Is Recession Preparing a New Breed of Survivalist? [Survival Today

Yahoo ran an interesting article this morning indicating a rise in the number of survivalist communities cropping up around the country. I have been wondering myself how much of the recent energy crisis is causing people to do things like stockpile food and water, grow their own vegetables, etc. Could it be that there are many people out there stockpiling and their increased buying has caused food prices to increase? It’s an interesting theory, but I believe increased food prices have more to do with rising fuel prices as cost-to-market costs have increased and grocers are simply passing those increases along to the consumer. A recent stroll through the camping section of Wal-Mart did give me pause - what kinds of things are prudent to have on hand in the event of a worldwide shortage of food and/or fuel? Survivalist in Training

I’ve been interested in survival stories since I was a kid, which is funny considering I grew up in a city. Maybe that’s why the idea of living off the land appealed to me. My grandfather and I frequently took camping trips along the Blue Ridge Parkway and around the Smoky Mountains. Looking back, some of the best times we had were when we stayed at campgrounds without electricity hookups, because it forced us to use what we had to get by. My grandfather was well-prepared with a camp stove and lanterns (which ran off propane), and when the sun went to bed we usually did along with it. We played cards for entertainment, and in the absence of televisions, games, etc. we shared many great conversations. Survivalist in the Neighborhood

Recipe Hit List: Homemade Pizza Recipes

Posted By TipNut On May 21, 2009 @ 1:04 pm In Recipes | No Comments

Roasted Garlic-and-Spinach White Pizza Recipe From rachaelraymag.com
This week’s collection features over two dozen recipes for homemade pizza, homemade pizza dough and pizza sauce recipes. Lots of goodies in this week’s Recipe Hit List, enjoy!

Homemade Pizza Recipes
*Note: Descriptions below are quotes from the recipe sites

* Roasted Garlic-and-Spinach White Pizza [1]: (As seen in picture) Recipe from Every Day With Rachael Ray.

* Pizza With Caramelized Onions, Figs, Bacon and Blue Cheese [2]: Recipe found at NY Times.

* Jeff Varasano’s Famous New York Pizza Recipe [3]: Pizza is the most sensuous of foods. I get emails from around the world and one of the most common goes something like this: “Jeff, I had this one perfect pizza at a corner shop in Brooklyn in 1972 and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.” I love that!. That’s passion. Do you know how many forgettable meals have come and gone since then. What kind of pizza leaves a 35 year impression? Let me describe it to you. The crust is slightly charred. It has a crisp outer layer, but inside it’s airy and light. The ingredients are not piled high, but instead are perfectly balanced. It’s sweet, salty, full flavored but not greasy. The tomatoes burst with flavor. Each bite makes you hungrier for the next. If this is what you want, you’ve come to the right place. Recipe found at Varasano’s.

* Three Cheese White Pizza [4]: I haven’t included quantities in the list of ingredients below because I don’t believe any two people like exactly the same amount of cheese on their pizza. So, feel free to use as much or as little as you like to achieve the right level of cheesiness. I used about 1/3 - 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/4 - 1/3 cup ricotta cheese and a few tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Recipe found at Tracey’s Culinary Adventures.

* Homemade Pizza Hut Original Pan Pizza & Homemade Ranch Dressing with Breadsticks [5]: So yummy and delicious!! Well worth the work! Recipe found at Day 2 Day With Holly J.

* Thin Crust Barbecue Chicken Pizza [6]: The crust is an adaption of Stephanie Nielson’s whole wheat pizza crust. I wanted some white flour, so it’s about a 50/50 split. You can do all white or all wheat. Whatever you want. For the order of things, I would suggest you make the sauce then make the dough. While the dough is rising, prepare the toppings. Then roll out the dough and put on the toppings. Recipe found at Rookie Cookie.

* Deep Dish Pizza [7]: This recipe is another one of my favorite super easy, quick to throw together, family pleasing, and incredibly delicious meals, originally from mother’s recipe collection. One of the best things about it is how incredibly adaptable it is to whatever ingredients you have on hand! I’ve made it with absolutely no cheese before and it was still delicious! Recipe from Southern Plate.

* Pizza with Goat Cheese, Chicken, Sundried Tomatoes & Spinach [8]: I made this recipe tonight in an attempt to re-create a dish that I used to enjoy when I was a college student in Washington, DC. On lovely spring afternoons, like the ones we’ve been enjoying lately here in North Georgia, my friends and I would walk over to a little Italian restaurant in our neighborhood, and this pizza is the dish I would order almost every single time. It is a combination of five of my favorite foods: pizza, goat cheese, chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach. Recipe found at Vintage Victuals.

* Homemade Pizza with Bacon, Egg and Asparagus [9]: This is a recipe for one small pizza to share with your partner on a mid-Sunday morning. The quickest I’ve done it is in two hours (you can hurry it by doubling the yeast and using warm water in the dough), but you might want to make the dough a day or two before. Because it’s small—it will give you a ball of dough the size of a softball—it’s quickest just to mix and knead it by hand. If you want to feed more people, it can be doubled for a large pizza or two small pizzas. Recipe from Michael Ruhlman.

* BBQ Chicken Pizza [10]: With some BBQ chicken I made in advance yesterday, I took the shredded chicken and made the following BBQ pizza. It’s pretty easy to make homemade pizza and I wish I felt more confident working with yeast sooner! Instead of resorting to bottled BBQ sauce, I set out to try Tyler Florence’s recipe. I made some adaptations to the original recipe by dicing up the bacon, using yellow mustard instead of dry, adding more garlic and using dark versions for the brown sugar and molasses. It was a nice rich flavor and was a breeze to make in advance. I plan on making the BBQ sauce recipe again for the upcoming grill and BBQ season! Recipe found at Joelen’s Culinary Adventures.

* Grilled Pizza with Hot Sausage, Grilled Peppers and Onions and Oregano Ricotta [11]: Recipe from the Food Network.

* Supreme Veggie Pizza with Mozzarella and Feta [12]: We had this for our Friday Night Pizza a few weeks ago. It was so good. I’ve quickly become a big fan of pizza on the grill and pizza night in general. I love the flavor of grilled pizza. It cooks so fast and the crust gets that great chewy/crunchy texture. Recipe found at goodLife {eats}.

* Pizza Margherita In 4 Easy Steps [13]: Even a novice cook can master the art of pizza with our simple step-by-step guide. Bellissimo. Recipe found at BBC Good Food.

* Buffalo Sweet Potato & Blue Cheese Pizza [14]: This pizza is nothing short of awesome. The potatoes give it a sweet and creamy base, the buffalo sauce gives it a hefty kick and the blue cheese adds deep flavor and a little decadence. Even if you’re not vegetarian, I can’t imagine a better pizza for a Friday night or Sunday afternoon. The perfect accompaniment to a frosty pint of beer. Recipe found at bitchincamero.

* Turkish Pizza Recipe [15]: This has to be one of my favorite Turkish street foods. I got the great opportunity to watch how they are made, not out of choice, I might add! We had ordered 2 of the pizza’s at this little restaurant right beside the local mosque in Fethiye, and the owner spotted me taking pictures around the place earlier. He quickly dragged me in to the kitchen, full of pride and instructed me to take pictures of the pizza’s being made! Recipe found at The Good Mood Food Blog.

* Grilled Pizza Recipe [16]: A few years ago I came across a grilled pizza recipe somewhere (probably on a cooking show or in a lifestyle magazine) and fell hard for the idea. Since that time my family and friends have had many an opportunity to enjoy my super quick and easy grilled pizza. We have even had a build your own grilled pizza party which is like the traditional build your own pizza party only the pizza gets cooked on the grill. So grab a glass of wine and enjoy the novelty and the pizza.

* Meat Lite: Roasted Vegetable and Pepperoni Stromboli [17]: Like so many of my favorite “Italian” foods, stromboli is as American as it gets. In fact, this rolled and baked sandwich, a close cousin of pizza, may well have been invented on my home turf—at Romano’s Stromboli just outside Philadelphia. Recipe found at Serious Eats.

* Mediterranean Pizza [18]: A yummy pizza inspired by my love for feta cheese! This salty cheese really pops in this pizza! Recipe found at KimDeC.

Homemade Pizza Dough Recipes
*Note: Descriptions below are quotes from the recipe sites

* Jamie Oliver’s Pizza Dough Recipe [19]: This is a fantastic, reliable, everyday pizza dough, which can also be used to make bread. It’s best made with Italian Tipo ‘00’ flour, which is finer ground than normal flour, and it will give your dough an incredible super-smooth texture. Look for it in Italian delis and good supermarkets. If using white bread flour instead, make sure it’s a strong one that’s high in gluten, as this will transform into a lovely, elastic dough, which is what you want. Mix in some semolina flour for a bit of colour and flavour if you like. Recipe from Jamie Oliver.

* Now or Later Pizza [20]: An overnight rest in the fridge for the dough gives this pizza crust superb flavor and a delightfully crisp-chewy texture. Recipe from King Arthur Flour.

* A Simple & Easy Basic Pizza Dough [21]This is a fantastic recipe that I have adapted for my bread machine and it makes one delicious pizza. The recipe offers instructions for making the dough in a food processor (recommended by Bittman), by hand, or with a stand mixer. At the bottom, I offer how I am able to adapt this for the bread machine. Basically, you can make it with something or nothing nothing at all, which is why this recipe is an all-around winner in my book! Recipe from Mom Advice.

* No Rise Pizza Crust [22]: Homemade pizza is a favorite around here, but I sometimes struggle with the timing of it all. I either want to make my supper in the morning and pop it in the oven right before we eat, or start (and finish!) cooking an hour before supper. Until I saw Crystal’s recipe, I never thought to try a no-rise dough. This one really works for me! Recipe found at The Finer Things In Life.

* Best Pizza Dough Ever Recipe [23]: If you like to wait until the last minute to make pizza dough, you are out of luck here. The key is the overnight fermentation. You end up with a golden, beautiful crust with the perfect amount of crunch and subtle yeasty undertones. Recipe from 101 Cookbooks.

* No-Knead Pizza Dough [24]: Adapted from Jim Lahey, Co. Makes four 12-inch pizza crusts. Recipe found at Tasting Table New York.

Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipes
*Note: Descriptions below are quotes from the recipe sites

* Zesty Old School Style Pizza Sauce [25]: Growing up my parents took us kids to an old style pizza house their friends owned. “Uncle” Loren had the best pizza in town to me. I would climb up a small brick staircase onto a platform, and watch through a glass window as the skillful pizza guys made our pies. This is where my obsession with pizza was born and nurtured. This zesty sauce recipe is as close as I can come to that beautiful thick sauce. It’s what I make when I want a nostalgic, American style pizza house pie. Recipe found at The Cooking Photographer.

* The Quickest Tomato Sauce [26]: I learnt this recipe from my mate and mentor Gennaro Contaldo. It’s a brilliant, basic tomato sauce for using on pizza and it’s also great with pasta or to serve alongside meat or fish – quick, fresh, fragrant and sweet. Recipe from Jamie Oliver.

* Tutorial: Homemade Sundried Tomato Pizza Pesto Sauce [27]: Technically I suppose this is not a true pesto because it does not have nuts and cheese in it but perhaps the culinary police will let it slide? This was the best tasting sauce for a pizza that I have had in forever. The sundried tomatoes are packed with flavour and only a few go a long way. Recipe from Suzie The Foodie.

* Pizza Sauce [28]: Recipe from Olivelle.

Bonus: Looking for a DIY pizza stone? Check this out: DIY Pizza Stones [29].
Also See These Tips:

* Recipe Hit List: 12 Homemade Bread Recipes [30]
* Recipe Hit List: 12 Tempting Crockpot Recipes [31]
* Recipe Hit List: 14 Grilled Sandwich Recipes [32]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/homemade-pizza/

URLs in this post:

[1] Roasted Garlic-and-Spinach White Pizza: http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/pizza-pasta-recipes/roasted-garlic-and-spinach-white-pizza/article.html

[2] Pizza With Caramelized Onions, Figs, Bacon and Blue Cheese: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/magazine/19food-t-004.html

[3] Jeff Varasano’s Famous New York Pizza Recipe: http://www.varasanos.com/PizzaRecipe.htm

[4] Three Cheese White Pizza: http://traceysculinaryadventures.blogspot.com/2009/04/three-cheese-white-pizza.html

[5] Homemade Pizza Hut Original Pan Pizza & Homemade Ranch Dressing with Breadsticks: http://day2daywithhollyj.blogspot.com/2008/08/pizza-hut-original-pan-pizza-homemade.html

[6] Thin Crust Barbecue Chicken Pizza: http://www.rookie-cookie.com/2009/04/thin-crust-barbecue-chicken-pizza.html

[7] Deep Dish Pizza: http://www.southernplate.com/2009/01/deep-dish-pizza.html

[8] Pizza with Goat Cheese, Chicken, Sundried Tomatoes & Spinach: http://www.vintagevictuals.com/2009/04/pizza-with-goat-cheese-chicken-sundried.html

[9] Homemade Pizza with Bacon, Egg and Asparagus: http://blog.ruhlman.com/ruhlmancom/2009/04/homemade-pizza.html

[10] BBQ Chicken Pizza: http://joelens.blogspot.com/2009/05/bbq-chicken-pizza.html

[11] Grilled Pizza with Hot Sausage, Grilled Peppers and Onions and Oregano Ricotta: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/grilled-pizza-with-hot-sausage-grilled-peppers-and-onions-and-oregano-ricotta-recipe/index.html

[12] Supreme Veggie Pizza with Mozzarella and Feta: http://good-life-eats.blogspot.com/2009/05/supreme-veggie-pizza-with-mozzarella.html

[13] Pizza Margherita In 4 Easy Steps: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4683/pizza-margherita-in-4-easy-steps

[14] Buffalo Sweet Potato & Blue Cheese Pizza: http://www.bitchincamero.com/mel/2009/05/buffalo-sweet-potato-blue-cheese-pizza/

[15] Turkish Pizza Recipe: http://www.thegoodmoodfoodblog.com/2008/09/turkish-pizza-recipe.html

[16] Grilled Pizza Recipe: http://royaltart.com/blog/2009/05/16/grilled-pizza-recipe-suggested-menu/

[17] Meat Lite: Roasted Vegetable and Pepperoni Stromboli: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/05/meat-lite-roasted-vegetable-and-pepperoni-stromboli-recipe.html

[18] Mediterranean Pizza: http://kimmiedec.blogspot.com/2009/05/mediterranean-pizza.html

[19] Jamie Oliver’s Pizza Dough Recipe: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pasta-and-pizza/pizza-dough

[20] Now or Later Pizza: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/now-or-later-pizza-recipe

[21] A Simple & Easy Basic Pizza Dough: http://www.momadvice.com/blog/2009/05/simple-easy-basic-pizza-dough.htm

[22] No Rise Pizza Crust: http://amysfinerthings.com/no-rise-pizza-crust

[23] Best Pizza Dough Ever Recipe: http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/001199.html

[24] No-Knead Pizza Dough: http://tastingtable.com/entry_detail/99/Jim_Lahey_reveals_his_recipe_for_no-knead_pizza_dough_.htm

[25] Zesty Old School Style Pizza Sauce: http://www.thecookingphotographer.com/2009/05/zesty-old-school-style-pizza-sauce.html

[26] The Quickest Tomato Sauce: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pasta-and-pizza/the-quickest-tomato-sauce

[27] Tutorial: Homemade Sundried Tomato Pizza Pesto Sauce: http://suziethefoodie.blogspot.com/2009/05/tutorial-homemade-sundried-tomato-pizza.html

[28] Pizza Sauce: http://www.olivelle.com/recipes/2009/05/19/pizza-sauce/

[29] DIY Pizza Stones: http://tipnut.com/diy-pizza-stones/

[30] Recipe Hit List: 12 Homemade Bread Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-bread-recipes/

[31] Recipe Hit List: 12 Tempting Crockpot Recipes: http://tipnut.com/crockpot-recipes/

[32] Recipe Hit List: 14 Grilled Sandwich Recipes: http://tipnut.com/grilled-sandwich-recipes/

General Household Hints: Timeless Wisdom Collection

Posted By TipNut On May 1, 2009 @ 6:15 am In Household | No Comments

Vintage Household Hints
These tips come from an old booklet published sometime in the 1930’s and provide general advice and tips for running the home.

The Timeless Wisdom collection is a regular feature on Tipnut where we take a look back at the methods used and advice given to tackle regular household tasks. Many are still useful for today’s world while others give a glimpse into the problems and creative solutions from decades ago.

General Household Hints

1. Brooms just purchased should be soaked in strong salt water before using to make them last longer.

2. Corks for bottles containing glue, polishes, cements, or other sticky substances can be easily removed if glycerin or vaseline is rubbed over ends of corks.

3. Cream pitchers will not drip if a little butter or salad oil is put on the end of the lip.

4. Dishes on top of ice in refrigerator will not slip if a fruit jar rubber is placed underneath each one.

5. Dresser drawers will slide easier if the parts that stick are rubbed with laundry soap or paraffin.

6. Electric push buttons can easily be seen in the night if they are touched up with a little luminous paint. This saves time, temper and bumps.

7. Ferns can be kept while you are away from home for a few days by placing a bowl of water near the fern with one end of a cloth in the water and the other end in the fern container. The water will then be gradually drawn to the fern.

8. Filling of jars and bottles with preserves, jams, etc., is made easier by using a gravy boat.

9. Finger marks on furniture can be removed with sweet oil if furniture is varnished.

10. Flooded floors can be quickly mopped up by using newspapers to absorb the water.

11. Food odors can be eliminated from your refrigerator by placing a small quantity of charcoal in container on top of shelf.

12. Freezing of clothes on the line during cold weather is prevented by using a little salt in last rinsing water.

13. Freezing of windows to the sill is also eliminated by sprinkling a little salt on the window sill. This will enable raising windows without difficulty.

14. Fresh paint smell can be eliminated by placing a pail of cold water in the room, changing it every two or three hours.

15. Glasses which are stuck together may be separated by putting cold water in the top one and setting the bottom one in warm water. They will come apart without danger of breaking.

16. Hand washing, especially for children, is easier if a small dish of raw cornmeal is kept in the bathroom and if children are trained to take some cornmeal and rub on with soap. This cleans hands more thoroughly and at same time leaves skin soft and white. (Children often have chapped hands from improper washing.) This procedure is equally effective for grownups who have stubborn dirt embedded in hands.

17. Insects in earth can be killed with a spoonful of mustard in gallon of water. This is effective with potted plants.

18. Knots in thread may be avoided when hemming table linen by running each needleful of thread through a piece of paraffin before using.

19. Linoleum holes are easily filled with finely chopped cork mixed with liquid glue. When the mixture has set hard, rub down with emery paper and paint to match rug.

20. Mason jar lids or lids of similar types of jars can be easily removed by running hot water over the lids for a few seconds.

21. Medicine bottles can be packed in bag or trunk without spilling contents on clothes if ends of bottles are dipped in melted paraffin.

22. Paint may be removed from glass by using strong hot vinegar.

23. Paint brushes that have hardened will soften readily if placed in hot vinegar and then washed in warm suds.

24. Painting around window glass can be accomplished with speed and neatness if a piece of newspaper, cut to fit, is stuck to the glass by means of water.

25. Vinegar will remove white stains on furniture if they are not too deep.

Also See These Tips:

* 25 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection [1]
* 28 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection [2]
* 25 Vintage Household Tips: Timeless Wisdom [3]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/household-hints/

URLs in this post:

[1] 25 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/household-tips/

[2] 28 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/28-household-tips/

[3] 25 Vintage Household Tips: Timeless Wisdom: http://tipnut.com/vintage-household-tips/

50 Tips For Sewing - A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom

Posted By TipNut On July 25, 2008 @ 8:36 am In Sewing | 5 Comments

These tips were collected from a variety of books and magazines from the 1940s and 1950s.

Most of these tidbits are still helpful today, a few were included because they are a charming reflection of the time these were written. Enjoy!

50 Tips For Sewing - A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom

1. Pressing seams as you go is very helpful in sewing.
2. All facings and hems should be neatly made, especially on transparent material.
3. Adjust tension and length of stitch when changing from thin material to heavy. The stitching should lie perfectly flat and without puckers.
4. Snip basting thread at intervals and pull out, don’t attempt to pull one long basting thread at once.
5. The hem is the last thing to be finished on a dress.
6. Be very careful and do not stretch bias fabric when handling. Running a basting along edge helps to prevent this.
7. Very sheer materials when run through your sewing machine may pucker or draw despite all your efforts. Place a piece of clean paper underneath the material and stitch through. Then pull the paper off, leaving the stitching smooth as can be!
8. To make darts, tucks and other markings on a garment that is being cut out, slip a double piece of carbon paper between the pieces of cloth and mark as indicated on the tissue guide. The carbon paper can be used over and over and comes in many colors.
9. For stitching down patch pockets, try holding them in place with cellophane tape instead of bastings or pins. Stitch right through the tape, then pull it off after sewing is finished.
10. Tucks are the neatest method of handling the dress length problem for fast-growing little girls. Make the skirt long enough to include a series of small tucks just above the hem. As the child grows, let out one tuck at a time–no rehemming is necessary.
11. When a seam is to be ripped, try fastening one end under the presser foot of your sewing machine. Then with a razor blade you can quickly cut the stitching.
12. In lengthening a dress, oftentimes a ridge appears where the old hem used to be. This may be easily covered with a row of rick rack sewn over the line or ridge. This also makes an attractive trim.
13. When making a rolled hem put a row of machine stitching along edge to be rolled. Then trim edge close to stitching. It really speeds up the hand work and prevents stretching.
14. If you are cutting out a garment from material that frays easily, try marking around pattern before cutting or as soon as it is cut, on the edge of the material with a crayon the color of the material. The marking will not show when the seam is taken.
15. In stitching a shirt, all patterns are made so that the seams must be stitched from the top down.
16. Pink the hem on bottom of blouse to be worn in, it will look smoother.
17. When doing applique work, especially with felt, if the patches are stitched into place by machine, a beautifully flat finish is given.
18. Pattern perforations are important, study them carefully. They identify straight of goods, place darts and position of various pattern pieces. Be sure you know the meaning of each before you place pattern on material. Lay aside any extra pieces that you are not going to use. Be careful and do not turn a pattern piece upside down if your fabric has a nap or up and down print. After cutting, mark darts, buttonholes and any other necessary markings, including center back and front. Hang the partly completed garment on hanger to keep sewing from getting crushed.
19. Sometimes the drawstring in pajamas gets the habit of pulling out. Put a stop to this by centering the drawstring in the garment and sewing it fast at the center back.
20. Three rows of rickrack braid sewed together on a strip of thin white cloth will make you pretty tie-backs for your curtains. These are not only attractive but bring out the color in your room.
21. Save the old felt hats around the house. Cut them up and sew together with colored yarns for comfy house slippers. you can concoct your own embroidery designs for decoration. Also make inner soles.
22. When tying comforters it is a good plan to tie them first in cheese cloth, then put on the top cover. The cover may then be removed for washing with little trouble.
23. There is no need to baste rick rack or braid on the material, use scotch tape to hold it in place. Sew right through the tape and then pull off after stitching.
24. When you are making new pillows, a small quantity of starch in the ticking will help to keep the features from sticking through.
25. Did you ever try making a sewing scrap book? It is wonderful to have when you need a patch or a button and it will prove a favorite pastime for the children. It should contain a large piece of material and an extra button for every garment that you make.
26. Scotch tape a paper ruler to your machine if there isn’t a measuring guide on it.
27. A small horse shoe magnet on a yard stick is an asset in the sewing room to pick up pins and needles.
28. Use a mesh bag that fruit comes in to put leftover pieces of dress materials. You can see at a glance the piece you need for a patch.
29. If you keep sewing machine oil in a bottle, you will always find it impossible to oil the machine properly. Replace the cap with one that has a medicine dropper attached; one from an empty bottle of nose drops is ideal to use.
30. A good way to keep your patterns straight is to make a pattern bag. These are made in much the same way as a shoe bag only each pocket holds several patterns. Put them in the pockets according to sizes and type of pattern. Feed sacks are excellent to use for making these.
31. Sew carpet rags on the bias to avoid having a bulky seam.
32. Here’s a fashion flash that will appeal to all. Put an inner draw string of the same material as blouse or ribbon at the waist of blouse, run it through small loops which you make in the darts.
33. For a convenient and handy pin cushion, wrap several thicknesses of felt, wool or flannel around the arm of the machine just back of the needle bar; blind stitch the edges together. When removing pins while sewing, just stick pins here and you will have them at your finger tips when needed.
34. Is your youngest boy or girl going to wear a hand-me-down coat this winter? If that lining won’t stand another season’s wear, rip it out! Don’t stretch it. Then use the old lining as a pattern to cut a new one. The coat won’t draw if you put the new lining in loosely.
35. An empty matchbook cover makes a neat little emergency repair kit to carry in your purse. Stick a few pins and needles in the torn match stubs and wind various shades of thread around the cover.
36. Mark the place for each buttonhole with a thin coat of colorless nail polish. When dry, cut through the center and you have straight non-raveling edges to hold your stitches.
37. Before making buttonholes in thin material, rub a small amount of library paste on the wrong side of material and allow to dry.
38. Sew buttons on the children’s clothes with dental floss and you can be sure they will stay on for a long time.
39. Buttons sewn on with crochet cotton will rarely come off.
40. It is easier to work a buttonhole with embroidery thread than with most hard twists. It lies smoother and is stronger.
41. Cut your thread on the bias (slant) and the needle will be much easier to thread.
42. If you have trouble with your thread knotting when sewing try this. Always thread needle before breaking thread from spool and always tie knot in the end broken from spool last.
43. To keep the thread from snarling when sewing with a double strand, put a separate knot at the end of each thread.
44. Tack one end of the tape measure to an empty spool, then roll the tape onto the spool. This makes a neat, convenient holder.
45. Use cellophane tape to fasten down thread ends on the spools in your sewing basket. It will stop tangles.
46. For a rainy day occupation, empty the button box, sort out all of each kind, and mount by groups with basting thread on cardboards. When you can see what kinds and how many alike you have, you are much more likely to put them back into use.
47. Empty aspirin boxes that shut tightly make excellent holders for pins, thumbtacks, small beats, buttons or snap fasteners. Use separate containers for the various items and label each box.
48. To sharpen scissors while in the sewing room, take discarded needle and work it back and forth between the blades of the shears.
49. Tweezers not only beautify the housewife but are useful too. They can pluck out threads which have been caught in the machine stitching.
50. Embroidery floss has a number of uses. It is excellent for mending socks, sweaters and babies’ woolens. The colors are usually easy to match. Also try sewing buttons on a ready-made garment with it.

More Tips From The Past:

* 50 Laundry & Mending Tips [1]
* 32 Household Tips [2]
* 35 Kitchen Tips [3]
* 45 Cooking & Baking Tips [4]

Also See These Tips:

* 50 Laundry & Mending Tips - A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom [1]
* Seersucker Apron: Vintage Sewing Pattern [5]
* 28 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection [6]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/50-tips-for-sewing/

URLs in this post:

[1] 50 Laundry & Mending Tips: http://tipnut.com/laundry-mending-tips/

[2] 32 Household Tips: http://tipnut.com/32-household-tips-a-collection-of-timeless-wisdom/

[3] 35 Kitchen Tips: http://tipnut.com/35-kitchen-tips-a-collection-of-timeless-wisdom/

[4] 45 Cooking & Baking Tips: http://tipnut.com/45-cooking-baking-tips-a-collection-of-timeless-wisdom/

[5] Seersucker Apron: Vintage Sewing Pattern: http://tipnut.com/seersucker-apron/

[6] 28 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/28-household-tips/

20 Freezing Quick Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection

Posted By TipNut On September 5, 2008 @ 6:39 am In Food Tips | 1 Comment

Here are 20 quick tips for freezing that I’ve collected from a variety of 1950s articles and books.

This will be the last collection of timeless wisdom tips for awhile, I hope you enjoyed them!

20 Quick Tips For Freezing Food Items

1. Cream can be frozen for future use. Place enough cream for use at one time in glass freezing jars. Store not longer than 6 months.
2. Butter and cheese may be wrapped in moisture-vapor-proof paper and stored for 6 to 9 months.
3. For freezing eggs, separate yolks from whites. For whites, package and freeze. For yolks, add 2 tablespoons of sugar or 1 teaspoon of salt to each pint. Blend carefully with rotary beater but avoid whipping in air. Skim off any air bubbles from the surface before freezing to prevent crusting as well as prevent the eggs from becoming gummy when thawed.
4. Keep in mind to allow a headspace when packing all liquid foods to be frozen. Never aim to keep these foods too long in cold storage.
5. Sandwiches: Wrap well and freeze up to 4 weeks, be aware that mayonnaise and jelly will soak into bread so use sparingly. You can add fresh lettuce and tomato slices after sandwich has thawed.
6. Freeze nutmeats and coconut for baking.
7. You can freeze crackers, bread crumbs, potato chips, pretzels in sealed bags.
8. For best results, skim off as much excess fat as possible from soups, stews and gravies before freezing.
9. Use spices and herbs sparingly when preparing dishes for freezing. Cloves, black pepper and garlic become stronger, onions lose flavor, nutmeg, cinnamon and sage remain about the same, celery flavor becomes more noticeable.
10. Unbaked pies and cookies may be conveniently stored in freezer. When ready for use, cut vent in top crust and place the frozen pie in a preheated oven about 15 minutes extra baking time.
11. Some butter-type cake batters may be frozen, freeze batters in the pan, ready for baking. Angel, chiffon, sponge and fruit cake should always be frozen after baking.
12. Cakes do not freeze solidly and need extra protection during freezer storage. You’ll find it convenient to cut cakes into halves, quarters or slices before freezing.
13. Keep a chart upon which mark each package of fruit, meat or vegetable as it is put into the freezer. Every time a package is taken out, it is crossed off the chart. This prevents looking over everything in the freezer, only to discover that the package you have in mind already has been taken out.
14. Pack fruits in small picnic cups and freeze, these come in handy for the lunchbox.
15. Bread Dough: Prepare unbaked doughs for freezing after the first rising period. Shape dough for bread and place in loaf pan, grease well, wrap and freeze.
16. Rolls: Shape rolls and coffeecakes into shapes for baking, grease well, quick-freeze on cookie sheet and wrap for storage after initial freezing. When ready to bake, thaw dough at room temperature and let rise until doubled in bulk; bake as usual.
17. Partially Baked Rolls: Make your own “brown & serve” rolls by letting rolls rise only half as high as if they were to be baked completely; bake at 300° about 20 minutes, or until they are a very pale tan. Remove from pans, cool, package and freeze. When ready to serve, place frozen rolls on cookie sheet and brown in 400° oven 7-10 minutes.
18. Unbaked Quick Breads: Use only recipes which call for double-action baking powder. Wrap and freeze batters in pans ready for baking; when ready to use, thaw and bake immediately. Frozen, unbaked baking powder biscuits need be only partially thawed before baking.
19. Tomatoes don’t freeze well but tomato juice does! Wash, sort and trim firm, ripe tomatoes. Cut in quarters or eighths. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes. Strain. Add 1 teaspoon salt to each quart of juice. Pour into rigid freezer containers, leaving head space. Seal and freeze.
20. Meats: Do not season meat with salt before freezing, it will become rancid. You can hasten the thawing of ground meat which has been frozen by sprinkling the amount of salt you want for seasoning over the top of the frozen meat.

More Tips For Freezing:

* How To Wrap Meat Like A Pro [1]
* Smart Tip: Bulk Freezing With Individual Portions [2]
* How To Prepare Rhubarb For Freezing Plus Recipe [3]
* Freeze Bananas Plus Banana Bread Recipe [4]
* Freezing Bell Peppers [5]
* Recipe Hit List: Make Ahead Casseroles [6]

More Timeless Wisdom Tips:

* 20 Canning Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection [7]
* 35 Kitchen Tips - A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom [8]

Also See These Tips:

* Freezing Cookies & Cookie Dough: Tip Sheet [9]
* 25 Cooking & Baking Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection [10]
* 25 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection [11]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/freezing-quick-tips/

URLs in this post:

[1] How To Wrap Meat Like A Pro: http://tipnut.com/how-to-wrap-meat/

[2] Smart Tip: Bulk Freezing With Individual Portions: http://tipnut.com/smart-tip-bulk-freezing-with-individual-portions/

[3] How To Prepare Rhubarb For Freezing Plus Recipe: http://tipnut.com/how-to-prepare-rhubarb-for-freezing-plus-recipe/

[4] Freeze Bananas Plus Banana Bread Recipe: http://tipnut.com/freeze-bananas-plus-banana-bread-recipe/

[5] Freezing Bell Peppers: http://tipnut.com/freeze-leftover-bell-peppers/

[6] Recipe Hit List: Make Ahead Casseroles: http://tipnut.com/make-ahead-casseroles/

[7] 20 Canning Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/canning-tips/

[8] 35 Kitchen Tips - A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom: http://tipnut.com/35-kitchen-tips-a-collection-of-timeless-wisdom/

[9] Freezing Cookies & Cookie Dough: Tip Sheet: http://tipnut.com/freezing-cookies/

[10] 25 Cooking & Baking Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/25-cooking-baking-tips/

[11] 25 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/household-tips/

Ten Helpful Beauty Hints: Timeless Wisdom Collection

Posted By TipNut On May 22, 2009 @ 7:45 am In Beauty & Health | No Comments

Ten Helpful Beauty Hints From The Past

These tips come from “The Housewife’s Year Book Of Health And Homemaking” published in 1937 by Kellogg’s (which explains tip #10). Although many of these tips are basic common-sense, they’re a nice reminder that the little things we do can not only encourage a healthy body, but also enhance how we look and feel about ourselves.

The Timeless Wisdom collection is a regular feature on Tipnut where we take a look back at the advice and common problem solving from decades ago.

Ten Helpful Beauty Hints

Women, as a rule, age more quickly than men. The careful use of cosmetics can help you to look young and attractive but you should also follow these few common sense rules:

1. Above all, remember that health is the basis of real beauty. Sparkling eyes, glowing skin, vitality and pep will make plain features look attractive.

2. Get out of doors as much and as often as you can. Avoid direct sunlight if it appears to harm your skin, but fresh air, and plenty of it, is a great beautifier.

3. Don’t eat too much, don’t eat too quickly and don’t over indulge in meat, fish, eggs, sweets or pastry. Above all, don’t try foolish diets.

4. Get plenty of sleep in a well ventilated room. Do not have your bedroom crowded with draperies.

5. Bathe every other day at least but do not stay too long in a warm bath. It may feel good while you are in it but you will feel better and look better afterward if the bath is not too warm.

6. When you walk, hold your shoulders erect. When you sit, do not hold one shoulder higher than the other.

7. Do not merely brush your hair. Every time you brush it, massage your scalp vigorously with your finger tips.

8. Flabby muscles are old muscles. Keep your muscles firm and youthful by sufficient exercise. Then you will look youthful.

9. Do not allow your skin to become too dry. Dryness makes wrinkles.

10. The best way to avoid most pimples and skin blemishes is to avoid constipation. And the best way to avoid the common constipation due to lack of “bulk,” is to eat two tablespoonfuls of Kellogg’s All-Bran daily. This delicious, ready-to-eat cereal supplies generous “bulk,” which absorbs moisture, forms a soft mass, and gently sponges out the intestinal tract.

These rules may not be as exciting or intriguing as some beauty hints you have read. You will find, however, that they are more effective, particularly if you obey this last rule.

Keep it up. It is much harder to regain beauty than it is to keep it.
Also See These Tips:

* General Household Hints: Timeless Wisdom Collection [1]
* 50 Tips For Sewing - A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom [2]
* 20 Freezing Quick Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection [3]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/beauty-hints/

URLs in this post:

[1] General Household Hints: Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/household-hints/

[2] 50 Tips For Sewing - A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom: http://tipnut.com/50-tips-for-sewing/

[3] 20 Freezing Quick Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/freezing-quick-tips/

http://www.garden.org/regional/report/national/3133

From NGA Editors

* Report Index
* Visit My Blog
* Resources
* Reminders
* National News

Sweet Roses Make For Sweet Dreams
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Beautiful, fragrant roses make most people happy, and now research is suggesting that fragrant roses may also make our sleep happier by stimulating happy dreams. Researchers in Germany analyzed the sleep patterns of 15 women for one month. Scents of rotten eggs, fragrant roses, and no scent were pumped under their noses during their dream cycle while they slept. Researchers then woke up the women and asked them to record their dreams.

Although the women didn’t dream about rotten eggs or roses, the study did show that there was a correlation between positive dreams and the fragrant rose smell and negative dreams and the rotten egg smell. Researchers are now considering another experiment using roses to help alleviate the stress of people who have frequent nightmares.

For more information on this study, go to: The Telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/3041872/Flowers-in-bedroom-lead-to-sweet-dreams-says-study.html

Grow Figs in a Pot
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Fresh figs are a treat, especially if you eat them right off the tree. However, most varieties are only hardy to USDA zone 8 (although the roots of some varieties are hardy to USDA zone 6). In warm climates the trees can get very large. Now there’s a new fig variety for gardeners in cold climates and for those who want to grow figs in small pots on a deck, patio, or even indoors.

‘Petite Negra’ fig (Ficus carica) grows only 2 to 3 feet tall, but produces two crops a year of plump, black, juicy fig fruits one year after planting. It’s self-pollinating so you only need one plant to get a crop. Because of its diminutive size, this variety grows well in small containers on a patio during the summer. In cold regions, just bring it indoors to a sunny window in fall. It will stay green all winter as an indoor houseplant. Move it back outside in spring after danger of frost has passed. In USDA zone 8 and warmer areas it can be planted in the ground as a dwarf, edible, ornamental shrub.

For more information on the ‘Petite Negra’ fig, go to: Logees Greenhouses

http://www.logees.com/prodinfo.asp?number=R1710-4

Birds Eat More Weed Seed in Organic Fields
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It’s thought that organic farms have lots of bird and wildlife activity because of the lack of harmful chemicals that are sprayed on the fields. Birds, in particular, are welcome because they are keen predators of pest insects on plants. Now researchers in New Zealand are suggesting that birds also help farmers in another way. They seem to eat more weed seeds on organic farms compared to conventional farms.

Researchers at Lincoln University in New Zealand studied weed seed predation at eight conventional and eight organic farms. Dishes filled with two common weed seeds, lamb’s quarters and Persian speedwell, were placed at various distances from the edge of the field to the center. They monitored the birds feeding on the dishes for 2 days. There were higher feeding rates of weed seeds on dishes on the edges of organic farms than conventional ones. Overall there was a 17% loss of weed seeds on the organic farms while the conventional farms only had a 10% loss. This suggests that bird populations are more robust around organic farms and more helpful in removing weed seeds.

For more information on this study, go to: Science Direct.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WBP-4V70ND4-3&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=9426cf7671b32251f17c43646953a164

[Grows well in pots, pinch the outer leaves and they keep producing more....I like to serve as many different as I can mix in one salad.....granny]

http://www.garden.org/subchannels/health/cooking?q=show&id=232

Fast-Growing Salad Greens
by Jack Ruttle

Glossy, bright green, and frilly leaves of mizuna.

The fast-growing greens of the Chinese cabbage family are nearly ideal garden vegetables for fall and winter. Versatile enough to be enjoyed boiled, sauteed, and stir-fried as well as fresh, they lend a sprightly, nutty, or sharp flavor and succulent texture wherever they appear. And they are a gardener’s dream: sow the seeds and harvest 30 to 50 days later. These greens are faster, more productive, and easier to manage than lettuce or other Asian specialties such as edible-leaved amaranthus and chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum coronarium).

Look for these vegetables in seed catalogs under a variety of terms: “Specialty Greens,” “Oriental Greens,” or simply “Chinese Cabbage.” The latter term is a misnomer, however, as all of them-even the head-forming ones-are really in the turnip family (Brassica rapa), not the cabbage family (B. oleracea).

As you search the catalogs, be open-minded about spelling. In Asia all of these plants have aliases and alternative spellings, depending on the local culture. Some American seed catalogs helpfully list several spellings. If they sound alike, they are likely the same. For instance, bok choy equals pak choi.
How to Grow

A key feature of these plants is their capacity to germinate and grow rapidly in warm weather, a condition that still exists in most gardens in September. Yet they tolerate cold too, exactly the trait necessary at harvest time a month or two later. But you don’t need to wait 45 days to start picking. Begin to pick thinnings and outer leaves about 30 days after planting. You can also grow any of them as a cut-and-come-again crop, scattering seed about an inch apart in wide bands. Clip the young plants to within an inch or two of the soil as needed, allow them to regrow, then clip again.

Begin sowing seed about 60 to 45 days before the first frost date in your area. In mild weather, germination takes three to five days. Hot weather that would inhibit lettuce seeds is not a deterrent. Harvest the first thinnings as soon as four weeks later. Although the Asian greens excel for late summer and fall planting, you can plant them other times, too. The only caveat is they have a tendency to bolt to flower and seed as days become longer in spring.

Although direct-sowing is simple and works well, it’s best to start these crops in flats or in plastic trays with individual cells. This allows more control over water, nutrients, and light levels, and it allows you to quickly fill in garden space that opens up as the main summer crops mature and are removed.

Because all these vegetables grow so quickly, they do best when given very fertile soil and a steady supply of water. Work 1 to 2 inches of compost (or 1/2 inch of composted manure) into the ground at planting time. In dry weather, water twice a week, or use drip irrigation.

If you want to extend the harvest even longer into fall, protect young plants with row covers or cold frames. Light frosts don’t harm them, but night temperatures in the 28° to 25° F range will reduce quality and slow growth, even when plants aren’t damaged. In most climates, covering plants will allow several more weeks of production.

Asian cabbages (more properly turnips) are plagued by the same pests as all vegetables of that family: flea beetles, cabbage moths, and slugs. Flea beetles are devastating to seedlings, and beetle shot holes can disfigure the leaves badly. Row covers help here, too because they prevent the beetles from reaching the plants.

The other significant pest of these plants is the cabbage moth. Again, row covers prevent the moths from laying eggs. Once plants grow large and the covers need to come off, control the moth larvae with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). Slugs are also inordinately fond of these greens. Control them by handpicking or with traps.

If you can keep the pests away, as well as provide good, moist, well-drained soil, you’re sure to have abundant salads with a refreshing new twist at your house this fall. And when you get tired of salads, can always stir-fry these cabbages or cook them as you would other favorite greens.

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