I'm not someone who enjoys cooking, and that's why I'm
always on the prowl for easy recipes. When I was a new mother, I searched for recipes
that could magically combine nutrition and taste.
For instance, dark chocolate is known to lower blood
pressure and walnuts are known to boost brain power. Therefore, chocolate walnut
brownies with a side scoop of chocolate ice cream must be healthy.
Whenever my friends and I would get together, we'd taste
each others' new desserts and, our mouths filled with whipped cream, mumble
"I've got to have that recipe." Weeks might go by before we got
around to sending that recipe along in the mail.
But then the Internet came along, and we found ourselves
regularly trolling professional cooking sites. Instead of waiting to buy Emeril
Lagasse's latest cookbook, we could check out Emeril's blog and print out a
recipe in a matter of minutes.
Outstanding amateur cooks began creating their own blogs,
complete with photos. Some of them, though, didn't quite understand that not
all of us keep tahini sauce or Brie cheese in the refrigerator.
But many of them did understand that there's thousands of
inepts out there looking for secret tips and hints. When I found these honest
blogs, I was hooked.
No more believing a recipe that calls for a 30-minute
bake time when the actual confection requires at least 45 minutes in the oven.
No more caved-in banana bread that's raw in the middle but burnt on the edges
because we didn't know the secret strategy of lowering the temperature 25 degrees.
Cooking bloggers save the day.
Just when I thought my kitchen life couldn't get any
easier, along comes Pinterest. My sisters introduced me to this online bulletin
board, and I can see why they adore this site and repin their favorites.
From ideas for decorating bathrooms to Houdini-inspired hair
styles, Pinterest has everything the do-it-yourselfer could ever want.
Who knew how easy it could be to make a paper-cone wreath
or that taking an old picture frame, covering the back with burlap and then
using the glass as a dry erase marker could work for making a shabby-chic
kitchen writing board.
The avid do-it-yourselfer will find instructions on
making soap that looks like a snake's skin or a step-by-step illustrated guide
to reupholstering a sofa.
If you're not handy with a pressure cooker or a glue gun,
Pinterest has dozens of advertisers who will gladly steer you to their store's Website
where you can have something similar for 10 times the price.
One night, I decided to see just how deep the how-to
articles ran. So I typed in random search words and now know Pinterest pinners
can teach you how to train a dog to stop barking.
They can teach you how to put on eye shadow, complete
with a diagram for subtle shading. Seventy six people not only wanted to know this
technique, but they shared the article with dozens of their friends.
The folks at Pinterest do have a good sense of humor.
They seldom explain how to make wine, but they have lots of projects for what
to do with all your empty wine bottles. Hint, a chandelier and candelabras top
the list.
After looking at dozens of fun projects, I'm inspired to
get moving and be productive. Perhaps I'll whip up some chocolate marshmallow
fudge, mix up a home-made mosquito repellent or rewire the kitchen.
I think I'll go for the fudge.
With walnuts.
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