Thank you for visiting and leaving a cool idea behind or.... sharing that particularly stubborn cleaning problem that you'd like someone else to solve! |
*My Cool Tip or Stubborn Problem is:
Read My Guestbook | Sign My Guestbook
Without saying, we all know to wash our hands before preparing food, especially after using the bathroom. We know to clean all surfaces that have held raw meats, fish and poultry so that they don't contaminate our veggies and such. We know to thaw food in the refrigerator, not on the countertop. Yet, food poisoning can occur whether from our own neglect or that of a restaurant, as seen from the sporadic cases of E. Coli which have devastated so many. Here are a few symptoms, the food that might have caused the problem and the solution for prevention of food poisoning.
| SYMPTOMS | FOOD | ORGANISM | PREVENTION |
| Onset: 2 to 10 days after eating. Fever, headaches and muscle aches, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), stomach pain, nausea. | Raw or undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk, untreated water | CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI | Thoroughly cook poultry. Clean hands, utensils and all surfaces in contact with raw poultry. |
| Onset: 12 to 48 hours after eating. Can be deadly without treatment. Dry mouth, double vision, difficulty focusing, droopy eyelids; trouble speaking, swallowing, breathing. Also nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea. | Home-canned foods, foods left out overnight, such as baked potatoes in foil. | CLOSTRIDIUM
BOTULINUM (BOTULISM) |
Follow guides for home canning. Don't eat food from dented or damaged cans. Keep cooked foods hot at 140° F, or above, and cold foods at 40° F. Reheat leftovers to 165° F, or above. |
| Onset: 2 to 6 weeks after eating. Appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, lethargy. Patient may develop jaundice with darkened urine. Severe cases can cause liver damage and death. | Shellfish (oysters, clams, muscles, scallops) from polluted water. | HEPATITIS A | Thoroughly cook shellfish. Wash hands after using bathroom. |
| Onset: Several days to 2 to 6 weeks after eating. Fever, chills, headache, vomiting, diarrhea. Can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. In infants: respiratory distress, refusal to drink, vomiting. Potentially fatal. | Raw and processed meat, pâté, raw seafood, coleslaw, soft cheese, unpasteurized milk and cheese made from it. | LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES | Avoid unpasteurized milk products. Don't use products past expiration date. Thoroughly reheat frozen or refrigerated processed meat and poultry products. |
| Onset: 3 to 4 days after eating. Severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. Often requires hospitalization. Can cause death. | Raw or rare ground beef, very rare roast beef, unpasteurized milk | ESCHERICHIA
COLI (E. COLI) |
Thoroughly cook meat. Don't drink unpasteurized milk. |
| Onset: 30 minutes to 8 hours after eating. Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, weakness, dizziness. | Cooked ham, poultry, salads, cream-filled pastries | STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (STAPH) | Wash hands before preparing food. Promptly cover and refrigerate cooked food. |
| Onset: 1 to 6 days after eating. Stomach cramps, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fever. Serious illness in infants, elderly and ill people. | Cold mixed salads - potato, macaroni, eggs, meat - dairy products and contaminated water | SHIGELLA | Don't let food sit out too long at room temperature. Wash hands after using the bathroom. |
| Onset: 6 to 48 hours after eating. Stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, chills, fever, headache | Raw or undercooked meats, poultry, eggs, unpasteurized milk | SALMONELLA | Thoroughly cook all foods. Clean hands, utensils and all surfaces that touch raw meat, poultry or eggs. |
| Onset: Within 7 days after eating. Mild to severe watery diarrhea. Occasionally, high fever, chills, skin blisters. People with liver disease may require hospitalization. | Warm-water shellfish | VIBRIO | Avoid raw shellfish, especially if you have liver disease or an impaired immune system. |
| Onset: 9 to 15 hours after eating. Diarrhea, stomach pains, vomiting, fever. | Roasts, meat products, poultry left at room temperature for longer than two hours. | CLOSTRIDIUM
PERFRINGENS (the cafeteria germ) |
Keep cooked foods above 140° during service; cool at 40° , or below. |
| DRY MEASURES | LIQUID MEASURES | TEMPERATURES | COMPUTING BYTES (Approximate) |
| 2 Pints = 1 Quart | 2 Cups = 1 Pint | Water boils 212°F - 100° C | 1,000 bytes = 1KB |
| 8 Quarts = 1 Peck | 2 Pints = 1 Quart | Water freezes 32° F - 0° C | 1,000 KB = 1 Meg |
| 4 Pecks = 1 Bushel | 4 Quarts = 1 Gallon | 1,000 Megs = 1 Gig |
CAN CONTENTS |
A FEW EQUIVALENTS |
8 oz..............................................1 Cup |
3 tsp..........................................1 tblsp |
Picnic.......................................1 1/4 Cup |
2 tblsp.....................................1/8 Cup |
No. 300 ...................................1 3/4 Cup |
4 tblsp.....................................1/4 Cup |
No. 1 tall......................................2 Cups |
8 tblsp.....................................1/2 Cup |
No. 303.........................................2 Cups |
16 tblsp......................................1 Cup |
No. 2.......................................2 1/2 Cups |
16 oz.............................................1 lb. |
No. 2 1/2.................................3 1/2 Cups |
8 to 10 egg whites.....................1 Cup |
No. 3...........................................4 Cups |
1 Cup unwhipped cream=2 Cups whipped |
No. 10...............................12 to 13 Cups |
1 lb. Shredded cheese.............4 Cups |
Pan-stick foundations: Use as eye-shadow, or lip- liner base. Evens-out color, lips look plumper, and color lasts longer. |
Lip Balms Use at bedtime to soften cuticles, and dry patches on your nose. Also works as a base for your lipstick. |
Styling Gels A quick way to tame eyebrows. A slight coat will withstand any windstorm. |
Baby Oil A great body message when mixed with your favorite essentials oil. Your oil will last longer and go on smoother. |
Luxurious Lipstick Place a dot on your cheek and blend for blush. Blushes will be one less item to carry in your bag. |
Petroleum Jelly Apply a tiny bit to your eyelashes and see them plump up and shine. |
Baby Oil Hmm. Several drops are a yummy addition to that favorite bubble bath, too. Great skin softener. |
Translucent Powder Try a dusting of a slightly darker shade between your breasts for alluring cleavage. Or, a slight dusting on your lips for a plumper smile. |
Q-tips A great fill-in after you've lined your lips. Looks more natural than straight from the tube. |
*************
1 Square chocolate (1 ounce) = 3 or 4 tblsp Cocoa plus 1/2 tblsp Fat |
1 tblsp cornstarch (for thickening) = 2 tblsp flour |
1 Cup sifted all-purpose flour = 1 Cup plus 2 tblsp sifted cake flour |
1 Cup sifted Cake flour = 1 Cup minus 2 tblsp sifted all-purpose flour |
1 Cup Sour milk = 1 Cup sweet milk into which 1 tblsp vinegar or lemon juice has been stirred. |
1 tsp baking powder = 1/4 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 tsp cream of tartar |
1 Cup Cream, Sour, heavy = 1/3 Cup butter and 2/3 Cup milk in any sour milk recipe |
1 tsp dried herbs = 1 tblsp fresh herbs |
1 Cup Sweet milk = 1 Cup sour milk or buttermilk plus 1/2 tsp baking soda |
3/4 Cup cracker crumbs = 1 Cup bread crumbs |
3 Cups dry corn flakes = 1 cup crushed flakes |
3 medium bananas = 1 cup mashed banana |
1/4 tsp garlic powder = 1 small pressed garlic clove |
1 lb. Whole dates = 11/2 cups, pitted and cut dates |
1 tblsp instant minced onion, rehydrated = 1 fresh onion |
1 tblsp prepared mustard = 1 tsp dry mustard |
1 Cup whole milk = 1/2 evaporated milk and 1/2 cup water, or 1 cup reconstituted nonfat dry milk and 1 tblsp butter |
2 Ounces compressed yeast = 3 (1/4 ounce) packets of dry yeast |
* Three hints for Calming Teens
Encouragement: Encouraging good behavior brings many more results than blaming and concentrating on wrong doing.
No anger-based punishment: 99 times out of 100, you will be in the wrong. Cool off!
No Nagging: If a lesson can not be taught by the first, frank handling of the matter, repetition will do no good.
*Your Cool Hints and Suggestions
| Candle holders: To get the dried wax out of the bottom of a candle holder, put the holder in the freezer for an hour or so. The glob of wax pops right out. ~ Kim, North Carolina |
| Carpet Stains: When you've spilled something that could stain, grab the salt shaker and start shaking. The salt absorbs the moisture and cleans the stain right out of the carpet. ~ SRo877, AOL (don't forget to include your first name! We want to know you) |
¬ WE'RE WAITING FOR YOUR GREAT TIP TO GO RIGHT HERE ® |
| Bacon Curl: Stop bacon from curling by pricking up the center of each slice, so that it's raised slightly in the skillet. ~ Sandy, Arizona |
| Catsup Pouring: Catsup will pour easily out of the bottle if you first insert a straw clear to the bottom of the bottle. Then pull it out. ~ Dorothy, Texas |
| Dough: Knead the dough for pie crusts, etc., inside a zip lock bag. Less mess on the counter and your hands. ~ Debbi, Arizona |
| Hamburger Patties: Stop that patty from shrinking by poking a hole in the center before you slide it into the pan. ~ Kim, Arizona |
| Meatloaf: It won't stick if you place a slice of bacon in the bottom of the pan. ~ Heidi, Arizona |
| Rock-hard Brown Sugar: In humid climates, brown sugar often gets hard as a rock. I've found that a few minutes in the microwave soften it nicely. ~ Kim, Arizona |
| Glass Cleaner: A great and inexpensive way to clean your windows. 2 Cups ammonia, 1/2 Cup white vinegar, 1 drop of food coloring (if it just has to be blue), put in a 1- gallon bottle and fill with water. Some for now, some for later. ~ Debbi, Arizona |
| Crisp Celery: When you purchase your celery, slip one of those nifty plastic bags over both ends. While it's in your fridge, it will stay fresher and crisper much longer. ~ BLC, unavailable |
| Love this one: Forgot to buy long matches for candle lighting, etc., use a piece of dry spaghetti. It's long enough to reach every area. ~ Kim, Arizona |
| Party Cubes: Make giant
ice cubes for the punch bowl by filling muffin tins
instead of conventional ice trays. Run hot water on the
bottom to loosen when frozen. ~ H. Ariz. More party cubes: Don't throw out that leftover wine, but freeze into cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces. Michealle, Texas |
| To Keep mildew: Away from damp, musty areas, place a charcoal briquette in each corner of closet, or wherever mildew appears. The charcoal will absorb the moisture that mildew needs to survive. ~ Woman's Day Mag, New York |
| Opening jars: Use the latex gloves for dishwashing to get that non-slip grip to open onry lids. Michealle, Texas |
| Transporting hot foods: To keep hot foods hot while traveling, place them in a Styrofoam ice chest. It works both ways... ~ Louise, Arizona |
| Microwave crunch: A great way to clean all that stuff that sticks to your microwave is to take about a tablespoon of baking soda and put it in a microwave-safe bowl filled about half full with water. Microwave for about three minutes and the stuff wipes right off. ~ Leslie, Arizona |
| Yucky label goo: If you are trying to remove the sticky stuff left behind from a label or a price tag off of glass or plastic...use furniture polish (Pledge, etc.) it will come off perfectly. ~ Leslie, Arizona |
| A method to prepare fish and chicken that is really tasty and very healthy, being lower in cholesterol, is to cook the fish or chicken in a non-stick skillet on the stove top. Sprinkle Lemon Pepper on the fish or chicken, in place of oil, and cook to taste. Try it-you will find it is very good. Tina and Larry, Oklahoma |
| Dripping Cones: Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips. Michealle, Texas |
| Tupperware stain: Spray Tupperware with nonstick spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces to prevent staining. Michealle, Texas |
| Glossy Pie Crust: Brush beaten egg-white over pie crust before baking for that beautiful, glossy finish. Michealle, Texas |
| House Plants: Something I've done for years is to wipe down the leaves with mayonnaise. It coats each leaf with a lasting shine, is inexpensive compared to the commercial sprays, and does no harm to the plant. ~ Sandy, Arizona |
A Few Hints - Totally Untested - Some Completely Silly - from My Friends
Try any of these at your own risk!
| Window Washer - Fill a spray bottle
with vinegar, spray window then wipe clean with newspaper.
Karen, Arizona (If you use this hint on the inside, too, you should be free from odors till the next millenium.) |
| Instead of buying those expensive
carpet powders, sprinkle a little baking soda before
vacuuming your floor. It helps remove odors.
Becky, Arizona (Hmmm. Vinegar odor? You might want to do this after you wash the windows) |
| Chlorine tablets for swimming pools
can be quartered and dropped in the toilet tank for
continuous cleaning. Karen, Arizona (Might not be a good idea, though, if your dogs sip from the bowl. Of course, it's just a thought, mine have never done such a thing) |
| To remove water spots from leather,
roll a slice of fresh bread into a tight ball in the palm
of your hand, then rub each spot with the dough. Karen,
Arizona (I'm speechless) |
| To prevent having to re-season your
cast iron skillet after each use, do not use soap on the
skillet. Soak to remove tough grime. Jeff,
Arizona (Now he tells me. After I've re-seasoned my skillet 13,452 times) |
| Or, even better. When you have burned-on
goo in the bottom of a pan, open the back door and toss
it out into the snow. A night in freezing temps reduces
the grimes hold on your pottery. Karen, Arizona
(But, Karen, I'd have to rent a snow machine, here in Arizona) |
| Another idea, add a little baking
soda and water to the grime in the bottom of a burned pot
and bring to a boil. It will break the crust free of the
pan. Becky, Arizona (I seem to notice that my friends burn a whole lot of food, don't you?) |
| To remove excess salt from a pot of
beans, drop in a whole peeled potato during the last 1/2
hour of cooking. Sandy, Arizona (When the beans are done, throw the potato away, unless you like really salty potatoes) |
| Get a Maid. Debbie, Arizona (Debbie, when my husband starts paying me what I'm Really worth, I will) |
| Another label goo solution. Use
furniture polish and the sticky stuff comes right off. ~ Leslie,
Arizona (Hey, now I have an excuse to buy something NEW. "Honey, I gotta try to get the tag off, don't I?) |
| Go to a restaurant. Eat out. And if
you're really nice, someone else will pay. No dishes, no
cooking, no hassles. Tracye, Texas (Now That, says it all!) |
| Ants, ants everywhere! Well, it is
said that they will never cross a chalk line. So get your
kid's sidewalk chalk and start drawing lines. See for
yourself?? Michealle, Texas (Hey, I know when to draw the line......) |
| A little nail polish remover can
quickly remove the residue from sticky price tags on
glassware, but don't try it on plastic.
Becky, Arizona (Or, you'll be wondering why your morning coffee, sipped from that corner-grocery-mug, is dribbling down your chin) |
Some Stubborn Problems..... Waiting for Your Easy Solution!
| Melinda writes from New Mexico!
"How do you get rid of that grime fried onto the
bottom of your iron? " I'd like an answer, myself. I use spray cleaner, let it soak, then scrub with steel wool. Anyone got a better idea? Let us hear from you........ |
| Okay,
Ladies! We've got a gentleman here with a problem. Mike
writes...."My wife washed a ball point pen with my
white shirts. Do you have any idea how to get them clean
again!" Now, somebody's gotta know the answer. Karen said, "Use Simple Green. It cleans anything!" Anyone else got a clue. Come on, we've survived teenagers, for Pete's sake. We can handle a little ink. |
| I moved into an old house with wall
to wall carpets. I have 3 female Shizus. One of them has
been leaving spots on my rug in front of the bathroom. I
pulled up the rug and there are lots of large dark marks.
I suspect they are rubber pad remains soaked with dog pee
and dried into the oak flooring. Is there a way of
removing this grimy unsanitary mess without ruining the
finish my floor? Thank You, SueT I feel for you. Hardwood floors are beautiful. But, I've never had them and don't have a clue for this tough problem. Come on guys.......let's help out! If anyone has a solution, please email it to me. I'll post any replies immediately. |
| I burned a bag of popcorn pretty
bad in my microwave. This happened days ago but the smell
lingers. What can I use to get rid of the smell. Thank.
Marti W I'm not sure about popcorn odor, though I've done that too. But I've burned other things on the stove and wetting a towel, then swinging it through the air in the general area really helped. Seems like the wet towel absorbs the odor. It works really well, too, to clear the air of smoke after burning something. |
| If anyone has a help or hint
for one of our reader's problems, please e-mail and I'll
post your reply right away. Also, Marti brought it to my
attention that the email line simply wasn't long enough
for her address, so I've increased the length provided
for e-mail addresses. Thanks! Marti.........Sandy |
A Few Cool Pages created by my friends
Got a web page? Think it's a great site? Let us know...
High Level Cholesterol.............Medium Level Cholesterol..........Low Level Cholesterol
| Animal fat, bacon, beef/pork ribs, bologna, corned beef, hot dogs, organ meats, sausage, Clams, fresh frozen fish, king snow-crab, skinless chicken/turkey, venison, water-packed tuna, | 1%, 2% milk, 90% lean ground beef, lamb, lobster, most pork, oysters, roasts, salmon, shrimp, white fish | Clams, fresh frozen fish, king/snow crab, scallops, skinless chicken/turkey, venison, water-packed tuna, extra-lean meat with little marbling, veal chops & roast, pork & beef tenderloin, flank and round steak, butterfly pork chops |
| Butter, cake, coconut, cookies, cornbread, fried foods, ice cream, pie, | Chow mien noodles, eggs, low fat cottage cheese, margarine, tofu, | Diet cheeses, egg whites, low fat buttermilk, nonfat yogurt, skim milk, |
| Cream, cream cheese, gravy, lard, mayonnaise, most cheeses, whole milk, | Low fat biscuits, low fat muffins, low fat plain yogurt, low fat stuffing, white bread | Bagels, bran flakes, dried beans/lentils, graham crackers, oats, pasta, pita, plain popcorn, plain potato, puffed cereal, rice, pumpkin, rice, rice cakes, scallops, shredded wheat, |
| Granola, whole plain yogurt, waffles, | Nuts, olives, oils, pancakes, seeds, | Fruits, plain yams/sweet potatoes, tortilla, vegetables, whole wheat bread, |
^ Return to Top ^
Are you looking for a Special Recipe, maybe we can find it?
| Looking for an old-time
recipe for leaf polish...Can anyone help? Anonymous I'm not sure if you're looking for a concoction that you mix up. I just use mayonnaise. Spread a little in a saucer, then glaze it onto the leaves of your plants with a paper towel. Never found any commercial product that did the job as well! |
| Bobzgirl writes, "Does
anyone know the old fashioned way of preserving eggs?" I'm not sure which way you are referring to. I have an old recipe for pickling eggs, and am posting it. If this isn't what you're looking for.....drop an email. We'll hunt for another. Garlic Pickled Eggs 2 Dozen eggs, hard-boiled and peeled.....................................2 bay leaves 4 sprigs tarragon or 1 tablespoon dried...................................1 teaspoon cardamon seed 8 cloves garlic, slivered............................................................2 teaspoons blk peppercorns 1 1/2 quarts cider vinegar........................................................2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon mustard seed.........................................................1 1/2 tblspns. Sugar 1.) Pack the eggs in 4 one-pint jars with one sprig tarragon and 2 cloves garlic in each. 2.) Combine remaining ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Simmer gently 15 minutes. 3.) Strain the hot vinegar over the eggs. Seal. Process 10 minutes. (Makes 4 pints) |