APRON STRINGS

Monday, December 16, 2013

HOMEMADE GINGERALE

Who doesn't love a healthy homemade fizzy lifting drink?

I recently gave up all that nasty soda, and splurged on a Sodastream.

Here is an awesome recipe , and who knew Ginger had so many health benefits!


 Benefits of Ginger


Ginger improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body.

Ginger clears the ‘microcirculatory channels’ of the body, including the pesky sinuses that tend to flare up from time to time.

Feeling airsick or nauseous?ginger, preferably tossed in a little honey.

Can’t stop the toots? Gas—oops—guess what?! Ginger helps reduce flatulence!

Tummy moaning and groaning under cramps? Munch on ginger.

Reeling under joint pain? Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory properties—can bring relief. Float some ginger essential oil into your bath to help aching muscles and joints.

 Chewing ginger post-operation can help overcome nausea.


Helps to get rid of throat and nose congestion.

Bedroom blues? the Ayurvedic texts credit ginger with aphrodisiac properties

Ginger’s antioxidant activity is thought to explain its possible anticancer effects.

Ginger is as effective as ibuprofen in relieving menstrual pain. Ginger has also been reported to be effective at reducing pain and swelling in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee, rheumatoid arthritis and general muscle discomfort.

Ginger contains essential oils, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin C, choline, folate, inositol, manganese, panthotenic acid, silicon, and vitamin B3.

Ginger is soothing and helps clear up phlegm, and aids in reducing a cough.

It helps with impotency, premature ejaculation and increase sperm count.

Ginger makes an excellent pain killer, even when applied externally. In headache, apply ginger juice to the forehead. With toothache, apply it to the external area either on the cheek or jaw area.


Ginger Fizzy Lifting Drink 

1 cup chopped ginger
1 cups granulated or raw sugar, I use Stevia
3 cups water

lime wedge (optional)
a little bit o’ bitters (optional)
ice
1. chop the ginger as much as you can and place the ginger, water and sugar/stevia in a blender and puree for 3 minutes,
2. place gingermix in a kettle, and on medium/high bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for an hour to an hour and a half, or until the liquid has reduced down by more than half. when it looks like thickish it’s finished.
3. Remove from heat and let syrup cool completely .Store in a jar of some type in the refrigerator .It will last for a month, but mine is always gone befor that.

Make your 1 liter soda water just as you would any other time in your Sodastream. Add your ginger syrup instead of the soda syrup. Add bitters if you like. Serve chilled over ice with a lime wedge .
Yummy Fizzy Lifting Drink!!!!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

This dish is one of my all time favorites . After digging our way out of the snow today, it was wonderful to walk thru the door, and smell the smokey ham and onions dancing in my electric skillet. It sure did warm us all the way down to our toes.


1 can evaporated milk
1 cup regular milk
2 T. butter
4 potatoes (peeled and sliced thin)
1 onion (chopped fine)
1 T dijon mustard
1/3 cup mayo
 shredded cheese .

Combine all ingredients except the cheese.Turn skillet on 300 degrees and cook for 45 minutes or until potatoes are done. Top with cheese, and serve...delish!!!

 

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

BARBIE DOLL HAIR FIX

How many of you throw perfectly good barbie dolls out just because their hair has become tangled and frizzy? I know my mom did all the time.

Well, It's TIME TO SAVE BARBIE!!!

Even if you do not have a barbie of your own, you can pick up ones at thrift stores for pennies on the dollar, and restore them to their original beauty.

 Here's one I ordered off of Ebay. She is a Winx doll from 2004. There was only one picture on the listing, and the seller did not disclose theat the back of her hair was one big knot , and smelled of smoke!!!UGHHH. 

So what did I have to lose but to try and fix her. Here's what I did....

Wash with shampoo in warm water
Add conditioner and brush all snarls out starting at the ends
Rinse out conditioner.
Let air dry.
Set with straws and bobby pins
Spray with a light coat of hair spray
Let sit overnight
Remove straws and finger comb hair
Spray lightly one more time with hair spray.


 
 


Friday, November 29, 2013

FROZEN PORK CHOPS IN ELECTRIC SKILLET



4 pork chops
2 carrots
2 potatoes
1 onion chopped
2 tablespoons shortening
 

Heat skillet on 250 degrees.  Add the shortening to your skillet. Take all the wrapper you can get off of the meat. Place face down on top of shortening. It's o.k if you cannot get the tray off , it will come loose in about 10 minutes. Place lid on skillet. Cut and peel your veggies. Add veggies to the skillet and now you can remove the foam tray from meat. Put cover on  and continue to cook another 15 minutes , then flip your pork chops, and seperate them. Add 1/2 cup water, seasonings  and continue cooking for 40 minutes with the cover on.


 

Monday, November 25, 2013

HEARTY POTATO SOUP







2 tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons flour
1 slice chopped bacon
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
3 large potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
1 carrot chopped fine
1 stalk celery chopped fine (about 1/4 cup)
2 Tablespoons green pepper chopped fine) optional
2 Tablespoons cream cheese
12-ounce can of evaporated milk (do not use lowfat milk)
3 cups milk
Black pepper to taste



In a large soup pot, heat the butter over medium heat and add the diced bacon, carrot, green pepper, celery, and onions. Fry this slowly until the the onions are soft and translucent. Do not brown the onions.

 Mix in the potatoes and flour, stir well until all veggies are coated with flour.

Add  all milk, pepper, and cream cheese. On lowest heat cook until the potatoes are tender, about 35 minutes. Do not boil. When the potatoes are tender  turn off the heat. Let this sit for at least 10 minutes. Serve with some shredded cheddar cheese on top for a stunning bowl of soup. You can make this soup up to a day or two  ahead if you’d like.My husband loves this with a grilleD ham and cheese with tomato sandwich. ENJOY!

Friday, November 22, 2013

BITCHES WITH HITCHES

If anyone has any interest in Glamping, Camping, or Vintage trailers, I want you to know you are all welcome to stop by Bitches with Hitches on Facebook .Even if you just dream of owning a vintage trailer, I would love to inspire you and be inspired. Guys don't be afraid to join, we love your input, even though we don't like to admit it.  I was introduced to Glamping a couple years ago. In case you haven't heard of it , the word comes from Glam ~Camping. The idea is to merge the outdoors and luxury together. I figure it's just like camping but with things you don't wish to go without. My can't go withouts are a comfy bed,fine linens, and china.


Last fall I went out on a limb and bought a vintage 1963 Shasta Airflyte. This summer I renovated her into a Cinderella Coach. It had always been a dream of mine to own one of these beauties, and I finally found one in my price range with good bones, no leaks, but in need of some tender loving care.O.K. who am I kidding...ALOT of TLC !

Here are some before, during and after pictures of my Tin Tiara. I hope you will all stop by and say Hi. Bitches with Hitches on Facebook