Personalized Recipe Books

I love trying new recipes whether it's borrowing one from a friend, trying out one that I saw on Food Network or just stumbling across one online I'm constantly trying something.  The problem is that months later, when I want to recreate that meal, I can't ever seem to find the recipe.  So, I purchased a personalized recipe book (I found mine in the journal section of Barnes and Noble) and I have gotten into the habit of handwriting all of my favorite, use again recipes on the index cards. 

In order for this to work you have to do it right away or you will forget and that recipe will just get lost.  Today I made my favorite pancake recipe and wanted to make sure that I didn't have to spend another 15 minutes some day down the road searching for the recipe.  So, while my pancakes were cooling, I jotted down the recipe on an index card and filled it away in my own personal book. 

These books are great tools to declutter your kitchen and make great gift ideas. 

Add some fruit to your water!

With all the heat that we've had this summer I'm constantly thirsty.  I've always been a big water drinker but lately I've been wanting a little bit of something "extra" flavor-wise in my beverages.  So, I took a cue from my gym and started filling a pitcher with water and adding some sliced up citrus (limes are my favorite but oranges, lemons or even cucumbers work too) before putting it in my refrigerator. 

This way I always have a refreshing, no calorie beverage that is easily accessible.  I love it!  You can also freeze the fruit cubes in either an ice cub try or just place the pieces of fruit in a freezer bag and use the frozen pieces as your ice cubes.  Yummy, and it's way lower in calories than juice or soda.