Halloween Superstitions of Olde Updated

  

And.....Making Magical Devil's Club Lip Balm in Alaska...

Beware of the following superstitions of olde!

• Many people used to consider that owls would dive down to eat the souls of the dying on Halloween. They believed that if you pulled your own pockets out, and left them hanging, the dying would be safe. (Good to know, especially the next time you get caught with your pockets hanging out from the dryer!)

• To ward off evil spirits on Halloween, bury all the animal bones in your front yard, or even put a picture of an animal very close to your doorway. (I'll assume they mean collected wishbones and leftovers from Thanksgiving for the burials, and not those of anyone else, for the photos.)

• People used to believe you could walk around your house three times backwards before sunset on Halloween, and that would take care of all evil. (Next time you can't find the kids for dinner, remember you're keeping your family safe at the same time.)

• It has been said if a bat flies into your house on Halloween, it is a sign that ghosts or spirits are very nearer, and maybe they are in your home and let the bat in. (Living in the country, I've had bats in my house on several occasions. My friends claim they live in my own 'belfry', as well.)

• People used to believe that if bats are out early on Halloween, and they fly around playfully, then good weather is to come. (The bats in my belfry are beyond playful. I've been known to be borderline manic.)

• If a bat flies around your house three times on Halloween, death is very soon to come. (Doesn't this negate the good luck of the above?)

• It could be the spirit of a dead loved one watching you, if you watch a spider on Halloween. (And if you're watching, do so respectfully, and don't squish them!)

• Going in for what was once called a 'dumb' supper, meaning that nobody will talk while having supper, encourages the spirits to come to the table. (Well, not only is that term antiquated and not p.c., most families today with teenagers suffer from this predicament, so it's no wonder that most teenagers appear possessed.)

• It is believed that if an unmarried girl keeps a rosemary herb and a silver sixpence under her pillow on Halloween night, it is quite likely that on that very night, she would dream of her future husband. (If you have young daughter's, check their pillows tonight and remove those sixpence.)

• It is said that if you hear someone's footsteps behind you on the Halloween night, you should not turn back because it may be a dead following you. And if you commit the mistake of looking back, it is likely that you might join the dead very soon. (You just can't win on this one. I'm staying home and wearing ear plugs.)

• People believe that if on the Halloween night, a girl carrying a lamp in her hand goes to a spring of water, she will see the reflection of her life partner in water. (This sounds dangerous to me, especially if you believe in the superstition just above, and the one following you is already dead. Sure wouldn't want him for my life partner.)

• People have a superstition that if an unmarried girl carries a broken egg in a glass and takes it to a spring of water, she will be able to catch the glimpse of not just her future husband, by mixing some spring water in the glass, but also she can see the reflection of her future kids.
(OK, this is just too much. Now we are being followed by the dead, stuck with them for life and sharing common ghouls.)

• There is the old saying that "black cats are bad luck". It was once believed that black cats were the devil, or consumed by evil spirits. (I 've had several black cats, I loved them dearly, they slept with me every night. Time for an exorcism. Now, do I exorcise all black cats or just me?)

• People used to believe that Satan was a nut-gatherer. Nuts were also used as magic charms on the day of Halloween festival. (At this point, I'm feeling nutty. I think the exorcism has to be on me.)

• If you put your clothes on inside out as well as outside walk backwards on Halloween night. At midnight you will see a witch in the sky. People used to believe witches were the devil, or that they were consumed by evil. (I've been known to do both, on a fairly consistent basis. No wonder I run into so many witchy people and was gifted with a sign that says "If the broom fits, ride it"! It fit and I do.

• There is also an old saying "if the flame on your candle goes out on Halloween celebration; it gives you the meaning that you are with a ghost". (Stocking up on matches, lighters, and battery powered lanterns)

• If you ring a bell on Halloween it will frighten evil spirits away. (Ding!)

Making Magical Devil's Club Lip Balm Potion in Alaska!  

Recipes and Photo Tutorial!

just click the link, above!

Happy Halloween from Salem, Oregon and Douglas (Island) Alaska 

and to all points, and four corners of this world...and ...oh yeah.....to all of those beyond...and in between the known and unknown worlds!

Michele Bilyeu blogs With Heart and Hands as she shares a quilting journey through her life in Salem, Oregon and Douglas, Alaska. Sewing, quilting, and wildcrafting, with small format art quilts, prayer flags, and comfort quilts for a variety of charitable programs. And best of all, sharing thousands of links to Free Quilt and Quilt Block Patterns and encouraging others to join her and make and donate quilts to charitable causes.   Help us change the world, one little quilt at a time!

Cellulite Coffee Scrub

As I was putting on the coffee early yesterday morning, I glanced down at my most recent coffee pot quilt.....otherwise known as a coffee pot mat.....and remembered a recipe I had saved for Dr. Oz's "Cellulite Coffee Scrub." One of his segments was on viewer’s Beauty Secret Home Remedies. His guest, Jodi, shared her 'Cellulite Coffee Scrub' recipe.

Dr Oz said that Jodi’s Cellulite Coffee Scrub actually should work....because the caffeine in the coffee grounds enhances fat metabolism, and when topically applied, the caffeine helps to absorb and remove liquid... all of which can help minimize the appearance of cellulite. And as such, it just might be the only natural home remedy for removing cellulite that he's aware of! Quote, unquote.

Well, now...that got my attention right away ;)

I'd just made a new coffee pot quilt for my own coffee pot (I like to keep her in quilts, too ) as it helps the coffee pot to slide back and forth when pouring water in one part, dumping out grounds from another part, and so. And I thought..well, wouldn't it be nice if this little recipe would just slide off a few "unwanted extras", as easily as my coffee pot slides back and forth on the counter?

So, I'm sharing:

All you need are coffee grounds, brown sugar and olive oil. Here is the complete Cellulite Home Remedy.

What You Need:
1/2 cup coffee grounds
1/4 cup brown sugar
olive oil

Instructions:

1. Apply olive oil to your areas with cellulite (back of your thighs and upper arms for example)
2. Combine the coffee grounds and brown sugar.
3. Use the coffee scrub on your cellulite areas by moving in circular motions.
4. Rinse off.

Now, I experimented. I mixed all of the ingredients together, instead of separately ...and I loved it that way, too...just a bit more abrasive for my lovely facial scrub!

Of course, the easiest way to do this Cellulite Home Remedy is to apply it in the shower ...Dr. Oz recommended twice a week.And it probably will work as a facial scrub, as well...brown sugar and olive oil make a great scrub...with, or without any coffee grounds!

Excuse me, I think I need to try this! And afterward,when it's all rinsed off, of course, I'll just stretch out on a nice soft quilt of my own, and let those fat dimples melt away ;)

shown above:
Leftover fabric from Quilt #7 and #8: Follow Your Heart 1 and 2 ,
Small Project #10:Follow Your Heart Potholder and Small Project #14: Mulled Wine Mug Mat winter projects made up into a coffee pot mat and three little coffee coasters...served with a steaming hot cup of coffee, some lovely music, and a nice soaking bath after the scrub.....ahhhh.....Starbucks, you've got nothing on me! I'm all home brewed and good to go!

Mulled Wine Mug Mat: Celebrate!

In honor of my 61st birthday (today on Christmas Eve) I decided a little 'just for me' project was in order.

As always, I Follow My Heart when choosing a celebratory project, so I thought of Clare and her comment on my little liberated quilts that my fabrics reminded her of 'mulled wine.'

Oh, how I loved the sound of those words. Mulled sounds like "lulled" as in "lullaby and goodnight." And wine sounds like the rituals of celebration and the anointing of a holy season, which this mostly certainly, is.

It's lovely to celebrate, lovely to feel soft and lullabyed, and lovely fun to create a little pieced mug mat in honor of my day, and of the holiday season.

And then...I rushed off to find a simple recipe for British Mulled Wine;)


I discovered this wonderful little recipe in Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management
published in its revised version in 1869.

TO MULL WINE.

INGREDIENTS.- To every pint of wine allow 1 large cupful of water, sugar and spice to taste.

Mode.-In making preparations like the above, it is very difficult to give the exact proportions of ingredients like sugar and spice, as what quantity might suit one person would be to another quite distasteful.

Boil the spice in the water until the flavour is extracted, then add the wine and sugar, and bring the whole to the boiling-point, when serve with strips of crisp dry toast, or with biscuits. The spices usually used for mulled wine are cloves, grated nutmeg, and cinnamon or mace.

Any kind of wine may be mulled, but port and claret are those usually selected for the purpose; and the latter requires a very large proportion of sugar. The vessel that the wine is boiled in must be delicately cleaned, and should be kept exclusively for the purpose. Small tin warmers may be purchased for a trifle, which are more suitable than saucepans, as, if the latter are not scrupulously clean, they spoil the wine, by imparting to it a very disagreeable flavour. These warmers should be used for no other purpose.

And if you are a teetotaler, or perhaps its too early in the morning for a cup of mulled wine....substitute mulled 'cranberry juice cocktail', as I did here...ahhh, thank you Mrs. Beeton.
It's almost time for an appearance by Father Christmas!

Blessings to all!

Finn's New Year's Eve Small Projects Challenge:
Small Project #14: Mulled Wine Mug Mat

Finn's New Year's Eve Quilt Challenge:
Quilt #11: Twilight Dreams
Quilt #10:Far, Far, Away
Quilt #9:Green and Scrappy Love
Quilt #7 and #8: Follow Your Heart 1 and 2
Quilt #6: Stringing Along
Quilt #5: Within the Depths
Quilt #4: Irish Eyes
Quilt #3: Under the Pines
Quilt #2: Hope and Remembrance
Quilt #1 Hop to It!

Finn's New Year's Eve Small Projects Challenge:
Small Project #14: Mulled Wine Mug Mat
Small Project #11-13: Two pillowcases and a senior bib
Small Project #10:Follow Your Heart Potholder
Small Projects #2-9: sr bib, potholders and a bag
Small Project #1: Get Well Postcard

Making Magical Devil's Club Lip Balm in Alaska

One of the things I most love to do while I am in Alaska, is to be able to take small bits of spare time, and do creative and unusual things...and often using free, recycled or inexpensive ingredients. One of them, was to learn how to make lip gloss using native materials....many of them indigenous to southeast Alaska.

One moonlit Alaskan evening, my sister-in-law and I decided to spontaneously make 'Devil's Club Lip Balm' .....a magical potion with sacred native Alaskan origins. Devil's Club has a long history of medicinal use among Native American peoples, particularly the Tlingit, Skagit and Kwaikiutil. It is so widely used for such a variety of complaints that it is sometimes referred to as the Tlingit aspirin. It is known as the 'Alaskan ginseng and while it is known for its incredibly sharp thorns...one that can pierce heavy blue jeans or a coat...it actually has many anti-inflammatory properties.

It has been used by native Americans of the Pacific Coast as a sacred 'healing' plant...in teas and in medicinal balms. It has been shown to have promising results for diabetes by lowering blood sugars (and possibly even for tuberculosis in studies in China) but is most often used as a salve for easing sore joints and muscles, or pieces of the stalk are worn for uplifting the spirit or protection from 'evil spirits.'

When making Devil's Club balm, other plant parts, saps or essences are combined with it. Most often are poplar, alder, or cottonwood buds (see balm of Gilead, below) and cedar or spruce sap. Additional ingredients would include aromatic or scented essences, or other power filled plants such as the fireweed root...strong energy medicine that also adds a lovely rose color to the salve.

We dressed warmly, and all bundled up and carrying our flashlights and sporting head lamps, we trekked out into the dark evening and by the light of the magical full moon, located a cottonwood tree with its buds still leftover from last year's tree growth. We then pruned off a dozen or so buds and then headed off to locate a nice sappy cedar tree.

Heading home, we used three different recipes to find the best combination of the ingredients we had available to us. All recipes can be seen by enlarging the photos shown. But ours included, cedar sap, poplar buds, fireweed root, devil's club bark, olive oil or coconut oil with a little olive oil, rosebuds other dried flower buds, grated beeswax and aromatic scent.

We also used cheesecloth to strain our mixture before pouring into containers and a double boiler for melting and simmering our potion.

Devils Club Root, below:
Harvest roots with very heavy gloves, a trowel and wearing heavy clothing. Avoid contact with thorny stalks, very sharp and painful and can pierce denim easily.

Roots are cut, scrubbed with metallic scrub pad or scraped with a sharp knife. Grate or cut into slivers or smsll chunks. These were long dried and cut or broken off into chunks

 We used our previously harvested fireweed roots from last fall. Cutting the roots into small sections, and stripping off the inner pieces of the gifted devil's club stalks yielded more than enough for our needs.

The devil's club stalk adds the authentic indigenous touch while the fireweed adds the magic of fire and a lovely pink color to the mixture.

Adding olive oil, or coconut oil, rosebuds, and grated beeswax (per our recipes) we used a double boiler to melt and blend all ingredients. Using the clean piece of cheesecloth, we strained the rough ingredients out, leaving only the purest rose pink liquid.

Next, we added the energy frequencies of scent and sound. For scent we use essential oils...in this case, we selected lemongrass oil and oil of bergamot and some small baby pink rosebuds. It made for a spectacularly aromatic combination.

And for healing vibrational energies of sound, we used a lovely Tibetan singing bowl and its pestle and tuned the frequencies of sound into our healing balm.

Now, pure color, light, sound, and scent, we had the basic essences diluted into a useable form.... which we poured gently into awaiting containers specially made for lipgloss and balms.

While we had access to leftover purchased containers, it is even more frugal to save, clean, and re-use any container that will work for small applicatiions. I save lipgloss, chapstick, face cream, and travel containers of all kinds for this specific purpose.

Whether set out in containers for immediate use, or given as gifts, it is a wonderful form of homemade goodness to protect against the cold, dry air of our Alaskan weather.

And it is a reminder that even in the busiest of times, there is always energy and space for creative fun. As well as a wonderful opportunity to learn and practice old techniques..... in new and modern forms.

Anicent ways of creating healing salves and balms becomes renewed as our lip glosses or chapped lip balm. The use of natural materials combined with the energies of creation manifest in a new and readily use-able form.

Above: Among my own clay buttons, a tiny cross slice of dried Devils Club Root, turned into a small decorative sacred healing talisman, using a tiny wood burning tool marks can be imprinted onto and reshape the root into a lovely piece of art. 

Additional notes:
Check out :
*NPR: Devil's Club: A Medicine Cabintet for Alaskan Tribe

And my reference to **Balm of Gilead**

Balm of Gilead or Poplar buds come from our predominant Cottonwood Poplar trees in the United States which produce a resinous, stick and tight bud that is highly aromatic. "There is a balm in Gilead," the old Black spiritual says, "to soothe the sin-sick soul."

The Biblical allusion refers to two contrasting references to the herb in the Old and New Testaments of the Christian bible, suggesting a time when healing would be available to all who seek it.

The dried, unopened buds of the poplar tree have been used in ointments and skin treatments for at least 3,000 years.


With Heart and Hands
© Michele (Savikko) Bilyeu

Rachel Ray's 5 Minute Fudge Christmas Wreath Ring Recipe

If you caught Rachel Ray's repeat appearance on Oprah this week, then you watched her make her amazing 5 minute wreath and spoon it into a simple cake pan with a tin can in the center and suddenly create a Christmas Wreath Ring that took 5 minutes to make and about 1 hour to chill. The recipe is as follows:

Rachel Ray's 5 Minute Christmas Fudge

Ingredients:
1 12 ounce bag of semi-sweet chocolate morsels (white or dark)
1 cup butterscotch morsels
1 (14 ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk (save the can)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup walnuts or large peanuts
1/2 cup currants or raisins
8 inch cake pan, lightly greased with softened butter
*Use a cake pan with a center opening if you have one. Otherwise use a regular round cake pan and place a plastic wrapped can (saved aside from the milk above) to create a center opening in the fudge wreath.
Candied red and green cherries
*for optional garnish

Directions:
1. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with softened butter. Pour the chocolate and butterscotch chips, condensed milk and vanilla into a medium saucepan. Put the pan on the stove and turn the heat to low.
2. Cover the empty condensed-milk can with plastic wrap and put it in the center of the round cake pan.
3. Stir the chips and milk until they melt together, about 3 minutes. Remove from stove and stir in the nuts and raisins. Scoop the fudge into the cake pan all around the plastic-covered can in the center to form a wreath or ring shape.
*As Rachel says: "Let it be all bumpy and funky on top. Keep pushing the can back to the center if the fudge moves it away from there."
4. Cut the red cherries in half with scissors and the green cherries into quarters. Use the green pieces to make leaves and the red to make holly berries. Decorate the fudge with several groups of holly berry sprigs made from the cherries and garnish with walnuts between the sprigs. (The fudge looks good left plain, too!)
5. Put the fudge in the fridge and chill until firm (about 1 hour.) Remove the can from the center, then loosen the sides and bottom of the fudge with a spatula.
*If you are serving it, cut the fudge into thin slices.
*If you are giving it as a gift, wrap the entire wreath up into stiff decorated cellophane and tie with a big bow!
*If you can resist eating it all in one occasion..yes, I've frozen it and yes, it was still delicious!


*If you want to share it with others or use as your holiday gift..make smaller ones into tiny fluted tart or bundt pans. Makes awesome gifts. Wrap in cellophane and add a bow!

Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes

Brown Rice Turkey Soup

INGREDIENTS
1 cup diced sweet red pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sliced celery
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons butter or stick margarine
3 (14.5 ounce) cans reduced sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup white wine or additional reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cubed cooked turkey breast
1 cup instant brown rice
1/4 cup sliced green onions

DIRECTIONS
In a Dutch oven, saute the red pepper, onion, celery and garlic in butter for 5-7 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add the broth, wine or additional broth, thyme and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in turkey and rice. Bring to a boil; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until rice is tender. Garnish with green onions.

Easy Turkey Curry

INGREDIENTS
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups uncooked rice
1/4 cup onion, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (6 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1/4 cup milk
1 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
2 cups cooked turkey meat, chopped or shredded

DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, Saute the onion until translucent, not browned. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and stir in the mushroom soup, drained mushrooms, and milk. Heat while stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth. Add the sour cream, curry powder, and turkey meat, stirring while it all heats through. Cover and allow to low simmer 20 to 25 minutes. Ladle the curry mixture evenly over rice for each individual.

Turnaround Turkey and Rice
4 servings

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons butter
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup cooked turkey, cut in cubes
1 1/2 cups water
1 (.87 ounce) package Turkey Gravy Mix
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon seasoned salt

DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add celery and onion and cook for 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add cooked turkey.

Blend water, Gravy Mix, milk, flour and Season-All; pour over turkey mixture. Stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Serve over rice.

Southwestern Turkey Casserole
6 to 8 servings

INGREDIENTS
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (7 ounce) can diced green chile peppers, drained
1 cup sour cream
16 (6 inch) corn tortillas, cut into strips
10 ounces cooked turkey, diced
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken soup, mushroom soup, chile peppers and sour cream.
Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan with corn tortillas. Follow with a layer of turkey. Pour soup mixture over turkey, sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheese. Repeat layers and top with cheddar cheese. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbly.

Turkey Enchiladas
6 servings

INGREDIENTS
2 cups shredded Cheddar and/or Monterey cheese
1 onion, chopped
1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives
24 (6 inch) corn tortillas
1 (19 ounce) can red enchilada sauce
4 cups cooked turkey, chopped

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine the cheese, onion, and black olives.

In a small skillet, heat enough oil to lightly coat one tortilla, and cook until soft. Remove and dip in enchilada sauce to coat.

Add turkey and cheese mixture to center of tortilla, roll and place in the prepared dish. Repeat until bottom layer of pan is covered with enchiladas. Spread enough sauce over bottom layer to cover.

Repeat process with a second layer; spread remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture. Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is melted.

Easy Turkey Tetrazzini

INGREDIENTS
1 (8 ounce) package cooked egg noodles
2 tablespoons butter
1 (6 ounce) can sliced mushrooms
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups chopped cooked turkey
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Melt butter in a large heavy skillet. Saute mushrooms for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in turkey, condensed soup, and sour cream.

Place cooked noodles in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour sauce mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until sauce is bubbling.

Turkey Potato Casserole

INGREDIENTS
1 pound cooked turkey meat, shredded
1 onion, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can green beans, drained
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
8 ounces cubed Cheddar cheese
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
4 cups prepared mashed potatoes

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place turkey in an even layer on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with a layer of onion and a layer of green beans so that the turkey is no longer visible. Pour the condensed soup over the onion layer, then sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Stir together the cubed cheese and mashed potatoes; spoon over the top of the casserole, and spread to cover.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until heated through.

Martha: Pumpkin Pecan Praline Pie

If you saw the Pumpkin Praline Pie on the Martha Stewart TV Show last week...the one with the fabulous tear drop rolled edge...you wished you'd written down the recipe, too! Well, I found the recipe and here it is:

Pumpkin Praline Pie
Ingredients to make one 9" inch pie:
All-purpose flour, to sprinkle on work surface
Flaky Pie Dough
Praline Topping
4 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup Muscovado light or dark-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 lb. pumpkin puree
1 c. heavy cream

Directions:
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out half of the dough to 1/8-inch thick. Using a 1-inch tear-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 50 tear-shaped pieces of dough. Starting with the pointed end, roll each piece of dough three-quarters of the way toward the fat end of the tear, forming a curl. Transfer curls to a baking sheet; refrigerate 30 minutes.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out remaining dough into an 11-inch round. With a dry pastry brush, brush off any excess flour; fit dough into a 9-inch glass pie plate, pressing it into the edges. Trim to a 1-inch overhang all around. Fold under overhang so it extends slightly beyond the edge of the pie plate.
2. Prick bottom of dough all over with a fork. Line with parchment paper, leaving at least a 1-inch overhang. Top with a 9-inch metal pie tin. Bake for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack. Remove parchment paper and weights; let cool.
3. Beat 1 egg in a small bowl. Brush the edge of the pie crust with egg. Starting with 1 dough curl, place the flat bottom on the egg-washed rim, with the curl perpendicular to the edge of the pie plate. Working in the same direction, continue placing curls next to one another until the rim of the pie shell is completely covered with curls. Transfer pie shell to refrigerator; let chill 1 hour. Brush curls with remaining beaten egg.
4. In a large bowl, mix together both sugars, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Add pumpkin puree and stir well to combine. Whisk in remaining 3 eggs and cream.
5. Pour pumpkin mixture into prepared pie shell. Transfer to a 375 degree oven and bake until filling is just set, about 40 minutes. Let pie cool completely on a wire rack. Sprinkle pie with praline topping just before serving

Flaky Pie Dough
Ingredients makes enough for 1 pumpkin pecan-praline pie
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup ice water
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
9 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
6 tablespoons cold leaf lard, cut into piece
Mix together salt and water in a small bowl until salt has dissolved; set aside

Pecan Praline Topping:
Makes enough topping for two 9-inch pies
Vegetable oil, for baking sheet
1 cup sugar
1 cup whole pecans, lightly toasted

Directions

1. Lightly coat a baking sheet with vegetable oil; set aside.
2. Mix together sugar and 1/4 cup water in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.
3. Cover and cook, without stirring, until an amber-colored syrup has formed, about 8 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add pecans. Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet; let cool completely.
5. When praline has cooled, coarsely chop praline. Praline should be kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

Recipe created by Chef Paul Bergeron, featured on Martha Stewart Show and MarthaSteward.com/

Updated! Dr. Oz and Oprah's Glass of Green "Fresh" Drink Recipe

Most accurate version on the web:
If you watched Oprah on Monday, Nov. 5th, you watched her drink a tall green glass of Dr. Mehmet Oz's 'Green Drink' and if you were like me, you tried to write down the recipe as fast as you could. Oprah's web page originally listed only the ingredients, and not the amounts and they had one ingredient wrong, besides! But, but I had a taping of the show, and being 'Sleepless in Salem" I rewatched it three times...and his exact recipe is as follows:

RECIPE #1:
Dr. Mehmet Oz's Green Drink Recipe (as seen on Oprah)
4 stalks celery
1 large apple
1 medium cucumber
1 cup of spinach
1 sprig of parsley
1 lemon
1 lime
1/2" piece of ginger

This recipe serves 2.

RECIPE #2:
Dr. Mehmet Oz's Green Drink Recipe (posted later: Oprah.com)
2 cups spinach
2 cups cucumber
1 head of celery
1/2 inch or teaspoon ginger root
1 bunch parsley
2 apples
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1/2 lemon

After everything is combined in a blender, this recipe makes 28 to 30 ounces—about three to four servings

RECIPE #3:
Dr.Oz's Cod Liver Oil Drink
Dr. Oz's second drink might not be as pleasant, but it's still important—a shot of cod liver oil. "First of all, cod liver oil has the right kind of vitamin D in it—vitamin D3. That's why people who live in the north lands who don't get any sun at all can still survive. It's got the healthy fats that you want in it," Dr. Oz says, about its benefits.

Dr. Oz drinks it every morning, adding a shot glass sized dose of cod liver oil with a squeeze of lemon. He drinks it along with his morning Green Juice Drink, every day, in the separate shot glass, on the side.

Oprah, took a sip of Dr.Oz's Green Drink recipe and was pleasantly surprised. "It's a glass of fresh!" she exclaimed. And she went on to continue her sipping for the rest of the show! Dr. Oz is currently proclaiming the benefits of his anti-aging lifestyle plan which can be found in his new book, simply titled "You".

Notes:
Dr. Oz used the term 'blender' both on the show and on Oprah's web page. But to many people a blender is actually what is called a 'juicer'.

A juicer has a much more powerful motor than a typical blender and is able to handle raw fruits and vegetable, even with their skins on. Many people prefer the added health benefits and include the raw skins such as those of apple and cucumber in their juiced drinks. There is a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals in the skins.

Most people, prefer to only use the juice of a squeezed lemon or lime, however, as they can be quite tart. For additional sweetness, Dr. Oz recommends increasing the amount of apple or adding a peeled banana. He never advocated adding artificial sweeteners or drinks of any kind.

Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen encourage people to stay away from simple sugars like high fructose corn syrup . While sugar substitute (like aspartame, saccharin and Splenda) have not been proven to be dangerous, Dr. Oz says they also haven't been proven to promote weight loss.

"When you have a sugar substitute, your brain knows that you're not really taking calories in. It can't be tricked. At the end of the day, you're still going to get your calories," he says. "There's a lot of data behind this. Don't think that by taking a diet food that has a sugar replacement in it that you're actually going to be able to lose weight because of that. That's not how it works. Artificial sweeteners do not lead to weight loss, unless it's the only way to get you off the simple sugars that we have in our drinks all the time."

Dr. Oz encourages people to drink 100 percent fruit juice. Despite their high calories, these juices have valuable nutrients. "You're only going to be able to diet long-term if you aim at a hundred calories. Don't try to lose 500 a day," he says. "You can cut a hundred calories a day just by being smarter in what you eat." It's these healthy benefits of his green juice drink that is all part of his own daily plan for good health and a long life.

For a visual, check out Youtube....I made Dr. Oz's Green Drink!
shown:
Dr. Oz and Oprah

*It is considered a violation of blogging principles to copy a blogger's entire post, making their words therefore appear to be your own. Please feel free to copy the recipes but not my own words about the recipe and then link directly to my this post. Thanks! http://with-heart-and-hands.blogspot.com/

Oprah's Glass of Green "Fresh" Recipe + Dr. Oz Cod Liver Oil

Most accurate version on the web:
If you watched Oprah on Monday, Nov. 5th, you watched her drink a tall green glass of Dr. Mehmet Oz's 'Green Drink' and if you were like me, you tried to write down the recipe as fast as you could. Oprah's web page originally listed only the ingredients, and not the amounts and they had one ingredient wrong, besides! But, but I had a taping of the show, and being 'Sleepless in Salem" I rewatched it three times...and his exact recipe is as follows:

RECIPE #1:
Dr. Mehmet Oz's Green Drink Recipe (as seen on Oprah!)
4 stalks celery
1 large apple
1 medium cucumber
1 cup of spinach
1 sprig of parsley
1 lemon
1 lime
1/2" piece of ginger

This recipe serves 2.

RECIPE #2:
Dr. Mehmet Oz's Green Drink Recipe (posted later: Oprah.com)
2 cups spinach
2 cups cucumber
1 head of celery
1/2 inch or teaspoon ginger root
1 bunch parsley
2 apples
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1/2 lemon

After everything is combined in a blender, this recipe makes 28 to 30 ounces—about three to four servings

RECIPE #3:
Dr.Oz's Cod Liver Oil Drink
Dr. Oz's second drink might not be as pleasant, but it's still important—a shot of cod liver oil. "First of all, cod liver oil has the right kind of vitamin D in it—vitamin D3. That's why people who live in the north lands who don't get any sun at all can still survive. It's got the healthy fats that you want in it," Dr. Oz says about its benefits.

Dr. Oz drinks it every morning, adding a shot glass sized dose of cod liver oil with a squeeze of lemon. He drinks it along with his morning Green Juice Drink, every day, in the separate shot glass, on the side.

Oprah, took a sip of Dr.Oz's Green Drink recipe and was pleasantly surprised. "It's a glass of fresh!" she exclaimed. And she went on to continue her sipping for the rest of the show! Dr. Oz is currently proclaiming the benefits of his anti-aging lifestyle plan which can be found in his new book, simply titled "You".

Notes:
Dr. Oz used the term 'blender' both on the show and on Oprah's web page. But to many people a blender is actually what is called a 'juicer'.

A juicer has a much more powerful motor than a typical blender and is able to handle raw fruits and vegetable, even with their skins on. Many people prefer the added health benefits and include the raw skins such as those of apple and cucumber in their juiced drinks. There is a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals in the skins.

Most people, prefer to only use the juice of a squeezed lemon or lime, however, as they can be quite tart. For additional sweetness, Dr. Oz recommends increasing the amount of apple or adding a peeled banana. He never advocated adding artificial sweeteners or drinks of any kind.

Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen encourage people to stay away from simple sugars like high fructose corn syrup . While sugar substitute (like aspartame, saccharin and Splenda) have not been proven to be dangerous, Dr. Oz says they also haven't been proven to promote weight loss.

"When you have a sugar substitute, your brain knows that you're not really taking calories in. It can't be tricked. At the end of the day, you're still going to get your calories," he says. "There's a lot of data behind this. Don't think that by taking a diet food that has a sugar replacement in it that you're actually going to be able to lose weight because of that. That's not how it works. Artificial sweeteners do not lead to weight loss, unless it's the only way to get you off the simple sugars that we have in our drinks all the time."

Dr. Oz encourages people to drink 100 percent fruit juice. Despite their high calories, these juices have valuable nutrients. "You're only going to be able to diet long-term if you aim at a hundred calories. Don't try to lose 500 a day," he says. "You can cut a hundred calories a day just by being smarter in what you eat." It's these healthy benefits of his green juice drink that is all part of his own daily plan for good health and a long life.

shown:
Dr. Oz and Oprah

*It is considered a violation of blogging principles to copy a blogger's entire post, making their words therefore appear to be your own. Please feel free to copy the recipes but not my own words about the recipe and then link directly to my this post. Thanks! http://with-heart-and-hands.blogspot.com/

How To Make An American Quilt (Salad)

An American Quilt Chopped Salad
Recipe from: Richard Simmons "The Today Show"

INGREDIENTS

Dressing

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon each arrowroot and honey
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Salad

• 1/2 cup each finely chopped cucumber
• 1/2 cup celery
• 1/2 cup red onion
• 1/2 cup carrot
• 1/2 cup green beans
• 1/2 cup fresh corn kernels or frozen, thawed, or canned, drained
• 1/2 cup red cabbage
• 4 red beets for serving

DIRECTIONS
1. Dressing: Place all dressing ingredients in blender. Blend until well mixed; there will still be little pieces of onion. Pour into small saucepan. Heat gently, stirring. Do not boil. Let cool. Then chill. You should have about ¾ cup dressing.

2. In serving bowl combine all chopped and diced vegetables. Chill. Just before serving, add ¼ cup dressing to vegetables in bowl. Toss to combine. Taste and add more dressing if you like. Arrange each portion of salad in a beet on serving plate.

shown:

salad arranged and served in a hollowed out beet