipe, cupcakes, greek yogurt cupcake, greek yogurt cupcake recipe, greek yogurt cupcakes, greek yogurt recipes

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 box cake mix of your choice
• 1 cup greek yogurt plain or vanilla
• 1 cup water

Instructions

• Mix the cake dry mixture with one cup of water and one cup of yogurt.
• add mixture to cupcake pan with cupcake foils
• bake according to the time frame on your cake box
• no icing is needed (unless you desire it) because these are super moist and tasty already.

The post Greek Yogurt Cupcake Recipe appeared first on iSaveA2Z.com.

If you’re looking for a fun and refreshing drink to cool off with, this Italian soda recipe is the perfect choice! With just a few simple ingredients and endless ways to customize it, this sweet, fizzy drink is a favorite for kids and adults alike. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want a treat on a hot day, this raspberry vanilla soda is easy to whip up and totally delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Torani Raspberry Syrup
• Torani Vanilla Syrup
• Half and Half
• Club Soda
• Ice
• Fresh Raspberries
• Whip Cream, optional

How to Make Raspberry Vanilla Italian Soda At Home

This recipe can be made to your liking. Very simple and not hard to mess up on!

1. Add ice to desired cup.
2. Pour club soda into cup until it’s about 1/2-3/4 full.
3. Pour in a little bit of the raspberry syrup. Then add in double the amount of raspberry you put it.
4. Lastly pour in a little half and half.
5. Add some fresh raspberries and whip cream and drink with a fun straw!
6. Enjoy!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This homemade Italian soda tastes just like the ones from your favorite cafe, but it’s way more fun to make and budget-friendly, too! Its bubbly, creamy, and bursting with fruity flavor. Plus, it makes a great party drink station idea for birthdays, baby showers, or summer gatherings.

Print

Italian Soda Recipe

Author Jennifer

Ingredients

• Raspberry Syrup-I used Torani
• Vanilla Syrup-I used Torani
• Half and half
• Club soda
• Ice
• Fresh Raspberries
• Whip cream-optional

Instructions

• This recipe can be made to your liking. Very simple and not hard to mess up on!
• Add ice to desired cup.
• Pour club soda into cup until it’s about 1/2-3/4 full.
• Pour in a little bit of the raspberry syrup. Then add in double the amount of raspberry you put it.
• Lastly pour in a little half and half.
• Add some fresh raspberries and whip cream and drink with a fun straw!
• Enjoy!

 Be sure to pin this for later!

The post Homemade Raspberry Vanilla Italian Soda Recipe appeared first on iSaveA2Z.com.

Don’t let the title of Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe throw you for a loop because this recipe is versatile and can be made with many different types of meat or no meat at all. It can also be served hot or cold. That’s probably why this is one of my favorite recipes to make during the weeknight.  Simple put, it’s easy.

The reason why this recipe is healthy is because it doesn’t use the heavy soups as a sauce.  It uses a simple Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a gold balsamic vinegar to give it lots of flavor.  I use the Due Vittorie Oro Gold Balsamic Vinegar that I purchased on Amazon.  It’s always listed as a best seller so I decided to give it a try and I feel in love with it.  That bottle will last me a really long time too.  I can’t say enough good things about it.  It’s probably because it’s imported from Italy.  That must be it.  lol

This can easily be turned into a vegetarian dish if you leave the tuna out.  It has plenty of protein with the beans.

Another tip to this recipe is the fresh herbs I use.  That makes a huge difference in any meal when you use fresh herbs.

Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 cups whole wheat penne pasta (or any pasta of choice), cooked and cooled
• 1 (5 oz) can of tuna in water, drained
• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped black olives
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup sautéed onions (yellow or white)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or other fresh herbs
• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

How To Make Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad

1. Cook Pasta
   Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and let it cool.
2. Saute Onions
   In a small pan, sauté chopped onions in a bit of olive oil until golden and soft. Let cool.
3. Mix Ingredients
   In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tuna, chickpeas, black olives, tomatoes, sautéed onions, and parsley.
4. Make the Dressing
   In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Toss and Chill
   Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and mix well to coat all the ingredients evenly. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Notes

• This dish tastes even better the next day.
• Add crumbled feta or chopped cucumber for a twist.
• Great for meal prep – store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Here’s a Pinterest friendly photo in case you want to “pin it” for later:

Print

Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword healthy tuna pasta salad, tuna pasta salad, tuna pasta salad recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat penne pasta or any pasta of choice, cooked and cooled
• 1 5 oz can of tuna in water, drained
• 1 cup canned chickpeas rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped black olives
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup sautéed onions yellow or white
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or other fresh herbs
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook Pasta

• Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and let it cool.

Saute Onions

• In a small pan, sauté chopped onions in a bit of olive oil until golden and soft. Let cool.

Mix Ingredients

• In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tuna, chickpeas, black olives, tomatoes, sautéed onions, and parsley.

Make the Dressing

• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Toss and Chill

• Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and mix well to coat all the ingredients evenly. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Notes

This dish tastes even better the next day.

Add crumbled feta or chopped cucumber for a twist.

Great for meal prep – store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

The post Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe appeared first on iSaveA2Z.com.

Do you love fizzy bath bombs, but hate paying an arm and a leg for them? You can easily make your own custom ones at home with just a few ingredients, and even better, with all-natural ingredients and essential oils so that you know only good things, instead of perfumes, are going into them.

This recipe uses 2 essential oils in lemon and lime. If you can find the cute slice-shaped molds, it makes for a great display and cute gift item for someone as well. Use any combination of citrus oils, too, along with the same base ingredients.

This recipe made one whole tray of the ice cubed size molds, which filled an entire mason jar full. You can use a larger mold and will still get three or four bath bombs out of the same amount.

Lemon Lime Bath Bombs Ingredients:

• Silicone molds
• 1/2 cup citric acid – this can be found at your local natural grocery store or you can order it online.
• Witch Hazel – a small amount in a spray bottle
• 1 cup baking soda
• 20 drops of lemon essential oil
• 15 drops of lime essential oil
• Food coloring – this is optional if you want them colored
• Rubber Gloves
• Glass Jar or container for storage

DIY Lemon Lime Homemade Bath Bombs Instructions:

1. Measure out the citric acid and place in a glass mixing bowl. Citric acid can have a strong smell, so make these in a well ventilated room.
2. Add in the baking soda. Use a whisk to remove any lumps and mix together well.
3. Slowly add in one of the essential oils and mix well with the whisk. Add in the other essential oil and whisk again to get rid of any clumping.
4. If you are going to add color to your bath bombs, go ahead and add a few drops of food coloring. Three to four drops is good, but if you want them a brighter color, do closer to 6. Mix in the color and be sure to get any large lumps of color broken down so it spreads evenly throughout the whole mix.
5. Put on the rubber gloves. With one hand, spray the mixture with the witch hazel, and then mix it with the other hand. Take your time and spray just the top to make it damp. You can always spray more with hazel if you need to. The mixture will need to be damp throughout, but not super wet. The mixture will get cold. The best way to know if the mixture is the right consistency is to get a ball of it in the palm of your hand and see if it sticks together without falling apart or being powdery. If it does, you are ready to press it into the molds.
6. Begin to press the mixture into the molds. Put a handful in, press down to fill the mold completely and to pack down the mixture. Scrape any extra off the top so it’s flat across the top of the mold.
7. Set the molds on the counter for about 15 to 20 minutes to dry some and harden. Then, flip them over carefully onto a plate and let them dry another 10 or 15 minutes. Now, you should be able to push them out of the molds. Carefully push on the middle of the mold and pull the mold up with the other hand at the same time. When they are ready, they will come out easily.
8. Let the bath bombs sit on the plate, in the sun if possible, for at least thirty minutes to dry out entirely. If you want to test them, feel the center top and bottom, if it still feels cold or damp, let them dry longer.
9. Store your DIY Lemon Lime Bath Bombs in a cute glass jar. When you are ready to use them, just place one in your bath water and enjoy!

Don’t forget to Pin it to Pinterest for later!!

More Homemade Bath Bomb Ideas To Make

Coconut Bath Bombs Recipe

Fizzy Bath Bombs

Heart Shaped Bath Bombs

The post Homemade Bath Bombs: Refreshing Lemon Lime appeared first on iSaveA2Z.com.

Window Treatments that Help Keep your Home Cool in the Summer

It’s the middle of August and I live in Texas.  It’s damn hot!  There is one room in my house that gets direct sunlight.  It happens to be my office that is in the back of the house.   I have been brainstorming for a few weeks now on how I can get this particular room to be cool like the rest of the house.  As a future project, I plan to add some awnings for shade but I’m hot right now.  I live in the country, in the middle of nowhere.  We have lots of land that surrounds us.  No houses anywhere to be seen and lots of trees.  We made the move from the city to the country about 6 months ago and we won’t ever go back.  I’ve left the world of manicured lawns with sprinkler systems for trees and wildlife.  As I drive down our country road to get to my house I see all sorts of different houses from manufactured homes to beautiful ranch homes that some may call mansions.

One thing that sticks out the most is the different window treatments.  Lots of houses have beautiful shutters that are decorative or useful while on the extreme opposite others have tin foil.  Yes, the shiny tin foil that is used for cooking.  I don’t remember seeing this in the city.  I’m used to wood blinds or faux wood blinds with black out curtains.  Why in the world would people use tin foil?  There’s no light.  There’s no option to open the blinds or curtains.  That’s some serious dedication to keeping the light out, wouldn’t you say?  Is it to keep the light out?  Is it to reflect the heat from the home?  I’m not sure.  Either way it’s damn ugly.  But…  I’m desperate.  It’s hot in my office and I can’t stand it.  I decided to do a test.  By the way, for those of you that know my husband.  Yes, there are times just like this that he thinks I’m totally nuts.  lol

I decided to test to see which window treatments I should spend money on.  I started a Facebook conversation with my friends asking for advice.  Turns out there are lots of people that have very strong opinions on which window treatments work wonders on keeping your home cooler in the Texas heat.

Here’s the suggestions I received for window treatments:

• Shutters
• Awnings
• Cardboard
• Bubble wrap
• Styrofoam
• Black Out curtains
• Tin foil
• Car Visors (which are basically tin foil covered bubble wrap)
• Vines that grow over your window
• Reflective window film
• Window blinds (faux wood)
• Halcyon Shade (metal blind that rolls up)
• Levolor Roller Shade

Here are other suggestions I received to help keep the house cool:

• Spray the attic with insulation
• Solar Panels on your roof
• Shade trees
• Change light bulbs to the LED bulbs because they put out less heat
• Solar screens
• Radiant barrier inside the attic (read my experience below on this awesome idea)

Some of these ideas I have experience with and some I don’t. I decided to do a small test on my windows with some of the suggestions given to me.  I’m talking to frugal and quick options to gain me some instant relief from the heat right now without a lot of time or money investment.  I decided to test the cardboard, Styrofoam, tin foil, bubble wrap, black out curtains and a car visor.  These are all quick options I had on hand.  The tin foil option still baffles me.  It’s ugly as all sin but I have to know how it stands up to my black out curtains.  (this is the part where my husband thinks I’m nuts!)

The window test:

I have an infrared thermometer temperature gun that I used to test the temperature of each window after having each window treatment on it for a day.  I tested this during the hottest month in Texas (August) and at the hottest part of the day.  All the windows face the same way.  All the windows get direct sunlight.  The results amazed me.

Results:

I’ve tested each window treatment in my home with the window treatments I had.  Here are the results

• Cardboard Styrofoam – 76 degrees
• Bubble wrap – 87 degrees (when this was suggested I wonder if they meant for this to keep warmth in during the winter?)
• Black Out curtains – 76 degrees
• Tin foil – 73 degrees
• Car Visors (which are basically tin foil covered bubble wrap) – 74 degrees
• Window blinds (faux wood) – 77 degrees
• Vertical plastic blinds – 78 degrees
• Halcyon Shade (metal blind that rolls up) – 79 degrees
• Levolor Roller Shade – 78 degrees

 My Conclusion:

Tin foil is the clear winner here but there’s no way on God’s green earth that I am hanging tin foil on my windows.  I’m the type that needs an option to see the beauty outside.  I like a bit of sunlight at times too.  I just want to be able to shut it out on a super hot day.  Do you know what I mean?  There must be some science between the shiny reflective coding to bounce the sun rays off of the windows and keep the heat away though.  Now, I kind of understand why I see people use it.  It really does work.  My next thought is, I think the curtain company should pair up with Reynolds tin foil and create a layer in between our black out curtains to make one amazing product!

Another thought is, based on the tin foil results, I am going to spend a little bit of money and get some reflective window film to help my windows that face that harsh sunlight during these hot Texas days.  I’ve done a decorative film before for privacy.  I know it’s super easy to put on.  Basically, all you do is cut the film to the size of  you and spray a liquid to attach the film.  Yes, it’s that easy.  (Stay tuned and I will write another article on how that process goes for me)

I can tell you that one of the best investments I’ve ever done on a new house was install radiant barrier in the attic.  The tin foil result had me think about my attic.  Radiant barrier, also known as reflective insulation, is a type of thermal (heat) insulation that inhibits heat transfer by thermal radiation.  In other words, it bounces the sun off the house and keeps the house much cooler.  In my own words, it looks like a huge piece of Styrofoam covered in a very heavy and thick tin foil.   If you already have a house that doesn’t have radiant barrier, you can easily install some over the insulation you already have with RadiantGUARD I found here on Amazon.   I had a 3000 square foot home and my electric bill never even reached $200.   Before this, we lived in a 1700 square foot home that did not have this type of insulation in the attic and my bill was between $400 and $500 during the summer months.  It made a huge difference.  There is one con that I can think of though.  Cell phone signals.  You will need a cell phone signal booster because it will block that signal.  Small price to pay for a huge energy savings each year.

Are you as surprised by the window tests as I am?

Here are a few photos I took during my testing:

Feel free to Pin It here for later:

The post Window Treatments that Help Keep your Home Cool in the Summer appeared first on iSaveA2Z.com.

I just learned how to grill peaches! I’ve never been one to think of grilling any kind of fruit. I’ve been seeing some amazing recipes of all kinds of grilled fruit. I just had to see what all the hype was about.

First let me say that it’s super easy to do! This experiment has taken my inspirations to a whole new level. Next step, grilled pineapple! There is just something about a grilled fruit. It caramelizes the juices and takes the taste to a whole new level. Try it! Try it SOON! I’m only sad that I hadn’t tried this sooner!

The whole family loved them too. My husband is not one to combine his fruit in salads or with meats of any kind. He cringes at the thought of grapes in a chicken salad, pineapple on a ham or mandarin oranges in his salad. All those things I love too! He was reluctant to try the grilled peaches until the rest of us started fighting over how many were left and who was going to get what! He still won’t eat them with anything but loves them by themselves!

Ingredients:

– Fresh Peaches

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Yield: 6 Servings

Instructions for grilling peaches:

1. Clean them.
2. Slice them in half.
3. Remove the pit.
4. Baste them with oil (on the inside of the peach slice)
5. Place them face down on an open grill on medium heat for about 15 minutes or just until they are soft but not mushy (no too soft).

Optional Toppings that taste amazing: Honey, Butter, or you could even top with cinnamon and sugar for a sweet treat. You can also top it with ice cream or whipped cream for a simple, yet very delicious dessert!

Enjoy!  (I know I did!)

The post How to Grill Peaches appeared first on iSaveA2Z.com.

DIY Pallet Board Bed Swing

This whole idea for a DIY Pallet Board Bed Swing came about when a friend of mine told me about a place in Austin that allows us to grab some free pallets.  Places who just give them away are becoming far and few between.   You want to make sure you ask if you can have the pallets you see outside of a business because most people get money from companies that pick them up for recycling and I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be charged with theft.  Not everyone knows this so I thought it was important enough to mention.

I headed off to find this place and sure enough, they had a mother-load!  I’m pretty sure all my friends cleared them out already too.  DIY Heaven right here!  I had my trailer and I hauled enough to make about 4 or 5 different pallet projects.

Now here’s something to think about when you are looking for these used pallets.  You want to make sure you know if chemicals have been on them.  You also want to make sure you get two identical ones for this project.  There are many different sizes and styles of pallet boards as I quickly learned.  I made sure to get two exact ones of the one laying by itself in the photo above.  I wanted to make sure I could stick a pool noodle on the edge of my swing instead of having a flat edge.  I didn’t want to have to worry about sanding down my swing so that we don’t get splinters and the pool noodle would protect us from getting off and on it.

Here are the two different pallets I’m talking about:

Once you have two identical pallets you want to measure them.  When I put both my pallets together they measured out at 4 ft by 6 ft.  I knew that I needed to head to the hardware store to make a frame for my swing.

DIY Pallet Board Bed Swing Supplies Needed:

• 2 pressure treated 2×4 boards that measure 10 feet long
• 1 pressure treated 2×4 that measures 6 1/2 feet long
• Wood decking screws (I got a small box of the 2 inch and 3 inch sizes)
• Krylon primer spray paint
• Krylon White Flat spray paint
• Spade bit that is about the size of your rope.  I used a 5/8’s inch spade bit just like this one here on Amazon.
• Fishing line
• 4 pool noodles
• 4 Outdoor Patio chair cushions
• 3 Outdoor Patio pillows
• 2 step stones
• 5/8 inch thick Rope
• Impact Drill
• Circular saw, Jig saw or hand saw to cut the 2×4’s

DIY Pallet Board Bed Swing Instructions:

First, I set both pallets down on a flat surface and put the two 10 ft long 2×4’s inside the pallets.  I screwed them in using the decking screws.  I used a decking screw about every foot or so.

I use 10 foot long 2×4’s because I wanted to use the extra amount I cut off on the ends to complete a frame to make this bed secure.  I used a Jig saw to cut off the ends.  I made sure to measure across from each board to that I could use the cut of pieces as a frame on the ends to secure this swing.

The end pieces I cut off I attached to the top of each pallet board and used the decking screws to attach them to the 2×4’s I just used on the side just like in this photo below.  This helps to built a strong frame to hold the weight.  I ended up using another 2×4 in the center of the boards too for extra strength.  I didn’t realize I needed it until I got the swing up and noticed it needed more support in the center.  I also used two scrap pieces of 2×4 that were about a foot long on the bottom where the two pallet boards come together in the center of this project.    This gives the swing extra support in the center where you really need it.

Next I drilled a hole using my 5/8’s spade bit exactly where I wanted my rope to be.  My rope is exactly 5/8’s too so I had to wiggle (for lack of a better term) the blade as I used it to make the hole slightly bigger.  The rope is not exactly round.  I could have used a bit that was one size bigger but I didn’t have it and didn’t want to buy one.

I used 2 – 25ft pieces of rope that were 5/8’s inch thick.  You will have to measure your tree area to determine what size ropes you will need.  I measure the height of the area I was going to hang it from and doubled it on each side plus I added a few feet for extra just in case.  I may have went a bit overboard on the rope strength because this rope will hold up to 700 lbs!  I wanted it to be really sturdy because these pallets are kinda heavy.

I had this rope cut for me at my local hardware store.  The rope I got had some sort of resin in it.  They used a hot cutting blade to trim it and it looked like wax when it melted but it sealed up nice and hard when it was done.  I really wanted a rope that could withstand the Texas heat.  I didn’t want to have to replace this rope for a while. This is a photo of the rope I used.  You can see how the ends sealed up nicely so it doesn’t fray.

Now you can paint the project before you add your rope or hand the swing.  I wasn’t sure this was going to work so I wanted to hang the swing before I wasted time painted it just in case this didn’t work.  If I were to do this over again, I would paint it first.

I carried the swing over to the area I wanted to hang it and placed it on two chairs.  I was by myself and didn’t have any help to hold the swing up so this worked like a charm.  This is about the height I wanted it to hang from anyway.

I tied a stopper knot in each end of the swing.  If you don’t know what a stopper knot is you can see it here on Wikipedia.   I chose the stopper knot because it’s the one that I know will hold the swing but it was also easy enough to undo in case I wanted to change the height.

Here’s a photo showing the project up on the chairs before I tied the knots.  I also have a red leveler on the side because I’m pretty OCD about it hanging just right.  There was an old swing in it’s place that I needed to get a bolt cutter to take down.  I waited until someone was home to hold the ladder for me.  The ground was way to wet and I really didn’t want to fall.

After tying the knots I started priming the wood.   Can I just tell you how amazing this Krylon primer spray paint is!  I like simple and fast projects so when I sprayed this primer spray down, which only took a few minutes, I was pleasantly surprised to see just how much coverage it did for a spray can.  It’s good stuff and worth every penny!

I made sure to test this bed swing for strength before anyone else got on it.  My youngest felt the need to test it for strength too even though she was in her jammies already she put on a jacket and some shoes just to test it out.  She didn’t want to get off it and I didn’t even have the cushions on it yet.  I can tell this is going to be her favorite outdoor gaming and reading area already!

I finished painting my project by using another can of Krylon White Flat spray paint.  It took two cans.

Now for the fun part of decorating it!  I cut down one side of each of the pool noodles and attached it to the outside edge of the pallet board.

They do fit snug and secure but to make sure they stay that way I used some fishing line I had to tie them down about every foot or so.  You can’t see the fishing line and I know this line will hold up in the weather so it was a perfect option to secure these pool noodles to the pallet boards.  I tied extra loops in each knot for extra strength.

I really, really like how the pool noodles look on the edges.  They are inexpensive and come in many colors to choose from.

I used 4 patio chair cushions that looked exactly like this style found here on Amazon.  This style only has one line in the fold when you lay it flat.  Other pillows are super thick and may even have 3 lines.  I wanted something that was equal softness on the top of the chair and the bottom of the chair with one line.  You can easily save a bit of money by sewing your own too.  A good outdoor material that repels water and some thick foam would do the trick.

I ended up just tying the strings together on each chair cushion to attach them to one another.  I tied bows at the ends.  These fit nice and snug between the ropes.  If they weren’t snug I would probably use some fishing line and a needle to sew them together or attach them to the pallet boards but I didn’t need to.  I think it will depend on the size pallets you get and how many cushions you use.  I added three pillows at the top to finish this project up.   I also painted two paver stones that you can barely see in the photo.

I just ordered two sets of LED Solar String Lights that I found on Amazon here at a good price.  During the summer we love to stay outside after dark and I just know they will look nice attached to this swing.  I will update this article when I get them and snap an even photo to show them in action.

Feel free to pin this photo on Pinterest using this photo below:

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If you’re just diving into the wonderful world of sourdough bread, welcome aboard! Jumping into this world can be intimidating and overwhelming, but it is oh so rewarding too!

Don’t worry if you’re a bit nervous or unsure—everyone starts somewhere, and sourdough baking is as much about the process as it is about the end result.

If your first loaf doesn’t turn out exactly as you hoped, don’t be discouraged. Learning to bake sourdough is all about practice, observation, and adjustment. With each bake, you’ll gain a better understanding of the nuances of fermentation, dough handling, and oven management. So roll up your sleeves, dust off your flour, and get ready to embark on a delicious adventure in sourdough baking!

How to Rehydrate Sourdough Starter

If you are starting with a dehydrated sourdough starter, this post is going to be your go to resource! So let’s dive in and get started right away!

Add double the amount of warm water (spring water) not distilled or reverse osmosis to rehydrate it.

Once it’s rehydrated.  Measure the amount of starter you have.  

If you now have 30 oz of starter you will feed it double the amount of bread flour and warm water.  Feed at a 1-2-2 ratio.

Example:

• 50 grams starter
• Add 100 grams of bread flour
• Add 100 grams of warm spring water

Mix it until fully incorporated.  It should be a thick pancake batter consistency.

This is how you feed your starter.

The amount of starter you need for a recipe is how much you feed your starter.  

I always feed my starter at night and let it sit out on the counter so it’s ready when I wake up the next morning.  If you keep your how cool like I do, you may need to keep it in the microwave with the door open so the light will make it a tad bit warmer to help your starter grow.  It should double in size.

Every time you feed your starter you will discard the remaining.  Meaning, I always start with only 50 grams of starter to activate it.  This gives me about 250 grams of starter and that’s really good for most recipes.  

Whatever you don’t use, start a discard container to keep in your refrigerator.  The “discard” just means starter but not really active because it’s cold and sitting in the refrigerator.  

The discard can sit in your refrigerator for months without use and still be good.  I tend to stir my discard at least once a week.  You will know the starter is “bad” or not useable if it grows any kind of mold.  I’ve never had this happen.  If you see mold, I would trash it and start all over.

I tend to make bread once a week so I am adding active starter to my discard at least weekly or every other week.

I noticed at one point that my discard was getting low so I activated some and just added the whole container to my discard so I would have plenty if I wanted to make discard recipes.

If you run low you need very little discard to start new.  You can start with only 5 grams and feed it 10 grams of bread flour and 10 grams of spring water to get it going again.  

BASIC SOURDOUGH RECIPE

I start making this in the morning:

1. Add active starter and warm water and mix until milky.
2. Add flour and salt and mix until shaggy dough forms.
3. Cover and let sit for 30 minutes.
4. Then start stretch and folds.  Cover and set aside for 30 minutes.
5. Do this about 3 or 4 times until the dough forms a nice smooth ball.  This allows you to strengthen the gluten.
6. Then allow the dough to sit out covered to bulk ferment until it has doubled in size.  If your house is cool like mine, you may need to put it in the microwave with the door open so the light provides it a little warmth.
7. Once it has doubled in size you will flip the dough out on a floured surface and work the dough.  
8. Then shape the dough and add it to a container to keep in the fridge overnight.
9. The next morning you can bake your bread.
10. Score your bread.
11. Preheat the oven and your dutch oven.  Remove the hot dutch oven and then add your dough.
12. Cover the dutch oven and allow it to cook at 450 degrees for 30 minutes.  Then remove the cover and cook for another 25 to 30 minutes at 450 degrees until it’s golden brown.  

The inside temp of your bread should be 205-210 degrees to show it’s fully cooked if you don’t want to cut it open to see.

Slice your bread using a bread knife but wait an hour until it fully cools.

Be sure to pin this for later!

The post Sourdough Bread for Beginners: How to Rehydrate Starter (plus a Basic Sourdough Recipe) appeared first on iSaveA2Z.com.

Grilled Garlic Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

I have the best tasting Grilled Garlic Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe that is a must try!  I love cooking with Cilantro.  I just can’t seem to get enough of it.  This time I decided to make a yummy marinade out of a few simple ingredients to zest up my chicken a bit.  It worked!  

I’m in love with this creation.  It pairs nicely with our Cilantro Lime Rice which is healthy because it’s made with brown rice instead of the white rice.  We also like to add our famous Cilantro Jalapeno Dip on the side too.

I find this recipe super easy when I use my food processor but you don’t have to.  You can chop all the ingredients with a knife too.  I’ve become a bit spoiled because I really like being able to through all the ingredients in the food processor and have it chopped in no time flat.  

It makes my life so much easier since I don’t always get the time I want or need when getting dinners ready.  One tip though if you are in the market for a new food processor…  just be sure to get one with a wide bottom.  I’ve seen many that narrow at the bottom where the blade is and those don’t cut as accurately as the wide bottom processors do.  Trust me.  I know.  

I started out with a cheap one and quickly upgraded.  Food processors are not expensive either.  Well, some are but you don’t need a high priced food processor.  My cheap one has lasted more than 10 years already and I use it often!  This Hamilton Beach Food Processor would be perfect for those on a budget.

Grilled Garlic Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe Ingredients:

• I used about 2 pounds chicken breasts or tenders (feel free to use any part of the chicken you wish to use for this recipe)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons chopped or minced garlic
• Fresh squeezed limes (I used 3 small limes)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (I prefer to use Kosher salt but feel free to use what you have)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon monk fruit sweetener I love Lakanto brand myself (this can be an optional ingredient but it does offset the salt nicely)
• 1 bunch cilantro (this was approximately 3/4 cup when chopped)

Grilled Garlic Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe Instructions:

1. Place the chicken in two separate large zip lock bags.
2. Use the food processor to chop all the cilantro first.  Then add all the remaining ingredients and mix it in the food processor until it’s all well blended.  Be sure not to get the seeds from the limes in the mixture.
3. Let this marinade for at least 1 hour or more before grilling.
4. Grill as usual.

Grilled Garlic Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe Nutrition

Serves 6

Calories 226, Total C 2.1g, Fiber 0.4g, Net C 1.9g, Sugars 0.2g, Fat 10.8g, Protein 29.5g

Here’s a printable for this recipe:

Print

Grilled Garlic Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

Course Dinner idea

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 226kcal

Author Jennifer

Ingredients

• I used about 2 pounds of Chicken breasts feel free to use any part of the chicken you wish to use for this recipe
• 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 3 Tablespoons of chopped or minced garlic
• Fresh squeezed limes I used 3 small limes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt I prefer to use Kosher salt but feel free to use what you have
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Monk Fruit Sweetener this can be an optional ingredient but it does offset the salt nicely
• 1 bunch of Cilantro this was approximately 3/4 cup when chopped

Instructions

• Place the chicken in two separate large zip lock bags.
• Use the food processor to chop all the cilantro first. Then add all the remaining ingredients and mix it in the food processor until it’s all well blended. Be sure not to get the seeds from the limes in the mixture.
• Let this marinade for at least 1 hour or more before grilling.
• Grill as usual.

Feel free to “pin it” here for later:

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