Your St Patrick’s Day Dinner Menu: Traditional Favorites

With so many variations of traditional Irish meals, sometimes it’s just nicer to go back to basics, which is what we’ve done here with our St Patrick’s Day dinner menu full of traditional favorites that have withstood the test of time.

Appetizer

Incredibly Creamy Potato Soup
This is an incredibly creamy, and also incredibly easy and fast soup to throw together using a whopping five potatoes!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Makes: 6 servings (about 3/4 cup each)

You will need:

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cut up
• 1 medium celery stalk, sliced (1/2 cup)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Heat 1 1/2 cups water to boiling in 3-quart saucepan. Add potatoes and celery. Cover and heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

2. Drain liquid into blender. Remove 3 cups cooked vegetables from saucepan; place in blender with liquid. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover and blend about 1 minute until smooth.

3. Stir pureed vegetables back into saucepan. Stir in remaining ingredients; heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot.

Irish Soda Bread
A St Patty’s Day dinner just wouldn’t be complete without Irish soda bread. Whether or not you’re Irish, a hearty meal with family and friends to celebrate the holiday begs for the inclusion of a great tasting quick bread.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Makes: 1 loaf (14 slices)

You will need:

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 2 1/2 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup raisins, if desired
• 3/4 cup buttermilk

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Grease cookie sheet.

2. Cut butter into flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in large bowl, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in raisins and just enough buttermilk so dough leaves side of bowl.

3. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Shape into round loaf, about 6 1/2 inches in diameter. Place on cookie sheet. Cut an X shape about 1/2 inch deep through loaf with floured knife.

4. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with butter or margarine, softened, if desired.

Main Course

Slow Cooker Old-World Corned Beef and Vegetables
Even those who swear they don’t know how to cook or can’t cook a delicious meat and potatoes meal for the meat and potatoes holiday can accomplish this amazing dish with the use of a tried and true slow cooker.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 9 hours, 15 minutes
Makes: 10 servings

You will need:

• 2 1/2 pounds medium new potatoes, (about 8), cut in half
• 2 cups baby-cut carrots
• 1 cup frozen small whole onions, thawed
• 1 corned beef brisket (3 to 3 1/2 pounds)
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Directions:

1. Mix potatoes, carrots and onions in 4-to-6-quart slow cooker.

2. Thoroughly rinse corned beed; discard seasoning packet. Place beef on vegetables; sprinkle with pepper. Mix 1/2 cup water and the Worcestershire sauce; pour over beef.

3. Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 9 hours or until beef and vegetables are tender.

4. Remove beef and vegetables from slow cooker; cover to keep warm. Pour juices from slow cooker into 1-quart saucepan; heat to boiling. Mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into juices. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce has thickened. Serve sauce with beef and vegetables.

Dessert

Irish Cream-Coffee Bars
Sure, you may have had Irish cream flavoring or liquer in your coffee to wind down and relax after a hearty, satisfying meal, but these dessert bars take the decadent flavor to the next level of deliciousness, made with liquer, coffee and sugar cookie mix no one can mess up.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes
Makes: 25 bars

You will need:
For Bars:

• 1 pouch (1lb 1.5oz) Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup cold butter
• 1 egg
• 1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
• 2 tablespoons Irish cream liquer
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules or crystals

For Topping:

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Irish cream liquer
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 25 cinnamon sticks (2 inch)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, place cookie mix and pecans. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. With fork, stir in egg. Press half of cookie mixture in bottom of pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Reserve remaining cookie mixture.

2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir milk, 2 tablespoons liquer and the coffee granules until well blended. Pour evenly over warm crust. Sprinkle reserved cookie mixture over top. Bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool 30 minutes at room temperature. Refrigerate 1 hour to cool completely. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into bars (5 rows by 5 rows).

3. Just before serving, in small bowl, beat whipping cream, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon liquer and the vanilla with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Top each bar with dollop of whipped cream; sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Insert cinnamon stick into each dollop of whipped cream.

Making Irish Soda Bread the Easy Way, Video How-To

Irish soda bread is a “quick bread” that is traditionally made of flour, bread soda, salt and buttermilk. It dates back to 1840, which has given all sorts of people, from grandmothers to modern-day foodies, a great deal of time to add their own ingredients to the traditional bread, to truly make it their own. On that same note, trying to find an easy Irish soda bread recipe anyone can make that also peaks the taste buds is incredibly difficult to find since everyone has been creating and re-creating the delicacy as their own and completely crowding the recipe airwaves.

Luckily, I didn’t just find a recipe for super easy soda bread, I found a video how-to from Epicurious as part of their Around the World in 80 Dishes video series for Irish soda bread that only takes 30 minutes with Culinary Institute of America Chef Eric Kastel demonstrating.

You can also reference the detailed, written recipe.

Pi Day Dessert Menu Must-Haves

There are many different ways to celebrate Pi Day; some mathematicians, teachers, museum directors, math students and well-rounded geeks celebrate by baking and eating pies and having pie-eating contests. Some people take that tradition quite literally, creating Pi pies, like this one created by Flickr member megpi.

For those of you out there planning on donning your baker’s hat for Pi Day, you may want to fully indulge in the holiday and serve your pies in this Pi Dish ($24.95) that features the pi symbol in the center and is trimmed with the first few dozen digits of the ratio. This is definitely a dish that no mathematically-inclined baker could pass up.

If you want to be a complete rebel and still enjoy Pi Day, bake some cookies! But don’t forget to use this extremely awesome Pi Cookie Cutter ($12.95). You could also create some really great pie embellishments or even pocket pies with the Pi Cookie Cutter; the possibilities here are virtually endless!

Happy Pi Day, Geeks!

Today is March 14th, a date geeks and math enthusiasts around the world know as Pi Day.

Sure, most of us know that = 3.1415926535… but you can brush up on your pi facts by learning more about pi, send friends Pi Day greetings, and keep up with what people around the world are doing to celebrate Pi Day by checking out Google Trends. Even Google is celebrating Pi Day by changing their Google Doodle of the day (seen to the right). You can also feel free to call all of your friends and family members and sing some Pi Day songs to those you know will appreciate them (and your singing voice, of course.)

There is anything but a short in awesomely geeky novelty items for every Pi lover out there to go nuts over–like these Pi and pie earrings ($7.50) from Etsy user nerdgoddess. These are made from polymer clay, glaze and wire and are water-resistant, rather than waterproof, so while you may be able to wear them while it’s drizzling during a summer afternoon, you cannot take them into the shower or swimming without ruining them. They are sure to relay the message to each and every single person you come into contact with that you don’t need to present them with your Official Geek Card, because you have something better–and it’s dangling from your earlobes.

If you’re looking for a gift for a math enthusiast or just have a thing for all things plush, Etsy user Kim Payne has the perfect solution–a Pi Guy ($6.00). This guy is made of cotton fabric with a green crackle print and has embroidered eyes and mouth and polyester stuffing. If green isn’t your style, take a look at the many other Pi Guys available of differing colors and prints.

Don’t forget to spread the word about Pi Day, or just send a lovely message, letter, thank you, words of encouragement and so on to a friend using these utterly awesome Pi notecards ($8.00) from Etsy user ziggybaby. The stamps used to make these notecards were carved from linoleum and were inked onto archival quality cardstock, so you are getting a completely handmade, straight from the heart of a fellow geek item when you get these notecards. I especially love how when you open these notecards, the first 17 decimal places of pi is stamped along the bottom.

You can effortlessly search Etsy for all pi-related items to satisfy your pi-loving, geeky soul and enjoy your Pi Day!

Delicious (and Easy!) Cinnamon Roll Breakfasts

Breakfast time is hectic. People are running around all over the place, getting everything they need together for their day, screaming and fighting with each other and generally just not having enough time to sit down and enjoy a plate of food and you’re lucky if you can get up in the morning with enough time set aside to make that place of food in the first place. Here are some super easy breakfast recipes with one thing in common–they all rely on Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls. They are easy to make and take very little time to eat, making them pretty perfect breakfast options for the whole family.

Fresh Apple Sweet Rolls

Apples and cinnamon have long been a match made in heaven and both of these fabulous ingredients make a delightfully sweet, decadent and delicious apple sweet roll breakfast for two.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Makes: 2 servings

You will need:

• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
• 1 tablespoon whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh apple
• 2 Pillsbury Grands! frozen cinnamon rolls with icing (from 17.5oz. bag)

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 2 (6oz.) custard cups with cooking spray. In small bowl, mix butter, cream and brown sugar; spoon into custard cups. Top with chopped apple. Place 1 frozen cinnamon roll in each cup; place cups on cookie sheet.

2. Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and rolls are no longer doughy. Immediately run sharp knife around edge of each cup; turn each upside down and onto serving plate. Slowly lift cup from biscuit, releasing biscuit onto plate. Spread any remaining apple mixture in cups over rolls. Divide 1 icing packet between hot rolls, drizzling evenly over rolls. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Taste-of-the-Islands Breakfast Rolls

These breakfast rolls are full of tropical flavors that will mentally transport anyone to a beach with an exotic drink in hand.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Makes: 5 rolls

You will need:

• 1 to 3 teaspoons CRISCO all-vegetable shortening
• 1 can (17.5oz.) Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Supreme refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing (5 rolls)
• 1/2 cup Smucker’s pineapple ice cream topping, drained
• 1/2 cup Fisher dry roasted macadamia nuts, chopped

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheets with shortening.

2. Unroll cinnamon roll dough, cinnamon side up. Set icing aside. Spoon pineapple topping evenly over cinnamon rolls. Sprinkle nuts over pineapple topping.

3. Reroll dough into pinwheel shape; separate into 5 rolld. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.

4. Bake 20 to 23 minutes or until golden brown.

5. Pour icing into small bowl; stir in rum. Spread icing on rolls; spinkle with coconut. Place on serving platter; garnish with pineapple rings and mint.

Blueberry-Banana-Granola French Toast

Granola bars add a unique crunch and texture to this anything-but-ordinary french toast.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Makes: 8 servings

You will need:

• 1 can (12.4oz.) Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
• 8 Nature Valley banana nut crunchy granola bars (4 pouches from 8.9oz. box), crushed (1 1/2 cups)
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup fat-free skim milk
• 1 can (14oz.) Eagle Brand fat free sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
• 3 medium bananas, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 bag (10oz.) Cascadian Farm organic frozen blueberries, thawed
• 1 aerosol can (7oz.) fat-free whipped cream topping

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. (325°F for dark pan). Spray 13×9-inch pan or 12×2-inch round cake pan with CRISCO butter flavor or original no-stick cooking spray. Separate dough into 8 rolls; set icing aside. Cut each roll into quarters; arrange evenly in pan. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the crushed granola bars evenly over dough pieces.

2. In large food processor or 5-cup blender, place eggs, milk and condensed milk; cover and process 1 minute. Add bananas; cover and process 1 minute. Pour egg mixture over dough in pan. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup crushed granola bars.

3. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and set in center. Spoon and spread reserved icing over warm rolls. Cool 15 minutes before serving.

4. To serve, spoon baked french toast into shallow bowls or cut into 8 servings. Top each serving with 3 tablespoons blueberries; garnish with 2 tablespoons whipped cream topping.

Orange-Coconut Breakfast Rolls

With just a few, simple ingredients added to Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls, you will flip over these orange-coconut breakfast rolls.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Makes: 8 rolls

You will need:

• 1 teaspoon CRISCO pure canola oil
• 3/4 to 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 can (12.4oz.) Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing (8 rolls)
• 8 tablespoons Smucker’s sweet orange marmalade
• 1/4 cup Fisher Chef’s Naturals natural sliced almonds
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 400°F (375°F for dark pan). Grease 9-inch round cake pan with canola oil or spray with Crisco Original No-Stick cooking spray.

2. Place coconut in shallow dish. Separate dough into 8 rolls; set icing aside. Roll each cinnamon roll in coconut; press coconut onto all sides of roll to coat generously. Place rolls, cinnamon topping sides up, in pan.

3. Make well in each roll, using back of spoon. Fill each well with 1 tablespoon marmalade; sprinkle with almonds.

4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir almond extract into icing. Carefully spread icing on warm rolls. Serve warm.

Cinnamon French Toast Bake

This french toast bake looks so decadent and so delicious, I can barely stand it! Definitely a recipe with the makings of becoming a traditional family favorite.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Makes: 12 servings

You will need:
French Toast Bake:

• 1/4 cup Land O’Lakes butter, melted
• 2 cans (12.4oz. each) Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
• 6 Eggland’s Best eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup Fisher Chef’s Naturals chopped pecans
• 1 cup maple syrup

Garnish:

• icing from cinnamon rolls
• powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, if desired

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375°F. Pour melted butter into ungreased 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Separate both cans of dough into 16 rolls; set icing aside. Cut each roll into 8 pieces; place pieces over butter in dish.

2. In medium bowl, beat eggs. Beat in cream, cinnamon and vanilla until well blended; gently pour over roll pieces. Sprinkle with pecans; drizzle with 1 cup syrup.

3. Bake 20 to 28 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Meanwhile, remove covers from icing; microwave on medium (50%) 10 to 15 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle.

4. Drizzle icing over top; sprinkle with powdered sugar. If desired, spoon syrup from dish over individual servings. Serve with the additional 1/2 cup maple syrup.

Peanut Butter Banana Sweet Rolls

These may look like your ordinary, refrigerated cinnamon rolls, but the topping developed by television cooking host Sandra Lee, is absolutely exquisite.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 8 servings (1 roll and 2 tablespoons banana mixture each)

You will need:

• 1 can (12.4oz.) Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

Directions:
1. Bake cinnamon rolls as directed on package.

2. In medium bowl, mash banana with a fork. Stir in peanut butter and reserved icing until blended to create a peanut butter dipping sauce. If misture is too thick, stir in water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches desired consistency. Spread on warm rolls.

Auto Detailing: Why is Detailing a Necessity?

This is a guest post by Ricochet’s Rapid Detail located at 715 Fig St in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Your car accumulates numerous particles that can harm its finish; these particles include, but are not limited to pollutants, mud, salt, dirt, sand, bugs, tar, rain, sun, etc. and are all extremely harmful to the paint. Detailing leaves microscopic layers of fine wax particles that provide a deep shine and forming a clear chemical bond that protects the paint and its original clear coat. Detailing guarantees longevity to the paint and retains the value of the vehicle. Professional detailing is not just a luxury, it is an investment that has become a necessity!

What is the difference between DETAILING and WASHING?

WASHING removes loose contaminants–dirt and grime. DETAILING removes blemishes, oxidation and etching marks that are caused when contaminants penetrate the surface. Rub your hand across an upper surface; if it is rough, you need to detail your car. Detailing prevents the paint and its clear coat from deteriorating. Retain the value of your car; have it washed and detailed by one of our technicians.

Our proven Water Smart system:

The technique that is used to wash a vehicle without the use of water. This method uses a product that contains many different ingredients, including wetting agents, lubricants and protectants. The detergents and wetting agents in the product combine to soften and emulsify surface grime, while a specific blend of fluids and lubricants attach a microscopic layer of protectant to the surface. The protectant is a substance which provides a bonded layer of protection against any remaining abrasive not broken down by the detergents and wetting agents.

What do the products used contain?

The protectant often contains cross linked polymers, which make it extremely effective as a car wax or glaze. Our product, when used on your vehicle, contains a complex mixture of cleaning elements along with the glaze ingredients.

The product used by Ricochet’s Rapid Detail is a concentrated cleaner and protective sealant.

How does the application process work?

At Ricochet’s Rapid Detail, when we properly apply our formulation to the surface of your vehicle our product lifts dirt from the vehicle by emulsification. The product surrounds dirt molecules, lifting them from the paint surface, before you start to wipe. At the same time, the application process initiates in combination with use of micro fiber technology, the cross chain polymer linking process that results in an extremely shiny, highly protective glaze finish. All this happens very rapidly due to the balance of ingredients within the product itself. At Ricochet’s Rapid Detail, we use biodegradable products which are safe for the environment and utilize our proven Water $mart technology.

In our proven application process and Water Smart technology, it does not involve using high pressure not extensive rubbing on a vehicle’s surface.

The use of soft micro-fiber towels captures the dirt and removes it safely from the vehicle’s surface without scratching.

Many application processes in the past required the use of large amounts of water and extensive scrubbing and rubbing on a vehicle’s surface causing micro scratches and damage to the exterior paint.

At Ricochet’s Rapid Detail, our proven application process also does not require “soaking”–using a high volume of product and water usage. When used in compliance the vehicle will shine and water will bead on it and not have common micro scratching and damages to your valued automobile.

Our products are designed as a high-end car care product for use on any car, truck, motorcycle, boat or plane. It contains the finest ingredients available in today’s cutting edge technology.

Our waterless car wash products allows us the ability to clean without using soaps, buckets and water hoses, and runoff into the local sewers or drains, causing further damage to the environment.

What are the benefits of using a waterless wash on my vehicle?

• When properly used leaves a “streak-free” surface.
• Safe to use on all surfaces of a vehicle, including painted surfaces, metals, glass, vinyl, rubber and plastic trim.
• Contains no solvents, toxic chemicals or abrasive compounds.
• Treated surfaces are extremely water resistant (hydrophobic).
• Continued use and detailing further retards the damaging effects of contaminants, such as bird droppings, bug splatter, road grime, acid rain and brake dust, among other things.
• Dirt is extracted into a soft micro-fiber which prevents scratching.
• Environmentally safe, Water $mart, biodegradable and non-toxic.
• No urban runoff or runoff into a local storm drain.
• Protects and leaves a great, long-lasting shine!

Can you use waterless wash on any type of vehicle?

Yes! Our formulation has been tested on every kind of paint used by the auto reconditioning industry; from older acrylic lacquers to hi gloss acrylic urethane and plyurethane paints.

Will the waterless product used by Ricochet’s Rapid Detail prevent my vehicle’s paint from fading?

Yes! When applied properly to a new vehicle, then reapplied each month, the paint will not fade. Ricochet’s Rapid Detail ’s Waterless Wash will help protect against the effects of sun exposure, acid rain and road salt.

Is it easy for a Non-Detail professional to use?

Yes! The staff at Ricochet’s Rapid Detail will be more than happy to demonstrate and help educate the use of these safe products on your vehicle. Please feel free to stop down to our shop for a free demonstration of the products used and let us show you how to maintain your vehicle! The products are designed for the detail pro as well as non-professionals who just want to take care of their car!

What is a CLEAR COAT?

“Clear Coat” is a name given to the multi-stage paints used today. A “base coat” (frequently water-based) is applied with a pigment (color). Then, a top layer of clear paint is applied over the top of the base coat to add depth, brilliance and to provide protection for the base coat.

Clear Coats still require the same care as the old single state paints. Just because the topcoat of the paint has no pigment in it doesn’t make it impervious to environmental conditions. Topcoats of clear paint still oxidize, and the softer paints used today also allow contaminants to easily embed in the surface. These softer paints require modern formulations and technology to protect them against damage.

In short, the need for proper care and maintenance of clear coat paints is just as important as years ago. Actually, because of their softer, fragile nature, they really should be maintained BETTER than the older single stage paints.

What does detailing do to a Clear Coat Finish?

Let’s first define Clear Coat Finish: today’s modern Finish consists of a dull layer of paint called a Base Coat. It provides the color on your car. Over this base, a clear layer of paint is applied. This is called a Clear Coat. It provides the shine and protection. The result is a two-layer painted surface known as a “Clear Coat Finish.”

When the Clear Coat Finish becomes dull, it requires special attention. Our detailing technicians apply high quality fine surface polish and wax to remove the elements that dull the Finish. When detailing is complete, the Clear Coat Finish has been cleaned and properly restored.

Why can’t I use household cleaners to wash my car?

Household cleaners like dish washing detergent are specifically designed to dissolve grease. Because wax is essentially a grease, household cleaners will remove your car’s wax finish, leaving you with little shine and no protection. Also, some household detergents have micro-fine abrasive in them. These can permanently scratch your car’s surface. Always use a premium quality, commercial liquid car wash. They are formulated to dissolve dirt and grime without removing your car’s beautiful wax finish.

What about once-a-year wax and polish products?

Your car deserves better than once-a-year products. It is like the second largest investment you’ve made, after your home. Don’t scrimp on the quality of the products you use to maintain it, or the care you give your vehicle. A regular regimen of washing and waxing pays enormous dividends for years down the road. The intrinsic weakness of once-a-year products will become painfully apparent as the years pass.

What about those free car washes at the gas station?

Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Many of those car washes use mechanical brushes, which can damage your paint surface. In some parts of the country, the water is recycled, meaning your car is getting the same water applied as the “clapped out” 1970 Plymouth Duster that just pulled out (unless your car just happens to be that Duster.) While filters can catch small particulates, they can’t filter out the dissolved salt from winter use, or all those hoards of other nasty chemicals.

I lease my car, why should I care how it looks?

Chances are you’ll care when the lease ends. If you check your contract, you’ll find that you’re probably responsible for the appearance of your vehicle when it is returned. If the paint is full and lifeless (because it was never washed, polishes or waxed) you could be hit with a reconditioning fee ranging from $500 to $2,000! Take care of your investment!

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Ricochet’s Rapid Detail is owned by husband and wife team Dave and Lucia Peregrim, who have over 25 years of experience in the auto detailing industry incorporated as an LLC. Dave Peregrim has detailed cars for Tom Hesser Chevrolet, Kelly Volkswagen and other shops and opened Ricochet’s Rapid Detail in 2002, accompanied by his wife, Lucia, who works as the Operations Manager, keeping everything within the business, including their online presence, afloat.

Check out the Ricochet’s Rapid Detail Blog, become a fan on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

See Hungry Girl and Consumers Talk About Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt and Try it for Yourself

Ever since I first had the opportunity to try Yoplait’s Fiber One yogurt last summer, I knew I had found my new favorite yogurt and since that time, my love for Fiber One yogurt has not wavered one little bit.

Before Yoplait’s Fiber One yogurt even hit shelves, it had already received Lisa Lillien, also known as Hungry Girl’s seal of approval. In fact, it is the first nationally-distributed yogurt to receive this seal of approval. In every 4oz of this yogurt is 5 grams of fiber (20% of the recommended daily value each and every single one of us need daily,) is a great source of calcium and vitamins A and D and is just 50 calories.

In the past, we have also had the opportunity to share with you coupons for Yoplait’s Fiber One yogurt–one for $1 off of a 4-pack of yogurt, and another for a free 4-pack of yogurt. Needless to say, this yogurt rocks and I am so excited to be able to share even more Fiber One yogurt love with all of you out there!

At a recent Fiber One yogurt tasting event, Lisa Lillien chatted with consumers about this tasty snack. Thanks to Yoplait, we have the opportunity to share a video with you from this recent tasting event so you can see what other folks think of Fiber One yogurt and also a downloadable $1 off Fiber One yogurt coupon!

Yoplait’s Fiber One yogurt comes in four flavors–strawberry, vanilla, peach and key lime pie, so you will definitely be able to find a flavor that you will absolutely love. Enjoy!

Adorable, Delicious and Decadent Valentine’s Day Treats

While I firmly believe every day is a good day for cookies, here are some adorable, some decadent, and all delicious cookie recipes to whip up this Valentine’s Day.

Valentine Cookie Pops

Is it a cookie or is it a pop? It’s both! These Valentine Cookie Pops can’t get more adorable and they are also the perfect canvas to let kids explore their creative side on.

Prep Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Makes: 20 cookie pops

You will need:

• 1 package (18oz) Pillsbury Ready To Bake! refrigerated sugar cookies
• 20 flat wooden sticks with round ends
• 1 1/4 cups vanilla creamy ready-to-spread frosting
• Assorted small candies, or candy decors or nonpareils (optional)
• 10 yards red curling ribbon

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cookie dough pieces 2 inches apart. Into side of each piece of dough, insert wooden stick 1 inch, overlapping wooden sticks as necessary.

2. Bake 12 to 16 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.

3. Spread frosting on one side of each cookie; decorate with candies. Tie 18 inches of red ribbon into bow around each stick next to cookie.

Chocolate-Dipped Heart Cookies

You may have just had sugar cookies during the holiday season; in fact, you probably made too many and then received some as gifts from your friends and neighbors, so dress these Valentine’s Day sugar cookies up with a coat of delicious semisweet chocolate.

Prep Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour
Makes: 2 dozen cookies

You will need:

• 1 roll (16.5oz) Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookies
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• Colored sugar

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove half of cookie dough from wrapper; refrigerate remaining dough until needed. Sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of the flour onto work surface; coat sides of half of dough with flour. With rolling pin, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness, adding additional flour as needed to prevent sticking.

2. With floured 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out hearts. Gently brush excess flour from hearts; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Repeat with remaining half of dough.

3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

4. In 1-quart saucepan, heat chocolate chips and shortening over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Dip half of each cookie into melted chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off; place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar.

Chocolate Linzer Hearts

Just the appearance of these chocolate linzer heart cookies will impress any special valentine and with the incredible flavors of hazelnut, cinnamon, raspberry and chocolate, you’ll have them hooked on this treat for years to come.

Prep Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Makes: 3 dozen cookies

You will need:

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skinned and ground
• 1/2 ounce semisweet baking chocolate, finely chopped
• 2 1/2 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup raspberry jam
• 1 ounce semisweet baking chocolate, melted

Directions:

1. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, or mix with spoon. Beat in vanilla and eggs until smooth. Add remaining ingredients except jam and melted chocolate. Beat until well blended. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour (dough will be sticky.)

2. Heat oven to 375°F. Roll one-fourth of dough at a time between pieces of waxed paper until 1/8 inch thick. (Keep remaining dough refrigerated until ready to roll.) Cut with 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter. Cut small heart shape from center of half of the 2-inch hearts if desired.

3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon raspberry jam on bottom of whole heart cookies; top with cutout heart cookie. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Let stand until chocolate is firm.

Heart Sandwich Cookies

You don’t have to wait until the sun goes down to spice up your Valentine’s Day. Try these delightful cookies with cinnamon candy filling.

Prep Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Makes: 3 dozen sandwich cookies

You will Need:

For cookies:
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup Gold Medal all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon red edible glitter

For cinnamon filling:
• 1/4 cup red cinnamon candies
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

1. In medium bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter, granulated sugar and egg with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Beat in milk and vanilla, scraping bowl frequently, until well mixed. On low speed, beat in flour and baking powder until well mixed, scraping bowl frequently.

2. Shape dough into 2 equal halves; wrap in plastic wrap. Flatted each to 1/2-inch thickness. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

3. Heat oven to 400°F. On generously floured surface, roll out 1 half of dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut with small (2-inch) heart-shaped cookie cutter. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cookies 1 inch apart. Sprinkle glitter on cookies. Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Repeat with remaining half of dough, except do not sprinkle with glitter. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat candies and water to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer uncovered about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until candies are melted. Remove from heat. Using wire whisk, stir in butter and powdered sugar, 1/3 cup at a time, until smooth.

5. Spread or pipe heaping teaspoon filling in center of flat side of each undecorated cookie. Press decorated cookie over filling; press firmly to secure.

Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu–Add These Aphrodisiacs

Plan on making your valentine a romantic dinner tomorrow night? Head to your local grocery store and pick up some of these tried and true edible aphrodisiacs perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Oysters:

Oysters are the classic and cliche aphrodisiacs who get a lot of attention for their mouth feel, especially when swallowed raw and whole. Another reason why they are so synonymous with gettin’ it on is because of their resemblance to female genitalia. Oysters are very high in protein and rich in zinc and iron–nutrients that help in the transport of oxygen and stimulate the metabolism.

Chocolate:

Chocolate isn’t known for its connection to Valentine’s Day for nothing, so the next time your honey brings you a chocolate-filled heart, know that chocolate is actually a flavorful source of quick energy and has been known to elevate people’s moods due to it containing theobromine and caffeine–two related alkaloid stimulants. Chocolate is also rich in phenylethylamine, a compound that has effects similar to amphetamine.

Avocado:

Avocados are sodium and cholesterol-free, they are nutritious, creamy and mild to taste. The curves of an avocado perfectly mimic the curve’s of a woman’s body and is filled with good fats and has a wonderful buttery texture.

Ginger:

Before we had the modern medicine in over-the-counter pain relievers like Midol and Pamprin, ginger was used to help relieve menstrual cramps and many people still use ginger root to soothe the stomach. Ginger acts as a stimulant and is known to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus and intestines.

Bananas:

Yes, this is very, very obvious–it is impossible to look at a banana without taking note of its obvious phallic shape. Bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, which are two necessary components for sex-hormone production.

Artichokes:

Artichokes are one of the oldest-known foods filled with antioxidants. Prickly to touch, if you can make it to the center, its delectable heart reveals itself and you can feast on its delicately meaty substance. Yes, another pretty obvious conclusion as to why this is an aphrodisiac.

Honey:

Honey is sticky, sweet and golden. The look, taste and texture of honey makes it alluring and mysterious.

Pine Nuts:

Pine nuts are full of zinc, a key mineral in maintaining male potency. They have been used to stimulate the libido since Medieval Times. They contain good fats and have an extremely velvety texture.

Vanilla:

Vanilla has been said to increase feelings of lust, being very seductive. Some studies have shown that vanilla can raise levels of catecholamines, or the adrenaline, in the blood.

Progresso Souper You Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered our Progresso Souper You giveaway! We are so thrilled to be able to share the Progresso love, being huge fans of the brand ourselves and even bigger fans of a way to manage our weight and calorie intake in a very, very delicious way. The winner of this giveaway will receive the Progresso prize pack which has been provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark, pictured above–2 cans of Progresso Light and 100 calorie soups, a Progresso soup mug and a digital jump rope that keeps track of your jumps and also of calories burned.

So, without further ado, the lucky winner is…

Congratulations, Jennifer T!

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