4 Breakfast In Bed Ideas For Mom

They say a Mother’s job never ends — and it’s true. This Mother’s Day, give Mom the break she deserves with a special breakfast in bed, made with love! Here are some delicious ideas and inspiration from some of the most famous Celebrity Chef Moms.

Getting the kids cooking is one of the best kitchen trends. But Mom deserves more than scrambled eggs and toast with jam on her special day. These recipes are easy to make, and are sure to impress, so wake up the family and get cooking — while Mom sleeps in, of course!

Paula Deen’s Hash Brown Quiche

You may know Paula Deen from her TV shows and cookbooks (or her turn on Dancing with the Stars), but did you know she also owns and operates a number of restaurants with her sons, Jamie and Bobby? This southern lady knows her way around a kitchen, and her comfort-food recipes are famous for their decadence and a healthy dollop of butter. This Hash Brown Quiche is easy to make and undeniably tasty, with shredded hash browns, eggs, diced ham, green onions and cheddar cheese. Click here for the recipe.

Giada De Laurentiis’s Breakfast Pizza

Giada De Laurentiis is mother to ten-year-old daughter, Jade, and is famous for her Food Network daytime cooking show, Everyday Italian. Her recipe for Breakfast Pizza is perfect for eating in bed — no silverware required! Best of all, you can use store-bought pizza dough to make this sweet treat. You’ll also need mascarpone cheese, mixed berries, lemons, heavy cream, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla bean. So good, you may want to make two! Click here for the recipe.

Cat Cora’s Banana Chocolate Spring Rolls

Cat Cora is a super mom. After all, she’s a Food Network Iron Chef and has four sons! Her Banana Chocolate Spring Rolls are fun to make and fun to eat, thanks for store-bought wonton wrappers. Just fill them with banana, semi-sweet chocolate, and a sprinkling of sugar, and fry until golden brown (with the help of a grown-up). Place them on a paper towel to soak up any excess oil until ready to serve (on a pretty plate, of course). Click here for the recipe.

Alex Guarnaschelli’s Deluxe Coffee Cake

Alex Guarnaschelli is an amazing Executive Chef and can often be seen on TV, judging the Food Network Challenge and Chopped. She is also a Mom to daughter, Ava. We think her Deluxe Coffee Cake would work perfectly for breakfast in bed. The cake itself is scrumptiously moist; thanks to the addition of whole milk yogurt, while walnuts and pecans give the topping an irresistible crunch. Best of all, you can bake this cake up to three days before Mother’s Day, and store it tightly covered and out of sight (so as not to spoil the surprise). Click here for the recipe.

Moms deserve only the best things in life — and that includes breakfast in bed. For an extra special touch, add a vase of freshly picked flowers, and don’t forget the coffee! Happy Mother’s Day from Willow Lane Cabinetry!

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, bar room, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood, semi-custom cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

How To Start A Vegetable Garden In Your Own Backyard

If you’ve ever considered starting a vegetable garden, now is the time to test out your green thumb and get in on one of the most popular outdoor kitchen trends today. Step into spring and enjoy a taste of Mother Nature from the convenience of home! Adding a vegetable garden can be a welcome addition to a backyard of any size, and is something the entire family can enjoy. Bring your DIY vegetable garden to life with these helpful tips.

Picture The Possibilities

First, figure out what you want to accomplish with your vegetable garden. Is it for aesthetic beauty, for culinary purposes, or both? Do you want it to be located towards the middle, back, or front of the yard? Will it work best as one large garden, or divided into small sub sections? Once you decide what type of vegetable garden will work best in your yard, you can move on to the planning stage.

Foundation First

Whether you plan to plant directly in the ground or use raised planting beds, there are important factors to consider that could impact the health of your vegetable garden in the long run. Your best bet is to keep the beds between 12 to 18 inches above the path. Allow enough space to fill the beds with a good amount of soil (suitable for growing vegetables), and room for future growth. Keep beds no longer than four or five feet, so you have space to reach every inch without stepping into the garden and crushing delicate greens.

A Heavenly Harvest

When your vegetable garden is properly planted and cared for, you can look forward to a bounty of fresh seasonal veggies — but first, you need to decide what you want to plant, and what is feasible in your climate and time frame. There are many types of vegetables to consider, with many different colors, textures, sizes, and flavors. Once you’ve narrowed down your selection, research when those vegetables are in season, how long they take to grow, how much sunlight do they need, and what is the required water and maintenance for each.

Try Adding A Trellis

If you long for a vegetable garden but your yard has a limited amount of space, think vertical. You can easily take your garden to new heights with support from a simple structure, such as a trellis, tepee, gazebo, or garden cages. These helpful accessories can even help you grow a successful potted vegetable garden on a patio or deck.

Pointers To Ponder

Reach Beyond The Rectangle: When designing your vegetable garden, you can reach beyond the traditional rectangular shape, either out of necessity or to add visual interest. Create a garden to custom fit your backyard – your personal design choices will bloom into a beautiful focal point, and will maximize the space you have for planting.

Frame Fabulously: If not using raised planting beds; keep in mind that gardens need to be at least slightly raised from the flat ground. Choose complimentary materials and colors to frame your space, such as stone and brick (for a traditional charm), or rot-resistant wood (for an earthy, contemporary or rustic look).

Plan In Patterns: Bring dimension to your garden by arranging each item in a pattern. Alternating different types of vegetables and herbs can add a lovely patchwork of color and texture to your garden, and the end result will be a more attractive presentation in the yard.

Don’t Be Afraid To Mix + Match: It’s okay to have a backyard landscape made up of different types of plantings, including vegetables, flowers, herbs, trees, and shrubs. Research what goes well together, and arrange them how you see fit. Add in complimentary accessories like birdbaths, sundials, stones, fountains, garden flags, and sculptures for a personal, decorative touch. Remember that you can always change and rearrange.

Outdoor Kitchens and Patios: 5 Culinary Herbs That That Naturally Repel Mosquitos

With spring officially here, you’re probably looking forward to warm days spent in the great outdoors. Of all the kitchen trends for spring and summer, an outdoor kitchen or patio is probably pretty high on the popularity list. Many homeowners consider the backyard an extension of the home — the perfect place to create an additional living and dining space. And while relaxing in the yard and enjoying a meal al fresco sounds delightful, mosquito bites are anything but. Keep your patio free of pesky insects by potting these culinary herbs that naturally repel mosquitos.

Lemon Balm

This plant is a powerful insect repellent, and has a lovely lemon scent. Since it is an invasive species, it does well when contained to a large pot on the patio. For culinary purposes, lemon balm has a delicate lemon flavor. You can use it to sweeten iced tea and homemade jam, or add this herb to salads and marinades.

Rosemary

Rosemary thrives in containers, and has a woodsy scent that keeps mosquitos and other insects away. Rosemary can be grown in containers on the patio, and can be pruned to add visual interest. As an added bonus, this herb is a great addition to homemade bread. It can also be used for seasoning meats on the grill.

Lavender

This fragrant herb is quite popular with homeowners for several reasons. Lavender has a pleasant aroma and pretty purple flowers that can add a touch of color to the patio. Best of all, bugs despise its scent. Opt for a culinary variety for your patio pots, and use a dash of lavender to infuse simple syrup for sweetening lemonade and tea. You can also grind Lavender into sugar or butter for baking, or to flavor homemade vanilla ice cream.

Basil

Basil is a handy herb to have in your patio garden, and not just for culinary use. Not only does it repel mosquitos, but it also wards off houseflies too. For the best results, plant basil in large containers by your patio door. Basil can be used to top salads or pizzas on the grill, or use it in a homemade marinara with fresh garden tomatoes.

Peppermint

This herb has a heavenly scent that homeowners love — and mosquitos hate. It is best to contain Peppermint in pots, since it can grow aggressively in a garden. Use the aromatic leaves to flavor iced tea and mojitos — perfect for sipping while relaxing in the backyard on a warm, sunny day.

6 Simple Ways To Go Green In The Kitchen

The concept of green living has increasingly grown in popularity over the past few years, and while trends come and go, this one is likely here to stay – and for good reason! Making a few basic changes at home can help save money and energy, which is good for both you and the environment. From kitchen hoods that improve indoor air quality, to Low or No-VOC paint, here are six simple ways to go green in the kitchen.

Improve Air Quality With A Range Hood

Most homeowners spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and proper ventilation is a must. The best way to improve indoor air quality in the kitchen is through the use of a kitchen hood, especially one that vents to the outside.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place.” About 95 percent of the food we throw away ends up in landfills. But with a little planning and prep work, you can reduce your amount of wasted food.

Make a weekly grocery list with meals in mind, and stick to it. Check your refrigerator and pantry first, to see what you already have. Don’t buy more than you need, prepare perishables in a timely manner, and properly store your grocery items to maintain maximum freshness.

Don’t let leftovers sit around for too long. Instead, immediately freeze them, or repurpose items for a second meal later in the week. Recycle glass, plastic and cardboard packaging in a pullout waste container conveniently located in the kitchen, and consider composting food scraps as well.

Opt For Energy-Saving Appliances

When purchasing new appliances, like refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens, look for the Energy Star label. Most are 10 percent to 50 percent more efficient than standard models, which can help homeowners save money on energy bills.

Choose Your Countertops And Floors Wisely

When remodeling your kitchen, you’ll find a variety of flooring and countertop options made from natural, recycled materials, such as engineered stone, cork, bamboo, or linoleum. These options are durable, easy to clean, and come in a large selection of styles and colors.

Stick With LED Lighting

LED lighting is energy-efficient, and has a longer lifespan than incandescent or florescent bulbs. Save even more by installing dimmer switches, and motion sensors that automatically turn light on and off as needed.

Use Low or No-VOC Paint On Walls

Typical household paints are traditionally filled with potentially harmful chemicals, including volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. When the paint dries, VOCs are released into the air, where they react with other elements to produce ozone. This can lead to air pollution and health issues, such as headaches, respiratory problems, and nausea. Thankfully, Low or No-VOC paint is now widely available at your local paint or hardware store.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, bar room, laundry room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood, semi-custom cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

Good Morning Breakfast Bars!

Life can be busy. Sometimes you just need something quick and healthy to nibble with your early morning coffee, or a satisfying snack before noon to get you through the rest of the day. So why not sink your teeth into breakfast bars?

Breakfast bars are delicious and nutritious, without the hassle or morning mess! And they are simple to make. Stash them in your bag, or pull up a stool at your lovely drop leaf breakfast bar top kitchen island from Willow Lane Cabinetry, and start the day off right! Our breakfast bars come in cherry, black, or white, with a variety of drop leaf tops, perfect for your morning meal or anytime of day.

Why not whip up some homemade breakfast bars this weekend in your very own kitchen? Her are some recipes to try, from two of our favorite celebrity chefs. Store them tightly covered in the refrigerator and you will be good to go for the week!

Ree Drummond’s Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

With strawberries currently in season and on our minds, these Strawberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars by Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman and Food Network star, are a sure-fire winner! Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan. Cut 1 and 3/4 sticks of salted butter into pieces. Mix together the butter with 1 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 and 1/2 cups of oats, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Press half of the oat mixture into your prepared pan, and top with 10-12 ounces of strawberry preserves. Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and pat lightly. Bake until golden, 30 to 40 minutes. Let it cool completely, and then cut into squares. Go to foodnetwork.com for more information and an instructional video on how to make this recipe.

Martha Stewart’s Honey Nut Cereal Bars

What’s more delicious than a bowl of cereal? How about these Honey Nut Cereal Bars by the incomparable Martha Stewart. Start by lining an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. In a large saucepan, combine 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1/4 cup of light brown sugar, 1/4 cup of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of coarse salt, and a dash of cinnamon. Bring to a boil for no longer than one or two minutes, stirring constantly, then remove the pan from the heat. Add 3 cups of toasted oat cereal, and 3/4 of a cup of roasted, unsalted almonds, roughly chopped, and stir well to coat. Pour the mixture into the lined pan, and pat down lightly with a rubber spatula. Let it cool completely, and cut into squares. Visit marthastewart.com for more information and to find more fantastic breakfast bar recipes.

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!

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.

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!

Resources:

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

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

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!

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.