Studies have found that smell can directly affect the way that we feel and think.
Good smells help to improve our moods and often our memory. When we smell something good, our brain seems to turn on the master switch, and when we get a whiff of something unpleasant, well let’s just say it is counterproductive.
For example, when I smell soup stock simmering on the stove, it reminds me of walking into my grandmother’s home. That memory makes me smile and puts me at ease.
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When I walk into a bakery and smell the fresh bread or baked apple treats, I just feel better. Have you experienced this?
After a long day, there is nothing more welcoming than the aroma of a home cooked meal. I guess that is why we call it comfort food. These warm meals are appreciated this time of year as the weather gets colder.
In an earlier column, I had said that I was going to have all my food preparations done by 4 p.m. so that I could spend time with my children rather than cooking.
The deadline has been met most of the time, thank goodness, because on the days when we are busy and our meals are not prepared, let’s just say that life is less pleasant, to say the least.
There is fighting and noise, and while trying to prepare food, I am usually helping with homework to save time and the inevitable happens – something always gets spilled on something important. This leads to more fighting and the day’s schedule is truly shot. Everything gets behind and suddenly it is
bedtime and guess what – the dishes are
not done.
I can’t sleep until the kitchen is clean because if I do not have things in order in
the morning, then we start the day behind schedule. Luckily, I have learned some ways to avoid the chaos – get out the slow cooker.
Chicken and rice casserole
This recipe is from the new Company’s Coming 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes cookbook, which would make a great
Christmas gift for those busy people in your life. Serve this dish with your favourite bread, and salad and your menu is complete.
Combine the first three ingredients and 11 / 2 cups(375 ml) water in greased 31 / 2 to four quart (3.5 to 4 L) slow cooker.
Heat large greased frying pan on medium-high. Add chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for about three minutes per side until browned. Arrange chicken over rice mixture in slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low for six to seven hours or on high for 3 to 31 / 2 hours.
Add broccoli. Stir. Cook, covered, on high for about 15 minutes until broccoli is tender. Makes about 71 / 2 cups (1.9L).
Carrot muffins
This recipe has been passed down through time. A traditional favourite and a great way to enjoy garden carrots.
Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Beat the oil and sugar until combined. Add eggs. Beat. Mix the dry ingredients. Fold into the oil-sugar mixture. Add carrots and nuts. Pour into greased muffin tins and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Makes 12 large muffins. You can also bake the batter in a nine by 13 inch pan for 35 to 40 minutes.
While the muffins are baking, mix until smooth one package of 8 oz. cream cheese, softened, with 1 / 4 cup (60 mL) butter or margarine, two teaspoons (10 mL) vanilla and
31 / 2 cups (875 mL) icing sugar. Spread on the muffins when cool.
Apple cranberry dessert
This is a nice twist on plain apples because pecans give it that extra crunch. I like to use Macintosh, Spartan or Granny Smith for my baking. Serve warm with ice cream.
Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). In a mixing bowl, toss apples with cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Place apple mixture in a greased eight by eight inch (22 X 22 cm) baking dish.
Mix the pecans, flour and rolled oats. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apple mixture and bake for approximately 35 minutes or until filling is bubbly.
You could also use the slow cooker to bake this dessert. Cook on high for approximately two hours or low for four.
Soap, bleach bad mix
Dear TEAM: When doing dishes or cleaning, I have in the past used a bit of bleach to boost the soap and to kill germs. Recently, a family member told me that I should never do this because many dish soap containers have a warning not to mix with bleach on the label. Why can’t I mix them? – S.I., e-mail.
Dear S.I.: I made a stop in the cleaning section of my local grocery store and checked Sunlight, Dawn and Palmolive dish soap. The labels all stated, “Do not use with hypochlorite bleach to avoid irritating fumes.”
When I arrived home, I visited the website listed on the label of my Palmolive and asked why it cannot be mixed with bleach.
The answer is that Palmolive hand dish liquids go through an ammoniated process, in which ammonia is introduced to the formula. Although it is not used as an ingredient, there could be traces of ammonia remaining in the product after manufacturing. Ammonia mixed with bleach can cause toxic fumes. If fumes occur, open the window and leave the room immediately.
Check the labels if you are unsure about how to safely use the cleaning products in your home. Most labels will have a website and toll free number to answer any consumer questions.
For your safety, do not mix bleach with anything that may have ammonia or traces of ammonia in the product.
Safety contest winner
Congratulations to Jeannette Roy of
Arborfield, Sask., who won a vehicle emergency kit donated by The Western Producer.
Here are10 safety precautions that Roy took to make her home safer:
n Never get into a car with someone you do not know.
n Always wear a helmet when biking.
n Don’t give personal information on-line.
n Do not allow children to play in bath rooms or the kitchen.
n Always check the temperature of the water before getting into a bath.
n Do not let young children touch or use knives or scissors.
n Do not play with plastic bags or plastic wrap.
n Do not leave children unattended near water.
n Do not leave power tools where children could touch or play with them.
n Do not let children use barbecues.
Honourable mentions
Betty Trost of Springside, Sask. , wrote of the importance of water safety in farm yards, particularly rain water barrels. Water containers should always have lids so that small children and animals can’t fall into them. Also, install safety bars on all grain augers so that no one is injured.
Norma Campbell of Riverhurst, Sask., wrote about the importance of good communication between farm workers. She also wrote about how cell phones have improved communications on the farm. Having a cell phone with them is essential if they need to call for help, especially while working alone.
Marcella Shewchuk of Rama, Sask., wrote about the importance of using safety glasses while working with metal because we do not want to take sight for granted.
Thank you to all who entered our farm and home safety contest.
Safety contest winner
Congratulations to Jeannette Roy of
Arborfield, Sask., who won a vehicle emergency kit donated by The Western Producer.
Here are10 safety precautions that Roy took to make her home safer:
n Never get into a car with someone you
do not know.
n Always wear a helmet when biking.
n Don’t give personal information on-line.
n Do not allow children to play in bath rooms or the kitchen.
n Always check the temperature of the
water before getting into a bath.
n Do not let young children touch or use
knives or scissors.
n Do not play with plastic bags or plastic
wrap.
n Do not leave children unattended near
water.
n Do not leave power tools where children
could touch or play with them.
n Do not let children use barbecues.
Honourable mentions
Betty Trost of Springside, Sask. , wrote of the importance of water safety in farm yards, particularly rain water barrels. Water containers should always have lids so that small children and animals can’t fall into them. Also, install safety bars on all grain augers so that no one is injured.
Norma Campbell of Riverhurst, Sask., wrote about the importance of good communication between farm workers. She also wrote about how cell phones have improved communications on the farm. Having a cell phone with them is essential if they need to call for help, especially while working alone.
Marcella Shewchuk of Rama, Sask., wrote about the importance of using safety glasses while working with metal because we do not want to take sight for granted.
Thank you to all who entered our farm and home safety contest.
Safety contest winner
Congratulations to Jeannette Roy of
Arborfield, Sask., who won a vehicle emergency kit donated by The Western Producer.
Here are10 safety precautions that Roy took to make her home safer:
n Never get into a car with someone you
do not know.
n Always wear a helmet when biking.
n Don’t give personal information on-line.
n Do not allow children to play in bath rooms or the kitchen.
n Always check the temperature of the
water before getting into a bath.
n Do not let young children touch or use
knives or scissors.
n Do not play with plastic bags or plastic
wrap.
n Do not leave children unattended near
water.
n Do not leave power tools where children
could touch or play with them.
n Do not let children use barbecues.
Honourable mentions
Betty Trost of Springside, Sask. , wrote of the importance of water safety in farm yards, particularly rain water barrels. Water containers should always have lids so that small children and animals can’t fall into them. Also, install safety bars on all grain augers so that no one is injured.
Norma Campbell of Riverhurst, Sask., wrote about the importance of good communication between farm workers. She also wrote about how cell phones have improved communications on the farm. Having a cell phone with them is essential if they need to call for help, especially while working alone.
Marcella Shewchuk of Rama, Sask., wrote about the importance of using safety glasses while working with metal because we do not want to take sight for granted.
Thank you to all who entered our farm and home safety contest.
Safety contest winner
Congratulations to Jeannette Roy of
Arborfield, Sask., who won a vehicle emergency kit donated by The Western Producer.
Here are10 safety precautions that Roy took to make her home safer:
n Never get into a car with someone you
do not know.
n Always wear a helmet when biking.
n Don’t give personal information on-line.
n Do not allow children to play in bath rooms or the kitchen.
n Always check the temperature of the
water before getting into a bath.
n Do not let young children touch or use
knives or scissors.
n Do not play with plastic bags or plastic
wrap.
n Do not leave children unattended near
water.
n Do not leave power tools where children
could touch or play with them.
n Do not let children use barbecues.
Honourable mentions
Betty Trost of Springside, Sask. , wrote of the importance of water safety in farm yards, particularly rain water barrels. Water containers should always have lids so that small children and animals can’t fall into them. Also, install safety bars on all grain augers so that no one is injured.
Norma Campbell of Riverhurst, Sask., wrote about the importance of good communication between farm workers. She also wrote about how cell phones have improved communications on the farm. Having a cell phone with them is essential if they need to call for help, especially while working alone.
Marcella Shewchuk of Rama, Sask., wrote about the importance of using safety glasses while working with metal because we do not want to take sight for granted.
Thank you to all who entered our farm and home safety contest.
