Friday, January 13, 2012

Simple Yellow Split Pea Soup




The weather forecast is calling for below zero temperatures this weekend here in Maine.
A simple soup simmering on the stove is healthy, inexpensive way to warm up.

Rinse your dry peas (yellow or green)
In a large pan pour 2-3 quarts of fresh water
add peas and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium
and add carrots, potato, garlic and onion.
I let this cook on medium for about 15 minutes and then
turn the temperature down to simmer and let it go for a
couple of hours.

Wonderful smells, warms you up and it is good for you!

Yellow split peas are a great source of protein and have only 1 gram of fat
for every 350 calories. They are also high and fiber and make you feel full
and satiated.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

What are you REALLY eating?

Did you know that there are companies that spend their time creating flavors that will make people crave certain foods and also make them taste better to the consumer?





The following list of ingredients in artificial strawberry flavoring:


A typical artificial strawberry flavor, like the kind found in a Burger King strawberry milk shake, contains the following ingredients:
amyl acetate,
amyl butyrate,
amyl valerate,
anethol,
anisyl formate,
benzyl acetate,
benzyl isobutyrate,
butyric acid,
cinnamyl isobutyrate,
cinnamyl valerate,
cognac essential oil,
diacetyl,
dipropyl ketone,
ethyl acetate,
ethyl amyl ketone,
ethyl butyrate,
ethyl cinnamate,
ethyl heptanoate,
ethyl heptylate,
ethyl lactate,
ethyl methylphenylglycidate,
ethyl nitrate,
ethyl propionate,
ethyl valerate,
heliotropin,
hydroxyphenyl-2-butanone (10 percent solution in alcohol),
a-ionone,
isobutyl anthranilate,
isobutyl butyrate,
lemon essential oil,
maltol,
4-methylacetophenone,
methyl anthranilate,
methyl benzoate,
methyl cinnamate,
methyl heptine carbonate,
methyl naphthyl ketone,
methyl salicylate,
mint essential oil,
neroli essential oil,
nerolin,
neryl isobutyrate,
orris butter,
phenethyl alcohol,
rose,
rum ether,
g-undecalactone,
vanillin, and
solvent.

feingold.org/strawberry



Did you hear him mention that some strawberry and vanilla flavorings are made by using a gland from a beaver's backside? :)

Friday, January 6, 2012

Prank At The Meat Counter

It is funny how people do not see that greasy bite of sausage was once a cute little pig. This experiment shows them what they just sampled and these shoppers are less than happy to learn where meat really comes from.



Monday, January 2, 2012

Hard Lotion Bars




I made these bars as Christmas gifts this year. I also keep a bunch in our own bathroom cabinet. They work great and are very easy to make.
Here is a great tutorial video on how to make these bars:


Use equal amounts of these ingredients: beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil
Combine in a double boiler. Melt, stir well, and pour into molds. You can add essential oils of your choice when you first pour and mix with a toothpick. I didn't use oils the first time and they still smell nice. I like the smell of the natural beeswax.
I used mini muffin pans and also tried using an ice cube tray. I like the muffin mold the best. After they have cooled completely, I put the whole pan into the fridge for about 15 minutes and then turned the pan upside down on the counter and tapped each muffin cup with a wooden spoon. I lifted the pan and they had popped right out. Keep your lotion bars in a sealed container or a tin.