Hot Dogs and Headaches

Today is National Hot Dog Day.
Did you know that someone has come up with
"HOT DOG ETIQUETTE"?
Here are the "do's and dont's" when eating hot dogs:

• Don't put toppings between the hot dog and the bun. You need to always "dress the dog".
• Don't use a cloth napkin to wipe your mouth-paper is always preferable
• Don't take more than five bites to finish. For a foot-long wiener, seven bites are acceptable
• Don't leave bits of bun on your plate. EAT IT ALL!
• Don't use ketchup on your hot dog after the age of 18. Mustard, relish, onions, cheese and chili are all acceptable-no matter what your age.
  
• Do eat hot dogs with your hands. Untensils should not touch the dog or the bun!
• Do use paper plates. Every day dishes are acceptable; china is a no-no
• Do apply condiments in the following order: mustard and chili should be applied first, (wet ingredients) - followed by the "chunky" ingredients such as relish, onion and sauerkraut, followed by shredded cheese, and topped off with spices like celery salt or pepper.

And of course, DON'T ever think there is a wrong time to serve hot dogs!

The other day we talked about headaches. If you suffer from migraines, you probably know how to avoid "trigger" foods such as aged cheese, alcohol, chocolate, coffee, citrus fruits and processed foods. Skipping meals can also cause a headache. There are foods that can help ease migraine pain. The next time you feel one coming on, load up on foods high in magnesium and calcium such as spinach, kale or broccoli. Some people also find relief from ginger. Try ginger ale made with real ginger, or drink cups of ginger tea. Other foods that might be beneficial include garlic, oatmeal, fish, grapes and cayenne pepper. Give it a try!

"LITTLE BITS" shared by listeners today: For relief from poison ivy: Wash infected areas with Felds Naphtha soap to cleanse and disinfect then wipe with Real Lemon Juice (bottled kind)

For relief from itchy bug bites: Dissolve 2 antacid tablets in a glass of water, then dab the solution on the itchy spot to soothe the skin.

For healthier rosebushes: Plant a banana peel at the base of your rosebush, an inch down in the soil. The potassium feeds the plant and helps fend off diseases.

Coring strawberries: Pluck the leaves and stem from berry. Using a plastic drinking straw, tunnel through the berry from top to bottom to remove the core. Works great!

Strawberries and Shades

Today is Pick Strawberries Day.

Although here in Wisconsin, it's about one month too early to be able to go to a berry patch and pick a quart or two. I love to make strawberry jam. The sweet smell that permeates the kitchen, the luscious red color in the jam jars, and the fact that I will be able to savor the sweet taste far into the cold winter months makes the task of picking them so worthwhile!

Here is a "little bit" of strawberry trivia and folklore for you to impress your friends and family:

• The strawberry was a symbol for Venus, the Goddess of Love, because of its heart shape and red color.


• If you find a double strawberry, break it in half and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you will soon fall in love with each other.


• To symbolize perfection and righteousness, medieval stone masons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals.


• The strawberry is a member of the rose family and is the only fruit with seeds on the outside rather than the inside.

I also shared this recipe for "Chocolate Berry Shortcake":
2 c. baking mix 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg ¾ c. low-fat vanilla yogurt
3 Tbsp. honey 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 c. sliced strawberries 1 Tbsp. sugar
1 ½ c. sweetened whipped cream or nondairy whipped topping
Preheat oven to 425. Combine baking mix, cocoa & nutmeg in medium bowl; mix well. Add yogurt, honey & oil, stirring until a soft dough forms. Drop dough by large spoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet, 1” apart forming 6 shortcakes. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Place baking sheet on wire rack & cool for 20 minutes. Combine strawberries & sugar in small bowl. Slice each cooled shortcake in half horizontally; place bottom halves on individual plates. Divide whipped cream and strawberries among shortcake bottoms. Top with remaining shortcake halves. Serve immediately.

It sounds YUMMY doesn't it?

If you have always been a fan of the children's classic, "Goodnight, Moon" then you'll want to be sure to get a copy of the new book, "The Fathers Are Coming Home".

Although Margaret Wise Brown (author of Goodnight, Moon, passed away in 1952, over 70 of her manuscripts were recently found in an old cedar trunk in a barn on her sister's farm. This new book was written to honor all the men (and fathers) that were soon to be coming home from WWII and its classic rhythm and lyrics will resonate with children and families today. (It would make a great fathers day gift idea!)

We also talked about wearing sunglasses. Just as it's so important to wear sunscreen, you need to protect your eyes. If you're going to be purchasing new "shades" for the summer make sure that the label says "99% or 100% unltraviolet blocking" instead of just "UV protection".