Monthly Archive

I just now came back to the computer after pouring myself a bowl of breakfast cereal, and I had an idea to share with all of you readers.

Sometimes I find my cupboard filling up with boxes of cereal that contain less than a full serving of cereal.  Nobody ends up eating the last little bit and the nearly empty boxes take up lots of space.

Last summer, my kids and I were on vacation and at one of the motels we stayed at, they had a serve-yourself breakfast each day.  One of the things they offered was a choice of several cereals, and then also a container of mix-and-matched cereal that looked like the ends of the boxes all mixed together.  Much to our surprise, my kids and I discovered that we actually liked this mixed cereal.

When we got home, I bought a plastic reuseable cereal storage container and started pouring those last little remnants from various boxes into the container, shook it gently to mix, and suddenly we had an easy way to store and serve the tidbits that were often thrown away or went stale before we could find someone willing to eat only half a bowl of Raisin Bran.

Sometimes the easiest changes bring about big rewards.  We now have more cupboard space, and we also have another option for breakfast in the morning:  “Mom’s Mix”. 

~Debi

A friend of mine shared this recipe for make-ahead apple pie filling that I plan on using when the apples ripen later this year. You might want to keep it in your recipe files until apple season, too.  It’s almost here! 

Make-Ahead Apple Pie Filling

• 18 cups peeled apple slices

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• 4 1/2 cups sugar

• 1 cup cornstarch

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 10 cups water

In a large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice; set aside. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, combine sugar, cornstarch. cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Add water; bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add apples; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until the apples are tender, about 6-8 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes. Ladle into freezer containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Cool at room temperature no longer than 1-1/2 hours. Seal and freeze; store up to 12 months. Yield: 5 1/2 qts. (enough for about five 9-inch pies).

~Debi

Producing excessive amounts paper for junk mail not only burdens forests, it places an extra burden on the atmosphere. The production and disposal of junk mail alone consumes more energy than 3 million cars. Junk mail is wasteful in other ways too. More than 100 million trees’ worth of bulk mail arrive in American mail boxes each year – that’s the equivalent of deforesting the entire Rocky Mountain National Park every four months.

That’s why this September we’re asking you to take the Carbon Conscious Consumer pledge to Junk Your Junk Mail and help stem this tide.

Each month from July to December, Carbon Conscious Consumer will highlight a new, simple way each individual can make an impact, plus show the difference each person makes both individually and along with the people they’ve influenced; prizes go to participants who influence the most new pledges.

This September, get rid of the waste and aggravation of Junk Mail. Each pledge means 108 pounds of CO2 will be cut. In addition to benefiting the environment, participants will have the chance to win a Clutterbusters Total Home Makeover valued at $3,000 … or one of several other terrific prizes. Visit the website now to get started.

What do you have to do? Just use a simple form online to get rid of most of the junk mail you receive. The form will print out a few letters for you to send and soon you’ll notice a dramatic reduction in the junk mail you recieve. Or, if you want to go further you can sign up with 41 Pounds to try and get rid of even more. It’s that simple. And by taking this easy step, you’ll cut your carbon impact by 108 pounds a year.

Visit the C3 site to sign up, then tell your friends: you could win an all-expenses paid Clutterbusters Total Home Makeover or one of several other terrific prizes.

Help stem the tide and sign up today!

Go to: http://c3.newdream.org/campaigns/c3/register/5100fa91a9ce021eeda4800f82e64848/ to join the campaign and learn more about becoming a Carbon Conscious Consumer.

Thank You for Making a Difference,

~Debi

Do you have an over-abundance of tomatoes right now? It seems like just about anyone with a garden has their tomatoes all come in at the same time.

If you’re looking for a simple — and delicious – way to use them up before they go bad, try this tasty marinara/spaghetti sauce.

For the recipe, click here: Garden Spaghetti Sauce

~Debi