May Produce Calendar

If you've been following my blog, you know I post a monthly produce calendar to keep you informed of what's in season, at peak of season and winding down. Here's what you can look forward to in May:

(n = newly in season; p = peak of season; w = winding down)

VEGETABLES
artichokes w
asparagus
avocado
beans, fava p
beans, green n
beets
broccoli w
cabbages w
carrots
cauliflower w
celery w
celeriac/celery root w
chard w
corn n
fennel w
garlic, green w
greens including arugula,dandelion, fiddlehead fern, lettuces, mizuna, mustard
kale w
mushrooms, morels w
onions, fresh/spring w
onions, sweet: Vidalia p
peas, edible pods p
peas, English/shelling p
potatoes, new n
radish w
ramps p
salad mix w
sorrel p
spinach w
squash, zucchini n

FRUITS:
apricots n
peaches n
rhubarb, field w
cherries n
grapefruit w
berries:
blackberries n
raspberries n
strawberries
melons:
cantaloupe n
honeydew n
watermelon n

Emerald...The May Birthstone

I have many family members with a birthday in May. I thought I'd research and find information on their birthstone to enlighten them on how special the Emerald is.

The emerald is both the modern and traditional birthstone for May. It is also listed as a birthstone for the Zodiac signs for Taurus and Cancer, as the Planetary stone for Taurus and the Talismanic stone for Gemini. Emerald is the only stone, besides Topaz, that is listed as in all of the ancient birthstone tables. This gem is suggested as an anniversary gift for the 20th and 35th anniversaries and as an alternate stone for the 55th wedding anniversary.

The emerald is also the sacred stone of the goddess Venus. It was thought to preserve love and has long been the symbol of hope. It's considered by many to be the stone of prophecy. For some, the emerald acts as a tranquilizer for a troubled mind and it is said the emerald brings the wearer reason and wisdom. The strongest time for the powers of the emerald is said to be spring.

In ancient times, emeralds were used as amulets to ward off epilepsy in children and thought to cure diseases of the eye. Folklore suggests that these stones will improve memory, intelligence, and enhance clairvoyance thus helping to predict future events. They are also worn to enhance love and contentment. Cleopatra prized emeralds above all other gems.

Natural Victorian Cure for Warts

This was taken from a Victorian 1890 remedies book. Warts aren't something you like to think about, but if you have them you surely want to be rid of them! The cinnamon oil idea is certainly worth a try!


1) Oil of cinnamon dropped on warts three or four times a day will cause their disappearance, however hard, large or dense they may be. The application gives no pain nor causes suppuration [the formation and discharge of pus].

2) The bark of the willow tree, burnt to ashes, applied to the parts, will remove all warts on any part of the body. (I agree, this idea is not exactly something all of us can try)

Easy French Caramelized Apples

These caramelized apples are meant to be slightly sweet, not overpowering and sugary, so they’re versatile. Spicy tart and thoroughly warming, these apples are a fabulous addition to crepes or homemade ice cream. For a delicious “cheater” dessert, fill a store-bought tart shell with these apples!


Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
5 spicy-sweet, crisp apples peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 tablespoon, plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
1/3 cup apple cider
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch, as needed
Preparation:
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the apples to the pan and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar. Sauté the apples, stirring frequently, for 6-8 minutes, until they just start to turn tender.

Sprinkle the apples with the remaining sugar, cinnamon, and lemon zest. Toss the mixture gently and cook over medium heat for an additional 2 minutes, until the sugar begins to caramelize and the apples are crisp-tender.

Transfer the apples from the skillet to a serving bowl with a slotted spoon. Turn the heat to high and add the apple cider to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce the heat slightly and allow the cider and the pan juices to simmer for 1-3 minutes, until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. If you desire a thicker sauce, dissolve the cornstarch in a teaspoon of water, stir it into the sauce, and allow it to thicken for a moment. Pour the finished sauce over the warm apples and serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings.

Grilled Mozzarella Tomato Basil Sandwich

In the spring and summer I love quick and easy meals. This sandwich is perfect for those days when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.



Slice some good country bread, brush lightly with olive oil on 1 side.

Lay 1 slice fresh mozzarella on oiled side of bread. Top with thinly sliced organic or homegrown tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.

Top with another slice of oiled bread and broil until brown and cheese melts.

If Three Is Your Lucky Number

Most of us have lucky numbers, mine is the number three. Did you know that numbers also have meanings? The number three symbolizes success in new ventures. It invokes expression, versatility, and pure joy of creativity, as well as being a time identifier as it represents Past, Present and Future. Three also promises new adventures, and assurance of cooperation from others whom you may require help. Express yourself creatively, or consider your present directional path in relation to past events and future goals.

Make Your Own Aphid Spray

Getting rid of aphids is no easy task. Large masses of them seem to appear overnight and without quick treatment, they can overwhelm and kill your plants. Using an organic, homemade aphid control is best for your plants, you, and the environment, as well as the beneficial bugs in your garden. Here is all you need:

1 cup vegetable or white mineral oil
1 1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons dish soap
Spray this homemade aphid control mixture on the aphids every few days until the aphids are gone. This remedy will suffocate the aphids.

Homemade Foot Scrub

If you visit the seashore this summer, bring home a little sand and treat yourself to a nice foot scrub. Here's what you need to get your feet feeling wonderful and smooth:



Ingredients:
3 Tbsp. clean filtered beach sand
3 Tbsp. virgin olive oil
3 Drops essential oil

Place the ingredients into a small bowl and mix into a paste consistency. Massage gently on feet, then wash off with warm water.

Homemade Play Dough

Why spend money on children's play dough when it just ends up hardening over time and turns in to a waste of hard earned money. Here is a recipe so you can make your own. Add a little food coloring and you can make any shade you'd like!


Ingredients:
3 cups fresh cornstarch
4 cups fresh baking soda
2 1/2 cups cold tap water
1-2 drops of food coloring (optional)

Place the cornstarch and baking soda in a medium sized saucepan and blend well. Add cold water and place on medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until mixture starts to thicken. Remove the pan from the heat, cover the pan with a piece of damp paper towel and allow to cool before using.

Diabetes Prevention Tips

Following my cardiac issue, my glucose levels went up and I found myself prediabetic. As a result, I've been on a quest to find as much information as I can so that I can keep this from escalating into another health crisis. I've been eating right, losing weight, and walking, though I need to walk more as my heart health improves. Here is some of the information I've found and I wanted to pass it on so that others can benefit from my research as well.

Diabetes prevention is proven, possible, and powerful. Studies show that people at high risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. You can do it by eating healthier and getting 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week. In other words: you don't have to knock yourself out to prevent diabetes. The key is: small steps that lead to big rewards. Learn more about your risk for developing type 2 diabetes and the small steps you can take to delay or prevent the disease and live a long, healthy life.
If you are over 45 and overweight, you are at increased risk for pre-diabetes. Here are five small steps you can take today to live a healthier life and prevent or delay diabetes:

Find out if you are at risk: The first step is to find out if you are at risk for diabetes or if you have prediabetes. Talk to your health care provider at your next visit.

Set realistic goals: You don’t have to knock yourself out to delay or prevent diabetes. Start by making small changes. For example, try to get 15 minutes of physical activity a day this week. Each week add five minutes until you build up to the recommended 30 minutes a day, most days.

Make better food choices: Try to eat more fruits and vegetables, beans, and grains. Reduce the amount of fat in your diet. Choose grilled or baked foods instead of fried.

Record your progress: Write down everything you eat and drink. Keeping a food diary is one of the most effective ways to lose weight and keep it off. Review this diary with your health care provider.

Keep at it: Making even modest lifestyle changes can be tough in the beginning. Try adding one new healthy change a week. Always get back on track, even if you fall off a few times. The key is just to keep at it.

Enjoy Life!!

Fresh Strawberry Sorbet

As promised I'm posting another wonderful summer sorbet recipe! I hope you enjoy it. You can make this recipe using the freezer method if you are without an ice cream maker.

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 pints fresh ripe strawberries
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Stir until mixture comes to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand approximately 10 minutes.

Lightly rinse and dry the strawberries; hull and cut in halves. In a food processor or blender, puree the strawberries with 1/4 cup of the sugar syrup.

Add lemon juice, and pureed strawberries to the remaining sugar syrup; stir until thoroughly blended.

Ice Cream Maker: Transfer mixture to ice cream maker, process according to manufacturer's instructions.

Freezer Method: Pour into container, cover, and place mixture in the freezer. When it is semi-solid, mash it up with a fork and refreeze again. When frozen, place in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Cover and refreeze until serving time.

Meringue Cups

These crunchy meringue shells with a lemon curd filling will make guests ooh and ahh at your dessert table. Topped with fresh fruit, they’re especially pretty when served with a spring meal.



Ingredients:
3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup lemon curd
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
2 medium kiwifruit, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/3 cup mandarin oranges
1/3 cup cubed fresh pineapple
Directions:
Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Beat the egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form.

Drop meringue into eight mounds on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Shape into 3inch cups with the back of a spoon.

Bake at 275° for 45-50 minutes or until set and dry. Turn off oven and do not open door; leave meringues in oven for 1 hour. Spread cups with lemon curd and fill with fruit. Yield: 8 servings.
One serving: 1 each

180 Calories
1 g Fat
1 g Saturated Fat
15 mg Cholesterol

38 mg Sodium
40 g Carbohydrate
2 g Fiber
2 g Protein

Pets And Medication

If you own a cat or a dog, you know how hard it can be to get them to take their medication, especially when it is in pill form. Fortunately cats and dogs love peanut butter, so the next time you have to give them some medication, mix it up with a spoonful and feed it to them. No more struggling with the animal as you hold it's mouth open and try to force feed a bitter pill.

The Meaning Of Camellias

With its delicate soft, round petals and gentle curves the camellia is considered a symbol of desire, passion, and refinement. It indicates a deep longing in the heart for your beloved. It is also a symbol of perfection and excellence. Give camellia’s to your sweetheart. Better yet, give some of these lovely flowers as a secret admirer!

Gluten Free Fudge Brownies..Diabetic Recipe

I am on a mission to find healthier ways to still enjoy the foods I love. While reading through some recipes this afternoon I came across this in a diabetic recipe file. I'm going to give them a try! If you have diet restrictions or just want to make healthier choices while still eating what you love, give these brownies a try! Let me know what you think and I'll post the results after I make them as well.


Ingredients:
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup brown rice flour
1/4 cup tapioca flour

Preheat over to 350. Grease an 8” baking ban.
Chop chocolate into slivers. Slice butter into 1” pieces. Combine flours in bowl.
Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Whisk together as they melt.
In separate bowl, whisk eggs and sugar vigorously to silky consistency. Add vanilla and salt, continue to whisk. Add flour and stir. Add chocolate mixture and stir to smooth.
Pour into prepared pan and bake 25 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting into 16 squares.
Nutritional Value: 1 brownie square 150 cal, 8 fat grams, 2 grams protein, 18 carb grams

The Meaning Of Number 2

If number one wasn't your lucky number, maybe it's number two!

Number two reflects kindness, balance, tact, equalization, and duality. The number two also reflects a quiet power of judgment, and the need for planning. It beckons us to choose. Two urges us out of our indecision, calls us to unite with like minds and asks us to exert our natural flow of judgment to do what is best for our souls.

Happy Birthday Taurus!

Taurus - The Bull
April 20 – May 20
Taurus zodiac signs and meanings, like the animal that represents them, is all about strength, stamina and will. Stubborn by nature, the Taurus will stand his/her ground to the bitter end (sometimes even irrationally so). But that’s okay because the Taurus is also a loving, sympathetic and appreciative sign. The Taurus is very understanding and when we need someone to unburden ourselves to, we often share our deepest fears with the Taurians of the zodiac. Taurians are very patient, practical and efficient, they are excellent in matters of business and are also wonderful instructors/teachers. Although initially they may have their own best interest at heart, they are ultimately & endlessly generous with their time, possessions and love.

Homemade Mosquito Repellent

Did you know that in the United States alone there are more than 150 species of mosquitoes? They will never go to far from water so if you have even the slightest amount of standing water it is best to eliminate it before mosquitoes descend upon you. It is inevitable that you will suffer from mosquitoes sometime this summer so here is a safe, homemade repellent you can keep on hand.


Ingredients:
4 parts glycerin (from the pharmacy)
1 part eucaluptus oil
Place the ingredients into a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Place in a well sealed container. Rub a small amount on your arms or legs to keep those pesky mosquitoes from biting.

Come To Tea

Nothing says garden party like having afternoon tea outdoors. It's a charming reminder of bygone days when people made more time to relax and enjoy each other's company. Outdoor spaces of all kinds, including balconies, can be successfully adapted to a tea party. Tea parties span generations and will be enjoyed by your most sophisticated women friends and children alike.

What makes an elegant tea party?

Flowers
Plan to hold your tea party when your garden is in it's fullest bloom, or if you'd like to have it sooner or don't have a garden, fill jars or vases with fresh flowers. Perhaps it's lilac time, June roses, or peony season. Be sure to cut some of the blooms for the tea table vases. Your local Farmer's Market is a wonderful place to find flowers.

Invitations
Send handwritten notes by mail (not email!). Your guests will recognize your party as elegant affair and dress accordingly. Tea is usually held around 4 p.m.,perfect for blooming flowers, but earlier tea is quite acceptable. Include an invitation for the little ones to bring along a doll, or specify adults only.

Table Setting
The more elegant, the better. Put away the paper table covering and the plastic glasses. Instead, use a crisp linen tablecloth, pressed cloth napkins and your best china cups and saucers. If it's a little girls' party, you might want to invest in two or three miniature tea sets.

Try to have adequate seating for everyone. Consider setting your straight-back indoor dining chairs outdoors. They add an elegant touch.

Hats
Encourage all of your guests to wear hats. Big-brimmed, floppy and flowered. If the party is for little girls, collect old hats, scarves and silk flowers at a thrift shop, yard sale or discount store. Make decorating the hats a fun activity at the party. You can also include a box of flowery cast-offs for dressing up. Include "grown-up" shoes and old jewelry, anything that will make the little ones feel elegant. Tea time is a fun way to introduce young ones to elegant party manners.

Food
Other than teaspoons, no cutlery should be required at tea. All sandwiches and sweets should be finger food. Try sandwiches of watercress, cucumber, or egg with the crusts removed and cut in quarters. Sugar cookies and petit fours are traditional sweets. You can substitute mini-cupcakes or tiny tarts.

Tea
Tea making is becoming a lost art. Have a few different types of tea for variety. I always like to include an earl grey. Also include an herbal tea of fruits, berries or spices. At a minimum, offer your guests a traditional tea and a caffeine free herbal choice. Have milk, sugar, and fresh lemon wedges available.

Dust off your teacups and your manners and sit down with your girlfriends for a proper tea party!

Spring Fling Layered White Cake..Diabetic

Lovely layers of white cake are split and filled with strawberries and apricot preserves for a festive springtime dessert that is just perfect for your family and friends.



Cake:
1 1/2 cups SPLENDA Granular
3 3/4 cup cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
7 large egg whites
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Frosting:
1/2 cup light butter, softened
1 cup SPLENDA Granular
1 pound fat-free cream cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Filling:
3/4 cup reduced sugar apricot preserves
1 pint strawberries, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray two 9-inch cake pans with baking spray. Set aside.

Sift flour. Mix Splenda, flour, baking powder, baking soda and sugar together in a medium sized mixing bowl. Mix on low speed until ingredients are blended. Add softened butter. Mix on low speed until butter is very finely distributed (about 2 to 3 minutes).
Add egg whites. Mix on low speed until incorporated. Scrape sides of bowl. Mix on medium-high speed 1 to 2 minutes or until batter is light and well blended. Scrape sides of bowl. Add buttermilk and extracts. Mix on medium speed until blended.
Pour cake batter into prepared pans. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 20 to 25 minutes or until edges of cake appear slightly dry. Allow cake to cool in pans 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on wire racks until ready to ice.
For the frosting: Beat softened butter and Splenda briefly in a medium sized mixing bowl (until SPLENDA is just incorporated). Add cream cheese. Mix until lump free (about 1 minute) Scrape sides of bowl and add vanilla. Mix well.
Assemble cake. Slice cooled cake layers in half. Using a serrated knife slice cakes in half horizontally, to create 4 cake layers.
Place 1 cake layer on cake stand or plate. Spread 1/3 of the preserves over the cake layer. Top with 1/3 of the strawberries. Repeat process until all layers are assembled.
Frost the cake.
Makes 18 (1/2-inch thick slice) servings.

*Decorating Tip: Professionals create flat cake tops by using the bottom layer of a cake for the top tier. This creates a nice flat surface for icing. The remaining cake bottom can be used as the first layer of the cake and the remaining 2 cake layers can be placed in the middle (top side down).

Nutrients Per Serving: Total Calories 280, Calories from Fat 110, Total Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Sodium 340 mg, Total Carbohydrate 35 g, Dietary Fiber 0 g, Sugars 1 g, Protein 10 g.

Exchanges Per Serving: 2 1/2 carbohydrate, 2 fat.

Blueberry Pound Cake

Scent your cottage with the wonderful aroma of this blueberry pound cake. Perfect for tea and entertaining company, it also freezes well.


Ingredients:
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light butter
4 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened
3 large eggs
1 large egg white
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (8-ounce) carton lemon low-fat yogurt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cooking spray
Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4 teaspoons lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees . Beat the first 3 ingredients with a mixer on medium speed until well blended (about 5 minutes). Add eggs and egg white, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a separate small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons flour and blueberries and toss well. Mix remaining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt separately and add to prepared batter alternately with yogurt, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Fold in blueberry mixture and vanilla. Pour cake batter into a 10-inch tube pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes; remove from pan. Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice in small bowl. Drizzle over warm cake. Cut with a serrated knife and serve.

Natural Victorian Cures for Sciatica Pain

This was taken from a Victorian Cures article dated 1890. I'm not sure how it works but if you suffer from Sciatica and are willing to try anything to help with your pain, you might want to give it a try. If you try this, make sure the fabric is not steaming hot when you apply it to your skin after warming with the iron!


1) Use vinegar and a flat iron. The iron is heated until it is hot enough to vaporize the vinegar, and is then covered with some wool fabric, which is moistened with vinegar and applied at once to the painful spot. The application may be repeated two or three times a day. As a rule, the pain disappears in twenty-four hours, and recovery ensues at once.

2) Take full grown cucumbers and put them into a pot with a little salt. Then put the pot over a slow fire, where it should remain for about an hour. Then take the cucumbers out of the pot and press them. The juice from the cucumbers must be put into bottles, corked up tight, and placed in the cellar, where they should remain for about a week. Then wet a flannel rag with the liquid and apply it to the parts affected.

No Soap Facial Cleanser

There are many products on the market that claim that they are safe to use on the face but many of them are not. Some contain alcohol, menthol, camphor or hydroxyl acid. The stinging sensation you feel when you put them on your skin tricks you into feeling as though they are working but what they are doing is damaging your skin. All of these substances dry out the skin. If you have sensitive skin and are looking for a mild cleanser try this homemade recipe. Your face will thank you for it!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup instant oatmeal
1 1/2 cup powdered whole milk
1/2 cup raw sugar

Place all ingredients into a small covered container and mix well. When ready to use, just place about 2 tbsp in your hand and add a small amount of water to prepare a paste. Dab on your face and allow it to remain for about 8-10 min before washing it off with warm water and then a cold rinse.

Apple Blossoms

Intoxicating by their very nature, apple blossoms are symbolic of heady love, peace, sensuality, and fertility. Apple blossoms (and trees) were honored by the ancient Celts as a symbol of love, and they would decorate their bedchambers with these blossoms to entice amorous nights.

At this time of year when the trees are blooming, take time to stop and breathe in the fragrances. If we are not fed by the sight and smell of the tree blossoms, if it only becomes about seeing them, then we are right back to where we started before we learned anything about self-care.

Here is a beautiful poem by Hattie Howard who took time to notice:

Of all the lovely blossoms
That decorate the trees,
And shower down their petals
With every breath of breeze,
There is nothing so sweet or fair to me
As the delicate blooms of the apple tree.

A thousand shrubs and flow’rets
Delicious pleasure bring,
But beautiful Pomona
Must be the queen of spring;
And out of her flagon the peach and pear
Their chalices fill with essence rare.

Oh, is it any wonder,
Devoid of blight or flaw,
The peerless blooms of Eden
Our primal mother saw
In redolent beauty before her placed
So tempted fair Eve the fruit to taste?

But woman’s love of apples,
Involving fearful price,
And Adam’s love for woman
That cost him Paradise,
By the labor of hands and sweat of brow,
Have softened the curse to a blessing now.

If so those pink-eyed glories,
In fields and orchards gay
Develop luscious fruitage
By Horticulture’s way,
Then, sweet as the heart of rich legumes,
Shall luxury follow the apple blooms.

Celtic Tree Astrology..Willow - The Observer

Before Western astrology was Celtic astrology, which consists of 13 signs represented by 13 different trees. Many people believe the Celtic Tree Zodiac to be the more accurate peek into a person's character than Western astrology.

April 15 – May 12
If you are a Willow sign, you are ruled by the moon, and your personality holds hands with many of the mystical aspects of the lunar realm. This means you are highly creative, intuitive (highly psychic people are born under the sign of the Willow) and intelligent. You have a keen understanding of cycles, and you inherently know that every situation has a season. This gives you a realistic perspective of things, and also causes you to be more patient than most tree signs. With your intelligence comes a natural ability to retain knowledge and you often impress your company with the ability to expound on subjects from memory. Willow Celtic tree astrology signs are bursting with potential, but have a tendency to hold themselves back for fear of appearing flamboyant or overindulgent. It is your powers of perception that ultimately allow your true nature to shine, and what leads you to success in life. Willow signs join well with the Birch and the Ivy.

Behavior To Be Avoided At The Table

Here are a few etiquette tips for men and women from the Essential Handbook of Victorian Etiquette that are never outdated. It's never too late to learn good manners!

Never allow butter, soup or other food to remain on your whiskers.

Never wear gloves at the table, unless your hands, for some special reason, are unfit to be seen.

Never, when serving others, overload the plate nor force upon them delicacies which they decline.

Never make a display when removing hair, insects, or other disagreeable things from your food. Place them quietly under the edge of your plate.

Never open your mouth when chewing.

Never make noises with the mouth or throat. (unless there is a handicap that makes it impossible not to)

Never tip back your chair nor lounge about the table.

Never explain at the table why certain foods do not agree with you.

Never pick your teeth or put your hand in your mouth while eating.

Never wipe your fingers on the tablecloth, nor clean them in your mouth. Use the napkin.

Pineapple Orange Cake...Lowfat!

Today I can be found scenting our cottage with the baking of this gorgeous Pineapple Orange Cake for our Easter Brunch. The fact that it's lowfat and agreeable with my heart healthy diet is a bonus!



Ingredients:
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, undrained
4 egg whites
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
Topping:
1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 package (1 ounce) sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
1 carton (8 ounces) reduced-fat whipped topping
Directions:
In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, oranges, egg whites and applesauce on low speed for 2 minutes. Pour into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

In a bowl, combine the pineapple and pudding mix. Fold in whipped topping just until blended. Spread over cake. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Yield: 15 servings.

Homemade Jewelry Making Clay

Here is a recipe for making your own jewelry beads. They can be painted any color and can be made in any size you choose. Have fun!




Ingredients:1/2 cup table salt
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
warm tap water

Place the salt, flour and cornstarch in a medium sized bowl. Blend well, and then slowly add warm water until solution turns into a dough and is easy to mold. If small balls are shaped they can be pierced with a toothpick before they completely dry and strung like beads. The beads can then be painted different colors.

Victorian Hair Straightener Recipe

When I read this recipe for a Victorian Era hair straightner, not only images of attempting to get this mixture out of my hair surfaced, but I could even imagine the smell of it. I'm not sure about you, but I'd rather live with wavy, kinky or curly hair! After all, they were big on barrettes and bonnets too!



Ingredients:
1 lb. beef suet
2 oz. yellow wax
2 oz. castor oil
12 grains of benzoic acid
30 drops of lemon oil
5 drips of cinnamon oil

Place the wax and suet in a double boiler and melt, then add the castor oil and the benzoic acid. Mix and remove from heat. Allow to cool and then add the oils. Blend all ingredients well and rub a small amount into the hair twice a day. Massage with the fingertips and this preparation should make kinky hair straight and allow it to lie flat.

Mango Freeze

If you like mangos this is a recipe for you! It's perfect for one of those hot summer day drinks.





Ingredients:
3 medium mangoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 11 1/2- to 12 1/2-ounce can peach, guava, or other tropical fruit nectar
1 cup crushed ice
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Directions:
In a blender, combine chopped mango, nectar, crushed ice, and, if desired, honey. Cover and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Nutrition facts per serving:
Servings Per Recipe-6
Calories 101
Total Fat (g) 0
Saturated Fat (g) 0
Cholesterol (mg) 0
Sodium (mg) 8
Carbohydrate (g) 26
Fiber (g) 2
Protein (g) 1

Make Your Own Cleaning Products

I posted this months ago but since spring cleaning has arrived I thought it would be nice to repost for those of you who haven't seen it.

Have you taken a trip down the cleaning aisle at the supermarket lately? If you believe the ad hype, you can't keep a clean house without loading your shopping cart with a different cleaner for each surface, floor and sink in the house. Simple recipes using products from your pantry make effective household cleaning solutions. An added plus: these natural products are more environmentally friendly than commercial alternatives and non toxic.

Stock your cleaning tote with these homemade cleaning sprays and solutions to make short work of household grime without harsh chemicals or irritating fumes. I have found lemon, vinegar and baking soda to be my favorite ingredients to use for cleaning. You can buy empty spray bottles in almost any store these days.

White Vinegar
Mildly acidic white vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits from smooth surfaces, yet is gentle enough to use in solution to clean hardwood flooring. White vinegar is a natural deodorizer, absorbing odors instead of covering them up. (And no, your bathroom won't smell like a salad! Any vinegar aroma disappears when dry.) With no coloring agents, white vinegar won't stain grout on tiled surfaces either. Because it cuts detergent residue, white vinegar makes a great fabric softener substitute for families with sensitive skin. Give it a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

Homemade Spray Cleaner Recipe
Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
In the kitchen, use vinegar-and-water spray to clean countertops, lightly soiled range surfaces and backsplash areas. An added bonus is you will not have ants!! (read my archived post on my experience with that!)

In the bathroom, use vinegar spray cleaner to clean countertops, floors, and exterior surfaces of the toilet.

For really tough bathroom surfaces such as shower walls, pump up the cleaning power by removing the sprayer element and heating the solution in the microwave until barely hot. Spray shower walls with the warmed solution generously, allow to stand for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse. The heat helps soften stubborn soap scum and loosens hard water deposits.

Undiluted White Vinegar
Undiluted white vinegar straight from the jug makes quick work of tougher cleaning problems involving hard water deposits or soap scum.

Use undiluted white vinegar to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl. Before you begin, dump a bucket of water into the toilet to force water out of the bowl and allow access to the sides. Pour undiluted white vinegar around the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush to remove stains and odor. Use a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings.

Clean shower heads that have been clogged with mineral deposits with undiluted white vinegar. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, and secure the bag to the shower head with a rubber band. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then rinse and buff the fixture to a shiny finish.
Add one cup of undiluted white vinegar to the laundry rinse cycle instead of commercial fabric softener. White vinegar softens clothes and cuts detergent residue--a plus for family members with sensitive skin.

Baking Soda
Baking soda's mild abrasive action and natural deodorizing properties make it a powerful replacement for harsh commercial scouring powders. Put baking soda to work in your organized cottage.

Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge to tackle dirty bath tub rings, scour vanities, or remove food deposits from the kitchen sink. For tougher grime, make a paste of baking soda, lemon and water, apply to the tub or sink, and allow to stand for 10 to 20 minutes. Dirt, soap scum and deposits soften and are easier to remove. I promise you, you will be amazed how it cleans.

Slow-running drains? Keep bathroom drains running freely by pouring 1/2 to 3/4 cup baking soda into the drain, and dribbling just enough hot water to wash the solution down. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then flush thoroughly with hot water. The deodorizing effect is an added bonus! [Do not use this method on blocked drains.]

Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol provides the base for an evaporating cleaner to rival commercial window and glass cleaning solutions. Use this glass cleaning spray recipe for windows, mirrors, chrome fixtures and for a shiny finish on hard-surface ceramic tiles.

Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe
Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Ammonia
A strong alkaline solution, clear, non-sudsing ammonia creates stronger window and all-purpose cleaning recipes than acidic vinegar.

Choose non-sudsing varieties of household ammonia for these cleaning recipes. Suds may look like they're working, but they're tough to rinse and remove.

Strong Glass Cleaner Recipe
Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia

Strong All-Purpose Recipe
Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 T clear, non-sudsing ammonia
1 T clear laundry detergent
2 cups water

Furniture Polish
Most of us no longer use hard-to-apply furniture wax, but rely on oil-based polish to keep furniture protected and shiny.
This "salad dressing" version avoids the danger of silicone oil, found in most commercial polishes and sprays. Silicone oil can penetrate tiny cracks in furniture finish and enter the wood, causing problems in the event refinishing is needed. Lemon juice dissolves dirt and smudges, while olive oil shines and protects the wood.

Furniture Polish Recipe
Mix in a sprayer bottle:
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
Shake well and apply a small amount to a flannel cleaning rag or cleaning cloth. Spread evenly over furniture surface. Turn cloth to a dry side and polish dry.

Rumbled Eggs..Civil War Recipe

I came across this recipe while reading a Civil War recipe book (yes, I read recipe books :) and it was one of the few recipes that we would make and eat today. I can't tell you how unappealing some of those recipes were, especially where wild pigs were involved!


From Godey's Lady's Book magazine, reader-submitted recipe from 1866.
Ingredients:
3 eggs
2 oz. butter
1 tsp. cream or milk
Buttered toast

Very convenient for invalids, or when required, a light dish for supper. Beat up three eggs with two ounces of fresh butter, or well-washed salt butter; add a teaspoonful of cream or new milk. Put all in a saucepan and keep stirring it over the fire for nearly five minutes, until it rises up like a soufflé, when it should be immediately dished on buttered toast.

Note:
Most cookbooks of this period had entire sections devoted to "cooking for the sick" and "invalid" as it was an all too common status in the years of the civil war, and long afterwards. Also included in the category would be those who, while otherwise healthy, had lost or damaged teeth and consequently had difficulty chewing hard foods.

Homemade Lemon Sorbet

With the weather warming up soon I've been looking for low calorie sorbet recipes instead of the high fat ice creams I usually have whirring up in my ice cream maker. We love lemon so I thought this would be perfect!


Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Preparation:
In a small saucepan, bring the water and the sugar to a boil, stirring the mixture to dissolve the sugar. Add the lemon juice and zest to the sugar syrup and freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Makes 8 servings.

Easter Egg Chickens

I recently learned about this breed and if I had a place for chickens of my own I would choose the Araucana. The Araucana breed of chicken is a dual-purpose (grown for meat or eggs) fowl that lays a blue-green egg. It has a pastel-colored, marblized appearance that is quite unlike the typical chalk white or country brown egg. The Araucana is sometimes called the “Easter egg chicken,” which is actually an Araucana mix and not a recognized breed. If you plan on dyeing eggs for the upcoming holiday, the white eggs of breeds such as the Ancona, California White, Minorca, and Leghorn hens are the best bet.

Diabetic Sponge Cake

This is a wonderful cake that anyone can enjoy. Serve with fresh peaches, berries or strawberries for a wonderful treat.



Ingredients:
7 Eggs
1/2 cup fruit juice -- orange
3 tbsp. Sweet 'n Low or any sugar substitute (I use Splenda)
2 tbsp. Lemon juice
3/4 tsp. Cream of tartar
1 1/2 cup Sifted cake flour
1/4 tsp. Salt
Preparation:
1. Separate eggs.
2. Beat egg whites with salt until foamy.
3. Add cream of tartar and continue beating until stiff.
4. In another bowl, combine rest of ingredients and mix well.
5. Fold in beaten egg whites.
6. Bake in a greased and floured bundt pan at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or longer; test with toothpick.
7. Serve with a no sugar jelly or fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Convert Cricket Chirps To Temperature

I found this tidbit in the Farmer's Almanac. If you live where crickets chirp in the summer I thought you might find it interesting! Who would have thought you could tell the temperature by them?

To convert cricket chirps to degrees Fahrenheit, count number of chirps in 14 seconds then add 40 to get temperature.

Example: 30 chirps + 40 = 70° F

To convert cricket chirps to degrees Celsius, count number of chirps in 25 seconds, divide by 3, then add 4 to get temperature.

Example: 48 chirps /(divided by) 3 + 4 = 20° C