Memorial Day Food Ideas
From pronto pups to s\’ more cups, I have rounded up some of my favorite summery and patriotic themed recipes that would be the perfect addition to any backyard barbecue or Memorial weekend gettogether.
How To Be Productive Working From Home
1. Set your alarm and don’t press snooze
This may sound basic, but it is the most important and effective way to get you going. Working from home means flexibility, creating your own schedule, starting and stopping work when you want, oh and the luxury of waking up when you want. Setting your alarm forces you to get up and get your day going. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish.
2. Don’t check your Emails in bed
When your alarm goes off, don’t spend half an hour scrolling through your inbox before getting out of bed. Save it for when you get to your desk. While it may seem like you’re getting ahead, you’re really just unwilling to leave your bed. Those emails will still be there when you get to your desk. If you’re worried about not answering them in a timely manner – maybe you should have woke up sooner!
3. Get dressed
Get prepared for the day as if you’re going to an office job. You’re only as productive as you feel, and if you’re working in your PJs you’re bound to make your way back to your bed for an afternoon nap. Seriously though, don’t work in your pajamas.
4. Create a to-do list
Having a to-do list that outlines what and when you need to accomplish things will help you stay focused and on task.
5. Create a designated work space
Nope, the couch is not somewhere you should be working, while it’s comfortable it’s not where you should be doing your work. Instead, you should create a designated workspace, this will not only increase your productivity but give you a place to go and work without distractions.
6. Time is money
Find an app that will allow you to keep track of how much time you’re spending working and how much of that time is being used per project. Time tracking lets you see how productive you’ve been and can help you stay focused on your tasks.
7. Avoid social media
Hello, little time sucker! We mindlessly scroll through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and more daily – this is just a distraction. If you don’t feel like you can remove yourself from social media during a 9 to 5 work day, then block some social media time in your day. Once that 10-15 minutes end that’s it social media goes away and you get back to business.
8. Change of scenery
Working from home sounds like a dream come true, and really I’m sure it is – I am jealous of all of those people who get to. However, you are literally working from your home and spending countless hours there. Be sure to leave your home once in awhile to change things up. Maybe today you’ll work from a coffee shop or Panera Bread instead of sitting in your office.
How do you stay productive working from home?
Aladdin Movie Review: It’s Not a ‘Whole New World’
Aladdin recently joined an increasingly long list of Disney classic animated movies that have been adapted into live-action films, and this Friday, you can take a magic carpet ride with the live-action Aladdin when it hits a theater near you. This live-action version is based on the classic 1992 Disney cartoon we all fell in love with as kids, with a bit of flair that the Broadway musical brought.
As you prepare yourself to fall in love with the story of Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie all over again, go into this movie reminding yourself that it is no longer that childhood cartoon you fell in love with. While there are parts that are direct copies of the movie, songs you know and love – there are also additional musical numbers as well. I found these additional musical numbers to be oddly timed, especially when Jasmine breaks out into what appears to be a rap music video (you’ll understand when you see it).
When it was announced that there would be a live-action Aladdin, I was beyond excited. I mean remember how amazing Beauty and the Beast turned out to be? Then the cast was revealed, and I learned that Will Smith would be playing the Genie – that’s a big lamp to fill since Robin Williams had more energy and piazza in that role. Will Smith brings a unique kind of flair to the Genie’s musical numbers, however, the success of said flair is up for debate. In all honesty, I did not like Will Smith as the Genie – at all. No, it’s not because of the fact I love Robin Williams so much, I did go see the Broadway production when it was in Detroit and loved Michael James Scott as the Genie – now he brought some serious flair. From the start, I just wasn’t in love with how Smith portrayed the Genie, and as the movie went on I disliked him more and more. With the Genie having such a large role in Aladdin it definitely made it hard for me to like the movie. I mean honestly when beatboxing starts in Friend Like Me I was done – and I love beatboxing, but in Aladdin, it made no sense what so ever.
Since Agrabah is a made up country, this gives Disney the creative freedom to go above and beyond – and they did… maybe a little too far. Agrabah featured a mash-up of several Middle Eastern cultures, and there was even an out of place Bollywood musical act thrown into the mix. When seeing the movie pay close attention to the outfits and architecture – it’s gorgeous.
In the end, this is a remake, it’s a story that has already been told before and has been told better. The live-action version definitely has some spotty CGI, that offered some awkward scenes. I definitely cannot say that it is better than its 1992 animated predecessor or the Broadway Musical.
Hitch a ride on the magic carpet when Aladdin flies into theaters May 24, 2019!
Who Plays Who:
Will Smith as the Genie
Mena Massoud as Aladdin
Naomi Scott as Jasmine
Marwan Kenzari as Jafar
Navid Negahban as the Sulton
Red, White and Made in Michigan
Memorial weekend is right around the corner, and Kroger has you covered with all your made in Michigan needs to complete your backyard barbecue. I don\’t know about you, but I love shopping for items that are made in Michigan, especially when they\’re conveniently located at my favorite grocery store Kroger. To make things even easier Kroger has made in Michigan signs up so you know you\’re shopping from stuff made right here. There are a few staple items every barbecue should have….something to grill, condiments, something delicious to drink and of course you can\’t forget dessert!
Now let\’s talk about some of my made in Michigan favorites that will be headlining the show at my Memorial Day backyard barbecue.
Towne Club: Before I quit drinking pop Towne Club Michigan Cherry was my absolute favorite. Even though I no longer drink pop I know that others love to drink pop, therefore, I make sure I always have some on hand. I especially love Towne Club, because it comes in vintage glass bottles.
Marcia\’s Sweet and Sassy Pickles: I must admit I am a pickle snob! When my great-grandma was with us she would make the best homemade pickles, that recipe got passed down to my mum (who does an amazing job), and then it was passed to me (who just goes to her parent\’s house to make them with her mum haha). The pickles my family makes are amazing, and I usually dislike everyone else jar pickles, that\’s until Marcia\’s came into the picture. These Sweet and Sassy Pickles are my new favorite (sorry mum!).
Sanders Bumpy Cake: You can\’t go wrong with chocolate cake and vanilla cream filling. I love the fact that Sanders sells these personal cakes (it says serves two, but I won\’t tell anyone). These are always a huge hit with guests.
There are a ton of Michigan favorites you can find at Kroger from Better Made Potato Chips to Pop Daddy Popcorn and everything in between. Stay tuned for more made in Michigan posts in the next few months!
Thank you Kroger for giving me the opportunity to check out a variety of made in Michigan products!
Popcorn Cookies
Let’s get down to business. I am a professional snacker and I take snacking very seriously. It has to be a great snack in order to make the cut, and with the changing of the weather, I have been thinking about outdoor movies and popcorn. That’s when the idea of Popcorn Cookies came to mind. These cookies feature pieces of Grand Rapids Popcorn Company Sea Salt Caramel Popcorn, to create the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Beware, these cookies are highly addictive.
Popcorn Cookies
Ingredients
1/2 cup salted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups popcorn (I used sea salt caramel), lightly crushed
1 cup chocolate chips (I used dark chocolate)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt together.
5. Gradually beat into creamed mixture.
6. Stir in popcorn and chocolate chips.
7. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheet.
9. Bake until golden brown (7-12 minutes).
10. Remove and cool on wire racks.
11. Enjoy!
Fashion meets Food 