Ask ten different people how they feel about boxed cake mixes, and you'll likely get ten different answers. Some baking purists will berate them and throw them in the same category as garlic presses and knife sets sold on infomercials. Many people will say that they prefer not to use mixes, but keep one in the pantry just in case. And I dare you to find a college student that doesn't sing their praises.
Confession: I love bagels. I love to make them, but above all, I love to eat them. In college I ran a mini-bagel business from my kitchen, and on bagel-making day, it wasn't uncommon for me to eat the circular goodies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Yet even with my obsession I can't always eat bagels fast enough to keep them from going stale. That's why I started learning ways to use bagels even when they're a day or three past their prime. As it turns out, there are a million and one thin...
Facebook essentially strong-armed us all into installing their standalone Messenger app for mobile devices, but the recent initiative that allows third-party development on the platform definitely makes it worth your time.
While most people build collections of things with intrinsic value such as coins, stamps, or rare post cards, I collect wine corks—the natural ones, not the plastic kind. Corks are a natural product harvested from the cork oak tree. It takes the better part of 10 to 12 years before a tree can have its bark manually removed for the production of cork. Thankfully, no tree is harmed in the process and in 12 years, the tree bark can be harvested yet again.
Just like Leslie Knope, I love waffles. Unlike that imaginary character, I don't require that my waffles come from JJ's Diner. I have a deep affinity for frozen waffles as well as the homemade ones. They're so convenient! A few moments in the toaster, and you have a great foundation for a sweet or savory topping, or just a big fat slab of butter and a little syrup. Turns out there's a great big world of frozen waffle innovation out there that I had never dreamed existed. And remember, frozen ...
Better sleep, smartphone news, and changes to your favorite forms of entertainment. There's been a lot going on over the last couple of weeks in the world of tech, and we thought we'd show you all of the need-to-know products, updates, and ideas that we think are most important.
For some, there's nothing more thrilling than carrying an armful of bags while wandering the mall; for others, there's nothing more annoying. No matter what category of shopper you fit into, the truth is that you aren't always in control of what you buy.
I used a plastic water filter for years. Who wouldn't? It cuts down on buying bottled water, which, as it turns out, is pretty much the same as unfiltered tap water. Plus, bottled water is terrible for the environment and your wallet, too. Water that costs only pennies a day and actually was purified as opposed to just saying it was? That's a no-brainer.
Though nobody's going to hide the fact that they're getting sloshed on major holidays, you might want to be more discreet when it comes to your morning pick-me-up or lunchtime tipple during the rest of the year. It used to be that having four martinis at lunch was acceptable and even desirable, but that's really not the case anymore.
February may be the shortest month of the year, but for iOS softModders, there were plenty of apps and tweaks to fill up those days. Whether patching major security holes or just a tweak to make speed dialing more efficient, there was a plethora of great mods for our jailbroken iOS 7 devices. These are our favorites from the month.
While Siri has never been my favorite, after using her in the new iOS 7, I have definitely become a fan. If you want to know why, check out the newest cool features that Siri has to offer!
My favorite color is blue, but if everyone I knew said the same thing, I'd probably switch to red—there's nothing cool about uniformity. One place I'm guaranteed to see plenty of my favorite hue is on Facebook. The social network has gone through many redesigns, but its signature color scheme has never changed. While Facebook introduced cover photos, which allows for a little more creativity on your Facebook page, everything else is pretty much the same across all one billion plus profiles. B...
McDonald's is probably the most recognizable fast food chain in the entire world, with over 34,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. In may not be the healthiest place to get a meal, but like millions of kids in America, I grew up on McDonald's unquestionably delicious products—and I'm still alive.
Frozen yogurt is delicious but it can be expensive to buy. Luckily in this how-to video we show you how to make frozen yogurt at home. You don't need a fancy ice cream maker for his recipe. Grab your favorite yogurt, a plastic bag, and your favorite toppings. Chill the yogurt in the plastic bag, attach a pastry tip and dispense into a bowl. Enjoy
'Shepherding Wolves' is an Act 1 main story quest that evokes everyone's least favorite type of video game mission, the escort mission. It's still bloody fun though, and this pair of videos will walk you through the entire thing. Check out the tips below for supplemental aide.
Salad isn't everyone's first choice for a main dish, but when you try out this shrimp salad, you're sure to start making it your entrée instead of your side.
If you don't know exactly what goes on during Hanukkah, this series of videos will set you straight. Hanukkah is the most recognized Jewish holiday, right around Christmastime, and Chaim from Maoz Israel is going to show you some traditional customs that are performed during the eight days of Hanukkah 2010. Learn about the menorah, sufgaiyots, the mysterious dreidel and the traditional Chanukah songs.
LEGOs are more than just a toy for young children— it's an emerging art form combining photography, stop-motion (i.e., brickfilms), and imitative models that portray today's pop culture as it is. It's something visual culture analysts are sure to be studying over the next decade, and Chris McVeigh, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, is sure to be studied for his LEGO mastery.
The SATs are a very valuable college entrance test and could determine if you're accepted or denied to your favorite university. So, once you've learned to ace the SATs and have already taken your test, get your scores as soon as they're out! Don't sit in dreaded anticipation— go to College Board and get your SAT test results now!
Before the feminist movement gained prominence in America, there was a man named Al Capp. Capp was creator of the hillbilly comic strip Li'l Abner (1934-1977), and in 1937, his Sadie Hawkins Day spilled out into reality as the pseudo-holiday practiced throughout schools and colleges, where girls asked boys to the dance.
Is Kennen one of your favorite champions to play for League of Legends? This strategy guide goes over how to best use the unique abilities, masteries and optimal items to make sure this tiny ninja fights his best for your summoner!
In order to prepare three different hamburgers (Texas, nacho, and blue cheese), you will need the following: fatty hamburger meat, Kosher salt, water crest, avocado, BBQ sauce, pickles, tomatoes, red pepper, mustard, blue cheese, American cheese, red onion jam, black pepper,
Are your plants dying? Are they in dire need of some fertilizer? Is your compost not cutting it anymore? Well, save your garden plants with this recipe for nitrogen rich manure tea fertilizer. It's a really easy all natural fertilizer anyone can make. You can collect manure in your pasture or buy it by the bag at a garden center. You can also reuse the manure over and over again. Keep chemicals out of your garden and go green!
In this clip, learn how to make an absolutely delicious salad using two of Betty's favorites: mung bean sprouts and fresh raspberry vinaigrette dressing. This salad is power-packed and contains a ton of protein, vitamins and minerals and is practically calorie free! If you are watching what you eat or just looking for something fresh and healthy for summer, give this recipe a shot. Enjoy!
In this clip, Chef Jason Hill brings you down to Hawaii and gets a piece of chicken from a North Shore roadside huli huli stand. This chicken is so amazing, that Chef Hill nabs the recipe and shows it to you in this clip. This recipe is very tasty and serves up great fresh off the grill. If you would like to bring a little bit of the tropics to your next picnic, try this dish out - you won't be disappointed!
Pranks are the world's favorite pastime. Everyone loves a good prank, and there's nothing better than keeping someones stomach empty. Imagine the pain and suffering one would endure if he or she could not eat because the fridge will not open. Most refrigerators allow for reversing the door swing. Normally you also switch the handle. But not if you want to thoroughly confuse the victim of this practical joke.
Have you ever wanted to modify the 3D images from your favorite video games yourself? This video is here to help! It will teach you how to import and rig a 3D character (in this case a Bloodelf from World of Warcraft) in 3D Studio MAX. Now you can edit the character however you want and then stick them back in the game, playing with a custom-looking character! Don't look the same as everyone else on WOW anymore after watching this video.
Angelina Jolie could probably style her locks into a day-glo orange fauxhawk on the red carpet and still be the most beautiful and fabulous woman there. In short, she's gorgeous enough that she can keep most of her makeup, hair, and dress choices simple.
There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free uke lessons, like this one from Ukulele Live, which make the task not only easy but fun. This clip, in particular, demonstrates how to perform old-school jazzy introductions and outros on the uke.
Cosmos and martinis are forever excellent go-to cocktails when you're out sipping at the bar, but sometimes it's nice to spice things up and try something a little more...stimulating.
The Sazerac is the oldest cocktail we know of and is in fact that first contail ever made. Invented in the mid 1800s, a Sazerac requires you to light up a sugar cube for show.
In this detailed three part tutorial, learn exactly how to draw a scene from the cartoon "Three Delivery", using Flash. This expert how-to is hosted by Loogaroo, the animators responsible for this popular series. The series was created over a period of two years with more than 100 artists because every second of this kung-fu action was hand drawn in Flash. Check out this clip, and you too can share in this labor of love.
Want to play Bright Eyes' "Lua" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this indie folk song on your own ...
Are you looking for a way to make your Microsoft Excel formulas more efficient? If so, you're in the right place. With this free video lesson from everyone's favorite digital spreadsheet guru, YouTube's ExcelsFun, the very first installment in his "Excel Formula Efficiency" series, you'll learn about the basics of Excel's SUMPRODUCT function — why some people use double negative and why other use times one.
BBQweb.com presents a delightful video on how to make "Jack Ribs." The ingredients needed for Jack Ribs are: 4 ilbs of country style pork ribs, three- 8 oz bottles of your favorite bbq sauce, 1 onion, 12 oz of beer or water, and an optional basting sauce. You will also need aluminum foil, an aluminum pan, and a grill to complete the ribs. The first step in making "Jack Ribs" is to get your coals nice and hot. Next, cover up your grill and turn your attention to preparing the meat. Place your ...
Ukulele Mike shows his viewers how simple it can be to play "Oh, Susannah" on the ukulele. According to Mike, "Oh, Susannah" is an old classic story song. This means that it is a song that has been handed down that tells a story and doesn't just throw words together because they sound nice.
Southwest Yard and Garden featuring John White, Dona Ana County Extension Agent, hosts a 6 minute clip with co-host Master Gardener Valois Pearce both of Dona Ana County, New Mexico host a short web show featuring plants that can easily survive on smaller amounts of water over typical plants. They begin by discussing the full sun Ice Plant, which comes in many species and colors as well as their hardiness, but unfortunately are easy targets for wildlife. They then move onto the Gopher Plant, ...
John White discusses how to propagate houseplants. You will need a potting mix called a “soilless” mix, which contains only vermiculite, perlite and peat moss. In addition you will need a sharp knife, a pruner and a weeding hormone to help induce root growth on the cuttings.
In this five part video series, we are going to be creating a gorgeous storage chest that is sure to be a favorite at your house. Over the course of these videos, I will give you easy to follow instructions, along with some helpful hints.
In this tutorial, Sandra Lee shows us how to make a family favorite rump roast with a new twist. Sandra adds a tangy Madeira wine sauce to her roast and creates an unexpected dinner. Try this twist next time you make a roast and you will surely impress even the pickiest eater.