Here is a tip on instant tea.  Some people like the instant lemon, sugared tea.  When I buy the Lipton mix I also buy the Lipton plain instant tea.  I combine the two and it is not quite as strong with sugar or lemon.  None of us should have a lot of sugar or lemon especailly those of us with acid reflex.  Those are the fringe benefits you get after age 50.  

I also do this with the raspberry flavored tea.  In fact we not only use the raspberry tea for "tea time", I use the mix from the can in my punches that I fix for parties or get-to-gethers. 

Just a thought

Gogi 

Here is suggestion that might help you out if you are in a bind at the last minute.

I make spaghetti sauce and put it in the freezer in quart containers.  That way if I have company I can pull out one or more depending on how much sauce I need.  I purchase a 5 lb. sack of meatballs from the store and keep them in the freezer and also make sure I have plenty of spaghetti noodles and canned mushroom soup on hand. 

Once I do this my options are numerous.  I can now have:

spaghetti and meatball dinner

pick up some fresh sub buns and have meat  ball sandwiches

meatballs and mushroom gravy as a main dish for dinner

slice meatballs and have meatball and mushroom soup ( or leave whole)

I am not stating quantities because that depends on the size of your family or number of guests.

Think ahead

Gogi

We are told over and over again not to take large portions of food.  Controled portions of food help you to maintain and lose weight.  Mega portions mean more calories and a weight gain.  This is not exactly true.  Very strict diets can make you feel deprived and always hungry. What you choose to eat has  a  lot to do with it.  Soups such as Progresso Light  provide a full serving of vegetables and can help you control calories without that empty bowl feeling.  A good salad with carefully chosen salad dressing can also give you that feeling.

Satiety (which means being full and totally satisfied and not able to take on more) is essential in helping you control calories and stick to a healthy pattern of eating habits.  Pick and choose foods that are healthy and give you that satisfied feeling.

Thing to remember:  It takes your brain 20 minutes to start signaling a feeling of fullness.  Try to eat slowly, chew your food well, eat less, and enjoy what you eat.

You have heard the statement, "practice what you preach"?  I am going to try to turn over a new leaf and try to be more aware of all of this.

Later,

Gogi

January is the month to hit all the sales for tablecloths, napkins, place mats, etc.  If you want to expand your inventory on these items and add to the elegance of your dinner parties or family dinners, this is the month to get out and check out sale prices. 

A good linen tablecloth could cost you in the range of $100 and up; however, there are some cotton blend and polyester blends that are wash and go and look very nice.  If you are someone who does not have time on their hands, I would suggest the later.  If you wash them separately and take care of them, they look very nice and last a long time.  The pure linen tablecloths require special care.  They must be washed in cold water and ironed on high when slightly damp. 

Jacquard and Damask are also popular tablecloths.  Jacquard has variegated patterns that are achieved by weavng the design into the fabric itself.  Damask tablecloths are woven to achieve bars of lustrous tone-on-tone color, and are reversible with a subtle sheen.

Treat yourself to a day of shopping or just looking.  Most all of my tablecloths have been given to me or bought from the sale table!!!

Have fun.

Gogi

Here is a quick meal and it is quite tasty.  A retired lady at my church who was on a fixed income had many different dishes she used to come up with that were inexpensive.  She used to buy cream of chicken soup in the can and fix as directed.  Then she would add small canned biscuits that had been cut in 2 ro 3 pieces with the scissors or a knife to the soup after she had brought the soup to a boil.  She sometimes added leftover chicken pieces and or mixed vegetables.

This may not be enough for a family of  big eaters but it certainly could be a lunchtime treat.  Besides it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to prepare and cook it.

Just a suggestion!

Gogi

It is time to share some of the ideas, tips, or experiences I have had while receiving my degree in “learning by your mistakes cooking class”.  First of all lessons are learned by doing whatever it is hands on.  If you have never made a cherry pie and failed, how are you going to figure out what it is you have done wrong.  Also, practice makes perfect.  Many people have said they can’t make a particular thing because they tried ONCE AND FAILED.  This should not stop you from trying again.  It should make you more determined to try it over and over again until you get it right.  I remember my first homemade bread left a lot to be desired.  My grandmother used to make her bread in a large white porcelain dish pan.  She would just guess at how much of this and how much of that went into the pan.  Needless to say that did not work for me.  Her bread was absolutely wonderful and as I said mine left a lot to be desired.  I had to resort to following a recipe and developing my own kneading technique.

 If you put more than one woman in a kitchen side by side and give them the same recipe, the finished product will come out just a little bit different, or in some cases a lot different!!  Just remember, when you have a failure that is your incentive to try, try again.  Do not let failure win!!

Until later,

Gogi