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I was checking out Org Junkie’s website, and I was asking for input on organizing my "extra kitchen utensil" drawer!  I love all of my kitchen utensils, and I’ve downsized to everything that I use.  Which, sadly, is still a lot.  But I love cooking, okay?!    Anyway, Org Junkie gave me the idea of buying the Pampered Chef Tool Turn-About.  SO, I checked it out online and ordered it!  Well, it arrived last week, and it felt like Christmas when it arrived…I was SO excited.  It has worked amazingly, and I’ve very much enjoyed having all my utensils within easy reach and in one exciting holder!  Here is what it looks like at my house:

Do you have an organizing system for your kitchen utensils? 

To my fellow Canadians, Happy Canada Day!  Today is the day that we celebrate Canada’s 142nd birthday!  Are you doing anything special today?  We’re going to spend the day with some friends out in the bright sunshine.  In honour of Canada Day I am giving you a link to make your very own summery cake in the shape of the flag.  Enjoy!

I used to use hundreds, if not thousands of cotton pads a year removing make-up, or putting on facial products.  You know, those fluffy little round pads that you can buy in those handy little tubes??  Well, I realized that not only was it not economical to buy them all the time, but it also was a waste on the environment.  So I started using baby wash cloths.  I bought a typical package from a drug store, and I cut them into fourths.  You really don’t need a whole cloth!  Now when I’m done them I throw them in the laundry and simply wash them up when I’m done!  They might get slight mascara stains, or something like that, but ultimately I’ve found them to be a great option!

This week is going to be a good one!  Of course, it helps if you start off thinking about it that way. :) This week I’m going to give a recipe for a tasty dessert, a favourite new kitchen item I got, and perhaps more!  Stay tuned!

Monday: Quebecois Chicken (See below)

Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner - eggs, hashbrowns, bacon and toast

Wednesday: Happy Canada Day!!  Canada Day Cake (stay tuned on July 1st for that recipe!), Homemade burgers (anyone have a recipe they want to share?!), and salad.

Thursday: Chicken Lasagna with White Sauce

Friday: Curried Beef, Rice, Raisins and Chickpeas (I don’t really use this recipe, but it can be a basic guideline for you.  I add chickpeas and remove pineapple b/c I’m allergic to it!)

Saturday: Fruit Salad, Hotdogs

Sunday: Homemade Burritos

Quebecois Chicken:

2 lbs. chicken pieces

1/2 cup maple syrup

3 tbsp. cider vinegar

2 garlic cloves (minced)

3 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tbsp. ginger (ground)

1 tsp. black pepper

Combine all ingredients and mix with chicken.  Bake in the oven at 350F for 1 hour covered, and uncover for the last 15 mins.  OR cook in the slow cooker for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.  OR barbeque on medium-high heat until the middle of the meat is white.  Turn frequently  Serves 4.

Check out what others are cooking this week!

Sometimes we just need a few tips and tricks in order to accomplish something we struggle with.  SO, here are a few tips and tricks I’ve come across to help you drink more water:

1.) Having a water bottle with you at all times will help you drink water a lot more!

2.) Adding a lemon or a lime sometimes interests people in drinking a lot more.

3.) Powdered crystals like Crystal Light are good for flavouring water for those who just can’t stand the taste of pure water.

4.) Ice cubes.  Some people like their water really cold, and so adding ice cubes is a good way to help.  Consider freezing berries (such as blackberries!) to pop into your glass of water.  Not only will they cool the water down, they’ll give you some fruit too! 

5.) Warm water.  Some people just can’t stand drinking cold water, so having warm gives a sense of comfort.  

What tips and tricks do you have for drinking water? 

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Have you joined the h2O challenge?

Read here to find out more about joining in the h2O challenge!    

Our spinach was completely taking over our garden, and so we figured it was about time to bring in a lot of it and freeze it for the fall!  I looked up on line to find out how to freeze spinach, and found these directions.  Here are the pictures of my freezing expedition:

 After I got the water boiling, I submerged my spinach into the water for 2 minutes.  Then I took it out and placed it in a strainer and pushed out the extra water.  Then I placed it on a tea towel and squished out the water, forming a ball that looks like this:

 Once the water was fully squeezed out, I lightly loosened the ball of spinach so that it was a little less "ball-like" in my ziploc bag!  I want to be able to grab a bit of it for recipes, etc.

Have you frozen spinach before?  What has been your experience?  How does your garden grow?