We tend to eat a lot of chicken. In fact, we eat so much of it that sometimes I get tired of it! Without a little creativity, it just gets old. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to jazz up chicken so it’s not boring. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to do this is to use marinades. After a few hours soaking in one of these, … [Read more...] about 12 Flavorful Ways to Marinate Chicken
Keeping the Home
Building a Functional Command Center
Until recently, my husband and I had a chronic problem with clutter on our dining table. Mail, pens, coupons, coins, grocery lists, etc. were always scattered on the tabletop. Our solution to this problem was to create a command center, which is an area in the home designed to keep the family organized. Let me describe the components we … [Read more...] about Building a Functional Command Center
Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Shells
I’ve mentioned before that cheesy dishes tend to be hits in my house. This easy-to-prepare one is no exception. Ingredients 32 oz. chicken broth 1 1/2 cups water 16 oz. small shell pasta 2 garlic cloves, minced 2-3 cups frozen broccoli, partially thawed and chopped 2 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into bite-size pieces … [Read more...] about Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Shells
Why Do Fruits Ripen so Quickly When Placed in Paper Bags?
I’ve always heard that you can accelerate the ripening of fruits by placing them in paper sacks. I know from personal experience that this works quite well, but why is this? The curious side of me can’t help but wonder what is so special about paper sacks. According to this cooking website, paper sacks trap a gas around fruits that … [Read more...] about Why Do Fruits Ripen so Quickly When Placed in Paper Bags?
Revisions and Customizations to My Cleaning Schedule
After sharing back in October of 2013 about my inability to find an effective cleaning schedule, I quickly learned that many of you shared the same struggle! My solution was to develop a cleaning schedule that was unique to my needs. My biggest quibble with the cleaning schedules I had seen previously was that they had various cleaning … [Read more...] about Revisions and Customizations to My Cleaning Schedule
Nacho Soup
Traditional favorites like chicken noodle soup will always be popular in my house. On occasion we like eating soups that are a little less predictable, though, including this zesty Nacho Soup. Ingredients 1 pound lean ground meat (I use turkey) 1 medium onion, chopped 2 tablespoons spicy taco seasoning mix 2 cups cheese sauce or 1 … [Read more...] about Nacho Soup
Healthy, Easy-to-Prepare Breakfast Options
You, the readers who comprise the community here at Of The Hearth, often ask thought-provoking questions in your comments and emails. It’s likely that these questions are shared by many readers, so I’ve decided to answer some in posts. I hope you will contribute by adding your input in the comments! Leslie in Florida asked the … [Read more...] about Healthy, Easy-to-Prepare Breakfast Options
Routines Can Make or Break Your Day
As my family’s typical routine has been disrupted for many weeks because of moving and visiting with loved ones for the holidays, I’ve become increasingly convinced that routines are critical for having a peaceful, productive home. When I talk about routines, I’m not talking about schedules (rigid agendas where specific activities occur … [Read more...] about Routines Can Make or Break Your Day
