7 Things You’re Definitely Not Cleaning Enough, My Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas, and My Outdoor Party Checklist That Pretty Much Guarantees Your Soireé Will Be A Hit.

7 Things You’re Definitely Not Cleaning Enough

Dryer Vent Hose

A dirty of blocked dryer vent can be highly flammable. You should inspect your vent at least every 6 months to ensure that it is operating well and not clogged.

Vent Hood Filter

You should replace your hood vent filter once a year. These filters get loaded with grease and odors and debris and can get fairly nasty and cause potential foul odors.

Refrigerator Water Filter

The water filter ensures your water and ice are fresh and clean. To keep it working properly and to deter lime and calcium build-up it should be replaced every 6 months. Luckily my fridge lets me know if it’s time for a change. Each refrigerator brand and model is different, so consult your owner's manual to determine what kind of filter you will need and where it's located in your fridge.

Bed Pillows

Pillows can harbor dust, dust mites, dead skin, and body oils. They also lose their shape after prolonged use. Pillows can harbor dust, dust mites, dead skin, and body oils. I like to wash mine every month to keep them clean, but this will depend on what type of pillows you have. It's a good idea to replace your old pillows with new pillows once every one to two years. Using old pillows can harbor dust mites and cause allergies, skin breakouts and poor sleep quailty.

Toilet Brushes

I feel like this is an obvious thing, a toilet brush harbors bacteria and for all the gross reasons that I’m not going to list here, just get yourself a new one!

Bath Mats

Bath mats are used to absorb water, I wash mine as often as I clean the bathroom and replace them every year, because who doesn’t want new bath mats?

HVAC Filter

Your HVAC filter helps to clean dust, dirt, allergens, pet hair, and dander from your home. If the filter gets full or clogged, then your air won't sift through the filter, and that can cause your HVAC system to malfunction. It's a good idea to change a 1- to 2-inch filter every two to three months, and a 4- to 5-inch filter every six and eight months to keep your HVAC working properly. We live in the desert where the AC runs half the year and it’s dusty, so replacing these on a schedule is a good idea!

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Product of the week:

NAVY Haircare

I loved the NAVY Pebble Beach Dry Texture Spray so much that I thought I’d give the SWELL Thickening cream a try and it’s AWESOME! Smells so good and definitely makes my hear feel thicker and a noticeable shine. You can get yours here.

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Recipe of the week:

Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchilada

This vegan, gluten free and dairy free recipe won’t disappoint, it is adapted from The Minimalist Baker. You don’t have to miss your favorite Mexican foods any longer, you just have to change them up a bit and be open to trying new ideas and flavors. I have several versions of this recipe using green and red enchilada sauces. Leftovers make for an easy 2nd night or a great lunch option.

Yield: 10

Author: Jen Adair

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Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 40 MinTotal time: 55 Min

Ingredients

• 10 medium corn tortilla or gluten free tortillas
• 3 c. cubed sweet potatoes
• 1 Tbsp avacado oil
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1 15 oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed (or sub pinto or refried)
• 1 bag of Daiya Mexican Cheese Shreds or Follow Your Heart
• Handful of chopped cilantro
• 3 c.  red enchilada sauce, store bought

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and position a rack in the middle of the oven.
2. Add cubed sweet potato to one large baking sheet (or more as needed) and drizzle with oil, cumin, paprika, and salt. Toss to combine.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until sweet potatoes are fork tender and slightly caramelized. Set aside to cool. Also reduce oven heat to 350 degrees.
4. Add drained black beans to a mixing bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, 1/2 the cilantro and 1/2 the dairy free cheese and stir to combine.
5. Wrap tortillas in damp cloth towel and microwave to warm for 30 seconds to make more pliable. (Alternatively, place wrapped tortillas directly on oven rack for a few minutes to heat through.) This will help them become more pliable and easy to roll.
6. Pour about one third of the enchilada sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch (3 quart | or similar shaped) baking dish. Spread to coat.
7. Lay one corn tortilla down in the saucy dish to coat. Then flip it over to coat the other side. Fill with ~1/3 cup of the filling. Then roll up and lay seam-side down at the edge of the dish. Continue until all tortillas are filled and rolled, adding more sauce as needed to moisten tortillas. Add any remaining filling to the edges of the dish. If you run out of space to roll the tortillas in the baking dish, continue saucing, filling, and rolling them on a small serving plate.
8. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas. TIP: Use less sauce for slightly drier enchiladas.
9. The more sauce you use, the more tender the tortillas will become.
10. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
11. Bake at 350 degrees F (176C) for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. Top with desired toppings and serve. We went with fresh jalapeño, cilantro, and avocado crema, but these enchiladas are delicious on their own!
12. Leftovers will keep covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days or in the freezer up to 1 month, though best when fresh. Reheat in a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.

Created using The Recipes Generator

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My Outdoor Party Checklist That Pretty Much Guarantees Your Soireé Will Be A Hit

If you’re a party throwing veteran you already know what it takes to host a gathering, invitations, food and drink stations, a great playlist, and maybe a game or two? All of this works for an indoor party but what about an outdoor one?

Although the party planning basics are the same there are a few things to consider when hosting in our backyard, things like bugs, weather, lighting, seating , music and even places to put down your drink.

I’ve outlined some of these elements for you, which you can use as a guide the next time you're planning an outdoor soireé. Get ready for a magical evening under the stars with friends and family.

Step 1: Food

If you have a large dining table already in your yard or even a small outside kitchen you can be a bit more elaborate in your food options. If you don’t then sticking to finger foods that guests can eat while milling about will be a lifesaver.

Step 2: Dishware & Flatware

I think the style of event your planning has a lot to do with your serve ware. I personally don’t like paper plates but you can get away with them in the BBQ arena. If you’re planning to eat at a table outdoors I usually set it with my regular dishes. I love white plates because all food looks great on a white plate! There is currently some melamine dishware available and lots of them look amazing. Think of your guests and what suits them best and will you be hosting kids, because melamine is a great option for the littles.

Step 3: Refreshments

No outdoor gathering would be complete without cocktails or even mocktails. I like to create a bar station with small chalkboard signs that have the recipes for two drink options. Then I set out all the garnishes, glassware, and bar accessories and let your guest have fun at your DIY cocktail bar. A cooler outside can house kids beverages and bottled and canned drinks.

Step 4: Layout

If you decided to host a party in your outdoor space I assume you already have a stylish one but you do need to consider the layout to ensure it’s party ready. Can people move around effortlessly? Are there enough seating option for people to have conversation? A place to put down their food and drinks? Even a small patio can have good flow if a space-maximizing layout is used.

Step 5: Style

I like to give my parties a specific look and feel. I usually plan on 2-4 floral arrangements, these can even be as simple as mason jars or copper Moscow Mule mugs filled with simple greenery and a single sunflower. I also like to use small chalkboard signs to mark stations and even some fun little pops of humor on a chalkboard sign tucked in by the cake or bar station. You can order fresh eucalyptus at the grocery store and create some dreamy little moments with candles and decor.

Step 6: Seating

Don’t forget to take a second look at your seating, do you have enough? If not, it’s time to head out and shop or call your local rental store and see what your option are.

Step 7: Decor & Accessories

At the beginning of the season I like to make sure that all my outdoor furniture is in good shape. Each year I update my outdoor pillows and rugs. You can hang some outdoor lights and add color with some umbrellas and some potted plants, you really want to make the space feel inviting and if you do it well it will also be a conversation starter.

Step 8: Lighting

This is probably obvious but it will eventually get dark! You may need more light than your party lights. You can add in some pathway lights. I usually light the pool and turn on the outdoor fireplace to create some ambiance and some extra light. Play around before the party and see how much lighting you might need.

Step 9: Games & Activities

This is a big one at our house! We love to set up a corn hole game and let guests take turns playing. We have gotten fairly good here and the competition can get fierce! If corn hole isn’t your thing there are many options like extra large backyard Jenga, volleyball, or bocce ball, you can even get away with dice or dominos.

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Organizing Tip:

Create A Family Communication Center

Organize the hub of your home to gain maximum efficiency. A great clue as to where to place is is the spot where everyone’s stuff gathers. A calendar to keep track of everyone’s activities, color code each family member to keep track of who is going where. A magnetic board to hold notes and special announcements. Incorporate a multi-colored filing solution to organize incoming mail for everyone in the household. Don’t forget an outgoing baskets for thins that need to be returned. Also, a great place to incorporate a key dish or basket so everyone can find their keys when they head out.

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Have a super fantastic weekend! xoxo