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Canning at Home

Mrs. Organized — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:09:00 +0000

Canning Season is in full swing and folks all over the country are preparing to preserve pickles, relish, jams and tomato sauces at home in the comfort of their kitchens. I remember my family canning when I was young and it was such an exciting time. Nothing tastes better on a cool winter morning than some hot cocoa and a piece of toast topped with some fresh homemade jam.

Whether you are an experienced Canner or just a beginner, canning is a great way to take full advantage of the fruits and vegetables you have worked so hard to grow all year long. Canning produces wonderful snacks, side dishes and even condiments that can be enjoyed for several months after the harvest season is over.

We have put together a fun program this year that includes all the canning supplies, canning tools and recipe books and cards you need for a successful canning season. We have canning tips, a canning calendar and some yummy canning recipes that will give you a head start. Also, don’t forget to register for our book giveaway for a chance to win a copy of Canning for a New Generation.

We’d love to hear some of your favorite canning recipes and tips too.

Happy Canning!

-Mrs. O

Packing a Lunch for a Pre-Schooler

Mrs. Organized — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:04:32 +0000

I remember the tears rolling down my face as I packed my children’s lunches for the 1st day of school. No, I think it was more like sobbing now that I think of it. Somehow I made it through and don’t worry, I know you will survive too.

Packing a lunch that your child will love is easy, once you get it down to what they like to eat and what to have in the refrigerator. Here’s one of my famous lunch recipes for you to try this back to school season:

Peanut Butter + Banana Sushi
By Deborah Shearer

Ingredients:
1-2 Tbl. Peanut Butter
1 Whole Bananna
2 flour tortillas

Directions:
Spread your favorite smooth peanut butter evenly over the tortillas. Lay ½ of the whole banana in the middle of each. Carefully roll up the tortilla tightly around the banana, forming a ‘roll’. Place seam side down and slice into 1” pieces with a sharp paring knife. These are great made the night before and packed for the next day’s school lunch.

Optional: Drizzle with honey, top with raisins and sprinkle with cinnamon for lunches at home or a family snack.

Add their favorite juice box, some veggies with dipping sauce in a fun container and you have a lunch they will love to eat. Keep everything fresh and clean by putting it in a lunch box or insulated lunch tote and you’re little one is set for another day of a yummy pre-school lunch.

Happy Lunch Making!

-Mrs. O

Back to School Facebook Party Tonight!

Mrs. Organized — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:26:42 +0000

Come join us tonight for the Organize.com Back to School Facebook Party! We’ll be sharing tips, ideas and solutions to organize a dorm room & giving away $1,000 in prizes!! The party starts at 6pm (PST), ends at 8pm and will be held on the Organize.com Facebook page. Register for the party and participate in the discussion for your chance to win up to $1000 in Prizes including a $500 Back to School Grand Prize Pack!

If you are new to Facebook or virtual parties in general, we’ve put together some tips that will help you get the most out of your first party. It’s free to register and participate so pour a cup of coffee (maybe some decaf) and we’ll see you there.

Happy Back to School Organizing!

-Mrs. O

Have you heard the word? Teacher Registry & Discount at Organize.com!

Mrs. Organized — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:27:12 +0000

At Organize.com we believe teachers change the world – one student at a time and we are proud to support them. We are on a mission to to help you organize your classroom and say thank you for you hard work and dedication to our children.

We now offer:
-Teacher Registry -Create Your Own Personal Teacher’s Wish List.
-Teacher Discount Program -15% off to our fabulous Teachers!!
-We are also offering tons of tips for teachers to get organized!
-Know a teacher or 2? Help us Share the Love and spread the word!

If you haven’t already, please check out our Back To Campus 2010. Find your style and personality when shopping for College, check out the Dorm Store for all your basics dorm needs and print out our Dorm Checklist for all your college must have’s. We are really excited to offer Back to School for Pre-school and K-8, High School and of course – Locker Organization.

I’ll be looking forward to your comments and ideas – so let us hear from you and don’t forget about our Back to School Facebook Party on this Wednesday from 6-8pm PST. We’re giving away $1000 in prizes and having lots of fun; the best part is, it’s free to participate.

Happy Organizing!

Mrs. O

Back to School

Mrs. Organized — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:03:20 +0000

Before you know it, College students will be heading off to school and the little ones will be heading back to class. That’s right, Back to School season is here and we’ve got some exciting new programs I can’t wait to tell you about. There’s so much going on at Organize.com this season that I’ll have to split it up into 2 posts.

Today’s theme: Back to Campus – College

I absolutely love, love, love our College Back to School program this year. Our theme is “Find the Style that Fits You” where we created sections based on 8 unique styles of students that include The Fashionista, The Designer, The Urbanite, Americana, Tutti Fruitti, The Hipster, The Trainer, and The Musician.

No matter what style you choose, moving into a dorm for the first time can be a little overwhelming. The good news is, we’re here to help! We’ve put together a Dorm Checklist that will help you determine what you will need to bring with you for your first year in the dorms. The Dorm Store is your resource for all the items on your shopping list and features everything from Bath, Kitchen and Laundry products, to Closet and Dorm Storage options, to Dorm Accents and Study organization.

The Dorm Registry is a great way to let your friends and family know what items you want for the upcoming school year. The best part is, you can do all your Back to Campus shopping in the summertime and have all your items shipped right to your dorm when you arrive on campus; stress free! While you are shopping around, check out our Back to Campus Bargains section where we feature budget friendly products under $5, $10 and $20.

As much as we’d love to carry everything you need for dorm living, we realize there are a few items that you just won’t be able to find at Organize.com. Our 25 Things You Need That We Don’t Have list has been updated this year and is a great tool to help you find the items you won’t want to leave home without.

Before you go, sign up for our $2500 Dream Dorm Makeover Sweepstakes where we’ll be giving out Back to Campus shopping sprees to 9 lucky winners. The grand prize is a $1000 Dream Dorm Makeover shopping spree to Organize.com!

Stay tuned for more Back to School fun!

-Mrs. O

Happy 4th of July!

Mrs. Organized — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 23:07:25 +0000

Happy 4^th of July!

Like any proud American, we plan to celebrate our long weekend with a cold something in one hand and grilling tools in the other. To show our true patriotic colors, we kicked off the holiday weekend at Organize.com with true American spirit and all of us in red, white and blue.

Rita Youmans (an 11 ½ year Organize.commer!) really showed her spirit with her very own handmade picnic table. It was filled with burgers and rolls with all the ‘fixings’, fruits and veggies, set with plates napkins and cutlery. WOW Rita – you really outdid yourself! Honorable mention goes to Liz Ibarra, Miguel Espinoza, and Carol Clarke. Amongst us were American cowboys, cowgirls and patriots of all kinds.

It was a great day at Organize and fun for all of us to show our spirit as proud Americans. Our warehouse was ‘decked’ by our famous warehouse manager, Jeremy Spencer. Well, he’s not really famous – we just think he is!

Speaking of grilling and red, white and blue, my favorite’s this season are our vintage drink tubs to keep those bottles cold and our mesh chef’s pan for grilling up your favorite summer veggies. Try some Japanese eggplant, zucchini, red and green peppers, sliced red onions and mushrooms with some olive oil, fresh garlic, basil, salt and pepper and have you got a great side dish!

I really am proud to be American!

Happy 4^th to everyone.

Mrs. O

Organize.com In Parents Magazine

Mrs. Organized — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:46:58 +0000

I just received my July issue of Parents Magazine and I had to share this great idea that they came up with for keeping summer “playthings” organized in the yard.

On Page 101 they have a feature called Tidy Outdoor Toys where Associate Lifestyle Editor Taryn Mohrman (Photo, Aimee Herring; Stylist, Jen Everett), offers great tips on summer organization. Tips include categories like, Sort the Small Stuff, Put It Out to Dry, Round Up Balls, Park Your Ride, and Hang It Up. Each segment includes fun, money-saving ways to stay organized.

One of the organizing products they suggested for gathering up pool toys, suntan lotions, kids’ sunglasses, etc is our 12 Pocket Shoe Organizer. What a fun way to use this product. I absolutely LOVE it!

Thanks again to all the great folks at Parents Magazine; keep the great ideas coming.

Happy Summer Organizing!

-Mrs. O

Mrs. O’s Fresh Corn Salad Recipe

Mrs. Organized — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:53:29 +0000

If you are looking for something new that everyone seems to love, try my Fresh Corn Salad recipe. It’s easy, can be made ahead of time and is a perfect summer recipe.

Ingredients:

12 ears of fresh corn, shucked
1/2 cup small-diced red onion (1 small onion)
1 green pepper – chopped
1 red pepper – chopped
1 diced medium tomato – optional
1 diced ripe avocado
Paul Newman’s Balsamic Vinaigrette (to taste)

Directions:

Shuck fresh corn, rinse and pat dry. Cut corn kernels from the cob, cutting close to the cob. Toss the kernels in a large bowl with red onions, green pepper, red pepper, balsamic vinaigrette, salt, and pepper. Toss the vinaigrette as you would a salad, adding more if needed. Other nice additions are chopped tomato and chopped fresh avocado. Taste for seasonings and serve cold or at room temperature.

This salad is great if sets overnight, is great a summer side dish and served with fish or chicken. Serves 6-8.

To make this recipe even easier, try the OXO Good Grips Corn Stripper. It captures the corn and juices so they don’t splatter all over the counter or work area. It’s one of those items that should be featured in Cook’s Illustrated.

Enjoy!

-Mrs. O

Red, White & Barbeque

Mrs. Organized — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:12:55 +0000

I can’t believe that 4^th of July is around the corner already. Summer is here and it’s time for barbecues, pool time and getting together with friends and family. I love our 4^th of July items this year. They are fun and filled with the spirit of being an American.

As we prepared for this summer holiday, our goal was to help you welcome your guests, give them something cold (and great!) to drink and something good to eat!

Take a look at our Independence Day Fun Facts. Do you remember how many stars and stripes are on our American Flag or how many hot dogs will be consumed this year’s BBQ’s across our country?

Stay tuned tomorrow as I will post my all-time favorite summer recipe; Fresh Corn Salad. You will LOVE it!

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs. O

Summer Camp Tips

Mrs. Organized — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:58:51 +0000

Just where did this week go? I feel like I’m rushing to get so much done before summer begins and I don’t even have kids that are finishing up school, so what’s my worry? I have seen the middle school graduations in progress on my way to work in the morning and it brought back some great memories of when my children were younger and how fun the last week of school always was. That lasted for about a week and we were all ready for summer camp!

I’m originally from New York, so Summer Camp has a much different meaning to the east coasters than it does to the west coasters. We couldn’t drive to a beach in an hour, so we went to camps that could offer the experience of a summer of fun, water and great activities. I’ll be honest – I actually hated camp because I didn’t like being away from my mom for that long, but we did go to our family beach house for the entire summer. The mom’s and kids went for the whole summer, the dad’s for about 2 weeks of vacation and then commuted back for the weekends. We shopped for back to school clothes before returning home on Labor Day Weekend. Funny that my kids were the same way about leaving me, but I ‘made’ them go. After all, summer camp is healthy and I was determined for my children to do all the things that I didn’t. We laugh now, but those begging telephone calls were brutal.

We did have lots of fun shopping, packing and preparing – it was just the ‘going’ part they didn’t like. Go figure. I think I really got it down and loved making it easy and fun for them. My favorite part was tucking my little notes for them to find in surprise places throughout their stay and sending them care packages. I loved making them feel special and loved. If you have a child going off to summer camp, see our expert tips from our editors to help make it easy for you to prepare for summer camp, along with a summer camp checklist.

Be Happy Summer Campers!

Mrs. O