May
25

Ice Cream Maker Recipe: Peach Frozen Yogurt

peach frozen yogurt

The Cuisinart frozen yogurt, ice cream & sorbet maker was rated by Consumer Search as one of the best ice cream makers available. This unit allows you to make ice cream in a speedy 15 to 20 minutes, and even watch the entire process through the transparent lid. According to reviews, consumers say that they enjoy the model’s ease of use, and consider it to be an excellent value. This isn’t a one trick pony though! In addition to making frozen desserts, this ice cream maker also lets you create your favorite frozen beverages, including  strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas.

Here in Texas, the summers mean two things: hot weather and peach season. Fresh peaches are hard to beat, but peach ice cream is without question the best thing about summer. Here’s a lightened version to share with friends and family:

Summertime Peach Frozen Yogurt*

Ingredients

2 cups fresh diced peaches
2 cups low fat vanilla yogurt
⅓ cup sugar

Directions

  1. Mix the peaches, yogurt and sugar together in a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Turn on your ice cream maker and pour in the ice cream mixture.
  3. Let your ice cream maker run for about 20-30 minutes.
  4. Serve with peach slices.

Makes eight ½-cup servings.

*Recipe adapted from the Cuisinart ice cream maker owner’s manual.

May
23

Grilling Season is Here!

As grilling season kicks off, we have very exciting news to share: We have added the entire line of Napoleon grills to our site! If you’re in the market for a new grill and are unaware of the Napoleon brand, I highly suggest checking them out. Napoleon is a family-owned company that has been in business for over 35 years. Their innovative technology leads the way in performance and design. With a large assortment that covers all styles and price ranges, you’re sure to find the perfect grill to complement your patio. Napoleon also offers a large range of grilling accessories, which are great for gifts or expanding your own grilling tool collection. Here is a small sample of what Napoleon grills has to offer:

Napoleon Prestige Grill w/ Rear & Side Infrared Burners     Napoleon Prestige Grill     Napoleon Ultra Chef Grill w/ Infrared Rear & Side Burner

Napoleon Freestyle Infrared Portable Grill     Napoleon Mirage Built In Grill w/ Infrared Rear Burner     Napoleon Ultra Chef Grill w/ Infrared Rear & Side Burner

 

Which one would you like to cook out on?

May
21

Is it Better to Make Baby Food from Scratch?

Baby Brezza Baby Food Maker

With celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian, Tori Spelling and others touting the benefits of making their own baby food, baby food makers are creating a huge buzz in the press lately. Most fads surrounding the Hollywood scene don’t have staying power, but this time they are definitely onto something.

Making your own baby food is great for your baby, because it allows you to know exactly what your little one is eating. You can maximize the nutrition count while avoiding the preservatives, additives and other potentially detrimental ingredients. In fact, the benefits of making your own baby food span beyond just health. In doing so, you are eliminating the use of all of the packaging, which ultimately reduces your family’s environmental footprint. And, possibly the best benefit of making your own baby food, you will end up with extra cash in your pocket! Recent studies show that you can save 50% or more on your baby food costs if you make it yourself at home.

The Baby Brezza baby food maker is an all-in-one solution, perfect for busy moms. Simply add your ingredients in the bowl, set your steam time and let the baby food make take care of the rest! The simple automated process steams and blends the food for you. Worried about creating a mess? Don’t be. Both the bowl and blade are dishwasher safe. Furthermore, the BPA and phthalate-free construction ensures that this product is safe for your kids.

Here is a great recipe from Baby Brezza for children 6 months & up:

Homemade Baby Food Recipe: Sweet Potato & Banana Puree

Ingredients

1 Medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into ¼-inch dice (2 cups, 10 ounces)
1/2 Small banana, peeled and sliced (1/3 cup, 1-1/2 ounces)
Optional: cinnamon or nutmeg to taste

Directions

1. Steam sweet potato for 20 minutes
2. Add banana and puree to smooth
3. Remove from bowl and add water, breast milk or formula to desired consistency
4. Optional: Stir in cinnamon or nutmeg to taste

Yields: 13 oz.

May
16

Top Commercial Products: EdgeStar Portable Fridge Freezer

EdgeStar 63 Qt Fridge Freezer

Our 63 Qt. portable fridge freezer by EdgeStar is going to be featured in Berks County Living Magazine in the upcoming months. This magazine targets the outdoor life of residents in the camping and sportsman community of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Portable fridge freezers are one of the most popular and highly-liked appliances available in the market. Lots of the users, especially people who are into road traveling and sports, prefer to have one portable fridge freezer with them. If you are into any kind of business or work that requires you to spend a lot time traveling and moving from place to place, especially during hot weather where there is a great need of cold drink, then without any doubt this portable fridge freezer is an ideal choice for you.

Secondly, while traveling in some areas it is quite impossible to get fresh and hygienic food. Having a portable fridge freezer with you allows you to keep fresh and healthy foods with you during your trips, so you don’t have to survive on fast food or waste money at restaurants.

May
03

Top Commercial Products: EdgeStar Medical Freezer Update

EdgeStar Medical Freezer Open

I’ve already talked about many of the reasons the EdgeStar CMF151L medical freezer is great for commercial use in my first post on the unit, and now I have an exciting update.

Florida has recently passed a bill aimed at allowing Floridians to receive vaccinations for Shingles and pneumonia.  This bill is being called the “Access to Vaccines” bill and has ramped up demand for vaccines to be stored in Florida pharmacies.  Read more about this breaking news in the pharmaceutical world here.

To house these vaccines for periods of time, a medical/vaccine freezer is needed.  That is where Living Direct, with the help from EdgeStar comes in to play.  Leading pharmacies are gearing up to administer these vaccines and have called upon Living Direct to provide them with these specialized freezers, which get down to the critical temperature of -20°C.

If you work for a pharmacy that offers or will be offering these vaccines, we would love to work with you on providing the proper storage.

—

Ryan is the head of Business Sales for Living Direct. If you are interested in learning more about any of our commercial products or wish to make a bulk purchase from our site, you can reach Ryan at 1-800-297-6076 or contact him through this form.

Apr
30

Top 5 Mother’s Day Gifts

Happy Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is around the corner, but let’s skip the Hallmark card this year and give a gift that Mom deserves. Well, on second though, don’t skip the card — we know how sentimental they can be. But card or not, we have picked out five of our best-selling items, all perfect for Mother’s Day gifting.

Koldfront TWR4BL Wine Cooler1. Koldfront 4 Bottle Wine Cooler

Once considered to be a luxury item, the wine cooler is quickly becoming a staple in the home kitchen. For those with limited kitchen space, or those that just don’t want to take up a lot of space, the Koldfront 4 bottle wine fridge is the perfect wine cooler with its sleek, compact design. This wine fridge utilizes thermoelectric cooling technology so there’s no need for a compressor, allowing for super quiet operation.

 

Margaritaville Margarita Maker2. Margaritaville Fiji Frozen Concoction Maker

Get ready for BBQ season with the Margaritaville margarita machine. The ultimate drink maker, this machine can help you conjure up the tastiest of concoctions, including margaritas and daiquiris for the adults or healthy fruit smoothies for the kids. Perfect for a party or tailgating, this frozen drink maker holds enough ice to make 2.5 pitchers worth of your favorite drink with each use. It is the perfect gift for a mom that loves to entertain!

 

Cuisinart Espresso Maker3. Cuisinart Espresso Maker

Try out a double espresso, luscious cappuccino or spiced latte cafe style in the comfort and convenience of your own home. The Cuisinart espresso maker features a classic stainless steel design, cup-warming plate on top and a removable drip tray and cover for easy cleanup. This is one luxury that will make any mom feel special on Mother’s Day and everyday after that they get to wake up and enjoy this great gift.

 

Hugs for Mom Gift Basket4. Hugs for Mom Gift Basket

Made with moms in mind, this adorable, white picket fence planter is filled with wildflower honey, Ernest Hemingway Highland Select tea, lemon cookies, a bath sachet with salts, a votive candle, body glistening spray, a ceramic picture frame and more! This gourmet gift basket will bring a smile to any mother’s face by letting her know that she is being thought of, and the included picture frame will let her show off her gift (and who gave it to her) to others.

 

KitchenAid Stand Mixer5. KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer

The iconic KitchenAir stand mixer is something a mom’s kitchen should never be without. Renowned the world over for its quality and versatility, KitchenAid stand mixers have been and continue to remain a favorite of bakers, cooks, chefs and most important culinary artists of all — moms! The beautiful red colors of this specific stand mixer will serve as a great reminder of the love shared between her and gift giver.

 

What will you be getting your mom for Mother’s Day?

 

Apr
20

Bright Ideas for Camping: Part 2

Here is the second installment of our camping gear series. You can check out part 1 right here. If you’re getting the itch to go camping, then keep reading as we offer even more items that will make your camping trip go smoothly and a lot more fun.

Be sure to share your best camping tips in the comments.

Peak Car Battery Tester5. Peak 12V Car Battery Tester

The must-have diagnostic tool for checking your car’s battery charge is the Peak 12V car battery tester. This battery tester can help prevent you from being stranded with a dead battery, which is never a good thing, camping or otherwise. The Peak 12V car battery tester comes with these great features:

- Checks battery, engine and alternator charge
- Fits in any 12V cigarette lighter socket
- Takes up very little space

Fagor Cast Aluminum Griddle6. Fagor Cast Aluminum Griddle

If you are a fan of taking a cast skillet camping, you will love the Fagor cast aluminum griddle. Like a cast skillet, the Fagor griddle is easy to clean and can withstand high temperatures. The extended cooking surface area is great for cooking bacon, sausages and burgers. Here are some other reasons why the Fagor cast aluminum griddle is great for camping:

- Cook over the campfire or over a stove, can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees F
- Cook-and-serve convenience
- Easy to clean and use

Yakima Bike Hitch7. Yakima BigHorn 4-Bike Hitch

A bike hitch is a great way to free up more storage space in your car and trunk. It also means that you won’t have to drive your car anywhere once at the campgrounds, you can bike if you need to go anywhere. This Yakima bike hitch is a great value with a lifetime warranty. Some of its features include:

- Patented anti-sway bike cradles prevent bike-to-bike contact
- Lifetime warranty
- Has wheel straps for added security

Peak Jump Starter8. Peak Jump Starter / Inflator & 12V Power Source

This Peak jump starter is a great buy with all of the additional features allowing you to simultaneously use other electronics, including cellphones, MP3 players and radios. It’s suitable for use in cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles. This jump starter features:

- A USB outlet & AC outlet
- Three LED worklights
- Two 12 Volt power outlets

EdgeStar Portable Fridge Freezer9. EdgeStar 43 Quart Portable Fridge / Freezer

This EdgeStar portable fridge freezer will save you the cost of buying bags of ice for each camping trip. The Fast Freeze button is an amazing feature that allows you to cool the contents down super quickly. The freezer can also be used to store your day’s catch if you want to go fishing while camping. This unit also has:

- Digital thermostat that is adjustable from -8-50 degrees F
- Cool warm beverages down quickly with the Fast Freeze button
- Uses either AC or DC power

 

What other appliances do you like to have while camping?

Apr
19

Bright Ideas for Camping: Part 1

camping

Spring weather tends to draw us back to the desire to go out and enjoy nature. Even if just for a weekend, time spent immersed in nature’s glory allows us to recharge for the upcoming week and enjoy quality time with friends and family. Living Direct offers many compact appliances and other products that are perfect for your outdoor travel adventures. These products make great additions to your camping equipment supply.

Be sure to share your best camping tips in the comments!

EdgeStar mini Kegerator1. EdgeStar Mini Kegerator

Nature lovers are doing more to practice “Leave No Trace” camping. This portable mini kegerator is an easy way to avoid the task of storing, carrying and cleaning up multiple cans and bottles. As an added bonus, you can rest assured that it will be easy to make friends with your neighbors at your campsite. The EdgeStar mini kegerator’s highlights include:

- Electronic temperature controls
- Compact size
- AC/DC power compatibility

Peak 30 LED Rechargeable Worklight2. Peak 30 LED Rechargeable Worklight

This flashlight’s affordable price, flexible design and durability make it a must-have for outdoor expeditions. The Peak 30 LED rechargeable worklight has an integrated hook making it great for hanging from a tree or inside of your tent. Powerful LED lighting technology and the thought of no disposable batteries is a win-win for me. The highlights of the Peak rechargeable worklight include:

- 8 hours of continuous use on a single charge
- An ultra strong magnet and 360 degree swivel hook for hanging, mounting or both
- An LED flashlight tip that lets you direct light when you don’t need all 30 LEDs

Peak Power Inverter & Charger3. Peak 150 Watt Cup Power Inverter

While it is nice to unplug from technology while camping, who’s to say that you can’t have your mobile phones, cameras and other electronic devices charged up and ready on the way home. With two USB ports and two AC outlets, you can charge two electronic devices, a mattress pump and a camera simultaneously. The Peak power inverter is a great choice for camping because:

- Can charge four electronic devices at the same time
- Includes two USB ports and two standard 3-prong AC outlets
- Has a secure, sleep and compact cup-like design

ShelterLogic Popup Canopy4. ShelterLogic Popup Canopy

This canopy is easy to use and provides relief from the elements; whether it’s the sun shining or a bit of rain. A truly high-quality item with drip-free seams and anti-fungal agents, the ShelterLogic 10×10 popup canopy is the perfect complement to a relaxing day camping. The features that make this canopy great are:

- Quick and easy set up
- Sealed with water proof tape for drip-free seams
- Canopy made of patented fade blockers and anti-fungal agents

 

Part 2 of our Bright Ideas for Camping series can be found here!

Apr
18

Living Green for Earth Day

Earth Day is Sunday, April 22, and to help bring awareness, we’re going to discuss two things you can implement in your home to help the environment.

Composting

Compost consists of organic matter that has been decomposed down into a rich, fertilized soil. Because of its nutrients, it serves great use in organic farming and gardening. There are several benefits to composting at home, including the reduction of wasted space at landfills and its use in your own lawn and garden.

Compost BinComposting, the process of creating compost, requires four things to effectively decompose the organic matter: carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and water. An easy way to keep your compost healthy is to provide a 50/50 mix of dry, brown material and wet, green material. The process will require you to mix the pile often to provide oxygen. You should also make sure it gets enough moisture, otherwise the decomposition process will take longer.

There are several options to get started with composting at home. You could get a large wooden like the one pictured (Exaco ECO Composter), a taller, black bin like this GeoBin which is easy to setup and affordable, or a solar heated cone system that comes with a kitchen caddy as well. Explore these and other composters on our site.

What Can I Compost?

Here are some examples of thing you can compost. Remember to try and feed your compost with a good 50/50 mix of dry, brown and wet, green materials. Really, almost everything that was living at some point can be composted, but some things may take longer to decompose.

FruitDry/Brown (Carbon-rich material)

- Fall leaves
- Small twigs and branches
- Paper coffee filters
- Shredded paper (newspaper, office paper, etc.)
- Paper towels
- Wood chips

Wet/Green (Nitrogen-rich material)

- Fruit and vegetable peels (or whole ones that have gone bad)
- Coffee grounds
- Tea bags
- Egg shells
- Plant trimmings and fresh leaves
- Cooked plain rice or pasta

Depending on the size of your compost, you could have rich soil ready to go in 3-4 months, or 5-6 months for larger piles.

Rain Water Collection

Rain BarrelAnother way to help the environment and save you money is to implement a rain water collection system (also called rain harvesting). The concept is that you collect excess rainwater from your home gutters during times of heavy rainfall and store it for use in your lawn and garden, especially through times of drought and water restrictions. Environmentally, you help lessen the amount of flooding that occurs on streets and lessen the amount of pollution that reaches our oceans through rainwater run-off. The run-off carries pesticides, oil and harmful, inorganic materials. Another added benefit is the use of rain water in your garden, where you’re feeding your plants soft water that doesn’t contain added minerals. Your plants will be happier!

The most common solution is a barrel that sits below your drainage gutters of your home. The barrel comes with a faucet where you can easily hook up your hose. They come in different colors and sizes to blend into its environment. For extra storage, you have the ability to connect multiple barrels together as well. Browse our selection of rain barrels on our site.

Pinterest Logo
For more ways to go green this year for Earth Day, check out our Pinterest board, Living Green!

Apr
16

It’s Wedding Season: What to Give the Happy Couple

White Wedding Gift

If you’re anything like me, your fridge tends to be covered in “save the date” postcards this time of year. And while I’m excited to spend my summer celebrating my friends’ and family’s wedded bliss, I’m kind of freaked out about what to get the Mr. and Mrs. (there are 5 couples!)

Then I realized that I work for a company that sells appliances for smaller living spaces. Putting that into the equation, along with the fact that my friends getting married are just starting out and buying their first homes, I knew I was golden. So without further hesitation, I give you my top five wedding gift recommendations.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer1. KitchenAid Stand Mixer

If the couple you’re buying for doesn’t already have one these, I’m willing to bet that they want one (and it’s on their gift registry). This thing is a kitchen essential for people who like to bake or cook. It comes with attachments for preparing homemade pasta, ice cream, fruit juice and, of course, mixing among other things.

I’m getting this for the people that treat me like their child and have me over for dinner every now and then. I figure the menu will only expand once they get my gift…

Nesco Roaster2. Nesco 6 Qt. Stainless Steel Roaster

I have some friends that practically live at restaurants and seem to have never used their kitchen but swear they want to learn to cook. I’m getting them this roaster. Call it a crock pot, a slow cooker, a roaster – whatever you want, but this thing is the perfect tool for those aspiring to cook.

It goes like this: buy food, put in cooker, set cooker and voila! Dinner is ready when you get home from work. This is the perfect gateway cooking device!

EdgeStar Mini Kegerator3. EdgeStar Deluxe Mini Kegerator

One of the couples is having an open bar at their wedding, so naturally, the mini kegerator is a perfect wedding gift for them. They like to entertain and the groom is a bit of a beer snob. And for the nights they’re not entertaining, it can easily be placed in a closet due to its compact size.

The mini kegerator holds a 5L mini keg, which more breweries are starting to produce, and it’s the perfect size for two people to enjoy.

 

Portable Propane Grill4. Keg-a-Que Portable Propane Grill

Tailgating brought the couple I’m buying this for together. I find it’s only fitting to get them this as their wedding present.

It’s compact enough to fit in the trunk of a car and has handles on the side for carrying around to wherever their favorite teams take them. Plus, the fun football shape makes it perfect.

 

EdgeStar 18 Bottle Wine Cooler5. EdgeStar 18-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler

Nothing says love quite like wine… or a wine cooler for that matter. The last couple I’m giving a gift to is going to have their honeymoon in Napa, so what better gift than to give them a unit to properly store all of their new favorite wines?

This unit isn’t over the top big and has two different zones so they can chill both their reds and whites at the proper temperature.\

 

If you’re in panic over wedding season this year, don’t fret – there’s something out there for everyone!

Let us know in the comments what wedding gifts you are planning to give.

 

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