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.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Cure for Headaches
Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
or,
Take a Coca Cola, open it slam it with some Tylonol the throbbing will go away.
or,
Take some Excedrine, the throbbing will go away.
or
For a migrane, put a bag of ice at the base of your neck and lay on it. Turn off all the lights, close the curtains and put on some soothing nature sounds, like the ocean or streams running. This will usually help you fall asleep and sleep is about the only thing that helps a headache.
I have used the Coke tip and it works like a charm. The ice bag for the migrane works too if you catch the migrane in the beginning. You can only use these tips if you do them just as you feel a migrane coming on. If you wait to long, I have found serious drugs for migranes are all that will help. I have also found that eating well and regularly, getting the right kind/amount of sleep and reducing my stress all help in keeping migranes away.
Martha Stewart Tips Email
or,
Take a Coca Cola, open it slam it with some Tylonol the throbbing will go away.
or,
Take some Excedrine, the throbbing will go away.
or
For a migrane, put a bag of ice at the base of your neck and lay on it. Turn off all the lights, close the curtains and put on some soothing nature sounds, like the ocean or streams running. This will usually help you fall asleep and sleep is about the only thing that helps a headache.
I have used the Coke tip and it works like a charm. The ice bag for the migrane works too if you catch the migrane in the beginning. You can only use these tips if you do them just as you feel a migrane coming on. If you wait to long, I have found serious drugs for migranes are all that will help. I have also found that eating well and regularly, getting the right kind/amount of sleep and reducing my stress all help in keeping migranes away.
Taco Soup
After making tacos for dinner, who doesn't have a little of this and a little of that leftover? I have made it my quest to make over leftovers. It saves the moans and cries of, "we have to have that again?" and usually the food gets gobbled up.
Taco Soup:
In a large pot-preferably 8 quarts-add the following:
1 quart can of tomato juice, any brand-if you don't have tomato juice use a can (15 ounces) of tomato sauce and add enough water to equal 1 quart.
Any leftover taco meat
1 can of corn-unless you have some corn left from the night before
1 can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 T dried cilantro or a handful of fresh cilantro chopped fine
2 cups of left over spanish rice-you can omit if you didn't make any
1/2 C fresh onions diced fine or 1/4 cup dried onions
salt to taste.
To the juice, add the onions, cilantro, taco meat, and rice. Let come to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer. Add the corn and the beans.
Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until all the flavors are combined.
Add additional water if needed. No other seasonings are needed because the rice and meat should already be seasoned from the night before. If you need an extra kick to the flavor, add a tablespoon of taco seasoning.
While simmering, fry up some tortilla strips for the topping.
Tortilla Strips:
Cut 3 taco size fresh corn tortillas with kitchen shears into very thing strips.
Put some Vegetable Shortening into a skillet (I use my cast iron skillet for this. A stainless skillet will work too. I have not used non stick to fry like this in so I am not sure what the heat does to the surface.) to equal about 1/4 of and inch of liquid when melted.
Let it heat up.
Take the handle of a wooden spoon and place it in the oil to see if it bubbles up. The shortening is hot enough when this occurs.
Drop some tortilla strips into the oil and let them fry for a few minutes. About 1 1/2- 2 minutes. Put some paper towels onto a plate, 4-5.
Using a slotted spoon, take the strips out of the hot oil and place on the paper towels to drain. Repeat until they are all fried up.
To serve, ladle soup into the bowl, top with left over cheese, tortilla strips, and left over diced tomatoes. Add a dollop of sour cream and your tummy and your family will beg for more!
Taco Soup:
In a large pot-preferably 8 quarts-add the following:
1 quart can of tomato juice, any brand-if you don't have tomato juice use a can (15 ounces) of tomato sauce and add enough water to equal 1 quart.
Any leftover taco meat
1 can of corn-unless you have some corn left from the night before
1 can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 T dried cilantro or a handful of fresh cilantro chopped fine
2 cups of left over spanish rice-you can omit if you didn't make any
1/2 C fresh onions diced fine or 1/4 cup dried onions
salt to taste.
To the juice, add the onions, cilantro, taco meat, and rice. Let come to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer. Add the corn and the beans.
Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until all the flavors are combined.
Add additional water if needed. No other seasonings are needed because the rice and meat should already be seasoned from the night before. If you need an extra kick to the flavor, add a tablespoon of taco seasoning.
While simmering, fry up some tortilla strips for the topping.
Tortilla Strips:
Cut 3 taco size fresh corn tortillas with kitchen shears into very thing strips.
Put some Vegetable Shortening into a skillet (I use my cast iron skillet for this. A stainless skillet will work too. I have not used non stick to fry like this in so I am not sure what the heat does to the surface.) to equal about 1/4 of and inch of liquid when melted.
Let it heat up.
Take the handle of a wooden spoon and place it in the oil to see if it bubbles up. The shortening is hot enough when this occurs.
Drop some tortilla strips into the oil and let them fry for a few minutes. About 1 1/2- 2 minutes. Put some paper towels onto a plate, 4-5.
Using a slotted spoon, take the strips out of the hot oil and place on the paper towels to drain. Repeat until they are all fried up.
To serve, ladle soup into the bowl, top with left over cheese, tortilla strips, and left over diced tomatoes. Add a dollop of sour cream and your tummy and your family will beg for more!
Make Your Own Laundry Soap
This tip comes to me from my cousin's wife Cassie.
Powdered Laundry Soap
1 C grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 C Washing Soda-it is in the isle with the laundry detergent
1/2 C Borax-also in the laundry isle
Her report:
I used the food processor to grate the soap and then used the chopping blade to mix it all together. Store in a strong zip-lock bag (or an old oxiclean container!).
For light loads, use 1 tablespoon.
For large or heavily soiled loads, use 2 tablespoons.
*My only issues is that you need to dissolve the soap in hot water, which means I'm turning on the hot, pouring in the soap and then switching it to cold. Next time, I think I'll try the liquid version, even though it does take a little more time and effort:
Liquid Laundry Detergent:
3 pints water
1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
2 gallon bucket
1 quart hot water
hot water
Mix Fels Naptha soap in a suacepan with 3 pints water, and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in washing soda and borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 quart hot water to 2 gallon bucket. Add soap mixture and mix well. Fill bucket with how ater, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup per load.
I've also heard that you can used distilled vinegar instead of laundry softener in a Downy ball.... but I'm not brave enough to try that one yet. One step at a time. :)
I am excited to try this. It has got to cost less than regular laundry soap and you could add a scent using the Febreeze laundry freshener.
Powdered Laundry Soap
1 C grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 C Washing Soda-it is in the isle with the laundry detergent
1/2 C Borax-also in the laundry isle
Her report:
I used the food processor to grate the soap and then used the chopping blade to mix it all together. Store in a strong zip-lock bag (or an old oxiclean container!).
For light loads, use 1 tablespoon.
For large or heavily soiled loads, use 2 tablespoons.
*My only issues is that you need to dissolve the soap in hot water, which means I'm turning on the hot, pouring in the soap and then switching it to cold. Next time, I think I'll try the liquid version, even though it does take a little more time and effort:
Liquid Laundry Detergent:
3 pints water
1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
2 gallon bucket
1 quart hot water
hot water
Mix Fels Naptha soap in a suacepan with 3 pints water, and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in washing soda and borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 quart hot water to 2 gallon bucket. Add soap mixture and mix well. Fill bucket with how ater, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup per load.
I've also heard that you can used distilled vinegar instead of laundry softener in a Downy ball.... but I'm not brave enough to try that one yet. One step at a time. :)
I am excited to try this. It has got to cost less than regular laundry soap and you could add a scent using the Febreeze laundry freshener.
Bat Mix
Just in time for Halloween! This is a fun treat to send to your child's class for treats.
1 C Cheerios
1 C Goldfish
1 C Pretzels
1/2 C Raisins
1/2 C Mini Marshmallows
1/2 C Peanuts-omit if allergies are a problem
1/4 C Candy Corn
1/4 C M & M's
Put all of the ingredients into a very large bowl. Mix them together and put into snack size sandwich bags or Halloween themed goodie bags. If you are making it ahead of time, don't add the raisins until it is going to be eaten. There is some moisture in them that will effect the texture of the other foods over time.
1 C Cheerios
1 C Goldfish
1 C Pretzels
1/2 C Raisins
1/2 C Mini Marshmallows
1/2 C Peanuts-omit if allergies are a problem
1/4 C Candy Corn
1/4 C M & M's
Put all of the ingredients into a very large bowl. Mix them together and put into snack size sandwich bags or Halloween themed goodie bags. If you are making it ahead of time, don't add the raisins until it is going to be eaten. There is some moisture in them that will effect the texture of the other foods over time.
Universal Cookie Dough Recipe
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1 Cake mix of your choice
1/3 C cooking oil
2 eggs or 2/3 C peanut butter (this will depend on your cake choice)
Any stir ins you like
Mix ingredients together to form a fairly stiff dough. Use a scoop to measure out balls of dough that are the same size. Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool on a rack before eating. The add ins may be very hot. These cookies bake up very soft and chewy and they stay that way even after a few days. They also don't taste like cake. They taste like cookies. This recipe will make about 20 cookies the size in the picture.
Combination Suggestions:
Butter cake mix with toffee bits, chocolate chips, or nuts
Devil's Food mix with white chips, peanut butter, or butterscotch chips
Spice mix with craisins, nuts, dried banana, or apple chips
White mix with coconut
I have used the Devil's food cake mix and created sandwich cookies with raspberry filling. I have also expanded some frosting and made chocolate frosting filled sandwich cookies using the white cake mix. This is quick, easy, and very tasty.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Graham Crackers
I made graham crackers yesterday and it was so easy! The recipe called for less sugar than my kids thought should be in it so I have included the regular amounts and an increased sugar amount. One gives you a cracker and the other gives you more of a cookie/cracker. You'll never buy graham crackers again!
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
3/4 C whole wheat or graham flour-I used whole wheat flour because it was what I had at the house.
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 C all purpose flour
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 C brown sugar-add 1/3 cup of white sugar for sweeter cracker
1/4 tsp ground ginger-omit
1/2 tsp cinnamon-omit
1/3 C room temperature butter-you can use shortening if you like. I use butter to avoid the trans fats.
1/3 cup butter 1/2 of which is coconut oil
1/4 C honey and molasses, warmed; it should equal 1/4 C combined, not 1/4 C each.
3 T water
Optional: pinch of ground cloves
1. In a food processor or stand mixer such as a Kitchenaid, combine all dry ingredients.
5. Roll the dough onto the cookie sheet, score into the sizes you like and then prick with a fork to prevent rising in the oven.
6. To roll the dough evenly in the pan. I use the Pampered Chef Baker's Roller (item #1485 at www.pamperedchef.com; $16.50) and it works great.
7. Score the dough to look like graham crackers and use a fork to prick each rectangle 3-4 times.
8. Scoring the dough really helps to break it into pieces after it has baked and cooled off.
9. Sprinkle sugar or cinnamon sugar all over the dough if you like before baking.
10. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes for soft. I baked mine for 13-15 minutes for a more crunchy texture. Remove from oven and let cool completely in pan. Break apart and enjoy!
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