1. Use clear measuring cups for water, milk, honey and other liquids. Before measuring anything sticky rinse cup with water.

2. Hold baking pans over your sink when spraying with oil. Your sink with catch any wayward oil.

3. Use a dry measuring cup to measure any semi liquid ingredients such a peanut butter or preserves.

4. Line baking pans with nonstick foil or regular foil sprayed with cooking oil for brownies or bar cookies. They will remove from the pan easier.

5.Gently spoon any powdery substance such as flour or cocoa into your measuring cup and level with a knife. Don’t pack it down.

6. Use a zip lock bag with the corner cut off or an ice cream scoop to fill cup cakes liners.

Image by Fimb via Flickr

7. fill any empty muffin cup half full of water when you are baking less than 12 cupcakes.

8.Let your cake cool 10 minutes in the pan before inverting on a rack. Leave tube or bundt cakes 15 minutes.

9. Spread your cooled cake with a light coating of frosting and let set an hour or so before finishing frosting.

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10. When making pie crust always use cold water, cold eggs and cold butter. This keeps the fat from melting before baking.

11. Chill pastry before rolling out. Chill again in the pan before baking.

12.Don’t overwork pie dough. It makes it tough.

13.Always follow this step ” Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.” This takes about 3 minutes and makes a big difference in texture.

14. Gently mix wet ingredients into dry until just blended so quick bread doesn’t turn out tough.

15. Whip eggs at room temperature until soft peaks form. This is the time to slowly add sugar, then beat on high until stiff peaks form.

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16.To melt chocolate, break in pieces and melt in micro wave oven 30 seconds at a time until melted. Stir after each 30 seconds.

If you would  like to post your cooking tips, favorite recipes or anything of interest to earn income, click this link.  http://www.triond.com/rw/6239

You might find these articles of interest.

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http://gomestic.com/family/10-minute-meals/

http://gomestic.com/homemaking/10-tried-and-true-household-tips/

http://notecook.com/desserts/delicious-southern-pecan-pie-and-other-easy-desserts/

http://gomestic.com/homemaking/10-ways-to-make-the-most-of-closet-and-cabinet-space/

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Soon customers of big banks will no longer be able to write a check for more than they have in their account. It’s a step to get ahead of regulations limiting overdraft fees set by the Federal Reserves that will ban banks from charging such fees without getting permission from customers. It begins June 19 for new accounts, and in August for existing accounts.

Bank of America will no longer allow debit card charges to go through if there isn’t enough money in the customer account. ATM users who try to over draw their account will be charged a 35 dollar fee before they get the money. So far,” customers have shown they are willing to pay the fees for covering things like the mortgage and car payments.” Greg McBride who follows the banking industry says, ” but not for things like a latte and a scone.”

Suntrust and Wachovia, two of the South’s biggest banks are checking their overdraft policies as of now, with plans for revising and putting them into effect later this year. Probably it won’t save the customers any money, but will likely end up costing them more. ” What this may do really, is produce the unintended consequence of creating the end of free checking.” said Robert Meara a banking analyst.

It might be that customers will have to have several linked bank accounts, a mortgage or other business  deals with the bank before free checking is offered.

Iy you would  like to post your articles of interest and earn income click this link.  http://www.triond.com/rw/6239

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Gardening is a passion. And this book is about one of the most passionate gardeners Britain has seen in the last century. Christo was an innovator in his garden and brought innovation to British gardens. My parents jokingly called him the Pope of gardening.

Nathaniel Lloyd, Christo’s father, bought Dixter Hall in 1910 when retiring as a very successful lithographic printer. The house originally built in the 15th century was dilapidated and needed a complete restoration. Nathaniel also bought a derelict yeoman’s hall standing in Benenden, had it dismantled piece by piece and brought to Northiam. He left it to Sir Edwin Lutyens to fit it all together into a family home for himself, his much younger wife Daisy and their six children.

When Nathaniel died of a heart attack on the golf course, Daisy took over. Ruling her family like a field marshal but with less compassion for her troops, she would be the sole influence that shaped Christo, the youngest of her five sons and one daughter. She was one of those awful parents who always know best for their children, and she managed to drive them all from her side except Christo. She despised the wives of her four older sons as much as the husband of her daughter.

Daisy’s passion was the garden of Great Dixter (as opposed to the cottage of Little Dixter further down the hill which is still owned by family members). Not so much a garden, rather a domain of gardens. It is little wonder she didn’t have any emotions left for minor inconveniences like a gaggle of children. This passion captured and shaped Christo into what he became: the foremost gardener of the realm.

Christo lived with his mother at the Hall until her death. He didn’t flee her proximity as his siblings had done, his flight was writing. His books on gardening are some of the best ever written, and The Well Tempered Garden has to be a major standard work any gardener should own. The gardens were his life to the end, and he defined himself and his life through the gardens.

The book paints a picture of a monster where Daisy is concerned, and probably is not far from the mark. It depicts Christo as a repressed homosexual completely under the thumb of his mother, a great gardener and prolific writer. His moods, his acerbic comments, the constant family feuds with his siblings all form part of the book, as well as the unhappy ending for his sister. He even is blamed for not being sympathetic to his sister’s depression, though she lived so near. But quite frankly, there were other family members living just as nearby, and they didn’t lift a finger either.

Stephen Anderson was asked by Christo to write his biography as a friend of 20 years standing. But this is the rub. Christo didn’t really have any friends as people understand friendship. And this shines through in the biography, which seems influenced by the views of living family members, who all and sundry were in constant disagreement with Christo. The author had access to the family archives (lumps and bundles of papers actually, stuffed away here and there into drawers, cupboards, and other hiding places conveniently found in country piles) and draws heavily on them. All the same I am not happy with the result.

Yes, Christo was homosexual, and he fell with certain predictability for one of his gardening students. But that was not the defining force of his life. It is revealing that he only fell for his students, as he defined even such an attachment through the gardens. As with his friends and family, his emotions for the gardens came first, human beings after. Once you were able to accept this, you could get along with him reasonably well.

Having said that, the book is still worth reading even though the pictures do no justice to what you will find there should you visit Great Dixter. It does give an insight into the human being that was Christo and what shaped him, even though it falls short on his all encompassing passion for his garden.

1. What is the infant- to-caregiver ratio?

The National Association for the Education of Young Children recommends no more than one adult to three babies (birth-12 months old.)

2. What are the credentials of the center or individual caregiver?

The checklist for credentials should include:

• License/certification/ accreditation – look for a daycare that is accredited by the national Association for the Education of Young Children. Each state has different health and safety requirements, that may or may not require a license.

• CPR certification for all childcare providers.

• If you are hiring an individual caregiver, then you should fingerprint and ask for a background check. If using a center, ask if employees are screened for fingerprints and background before employment.

3. Can you provide references of  other satisfied customers?

4. What is the centers turnover rate or what is the caregivers past work history timeline?

Young children need consistency for healthy development. This includes a person that will be around long enough for the baby to bond with. That is a difficult task if the person looks at the job as short term or the care center has a high turnover rate.

5. What is your policy on parents dropping in and calling?

You want the ability to see and/or talk to your child whenever you want. Any caregiver or care center that discourages this should be avoided. This isn’t an inanimate object we are talking about. You should be able to assess the safety, care, and environment anytime you choose.

6. What kind of feedback do you get about the child?

This is about the parents preference. Some parents want to personally talk to the caregiver about the child everyday. Whereas, some parents may just want to be alerted if something happens. Other parents may want a daily or monthly report.

7. How are the children arranged?

Some centers have younger children, infants, and older children all in the same space. Others separate the children by age. This is important because you want your child to have age appropriate toys available and a play and sleep space that is safe.

8. What is the feeding and sleeping scheduling?

Some mothers have their children on strict feeding and sleep schedules. Other mothers may want their children to be fed on demand and sleep when tired. This is a personal choice with no right or wrong answer; you just want to make sure that the caregiver isn’t going to contradict what you’ve decided is best for you and your baby. 

9. What is the facility/caregiver schedule and is it flexible?

You need to make sure that drop off times, pick up times, holiday closings, weekend hours, late pick up fees, etc.. is congruent with your schedule.

10. What is the caregiver/ facility philosophy on child care?

Look for topics like attention, consistency, affection, playfulness, experience, safety, security, patience, cleanliness, etc..

11. When can I tour the facility?

This is the most important question of all because words are a dime a dozen. Seeing the facility for yourself is one of the best judges. This is a great time to ask secondary questions like where is the fire extinguisher. You can also visually check to make sure that you see key things like plugs with protectors, cupboards locked, hand washing after diaper changes, a secure entrance/exit, etc..

1. Lack of preparation.  Kids who do not have good study habits are always caught unprepared for quizzes or exams so they resort to cheating. Parents can help their kids prioritize their studies over other extracurricular activities and manage their time wisely.
2. Insecurity. Some students are not quite confident about their own capabilities, and so the need to glance at their classmate’s paper to check if they have similar answers. Glancing may be the simplest form of cheating but it’s still cheating.  Again, parents can do a lot to boost their children’s self-esteem.
3. Parental pressure. Parents sometimes unconsciously pressure their kids to excel academically. A parent should avoid saying “Any grade lower than this is unacceptable,” or “Get an honor or else…”. This may compel a child to do whatever it takes to meet those expectations. Parents must understand their kids’ capabilities and enhance these instead of instilling fear in them.
4. Peer pressure. Students may also become reluctantly involved in cheating. Some intelligent kids who are not that assertive may be taken advantage of by bullies who demand help with homework, quizzes, and exams. However, kids must learn to stand up for what is right. If they allow others to copy from them, they become liable as well. It’s better to report such matters to the authorities.
5. Self-pressure. Some kids put a lot of pressure on themselves, constantly striving to prove to all how smart they are. So as not to disappoint others, even intelligent kids resort to cheating sometimes. These kids must be taught that it’s okay not to be perfect. How others see them is not as important as how they see themselves.
6. Common practice. Many students justify cheating by saying that everyone does it anyway. When your child uses this argument, discuss with him the importance of the choices he makes. You may tell him that yes, cheating may be widespread but it doesn’t mean that he should also engage in it. He always Has the option to do the right thing.

The problem needs to be addressed from several directions. When you are angry, take time to cool down before talking to your child. (Count from one to ten, take a walk, pray). Make him feel it is safe to talk to you. Do not just ask why he steals, but find out what his needs are, whether material or emotional, and take care that they are met. Blaming and criticizing will only cause him to clam up more and withdraw emotionally from you.

Teach him about human rights, such as the right to privacy and property and their basis in morality. Teach him that society has laws to protect such rights and that there are painful consequences to breaking the law. In this spirit, write down a contract with him and set a logical consequence (non-hurting punishment) if it happens again. Remove temptations — keep your bag and valuables under lock and key — and monitor closely.

Lastly, notice and affirm good behavior. Befriend your child. Take time to be with him and demonstrate your love for him.

Acetaldehyde in Fruit Juice: What is Acetaldehyde?

Acetaldehyde is an organic chemical found naturally in foods such as coffee and ripe fruit. It’s also a chemical produced when ethanol found in wine, beer, and other alcoholic drinks is metabolized by the body. The liver converts ethanol to acetaldehyde and then to a harmless chemical known as acetic acid – although some people are more efficient at breaking down acetaldehyde than others. Acetaldehyde is thought to be responsible for the hangover effect that some people experience after a night out on the town.

Where Else is This Acetaldehyde Chemical Found?

Finnish researchers found small amounts of acetaldehyde in fermented milk and soy products, fruit juices, ripe fruit, and canned vegetables. By far the greatest exposure to acetaldehyde for most people is from the breakdown of alcoholic beverages by the liver. Acetaldehyde is also found in low concentrations in most alcoholic drinks as a by product of manufacturing – even before the liver metabolizes it.

Is Acetaldehyde a Cancer Causing Chemical?

Acetaldehyde is listed as a “probable” carcinogen, and has been shown to damage DNA in animals. There are people who have a deficiency of the enzyme needed to convert acetaldehyde to acetic acid which puts them at a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer – especially cancers of the stomach, esophagus, and liver. All in all, there’s reason to be concerned if you’re exposed to high quantities of this cancer causing chemical. Acetaldehyde is also found in cigarette smoke and car exhaust fumes.

Should You Be Worried about Acetaldehyde in Fruit Juice and Other Foods?

Fermented food, fruits, and juices are unlikely to contain large amounts of acetaldehyde – compared to the amounts found in alcoholic beverages and the quantities the liver produces when it breaks down alcohol. People who are deficient in the enzyme that converts acetaldehyde to acetic acid may be at especially high risk for cancer if they drink alcoholic beverages. This may partially explain why the incidence of cancerous tumors is higher in people who drink large amounts of alcohol.

The Bottom Line?

As far as the acetaldehyde chemical in fruit juice, fruit and fruit juice has so many phytochemicals and antioxidants that help to prevent cancer that this may offset the effects of the acetaldehyde. On the other hand, it’s best to avoid drinking fermented fruit juices and eating overly ripe fruit – and, definitely, go light on the alcohol.

1. Am I happy with the present state of affairs at home and at work?
2. Am I aware of my needs at work and at home? Am I happy?
3. Am I aware of the needs of my husband? Are they being met adequately?
4. Am I aware of the needs of each of my children? Are they being met?

Juggling the demands of job and family is really difficult. You have to continually evaluate if your juggling act is adequate for everybody, including yourself. But remember: everybody needs to contribute something to make everybody else happy. It is not your sole responsibility. You can initiate a meeting to get a feedback from each member of the family. Talk to each other about needs that should be addressed.

And caring should not be just a one-way street.  They have to know your needs as well. You need to care for yourself as well so that you can share yourself with your family.

There are many ways of having a sense of self, whether with a job or not, whether you’re a part-time or a full-timemom. Listen to your guilt; why do you have it? Are you neglecting something important? Can you delay something for a better good? Maybe avoid overtime for now or go part-time for a while?

Family should be a top priority — at the end of the day, our source ofhappiness rests a lot on how we cared for our spouse and our children. We need to respond to their needs so they will feel loved. We might think we are loving them with the things we give them, but are these what they really need?

Consider if the needs of your children are being met. If they are below 10 years old, the presence of at least one parent on a part-time, if not full-time, basis is needed. The formation and guidance of children by their parents is very important in the first 10 years. This can be done by spending time with them every day.

If your children are over 10, ask yourself: did you adequately attend to their needs when they were younger? Are there behavioral or academic problems that have taken place during this time?Your presence now might be able to do some repair work in the relationship. Ask your husband if he thinks the children need for more guidance and coaching.

With teens, you may need to attend parenting workshops or read the literature. Reconnecting with them may take longer than connecting with younger children.

Finally, think about your financial goals. What lifestyle do you and your husband want? Can this lifestyle allow you to still have healthy and happy relationships, or will it keep you at work to earn money to sustain it?

For parents, raising children is the most fulfilling aspect of their lives. So make sure you and your  husband do not deny yourselves the chance of building a family. Material needs and career options can be recreated later. Usually the first 15 to 20 years of marriage can be demanding — for you, your spouse, and your needs. Focus on relationships. It does not cost much to be happy. But it costs a lot, really a lot of emotional pain when problems with spouse and/or children surface due to one’s career and choices.

It’s a trite assumption. You’re either a cat person or you’re a dog person. Yes, species-sided people do exist, but they’re not the norm. Most people don’t place themselves on one side of the aisle or the other. Despite this, a lot of research has been done over the past decades, trying to delve into the differences between cat owners and dog owners, and the results are surprisingly similar. However, there are a few key differences between them.

Cat owners are smarter – well, at least have more formal education. A British poll found 47% of homes with a cat had a person with a college degree, while only 38% of homes with dogs.

Dog owners are more likely to vote red, as in Republican. While a third of dog owners consider themselves republican, only about a quarter of cat owners do.

Dog people are more extroverted & agreeable, while cat people are more neurotic yet more open-minded & creative. Cat people tend to seek out a variety of activities while dog owners’ lives tend to be more routine.

Dog owners that are overweight are more likely to have an overweight dog, versus cat owners who are overweight don’t seem to have any affect on their cat’s weight.

Cat owners are likely to let pets on the bed… or anywhere the cat wants.

Dog owners are likely to treat their pets to rides in the car.

Dog owners expect their pet to come help them in a time of distress. Cat owners expect to get ignored.

About ½ of cat owners think their cat watches TV – only about 1/3 of dog owners think their pet is being entertained by the television.

Now for some similarities:

First of all, just owning a pet means you’re probably a woman. Doesn’t matter if it’s a dog or a cat, women are most often the primary care-giver.

If you own a pet (either cat or dog), you are probably married. However, if you’re single with a pet, it’s more likely you own a cat.

And if you own one pet, you probably own at least another. 64% of pet households have more than one furball running around. However, cat owners are more likely to have multiple pets.

Whether it’s a dog or cat you own (or owns you), consider yourself fortunate. We pet owners get the benefit of lower blood pressure and lower stress levels. So that extra money you spend on your pet, you may be saving more than that on your own health care.

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Drying herbs is not a difficult task to do.  Whether you plan to dry your herb harvest from your own garden or leftover herbs bought from the store, this is an easy and cheap method.

Tie five or six sprigs together at the stem ends.  If you are drying basil or mint, make sure to give enough space between the leaves to prevent mold growth. 

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To dry, hang these bunches upside down in a warm and airy place away from sunlight.  Doing this will retain the herbs’ flavor best. 

If you live in a dusty and dry climate, get a paper bag and cut lots of holes into it.  Then place the herb bunch with the stem ends up.  Secure the bag with a string or rubber band then hang.

In two to four weeks, the leaves are dry and ready.  They should break apart easily in your fingers.  Place them in an airtight jar.  These are ready to use; just crumble them when needed.  These herbs will keep for about a year.

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To learn more about storing herbs read this:   Tips for Storing Herbs and Spices