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Thanksgiving Tip: Refill Your Ice Trays
Before a party or a big feast like Thanksgiving, there are a couple of minor — yet impactful — things I always make sure to do. One is to empty the dishwasher; another is to refill my ice trays completely with fresh water. There's nothing more annoying than reaching for ice to go with water, punch, or cocktails, only to find that there's one cube left.
5 Fabulous Gifts For the Do-It-Herself Hostess
She's the girl who makes snake cakes in her sleep. The gal who sends twenty-five handmade birthday invitations to a four course sit-down dinner that she cooks. She's already obsessing about her Thanksgiving menu and testing out Christmas cocktails.
Burning Question: Why Are Ice Cubes Cloudy in the Center?
When I pulled out the ice tray to make a whiskey lemonade over the weekend, I couldn't help but notice that the ice had a cloudy white spot in the middle of it. This prompted me to ask: why is it that some ice I buy at the store is crystal-clear, but the frozen cubes at home in my freezer appear murky and white in the center?
Ice cubes develop cloudiness when water is frozen quickly.
Happy Hour: Save the Ice Until Last
Earlier this week I learned a great tip from one of San Francisco's best bartenders, Marco Dionysus of Clock Bar. We were chatting about the proper way to build a drink in a cocktail shaker.
His advice is something of a no-brainer, but definitely worth mentioning: when it comes to making any drink, from a mojito to a martini, always place the ice in the shaker last.
5 Things: Icing an Injury
If you've ever pulled a muscle, you know it can hurt like crazy and interfere with future workouts. One of the best, easiest, and cheapest ways to treat a muscle strain is with ice, which reduces both the pain and the inflammation. Ice is also a great treatment for chronic, nagging pain like runner's knee.
Winter Walk Time? Grab the Cooking Spray First!
If your pet's still hesitant about wintertime walks, and not as willing to wear the booties as you'd hope, try the tip I was emailed just this week: Prevent those painful ice balls between paw pads and spritz the paws with a cooking spray before talking that next potty break. You'll still need to wash his feet when he gets back in (which you should be doing anyway because of the possible poisons on the sidewalks), but this will at least combat the pain that makes summertime scampering look more like slinking down the street these days.
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Do Tell: How Do You Treat Icy Sidewalks?
I've already mentioned the dangers of ice melts but what do you do when faced with steps full of snow?! I want to hear your best recommendations for environmentally (and pet) safe products to prevent slipping in wintry weather.
I know that some people use eco-tastic sand, grit, or gravel to add traction but keep plants and waterways safe, yet I imagine that can get kinda muddy, too.
PetSugar Street Team: Neo-Paws Keep Paws Good As New
If your dog's trudging through snow or scampering on icy sidewalks treated with salt, it's important to keep their paw pads protected. Granted this can look a bit silly to nondog owners, but it's important since the lime-rock or calcium chloride melts are poisonous to pets. Shoes prevent the risk of a pup cutting or licking his feet, but I can tell you from experience, it's hard to find ones that stay on!
Casa Quickie: Just Say No to Slippery Steps
If you plan on hosting any dinner parties or holiday gatherings, the last thing you need is a guest with a head injury. Unfortunately, slippery, icy walkways and steps are often the culprit in Winter accidents. Stop slips before they start by making sure to keep your steps free of ice and snow.
Off to Market Recap: Ice Bucket
An ice bucket is essential to any home bar. Since I'm trying to make my bar perfectly party ready, I've decided to invest in one. You helped me by heading off to market in search of a functional yet stylish ice bucket.
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