CrackedCupCafe

Reheat Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a non-stick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

Take baby powder to the beach
Keep a small bottle of baby powder in your beach bag. When your ready to leave the beach sprinkle yourself and kids with the powder and the sand will slide right off your skin.

Broken Glass
Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little broken glass pieces of glass- the fibers catch ones you can’t see!

Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar/calories per serving.

Reheating refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

Newspaper stops Weeds
Start putting in your plants; work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn’t hurt the plant and the squirrels won’t come near it.

Vacuum Help
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gif wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Reducing Static Cling
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and - voila - static is gone.

Measuring Cup help
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill it with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don’t dry the cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out .

Foggy Windshield?
Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Reopening envelope
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.

Conditioner
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It’s a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It’s also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn’t like when you tried it in your hair.

Goodbye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2″
with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it “home,” & can’t digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, esp. if it rains, but it works & you don’t have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

37 – Cookbooks
Betty Crocker used to be a hip and modern gal, but there is a whole
new wave of cooks who have written cookbooks that are more
modern. If you’re going to be a modern cook in a modern kitchen,
you’ll also need modern recipes. If you don’t want to spend a lot of
money first, hit the library and read their titles. Check out the books
that catch your eye without spending any money on them. When you
do find a favorite or two, then hit the bookstore to make it a
permanent fixture in your modern kitchen.

38 – Spice Rack
With all of the new recipes you will be making in your modern kitchen,
you will need new spices. Spices are no longer jars to be tucked away
in the cupboard and never seen again. Now they are made into pretty
sets to be displayed on counters and cabinets. The Spice racks can be
ornate wood or stainless steel. They can hold 12 spices or 40 spices
depending upon the model you choose. The only jars to keep hidden
in the pantry are the refill jars.

39 – Clean or Dirty Button for Dishwasher
This new gadget will keep your modern kitchen running smoothly. No
more dirty silverware accidentally slipped into the clean tray. Dirty
plates will no longer be dropped in after realizing it is too late. The
clean or dirty button is a magnet that can be displayed on the
dishwasher or an appliance nearby. One side says clean, the other
dirty. Whichever is in the dishwasher is the way the magnet is flipped
up. The modern tool is also a great conversation starter since
everyone will want to know where you found it.

40 – Tea
Even with a modern coffee pot in your kitchen, you will want to have
tea on hand for those who do not indulge in the coffee habit. Tea is
becoming more chic, as the positive health benefits continue to be
discovered. Keep a variety of teas on hand, including bagged and
loose tea leaves. A teapot or water kettle will keep water warm on the
stove when a cup of tea is needed.

41 - Appliance Panels
One hot new trend is to make your appliances blend in the kitchen.
Panels made of the same wood as the cabinets are cut to fit inside of
the appliance front. Only the handle or the top part of the original
color shows. Panels are magnetized or glued on and do not remove
easily, which is good if you have small kids. If you want to modernize
again, you may need to buy new appliances, as the panels do not
come off easily.

42 – Garbage Disposal
If you rely on the family pet to eat your food scraps, it’s time to
modernize. It will be better for Fido’s tummy and a lot safer too. A
garbage disposal is easy to install under your sink with a few tools and
some pipe. If projects aren’t what you crave, it can also be hired out
to a professional. Garbage disposals are made with different levels of
horsepower, depending on how much and how often you will use
them. If you have industrial levels of cooking in your kitchen, you will
want the most horsepower you can buy. If you live alone, a small
motor will do.

43 – Food Processor
A food processor is a handy tool to keep in your kitchen. No longer do
you have to rely on cutting vegetables up with a cutting board and
taking forever. Simply place the desired vegetable, or whatever food
you need cut, into the container and press start. It can dice, slice,
chop, puree, and mince in seconds. It saves you lots of valuable time
when getting dinner ready.

44 – Cabinet Refacing
If new cupboards aren’t in the budget, there is a cheaper way to
modernize them. You can give them a facelift by changing the color.
Sand off the old paint or varnish and put on a new color. Lighten the
color or stain to brighten the whole room. You can even get creative
and cut out part of the door and replace with glass or plexi-glass to
give a new look to the room. The only problem with see through
cupboards is that the insides need to be clean!

45 – Take Out Soffits
The soffit is the wall space between the top of the cupboard and the
ceiling. If it is dry walled, it is wasted space that usually is only good
for a wallpaper border. If you leave the soffits open, you can place
items above the cupboard for decoration. The open space is good for
holding vases, teapots, baskets, artificial greens, holiday décor or
items from a special collection. The design opportunities are endless.

46 – Marble Rolling Pin
A modern spin on an old tool is the marble rolling pin. Cooks have
discovered the marble is much easier to use than wood when rolling
out dough. The marble can be placed in the refrigerator or freezer and
have even better results. The cold material keeps anything from
sticking. It is less messy than the flour on the wood method. Marble
rolling pins also come with a holder so they can be set out and put on
display.

Summary
The most important thing to remember when modernizing your kitchen
is you. Do you like the new toys or look of your modern kitchen?
Modernizing it isn’t to keep the neighbor’s, your friends or family
happy – it’s for you. Keep that in mind at all times when shopping for
new things.

30 – Potted or Fake Greenery
Nothing brightens up a room like a potted plant or greenery. If you
have a soffit above your cupboards, sprinkle with artificial greens and
knick-knacks. Follow a theme and use items to match. For instance,
place a fern inside a blue vase that matches your new wallpaper.
Throw a couple of silk flower stems in a basket that matches your
paint color. A potted plant can even stand alone in the corner of the
room. Remember to water the plants if you opt for real ones. Dead
plants don’t do anything or the ambience of a room.

31 – Family Pictures
Modernizing your kitchen with family pictures seem like a
contradiction, but it is not. You can even use old photographs, of
grandparent and great grandparents with a twist. Buy new frames to
coordinate with the metal or colors in your kitchen. Pewter frames are
a hot new trend, as well as silver and bronze. Use a mixture of colors
and materials when displaying your beloved family members.

32 – Florescent Lights
Florescent lights are a great way to modernize your kitchen and
improve its look. Florescent light bulbs are brighter than regular
candescent lights and use much less energy. The florescent lights also
give a more realistic color and are truer to natural light. Having
brighter and more light in your kitchen makes it appear bigger and
more spacious.

33 – SAD Lights
SAD lights can help many a person who lives in the north or wherever
daylight hours are short. SAD stands for Seasonal Affect Disorder and
millions of people in the United States suffer from it. When the winter
months arrive, daylight is short. The short daylight hours mixed with
cloudy, wintry days can affect a person’s mood. When the person’s
mood is affected day after day, and their normal lifestyle changes,
SAD may be the culprit. A doctor will prescribe a special light or light
therapy to combat this problem. Getting a SAD light is possible
without a prescription, however, they are a more expensive form of
florescent lighting.

34 – Skylights
Skylights provide natural light into an otherwise dark area. Adding
skylights to your kitchen is a major renovation, and one that should
only be done by an experienced builder. Adding skylights can only be
done in a house where the kitchen has no rooms above it. If you have
a two-story, you’re out of luck. If you have a ranch style, prepare to
knock out the roof and ceiling and rearrange the support beams. The
skylights you add can have fancy features such as automatic shades,
or covers or be just plain glass. Make sure they are installed by a
professional properly so they remain airtight. A water leak can be
hazardous to your new kitchen.

35 – Shelves
There are two types of shelves. Those tucked away in cupboards and
closets and those that are on walls to display items. Shelves that are
hidden behind closet doors can make the appearance of the kitchen
bigger by hiding any unused appliances. They can keep all of the
clutter inside where it is nicely stored. Shelves hung on the walls are
meant to display family pictures, heirloom cookware, such as teapots,
antique utensils or whatever collection you posses. The materials that
shelving is made of can be wood, metal or even plastic.

36 – Silicone Cookware
One of the hottest modern trends is the invention of silicone cookware.
It can be used just as metal and glass cookware, but with better
results. The silicone weighs much less and is flexible. Your cupcake
pan can be completely folded in half! It won’t burn, melt or burn its
contents inside. The silicone can be hand or dishwasher cleaned, and
it will not rust like metal! It will not shatter like glass. It can be
cooked at the same temperatures as any other material and it has
been proven to last longer. The silicone can be purchased in several
different colors.

21 – Automatic Coffee Timer
The newest and most modern coffee pots turn themselves on in the
morning. You didn’t know that? It is time to get rid of the old
percolator and get modern. Automatic coffee makers are available in
many sizes, from four cup to twenty-cup capacities. They also come in
colors from red to blue to pink or stainless steel. The coffee pot color
can even match the Ultra mixer. Get yourself a modern coffee maker
and never have to remember to make it in the morning again. You will
still need to remember to buy the coffee.

22 – Replace Old, Worn Towels
A quick way to modernize your kitchen is with a shopping trip. Throw
out any towel that is ragged, worn or discolored and buy new. Buy
new patterns and colors to match your décor or to compliment the
wallpaper. Towels can come in different qualities of cotton, so make
sure to read the tag. Not all blends have the best absorbency and you
want to make sure yours do. Wash all new towels before the first use
to get any residue off before using on your dishes.

23 – New Stove
One part of a major renovation may include buying a new stove. The
choices are almost endless now, with convection ovens, convex ovens
and side by side-ovens, it’s hard to know what is what. Before you
buy a new stove, list what your uses are with it. Do you have large
family gatherings often? If so, you may want a dual oven that is
placed in the wall. This way you have two ovens to cook with and they
can be set at different temperatures, resulting in less burned food. If
you only cook a little, a smaller gas or electric stove will work just fine.
Stoves also come with different tops. Some are flat and can be wiped
clean when they are cool and others have traditional burners.

24 – New Refrigerator
If you buy a new stove, chances are you will want a refrigerator to
match. Refrigerators come in many new styles that weren’t available
just a few short years ago. Today, one of the most popular styles has
the freezer portion on the bottom. A large drawer pulls out that has
two or more shelves to hold your freezables. With the freezer on the
bottom, your refrigerator is at eye level and is easier to get things in
and out of. There are also side-by-side models and standard
refrigerators with the freezer on top. Side-by-side refrigerators
usually have an ice and water dispenser in the front. Many other
styles of refrigerators have icemakers inside. Refrigerators can be
purchased in an array of colors and stainless steel.

25 – New Dishwasher
Since you are spending the big money on a stove and refrigerator, you
might as well make the set complete and look alike and get a new
dishwasher too. Dishwashers are now made to operate very quietly.
Some are so quiet you don’t even know they are running. They have
all sorts of models to choose from with two or three shelves,
silverware trays, cup holders and extra large shelves. The outside
colors are made to match the appliances or front panels can be bought
to match the wood cupboards in your house.

26 – Facelift
If new appliances are way beyond your budget, give your current ones
a facelift. One way to modernize the old appliances is with paint.
Specialty paints are made for appliances that reach high temperatures.
They also make a kind that will adhere to already painted appliances,
such as microwaves or refrigerators, in order to avoid the sanding
stage. If you decide to paint, make sure the area is well ventilated.
Cover anything in the room since the paint only comes in spray cans
and overshoot will fly around.

27 – Smoothie Maker
A hot, small appliance to have in your modern kitchen is the smoothie
maker. The smoothie maker is replacing the blender of old. The only
difference is smoothie makers only make drinks. Dump the contents
of your desired drink into the container and press start. The blades
will grind up the ice and ingredients and you will have your drink
quickly. The smoothie makers have a spigot on the end, which pours
the drink in your cup for you.

28 – Cutting Board
Today’s cook needs a large cutting board to handle all of the food
preparation. New materials in cutting boards are also safer than the
wood ones of yesteryear. If you still use an old wood cutting board,
time for a new one. Plastic or glass cutting boards are easier to clean
and sterilize and safer to use in the long run. Wood boards can crack
which lets germs get deep inside and are harder to kill. Plastic and
glass can be placed in the dishwasher, cleaned, and sanitized quickly,
without harming the material.

29 – Pantry
A pantry is needed in your modern kitchen, especially if you have
children. A pantry is a quick and easy way to store boxed and canned
food for the long term. You could even hold a month’s supply if you
had a big enough pantry! Pantries can be as little as two shelves or as
large as a closet. Make sure to have adequate shelving to keep the
contents organized and neat. If the cans are all just dumped in, you
may keep buying what you already have. At the end of the year when
you clean out the pantry, you may find eight cans of kidney beans.
Yuck!

11 – Flooring
Does your floor seem dingy and gray, even after you just mopped? It
may not just be the cleaner or water in the bucket. It may be that
your linoleum floor is out of date. The linoleum or laminate floors hold
up to wear and tear, but do need replacement after several years go
by. Find replacement flooring that matches your colors to brighten the
room. There are many styles to choose from, including laminate,
laminate wood, wood, vinyl and linoleum. The price can vary to, so
make sure you have a budget in mind before shopping.

12 – Table
If there is a Formica topped table in your kitchen, it is time to
modernize. There are many more new, family friendly tables on the
market that look pretty. Wood tables have a protective covering you
can have applied on the wood, which is clear, so you can still see the
beauty of the wood underneath. The covering is waterproof, so any
spills will not harm it and they can be wiped right off. There are also
coverings that prevent nicks, dings and scratches from showing on the
surface.

13 – Chairs
Are the chairs at your kitchen table showing their age? To modernize
them, you can either give them a facelift or opt to buy completely
new. If you don’t feel like a project, head for the store. If you do like
improvement projects, find some sandpaper and begin. Sand off any
old paint or stain on the chair so that the new stuff will stick to it. Pick
your color or stain and then begin. Follow all directions on the paint or
stain labels to see the best results.

14 – Bar
An addition of a bar or center island will give you much more working
space in your kitchen. It can be a place to cool cookie trays, hold
mixing pans or store the mail from the day. A bar also works as a
place to do homework or to have an evening snack. Whatever you
use it for the most, it will make you have much more space in your
kitchen. The island or bar usually has cabinets underneath for
additional storage. A modern kitchen is a kitchen with lots of
cupboards and cabinets!

15 – Bar Stools
Refinish or recover the bar stools at the island. Material can be bought
at a fabric store to recover worn or faded old covers. The material is
sturdy and will hold up for many years, or until you decide to
modernize again. If you want a complete new style, bar stools come
in many heights and colors. Department stores and home
improvement stores carry a wide selection in many price levels. Stools
can be plastic, wood, metal or a combination of materials.

16 – Breakfast Nook
A breakfast nook is a modern invention. The breakfast nook is a cozy
alcove, where there is a table and bench seating where breakfast is
enjoyed. Realistically, any meal or snack can be eaten there. The
breakfast nook is just a place where meals that are more informal are
held. A dining room is considered formal and where dinner typically is
served.

17 – Rugs
A rug is a simple way to modernize your kitchen. If you have old,
dirty and faded rugs, it’s time to replace them. If you’ve never had
rugs in your kitchen, they are another avenue to add color and design
to the room. Buy a large rug that covers the eating area or a runner
for the high traffic areas. Rugs do more than just decorate; they can
provide warmth over a cold kitchen floor and protect it from scuffs,
nicks and scrapes. If your kitchen is carpeted, a rug will keep
obnoxious spills and stains off it.

18 – Crimping Can Opener
A modern convenience in the kitchen is also a safety gadget. The can
openers of yesterday are old news. The newest style can openers cut
right below the rim of the can. As they open, they crimp back the
metal so there are no sharp edges to cut a finger on. The can is also
safer to drop in the trash, since it won’t rip bags or catch on something
else. Crimping can openers can be in the electric form or hand held
style.

19 – Bread Machine
Grandma used to make the best loaves of bread, however, Grandma
had a lot more time on her hands. You can have the best of both
worlds by buying a bread machine. This modern technology mixes the
dough, lets it rise and cooks it for you. No hours wasted waiting for it
to rise. Follow the recipe book, pour the ingredients and then press
start. Nothing could be more modern, yet taste so much like the “Old
Days.”

20 – Crock Pot
Another modern kitchen tool is also a time saver. The crock-pot of
today allows you to have a family meal when you get home and still
work a long day. In addition, to make it even easier, some food
companies have pre-made meals frozen in a bag where all you have to
do is open and pour into the crock-pot. Turn on low and let it sit for
eight hours. Go and buy a new crock-pot if you don’t already enjoy
one.

6 – Faucet
Faucets are no longer just a spigot that provides water. Faucets are
pieces of artwork now that have multi-functioning capabilities. Some
of them have removable ends that spray water. Others have tops that
lift off and move over. Water softeners and filters can be placed over
nozzles to provide safer and tastier water. The selections are endless.
Faucets can also come in plastic or metal, so the colors are changeable
too.

7 – Clean the Clutter
A modern look is having the bare essentials or minimalist approach to
kitchens. Very few knick-knacks are on shelves and the countertops
are cleared off. Hardly anything is out to look at, keeping your view
clean. Besides providing a new look, less clutter holds less dust, which
requires less cleaning. Less small appliances and items on the
cupboard make the room appear larger too.

8 – Ultra Mixer
Get rid of your tiny hand mixer and get an ultimate machine. A stand
mixer has a lot more capacity and power if you are a faithful baker or
cook. The price has lowered tremendously in recent years making
them affordable. You can justify the price by how much that speed up
your activities in the kitchen. Ultra-mixers have multiple speeds,
attachments, and controls to mix virtually anything. The mixers are
available in a rainbow of hues to coordinate with new paint or
wallpaper too.

9 – Microwave
The big, boxy and expensive microwaves that first came out are gone!
Or they should be. If you have a large, bulky microwave, it is time to
upgrade. Microwaves now come in all sizes and colors, not to mention
power levels. If you only need one to warm up food occasionally, a
small one is for you. If you do a lot of cooking with the microwave as
the source, you will need a sturdier one. Microwaves can be
purchased at any department store, appliance store or even a grocery
store. They can be plastic, metal or stainless steel.

10 – Cooking Gadgets
Every modern cook needs the newest cooking gadgets. Whether you
use them or not is up to you, but displaying them may make you seem
like more of a modern cook. One such tool is the corn husker. It is a
square brush that fits in the palm of your hand with small bristles.
The bristles are soft as to not damage the kernels of corn on a cob,
but they grab the corn silk from between the rows before it can get
stuck in your teeth. Cool, huh?

Modernizing your kitchen can take one of two routes. The first route is
less expensive, but may take more time. It includes, painting, wall
papering, and re-decorating to give your kitchen a modern facelift.
The second route can be much quicker, but also much costlier. This
route includes new appliances, new cupboards or even a new layout.
Your only limit is how much money and time you have to give.

1 – Major Renovation
A major renovation is very expensive and would include changing
multiple facets of your kitchen. A major renovation could include your
cabinets, the layout of your kitchen, new appliances or windows. A
contractor or subcontractor is usually needed to handle the
arrangements if your modernization includes wall movement. You
may be able to hire a project coordinator from a home improvement
store to handle the details if you do it yourself and buy the supplies
from them. Don’t undertake a major renovation without a plan in
mind.

2 – Paint
New paint can add a quick boost to an old and dull kitchen. To
properly apply new paint, make sure the walls are clean. Remove all
nails, hooks or other protrusions from the wall. If they leave
numerous or large holes, be sure to fill with spackle so it is flat with
the rest of the wall. Allow the spackle to dry and sand until it is even
with the wall. Apply primer or paint and then enjoy your new color!
Light colors will make a room appear larger if you are having a color
choice dilemma.

3 – New Wallpaper
In addition to or in lieu of new paint, wallpaper adds texture to your
kitchen walls. Pick a design that coordinates with the other objects in
your room or what compliments the new paint color. Wallpaper styles
now include designs for borders, half walls, whole walls and even
mural scenes. Certain wallpaper borders have scalloped or fluted
edges to add texture to a design. Small patterns in the wallpaper are
best if you have a small kitchen. Large patterns make a room seem
smaller and darker.

4 – New Theme
Another way to give an old kitchen a modern facelift is to change the
theme. Some kitchens follow an elaborate theme, such as using all
red appliances or having grapes on everything. Whether you have a
strict code or not, look for modern replacements to the old rooster
that’s been sitting on top of the cupboard for twenty years or whatever
your theme was. Items to replace can include towels, trinkets, wall
decorations and rugs. Trendy new themes include chili peppers,
cherries, frogs, and bugs.

5 – Door Handles
Another small facelift can provide big and lasting results. If your
cupboards are flat, try putting handles and knobs on them. If you
already have doorknobs and handles, find a new design. Handles
come in a multitude of colors and metals, including bronze, copper,
gold, silver, pewter and titanium. Many styles ranging from ornate to
basic can match the décor you add to your new kitchen theme.