September 9, 2005

Tofu Fruit SmoothieStart your morning right with this healthy smoothie. It is quick and easy to make, so it is perfect for busy mornings.

 

Buttermilk BrowniesBring margarine, cocoa and water to a boil. Add remaining ingredients and blend. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes.

 

G Is For Giant Gingerbread KidsMix sugar, shortening, molasses and water in large bowl until blended with mixer on medium speed 1 minute. Stir in remaining ingredients except raisins.

 

Guilt Free Chocolate CakeThis chocolate cake is full of flavor, with less guilt.

 

Apple DoughnutsIn a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Make a well in the center. In a small bowl, cream together the sugar and butter, then beat in the egg. Add the cider, milk, and vanilla to the creamed mixture.

 

Skillet Zucchini DishCook and stir veggies in oil over medium heat 6-8 minutes until tender crisp. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Let stand 5 minutes. Makes: 4 cups.

 

Chocolate Crunch BrowniesMix and spread into a greased 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 25 minutes.

 

Festive Red Pepper DipThis dip is sure to be a hit at your next party. It tastes great with fresh veggies, crackers, or chips.

 

Tofu Veggie Stir FryFirm tofu is a perfect replacement for meat in this yummy stir fry. You could also prepare this dish using fresh seasonal vegetables.

 

Sweet Peas and RosemaryThe woman who gardened here before I arrived thirteen years ago planted Sweet Peas that grew up a string scaffolding behind the garden shed.

 

How Many Meals?When buying meat, always calculate how many meals you think you can get out of the purchase. From past experience you should have a pretty good idea of how much meat your family consumes in a meal, divide the number of meals you can make from the cost on the package.

 

Antique Keepsake BoxStart by painting the inside and outside of your box with a complimenting color to your fabric. Once your box is dry, using your lid as a template cut a square of fabric that is just larger then the top of your box.

 

Lights on Palm Trees for Wedding DecorationsTake lighted palm trees or wrap lights around an artificial palm tree. Then take tulle and wrap up the trunk. It looks great.

 

Have Spices and Seasoning When Cooking From ScratchOne of the keys to cooking from scratch is having a good supply of quality spices. There can be sticker shock when shopping for spices but a little goes a long way.

 

Links for Stranded Pets ReliefLinks to relief efforts for stranded pets from Hurricane Katrina.

 

Sock Can HolderIf you are like my family, then you would have a lot of "orphan" socks (one of the pieces got lost or something). Or you may have a collection of worn-out socks (specially on the sole and toe areas). You are saving them for something you could use it for in the future.

 

Shopping For Meat By The SeasonsIf you are a veteran grocery shopper you know that many items can be drastically cheaper when they are in season. By preparing meals with foods that are in season you can save a lot of money. Other seasonal deals to look for are meat sales around the holidays.

 

Buying DairyWhen buying dairy, always buy the largest container possible. Check the expiration date and make sure you will be able to use it before it expires, especially with items like milk and eggs that are difficult to freeze.

 

Eliminate Food WasteAll your best intentions will be for not if you end up throwing away food. Make sure to freeze leftovers if you don't think you will be able to eat them soon. Don't buy more dairy, fruits, or vegetables than you can eat before they go bad.

 

Meat Tip: Planning More Than One MealTry to incorporate meat that you buy into more than one meal. For example, if you buy ham or roast, plan on making a large pot of soup with the leftovers.

 

Stocking Staples and Cooking From ScratchThe key to cooking from scratch is making sure that you have staples on hand. Potatoes are one of the best and most versatile staples. Potatoes are cheap, can be stored for a long time, and can be used in a variety of dishes. Other staples to keep on hand are rice, beans, cooking oil, and flour.

 

Tips for Traveling GreenEven with the best of intentions, it's easy to generate waste and pollution while traveling. By following a few simple guidelines, you can reduce your impact on the environment and save money at the same time.

 

CoCo Loves Her BoneCoCo loves her bones, especially at Christmas Time when she gets a really big one. The small ones only last a few minutes but bigger bones can last a few days. CoCo lives with her sister Moxie, and they are 2 sisters from a family of 11 live births. They were adopted from the Animal Shelter in town. Belgium Malinois is her main blood line but there could be more to her. She loves to be loved.

 

Pastor's Wife JokeGladys was a pastor's wife and went with him to church every Sunday. One Sunday the sermon was particularly long; some people were getting sleepy.

 

Throwing a Big Party on the Cheap?I need help throwing a big party for cheap. Any ideas?

 

Storing Mayonnaise?Tips for storing Mayonnaise. Post your ideas.

 

Removing Perfume Smell From a Room?I had company over the weekend, she used way too much perfume. How can I get the smell out of the whole room? I have laundered some things and tried laying others outside. I sprayed clorox on the bathroom floor and the smell still is making me sick. I feel like I am going to have to move!

 

Puppy With Stomach Problems?I was given a 4 week old pit and I don't know why but all of a sudden her stomach seems to be twice the size and her tummy makes a lot of rumbling noises. Also I've been giving her is regular milk instead of a formula milk. I've had other dogs but never a baby.

 

Crafts Made With Hardback Books?Does anyone know how to make crafts such as a purse or storage container from old hardcover book?. I saw someone make a purse from one on a craft show once and I also saw a hollowed out book made into a storage box.

 

Taking In a Cat Traumatized By Hurricane Katrina?I need some advice on what I need to do with my friends pet. I offered to take her in. My friend and his cat are enroute on the way up here from New Orleans.

 

Adding An Outlet Outside?I have an outdoor BBQ island coming and I will need to plug in the refrigerator and get power to the on board outlet that is built into the island to run the blender for drinks. My one and only backyard outlet is over 20 feet away from where I am planning to put the BBQ.

 

Confederate Jasmine Plant?This summer I purchased a confederate jasmine plant and it has done wonderful... green with wonderful fragrant white flowers and has grown up the trellis winding around it every day.

 

Bees Destroying My Grapes?Help please. The bees have invaded our grapes and are destroying them. The vines are so full of all kinds of bees eating my fruit. What can I do?

 

Uses for Paper Sample Books?At the ad agency I work for, we receive paper sample books from paper manufacturers on a regular basis. When a new book comes in, the old book is obsolete and is to be disposed of. Lucky for me, I arranged it that I get the old books! Now I have to figure out what to do with all the paper.

 

Good Potting Soil for Vegetables and Flowers?Next Spring, I would like to sell a number of seedlings at a flea mart type setting. What would be a good all-around potting soil mix for vegetables and for floral type plants? I'd like to make it from scratch.