Smoked Turkey

The turkey is a big, domesticated bird, native to North America. Turkey is distinguished by its white plumage and a bare wattled neck and head. The name turkey was first applied to the guinea fowl that was thought to have originated in Turkey. However, the American turkey is a quite different species from the guinea fowl, though the name remained.
Smoked Turkey is a popular delicacy in North America. It is generally made for large parties, especially Thanksgiving. Buying a Smoked Turkey can be very expensive. Smoked Turkey can, however, be also made at home. It is a very easy and economical way to enjoy Smoked Turkey.
For making a Smoked Turkey, you need a water smoker. Water smokers can be electric, gas or charcoal based. Another alternative to a water smoker is the indirect smoking method over the grill. Different kinds of woods can also be used, including: mesquite or hickory, chunks of water-soaked hardwood, or fruitwood. When the wood is added, place a lid on the smoker till the temperature reaches 250 to 300 degrees F. The temperature can be checked using an oven thermometer if the smoker doesnt have a built-in thermometer.
Almost all parts of the turkey, including the breasts, drumsticks and wings, can be smoked. However, whole turkeys can be smoked provided they are lesser than 12 lbs in weight.
A turkey should not be stuffed before smoking. There is also no need to add any special seasoning. All that is required is salt, pepper and a little poultry seasoning. You can also add some wine or juices instead of water for smoking. The turkey can also be brined before smoking. The brining solution usually consists of water, salt, spices and a little sugar. However, the turkey should be brined for at least 24 hours before smoking.
Once the required temperature is reached, place the turkey inside and replace the lid. Smoking time depends on the size of the turkey as well as the temperature of the coals, distance of the smoker from the heat and the external temperature. A meat thermometer can be used to check whether the turkey is cooked or not. The temperature of the inner thigh should reach 180 degrees F. The turkey should also look pink and cooked. There should not be any rawness to it. It should also be moist and tender to taste, not chewy.
There are some guidelines for getting a perfectly Smoked Turkey: ensure that there is no wind, as this could put out the fire; dont open the smokers door too many times or for too long; smaller birds less than 15 lbs are better since larger ones take too long to smoke; thaw a frozen turkey thoroughly before smoking it; ensure that the temperature is at least 160 degrees, to destroy any bacteria effectively.

6 Tips for Perfect Homemade Hard Candy

Theres nothing better than the juicy, flavorful hard candy from your local gourmet candy shop . . . unless you make it yourself, that is! Making perfect hard candy at home is easier than you think. You just need the right tools, a few simple ingredients, and your imagination.
Try these tips the next time you want to make something special in the kitchen. Your family will love it!
1. Stock up on basic candymaking tools.
Youll need a medium-size saucepan (3 or 4 quarts) with a heavy bottom and straight sides.
Youll also need a long-handled wooden spoon, a pastry brush (used to brush off any crystals that might form), and a good candy thermometer with a metal clamp that attaches to the side of your saucepan.
2. Get the weather forecast.
Did you know that humidity has an enormous effect on the outcome of your hard candy? Because sugar attracts water, rainy days can wreak havoc on even your best attempts at homemade delicacies. Make it easier on yourselfwait for a clear, dry day to try out your recipes.
3. Test your thermometer.
Test your thermometer by placing it in a pan of water and bringing it to the boiling point. It should now register 212 degrees at sea level. If it registers 214 degrees, you can correct it by adding two degrees to those given in the recipe; if 210 degrees, by subtracting. If it's more than a few degrees off in either direction, you need a new thermometer.
4. Use fresh ingredients.
Sugar is the most basic ingredient in hard candy. Be sure to use a new package of sugar each time you make your recipes to ensure that the sugar hasnt been contaminated by other common kitchen ingredients.
If your recipe calls for butter, be sure to use the unsalted variety. Salted butter and margarine can adversely effect the cooking time, texture, and taste of your efforts.
5. Go easy on the food coloring.
Colors like green and yellow look much more appetizing when theyre applied lightly, so be sure to add food coloring gradually. You can slowly add more until you reach the intensity you want.
6. Use the proper storage techniques.
After cooling your candies, store them in airtight jars without wrapping them first. Never store hard candy in the same container as desserts that lose moisture, such as fudge.
Ready to begin? Try this basic hard candy recipe-and have fun!
BASIC HARD CANDY RECIPE

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup water

2/3 cup light corn syrup

Flavorings and colorings to taste (just a few drops will do)
Measure 2 cups sugar, 2/3 cup light corn syrup and 3/4 cup water into a saucepan and blend together. Place over low heat and stir until mixture boils. Cover the saucepan for 5 minutes so that any sugar crystals that have formed on the sides ofthe pan will be washed down. Now put in the candy thermometer and let the candy boil without stirring. Using a pastry brush or a fork wrapped with muslin and dipped in water, wash off any crystals that might form. After the candy reaches 280 degrees, lower heat so as not to discolor the candy. When candy thermometer registers 300 degrees, remove pan from the heat and allow it to stand until all the bubbles have simmered down. Then add the flavoring and coloring. There are many to choose from but one favorite is anise along with red coloring. One teaspoon of a flavoring extract should be used for this recipe, while only a few drops of an oil such as peppermint, wintergreen or cinnamon are enough.
Coloring should be added gradually until the desired intensity is reached. It is important to stir these in as gently as possible. Too much stirring will cause the syrup to solidify into a hard sugary lump. Now the candy is ready to be formed. It may be poured into a pan, 7 by 7 inches, and marked into squares as it begins to harden. Or it may be poured in rounds on skewers or sticks to form lollipops.

Extraordinary Tailgating Recipes, Adding Spice to the Game

One of the great recreational activities is an exciting and fun-filled tailgating party. It's more than just drinks at the back of an SUV or a truck; tailgating parties are a big hit at any sports event. This is where everyone gets together to celebrate the game, or maybe just for a get together where all of you can have fun, share stories and laughter.
But aside from that, no party is complete without food and drinks. Food is a very important part of tailgating. Make sure your food is in the Safe Zone. If you do not, end run will mean something completely different!
The most important thing to stress about tailgating is keeping the food at safe temperatures. That is below 40 degrees or above 140 degrees. This means ice and a food thermometer are two of your most important aspects of tailgating equipment.
Did you know that between the temperatures 40 degrees and 140 degrees, bacteria grow at the fastest rate? Therefore, the great thing to do is to make sure that you keep cooked meat to their proper temperature and you have kept cold foods under 40 degrees.
High protein foods, such as meat, eggs and milk products must be stored less than 40 degrees. Melons should be washed on the outside, cut up at home, and then stored under 40 degrees until serving. And, the food should never sit out more than two hours if you are taking takeout or fully cooked food to an outdoor event. In addition, make sure to keep insects especially flies to stay away from your foods.
Try to estimate how much food youll eat at the event. Taking home leftovers is not encouraged by experienced tailgaters. In the end, be prepared and plan.
You might want to consider some of these suggested recipes. They are just simply great and delicious, a perennial favourite of many experienced tailgaters.
For your main dish, grilled shrimp is easy to prepare.
Peel shrimp leaving tail section intact. Pour one small bottle of Italian dressing in an 8 1/2 x 11-inch pan. Place shrimp in pan. Sprinkle a splash of teriyaki sauce on each shrimp. Lightly sprinkle garlic salt across the entire pan. For extra zest, splash lemon on shrimp.
Chill in refrigerator for two - three hours to marinade, then grill for 10 minutes. Turn occasionally for browning effect. Do not overcook, as shrimp will get tough.
For you beverages, you could prepare summer time punch.
Mix 2 cups of water, cup powdered iced tea mix, 3 cups orange juice, 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice, -cup grenadine, 1 ginger ale and the raspberry sherbet and add a champagne or white wine for extra taste. This will be great drink for your party.
Finally, for your desert, try the apple peach pie. This is just easy: combine a cup of sugar, tsp of salt and 2 tbsp of flour. Then add 1 tsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp. cinnamon and the sliced apples. Add the top crust add seal around edges. Cut slits in top. Bake it at 425 degrees for 40 minutes and let it cool for 15 minutes.
Before the time has come for the party to start and your friends to arrive, you are already done preparing the foods and drinks. All you have to do is sit back relax and enjoy.

Your Vacation First Aid Kit

Your vacation supplies must include a first-aid kit.
Have it available while traveling and take it with you whenever you go walking, hiking, or any activity that takes you away from civilization.
You can use just about any type of container for your first-aid kit. It's best if the container is lightweight, like plastic, and has a good lid. A handle can be useful also. A small toolbox, lunchbox, fishing tackle box or even kitchen Tupperware would work.
Here is a list of things to consider including in your vacation first-aid kit. This is not a comprehensive list and you may have other items to add.
You should have some sterile gauze with adhesive tape and scissors to cut them. Make sure the scissors are sharp. Also multiple sizes of band-aids. Tip: Sanitary napkins are sterile and make good compresses to stop bleeding.
To clean cuts and wounds include antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide and antiseptic wipes.
Consider including aspirin and acetaminophen, instant cold packs, calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream.
Also, antacid, insect repellent, motion sickness medication, anti-diarrhea medication, sunscreen, cold and flu tablets
If anyone is taking prescription medicine be sure to bring enough for the whole trip.
The first-aid kit is a good place to store a list of emergency numbers along with your medical insurance information.
It's always a good idea to have a first-aid manual on hand and review it before you leave. This way you will be much more prepared should a situation arise where you need it. This is a great opportunity for children to learn a little about first-aid so review the manual with them too.
Other miscellaneous items that could be helpful are thermometer, latex gloves, tweezers and flashlight with spare batteries.
Keep your vacation first-aid kit easily accessible at all times but away from small children.

Creative Imagination

Creative imagination is more than just active imagination. To be able to actively imagine things, to see and hear things in one's mind, is an important ability. It doesn't have to involve much creativity, though, does it? Daydreaming, for example, is a process of imagination. It can consist of an elaborate fantasy world, but one full of all the things that many people think about.
Creative imagination, then, has to include the ability not just to imagine things, but to imagine original things. It is seeing things that others don't see, and coming up with new ideas. So how do you cultivate this?
Creative Imagination 101
First, exercise your basic imagination. It can be as simple as thinking in pictures more, or listening to music in your mind. Play little "movies" in your mind, until you can watch them on command. This is a simple process, but for those of us that can't easily do it naturally, it can take a lot of practice. Fortunately, it is not an unpleasant activity.
The second part of developing your creative imagination is to get more creative in your thinking and imagining. Start by paying attention to your creativity. Our subconscious minds give us more of what we pay attention to. Ignore creative aspects of your life, and you're telling your subconscious they are unimportant. On the other hand, if you note when you're creative, your subconscious mind will start feeding you more creative ideas.
Different surroundings can also encourage your creativity. Want more creativity in your love life? Hike up a mountain with your partner. Do you write? Try sitting on a roof to write. Want new ideas for your business? Take a notebook to the park and sit by the duck pond. A change of environment can get your thinking out of it's ruts.
You can play games that exercise your creative imagination. One such game uses a technique called "concept combination." Alone or with other players, you combine random concepts or things in new ways, to see who has the best idea. A thermometer and a billboard, for example, could generate an idea for a sign that checks the weather and adjusts the message accordingly ("Come in out of the heat for a cold beverage," or "Come in out of the rain and warm up with our gourmet coffee.").
Don't Wait For Creative Imagination
Creative inspiration certainly can strike at any time, but it strikes more often when there is work instead of waiting. So if you want to come up with creative inventions, start mentally redesigning everything you see. Imagine a better bicycle, a faster mail service, or a better chair. Continue this for three weeks, and it will become a habit.
Of course, creative imagination goes beyond solving specific problems or inventing things. Truly creative minds are always coming up with the questions too, not just the solutions. If you want to be more creative all the time, focus on three things:
1. Changing your perspective. A child might think that working just to not work (to retire) is silly. Thinking from that perspective might give you ideas for how to make money doing things you enjoy. Seeing the world as a bear sees it might give a painter imaginative new ideas. Looking at things from a customer's perspective is a sure way to find creative improvements for a business. See everything from several perspectives.
2. Challenging your assumptions. What if restaurants didn't have employees? Visitors pay a machine as they enter, feed themselves at a buffet, and everything is as automated as possible, so one owner-operator could run a large restaurant alone. Challenge all your assumptions for practice. Do you really have to pay rent? Do swimming pools need water? Can exercise be a bad thing?
3. Let your ideas run wild. Does a flying bed seem silly? It could lead to the concept of a helium mattress. When you get off it in the morning, it floats out of the way, up to the ceiling. Perfect for small apartments. Don't stifle your creativity. Relax, and let ideas come. You can always discard them later.
For these techniques to be a habitual part of your thinking, use them regularly. Since it takes several weeks to develop a habit, remind yourself to use them each day. Jot a few of your favorite techniques on a card and carry it with you. Look it over throughout the day and apply the techniques to anything. Soon, you'll have a more creative imagination.

Menstrual Calendar

Charting the signs of our menstrual cycle is a good way to keep in touch
with our bodies, our feelings, and our health. It is also a good way to
predict our days of menstruation in advance, even if menstrual cycles
are irregular, and to know the most fertile times if we are hoping to
conceive.
Cervical Mucus:
The sign that is easier to observe is the cervical mucus, since it is
noticed in the course of daily activity. Fertile type mucus is produced by
the cervix during the days when the ova are maturing and preparing for
ovulation. This mucus is not only an indicator of fertility, it is essential for
fertility. Cervical mucus nourishes the sperm, protects them from the
natural acidity of the vagina, and guides them toward the ovum.
Following is a simple way to observe and chart your fertile type mucus.
Pay attention to how you feel as you go about your daily activities. Just
as you have learned to notice a certain wetness at menstruation, you
will begin to notice a second wet time, but later in the cycle, and without
bleeding. The second wet time is caused by your fertile type mucus.
Each time you go to the bathroom, wipe with toilet paper both before
and after you use the toilet, noticing: a) the sensation you feel as you
wipe with toilet paper, b) what is on the toilet paper. Chart what you see
and what you feel in the following way. Or use any charting method that
makes sense to you.
1) Menstruation: mark the days of bleeding in some way, such as
coloring the calendar day red.
2) Nothing: if you don't see or feel anything outside your vagina, you can
leave the calendar blank on those days.
3) Something: but if you see or feel something - anything -such as pasty
or sticky mucus, or a feeling of wetness - draw something, such as a
raindrop, on these days.
4) Slippery something: If the pasty or sticky mucus turns to slippery
mucus or a slippery feeling, color the raindrop dark to indicate the
slippery wetness.
After a few slippery wet days, the mucus may disappear or return to
sticky or pasty. When it does, begin to count the days until menstruation
arrives. In a normal fertile cycle, the time between the last day of slippery
mucus or slippery feeling and the next menstruation is between 11-16
days. You will become quite accurate about your predictions after you
chart for about three cycles.
The mucus is your most fertile time, since fertile type is produced during
the days leading up to and including ovulation. But don't try to use this
information for birth control unless you seek out a qualified teacher of
fertility awareness or natural family planning. However, if you are hoping
to become pregnant, charting the mucus and the dry times of the cycle
will allow you to know your most fertile time. It will also allow you to
predict your next menstruation with accuracy, and to begin a new and
sensitive relationship with yourself.
Under the influence of the hormone estrogen, when the fertile mucus is
present, we may feel courageous and loving. Men who bored us last
week may suddenly appear interesting and attractive. Like Mother Earth
in her rainy season, we are full of potential. We may also be interested
in sexual activity. These emotions and reactions are caused by the
hormone estrogen, which is getting us ready to have a baby, even
though we may not want that for ourselves yet!
After ovulation, under the influence of the hormone progesterone, we
may feel somewhat deflated compared to our wet, fertile time. Like
Mother Earth in her dry time, we may feel quiet, with less energy. When
menstrual bleeding begins, both estrogen and progesterone are at low
levels. We may feel sensitive, solitary, or inward.
Generally speaking, dark red bleeding for about three days indicates
that hormones are high enough to build a good uterine lining and
nourish a fetus in the event of conception. However, more than three
days of heavy bleeding can be exhausting. Three to five days of wet,
slippery mucus 11-14 days before the next menstruation is a probable
indicator of normal ovulation and a fertile cycle. Cycles are often 28-30
days from the first day of bleeding to the first day of the bleeding of the
next menstruation. However, irregular cycles do not indicate infertility.
If
the time between the last day of slippery mucus and the next
menstruation is 11-16 days, the cycle is probably fertile. Even if one
cycle is not fertile, the next may well be fertile. Much depends on the
stress we may be feeling. Keeping a chart allows us to keep all things in
perspective, and feel our own harmony with all the cycles of nature.
Basal Body Temperature:
If you are not sure you are ovulating, you can take your temperature.
The body's resting temperature increases four-tenths of a degree
Fahrenheit or two-tenths of a degree Centigrade under the influence of
progesterone at ovulation. Observing this sign involves taking your
temperature at the same time each morning before rising. (This is not as
hard as it sounds. It takes less than two minutes and you can go back to
sleep if you want.)
To observe your temperature rise, buy a BD brand digital basal
thermometer. This brand will give you a consistent and accurate
reading. Other high quality brands of digital basal thermometers are
also probably accurate, but have not been tested for fertility awareness.
Make sure the battery is good. (You can replace it.) An ordinary clinical
thermometer is not accurate enough for fertility awareness. Nor is the
"ear thermometer" (tympanic thermometer).
Take your temperature every day immediately upon waking, before 7:30
a.m. The body's rhythms (circadian rhythms) fluctuate over a 24-hour
period. Your temperature is lowest in the early morning and highest in
the afternoon. Fluctuations are greater after 7:30 a.m. If you go to bed
before midnight and wake up before 7:30 a.m., you will get the clearest
temperature readings.
If it is not convenient to take your temperature immediately upon
waking, you may take it during light morning activity. For example, if you
need to go to the bathroom, you may take your temperature while
getting up and using the toilet. But be consistent about the
circumstances under which you take your temperature. If you take it
during light morning activity, take it that way every morning. Don't take it
sometimes before getting up and at other times during light morning
activity. If you have sexual relations, take your temperature before.
Many women find that the digital thermometers require such a short
time to use that it is easy to take their temperature before getting up.
Take your temperature by mouth. Under arm and ear temperatures are
not accurate enough for family planning purposes. The thermometer will
beep softly several times before beginning to beep slightly louder and
repeatedly. Keep the thermometer under your tongue until the louder,
repeated beeps begin. You can read and chart your temperature as
soon as is convenient after taking it. Your thermometer has a recall
button that allows you to read the last temperature taken. Be sure to
wash your thermometer after each use.
Your Temperature Graph:
Put a dot on a graph on the spot corresponding to each day's
temperature. Join the dots of consecutive days. If you do not take your
temperature one day, do not join the dots across that day. Also write out
the temperature numerically, to guard against errors in graphing.
Interpreting Your Chart:
1) Breathe and relax. Study your chart.
2) Can you find six low temperatures during the fertile mucus days of
your cycle?
3) Draw a horizontal line at the highest of the six low temperatures. This
is your low temperature line.
4) Draw another horizontal line four-tenths of a degree F. or two-tenths
of a degree C. above your low temperature line. This is your full thermal
shift line.
5) Can you find three high temperatures after the low temperatures? All
of the high temperatures must be above the low temperature line. At
least the third high temperature must be at or above the full thermal shift
line.
6) This temperature pattern of low and high temperatures is called a
biphasic pattern with a full thermal shift. A biphasic pattern with a full
thermal shift confirms that you really did ovulate. A smaller, but
sustained temperature rise also probably indicates ovulation.
If you are hoping to become pregnant, please pay close attention to
nutrition. Look for unprocessed foods grown without chemicals. Exercise
in moderation. Get plenty of rest. Avoid stress. Think happy thoughts.
Pray for the child you desire, and begin sending your child love, now.
Heal any hurtful feelings between you and your mate, and between you
both and your parents. Your mate should avoid hot shower or baths and
tight clothing, both of which lower sperm count.To increase your
chances of conception, use the wet, slippery days for sexual relations.
If you have observed a biphasic pattern with a full thermal shift, and it is
now 18 days since your last slippery, wet day, and menstruation has not
arrived, you may feel confident that you have conceived.
Congratulations and blessings!

The Benefits of Travel First Aid Kits

Instead of trying to pack another pair of shoes in your suitcase, add a small travel first aid kit. Be prepared for an emergency on the road, in the air, or anywhere on vacation. Use an old lunchbox to easily transport the travel first aid kit wherever you go.
Like first aid kits for the home, stock your first aid kit with the basics such as: bandages of various sizes, a thermometer, tweezers and scissors, gauze pads, adhesive tape, and allergy medicine.
But since you will be traveling away from your home medicine cabinet, you should also include: Dramamine, anti-diarrhea medicine, antacid, cough medicine, tissues, adult and childrens aspirin, copies of prescriptions, antibacterial hand cleaner, antiseptic ointment, and moleskin for blisters.
If you will be spending time outside, fill your travel first aid kit with insect repellent, insect bite ointment, sun block, and lotion to soothe sunburns.
You can purchase supplies for your travel first aid kit at drug stores, or buy a prearranged kit online. Many travel first aid kits cost under $10. Dont be afraid to personalize purchased travel first aid kits with any additional supplies like you or you family might need. For example, include a plastic bag with a mild solution of soap and water, along with paper towels for a quick and inexpensive way to wash sticky hands.
If you are traveling with your pet, dont forget to pack some extras just for your pet like animal anti-diarrhea and upset stomach medicine. Talk to your pets veterinarian about what you should pack, especially if you are traveling to a different environment. Kits are available online for about $15.
By packing these extra supplies, you will not only avoid the inflated costs of hotel medicines, you will be prepared at the first signs of discomfort.

Frosty The Snowman (DVD) Review

A gold member of the Christmas classic elite, Frosty The Snowman has entertained several generations of children and adults with its charming holiday magic. Jimmy Durante narrates this 1969 animated creation that features the birth of Frosty, a happy upbeat snowman brought to life by a magical hat. The story is based on the popular Christmas song of the same name, and Durantes narration and singing brings the animation itself to life. One of the best holiday cartoon specials ever created, Frosty The Snowman will be a part of Christmas celebrations for years to come.
Frosty The Snowman follows the exploits of a group of school children trapped at school on Christmas Eve. Feeling guilty that her students are forced to attend class on Christmas Eve (with snow outside nonetheless), a schoolteacher hires a local magician named Professor Hinkle as entertainment. But Professor Hinkle is anything but a master of his trade. He entertains the kids only by means of their laughter as his ridiculous screw-ups. Frustrated by his failure to perform the famous magic trick of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, Hinkle hurls his old top hat out the window. But when the children are dismissed from class, the hat finds its way onto the head of a snowman named Frosty.
A gust of wind blows Professor Hinkles discarded hat onto the lifeless snowmans head, and presto! Frosty the snowman comes to life with a passionate bellow of Happy Birthday! Immediately, Professor Hinkle decides that he wants to keep his hat after all (so he can profit from its obvious magic powers), but the kids manage to fight off his advances in order to save Frosty. But Hinkle is the least of Frostys worries. The thermometer is on the rise, and the kids conclude that Frosty needs to get to the North Pole or else hell melt away. Together, they travel to the local train station to buy Frosty a ticket.
Finding the ticket price too hefty, Frosty and his friend Karen become stowaways on a north-bound train. What they dont know is that Professor Hinkle is hot on their trail, and hell do anything to eliminate Frosty and steal the hat. Will Frosty survive? Only the appearance of another magical Christmas icon can save the day
A holiday television classic rivaled by none, Frosty the Snowman is brilliant Christmas television programming the entire family can enjoy. Its central theme of life and death are aptly portrayed by a snowmans good cheer and the love a young girl harbors for him. Frostys charisma solidifies this as an enduring TV classic, right up there with all-time greats such as Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), and How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

How to Bake: Bread on the Grill

One of the slickest tricks we know is baking bread on the grill. Once you get to know your grill, it's easylike baking your favorite recipe in the oven.
We can think of all kinds of reasons to use the grill. You can enjoy fresh baked bread while camping, or at the cabin, or at the next family reunion. Sometimes, it's just nice to get out of the kitchen, enjoy the spring air, and bake outside. (Watch the neighbors turn their noses upwind when the smell of fresh baked bread wafts over the fence.) And in the summertime, you don't have to heat up the kitchen to bake. Finally, if there is ever an extended emergency when the power is off, you may have the only fresh bread in town.
You can bake nearly anything with a covered grill. (If your grill doesn't have a cover, improvise with a large inverted pot.) The heat rises and circulates in the covered area just as it does in your oven. The heat source can be charcoal, gas, or even wood. We prefer gas because it is easier to control and does not impart a smoked taste to the bread. Since it is hottest near the flames, elevate the bread even if you have to improvise. In our grill, there is a secondary shelf for baking potatoes and such.
For this demonstration, we used Old-Fashioned White Bread mixes though any mix or recipe will do. We mixed according to package directions. After it had risen, we formed one batch into oval country loaves, one into hamburger buns, and another into dinner rolls.
The trick to grilling bread perfectly is controlling temperature and time. If your grill comes equipped with a thermometer, you've got it made (though outside temperatures and winds may impact how well your grill retains heat). If you have a thermometer, just heat to the temperature designated on the package or in the recipe. If not, guess. After a few loaves you'll have it perfect and we bet that the first batch off the grill will be just fine.
Rolls and buns will probably bake in 15 to 20 minutes and loaves will take 20 to 30 minutes depending on size and temperature. An occasional peek to see how your bread is doing as it nears completion is okay.
We made twelve giant-sized hamburger buns, just the ticket for that quarter-pounder. Form the buns as you would dinner rolls then press them flat several times until they look like those in the picture to the left. (The dusting that you can see on the pan is cornmeal.) Cover and let rise.
Just before baking, we washed the buns with an egg white wash (one egg white plus one tablespoon of water). We then sprinkled them with sesame seeds. On our grill, we baked them with the heat turned about two-thirds open for about 18 minutes.
For the dinner rolls, we used a 8 1/2 x 15-inch pan and made 20 rolls scaled at 2.5 ounces each.
We made two country style loaves from one mix. If you look closely you'll see that we forgot to slash the tops to release the steam and consequently ended up with a split on the side of the loaf. Don't do as we didscore two or three quarter-inch deep slashes on the top of the loaf just as you begin baking.
Here are a few more hints to help you along the way:
Bake the bread before the burgers. The bread can cool while you cook the rest of the food. Burning grease in the bottom of the grill makes the temperature harder to control and the soot can stain the bread.
If you are letting your bread rise outside where the temperature may be less than indoors or where breezes may swirl around the bread, consider using a large food-grade plastic bag as a greenhouse. Simply slip the bread dough--pan and all--inside the bag, inflate it slightly, and close it. If the day is cool, set the bag and the bread in a sunny warm place to capture a little solar energy.
Grills tend to not circulate the hot air as well as ovens. To keep the bottom of the bread from burning, place one pan beneath the other and a wire rack between the pans to create space for insulation.
If your bread is baking faster on one side than the other, turn the pan 180 degrees part way through the baking time.
The tendency is to burn the bottom of the bread. Place the bread as far away from the flames as you can even if it means elevating the bread.
We hope that you have fun baking bread outside this summer. We do know that you will be the envy of the neighborhood, campground, or RV park.
For more articles like this visit The Bakers' Library.

Safe Food Handling For The Holidays

Did you know that the turkey you thawed on the kitchen counter, instead of in the fridge, could now contain bacteria levels high enough to harm human life, even though you cant see, smell, or taste it?
Theres nothing better than a home cooked meal during the holidays. But, with all the special effort that goes into making one, everything will be for naught if the food has not been stored, prepared, or cooked properly.
Food experts agree that the safe handling of food should be the top ingredient in any recipe.
While they may not turn you into a gourmet chef, following these simple food-handling tips will keep your family and guests safe from unpleasant, and sometimes life-threatening, food-born illnesses.
When buying raw meat, keep juices, which may contain bacteria, from contaminating your hands or anything in your grocery cart. Plastic bags work great for this purpose.
Meat should also be picked up at the end of your grocery shopping and should not be placed in the same bag as fruits and vegetable.
If you plan on storing your meat for 2 to 3 months in the freezer, make sure you buy some freezer proof wrap. The wrap that the store uses is designed to allow air into the meat product and is, therefore, not good for freezing. This is because beef products turn from a purple color to a bright red when exposed to air, making them look fresh, but if left too long will promote bacteria growth.
Defrosting should be done in the refrigerator or in a sink full of water, changing the water about every 45 minutes. A refrigerator allows the meat to defrost in a controlled atmosphere, slowing down the growth of bacteria. Never defrost your meat on top of the counter at room temperature. This can quickly become a bacteria breeding ground. The growth rate of bacteria multiplies rapidly between 40F (4C) and 140F (60C).
Once meat has been thawed it must be either cooked immediately or placed in the refrigerator and then cooked within 24 hours. Never refreeze meat. Most meats and poultries only have a safe fridge life of 2 days, whether stored after thawing or purchased fresh.
When handling raw meat, wash your hands before and after. Also, wash counters or plates you plan to reuse in the preparation process if they have had raw meat on them, as they will also contain harmful levels of bacteria.
As humans, we also carry harmful organisms on our skin which, when spread to food, produce a toxin that normal cooking cannot destroy. Therefore, it is essential to wash our hands thoroughly with soap and water prior to handling food, as well as cover open cuts.
While beefsteak can be cooked to varying degrees of redness, turkey must be completely cooked. At the innermost part of the thigh, the temperature must reach 180F (82C) for a stuffed turkey and 170F (77C) unstuffed. Stuffing in the cavity should read 165F (74C). Cooking times vary with the weight of the bird.
It is important not to keep the thermometer inside the oven with the bird as it could be affected by the ovens hot air and provide a false reading.
Plan your cooking ahead of time. Do not partially cook the bird, refrigerate, and then complete the cooking process, as this will produce dangerously high levels of bacteria.
Cooked food must be refrigerated within 2 hours, which means that you need to plan your meal so that it can be eaten shortly after being cooked.
Refrigerated leftovers should be eaten within a couple of days, which includes turkey gravy, fish, and eggs. Meat casseroles and pies, rice, potatoes, and cooked noodles will last 2 to 3 days, while cooked meat, chicken, turkey, turkey stuffing, and many soups may last up to 4 days before bacteria levels reach critical points.
Using safe food-handling practices allows for healthy eating. The rest is a matter of taste.

Your Vacation First Aid Kit

Your vacation supplies must include a first-aid kit.
Have it available while traveling and take it with you whenever you go walking, hiking, or any activity that takes you away from civilization.
You can use just about any type of container for your first-aid kit. It's best if the container is lightweight, like plastic, and has a good lid. A handle can be useful also. A small toolbox, lunchbox, fishing tackle box or even kitchen Tupperware would work.
Here is a list of things to consider including in your vacation first-aid kit. This is not a comprehensive list and you may have other items to add.
You should have some sterile gauze with adhesive tape and scissors to cut them. Make sure the scissors are sharp. Also multiple sizes of band-aids. Tip: Sanitary napkins are sterile and make good compresses to stop bleeding.
To clean cuts and wounds include antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide and antiseptic wipes.
Consider including aspirin and acetaminophen, instant cold packs, calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream.
Also, antacid, insect repellent, motion sickness medication, anti-diarrhea medication, sunscreen, cold and flu tablets
If anyone is taking prescription medicine be sure to bring enough for the whole trip.
The first-aid kit is a good place to store a list of emergency numbers along with your medical insurance information.
It's always a good idea to have a first-aid manual on hand and review it before you leave. This way you will be much more prepared should a situation arise where you need it. This is a great opportunity for children to learn a little about first-aid so review the manual with them too.
Other miscellaneous items that could be helpful are thermometer, latex gloves, tweezers and flashlight with spare batteries.
Keep your vacation first-aid kit easily accessible at all times but away from small children.

Assembling a Baby Shower Gift Basket: Get Creative

A Baby Shower Gift Basket is just the sort of thing you'd like to give to would-be parents.
Baby showers give you a wonderful opportunity to express your warmth and encouragement for the expecting couple. You can make it a little bit easier for them by giving them what they need. You can also use your artistic sense to make the event memorable and successful. A baby shower gift basket lets you do just that, by combining beauty and utility.
Choose a large basket or hamper for this purpose, one that has a lot of hollow space. Fill it with items that would be useful, and at the same time can be arranged nicely and artistically.
An infant-sized bathtub isn't too expensive, but a nice utility item, and looks great too. A caddy or a bathroom bucket is also very useful for carrying the baby's clothes around, and they are even cheaper than the tub. Soaps, lotions, towels and diapers are other items that you can include if you want to stick with the bath theme for the baby shower gift basket.
Another useful theme is health and safety. You can pack the hamper with useful yet not-too-expensive medical items like commonly prescribed drugs for children fever reducers, tummy ache medicine and so on. A thermometer, infant nail clippers and a first aid kit are nice additions.
Some people prefer not to focus on a theme, and just put in whatever they think will be useful in their baby shower gift basket. That also works, as long as it is done with an eye to arrangement and shapeliness. Diapers are something that the expectant mother will need lots of quite soon so give her lots of those. Picture books, feeding bottles, bibs, rattles and other toys can be both useful and attractively arranged.
The secret of assembling a successful and attractive baby shower gift basket is to add personalizing touches. So try to include the baby's name (if it is already fixed) or the date of birth (if it is already known) in artistic lettering or calligraphic writing. Do that extra bit to show that you care. Usefulness is good, but usefulness plus love and personal care is even better. Put together a baby shower gift basket.

Is Your Recipe Safe?

(NC)Sure, it tastes great and earns rave reviews from everyone sitting at the dinner table. But is your favourite recipe also a safe one? To prevent serving up foodborne illness at the dinner table, follow this helpful checklist when preparing a meal:
Marinating
I am marinating in a covered container in the refrigerator. Uncooked meat, poultry or fish in a marinade is perishable.
I am marinating meat for less than 24 hours.
I have disposed of leftover marinade to avoid cross-contaminating other foods.
Cooking Meat
I avoid cooking meat at low oven temperatures. Slow cooking at temperatures under 325F (163C) can create a bacteria-friendly environment.
I cook meat thoroughly. Consuming undercooked or raw poultry, fish or meat is risky, as harmful bacteria may be present.
I cook red meat to at least 160F (71C) and poultry to at least 180F (82C).
I use a meat thermometer. Look for products on the forefront of food safety, like Maple Leaf hams and turkeys with built-in meat thermometers. When the meat has been safely cooked, the thermometer will pop up to let you know it's ready to eat.
By carefully preparing and cooking your food, you can minimize the risk of foodborne illness. Food processing companies, like Maple Leaf, recognize the importance of food safety. To read more tips on enjoying safe recipes, and to learn more about Maple Leaf's commitment to food safety assurance and innovation, visit www.mapleleaf.com.
- News Canada

Epsom Salt Bath

The immersion bath tub should be filled with about 135 litres of hot water at 400C. One to 1 1/2 kg. of Epsom salt should be dissolved in this water. The patient should drink a glass of cold water, cover the head with a cold towel and then lie down in the tub, completely immersing the trunk, thighs and legs for 15 to 20 minutes.
The best time to take this bath is just before retiring to bed. This is useful in cases of sciatica, lumbago, rheumatism, diabetes, neuritis, cold and catarrh, kidney disorders, and other uric acid and skin affections.
Precaution
Certain precautions are necessary while taking these therapeutic baths. Full baths should be avoided within three hours after a meal and one hour before it. Local baths like the hip bath and foot bath may, however, be taken two hours after a meal. Clean and pure water must be used for baths and water once used should not be used again. While taking baths, temperature and duration should be strictly observed to obtain the desired effects. A thermometer should always be used to measure the temperature of the body.
Women should not take any of the baths during menstruation. They can take only hip baths during pregnancy till the completion of the third month.

Tips For Giving Baby Gift Baskets

Gift baskets have grown in popularity. They make an interesting, thoughtful gift that can be made to suit almost any occasion. A baby gift basket gives you a chance to make a unique and personal gift. You can give a baby gift basket either at the baby shower or after the baby is born as a homecoming gift.
You can buy professionally made gift baskets or ready made gift baskets, but there is something a little special about making the gift basket yourself. When you make it yourself you can add whatever you like and style it how you want. You can watch the cost by making your own because you can make it as big or as small as you desire, plus you can seek out specials that will give you discounts on what you fill the basket with. Making your own gift basket just makes sense.
Themed gift baskets are great gifts. There are many theme ideas for baby gift baskets. The following list is just the beginning of ideas. Use your own creativity to come up with a unique theme for your basket.
-bath time basket: You can use a baby tub as the basket and fill it with washcloths, a cute hooded towel and bath supplies.
-clothing basket: Using a cute wicker laundry basket and filling it with socks, onesies, shoes and a cute outfit makes this theme.
-feeding basket: For the bottle-fed baby, you can put in a can of formula or coupons for formula, bottles, a bottle cleaner, burp cloths and extra nipples.
-Health and safety: Something often forgotten about until the need arises, this basket can include, a thermometer, medicine dropper, nail care kit and some childproofing items.
The basic supplies you need are easy to find at a craft or discount store. You need a basket or other container of your choice to make the foundation of the basket. You will also need some sort of filler, like tissue paper, raffia or a fabric item. You can also buy cellophane to enclose the basket when you are finished. Finally you need the items that you will put inside. You can base these on a theme or just buy various items you think the baby needs. That is all you need to make an effective baby gift basket.
Arranging your baby gift basket is a matter of taste. Generally you will keep larger items in the back and smaller items in front. Try to make everything visible and keep items from falling under or behind other items. Once you think you have it, stand back and take a good look. It may take some adjusting, but the whole process of making your gift basket shouldnt take an extreme amount of time.

Explain How Candle is Made?

Candles nowadays are not an essential product in our daily life. But in recent times demand for candles has increased substantially. Candles are nowadays considered as works of art, to be proudly displayed in the house. Varieties of candles are pouring into the market such as colored candles, scented candles, shells, bubbles, shaped candles, candle embellishments with beads and many more. With new techniques and innovative ideas candle making is really blossoming.
Candle making is an age-old art. Candles are manufactured in multiple ways. It can be produced through dipped, rolled, molded, layered or sculptured process. It is a time consuming process but the manufacturing costs are low. The ingredients and equipments that are required to manufacture candles are given below:
Paraffin Wax: This is the main constituent of candles.

Melting System: The wax is melted in this system.

Thermometer: Thermometer measures the temperature of the wax. A special thermometer, which has a covering scale of 38C-177C, called Candy Thermometer, is used to measure the temperature of wax.

Scales: Scales measure the amount of water and wax.

Ladle and Spoons: These are used for stirring and pouring wax.

Wick: In the market there are a variety of wicks available for different sizes and types of candles. Nowadays wicks are manufactured after a chemical treatment. It helps wicks to burn longer and brighter.

Color Dyes and Stearic Acid: Wax is naturally soft. So stearic acid is used to provide solidity to the candle. It also helps the candle to shrink so that candles can release from their molds easily. Color dyes are used to provide colors in the candle.

Molds: Molds come in different shapes and sizes. The manufacturer can choose the one they want.
Method: Take a suitable wick for the mold. Suspend the wick in the center of the mold. In a pot dissolve stearic acid and color dye. Then heat the wax. When the temperature reaches 130 degrees the paraffin starts to melt. When the temperature reaches 190 degrees combine the stearic mixture with paraffin. Stir and blend them well at the maintained temperature of 190 degrees. Pour the mixture in the mold and let it be cooled. When it cools remove it from the mold. And your candle is ready.

charcoal grill

A charcoal grill may seem out of date in these days of gas barbeques. But a charcoal grill can be great for anything from cooking a simple meal to smoking some meat. Food cooked on grills can be very tasty, and have a lot of flavor.

There are a variety of grills available, from classic old fashioned grills to the more expensive and newer grills. A portable charcoal grill can be great for tailgating or other picnic like events, or a larger grill can be great for backyard gatherings.

When choosing a charcoal grill, you need to decide what you want the grill to do. A charcoal grill can grill, roast, and/or smoke your meat and fish, depending on the type you choose.

One of the most important features of any grill is how easy is it to douse any flare-ups during cooking? A model with water in the base below where the charcoal sits can allow for easier dousing of hot coals.

When dousing your grill, close the lid of the charcoal grill and let the fire die out. Once the charcoal has cooled a bit, use tongs to drop the charcoal into a metal container, perhaps dipping each piece into water first, or dropping all the pieces at once into a basin of water.

An important thing to look for in a charcoal grill is good legs – you don’t want your dinner toppling over into the dirt! You also want a cooking surface that’s big enough for your needs – are you just cooking a bit of meat for a picnic for two? Or do you need enough space to cook an entire meal for four?

You will also need to buy charcoal. You can get charcoal briquettes, which will give your charcoal grill a more even and consistent heat if spread properly, or non-briquettes, which are just rough charcoal and give more flavor and smoke.

Safety is very important when you are using any type of grill. Remember not to use gasoline to start your charcoal grill – lighter fluid might be a better choice.

Cook fish over medium heat, chicken and pork over medium to high heat, and steaks on a hot barbeque. Use a meat thermometer to be sure meat is cooked through. Cook vegetables over medium heat, perhaps wrapped in aluminum foil.

Outdoor grills are the epitome of summer cooking. Make up or buy some of your favorite beverages, add a bag of chips or pretzels, and cook the rest of the meal on the grill for a perfect summer dinner outside.

Make Glow in the Dark Candles "Cool Before you Light Them and Fun for Kids"

Making glow in the dark candles is fun, easy and neat to do. A great project to do with the kids on a cold rainy day this is fun for all age groups. Kids love to create and there is a lot of room to create here. I will approach this article and break it down into steps.
First Step, Supervision
I do not recommend letting children do this by themselves. You will be working with hot materials and perhaps a stove to melt your gel. So be very available. Besides it is really about spending time with them for you, and about learning for them. Also, candles can be inherently dangerous due to the fire portion of it. Suggest that they make them and send it Uncle Bob and Aunt Martha as a present which show them how fun giving is.You do not want them burning them in their room. If they want to make one for themselves here is an easy solution do not put a wick in it and call them the wickless candle for kids You can also put fragrance in them. Many people call the wickless candles, air fresheners. It is the same stuff. You can put a bunch of fragrance in it and it covers up the smelly sneaker smell in their room. There is a caution on using the fragrance which we will cover.
Second Step, Materials
If you do not plan on making a bunch of these I suggest getting a kit from your local crafts store. You are going to be making gel candles and that is what you should ask for when you look for them. The kit should include the following. Candle gel, Glass containers, candle thermometer, wicks and complete instructions. It will probably also come with things called embeds. Almost all of these premade kits are aquatic themed meaning. You will get a fish, a seashell and some sand. You can get great info at www.candletech.com if you want to make more. It is endless what you can do with this type of candle making. I have found them to be very helpful and informative. Also you will need a couple of pots or metal pans to melt your gel.
Third Step, Preparation
Clean off a kitchen table. Like with all crafts you need room for all this creating. Gel candle making is a lot like cooking. It is all about timing, good ingredients and you must be a little patient.
Forth Step, Execution
1)Have the kids break up the gel into little pieces and place it in your melting pot. This lets the kids get their hands into it and it feels gooey. No real mess for mom. Some candle makers recommend using a double boiler system. What that means is you have a large pan with water in it and bring it to a boil then take a pot with the gel in it and place that in the boiling water. The water can not get hotter than 220 deg F because that is boiling point. That way you never have an issue with the gel catching on fire from being to hot. You do not want the gel getting hotter than 200 deg. That is why you always use your candle thermometer. You really do not need to heat your gel any higher than 180 for this application. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE TO HEAT YOUR GEL!!! The safest easiest way to melt your gel is to get a Presto pot. The Presto Pot is given that name for obvious reasons. This is a great way melt you gel and not have the mess. Plus they are very inexpensive at around $30.00 and you can reuse it make and make more candles or air fresheners. Or melt regular wax for conventional candles.
2) Next you need to place your wick into the glass container. Dip the tab end of your wick in the hot gel let is stand for a couple of seconds and cool then place in the bottom of the glass container so adheres to the glass. Place it in the middle. I suggest you push down on the tab with a pencil to make it stick to the glass good.
3) Into the melted gel pour the GloNation glow in the dark powder. One ounce will make one pound of gel glow like crazy. You at this time can add gel coloring and fragrance. You should only use fragrance that is made for gel candles. This is important! And do not use too much. Read how much to add from any good gel candle making web site. You need to stir this mixture to circulate the glow powder into the gel. Use a heat resistant spatula from the local dollar store. Pour the gel into the glass container with the wick. Remember it is hot so be careful. Do not let the kids do this! You can alter the Presto Pot and add a spout to make the pouring easier. Let it cool and you have a glow in the dark candle.
I hope you enjoy this project with your children as it is fun and you can make it profitable.

Help Your Kids Learn More About Managing Their Personal Economy

Remember when cash was a tangible commodity in all of our personal economies? As kids, we went to the bank, shopped with our parents and frequently watched them pay with cash. Now with cash on the endangered species list, todays kids see their personal economic situation much differently. As we enjoy the convenience of charge cards, stored value cards, debit cards and ATM cards, the challenge of teaching kids about an invisible commodity like money is magnified. If youre searching for ways to teach your kids more about what makes up their personal economy, including the importance of saving and how to set and reach their financial goals, here are some practical tips.
Give kids an allowance - If you give your child an allowance, try tying their allowance to responsibilities like feeding pets, taking out trash or cleaning their rooms. Of course, the level of responsibility and the amount of the allowance should be tied to the childrens ages and abilities, and your own financial means.
Help kids build up their personal economy by establishing savings goals - Work with your kids to create a list of why they should save and things they want to save for big and small then help them prioritize it. Ask them to put three stars next to the things they want most, two stars next to the things they would like and one star next to those that are least important. Have them categorize the items as most expensive to least expensive. You can help them use these ratings to choose what they want to save for by focusing on the three-star items they want most and determining how much they think they can save.
Help kids find a place to keep their savings - Its a good idea to keep savings and spending money separate perhaps in labeled containers. By attaching a picture of that something special to their savings container, kids can keep their goal visible. They could use different colored wallets for savings and for spending money or ask if they would like to open a savings account at your bank while keeping spending money at home.
Help kids track their progress. Lets face it, kids find saving boring (honestly, so do a lot of adults). You can help build and maintain the excitement of reaching a personal economic goal by making a savings thermometer and coloring in the sections as money is saved. Post your childs progress charts in visible places and celebrate their progress. Its important to make saving money fun and rewarding with many celebrations along the way.
Encourage kids to avoid spur-of-the-moment spending. While most kids have good intentions for their savings goals, their plans are often derailed by impulse purchases like that hot new toy. Here is some advice you can give your kids to keep them from getting off-course: Leave money behind - Bring only a small amount of money on shopping trips to help avoid impulse purchases. Dont forget about your savings goal - Carry a picture of what you are saving for and compare it to anything you are tempted to buy. Be a bargain hunter - Wait for the item you want to go on sale and watch for coupons. Dont rush into purchases - Avoid buying anything you see for at least two weeks. Add it to your wants list and then prioritize it against the other things you want. Ask for help in securing money - Parents can help keep your savings in a safe place if you think you will be tempted to spend it.
Once your kids establish a saving pattern youll find they take great pride in striving for and reaching their financial goals. You might even consider matching their savings after they prove they are serious about putting away an agreed upon amount. As with anything else in life, your children will find determination and patience are rewarded, and the payoff for reaching their personal economic goals is worth the challenge of getting there.

Easy Summer Salads, Lighter Foods For A Brighter Summer

Easy summer salads are the way to go, now that the winter blues are fading into the distance and salad days are here. The best salads are light, bright and easy to prepare.
Who wants to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen when friends are round for lunch, the garden is in bloom and the wine is chilled and ready to pour. But before you start to cook you can save a lot of energy by buying the right ingredients. That way you dont need the heavy bottled sauces and dressings to make a great flavor. After all you don't want to take a beautiful crisp summer salad and soak it in a mixture of fat, sugar, salt and chemicals do you?
If you start off with great food and dont do too much to them you dont need all these strong tastes. All you need is to combine it well so that the flavors work together, have a nice crunchy texture and add a little light dressing to set it all off. Let the taste buds do the rest Freshness is, as in all cooking, the way to a good salad.
Dont take what the supermarkets give you. Although its easier to pick up the ready packed tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, bell peppers etc. To make sure you get the best, take a minute or two and pick over the vegetables, choose what is firm ripe and ready to use. The same of course applies with meat and fish. There is a reason why supermarkets prepackage, and its not always convenience. So choose well, cook quickly and simply and your friends wont have finished the wine by the time you get there! Enjoy a little bit of summer now with this easy poached chicken salad.
Easy poached chicken salad
Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts (skinless)
1 finely sliced red onion
1 whole half onion
4 good ripe tomatoes sliced thickly
250 grams/4ozs salad leaves mixed
4ozs raisins soaked in hot water for ten minutes
1 half lemon
2 fresh or dry bay leaves
1 teaspoon peppercorns black
1 small French, stick loaf or similar sliced at an angle into 1/2 inch slices
For the dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
1clove garlic crushed
1/2 dessert spoon Dijon or other mild mustard
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
To make the dressing:
Whisk the vinegar and mustard together with the garlic, slowly add the olive oil while whisking and season with salt and pepper to taste.
To make the salad:
Bring a pan of water to the boil with the bay leaves, 1/2 white onion, lemon and peppercorns.
Carefully add the chicken and simmer gently until cooked, if you are unsure it is worth investing a few dollars in a meat thermometer. The temperature should be at least 75 celcius/167 Fahrenheit, put the sliced bread on a baking tray and drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt. Bake in a medium oven until crisp but soft in the middle.
Mix the leaves together with the onions and raisins. Turn in the salad dressing and put into 4 good-sized bowls. Place slices of tomato and bread alternatly around the edge. Slice the warm chicken at an angle and put attractively on top of the salad. Sit back, enjoy and get someone else to do the washing up.

What if Cooking a Turkey was Hard?

What if cooking a Turkey was difficult? Would it be the most common dish for your families Thanksgiving Dinner? Would many families pick something simpler, something they could put into the Microwave?
Would Thanksgiving Supper be only celebrated by a few? What if Edward Winslow did not send four men out to shoot fowl and bring them back for the 1621 Harvest Feast, which inspired our current traditional Thanksgiving Holiday Family Feast? What if the men did not bring back any birds that day and instead shot a raccoon, skunk or brought back lobsters instead?
Did you know that the birds eaten at that first dinner were most likely swan and duck as well as wild Turkey? And by historical accounts no one knows for sure if they actually ate Turkey and if they did they most likely would have roasted it.
What if fresh turkeys were not actually as fresh as frozen turkeys? What if it did not take 24-hours to defrost a turkey? What if a 20-pound turkey could be defrosted in 15-minutes instead of one whole day? What if you could use a deep roasting pan without steaming the meat?
What if you could stuff your turkey at anytime rather than worrying about bacteria growth? What if you did not have to worry about the breast meat drying out? What if you did not need a big thermometer to cook a turkey? Ah what if indeed; What if Cooking a Turkey was difficult?

Baby Shower Game

Tray Game
For this baby shower game, you will need a tray and about 20 to 25 small items that would be associated with a baby. For instance, you might choose socks, rattle, teething ring, baby book, thermometer, baby food jar, washcloth, diaper pins, piggy bank, spoon, and so on.With everyone sitting around a circle, pass the tray with all the items on it around the room.Once the last person has had time to view all the items, put the tray out of sight. Then, go back to the person that first viewed the tray and see how many items he or she can name.
Keep in mind that someone will need to keep track of each person's guess with the use of a check off list. That way, you will know the person or persons that win.
Gifts could include something like scented candles, bath soaps, or boxed chocolates. Finally, after the Baby Shower Game is over, all the items on the tray are then presented to the mother-to-be!
Remember that these games are not serious and should be treated very light heartedly by all. The object of the baby shower game is to relax the guests and allow everyone time to get to know each other

Fountains of Refreshment

When hot, sticky days hit, try to use all your senses to keep cool. Sight and sound have amazing psychological effects, even when the thermometer soars.
One of the most cooling and relaxing sounds I know is that of a trickling spring. It relaxes my mind and helps my body unwind. In the city, it can drown out the sounds of the daily hustle and bustle of life, calming and refreshing the spirit. I also love the glinting, reflective surface of water. You can have the soothing coolness of water without a huge space so why not recreate this in your outdoor living area?
Some small water features have still water and aquatic plants but with the fight to remove stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed, many people now prefer items with moving water.
The most popular "moving water" items are tabletop fountains, statuary fountains and spitting creatures. All rely on a pump to circulate water through the feature. The water is pumped up through plastic tubing and released into the fountain, returning to the bottom where it is pumped up the tubing again. Most pumps run on an electrical connection but some smaller tabletop fountains have batteries. There are also solar units available that require no electrical hook-up.
Simple or elaborate, all fountain features have the following elements:
a "bottom" where the pump where will be located and the water returns. This can be a large pot, an urn, a trough and so on.
a "top" from which the water will emerge. This can be a small pot, a fanciful creature such as a frog, a conch shell, etc.
a "middle" the water course which will receive the water from the top and return it to the bottom. This can be pots, pebbles, shells, marbles, or even empty space, creating a freefall.
a pump. Give crucial attention to two features of the pump: maximum gallons per hour (gph) and maximum lift.
The gph can vary from 35 gph for a small battery-operated tabletop unit to over 600 gph for large garden fountains. Choose one appropriate to the size of your water feature more is not necessarily better. A low gph will give you a gurgling effect in the same fountain that a higher gph pump would provide a steady stream or even splash. Its strictly a personal preference within the range recommended for the fountain size.
The maximum lift figure tells you how high you can expect your "little pump that could" to push the water. A small pump that has a lift of "up to 2 feet", for example would not be appropriate for your 3-foot wall mounted lions head.
You will also want to consider the length of the electrical cord if applicable, and whether the unit has an on/off switch, if thats important to you. Remember, though, that water left sitting will stagnate.
If you are making your own fountain, the pump is the most important part. Pump kits are available that include pump and tubing but tubing is quite inexpensive (about 60 per foot) and can be purchased at most garden centers.
You can make a fountain from something as simple as terracotta pots and pebbles. For instructions, visit www.paradiseporch.com/fountain.php
So soothe your senses with the calming sounds of moving water and keep cool in your outdoor space!

Ovulation Tests

Instinct tells a woman that she is ready to conceive, but to be doubly sure take personal or laboratory tests. For starters, estimate the approximate time of ovulation by calculating the length of the average menstrual cycle. Begin from day one, that is the first day of the menstrual period, and the last day is the day before the next period begins. If the menstrual cycle is 28 days, then subtract 17 days, which equals day 11. Use the predictor kit on day 11 and continue testing until positive. This means that you will ovulate within 24 to 36 hours.
This sounds intimidating, but in non-medical terms ovulation is interplay of glands and their hormones. Presence of progesterone is confirmed through blood tests and if the level is higher than 20nmol/L it is indicative of ovulation having taken place. The blood test is done around 3 to 10 days before the first day of menses. Another method to test ovulation is through pregnancy ultrasound whereby the presence of a fetus is verified. For women trying to conceive it is not advisable, as pelvic ultrasound has a similar success rate as pregnancy ultrasound. Other methods of testing are checking on cervical mucous changes, basal body temperature or salivary ferning three to four days prior to ovulation.
Ovulation Tests are gaining popularity through the use of ovulation calendars or predictor kits to pin down fertile periods or avoid unwanted pregnancies. Normally women ovulate in the middle of the monthly menstrual cycle, depending on the length of the cycle. Sometimes ovulation happens twice in a month or, in an unhealthy body, plays truant. Avoid drinking too much water or frequent urination when taking an Ovulation Test, as it limits accuracy.
For urine Ovulation Testing an early morning urine sample is ideal, as it contains the maximum concentrated hCG presence. If testing during the day, do not urinate 3 to 4 hours before test. The response time for a home Ovulation Test is about five minutes. Since the LH surge at time of ovulation is brief, one should test at right time of month and day.
Another method of Ovulation Test is through test strips with control color bands and intensity baselines for reference. Certain medicines have an adverse effect on test results, especially fertility drugs or pills. Consult your doctor or wait for two menstrual cycles before monitoring LH levels. For maximum effect, store test kits at room temperature and read instructions carefully before doing a test. Other tracking devices are Basal Body temperature thermometer and mini microscopes for testing saliva or cervical mucus. An understanding of your ovulation cycle will help identify the testing methods.

Anyone Can Make a Premium Handmade Bar of Soap

Have you ever thought, boy I sure would like to make a luxurious bar of soap but thought all that measuring and mixing was too much aggravation. Well here is the smart, short and easy version that anyone can do with easy to find everyday ingredients. This is a "no weigh" recipe, so you dont even need a scale to make a fantastic bar of soap
First, purchase one can of lye, it will come in a 12 ounce container from your local hardware store. Call around to make sure they have one in stock that is 100% lye. Add your can of lye to; two and three quarter cups of distilled water in a Pyrex measuring cup. Please wear long sleeves and goggles for this part as the lye will heat up the water to almost two hundred degrees. Make sure your workspace is well ventilated. Stir until the lye has completely dissolved into the water. Set this cup aside. We need this to cool down as we mix our oils.
Next take 14 fluid ounces of coconut oil, now available at most superstores or your neighborhood health food store. If your coconut oil is solid it will melt easily in the microwave for measuring purposes. Some jars of coconut come in the 14 ounce size, this would be perfect for our recipe. Put this in a large stainless steel pot and then add two 3 lb cans of vegetable shortening. This must be melted over a very low flame and taken off the flame before completely melting. It will continue to melt as it sits. Use a wisk to stir the cooling pot until all on the chunks have been dissolved. Now add one cup of olive oil. I usually put the olive oil in the fridge over night so as I add it to the melted oil mix it cools down the other oils quickly. The trick here is to get the oils as cool as you can so you dont have use a thermometer. If you can put your finger into the oil and it feels luke warm you can add the water and lye mix even if it is still hot as the oils will compensate and cool down the whole mix. If it is still too warm ,you must wait for it to cool down. Luke warm to your fingers touch is the guide. If you have a thermometer anywhere less than one hundred degrees will work.
Pour the water and lye solution into the melted oils and begin stirring. When the mix gets to the consistency of applesauce add 3 tablespoons of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Now you are ready to pour your soap into a mold. Have ready a sturdy cardboard box that you have lined with a plastic garbage bag. Pour your soap mix into the box and let it sit for a half an hour. Then cover it with old towels to help it retain heat as it starts the saponification process. After 48 hours take it out of the mold and cut to desired size. These bars need three weeks to finish curing. You will then have beautiful handmade luxurious bars of soap for personal use or to give as gifts or even to sell. And you have made these with everyday ingredients most of us have readily available to us.

Mango Fool - A Bajan Dessert

There are a number of mango varieties grown in Barbados. Most popular are the Julie, Ceylon and the large Imperial mango. At Food Affairs, we are fortunate in that we only use fresh mangoes from our orchard in our recipes, including this one for one of our most popular desserts.
MANGO FOOL (serves 6)
1-1/4 tsp unflavoured gelatin (less than an envelope)

1 cup whole milk

1 large egg

1/2 cup sugar

4 cups fresh mango

1-1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice

1 cup chilled heavy cream
Sprinkle gelatin over 3 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl and let soften while making custard.
In a heavy saucepan, bring remaining milk just to a boil and remove from heat. Whisk together the egg and a 1/4 cup sugar until combined well, then add hot milk in a slow stream, whisking.
Pour custard back into saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until thermometer registers 170F and the custard coats the back of a spoon (do not boil) - about 2 minutes.
Stir in gelatin mixture (tip: if the gelatin mixture gets too firm, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds and it will become liquid again) and cook over low heat, stirring until dissolved - about 1 minute (do not boil). Pour custard through a medium-mesh sieve into a bowl and cool, stirring occasionally.
In a blender, puree mangoes with remaining 1/4 cup sugar and lime juice until very smooth. Force through a sieve into custard. Stir until combined well. Chill until cold, but not set, (about one hour).
Beat cream with an electric mixer until it just holds stiff peaks (tip: always chill your bowl in the freezer prior to whipping cream). Fold into mango custard gently, but thoroughly.
Either pour the Mango Fool into a serving bowl, or divide amongst ramekins. Chill, covered for at least 8 hours. (Can be chilled up to one day prior to serving.)

Advantages Of A Gas Grill

There are some noted advantages to using a gas grill over other traditional grills which make them the most popular choice for the backyard griller. These grills are lit via propane or similar type of natural gas. Most homes have one on their deck or patio to allow easy cooking and entertaining of guests. Having a barbecue is a great way to welcome friends or family members into your home.
Firing a gas grill is as easy as turning a knob and hitting a button. The starter button will light the flame and start warming the cooking surface. The ease of doing this is the biggest advantage to these grills. With a charcoal grill you have to pile the charcoal, apply lighter fluid, and manually light them. You also need to monitor them to make sure the flame remains at an optimal temperature. Most gas grills have a thermometer gauge and a method to turn the amount of gas up or down. This allows you to correctly cook any type of food.
A second advantage to a natural gas grill is the ability to cook different meals at different temperatures at the same time. Most of these grills have different burners on each side with seperate controls. You can quickly turn one side up or down to compensate for varying temperature requirements.
Another barbeque gas grill advantages is the ease of cleaning up after you are done cooking the meal. They will cool down in a relatively short period of time, allowing you to quickly remove the grill section for a thorough cleaning. Charcoal grills take alot longer to cool as you must wait for the burnt charcoal biscuits to completely cool before removing them, and doing this is a messy proposition. You will typically have to wait several hours before the coals are cool enough to be removed.
One thing to remember with a gas grill is that propane is a flammable product. You should use care when moving the small cylinder and avoid dropping it or damaging it severely. You should also check the gas lines for leaks periodically to avoid the risk of a fire or explosion during the cooking session. Rest assured these grills are safe to use but you must use your common sense at all times. Follow the instructions carefully and do not use the propane tank if you suspect there are any problems with it.
Barbecue grilling is a fun activity as you get to enjoy the outdoors while cooking food for you and your guests. Gas grills have some advantages over other types which explains why they are the most popular grill for homeowners. They are easy to use and maintain, plus you get a terrific flavor in your food.

Should You Fight A Fever?

Most people would worry if their temperature, or the temperature of their child or other loved one, was to rise by more than a couple of degrees and they would probably act to try to reduce the temperature to nearer the normal 37C/98.6F. Surprisingly, this is not necessarily the best course of action.
Prior to the development of antibiotics and vaccines, fever struck fear into populations and caused many deaths. Modern medicines, however, have caused these diseases to be treatable or preventable. Medical research has also shown that a fever is not the body's enemy.
Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections thrive at normal body temperatures. So raising the temperature by a few degrees is the body's way of fighting infection by making conditions less suitable for the survival and reproducion of the infectious agent. A fever will also activate the body's immune system by encouraging the production of white blood cells, antibodies and other infection-fighting agents. So if acting to bring down the temperature may prevent the body from fighting the infection, does this mean you should let the fever take its natural course? Not necessarily.
A high fever may be caused by measles, mumps or meningitis or other serious illnesses and you should seek medical help in any of the following circumstances.
If the temperature rises to 40.5C/105F.
Any child under six months old should be examined by a doctor.
If a patient of any age has difficulty breathing, has a stiff neck, is irritable or confused, is unable to move an arm or leg, or has a seizure.
If the fever is accompanied by any of the following symptoms: persistent or abnormal stomach pain; laboured or rapid breathing; headache with an avertion to bright light.
Diagnosis
Simple and straightforward: place a hand on the forehead or use a thermometer - there are three types, oral, rectal or a strip that can be placed on the forehead.
Treatment
As a fever is an important part of the body's defence mechanism, the aim should be to reduce the temperature to about 38C/101F rather than bring it down to normal. Indeed, if a child with a fever is playing happily, is able to sleep, and is taking plenty of fluids, it would be better to let the body's defenses fight the infection. Conversely, if the child is vomiting, dehydrated, or having difficulty sleeping, seek medical help.
Complications
High fever can cause complications, some of which are serious.
A prolonged period with a temperature above 42C/107.6F can result in brain damage.
In rare cases, high fever can cause febrile seizures. Although the symptoms are alarming, febrile seizures are over in moments and have no lasting consequences. The seizures begin with a sudden contraction of the muscles in the face, arms, legs and trunk. Usually the child will emit a haunting, involuntary moan lasting for perhaps 30 seconds. The child will often fall, vomit, pass urine, cease breathing and might turn blue. Eventually the contraction will be broken by repeated jerks after which the child will be limp, unresponsive and drowsy.
Summary
A high fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection. You should look for other symptoms in order to decide whether to seek medical help.

Foodborne Illness: Did You Know?

(NC)-Although most recover completely from it, some people who get food poisoning (foodborne illness) may develop long-term health problems as a result. Illnesses such as chronic arthritis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which leads to kidney failure, affect not only those afflicted, but also society and the economy at large. Health Canada estimates that the costs associated with these illnesses exceeds $1 billion per year.
One way to avoid foodborne disease is to exercise care when grilling those hamburger patties on the barbecue this summer. Cook to temperature not to colour. According to recent studies, visual clues such as clear running juice or brown coloured centres are not always reliable. Health Canada recommends cooking ground beef to 71C (160F), and testing with a food thermometer. When patties are almost done, remove from heat and insert an instant-read food thermometer sideways into the centre of the thickest burger. If the temperature registers at least 71C (160F), the burger is done, if not, continue cooking until a minimum temperature of 71C (160F) is reached. At this temperature E. coli (the bacteria that may be present in ground beef) is killed and the patties are considered safe to eat. For more information on food safety, visit the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education Web site at www.canfightbac.org.

Mango Fool - A Bajan Dessert

There are a number of mango varieties grown in Barbados. Most popular are the Julie, Ceylon and the large Imperial mango. At Food Affairs, we are fortunate in that we only use fresh mangoes from our orchard in our recipes, including this one for one of our most popular desserts.
MANGO FOOL (serves 6)
1-1/4 tsp unflavoured gelatin (less than an envelope)

1 cup whole milk

1 large egg

1/2 cup sugar

4 cups fresh mango

1-1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice

1 cup chilled heavy cream
Sprinkle gelatin over 3 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl and let soften while making custard.
In a heavy saucepan, bring remaining milk just to a boil and remove from heat. Whisk together the egg and a 1/4 cup sugar until combined well, then add hot milk in a slow stream, whisking.
Pour custard back into saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until thermometer registers 170F and the custard coats the back of a spoon (do not boil) - about 2 minutes.
Stir in gelatin mixture (tip: if the gelatin mixture gets too firm, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds and it will become liquid again) and cook over low heat, stirring until dissolved - about 1 minute (do not boil). Pour custard through a medium-mesh sieve into a bowl and cool, stirring occasionally.
In a blender, puree mangoes with remaining 1/4 cup sugar and lime juice until very smooth. Force through a sieve into custard. Stir until combined well. Chill until cold, but not set, (about one hour).
Beat cream with an electric mixer until it just holds stiff peaks (tip: always chill your bowl in the freezer prior to whipping cream). Fold into mango custard gently, but thoroughly.
Either pour the Mango Fool into a serving bowl, or divide amongst ramekins. Chill, covered for at least 8 hours. (Can be chilled up to one day prior to serving.)

How To: Quick and Easy Natural Massage Melts

Massage melts are a unique body product because they stay solid at room temperatures, but when applied directly to your skin, start to soften and melt due to body temperature. Their main purpose is to moisturize dry skin, as well as, relax and soothe tight muscles.

Essentially, massage bars are composed of natural butters and oils. Most recipes for this type of product call for the use of cocoa butter. Even though it has great moisturizing properties, I feel this butter produces too hard a product. Therefore, I recommend using such butters as shea and mango, which create a silkier, luxurious feeling to your melts.

For oils, I highly recommend using sweet almond and jojoba. Sweet almond oil is light and penetrates easily making it well-suited for dry skin conditions. Plus, it is effective on all skin types. Jojoba oil, which is not actually an oil but is a liquid wax, is similar in composition to the oil your skin secretes, which is known as sebum. Jojoba is a quickly absorbed oil that soothes the skin, as well as, extends the shelf life of other oils.

Other light oils you can substitute, for the above, are apricot kernel, grapeseed, sunflower, safflower, or soybean. Rounding out the rest of the ingredients are beeswax, vitamin E, and essential and fragrance oils.

Beeswax helps formulations keep their shape, as well as, act as a humectant. Vitamin E oil protects your product from rancidity and is also a great natural antioxidant. Essential oils are natural ingredients that are the very essence of the plant itself. Extracted from the flowers, fruit, leaves, bark, and roots of the plant, the oils are used for scent and therapeutic purposes. A word of caution, due to their volatility, research any essential oil before use. Fragrance oils, though synthetic in nature, do provide an inexpensive and easy way to achieve a scent that might not be possible with essential oils.

Ingredients:

3 oz. of shea butter

3 oz. of beeswax

2 oz. of jojoba oil

2 oz. of sweet almond oil

tsp. of Vitamin E

Equipment:

Mold(s) of your choice

1 digital cooking thermometer

2 Pyrex glass measuring cups

1 small digital postal scale

1 set of measuring aluminum spoons

Wax paper for measuring on the scale

Plastic wrap to cover Pyrex cups

Directions:

Step 1: Gather all equipment onto a clean, sterile surface. Place a sheet of wax paper over the small digital postal scale to measure out the shea butter and beeswax base. Place base in a Pyrex cup and cover with plastic wrap. Melt ingredients, completely, in the microwave.

Step 2: While the base is melting, use the second Pyrex cup for your jojoba, sweet almond, vitamin E, and essential/fragrance oils (if used). Mix, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside.

Step 3: Once the base has melted, mix thoroughly. Pour the Pyrex cup from step 2 into the base Pyrex cup, mix together, and pour into your mold(s). Set aside for a couple of hours to cool and set. When soft, transfer the melts to the fridge until they are really hard. They should just pop out of the molds easily. Massage into skin and let product become absorbed. Due to melting properties, keep unused portions out of direct sunlight and store in a cool place.

Note: If you plan on using essential and/or fragrance oils in your recipe, place a digital thermometer in the melted shea butter and beeswax base. Wait for the temperature to drop down to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything higher will burn off the fragrant oils. After the temperature has reached this point immediately dump your Pyrex cup from step 2 into the Pyrex cup with the base, mix quickly, and pour into your mold(s). Follow the rest of step 3 instructions.

Muscle Relief Essential Oil Blend

tsp. of Eucalyptus

tsp. of Peppermint (do not use if pregnant)

30 drops of Rosemary

Tropical Fragrance Oil Blend (Substitute shea butter with mango butter)

tsp of Heliotrope fragrance oil

tsp of Coconut Milk fragrance oil

30-50 drops of Tahitian Vanilla fragrance oil

All recipe ingredients, listed above, can be found by searching Google.com.

Better Baking Technique: Is it Done Yet?

Are my breads, cookies, or cakes baked and ready to come out of the oven yet?
The ability to tell when products are baked seems to cause more consternation than almost any other phase of baking. And of course, it is important. Over baked cookies are dry and hard; under baked bread is soggy. But you can get it right. In this article, we will give you the techniques and pointers for baking your goods to perfection.
Yeast breads
The tendency is to under bake yeast breads. The internal temperature of yeast breads should be 210 degrees and must be at least 185 degrees. The only way to reliably tell what is going on inside that loaf is with a probe type thermometer. Remove the bread from the pan and insert the thermometer through the bottom crust into the center of the loaf.
(If you are going to bake bread and you dont have a thermometer, we strongly recommend that you purchase one. You will need it to test the temperature of the water, the dough, and the finished bread. You can buy one on our site.)
When the bread is done, the crust color will range from a golden brown to a deep brown for artisan breads baked in a hot oven. Breads with a higher sugar content or in a hot oven will tend to brown more rapidly as the sugar caramelizes. If the bread is browning too rapidly, make a tent of aluminum foil and cover the top of the loaf.
In light colored pans, the bottom crust is the last to brown. With a done loaf, the bottom will color even in a light-colored pan.
My mother was a bread baker. She tested doneness by tapping the loaf with her finger--a done loaf will sound hollow when tapped. I dont remember her ever making a mistake. Though she taught me to do the same, Im not as good as she was. Out of habit, I still tap the loaf but I nearly always follow with a thermometer probe and sometimes the thermometer proves me wrong.
Cookies
If the tendency is to under bake breads, the tendency is to over bake cookies. Take them out just before you think they are done; you wont be wrong often.
My father is a consummate cookie baker. If you ask him what his secret is, hell tell you: I dont over bake cookies. The difference between a just right cookie and an over baked one is dramatic.
Make cookies uniform in size. Not only are they more attractive but different sizes of cookies take different times to bake.
Most recipe writers tell you to leave the cookies on the sheet for a minute or two. Cookies continue to bake on a hot baking sheet. Sometimes thats necessary for an easy release but for most recipes, we remove them as quickly as we can.
If the cookies look a little soggy in the middle, then leave them on the sheet for a few minutes and they will firm up.
Most cookies should be gold in color, not brown. Both the amount of sugar and soda in the recipe will affect how fast a cookie browns.
Chocolate cookies represent another challenge: you cant tell if they are browning. If you are baking with a new recipe, bake a few cookies and check them for doneness before baking the entire batch. Chocolate cookies will tend to lose their wet look when done.
Many bar cookies will have a dry, shiny crust when done.
Cakes
For most baked goods--but especially cakes--it is best to set the timer for a few minutes less than directed in the recipedifferent ovens or even different positions in the oven bake differently. A dark pan bakes more quickly than a light pan. When you find your cake not quite done and continue baking, set the timer for three or four minutes and check again.
A toothpick inserted in the center of the cake will come out clean when done. Clean means a few crumbs. If there is wet looking batter clinging to the toothpick, its not done.
If you dont want to poke a whole in the center of the cake, check for doneness with your finger. There should be some resiliency to the touch and the cake should spring back. When done, the cake will usually have a golden brown color to the top though different recipes will brown more or less quickly. When done, the cake will tend to pull away form the edges.
Quick Breads
Quick breads are basically cakes in a loaf pan. The same tests that you use on cakes can be used with quick breads. Stick the toothpick or skewer right in the open crack in the center of the bread. The area under that crack seems to be the last area in the loaf to set up.
Incidentally, quick breads release from the pan easier if left to cool for few minutes before removing. Because of the larger mass, a loaf does not continue cooking as quickly as cookies do.
Custard Pies
Custard piesincluding pumpkin piesare a special problem. It takes quite a while for the protein in the eggs to set and make the pie firm. Often, the crust is becoming too brown before the eggs set. If so, cover the crust with strips of aluminum foil to retard further browning.
When a custard pie is done, a knife inserted in the center of the pie will come out clean. If you dont want a cut mark in the center of your pie, use the jiggle test. Pick the pie up with two hot pads or mitts and gently shake the pie back and forth. If done, all but the center should be firmthere will be a little jiggle in the center. The center will continue to cook and firm up after you remove the pie from the oven.
We hope these guidelines help. With practice and observation, youll soon become very proficient at judging when your bread or cookies are baked to perfection. Your baked goods will then be irresistible.

Old-Fashioned Taffy Pull Party--How to Host Your Own

Want a unique party idea for your childs birthdayor even
her next weekend sleepover with friends? Try hosting your
own taffy pull. It can get pretty messy, but kids absolutely
love it. Just follow these steps to minimize the mess . . .
and maximize the fun!
1. Stock up on supplies.
If you dont already own basic candymaking tools, stocking
up is pretty easy. Youll need a medium-size saucepan
(3 or 4 quarts) with a heavy bottom and straight sides.
Youll also need a long-handled wooden spoon, a pastry brush
(used to brush off any crystals that might form), and a good
candy thermometer with a metal clamp that attaches to the
side of your saucepan.
Next, go shopping for taffy ingredients. For the recipe
in this article, youll need to pick up the following:
sugar, corn syrup, salt, unsalted butter, flavoring extracts
(vanilla, raspberry, and lemon), food coloring (red and yellow
work nicely), flour, wax paper, and candy wrappers.
2. Prepare your kitchen.
If you resign yourself to the fact that this party is going
to get messy, youll be in the right mindset to just relax
and let the kids have fun. Still, there are a few simple
steps you can take to minimize the mess.
First, lay down several painters cloths, taping the edges
to protect every inch of your floor. Next, sprinkle a light
layer of flour over the painters clothsthis will help keep
everyones shoes from sticking to the cloths when the
inevitable spills occur. Finally, tape down some wax paper
over the table or countertop where you plan to start your
taffy pull.
3. Make your favorite taffy recipe.
The process of making taffy can be a little tricky for
young ones. I suggest making the taffy yourself, and after
the candy has cooled, call in the kids to start the pulling.
Heres a classic recipe for saltwater taffy. Try it!
3/4 cup water

2 cups sugar

1 1/4 cups corn syrup

2 tablespoons butter

Flavoring and coloring as desired

1 teaspoon salt
Measure 2 cups sugar, l 1/4 cups corn syrup, 3/4 cup water,
1 teaspoon salt into a saucepan and blend well with a wooden
spoon. Place over low heat until sugar has dissolved,
stirring continuously. Increase the heat and do not stir
during the rest of the cooking. Wash the sides of the pan
with a brush or fork covered with muslin and dipped in
water, using an upward motion. This will prevent the
formation of crystals which might cause the candy to sugar.
After the syrup boils put in the candy thermometer, and when
the thermometer registers 265 degrees, remove candy from
heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and stir very gently. Divide
the taffy into three parts; youll add different flavors
and coloring to each one during the pulling process.
4. Prepare the little ones.
First, have everyone wash his or her hands with lots of
soap and warm water. Then, let them grease their hands
generously with a stick of unsalted butter to prevent the
fresh taffy from sticking to fingers. Dont use vegetable
oil or margarine for this stepthe flavor when mixed with
taffy isnt nearly as good as real butter.
5. Let the pulling begin!
Once the taffy has cooled enough to handle, its time to
start pulling. Instruct your partygoers to use only their
fingertips to lift the edges of the warm, flowing candy up,
and then to pull out about 12 inches. Then, theyll quickly
fold the taffy back from the one hand to the other, catching
the center, and then pulling again.
If youre adding food coloring and flavoring, pause briefly
after a few pulls to add a drop or two to the mixture,
folding the mixture over on the color and flavor. Try using
raspberry flavor with red coloring, lemon flavor with
yellow coloring, and vanilla flavor with no coloring.
Continue to pull until the color and flavor are thoroughly
mixed in.
6. Wrap it up.
When your taffy is very hard to pull and holds its shape
when laid out on a platter, its ready to cut into pieces.
Rub a pair of kitchen scissors with unsalted butter, and
then cut the hardened taffy into bite-size pieces. Have the
kids wrap the pieces in candy wrappers, twisting each end.
(You can also use wax paper or colored plastic wrap.)
Now you can fill small baggies with the taffy, and send
each child home with their own homemade party favor!