My Grandma could cook. Here is her fabulous pie crust.
Makes enough for 4 double crust pies.
4 C unsifted flour
1 3/4 C butter flavored Crisco
2 T Sugar
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 C water
1 T distilled white vinegar
Recipe makes 4 double pie crusts. I usually roll all of it out and put rolled dough into a pie shell, then into a large plastic bag and put it in the freezer until I need it. I also roll out the top crust and just roll it up in some plastic wrap and put it in the freezer too.
Combine flour, sugar, and salt.
Cut in shortening and then add in beaten egg and vinegar.
Add water as needed. Dough should not be too sticky. It should be slightly tacky to the touch.
Do not knead this dough too much. In order for pie crusts to be flaky, they need to be handled as little as possible. Kneading the dough will activate the gluten and make for a tough dough. Mold dough into a ball, flatten it and refrigerate for at least an hour before trying to roll it out. Keep dough that isn't being rolled out into a pie crust refrigerated.
Roll dough out onto a floured surface.
I usually roll all of it out and put rolled dough into a pie shell, then into a large plastic bag and put it in the freezer until I need it. I also roll out the top crust and just roll it up in some plastic wrap and put it in the freezer too. This way I have extra pie crusts and pie shells ready to go when I need them.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Homemade Playdough
This is a great activity when the kids are bored. They can make it and add whatever colors they like. It is also a fun way to teach kids about color combinations. I don't know that it saves a whole lot of money, it is cheaper but Playdough is pretty cheap!
1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup salt
2 tsp cream of tarter
1 T oil
1 Cup Water
Put all of the ingredients in a pot and cook over LOW heat. Don't try to hurry this up, it is science. Stir till it all comes together. Add coloring of your choice. You can do it before, during or after you cook it. Just remember if you add it after, your hands will likely turn the color until it really gets mixed in to the playdough. I recommend mixing the ingredients in a bowl really well and then cooking smaller portions at a time and making the colors you want that way. Once they are the right colors and the dough has cooked then cooled off, the kids can combine the playdough together to make the other colors they may want.
1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup salt
2 tsp cream of tarter
1 T oil
1 Cup Water
Put all of the ingredients in a pot and cook over LOW heat. Don't try to hurry this up, it is science. Stir till it all comes together. Add coloring of your choice. You can do it before, during or after you cook it. Just remember if you add it after, your hands will likely turn the color until it really gets mixed in to the playdough. I recommend mixing the ingredients in a bowl really well and then cooking smaller portions at a time and making the colors you want that way. Once they are the right colors and the dough has cooked then cooled off, the kids can combine the playdough together to make the other colors they may want.
Make Your Own Oatmeal Packets
This recipe is one I developed to help off-set the cost of microwave oatmeal packets from the grocery store. My kids love them but I needed to find a way to tighten our food budget. I was shocked at how inexpensive it is to simply make your own.
Powdered milk is part of the microwave packets you buy from the store. It can be substituted for regular milk or cream if you like. You simply leave the powdered milk out of the recipe and pour on whatever "milk" you want after it has cooked. If you want to make a large quantity of oatmeal packets for your kids to microwave up themselves then add the powdered milk.
For storage purposes, just make up the recipe below without any extra add ins. The fruit and nuts need to be freeze dried to be shelf stable. If you simply add dried fruit it will absorb the moisture in the sugar and the oats and make the packet stale after a few days on the shelf. Freeze dried foods are devoid of moisture and can be added to the packets for storage. There are many food storage companies that sell freeze dried foods and you can use those if you like. I like to make sure when I am doing my own stored foods at home that use the best ingredients I can find. I look for organic and non-gmo foods to be sure there aren't added chemicals or additives so that I know my family is getting something healthy.
Grocery List
Whole Oats
-make sure they are whole oats and not the instant or quick oats. Azure Standard is a bulk purchase website devoted to healthier living. You can find organic whole oats and even oat groats here. Groats are oats that haven't been rolled flat. They look a bit like a wheat kernel. I purchase a lot of what I use and store from this site now because I can get high quality organic foods at bulk prices. www.azurestandard.com
Powdered Milk
Optional Sweeteners
White Sugar
Brown Sugar
Honey
Molasses
1 Serving
1/3 C Whole Oats
2 T Powdered Milk
1 tsp White Sugar or 1 T Honey for a restricted sugar diet-use powdered honey if you are making packets.
1 tsp Brown Sugar or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp molasses for a restricted sugar diet-add just before cooking.
1 Cup Cold Water
1. Combine the cold water and the powdered milk. Whisk it together until completely combined. If you try to heat the powdered milk before it is mixed into the water it will clump and harden.
2. Add all the other ingredients and microwave for approximately 2 minutes on high. WATCH this while it is cooking to figure out the appropriate time for your microwave. Cleaning up exploded oatmeal is no fun.
3. Remove it from the microwave and let it sit for 2-3 minutes to thicken and cool off.
Multiple Servings
To make more than one serving at a time I like to use a rice cooker. I have cooked the oatmeal on the stove but find I have to stand over it a bit more and stir it. The rice cooker is brilliant! Simply double or triple-up to whatever your portions will be-the recipe and add everything into the cooker. If you are adding the powdered milk, be sure to mix that with the cold water first then add everything else. Set it for a moderate temperature and let the oatmeal cook. You will want to stir it a couple of times but it cooks itself for the most part. I haven't tried it in my crock pot yet but that is on my list.
If you have a bunch of packets you are cooking, just add however many cups of water you need to match the quantity of packets. I like this method over the microwave even because I don't have to watch it.
Flavor Variations: You may need to add more water if you add a lot of dried fruit to the mix.
Craisins and dried apples with 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and 1/8 tsp of ground cloves
Diced dried apricots and pecans with some nutmeg-just a pinch
Strawberries-dried. If you add fresh or frozen they will give off some water. You can adjust this by adding 1 T more of whole oats to absorb the extra liquid. Omit the powdered milk and add heavy cream after it has cooked.
Blueberries-dried, fresh, or frozen. If you use frozen, run them under some hot water to rinse and thaw them before adding them to the bowl. Omit the powdered milk and add heavy cream after it has cooked.
1 tsp cinnamon and 2 T Raisins
Bananas-dried with 1 tsp cinnamon. If you want to use fresh bananas then add slices after the oatmeal has cooked. The texture gets slimy if you cook them with the oatmeal. Add some pecans or walnuts for banana bread oatmeal.
Peaches with a pinch of nutmeg-omit the powdered milk and add heavy cream after it has cooked.
Anything else that sounds good to you!
Powdered milk is part of the microwave packets you buy from the store. It can be substituted for regular milk or cream if you like. You simply leave the powdered milk out of the recipe and pour on whatever "milk" you want after it has cooked. If you want to make a large quantity of oatmeal packets for your kids to microwave up themselves then add the powdered milk.
For storage purposes, just make up the recipe below without any extra add ins. The fruit and nuts need to be freeze dried to be shelf stable. If you simply add dried fruit it will absorb the moisture in the sugar and the oats and make the packet stale after a few days on the shelf. Freeze dried foods are devoid of moisture and can be added to the packets for storage. There are many food storage companies that sell freeze dried foods and you can use those if you like. I like to make sure when I am doing my own stored foods at home that use the best ingredients I can find. I look for organic and non-gmo foods to be sure there aren't added chemicals or additives so that I know my family is getting something healthy.
Grocery List
Whole Oats
-make sure they are whole oats and not the instant or quick oats. Azure Standard is a bulk purchase website devoted to healthier living. You can find organic whole oats and even oat groats here. Groats are oats that haven't been rolled flat. They look a bit like a wheat kernel. I purchase a lot of what I use and store from this site now because I can get high quality organic foods at bulk prices. www.azurestandard.com
Powdered Milk
Optional Sweeteners
White Sugar
Brown Sugar
Honey
Molasses
1 Serving
1/3 C Whole Oats
2 T Powdered Milk
1 tsp White Sugar or 1 T Honey for a restricted sugar diet-use powdered honey if you are making packets.
1 tsp Brown Sugar or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp molasses for a restricted sugar diet-add just before cooking.
1 Cup Cold Water
1. Combine the cold water and the powdered milk. Whisk it together until completely combined. If you try to heat the powdered milk before it is mixed into the water it will clump and harden.
2. Add all the other ingredients and microwave for approximately 2 minutes on high. WATCH this while it is cooking to figure out the appropriate time for your microwave. Cleaning up exploded oatmeal is no fun.
3. Remove it from the microwave and let it sit for 2-3 minutes to thicken and cool off.
Multiple Servings
To make more than one serving at a time I like to use a rice cooker. I have cooked the oatmeal on the stove but find I have to stand over it a bit more and stir it. The rice cooker is brilliant! Simply double or triple-up to whatever your portions will be-the recipe and add everything into the cooker. If you are adding the powdered milk, be sure to mix that with the cold water first then add everything else. Set it for a moderate temperature and let the oatmeal cook. You will want to stir it a couple of times but it cooks itself for the most part. I haven't tried it in my crock pot yet but that is on my list.
If you have a bunch of packets you are cooking, just add however many cups of water you need to match the quantity of packets. I like this method over the microwave even because I don't have to watch it.
Flavor Variations: You may need to add more water if you add a lot of dried fruit to the mix.
Craisins and dried apples with 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and 1/8 tsp of ground cloves
Diced dried apricots and pecans with some nutmeg-just a pinch
Strawberries-dried. If you add fresh or frozen they will give off some water. You can adjust this by adding 1 T more of whole oats to absorb the extra liquid. Omit the powdered milk and add heavy cream after it has cooked.
Blueberries-dried, fresh, or frozen. If you use frozen, run them under some hot water to rinse and thaw them before adding them to the bowl. Omit the powdered milk and add heavy cream after it has cooked.
1 tsp cinnamon and 2 T Raisins
Bananas-dried with 1 tsp cinnamon. If you want to use fresh bananas then add slices after the oatmeal has cooked. The texture gets slimy if you cook them with the oatmeal. Add some pecans or walnuts for banana bread oatmeal.
Peaches with a pinch of nutmeg-omit the powdered milk and add heavy cream after it has cooked.
Anything else that sounds good to you!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Bacon
Instead of microwaving bacon or putting it a skillet on the stove, bake it in the oven. It is awesome! This is one of those tips that is really worth assimilating into your cooking life. Take the bacon and put it on a cookie sheet or broiler pan. I like the broiler pan because the grease cooks into the bottom pan leaving nice crispy bacon on the top pan. If you don't have a broiler pan then place a piece of parchment paper on your 1/2 sheet baking pan.
Lay the bacon out and then bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes. It actually takes the same amount of time to do it in the oven as it does to cook it anywhere else and it is less mess and you don't have to stand over it. I like to flip my bacon half way through cooking just to ensure even cooking. Try it, love will bloom! The bacon comes out perfectly cooked. It is nice and flat, not curled up and the grease cooks into the bottom as mentioned before.
Tip courtesy of the Rachel Ray Show
Lay the bacon out and then bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes. It actually takes the same amount of time to do it in the oven as it does to cook it anywhere else and it is less mess and you don't have to stand over it. I like to flip my bacon half way through cooking just to ensure even cooking. Try it, love will bloom! The bacon comes out perfectly cooked. It is nice and flat, not curled up and the grease cooks into the bottom as mentioned before.
Tip courtesy of the Rachel Ray Show
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Grace is Not My Name
I am left handed and therefore always hurting myself. You may wonder what being left handed has to do with it? Well, nothing really. It is just how I make myself feel better about the fact that I am not terribly graceful. I have always aspired to be graceful, but it just comes out as a kerthunk! most of the time.
I am usually healing from a would of some sort, and I try really hard to stay out of the ER. My husband appreciates it when I do too. My lifetime of experience in the area of pain has given me a certain perspective and I rarely get upset about the ouches anymore.
My 12 year old son told me the other day that he has really gotten klutzy. I just apologized and told him it is all my fault. He thought I was joking and laughed and then saw my face and knew that life was going to require good health coverage so he better do well.
My latest injury involved tomatoes. It is rather funny now that I think about it, but I am pretty sure it is the closest my husband has come to a heart attack in a while. It do cause his ticker to beat rapidly from time to time. And not because I am a super model. I am laughing as I type. It isn't nice to laugh but wow, you should have seen the look on his face. This accident was a perfect foray into the Halloween Season!
I had been canning tomatoes all day and they had finally cooled off enough that I wanted to rinse the jars before putting them on the shelf. I picked up two jars and headed to the sink. It sounds like a long distance but really it is only about 3 or 4 steps. I should have just held them in my hands, but no, I had them resting in my arms like a baby. Just as I get to the sink to put them down, I realized it was stupid to carry them this way. The larger jar clipped the sink and shattered in my hands as I was trying to set it down. Tomatoes went everywhere. It was like the jar exploded on impact. There were tomatoes running down the counter and pooling on the floor. I made a mess.
After getting upset that I had just broken a beloved canning jar, I realized I was bleeding on both of my hands. Uh oh! My 10 year son was sitting at the table and I calmly asked him to get his dad. My kids don't mess around when they see I have hurt myself, it happens way too much. He immediately ran upstairs and ordered his Dad downstairs, "Mom needs you Dad, now!".
I was nursing my wounds at this point and discovered I had little slices all over both hands. The paper towel was covered in blood, not because of volume but all the tiny cuts everywhere. My husband came downstairs with the what did you do now look on his face and then he went white. I was starting to explain what happened when I noticed him turning white at what he thought was a puddle of blood on the floor at my feet. Then he starts yelling. "What did you do?!" I, of course didn't know what he was so upset about. I just had a few little cuts on my hands. He starts working on me like I had hit an artery and then asked rather angrily, "Are those tomatoes!?". He had noticed I just wasn't bleeding enough to justify that big of a puddle at my feet. "Of course they are", I say. Then it all came together for me. I smiled at him and reassured him I was fine.
I had to apologize a lot that night for scaring him. Next time I'll make sure I am carrying pickles!
I suppose I need to add a post about how to can tomatoes now! It will have to wait until August when my tomatoes are ready.
I am usually healing from a would of some sort, and I try really hard to stay out of the ER. My husband appreciates it when I do too. My lifetime of experience in the area of pain has given me a certain perspective and I rarely get upset about the ouches anymore.
My 12 year old son told me the other day that he has really gotten klutzy. I just apologized and told him it is all my fault. He thought I was joking and laughed and then saw my face and knew that life was going to require good health coverage so he better do well.
My latest injury involved tomatoes. It is rather funny now that I think about it, but I am pretty sure it is the closest my husband has come to a heart attack in a while. It do cause his ticker to beat rapidly from time to time. And not because I am a super model. I am laughing as I type. It isn't nice to laugh but wow, you should have seen the look on his face. This accident was a perfect foray into the Halloween Season!
I had been canning tomatoes all day and they had finally cooled off enough that I wanted to rinse the jars before putting them on the shelf. I picked up two jars and headed to the sink. It sounds like a long distance but really it is only about 3 or 4 steps. I should have just held them in my hands, but no, I had them resting in my arms like a baby. Just as I get to the sink to put them down, I realized it was stupid to carry them this way. The larger jar clipped the sink and shattered in my hands as I was trying to set it down. Tomatoes went everywhere. It was like the jar exploded on impact. There were tomatoes running down the counter and pooling on the floor. I made a mess.
After getting upset that I had just broken a beloved canning jar, I realized I was bleeding on both of my hands. Uh oh! My 10 year son was sitting at the table and I calmly asked him to get his dad. My kids don't mess around when they see I have hurt myself, it happens way too much. He immediately ran upstairs and ordered his Dad downstairs, "Mom needs you Dad, now!".
I was nursing my wounds at this point and discovered I had little slices all over both hands. The paper towel was covered in blood, not because of volume but all the tiny cuts everywhere. My husband came downstairs with the what did you do now look on his face and then he went white. I was starting to explain what happened when I noticed him turning white at what he thought was a puddle of blood on the floor at my feet. Then he starts yelling. "What did you do?!" I, of course didn't know what he was so upset about. I just had a few little cuts on my hands. He starts working on me like I had hit an artery and then asked rather angrily, "Are those tomatoes!?". He had noticed I just wasn't bleeding enough to justify that big of a puddle at my feet. "Of course they are", I say. Then it all came together for me. I smiled at him and reassured him I was fine.
I had to apologize a lot that night for scaring him. Next time I'll make sure I am carrying pickles!
I suppose I need to add a post about how to can tomatoes now! It will have to wait until August when my tomatoes are ready.
Condiments
Condiments are an essential part of a functioning kitchen. They provide the base for many dishes and without them, recipes just don't taste as good. Here is a list of basics that everyone should have in their kitchen.
Balsamic Vinegar
Barbecue Sauce
Cooking Wines-Red, White, Sherry, Burgundy
Fresh Garlic
Lemon Juice
Ketchup
Mayonnaise-http://expandingfrosting.blogspot.com/2010/05/mayonnaise.html
Mustard-Yellow
Mustard-Dijon
Olive Oil
Orange Marmalade
Parmesan Cheese
Red Wine Vinegar
Salad Dressings-Ranch http://expandingfrosting.blogspot.com/2010/04/ranch-dressing-way-nature-intended.html, Italian, Asian
Salsa
Soy Sauce
Steak Sauce
Worcestershire Sauce
Balsamic Vinegar
Barbecue Sauce
Cooking Wines-Red, White, Sherry, Burgundy
Fresh Garlic
Lemon Juice
Ketchup
Mayonnaise-http://expandingfrosting.blogspot.com/2010/05/mayonnaise.html
Mustard-Yellow
Mustard-Dijon
Olive Oil
Orange Marmalade
Parmesan Cheese
Red Wine Vinegar
Salad Dressings-Ranch http://expandingfrosting.blogspot.com/2010/04/ranch-dressing-way-nature-intended.html, Italian, Asian
Salsa
Soy Sauce
Steak Sauce
Worcestershire Sauce
Cleaning up Fall Leaves
We have 13 trees at our house. We have a tremendous leaf problem. We rake and rake and rake for months. We fill up the truck and haul them off to the dump. We fill trash bags and put them in our cans. They just never end. We have found that mowing over them is an easy way to get them up. The mower chops the leaves up and throws them into the grass catcher which makes cleaning them up easier.
If there are too many, the only thing to do is invite all the kids on the block to come over with their rakes and make the biggest pile of leaves they have ever seen. It usually works and the kids are entertained for hours! Take lots of pictures. The cuteness factor goes way up on this activity!
If there are too many, the only thing to do is invite all the kids on the block to come over with their rakes and make the biggest pile of leaves they have ever seen. It usually works and the kids are entertained for hours! Take lots of pictures. The cuteness factor goes way up on this activity!
Ingredients for Baking
Having basic ingredients stocked in your kitchen are important too. Even if you aren't an avid baker, we all have occasions where we need to make something quick. The following is a list of basic ingredients you should keep stocked. I have found that the easiest way to store these things are in large plastic storage containers you can find at your local kitchen supply center. And, depending on the kind of volume you purchase, they have containers that will hold a 25lb bag of flour or sugar. If you are limited on space, the containers are all sizes, you can find what you need.
All Purpose Flour-unbleached
Apple Cider Vinegar
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Brown Sugar
Chocolate Chips
Cocoa Powder
Cooking Oil-Vegetable, Canola, whatever you like
Cooking Spray
Honey
Molasses
Peanut Butter
Powdered Sugar-also called confectioner's sugar
Raisins
Regular Rolled Oats
Salt
Shortening
2 Cans of Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Cans of Evaporated Milk
White Sugar
Vanilla Extract-I recommend getting real vanilla. The immitation stuff just isn't as good. I get my vanilla from Costco. It is a good price and is Bourbon Vanilla. Most vanilla you can find in grocery stores are Vodka Vanilla.
All Purpose Flour-unbleached
Apple Cider Vinegar
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Brown Sugar
Chocolate Chips
Cocoa Powder
Cooking Oil-Vegetable, Canola, whatever you like
Cooking Spray
Honey
Molasses
Peanut Butter
Powdered Sugar-also called confectioner's sugar
Raisins
Regular Rolled Oats
Salt
Shortening
2 Cans of Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Cans of Evaporated Milk
White Sugar
Vanilla Extract-I recommend getting real vanilla. The immitation stuff just isn't as good. I get my vanilla from Costco. It is a good price and is Bourbon Vanilla. Most vanilla you can find in grocery stores are Vodka Vanilla.
Spices and Seasonings
The following are a list of basic spices and seasonings you should keep stocked in your pantry at all times. Most recipes will utilize these ingredients and running to the store to pick one or two up is a hassel. Let me know if you think of some others.
Herbs
Basil
Bay Leaves
Celery Seed
Chives
Dill Weed
Oregano
Parsley
Sage
Savory
Tarragon
Thyme
Spices
All Spice
Beef Bouillon
Chicken Bouillon
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Curry
Garlic Powder
Ground Cloves
Ground Ginger
Ground Mustard
Ground Nutmeg
Onion Flakes
Onion Powder
Salt
Paprika
Pepper
Spice Blends
All Purpose Seasoning-I recommend Spike.
Garlic Salt
Lemon Pepper
Onion Powder
Seafood/Chicken Rub
Steak Seasoning
Taco Seasoning
Tobasco Sauce
Herbs
Basil
Bay Leaves
Celery Seed
Chives
Dill Weed
Oregano
Parsley
Sage
Savory
Tarragon
Thyme
Spices
All Spice
Beef Bouillon
Chicken Bouillon
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Curry
Garlic Powder
Ground Cloves
Ground Ginger
Ground Mustard
Ground Nutmeg
Onion Flakes
Onion Powder
Salt
Paprika
Pepper
Spice Blends
All Purpose Seasoning-I recommend Spike.
Garlic Salt
Lemon Pepper
Onion Powder
Seafood/Chicken Rub
Steak Seasoning
Taco Seasoning
Tobasco Sauce
Cleaning Burnt Food Off a Pot
To easily remove burnt food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Bring it to a boil on the stove top. Once it is cool enough for your hands. Wash out the inside.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I recently burned apple butter to the bottom of an aluminum pan. It was charcoal it was so burned. The above suggestion wasn't nearly enough to get the pan clean. I added 3 parts vinegar to 1 part lemon juice and let it sit overnight. The burned food came off mostly with some scrubbing after the soaking. Simply using soap didn't work in this situation.
I am not sure if bringing it to a boil on the stove would expedite the cleaning process.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I recently burned apple butter to the bottom of an aluminum pan. It was charcoal it was so burned. The above suggestion wasn't nearly enough to get the pan clean. I added 3 parts vinegar to 1 part lemon juice and let it sit overnight. The burned food came off mostly with some scrubbing after the soaking. Simply using soap didn't work in this situation.
I am not sure if bringing it to a boil on the stove would expedite the cleaning process.
Corn on the Cob
When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Smores
Instead of using the traditional graham crackers and chocolate bars, use Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies instead. It is very tastey and less bulky since the chocolate is already on the cookies.
Roast your marshmallow
Take one Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies and place the marshmallow on the solid chocolate side.
Put another cookie on top and enjoy! This is my new favorite way of eating smores!
Roast your marshmallow
Take one Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies and place the marshmallow on the solid chocolate side.
Put another cookie on top and enjoy! This is my new favorite way of eating smores!
Easier Pancakes
Use a meat baster to "squeeze your pancake batter onto the hot griddle and you'll get perfectly shaped pancakes every time.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I have done this and it works great. The kids really liked having their names written in pancake batter. It was tough to flip over though. This will not work if you are making pancakes with anything added to the batter like blueberries or bananas.
See the recipe section for a do it yourself Bisquick Mix that will save you money!
http://expandingfrosting.blogspot.com/2009/10/bisquick.html
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I have done this and it works great. The kids really liked having their names written in pancake batter. It was tough to flip over though. This will not work if you are making pancakes with anything added to the batter like blueberries or bananas.
See the recipe section for a do it yourself Bisquick Mix that will save you money!
http://expandingfrosting.blogspot.com/2009/10/bisquick.html
Ice Cream Cones
Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent the ice cream from dripping.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
If you have a cake cone, I say fill it up with marshmallows too. Who doesn't like marshmallows? A Whopper candy will work too. It really plugs it up and is crunchy!
Martha Stewart Tips Email
If you have a cake cone, I say fill it up with marshmallows too. Who doesn't like marshmallows? A Whopper candy will work too. It really plugs it up and is crunchy!
Clean a Thermos Bottle
Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets. Let it soak for and hour or longer if needed.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I am sure this works. Do they even make Thermos bottles anymore? I use to have one that went in my lunch box as a kid. My mom would send soup to school with me. I think I am going to try to find one for my kids. We live in a very cold place.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I am sure this works. Do they even make Thermos bottles anymore? I use to have one that went in my lunch box as a kid. My mom would send soup to school with me. I think I am going to try to find one for my kids. We live in a very cold place.
Polish Jewelry
Drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Cleaning Vases
To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets. Let it sit and swish it around. Rinse.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Cleaning Toilets
Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer. Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I have tried this, it works. I just don't like keeping a toilet brush around so I use the Clorox Toilet Wand. It is a cleaner tool for me. I am sure Alka-Seltzer is cheaper per use than the Clorox Wand, but the germ-a-phob in me likes the wand better.
Since trying to live a more frugal life, I have gone back to the toilet brush and holder. The Clorox wand is great but so much more expensive. I have also found that spraying some Tilex mildew remover into the toilet and letting it sit for a while cleans the toilet without me having to touch it at all! It is amazing. I also use it after I shower a couple times a week and presto, no more scrubbing the shower down either. It is an amazing product and much better than Alka Seltzer.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I have tried this, it works. I just don't like keeping a toilet brush around so I use the Clorox Toilet Wand. It is a cleaner tool for me. I am sure Alka-Seltzer is cheaper per use than the Clorox Wand, but the germ-a-phob in me likes the wand better.
Since trying to live a more frugal life, I have gone back to the toilet brush and holder. The Clorox wand is great but so much more expensive. I have also found that spraying some Tilex mildew remover into the toilet and letting it sit for a while cleans the toilet without me having to touch it at all! It is amazing. I also use it after I shower a couple times a week and presto, no more scrubbing the shower down either. It is an amazing product and much better than Alka Seltzer.
Cuts-Stitches or Not?
Some deep cuts leave us wondering, to stitch or not to stitch? I have found on some of the smaller deep cuts my children have gotten, that superglue works just fine. Superglue is used in war times to close up wounds and even used in the ER instead of stitches. I checked this out with a Family Practice Dr. friend we have and he confirmed that in fact super glue works just fine in most small yet deep cuts.
An example of a small yet deep cut was my son's hip wound from wrecking onto the spikey, metal peddle of his BMX bike. He had a pretty good cut right on his pelvic bone area that was about 1/4 of an inch deep and about 3/4 of and inch long. We had super glue at the house, not the $100 is was going to cost to go to the ER. It bled some and the super glue held it together long enough to heal. I put new glue on each day where the cut popped open and as it began to scab, the glue came off. He has a pretty good scar on his hip, but it is in an inconspicuous area of his body, and it will change as he grows too.
You have to be the judge of whether super glue will work or whether you should go to the dr. Self reliance in first aid is a good thing and there are many things that can be done at home that cost less and are just as effective as seeing a dr.
I do not recommend this method for cuts on the face. Have a dr. sew up those wounds to make the smallest scar possible. We learned from the cut on this same son's forehead, that when a cut is healing, if it gets sun on it, the scar will discolor. So make sure cuts on the face or where ever else you care about their visibility, are covered with a bandage and then put sunscreen on it always up to a year after the wound has healed to ensure proper blending of the healed skin with the existing skin at the site. This was the advise from the plastic surgeon attending at the ER we went to that sewed up his forehead.
An example of a small yet deep cut was my son's hip wound from wrecking onto the spikey, metal peddle of his BMX bike. He had a pretty good cut right on his pelvic bone area that was about 1/4 of an inch deep and about 3/4 of and inch long. We had super glue at the house, not the $100 is was going to cost to go to the ER. It bled some and the super glue held it together long enough to heal. I put new glue on each day where the cut popped open and as it began to scab, the glue came off. He has a pretty good scar on his hip, but it is in an inconspicuous area of his body, and it will change as he grows too.
You have to be the judge of whether super glue will work or whether you should go to the dr. Self reliance in first aid is a good thing and there are many things that can be done at home that cost less and are just as effective as seeing a dr.
I do not recommend this method for cuts on the face. Have a dr. sew up those wounds to make the smallest scar possible. We learned from the cut on this same son's forehead, that when a cut is healing, if it gets sun on it, the scar will discolor. So make sure cuts on the face or where ever else you care about their visibility, are covered with a bandage and then put sunscreen on it always up to a year after the wound has healed to ensure proper blending of the healed skin with the existing skin at the site. This was the advise from the plastic surgeon attending at the ER we went to that sewed up his forehead.
Splinters
When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I have not used this but it may work on small superficial splinters. When my 10 year old broke his arm and we were waiting in the ER to be seen, a little boy came in that had fallen into a cactus! Yikes, I know! The ER doctors took regular school glue (Elmer's) and spread it over all the areas where the cactus needles were. The glue dries and dries the needles/splinters too. Just peel off and they should come out.
For really deep splinters, put some ice on the area first and then use the sharper tools to get it out. The ice helps numb the area so the needle poke isn't so noticable. Don't leave the ice on too long, then you will have a whole other issue.
If the splinter still won't come out, seeing your Dr. works well too.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I have not used this but it may work on small superficial splinters. When my 10 year old broke his arm and we were waiting in the ER to be seen, a little boy came in that had fallen into a cactus! Yikes, I know! The ER doctors took regular school glue (Elmer's) and spread it over all the areas where the cactus needles were. The glue dries and dries the needles/splinters too. Just peel off and they should come out.
For really deep splinters, put some ice on the area first and then use the sharper tools to get it out. The ice helps numb the area so the needle poke isn't so noticable. Don't leave the ice on too long, then you will have a whole other issue.
If the splinter still won't come out, seeing your Dr. works well too.
Cleaning Mirrors
Use air freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
So I am having a blonde moment. I used a dryer sheet instead of air freshener. Needless to say, the dryer sheet didn't work and I have been posting too many tips about their uses. I am sure the air freshener works just fine, but I have found two things that work perfectly for cleaning windows and I see no reason to use anything else.
First: Sprayway Glass Cleaner.
It is made by Sprayway, Inc. in
Addison, Illinois 60101. (made in USA)
This stuff works like magic. I have been using it for years and usually get it from Costco. This is what the can looks like on the company website. I don't know if that is what it looks like at the store. I can't say enough good about his product. It is fabulous. I am getting no money for endorsing it.
The second thing that works well for cleaning windows is to use newspaper instead of a rag. There are no streaks and no lint from the rag. The best part is that it can still be recycled when you are done. Be aware, your fingers will get messy from the newsprint. If you use the Sprayway cleaner, you really don't need the newspapers.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
So I am having a blonde moment. I used a dryer sheet instead of air freshener. Needless to say, the dryer sheet didn't work and I have been posting too many tips about their uses. I am sure the air freshener works just fine, but I have found two things that work perfectly for cleaning windows and I see no reason to use anything else.
First: Sprayway Glass Cleaner.
It is made by Sprayway, Inc. in
Addison, Illinois 60101. (made in USA)
This stuff works like magic. I have been using it for years and usually get it from Costco. This is what the can looks like on the company website. I don't know if that is what it looks like at the store. I can't say enough good about his product. It is fabulous. I am getting no money for endorsing it.
The second thing that works well for cleaning windows is to use newspaper instead of a rag. There are no streaks and no lint from the rag. The best part is that it can still be recycled when you are done. Be aware, your fingers will get messy from the newsprint. If you use the Sprayway cleaner, you really don't need the newspapers.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Lemon Juice
To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Put lemons in the microwave for 15 seconds and then slice and juice. The heat from the microwave makes the lemons juicier.
Rachel Ray Show
The microwave trick works like a charm. Just be careful not to cook them. They only need a few seconds to be nice and juicy.
To store lemons, place them in a ziplock bag and keep in the fridge. They will keep fresh longer this way.
Cook's Illustrated Magazine
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Put lemons in the microwave for 15 seconds and then slice and juice. The heat from the microwave makes the lemons juicier.
Rachel Ray Show
The microwave trick works like a charm. Just be careful not to cook them. They only need a few seconds to be nice and juicy.
To store lemons, place them in a ziplock bag and keep in the fridge. They will keep fresh longer this way.
Cook's Illustrated Magazine
Eggs
To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard boiling.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
This works. Also, peel the egg while it is still hot. If you let them cool before peeling, the inside skin sticks to the egg and it doesn't come off very well.
To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh, but if it rises to the surface, throw it away.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Martha Stewart Tips Email
This works. Also, peel the egg while it is still hot. If you let them cool before peeling, the inside skin sticks to the egg and it doesn't come off very well.
To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh, but if it rises to the surface, throw it away.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Storing Celery
Wrap celery in aluminium foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I did this and it didn't keep for weeks. It kept a little longer, maybe a day or two. But it also didn't look that great. I have found the best way to keep celery is to cut it up and keep it in a covered container in water. It stays hydrated and crispy fresh this way without getting limp and soggy.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
I did this and it didn't keep for weeks. It kept a little longer, maybe a day or two. But it also didn't look that great. I have found the best way to keep celery is to cut it up and keep it in a covered container in water. It stays hydrated and crispy fresh this way without getting limp and soggy.
Potatoes
Potatoes have many uses:
Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
To keep potatoes from budding, place and apple in the bag with the potatoes.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
If you accidentally over salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix me up".
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
To keep potatoes from budding, place and apple in the bag with the potatoes.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
If you accidentally over salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix me up".
Martha Stewart Tips Email
Opening Jars with Tight Lids
Turn the jar upside down and firmly thump it on the counter. Be careful not to hit it so hard that the jar breaks, just a firm thump or two. The force of the "thump" releases the vacuum seal and allows the jar to easily open.
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