Saturday, June 30, 2007

Barbecued Ribs with Root Beer Barbecue Sauce and Root Beer Baked Beans


Barbecued Ribs with Root Beer Barbecue Sauce

2 racks (6.5 pounds/3 kg) pork spareribs, cut into 2-rib portions
1/2 cup/125 mL cider vinegar
2 tbsp/30 mL (any flavor) Watkins Original Barbecue Sauce Concentrate or Mesquite Barbecue Sauce Concentrate
2 tbsp/30 mL Watkins Onion Granules
2 tsp/10 mL Watkins Garlic Granules
2 tsp/10 mL Watkins Black Pepper
1 tsp/5 mL salt, or as desired
Water

Root Beer Barbecue Sauce

2/3 cup/160 mL Watkins Original Barbecue Sauce Concentrate or Mesquite Barbecue Sauce Concentrate
1-1/3 cups/320 mL ketchup
2 tsp/10 mL Watkins Root Beer Flavor
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Ginger
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Allspice

Combine first seven ingredients in large kettle or Dutch oven; cover with water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours; drain (Can be made ahead to this point. Cool, cover and refrigerate until 1 hour before broiling or grilling.) Combine sauce ingredients in bowl and have ready to baste meat. Arrange ribs on grill or broiler rack.

To grill: Grill ribs 10 minutes, turning once. Baste with barbecue sauce; grill 5 minutes. Turn and baste again with sauce; grill 5 minutes more.

To broil: Broil ribs about 7 to 9 inches from heat for 20 minutes or until heated through, brushing with barbecue sauce occasionally and turning once.

Serve any remaining barbecue sauce with ribs. Makes 8 servings.

Root Beer Baked Beans

1/2 lb/225 g bacon, diced
1 medium onion, diced
2 tbsp/30 mL Watkins Original Barbecue Sauce Concentrate
1/4 cup/60 mL ketchup
2 (28 oz/798 g) cans baked beans
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Root Beer Extract
1 tsp/5 mL prepared mustard
2 tbsp/30 mL brown sugar
Dash Watkins Calypso Hot Pepper Sauce
Watkins Black Pepper, to taste

Cook bacon and onion in skillet until bacon is brown and crisp. Pour off drippings. Combine barbecue sauce concentrate and ketchup; add to skillet. Mix in remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees F/150 degrees C for 1 hour. Makes 12 servings.

Monday, June 25, 2007

What is Organic?

Do you know what organic means, and how it applies to you?

In the most basic sense, organic means grown or raised naturally. For crops, this means that no chemicals (e.g., pesticides), sewage sludge, radiation, or genetic engineering are used on the product. For organic animal products like eggs, dairy, and meat, there is an additional aspect: the chickens and cows are not given antibiotics or growth hormones.

In addition to the above, organic tends to indicate that the product is grown or raised with Mother Nature's health in mind, and thus usually includes sustainable practices that will maintain or even improve the quality of the soil such as composting, crop rotation, and choosing plants which are suited to the region.

Organic animals are nearly always raised (and, in the case of organic meat, slaughtered) humanely: organic chickens are cage-free, organic cattle are free-range, and the animals are usually vegetarian.

Organic products are better for humans, animals, and the Earth. They don't contribute to pollution, they promote humane treatment, and they contain only what nature meant for them to have - no chemical residues or growth hormones.

The downside is that organic products cost more because they are considerably more labor-intensive. Organic farmers cannot use low-cost shortcuts like pesticides and herbicides; they expend extra effort and time to get rid of pests and weeds naturally (for example, by using natural predators and weeding manually).Traditional crops are cheaper at the check-out stand, but they do not take into account environmental costs.

One other thing to know about organic is that it doesn't apply only to food. Non-edible products like organic cotton and medicinal herbs are also available.

Organic certification is very strict. Independent companies such as QAI have been providing the strictest organic certification for more than a decade, and the USDA created its own certification standards and label in 2002.

From the Veggie Table.com

New Design for Watkins Online

The redesign for Watkins Online is complete! My Watkins Online store has a new look. Spend a few minutes at the site to see its new features. http://www.watkinsonline.com/eleisiawhitney


The major enhancements include:

  • Attractive, eye-catching home page and overall layout and design.
  • Simple navigation of the product catalog, making it much easier for you to quickly find the specific item you are shopping for.

  • Several small adjustments to the customer's order and checkout process to enhance your shopping experience.


A smile is the light in your window that lets others know there is a caring person inside.
- Denis Waitley

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Community Mash

Top 5 Ways to Spice Up Your Health

Spices. Was have been fought over them. Great explorers have sailed in pursuit of them. And gifting history was made by three wise men bearing them. Turns out that the ancients were on to something. Research is now showing that five spices we've long savored just for their flavor are also nutritional powerhouses. Toss these overachievers into your salad or sauce and get a whopping dose of disease-preventing antioxidants along with a flavorful punch.

1. Cinnamon
This natural germ-fighter also helps lower blood sugar, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels - ¼ teaspoon a day is a healthy goal. Sprinkle a little of the powder on freshly ground coffee beans when making your morning java.

2. Thyme
It makes it into grilled poultry, fish, and meat marinades by virtue of its minty, lemony flavor; it makes it onto the RealAge list of healthy herbs by virtue of its anti-cancer potency. It's also long been used as an antiseptic. Yep, that could be thyme oil in your mouthwash. If you've got a fresh bunch, mince some into your vinaigrette. Yum.

3. Cumin
Concealed in your humble chili powder is one of the world's most popular spices (it's a key ingredient in Indian curries too) and another anti-cancer soldier. Go exotic and add cumin to rice and grain salads and marinades, or try this heart-healthy Ultimate Beef Chili made with chunks of fat-trimmed meat.

4. Oregano
Thank our GIs for bringing oregano home from Italy after WWII. A food world superpower, leaves of the herb boast 42 times more antioxidants than apples. Wow. Use oregano to add a delicate flavor to salad dressings, garlic bread, and omelets, as well as your favorite pastas.

5. Turmeric
Called the "Queen of the Kitchen" by Indian cooks, turmeric (and its active ingredient, curcumin) has earned its crown. Studies show promise in fighting cystic fibrosis, colon cancer, arthritis, and even Alzheimer's. For an earthy flavor and yellow coloring, add a pinch of turmeric to rice, stew, or lentils. Hey, it might even help you remember where you left your keys last night.

RealAge - June 11, 2007

Friday, June 08, 2007

Watkins History

Watkins was founded in 1868. That’s 139 years ago. In 1868, the Civil War had just ended and was a recent memory to everyone at the time. Andrew Johnson was President of the United States taking over from Abraham Lincoln who was recently assassinated. A few things that did not exist yet include the telephone, the light bulb, airplanes, and the Suez and Panama Canals. There were just 37 states in the union and they were all in the same time zone since there was only one time zone. General George Custer and Geronimo were still alive and well. And J.R. Watkins was living in Plainview, Minnesota and had a dream, a recipe, and a kitchen where he created Watkins Red Liniment.

His Watkins Red Liniment launched a company that has created careers for hundreds of thousands of Watkins men and women over the years. In 1869, J.R. Watkins established America’s first Money-Back Guarantee. He put a Trial-Mark on the Liniment Bottles and told customers that they could use the product down to that line and if they didn’t like it, he’d give them their money back. By 1915 Watkins was the largest direct selling company in the world and had the majority of the spice and extract market for decades.

Do you remember how wonderful your Grandmother’s cooking was? And your Great Grandmother’s cooking also? The traditional home-cooked meal by our ancestors were almost always cooked with Watkins Products, almost exclusively. That, and a pinch of love is what made those old-time traditional home-cooked meals so delicious and wonderful! Our Watkins products are what almost everyone used up until the 1950’s. When people think fondly back at all those wonderful meals, Grandma’s wonderful cookies, cakes and pies, Great Aunt Mabel’s amazing roast, they are thinking fondly of how wonderful Watkins products are!

So spread the word and don’t forget how special Watkins Products really are. Why do you think so many great people are involved with Watkins? Not just the wonderful income opportunity and the great products - but also the great family values and traditions that are synonymous with Watkins.

Coming Soon—Watkins New Natural Plant-Based Home Care Products

Everyday choices affect the health of our families and our environment. Household products are one of the largest contributors of health problems in the home. Cleaners containing ammonia, chlorine and other chemicals have been known to cause respiratory irritation. According to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, one in three North Americans suffer from allergies, asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis. Minimize your family’s exposure to these harmful toxins with Watkins Premium Natural Cleaning Line.

J.R. Watkins Natural Cleaning Line features four clean fresh scents. Watkins plant based formulas are fragranced with natural lemon, lavender, rosemary and orange oil as well as extracts from palm and coconut. These natural aromas will leave your home smelling fresh and sparkling clean.

These premium, natural formulas are healthy, natural and environmentally safe.

• Ammonia Free
• Animal Ingredient Free
• Benzene Free
• Biodegradable
• Boron Free
• Butyl/Ethyl Free
• Cellosolve Free
• Chlorine Free
• Diethylene Free
• Dye Free
• Ethanol Free
• Ether Free
• Formaldehyde Free
• Isopropanol Free
• Kerosene Free
• Mineral Spirit Free
• Non-toxic
• Petrochemical Free
• Phosphate Free
• Phosphoric Acid Free
• Propylene Glycol Free
• SLS Free
• Sulfuric Acid Free

The following new products will be available starting July 15th.

All-Purpose Cleaner - Aloe & Green Tea
All-Purpose Cleaner - Lavender
All-Purpose Cleaner - Lemon
All-Purpose Concentrate - Aloe & Green Tea
All-Purpose Concentrate - Lavender
All-Purpose Concentrate - Lemon
All-Purpose Wipes - Aloe & Green Tea
Liquid Dish Soap - Aloe & Green Tea
Liquid Dish Soap - Lavender
Liquid Dish Soap - Lemon
Window Cleaner - Aloe & Green Tea
Window Cleaner - Lavender
Liquid Laundry Detergent Concentrate - Lemon
Tub & Tile Cleaner - Citrus
Toilet Bowl Cleanser - Lemon
Furniture Polish - Lemon
Automatic Dishwashing Detergent - Lemon
(US Only)

The packaging is awesome and trigger sprayers come with each appropriate cleaner.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Watkins Healthy Living Recipe Contest

Watkins Healthy Living Recipe Contest

What is the prize?

10 finalists will be selected to win $500 and have their recipe published and credited on www.JRWatkins.com.

What are the recipe categories?
Recipes in the following categories may be submitted. Two winning recipes will be selected for each category. You may submit recipes for more than one category, but no person will be eligible to win more than one category. Please indicate which recipe category your recipe should be entered under.

Appetizer
Salad
Entrée
Side Dish
Dessert

Who can enter?
You must be 18 years or older as of January 1, 2007 to enter. You must be a legal resident of the United States.

You are not eligible to participate if the following are true, and you will be disqualified:
• If you are a food professional (chef, food critic, food writer, food editor)
• If you are an employee of Watkins, Incorporated or any marketing, promotion, or public relations company working for Watkins, Incorporated.

How do I enter?
You must submit an original, never before published recipe that uses 3 or more products from the Watkins line of USDA Certified 100% Organic Spices and/or Watkins pure all-natural extracts (all eligible products listed below). We encourage the remaining ingredients to be all-natural or organic whenever possible (organic meats and poultry, organic produce, organic nuts and grains, organic milk, organic eggs etc…).

All recipes must include the following contact information:
Name, address, day and evening phone number, e-mail address.

Entries may be submitted through e-mail at RecipeContest@JRWatkins.com, by fax to (507) 457-5958 attention Healthy Living Recipe Contest, or by mail to:

Watkins, Incorporated
Attention: Healthy Living Recipe Contest
150 Liberty Street
Winona, MN 55987


Entries must be submitted by September 1, 2007.

Eligible Products:

Watkins All-Natural Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla
Watkins Pure Lemon Extract
Watkins 100% Organic Black Pepper
Watkins 100% Organic Cinnamon
Watkins 100% Organic Chili Powder
Watkins 100% Organic Oregano
Watkins 100% Organic Paprika
Watkins 100% Organic Cumin
Watkins 100% Organic Nutmeg
Watkins 100% Organic Garlic Powder
Watkins 100% Organic Ginger
Watkins 100% Organic Dry Mustard
Watkins 100% Organic Sage
Watkins 100% Organic Parsley
Watkins 100% Organic Ground Cloves
Watkins 100% Organic Onion Powder
Watkins 100% Organic Thyme
Watkins 100% Organic Basil
Watkins 100% Organic Rosemary
Watkins 100% Organic Dill
Watkins 100% Organic Curry Powder

How will recipes be judged?
All eligible recipes that meet the above criteria will be prepared and tested in the Watkins Test Kitchen at our home office, in Winona, MN. Recipes not meeting the above criteria will be disqualified. Recipes will be tested by a random panel of food professionals and non-professionals, judged on taste, appearance, creativity, use of other organic materials and consumer appeal.

What happens if I win?
You will be contacted by between December 1st and December 10th. Finalists will be required to certify that their recipe is original to them, and has never been previously published in a national newspaper or magazine. You will then be presented with a check of $500. Your recipe will be professionally photographed and will be listed on our website at www.JRWatkins.com, where you will be credited for the recipe submission. Your recipe is subject to publication in any printed material Watkins chooses for the marketing and advertising of our products.

When will winners be posted?
Winners will be posted on our website December 10th, 2007.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Void where prohibited by law. All federal, state, provincial, and local laws/regulations apply. Winners need not be present at the time of judging to win. Watkins is not responsible for lost, late, mishandled, misdirected, illegible, incomplete, damaged, postage-due mail or facsimile transmissions. All entries must be received by Watkins no later than 5:00 p.m., Central Standard Time on September 1, 2007. Entries become the property of Watkins and will not be acknowledged or returned.

The total value of all prizes is $5,000. Prizes are not transferable and no substitutions are allowed. Taxes of the prizes are the responsibility of the prize winners. Entrants must meet eligibility requirements. Watkins's determinations and decisions are final on all matters relating to the Healthy Living Recipe Contest. You must be 18 years or older to enter. No information regarding entries or judging will be disclosed. By entering, winners consent to the use of their names and likenesses for publicity and promotional purposes by Watkins, without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law. Proof of eligibility and release from liability may be required, and if required, must be received by September 15, 2007 or the prize will be forfeited.

By entering the Healthy Living Recipe Contest, participants expressly agree to these rules and the decisions of Watkins.

Monday, June 04, 2007

Around the Kitchen Table - June 1, 2007 Issue


Welcome to another issue of Around the Kitchen Table!

Today is June 1st! Summer is almost here. Boggles my mind how fast time seems to pass. Get out there and enjoy yourself. Cherish the moments you spend with your family and friends. Plan a special get together, outing, or vacation today.

Recipes this issue include Caramelized Beef Skewers, Grilled Garlic Chicken, Sweet-Sour Deviled Eggs, Strawberry Truffle Pie, Hawaiian Strawberry Pie, Apple Dump Cake.

Find out who won May's newletter contest and enter June's contest now.

Read the health tip about teaching your kids to develop healthy eating habits.

See the picture of a Junco that visits our backyard bird feeders. This little bird looks like he is lord of his domain.

Join Watkins to buy your favorite products at a discount, to earn part time income, or for a full time career. For details about Watkins, the Summit Group, Starter Kit Choices, and How to Sign Up online visit
http://www.livingwelltomorrow.com


Read this issue now:
http://www.everydaynecessities.com/june1-07newsletter.htm

Until next issue,

Eleisia

June is Liniment month at Watkins!

Save on Watkins Liniment and White Cream Liniment

The very first product sold by J.R. Watkins in 1868 is being offered at a substantial savings. Take advantage of the lowest price of the year and never-before-seen savings. Save $2.00 US/$4.00 CDN on both liniments during the June.

Watkins Liniment pain relief properties are getting national attention with the recent endorsement by Minnesota Twins pitcher and two time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana who has used Watkins Liniment for several years to relieve muscle pain. "I've never endorsed any products that I don't personally believe in and use myself. My endorsement of Watkins Liniment is no exception, and I am proud to be associated with and give my support to such a great historical company as Watkins," said Santana. We are proud to have an athlete such as Johan supporting our liniment.

02317 Watkins Liniment
Regularly $11.99 US/$13.99 CDN
June Special: $9.99 US/$9.99 CDN

02316 White Cream Liniment
Regularly $11.99 US/$13.99 CDN
June Special: $9.99 US/$9.99 CDN