Keeping apples from browning

Once you cut an apple, they tend to turn brown and start looking not so pleasant anymore!

I have heard of water and sprinkling salt (which works great too) and I have also heard of using lemons too!

Zach came home from a 4H meeting with this little bit of info, which I tried and it actually worked great and who doesn't love a little soda taste!

Next time you need cut up apples, but don't want the brown or salt try soaking them in some

7-UP!

I cut up my apples and then covered them with 7-UP and it worked! No brown apples and a little hint of lemon lime!

Fiber-Rich Foods

Since we are all trying to a little healthier these days, I thought I would share some info I found from one of my Taste of Home emails. It talked alot about adding fiber to our meals and easy ways we can add more fiber to our day.

Here is some helpful info on how much fiber we need in a day and how to get that fiber in our diet!

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How Much Fiber You Need
Here are the daily recommendations for adults, from the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine:

MEN

Age 50 and younger—38 grams
Age 51 and older—30 grams
WOMEN

Age 50 and younger—25 grams
Age 51 and older—21 grams


Some Fiber-Rich Foods
•1 cup black beans, cooked—15 grams
•1 cup kidney beans, cooked—13 grams
•1 medium artichoke, cooked—10 grams
•1 cup vegetarian baked beans, canned, cooked—10 grams
•3 ounces of peanuts—8 grams
•1/2 cup peas or lima beans—7-8 grams
•1 cup whole wheat spaghetti—6 grams
•3/4 cup bran flakes—5 grams
•1 cup carrot, cooked —5 grams
•1 medium pear—5 grams
•1 cup cooked broccoli —5 grams
•1 cup cole slaw—4 grams
•1 medium apple—4 grams
•1 ounce almonds—3.5 grams
•1 cup brown rice, cooked—3.5 grams
•1 medium banana—3 grams
•1 medium orange—3 grams
•1 slice whole wheat bread—2 grams
•2 tablespoons raisins—1 gram

Tips for Bread Making

Here are the tips that were shared for Bread making last night! Start with these and then move on to the Fabulous bread recipes below!!

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1. Instant yeast can be mixed straight in with other ingredients.
2. Active dry yeast must be "proofed" by mixing with 1/4 of your liquid and 2 tbsp sugar for 15 minutes before making dough
3. If your wheat dough is heavy, replace some of your wheat flour with wheat gluten (1/4 - 1/2 cup)
4. If you like to eat hot bread, or don't eat it fast enough to need multiple loaves at once, save the dough for later. Place half of the dough into a greased bag (or greased bowl with a lid) when forming your loaves. The dough will keep in your refrigerator for a week or more. Just pull it out when you are ready, form a loaf, let rise to double and bake as usual.
5. Adding dough enhancers like lecithin, vital wheat gluten will improve bread texture.
6. For crustier bread, place a pan with 1/2 inch water in the bottom of your oven. Bake bread at 425 for the first 1/3 of cook time, then drop temp to that called for in the recipe for the remainder of the cook time!

Baking Soda

I was looking at an Alison's Pantry flyer and came across some info on Baking Soda. Anytime I can find something that makes it easier to get things clean or cleaner and costs less to do it, I am interested! So take this as a Food/Cleaning Tip for the day!

Baking Soda

1. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash when you add your regular liquid detergent for whiter whites, brighter brights, and better-smelling clothing.



2. Instead of using fabric softener, try adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle. It acts as a natural softener and is gentle for those with sensitivities to chemicals in their laundry. It also helps remove tough odors.



3. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup bleach(instead of the usual 1 cup bleach) to your load of whites. Instead of using a full cup of bleach, using half baking soda will reduce smelly chemical odors and cut down on damage done to delicate clothing by the harsh bleach.
   Thanks Alison's Pantry for the great info!