Category: Non-Cooking Ref Matl

Tips: Gardening

  • Store your seed packets in a photo album for easy review and retrieval.
  • Bake crushed egg shells at 350º for 20 minute to kill bacteria, then spread across your soil to slice the underbelly of snails.
  • For those that you like, put a canning jar lid full of beer.  They will drink themselves to death.
  • Use Acrylic or Oil paints to create informal arts plant ID rocks
  • Not the artsy type, use plastic forks and a Sharpie to create plant markers
  • Coffee grounds in your soil helps repel pests AND fertilizes your garden.
  • Soak your seeds for 24 hours to give them a germination jump start
  • Put colored bottles around your garden for a bit of whimsey
  • Use a shipping palate to create a vertical garden
  • A rain gutter makes a garden trough along the top of your fence.  Use spaghetti tubing for irrigation
  • A gauze strip will wick water into your house plants while you are on an extended vacation
  • Use a toilet paper roll as a seedling pot
  • Create a water bottle sprinkler using duct tape and your garden hose
  • Use cinnamon as a rooting compound to repel fungus.

Senior Discounts

Like our recipes? Download one or more cookbooks BY CLICKING HERE. Multiple book discounts are available.

Since many senior discounts are not advertised to the public, our advice to men and women over 55 is to ALWAYS ask a sales associate if that store provides a senior discount. That way, you can be sure to get the most bang for you buck. Here is a list that is good to put into your car for quick reference.

113 Stores with Senior Discounts

Restaurants

    1. Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
    2. Arby’s: 10% off (55+)
    3. Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
    4. Bennigan’s: discount varies by location
    5. Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
    6. Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
    7. Burger King: 10% off (60+)
    8. Captain D’s Seafood: discount varies on location (62+)
    9. Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
    10. Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
    11. CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
    12. Culver’s: 10% off (60+)
    13. Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
    14. Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
    15. Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
    16. Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
    17. Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
    18. Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
    19. Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
    20. IHOP: 10% off (55+)
    21. Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
    22. KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
    23. Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
    24. Long John Silver’s: various discounts at participating locations (55+)
    25. McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
    26. Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
    27. Shoney’s: 10% off
    28. Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
    29. Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
    30. Subway: 10% off (60+)
    31. Sweet Tomatoes 10% off (62+)
    32. Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
    33. TCBY: 10% off (55+)
    34. Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
    35. Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
    36. Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
    37. Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
    38. White Castle: 10% off (62+)

Retail and Apparel

    1. Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
    2. Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
    3. Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
    4. Big Lots: 10% off
    5. Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
    6. C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
    7. Clarks: 10% off (62+)
    8. Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
    9. Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
    10. Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
    11. Kmart: 20% off (50+)
    12. Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
    13. Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off
    14. Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
    15. Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
    16. The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
    17. Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)

Grocery

    1. Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
    2. American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
    3. Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
    4. DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
    5. Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
    6. Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
    7. Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
    8. Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
    9. Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
    10. Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
    11. Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
    12. Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
    13. The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
    14. Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
    15. Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
    16. Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

Travel

    1. Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
    2. Alamo: up to 25% off for AARP members
    3. American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
    4. Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
    5. Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
    6. Best Western: 10% off (55+)
    7. Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
    8. Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
    9. Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)
    10. Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
    11. Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
    12. Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
    13. Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
    14. Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
    15. Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
    16. Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
    17. Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
    18. Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
    19. Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
    20. Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
    21. InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
    22. Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
    23. Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
    24. Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
    25. Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
    26. National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
    27. Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
    28. Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
    29. Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
    30. Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
    31. Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up
    32. United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
    33. U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Activities & Entertainment

  1. AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
  2. Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
  3. Busch Gardens Tampa: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
  4. Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
  5. Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
  6. U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
  7. Regal Cinemas: 30% off
  8. Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
  9. SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

Tips: Cast Iron Skillets

This page was created for my brother Steve.

Please also review my post: Care of your Non-Stick Skillets

Starting to Rust?

Steve,

You said that your cast iron was starting to rust.  Also, food probably sticks to it when you use it.

Seasoning Your Cast Iron

  1. You will want to do this with a new cast iron pan as well.
  2. Wash it in warm, soapy water and scrub all rust off of it using steel wool or other abrasive surface.  Towel dry immediately.
  3. Put into your oven and turn heat to 350º.
  4. Using peanut oil, canola oil or corn oil pour oil and smear it in with a paper towel, rubbing it into the iron.  Both sides, including handles, etc!  Be careful not to burn yourself.
  5. After it has been coated with oil turn off the oven, put in upside down on a baking sheet, and let rest for 1 hour
  6. Let it cool completely, then wipe excess oil off it.  Reseasoning your pan only has to be done once unless it burns or you use soap on it.  Also, don’t cook acidic things like tomato sauce

Cooking with Your Cast Iron

  • If it has been weeks (or more) since using your cast iron, rinse it before starting to heat the pan.
  • Always rub a bit of Canola oil on your pan when it begins to heat up
  • Spread the oil over the surface
  • Use medium to medium-high heat
  • Always let it preheat completely before cooking in it.
  • NEVER cook over 500º
  • Always use potholders or mitts.  The handle will be hot.
  • Never use in a microwave
  • Never allow liquids to completely boil away.
  • If cooking on a ceramic or halogen cooking surface always lift the pan, do not slide it.  Sliding it will damage your cooking surface.

THE PENNY TRICK – If you are boiling water, put a penny in the bottom of your pan.  If it boils dry (which will ruin your pan) the penny will start to rattle because of the boiling water beneath the penny.  The rattling will tell you your pan is nearly empty (usually) before your pot is destroyed.

Cleaning Your Cast Iron

  • Never put water onto the cooking surface until it is UNDER 250º in temperature
  • Let the hot water tap get as HOT as possible.
  • If you want, boil water on the stove.
  • Pour the hot water over the cooking surface.
  • Scrape with a metal spatula if necessary.
  • NEVER use soap on it, that will remove the coating.
    If you DO use soap on it, you must season it again from the beginning.
  • Dry immediately and completely with a towel before putting it away.
  • If I’ve used the oven, I put it into the warm oven to help it thoroughly dry.
  • Never use bleach
  • Never use oven cleaner
  • Never clean in a dish washing machine
  • Never use a Brillo pad without seasoning it afterward.
  • Do not store your pan with the lid on, as it inhibits air flow, or if you do keep the lid on it, place a towel in between the pan and the lid.

Why you Never Want to use Soap

  • The oil eventually creates almost a Teflon surface on the skillet.
  • It was the hot oil time after time after time that gave scientists the idea for Teflon, but cast iron is better because there are no chemicals.
  • If you use soap, it cuts the oil and your pan starts to rust again.
  • If you ever HAVE to wash it in soap, repeat the entire seasoning process again.

 

Veggie Dog Biscuits

INGREDIENTS

  • Carrot pulp after juicing
  • Two eggs
  • One CU wheat flour

STEP BY STEP

  1. Mix all ingredients together until the consistency of cookie dough letting your pup get an occasional lick as you mix things together.
  2. Roll out to about ¼ inch on a cookie sheet
  3. Let pup lick the empty bowl if that doesn’t gross you out
  4. Pre-cut rolled mixture into sticks about one-half inch wide and about three inches long (this makes breaking easier after they are baked)
  5. Let your pup lick the sticks- maybe nibble a corner
  6. Cook at 350 degrees for two hours
  7. Call your pup over and take out of oven, let pup smell them, but not taste them yet… TOO HOT! cool, break apart and put back on cookie sheet
  8. Cook another 30 minutes at 350 degrees to make them a bit harder
  9. Can store unrefrigerated for two weeks, refrigerated for two months, or frozen for a long time.

NOTES

  • This is a dog treat that you don’t have to hold back for special occasions.
  • This is also something you can bake WITH your dog, to really get their interest up!
  • Our vet said that a dog can have as much fruit and vegetables as they can eat.
  • Feel free to substitute apple pulp, bananas, and so forth.
  • You CAN’T give dogs is grapes. This has been proven to lead to kidney failure in dogs many years down the line.
  • Oh, salt also cannot be used.
  • See also HOBO DOG BISCUITS

 

Vitamins: Demystified

Vitamin A Green vegetables with thin leaves, yellow vegetables and fruits and prunes. Promotes normal growth, soft skin, healthy organs, strong bones and teeth, steady nerves, night vision.
Vitamin B Kale, broccoli, cabbage, cantalope, grapefruit, strawberries. Promotes normal growth, digestion, nerves, heart,
energy, healthy skin.
Vitamin C Fresh fruits and vegetables, citrus, strawberries, tomatoes, cantalope, pineapple, berries, rhubarb, peppers, rutabaga, kale, cabbage. Promotes healthy bones, teeth and gums, blood regeneration, tissue respiration, healing of wounds and resistance to infection.
Vitamin D Sunshine and fish Promotes healthy growth, strong bones and teeth, and facilitates the bodies use of calcium and phosphorous.
Vitamin E It is found in many foods including vegetable oils, cereals, meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and wheat germ oil. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are compounds formed when our bodies convert the food we eat into energy.
Vitamin K Greens, carrots, kale, cabbage, tomatoes. Needed for normal clotting of the blood and to prevent hemorage.

Gila Farm Workday and Tour


WATCH THE TOUR FULL-SCREEN BY CLICKING HERE
YouTube Videos
The IRC Farm Tour last weekend was an astounding success. There were several dozen people working and helping to prepare the soil for the next crop.Grandpa (me… from Grandpa’s Corner) was there with his video camera rather than his shovel. I recorded a 20 minute tour of the farm led by Tim Olorunfemi. That video is now on for those of you who could not attend the work day and tour.The video can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/irc2012b or by using the links on this page

Robert (Grandpa) Andrews

Here is my other account if you want to see some of my other stuff.

Math Logic Puzzle

Yep… this is the type of crap that I do for fun when I am not cooking:

One man wanted to get in to his work, but he forgot his PIN.
Although, he remembered certain clues for his PIN.
(Here are the 5 clues)

A *The 1st number is 1 less than twice the 2nd number A = 2B – 1
B *The 2nd number plus the 3rd number equals 10 B + C = 10
C *The 3rd number is not yet mentioned, but based on the clue for E… C + E = 14
D *The 4th number is 1 more than the 2nd number D = B + 1
E *The 5th number plus the 3rd number equals 14 E + C = 14
aka
E = 14 – C
ABCDE *Adding all the numbers equals 30 A+B+C+D+E=30

Logic Follows
A = 2B – 1
B = 10 – C
C = 14 – E
D = B + 1
E = 14 – C
–
A =

–
B = D – 1

B = A + 1

B = 10 – C

C = 14 – E

–

A + B + C + D + E = 30

20 – 2C – 1 + 10 – C + C + 10 – C + 1 + 14 – C = 30

20 – 2C – 1 + 20 – C + 15 – C = 30

39 – 2C – C + 15 – C = 30

54 – 4C = 30

4C = 24

C = 6

–
A + B + C + D + E = 30

A + B + 6 + D + E = 30

Title Math Logic Puzzle

SOLVE FOR B = B = 4
SOLVE FOR A = A = 7
SOLVE FOR D = D = 5
SOLVE FOR E = E = 8
–
TEST

7 + 4 + 6 + 5 + 8 = 30

11 + 11 + 8 = 30

 

Bay Laurel Tree

Bay leaf, dried leaves of the Laurel tree, is also known as sweet bay, laurel leaf, sweet laurel or bay laurel. While bay is a popular spice found in almost every kitchen across America, it may come as a surprise that one of your favorite spices is also a traditional medicine with many healing benefits.

  • Benefit from bay leaf in your everyday cooking, as just a few leaves contain an amazing quantity of vitamins and minerals. Bay leaves are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, manganese, calcium, potassium and magnesium.
  • Boil water and remove from heat, adding two or three bay leaves per cup of water. Cover the infusion and allow to steep for 15 minutes. Pour yourself a cup of bay leaf tea to promote sweating and help reduce a fever.
  • Soak a cloth in the bay leaf tea/water and place it on your chest to help relieve respiratory infections, cough, cold and flu.
  • Drink an infusion of bay leaf or add it to heavy meals to help calm an upset stomach and reduce the symptoms of digestive disorders. Bay leaf also contains enzymes which help to break down proteins, making it a great spice for meat dishes. Other digestive benefits of bay leave include improved digestion and reduced gas.
  • Massage a few drops of bay leaf essential oil to help reduce swelling and pain caused by strains, sprains, arthritis and general aches and pains. Bay leaf essential oil can also be massaged into the temples to relieve headaches and migraines.
  • Make an infusion of bay leaf or add 10 to 15 drops of bay leaf essential oil into 16 oz. of your favorite shampoo to help treat dandruff.
  • Enjoy bay leaf tea before meals to help maintain blood sugar levels, as studies have shown that bay leaf helps the body to process insulin more quickly to prevent spikes in blood sugar.
  • Use bay leaf infusions for warm compresses, gargles or even body washes, as bay leaf contains eugenol, a compound with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
  • Although bay is a very attractive shrub or small tree, it is grown as a seasoning.
  • The dark green leaves are very fragrant, especially when dried. Dried leaves are broken or crumbled into cooking foods and allowed to permeate the dish. The leaves don’t soften much in cooking and are removed before eating.
  • Bay can be grown simply as an ornamental. It has attractive foliage and can easily be pruned and sheared into topiary shapes. The leaves are often used to make wreaths and garlands. Since bay is a very slow grower, it’s ideal for container growing.
  • Bay has also been a traditional medicinal plant, with uses as varied as earaches, rheumatism and insect repellent. CAUTION: some people find bay to be a skin irritant.

It’s very important that you only grow plants labeled Laurus nobilis, if you plan to use it for cooking and eating. There are other plants that go by the common names of bay and sweet bay and these are not necessarily edible. However, there are a few ornamental cultivars or Laurus nobilis. Whether they season as well as traditional cooking bay leaves.

  • Laurus nobilis is a matter of taste.
  • Laurus nobilis‘Angustifolia’- Has narrow leaves. aka: willow-leaf laurel.
  • Laurus nobilis ‘Aurea’- New foliage is yellow.
  • Laurus nobilis ‘Undulata’ – Edges of the leaves are rippled or wavy.
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