Jan 27, 2020 | Energy Efficiency
Supercharge Your Game Day Menu
The big game is this Sunday. Think about all the electricity it takes to power such a spectacular event – the stadium lights, the global TV hookups, the concession equipment, the glitz and glitter of the halftime show, and the hundreds of devices in the press box.
Thankfully, your game day menu at home doesn’t have to be an energy hog. We’ve fallen in love with slow cookers and Instant Pots® as convenient, energy-efficient options to supercharge your game day menu. Whether you prefer low and slow, fresh and fast or both, these appliances are perfect for feeding your family.
Here’s a round up of recipes for wings, dips and more – all offering energy efficient and delicious game day inspiration.
What’s on your game day menu? If you’ve got a good energy-saving tip or recipe, leave it in the comments below. And enjoy the game!
Nov 21, 2019 | Energy Efficiency
The holiday season is here. If you’re like us, we kick into holiday overdrive around mid-November. Did you know that Thanksgiving weekend is the most common time to decorate for the winter holiday season?
It’s easy to brighten your holiday celebrations with festive food, fun and decorations while keeping energy efficiency in mind. Here are a few fun, creative and most importantly, convenient ways for you to save this holiday season.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry: The holiday season means spending time with family and friends and spreading holiday cheer. Free up some time to kick back, relax and join the party. The average kitchen accounts for 15% of your home’s energy use, so slaving over a stove can cost you time and money. Try using your smaller appliances (microwave, toaster oven or slow cooker) to whip up holiday-inspired recipes. From quick snacks to desserts, appetizers to entrees, or even a small meal or side, we’ve scoured the web and found some great ideas to help give you a little creative inspiration.
Holiday Recipe Inspiration:
- Elf Food
- Chocolate Molten Lava Mug Cakes
- Peppermint Bark
- Peppermint Bark Hearts
- Peanutty Snowmen
- Pretzel Snowflakes
- Marshmallow Santas
- Mint Oreo Cheesecake
- Strawberry Santa Hats
- Mini Holiday Pretzel Sticks
- Overnight Oats
- Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa
You can find other helpful ideas on our Holiday Pinterest board
- Overnight breakfast
- Breakfast in a mug
- Meals in a mug
- Slow cooker holiday sides
Deck the halls: Make sure your holiday spirit shines through with fun, original, festive – and energy efficient – holiday decorations. You can include your whole family in the fun. Stretch your creative muscles with the following guiding principles:
- Merry and Bright: We want to help you brighten your holiday décor and save energy (and money). It’s time to take a cue from good ol’ Clark Griswold. By using LED holiday lights, you can have a gorgeous display without sending the electric meter spinning. LEDs use 90 percent less energy than regular incandescent light strings, last about 10 times longer, are cooler to the touch and are more durable. Plus, they’re super-bright! Also, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED holiday lights only cost 27 cents to run for 12 hours a day for 40 days, compared with $10 for incandescent bulbs. That’s a pretty big deal. And because LEDs last longer, you’ll save year after year.
- Sparkle and Shine: Time for your holiday spirit to shine through. You don’t need to add extra lights to decorate a tree or put togeter a festive holiday display. Reflective ornaments will make your holiday décor even brighter when combined with LED strands. Using fewer light strings and less electricity is the winning strategy.
- Tick, tock. Beat the Clock: It’s all about timers and convenience. Use a timer for both your indoor and outdoor lights. It’ll keep you from forgetting to turn on your holiday lighting display, or worse, forgetting to turn it off and wasting electricity.
What is your favorite energy-saving holiday tip?
May 7, 2015 | Energy Efficiency
Mother’s Day is this weekend. We’ve included 127 ways you can recharge your Mother’s Day menu to show mom how much you care on her special day and every day! Mom likely hasn’t tried these for herself, and they’re delicious and easy to make. Our favorite part? These recipes are energy-efficient and require minimal cleanup.
Let mom sleep in to wake up to a wonderful brunch, or give her a delicious dinner that will wow her. Not the best cook? Not a problem. Go unconventional. Give the stove and oven a rest. Try no-cook recipes and use smaller, more efficient appliances, like slow cookers, microwaves or even your grill, to use less electricity and save time.
Wondering exactly what to make? From appetizers and entrees to dessert this list has you covered and mom is sure to be impressed.
Still looking for the perfect recipe? Check out our Pinterest boards.
Don’t forget that these unconventional cooking methods typically require minimal cleanup, and that’s music to any mom’s ears — or yours in this case. You’ll save energy by not using the stove and oven AND by not having to use hot water to wash pots and pans.
What are your plans for mom this year? #Mom #HappyMothersDay #herestoyoumom
