Saturday, November 22, 2008

Watkins - Strength During Challenging Times

The following is a recent letter from Watkins president regarding Watkins and the economy.

In this time of great economic uncertainty, I wanted to encourage you to leverage all that Watkins offers to help make life a little bit better for everyone. Whether it's our natural comfort products or our opportunity to build a Watkins business, Watkins offers something that can positively impact everyone's lives during these challenging times.

Everyday we are bombarded with news of the great economic challenges before us. Although we are without question facing a serious global recession, we can all take comfort in the fact that Watkins products and business opportunity have stood the test of time. Throughout our incredible brand history, which has included many recessions, several World Wars, and the Great Depression, Watkins has remained relevant and strong. Even during this challenging year when consumers have been spending considerably less, Watkins' sales are on track to finish up approximately 15% over 2007, and our sponsoring of new Associates is up approximately 5%.

As was once said, "a crisis is a terrible thing to waste," and today's economic crisis is no exception. People from all walks of life are feeling financial pressures and are looking for ways to supplement their income. What better way is there to develop additional income than to start a Watkins business based on high value, high quality products that are timeless? Although today's consumers are spending less, recent data shows that the demand for natural and healthier products is continuing to rise even in this economy. More importantly, even though the consumer is cutting back on the bigger purchases, they still need to treat themselves to life's little necessities and indulgences, and they will still maintain the tradition of gift giving. Watkins offers all these at affordable prices. Also, the return to healthier cooking at home is pushing up demand for our organic spices and extracts, and we are seeing a substantial increase in these product lines.

As we all work with our friends and loved ones to manage our lives through these challenging economic times, we can take comfort in the enduring strength of Watkins. In our 140 year history, the world has faced countless obstacles considerably more challenging than today's economic uncertainty. Fortunately, with some freshly baked cookies made with Watkins Original Vanilla, along with a bit of Watkins Liniment to ease our aches and pains, and some Watkins Natural Hand Lotion to get us through winter, we can all get through these challenging economic times. Once the economy has settled down, which it will, we will be that much more thankful that Watkins helped us get through another challenging time in our history.

Eleisia
http://www.watkinsonline.com/eleisiawhitney

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Million Dollar Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe


Carolyn Gurtz of Maryland recently won Pillsbury's annual million dollar prize for baking with her innovative peanut butter cookie recipe.This wonderful recipe that Carolyn calls her Double-Delight Peanut Butter Cookies, is described by Carolyn as "crunchy and sweet on the outside, creamy on the inside."

How does a peanut butter cookie become creamy on the inside while staying crunchy on the outside? Carolyn had a wonderful idea of wrapping Pillsbury's cookie dough around a ball of creamy peanut butter mixed with powdered sugar. The cookie is rolled in a mixture of granulated sugar, Watkins Cinnamon and chopped dry roasted peanuts before baking.

I recommend that you use Watkins Pure Ground Cinnamon with the sugar and peanuts when making the coating for the cookies. Watkins Pure Ground Cinnamon contains no foreign matter or fillers and has a minimum of 2% natural essential oil that gives it a wonderfully sweet flavor.

Million Dollar Peanut Butter Cookies

1/4 cup Fisher Dry Roasted peanuts, finely chopped
1/4 cup Domino or C&H Granulated Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Pure Ground Cinnamon
1/2 cup JIF Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Domino or C&H Confectioners Powdered Sugar
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury Create 'n Bake refrigerated peanut butter cookies, well chilled

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. In small bowl, mix chopped peanuts, granulated sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
2. In another small bowl, stir peanut butter and powdered sugar until completely blended. Shape mixture into 24 (1-inch) balls.
3. Cut roll of cookie dough into 12 slices. Cut each slice in half crosswise to make 24 pieces; flatten slightly. Shape 1 cookie dough piece around 1 peanut butter ball, covering completely. repeat with remaining dough and balls.
4. Roll each covered ball of cookie cough in peanut mixture; gently pat mixture completely onto balls. On ungreased large cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart. Spray bottom of drinking glass with Watkins Cooking spray; press into remaining peanut butter mixture. Flatten each ball to 1/2 inch thickness with bottom of glass. Sprinkle any remaining peanut mixture evenly on tops of cookies; gently press into dough.
5. Bake 7 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

I couldn't find Pillsbury Create 'n Bake refrigerated peanut butter cookie dough at my grocery store so I used homemade peanut butter cookie dough and the cookies tasted yummy!

Purchase Watkins Pure Ground Cinnamon at http://www.watkinsonline.com/eleisiawhitney

Purest Ground Cinnamon - 6 oz/170 g -#01115
http://www.watkinsonline.com/productdetail.cfm?Product=01115&gcatalogLocale=USA&ECredit=335001

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Around the Kitchen Table Newsletter - November 2008 Issue



Welcome to another issue of Around the Kitchen Table!

Great news! Watkins Natural Personal Care product line has earned the seal of approval from the Natural Products Association! Read more in this newsletter.

Have you started planning for the holidays - activities and parties, baking, gift giving? Check your pantry and cupboards for cooking ingredients, vanilla and other extracts, cinnamon, nutmeg, snack and dip mixes, soup bases, dessert mixes, sauces, herbs and spices.



All three Gold Medal award-winning products are on sale again this month!
Vanilla, Black Pepper, and Cinnamon

Watkins Original Double-Strength Vanilla in the 11 fl oz/325 ml bottle is on sale for $2 off.
Watkins Purest Granulated Black Pepper in the 6 oz/170 g tin is on sale for $1 off the regular price. This granulated pepper (not ground) is the most flavorful pepper you can find on the market today.
Watkins Purest Ground Cinnamon has been a best seller for more than 100 years! The 6 oz/170 g tin is on sale for $1 off!

Have you seen our new personal care gift sets?

Are you using natural cleaning products that are safe for your home and your family?

Watkins brings you all of these quality products. Shop our November product specials and our Seasonal Favorites Holiday products. You'll find them under Gifts and Monthly Specials at my Watkins Online Catalog.

Recipes this month include Chesapeake Appetizer Spread, Caramel Apple Dip, Crockpot Chicken and Mushrooms, Honey-Rosemary Chicken with Yukon Gold Potatoes, Oatmeal Apple Crisp, Glazed Apple Bars, Ginger Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust, Graham Cracker Crust, Pumpkin and Apple Crisp

Enter this month's contest. Read this issue and find out what you could win!
Read this issue http://www.everydaynecessities.com/november1-08newsletter.htm

Make your house a Watkins home.

Until next issue,

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Herbed Turkey



Herbed Turkey

• 1 (12 lb) whole turkey
• 1/4 cup Watkins Original Grapeseed Oil
• 2 tbsp Watkins Garlic Powder
• 2 tsp Watkins Basil
• 1 tsp Watkins Sage
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp Watkins Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 375° F. Clean turkey (discard giblets or cook for gravy) and place in a roasting pan.

In a small bowl, combine oil, garlic powder, basil, sage, salt and pepper. Using a basting brush, apply the mixture to turkey.

Bake for 2 to 2 ½ hours, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh measures 160ยบ F.

Remove bird from oven, and allow to stand for about 30 minutes, internal temperature will rise.

Shop for Watkins Grapeseed Oil and Herbs at www.watkinsonline.com/eleisiawhitney