Cod Fish Recipes

Cod fish recipes are delicious, healthy, and an easy way to make dinner. The great thing about cod fish is that you can make it in a variety of ways. You could bake it or fry it. You can dress it up with vegetables or you can serve the dish bare. The great thing about the dishes is that you can take what you like and incorporate it into the dish to make for a truly unique and delicious meal. You can't go wrong when it comes to making cod fish.

First, when choosing between recipes, consider your needs. Do you want something healthy? If so, avoid frying the fish, as it isn't the healthiest of ways to prepare the dish. Do you want something flavorful? Then consider choosing a recipe that involves using a variety of vegetables or sauces. Do you want something simple? If so, consider a bare-bones recipe that focuses on preparing the cod fish without any other garnishes or ingredients.

Also, consider the amount of time you have to make this meal. If you're in a rush, you may not want to prepare sauces to soak or coat the fish in. Know the amount of time you have to spend making cod fish recipes before looking for the right one for your meal. Also, consider where or not you want fresh or frozen cod fish.

The following is just one of the many cod fish recipes you can make for yourself for others. Though easy to make and inexpensive, this recipe will taste like a dish you might have a fine dining establishment. The recipe is simple and involves tomatoes and cheese, but otherwise, its fairly bare bones.

First, you will need to know your ingredients. You will need: 1 1/2 pounds of frozen cod fillet, 1 teaspoon of butter, salt and pepper, four sliced tomatoes, Swiss cheese (as much as you'd want on the fish), and 1/2 cup of half and half.

To make the cod fish recipe, first remove the fish's skin and bones. Dry the fish using a paper towel. Your oven should be preheated at 375 degrees. Take the butter and melt it. Take your fish and top it with the tomato slices. Sprinkle on as much cheese as you'd like, pour the cream on the fish, and add the butter to a baking dish or pan. You are now ready to bake your fish. Cook your cod fish for 25 minutes or until the fish appears to flake.

You can of course substitute many of the ingredients. For example, if you dislike Swiss cheese, you could always go with cheddar cheese. If you dislike tomatoes, you could always use green peppers instead.

A Unique Idea For a Christmas Gift

Want to give a Christmas gift that is practical, fun and inexpensive? A gift basket full of beans may be the answer. Even before the economic downturn I have been giving "bean baskets" for fund raisers and gifts for friends. As a "bean missionary" I want everyone to know what an important food source legumes (bean, peas and lentils) are and what better way than giving a gift of beans?

Look around and see if you have a basket you no longer use or if you don't , get one at the dollar store.

Think of your favorite bean recipes - preferably one for soup, one for salad and perhaps a main course. You might pick a split pea or minestrone soup, a black bean and rice or mixed bean salad, and as a main course a vegetarian chili, baked black beans or red lentil dahl.

Go to the bulk food store and buy a variety of beans - different colors and sizes, e.g. you might pick black beans, kidney beans, cannelli or navy peas and perhaps some black eyed peas depending on what recipes you have chosen. Put them in small plastic bags or in saran tied with Christmas ribbon. You could also use canned beans - more expensive but an alternative.

Choose the spices or herbs that are included in the recipes you have picked- they can be in small bottles or packets (it is definitely cheaper to buy spices in bulk). You might choose chili, cumin and oregano.

Print out recipes for the beans you have included in the basket on recipe cards - perhaps add a Christmas sticker or draw a holly leaf. Tie the filled basket up with cellophane or you could use a tea towel and voila you have a gift that will be appreciated and keep on giving.

Low-Calorie Chinese, Thai Noodles With a Kick

There's just nothing more reminiscent of a genuine Asian restaurant than the pungent scent of oriental chilies. This unique ambrosia wafts in from Oriental Chili Oil. At home, it really is my secret ingredient.

Many things can be made from oriental chili oil, such as Dim Sum Dipping Sauce (mix 1/8 tsp a with 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce. Dim Sum Yum-Yum!). Used properly, it sparks up any Asian dish or noodle in a snap. It's only about $3 for a good-sized jar and goes a long, long way. Here is a super-fast recipe using this subtle, delicious oil. Try it once and you will want to make it often.

Things You'll Need:

* A small sauce pan and 1 cup boiling water.
* Genuine Oriental Chili Oil from a local Oriental foods store (with peanuts added if you can find it. My triple-fav brand is from Green Foods (but label and top are bright red).
* A few ounces of flavored rice noodles or sticks. Any kind will do, but this recipe utilizes the little 200-calorie flavored packets from "Thai Kitchen", which are sold in just about all supermarkets.
* A few whole shrimp, or cut-up pieces of leftover meat or fish works great. Just a half a handful. A few vegetables would work also. Cut or snip into pieces about the size of almonds.

Bring 1 cup water to a boil in small saucepan.

Open your Thai Kitchen single-serving package. Add your rice noodle packets to the water (one is spice, one is another oil). Stir. Add your noodles. Boil for 3 minutes. Stir a few times. When done, remove from heat. (If using some other kind of noodle, you will probably need to drain it, but not Thai Kitchen packets)

Stir in your cut-up additions. Stir and heat all for a minute. Add the secret ingredient - chunky, wonderful chili oil! Until you learn your personal spice and temperature preference, take it easy. Try mixing in only about as much as would cover your pinkie nail (I like at least a thumbnail's worth myself). Pour into serving bowl. Enjoy your inexpensive moment in Asia! Che che (xie xie = thank you).

Tips:

*A few peanuts or cashews on top (when served) are great. Lime-flavored even better.
*A lime wedge makes a nice condiment and/or decoration.
*This wonderful, quick dish bumps the metabolism, tastes great, and has only about 250 calories all in. And costs less per serving than most energy bars!
*Chili oil must not be handled by children. I hate to think what would happen if it got in anyone's eyes, for example. The chili flavor is indescribably interesting, and all its heat is somehow underneath it, but it's still chilies in there. Try not to touch it "straight" with your bare hands.

Easy and Inexpensive Casseroles For Picnics, Potlucks, Reunions, and Your Own Dinner Table

One of the most inexpensive ways to feed a family is to serve a casserole as the main dish. Casseroles are also easy to prepare as they don't take long to put together and you are free to continue with the other parts of the meal while they bake. But one of the best things is how tasty and nourishing they are. So whether you are looking for some quick, simple, and inexpensive meals for your family table or whether you need a dish for a potluck, family reunion, etc. go back to basics with these delicious casserole recipes.

The Green Bean and Burger Bake is sure to please the kids with it's sloppy Joe flavoring. You have meat, vegetables, and dairy in the form of cheese, all in this one dish. Add a salad, a favorite bread and just that easily you have a complete meal. For another, but different, easy casserole that should please the kids as well as your spouse. try the Simple Hamburger Hot Dish. Again, the meat ingredient is ground beef. With noodles, cheese, cream of mushroom soup, onion, etc., you can quickly have a tasty meal on the table that is both nutritious and pleasing. Add a green vegetable or carrots for color and extra vitamins, and you have another simple but delicious meal.

GREEN BEAN AND BURGER BAKE

1 lb ground beef
1 1/2 oz pkg sloppy Joe seasoning mix
1 cup water
6 oz can tomato paste
2 cans (16-oz each) French-style green beans, drained
1 jar (2 1/2-oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown ground beef in a large skillet; drain off all fat. Stir in the seasoning mix and water and cook until thickened. Add tomato paste. Cover the skillet, lower the heat to simmer and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the beans and mushrooms. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 2-quart casserole dish and top with the cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes until bubbly and heated through.

Yield: 6 servings

SIMPLE HAMBURGER HOT DISH

This recipe is from a very old community cookbook.

1 pkg (8-oz) egg noodles
2 lbs ground beef
2 cans cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 med onion
8 slices cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Cook noodles in salted boiling water, drain and rinse. Brown ground beef and onion together, season with salt and pepper. Mix noodles, meat, and soup together and put in a 9x13 lightly greased baking pan or dish. Lay the cheese over the top. Cover the pan with foil and bake 30 minutes at 300 degrees or until the cheese melts and the casserole is bubbly.

Serves 8 to 10.

Enjoy!

How to Create Low Calorie Diet Plans That Work

We all know how to lose weight, right? Eat less and exercise more, but why isn't that enough? There are a million different low calorie diet plans out there, but how do you design one that works? The first step is in knowing yourself. Some people have trigger foods that cause them to overeat. If you know that you cannot eat just one pretzel, then do not bring them into your home. If the trigger food isn't there, you can't consume it. Simple, right?

Plan out your meals. Don't expect low calorie foods to prepare themselves. Fast food is quick and inexpensive, but you pay a high price for eating those foods when it comes to calories. A way to avoid the drive through window is to have your low calorie meals already made. Prepare meals on the weekend. You can cook everything at once and then portion out the foods and freeze them. When you need a low calorie meal, you can simply look in your freezer, pop it into the microwave and you will have a nutritious meal in minutes.

Include foods in your diet that you like to eat. If you hate cottage cheese, don't eat it! A high protein diet will make you feel fuller longer. It is a good idea to have high protein snacks ready to go when you are starving and need something quick. Carrot sticks are tasty, sometimes they just won't do. Low fat cheeses, low calorie yogurt and canned chicken and tuna are great sources of protein that you can eat as part of your low fat diet.

Incorporate some sort of exercise into the week to go along with the low calorie diet. Weight loss is not achieved by food choice alone. You will need to exercise 45-60 minutes a day three times a week. If you have been fairly sedentary, then just adding in a walking program will be good enough. However, if you already exercise three times a week, make sure that you are doing cardio to help with your weight loss.

Remember to check with your doctor before starting any low calorie diet.

Baby Bottle Cleaning - Clean the White Spots in the Bottom of the Bottle Without Scrubbing

Cleaning a baby bottle isn't the easiest thing to do without the proper bottle brush. It is a more simple process than years ago when everything had to be sterilized. Boil the bottle, boil the nipple and then boil the water you use to make the formula.

Now you just choose the best bottle brush and wash away. However, none of them seem to work very well for the bottom. One thing you can never seem to get rid of is those little white spots in the bottom of the bottle. They are a build up of the sugars in the formula clinging to the plastic in the baby bottle. It doesn't matter how good you try to clean them or how often you clean them, they some how seem to appear.

I had this same problem with my first baby and I was so embarrassed when a friend of mine commented on it. She said, "You see those little white spots in the bottom of your babies bottle?" as my face went red from humiliation. She went on to inform me that if I put a couple of drops of bleach in the bottle and then fill with water, they would be gone by morning. I tried it that night and it worked terrific.

I am not sure what affect these little white spots have on our little babies and probably never will. They most likely are harmless as my first baby never seemed to have any problems, but I sure felt better after finding this great cleaning tip. I always check out babies bottles to see if they are white spot free and I have shared this tip with many mommies.

Try this cleaning tip and share it! You will see, soon our babies will be safe from the white spotted baby bottles!

Best Places To Farm Gold In WOW - Only Read If You Don't Want To Pay For Gold

In this article I'm going to explain the best places to farm gold in wow. If your serious about getting higher end equipment, you're going to have to collect a lot of gold. Here are some great farming spots to help you get started...

Top 3 Places To Farm

1. Winterspring

There are multiple spots that are great for farming in this area. One is Lake of Ke'Theril which can be found in (53,42). You can farm the ghosts here for their silver and green items. Southeast of Lake Kel'Theril in the spot (57,50), Cobalt Magweavers or Scalebones can be farmed for their Mature Blue Dragon Sinew which can be sold for a few hundred pieces of gold! Although they have a very low drop rate for this item, they do eventually drop it.

2. Western Plaguelands.

Like Winterspring, there are a few solid spots in this area. The mobs in Felstone Field can be found at (36,57) which can be farmed for Runecloth. I like this area because the mobs have a high respawn rate which means you can constantly be killing and collecting items. In the eastern area of the Western Plaguelands you can farm the Rotting Behemoths. These guys drop a recipe for Greater Nature Protection Potion which can be sold for up to 100 gold.

3. Azshara

Highborne ghosts are what you want to focus on farming here. They are level 44-47 so they aren't going to be very difficult to kill. They'll drop a lot of mageweave and green items. This area can be found in (16,70)

Important Things To Note:

Although these farming spots can potentially be effective in collecting gold, there is one drawback. Farming in these areas tends to be extremely time consuming. I've seen friends spend most of their days farming just to see an adequate amount of gold. Personally I was getting frustrated with my results so I invested in a professional gold making guide. I wanted this because it revealed tactics that chinese farmers use. These farmers make gold for a business so they know the most efficient strategies. I learned their tactics and make gold a dramatically faster rate now.

Essential Oil Recipes - How to Make Natural Products Using 5 Essential Oils Or Less

Enjoy using Essential Oils and making your own recipes that give you products that are quick and simple to make.

Using only 5 Essential Oils - keep the cost down but not make inferior products for your use. I never compromised on effectiveness in these recipes if it wouldn't work with the five its not listed.

Costing you less - by reducing the number of Oils and combining them with common household ingredients you spend less, waste less and are able to make more as you want it.

Simple recipes - by keeping the recipes simple to do and easy to follow you can save yourself time along with money.

It was amazing how simple but still effective these products were and how easy they are to make and store or make up quickly when you need them. They are great for you, your family, and for inexpensive gifts that look (and smell) a million dollars.

If you love natural chemical free products then this article is for you. If you love to also save money, then this article is definitely for you.

If you love making your own products, you will love the simple step by step recipes.

Even if you have never blended a product before this article is design to give you the easy instruction and all the information you need to make you own products.

There is several great recipes in each of these sections

• Household cleaning
• First aid and Common Ailments
• Relaxation and Stress Relief
• Skin Care
• Hair Care
• Gift Ideas

When we first decided to create recipes with a smaller number of oils we tested three, four, five and six Essential Oil blends and found that five oils give you the most versatility and best value for money.

When selecting our Essential Oils we tested and tested them until we found the best for -

• Value for Money - why use an expensive oil if a less expensive will work just as well
• Essential Oil versatility - what oils have many benefits and usages
• Essential Oil properties - what oils have a larger range or properties and work the best with our bodies and environment
• Simplicity - more common known oils
• Practicality - easy to find oils so you don't have to search for them

THE ESSENTIAL 5 OILS

Here is a quick summary of the Five Essential Oils used to create this complete article

1. Lavender
2. Geranium
3. Lemon
4. Chamomile
5. Tea Tree

Lavender Essential Oil - The most popular Essential Oil is Lavender; if you were only ever going to buy one Essential Oil then Lavender would be the one. It is used in all sections of The Essential 5. This amazing oil is one of the most useful of all essential oils. Lavenders properties include antiseptic, relaxant, antitoxic, for burns, sedative, tonic, deodorant to name a few, and blends well with most other oils. It is bridging oil for perfumes and is a very common known aroma.

Geranium Essential Oil - Geranium has a strong herbaceous aroma with similar notes to rose. This great all round Essential oil has therapeutic properties as an astringent, antiseptic, anti-depressant, tonic, antibiotic, and as an anti-infectious agent. Aid against travel sickness, assists with irritations associated with dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.

Lemon Essential Oil - Well known for its clean refreshing aroma it has high anti-bacterial properties. On skin and hair it can be used for its cleansing effect, as well as for its Antiseptic properties, and being refreshing and cooling. Lemon may assist with the ability to concentrate. The strong clean smell is commonly associated with cleanliness.

Chamomile Essential Oil - It is useful in the treatment of aches and pains in muscles and joints. Treatment of symptoms of PMS with Chamomile is also beneficial especially when the symptoms are related to stress. It has long tradition in herbal medicine and the flowers were used in many cures including an herbal tea During World War Two. The strong aroma of chamomile is fruity and herbaceous and ideal for children and those with sensitive skins.

Tea Tree Essential Oil - Most of us have use or own this oil at one stage. It is use in two sections and is best known as a very powerful immune stimulant. It can help to fight off infectious. Used as part of an inhalation it can help with colds, measles, sinusitis & viral infections. For skin & hair, Tea Tree has been used to combat acne, oily skin, head lice & dandruff.

THE COST BENEFITS OF USING ESSENTIAL OILS

The main benefit of using Essential Oils when making your own products are that a little goes a long way.

Usually you can buy your Oils in 17ml, 15 ml, 12ml or 6 ml bottles and for every 1 milliliter you get 20 drops that means for your 15 ml you get 300 drops and your 12 ml bottle you get 240 drops.

With different Products ranging from only 10 drops or more you can see now a little goes along way.

This is why they are a cost effective way to create your own blends. By simply changing the quantities and the mix of oils and the base products you are able to make many products with only a few oils.

I love that I can make up some products that I use all the time and then I can just make up enough of a product if I want it for a single use, for example when my son had warts I made up a half bottle and applied as per instruction for the two weeks and I have not needed to use it again.

Whereas I always have Air Freshener and All purpose Cleanser available as well as Antiseptic Cream and Bath Bombs, (ideal to throw in the bath with cranky kids).

ADD BASE PRODUCTS

Add to this some great base products and your away. Using base products combined with Essential Oils for household cleaning and gifts has been used for centuries with records showing uses as far back as ancient Roman Times and in Egypt, Greece and India.

Base products range from everyday common products - Bicarb (bicarbonate soda), Soaps, Salt, Vinegar, Vitamin V creams, Aloe Vera, Eggs along with many other commonly used ingredients.

By understanding that Base Oils and Products have their own properties (attribute, characteristic or ability) allows you to expand the range of recipes and products you may create, by combining of Essential Oil and base product properties.

HOUSEHOLD CLEANING

Some people enjoy cleaning, some people love cleaning, some tolerate it and some do it because 'it has to be done', I'm somewhere between tolerate and 'has to be done', definitely not in the love area. Put on some music; grab the kids, grab my great products and I get it done.

I want products that work; I don't want to have to repeat it. So if I can have effective products that are natural, chemical free, and smell divine, then that's a bonus.

• Air freshener - room deodorizer, ironing aid, curtain freshener
• All Purpose Cleanser - any room in the house the needs an abrasive cleaner; ovens, showers, fridges, air conditioners, bathrooms, benches, cups, drawers, microwaves
• Baking Soda Shaker - general all round all purpose abrasive, stainless steel, shoes - odor
• Vinegar Spray - antibacterial surface cleaner, polishes car chrome, Spray car windows to keep them frost free, clean eye glasses, must have for jellyfish and blue bottle stings, removes fruit stains from hands, removes onion smell from hands

AIR FRESHENER SPRAY

250 ml Spray bottle

15 drops Essential Oils as below (blend suggestions)

250 ml Boiled (cooled) Water

To freshen and deodorize your house, don't mask the bad smells; eliminate them. Any of the below blends are great of create your own air freshener, using the blend to suit your needs.

MIX 1 - 10 drops of Essential Oils into bottle of water and shake well. Shake before each use.

Blend suggestions:

Welcoming - welcome people into your home, invokes memories of peace in most people.

Lavender - 15 drops

All purpose - a blend suitable for every room; freshens the air and contains bacterial properties.

Lavender - 8 drops, Lemon 4 drops, Geranium 3 drops

Bloom - Ideal for kitchen and eliminating cooking odor.

Lavender 6 drops, Lemon 5 drops, Tea Tree 4 drops

Smell Ease - remove the unpleasant odor associated with bathrooms and laundries

Lemon 10 drops, Chamomile 3 drops, Lavender 2 drops

Other Uses -

• Ironing Aid - spray directly onto clothes and iron
• Room deodorizer - eliminating stale and unpleasant smells
• Curtain freshener - spray directly onto curtains and allow the warm of the sun to intensify the beautiful natural Essential Oil aromas.

BICARB SHAKER

Large Salt Shaker

Bicarb

Large salt shaker or talc powder bottle or container (jar) with holes pierced into lid may be used. If Bicarb is needed as an abrasive, it can be used alone, with Surface Spray or All Purpose Cleaner for added removal of built up grime. Easier and more practical than having in a box and pouring it out, you seem to use less as the powder is evenly distributed.

Other Uses -

• Kids - will love using this - shake onto surface, spray with vinegar and watch it fizz let the kids wipe the bench and love the fizzing feeling on their fingers - cleaning done with fun!
• Stainless Steel - cleans and removes minor rust stains
• Odor eliminator - shoes, carpets and pet areas

ALL PURPOSE CLEANSER

250 ml sauce (squirt) bottle

140 ml Boiled (warm) Water

60 ml Vinegar

50 ml soap or washing liquid

2 tablespoons Bicarb

10 drops Lemon Essential Oil

5 drops Lavender Essential Oil

5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

A wonderful All Purpose Cleanser that can be used throughout the household. Heavier than a surface spray with a gentle abrasive quality and soap for removal of grease build up. This Cleaner is antibacterial, disinfectant, and cleansing.

MIX: - Mix this mixture in a glass bowl or jug, cool and pour into bottle.

Pour in 1/2 of warm water add Bicarb, stir until dissolved,

Add to this mixture 1/2 vinegar (1/2 vinegar quantity, allow mixture to rinse and lower, add rest of Vinegar) and add liquid soap stir until blended. Add Essential Oils and pour in remaining warm water. Stir well, allow cooling before use.

Other Uses -

• Benches - Cleaning any surfaces with gentle abrasive cleaner
• Fridges - for fresh odor and sparkling clean look
• Showers and bathrooms - helps eliminate build up
• Air conditioners Cups - great for removing coffee stains
• Drawers - removes grime and marks
• Microwaves - cleans inside and out

VINEGAR SPRAY

250 ml Spray bottle

250 ml vinegar

A pure blend of vinegar can be used by itself or part of a cleaning system. This spray is ideal for cleaning mirrors, glass and windows, and for use with Bicarb for cleaning.

Other Uses -

• Polishes car chrome
• Spray car windows to keep them frost free
• clean eye glasses
• must have for jellyfish, blue bottle stings
• removes fruit stains from hands
• removes onion smell from hands

FIRST AID AND COMMON AILMENTS

Creating a First Aid Kit and treating Common Ailments is a great way to see the benefits of using Essential Oils.

Essential Oils bring their therapeutic benefits to the body as they are absorbed into the blood stream via the skin or lungs. The aromatic fragrances can have a pleasing and powerful effect on our general wellbeing. As the Essential Oils enter the bloodstream they take their healing powers to the part of the body that is in most need.

With First Aid and Common Ailments you will find over a period of time you will make up more products that you use regularly and this will bring even more benefits to you and your family.

ANTISEPTIC CREAM

50 ml dark colored glass jar

43 ml Base Cream

20 drops (1 ml) Lavender Essential Oil

15 drops Geranium Essential Oil

15 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

Use of this antiseptic blend assists in the healing of cuts and wounds. Use directly onto injury and cover with bandage or band-aid for quicker healing.

MIX: Into glass jar spoon in Base Cream fill 2/3 of jar add in essential oils, mix with spoon, fill jar and remix.

BURN GEL, mild

50 ml glass jar

43 ml Aloe Vera Gel

40 (2 ml) drops Lavender Essential Oil

10 drops Chamomile Essential Oil

IMMEDIATELY apply cold water to area, run water over area for approx 10 minutes.

For small areas a few drops of Lavender (neat) straight from the bottle, onto area followed by ice pack is ideal.

For large areas apply blend above (I have this made up in fridge always) as it is even better if Aloe Vera Gel blend is cold. Apply clean gauze bandage and cover with ice pack. ALWAYS SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IF SEVERE BURN.

MIX: Into glass jar spoon in Aloe Vera Gel fill 2/3 of jar add in essential oils, mix with spoon, fill jar and remix.

CHAPPED LIPS

10 ml dark colored glass jar or container

10ml Aloe Vera Gel

6 drops Geranium Essential Oil

4 drops Chamomile Essential Oil

Apply regularly to lips to keep them moist and smooth.

MIX: Into glass jar spoon in Aloe Vera Gel fill 2/3 of jar add in essential oils, mix with spoon, fill jar and remix.

COLD SORES

10 ml glass jar

10 ml Aloe Vera Gel

4 drops Geranium Essential Oil

3 drops Tea Tree Essential Oils

2 drops Chamomile Essential Oils

1 drop Lavender Essential Oils

This blend can assist in the reduction of the severity of cold sores. Apply when the tingling feeling starts, (if possible to help prevent cold sore from forming), or apply directly onto sore to help keep moist and encourage healing of inflammation.

MIX: Into glass jar spoon in Aloe Vera Gel fill 2/3 of jar add in essential oils, mix with spoon, fill jar and remix

HEADACHES

10 ml glass bottle

10 ml base oil

10 drops Essential Oils as below

MIX: Lavender 10 drops

Assist in the relief of headaches. Inhale directly from the bottle, especially before leaving the bed in the morning. Massage onto pulse points, wrist, temples, and base of neck and across forehead. Drop 5-10 drops in bath or shower, may be used in oil burner.

MIX: Pour base oil to glass bottle, add Essential Oils and shake well.

RELAXATION

Time to relax you've got to be joking. I have heard this time and time again and I know hard it is to fit it in. By making my own relaxation products I could adjust them to what I wanted, and vary them to suit my moods. For example I would you different oils for relaxing, for sleep, for stress or mediation.

RELAXATION RELEASE & WIND DOWN BLEND

5 drops Lavender, 3 drops Chamomile, 2 drops Geranium

RELAX & UPLIFT BLEND

4 drops Geranium, 2 drops Chamomile, 2 drops Lavender, 2 drop Lemon

CALM DOWN STRESS BUSTER BLEND

7 drops Chamomile, 3 drops Lavender

100% PURE ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND

15 ml glass bottle

15 ml Essential Oils (your blend)

Creating a blend of Essential Oils gives you a synergy of the oils. That means the combined benefit of the oils is higher than its individual oils. Remember your 100% Essential Oil blend is not for use on your body it must be a diluted blend for body usage. 100% Essential 100% Oil blends are ideal for oil burners, foot spas, baths, inhalations, humidifiers, diffusers and mediation.

MIX Add the total drops of each Essential Oil into the bottle as shake gently to blend.

10% ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND

15 ml glass bottle

30 drops (1.5 ml) Essential Oils (your blend)

13.5 ml base oil

Creating a blend of Essential Oils gives you a synergy of the oils. Blending it down with base oil allows you the versatility to use for body applications. 10% Essential Oil Blends are ideal for pulse point or quick relief, compresses, candles, direct application, showers and inhalations.

BATH SALTS

200 grams Epson salts

20 drops Essential Oil (your blend)

1 tablespoon Bicarb

1 teaspoon Food coloring or herbs or flower petals for coloring

Combine the properties of these truly amazing natural products to create a simple and effective bath product. Add your Essential Oils depending on your mood and desires and lets your troubles float away.

MIX: To the Epson salts stir in Bicarb and coloring product (if required) and mix well then add Essential Oil blend and mix again.

BODY OIL

100 ml glass bottle

100 drops (5 ml) Essential Oils (your blend)

95 ml base oils

SKIN CARE SENSATIONS

The recipe gives you great oil; use this if you prefer to use body oil, instead of a moisturizer cream. Body is great to give skin supple appearance and ideal for dry skin or sin in harsh climates where even the loveliest of skin has a tendency to dry up. Apply all over body, for added directly after bath with skin is still damp and gently pat dry.

one of the benefits of making your own skin care products is definitely price, but where you will really see the benefits is in the condition of your skin.

When I started making my own products I notice my skin loved the benefits of the Essential Oils and the high quality base products and it look so much better.

What I found was that I didn't react to anything in the blends as there were no chemicals to irritate my skin. If a blend seems to strong on my skin I just added more Base product to reduce the strength of it, this make the blend lighter. I found this ideal for teenagers, when they first started using their own products as they usually have a tendency to be heavy handed with products and their skin is extra sensitive (hormonal). I found it was an ideal solution and over time if they felt the product wasn't doing its job (i.e. not a clean feeling) I then increase it back up to the original blend ratios.

Normal Skin- Normal Skin usually has a flat appearance, with a healthy glow. It is supple and smooth and free if blemish (may get an occasional one).

Combination Skin - The most common skin type is combination skin, which usually has drier cheeks and the area from the chin up to the forehead and then across the forehead is oily (your t-zone

Acne - Acne skin needs to be treated with an antibacterial cream for the acne and a moisturizer than evens out the skin, helping to reduce the blemishes. Always seek medical assistance with severe acne as many times it's an internal imbalance that needs to be corrected to assist with the external healing of the skin.

Sensitive Skin - Sensitive skin can be any of the different skin types, when making products for sensitive skin HALF the essential oils use in the recipe.

Use the correct Essential Oils for different skin types

Normal Skin - Lavender, Geranium, Lemon and Chamomile

Oily - Lavender, Tea Tree, Chamomile and Geranium

Combination - Lavender, Lemon, Geranium and Chamomile

Acne - Lavender, Geranium, Tea Tree and Lemon

CLEANSER

100 ml glass bottle

100 drops (5 ml) Essential Oil

95 ml Liquid Soap Mix

Suggested Blends

Normal, Oily, Acne Skin Types

60 drops (3 ml) Lavender, 40 drops (2 ml) Lemon Essential Oils

Dry and Combination Skin Types

60 drops (3 ml) Lavender, 40 drops (2 ml) Geranium Essential Oils

Massage onto face, neck and decollete and wash off with warm water and cloth (or cotton wipes). You will need to wipe 2-3 times, to remove all oil and grime from skin. Rinse again, tone, pat dry and moisturize.

MIX: Pour in Liquid Soap Mix into bottle, add to this your Essential Oils and shake well. For babies and children up to 2 years, half the quantity of essential oils.

TONER

100ml glass bottle

40 drops (2 ml) Lavender Essential Oil

5 ml Vinegar

93 ml water

Apply to cotton ball and gently wipe of face

MIX: Add water and Vinegar to bottle and then add Essential Oil, mix thoroughly. Shake well before each use as no dispersant is used (ingredient found in commercial products to keep products from separating)

MOISTURIZER

RATIO: 100 drops (5 ml) Essential Oils: 95 ml Base Cream

100 ml glass jar

100 drops (5 ml) Essential Oil blend (as below)

95 ml Base Cream

Blend Suggestions

dr = drop

Normal Skin

30 dr Lavender, 30 dr Geranium, 20 dr Lemon, 20 dr Chamomile

Oily Skin

40 dr Geranium, 25 dr Lavender, 25 dr Tea Tree, 10 dr Chamomile

Dry Skin

35 dr Lemon, 35 dr Lavender, 20 dr Geranium, 15 dr Chamomile

Combination Skin

30 dr Lavender, 30 dr Lemon, 20 dr Chamomile, 20 dr Tea Tree

Acne Skin

35 drop Tea Tree, 25 dr Lavender, 20 dr Geranium, 20 dr Lemon

After cleansing and toning you will need to add moisture back to your skin (even oily) Use this blend daily before apply makeup or as part of the morning / evening skincare ritual.

MIX: Into glass jar spoon in Base Cream fill 2/3 of jar add in essential oils, mix with spoon, fill jar and remix

HAIR CARE HELP

Your "crowning glory" is an important part of your appearance and your confidence. If your hair is oily, messy or lifeless it doesn't matter how well you dress your appearance lacks the finesse of the 'together' look. Why do you think there is the term 'bad hair day'.

I found I could change this with the right products, and lots of expense, but I decided to find natural alternatives that didn't break the bank and help my hair without filling it full of chemicals.

Your hair is usually categorized allowing for correct products to be used. Hair can be Normal, Oily, Dry, Damaged and Dandruff. You can tell your hair type by having a look at it in good light and noticing several different aspects.

Normal Hair - shiny and gloss with little or no frizz

Oily Hair - tends to have a buildup of grease, looks dull and lifeless

Dry Hair - usually frizzy and brittle, looks dry and messy

Damaged Hair - any of the above combined with easy breakage and lack of elasticity

Dandruff - flakes found on scalp and may fall onto clothing

Use the correct Essential Oils for different skin types

Normal - Lavender, Chamomile, Lemon, Geranium

Oily - Lavender,Chamomile, Geranium, Tea Tree

Dry - Lavender, Geranium, Chamomile, Lemon

Damaged - Lavender, Chamomile, Geranium, Tea Tree

Dandruff- Lavender, Chamomile, Lemon, Tea Tree

NATURAL SHAMPOO

200ml bottle

200 ml Liquid Soap Mix (see soap for recipe)

30 drops Essential Oils as below

Blend Suggestions

dr = drops

Everyday Use for Normal Hair

10 dr Lavender, 8 dr Chamomile, 6 dr Lemon, 6 dr Geranium

Oily Hair

10 dr Geranium, 8 dr Chamomile, 6 dr Lavender, 6 dr Tea Tree

Dry Hair

10 drops Chamomile, 8 drops Lemon, 6 dr Geranium, 6 dr Lavender

Damaged

10 dr Chamomile, 10 dr Geranium, 5 dr Tea Tree, 5 dr Lavender

Dandruff

10 dr Tea Tree, 8 dr Chamomile, 6 dr Lavender, 6 dr Lemon

This recipe gives you a base for all your Shampoo blends. For babies and children up to 2 years, half the quantity of essential oils.

If you don't wish to make your own shampoo base buy a natural baby shampoo with no added aromas. You will not get as much foam when you wash with this shampoo as there is no foaming agent added, so don't be worried you hair is getting clean just the same.

MIX: Pour in Liquid Soap Mix into bottle; add to this your Essential Oils and shake well.

NATURAL CONDITIONER

200 ml bottle

47 ml base oil

1 cup Boiled (hot) Water

20 drops (1 ml) Chamomile Essential Oils

Massage into hair, leave on for two - three minutes and rinse off.

This recipe gives you a base for all your conditioner blends. If you don't wish to make your own conditioner base buy a natural gentle conditioner (baby conditioner) with no added aromas.

MIX: To hot water add Essential Oil and then add base oil mix together (shake well) thoroughly. The ingredients in this mix may separate, as no dispersant was used (chemical use to keep blends from separating in store bought products), before use shake well to remix ingredients.

HOT OIL TREATMENT

RATIO: 20 drops essential oil: 100 ml base oil

100 ml bottle

10 drops Lemon

99 ml base oil

Pour approx a tablespoon (2 tablespoons for long hair) into small bowl and heat in microwave or double boiler method until warm (not boiling) pour into palm and massage through hair add another tablespoon if required to give a nice coverage over hair.

Wrap hair in plastic wrap (or plastic bag, or shower cap) and then wrap around a towel, this will keep the heat in giving extra benefit to your treatment.

Allow to remain on hair for 20 - 30 minutes. Rinse out and style as usual (if you find you hair is still to oily you may shampoo and condition your hair).

MIX: To give your hair a lovely revitalizing treatment, blend the base oil with the Essential Oils and shake thoroughly.

GORGEOUS GIFT IDEAS

Do you love giving gifts, do you love giving high quality gifts that you know they will love?

I love giving gifts and usually try to get something that my friends and family will use and appreciate; sometimes this is hard especially if they are the sort of person who really has everything they need.

I have found over the years that people receive handmade gifts exceptionally well and I think this is because in this day and age where you can buy just about anything you want and people are having more and more 'stuff' a beautiful handmade gift that they can see you can taken time and effort to make means they are appreciated.

Another benefit of making gifts from Essential Oils is even though they are handmade they can look and will feel expensive and high quality. I remember giving some bath salts once and the person being quite happy about it, but a couple of days later I get a phone call saying how wonderful the Bath Salts where to use compared to other products she had used in the past and could she have more (I gave her the recipe).

For that added touch always present your gifts elegantly in boxes and package that looks a million.

BATH BOMBS

160 grams Bicarb

40 gram of Citric Acid

20 drops Essential Oil (your blend)

1 tablespoon base oil

1 teaspoon Food coloring or herbs or flower petals for coloring

Combining the natural fizz of Bicarb, that invigorates your mind and body with the wonderful properties of pure Essential Oils to create bath bombs that help the body and mind and are fun for the whole family.

MIX: Combine all dried ingredients in a bowl add Essential Oils 5 drops at a time and mix extremely well and then add base oil. If required add more base oil, your mixture should hold together into a basic shape. Press mixture into mould and allow to set (2 -3 hours). Press out and store in air tight container.

USES

Baths, Foot Baths

BATH OIL - Dissolving

200 ml bottle

100 ml (5ml) Essential Oils (your blend)

30 ml base oil

160 ml vodka

Love oil and baths and the way it gives moisture to your skin and relaxes you but don't like the oil ring after, how about bath oil without the oil ring.

This blend will nearly dissolves completely in the bath water. A little goes a long way so don't go overboard. Add to your bath, and enjoy the aromas for relaxations and stress relief.

MIX: Mix together the Essential Oils and vodka, stirring the mixture slowly to disperse all the Essential Oil droplets. Allow the mixture to stand for 2-3 days (in a cool dark place) and then add water. Allow the mixture for another 2-3 days (in a cool dark place) then you may use it (you can make it in all one go, but for a better product this time line is important).

BATH SALTS

200 grams Epson salts

20 drops Essential Oil (your blend)

1 tablespoon Bicarb

Place is clear jar with ribbon and label will delight your friends.

1 teaspoon Food coloring or herbs or flower petals for coloring

Combine the properties of these truly amazing natural products to create a simple and effective bath product.

MIX: To the Epson salts stir in Bicarb and coloring product (if required) and mix well then add Essential Oil blend and mix again.

TRULY AMAZING

As you can see the world of Aromatherapy and using Essential Oils is amazing and diverse. I love that you can create your own Products so simply and that you can adjust them to your individual likes and dislikes.

Using Essential Oil and making Natural Products for you, your family and friend is a great way to save money and benefit for the therapeutic properties at the same time.

Feeding Your Dog Scraps - Good Or Bad?

Many people cannot resist feeding their dogs a little something from their own plate, especially when met with those adorable puppy eyes that seems to say "Mommy... I'd really love to try a little bit of yours please!" And so it is inevitable that a dog will sample some of the more human culinary delights.

The fact is, while many say that this is no good for dogs, canines do have strong stomachs - ask any dog who has rummaged through and found a tasty treat in the garbage! However, there are some foods that are better than others and some foods that are a definite no-no for dogs.

Atop the list is chocolate. While a small piece once won't kill him, if taken or found by mistake, it is not advised to ever give your dog chocolate. This is because the theobromine in chocolate is toxic to them in larger quantities and can have much the same effects as caffeine. Do not panic if your dog eats a small amount however. You will notice some symptoms if he has eaten too much, such as hyperactivity, increased urination, vomiting and diarrhea to name but a few.

Another food that is often fed with caution is pork. While some say it is fine to feed, others have found their dogs have sensitive stomachs when it comes to pork products. Mostly, a thoroughly cooked meat will be fine but pork has been rumored to cause liver or pancreas problems too in dogs, so feed with caution.

Many who eat meat off the bone, such as steak or chicken, will often save the bones for their dogs. This is fine and will not harm them in anyway concerning the contents of the food, but beware of small or sharp pieces as this can either choke or cut a dogs throat inside, causing them great pain. Give big and bulky bones and always remove smaller pieces. If your dog chews and small or sharp pieces off, throw them away.

It is also best not to feed him any dessert foods, because of the potential chocolate in them or the high fat content.

Other things that should not be fed to your dog include, but are not limited to:

Caffeine products, such as tea and coffee,
Alcohol - none whatsoever.
Onions and garlic
Various nuts
Gum
Raisins/grapes
Uncooked dough (since it can expand and cause pain or even rupture of the stomach.

Some other, mild acidity or less fatty scraps are okay to feed. Pastas, cheesy foods (in small amounts), most vegetables, and most if not all meats. If you are unsure, don't. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Border Collies and Common Health Problems

When it comes to livestock work, nobody can belittle the abilities of border collies. These intelligent and hard working dogs are excellent in herding different kinds of animals from sheep to cattle, pigs, ostriches and others. This characteristic makes them champion in every farmer's hearts.

Border collies excel not only in herding but in other activities as well such as flyball and disc dog competitions. In order to keep them happy and fit to do the tasks expected of them, breeders should make sure that they produce healthy puppies free from diseases such as:

Hip Dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia, or HD is the most common disease affecting border collies. It is a degenerative disease characterized by varying degrees of hip joint laxity or looseness, partial dislocation and severe arthritic change. Hip dysplasia is a result of the abnormal development of the hip joint in the young dog. It could affect one or both legs, both right and left sides. Symptoms may not exist but the most typical are pain and discomfort during and after vigorous exercise, walking or running with an altered gait, limping and decrease of activities in general. Without treatment, the dog may not be able to walk anymore.

Collie Eye Anomaly.

Collie Eye Anomaly, or CEA is a congenital disorder in which parts of a dog's eye such as retina, choroid and sclera do not develop normally. It can be a mild disease that can cause visual impairment but may also cause blindness. While CEA is not a progressive disease, there is no method known to treat collie eye anomaly right now.

Epilepsy.

Another genetic disease affecting border collies is epilepsy. It is a chronic disease characterized by seizures. Two types of epilepsy are primary and secondary. The primary epilepsy is genetic or inherited thus it is sometimes called true epilepsy. A dog with primary epilepsy may have his first seizure between the ages of six months to five years. On the other hand, secondary epilepsy refers to seizures caused by health issues such as degenerative and developmental diseases, toxicity, infections and metabolic, nutritional and traumatic issues.

If you suspect your border collies may be affected with one of the diseases mentioned, you should seek out your vet's attention at once. Proper tests and medication, if there is any, should be done to help your dog. Border collies deserve more than just painful diseases. Have them checked and treated to make your beloved pets happy and healthy.

Easy Fast Dinner Recipes - Inexpensive and Quick Recipes

Have you just arrived home from a long work day and want to prepare something simple? You look in the refrigerator and the only thing that looks easy is the not-so-tasty frozen dinners, so instead you hop in the car and it's off to the fast food restaurant.

Here are some quick and easy to prepare delicious recipes:

1. A Quick Dessert

Ingredients:

- 4 Pieces toast
- 4 sl Cheese Nutmeg
- 1 1/2 c Applesauce
- 1/4 c Sugar

Direction:

- Add sugar and nutmeg to applesauce.
- Put applesauce on toast, about 3 tablespoons on each piece of toast.
- Lay a slice of cheese over the sauce.
- Bake in a moderate oven until the cheese melts. Serve hot.

2. A Quick Way To Decorate Cake

Ingredients:

- 1 pk Marshmallows
- Vanilla to taste
- Green food coloring
- 1 pk Red hots
- Box of cornflakes (4 1/2 c)
- White angel food cake

Directions:

- Melt marshmallows, add food coloring and vanilla.
- Add the cornflakes, stir until well coated.
- Spread this onto a cookie sheet, shaping into holly leaves.
- Place a red hot in middle.
- Let dry about 5 hours.
- Then top a white frosted angel cake with the holly leaves.
- Makes a very pretty cake.

3. A Real Easy Cookie

Ingredients:

- Graham crackers
- Pecan halves
- 1/2 c Sugar
- 2 Sticks cutter

Directions:

- Melt butter and sugar.
- Bring to a boil.
- Boil for two minutes ONLY.
- Place graham crackers on foil lined sheet.
- Place nuts on cracker center.
- Spoon butter and sugar mix over graham crackers.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes on top rack.
- Cool completely before breaking apart.

4. Baked Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

- 1 cn (10 3/4 ounces) Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
- 1/2 cn Milk
- 1 ts Prepared Mustard
- 1/8 ts Pepper
- 2 c Hot cooked Elbow or medium shell Macaroni (1 1/2 c dry)
- 2 ts Margarine or Butter, melted
- 1 tb Dry Bread Crumbs

Directions:

- In 1-quart casserole, combine soup, milk, mustard and pepper.
- Stir in macaroni.
- In a cup, combine margarine and bread crumbs.
- Sprinkle over casserole.
- Bake at 400 degrees F.
- 20 minutes or until hot and bubbling.
- Makes 2 1/2 Cups = 2 main dish servings or 4 side dish servings.

5. Beef and Rice Crisp

Ingredients:

- 1 lb Lean ground beef
- 1 c Coarsely-chopped onion
- 1/2 c Coarsely-chopped green pepper
- 2 tb Ketchup
- 1/4 ts Salt
- 1/2 ts Dry mustard
- 1 1/2 c Cooked rice
- 1 c Milk
- 1 (10 oz) can cream of Mushroom soup
- 1 1/2 c Shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 ts Worcestershire sauce
- 2 c Corn flakes, coarsely crushed
- 3 tb Butter, melted

Directions:

- Saute beef, onion and green pepper in a large frypan until meat is browned; drain off any fat.
- Blend in ketchup, salt and dry mustard.
- Turn meat mixture into a 2 quart round casserole; spread rice on top.
- Gradually stir milk into mushroom soup.
- Stir in cheese and Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour over meat and rice layers.
- Combine crushed corn flakes and butter; sprinkle evenly over casserole.
- Bake in preheated 375 degree F oven 35 to 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Makes 6 servings.

HCG Diet Recipe For HCG Stages

HCG recipes are not tough to locate. Simply browse the web and you'll discover a lot of HCG recipes claiming to be the most powerful. But of course acquiring the correct a single is a distinct matter.

The sort of HCG eating habits recipe which will give the most benefit ought to be dependent on the stage of HCG remedy you are in. There are four phases. The first level is the preparatory phase exactly where you get ready your physique for the HCG. In this stage you will have to take some supplements to assist your body speed-up the metabolic process course of action. The next stage begins when you start acquiring the HCG. Your diet recipe will certainly not be the very same during the very first phase. To begin with it will be loaded with body fat for two causes - to enable you to have sufficient reserve vitality till the HCG normally takes effect and enable you to adjust more very easily to the calorie restricted period of the remedy which is the 2nd stage of level two.

Cycle three recipes sustain fat reduction gains in preceding phase. The recipe advised normally consists of food rich in protein and fiber. This is a stage where you can take pleasure in some of your previous preferred food given that your eating plan can previously include fats which have been previously prohibited. Starchy, oily, quickly and processed food are even now frowned upon.

After getting passed all tests and attained the figure you like, the stage four recipe - called maintenance formula or eating habits - ought to not current difficulties. Besides, your new seem is the greatest motivation to maintain the eating plan and in comparison to your previous recipes, this a single resembles a tiny little bit of your previous diet before you chose to have HCG therapy due to the fact now you are allowed to add starch, despite the fact that gradually, to your eating habits. However, you are needed to continue to keep your protein heavy diet plan and remain away from quickly meals and processed food items.

Recipe - Scampi Shrimp - A Family Favorite

Seafood was always plentiful where I grew up on the west coast of Florida. Shrimp was a dinner time staple in our house. This Scampi Shrimp recipe was formulated from a combination of tastes and ingredients from my all time favorite restaurant recipes in my hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Scampi Shrimp

1 pound (peeled and deveined) jumbo fresh shrimp
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon steak sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Cooked fettuccine

Peel and devein shrimp. Cook onion and garlic in butter in a large skillet (medium heat), stirring constantly, 4 minutes. Add lemon juice and next 3 ingredients. Bring to a boil; add shrimp and cook, stirring constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Serve over fettuccine. Yield: 3 to 4 servings

When I moved away from the coast of Florida where fresh seafood is plentiful, I also moved away from the seafood specialty restaurants that I'd always loved to dine at during my formative years. I began experimenting in my own kitchen, where I perfected this Scampi Shrimp recipe. My goal was to create a scampi recipe with just the right combination of herbs, worcestershire sauce and butter to achieve great taste and perfect aroma. I like to serve it over fettuccine, however it can be served over rice or any other type of pasta. It should be doubled or even tripled for a large group and works well with a salad or vegetable of choice on the side.

Eating Cheap: A Week's Worth of Inexpensive Meals

Short on cash? Are you a starving student? Or maybe you're saving up for that next tank of gas!

Whatever the case, sometimes we all need to cut corners until the next paycheck rolls in.

These meals will fill you up without emptying your wallet. They should feed four hungry mouths.

While prices vary widely depending on your part of the country and your grocery store, you'll still find these dinners will stretch your food dollar to the max.


Lentil stew. One package of lentils, a couple of carrots, a couple of potatoes, water. Place the package of lentils in a large soup pot and add the appropriate amount of water (1-1/2 cups water to one cup of lentils works best). Peel the potatoes and carrots, and slice to bite size. Add to soup pot. Season to taste. If you have it: Add a ham bone, a bit of leftover beef, bacon bits, bay leaf, or favorite herbs.


Baked potatoes. Nothing complicated here. Buy large baking potatoes or just get a bag of potatoes on sale. If small, bake more of them per serving. Choose your favorite toppings: Simply butter, salt and pepper, cheese, broccoli, sour cream, bacon bits, or whatever is on hand.


Cheese quesadillas. Make these with flour tortillas. Heat two tortillas in a skillet and remove one to a plate. Top the remaining tortilla with shredded cheese. When melted, about 1-2 minutes, place the other tortilla on top. Allow to cook for a minute or so, flip the whole thing over and cook the other side for another minute. Dump onto a plate, slice with a pizza cutter. If you have it: Add shredded cooked chicken to the cheese. Serve with salsa.


Scrambled eggs. Get a dozen for less than one dollar. Crack eggs into a bowl and whisk. Add milk, salt, and pepper. Cook eggs in a skillet. If you have it: Add your choice of mushrooms, cheese, green pepper, or onion.


Spaghetti and sauce. Here again, not too creative, but you can pick up a package of spaghetti and a can of sauce for less than two dollars. Add parmesan cheese on top.


Tuna sandwiches. Frequently on sale, tuna provides a meaty dinner this week. For four filling sandwiches, use four of the smaller cans. Dump all of the cans into a bowl, add mayonnaise or salad dressing, along with some relish if you've got it. Stir, spread onto bread. I like to use ranch dressing.


Grilled cheese sandwiches. Butter bread on both sides and place on a medium-heat grill. Add a slice of cheese. Splurge on an extra slice of cheese per sandwich!

Accompaniments:

Watch for sales on frozen vegetables. You can frequently pick up a one-pound bag for less than a dollar.
Slice a fresh tomato into wedges or a cucumber into slices to go with a sandwich. Any fresh vegetable will do.
Slice a piece of fruit for a healthy dessert.
Stop by Walgreen's and see what's on sale in their food aisle. They frequently have good deals on canned mandarin oranges which make a tasty dessert. Add a bit of coconut or a few marshmallows if you have them.
Walgreen's frequently carries canned mushrooms on sale, too.
How about lunch for a quarter? Check Walgreen's for ramen noodles.
Cake mixes and canned frosting are often priced under a dollar, especially the store brands. Your only additions will be a bit of oil (or applesauce if you're counting calories) and a couple of eggs (save from the meal above). For a couple dollars, you can have dessert for a couple of nights or snacks for a few days.

Even if you're on a tight budget, you can still create a tasty meal. Not gourmet dining, but you won't be hungry!

Make an Old-Fashion Comfort-Food Meal For Your Family Quickly and Easily!

Sometimes we just feel the need to have an old-fashion comfort food meal. These recipes are quick and easy to make and will be a hit with your family. The best part is that all these recipes are inexpensive so they will fit right into your food budget. Start with Aunt Stella's Cheeseburger Pie as an entree, add Easy Old-Fashion Baked Beans, they bake for 1 1/2 hours but they are quick to assemble and can be baked ahead to save time later. The Garden Vegetable Salad will round out the meal.

AUNT STELLA'S CHEESEBURGER PIE

1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
3/4 cup catsup
1 pkg American cheese
1 can biscuits

Brown the hamburger meat with the onion, salt it to suit you, and drain off fat. Add the catsup and stir to mix up. Place the mixture in the bottom of a round cake pan. Top with the cheese slices then the biscuits. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

EASY OLD FASHION BAKED BEANS
This recipe is from an old grocery store ad.

2 cans (regular-size) Great Northern Beans
1 cup tomato catsup
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp prepared mustard
1 medium onion, chopped
6 slices bacon, cut into 2-inch pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Saute the onion and bacon. Set aside. Combine the beans, catsup, brown sugar, and mustard. Pour the bean mixture into a lightly buttered casserole dish. Top with the bacon and onion mixture. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Serves 6 to 8.

GARDEN VEGETABLE SALAD

1 head cauliflower
1 large bunch of broccoli
1 can black olives
1 lb fresh white mushrooms
1 lb cherry tomatoes
1 small red onion, sliced into thin rings
salt to taste, optional
Your favorite dressing

Cut or break cauliflower and broccoli into bite size pieces; place into a salad bowl. Slice the mushrooms into the bowl. Drain the black olives well and add to the bowl. Cut the tomatoes into halves and add to the bowl. Add the onion rings and salt, if desired. Mix vegetables together well. Add your favorite dressing (I prefer Italian) and toss before serving.

Enjoy!

Fat Loss Recipe - Delicious Fat Loss Quesadilla Perfect For Any Diet

Quesadillas and wraps are an easy, fast and inexpensive way to get high quality nutrients into your fat loss diet. However, it is also easy to go overboard when it comes to the calorie content that can be loaded into these quick and simple meals. From your choice of wrap to how you actually cook it can make the difference between bloating yourself up with unnecessary carbohydrates and fat, or feeding your body in way that leaves you full of energy & satisfied, while keeping you in a favorable calorie range.

Here is how to make your own Fat Loss Quesadilla:

1) Start with a wrap that is made from whole grain - not just 'with' whole grain. In the future I will profile various brands and flavors - addressing the types of grains, fiber, etc. - One brand I like is the Wrap-itz from 'Tam-X-icos!' - but there are many others.

Pull out 2 tortillas.

2) Scramble an extra large egg using non-stick spray, such as Pam Organic Olive Oil Spray.

3) Keep in mind, this is a 2 serving quesadilla, so you can share it with someone or save the 2nd serving for tomorrow's lunch. Using a pan that will allow the tortilla to lay flat in, warm the pan on very low heat.

4) Add a tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to the pan and a tablespoon of butter (or Olivio). Then place one tortilla in the pan. Add 2 rounded tablespoons of cheddar cheese and spread evenly on tortilla.

5) Add the following:

- quarter cup of canned green beans.

- 2 rounded tablespoons of canned corn.

- 2 rounded tablespoons of canned sweet peas.

- Spread the scrambled egg over veggies.

- Add sea salt, black pepper, onion powder & garlic powder to taste.

- Sprinkle with another tablespoon of cheddar cheese.

6) Place the 2nd tortilla on top & gently press with spatula so cheese sticks to it. Check bottom with spatula to see if it is starting to brown. Lift up top tortilla - if cheese is sticking - its time to turn it over. Using your spatula, scoop under & lift out of pan pace your other hand on top, flip over & place in pan.

Cook for about 4 - 5 minutes - the bottom should look like the top - a dark/golden brown.

Cut in half & eat. Remember, this is 2 servings. And here is the nutrient breakdown for one serving:

Calories: 350

Fat: 22 grams

Protein: 13 grams

Carbohydrates: 25 grams

Sodium: 380 mg

Fiber: 6 grams

For 350 calories you get a nutrient dense, well-balanced, great-tasting, appetite-satisfying fat loss meal that can fit into almost anyone's fat loss diet program. You can also create your own variations of this to match it perfectly to your fat loss goals.

Old Fashion Recipes For Ida Mae's Meat Loaf and Sweet and Sour Cabbage

Make your family this old-fashion meal of Ida Mae's Meatloaf and Sweet and Sour Cabbage. Sit down to an old fashion meal that is comforting, tasty, and inexpensive. Serve with a multi-grain bread and your favorite dessert. If you have leftover meatloaf, make meatloaf sandwiches the next day. This is a great recipe for stretching your food dollars in these tough economic times.

IDA MAE'S MEAT LOAF
This recipe is from old church suppers in Southern Indiana.

2 lb ground beef steak
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup bread crumbs
3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup warm water
1 pkg dry onion soup mix
1 can (8-oz) tomato sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Using your hands, combine the beef and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add the bread crumbs, and ketchup; combine. Pour the warm water into the dry soup mix and stir to blend. Add the soup mixture to the other ingredients. Mix together well. Put the mixture into a loaf pan. Top the meatloaf with 2 strips of bacon. Pour the tomato sauce overall. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

SWEET AND SOUR CABBAGE

2 lbs red cabbage
1/4 lb margarine
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
4 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Shred cabbage and soak in very cold water for 30 minutes; drain. Place drained cabbage in a large saucepan and add vinegar, onion, salt and pepper. Cover the pan and bring cabbage to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the cabbage is just tender, stirring often. Add the margarine and sugar, stirring well to melt.

Enjoy!

Camping Recipes - Be Creative And Enjoy The Fun-Filled Activity

Do you want to enjoy a great tasting meal while camping you normally have at home. Well ,if there is a will, there is a way. You can use camping recipes to prepare good food while camping. Camping recipes can also be prepared deliciously even when are are facing limitations that outdoor cooking brings. Nothing can be more satisfying than a tasty meal made over campfire. Irrespective of what equipment you have, these can help you to relish a hot meal or a snack requiring hardly any preparation.

If you have frying pans on your camping trip, you can cook great camping recipes that need sauting, like fajitas, stir fry etc.These recipes use ingredients that are easy to make and are also nutritious. If you plan your cooking beforehand and do the cutting of vegetables at home before leaving for the camping trip will ease your cooking at the camp site further.

In case you want to prepare steaks at the campsite, all you have to do is just brings a basic grill with you which can be placed over the campfire for a hearty delicious steak or another meal of meat to give you the extra energy during your outdoor activity. Some camping recipes like apple, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are so simple to make, preparing these don't even need fire and are quite satisfying.

It's essential to have nutritious food when your are outdoors camping. Many of the campers also may indulge in activities like fishing, boating, hiking which requires lot of energy. So to meet the energy demands of these people, its essential to keep track of what you eat and eating nutritious is a must for them. To keep yourself going through the day, it's essential to eat nutritious breakfast.Some foods like apples, bananas, trail mix, beef jerky, granola, oatmeal, grapes, bagels, peanut butter and beans.

This is a nutritious camping recipe which is simple and can be made in less time. This recipe is also energizing and the best one to use during your camping trip. To prepare this, you can stew at home, and also freeze it ,so that you can use the campfire to warm it later at the campsite.

- Peel off the skin and cut into two large potatoes

- Slice two large potatoes after cleaning

- Peel the skin of the two onions and chop them.

- Put the vegetables in a large sized coffee can and add some seasoning oil to it like chili seasoning or Tony's seasoning.

- Place 1 ground hamburger on and season it again.

- Keep this can in the coal of campfire for 45 minutes

- Before serving, stir it and then serve it hot.

Get creative while cooking at the campsite. Try some of your favorite home recipes on the campfire. You need to do some alterations in your home recipes which are easy and simple to make during outdoors. To get more camping recipes, which are delicious, nutritious, simple to make during outdoors can be obtained from the internet.Keep record of all these for use in future camping vacations.

Why Nylon Dog Collars?

As nylon dog collars are becoming more and more popular amongst conscientious owners who want their pet to be well-looked after (and even those who are style conscious!), we look at why nylon is becoming the dog collar of choice in the canine world.

As mentioned a sentence earlier, the style of nylon dog collars can be unquestionable, with a variety of websites offering you the chance to jazz up a collar with your own impressions.

In training, they can be used for the 'tug-and-release' method and they can be a more humane choice than when compared to the chain collar, which can cause some dogs pain. Simply giving a verbal command and temporarily applying pressure to the leash attached to the collar can train a puppy to be more obedient, a nylon collar can enhance your efforts.

Nylon collars can also be practical. There are hundreds of manufacturers out there and a few with innovative ideas that can help your dog to remain safe even more. One of these fantastic ideas includes a nylon collar with a fastened bright light, a tool which can alert pedestrians and car users to your dog's presence at night.

You know your dog best and you know what they are likely to get up to should you lose them, or even if they would run away. So - be sure to prepare yourself and get a collar that could do so much more than make 'walkies' easier for you or your family members.

Hookworm Infection In Dogs

Hookworm infection or ancylostomiasis is the most serious endoparasitic infection affecting the gastro-intestinal tract of dogs.

A typical three-week lifecycle of hookworm has different interesting aspects. Infection starts when the immature hookworm larvae enter the host animal either through oral route or by penetrating the skin. These larvae are also transmitted from the mother through the placental route or through mother's milk. These larvae enter the blood stream and make their way to the intestine. Here, these larvae mature into adults. Adult hookworms attach to the intestinal wall using their hook-like mouth parts that contain teeth-like structures. These worms are primarily blood-suckers. Female worms are prolific egg-producers laying up to 30,000 ova per day. These eggs are excreted into the environment along with feces. The eggs hatch in the outside environment and gradually develop into a third stage larvae, which are now ready to infect another host animal.

Diagnosis of hookworm infection in dogs is done using microscopic examination of stool sample. Presence of hookworm eggs in the feces indicates infection. It is hard to detect adult hookworms in the feces since these worms are really small in size and adhere firmly to the intestinal wall.

Hookworm infection causes severe anemia. Symptoms include severe weight loss, pale appearance, dry skin, dull-colored hair coat and blood in the stools. A severe hookworm infection can be fatal for the pups. There are a number of drugs used for the treatment of hookworm infection. Some of these include febendazole, mebendazole, febantel and dichlorophene. In case of young pups, blood transfusion might be required along with deworming so as to keep the baby alive.

Hookworm infection is most common in new born puppies. However, it is possible to control hookworm infection in dogs by following certain preventive measures. Strict hygienic conditions should be maintained in the surroundings. It is important to have the dogs dewormed periodically. Feces should be disposed promptly at isolated places. A nursing female dog should be treated along with her pups since nursing may reactivate infection in the mother.

Larvae of hookworms have also been known to infect humans causing a disease known as Cutaneous Larval Migrans (CLM). These larvae penetrate through the human skin causing a severe itching sensation known as ground itch.

Pitbulls - Exercising Your Pitbull

The owner should also pay attention to the mental and physical shape of his dog and regular exercises are likely to improve the dog's condition. The things to be done in order to immediately impact the dog's long term health are the following: besides providing him with a raw diet, the owner must make sure that his pit bull is walking 3 to 5 miles during every day because walking seems to be the best exercise when it comes to any canine pet.

And pit bulls are not the exceptions because they love to roam and to discover new places in the world around them. Hand walking is the best way to provide the dog with daily exercise and is also helping the owner in order to create a bond with his pit bull. This hand walking is helping the dog in order to build his mental health too. A pit bull has to see his owner as being a confident leader and therefore the dog's attitude towards hand walking will change dramatically because a dog that used to be a strong puller is likely to pull less after the first hand walking.

a heavy way or he appears stressed, the owner must back off in order not to exhaust his pet. If the dog becomes accustomed to walking for 5 miles, he will be ready to walk more and the distance may be increased to 10 miles.

The progress will be slow because the owner should consider the dog's health in order not to leave his dog breathless. If the dog is recovering well from his hand walking, the owner may add different outlets for exercises when it comes to choosing an exercise program. The distance is important because it has to be long enough in order to burn all the extra energy but short enough in order not to harm the dog's health.

The physical fitness program may start by taking a walk to the vet in order to ask for a professional advice because the exercise is to be considered the missing link that is needed in order that the owner makes a bond with his pit bull. Long hand walking can prevent the dog's problems when it comes to the way he behaves outside his house because one should consider that a tired pit bull can be a happy and healthy one.

The hand walking is considered to be a gift, the best one that an owner may give to his pet. A hand walking should start with the current level of daily exercise; the owner has to increase slowly the walking time and distance and should expect his dig to "tell" him when is high time to make the next move. The owner needs only to pay attention to his dog behavior; he should notice if his dog is feeling really sore after walking 3 miles because if the pit bull feels so, his owner must not push him to walk more until the animal recovers from being tired.

Choosing The Right Puppy - Boy or Girl?

So many decisions to make...but one of the hardest decisions is sometimes - "Shall we have a girl or boy puppy?" Many people feel that girls make better pets, However, I am here to tell you that some of the sweetest, most devoted pets I have ever seen have been neutered boys.

Here at Stoney Hollow Toy Poodles, I have a number of poodles that are my "personal poodles""who are my dear friends and close companions. These poodles are with me all day, every day. My closest companions and friends, they greet strangers, prospective puppy parents and friends with grace and decorum, never showing the slightest sign of bad manners - and they are all intact boys, usually working stud dogs.

These boys are attentive and eager to please. They have no personal agenda the way females sometimes do. Despite the "girls are better" myths commonly bandied about, I really have to disagree. Always available, always eager to love and be loved, I absolutely have to say that in my experience as a breeder and a lifelong dog-lover, boys make better pets.

I will concede that "intact males" - boys that have not been neutered- often display all the unpleasant territorial behavior that people dislike - leg-lifting, aggression, etc. which makes them slightly more difficult to handle as family pets. However, it has been my experience that if you would only have your little boy neutered at 5 months or so, you will eliminate those issues 95% of the time. Those bad behaviors are instinctive canine behaviors designed to let everyone know that this yard, car, house or whatever belongs only to HIM! But, these behaviors don't occur until the pup nears breeding age, when his hormones begin to kick in. Neutering eliminates the production of testosterone, the primary hormonal trouble-maker.

Should you have one of the 5% that still insists on marking territory, this is an easily solved training issue. As long as your dogs is house-trained, you are looking at a matter of teaching your male dog that the house belongs to you, not him. Simple, consistent correction if he makes a mistake will easily resolve the problem. All of my house-dogs are boys and are all intact - I do know that this works!

So, feel free to choose a little boy for your new family member - just be sure to have him neutered as soon as possible!

Soul Food Recipes - 3 Ways to Cook Confidently

Soul food recipes have enjoyed a tradition of down-home cooking and what we affectionately call comfort food. People in the south, especially African Americans see it as the holy grail of eating and good times.

It's used to celebrate, comfort and even heal, that's how important it is. But because of the tight economy more people choose to cook more meals at home and save money (25% -75%) rather than eating out.

The problem is most of us like soul food , but in this fast-food age less of us know how to cook those magical meals our grand mothers and great-grandmothers cooked with ease. If you're a new mother, wife, single man or house-husband you may have this desire or need to cook. But you may lack the mental tools and skills to pull it off.

Fortunately the internet has dozens of soul food recipe sites with those favorite dishes you enjoyed since you were a child. You know, the one's your great-grandma used to prepare for holidays, birthdays and special occasions. That's good news, but you may be one of the millions of "recipe challenged". Meaning you can read a recipe, but the results always turn out between weird looking and out-right disaster.

Don't panic, here's 3 ways to cook soul food recipes more confidently.

1. Know Your Cooking Terms.

This seems like a simple issue, but it may surprise you how much this will add to your cooking confidence. Plus, it may surprise you how many people don't know the correct cooking terms in a recipe, but think they know. For example, do you know the difference between mix and fold? Many cooks don't.

As a result, not knowing the difference between those two cooking terms is the difference between a scrumptious dish fit for a king or queen or garbage a starving dog wouldn't eat. I recommend getting a cooking dictionary or at least a book of cooking terms. When you come across a recipe term you're not sure of you can immediately look it up. By doing this simple action, you'll be a recipe expert in no time when it comes to cooking terms.

2. Know Your Seasonings.

If one skill defines soul food , meaning how to enjoy it and how to cook it, it's the seasoning. Knowing how to season and what to season with what food is one of the hallmarks of a good cook, especially when it comes to southern food.

Here's another tool that can give you a quick start and give you quick confidence. Get a soul food seasonings dictionary, available online. This will show you what seasoning go with what dishes at-a-glance. This information will help to make your cooking mistake free.

3. Know Your Measurements.

This is one of the quiet but important keys to cooking with confidence. Traditionally our grandmothers and great-grandmothers used guesstimates based on their experience. For example, a dash of this, a pinch of that. To give you quick confidence when preparing any recipe, get these 3 important - but inexpensive tools. A measuring cup, measuring spoons and a small scale. By using these simple tools you'll have the confidence your measurements are accurate and your portions are right. They will save you the cost of the recipe failures you have to throw in the garbage can. That cost savings alone is worth the small investment, Don't you agree?

By following these simple tips your cooking confidence will increase each time you apply them. The soul food recipes you choose will turn out more like the ones you see in the book or on the website for a change. In addition, they'll taste more like you imagined them to be.

How to Host a Mexican Fiesta

Any time is a great time to host a Mexican fiesta. This type of dinner party or get together is a wonderful way to show off your Mexican cooking skills. As far as menu choices, the possibilities are almost endless.

Mexican fiestas are typically very casual and colorful occasions. This goes for the atmosphere, food and decoration, alike. Mexican food options include everything from tamales and tacos to burritos to guacamole to salsa to refried beans to carne asada to quesadillas to margaritas to deep fried ice cream to Mexican wedding cookies to much more!

There are many dishes that can be made and frozen, ahead of time... even as far as several weeks in advance. Doing so makes it much easier to get things ready, on the day of the event.

Some recipes such as hot dips and even enchiladas or burritos can be prepared and served in crock pots, which can easily be placed along a table for serving. For outside fiestas, plugging the pots into a plug strip will eliminate the need for multiple electrical outlets.

Grilling is another great option, for outside fiestas. Even recipes as simple as grilled corn on the cob with chili butter, lime juice and a touch of cheese are more than festive when prepared in this manner.

Large green onions, also referred to as 'knob onions' are yummy grilled, as well. Grill with jalapeños, drizzle with lime juice and serve with carne asada, for a traditional treat. These onions can be found in Mexican markets.

Another idea for a Mexican fiesta, at home, is a taco bar. Similar to those seen in Mexican restaurants, a taco bar can include all the ingredients to assemble tacos, burritos, etc. be sure to include other side dishes such as tamales, nachos and refried beans.

No party, of any kind, is complete without a variety of cold beverages. Serve Mexican beer, sangria, margaritas and a selection of non-alcoholic drinks like iced tea, lemonade and soda... even ice cold water will be appreciated, by some.

To give your buffet tables a Southwestern feel you can use terra cotta tableware and serving bowls. You may also opt to use brightly covered disposable tableware that is now available in many south of the border patterns.

Pinatas are a must, for any fiesta... especially when there will be children in attendance. Again, as with the tableware, they can be purchased in many different varieties, both online and at party supply stores.

Use a very large sombrero, for a unique and inexpensive centerpiece. Place a balloon bouquet in the very center. Fill the remainder with corn chips. Place small bowls of guacamole, salsa and cheese dip around the sombrero. Enjoy!

Homemade salsa is quite simple to make. Consider making your own using one of the following Mexican recipes

Salsa Recipe

2 (10 ounce) cans tomatoes (Rotel brand-1 hot and 1 mild)
1 (14 ounce) can peeled tomato
1-2 jalapeño pepper, diced
1 (4 ounce) can green chilies
1/4 cup onion
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon sugar

Directions

Use a food processor to pulse the onions and jalapeño to desired consistency. (This should only take a few seconds.) Add tomatoes with juice and green chilies, process again. Transfer to a bowl and add spices.

Chill until flavors are combined, approximately 2 to 3 hours.

Pico de Gallo Recipe

3 ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 to 3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped, no stems
1 or more jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice or more to taste
salt to taste

Directions

Slice the tomato in quarters and remove seeds and gel. Chop into small chunks.

Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Allow the mixture to sit in the refrigerator 1 hour to let the flavors mingle.

Healthy Low Calorie Meals

The ideal way to keep your metabolism revved up is to eat small-frequent meals, which in turn makes it much easier to lose weight! Eating small, balanced meals of approximately 300 calories each, will help you to assure your weight loss and assist you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

One of the easiest ways to cut the extra calories out of the diet is to cut out the empty calories. Empty calories are found primarily in soft drinks, juices and even alcoholic drinks. Regular consumption of these drinks usually account for all the daily calories required for simple day to day survival. Stick with water and low fat milk!

Here are some tasty foods you can eat on a low calorie meal plan.

poultry (no skin, chicken breast, turkey breast, ground turkey, etc.)
white fish
eggs
lean meat
fresh fruits and vegetables
skim milk
rice
low fat cheese
baked or boiled potatoes
whole grain bread
whole grain pasta
low calorie/low fat salad dressing
sugar free foods

Take the time to measure out a serving size. It will make meal planning and calorie counting a lot more productive and enjoyable.

Here is a breakdown of how to distribute your caloric intake throughout the day for a 1300 calorie per day diet. As long as you stay within your intake (of course with little to NO fats) you can choose just about anything you would like to eat.

Breakfast:400 calories
Morning Snack: 100 calories
Lunch: 400 calories
Afternoon Snack: 100 calories
Dinner: 200 calories
Evening snack: 100 calories

Inexpensive Cobb Pizza Oven With Multiple Other Uses

If you decide to buy a pizza oven for the home it will probably be electric and only capable of cooking pizza, nothing else. Since these ovens have such restricted use they tend to be used a couple of times, and then forgotten.

Instead of wasting money this way you may wish to consider a viable and inexpensive alternative, the Cobb Grill.

For those who are not familiar with the Cobb it is a compact multifunction cooker that makes an excellent pizza oven, but does much more as well. The fuel of choice for the Cobb is the humble charcoal briquette. 6 - 9 briquettes is sufficient for up to 3 hours cooking time.

For use in the home the Cobb is ideally sited close to the main kitchen cookers extraction hood. Unless your extraction can cope the Cobb should be lit outside and left for 15 minutes for the coals to turn grey. The design of the Cobb is such that the sides of the cooker remain cool, so when the Cobb is ready it can be picked up and brought inside. You are now ready to to use the Cobb as a pizza oven.

You will soon realise that the Cobb makes an excellent emergency cooker for the home in times of power cuts. It comes with its own carrying bag and is compact enough to take camping or use on a boat.

If you've ever watched the 'Hairy Bikers' on TV you'll recognise the Cobb they feature regularly. These two British Chefs have travelled the world cooking many different cuisines using the Cobb as their cooker of choice.

Whether at home or away the Cobb will cook everything from a full family breakfast to a roast dinner with all the trimmings. We've already mentioned its capabilities as a pizza oven, but it will do so much more. You can bake bread in it, smoke meat or fish, use it as a wok, cook stew and dumplings and it makes an excellent BBQ.

When we think of BBQ we're bound to think of the smoke and occasional flare ups. With the Cobb its not a problem. Meat juices are directed into a moat arrangement in the bottom, so never come into direct contact with the heat source and hence produces little or no smoke. For this same reason the Cobb doesn't flare up.

The moat serves several purposes. As well as collecting meat juices it can be part filled with water or wine etc. As the stove heats, the steam from the moat keeps the cooking meat above moist and helps prevent shrinkage. In addition, if you wrap vegetables in foil they can be cooked in the moat and not absorb the meat juices. The liquor left at the end of cooking makes an excellent base for gravy or a sauce.

As I said, the Cobb is much more than a pizza oven.

Inexpensive Outdoor Programs For Troubled Teens

Outdoor activities are considered therapeutic for troubled teens. Teens become troubled when they feel they are worthless. Outdoor activities give them a sense of self worth that starts the process of turning their life around.

Outdoor activities with family will help a withdrawn teenager come back to his or her family fold. Hiking, biking and gardening are some of the inexpensive outdoor activities that families can do together and help their teen get over his or her problems. Volunteering for charity sponsored outdoor activities as a family can help the teenager focus on something more than negative thoughts.

When families are unable to manage the teen on their own, inexpensive wilderness and other outdoor camps specially tailored for troubled teens will help them change for the better. These camps have experience field instructors who teach troubled teens new skills while weaning them away from negative habits. The number of teens recruited for these camps are few and the instructor can deal with specific problems on a one to one basis. Troubled teens work as a team with other troubled teens. They help themselves and others to change their ways for the better. The camps involve outdoor activities work and discipline that are proven therapeutic methods to help troubled teens. Some camps are sponsored by grants and charge a low fee or help teenagers for free.

Troubled teens are argumentative, defiant, disobedient, and unmanageable and lack motivation. Outdoor programs like wilderness camps teach them to work against the elements with others who have the same issues. They are cut off from society and learn to fend for themselves with other teens. They learn new skills and this increases their self confidence. Wilderness camps include many activities like hiking, mountain climbing and river rafting. These camps sometimes offer a troubled teen an outdoor interest that endures for life. Some camps address specific issues that trouble teens like ADD/ADHD or weight loss.

Troubled teens turn their life around while participating in group physical activities. They learn responsibility, cooperation, participation and to deal with consequences of their actions. They learn to take responsibility for their actions, to overcome hurdles and to solve problems. The instructors are usually experienced counselors. They help the teen find goals and values at the camp. They organize workshops to increase the communication skills of the troubled teen. The group setting helps teens understand that they are not alone and they have peers who want to change their ways just as badly as they do.

Before sending their teens to these wilderness camps, parents need to check the credentials of the organizers and the qualifications of the counselors. The organizers should have a reputation of helping teenagers. They should not be a vehicle of abuse. Parents should check the testimonials of those who have attended the camps. Parents should also check if there are any complaints about the treatment of troubled teens at the camp. The object of camps should be to help teenagers and not demoralize them.

Parents should encourage troubled teens to participate in outdoor activities to help them focus on activities that have a positive effect on their behavior.

Pinto Beans and Cornbread - Using Leftovers to Feed Your Family Delicious Meals For a Week

In tough economic times, we all need ways to save money. Stretching your food dollar is an excellent way to save money and eat well.

Two huge money wasters regarding food are eating out and wasting leftovers. It is not uncommon to spend $10 on a sandwich, fries, and a drink. My first thought is to imagine what I could have purchased at the grocery store for $10.

I can feed my family several meals for $10. I also imagine how healthy, or unhealthy, the meal is that costs $10. Fast food meals are typically loaded with calories, fat, sugar, and cholesterol.

Meal planning is very important to my family. Here is an example of a weekly meal plan designed to stretch your food dollar. Dried beans are very inexpensive. On Sunday, I will cook a large pot of pinto beans. I will also cook some chicken breasts in water and store the shredded meat.

You want to cook enough beans to last several meals. This will vary according to the number of people you are feeding. I save electricity and time by cooking my beans and chicken at one time rather than at each individual meal.

The Sunday meal will consist of a bowl of warm pinto beans topped with chow-chow or ketchup. I make a pan of cornbread, and serve the meal with a cold glass of buttermilk or sweet white milk. A green onion is a nice side addition, or a hunk of sweet Texas or Vidalia onion. Fresh sliced salted tomatoes, when available, are a tasty treat. My husband enjoys crumbling the cornbread in the bowl and ladling his soup beans on top. A side salad is optional.

Cornbread is a great breakfast or lunch staple. You can serve it warm with fresh honey, or crumbled in a glass of milk or buttermilk. Tortillas are great breakfast treats filled with scrambled eggs and cheese or warmed with honey inside.

On Monday, plain tortilla chips are spread evenly in a casserole dish for nachos. These are topped with a bed of shredded cheese, then layers of beans, shredded chicken, and jalapeno peppers. This is baked at 350 degrees until cheese is melted. The cheese base helps support the other additions. Add shredded lettuce to the top after baking, along with salsa and sour cream.

On Tuesday, more leftover pinto beans are mashed up to create refried beans for chicken bean burritos. Flour tortillas are warmed and spread down the center with the mashed beans. Add shredded lettuce, chicken, cheese, salsa, diced onions, jalapeno peppers, and roll up burrito style. Microwave the burritos quickly to melt the cheese. You can prepare burritos ahead of time and store in plastic wrap for quick re-heating later.

On Wednesday, I take fresh corn tortillas from the refrigerator and fry up crispy tostada shells. These are drained on brown paper bags. Refried beans are spread along the surface of the fresh cooked shells. Add shredded chicken, lettuce, salsa, cheese, sour cream, hot jalapeno peppers, and black olives. Now you have tasty pinto bean and chicken tostadas. These fresh shells are so much tastier than boxed, ready made tostada shells.

On Thursday, what happens next depends on what's left. Shredded chicken can be used in chicken stew, chicken salad sandwiches, or in crock-pot chicken barbecue. My family loves my chicken barbecue on hamburger buns served with coleslaw or potato salad.

We keep a jug of fresh tea in the refrigerator, and water is always available. Fresh lemon slices in a glass of ice water are refreshing. Soft drinks are okay in moderation, but they are expensive and unhealthy. Kool-Aid has a delicious pink lemonade drink mix. Real lemon juice also makes simple and tasty lemonade; the recipe is usually on their label. Tea and lemonade contain sugar, but they are certainly tasty and affordable alternatives to sodas.

I do not cook the same meals each week. This is just an example of a Mexican style menu for one week. There are many other alternatives that include fresh ground beef, sirloin steak, red beans, potatoes, other bean varieties, and rice dishes. If you use a bit of imagination, you can come up with many ideas of your own to stretch your food dollar during tough times by simply planning your meals in advance.

Spicy Chili Recipes - Tuna Chili Curry

This is for all of you out there who love spicy chili recipes. I created this Mouth-watering recipe by chance, due to the fact that I'd been ill and had not been shopping and therefore was practically out of food.

I had a quick look through my kitchen cupboards and found the ingredients that I have put together to create this magnificent spicy and delicious chili recipe, which I am now sharing with you.

One of the chief benefits, aside from being totally healthy and easy and quick to cook is the fact that it is really as cheap as chips to make.

If you like any kind of spicy chili food, then you are going to love this - I promise you.

So get your chili taste buds ready for this one. I'll be very surprised if you don't make this one of you spicy favorites. If you like it hot, like I do, then simply add more chillies or chili powder.

I call it Spicy Chili Tuna Curry and it is ideal for anyone, but especially for students and the like who are living on a small budget.

Spicy Chili Tuna Curry.

Ingredients:

One Large Onion (peeled and roughly chopped)
1 Inch of fresh ginger (peeled and finely chopped)
1 flat teaspoon of garlic granules (use fresh garlic if you prefer)
1 large green pepper (roughly chopped)
1 large red pepper (roughly chopped)
3 - 6 table spoons olive oil
1 tin of chopped tomatoes (400 gram)
1 tin of tuna in spring water (200 gram) drained
2 tablespoons of tomato puree
3 tablespoons of dark soy sauce
2 tablespoons of sugar (Optional)
2 heaped tablespoons of Patak madras curry paste
4 - 6 tablespoons of vinegar
2 flat tablespoons of salt Fresh ground black pepper Juice from 1/2 a lemon
2 teaspoons of extra hot chili powder (Use less if you prefer)
Rice cooked

Method:

Fry the onions until medium to dark brown. Add garlic and ginger. Add peppers and stir-fry on high heat for 5 minutes. Stir in curry paste. Fork in your Tuna and mix well. Add tinned tomatoes and tomato puree. Add salt, pepper, chili powder, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and lemon juice and stir well. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes once it's boiling.

Dish up on a bed of rice.

This meal serves four to six good helpings!

I kid you not, this is one of the best tasty and yet inexpensive spicy chili recipes.