LIFE HACK: How to Ripen Green Avocados

Isn't it the WORST when you snag a bag of avocados and they're all ROCK.SOLID??

Yep.. momma needs her healthy fats, y'all!

So what do you do? Wait a week for them to soften up? Nada.

Let me introduce you to my life hack that will ripen all of your green avocados!

1) Find a brown paper bag

2) Add an apple

3) Add your avocados.

I haven't added more than two or three at a time.

4) Fold up bag and set aside on counter for 24-48 hours. And let the magic begin...

Okay so time to get nerdy and tell you HOW this works.

In this experiment, you can use an apple, banana or tomato! These fruits emit more ethylene gas than other fruits out there. The brown bag is simply a way to the TRAP ethylene gas that ripens these bad boys. 

5) Check on the avocados each day

.. this was after ONE day.

So have no fear of un-ripened avocados the next time you pick up a baggie.

Give this a try and let me know what you think!

DIY Christmas Card: Design for {FREE}

This year, I decided to approach Christmas cards a little differently. In the past, I used various website based companies who offered mega discounts or were available through groupon. Last year, however, my order was EXTREMELY delayed & our Merry Christmas cards didn't arrive until after the New Year.

This year, I got exactly what I wanted, made them from home & picked them up about an hour later for about 15 cents a piece.

Check out this video for a tutorial on how I made these cute, money-saving holiday cards!

Once I picked up these puppies from our local drug store, the hubby helped me package them up in a festive card & envelope combo I found in the dollar section at Target.

And we used this custom stamp I ordered through a vendor on groopdealz.com !

He's the cutest, right??!

Gotta say.. for a total of $11-$12, we lucked out this year!

Coming SOON to a mailbox near you, friends!

Pomegranate "How To": The Bowl & Water Technique

Pomegranates are DELICIOUS & EXTREMELY healthy, packed full of dietary fibers, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals!

However, this super food isn't consumed as much as it should be & is often overlooked because of the prep work involved. It used to take me about 15+ minutes to break down ONE pomegranate- until my aunt taught me her "bowl and water technique" when I visited family for Christmas.

1) Remove the crown.

   

2) Score the skin, using the segments as a guide, from top to bottom. No need to cut all of the way through the fruit! 

3) Then, remove the center piece, connected to the stem, &  pry apart sections.

    

4) Break the seeds (arils) from the skins and membranes- the seeds will sink to the bottom, while the other pieces float to the top... keep the fruit submerged under water during this step to keep from the STAINING juices from going everywhere!

5) Bask in your sweet victory!

  

6) Strain and rise the arils (seeds). 

                  

7) Pat dry with paper towel and store in the  fridge!

Time for some FACTOIDS::

-pomegranates can limit UV damage, help prevent arthritis and keep LDL, or bad cholesterol, from accumulating in arteries.

- too much fruit? the pomegranate arils can be frozen for up to three months. {{spread arils in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and leave them in the freezer, uncovered, for about 2 hours. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or Ziploc baggie.

- no rush! ...Pomegranates do not continue to develop sugars after they’re harvested, so, once picked, they remain ripe. Keep them in your refrigerator and they are good to go for up to two months.

Check out this webpage for information on how the health benefits of pomegranates!