Use your handy appliances to make healthy and fun after school snacks that deliver on both flavor and nutrition. Black & Decker makes it easy to prepare kid-pleasing—and mom-pleasing—snacks that fills them up and tides the hunger until dinnertime. Just follow these tips to make great after school snacks in no time.

#1 Skip the sodas

When your kids come home, one of the first things they usually do after dropping down their backpack is to grab a can or cup of soda from the fridge. Stocking your fridge with soda for the kid’s after school sugar craving isn’t necessary if you prepare easy smoothies and non-alcoholic mixed drinks.

Pick fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries, pineapple and bananas to make smoothies that the kids can customize. With a powerful blender that can easily crush and mix ice and fruit, like the Black & Decker Cyclone® 12-Speed, nutritional after school drinks can be made in a snap.

#2 Toast fresh foods

It’s not unusual for the kids to be hungry and looking forward to dinner after school. After a long day out, they want something to tide them over, but don’t let them grab just chips and junk food as snacks. Instead, heat up small finger foods, like baked chicken strips in your countertop oven.  Or toast pita bread until crispy, cut up into triangles and serve with their favorite dips.

#3 Make homemade snacks

If your kid requires a little bit more of a snack, and more like a meal when they get home (teenagers, anyone?), make them a quick and fresh sandwich with home-prepared ingredients made with the help of Black & Decker appliances.

Bake off fresh bread in your bread maker on the weekend when you have more time, then pre-slice it and store in the fridge. Pre-chop and slice ingredients like vegetables and cheese in your food processor, and store in the fridge as well. Once your kids are home, all that’s left to do for a nutritious after school snack is to toast the bread slices in your toaster and layer prepped ingredients.

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Now that the kids have gone back to school, the daily routine of getting them ready, and feeding them at night has kicked in too. If you’re the main caretaker of the household, trying to find the energy and time to make sure the kids get an easy transition back into school can be stressful. Your appliances can help take the load off and make going back to school time easy.

#1 Plan their lunches ahead

If you make school lunches for your kids, you understand how important it is to get your kids the right nutrition so that they excel in their studies. This may mean many different ingredients and components, including vegetables and fruits.

Take the load off of everyday prepping by planning ahead of time. One day over the weekend, take time to prepare vegetables and fruits in your food processor and pack them in containers.

#2 Start their days off right

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it’s supposed to keep your kids alert in school for hours. So giving them one that’s filling and balanced is crucial. Your Black & Decker appliances make a satisfying breakfast easy and kid-pleasing.

Blend up some breakfast smoothies made from bananas, peanut butter, milk and ice in your blender. Or make homemade waffles in a snap with packaged mix and your waffle maker that makes fluffy waffles big enough for multiple kids to share.

#3 Keep them looking sharp

You want your kids to be presentable in public, especially in school where friendships are made. But laundry can be time-consuming, particularly ironing. Choose an iron that heats up quickly, is consistent and glides easily, like ones from Black & Decker. Some, like the SteamAdvantage® Iron, feature Smart Steam® Technology, which detects the fabric you’re ironing and adjusts temperature.

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If you’ve got a pot of fresh chili or beef stew that needs an accompaniment, look no further than this recipe for creamy corn bread. Simple to prepare, this recipe uses a package of corn muffin mix that’s made into something special with unique additions. Whole corn, green chilies, sour cream and taco seasoning makes this corn bread moist and full of flavor. And because it’s made in your Black & Decker countertop oven, you’ll have perfectly cooked corn bread made in a snap! Make this corn bread for Tex Mex nights or as a snack for the family or party to enjoy.

• 1 pkg. (8.5 oz.) corn muffin mix
• ½ cup cooked or canned whole kernel corn
• 2 tbsp. canned diced green chilies
• 2 tbsp. diced pimentos
• ½ tsp. taco seasoning
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 large egg, slightly beaten

1.) Preheat Black & Decker® Countertop Oven to 400° F. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine all ingredients; blend. Spoon into greased 8-inch square baking pan.

2.) Bake for 20 minutes or until done; rotate pan halfway through baking.

Makes 6 to 9 servings.

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Tired of feeling guilty after eating pizza? Skip the extra calories and guilt of take-out and delivery pizza and make an easy-to-prepare homemade version with your Black & Decker food processor! It may sound like it would take up too much time and not worth the effort, but with just a little patience, your appliance will do most of the work for you. So take the time to make healthy homemade pizza that will please your entire family and follow these step-by-step tips.

#1 Make the dough.

The easiest way to make fast pizza dough in the food processor is to first bloom the yeast in warm water. Never use hot or scalding water over 115°F as this can kill the yeast instead. While the yeast is blooming, add the flour and flavorings in the food processor and pulse to combine, using the included dough blade. On low speed, drizzle in the yeast and water and let it run to combine. It is that easy!

#2 Process ingredients.

Don’t result to buying pre-prepped ingredients and cheese for your pizza. You’ll pay a premium on these ingredients since the extra labor is added into the cost. Instead, buy all of your ingredients whole and shred, dice, or chop in your food processor. Buy onions, peppers and whole mozzarella and slice with the slicing blade. Make sure the cheese is very cold so that it doesn’t stick to the blades instead of slice. Any leftover ingredients you make can also be stored away in plastic containers and used throughout the week for salads and other pizzas.

#3 Make your own sauce.

Since you made your own dough and sliced your own fresh ingredients, why not also make your own sauce too? Sure, jarred sauces are easy, but they also cost more and are loaded with unhealthy ingredients like sugar and mystery “spices.” Making your own pizza sauce can be easy with your food processor. You can prepare a pesto pizza with spinach pesto sauce that helps incorporate healthy greens into your diet. Or, make your own tomato sauce in the processor by pulsing fresh tomatoes, Italian herb blend and some olive oil until your desired consistency is achieved.

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#1 Toast more than bread.

Sure you have toasted breads and snacks in your toaster oven, but you can also toast meal ingredients quickly too. Some things that need a little roast to get their flavors going include nuts and spices. There’s no need to crank that big conventional oven or take out that sauce pan for something so simple and small of a job. Instead, place your nuts or spices in a single layer on your baking sheet and place in a 350 degree oven. Roast for 10 minutes, making sure to turn over the nuts and spices so that they do not burn. You will save time, energy and most of all, still get an evenly toasted ingredient.

#2 Dehydrate foods.

With all of the raw and healthy foods trends going on, there’s no need to give in and buy expensive dehydrated products. You can make them in your toaster oven. Dehydrated foods have been “cooked” at very low temperatures to remove water. The foods shrink and take on very different textures. Vegetables often crisp up and replace addictive chips and other crunchy snacks. Fruits, on the other hand, tend to turn chewy which mimics chewy junk foods like candy and cookies. To dehydrate foods, cut them in thin slices, lay on your baking sheet and set the temperature for the lowest it can go. Prop the oven door open to let condensation escape, and cook for a few hours, or until the foods are fully dehydrated.

#3 Keep plates warm.

If you’ve ever cooked something to perfection and placed it on cold plates, you’d notice that your delicious food turns cold by the time its set on the table. Warming your plates up before serving food eliminates this problem. But there’s no need to turn on your conventional oven if you’re cooking for just one or two people. Turn your toaster oven on bake and let the plate warm up for a few minutes. Be careful when you take the plate out and serve food. The plates will be very hot and will require you to wear oven mitts.

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Have you ever come across a recipe that calls for fresh orange or citrus juice? In a pinch, you may grab for your regular OJ carton or bottled citrus in the fridge, but usually the author meant for fresh. There’s no substitution for the fresh taste of citrus, and your citrus juicer, like ones from Black & Decker, is the perfect solution to getting it.

With features like small and large cones for a variety of citrus, adjustable pulp preference and large work bowl capacities (up to 32 ounces), Black & Decker citrus juicers should be a staple in your kitchen. With this post, we’ll give tips on using the citrus juicer for a variety of applications.

#1 Add fresh juice flavors to food.

Fresh citrus juice isn’t just for drinks. You can use fresh juice in your recipes for flavor boosting, adding freshness and creating the perfect balance of flavors. Chefs often praise dishes as “successful” based on how balanced the flavors are. Usually, when a dish has equal amounts of savory, sweet and acidic, it is balanced and more flavorful.

Citrus juice is also great to use in marinades as it also provides an acid breakdown of tough muscle fibers found in meat, making a better tasting and tender dish. Add orange juice to your rice for freshness, or lemon juice to your soups and stews for brightness at the end.

#2 Make the best OJ and other drinks.

It may seem obvious that citrus juice can be used in drinks, but not many understand how easy it is. With a citrus juicer, having fresh citrus juice is just a push away, and saves money too. Oranges are readily available all year round, with different varieties ripening in all seasons. A large bag of oranges is just a few dollars, compared to a carton of OJ being 3-5 U.S. dollars, depending on location.

Once you acquire this juice, it can be used in many different ways. Make the most refreshing lemonade, the tastiest fresh lime margaritas, elegant mimosas and tall delicious glasses of orange juice.

#3 Use it for green kitchen cleanup.

Did you know that lemons can be used as a natural all purpose cleaner and disinfectant? With your citrus juicer, you can save money on all natural green kitchen cleanup products and make your own! Because lemons are high in vitamin C and contain 5% acid, they have anti-bacterial effects. They also add a wonderful non-chemically produced fragrance to the air that lasts and revitalizes.

After you juice your lemons, add an equal amount of juice to water in a spray bottle. This all purpose cleaner can be used for grease, spills, and kitchen countertop cleaning. And it cost you pennies to make!

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Making succulent and tasty pork chops has never been easier. Combining flavors from all the senses, including sweet, spicy and savory, this recipe for pineapple ginger pork chops is made easy and fast in your Black & Decker countertop toaster oven. The pork turns out juicy because of the crust that forms from the sugars in the marinade. Make sure you use fresh ginger and orange peel as the flavors from the real thing cannot be beat. Enjoy this complete and healthy meal during any day of the week, with your significant other as a date night in, or with your family on the weekend.

• 1/3 cup pineapple preserves
• 3 tbsp. snipped chives
• 1 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp. slivered orange peel
• 1 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
• ½ tsp. sesame oil
• 4 boneless pork loin chops, about 1¼ lbs.
• 2 cups hot cooked brown rice
• ½ cup chopped toasted macadamia nuts

1.) Preheat Black & Decker® Countertop Oven to 400° F. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine all ingredients, except pork, rice and nuts.

2.) Place pork in 1-quart shallow baking dish. Brush top of pork chops with half of pineapple mixture. Bake 30 minutes.

3.) Remove from oven; turn chops over and brush with remaining pineapple mixture. Return to oven and bake 30 minutes longer or until pork tests done. (Pork will have an internal temperature of 160° F.)

4.) Serve pork over rice drizzling with sauce from baking dish. Garnish with nuts.

Makes 4 servings.

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Whether used for wine, as a snack, for juice or in alcoholic drinks, grapes are a nutritious and delicious fruit enjoyed by many. Grapes are recently known for its super fruit health claims of antioxidant polyphenols that may help reduce the risk of heart disease.[1] Benefiting from this juicy and sweet fruit that’s low in fat and high in vitamin C and K[2] is easy with Black & Decker. Simply follow these tips for adding the super flavor of grapes to your healthy lifestyle.

#1 Skip the ice.

Grapes are fabulous when they are frozen. Instead of getting rock hard and tasteless, they take on a sweet semi-frozen state. The outsides get crunchy, while the insides pop with flavor. Simply freeze grapes in a plastic baggie in the freezer and use as ice in blended drinks made with your Black & Decker blender. Kids will love grape slushies made with frozen grapes and grape juice—and you will too thanks to its nutritious qualities!

#2 Add flavor to baked goods.

Next time you’re preparing your favorite baked goods, add grapes to your recipe. Substitute blueberries for small seedless red grapes in recipes like muffins, pancakes and quick breads for a juicy pop of flavor and boost of nutrition. Mix everything up on low speed with your Black & Decker hand mixer so that the grapes do not rip open and cause a mess in your batter. For fast and effortless cooking without using a lot of energy, bake your quick breads in your Black & Decker convection toaster oven.

#3 Make homemade jam.

If your kids love peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches, but you don’t quite feel the same way because of all that sugar, make your own! With your Black & Decker bread maker, you can make homemade and fresh jams with the jam setting. You can control the sugar and still provide a delicious (and nutritious) treat for your kids. To prepare, simply add grapes, sugar, and an acid like lemon juice to the bread pan, select the jam setting and let the bread maker do the rest of the work for you.

[2] http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1920/2

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Are you tired of having one appliance for each job in the kitchen? You need these appliances, since you want the jobs done quick and easy, but sometimes it takes up just too much space and money. Save your counter-top space and well-earned money with appliances that do double duty, like the Black & Decker PowerPro® 2-in-1 Food Processor & Blender.

Combining two convenient appliances in one, this 600-watt processor and blender duo gives you everything you need to slice, chop, shred, grate, puree and blend all your foods with ease. Prepare ingredients a week ahead with its large, 10-cup capacity workbowl, and make smoothies for the whole family with a 6-cup blending jar.

For a variety of kitchen tasks in one, a stainless steel reversible slice and shredder disk is included, along with a chopping blade and dough blade. Not only can you blend, slice and shred your ingredients, but you can also prepare fresh homemade pizza and bread doughs in just one appliance. Plus, if you’re preparing large amounts of foods, a wide-mouth feed chute with pusher alleviates any extra-prep you may have.

And with features like non-skid suction feet, storage lid for extra prepped ingredients, cord wrap and dishwasher-safe parts, its value will be appreciated for years to come. So save your money on buying individual appliances, and opt for the Black & Decker PowerPro® 2-in-1 Food Processor & Blender, available now in retailers nationwide and online.

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Think that rice cooker can only do rice? Think again; this underused appliance can do so much more. Like the popular wedding registry item, the Crockpot, rice cookers have basic functions that act like a slow cooker and can prepare a variety of foods, from stews, steamed meals and even oatmeal. Rice cookers, like ones from Black & Decker, are basic, yet extremely useful in the kitchen; read on to learn about just some of its uses and why it should be a staple in your kitchen.

Most electric rice cookers have two basic functions: cook and keep warm. How it “knows” when the food is ready is simple; when all or most of the water boils off, the inside temperature changes, thus alerting the appliance that food is done. Once this process happens, the rice cooker switches to a low-heat, keep warm setting. This means that nearly anything that requires boiling water to cook can be prepared in your rice cooker.

Oatmeal is one such meal that can be easily prepared in this appliance. According to Rober Ebert, who wrote a book about the many uses of the rice cooker, called “The Pot and How to Use It,” cooking oatmeal in a rice cooker requires just oats, specified water on the packaging (or less if you like it al dente) and a fruit or two of your liking. The easiest combinations are ones that make the most sense. For example, try the classic strawberry and kiwi, or peaches and bananas for peaches and cream. Whichever you choose, just put everything in the pot, select the cooking setting, and your rice cooker does the rest for you.

You can even make soups and stews in the rice cooker by following a recipe of your choice, or by creating your own. Put the longer-cooking ingredients in first with the stock, broth, or water and cook for the specified time the recipe says. You may need to continue adding more water, but for stews, leave the consistency thick. Put in vegetables and other ingredients you want crunchy during the last few minutes, along with seasonings to make a wonderful and comforting meal.

Lastly, you can steam healthy meals in your rice cooker, like our recipe for steamed pork dumplings. Some models, like the Black & Decker 16-Cup Multi-Use Rice Cooker, comes with a steamer basket to make steamed meals in your rice cooker even easier.

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