Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

This fancy-looking brownie is easy to make. It is a simple two-step recipe. Mix the batter for the brownies in one bowl and the cream cheese mixture in another. Pour the brownie batter and the cream cheese mixture into the pan in stages then swirl it with a spatula.

Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies

For the brownies:

5 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 1/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1/2 tablespoon Watkins Double Strength Vanilla Extract
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For the cream cheese filling:

1 8-ounce package of cream cheese
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Double Strength Vanilla Extract
2 large egg yolks

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Dust with flour or line with parchment paper.

1. Cut the chocolate into pieces. Melt the butter in the microwave or a double boiler. Add the chocolate. Let it sit for a minute and then stir. If the chocolate is not completely melted and mixture smooth, return it to the microwave or double boiler and heat until melted and smooth. Stir in the sugar and salt.
2. In a bowl, whisk the eggs together. Add the eggs and vanilla to the chocolate mixture. Stir until combined.
3. Add the flour. Stir until combined again. Set aside.
4. For the cream cheese filling, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat in. Add the egg yolks and beat until smooth. Set aside.
5. Pour half of the chocolate batter into the prepared pan. Spoon half of the cream cheese filling onto the batter in pools. Pour the rest of the chocolate batter over the cream cheese pools. Spread smooth. Spoon the remaining cream cheese filling in pools over the top of the brownie batter.
6. Hold a table knife or spatula vertically and cut through the batters just until the two batters are swirled together. Do not over mix.
7. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until the brownies test done by sticking a toothpick or knife into the center of the pan. The brownies will be done when moist crumbs cling to the toothpick or knife. Let the brownies cool completely before removing them from the pan.

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

Cool and Creamy Banana Cream Pie or Pudding

Banana Cream Pie
1/2 cup Watkins Vanilla Dessert Mix

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

2 1/ 2 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon Watkins Double Strength Vanilla Extract

1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
1 graham cracker crust (9 inches)
2 medium firm bananas, sliced
Additional banana slices optional

Mix Vanilla Dessert Mix, sugar, and water in a 1 quart/1 Liter or larger microwave-safe bowl. Stir in milk.

Microwave on HIGH uncovered for 7 to 12 minutes depending on the strength of your microwave or until mixture begins to boil and thicken, stirring every 2 to 3 minutes. Be very careful when stirring and removing bowl from microwave because pudding bubbles up and bowl will be very hot. Remove from microwave and cool.

Mix in Vanilla Extract. Fold in 2 cups whipped topping; then add sliced bananas. Pour mixture into 9-inch graham cracker crust for pie or into individual bowls for pudding. Chill completely in refrigerator.

Top with remaining whipped topping. Garnish with additional banana slices if desired when ready to serve. Makes 8 servings.

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

Committed to Improving Our Community

Committed to Improving our Community

The need for companies to practice "green" manufacturing is more important than ever. Watkins has been a pioneer in natural living, utilizing the finest natural ingredients since 1868. We continue our commitment to you and the environment by implementing processes that reduce waste and conserve energy. Together we can make a positive impact on our environment.

How does Watkins reduce waste and make a positive impact on the earth?
1. Offer a full line of natural personal care products with formulas that are at least 95% natural, with many 99% or more.
2. Offer a full line of plant-based home care products that are free of pollutants and biodegradable.
3. Offer a full line of USDA certified 100% Organic Herbs and Spices and All-Natural Pure Extracts.

Adhere to a strict paper, plastic, and aluminum recycling program.

1. Utilize biodegradable packing materials.

2. Use soy-based ink in our printed marketing materials.

3. Employ e-communications and encourage customers, Associates, and vendors to obtain information online instead of in printed form.

4. Gravity fed filling processes: We fill our bulk dry mixes using time-tested gravity feeds. This allows us to conserve energy that would normally be used to power a pneumatic or conveyor system.

5. Use lighter weight product packaging. Simply reducing our plastic bottle weight for various products has saved thousands of pounds of plastic from waste.

6. Encourage vendors to use renewable energy and cut waste.

7. Utilize Lean business and manufacturing practices to help eliminate waste and streamline operations.

Green \grēn\ noun: a: concerned with or supporting environmentalism b: tending to preserve environmental quality (as by being recyclable, biodegradable, or nonpolluting)
Watkins Incorporated

Flank Steak Sandwiches

Flank Steak Sandwiches

This recipe is a quick, healthy crowd-pleaser that goes great with summer. Serve thinly sliced steak and grilled vegetables on French rolls or use thin slices of flank steak to make delicious fajitas at a casual gathering. For fajitas substitute Watkins Cumin and Watkins Chili Powder for the mustard and the ginger and flour tortillas for the French rolls.

1 cup chopped onion
1 cup dry red wine or beef broth made with one cup boiling water and 1 1/2 teaspoons Watkins Beef Soup Base (I use 1/2 cup of each)
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup olive oil, divided
4-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
1-1/2 teaspoons Watkins Ground Mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons Watkins Ground Ginger
1 beef flank steak (1-1/2 pounds)
1 medium sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch strips
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch strips
1 medium red onion, thickly sliced
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 French rolls, split

In a small bowl, combine the onion, wine or broth, soy sauce, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2-1/2 teaspoons garlic, mustard and ginger. Pour 1-3/4 cups into a large resealable plastic bag; add steak. Pour remaining marinade into another resealable plastic bag; add the peppers and onion. Seal bags and turn to coat; refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight, turning occasionally.

Drain and discard marinade from steak. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 6-7 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a meat thermometer should read 145°; medium, 160°; well-done, 170°).

Drain and discard marinade from vegetables. Place in a grill basket or disposable foil pan with slits cut in the bottom. Grill, uncovered, over medium-hot heat for 9-11 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently.

In a small bowl, combine the pepper, and remaining oil and garlic; brush over cut sides of rolls. Place cut side down on grill for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.

Thinly slice steak across the grain; place on roll. Top with vegetables and roll tops. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 servings.

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

Overnight Caramel French Toast

This Sunday is Father's Day! Make your dad or husband feel special by serving him Caramel French Toast for Sunday morning brunch.

This is one of my favorite brunch dishes because it can be prepared the night before and popped in the oven to bake the next morning. This recipe is adapted from a family favorite by reducing the amount of butter and eggs, and switching to low-fat milk; it still tastes decadent and rich.

Overnight Caramel French Toast
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup light-colored corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
Watkins Cooking Spray
10 (1-ounce) slices French bread or thick sliced bread
2 1/2 cups 1% low-fat milk
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Watkins Double Strength Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon

Combine first 3 ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until mixture is bubbly, stirring constantly. Pour mixture evenly into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Arrange bread slices in a single layer over syrup in dish.

Combine milk and next 4 ingredients (through eggs) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Pour egg mixture over bread slices. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Combine 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over bread.

Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until golden. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

This caramelly cinnamon-sugar french toast is delicious right out of the oven or serve with fresh fruit, preserves, powdered sugar, or syrup.

Health Tip
Perfect for a brunch, this irresistible baked French toast is prepared the night before and goes straight from the fridge to the oven. Try using thick slices of whole-grain bread for a nutritious fiber boost.

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

Cucumber and Swiss Rye Bites

These tasty bites are made with reduced fat cream cheese and reduced fat Swiss cheese.

1/2 cup reduced fat cream cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons Watkins Cucumber and Dill Snack and Dip Seasoning
24 slices party rye bread
3 (3/4-ounce) slices reduced fat Swiss Cheese
24 thin slices cucumber
6 cherry tomatoes, each cut into 4 slices
Watkins Coarse ground pepper

Mix Cucumber and Dill Snack and Dip Seasoning with cream cheese. Spread 1 teaspoon cream cheese onto 1 side of each bread slice.

Cut cheese slices in half; cut each half diagonally into 4 triangles to make 24 pieces.

Top each bread slice with 1 triangle cheese, 1 slice cucumber and 1 slice tomato. Sprinkle with pepper.

Variation: Garnish with Watkins Dill.

Watkins Cucumber Snack and Dip Seasoning, 02055

Dill Dressing

The bright green leaf of an annual plant related to anise, fennel, cumin and caraway. Like fennel, dill has a great reputation as a digestive herb, and is most popular in the cuisines of Scandinavia, Germany, and Central and Eastern Europe.

Excellent with fish and seafood, in salads, dressings and sandwich fillings; blends well with mustard and lemon.

Dill Dressing
1/2 cup/125 ml undiluted evaporated skim milk
3 tbsp/45 ml Original Grapeseed Oil
1/4 cup/60 ml non-fat mayonnaise
3 tbsp/45 ml white vinegar
1 tbsp/15 ml Watkins Chicken Soup Base
1 tsp/5 ml Watkins Onion Granules
1 tsp/5 ml Watkins Garlic Granules
3/4 tsp/4 ml Watkins Dill
3/4 tsp/4 ml Watkins Dry Mustard
1/4 tsp/1.2 ml Watkins Basil
1/8 tsp/0.6 ml Watkins Black Pepper

Combine all ingredients in a covered jar; shake well to mix. Refrigerate until serving time.

Organic Dill, 00509, Tin

All-Natural Dill, 01929, Glass Jar

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

Use Spices as Outdoor Pest Deterrents

Mosquitoes
Early mornings and evenings are popular times for relaxing on the porch or patio – unfortunately, these are also the times when mosquitoes are out for blood!

Spice it up. Using a charcoal grill?
Toss a tablespoon or so of sage or rosemary on the coals. It repels mosquitoes and smells good.

Flies

Sachet them away.
Fill small squares of cheesecloth with bay leaves or cloves. Place these sachets around your outdoor sitting areas (as well as inside the house) to discourage flies from hanging around.

Free Natural Beeswax Lip Balm and Great Outdoors Insect Repellent Lotion

June's Giveaway is a tube of Natural Beeswax Lip Balm with Peppermint Oil and a 2.7 fl oz bottle of Great Outdoors Insect Repellent Lotion. Both products are small enough to carry in your purse, pocket, or backpack. Summer is just around the corner and with the warmer weather comes outdoor fun!

One lucky newsletter subscriber or customer will be chosen at random.

To win place any size order at my online web site http://www.watkinsonline.com/eleisiawhitney or call Watkins at 1-800-WATKINS (1-800-928-5467) and give my name and ID# as your Watkins Associate, Eleisia Whitney ID# 335001. I will acknowledge your order and choose one winner at random at the end of the month. I'll post the winner's name here on July 1st. Winner will be notified by email or in writing.

Eleisia

Work From Home - Have the Life You Deserve

A Watkins work-from-home business is a simple business plan with a variety of business methods. You choose the business methods that appeal to you.

• 25% discount on products you use in your home
• Share Watkins catalogs and products with customers, friends, relatives, and co-workers
• Living Naturally Event Party Plan
• Online Retailing
• Booth or table at trade shows, craft shows, fairs, and bazaars
• Personal Use Team-Building Plan

Personal Use Team Building Plan
Our new online no-obligation tour shows you the advantages of building a Watkins Business by using the products in your home and sponsoring other people who also use the products in their homes. As you sponsor new associates your team grows, your business grows, and your income grows. No selling is required with this business method.

Use people-safe and environmentally-safe products in your home.

• Distinctive natural and organic food products serve a wide range of tastes and cooking styles.

• A luxurious line of natural personal care products that are certified natural by the Natural Products Association and are formulated with at least 95% all natural ingredients.

• Environmentally friendly, natural home-care products ensure a clean home and a clean world.

• Tried and true apothecary items and the latest in consumer requested supplements.

• All Watkins products are backed by JR Watkins original 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee, so you can use and sell them with confidence!

Take the free online no-obligation tour of the Watkins Home Based Business Opportunity.

Sign up at the business information web site mentioned above or at http://www.watkinsonline.com/eleisiawhitney under Join Us - As an Associate, or call the Membership Line 800-928-5467 and give our name and ID# 335001 as your sponsor.

We'll be happy to send a printed Watkins catalog and other business information to help you evaluate the Watkins Home Business.

Find out more about our products and home business opportunity today!

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

Have the Life You Deserve!

Eleisia

Watkins Natural Body Care Kit Winner

The winner of the Watkins Natural Body Care Kit is Chris from Wisconsin.

The kit includes travel sizes of

Lemon Cream Shea Butter

Mango Shea Butter

Lavender Hand and Cuticle Salve

Lemon Hand and Cuticle Salve

Aloe and Green Tea Hand and Body Lotion

Vanilla Hand and Body Lotion

Peppermint Foot Cream

Pure Lemon Body Oil

In a Watkins logo zippered pouch

Chris' name was chosen at random from customers placing a Watkins order with me during May.
Natural Body Care Kit, Article No. 10530