Reviewing and Recipes with Ninja Kitchen System with AUTOIQ

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#ninja
I recently got this amazing Ninja Kitchen System with AutoIQ and I am really having fun making new recipes and testing it out.
This machine has the power to chop, dice, puree, blend, mix, and so much more. It even turns ice into snow for snow cones.
This is really a kitchen helper all in one. It truly is more powerful than other kitchen appliances. I got rid of my blender, my food processor and my drink mixer and now just use this, takes up less room. I keep the pieces in my island for storage and leave the base out. Makes the counter space bigger and cleaner.
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I have made smoothies with the drink blender
Green Strawberry Smoothie
You can mix the ingredients in order and enjoy

3-4 strawberries
1/2 banana
1/4 cup kale
1/4 cup spinach
1/2 scoop protein powder
1 cup milk your choice or water
1 cup ice
you can add other fruits or veggies how you like.
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I have made cole slaw with the food processor
Celery Seed Slaw

3 pounds medium head cabbage, coarsely shredded
1/2 cup finely shredded carrot
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup sugar
1 cup white vinegar
3 tsp salt
1 tsp celery seed

In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, carrot, and green pepper. Set aside. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, vinegar, salt, and celery seed. Bring to a boil. Pour over the cabbage mixture. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for four hours or overnight. Serve with a slotted spoon. Yield: 12-16 servings

Hint- I made this once with the precut/shredded cabbage as I thought it was quicker. I found that the cole slaw was a bit tough even sitting overnight. The next time I made it, I shredded my own cabbage- much better! The finer the shred, the better I felt. And it is much better if it sits overnight. Enjoy!
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I have made drinks with the blender
Frozen Mojito
What you’ll need:
2 Limes, Juiced
10-12 Mint Leaves
2 oz. Simple Syrup*
6 oz. White Rum
2 Cups Ice cubes

How to make it:
Add all ingredients into the 48 oz. pitcher and use
long pulses until well blended. Serve in 2 tall
rocks glasses, garnish with mint.
*Combine 4 Tbsp Sugar and 4 Tbsp Water in saucepan
on warm stove until sugar dissolves.
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I have made cookies with the food processor
Chocolate chip cookies in ninja food processor
use the dough hook

what you need:
1` tsp vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup br sugar
2 sticks butter
2 eggs

mix this on low blend to cream
next add dry ingredients:
1 tsp b soda
1 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups flour

mix this on pulse a few times
then low till mixed then add
1-2 cups chocolate chips
again mix on low

bake cookies
350 for 9-12 minutes

I have made snow cones with the blender
Snow Cone
What you’ll need:
3/4 Cup White Sugar
3/4 Cup Water
1 Pkg Unsweetened Fruit Flavor Drink Mix (13 oz. each)
4-5 Cups Ice
How to make it:
Make basic simple syrup by combining sugar
and water in a saucepan and bringing to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in flavored drink mix of
your choice. Make Cherry, Grape, Orange, and Fruit
Punch by following the same recipe and changing
the powdered flavor. Place in resealable 12 oz.
squirt bottle. Note: can be stored in the refrigerator
for up to a month.
For Snow Cone, place 4-5 cups of ice cubes in
the 48 oz. pitcher and use long pulses until fine snow
is formed. Scoop into desired serving dish.
Pour on flavored syrup and serve.
Makes 4 Snow Cones

Uses For Used Tea Bags

 Don't throw out those tea bags so fast when you make tea.....
There are lots of things to do with them

In the quest to eliminate sodas from your life, you may have transitioned to drinking tea. Along with it's numerous health benefits, you may be acquiring a large stash of used tea bags, or more likely you are just throwing them in the trash. Here are a couple of ideas that will give your used teabags renewed usefulness, and delay their trip to the local landfill.

PERSONAL CARE

1. Soothe tired eyes.

Just place a chilled used tea bag over your closed eyes until the puffiness subsides. You can also use warm, wet teabags as a compress to soothe the pain of pinkeye. Bonus tip: Place teabags on your eyes for 15 minutes and reduce under eye circles.

2. Make canker sores feel better.

Chill a used tea bag in the freezer. Once it’s cold, place it on your canker sore. The cold plus the tea’s healing properties will help your sore feel better faster.

3. Heal sunburned skin.

Throw used tea bags in a bath and soak in it after a long day in the sun. The cooling and calming effects of the tea will provide relief.

4. Stop a minor nick from bleeding.

When a kitchen injury strikes while slicing and dicing, staunch the blood flow fast by saturating a black tea bag with hot water, then holding it against the injury for 30 seconds. The tannins in the tea will quickly clot the blood so you can cover the cut with a bandage and get back to whipping up your delicious dinner.

5. Put a soaked tea bag on a bruise to heal it faster.

Ruptured capillaries, the smallest blood vessels in the body, create bruises. The tannins will constrict blood vessels which will stop the blood flow that causes bruising.

AROUND THE HOUSE

6. Clean the house.

Re-steep your used tea bags in cold water to make a weak tea. Use this mixture to scrub linoleum or countertops. Additionally, use the teabags to rub furniture and floor scratches to make them disappear.

7. Fertilize your plants.

Used tea bags make a great addition to any compost pile! Don't have a compost pile? Used tea bags can be nestled in your potted plants to help protect them from drying out between waterings.

8. Kill dust mites.

Carefully spray diluted black tea on the carpet to kill dust mites. Color-test the tea first in an inconspicuous spot.

IN THE KITCHEN

9. Tenderize a tough cut of meat.

The secret to tender, juicy skirt and flank steaks: Steep four or five black tea bags in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes, then combine with an equal amount o of double-strength beef stock (homemade or store-bought) and marinate the meat in the mixture for 20 minutes. The teas tannins will break down fiber that make the beef tough.

10. Rust-proof your cast-iron cookware.

Guarantee your trusty skillet stays rust-free by wiping it with a damp. used black tea bag after every cooking session. The tea's tannins will coat the pan with an invisible protective layer that prevents rust-causing oxidation.

16 Further Uses for Tea!


There's nothing like a hot cup of tea, especially on a cold day. Not only does tea warm the body and give us inner peace, it also fights cancer, lowers the risk of stroke and helps our cells fight aging. However, if you thought that is where the usefulness of this drink ends, you are sorely mistaken...



Here are 16 other things that you can do with tea:


1. Tired Eyes


Tired and red eyes can be caused by irritation, too much crying or simple tierdness. While ice bages or cucumber slices are a workable solution, tea bage get you the same results but are also warm and pleasant. Put them in hot water, allow them to cool a bit and then place them on the eyelids like a compress.


2. Improving the taste of meat


Meat tastes great when properly cooked, but when not, it can become stale, hard and dry. Here is an effective solution to the problem: Use used tea bags to make a marinada that will restroe its flavor. Soaking hard meat in black tea can also soften it again.


3. Cleaning wood surfaces


Tea can be a great and gentle cleaning material for wood floors and surfaces. Wipe the wood surfaces or furniture with a clean cloth soaked in cool tea water, then use a clean and dry towel to prevent stains.


4. Removing fat and dirt


The astringency of the tea will reduce the fatty buildup in pots and pans. Just soak the used tea bag in the container you wish to clean.


5. Cleaning Rugs


Clean moldy and dirty rugs by spreading some used (dry) tea leaves on it. Leave them be for 10 minutes and then vacuum the rug. If these are delicate carpets, you can brush the tea leaves gently away.


6. Cleaning fatty fingerprints from glass


Tea can remove those pesky fingerprints from gladd, and make it shine. Just rub a moist tea bag on the glass surface, then use a spray bottle filled with tea water and wipe.


7. Cleaning the toilet


Use tea to remove stubborn stains in the bottom of the toilet. Soak several bags of tea for several hours in the toilet water and then remove them gently and brush the sides.


8. Getting rid of fish smell


To get rid of that overpowering smell of fish, wash your hands in tea water.


9. Air freshener


Bags of tea can absorb those bad odors in the pantry, in your shoes or in your car. Put a few tea bags on a tray and put them in the closet, shoe or car. Let them absorb the odors.


10. Getting rid of bad foot odor


If you suffer from stinky feet, soak them for 20 minutes in a tea bath. Use black tea for extreme caes. The stringency in the tea will close the sweat glands that give off the smell and that tanins will kill the bacteria.


11. Removing warts and blisters


Soak a tea bag in water and put it on the blister for 20-30 minutes. Make sure to throw away the bag afterwards.


12. Diminishing efates.


Get your mouth wounds to heal faster by gently biting a used tea bag. The healing powers of the tea will reduce the pain, shring the blood vessels and stop the bleeding.


13. Treating burns


If you suffer from a really bad case of acne or irritated skin from a burn or sun tanning, use used tea bags to bring relief. Wash the areas burnt with a cold tea bag, but if most of the skin needs it, make a bath of tea water


14. Treat acne


Many find that washing your face with a cool brew of green tea is an effective soltion for acne.

15. Avoiding fleas


To turn back fleas from your dog or cat, spread some dry and used tea leaves around the place they sleep.


16. Softening and dying your hair


Washing your hair with a cup of tea can make it shiny and soft to the touch. However, if your hair is light colored, it may turn it darker, which is perfect if you want to dye it.

Safely Re-Use Disposable Water Bottles and Travel Mugs

I am picky on which bottles I reuse, I like the thicker ones so I will buy a few of the better bottles for Reusing, this not only saves me money but by refilling these with tap water you get the minerals and fluoride you need for your body,  because did you know that drinking bottled water ONLY, is not as healthy as you think.

I know they say not to reuse these but it's mostly because of the germs that grow inside, so I have always been a stickler for cleaning out my water bottles(any kind) and coffee or tea Travel Mugs 

Here is how I do mine.

~First Get out your BLEACH~

~ Put on cleaning gloves if you have any allergies to Bleach~

Fill a 16 oz bottle with warm water & add 1/8 tsp of bleach. 

Put the lid on & shake for 10 seconds. 

Pour solution in to the next bottle & repeat for the rest of your bottles.  

Hang these bottles upside-down on a bottle drying rack or your dish strainer to dry.

 Just as long as they are able to air dry is all that matters. 

Following this procedure should get you 8-10 uses out of each bottle

I also have some water bottles that I bought and I always make sure to clean these the same.

DIY: Make Your Own Washing Machine Cleaner and save $$$

Instead of buying those washing machine cleaners at the store that last time I looked cost almost $10.00 for a box; and trust me I have paid that much and tried them, but found I wasted a lot of money and I wont bother with that again, I can make it myself and save money to buy more craft projects or go SHOE shopping LOL

Fill the washer with HOT water. Add 1 quart of chlorine bleach - no detergent – and let the machine agitate for a minute, then let it sit for one hour. After one hour, allow the washer to run through its longest wash and spin cycle. Immediately fill the washer with HOT water again and add 1 quart distilled white vinegar. Let agitate for a minute, and again, let it sit for one hour.

Using the bleach and vinegar will clean away bacteria, soap scum and mineral deposits from the wash basket and hoses. This is especially important if you live in a hard water area and should be done every three months. Every washer should be cleaned at least twice per year. While it is soaking, dip a scrubber sponge in the vinegar water and detail all the nooks and crannies of your washer, including the knobs, the lid and the exterior. After an hour, run the longest wash and spin cycle again

Here’s what you need:
2 cups bleach
2 cups white vinegar
microfiber cloth

What to do:
Fill with hot water on highest setting, add bleach aggitate 1 min, then lift lid and let it sit an hour, then run through cycle
then fill again with hot water and add vinegar this time and repeat
then wipe down outside and inside with microfiber cloth

Repeat this cleaning once a month or two for sure and never less than every 6 months

DIY: Make your Own NEVER ENDING DRYER SHEETS~REUSABLE FABRIC SOFTENER SPONGES!!!!

So Today I ran out of Fabric Softener sheets but I had 2 large containers of liquid Fabric Softener So I decided to Make My own Reusable Fabric Softener Sponges instead of those little sheets that always cling to my laundry. 

NEVER ENDING DRYER SHEETS~REUSABLE FABRIC SOFTENER SPONGES!!!!

~WHAT YOU NEED: 

1 Container with an airtight lid (grabbed out of my pantry) 

2-4 sponges cut in half ($1.00 for a 4pk at the dollar store) 

1 cup of your favorite fabric softener ($0.30 worth of fabric softener) 

2 cups water (free from my tap) 

~WHAT TO DO: 

Mix the water and fabric softener into a plastic container. Add the cut sponges so they can soak in the mixture. I only used 2 sponges and cut them in half, they fit perfectly in my container. 

When ready to use, squeeze the excess liquid from 1 sponge and place into the dryer with your wet clothes. Run the dryer cycle as normal. Once complete place the now dry sponge back into the container of liquid for use next time. 

Clothes smell good, are soft and have no static just like the expensive non-reusable dryer sheets.

For pennies you can have dryer sponges and have any scent you want too, I even add essential oils to plain fabric softener

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We now make our own laundry soap so I was thinking what about fabric softener too?

So I searched and started reading ingredients and walla I found a recipe for that too.

The recipe

6 cups hot water {I used hot tap water, but you can boil the water as well}

2 cups white vinegar

1 bottle of hair conditioner {any conditioner will do. I picked one that smells great & 

that’s cheap!}

In a bowl mix the hot water and full bottle of conditioner. Stir until completely 

mixed & dissolved. After that pour in the vinegar and mix it all together. After that 

pour your laundry softener into the container of your choice. I chose a mason jar 

because I already had one & this large one is easy to pour or scoop the product out 

of. I use about 6 table spoons, but you can use the amount that works for you. 

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Here is another fabric softener recipe that is very simple and pure

First of all you should know that the use of vinegar in laundry is good for fluffing it up, softening and essential being a good replacement for regular fabric softener or dryer sheets Well, since then, we have taken this concept much further and made our own fabric softener, fabric refresher and much more from this idea to use in every single load!

Here’s what it does:

Makes the laundry soft and fluffy

Removes odors

Removes even more bacteria than just washing alone

Makes them actually smell good (yes, the vinegar really does this…..)

And it can also help to lessen the amount of color “bleeding” between fabrics (similar to a Shout Color Catcher)

So that is what we have done! You can make your own fabric softener with 2 ingredients and with 4 different variations! Let me share these easy ways:

Make your own fabric softener by soaking your old dryer sheets in vinegar that has several drops of lavender essential oil. You will be able to do this several times before the dryer sheets break down and need to be thrown away. Or use the Sponges as I described above

Make reusable dryer sheets by cutting up an old t-shirt into squares, then put them into a baby wipes or cleaning wipes tub, cover with the mixture of vinegar and lavender essential oil and throw in your dry for each drying load. Make a new batch after you use them all! These will last forever!!

Make a pre-mixed liquid version for the wash cycle by mixing vinegar with several drops of lavender essential oil and store in a container to use in your washing machine.

The fourth and final way to do this is actually what I do! Pour your vinegar in your softener slot on your front loader or top loader washing machine, then add a drop of lavender essential oil! This is the easiest way for me to do this and so that is just how I have been doing it!

I hope you find my tips and ideas helpful, please share my blog on FB, Twitter, and Pinterest and other places you like.

Thanks

Secret Warning signs on your products

Do you know what these little colored squares on your products really mean?

I'm wondering if these are true

Do you know the meaning of the colors?
Green square = Natural
Blue square = Natural + Medicine
Red square = Natural + Chemical composition
Black square = Pure Chemical

Pass this information on to your friends and family to make sure they are not ingesting harmful chemicals!

Many people turn a blind eye to the amount of chemicals we put in our body through food, make up, household cleaners and yes TOOTHPASTE! Some do not agree this is true. Many will say it is not.

Now to research more, what do you think?

Uses for Silica Gel Packets

Don't Throw Them Away!
Got this helpful Idea over at http://www.makelifelovely.com/ go check them out too

You know those little white packets that come in the box with your brand new heels? I used to toss them in the trash, but my brilliant husband asked me to start keeping them, and he has found some great uses for those silica gel packets!




Silica gel packets are used to absorb moisture and keep things dry, so they are ideal to reuse throughout your home where you might be worried about excess moisture. Here are a few places we have found these packets to be useful. Just make sure that you keep these out of the reach of children! They are not to be eaten.


6 Uses for Silica Gel Packets:
1. To save your cell phone from water damage. True story, I recently dropped my iPhone in a pot of boiling potatoes while trying to multitask. (OK, I was on Pinterest while making dinner. I'll admit it.) I dropped my phone in the boiling water, quickly pulled it out with a spoon, dried it off, removed the memory card, and put it in a Ziploc bag filled with silica gel packets that we had stockpiled. I left it alone for a few days, and was shocked to find that it worked perfectly! Supposedly this works better than the rice trick for saving your cell phone, just try to restrain yourself and not turn it on until a few days later because it could cause an electrical short and ruin your phone.

2. To help keep photos safe and free from moisture. Another true story. I am a scrapbooker, and pulled out one of my scrapbooks from a few years back to find the date of a family event, when I noticed that some of my scrapbook pages were wet! I have spent countless hours on my little masterpieces, and was not thrilled to find that one of my kids had probably spilled water, and it had dripped down into the sheet protectors and onto my pages. My hubby air dried all of the pages, and was able to salvage most of the pages and embellishments from the affected scrapbook pages. Now each of those pages have a silica gel packet in between the two pieces of card stock in each sheet protector, just to absorb any excess moisture that might still be hiding in the paper. (We will eventually remove them, because I am unsure of the archival quality of silica, but for now I am okay with them being there short term).



3. To keep collectibles in mint condition. If anyone in your family collects stamps, baseball cards, coins, etc., it's great to add some packets in with your collectibles to make sure they stay moisture-free.




4. To keep important documents safe. Whether you have important documents (birth certificates, social security cards, etc.) stored in files in a desk, cabinet, box, or envelopes, you can add a few packets of silica gel to keep them protected.



5. To use in each container in your basement, garage, or storage unit to absorb excess moisture. We use them everywhere in our basement!





6. To help preserve your ornaments and Christmas decorations. These get pulled out of boxes only once a year, so using silica gel packets in your Christmas boxes is a smart idea.



Okay, I'm adding a few more tips thanks to you readers!! Keep the good ideas coming!

7. Reader Roberta left a great comment on Make Life Lovely's Facebook Page...

"I bought an old book from an online bookstore that reeked of a musty smell. I put the book in a bag with baking soda. It did nothing. I put it in a bag with several gel packs and voila! Smell is all gone!"

8. The Feral Turtle commented that you can reuse these packets once they are full of moisture!! She says "We save our silica gel packets too! They will collect moisture and quit working, though, so we regenerate them in a 200 degree oven for about two hours and store them in an airtight Ziploc bag until we need them."

As you can see, there are so many different ways to reuse silica gel packets, and I know there are tons more that we haven't even thought of yet! Do you keep these packets? Do you have any more ideas about how or where to use them? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Halloween Whoopie Pies

Closer and Closer we get to the BIG DAY!! Halloween or Samhain as some of us call it and CELEBRATE.
I Just ♥LOVE ♥ it.
well here is a Whoopie Pie to beat all Whoopie Pies
Yummy GOOD FOOD

Ingredients
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
Meringue Buttercream (recipe below)
1/3 cup each orange and yellow sprinkles
Meringue Buttercream
5 large egg whites
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 sticks unsalted, softened butter

Instructions
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line three baking sheets with parchment. Dip a 1-1/2-inch cookie cutter in extra cocoa and tap onto parchment to create a cookie outline; repeat to make outlines 1 inch apart on all baking sheets; set aside. Whisk together cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl beat together the butter, shortening and sugars until smooth, about 2 min. Add egg and vanilla and beat until fluffy, 2 min. Stir in half the flour mixture, then the milk, and beat to combine. Add remaining flour mixture and beat together, scraping down sides of bowl.
3. Transfer batter to a piping bag fitted with a coupler or a 1/2-inch plain tip. Pipe onto parchment, filling the outlines with mounds about 1/2 inch high. Bake, one sheet at a time, until cookies spring back to the touch, 10 to 12 min. Cool on baking sheets 10 min, then transfer to a wire rack with a metal spatula and let cool completely.
4. Spread about 1 tbsp buttercream on flat sides of half the cookies and sandwich with remaining cookies. Cover edges with sprinkles. Can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored chilled. bring to room temperature before serving. Makes about 32.
Meringue Buttercream
1. Whisk together egg whites and sugar in heatproof bowl of an electric mixer over a pan of simmering water until sugar has dissolved, about 5 min. Test by rubbing the mixture between your fingers-you shouldn't feel any sugar crystals.
2. Transfer bow to the mixer stand with the whisk attachment and beat on high until mixture cools and stiff peaks form, 10 to 12 min.
3. Reduce speed to medium high and add vanilla extract and butter a little at a time. (Buttercream may curdle but will become smooth as you continue to beat it.)
4. Use within a few hours or refrigerate up to a week. before using, bring to room temperature and beat on low until smooth. Makes about 5 cups.
By Ladies Home Journal

My Favorite Potpourri Recipes

I absolutely love to have a good smelling house

I either want it to smell like I have been baking and cooking all day (which sometimes I have) or I want it to smell festive like the season we are in at the time of year it is, so I burn candles and simmer potpourri and wax tarts all around my house.

Here are a few of My Favorite Potpourri Recipes

Hope you will make some

Kitchen Potpourri

1 lemon cut in fourths

1 apple cut in fourths

1 orange cut in fourths

2 or 3 cinnamon sticks

Water to cover

Place in a pan and simmer.

Holiday Potpourri

1 Orange

1 Lemon

1 Bay Leaf

1 Cinnamon Stick

1/4 Cup Whole Cloves

1. Cut orange and lemon into pieces.

2. Put all ingredients in a sauce pan and cover with water.

3. Simmer on stove, and add additional water during the day, when needed.

Holiday Spice

2 c. water

1/2 c. sugar

1 c. pineapple juice

1 c. orange juice

1 lemon, sliced

4 cinnamon sticks

1 Tbs. whole cloves

Bring ingredients to a boil and simmer. If liquid gets low, add more water. Liquid can be used over and over again. To reuse, add liquid and simmer. Refrigerate when not using. This will make your house smell like the holidays, all the time.

Apple Cinnamon

1 cinnamon stick

1 apple cut into fourths

Bring ingredients to a boil and simmer. If liquid gets too low, add more water.

Citrus Cinnamon

1 cinnamon stick

1 orange sliced into fourths

Bring ingredients to a boil and simmer. If liquid gets too low, add more water.

Scents of Christmas

1/2 kettle of water

3 tbsp cinnamon

3 tbsp cloves

2 tsp nutmeg

2 tbsp apple pie spice

2 tsp ginger

Place all in a sauce Pan and simmer

Spicy Harvest Simmering Potpourri

This delightfully spicy pumpkin-pie scent will make your house smell like Home.

INGREDIENTS

Enough cider to fill the pot

1 cup canned pumpkin

3 whole cinnamon sticks

1 handful whole cloves

1 apple, cut crosswise into round slices

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

grated fresh nutmeg, as much as you like

Place ingredients in a large pot on the stove or in a crock pot. Bring to a simmer and allow continuing simmering over very low heat, replacing cider or adding water as needed. Be careful not to allow mixture to scorch.

Edible Simmering Potpourri

Apple cider to fill a large soup pot

One apple, cut horizontally to make circular round slices 1/2-inch thick

One orange, cut into round slices 1/2-inch thick

3 whole cinnamon sticks

6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries

One 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root, cut into small rounds

Place all ingredients in a large soup pot and bring to a simmer, then reduce and allow to simmer uncovered, adding cider as liquid evaporates.

When guests arrive, ladle out a mug full of the hot cider for each person, and serve with an additional cinnamon stick in each mug.

Spicy Simmering potpourri

* 3 1/2 cups anise star, whole

* 1 3/4 cups allspice, whole

* 1 3/4 cups orange peel

* 1 3/4 cups juniper berries

* 1 3/4 cups nutmeg, whole

* 1 3/4 cups cloves, whole

* 3 1/2 cups cinnamon chips

* 1 3/4 cups lemon peel

* 3 1/2 cups rose hips

* 3 handfuls bay leaves, whole

Use oil fragrances such as French vanilla, old world spice, and vanilla fragrance. This recipe makes 24 cups.

Citrus Simmering potpourri

* 1 cup cinnamon sticks, whole, 1"

* 1 cup orange petals, whole

* 1/4 cup lemon or grapefruit peel

* 1/8 cup allspice, whole

* 3 cups lemon verbena leaves, whole

* 1 cup chrysanthemum flowers, whole

* 1 3/4 cups orange peel, cut and sifted, 1/2" - 3/4"

* 1/8 cup cloves, whole

* 2 cups lemongrass 1/2" cut

For oil use 1/8 ounce lemon essential oil, 1/2 ounce sweet orange essential oil, 1/8 ounce tangerine essential oil, and 1/8 ounce cinnamon bark essential oil. This recipe makes 12 1/2 cups.

you can dry your own flowers, fruits and herbs or buy some already bagged if you're in a hurry

add scented oils or essential oils toss them in a large zip lock bag and leave them sit a few days and they are ready to use

Floral Simmering potpourri

* 1 cup rosebuds and petals, pink

* 1 cup rosebuds and petals, red

* 1 cup Balm of Gilead buds, whole

* 1 1/2 cups orange peel, cut and sifter, 1/2" - 3/4"

* 16 nutmegs, whole, cracked with a hammer

* 1 cup oak moss

* 1/4 cup allspice, whole

* 2 cups cinnamon chips

* 1 vanilla bean, cut into small pieces

* 1/4 cup fenugreek seeds, whole

* 1/4 cup cloves, whole

Use 3/4 ounce of your favorite floral fragrance oil. This recipe makes 8 1/2 cups.

Fruity Simmering potpourri

* 1 1/2 cups orange peels, cut and sifted, 1/2" - 3/4"

* 1 cup anise star, whole

* 1/4 cup cardamom pods

* 2 cups cinnamon chips

* 1 cup apple pieces

* 1/2 cup mace, whole

* 1/4 cup allspice, whole

* 1/4 cup cloves, whole

For oil, use 1/2 ounce apple fragrance, 1/8 ounce cinnamon bark essential oil OR use 3/4 ounce spicy apple fragrance. This recipe makes 6 3/4 cups.

5 Quick Breakfasts That Accelerate Weight Loss

This is so me, so I looked for better ideas and here is what I have found

Q: I am trying to eat healthy so that I can lose 20 pounds, but I'm having a hard time with breakfast. If I eat cereal, I'm hungry again in an hour. I need to eat foods that are quick or can be made in advance, since I'm usually running out the door. Any suggestions?

A: Yes! Since you're getting hungry after eating only cereal, I recommend that you eat something that's higher in protein. Research shows that eating a high-protein breakfast helps stave off munching later in the day when you're trimming calories to lose weight. A bowl of cereal has a moderate amount of protein (the protein comes from the milk, unless you're specifically choosing a high-protein cereal) — but there are definitely other delicious, higher-protein options out there, including:

• Nonfat Greek yogurt, a piece of fruit, and a handful of nuts. This is a terrific portable breakfast since you can just toss each item in your purse and take it with you. Nonfat Greek yogurt (plain or flavored) has 2 to 3 times as much protein as regular nonfat plain/flavored yogurt, so making this swap is a super easy way to bump up the protein in your morning meal.
  
  
• Scrambled eggs with reduced-fat cheese on whole-grain English muffins. For a slimmed-down version of the classic fast-food breakfast sandwich, create your own at home — and feel free to add whatever veggies you like, such as spinach or a tomato slice. Delicious!
  
  
• Frozen burrito: These burritos are super easy to prepare in the microwave and contain lots of high-protein ingredients like beans, eggs, cheese, even tofu. One brand I recommend is Amy's — the company makes yummy frozen burritos and breakfast burritos with clean, healthful ingredients.
  
  
• Cottage cheese with fruit and nuts or seeds: A scoop of low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese topped with cut fresh fruit (melon, berries, pineapple, etc.) and 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds or chopped nuts. You can pack this all in a container the night before and take it with you to work — or enjoy it in the morning before you leave.
  
  
• Nutrition bar and 1 hard-boiled egg (or a string cheese): Choose a nutrition bar with at least 8 grams protein and 4 grams fiber — and no more than 2 grams saturated fat. Hard-boiled eggs are terrific because you can boil up a dozen at the start of the week and have them in the fridge, ready to go all week. You can sub four hard-boiled egg whites for one whole egg if you're watching your cholesterol. 

THINGS YOUR MOTHER SHOULD'VE TOLD YOU

1. Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.

2. Use a meat baster to “squeeze” your pancake batter onto the hot griddle and you’ll get perfectly shaped pancakes every time....

3. To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

4. To prevent eggshells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.

5. Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan and the marshmallow won’t stick to your fingers.

6. To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.

7. To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on the stovetop.

8. Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces and there won’t be any stains.

9. When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won’t be any white mess on outside of the cake.

10. If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it’s still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant “fix me up.”

11. Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

13. Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it.

14. When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn’s natural sweetness.

15. To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh, but if it rises to the surface, throw it away.

16. Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

17. Don’t throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

18. If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

19. Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.

20. To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

21. 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.

22. Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer. Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china. 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. Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes. 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). Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

The Cucumber-Did YO Know

Beautiful Green Lush Cucumbers
Low Calories, Lots of Vitamins, Keeps you hydrated

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

14. Fat busting: Do you ever wonder why women put cucumbers on their eyes to relieve puffiness? The photochemical in cucumbers makes the collagen in your skin tighten, thus the lack of puffiness. Did you know that you can rub a cucumber on a problematic spot of cellulite anywhere on your body to lessen the visibility of it? Did you also know that it has the same effect on wrinkles? Wow, it makes purchasing those fifty dollar creams seem a little silly, doesn’t it? You can also rub a little bit under your kiddo’s eyes after a long bout of crying to avoid that puffy ‘I cried for an hour straight’ look.

15. Defogger: Do you get annoyed when you get out of the shower and you have to fight the fog on the mirror? Who has time for that when the kids will be awake at any moment? Try rubbing a slice of cucumber on the mirror before you hop in and not only will you get a fog-free mirror, but you’ll have a nice smell that will boost your mood.

16 Headaches: If you suffer from headaches from chasing your babies all day, or had a little too much wine with dinner and want to avoid a hangover, eat half of a cucumber before bed. Cucumbers are high in B vitamins, sugar, and electrolytes, and they replenish the nutrients missing in your body to help you avoid a hang over or to beat that headache that’s been threatening to take over.

17. WD-40 replacement: Did you know you can get rid of a squeak by rubbing a cucumber on the hinge? Wow, now you don’t have to tear your garage apart looking for that little can with the red straw, and the baby won’t wake up when you slowly open the nursery door to check on him.

18. Crayon on the walls: Take an unpeeled cucumber and rub the crayon off of the walls in the event that your kiddo left you some art. You can also use this technique to erase a pen mistake.

19. Halitosis killer: Take a slice of cucumber and put it on the roof of your mouth. Hold it there with your tongue for 30 seconds. The photochemical that you love for cellulite and puff reduction will also kill the bacteria that is causing your bad breath.

20. Tarnish remover: If you’re finding tarnish on your stainless steel kitchen faucets and appliances? Rub it off with a cucumber slice. Not only will it remove years of tarnish, it will leave it streak free and your hands will thank you, and your kids won’t be put at risk from a dangerous chemical.

21. Energy booster: If you’re feeling tired in the afternoon, don’t give Starbucks your five bucks. Instead, grab a cucumber. There are just enough carbohydrates and B vitamins to give you a longer-lasting and healthier boost of energy than soda, coffee, or those health hazard energy drinks.

22. Munchy madness: Did you know that European trappers ate cucumbers for energy and to keep from starving to death? If those big burly manly men can eat a cucumber to keep from starving, you can eat one as a healthy choice when the munchies hit. Slice some up and take them in a small plastic container to the movies if your theater doesn’t offer healthy alternatives to munching on butter soaked popcorn.

23. Frugal facial: Slice up a cucumber and boil it in a pot of water. The chemicals inside of the cucumber will mix with the steam. Remove the pot from heat and lean over it, letting the steam hit you. Your skin will be more radiant and healthy, and you will feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

24. Shoe polish: Cut a slice off of your cucumber and rub it on your shoe. It will not only shine it up, but it will repel water.

25. Pest control: Put three or four slices of cucumber in a small pie tin and place them in your garden. The chemicals in the cucumber have a reaction that pests hate. You won’t smell it, but it will drive them from your garden all year long. Replace them periodically.

26. Sunburn: Sometimes sun block doesn’t always protect your little ones from sunburn. If you have burnt little kiddos you don’t have any aloe, rub some cucumber on them. Many doctors even use cucumber to treat patients with irritated skin and sunburns.

27. Blood pressure: Cucumber has been long used to treat high blood pressure. If you have it, add cucumbers to your daily diet. There is also ongoing research into the use of cucumbers for lowering cholesterol.

28. Constipation remedy: The seeds of a cucumber are a diuretic. If you’re constipated, try eating a cucumber. If you suffer from chronic constipation, add cucumber to your daily diet.”

How To Make Cucumber Juice

We decided that cucumber juice not only makes a refreshing, slightly sweet beverage for a hot summer afternoon, but it looks darn pretty, too!

Personally, we thought the juice was a bit strong and bitter all on its own. We liked it better when we mixed in some sparkling water and a squeeze of lemon.

Cucumber Juice
makes about 4 cups of juice

6 medium cucumbers

Set a strainer over a large bowl. For a less-pulpy juice, line the strainer with cheesecloth or coffee filters.

Peel the cucumbers, slice off the ends, and chop into several large pieces. Run the cucumbers in a food processor until pulpy--about two minutes.

Pour the cucumber mash into the strainer and use a spatula to gently stir the mash until no more juice is separating out. Store the juice and the pulp separately for up to one week

How to Make Tortilla Bowls & Cups

A variety of sizes for tacos, salads, appetizers & more

I recently served a tortilla bowl taco bar for some big dinner parties at our house. The tortilla bowls can be made in a variety of ways and are a fun to fill with taco ingredients or salad. Mini size tortilla cups are perfect for appetizer portions.

You may have had salad served in tortilla bowls in restaurants. If so, chances are the bowls were deep fried. All that hassle and mess of frying and all those fatty calories aren't necessary. The method I describe involves baking the bowls with no added fat at all. I've seen other recipes that called for coating the tortillas with oil or butter before baking. I tried that, but actually prefer them without any oil at all. They're crisp and delicious just the way they are.

After making well over 100 of these bowls in the last month, I learned a few things. You won't believe how easy this is. Here's how.

Step-by-step photos for making
Baked Tortilla Bowls & Cups

Use your choice of flour tortillas.
I experimented with a variety of sizes. White and whole wheat both worked well. The tortillas I used were sold at room temperature. They were already soft and didn't require any heating to make them pliable. If you're using refrigerated tortillas, wrap them in a slightly dampened dish towel and zap them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, just until they are soft. Don't overheat them or they will get hard and brittle. The tortillas below were 6", 8", and 10".



Method #1: Using Tortilla Shell Molds
If you'll be making these often or making a large number for a party, I highly recommend these molds. I got mine at Amazon, set of four for $10. They are non-stick, easy to use, can be used with any size of tortilla, don't require any added oil, butter, or spray, and result in evenly browned and crisped tortilla shells.
(Click here for Amazon link to Tortilla Shell Makers)



For my taco bar, I used 8" tortillas. I could fit 6 tortilla shells on my 13x18" baking sheet. Baked them at 375 degrees for 15 minutes and they were perfect--evenly browned and crispy. Let them cool in the pan for a couple of minutes, move them to a cooling rack, reload the forms and bake the next batch. In a little over an hour, I could bake 24 tortilla bowls.



A big benefit of using these shell molds is that the finished tortilla bowls stack and nest compactly. They can be made ahead and stored in a large airtight Ziploc bag or plastic container.



These same tortilla shell molds can accommodate any size of tortilla, as you can see pictured below.







Method #2: Form tortillas inside an oven-proof bowl.
You can also use any oven-proof bowl you have. Coat the bowl with cooking spray, gently press the tortilla inside the bowl, and bake. These didn't get as evenly browned as the ones I cooked in the tortilla molds. The edges of the tortilla bowl browned before the bottom. The bottom of the finished bowl wasn't crisp, but it did harden as the bowl cooled. It never got as crispy as the top, but it was still usable.





Method #3: Form tortillas outside an oven-proof bowl.
Coat the inverted bowl with cooking spray and place it on a baking sheet. Gently press the tortilla around the outside and bake.



The tortilla browned evenly on the outside and was nice and crispy. The bottom was firm, but not crisp.





Method #4: Form tortillas around outside of canning jars
I first saw this method at http://www.theyummylife.com/tortilla_bowls. It was easy and worked well. In these photos, I used wide-mouth pint jars, coated the outside with cooking spray, and inverted them on a 13x18" baking sheet. Then I gently pressed 8" tortillas around the jars.



They bake evenly on the outside, but didn't brown on the inside.



The only drawback of the jar method is that the finished tortillas aren't as evenly browned on the inside as they are on the outside, and they don't nest and stack, if you're making a lot of them. But, if you're only making a few and don't need to store them, this is a good method to use.





Method #5: Make smaller tortilla cups in muffin tins.
This works great for making small portions. Simply cut a 10" tortilla into quarters, and press each piece into a regular size muffin tin.



Or, you can quarter a 6" tortilla and press each piece into a mini muffin pan. These bake beautifully and come out evenly browned and crispy.



There's no need to oil or spray the muffin tins. The tortilla cups lift right out. These are great for smaller portions or appetizers.



Whatever size you choose, whatever method you use, there are so many fun and tasty ways to use these tortilla bowls and cups. I'll share serving ideas in upcoming posts.



My favorite way to use tortilla bowls is to fill them with all of the tasty fixins' of a taco. It's a fun family meal or party buffet.



Click here to view recipe & instructions for
A Tortilla Bowl Taco Bar

Make it a yummy day!

Baked Tortilla Bowls & Cups

Ingredients

flour tortillas (6-10 inches in diameter; 8" recommended for meal-size taco bowls, 10" recommended for salad, 6" recommended for appetizers)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. If tortillas are not soft and pliable, wrap them in a slightly dampened dish towel and microwave 20-30 seconds, just until soft. Mold tortillas into bowl shapes using one of these methods:
1. tortilla shell maker molds (available at Amazon.com) -- press tortillas inside forms, bake for 14-16 minutes or until evenly browned.
2. oven proof bowl -- coat inside with cooking spray; press tortilla inside bowl; bake for 14-16 minutes or until evenly browned
3. inverted oven proof bowl -- coat outside of bowl with cooking spray; press tortilla around outside of bowl; bake for 14-16 minutes or until evenly browned
4. inverted canning jars -- coat outside of jars with cooking spray; press tortillas around outside of jar; bake for 14-16 minutes or until evenly browned.
5. regular muffin tins -- cut 10" tortillas into quarters. Press tortilla pieces inside muffin tins; bake for 12-15 minutes or until evenly browned.
6. mini muffin tins (appetizer size) -- cut 6" tortillas into quarters. Press tortilla pieces inside muffin tins; bake for 12-15 minutes or until evenly browned.

Let tortilla bowls & cups cool in/on pan, bowl, or jar for 2-3 minutes before transferring to wire cooling rack. May be made a day ahead and stored in airtight plastic container or bag.
To bake multiple tortillas bowls at one time, place multiple tortilla maker molds, bowls, or jars on large baking sheet in oven.