The 5 Most Nutrition Packed Foods

FISH           BEANS           FRUIT           SWEET POTATOES          OATMEAL

*notes to self

                                ...always look for short ingredient list to get the most healthy foods.

               ...eat the fruit skip the juice                             

                                      ...ripen fruit in a brown paper bag.

WAYS TO BOIL AN EGG

Bring water to a boil and then place eggs into water.  Cover the pan and when the water returns to a boil, set timer for tree minutes for soft boiled or thirteen minutes for hard boiled.  Run cold water over the eggs until no longer hot.  This will make it easier to peel.

                                                                              OR

Put eggs in pan and cover with cold water.  Put on high heat.  Cook until water comes just to a boil. Turn off the heat immediately and leave eggs in hot water covered.  After twenty minutes the eggs will be hard boiled.

When making deviled eggs, put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag.  Seal.  Mash until they are all broken up.  Add the remainder of ingredients.  Reseal.  Keep mashing it up, mixing thoroughly.  Cut the tip off the baggy.  Squeeze mixture into the egg.  Just throw baggy away when done for super easy cleanup.

 ideas to enhance your homemade chili

1. marinate meat
2. sear the meat
3. drop in a cinnamon stick

*note to self ...

                       don't forget to remove cinnamon stick before serving.

Make that container of cake frosting, purchased at the store, last longer.  Whip it with your mixer for a few minutes.  It will double the amount. but won't lose flavor.  However there will be less sugar and calories per serving.  I love this tip!  What a great idea!

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Tips For Longer, Stronger and Brighter Nails

   Studies show that drinking 8 ounces of soy milk daily will give you longer and stronger nails after only one week.  In addition to drinking soy milk (or instead of it) rub a tiny dab of fluoride toothpaste (non-gel) on each fingernail at bedtime.  Fluoride has been said to make nails grow faster and stronger.
         Ginger ale contains a natural bleach and strengthening agent.  Soak your nails in a glass of ginger ale for 10 minutes and then rinse.  Do this daily for at least a week or until your nails look nice and bright.

   
  Here's a great tip for removing stains between teeth.  Dip a strand of un-waxed dental floss in hydrogen peroxide for about 30 seconds, then floss with it.  (This won't work for nicotine build up, sorry smokers)

      Mix equal amounts of distilled white vinegar and filtered or spring water and put mixture in a clean cup.  Soak your dentures or retainer over night.  Regular tap water might turn your choppers green from the chlorine and that's not a good look.
 
      Another cleaner for dentures or retainer is baking soda.  Dissolve 2 teaspoons of baking soda in 1 pint of filtered or spring water.  (remember the green)  Then soak a clean washcloth in mixture and wipe your dental work clean.  Rinse and wear.

Coffee Lovers Unite!

Coffee Slushy

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. instant coffee
1 cup ice cubes
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbsp. sugar

Directions:
Place all ingredients in blender. Cover and blend on high speed until ice is crushed.
Pour into glasses and enjoy.

Instant Iced Coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. instant coffee, or to taste
• 3/4 cup milk or soy milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tsp. sugar, or to taste
• 6 ice cubes
• 1 tsp. cocoa powder

Directions:

Combine the instant coffee, milk, vanilla, sugar, ice, and chocolate in a blender and blend until smooth.

Coffeecake

Ingredients:

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

2 cups flour

tsp. baking powder

1/4 cup milk

1 can pie filling (any flavor)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 9x13 inch pan. Mix the oil, sugar, and eggs. Add the flour, baking powder, and milk. The batter will be thick. Pour half of batter in bottom of the pan. Pour can of pie filling on batter. Spread rest of batter on top. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

3 New And Easy Household Recipes That Saves $

Plant Food

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ammonia

1 tablespoon epsom salts

1 teaspoon iodized salt

1 gallon water

Mix ingredients together.  Store in a spray bottle.  Shake well before using.  Once a month spray household plants.

Bonus Tip: 

Sprinkling baking soda around tomato plants will sweeten the tomatoes by lowering the soil's acidity.

 

 

Carpet Freshener

1 cup crushed , dried herbs (lavender, rosemary, etc.)

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

Combine ingredients and sprinkle over carpet.  Let sit for a few minutes and then vacuum.

OR

1 small box of baking soda mixed with a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  Sprinkle mixture onto carpet.  Leave for 10 - 20 minutes.  Vacuum.

OR

Combine 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup corn starch, 15 drops of your choice essential oil  Leave on carpet for 10 - 20 minutes.  Vacuum.  Store mixture in an airtight container.

 

 

 

All-Purpose Cleaner

Be sure to wear rubber gloves when working with this mixture.  Store in a clearly labeled spray bottle.

1 teaspoon borax

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar or 2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon Dawn (works best) dish soap

2 cups hot water

 

Know Your Coffee

Espresso Macchiato  -  equal parts milk foam and espresso

Cafe Latte  -  two parts steamed milk, one part espresso

Cappuccino  -  equal parts milk foam, steamed milk, espresso

Espresso Con Panna  -  equal parts whipped cream and espresso

Cafe Americano  -  two parts water, one part espresso

Cafe- Mocha  -  equal parts whipped cream, steamed milk, chocolate and espresso

Fight Cravings To Over Indulge

I know it's the holidays and there is a lot of good food around.  BUT, you don't want to ruin that sexy figure you have been working on all year, do you?  Here's some tips to use that will help you fight off those cravings.

1. CHUG WATER -  Feeling the urge to snack when you've recently eaten can be a sign you are dehydrated.  Drink a glass of cold water and see if the cravings disappear.

2. BRUSH YOUR TEETH -  There is just something about having a clean minty mouth that makes you want to keep it that way.  Plus it sends a message to your brain that you are finished eating for a while.
3. GO FOR A WALK -  A few minutes of exercise in addition to a change of scenery can help take your mind off eating.

4. USE YOUR CELL -  Make a phone call to someone who likes to chat and can keep you occupied until the munchies pass.  Which, according to nutritionists last only 5 minutes or so.

I think you get the idea.  Distract yourself.  Trick your brain.  Satisfy a thirst.  And if you do overeat a little, after all it is the holidays.  Don't worry I'll be coming up with some tips to get you back into shape in no time.

 Related articles

• How Can I Control Chocolate Cravings? (everydayhealth.com)
• Taming Cravings and Urges (everydayhealth.com)
• To Eat Less, Imagine Eating More (newser.com)
• Driven To Drink...By Health Magazines' Holiday Issues (hollabackhealth.com)

Easy To Make An Impression With These Tips

WOW your guests with the drinks you serve.  A lil' bit of extra time involved will be worth it, when you see their faces light up.  You'll be the talk of the town.  Everyone will want to know your secrets.  They don't have to be alcoholic drinks.  Use these ideas for tea, lemonade or whatever you're serving.

• Sparkling water should be stirred gently so it stays sparkling and effervescent.
• To keep the heat of your hand from warming a drink served without ice, use a stemmed glass.
• To get more juice from citrus fruit, microwave it for 30 to 60 seconds.  Then roll the fruit firmly with the palm of your hand.  
• Place wet glassware in the freezer until frosty white.
• For "sugar frosted" , moisten the rims of pre-chilled glasses with a slice of lemon, lime or orange.  Then dip the rim into powdered sugar.
• Have you ever heard of an "island vessel"?  Simply slice an orange or grapefruit 1/2" from the top, scoop out the fruit and freeze.  Keep the shell from toppling over by removing a thin slice from the bottom. 
• Garnishes in a snap.
• freeze a slice of citrus fruit on a stick and add a coat of sugar
• wrap lemon peel around a skewered grape or cherry for a new twist
• float fresh fruit in your drinks like pineapple, strawberry or kiwi
• slice lime, orange, grapefruit or even cantaloupe to place on rim

Free Business Cards & Free Starbucks Doubleshot

     They will let you print them right away or mail them to you.  Plus there is a coupon on the left for a BOGO Doubleshot Energy + Coffee drink.  I signed up with Starbucks a little while ago.  They sent me a coupon good for a free drink of my choice in honor of my birthday in August. 

                                        

Rock Candy Coffee Stir Sticks

  The sugar sticks are a great way to stir in sugar to coffee and tea and make a great gift idea.  After bringing 2 cups of  water to a boil, add 5 cups sugar.  Stir with wooden spoon.    Continue to boil until the temperature reads above 260 degrees on your candy thermometer.  Let the sugar mixture cool for five minutes and then poor into a glass jar.  Add food coloring.  Punch the wooden coffee stirs (bamboo skewer or popsicle sticks) through the plastic coffee can lid and place on top of jar.  The wooden stirs should not touch the bottom of the jar.  Wait seven days to lift the lid.  Your guests will be impressed.

Benefit from Drinking Soda and Beer or Doing Less Housework!

I knew there was a reason I have continued with some of my bad (and/or annoying to others) habits.  In spite of what we have been told, there are actually some benefits to be had from them.  The article I just read in Woman's World Mag, proves it.
    
Sharpen your memory with non-diet soft drink!
          -sugar activates the hippocampus, your brain's memory center.
Internet surfing boosts brainpower!
          -clicking around while surfing net activates brains decision-making and reasoning areas!
Loud music brings listener happiness!
          -can release a flood of feel-good hormones called endorphins!
Singers are safer drivers!
          -concentrating on the lyrics blocks out stressful thoughts, keeps you focused, alert and calm!
Erase pain by baking cookies!
          -sweet scents lessen pain by reducing activity in the part of the brain responsible for sensing pain!
Lower blood pressure by blowing off steam!
          -expressing anger gives you a feeling of control over the issue and more positive about the outcome!
Ease allergies by not making your bed!
          -dust mites thrive in moist, warm environments; they die off when the bed covers are left turned down!
Nature's best cure for allergies!
          -exposure to pollen and other allergens brought in on a pet's coat helps kids build up a tolerance!
Prevent skin cancer by challenging yourself!
          -good stress like doing crossword puzzle turns on your body's protective defenses!
Beer helps you recover faster from a workout than water!
          -beer's carbon dioxide quenches thirst quickly and its carbohydrates which replace energy lost!
Bingo fights the blues!
          -boosts your social bonds and stimulates your brain cells; keys for keeping your spirits high!
Fidgeting fights weight gain!
          -toe-tapping, finger drumming and other antsy movements burn 350 cal. a day or 10 to 30 lbs a year!

issue: Nov. 30, 2009, page 12 

Making Coffee Taste Even Better

     Just heard this from friend, who is always watching those informative shows on TV.  The idea made sense to me, so I tried it.  Mmh, Mmh, Mmh, does my coffee taste better.  Let me explan.  The water in your coffee maker should heat to 180 - 190 degrees to produce high quality from your coffee.  Market tests showed that most coffee makers don't get the water hot enough.  You can test your water to find out how hot it gets.  I haven't done this yet.  Here comes the tip.  Try pouring hot water instead of cold into maker and see if your coffee doesn't taste much better, and I discovered that I don't need as much coffee grounds.

http://www.onthewater.com/

http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/

http://wize.com/coffee-makers

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/coffeefilters/Coffee_Filters.htm

http://weburbanist.com/2008/12/13/amazing-unique-hot-cool-coffee-tea-mugs-cups/

Did somebody say party?

Oh, maybe not.  When you do, let me know!  Here are some simple and tasty drink recipes for you to try.
Frothy Daiquiris - mix a liter of rum w/frozen lemonade
New Twist on Cape Codder - combine sparkling cranberry juice with a liter of vodka.  Note:  use one part liquor to three parts juice.
Champagne Punch - in a punch bowl combine a bottle of sparkling wine or champagne with a 12 ounce can of frozen juice and two 12 ounce cans of a light-colored soda such as ginger ale or sprite.  Stir & Serve!
How about a game to keep everyone involved.
     Give people secret tasks to accomplish throughout the night such as find out someone's age or get someone to tell a joke, or find out someone's birthday, maybe a middle name.  You can't flat out ask for the info.  You must convince other party member to share the information.  At the end of the night prizes are awarded for successful completion of task.
...and tips for the buffet
make just one outstanding dish and everything else could be not complicated or time consuming but would compliment your masterpiece.
use smaller plates like 9 inch instead of 12 to help buffet go lil bit further.
     Just some ideas I thought I would share.  Maybe you have some good ones you would like to share.  I always am looking for great party ideas.  Leave a comment and let us know.

Speaking of parties here is a neat lil website I just joined. http://www.houseparty.com/ Check it out!

Iced Tea

I originally got this recipe from my sister so I must give her some credit.  Thank You Lisa!  But I must say that I have tweeked it a "lil bit" for my tastebuds.  Give it a try, I think you will like it.

     1/2 cup sugar (original recipe had 2 cups...too much for me)
     1/2 gallon water ( 8 cups )
     1 tray ice cbes ( i usually use 3 or 4 )
     4 family sized teabags ( original recipe used 3 )
     3 cups cold water, or as needed
    
     Pour the sugar into a large pitcher.  Bring water to a boil in a large pan.  When the water begins to boil, remove from the heat, and place the teabags in.  Let steep for 5 to 6 minutes.  Remove tea bags and return tea to the heat.  Bring just to a boil, then pour into the pitcher and stir until sugar is dissolved.  Fill the pitcher half way with ice and stir until most of ice melts.  Then fill the pitcher the rest of the way with cold water and stir until blended.
     Not sure why this tea tastes better doing it this way but it does.