Weight Watchers Chicken Tagliatelle

Weight Watchers Chicken Tagliatelle

September 24, 2018

If you are looking for a filling & tasty low SmartPoint dinner, then you will love this Fajita Pasta!

It works out at 6 SmartPoints if you follow the Weight Watchers Blue or Purple plan or 7 SmartPoints if you follow the WW Green plan.

Of course you can reduce those points even further if you follow the Purple plan and swap out the white pasta for wholemeal pasta!

If you continue to follow the old Weight Watchers Freestyle plan, it works out at 6 SmartPoints.

So at just 6 SmartPoints per portion this is a recipe that you will use again and again.

I make this Fajita Pasta with zero point Fajita Seasoning Mix.

I tend to make up a few lots of the seasoning mix and store it, until I need it, in an airtight container.

You can use it to season this pasta, but also as a seasoning for chicken, burritos and tacos.

The great thing about the Fajita Pasta dish is that it is extremely filling for relatively few SmartPoints.

At the beginning of my Weight Watchers journey, I shied away from eating pasta from fear of over eating it.

However, this recipe is bulked out with lots of zero SmartPoint spicy chicken and sweet peppers, so you can get away with a medium portion of pasta for a dish that is really filling, but not too high in SmartPoints.

To keep the SmartPoints even lower, I used a zero point fajita seasoning mix and cooked the chicken and pepper in a non stick pan with a light spraying of Frylight.

Using a low calorie cooking spray like Frylight or Pam rather than using regular oil reduces the SmartPoint value in cooking significantly.

Tips for making this recipe:

• Make sure that the chicken pieces are thinly sliced. The cook time is short so you need to make sure that your chicken cooks thoroughly.
• Slice the chicken into pieces roughly the same size, so that they cook at the same rate.
• As very little oil is used in this recipe, it is important to prevent the ingredients sticking to the bottom of the frying pan / skillet, especially as this recipe requires the ingredients to be cooked over a high heat. A good quality non stick pan helps with this but I would also suggest adding a few splashes of water to the pan to help unstick any ingredients that are starting to adhere to the bottom of the pan. Scraping them off the bottom of the pan during cooking can actually add to the flavour of the dish IF it is done before it burns!

Alternative to this recipe:

• You could use packet Fajita Seasoning Mix but be sure to work out the additional SmartPoints.
• I used Fiorelli pasta as I love the ruffled edged shape! However, other pasta such as Penne or Farfalle work just as well.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit this page to see what that means.

What I used to make this dish:

I use this garlic infused Frylight, available from Amazon.

I used a good quality non stick frying pan / skillet like this one, available from Amazon.

Fajita Pasta | Weight Watchers

This tasty Fajita Pasta is just 6 SmartPoints per serving on Weight Watchers Freestyle / Flex plan.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 334 kcal

• 2 medium size chicken breasts thinly sliced
• 1 onion thinly sliced
• 1 yellow pepper de-seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 red pepper de-seeded and thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp fajita seasoning mix
• 2.5 cups dried pasta (230g)
• 10 sprays no calorie oil Frylight / Pam

• Cook the pasta in a large saucepan according to the packet instructions and once cooked, drain thoroughly.

• Whilst the pasta is cooking, thinly slice the chicken, sprinkle over the fajita mix and toss so that all of the chicken is covered in the spices. Set aside.

• Thinly slice the peppers and onions.

• Heat a large non stick frying pan over a high heat with 10 sprays of no calorie oil. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook for 1 - 2 minutes, stirring all the time until they start to colour. Add the onions and peppers and stir continuously over a high heat for 5 - 7 minutes until all the ingredients are brown.

• If the fajita mix starts sticking to the bottom of the pan, add a couple of tablespoons of water and scrape with a wooden spoon (so that it doesn't continue to cook and burn). You want the fajita mix to have a bit of a charred look but you do not want it to burn!

• Check that the chicken is thoroughly cooked through by cutting the biggest piece that you can find in half and checking the inside.

• Take off the heat, add 1 tablespoon of water and give the mix a final stir before adding it to the cooked pasta. Return the pan to the heat and warm through.

Please be aware that the nutritional information below has been automatically generated and does not account for variations in product brands and types, weights of individual ingredients etc.  It should therefore be considered as an estimate.

PointedKitchen.com has calculated Weight Watchers Smart Points based on the individual ingredients used to make this recipe and not from the following nutritional information.

PointedKitchen.com is not responsible for any loss or damage relating to your reliance on this nutritional information.

Nutrition Facts

Fajita Pasta | Weight Watchers

Amount per Serving

% Daily Value*

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword easy chicken weight watchers, easy weight watchers recipes, weight watchers

Reader Interactions

Weight Watchers Chicken Tagliatelle

Source: https://pointedkitchen.com/fajita-pasta-weight-watchers/

Share:

Read More

Weight Watchers Bubble Up Chicken Pot Pie

Weight Watchers Bubble Up Chicken Pot Pie

Scroll to Bottom for Printable Recipe Card.

Chicken pot pie is the ultimate comfort food, but it is not easy to make. Making the dough takes time, effort, and ability.

Chicken Pot Pie Bubble Up Casserole

Not everybody can master the art of pie dough making. I am not the best of bakers, to say the least.

I was so happy to come across this bubble-up chicken pot pie recipe! I think it even tastes better than the regular time-consuming one.

This chicken pot pie recipe uses biscuits and cream of chicken soup, so all you have to do is open containers and that slow-cooked flavor will be achieved instantly.

The biscuits bake with all the ingredients in the same casserole dish, so the sauce impregnates the bread. I can't tell you enough how delicious this recipe is, so please go ahead and try it for yourself! You might like this other chicken pasta!

Ingredients For Chicken Pot Pie Casserole;

• 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 ½ cups mixed frozen vegetables
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 12oz can refrigerated biscuits

How To Make Chicken Pot Pie Casserole?

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
   In a medium-size bowl, add all ingredients except the refrigerated biscuits
2. Using a spatula, mix all ingredients until well blended
3. Cut each biscuit into fourths and incorporate it into the chicken mixture
4. Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish and spread your chicken biscuit mixture evenly
5. Bake, uncovered, for 35-45 mins or until bubbly and golden.

What To Serve With Chicken Pot Pie Casserole?

Nothing is missing in this dish. It's got veggies, protein, and carbs.

The only thing I would add to this is a salad. Maybe a tossed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette, or the salad of your choice. Your family will certainly love this!

Freeze Chicken Pot Pie Casserole;

You can freeze it pre-baked or post-baked. I would recommend you freeze it pre-baked, and bake it on the day you will be serving it. It is too good when it is just baked.

if you decide to freeze it after baking, bake it for 10 mins less than you would if you were serving it on the same day, and bake it those extra 10 mins just before serving.

Baking Tips:

1. I buy pre-cooked chicken and keep it in the freezer for occasions like this, so I have it on hand and don't have to waste time cooking it on that day.
2. Make sure to distribute all your biscuit pieces evenly on the casserole dish, so everyone gets the same amount of delicious bread.
3. If you want it to be even cheesier, you can add extra shredded cheddar cheese on top 10 is before you're done baking and let the cheese melt and get bubbly.
4. Serve it while it's hot! Just baked bread is so good as soon as it comes out of the oven.

OTHER CHICKEN RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

• CHICKEN CRESCENT ROLL CASSEROLE
• BROCCOLI CHEDDAR CHICKEN
• CHICKEN DUMPLING CASSEROLE

• 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 ½ cups of mixed frozen vegetables
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 12oz can refrigerated biscuits

• Preheat oven to 350F.

• In a medium-size bowl, add all ingredients except the refrigerated biscuits

• Using a spatula, mix all ingredients until well blended

• Cut each biscuit into fourths and incorporate into the chicken mixture

• Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish and spread your chicken biscuit mixture evenly

• Bake, uncovered, for 35-45 mins or until bubbly and golden.

Calories: 866 kcal | Carbohydrates: 86 g | Protein: 30 g | Fat: 45 g | Saturated Fat: 14 g | Cholesterol: 80 mg | Sodium: 2206 mg | Potassium: 652 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 7 g | Vitamin A: 2850 IU | Vitamin C: 5 mg | Calcium: 278 mg | Iron: 7 mg

Pin This Recipe

Reader Interactions

Weight Watchers Bubble Up Chicken Pot Pie

Source: https://100krecipes.com/chicken-pot-pie-casserole/

Share:

Read More

Pretty Living Room Furniture

Pretty Living Room Furniture

 Photo Courtesy: [BakiBG/Getty Images]

There are many wonderful things about getting older, but going through the aging process also means you might start experiencing bodily fatigue, achy muscles and joint pain more often than you used to. Because of this, you might have difficulty moving and exercising. But you don't have to let that slow you down. It's vital for older adults to get regular physical activity — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity — but what if you want to gently ease into more movement without exacerbating aches and pains?

One way to get started is to practice chair yoga. Chair yoga exercises are a perfect way for you to stretch and get moving, all while you're safely seated in a chair — no need to get down onto the floor. This type of yoga can help loosen your muscles, improve circulation, build strength and even relieve stress. Even better? You can do it any time from the comfort of your own home.

Photo Courtesy: [SilviaJansen/E+/Getty Images]

Chair yoga, or sitting yoga, for seniors is a modified version of traditional hatha yoga to help relieve body aches and stay healthy in a safe and accessible way. Hatha yoga is a form of this type of exercise that's more gentle and more slowly paced with a focus on stretching and breathing. It's ideal for anyone who lives with pain that could make more complex yoga poses difficult, such as chronic pain, osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, chair yoga can also be ideal for people who spend long hours sitting in a chair.

Many seniors find their lives become sedentary with each passing year because movement may become more tiring, uncomfortable or painful. Practicing chair yoga regularly can provide a way to prevent or relieve those issues. It's a low-impact way to get the blood in your body flowing and stretch your muscles.

In terms of equipment, all you need for chair yoga is a stable, armless chair. Make sure the chair is resting on a flat, stable surface and that you're wearing comfortable clothes that allow for a generous range of motion. Chair yoga can also be ideal if you're a wheelchair user.

Benefits of Chair Yoga for Seniors

 Photo Courtesy: [RyanJLane/Getty Images]

Getting regular exercise can add years to your life and slow the aging process. However, many types of exercise can become more difficult to perform with age. High-impact exercises like weightlifting, running and other types of intense cardio can be particularly hard on your joints and muscles. Chair yoga provides a way to get your body moving without stressing your joints with hard impacts like running does. Practicing chair yoga for 20-30 minutes per session several times a week can provide significant health benefits.

First of all, it can help manage and reduce pain. One recent study from the Journal of American Geriatrics Society found that chair yoga effectively helped relieve pain associated with osteoarthritis. Furthermore, chair yoga involves stretching the neck, upper back, lower back, shoulders, arms, legs, knees and ankles without much impact on the joints. This not only reduces stiffness, tension and pain, but it can also help to improve mobility in the long run.

Another potential benefit is improved flexibility, which can make it easier to perform regular movements as you go about your everyday routine. Being flexible also can improve muscle coordination and posture and lower the risk of future muscle soreness and injuries. Chair yoga helps improve your strength and balance as well, meaning falls become a lot less likely. Having a strong body also increases your ability to withstand injury.

Chair yoga even has benefits for your mental wellbeing. As with traditional yoga, chair yoga involves a lot of deep breathing, which can help clear your mind similarly to meditation. This often results in reduced stress, a better mood, less anxiety and a calmer state of mind.

Try These Great Chair Yoga Routines

 Photo Courtesy: [Fitness With Cindy/YouTube]

There's no need to leave your home, join a gym or go to chair yoga classes at a fitness studio — plenty of outstanding chair yoga routines are available online. Some are written out with pictures, while others are instructional video workouts you can follow along with.

If you're unsure about the idea of following along with a chair yoga video, you can simply make your own routine consisting of exercises sitting in a chair. Here are some great options for all skill levels:

The Forward Bend Pose involves bending over so your chest is resting on your thighs and your hands are reaching towards the floor. If you can, place your palms fully on the floor. To get the most out of this stretch, hold for 30 seconds or more, taking slow, long, deep breaths.

The Chair Pigeon Pose is another great chair yoga stretch. Sitting up straight with your knees aligned above your ankles, bring your left ankle to your right thigh. If you can, try bending forward as low as possible to make the stretch more intense. Hold here for several deep breaths before doing the same pose with the opposite leg.

For the Chair Spinal Twist, begin by sitting sideways on your chair facing right. Twist your torso to the right while grabbing the back of the chair with both hands to anchor yourself in that position. Stay here for several deep breaths. Then, switch to the left side.

The simple Overhead Stretch starts with you sitting up straight in your chair, facing forward with your arms relaxed and hanging by your sides. As you take a deep breath in, slowly begin to raise your arms up towards the ceiling. Once they're fully extended upward, take a moment to engage your core and ensure your back is straight. Hold this position for a few seconds. Let out a long exhale while slowly lowering your arms back down. Repeat this a few more times.

You might find it easier and more convenient to follow an exercise video routine that provides instructions and demonstrates the different positions for you. There are plenty of free chair yoga classes and routines for seniors to choose from. Here are some that come highly recommended:

• Chair Yoga for Seniors With Adriene: Adriene is a master of making yoga fun and easy for everyone. In this 17-minute chair yoga video, she guides you through the moves slowly and clearly so that it's easy to follow along and enjoy learning the basics.
• Gentle Chair Yoga With Mary Beth Kealy: This gentle, stimulating 41-minute chair yoga practice is great if you want to spend a little bit of extra time stretching. The background of the video incorporates soothing, meditative music to make the experience especially relaxing.
• Chair Yoga for Lower Back Pain With Cindy: Cindy walks you through 18 minutes of sitting yoga for seniors. The stretches are specifically designed to ease lower back pain while helping you build strength at the same time.

Resource Links:

https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/older_adults/index.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3410195/

https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/move/exercise-is-key-to-living-longer

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28008603/

MORE FROM SYMPTOMFIND.COM

Pretty Living Room Furniture

Source: https://www.symptomfind.com/health/chair-yoga-for-seniors?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740013%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

Share:

Read More

Cowhide Living Room

Cowhide Living Room

30 Tips for Living Large in a Small Space

Photo Courtesy: Gabriel Beaudry/Unsplash

A small living space can still be stylish. All you need are the perfect products and accessories to liven up your studio or one-bedroom apartment, while maximizing your space. Of course, efficiency and comfort are important as well, and don't worry — we haven't forgotten your tiny kitchen and bathroom. Here are 30 products that will help you live large in your small space.

Get Creative with Storage Space in Your Bedroom

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If you don't have a lot of closet space, you can always put things under your bed — unless, of course, your frame sits too low to the floor. If that's the case, it's time to place DuraCasa's bed risers under the legs to gain an additional boost of 3 inches of space for boxes, suitcases and anything else you want to keep hidden away. The risers are built to hold up to 2,000 pounds distributed across your bed.

"This is exactly what I was looking for," says one satisfied Amazon customer. Others praise the risers as "sturdy" and "nice and thick and strong." Something worth noting: A few people say the risers don't always stay put on hardwood floors.

Don't Just Throw Everything Under the Bed

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

StorageLAB's shoe organizer can help you keep shoes tucked away in an orderly fashion. With two of these containers, you can pack up to 24 pairs of shoes and adjust the size of the compartments to accommodate larger shoes or shoes with long heels. This handy organizer is also great for scarves, gloves and numerous other things.

"I wanted something that looks good and keeps its shape," says one reviewer. The firm siding on these containers ensures they hold their form, and handles make it easy to pull the unit out from under the bed. The clear zippered top allows you to easily find the shoes you want. "An A++ for design!" raves another happy owner.

When You Don't Have Room for a Nightstand

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Sauder's Orchard Hills bookcase headboard fits a queen-size bed frame snugly or leaves a bit of space on each side for a full. Constructed of "very sturdy" particle board, the headboard attaches directly to the rails of your frame, providing additional stability while taking up minimum floor space.

It arrives unassembled, and although reviewers say it is "easy to put together," many also mentioned that the package is quite heavy and hard to move from the front door to the bedroom. Once the headboard is put together, however, you have plenty of room for an alarm clock, reading lamp, a stash of books (or a reading device) and stuffed animals or room decor.

The Extra Fancy Bed Storage Space Solution

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If throwing boxes under a regular bed frame feels too basic, take a look at the Dakota platform bed with drawers from DHP. It sits on an elegant frame, with an upholstered headboard and two drawers on each side, allowing you to store just about anything in an orderly, efficient manner.

"We were concerned about the sturdiness," one reviewer admits, "but were quickly relieved once the bed was tested." Others praise the easy-to-follow assembly instructions, and one reviewer is particularly fond of the time it saves on cleaning, noting, "There's no space under the beds for dust bunnies to gather."

A Small but Powerful Vacuum Cleaner

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The 2-in-1 vacuum cleaner from VonHaus is "not much larger than a broom," but it has more than enough power to keep your entire place clean. You can go over all your floors, just like any other vacuum cleaner, or you can remove the floor vacuum head to turn it into a handheld for cleaning furniture and spills on tables and countertops. When you're finished, just detach the container and throw away the dust and debris.

"I can't believe how good the suction is on this little vacuum," says one buyer. Other owners are delighted with its light weight and small size for easy storage. Several, however, suggest the filters need to be cleaned more frequently than the once-a-month routine VonHaus recommends.

A Classic Modern Storage Solution

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Over the door shoe organizers like the one from MISSLO have become classic features in modern home storage design — so simple and obvious, once you think about it. Of course, many people use them for more than shoes. "I have one in my linen closet that I use for medicines, lotions, extra toothpaste, special hair creams — you name it," one reviewer reports. "I've gained an entire shelf for towels."

The organizer is "easy to hang," with four metal hooks that fit most standard-sized doors. Once in place, "It doesn't slip or slide around," and the 24 large mesh pockets can hold 12 pairs of shoes easily — more if the shoes happen to be sandals!

Keep Your Drawers in Order

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

"No matter how neatly I fold my bras and underwear," one reviewer complains, "they always seem to become a big jumble in the drawer." The solution? Simple Houseware's organizer set comes with four cases designed to hold ties, scarves, underwear, bras or socks in individual compartments, allowing you to easily spot items at a glance.

No more losing a favorite pair of socks in the back of the drawer, where it could stay buried indefinitely. "My only complaint," one reviewer says, "is that I would like to be able to get another 24-compartment organizer without having to buy the whole set."

Create Shelf Space in Your Closet

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The hanging closet organizer from Simple Houseware is "easy to set up and super lightweight, but extremely durable," according to a satisfied buyer. When hung on the clothing rod in your closet, the fabric drops down to reveal five shelves, with an extra three pockets on each side.

You can put a lot of weight on the shelves, including jeans, sweaters, bath towels, bed sheets and pillow covers. (The lower compartments can even hold heavy boots.) This organizer is "the hardiest I've seen," says one reviewer, adding, "It does not strain at all."

Store All Your Jewelry in One Place

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Are you constantly hunting through several different boxes on top of your dresser to find the necklace or pair of earrings you need to match an outfit? Maybe you need AOOU's jewelry cabinet and dressing mirror combo. The full-length mirror on the front opens to reveal enough storage space (including hooks) for just about any jewelry collection, with additional shelves for makeup and perfume.

"It is made well, very sturdy and hangs very neatly on my closet door," one reviewer says. (It can be wall-mounted as well.) Magnets keep the door securely shut, and a set of blue LED lights along the top light up when the door opens, making it easy to find what you need.

Take All the Hassle Out of Laundry Day

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

When floor space is at a premium, a full-sized hamper can be a bulky eye-sore. Smart Design's pop-up hamper can sit unobtrusively next to your dresser or tucked away in the closet. The mesh siding allows damp and sweaty clothes to dry faster, reducing the risk of funky odors.

"These hold waaay more than I thought they would!" exclaims one reviewer — enough to do two loads of laundry in a single trip, in fact. Plus, when laundry day does come around, the sturdy handles make it easy to carry, and there are side pockets for detergent and fabric softener.

It's a Lamp! It's a Display Case!

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The Etagere floor lamp with shelves from Simple Designs Home is the sort of thing you never think about until somebody points it out — then you can't get over what a great idea it is. It's a floor lamp that stands just over 5 feet high and features sleek, sophisticated lines, but it also sports three shelves perfectly spaced for holding a telephone, small planter, cherished figurines and more. In the bedroom, it could easily double as a nightstand and a reading light.

"It took me all of 15 minutes to assemble by myself," one reviewer reports, adding that you need to have a Phillips screwdriver on hand. "You can't go wrong with this one," another reviewer adds. "It really does bring the room together." Some owners, however, note that the electrical cord can dangle awkwardly down the length of the lamp stand.

You Can't Go Wrong with a Good Rug

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Home Dynamix offers a variety of rugs that feature soft, Persian-inspired decorative motifs in neutral colors. The Royal Clover contemporary rug is one example that blends nicely with nearly any decor. Whether you're looking for an area rug to pull the living room together, a runner for the hall or a small round rug for the bedroom, the company offers the size you need.

Many reviewers are delighted with how easily these rugs can be cleaned, with many stains coming out using only a damp cloth and some spray. "They vacuum really well," a reviewer adds, even in a household with multiple pets.

It's Okay to Drink on the Sofa Now

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If you're watching TV and you want to enjoy a drink but don't have a coffee table, what do you do? Maybe it's time to consider the CoachCoaster, a gadget that fits easily over the arm of your sofa or armchair to provide a secure base for everything from beer cans to coffee mugs.

The sleeve is weighted on both sides for stability, and the drink holder keeps containers firmly in place — even if you accidentally brush it with your arm. (Although one reviewer did mention that it's still vulnerable to jumping cats.)

No More TV Dinner Trays

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Maybe you'd like to have something to eat while you're watching the big game. You could put your plate on the coffee table and bend over to eat, or you could hold your plate and risk spilling food on the couch. Sauder's lift-top coffee table offers a better solution. The table top is actually a lid that raises several inches and slides forward, allowing you to eat — or work — comfortably on the couch with the top in front of you. Underneath, the table has plenty of storage space that is perfect for stashing items you don't want out in the open.

Reviewers describe this coffee table as "very sturdy and heavy." They also recommend you have somebody on hand to help you put it together.

The Comfortable Way to Sit Up in Bed

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Do you spend a lot of time hanging out in your bedroom — reading, watching a movie on your tablet or checking on social media? You could jam a bunch of pillows against your headboard or wall to support your back — or you could get the ComfortSpa reading pillow. A comfortable 18 inches high, the foam pillow provides excellent back support.

"This helps me feel like I'm more laying on the couch than in bed," says one happy reviewer. "It's very comfortable, no matter how you lay on it!" The armrests even have pockets so you don't have to leave your glasses or smartphone on the bed, where they could be crushed if you roll over.

The Comfortable Way to Work on Your Lap

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

They call it a laptop computer, but have you ever tried actually holding one in your lap? They sit uncomfortably, and you have to keep your head bent to read the screen, potentially causing back and neck pain. The adjustable laptop desk from Mind Reader takes care of several problems. It's cushioned along the bottom, so it rests comfortably and smoothly on your legs. The smooth plastic surface can be adjusted to eight different angles, accommodating whatever position you choose, from sitting up to lying on the couch.

Although it's designed to work with laptops and tablets — and comes with a clip to keep them from sliding off when the desk is angled — it also makes an excellent writing desk. "No more hunching over for long periods!" one buyer says. Many note the plastic material is thin but say it's more than sturdy enough to hold various electronic devices, even a thick hardcover book.

Start Your Wine Collection in Style

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Maybe you want to be a wine connoisseur — but you can't find anywhere in your cramped kitchen to store more than one bottle. Take a look at the Sorbus wall-mounted wine rack. Many customers describe the rack as "easy to install," although they also recommend that you use longer mounting screws than the screws that come with the product, especially if you're hanging it on drywall.

Once it's on the wall, people love the "clean, functional, simple design" of the metal rack, which holds up to nine normal-sized wine bottles securely. If you're not a wine drinker, you can also use it for cooking oils or set it up in the bathroom as a towel rack.

Plan Everything Out on Your Fridge

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

"We have almost always had a white board on our refrigerator for grocery lists and messages," says one consumer. Another says the magnetic whiteboard from cinch! is "the absolute best one we have ever had." It comes in two sizes (17 inches by 11inches and 20 inches by 13 inches) and includes markers — also magnetized to stick to your fridge — in four different colors.

The dry erase board cleans easily, even if you leave something written on it for a month, and the thin design, with "clean and smooth" edging, means it blends seamlessly on a white refrigerator, an effect another buyer describes as "almost disconcerting!"

Declutter Your Pots and Pans

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Are you fed up with taking every pan you own out of the cabinet to get to the one pan you need? Maybe it's time to get rid of your frustration with the Simple Houseware pan rack organizer. Place the rack on its side to hold four pans in a row, or stack five pans horizontally without worrying about scratching them.

"You could not even see the bottom of my cabinet before," one reviewer says, but the unit still leaves rooms for pots in many cases. The racks are strong enough to hold heavy cast iron pans, although deep frying pans will only fit on top. It can also be screwed into the cabinet wall or the bottom for additional stability.

Give Your Pantry a Simple, Streamlined Look

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

One of the biggest problems with keeping your kitchen organized is everything comes in different size boxes and bags, forcing you to create improvised pyramids on your pantry shelves. DRAGONN's 10-piece airtight food storage containers set offers an elegant alternative, with containers in a variety of sizes to handle everything from spices to spaghetti.

Shoppers praise the containers as "high quality and very durable" and note they also look great on the kitchen counter and are easily hand washable. The airtight seals keep everything fresh and dry and are an excellent deterrent against ants and other insects that could invade your kitchen.

Have You Ever Looked Under Your Sink?

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

When it comes to kitchen storage, the cabinet under the sink is the space most people don't like to think about. It's easy to just throw all the bottles of different cleaners in there and slam the door, but the adjustable shelf organizer from STORAGE MANIAC offers a better solution. You can return order to the chaos and make it easy to find what you need when you need it.

Reviewers say this two-shelf unit is "very well made," noting that the length is adjustable to fit the size of your cabinet. The shelf's surface consists of steel panels, which can also be moved to make space for the sink's pipes. "Under my kitchen sink looks wonderful now!" one owner declares. It's also perfect for under your bathroom vanity.

Use Your Kitchen Wall to Establish Mise en Place

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Great chefs run their kitchens with an impeccable sense of mise en place — the principle that positions everything exactly where you need it before you start so you can prepare any dish smoothly and efficiently. An empty kitchen wall provides a big opportunity to pull essentials together in one easily accessible spot — with the help of Wall Control's pegboard organizer.

It's the same kind of metal pegboard you might use to hang tools on the wall over a workbench, which ensures the board is sturdy enough to hold even your heaviest pans. "If you want something that will last a lifetime," says one reviewer, "then I highly recommend Wall Control boards." You can choose from a range of colors.

A Colorful Foundation for Food Prep

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

A well-stocked kitchen needs an assortment of mixing bowls and measuring tools.

Joseph Joseph's nine-piece set features all the basics, including four measuring cups and a tablespoon. The set is made of colorful plastic that will brighten up any kitchen, and the bowls don't lose their sheen, even after multiple trips through the dishwasher.

The mixing bowls are extremely sturdy, with no-slip bottoms. "On family movie night," one reviewer reports, "three bags of microwave popcorn fit in the large mixing bowl." The small mixing bowl can hold a dozen eggs at once, with no problem.

Get All Your Spices in Order

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The hard part of becoming a more adventurous home cook isn't finding unique ingredients — it's keeping track of them once you pack them away in your pantry. YouCopia's Chef's Edition SpiceStack has drawers that slide out from their frame and tilt forward so you can view the contents at a glance. There's enough room for up to 30 regular-sized spice bottles.

Reviewers call the SpiceStack "a total dream," praising the "sturdy plastic drawers" for their "amazing spice storage." It even comes with blank and preprinted labels for the front of the drawers if you want to take immediate stock of your inventory.

You've Got to Hide Your Knives Away

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

When you've got a small kitchen counter, a chunky knife block can take up a lot of valuable space. Wusthof's under-the-cabinet knife block is the perfect solution, giving you easy access to eight knives (and a honing steel), then swiveling out of the way when you're done.

The beechwood block screws into the underside of a kitchen cabinet with just three screws, and many reviewers describe it as "very solid" and "excellently detailed with a smooth finish." They also note that the knives are held in their slots magnetically, but "they will fly out if you're not careful." Then again, you would always be careful with knives, right?

No More Fumbling for the Conditioner

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

"This shower caddy is epic!" raves one user who bought Simple Houseware's hanging shower head organizer. It has a deep basket for shampoo, conditioner and other bottles, with a shelf beneath that can hold razors, sponges and bars of soap, plus hangers for a loofah or a back brush.

When you don't have a window ledge next to your shower or space in the corners of your tub to hold stuff, just hang this caddy over your shower head to keep everything in reach. Other customers praise it as "super sturdy" and "very stable... exactly what my husband and I needed."

Making Bath Time Lots of Fun

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If you don't feel comfortable hanging a caddy on your shower head, you can always try the mesh shower curtain organizer from Yihoon. It hangs securely on your shower rod or towel rack and has mesh pockets big enough to hold everything you need, from washcloths to shampoo bottles.

"We have a small shower, and I hate the look of bottles all over the place," says one reviewer. This organizer offers an ideal solution. The mesh pockets dry quickly, and you can always throw it in the washer if it gets a little funky.

Keep Your Cool — and Your Quiet

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

In a small room, every inch of floor space counts. Bulky fans take up too much room — and usually make too much noise. Lasko's oscillating tower fan stands discreetly in a small space and boasts a woodgrain finish that blends in with most decors.

More importantly, as one reviewer observes, "It's quieter than any tower fan I've ever owned," even at its highest speeds. A remote control allows you to change settings without getting up, and a nighttime mode allows you to slowly taper from high to low while you drift off to sleep.

So Many Cables. So. Many. Cables.

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The TV, the cable box, the DVD player, the video game console, the high-speed modem, the base for the wireless phone — you've got tons of devices to plug in and very few outlets. Belkin's 12-outlet power strip and surge protector can help you keep everything up and running.

The power strip has six outlets running down the middle and another three on each side, especially designed to hold those oversized power adaptors that always cause you to lose the adjoining outlet on normal power strips. The internal circuitry can even gauge how much power each device is using and spread the voltage accordingly. "If I need more power bars in the future," says one satisfied reviewer, "these are what I will buy."

Get All Those Cords Out of Sight

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Even if you have a power strip big enough to handle all your electronic devices, you still have to deal with all those cords and cables, which can create an unsightly mess along your floor and walls. A few cable concealers from SimpleCord can take care of that problem. The plastic units are designed to blend with most wall colors, leaving a streamlined path from devices to an outlet.

Reviewers praise these concealers as "easy to install" and "very sturdy." Once you have your wires laid down in the raceway containers, slide the plastic cover on, and you're all set. Add-on units allow you to turn corners easily, and you can even lock them into place along your baseboards with adhesive strips or mounting screws.

Advertiser Disclosure: When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

More From ConsumerSearch.com

Cowhide Living Room

Source: https://www.consumersearch.com/home-garden/tips-living-large-small-space?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740007%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

Share:

Read More

Yellow And Gray Living Room Decorating Ideas

Yellow And Gray Living Room Decorating Ideas

Living Room Decorating Ideas

iStock

The living room is one of the most important areas in your house for a great hosting experience. It's likely you and your guests will spend countless hours in this room, discussing and entertaining.

Decorating your living room properly will deliver deeply satisfying living for your leisure time. To get there, however, you must pay attention to all of the following areas:

1. the colors that you select

2. material and quality of seats and furniture

3. wall decorations and art

4. lighting and light fixtures

Below we show you some great ideas for decorating your living room.

The Best Colors for Your Living Room

One area that will have a disproportionate impact on the mood of your living room is the color you choose for the walls. While you can install wallpaper to change the look of certain walls, there are areas that wallpaper cannot cover. Getting the wall color right, therefore, gives you the best shot at creating a remarkable effect.

Some of the best color palettes for living rooms include:

1. White - White walls add a touch of class. They are the perfect backdrop for decorating with upscale furniture.

2. Turquoise - This color is great for creating an informal but refined feel. Your kids and family will love the refreshing mood this color creates.

3. Cream - Striking a balance between formal and informal, cream-colored walls create a quiet, soothing effect.

Furniture Choices

With your wall color selection made, you should select furniture that pairs well with the colors you've already chosen. For example, combining white couches with white walls will create resonance in your room design.

Make sure to provide ample seating to avoid crowding. Add multiple sofas, easy chairs and other seats that can accommodate a complete roomful of people, depending on the size of the room.

Furniture like TV stands and tables should generally blend in with the colors of the room and ceiling. There are some natural materials, however, that can work regardless of the colors on the walls. For example, wooden table surfaces look good whether your walls are white, blue or another color.

Lighting Ideas

You can greatly improve the aesthetics of a living room with bright lighting and impressive light fixtures.

To start, you can consider a beautiful chandelier in the center to provide light around the whole room. This central masterpiece ensures adequate lighting throughout the living room while adding an air of elegance.

You can then add to the light sources in the living room with individual lights on tables and around the walls in areas where people will not knock them down.

Carpeting

Consider adding carpeting to your living room to create a comfortable walking area. Carpeting lets you and your guests go barefoot if you choose. The living room almost demands this since you will want to take off your shoes and kick back on occasion. Warm plush carpets provide a good, comfortable surface for this. There are many choices when it comes to carpet size.

If your living room is very large, you can opt for wall-to-wall carpeting. On the other hand, if it's smaller, you can add just an area rug in the place where you will sit. For example, you can have a rug around the sitting and TV area where your kids will play.

The advantage of area rugs over wall to wall carpeting is, mainly, lower costs and ease of replacement. You can completely change the area rug and create a new aesthetic in a fraction of the time it would take to begin installing new wall-to-wall carpeting.

Art Ideas for Your Living Room

Many homeowners like to have some wall art in their living room. If your living room is spacious, it can accommodate a good-sized piece of art mounted alongside one wall. In some instances, you can consider multiple art pieces. Invariably, tasteful art adds to the sophistication of a living room. It adds an interesting item that sparks many conversations from impressed guests.

Selecting art is an opportunity to express your unique personality. If you are fairly conservative, you can select some classical type pieces that portray a quiet life. If you are more adventurous, you can experiment with a post-modern impressionist piece that others might consider risky. It's your space, and so feel free to decorate it to express who you are.

Yellow And Gray Living Room Decorating Ideas

Source: https://www.life123.com/home-garden/decor/living-room-decorating-ideas?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740009%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

Share:

Read More

Living Room Layered Curtains

Living Room Layered Curtains

We've all flipped through the pages of decorating magazines or perused the internet, looking for decorating ideas. Sometimes, a feature will catch your eye, but you don't know quite how to get the same look in your own home. Layering curtains and sheers is a pretty way to decorate your windows, but how exactly do you go about setting them up? We have done some investigating and are here to help!

There are a few different ways to go about layering solid curtains and sheers. You can layer them as:

• Solid over sheer
• Sheer over solid
• Alternating
• Draped as a window scarf
• Sheer over sheer
• Readymade overlay

You can also choose from different rod options to accomplish these looks. These include:

• Double rod
• Multiple rods
• Single Rod

All of these are valid layering techniques, and they all end in a beautiful window treatment. Continue reading to find out how to accomplish each method and to see examples of them all.

Layering Techniques

Solid Over Sheer

Layering solid curtains over sheers is a popular technique. This technique leaves room for variation. Solid curtains can remain closed, hiding the sheers and blocking out the light.  The curtains can be drawn back, allowing sunlight to filter through the sheers while retaining privacy. Or, both layers can be pulled aside to reveal the outside world. You can use either a solid sheer curtain or two sheer panels, depending on whether or not you will be pulling them aside.

Sheer Over Solid

Putting sheer curtains over solid ones is a great way to soften a window. The sheers can be left covering the entire curtain or pulled back with an elegant draping effect.

Alternating

Another effective way to utilize both sheer and solid curtains is to alternate them. Use a combination of solid and sheer to give quite a stunning look. You can also use varying degrees of transparency to provide extra texture to your curtains.

Draped as a window scarf

Mix it up a little and drape one of your panels across the top of the window. Hang your solid and drape the sheer or hang the sheer and drape the solid. Either way will look amazing!

Sheer Over Sheer

Skip the solid curtains altogether and go sheer all the way. This option produces such an elegant look. You can layer different colored sheers to create depth and style.

On the other hand, try hanging a sheer panel in the back and crossing two sheer panels across the front. The only drawback to utilizing sheer over sheer is that light will not be blocked out, so it's probably not the best choice for a bedroom.

Readymade Overlay

Maybe you don't want to hassle with multiple curtain rods and layers. Did you know that layered curtains can be bought readymade? Sheer curtains are sewn into solid curtains to give a layered look without the trouble.

Click here for these blackout curtains with a sheer overlay on Amazon.

Rod Options

Different kinds of rods can be useful in your curtain layering project. They each produce a slightly different look, so choose the one that is right for you.

Double Rod

A double rod features a single bracket with two separate curtain rods. This is probably the easiest method of achieving layered curtains. One curtain rod projects out from the wall further than the other to give an effortless layered look with some depth.

Click here to find this double curtain rod on Amazon.

Multiple Rods

You can use two or more separate rods to layer your curtains. This choice will allow you to hang one layer higher than the other if desired or increase the depth between layers. Utilizing multiple rods is particularly helpful if you want to use three of four different layers over your window. Consider using a decorative curtain rod for the front layer and sash rods or tension rods for subsequent layers.

Click here for this lovely decorative rod on Amazon.

Click here to find this sash rod on Amazon.

Click here for this tension rod on Amazon.

Single Rod

 A single rod can be used to layer curtains with the help of curtain rings with clips. You can alternate, clipping one ring to the solid curtain and the next ring to a sheer panel behind it. Alternatively, you can align the solid and sheer panels and clip them together. You can also use a single rod to alternate solid and sheer pocket curtains. This method has its drawbacks, though it can be challenging to line up the curtains correctly, and there is no depth between the layers. You will also be unable to pull aside a single layer if you wanted to fully.

Click here to find these curtain rings with clips on Amazon.

Should Sheers And Curtains Be The Same Length?

Good question, and the answer is yes and no. Sheers should be the general length as the curtain panels. However, if they are being layered behind solid curtains, sheers should hang approximately one inch shorter than their solid counterparts.

Do You Need Sheers With Curtains?

No, sheers are not necessary. Both curtains and sheers can be used as standalone window treatments.

What Is The Purpose of Sheer Curtains?

The benefit of having curtains is obvious. They serve a practical purpose as well as decorative. Solid curtains, especially blackout curtains, save energy by reducing the effect that the outside temperature has on a room. They also block out light, which is particularly handy if you have the opportunity to sleep in.

However, sometimes you may want to let some light into a room without displaying your home to the outside world. Sheer curtains serve this purpose. They allow sunlight to brighten your home while maintaining privacy. They are also very aesthetically pleasing, adding a softer tone to a room than solid curtains.

Maybe you'd like a little more privacy when it comes to curtains. This article may help decide which ones to get: 4 Types of Curtains That Are Best For Privacy.

How Do You Layer Curtains And Blinds?

Blinds are beneficial window treatments. They save energy and block light. Sometimes, however, you may want to layer curtains over your blinds. This technique can dress up simple blinds, camouflage unsightly ones, or add ambiance to your room.

To put curtains over blinds, it's as easy as installing a curtain rod over your window and hang your curtains. If you're layering curtains and blinds, why stop at two layers? Adding another layer of sheer panels can make a statement. Use any of the ideas that we described earlier in this post to add layers.

When choosing curtains to hang over blinds, solid colors are the safest choice. Blinds already have so much texture going on that a pattern could cause visual confusion. However, if you have a solid shade instead of blinds, that would pair beautifully with patterned curtains.

So now, armed with these curtain layering strategies, you should be able to design your window masterpieces like a pro!

Before you go, be sure to check out these other articles. You may find them helpful!

What Curtains Look Best On Bay Windows?

Can Curtains Make a Room Look Smaller?

How To Remove Mold From Curtains [5 Steps]

Living Room Layered Curtains

Source: https://homedecorbliss.com/how-to-layer-curtains-and-sheers/

Share:

Read More