How To Clean Tennis Shoes

Every time I buy new tennis shoes I promise myself they won't have any white.  Guess I'm not very good at keeping promises...

So I buy black and white shoes.  Of course the white turns black within a week, no matter how hard I try to keep it clean.  Yes, I am the person who walks around puddles and dirt in parking lots.  The one who walks all the way down the sidewalk instead of cutting though the grass.  I don't want my shoes to get dirty!

But they do.  For years I tried wetting a rag and wiping them off without much success.  Yes, it got the worst of the dirt off, but they were never truly white again.  Then I came upon arguably the best cleaning product on the market!  The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser!  (p.s. - we've bought the generic brand from Walmart before and they work just as good.  A lot less expensive too!)  Here's what you need to do.

First wet and wring out the magic eraser.

If your tennis shoes are really muddy, etc. I suggest taking a paper towel or rag and wiping them off first.  Your magic eraser will last a lot longer if the worst of the dirt is off.

Now lightly scrub any white parts until they shine.  Some spots will be easier than other.

Look how beautiful!  Almost like new again!  They shine just as much as the diamonds!

How to Organize a Spice Cabinet

My mom has been on a cleaning frenzy!  From the walls and the cabinets, to the fridge and the basement storage, everything is getting organized before Christmas decorations come out.  Yes, ever since she bought this wall mop in Amish Country, she even mops our walls!   I will admit it's looking pretty nice...

In the beginning all our plates, glasses, bowls, etc. were right by the fridge.  It was nice if you were the only one in the kitchen, but when we were all in there it got a little chaotic.  We would all be in that same corner trying to grab something a plate, silverware, or something from the fridge.  My mom and I decided we needed to distribute the wealth throughout the kitchen.  

The spices got moved over by the fridge.  Changes are we won't be grabbing spices while someones in the fridge or freezer.  Plates, bowls, and glasses are in the opposite corner by the measuring cups. Silverware is by the dishwasher.  We all hate emptying the silverware basket anyway, so keeping it the closest to the dishwasher makes it a little less of a hassle.  

We just have plain shelves in our kitchen.  Since our cabinets are lacking those fancy features, my mom and I have to get creative to organize like pros.  So far our best idea is alphabetical order...creative right!  Here's a list of alphabetical (way too many) herbs and seasonings just incase you need a reference. :) I've seen some pretty cool ideas on Pinterest though...not going to lie, I'm kinda jealous. Here are my top five upgrades...

Peach Smoothie

Every time I go to the mall and walk through the food court, I'm temped to stop at Frullati for one of their delicious smoothies. Unfortunately, I can't rationalize spending $4 or $5 on a drink.  I guess I'm just cheap.  

One day at Walmart I came across a small blender on the sale rack.  For $10 (two smoothies!!) I picked up one of the best kitchen appliances. Now I can make my own frosty drinks whenever I want!! It's a dream come true :)

It took several bad smoothies (un-drinkable may be more accurate) to finally find the right combination but I'm proud to say this one is a winner!

Peaches weren't the best this year so I have to be careful how many times I whip up this delicious treat!  With peaches, yogurt, milk, and cinnamon, this is the perfect thirst quencher on a hot summer day...or if you're like me you'll still be making these in the middle of December!!  

Start by combining all ingredients in a blender.  I find it best to put liquids on the bottom.

Blend until smooth...

Yum!!! 

Peach Smoothie

by Simple and Sweet Creations

6071151

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup almond milk
• 3/4 cup greek yogurt
• 2/3 cup sliced peaches
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon sweetener

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a blender.

Blend until smooth.

Pour into glass and enjoy!

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Individual Turkey Meatloaves

Mondays have become my busy days.  Some weeks I even have to pack my breakfast, lunch, and dinner Sunday night!  To simplify this meal prep and still have a delicious meal I'm experimenting with some of my favorite dinners, making single servings and freezing them.  The first experiment...meatloaf...

I absolutely love meatloaf.  While chicken is my favorite, if I have to have beef it better be a meatloaf.  Warm, cold, fresh, day-old, there's nothing like my mom's homemade recipe.  But being the cook I am I had to try something different. Solution...turkey meatloaf!  It'll be perfect for my grandpa who has to watch his red meat intake too!  My version has been adapted from All Sorts of Pretty.  

One batch makes either 12 muffins (2-3 per serving) or 6 ramekins (1 per serving).  After using the muffin tins I think I'd make them in ramekins simply because they'd be easier to clean.  Not that the muffin tin was terrible but I'm all about easy clean up.

Start by preheating your oven to 350º F.  Combine the ground turkey, eggs, oats, zucchini, onions, garlic powder, italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.  Mix until everything is well incorporated.  It's almost impossible to over mix!

Evenly divide among 12 muffin tins or 6 ramekins.  Bake muffins 25-30 minutes or ramekins 35-40 minutes.  

In a small bowl, combine ketchup, sugar, and dried mustard.  This sauce is so good...try not to eat it all like me!

Spoon (whatever sauce is left) evenly over the meatloaves.  Bake another 5 minutes.

Look how beautiful...and delicious!  The batch made 12...but I won't tell you how many I actually froze.  Let's just say they didn't all make it...

Turkey Meatloaf

by Simple and Sweet Creations

6071032

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup oats, ground
• 1 cup zucchini, grated
• 1/3 cup onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2/3 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons sugar (or other sweetener)
• 2 teaspoons mustard powder

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350º F.

Combine first nine ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix well.

Evenly divide among 12 muffin tins or 6 ramekins.

Bake muffins 25-30 minutes, ramekins 35-40 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine ketchup, sugar, and mustard powder.

Spoon evenly over meatloaves.

Bake additional 5 minutes.

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