In the cold of winter it is funny how powerful a remote for the TV, an easy chair and a warming glow of the fireplace can make us feel. Our homes should be our havens and should reflect what is important to us and give us a sense of peace and satisfaction.
If you feel discontentment with objects or clutter, it is time to make a change. Give away items that others can use, donate items to a charity and clear out junk. Display only items that have meaning and make you smile when you look at them.
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Stock dogs show off herding skills at Ag in Motion
Stock dogs draw a crowd at Ag in Motion. Border collies and other herding breeds are well known for the work they do on the farm.
Rejuvenating a room does not mean spending a large amount of money. Painting is an inexpensive way to make a big change, and colour can often bring life to a boring room. Being surrounded by the colours that you love makes your space pleasing and personal.
If you do not feel like painting this year, a colourful throw or cushion can instantly
uplift your home and you.
Fruit with honey sauce
Try this light and refreshing dessert with a chunk of dark chocolate. The ginger gives it a real kick.
11/2 cups plain yogurt 375 mL
2 tablespoons honey 25 mL
2 teaspoons lemon juice 10 mL
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 2 mL
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 mL
2 cups each sliced fresh 500 mL
strawberries, seedless red
grapes, blueberries, cantaloupe
or fruit of your choice
In a small bowl, whisk the yogurt, honey, lemon juice, ginger and vanilla until smooth. In a large bowl, combine the fruit, and spoon into serving bowls. Drizzle with sauce. Yield: eight servings.
Wheat-free rice crust pizza
This pizza compliments soup at mealtime and is fun to make.
2 cups uncooked Minute Rice 500 mL
whole grain brown rice (or white) 3/4 teaspoon salt 3 mL
2 eggs, beaten
21/2 cups shredded mozzarella 625 mL
cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano 5 mL
2 teaspoons fine cornmeal 10 mL
1 cup pizza sauce 250 mL
1/2 cup of each chopped 125 mL
pepperoni, green pepper and
mushrooms
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Prepare rice according to package directions. Season with salt; and let cool to room temperature. Stir in eggs, one cup (250 mL) cheese, and herbs. Spray a 12 inch (30 cm) pizza pan with cooking spray and sprinkle with cornmeal.
Firmly press the rice mixture into the pan. Cook the crust on the lowest rack for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread the pizza sauce over the top. Sprinkle half of the remaining cheese over the sauce. Sprinkle with chopped meat and veggies, and top with the remaining cheese. Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the bottom is golden. Let stand for five minutes and cut into slices.
Tex Mex chicken and rice bake
It is heart month in Canada. To acknowledge this, try this recipe that was featured on the February 2008 Heart and Stroke Foundation website. Good eating, healthy hearts.
1 can (10 oz.) condensed 284 mL
cream of chicken soup
(regular or low fat) or mushroom
1 soup can 1% milk or water 284 mL
3/4 cup uncooked regular 175 mL
long-grain white rice
11/2 teaspoons chili powder 7 mL
11/2 cups mixture of red and 375 mL
green pepper strips, chopped onion
1/2 cup frozen corn 125 mL
4 boneless, skinless (about 1 lb./500 g) chicken breast halves
1/2 cup shredded cheese 125 mL
of your choice
Mix soup, milk, rice and chili powder in shallow two quart (2 L) baking dish. Spread evenly with vegetables.
Top with chicken. Sprinkle chicken with cheese and additional chili powder, if desired. Cover.
Bake at 400 F (200 C) until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Remove cover and broil until cheese is golden and bubbly, about three minutes. Remove chicken and stir rice before serving. Add a salad and enjoy.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs
Dear TEAM: I have tried switching to energy efficient compact fluorescents, but my family has found that they do not give proper light. Why should we be using them, and are there brands that are better than others? – M.M., e-mail.
Dear M.M.: After receiving your questions, I turned to Consumer Reports, which recently published an article and comparison on these bulbs. Here’s what the organization had to say:
“Canadians are changing to energy efficient lighting to save power and to follow the trend of ‘green’ living. Consumer Reports Canada recommends only Energy Star bulbs. The organization tested 200 fluorescent light bulbs from five major brands, working closely with an outside lab. We also sent 120 bulbs home with 20 panelists. The results:
“CFLs last longer, therefore save money. A typical incandescent lasts 1,000 hours. As we went to press, the spiral bulbs were still on after 3,000 hours. The bulbs were cycled on for three hours, off for 20 minutes, until they burnt out.
CFLs aren’t right for every situation. Incandescent bulbs take less than a second to come close to full brightness. The fluorescent light bulbs we tested took between 25 seconds and 3.3 minutes. So they shouldn’t be used in areas where you need full brightness immediately, like a staircase. Spirals were the quickest, flood lights and covered outdoor bulbs the slowest.
“The fluorescent light bulbs we tested contain about five milligrams or less of mercury, a neurotoxin, or about one percent of the amount in an old-fashioned thermometer. Recycling options are poor when it comes to CFLs. If there is no program in your area, then simply seal fluorescent light bulbs in two plastic bags and put them in the trash until other environmental disposal options come available.”
Which bulbs make the grade?
The source that I used recommended Philips Marathon mini twister and the Philips Energy Saver 60.
Microwaves and plastic
Will microwaving certain plastics contribute to the development of cancer cells?
Concerns have been expressed to me in the past regarding this topic and I recently came across information from the Canadian Cancer Society. There is scientific evidence to suggest that substances used to manufacture plastic products may leach out of the container and into the food it holds, and that some of them may be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). So how do we minimize our risk?
There are a number of kinds of plastic containers. Some are designed for household products, others to hold gardening supplies and others manufactured specifically to store food and beverages.
Companies that make plastic containers for food storage use different substances and manufacture the containers differently than they would if they were making containers for other uses. Because of this, it is important to use plastic containers only as intended, particularly when storing food.
To ensure the safety of plastic containers sold with food or drinks in them, Health Canada’s food directorate tests each new product before it is brought to market. The goal is to determine whether substances from the plastic migrate into the food it contains, and if they do, to determine whether it poses any health risk.
In Canada, plastic containers that do not contain food when sold but are designed for this use are not tested before they are brought to market and there are no guidelines to govern what substances are put in the plastic. However, the Consumer Product Safety Bureau of Health will investigate safety concerns and ask manufacturers to remove substances that pose a health risk.
Health Canada says using plastic containers and wrap for anything other than their original purpose can cause health problems.
It also recommends the following:
- Do not use plastic bowls or wrap in the microwave unless they are labeled as microwave safe. According to the Food and Drug Administration in the United States, these include packaged food with labelling instructions for heating in the package and storage containers sold for use in microwave ovens.
There has been concern that food may absorb the plasticiser used in plastic to make it more flexible, particularly at high temperatures, when microwaving or when heating fatty or oily food such as cheese and meat. Plastic containers that release anything more than an insignificant amount of these substances are not approved for use in Canada.
- If plastic containers are reused as storage, let the food cool before storing and then refrigerate it immediately. Avoid visibly damaged, stained or unpleasant smelling plastics and containers.
- Never heat or store food in plastic containers that were not intended for food. One-time use containers such as margarine tubs tend to warp or melt in the microwave, which may allow more of the substances in plastic to migrate into the food.
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.
