Uses for Baking Soda You May Not Know

 We all know that baking soda is used for cleaning, health & hygiene, etc.  There are many, many uses.

It is also very useful when cooking - in ways that not many people may know.

This is how I buy it!  I use it for so many things.  I keep a sealed container in the cabinet (and date it) for kitchen use, have a container in the bathroom, a container in the frig and one in the freezer, and a container under the sink.

So very useful!

Here are a few ideas many don't realize.  I hope you find something you can use.

• A pinch added to water when soaking dry beans - helps remove gassiness.
• Add 1 tsp. baking soda to the cooking water for rice to improve fluffiness
• Omelets are fluffier if you add 1/2 tsp. baking soda to about every 3 eggs
• If your gravy separates, add a pinch of baking soda to help get the oils and fats to stick back together
• Tenderize tough meat by rubbing it with a little baking soda.  Let it stand for a few hours and then rinse and cook
• Rubbing b. soda into the fat surrounding pork chops makes them fry crispier
• To remove the fishy taste of fresh fish - soak raw fish for an hour or so in 2 Tbsp. baking soda to 1 quart of water.  Rinse and cook
• Add a pinch of b. soda to buttermilk waffles/pancakes to make them fluffier and lighter.
• Soften the strong taste of wild game by soaking in baking soda and water over night.  Rinse, dry and cook
• TEST your acidic level of tomatoes.  Dip a damp spoon into baking soda, then stir in tomatoes.  Bubbling means a high acidity level
• Cut the acid in tomato sauce or chili by adding a pinch of baking soda
• Eliminate the gas effect of baked beans by adding a dash of baking soda while cooking
• Cook cauliflower in water with 1 tsp, soda added.  Keeps it white and reduces odor
• If you have a boil water order - it does change the taste.  Soften the taste by adding 1 Tbsp. soda to a gallon of water
• A pinch in a cup of coffee takes away bitterness
• Add 1/4 tsp. of soda to 8 oz. of OJ, grapefruit juice or real lemonade and stir.  It will fizz (like soda pop), but reduces acidic levels.
• Add a pinch of soda to potatoes while mashing - it makes them fluffy
• Tart berries can be sweetened by adding a 1/2 tsp. soda before adding sugar.  You will use less sugar when making pies and cobblers
• Sprinkle baking soda on fresh pineapple to improve the flavor - especially if it is not quite ripe
• Add about a teaspoon of soda when making fruitcake to make the color of the cake darker and to soften the fruit a bit

I like to mix some baking soda with vinegar water to clean the waxy build-up on fruits and veggies purchased at the store.

Most people think of baking soda as a leavening agent and it is sooooooo much more.  It is probably the one item we can purchase that has the most uses.

It can sweeten fruit, remove acid, tenderize meat and fix many cooking mishaps.  It can make a good cook an even better cook!!!

I hope this helps and gives you some new ideas to try.

Baking soda - it isn't just for baking any more!!!!!!!!

Your Christmas/Holiday Pantry

 It is getting to be that time!  Here in the U.S. Thanksgiving is just a couple weeks away and Christmas will be here in a few weeks.  I keep hearing people say that they are not doing their normal baking.  BAKE and ENJOY people.  Don't worry about passing the virus - the heat you bake at is pretty extreme.  None of us know what tomorrow brings, let alone next year.  LIVE and do as many "normal" things as possible.

I worry about a lot of things - but baked goods and food is at the bottom of that list.

I keep most baking and goody items in the pantry at all times, but there are some special ones that we all like to have on hand during the holidays.

Is your holiday pantry ready?

                                               Picture compliments of Gooseberry Patch

BAKING:

We all need sugar, flour, brown sugar, powdered sugar, baking soda, baking powder

Vanilla and all other flavorings

Spices

Chips, cocoa, nuts, coconut, peppermints

Marshmallows and marshmallow fluff, corn syrup

Dried berries and fruit

Sprinkles, colored sugars and other decorating supplies

Oatmeal, yeast

Oils, butter, Crisco, Ghee, etc.

REFRIGERATOR GOODS

Butter, eggs

Cheeses - all kinds - for snack plates as well

Dip items - purchased dip or ingredients to make dip yourself

MISC.

Crackers of all sorts

Chips for dips

Chick peas to make hummus

Dried French's onions (mmmmm - green bean casserole)

Any types of cookie, brownie or cake mixes you may choose. Some just want a simpler holiday and that is perfectly OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like to have lots of easy items on hand.  I will have drop cookie dough in the freezer and ready to bake at a moments notice.  I keep dip items on hand and fun chips for impromptu company.

Also keep slicing cheese and crackers - and I have beef stick on hand almost always.

There is always pickles, relish and olives.

Lots of fun and easy things that can be thrown together in a few moments.

My attitude  may differ from yours and that is OK.  I am not saying your way of thinking is wrong or that I am right.  I just have decided I am going to enjoy life.  I don't know how many years I have on this earth - so I want them to be fun.  

Make the goodies.  Eat the goodies.  Give the goodies.

TIS THE SEASON

Weekly Wrap-Up 11/8

 Happy Sunday to all.  I hope this finds you all well.

It is a beautiful morning here.  It seems like a spring morning instead of a fall morn.  60* at the moment and the sun is shining and the birds are singing.  Going up into the mid 70's again today.

We have had some lovely weather this week after starting cold.  It is amazing to be able to have the heat off and the windows open for such a stretch of time - this time of the year.  I think we again have set some new records with weather.

This is how it has looked at sunset almost every night this week.  Just glorious color.

Last Sunday and again on Monday I must have had 100+ sparrows in the yard.  The ground looked to be moving with them.  It was pretty amazing.  You know I have lots of squirrels, but there are a couple that are just downright FAT! (can't imagine why - lol).  My neighbor made the comment that it is amazing the run and play at such speed!  My back handrail is 4" wide and they cover it when sitting there.  There are plenty of little ones as well - but my goodness a couple are big.

                                        Picture doesn't do it justice - this is one hefty squirrel!!!

This week:

• Made a pot of "stewp".  Veggie/hamburger soup but the consistency of stew.
• Laundry in cold and hung laundry in basement and outside
• Made my own root beer a couple times - soda stream for carbonation and sassafras for flavor
• Renewed library books online
• Got the remainder if the garden cleaned out
• Flipped all the cushions on the couch for a firmer sit!
• Turned off heat and opened windows a lot.
• Only time out this week was to vote, post office and to my brothers for a quick visit. (all one trip)
• Got all my Christmas stamps and enough others for well into next year
• My brother was gifted a bunch of fresh dug turnips and he shared with me and sis.  I love raw turnips with salt (not so much cooked).  I took SIL the ads (they don't get for some reason) as they had a lot of specials on things that I knew they were wanting to stock up on.  We keep each other informed on our prepping!
• Been cleaning and clearing more in the flower beds
• Froze 5 individual containers of 'stewp' for future use
• Removed the mailbox cover that had really faded this summer - and removed all the magnets from it to re-use before trashing
• Have been reading lots and lots of cookbooks (holiday ones)
• A friend sent me a coupon for B1G1 coupon on cat food
• Stayed out of the stores this week
• Spent time finding some old family recipes that my SIL and sis wanted.
• Raked leaves and put them on the garden a couple days ago - today you can't tell I raked!
• Used all leftovers in new ways
• Just doing all the regular normal stuff

Meals this past week:

Soup/'stewp'

Smothered mac - macaroni covered in thickened soup and sour cream/cheese

Smoked sausage, mashed potatoes and sliced tomato

Potato cakes, tuna patty and side salad

Super loaded burger - topped with thinly sliced ham and cheese (oh my)

Chicken and rice with broccoli

Cheesy potatoes with beef

                                              Smothered mac topped w/cheese and sour cream

How was your week?  Are you counting down to Thanksgiving and/or Christmas?  It won't be long on either.  I have been trying to come up with some more gift giving ideas from the kitchen.

Did you stay on the frugal train this week?

Take care my friends. May you stay safe and healthy through the coming days.

Blessings from my humble little home to yours.

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Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Amen

What's Cooking?

 Good morning all.  Hope you are all well.

I have been trying to use up leftovers this week and sometimes I make new things with them.  Just using what I have.

I am thinking about the holidays as well - pre-planning.  

I have more jelly to make and can.  Grape is huge on the WISH list - I have grapes in the freezer and need to get them made up into jelly.

I am also thinking about making up drop cookie dough and freezing it.  I do it just like the stuff you can buy at the store.  

I drop onto parchment lined baking sheet and flash freeze.  Then I store in containers in the freezer until needed.  It sure is handy to have around, especially if you have unexpected company and need some goodies in a hurry or perhaps you just want a few warm cookies yourself.

The weather is so warm right now, it is hard to get into the holiday frame of mind!

SALADS

Lots of time I say I have salad with dinner.  It may not be what you think.  Salad for me does not always mean greens are involved.  It can be any assortment of fresh veggies  (even sometimes canned) - it can be slaw - it can be slaw with added diced tomatoes - it may be kraut with added ingredients - it may be pickles and olives - bean salad - hard boiled eggs and carrots - anything.

Here is a side salad from this week.  Tomato, carrots, radish and olives with dressing.  It was tasty.  Used what I have on hand.

I had a craving for mashed potatoes this week.  Of course there was extra.

Day 2 - I made potato cakes - my goodness they were soooooo good.

About 2 C mashed potatoes

1 egg

1 -2 Tbsp. flour

I added dehydrated onion and the last bits of shredded cheese from a baggy.  Fried in butter until golden in each side.  YUM

I made a tuna patty this week as well (instead of salmon).  It was a small can of tuna in oil - so I drained part of oil and then I added crushed cheese nips (kind of stale).  Seasoned and fried.  Yep - no egg - the oil worked as a good liquid and the  crackers were binder.  Quite tasty without egg.

I love trying new ways!

                                                    Tuna patty, potato cakes and salad.

Here is a tip for holiday goodies.

Anybody make buckeyes?  Those little peanut butter yummies coated with chocolate?  They are very tasty - but I always make a huge mess when dipping them.

Here is MY solution!!!!

Spread the peanut butter goodness in a buttered pan and then top with the chocolate.  Once cooled - cut into bites!  SIMPLE  No more dipping.  (I know they don't look the same - but they still taste the same)

BUCKEYES

1 1/2 C smooth peanut butter (I have used chunky too)

1 pound powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 stick butter (melted)

6 oz. chocolate chips

1 oz. paraffin - (for shine and set)

Combine peanut butter and powdered sugar and vanilla and melted butter.  Roll into balls or spread into a buttered pan.

Melt chocolate chips and paraffin in a double boiler.

Insert toothpick into balls and dip.  OR spread the chocolate over the peanut butter mixture in pan.

Let dry - store in a closed container

What have you got cooking this week?  Any fun foods or special goodies?

We all need new ideas.

Have a great day!!

Reflecting and Having Faith

 We all know the world has become quite unsettled this year.  SO many things in the world are just troubling.

It is every where, not just this country.  We are all trying to do what we can to brighten the days for each other.  That is why I am so thankful for the group we have here.  

I read my horoscope in the paper this morning - 

"You set out to lift people, not to lean on them.  And yet, you wouldn't want to rob anyone of the chance to help you.  You need it, and they give it - a perfect confluence of interests."

Not that I believe in horoscopes - but this is so true.  All I have ever wanted to do in life is teach - and I try.  It is not exactly what I had in mind while in college - but teaching is teaching.

The thing I have realized over the years is that I GET more than I can give. 

I love the support and help and loving that everyone here shows.

We are all teachers.  We are all learners.  We are ONE!  We may be all over the world, and we may have different beliefs, different religions, different habits, different ways - but we are more alike than we are different.  Isn't that wonderful?

I have my faith and that gets me through each and every moment of each and every day.  I am not ashamed of it.  You may believe differently and that is OK for you.

We all do what we need.

This is something all the people of the world need to realize.  Actions are so important.  Your opinion is yours - not necessarily anyone else's.  

We all need one another.  No one on this earth can do this thing called life totally alone.  I truly believe that the legacy that we all will leave - is how we helped, treated and supported other people.  

Let us all be kind and giving.  Let us all teach.  Let us all be what we want to see from others.  Let us all be positive and resourceful.

Let us all know that there is someone far greater in control.

This is it!!!!!  Focus on what you can control - your thoughts and actions.  The rest is faith!  

Be compassionate to yourself and others.  Use kind words.  Do good deeds.  Just keep moving forward.

Regardless of what happens today or tomorrow - life does go on.

MAKE THE BEST OF IT and PEACE my wonderful friends and sisters.

Random Bits and Bobbles

 Today is just a few odd and end ideas to pass on.  Many are just reminders.  

I hope some of them helps someone.

TOOTHBRUSHES

If you get sick - replace your toothbrush!!!  If you don't have another - boil yours.

You just continue to spread bacteria and virus if you use the same one after being ill

REMEMBER to WASH your drier lint filter often.  You may remove the lint in the trap after each use - but there is still an invisible layer of gunk that needs to be removed.  Take out the lint trap and wash well with soapy water and rinse and dry.  If could save your drier or your home.

*************

Here is a trick for those of you who feed ear corn to the squirrels (I can't be the only one!)

Some years the growing season is very dry and that makes for very dense cobs on the corn.  They are extremely difficult to get on the feeder.

I use my drill and make a hole in the center of the cob - enabling it to slide over the feeder nail better.  The hole is a bit smaller that the nail - so it isn't easy for the squirrels to remove!

I keep corn in a metal trash bin, and I go out and drill many at a time - so when I have to replace the corn on feeder - it is ready.

BATTERIES

If you have any tools in your garage that use batteries - you need to bring those batteries in for the winter (if garage is not heated).  Extreme cold and batteries do not mix well.  I always bring in the rechargeable batteries before extreme cold.  Saves you money on having to replace - those rechargeable batteries for tools are expensive!!!

DRIPS

If you have a drippy faucet - try to get it fixed quickly.  If you can't get it fixed - CATCH the water!!!

Use the water for watering houseplants, pet bowls, dish water, flushing, etc.  Do NOT just pour it down the drain.  DID YOU KNOW - one drip per second = 2,700 gallons of water a year!!!!!!!!  That is crazy.

So catch those drips and use them!  Better yet - get it fixed.

BAKING SODA

Don't ever THROW away old baking soda!!!!!!  It still has tons of uses.

Deodorant, toothpaste, cleansing powder, w/vinegar to clean drains & toilets, deodorizer in litter boxes or trash cans, antacid, deodorizer for frig or freezer....................

So many uses - so NEVER throw it away.  

Once I replace the box in the frig - I put it in the drain with vinegar to clean drains.  Never wasted.

ROTATE

Make sure you rotate your pantry preps.  Use the oldest first.  No one wants to have things go to waste.

Just remember that those dates are at the discretion of the manufacturer - not mandatory.  They are "best if used by" dates which means optimal flavor - NOT EXPIRATION!!!!!!!!!!!

The manufacturers are hoping you will throw things away and buy more - there is a method to the madness.  The government does not require these dates (except on baby formula).  Many countries have no dates.

To avoid any questions, just ROTATE stock.  Use your oldest stock first!

Keep your pantries organized and neat - it ,makes it easier to not overlook things.

Hope these reminds someone - so we aren't wasteful.

WASTE NOT - WANT NOT

Weekly Wrap-Up 11/1

 Happy November to all!  This is just hard for me to believe- 2 months and a new year.

Did everyone that needed to - change your clocks??  UGH - I hate this. So many dark hours now and for a couple months.

I don't know about you - but my internal clock doesn't JUST CHANGE!  It stays the same, as does the internal clock of my pets.  So now I will be getting up an hour earlier according to the clock.  No extra hour of sleep here.

It is a windy and chilly day here today.  Today and tomorrow are supposed to be really chilly and then back to mid and upper 60's this week.

We had a lot of rain earlier this week.  I think the past couple weeks it has been trying to make up for no rain for a couple months.  Wednesday into Thursday we had about 18 hours of non-stop rain.  Then it cleared and no rain predicted for at least another week.

                      God purged the skies of rain and gave us this beautiful sight for a sunset.

This was birthday week - can't believe I am 66!  I keep wondering how did this happen?  It seems like yesterday I was in high school.  LOL

I got to see lots of people and got lots of fun phone calls.  I even got to go out to lunch!  It was a good week.  Thankful God has seen fit to give me more days on this earth.

Another quiet week:

• Our only nephew on Glen's side came by Sunday for a visit with his girlfriend.  It was a nice time.  I think he visited for about 3 hours!  It was good to catch up.
• I did a bank run this week - I just want to have enough cash funds on hand for Christmas gifts and for WHATEVER for the rest of the year
• While out - I did get all the holiday gifts for all the little kids.  The 'littles' are done!!!  Lots of noisy and messy fun to take home!!!!!  (all educational though).  That is what aunties are for!
• I also got a few more odds and ends for gift basket stuffers and I also got 4 re-usable grocery bags to use as 'baskets' for some.
• My brother and sister in law came for a visit one day
• Laundry and used  dehumidifier water in it
• Made tea and flavored with OJ - tastes like those fancy bottles of tea you can buy
• My sister took me out to lunch at Arby's one day.  
• Cooking from scratch, drinking tea and water, using what I have
• Have been working on de-cluttering in the basement some more - oh my!!
• Reading and watching some You Tube

Meals this week:

Dinty Moore stew - late dinner

Chili (from freezer) topped baked potato

Loaded cheeseburger and fries

Baked spaghetti (from freezer)

Quesadilla

Arby roast beef and cheese and potato cakes - sis shared mozzarella sticks as well

Mac and Mex - mac n cheese topped with leftover meat/beans from quesadilla topped with crushed corn chips

                               Greasy burger and fries - I had a craving and boy was it good!!!

                                                        Beef/bean/cheese/tomato quesadilla

Another basically quiet week.  

This coming week I plan on staying home (maybe for next couple weeks).  I just want to be safe and I worry about the stupidity that might take place after the election.  I really have no reason to shop or go any where except to the PO up the street.  I could put mail out for postman, but I am leery of that.  Let's call me a nervous Nelly!  I know I am not the only one.

I miss the old days where riots and meanness were not an everyday occurrence. 

How was your week?  Are getting ready for the upcoming holidays?  What have you been up to?

I think my gifts are bought - I still have some things to make - and maybe a couple GC's to buy (but can get them at grocery).  My plan is in motion and getting done!  

How about you?

I pray you have a wonderful week ahead.  Stay safe and be healthy,  Stay frugal and on track.

Sending blessings from my humble little home to yours.

When pride  comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2