Vitamix Green Fruit Smoothie

 
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
1 banana
1 cup grapes (red or green)
1 cup packed spring mix
1 cup packed spinach
6 ice cubes
6 almonds

Place in vitamix in order shown.
Start on variable 1, increase to 10, then high.
Blend 30 seconds.

Oatmeal Cookie Quickie

When you have practically nothing in the cupboard but you still want dessert (like my situation tonight) try these oatmeal cookie quickie fixes:

VERSION 1:
1 pkg dry instant oatmeal any flavor
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup water + 15 raisins  
Mix and bake (2 cookies) on greased cookie sheet at 350 for 10-15 min.
Frost with powdered sugar + water + cinnamon.

VERSION 2:
1 pkg dry instant oatmeal any flavor
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp applesauce
1/8 tsp vanilla
Mix and bake (2 cookies) on greased cookie sheet at 350 for 8-10min.    
Frost with powdered sugar + water + cinnamon.

Cooking: How to make Turkish Coffee

Grind coffee: Grind as fine as possible so it resembles baby powder (finer than espresso) using a turkish brass mill or other coffee grinder on finest setting.

Add cold water: Use a fincan/demitasse cup to measure water and add to cezve/ibrik.

Add sugar: 1 heaping tsp for every 2 fincans of water. Stir to dissolve.

Add coffee: 1 heaping tsp for every 1 fincan of water. DO NOT STIR COFFEE.

Heat: Use medium-low heat, but do not let boil, it should only foam. If the coffee boils, then you didn't add enough coffee.

First up: Heat until foam reaches top and remove from heat to settle.

Second up: Heat until foam reaches top and remove from heat to settle.

Third up: Heat until foam reaches top and remove from heat to settle.

Serve: If you want foam in your cup, scoop foam into each cup and then pour coffee. If you don't want foam, discard it and pour coffee.

Warn: The grinds settle on the bottom, so warn guests not to drink the last sip. You'll know when you're getting close to the sludge.

Storing: How to prevent worms from invading rice, flour, and other dry grains

Sometimes, our dry grain products, such as rice, flour, and popcorn kernels, are prey to a worm invasion. There is nothing like a bunch of worms in the food you're about to cook to steal away your appetite. They are actually either weevils or meal worms, but they look like little white worms.

 The best way to deal with these worms is to prevent them. To do this, first get rid of any contaminated products. I hate to throw away food, but it is worth it. Freeze your dry grain products for a few days as soon as you bring then home from the store. This is to kill any eggs that may already be in the grains. Then, thaw it out on some towels to soak up the frost moisture. Now that the product is defrosted, store it in an airtight container in a cool dry cabinet. I like to pour out the product from its original packaging into a see-through plastic or glass container. That way you can keep an eye on the situation. Finally, place a few bay leaves in your container. The worms hate bay leaves.

Cleaning: How to remove crayon on walls

Spray with hairspray and saturate marks. Wipe away with towel.
It looks like magic!

Cleaning: How to de-stink stinky antique furniture

Air outside on a warm dry day (shade from direct sunlight).
Pour talcum powder or baking soda over surfaces.
Place a shallow pan of charcoal briquettes inside drawers.

Cleaning: How to de-stink a stinky fridge

For a super stinky fridge: empty contents, pack shelves with crumpled newspaper, add large bowl of water. Close door and let run overnight.

For a slightly stinky fridge: keep box of baking soda in fridge and freezer to absorb odors.