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10 Tools Every Home Chef Needs

Whether you are an avid cook or just getting started, there are certain basic culinary tools that every home chef needs. These handy gadgets will help make things easier and more organized when cooking in the kitchen. Here are the top ten tools you need to whip up your favorite culinary creations. Hurry, your kitchen is calling!

Knives: Knives are the most important tools in the kitchen, since they do everything from chopping and slicing, to dicing and mincing. A set of quality, sharp knives makes cooking quick and easy — and safer. A cheap, dull knife makes you work harder, and is more likely to slip and cause injury. You will need a Chef’s Knife, a paring knife, a serrated knife, a slicing knife, and a honing tool for sharpening. Hold different kinds to see what works best for you before buying, make sure it feels natural in your hand, and practice proper techniques when handling.

Cutting Boards: Cutting boards are very handy, and inexpensive, so purchase at least two — one for fresh produce, bread, and cooked foods, and the other for raw meats. Having a separate board for raw meats helps to avoid cross contamination. Choose wooden butchers block or plastic boards, and clean thoroughly after each use.

Mixing Bowls: A good set of mixing bowls suits many different cooking and baking needs. Choose from glass, stainless steel, or plastic that’s dishwasher safe and stackable for easy storage. Lidded varieties are also available, allowing you to prep and serve in the bowls, and then store leftovers in the fridge for later. A fast and simple solution with no extra mess!

Measuring Spoons and Cups: Like cutting boards, you should work with two sets, one for wet and one for dry ingredients. Liquid cups usually have handles and spouts for pouring. It’s important to know you’re using the right amount of an ingredient, especially when it comes to baking!

Bakeware: Be sure to have a roasting pan, a pizza pan, cookie and muffin sheets, two round cakes pans, and rectangular, loaf, and square glass baking dishes on hand.

Pans and Skillets: Both small and medium skillets and saucepans are essential. Keeping a large stockpot in your cabinet is also handy when cooking for parties, and big family dinners. Be sure to look for non-stick and stainless steel varieties. Take note; do not use metal utensils on nonstick surfaces as it can affect their surfaces.

Colander: Colanders are useful for straining pasta, and rinsing fruits, and vegetables. Choose a large colander for pasta and rinsing large portions of produce, and keep a smaller colander on hand for smaller items like grapes and berries. We recommend selecting varieties with feet and handles to help you get a better grasp when pouring liquids.

Utensils: Stick to basics like tongs, spatulas, peelers, graters, a rolling pin, wire whisks, slotted spoons, wooden spoons, and a ladle. Features like non-stick, heat resistant, and dishwasher safe are good choices to lean towards.

Meat Thermometer: A meat thermometer allows you to cook meets to a perfect and safe temperature. Undercooking can be unsafe, while overcooking can make food dry and tasteless.

Small Appliances: Small appliances work just as hard as their larger companions. Blenders and food processors offer different speeds and accessories to make just about anything from juices, smoothies, soups, dips, salsas, and fast chopping. Slow cookers are a lifesaver for busy homeowners who want a good meal, and breakfast would not be the same without toaster ovens and coffee makers. Whether you prefer a hand or stand up variety, mixers are an invaluable tool when whipping up baked goods and even mashed potatoes.

Willow Lane Cabinetry offers kitchen accessories for all your cooking and baking needs. Choose from helpful items like a heavy-duty mixer lift, a trimmable knife block, cookware organizers, door mounted spice racks, culinary prep carts, and more — Because every home chef needs (and wants) a beautiful, organized kitchen most of all.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Meet the Colors of 2016

According to Better Homes and Gardens, this year’s hot color palette is both vibrant and subdued, and will leave you dreaming of a tropical beach vacation! Each color is gorgeous on its own, but together they will make quite a happy statement in your home. Perfect for a kitchen, bath, or just about anywhere, the secret to this pairing is a balance of cool and warm tones that are sophisticated with a touch of fun.

Blue: Ask any Interior Designer or Real Estate Expert and they will tell you the most timeless and popular interior color is blue. To achieve the look of 2016, start with a cool, smoky, mid-tone blue on walls to anchor your space, or opt for neutral walls in cool gray or sandy beige, paired with ocean blue accents and accessories. Think area rugs, throw pillows, blankets and lamps in the living room and bedroom, or natural-fiber linens, fabric valences, pottery canisters, and small appliances in the kitchen.

Gray: Cool gray is right on trend, and works well with all styles of decorating, from classic to contemporary. This muted neutral can look dreary if you go too dark, so stick with a silvery light gray with blue or green undertones. Remember, this year’s palette is upbeat and cheerful! Not just for walls, cool gray can also be found in furniture, granite or marble countertops, wood and tile flooring, and beautiful kitchen cabinets, like Roosevelt Dove Gray from Willow Lane Cabinetry.

Green: This neutral brings a touch of nature indoors. The popular green of 2016 is muted and has a hint of blue that pulls it towards the serene aqua color of sea glass. The perfect choice for walls that want a hint of color, this green gives off a spa-like atmosphere when paired with crisp white in a bathroom, and can be a stunning choice for the kitchen, working equally well with most kitchen cabinet finishes.

Pink: The right shade of gentle pink can be feminine and classy, without being overtly sweet. Select a cool, pale pink that leans towards light coral or salmon to achieve the look. This pink looks lovely on bedroom walls or incorporated into duvet covers, shams, area rugs and lamps. It is also a natural choice in a foyer or dining room.

Orange: Orange can be energizing without being brash. This year’s zingy color will leave you craving a refreshing, citrusy creamsicle. Add a little or a lot! Include a pinch of orange in bathroom shower curtains and towels, or add a colorful stand mixer or accent wall in the kitchen. This color can be used just about anywhere to liven up a space.

For a look that’s right on point, mix and match these colors to your heart’s desire, being sure to incorporate at least of a touch of all five in the palette. Choose one or two as the dominant colors, for example, gray and blue, and accessorize with a pop of the remaining colors, for example, pink, green and orange.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your new kitchen. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Spring Cleaning Hacks For Your Home

The blooming of beautiful flowers and warmer weather is always welcomed after winter, but with the change of season comes the rude reminder it’s time to clean house. Spring cleaning is a common occurrence in most homes, but that doesn’t make it any more appealing. Here are a few spring cleaning hacks to make the experience a little more enjoyable.

Remove hair or fur from carpets: If you’re the proud parent to a dog or cat that sheds, you know all too well the constant struggle of keeping carpet hair-free. You’ve also probably broken or clogged up a vacuum or two in an attempt to do so. This hack will forever change the way you clean your carpet. Simply use a window squeegee to lift out hair. As you run the squeegee along the carpet, hair will start balling up for easy disposal. This is the perfect first step to cleaning carpets, especially with allergy season right around the corner.

Clean your stovetop and protect from further spills and stains: You can’t cook anything without something spilling or splashing on to your stovetop, but after taking the time to make a meal, the last thing you want to do is scrub that mess away. This hack will not only get your stovetop looking good, but will make it easier to clean down the road. After you’ve cleaned the surface, apply a thin layer of car wax and then gently buff with a towel. The finishing product is awe-worthy, and the protectant will let you wipe away those spills and splashes much easier the next time your dinner finds its way to the surface of your stovetop. Car wax also works well to keep fingerprints and smudges off of stainless steel refrigerators!

Fade water rings on tables: If the holidays and months of entertaining have left your dining room or coffee table a little less pretty, this hack is for you. Guests sometimes forget to use coasters and the result is an eye-sore of a water ring. But refinishing or replacing the table is not your only option. First try turning a blow dryer on high heat and letting it hover over the stain for a few minutes. You should see the mark begin to fade right before your eyes. If the spot still doesn’t look quite right, you can rub over it with a little olive oil or use a furniture-cleaning product that is safe to use on wood.

Clean sliding glass door tracks and dirty blinds: As the barrier to the outdoors, the area around windows and sliding glass doors can become especially dirty. From the black guck on door tracks to dust covered blinds, tackling these jobs can seem daunting. Most of us resort to removing blinds altogether, but this cleaning hack will make it much more simple. Make a mix of equal parts water and vinegar, and dip an old sock in the solution. Slip it on your hand and run over blinds, in between tracks and wherever else your windows and doors are dirty.

Written by Korrie. Korrie Martinez is a self proclaimed DIY pro with an eye for design and a craft for finding simple solutions to homeowner’s common concerns. Her articles offer tips and trends to help The RTA Store’s customers achieve the home of their dreams on a balanced budget. Follow Korrie on Instagram and Twitter @kokonez or visit her website www.korriemartinez.com.

The 5 Best Culinary Herbs to Grow This Spring

Italian Basil: Italian basil leaves are mildly sweet, and are perfect for soups and sauces (think tomato or pesto), or on top of pastas, omelets, pizza, poultry, and fish. Basil is a good source of fiber, and has anti-inflammatory properties. As a self-sustainable herb, it can grow inside or outside with water every other day. Plant seeds near a sunny window or greenhouse, and bring to a garden in the late spring or early summer. Or begin with a small starter plant. Basil grows rapidly, and can get stalky if you are not careful. After six weeks, pinch off the center shoot to prevent early flowering, and clip back the leaves regularly to encourage full, healthy growth throughout the summer.

Chives: This fragrant herb belongs to the onion family and packs a versatile, flavorful punch. Chives contain vitamins that can boost your immune system, and can be chopped into almost anything from salads, eggs, cheese, potatoes, spreads, and sauces. Chives grow easily, even indoors with little light. Sow seeds in the spring a half an inch deep, in rows, and 12 inches apart. Once the seedlings appear, thin the rows to about 6 inches apart. You can also find chives as a starter plant in the early spring. Onion chives grow in clumps, and should be clipped from the outer edge, about a half-inch above the soil level, leaving plenty to restore the plant. While their rosy purple flowers are nice, your plant will produce more leaves if you pinch off the buds.

Dill: Dill is not just for pickles! These seeds and leaves have a bitter, sharp taste, which is great in both dried and fresh form for foods like fish, soups, salads, meats, poultry, omelets, potatoes, and sandwiches. Dill is rich in antioxidants, including beta-carotene, and can also stop hiccups in their tracks. Direct sunlight and deep soil is the best environment for growing dill. Seeds flourish in the early spring in soil a quarter inch deep, with rows 9 inches apart. Water indoor plants a few times a week, and once a week if planting outside.

Mint: Mint leaves have a refreshingly crisp taste — perfect when paired with brewed teas or as garnish for cold drinks. The main component of a mojito, mint is also used in sauces and jellies. Sprinkle raw leaves over meats or over side dishes for extra flavor. Loaded with nutrients like vitamin A, mint is a great breath freshener! Mint grows incredibly fast in the spring, and needs lots of watering to get established. It is a spreading plant that tends to grow over and around its surroundings. Overcome this issue by planting 4-6 inches apart, with boards or brinks 1 foot deep around the seedbeds, or grow them in large bottomless buckets within a garden. Better yet, give mint a pot of its own, and let it grow!

Parsley: This aromatic herb is loaded with nutrients like vitamins A and C, and mixes great into salads, soups, stews, casseroles, and omelets. Parsley is best when served fresh as a garnish with meats, fish, and onion dishes. It is easy to maintain, and doesn’t need much sunlight, and although it’s slower to grow than most, the result is well worth the wait. Sow seeds in spring for summer use, and replant midsummer for autumn and winter. First soak the seeds overnight and lay thinly about 9-10 inches apart.

Starting an herb garden is easy, healthy, and cost-effective. Stop buying expensive bunches of herbs at the local grocery and grow your own. For indoor gardens, you’ll need some organic potting mix, and a collection of small pots placed around the edges of your kitchen sink or windowsill — anywhere where sunlight can reach them. For outside gardens, use a large pot in a sunny location, or build a DIY wooden planter box for the best results. Then bask in the aroma and flavor as you watch your garden grow.

Resources:

http://www.rd.com/home/gardening/growing-herbs/

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20705274,00.html

Transitional Kitchens: Where Tradition Meets Trendy

Not sure about what style to implement in your kitchen remodel? Are you stuck between your traditional ways and the urge for something fresh and contemporary? Let us introduce to you the transitional kitchen. This hybrid kitchen design perfectly blends the old and the new to create a balanced and functional look for homeowners with mixed tastes.

What defines this kitchen style?

In a transitional kitchen you will find both classic and contemporary elements. But rather than clash with each other, they are clear complements and create a unique unity. One example would be a kitchen with sleek stainless steel appliances, traditional shaker style kitchen cabinets, granite countertops and hardwood floors. The finished product is fresh but familiar at the same time. This is the magic of transitional kitchen design.

How can I create this design in my home?

Building out your transitional kitchen is easy. Your first step is to focus on the major decisions, like kitchen cabinets, flooring, counter tops and appliances. This it the core of your kitchen, and you want to make sure that while the styles of each may vary, cohesively they make sense side by side. To make this process easier, utilize Willow Lane Cabinetry’s free kitchen design service. You’ll receive photorealistic renderings to see how your kitchen cabinets look in your space. No need to guess when technology can do the work for you!

How do you avoid the possible chaos that could occur?

Think of a transitional kitchen as a friendship or relationship, where two different people each bring something to the table. Separately they may be “missing” something but together they are whole, offering strength to one another’s weaknesses. If each person was exactly the same, they could overwhelm rather than benefit one another. When designing a transitional kitchen, you’ll do well to keep these principles in mind. If you try to make every aspect of your kitchen both traditional and trendy, you’ll achieve nothing but chaos. If you focus your styles in certain areas, such as modern kitchen cabinets and traditional hardwood floors, you’ll see how each part of your kitchen brings a unique value to the room as a whole.

What else can be done to amplify this look?

Kitchen design reaches much further than the basics. Outside of your cabinets, flooring, and counter tops is a whole world of opportunities to exemplify your kitchen style. The furniture in your space — from bar stools to the dining room table — make a huge statement. The lighting, and even the kitchen hood above your range, speaks to theme of the room. The paint on the walls and the backsplash give color and character to your kitchen. And then there are the accessories! Decorating your countertops and walls is the finishing touch on any kitchen design. Make sure yours include a balance of new and old — a fruit basket just like your grandma used to have on the same countertop as your brightly colored KitchenAid mixer.

A transitional kitchen should be a breath of fresh air, as it allows you to encompass all the things you love about home design. Don’t stress yourself about getting this just right! You’re getting the rare opportunity in life to have everything you want, so have fun with it and enjoy the process.

How To Choose The Perfect Paint For Your Kitchen Or Bath

A fresh coat of paint is an easy and affordable way to beautify a room. But when it comes to kitchens and bathrooms, not all paints are created equal. Choosing the right paint for your home is important, and just like prepping the space before you paint, it would be wise to do your homework before you begin shopping for colors. Kitchens need a durable interior paint that will stand up to grease and the occasional scrubbing. Bathrooms are exposed to water and high-humidity, and should have a high-quality paint that is moisture and mildew resistant.

It’s All About The Finish

Interior paints come in flat/matte, satin/eggshell, and semi-gloss finishes. For a bathroom or kitchen, satin or semi-gloss paints are considered the best choices. Semi-gloss paints are water and stain-resistant, and can stand up to frequent cleanings — something to consider if you have little ones with sticky, greasy fingers. Keep in mind that while it’s by far the easiest to clean, semi-gloss paint reflects light, which may call attention to any imperfections in your walls. Satin paint, on the other hand, is washable and holds up well to humidity. It has a softer sheen than semi-gloss, and does a better job of hiding flaws. While semi-gloss is the most durable for high traffic areas like the kitchen and bath, satin is still a good alternative for those who prefer a less shiny surface. When painting your kitchen or bath, always choose quality paints with a good rating. If you have a history of mold and mildew problems, you may want to consider paint with anti-microbial additives made specifically for bathrooms.

Color Your Space Beautiful

If you take the time to paint, you want to be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor for many years to come. So coat your walls in a color you love! Of course, paint colors are a personal choice, but there are some colors that are tailor made for the kitchen and bath.

Blue: Ever popular, blue is a classic color with endless variety. Cloudy blue, serene aqua, and bold navy are the quintessential bathroom colors, reminiscent of hues found in nature, from the sky to the sea. When used in the kitchen, opt for cheerful blues like cyan, teal, or Tiffany Blue.

Green: Earthy and organic, green brings a touch of nature indoors. From lighter tones like celery, mint and sage, to rich hunter and moss, this neutral pairs well with white, black and every cabinetry finish in between. When used in a bathroom, it invokes a spa-like atmosphere.

Gray: From smoky to charcoal, gray is right on trend. Gray can be light and ethereal, or rich and elegant, and can be a stunning choice for a kitchen or bath with undertones of blue or green.

Yellow: Pale yellow is a happy, sunny kitchen color when paired with white kitchen cabinets or a bathroom vanity. Opt for mustard and gold tones in the bath, for a more elegant look.

Red: Red is a dramatic choice for a bathroom, and is well suited for a kitchen. Studies show the color red helps stimulate the appetite and lively conversation around the table.

Brown: Like gray, brown is a neutral that adds a pop of color without going too bold. Brown runs the gamut from light to dark, with sandy beige, camel, taupe, and chocolate hues.

Greige: The perfect mix of gray and beige, greige is the hottest neutral in home decorating today, working equally well in a contemporary or traditional kitchen or bath.

White / Cream: Clean, crisp and timeless, white is like a blank canvas that stunningly showcases your décor, while cream does the same with a touch of warmth.

Written by Tiffany. Tiffany honed her skills as a writer and editor working in the fast-paced newspaper, magazine, and television industries. Tiffany is also an award winning graphic designer, with extensive experience in the worlds of mass media, publishing, and advertising. As a designer, she also has a strong eye for interior decorating and color. Tiffany has a BA in Communications and a minor in Fine Art. She is a natural cook just like her mother, and rarely uses a recipe. She also enjoys reading, photography, painting—and most of all, spending time with her husband (a skilled DIY’er) and two sons.

Solid or Engineered? Choosing The Right Hardwood Floors For Your Home

Hardwood floors have long been the most desired option for the home. Durable and easy to maintain, hardwood floors offer warmth, character, and beauty, and fit any and every style of décor. One hot trend for 2016 is hardwood in the kitchen. Become a savvy shopper, and learn how to choose the best hardwood floors to suite your needs, and your home.

Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood comes in strips, usually measuring ¾ inches thick and anywhere from one and a half to three inches wide. It can also be found in planks as wide as six inches. This type of flooring is constructed from solid pieces of wood, with tongue and groove sides. Solid hardwood is sensitive to moisture, so it should be nailed and glued down, and should have a quality urethane finish.

Solid wood is a beautiful addition to the home, including the kitchen, but be sure to immediately mop up any spills. The hardness of wood varies with the direction of the wood grain, and The Janka hardness test helps measures the wood’s resistance to denting and wear. Certain woods are naturally more durable than others — so the higher the ranking, the harder the wood. Grade levels tell you about knots, color variations, and imperfections. The higher the grade, the more expensive it will be.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood is made from layers of plywood stacked in opposite directions and laminated together. This method makes engineered hardwood more stable and less susceptible to moisture damage, and therefore an excellent choice in in the kitchen. Quality engineered wood generally ranges in thickness from 3/8 to 3/4 inches.

Unlike solid wood, engineered hardwood can be installed anywhere as a floating floor, including over concrete. Other methods of installation include nailing and glue. Engineered hardwood is considered easier to install than solid wood. It is also often more affordable, since the top layer is all you will see. However, these floors can only be refinished a limited number of times. Once installed, a quality engineered wood floor can be difficult to distinguish from solid, though some homeowners still prefer the natural beauty of solid hardwood.

Popular Species Of Wood For Flooring

American Cherry
American Walnut
Ash
Bamboo
Beech
Birch
Brazilian Cherry
Brazilian Teak
Brazilian Walnut
Hickory
Mahogany
Maple
Red Oak
Tigerwood
White Oak
Yellow Pine

Like beautiful, quality kitchen cabinets, both solid and engineered hardwood floors are an investment that will last — and be enjoyed — for many years to come.

Designing A Kitchen For Entertaining

The kitchen is a common hub for entertaining guests — and for good reason. It’s as close to the food and drinks as you can get, has tons of countertop space for setting up appetizers, and is typically right next door to the dining and living room. But a kitchen doesn’t become a great place for entertaining on its own. The evolution starts with the floor plan and ends with what you do when your guests arrive.

Create Your Kitchen

A good kitchen design will of course be the foundation of your space and the key indicator to whether or not your kitchen is built for a party. Use Willow Lane Cabinetry’s free kitchen design service to help you create a floor plan that will fulfill your daily needs, and be the ideal design for entertaining your family and friends.

Give Your Guests Somewhere To Sit

While standing and chatting is all well and good, some guests will prefer to take a seat, and you won’t want them to have to leave the room to get comfortable. Tall bar stools are the perfect solution to position on the exterior of your countertop (if you have an open concept floor plan), or around your kitchen island. A breakfast table can also be transformed into a cozy corner with a tablecloth, some candles, and a plate full of treats.

Splurge On Technology

Don’t stop at those stainless steel appliances — there are so many more additions that will make your party the talk of the town. A wine cooler is obviously a must for keeping vino at just the right temperature (anyone who has had a slightly chilled glass of Cabernet knows what we’re talking about). Refrigerator drawers offer extra storage space for keeping food cool, and also help you organize dishes that are ready to be served. Likewise warming drawers make sure no appetizer or entrée is ever served cold again. Stop juggling between what’s in the oven, what’s on the stove, and what’s in the refrigerator. Refrigerator and warming drawers let you take your time organizing every course, and put you at ease knowing everything will be served as it should be.

Fall Back On Portable

You don’t need to have a huge kitchen to have a good party. All you need is a few portable fixtures to extend your countertop space or build a bar area. A portable kitchen island, wine cart or bar, are all great accessories to have on hand when you’re hosting extra guests. They can be stowed away on regular days and brought out when you need them.

Set The Mood

Don’t assume that your guests will automatically have a good time just because you decide to throw a party. Make sure there is entertainment ready, whether it’s a flat screen TV mounted on the wall and playing the big game or a wireless speaker system streaming music. Having games on hand also never hurts, and can be a lifesaver if conversation takes a nasty political turn or two guests clearly aren’t getting along. Part of hosting a party is being a host; so remember to do everything possible to make sure each guest is having a good time.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your new kitchen. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Willow Lane Cabinetry’s Top Cabinets For March

Is it the luck of the Irish or just your lucky day? In honor of St. Patrick’s Day we’re counting down our favorite green cabinets from Willow Lane Cabinetry. From pale and pretty to distressed and dapper, all of these cabinets earn five green stars.

Roosevelt Sage

This soft green will uplift your kitchen without causing any distraction. It’s the perfect shade for homeowners looking to add a drop of color, without going too bold. If neutral colors are your jive and you fancy a classic cabinet style, you’ll be green with envy until this sophisticated cabinetry set is installed in your kitchen.

Roosevelt Sage with Chocolate Distress and Honey Highlights

The lads back in The Emerald Isle would surely be fond of these green kitchen cabinets. Slightly distressed and highlighted with warm honey shades, they offer ample Old World charm. The classic raised panel design of the Roosevelt Series has a traditional cabinet style, and is accented by the vintage touches added with this unique finish.

Roosevelt Sage with Chocolate Distress and Walnut Highlights

If you love the antiquated and homey look of distressed wooden cabinets, you’ve just found your pot o’ gold. Similar to the last Roosevelt set but featuring darker, walnut highlights, these kitchen cabinets offer an interesting take on a time-honored design. Rich chocolate peaks out beneath the sage green finish, creating a beautiful contrast that accents hardwood floors and marble countertops.

Society Shaker Sage

The Society Shaker in sage is like treasure at the end of the rainbow. The clean design and crisp color offers endless design possibilities. These kitchen cabinets would look as lovely in a beach house as they would a city loft. Their Shaker recessed door style lets them shine in all homes, from classic to contemporary. And the soft shade of green promises a wave of warmth in any kitchen.

Society Shaker Sage with Brushed Chocolate Glaze

The simple and stylish design of The Society Series gets a twist with sage green paint and brushed chocolate glaze. The result is just the right mix of modesty and welcoming warmth. A lovely combination that works equally well with sleek modern kitchen themes as it does in cozy cottage kitchens. Pour yourself a glass of green beer and cheers to these versatile and eye-catching cabinets!

Sage is a timeless gray-green, that is just a step away from neutral and serves as a reserved but stunning selection as far as colors go. Don’t be afraid to stray away from the basics! Color can be both riveting and refined, as you’ve seen with each of these top cabinets for March. Ready to take the plunge? Shop these green kitchen cabinets and more fabulous finishes online at Willow Lane Cabinetry today.

Healthy Spring Slow Cooking

The weather is warming up, but that doesn’t mean you have to pack away the slow cooker. Just swap out those hearty stew and soup recipes for lighter fare! These healthy spring recipes feature fresh seasonal vegetables, and are perfect for an easy, breezy and delicious meal.

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Homemade Coleslaw

Traditionally made with pork shoulder (Boston butt), these sandwiches take a lighter twist with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. In a slow cooker set to high, season a family pack of chicken breasts with two teaspoons of salt, a teaspoon of pepper, a teaspoon of mustard powder, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar. Cook for four to six hours until done (chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°). When thoroughly cooked, your chicken should shred easily using two forks in a crisscross motion.

Serve your pulled chicken on crusty Kaiser rolls cut lengthwise, topped with homemade coleslaw and a dollop of your favorite BBQ sauce. To make homemade coleslaw, finely chop raw carrots and a small head of green cabbage into thin ribbons. In a large bowl, whisk 1 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of sugar, and toss the dressing with the cabbage ribbons until well coated. Or try slices of fresh, seasonal pineapple instead of coleslaw!

Lasagna Primavera with Tomato Basil Sauce

Spring vegetables like carrots, asparagus, sweet onions, zucchini, spinach, garlic, and peas pair perfectly with noodles, cheese, and a light tomato-based sauce. Start by whipping up a quick and simple tomato basil sauce on the stove top, in a medium saucepan. Melt 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat, and add a small, diced sweet onion. Cook until the onion begins to soften and turn clear, and then add a clove of fresh crushed garlic. Next, add a large can of crushed, organic tomatoes. Chiffonier a handful of fresh basil leaves to finish off your sauce, and simmer for 30 minutes.

In a bowl, combine a large container of ricotta cheese, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, and one and a half cups of shredded mozzarella cheese. On a cutting board, julienne zucchini, carrots, and asparagus and place in a separate bowl. Add sweet raw peas, and fresh baby spinach leaves.

Set your slow cooker to low, and coat the bottom with a thin drizzle of olive oil, and a large spoonful of homemade tomato basil sauce. Layer dry lasagna noodles (do not use the no-boil variety), your cheese mixture, and your veggie mixture. Add more sauce and repeat the layers until you reach to your desired thickness. Add one last layer of dry noodles and top with tomato basil sauce.

Cover and cook on the low heat setting for four to six hours, or until the noodles are tender. Add ½ cup of shredded mozzarella to the top of your lasagna, and serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

After a busy spring day, it’s nice to come home to a delicious, easy, and healthy dinner the whole family can enjoy!

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your new kitchen. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!

Tiffany honed her skills as a writer and editor working in the fast-paced newspaper, magazine, and television industries. Tiffany is also an award winning graphic designer, with extensive experience in the worlds of mass media, publishing, and advertising. As a designer, she also has a strong eye for interior decorating and color. Tiffany has a BA in Communications and a minor in Fine Art. She is a natural cook just like her mother, and rarely uses a recipe. She also enjoys reading, photography, painting—and most of all, spending time with her husband (a skilled DIY’er) and two sons.