tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27285367171040961252024-02-06T18:54:32.782-08:00Angels on Earth HomemakerThis blog is all about cleaning tips, food tips, kitchen and cooking tips, some recipes, and other postings.
My recipe blog
http://linkevskitchen.blogspot.com click on image below to be directed to my recipe blog.LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-14649160248288807662011-11-27T07:56:00.001-08:002011-11-27T08:02:10.519-08:00Here's Some Christmas Tips for you Enjoy!!<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">My first tip that I always tried to share is the Santa Claus website it's a wonderful website for young kids.</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>If you have small kids here's a website where they can email Santa and tell them what they want for Christmas and Santa will reply right back. Plus they can track Santa on Christmas Eve where they are able to see where Santa is at that time..I used this every year for my kids and they loved it.. (Click link below)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://emailsanta.com/">http://emailsanta.com</a></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Wrap some of the pictures you have hanging on the wall to look like packages. This can be a really cute and inexpensive addition to your decorations!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Save all your Christmas cards from the previous year, get a pair of pinking shears and cut up the cards to make instant gift tags!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Avoid a stressful supermarket scrum by planning ahead. Make a list and try to buy non-perishable items on a normal shopping trip in advance. Things in tins or packets will happily keep in the cupboard. Making a list is the best shopping tip.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Always buy plenty of indigestion tablets and cold remedy - and a few small extra presents for the people you forget!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Buy a stack of batteries - especially if you have children. There's nothing worse than not being able to get a new toy going because you forgot the batteries!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>(Christmas Decorating Tips) Click link below</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://interiordec.about.com/od/christmasdecor/a/demasdecortips.htm">http://interiordec.about.com/od/christmasdecor/a/demasdecortips.htm</a></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Go branch hunting outside. Spray-paint the branches in a silver or gold, pop them in a vase and voilà ... elegant holiday decor. Take it a step further and dangle some ornaments on them or tie a few bows.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Take your throw pillows and tie them with holiday colored ribbons either once around the middle or like a Christmas gift. Add a rhinestone pin for an extra kick!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Take red, white or green bath towels and stack three different sizes with coordinating ribbon, thus creating a "gift wrapped package." Place on bath counters or tiered rack behind toilet bowl to dress up the guest bath, says Connie Bandstra, author of Tasty Temptations.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Take some hanging picture frames and simply frame some pretty holiday paper as artwork. Sometimes you can even find a nice greeting card worthy of being framed and hung.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Take clear vases or bottles, fill them with water, add holiday-colored food coloring -- a few drops will do -- and float candles in them or just line several up in a row to add a simple, cool holiday accent.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b> Hints and tips cover Christmas food tips, presents and Christmas gifts ideas, and how to have fun without spending a fortune. (Click link below)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.tellmehowto.net/christmas/">http://www.tellmehowto.net/christmas/</a></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>If you want to have a Christmas party it doesn’t have to be a fancy sit down dinner. Just pop large bowls of popcorn and set them along the table with a few other easy snacks, maybe a couple of plates of cookies. Have large pots of steaming hot cocoa with candy canes for stir sticks and of course marshmallows and whipped cream to top them. Most people seem to have just as much fun at these types of relaxed and informal parties as they do the more elaborate ones.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>When you are out doing your day after Christmas shopping, don’t forget to pick up things like red and green candies, napkins, paper plates and tablecloths to use on Valentine’s and St. Patrick’s Days.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Keep bowls of peppermint candy and candy canes around instead of chocolates and caramels that are more expensive.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Have the kids make paper snowflakes, lay them on top of a chocolate cake, sprinkle with powdered sugar, carefully remove snowflakes. You now have a beautiful snowy scene! This is a very inexpensive way to decorate your holiday cake!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Instead of using regular paper for your paper chain projects, why not use other materials such as; wallpaper scraps, decorative scrapbook paper, pieces of wrapping paper, or left over pieces of silk ribbon!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>To add some glitter & sparkle to your decorations, spray paint different kinds of nuts with your choice of colors! Silver & gold make stunning displays!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Frosted Windows~ Want to make your windows "frosted"?</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Add 1 tablespoon of Epsom Salt to 1 cup beer.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Brush on the window! Let dry</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>To remove the frost, wash off with ammonia!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>This is really neat. Just remember to cover any</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>wood or furniture nearby, because this drips!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Drop a tealight candle in your cleaned out glass</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>mayonnaise jars, tie a holiday ribbon around the neck,</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>and you have a beautiful candle with Christmas charm.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>You could nestle the candle in peppermints, </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>nuts, or even sand if you wish.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Try grouping several together for a dramatic</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>evening effect. These also make great luminaries.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Place a few inexpensive glass balls in a bowl and embellish with</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>a few sprigs of greenery or some leftover ribbon.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>If you don't havean extra bowl try decoupaging</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>a box with leftover Christmas wrap, or cover</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>with a little fabric and glue. You can also shred</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>some old wrapping paper to put it the</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>bottom of the bowl before placing ornaments inside.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Tie ornaments to the chandelier with Christmas ribbon.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Make your own gift tags out of leftover paper.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Add details by layering shapes over the base paper</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>use paper punches and scalloped scrapbooking scissors to add style, </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>use a calligraphy pen to add names.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>You can also use the scalloped scissors</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>to make old holiday cards into tags.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Sponge stars or other seasonal shapes on your window with paint</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Add a teaspoon or so of liquid dish soap to acrylic craft paint,</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Washes off with window cleaner.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Use a non-scratching dish scrubber if you come across a stubborn spot.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Front Door Décor~Dazzle your front door for Christmas by wrapping it in bright red</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>paper or fabric, then wrap it with a huge gold bow to impress your</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>guests! </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Make garlands,mini stockings, holly leaves, mittens and even Christmas Ornaments from felt scraps.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Printable Recipe Cards (Click Link Below)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.countryclipart.com/recipecards.htm">http://www.countryclipart.com/recipecards.htm</a></b></span><br />
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<br /></div>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-88221174696418894722011-11-20T17:38:00.001-08:002011-11-20T17:45:03.194-08:0050 Useful Kitchen Tips<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>1. For cleaning smelly hands after chopping onions or garlic, just rub them on a stainless steel spoon. The steel is supposed to absorb the odor.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>2. Fresh coffee beans can also absorb nasty odors from your hands.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>3. If you happen to over-salt a pot of soup, just drop in a peeled potato. The potato will absorb the excess salt.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>4. When boiling eggs, add a pinch of salt to keep the shells from cracking.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>5. Never put citrus fruits or tomatoes in the fridge. The low temperatures degrade the aroma and flavor of these persnickety fruits.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>6. To clean cast iron cookwear, don’t use detergents. Just scrub them with salt and a clean, dry paper towel.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>7. Will milk curdle if it is allowed to boil? It turns out that this age-old piece of wisdom isn’t true, after all. Milk that has been boiled is perfectly safe to consume.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>8. To clean an electric kettle with calcium buildup on the heating element, boil a mixture of half white vinegar and half water, then empty.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>9. When storing empty airtight containers, throw in a pinch of salt to keep them from getting stinky.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>10. If you are making gravy and accidentally burn it, just pour it into a clean pan and continue cooking it. Add sugar a little at a time, tasting as you go to avoid over-sugaring it. The sugar will cancel out the burned taste.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>11. Burned a pot of rice? Just place a piece of white bread on top of the rice for 5-10 minutes to draw out the burned flavor. Be careful not to scrape the burned pieces off of the bottom of the pan when serving the rice.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<b style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>12. Before you chop chili peppers, rub a little vegetable oil into your hands and your skin won’t absorb the spicy chili oil.</i></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>13. If you aren’t sure how fresh your eggs are, place them in about four inches of water. Eggs that stay on the bottom are fresh. If only one end tips up, the egg is less fresh and should be used soon. If it floats, it’s past the fresh stage.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<b style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>14. To banish ants from the kitchen, find out where they are coming in and cover the hole with petroleum jelly. Ants won’t trek through the jelly. If they are coming under a door, draw a line on the floor with chalk. The little bugs also won’t cross a line of chalk.</i></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>15. Before making popcorn on the stove or in an air popper, soak the kernels in water for 10 minutes. Drain the water, then pop as normal. The additional moisture helps the popcorn pop up quicker and fluffier with fewer “old maids.”</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>16. Don’t store your bananas in a bunch or in a fruit bowl with other fruits. Separate your bananas and place each in a different location. Bananas release gases which cause fruits (including other bananas) to ripen quickly. Separating them will keep them fresh longer.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>17. To keep potatoes from budding in the bag, put an apple in with them.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>18. If you manage to have some leftover wine at the end of the evening, freeze it in ice cube trays for easy addition to soups and sauces in the future.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>19. To clean crevices and corners in vases and pitchers, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets. The bubbles will do the scrubbing.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>20. After boiling pasta or potatoes, cool the water and use it to water your house plants. The water contains nutrients that your plants will love.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>21. When you clean your fish tank, the water you drain can also be used to water your house plants. The nitrogen and phosphorus in fish droppings make aquarium water a great fertilizer.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>22. When defrosting meat from the freezer, pour some vinegar over it. Not only does it tenderize the meat; it will also bring down the freezing temperature of the meat and cause it to thaw quicker.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>23. The substance in onions that causes your eyes to water is located in the root cluster of the onion. Cut this part out in a cone shape, with the largest part of the cone around the exterior root section.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>24. Taking the top layer off of a onion can also reduce the amount of eye-watering misery.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>25. Toothpaste is a great silver cleaner.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>26. Baking soda isn’t as effective a deodorizer for the fridge as that baking soda company would like you to believe. Activated charcoal is much better at absorbing fridge and freezer odors.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>27. Baking soda is an extremely effective cleaner, though. Use it with vinegar to deodorize drains and clean stovetops and sinks.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>28. A favorite tip of thousands of grandmas: when you nick your finger while cutting veggies, wait until the bleeding stops and paint on a layer of clear nail polish. It will keep juices out of the wound and won’t fall off into the spaghetti sauce like a bandage.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>29. The jury is still out on what to put in the bag of brown sugar to keep it from going hard: a slice of apple, a piece of bread, and a shard of a terra cotta pot have all been used.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>30. Got a nasty invisible splinter from your kitchen tools? Put a piece of adhesive tape on the area and then pull it off to remove the splinter.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>31. When you burn yourself in the kitchen, just spread mustard on the affected area. Leave it for a while and it will ease the pain and prevent blistering.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>32. For aluminum pans that are looking dull, just boil some apple peels in them. This will brighten up the aluminum and make your house smell yummy.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>33. To keep cookies fresh, savvy grannies like to put some crumpled-up tissue paper in the bottom of the cookie jar.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<b style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>34. If your salt is clumping up, put a few grains of rice in with it to absorb excess moisture.</i></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>35. To clean fruit stains off of your fingers, rub them with a fresh, peeled potato. White vinegar can also do the trick.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>36. Keep iceberg lettuce fresh in the fridge by wrapping it in a clean, dry paper towel and storing lettuce and paper towel in a sealed baggie in the fridge.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>37. If your loaf of bread is starting to go stale, just put a piece of fresh celery in the bag and close it back up. For some reason, this restores a fresh taste and texture to the bread.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<b style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>38. Always keep an aloe vera plant in your kitchen. It’s invaluable when you scrape your arm or burn your finger. Just break off a leaf and rub the gel from the inside on the injury.</i></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>39. When making a soup, sauce, or casserole that ends up too fatty or greasy, drop in an ice cube. The ice will attract the fat, which you can then scoop out.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>40. To reuse cooking oil without tasting whatever was cooked in the oil previously, cook a 1/4″ piece of ginger in the oil. It will remove any remaining flavors and odors.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>41. If your milk always goes bad before you can finish it, try adding a pinch of salt to the carton when you first open it. It will stay fresh days longer.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>42. Water that has been boiled and allowed to cool will freeze faster than water from the tap. This comes in handy when you’re having a party and need ice pronto.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>43. Remove tea or coffee stains from your fine china by mixing up a paste of baking soda, lemon juice, and cream of tartar. Rub it over the stains and they’ll come off easily.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>44. If two drinking glasses become stuck together after stacking, it’s not impossible to unstick them. Just put ice in the inner glass and dunk the outer glass in warm water. The warm glass will expand and the cold glass will contract, making the glasses separate easily.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>45. For splinters under the fingernail, soaking the affected finger in a bowl of milk with a piece of bread in it is said to draw out the splinter.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>46. Did grandpa ever give you a drink of cola for an upset tummy? It turns out that this is actually a pretty effective remedy. The sugar and carbonation can soothe many tummy problems - but it can also exacerbate others.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>47. Putting salty bacon on a boil is said to “draw the poison out” of boils.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>48. To help old wooden drawers (without runners) open and close smoothly, rub a candle on the tracks.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>49. A cotton ball soaked in white vinegar and applied to a fresh bruise will reduce the darkness of the bruise and help it disappear sooner.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>50. Drinking cranberry juice and eating blueberries regularly will help stave off urinary tract infections.</i></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://lifehackery.com/2008/05/17/50-amazingly-helpful-time-tested-tips-for-the-kitchen/">http://lifehackery.com/2008/05/17/50-amazingly-helpful-time-tested-tips-for-the-kitchen/</a>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-1161085793212655562011-09-07T18:14:00.000-07:002011-09-07T18:14:33.745-07:00Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more ( I )<br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato-it absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up." </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If it is a meringue pie you are making…add four or five marshmallows cut into pieces or 1/2 cup miniature ones, to meringue just before spreading. These marshmallows give both flavor and body to the meringue. The latter is important if pie is to stand for sometime before serving.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Instead of using a pastry cutter when a recipe asks for chilled and cut butter, I freeze the butter sticks and my cheese grater and grate the frozen butter into the flour. It’s not only much easier, but gives a more uniform consistency.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Ice cubes will eliminate the fat from soup and stew. Just drop a few into the pot and stir; the fat will cling to the cubes; discard the cubes before they melt. Or, wrap ice cubes in paper towel or cheesecloth and skim over the top.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If a recipe calls for 1 cup sour cream, you may substitute 1 cup cottage cheese blended until smooth with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/3 cup buttermilk.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If guests are coming and you're behind making dinner, throw some onions on to sauté and your kitchen will smell wonderful and homey.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If lettuce starts turning a little brown (but not slimy) it may not be suitable for salads, but it is for sautéing. Sauteed salad greens like lettuce, radicchio, and endive make an unusual but tasty side dish. Sauté lettuces just as you would spinach. Cook them quickly in a little olive oil, minced garlic, and salt. They taste great, and you cant tell that the greens were once a little brown.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you have a problem opening jars ... Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a on-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you need extra counter space for cooling cookies on racks or baking sheets, set up the ironing board and let them rest on it (cover the board to prevent stains).</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you need only 1/2 an onion, save the root half. It will last longer.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If your cake recipe calls for nuts, heat them first in the oven, then dust with flour before adding to the batter to keep them from settling to the bottom of the pan.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Instead of adding raw garlic to sauces, sauté the garlic first for a milder flavor.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Instead of the water your recipe calls for, try juices, bouillon, or water you've cooked vegetables in. Instead of milk, try buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream. It can add a whole new flavor and improve nutrition.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Instead of using a pastry blender, mix flour with butter by grating cold butter into it.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">It's important to let a roast -- beef, pork (pardon the expression), lamb or poultry -- sit a little while before carving. That allows the juices to retreat back into the meat. If you carve a roast too soon, much of its goodness will spill out onto the carving board.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you're unsure of an egg's freshness, see how it behaves in a cup of water: Fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you need only a few drops of lemon juice, avoid cutting the lemon in half--it will dry out quickly that way. Instead, puncture the fruit with a metal skewer and squeeze out exactly what you require.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">In a pinch, yogurt can be substituted for cream in recipes that don't require cooking. But yogurt can curdle when cooked - in which case it's best to stick with whole milk or half and half.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you burn milk while heating it on the stove, add a pinch of salt to temper the scorched smell and taste.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you burn gravy and don't have enough time or pan drippings, to start from scratch, stir a teaspoon of smooth peanut butter for each cup of gravy. This should eliminate any burned taste.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you've cooked more rice than you can eat, make rice pudding by adding butter, cinnamon, sugar and milk or create fried rice by saute'ing with a beaten egg, soy sauce and sliced green onions, or toss rice with slivered almonds and raisins for a Middle Eastern inspired pilaf.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If your glass coffee pot gets cloudy, make tea in it. Tea’s tannic content will remove the film. </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If two glasses are stuck together, fill the top glass with cold water and set the bottom glass in hot water. Try to carefully twist the two glasses apart after a minute</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Iced tea requires only one-half as much sugar if sweetened when hot than when cold. After tea is strained and ready to serve, freeze a portion of it in the electric refrigerator and add this to glasses for cooling instead of plain ice.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If a vase won’t hold water, melt paraffin and pour into the bottom. Often this will seal a crack and prevent future seepage of water.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you are in a hurry and you find that you are out of silver polish, dip a piece of raw potato in baking soda and rub the potato on the silver. </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">It’s easy to keep your dresser from becoming stained and spotted from perfume and toilet water bottles. Place a piece of wax paper under your dresser scarfs for sure protection.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you need a wide piece of wax paper, seal two strips together with a hot iron; it cools quickly.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If you have a brass or metal door knocker, wax it immediately after polishing. This practice will keep it bright.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Insects in earth can be killed with a spoonful of mustard in gallon of water. This is effective with potted plants.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Instead of whittling a candle at the base to make it fit in the candle holder, I hold the end in a cup of very hot water for a few minutes to soften the wax then gently and firmly press it into the holder.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">If your candle holder is too large wrap a bit of plastic wrap around the base of the candle and wedge into your holder.</span></i></b><br />
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LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-82523341928365517142011-09-03T07:59:00.000-07:002011-09-03T08:12:51.555-07:00Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more (H)<br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Here’s a clever–and quick–way to skin a kiwi: Trim both ends of the fruit; ease a tablespoon between the flesh and the peel. Turn the kiwi, pressing the back of the spoon against the peel as you go. The fruit should slide right out in one piece–ready for slicing.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">How long does olive oil last? How do I store it? Olive oil will last for about two years, if it goes rancid there will be a smell to it. Store olive oil in a cool, dark place. No need to refrigerate it but if you do, you’ll notice that the oil will get cloudy and solidify. If this happens, remove the bottle of olive oil from the fridge and leave at room temperature–it will return to its normal state.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">How do I measure baking pans to see what size they are? Measure from inside edge to inside edge.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Herb & Spice Storage ~~~ To help preserve flavor, herbs and spices are best stored in airtight containers, out of sunlight and away from heat sources. Store the jars and containers in the pantry or a cupboard. Keeping spices and dried herbs in cute glass jars over top of the stove is a popular practice, but it does negatively affect the flavor of your spice collection.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">How to Keep Cookies Soft ~~~ Keep cookies moist and chewy by throwing a few slices of apple in your cookie jar to keep cookies soft. Don’t do this if you like crispy or crunchy cookies.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Homemade Non-Stick Spray Recipe ~~~ Fill a pump spray bottle with olive oil or vegetable oil and use as you would commercial non-stick spray products. </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Homemade Non-Stick Spray Recipe ~~~ 1/2 cup vegetable or olive oil</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">4 TBS liquid lecithin (found at health food stores) Mix ingredients well and store in a pump spray bottle. Recipe can be made in batches with the ratio 2:1 (oil to liquid lecithin). </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Homemade Non-Stick Mix Recipe ~~~ 1 part vegetable oil, 1 part Crisco or vegetable shortening (at room temperature), 1 part flour</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> How to avoid over-spilling milk when boiling : Before pouring milk into a pot for boiling rub butter along the top edge and inside lip of the pot. When the milk foams up, it will stop over spilling when it hits the butter.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Beat all ingredients together until completely mixed and smooth. Store in airtight container and refrigerate. Coat on pans with a pastry brush–make sure to cover pan surfaces completely. Recipe can be made in batches with equal parts for all ingredients.</span></i></b><br />
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LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-78609377201128315652011-08-27T13:23:00.000-07:002011-08-27T13:23:33.814-07:00Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more (G)<br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Greaseless Griddle Cake: When making griddle cake grease the pan for the first cake. After that rub a piece of raw potato over hot griddle instead of greasing. The cakes brown nicely and there will be no smoke. *Found on loose page of from an old cookbook.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Gravy thickening, sauces, etc., can be made smooth by using a small jar with a tight lid. Put the mixture of milk or water and flour into the jar and shake well until all lumps disappear.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Grease drippings can be clarified for further use by straining to remove large particles and then cutting up an Irish potato and frying it in the grease. All the small particles will cling to the potato.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Gelatine in individual form can be handled easier if a muffin pan is used instead of small molds. Pan can be placed in a refrigerator without danger of over-turning and much time is saved.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Grapefruit or oranges can be peeled easily if permitted to stand in boiling water for ten minutes.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Greasing muffin tins, bundt & cake pans is a breeze with a pastry brush first dipped in melted butter or shortening. A pastry brush also makes cleaning graters quick work–just brush off the bits clinging to the grater before washing.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Getting the catsup out of the bottle: insert a drinking straw, push it to the bottom of the bottle, and then remove. Enough air will be admitted to start an even flow.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Grate orange and lemon peel before peeling. Dry and add to spice cake or any cookies or puddings. The dried grated peel will keep well in a covered jar.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Grapes ~~~ To enjoy on a hot summer day, pop your grapes in the freezer. They are delicious frozen.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-size: large;">Get two batches out of one recipe of marinating liquid by marinating meats in a sealed plastic bag. Put half the amount you usually would in the bag with the meat, remove all the air and seal the bag. Squish around the liquid and it will stretch a lot farther than it would if you marinated in a covered container. I like to make two batches at once, one is for that night’s meal and the other is frozen in the bag with the marinating sauce. (Leona)</span></i></b><br />
LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-54799826961959006872011-08-24T15:57:00.000-07:002011-08-24T15:58:38.381-07:00Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more (F)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For a juicier hamburger add cold water to the beef before grilling (1/2 cup to 1 pound of meat).</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For fluffier, whiter rice, add one teaspoon of lemon juice per quart of water. To add extra flavor and nutrition to rice, cook it in liquid reserved from cooking vegetables.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For fresh flavor in orange juice add the juice of one lemon.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For fresh-tasting lemon or lime juice year-round, freeze lemons and limes whole; thaw in microwave before squeezing.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For the perfect boiled egg, cover eggs with cold water and a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a full boil. Remove the pan from the heat and cover. Let the eggs sit for 8-9 minutes. Drain the water and place the eggs in ice water to cool and stop the cooking process.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Freeze tomato paste in the can. Open both ends and punch out the paste. Wrap the frozen paste in foil and freeze, then slice off what you need as you need it.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Fresh fish freeze (cute alliteration, and tongue twister) well in a milk carton filled with water.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>French toast is made crisper by adding a tablespoon of flour to the egg and milk mixture.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For a variation in meat balls, add chopped apple to ground meat along with other seasoning, roll into small balls and simmer in tomato puree, seasoned with sage.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Fluff Up Mashed Potatoes: Try adding a healthy pinch of baking powder to the potatoes when mashing them. For fluffier mashed potatoes, use an electric mixer to whip air into them. </i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Fresh Fruit & Veggies Washing Tip: Sprinkle wet fruit and veggies with baking soda then gently scrub and rinse. This cleaning method safely removes dirt and residue off produce. </i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For a super fast fish dish, add some fresh ginger or garlic to some oil in a saute pan. Heat and stir over a medium fire for about 3 minutes. Remove the ginger or garlic and cook the fish in the flavored oil.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Flour Bugs ~~~ Keep a couple bay leaves in the flour canister to help deter the bugs (flour Weevils) congregating in their favorite hangout. You can toss the leaves loose in the flour or make a rough pouch out of one layer of cheesecloth to keep the leaves separated from the flour. Another tip is to tape the bay leaves to the inside of the lid. Always try to keep flour and other grains in air tight containers, this will help keep pantry pests out.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Fill Empty Muffin Tins With Water ~~~ If your muffin or cupcake recipe doesn’t fill all the spots in your muffin pan, fill the empty places 3/4 full with water. This will help protect those slots from darkening or getting scorched.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Fat can be removed from hot soup by straining broth through a cloth wrung from cold water. All the fat will remain in cloth except just enough to enrich soup. Heat soup again before serving.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Fish or onion odor can be removed from utensils and dishes by adding a teaspoonful of baking soda to the dish water.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Fish scales can be removed quickly and easily by first dipping the fish in boiling water.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>First rinse raisins, dates and figs in very cold water before putting them through the food chopper. They will not form such a gummy mass.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Frosting that 2 layer cake ~~~ Hate it when you try to frost your cake and it slides off to one side. I found sticking a few broken pieces of spaghetti through the top holds it firmly together.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For crisper salads: Place a saucer upside down in the bottom of the salad bowl before filling with salad. Excess moisture will run underneath the saucer and this will help keep the salad crisp and fresh.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For fried foods that require flouring, try pancake flour for a change, it’s quite nice.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For bananas that are ripe and ready to eat but you have too many, peel the bananas and freeze them then dip in melted chocolate and freeze again, these make a nice treat!</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Fill a large hole or sugar shaker with flour and use that when needing to dust surfaces with flour or just pour out a tablespoon as you need it, this is handy way to keep a bit of flour on hand instead of digging in the flour bin.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Food Processor clean-up tip ~~~ Covering food processor bowl with plastic wrap before placing on the lid, saves cleaning up the lid.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>Finding Broken Glass Under Soapy Water ~~~ </i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>If you break glass in soapy water while doing dishes, to prevent cutting yourself while looking for it you can use a tall clear drinking glass or a wide clear glass bowl–keeping the top part above the bubbles, push the glass into the water and use it as a lens to look around and find the broken pieces.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For a lint-less dustcloth, soak the cloth in hot soap suds with a few drops of turpentine for several hours. Wring out and let dry. These dustcloths give furniture a brilliant polish and hold dust. Repeat this process every two weeks.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>For removing rust from refrigerator shelves, wash them in mild scouring powder and hot water. Dry well with soft cloth. Apply a thin coating of hot melted paraffin.</i></b></span>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-45479794090016977422011-08-23T05:08:00.000-07:002011-08-23T05:08:23.035-07:00Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more (E)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Egg shells can be easily removed from hard-boiled eggs if they are boiled in salty water and quickly rinsed in cold water.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Egg whites should always be at room temperature before whipping. Be certain there is no yolk in the whites and that the bowl and beaters are perfectly clean. Cream, on the other hand, should be well-chilled. For the largest volume, chill the bowl and beaters before whipping.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Egg white can brightened a gilt frame by applying it with a soft brush.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Eggplants Retaining Color ~~~ When cooking eggplant add a spoon of milk to a bowl of water and add the cut up pieces to that water. The eggplant will retain their color without becoming black. </i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i> Easy way to remove garlic skins ~~~ Use 'Jar Openers'- round flat pieces of rubber. Put the clove of garlic in the center of the jar opener and fold it in half over the garlic. Then press down with your hand while rolling it back and forth over the garlic. OR you can give it a good whack with the side of a chef's knife and the skin will peel off easy.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Easy Peeling Kiwi ~~~ To peel kiwi, I cut them in half and slide a small spoon between the peel and the fruit.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Easy Peeled Peaches ~~~ Placing them into boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove and place them into ice water to stop the cooking. Their skins will slip off. Sprinkle with lemon juice to retain color.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Egg slicer can be used to slice mushrooms.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Egg stuck to carton ~~~ Wetting the carton should free the egg.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Electric push buttons can easily be seen in the night if they are touched up with a little luminous paint. This saves time, temper and bumps.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Empty aspirin boxes that shut tightly make excellent holders for pins, thumbtacks, small beats, buttons or snap fasteners. Use separate containers for the various items and label each box.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>Embroidery floss has a number of uses. It is excellent for mending socks, sweaters and babies’ woolens. The colors are usually easy to match. Also try sewing buttons on a ready-made garment with it.</i></b></span><br />
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LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-22278987764149604842011-08-22T06:16:00.000-07:002011-08-22T06:16:56.272-07:00Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more (D)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Do not use metal bowls when mixing salads. Use wooden, glass or china.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Don't waste pie pastry scraps ... sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and bake like cookies.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Don't just keep dental floss in your medicine cabinet. Keep some in the kitchen. It's a great tool. Unflavored dental floss is often better than a knife to cleanly cut all kinds of soft foods, soft cheese, rolled dough, layered cake and cheesecake. I learned that watching my daughter, Miriam, work on a potter's wheel.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Don't throw out all that leftover wine ... freeze it into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Drain deep fried foods on brown paper grocery bags as opposed to paper towels to retain crispness.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Dry herbs and spices can lose their flavor when cooking so long, if possible–try adding them the last two hours before the meal is ready to help keep the flavor. Use fresh herbs when possible, these can be added first thing since they’ll hold their flavor better when cooking for hours.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Dropping Cookie Dough - To get cookie dough to drop without sticking, dip the spoon in milk first.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Don't Oil the Pasta Water ~~~ Giving the pasta a good stir about 30 seconds after adding it to the pot will keep it from sticking together.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><i>Dusting Tip ~~~ Save your old pairs of woolen or cotton socks to use as dusters. Simply slip them over your hands and go. When the get dirty, simply toss them in the laundry. </i></b></span><br />
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LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-43416017302040913572011-08-21T08:31:00.000-07:002011-08-21T08:31:52.667-07:00Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more (C)<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Checking cookies if they are done ~~~ check them at minimum baking time.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cheese that hardens in your fridge ~~~ cheese won't harden if you butter the exposed edges before storing.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Chefs ~~~ They pound meat not to tenderize the meat, but to help even the meat so it cooks evenly.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Choosing eggs ~~~ fresh eggs' shells are rough and chalky; old eggs are smooth and shiny.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cooking corn ~~~ Cook corn with husks and silks on. The silks slide off with husks and both add more flavor.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cooking with Oil ~~~ There are better cooking oils than olive: sunflower, grape seed, canola, in that order. They don't burn. Start it in the pan cold, bring up the heat slowly. If you want olive-oil flavor, start with one of those, then add a little olive oil.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cookie dough ~~~ It can be frozen up to three months in an airtight container or refrigerated three to four days.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cookies ~~~ If your cookies are spreading too much, try refrigerating the dough for a couple of hours before baking.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Caesar salad ~~~ serve it in a wooden bowl and rub the inside of the bowl with a clove of garlic to add some extra flavor to the greens.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cutting in the butter ~~~ use a potato masher. It’ll help break the butter into small pieces.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cleaning Cilantro ~~~ Plunge into a sink full or pot full of cold water. Swirl around a few times and let sit for a while. The sand, dirt, and other debris will settle to the bottom, and the leaves will float to the top and can be removed. Repeat the procedure if the cilantro is very dirty. </i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cooking vegetables ~~~ Adding one or more bouillon cubes instead of salt–improves flavor. Tossing in a few garlic cloves when boiling vegetables makes things tastier too.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Canned fruit ~~~ is much better if opened and removed from the can an hour or two before using to restore the oxygen</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cut meat for grilling ~~~~ cut big pieces of meat in half to grill them quicker. Small chunks of meat on a skewer grill in a snap.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> Cutting an Onion Without Crying ~~~ Use sweet onions. Peeling and cutting under running water, chopping near a gas flame, and refrigerating onions before chopping, all methods for reducing the volatility of the sulfide that causes the irritation.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cottage cheese ~~~ will remain fresher longer if you store it upside down in the refrigerator. This slows the effects of oxidation.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cooking Hamburgers ~~~ When cooking hamburgers, indoors or on the BBQ, poke a hole in the center. This will stop the hamburger from rising in the center and your burger will be more evenly cooked; not burnt on the edge and only medium in the middle. The hole will close while cooking. </i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Checking dried beans ~~~ Put dried beans in a bowl of cold water, and discard any that float to the surface, since this is an indication of insect or mold damage. </i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cloudy Ice Tea ~~~ Add just a small dash of boiling water.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cure Garlicky Hands ~~~ Immediately after chopping raw garlic or after a marinating process, rub your fingers thoroughly with the bottom of a stainless steel spoon under running water. Then wash your hands with soap. The metal magically neutralizes the garlic fumes!</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cleaning or Unclogging Drain ~~~ A tip you may have forgotten. To unclog a drain or keep it fresh smelling add one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cleaning Artifical Flowers ~~~ To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Candle ideas ~~~ Instead of whittling a candle at the base to make it fit in the candle holder, hold the end in a cup of very hot water for a few minutes to soften the wax then gently and firmly press it into the holder.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>If your candle holder is too large wrap a bit of plastic wrap around the base of the candle and wedge into your holder. To make new candles dripless, soak in a strong saltwater solution for a few hours, then dry well.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clean a vase ~~~ to remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cleaning Copper ~~~ Pour lemon juice on copper and sprinkle with salt. Then wipe off instantly. The salt works as an abrasive.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cleaning Silverware ~~~ Line sink with aluminum foil, put in silverware, sprinkle with baking soda and pour boiling water over. Rinse and dry.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Centerpiece ideas ~~~ Place an array of different size candles on a circular mirror and you can also add little flower vases for a few small flowers.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cure for headaches ~~~ take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clean a toilet ~~~ drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush, and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cleaning a coffee pot ~~~ Pour a handful of table salt into the dirty coffee pot. Use a dish towel or sponge to rub it around and on the stains. Rinse clean. </i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cleaning scratches on wood furniture ~~~ Rub the same color crayon as the wood on to the scratch. This will fill the scratch. Then clean with mayonnaise. The scratch will disappear. </i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cleaning A Messy Blender ~~~ To clean a blender, add a cup of warm water, run for a few seconds. Now add a drop of dishwashing detergent and another cup of water and blend. Let is sit for a few seconds. Rinse clean.</i></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clean a thermos bottle ~~~ fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka-Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).</i></span></b><br />
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</div>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-26946078139621124732011-08-20T10:09:00.001-07:002011-08-21T08:20:37.419-07:00Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more (B)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Before opening a package of meat packaged in slices, roll it. This helps separate the slices for easy removal of individual slices.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Bread will stay fresh longer if a celery rib is stored with it in the package.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Brown gravy in a hurry with a bit of instant coffee straight from the jar ... no bitter taste, either.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Buy mushrooms before they "open." When the stems and caps are attached snugly, you know the mushrooms are truly fresh.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Buy several small spray bottles to use in the kitchen, for tasks like moistening pie dough, coating oil on pans, misting salad dressing on delicate greens, or other purposes you might think of.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Brush a beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Buy small spray bottles at the store to use when spraying water on top of baking bread to help make it crispy, or even use it for misting salad dressings on top of salads. Also squirt bottles are a great tool to have as well for drizzling butter on top of corn on the cob, topping cakes such as a coffee cake with a glaze, and even for drizzling strawberry sauce on to a plate before presenting that delicious piece of cheesecake.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Baking bread? Do not preheat. When you light your oven, pop in the bread pans immediately and you’ll be amazed at the resulting lightness of the bread. </i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Buy large lemons and limes, they tend to be much sweeter. Make sure that the skin is thin, those are much juicer. To obtain more of the juice from lemons, limes or oranges, microwave on high for 30 seconds and then let stand for a couple of minutes before cutting and squeezing. Rolling them between your hand and the counter will also help release more juice. </i></b></span>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-61283433346075781482011-08-08T20:53:00.001-07:002011-08-23T05:28:37.217-07:00Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more (A)<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A dampened paper towel or terry cloth brushed downward on a cob of corn will remove every strand of corn silk.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A few drops of lemon juice added to simmering rice will keep the grains separate.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A jar lid or a couple of marbles in the bottom half of a double-boiler will rattle when the water gets low and warn you to add more before the pan scorches or burns.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A low-calorie solution for high-fat frying of corn tortillas is to place them in the oven, directly on the rack. Bake at 350 F, to desired crispness. The tortillas will automatically fold over into taco shell form with just a little postioning help.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A lump of butter or a few teaspoons of cooking oil added to water when boiling rice, noodles, macaroni, or spaghetti will prevent boiling over.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A perfect pastry crust ... in your favorite recipe, substitute a 4 to 1 ratio of lard to butter.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A roast with the bone in it will cook faster than a boneless roast - the bone carries the heat to the inside of the roast quicker.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A slice of soft bread placed in the package of hardened brown sugar will soften it again in a couple of hours.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Add a little lemon and lime to tuna to add zest and flavor to tuna sandwiches. Use cucumbers soaked in vinegar and pepper in sandwich instead of tomatoes. Use mustard instead of mayo to cut the fat and add a tang.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Add a small amount of lemon juice to the artichoke cooking water to retain the color of the artichoke.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Add one teaspoon of lemon juice to each quart of water when cooking rice, this will keep rice fluffy.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Add a dash of lemon juice into meatballs before cooking them.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">After crimping the edge of the pie crust, lift the edge of the crust gently all around with your fingers. This keeps the dough from sticking to the dish while baking and makes it easier to take out the pieces of pie.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A teaspoon of sugar mixed with your yeast and water makes it raise better. Even if you are making bread you can use some sugar. Never mix salt directly with the yeast and water mixture as the salt kills the raising action.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Add two teaspoons of vinegar to jello and it will keep the jello from melting when you serve it.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A dash of ginger added to chocolate icing gives a delicious, unusual flavor.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Add one of the following to the room temperature egg whites for the highest meringue: add a pinch of baking powder; add a pinch of salt; add a generous pinch of baking soda.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A teaspoon of celery salt added to cracker crumbs in which oysters are rolled before frying improves their flavor.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A little crushed or diced pineapple is delicious added to savory stuffing used for roast.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Add Flavor To Cooked Vegetables, toss in a bouillon cube or two to the boiling water instead of salt when cooking vegetables. Adds a delicious flavor to the veggies. Another alternative is to add a couple roughly halved cloves of garlic to the boiling water, then lightly tossing veggies in butter once cooked.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A little oatmeal adds much flavor and richness when used as a thickener for soups. Try it.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Add one-quarter teaspoon soda to cranberries while cooking them and they will not require much sugar.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A teaspoonful of vinegar added to the water in which eggs are poached keeps the whites from spreading and makes the whites cook over the yolk.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Add a slice of lemon to peeled sweet potatoes while cooking. The lemon will help them clear and free of discoloration.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Add one teaspoon baking powder to mashed potatoes to make them fluffy.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A wire cheese cutter is ideal for cutting chilled refrigerator cookie dough.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">An ordinary funnel makes the best cooling rack for your tube cake pans.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march-see for yourself.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A damp cloth under any bowl or dish in which you are stirring or beating something will keep it from sliding around.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A rubber patch cut from an inner tube makes a good temporary sink stopper.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A cloth dipped in lemon juice will clean discoloration on aluminum pots and cookware. Rinse and wipe dry.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">A simple way to sharpen kitchen shears ... cut a piece of steel wool.</span></b><br />
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</div>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-18739271443417314422011-07-27T06:26:00.003-07:002011-07-27T06:26:02.002-07:00New Kitchen Tips<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b></b></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>These tips come from recipe-idea.com for more tips click on link below</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><a href="http://www.recipe-idea.com/kitchen_tips.html">http://www.recipe-idea.com/kitchen_tips.html</a></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Here are kitchen tips and tricks to streamline your time in the kitchen. </b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>For a super fast fish dish, add some fresh ginger or garlic to some oil in a saute pan. Heat and stir over a medium fire for about 3 minutes. Remove the ginger or garlic and cook the fish in the flavored oil.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>By pounding boneless chicken or turkey to 1/4 inch thickness, you cut the cooking time in half.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Pre-cook veggies for stir-fries in the microwave while sauteing the meat.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Hamburgers cook faster if you poke a hole in the middle while shaping them. The holes disappear as they cook.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>While frying or sauteing small pieces of meat or fish, don't crowd the pan. Use a large pan or wok and cook in batches.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Microwave a carton of ice cream for 10 to 15 seconds to make scooping a breeze. No more bent spoons with this kitchen tip!</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Save energy by boiling part of the water for pasta in a teakettle and adding to the pot. Teakettles boil faster.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Cut big pieces of meat in half to grill them quicker. Small chunks of meat on a skewer grill in a snap.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>When making pasta with vegetables, throw the vegetables in with the pasta for the last four minutes of cooking time.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Those are kitchen tips and tricks to save you time.</b></div>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-42418655576286460722011-07-27T05:49:00.000-07:002011-07-27T05:49:46.577-07:00Easy Taco Bake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://linkevskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/07/easy-taco-bake.html"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysu3_cQ9rTwYynxtHT46wmNK38B3E_3EjB_d4a3ki-NpowKFMLe8AaLK-AakneOb3bgPONMNsiwEZlbPjRHaPdTQlz_A67ld4emR7Q0tzjxBKvwO_gQS62dSf3Xipkt9BisUT0bgGOy0h/s320/Easy+Taco+Bake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://linkevskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/07/easy-taco-bake.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;">http://linkevskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/07/easy-taco-bake.html</span></b></a></div>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-28561481358106078672011-07-14T03:56:00.000-07:002011-07-14T03:58:23.199-07:00Linkev's pasta salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwDkHV-c5MbwYBaSsnOiCDXvTn0VbpVeOOlVmcK128LznLI3wqHP6T_co-BWu7vwEkfDmk7aNFd-nXV8kp0bplf4PE4SccyNwL_eVHSizMLpBmW8lUSV8ezoGMbm0I9JBKD2L19iOON7l/s1600/pasta+salad+9+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwDkHV-c5MbwYBaSsnOiCDXvTn0VbpVeOOlVmcK128LznLI3wqHP6T_co-BWu7vwEkfDmk7aNFd-nXV8kp0bplf4PE4SccyNwL_eVHSizMLpBmW8lUSV8ezoGMbm0I9JBKD2L19iOON7l/s320/pasta+salad+9+final.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://linkevskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/07/linkevs-pasta-salad.html">http://linkevskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/07/linkevs-pasta-salad.html</a>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-34622767097312135972011-06-20T18:31:00.000-07:002011-06-20T18:34:53.543-07:00Freezer Cooking Tips & Tricks<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<div class="headline_area" style="margin-bottom: 2.2em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Apple Gothic', Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 35px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 48px;"><i><u><a href="http://www.thriftynorthwestmom.com/2010/09/freezer-cooking-tips-tricks/">Freezer Cooking Tips & Tricks</a></u></i></span></span></h1></div>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-49207828902180970112011-05-27T18:52:00.000-07:002011-06-20T18:35:39.815-07:00Cleaning Tips<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This tip is from kitchen.robbiehaf.com</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">for more tips click on link below</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://kitchen.robbiehaf.com/CleaningTips.html">http://kitchen.robbiehaf.com</a></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Ant Repellant: To keep ants out of the house, find where the ants are entering the house and sprinkle a "barrier" of cinnamon or any type of ground pepper to block their way. The spices are too hot for the ants to cross. (Submitted By: Tony & Sherry Lorsung) Cucumber peels have the same effect. (Submitted by NIKEITA)</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Bathroom Odors: Place an opened box of baking soda OR an open container of activated charcoal behind the toilet to absorb bathroom odors.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Blood Stains: Soak the stain in hydrogen peroxide, wash (don't dry), and repeat if necessary. This tip works especially well for carpet and clothes.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Carpet Stains: Baby wipes are miracle-workers on carpet stains, from motor oil to blood, they remove almost anything!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Candle Holders: To prevent the wax from melting and sticking to the inside of a votive candle holder, pour a bit of water in the holder, then place the candle on top. If you're reading this tip too late, and there's already wax stuck inside your candle holder, pop it in the freezer for an hour. The wax will chip right off.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Candle Wax: To remove wax from carpeting or other fabric, first scrape away any excess. Then, place a brown paper bag over the wax and run a warm iron over the bag. The wax will melt right into the bag! Continue moving the bag around as you pick up the wax so you are always using a clean section. If a little grease stain remains on carpet, sprinkle with baking soda and allow to sit overnight before vacuuming, which will remove the grease residue. If colored wax leaves a stain on carpet, blot with spot remover or carpet cleaner, following label directions.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cast Iron Pans: To gently and effectively clean your cast iron skillets after most uses, wipe out excess food with a dry paper towel, then sprinkle salt inside the pan. Wipe clean with a clean, dry paper towel. The salt acts as an abrasive to scratch off any stuck-on particles of food without using soap and water, which can remove your seasoning. For stubborn stuck-on food, use a putty knife to scrape it off. You may, however, need to reseason the pan after doing this.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chimney: To keep your chimney clean, throw a handful of salt on the fire. (Submitted by Pat Scattergood)</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chrome: To remove rust from chrome, wipe it with aluminum foil dipped in Coke®. To polish chrome, use a crumbled up piece of aluminum foil and rub.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cloudy Drinking Glasses: Soak them for an hour or longer in slightly warm white vinegar. Then, use a nylon-net or plastic dish scrubber to remove film. Still there? The damage may be etching (tiny scratches that occur in the dishwasher) and is permanent, sorry to say. To avoid this altogether, hand-wash your best glasses.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Coffee Grinder: Grind up a cup or so of rice in a coffee grinder to clean the grinder and sharpen its blades.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Copper: To polish copper, rub an ample amount of catsup on the copper and let it stand for 5 minutes. Rinse off the catsup with hot water and dry to find an incredible shine. (Submitted by Sam Meyer)</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Crayon on Walls or Washable Wallpaper: Spray with WD-40®, then gently wipe, using a paper towel or clean cloth. If the mark is stubborn, sprinkle a little baking soda on a damp sponge and gently rub in a circular motion. If the WD-40® leaves a residue, gently wipe off with a sponge soaked in soapy water; rinse clean; blot dry. Another method is to use a hair dryer - it heats the wax and wipes away instantly. If the color remains, like red usually does, wet a cloth with bleach and wipe.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Deodorize dishes, pans, cutting boards or utensils with pungent odors by adding 1/4 cup of lemon juice to your dishwater.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dishwashers: To clean mineral deposits from the inside of your dishwasher, pour in a container of Tang® Drink Mix and run the dishwasher (don't put dishes in the dishwasher for this load).</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Fireplace Soot Odor: In the Spring, when you're fireplace will be out of commission for a while, clean out the ashes, then fill the fireplace with crumpled newspapers (non-glossy pages). Leave the newspapers for a couple of days, then discard.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Fish or Spoiled Food Odor: Place a bowl of white vinegar on the counter for a few hours. The odor will disappear for good.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Freshen a Garbage Disposal: Sprinkle baking soda in it along with a few drops dish-washing liquid. Scrub with a brush (a new toilet brush works great), getting under the rubber gasket and all around the inside. Then, turn on water and let the disposal run to flush thoroughly. For a fresh citrus scent, throw in a few cut up lemons or limes and run them through, too, using lots of water.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Freshen Laundry Basket: Place a fabric softener sheet in the bottom of your laundry basket (remember to change it weekly.) You can also simply sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of your basket and that will help absorb the odors as well.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Freshen Linen Closet: In the linen closet place cotton balls that have been sprayed with your favorite scent. Once they are dry place them in corners and on the shelves.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>George Foreman Grills: After removing the cooked food from the grill, place a paper towel soaked in water on each of the 2 cooking surfaces. Unplug the appliance, allow it to sit for 5-30 minutes (while you eat), then use the paper towels to effortlessly wipe out the grease and food particles.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Ink Stains: The best way I have found to get out ink stains is to put rubbing alcohol on the stain - it disappears! This must be done before washing. (Submitted by Darvin Mossing) For ink on the wall, wipe with bleach and it will disappear.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Kitty Litter: To keep cat litter fresh smelling, mix baby powder in with the litter.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Microwave Filth: Food splatters all over the inside of your microwave and cooks itself on after time. To easily remove this mess, place a sponge soaked in water in the microwave. Cook on high heat for 2 minutes, then allow it to sit without opening the microwave door, for 5 minutes. The filth is now ready to be wiped right off - no scrubbing - and your sponge is right there!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Microwave Odors: Keep a cup of baking soda in the microwave between uses to keep potatoes from smelling like bacon or other unusual combinations!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mothball Substitute: Take your leftover soap slivers and put them in a vented plastic bag. You place the bag with seasonal clothes before packing them away. Not only will the scent prevent them from moth harm, but also they'll smell great when you pull them out.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Odor-free Car: Place a few briquettes of charcoal under the seat of your car to absorb odors and keep it smelling fresh. (submitted by NIKEITA) Make sure to use the type without the starting fluid on them or your car will smell of fuel.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Paint on Carpet: Spray with Windex® and wipe clean. (Submitted by Richard Power)</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Permanent Marker on Carpet: Dab a washcloth soaked in rubbing alcohol onto the marker stain. Do not rub it - just blot it - rotating the cloth to a clean spot every time.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Pet Urine on Carpet: First, blot up what you can with paper towels. Then, with warm, soapy water and a clean cloth, blot the area clean; rinse with clean water; blot until dry. Next, combine 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup water and dab it on stain; rinse with clean water; blot until dry. Once the area is totally dry (at least 24 hours), sprinkle entire carpet with baking soda or rug deodorizer; vacuum after a few hours.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Photos Stuck Together: With a hair dryer on low, slowly melt them apart.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Roach Problem: Combine equal parts boric acid (a powder sold in hardware stores and drugstores) and sugar, mix well. Sprinkle in crevices and, if building or remodeling, between walls before putting up plaster board. Put the powder in jar lids; place lids behind the fridge and under sinks. Caution: Keep mixture away from children and pets.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Shower Doors: I have clear glass shower doors. I have tried everything from CLR®, to Comet®, to Clorox® - you name it, I've tried it. Today I decided to try something different. I found a bottle of Resolve® spot remover for carpet and fabric. I figured "Why not? I have tried everything else." All I did was spray the Resolve® on the shower and with no effort ran a dish sponge over it and rinsed and every bit of the soap scum came off. (Submitted by Angela Cook)</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Smashed Down Carpet: To make the carpet stand back up after moving a piece of furniture, place an ice cube on the spot. As it melts, the piles will go back up.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Smelly Cooking Hands: Simply rub your hands over a stainless steel utensil under running water. This works especially well for the odor of garlic, onions or fish.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Smelly Shoes: Simply fill a tube sock with kitty litter, baking soda, or tea leaves; tie the end closed; and place the filled socks in the shoes when you're not wearing them. These sachets can be used over and over in any kind of shoe.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sour Sponge: Soak the sponge in lemon juice and rinse it out. This will remove the odor for good but keep in mind that it is important to either dispose of, bleach, or run your sponge through your dishwasher regularly to keep bacteria from growing.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stains in Plastic Storage Containers: Use a baking soda paste (baking soda and water) and rub into the stain. You can then rinse with vinegar (optional) and wash normally. Another method is to place container outside on a nice sunny day and the sun actually bleaches the stain out. To avoid stains in the first place, spray container with cooking spray before putting things in it that stain i.e. spaghetti sauce.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stickers, Decals, and Glue: To remove them from furniture, glass, plastic, etc. saturate with vegetable oil and rub off.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stuck-On Food in Pots, Pans, and Crockpots: Fill the pan with water and place a fabric softener sheet in the water. Allow the pan to soak overnight. The food will wipe right out!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stovetops: To prevent grease and grime from sticking to your stove top, making it easy to clean, rub it down with car wax on occasion. (submitted by NIKEITA)</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tarnished Silverware: Line a cake pan with aluminum foil. Fill with water and add 1 Tbls. of baking soda per 2 cups of water. Heat to 150 degrees. Lay silverware in pan, touching aluminum foil. Watch the stains disappear!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Trash Bag Idea: Save money on trash bags by reusing plastic grocery bags. Use them in all your trash cans. To keep them from slipping down, affix a plastic, self-adhesive hook to both sides of the inside of the trash can. Hang the shopping bag from the hooks. (Submitted by Meg Gagie.)</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>White Heat Marks and Water Rings on Wood Furniture: If the wood has a good finish (don't try on bare wood), mix equal parts of baking soda and regular white, non-gel toothpaste. Lightly dampen corner of a clean, soft white cloth with water and dip into the paste. With circular motion gently buff the marks for a few minutes. Wipe area clean, and buff to a shine. Follow with furniture polish. (If rings remain after buffing five minutes or so, they may have penetrated the wood; you might have to refinish the piece). If that doesn't work, dip a cloth in vegetable oil, then in cigarette ashes, then rub it over the mark. Another method is to rub real mayonnaise onto the stain, allow to sit overnight, then wipe with a dry towel. (Submitted by Dennis Blasingame)</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Window Cleaner: This is the perfect window cleaner! In a gallon jug: 1/2 bottle of rubbing alcohol, 2 Tbls. Prell Shampoo, fill jug to the top with water. The rubbing alcohol prevents streaks and the shampoo cuts the dirt. I swear by it. It will last a long time and is very inexpensive. (Submitted by Rosemary York.)</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-weight: normal;"><b><a href="http://kitchen.robbiehaf.com/CleaningTips.html">http://kitchen.robbiehaf.com/CleaningTips.html</a></b></span></b></span>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-31458421394825208082011-05-27T18:03:00.000-07:002011-05-27T18:40:18.503-07:0010 Surprising Foods You Can Freeze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLGXLt0bCvd3i1r02VIoOQz4JMuR9D2gVMfVM6ZiXEpOm0-blHx-OQaxSRgpSz_jC1hnuIpAqsNlO8SLCU3oADYpcP1SEqt8aTaMC0dzYs_mRsJVzECkavG83A-cH_8CYafeTF4aRT25y/s1600/ice+cube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLGXLt0bCvd3i1r02VIoOQz4JMuR9D2gVMfVM6ZiXEpOm0-blHx-OQaxSRgpSz_jC1hnuIpAqsNlO8SLCU3oADYpcP1SEqt8aTaMC0dzYs_mRsJVzECkavG83A-cH_8CYafeTF4aRT25y/s1600/ice+cube.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>This tip is from StillTasty.com</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Click on link for more tips</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.stilltasty.com/articles/view/33">http://www.stilltasty.com</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">You already know that the freezer is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Verdana; line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: x-small;">a good place to stow</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Verdana; line-height: 16px;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><b> </b> s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">teak and chicken. But it works equally well for some far less obvious items.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Try freezing the following (you’ll find more detailed instructions by clicking on each item). You'll save money, waste less — and make cooking a lot more convenient.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">• <b> OPENED WINE</b>: 6 months</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Can't finish the whole bottle? Freeze leftover wine in ice cube trays and transfer to freezer bags. Great for cooking, in sauces, stews and the like.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">• <b> EGGS</b>: 1 year</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Crack open and mix in a touch of salt (if using for savory dishes) or sugar (for baking or desserts); place in freezer bags or airtight containers.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">• <b>BROWN RICE (UNCOOKED):</b> 1 year</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Brown rice has a higher oil content than white rice, so its shelf life isn’t nearly as long. But it’ll keep for several months longer if you freeze it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">• <b>BUTTER</b>: 6 months</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Butter freezes well, so stash a stick or two in the freezer (leave in the original wrapping and place in a freezer bag) and you’ll always have some on hand when you need it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">• <b> MILK</b>: 3 months</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">If you’re constantly running out, freeze a backup supply in an airtight container. Thaw in the fridge and stir well before using — the texture may be a little grainy, but it's fine for cooking and usually okay for drinking.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">• <b>NUTS - INCLUDING PECANS, ALMONDS, WALNUTS</b>: 1 -2 years (depending on the type)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Thanks to their high oil content, nuts are especially prone to going rancid. Freeze them and they’ll stay fresher longer.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">• <b>FRESH HERBS - INCLUDING BASIL, CILANTRO, PARSLEY</b>: 6 months</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Most recipes call for only a sprig of herbs, but you have to buy the whole bunch. Freeze what you don’t use in ice cube trays, covered with a bit of water, and then transfer to freezer bags.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">• <b>TOMATO PASTE</b>: 3 months</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Rarely do you need to use the whole can at once. Freeze dollops of leftover tomato paste on a cookie sheet or in ice cube trays and transfer to freezer bags for use in future recipes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">• <b> BREAD</b>: 3 months</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">If you can never seem to finish a whole loaf before it gets rock-hard or moldy, freeze it. Bread toasts just fine, straight out of the freezer.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">• <b>MAPLE SYRUP (100% PURE)</b>: keeps indefinitely</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Sure, it’s more expensive than the imitation stuff. But pure maple syrup keeps forever in the freezer — so you’ll never have to waste a delicious drop.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><a href="http://www.stilltasty.com/articles/view/33">http://www.stilltasty.com/articles/view/33</a></span>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-54215866217408516112011-05-26T20:20:00.000-07:002011-05-27T18:45:40.216-07:00Cooking with wine tips<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This tip is from howto-simplify.com </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for more tips and recipes click on link below</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.howto-simplify.com/">http://www.howto-simplify.com</a></span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Selecting a wine</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You might think that cooking with an expensive wine will bring out the best characteristics of the food. While this may be true, it's also not necessary. However, cooking with a super cheap bottle of wine might not be the best choice. The rule of thumb is to never cook with a wine that you won't drink. If you don't like the taste of the wine straight out of the bottle, then you will definitely not like the dish if you decide to cook with that wine. Always cook with a wine that you like to drink...and then you'll have something to sip while preparing your dish!</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some recipes mention that you should use "cooking wine" and grocery stores have shelves after shelves of this type of wine. One piece of advice: don't buy it. In my honest opinion, a normal bottle of table wine will work just fine. In fact, I prefer to use table wine because cooking wine is comprised of thinned wines mixed with salt. Does that sound appetizing? Yeah, I don't think so either.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below you will find suggestions on how to select reds vs. whites when cooking:</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reds </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Young, full bodied: Red meat dishes</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Young, full bodied, robust: Red sauces</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Earthy, full bodied: Soups with root vegetables or beef stock</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whites</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dry or dry fortified: Fish/shellfish, poultry, pork, veal, light cream sauces</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crisp, dry: Seafood soups and bouillabaisse</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sweet or sweet fortified: Sweet desserts</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dry, fortified: Consomme, poultry, vegetable soups</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Regional: Regional cuisine</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Types of dishes</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spicy dish: Use an aromatic wine like Gewurztraminer, Riesling or Vioginer. These wines have fruity flavors that will help balance the spices in the dish.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hearty dish: Use a hearty wine such as Petite Syrah or Zinfandel because they will help enhance the heartiness of the dish.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Light dish: Use a light wine such as Pinot Noir or Chianti because they will not overpower the flavors of the dish.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cooking with wine</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's important to mention that using wine in every dish of a meal will only make the meal seem a bit...well, obnoxious in taste. Use wine in recipes only when you think it will enhance and intensify the flavor and aroma of the dish. Anything else will simply be overkill.</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some tips on different ways to incorporate wine into your cooking: </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wine reductions: Simmer or boil the wine until most of the liquid evaporates. Use this technique when making sauces. Reduced wine will create thick sauces while unreduced wine will result in thin sauces.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Deglazing and sauces (after roasting or sauteeing): Add wine to the pan to dissolve the remaining bits of food, then add more wine and scrape the pan, add stock and reduce the liquid to make a wine sauce.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Marinating: Marinate meat and poultry in red or white wine.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dressings: Mix wine with different herbs and olive oil to make a delicious salad dressing.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wine can help add flavor to a variety of dishes and, when mixed correctly, the final result will be something that is truly memorable. I absolutely love cooking with wine and I hope that if you don't love it yet, you will grow to enjoy it over time. The best thing about wine and cooking is that it's wine and wine, to me, equates to a fun and enjoyable experience so have a good time cooking with it!</span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Valentine's Day being just around the corner, what are your plans? Rather than head to an overcrowded restaurant, why not pick up dinner from the grocery store and enjoy a night at home </span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.howto-simplify.com/2011/02/tips-tricks-cooking-with-wine.html">http://www.howto-simplify.com/2011/02/tips-tricks-cooking-with-wine.html</a></span></i></b>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-72391864792137358032011-05-16T06:07:00.000-07:002011-05-27T18:48:54.169-07:00Crockpot Cooking Tips & Tricks<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: medium;">This tip is from tipnut.com for more tips click on the link below</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://tipnut.com/crockpot-cooking-tips-tricks/" style="color: white; text-decoration: none;">http://tipnut.com</a></span></b></span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: medium;">Cooking With A Crockpot Is Convenient And Great For Busy Days</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">1. If you don’t like the taste or texture of the meat from simmering in its juices, set the meat on a layer of vegetables (like potatoes, onions or carrots) or set it on foil balls high enough to keep the meat out of the juices.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">2. Spray the crock lightly with non-stick spray, olive oil or vegetable oil to prevent the dish cooking or burning onto the sides of the crock, you’ll also find plenty of crockpot cleaning tips here.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">3. Make sure the crock is half full of food ingredients to keep the dish from burning or overcooking…don’t fill the crock too full, you want it no more than 2/3 full or the dish will need to cook longer to prevent it from being undercooked. If you can, have both a smaller and larger size slow cooker on hand to accommodate various quantities and recipes. Slowcookers can be found really cheap at garage sales and it’s worth it to have another one on hand.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">4. Carefully remove the lid from the crock by lifting it straight up then over. This will help prevent much of the condensation running back into the dish which just dilutes the sauce consistency and flavor.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">5. Unless the recipe instructs you to do so, do not lift the lid to stir or peek at the dish. This lowers the temperature inside the crock pot and the meal won’t be fully cooked within the alloted time.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">6. Prevent half cooked carrots and potatoes by layering them on the bottom of the crock first then adding the rest of the ingredients. Cut them in about 1″ chunks or so, this helps them cook faster.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">7. Use fresh vegetables rather than canned or frozen since they’ll retain their flavor and texture better (as well as add flavor to the meat). If you do use canned or frozen vegetables, add them to your crockpot toward the end of cooking time, just long enough to heat them through. This way they won’t be tasteless mush.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">8. For more flavor, first brown any meat, onions, garlic and some of the flavorful veggies (like onions and green peppers).</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">9. Trim off as much of the fat on the meat as you can as well as remove the skin from chicken, this helps prevent much of the fat melting into the sauce.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">10. Cook with thawed meat rather than frozen (unless recipe instructs otherwise). The dish will need longer cooking otherwise and will affect the rest of the ingredients.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">11. Choose cuts of meat that will fit in your slow cooker easily. If the cut of meat is too big and you cram it in, it won’t cook through as well and will likely need longer cooking time (affecting the rest of the recipe’s ingredients as well). Trim off excess meat and freeze to use later in soups or stews.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">12. Choose cheap cuts of meat where possible since the meat turns out quite tender when cooked slow. Slow cooking is a great opportunity to economize.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">13. If the sauce or gravy is too thin, remove the lid from the slow cooker the last 1/2 hour and turn up the heat to try to thicken it. You can also add potato flakes to thicken the sauce.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">14. Dry herbs and spices can lose their flavor when cooking so long, if possible–try adding them the last two hours before the meal is ready to help keep the flavor. Use fresh herbs when possible, these can be added first thing since they’ll hold their flavor better when cooking for hours.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">15. For better pasta and rice, cook these separately about an hour before the meal is ready. Once they’re barely cooked, throw them in with the meal to simmer in the sauce.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">16. You can cut cooking time in half by cooking on High instead of Low, but cook according to directions whenever possible since the recipe results might differ otherwise (meat may not be as tender, etc.).</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;">17. If your slow cooker doesn’t come with a timer, you can buy an appliance timer for just a few bucks (check Amazon for “Appliance Timer”, some are quite low in price). This is really nice to have since you can start the crockpot later in the morning, in the middle of the night or set it to turn off in case you’re late getting home from work.</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://tipnut.com/crockpot-cooking-tips-tricks/" style="color: white; text-decoration: none;">http://tipnut.com/crockpot-cooking-tips-tricks/</a></span></b></span>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-41181937449518876912011-05-02T08:30:00.000-07:002011-05-27T18:57:35.943-07:00Tips of Cleaning Kitchen<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b><i>This tip is from specialsnacks.wordpress.com for more tips click on link below</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b><i> </i></b></span><a href="http://specialsnacks.wordpress.com/">http://specialsnacks.wordpress.com</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>1. The cleaning of cooker hood: In terms of cleaning the kitchen, many people think the most horrible thing is cleaning the cooker hood. You know, the detergent bought from the market is not good to our hands’ skin because more or less, there are some chemical components in it. So why don’t we make some special detergent by ourselves? The materials are very common in our daily life, they are cheap and environmental. Firstly, prepare a basin of hot water, add 2~5ml liquid detergent and 50ml table vinegar into the hot water, what need to note is the water temperature must over 60℃. Secondly, remove the fan or oil-filter strainer carefully, put them in the mixed water and waiting about 15~20 minutes. Then use some brand new silk stockings to scrub them, in this way, the surface will not be scratched and absolutely clean. Finally, after drying the fan or oil-filter strainer, coat with a layer of glue on the surface, install them back when the glue is totally dry. When you clean the cooker hood next time, tear off the glue, it will be more convenient for you to clean.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>2. The cleaning of cooking range: Put the skin of lemon or orange into cold water to boil them, when the water is boiling, waiting it becomes cold. Then put a piece of wiping cloth into the water, use the wiping cloth to clean the dirt of gas stove or cooking range. Furthermore, you can coat with thick rice soup on the cooking stove, when the rice soup becomes dry, it will stick the oil stain together, you just need to clean the dry rice soup, then the oil stain can be removed together. </i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i> 3. The cleaning of dishes: The water of wash rice and stewed noodles are very good to clean dishes. It is a frugal and environmental way to wash dishes. In addition, another essential way is use tea leaves to wash dishes, the oiliness also can be washed quickly. What more important is you do not need to worry the harm of chemical components.</i></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b><i>4. The cleaning of chopping board: Chopping board is an excellent breeding place for bacteria, so it is very important to separate the raw and cooked food, meat and vegetables. When cleaning the chopping board, it is better to cover a layer of paper towel on the board. Then mix some vinegar and warm water together, pull them on the paper towel. After 5~10 minutes, rip away the paper towel and wash the chopping board by clean water. This way can not only clean dirt and remove odor, but also has the function of degerming.</i></b></span><br />
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<b><a href="http://specialsnacks.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/tips-of-cleaning-kitchen/">http://specialsnacks.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/tips-of-cleaning-kitchen/</a></b>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-25097772727416070032011-04-24T15:23:00.000-07:002011-05-27T19:00:53.078-07:0027 Ways to clean with Baking Soda<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>This tip is from thenewhomaker.com </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>for more tips click on link below</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><b><a href="http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/bakingsoda">thenewhomemaker.com</a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>Like vinegar, baking soda has three major things going for it as a cleanser:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>It's non-toxic. Sure, eaten in large amounts it might make you feel unpleasant, but it's not poisonous.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>It's multi-purpose. The suggestions in this article are only a few of the many ways that baking soda can be used as a household cleanser.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>Best of all, it's CHEAP! The cost of baking soda (especially when purchased in several pound large boxes) is far less than that of any other, specialized cleaning agent.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>Baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda, as it is also known) is a naturally occurring material, present in most organic life forms. It can be "made" from sodium carbonate, or soda ash. The soda ash is dissolved in a carbon dioxide rich solution, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) precipitates out.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>As its name suggests, baking soda can be used for cooking. It can also be used medicinally, and, as we will discuss in this article, for cleaning.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>In the kitchen</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>The kitchen is the most likely place to find baking soda. Don't stop with using it for baking, though!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>1. A box or small bowl of baking soda in the refrigerator, freezer, or any cupboard will keep away unpleasant odors.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>2. Similarly, baking soda will keep away garbage odors; sprinkle the bottom of the pail, and then sprinkle again after you put a new bag in.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>3. Grease fires can be put out by sprinkling them with baking soda.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>4. To clean surfaces, sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth. Wipe, then rinse with clean water.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>5. To remove stale smells from food containers, rinse out with hot water and baking soda. If the smell persists, let the container soak overnight in the baking soda and water mixture.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>6. To clean silver, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to one part water. Rub the paste onto each item, then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>7. To remove scuff marks or grease spills from the floor, sprinkle with baking soda and then wipe with a warm, damp cloth. This is even safe for no-wax floors!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>8. For burnt-on food in the bottom of pots, sprinkle with baking soda, then add hot water. Let soak overnight; the dried on food will come loose much more easily.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>In the Bathroom</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>9.To remove stubborn stains from most surfaces, use a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda, one part water). Apply, let stand, then scrub or wipe clean.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>10. Hairbrushes and combs can be cleaned in a baking soda solution.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>11. To avoid clogged drains, pour 1/4 cup baking soda down weekly. Rinse through with hot water.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>All Around the House</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>12. To remove scents from a carpet, sprinkle with baking soda. Let stand for at least fifteen minutes, then vacuum. Repeat as needed.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>13. If there is a smoker in the house, put baking soda in the bottom of each ashtray to keep away some of the stale smoke smell.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>14. Baking soda in the litterbox will help prevent odors.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>15. To quickly clean pets and remove "wet dog" odor, sprinkle with baking soda and brush out their fur.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>16. To help remove spills, blot as much as possible. Then clean as you normally would. When finished, sprinkle with baking soda. Vacuum. This will decrease the chance that some of the spilled item will remain in the carpet and cause unpleasant odors later.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>17. Children's toys can be cleaned using 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water. Submerge in this mixture (or wipe with a cloth dampened in it), then rinse with clear water.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>In the Laundry</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>18. Replace half of each measure of laundry detergent with baking soda to keep clothing fresh.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>19. To remove grease stains, either add baking soda to the wash load or pretreat the stains with a baking soda paste.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>20. Pretreat diapers in their pail with baking soda. This will keep odors from becoming overpowering between washings.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>21. Baking soda increases the effectiveness of chlorine bleach. Add 1 / 2 cup to your laundry, along with the usual amount of bleach.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>22. If you keep a laundry hamper, add some baking soda every day to keep the hamper from smelling between emptyings.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>Outside the House (Yard and Garage)</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>23. Baking soda can be used to help clean up grease spills.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>24. To remove burnt food from the grill, sprinkle with baking soda, then soak. After several hours, the charred pieces will come loose easily.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>25. Lawn furniture can be easily cleaned with a rinse of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>26. The children's pool can be cleaned and have mildew removed by washing with baking soda in warm water.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>27. Before packing away your camping gear after a trip, sprinkle with baking soda.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>If you really get into using baking soda for cleaning, consider buying it in bulk; see if you can join a co-op or if your local natural foods or bulk store can order it for you. After all, it doesn't spoil, and the uses for baking soda are nearly endless!</b></span><br />
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</div>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-47923283363762949642011-03-07T19:03:00.000-08:002011-05-27T19:07:17.092-07:00General Cooking Tips<h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">This tip is from reluctantgormet.com for more tips click on link below</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/tips.htm">reluctantgourmet.com</a></span></h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"> General Cooking Tips</h3><div style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhSYKj4Qsol0VmZIfjoO7f-YoZpWguMmoLlFsfVEd_DtRcM8cPpwFw0Sbz-8sSMmyKAqdohdGVeyf_sChoeIfEJItXoXdauJZwBkwhjDyGAxb28XxsVbaUEZOhSw2hqFVW6no8pQarXNf/s1600/chef+tears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhSYKj4Qsol0VmZIfjoO7f-YoZpWguMmoLlFsfVEd_DtRcM8cPpwFw0Sbz-8sSMmyKAqdohdGVeyf_sChoeIfEJItXoXdauJZwBkwhjDyGAxb28XxsVbaUEZOhSw2hqFVW6no8pQarXNf/s320/chef+tears.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Prepare what you need before you start. It’s how the pros do it and it simplifies the process when you are scrambling to put it all together.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">When using a broiler to cook steaks, pre-heat oven until it's really hot. This will sear the outside of the meat and keep the juices in. And don’t use a fork to turn the steaks, use thongs or a spatula to prevent juices from leaking out.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Buy yourself a potato ricer for mashed potatoes. It a great gadget to have in your kitchen, it looks like a giant garlic press, costs about six bucks, but there’s nothing better for smooth airy mashed potatoes.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">A folding steamer platform that sits in almost any pot works great for your steamed veggies. Important, be careful not to overcook the broccoli, you want it to be crisp but tender.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Invest in a salad spinner. They’re inexpensive and work great. There’s nothing more unappealing than soggy lettuce. And speaking of lettuce, you may have grown up on iceberg, but try some red or green leaf lettuce for a little diversity.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Never cook with any wine you wouldn't drink! You can substitute 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary leaves with 1 teaspoon. of dried, but fresh is better. Try using a spray olive oil to coat your roasting pan.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Any brine-cured black olives can be substituted for Kalmata and remember to tell your guests there are pits so they don't break a tooth.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">To roast garlic, sprinkle the bulb with a little olive oil and white wine, salt and pepper, wrap it in tin foil and roast in a 350 degree oven for approximately one hour.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Try using a hand blender to puree the soup....it's easier than transferring to food processor.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Mushrooms should be wiped off with a damp cloth and not washed under the faucet since they are like sponges and will absorb the water.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Make sure your roasting pan is the correct size and is placed on the middle rack.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">When roasting, save the pan juices for your gravy.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Leeks are full of hard to get at sand and dirt, chop them first, then give them a bath in cold water and drain in a colander.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Try using carrots instead of sugar to sweeten your sauces.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Cracked pepper corns: I opt for putting the peppercorns in a zip lock bag and cracking them on my cutting board with a hammer. Noisy, but it worked. Otherwise, set your pepper mill to course grain instead.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">When buying cabbage, look for heads that appear heavier than their size with crisp leaves.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Grilling Tips:</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Be sure your grill is hot enough before starting.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Grill meat and veggies about 4 inches from heat source and chicken about 6-8 inches away.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">To add more flavor, try adding pre soaked chunks of natural hardwoods like Hickory.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Make sure grill is clean before cooking.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">To prevent sticking, brush or spray a light coating of oil on grid.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">If your grill has a top, close it to allow smoke to add it's flavor.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">To keep poultry from drying out, grill with bone in and baste continuously.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Poultry dark meat takes longer than white meat so start it sooner.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Sear chicken on the skin side first.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Baking Potatoes:Recipe</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Use a potato with a high starch content ...it makes for a puffier baked potato. Good starchy potatoes are: russet and Idaho.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Look for potatoes that have a smooth skin and no sprouts. Stay away from those with wrinkly skin or soft spots.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Store your potatoes in a cool dark spot away from your onions.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">And don't store them for months on end. A couple of weeks is what you should plan for.</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Roasting a Turkey</h3></span></span></h3><blockquote style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><a href="http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/tips.htm">http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/tips.htm</a></span></div></blockquote>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-21645308719814820912011-03-07T18:56:00.000-08:002011-03-07T18:56:02.153-08:00Kitchen Cleaning Tips<h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Coffee Stains</span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To remove a coffee stain from fabric or a rug, try one of these methods:</span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Dip a white cloth into a beaten egg yolk and rub the yolk into the stain. Then rinse with clear water.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Work denatured alcohol into the stain, then rinse with water.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Apply a solution of 1/2 teaspoon mild detergent in a pint of water. Blot with a white towel. If the stain remains, apply a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar and blot.</span></li>
</ul><h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Cleaning-7616"></a>Cleaning Kitchen Countertops</span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Use a mild dishwashing liquid for plastic lamination and rinse well afterwards to prevent residue from getting on food.</span><br />
<h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Cleaning-22316"></a>Cleaning Vinyl Floors</span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Mop with a mild detergent and wait awhile to allow it to penetrate the ground-in dirt.</span><br />
<h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Cleaning-4676"></a>Cleaning Safety Tip</span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Don't mix cleaning products like ammonia and bleach. They can be toxic.</span><br />
<h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Cleaning-13397"></a>Cleaning with Automatic-Dishwasher Detergent.</span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Automatic-dishwasher detergent works well on refrigerators, stoves, floors, walls and glass.</span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Dissolve 1/4 cup in one gallon of very hot water.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Wipe with a dry cloth afterward.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Wear rubber gloves and test first to make sure that what you're cleaning is colorfast.</span></li>
</ul><h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Glassware-51834"></a>Glassware</span></h3><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Use the bartender's method for speedy stemware washing. Holding the base, pump the glass vigorously in very hot sudsy water, then quickly put it in hot clear water (cooler water may shatter it) Dry upside down on a cotton towel.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">For extra-shiny, streakless glasses, add a little vinegar or borax to the final rinse water.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">If glasses have hard-water stains, rub them with a scouring pad dipped in vinegar.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Never use hot water, harsh soaps, ammonia or washing soda on silver or gold-rimmed glasses.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">A well-lathered shaving brush cleans deeply etched or hobnailed glass especially well.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">If eggs have dried on your patterned glass tableware, rub off the residue with a slice of lemon.</span></li>
</ul><h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Storing-4040"></a>Storing Leftovers</span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">When storing leftovers in the refrigerator, use old butter tubs and cottage cheese containers. When its time to clean out the refrigerator you can discard the entire container. You won't have a spilled mess in the garbage can or a sink full of dirty dishes.</span><br />
<h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Garbage-11947"></a>Garbage Disposal Tips</span></h3><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">If you've ever switched on the garbage disposal instead of the kitchen light, mark the switch with a dab of red nail polish - anything to stop that grating noise.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">If your dishwasher drains through your garbage disposal, switch it on when the hot soapy water is running through is so it gets a good cleaning.</span></li>
</ul><h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Stainless-56912"></a>Stainless Steel</span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To remove water spots on stainless steel, rub area with a clean, soft cloth dampened with white vinegar. Then wipe dry to avoid spots.</span><br />
<h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Heel-33993"></a>Heel Marks</span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Use a pencil eraser on black heel marks.</span><br />
<h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Dishwasher-58802"></a>Dishwasher Soap Film</span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Run a cup of white vinegar through the entire dishwashing cycle in an empty dishwasher to remove all soap film.</span><br />
<h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Refrigerator-6366"></a>Refrigerator Odors</span></h3><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">A little vanilla poured on a piece of cotton and placed in the refrigerator will eliminate odors.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">After cleaning the refrigerator add a dash of lemon extract to the rinse water for a fresh scent.</span></li>
</ul><h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Stuck-41650"></a>Stuck on Food</span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">For stuck on food on a casserole dish, try adding 2 tablespoons of baking soda and boiling water to cover the stuck on food. Let sit for a while. The dish will be much easier to clean.</span><br />
<h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="" name="Anchor-Handy-26870"></a>Handy Tie</span></h3><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Drop the twist tie in the bottom of any can or basket before you put the liner in. When you're ready to empty it, the tie is handy.</span>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-61667685463530759572010-10-27T19:52:00.000-07:002010-10-27T19:52:30.370-07:00Helpful Hints<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Cold Pack</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Pour into a gallon freezer bag:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1 pint of rubbing alcohol</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">2 pints of water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">(or you can use smaller bags and smaller amounts of liquids)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Double bag</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Freeze 3-4 hours</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">When needed:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Place a cloth between cold pack and skin. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Use 20-30 minutes at a time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">This is reusable, the mixture does not become “hard like a rock” it stays “smooshy” and easy to place on injuries...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Deviled Egg Tip</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Weed Barrier</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go, cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic - they will not get through wet newspapers.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Chipped tooth or lost filling?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">A polymer clay like Sculpey is a wonderful temporary fix 'til you can get to the dentist. It is inexpensive, non-toxic and forms perfectly to your tooth. No more raggedy edges to torment you until your appointment.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Too bad George Washington didn't know about this trick!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Knife Storage</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">use the skinny space between your stove and counter top as knife storage drop---handles up---</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Expanding Frosting</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Plastic Wrap Storage</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Store your plastic wrap in the freezer. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">When you tear a piece off the roll it will not bunch up on you.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Wax Paper</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">The lining paper from cereal boxes make a great substitute for waxed paper.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Refrigerator Odor</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">To kill refrigerator odors put a small amount of vanilla on a cotton ball and place it in the refrigerator.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Toenail Fungus</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Listerine therapy for toenail fungus....Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Face Blemish Removal</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Honey remedy for Skin Blemishes......Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Puffy Eyes</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eliminate puffiness under your eyes.....All you need is a dab of preparation H, carefully rubbed into the skin, avoiding the eyes. The hemorrhoid ointment acts as a vasoconstrictor, relieving the swelling instantly.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Floor Noise Removal</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">If you have squeaks on hardwood floors sprinkle talcum powder over the cracks and rub it in noise should stop on those hard wood floors then!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">UnEven Baking</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I have an electric oven that tends to heat unevenly. In order to keep the bottoms of things from burning before the entire item is cooked through - I put an insulated cookie sheet on the rack below or even right under the item I'm baking. It does make a difference. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Earache</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">grate a small onion</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">use a cotton ball to suck up the liquid</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">squeeze the liquid in your ear and leave your head tilted for about 3 to 5 minutes </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">and your earache should be gone....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Some use garlic instead of the onion.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Preserve Tupperware from Stains</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before you pour in tomato based sauces and it won't stain.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Weed Killer </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Pour vinegar in sidewalk cracks or where ever weeds or unwanted grass is growing. It will be dead in a couple of days.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Mosquito Repellant </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Rub a dryer sheet on yourself to keep mosquitos at bay. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Deterrent for Ants</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Did you know that cinnamon is a deterrent for ants?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Apparently ants hate the smell, so if you find yourself with an ant problem just sprinkle cinnamon down. The best thing about this besides deterring the ants, it is SAFE especially if you have children or pets.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">White Distilled Vinegar Uses</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">No-wax floors:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">To wash no-wax floors, add ½ cup of white distilled vinegar to a half-gallon of warm water.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Carpet stain removal:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">A mixture of 1 teaspoon of liquid detergent and 1 teaspoon of white distilled vinegar in a pint of lukewarm water will remove non-oily stains from carpets. Apply it to the stain with a soft brush or towel and rub gently. Rinse with a towel moistened with clean water and blot dry. Repeat this procedure until the stain is gone. Then dry quickly, using a fan or hair dryer. This should be done as soon as the stain is discovered.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Windows & Walls</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Streakless windows:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Simply wash with a mixture of equal parts of white distilled vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth. This solution will make your windows gleam and will not leave the usual film or streaks on the glass.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Washing woodwork:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">You can ease the job of washing painted walls, woodwork and Venetian blinds by using a mixture of 1 cup ammonia, ½ cup white distilled or cider vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda with 1 gallon of warm water. Wipe this solution over walls or blinds with a sponge or cloth and rinse with clear water. Dirt and grime comes off easily and the solution will not dull the painted finish or leave streaks.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Water or alcohol marks on wood:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Stubborn rings resulting from wet glasses being placed on wood furniture may be removed by rubbing with a mixture of equal parts of white distilled vinegar and olive oil. Rub with the grain and polish for the best results.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Kitchen</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Garbage disposal cleaner:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Garbage disposals may be kept clean and odor free with vinegar cubes. Vinegar cubes are made by filling an ice tray with a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar and enough water to fill the ice tray and then freezing it. Run the mixture through the disposal, and then flush it with cold water for a minute or so. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Wine stains:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Spots caused by wine can be removed from 100 percent cotton, cotton polyester and permanent press fabrics if done so within 24 hours. To do it, sponge white distilled vinegar directly onto the stain and rub away the spots. Then clean according to the directions on the manufacturer's care tag. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Burn Removal on Furniture</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">A white toothpaste works well on small light burns on your furniture, just rub it in and the burn will go away. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">3% Hydrogen Peroxide Uses</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, Then spit it out. No more canker Sores, and your teeth will be whiter without expensive Pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour Peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">5. For foot fungus spray a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a Dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help Rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Candle Holder Wax Free</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">To prevent wax from melting and sticking to the inside of a candle holder, pour a bit of water in the holder, then place the candle on top. If you're there's already wax stuck inside your candle holder, pop it in the freezer for an hour. The wax will chip right off</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Gatorade</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Did You Know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-- without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional "pain relievers?"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">ACNE, BLACKHEADS, AND PIMPLES:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Dab a small amount of toothpaste (paste, not gel) on pimples before bed; this helps dry out the pimples.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and rose water, apply to face with a cotton ball, and allow to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. 15-20 days of this application helps cure pimples and also helps to remove blemishes and scars.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected area overnight. Wash off with warm water next morning.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">For acne that hasn't seemed to respond to anything, steep 2-3 tsp. dried basil leaves in 1 cup boiling water for 10-20 minutes, cool, and apply to affected area with a cotton ball.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">ARTHRITIS:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">A daily serving of fresh fish or fish oil capsules helps to give relief of arthritis and other joint pains.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">3-4 walnuts eaten daily, on an empty stomach, will help.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">DAMAGED, DRY HAIR: A nourishing conditioner for dry or damaged hair which can be used for all hair types: Separate the white of an egg from the yolk, whip it to a peak. Add 1 Tbls. water to the yolk and blend until the mixture is creamy. Then mix the white and yolk together. Wet your hair with warm water, remove the excess moisture, and apply the mixture to your scalp with your fingertips. Massage gently until the froth is worked into your scalp, then rinse the hair with cool water. Keep applying the mixture until it is used up and then rinsed until all of the egg is washed away.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">DANDRUFF: Pour distilled white vinegar onto the hair, as close to the scalp as you can manage; massage into the scalp; and allow to dry for several minutes before washing as usual. Repeat daily until the dandruff disappears, usually within a few days.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">DARK CIRCLES AROUND EYES: Make a paste out of 1 tsp. tomato juice, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder, and 1 tsp. of flour. Apply around eyes. Leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">DEPRESSION: 3/4 cup of cooked spinach a day is enough to give dramatic relief from depression if you are deficient in B vitamins.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">OBESITY:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Mix lime juice with honey and water; drink a glass of this every morning.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Mix 3 tsp. lime juice, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. honey, and 1 cup water; drink a glass a day for 3 months.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Mix 1 tsp. lime juice with 1 cup water and drink each morning.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eat a tomato before breakfast.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">OILY SKIN: For oily skin, mix 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, 1 egg white, 1 Tbls. lemon juice, and 1/2 cup mashed apple into a smooth paste. Apply to face and leave on 15 minutes. Rinse.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">OVERWEIGHT: Effective at getting rid of fat, drink up to 3 cups of green tea daily. Regular tea can also be used with a lesser effect.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">PAIN RELIEVER: Mix 3 Tbls. of honey in boiled water and drink. Honey has natural pain-relieving powers.</span><br />
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</div>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2728536717104096125.post-89139222751698485672010-10-27T18:23:00.000-07:002010-10-27T18:23:06.218-07:00Here are some cleaning compounds you can make: And Some Other Helpful Ideas.<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://opossumsal.homestead.com/Household/ccycm.html">http://opossumsal.homestead.com/Household/ccycm.html</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Mix 1/2 cup borax (a natural mineral that kills mold and bacteria) with 1 gallon hot water. Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and cool. Store in a recycled plastic spray bottle. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Floor cleaner: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 2 gallons hot water. For greasy floors, add 1/4 cup washing soda and 1 tablespoon vegetable-oil-based soap to the above mixture. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Window-washing fluid: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Mix 1 cup vinegar with 4 cups hot water. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Oven cleaner: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Make a paste of baking soda and hot water. Sponge onto stains and wipe clean. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Copper-pan cleaner: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Sprinkle surface of pans with coarse salt. Rub salt into stains with the cut half of a fresh lemon. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Wood furniture cleaner: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To remove water stains on wood furniture, dab white toothpaste onto the stain. Allow the paste to dry and then gently buff off with a soft cloth. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Removing mildew: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To remove mildew from bathtubs, bathroom curtains and tile, make a mixture of: one-half cup vinegar one-half cup of Borax cleaning detergent 2 cups of water. Pour it on the dirty areas and let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a cloth. If mildew is still visible, use the mixture twice. To clean the toilet bowl, combine equal parts of baking soda, Borax cleaning detergent and white vinegar. Pour generously around the bowl and scrub with a brush. Or leave it over night if badly stained. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Removing crayon, pencil or ink from walls: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To remove crayon, pencil or ink marks from the walls (without removing paint), take about 2 tablespoons of baking soda and mix in water. Dip a white wash rag in the solution and rub the marks away. Wipe away excess baking soda with the same cloth. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Furniture Polish:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Make your own furniture polish by combining one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with one- half cup of olive or vegetable oil. Take a soft cloth and polish. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Removing crayon, pencil or ink from upholstery:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To remove pencil, crayon or ink marks from upholstery, use dry baking soda. Use a hairbrush or similar brush to rub baking soda and remove the marks. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Blood stains:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To remove blood stains, combine one quart of Borax cleaning detergent with two cups of cold water. Rinse stained clothing item in cold water, and scrub in warm water with your hands. Then dip in solution and wash by hand. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Coffee and chocolate stains:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To remove coffee and chocolate stains, mix one teaspoon of white vinegar in one quart of cold water. Sponge on stain and wipe clean.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Ironing Clothes:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To get crisp results when ironing clothes, combine 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch in one pint of water. Pour into a spray bottle, shake and spray clothes before ironing. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Bug Control:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To keep bugs out of flour, pasta, rice, pancake mix and other wheat products, put 2 to 3 bay leaves in the containers. Rather than pesticides, you might foil roaches by placing bay leaves around cracks in the room and leaving out dishes of equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar. The last resort is a mix of powered sugar and boric acid (a poison). For other pests, a soapy water spray can be an insecticide, and a shallow pan filled with stale beer will kill snails and slugs. To protect the family pet, alternatives to toxic flea collars include eucalyptus ointment, herbal baths and a pinch of brewer's yeast or Vitamin B with dinner. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Removing Grease:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">To remove grease or hair from the drain, use equal parts of vinegar, salt and baking soda. Pour mixture down the drain and let stand for 15 minutes. Then pour boiling water down the drain. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Leaf Clean Up Tip:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Use a high pressure hose to spray the leaves into a pile. The wet leaves compress into trash bags more efficiently or they can be added to a mulch pile. Since they are wet the wind won't blow them back all over the yard again. Saved me a lot of time this year. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Windows & Screens:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">I notice that my window sills, this time of year, look forgotten... maybe some bits of leaves and the spiders are looking for a warm place to live! I take my vacuum cleaner hose nozzle off of my wand-- and thoroughly suction out the sills now, as heating season starts. If there is a nice collection of cobwebs and leaf parts there, you may want to hold your hand against the hose nozzle to make sure and get everything sucked down into your vacuum cleaner! Also, rather than bother with washing screens (yuck!) I will use my vacuum nozzle suction there, too, screens look great after... SO MUCH easier than taking out one at a time, getting garden hose out and etc.! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Collecting:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Don't forget to collect the leaves, pine cones, seeds, sticks, etc. for your craft projects for Fall and Winter. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Fireplace Ashes:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Don't know what to do with those fireplace ashes? Save them for the spring and use them to keep the slugs out of the garden areas! Slugs don't like ashes or sawdust. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Windows:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Take down screens and awnings and wash & store them. Wash and put away summer clothes and blankets. Bring out the winter clothes and blankets Chimney (tip) Have your chimney checked once a year and install a chimney cap to keep out animals and other items that could block the chimney. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Gutters:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Remove the leaves from your gutters. Leaves left in the gutters will cause them to clog and possibly collapse. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Jewelry Cleaning</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Rub a small amount of toothpaste on jewelry with finger, rinse well and polish with a soft cloth.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></div>LinKevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609075593505541055noreply@blogger.com0