Recipes
Cookie Dough Footballs
You may not love football, but you will definitely love these chocolate-dipped cookie dough footballs.
Growing up abroad, I never really understood the whole football thing. I watched my first Super Bowl my senior year in college, but that was only because my roommates hosted a viewing party. I made it through about the first quarter before I moved to a different room to watch The Proposal with a couple other football novices. Football < Ryan Reynolds
I’ve come a long way since then. In fact, I’ve watched countless football games and even have Red Zone. Sure I didn’t know what it was until Colin insisted we needed it but now that I have it, I make the most of it.
A few years ago, I attempted to make little chocolate cupcakes look like footballs. They failed miserably but I loved the concept. My icing skills haven’t improved much since then but these are much easier – I promise!
If you’re heading to (or hosting!) a Super Bowl party, make these easy mini footballs and impress everyone. People love cookie dough so why not take the eggless version, dip it in chocolate and decorate it on theme!
Ingredients
- 8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ Cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ¼ Cup (50g) brown sugar
- ¼ Cup applesauce
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ Cup (218g) flour
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- 1/2 Cup mini chocolate chips
- 12 Ounces of semi sweet chocolate
- 1 Tube of white decorating icing (I had a 4.2 ounce one on hand but you can definitely get away with a smaller tube)
Recipe
- Cream together butter, sugars, applesauce and vanilla extract in a large bowl
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt
- Set mixer to low and mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients
- Mix in chocolate chips
- Roll 1 tablespoon of dough into a ball and then use clean hands to form into the shape of a football
- Refrigerate until the chocolate is ready to dip
- While the balls are in the fridge, melt the chocolate over a double boiler
- Place the cookie dough footballs one at a time on a fork and dip in the chocolate before placing back on a cooling rack
- Once all the footballs are covered in chocolate, return to the fridge until hard, about 30 minutes
- Cut the tip of your decorating icing tube and add a small piping tip
- Decorate footballs as you see fit
- Refrigerate until ready to enjoy
Travel
ULTIMATE PACKING LIST FOR ANY TRAVEL DESTINATION
If you are planning to travel, or if you just love packing bags and going on a trip, then this list is for you. The packing list that we have compiled includes everything that you will need. We’ve put together a checklist of important things to pack when traveling overseas.
These items cover different weather conditions while also keeping your luggage weight to a minimum. Not only for your trip overseas but also useful when you travel within the country as well.
While packing, just remember it’s not necessary to pack all of these items in one bag. You can distribute them among your luggage and keep the weight even. Some people like to dress light, with just enough clothes and toiletries for the trip. While others prefer to be prepared for any weather conditions and pack heavy, you can decide what is more important: Weight or Comfort/Safety?
You’ll find these and many more items on our comprehensive checklist. We’ve organized everything into three distinct categories: Essentials and Outdoor Gear and Toiletries. At the same time, do not forget to purchase fashionable Apple watch 6 bands to secure your Apple watch wherever you go.
Essentials:
Clothing – The first category includes clothing essentials for any trip. Keep in mind that you will be packing for different weather conditions and keep the weight in mind as well. There are also other items such as footwear, accessories, and outerwear.
1) Casual Clothing – These are the clothes that you would wear on any normal day at home or at work. You can pick whatever outfit makes you feel good but just remember that you won’t be able to bring everything with you. You can choose your favorite t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers or shorts and sandals if it makes you feel comfortable. But only pack the things that will make you comfortable for your trip.
2) Travel Clothing – You want clothing that is comfortable enough but also lightweight so it doesn’t add extra weight to your luggage. This usually depends on the destination but you always want to blend in when you travel. If it’s summer, pick lightweight cotton and shorts because let’s face it, they are easier than jeans and long-sleeved shirts. And if it’s winter, consider bringing clothing that is warm enough but still made of lightweight materials.
3) A Couple Of Pairs Of Different Shoes – I’m a big fan of having one versatile pair of shoes that can be worn in all kinds of climates and conditions. For example, bring one pair of sandals that are closed-toe, sturdy enough to walk around the city but also waterproof if it rains. And then if you are traveling to a cold climate, bring one pair of durable sneakers. They are comfortable enough to walk in but also have thick soles so your feet stay warm.
4) Outerwear – Outerwear is really just another name for anything that you wear on top of …
Stitches
To Stretch Bar or Not to Stretch Bar
Time to talk about stretch bars. And no, this isn’t some strange workout fad I’m trying to get y’all into for 2018. I’m talking about the contraptions that we use to hold our needlepoint projects in place!
What are stretch bars?
Stretch bars are literally bars, usually made of wood or plastic, that hold your needlepoint canvas in place while you’re stitching. Sounds useful right? It is!
I have a few sizes of wooden stretch bars that many of my canvases fit on to. I can break them down and store them when I’m not using them.
Do I really need to use them?
Yes….and no. Honestly it’s going to depend on the type of project you are doing. For example, I stitch belts on a fairly regular basis. Just last month I wrapped up this shark-eating-a-fish belt for my middle brother. Thin projects like belts don’t need stretch bars because if they do get pulled out of shape, they’ll be added to leather and fixed at that point.
When working a larger canvas however, having stretch bars to hold it in place can be so helpful to prevent the project from getting stretched out. Not sure you need them? Think about the needlepoint bag I made for my mom. It was a square canvas that once stitched, was supposed to fit perfectly on the pocket of a canvas bag. I forgot to use stretch bars so the canvas wasn’t a rectangle at all by the end. It could have been worse but I will always know when I look at it that it is slightly diagonal. And now I suppose so will all of you.
How do I use stretch bars?
Alright, so I’ve convinced you that you need stretch bars. Now what? Find a size that works for your canvas! If you’re going to sketch designs, I would recommend doing it before putting the canvas on bars. I often use mugs for example, to outline Christmas ornaments. I do this on a flat surface before adding the canvas to stretch bars.
When you’re ready to mount the canvas, connect the four corners of the stretch bars. Many are made in such a way so that they easily fit securely together. Align the canvas on the bars and use metal tacks to secure it. Don’t do one side at a time. To ensure that it stays even on the bars, start with the four corners and then do one tack per side, making your way around until you feel like your canvas is secure.
When you’re done with your canvas, all you need to do is remove the tacks, put away the stretch bars and get your project finished!…
Lifestyle
Ultimate Packing List: Packing like a Pro
Packing can be overwhelming. Whether a weekend getaway, a business trip, or a music festival, travel is a fantastic activity; however, packing might bring you down—a solo trajectory when packing makes work easier. Check out our men’s ultimate packing list that will make you pack like an expert traveler.
Packing Tips Every Traveler Should Know
Before dwelling on what you should pack on your next trip, several fundamental packing strategies will save you a lot of time and energy when packing. If you use these strategies correctly, you will avoid heavy bags and save many bucks on additional luggage. Check out the basic packing rules.
#1. Don’t fold, roll. A tightly rolled cloth takes up less space than folded clothes. Travel experts will agree that folded clothes have deep wrinkles compare to rolling. Try this out.
#2. Having a packing list. An adage says, failing to plan planning to fail, begin packing preparations days or weeks before you travel day. Buy men’s bomber jacket green or travel backpacks or any other requirement in advance. Every day you will realize there is something you have not included. Some people who pack in a rush forget their expiry passports, which might cancel the entire trip on travel day.
#3. Understand the airlines’ baggage policy. Baggage fee policy is key to budgetary packing. Most airlines restrict a lot of luggage by charge costly fees. If it is not a necessity, leave it.
#4. Use the 3-1-1 rule. Transportation Security Administration’s TSA, 3-1-1 rule on luggage indicates clear the amount of foodstuff and liquids you are supposed to carry on board. Get familiar with the agency rules others; you risk being detained on the security line and confiscating your luggage.
#5. Never check in your essentials. Carry things like electronics, jewelry, credit cards, or passport to the plane. Should anything happen to them in the luggage section, you will have no one to blame. Ensure that, should your luggage get lost, you can continue with your stay.
Men’s Travel Clothing Checklist
Shoes: Have at least two pairs of shoes in total. A pair of casual shoes for night outs and a pair of official shoes if on a business trip. Don’t forget flip-flops if you plan to spend in a hostel. Don’t mistake putting your hiking boot in the backpack for travel hikers instead of hung then on the backpack. It saves you space.
Cardigan or a light jacket: A stylish men’s bomber jacket green will work fine when landing on a cold destination. It’s a lightweight multipurpose jacket for either cold or moderate weather conditions. You can use many lightweights and warm travel jackets for your travel.
Pants: Three or four pairs of pants would work well, depending on how long your plan to stay. Have loose travel clothes as well, especially when using a flight.
Socks/ underwear: Bring enough of these to carry you through the time of your stay. Socks and underwear take less space and are …
