Additive Preservative Free Parmesan Cheese

There used to be a shredded parmesan cheese that I loved, but the company must
have changed it, because the last time I bought the cheese it didn't even smell like
cheese. I didn't recognize the last three ingredients in the cheese (cellulose, potas-
sium sorbate, and natamycin), so I did a little research.

According to Wikipedia.org., cellulose is an organic compound and it is mainly ob-
tained from wood pulp and cotton. Cellulose is often referred to as "dietary fiber".
Potassium sorbate is mainly used as a food preservative. It inhibits molds and yeast
in many foods. Natamycin is used in food to fight fungal growth, and it is used med-
ically to treat fungal infections.

I have a new favorite parmesan cheese. It's made by 4C Foods Corp. This cheese
has no additives or preservatives and it smells like cheese. Now I put the 4C
cheese in my Cannellini Tomato Soup and my Spaghetti.

Cannellini Tomato Soup

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion chopped
1/8 tsp. celery salt
14.5 oz. chopped tomatoes
3 cups chicken broth
1 tsp. black pepper
(3) 15 oz. cans cannellini beans (rinsed and drained)
2 garlic cloves chopped
1/2 tbsp. dried parsley
4C Grated Parmesan Cheese

Heat olive oil and onion in a large pot over medium heat and cook for about 15
minutes. Next, add the garlic,tomatoes, broth, beans, spices, and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low for 30 minutes, so the flavors can blend.

After you put the soup in your bowl sprinkle the cheese on top.

Spaghetti

lb. angel hair pasta
lb. ground beef
1 garlic clove
1 onion
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
lb. 26 oz. spaghetti sauce
1 bouillon cube
4C Grated Parmesan Cheese

Cook olive oil, onion, and beef together on medium heat for about 30
minutes until the beef is no longer pink. After the beef is browned, add the
bouillon cube, garlic, spaghetti sauce, spices, and Worcestershire sauce.
Cook about 5 minutes more and then put on low while you cook the pasta
according to the box directions.

Once the spaghetti is on your plate sprinkle the cheese on top.

Disrespectful Shoppers

Imagine people yelling, cussing, and hitting retail store windows in anger.
What could make people act this way?...BLACK FRIDAY of course.
Why do some people wait outside for a store to open and treat the
employees and other people in line with such disrespect?

Also, you wouldn't believe the way that some people shop retail stores.
They put merchandise in the wrong spot by throwing it on the floor, or
flinging the items over racks that it shouldn't even be on.

Retail Stores Are Lying to You

Is buying a pair of jeans easy, or is it a daunting task? The retail stores have
decided that you should believe that you're smaller than you really are. On
top of that, it takes longer to find a pair of jeans because you go in thinking
you're one size, but then you end up "magically smaller" when you go into the
fitting room.

If you're a size 10, you should be a size 10 no matter where you buy your jeans.
You shouldn't be a size 6 in one store and a size 10 in another store. I hear ladies
all the time talking about how they 'can't believe' they're in a size smaller than they
thought they'd wear. I just want to yell... "The retail stores are lying to you!", but
I say nothing. I keep my thoughts to myself. I need to tell you though, the retail
stores are lying to you.

The next time you need to try on some jeans...
*Take at least two different sizes in the fitting room with you .
*Take at least six pairs of jeans with you too.

Vitamins Work

I've talked to a lot of people who say they're tired, and when I ask them if they
take vitamins they usually say no. I take a mulivitamin every day, because if
I don't I'll feel drained. I believe that vitamins work, but I don't take gummies
because they don't have as many vitamins and minerals as a chewable
children's multivitamin or an adult multivitamin that you swallow.

Vitamins Work Poem

When people tell me how tired they've been
I simply say, "Take a vitamin."
I take a multivitamin every day.
If I skip it I'll feel really drained.
Don't take gummies...
They have less vitamins and minerals.
Take a multivitamin that you swallow, 
or one that's chewable.

Cake Pop Kit

I bought a boxed cake pop kit from the grocery store. It took me three hours to
get the cake pops done. Three hours! I know it sounds unbelievable, but it's true.
On the box there were only four steps. Oh...but those "four steps" took a long time.















#1   Prepare cake mix
#2   Cook prepared cake mix
#3   Cool the cake completely
#4   Crumble the cake (This is actually step four)
#5   Mix crumbled cake and frosting together
#6   Form the cake/frosting mixture into balls
#7   Melt white chocolate in microwave
#8   Dip cake pop stick into white chocolate 
#9   Dip stick into each cake ball
#10  Refrigerate cake pops for 45 minutes
#11  Reheat the white chocolate
#12  Dip and roll the cake pops in white chocolate 
#13  Roll cake pops in sprinkles
#14  Put cake pops back into the refrigerator until you're ready to eat them

Do you know a quicker way to make cake pops?

Wider Toilet Paper Roll

After changing the toilet paper roll I noticed something new. I've already mentioned
how the roll had gotten shorter, but I had no idea it's now wider too. I'm sure not
every toilet paper manufacturer is shortening their rolls and making them wider. The
company that is doing this should feel bad about trying to get over on the customer.
I would rather pay more for my toilet paper, than be tricked into believing that I'm
getting the same product that I've always been buying.


Below you can see how much bigger the toilet paper roll has become. In photo
1 the original sized roll can only set on top of the spice container, but in photo 2
the spice container fits easily inside of the roll. 

Wider Toilet Paper Roll Poem

After changing the toilet paper roll

I saw something new.

The roll looked a lot wider than it used to.

First it's shorter now it's wider,

I wonder what's next.

Thinking about this has me so perplexed. 

For the company that wants to trick 

someone like me...

Eventually the deception will be seen.

Are You Wearing Chemicals?

Recently, while I was out with my mother and sister, we saw the bottom of a shoe-
box that had a warning. It said that the chemicals in the shoes may cause cancer,
birth defects, or reproductive harm. I researched this, and I read that the state of
California enacted California Proposition 65 in 1986, to protect their residents
from harmful chemicals. I don't live in California, but I'm glad I was able to still be
warned about the harmful chemicals. I wonder why every state doesn't enact the
same warning.

It's not only shoes that can contain chemicals that may harm your body. Products
made with vinyl or imitation leather may contain harmful chemicals too. Try to be
cautious and read the tags if you decide to purchase any of these items:

* belts
* wallets
* purses
* jewelry
* clothing

Spotted Tomato

I needed a tomato for a recipe and I found one that was red and looked perfectly
ripe. When I got home, I took the price sticker off and there it was... a rotten spot!
Someone had intentionally put the price sticker over the rotten spot. At the store,
I examined the tomato and thought I'd made a good choice. From now on, I think
I'll peek under the price sticker before I decide to buy the item.

Spotted Tomato Poem

I needed a tomato for a recipe.

I found one that looked perfectly ripe to me.

I removed the sticker...there was a spot.

Something was wrong with the produce I'd bought.

With stickers on produce you must be aware,

there just might be a spot under there.

Bon Bons, Laundry Sheets and the PRC

Coconut Bon Bons

Have you ever heard of the company Windy Acres? I ate some of their coconut
bon bons and they were the best I've ever had. The package contained brown,
white, pink, and yellow bon bons, and each color had a different flavor. If you
like coconuts you'll love these. According to the Windy Acres website, they also
sell hard candy, candy bars, beef jerky, gum, and even honey.

                                       
Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets


If you haven't tried the Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets yet...go out and buy them now!
They are detergent, softener, and anti-static all in one. Not only do they go right 
from your washing machine to the dryer after the load is done, but they make your
wash load smell good for weeks.

What Is PRC?                                   

I can't help it...I love reading packages. One of the elements of the package that
interests me the most is where the product is made. I bought a product that said it
was made in PRC. What is PRC?... the People's Republic of China. PRC sounds
more important than MADE IN CHINA, but to me China is China.

              

Products Shrunk

Lately I've noticed several products I've been buying for awhile have shrunk. I
don't know why some companies have become so greedy that they want to give
customers less of their a product.

This toilet paper roll has gotten smaller. It's missing about 1/2 an inch. Yes...I
noticed 1/2 an inch.

My smoked cashews were 9.25 oz., now they're 8 oz. Not only did the can get
smaller, but the lid is a different color. I guess the lid color change was supposed
to throw my eyes off the size.

For me, what gave this sausage away was its length. I was cutting it into four even
pieces for a recipe, when I noticed that about 1/2 an inch was missing per piece.
This smoked sausage was 16 oz., and now it's down to only 14 oz.

Products Shrunk Poem

Some products I've been buying have shrunk.
In fact, it stinks just like a skunk. 
My toilet paper roll was tall,
but now the roll is kinda small.
The smoked cashews I buy every week,
they're missing 1.25 oz...now that stinks.
When I cut sausage the other day
some length was missing to my dismay.
I smelled something oh how it stunk;
It's just my products, my how they've shrunk.

Empty Margarine Container

My husband left a 99% empty margarine container in the refrigerator, and when
I asked him why he said, "I left it for you."
I came from a family that when we used something like toothpaste or ketchup for
example, we always tried to use every single drop. This time my husband took it
too far, because what he left me wasn't enough to butter 1/4 slice of bread. Plus,
he opened a brand new container of margarine for himself, because he knew what
he left me wasn't worth saving. Well...I could've buttered about five kernels of corn.

Empty Margarine Container Poem

My husband left an empty margarine container.

He thought I'd be using it later.

I came from a family where we used every drop.

But there comes a point when you really should stop.

The margarine he left couldn't butter my bread.

He should have just thrown it away instead.

If You Don't Have...

This is my "if you don't have" list and these are substitutions I have used out of
desperation. 

If you don't have bug spray try...
*glass cleaner
*bathroom spray foam
*hair moose
*disinfectant spray
*spray rubbing alcohal
*spray cologne

If you don't have laundry detergent try...
*dish detergent
*shampoo

If you don't have body lotion try...
*hair conditioner

If you don't have a toothpick try... 
*a safety pin
*a sewing pin

If you don't have place mats try...
*old newspapers and lay them on the table

If you don't have coasters try...
*using old magazines to put your drinks on

If You Don't Have...Poem

If you want to kill a bug, but have no bug spray
you can use these few items on a desperate day:
glass cleaner, foam bubbles, or disinfectant spray.
If you don't have laundry detergent, but you need
to wash your clothes...
use dish detergent or shampoo cause no one will
ever know.
If you have hair conditioner, but no lotion go ahead,
you can just use that instead.
If you have something in your teeth, and there's no
toothpick, a safety pin or a sewing pin will surely do the trick.
If you just realized that you have no place mats for your weekly
luncheon, old newspapers will be okay for your little function.  
You really need some coasters, so you look around and think...
I can use this stack of magazines to hold the drippy drinks.


 

Oatmeal In My Chili

I decided to fix chili dogs for supper. I also topped them with sweet relish, ketch-
up, mustard, and white onion. The chili dogs were good, but when I read the can
of beef chili that I had bought, I was surprised to see that I was getting a little ex-
tra fiber with my beef chili. Rolled oats were in the ingredient list. Maybe chili that
contains rolled oats (oatmeal) could be marketed as chili oatmeal, then I would
feel like I was eating something healthy.

Oatmeal In My Chili Poem 

I fixed chili dogs for supper topped with
sweet relish, ketchup, mustard, and onion.
I know it might sound weird...
but I read cans because it's fun.
I was surprised to see that I was getting
a little extra fiber in my chili.
When I read rolled oats in the ingredient list
I thought it was quite silly,
but the next time I read oats in chili
I'll just think of it as healthy.

Favorite Cheese and Recipes

My favorite Parmesan cheese is Frigo. It puts powdered Parmesan to shame. I've
been buying Frigo for at least two years now. Two of my favorite recipes to serve
it with is Cannellini Tomato Soup and Spaghetti.

Cannellini Tomato Soup

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion chopped
1/8 tsp. celery salt
14.5 oz. chopped tomatoes
3 cups chicken broth
1 tsp. black pepper
(3) 15 oz. cans cannellini beans (rinsed and drained)
2 garlic cloves chopped
1/2 tbsp. dried parsley
5 oz. Frigo Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Heat olive oil and onion in a large pot over medium heat and cook for about 15
minutes. Next, add the garlic,tomatoes, broth, beans, spices, and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low for 30 minutes, so the flavors can blend.

After you put the soup in your bowl sprinkle the cheese on top.

Spaghetti

lb. angel hair pasta
lb. ground beef
1 garlic clove
1 onion
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
lb. 26 oz. spaghetti sauce
1 bouillon cube
5 oz. Frigo Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Cook olive oil, onion, and beef together on medium heat for about 30
minutes until the beef is no longer pink. After the beef is browned, add the
bouillon cube, garlic, spaghetti sauce, spices, and Worcestershire sauce.
Cook about 5 minutes more and then put on low while you cook the pasta
according to the box directions.

Once the spaghetti is on your plate sprinkle the cheese on top.

Favorite Cheese and Recipes

Unusual Uses For Common Items

10 Unusual Uses For Common Items

1.   Lip Balm- good for dry heals and toes.
2.   Hand Sanitizer- put on a cut when you're not near any soap and water.
3.   Hand wipe- kill a bug and clean up at the same time!
4.   Sandwich bags- in desperation I've used as gloves.
5.   Postage paid envelopes- they come in my junk mail and make good pieces
      of scrap paper. 
6.   Stamp sticker- left over sticker after using all of the stamps... use as tape.
7.   Rubbing alcohol- cleans mirrors really well.
8.   Fingernail polish- paint a backpack, purse, book, shoes, etc.
9.   Old toothbrush- cleaning brush for nails, dishes, or cracks in your floor.
10. Permanent marker- have a few gray hairs, color with the marker.

unusual uses for common items

Unusual Uses Poem

Lip balm for my toes

Hand sanitizer on my cut

Hand wipe to kill a bug and clean up all the guts

Sandwich bags for gloves

Postage paid envelopes as paper

Left over stamp sticker to use as tape

Rubbing alcohol cleans mirrors really great

Old toothbrush for the floor

I used permanent marker in my hair,

so I'm gray no more.

Use Shampoo for Hand Soap

Sometimes I use shampoo for hand soap. There are pros and cons to using
shampoo for hand soap.

Pros: 
         A 16 oz. bottle of an inexpensive shampoo can sometimes cost less than
         an 8 oz. container of hand soap.
        
         Shampoo comes in more colors than hand soap, so you can match any
         decor.

Cons:
          Shampoo is really drying to your hands, because it's not formulated for
          hands.

          Very few inexpensive shampoos come with pumps.

Shampoo for Hand Soap Poem

If you decide to use shampoo for hand soap

I hope you understand...

If you use shampoo for too long

It will really dry out your hands.

Although you'll save some money

Just know that you'll pay the price.

If you use the shampoo for too long,

your hands will not feel very nice.

Active Ingredient In Deodorant

Do you read the back of your deodorant to see what the active ingredient is?
You'd be surprised how different they can be. Now the three types I will focus
on today are not the only ones out there, I just want to give you an idea of the
differences.

aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY (15.2%)- good for the person
who hardly sweats at all or if you're not leaving the house and there's not much
of a chance that you will sweat. This deodorant doesn't irritate my underarms.
Out of the three, this one is the least expensive.

aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY (20%)- If you know you will 
be sweating a lot you should get this one. This deodorant doesn't irritate me. 

aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex GLY 20% (anhydrous)- If you
know you're going to sweat so much you might offend someone...get this one
for sure. The only draw back to this deodorant is if you use it for several days
in a row, your underarms may get some irritation. This one usually cost the
most.

active ingredient in deodorant

                            ' Deo' B.O. Poem

Read the back of your 'deo'

to make sure it's strong enough for your B.O.

If you hardly sweat you'll be good with the weakest,

but if you use the wrong one you'll smell like a stink fest.

Suppose you'll be out in the heat

it's a good chance that you'll surely stink.

Be sure you buy the strongest 'deo' you can

or you may be left lonely by a smell others can't stand.

Favorite Products

Have you ever thought about all of the products you use every day? How
would you make it without your...toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, car, or
shoes? What about your food choices, what do you like to eat? Where do
you like to eat? I've been thinking about this and there are so many products
why not share the information?

I am a fan of poetry, so I will also be writing about products from a poet's
point of view.