Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition [Survival Today

Did you hear about the guy that lives on nothing? No seriously, he lives on zero dollars a day. Meet Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave outside Moab, Utah. Suelo has no mortgage, no car payment, no debt of any kind. He also has no home, no car, no television, and absolutely no “creature comforts.” But he does have a lot of creatures, as in the mice and bugs that scurry about the cave floor he’s called home for the last three years.

To us, Suelo probably sounds a little extreme. Actually, he probably sounds very extreme. After all, I suspect most of you reading this are doing so under the protection of some sort of man-made shelter, and with some amount of money on your person, and probably a few needs for money, too. And who doesn’t need money unless they have completely unplugged from the grid? Still, it’s an amusing story about a guy who rejects all forms of consumerism as we know it.

How to Brew Your Own Beer and Maybe Save Some Money. A fantastic introduction to home brewing, something I’ve never done myself, but always been interested in trying. (@Generation X Finance)

Contentment: A Great Financial Principle. If I had to name one required emotion for living a frugal lifestyle it would be contentment. Once you are content with your belongings and your lot in life you can ignore forces attempting to separate you from your money. (@Personal Finance by the Book)

Use Energy Star Appliances to Save On Utility Costs. I enjoyed this post because it included actual numbers, and actual total savings, from someone who upgraded to new, energy star appliances. (@The Digerati Life)

Over-Saving for Retirement? Is it possible to “over-save” for retirement? Yes, I think so. At some point I like the idea of putting some money aside in taxable investments outside of retirement funds, to be accessed prior to traditional retirement age. (@The Simple Dollar)

40 Things to Teach My Kids Before They Leave Home. A great list of both practical and philosophical lessons to teach your kids before they reach the age where they know everything. I think that now happens around 13 years-old. (@My Supercharged Life)

Index Fund Investing Overview. If you are looking for a place to invest with high diversification and relatively low fees (for broader index funds with low turnover), index funds are a great place to start. (@Money Smart Life)

5 Reasons To Line Dry Your Laundry. My wife and I may soon be installing a clothesline in our backyard. In many neighborhoods they are frowned upon - one of the reasons I don’t like living in a neighborhood. I digress. One of our neighbors recently put up a clothesline, and we might just follow his lead. (@Simple Mom)

* 4 Quick Tips for Getting Out of a Rut * Young and Cash Rich * Embracing Simple Style * First Trading Experience With OptionsHouse * The Exponential Power of Delayed Consumption * How Much Emergency Fund is Enough? * 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind * Save Money On Car Insurance

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/articles/history-of-the-seeing-eye-dog.htm

A Brief History Of Seeing Eye Dogs
By: Simon Harris

No one knows when the concept of using assistance animals for the blind first came into being. It is suggested that dogs have been used in such a capacity in various cultures for a very long time. It is known, however, that there was no formal guide dog program in existence until after the First World War.

Why German Shepherds?
Many people have probably wondered why guide dogs and Seeing Eye dogs are so often German Shepherds. The reason is actually twofold. First of all the German Shepherd has a strong sense of loyalty to its owner, giving it a natural tendency to be protective. Having a very protective dog as a companion is an obvious asset for someone who may otherwise be easily attacked by less then scrupulous individuals. The other reason is far simpler; the first guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired were trained in Germany to provided assistance for those blinded in the war.

After the end of World War I the nation of Germany was devastated by financial depression. Many private businesses failed and the Potsdam, Germany school that trained the guide dogs for the blind was one of them.

The Beginning
An American woman named Dorothy Eustis had heard about the program and decided it was a very worthwhile endeavor. Because she owned a company that was training German Shepherds as working dogs, she decided she might try to train guide dogs for the blind. She did not start this right away, however. In fact she was still considering the possibilities when she penned a story for The Saturday Evening Post about the potential for guide dogs for the blind.

A Nashville man named Morris Frank had heard the story and decided to write to Ms. Eustis and ask her to train a dog for him. She did and Mr. Frank became known as the first blind person to use a guide dog.

As part of an arrangement he’d made with Ms. Eustis, Mr. Frank started training guide dogs in the United States. The foundation that Mr. Frank started was dubbed “The Seeing Eye” and the so-called Seeing Eye dog was effectively born.

Today guide dogs are trained to assist people with many different disabilities. There are Hearing Ear dogs to assist the deaf and other dogs that assist the physically disabled. All of the people who have benefited from the use of a guide dog, however, owe their thanks to Mr. Morris Frank of Nashville, Tennessee.

About the Author:
This article provided courtesy of http://www.dog-health-answers.net

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/articles/if-a-cat-was-the-teacher-you-would-learn-stuff-like.htm

If a Cat was the Teacher You Would Learn Stuff Like
by John Hanevy

When loved ones come home, complain loudly until they feed you.

Don’t settle for sub-standard vittles—insist on the best.

Never go for joyrides, they probably want to take you to the vet.

Don’t hang your nose out of car windows, only dumb dogs do that.

Obedience is for dogs, it’s not something you do.

Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.

Take naps in sunny places.

When you’re happy, purr loudly.

Hunt daily, and bring back your catch to your owners—this shows them that you love them and are looking out for them.

While dogs are stuck living like savages on the floor, you can sleep and walk wherever you like—tables and countertops were made to be jumped up on!

Do whatever you have to do to get attention when you want it—use your claws if you have to.

Just because someone lives in the same house with you and feeds you every day doesn’t mean you have to acknowledge them in any way. You already bring them dead mice and birds—that should be enough to show you care.

No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing—you can’t help the way you are, they’ll just have to accept that.

Recognize that, unlike cats, all human beings have many faults —but be sure to complain loudly when something displeases you anyway, you never know, they may change.

John Hanevy may be contacted at https://www.ezinfocenter.com/8386234.431/Item.vstore?id=14 . Email Address to view more of their articles.
John M. Hanevy is an affiliate of SFI, Strong Future International. SFI markets many products including IAHBE, an international organization that provides free leads, software, training, and more to their members every month. Find out more, and sign up : https://www.ezinfocenter.com/8386234.431/Item.vstore?id=14

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/articles/why-cats-rub.html

Why Do Cats Rub Their Faces on Things?
By Susan L Roberts

Have you ever wondered why your cat rubs up against walls (especially the corners of walls) constantly? It’s not trying to rub the paint off of the walls, there’s an actual reason behind it!

Cats have scent glands in the corners of their mouths and on their chins. When they rub against walls, they deposit that scent on the wall so other cats know that it’s their territory.

The same applies to you, the cat owner. When petting your kitty, you may notice it rubbing the corners of its mouth on your hands. It might also rub its face against your ankles as you walk around the house (or, like my cat does, when you’re carrying something heavy and dangerous).

Cats work largely on scents. This is why cats freak out if you move them to a new house: they have no idea whose it is, so they set about marking everything (either by rubbing or by actually urine marking various areas).

Conveniently, cats’ noses are at the same level that they rub walls, so it’s easy for them and other cats to know just whose wall-corner it is.

Cats also deposit their scents on other cats. If you have a multi-cat household, you may see the cats rubbing against each other. By mixing their scents together, they are establishing that they know each other so they don’t feel threatened by each other. If you were to introduce a new cat into the household, the reason why they don’t get along at first is because their scents aren’t familiar to each other!

Without scenting, cats wouldn’t have a clue whose property they were on, which would make things quite a bit more difficult for them!

Did you know that you can communicate with your cat like it’s another person? With Ultimate Cat Secrets you can learn everything there is to know about your kitty such as how to train it to do anything or stop it from misbehaving completely!

Pick up your copy at http://www.felinefancy.net

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/articles/why-cat-purrs.html

Why Do Cats Purr?
By Rolf Lampo

For as long as there have been domestic cats, possibly longer, one question has come up time and time again - Why do Cats Purr? To this day, no one can say for certain, but there are a number of popular theories.

Some are quite convincing, some are verging on the ridiculous, there are even a few that go way past ridiculous and well into the crazy ramblings of the stereo-typical feline obsessive. (...and I’m not talking about me with that last one, despite what you may have heard!)

In this article we’ll discuss some of the more popular theories - maybe your own experiences can add to the already extensive volume of speculation on the subject, if so we’d love to hear about it.

Purring to show contentedness.

We all know the scene. A cat curled up on a lap, enjoying a fuss and purring away without a care in the world. Contentedness is the most likely reason given by the general populous when asked ‘Why does a cat purr?’ - but most cat owners realise there’s more to it.

There are a number of other occasions when a cat can be heard letting out a loud purr, so although contentedness may well be one of the reasons for purring, there must be others too. This theory also doesn’t fully answer the question of ‘why?’- Why would a contented cat have any reason to demonstrate their contentedness?

This leads us to the second theory; maybe the reason they show their contentedness in this way is their affection for those around them?

Purring to show affection

Cats will often approach their favourite people purring loudly and proceed to nuzzle, nibble, drool and roll all over them, in a great show of affection. Undoubtedly in this instance the purring is part of the affectionate behaviour.

Although proof still remains elusive, it is fairly logical to draw the conclusion that the purring here is an audible means of communicating that affection, as if to say ‘I love you’.

To show passiveness

Blowing the satisfaction theory out of the water
, cats can often be heard purring after a serious trauma, accident or injury. In fact it seems that the more imminent death is the louder they will purr. This is certainly not a show of contentedness or affection, and a much more reasonable explanation would be to demonstrate passiveness.

The common thinking is that this might be a message to a carer translated as ‘please look after me’, or to a predator saying ‘please don’t hurt me any more’.

The healing properties of a Purr

My favourite theory, possibly because I’m an idealist or possibly because it is the most scientifically explainable, is that purring has healing qualities and cats take every opportunity to get a bit of healing.

Unlike the other theories, this one also doesn’t preclude any of the other situations in which you might encounter a loud purr.

Cats purr at a frequency of between 25Hz and 150Hz. Low frequencies such as these have been proven to have strange effects on the physiology of most animals.

Effects range from altering mood to the involuntary relaxing of muscles to increasing the speed of recovery from an injury. One of the most compelling effects is that some low frequencies can, over time, increase the strength of bones.

It is well noted that cats are tenacious and tough little critters, surviving illnesses and injuries that would have killed a human many times over. They can fall from great heights or consume deadly poisons and recover without showing any lasting effect.

One of our cats even seems to enjoy the odd meal of hazardous substances, to the point that we now lock away anything we know to be toxic.

In conclusion

In conclusion, there are still no firm conclusions! All of the above theories, and some others, certainly have some merit. My own feeling is that purring has more than one purpose; these may include all of the theories mentioned here and more.

Either way, purring is certainly an endearing quality and just one more reason to love your cat.

This article was first published in The Purr Company’s monthly Mews-letter, visit us for more cat stories and articles, a cat photo gallery, cat videos, our online cat shop and much more

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/2009May/ways-to-pinch-pennies.html

24 Ways to Pinch Pennies and Save Dollars
by Bev Grey

With the economy
getting worse every day and many people unemployed or fearful of losing their jobs, it is more important than ever to stretch your available dollars as far as possible. Use the savings to update your skills or improve your resume. Here are some suggestions for savings:
1. Shop with a list. I know you’ve heard this one before, but it does make a difference. Without a list, you may go down every aisle in the supermarket and pick up things you might otherwise do without.

2. Shop without the kids. Kids usually want the junk foods they’ve seen on TV, or a cheap toy that will end up on the floor 30 minutes after you leave the store. If you are a single parent and don’t have family close by to watch the kids, work out an arrangement with another single parent to watch each other’s kids for an hour or two each week while you shop and run errands.

3. Save fuel, time, and wasted food by making one-dish meals whenever possible. Get out the crockpot and put it to good use making stew, chili, or other meat and vegetable combinations. Do a web search under “recipes” and then “one dish meals” and see what you can find. Double the recipe and put half in the freezer for another meal, or trade with a friend or neighbor so that each of you will have one meal you won’t have to cook. One of my favorite recipe sites is www.recipesource.com where you can find recipes from many different ethnic groups.

4. Get free stuff whenever possible. Go to www.freecycle.org and find your city, then register to join. Freecycle is a website where people give away things they no longer need or request things they want. I’ve personally given away perennial plants, ceramic tile, an electric foot bath, and a room air purifier. I’ve requested large tablecloths for 6 foot tables and packing peanuts
and received offers of both. Most people who are giving stuff away will put it on the front porch for you and just give you their address to pick it up. People give away everything from unopened food to beds, pianos, building materials, riding lawn mowers, and other large items.

5. Stay away from the mall unless you really need to purchase something. If you go just to window shop, you’re sure to find something you just can’t live without. If you must go, make a list of what you need to buy, then decide what stores might have what you want. Go in, make your purchases, then leave.

6. The poor economy is causing many retail stores to go out of business, and they often have great deals just to get rid of their merchandise. Just make sure you shop with a list so that you don’t end up buying things that will just sit in your closets or pantry for months.

7.Return stuff you don’t need. Anything in your closet that still has the price tag on it after a reasonable time probably doesn’t excite you that much, so return it. If it is too late for the store to take it back, take it to a consignment shop or sell it on E-bay.

8. Trade kids’ clothes with friends, especially baby clothes. Most babies and toddlers outgrow their clothes before they wear them out, so pass them on to a friend whose kids are just a little younger than yours, and ask friends to do the same for you. If this isn’t an option for you and you live in a small town that has lots of garage sales, read the ads and look for mention of children’s clothes (don’t waste gasoline and time going to every garage sale in your town, but neighborhood sales can be great because you can just park your car and cover several houses). I’ve purchased baby or toddler clothes with designer labels for my grandchildren for as little as a dollar.

9. Buy generic formula and diapers. My daughter purchased both from a discount store and found them as good as name brand. Potty train your toddler as soon as they show signs of understanding the need for a fresh diaper. If you are a new parent and don’t know how to potty train, ask an experienced mother (or your own mom or grandma) how they did it. I don’t recommend pull-ups either (except at night) since the child needs to experience the feeling of being really wet to want to use the toilet.

10. Bargain with stores on everything. Many large stores and most family-owned businesses will reduce the price on furniture, appliances, and carpet if you ask. Tell them you are shopping for the best price and ask for their low dollar. Farmer’s markets may reduce the price of their produce at the end of the day rather than have to pack it all up and take it home. Make an offer and see what happens.

11. If you make a purchase and see the same item on sale a couple of days later, call the store and see if they will refund the price difference. Many will do so within 10 days of the sale if you have your receipt.

12.Shop at one of the stores where everything costs a dollar or less. I buy greeting cards (2 for $1.00), generic over-the-counter medicines (which by law are required to have the exact same ingredients in the same amounts as name brand), trash bags, toiletries, food items, party supplies, and much more at my local Dollar Tree.

13. Stop buying lottery tickets, or just buy one. It only takes one to win, and your chances of winning are one-in-a-zillion anyway!

14. Avoid excessive use of ATM machines, especially if they charge a fee for transactions. Go to the bank and take out enough cash to last you until your next paycheck, then put most of it away in a safe place and only carry enough with you to cover the items you plan to purchase. Many banks
now charge $ .75 if you use your debit card as a debit card, but nothing if you use it as a credit card. Check with your bank to see if they charge and ask them how to use the card as a credit card.

15. Pay bills online as long as there is no fee. My local water company offers online bill pay for $2.50 per transaction. No way!!! I’ll buy a stamp instead!

16. Save on your electric bill by turning off and unplugging computers and other electronic equipment at night, doing only full loads of laundry and dishes, and watching less TV. Turn off lights if you will be out of the room for more than 10 minutes.

17. Check with your family doctor to see if you can e-mail simple questions instead of coming in for a visit. Many health insurance companies and some hospitals offer free “call a nurse” service also, and you may be able to avoid an expensive doctor’s visit by speaking to a health professional over the phone.

18. Avoid getting colds, flu and other illnesses by washing your hands thoroughly and teaching your children to wash. They should use lots of soap and scrub as long as it takes to sing one verse of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” or “The Happy Birthday Song”. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket or purse to use in public places that don’t have soap available.

19. If your doctor prescribes new medicine, ask for samples. If she has no samples, ask for the least expensive medicine that will fix the problem. Many stores such as Wal-mart, Meijer, and other discount stores will either give you a 30-day supply of many common drugs FREE or charge $4.00 for them. Sam’s Club also has inexpensive drugs, and you don’t have to be a member to purchase from their pharmacy.

20. Avoid drive-up windows at banks, fast food restaurants, and pharmacies unless there is no line or just one car ahead of you. You can waste a lot of gasoline sitting in line for 15 or 20 minutes.

21. Slow down and drive the speed limit. Speeding just burns extra gasoline, and if your speeding results in an accident your insurance rates may go up too! Not only that, but if you get caught, speeding tickets are expensive!

22. Start a dollar-bill savings. I heard this suggestion on a radio talk show (I think it was Neal Boortz) and I’ve been doing it for a couple of weeks now. The way it works is - you don’t spend dollar bills. Every night when you come home, take all dollar bills out of your pocket or purse and put them in a special jar or other safe place. If you have to break a $5, $10, or $20 bill you are less likely to buy that candy bar, cup of coffee, magazine, or other small purchase. At the end of the month, check to see how many dollars you’ve saved. You may be amazed at the result!

23. If you need to buy a new or used car, wait until the last day of the month to visit the car dealership. The salesmen usually have a quota they must meet in order to get their monthly bonus, and they will be more likely to make a deal that will benefit both of you (my husband sold cars for many years, and this was his suggestion!)

24. Give the gift of your time and talents. Older people on fixed incomes often have difficulty finding someone to do the odd jobs around the house that they are no longer able to do, such as cleaning gutters, painting, changing light bulbs or other chores that require climbing a ladder, etc. Giving them a gift certificate good for a certain number of hours of your time, or a specific job such as painting a room will be more appreciated than another shirt or sweater that will end up unopened or unused.

Someone living alone would love to have a certificate for 5 home-cooked meals, since it is hard to cook for just one person. Friends or relatives with babies or young children would be delighted with a certificate for several hours of free babysitting.

Just by changing your personal habits, you can stretch your dollars to cover the rising costs of just about everything! Use the savings to update your skills or resume.

Bev Grey may be contacted at http://www.advantageresumes.net
info@advantageresumes.net

http://www.nancyskitchen.com

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/2009May/bakers-dozen-kitchen-tips.html

A Baker’s Dozen: Kitchen Tips
by Cyndi Roberts

1. Nuts can be stored in the freezer for up to a year—shelled or not.
2. If you have a small amount of milk that you don’t think you can use before it spoils, pour it into ice cube trays and freeze. After they are frozen, pop out and store in resealable bags or freezer containers.

3. When slicing apples, keep them from turning brown by dipping them in lemon-lime soda.

4. Use your electric knife to slice angel food cake and you won’t have squashed slices!

5. Spray your knife with cooking spray before cutting meringue- topped pies and the meringue will cut cleanly.

6. Cube leftover ham and store in the freezer...it’s handy to add to mac and cheese, omelets, etc.

7. Did you know you can make many pie recipes without the crust? Just pour the filling into a pie pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Examples: pumpkin, custard, buttermilk

8. Many people don’t know that potato chips will keep for months if stored in the freezer.

9. Too tired too cook, but don’t want to buy dinner out? Just stop by the deli and buy a roasted chicken, then add your own veggies for a quick, not-as-expensive-as-takeout meal!

10. Make your own breadstick dipping sauce by adding Italian seasoning to tomato paste or sauce.

11. When you don’t have half-and-half, you can substitute 1 cup of evaporated milk for 1 cup of half-and-half.

12. Kitchen cleaning tip: you can use baking soda as a substitute for scouring powder.

13. Save money by buying vegetable oil in the large size (when it’s on sale!). Keep a smaller bottle in your cupboard and just refill it when necessary.

Cyndi Roberts may be contacted at http://www.cynroberts.com Cyndi@cynroberts.com

http://www.nancyskitchen.com

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/marinade-recipes/

Marinades - Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Fish, Veggies
Recipes have been collected from newspapers, magazines, box tops, and friends over the years.

Barbecue Sauces, Barbecue Recipes

Marinade for Shish Kabobs

2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons salad oil
1/3 cup soy sauce
2pound. meat (chicken, beef, pork, or lamb)
Seasonings: garlic, onion, black
pepper

Season meat. Roll in sugar and oil mixture. Soak in soy sauce all day or night. Thread on skewers. Grill

Marinade for Cajun Shrimp

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh parsley
2 tablespoon each Worcestershire sauce and
red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1/2 tablespoon paprika
1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

Marinate raw peeled and deveined shrimp for 1/2 hour. Thread shrimp on skewers and grill. Reserve marinade for dipping.

Citrus Pork Marinade

1 cup salsa
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup beer or water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon snipped cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 teaspoons black pepper

Combine ingredients, pour over pork and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours before cooking. Enough for about 1 1/2 pounds.

Teriyaki Marinade

1 1/4 cups pineapple juice
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Combine all ingredients and use to marinade meat, chicken, pork or beef. Can be used for basting.

Marinade for Sausage (Kielbasa)|
1/3 c. honey
1/4 c. spicy brown mustard
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 tbsp. soy sauce
2 minced garlic cloves
1 tsp. ground ginger

Marinate 1 hour or more. Grill sausage 4 minutes each side, basting with marinade.

Salmon Teriyaki Marinade

1/2 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. water
1 tbsp. oil
2 tbsp. vinegar (malt)
1 tbsp. brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

Marinate at least 4 hours. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees or grill.

Coke Marinade

12 ounce can Coca Cola
1/2 cup orange juice
onion powder
garlic powder
pepper
salt
paprika
bay leaf

Mix Coca Cola and orange juice. Add seasonings to taste.

Mustard Marinade for Country Style Ribs

1/3 c. Dijon mustard
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1/4 c. olive oil or salad oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. pepper

In small bowl combine mustard and vinegar. Beating constantly with a wire whisk, add oil, a few drops at a time. Then beat in garlic, thyme, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Pour over country style beef ribs in a shallow pan. Let stand for about 2 hours. Lift ribs from marinade and grill 4 to 6 inches above hot coals, 20 to 25 minutes.

Spicy Beef Marinade

1/2 cup picante sauce
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup oil
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, snipped
1 clove crushed garlic
1/8 tsp. black pepper

Pour marinade over cooked sliced beef. Marinate for 4 to 24 hours in refrigerator. Use in salad, for pita sandwiches or in tortillas. Enough for 1 pound.

More quick and easy printable marinade recipes
All Purpose Marinade
Apple Ginger Marinade
Apricot Barbecue Sauce
Balsamic Marinade
Barbecue Chicken Marinade
Barbecue Marinade
Barbecue Marinade #2
BBQ Marinade
Barbecue Shrimp Marinade
Cajun Shrimp Marinade
Caribbean Jerk Marinade
Carrot Marinade

[continues and has hints and recipes for the BBQ]

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/articles/tips-to-making-the-best-pork-ribs.htm

Barbecue BBQ Outdoor Cooking Grilling

11 Tips to Making the Best Pork Ribs.
by Michael (Texas Mike) Krishman

1. Purchase ribs that are evenly covered in meat. In other words, don’t buy a slab that is fatty on one end and fleshy on the other. Avoid slabs that have exposed bones!

2. Allow for one pound of ribs per guest. This is a generous helping but for more impressive appetites, make it two!

3. When preparing the meat, make sure you remove the membrane on the underside of the ribs with a sharp knife. If you don’t it blocks the flavor intake.

4. Always marinate your ribs in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.

5. Don’t even think about boiling those ribs! Above all else, boiling the meat causes it to lose all its flavor. If you just have to pre-cook your ribs before slapping them on the cooking grate, try steaming your slabs instead as this will help lock the flavor in.

6. Before placing your ribs on the grate for Barbecuing or smoking, make sure you coat the metal with a generous helping of oil
.

7. Barbecuing demands constant attention! As soon as it goes on your grate, stay close by and keep an eye on it. Watch the cooking temperature and avoid going above 250 degrees Fahrenheit — the best ribs are cooked slowly over indirect heat for about five hours.

8. Put down that fork! Always use tongs to handle your meat once it’s on the grate. Why pierce the meat and let the flavor ooze out if you don’t have to?

9. If you’re going to baste during cooking stay away from anything with sugar in it. Your best bet is to use vinegar and/or water-based products only.

10. Only lay on the BBQ sauce in the last 20-30 minutes of cooking. Any sooner than that and the heat will cause the sauce to caramelize and burn your meat.

11. Let the ribs cool for 10-15 minutes before you serve them up. This is just a courtesy — you don’t want to singe your guests’ mouths with smoking hot sauce! You could lose some friends.

About the Author
Article Provided by Michael (Texas Mike) Krishman. For more information on how to make the best ribs visit http://www.texasmikesbbq.com

http://www.nancyskitchen.com

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/articles/drying-flowers.htm

Drying Flowers
by Jackie Carroll

Selecting Flowers

Choose only the best flowers, since drying will emphasize imperfections.

Pick late in the morning when plants are dry but not wilted from heat and sun.

Select flowers at different stages of development, from buds to fully open blossoms. Flowers will open further as they dry.

Blue, orange and pink flowers will retain the best color when dried.

If you can’t begin drying your flowers immediately, immerse them in a bucket of lukewarm water in a cool, dry place.

Air Drying
All you need to air dry your flowers is a warm, dry place with adequate air circulation. Attics, potting sheds and garages are ideal as long as they aren’t stuffy.

Most plants dry best when tied in bunches and hung upside down. Make sure the plants are dry when you tie them, and remove all leaves, unless they also dry well. Tie 6 to 10 stems together about two inches from the stem ends, or use a rubber band to fasten them together. Your plants are thoroughly dry when the stems snap easily. This can take up to three weeks.

Chinese lanterns, baby’s breath, poppy seed-heads and globe thistles dry better right-side up. Simply place the plants in a wide-mouth jar or coffee can to dry.

When drying ageratums, hydrangeas, yarrows, alliums, bells-of-Ireland and heather, place them right-side up in a container with about 1/2-inch of water in the bottom. As the plants dry the water will evaporate.

Because they are top-heavy, it’s best to dry fennel, dill, Queen-Anne’s-lace and edelweiss by placing the stems through the holes in 1/4-inch hardware cloth. The hardware cloth will support the heavy heads, while the stems hang loosely below.

Globe Amaranth, strawflowers and immortelle have weak stems. These stems should be removed and replaced with florist’s wire before the flower is dried. Cut the plant stem off 1/2-inch below the flower and insert floral wire up through the remaining stem and out through the center of the flower. Make a hook at the top of the wire, and pull it back down into (but not all the way through) the flower. The stem will shrink and dry tightly around the wire. Once the flower is dry, wrap floral tape around the stem and wire.

To strengthen you dried flowers, spray them with clear lacquer, hair spray or clear craft spray.

Microwave Drying
You will have to test a few plants to determine the drying time. Two minutes set on “high” is a good starting point. Put the plant material inside folded paper towels, and place a dish on top of them to keep the leaves and petals from curling. Place a small dish of water in the microwave with the flowers.

Desiccant Drying
Flowers dried in desiccants retain the best color and shape. Silica desiccants are the most popular, and can be purchased at hobby and craft stores. Follow the package directions for best results.

Jackie Carroll may be contacted at http://www.gardenguides.com jcarroll@gardenguides.com
Jackie Carroll is the editor of GardenGuides.com, a leading internet destination from gardening information and ideas.
Visit GardenGuides.com
Visit GardenGuides Seed Shop

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/articles/pet-nutrition-basics-for-dogs-and-cats.htm

Pet Nutrition Basics for Dogs & Cats
by Chrissie Cole

Good Nutrition is just as essential for your pet’s health as it is for your own health. Your pet needs a balanced diet to help keep him healthy. Unlike humans, your pet’s daily diet is the same day to day. For this reason your pet must meet all nutritional requirements and needs for proteins, vitamins, fats and minerals in this one diet.
Good nutrition is not only good for your pets overall health but also for their skin and hair coat. Good nutrition will influence the overall internal workings of your pet for optimal health and a happy long life!

Now we are going to take a long at some of the important nutritional values your dog’s diet should contain:

Protein intake is critical for your pet’s heath. It is his source of amino acids which are required for the manufacturing of bones, muscles, hair coat, skin and everything else in the body. Protein is an essential part of your pets nutritional and diet needs. A rough estimate of protein needed in his diet, is 20% in dog food and 30% in cat foods.

Cats are carnivores which meant they require meat protein and they have a higher need of protein in general. Dogs are omnivores like humans, so they are able to use both meat and vegetables. In fact, dogs can do well on a properly balanced vegetarian diet whereas a cat might not due as well since they require more overall protein.

Dietary fats supply most of the body’s caloric requirements as well as essential fatty acids. In fact “fat” is the most expensive of the ingredients found in pet foods. It is for this reason that that some of the lower pried dog food companies skimp on the quality and quantity of fats contained in the pet foods. Inadequate, poor quality fats will result in your pet having poor skin and coat health. There are some dog food manufacturers that add extra essential fatty acids to their food to promote healthy skin and coat – this food you would prefer feeding your dog!

Fiber (derived from plants) is the indigestible substance in food. A minimal amount of fiber is essential for proper food digestion. Without proper fiber intake, pets would suffer from diarrhea which could then result in more potential health problems and risks.

Poor quality pet foods include a higher amount of fiber because its cheaper then fatty acids and this in turn will make your pet product more stools then average. The proper amount of fiber will mean less pooper scooping for you, the pet owner!

Vitamins and minerals are needed in small amounts but they are essential to your pets health. Calcium and phosphorus (parts of the bone) sodium (essential part of the of the enzymes system) and iron (component of hemoglobin) are just a few of the many essential vitamins and minerals needed for your pets optimal health and nutrition
.

The last ingredient found in pet foods is preservatives. Preservatives are needed to prevent the food from oxidizing – without preservatives in the dog food, the ingredients would quickly diminish.

So there you have it – Basic nutrition tips that will assure your pet is receiving a well balanced diet that will assure his overall health and well being. We hope this article will make it a little easier for you to help maintain your pets diet now that you understand more of what he needs!

Chrissie Cole may be contacted at http://www.indulgeyourpet.com Chrissie@indulgeyourpet.com
Chrissie Cole The owner of Indulge Your Pet - a site dedicated to providing information and resources for dog lovers, cat lovers and horse lovers. In addition we have a section for Pet Business Owners. Meet us on the Pet Lover Forums to chat with pet lovers!

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/articles/garden-gardening-attracting-wild-birds.htm

Attracting Wild Birds
by Lily Smith

As more land is used to accommodate the ever-growing human population, yards and city parks become important bird habitat. Diversified landscaping and feeding stations offer an oasis of resources in the middle of human domain. Feeding and watching birds gives families the opportunity to practice conservation right in their own yards. Children can learn and enjoy the wonders of nature right from the kitchen window. Children will be able to observe the hatching of young chicks and learn how many birds help control the insect population.

One fun aspect of feeding birds is learning what birds are visiting your backyard habitat. There are several good identification field guides such as National Geographic, Peterson’s East & West and Birds of North America through which the wild birds can be identified. Birds are grouped by physical characteristics. It is fairly easy to distinguish a duck from a songbird by just looking at body shape and size, as well as the beak and feet shapes. These physical characteristics will help identify birds: size, body shape, colors, markings, beak shape, feet and wing shape in flight. Birds have a variety of calls. Good listeners can learn to tell the difference between “chickadee” and “cheerily - cheerio - cheeriup” calls of the Black-capped Chickadee and the American Robin.

The most important element is the type of food offered to the wild birds. The widest variety of food sources ensures the widest variety of birds. Ensure that your bird feeder is kept clean. Old, moldy seed left in the feeder will not attract wild birds. Not only is the food type important, but the time period you feed and the consistency of feeding is very important as well. Many people will only feed the birds in the winter months, which is when they need it most, however, by feeding throughout the spring and summer months you will attract the migratory birds returning from southern climates. In addition, by feeding in the spring and summer, parenting birds will have easy access to a food source for their young. Food like seeds, protein rich insects and worms, flies; birds love mosquitoes, spiders, aphids and ants. Do not kill all the bugs in your yard if you want birds. Flowers, shrubs and trees will encourage a rich insect life in your yard that will, in turn, provide necessary food for wild birds. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, this can be accomplished in several ways. If you plant honeysuckle, common lilac (with purple flowers), red geraniums, nasturtium, red petunias, red salvia, coral bells, columbine, fuchsia and even scarlet runner beans, there is a good chance that you will see hummingbirds feeding among your flowers.

Fresh, clean water made available year round is an important element of attracting wild birds. The simplest and most readily available is a shallow birdbath. Birdbaths can be kept thawed even in winter by a birdbath heater. Most garden birds like a water source far enough from surrounding vegetation to offer surveillance against a surprise attack from squirrels, rats, big birds. If there is water falling or dripping making sound this will attract birds even more towards the backyard.

Birds are dependent on flight for safety; they are most vulnerable when they are “grounded” to rest, feed or nest. To a bird, protection means staying both comfortable and safe. Again, a wide variety of plant vegetation and trees will find the best range of habitat for birds. The selection of plants and their arrangement in the landscape are important in making a bird feel at home. Protection from cold winds and driving rain allow birds to maintain body heat, and keep healthy. Birds that are exposed to cold, wet and windy weather are very vulnerable to exposure and resulting death. Without protective cover near by, wild birds will not frequent bird feeders even if they are the best feeders with the most desirable seed.

Build nest and bird houses for birds to raise their families and provide them with shelter. When the birds will feel that there is a shelter provided to take care of the baby birds they will build their natural nests and start living and heave their family.

If you specially want to attract humming birds then take care that your feeders are full because they will begin moving south as early as July but it will take several months for the birds to begin to reach the southern U.S. and they can use your feeders during the trip. They eat lots of protein in their diets too and that doesn’t come from sugar feeders and they need insects too. It is important to leave your feeders up and full. Migrating birds need all the quick and easy nourishment they can find to sustain the incredible energy demands of migration. It is vital that hummingbirds fatten up for their extended trips, particularly those crossing the Gulf of Mexico. For several weeks after your regular summer hummingbirds have left your flowers and feeders, migrating birds could be quickly passing through your gardens unnoticed. Leaving your feeders up for at least three weeks after seeing your last hummingbird is essential.

About the Author
Lily Smith is the owner of Online Mall of Information
Please visit www.Net-Buy-E.com for more information on Hobbies
http://www.net-buy-e.com/

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/articles/different-types-of-bird-feeders.htm

Different Types of Bird Feeders
by Hope Mason

When shopping for bird feeders you are likely to encounter a number of different styles and designs. The type of bird feeder that is best for you might depend on the type of bird you want to attract and how close you want to be to them in terms of an observer of their daily habits.

For a real close up view of feeding birds you might want to consider window bird feeders. These types of bird feeders are attached to the window glass with suction cups. You can buy these types of feeders for smaller birds and also humming birds. Be sure to make sure this type of feeder extends far out enough away from the window so that the bird does not fly into the glass.

The screen tray birdfeeder, also known as steel mesh birdfeeder is a tubular silo that is filled with different types of seeds or nuts depending on what kind of bird you aware most interested in attracting. These are hung from a tree and can also be quite popular with squirrels. The most popular type of food used to fill a screen tray bird feeder is peanuts. However they can also be filled with raisins, mealworms, black oil or sunflower seeds.

If squirrels and other rodents are feasting too much on your bird seed you can also buy types of bird feeders that are the weight activated and spring shut once it detects the presence of a heavier small creature. You can also buy cage protected feeders or ones that are totally housed in metal. Other protective devices for your wild bird feeders include spinners, dippers and flippers. The purpose of these gizmos is to throw the squirrel off balance should it attempt to venture onto the feeding platform.

Decorative bird feeders are brightly painted because the purpose is to fool the bird into thinking they are feeding from a fruit tree. These are excellent for attracting songbirds, especially the oriole. To attract singing birds choose decorative birdhouses in colors such as yellow, orange, red or pink. These types of bird feeders are often made of plastic and might even seem a little tacky or not to your taste but it is this type of bird feeder that will appeal the most to different types of song birds, as well as humming birds.

There are many different types of humming bird feeders on the market. Perhaps the most popular are the large pink plastic vessels shaped like large bulbs or blossoms. These types of bird feeders have tubes that allow the hummingbird to suck up nectar in the same way as he or she would suck up nectar from the throat of a flower
. However if you really want to observe a hummingbird up close then you might want to install window feeders.

If you want to attract wild birds, a wild bird feeder can be as simple as a wooden trough, a plastic plate set out on a table or a ball of suet hung in a tree. These should be placed some distance away from the house so the birds are not intimidated by a human presence.

You can make your own wild bird feeder from an old milk carton that is glued to a paper plate. A little door cut out of the bottom of the carton serves as the dispenser for the food and the top of the carton is left, as it is so more food can be added to the feeder as needed. The feeder is then hung in a tree with a long piece of invisible thread or skinny wire to discourage squirrels from getting at the food. This is one of those types of bird feeders that makes an ideal craft project for kids.

You can purchase a bird feeder in a retail store but sometimes you can save quite a bit of money by purchasing birdfeeders online. One benefit to purchasing a bird feeder online is that often you can buy one that is more eclectic or creative than one that you find in a store. There are also many niche sites that you should check into when purchasing birdfeeders online. These web sites are like small boutiques that specialize in particular types of bird feeders.

Choosing a creative and unique design for your birdhouse can also prevent your backyard looking just like every one else’s on the block.

About the Author
For more information on bird feeders, visit our website at http://www.best-bird-house-kits.com/birdfeeders.htm

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/2009September/recipes-sep-16-2009.html

For Dianne from Wisconsin
I had a Potato Salad with Red Dressing in South Louisiana which I think is best.

Potato Salad with Red Dressing

6 large potatoes
6 hard boiled eggs
1 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
3/4 minced onion
1 lemon
1/4 cup French Dressing
3 tablespoons ketchup
3 teaspoons prepared mustard
salt & pepper
Mayonnaise
paprika

Boil and peel the potatoes. Remove the egg yolks from the hard boiled eggs mash with a fork. Chop the whites. Combine the French Dressing, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper and half the juice from the lemon with the egg yolks and stir to form a paste. Set aside. Cut the potatoes into chunks and add the celery, green pepper and onion. Squirt the other half of the lemon juice over the mixture. Mix the chopped egg whites into the paste and stir into the potato mixture. Add Mayonnaise to hold it together, salt and pepper and sprinkle paprika on top. After you have made it several times you will know how much Mayonnaise to add to the paste before adding it to potato mixture. It should look like 1000 Island dressing.
Jim in Texas

I have not written for quiet some time, so thought I would speak up today. First of all, we tried the Pork Roast with Pepsi, and did not care for it. Maybe it was just our taste buds. This is a T and T recipe that every time I make it, I am asked for the recipe. It is for:

Chinese BBQ Pork.

1 (2-3) lb, pork tenderloin
1 Tbs. sugar
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp MSG
2 tbs honey
1 1/2 tsp, soy sauce
2 tsp. chicken soup base, I use the chicken granules
1/2 tsp red food coloring

Bake at 350 degrees, 45 minutes covered and another 40 minutes uncovered. Baste occasionally. Cut into slices and serve with hot mustard, ketchup and sesame seeds.
Phyllis WA-AZ

Ricotta Coffee Cake

Peel, dice and toss 2 apples with 1 tbsp lemon juice and set aside.

Stir together and set aside:
1 3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

Beat together and then add to flour mixture:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs

Fold in lightly to butter/flour mixture until barely incorporated:
1 cup ricotta cheese

Streusel
Combine streusel ingredients until lumpy:
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
4 Tbs butter; cut into small pieces
2 Tbs shortening; cut into small pieces
1/2 cup pecan pieces

Grease a 9-inch springform pan with butter and dust with flour.

Spread 1/2 of the batter into the bottom of the pan. (Batter will be thick). Sprinkle with 1/2 of the streusel mixture and then the diced apples. Spoon remaining batter over apples. It will not spread smoothly so be gentle and use dollops of batter. Sprinkle with remaining streusel.

Bake 350 oven 45-50 minutes or more or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool at least 1 hour on a wire rack.
Judy/Buffalo

My 13 year old granddaughter loves this recipe and she is such a picky eater.

Tried a Paula Deen recipe last night and it was so good I just had to share it. It is suppose to be an appetizer but I used them for the main course.

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

1 ½ lbs. boneless chicken breasts
1 (1lb.) package sliced bacon
¾ cup of firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder

Coat a rack and broiler pan with cooking spray (I used a cookie sheet lined with foil and sprayed it)

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. cut chicken into 1 inch cubes

3. cut bacon into 3 equal sections then use 1 section slice and wrap around chicken cube. (the recipe says to use a toothpick to secure but I was having such a problem pushing the toothpick in that I just cooked them without the pick and it worked just fine.)
4. stir together brown sugar and chili powder then dredge the wrapped chicken in mixture.
5. Place on rack (or in pan)
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until bacon is crisp

Janet TN
Source: Paula Deen

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/2009September/recipes-sep-16-2009.html

This is a great pumpkin dish we try to have every Thanksgiving!

Frosted Pumpkin Dessert Squares

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup butter or margarine, melted
1 16-ounce can pumpkin or 2 cups fresh pumpkin puree
½ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened
Whipped cream
Toasted coconut

Mix crumbs with sugar and butter. Press into bottom of 9-inch square pan. Combine pumpkin with brown sugar, salt and spices. Fold in ice cream. Pour into crumb-lined pan. Cover and freeze until firm. Take out of freezer about 20 minutes before serving. Cut into squares; top each square with whipped cream and toasted coconut. Makes 9 squares measuring 3 inches each. http://www.nancyskitchen.com/thanksgiving-recipes.htm
Chris in NM

My Mom’s Date Nut Kimkels T & T
(Mom used to make these every Christmas and I tried to follow her tradition with my 2 kids.)

½ c. butter
¾ c. sugar
½ lb. (8 oz.) pitted dates, cut up (Dole packages these already cut up in 8 oz. pkgs.)
1 large egg, beaten
1 tbl. milk
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp vanilla
¾ c. chopped pecans
2 c. rice Krispies
shredded coconut

Combine butter, sugar and dates in large (3 qt.) saucepan and cook over very low heat until mixture comes to a boil. Meanwhile, mix together well-beaten egg, milk, vanilla and salt. Add to date mixture. Stir to combine and cook for only 2 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. When cool stir in nuts and cereal. Form into small balls and roll in coconut. Makes about 4 dozen.
Holiday recipes on Nancy’s message board.
Chris in NM

Sept. 9th newsletter
Dianne/Wisconsin

Potato Salad with Red Zinfandel Dressing

1# or 6 small red potatoes, scrubbed and halved
2 T. onions, chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 plum tomatoes, cut in 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 red bell pepper, fine chopped
2 green onions- white & green , fine chopped
2 T. capers, drained, rinsed
1/4 c. fresh parsley, fine chopped
dash of salt & pepper (or to taste)
spring of fresh parsley (for garnish)

Dressing
1/4 c. mayonnaise
2 T. Red Zinfandel , ripe red wine
1 T. red wine vinegar
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. black pepper to taste
1/4 tsp. salt to taste
To start, whisk dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Taste & adjust as needed. Refrigerate till ready to use. (can be refrigerated 3 days)

Bring large pot of water to boil over high heat. Add potatoes, 2 T. onion, salt & pepper. Reduce heat, simmer till potatoes are just tender. (about 12 min.) Drain well.
Halve potatoes in sections or cut in large chunks. In large bowl, toss potatoes with tomatoes, green onions & capers. Taste, adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm or refrigerate in covered container till chilled.

Note: If refrigerated, serve same day or potatoes will become dry.

Note: I know salt & pepper seems doubled but this is how recipe was given to me. Do taste test in potatoes as well as dressing. Also adjust recipe for serving size.
Servings: 4 to 6

Dianne: I too, freeze peppers, okra and many other vegetables on a pan in freezer before packaging. Works wonderful.
DORIS/ TN

This is my DH’s recipe for chili. It’s about time to fix this, too!
T & T

Bob’s Chili

1 lb. ground beef
1 med. Onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (6 oz.) tomato paste
1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
2 c. water
1 (15 oz.) can EACH kidney, pinto & chili beans
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
salt & pepper to taste

Toppings:
shredded cheese
sour cream

In a large saucepan brown beef over med. heat. When it begins to change color, add onion and garlic and cook until meat is browned and onion is wilted. Drain off excess fat. Add seasoning ingredients to pan; combine well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, stir and cook 30 minutes. Let sit for a few minutes before serving. *I also add 1 finely chopped green bell pepper to the meat and onion mixture and brown. Instead of a can of crushed tomatoes, I diced up 5 med. tomatoes. I also added ½ tsp. crushed fresh garlic. I added all the chili ingredients to the crock pot and let simmer for 3 hours on high and then 2 hours on low. Serve with cornbread. Posted under Soups on Nancy’s message board.
Chris in NM

Hi Everyone,
This is in response to JJ wanting to know about freezing tomatoes without first cooking them. I have done this for years. I wash them, make sure there are no bad spots on them, then put them on a pizza pan or such, place them in the freezer. When they are frozen, I then put them into a plastic bag, label and date. When I need some for soup, spaghetti sauce, etc., I take what I need out of the bag. When they thaw, the skin just falls off. I have never had a problem doing it this way!
Becky From Southern Indiana

Corn Chowder

4 slices bacon, cut up
3 c. potatoes, peeled & cubed
1 c. celery, chopped
1 c. carrots, chopped (fine)
3 c. chicken broth, divided
3 c. cream-style corn
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
3 c. milk
Parsley, chopped
1/2 c. onion, chopped
2 tbsp. Flour
1 tbsp. Cornstarch
1/8 c. cooking oil

Cook bacon in a Dutch oven until crisp; drain and set aside. Cook onion in bacon drippings and oil until tender. Add potatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, carrots, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add cream corn and celery. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until tender. In a bowl, combine 1 cup chicken broth, flour and cornstarch; add to pot and cook until thickened. Stir in milk. Heat but do not boil. In serving bowls top with bacon and parsley. Serves 8 to 10.
http://www.nancyskitchen.com/corn_recipes.htm
Chris in NM

This is a great soup for these cooler days! T & T

Meatball Cabbage Vegetable Soup

1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 egg
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
8 green onions with tops
1 qt. beef broth
3/4 c. carrots, thinly sliced
1/2 sm. head cabbage, shredded
2 tomatoes, peeled, cut in eighths
1 (48 oz.) can tomato sauce
1/2 c. rice
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. minced parsley for garnish

Blend the ground beef with the egg, salt and pepper. Cut green onions into 1/2 inch length and set aside. Meanwhile, bring broth to a boil. Shape meat into 1 inch balls. Drop them into broth along with the green onions, celery, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, tomato juice, rice, bay leaf and basil. Cover; simmer for 30 minutes, stir occasionally. Discard bay leaf, stir in soy sauce. Top each serving with parsley. Also good served with a drop of sour cream in each soup bowl. http://www.nancys-kitchen.com/
Chris in NM

17 pages of Pudding and Pie recipes:

http://whatscookin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Pie

http://www.nancyskitchen.com/zucchini-squash-recipes/index.html

My favorite zucchini recipes

Zucchini Cobbler

Crust:
4 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups cold margarine or butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Filling:
8 cups peeled, shredded zucchini
2/3 cup lemon juice
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For filling:
In a large saucepan, over medium low heat, cook and stir zucchini and lemon juice for 5 to 10 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Add sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; simmer 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat; set aside.

For crust:
Combine flour and sugar in a bowl/ cut in margarine until mix resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 1/2 cup zucchini mixture. Press half of crust mixture into a greased 15 x 10 by 1 inch pan. Spread zucchini over top; crumble remaining crust mixture over zucchini. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 375F for 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbly.

Zucchini Lasagna

2 med. zucchini
2 c. fresh sliced mushrooms
1 pkg. sliced Mozzarella cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1 to 2 lbs. hamburger
1 onion, chopped
2 cans tomato sauce
Salt & pepper to taste

Wash zucchini and slice 1/4 inch thick. Dip in egg and roll in flour. Brown in skillet with oil until all zucchini is browned. Brown hamburger in separate skillet. In a 2 quart casserole dish layer zucchini, then onions and mushrooms, salt and pepper, then tomato sauce. Top with rest of zucchini and add Mozzarella to the top. Cook on low until cheese melts. About 250 degrees for 20 minutes or so. Eggplant may be substituted for zucchini.

Cheese Zucchini Crisps

1/3 cup Cornflake crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
dash garlic powder
4 small unpeeled zucchini, cut in 1/2 inch strips
1/4 cup melted butter

Combine crumbs, cheese and seasonings; place in a plastic bag. Dip zucchini strips in butter and shake in the crumbs to coat. Place on a baking sheet; bake 375F for 10 minutes or til crisp. 4 servings.

Zucchini Boats

2 zucchini, about 6 to 7 inches long
1/4 lb. bulk sausage or lean ground beef
1 slice whole grain bread, crumbled
1 tsp. instant onion
2 tsp. parsley flakes
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. red hot pepper sauce
1 egg
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3 tbsp. parmesan cheese, divided

Wash and trim ends of zucchini. Cut in half lengthwise. Scoop inside out leaving a boat. Cook meat, drain, add zucchini from inside of zucchini and all other ingredients. Toss and fill boat. Sprinkle top with rest of cheeses. Bake 350 degrees approximately 45 minutes or until zucchini boat is tender. Easy to increase recipe from 4 to 40 boats. You can’t make a bad one. Serves 2 to 4.

More Tried and Tested TNT Zucchini Recipes
[An amazing list of recipe links....]

http://whatscookin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Pie&action=display&thread=11543

Carrot Spice and Walnut Pie

1 (9 inch) deep dish pastry shell, partially baked
1 pound baby carrots
1/3 cup honey
2 eggs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2 Steam carrots until soft but not mushy. Cool slightly.

3 Place carrots in food processor and puree until smooth. Add honey, eggs, butter or margarine, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and walnuts. Blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a large bowl.

4 In a separate bowl combine brown sugar and white sugar, mixing well to get all lumps out. Fold sugar mixture gradually into carrot mixture until well incorporated. Pour mixture into partially baked pie shell.

5 Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve pie warm or cold. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Makes 1 deep dish pie

If men are so competent, how come you always see signs reading “DANGER - MEN WORKING”?

http://whatscookin.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Pie&action=display&thread=11519

Honey Bread

Serving Size: 8

Ingredients:

8 cups egg bread — cubed
1 cup raisins
3 cups 2% low-fat milk
1 cup evaporated low-fat milk
6 eggs — beaten
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Arrange bread and raisins in bottom of lightly greased shallow 2 quart baking dish. Beat remaining ingredients in a large bowl until well blended.

Pour over bread cubes in baking dish and let stand for 1 hour, or until liquid is absorbed. Bake at 375ºF for 45 to 50 minutes, or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Marilynn
chief_cook2

Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keep You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!

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