Idea Queen Tips & News

Growing up, our microwave wasn’t used for much more than heating up frozen bags of veggies or reheating leftovers (and even then it wasn’t too often). It was almost a law that “real meals” had to be cooked in the oven.

Since growing up and having zero time to cook “real meals” half the time, I’ve turned to the microwave to make my life a little less hectic. I’ve picked up a few recipes here and there which use nothing but the microwave.

BLTs
When I’m being extra lazy, the bacon for BLTs gets tossed in the microwave. It requires owning a special plate specifically for that purpose though. At least I’m pretty sure that’s it’s only purpose - I’ve never seen it used for anything else. Just lay the bacon across the plate, and toss it in the microwave. I do this often because it cuts down on injuries from popping bacon.

Baked Potatoes
The best potatoes are going to come from the oven. But who has time for that? I know I don’t. I pop all potatoes into the microwave and cook for 8-10 mins. Sure beats an hour in the oven, doesn’t it? No foil required. The toppings for the potatoes can also be heated up after the potatoes are done.

Cheesy Potatoes
You’ll need to cook the potatoes before mixing anything. Just cook like you normally would, then cut into bite size pieces. Add shredded cheese and mayo for a rich and creamy potato side dish.

Smores
Not just for campfires! Actually these are a lot less messy when cooked in the microwave. Make a “sandwich” using gram crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. Pop in the microwave for a few seconds or until the chocolate is soft (but not completely melted). Still messy to eat, but at least the clean up is a bit easier.

For some really good recipes, be sure to check out cookbooks featuring nothing but microwave recipes. For example, Microwave Gourmet.

The other day we posted some lye soap recipes, and figured we’d also post some glycerin soap recipes. After all, it is the most popular right now for both consumers and soap makers.

This particular recipe doesn’t get much easier. It includes only 3 ingredients, two of which are completely your choice. The other ingredient is glycerin of course! You can also find this recipe on our homemade soap recipes page, and in the Bath & Body Recipes ebook.

Herbal Glycerin Soap Recipes
1 pound Glycerin
1/2 ounce fragrance oil or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon essential oil, amount depends on oil used.
1 T. herbal powder of your choice and/or 1 T. dried flower of you choice

Melt the glycerin in the microwave until completely dissolved. This usually takes one to two minutes. Avoid stirring as much as possible because stirring causes bubbles. Pour in herbal powder, dried flowers, and fragrance oil while still in liquid state. Stir lightly to evenly distribute the ingredients.

Pour in the mold of your choice and let set for 1 to 2 hours or longer if desired. If you have trouble with the bar releasing from the mold, place in the freezer for a few minutes and the bar should release easily. I have found that the bar of soap lathers better when it is allowed to cure for 3 to 7 days before use.

This recipe yields 4 - 4 ounce bars of Glycerin Soap

Still haven’t gotten your Halloween costumes yet? AH! What are you waiting for? Halloween is just a little over a week away! Just in case you need some help finding places to shop, here’s our top picks:

CostumeHub.com
A great selection of costumes for both kids and adults.

BuyCostumes.com
Shop all year around and find deals and specials.

Nick Shop
For the favorite character costumes. Remember those are on sale right now!

ExtremeHalloween.com
1,000 of costumes for the entire family. Includes costumes for both kids and adults.

Halloween Only
Costumes and other Halloween items currently on sale.

This quick list should be enough to at least give you some great ideas. If you have other Halloween costume websites, please be sure to share them!

Normally when I cook a pot roast, I do it in the oven. I honestly don’t have a clue why, since it’s easier to use (and clean) a crock pot. Maybe it’s just because I’m more use to cooking it in the oven, and that’s how I was taught. Maybe it’s because I have more room to add veggies. Who knows.

Regardless, everyone has their preferences. While I prefer the oven, others prefer a crock pot. So here’s a recipe for a tasty crock pot pot roast which comes right out of the crock pot ebook:

Crockpot Pot Roast
2 1/2 lb. Chuck roast
2 packets dry Italian dressing mix OR Ranch dressing mix
1 cup water

Place beef in crockpot, sprinkle seasonings over meat, pour water over all. Cook on low 6-8 hours or until meat shreds easily.

What’s great about this particular recipe is it’s super easy to tweek. Instead of the dressing mix, just add your own spices. I prefer things like garlic salt, fennel seeds, and sometimes other Italian spices.  Really though it’s up to you what you add to the pot.

While glycerin, melt & pour, and goat milk soap may be the most popular right now, some of us still like to make old fashion lye soap. The following is a recipe pulled out of the Bath & Body recipes ebook. So if you like this one, you might check out the ebook for additional ideas!

Oatmeal Soap
10 oz. palm oil
4 oz. coconut oil
2 oz. olive oil
1/4 c. oatmeal, run through the blender or coffee grinder
2 oz. lye
1 c. water
Scent (optional)

Mix lye and water and set aside to cool. Melt palm oil and coconut oil together and set aside to cool. Mix the olive oil and oatmeal. When the lye reaches 100 degrees and the fats are 120 degrees, pour the lye into the fats and stir until it traces. Add the oatmeal, and stir until well mixed. Pour the soap into molds. Allow to sit for 24-48 hours. Unmold and cut if needed.

PS - These make great Christmas gifts!

A few days ago I mentioned Idea Queen has gone mobile. Meaning we’ve created a website specifically for mobile devices such as cell phones. It’s a website all on it’s own, and it’s purpose is to be used as a ‘check list’ while you are out running errands.

Part of this new mobile site includes a checklist for birthday party supplies. If you are about to rush out the door, first make note of this site: IdeaQueen.mobi.

For those of you just looking for an easy list to grab, let me give you the list. Granted this is the “short” version of the page, but I think it’s all most of you really need:

- Decorations
Balloons, stremers, table cloth, etc. All optional.

- Plates and Napkins
Paper plates, napkins, and anything else you need for cake and ice cream.

- Cake and Ice Cream
Half gallons usually do, but depending on the number of guest you’ll want more.

- Spoons and Forks
Plastic is good and makes for easy clean up. Get individual boxes, you don’t need plastic knives.

- Games
Crayons and coloring books work for little ones. Party games work for adults

- Gift Bags
Optional. Take a trip to the dollar store for this one.

Need the decorations? We recommend The Party Works!

I believe this is something I’ve mentioned before, but it’s a favorite idea of mine. We almost always have leftover chicken from some source, and it’s never enough for a “full” meal for anyone.

The other night I made a whole chicken, and was left with an entire container full of leftover chicken. It’s not that my kids didn’t eat the majority of the whole chicken, there was just a whole lot to eat. Since most of what was left was white meat, I knew they probably wouldn’t eat a whole lot of it without it being in something.

So I pulled out my absolute favorite leftover recipe idea - fried rice. Now I totally cheat on this one, using a box of the stuff you buy in stores. Once in awhile I’ll make my own fried rice, but lately I’ve been cheating most the time. It just tastes better.

All you have to do is cook up the rice as you normally would, then toss in the leftovers. Sometimes I’ll make pork chops after making chicken, so I can throw other meat into the mix as well. You can also toss in some extra vegetables like corn, peas, and carrots. I recommend using canned to make it extra easy.

When you are finished, you’ve got yourself a full meal all rolled into one! Very easy and VERY yummy.

It’s officially fall! If you doubt this, take a look outside at all the leaves falling from the trees. I was actually surprised to see my entire yard covered just yesterday. Of course since there’s leaves everywhere, the kids are just DYING to play in them.

When I was a kid we have a cool game we use to play either in the leaves or in the snow. Let’s hope we don’t have any snow to play in anytime soon (I don’t much care for shoveling!), so for now this game can be played in the leaves.  It’s called Fox & Hen, and was actually taught to me by my mother. It could be they made up this game themselves, but who knows.

The idea of the game is pretty simple. All you do is take a rake (or you can shuffle around using your feet) and make several paths. Be sure to make it like a maze, with twists, turns, and dead ends. Mom or dad might want to do this part, so kids don’t see the “right” way.

Once the maze in the yard is finished, it’s time to play. One person is the “fox” and the rest are the “hens”. The “fox” must catch the “hen” within the maze. It’s sort of like tag, except you have to keep on the path.

The full description and rules can be seen on our page for fun outdoor games for kids. You’ll also find some additional games for toddlers and older children too.

Now if it would just stop raining, we could go outside and play in those leaves without getting soaked!

I have a secrete to confess. Even though I live in Iowa and we are suppose to mostly make nothing but “Iowa Chops”, I actually prefer the “normal” pork chops. (If you don’t know what an Iowa chop is, it’s basically a giant pork chop and the way it’s cut).

The reason I’d rather have a normal pork chop is so I can make my easy skillet pork chops. My absolute favorite recipe includes only two other ingredients - white wine and fennel seeds. It’s cooked just like you think it would be too. Simmered in white wine while covered with fennel seeds. It really doesn’t get much easier than that, and they are DELICIOUS!

What favorite skillet pork chop recipe to you have?

A very fun idea for some easy decorations that just came in today. Our visitor wants to stay anonymous, but it’s a really neat idea. You can make a fun spiderweb using nothing but cotton balls. Our visitor tells us to take 40-50 cotton balls and tear them up together until they are one giant ball. Then spread them out to look like spiderwebs. Easy! You can also pick up some plastic spiders to place in the webs, to make it a little more real.

Not only is it easy, but it’s pretty cheap too! Thanks to our anonymous visitor for the great idea!