.:15-Minute Jump-Rope Workout

Hop to it! This old-school recess favorite has great fitness benefits for grown-ups. Jumping rope is an effective cardio exercise that works your arms, legs, and core, helps strengthen your bones, and improves balance. Try this routine, designed by Virginia-based jump-rope expert Buddy Lee (buddyleejumpropes.com).

To see the full workout, click here.

Thanks Real Simple!

Szechuan Green Beans with Ground Pork

Most mornings before going to work, I take out meat from the freezer so that by the time I get home, it's already defrosted. I do this because I DESPISE using the microwave to defrost meat. I have nothing against using the microwave, it's just a personal preference of mine. So today I took out ground pork. I had NO CLUE what I was going to make with it, but I knew I was going to use it.

While at work, I came across this Szechuan recipe that looked easy to make, and I already had most of the ingredients on hand anyways. Plus, Chinese food is my FAVORITE!!

Below is the picture from the recipe, and I also took a picture of what I made:

My dish

Recipe

Instead of using green beans, I used broccoli.I also doubled the recipe because it didn't seem like there would have been enough for the family. It was SOOOO good! I will definitely be making this again :) Here's the recipe if you're interested in making it.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound lean ground pork

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

1 teaspoon peanut oil

2 1/2 cups (1-inch) green beans

1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce

2 cups hot cooked white rice

Preparation:

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork mixture, beans, and garlic; cook 3 minutes or until pork loses its pink color, stirring to crumble.

Combine hoisin and next 3 ingredients (through soy sauce) in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add hoisin mixture to pan. Cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently. Serve over rice.

I changed up the recipe a little bit: 

I  substituted white pepper with black pepper.

I substituted peanut oil with vegetable oil.

And of course I used broccoli instead of the green beans, but you can add anything else you want to it. If you're going to use the green beans, I don't suggest trying to cook them with the meat, they may not fully cook. What I did was cook the broccoli on its own first, and then I added it at the end. If you have any tips or tweaks to this recipe, please share! ENJOY :)

New Uses for Dryer Sheets

William Abranowicz

You know how sometimes you have an abundance of something, you don't want to throw it away, but then again you really want to get rid of it? Well Real Simple has a section on their website that shares new uses for things. If you browse through the list, it's amazing what new uses people come up with for ordinary products. Today, I'll be sharing with you new uses for Dryer Sheets!

Iron Cleaner. Dirty iron? Remove gunk from the soleplate of an iron. With the setting on low, rub the iron over the dryer sheet until the residue disappears, and you're left with a pristine press.

Shoe Freshener. Stinky feet? Roll up one sheet per slipper, sneaker, or loafer, insert, and forget about stinky shoes. (Bonus uses: Toss them in hampers, on closet shelves, in diaper bags.)

Static Stopper. Feeling some friction? Stop static on clothes--or tame flyaway hair--by rubbing a sheet over the problem area.

Sawdust Clearer. Working with wood? An easy way to keep the work area clean. Saw dust at a work station sweeps up so fast with one pass of a used fabric softener sheet.

Thread Detangler. Sewing? To prevent tangles, run a threaded needle through a sheet before you begin stitching.

Scum Buster. Got glass shower doors? Remove obstinate soap buildup from glass shower doors by sprinkling a few drops of water onto a used fabric-softener sheet and start scrubbing.

Drawer Sachet. Want fresh smelling clothes? If fabric-softener sheets make your clothes smell nice in the dryer, just think about what they could do in your dresser. Slip a few fresh ones between folded clothes.

Book Deodorizer. Got old stinky books? Prevent your beloved volumes from acquiring a musty smell by inserting a fabric-softener sheet between pages.

.:Bath & Body Works: Free Scented Candle

Pick up a free scented candle at Bath & Body Works with this printable coupon, no other purchase required! This is a $3.50 value. This coupon is good for use 1/28-1/30/2011. This is a great offer.....Bath & Body Works is one of my favorite places! I'm definitely going to pick this one up this weekend!

Thanks, Common Sense with Money!

Beer-Battered Onion Rings

Mmmmmm! These look SOOO good! I'm not really an onion eater, but just looking at this makes my mouth water!

Makes 4 servings!

Ingredients
2 large onions, peeled (about 1 1/2 pounds)
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup flat beer
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
Cooking spray
1/2 cup ketchup

Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°.

Cut the onion crosswise into 3/4-inch-thick slices, and separate into rings. Use 16 of the largest rings; reserve remaining onion for another use. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, salt, paprika, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in beer and egg white (batter will be thick). Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Dip 5 onion rings in batter, letting excess drip off. Add onion rings to pan; cook for 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Place the onion rings on a jelly-roll pan. Repeat procedure of dipping onion rings in batter and cooking in remaining oil, ending with 6 rings. Coat the onion rings with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until crisp. Serve rings with ketchup.

Kitchen Notes
Unless for some unknown reason you have an open can of beer in your refrigerator, try this simple way to flatten the suds you need for this batter. Measure 1/2 cup beer in a small bowl, and stir with a fork. You're left with about 1/3 cup flat beer.

Take some pictures and let me know how these work out for you!

.:Free Mighty Book Jr. Subscription ($99 value!)

I just signed up for the interactive learning this morning. I'll be testing out the interactive books with my DD this evening when I get home!

The offer is valid, and was quick and easy to sign up for!

Let me know if you've signed up and how well it worked for you!

.:Common FAFSA Mistakes to Avoid

For those of you who are not familiar with financial aid, FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is an annual form used by current and prospective college students to determine their eligibility for financial aid. This form is used to give eligible students Federal Pell grants and work-study programs.

I found this article, which lists some common mistakes that students and/or parents make while filling out this form.

Thanks, Wallet Pop!

.: 10 Ways to build your child's self-esteem

1. Give unconditional love. A child's self-esteem flourishes with the kind of no-strings-attached devotion that says, "I love you, no matter who you are or what you do." Your child benefits the most when.....

2. Pay attention. Carve out time to give your preschooler your undivided attention. That does wonders for your child's self-worth because it sends the message that you think he's important and valuable. It doesn't have to take.....

3. Teach limits. Establish a few reasonable rules for your preschooler. For einstance, if you tell your child he has to eat his snack in the kitchen, don't let him wander around the family room with his crackers and fruit the next day. Or if you.....

This is a GREAT article from Baby Center.....click to view the full list.

.:Disney Fleece Throw $11 Shipped

This is a great gift idea for birthdays or just because!

The Disney Store drops the price of their Fleece Throw Blankets from $19.50 to $7.99! Personalization can also be added for $3.95. Check out other fleece throws all for the same price. Shipping is $2.95 and sales tax is charged in most states.

.:9 Things You Can Do to Be Happy in the Next 30 Minutes

Feel like you're having a bad day? Try to fix it by doing one of these 9 steps!

1. Raise your activity level to pump up your energy. If you're on the phone, stand up and pace. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Put more energy into your voice. Take a brisk 10-minute walk. Even better...

2. Take a walk outside. Research suggests that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood. For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning.

3. Reach out. Send an e-mail to a friend you haven't seen in a while, or reach out to someone new. Having close bonds with other people is one of the most important keys to happiness. When you act in a friendly way, not only will others feel more friendly toward you, but you'll also strengthen your feelings of friendliness for other people.

To view the full list, click here.

Thanks, Real Simple!