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Customizable bread bowl breakfast

Sticky Wings

 

Appetizers are one of my weaknesses. I can easily make a meal out of appetizers and after a long day, sometimes enjoying various appetizers are just as enjoyable as a traditional dinner. Hands down, chicken wings are my favorite appetizer and I don't think I can ever get sick of them. Besides, with so many ways to prepare chicken wings, it's easy to try new recipes. The most recent one I've tried are for these Sticky Wings. Chicken wings are coated and slow cooked with a sweet and savory sauce before getting broiled for a nice texture. These are definitely finger-licking good!...

As the hectic holiday season continues on top of the crazy schedule I have these days, I'm all about recipes that make life a bit easier and delicious for me and my family. I looked at the recipe and realized how I could prep the ingredients in advance so that I could minimize my time in the kitchen after a long day. For this dish, I combined the crockpot cooking sauce with the chicken in a gallon sized storage bag. Then prepared the glaze and kept that in a small storage container. When it was time to make the dish, I just placed the contents of the gallon sized storage bag into the crockpot, covered and let it cook. After a couple hours, it was time to broil and I transferred the wings to a prepared baking sheet, glazed them with the prepared glaze I made in advance and broiled away. Having everything prepped as much as possible really makes life so much easier! You can even freeze the contents of the gallon sized storage bag for a future freezer meal. In that case, just defrost the night before and then cook in the morning.

What I love about this recipe is how the wings have a sweet flavor but that kick of heat (if using cayenne) gets you right at the end. They're truly addicting wings and make for a great and easy to prepare appetizer for the holidays or game day!

Sticky Wings

recipe from Slow Cooker Revolution

3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce (or gluten free tamari)

2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

4 cloves garlic, minced

pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

4 pounds chicken wings or drummettes

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup tomato paste

green onions, thinly sliced for garnish

Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce/tamari. ginger, garlic, and cayenne pepper in the slow cooker. 

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours.

Preheat the broiler. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with foil and top with a wire rack. Transfer chicken to the prepared baking sheet and discard the braising liquid.

Combine the remaining sugar, water, tomato paste, remaining soy sauce/tamari and a pinch of cayenne (optional) in a bowl to create the glaze. Brush the chicken with the mixture and broil the chicken until lightly charred and crisp, about 10-15 minutes. Flip the chicken over and brush with the remaining mixture and continue to broil until charred and crisp on the second side, about 5-10 minutes. 

Serve hot and garnish with green onions if desired

DIY cranberry anti-aging face mask

A SIDE DISH STAPLE THAT TAKES CENTER STAGE!

Cranberries aren't just for serving up next to your turkey at Thanksgiving. This year, set aside some cranberries to make a DIY face mask, and head into the holiday season looking and feeling great!

Cran-beauty

Fresh cranberries make an appearance around Thanksgiving and most people are buying them up to serve as a side dish. Stock up on those cranberries because you can make a great face mask with them. All it takes is a few ingredients to whip up an easy DIY anti-aging face mask: cranberries, red grapes, a bit of grapefruit juice and unflavored gelatin.

The acid in the fruit in this mask acts as an exfoliant, and vitamins A and C help with collagen production. Cranberries fight free radicals that can cause wrinkles, and they also help keep your skin moisturized.

Easy, DIY anti-aging cranberry face mask

Before applying the mask to your face, first test it on your inner arm, where your skin is more sensitive, to help ensure you can tolerate the ingredients. Wash your face to remove any dirt or makeup, and dry it completely. You may want to wear an old T-shirt when you apply the mask, as the ingredients may stain your clothing. Apply the mask to your face starting at your chin and working your way up, taking care to avoid your eyes. Relax for about 15 minutes before rinsing off the mask with warm water.

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh cranberries

1 cup seedless red grapes

2 teaspoons grapefruit juice

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

Directions:

1

Rinse the cranberries and grapes, and then add all the ingredients to a blender and puree until they form a paste-like mixture.

2

Cover the mixture and place in the refrigerator for 35 to 45 minutes to thicken.

3

Remove and allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.

4

Pull your hair away from your face and apply the mixture to clean skin. Find a spot where you can relax with the mask on your face for about 15 minutes. Gently wash off the mask with warm water, either in the shower or with a soft cloth

Must-have mom accessories

Being a mom and being fashionable often seem like two contradictory ideas. Between changing diapers and heating bottles, it's tough to feel sexy, trendy and fun. But having staple accessories like these at your disposal can easily spruce up any drab outfit.

Large statement bag

Stunner shades

Diapers in disguise

The bold necklace

Comfy, broken-in boots