What EVERY (and I mean EVERY) mom needs!

What does EVERY mom need? Oh sure, there’s unlimited patience, unconditional love, and the ability to multitask. But when those fail, what can save you? An electronic pressure cooker! Now don’t roll your eyes, these babies are amazing. I just got one last weekend and now I can’t imagine trying to juggle work and home without it.

So easy to use and yet it can make dinner in six minutes – yes that’s right, six minutes – from raw ingredients. Last summer I went to a cooking demonstration given by Chef Brad. (If you haven’t seen him already, check out his website www.chefbrad.com. Not only is he very handsome, he’s funny, and he cooks – what more do you want ladies). Anyway, during his presentation he put raw sausage, some peppers and spices, sauce, and uncooked noodles in the pressure cooker, turned it on for six minutes, and no kiddin’, when the timer went off and the pressure went down, we all ate Rigattoni. Right then and there I said I’m getting me one of those.

Your mother’s pressure cooker was tricky (and somewhat dangerous) to use, but these new electronic ones look and act like a slow cooker, only fast. The model Chef Brad recommended was the Cuisinart CPC-600. For more information, read the reviews on Amazon.

Not only will a pressure cooker save huge quantities of time, pressure cooking preserves more nutritional quality than simmering or slow cooking because nutrition doesn’t evaporate. I have some favorite recipes that I use in the slow cooker, but only if I happen to remember to put it in before taking off to work – right. With a pressure cooker, I can come home at 5:00 and decide to have pulled pork BBQ or pot roast in minutes. And it tastes just like it was slow cooked all day.

Do yourselves a huge favor, ladies, and get yourselves an electronic pressure cooker. Nutritional, home cooked meals faster than take out.

 

The Well Mom – Just a little time for yourself?

Now that you have a great new flexible job you might be wondering what’s the best thing to do with that little bit of extra time. Take a hop over to www.thewellmom.com, a great blog about just you. Not parenting the kids, not nurturing your relationships, not pleasing your boss, just you. Take a little time for just yourself, your well-being, your style. You know what they say, take care of yourself so you can take care of everyone else.

 

Giving Anonymously – It’s a Beautiful Thing

 

Do you know someone who is falling on hard times right now? Most of us do. You know you’d like to help but feel awkward just handing them money, knowing that they may feel embarrased. Well, we just came across a site that can help with that. It’s call www.givinganon.org.

It’s a site run by people who were recently in the situation of receiving gifts from others during a hard time and wanted to make it easier for people to help each other. You make the donation by credit card. 100% of your gift goes to the person you specify. You know it got delivered because the recipients leave you a thank you message on the site. Done! It’s that simple, you get to help a friend but avoid the awkward exchange. Beautiful!

 

SmartyPig – Is it a good thing?

Today I stumbled across a site called Smartypig (www.smartypig.com) that claims to be an online savings account for specific goals. For instance, you might open account to save for a vacation or new car. You can then make your goal public (or not) so that friends and family can help you save toward your goal. The high interest rate is compelling, currently advertising 2.75%, but other than that, I can’t really figure out how this is different from any old savings account.

I can see this working well for raising money for a cause, like someone who needs an expensive surgery. Perhaps young people who are saving for college would find this an easy way for grandparents and others to contribute, though I think the same can be done with a 529 plan.

Hmmm, an interesting concept but am I missing something? Check it out and tell me what you think.

 

Easy Birthday Party with Social Consiousness

Want a new spin on your child’s next birthday party?

Make your child’s next birthday party more meaningful by throwing an EchoAge party.

Instead of bringing wrapped and packaged presents, guests simply rsvp and make secure online contributions that are pooled for the purchase of ONE memorable gift and to support ONE meaningful cause.

Simply select an eco-friendly invitation, choose a cause and invite your friends.

No Driving. No Shopping. No Hassle.

www.echoage.com

 

Organize Those Pesky Plastic Containers

Every kitchen needs a ‘junk’ drawer.  But next to that, isn’t the most cluttered cabinet the one that holds your plastic containers?  Odd shaped containers, lids everywhere, never the lid you’re looking for.  Well, the best product we’ve found to tame this mess is the Swirl Around.

Three different sized containers mean you’ll always have the size you need.  One lid fits all, so no searching for the right lid.  Contained, neat, and tidy.  The plastic resists staining and can be stored in the freezer or fridge.  Microwave and dishwaher safe.  What more could you ask for?

 

Organizing Your Family Records

 

Welcome!

Welcome to Bandycoop’s Better Work, Better Life Blog.  Now that you’re on the road to a better, more flexible career, maybe you’ll have a little time to enjoy some time-efficient, space-organizing, money-saving, girl fun!  We’ll be discussing all things new, exciting, and fun to make the most of your time – time for work AND time for play.

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