Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I see that you're on Facebook. That's cool, I'm on there like a million hours a day. So, what do I get if I decide to "like" you on Facebook?
We never get tired of hearing we're cool, so thanks! As Facebook-lovers ourselves, there are a few different things we do on Facebook. First, we've got The Daily Spoonful, which is just a daily posting of a drool-worthy (and totally easy!) recipe. Easy dinner inspiration shows up right in your news feed!
We also post enticing snippets of all our blog posts on Facebook, so that just in case you forget to read our blog that day (gasp!) you can get a friendly reminder.
And because we like to have fun just as much as the next girl, we occasionally post fun questions, trivia, or polls for you - our greatest fans!
Convinced yet? Cruise on over to our Facebook page and "like" us!
Glass of Sass: What's to "like" about FunnySpoon on Facebook?
Posted by Vicki Labels: facebook and twitter, glass of sass
Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
HELP!! I always start out the week with the best intentions, but then by about Wednesday I'm picking up fast food on the way home or frozen dinners. How can I stay on track throughout the week? It needs to be SIMPLE or I just know I can't stick with it.
[Cue superhero music] FunnySpoon to the rescue! We've got a few things that might help. First, you need to get some recipe inspiration. Some people are capable of following strict meal plans, but we feel that even the most customized meal plan (e.g. no seafood, semi-healthy, tons of mushrooms) is still going to offer up a suggestion that just doesn't appeal to you. So we have two different options:
- The Daily Spoonful. "Like" us on Facebook and you'll get one recipe suggestion per day. You can make the meal that night or save it to your shopping list (just requires signing in on our site) to make later.
- Weekly Meal Plans.Browse our meal plans and save the recipes you like to your shopping list. Once you hit the number of recipes you need for the week (which will vary by week depending on what else you have going on) then print off the shopping list and you're all set!
We think the flexibility of these options make it much easier to stick to. Try it out and let us know how it goes!
Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I don't mean to be a grouch but Valentine's Day drives me crazy! There's all this pressure to buy overly expensive gifts and then go out to a nice dinner, which inevitably won't even be that nice because the restaurant will be jam-packed and the menu will be pre-set with stuff they probably prepared way in advance. Yuck. But if I offer to cook my husband a meal at home is that going to look cheap? Or will it look like I don't care enough? Help!
I'm pretty sure any man (or person, for that matter) would LOVE to have a meal cooked for them. So no need to stress! You can always just slip on a cute, casual dress, light a few candles and the night will feel special without you even having to leave the house (or fork out a ton of dough).
Try these easy recipes for a foolproof, cozy, and romantic evening:
 Shrimp Diavolo |  Chocolate Truffles |
Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
Why are there no serving amounts or nutritional information provided with your recipes? I find that crazy ... what is the deal?
Thanks for sharing your feedback! We've actually had people suggest before that we add nutritional information to the site. It's something we're hoping to add soon. We do have the number of servings listed at the top of each recipe, so hopefully that helps in the meantime.
So now I'll throw this out to everyone - what features would you like to see on the site? What changes would help you use our site better, and thus make dinnertime that much easier? Share in the comments!
Glass of Sass: After the Grocery Store
Posted by Vicki Labels: glass of sass, grocery shopping, time-saversCheck out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I've been keeping up with your articles about grocery shopping and shopping lists. Do you have any tips for what to do once you're home from the grocery store? It seems like shopping is only half the battle - by the time I get home I have all sorts of stuff I need to organize and prepare!
Good question! We suffer from the same thing. You go to the store, get out alive, and then still have to deal with putting everything away. What a pain! But it has to be done so here are some of our tips:
- Unload by category. Of course you want to put frozen stuff away first, but after that how do you divide and conquer? Personally I like to place all the pantry stuff together and all the refrigerated stuff together, then put each category away all at once. Some people like to put the items away as they go, but to me it seems like I'm opening and closing the fridge every few seconds when I do it that way. The refrigerated items can handle a few more minutes on the counter - take the time to separate stuff out then out it away all at the same time.
- Wash up. Wash your fruit and veggies right away so they'll be ready to eat throughout the week. Even though you may not feel like doing it right after getting back from the store, force yourself to spend a few minutes now and it will save time in the long run. Plus you're less likely to let it go bad if it's ready and waiting for you.
- Prep your meat. I like to buy ground beef in bulk and then divvy it up according to how I'll be using it during the week. For example, I might use 1 lb. of it that night for chili, so I'll portion that out and leave it in the fridge. Then I'll divvy the rest of the meat up into 1 lb. sections and put them in freezer bags. That way I can move them from the freezer to the fridge in the morning of the day I need them. Saves money by buying in bulk, saves time by organizing it up front. And if you really have it in you, prepare your chicken by cutting off the fat and nasty bits, then storing in an airtight container, either in the fridge if the meal is in the next day or two, or in the freezer if it's later in the week. Sucks now, but you'll be so glad later that it's done!
- Recycle (or trash it) now. One tip for neat and organized storage is to remove all excess packaging and recycle it (or trash it if your local recycling doesn't take it) right away. Then when you're ready for, say, your pudding snack, just grab one out of the fridge instead of wrestling with the packaging. Bonus: they look so pretty lined up nicely in the fridge!
Glass of Sass: Making Grocery Shopping Less Sucky
Posted by Vicki Labels: glass of sass, grocery shopping, no brainer tip, time-saversCheck out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I read your column last week and was so excited to find out about your shopping list! Do you have any other tips or tricks for making grocery shopping easier?
We're thrilled to hear you read our column like our shopping list! We totally find it helpful and are glad when other people agree.
So you want some more shopping tips? Makes sense - grocery shopping is unfortunately something we need to do, whether we like it or not. Check out our tips for making it easier:
- Always use a list. Our shopping list is broken out by store layout, which prevents you having to run back and forth all over the store. If you prefer to write your own list, take the time to reorganize it according to the layout of your store before you leave home. You'll save an average of 5 minutes and it will only take you 1 minute to write the list.
- Stock up. Look around your house for anything you're starting to run low on and if it's something that won't go bad quickly, grab it while you're already at the store. No need to make 5 separate trips during the week because you forgot something!
- Do your shopping on the same day every week. Pick a day and time of the week that are low volume (for example, Tuesday nights) that works with your schedule. Once you're in a routine it won't seem so bad - you'll know it's on the schedule and you'll know when you'll be done with it so you don't have to worry about it the rest of the week. You may need to supplement this trip with a quick weekend stop-in for some fresh veggies or meat, but the trip will be much faster since you've gotten your bulk shopping done.
- Research products in advance. If you're trying one of our easy recipes, print off the shopping list with images. If you're using a coupon for a new product you'd like to try, look at the picture and read the fine print. If you want to try some new tooth whitening gel, look up some info online first. It's much easier to get certain information in the comfort of your home, instead of getting frustrated running all over the store trying to find something specific.
- Don't go to the store when you're hungry. Aside from the old diet tip that says to avoid this so you don't have too many impulse buys, it's just a good idea to not go to the store if your tummy is rumbling - you'll be focused on that instead of efficient shopping. Plus if you're anything like us, you'll be grumpy and the whole experience will be more irritating.
Glass of Sass: The Dreaded Shopping List
Posted by Vicki Labels: glass of sass, grocery shopping, time-savers, who knew?Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I found a ton of easy recipes on your site that I can't wait to try. But I'm not familiar with some of these products - I'm totally new at cooking! Can you help me get out of the grocery store with the right stuff?
Glad you found so many recipes you want to try. Though we can't say we're surprised - I mean, we do think our easy recipes are quite tasty if we do say so ourselves!
As for your shopping dilemma, we've got you covered. Take it from shoppers who've been there before! We know what it's like to think you know exactly what you're looking for, then go to the store and get completely confused by all the options. Lucky for you, our shopping list makes grocery shopping a breeze. In just a few easy steps you'll be on your way.
- Create an account with us. It's free and all the cool kids are doing it. Plus, it only takes a few seconds and even the busiest of people has that. Or you can log in now if you already have an account.
- Browse your new favorite recipe site (FunnySpoon, duh) and click the "Add to Shopping List" button on each recipe that you want to add to your list.
- When you're done selecting recipes, click on MyShoppingList in the upper right. Here you can review the list, then click the icon to print. And because we love you, we let you pick if you want to print with images or without. The first time you try a new recipe you might want the images to help with your shopping, but then once you're familiar with the products you can save a little printer ink and just print the products.
Bonus: We know that you eat at least a few meals each week that aren't from FunnySpoon. We're OK with that because we know you still love us. So we went ahead and put your regular weekly grocery items on the list as well so you can pick them up at the same time. Happy shopping!
Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I read your post about getting in the holiday spirit and now I'm drunk with holiday cheer. I feel like doing something good, helping some people out. Any ideas?
Why yes, we have the perfect idea. First, though, are you sure you're not just, um, drunk? We didn't think our holiday cheer was THAT contagious but apparently it is!
Anyway, we're happy to hear you want to help. We're currently doing a promotion where we donate a meal to a hungry child or adult for everyone who "likes" us on Facebook or signs up to receive our twice-a-month emails. So with just a few clicks you could donate TWO meals to a hungry person this holiday season. Plus, you'll get the latest and greatest from us via Facebook and email, which really is a gift in itself.
Happy Holidays!
Get more details on the holiday promotion.
Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I promise I'm not a grinch but the jingling bells are already getting on my nerves. Maybe because they showed up in stores a month ago! Can you help me get in the holiday spirit without going overboard?
You're not a grinch, you're just a victim of insane holiday marketing, which seems to become more intense every year. Check out these three simple tips that stimulate the senses to get you in the spirit:
- Fill your house with that wonderful holiday aroma with easy homemade potpourri.
- Enjoy the tastes of the season by adding a splash of egg nog to your morning coffee.
- Create a mini wonderland by setting out just one holiday decoration: a candy dish, a tiny tinsel tree, or a glass bowl filled holiday ornaments.
See, anyone can get in the holiday spirit! Simple, festive, and non-grinchy. (And for the rest of us, there's Festivus)
Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I ate WAY too much yesterday. Yet after I recovered from my food coma there was still a ton of food left. I can't bear the thought of eating the same dishes all over again. Any ideas on what to do with my leftovers?
We totally hear you. Yesterday's feast was great but we don't exactly want to eat it again. Lucky for us all, we anticipated this would happen and came up with some fun ideas:
 White Turkey Chili |  Turkey Tortellini Soup |
 Turkey Nachos |  Mashed Potato Leek Soup |
 Stuffing Hash |  Stuffing Meatloaf |
Happy Day-After Feasting!
Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I just read an article that said people on average gain 1-2 pounds during the holidays and another scary article that quoted the number at 7 pounds. Yikes! I know you're not a diet site but do you have some tips?
While we don't focus on dieting, we're flattered you still asked for our advice. Because we love nothing more than spouting out our knowledge after a glass (or two) of wine.
We could probably offer tips until you're blue in the face, but we'll stick to just three recommendations. First, check out our blog post on snacking. You'd be surprised how a little bit of smart snacking can actually help you lose weight. And it's way better than depriving yourself all day.
We also think you should check out Living the Thin Life, a weight loss and maintenance book by FunnySpoon contributor Elle Meyer (now available as an eBook too!). No one wants to feel like they're dieting for life, but realistically even the most in-shape person is going to face challenges that might cause them to put on a few pounds. Her book gives practical tips you might not have thought of before that can help you have a holiday full of joy, not extra weight.
Lastly, we do have a few light & healthy recipes on our site, so check them out for inspiration for your next dinner or holiday appetizer!
Well, it's 5 o'clock somewhere so we're gonna crack open (another) bottle. Happy Friday!
Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I'm in love with Bradley Cooper. I've seen The Hangover 10 times and watched every episode of Kitchen Confidential. Is he really your intern?
If it's possible, we think we love Bradley (or Coop as we call him around the office) more than you do. That's why we made him our honorary intern.
What does that mean? It means that creating simple recipes for you is way more fun with a hottie around as our sous chef/intern. And you have to admit our Facebook status updates are WAY more interesting when there's a drool-worthy photo of Bradley attached, right? Right.
And that's about as much as we're going to divulge. Bradley is a little embarrassed at how much he enjoys giving us foot massages so he asked us to keep our lips sealed about the details of what he does for us. We agreed because let's be honest - he had us at "lips".
Want more Bradley? Check out his blog posts. Happy Friday!
Check out the latest Q&A in our new Glass of Sass column. We know our sassy fans have questions, and we've already poured a glass of wine so we're ready to fire off some answers!
Got a question of your own? Send it in and we will answer it in a future column!
I like your site - it's so clean and pretty - and the recipes are easy, but, um, why should I remember to go to your site instead of one of the other million recipe websites out there?
Aw, thanks, you're making us blush! We're glad you like the site and even happier that you find our recipes easy - that's totally what we're going for.
As for your question, here's the main difference between FunnySpoon and other sites: We're not your EVERY night solution – we're your BUSY night solution. Our sassy recipes and grocery store shortcuts simplify your dinnertime dash and add sanity back to your day. And let's be real, everyone has at least one or two busy nights per week, right? And you don't want to go through the drive-thru again (well, you do but your waist and arteries are starting to get worried) so we'll help you get a simple meal on the table so you can relax the rest of the evening.
Sold? Good. As for having trouble remembering to visit our site, don't worry, we're not offended. We know there are tons of other ways to get distracted spend your time online. How about signing up for our twice-monthly emails? That way WE can come to YOU with fab recipe ideas and tips. You're welcome.
