LifeMinute Food, Family, Home & Travel

Watch the video: https://lifeminute.tv/home-and-family/video/summer-entertaining-made-easy-four-essentials-bbqs-watch-parties-and-backyard-gatheringsSummer entertaining season is officially here, and whether you're planning a backyard BBQ, hosting a game-day watch party, or gathering friends for a casual get-together, a few smart essentials can make all the difference. LifeMinute's Editor-in-Chief Joann Butler shares four of her favorite summer hosting hacks to help make entertaining easier, more enjoyable, and stress-free.Simplify party planningWhen it comes to entertaining, Butler says she can't imagine hosting without Shipt. "They're my one-stop shop for everything I need with same-day delivery," she says. This summer, Shipt is making party prep even easier with its new Shipt Kits—curated themed bundles packed with entertaining essentials. Whether you're gearing up for a soccer watch party, firing up the grill with a BBQ Kit, or setting up a crowd-pleasing Sandwich Station complete with toppings and fixings, the kits take the guesswork out of planning. Simply add a kit to your cart and have everything delivered the same day. Even better, through July 5, shoppers can get 50% off a Shipt annual membership ($49, regularly $99), along with seasonal savings including buy one, get one 35% off ice cream, 10% off summer travel essentials, and a special Spend $45, Save $15 offer. Visit Shipt.com or the Shipt app for details.Stay energizedSummer schedules can be nonstop, which is why Butler keeps V8 Energy Zero Sugar on hand. The new line from the iconic V8 brand delivers a boost with 80 milligrams of caffeine sourced from black and green tea, while containing zero sugar and only five calories per can. Available flavors include Cherry Lime, Strawberry Lemonade, Blueberry Raspberry, and a limited-edition Yuzu Lemon flavor for summer. Select varieties also contain potassium and magnesium electrolytes, making them a refreshing option for busy days, road trips, and summer activities. Look for V8 Energy Zero Sugar at retailers nationwide and follow @V8Energy on Instagram and TikTok for updates.Freshen up your watch party spaceEvery soccer fan has their World Cup ritual, but while lucky jerseys may stay unwashed until the tournament ends, your home doesn't have to. Think about all the fabrics guests interact with during a watch party—from throw blankets and decorative pillows to couch cushions and linens. That's where Downy Intense Pureza comes in. This bold, fruity fabric softener scent is designed to leave fabrics smelling fresh and feeling soft, helping create a more inviting atmosphere for guests. Whether the game is calm or comes down to the final seconds, your space will stay fresh throughout the action. Priced at $3.97 and up, available at retailers nationwide.Keep bugs away Nothing can derail a summer gathering faster than unwanted insects. To help keep flying pests under control, Butler recommends Zevo Flying Insect Traps. Ideal for kitchens, pantries, garages, and other high-traffic areas, the plug-in traps use blue and UV light technology to attract and trap common flying insects, including house flies, fruit flies, and gnats. The traps provide continuous 24/7 protection and work discreetly in the background, allowing hosts to focus on their guests instead of chasing bugs around the house. Zevo Flying Insect Traps are available at Amazon, Target, Lowe's, Walmart, Home Depot, and other major retailers. Starter kits begin at $19.99. With these simple hosting essentials, you'll spend less time stressing over the details and more time enjoying everything summer entertaining has to offer.

Watch the video: https://lifeminute.tv/home-and-family/video/life-stuff-you-need-know-holiday-edition The holiday season is officially here, and LifeMinute’s Editor-in-Chief Joann Butler is sharing two must-have gifts you’ll want in your life right now. This year’s trend? Practical, thoughtful, budget-friendly presents that truly show you care. First up: Hello Bello, the premium-yet-affordable, better-for-baby diaper brand known for rotating adorable seasonal designs. They’ve just launched their new holiday collection featuring Baby Grinch characters—an irresistibly cute way to celebrate baby’s first Christmas. These diapers make a perfect gift or stocking stuffer: festive, fun, and completely practical. Hello Bello also makes adorable wipes too. As for the diapers they are made with high-quality, thoughtfully chosen ingredients. They’re safe for sensitive skin, luxuriously soft and gentle, and feature a secure fit with up to 12-hour leak protection, and a wetness indicator. Plus, each diaper box includes a full-size wipe pack and coupons. You can find Hello Bello products easily at Walmart—both in store and online—as well as at HelloBello.com. They’re limited-edition, so grab them before they’re gone for under $20. Next, a thoughtful stocking stuffer—or even a gift-topper—for anyone whose feet take a beating during the busy holiday season: Dr. Scholl’s Advanced Pain Relief Insoles. These are the brand’s most advanced heavy-duty arch-support insoles, designed with triple-layer cushioning to ease foot pressure, absorb shock, wick away moisture, and reduce fatigue. They deliver all-day, all-in-one pain relief and target 10 key lower-body pain points, including back, knees, hips, and plantar fasciitis. Best of all, they’re ready to use straight out of the box—no trimming needed. Dr. Scholl’s is offering a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale starting November 20: 25% off, exclusively on Amazon, plus 15% off the Nano Glass Foot File. The file quickly exfoliates and buffs away hard, callused skin, leaving your feet soft, smooth, and fabulous—wet or dry. It’s like gifting someone a pedicure.

Watch the video: https://www.lifeminute.tv/eat-and-drink/video/friesgiving-ultimate-thanksgiving-hack-connection-first-no-fuss-holidayThanksgiving is changing. It’s still one of America’s most cherished holidays—with 91% of adults planning to celebrate—but how we celebrate is evolving. Nearly one in five people now host a Friendsgiving, choosing relaxed gatherings over long hours in the kitchen. People are looking for connection, not complexity—and that’s where Friesgiving comes in. It’s all about celebrating togetherness with something everyone already loves: fries.McCain, the maker of one in four french fries worldwide, introduces the ultimate Thanksgiving hack: Friesgiving. This new twist on Thanksgiving tradition brings people together with fries as the centerpiece. Friesgiving is an easy way to use leftovers to make crowd-pleasing dishes.To celebrate, here are some delicious fry dishes. First up, Loaded Herb Fries which just scream holiday comfort. We start with McCain Quick Cook Waffle Fries, which are the perfect canvas for turning leftovers into craveable dishes, and they get perfectly crispy in minutes. Toss them with a mix of rosemary, sage, and thyme for that classic Thanksgiving flavor. Layer them with creamy, melted brie and serve with two simple sauces: a tangy cranberry ketchup and a savory gravy mayo. It’s cozy, flavorful, and a stress-free way to bring all those Thanksgiving favorites together.Next, a fun spin on the traditional charcuterie board, because who doesn’t love having a Fry Board at the table. It features a mix of McCain fries: classic Smiles, NEW savory Garlic & Herb, and golden Sweet Potato Crinkle Cut. Make sure to add plenty of toppings and pairings—like cheeses, fresh fruit, savory meats and dipping sauces—so there’s a little something for everyone. The cranberry ketchup and gravy mayo from our loaded fries recipe also make great additions to this dish. This interactive Fry Board gets everyone gathered around the table.Some of our other favorite holiday hosting tips? First, set your menu. Cooking can be the most complicated part of the holidays, and setting yourself up for success in the kitchen takes little effort that will go a long way. Use leftover herbs by incorporating them into your dishes, like in the Loaded Fries recipe. Don’t forget to stock your pantry. We often focus on the specialty ingredients on our shopping lists during the holidays and forget to check to see if the everyday items we use across recipes are stocked and ready. Make sure to read from start to finish any recipe you plan to cook. Hosting is much less stressful when you feel confident in your plan, so get to know your recipes.Serve a mix of room temperature, warm and hot items so that you don’t have to worry about pulling everything from the oven at once. Set out the items you’ll use to serve so they’re ready for plating as each dish is done, and tidy up along the way throughout your Friendsgiving party to make clean up a million times easier.Lastly, be present with your guests. Welcoming them into your house and encouraging them to enjoy each other's company is much easier when you aren’t stressed in the kitchen. If you follow all these tips above you’ll be the hostess with the mostess.Head to McCainFoodsUSA.com/Friesgiving for these recipes and more—and visit your local grocery store’s freezer aisle to grab your favorite McCain fries for your own Friesgiving celebration.

Watch the video: https://www.lifeminute.tv/home-and-family/video/holiday-gift-guide-under-100It’s officially the holiday season, and if you haven’t gotten a head start on your shopping list then grab a pen and paper and get ready to take some notes because we are covering all things for the modern family life.When it comes to holiday shopping this year, Old Navy is the ultimate destination for gifts for the whole family – men, women, kids, babies and even pets. Think super cozy sweaters, festive outfits for all your holiday parties, warm coats and tons of accessories like hats, gloves, scarves, and the cutest slippers for kids.Old Navy has you covered with most gifts under $50. But don’t let the low prices fool you. There is plenty of style to go around and some incredible pieces that feel really luxe, like an Oversized Faux Leather Sherpa Jacket and many styles from the gorgeous new handbag collection.There truly is something for everyone, all with the classic style and joy that Old Navy is known for, just like their Old Navy Jingle Jammies which are back and bigger than ever. You can choose from classic holiday plaids or fun seasonal patterns – there are styles for the entire family to choose from, even your pet. And for the first time ever, Old Navy has brought their ongoing Disney collaboration into Jingle Jammies, so you’ll see some familiar faces like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto, and even Lilo & Stitch! There are even designs inspired-by Star Wars! These go fast, so don't wait.To shop, head to OldNavy.com for the biggest selection of styles, colors, and sizes, and of course in person at your nearest Old Navy store. If you head to a store, keep your eyes peeled for Old Navy’s new beauty collection launching this month, exclusively in store only.

Watch the video: https://lifeminute.tv/eat-and-drink/video/easy-everyday-meal-ideas he weeks leading up to and during the holidays are so stressful, so you just want to get easy meals on the table that make everybody happy. To do that, I love The Little Potato Company. They’re always my go-to because they are so delicious and so easy to prepare. You can make a ton of great side dishes with them so you can bring a little holiday happiness to regular family mealtimes.They have a whole line of ready-to-cook, bagged family-friendly Little Potatoes, and microwave-ready Little Potato kits. They come pre-washed, don’t need to be peeled, are small enough that they don’t need to be cut, and they cook in as little as five minutes.The microwave kits come with delicious seasoning packs, like one with roasted garlic, rosemary & thyme, which my family just loves. These are sustainably grown on family farms, so you’re getting fresh, whole food, packed full of nutrients that you can feel good about serving.We made amazing cheesy baked Little Potatoes. First, preheat the oven, pierce the potatoes, and microwave them for seven minutes. Next, cut them in half in a parchment lined baked dish, and in a small bowl mix cheese, cream, garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper, then pour it over the potatoes. Bake for 10 minutes, then broil for three to five minutes, and you get this crispy on the outside, tender on the inside deliciousness.You can find Little Potatoes in the produce section. Visit littlepotatoes.com for this and other great recipe ideas.

Watch the video: https://lifeminute.tv/home-and-family/video/protect-your-pet-fleas-and-ticks-all-year-longKeeping pets happy and healthy is every pet parent’s top priority, and protecting them from fleas and ticks plays a big role in their overall wellbeing. As we head into the fall and winter months, what should pet owners be aware of in terms of fleas and ticks? Well, it’s a common misconception that flea and tick activity slows down in the cooler months. In reality, these parasites are resilient, able to survive indoors and even withstand 30-degree temperatures. That means the risk of Lyme disease, tapeworms and other flea and tick-borne health concerns persist year-round for both your pet and your family – especially when enjoying fall activities like hiking, checking out the foliage and more.When it comes to protecting against fleas and ticks there are several options out there; however, they all require pet owners to remember to give treatment on a consistent basis and according to a recent global survey commissioned by Merck Animal Health, 46% of dog owners struggle to remember when to give treatment. Moreover, 56% of pet owners find administering flea and tick medication challenging.A new option, BRAVECTO® QUANTUM is the first and only parasiticide that protects dogs against fleas and ticks for an entire year in just one dose.* It's administered by a vet once yearly, meaning pet owners can get the injectable for their dog when they bring them in for their yearly checkup, and then they’re protected from fleas and ticks for a full 12 months.* This is a game changer for veterinarians as this provides built-in compliance – they no longer have to worry about pet parents missing doses. Plus it provides pet owners with convenience and peace of mind knowing their dog is protected year-round.* To learn more talk to your veterinarian and for more into about the product, visit us.bravecto.com.*BRAVECTO® QUANTUM kills adult fleas, prevents flea infestations and treats and controls ticks (black-legged, American dog tick and brown dog tick) for 12 months. BRAVECTO® QUANTUM also kills lone star ticks for 8 months.