Life Tastes Good Again

My favorite gluten free cookbook

http://www.eatingglutenfree.com/cookbookinfo/

Many of these recipes are also available online. See left hand column for links from these great authors.

Make Ahead Gluten Free Flour Mix

Tips on Solving the Gluten Flour Mystery Mix

http://www.theglutenfreelifestyle.com/gluten-free-flour-mix.html

GF FLOUR MIX MYSTERY CLUE #1: A Flour Combo Works Best

A combination of GF flours is important to making a transitional GF Mix for breads and pastries. Rice flour is a cornerstone ingredient for much of GF baking, but if you simply substitute rice flour for wheat flour, you can create a gritty mess that will produce a product resembling that of a brick. For example, brown or white rice flour works well in combination with potato flour and tapioca flour. The fine powdery quality of potato starch flour makes the dough lighter helping to balance and smooth out the “gritty” texture of rice flour while tapioca flour helps prevent crumbling, assists browning and provides a chewy quality to your bread.

GF FLOUR MIX MYSTERY CLUE #2: The Flour Ratio Is Key

When combining GF flours for your mix, the ratios are also important because each flour has a unique texture and quality of absorption. For your GF Flour Mix, rice flour serves as a good base flour to which you add potato flour starch and “polish” with tapioca flour. Not all GF flour blends have to be made with rice flour as the headlining flour, but according to Carol Fenster of Savory Palate, Inc., potato starch usually comprises no more than approximately 33% of the mix while tapioca flour typically accounts for about 20% of your mix. While ratios of these flours can vary depending on your recipes, when you are making a GF Flour Mix in bulk for multi uses these proportions serve as a general guideline.

GF FLOUR MIX MYSTERY CLUE #3: The Flour Stretch Is Critical

Baking with gluten-free flours requires additional tender loving care to make it work. Without gluten, you do not have the key factor of pliability that helps you work the dough and keep the bread together after it is baked. So, you must add extendibility to your dough with xanthan gum, the most widely used “protein” replacement. Guar gum is an alternative to xanthan gum. But, once again, the mystery ensues when you ponder how much xanthan gum to add to your GF Flour Mix. Thankfully, Bette Hagman has already cracked the “stretch factor” case and recommends a specific formula for adding xanthan gum to your GF Flour Mix. According to Hagman: add ¾ teaspoon per cup of flour for breads; ½ teaspoon per cup of flour for cakes; and ¼ to ½ teaspoon per cup of flour for cookies. Because GF flours lack the stretchy protein known as gluten, in addition to xanthan gum you will need to add more leavening or protein to your recipe such as egg whites, gelatin, or dry milk powder. (Source: The Gluten-Free Gourmet Revised Edition by Bette Hagman, page 39).

Gluten-free Flour Formulas

Mix these flour formulas in the proportions given and use them to substitute cup for cup for all-purpose wheat flour.

General Baking Mixes - Simple Substitute
Mary Schluckebier, makes 1 cup

1 cup brown rice flour

General Baking Mix #1
Carol Fenster, cookbook author, makes 2 cups

1 cup rice flour
1/2-3/4 cup potato starch
¼ cup tapioca starch/flour

General Baking Mix #2
Carol Fenster, makes 9 cups

3 cups garfava bean flour
2 cups potato starch
2 cups cornstarch
1 cup tapioca flour
1 cup sorghum flour

Original formula
Bette Hagman, cookbook author, makes 3 cups

2 cups rice flour
2/3 cup potato starch
1/3 cup tapioca starch/flour

Four Flour Bean
Bette Hagman, makes 3 cups

2/3 cup garfava bean flour
1/3 cup sorghum flour
1 cup cornstarch
1 cup tapioca starch/flour

Many recipes that call for gluten-free flour mix work just as well or better using a blend of bean flours combined with other gluten-free flours. These blends are higher in fiber, protein and other nutrients, have a great smooth texture and are more filling and satisfying than rice-flour blends. Bean flours work best with flavorful recipes that complement and mellow the nut-like, slightly bitter flavor of ground beans. Bean-flour blends work especially well in cookies (chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, graham crackers), spice cakes (carrot cake, applesauce bars, banana bars) and spice muffins (apple cinnamon muffins, banana muffins, pumpkin muffins). Cover the mix and store in a cool place or the refrigerator.

Featherlight
Bette Hagman, makes 3 cups

1 cup rice flour
1 cup cornstarch
1 cup tapioca starch/flour
1 Tbsp. potato flour


Specialty Mixes

Pastry mix

Mary Schluckebier, makes 1 cup

1/8 cup potato flour
7/8 cup Ener-G Foods© rice flour

Cookie mix
Mary Schluckebier, makes 2 cups

¼ cup chickpea flour
1¾ cup sorghum flour
¼ cup sweet rice flour

Bread Mix
Mary Schluckebier , makes 2 cups

1 cup brown rice flour
½ cup potato starch
½ cup sweet rice flour
1 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin

Birthday Cake Flour Blend
2 cups white rice flour
2/3 cup tapioca starch
1/3 cup potato starch
Mix together well and place in a dry container.

Gluten Free Flour Mix 2

Contains milk powder.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup milk powder
1 cup tapioca starch
2 cups white rice flour
2 cups potato starch
1 tbsp guar gum

Gluten Intolerance - Celiac Disease

Gluten intolerance or celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder passed down through families. When a person with celiac disease eats or drinks anything containing gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, or sometimes oats (including medications), the immune system responds by damaging the lining of the intestinal tract. This damage affects the body's ability to absorb nutrients.

Though the symptoms may appear similar, gluten intolerance is not a food allergy but rather an inherited autoimmune disease. The body's immune system mistakenly identifies gluten as harmful. This leads to inflammation and damage in the small intestine. A food allergy to wheat results instead in an allergic response, with symptoms such as itchiness and rash.

Damage to the small intestine can occur when a person with gluten intolerance consumes even a small amount of gluten. Symptoms can include abdominal pain and diarrhea.

The intestinal damage weakens the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food. This can lead to malnutrition and related conditions, such as weight loss, osteoporosis and infertility. Patients may also face increased risk of conditions including diabetes, thyroid disease, lupus, rheumatoid, arthritis and some cancers.

It is important to note that although some people with gluten intolerance suffer severe symptoms, others have no symptoms. People who do not experience symptoms, however, may still suffer damage to the small intestine.

Diagnosis of gluten intolerance usually involves blood tests and may include a biopsy of the small intestine.

The GF diet is a life long commitment and should not be started before being properly diagnosed with CD/DH. Starting the diet without complete testing is not recommended and makes diagnosis later more difficult. Tests to confirm CD could be negative if a person were on the GF diet for very long. A valid test would require reintroducing gluten (a gluten challenge) before testing. Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disease and confirmation of CD will help future generations be aware of the risk of CD within the family.

http://www.gfutah.org/GettingStarted.htm

Household Tips for Vinegar

Household tips for Vinegar
Heinz® Vinegar

1. Milk cows organically -Clean milking equipment with unperfumed dish detergent followed with a Heinz Vinegar rinse. Pipes, hoses, and bulk tank will come out squeaky clean without any odor, lowering the bacteria count.
2. Kill bacteria in meats -Marinating meat in Heinz Vinegar kills bacteria and tenderizes the meat. Use one-quarter cup vinegar for a two to three pound roast, marinate overnight, then cook without draining or rinsing the meat. Add herbs to the vinegar when marinating as desired.
3. Dissolve warts -Mix one part Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar to one part glycerin into a lotion and apply daily to warts until they dissolve.
4. Remove stubborn stains from furniture upholstery and clothes -Apply Heinz White Vinegar directly to the stain, then wash as directed by the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Grow beautiful azaleas -Occasionally water plants with a mixture of two tablespoons Heinz White Vinegar to one quart water. Azaleas love acidic soil.
6. Relieve arthritis -Before each meal, drink a glass of water containing two teaspoons Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar. Give this folk remedy at least three weeks to start working.
7. Kill unwanted grass -Pour Heinz White Vinegar in crevices and between bricks.
8. Remove corns -Make a poultice of one crumbled piece of bread soaked in one-quarter cup Heinz Vinegar. Let poultice sit for one-half hour, then apply to the corn and tape in place overnight. If corn does not peel off by morning, reapply the poultice for several consecutive nights.
9. Clean the hoses and unclog soap scum from a washing machine -Once a month pour one cup of Heinz White Vinegar into the washing machine and run the machine through a normal cycle, without clothes.
10. Cure an upset stomach -Drink two teaspoons Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar in one cup water to soothe an upset stomach.
11. Kill germs on bathroom fixtures -Use one part Heinz Vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle. Spray the bathroom fixtures and floor, then wipe clean. Clean soap scum, mildew, and grime from bathtub, tile, and shower curtains. Simply wipe the surface with Heinz Vinegar and rinse with water.
12. Deodorize the air -Heinz Vinegar is a natural air freshener when sprayed in a room.
13. Relieve itching -Use a cotton ball to dab mosquito and other bug bites with Heinz Vinegar straight from the bottle.
14. Clean lime deposits and calcium sludge from an automatic drip coffee maker -Once a month fill the reservoir with Heinz White Vinegar and run through the brew cycle. Rinse thoroughly with two cycles of cold water.
15. Relieve a sore throat -Put two teaspoons of Heinz Vinegar in your humidifier.
    Soothe sunburn pain -Apply undiluted Heinz Vinegar to the burn.
16. Clean food-stained pots and pans -Fill the pots and pans with Heinz White Vinegar and let stand for thirty minutes. Then rinse in hot, soapy water.
17. Clean rust from tools, bolts, and spigots -Soak the rusted tool, bolt, or spigot in undiluted Heinz White Vinegar overnight.
18. Turn a chicken bone into rubber -Soak a chicken bone in a glass of Heinz Vinegar for three days. It will bend like rubber.
19. Prevent bright colored clothes from fading -Before putting the article in the washing machine, soak it in Heinz White Vinegar for ten minutes.
20. Keep a garbage disposal clean and smelling fresh -Mix one cup of Heinz Vinegar in enough water to fill an ice cube tray, freeze the mixture, grind the cubes through the disposal, and flush with cold water.
21. Clean a toilet bowl -Pour in one cup of Heinz White Vinegar, let it stand for five minutes, and flush.
22. Clean dentures -Soak dentures overnight in Heinz White Vinegar, then brush away tartar with a toothbrush.
23. Remove perspiration stains from clothes -Apply one part Heinz White Vinegar to four parts water, then rinse.
24. Deodorize a room filled with cigarette smoke or paint fumes -Place a small bowl of Heinz White Vinegar in the room.
25. Cure the hiccups -Mix one teaspoon Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar in one cup of warm water, and drink.
26. Eliminate odors from used jars -Rinse peanut butter and mayonnaise jars with Heinz White Vinegar.
27. Condition dry hair -Shampoo, then rinse hair with a mixture of one cup Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar and two cups water. Vinegar adds highlights to brunette hair, restores the acid mantel, and removes soap film and sebum oil.
28. Clean mineral deposits from a steam iron -Fill the water tank with Heinz White Vinegar. Turn the iron to the steam setting and steam-iron a soft utility rag to clean the steam ports. Repeat the process with water, then thoroughly rinse out the inside of your iron.
    Remove light scorch marks from fabrics -Rub lightly with Heinz White Vinegar, then wipe with a clean cloth.
29. Repel ants -Use a spray bottle or mister filled with a solution of equal parts Heinz Vinegar and water around door jambs, window sills, water pipes, and foundation cracks.
30. Keep drains open -Pour one-half box of old baking soda down the drain followed by one cup Heinz White Vinegar. When the bubbling stops, run the hot water.
31. Prolong and brighten propane lanterns -Soak new wicks for several hours in Heinz White Vinegar and let them dry before inserting. Propane lanterns will burn longer and brighter on the same amount of fuel.
32. Remove decals or bumper stickers -Soak a cloth in Heinz Vinegar and cover the decal or bumper sticker for several minutes until the vinegar soaks in. The decals and bumper stickers should peel off easily.
33. Deodorize a wool sweater -Wash sweater, then rinse in equal parts Heinz Vinegar and water to remove odor.
34. Prevent lint from clinging to clothes -Add one cup Heinz Vinegar to each wash load.
35. Prevent ice from forming on a car windshield overnight -Coat the window with a solution of three parts Heinz White or Apple Cider Vinegar to one part water.
36. Prolong the life of flowers in a vase -Add two tablespoons of Heinz White Vinegar plus three tablespoons of sugar per quart of warm water. Stems should be in three to four inches of water.
37. Prevent cracked hard-boiled eggs -Add two tablespoons of Heinz White Vinegar per quart of water before boiling to prevent the eggs from cracking. The egg shells will also peel off faster and easier.
38. Clean windows -Use undiluted Heinz Vinegar in a spray bottle. Dry with a soft cloth.
39. Eliminate unpleasant cooking odors in the kitchen -Boil one tablespoon of Heinz White Vinegar with one cup of water.
40. Remove wallpaper -Mix equal parts Heinz Vinegar and hot water. Use a paint roller to wet the paper thoroughly with the mixture. Repeat. Paper should peal off in sheets.
41. Eliminate animal urine stains from carpet -Blot up urine, flush several times with lukewarm water, then apply a mixture of equal parts Heinz White Vinegar and cool water. Blot up, rinse, and let dry.
42. Relieve a cold -Mix one-quarter cup Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar with one-quarter cup honey. Take one tablespoon six to eight times daily.
43. Deodorize a stale lunch box -Soak a paper napkin in Heinz Vinegar and leave it inside the closed lunch box overnight.
44. Prevent soapy film on glassware -Place a cup of Heinz White Vinegar on the bottom rack of your dishwasher, run for five minutes, then run though the full cycle. A cup of white vinegar run through the entire cycle once a month will also reduce soap scum on the inner workings.
45. Unclog a shower head -Unscrew the shower head, remove the rubber washer, place the head in a pot filled with equal parts Heinz Vinegar and water, bring to a boil, then simmer for five minutes.
46. Relieve a cough -Mix one-half cup Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar, one-half cup water, one teaspoon cayenne pepper, and four teaspoons honey. Take one tablespoon when cough acts up. Take another tablespoon at bedtime.
47. Retard patching plaster from drying -Add one tablespoon white vinegar to the water when mixing plaster to slow the drying time.

"Heinz" is a registered trademark of H.J. Heinz Co.

New Pandemic Article

Caring for Family During a Pandemic - Part 2, by Carolyn Nicolaysen

Sprouting

In hard times you won't be able to have fresh fruits and vegetables-you need to learn to sprout seeds. Seeds are high in protein and vitamins, especially B complex vitamins. They are low in calories and low in cost.

Sprouts can be eaten fresh, stored in a refrigerator or frozen. They can be eaten now or put in foods, such as soups stews, vegetables and meats. They give flavor and nutrition. Sprouted mung beans and Alaska peas taste like raw fresh peas. Sprouted bean cook faster and can be prepared without cooking.

The most successful and easy seed to sprout:

• Seeds. Alfalfa, unhulled sesame, unhulled sunflowers, mustard, radishes and red clover, etc.
• Whole Grains. Wheat, rye, oats, corn, barley. Get them from the current year's crop and of the highest quality.
• Whole Dried Beans and Peas. Soybeans (most difficult to sprout), lentils, peas, lima beans, mung beans, chick peas. Kidney beans, pinto beans.
• Corn. Easy to sprout and very good to eat.
• Mung Beans. Used by the Chinese. Use raw or in Chinese dishes. Add while crunchy and before food value is lost.
• Lentils. Easy to sprout; a nutty taste; good in tossed salads.
• Soybeans. use tan variety. Excellent source of protein. Taste like nuts.

How to store seeds for sprouting:

1. Keep away from light
2. Keep in air-tight containers to keep out moisture, germs
3. Labeled glass jars are good

How to sprout:

Seeds need moisture, warmth and ventilation to sprout. If the seeds aren't sprouting, check four conditions:

Get healthy, unbroken seeds (broken seeds go moldy). Run beans through fingers to throw out the bad seeds.

1. Soak (cover completely with water) seeds for eight hours at least. over night is easiest. Wide mouth glass jars or salad dressing jars are excellent for sprouting. Allow 1/2 cup alfalfa seeds per gallon jar. Use 1/4 cup bean seeds per quart jar; 1/3 cup wheat per quart jar. The seed need room for expansion and ventilation.
2. After soaking, drain the seeds well. The jar opening should be covered with cheese cloth or nylon stocking material secured with rubber band.
3. Rinse seeds at least three times per day with warm water. Be sure to drain well after each rinsing.

The jar with sprouting seeds should be placed inside a dark and warm place. Light encourages chlorophyll which gives a strong tastes and decreases mineral vitamin content. Those that don't pick up a green color and retain the clear whitish color are better tasting and more nutritious.

Don't sprout tomato or potato seeds. They are poisonous to people. Don't sprout treated agricultural seeds. They have poisonous insecticides and aren't safe to eat.

If using sprouts in bread making, be careful because sprouts are rich in enzymes and have the ability to digest protein, so yeast action will be inhibited. If the yeast doesn't fully act in the dough, it will produce a heavy bread. In adding sprouts to yeast goods, add at the end of the mixing process. Make sure the dough is warm and working. Dough will sour if it sits too long with sprouts added.

Sprouts are ready to eat when:

• Wheat sprouts are the length of the seed
• Bean sprouts are 1 1/2-3 inches long
• Alfalfa sprouts are 1-2 inches long
• Lentil sprouts are 1 inch long
• Soybean or pea sprouts are 2 inches long

Seeds, sprouts, roots-eat them all! During the germination process, wastes in the form of gases and residues will accumulate. Ventilation and water are vital. All sprouts should be put in refrigerator to retard growth when at their peak for eating. They need to be eaten in a few days for best flavor and nutrition.

Hard wheat has more protein than any other cereal, except oats. Wheat is rich in vitamin E and has little fat in it. Vitamin C is greatly increased during sprouting.

Soybeans are the only beans with which you shouldn't save your soaking water for later use. It contains anti-digestive enzymes and must be discarded. Change and discard water three times daily. After twenty-four hours, continue to wash beans twice a day and drain each time for 1-2 days, until sprouts can be seen under the skin.

During the winter months, most fresh green vegetables go up in price. To have your green salads, so can do two things: Grow lettuce and leafy greens under growing lights and grow sprouts. Keep about twenty pounds of organic sprouting seeds which will make hundreds of pounds of green veggies packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber.

"Emergencies! and how to prepare for them" - Lana Richardson

Why Wheat

The Surgeon General, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Academy of Sciences, American Medical Association, American Dietetic Association all agree that diets is a major contributor to our most common health problems, which includes cancer and heart disease.

The American people have high fat diets, low fiber diets and low in eating vegetables. Meat, potatoes and gravy is what many cancer patients lived off of for many years.

Of 11, 000 American people surveyed:

• 41% didn't eat fruit.
• 82% didn't eat vegetables.
• 72% didn't eat vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables.
• 84% didn't eat high fiber grain food, like bread and cereal.

Malnutrition starts slow. First comes chronic fatigue, constipation, mood swings, poor wound recover and frequent colds. Also struggling with incontinence, poor memory, pain in the chest, poor digestion and visual problems.

Harvard University did a Framingham study on the American way of life and found that many Americans overeat but the majority are poorly nourished.

The typical American is:

• Overweight
• Has six colds a year
• Plagues with lethargy, mild depression, and constipation
• Gets dentures at 45
• By age 50 has a big decline in function and vitality
• Dies at age 60 or 70 from heart disease or cancer

As a people, we don't get enough fiber in our diets. We need more grains and seeds to be in our food every day. White flour has the same nutrition for us as Elmer's glue. Wheat has all the nutrients we need in our diet except for vitamin C and when we sprout the wheat, we get the vitamin C we need.

Many people are afraid to use wheat. Dough enhancer is the best thing that has every happened in making bread. Besides being healthful, it helps the texture of the bread so it doesn't crumble. Gluten can be added to lighten the bread also. The key to good and light whole wheat bread is the high protein content of the wheat. There are several types of wheat available on the market.

The different types of wheat are:

• Turkey red hard wheat-Winter or Spring-depends on growing season.
• Soft white wheat, great for cakes and cookies. Easier to digest than other wheat.
• Prairie Gold-17% protein.
• Triticale-good for cereal, not for bread.

All of these are good, but for the best bread, you need 17% protein wheat. The turkey read hard and white heat are high in protein so be sure to check the labels. Prairie Gold white heat from Montana and Bronze Chief turkey red hard wheat are the best wheat for bread.

1. The best bread is made with wheat that has 17% protein, which will make it lighter.
2. Use gluten if protein isn't 17%.
3. Three-fourths cup of wheat kernels makes 1 cup flour.
4. Once you grind your wheat, you need to store the flour in the freezer.
5. Storing whole wheat bread in the refrigerator makes bread go stale and dry out quicker.
6. Whole wheat dough needs to be sticky. Never add flour to kneaded dough, use oil or water to counter and hands. if you have to add more flour, use white flour.
7. Tofu is ground up soybeans. It's good to add to bread as it makes the bread lighter. use about one cup for four loaves of bread.
8. Tofu is a cancer inhibitor. It stops hot flashed, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. It's also a milk replacement.
9. Dough enhancer is the key to good bread. It has lecithin, whey, soy, and vitamin C in it. Use about 1 1/2 T for four loaves of bread.
10. Whole bread has all the nutrients we need to live off, except vitamin C. When we sprout wheat, we get vitamin C.
11. You have to have a wheat grinder if you store wheat. A hand wheat grinder is vital.
12. Dough enhancer makes bread lighter and not crumbly.
13. Honey is better for us than sugar and it is twice as sweet as sugar. Use half the amount of honey as you would sugar.
14. Adding gluten to the dough will increase the protein level. Use about 3T for four loaves.
15. We need to store 300 lbs. per person for one year.
16. A 50 lb. bag of wheat needs one package of yeast and one container of dough enhancer.
17. If we have whole grain cereal for breakfast, it helps out metabolism to be strong.
18. Store wheat on wood slats or cement floors, but not touching each other.
19. Too much heat, moisture and air getting into wheat will cause weevil. So store in cool, dry and dark area in an airtight container.
20. Yeast only last for 2-3 years.
21. Dough enhancer can store for several years.
22. After several years, wheat stored in metal containers will get a metallic taste to it. Use part old wheat and part new wheat and the metallic taste will leave. Put old wheat into plastic buckets.
23. Yellow popcorn makes wonderful cornmeal when ground up. Grind it on the "coarse' dot of the grinder.
24. If you see little blisters or bubbles under the skin of the dough, then the dough has had enough kneading and is ready to bake. It takes about 10-20 minutes with a Bosch mixer.

Lana Richardson, "Emergencies and How to Prepare for Them"

Pandemics Influenza

What is pandemic flu? How does it differ from season flu?

Pandemics – Prepare for a Quarantine by Carolyn Nicholaysen

Prepare for Pandemic with Food Storage by Carolyn Nicholaysen

Caring for Family During A Pandemic by Carolyn Nicholaysen

Federal Pandemic Flu Site

Get Pandemic Ready

Caring for Family During a Pandemic - Part 2 By Carolyn Nicolaysen

Draper Temple Open House

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced an open house and public tours of the Draper Utah Temple. The open house will extend from 15 January 2009 until 14 March 2009. Unlike chapels of the Church, temples are normally closed to all but worthy members of the Church. The completion of a new temple provides a rare opportunity for the general public to view the interior of these buildings, each revered by Church members as the House of the Lord. The Draper Utah Temple will be just the 129th operating temple of the Church worldwide. Open house tours are free but require tickets, and convenient times may be scooped up quickly. Tickets may be obtained starting Monday, 1 December 2008 at 10:00 AM MST by contacting 1-800-537-6181 (toll-free), 1-801-240-7932 (toll) or online.

Information

Reservations Online

Driving Directions

Thankful Turkeys Cookies

Don't miss this great idea.

From Everyday Food Storage - Full details and applications

KEYM'S Emergency Preparedness Kits

KEYM'S Emergency Preparedness Kits - Home Page

Products

America Recycles Day November 15

Easy Tips For Recycling:

Making use of your mountain of plastic bags:

• Use them as bin liners.
• Place them in the bottom of plant pots and hanging baskets - they act as great drainage systems.
• Children can use them for carrying PE gear to school.
• Scrunch them up to surround items when you're packaging as an alternative to bubble wrap.
• Use them in the garden to hold your grass cuttings and hedge trimmings before transfer to a compost bin.
• Use them when packing for a holiday to keep dirty/wet clothes and shoes away from dry clothing.
• Use them as 'doggy doo bags' when out walking your dog!
• Some supermarkets recycle plastic bags, so you can return plastic bags to them.
• Re-use washed zip lock bags for sandwiches and snacks rather than using plastic wrap.

Ideas for recycling paper:

• After children's drawings and paintings have been displayed for a while they can be used to wrap presents - this also makes the present special.
• 'Use the envelopes you receive in the mail a second time by placing a new address label over the last address. I call this the OMT System ("One more time system"). Old envelopes can also be used for scribbling down shopping lists, to-do lists, and notes.'
  Resealable envelopes can be reused many times: 'My daughter takes one to school when she orders her lunch. The envelope has all details written in felt on the front and the money sealed inside. She brings the envelope home and we use it again until it gets too shabby.'
• Old calendars, colourful pictures, etc. can be used to make your own envelopes. You can unstick a used envelope and use it as a template for making envelopes.
• Old rolls of wallpaper can be used for childrens' drawings.
• Junk mail can be used as scrap paper, or as bedding for pets.
• Cardboard cartons can be used to collect paper for recycling, instead of plastic bags (even breakfast cereal cartons are good).
• SPCA and pet shops appreciate old newspapers.
• Toilet roll centres can be recycled - they're made of cardboard.
• To fill in a rainy day get a paper recycling kit and get the kids to rip up old used paper to make recycled paper, it can be great fun.

Old magazines are appreciated by:

• Doctor and dentists' surgeries
• Motels
• Friends

Ideas for recycling household waste in the garden:

• Aluminium trays from pies and cakes make ideal 'drip saucers' to put under pot plants.
  Old tyres can be used outside for plant pots - especially good for plants that like warm soils as they trap the heat.

The following waste items can be modified and used for planting seedlings:

• Egg cartons
• Tetra-pak cartons
• Plastic bottles
• Plastic containers for cherry tomatoes
• Old boots and shoes
• Plastic containers for takeaways
• The cardboard centres from toilet rolls
• Plastic ice cream containers
• Lawn clippings can be used to cover weeds and keep from growing in the garden through winter.
• Broken crockery can be used as drainage at the bottom of pot plants.

Tin cans can be used as:

• Water reservoirs for new plants and trees. Tape a piece of hose pipe in a can and fill the can with scoria or pumice. Then, when you plant a new tree or plant, bury the can below the root level and leave enough hose poking out of the ground. You can water the plant in summer by pouring the water into hose pipe. If the hose is short enough it can be mowed over on a lawn and does not look obtrusive.
• Pot plant holders. Decorate the outside of the can to your liking, put some soil in it and plant away. (Make sure you put some drainage holes in the bottom of the tin before you start potting the plants.)
• Old newspapers (including those gathered from your friends) can be used to mulch and weed control the garden. Wet newspaper and place thickly on the garden. Cover with bark or stones.
• Plastic milk bottles can be used to hold snail bait and are pet proof.
• Old stockings can be used to tie up plants in the garden.
• Plastic ice cream containers can be cut into strips for seed labels.

Ideas for recycling organic/garden waste:

• Local pig farmers often appreciate any kitchen scraps that you can offer them. If you know of any in your area, get in touch with them and find out if they are interested in your kitchen scraps.
• If you've done any trimming of trees and hedges, contact the local Zoo to see if they can use these for their animals, either as food or environment improvement.
• Avoid using kitchen waste disposers and compost food scraps instead. This reduces the load on sewage treatment plants and local government can concentrate on the treatment of real sewage.
• If you need leaf mulch for your garden approach a local school and ask what they do with the leaf litter. Some schools throw theirs away.
• Get a couple of hens for the household. They eat all the kitchen scraps and provide fresh eggs as a bonus.

Ideas for recycling other items:

• Old or broken household goods such as toasters, transistor radios can be used by others for parts. Sell them cheaply at a garage sale.
• Carry a supermarket bag with you when you go walking so that you can pick up glass, litter or other plastic bags.
• Creches, schools and kindergartens often need boxes, plastic bags, old buttons, used wrapping paper, greeting cards, ribbons, tiles, crockery and other materials for art resources. They may also want old phones, keyboards, etc as learning toys. The DonateNZ website provides a way to put donors and recipients in touch with each other.
• Wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, and boxes can be used to wrap someone else's presents.
• Recycle jars by using them for home preserves.
• In Auckland, batteries from toys and other electrical items can be saved and taken to the hazmobile once a year for recycling.

Ice cream containers can be reused around the home in a number of ways:

• Storing food in the freezer
• As a container for toys, crayons, clothes pegs
• Biscuit container
• Meat trays, yoghurt containers, egg cartons, and film canisters can be kept and used by the kids to 'create stuff'. This is a great way to keep the kids amused and even make gifts for family and friends.
• An upside down bottle with small holes in the top can be used to provide water for your pets while you are on holiday.
• Materials left over from home sewing can be used by schools for collages. Larger pieces can also be used for patchwork and crafts by people in rest homes. In Wellington (and possibly other centres as well), there is a group in the women's prison who choose to do patchwork as part of their rehabilitation.
• After you have finished a ’family-size’ yoghurt pot (and since they aren’t recyclable), rinse it out and use it as a lunch box or cookie jar.
• Use ice cream and other plastic containers to put kids toys in. Also good for nuts and bolts and taking away camping, or clothes peg containers.
• The black meat trays from the Supermarket make great paint trays for both adults and kids.
• Stronger plastic bottles can be used to hold tools and nails etc in the shed. Simply cut three sides and leave one side longer and nail to the wall in the shed.
• Old furniture, clothes, kitchen gear, and bedding are always wanted by organisations like Drug Arm, and the Salvation Army.

General tips for recycling and avoiding rubbish:

• Buy a smaller rubbish container for the kitchen. This makes you to remember to recycle.
  Make sure bottles and tins are clean before putting in the recycling bin. This prevents flies both at home and the recycling station.
• Reorganize the kitchen so it has an efficient recycling area with good sized bins to help with sorting and holding. This will encourage other members of the household to contribute and help share the work instead of it being reliant on one person.
• Cutting both the tops and the bottoms off tin cans (and placing them inside) and squashing them makes them smaller to fit into the recycling bin.
• Put a 'no junk mail' sticker on your letter box. You'll be amazed at how much this reduces your rubbish.

Spread the word. By telling other people and helping them to get started, we increase the savings that can be made. Also get your children involved – if we can educate them early, they will grow up and appreciate waste reduction and will be able to apply these skills in later life.

Roasted Pumpkin & Seeds - Pumpkin Soup & Smoothies

http://www.livingonadime.com/articles/roastpumpkin.htm

http://everydayfoodstorage.blogspot.com/2008/11/fanatic-friday-pumpkin-soup.html

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie Recipe

(This recipe is for ONE pie and calls for the small can of pumpkin (15 oz.). If you use the large can of pumpkin (29 oz.) simply double this recipe for TWO pies).

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk (1/2 C. + 1 T. Powdered Milk + 1 1/2 C. Water)
1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
Whipped cream (optional)

MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

POUR into pie shell.

BAKE in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.

NOTES:
1 3/4 teaspoons pumpkin spice may be substituted for the cinnamon, ginger and cloves; however, the taste will be slightly different. Do not freeze, as this will cause the crust to separate from the filling.

Standard Pastry (Pie Crust)
Makes two 10-inch pie crusts
2 2/3 C. Flour
1 tsp. Salt
1 C. Shortening
7-8 T. Cold Water (glass with ice cubes)

Measure flour and salt into bowl. Cut in shortening thoroughly. Sprinkle in water, 1 T. at a time, mixing until all flour is moistened and dough almost cleans side of bowl (1-2 tsp. water can be added if needed0.

Gather dough into ball; shape into flattened round on lightly floured cloth-covered board. (for 2 crust pie, divined dough in half and shape into 2 flattened rounds0. Roll dough 2 “ larger than inverted pie pan. Fold pastry into quarters; unfold and ease into pan. For baked pie shell; prick bottom and side thoroughly with fork. Bake at 475 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Crockpot Oatmeal

http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2008/08/food-storage-friday-crockpot-oatmeal.html