Kitchen Apps

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My husband gave me a new iPhone for my birthday. I really wasn't sure it would be worth it for me to have one, I don't play games and I thought maybe it would be a little bit of a waste of money. I have found it to be handy during down times, like sitting in an doctor's office, or riding as a passenger on the freeway -- I can check email and Google Reader and generally fool around (something I usually avoid doing).

What I didn't realize until just a few days ago is that there are recipe apps, and grocery list apps, and cooking iBooks that I can access from my phone. I also never realized how often I print recipes -- it's so much easier to just find the recipe on the internet and read it on my phone. It's very handy that way.

Anyway, I downloaded a free grocery list app last night, but then realized that if I wanted to use it the way I wanted to use it, I would have to spend a couple bucks to buy it. I don't mind doing that -- imagine all the paper I would save -- but I want to get a good one if I'm going to buy one.

So, my post today is a bleg -- do you use any cooking apps? Grocery list apps? Would you share your preferences either in the comm box or email me?

Thanks, friends!

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Cookie Countdown

Ya know, in my house, Christmas Cookies are a sacred thing. Don't mess with them. I always try to throw in a couple new recipes, and then they sit on the cookie plate. No one will eat them. Every Christmas we have to have the same old combination of cookies, half from my mom, half from me. They (my children, my husband, my brothers, my nieces and nephews) only eat the same ol' cookies every year. You'd think I would learn and quit trying new recipes. But, I don't.

However, if your family is a little less rigid (said with teeth clenched), try the Cookie Countdown. I have no idea how they found me, but they did. You can sign up to receive a new recipe every day until Christmas.

Or, hang out at Mrs. Claus' house. I think she has just about every cookie recipe imaginable.

Marye reminded me that she's doing a Cookie Countdown on Baking Delights, as well. Yum.
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Food E-Newsletters

I get a few food e-newsletters and thought I'd share for anyone who is interested.

Parents.com has a good one -- this week they offer some great-looking sandwich recipes. Just click on the Parents.com link here, create a free profile, and then sign up for Parents Weekly Recipe -- don't forget to click "submit."

I also get the Martha Stewart Living e-newsletter. While it is sometimes very Martha (i.e. sometimes the recipes can be complicated and require ingredients I cannot buy in Ohio) I frequently find one or two recipes hat turn out to be easy and yummy. Go to this page to sign up.

Kraft Food & Family is another good one. You may be familiar with this paper edition, which I'm not certain is still published, but this e-edition is just as nice and I just print the recipes I like. I find that these recipes are not too "Kraft-ish" in that most recipes don't require specific Kraft ingredients. I rarely use the suggested brand.

Betty Crocker also offer three different e-newsletters. What else can I say -- you can't go wrong with Betty.

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