Cleaning Cars and Canteloupe

Does your car's interior look like it just came out of the show room? Or is it filled with candy wrappers, bits of paper, empty soda cans, soccer balls and an ice scraper? Or is your car's interior Like mine-somewhere in between those two scenarios?

If you have 15 minutes, you can clean your car so that it looks like new-or almost new! All you need is glass cleaner, cleaning wipes, air conditioning treatment, a hand vacuum, a small plastic bin, a garbage bag, flat-head screwdriver and paper towels. Ready-set-start the clock:

Minute 1: toss items that shouldn’t be in the car into a small bin. Throw away trash. Sprits the cup holders with glass cleaner and let sit
Minute 2 &3: Use “Armor All Cleaning Wipes to clean dashboard, center console, inside door pockets, steering wheel & gearshift. Spray an air conditioning treatment (try “Clean Air Duct/Treatment-$10 at autogeek.net) into the air vents below the windshield and let sit.
Minutes 4 & 5: Clean leather seats with a few wipes. (Seats that are upholstered will get vacuumed later)
Minutes 6-7: Wrap a wipe around the end of a flathead screwdriver and run it along the buttons and switches on the dashboard. Wipe out the cup holders with paper towels.
Minutes 8-9: Spray glass cleaner on paper towels and wipe all windows, including the windshield, sunroof and rear windows.
Minute 11: Remove the floor mats and whack them against each other to dislodge any dirt.
Minutes 12-14: On the driveway, vacuum the floor mats with the bare hose of a hand vac for maximum power (do not attach a tool). Vacuum the seat upholstery and foot wells, shifting the front seats fully forward, then back to hit every spot.
Minute 15: Replace the mats and return the seats to their original positions. Open all the doors and let fresh air blow through.
(from the August 2010 Real Simple magazine)

My car isn't a terrible mess, but it could use a cleaning....I might have to put this to the test this weekend. Try it and let me know what you think...

Did you ever get to the grocery store or the farmer's market looking to purchase a canteloupe and then wonder which was is the best? And will it be sweet and ripe? Use these guidelines and you'll get the best one each and every time...

Cantaloupe tips:
How to buy: Don't be afraid to use your nose-if it has a sweet, slightly musky scent it is ripe. Also it should feel heavy for its size, have a rind that resembles raised netting and has a stem end that yields slightly when pressed with your thumb.
How to store: A not-quite-ready cantaloupe should be left to ripen at room temperature for up to 2 days (keeping it in a closed paper bag will speed up the process). Refrigerate a whole ripe melon for up to 5 days. For cut wedges, cover the surfaces and refrigerate for up to 3 days. (If possible, leave the seeds intact. Cubes without the seeds will last 1-2 days in a resealable container in fridge
How to slice and cube: Wash rind, and then slice off the bottom and top ends of the melon so that it sits squarely on the cutting board. With a knife, from top to bottom, cut away strips of rind, following the shape of the fruit. Halve the fruit, scoop out the seeds, and slice or cube as desired. ENJOY!

Pickles and Puffs!

Cream Puffs, that is...




Christine Lindner, Alice in Dairyland for 2010, was my guest on the show today. She is the ambassador for Wisconsin agriculture and during the next year will log more than 40,000 miles traveling Wisconsin to promote our great state. Did you know that Wisconsin is the #1 cheese producer in the world? It would take over 2 years to taste all the varieties of cheese that are manufactured here. We also talked about the world reknown "Wisconsin State Fair Cream Puffs", AND she even brought some in for us to enjoy! Believe me, they were soooooo yummy!









Baking tip: When making your own cream puffs, always use a wooden spoon, not a metal one to ensure best results!

We also spent quite a bit of time sharing pickle recipes. It's getting to be the time of year for canning and preserving. The "Ice Cream Pail Pickle" recipe is always a hit because it's easy to make and results in quite a large amount.

We've also shared methods for freezing cucumbers, pickles in a crock and quick mustard pickles.

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!

Congratulations and Crock Pots

Congratulations !!!
to
Jill Weisensel
winner of our "Phrase of Fire" contest
She won two (2) tickets to the Fireside Theater

to see the fantastic Johnny Cash show "Ring of Fire".

Thanks to everyone who particpated!

We had a great response.
The correct phrase was:
"Hello, I'm Johnny Cash. Come see ring of Fire at the Fireside Dinner Theater"


Summer time is a great time to use the crock-pot. Your kitchen will stay cool and slow cooker cooking gives you extra free time to do other things.
Here are a few tips when using your slow cooker:

• To cook food properly and safely, fill your slow cooker at least half full, but not more than two-thirds full.


• It might be tempting to check on your dish, however, everytime you remove the lid you increase the cooking time by 20-30 minutes.


• For food safety reasons, cook and drain all ground meats. but you don't need to brown large cuts of meat beforehand.


• You can place all your ingredients in the crock the night before, cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, place the crock in the slow cooker, turn it on and go! No need to preheat.


• Cleaning is a breeze if you use a slow cooker liner. Place the liner in the crock, add your ingredients and cook as you normally would. After cooking simply throw away the liner.

Have you ever tried baking potatoes in your slow cooker? One of my listeners shared this recipe:

Baked Potatoes in the Slow Cooker
Wash and prick potatoes; wrap in foil.
Fill crock pot with as many potatoes as you want.
Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 2-4 hours.

I have also used my slow cooker to make these great tasting candy treats:

Crock Pot Candy
1 (16 oz.) jar unsalted dry roasted peanuts
1 (16 oz.) jar salted dry roasted peanuts
3 pkg. (4 oz.) each German Chocolate baking bars
1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips
1 (24 oz.) white almond bark
Layer into crock pot as follows: unsalted peanuts, salted peanuts, chocolate baking bars, chocolate chips, white almond bark. Cook on LOW for 2 hours. DO NOT STIR. After cooking time, stir to completely combine. Dip out onto wax paper by spoonfuls and let cool.

"Phrase of Fire"

Piece of the puzzle: #5

At The

Be sure to send in your completed phrase the "Phrase of Fire" contest and your chance to win (2) tickets to The Fireside Theater in Fort Atkinson.

Send your phrase, along with your name, address and phone number to win@wbevradio.com

Lemonade ~ Low Fat ~ & Lincoln

"Phrase of Fire" Contest

Piece of the puzzle: #4

Ring of Fire

Today's Quote of the Day:

"The most important things in life aren't things"

In today's Book Nook segment I spoke with Gayle Brandeis, about her first "young adult" novel, "MY LIFE WITH THE LINCOLNS". The book is set during the turbulent 60's and the intricate storylines come together to create a great read for both adolescents and adults. The main character, 12 year old Mina Edelman believes that she and her family are the Lincolns, reincarnated. The book is sometimes "laugh out loud" funny and gives a lot of attention to historical detail. http://www.gaylebrandeis.com/

We also had the chance to talk with Dr. Natasha Turner about her new book, "THE HORMONE DIET: A 3-STEP PROGRAM TO HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT, GAIN STRENGTH AND LIVER YOUNGER, LONGER". Dr. Turner has a 3 step program-that takes 6 weeks to complete. In her book, she walks you through the process and helps you figure out if the stress, fatigue and failure to lose weight are related to a hormonal imbalance. She also stressed that these imbalances can be found in both men and women. A very interesting concept-one maybe worth exploring. Her website is: http://www.thehormonediet.com/

And I shared a Lemonade Dessert recipe that will taste great during the heat of summer:

Lemonade Dessert
1 ½ c. all purpose flour

¾ c. packed brown sugar
¾ c. cold butter, cubed

¾ c. chopped pecans
½ gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
1 (12 oz.) frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
In small bowl, combine flour & brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Spread in single layer into greased 15x10x1” baking pan. Bake at 375 for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown, stirring once. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. In large bowl, beat ice cream and lemonade until blended. Sprinkle half of crumbles into greased 9x13” dish. Spread with ice cream mixture; sprinkle with remaining crumbles. Cover and freeze overnight. Remove from freezer 15 minutes before serving. Yield: 12-15.

Tip: to soften ice cream in the refrigerator-transfer from freezer to fridge 20-30 minutes before using. Or let it stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Ice cream can also be softened in the microwave at 30% power for 30 seconds.

Here are some tips for "Low-Fat" grilling:
· Say "NO" to hamburgers and/or hot dogs unless you’re using very lean ground beef (veggie burgers are best) or low fat, low sodium nitrite free turkey dogs
· Light or fat free mayo, mustard, ketchup, steak sauce, hot sauce, pickles and relish are good for condiments.
· Use whole grain buns
· Marinated chicken breasts, halibut, scallops or shrimp are low fat. Salmon is also a good option. Leave skin on the chicken while cooking but remove before eating
· Opt for lean cuts of beef, flank steak, filet mignon, top loin or round steak are good choices. Trim all visible fat before cooking
· Kebabs are delicious and a great way to eat veggies and balance your meat consumption.

Books, Bees and Bugs

"Phrase of Fire" Contest
Piece of the puzzle: #3

Fireside Dinner Theater




Emilie Richards was featured in the "Book Nook" segment today. She is the best-selling author (over 60 books) and was with us today to talk about her newest novel, "FORTUNATE HARBOR"- a powerful book about friendships and how good friends are there to support, encourage and guide us. This book, is the second in her "Happiness Key" trilogy. A great summer read, but also one with depth and a suspensful twist. When you've got friends, anything is possible...For more information you can go to http://www.emilierichards.com/

Who are your best friends? If you haven't talked to them in a while, get on the phone, send an email, or better yet, send a handwritten note!

The bugs and bees are out in full force! Bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets can build their nests in trees, bushes, under the eaves or even on the ground. Be careful when walking barefoot! Bees and yellow jackets like sweet things so don't leave open soda cans outside. Honeybees like colored flowers, although they don't like the color red. Red geraniums in your garden or on your porch should be ok.