Honeyed Salmon Recipe - super easy!!

Ok so what I love about this, is it makes a quick dinner, you can add any sides you want, and its a nice change of pace from usual dinners. Keep your eye on fresh WILD salmon at the grocery store, and when its on sale, grab some and write down what you'll need:
salmon (that looks good, fresh, WILD salmon, from grocery store packaged or from fish counter, etc.)
milk
brown sugar
honey
olive oil
butter
salt
pepper
Bake 450 - keep checking, take out earlier and test it (avoid drying out).
Details:
I first soak the salmon in milk (skin side up) to get the overly fishy taste out! Not sure how long I usually let it sit, I usually don't have time to let it sit long, so I'd say 30-45 mins. More time if you have it. Preheat oven to 450. Remove salmon from milk; rinse or pat dry with paper towel. I like to place in a pan with foil lining it to make for a quick clean up. All the following ingredients I use, just guess on the amount, its whatever you want, and you can adjust it how you like it. Rub brown sugar into salmon, drizzle honey, a little olive oil, place some butter on top, salt & pepper it. Bake in 450 oven for 13-15 minutes - it really depends on how big the fish is, how thick, and on your oven. Set a timer to go off every 4 minutes, and use a spoon to scoop what's melted off & "baste it". I think this makes a difference in the moisture and flavor of the salmon. Pull the salmon out at the earliest time (try at like ten mins) and use a fork to check and see if its done. Fish is SO easy to overcook, and dry squeaky salmon is never great, so pull it out -earlier- than you think, and see how well it flakes with a fork - when its flaking fairly well and looks done but not overdone.
  We like to eat it with rice and asparagus, or au gratin potatoes & green beans... really anything!
  Enjoy!!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie - Corner Bakery

This is by far one of the best desserts I've ever had in my life! Oh my, they are to die for!! The peanut butter filling is delectable, and the combination with the chocolate "cake" is amazing. One day I want to try to make a mock version at home.
I get them at Corner Bakery -- some locations don't have them, and some make them better than others. The location in the Fair Oaks Mall, in Fairfax, VA, makes the very best ones I'm convinced. :) So if you live in that area, don't leave the mall till you buy one! They run right under $2, and you'll want one per person, this is a hard dessert to share! ha.

Safeway Sale Shopping

I love shopping at Safeway for our groceries, stocking up when items we like are on sale, because they have great sales & often, on a ton of the items we buy!! Just the other day, a fancy madagascar vanilla extract that is normally $7, was marked down to $3.49 and is twice the amount of the regular small bottle of Safeway's brand. With all the baking we do, we bought a couple of them! We also take advantage when they have 2 for the price of 1 sales on Breyer's ice cream, Thomas' English Muffins, Cheetos, etc., and great deals on Soup, Spaghetti sauce, Marinades, Many different kinds of meat & poultry, Butter. They have the best sales on the weekends, so just keep your eye out and when items you like are on sale, if you stock up, then you'll never have to buy full price again! It'll definitely help cut your grocery spending down!!

Kleenex with Lotion

I realized when I ran out of my lotion Kleenex, how horrible it is having to use toilet paper and feeling like my nose was so sore I couldn't stand it! When you are blowing your nose constantly, due to sickness or allergies, I feel its totally worth investing in the lotion Kleenex, it makes such a difference!! I am such a dork. :)

Sore Throat Salt Remedy

When I was sick, I had the worst sore throat I can remember, and one day I googled 'sore throat remedies' just hoping for something that would help more than the things I had already tried. I came upon this website: http://www.throatsore.com/ and tried it and it helped relieve my sore throat way more than anything else had! I would highly recommend it, and its super easy, takes no time, and everyone has SOME type of salt at home. Basically all you do is tilt your head back, shake (or pinch salt in between your fingers & drop) salt gently back into your throat, and let it sit there as long as you can stand it, then swallow. It kills the bacteria on contact that causes the pain. Yes swallowing is... salty! But its so helpful.  

Simple Saline Nasal Spray

After having the flu last week, I figured I should post some of the sick remedies that have been most helpful to me, time and time again. When you feel absolutely miserable, any kind of relief is sure welcome! 

Simple saline spray gently mists into the nasal passages, moisturizing, relieving some of the sinus pain, and clearing out the nasal passages so your nose won't constantly run. And being just saline spray, its natural and non-addictive, unlike other medicated ones. And the spray stays sterile, unlike regular plastic bottled nasal sprays, so you don't have to toss it out and replace like those kind. They have Simple Saline for babies too!

Bigelow Sweet Dreams Tea

The first time I had this tea, I knew it was one I'd be buying and keeping in our tea box! It is such a nice blend and just... yum!! You have to try it!!

Starbucks VIA Brew

If I want great coffee thats quick and easy, this has definitely become my favorite! So much so, that I can't even drink the 'lesser' ones anymore (my husband is proud. ha). I love the Italian roast - extra bold (red, above), and I use a fun creamer and sugar with it. I am cutting down my caffeine intake in 2011, but this is a nice treat! I think its 3 for $2.95 or 12 for $9.95. I know it is pricey compared to the grocery store stuff, but you pay for what you get, and for this, $1 is a good deal! Just heat water, add packet and stir!

Neutrogena Hand Cream

This stuff doesn't mess around, its concentrated, so its more the consistency of vaseline, and it soaks in and helps relieve my super dry hands way better than any lotion or cream. The best is to use it right after washing hands, before bed, and after getting out of the shower, and maybe once during the day when you get the chance. It is a winter essential for me! I get it at Target usually.