Local Review: WindowPals Window Cleaning West Chester Main Line PA

WindowPals Window Cleaning West Chester Main Line PA

Disclaimer: This company is currently in a beta and testing phase and they are OFFICIALLY LAUNCHING this summer 2015. I was lucky enough to meet their founders at a local networking event in West Chester and had a chance to try their service twice at my new home and was impressed, their booking page MAY be down until they launch so just a heads up!

I am always intrigued when I hear about a new local West Chester Main Line PA startup popping up and I often get excited to see what all the fuss is about! Today I am reviewing a window cleaning service I recently tried out called WindowPals. They are still in a beta phase according to their founder who I met recently on the job but they are officially launching this summer 2015. I just moved into a new townhome in the borough of West Chester PA and I plan on needing regular window cleanings. Why is this window cleaning company different than the rest? I’ll tell you exactly why.

Their concept is simple: they make it so you can book a premium residential window cleaning service in under 60 seconds. You enter your credit card info, pick your date and time in their calendar scheduler, and click book! It’s really that simple! And that’s all in the SAME form on their booking page! No more playing phone tag with contractors, no more invoices and lost payments, no more waiting for estimates and poor customer service. WindowPals is changing the game COMPLETELY. They use eco friendly and organic products AND they donate a percent of each job to the water.org charity. Their innovation, efficiency, and quality window washing work will set them above and beyond the other local companies.. most of which I constantly get disappointed by.

The WindowPals plan is to disrupt the window cleaning and home services industry in West Chester and the Main Line PA similar to how Homejoy, Washio, Taskrabbit have been and they have been extremely busy apparently since they were almost fully booked even during their beta phase. Last but certainly not least the most important part of using their window cleaning service was their phenomenal customer service. Their team that came to my house was on time, extremely friendly, and even left us a gift as a thank you for becoming one of their new recurring subscribers!!

If you live in West Chester PA or the Main Line PA and need a QUALITY window cleaning service that you can book online and truly depend on for premium cleaning service then definitely head over to www.windowpals.com and help support a local PA startup that gives back to the community! According to their website their service area currently includes the Main Line, West Chester, Chester County, Delaware County, King of Prussia, and Montgomery County and they are expanding. Their exact services include interior and exterior window cleaning and washing as well screen and blinds cleaning.

P.S Any company that donates a percent to charity especially water.org charity is OK in my books.. especially with the ongoing water shortage crisis in California.

Angie’s List Review: LAWNLEADERS West Chester PA

Today I am veering away from my typical local restaurant reviews to review a lawn care/on demand lawn mowing company that really blew me away this past weekend. This is a copy of the original review I posted on Angie’s List. If you are looking for a new, exciting, and reliable lawn care company, and trust me there are few in this area, look no further. LawnLeaders in a nutshell is Uber BUT for lawn mowing! Seriously.. it’s that easy. Visit their website and in 60 seconds you book your lawn job, schedule it, and pay all within the same form!! You even receive text confirmation afterwards! The best part is this is on demand and there is NO contract!

This company really intrigued me and had me talking about it all week to my co workers because this is something you usually see out in San Francisco or somewhere more innovative not a small town like West Chester but I absolutely LOVE the convenience and ‘on demand’ aspect. Sometimes I randomly need lawn mowing done ASAP and this is clearly my new solution. I love how this company is disrupting a service industry that is usually slow, unreliable, and overpriced.

LawnLeader’s lawn mowing prices and services are per hour and very affordable. Their professionals are insured, certified, and reliable. I even had to reschedule my initial appointment because I had a last minute dentist emergency so I called their support number which apparently is their CEO’s DIRECT LINE! Their customer support is seriously on point and I will be using them all summer season.

Seriously, it takes a lot for me to actually find a new, exciting, and innovative company especially in a small town like West Chester but damn these guys are really making me optimistic about the West Chester Startup scene! Love it!

Their website:

http://www.lawnleaders.com

If you want to check out their 60 second order form:

http://www.lawnleaders.com/form.html

Angie’s List Review: LAWNLEADERS West Chester PA

Local Review: PHILLYDIPPED

I recently had a work party for Halloween. Didn’t want to bring the normal chips and dip and tried to think out of the box. Came across this company based in my hometown, Phillydipped, where they make chocolate dipped creations … from  hand crafted and dipped Oreo’s to gourmet rice crispy treats! I only brought 2 dozen to work but wish I brought more! They were a huge hit by everyone! Everyone loved the crazy toppings they had from Reese’s Cups to mints and jimmies! They were fresh, unique and personalized! This company will make you love Oreo’s more, I’ve had dipped treats before but not like this. I’m always down to support a local company so I will definitely order from them again!

For any catering, delivery or holiday gift ideas go ahead and check out their official Facebook page! They are posting pictures daily of some of their menu items!

All photos are courtesy of Phillydipped’s official facebook page!

RECIPE: Creamy Chicken Chilli

I am not a fan of chilli so I found a modified version using chicken and a creamy cheese sauce. Easy to make and a cheap eat! Perfect for a big family to serve along side tortilla chips! One of the best cozy comfort foods I have had on a cold fall/winter night. Slow cooker recipes truly are a lifesaver for those busy moms! I placed all the ingredients in the crock pot before I spent my day running errands and just in time for dinner the chilli was ready! The amount that the recipe calls for is a lot so be prepared for leftovers!

What you need:

1 can corn, undrained
1 can Rotel, undrained
1 package ranch dressing mix
1 can of black beans
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 8 oz package light cream cheese
2 chicken breasts

Directions:

1.  Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.

2. Pour black beans( drained) , corn ( undrained), and rotel tomatoes over top the chicken.

3. Now add in onion powder and chili powder. Then ranch dressing packet.

4. Lastly, put cream cheese in the crockpot- To help the melting process I cut the cream cheese down into three sections.

5. Cover with lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir cream cheese into chili. Use 2 forks to shred chicken. Stir together and serve.

Fall Fun- Highland Orchards

Nothing better than spending a sunny, breezy fall Sunday than at the pumpkin patch where you can also Pick Your Own Apples and other fruits. Highland Orchards is perfect for all ages- lots to do and even more to buy and eat! Fresh, homemade quality canned goods, and their homemade apple cider donuts are some of my favorites. The smell of the warm cinnamon mixed with the apple cider is simply heaven! Enjoy a hayride around the orchard while munching on some of the other baked goods the market has to offer.

Check out Highland Orchards, for some fall fun festivities with the family!

Homemade pretzels!

AMAZING APPLE CIDER! I would buy this in gallons!!!

Homemade mixes that you can make at home! Great for a gift!

Homemade dressings! No added preservatives!

Homemade jams, jelly, and butters! The pumpkin butter is to die for!

RECIPE: Easy Sweet & Sour Shrimp with Rice

Came across a wonderful article in Food Network magazine about easy ways to stir fry. You pick your protein, sauce, and any veggies you want to add in. The possibilities are endless. Talk about takeout makeover! I had some steam fresh brown rice and shrimp at home and this recipe was perfect to create the at home version for shrimp fried rice. Most of the sauces ask for specific ingredients sauce as rice wine vinegar and hosin sauce which you can get at any food store in the ethnic section.

For the sweet and sour sauce:

Mix 3/4 cup of chicken broth

2 teapsoons constarch

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoon of hosin sauce- comparable to a BBQ sauce.

2 teaspoons of soy sauce ( I used low sodium)

3 tablespoon rice vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon of salt.

TIP- For an extra sweeter taste, you use a brown sugar vs. regular sugar.

Directions:

1. Mix the above ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.

2. With olive oil, cook protein in a pan. Add vegetables and rice or noodles. Cover for about 5 minutes.

3. Pour sauce in pan. Cook for about 5 more minutes.

RECIPE: Loaded Potato & Buffalo Chicken Bake

I absolutely LOVE any buffalo flavored and anything with lots of melted cheese on it. Why not combine the two? This fun dish is great for the kids and even better for the game day.  The buffalo chicken adds an extra kick to the loaded baked potato casserole. Serve is loaded dish with a simple side salad.

Check out the recipe here!

What you need:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

8 -10 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I leave the skin on)

1/3 cup olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper

1 tablespoon paprika

2 tablespoons garlic powder

6 tablespoons hot sauce

 2 cups monterey jack and cheddar cheese blend

1 cup crumbled cooked bacon

1 cup diced green onion

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F .

2. In a large bowl mix together the olive oil, hot sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder & paprika.

3. Add the cube potatoes and stir to coat.

4. Add the potatoes to a greased baking dish. Bake for 45 min. Tossing every 15 min.

5. When scooping the potatoes into the baking dish, leave behind any extra olive oil/hot sauce mix.

6.  While the potatoes are cooking, bread chicken ( if you want) or cook diced chicken with the left over hot sauce mixture. After chicken is cooked through, set aside.

7. Around 30 minutes into cooking the potatoes- take out of oven and add chicken, cheese, bacon and diced green onions.

8. Finish baking for the rest of the cooking time. Drizzle with ranch dressing if you want 🙂

RECIPE: Egg & Hashbrown Nests

I have always been a fan of the muffin tins, just an easy way to make smaller portions of your favorite meals. I found this recipe from A Cozy Kitchen . Easy to follow and easier to make. These little hash brown nests are great to serve for brunch.  I decided to use fresh potatoes that I shredded myself because after many variations, store brought hash browns would turn out too dry. Tip: Add a little twist to it and make it mexican inspired by adding salsa and sour cream to the top of these little muffins.

What you need:

2 russet potatoes, peeled and shredded
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon of season salt
1 cup of crumbled bacon
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided
1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
8 medium eggs

Directions:

1. Generously grease a muffin tin and set aside. Using a box grater, shred the potatoes and transfer them to a bowl; sprinkle with the kosher salt and seasoned salt. Gather the potatoes in the center of  a bed of paper towels removing the excess water.

2. Preheat the oven to 400F. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture into each muffin cup, being sure to line the bottom and the sides. Since the potatoes will shrink when baked, make sure you go all the way to the top of the muffin tin when lining the sides. Bake for 10-15 minutes, and until the outer sides appear lightly golden brown.

3. Decrease oven to 350F. Remove from oven. In the center of each hash brown nest, add a teaspoon of grated cheese, and then top with crumbled bacon. Bake for an additional 3 minutes.

4. Remove from oven and then top with one egg. Bake for an additional 8 minutes, and until whites are set, but yolks still appear soft.

5. Allow to cool for 2 minutes in pan. Using a butter knife, run it around the edges of each hash brown nest and gently remove it. Top with remaining freshly ground pepper and serve immediately.

RECIPE: Bacon Gravy Schnitzel

In honor of Oktoberfest and my german hertiage I cooked up the traditional German Schnitzel, a crispy breaded veal cutlet, to a new and luscious level with the addition of this Jaeger sauce. Hearty bacon, onions and mushrooms create a savory sauce that pairs perfect with mashed potatoes or noodles.

Here is the recipe I followed in order to create this tasty, hearty traditional German meal!

What you need:

ounces sliced bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces

1 yellow onion, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces

1 cup of chopped mushrooms

2 cups of beef stock

1 tablespoon of flour and 1 teaspoon of flour

Four veal cutlets- pounded well

1 cup of all purpose flour

1 teaspoon of mustard- I used dijon

3 eggs

2 cups of plain breadcrumbs

1/2 cup of unsalted butter

Directions:

1. For the gravy: Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy and most of the fat has been rendered. Add the onions to the pan and cook until softened, 4 to 6 minutes, and then stir in the mushrooms Stir in 1/4 cup of the beef stock to combine, and then stir in the flour to combine and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the remaining stock and bring to a boil over medium-high heat and simmer.

2. For the jaeger schnitzel: Place each veal cutlet in between two pieces of plastic wrap. Pound each one using the spiky side of a meat mallet to tenderize it. Lightly season with salt and pepper.

Set up the breading station. whisk together the flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl or dish, and whisk together the mustard and eggs in another shallow baking dish. Combine the breadcrumbs with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a third baking dish.

Dredge each veal cutlet first in the flour, then through the egg mixture, and lastly through the breadcrumbs. Transfer onto a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Then pour gravy onto the schnitzel. Enjoy this cozy meal perfect for the fall and winter.

Fall Beer Guide

I definitely am your typical girly girl who loves wine and cheese but if a good craft beer comes along…you will definitely find me with a cold one in my hand! Fall beers are most likely my favorite beers- flavors are unique, nutty, cinnamon enriched and great to drink while sitting by a campfire. Here are some of my likes and loves this season!

I am across this article from Today, breaking down some of the go to seasonal beers for this season! I have tried them all and are definitely  great but I provided a few that are worth trying! I agree Dogfish is hands down the best pumpkin beer you will find but it is on the pricey side (and they only make a limited supply, once sold out most beer distributors will not restock)

My favorite Oktoberfest Beers:

1. Sam Adams OctoberFest- A true american classic beer company giving you a rich amber beer that pairs awesome with a hot soft pretzel!

2. Paulaner Octoberfest – First time I ever had Paulaner Beer was at a german beer hall. Ever since then I am hooked. When I saw this in the stores I had to get it. This beer provides the perfect amount of sweetness and is higher in alcohol than a traditional lager. Lighter in taste than most seasonal beers.

My Favorite Pumpkin Beers:

1. Shocktop Pumpkin- Your typical wheat beer with a splash of pumpkin sweetness.  Definitely refreshing and not too many spices added, just the perfect amount

2.  Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale- Little bit of pumpkin, little bit of hops, little bit of spices… All around great beer.

TIP: Most pumpkin beers are rich and heavy in flavor. Don’t think you cant have food to go along with this one of a kind beer. Cheeses, duck and roasted turkey or stuffings are perfect for these beers!