Kitchen Crafts 'n' More Newsletter "Recipes, crafts and help around the home." Issue #478 March 20, 2006 ~11,000+ SUBSCRIBERS~ ================================= ...KCnM Advertising... Info by emailing christinam @ nucleus.com Please support the KCnM newsletter ...by clicking on these sponsor ads... ================================= MYSTERY QUILT TOUR Join us on Quilter's 'journey' of quilts around the world! You will LOVE how easy it is to complete a quilt each month - all levels, prizes, gorgeous quilts to showcase your incredible International Mystery Quilt Tour! Hurry - 'Seats' are limited! Mystery Quilt Tour ============== Love Candles? Clean Burning Gourmet Soy Candles Make Money and we need Distributors in Your Area. Huge earning potential with 50% commissions on sales. Start your business today for under $50. Soy Candle Business Info =============== OLDER, WISER WOMEN Are you secretly fearful of growing older? Wouldn't you rather celebrate the journey instead of trying to avoid it? You are not alone. Join OlderWiserWomen where women discover how to age with health and success. Receive a gift when you sign up for free membership today. Older Wiser Women Newsletter ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** TODAY ON OUR BLOGS ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Click HERE to Visit our Blog Today on our blog we have: - Soy Candlemaking 101 (an article by Erika) - Solid Perfume Craft Project Be sure to put your email address in the 'subscribe' box on our blog to get daily updates on new posts! Click HERE for Our Housecleaning Blog Recent posts include... - Dishwasher Detergent Alternative - Use a Toilet Brush...Where!?! - Less Kitty Litter Tracking ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** TODAY'S CRAFT PROJECT ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Crayon Cookies for Kids A great way to use up scraps of old crayons! Kids love making these...and parents love that all those crayon bits get recycled - and not thrown away! Crayon Cookie Crafts for Kids ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** IN TODAY'S ISSUE ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** RECIPES: * Bailey's Irish Cream Mousse Pie (Traditional Recipes) * Breakfast Quesadillas (Recipes Found) * Epsom Salts Uses - LOTS (Kitchen Crafts) * Italian Broccoli (Traditional Recipes) * Nacho Stuffed Shells (Recipes Found) * Super Spinach Salad (Traditional Recipes) ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** READER'S QUESTIONS ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Ask a question, or provide an answer! :) Email questions or answers to Christina at christinam@nucleus.com Thanks! ----------------- CHOLESTEROL LOWERING DRINK Nancy asked: "A while back u had a recipe for lowering cholestrol, it was apple juice, grape juice and vineagar , I think, don't remember the amount of vineagar , could u please send that out again." UNCOOKED QUAKER MULTIGRAIN CEREAL Roberta asks: "I wanted to try the recipe for homemade energy bars submitted by Treva that I found in your newsletter but I can't find uncooked quaker multi-grain cereal. I looked for it on internet too and it said something like only in certain areas and distributed in limited quantities, so I was wondering if I could substitute something or if someone knows where I can find this cereal. Thanks in advance for your help." ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** HELP FROM READERS ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Help a fellow reader - send an answer to one of the above questions, and we'll post it here! (Send to christinam@nucleus.com) ----------------- SHIPPING COOKIES Chris says: "Pringles cans are crushable and cylindrical so they wouldn't fit in a square box to great. I would recommend inexpensive 97 cent Tupperware. allow cookies to cool completely and 100 percent wrap in tin foil pack in tupper pop lid on. I have mailed cookies many times that way and they arrive beautifully. The three day shipping is best, however I have shipped it the regular way 5 days to get there and they arrived good too. And they should stay fresh as long as any cookie. Some types ship better than others, peanut butter cookies for instance will ship *far* better than a tender cookie." EAR WAX REMOVAL TIP Lisa writes: "My daughter's pediatrician had me put sweet oil in her ears when she was smaller. That seemed to thin the wax so it didn't build up so much." ANOTHER BAKING SODA USE Traci said: "Oh yeah, baking soda can be used as a bad breath buster. Mix a1/2 tsp. Of baking soda with a glass of water and swish it around your mouth. This neutralizes any bad odours caused by bacteria." Our Complete Database of Baking Soda Uses ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** NEW ON OUR WEBSITE ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** EVAPORATED MILK TIPS And other tips for using lower fat milk... Evaporated Milk and Other Milk Tips ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** REQUEST A RECIPE ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** One of the most popular sections of our newsletter - request a recipe or send in requested recipe. Contact: christinam @ nucleus.com ======================== ~~~RECIPE REQUESTS: ~~~ Please help by sending in some of these requested recipes! :) We're running low on recipes lately... QUAKER OATMEAL TO GO BARS Lorraine writes: "I love the Quaker "Oatmeal to Go" bars -- but I'd really love to make them myself!! Does anyone have a tried-n-true recipe that duplicates these yummy bars? Thanks!!! " DIABETIC TREATS Sharon writes: "My husband was recently diagnosed with diabetes. I need some good recipes for deserts that he can have. Muffins, cookies, cakes?? Thanks for your help." PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN Janet asks: "I am looking for a copycat type recipe for Poppycock Peanut Butter with Chocolate Recipe. I just can't figure out how to make the peanut butter glaze type stuff. " ~~~RECIPES FOUND:~~~ Nacho Stuffed Shells 12 ounces jumbo shells (32 to 36 shells) -- uncooked 3/4 pound extra-lean ground beef 1 /4 cup oatmeal, raw 1 package (1.25-ounce) low-sodium taco seasoning mix (no msg) 1 cup water 1 can (16-ounce) refried beans with chilies 1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese -- shredded 3/4 cup mild, medium, or hot salsa (your favorite jarred variety) 1 can (8-ounce) tomato sauce 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions Optional Garnishes: grated low-fat cheddar cheese chopped cilantro salsa (use your favorite jarred variety) Avocado, carefully chopped Prepare pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, cook up the beef in a large skillet until browned; drain well and add the oatmeal. Add taco seasoning mix and water; simmer 5 minutes or until thickened. Stir in beans and cheese. Cook until smooth and well-mixed. When pasta is done, drain well. Fill shells with beef mixture (1-2 tablespoons per shell). Combine salsa and tomato sauce in a saucepan. Cook until heated, stirring occasionally. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread 1/2 cup sauce over the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan that has been lightly greased. Place filled shells side by side on top of sauce; pour remaining sauce evenly over shells. Cover with a tent of aluminum foil; bake 35 to 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with green onions. Cover and let stand 5 minutes before serving. Garnish as desired. ------------------- Breakfast Quesadillas Submitted by Paula ½ cup Bob Evans Original Sausage Roll 2 10-inch flour tortillas 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 2 eggs, scrambled ¼ cup green onions, diced ¼ cup tomatoes, diced guacamole sour cream salsa Crumble and cook sausage until brown. Place a tortilla in heated 12" skillet (or on a griddle). Evenly sprinkle cheese over the top of flour tortillas. Place scrambled eggs on top of cheese on one tortilla. Evenly distribute the cooked sausage over the eggs. Allow cheese to melt. Top with diced tomatoes and green onions. Place second flour tortilla with melted cheese on top. Remove from skillet; cut into six equal wedges. Serve with guacamole, sour cream and salsa. Refrigerate leftovers. ------------------- MORE RECIPES FOUND ON OUR SITE: Our Entire Recipes Found Collection ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** 'KITCHEN CRAFT' RECIPES ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Bath and beauty products, home remedies, craft recipes, food mixes, natural cleaning formulas, fun kids recipes and other unique recipes! ======================== MORE EPSOM SALTS USES Sent in by Carole * Relaxing and Sedative Bath: Soak in warm water and 2 cups of Epsom Salt. * Face Cleaner: To clean your face at night, mix a half-teaspoon of Epsom Salt with your regular cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water. * Homemade Skin Mask: Apply the mask to damp skin. For normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon of cognac, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of nonfat dry milk, the juice of 1 lemon, and a half-teaspoon of Epsom Salt. For normal to dry skin mix 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and a half-teaspoon of Epsom Salt. * Foot Soak: Soothe aches, remove odors, and soften rough skin with a foot soak. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt to a large pan of warm water. Soak feet for as long as it feels right. Rinse and dry. * Skin Exfoliator: Massage handfuls of Epsom Salt over your wet skin, starting with your feet and continuing up towards the face. Have a bath to rinse. * Remove Excess Oil from Hair: Epsom Salt soaks up excess oil from hair. Add 9 tablespoons of Epsom Salt to 1/2 cup of oily hair shampoo. Apply one tablespoon of the liquid to your hair when it is dry; rinse with cold water. Pour lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar through the hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse. * Hairspray: Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup Epsom Salt. Combine, cover, and let set for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal. * Hair Volumizer: Combine equal parts of deep conditioner and Epsom Salt. Warm in a pan. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse. * Soak Sprains and Bruises: Epsom Salt will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises. Add 2 cups Epsom Salt to a warm bath, and soak. * Splinter Remover: Soak in Epsom Salt, it will draw out the splinter. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** TRADITIONAL RECIPES ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** The family favorites everyone loves! Please submit your recipes to christinam @ nucleus.com and I'll include them in an upcoming issue. =================== Super Spinach Salad Submitted by Treva 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon dried tarragon 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/2 cup olive oil salt and pepper to taste 1 bag baby spinach 1-2 avocados - peeled, pitted, and cubed 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 2 kiwis, peeled, sliced and quartered 1 In small saucepan over medium heat, bring vinegar and tarragon to a boil; set aside to cool. 2 Whisk together the vinegar and mustard, then gradually add oil, beating until well blended. Season with salt and pepper. 3 Place spinach in large mixing bowl. In medium bowl, generously drizzle lemon juice over avocado cubes before tossing in salad to prevent browning and to enhance flavor. Gently mix avocados, onions and kiwi into spinach. 4 Pour in salad dressing and toss evenly to coat. Serves 6 --------------- Baileys Irish Cream Mousse Pie Submitted by a reader 3 eggs, separated 3/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream 1 cup chopped walnuts 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 cups Cool Whip® 2 tablespoons shaved semisweet chocolate 1. Beat egg yolks until lemon-colored. Add salt and Bailey's. Cook in top of double boiler until yolk mixture thickens. cool. 2. Beat egg whites until stiff. Combine egg/Bailey's mixture, egg whites, and 2/3 of the Kool Whip, using a folding motion. Fold in 3/4 cup of the nut meats. Scrape into a baked pie shell. Cover with remaining whipped topping. Sprinkle with remaining nut meats and chocolate shavings. 3. Freeze for 4 hours (no more than 8, though). -------------- FROM: SUE B. ITALIAN BROCCOLI (microwave recipe) INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. fresh broccoli, 2 tbsp's. olive oil, 1 tbsp. minced onions, 1 large garlic clove, 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper, 3 tbsp's. fresh lemon juice. DIRECTIONS: Wash and trim broccoli. Peel stems about 1-inch from bottom. Separate into small spears. Set aside. Put oil, onion and garlic in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold broccoli in a single layer. Microwave uncovered at HIGH 1 to 2 minutes or until onion is tender. Add broccoli in a single layer alternating stem and floweret ends. Turn broccoli over to coat with oil. Microwave covered with vented plastic wrap at HIGH for 3 minutes. Turn broccoli over, rotate dish 1/2 turn. Recover. Microwave at HIGH for 2 to 3 minutes or until broccoli is crisp and tender. Season with pepper and lemon juice. MAKES: 4 servings. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** THANK YOU ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** LOVES THE NEWSLETTER Susan from Idaho, USA writes: "Thank you for a great newsletter and just to let you know, I LOVE the new format! I have AOL and I used to have to copy and paste the URL's to get to the recipes or pages, now I can just click on them! :-) Thanks again!" Sandy from MN, USA writes: "tHE NEW FORMAT IS wonderful! Thanks for all the great tips!" THANKS FOR CLEANING TIP Tammy writes: "Thanks for all the great replies to getting the red ink out!!" =============================== --THANKS FOR READING THIS ISSUE Thanks for reading this edition of Kitchen Crafts n' More! ===============================