Thankful During the Cold

It is on days like these, where the temperature drops below -30, that we here at Ryan find reasons to be thankful.  Sure, it is below frigid outside, but try and imagine what life was like before state-of-the-art heating systems came into play.  Today, we have heated cars, houses, work places and even floors.  Heated floors!  What do you think George Washington would have said if we told him that we could make his bathroom floor warm up?!?!  Needless to say, we are grateful for our heat.  Hopefully this day finds you well and warm wherever you may be.  It is important that you do not leave bare skin exposed to this weather for long periods of time as it can turn into frost bite.  Certain areas of your body release more heat than others and they must be covered at all times.  They include: head, ears, face, neck and torso.  Bundle up, drive safe and enjoy your heat!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.   

Paper Plates, More than Just Plates: Helpful Household Tips

 

Paper plates are great.  They are microwave safe and are ideal for any outdoor gathering.  Believe us though; they can be used for more than just eating off of.  Take your garbage can for example; there is always some sort of liquid that leaks through the garbage bag.  The next time you are putting a new garbage bag in, put a paper plate down on the bottom of the can.  It should catch any sort of leakage.  Paper plates are also great for painting.  Whether you are touching up your walls or your kids are doing some arts and crafts, take a few paper plates and use them to mix paint, catch drips or serve as a way to apply small portions to your brush.  Lastly, if you have fine china, or nice dinnerware, place a paper plate in between the glass bowls or plates.  These paper barriers should help reduce scratches and chips.

This information was gathered from a host of different sites.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.    

Toothpicks All Over: Helpful Household Tips

The toothpick has been around for hundreds of years, but many of its best uses are unknown.  The toothpick is a very versatile household item as it can used for all of the following:

·         Heal a Plant- When the stem on your plant bends use a toothpick as a brace.  Simply tape the toothpick to the stem and let the plant heal.  Remove when the stem is strong enough to stand on its own.

·         Leak No More Garden Hose- When you garden hose has a small hole, put a toothpick in the hole and remove the excess.  The water will make the toothpick swell and plug the hole.

·         Glue Stick- If you are struggling gluing items together, use a toothpick to apply small amounts of glue to trick areas.

·         Fruit Snacks- The next time your kids have friends over, bring them a bowl of fresh cut fruit with some toothpicks.  Have them grab the fruit of their choice with a toothpick to reduce the risk of spreading germs.

·         Save Salad Dressing- Instead of removing the entire seal from your salad dressing, poke some holes in the foil or plastic with a toothpick.  This will help you from using too much!

There are many more uses on this Reader’s Digest site where this information was found.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Quick Dinners: Apricot-Glazed Shrimp

Like shrimp?  Then we have the recipe for you.  This Apricot-Glazed Shrimp is quick, easy to make and full of flavor.  Try whipping up this delicious meal for you and the family tonight:

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons apricot preserves
• 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted
• 1 medium green pepper, julienned
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, julienned
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1/2 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1-1/2 cups hot cooked rice

Directions:

1.  In a large bowl, combine the cornstarch, broth, preserves, soy sauce and sesame seeds until blended; set aside.

2.  Use a large nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry the peppers, onions and garlic in oil for 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add shrimp and water chestnuts; stir-fry until shrimp turn pink. Stir broth mixture; add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Serve over rice.

Yield: 2 servings.

Enjoy!

This recipe was found at the attached site.

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Ravens vs. 49ers: A Sentimental Super Bowl

 

The stage is finally set for what many would argue is the biggest day of the year…the Super Bowl.  On February 3, 2013, the Baltimore Ravens will play the San Francisco 49ers, and it could turn out to be one of the most epic games yet.  Ray Lewis, the middle linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, is in his last year of professional football and his popularity, hard play and pre-game dances have made him a fan favorite.  Many are hoping his last game in a NFL uniform will end in a victory.  Let’s not forget about the 49ers, as they have had a rollercoaster of a season.  All-star quarterback Alex Smith was hurt and eventually replaced by the 2^nd year phenom Colin Kaepernick.  What many initially thought was a poor coaching decision has turned into a “smart move” as the rookie has led his team into the Super Bowl.  Stopping Kaepernick has been a constant question as he is capable of throwing or running for big yards.  Plus, we have brother head coaches, the Harbaughs, going at one another for the title.  How would you like to be the parents of that family?!?! This will be a great game!  Who do you think will come away victorious? 

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.    

Weekend Fun for the Kids

Sure, it is going to be a little cold this weekend, but that shouldn’t stop you from having some fun with the kids.  Obviously, we want to make sure you stay warm, so we came up with a list of some fun activities to keep the kids occupied during this short cold spell.

·       Write a Short Story- Have your kids randomly pick a location, a fun or imaginary character and have them write a short two page story.  Have a contest to see who can be the most creative.

·       Hide and Seek- This game never gets old.  Try counting down from 50 and 100.  Best hider gets to pick the dessert for after dinner.

·       Homemade Adlib- Write out your own adlibs and have your kids fill in the blanks.

·       Double Movie Night- Sit down with your family and see who can come up with the best idea for a movie.  Take a vote where you can’t vote for your own.  Whoever wins gets to pick the movie you watch before bed.

·       Room Drawings- Have the kids draw what they would put in their rooms if there was no limit….Mom and dad can do this too!

Have a great weekend!

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Quick Dinner Recipe: Caesar Chicken Burgers

Dinner is on us…well sort of.  The dinner recipe this week is Caesar Chicken Burgers.  Not only are these healthier than your typical burgers, but they are also just as easy to make.  Try this fantastic recipe tonight!

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 slices red onion
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 4 hamburger buns, split
• 2 cups torn romaine
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup creamy Caesar salad dressing, divided

Directions:
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Grill on an indoor grill coated with cooking spray for 4-5 minutes or until juices run clear. Grill onion slices for 4-5 minutes or until tender.

• Meanwhile, spread butter over cut sides of buns. Place buttered side up on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 1 minute or until golden brown.
• Toss romaine with cheese and 1/4 cup dressing; spoon onto bun bottoms. Top with onions, chicken and remaining dressing. Replace bun tops.

Yield: 4 servings.

Bon Appetite!

This recipe was found at the attached website.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

 

Unusual Velcro Uses: Helpful Household Tips

Velcro is awesome.  The re-useable adhesive can be used all over the house, literally.  We found some great uses for this clingy product that are unknown to most people:

·       Straighten Picture Frames- Put opposite pieces of Velcro on the wall and the back of the picture frame.  Make sure it is level before attaching!

·       Keep a Rug in Place- Very similar to the picture frame above, except rugs typically lie on the floor.

·       Never Lose the Remote Again- Velcro the TV remove to the side of the TV so you won’t have to look in or beneath the couch.

·       Keep Cords in Tact- Cords from TV’s, computers or appliances can get tangled and out of place over time.  Velcro them down for easy arranging or transportation.

·       Hold Down Chair Cushions- If your kitchen chairs have cushions, keep them in place with a little Velcro.

·       Peaceful Picnic- Picnics are awesome but the wind can often wreak havoc on the table cloth.  Use small pieces of Velcro to hold it in place so you can eat in peace.

There are more uses for Velcro on the attached website where the information was found.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

The NHL is Back!

 

The NHL, or National Hockey League, is finally back.  The Players Association and the NHL finally reached an agreement this last week.  The season was cancelled until recently due to a players strike.  Unfortunately, over half of the regular scheduled NHL season has already been lost.  I have a friend who works in the Minnesota Wild corporate office and he has suffered greatly during this lockout.  His hours and wages were cut dramatically as he was left to fend for himself over these last couple of months.  What baffles Americans is athletes getting upset over wages when they are already making millions of dollars.  During this lockout it was not the athletes, owners or the league itself that took the biggest hit; it was the employees.  I am glad that the league is finally back so employees can finally get back to paying their bills and taking care of their families.  If any professional athlete reads this, try and remember that the guy making 1/10,000 of your salary struggles to pay the bills when you shut the league down

Drive safe and stay warm!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion. 

A Healthier Dessert

Store bought ice cream desserts tend to be loaded with sugar, fat and corn syrup.  Stay away from those unhealthy options and try this homemade dessert recipe instead.

Ingredients:

1.    Popsicle molds

2.    Your favorite juice

3.    Berry of your choice

Directions:

1. Go to your local grocery store and purchase some inexpensive popsicle molds.  They are very cheap and last for a very long time. 

2. Place a berry of your choice (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry) in the mold and fill the rest with your favorite juice.  Top the mold with the plastic popsicle stick.

3.) Put the mold in the freezer for several hours.

4.) Once frozen, pour some warm water over the mold and pull out your delicious treat!

These wonderful homemade popsicles taste great and offer you and your family a healthier option for dessert.

Enjoy!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

 

How many times in your life have you heard the phrase, “Don’t sweat the small stuff”?  We would guess probably more times than you can count.  It is sometimes hard to see past those various “intense” moments and realize that life will go on and the sun will in fact come up tomorrow.  Letting stress control your life can increase your chance of:

·       Sleep disorders

·       Heart disease

·       Obesity

·       Weight Loss

·       Depression

·       Memory Impairment

These are just some of the negative effects.  Unfortunately, there is no way to completely eliminate stress as it will always find a way to creep back into your life.  You are better off keeping the effect of small stresses to a minimum.  People, we challenge you to smile, laugh and enjoy each one of your days.  We have one life to live; let’s relish each moment.

Have a great day!

The information on stress was gathered from the attached Mayo Clinic site.

At Ryan Motors, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Bleach It! Helpful Household Tips

Hey everyone, it’s time to take out that bleach and start using it outside of the laundry room.  Bleach is cheap and can be very helpful around the house.

·        Sanitize Garden Tools- Wash your garden tools with ½ cup of bleach and 1 quart of water.  This mixture will help keep any garden diseases from spreading.

·        Clean Butcher Blocks and Countertops- Dilute 1 teaspoon of bleach with 2 liters of water.  Dip a brush in the mixture and scrub in small circles.  Wipe clean with damp paper towel then a dry towel.

·        Keep the Flowers- Increase the life of your flowers by mixing ¼ teaspoon of bleach per liter of water in the vase.

·        Brighten up Your Glasses- Adding a teaspoon of bleach to your normal dishwashing mix can increase the sparkle of your glasses.

·        Sterilize Items- Make sure that the items are waterproof.  Mix ¾ cups of bleach, a dash of antibacterial dishwashing liquid and a gallon of warm water.  Rinse the items in the mixture and let them air dry in the sun.

·        Kill Walkway Weeds- This spring pour some bleach on any weeds that are in your sidewalk cracks.  In a few days you should be able to pull them right out.  Be sure not to get any bleach on your lawn.

There are more great uses for bleach at the following Reader’sDigest site where this information was gathered.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Fun and Easy Arts and Crafts for the Kids: Handprint Tree

The cold January weather can make it difficult for kids to go out and play, so we found a fun activity for those bitter days.  Not only are these easy to make, but they are inexpensive:

The List:

1.      1 sheet light blue construction paper

2.      1 sheet white copy paper

3.      Brown acrylic craft paint

4.      Glue stick

5.      Scissors

6.      3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions:

1.      Lay white paper sideways (landscape) and cut the paper in half using a curvy cut. Place paper across the light blue construction paper. Use the glue stick to attach it to the bottom third of the blue paper. Use scissors to trim off any excess white paper.

2.      Paint child's palm and fingers with brown paint. Have child spread out his/her fingers then press his/her palm and fingers down onto the paper. Wash off child's hand.

3.      Use finger to paint on a "tree trunk" under the palm print.

4.      Use the glue stick to apply glue to the fingers (branches) and snow (white paper). Sprinkle all glued areas with granulated sugar. Carefully lift paper and tap off excess sugar over the sink or a piece of wax paper.

5.      Use glue stick to draw dots or small circles onto the blue paper, sprinkle with sugar again and tap off excess.

Have fun!

This information was gathered from the following site.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

Quick Chicken and Rice Dinner

Are you in a crunch and need to put dinner on the table?  We can help!  This chicken and rice recipe tastes great and is easy to make. 

Ingredients:

·         1 1/2 pounds skinned and boned chicken breasts

Click to see savings

·         2 (8.8-ounce) pouches ready-to-serve long-grain rice

·         4 bacon slices, diced

Click to see savings·         1/2 cup chopped onion

Click to see savings·         1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed*

·         1 (4-ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained

·         3/4 teaspoon salt

·         1/4 teaspoon pepper

·         Garnish: fresh parsley sprigs

Directions:

1.      Cut chicken into 1/4-inch slices, and set aside.

2.      Heat rice according to package directions; set aside.

3.      Sauté bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat 8 minutes or until crisp; remove bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet.

4.      Sauté onion in hot drippings in skillet 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in chicken, and sauté 8 minutes or until chicken is done. Stir in rice, bacon, peas, and next 3 ingredients; cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish, if desired.

5.      *4 ounces (about 1 heaping cup) snow peas may be substituted for green peas. Microwave snow peas and 1/4 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl 2 minutes before adding to chicken mixture. Proceed with recipe as directed.

6.      Note: For testing purposes only, we used Uncle Ben's Original Long Grain Ready Rice.

This recipe was found from the following website.

Enjoy!

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.

The Awesome Q-Tip: Helpful Household Tips

The helpful household tip of the week is focused around the famous Q-tip.  The small cotton swab on a stick has been around since the 1920’s and it still graces the bathroom of most houses.  What are Q-tips mainly used for?  Makeup application and removal, cleaning ears (even though it is not recommended) and other general bathroom uses top the list but hold on, they aren’t done yet!  Q-tip usage extends far past the bathroom, including:

·       Candle-Lighter- If the wick on your candle is burned out, dip the end of a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol, light the end and you can now reach that burnt down wick.

·       Dust Buster- Use a Q-tip to dust the creases and cracks of a picture frame or statue.

·       Zipper Un-sticker- Is your zipper stuck?  Dip that cotton end in olive oil and rub on the zipper for an easy zip.

·       Tech Cleaner- Q-tips can be used to clean CDs, DVD players, cameras and computers.

·       Kid Paintbrush- It is obvious; kids make a mess when painting, so they might as well use a brush that you can throw away.  Use a Q-tip to eliminate a mess.

·       Painless Face Paint- Try a Q-tip when applying face paint to your child.  The cotton should glide nicely.

These tips were found on the following site where more uses can be found.

At Ryan, vehicles may be our profession, but people are our passion.