Tuesday Tidbits (No. 30)

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Is it Tuesday again already?  Where does the time go?  Wait a minute – isn’t that something my grandmother used to say?  Well, let’s not worry about aging but instead celebrate the fact that we are heading into the warmer months and the first of the fun festivities – Cinco de Mayo!

I have quite a few Mexican dishes on my blog for you to want to check out and you’ll also want to visit bonappetit They have some creative ideas for everything from how to build the perfect plate of nachos to ice cream chimichangas. 

http://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/article/how-to-build-the-perfect-plate-of-nachos-for-the-super-bowl

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http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/article/ice-cream-chimichangas-how-to-make-them-for-cinco-de-mayo

bonappetit.com

Do you celebrate Cinco De Mayo in your house?  This year I’m going to make those chimichangas – I’ll let you know how they turn out!

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I try to be organized year round because when my space is cluttered, so is my brain.  With Spring here, I’m trying to find the time to go that extra mile and really get on top of things.  It’s pretty tough to do because I usually have photography props and backdrops all over the place but I really am trying.  Greatist has a really helpful article on how to be super organized in your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and office.  I’m going to follow their advice.Kitchen_FinalWhat do you do to keep on top of things?  Are the people in your house organized or do you have to chase them down to put things away?

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While we’re in the kitchen, let’s talk about Coconut Oil.  I will have to admit that in the past I’ve bought into the hype about it and it’s great nutritional and healing benefits but lately I’ve been hearing a lot of information to the contrary.  Julie at Gourmet Getaways has done an extensive look at exactly what is in this oil and I agree with her conclusion that it’s really not all that it’s cracked up to be when using it in cooking.

And Women’s Health has some helpful suggestions for healthy alternatives to olive oil that you may want to check out as well.  They recommend toasted hazelnut oil for chicken and fish and toasted pumpkin seed oil for baking.  Lots of good information here.

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Food Bloggers Central | Photo by Nagi Maehashi

I belong to an awesome Facebook group called Food Bloggers Central.  It was started up just a short time ago but has taken off in ways that could never have been imagined.  Nagi from Recipe Tin Eats is the brains behind this dynamic bunch of eager foodies and now she has created a site so that everyone has access to the information shared.  This is just a gold mine whether you’re a food blogger, photographer, or a blogger looking to increase their traffic.  I’ve learned so much already and every day there is a new nugget that helps me improve in some way.  Check out Food Bloggers Central here.

And here’s a story that will brighten your day immeasureably!

Man Creates ‘Shoes That Grow’ So Poor Kids Don’t Outgrow Them

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If you were making a list of things that someone needed to survive and succeed in the world, well-fitting shoes wouldn’t be at the top. But Kenton Lee was working with barefooted kids in Kenya and realized the importance of making this a priority.

“Wouldn’t it be great,” he pondered, “if there was a shoe that could adjust and expand — so that kids always had a pair of shoes that fit?”

Kenton Lee was working with barefooted kids in Kenya and realized the importance of well-fitting shoes. His incredible innovation? A Shoe That Grows.

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Although kids may own shoes, it’s hard when living in poverty to keep up with constant growth spurts. The Shoe That Grows can now accommodate children’s ever-growing feet by expanding five sizes, making them last up to ten years.  Read the rest of the story here …..

One of the best things I’ve read in a long time 🙂

Why You Should Be Making A Garbage Salad (Read on and save money)!

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bon appetit

Of course it’s not really garbage but if you read this helpful article from bon appetit, I guarantee you’ll never look at the inside of your fridge the same again.  It’s simple advice but do any of us actually do this?

As soon as I came across this site, I knew I had to share it on Tuesday Tidbits.  WeStopHate is a Realize Inc. non-profit program dedicated to raising self-esteem in teens (teen-esteem) through various social media platforms that engage teens to help each other gain confidence.

Why? Because teens who are happy with themselves won’t put others down.

Stopping bullying means putting an end to the lifelong, painful consequences that each victim suffers.

Raising teen-esteem creates a better world for us all.

WeStopHate is more than just an anti-bullying program, it’s a call-to-action to stop hate: stop hating on yourself, stop hating on others, stop letting others hate on you.

This could be applied to people of all ages, not just teens.  I think they’re on to something here.  We could help if we share this video with friends and family.

Have a great day, everyone and don’t forget to visit tomorrow because I have a special event planned that you won’t want to miss.  Cheers!

17 Comments

  • Reply
    Anita Rivera
    April 21, 2015 at 5:09 am

    Good morning most generous and kind friend! Cinco de Mayo….I remember those days living in my family community when I’d dance for the fiestas. The aroma of days long ago is coming back just talking about it.

    Create ideas! It’s been way too long since I’ve had anything remotely close to a Mexican dish. Gotta remedy that.

    Have a wondrous day! Anita

    • Reply
      Robyn
      April 21, 2015 at 1:37 pm

      I thought you probably celebrate the holiday, Anita. You’ll have to share some recipes! Hope your week is off to a great start 🙂
      Robyn recently posted…Tuesday Tidbits (No. 30)My Profile

  • Reply
    Linda
    April 21, 2015 at 9:23 am

    Yea for Mexican food. We love it and usually try to have a Cinco de Mayo dinner party. Lovely ideas here. Great idea for sharing the anti-bullying. There are way too many children, plus adults who bully. Garage salad is interesting! I think we all at some time or another have days when we didn’t have anything planned for dinner. Shopping your fridge can be creative. I also call it “must goes”. I tell relatives, we are having must goes and they always ask, what that is…LOL. Have a great week my sweet friend. xo
    Linda recently posted…DIY Wine FountainMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      April 21, 2015 at 1:38 pm

      “Must goes’ sounds much better than garbage salad, Linda, but it certainly grabs your attention!
      Thanks for popping by. Hope we get a chance to chat this week!
      Robyn recently posted…Tuesday Tidbits (No. 30)My Profile

  • Reply
    Marie
    April 21, 2015 at 9:54 am

    Love Mexican food my family has been on a southwest kick here lately too, so I’ll take a look at some of those recipes. I’m also going to look at the organizing link. I need that so badly. With six of us in the house clutter us a constant battle. Have a great week!
    Marie recently posted…Cucumber Mango SalsaMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      April 21, 2015 at 1:40 pm

      I love Mexican too, Marie, and every time I cook it I ask myself why I don’t cook it more often! I think organization is a life time goal, lol. Hope you’re having a great week so far.

  • Reply
    Suz
    April 21, 2015 at 10:37 am

    Thanks for all the helpful hints in today’s post. I liked the note on coconut oil. I have thought that it wasn’t as good for you as they said it was. I am glad the truth is coming out. You sent us to a unique blogger. Thanks for food bloggers central that was very interesting.

    • Reply
      Robyn
      April 21, 2015 at 1:41 pm

      Yes, Gourmet Getaways is a great site, Suz and you’ll enjoy their posts. Same for FBC – so much great info there for bloggers of every field. Thanks so much for popping in 🙂
      Robyn recently posted…Tuesday Tidbits (No. 30)My Profile

  • Reply
    Christin @ Blue Crab Martini
    April 21, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    How did another Tuesday roll around so quickly?! 🙂 Thanks for such an interesting and informative Tidbits, as usual. I especially enjoyed reading the bit about coconut oil. I was curious, so I popped over and read the whole article. Interesting points raised, but I have seen the living proof that coconut oil IS all it’s cracked up to be. My parents went paleo almost 2 years ago and have since switched to using coconut oil in most of their cooking. My dad has lost weight, is off of his blood pressure medication, and his cholesterol was so good that his doctor was amazed! Maybe it works differently in different people based on their specific body chemistry… who knows?! 🙂 Anyway, I’m rambling, and I need to get back to my last grad school assignment that’s due in T-4 hours! Have a great day Robyn!
    Christin @ Blue Crab Martini recently posted…Crock Pot Arrabbiata SauceMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      April 21, 2015 at 1:45 pm

      I think you might be right about it being different for each person, Christin. I’ve certainly read some convincing material on people taking it for Alzheimers. So much conflicting info gets thrown at us it’s hard to know what to think. I like the research that Julie did though so I’m sticking on her side of the fence.
      You didn’t ramble at all! How fabulous that your dad has made so many improvements in his health. I think we have to learn to listen to what our bodies are telling us and we’d all be much wiser as to what works for us.
      Oh my….last grad paper! You go, girl!!

  • Reply
    Debbie Harris
    April 21, 2015 at 3:11 pm

    Hello Robyn! Boy this was a great post, full of all kinds of goodies, thank you!
    You shared some sites that I will certainly check out.
    What a terrific idea for those shoes, and good for him to think of such a concern.

    Being organized, I think I have a sickness with it, I like everything to have a place and be in its place. My husband…not so much, his office is his, but when it gets out of hand I put a little bug in his ear that it needs some help. Same with his garage.
    I’ve always thought it would be fun to have a business where I would go and help/teach others how to get and stay organized.

    I trust your week is off to a great start, Robyn?
    Bless you, Debbie

    • Reply
      Robyn
      April 22, 2015 at 8:08 am

      I like to be organized too, Debbie, and when Spring comes I become obsessed with it, lol. I’m spending so much time on my photography these days though that things seem to be scattered everywhere and it’s driving me a little crazy, lol.
      Oh, wouldn’t that be fun to go out there and organize the world?!
      Are you back from your holiday and did you have a fabulous time, my friend? Talk soon. Hugs to you.
      Robyn recently posted…A Virtual Baby Shower + A Giveaway!My Profile

  • Reply
    Bam's Kitchen
    April 21, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    Robyn, this is an amazing post and even though I love the food the most important link you have shared with me is the “We Stop Hate” video. Bullying around the world is a huge problem and teenagers are the worst. In Asia, it is even higher if you are one of the minority. I am sharing this video with the local schools here in Hong Kong and hope the students can get on board with this. I love being part of the FBC group and their support and especially Nagi who is our fearless leader. Now about that whole organising of kitchen props and assessors, maybe we just need to knock out a few walls and add some more space for our treasured little cups, napkins, etc… Awesome post… Sharing of course!
    Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Kimchi Salmon and Rainbow PicklesMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      April 22, 2015 at 8:13 am

      I love that you are sharing this, Bobbi! I believe that this group can truly make a difference.
      I’m all about knocking out walls, lol. The man says I should build a ‘blogger building’ with an industrial kitchen, photography studio, prop room and office. He’s just kidding, of course, but he’s got me dreaming! Can you imagine how perfect that would be!

      Take care and we’ll chat soon 🙂
      Robyn recently posted…A Virtual Baby Shower + A Giveaway!My Profile

  • Reply
    Maggie
    April 22, 2015 at 12:05 am

    Ah, didn’t realize Cinco de Mayo is so close! Thanks so much for reminidng me! And the big tray of nachos look so delicious 🙂
    I like your share about declutter the kitchen (and declutter everything). I will finally have my own place soon, so I really need to build up a organized system from the start. The Greatest article was a good read.
    Where does the time go? <= I say that all the time!
    Hope you have a wonderful week Robyn. Catch up with you soon 🙂
    Maggie recently posted…Curried Fish TacosMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      April 22, 2015 at 8:15 am

      I seem to be missing all the holidays lately, Maggie! I love those nachos, too.
      Your time must be really rushing by and soon you’ll be here! So exciting 🙂

  • Reply
    Mindy
    April 27, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    I love Mexican food and that dessert looks delicious! I read about the growing shoes earlier this week – such a wonderful invention. Thank you for sharing information on anti-bullying – such a very sad event happening daily (and often unknown to parents and teachers of the one being bullied). It makes my heart heart for those vulnerable. And YAY for the garbage salad!! I eat that kind of salad often throwing in bits of this and that. For those who garden tossing in your thinned out veggie seedlings from radishes, lettuces etc is a great way not to waste them and they pack a condense punch of nutrients. Hmmm…I do believe salad is calling my name for lunch today… : )
    Mindy recently posted…Giving Thanks FridayMy Profile

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