Month: December 2020

Coconut Popcorn Snowballs Recipe for the Holidays

Posted on December 3, 2020December 3, 2020Posted in RecipesNo Comments

As we move through the month of December, we’re fast approaching the holiday season. Before you resort to baking the usual cookies or brownies, try out this festive popcorn recipe. Popcorn is among the healthiest snacks you can indulge in, so why not use them in a new dessert recipe for your family. Yield: 8 balls (4 inches) 2 cups shredded or flaked sweetened coconut nonstick cooking spray 3 quarts popped popcorn 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine 3 cups miniature marshmallows 1 teaspoon coconut or vanilla extract 8 candy canes or candy cane sticks (about 3-4 inches) Place large sheet wax or parchment paper over work surface. Spread coconut on paper. Spray large mixing bowl lightly with nonstick cooking spray and place popcorn inside. In medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows until melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn and mix well until coated. Spray hands with cooking spray and press mixture firmly to form into balls. Place balls on coconut; roll and press coconut to coat. While holding popcorn balls, gently press candy cane into each ball. Serve immediately or wrap individually in plastic wrap for storage. Sources: Culinary.net , Popcorn.org

Meet the New COS-C51EIX Wall Oven

Posted on December 3, 2020December 1, 2021Posted in Announcement, ProductsNo Comments

Our C51EIX wall oven has been a staple in our product line for it’s compact design and ease of use. As we approach the New Year, we’re introducing the new updated model with even better features and a more streamlined build. Learn more about it below. The smaller dimensions fit any kitchen design, including remodels of older homes, and reduce energy consumption while still providing ample space to prepare meals with efficiency and ease. A spacious 2.5 cubic foot oven is powered by efficient Turbo True European Convection for fast and even heating that cooks your food to perfection in less time than other ovens. This 24 in. Single Electric Wall Oven is equipped with multiple safety features, including a cavity cooling system designed to dissipate heat safely, an auto safety shut-off, and a triple-layer door with cool-to-touch glass to prevent accidental burns. With its classic brushed stainless steel finish, interior enamel coating, and advanced features, this built-in single electric wall oven is designed to perform as well as it looks. 8 specialized oven functions include Conventional Cooking, Convection with Fan, Small Broiler, Double Broiler, Double Grill with Fan, Bottom Heater, Defrost and Oven Lamp. Previous Next Features Turbo True European convection for fast cooking and even heating 8 specialized oven functions Push-button and pop-out knob control panel with clock and timer 2 oven racks can be configured between 5 positions for multi-rack cooking Our wall ovens have safety several features to give you peace of mind: auto safety shut off, a cavity cooling system designed to dissipate heat safely, and a triple-layer door with cool-to-touch glass 24 in. stainless steel single electric wall oven has a ventilated steam outlet Monitor the progress of your cooking with an extra-large oven window and oven light Complimentary drip pan included 1-year warranty on parts and labor Electrical requirements: Hardwired, 4-wire, 3250W, 13.6 Amp To stay up-to-date with the latest from Cosmo, follow us on our Facebook and Instagram.

How to Clean Brass

Posted on December 2, 2020December 2, 2020Posted in How-To, KitchenNo Comments

Before starting, check if your brass is solid or brass-plated. You can test this by using a magnet. If your magnet sticks, your item is brass-plated. It’s important to note this since scrubbing brass-plated items can remove the plating. Clean these items with hot, soapy water instead and dry properly. Cleaning Brass First, check how tarnished your brass is. If it’s only lightly tarnished you can use hot water with soap for sufficient results. Use a toothbrush to get in small crevices. If the brass is heavily tarnished you can use commercial cleaners but use these sparingly as they are abrasive and can scratch the surface with frequent use. Natural Cleaners You can clean brass naturally and more gently with common ingredients. Check out these ingredients below. Ketchup and Tomato Juice. The mild acid in tomatoes removes tarnish and dirt from brass. Use a soft cloth and rub the ketchup into your brass item. Rinse with warm water after and dry properly. You can also soak items in tomato juice if they are small enough. Place them in the juice for 5 minutes or longer depending how dirty they are, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Lemon Juice. Another mild acid is found in lemon juice which can effectively clean brass. If your items are lightly tarnished, cut a lemon in half and sprinkle with table salt. Rub the lemon over the brass surface then wipe with a soft cloth and buff until it shines. If your item has a heavier tarnish, create a paste with two parts cream of tartar to one part lemon juice. Apply the paste and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Be sure to rinse with warm water, and buff with a dry cloth after. You can prevent your brass from tarnishing by applying a thin coat of mineral oil. Avoid touching it as much as possible as your hands’ natural oils will increase tarnishing. Sources: HGTV

Using Essential Oils in Your Bath the Right Way

Posted on December 2, 2020December 2, 2020Posted in HealthNo Comments

Adding essentials oils to your bath can relieve stress and relax your body, but there’s a chance you’re doing it wrong. There are plenty of essential oils out there and using the wrong ones in the wrong way can spill disaster. Get the most out of your bath time with these tips. Combine with a Carrier Oil Oil and water don’t mix. The last thing you want is for the essential oils to just sit on top of the water instead of dispersing throughout. You should always combine the essential oil with a carrier oil first. Carrier oils include coconut, olive or jojoba. Mix three to 12 drops of an essential oil with a tablespoon or 15 ml of carrier oil. This will create the best solution to mix in your bath. Don’t Use Any Essential Oil Just because an essential oil smells good does it mean it’ll be safe on your skin. Be careful to avoid oils known to irritate the skin and natural mucous membranes. Some oils you should avoid are cinnamon, clove, oregano, savory, spearmint and wintergreen. Use some lavender, chamomile and rose instead. Apply to a Bath Properly It may be tempting to drop a few drops as your hot bath water runs, but this can actually cause the oil to escape and scent your bathroom instead. Fill your tub first and turn the water off before adding any essential oils. This will give you the best aromatic effect. An essential oil paired with a carrier oil helps to hydrate your skin but can also make your bath a greasy hazard. Be sure to wash your tub properly after to avoid any slips. You can use baking soda to help de-grease your tub. What’s your favorite essential oil? Let us know in the comments. For more from Cosmo be sure to follow us on our Facebook and Instagram. Sources: GoodHouseKeeping

Nutritional Recipes to Start the New Year Right

Posted on December 1, 2020December 1, 2020Posted in Health, RecipesNo Comments

As we approach the end of 2020, we can look forward to what we want to do differently for 2021. Eating healthy may have been on your to-do list for this year, but we want to make it easy on you with these new recipes. Don’t let healthy eating stop at just foods, learn how to make nutritional drinks too, courtesy of Zevia. Quinoa Salad with Orange Cilantro Salad Dressing Yield: 2 cups Dressing: 1/2 cup Zevia Orange Soda 1/4 cup lime juice 1/2 cup olive oil 1 cup fresh cilantro 1/2 avocado 1 teaspoon garlic Quinoa Salad: 1 cup quinoa leafy greens (optional) 1 orange, cut into pieces (optional) 1 grapefruit, cut into pieces (optional) 1 lime, juice only 1/2 avocado, diced (optional) 1/4 cup feta cheese (optional) 1/4 cup diced red onion (optional) Tools needed: Food processor To make dressing: In food processor, pulse orange soda, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, avocado and garlic until consistency is smooth. To make quinoa salad: Cook quinoa according to package directions and let cool. Once quinoa is cool, add to bowl with orange pieces, if desired; grapefruit pieces, if desired; lime juice; avocado, if desired; feta cheese, if desired; and diced onion, if desired. Top with orange cilantro salad dressing. Spiced Citrus Ginger Mocktail Yield: 1 mocktail Concentrate: 1 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice 1/2 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice 1 orange peel 1 lime peel 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns, lightly crushed 5 cardamom pods, lightly crushed 2 cinnamon sticks, lightly crushed Mocktail: 1/3 cup concentrate 1 can Zevia Ginger Ale ice lime wedge, for garnish (optional) orange wedge, for garnish (optional) To make concentrate: In small saucepan, combine orange juice, lime juice, orange peel, lime peel, black peppercorns, cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks. Bring to boil over high heat then turn to low; simmer until liquid has reduced by half, 3-4 minutes. Let cool and strain out solids. Transfer to glass jar and store until ready to use. To make mocktail: Combine concentrate with ginger ale over ice. Garnish with lime wedge or orange wedge, if desired. Sources: Zevia

4 Night Routines for a Good Night’s Sleep

Posted on December 1, 2020December 1, 2020Posted in HealthNo Comments

Sleep hygiene consists of the various habits we engage in before bedtime. These habits can have a significant impact on the quality and the quantity of your rest. It’s important to have a consistent nighttime routine which allows for at least an hour before sleep to wind down, whether it’s drawing a warm bath or drinking your favorite cup of tea. Here’s 4 routines you can try out for a good night’s rest. Set an Alarm You may already be setting an alarm every night, but what’s most important is that you’re setting it to the same time every day. This includes days off such as the weekends. Getting up every morning at the same time will help you get regulate your sleeping pattern for a consistent good night’s sleep. It’ll also help you sleep better in the long run. Dim Lights Light affects melatonin production which is the hormone responsible for helping you fall asleep. Installing dimmers in your home can help mimic the level of natural light outside as it gets darker. It’s best to get as much light outside during the day and then keeping your lights as dim as possible after dusk. Listen to Music Spending some time before bed to listen to music can help relax your body and calm your mind. Be sure the music you listen to is personally relaxing to you. If music tends to amp you up, try something different like nature sounds or white noise. Put Screens Away You may have heard this already, but blue light emitted from screens negatively impacts your melatonin production. This can keep you up longer than intended and makes it harder for you to fall asleep naturally. If you absolutely need to use a phone or a tablet before bed, try switching the screen to a “night shift” mode or dimming it significantly. What’s your favorite nighttime routine? Let us know in the comments. For more from Cosmo be sure to follow us on our Facebook and Instagram. Sources: GoodHouseKeeping