Using your garden in the kitchen

-  Place a rose geranium leaf in the bottom of a cake pan before pouring the batter inside this will add a pleasant scent to any cake.

-  Always rinse off blossoms before using them and try to steer away from herbs sprayed with pesticides.

-  Clean non waxed floors with a mix of 1/2 cup of wet potpourri or herbs with 1 quart of water.  This non rinse solution will leave your floors smelling minty fresh.

-  Make your iced drinks look even better by freezing a sprig of mint or borage flower in each cube of ice before serving.

-  Spice up your salad by adding green fennel seeds to it.

-  Tie sprigs of herbs together and use as a basting brush when barbecuing.

-  Try herbs on your sandwich instead of lettuce.  Savory with chicken, dill with egg salad, oregano on grilled cheese, and basil leaf with tuna salad.

Tips On Coping With Holiday Dinners

_  Be satisfied with small portions.  Have your favorites but remember that third bite of pecan pie tasted the same as the very first.

-  Don’t forget to talk a lot this will cut back on the over eating and give you time to fill full.

-  Don’t save the best for last.

-  Eat a large salad the fiber will fill you up faster.

-  Tighten your belt up before you eat.  The discomfort will tell your body to stop so you don’t over eat.

Looking for an ingredient you don’t have?

Substitutes:

Missing…. Use………..

Baking powder,1 tsp. = 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar and 1/4tsp. baking soda

Balsamic vinegar, 1tsp. = 1tbsp. cider or red wine vinegar and 1/2 tsp. sugar

Buttermilk, 1c. = 1tsp. lemon juice or vinegar and 1 c. milk (stand 5 min.) or c. yogurt

Flour, self rising, 1 c.= 1c. all-purpose flour and 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp.salt and 1/4 tsp. baking soda

Half and Half or Light cream 1c = 1tbsp. melted butter and 1c whole milk

Onion, chopped 1/2 c = 2tbsp. dried or minced onion or 1/2 tsp. onion powder

Tomato sauce, 2c = 3/4 c tomato paste and 1c water