Happy New Year. Are you looking for a bright new start filled with happiness, harmony and, of course, good health? This is a huge order for some people, but I think it is what we all strive for.
Here is an interesting quote that should get you thinking:
“Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, more money, in order to do more of what they want so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are. Then, do what you need to do in order to have what you want.”
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This quote caught my attention. It reminded me of a recent situation in our family.
Over the holidays, when the kids were home from school, we thought it would be the happiest time of the year. They received almost everything on their Christmas lists, got to stay up late and eat more junk food than they were normally allowed. And what did
That’s right: a grouchy group that had everything they thought they wanted, but that did not make them happy. What they really needed was to look after themselves by eating some nutritious food, getting some rest and some peaceful play time with their new gifts. I think the experience was overwhelming for them. After we all took a break, looked after ourselves, and decided what we really wanted, we appreciated everything so much more. Remember, you only live once but if you work it right, once is enough.
Here are some new recipes to add to your New Year delights.
Tex mex dip
A fun appetizer that is almost a complete meal. Prepare ahead for those hectic days.
14 oz. can refried beans 398 mL
1 package cream cheese 125 g
2 teaspoons lemon juice 10 mL
sprinkle of salt and pepper
1Ú2 cup sour cream 125 mL
1Ú4 cup mayonnaise 60 mL
2 tablespoons taco seasoning 30 mL
Spread refried beans on the bottom of a nine x 13 inch (22 x 33 cm) pan.
Combine all ingredients and spread over beans. Layer over this:
1 cup shredded marble 250 mL
cheese
1 diced tomato
2 green onions, diced
1Ú2 cup chopped, black 125 mL
olives
Warm in oven and serve with crackers or bread sticks.
Simple shrimp dip
2 cups sour cream 500 mL
1Ú4 cup chili sauce or 60 mL
ketchup
4 oz. canned shrimp, 113 g
drained and mashed
1Ú2 teaspoon lemon juice 2 mL
1Ú2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 2 mL
1 teaspoon minced onion 5 mL
1Ú2 teaspoon beef bouillon powder 2 mL
Combine all seven ingredients in a bowl. I do mine in a food processor. Serve chilled with raw vegetables.
Cranberry muffins
3 large eggs
2 cups sugar 500 mL
1 teaspoon orange juice 5 mL
1 cup oil 250 mL
2 cups grated zucchini, drained 500 mL
1 can (14 oz.) crushed 398 mL
pineapple, drained
3 cups flour 750 mL
1 teaspoon baking powder 5 mL
2 teaspoons baking soda 10 mL
1 teaspoon salt 5 mL
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 10 mL
1 cup dried cranberries 250 mL
Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C). Line the muffin tins with papers.
Combine eggs, sugar, orange juice and oil and beat until frothy, approximately six minutes. Stir in zucchini and pineapple. Mix the dry ingredients, including the cranberries. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and stir.
Put the batter into muffin tins and bake for 25 minutes.
Poke cake
1 chocolate cake mix, two-layer size 1 can (11 oz.) Eagle brand milk 300 mL
1 can Hershey sundae topping
2 cups whipping cream 500 mL
shaved chocolate
Prepare cake following package instructions. Combine condensed milk and sundae topping, caramel is best, and mix well.
While cake is still hot from the oven, take the handle of a wooden spoon and make holes approximately one inch (2.5 cm) apart, all over the top of the cake.
Drizzle with the caramel mixture in the holes and over the top. Cool and whip the cream and spread over the top of the cake. Decorate with shaved chocolate.
Get rid of that smell
Dear TEAM: I read about the lady dealing with the odour from her cat in one of the fall columns. Recently, our sister-in-law had her deep freeze unplugged by her grandchildren. They did not notice for a week and the smell was bad. After emptying it and washing it out, the smell was still prevalent. Someone had heard of using mouthwash on a cloth as a cleaner. It worked. There was no more smell. I am sure that it would help pet odour as well. – O.R., Neilburg, Sask.
Dear O.R.: I was thrilled to get your letter. I tried Scope for cleaning the litter box and you are right, it worked. Thank you.
Here are other tips that have been brought to my attention.
Banish winter colds
Canada’s Healthy Living Guide provided this information to stay healthy this winter:
- Drink eight glasses of water daily to flush
toxins. - Supplement with vitamin C; the brands with bioflavonoids are best. Take 1,000 milligrams every couple of hours throughout the day.
- Suck zinc lozenges, up to 70 mg a day, to stop a sore throat.
- Do not leave used tissues in an open garbage can. Flush them after blowing to avoid the spread of germs. Wash your hands thoroughly each time.
- Stop a cold sore by dabbing on some Pepto Bismol when you feel that first tingle in your lip.
Want a great hotel rate?
When you head out for your vacation, what are your main concerns? Probably having fun, seeing something new, and, of course, the vacation budget.
Did you know that it’s possible to bargain for a lower rate at almost every hotel including the most expensive luxury hotels? Consumer Reports included the following tips for finding a lower room rate:
- Seek a group discount. You can usually save at least 10 percent off the stated rate by using an auto club card, a senior discount, or discount for members of the military, government employees, business people or convention attendees.
- Check the internet. Some hotel chains give a discount for bookings made on their website.
- Try toll-free and local numbers. Usually, you’ll get a lower rate by calling the hotel directly. The local staff has a better grasp of supply and demand and more discretion in setting rates than the national staff. If the local staff does not know about or give discounts, ask for the manager of reservations.
- Book either very early or very late. This statement is almost contradictory, but it holds some truth. By reserving about three weeks ahead you can save money because hotels prefer to secure a reservation for an empty room. By contacting the hotel late, you can save money if the hotel is not full. What should you do? Try booking early and call back a few days before you arrive. If the rate is lower than your early booking, ask the hotel to drop your rate or else cancel and rebook. Be sure you know the cancellation deadline so you avoid the fee. Normally, the time limit is 24-72 hours before arrival.
- Join a frequent user program. Most promotions cost nothing to join and you receive points every time you stay, which leads to discounts in the future.
- Stop at visitor centres to make use of any coupons or special offers.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@
producer.com.
