PEPPERMINT SUGAR SCRUB

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

This is great for softening skin on elbows, feet and knees.

Be sure you do not apply this to any sensitive skin.

1 cup sugar

5-10 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

1/2 cup of Sweet Almond Oil

Mix together all ingredients and scrub freshly washed feet elbows and knees to smooth and soften.

CHERRY LEMON COOLER

Try serving this tasty drink from Northwest Cherry Board, at your next barbecue or picnic for a nice change from sugar laden soda.

If you use fresh lemons you will need 8-10 lemons for 1 cup of lemon juice.

Cherry Lemon Cooler
Yield:4 servings

3 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 cup Northwest fresh sweet cherries, halved and pitted
1 cup fresh lemon juice, refrigerated
Crushed ice
1 bottle (1 liter) club soda or seltzer
Northwest fresh sweet cherries with stems

Garnish

4 long stems fresh mint-optional

Combine water and sugar in small saucepan; add halved cherries. Bring mixture to boil; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Strain syrup into container with tight fitting lid; discard cherries. Refrigerate syrup until cold.

Fill a tall 12 to 16-ounce glass with ice. Pour 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/3 cup syrup over ice and top with club soda. Garnish with cherries and mint. Makes 4 servings.

Tip: Leftover syrup may be stored, refrigerated, up to one week.

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving: 140 Cal., 0 g pro., 0 g fat, 37 g carb., 0 mg chol., 1 g fiber, 28 mg sodium.

HOMEMADE MICROWAVE POPCORN AND POPCORN SEASONINGS

Microwave popcorn is easy and convenient but there have been some health concerns lately, including "Popcorn Workers Lung". With the convenience comes a price tag. You can make your own microwave popcorn for pennies vs the high cost of microwave popcorn found out your local retailer. It can cost between 1.99 to $3.99 a box.

With homemade you choose the ingredients, no worries about microwave popcorns artery-clogging hydrogenated oils. Use heirloom varieties, gourmet or organic popcorn if you prefer. You can sprinkle lightly with salt or add your favorite flavoring. Have fun and enjoy a snack healthy. I have listed some suggestions for different seasonings following the popcorn directions.

My popcorn cost $2.29 for 20 oz. of Jolly Time Organic. The pack of paper bags cost $1.69 for 50. Cost is approximately .30 per bag.

Some people recommend using staples to close the bag, this could cause the bag to burn when the metal staples become hot, so do not use staples.

Do not leave popcorn in microwave unattended! Adult supervision is recommended if a child attempts this recipe.

HOMEMADE MICROWAVE POPCORN

1/4 cup popping corn
Popcorn Salt (you can use regular salt, but the fine popcorn salt is best)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 brown paper lunch bag

Add popcorn to bag and add desired amount of salt.

Fold top of bag over to close and shake gently.

Add olive oil, fold bag and shake.

Fold the top of bag over again and make a 1/2" flap.

Crease this sharply and fold over one more time.

A sharp crease will kelp keep the popcorn in the bag when cooking.

Place the closed bag on its side (the large side) in the microwave. Pop the corn until there are 3-5 seconds between pops.Remove from microwas and open bag to cool. Add butter, and or other flavorings, fold top of bag and shake.

Some Seasoning Suggestions

Any cheese you can "shake". American, Parmesan, etc.

Taco seasoning (the powdered kind in the packages).

Chili Cheese & Garlic
1/2 Teaspoon salt
2 Teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 Teaspoon paprika
1/2 Teaspoon chili powder
1/4 Teaspoon garlic powder

Garlic and Onion

1/4 teaspoon Garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon onion salt

or try a sprinkling little sugar after popping. The salty sweet flavor combination is interesting and a good change of taste.

HOMEMADE CLOROX ANYWHERE SPRAY

If you purchase or have the 750ml trigger spray bottles you can make approximately 3 cups of this pricey product that you'll make yourself for only pennies.

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BE SURE TO LABLE THE CONTENTS OF YOUR SPRAY BOTTLE CLEARLY!!!

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Homemade Clorox Anywhere Spray

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750 ml/24 ounces trigger spray bottle

2 teaspoons bleach

24 ounces water

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Mix bleach and water in bottle.
Shake to mix.

This recipe would make approx 3 cups

MCDONALD'S ICED COFFEES-VANILLA,CHOCOLATE, CARAMEL HAZELNUT

MCDONALD'S® ICED COFFEE

McDonald's flavored iced coffees include Vanilla, Chocolate, Caramel, and Hazelnut. Use your favorite favor. If you are going to purchase flavored syrups I suggest using Monin Natural Flavored Syrups. They have loads of flavors including those listed above, use your favorite.
If you have an espresso machine use 2 shots of espresso.

This first version is closest to the way they make these drinks at McDonalds

For a 24 ounce iced coffee
Brew coffee and refrigerate to cool.
Fill cup with ice.
Add 1 ounce flavored syrup of choice to ice.
Add 1/4 cup light cream.
Fill with cold coffee to top of cup.

The Following two versions are geared more towards the home kitchen. You can use what you have on hand. If you don't have any flavored syrups on hand there is also a recipe for a vanilla syrup you can make at home.



If you use the flavored syrup DO NOT add the sugar, unless you like your drink very sweet. If you prefer using vanilla flavored syrup but don't have any on hand, I have included a recipe for a vanilla syrup.



Like McDonald's Vanilla Iced Coffee (method 1)

1 cup heavy cream or half and half
4 to 5 teaspoons good quality Instant Coffee Granules
3 teaspoons granulated sugar* (if using vanilla extract)
2 Tablespoons Natural Vanilla Syrup*
or
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (don't use imitation vanilla)
Ice cubes

Combine cream, coffee granules and sugar (if not using flavored syrup) in 2-cup glass measure. Microwave on high power for 1 minute; stir to dissolve sugar. Add vanilla syrup or extract. Pour over ice cubes.


* If using a flavored syrup do not add sugar, unless you like your iced coffee very sweet.

Like McDonald's Vanilla Iced Coffee (method 2)

1/4 Cup double-strength coffee
sugar to taste (up to 1/4 cup)
1 Cup cold water
2 Tablespoon Natural Vanilla Syrup
or
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4-1/3 Cup heavy cream or half and half.

If adding sugar, stir sugar with hot coffee until dissolved. Add water and remaining ingredients and refrigerate until cool. Fill glass 2/3 full of ice. Pour vanilla coffee over ice.

1 serving


Vanilla Syrup

2 Cups water
1-1/2 Cups granulated sugar
2 Teaspoons vanilla extract - please do not use imitation vanilla

Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add vanilla extract. Remove from heat and cool. Store in a covered container.

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Stir some homemade granola into yogurt, sprinkle on ice cream, eat as is for a snack or pour milk over granola in a bowl for a healthy, tasty breakfast cereal.
Despite all the ingredients in this recipe you will still be saving big time over the cost of breakfast cereals, which is costing $4-$5 a box.
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Homemade Granola
4 cups rolled oats
2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
1/2 cup cashews
1/2 cup light olive oil
2/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon-optional
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup dried cranberries or raisins
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Toss the oats, coconut,almonds and cinnamon (if using)together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 45 minutes.
Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add cherries, cranberries, and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

SOME DEALS

With any coupon, make sure it is honored by your location.

Sign up monthly for coupons from Auntie Annes Pretzels

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This coupon is only thru March

Jamba Juice Oatmeal For A Buck

NO PUDGE TYPE ORIGINAL FUDGE BROWNIE MIX

I have been experiencing computer problems so my posts have been few and far in-between. I apologize for that and hope to have things running smoothly before long and be back to posting on a close to daily basis.

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Rather than spend a fortune for the convience of a mix, with this recipe you can still have the ease of a mix and save money. Mix up several batches and store in zip top plastic bags or any other air tight container you may have and just whip up a batch of this popular brownie mix in minutes.

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If you would rather mix them up fresh, no problem just put toger the dry ingredients, go ahead and use fresh egg whites and follow the directions to complete.

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No Pudge Type Original Fat Free Brownie Mix

Makes 1 batch mix

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1 cup bakers sugar

1/3 cup cake flour

1/3 cup white wheat flour

2 tablespoon all purpose flour

1/2 cup Ghiradelli unsweetened cocoa

2 Tablespoons Just Whites (equalivent to 2 egg whites)

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon wheat gluten

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

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Mix together dry ingredients. Store in covered container.

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To make Brownies with mix:

1 batch No pudge fat free original Fudge Brownie Mix

2/3 C nonfat plain yogurt

1 tsp vanilla extract

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Directions

Spray 8x8 pan with cooking spray.

Add yogurt and vanilla to brownie mix.

Mix until incorporated and then an additional minute until smooth and shiny. Pour into prepared pan and bake 34 minutes.

Enjoy, guilt-free.

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Variations

To make Chocolate Mint Brownies add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract on place of vanilla extract.
To make Chocolate Raspberry Browines, make brownies as directed, after adding yogurt stir in 1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam to batter.
To make Chocolate Cappuccino Brownies, dissolve 2 1/4 teaspoons instant expresso powder in 1/2 tablespoon boiling water to batter after adding yogurt.

HOMEMADE MAPLE PANCAKE SYRUP

If you used Maple Syrup use 2 Tablespoons-1/4 cup for flavor in your homemade syrup. This will stretch that pricey maple syrup.
Of course this isn't as good as using real maple syrup, but it is easy and good.
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Homemade Maple Syrup
1 Cup light corn syrup (this is not the same as the bad stuff, high fructose corn syrup)1/2 Cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup water
1 Tablespoon butter
1/2-1 Teaspoon natural maple flavoring (your taste)
OR
2 Tablespoons- 1/4 cup Real Maple Syrup
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Mix corn syrup, brown sugar and water together in a saucepan. Cook and stir until sugar is completely dissolved.Add maple flavoring or real maple syrup. Add butter, stir to melt. Serve warm or coldStore covered in refrigerator.

TIP O' THE WEEK #2 START A VEGETABLE GARDEN

Tip O' The Week #2

Start a vegetable garden.

It's fun, it's easy and it's healthy.

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With current food prices, the economic down turn and the need for good quality, safe, good tasting vegetables more people are turning to vegetable gardening. Many plants will need to be started with transplants that you start indoors, in late winter early spring or purchase from a local nursery or garden center. Listed below are some of the easier vegetable to grow.

Start planning your garden now, if you haven't already started

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Broccoli-start from transplants: Early Spring. Cool season plant. Good choice for fall planting.

Cabbage-start from transplants: Early Spring. Cool season plant. Good choice for fall planting.

Cucumbers-start from transplants or direct seed if you have a long growing season: Warm season plant. Bush varieties will take less space in your garden.

Green Beans-Bush direct seed: Late Spring Early Summer. Warm season plant. Bush beans are very easy to grow and prolific. Keep beens picks to keep your plants productive.

Lettuce-start from transplant or direct seed: Cool season plant. Easy to grow. Harvest before the heat of summer. The heat will cause your lettuce to be bitter and will cause the plants to go to seed. Good to grow in fall. Leaf lettuce matures quickly and will keep regrowing if you cut your leaf lettuce down to about 1 inch from the soil.

Onions-start from transplants, sets or direct seed for green onions Cool season plant. Plant in early spring for best results.

Peppers-start from transplants: Warm season plant.

Radish-direct seed: Cool season plant. Easy to grow and average radish matures in about 22-29 days. Good choice for fall planting.

Tomato-start from transplants: Warm season plant. Be sure to use tomato cages or orther support.

Great books for vegetable gardening

THE JOY OF GARDENING

Wide row gardening. Expert gardening tips from Dick Raymond

SQUARE FOOT GARDENING

Mel Barthalomew's guide to easy gardening in smaller areas.

SUNSET WESTERN GARDEN BOOK

The "Bible" of Western gardening

Here are a few links to University Extension Sites. They are safe sites, usually no ads and are a wealth of gradening information.

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA #1

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA #2

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY Container gardening

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

PENN STATE

MORE GOOD SITES:

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Links state by state extension services and planting guides by state.

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