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Watkins Household Hints and Tips
Friday, 21 April 2006
Miracle in a Cup: Health Benefits of Green Tea!
Topic: In the Kitchen
How do you fit a miracle in a cup? It's easy, simply drink green tea daily.

For over 4,000 years, the Chinese people have been using green tea as treatment for everything from headaches to depression.

Today, studies are conducted in Asia and the Western world in order to produce hard evidence of the health benefits of green tea. In the 1994 edition of the Journal of National Cancer Institute, the results of an epidemiological study stated that one of the health benefits of drinking green tea is that it can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by up to 60%.

The rich presence of catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the reason why green tea has so many health benefits. A powerful antioxidant, EGCG can not only inhibit the growth of cancer cells but can also destroy them without harming healthy cells.

The University of Purdue has also concluded a research on how a certain compound present in green tea can stop cancer cells from growing. Still another health benefit of green tea is its ability to lower down cholesterol levels and improve the ratio between good (HDL) cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol.

The EGCG in green tea can lower LDL cholesterol levels and stop blood from forming abnormal clots (thrombosis), a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Green tea has more health benefits compared to other Chinese teas like oolong and black tea, all of which come from the plant Camellia sinensis. What makes green tea different is the process by which it is made. Green tea owes much of its health benefits to how the Camellia sinensis leaves are steamed. The steam process keeps the EGCG health benefit of green tea from oxidizing. With oolong and black teas, however, the leaves are fermented instead of being steamed, thus causing the EGCG to transform into another less medicinally potent form.

Aside from medicinal value, green tea can also offer other health benefits, especially in the fitness field. Drinking green tea can cause a person to burn more calories. A recent study on the health benefits of green tea shows that the drink can actually help dieters. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1999, men who took both caffeine and green tea burned more calories than men who only took caffeine or a placebo.

Another health benefit of green tea is it's bacteria-destroying properties. It can help prevent food poisoning and also prevent tooth decay. The substances found in green tea kill the bacteria causing food poisoning and those that cause dental plaque to form.

Well known for its countless medicinal and health benefits, green tea is nothing short of a miracle in your cup. My favorite are Watkins Vanilla green tea and mint and lemon grass green tea.

Posted by Melody at 6:47 AM PDT
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Sunday, 9 April 2006
Which Vanilla is the right vanilla for your baking needs?
Topic: In the Kitchen
So many choices; vanilla extract, imitation vanilla, white vanilla, clear vanilla, pure vanilla, high alcohol and low alcohol! Do you wonder which is the right vanilla to use in your baking? Let’s look at the different types of Vanilla and see if we can unravel the mystery.

Pure Vanilla Extract
Pure vanilla has a high alcohol content so some of the flavor dissipates when cooked, baked or frozen. Government regulations specify that products labeled Pure Vanilla Extract must contain a minimum of 28% alcohol. Best for your icings, and other uncooked dishes.

Clear Vanilla
Clear or white vanilla is an imitation flavor. Perfect for your royal and other white icings, white cakes, whipped cream as well as other baked goods and desserts you wish to be pure white.

Imitation Vanilla Flavoring
This vanilla is made with imitation flavors, coloring and usually has a high alcohol content. If you are accustom to imitation vanilla flavor you’ll like this for most of your baking.

Double Strength Vanilla
Has a low alcohol content so the flavor doesn’t evaporate, contains pure vanilla with a rich vanilla flavor and aroma. Ideal for all your baked goods, desserts and beverages. Use only half the Vanilla called for in your recipe when you are using a double strength Vanilla.

Purchase the highest quality Vanilla you can afford, you’ll taste the difference a premium Vanilla makes to your baking. Your personal taste and which recipes you are planning to make will help determine which Vanilla you choose for your baking needs.

Posted by Melody at 12:01 AM PDT
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Thursday, 2 February 2006
One potato, two potato, three potato more!
Topic: In the Kitchen
Even though there was just three of us my Mother always cooked a big pot of potatoes. She'd warm up the left over potatoes the next couple of suppers, usually by slicing and frying them with a bit of chopped onion until they were brown and crispy. Mom loved potatoes and having cooked potatoes in the fridge was a real time saver for her. This was before microwaves. I adopted her cooking methods and I always cook a big pot of potaoes. Here's a few ideas on how to serve them the next night or two for.

Slice boiled potatoes and fry in a non stick pan sprayed with Watkins cooking spray, season potoatoes with a few sprinkles of onion and garlic granuals, seasoning salt and pepper. My kids prefer them seasoned with Watkins Fire Pepper.

Re-heat mashed potatoes mixed with one beatten egg, a teaspoon of minced green onion flakes, a teaspoon of omelete and souffle seasoning and a bit of pepper. Bake in the oven until heated and slightly browned. Optional - sprinkle with a bit of grated old cheddar cheese or other cheese before baking.

Leftover potatoes make great hashbrowns and are healthier than most frozen brands.

Heat any leftover potatoes in a covered dish in the microwave. Season with a variety of herbs and spices to suit your taste. Watkins butter flavored salt makes plain potatoes taste great.

So cook potatoes once, serve two or three times!


Posted by Melody at 12:01 AM PST
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Friday, 20 January 2006
A Taste of the Tropics
Topic: In the Kitchen
It's back! Watkins Tropical Salsa is made with natural pineapple, banana, and chili peppers inspired by Caribbean fruit salsas and Indian chutneys. This is a great taste on chicken, pork use straight from the bottle as a dipping sauce or an addition to marinades or sauces.


Posted by Melody at 12:01 AM PST
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Thursday, 19 January 2006
Mustard Livens Up Just About Anything!
Topic: In the Kitchen
When you think of mustard does the bright yellow, "ball park" variety come to mind? Although common now, not the condiment used for centuries known as Mustard.

Mustard is naturally fat-free and is a much more healthful and exciting choice than mayonnaise. Mustard is believed to stimulate your appetite, digestion and clear your sinuses.

You'll find Watkins has a gourmet mustard for every taste and occasion, and each one has passed the scrutiny of home cooks and master chefs alike. Watkins Mustards have earned a permanent place in the Mount Horeb Mustard Museum.

Use these innovative condiments with meats, on sandwiches, in salad dressings, marinades, sauces and yes, on hamburgers and hot dogs. Try a spicy, classic German-Style Mustard, my personal favorite a sweet, coarse ground Honey Mustard, a traditional favorite Horseradish Mustard a perfect flavor combination or the hot and sassy Jalepeno Mustard. They'll add zip and liven up just about any dish.






Posted by Melody at 8:15 AM PST
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Wednesday, 27 April 2005
Time For An Oil Change?
Topic: In the Kitchen
From lowering cholesterol to reducing fine lines and wrinkles, it turns out that the oil inside those tiny seeds in grapes has a whole "bunch" of benefits!

Top chefs are now cooking with grapeseed oil because of its amazing effect on enhancing the natural flavours of food. The late Master Chef, Jean Louis Palladin, noticed that his customers always felt good after a meal cooked in grapeseed oil. It's one of the few foods known that not only reduces LDL (the bad cholesterol), but raises HDL (the good cholesterol). This helps to keep arteries clear, which may contribute to another benefit of grapeseed oil—its potential to guard against impotence.

Grapeseed oil contains a high level of antioxidants, including vitamin E, which makes it not only healthy, but very stable; it does not need to be refrigerated, but if chilled it will not cloud up like olive oil. Its high smoke point makes it perfect for grilling or sauteing.

Watkins Grapeseed Oil is available in four gourmet flavours—Original, Garlic & Parsley, Citrus & Cilantro, and Black Pepper—and you'll also find it in our Garlic, Ginger-Garlic and Onion Liquid Spices.

Take care,
Melody

Posted by Melody at 4:52 PM PDT
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Friday, 15 April 2005
Go Ahead - Put Your Fine China in the Dishwasher!
Topic: In the Kitchen
A customer tells me she uses her fine china on a regular basis and washes it in her automatic dishwasher. The important thing she said is to use a dishwasher detergent that does NOT contain bleach. That's why she always uses Watkins Organic Automatic Dishwasher detergent as it contains no bleach. Just be careful to load your dishes so they don't bang against each other and chip.

I was so excited! I never use my good china because I don't have time to carefully hand wash it. We'll be eating in style now that I've learned this tip.

Enjoy life to it's fullest,
Melody


Posted by Melody at 11:36 PM PDT
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Wednesday, 23 February 2005
Not Just Plain Mayo
Topic: In the Kitchen
Looking for a quick and easy way to spice up your sandwich fillings? Try these:

Mix 1 tablespoon of Watkins Cool Curry snack and dip mix with 1/2 cup regular or low fat mayonnaise, add to chopped chicken or shrimp for a cool sandwich filling.

1-2 teaspoons of Watkins Garlic and Dill snack and dip mix, added to 1 can drained salmon, mash with enough regular or low fat mayonnaise to moisten for a dill-ightful sandwich.

Mix Watkins Tomato and Horseradish snack and dip mix with 1/2 cup regular or low fat mayonnaise for a spread with sliced roast beef.

Or try some of these other flavors:
Bacon and Cheddar. Bacon and Horseradish, Blazin' Cajun, Crab, Cucumber Dill, Garden Vegetable, Pepper Ranch, Salsa and Sour Cream, Tomato and Bacon, the possibilities are endless.

Posted by Melody at 11:24 PM PST
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Monday, 21 February 2005
Pasta on hold.
Topic: In the Kitchen
To keep cooked pasta warm for an hour or so without over cooking it, place in a colander set above a pot of simmering water. Cover until needed.

Posted by Melody at 10:21 PM PST
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Saturday, 19 February 2005
Sneaky left overs make an economical soup.
Topic: In the Kitchen
Whenever you have a spoonful of vegetables, pasta, rice and meat left over after a meal put it into a plastic freezer container or bag and freeze. Add to the container whenever you have more left overs. Soon you'll have a container full to make a great soup!

To make your sneaky left over soup add water, Watkins Chicken or Beef soup base and a sprinkling of Watkins soup and vegetable seasoning. Your economical soup will be healthy and taste great. Your family won't even realize it's left overs!

Note:
You can have several containers on the go, one for chicken another for beef if you like.

Posted by Melody at 1:53 PM PST
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