recipies/making life easier

Lemon stirfry sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice + 1tsp lemon zest
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbs. sugar

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Soy Sesame stirfry sauce
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tsp. rice wine vinegar (or balsamic)
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp hot red pepper flakes
1 tsp sugar

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Fresh Herb stirfry sauce
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tsp rice wine vinegar (or balsamic)
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 cup shredded basil leaves or minced cilantro leaves

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Sweet and Sour stirfry sauce (my favorite!)
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 Tbs. cider, balsamic or rice wine vinegar
1Tb. brown sugar
1/4 tsp hot red pepper flakes

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Egg drop soup -6 servings
6 cups vegetable broth
1 egg
1 egg white combined, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 cup chopped scallions

In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a lively boil. In a small
bowl,
mix the eggs witht eh sesame oil. Pour the egg mixture in a thin
stream
into the bubbling broth, stirring constantly witha fork to form egg
threads. When the egg threads have formed, remove the pan from the
heat
and stir in scallions.

Master Baking Mix

4 cups all purpose flour
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup butter flavor or solid white shortening
1/3 cup double-acting baking powder
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
Use a large bowl to make this mix. Mix all the dry ingredients well, then
cut in the shortening until it looks like coarse oatmeal. Store in a covered
container.

Yields 11 cups. It keeps for 2 months at room temperature, longer if kept in
the refrigerator, and even longer if kept in the freezer.

Master Mix Biscuits

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Mix 2 cups of Master Baking Mix with enough
water to form a dough. Knead the dough, roll out and cut out biscuits. Bake
for 10-15 minutes. Yields about 8 to 12 biscuits, depending on the size of
the cutter and the thickness of the biscuits.

Master Mix Muffins

3 cups Master Baking Mix
3 to 4 Tbs sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 cup water
1 tsp flavoring [vanilla, lemon, banana extract, etc.]
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine the mix and sugar in a bowl. Blend
egg and water; add to the dry ingredients. Stir gently, just until dry
ingredients are moistened. Fill well greased 2 1/2" muffin pans 2/3 full.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. Makes about one dozen muffins. [You can also add
chopped apples, bananas, blueberries, and other fruits to the batter].

Master Mix Pancakes

2 cups Master Baking Mix
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 cups water or milk
Combine all ingredients, stirring just enough to moisten dry ingredients.
Drop by spoonfuls onto a hot non-stick or greased griddle or fry pan. Turn
when bubbles appear on the surface of the cakes. Cook until well browned.
Makes about 12 to 16 pancakes. [For waffles add 1 tablespoon melted fat or
oil to pancake mixture. Makes 4 small waffles.]

Master Mix Cornbread

1 cup Master Baking Mix
1 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.Blend dry ingredients thoroughly. Combine
beaten egg and milk; stir into dry ingredients. Pour into greased 8-inch
square pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Makes 9 pieces.

Master Mix Pizza Crust

1 1/3 cups Baking Mix
2 tablespoons cornmeal
Water
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Combine dry ingredients with enough water to
make soft dough. Knead in bowl 12 times. Roll or pat out thin on a greased
cookie sheet or pizza pan. Turn up the edges. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or
until partially baked and starting to brown. Top to taste, return to oven
until ready.

Master Mix Coffee Cake

Cake

2 cups Master Baking Mix
1/cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup water
Topping

2 tsp Master Baking Mix
1/3 cup brown or white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbs margarine or butter
Combine all topping ingredients and cut in the margarine.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the dry ingredients. Mix egg and
water; add to dry ingredients until just blended. Spread in an 8-inch square
pan and sprinkle with the topping. Bake for about 20 minutes.

Variation: To make apple coffee cake top the cake with apple slices, then
sprinkle with a mixture of 2 Tbs. sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon.

Master Mix Banana Bread

2 1/2 cups Master Baking Mix
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups mashed banana [about 3]
1 tsp banana or vanilla flavoring
1/4 cup water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat eggs and sugar together in a bowl until
they turn a lemony color. Mix in flavoring, baking soda, mashed bananas, and
water. Stir in Master Baking Mix and blend. Pour into a greased loaf pan.
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until brown [a toothpick inserted in the center
will come out clean].

Master Mix Zucchini Bread

2 1/2 cups Master Baking Mix
2/3 cups brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped nuts [optional]
1/4 cup raisins[optional]
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
2 eggs
1/4 cup water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat eggs and sugar together until they turn
a lemony color. Mix in baking soda, cinnamon, vanilla, zucchini, and water.
Add the Master Baking Mix and blend in. Fold in the nuts and raisins. Pour
batter into a loaf pan. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until browned [a
toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean].

Master Mix Pumpkin Bread

2 1/2 cups Master Baking Mix 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp
cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp ginger 1 cup canned pumpkin [or cooked
mashed pumpkin] 2 eggs 1/4 cup water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat eggs and sugar together until they turn
a lemony yellow. Mix in baking soda, spices, water and pumpkin. Add the
Master Baking Mix and blend in. Pour into a loaf pan. Bake for 45 to 55
minutes until browned [a toothpick inserted in the middle will come out
clean].

Master Mix Brownies

1 1/3 cups Master Baking Mix
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
2 eggs
1/4 cup water
2 Tbs soft margarine
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts [optional]
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat eggs, water, and margarine together
until fluffy. Stir in vanilla, sugar, and cocoea. Add the Master Baking Mix
and blend. Fold in nuts.Spread the batter in a greased 8x8x2 inch pan. Bake
for about 30 minutes. Makes 16 squares.

Master Mix Peanut Butter Cookies

2 cups MIX
2/3 cups sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 cups peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla [optional
Combine Master Baking Mix and sugar. Blend in the rest of the ingredients.
Shape the batter into rolls about 1 1/2 inch thick. Wrap the rolls in waxed
paper and refrigerate until firm or until needed.

When ready to use, slice 1/4-inch thick and place the rounds on an ungreased
cookie sheet. Bake in 350-degree F oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes about 3
to 4 dozen cookies.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

Recipe By : Real Food for Real People
http://www.realfood4realpeople.com


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup Water
2 cups Sugar
1/4 cup Margarine
4 cups Instant Powdered Milk
1 tablespoon Vanilla

In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil and remove from heat.
Add sugar and margarine, then stir until dissolved. Pour hot
mixture into blender. Add milk and vanilla, then blend until smooth.
Makes 1 quart. Stores well in refrigerator for up to 2 months.

The Little Hands Art Book
By Judy Press

Flour Paste
1/2 cup flour
2/3 cup water
oil of peppermint or wintergreen

Mix the flour and water together. stir until paste has creamy consistency.
Add a few drops of the oil, as a preservative.
Makes 1/2 pint


Cornstarch Paste
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons light karo syrup
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup water
oil of wintergreen

Mix 3/4 cup water, Karo syrup, and vinegar together in saucepan. Ask grownup
to help you bring the mixture to a full boil.
Mix the cornstarch with the second 3/4 cup of water, and add slowly to the
boiling mixture. Stir constantly to avoid lumps
Let mixture stand overnight before use. If a few drops of the oil are added
as a preservative, this paste will be good for about two months.
makes 1 pint


Paper-Mache Paste
3 cups cold water
1 1/2 cups flour
Oil of peppermint

In a heavy saucepan, stir flour into cold water. Ask a grownup to cook over
low heat until the mixture thickens to a creamy paste.
Cool; then add a few drops of peppermint oil.

Household Helpers



Fireplace Brick and Stone Cleaner

1 Cup laundry soap flakes
4 Cups hot water
1/2 lb. powdered pumice
1/2 Cup ammonia

Dissolve soap flakes in water. Stir in pumice and ammonia and use to scrub
the bricks or stones with a stiff brush. Rinse by scrubbing with clean
water. Repeat as necessary.

*Powdered pumice is ground volcanic rock found in hardware stores or jewelers
who make settings.

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Upholstery Cleaner

3 quarts hot water
2 ounces castile soap, grated or chipped
1 Tbls. borax (1/2 ounces)
1/4 Cup glycerin (2 ounces)

Place water and soap in the jug or bottle, replace lid, and shake to
dissolve. Add borax and glycerin, shaking to dissolve. Allow to cool. To
use, sponge onto fabric. Do not soak furniture. Do a small area at a time.
Rinse by sponging with water.

*Borax, though a commionly used laundry product, it a poison and can cause
death when ingested.
*Castile soap is a fine, hard soap made from olive oil and is available at
health food stores and specialty gift shops.
*Glycerin is nontoxic and safe to handle. Buy at pharmacies or craft supply
stores.

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Marble Cleaner Poultice

1 Tbls. cornstarch
1 tsp. 3% solution hydrogen peroxide

Mix cornstarch and hydrogen peroxide into a paste right in the tablespoon.
Spread on the stain and let dry for an hour or two. Wash with clear water.

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General Purpose Wall Cleaner

2 Tbls. mild dishwashing liquid
1 Cup borax
Warm water

Put dishwashing liquid and 1/2 Cup borax in the bucket and add warm water
from the tap to produce a gallon of sudsy mixture and to dissolve the borax.
Wash walls with a sponge or cloth wrung out in the cleaner. To rinse,
dissolve the remaining 1/2 Cup borax in clean warm water. Using a clean
sponge, rinse with this mixture.

*Good for all washable painted walls as well as walls covered with washable
vinyl wallpaper.
*Always test in an inconspicuous place first.

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Tub and Sink Stain Remover

Cream of tartar
3% hydrogen peroxide

In a cup, mix cream of tartar with hydrogen peroxide to make a medium-thick
paste. With the brush, scrub the paste onto the stains, then rinse
thoroughly. If stains remain, apply again, let dry for an hour, then gently
scrub off.

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Oven-Cleaning Powder

1/2 Cup trisodium phosphate (TSP)
1/2 Cup washing soda
1 Cup sodium perborate
2 Tbls. laundry soap flakes

Combine all ingredients in a plastic container and store tightly sealed. To
clean your ove, mix only the amount of spray cleaner you need for one
cleaning. Don rubber gloves and dissolve 1/2 Cup cleaning powder in 1 pint
water. Pour into the spray bottle and spray the oven interior, coating all
surfaces. Avoid spraying light bulbs and healting elements. Let sit 1 hour.
Wipe away the cleaner and oven soil with a damp cloth or sponge. To rinse,
wipe with a clean, damp cloth.

*Buy TSP in a paint supply or hardware store. Washing soda, also called sal
soda, can be found in the detergent section of most supermarkets or hardware
stores. Sodium perborate can be ordered through your pharmacist.
*Always wear gloves and goggles when spraying any cleaner with TSP.

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Overnight Oven Cleaner

1/2 Cup ammonia
2 Tbls. mild dishwashing liquid
2 quarts hot water

Pour ammonia into a measuring cup and place in the oven. Close the oven door
and leave overnight. The next day, remove the ammonia. Mix dishwashing
liquid and water in the pot. Use the scrubber to wash out loosened grease
and grime. Rinse with clear water.

*Always ventilate well when using any ammonia product.

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Electrolytic Silver Cleaner

2 quarts boiling water
4 tsp. baking soda
aluminum foil

Line the bottom of a 3-quart or larger enameled pan or sink with aluminum
foil. Place silver on the foil. Pour water over silver, covering it
completely. Sprinkle in baking soda. Let silver sit in the solution for 5
minutes, then remove it. Wash the silver in hot, sudsy water, rinse, then
dry well. Buff to a shine with a soft cloth.

*Not recommended for frequent use as this treatment may dull the surface
shine of silver over time.
*Also not recommended for very old or highly valuable pieces of silver.

Homemade Air Fresheners for Household Odors

Most commercial air fresheners do not freshen the air at all. Instead,
they mask one odor with another, coat your nasal passages with an
undetectable oil film, or diminish your sense of smell with a nerve
deadening agent. For a safer alternative, you may wish to consider an
alternative method:

Ventilation. Open windows or doors in the house for at least a short
period every day. This will also help to reduce toxic fumes that may be
building up indoors.

Cinnamon and Cloves. Boil these spices for a fragrant smell. For ease of
cleaning, make a cheesecloth bag to contain these spices, and boil the
cheesecloth bag. An excellent alternative when entertaining is to steep
spiced tea or cider.

Potpourri. Buy or make your own potpourri from your favorite herbs and
spices. Place the potpourri in a small basket or jar or in small sachet
bags.

Oil of Wintergreen Dampen cotton balls with oil of wintergreen and place
out of sight but where air will touch them.

Vinegar. Distribute partially filled saucers of vinegar around the room
or boil 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in 1 cup of water to eliminate
unpleasant cooking odors.

Vanilla. Place pure vanilla on a cotton ball in a small saucer. Place
the saucer in the car or refrigerator to remove odors. It is renowned to
remove even skunk odors. Keep the cotton ball out of reach of children;
vanilla has a high alcohol content.

Baking Soda. Place a partially filled saucer of baking soda on the
refrigerator shelf. Replace every two months and when you do, pour the
contents of the used box down the drain to remove odors and keep the
drain clean. Baking soda can also be used to deodorize bottles by
filling them with undiluted baking soda and allowing the bottles to soak
overnight. Then wash as usual.

Borax. Empty the garbage frequently and clean the can as needed. To
inhibit growth of odor-producing molds and bacteria, sprinkle 1/2 cup
Borax in the bottom of the garbage can.

Vinegar or Celery Stalk. To avoid or remove onion odors from your hands,
rub white vinegar on your hands before and after slicing. Rubbing hands
with the end of a celery stalk will also remove the odor.

Fuel Oil Odor Removal FAQ

If even a small amount of fuel oil is spilled in a home, the odor
lingers. Some sprays or powders are recommended to absorb this odor. Two
brands (and there may be more) are: "Neu-troda" made by Tankit Co.,
Union, N. J. "Odor-Neutralizer"

Contact a fuel oil dealer who may carry it or know where to get such a
product in your area. Some dealers get it through their wholesaler.

If spilled on a cement floor, spread an absorbent product like "Kitty
Litter" or "All-Dri" 1 to 2 inches deep on oil stain. Leave till oil
soaks up to the top. Sweep up, and put on thinner layer; leave a couple
of days and sweep up. This should blot oil out of cement. If odor still
remains, sprinkle an odor-removing powder (brands suggested above or
other) lightly over area and leave 2-3 days before removing.

All Purpose Cleaners

Vinegar and Salt. Mix together for a good surface cleaner.

Baking Soda. Dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water
for a general cleaner. Or use baking soda on a damp sponge. Baking soda
will clean and deodorize all kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

Anti-Fog Glass Spray

To make a homemade anti-fogging glass cleaner try any one of the three
following:
•rub a few drops of liquid dish washing detergent applied with a damp
paper towel over the window (or) •2 oz white vinegar to 1 quart tap
water (or) •1 oz. sudsy ammonia, 4 oz. rubbing alcohol, 1/4 teaspoon
liquid dish washing detergent, 1 quart water

Baking Dishes - Enamel, Ceramic or Glass

Soak in hot soapy water, then scour with salt or baking soda and rinse
thoroughly.

Bathroom Bowl Cleaners

Toilet Bowl Cleaner - IF YOU DO USE BLEACH TO CLEAN YOUR TOILET BOWL,
NEVER MIX BLEACH WITH VINEGAR, TOILET BOWL CLEANER, OR AMMONIA. The
combination of bleach with any of these substances produces a toxic gas
which can be hazardous.
Baking Soda and Vinegar. Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then
drizzle with vinegar and scour with a toilet brush. This combination
both cleans and deodorizes.
Borax and Lemon Juice. For removing a stubborn stain, like toilet bowl
ring, mix enough borax and lemon juice into a paste which can cover the
entire ring. Flush toilet to wet the sides, then rub on paste. Let sit
for 2 hours and scrub thoroughly. For less stubborn toilet bowl rings,
sprinkle baking soda around the rim and scrub with a toilet brush.

Candles

Sponge with a piece of cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Ceramic Tub And Tile Cleaners

Baking Soda. Sprinkle baking soda like you would scouring powder. Rub
with a damp sponge. Rinse thoroughly.

Vinegar and Baking Soda. To remove film buildup on bathtubs, apply
vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe with vinegar first. Next, use
baking soda as you would scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge and
rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Vinegar. Vinegar removes most dirt without scrubbing and doesn't leave a
film. Use 1/4 cup (or more) vinegar to 1 gallon water.

Baking Soda. To clean grout, put 3 cups baking soda into a medium-sized
bowl and add 1 cup warm water. Mix into a smooth paste and scrub into
grout with a sponge or toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and dispose of
leftover paste when finished.

Removing Christmas Tree Pitch

When working with evergreen branches, trimming the Christmas tree, or
working with evergreen cones, the resin or pitch from the cones or cut
ends of branches will stick to the skin. To remove try either of two
methods:
•dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and rub the spots or •rub the spots
with lard or vegetable shortening; then wipe off with paper towels or
cloth and wash remaining grease off with soap and water. Easiest way is
to put a tablespoonful or so of shortening on a scrap of waxed paper or
foil and lay a couple paper towels beside it on a newspaper before
starting to work with the evergreens; then, at end of job you can just
run shortening on sticky spots on hands, wipe off and discard on paper;
wash hands and discard paper in trash without getting sticky or very
greasy hands on surfaces in home.


Cobwebs

For hard to reach spots, slip a sock over the end of a yardstick and
secure with a rubber band, then sweep the area. This method works well
for cleaning under radiators and refrigerators also.

Coffee Stains

To remove coffee stains from cups or counters, rub with baking soda
paste. For stubborn stains, rub a drop of chlorine bleach into the
affected area until the stain disappears, then wash immediately with hot
soapy water to prevent fading, and rinse well.

Concrete Grease Spot Remover

To remove grease from concrete flooring sprinkle dry cement over grease.
Allow it to absorb the grease, then sweep up.

Decal and Gummed Label Remover

Vinegar. To remove non slip appliques and strips from bathtubs, saturate
a cloth or sponge and squeeze hot vinegar over decals. Vinegar also
removes stick-on hooks from painted walls. Saturate a cloth or sponge
with vinegar and squeeze the liquid behind the hook so that the vinegar
comes in contact with the adhesive. In addition, vinegar can be used to
remove price labels and other decals from glass, wood, and china. Paint
the label or decal with several coats of white vinegar. Give the vinegar
time to soak in and after several minutes the decal can be rubbed off.

Disinfectant

Soap. Regular cleaning with plain soap and hot water will kill some
bacteria. Keep things dry. Mold, mildew, and bacteria cannot live
without moisture.
Borax has long been recognized for its disinfectant and deodorizing
properties. Mix 1/2 cup Borax into 1 gallon hot water and clean with
this solution.
Isopropyl Alcohol. This is an excellent disinfectant. Sponge and allow
to dry. (It must dry to do its job.) Use in a well-ventilated area and
wear gloves.

Grease

Rub greasy spots with a mild or moderate abrasive, such as fine steel
wool, and a dish detergent until they disappear.

Lime And Mineral Deposit Remover

Vinegar and Paper Towels. Hard lime deposits around faucets can be
softened for easy removal by covering the deposits with vinegar-soaked
paper towels. Leave the paper towels on for about one hour before
cleaning. Leaves chrome clean and shiny.
For Plastic and Metal Shower Heads: Vinegar. To remove deposits which
may be clogging your metal shower head, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar
and one quart water. Then completely submerge the shower head and boil
15 minutes. If you have a plastic shower head, combine 1 pint white
vinegar and 1 pint hot water. Then completely submerge the shower head
and soak for about one hour.

Mildew Remover

Dilute 3/4 cup chlorine bleach in 1 gal of water. Apply to tile and
grout and scrub; wipe shower stall and curtain; rinse thoroughly.

Oven Cleaners

The first step is prevention. Put a sheet of aluminum foil on the floor
of the oven, underneath but not touching the heating element. Although
this may slightly affect the browning of the food, the foil can be
easily disposed of when soiled. Clean up the spill as soon as it occurs.


Fill a small glass bowl with 1/2 cup full-strength ammonia, place in
oven and close. Let stand overnight, then wipe loosened dirt with paper
towels or newspapers. If necessary, rub surfaces with a suitable
abrasive, such as fine steel wool, then wash with warm soapy water and
rinse. Repeat process if necessary.
•Salt While the oven is still warm, sprinkle salt on the spill. If the
spill is completely dry, wet the spill lightly before sprinkling on
salt. When the oven cools down, scrape away the spill and wash the area
clean. •Vinegar Retard grease buildup in your oven by dampening your
cleaning rag in vinegar and water before wiping out your oven. •Baking
Soda and Very Fine Steel Wool Sprinkle water followed by a layer of
baking soda. Rub gently with a very fine steel wool pad for tough spots.
Wipe off scum with dry paper towels or a sponge. Rinse well and wipe
dry.




Paint Brush Renewer

Vinegar. Soften hard paintbrushes in hot vinegar for a few minutes. Then
wash paintbrush in soap and warm water and set out to dry.

Pet Urine

Dab area with toweling, wash with suds of liquid dish detergent, and
rinse with 1/2 cup vinegar diluted in 1 qt warm water. Lay towels or
paper towels over the spot and weight down to absorb excess moisture.
Let stand 4 to 6 hours, then remove toweling, brush up nap and allow to
dry completely. To speed drying, use an electric fan.

Plumbing Fixtures

To clean stainless steel, chrome, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain or
enamel fixtures, dissolve 2 tbsp baking soda in 1 qt of water

Porcelain Cleaner

Cream of Tartar. To clean porcelain surfaces, rub with cream of tartar
sprinkled on a damp cloth. Works well on light stains.

Pots and Pans

Burned, and Crusted on Foods Soak or boil a solution of 2 tbs. baking
soda per qt of water in each pan. Let stand until particles are
loosened, then wash as usual. Use a mild or moderate abrasive if
necessary.

Purple Price Marks

Whatever method you use, first test the cleaning/removal material in an
inconspicuous part of the surface the label is stuck on the be sure it
will not damage that surface.

Purple price marks which so easily transfer to kitchen counter tops can
be removed with a cloth dampened in a solution of half chlorine bleach
and half water. Rinse at once with clear water to prevent bleaching
counter top.

Refrigerators

To clean exterior and interior walls, dissolve 2 tbs. baking soda in 1
qt warm water and wipe all surfaces. For stubborn spots, rub with baking
soda paste. Be sure to rinse with a clean, wet cloth. (This works well
on other enamel-finished appliances as well.)

To clean interior fixtures, such as vegetable bins and shelves, wash in
hot soapy water, rinse well and dry.

Rust Remover

Peeled Potatoes and Baking Soda or Salt. To remove rust from tin-ware,
rub with a peeled potato dipped in a mild abrasive such as baking soda
or salt.

Aluminum Foil. Briskly scrub rust spots on car bumpers with a piece of
crumpled aluminum foil, shiny side up. Also works well on the chrome
shafts of golf clubs.

Rust Stain and Hard Water Deposit Remover

Apply full-strength vinegar or lemon juice and let stand until spot
disappears, then rinse. Repeat if necessary.

Scouring Powder

The amount of chlorine in scouring powder is usually not significant
enough to cause harm. If you want to totally avoid chlorine or are
sensitive to it follow this recipe. Non-Chlorine Scouring Powder Baking
Soda or Dry Table Salt. Both of these substances are mild abrasives and
can be used as an alternative to chlorine scouring powders. Simply put
either baking soda or salt on a sponge or the surface you wish to clean
and then scour and rinse.

Shoe Polish

Cold Pressed Nut Oil, Olive Oil, Walnut Oil, or Beeswax. Apply oil to
leather product and buff with a chamois cloth to a shine. Lemon Juice.
Lemon juice is good polish for black or tan leather shoes. Follow by
buffing with a soft cloth. Vinegar. Remove water stains on leather by
rubbing with a cloth dipped in a vinegar and water solution. Petroleum
Jelly. A dab of petroleum jelly rubbed into patent leather gives a
glistening shine and prevents cracking in the winter. Vinegar. To shine
patent leather, moisten a soft cloth with white vinegar and wipe clean
all patent leather articles. The color of the leather may be slightly
changed. Art-Gum Eraser and Sandpaper or Emery Board. Dirt marks on
suede can be rubbed out with an art-gum eraser. Then buff lightly with
sandpaper or an emery board.

Soap Scum Remover

Apply baking soda dry or as a thick paste, rub vigorously with a wet
sponge, then rinse.

Stained No-Stick Cookware

To remove stains from no-stick surfaces, pour a solution of 1 cup water,
2 tbs. baking soda and 1/2 cup chlorine bleach into the pan and simmer 5
to 10 minutes. Do not allow mixture to boil or to boil over the side of
the pan. Wash in hot soapy water, rinse and dry. Apply a light coating
of cooking oil. (Note: This formula may fade dark-colored surfaces.)

Sticky Labels

See our Sticky Tape, Label, Applique Page

Tea Stains

To remove tea stains from cups or counters, rub with baking soda paste.
For stubborn stains, rub a drop of chlorine bleach into the affected
area until the stain disappears, then wash immediately with hot soapy
water to prevent fading, and rinse well.

Telephone Cleaner

Sponge with a piece of cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Pour 1/4 cup full strength chlorine bleach OR 1/2 cup full strength
ammonia into bowl. DO NOT USE BOTH. Swish with a bowl brush and flush.

Windshield Wiper Frost Free Fluid

When you have to leave your car outside overnight in the winter, mix 3
parts vinegar to 1 part water and coat the windows with this solution.
This vinegar and water combination will keep windshields ice and
frost-free.

Furniture Polish and Scratch Remover FAQ's

The idea behind furniture polish for wood products is to absorb oil into
the wood. Many oils commonly found in our kitchens work very well.
Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil and Lemon Juice. Mix 2 parts oil and 1 part
lemon juice. Apply and polish with a soft cloth. This leaves furniture
looking and smelling good.

For Unfinished Wood: Mineral Oil. Mineral oil is flammable. Apply
sparingly with a soft cloth. For lemon oil polish, dissolve 1 teaspoon
lemon oil into 1 pint mineral oil. CAUTION: Mineral spirits should never
be substituted for mineral oil as it can be dangerous when inhaled or
absorbed through the skin.

For Mahogany: Vinegar. Mix equal pans white vinegar and warm water. Wipe
onto wood and then polish with a chamois cloth.

For Grease Spots: Salt. Immediately pour salt on the grease spot to
absorb grease and prevent staining.

For Scratches: Lemon Juice and Vegetable Oil. Mix equal pans of lemon
juice and salad oil. Rub into scratches with a soft cloth until
scratches disappear.

For Water Spots: Toothpaste. To remove water marks, rub gently with
toothpaste on a damp cloth.

For Washing Wood: Mild Soap. Dampen cloth with a solution of water and
mild soap, such as Ivory or Murphy's Oil Soap. Wring the cloth almost
dry and wipe the furniture section by section, drying with a clean dry
cloth as you go so that no section stays wet.

For Refinishing Old Furniture: Commercial Oil Soap. Before you set to
work on an old piece of furniture with chemical finish removers, try
Vegetable Oil Soap. This simple, nontoxic solvent may be all the help an

ADVERTISEMENT


Homemade Air Fresheners for Household Odors

Most commercial air fresheners do not freshen the air at all. Instead,
they mask one odor with another, coat your nasal passages with an
undetectable oil film, or diminish your sense of smell with a nerve
deadening agent. For a safer alternative, you may wish to consider an
alternative method:

Ventilation. Open windows or doors in the house for at least a short
period every day. This will also help to reduce toxic fumes that may be
building up indoors.

Cinnamon and Cloves. Boil these spices for a fragrant smell. For ease of
cleaning, make a cheesecloth bag to contain these spices, and boil the
cheesecloth bag. An excellent alternative when entertaining is to steep
spiced tea or cider.

Potpourri. Buy or make your own potpourri from your favorite herbs and
spices. Place the potpourri in a small basket or jar or in small sachet
bags.

Oil of Wintergreen Dampen cotton balls with oil of wintergreen and place
out of sight but where air will touch them.

Vinegar. Distribute partially filled saucers of vinegar around the room
or boil 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in 1 cup of water to eliminate
unpleasant cooking odors.

Vanilla. Place pure vanilla on a cotton ball in a small saucer. Place
the saucer in the car or refrigerator to remove odors. It is renowned to
remove even skunk odors. Keep the cotton ball out of reach of children;
vanilla has a high alcohol content.

Baking Soda. Place a partially filled saucer of baking soda on the
refrigerator shelf. Replace every two months and when you do, pour the
contents of the used box down the drain to remove odors and keep the
drain clean. Baking soda can also be used to deodorize bottles by
filling them with undiluted baking soda and allowing the bottles to soak
overnight. Then wash as usual.

Borax. Empty the garbage frequently and clean the can as needed. To
inhibit growth of odor-producing molds and bacteria, sprinkle 1/2 cup
Borax in the bottom of the garbage can.

Vinegar or Celery Stalk. To avoid or remove onion odors from your hands,
rub white vinegar on your hands before and after slicing. Rubbing hands
with the end of a celery stalk will also remove the odor.

Fuel Oil Odor Removal FAQ

If even a small amount of fuel oil is spilled in a home, the odor
lingers. Some sprays or powders are recommended to absorb this odor. Two
brands (and there may be more) are: "Neu-troda" made by Tankit Co.,
Union, N. J. "Odor-Neutralizer"

Contact a fuel oil dealer who may carry it or know where to get such a
product in your area. Some dealers get it through their wholesaler.

If spilled on a cement floor, spread an absorbent product like "Kitty
Litter" or "All-Dri" 1 to 2 inches deep on oil stain. Leave till oil
soaks up to the top. Sweep up, and put on thinner layer; leave a couple
of days and sweep up. This should blot oil out of cement. If odor still
remains, sprinkle an odor-removing powder (brands suggested above or
other) lightly over area and leave 2-3 days before removing.

All Purpose Cleaners

Vinegar and Salt. Mix together for a good surface cleaner.

Baking Soda. Dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water
for a general cleaner. Or use baking soda on a damp sponge. Baking soda
will clean and deodorize all kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

Anti-Fog Glass Spray

To make a homemade anti-fogging glass cleaner try any one of the three
following:
•rub a few drops of liquid dish washing detergent applied with a damp
paper towel over the window (or) •2 oz white vinegar to 1 quart tap
water (or) •1 oz. sudsy ammonia, 4 oz. rubbing alcohol, 1/4 teaspoon
liquid dish washing detergent, 1 quart water

Baking Dishes - Enamel, Ceramic or Glass

Soak in hot soapy water, then scour with salt or baking soda and rinse
thoroughly.

Bathroom Bowl Cleaners

Toilet Bowl Cleaner - IF YOU DO USE BLEACH TO CLEAN YOUR TOILET BOWL,
NEVER MIX BLEACH WITH VINEGAR, TOILET BOWL CLEANER, OR AMMONIA. The
combination of bleach with any of these substances produces a toxic gas
which can be hazardous.
Baking Soda and Vinegar. Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then
drizzle with vinegar and scour with a toilet brush. This combination
both cleans and deodorizes.
Borax and Lemon Juice. For removing a stubborn stain, like toilet bowl
ring, mix enough borax and lemon juice into a paste which can cover the
entire ring. Flush toilet to wet the sides, then rub on paste. Let sit
for 2 hours and scrub thoroughly. For less stubborn toilet bowl rings,
sprinkle baking soda around the rim and scrub with a toilet brush.

Candles

Sponge with a piece of cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Ceramic Tub And Tile Cleaners

Baking Soda. Sprinkle baking soda like you would scouring powder. Rub
with a damp sponge. Rinse thoroughly.

Vinegar and Baking Soda. To remove film buildup on bathtubs, apply
vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe with vinegar first. Next, use
baking soda as you would scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge and
rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Vinegar. Vinegar removes most dirt without scrubbing and doesn't leave a
film. Use 1/4 cup (or more) vinegar to 1 gallon water.

Baking Soda. To clean grout, put 3 cups baking soda into a medium-sized
bowl and add 1 cup warm water. Mix into a smooth paste and scrub into
grout with a sponge or toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and dispose of
leftover paste when finished.

Removing Christmas Tree Pitch

When working with evergreen branches, trimming the Christmas tree, or
working with evergreen cones, the resin or pitch from the cones or cut
ends of branches will stick to the skin. To remove try either of two
methods:
•dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and rub the spots or •rub the spots
with lard or vegetable shortening; then wipe off with paper towels or
cloth and wash remaining grease off with soap and water. Easiest way is
to put a tablespoonful or so of shortening on a scrap of waxed paper or
foil and lay a couple paper towels beside it on a newspaper before
starting to work with the evergreens; then, at end of job you can just
run shortening on sticky spots on hands, wipe off and discard on paper;
wash hands and discard paper in trash without getting sticky or very
greasy hands on surfaces in home.


Cobwebs

For hard to reach spots, slip a sock over the end of a yardstick and
secure with a rubber band, then sweep the area. This method works well
for cleaning under radiators and refrigerators also.

Coffee Stains

To remove coffee stains from cups or counters, rub with baking soda
paste. For stubborn stains, rub a drop of chlorine bleach into the
affected area until the stain disappears, then wash immediately with hot
soapy water to prevent fading, and rinse well.

Concrete Grease Spot Remover

To remove grease from concrete flooring sprinkle dry cement over grease.
Allow it to absorb the grease, then sweep up.

Decal and Gummed Label Remover

Vinegar. To remove non slip appliques and strips from bathtubs, saturate
a cloth or sponge and squeeze hot vinegar over decals. Vinegar also
removes stick-on hooks from painted walls. Saturate a cloth or sponge
with vinegar and squeeze the liquid behind the hook so that the vinegar
comes in contact with the adhesive. In addition, vinegar can be used to
remove price labels and other decals from glass, wood, and china. Paint
the label or decal with several coats of white vinegar. Give the vinegar
time to soak in and after several minutes the decal can be rubbed off.

Disinfectant

Soap. Regular cleaning with plain soap and hot water will kill some
bacteria. Keep things dry. Mold, mildew, and bacteria cannot live
without moisture.
Borax has long been recognized for its disinfectant and deodorizing
properties. Mix 1/2 cup Borax into 1 gallon hot water and clean with
this solution.
Isopropyl Alcohol. This is an excellent disinfectant. Sponge and allow
to dry. (It must dry to do its job.) Use in a well-ventilated area and
wear gloves.

Grease

Rub greasy spots with a mild or moderate abrasive, such as fine steel
wool, and a dish detergent until they disappear.

Lime And Mineral Deposit Remover

Vinegar and Paper Towels. Hard lime deposits around faucets can be
softened for easy removal by covering the deposits with vinegar-soaked
paper towels. Leave the paper towels on for about one hour before
cleaning. Leaves chrome clean and shiny.
For Plastic and Metal Shower Heads: Vinegar. To remove deposits which
may be clogging your metal shower head, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar
and one quart water. Then completely submerge the shower head and boil
15 minutes. If you have a plastic shower head, combine 1 pint white
vinegar and 1 pint hot water. Then completely submerge the shower head
and soak for about one hour.

Mildew Remover

Dilute 3/4 cup chlorine bleach in 1 gal of water. Apply to tile and
grout and scrub; wipe shower stall and curtain; rinse thoroughly.

Oven Cleaners

The first step is prevention. Put a sheet of aluminum foil on the floor
of the oven, underneath but not touching the heating element. Although
this may slightly affect the browning of the food, the foil can be
easily disposed of when soiled. Clean up the spill as soon as it occurs.


Fill a small glass bowl with 1/2 cup full-strength ammonia, place in
oven and close. Let stand overnight, then wipe loosened dirt with paper
towels or newspapers. If necessary, rub surfaces with a suitable
abrasive, such as fine steel wool, then wash with warm soapy water and
rinse. Repeat process if necessary.
•Salt While the oven is still warm, sprinkle salt on the spill. If the
spill is completely dry, wet the spill lightly before sprinkling on
salt. When the oven cools down, scrape away the spill and wash the area
clean. •Vinegar Retard grease buildup in your oven by dampening your
cleaning rag in vinegar and water before wiping out your oven. •Baking
Soda and Very Fine Steel Wool Sprinkle water followed by a layer of
baking soda. Rub gently with a very fine steel wool pad for tough spots.
Wipe off scum with dry paper towels or a sponge. Rinse well and wipe
dry.




Paint Brush Renewer

Vinegar. Soften hard paintbrushes in hot vinegar for a few minutes. Then
wash paintbrush in soap and warm water and set out to dry.

Pet Urine

Dab area with toweling, wash with suds of liquid dish detergent, and
rinse with 1/2 cup vinegar diluted in 1 qt warm water. Lay towels or
paper towels over the spot and weight down to absorb excess moisture.
Let stand 4 to 6 hours, then remove toweling, brush up nap and allow to
dry completely. To speed drying, use an electric fan.

Plumbing Fixtures

To clean stainless steel, chrome, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain or
enamel fixtures, dissolve 2 tbsp baking soda in 1 qt of water

Porcelain Cleaner

Cream of Tartar. To clean porcelain surfaces, rub with cream of tartar
sprinkled on a damp cloth. Works well on light stains.

Pots and Pans

Burned, and Crusted on Foods Soak or boil a solution of 2 tbs. baking
soda per qt of water in each pan. Let stand until particles are
loosened, then wash as usual. Use a mild or moderate abrasive if
necessary.

Purple Price Marks

Whatever method you use, first test the cleaning/removal material in an
inconspicuous part of the surface the label is stuck on the be sure it
will not damage that surface.

Purple price marks which so easily transfer to kitchen counter tops can
be removed with a cloth dampened in a solution of half chlorine bleach
and half water. Rinse at once with clear water to prevent bleaching
counter top.

Refrigerators

To clean exterior and interior walls, dissolve 2 tbs. baking soda in 1
qt warm water and wipe all surfaces. For stubborn spots, rub with baking
soda paste. Be sure to rinse with a clean, wet cloth. (This works well
on other enamel-finished appliances as well.)

To clean interior fixtures, such as vegetable bins and shelves, wash in
hot soapy water, rinse well and dry.

Rust Remover

Peeled Potatoes and Baking Soda or Salt. To remove rust from tin-ware,
rub with a peeled potato dipped in a mild abrasive such as baking soda
or salt.

Aluminum Foil. Briskly scrub rust spots on car bumpers with a piece of
crumpled aluminum foil, shiny side up. Also works well on the chrome
shafts of golf clubs.

Rust Stain and Hard Water Deposit Remover

Apply full-strength vinegar or lemon juice and let stand until spot
disappears, then rinse. Repeat if necessary.

Scouring Powder

The amount of chlorine in scouring powder is usually not significant
enough to cause harm. If you want to totally avoid chlorine or are
sensitive to it follow this recipe. Non-Chlorine Scouring Powder Baking
Soda or Dry Table Salt. Both of these substances are mild abrasives and
can be used as an alternative to chlorine scouring powders. Simply put
either baking soda or salt on a sponge or the surface you wish to clean
and then scour and rinse.

Shoe Polish

Cold Pressed Nut Oil, Olive Oil, Walnut Oil, or Beeswax. Apply oil to
leather product and buff with a chamois cloth to a shine. Lemon Juice.
Lemon juice is good polish for black or tan leather shoes. Follow by
buffing with a soft cloth. Vinegar. Remove water stains on leather by
rubbing with a cloth dipped in a vinegar and water solution. Petroleum
Jelly. A dab of petroleum jelly rubbed into patent leather gives a
glistening shine and prevents cracking in the winter. Vinegar. To shine
patent leather, moisten a soft cloth with white vinegar and wipe clean
all patent leather articles. The color of the leather may be slightly
changed. Art-Gum Eraser and Sandpaper or Emery Board. Dirt marks on
suede can be rubbed out with an art-gum eraser. Then buff lightly with
sandpaper or an emery board.

Soap Scum Remover

Apply baking soda dry or as a thick paste, rub vigorously with a wet
sponge, then rinse.

Stained No-Stick Cookware

To remove stains from no-stick surfaces, pour a solution of 1 cup water,
2 tbs. baking soda and 1/2 cup chlorine bleach into the pan and simmer 5
to 10 minutes. Do not allow mixture to boil or to boil over the side of
the pan. Wash in hot soapy water, rinse and dry. Apply a light coating
of cooking oil. (Note: This formula may fade dark-colored surfaces.)

Sticky Labels

See our Sticky Tape, Label, Applique Page

Tea Stains

To remove tea stains from cups or counters, rub with baking soda paste.
For stubborn stains, rub a drop of chlorine bleach into the affected
area until the stain disappears, then wash immediately with hot soapy
water to prevent fading, and rinse well.

Telephone Cleaner

Sponge with a piece of cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Pour 1/4 cup full strength chlorine bleach OR 1/2 cup full strength
ammonia into bowl. DO NOT USE BOTH. Swish with a bowl brush and flush.

Windshield Wiper Frost Free Fluid

When you have to leave your car outside overnight in the winter, mix 3
parts vinegar to 1 part water and coat the windows with this solution.
This vinegar and water combination will keep windshields ice and
frost-free.

Furniture Polish and Scratch Remover FAQ's

The idea behind furniture polish for wood products is to absorb oil into
the wood. Many oils commonly found in our kitchens work very well.
Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil and Lemon Juice. Mix 2 parts oil and 1 part
lemon juice. Apply and polish with a soft cloth. This leaves furniture
looking and smelling good.

For Unfinished Wood: Mineral Oil. Mineral oil is flammable. Apply
sparingly with a soft cloth. For lemon oil polish, dissolve 1 teaspoon
lemon oil into 1 pint mineral oil. CAUTION: Mineral spirits should never
be substituted for mineral oil as it can be dangerous when inhaled or
absorbed through the skin.

For Mahogany: Vinegar. Mix equal pans white vinegar and warm water. Wipe
onto wood and then polish with a chamois cloth.

For Grease Spots: Salt. Immediately pour salt on the grease spot to
absorb grease and prevent staining.

For Scratches: Lemon Juice and Vegetable Oil. Mix equal pans of lemon
juice and salad oil. Rub into scratches with a soft cloth until
scratches disappear.

For Water Spots: Toothpaste. To remove water marks, rub gently with
toothpaste on a damp cloth.

For Washing Wood: Mild Soap. Dampen cloth with a solution of water and
mild soap, such as Ivory or Murphy's Oil Soap. Wring the cloth almost
dry and wipe the furniture section by section, drying with a clean dry
cloth as you go so that no section stays wet.

For Refinishing Old Furniture: Commercial Oil Soap. Before you set to
work on an old piece of furniture with chemical finish removers, try
Vegetable Oil Soap. This simple, nontoxic solvent may be all the help an

Homemade Shake and Bake


This recipe equals 20 store packets..and much cheaper

4 cups flour
4 cups crackermeal or ground crackers
4 Tbsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tsp garlic powder
2 Tsp onion powder
3 Tbsp paprika
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Mix well and store indefinitely in the refrigerator in a covered container

Seasoning Mix~Camping Out/
Use for seasoning meat or fish.

1/3c. salt
1T. paprika
1 T. garlic powder
2 t. onion powder
1/2 t. cayenne
1/2 t. pepper

Mix well and store in a double zip lock bag or a good screw top container.

Dump Cake~Camping Out/Treats
Youw will need Heavy Duty Foil

1 can fruit pie filling (cherry, blueberry, or other)
1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple (undrained)
1 box yellow cake mix
1 c. butter, melted
1 c. pecans, chopped

Line 12-inch Dutch oven with heavy-duty foil. Dump pie filling and pineapple
into Dutch oven. Dump dry cake mix on top. Dump melted butter on top of cake
mix. Sprinkle pecans on top. Put top on Dutch oven and add coals. Bake at
moderate (350 degrees) temperature 30 to 40 minutes or until cake is browned and
springy. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

APPLE BREAKFAST

4 servings
1/4 cup CRISCO all-vegetable shortening or 1/4 CRISCO stick
3 medium apples, pared, cored, and sliced (about 4 cups sliced)
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Lemon juice (optional)

Melt Crisco in a heavy skillet. Add apples and cook over medium heat until
soft.
Preheat oven to 500ºF.
Combine eggs, milk, flour, 1 teaspoon sugar, and salt. Pour over apples in
skillet. Continue to cook over medium heat for 6 to 7 minutes or until
bottom
is golden brown.
Mix remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon; sprinkle over apples.
Bake at 500ºF For 8 to 9 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Drizzle with lemon juice, if desired, and serve hot.
from
www.crisco.com

One-Dish Meal

2 c. raw potatoes
1 c. onion, chopped
2 c. raw ground beef
1 No. 2 can tomatoes
1 c. green pepper, chopped
salt

In a greased casserole, place layers of potatoes, onion, beef, tomatoes and
green pepper.
Season each layer to taste. Cover; bake at 250° for 2 hours and 30 min. Makes 6
servings.

Lazy Daisy Cake

3 eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 tbsp butter

Sauce:

1 pkg ( 6 oz ) frozen strawberries
3/4 cup water
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp cornstarch

In your electric mixer, beat the eggs until light. Beat in the sugar until
light and thick. Add the vanilla.

Combine the salt and baking powder and mix with the flour.

Heat the milk and butter just until it starts to boil.

Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture alternately with the hot milk.
Stir just to mix.

Turn into a greased 9 inch square baking pan.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until the cake springs back, when pressed
lightly in the center.

For the sauce, bring the water and the sugar to a boil in a small sauce pan.
Add the strawberries.

Dissolve cornstarch in a little water. Add to the sauce. Bring to a boil.
Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat.

Serve a piece of warm cake covered with the strawberry sauce.

Homemade Cake Mix

3-1/3 cups solid vegetable shortening
5 Tbsp. double-acting baking powder
7-2/3 cups granulated sugar
3 Tbsp. salt
11 cups sifted all-purpose flour

In very large bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar and baking powder and mix well to
blend. Cut in shortening with two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture
looks like cornmeal and shortening is evenly distributed.

Divide the cake mix into six equal portions (about 3-1/2 cups each). Place each
portion into a quart glass jar or heavy duty zip lock plastic bags. Cover
tightly and store in a cool, dark place for up to a month, or in the freezer for
up to 3 months. Each portion of cake mix will make two 8" cakes or one 13x9"
cake.

RECIPES

* Yellow Cake

3-1/2 cups cake mix
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2-8" round cake pans and set
aside. Pour one portion of the cake mix into a large bowl. Make a well in center
of mix and add eggs, vanilla and milk. Beat mixture 1 minute with electric mixer
at low speed until blended. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl and beat 2 minutes
longer at medium speed until batter is smooth.

Pour into prepared pans and bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes, or
until cake springs back when pressed lightly in center and begins to pull away
from edges of pan.

* White Cake
Use 3 medium egg whites in place of 2 whole eggs. Do not beat whites
separately, just add them to the mix along with the milk and vanilla.

* Spice Cake
Add to the dry ingredients:
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cloves

* Chocolate Cake
Add to the batter after initial blending:
2 Tbsp. milk
2 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted

Kentucky Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
Dash salt
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, margarine or shortening
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 tbsp melted butter
All-purpose flour, optional

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in a mixing bowl.

Cut in butter or shortening with pastry blender until mixture resembles
coarse crumbs.

Add buttermilk. Mix quickly to make a soft dough.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead a few times to make a soft
dough, don't overknead or the biscuits will turn hard and dry.

Roll out to a 6 by 6 inch square. Place on ungreased baking sheet.

With knife, cut dough into 12 even portions. Do not separate.

Bake at 400 degrees until golden about 15 minutes. Dust with flour, if
desired, when biscuits come out of the oven.

Serve piping hot with butter, jam and/or honey.

Herman sweet sourdough starter (for friendship bread and other recipes using
the Friendship starter)


This is a recipe for a sweet sourdough
starter known as Herman. There are a
number of things that can be made
from it.

It's very important to NOT use metal
utensils or bowls!

It will take 16 days for the starter
to mature and be ready to use the first
time you make it.

After that it can be ready for use every
10 days.

Ingredients

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar

Directions

In a large glass or plastic container,
dissolve the yeast in warm water.

Stir in the flour and sugar, mix until
smooth. (DO NOT USE A METAL SPOON)!

Cover loosely and store in a warm place
overnight.

The next day, stir and refrigerate.

Stir once each day for the next four days.

On the fifth day, stir, then divide in half.

Give half away with feeding instructions.

~~~ FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS:

Feed starter with 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 cup
flour, and 1 cup milk. Stir until smooth.

Cover and place in refrigerator.

Stir once each day for next four days.

On the fifth day feed again with 1/2 cup white
sugar, 1 cup flour, and 1 cup milk.

Return to refrigerator and stir once each
day for the next four days.

On the fifth day it is ready to be used for baking.

Reserve one cup of the starter in the refrigerator
and continue to follow the stir and feed cycle

(Stir once a day for four days, stir and feed
on the fifth day, ready for use on the tenth day.)


-----------------------------------------------
~~~~ Herman Bread

Ingredients

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup lukewarm water
1 cup sourdough starter
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon salt

Directions

In a small mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.

Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture
with the Herman Starter, oil, 2 cups flour and salt;
mix well.

Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring
after each addition.

When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto
a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and
elastic, about 8 minutes.

Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl
and turn to coat with oil.

Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place
until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly
floured surface and form into a loaf.

Place into the prepared pan.

Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled
in volume, about 40 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Bake inthe preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or
until the top of the loaf is golden brown and the
bottom sounds hollow when tapped.


Lavanda's note: You could make really wonderful
Christmas gifts from this starter.

Magic Spice Cake


Ingredients
a.. 2 cups all-purpose flour
b.. 1/4 cup cornstarch
c.. 1 cup white sugar
d.. 1 teaspoon baking powder
e.. 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
f.. 1 teaspoon salt
g.. 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
h.. 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
i.. 3/4 cup shortening
j.. 1 cup buttermilk
k.. 3 eggs



Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour
two 9 inch round cake pans.

2 Sift together flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, soda,
salt, cloves, and cinnamon into a large bowl. Add shortening and buttermilk;
beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Add eggs, and beat 2 minutes more.
Pour batter into prepared pans.

3 Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until done.

Makes 1 - 9 inch round layer cake

Homemade Milk Chocolate Pudding

1 1/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup sifted flour
4 tbsp baking cocoa
dash of salt
4 cups milk, scalded
1 egg, beaten
2 tsp vanilla

Combine sugar, flour, cocoa, and salt in a saucepan. Gradually stir in the
scalded milk and the egg. Blend well. Cook over medium heat, stirring
constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.
Spoon mixture into 6 dessert dishes. Refrigerate several hours or until set.

Yield: 6 servings

EASY, NO COOK FUDGE
.... with a unique flavor!

¾ cup butter, divided
1-oz. square baking chocolate
1¼ cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla, divided
1 egg
2 cups crushed graham crackers (any flavor - I love the chocolate ones)
1 cup flaked coconut
½ cup nuts
2 tablespoons light cream or coffee creamer
2 cups confectionary sugar
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate
1 tablespoon shortening

Melt ½ cup butter and baking chocolate.
Blend in sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, egg, graham crackers, coconut, and nuts.
Mix well with a spoon, then with hands.
Press mixture in an ungreased 11 ½ x 7 ½ x 1 ½ inch pan; refrigerate.
Mix together ¼ cup butter, light cream, confectionary sugar and 1 teaspoon
vanilla; beat well.
Spread over chocolate mixture in pan; chill.
Melt semisweet chocolate and shortening over hot, not boiling water.
Spread melted chocolate over white filling; chill.
Cut into 1 inch squares.
Store in refrigerator

Apple Spice Drink

Serving Size: 6 Servings

Ingredients:
. 3 ts Grated orange peel
. 3 Cinnamon sticks, crushed
. 3 ts Whole cloves
. 1 Whole nutmeg, crushed
. 3 c Apple juice
. 6 Cinnamon sticks
Instructions:

List of 4 items
1. Combine orange peel, 3 crushed cinnamon sticks, cloves and nutmeg in a
small bowl.
2. Tie dry ingredients in a double thickness of cheesecloth to make a
sachet, or secure in a large tea-straining ball.
3. In a medium pan, simmer apple juice with spices for at least 20 minutes.
4. Ladle into mugs and garnish each with a cinnamon stick.

White Sauce

Makes 1 cup
Thin:
1 tablespoon Butter Flavor Crisco all-vegetable shortening or 1 tablespoon
Butter Flavor Crisco stick
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white or black pepper
1 cup milk

Medium:
2 tablespoons Butter Flavor CRISCO Stick or 2 tablespoons Butter Flavor
CRISCO all-vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white or black pepper
1 cup milk

Thick:
3 tablespoons Butter Flavor Crisco all-vegetable shortening or 3 tablespoons
Butter Flavor Crisco stick
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white or black pepper
1 cup milk

In 1-quart saucepan melt Butter Flavor Crisco. Remove from heat. Stir in
flour, salt and pepper. Slowly blend in milk. Cook over medium heat.
stirring constantly
until mixture thickens and bubbles.
Herb Sauce: Follow the recipe above, adding 1/4 teaspoon dried herbs (basil,
oregano, thyme, dill, summer savor, etc) with flour, salt and pepper.
Cheese Sauce: Follow the recipe above, adding 1/2 cup shredded cheese after
mixture thickens. Stir until cheese melts.
from
www.crisco.com

Eggless Pasta

" Anyone on an eggless or low-cholestrol diet will appreciate this recipe.
"


Ingredients
a.. 2 cups semolina flour
b.. 1/2 teaspoon salt
c.. 1/2 cup warm water


Directions
1 In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add warm water and stir to make
a stiff dough. Increase water if dough seems too dry.

2 Pat the dough into a ball and turn out onto a lightly floured
surface. Knead for 10 to 15 minutes. Cover. Let dough rest for 20 minutes.

3 Roll out dough using rolling pin or pasta machine. Work with a 1/4 of
the dough at one time. Keep the rest covered, to prevent from drying out. Roll
by hand to 1/16 of an inch thick. By machine, stop at the third to last setting.

4 Cut pasta into desired shapes.

5 Cook fresh noodles in boiling salted water for 3 to 5 minutes. Drain.

Makes 4 cups of noodles

Flaky Baking Powder Biscuits

2 cups sifted flour
1 tbsp sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk

Prheat oven to 425 F. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into
a mixing bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until the mixture
resembles coarse meal. Combine egg and milk. Beat with a fork. Add to the
flour mixture all at once. Stir just enough with fork to make a soft dough that
sticks together. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 15 times.
Roll to 3/4 inch thickness. Cut with floured 2 inch cutter and place about 1
inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 425 F for 12 minutes or until
golden brown. Serve warm.

Yield: about 16 biscuits

Amish Vanilla Pie

1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tbsp flour
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg, beaten
1 cup water
1 cup unsifted flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter or regular margarine
1 unbaked 9 inch pie sheel

Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp flour, corn syrup, vanilla, and egg in 2
quart saucepan. Slowly stir in water. Cook over medium heat, stirring
constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Let cool. Combine 1 cup flour, 1/2
cup brown sugar, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and butter. Mix until
crumbly. Pour cooled mixture into pie shell. Top with crumbs. Bake at 350 F
for 40 minutes or until golden brown.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

APPLE PIZZA DESSERT

8 oz Cream cheese; softened
1/4 c Sugar
1 Egg
1 ts Vanilla
4 c Apples; peel & thinly sliced
2/3 c Sugar
1/4 c Flour
1 ts Cinnamon
pizza dough

topping

1/3 c Flour
1/3 c Brown sugar
2 tb Margarine; softened
1/2 c Slivered almonds

Place bread dough on greased 12 inch deep dish pizza pan. When thawed
completely, pat dough on bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of pan. Let rest
15
minutes.

Combine cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth. Spread
over bottom of crust. Combine apples, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour and
cinnamon. Arrange evenly over cream cheese mixture.

In a small mixing bowl, combine 1/3 cup flour and brown sugar. Cut in
margarine until mixture is crumbly. Add almonds. Sprinkle evenly over
apples.

Bake at 350F for about 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

Applesauce Brownies


" Really delicious and moist brownies. "


Ingredients
a.. 1 1/2 cups white sugar
b.. 1/2 cup margarine
c.. 2 eggs
d.. 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
e.. 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
f.. 2 cups applesauce
g.. 1 teaspoon baking soda
h.. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
i.. 2 cups all-purpose flour
j.. 2 tablespoons white sugar
k.. 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
l.. 1 cup chopped walnuts


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

2 Cream 1 1/2 cups sugar and margarine. Add eggs. Sift cocoa, salt,
baking soda, cinnamon and flour ingredients and add to sugar mixture,
alternately with applesauce. Pour into 10-1/2 X 15-1/2 inch jelly roll pan.

3 Combine 2 tablespoon sugar, 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped
nuts. Sprinkle over batter. Bake for 30 minutes.

Makes 3 - 4 dozen

Cinnamon-Raisin Biscuits

Biscuits aren't just for breakfast anymore. The sweet cinnamon and raisin taste
of these quick drop biscuits makes them a great snack with a cup of hot cocoa!

Prep: 10 min - Bake: 12 min

2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup raisins
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Heat oven to 425°F.

2. Stir all ingredients in medium bowl until soft dough forms. Drop by 9
spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with additional sugar, if
desired.

3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 9 biscuits

Banana Yogurt Pie



" A light, fruity, snappy dessert which is low in fat and calories! "


Ingredients
a.. 2 cups rolled oats
b.. 1 cup pitted dates
c.. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
d.. 2 tablespoons orange juice
e.. 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
f.. 1/4 cup boiling water
g.. 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
h.. 2 frozen bananas, peeled and chopped
i.. 1 cup low-fat evaporated milk, chilled
j.. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
k.. 1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
l.. 1 banana, finely sliced
m.. 1/4 cup lemon juice
n.. 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg


Directions
1 Combine the rolled oats, dates, vanilla extract, orange juice, and
cocoa powder in the bowl of a food processor. Blend for 3 minutes, or until
mixture sticks together. Press the mixture thinly around the sides and base of a
9 inch pie dish and refrigerate.

2 Place the gelatin in a small bowl. Pour boiling water over gelatin,
stir to dissolve, and set aside to cool.

3 Place frozen bananas in food processor or blender and blend until
smooth. Add milk and blend for 3-4 minutes. Add extra vanilla and yogurt and mix
well. Add dissolved gelatin. Pour mixture into the base of the pie dish and
refrigerate until firm.

4 Soak the extra banana in the lemon juice, slice and place on top of
pie. Sprinkle with nutmeg and serve.

Makes 1 pie

Cabbage Roll Casserole
This is a an easy version of cabbage rolls. I've enjoyed it for years at
"Pot luck suppers". It's easy to put together and pop in the frig to be cooked
the next day.

a.. 1 lb. regular ground beef
b.. 1 onion, chopped
c.. 1 tsp. salt
d.. Dash of pepper
e.. Garlic powder to taste
f.. 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
g.. 1 10 oz. can tomato soup
h.. 1 cup water
i.. 3 Tbsp. rice
j.. 3 cups coarsely shredded cabbage
k.. Grated or sliced cheese
1. Brown ground beef. Add onion, salt, pepper,garlic powder and
Worcestershire sauce and cook until golden.
2. Drain excess fat. Stir in soup, water and rice.
3. Place cabbage in cassserole. Pour meat mixture over cabbage.
4. Cover and bake for 1-1/2 at 325F. Add grated cheese or cheese slices
for last 5 minutes of cooking.Makes 4 servings.

APPLE WALNUT CAKE

2 cups sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten to blend
2 tsp vanilla
4 cups - ½ inch cubes peeled Granny Smith apples (about 5)
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 cup walnuts, chopped
Whipped cream

Preheat oven to 325º.
Grease and lightly flour 12-cup bundt pan.
Combine sugar & oil in large bowl.
Stir in eggs and vanilla.
Add apples.
Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon & salt and add to apple mixture.
Mix in nuts.
Pour into pan.
Bake cake until tester inserted near center comes out clean, about 1 hour.
Cool on rack 30 minutes.
Turn cake onto plate and cool completely.

Can be prepared a day ahead. Serve with whipped cream.
**Looks nice sprinkled with powdered sugar and serve with
whipped cream or a little vanilla ice-cream

Zucchini Bread or Cake

1/2 Cup Zucchini (I use one whole small zucchini), grated
Grate & set aside.
1-1/2 Cups Flour
1/4 Cup Nonfat Milk Powder, dry
1/4 tsp Salt
1 tsp. Baking Powder
Combine & set aside.
1 tsp Soda
1 Can (8 3/4 oz.) crushed Pineapple, in juice
Combine & set aside.
1/3 Cup Oil
1 Egg
Whisk together, add the pineapple & zucchini. Stir into flour.
1/2 Cup Raisins
1/2 Cup Walnuts


Stir into batter & pour into pan sprayed with oil.
9 x 13 pan, Bake 45 - 50 mins. @ 180C/350F/Gas 4
Bread Loaf Pan , Bake 1 hr. (same temp.)
Muffin Tins, Bake 25 mins. (same temp.)
Glaze with confection sugar icing if desired.

CINNAMON APPLE COFFEE CAKE

1 package (9 ounces) yellow cake mix
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup butter or margarine, melted
2 medium tart apples, peeled and shredded
½ cup sugar
¼ cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a mixing bowl, beat the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, sour cream and butter on
medium speed for 2 minutes.
Pour half into a greased 8-in. square baking dish.
Top with apples.
Combine the sugar, nuts and cinnamon; sprinkle half over the apples.
Top with remaining batter and sugar mixture.
Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or a toothpick inserted near the center comes out
clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Yield: 9 servings

All American Brownies

1/2 lb butter
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts

Heat the oven to 325 F. Butter a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Lightly dust with
flour. Melt the 1/2 lb butter on very low heat and allow to cool. Combine
flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Beat eggs and vanilla until foamy.
Gradually beat in sugar until well blended. Beat in the cooled butter. Blend
in the flour mixture, then add the walnuts. Pour the batter in the prepared
pan. Bake the brownies until they begin to pull away from the sides of the pan;
about 30 to 35 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.

Yield: about 24 brownies

Blueberry Cornmeal Muffins


a.. 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
b.. 1/2 cup cornmeal
c.. 1/2 cup brown sugar
d.. 1/2 teaspoon salt
e.. 1 tablespoon baking powder
f.. 1 cup milk
g.. 1/2 cup butter, melted
h.. 1 egg, beaten
i.. 1 cup frozen blueberries



Directions
1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin
cups or line with paper muffin liners.

2 Sift flour, cornmeal, brown sugar, salt and baking powder
together into a large bowl. Dredge the blueberries in the sifted ingredients. In
a small bowl, combine the milk, butter and egg. Stir the wet ingredients into
the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tins.

3 Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Let muffins sit for 10
minutes before removing from the pan.

Makes 12 muffins

Shampoos, Rinses, Hair Dyes, Mousse, Gels, & More

Chamomile Fields Shampoo


Ingredients:
4 bags of Chamomile tea (or 1 handful of fresh Chamomile flowers)
4 tablespoons pure soap flakes
1 1/2 tablespoons glycerin

Directions:
Let the tea bags steep in 1 1/2 cups of boiled water for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and with the remaining liquid add the soap flakes. Let stand until the soap softens. Stir in glycerin until mixture is well blended. Pour into a bottle. Keep in a dark, cool place.

Cedarwood & Rosemary Shampoo

2oz. Unscented or Baby Shampoo
10 drops Cedarwood, Virginia Red Essential Oil
10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
1 Tablespoon Jojoba Natural

I make this in small quantities because I do not want my body to become "bored" with the same oils loosing their effect. When this shampoo is used up I will subsitute the Cedarwood for Sweet Birch Essential Oil and the Rosemary for Lemon Essential Oil. The Sweet Birch encourages
hair growth and the Lemon just brightens my natural blonde highlights.

Any combination of these oils can be used. Rosemary and Lemon are good together as well.

All Natural Yucca Shampoo


Directions:
To make your own version of Yucca Shampoo look for fresh young Yucca plants. Cut off a piece of the root and peel the brown off of the root until you have exposed the white root inside. Once clean take a hammer, smash the Yucca root until it breaks in pieces. Wet the Yucca root, while holding the root over a basin of warm water, rub the root like a bar of soap to get mounds of lather from it. Wash your hair with the lather for a few minutes, gently massaging the scalp. Rinse very well in warm water making sure that no Yucca pieces remain in your hair.

Dry Shampoo
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Cornstarch

Directions
Sprinkle the cornstarch in your hair, let it absorb for a few minutes, brush it out. The oil from your hair and scalp will be absorbed by the cornstarch. I'd recommend this if you really don't have the time to wash your hair or in a bind.

For Oily Hair
Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon aloe vera gel (squeeze gel out of Aloe Vera plant)
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:
Blend ingredients together with 1/4 cup of your regular hair shampoo. Wash hair then rinse well.

Dandruff Treatment

10 aspirin tablets

3/4 cup warm water

Dissolve the aspirin in water. After shampooing, massage into scalp,

leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse

Limp Hair: (Removes buildup)


Ingredients:
1/4 cup vinegar
1 cup water

Directions:
After conditioning the hair use this as a final rinse

For Dry Hair


Ingredients:
1 1/2 teaspoons Corn Oil

Directions:
Add the corn oil to your regular conditioner, rinse out as you normally would.

Hairspray


Chop one lemon (or an orange for dry hair). Place in a pot with 2 cups water. Boil until half of the initial amount remains. Cool, strain, and place in a spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator. If it is too sticky, add more water. Add one ounce rubbing alcohol as a preservative and then the spray can be stored for up to two weeks unrefrigerated.

Hairgel


Ingredients:
1/2 to 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1 cup warm water

Directions:
Dissolve gelatin in 1 cup warm water. Keep refrigerated and use as you would a purchased gel.

Mousse


Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon plain gelatin in 1 cup boiling water. Let sit at room temperature until slightly set. Rub into dry or wet hair, and blow dry.

Dandruff Control

Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white vinegar

Directions:
Combine ingredients then apply directly to the scalp. Use before shampooing. Apply twice a week.

Energizing Hair Rinse

1 c organic apple cider vinegar
1 c spring water
10 drops rosemary essential oil
10 drops peppermint oil

Mix in jar; after shampooing pour one cup slowly over hair and work through. (keep out of eyes!) Rinse out. Feel the tingle - a great waker-upper!

Shampoo Bar

It says using this eliminates the need for a conditioner.

Squeeze the juice of a lemon into bottle to for your final rinse.

This soap does not wash away natural oils

24 oz coconut oil

28 oz. olive oil

24 oz. castor oil

12 oz lye

32 oz water

Temps:

Lye/h20 and fats should be between 95-98.

Liquid Shampoo 1

Mix the following in a saucepan:

5 oz of grated basic soap

26 oz of water

1/2 tsp. of powdered pectin**

Heat above mixture until smooth and liquid.

Add 3 to six drops of the oils of your choice***

Pour into a plastic, shampoo type bottle. Keep tightly sealed

**Do not omit the powdered pectin, doing so will result in separation

leaving big chunks of floating soap

***suggested oils are rosemary, chamomile, and cinnamon leaf. Pine

fragrance is also nice.


Liquid shampoo 2

Mix the following ing. in a saucepan:

5 oz of grated basic soap

26 oz of water

1/2 tsp. of powdered pectin**

Heat above mixture until smooth and liquid.

Add 3 to six drops of the oils of your choice

Liquid shampoo 3

5 oz grated soap

26oz water

1/2 tsp pectin

1/2 tsp tea-tree eo

3/4 tsp lavender eo

Combing soap water and pectin. Melt until it is clear.

Pour it into a bottle and add eos.

Hair Conditioning Treatments

Deep Conditioning Treatment


Ingredients:
1/2 cup Mayonaise

Directions:
Comb the mayonaise through your damp hair, then wrap your head in a towel, let it penetrate for 20 minutes. Shampoo.

Special Note: Make sure the mayonaisse is real mayo and NOT salad dressing. It will dry your hair out.

Deep Conditioning Treatment


Ingredients:
1 small jar of real mayonnaise
1/2 of an avocado

Directions:
Put together in a medium bowl and squish together with your hands until it's a minty green color. Smooth into hair all the way to the tips. Put on a shower cap or wrap your head with saran wrap.

Leave on for 20 minutes. For deeper conditioning put a hot, damp towel around your head -over the saran wrap. And if you have really long hair and only need deep conditioning at the ends, cut the ingredients in half and apply only to the ends and just wrap them.

Conditioner: Promotes Hair Growth


Ingredients:
Rosemary essential oil

Directions:
Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to the palms of your hands, work through out your entire hair.

Tropical Conditioner
Ingredients:
1 avacodo (peeled)
coconut milk

Directions:

Combine mashed avacodo with some coconut milk. Mash together until its smooth and about as thick as shampoo. Comb it through the hair and let sit for 10 -15 minutes, wash out.

Banana Hair Mask

For very dry or damaged hair.

1 banana
2-3 dollops of mayonaisse
1tbls.olive oil

Put banana in blender and puree until completely smooth. (You don't want clumps of banana in your hair.) Then add mayo and oil and blend until smooth and creamy. Apply to hair. Let sit for 15-30 minutes. Rinse with warm water and shampoo as usual.



Hair Conditioner

Mix 1/2 cup honey and 1/4 cup olive oil. (Use 2 tablespoons oil for normal hair.) Work a small amount at a time through hair until coated. Cover hair with a shower cap; leave on 30 minutes. Remove shower cap; shampoo well and rinse. Dry as normal.

Hair Shine

Stir 1 teaspoon honey into 4 cups (1 quart) warm water. Blondes may wish to add a squeeze of lemon. After shampooing, pour mixture through hair. Do not rinse out. Dry as normal.

Hair Conditioner

2 oz. Unscented Hair Conditioner
15 drops Geranium Essential Oil
10 drops Rosewood Essential Oil
1 Tablespoon Jojoba Natural
Or
2 oz. Unscented Hair Conditioner
25 drops Lemon Essential Oil
8 drops German Chamomile Essential Oil (this combination smells
heavenly!)

The conditioners are mostly to bring out the natural highlights in my hair and to keep it from getting dry. I ususally put a spot of conditioner in my hand the size of a quarter (I have long hair) and rub it into my hair after getting out of the shower. This also scents my hair a little to.

Oil Treatment for Damaged Hair

15 drops Rosewood
5 drops Geranium
5 drops Sandalwood
5 drops Lavender
10 ml. Jojoba

In 3 Fl. Oz. (75 ML) vegetable oil( I like olive oil)

Soapwort Herbal Shampoo Recipe

This is a very fragrant and stimulating for your scalp.It prevents dandruff and promotes hair growth. Take 1 cup of each of the following and boil them and let them reduce themselves in 2 cups H20. Do not use metal pans....I use an old Mr. Coffee pot or a vision clear glass pan.

Nettle
Spearmint
Rosemary
and for a rich chestnut appearance cloves

Let them steep for at least 2 hours...strain and the liquid left will be very dark brown. Mix these with the shampoo at a 1:1 combination....if you want a darker color add just a little more rosemary and cloves. Pour into bottles and let it set overnight. In the morning you can add a couple drops of your favorite EO to add fragrance....

For the soapwort recipe take 2 handfuls of soapwort to the glass pan and pour over it 1-1 1/2 cups water. Bring this to a boil and lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Cover it and let it steep until cool strain it into a bottle that closes tightly. When you add the nettle, rosemary, spearmint and cloves let it infuse for at least 60 minutes...I prefer to let it infuse over night. every time you use it, it needs to be shaken. This won't give you a head full of suds as commercial ones will but the cleansing is undeniable. Soapwort is nothing more that Wild Sweet William.

You can add fennel to it as well then it would condition as well.For lighter hair substitute the rosemary for chamomile and the cloves for lemon or lemongrass.

Hair Creams

Base:

2 Tablespoons Shea Butter

8 teaspoons jojoba oil

To this base add one of the following combinations:

20 drops sandalwood

20 drops bois de rose (rosewood)

-----------------------------------------------

20 drops lavender

20 drops cedarwood (Atlas)

------------------------------------------------

15 drops rosemary

15 drops lavender

10 drops myrrh

------------------------------------------------

17 drops ylang-ylang

17 drops lemon

6 drops ginger

------------------------------------------------

You can also experiment with your own combinations.



BONUS: Natural Lice Treatment

Apply olive oil to head, getting hair saturated, and rubbing it into the scalp, especially behind the ears and at the base of the head. Put a shower cap over the hair and have them sleep in it. In the morning, wash hair good. You'll probably have to shampoo several times to get all the oil out. Using the little comb, get all the eggs out that you can see. Wash again, and add lavender essential oil to the final rinse. Continue by washing all linens, sheets, towels, etc. Vacuum upholstered furniture, carpet and drapes. Wash hairbrushes, combs, ribbons, barrettes, etc. Put all stuffed animals and things that can't be washed into a double trash bag and knotting the top. Leave them in there a week or so. Each morning when my friend fixed her daughter's hair, she misted it first with lavender essential oil and water from a spray bottle. This regimen finally got rid of the problem. She continued misting with the lavender eo and water each morning, as a preventative measure.

Almond Oil/Honey Lip Balm

8 oz. sweet almond oil

1.5-2.5 oz. beeswax

1 t. honey



Melt almond oil and beeswax together in a pyrex measuring container.

Whisk in honey and pour into containers.

Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

2.5 oz. cocoa butter

2.6 oz. beeswax

1.4 oz. sweet almond oil



Melt all together and then pour into containers.

Flavored Lip Balm

2 tsp. beeswax

7-8 tsp. light oil (sweet almond oil, castor, jojoba oil)

1 tsp. honey

5 drops flavoring



Melt oil and beeswax until wax is melted. Remove from heat and add

honey. Blend thoroughly, stirring constantly. Add flavorings and put

into containers.

Fresh Peppermint Lip Balm

2 T. petroleum jelly

1 tsp. beeswax

10-14 drops peppermint essential oil

Melt petroleum jelly, and then add beeswax. When melted, remove from

heat and add peppermint EO. Pour into a container and cool.

Honey Lip Cream

1 tsp. honey

1 tsp melted beeswax

2 tsp almond oil



Melt honey and beeswax in a double boiler, add almond oil. Put into

a jar and shake. Pour into molds or jars and allow cream to set for

at least 10 minutes before using.

Lip Gloss

2 tsp. beeswax

7 tsp. castor, jojoba or sweet almond oil

1 tsp. honey

5 drops of an essential oil (lemon, orange, peppermint, etc.)



Melt the oil and beeswax until beeswax is melted. Remove from heat

and add honey. Whisk it all together. When the mixture is nearly

cool add the essential oil, mix it up again and then pour into a lip

balm container.

If you wish it to be a little harder, simply add more beeswax.

Lip balm

2 T. castor oil

1 tsp. beeswax

1/2-tsp fragrance/flavoring



This is really two separate recipes. To make a lip balm, add

flavoring. Alternatively, you can add a fragrance oil and make a

solid perfume. Heat all ingredients until melted and then pour it

into your container.

Sweet Honey Lip Balm

5-6 T. Sweet Almond or Jojoba, or vegetable oil

1-2 T. Beeswax

2 tsp honey

2 drops essential oil (tea tree, peppermint, etc.)



Melt together the oil and beeswax in a small saucepan over low heat

or in a double boiler until melted. Remove from heat and add honey

and blend mixture with a small whisk. Stir until cooled, and then

add the essential oil. The essential oil helps preserve it; also,

jojoba oil will help it stay good, since it does not turn rancid.

You can mix the oils, too (ex. mix half jojoba/half shea butter...).

COCOA MINT LIP BALM

1.5 oz. cocoa butter (non-deodorize)

1 oz. beeswax

1.5 oz. shea butter

.01 oz. pure Vitamin E

20 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)

You may wish to less or no peppermint if you don't like the "tingle"

that peppermint leaves behind on your lips; the sensation disappears

within a few minutes of application) In a heat proof measuring cup

with a lip for pouring, melt together the cocoa butter, shea butter

and beeswax over a double boiler. Once the butters and wax have

completely liquefied, remove from heat. Stir with

a pop sickle stick to ensure the mix. Add Vitamin E and stir to

incorporate. Add the essential oil and stir to combine. While

mixture remains hot, pour into lip balm containers. You may spill a

bit outside the containers as you get used to steadying your hand to

pour. If this happens, wait for the mixture to harden and wipe the

containers with a clean cloth.

Coconut Lip Gloss

1/2 cup beeswax

1/3 cup coconut oil

coconut flavoring

lipstick slivers or mica

lip balm tubes or pots

Melt beeswax and coconut oil together. Remove from heat. Add flavor

and lipstick or mica to your liking. FYI: red lipstick will make a

very alluring pink! Shimmery lipstick is particularly nice. Pour

into tubes or pots and let harden.

Cream Soda Lip Balm

1/2 Tbls. grated beeswax

1/2 Tbls. grated Cocoa Butter

1 tsp. Coconut Oil

fragrance

Mix together and melt. It worked to melt it in the microwave for

about 45 seconds. Pour into small container. The recipe can be

expanded. I used bavarian cream flavoring for the fragrance and it

smelled like cream soda.

Yummy Coconut Balm

What you need:Coconut Oil, beeswax and coconut flavoring(the same stuff

used for flavoring cakes and cookies in the baking section of your

grocery store.), old lip balm container or tube

Directions:In an old saucepan, heat up 1/2 cup of beeswax until liquid.

Do this on very low heat. Next add 1/3 cup of coconut oil and a

talbespoon of flavoring. Stir until all is liquid and mixed. Pour into

your container and let it harden about 10 minutes. Makes 7-10 lip balms.

Lip Gloss


2 tsp beeswax

7 tsp castor oil or jojoba or sweet almond oil

1 tsp honey

5 drops of an essential oil such as lemon, peppermint, orange, lime,

tangerine

Melt the oil and beeswax together in a little pan over low heat until

the beeswax is melted.

Take off the stove and then add in your honey and whisk it all together.

When the mixture is nearly cool add in your essential oil, mix it up

again and then pour into your lip balm container.

Since this comes out to be more like a gloss you can always add more

beeswax to it so that it is a little harder. Maybe another 1/2 tsp would

do it.

Chocolate Lip Gloss


3 Tbsp. Cocoa Butter

4-5 Chocolate Chips

1 capsule, Vit. E

Melt, and blend ingredients with a spoon until smooth, put into a

container and refrigerate until solid.


Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

2.5 oz. cocoa butter

2.6 oz beeswax

1.4 oz sweet almond oil

Hemp Oil Lip Balm

3 T coconut oil

1 T castor oil

1 T sunflower oil

1 T hemp seed oil

1 T beeswax

1 T honey

EO to taste (I use peppermint)

Melt the wax, and coconut oil together (I use the microwave) Add the

honey and heat a little. Stir constantly and add your sunflower and

caster oil. As the mixture begins to thicken add the hempseed oil and

your choice of EO. STIR CONTANTLY until it thickens.

Castor Oil Lip Balm

1.5 oz cocoa butter

1.5 oz beeswax

3 oz castor oil

Melt in micro, add oil, stir, pour into containers.

Honey & Almond Oil Lip Balm

8 oz sweet almond oil

1 1/2 oz beeswax

2 tsp honey

Honey & Almond Oil Lip Balm #2

2 1/2 oz. beeswax

1 cup sweet almond oil

1 to 2 Tbsp honey

Tea Tree Oil Lip Balm

2 tsp beeswax

1 tsp sweet almond oil

1 1/2 tsp cocoa butter

3 to 6 drops tea tree oil

3 small drops of honey

1 vit. E capsule

Desert Sands Lip Balm

1 tsp sweet almond oil

1 tsp cocoa butter

1 tsp beeswax

3 drops tea tree oil

3 drops peppermint oil


Another 1 Lip Balm

1 oz shredded beeswax

1 oz aloe vera oil

1 lb jar petroleum jelly

20 drops liquid vitamin E

2 tablespoons witch hazel

2 tablespoons dried herbs

(recommended are : leaves from comfrey, lavender, and bee balm & flowers

from chamomile and calendula)

cheesecloth

Heat jelly until softened, add beeswax & herbs, continue to melt. Strain

herbs with cheesecloth. Stir in aloe, vit. E and witch hazel. Pour into

containers.

Soothing Herbal Lip Balm

Makes about 20 1/2 oz balms.

Ingredients:

1/8 oz (or 20 ml extract) each - powdered comfrey root, crushed

calendula flowers, powdered marshmallow root, crushed chamomile flowers.

100 ml of sweet almond oil (base oil) and/or calendula flower oil

(infused)

40 ml Vitamin E

20 grams cocoa butter

50 grams beeswax

1 Tabl. lanolin

Optional ingredients:

2-3 T Alkanet (for red color)

12 ml bitter orange (opt for flavor) or

12 ml cinnamon (opt for flavor) or

12 ml vanilla (opt for flavor) or

12 ml anise (opt for flavor) or

12 ml spearmint (opt for flavor) or

8 ml peppermint (opt for flavor)

Measure and combine base oil with extracts into pot and simmer over low

heat until alcohol from extracts has evaporated (20-40 minutes depending

on batch size). (I used dried herbs and simmered them in the oil for an

hour. Strained them off and continued per recipe.) Cut and weigh the

beeswax, hold to the side while extract/oil mix is simmering. Once

alcohol has evaporated, strain oil/extract mixture to remove "scum"

which collected during heating process into measuring cup. Slowly pour

strained base oil/extract mix back into pot capturing leftover

"scum"/water in bottom of first measuring cup. Pour only the clean

mixture back into pot. Measure and add the infused oil, lanolin and

cocoa butter to pot. Place pot over low heat, melt cocoa butter and

lanolin. Add beeswax. Once beeswax is melted, add vitamin E and EO or

any other heat-sensitive ingredients. Stir thoroughly but gently. Reduce

heat on pot to keep mixture from smoking but warm enough to keep beeswax

from solidifying. Pour 1/2 a measuring cup's worth of mixture from pot

into 2nd measuring cup and with a careful and steady hand, pour

immediately into lip balm containers. Repeat until all balm has been

poured. Allow balm to harden and cool for approx. 30 minutes before

putting on lids.

Peppermint Lip Balm

2 Tbsp petroleum jelly

1 tspn beeswax

10-14 drops peppermint EO

In a small pot, melt the petroleum jelly, then add beeswax. When melted,

remove from heat and add peppermint EO. Pour into a lip pot and cool.


Another 2 Lip Balm

1/2 oz. bees wax

10 ml. shea butter

50 ml sweet almond oil

20 ml. vit. E. oil

20 ml. avocado oil

10 ml. olive oil

25 drops citrus EO

10 drops myrhh EO

Melt bees wax in double boiler. When almsost melted, add butter. Slowly

add the oils, stirring all the time. When completely melted, remove from

heat. Add essential oils. Pour into containers immediately (do this fast

or re-melt as it hardens.).

Lip Gloss

2 tsp beeswax

7 tsp castor oil or jojoba or sweet almond oil

1 tsp honey

5 drops of an essential oil such as lemon, peppermint, orange, lime,

tangerine

Melt the oil and beeswax together in a little pan over low heat until

the beeswax is melted.

Take off the stove and then add in your honey and whisk it all together.

When the mixture is nearly cool add in your essential oil, mix it up

again and then pour into your lip balm container.

Since this comes out to be more like a gloss you can always add more

beeswax to it so that it is a little harder. Maybe another 1/2 tsp would

do it.

Honey Pot Lip Balm

2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. beeswax
1/2 tsp. cocoa butter
1/2 tsp. honey
3 drops essential oil of orange
1 vitamin E capsule

Measure oil, beeswax and cocoa butter into a glass or enamel pan. Melt over low heat. A hotplate works well and reduces the risk of overheating the oils. I use a small glass jar to store my lip balm in so I just mix all the ingredients right in that jar then place it in a pan of water to melt the waxes.

Stir the mixture often until the wax is melted. Remove from heat and stir in the honey and essential oil. Pinch open the vitamin E capsule and squeeze the contents into the mixture. Stir well. Pour the mixture into containers. Label after it has solidified. If you want your honey to be dispersed throughout the lip balm you will need to stir it as it is solidifying.

Variations:

Choose any essential oil that appeals to you. Tea Tree oil is good for cold sores and chapped lips.

Make your lip balm using an herbal oil in place of the olive oil. Melissa (lemon balm) and Calendula are two of many herbs that can add healing and soothing properties. Alkanet will make red lip balm. Start with one tablespoon to 1/2 cup oil. After heat extraction, check the color. If it is not dark enough for you add more Alkanet and go through the heat extraction process again. Your lip balm will turn out several shades lighter than the color of your oil.

Lip Gloss

1 teaspoon Glycerin
1 teaspoon Distilled Water
2 drops Orange Essential Oil

Mix together and pour into a roll on bottle for easy application.

Mint Lip Balm

2 Tbls. Sunflower Oil
1 Tbls. Beeswax
1 Teas. Vegetable Glycerin
1/8 teas. vitamin E Oil
1 drop Peppermint essential Oil

Melt beeswax and oils together. Stir in remaining ingredients after beeswax is melted. Pour into small lip balm tubs.

Chamomile Lip Balm

INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp Chamomile infused oil
2 tbsp grated beeswax
3 drops chamomile essential oil
1 Vitamin E capsule
1 tsp runny honey

To make the infused oil, fill a jar to within 1/2 inch from the top with almond, or what ever oil you want. Fill the jar to the top with the crushed flowers. place in a sunny window for a month, turning and stirring everyday. Strain. Measure 2 tbsp infused oil, beeswax and honey and place in a heat-proof bowl over a pan of water. Melt at a medium heat. When melted, remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the contents of one Vitamin E capsule. When it has slightly cooled add the essential oil and keep on stirring until you reach a creamy consistency. Pour into small dark glass jars, leaving to fully solidify. store in a cool dark place.

The rest of the infused oil can be used as a bath oil or as a body oil, store in the same way.

Chocolate Lip Gloss

1 1/2 teaspoons grated cocoa butter
1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
1/8 teaspoon vitamin E oil
1/4 teaspoon grated milk chocolate

In a double boiler warm the cocoa butter, coconut oil, chocolate and vitamin E oil until melted. Pour into lip gloss container and allow to cool.

Hemp Lip Balm (First Aid Stick for your pocket)

35 grams First Aid Oil*
26 grams Beeswax
15 grams Extra Virgin Hemp Seed Oil
13 grams Shea Butter
11 grams Emu Oil
2 grams Peppermint Essential Oil
1 gram Tea Tree Essential Oil
You may add more or less Essential Oils to your liking.
*Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil infused with Comfrey, Chickweed, Mullien, Mallow, & Plantain. I grow these herbs myself and infuse them separately all summer long, so this is a very potent oil.
I measure everything except the Essential Oils into a glass measuring cup and set it in a pan of boiling water. When it is melted I add the Essential Oils and pour into Lip Balm Tubes.
This filled 20 lip balm tubes.
We use this lip balm daily, but it is also great for life's little emergencies. We have used it sucessfully on everything from Insect Bites, Burns, Cuts, Bruises, to Zits. We keep in our pockets so it can be applied immediately. Hope it helps you

Hemp Oil Lip Balm

Ingredients:
3T coconut oil
1T castor oil
1t beeswax
1T Sunflower oil
1T hempseed oil
1T honey
a coulpe of drops of your favorite E.O.
You can also add flavoring.

What you need to do:
Melt the wax and coconut oil together, add honey, stirring constantly.
Add sunflower oil, as mix thickens ass hempseed oil and essential oil.
Stir until thick.
Store in small containers.
Have Fun!



Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

For dry, burning lips. Heat 1 level tsp. sodium alginate plus 1 cup

water until dissolved. After cooling, Pour it into a small bottle to

carry in your purse or pocket (refrigerate the remainder). Dab it on

whenever needed. If the consistency isn't right for you, add water or

boil it down further. You can make a better lip soother by adding some

lysine from a crushed tablet, vitamin C powder, and a vitamin E capsule

to the alginate mix. If you have a persistent problem with chapped lips,

try going off citrus juice.

Lip Stick

Infuse 1 oz of Alkanet in 4 oz almond oil for 1 week.

Strain and heat in a double boiler with about 2 tablespoons of beeswax.

Stir until cool.

As it is cooling add some vitamin E and an essential oil of choice for

fragrance.

Can be used with lipliner for a siren red color.

Alone it is a sheer red.


Color for Lips

Color for the lips is nothing more than cold cream with a larger

quantity of wax than usual melted in it with a few drams of carmine for

vermillion tint. Use a strong infusion of alkanet: keep the chippings

for 1 week in the almond oil of which the cold cream is made. Afterwards

incorporate with wax and spermaceti; always tie alkanet in a muslin bag

when it is needed for coloring.

Make Your Own Household Cleaners!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Natural Disinfectant

2 c. water

1/4 c. vodka

1/4 t. tea tree oil

1/4 t. lime essential oil

1/4 t. grapefruit essential oil

I just shake and spray the counter, the boards, the dish rack. This can

also be used for air freshener, on furniture you want the cats to stay

away from, carpeting where baby put its damp little bum before you

realized there was something to be changed, as underarm deodorant,

mouthspray, and as a cologne, if you like the woody aspect with the

citrus!



Make It Yourself Scouring Powder --

Mix 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup borax with

¾ cup salt. Keep a portion of it handy in a large salt shaker, and store the

rest in a covered container.


Make your OWN GROUT Cleaner --

Mix together 2 parts bleach with 2 tablespoons

Spic & Span, 3 parts isopropyl alcohol and 4½ parts water. Pour into spray

bottle and you are ready to tackle that Grout.


Make Your Own Dishwasher Detergent --

Make your own by mixing 2 tablespoons baking soda with

2 tablespoons borax.


Make Your Own Appliance Cleaner --

Combine ¼ cup baking soda, ½ cup white vinegar, 1 cup

ammonia, and 1 gallon of hot water.

Make your own 'DRAINO' --

Remove any standing water if any. Pour 1 cup baking

soda, 1 cup salt with ½ cup white vinegar into the clogged drain. These will

start dissolving any organic matter and grease immediately. Next, flush 1 to 2

quarts of BOILING water down the drain. I do this at least once a month. It does

not harm your pipes and it keeps them clear on a regular basis.



Make Your Own Another Drain Opener

1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Wait.

1 minute later followed by one pint of boiling water.

Do this occasionally and use a drain screen to prevent clogging.

Make Your Own Glass Cleaners

Apply vinegar with newspaper and then buff with dry newspaper. It really works!!!

Mkae Your Own Grease Cutters

Use lemon juice, vinegar, or sprinkle with borax and scrub with scrub brush.

Make Your Own Powdered Bleach

Sprinkle Borax on stains and scrub!

Make Your Own Carpet Freshener --

Create perfumed carpet-freshener grains.

Mix 1 cup Epsom Salts with a few drops of perfumed oil.

Spread mixture on waxed paper

to dry. Store in an airtight container.

To USE: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of grains on the carpet and vacuum as usual.

Make your OWN Carpet Deodorizer II

Mix together ½ cup baking soda, ½ cup

cornstarch and 15 drops of your favorite essential oil fragrance.

Carpet Freshener Blend III

add to 1/2 cup Baking Soda

50 drops Lime

30 drops Tangerine

20 drops patchouli

Set aside for 24 hours the sprinkle on carpeting and let set 15

Make Your Own Dried Herbs Vacumn Scent:

8 tablespoons (not rounded) of any pleasant herb combination

I use the following combination for scent, antiseptic, and bug repellant

properties

4 tablespoons lavender

2 tablespoons thyme

2 tablespoons lemon balm

If desired, mix the herbs in a mixing bowl. Crushing them but not powderizing them.

I usually just scoop the herbs right into the bags from

their shipping containers, but some people like to mix the herbs up a

little more.

Remember to use dried herbs that have been stemmed and crushed,

especially if they normally come in large pieces.

Throw the herbal mixture around the carpeting, pu on some old tennis shoes,

and walk around on the herbs just to make sure they are crushed.

Not only will your house smell great..but your vacum cleaner will spread the aroma around

your home until you change the bag.

Make Your Own Carpet Cleaner

Sprinkle cornstarch onto carpet, vacuum. Use club soda on immediate spills.

Insecticides

Mix Borax with a little brown sugar and flour and sprinkle behind appliances, under sink, and in corners.

Cockroaches carry the mixture back to their nests and it's bye-bye pests! Keep away from children and pets.

Toilet Cleaners

Liquid castile soap and baking soda or Borax and a toilet brush.

All Purpose Cleaners

Liquid castile soap and baking soda or Borax in different ratios will clean many things.

Use very little soap and soda/borax and lots of water on floors, walls and counters.

Use more soap, soda/Borax for tubs sinks, cat boxes, anything that will be rinsed.


DON'T BUY DUSTCLOTHS --

Some are treated to attract dust but you can make your

own. Dip a piece of cheesecloth in a solution of 2 cups of water and ¼ cup of

lemon oil, then allow it to dry before using it.


Make-It-Yourself Furniture Polish --

Try one of these.

Combine 1/3 cup white vinegar with 1 cup olive oil or 3 drops lemon extract with 1 cup mineral oil.

Baby oil can be used in place of olive or mineral oil.

Furniture Polish Blend

20 drops Ylang Ylang

2 ozs Jojoba

Polish away for a beautiful and scentual shine!!!


Furniture Polish II

2 ounces beeswax

1/2 pint turpentine

About 1/4 ounce EO - more or less to your personal taste Grate or slice

the beeswax, put the wax and turpentine into a pan and melt slowly. The

turpentine is infalmmable so it's best to use a double-pan or put the

mixture into a boil and heat it over a pan of hot water. Let it cool and

before it goes completely hard add any EO you like - I use lavender. Mix

it well as it hardens and it turns into a thick cream. It takes a fair

bit of effort to get a shine and it tends to feel slightly sticky for

several days after you apply it. The smell of turpentine goes within a

few hours of using it.

To produce a softer cream polish that is easier to use:

add 1/4 pint hot water and a tablespoon of soap to the mixture above

(dissolve the soap in the hot water and beat that into the wax and

turpentine mix).

Fragrant Wood Polish

1 ounce beeswax

8 ounces mineral oil

1/2 t eo of Peru balsam

1/4 t each eo of: lavender, orange, tangerine, lemon

1/8 t each eo of: bergamot, rosemary, spruce

Melt wax & mineral oil in double boiler. Allow to cool slightly. Add

eo's and stir. Cool completely and store in jar with tight lid.

Apply polish to wood surface sparingly with rag or pad, leave it on for

5 mins and rub off excess with clean cloth.

Air Fresheners

For smoky air

BLUE MAGIC:

20 dr lavender

10 dr lemon

10 dr bergamot

5 dr lime

5 dr grapefruit

Disolve in 2 tsp of 150 proof alcohol and 3 tsp of distilled water. (I'd

use a good bit more water than that.... sounds strong enough for at

least 2 or 3 oz of water, to me.)


Fresheners

Air, rugs ,bedding, couches and ect.

10 drops of eo in 1/2 cup cornstarch

Sprinkle then vacuum.

10 drops on a sponge and place behind grate of the air conditioner.

Fresheners

2 drops of eo on the bench counter. Wipe with a damp cloth, then use the

cloth to damp wipe every surface in the kitchen....


Room Freshener (Deodorizer)

1 packette of Knox unflavored gelatin

3/4 cup of boiling water

1/4 cup of cold water

food coloring

fragrance

Add boiling water to Knox geletin, stir until disolved. Add cold water,

coloring and fragrance. You can fill tiny mason jars (jelly) or small

plastic tubs. They firm up on their own. They will not mildew or mold.


Wall Cleaner --

Make your own low cost liquid wall-cleaning solution: Mix ½ cup

ammonia or ½ cup white vinegar and ½ gallon water. I put mine in a spray bottle

and use it when I see a scuff or mark.

FRUGAL KITCHEN TIPS!

*Why waste money on commercial products when you can make your own air deodorizer. Use a regular pump spray mister with 4 cups of water in it, add 4 teaspoons of baking soda and spray the odors away

*To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet/frying pan, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil. Your stove-top-skillet will be much easier to clean

*Stop your mirrors and window from steaming up with condensation. Clean the mirror or window with shaving foam. Spray a little onto a clean cloth and rub into the glass. Wipe dry and no more steam.

*Add fabric softener when washing your shower curtain and the bathroom will smell fresh for weeks.

*Soak paper towels in vineger, and wrap them around the faucet or wherever the hard water and minerals build up, let is sit for at least 15 minutes and it should wipe away. I have left in on overnight, if it is real bad. Lots cheaper than $15.00 cleaner, and works just as well.

*To heat leftover tortillas, grease a skillet lightly with oil and place over medium heat. Dip tortillas in water and quickly steam-sauté them on both sides.

*One way to freshen stale rolls is to seal them in a brown paper bag, sprinkle the outside with water, then heat 10 to 15 minutes in a 350*F (175*C) oven.

*Combine leftover mashed potatoes with chopped onion and shredded cheese, then bake. Tastes like twice-baked potatoes without the work!

*Leftover spaghetti noodles? Add diced raw vegetables and enough bottled Italian dressing to coat for an easy and refreshing salad!

*Form balls of leftover mashed potatoes around cubes of cheese, roll in Parmesan cheese or crumbs and broil until golden brown.

*Cool leftover French toast, then freeze it in single layers. Store in self-sealing plastic bags. Pop in your toaster to reheat.

*Leftover spaghetti noodles make a wonderful addition to any stir-fry dish. Stir-fry noodles in 2 tablespoons hot oil for a few minutes; remove and set aside. Prepare your stir-fry and stir in the "fried" noodles last.

*You can use potato cooking water as the liquid in making bread - it's a great flavor enhancer.

*To make leftover fruit pie taste "just-baked," wrap in foil and warm 10 minutes in a 350°F (180°C) oven.

*When a recipe calls for adding oil, garlic, and onions to a pan, always add garlic last. This keeps it from burning and tasting bitter.

*Use a meat baster to make perfect pancakes every time.

*To make the best and prettiest chocolate shavings, use white or milk chocolate; they are softer in texture and curl better.

*To help gelatin hold its shape when unmolded, add a teaspoon of white vinegar to the recipe.

*Place a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of cooked pudding or pie filling immediately after pouring to prevent a skin from forming.

*Before chopping nuts in a food processor, dust them with flour. This keeps the nuts from sticking to the processor.

*Cut a meringue pie cleanly by coating both sides of the knife lightly with butter.

*To make mashed potatoes fluffier, add a pinch of baking soda along with the butter and milk.

*Use flour tortillas for easy dumplings! Cut into strips and add to boiling broth, a few at a time so they do not stick together.

*If you add a pinch of baking powder to powdered sugar when making frosting, it will stay creamy and not harden or crack.

*Substituting applesauce for half of the amount of vegetable oil called for in your baking recipes will reduce the fat content. (Or use all applesauce, which produces a low-cal, moist product!)

*Use a piece of plastic wrap the length of your pan for ease in pressing down those crispy rice treats, no more messy hands! (Try this with any bottom crumb layer to be pressed in a recipe.)

*When cooking oatmeal, coat the pan with non-stick cooking spray. It keeps the oatmeal from boiling over and sticking to the pan.

*You'll find honey, corn syrup and molasses much easier to measure if you remove their lids and microwave for 30 to 45 seconds at 100% power. That's for a 12-ounce bottle. Smaller amounts need even less time.

*If you're out of brown sugar, try substituting an equal amount of granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup molasses (light or dark) for every cup of white sugar.

*When shrimp curl into a semicircle they're done. When tightly coiled, they're overdone.

*To slice mushrooms quickly and uniformly, use an egg slicer.

*If you use a food processor or blender to chop dried fruit, freeze the fruit first. It well be less sticky and easier to chop.

*Instead of salting gravy, enrich both the gravy's color and flavor by using a little soy sauce.

*Bacon strips won't stick together if you roll up the package like a jelly roll before opening it.

*Soup too thin? Prick a baking potato several times, wrap in a paper towel and microwave 5 minutes at 100% power until soft. Peel, mash and add the potato into soup.

*To prevent boil-overs, apply a thin coat of cooking oil around the top of the inside of pots.


*To keep a bowl steady while you mix or whip ingredients, place it on a dampened cloth.


*For uniform pancakes, use measuring cups designed for dry ingredients (a 1/4-cup medium-size, 1/3-cup for big ones). Grease the cups inside and out so the batter will slip out easily. To keep the batter from dripping en route to the griddle, scrape the bottom of the measure on the rim of the mixing bowl.


*When a sauce curdles, follow this procedure: Remove pan from heat and plunge into a pan of cold water to stop the cooking process. Beat sauce vigorously or pour into a blender and process until the sauce is smooth.


*When ice cream is rock-hard, dip the scoop in hot water to make scooping easier.


*To chop or grind nuts fine in a food processor without turning them into nut butter, add 2 or more tablespoons sugar from the recipe.
You can easily adjust the position of your holiday gelatin mold or fancy frozen bombe on its platter by slightly wetting the platter before you unmold.


*Always cook pasta in salted water, but don't add the salt until the water boils. You'll need 2 tablespoons of coarse (kosher) salt for 1 pound of pasta. Salted water has a higher boiling point, so will take longer. Taste the pasta to determine if it is done. Perfectly cooked pasta should be "al dente," or firm to the bite, yet cooked through.


*Another advantage to cooking pasta al dente, is that it preserves some of the vitamins and minerals that are lost into the cooking water with longer cooking times.


*If the pasta is to be used as part of a dish that requires further cooking, undercook the pasta by 1/3 of the cooking time specified on the package.


*The only time you should rinse pasta after draining is when you are going to use it in a cold dish, or when you are not going to sauce and serve it immediately. In those cases, rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process, and drain well.

*Easily remove burnt on food from a skillet by adding a drop or two of liquid dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on the stove top. Allow to cool and clean should be a breeze!

*Spray plastic-ware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces. No more stains!

*To aid in washing dishes, add a tablespoon of baking soda to your soapy water, it softens hands while cutting through grease.

*To remove the odor of garlic from hands, wet hands with water and then rub them with a spoonful of salt and rinse. Repeat, if needed.

*When stacking non-stick skillets on cupboard shelves, place a paper plate between each to prevent scratches. This prolongs the life of the skillet.

*Never put a cover on anything that is cooked in milk, unless you want to spend time cleaning up the stove when it boils over!

*After chopping garlic or onions, rub a fresh lemon wedge over both the knife blade and the cutting board to help remove the odor.

*For quick wipe-ups of small spills, keep a box of plain white tissues near the stove and use them instead of paper towels.

*Never wash a rolling pin, or it may warp...and never let dough dry on it. Immediately after rolling out dough, wipe the rolling pin clean with a towel.

*To safely clean coffee makers, enameled cast-iron pots, and similar equipment, put 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda in the pot and pour boiling water over it. A baking powder solution is also great for scrubbing butcher blocks.

*After zesting and juicing an orange, lemon or lime, grind the remains in your garbage disposal for their refreshing scent.

You can decide if there is a noticeable difference in quality.

*If a recipe calls for cake flour, just remove 2 Tablespoons of flour for every Cup of Flour.

*For self rising flour add 1 teaspoon of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt to every Cup of Flour.

* If out of milk, use 1/2 Cup evaporated milk mixed with 1/2 Cup water.

*A Buttermilk substitute can be make from yogurt. Add 2 Tablespoons milk, and 1 Tablespoon Vinegar or Lemon Juice to 1 Cup Milk. Let it set 10 minutes and then stir.

*To make whole milk out of 1 Cup of skim milk, add 3 Tablespoons of cream.

*A cream cheese substitute is 1 Cup of cottage chess mixed with 1/4 Cup of butter/margarine.

*For sour cream use 1 Cup of yogurt mixed with 3 Tablespoons melted butter.

*For baking powder use 1/4 teaspoon baking soda mixed with 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar.

*When baking with chocolate, 3 Tablespoons Cocoa with 2 ½ teaspoons butter is equal to one unsweetened chocolate baking square.

*For lemon juice, use 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar. *All canned tomato products may be interchanged. Add water to tomato paste to make tomato sauce.

Back to More Tricks and Frugal Tips from My Kitchen

*Olives, mushrooms, green peppers, onions...and such can usually be left out of recipes. Think of a casserole like a pizza. You can eat a plain cheese pizza, or you can eat one that is fully loaded!

*Mix mustard with prepared horseradish to make a hot zesty spread cheaper than you can buy it.

*If you run out of baking powder, mix half baking soda and half cream of tartar with a little cornstarch. Or if the recipe will allow it, add an egg.

*Make powdered sugar in your blender by whirling granulated sugar with a little corn starch added to keep it smooth.

*Never heat up your oven for just one thing, unless it's so big that nothing else will fit! Make two roasts, bake potatoes, heat canned vegetables, bake a pie...

*The microwave is a great timesaver, and cooks food with less energy and heat waste than a conventional oven, but don't put off thawing foods just because you can do it faster in the microwave. It's still cheaper to thaw meats in the refrigerator (or, in some instancees, in water).

*Save pork fat trimmed from chops, steaks, etc, in the freezer. Put it a small pan when you bake anything else in the oven and let it render, then cool and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to make gravy or fry potatoes.

*When you boil potatoes, save the water and use it like milk to make 'milk' gravy.

*A hand operated grain mill is a practical kitchen appliance. In a pinch, you can grind popcorn for corn meal; grind peppercorns more easily than a pepper mill, grind coffee beans, wheat, barley and even make bread crumbs if your bread is dry.

*Leftovers can be cooked together and added to dog or cat food occasionally, to help reduce the cost of their regular food. A 'leftovers' meal now and then won't hurt them.

*If you oversalt a stew or soup, drop in a sliced potato. It will absorb the salt, so take it out before serving.

*To remove fish or other strong tastes from cooking oil or shortening, fry potatoes in it. The potatoes will taste great, and it will be pure for other things.

*Stretch a meatloaf even more (and make it healthier) by adding oatmeal, cooked rice or other quick cooking or precooked grains or vegetables.

*Make a fish loaf or patties from canned jack mackeral or tuna instead of salmon.

*Put leftovers in serving sized containers and freeze. Individual yogurt cups are great for this. Seal the lids with tape and mark the contents. When you're busy or tired, dinner is already cooked and everyone can mix and match to their heart's desire!

*You also can sprinkle baking soda in your sink drain and pour vinger in and it will unstop the drain!

Some Common Sense Tips!

*Take advantage of bulk bins. When trying a new pasta, grain, cereal, or dried fruit, use the bulk bins. You can buy just enough to decide whether you like it. If you do not like it, you will not have wasted a full package. Bulk-bin flour, sugar, spices, cereal, and pasta are usually priced lower than the prepackaged variety.

* Rearrange your plate. Filling your plate with vegetables, legumes, grains, pasta and fruit, with meat on the side, will help your budget and your health.

* Use cheaper substitutes. When faced with a recipe that looks tasty but calls for expensive ingredients, be creative. That beef stir fry looks good. Use the same sauce but substitute garbanzo beans or chicken for the beef strips.

* A substitute ingredient need not taste exactly like the ingredient called for. Sure the flavor will change but it could change for the better. Try shredded carrots in lieu of more expensive (if you do not get it free from a gardener) zucchini. Substitute corn for peas, vanilla for many extracts, and bread crumbs for cracker crumbs.

* Alter recipes. Try adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup less sugar in your baking and drink mixes; you probably will not notice a difference. Reduce the amount of cheese you add to casseroles and sauces by one fourth. Recipe writers often round off amounts to make ingredients are easy to measure, when usually a smaller amount will do.

* Analyze recipes carefully. If an ingredient seems to be included only for color but offers no essential flavor, try eliminating it.

* Stretch recipes. When your cookie recipe calls for one rounded teaspoon of dough, try a level teaspoon and remove from the oven sooner. Make a larger number of small muffins with your muffin batter. Dilute concentrated juice a little further. Add extra potatoes, beans, and vegetables to casseroles and soups for additional servings (seasonings may need to be adjusted slightly).

* Conserve electricity when baking and cooking. Turn off the burner three minutes before your pasta or rice directions call for. The residual heat will finish the cooking. When baking a chicken or meatloaf, bake potatoes with it for use in the next day's casserole.

* Bake. Once a month, take a few hours to bake muffins, breads, and cookies from scratch for the month ahead. You will be less tempted to purchase the expensive prepared baked goods. Most baked goods freeze well.

* Make your own salad dressing. You will be pleased with how easy it is and how much money you will save. Easy vinaigrette dressing: Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1-1/2 t. salt, 1/4 t. pepper, 1/2 t. dry mustard, and 1 minced garlic clove. Add 1 cup salad oil and stir until blended. Keep refrigerated in a tightly covered container.

* When using fresh garlic, save the four inner cloves. Plant them in the ground, or in a planter, about 1/2 inch deep. Dig up when plant is about 1-1/2 feet tall and has begun to dry, in about five months. Soon you will never need to buy garlic again!

* Embrace variety. Avoid the rut of eating the same fruits, vegetables, and meat all year long. Enjoy different foods when they are in season and, therefore, cheapest. Eat tangerines in the winter and grapes in the summer. Enjoy summer corn and savor winter squash.

* Make sure your food is a nutritional bargain. That $1.50 per gallon of orange flavored drink may be cheap but it is made of water, sugar, and artificial coloring with none of the Vitamin C of orange juice. Orange juice is the better bargain, filled with Vitamin C and folic acid. Just 8 oz. has 150 percent of an adult's daily Vitamin C requirement.

* Store food properly to avoid spoilage. Speak with your grocer about the proper way to store fruits and vegetables. Always seal herb jars tightly, as dried herbs lose flavor quickly. Freeze meat if you will not use it within five days.

* Compare prices of different versions of the same food. The fresh, frozen, and canned versions can differ greatly.

* Waste not. Overripe bananas, pears, apples, and other fruit can find a second life in breads, sauces, and desserts. Place in airtight container and freeze until you have time for baking. When baking, substitute fruit puree for up to half the amount of oil called for in a recipe.

* Discover alternative proteins. Legumes are a great buy and very versatile. Try cooked beans and lentils in place of ground beef in casseroles, stews, and soups. Substitute beans for meat in a stir-fry. Experiment with tofu and texturized vegetable protein.

* Do not limit your grocery shopping to grocery stores. Health food stores often have good buys on herbs, spices, and grains. Visit the farmer's market for top-quality produce at low prices. Your gas station just might have a bargain on milk. Take advantage of u-pick strawberry fields in July and apple orchards in the fall.

* Be an aggressive consumer. If the oranges you bought turned out to be dry, return them. If your yogurt tasted off, take it back. Do not settle for sub-par food. You would take back a defective battery; take back poor-quality food.

* Evaluate your eating habits. Junk-food junkies will find that their favorite snacks not only do a number on their heart and waistlines but deplete their food budget quickly. For example an apple costs 30 cents, and a less-filling candy bar costs 50 cents. Cut back on soda and other sugar- and caffeine-based beverages. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator to encourage your family to drink it.

1. Nearly everything can be cut in half -- use only half a dryer softener sheet, half the recommended amount of detergent, half a cotton ball, etc. Try it on anything you can think of - if it works, you save money, if it doesn't, what do you lose?

The same idea goes for quick dinners. If you're putting together, for example, Hamburger Helper (or another "instant" meal), consider using a 1/2 pound of meat per box (or just make up 2 boxes at a time, with a full pound of meat). Most of us actually get far more protein in a day than we need, so cutting back to a 1/2 pound of meat doesn't hurt any of us.

How about instant drink mixes? If you're buying mixes that don't have the sugar added (which, by the way, is cheaper than buying the mixes with sugar already in them), think seriously about how much sugar you mix in. Do you REALLY need to use a full cup of sugar with that small packet of flavoring? Or could you cut it back to 1/3 or 1/2 cup and decrease the amount of sugar your children are getting in each serving?

The next time you're simply following directions on any grocery item, take a moment to evaluate the claim before you do as it says. You may save yourself some money!


2. Disposing of grease and fat from foods. I save the jars and lids that I get whenever I purchase tomato sauce and mayonnaise. When I have bacon drippings or old oil from fried foods, I pour the fat into these jars. When the jar gets full, I put the top back on and put the jar in the trash. This will prevent your drains from being clogged with this oil and keep your trash cans from getting messy inside.


3. Save plastic milk containers, fill with water and freeze. Use in camper iceboxes or coolers. Also these can be used to freeze colored water or juices in for later use in a punch bowl.


4. To avoid tears when peeling onions, slice first, then slip the bands of skin off.


5. Use an egg slicer to slice apples or mushrooms.


6. Leftover pancake batter makes good fried onion rings. Separate and let soak in batter for fifteen minutes. Fry in hot oil.


7. Don’t throw out leftover coffee. Freeze it in icecube trays, and when you don’t want to make an entire pot, you can get your cubes out of the freezer and pop them in the microwave.


8. Dry Mustard will remove onion odors from your hands or cutting board. Rub in, then rinse off.


9. Use plain baking soda or salt as a fire extinguisher.


10. Put rice in your salt shaker to keep the salt from getting hard. **Thank you Lisa!


11. Remove odors from your fridge by placing a vanilla extract soaked cotton ball inside. Another popular method is to leave a cup of baking soda or a slice of lemon in the fridge at all times.


12. Cleaning behind your refrigerator will keep it running longer and more efficiently. Another fridge cleaning tip: Make sure the unit is level. An unlevel refrigerator works harder than it needs to and wastes energy.


13. Store plastic wrap in refrigerator - it will prevent it from sticking.


14. A good trick when you go away on vacation is to place a baggie with a few ice cubes in the freezer. If a power failure occurs while you are gone and the food thaws and then refreezes you will know about it when you get home.


15. Use a powder puff to dust flour on rolling pins, pastry boards and cookie sheets. Store puff in a margarine tub with a small amount of flour for quick dusting jobs.


16. Leftover Safety - If food has been contaminated with germs from a person's mouth, it should be tossed. For instance saving baby food when you have fed the baby from the jar is hazardous.


17. You can reheat small portions of leftovers in the same pan. Wrap individually in foil and place in enough water to cover the bottom of the pan.


18. When converting your favorite recipe for microwave cooking reduce the liquid by one-fourth. Liquid does not evaporate in a microwave as much as it does in a conventional oven.


19. To save on electric and water only run your dishwasher when full. When adding dishes take a handful of baking soda and sprinkle the dishes and bottom of dishwasher to absorb odors. When you run the dishwasher there is no need to add detergent to the first cylce receptacle only to the 2nd one that stays shut until the second cycle starts. The baking soda will take the place of the detergent in the first cycle.


20. When you have a spill in your oven, sprinkle some salt on it right away. Then when the oven cools wipe it off.


21. Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces--no more stains.


22. Transfer your jelly to a small plastic squeeze bottle--no more messy, sticky jars or knives. This also works well for homemade salad dressing.


23. To aid in washing dishes, add a tablespoon of baking soda to your soapy water--it softens hands while cutting through grease.


24. Save your store-bought-bread bags and ties--they make perfect storage bags for homemade bread. (Don't turn them inside out. The labels are painted on the out sides of the bags with lead-based paint.)


25. If you have problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.



Sun Burn Lotion

8 ounces non-medicated lotion
5 drops clove oil
5 drops peppermint oil
2-4 teaspoons powdered Comfrey Root
2-4 tablespoons Aloe Vera gel

Mix together thoroughly in a bowl. Chill, if desired.

HINT: Amounts of Comfrey Root or Aloe Vera gel may be increased, but do not increase the amounts of clove or peppermint oils, as they may cause skin irritation.


HomeMade Vanilla Extract tastes much better than store-bought, and it is very easy to make at home.

I have heard that the imitation vanilla that is sold in our supermarkets is nothing more than a by-product from petroleum companies. Instead of being disposed of, it is sold to the food industry for consumption. I do not know if this is true, but it just gives me one more reason to make my own.

Making real vanilla is fun and easy. The only ingredients needed are vanilla beans and alcohol. I have several recipes for making vanilla, and each one calls for a different type of alcohol, and varying amounts of vanilla bean.

For a strong extract, use a high proof of alcohol and scrape the seeds from the bean. For a weaker extract, use a lesser proof of alcohol and soak beans intact.

Here are a three different methods for making your extract:

1. Place one vanilla bean into a pint of vodka. Shake daily for two weeks.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.

2. Scrape the seeds from three vanilla beans and place them into a bottle of dark rum. Place the pods in the rum as well. Let sit for three weeks, shaking occasionally.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.

3. Place 1/2 cup vodka or white tequila into small saucepan, and heat until it smokes but isn't boiling. Break 2 vanilla beans into pieces and place into bottle or jar. Pour the alcohol into the bottle and cover tightly. Let sit for a week, shaking frequently.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.

*Use a very fine strainer, coffee filter, or paper towel to strain.

HINT:To save money, you can grow your own vanilla orchids and collect the seed pods, or reuse the vanilla bean(s) for another batch of extract.

Homemade Insect Repellents
ANTS

Ant Traps

1/3 cup molasses or honey
6 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons active dry yeast

Mix together.
For Use Outside: Put the paste in a container near the colony. For Use Inside: Put the mixture on a piece of cardboard in the areas that ants come into the house.


Ant Traps (For Heavy Infestation)

1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon borax
2 tablespoons water

Stir together into a thick syrup. Soak cotton balls in the mixture and place the cottonballs on something flat that ants can reach. Place in the middle of ant infestations. The ants will eat it and take it back to the nest and the numbers will diminish slowly.


--Carpenter Ants: Locate and remove nests. Drill holes into wood they are attacking and fill holes with boric acid.

--Barriers that ants will not cross: cayenne pepper, chili pepper, cream of tartar, dried peppermint, paprika, cinnamon, salt, dried sage, cucumber peelings and boric acid.


MOSQUITOES

--Mix together oil of citronella and vaseline - use on your body or clothes.
--Rubbing alcohol on skin will repel mosquitoes.
--Rub dryer sheets over body to repel.
--Plant sweet basil around patio and house to repel.


Outdoor Spray

1 cup lemon scented ammonia
1/4 cup baby shampoo
water

Spray outside area 3 times a week in the early morning or late at night with mixture.


Body Spray

3 cups rubbing alcohol
1 1/2 cups red cedar wood shavings
1/2 cup eucalyptus leaves

Mix and let sit at least 5 days before using.


Body Spray #2

6 cloves crushed garlic
1 minced onion
1 tablespoon soap
1 gallon hot water

Let sit two days, strain and spray on.


ROACHES

Powder Bait

1 lb. Borax
6 ounces powdered sugar
1 ounce cocoa powder
2 ounces salt or sodium fluoride

Mix and spread around house.


--Caulk all cracks along baseboards, shelves, cupboards, pipes and sinks, and eliminate moisture.
--Place whole bay leaves in affected areas.
--Apply a light dust of boric acid or borax in cracks and crevices.


INSECTICIDES FOR PLANTS

Spray Recipe #1

8 ounces sugar
4-8 ounces 3% peroxide (food grade)
1 gallon water


Spray Recipe #2

1 gallon of water
2 tablespoons dishsoap
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
2 tablespoons of tobasco


Spray Recipe #3

Use 1% soap and 99% water to spray on plants.

EO=Essential Oils

FO=Fragrance Oils

8 Bath Bombs and Bath Fizzies

Bath Bomb I

10 Tbsp Baking Soda

5 Tbsp Cornstarch

5 Tbsp Citric Acid

1 1/2 Tbsp Safflower or Canola oil

(any light oil will do, I use Sw. Alm. Oil)

1/2 Tbsp water

pinch of borax

EO about a tablespoon

Sieve dry ingred. In a jar, mix oils, water, and borax and shake well.

Drizzle into dry ingred. and then work with hands. Press firmly into

mold and then just pop out. They do firm up almost immediately. DON'T

leave them in the mold too long, or bake them as in some other recipes.

I use candy molds to mold mine.

Pat Sweetman





Bath Bomb II

1/4 cup citric acid

3/4 cup baking soda

Witch hazel

Combine dry ingredients, mist with witch hazel and stir. When the

mixture will stick to itself when squeezed in the hand pack it into your

molds. When it is dry remove it from the molds.

There are many things you can add before misting to make the recipe your

own creation. Try adding a little ground herb or spice for color and

Essential oil or Fragrance oil for scent.

Bath Bombs III

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid*

1/2 cup corn starch

Sieve dry ingredients til you get a nice smooth blend. (Optional: add

1/3 cup epsom salts or coarse sea salt after sieving)

Wet Ingredients:

2 1/2 T. sunflower or other light oil (I use sweet almond oil, available

at drug or health food stores)

3/4 T. water

1 to 2 teaspoons essential oils or fragrance oils

1/4 teaspoon borax as an emulsifier

vegetable or other natural colorant (optional)

Combine wet ingredients and borax in a jar. Cover tightly and shake

vigorously. Drizzle onto dry ingredients and blend thoroughly.

Pack tightly into moulds and slide out. They should release easily.

Allow to dry overnight**.


Notes:

Mixing

This mixture is VERY dry and crumbly and has to be packed in the molds

quite firmly to keep shape. If you add any other ingredients (such as

herbs, epsom salts or dried flowers) you may need to add a bit more

almond oil. Be careful not to add too much oil, though, as this makes

the bombs soggy and makes a mess of your tub. I mix the liquids into the

dry ingredients with my hands. That way I can feel if I need to add more

oil. The mixture should just start to hold together when pressed in your

hand, like slightly moist fine sand.

Adding epsom salts adds a bit of shine to the bomb and also seems to

make the fizzing action more vigorous. It also seems to shorten the

drying time required. If you want to add coarse sea salts, I recommend

breaking it up a bit with a mortar and pestle or in a blender. The

grains should be no larger than those of epsom salts.

SHAPING:

This recipe makes about 4-60 mm round bombs. I use the clear plastic

two-part Christmas ornament balls; you can also get an 80 mm ball (these

incidentally are the same sizes as the Lush bombs). I find the 60 mm

bombs are all you need for a nice bath. I have never needed to oil the

molds beforehand when using these plastic molds.

I pack each side of the mould quickly, then throw some loose mixture on

top and squish the halves together HARD (the mold needn't fit together

completely; in fact it shouldn't, because then it is harder to get them

apart). DON’T twist the two halves, just PUSH them straight together and

smooth off any excess around the crease with your fingers. You can

unmold them after a very few minutes onto a baking sheet. Unmould one

side at a time, taking the top half of the mould off first (you may need

to tap the top gently once or twice), then turn the ball and remove the

other side. Avoid the temptation to *twist* the top of the mould, as

this can easily split the bomb. If the bomb splits or crumbles, empty

out the mould completely and start again. If the bombs crumble and won't

keep shape, add a tiny bit more oil (1/4 tsp or less). I usually manage

to get three of the four done fine and then have trouble with the last

as the mixture is already beginning to dry out a bit.

Sometimes they crack a little around the seam after a day or so; just

gently rub the seam with your (dry) fingers to smooth it. If you have

enough left over you can either gather it in a jar or plastic spice bag,

or put it in a smaller mould (I use half of a Christmas heart mould).

The mixture shows detail very well; other people I have heard of make

smaller bombs by pressing them into candy moulds.

*You could substitute ascorbic acid but it tends to turn yellow with

exposure to air, which gives your bombs a freckled appearance. Citric

acid is sometimes available in drug stores but it’s NOT cheap. If you

think you might like to make a few, or if you have a friend who might

want to try too, I suggest ordering a kilo or 5 kg pail from a reputable

soapmaking supply house.

**Re drying time: I let all of mine dry at least a week, although they

should be ready to use after a couple of days. I have heard it suggested

that one could speed up this process by baking the bombs for 2-3 hours

at very low heat (no higher than 200 degrees F) but I haven’t found this

necessary and I imagine this would make the whole house smell of them

for days, which may not be your preference! They look nice packed in

cello bags or you could use spice bags such as are used at the bulk

store. Tie with a pretty ribbon or nestle three in a small wicker basket

for a nice gift.

Bath Bombs 4

2 parts baking soda

1 part ascorbic or citric acid powder

1 part cornstarch

Combine ingredients using a food processor if possible, can add colors

and EO's. Be sure it's EO's and use a drop at a time as they have the

strongest scent.

Bath Bombs 5 with a twist

2 parts baking soda

1 part corn starch

1 part citric acid

FO and coloring to suit

Mix all ingredients but citric acid. Spritz with a

witch haze/glycerine 50/50 mix until the texture of the

type of wet sand you'd make a sand castle with.

Now add citric acid, and mix quickly. Pack TIGHTLY

into molds. Leave for five minutes.

Gently dump out onto surface; put in turned off gas

oven (heated only by pilot light) or another warm, dry

place to dry.



Bath Fizzies

10 Tbsp baking soda

5 Tbsp powdered sugar (or cornstarch)

5 Tbsp citric acid

5 droppers full fragrance oil or essential oil

2 Tbsp almond oil*

* too little or too much are problems

Mix dry ingredients together. Gradually drizzle oils in. Spoon into

molds (I used an ice cube tray - get creative!). Press very very hard.

Bake bombs for 2-3 hours at very low heat (no higher than 200 degreesF).

Let cool on baking sheet before removing, as they are very fragile until

cool. Cure for 2 weeks before using.

Bath Fizzies II

10 Tbsp baking soda

5 Tbsp cornstarch

5 Tbsp citric acid

5 droppers full FO or EO

2 Tbsp ~approx~ melted cocoa butter

(I added some almond oil to the melted cocoa butter to keep the cocoa butter in a liquid form when I

added the oil to the dry ingredients)..I think you will be using a

little more than 2 Tbsp

Get lumps out of soda & cornstarch either by sifting or stirring down.

Add dry ingredients together in food processor or blender. Now

the tricky part...drizzle the oil into the dry ingredients in order to

"bind" the dry ingredients together.

As I used a blender I reached a point where I took the mixture from the

blender and put into a bowl. I continued to add oil and mixed with my

fingers. You want a consistency where the mixture "starts" to cling

together when pressed together to form a ball. You won't get a ball that

will hold together well, but shows the start of it. Now is time to pack

into molds. I used Wilton candy molds and packed down very hard. I then

put the molds into the freezer for about 2 hours. I then popped the

fizzies out and put on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. I

put the sheet into the oven set at 100 - 150 degrees and left for about

45 minutes. Let cool before touching. When I took them out of the oven

they were hard enough to pick up without crumbling. I left them on the

cookie sheet to continue to harden. The detail of the molded fizzies is

unbelieveable. You can see every line and design of those very small

plastic candy molds.



Fizzing Bath Balls III

1/4 C baking soda

2 T citric acid

1 T borax

2 T powdered sugar

2 T almond oil

1 T vitamin E oil

1/4 T fragrance

Combine dry ingredients in bowl and stir till blended. Drizzle in oil

and stir till moist. Add Vit E and stir till mixed. Take teaspoon sized

mixture and form balls. Will be crumbly. Place on waxed paper and leave

2-3 hours. Let air dry 10 days and then store in air tight container.

Beware though. They need to air dry in a humidity free enviroment. I

formed mine in ice trays and when I took them out to air dry, they

started puffing up a little bit. We live in somewhat of a humid climate.

I think that I am going to put my next ones in the dehydrater.

©2001, Donna Pope Lawley

THESE RECIPES ARE FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
THIS COLLECTION MAY NOT BE RESOLD IN PART, AS A WHOLE OR BY ADDING TO IT.
WITH YOUR PURCHASE YOU ARE AGREEING TO THESE TERMS.

Here's the additional 101+ Beauty Recipes! There are some bath bomb fizzies below also!

Take care, Donna


1. Almond Oil Wrinkle Cream 1 tbs. of an infusion of comfrey leaves... OR... 1 tbs. of a decoction of comfrey roots (see below) 1 tbs. lanolin 2 tsp. sweet almond oil 2 tsp. water 2 tsp. cod liver oil Melt lanolin and almond oil in a double boiler. Add water and allow to cool. Mix in cod liver oil and comfrey. Apply gently to face and rinse off after 5 to 10 minutes. This is a rich moisturizer that boosts the water-holding capacity of your skin and helps plump out wrinkled areas. Infusion: This is a beverage made like tea, by pouring boiled water over plants and steeping to extract the active ingredients. The normal amounts are about 1/2 to 1 ounce of plant to one pint of boiled water. You should let the mixture steep for 5 to 10 minutes, covered, and strain the infusion into a cup. Decoction: This preparation allows you to extract primarily the mineral salts and bitter principles rather than vitamins and volatile ingredients. The normal amounts are about 1/2 ounce plant to 1 cup water. Bring ingredients to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for up to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and steep the mixture with the cover on the pot for a few minutes.

2. Almond Rosewater Body Lotion 1/4 cup rosewater (can be purchased at some health food stores or pharmacies, also carried at most middle-eastern or indian specialty groceries or specialty cooking stores such as Williams-Sonoma... OR... you can try your hand at making your own rosewater, see recipe below) 1/4 cup glycerin 2 tbs. witch hazel 1 tbs. almond oil Mix together rosewater and glycerin. Add witch hazel and almond oil. Stir completely to dissolve. Pour into a pretty bottle. Recipe for rosewater: To prepare rosewater, first gather fresh rose blossoms; do this during the morning, after the dew has evaporated. Place the petals in a glass, stainless steel, or enamel saucepan and cover them with distilled water. Weigh the floating petals down with a heat-resistant glass dish. Place the pan over low heat and allow the pot to release steam for at least an hour. You should begin to see drops of rose oil floating on the surface of the water. Do not allow the water to boil. When the water has taken on a rosy hue, feels thick and soft, and shows evidence of rose oil on its surface, strain the liquid through a tea strainer, using your fingers to press all the liquid from the petals. Store in refrigerator. Rosewater may be used as a skin toner; just apply to the face with a cotton ball. Important Notes: NEVER use rose petals that have been sprayed with any kind of pesticide for making rosewater!! Consider using only enough distilled water to cover the rose petals. Otherwise, the solution becomes more dilute. Please remember to use only the petals, not the sepals, stamens, or green foliated bracket holding the petals in their grouping.


3. Apple Zinger Facial Mask (For Oily or Acne Prone Skin) 1 medium size apple, grated fine 5 tbs. honey Mix the grated apple and honey well. Smooth over skin and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

4. Bath Bombs / Bath Fizzies 2 tbs. citric acid (you can get this at a pharmacy) 2 tbs. cornstarch 1/4 cup baking soda 3 tbs. coconut oil (or any other emollient oil like almond, avocado or apricot kernel oil) 1/4 tsp. fragrance oil 3-6 drops of food coloring (if desired) Paper candy cups Place all of the dry ingredients (first 3) into a bowl and mix well. Place coconut oil into a small glass bowl and add fragrance and food coloring. Slowly add oil mixture into dry ingredients and mix well. Scoop up small amounts of the mixture and shape into 1" balls. Let the balls rest on a sheet of waxed paper for about 2 to 3 hours, then place each ball into a candy cup to let dry and harden for 24 to 48 hours. Store bombs in a closed, air-tight container. To use, drop 1 to 3 bombs into warm bath water.

5. Chamomile Body Powder 2 tbs. crumbled dried chamomile flowers 1/4 cup cornstarch 1 tbs. orrisroot 1/2 tsp. alum Mix ingredients together in a bowl. Sift and store in powder shaker. Use to keep skin soft and dry.

6. Chamomile / Mint Astringent (Non-alcoholic for Sensitive Skin) 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint (or 2 tbs. dried) 2 tbs. dried chamomile flowers, crushed 4 cups water Combine ingredients in a small saucepan. Boil for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Strain liquid into a jar, cover and refrigerate. Will keep 2 weeks refrigerated. Apply with cotton balls to skin. This astringent is especially good for sensitive or very oily skin.


7. Chamomile Fields Shampoo 4 bags of chamomile tea (or 1 handful of fresh chamomile flowers) 4 tbs. pure soap flakes 1-1/2 tbs. glycerin Let the tea bags steep in 1-1/2 cups boiled water for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and with the remaining liquid add the soap flakes. Let stand until the soap softens. Stir in glycerin until mixture is well blended. Pour into a bottle. Keep in a dark, cool place.

8. Cherry Berry Bubble Bath 1/2 cup unscented shampoo 3/4 cup water 1/2 tsp. salt (regular table salt is fine) 15 drops cherry fragrance oil Pour shampoo into a bowl and add water. Stir gently until well mixed. Add salt, and stir until mixture thickens. Add cherry fragrance oil and place in decorative bottle. Can also be used as a body wash!

9. Cinnamon Soap Unscented glycerin soap 10 drops cinnamon oil 1 drop red food coloring (optional) In a heavy saucepan, melt the glycerin soap over low heat until liquefied. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cinnamon oil and food coloring until well mixed. Pour the soap into a mold and let set for 3 hours or until hardened. Makes one 4-ounce bar.

10. Citrus Astringent 3 tsp. lemon extract Juice of one lime 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Transfer to a jar and shake well. Store in the refrigerator, will keep up to 6 months. Tightens pores, refreshes skin, and helps remove oils from skin.


11. Citrus Blooms Body Splash 2 cups distilled water 3 tbs. vodka 1 tbs. orange peel, finely chopped 1 tbs. lemon peel, finely chopped 5 drops lemon verbena essential oil 10 drops mandarin essential oil 10 drops orange essential oil Combine the fruit peels with the vodka in a jar, cover and let stand for 1 week. Strain the liquid, add the essential oils and water to the liquid. Let stand for 2 weeks, shaking jar once a day. Keep in a dark bottle or keep in a cool dark area.


12. City Shampoo (Removes Impurities from Hair) 3/4 cup distilled water 1/4 cup shampoo concentrate (or substitute with 1/2 cup unscented shampoo and increase salt to 1 tsp.) 1/2 tsp. table salt 1 tbs. dried thyme 1 tbs. dried peppermint 1 tbs. dried lavender 1 tsp. witch hazel 1 tsp. almond oil 7 drops cinnamon oil 3 drops ylang-ylang oil This shampoo is known to be effective in removing impurities such as smog and city grime from the hair. In a heavy saucepan, bring the water to a boil and add the dried thyme, peppermint and lavender. Remove the pan from the heat and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain the herbs from the water and pour the herbally infused water into a ceramic bowl. Add the shampoo concentrate and stir until well mixed. Add the salt, witch hazel, almond oil, cinnamon oil and ylang-ylang oil to the mixture, stirring until thick. Bottle and close.


13. Cocoa Butter Hand Cream 4 tbs. beeswax 4 tbs. cocoa butter 4 tbs. almond oil Melt together beeswax and cocoa butter. Add almond oil. Mix completely until smooth. (May use blender). Pour into a pretty pot or jar. Let harden and it is ready to use or to be given as a gift.


14. Coconut Mint Moisture Cream 4 tbs. mint infusion 1/2 tsp. borax 3 tbs. coconut oil 2 tbs. olive oil 1 tbs. almond oil 1/2 tsp. beeswax Prepare the mint infusion in advance by placing three or four sprigs of mint into a teacup and filling with boiling water. Infuse it for two hours before straining. Dissolve the borax in the liquid. Place the oils and wax in a double boiler and melt them gently. Remove from heat and slowly add the reheated mint infusion. Whisk until it is cool. This fluffy cream can be used either as a day or night cream and is suitable for dry, normal and combination skins. For oily skin, try substituting a lighter oil or one that absorbs easily such as jojoba, grapeseed or apricot oil. You can also add vitamin E to prolong shelf life.


15. Cold Cream (For Cleansing and Soothing the Skin) 52 oz. white beeswax 1/2 cup almond oil 1/2 tsp. borax 1/4 cup rosewater This recipe gives you a basic all -purpose cold cream / moisturizer, which you can add scented oils to, if you'd like. Place the beeswax in a double boiler and add the almond oil. Melt the wax over low heat, stirring constantly to combine the ingredients. Take off the heat and dissolve the borax in the rosewater and slowly pour it into the melted wax and oil, whisking constantly. It will turn milky and thicken, continue whisking while it cools. When it reaches thick pouring consistency, pour into glass jars or china pots. Makes 7 oz.


16. Cooling Foot and Body Powder 1/2 cup powdered arrowroot 1/2 cup cosmetic clay 2 tbs. powdered ginger 20 drops tea tree oil (or lavender essential oil) This light, fragrant powder absorbs moisture and fights bacteria to eradicate perspiration and body odor. It also helps relieve athlete's foot. It contains tea tree oil and powdered ginger, both of which have antiseptic and antifungal action. If you're making a body powder, you may prefer to use lavender essential oil in place of the tea tree oil; it has a little less antiseptic power, but more fragrance. Instructions for making powder: In a large jar, combine the arrowroot, cosmetic clay and ginger. Cover and shake to mix. Add the tea tree or lavender oil and shake again. You may want to sift the powder through a fine mesh strainer to break up any drops of oil. Store in a covered, dark glass jar. Apply as needed to feet or body. Stored in a cool, dry place, the powder will keep indefinitely.


17. Cooling Summer Body Spray 1 tbs. witch hazel 1 tsp. lemon extract 1 tsp. cucumber extract 1 cup water For a refreshing cool feeling, make an after shower spray by combining all the ingredients. Place in a pump spay bottle and spritz onto skin.

18. Cream Bleach for Body Hair Soap flakes 1/2 cup peroxide 2 tsp. ammonia Mix ingredients together until it forms a paste. Spread on hair to be bleached and let sit for 15 minutes, then wash it out. Repeat every few days until hair has no color. Do this on a monthly basis. Do not use on eyebrows or eyelashes!


19. Crescent Moon Massage Oil 10 tsp. wheat germ oil 6 drops chamomile oil 4 drops neroli oil 2 drops rose oil 1 drop basil oil This is a green-scented massage oil. Blend ingredients well. Pour into a small bottle and seal well. Warm up oil before doing any massage.


20. Cucumber Facial Mask (Cleans and Moisturizes) 1 tbs. instant nonfat dry milk 1/2 peeled cucumber 1 tsp. plain yogurt Put all ingredients into a blender and mix well until smooth. Apply to your face (avoid your eyes). Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off. Mix a fresh batch for each use.


21. Custom - Scented Bath Crystals Rock salt or sea salt (you can also use water softener salt for this; it is much cheaper than sea salt) Essential oils 1/2 quart glass or clear plastic jar with tight-fitting lid Add approximately 4 teaspoons of the essential oil to the rock salt in a 1/2 quart container. If container is larger or smaller, add or subtract oil as needed. Cap the lid tightly and wait at least two days before using.

22. Custom - Scented Bath Oil Sunflower oil Essential oil or potpourri refresher oil in your choice of scent(s) Corked container Crystal beads, dried flowers, little seashells, etc. (optional - for bottle decoration) Pour sunflower oil through a funnel into the corked container, leaving a little space at the top, at least an inch. Add 4 teaspoons of the essential oil per 1/2 quart. Cork the container and agitate the bottle gently. Let it sit for 2 to 3 days before using. You may add things to the container to make it as pleasing to the eye as it is to the nose... whatever you want or will match the decor of your bathroom.


23. Custom - Scented Bath Powder 1/2 cup cornstarch 2 tbs. arrowroot powder 2 tbs. baking soda Few drops of essential oil of your preference Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Let stand a few days to dry, then sift through a flour sifter. Pour into a powder shaker container.

24. Custom - Scented Bath Salts 1 cup epsom salt 1 cup sea salt 2 cups baking soda Essential oil(s) 10 drops food coloring (optional) Combine the first 3 ingredients in a large bowl, then add 4 teaspoons of essential oil in any fragrance or combination. Stir. You may also tint the bath salts if you so desire by adding 10 drops of food coloring to the bowl after you add the essential oils. Stir again. Store bath salts in a tightly capped container for 2 to 3 days before using. You can also divide the bath salts equally between 2 large bowls, tint them different colors, and then carefully pour them into a clear container, making what appears to be "sand art". Or tint one red, and scent both containers with peppermint oil, then layer it in a clear container and wrap with red ribbon. This "peppermint stick" makes a great Christmas gift!

25. Custom - Scented Body Lotion 1/8 tsp. borax 1/4 cup distilled water 1/2 cup almond oil 1 tbs. grated beeswax Fragranced essential oil, your choice of scent(s) Combine borax and distilled water; set aside. Heat almond oil and beeswax together until beeswax is almost melted. Remove from heat and stir. Heat borax and water mixture to almost boiling. Slowly pour water into heated oils while stirring with a wire whisk. Once the water is completely mixed into the oils allow the mixture to cool. Once it is completely cool add the essential oil or oils of your choice for fragrance. Makes about 8 ounces.

26. Custom - Scented Bubble Bath #1 5 drops fragrant oil or essential oil (your choice of scent) 1 quart water 1 bar castile soap (grated or flaked) 1-1/2 ounces glycerin Mix all ingredients together. Store in a container. Pour into running bath water.

27. Custom - Scented Bubble Bath #2 2 cups soap flakes or grated soap 1 gallon water 1/4 to 1/2 cup glycerin 2 cups shampoo or liquid dishwashing detergent Scented oil of your choice Mix the soap flakes, water and 2 tbs. glycerin in a pot and set over low heat, stirring occasionally until the soap has dissolved. (This liquid soap can be stored in a covered container and used as an all-purpose soap or hand soap in the kitchen also.) In a bowl, add 2 cups of this mixture to the rest of the glycerin, shampoo and add a few drops of your favorite scented oil. Put into a quart container and store covered at room temperature. To use, add about 1 cup to your tub as it's filling.

28. Custom - Scented Glycerin Soap 1 lb. block of glycerin soap 1/8 to 1/4 oz. of essential fragrance oil 1 cup boiling water and 1/2 cup powdered herbs or rose petals or oatmeal, cornmeal or almond meal (herbs & meals are optional)... OR... 1/4 to 1/2 cup herbal infusion (tea) Melt glycerin in double boiler with water (or herbal infusion). If using powders, stir in with non-metallic spoon. Let cool slightly (not enough to harden - still pourable) and add the scent. Mix in and pour into molds or saran wrap-lined box. Let harden, cut into bars and bevel the edges and rough spots with a paring knife. This recipe can also be made with castile soap flakes or they can be used in combination with the glycerin soap.

29. Custom - Scented Hair Gel 2 tbs. flax seeds 1 cup water Few drops essential oils Place flax seeds and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Strain and allow to cool completely. Add the essential oils when cooled. Place in a glass container and store at room temperature.

30. Custom - Scented Liquid / Gel Soap 2 cups soap flakes or grated bar soap 1/2 gallon water 2 tbs. glycerin Fragranced or essential oil of your choice Food coloring of your choice (optional) Mix first 3 ingredients together in a large pot or dutch oven. Set over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the soap has dissolved. Add fragrance oil and food coloring and mix well. Transfer to a jar and cover tightly. For a less thick gel soap, use 1 gallon of water.

31. Custom - Scented Shampoo 3/4 cup distilled water 1/4 cup shampoo concentrate (or substitute with 1/2 cup unscented shampoo and increase salt to 1 tsp.) 1/2 tsp. table salt 20 drops fragrance oil of your choice Food coloring of your choice (optional) Warm the water and pour into a ceramic bowl. Add the shampoo concentrate and stir with a wire whisk until well blended. Add the salt, fragrance oil and food coloring and stir until well blended. Pour into a bottle and close.

32. Custom - Scented Shower Gel 1/2 cup unscented shampoo 1/4 cup water 3/4 tsp. salt 15 drops fragrance oil Food coloring (optional) Pour shampoo into a bowl and add the water. Stir until it's well mixed. Add the salt, fragrance oil and food coloring. Suggestions for scents: kiwi extract, raspberry extract, strawberry extract, coconut extract, vanilla extract, etc... (I personally like the raspberry and vanilla mix... smells so good!)


33. Cuticle Cream 3 tbs. paraffin 1/2 cup mineral oil 1 tbs. coconut oil 1 tbs. glycerin Slowly heat paraffin with the oils in a double boiler. Stir until blended. Add in the glycerin and remove from heat. Let cool before using.

34. Dandruff Shampoo 40 drops lavender essential oil 20 drops rosemary essential oil 10 drops birch essential oil 10 drops cedarwood essential oil Carefully mix all of the essential oils together. Be sure to use only real, not synthetic oils. Add the oils to an 8 ounce bottle of shampoo and shake very well to mix completely (or you can use a recycled old shampoo bottle for mixing). You can use whichever shampoo you currently prefer, but it is best when adding essential oils to use a neutral based shampoo or a natural baby shampoo that you can buy at any health food store. A neutral base shampoo gives the essential oils a better chance to work. Use the shampoo daily or every other day. Use a small amount to massage into wet hair, then rinse out. Note: It is important to remember that you should never apply essential oils directly to your skin or scalp. They must always be diluted in some sort of carrier oil or shampoo base.

35. Deep Conditioner for Beautiful Hair 1 small jar of real mayonnaise 1/2 of an avocado Put ingredients together in a medium bowl and squish together with your hands until it's a minty green color. Smooth into hair all the way to the tips. Put on a shower cap or wrap your head with saran wrap. Leave on for 20 minutes. For deeper conditioning put a hot, damp towel around your head over the shower cap or saran wrap. If you have really long hair and only need conditioning at the ends, cut the ingredients in half and apply only to the ends and just wrap them.

36. Desert Sands Layered Bath Salts 5 drops yellow food coloring 4 drops red food coloring 4 drops musk oil 3 drops Jasmine fragrant or essential oil 3 cups epsom salts 1 cup baking soda 2 tsp. glycerin Combine baking soda, epsom salt and glycerin until well blended. Add scents until there are no clumps, just a fine powder. Divide the mixture evenly into 3 separate bowls. In the first bowl add 3 drops yellow food coloring, in the second bowl add 3 drops red food coloring, and in the third bowl add 2 drops yellow food coloring and 1 drop red food coloring. Stir each bowl until the color is well mixed. Allow the air to dry it for a few hours before placing in a bottle. Once dried, layer the colors... red first, then orange, then lastly yellow.

37. Dissolving Bath Oil 1/4 cup sweet almond oil 24 drops fragrance or essential oil 2 tbs. gum arabic 2 cups distilled water Mix together and pour into running water. The gum arabic acts to blend oil and water so it doesn't separate in the tub. Makes enough for 1 bath.

38. Dry Shampoo 1/2 cup cornstarch Fragrance oil (optional) Sprinkle cornstarch into your hair and massage into hair and scalp. Allow it to absorb for a few minutes, then brush through hair. Repeat if necessary. This is wonderful to freshen-up your hair in a pinch between shampoos... or great to take on camping trips when fresh water is unavailable for using a liquid shampoo. You can also add a couple drops of fragrance oil to the cornstarch for a nice scented dry shampoo.

39. Earth Bath Salts 1/2 cup epsom salts 1 cup baking soda 1/2 cup rock salt 1/2 tsp. vitamin E 2 tsp. light oil (almond, sunflower, etc...) 20 drops Patchouli essential oil 15 drops Cypress essential oil 5 drops Vetivert essential oil Green food coloring Mix all salts and baking soda together. Then combine oil, essential oils, vitamin E and a few drops of coloring in a separate bowl. Add liquid to salts and mix thoroughly. You can add more green food coloring, if desired, but I find it nicer when it's a very light green as it does not look as artificial. To use, add a few heaping tablespoons to bath.

40. Easy Milk Bath 2 cups dry milk powder 1 cup cornstarch 1/8 tsp. fragrance oil of your choice Blend together all ingredients in a blender. Add 1/2 cup mixture to hot bath water.

41. Echoes of the Wild Massage Oil 10 tsp. safflower oil 5 drops orange blossom oil 2 drops sandalwood oil 2 drops jasmine oil This is a citrus-scented massage oil. Blend ingredients well. Pour into a small bottle and seal well. Warm up oil before doing any massage.

42. Enchanted Body Mist 2 cups distilled water 3 tbs. vodka 5 drops everlasting essential oil 10 drops peony essential oil 10 drops sandalwood essential oil Mix all the ingredients together in a spray bottle, shake well. Allow to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry place.

43. Exotic Patchouli Massage Oil 10 tsp. grapeseed oil 7 drops patchouli oil 4 drops jasmine oil 2 drops rose oil This is a woodsy-scented massage oil. Blend ingredients well. Pour into a small bottle and seal well. Warm up oil before doing any massage.

44. Falling Stars Body Mist 2 cups distilled water 3 tbs. vodka 5 drops lavender essential oil 10 drops chamomile essential oil 10 drops valerian essential oil Mix all the ingredients together in a spray bottle, shake well. Allow to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry place.

45. Fields of Gold Milk Bath 4 cups powdered milk 1 cup boiled water 1/2 cup dried chamomile or 5 chamomile tea bags Steep chamomile in water for 20 minutes. Strain liquid. Mix liquid with milk and add to bath water. Especially nice after a long day.

46. Fizzy Bath Crystals 8 oz. cornstarch 8 oz. citric acid 16 oz. baking soda 1 tsp. fragrance oil Mix cornstarch and citric acid together thoroughly. Add fragrance oil as desired. Blend in baking soda. Package and label. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per bath. Enjoy!

47. Foaming Bath Oil Balls 1/4 cup baking soda 2 tbs. citric acid or ascorbic acid (powdered vitamin C) 1 tbs. borax powder (for softening) 2 tbs. powdered sugar (for binding) 2 tbs. sweet almond oil 1 tsp. vitamin E oil (preservative) 1/4 tsp. fragrance or essential oil Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir until well blended. Drizzle in almond oil and stir until mixture is moistened. Add vitamin E oil and fragrance and stir until well mixed. Take teaspoon size globs of mixture and form into ball shapes with fingers. (Mixture will be VERY crumbly and fragile, so do the best you can. Add a little bit more of the vitamin E oil... I find that helps.) Place the balls on a sheet of wax paper and leave alone for 2 to 3 hours. After 2 to 3 hours, reshape balls. Let the balls air-dry and harden for 10 days. Store balls in a closed container to protect from moisture. To use, plop a ball into your bathtub in warm water!

48. Fragrant Honey Milk Bath Oil 1 cup honey 2 cups milk 1 cup salt 1/4 cup baking soda 1/2 cup baby oil Fragrance oil of desired scent Combine honey, milk, salt and baking soda in a bowl. Fill your tub and pour the mixure in. Add the baby oil and a few drops of the fragrance.

49. Frizz Tamer for Hair 1/2 cup conditioner 1/4 cup honey 1 tbs. almond oil Mix ingredients well. Pour mixture over damp hair, work it in. Leave it on for about 20 minutes for a good deep conditioning. Wash out. This works for all hair types.

50. Fruitcake Soap Loaf 8x3 7/8x2 15/32 Foil loaf pan (comes in sets of 3) Rectangular soap mold 2 1/2 pounds unscented, clear glycerin soap 1/4 tsp. each cherry, pineapple, lime, vanilla and cinnamon fragrance oils 1 1/2 tsp. gingerbread fragrance oil Red, yellow, green (liquid) and brown (paste) food coloring Melt 4 ounces of soap in small saucepan over low heat or in a glass container in the microwave. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon cherry fragrance oil and 5 drops of red food coloring. Pour half of this soap (2 ounces) into a cell of the rectangular soap mold, the other half into another cell. Repeat the process with the pineapple fragrance oil and yellow food coloring, then the lime fragrance oil and the green food coloring. Melt 4 more ounces of soap, add brown food coloring paste (or you can use 5 drops of red, 3 drops of yellow and 2 drops of green liquid food coloring to get brown as well). Pour equally into 2 cells of the rectangular soap mold. When all 8 bars are completely set, remove them from the molds. Using a cutter/scraper, cut each bar into approximately 24 small chunks (cut into 4 lengthwise pieces and then into 8 crosswise pieces). Put all the chunks into a bowl and mix well, place in freezer for several hours. Melt 1 1/2 pounds of soap. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of gingerbread fragrance oil and 1/4 teaspoon each of vanilla and cinnamon fragrance oil. Add brown food coloring paste (or 20 drops of red, 12 drops of yellow and 8 drops of green liquid food coloring) until it's the color you'd like. Try to match the color of the brown cubes you made earlier. Pour a very shallow layer into the loaf pan, add a single layer of fruit chunks, pour more of the gingerbread soap to cover, add another layer of fruit chunks and cover with another layer of gingerbread. Continue until the soap is gone and the pan is full. Allow the loaf to set completely. Put in the freezer for a few hours. Remove frozen loaf from pan. Thaw completely. Dry condensation with a paper towel. Cut the loaf into slices and wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap or a small sealable plastic bag and tie with pretty ribbons. Or if you'd like to give the whole loaf as a gift, you can create holly leaves and berries to decorate the top... Melt a small amount of soap and stir in some green food coloring. Do the same with red. Pour into the bottom of the rectangular soap mold to make a thin layer of each. Cut holly leaves out of the green and berries out of the red and place on top of the loaf before wrapping in plastic wrap. Looks very pretty! Include a pretty knife for slicing and you have a really neat gift!

51. Green Apple and Aloe Vera Shower Gel 3/4 cup distilled water 1/4 cup shampoo concentrate (or substitute with 1/2 cup unscented shampoo and increase salt to 1 tsp.) 1/2 tsp. table salt 2 tbs. aloe vera gel 15 drops apple fragrance oil 1 drop green food coloring (optional) Warm the water and pour into a ceramic bowl. Add the shampoo concentrate and stir until well mixed. Add the aloe vera gel, salt, apple fragrance oil and coloring. Stir until thick and well blended. Pour into a squeeze bottle and close


52. Hair Color - Blonde Highlights for Hair 1 cup lemon juice 3 cups chamomile tea (brewed and then cooled) Mix ingredients together. Pour over damp hair. Let it sit for 1 hour while you sit in the sun. Wash out.

53. Hair Color - Red Highlights for Hair 1/2 cup beet juice 1/2 cup carrot juice Mix ingredients together. Pour over damp hair. Let it sit for 1 hour while you sit in the sun. Wash out.

54. Herbal Aftershave 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol 1/4 cup witch hazel 1/2 cup distilled water 3 drops oil of benzoin 1 tbs. olive oil 1/2 cup dried herbs and/or a few drops of essential oils of your preference (some ideas for herbs: rosemary, sage, cinnamon, cloves, crushed lavender flowers, orange or lemon peels, etc.) Combine ingredients in a jar. Cover and place in a dark, fairly cool place. Shake the jar once or twice a day for 2 to 3 days. Strain out herbs and refrigerate.


55. Herbal Facial Sauna (For Acne) 1 tbs. lavender 1 tbs. red clover leaves 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, mashed Sprinkle the lavender, red clover leaves and strawberries in a bowl of steaming water. Place face over the steamy concoction and cover head with a towel. Soak up the fruit and herb-rich steam for 5 to 15 minutes. Rinse face with cool water and pat dry. Best when done once a week.

56. Herbal Shampoo 2 tbs. dry peppermint 2 tbs. dry spearmint 1 tbs. dry sage 1 cup water 2/3 cup baby shampoo Combine herbs and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 20 minutes. Strain out the herbs and mix the baby shampoo with the herbal water. Pour into a plastic squirt bottle or jar.

57. Honey Almond Bubble Bath 1 tbs. light oil (olive oil works well) 1/2 cup honey 1/2 cup liquid soap (WalMart Liquid Antibacterial works well) 1 tbs. almond extract 1 tbs. glycerine Mix all ingredients together in a squirt bottle. Uus 1/4 cup per bath. You will love how this makes your skin feel!

58. Honey Lemon Leave-in Hair Shine 1 tsp. honey 4 cups (1 qt.) warm water Squeeze of lemon Mix honey with water and add squeeze of lemon. Shampoo and rinse your hair as usual, then pour honey-lemon mixture through hair. Do not rinse out. Dry and style hair as usual.

59. Honey Wheat Germ Lotion (For Super Soft Skin) 1 cup dry chamomile 4 tbs. honey 1 cup milk 8 tsp. wheat germ Steep chamomile in milk for a few hours. Strain, keeping liquid. Add honey and wheat germ to liquid mixture. Blend well. Place in a bottle. Refrigerate any unused portions. Keeps up to a week.

60. Hot Oil Treatment for Hair 1 tsp. soybean oil 2 tsp. castor oil Few drops fragrance oil (optional) Combine ingredients and warm on low heat. Massage mixture into the scalp and hair. Wrap hair in a hot towel for 15 minutes. Shampoo and rinse out.

61. Kosher Bath Salts 1 cup kosher salt 1 cup baking soda 2 tbs. glycerin Place ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Put in a decorative container.


62. Lemon Sparkle Shampoo 3/4 cup distilled water 1/4 cup shampoo concentrate (or substitute with 1/2 cup unscented shampoo and increase salt to 1 tsp.) 1/2 tsp. table salt 2 tbs. dried chamomile 1 tbs. dried rosemary 2 tsp. sweet almond oil 1/4 tsp. lemon oil 1 drop yellow food coloring (optional) Heat the water in a saucepan, bringing to a boil. Add dried chamomile and rosemary to the water and remove the pan from the heat. Let the herbs sit in the water for 20 minutes. Pour the water through a strainer and into a collecting bowl. Discard herbs. Add the shampoo concentrate to the water and stir until it has dissolved. Add the almond oil, lemon oil and food coloring. Stir until blended. Add the salt and stir until the mixture thickens. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and bottle. For a special touch, if giving as a gift, place in a pretty colored bottle and tie with pretty ribbons and glue on some silk flowers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

63. Lotion Bars (Solid Bath Oil Bars) 2 oz. deodorized cocoa butter or mango butter 2 oz. beeswax, refined beads 2 or 3 oz. liquid vegetable oil such as jojoba, sunflower or sweet almond 2 tsp. essential oil or fragrance oil of your choice 1/2 to 1 tsp. of Jojoba Wax Spheres in color of your choice for coloring Melt cocoa or mango butter and pour 2 ounces into an 8 ounce Pyrex measuring cup. Add 2 ounces of beeswax beads (total of 4 ounces in cup). Add jojoba wax spheres. Melt together in microwave. Now add the liquid vegetable oil. Use 2 ounces for a hard bar, which would bring your total to 6 ounces... OR use 3 ounces for a softer bar, which would bring your total to 7 ounces. Stir to mix thoroughly. Add essential or fragrance oil when mixture has cooled slightly. Pour into small soap molds. Pop out when cool, about 2 hours. For best results, put in refrigerator a few minutes before popping out of mold. Some uses include: Rub on body when getting out of shower while still damp, wet hands and rub with lotion bar, use as a drawer sachet, cut off a sliver and let melt in hot bath water, massage into cuticles to soften them, rub onto elbows and knees, or use for massage (softer bar recipe).

64. Makeup Remover and Moisturizer 1/2 cup paraffin 1 cup mineral oil 1/2 cup water 2 tbs. alum Slowly heat paraffin with the oil in a double boiler. In a separate saucepan, heat the water until it simmers, then dissolve the alum in it. Let cook, then add to the warm mineral oil and paraffin mixture. As everything cools, the paraffin will rise to the top. Drain off the water. The residue is your makeup remover.

65. Mechanic's Hand Cleanser 1 cup borax 1 to 2 tsp. pure turpentine 1 tsp. sweet orange essential oil 1 cup ground soap With very clean hands, work the turpentine and essential oil into the borax until there are no lumps left, then work into the soap. Keep it in a wide-mouthed jar or tin that's easy for him to open when his hands are greasy, and which you won't mind getting dirty on the outside. Don't forget to put a nail brush and pumice stone out with the hand cleanser.

66. Milk and Honey Facial Mask 1 tbs. dry powdered milk 1 tsp. milk 2 drops of honey Combine all of the ingredients until you have a paste. Apply to the face and let sit until dry. Rinse off with warm water. Your face will have a radiant glow!

67. Minty Cocoa Butter Lip Balm 1-1/2 parts cocoa butter 1-1/2 parts grated beeswax 3 parts edible vegetable oil of your choice (almond, apricot kernel, avocado, extra virgin olive, hemp seed, jojoba, kukui nut, macadamia nut, castor all work well... but keep in mind if you plan on selling lip balm or giving as a gift, that some people are allergic to nut oils) Spearmint and/or peppermint flavoring oil Melt the cocoa butter and beeswax slowly and carefully in a microwave, or over a double boiler on the stove until melted. Add oil and stir well. Add spearmint or peppermint flavoring oils, or both, a few drops at a time, to taste. Gently reheat if needed. Cool slightly before pouring into containers. To test consistency, place a drop on a spoon and set in the refrigerator to cool for a few minutes. Test on your lips. For a softer lip balm, add more oil. For a harder lip balm, add more beeswax.

68. Minty Fresh Herb Bath 1 cup fresh or 1/4 cup dried mint (chop up finely if it's fresh) 1 cup fresh bay leaves, finely chopped 1 tsp. coconut oil 1 tsp. almond extract Mix ingredients together then place in a mesh bag such as cheesecloth. Place under hot running bath water. Sit back and enjoy.

69. Misty Passions Perfume 3 drops passionflower oil 2 drops ylang-ylang oil 3 drops neroli oil 1/2 pint (300ml) 70 percent alcohol or vodka Pour the alcohol into a bottle or jar. Add the oils and shake well. Let stand for 1 week before using.

70. Northern Nights Bath Salts 1 cup kosher salt 1 cup baking soda 3 drops pine balsam oil 2 drops cinnamon oil 2 drops cassis oil 2 tbs. glycerin Mix ingredients together, blending well. Break up any clumps.

71. Oatmeal Bath or Facial Scrub 1 small bar castile or baby soap, grated (or Dove soap for dry skin problems) 2 cups oatmeal, blended or processed into powder 1 small package blanched almonds, blended with the oatmeal Mix the ingredients well. Put in a pretty jar with a plastic spoon. Use 2 to 3 tablespoons in bath water, or use 1 teaspoon to scrub face.

72. Ocean Blue Bath Salts 1 cup epsom salt 1 cup baking soda 4 drops blue food coloring 3 drops Jasmine fragrant or essential oil 4 drops vanilla 2 tbs. glycerin Combine dry ingredients, mix well. Add color and scents one at a time. Keep stirring until mixed well. Break up any clumps and keep mixing until you have a semi-fine powder. Add glycerin and mix well.

73. Oriental Nights Perfume 4 drops sandalwood 4 drops musk 3 drops frankincense 2 tsp. jojoba oil Mix all the ingredients together and shake well. Allow perfume to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry place.

74. Oven-Baked Bath Cookies 2 cups finely ground sea salt 1/2 cup baking soda 1/2 cup cornstarch 2 tbs. light oil 1 tsp. vitamin E oil 2 eggs 5-6 drops essential oil Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix together all the ingredients. Take a teaspoon of the dough and roll it gently into a ball about 1" in diameter. Continue doing this with all the dough and place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet. (You can decorate the cookies with clove buds, anise seeds, or dried citrus peel if you wish.) Bake the cookies for 10 minutes, until they are lightly browned. Do not overbake. Allow the cookies to cool completely. To use, drop 1 or 2 cookies into a warm bath and allow to dissolve. Do not eat! Yield: 24 cookies, enough for 12+ baths.

75. Paraffin Wax Treatment for Hands 1 block paraffin wax (about 4 oz.) 1 oz. light oil 20 drops essential oil, lavender is rather nice Few drops of olive oil (you will use this to coat your hands) Casserole dish, greased with oil Plastic sandwich bags Melt the paraffin, the light oil and the scented oil in a double boiler. Be sure to use a double boiler for safety purposes. Very carefully pour the wax into the casserole dish and wait until a skin has formed on top of the wax. When this happens, the temperature should be about right for submerging your hands. **But before you do, be sure to test the wax for comfort in case the wax is still a little too warm for your liking. Testing a little on your wrist usually works.** Get your hands ready by washing them and then pat them dry with a paper towel. Smooth on the olive oil and be sure to cover every inch of your hands and fingers. Dip each hand into the wax repeatedly until you have several layers of wax built up on your hands. Have someone help you put on the sandwich bags onto each hand and then relax for about 30 minutes. For added benefit, place a bath towel over your hands as you wait. To remove the wax, simply peel it away. Start at the wrist area and pull it down. It should come off in large sections. Give yourself a little hand massage and you are done.


76. Peaches and Cream Bath Bar Castile soap (or pure white unscented, such as Ivory) 1/4 cup distilled water 1/4 cup powdered milk 1 tbs. sweet almond oil 1/8 tsp. peach fragrance oil 1 drop orange food coloring (optional) Shred the castile soap and set aside. Heat the water in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Stir in the shredded soap until it forms a sticky mass. Remove the pan from the heat and add the powdered milk, sweet almond oil, peach fragrance oil and food coloring. Stir until well blended. Spoon the soap into a mold and let set for 4 hours or until hardened. Makes one 4-ounce bar.

77. Peach Shower Gel 3/4 cup distilled water 1/4 cup shampoo concentrate (or substitute with 1/2 cup unscented shampoo and increase salt to 1 tsp.) 1/2 tsp. table salt 1 tbs. apricot kernel oil 15 drops peach fragrance oil 5 drops vitamin E oil (2 capsules) 1 drop orange food coloring (optional) Warm the water and pour into a ceramic bowl. Add the apricot kernal oil, salt, peach fragrance oil, vitamin E oil (just break open the capsules) and coloring. Stir until well blended and thick. Pour into a squeeze bottle and close.

78. Peel-Off Mask 1 packet unflavored gelatin 1/2 cup fruit juice or herbal tea Heat together to gently dissolve the gelatine. Let cool until almost set. Apply to face. Let dry completely, then peel off.



79. Peppermint Clarifying Shampoo 3/4 cup distilled water 1/4 cup shampoo concentrate (or substitute with 1/2 cup unscented shampoo and increase salt to 1 tsp.) 1/2 tsp. table salt 2 tsp. jojoba oil 1/8 tsp. peppermint oil 1 drop red food coloring (optional) Warm the water and pour into a ceramic bowl. Add the shampoo concentrate and stir with a wire whisk until well blended. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until well blended. Pour into a bottle and close. This is a tingly treat for the scalp for all types of hair. It stimulates the scalp without drying. Makes 8-1/2 ounces.

80. Peppermint Lotion (Relieves Itching) 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol 3-4 drops peppermint oil (oil of eucalyptus can be used in place of peppermint, if you prefer) Pour the water and alcohol into a bottle, then add the oil. Cap and shake well. Apply to skin with a clean cloth.

81. Raspberry-Vanilla Bubble Bath 8 oz. unscented liquid soap 2 oz. distilled water 8 drops vanilla fragrance oil 6 drops raspberry fragrance oil 2 drops red food coloring Mix all ingredients and pour into a container.

82. Salt Glow Scented Body Scrub 1 cup salt, any kind - the different sizes give a different feel 1 cup vegetable oil, any kind - a lighter one might rinse off more easily 1 cup unscented liquid soap Few drops of scented oil of your choice Mix all the ingredients and massage into the skin... use a light touch, especially with the coarser grains of salt, until you are used to it. Shower as usual. This will give your skin a polished, moisturized glow while removing dull, dead cells. Do not use on irritated skin or right after shaving.

83. Scented Rocks (A Nice Alternative to Potpourri) 1/2 cup plain flour 1/2 cup salt 1/4 tsp. essential oil in your favorite scent 2/3 cups boiling water Food coloring, if desired In bowl, mix dry ingredients well. Add essential oil and boiling water to dry ingredients. (Scent will be strong, but will fade slightly when dry.) For colored stones, blend in food coloring, one drop at a time, until desired shade is reached. Blend ingredients and form balls. Allow stones to dry. Place rocks in a bowl or dish to scent a room.

84. Silky Smooth Body Lotion 1 cup aloe vera gel 1 tsp. lanolin 1 tsp. vitamin E oil 1/3 cup coconut oil 1/2 to 3/4 ounce beeswax 3/4 cup almond oil 1 1/2 tsp. essential oil Use a blender or food processor to mix the aloe vera gel, lanolin and vitamin E oil. Microwave coconut oil and beeswax together in a glass container on high for 30 seconds, stir. Repeat heating in 10 second increments until fully melted. Stir in almond oil, reheating if necessary. Run blender or processor at low to medium speed, then pour in melted oils in a thin stream. As the oil is blended in, the cream will turn white. As soon as the melted oils are added and you've achieved mayonnaise-like consistency, stop the blender, add essential oil and pulse-blend. Do not overblend. Transfer cream to glass jars while still warm - the lotion will thicken quickly. This lotion really absorbs well and leaves no residue on the skin. Makes two cups.

85. "Smelly Jelly" Air Fresheners 1/4 to 1/2 cup AGROSOKE polymer crystals (sold at Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc...) Clean water (distilled, bottled or from a water filter) Food coloring HIGH QUALITY fragrance oil (that's the key) Jelly jars and ring tops (Mason makes nice quilted-looking ones in 3 sizes - perfect) Pretty lace fabric OR very loose-weave fabric cut into squares (4" x 4" or a little larger) Get a large bowl or pot and put the 1/4 to 1/2 cup of crystals in it. Fill it up 3/4 full with hot water and a few drops of food coloring. Remember - these crystals expand a few hundred times their original size, so pick a bowl large enough! Stir the colored mixture to saturate all the crystals. Wait. Every 10 minutes or so give the crystals a stir. After about 30 minutes all the water should be gone and the crystals should be gel-like. If not, wait some more. It will absorb all the colored water. Next, you can add the fragrance oil to the whole bowl of gel OR you can split it up into separate bowls and scent them separately. You only need a few tablespoons of scent. After you add the fragrance oil, stir well. I make it rather strong so it never runs out of scent. Line up the jelly jars, fabric squares and jar top rings. Add the jelly to the jars almost to the top. Place a fabric square over the top. Screw the jar top ring on to secure the fabric in place. Then pour a tablespoon of water through the fabric top. Do not let the water come out the top. Fill almost to the top only. Lastly, tie a ribbon around the ring if you want to or just leave it as it is. Don't throw away the jar top circles! These are great to use when you don't want to use the smelly jelly right away. Just put these on the jars BEFORE the fabric is added, to seal in the scent. Then take them off and reapply the fabric and rings when you're ready to use your smelly jelly. These last for months, but remember - water must be poured through the fabric top every week or so to keep them from drying out - very important!! If you happen to forget, they can be brought back from total dry out though. I forgot one and had nothing but crystals and oil in the jar, but I added some water... a few hours later, a perfect smelly jelly!

86. Soapwort Shampoo 2 cups water 1-1/2 tbs. dried soapwort root, chopped (most health food stores carry this) 2 tsp. Lemon Verbena (for a citrus fragrance)... OR 2 tsp. Catnip (promotes healthy hair growth) Bring water to a boil. Add soapwort and simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, add either Lemon Verbena or Catnip, then allow mixture to cool. Strain the mixture, keeping the liquid. Pour into a bottle. Makes enough for 6 or 7 shampoos. Store in a cool, dark place. Must be used within 8 to 10 days.

87. Soap Crayons for Kid's Bath 1 cup soap flakes 1/4 cup boiling water Food coloring Ice cube tray Drop the water into the flakes, one teaspoon at a time, stirring constantly. It will be thick and hard to stir. Spoon some of the soap into different bowls and color each with the food coloring until it has the consistency of thick paste. Press spoonfuls into the ice cube trays and microwave on low for 15 minutes to dry the crayons out. Let them dry at room temperature for several days and give it another day after unmolding. The kids will love these!!

88. Solid Perfume 3 parts sweet almond or jojoba oil 2 parts white beeswax 1 part scented oil Melt all ingredients over double boiler until well mixed and integrated. Pour into containers and let cool.



89. Soothing Scented Aftershave 2 cups rubbing alcohol 1 tbs. glycerin 1 tbs. dried lavender 1 tsp. dried rosemary 1 tsp. ground cloves Stir ingredients together in a bowl. Transfer to a jar, cover, and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. Shake occasionally to mix ingredients. After 3 to 4 days, strain out herbs. Keep refrigerated, will keep for 1 to 2 months. Yield: 2 cups.

90. Soothing Sensations Massage Oil 10 tsp. safflower oil 5 drops lavender oil 2 drops violet oil 2 drops chamomile oil 2 drops frankincense oil This is a floral-scented massage oil. Blend ingredients well. Pour into a small bottle and seal well. Warm up oil before doing any massage.

91. Summer Leave-in Hair Conditioner Pure aloe gel (natural sunscreen) Green tea (protects against UVB rays) Jojoba oil (natural sunscreen) Cocoa butter (emollient) Vitamin E (preservative) Coconut oil (emollient) Essential oil (scent) Buy ingredients at your local health food store. Experiment with the amount of each ingredient that gives you the best results. Boil water for the green tea separately and allow to steep. Combine all ingredients (except essential oil) in saucepan and bring to a boil. Take off the heat and let cool, then add some of the steeped green tea and stir. Pour mixture into glass or plastic containers. Add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance. Slick hair back with mixture before going in the sun or swimming. Mixture protects hair against the summer sun, chlorine, salt water, and other pollutants. You may have to wash your hair several times to remove all of the conditioner afterwards, but the results will be soft, shiny hair!

92. Suntan Lotion 2 oz. salt-free mayonnaise 2 oz. black tea (brewed very dark) Juice of 1 lemon 5 (400 IU each) vitamin E capsules Mix mayonnaise, tea and lemon juice together in a blender. Pour into a container and squeeze contents of vitamin E capsules into it. Keep refrigerated no longer than 1 week.

93. Tea Tree Temptations Massage Oil 8 tsp. grapeseed oil 6 drops jasmine oil 2 drops tea tree oil 2 drops neroli oil This is a spicy-scented massage oil. Blend ingredients well. Pour into a small bottle and seal well. Warm up oil before doing any massage.

94. Tropical Dreams Bubble Bath 3 drops rose fragrant or essential oil 2 drops jasmine fragrant or essential oil 1 ounce glycerin 1 ounce coconut oil 1 bar castile soap (grated) 1 quart water Mix all ingredients together. Store in a container. Pour into running bath water.

95. Truly Homemade Shampoo Shampoo is just liquid soap, usually made with vegetable oils rather than animal fat, and with glycerin and alcohol added during the soapmaking process. The basic ingredients for regular soap are lye (potash leached from ashes), fat (animal tallow) or oil, and water. Depending on how basic you want to get, you could even make your own lye and render your own fat, but that's VERY time consuming. Try the following recipe for a gentle homemade shampoo: 2 lb. 10 oz. olive oil 1 lb. 7 oz. of solid-type vegetable shortening 1 lb. coconut oil 10-1/4 oz. lye 2 pints water 1-1/2 oz. glycerin 1/2 oz. alcohol 1-1/2 oz. caster oil NOTE: You will need a candy thermometer to test temperatures Mix oils together. Place in a container and set the container in a large pan. Mix the lye solution - pour the lye into an enamel coated container of 2 pints of cold water and stir steadily. When cooled, pour lye solution into a glass container and set in another large pan. Bring both to between 95 and 98 degrees F - this will mean pouring either cold or hot water into the pans, depending on the original temperature of the ingredients. Add the lye solution to the oils, pouring in a steady stream while continuing to stir. The mixture will turn opaque and brownish, then will lighten. It's ready when its surface can support a drop of mixture for a moment. The consistency should be like sour cream. Stir in 1-1/2 oz. glycerin, 1/2 oz. alcohol and 1-1/2 oz. castor oil. Add any colorants or scents if you desire. Now, you can pour the mixture into molds and allow to harden, then make the shampoo as you need it by shaving off flakes and boiling in water until they dissolve - about 1 pound of shavings per gallon of water. Or, you can add more water to mixture, boil, and allow to cool, then place in bottles for use.

96. Vanilla Almond Soap 1/3 cup whole almonds 1 (4 ounce) bar castile soap 1/4 cup distilled water 1 tbs. almond oil 1/8 tsp. vanilla fragrance oil This soap is great for removing dirt and oil from the skin without drying. Vanilla gives it a delicious fragrance and the ground almonds provide a beautifully textured soap. Grind the almonds to a fine powder in a food processor or coffee grinder and set aside. Shred the soap and set aside. In a heavy saucepan bring the water to a boil; then reduce heat to a simmer. Remove the pan from the heat and add the almond powder, almond oil and vanilla fragrance oil, stirring until well blended. Spoon the soap into a mold and let set for 5 hours or until hardened. Makes 1 bar.

97. Vanilla Coconut Thick Gel Shampoo 3/4 cup distilled water 1/4 cup shampoo concentrate (or substitute 1/2 cup unscented shampoo and increase salt to 1-1/2 tsp.) 1 tsp. table salt 1 tbs. coconut oil 2 tsp. jojoba oil 10 drops vanilla fragrance oil 10 drops coconut fragrance oil Warm the water and pour into a ceramic bowl. Add the shampoo concentrate, stirring until well blended. Add the salt, coconut oil, jojoba oil, vanilla fragrance oil and coconut fragrance oil, and stir with a wire whisk until the mixture becomes a smooth, thick liquid. Pour into a bottle and close. A plastic squeeze bottle will work best for this thick gel shampoo.

98. Vanilla Rose Bubble Bath Gel 1/4 cup distilled water 2 tbs. shampoo concentrate (or substitute 1/4 cup unscented shampoo and increase salt to 1/2 tsp.) 2 tbs. rosewater 1 tbs. liquid glycerin (can be found at most drug stores in the first-aid section) 1/4 tsp. table salt 10 drops vanilla fragrance oil 4 drops rose fragrance oil Warm the water and pour into a ceramic bowl. Add the shampoo concentrate and stir with a wire whisk until well blended. Add the rosewater, liquid glycerin, salt and fragrance oils. Stir until well mixed and pour into a bottle.


99. Velvet Apple Bubble Bath 5 drops green apple fragrance oil 1 quart water 1 bar castile soap (grated or flaked) 1-1/2 ounces glycerin 5 drops green food coloring (optional) Mix all ingredients together. Store in a container. Pour under running water in bath.

100. Whispering Rain Body Mist 2 cups distilled water 3 tbs. vodka 5 drops sandalwood essential oil 10 drops bergamot essential oil 10 drops cassis essential oil Mix all the ingredients together in a spray bottle, shake well. Allow to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry place.

101. Wild Garden Shower Soap 1/2 cup distilled water 1/2 cup orange flower water 1 tbs. dried peppermint leaves 1 tbs. dried chamomile 1 tbs. dried rose petals 1 tbs. orange blossoms 1/2 tbs. unscented glycerin soap 1 tsp. castor oil Combine the distilled water and orange flower water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and add the peppermint, chamomile, rose petals and orange blossoms. Let steep for 1 hour. Strain the herbs and flowers from the water and reheat gently. Add the glycerin soap and stir in the castor oil. Let cool to room temperature and bottle.

Gift in a Jar Recipes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One of my favorite recipes that has nothing to do with ingredients from the kitchen:

Friendship Cake


1 cup of greetings

1 cup of love

1/2 cup of smiles

1 tsp. sympathy

1 large handshake

2 cups hospitality

Cream greetings and smiles thoroughly.

Add handshake separately.

Slowly stir in love.

Sift sympathy and hospitality and fold in carefully.

Bake in warm heart.

Serve Often!

Snow Balls in a Jar

Makes 4 dozen Ingredients

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped pecans

Directions 1 In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar and flour. Place into a 1 quart canning jar. Put the chopped pecans on top. Close the lid and attach a tag with the following instructions: 2 Snow Balls, Makes 4 dozen. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. In a medium bowl, cream together 3/4 cup of shortening and 1/4 cup of margarine. Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Add the entire contents of the jar, and mix well. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place them on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool, and roll in confectioners' sugar.

Gifts in a Jar

Brownies In A Jar

Dry ingredients for brownies are layered in a one quart jar and given as a gift,

along with baking directions.

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups white sugar

2/3 cup cocoa

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Pour sugar into a clean and dry one quart jar. Press down firmly.

2. Add cocoa powder and press down firmly. Pour in chopped pecans, making sure pecans are evenly layered in the jar. Combine flour, baking powder and salt.

Pour into jar and seal.

3. Attach the following directions to the jar:

Brownies in a Jar

Empty mix into large bowl. Use your hands to mix thoroughly. Add 3/4 cup of butter or margarine and 4 slightly beaten eggs. Mix until completely blended.

Spread batter into a lightly greased or sprayed 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees° for 30 minutes or until done. Cool in pan. Cut into 2 inch squares.

Makes 2 dozen


M&M Cookie Mix in a Jar


1 1/4 cups white sugar

1 1/4 cups M and M's candies

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

1. Mix together flour, baking soda and baking powder.

2. Layer ingredients in jar in order given in a 1 quart ''wide mouth'' canning jar. Add the flour mixture last. It will be a tight fit when you add the flour mixture so be sure to pack everything down firmly. Add a piece of fabric to the top of the jar and tie with raffia.

3. Instructions to attach to jar:

M & M's Cookies

1. Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly blend mix.

2. Add 1/2 cup margarine or butter softened at room temperature. DO NOT USE DIET MARGARINE Mix in 1 egg, slightly beaten, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

3. Mix until completely blended. You will need to finish mixing with your hands.

4. Shape into balls the size of walnuts and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet 2 inches apart. DO NOT USE WAXED PAPER.

5. Bake at 375° for 12 to 14 minutes until edges are slightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for about 5 minutes then remove to wire racks to finish cooling.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies in a Jar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

3/4 cup raisins

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1 Mix together flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking soda and salt. Set

aside.

2 Layer ingredients in order given in a 1 quart wide mouth'' canning jar. It

will be a tight fit, make sure you firmly pack down each layer in place before

adding the flour mixture.

3 Instructions to attach to jar:

Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies

1. Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly blend mix. 2. Add: 3/4 cup butter or margarine softened at room temp. DO NOT USE DIET MARGARINE. Stir in one egg, slightly beaten. Add in 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

3. Mix until completely blended. You will need to finish mixing with your hands.

4. Shape into balls the size of walnuts. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheets 2 inches apart. DO NOT USE WAXED PAPER. 5. Bake at 350° for 11 to 13 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to baking racks to finish cooling. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Mix in a Jar

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/2 cups packed confectioners' sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt.

2. Layer ingredients in order given in a 1 quart ''wide mouth'' canning jar.

Clean the inside of the jar with a dry paper towel after adding the

confectioners' sugar and after adding the cocoa powder. Be sure to pack

everything down firmly before adding the flour mixture, it will be a tight fit.

3. Instructions to attach to jar:

Peanut Butter Cookies

1. Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly blend mix.

2. Add: 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened at room temperature. DO NOT USE DIET MARGARINE. Add 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 egg, slightly beaten, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

3. Mix until completely blended. You will need to use your hands to finish mixing.

4. Shape into walnut sized balls and place 2 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheets. DO NOT USE WAXED PAPER. Press balls down with a fork.

5. Bake at 350° for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet then tranfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling. Makes 3 dozen

cookies.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Mix in a Jar

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/2 cups packed confectioners' sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt.

2. Layer ingredients in order given in a 1 quart ''wide mouth'' canning jar.

Clean the inside of the jar with a dry paper towel after adding the

confectioners' sugar and after adding the cocoa powder. Be sure to pack

everything down firmly before adding the flour mixture, it will be a tight fit.

3. Instructions to attach to jar:

Peanut Butter Cookies

1. Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly blend mix.

2. Add: 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened at room temperature. DO NOT USE DIET MARGARINE. Add 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 egg, slightly beaten, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

3. Mix until completely blended. You will need to use your hands to finish mixing.

4. Shape into walnut sized balls and place 2 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheets. DO NOT USE WAXED PAPER. Press balls down with a fork.

5. Bake at 350° for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet then tranfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling. Makes 3 dozen

cookies.


Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda


Directions:

Mix the salt and baking soda in with the flour, then layer the ingredients into the jar. Use scissors to cut a 9 inch-diameter circle from calico. Place over lid and secure with rubber band. Tie on a raffia or ribbon bow to cover rubber band.

Enclose a card with the following mixing and baking directions:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Preheat oven to 375°

Sift dry ingredients through a colander to separate the chocolate chips from other ingredients.

Beat 1 cup of butter or margarine in a medium bowl. Beat sifted ingredients into butter until blended.

In a small bowl, beat 1 egg with 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

Mix beaten egg mixture into butter mixture until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop teaspoonfuls of batter, spaced well apart, onto a greased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes 4 dozen



MOLASSES COOKIE MIX

6 c. flour

3 c. sugar

1 Tbsp. Baking soda

1 Tbsp. Baking powder

1 Tbsp. Ground ginger

1 Tbsp. Ground cinnamon

1-1/2 tsp. Ground nutmeg

3/4 tsp. Ground cloves

1/2 tsp. Ground allspice

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:

3/4 c. butter or margarine, softened

1 egg

1/4 c. molasses

Additional sugar

In a bowl, combine the first nine ingredients; mix well. Store in an air tight

container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

YIELD: 3 batches (9cups total).

TO PREPARE COOKIES:

In a mixing bowl, cream butter. Add egg and molasses; mix well. Add 3 cups of

cookie mix; beat until smooth. Shape into 1" balls and roll in sugar. Place 2"

apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375º for 9-11 minutes or till surface

cracks. Cool on wire racks.

Yield: about 4 dozen cookies per batch.

OATMEAL RAISIN SPICE COOKIE MIX.

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup raisins

2 cups uncooked quick oats

1 cup flour mixed with 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, 1 tsp. baking soda and

1/2 tsp. salt

.

Layer ingredients in jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place

before adding next ingredient.

.

Recipe to attach to jar:

Empty cookie mix in large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Add 3/4 cup softened

butter, 1 egg slightly beaten and 1 tsp.vanilla; mix until completely blended.

Roll heaping tablespoonfuls into balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly

greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350º for 11 to 13 minutes until edges are lightly

browned. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet; remove to wire racks to cool

completely. Yield: 3 dozen.

.

CHOCOLATE COVERED RAISIN COOKIE MIX.

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup chocolate covered raisins

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1-3/4 cups flour mixed with 1 tsp. baking powder and 1 tsp. salt

.

Layer ingredients in jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place

before adding next ingredient.

.

Recipe to attach to jar:

Empty cookie mix in large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup softened

butter, 1 egg slightly beaten and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix until completely blended.

Roll heaping tablespoonfuls into balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly

greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375º for 13 to 15 minutes until tops are very

lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet; remove to wire racks to cool

completely. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

RAISIN CRUNCH COOKIE MIX .

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup raisins

1-1/4 cups packed flaked coconut

1 cup crushed cornflakes

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup quick oats

1-1/4 cups flour mixed with 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. baking powder

.

Layer ingredients in jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place

before adding next ingredient.

.

Recipe to attach to jar:

Empty cookie mix in large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Add 1 cup softened

butter, 1 egg slightly beaten and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix until completely blended.

Roll dough into walnut-sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased

cookie sheet. Bake at 350º for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly

browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet. Remove to wire racks to cool

completely. Yield: 3 to 4 dozen.

HAWAIIAN COOKIE MIX

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup packed flaked coconut

2/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts

2/3 cup chopped dates

2 cups flour mixed with 1 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. baking powder

.

Layer ingredients in jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place

before adding next ingredient.

.

Recipe to attach to jar:

Empty cookie mix in large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Add 3/4 cup softened

butter, 1 egg slightly beaten and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix until completely blended.

Roll dough into walnut-sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased

cookie sheet. Press cookie down slightly with the heel of your hand. Bake at

350º for 11 to 13 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on

baking sheet. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

ORANGE SLICE COOKIE MIX

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1-3/4 cups flour mixed with 1 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1-1/2 cups orange slice candies, quartered (wrap in plastic wrap)

.

Layer ingredients in jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place

before adding next ingredient.

.

Recipe to attach to jar:

Remove candies from jar and set aside. Empty cookie mix in large mixing bowl;

stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup softened butter, 1 egg slightly beaten and 1 tsp.

vanilla; mix until completely blended. Stir in orange candies. Roll dough into

walnut-sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375º for 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 5

minutes on baking sheet. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 2-1/2

dozen.

REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS COOKIE MIX

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1-3/4 cups flour mixed with 1 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. baking soda

8 large Reese's peanut butter cups candies cut into 1/2 inch pieces (wrap in

plastic wrap)

.

Layer ingredients in jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place

before adding next ingredient.

.

Recipe to attach to jar:

Remove candies from jar and set aside. Empty cookie mix in large mixing bowl;

stir to combine. Add 3/4 cup softened butter, 1 egg slightly beaten and 1 tsp.

vanilla; mix until completely blended. Stir in candies. Roll dough into

walnut-sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375º for 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 5

minutes on baking sheet. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 2-1/2

TRAIL COOKIE MIX.

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup wheat germ

1/3 cup quick oats

1 cup raisins

1/3 cup packed flaked coconut

1/2 cup chopped pecans

3/4 cup flour mixed with 1 tsp. baking powder

.

Layer ingredients in jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place

before adding next ingredient.

.

Recipe to attach to jar:

Empty cookie mix in large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Add 1/2 cup softened

butter, 1 egg slightly beaten and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix until completely blended.

Roll dough into walnut-sized balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased

cookie sheet. Bake at 350º for 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are lightly

browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet. Remove to wire racks to cool

completely. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

Chunky Chocolate Cookie Mix in a Jar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 cup jumbo chocolate chips

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt


Directions:

1 Mix together the flour, baking soda and baking powder and salt. Set aside.

2 Layer ingredients in order in a 1 quart wide mouth canning jar. Make sure

you pack all down firmly before adding the flour mixture - it will be a tight

fit. NOTE: Wipe down the inside of the jar after you add the cocoa powder.

3 Instructions to attach to jar:

Chunky Chocolate Cookies

1. Empty jar of cookie mix into a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to

thoroughly blend mix.

2. Add 3/4 cup butter or margarine softened at room temp. DO NOT USE DIET

MARGARINE Add 1 egg, slightly beaten, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

3. Mix until completely blended. The dough is sticky. you will need to finish

mixing with your hands.

4. Shape into walnut size balls and place 2 inches apart on parchment lined

baking sheets. DO NOT USE WAXED PAPER.

5. Bake at 350° for 11 to 13 minutes . Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet. Remove to

racks to finish cooling. Makes 3 dozen cookies.



*Gourmet Cookie Mix in a Jar*

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1-1/4 c rolled oats
1 (5.5 ounce) milk chocolate bar
1/2 c white sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c chopped nuts, your choice (optional)
1/2 c chocolate chips

With wire whisk, mix flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Pour into jar and pack down level with heavy object. Mix oatmeal in a blender. Grate chocolate bar and mix into the oatmeal. Pack on top of flour in jar. Add white sugar and pack down. Add brown sugar and pack down. Layer chopped nuts on top of brown sugar. Finish layering jar with chocolate chips until even with the top. Use scissors to cut a nine-inch-diameter circle from the fabric of your choice. Center fabric circle over lid and secure with a rubber band. Tie on a raffia or ribbon bow to cover the rubber band. Attach a card with the following directions:

*Gourmet Cookies*

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spoon chocolate chips and nuts into small bowl, set aside. Spoon brown and white sugar into mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup margarine or butter, cream well. Add 1 egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, mix well. Pour oatmeal and flour mixture from jar into bowl, mix thoroughly. Roll into walnut-sized balls, place on slightly greased cookie sheet two inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Yield: 3 dozen

You will want to make this gift within a couple weeks of when you plan to give it to someone, as it will stay fresh for only 10 - 12 weeks after you have put it together

Gingerbread Scones Mix

Ingredients:
(Makes enough for 3 gifts.)

3 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons baking powder

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3/4 cup shortening

Method:

Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, sald, baking soda, cloves, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Store in an airtight container for up to six weeks at room temperature, or for up to six months in the freezer.
For each gift measure about 1 1/4 cups of mixture into a container include the following directions for each gift:
In a medium bowl, place all of mixture, and make a well in its centre. In a seperate bowl combine 2 tablespoons of milk, 1 tablespoon of molasses, and one beaten egg. Add this to the original mixture and stir until moistened. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and quickly knead the dough for 10-12 strokes or until dough is nearly smooth. Pat or lightly roll dough into a 6 inch circle and cut out 6 wedges. Place wedges onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake in 400 degree farenheit oven for 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are brown.



APPLE CAKE IN A JAR

2/3 c Shortening
1 1/2 ts Salt
2 2/3 c Sugar
3 c Flour
4 ea Eggs
2/3 c Water
1 ts Cinnamon
3 c Apples; grated
2 ts Baking soda
2/3 c Raisins
1/2 ts Baking powder
2/3 c Chopped nuts

Mix the ingredients together in the order given. Sterilize 7 to 9 wide mouth pint jars and lids. Grease them with shortening. Fill the jars half full and bake on the middle wire rack in the oven. Bake for 45 minutes at 325°F. As soon as the cake is done, remove the bottles from the oven one at a time. Wipe the rim of the bottle clean with cloth and put on the hot sterilized Lids. Screw down the bands and let cool.

Important - Do not use small mouth jars. Do not add any other ingredients. As the cake cools in the sealed jar, it will pull away from the sides of the jar and come out easily when ready to serve. Slice and serve with lemon sauce.

Lemon Sauce

2 tbls. cornstarch
2 tbls. butter
1/2 cup sugar
4 1/2 tsp

Finely grated lemon rind pinch of salt 2 tbls lemon juice 1 cup boiling water in a pan, thoroughly stir together the corn starch, sugar, and salt. gradually stir in the boiling water, stirring constantly to keep it smooth. Continue stirring and cook over moderate heat until boiling. Boil gently for about 20 minutes. remove from heat, add butter, lemon rind and juice. stir thoroughly. Serve hot over apple cake in a jar. Makes about 1 1/4 cups. This sauce is thicker and more tart than the usual lemon sauce.

APPLESAUCE CAKE IN JARS

Yield: 1 Servings

2/3 c Shortening
2 2/3 c Granulated sugar
4 ea Large eggs
2 c Applesauce
2/3 c Water
3 1/3 c All-purpose flour, sifted
1/2 ts Baking powder
2 ts Baking soda
1 1/2 ts Salt
1 ts Ground cinnamon
2 ts Ground cloves
2/3 c Nuts; chopped, optional

Sterilize 8 (12 oz Ball Quilted Crystal - #14400-81400) canning jars, lids and rings by boiling for 10 minutes. Remove the jars and allow to air-dry and cool. Leave the lids and rings in the hot water until ready to use. Once the jars are cool enough to handle, grease them (use a pastry brush) with shortening (DO NOT use Pam or Baker's Secret); set aside. Cream together the shortening and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the applesauce and water; set aside. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Blend dry ingredients into the applesauce mixture. Fold in the nuts. Pour batter into the jars, filling them about 1/2 full. Place jars onto a cookie sheet or they'll fall over. Bake in a preheated 325°F oven for 35-40 minutes or until a pick inserted deep into the center of each cake comes out clean. Remove jars from the oven, one-at-a-time (use HEAVY-DUTY MITTS, the jars ARE HOT!); place a lid, then a ring on top and screw down tightly.

Place jars onto your counter top to cool. You'll know when the jars have sealed, you'll hear a "plinking" sound. If you missed the sound, test them by pressing down on the lids once the jars have cooled--they shouldn't move at all. Store jars in a cool, dry place. They should keep for about a year. I've only been able to keep them for a few weeks, they don't last that long around here. They're wonderful for last minute gifts, especially for single friends.

CARROT CAKE MIX IN A JAR

2 c sugar
2 t powdered vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3 c all purpose flour
2 t baking soda
1 T cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg

Combine and blend ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container (Makes about 5 3/4 cups)

Attach Recipe:

Carrot Cake


(Makes one 13x9" cake)

1 pkg. Carrot Cake Mix
1 1/2 c vegetable oil
3 c grated carrots
1 (8oz) can crushed pineapple

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 13x9" pan. Place Carrot Cake Mix in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the mix and add the oil, eggs, carrots and pineapple. Blend until smooth. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cake and frost if desired or dust with powdered sugar.


Cake in a Jar

Ingredients:

Your favorite cake or quick bread mix

8 straight-sided wide-mouth canning jars

8 rings and lids for jars

Directions:

In pint size, straight-sided wide-mouth jars, put 1 cup of batter in each

greased jar. Make sure to keep the rims of the jars clean. Put in preheated oven

350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place jars on a cookie sheet to keep from tipping

over while baking.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out

clean.

While they are baking, have your jar lids boiling in a pan of water. When the

cake is done, take one jar out at a time (caution!! use HEAVY oven mitts!!) and

add the hot lid and screw on your jar ring, and let set and cool.

It will seal as it cools. Place the jars on the counter and listen for them to

"ping" as they seal. If you miss the "ping", wait until they are completely cool

and press on the top of the lid. If it doesn't move at all, it's sealed.

After it cools it will pull away from the jar and when you are ready to eat,

open and pop out the cake and enjoy!!

Unsealed jars should be stored in the refrigerator and eaten within 2 weeks.

Sealed jars may be stored with other canned food or placed in a freezer. The

cake is safe to eat as long as the jar remains vacuum-sealed and free from mold.

Cake in a Coffee Mug

( read all instructions before starting) (makes 8)

1 cake mix any flavor

1 ( 4 serving size) instant pudding mix ( not sugar free), any flavor

Place dry cake mix and dry pudding mix into a large bowl and blend well with a

whisk. This will be about 4 - 4 ½ cups dry mix and will make 8-9 coffee cup cake

mixes. Place ½ cup dry mix into a sandwich bag. Place mix into a corner of the

bag and tie it there with a twist tie. Continue making packets until all your

dry mix is used.

Flavor suggestions:

Lemon cake mix- lemon pudding

Yellow cake mix- vanilla pudding

Devils food cake mix- chocolate pudding

Pineapple cake mix- coconut pudding

Butterscotch cake mix- butterscotch pudding

Select a large coffee cup. Check it to be sure it holds 1 ½ cups of water. That way you will be sure you have bought the size the recipe calls for. It can't have any metallic paint on it because it will be used in the microwave. Places like WalMart and craft stores sell plain cups.

Decorating the cups Paint on the cup if you like. DecoArt Ultra Gloss Acrylic Enamel is one brand of craft paint that can be made dishwasher safe by baking the painted cup in the oven. (instructions are on the bottle of paint usually). Another idea is to find cups at rummage sales, thrift stores,Dollar General..

Glaze mix

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 ½ tsp dry flavoring ( such as powdered lemonade mix, powdered orange breakfast

drink mix, cocoa powder)

Vanilla powder sold by coffee flavorings (or use French Vanilla CoffeeMate)

Select the flavoring appropriate to the cake you are making; Example:.

For the pineapple coconut cake include flaked coconut in a separate bag with

instructions to sprinkle it over the frosted cake.

Place the glaze mix ingredients into a sandwich bag and tie into corner of bag.

Label this bag "glaze mix" and attach it to the other bag with a twist tie.

Place one baggie cake mix and one baggie glaze mix in each coffee cup. Now attach the following baking instructions to each coffee cup.

Bake a cake in a coffee mug!

Instructions:

Generously spray inside of coffee cup with cooking spray. Empty contents of

large packet into cup. Add 1 egg white, 1 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp water to dry mix. Mix 15 seconds, carefully mixing in all the dry mix. Microwave on full power 2 minutes.( you may not get satisfactory results in a low wattage small microwave). While cake is cooking, place ingredients from "Glaze Mix" into a very small container and add 1 ½ tsp water. Mix well. When cake is done, pour glaze over cake in cup. Enjoy while warm.



Fruit of the Spirit Soup

Lima Beans for Love
Split Peas for Joy
Black Beans for Peace
Red Beans for Patience
Pinto Beans for Kindness
Navy Beans for Goodness
Lentils for Gentleness
Black-eyed peas for Meekness
Kidney Beans for Long-suffering

On the tag attached to the jar is the following: On a dark rainy day do you ever become depressed? Well, most folks do. You don't want to do anything but get in bed and cover your head. Well, I have a suggestion for you. Let's make "Fruit of the Spirit Soup!"

"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance."

Galatians 5:22,23

DIRECTIONS: Soak beans overnight. Cook as usual. Add an onion, a little garlic and your favorite seasonings.

Soup Mix in a Jar

Ingredients:

1/3 cup beef bouillon granules

1/4 cup dehydrated onion flakes

1/2 cup split peas

1/2 cup ABC, small shell, or ring macaroni (any small shape pasta will do)

1/4 cup barley

1/2 cup lentils

1/3 cup non-instant white rice

tricolor spiral pasta

Directions:

Use a canning funnel or any funnel that has about a 2-inch neck. This will make it easier to fill the jars with the ingredients. Be sure to use a wide-mouth, 1-quart canning jar.

Layer ingredients in the order given: bouillon, onion flakes, split peas, small shape pasta, barley, lentils, rice, and enough tricolor spiral pasta to fill jar.

Attach tag with cooking instructions:

In large kettle, brown 1 pound ground beef or stew beef cut into bite-size pieces in a little olive oil. Remove tricolor pasta from top of jar and reserve.Add the rest of the jar contents to the kettle with 12 cups water. Let come to a boil and simmer 45 minutes. Add tricolor pasta and simmer 15 minutes more.

Serve with your favorite bread or rolls and a tossed salad. ENJOY!!

Potato Soup Mix
1-3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes
1-1/2 cups dry milk
2 Tablespoons instant chicken bullion
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
1-1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix. Place in 1 quart canning jars to store.
Makes 6 servings.

Instructions to attach to jar:
To serve: place 1/2 cup mix in soup
bowl and add 1 cup boiling water. Stir until smooth.

DRIED BEAN MIX:

1/2 cup of each of the following: kidney beans split yellow peas black beans

red lentils small red beans split green peas

SEASONING MIX: 1 tablespoon dried sweet pepper flakes 2 teaspoons chicken

bouillon granules 2 teaspoons dried minced onion 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1

teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic

powder 1/2 teaspoon celery seed 4 tablespoons brown sugar

For dried bean mix, layer each type of bean in a clear gift container. You

will need a 24-oz jar. For seasoning mix, combine ingredients. Store in a

resealable plastic bag. Attach to jar and give with recipe for Seasoned Bean

Soup. Yield: about 3 cups dried bean mix and 1/4 cup seasoning mix.

Attach To Jar: SEASONED BEAN SOUP

Dried Bean Mix ( 3 cups) 2 cans ( 14 1/2 ounces each ) stewed tomatoes

Seasoning Mix ( 1/4 cup ) 1 teaspoon liquid smoke ( optional )

Rinse beans and place in large Dutch oven or stock pot. Pour 4 cups boiling

water over beans; cover and let soak overnight. Drain beans and return to

stock pot. Add 6 cups water, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce

heat to low and simmer 1 to 1/2 hours or until beans are almost tender. Add

tomatoes and seasoning mix. Stirring occasionally, cover and simmer 30

minutes. Uncover beans and continue to simmer about 1 hour longer or until

beans are tender and soup thickens. Serve warm. YIELD: about 10 cups soup

Add 3oz. dried cheese-filled tortellini (2/3 cup) 1/4 cup snipped dried tomatoes

1/3 cup dried split greet peas 1/2 cup dried chopped carrots 1 tablespoon

instant chicken bouillon granules 1 tablespoon dried minced onion 1 1/2

teaspoons each dried basil, thyme, crushed 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4

teaspoon ground pepper

Layer ingredients in a clean one pint jar in the following order: tortellini,

dried tomatoes, split peas, carrots, and remaining seasonings.

Directions: Empty jar ingredients into a 3-qt. saucepan. Add 5 cups of water.

Bring mixture to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 50 minutes or until

peas are tender. (Option: add 1 cup chopped cooked ham or sausage.) Makes 4



LOVE SOUP MIX IN A JAR

Decorate the jar with a fabric lid and/or a bow tied around the neck.
Be sure to attach the cooking instructions to the jar.

1/3 cup beef or chicken bouillon granules
1/4 cup dehydrated onion flakes
1/2 cup split peas
1/2 cup alphabet pasta (any small pasta is fine)
1/4 cup barley
1/2 cup lentils
1/3 cup non-instant white rice tricolor spiral pasta

1. Use a canning funnel or any funnel that has about a 2" neck. Be sure to use a wide-mouth, 1-quart canning jar.

2. Layer ingredients in the order given above and add enough tricolor spiral pasta to fill the jar.

3. Attach a tag with cooking instructions:

In large kettle, brown 1 pound ground beef, (stew beef or chicken) which has been cut into bite-size pieces, in a little olive or vegetable oil. Remove the tricolor pasta from the jar and put aside. Add the rest of the jar contents to the pot with 12 cups water. Bring the soup to a boil and simmer 45 minutes. Add the tricolor pasta and simmer 15 minutes more. Serve with your favorite bread or rolls and a tossed salad. (Makes 8 servings.)

VEGGIE RICE MIX IN A JAR

4 cups uncooked long-grain rice
2 tbsp. instant vegetarian bouillon
2 tsp. salt
4 tsp. celery flakes
4 tsp. onion flakes
4 tsp. green pepper flakes
4 tsp. red pepper flakes

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Stir until evenly distributed. Put about 1 1/2 cups mixture each into three 1 pint airtight containers. Label. Store in a cool, dry place. Mix should be used within 6-8 months, so if jar is filled far in advance of "giving," adjust the storage time on the attached instruction card. Makes about 4 1/2 cups of Veggie Rice Mix.

Attach the following instructions on a card:

Vegetarian Rice

1 1/2 cups Veggie Rice Mix
2 cups cold water
1 tbsp. butter or margarine

Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat and cook 15 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Makes 4-6 servings.

Note: Mix should be used within 6 months.

OLD BAY SEASONING MIX IN A JAR

1 tbsp. ground bay leaves
2 1/2 tsp. celery salt
1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1 1/2 tsp. black pepper
3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. red pepper
1/4 tsp. ground mace (optional)
1/4 tsp. ground cardamom (optional)

Combine all ingredients: store in an airtight container.

Attach a card with the following statement:

Old Bay Seasoning Mix is great to season the flour for fried chicken, and on French fries as well as for use with seafood.

HUSH PUPPY MIX IN A JAR

1 1/2 cups yellow corn meal
3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp. dried minced onion
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in a resealable plastic bag or jar. Makes 2 1/4 cups mix.

Hush Puppy Preparation

In a deep skillet, 1 1/2" of vegetable oil to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine mix with 1 1/2 cups buttermilk and 1 beaten egg. Stir until well blended. Drop mixture by spoonfuls into hot oil. Fry until golden brown and thoroughly cooked through. Drain on paper towels and serve.

CREOLE SEASONING MIX IN A JAR

2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon pepper

Combine all ingredients.

Yield: 1 gift (about 1/2 cup)

Place in a pretty jar tied with a ribbon.

Attach these instructions:

Use Creole Seasoning Mix to season chicken seafood, steak or vegetables

CORNBREAD MIX IN A JAR

3 cups sifted flour
3 cups yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 cups instant nonfat dry milk
3 1/2 tbs. baking powder
2 1/2 tsp. salt
3 tbs. sugar (optional)
(makes about 7 3/4 cups of mix)

Attach a decorative tag with this recipe:

Combine 2 1/2 cups of the cornbread mix with:
3/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup water

Preheat the oven to 425°F Place dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cut the shortening into the dry mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add eggs and water and mix well. Bake in an 8x8x2" greased pan for 15-20 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

BEER BREAD MIX IN A JAR OR BEER BOTTLE

1 1/2 cups all purpose unbleached flour
2/3 cup yellow corn meal
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoon brown sugar
2/3 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
4 teaspoon dried minced onion
(approximately 3 cups for a 32 ounce container)

Layers:

brown sugar
corn meal
parmesan, red pepper, onion - combined
flour combined with baking powder, baking soda, salt

Beer Bread

Place contents of jar in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in 12 ounces of beer, just until combined. Pour into a greased 8x4x2" loaf pan and bake at 375°F for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cover with foil during last 10 minutes to prevent overbrowning. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely or serve warm.

BEAN SOUP MIX IN A JAR

Yield: 2 Servings

3 T dried minced onion
3c dry navy or lima beans
2 T wheat berries
3c dry split or whole green peas
2 T celery flakes
2T pearl barley
1 T instant beef bouillon granules
3c dry garbanzo beans
1 tsp. dried basil; crushed
7 tsp. garlic powder
3c dry red kidney or pinto beans
1 bay leaf

(Makes about 2 1/2 cups)
(You might include with the jar of Soup Mix, a pint size can of tomatoes.)

For seasoning mix: In a custard cup stir together the dried onion, wheat berries, barley, celery flakes, garlic powder, bouillon, and basil.

To assemble: Transfer the seasoning mix to a 1-pint jar or small plastic bag. Layer the beans and peas on top of the seasoning and place the bay leaf on top. Cover the jar or bag tightly. May be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 9 months.

To make Bean Soup: In a large pot, bring soup mix and 6 cups water to a boil, reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 1 hour. (Or, in a covered soup pot, soak mix overnight, but do not drain in the morning.) Add 1 lb. smoked pork hocks or beef shank crosscuts to the beans. Bring to boiling, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 11 hours. Remove meat from soup and when cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and chop it. Discard bones, remove bay leaf from soup and discard it. Return the meat to the soup and add one pint undrained tomatoes and 1 medium carrot cut up. Cover and simmer soup 30 minutes. If desired, season to taste with salt. (Makes 6 main dish servings.)

Make Your Own Dog Biscuits

1 quart wide-mouth canning jar

1 dog biscuit cookie cutter

16 inches of a pretty ribbon

1 large envelope. (Punch a hole in the upper left hand corner.)

1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal

1/2 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder

1 teaspoon brown sugar or white sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Pinch of salt

1. Type baking instructions (see below) on a pretty piece of paper or card and tuck inside the envelope.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine: 1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, 1/2 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder, 1 teaspoon brown sugar or white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, pinch of salt .

3. Using a funnel, pour dry ingredients into the jar. Close jar tightly.

4. Tie dog biscuit cookie cutter and instruction card around the top of the card with a pretty ribbon.

Heart Smart Muffin Mix in a Jar

1 quart wide-mouth canning jar

1 small Ziplock bag

16 inches of a pretty ribbon

1 tiny wire whisk (available from kitchenware shops)

1 large rubber band

1 large envelope (Punch a hole in the upper left corner of the envelope.)

2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour (spoon into measuring cup and level top)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

In a medium mixing bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon salt

2. Using a funnel, pour ingredients into the jar. In a small Ziplock bag, place the dark brown sugar in and completely close. Push bag into the mason jar. Close jar tightly. Secure the small wire whisk with a rubber band around the lid.

3. Type baking instructions (see below) on a pretty piece of paper or card, and tuck inside the envelope. Tie instruction card with a pretty ribbon covering the rubber band.

Instruction card:

Heart Smart Muffin Mix

Per muffin: 158 calories, 30 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fat (less than 1 gram saturated fat), 18 milligrams cholesterol, 1 gram fiber. Makes 12.

Dry mix keeps for 3 months. Store in a cool, dark cupboard

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray twelve 2 3/4-by-1 1/2 inch nonstick muffin cups with oil.

2. Empty the Heart Smart Muffin Mix ingredients into a medium bowl. Set aside.

3. In another medium bowl, using a handheld electric mixer set at medium speed, beat the 3/4 cup low-fat (or regular) buttermilk, 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar (from the Ziplock bag), 1 large egg, 1 1/2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until frothy, about 2 minutes. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk mixture. Using a spoon, mix just until moistened. Batter will be thick. Do not overmix.

4. Divide the batter equally among the prepared muffin cups. Bake until the tops spring back when pressed gently in the center, about 20 minutes. Do not overbake. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from the cups. Serve warm or cool completely on the rack. Variations:

Do Your Own Thing Muffins: Stir in 1/2 cup fresh or frozen (do not thaw) blueberries, raspberries, chocolate chips, raisins, currants or walnuts.

Bran Muffins: Stir in 3/4 cup unprocessed bran flakes with the dry ingredients. If batter is too thick, add in 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce.

Cranberry-Pumpkin Muffins: Substitute 1/2 cup solid pack pumpkin for 1/2 cup of the applesauce and 1/2 cup dried cranberries.

Dairy-Free Muffins: Replace the buttermilk with soy or rice milk. Add in 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Hot Chocolate Mix

3 cups powdered milk

1/2 cup cocoa

3/4 cup sugar

Dash of salt

Sift the ingredients into a large bowl. Pack the mix into an airtight container.

Attach this to the Jar

Hot Chocolate

Serves 1

4 tablespoons Hot Chocolate Mix

8 ounces boiling water

Marshmallows or whipped cream

Place the Hot Chocolate Mix into a mug. Pour in the boiling water. Stir until the Chocolate mix is dissolved. Garnish with marshmallows or whipped cream.

HOLIDAY SPICE POTPOURRI

(Makes 3-4 half-pints)

4 Oranges

4 Lemons

1/2 c. whole cloves

1/2 c. whole allspice

10 Cinnamon sticks, broken

10 Bay leaves, crumbled

4 (8-oz) decorative jelly jars with bands and lids

Using a vegetable peeler, peel oranges and lemons, being careful to remove only

peel and not white pith. Cut or tear peel into 1" pieces. Spread peels on a

paper towel-lined pan. Place in preheated oven at 175ºF. or set oven to WARM.

Dry in oven for 1 to 1-1/2 hrs, tossing occasionally. Peels should be leathery

and/or slightly crunchy. Spread peels on new paper toweling and let air dry for

24 hours. Combine dried peels with remaining ingredients. Fill jars with

mixture. Place lids on jars and screw bands on firmly.

To Use: 1) Remove lid, leave band on for decoration.

2) Put 1 Tbsp. Of mixture into jar. Place screw band on jar. Fill jar with

boiling water to release fragrance. Hold jar by screw band when hot.

3) Put 1 Tbsp. Of mixture into jar. Add water to jar. Place in microwave on HIGH

(be sure to remove band when microwaving) for approximately 2 minutes to heat

water and release fragrance. Reheat as needed.

4) Add 2 Tbsp. Of mixture to a small pan of simmering water to release

fragrance. Add additional water as needed.


FLAVORED COFFEE BLENDS

Combine all ingredients for each blend in container of electric blender; process

until smooth; stopping once to scrape down sides, if necessary.

FOR EACH SERVING: Spoon 2 Tbsp. Of coffee blend into an 8 oz. Cup of boiling

water.

VIENNA BLEND

1/2 c. instant coffee granules

2/3 c. sugar

2/3 c. powdered non-dairy coffee creamer

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

Yield: 1 2/3 cup

ORANGE BLEND

1/2 c. instant coffee granules

3/4 c. sugar

1 c. powdered non-dairy coffee creamer

1/2 tsp. Dried orange peel

Yield: 2 cups


MOCHA BLEND

1/2 c. instant coffee granules

3/4 c. sugar

1 c. powdered non-dairy coffee creamer

2 Tbsp. Cocoa

Yield: 2 cups


CINNAMON HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

1-3/4 c. instant nonfat dry milk powder

1 c. confectioners' sugar

1/2 c. non-dairy creamer

1/2 c. cocoa

1/2 tsp. Ground cinnamon

1 c. mini marshmallows

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:

3/4 c. hot milk

In a bowl, combine all dry ingredients; add the marshmallows. Mix well. Store in

an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 3 months.

Yield: 18-19 batches (about 3 cups total).

To Prepare hot chocolate: Dissolve about 3 Tbsp. Hot chocolate mix in hot milk.


HEAVENLY HOT COCOA MIX

(Makes 3-3/4 cups of mix.)

2 c. sugar

4 squares (1 oz. Each) unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

1-1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

2 Tbsp. Instant coffee powder

1/2 tsp. Ground cinnamon

Process all ingredients in a food processor until chocolate is finely ground.

Pour into a ziptop food storage bag. Wrap in cellophane and tie with a pretty

ribbon. Store at room temperature.

Attach to jar:

Directions for 2 servings: Stir 1/4 c. mix and 2 Tbsp. Hot water in a medium

sized sauce pan until blended. Gradually stir in 1-1/2 c. milk. Heat over low

heat, stirring occasionally, until hot.

HOT COCOA MIX:

Ingredients

10 1/2 C. Non-Fat Dry Milk

4 C. Confectioner's Sugar

4 1/4 C. Chocolate Mix for Milk (Nestle's Quick)

2 3/4 C. Non-Dairy Powedered Creamer

1/2 tsp Salt

Combine all ingredients and store in an air-tight container. This

recipe will yield approximately 8 pint size gift jars. Attach the

following directions in a card:

Combine 3 heaping tablespoons of cocoa mix into hot water or milk

*AMARETTO COCOA MIX:

Ingredients

10 1/2 C. Non-Fat Dry Milk

4 C. Confectioner's Sugar

2 8 oz. Jars of Amaretto Flavored Non-Dairy Powdered Creamer

3 1/2 C. Chocolate Mix for Milk (Nestle's Quick)

2 3/4 C. Non-Dairy Powedered Creamer

1/2 tsp Salt

Combine all ingredients and store in an air-tight container. This

recipe will yield approximately 8 pint size gift jars. Attach the

following directions in a card:

Combine 3 heaping tablespoons of cocoa mix into hot water or milk

*FRENCH VANILLA COCOA MIX:

Ingredients

10 1/2 C. Non-Fat Dry Milk

4 C. Confectioner's Sugar

2 8 oz. Jars of French Vanilla Flavored Non-Dairy Powdered Creamer

3 1/2 C. Chocolate Mix for Milk (Nestle's Quick)

2 3/4 C. Non-Dairy Powedered Creamer

1/2 tsp Salt

Combine all ingredients and store in an air-tight container. This

recipe will yield approximately 8 pint size gift jars. Attach the

following directions in a card:

Combine 3 heaping tablespoons of cocoa mix into hot water or milk

*This same recipe can be used with any flavor of non-dairy powdered

creamer

BAVARIAN MINT COFFEE CREAMER

3/4 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa (we used Droste brand)
3/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

Combine all ingredients in a container with a tight fitting lid.
Shake well to blend. Store in airtight container and give creamer
with the recipe for Bavarian Mint Coffee. Yields 15 servings. To
make Bavarian Mint Coffee: In a mug, combine 2 tablespoons of creamer
with 6 ounces of coffee.


AMARETTO COFFEE CREAMER

3/4 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 cup confectioners sugar

Combine all ingredients in a container with a tight fitting lid.
Shake well to blend. Store in airtight container and give creamer
with the recipe for Amaretto Coffee. Yields 12 servings. To make
Amaretto Coffee: In a mug, combine 2 tablespoons of creamer with 6
ounces of coffee.

INSTANT SPICED TEA

2 cups powdered orange breakfast drink
1-1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup instant tea
2 packages unsweetened lemonade mix
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Mix the ingredients and put them into a plastic container or double
plastic
bag. Label the mix "Spiced Tea. Add 2 heaping teaspoons to 1 cup
boiling
water."



Fizzing Bath Salts

1/3 cup baking soda

1/4 cup citric acid crystals

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

desired color and essential oil

Yield: 1/2 cup. If you want color or scent, work it into the

cornstarch first. Mix ingredients and place in an airtight

container. Keep salts dry, moisture will cause them to react and

fizz. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of the salts into warm tub of water.

Like taking a bath in a bottle of champagne.

Candy Cane Bath Salts

2 cups Epsom salts

1/2 c. sea salt

4-6 drops peppermint oil

2-3 drops red food coloring.

Place 1 cup Epsom and 1/4 cup sea salt in a bowl. Add 2-3 drops

peppermint oil. Place the remaining ingredients in a second bowl.

Mix well. Layer the red and white salts in a clear bottle or jar.


Refreshing Bath Salts

1 cup Epsom salts

1/4 cup table salt (not iodized)

1 box baking soda

A few drops of lavender oil OR your favorite perfume

Completely mix dry ingredients. Add lavender oil and blend well.

Store salts in an airtight container.

Foaming Bath Salts

1/2 cup natural liquid soap

1-4 Tbsp. light oil (almond, jojoba,sunflower)

Food coloring (few drops)

6 cups sea salt crystals

Mix soap, oil and food coloring. Pour over sea salt. Stir

continuously until salt crystals are evenly coated. Thinly spread

the salts on a cookie sheet. Cover with wax paper and air dry for 24

hours. Add a tag that says "DO NOT use in a Jacuzzi or whirlpool."

Glycerin Bath Salts

2 cups Epsom salts

1 cup sea salt

3 tbsp glycerin or baby oil

essential oils and/or food coloring

Mix the two salts together and use as base. Take 2 cups and add 3-4

drops of essential oil to scent as desired. Color if desired too.

Glycerin or oil will soften skin, but place warning tag that reads

NOT FOR USE IN JACUZZIS. Store in zip lock bag for two weeks,

shaking daily. Then pour into pretty jars and decorate, or bag up

with colored saran wrap and holiday ribbons.

Lavender Bath Salts

1 c. sea salt

1/2 c. Epsom salt

2 T. baking soda

10 drops essential lavender oil (OR rosemary, lemon, sage,

patchouli, etc.)

colorant

Blend all except baking soda. Blend soda after other ingredients are

mixed. You can also add 1/2 teaspoon of glycerin at this point to

make the salts sparkle. Use 1/4 c. to 1/2 c. for the bath.


Energizing Bath Salts

1 c. Epsom salts

1 c. coarse salt

10-20 drops green food coloring

6 drops eucalyptus oil

10 drops rosemary oil

15 drops peppermint oil

Mix salts in a large bowl. In smaller bowl or ziplock baggie, take

1/4-1/2 cup salt mixture and add oils. MIX WELL. Add back into rest

of salt mixture. Store in airtight container.

Bath Salts with Powdered Color

1 part baking soda

2 parts Epsom salt

3 parts sea salt

Mix it all in a big bowl, then put in a large zip lock freezer bag

along with a tiny amount of powdered pigment. Then shake until the

color is dispersed. It colors the salts wonderfully with no clumps.


Goat's Milk Bath Bomb

2 cups baking soda

1 cup cornstarch

1 cup citric acid

1/2 cup powdered goat's milk (OR powdered buttermilk)

essential oil of your choice

3 T. dendritic salt (optional)

1-2 T. almond oil

coloring (optional)

witch hazel, just enough to moisten

Combine the dry ingredients, except the citric acid.

Add a few drops of your favorite fragrance to the almond oil.

Drizzle this over the mixed dry ingredients. Then you can add the

citric acid.

Mix well and spritz with a little witch hazel. If you overdo the

spritzing, the citric acid will start to fizz. Mist the mixture,

work it in with your hands, and mist some more, about 10 minutes

worth, alternating between the two techniques. When you can grab a

glob in your hand and it stays together like dough, it's ready.

Pack it into balls, or molds of your choice, whatever is handy and

yields about 2 ounces.

Let them sit in the mold about 15 minutes. They pop out easily but

be gentle because they can break at this point. Let them *age* 12

hours to 24 hours to get hard.

A sprinkle of a very fine glitter adds pzazz. When dry, wrap in net

or tulle and tie with a ribbon.

New Moon Milk Bath

2 cups dry nonfat powdered milk (2 1-quart envelopes)

1/2 cup Epsom salts

1/2 cup baking soda

6 drops sandalwood oil

5 drops vanilla fragrance oil

4 drops gardenia fragrance oil

4 drops orange oil

Work the oils into the salts. Mix all ingredients together and pour

into a container. To Use: Pour 1 cup into the bath as you fill the

tub and stir well.

Soothing Oatmeal Milk Bath

1/4 c. baby oatmeal or barley cereal,or blenderized oat flour

1/2 c. powdered milk

1 T. hazelnut oil

6 drops lavender oil

Mix together, then sprinkle under the faucet as the tub fills. Good

for what itches you. Rinse out the tub well after you drain it, to

protect the tub.

Lip Balm

Lip Balm: (intended for ages 12 and over)

1 teaspoon grated paraffin wax (available in blocks in the canning

section of your grocery store)or pure beeswax

2 teaspoons solid vegetable shortening

1 teaspoon pure petroleum jelly

1 drop candy flavoring

Place ingredients into new zipper-style plastic bag and close shut.

Immerse bag into bowl of warm water.

Squeeze the bag with your fingers to mix together the contents until

the mixture liquifies.

Cut bottom corner of bag and squeeze contents into a small sanitized

(boiled)container. Let set. Use to soften lips. This mixture is NOT

a sunscreen.


Aloe Salt Body Scrub

1 cup coarse sea salt

1 cup fine sea salt

half and half mixture of almond oil and edible 100% aloe vera gel to

cover.

Place ingredients into new zipper-style plastic bag and close shut.

Squeeze the bag with your fingers to mix together the contents until

the mixture liquifies.

A natural antiseptic, this scrub is applied after a soaking bath.

Using your hands, a loofah, or a washcloth, rub the mixture all over

your body (but not on the face, not on bottoms of feet, not on open

cuts), using slow, circular movements, from your extremities toward

your torso. Be sure to completely. rinse off .

Oatmeal Soap

Ingredients:

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup soap shavings

1 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil

1 tablespoon water

Method:

Place soap shavings in a plastic bag, and pound them into smaller pieces. Place the soap in a blender, add oatmeal, and pulse until mixture has a grainy consistency. Pour into a bowl and remove any oversized pieces. Add oil and water and begin mixing with your hands. Form into a firm ball and set aside until it is hard. Takes about 2 hours.

Bath Salts

Ingredients:

2 1/2 lb Epsom Salts

Food Coloring

Perfume

Method:

In a large bowl, mix Epsom salts with food coloring and perfume. Mix until the colour is spread out evenly. Put into smaller jars and let stand 4-6 weeks before using so that the perfum can absorb full into the salts.

Almond Lotion

Ingredients:
(Makes 8 Ounces)

1/8 teaspoon borax

1/4 cup distilled water

1/2 cup almond oil

1 Tablespoon grated beeswax

Method:

Combine borax and distilled water and set aside. Heat almond oil and beeswax together until beeswax is almost melted. Remove from heat and stir. Heat borax water to almost boiling. Slowly pour water into the heated oils while stirring with a wire whisk or a mixer. Once the water is completely mixed into the oils allow the mixture to cool. If you would like you could a drop of an essential oil of your choice to add fragrance.


Oatmeal Milk Bath

Ingredients:

1 cup cornstarch

2 cups milk powder

1/2 cup oatmeal (ground finely)

rose petals, lavender, or rosemary (ground finely)

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until well combined (if you have a plastic food processor bowl you may want to do this with a spoon and a bowl because it may scratch it). To use add 1/2 cup to hot bath water.


Cinnamon Oatmeal Milk Bath

Ingredients:

1 cup powered milk

1/2 cup baking soda

1/2 cup finely ground oatmeal

2 tsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. cream of tarter

1 tsp. cinnamon

Method:

Place all ingredients in a food processor and combine.

Herb and Fruit Vinegars

Ingredients:

a variety of fresh herbs (basil, tarragon, rosemary, thyme, or garlic) or berries (rasberries, blackberries, or strawberries)

white wine vinegar

sugar (if you're making berry vinegar)

plastic containers with lids

bottles with lids

Method:

Herb Vinegar
Mix the herbs that you would like together, the amount is up to you. Add four cups of white wine vinegar. Pour the mixture in a plastic container, cover it, and let sit in the dark for three to six weeks. After this time filter the vinegar and add a few fresh herbs. Pour it into a bottle and seal.


Berry Vinegar
Mix a 1/4 cup of sugar with 4 cups of white wine vinegar in a pot and heat until the sugar dissolves. Pour the heated liquid on top of the berries and mash them slightly. Pour the mixture in a plastic container, cover it, and let sit in the dark for three to six weeks. After this time filter the vinegar and add a few fresh berries. Pour it into a bottle and seal.


Flower Potpourri

Ingredients:

petals from fragrant flowers or herbs such as roses, lavender, sweet pea, thyme, mint, or rosemary

Method:

Dry petals on a piece of paper, if they are large, hang them from the ceiling or a coat hanger with string. When they are dry, grind them up in a blender, or with a mortar and pestle (or even two rocks). Pour the dried pieces into a small jar and include these instructions.
To use: Pour this into a bowl and let sit on its own or add some boiling water over it let it work its magic.

You can also pour the dried pieces in the middle of a small piece of fabric, gather the edges, tie it up with a ribbon, and you'll have a sachet that will freshen up a closet or a drawer.


Strawberry Freezer Jam

Ingredients:

1 quart strawberries

4 cups sugar

1 pouch CERTO Liquid Fruit Pectin

2 tbs. lemon juice

Method:

Crush berries thoroughly and place the mush in a large bowl. Add sugar, mix well, and let stand. Mix in the lemon juice and add certo. Stir until all the sugar crystals are dissolved. Quickly pour the strawberry mixture into jars and leave at room temperature to set for about 24 hours.

Store in the freezer until needed for use, then store in the refrigerator for two weeks.





This isn't a Gift in a Jar recipe..I just like it!

Dipped Candles

Ingredients:

paraffin wax

crayons

suitable material for the wicks

a tin can

Method:

Smash the paraffin wax into chunks and place them into the can. Place the can in a pan half way filled with water. Warm the water until the wax melts completely and reaches a tempature of 160 F. Now turn the heat down. Add crayons to the wax until you get the color you want. Check the temp. of the wax and be sure it is still at 160 F. If the wax is lumpy, it isn't hot enough, heat some more before continuing. Dip your wick holding it in between your fingers in for about 3 seconds. Remove wait a couple of seconds. Now repeat the dipping process until the candle is the thickness you desire. If your candle is lumpy, roll the lumps out on a hard surface. Once it is the thickness you wish, increase the heat of the wax to 182 F. Now dip your candle into the hotter wax for 3 seconds and then hang it to cool. This last very hot dip will give your candle a very high shiny finish. While the candle is still a bit warm cut the bottom off.

Soapless Sanitizing Hand Wash

If your hands are really DIRTY, then you will have to wash them first of

course. But if they just need freshening up a bit, then this is a good

alternative.

1 cup aloe vera gel

1 tsps of rubbing alcohol

2 tsp. of glycerine (vegetable glycerine)

tea tree essential oils 8-10 drops

If the constancy needs to be thicker you can add more aloe vera gel.

Don't be scared by the rubbing alcohol, it is a powerful germ killer,

and the tea tree oil is also very antiseptic, plus impart a clean odor

to it.

Soapless Aloe-Based Hand Sanitizer


1 cup Aloe Vera gel

1 teaspoon rubbing alcohol 9 teaspoons

2 teaspoons vegetable glycerine

8-10 dropsTea Tree Oil

Notes:

I radically increased the amount of rubbing alcohol from the original.

After every 2-teaspoon addition had been thoroughly blended into the

mix, I brought it back to my husband and asked him to try it again. We

did this for two reasons. First, I wanted him to repeatedly use the wash

to see how it affected his hands in comparison to the Purell. Second, I

wanted to see when he stopped making faces because it was "something

gooey".

We passed the "I've got something gooey on my hands" stage right around

6 teaspoons. It was at this point that he decided he still wanted a

little more alcohol in it because he felt it could dry just a tad

faster. I agreed with him. So we upped the amount to 9 teaspoons and

reached a compromise on the drying time. He was happy at this point

because it said he no longer felt the slight film that usually sticks

around on his hands when he uses aloe on his skin.

We also upped the amount of tea tree oil. Now, my dropper is not the

standard medical dropper. Mine came attached to the container. I don't

know if my drops were the same size as the original recipe called for;

however, the original amount was quickly overshadowed by the amount of

alcohol that was added. So we upped the tea tree oil about 5 drops at a

time, waiting about 15 minutes between additions to see if the scent

changed significantly. 20 drops seemed like a good number to stop at. It

didn't overpower us, it didn't hide or disappear, but you could

definitely smell it. This stuff will not be mistaken for anything other

than what it should be used for, I'm pretty sure.

Moist Towelettes

20 to 24 Squares of white Bounty-brand paper towels

1 cup Witch Hazel

1 teaspoon Glycerine

Separate and stack each of the paper towel squares from the roll; cut

each square in half. Place the rectangles in front of you vertically,

fold each rectangle into thirds as if you were folding a business

letter. Now fold each in half as if you were closing a book. Combine

Witch Hazel and Glycerine, mix well and pour over towelettes. Let stand

for a few minutes to absorb all of the liquid. Stack in a lidded plastic

container or zip-lock type bag.

Erotic Edible Recipes

Edible Finger Paints

light corn syrup
food coloring

Mix drops of food coloring into the desired amount of corn syrup until the color is right. You can substitute sweetened condensed milk for the corn syrup if you prefer. Keep in mind, food coloring does stain. The more drops you use, the more likely it is to stain. As with any paint, test it on a small spot of skin before using on the rest of your body.

Edible Lotion Bars

2 oz. beeswax
2 oz. coconut oil
1 oz. cocoa butter
1 tb. flavoring extract
Melt the wax on low heat. Add coconut oil and cocoa butter. Remove from heat and add flavoring. Pour into molds, let solidify and pop out.


Edible Massage Oil II

4 oz. apricot kernel oil
4 oz. almond oil
1/2 gram vitamin E
1 tsp. flavor extract
1 oz. glycerin (for a warming effect)
Mix together; the glycerin will separate out, shake to mix.


Warming Chocolate Lotion

2 tb. glycerin
1 tb. cocoa powder
1 tb. melted cocoa butter
Mix well.


Warming Lotion
3 tb. glycerin
2 tb. cocoa butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract


Cooling Gel
4 tb. aloe vera gel
1 tsp. corn syrup or glycerin
1 tsp. mint extract
1-2 drops food coloring


Edible Warming Lotion
2 oz. glycerin
1/2 oz. corn syrup
1/2 tsp. flavoring extract


Sensual Massage Oil
4 drops rose e.o.
4 drops jasmine e.o.
3 drops sandalwood e.o.
2 drops ylang-ylang e.o.
2 drops neroli e.o.
2 drops frankincense e.o.
4 oz. almond, grapeseed or jojoba oil


Sensual Blend

(perfume, soak unscented incense sticks in, aromatherapy lamp/oil burner, massage blend, bath blend, add a drop or two to candle wax as it is burning)
2 parts patchouli e.o.
1 part vanilla e.o.
1 part sandalwood e.o.
1 part jasmine e.o.


Love Oil (a personal lubricant)
1/4 cup glycerin 1/4 tsp. flavoring extract (vanilla, cinnamon, cherry, etc.)
1 drop food coloring
Mix well and bottle. This is a waterbased, edible lotion, and is safe to use with latex products.


Ambrosia Bath Salts
Mix with 1 cup salt:
3 drops jasmine e.o.
3 drops rose e.o.
3 drops neroli e.o.
3 drops sandalwood e.o.
a few drops red food coloring
Add 1/2 cup to bath.


Sensuous Scented Sheet Spray
1 oz. distilled water or rosewater
1 drop jasmine e.o.
1 drop ylang-ylang e.o.
2 drops sandalwood e.o.
Shake well, spray on bed sheets; let dry.


Edible Body Paint
Mix 1 packet unflavored gelatin in 1/4 cup hot water. Set aside. Separately, combine:
1/2 cup cornstarch
Cook over low heat until thickened. Add gelatin mixture and 1/4 cup glycerin. Divide into small bowls and tint with food coloring, and a few drops flavoring extract. It should be noted this will stain sheets, skin and clothing, but is washable.


Edible Body Paint
3 tb. beeswax
3 tb. coconut oil
3 tb. cocoa butter
1 tb. honey powder (optional)
1/2 tsp. flavoring extract
food coloring to suit
Melt the 1st 3 ingredients, stir in the honey, flavoring and color.
Pour into tubes or other containers.


Edible Finger Paint
1 tb. shea butter
1 tb. aloe vera gel
2 tsp. corn syrup
1 tsp. flavor extract
food coloring as desired
Melt the shea butter, mix in the aloe gel and corn syrup. Mix with a hand blender until emulsified and cool, add flavoring and color.


Whipped Body Cream
2 tb. beeswax
1 tb. jojoba oil
1 tb. mango butter
1 tb. cocoa butter
1 tb. coconut oil
1 tb. flavoring extract
1 tb. honey powder (optional)
Melt butters and wax, stir in oils. Mix in honey powder. When cooled, beat in 5 tb. aloe gel until fluffy.


Edible Body Gel
Make flavored Jell-O according to directions on box, but add 1/4 cup additional water. Pour into squeeze bottles. This also will stain.


Honey Dust
Mix 1/4 cup cornstarch with powdered honey to taste and a few drops honeysuckle fragrance oil. Sift.


Edible Honey Dusting Powder
1 cup cornstarch
1 tb. vanilla powder
1 tb. honey powder
1 tsp. honey
Mix with a fork until finely powdered. Sift.


Edible Body Powder
8 oz. cornstarch
2 oz. honey powder
2 oz. vanilla powder
Mix well and sift.


An erotic evening can begin by enhancing the mood through soft music and lighting. Finger foods like chocolate-dipped fruits, sesame and honey candy, spiced wine or amaretto liqueur, incense, candles are all good, too.

Progress to a sensual massage on soft, fluffy pillows, or a scented bath for two if your tub will allow...relax, unwind and enjoy!

12 Storage Tips for Frozen Foods
by Jean Anderson author of Dinners in a Dish or a Dash


General tips:

Do not try to freeze or store food at less than 0°F.
Keep a freezer thermometer handy and check freezer temperature from
time to time.
Never put hot food in a freezer.
Never refreeze frozen food that has thawed.
Commercial frozen foods:

Transfer at once from shopping bags to freezing surface of 0°F. freezer
and leave there several hours.
In any packages were ripped in transit, overwrap in plastic food wrap,
slip into plastic bag, press out air, and seal.


Home-frozen foods:

Always cool hot food before setting in freezer.
Spoon cooled food into 1-pint and 1-quart freezer containers, filling
to within 1/2 inch of top.
Snap on lids, label, date, and set on freezing surface of 0°F.
When solidly frozen, move to upper freezer shelves.
Freezing fresh herbs

Mince herbs, then spoon 1 tablespoon into each compartment of an ice
cube tray, keeping different herbs separate.
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons water to each compartment and freeze.
Pop frozen "herb cubes" into plastic zipper bags, label, date, and
store in freezer. Maximum storage time is 3 months.
To use, drop solidly frozen cubes into sauce, soup or stew, remembering
that 1 cube = 1 tablespoon freshly chopped herb or 1 teaspoon dried
herb.
Freezing Fresh Ginger

Wrap unpeeled "hand" of ginger in plastic food wrap.
Slip into plastic zipper bag, press out air, seal, label, and date.
Store on freezer door shelf. Maximum storage time is 4 months.
To use, cut off the amount you need. A 1-inch square = 1 tablespoon
minced ginger.

Freezer DO's and DON'TS
Foods you should not freeze: Cottage cheese ( have frozen in
cassaroles turned out ok) Whipping cream Cream cheese ( have frozen
in MAM mashed potatoes ok here too) Eggs, raw or hard cooked

Sour cream ( have frozen in stroganoff, and MAM potatoes- ok)

Cake icings made with egg whites become foamy.

Cream fillings and soft frostings have an undesirable texture.

Pies made with custard or cream fillings become watery or lumpy.

Cooked egg white become tough and rubbery.

Fried foods tend to lose their crispness and become soggy.

Fruit jelly in sandwiches may soak into the bread.

Soft cheese (such as cream cheese) becomes watery with an undesirable
texture.

Mayonnaise separates.

Sour cream becomes thin and watery.

Potatoes cooked in soups and stews become mushy and may darken.

THESE FOODS CHANGE SOMEWHAT DURING FREEZING:

Gravies and other fat-based sauces may separate and need to be
recombined by stirring or processing in the blender.

Thickened sauces may need thinning after freezing; thin with broth or
milk.

Seasonings such as onions, herbs and flavorings used in recipes can
change during freezing. These are best added during reheating to
obtain accurate flavors.

Vegetables, pastas and grains used in cooked recipes usually are
softer after freezing and reheating. Undercook before freezing or add
when dish is reheated.

Heavy cream can be frozen if used for cooking, but will not whip.

Some yogurts may suffer texture changes.

Raw vegetables lose their crispness, but can be used for cooking,
stews, etc.

Cheeses change texture in the freezer. Most hard cheeses turn
crumbly, which makes them okay for grating, but not for slicing

Getting Started

STEP ONE: Choose 20 recipes.
This will last a family of 4 about 4 weeks, (allowing for leftovers,
eat-out nights, scratch cooking nights, baked potato nights, etc.)
Try to have a balance of casseroles, soups, stews, pasta, meats,
ethnic foods and so on.

STEP TWO: Make up a master grocery list.
Make sure you list EVERY SINGLE ITEM you will need. Include products
like aluminum foil, freezer bags and scouring pads. Don't forget
simple things like flour, salt and sugar. (You don't want to run out
of something on cooking day!) Once you have your list, check off the
items you will need to purchase.

STEP THREE: Start a notebook of your very own recipes.
Either copy the recipe or rewrite it on a 8x11 sheet (one recipe per
page). On cooking day, you will be taping these up around your
kitchen, so you don't want to have to hassle with cookbooks or recipe
cards. Organize them to your liking in a 3-ring notebook. After a few
months, you'll have a nice notebook full of recipes that WORK!!!

STEP FOUR: Read through each recipe and break it down into simple
steps.
On a sheet, list the recipe names in columns. Write the steps
underneath. Do it in an order that makes sense to you. Then take
similar steps from ALL the recipes and do them together.

Example: To make spaghetti sauce and lasagna
chop onion (x cups or x pounds of onions)
grate cheese (x cups or ounces)
chop peppers
chop veggies
mince garlic
combine cheeses
brown meat and drain
make layers
add tomatoes
wrap pan and freeze
simmer
bag and freeze

On cooking day, do similar tasks together, i.e. all the chopping,
sauteeing, peeling, boiling. Put soups and stews which will cook for
a long time on early to simmer. Then put the casseroles together;
wrap carefully and put in the bottom of a chest freezer or on the
bottom of shelves. (They take up more room and also take longer to
freeze).

STEP FIVE: Label your items!
Put a "sharpie" indelible marker on your shopping list if you don't
have one. Ink pen is not legible and regular markers run. Include any
preparation instructions on a piece of paper slipped inside the
double bag. Be sure to write down the number of servings! (You will
not remember!)

STEP SIX: On cooking day, start as early as you can and dress to
WORK.
Wear comfortable, supportive shoes. Have a change of aprons ready and
lots of clean towels. Clear off your countertops and clutter so that
you have maximum workspace. Tape up the recipes where you can see
them in plastic page protectors. You will be amazed at how quickly
things go together if you've done steps ahead of time (the chopping,
browning, etc.)

STEP SEVEN: Evaluate how your OAMC session went.
Make notes on your recipes if you want to make any changes the next
time. Clean up your kitchen so that you don't have to face that mess
tomorrow!

STEP EIGHT: Don't cook dinner on your big day!
Order in a pizza, go to a friend's house or beg your husband to take
you out to eat. If you are short on funds, save your crockpot for
your evening meal so that you don't have to fix another dish. You
will be TIRED, but it will be worth it.

Recommended Freezing times

Maximum Food-Storage Times FOOD / FRIDGE(36 to 40 degrees) / FREEZER
(0 or lower degrees) Roasts (beef) 3 to 5 days 6 to 12 months Roasts
(lamb) 3 to 5 days 6 to 9 months Roasts (pork, veal) 3 to 5 days 4 to
8 months

Steaks (beef) 3 to 5 days 6 to 12 months

Chops (lamb) 3 to 5 days 6 to 9 months

Chops (pork) 3 to 5 days 3 to 4 months

Ground and stew meats 1 to 2 days 3 to 4 months

Sausage (pork) 1 to 2 days 1 to 2 months

Cooked meat and meat dishes 3 to 4 days 2 to 3 months

Bacon 7 days 1 month

Frankfurters 7 days 1 to 2 months

Ham (whole) 7 days 1 to 2 months

Luncheon meats 3 to 5 days 1 to 2 months

Sausage (smoked) 7 days 1 to 2 months

Chicken and Turkey (whole) 1 to 2 days 12 months

Chicken pieces 1 to 2 days 9 months

Turkey pieces 1 to 2 days 6 months

Duck and Goose (whole) 1 to 2 days 6 months

Cooked Poultry w/broth /gravy 1 to 2 days 6 months

Cooked Poultry pieces, no gravy 3 to 4 days 1 month

Cooked Poultry dishes 3 to 4 days 4 to 6 months

Fat Fish 1 to 2 days 4 months

Lean Fish 1 to 2 days 8 months

Egg whites 2 to 4 days 9 to 12 months

Whole eggs 4 weeks 9 to 12 months

Yolks 2 to 3 days 9 to 12 months

Cottage Cheese 5 days Not recommended

Hard cheese 3 to 4 months 6 months

Soft cheese 2 weeks 4 months

Ice Cream 1 to 3 months

Margarine and Butter 7 days 3 to 6 months

Milk 3 months

Yogurt plain 1-2 months

Flavored yogurt 6 months

Juices citrus 4-6 months

Juices non-citrus 8-12 months

Home prepared foods 3 months

Bread, Cakes, cookies ( baked/unbaked) , casseroles, 3 months

Pies unbaked fruit 8 months

Home frozen veggies 10 months

Purchased veggies 8 months.

Make sure all food is in well sealed containers or wrapping. Please
remember to never try to refreeze any food that has thawed out. You
will risk food poisoning.

Pizza Casserole

2 pounds ground beef, 1 onion chopped, 2 jars
(28oz) spagetti sauce, 1 package of spiral pasta cooked
and drained, 4 cups mozzarella cheese, 8 oz. sliced
pepperonis,

In large skillet cook meat and onion. Drain and stir
in sauce and pasta. Transfer to 2 greased 13x9 pans.
Sprinkle with cheese arange peppornis on top. cover and
freeze 1 casserole. Bake second uncovered for 25-30
minutes at 350 degrees. Enjoy!

SALSA MIX IN A JAR

1 1/2 cups dried cilantro
1 teaspoon garlic powder (more to taste)
1/2 cup dried chopped onion
1/4 cup dried red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients until well blended. Put into a 1-pint
jar.

Put the following instructions on a gift tag:

Spicy Salsa
Blend 2 tablespoons salsa mix with one 10 ounce can Mexican-style tomatoes.
Serve with tortilla chips.

Salsa Spread
Blend 2 tablespoons salsa mix with 1 cup softened cream cheese. Serve with crackers or tortilla chips.

Potato Soup Mix

1 3/4 cups instant mashed potato flakes
1 1/2 cups dry milk powder
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt (I use 1/2 teaspoon salt)

Combine potato flakes, dry milk, bouillon granules, onion, parsley, pepper,
thyme, turmeric and seasoning salt in a bowl and stir to mix. Pour into a 1
quart jar.

Attach the following instructions:
To serve, place 1/2 cup soup mix in bowl. Stir in 1 cup boiling water until
smooth.


Servings Per Recipe: 6
per serving
WW Points: 3 per serving
Calories 162
Protein 12.1g
Total Fat 0.3g
Sodium 438mg
** Cholesterol 6mg
Carbohydrates 27.7g
Fiber 1.1g

FRIENDSHIP SOUP IN A JAR

1/2 cup dry split peas
1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
1/4 cup pearl barley
1/3 cup dry lentils
1/4 cup dried minced onion
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/2 cup small macaroni

Additional Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
3 quarts water
1 can diced tomatoes

In a 1 1/2 pint jar, layer the first eight ingredients in order
listed. Seal tightly. Yields 1 batch.

To prepare soup, carefully remove macaroni from the top and set aside.

In a large saucepan, or Dutch oven, brown beef and drain. Add the water,
tomatoes and soup mix. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45
minutes. Add the reserved macaroni, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or
until macaroni, peas, lentils and barley are tender.

Yields 4 quarts.

Ranch Dressing Mix
3 1/2 tb Salt
3 1/4 tsp Msg
4 1/4 tsp Parsley flakes
3 3/4 tsp Garlic powder
3 tsp Pepper
1 3/4 tsp Onion powder

Add to make dressing:
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 cup Buttermilk

Mix salt, MSG, parsley, garlic, pepper and onion powder. Store in airtight
container in frig till ready to use. Salt can be substituted for MSG.

YIELD: about 4 pints of dressing

TO USE: Combine mayo and buttermilk with 3 1/8 tsp dry mix. Refrigerating 24
hours prior to use makes better flavor. Stir well before using


Creamy Herb (Italian) Dressing:
7 tb Salt
4 1/4 tsp Oregano
3 3/4 tsp Garlic powder
3 tsp Pepper
1 3/4 tsp Onion powder
Blue Cheese:
To one pint of basic dressing, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup Blue Cheese.


Cajun Seasoning
2 1/4 Teaspoon Oregano
2 1/4 Teaspoon Thyme
2 1/4 Teaspoon Paprika
2 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
2 1/4 Teaspoon Garlic powder
2 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne pepper
2 1/4 Teaspoon Black pepper
2 1/4 Teaspoon White pepper
Mix and store.

Chili Seasoning Mix
4 3/4 tsp All-purpose Flour
3 3/4 tb Instant Minced Onion
3 ts Chili Powder
2 1/2 tsp Salt
3/4 tsp Dried red pepper; crushed
3/4 tsp Instant Minced Garlic
3/4 tsp Sugar
3/4 tsp Ground Cumin
Mix and store. To make chili, brown 1 lb Lean ground beef and drain, add 2 cans
kidney beans and 2-16 oz cans tomatoes, add chili seasoning mix, simmer
10 minutes.


Salt Substitute
5 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 3/4 teaspoon each dried parsley flakes, basil, marjoram and thyme
2 teaspoon rubbed sage
2 1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground mace
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Mix and store.

Vegetable Dip Mix
8 Tbsp dried chives
4 tsp. dill weed
3 tsp. garlic salt
3 tsp. paprika
Mix well and store. This recipe makes 3 batches of dip.
To make dip, mix 1/3 of mix to 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 cup mayonnaise, and 1 cup
sour cream. Chill before serving.


Five Spice Powder
3 T ground cinnamon
3 T ground ginger
3 T ground anise
3 T ground fennel seed
3 T ground clove
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper (optional)
Mix and store.


Blackened Seasoning Mix
3 T. paprika
5 t. salt
3 t. onion powder
4 t. garlic powder
3 t. cayenne
3 t. white pepper
2 t. black pepper
2 t. thyme
1 t. oregano
Mix and store.


Poultry Seasoning
2 1/2 t black pepper
2 1/2 t onion powder
2 1/2 t garlic
2 1/2 t celery salt
2 1/2 t paprika
2 1/2 t sage
2 1/2 t powdered rosemary
1/2 t oregano
Mix and store.


Mild Barbecue Seasoning
3 3/4 T. salt
3 1/2 T. sugar
2 3/4 T. ground cumin
1 3/4 T. black pepper
1 3/4 T. chili powder
3 1/2 T. paprika
Mix and store.


Bouquet of Spices for Dipping Bread
1 Teaspoon of Dried Basil
1 Teaspoon of Ground Black Pepper
1 Teaspoon of Dried Cumin
2 Teaspoon of Dried or Fresh Garlic
2 Teaspoons of Dried Red Pepper
3 Teaspoons of Dried Rosemary
4 Teaspoons of Salt
4 Teaspoons of Dried Oregano
Mix and store.

Seasoned-Rice Mix

I made this one up. My kids love it. It was a bit
salty, so I added more rice. It turned out great. My kids
like it better then Rice-A-Roni

3 cups uncooked rice(I used 4 cups)
1/4 cup dried parsley flakes
6 TBS instant chicken or beef bouillon powder
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dried thyme

Mix all the ingredients, and store in an airtight container.

To use: Put 1 cup rice mix, 2 TBS margarine or butter and
2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover,
reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender.

Note Posted by cofee_iv:
I don't know if this helps, but I understand 1 teaspoon of salt or boullion
per 1 cup liquid (water)

Pizza Sauce

One quick pizza sauce I make is this:

1 small can (8 oz.) tomatoe sauce
1 teaspoon oregano
1/8 teaspoon ground red cayenne pepper

I take off the top of the can and carefully stir the spices
right into the can, then pour on top two pizzas.

Onion Soup Mix(dry mix)

3/4 cup instant minced onion
1/3 cup beef-flavor instant bouillon
4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp celery seed, crushed
1/4 tsp sugar

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container.

5 Tablespoons= 1 package of onion soup mix

Homemade taco and cajun seasonings

TACO SEASONING
6 tsp. chili powder
5 tsp. paprika
4 1/2 tsp. cumin
3 tsp. onion powder
2 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 - 1/4 tsp. cayenne

7 teaspoons = 1.25 oz. package


CAJUN SEASONING
1 Tb. paprika
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. cayenne
3/4 tsp. white pepper
3/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. oregano

Homemade Shake and Bake
from the Tightwad Gazette

4 cups flour
4 cups ground crackers (I get a box of saltines at Aldi's for 39 cents)
or cracker meal
4 tbsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
3 tbsp paprika
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Mix well and store indefinitely in the refrigerator in a covered
container (I use an old ice cream bucket or coffee can). You can
change the spices according to what you like, ie. Italian seasonings,
Cajun, Mexican, Asian, etc.

To cook: Dip meat in any liquid (egg, buttermilk, milk, salad dressing)
then in the shake and bake. Put on baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees
for 20-30 for boneless chicken or fish strips, an hour for chicken pieces
with bones (ie drums and thighs, as long as possible for bone-in breasts).

Homemade Hot Cocoa

It taste just like the pkg stuff.

4 cups powdered milk
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 cup sugar

Mix all together.Put in a ziplock bag or container.

Pour hot water into a mug. Add 2 heaping TBS of cocoa mix. Do I need
to tell you to stir now LOL.

My kids are out sleeping in the tent in our yard tonight. So I made
them some so they will feel like they are camping. How fun it
is to be a kid.

Homemade Chocolate Pudding Mix

3/4 cup powdered milk
7/8 cup cornstarch, 1 cup minus 2 Tbsp
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt, rounded

Combine all the dry ingredients and store in an airtight container.
The mix fits in a quart jar.

To prepare:
Add 2/3 cup mix to a saucepan. Add 2 cups milk and stir until blended.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer while stirring constantly until
thickened. Cool and serve. Freeze to make fudgsicles!

HERBAL NO SALT SEASONING
Makes 1 cup

1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried lemon peel

Mix all ingredients together. Store extra in airtight container.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

First make the HomeMade Hamburger Helper Seasoning Mix and store it in a
resealable container:

Hamburger Helper Seasoning Mix

1 1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. dried parsley
1/3 cup instant onion
3 Tbsp. onion powder
1 Tbsp. salt
1 2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder
3 1/2 Tbsp. beef bouillon granules

Yield: 5 1/2 cup servings

Cornbread Master MixBread
easy
Instead of Jiffy mix, try keeping this on hand

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Sift and store in airtight container. I use ziploc bags.
To use add to mix:
l egg
1 cup milk
4 Tbsp. softened shortening

Beat together until smooth. Pour batter into muffin cups. Bake 425 for 15-20
minutes.

Makes 6 muffins.

Variations: I have used olive oil for the softened shortening. I have added an
eyeball amount of salsa to the batter. I have used egg replacer to replace the
egg.

Condensed Soup Mix

2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
3/4 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup chicken bouillon powder
1 teaspoon dried basil (optional)
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Using an air tight container combine dry milk, cornstarch, onion flakes, pepper
and chicken bouillon. If desired also add basil and thyme. Mix well and store
in the refrigerator or freezer.

When using the mix combine 1/3 cup of the mix with 1 1/4 cups of water in
saucepan. Cook and stir until thickened.



Makes 9 servings

Calories 154
Protein 10.8g
Total Fat 0.7g
Sodium 1101mg
Cholesterol 7mg
Carbohydrates 25.6g
Fiber 0.3g

It is great to make your own condensed soup mix since it makes your soups taste better. It also contains 1/3 less calories and sodium than store bought condensed soup. You can make this any flavor you desire. Just add a different flavor of bouillon granules. "

Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal

1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats -- raw
1 cup mixed dried fruit -- or raisins
1/4 cup chopped nuts -- optional
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
milk -- optional

Stir together oats, dried fruit bits or raisins, nuts (optional),
brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Cover tightly and store at
room temperature. Makes 2 2/3 cups mix.

1 serving: Use 3/4 cup water and 2/3 cup oat mixture.

For 4 servings: In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups water to a boil.
Slowly add oat mix to boiling water, stirring constantly. Cook for 1
minute; stirring constantly. Cover; remove from heat. Let stand 1 to 3
minutes or till desired thickness. If desired, serve with milk.


Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 288 Calories; 7g Fat (21.2% calories
from fat); 7g Protein; 53g Carbohydrate; 6g Dietary Fiber;
0mg Cholesterol; 146mg Sodium.

Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1 Fruit; 1 1/2 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.

BUTTERMILK PANCAKE AND WAFFLE MIX

2 cups dry buttermilk powder
8 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cups sugar
8 tsp baking powder
4 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt

In a large bowl , combine all ingredients. Stir with a wire whisk
until evenly distributed. Pour into a 12-cup container with a tight
fitting lid. Seal container, label and date. Store in a cool. dry
place. Use within 6 months.

Makes about 10 1/2 cups

Buttermilk Waffles
2 1/2 Cups BUTERMILK PANCAKE AND WAFFLE MIX
2 cups water
3 eggs, seperated
1/4 cup Veg oil

Preheat waffle baker. In a large bowl, combine WAFFLE
Mix, water, egg yolks and oil. Beat with a wire wisk
until just blended. In a medium bowl, beat egg whites
until stiff. Fold into Egg yolk mixture. Bake according
to waffle iron instructions.
Makes 3-4 large waffles.

BUTTERMILK PANCAKES
1 egg beaten
2 tbsp Veg oil
1 cup water, or more if desired
1 1/2 cups BUTTERMILK PANCAKE AND WAFFLE MIX

In a medium bowl, combine egg, oil, and 1 cup water.
With a wire whisk, stir in the Pancake Mix until blended.
Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in additional water for a thinner batter.
Preheat griddle and lightly oil. Pour about 1/3 cup batter onto
griddle to make one pancake. Cook 35-45 seconds.
Makes ten 4-inch pancakes.

Brownie Mix

After the mix is made, kids can easily/quickly
make this recipe up. This would also make a great
Christmas gift in a jar with and a ribbon tied on with the
recipe for the brownies:

6 cup flour
4 tsp. bkg. powder
4 tsp. salt
8 cup sugar
1 can (8 oz.) baking cocoa
2 cup shortening

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, except shortening. With
a pastry blender, cut in shortening until evenly distributed. Store
in a large airtight container in cupboard.
Kepps 10-12 weeks.

Yield: About 17 cups of mix.

BROWNIES FROM ABOVE MIX:
2 1/2 cup brownie mix
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350°.In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Beat
with a spoon until smooth. Spread into greased 8-inch square pan.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until top tests done. Cut into squares while
warm. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

I prefer to double this recipe and bake in a 9x13 pan.

Breakfast Sausage Seasonings

Below is something I worked on yesterday because I found some very lean ground
pork at a local mom and pop grocery in town for $1 a pound.

Sage sausage (much like jimmy dean). These are the ingredients for each pound
of pork. I bought 8 pounds to make the sausage and then freeze into 12 patties
per pound.

16 ounces ground pork
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage (I use half this amount)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon coriander
1/4 teaspoon MSG

Bisquick Clone

You've got a hankerin' for pancakes but you've run out of Bisquick.
Not to worry. Now you can make a clone of the popular baking mix at
home with just four simple ingredients. Store-bought Bisquick includes
shortening, salt, flour and leavening, so that's exactly what we need
to duplicate it at home. This recipe makes about 6 cups of the stuff,
which, just like the real thing, you can keep sealed up in a container
in your pantry until it's flapjack time. Then you just add milk and
eggs for pancakes or waffles, or only milk if it's biscuits you want.
You'll find all those recipes below in Tidbits.

4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup shortening

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Add shortening and mix with an electric mixer on medium speed until
all shortening is blended with the flour.
3. Use the mix as you would the real thing by following directions on
the box.

Tidbits
Here are recipes to help you make Pancakes, Waffles and Biscuits using
the cloned version of the mix as you would the real thing:

Pancakes: Stir 2 cups Bisquick clone mix with 1 cup milk and 2 eggs in
a bowl until blended. Pour 1/4 cup portions onto a hot griddle. Cook
until edges are dry. Turn; cook until golden. Makes 14 pancakes.

Waffles: Stir 2 cups Bisquick clone mix with 1 1/3 cups milk, 1 egg,
and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a bowl until blended. Pour onto hot
waffle iron. Bake until the steaming stops. Makes 12 4-inch waffles.

Biscuits: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Stir 2 1/4 cups Bisquick clone
mix with 2/3 cup milk. When dough forms, turn it out onto a surface
sprinkle with extra mix. Knead 10 times. Roll dough 1/2-inch thick.
Cut with 2 1/2-inch cutter. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake
for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes 9 biscuits.

Big Batch Taco Seasoning Recipe

Much much cheaper than buying the little packages! Also doesn't have a
thickener like the store bought packages do. If you want a thickener
in it, add one cup of flour.

1 cup chili powder
3/4 cup paprika
3/4 cup ground cumin
1/2 cup onion powder
1/4 cup garlic powder
1/8 cup salt

Put ingredients in a mid sized bowl and mix it up good.

How to measure it:

If you do not use a thickener: Add 3 tablespoons to every pound of
cooked ground beef.

If you use a thickener: Add 3/4 cup water for every pound of cooked
ground beef; bring to a simmer. Add 1/4 cup taco seasoning and stir
till thickened.

This will season about 20 pounds of ground beef. If you buy your packets
@ 33 cents, this would cost you $6.60. If you buy your taco seasoning for
50 cents per packet you would be paying $10 for the same amount of seasoning.
I can make this batch of seasoning for just under $3.00