Butter and Babies

As a kid, do you remember holding a dandelion under chin?

We talked about it on the show last week. (It was Dandelion Day on Tuesday, April 5th). If there was a yellowish reflection, that meant you liked butter, right? I don't know the origin of that practice but I think I ALWAYS had the yellow color reflected under my chin! I loved butter and still do. On today's show I shared some interesting facts about butter.

Have you wondered which is better salted or unsalted?

• Unsalted is best because the amount of salt can vary from brand to brand.Salted butter contains more water, which can interfere with gluten development
• Salt masks butters naturally sweet, delicate flavors and can be overwhelming

Where should you store butter?

• Place in back of fridge where it’s coldest. Don't use the compartment in the door.
• Butter will keep for 2 1/2 weeks in the refrigerator and up to 4 months in the freezer.
• Place in ziplock bag (before freezing) so that it won’t pick up other odor

Why is it important to use the proper temperature in a recipe?

• Chilled butter-should be cold and unyeilding
• Cold butter melts during baking leaving behind small pockets of air that create flaky layers in recipes like pie dough and croissants.
• Room Temperature-should easily bend without breaking
• Softened butter is flexible enough to be whipped but firm enough to retain the incorporated air-vital to making cakes with a tender crumb.
• Melted and Cooled-should be fluid and slightly warm
• Butter is roughly 16% water; when melted, water breaks from the emulsion and helps create gluten for chewier cookies.

On Monday, I spoke with Lesley Bolton regarding her new book, "THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BABY NAMES: THE MOST NAMES, THE MOST UNIQUE NAMES, MOST IDEA GENERATING LISTS (600+), AND THE MOST HELP TO FIND THE PERFECT NAME."

It really is the most complete baby name book that I have ever seen! Lesley said that it's very important to select the right name. You need to think about your child and most people select a first name that has meaning-not necessarily what the name actually means, but why it has meaning to the Mom and Dad. You also need to consider how the first name sounds (on it's own) and also when paired with the last name. The trend right now is for more traditional, classical names and the Social Security office will release the top 10 for 2011 this May. So stay tuned....

This week's Book Nook:

Monday, April 11th:

"THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BABY NAMES: THE MOST UNIQUE NAMES, THE MOST IDEA GENERATING LISTS, 660+ NAMES AND THE MOST HELP TO FIND THE PERFECT NAME" ~ Lesley Bolton, author of the #1 baby name book in the country will give us an expert's view on the best baby names.

Tuesday, April 12th:

"WILLIWAW WINDS", ~ Sally Bair, a Wisconsin author from Washburn, Wisconsin. (Sally will be in Columbus on Saturday, April 16th at the Columbus Public Library for a presentation and book signing). Her book is fiction but based on the true story of her son's rescue in the Bering Straits.

Wednesday, April 13th:

"MOBY-DUCK" THE TRUE STORY OF 28,800 BATH TOYS LOST AT SEA AND OF THE BEACHCOMBERS, OCEANOGRAPHERS, ENVIRIONMENTALISTS AND FOOLS, INCLUDING THE AUTHOR, WHO WENT IN SEARCH OF THEM". ~ Donovon Hohn, who heard about the mysterious loss of thousands of bath toys at sea and wanted to tell their story.

and at 10:30 Dick Zondag, "The Garden Doctor" joins us for his 30 minute program and will be available to answer all your gardening questions.

Thursday, April 14th:

"ALREADY HOME", ~ Susan Mallery, a New York Times best selling author, her newest novel, tells the story of a woman dealing with family relationships, dating and finding a new direction in her life.

Friday, April 15th:

"6 SECRETS TO STARTUP SUCCESS: HOW TO TURN YOUR ENTREPENEURIAL PASSION INTO A THRIVING BUSINESS" ~John Bradberry talks to us about the things you need to do (and need to know) in order to run your own successful business.

Twinkies and Trilogies

Today is National Twinkie Day!

I haven't eaten a Twinkie in forever, but I remember what a treat it was to find one in my brown bag lunch that I would take to school. That tasty sponge cake and the luscious creamy vanilla filling! YUM! Who doesn't like Twinkies?

Maybe like me, you haven't really given much thought to Twinkies but I uncovered some Twinkie Trivia that might interest you...

• Twinkies were invented in River Forest, Illinois in 1930 by James Alexander Dewar, a baker for the Continental Baking Compan


• Several machines used for making cream-filled strawberry shortcake, sat idle when berries weren’t in season so he conceived a snack cake filled with banana cream and dubbed them “Twinkies”.


• During WWII bananas were rationed and company substituted vanilla cream


• In 1988 fruit and cream filling (strawberry & vanilla swirl) introduced but was not very well received and soon was dropped


• Deep-fried Twinkie debuted at Texas State Fair and now fried Twinkies are sold throughout the US at fairs as well as ball games

Did you also buy into the urban legend regarding the "shelf life" of a Twinkie? It was said that Twinkies could last 20,50, even 100 years due to chemicals used is. NOT TRUE!

They will last at least 25 days or more, because they are made without unstabilized dairy products or eggs and thus spoil slower than most bakery items, however, don't tuck some away to eat 2o years from now!

Upon realizing that this was a day to celebrate that great American snack cake, I remembered a recipe that I haven't made for many, many years: The Twinkie Dessert. (see below)

Twinkie Dessert 11-12 Twinkies

1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips

5 Tbsp. water

5 Tbsp. sugar

6 eggs, divided

1 container Cool Whip

Cut Twinkies in half, lengthwise and lay cream side up in 9x13” pan. Melt chocolate chips, water & sugar in saucepan stirring occasionally until dissolved. Set aside to cool. Add egg yolks, one at a time; beating well after each addition. In separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold egg whites into chocolate mixture. Pour over Twinkies. Cover with Cool Whip and refrigerate before serving.

All this talk about Twinkies is making me hungry!

In my Book Nook segment today, I spoke with Sherryl Woods about her newest novel, "DRIFTWOOD COTTAGE". It is the first of three (trilogy) novels set on the beautiful, fictional shores of Chesapeake Shores. The story centers around the relationship between Heather Donovan and Connor O'Brien. Connor's parents' divorce and his career as a high powered divorce attorney has left him jaded about marriage. Sherryl believes that women gravitate to these kinds of stories because they have issues that matter to them and that they can relate to; and sometimes readers are disconnected from their families and by following a "series" they can connect with characters that can help them relate to things going on in their own lives. Sherryl also believes in happy endings and this story is a heartwarming account of love, marriage, relationships and all that goes with it.

(The next novel in the series: "MOONLIGHT COVE" will be released at the end of April and the third one, "BEACH LANE", will be available sometime in May.) You can check out her website at http://www.sherrylwoods.com/

Dyslexia and "Dogs"

In our "Book Nook" segment today, I spoke with Nelson Lauver, a syndicated broadcaster, writer, speaker, humorist, award-winning narrator and advocate. His memoir: "MOST UNLIKELY TO SUCCEED: THE TRIALS, TRAVELS AND ULTIMATE TRIUMPHS OF A 'THROWAY' KID" is a facinating read. Nelson was a bright, young boy with undiagnoased dyslexia and he blends humor, story telling, irony and raw emotion as he shares his account of his learning disability and how he overcame it. His book will touch the lives of parents, grandparents, educators at all levels, and individuals who may have a learning disability or have had difficulties in shcool-and it will also resonate with anyone who works with or cares for children. Because he was undiagnosed, he learned to be the "bad kid" and acted out in class in the hopes that the teacher would pass him into the next grade in order to get him out of their classroom. By the time he graduated (104th out of 104 students), he could only read and function at a second grade level. In spite of the emotional and physical abuse, he perserved and today is a highly regarded speaker. His book a very powerful and inspite of all the tragic abuse, it resonates with the power of hope and how it can make all the difference. You might be able to catch his four-minute slice of the American experience "The American Storyteller Radio Journal"-featured on many radio stations across the country. Or check out his website at http://www.americanstoryteller.com/.

It is also Hot Dog Day! And the weather is warming up. A good day for a ballpark hotdog (although the Brewers don't play until tomorrow-and they're at Cinncinnati, so I guess it will have to be a DQ hotdog! We posted this question on facebook: What condiments do like on your hot dog? Ketchup and Onions are MY choice!

Children's Books and Coca-Cola

During the Book Nook segment today, we spoke with Kathryn Cloward, author of the new children's book, "KATHRYN THE GRAPE: JUST LIKE MAGIC". You will fall in love with Kathryn and her magical butterfly friend-Maggie. The book teaches that each of us has our own magic within and children will discover their own strength and fearlessness, learn about making new friends and learn the importance of helping others. The book is the first in the series and Kathryn's next book, "KATHRYN THE GRAPE: COLORFUL ADVENTURE", is due out in June. I encourage you to check out her website at http://www.kathrynthegrape.com/. After interviewing Kathryn, I thought about books that I read to my children. One of my all-time favorites, (and one that I like to give to new moms) is "I'LL LOVE YOU FOREVER". I don't remember the author's name, but it is a fantastic book. The main phrase throughout the book, and one that I still say to my (now grown) children is this: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as you're living, my baby you'll be!". Today is Love Your Children Day. No matter what their age(s) make sure you tell them. Although I no longer read this story to my kids, I just want them to know I'LL LOVE THEM FOREVER! Coca-Cola was invented 125 years ago today. A few bits of trivia for you:

• Coca-Cola employes 139,600 people worldwide


• The company has enjoyed 49 consecutive years with increased dividends


• Their product is sold in over 200 countries


• and is celebrating 125 years in business.

Dr. John Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia, produced the first syrup and carried a jug of the new product down the street to the Jacobs' Pharmacy where it was sampled and pronounced "excellent". The first glasses of syrup were mixed with carbonated water and sold for five cents!

So enjoy a coke (cherry coke for me!) today.

Eskimo Pies and Easy Desserts

Today is Eskimo Pie Day!

The original ice cream on a stick and covered in chocolate all began back in 1921 when school teacher and candy shop owner Christian Kent Nelson was inspired by a little boy's inability to decide between ice cream and a candy bar and so the frozen snack was born. They say necessity is the mother of invention and some of our best inventions have come in a round-a-bout way!

What is your favorite frozen ice cream treat? Ice cream sandwiches? Drumsticks? Fudgecicles (Haven't had one of those in YEARS!). I think the most delicious frozen treat I ever tasted was during my first trip to Disneyland. Dad and Mom took us (2 brothers, 3 sisters and myself) to California, specifically Disneyland, when I was a Senior in high school. While at Disneyland, I tried a frozen banana, dipped in chocolate and covered with crushed peanuts. YUM! It was delicious! I've tried to recreate the taste, but somehow, it just isn't the same.

We shared some easy dessert recipes on the show today. If you like pecan pie, you will have to try these Pecan Pie Muffins. (see below). They taste just like the real thing-and only use 5 ingredients! Also the recipe for Black Forest Chocolate Cake that you make in the slow cooker. Both are EASY and EXCELLENT!

Pecan Pie Muffins 1 c. packed light brown sugar ½ c. all purpose flour 1 c. chopped pecans 2/3 c. butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour 18 mini muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners. In medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and pecans. In separate bowl beat butter and eggs together until smooth; stir into dry ingredients just until combined. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. They should be about 2/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool on wire racks when done.

Easy Slow Cooker Black Forest Cake ½ c. butter 1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained & juice reserved 1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling 1 pkg. chocolate cake mix Melt butter in small saucepan, mix with reserved pineapple juice; set aside. Spread crushed pineapple in layer on bottom of slow cooker. Spoon cherry pie filling in even layer on top of pineapple; sprinkle with dry cake mix. Stir butter & pineapple juice together; pour over cake mix. Set slow cooker to LOW; cook for 3 hours. Spoon dessert into bowls;let cool about 5 minutes before eating. Yield: 10 servings.

This week's Book Nook segments:

Tuesday, March 29th at 10:05am:

"KATHRYN THE GRAPE", ~ Kathryn Cloward-children's author

Wednesday, March 30th at 10:05am:

"MOST UNLIKELY TO SUCCEED", ~ Nelson Lauver tells the story

of how he was a "throwaway kid" (with dyslexia) but was not diagnosed

during elementary/middle school and how he overcame this significant

problem to become a very successful motivational speaker today.

and

"THE GARDEN DOCTOR" program with Dick Zondag from Jung's

Garden Center from 10:30-11am

Thursday, March 31st at 10:05am:

'BIBLE BABBLE", ~ Kristin Howard explains the bible-it's origins, the

different parts and how it relates to pop culture today