Possibility for Summer Dishes

By Forschler's Home Center

During the summer, folks have a tendency to lean toward lighter meals in the evening. In fact, they like to toss something relatively simple together. Summertime offers a myriad of local fresh produce and the opportunity to fire up the grill. A quick and easy meal will help you save the fuss of lengthy preparation and leave plenty of time to have fun in the sun. Here are a few quick and savory possibilities for summer dishes:

Grilled Shrimp Souvlaki

Ingredients:

1lb of large shrimp, peeled & deveined

6 tbsp fresh lemon juice (divided)

2 tsp olive (divided)

3 tbsp fresh dill (divided)

1 tbsp fresh oregano

¾ cup Greek yogurt (divided)

2 minced garlic cloves (divided)

2 cucumbers

Black pepper

1 pint of cherry tomatoes

1 red onion

4 whole-wheat flatbreads

8 romaine lettuce leaves

Directions:

1)     Preheat grill pan

2)    Rinse the shrimp well and make sure they are well cleaned. Then stir together 2 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of olive oil, and 1tbsp of dill and oregano into a bowl. Add the shrimp and toss them in the mixture. Let them marinate for about 10 minutes.

3)    Mix ¼ cup of Greek yogurt with one minced clove of garlic, 2 tbsp of lemon juice and 1 tbsp of dill in another bowl. Then, with a vegetable peeler, cut the cucumbers into lengthwise ribbons and discard the largely seeded area. Add the ribbons into the yogurt mixture and pepper to taste.

4)    Mix the remaining ½ cup of yogurt with 2 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tbsp of dill and the other half of the minced garlic into another bowl for raita sauce. Add pepper to taste.

5)   Combine cherry tomatoes and 1/3 inch rings of onions in remaining olive oil into a bowl. Grill the shrimp with tomatoes and onion in a lightly oiled cast iron skillet or grill pan. Cook for about 5 minutes or until shrimps are bright red, tomatoes are soft and onions are golden and tender.

6)   Grill flatbread until slightly crisp. Then top flatbread evenly with cucumber salad, shrimp, onions, tomatoes and romaine. Add raita sauce if desired. 

 Now you can sit outdoors and soak in the beautiful warm sunset. Enjoy!

Content provided by: @tailbase

www.tailbase.com

How To Pet Proof Your Home

By Forschler's

You love how the right furnishings turn a house into a home. Yet it just doesn’t feel like home without the company of four-legged friends. Seems like you’re being forced to choose? With a bit of pet proofing, you, your pets and your style can cohabit beautifully under one roof.

Tips for Pet Proofing Your Home

 #1 Take a hard look at your floors.

Polyurethane-finished wood, vinyl/laminate, stone, tiles and concrete all make for easy cleanup  of hair, hairballs and pretty much anything else your pet can dish out. Be proactive. To prevent scratching, keep your pet’s nails trim. Vinyl/laminate floors don’t scratch easily but many pets find them uncomfortable and slippery. Maximize your style and your pet’s comfort with area rugs.

 #2 Choose easy-care materials.

Fido or Fifi love to join you in bed? Rest easier with a machine washable duvet cover, rather than a comforter. Or, put down a blanket or throw to give your pet a designated place to crash, be it on the bed, sofa, chair or elsewhere.

Say No to…

Anything delicate (e.g., silk or linen)

Velvet — It’s a pet hair magnet.

Button tufting — Pets might be tempted to pull on the buttons, and the deep crevices can trap fur.

Wicker — It’s the ultimate cat scratching post.

Loop pile — Though a very tight woven loop might work fine.

Say Yes to…

Leather/faux leather — It’s tough and resilient (any scratches you might encounter can add to the distressed look).

Like colors — If you have chocolate lab, for example, a brown sofa can make fur a lot less visual.

Synthetics — Opt for synthetics that are easily cleaned with a damp sponge and touch of soap. Faux suede is especially popular for this reason, whereas wool will attract and grab pet fur, making for stubborn cleanup.

Slipcovers — A chic slipcover that’s easy to get on and off can save the day. Blankets and throws also do the trick.

ScotchGuard® — Before you settle in, give your furniture investment that added layer of stain protection.

#3 Groom your pet regularly.

Combing and brushing your pets, especially during shedding season, is good for them and your furniture. Regular doggie baths and nail trims for cats and dogs help keep fabrics fresh and free of snags.

#4 Spoil with toys.

Without toys to play with, pets might look to your furniture as the next best thing. For those with an itch to scratch, a heavy piece of leather or jute slung over furniture might well suffice.

#5 Splurge on your vacuum.

Good vacuums don’t come cheap but they pay for themselves over time. One with strong suction and a pet tool pack can really cut down on your cleanup time.

Have any pet-proofing tips to share? Let us know in the comments section below.

Content provided by: +Tailbase & Ashley Furniture

www.tailbase.com

How to Decorate with Squash

By Forschler's

Who said decorating your home for fall had to be expensive? Check out some thrifty DIY ideas with the use of squash to add a touch of autumn in your home. Time to roll up those sleeves!

Antique your butternut squash:

There is something about decorating a home with antiquities, as it adds instant history and soul. If you have a fondness for antiquities, then this is the project for you!

For a dark & rich aged-look, use dark wax. You can purchase some Minwax Stain at your local hardware store. Apply the stain to your squash and try not to spread it evenly, in order to achieve a distressed look. Make sure it dries in a well ventilated area, free of humidity or cold. Once it is dry, feel free to add some finishing touches like hemp string that you can tie to the stem. If the mood strikes, you can go a little wild and add some artificial leaves along with your string. Voilà : the perfect antiqued squash for your home. Fall, come on in.

Pumpkin vases for your table escape:

Here`s another idea to jazz up your home for fall; pumpkin vases! Make a beautiful, yet simple table escape that is not only quick, but easy on the budget. First, hollow-out your pumpkin. Do not carve a large piece off the top, but just enough to slide a tall glass inside the opening. Then, spray paint the pumpkin white to soften the look of its deep orange coloration. You can also choose another muted color such as a pale blue or mint.  The idea is to tone down the color of the vase and draw the attention to the bouquet.

Once the spray paint has dried thoroughly, slide the tall glass through the opening of atop the pumpkin. Add some water to the glass and put together a beautiful fresh arrangement with flowers of your choice. If you prefer a low maintenance vase, then synthetic flowers are your thing. Don`t be afraid to use multiple colors, as it will add more character. There you have it, your very own pumpkin vase!

Content provided by: +Tailbase 

www.tailbase.com

Time To Eat Smarter This Fall

By Forschler's

School’s in session and that means the daily ritual of filling the lunchbox is in full swing. Now might be the perfect time to reevaluate not only what you’re packing but what you’re packing it in.

Did You Know?

Over 20 million sandwich baggies are sent to our landfills every year, and each one takes between 500 to 1,000 years to break down

Americans throw away more than 60 million plastic water bottles per day

It’s as easy as 1-2-3 to find eco-friendly lunchbox alternatives that are safe for our kids and our planet.

Step 1 – Use BPA free, non-toxic containers and reusable baggies to fill their lunchbox with goodies they’re sure to love

Make this the year you stop throwing away all those plastic baggies. Invest just once in reusable products and save yourself money and guilt for years to come. Try getting a set for every member of the family and have fun packing your lunches together. Make sure you’re getting dishwasher safe products to make clean up easy and effective.

Bento Boxes

Metal lunchbox inserts

Fabric sandwich and snack baggies

Silicone food pouches

 Step 2 – Mix it up! Start with deconstructing the sandwich

Sandwiches are OK in a pinch, but why not try putting something a little different in their lunch box this year? Pare the sandwich down to its essential elements and roll, wrap or chop them up in style! Mix and match foods to create fun shapes and combos that’ll have them emptying their lunchboxes in record time.

Homemade wraps

Sushi rolls

Lettuce wraps

Crackers and cheese

Apple slices and peanut butter

Veggies and dips

Noodle salad

Laughing Cow cheese

Fun fruit shapes using cookie cutters

Frozen bananas sliced and sandwiched with peanut or almond butter

Yogurt parfaits

Mini muffins/quiches

French toast points/mini pancakes with fresh berries

Step 3 – Drink Fix. Smart solutions to the water bottle crisis

Be the first cool parent to make the switch to eco-friendly reusable water bottles. It’s the easiest and most practical way to show kids how much you care about the planet and their future. With so many varieties to choose from, let everyone in your family pick out the one that reflects their unique personality.

Stainless steel water bottle

Collapsible water bottle

Fruit infuser water bottles

Content provided by: +Tailbase & Ashley Furniture

www.tailbase.com

Make This 2015 Oktoberfest Unforgettable

By Forschler's

Oktoberfest is right around the corner and guest what? You don’t need to go to Germany or speak German to celebrate! Whether you are a beer drinker, a sauerkraut lover or a sausage eater, this fest is a great opportunity to gather with friends or simply to meet new people.

Originally held in Munich, Germany as it is a Bavarian festival, Oktoberfest has become one of the world’s largest folk festivals, where everybody is welcome to join and celebrate. But what if you plan to have yours at home? It’s not that complicated! Here are a few things you should do to host a great one.

To create the authentic Oktoberfest atmosphere, you do not need to set up a tent in your garden, decorate your place like a Bavarian traditional house or wear traditional outfits. All you need to have is beer!!! German ones are as good as any other.  Let the beer flow so you can fill up your guests’ beer stein!

Along with beer, serve sausages, pretzels, and sauerkraut…Oktoberfest is well known by food lovers, since they enjoy eating great traditional German food.

Ideally, put some traditional music to set the mood; make some space in your home, as some people love singing and dancing while drinking.

Now you are ready to host an Oktoberfest at home. Time to celebrate and bring German tradition to your home for hours or the day!

Content provided by: +Tailbase  

www.tailbase.com

Let's Bite Into Apple This Fall Season!

By Forschler's

Be it the shiny apple Mom routinely packed in your lunch box or fond memories of your great aunt’s famous apple pie, fall’s favorite fruit is a slice of nostalgia.

Simply delicious, apples offer a golden opportunity for culinary magic. Can you believe there are more than 7,500 apple varieties worldwide? Talk about mass appeal. With their cornucopia of color—from ruby red and mellow yellow to lime green—apples tempt with various tastes and textures, from crisp and tart, to subtle and sweet.

 Eye the Right Apple

Some apples are perfectly yummy right off the tree. Others hold up wonderfully in pies, crisps and baked goodies. A slice of advice from the experts:

Best for eating out of hand: Braeburn, Cameo, Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, McIntosh.

Best for apple pies, crisps, etc: Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gravenstein, Jonathan, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Newtown Pippin, Winesap

Tip: Pies and crisps, especially, call for sweet-tart, firmer apples that hold their shape and flavor in the oven. To mellow a tarter apple (e.g., Granny Smiths), try more than one apple variety in your pie.

Best for caramel apples: Tart Granny Smith apples have become the standard since they counter sweet caramel. Some folks find them a little too sour. Try the same apples recommended for pies for your caramel apples

Frown on Brown Apples 

Yes it’s true, brushing on lemon juice does keep sliced apples from browning, as do other citrus fruits such as lime, orange and pineapple. To avoid any hint of citrus taste, soak apple slices in apple juice until ready to serve. Another option: Mix two tablespoons honey and one cup water. Soak apple slices in mixture for 30 seconds.

Content provided by: +Tailbase & Ashley Furniture 

www.tailbase.com

Fall Into The Apple Season With Delicious Recipes

By Forschler's 

What a great season that is the fall! When the leaves turn into beautiful warm colors, it’s time for the last harvests and delicious fruits and veggies are ready to be picked. One of the most popular among them is the apple. It is highly unlikely that someone doesn’t like this crispy fruit! That’s why we propose 3 delicious apple recipes:

Old Fashioned Apple Pie:

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour

Pie Dough

12 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

¾ cup of sugar (plus additional for pie top)

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon

½ teaspoon of nutmeg

Pinch ground cloves

2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

1 large egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Lightly flour the working surface.

Roll out pie dough into two 1/8-inch-thick circles (diameter should be slightly larger than that of an 11-inch plate).

Press one pastry circle into the pie plate. Place the other circle on waxed paper, and cover with plastic wrap. Put all pastry in the fridge until firm (about 30 minutes).

In a large bowl, combine apples, sugar, lemon zest and juice, spices, and flour.

Toss well. Spoon apples into pie pan. Dot with butter, and cover with remaining pastry circle.

Cut several steam vents (about 3 little holes) across top.

Seal by crimping edges as desired.

Brush with beaten egg, and sprinkle with additional sugar.

Bake until crust is brown and juices are bubbling (about 1 hour).

Let cool on wire rack before serving.

Apple Chips:

INGREDIENTS

4 Apples

2 tablespoons of sugar

½ tablespoon of Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

Slice apples into ⅙" approximately (use a mandolin for better result).

Place apple slices in a single layer on a sheet pan fitted with parchment paper.

Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.

Bake in the oven for 1½ hours.

Flip them over to make the other side crispy as well.

Bake for 1 more hour

Turn oven off and leave the apple slices inside for a few more hours or overnight

When they are ready, if you didn’t eat them all, place the slices in a zip top bag

Raisin bread and apple grilled-cheese:

INGREDIENTS

½ cup of cream cheese

2 teaspoons of honey

4 tablespoons (½ stick) of butter (room temperature)

8 slices cinnamon raisin bread

1 Granny Smith or other firm apple, cored and thinly sliced

2 Tablespoons of brown sugar

In a small bowl, whip the cheese and honey together until it’s well combined and fluffy.

Heat the panini-press to medium-high heat.

Spread butter on two slices of bread to flavor the outside of the sandwich.

Flip over both slices of bread and spread 1 tablespoon sweetened cheese on each.

Top one slice of bread with a layer of apples and close the sandwich with the other slice, buttered side up. Sprinkle some brown sugar on top.

Grill two sandwiches at a time, with the lid closed, until the fillings are warmed and the bread is toasted, with a sweet crust (about 3 to 5 minutes).

Content provided by: +Tailbase 

www.tailbase.com