Rice is Nice

This is another one of those things I didn't think would work out well for me - an electric rice cooker. I always use brown rice, which normally takes a lot longer to cook. There is only a start button on the front, so I didn't see how it would know to cook longer.

When we visited our friends and fellow health nuts Bill and Gayle (see photo below), they made us a lovely dinner that included brown rice cooked in one of these! I always learn new things from my friends.

Turns out it has something to do with the cooker knowing when all the water has been soaked up by the rice. AND, brown rice cooks faster in this than it does on the stove or my steamer -- about 35 minutes as opposed to an hour. Mine is Procter-Silex, but I don't think the brand is important, just the type. I got mine at General Dollar Store, and I've seen them other places for good prices -- somewhere between $10 and $20. After it cooks, it keeps the rice warm until you unplug it.

I'm much more apt to make brown rice for dinner if it doesn't take a whole hour. And it's SO much better for you than the stripped-down white variety.

Try serving it with stir-fried veggies and some Bragg's Liquid Aminos (similar to soy sauce), a little chicken or some scrambled eggs. You can also stir in chopped, raw veggies. Or put in nuts, raisins, real butter and stevia for a sweet breakfast bowl. Brown rice is like a nutritious blank palette you can decorate any way you want.

Kill those Bugs

Almost everyone I know has had the flu bug this year. Dear Hubby and I had it at the beginning of the year, and it is nasty!

You know you're putting those virus germs on your toothbrush every time you brush your teeth, but what do you do to keep from reinfecting yourself? I had always heard that you should start with a new toothbrush after you've been sick, but how do you know which day to do that?

Here's a simple solution. When you're sick, soak your toothbrush, in between uses, in hydrogen peroxide. Rinse your toothbrush well before using. So as not to waste hydrogen peroxide, I found this little sample mustard bottle to use for this purpose. I run it through the dishwasher when I'm finished using it and put it away for next time.

Scary bonus hint: A recent study showed that viruses could live for up to 11 days on money! Wash your hands after handling money, or at least don't touch your eyes or nose until you have, especially during flu season. The same goes for other inanimate objects that get touched a lot -- door knobs, computer keyboards, etc.

Bucket O' Fun Gift Idea

This is a gift I love to give young ones, but it would be good for anybody any age. I often find these plastic popcorn boxes in Target's dollar bin, and I grab a few. Add in a package of microwave popcorn, a movie-size box of candy (available at dollar stores or Blockbuster), and you're almost ready to go.

Then, the icing on the (birthday) cake -- a $5 or $10 gift card to Blockbuster, a one-month subscription to Netflix.com, or a gift-card to a local theater.

Keep the ingredients for a few of these around, and you're ready when your kids get invited to birthday parties, boy or girl.

You can dress the package up a little more than I do -- I'm just not much of a fluffer*.

*someone who fluffs, decorates, or otherwise makes things look better than they really are

Dirty Laundry, Final Chapter (maybe)

I hope you've been enjoying hearing about my dirty laundry. Today I just want to add a few more quick tips.

1) Have you seen those spiky rubber balls that are made to go in your dryer? Well, they really do come in handy when you don't have a full load. They fluff the clothes up and help keep them from getting as wrinkled as they normally would. They're probably available at a lot of places, but I've seen them at Walgreens. I bought mine a long time ago, and keep them in the dryer all the time.

2) The permanent press cycle on the washing machine uses a lot more water than the normal cycle. To save water, use the normal wash cycle for most everything.

3) Those dryer sheets are great, but they leave a film on the lint screen. In addition to cleaning the lint filter at least every wash day, you need to occasionally wash it with soapy water to remove the film. Dry thoroughly before placing it back into the dryer. Also, make sure your dryer is vented to the outside, not into the attic -- lint buildup in your attic is definitely a fire hazard.

4) Speaking of dryer sheets -- keep unused ones in a plastic baby wipe container to keep them fresh. The used ones are good for wiping the lint filter and any residue that falls off while you're cleaning it. New ones are good for placing in stored suitcases or trunks to help keep them from smelling musty. I've also heard they're good to wipe on yourself to repel mosquitoes, but I haven't been able to prove that. If you do know of a good mosquito repellant -- please let me know!!

5) I keep a little bucket of clothespins in the laundry room to hang things, but I also keep clean ones in the kitchen to clip things shut -- bags of chips, salad bags, frozen veggie bags, whatever.

6) Dear hubby was able to hang a rod in the small space over the top of our washer and dryer. The space is not large enough to hang clothes, but is perfect for storing the empty hangers. Are the hangers multiplying when you're not looking? Most dry cleaners will recycle them.

Well, there it is. The laundry's finally done and ready to put away. Unfortunately, it's one of those things that never STAYS done. *Sigh*

Dirty Laundry, Part 2

I know you're all waiting anxiously to hear what I have to say about dirty laundry (sure you are), so I have an interesting idea for you. When I first heard about this (first from Lisa, then from sister Kim), I wasn't convinced, but now I'm a true believer.

The secret is, I don't completely dry our clothes. Yep, that's right. Every time you let your clothes dry all the way in the dryer, you are shrinking them. Now I put each load of clothing in the dryer on the shortest, most delicate cycle and remove each piece while it is still damp. I shake each piece out and hang it to finish drying in the laundry room. For pants, I use clothes pins to attach them to a pants hanger, then fold and hang them over the hanger when they are dry. I keep the dryer going between pulling out each piece of clothing so they don't wrinkle. For towels, socks and underwear -- those loads I let dry all the way in the dryer.

Your laundry gets done more quickly with this system, but you do have to go back later to put away the clothes when they're dry. Still, it does work to keep your clothes from shrinking and I also think it makes them last longer.

What convinced me? I have 2 pair of pants I bought at the same time -- same pants, same size, but 2 different colors. The brown pair I wore a lot and washed and dryed a lot. The purple pair didn't get worn much because I didn't have a shirt that coordinated with that color. Therefore they also didn't get washed much. Now, I still have both pairs of pants, but the brown pair is at least a size smaller because of all those trips through the dryer.

Maybe you're not getting bigger...maybe your pants are getting smaller!! Hallelujah!

Bonus hint from Dear Hubby: He had me buy a dozen plastic hangers with a distinct color for his use only. When he has clothing he's only worn for a short while, he hangs it on one of those hangers and knows it's ready for a "second-wear".

Dirty Laundry, Part 1

So you thought I was going to air my dirty laundry here? Uh...no...

But I can give you some fresh ideas on how to turn your dirty laundry into clean clothes. This hint is something I've been doing for years, and it seems to fascinate people. A few years ago when we were selling our house, most people got more excited about my laundry system than the house (they saw my buckets).

I have matching plastic trash buckets, each labeled with a laundry load. I used my handy-dandy label maker to make these categories:

• Underwear/socks
• Denim
• Dark
• Light
• Towels/wash cloths
• Hand-wash

You could make more or less categories depending on your preferences.

When my boys were still living at home, they knew that if they wanted their laundry done, it had to be sorted into the buckets by the time they left for school on Monday. They each had their own hamper in their rooms, and brought that hamper to the laundry room to sort their clothes. It only took a little instruction at the beginning, but of course a lot of reminders on Sunday night or Monday morning. The system does work well.

Now that it's just the two of us, I still use this system because I only do laundry once a week. I sort all the laundry from the hampers in the closet, then take each bucket to the washer as I'm ready for it. If you have room to leave the buckets lined up in the laundry room or closet, and you're very disciplined, you could sort the clothing as you take it off. Then wash each load as the bucket gets full.

When not in use, I keep the buckets on a shelf in the laundry room. They can also be stacked, but it's not that easy to get them apart once they have been stacked. I keep a small dish tub on the shelf for dirty dish cloths and towels, so I can wash them in a separate load. You could have one marked for clothes that need to go to the dry cleaner, too.

On the cloth bag we use to take laundry to the dry cleaner, we have attached a laminated card with name, address and laundry instructions: crease sleeves, light starch.

Another good hint: Post a list of washing instructions, either laminated or in a plastic sleeve, above the machine so anyone in your household can put in a load of laundry. For example:

• Towels: Wash in Hot water, Dry on High
• Underwear/sock: Wash in Hot water, Dry on High
• Light clothes: Wash in Cold water, Dry on Delicate

Though he's extraordinary at many things, Dear Hubby's not allowed to touch laundry because his plan for laundry is the same as for cooking: High and Hot! Tomorrow - more about our dirty laundry. Oooh, bet you can't wait.

Break the Ice and Have Some Fun Too

I've got a couple of good ideas for get-togethers where you want to get to know each other better. We've done these, and they really are fun and eye-opening! I guarantee you will be surprised somewhere along the way.

Idea #1

In a circle (or around the dinner table), ask everyone to answer this question: If there were no limitations -- not age, income, health, intelligence, education, time -- absolutely no limitations -- and you had to choose a new career to start tomorrow -- what would it be?

This question takes the restrictions off the mind and allows each person to really dream. The answers are often far from what you might think. My precious 85-year-old mother-in-law knew her answer right away -- she wanted to be the conductor of a train. It's a very good question for young people to ponder, since they still have time to do something about it!

Idea #2

Have each person write down on a 3 x 5 card something about themselves that no one else knows (spouses may know but need to keep quiet). It might be an embarrassing moment, something they like or don't like, a previous job, etc., but preferably something surprising. Then the moderator reads each card and everyone tries to guess who wrote it. The results are hilarious. At one of our parties, for example, "I broke my arm when I crashed my dirt bike at age 19" turned out to be a demure lady in her 60's. No one guessed that.

Okay, now, go have a party and have fun!

Shiny Pots

If you have a stainless steel sink, or stainless steel pots and pans, you've got to get a can of Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser and Polish. Just sprinkle some on a wet cloth or paper towel, rub it on, and it really cleans up.

The can says it's also good for fiberglass, porcelain, glass cooktops, copper, tile and brass. Hey, I should try using it in some more places. I wish I had read this can earlier!

Be sure YOU read the directions on the can before you use it.

After cleaning my sink with this and rinsing it well, I like to spray on some Glass Plus and then wipe it off for a good shine.

Bar Keepers Friend has been especially useful when I've burned something on the bottom of my stainless steel pans. Ummm....that hardly ever happens...really...

It's available at grocery stores and other places where cleaning supplies are sold.

Pencil Me In

I think I was born wanting to wear makeup. So I've tried just about everything.

I've recently found two cosmetic pencils I really like, and you can buy them at Walgreens.

First, the Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil works better than any I've ever tried for lining the eyes. It really is soft enough to apply easily, but doesn't crumble. Be sure to pay close attention to getting this exact pencil, because Rimmel's other eyeliner pencils were too hard and did not apply well when I tried them.

Next, I really love the Rimmel 1000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner Pencil. It is also nice and soft and goes on very easily. I use it all over my lips, not just as a liner, either under or over lip gloss. It comes in several colors. Really pretty!

Walgreens periodically puts these on sale -- Buy One Get One Free, so watch their ad circular.

Bonus hint that I learned from my clown days: For makeup pencils, it is important to sharpen them with the right sharpener. If the pencil is made in Europe, you need a sharpener made in Europe. If the pencil is made in the U.S., the sharpener needs to be also. I think it has something to do with the measurements, but whatever the reason, it really does make a difference.

My Favorite Flicks

I promised yesterday to post some of my favorite movies I've rented from Netflix.

** indicates a "make sure you've got the Puffs handy" alert.

# indicates not suitable for everyone, but with redeeming qualities.

On the Netflix website, you can click on the movies to see a description and why it's rated the way it is to decide if it is appropriate for you.

Five Stars on my list:
Freedom Writers# (language, some violence, but powerful true story)
The Last Sin Eater
Akeelah and the Bee
The Ultimate Gift
Little Women (1994 version)**
Music of the Heart
The Secret Garden


Four Stars on my list:
Bridge to Terabithia**# (beautiful movie, sad ending, men have a hard time with this one)
Last Flight Out
The Lake House**
National Treasure
The Sandlot:Heading Home
For Richer or Poorer
Saving Sarah Cain

Pop up the popcorn and settle in for a nice, winter night at the movies!

Yea Netflix!

I promise you, this is something I never thought I would enjoy. But Netflix has turned out to be a really nice thing for us.

Being very picky about what we watch, I didn't think I could choose enough movies to make this worthwhile, but I was wrong! Since TV is getting less and less interesting, we started subscribing to Netflix six months ago, and we've averaged 4+ movies a month for a monthly fee of $8.99 plus tax. There are several subscription levels, but at this one, we get unlimited movies, one at a time. If your schedule's not as hectic as ours, you could easily view 2 movies a week under this plan. [If the two of us went to the theater 4 times a month, which we would never have time for, it would cost a minimum of $44.00 for matinee seats without refreshments. Plus, there normally aren't 4 movies in one month in the theaters we are interested in.]

Here are the things I like about it:

• I can return the movie whenever I like. No hurry.
  
• When I'm finished with a movie, I just put it in the envelope they provide, and pop it in the mail. They get it the next day and mail another one out the same day. I get it the day after that.
  
• On the Netflix website, I have a personal "Queue", where I've lined up all the movies I want, in order. When I send back a movie, they send me the one at the top of my list. I can change the list around anytime. I can choose from thousands of movies, and see a good description of each one before I put in on my list (a much better selection than the video store). Amazingly for someone so picky, I have 116 movies (and old TV programs) in my Queue, and I keep adding to it.
  
• If my top movie pick isn't available, they send the next one. This only happens with newly released movies, and I generally don't wait long at all to see a new one.
  
• I rate the movies I've seen, and from that, they recommend movies I might like.
  
• I can put my account "on hold" for up to 90 days and not be billed, or I can cancel at any time.
  
• I can give a gift of Netflix to anyone for whatever amount of time I wish.
  
• Though I haven't done this, there are certain movies that you can watch instantly on a computer.
  
• Anytime I see a movie advertised that I'm interested in, but can't see it at the theater, I add it to my list and it is kept in the "Saved" section until it becomes available for rental. Then they add it to my list.
  
• If there are any problems with the DVD, I can call and they will send out a new one right away. We've only had a small issue with one movie so far (scratches).
  

Check it out at www.netflix.com. Tomorrow, I'll give you a list of my favorite movies I've seen from Netflix so far.

Itchy Back?

In the winter, hot showers feel really good, but can leave your back dry and itchy. I never could figure out a way to get lotion on my back -- until now.

I've been using this little net sponge with a handle -- I put a small amount of lotion on it and I can reach my whole back with this.

The only trouble is, I can't remember where I bought this handy little tool. I found some online under "long-handled net sponge", but I'm sure I got it locally, maybe at a dollar store. This really works well, so if anyone out there knows where to get something like this, please let me know and I'll update the post.

Update: Collette says she's seen these at Target. Thanks!!

Quick and Easy Dinner

Some nights you just don't want anything fancy and don't want to cook! We don't do this often, because it's so high in carbs, but it's a special treat to have a fruit and cheese platter for dinner.

Simply take whatever fruit and cheeses you have in the house, along with crackers if desired, and make a pretty plate for each person. Or you could serve from one big platter. Picture eating this in front of the fireplace, with hardly any dishes to clean up! Woohoo! To make it special for kids, you could add fancy toothpicks or use little shrimp forks. You could even make a yogurt dip for the fruit, but we like it just like this.

Ladies, Keep Those Legs Warm

It's cold outside today where I am, so this tip is foremost on my mind. When you need an extra layer of warmth, especially under a long skirt, but also under pants, tights are just the ticket. But I also want to wear warm socks inside my boots, and I don't like the restrictive feel of socks on top of tights. So, I bought some inexpensive tights at Walgreens, and cut off the feet. I still get warm legs, plus warm comfortable feet in my boots. I hand-wash the tights anyway, so they don't ravel. This is a cheap, simple solution to a chilly day. P.S. I'm not large, but I like the Queen Size for this purpose.

Snack Attack on the Run

I recently heard about a study in which people were asked to eat 49 almonds a day, and they

were not asked to make any other changes. Most of the people in the study lost weight! Apparently, besides being full of wonderful nutrients, the almonds (or other raw nuts) also take the place of other unhealthy snacks. Raw almonds have lots of the healthy kind of fat, keep you satisfied for longer than most snacks, and won't cause your blood sugar to go on a roller coaster ride.

I have carried almonds around in my purse in plastic zipper bags, but they seem to get dried out if not eaten right away. I like the new 100-calorie packages that Blue Diamond has come out with, because they keep the nuts fresh. Another good idea is to carry your almonds in an empty Altoids can.

Be sure to store the bulk of your raw nuts in the refrigerator or freezer, as the natural oils can turn rancid.

Having something like this in your purse or car could keep you from driving through the fast-food lane. Give it a try!

Super Cell Accessory

After 2 years of use, my Clip Hanger broke recently. It took me a week to replace it, and that was too long!

The Clip Hanger "glues" on the back of your phone with a little sticky pad, and then allows you to hang your phone from a belt loop or purse. You can't see it in the picture, but it flexes at one spot so you can slip it off through an opening in the hook. No more losing my phone in my purse.

The other great thing about it -- you can put your finger through it as you're using it or carrying it to hold onto it securely. When I go for a walk outside, I no longer feel like I have to carry it in a padded case just in case I drop it.

I also have a little portable home phone that is not much bigger than a cell phone, so I have one on it, too. I can hang it on my belt and talk on a headset or earphone while doing things around the house. The other day, I actually ended up at the hair salon with my home phone still on my belt!

The Clip Hanger comes in different colors, along with a little hook it can hang from in your car or on your desk. (I use it all the time in my car.) Check out their website for a video demo of how it works. www.cliphanger.com I can highly recommend this product!

Cheap Trick for your Car

This is a nifty solution for things that tend to go sliding around in your car. You can buy a pad made especially for this, or you can take the cheap way out.

Buy a whole roll of rubber shelf liner, and it comes in handy for all kinds of things. Cut a piece or two to put in your car -- I keep one on the ledge in front of the instrument panel, and sometimes lay it on the dashboard. Whatever you put on it - cell phone, gps, shopping list, note pad -- it will stay there even when you turn corners.

You could also use it on a console in the car.

I can't even think of all the things we've used this for over the years. One time Dear Hubby used it as padding when hanging a rack over a door, to avoid damage to the door.

If you're wondering what that funny hook is on my cell phone, you'll have to tune in tomorrow!

Bananas and Lemons - Critical Update!

Well, you know there can't possibly be anything too critical about bananas and lemons, but I did get your attention, didn't I? I do want to add some useful information I've learned recently.

My cousin Pam sent me an e-mail with helpful hints. One of them is that if you separate bananas when you bring them home from the store (rather than leaving them attached to each other), they don't ripen as quickly. I don't think you have to send them to their rooms or anything, but just take them apart. I gave this a try, leaving half the bananas attached, and the other half separated, and it did work! This is a very good tip for those who like their bananas not so ripe.

Her e-mail also said to peel the bananas from the bottom instead of the top to avoid having to peel off those strings that usually stay attached. I'm sure that will work, but I just haven't been able to break the lifetime habit of peeling a banana from the top!

The news about lemons is much more serious. My friend Marie forwarded an e-mail that contained a news report that is very troubling. I can truthfully say that from now on I will only be putting lemons in my drinks at home, and never in restaurants. After watching this, I now order my drinks specifically with "no lemon". In the tests this microbiologist did, 77% of lemons in restaurant drinks were contaminated. You can watch the one-and-a-half minute news report by clicking on this link: http://www.healthinspections.LemonStudy.wmv

I believe the problem stems from not washing the lemons, as well as other unsanitary practices. You can refer back to my article "Give That Produce a Bath", and avoid this problem at home.

Easiest Way to Make Your Own Calendar

Today is a good day to learn something new about your computer, and you get to learn two new things, because I did! Courtesy of Mr. Modem (www.mrmodem.com), I found a very useful website called www.timeanddate.com. You can make your own calendar for any year, month, or groups of months, among other things. You don't have to register or sign in, and it walks you through the process of printing your calendar with ease. I found it very nice to be able to print a calendar with the 2009 holidays listed (see screen shot below). It also has several other interesting utilities, like a World Clock and Time Zone Calculator.

In the process of wanting to show this to you, I needed to learn how to do a "screen shot" of the website, so I googled a question and learned how. I made sure the screen was showing what I wanted to capture as a picture. I hit the Ctrl button at the same time as pushing the Prt Scrn button (upper right portion of your keyboard). Nothing will seem to happen at this point, but it has saved a picture of your screen on your clipboard for pasting. I then opened up the Paint program (hit Start, then All Programs, then Accessories, then Paint). When Paint is opened up, choose Edit, then Paste. The picture of your screen will show up in the window. Hit File, then Save As, choose where you want to save it, then name your picture, and save it as a .jpg file (choose from the drop-down menu called "Save as Type"). This will save your screen shot as a picture, and you can use a photo utility program to edit it any way you want. I resized mine to work well on this website. This can come in handy when something is wrong with your computer and you want to e-mail what is on the screen to someone who knows more than you do about it (like your kids). I think I'll also find some other good uses for this new skill.

Best Way to Boil an Egg

Boiling eggs used to be a hit-or-miss project for me. Sometimes they just didn't turn out like I wanted, and often the shells were really hard to get off without tearing up the egg.

So one day I decided there must be a right way to do this and get more consistent results. With a little research, I narrowed it down to 2 methods and then tried them both. This is the method that gave me the best results:

Start a pan of water heating. Set the carton of eggs out so they start to come closer to room temperature. When the water reaches the boiling point, add the eggs one by one using a slotted spoon. Set a timer for 15 minutes. When the timer sounds, remove the pan from the burner and immediately pour out most of the hot water and start to pour in cold water from the faucet. To completely cool the eggs quickly, add some ice cubes into the cold water. After 5 minutes or so, refrigerate the boiled eggs. I keep them in a certain container in the refrigerator all the time so my family knows which ones are boiled. When you get ready to use them, they will almost always peel quickly and easily, and be perfect on the inside.

You need to choose the cooking pan carefully because some pans will be damaged by pouring cold water into a hot pan. For this reason, I use an blue enamel-coated pan I bought at the Army-Navy store. It also serves as a reminder when I set it out on the stove that I need to boil some eggs.

Eggs are very nutritious, especially if you choose the kind that come from grain-fed chickens and have extra essential fatty acids. In the past they had a bad reputation, but that's been disproven now.

Simple recipe for Egg Salad:
Serves 1.

• 2 boiled eggs, chopped (I use an egg slicer)
• 1 tablespoon real mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1 tablespoon pickle relish
• chopped onion, optional
• salt and pepper to taste

Mix together and serve on bread or with chips or crackers. As always, I don't actually measure, but just toss the stuff in and stir it up. These are things I always have on hand, so I'm just a few minutes away from a good lunch. Add some baby carrots and/or other fresh veggies for a complete meal.

Great Snack Idea

Oh, this stuff is so good! Mrs. May's Cashew Crunch is available at some health food stores, but also in a large bag at Sam's Club -- in the snack aisle. It's gluten free, dairy free, wheat free, with no preservatives and no cholesterol. The ingredients are cashews, sesame seeds, rice malt, evaporated cane juice, and sea salt. A serving size, 6 pieces, is only 150 calories, with just 3 grams of sugars. The cashews and sesame seeds are "glued" together in little chunks by the cane juice.

Everyone I know who has tried this has loved it. Mrs. May also makes almond crunch, walnut crunch, and several other flavors, but I think cashew crunch is the best by far. And it's the only one you can get at Sam's. Sam's also has the best price I've seen.

Soft Drink Alternatives

I apologize in advance to all of you who are in love with your sodas. If you can't handle it, please don't read any further.

I used to have Diet Coke every day. I can't do it now, because I found out how bad it is for your body.

According to many sources, it can take up to 32 glasses of alkaline water to neutralize the acid in 1 glass of cola. As your body is trying to neutralize all the phosphoric acid from the soda, it robs alkaline material (calcium) from your bones and other parts of your body. It is one of the reasons there is a much higher rate of osteoporosis in this country than ever before. Have you ever used cola to clean the corrosion off the battery of your car? Hmmm...wonder what it's doing inside your body? There's not enough room here to go into all the dangers of soda -- and I haven't even mentioned the high fructose corn syrup, msg, and aspartame. You can research it yourself if you really want to know.

But the purpose of this post is to give you some alternatives to soft drinks. You do get tired of drinking water all the time, so here are some options.

• Fresh lemon or lime squeezed into water (wash the fruit first). Sweeten some stevia if desired. Not only does this drink taste good, but it has a cleansing effect on your body, with or without the sweetener.
  
• True Lemon and True Lime are found in the baking section of Kroger stores. I'm sure they're available elsewhere, but I don't know what section of the store they'll be in. To make a nice, quick lemon or lime drink, sprinkle it in water and add a little stevia to sweeten. They come in serving size packages, but I like to use more than comes in one packet, so I buy the bottles. It's more economical, too. You can use it in recipes as a substitute for lemon or lime juice also. The ingredients are: Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Lemon or Lime Juice, Lemon or Lime oil, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). [They make True Orange, too, but it's not my favorite.]
  
• Keep some real 100% cranberry juice in the refrigerator. Put about 1/2 inch of juice into the bottom of your glass, fill with water, sweeten with stevia, and stir. This is very good for you, tastes good, and is said to help rev up your metabolism. You can do it with other juices, too.
  
• Iced herb tea or green tea.

Readers, if you have other good alternatives, would you post them to the comments? I've got some cold raspberry green tea in the fridge and suddenly I'm thirsty. Have a great weekend!

You've Always Wanted to Know This

Dot the Clown - then, and in her golden years
<----------------------------->

When we took our kids to the circus, I never could figure out how all those clowns came out of that car. I was convinced there must be a trap door in the floor under the car to keep a steady flow of clowns. Did you ever wonder about that?

Well, later I spent 5 years as a professional clown, and I finally found out the answer. Besides birthday parties, grand openings, and church events, I was part of a stage show called "Circus of the King", and we actually did that trick in a Volkswagen. So now I can reveal the secret! I really hope this does not get me into trouble with the underground clown culture out there.

We started with a Volkswagen Bug that was completely empty, except for a very small driver's seat (actually a driver's stool) and a stick shift. In rehearsal, when they told us how we were going to actually load the car with clowns, I came near to having a panic attack. I have never been happy in tight spaces -- I'm still not! Thankfully, when I told them of my fear, they gave me a special place. :)

First, a row of clowns lined their rear ends up along the back window, kind of half standing, half sitting. Then, another row of clowns squashed in, in front of them. Then another row, etc., until the bug was filled up. My place was in the front row, pushed up against the gear shift, but I was not complaining because my face was not stuffed into someone's back. The driver drove the VW Bug out onto the stage, and we each made our appearance to thunderous applause! I can't remember exactly how many clowns we stuffed in there, but I would estimate 24. Imagine that, with all the big shoes and fluffy costumes and wigs!

So now you know...maybe some day I'll tell you the story of why I became a professional clown...always remember: IYQ. (Think about it.)

Long Distance Gift Idea

Last November was a special occasion. Our dear friend Bill turned 50. The trouble was, he and his wife Gayle had also just moved several states away, and it was impossible to have a big party for him.

Gayle invited people to send e-mails and cards, but we wanted to do something more, so we thought and thought....actually, I'm the only one who thought and thought, but Dear Hubby helped with the execution of The Big Idea.

We decided to send Bill a Party-In-A-Box. You can buy something like this online and have it shipped directly, but we wanted to make our own. We went to the dollar store, the kind where everything is actually a dollar, and browsed around for inspiration. It didn't take long.

Here's what we put in the box:

• Dinosaur party hats and blowers (with a sticky note that pointed out Bill is an old dinosaur now)
• Balloons
• Bling-Bling (big gawdy fake jewelry, because every old guy needs a little bling-bling)
• A coloring book and crayons, Play-Do (sometimes old guys get more child-like)
• A can of Bold Nuts (because our friend Bill is an old, bold nut)
• A fake rock you can put on your car to look like it broke your windshield (because Bill rocks, and he likes climbing rocks)
• Fake nose/moustache/eyeglasses (to improve his looks)
• Pictures of us wearing fake nose/moustache/eyeglasses and holding signs wishing Bill a Happy Birthday
• A smart-aleck birthday card
• and finally, a real gift

We had fun doing it, and Bill had fun opening it. Maybe you can use this idea for a loved one that is far away on a special birthday or other occasion.

I think this is so important, I want to spend this day sharing The Truth About Budgeting from Dave Ramsey.

The Truth About Budgeting

Myth: I don't have time to work on a budget.
Truth: You don't have time not to make a budget!

The dreaded "B" word. Budget. The only other word that starts with "B" that might generate a worse reaction in most people is the word bankruptcy.

Unfortunately, the word budget has gotten a bum rap - it is basically just a PLAN. When you budget, you're spending on paper, on purpose, before the month begins. But many people view a budget as a straight jacket that keeps them constrained. Freedom and budget just don't seem to go together.

However, when you see that a budget is just spending your money with intention, you'll actually experience more freedom than before. Many people say they've found even more money when they created a realistic budget and stuck with it. Check out the great free budget forms to help you.

Here's some helpful advice about budgeting:

• Give it 3-4 months to start working. It won't be perfect the first time you do it.
• Spend every dime on paper before the month begins.
• Over-fund your groceries category. Most people underfund that category.
• Husbands (if applicable) need to loosen up and quit using the budget as a whipping tool on their wives.
• If married, spouses need to do the budget together. The preacher said ". . . and you are ONE."

When you are spending your money on purpose, you will be on your way to a Total Money Makeover. You will be on the road to changing your family tree forever!

Resources:

• The Envelope System
• New to Dave Ramsey?
• 6 Budget Bombs
  

People who read this also checked out:

• The Truth About Debt
• The Truth About Debt Consolidation
• The Truth About Debt Maagement
• The Truth About Credit Card Debt
• The Truth About Debt Help
• The Truth About Debt Reduction
• The Truth About Bankruptcy
• The Truth About Life Insurance
• The Truth About Teens and Credit Cards
• The Truth About Money and Relationships
• The Truth About Debt and Relationships

This content is provided by DaveRamsey.com and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. Dave Ramsey is changing the face of America by helping people develop a budgeting plan that works and get on the path to being debt free.

A Radio Show that Will Change Your Future

Unless you are totally debt-free, with plenty of money in the bank, you need to hear this. Dave Ramsey has some radical ideas about money, and they're all good. We had already been practicing some of the principles he teaches before we started listening to him, but he's convinced us to be even more radical. He's practical, down-to-earth, and very entertaining as he helps people get on track financially. I have learned so much.

He is on the air live from noon to 3:00 eastern time every weekday. You can go to his website and find a station that carries him (satellite radio, too), or listen to it live on the website. One hour of each day's show is available to download free for your mp3 player or computer. The website is http://www.daveramsey.com/

He also has a best-selling book, The Total Money Makeover, and a nightly television show on the Fox Business Channel, but my favorite is the radio show. Almost anytime I'm in the car in the afternoon, Dave is on my radio.

Our middle son, Austin, caught the vision from Dave's book and radio show, and turned his financial life around. He was able to call in on Dave's radio show on a Friday, when he encourages people to yell "I'm Debt-Free!!!" after they've paid off everything. What a great thing at such a young age.

I can tell you from experience that having an actual WRITTEN budget to follow makes all the difference. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of circumstances where it is very powerful to write things down. I'll talk more about that later.

You will get lots of other great ideas from Dave, too. He will help you change your mind, and that will change your financial practices, and that will change your future! Check it out.

Quick, Healthy Dinner Idea

Tostadas are an old standby at our house, and a favorite, but you may not have thought of making them at home. Here's a way to make them quick and healthy.

For starters, I keep Bearitos Tostada Shells in the freezer -- in a safe place where they won't get crushed. They're the only brand I've found that don't have trans fats, and they're delicious. They are made of only
organic stoneground yellow corn masa flour
expeller pressed canola and/or safflower and/or sunflower oil.

I keep them in the freezer because they have no preservatives and the oil can get rancid. Plus, I like always having them on hand for nights when I don't have a clue what dinner will be.

I like to make kind of a Tostada Bar - putting out bowls of whatever veggies we have, but here are our favorites:

• warm refried beans (the healthy kind with no lard)
• shredded lettuce
• chopped tomatoes
• chopped onions
• quacamole
• black olives
• shredded cheese
• salsa

After all that is ready, bake the tostada shells at 350 degrees for 4 to 5 minutes. As they come out of the oven, top each one with the warm refried beans. Then let each person top their own tostadas. Two to three tostadas per person makes a complete meal.

If you can't find the Bearitos Tostada Shells at your health food store, they can order them for you. The website is www.littlebearfoods.com, and toll-free number is 1-800-434-4246.

Wholly Guacamole, Batman

You may have passed this product by in the store, thinking it's fake guacamole, but look again! It is made from organic Hass avocados, jalapeno puree, dehydrated onion, salt and granulated garlic. And it is YUMMY! Despite the jalapeno puree, it's not very hot. They do have some that is more spicy if that is what you like.

You can dress it up with tomatoes and onions, but it's good just like it is. Plain, it makes a very good topping for tostadas (recipe coming tomorrow).

This time of the year, it's hard to get good fresh avocados. And you never really know what you're going to find inside anyway. I love the fresh ones, but sometimes I spend up to $2 each to be really disappointed.

Wholly Guacamole has a "Use or Freeze By" date, and it does freeze well. Sometimes the store will put them on clearance when they're on or near the expiration date, so I buy them and freeze them. They also go on sale periodically, and you can find good coupons for these. I hope you'll give it a try!

Give That Produce a Bath!

Have you ever tried bathing a watermelon? It reminds me of bathing a slippery, chubby baby in the sink. But I do it, even with Dear Hubby making fun of me all the while!

Think about it, even if you're not going to eat the outside skin or rind on fruit or vegetables, when you cut into it, you're carrying the bacteria/dirt/manure/whatever from the outside to the inside on the knife. Ewww!

You may not know this, but you have to be careful what you wash it with, if it's the part you're eating (like a bell pepper or a tomato), because the residue of the wrong soap could make you sick. I'm trying to be delicate here, so let's just say your intestinal tract could get out of control.

They make special veggie wash products, but I never use them. Many years ago, I read that Ivory dish soap was safe for washing your produce, so that's what I've always done. For that reason, it is the only dish soap I use at my kitchen sink.

I keep some in this pretty glass bottle (left in photo) on the side of the sink. If you have one with a small neck opening, you can buy the little pour top at Container Store. I also keep it in the foam soap dispenser that Pampered Chef makes (center in photo). This makes it easy to squirt a little foam in your hand and "bathe" your produce. Be sure to rinse really well.

In addition, I keep a plastic or rubber scrub brush in a drawer near the sink to scrub potatos or carrots or other especially dirty veggies. Then I drop the scrub brush in the dishwasher.

Extra Note: It's been proven that normal kitchen sinks have more bacteria than normal toilets. Don't lay your veggies or fruits down in the sink! Again, think about it.