Tuesday, December 25, 2012

My Hot Dog Cookbook Co-Author Announcement

 
 
Everyone has been waiting for my announcement of who my co-author for the upcoming Hot Dog Cookbook will be.  Well, the wait is over.  Meet Toddster the Hot Doggster
 
Todd is one of the greatest hot dog lovers I've ever met! 
 
He has hot dog socks.
 
 
Hot Dog Trucks
 
Hot Dog Scooby
 
And even Hot Dog Pens
 
And these are just a few of the items in his collection.  
 
How did we meet?  Toddster the Hot Doggster wanted to know when I planned to write a cookbook about hot dogs.   I had no plans but then ask myself - 'Why not?'  There are cookbooks about everything else.  So I told Toddster the Hot Doggster that if he was willing to join me in this venture we would create a cookbook highlighting an individual hot dog as well as a hot dog restaurant for each state in the US.  Thats all it took to get his excitement boiling and our plans in motion. 
 
So, what does Toddster the Hot Doggster do when not collection hot dog items?  Read on and you'll find out.
 
 
 
Todd MacIsaac (Producer/Creator)
Exec. Producer · 1997 to present

Producer/Virtual World Liaison TODD MACISAAC (Co-Producer/Co-Creator/Virtual World Liaison) After obtaining his degree in Digital Media from Full Sail in 19...97, Todd worked in Independent films (industrial commercials) and also worked in production for the Orlando Predators, an indoor arena football team. In 1998 Todd MacIsaac began exploration of emerging online social networks including ICQ, MSN messenger and AIM which allowed people to chat live real time anywhere in the world through text.Then with the unveiling of Skype, vocal real time chat came to life.Todd has witnessed the growth and development of the Internet as a communication and collaboration tool. He became involved in a Live Non Profit Interactive Educational TV Broadcast group that designs curriculum for interactive shows intended for classrooms nation wide. In early 2000 Todd joined one of the first online 3d virtual worlds called "Worlds.com." This Multi User Virtual Environment (MUVE) hooked MacIsaac with its power in connecting people globally instantly live in a 3D environment. Today, Todd continues to explore the different forms of social media including the current media phenomena of FaceBook, Second Life, MySpace, Blue Mars,There.com and Kaneva amongst others. He realized early on the potential and the power of the new medium of communication in connecting people across the globe. He sees the lasting value to the ever evolving, always shifting means of communication and the results that can be obtained through the incredible medium of the Internet. To that end, in 2006 Todd co-founded Vircon, a virtual content company that sought to bridge and merge the virtual and the physical worlds by exploring the growing movement linking education and digital media interaction/entertainment. Todd is applying and putting into action the resources and networks and vast experiences from his digital media background and immersion in social medias as well as MUVEs in his partnership with Lytle and Becker.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Cinnamon and Honey


Do these work?  I have no idea but I can't see where they can hurt either.  Just might be worth trying a few.

Cures most diseases It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon, as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply it on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, when they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.

In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily (morning and night) one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT:
When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH:
People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Beef & Sausage Meatballs


Pulled for the future.  My recipe for Beef & Sausage Meatballs has been pulled and moved to the manuscript file.  This is a good one so make a note to give it a try when you get your copy of ThinkWith Your Taste Buds - Beef.  Until then, check out my other cookbooks by going to my name on Amazon Martha A. Cheves

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Tortellini With Beef and Portobello Mushrooms


Boy wait until you try this recipe!  It turned out wonderful.  I got the idea from a recipe called Portobello Bellybuttons and made a few changes and a couple additions.  They worked out perfect.

This recipe is the newest that has gone into the manuscript file for Think With Your Taste Buds - Beef which will be out this winter.  In the meantime, don't forget to order your copy of Think With Your Taste Buds - Desserts;  Stir, Laugh, Repeat;  and A Book and A Dish.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Herb Salt Substitute Recipe



This may help many who can not have salt.

Herb Salt Substitute Recipe

Similar to the commercial Mrs. Dash mixture, use this salt substitute herb mix on all types of savory foods and you won't miss the salt at all.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Tbsp ground cayenne pepper

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp onion powder

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried parsley flakes

1 tsp dried savory

1 tsp ground mace

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp dried sage

1 tsp dried marjoram

1 tsp ground dried grated lemon peel

PREPARATION:

Combine cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, thyme, parsley flakes, savory, mace, black pepper, sage, marjoram, and lemon peel.

Mix well. Place in a glass airtight container and store in a cool, dark place up to four months. Use on all types of savory foods.



Recipe may be easily multiplied.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Hot Chocolate Balls


This is a Pinterest recipe that I couldn't pass up.  The original recipe is called Hot Chocolate on a Stick.  Mine didn't quite come out that way. 

2 lbs. melted chocolate (real chocolate with high content of cocoa butter)
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa powder

I melted my chocolate in the microwave.  The recipe directions melt it over a double boiler.  (Might be one of my mistakes.)  Mix cocoa powder and powdered sugar into melted chocolate.   I used dark chocolate cocoa powder.  (Might have been another mistake.)  The original recipe had you pour the mixture into a zip lock bag with a small hole cut in the corner so you could squirt it into a mold or mini muffin tins.  Mine wasn't squirtable but thick.  This is what I ended up doing.  Using my hands I shaped 1" balls and rolled some of them in cinnamon sugar and some in peppermint sugar.  Some I left plain.  For appearance as well as use, I put each ball on a plastic form, wrapped it with plastic wrap and tied it with a pretty ribbon.  I think they turned out quite pretty.  To use you simply heat an 8 oz. cup of milk, crumble your Hot Chocolate Ball into your milk, stir and enjoy.  It really is quite good! 

These are good to add to gift baskets with a simple little card telling the user how to turn their Hot Chocolate Ball into the real thing.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Cheese Cookies and Sausage Balls


This recipe will make both Cheese Cookies and Sausage Balls simply by adding one additional ingredient saving you time and clean-up.

Cheese Cookies

2 cups flour
3 cups shredded cheese
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
4 cups Rice Krispies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl mix flour and cheese.  Using your hands add butter and then rice krispies.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Shape 1/2 of the mixture into walnut size balls.  Press flat.  Bake 10-12 minutes.  Makes about 2 dozen

Sausage Balls

1 lb. lean sausage
1 cup flour

To the remaining mixture, using your hands, mix in sausage and flour.  Roll into walnut size balls.  Bake 12-15 minutes.  makes about 2 dozen

Comments:  The cheese cookies will have a crispy crunch from the rice krispies.  The sausage balls will have a slight crunch but not quite as much as the cookies.  I use a Mexican cheese blend which also adds a unique flavor to the cookies.  You can use any cheese or cheese blend that you might like.  These are perfect for the holidays and entertaining or just plain old eating.    These are delicious!