Sunday, November 1, 2009

Welcome!

Welcome to my attempt at helping us all become Domestic Divas~


I'm so glad that you have stumbled upon my site and I hope that I can be some help to you!


I will be giving helpful tips on everything from cooking, organizing, decorating, being crafty, staying healthy and much much more.


I hope you enjoy what you find and learn here! I look forward to our quest together to become Domestic Divas!


Feel free to email me at
KristieMeek@gmail.com with any questions, comments, requests for a posting or to be added to the email list.


Hand Sanitizers: What You Don't Know


We all know that having clean hands is one way to prevent seasonalcold and flu viruses, including H1N1 Swine Flu.


But should you wash with soap and water OR coat your hands with disinfecting gel?


If your hands aren't actually grimy, the best way to clean them is to use hand sanitizer, James Scott, a microbiologist at the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health. "It reduces the bacterial burden to a greater extent than soap and water," he said. "And your hands stay cleaner longer than if you were to use soap and water."


The waterless gels and foams have also been found to be effective in preventing the spread of viral and bacterial based diseases, like seasonal colds and flus. One study found that college students with hand sanitizer dispensers in their dorms had fewer complaints of coughs, chest congestion and fever. Plus their risk of getting sick was 20 percent lower than students whose dorms did not have the dispensers.


But the hand sanitzers must contain 60 percent or more alcohol, according to the FDA. Skim past the "kills 99.9% of bacteria" claim on the package and instead be certain that the active ingredient listed is either ethanol or isopropanol, at a percentage over 60.


They also must be used correctly. Make sure hands are free of visible grime and dirt and then apply a palm full of product and rub vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds, making sure to distribute the sanitizer between your fingers, under your nails and jewelry, on your wrists and on the backs of each hand.


Never rinse your hands with water or wipe them with a towel after using a hand sanitizer... this will counteract the effect of the product.


Another gold star for hand sanitizers: They tend to be gentler on skin than soap and water. Despite their high alcohol content, which is often thought to make creams and gels drying, one study found alcohol based hand sanitizers left skin in better condition than antibacterial soap. "Most of the modern hand sanitizers have emollients in them that will actually improve skin condition," Scott said.


But, don't toss your soap dispenser just yet. While the high alcohol content of hand sanitizers can kill bacteria, it doesn't necessarily clean your hands. That is, it does not cut thorough grime like dirt, blood, feces or other bodily fluids. Therefore, soap and water must be the first choice in restrooms. It is also essential in the kitchen as alcohol doesn't kill the foodborne bacteria E. Coli as well as soap and water does.


The best way to wash your hands with soap and water is to rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing front and backs of hands, wrists, and between fingers and under fingernails, according to the Mayo Clinic. Rinse well, dry hands with a clean or disposable towel or air dryer and, if possible, use your towel to turn off the faucet.


Spice Up Your Fall Decor

I like to buy wired decorations and find simple ways to spruce them up.



Instead of putting tea candles inside...




You can use a part from a garland, any greenery or arrangement.



Cut it to size and place it inside.






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Here is another example...

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And then you are livin' on the spicier side of decorating ;)




Endless.com

This website has Mens, Womens and Kids Shoes, Bags & Accessories!


Anything from athletic shoes, boots, indoor and outdoor shoes, sunglasses, bags, belts, and so much more!


Cancel Out Candy Calories

Cancel out those bite sized sweets with these calorie burning exercises that tone your calves, butt, shoulders, chest, and abs.


Cancel out candy calories in 3 easy-to-do-anywhere moves:

TRY: Mountain Climber
- Start in plank position (hands and toes on floor, back straight, abs tightened).
- Bring right knee to chest and tap toe on floor, straighten leg.
- Repeat with left knee.
- Do for 3 minutes.

Burn off: 70 calories, or 13 pieces of candy corn.


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TRY: Power Jump
- Stand with feet 6 inches apart.
- Squat, then push up, leaping forward and as high as you can.
- Repeat, jumping to the left, back and to the right.
- Do 25 rounds.


Burn off: 80 calories, or two Snickers Minis.


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TRY: High March
- Extend arms while holding a candy filled pumpkin.
- March in place, bringing knees up as high as you can for 2 minutes (without spilling candy;)).

- Rest 1 minute.
- Do 3 sets.

Burn off: 40 calories, or one mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.




Chicken Pot Pie

*Ingredients*

- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

- 1 (14.5 ounce) can of chicken broth

- 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can of cream of mushroom soup

- 3 small or 1 large potato (cut into 1 inch cubes)

- 1 yellow onion (diced)

- 3 branches of celery

- 2 tbl E.V.O.O.

- 2 tbl flour

- 2 cups of mixed vegetables

- Salt and pepper

- Seasoned salt

- 1/4 tsp garlic powder

- 1-2 (9 in) frozen prepared pie crust (thawed)





*Directions*

- Wash chicken in water, put it in a pot and cover it with water.

- Add salt, pepper and garlic powder, and bring to a boil.

- Once to a boil, turn off the heat and cover. Let the chicken cool in the pot.

(the chicken cuts better when cooled)


- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Wash and cut the potatoes into bite size pieces and boil until almost tender. Drain and set aside.

- Wash and cut celery into bite size pieces.

- Dice onion.



- In a large skillet, over medium heat, saute the celery and onion in 2 tbl of EVOO for 5-8 minutes.

- Add frozen veggies and cook another 5 minutes.

- Add 2 tbl of flour, cook for 30 seconds.

- Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. After it has become thick, add the potatoes.

- Remove chicken from the pot, make sure it is cool, then cut into bite size pieces and add it to the vegetable mixture.

- Add salt, pepper, and seasoned salt to taste

- Pour mixture into a 9 inch deep dish pie plate (having a pie shell on bottom is optional.. more crust the better I think ;)) and cover with a pie shell. You will probably have a small amount that will not fit in.

- Make sure you crimp the edges of the shell to the pie plate or the bottom pie shell so no juices spill into the oven.

- Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes of until pie shell is cooked and golden brown.




This makes for a perfect dish for a cool Fall or Winter evening.