photo by special dark
Preparing food in a slow cooker works well during the summer months. It’s a hands-free way to cook without heating up your kitchen. You can bring it outside, plug it in and cook with it, so it’s a great alternative to backyard grilling. Cleanup is a snap, too. Here are four easy, tasty meals. Enjoy!
Cranberry Pork Chops
6 bone-in pork loin chops
1 (16-ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce
1/2 …

photo by nutmeg
DEAR SARA: How do you get a Crystal Light stain off a kitchen counter? I am going to blame my kitty cat for this. It’s that red color, and I have been cleaning it today, and it is a little lighter but still there. — Palooka, forums
DEAR PALOOKA: I use melamine foam, such as Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser. Assuming you don’t have granite countertops, you can use bleach …

A kitchen-inventory list helps you to plan and organize your meals. You waste less, too. It can be as easy as using a dry-erase board, notebook or printable sheets; you can use a simple slash system to keep track of what you have on hand. One example can be found on my forums. The first tip below is a quick way to keep track at a glance and add variety, …

photo by dearanxiety
Swap parties have regained popularity because of the economy. Many people don’t have a lot of money to throw parties, and if they do, maybe their friends don’t. It works well whether you’re going through a tough time or not, and no one has to know if you are. It’s a great way to get together for a home party without having to sell or buy anything. It …