Substitutions for Alcohol in Cooking

(Rebecca, you knew I'd post this link... I couldn't pass it up!)

When looking for substitutes for alcohol in cooking, go to Gourmet Sleuth for the proper substitutions. I don't like to keep alcohol in my house nor do I like to cook with it, so this is right up my alley!

Stir and Roll Biscuits

The simplest recipe for flaky biscuits...

2 C. flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

½ C. vegetable oil

2/3 C. milk

Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl. Add oil and milk. Stir with a fork until mixture cleans sides of bowl and forms a ball. Turn dough out and knead once or twice until smooth. Press with hands or roll out to ½ inch thick. Cut with biscuit cutter or glass rim. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 10-12 minutes at 450 degrees.

One of the tricks to flaky biscuits is not to work the dough too much. Make sure the dough is thick enough before you cut the biscuits. Too thin and they'll be crackers instead of biscuits. :) These are a yummy accompaniment to a thick stew. Yum!

Saving Bananas for Bread

You have a few bananas that are overly ripe and you want to save them to make banana bread in the future when the mood strikes you. How do you do that?

Peel the bananas and put them in a plastic freezer bag (you might have to break them in half to get a full bag). Squeeze out all the air you can, seal the bag, and toss it in the freezer.

When you're ready to use the bananas to make yummy banana bread, take the bag out of the freezer, place it in a bowl, and open the bag with the opening facing up so as not to make a mess in the bowl. Use the defrost setting on your microwave till the bananas are thawed. Again, squeeze out as much air as you can and reseal the bag. Gently squeeze the bag with the soft bananas until they are mashed. Then pour them from the bag into a measuring cup for use in your recipe.

My favorite banana bread recipe is below. Yummy!!

Banana Bread

Mix together:

2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup oil
2 cups mashed banana
3 eggs

In a separate bowl combine the following:

3 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt

Combine both mixtures and baked in two greased loaf pans at 350 degrees. Bake for one hour. If not done cover with foil and bake for another 15 minutes.

Grocery Shopping Within a Budget

For many, many years I have used a system for my weekly grocery shopping trips that has insured that I stay within my budget. In fact, this past week I went to the store with my weekly grocery budget money in hand (we use a cash system) and walked away with $.32 left over. I'd even gotten a couple of things that weren't on my list because a few things were on sale!

I used Excel to make up a simple form to type my grocery list into each week. (See below.) The first column is for the price, the second column is for the name of the item. At the bottom of the list are three rows: Limit, Total, and Kitty. In the Limit row is the budgeted amount for my weekly grocery list. In the Total row is the total amount of my grocery list estimated cost (more explanation on that in a minute). The Kitty row is the difference between the two.

As I write out my list, I estimate prices on things. It helps me pay attention to sale items. I can look at a weekly sale flier for a store and know if a particular item is really a good deal or not. I have the Excel spreadsheet set up so that it figures all the amounts in the bottom rows automatically, with the exception of the Limit amount, which I can change whenever I want/need to.

As I shop, I check what the actual price is, compared to what I estimated it would be. Any difference gets figured into or out of the kitty (which I write underneath or on the back of my list as I'm in the store – the typed kitty amount is just a starting point). For instance, two weeks ago milk was $1.66 a gallon. So last week I budgeted $1.75 per gallon (I always round up to the nearest quarter dollar). But when I went shopping, milk was only $1.49 per gallon. When I bought four gallons of milk for $.25 less than I'd budgeted, I added $1.00 to my kitty. If something is more than I estimated, it comes out of my kitty. And to keep things simple, I always round up to the nearest quarter dollar. At the end of my trip, I can either choose to spend my kitty on something not on my list, or save the extra for another time. Sometimes I make a short list of things I come across in the store that I'd like to spend my kitty on so I can go back and get them. If I'm under (which rarely happens), I decide on something to put back. I usually put aside a couple of dollars for taxes, but usually my rounding up covers any taxes.

On the second page of my "Groceries, Meal Planning" spreadsheet is a meal planner. I like to fill this in as I make my grocery list, then print it out. I post it on my fridge and use the bottom of it to write down things I need to add to my grocery list for the following week.

I'm going to try to upload the spreadsheet so you can snag it to use as you so choose. Happy grocery shopping!

CLICK HERE to go to the spreadsheet online

Know the Real Expiration Date of Your Groceries

I was watching a segment on Good Morning America this morning that was fascinating! The segment was entitled, "Know the Real Expiration Date of Your Groceries." Some of the main points from the segment include:

• Bacon lasts seven days in the fridge and one month in the freezer.
• An opened package of cold cuts lasts 3-5 days in the fridge and 1-2 months in the freezer.
• Hard-boiled eggs will last 7 days in the shell in the fridge.
• Don't use plastic of any kind directly on your cheese because this creates moisture (which causes cheese to mold faster). Wrap it in wax paper first then wrap it tightly in foil or put it in a plastic bag with all the air squeezed out.
• Do not wash lettuce leaves before storing them. Simply wrap them in paper towels, then put in a sealed plastic bag.
• Pack your freezer tight and it uses less energy.
• Not so much with your fridge. You need air to be able to move between items in your fridge in order to keep them cold, so do NOT pack your fridge tightly.

Some of these items I knew, but others really surprised me!

To see the entire segment, go to the article on the Good Morning America website. (The video segment in its entirety is also on the same page.) Enjoy!

100 Uses for Vinegar

I found a super nifty article at Wide Open Wallet. The article is entitled, "100 Uses for Vinegar." My favorite uses on the list include:

• Shower head: To unclog a shower head mix 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup white distilled vinegar in a sandwich bag. Tie around shower head and let soak for an hour after the bubbling has stopped. Remove bag and turn on the water.
  
• Eyeglasses: Wipe each lens with a drop of white distilled vinegar.
• Hair Rinse: Rinse hair with one cup of white distilled vinegar and warm water. Brings out highlights and removes shampoo buildup.
• Bruises: speed healing and prevent bruises by soaking a piece of cotton gauze in white or apple cider vinegar and leaving it on the injured area for one hour.
• Perfect rice: Add a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar to the boiling water.
• Cut flowers: Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar to a quart of water in a vase. It will preserve fresh flowers and perk up droopy ones.

And last, but not least:

• Freak out your kids: Turn a chicken bone into rubber by soaking it in a glass of white distilled vinegar for three days.

Check out the link to view the rest of the list. There are some great ideas for using this super-frugal item!

Don't forget, you can also use it as fabric softener. :)

I've Got a Button!!

I consider myself fairly computer-literate. But figuring out how to make a linking button available for download for my blog was quite the challenge! (And don't ask how I did it because I'm not sure I could tell you...)

Anyway, please grab my button and post it on your blog ~ if you feel so inclined. I'd appreciate it. :)

Instructions:
1. Copy the html code in the scroll box.
2. On your blog, go to "Customize" then to "Add a Gadget."
3. Choose "HTML/JavaScript."
4. Paste the html code in the box and save.
5. Ta-da!!

<a href="http://cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="" src="
http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww306/kimjohnson5/j0163755.jpg"/></a>

Freezing Casseroles

I read the following awesomely clever tip over at Meal Planning Mommies. What a great idea!!

Okay, so you doubled your recipe and have made two casseroles - one for now and one for the freezer. But, you don't want all your casserole dishes in the freezer so what do you do?

Line the casserole dish with clear plastic wrap or foil and then spray with cooking spray. Place your casserole in the dish, cover with plastic wrap and freeze for a few hours until completely frozen. Remove from the freezer and take it out of the dish. Then tightly wrap the food in more plastic wrap/foil, label and place back in the freezer.

When you're ready to eat it take all the plastic wrap off, place back in the original dish and place in the fridge to defrost. Then cook!

"Press Here to Lock End"

Apparently this is not common knowledge. I'm part of a Yahoo group where this was recently shared and I was surprised by how many people didn't know this little tidbit of information. So I thought this would be a good forum in which to share something with you that SHOULD be common knowledge, but apparently ISN'T.

Have you ever had a tough time with the aluminum foil or plastic wrap because the whole roll keeps falling out of the box when you're trying to take some out?

Check out the end of the box. Press in on the little triangle that says "Press here to lock end." That little thing will lock the roll into the box and save you lots of hassle and frustration.

You're welcome. :)

Baking Cookies Without an Oven!

I saw this tip on Rachael Ray, but I can't find it on her website, so I can't include the link... Anywho...

Preheat your pancake griddle to 350 degrees. Put your cookie dough on the griddle just like you would put it on your cookie sheet (2" apart or whatever). Let it cook for about five minutes, then use a spatula to turn it over for another five minutes. And you have cookies without having to use your oven!

This can save on energy and is a great idea for the summer time when you don't want to heat up your house by heating up the oven. I love it! Plus, you end up with two crispy sides on each cookie with a gooey center. Yum!

Plastic Baggies as Bowls

I had the hardest time coming up with a title for this post... :P

When you have to fill a plastic baggie, first open it all the way and turn over the top part (the zipping part). The bag will stay open for you while you fill it. Plus, if you're filling it with something messy or wet, all the mess stays well away from the zip part of the bag and won't be such a mess when you shut the bag.

It's also a great way to convert sandwich baggies into snack containers for little kids. The bag stays zipped shut till you're ready to use it. Then open it, turn the top over, and hand it over. Easy for kids to use without having to tote around a small bowl/cup/etc. (I keep these in the car for on-the-road snack containers. They're great!)

The Pizza Cutter: Not Just for Pizza

You can use your pizza cutter for much more than cutting pizza into slices. It works great for cutting things like pancakes, waffles, and spaghetti into smaller pieces for kids. It also works great for cutting brownies. What "alternative uses" do you have for your pizza cutter?

Sinful Chocolate "Muffins"

I really think these should be called Sinful Chocolate Cupcakes, because they're WAY too rich to fall into the category of anything I consider to be close to a muffin - but whatever. :) Today is my birthday (happy birthday to me!) so I'm sharing the recipe for one of my favorite yummy chocolate treats. It's one of the few recipes I have memorized because it's so super-easy. Enjoy!!

Sinful Chocolate Muffins/Cupcakes

1 can pumpkin
1 chocolate cake mix
1 bag semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the pumpkin with the chocolate cake mix till everything is well mixed, then stir in the chocolate chips. Either use cupcake liners or spray muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray. Fill muffin cups almost full (they won't rise much). Bake for 15-20 minutes or until set.

Note: These are actually better the second day. Warm them slightly, then serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. And no worries, you seriously can't taste the pumpkin. I promise!

Snow Bacteria???

When I originally told some family members about my Snow Ice Cream post, they were quick to point out that snow has harmful, disgusting bacteria in it and the idea of making ice cream out of it was gross!!

I did some research and learned a little bit about the relationship between bacteria and snow. Fascinating information...

In a nutshell:

• in order for snow to form, it must have something to "hang on to"
• most of the time, snow latches on to bacteria in the atmosphere when it is forming
  
• this bacteria is in no way harmful to people -- not at all
• we eat things covered in bacteria all the time
• not all bacteria are harmful/bad/gross

To learn more, read the full article, "Bacteria, Eating Snow, and Climate Change."

That said, you should still avoid dirty and/or yellow snow. :P I like the idea of putting out a bucket to catch fresh snow in when it is snowing -- and use that snow for your ice cream.

So go out and make some Snow Ice Cream before the snow is gone! :)

Spoiled Children

My dad recently sent his kids (the parents of his grandchildren) a copy of an article from WebMD and Oprah.com.

The original article is Are Your Children Spoiled?. It has some great information and ideas! Among them is the concept that children are not born brats -- we as parents create brats. (See the link above for the quote from Rabbi Shmuley at the beginning of the article.)

10 Signs Your Children Are Brats:

1. They resort to crying or yelling when they want something.
2. They throw themselves on floor and won't get up.
3. They constantly throw tantrums or even hit you when you punish them.
4. They ignore you when you ask a question.
5. They are rude to other adults and even to other children.
6. They refuse to share toys or treats with other children.
7. They are show-offs and are constantly trying to one-up their peers to be the center of attention.
8. They always want whatever everyone else has. Once they have it, they want something new.
9. They keep a messy room and never help out around the house despite your pleas for them to do so.
10. They refuse to go to bed.

And to compliment that list,
What To Do if Your Children Are Brats:

• Reward good behavior and punish bad behavior.
• If your children yell when they want something, don't give it to them and take away something they like.
• If they won't get off the floor during a tantrum, pick them up and put them in their room until they calm down and apologize.
• If they ignore you when you tell them to do something, punish them immediately. Put them in a corner and don't let them out until they apologize.
• If they won't share, take away the toy or treat.
• Don't buy them whatever they want. Make them earn things.
• If they keep a messy room, don't let them out until it's clean.
• Enforce bedtimes. Continually put them back into their beds. After a while, they'll stop getting out. You must show there is no other option.
• Compliment your children profusely and give them rewards when they do the right thing.

Wow! (And just so you know, my Dad didn't think my kids were brats, he was actually trying to compliment his children on their parenting skills because he does NOT have brats for grandchildren. And, he added "Allow the Grandparents to do whatever they want until it's time to go home. Then proceed with damage-control!" to the end of the list... :P)

I found another article on Oprah.com which outlines WHY children are spoiled in today's society and how to stop spoiling your children. (You'll have to read the whole article on Oprah.com for the details.)

Why Children Are Spoiled:

• Wealth
• Overindulgence
• Workaholic Society
• Bad Marriages
• Exhaustion
• Friendship over Parenting

How to Stop Spoiling Your Children:

• Be the Parent
• Enforce Bedtime
• Start a Chores List
• Give an Allowance
• Have Family Meetings
• Talk to Your Kids
• Have Family Dinner
• Reduce the Hired Help
• Go to Church or Synagogue

And, not to toot my own horn, but I have some great ideas as far as chores and allowance go. See the link on my sidebar to Chore Charts & Kid Bucks. :)

So, take it or leave it, but I agree fully with these two articles. I don't think any parent spoils a child on purpose. This article has some great ideas if, like me, you find that your child displays one or two of the "undesirable" traits that you want to change. I wish all parents desired to raise un-spoiled, non-brat children. This world and our society would be a much better place. :)

Using the Washer's Spin Cycle to Your Advantage

When washing something that has to be air-dried, or thick materials that take a long time in the dryer (denim, heavy towels), run them through the spin cycle of your washer and extra time before taking them out of the washer. Just turn the knob to the "Spin" part of the dial and start it.

I found that my air-dry items dry twice as fast, and my dryer runs almost half as long with things that usually take forever. You use less energy running the spin cycle for an extra five minutes that using the dryer for an extra 20-30 minutes!

Try it!