Blog Posts

Get Organized

After the holiday season of baking and cooking for your friends and family, your cupboards in your apartment could probably use a makeover. We’ve found some great ideas that we can’t wait to share. We think these organization ideas from Stacy and Charlie are perfect for your pantry. Use file storage to hold like items. Label the containers so you’ll know just what’s in it — as well as what you’re out of and what needs to be replaced. This mason jar storage idea from Mums Make Lists uses mason jars to store items of all types, from yarn to matchsticks and sewing supplies. The clear glass makes it easy to see what’s inside, and it’s even more convenient because you can fill a whole shelf with the jars. You can also put utensils on the counter in a pretty jar or vase. This will add functionality to your kitchen. Plus, a pretty vase on your counter is always a good idea! If you only use your waffle maker once a year for your holiday breakfast, or if your cake platters only get used on birthdays, consider moving these items to a closet or storage space. Add a Lazy Susan in the fridge to make it easier to find condiments or sauces while cooking. Purchase stacking shelves to add almost double the space in your cupboards. Be picky about what goes in your cupboards in the first place. Don’t keep large items that are taking up space. Clean out the pantry and fridge periodically so you have more space for fresh foods. Create a space with all cleaning products, detergents, and soaps in order to keep them away from other foods and avoid contamination and spillage. Purchase a spoon rest for cooking — this will help keep the kitchen clean even while you might be making a mess. Keeping your kitchen organized will save time and space. It can even save money! If you can see exactly what is in your cupboards you’ll know what to purchase and avoid buying duplicate items at the grocery store. Thanks for reading Willow Hill’s blog! Makes 24 bars (8 rows, 3 columns). Bars will keep for several weeks in an airtight container. We hope you enjoy this easy and delicious recipe. Thanks for reading Willow Hill blog!

Make Your Own Granola

If healthy eating is at the top of your New Year’s resolutions list, this granola will be the perfect addition to your morning. Making your own granola is a great way to control the amount of sugar and additives in your food. Adding breakfast to your morning routine helps you stay full and energized all morning long. Eating breakfast kickstarts your metabolism for the day. This recipe for chewy chocolate chip homemade granola bars comes from This Week For Dinner . Ingredients 4 cups rolled old-fashioned oats 1 cup brown crisped rice cereal (you can use regular crisped rice; I like brown because it’s a little healthier, I get it at Sprouts and Barbara’s Bakery is my favorite brand) ? cup whole wheat flour ½ cup shredded or flaked unsweetened coconut Heaping ? cup brown sugar 1 cup chocolate chips (regular or mini) Generous ½ teaspoon kosher salt ? cup coconut oil (you can also use canola oil as a substitute, but the best texture comes with coconut oil) ? cup honey 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Instructions Preheat oven to 325º F. Combine oats, crisped rice, flour, coconut, brown sugar, chocolate chips and salt. Mix well. Combine oil, honey and vanilla. Whisk well. Add to dry ingredients and mix well (stir a lot...and then stir some more!). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Pour granola bar mixture onto the lined cookie sheet. Press mixture out into a large, uniform rectangle, about 9″ x 13″. If your hands are damp when you push the mixture into shape, it won’t stick to your hands as much. Bake for about 30 minutes until golden and dry to touch (watch out, it’s hot!). (I bake for 14 minutes, then rotate the pan, then bake for 14 minutes more.) If you use canola oil or your coconut oil was in liquid form, the bars may spread a bit during baking. As soon as you take them out of the oven, use a spatula to push all the edges back in, so you get your original rectangle. Cool on the baking sheet for 10-20 minutes until completely cooled. Slide granola bar along with parchment paper onto a large cutting board. Cut into bars using a long serrated knife - bars need to be completely cooled before you cut them. Makes 24 bars (8 rows, 3 columns). Bars will keep for several weeks in an airtight container. We hope you enjoy this easy and delicious recipe. Thanks for reading Willow Hill blog!

Introducing Our Amenities

No matter what goals you’ve set for the new year, at Willow Hill our amenities will help you achieve what you set out to accomplish. Get glowing with our tanning beds! Our tanning facilities let you have that sun-kissed summer color all year long. If you’ve never used a tanning bed before, they’re a great way to get some light in your life and color to your skin. Just remember to consult a doctor or dermatologist before using the beds. Consider using a tanning lotion (one made specifically for tanning beds) in order to boost your tan and make it last longer! Using body lotion after tanning is a great way to extend the life of your tan, as well. If you feel warm or itchy after using the tanning bed, wait a few days for your skin to heal. Always use protective eye wear inside the tanning bed. Having a bronzed glow all year long is a great way to relax and take some time for yourself — which we think should be at the top of anyone’s resolutions list! If you’ve set a goal to get more work done or improve your grades, our computer lounge is a great place to start. Set aside a specific time each day to get work done. Make sure to eliminate distractions so you can be as effective as possible. Using time wisely will help you accomplish more during the week. Many resolutions are fitness-based. If yours are, too, you are in luck! Our on-site fitness center is a great place to start. Take advantage of the machines and equipment. Create a workout routine that will focus on any area in which you want to improve. If you’re unsure where to start, head to Pinterest or YouTube for workout ideas. Bring a tablet or phone along with headphones and listen to music while you workout. This will keep you moving and motivated. Good luck accomplishing all your goals for 2017 in your home in Puyallup, WA! Thanks for reading!

Indoor Herb Garden

We’re excited to teach you how to plant your own herb garden this month. Cultivate your green thumb by planting some fresh herbs in your kitchen in your apartment in Puyallup, WA. These can be used for cooking, and in decorative pots they can look cute, too. Herbs are the keys to flavor. There’s no shame in using dried herbs, but growing fresh herbs yourself is well worth the effort. Many herbs repel insects, pack great health benefits, and are pretty simple to maintain. Luckily, you don’t need a huge backyard to grow your own indoor herb garden. These happy plants easily grow in small spaces, from your bedroom window to your kitchen counter. Choose which plants you would like to showcase in your own home! Keep in mind that some need sunlight so place them near a window. Basil. Basil, known for partnering with Italian-inspired dishes, also plays well with Asian cuisine. Purple basil acts as a beautiful garnish when you are trying to impress guests. There are many different varieties of basil and all offer different flavors, so make sure you know which type will offer the right flavor for your recipe. Chives. Very closely related to garlic, onions, and shallots in flavor and like these vegetables, chives also drive away pesky bugs like aphids and mosquitoes. Because of their high levels of sulfur, they also prove to be a natural anti-inflammatory and are a great addition to your herb garden. Parsley. This herb is great with many Italian and Middle Eastern dishes. Have you ever tried it in pesto? How about tabbouleh or salad dressing? Definitely put it in your lasagna — it’ll change your life. Unfortunately, parsley tends to attract bugs, so be sure to keep an eye out for these freeloaders and stop the problem before it gets out of control. Rosemary. Rosemary is a great herb to add to fish, lamb, chicken, turkey, sautéed mushrooms, and root vegetables — pretty much every dish that goes along with your holiday meal. Definitely make sure to infuse it with your olive oil — you won’t regret it. For more information on planting herbs, this infographic will be helpful! Good luck with your garden. Thanks for reading the Willow Hill blog.

Making Resolutions

Making resolutions is a New Year’s tradition for people everywhere. The new calendar year marks a time for change! New goals are set, and we resolve to do more of some things and less of others. As you set your goals, it can be daunting to try to foresee a ton of change in the upcoming year. With 365 days ahead of you, that’s a lot of opportunity to fail or forget! These might be helpful tips when setting your goals for the year. Remember, it’s not just about reaching your goal, but about trying to be a little better and improving yourself along the way. If you’re just not sure where to start, we have some topics for goals that will get the ball rolling. These come from the Blissful Mind . The site gives some tips for clearing your mind and being able to think clearly and get work done. We think this is a great way to set yourself up for achieving all of your goals. Some ideas are writing in a journal, reading more, meditating, and limiting screen time. She also gives ideas for possible goals to set. These ideas include eating more veggies (maybe plan one or two meals a week to be plant based), drinking more water (set an amount of ounces you want to drink each day), meal prepping, and drinking less coffee or tea. For those who are more visual, we found this useful infographic from Eric Welke. He suggests ten different steps for goal setting. Something he mentions that may be useful is announcing your goals! This is a way to establish a degree of accountability for yourself and your goals. It’s always nice when you have others cheering you on! Good luck setting your goals! Make sure to choose things that will help you in all different areas of your life. Keep track of your progress and give yourself time to fail or make a mistake.

Holiday Service Ideas

Looking for ways to serve others is a great way to make others happy and feel good about what you’re doing. During this time of year, it is easy to get wrapped up in holiday plans, work responsibilities, and goals for the upcoming year. At Willow Hill, we like to take time to think about others and do things that will help them out, no matter what time of year! There are a ton of ways to help others and we’ve compiled a list to help you think of how you can contribute! -Leave a small ziplock bag of quarters on top of washing machine at the laundromat -Tape dollars to vending machines to pay for the snack of the next person! -Pay for the person behind you in a drive-thru line -Offer to help with yard work for neighbors -Bring a meal to a family who may need extra help -Ask a local pastor if there are families in his congregation who may need help -Volunteer at a local soup kitchen -Leave a larger than normal tip for your waiter -Hold doors or carry groceries for someone who may be struggling -Write a card to a friend or family member -If you have roommates or live with family, look for ways around the house that you can help them -Smile and say hello! Look people in the eye when greeting them, this is a great way to make others feel happy instantly! Remember that serving others isn’t about a reward or payback. It’s about helping others have a great day and feel validated and loved! As you incorporate these small acts of kindness into your day, you will certainly feel happy, too. Maybe keep a journal of your experiences! As you do more and more, you might find yourself looking for ways to help others when you don’t even realize it! Have fun serving and helping others! Where are your favorite places to volunteer in Tacoma, WA? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading!