Holiday Cooking Felonies

I’ve seen some cooking shows this month that have led me to wonder – how do some cooks survive the holidays? What is left when you take a piece of nature’s bounty – bread it (with white flour treated with aluminum so as not to clump) egg, and special seasoning (can you say “msg”?) deepfry it in olive oil (at which time it becomes rancid from being exposed to high heat) in a nonstick pan (like some teflon with your dinner?) pour sauce over it (made with a list of ingredients a mile long – just how many ways ARE there to say “msg”? and serve with a side of something else equally violated?

I think an x rating is in order – definitely a food assault.

If you find yourself looking at something that’s been cooked and tweeked beyond recognition and you have to ask “What IS that?”, don’t eat it!!

Get Rid of Roof Rats Naturally

If you'd rather not have rat traps (dead rats??? Yuk!!!) and hazardous chemicals around your house and property, here's a natural solution.

Rats hate peppermint! How cool is that!

Try using peppermint tea bags. Spread them around the attic, the garden, really anywhere you have a problem. If you want industrial strength, you can also spray the bags with peppermint essential oil.

Much better than traps and chemicals.

Keeping Warm on Your Early Morning Runs

If you like to powerwalk or run in the morning like I do, I've got a tip to help you stay warm this winter.

Try a teaspoon of cayenne in water before you head out the door. If you've never tried cayenne, do start with a small amount. I put a rounded teaspoon of it in water in a glass jar, shake it up and drink (on an empty stomach so it moves quickly throughout my system). It will warm you up and keep you moving. Cayenne is good for alot of reasons - it stimulates circulation and you'll probably discover its cleansing action as it brings mucus to your mouth and you start spitting. OK, that's kind of gross, but better out than in!!