October is THE month to join!

There's a great special going on this month for new associates in Watkins. If you are at all interested in joining just to get your own discount or to make some income, this is THE month to join! I wish all this had been available when I joined! There's something for absolutely everyone in Watkins, from products to use and ways to make money. There's both selling and no selling options on income opportunities. The sky is the limit, and there's nothing to lose! If you're interested, or know someone who might be, here's the October page I set up, but feel free to browse the rest: http://greatliving.sahmsnwahms.com/gpage11.htmlAlso, I set up a wish list page that some of you might enjoy: http://greatliving.sahmsnwahms.com/form1.html

Have a great day!

Are you poisoning your baked goods?

You probably are! Go look at the ingredients in your baking powder and see if there is aluminum in it. If there is, you really need to find an aluminum-free baking powder. Watkins provides a great one! http://www.watkinsonline.com/productdetail.cfm?Product=01039&gCatalogLocale=USA You can use ID# 365705 if you decide to place an order.

Are you missing out on $941 every month??

Missing out on a nice extra $941 each month? Find out more here: http://greatliving.sahmsnwahms.com/gpage9.html

Holiday gift line

I can't decide which of the new holiday gift line I love the most. I haven't tried all of it yet, but most of it. I do love the hot cocoa flavors: peppermint, white chocolate almond and cinnamon. But I also love the Cinna Cream sprinkles. The pumpkin butter! The cranberry mustard. The baked potato soup mix!! (I think I may be leaning towards this but I just really can't be sure.) The roasted garlic snack dip and seasoning!!!! I've used this in a variety of ways. I just can't decide. It's all too good for words. Seriously, if you haven't tried any of the Watkins products yet you don't know what you're missing! Give them a try! Want more than you can afford? Join for your own discount! (That's how I started out.) I haven't tried the orange spice or apple bread mixes yet, but they're calling my name in the pantry with the cinna cream sprinkles that I put on absolutely everything! You can view the entire line here: http://www.watkinsonline.com/productsgroup.cfm?Page=All&Parent=277&gCatalogLocale=USA You can use ID# 365705 if you decide you'd like to place an order.

Free newsletter & Gift certificates!

Subscribe to Great Living News and be entered for monthly $10 Watkins gift certificate drawings! (You can always unsubscribe.) Send a blank e-mail to: greatlivingnews-subscribe@sahmsnwahms.com. Other random drawings will be held periodically.

New cleaning line!

I really like the new environmentally-friendly cleaning line that Watkins has put out. So far I've tried the Aloe and Green Tea window cleaner on my mirrors, the Citrus Tub and Tile Cleaner on a bathroom sink and the Lemon All-Purpose Cleaner on several surfaces. I'm impressed!

I made the Mandarin Orange Tart

And it is GOOD! Funny thing, though, I read the recipe wrong (something I rarely do but I was in a hurry) and used FOUR cups of milk instead of 3/4 cup! I kept thinking, "Wow, I wonder how this is going to firm up?" After I got it all made, I thought there was no way so I looked at the recipe again. 3/4 cup. I was so disgusted with myself! So much for being in a hurry. Thankfully I had another bag of marshmallows and another container of whipping cream. I had more mandarin oranges, but I was able to just rinse off and drain the ones I had used. I was even able to salvage the one store-bought graham cracker crust I used (I didn't mess with making my own crust), thankfully, because I had prepared it by brushing a beaten egg and baking it first. I poured out as much as I could off of it, wiped the rest off and it worked fine. The tart was VERY good. However, I think next time I'm going to figure out a way to put cream cheese into the top layer as well. I think it will taste even better that way. I'm also thinking of an experimental recipe using the dip mix and I'll let you know how it turns out when I make it.

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 http://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…). Be sure to reference Associate ID# 365705

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, IncorporatedAttention: 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 http://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.

Dinner Themes

Since this is related to cooking, I thought this would be an appropriate place for my dinner themes. In an effort to save time and effort in thinking about what I'll be fixing for dinner, I've created a list of themes for each night. Of course, if I decide to fix something else I can but this gives me something to go on if I have no idea what to fix. So far it's working out well:
Monday: Casserole; Tuesday: Leftovers; Wednesday: Crockpot; Thursday: Pasta; Friday: Grill; Saturday: Pizza (Homemade usually, and Watkins makes this easy with pizza crust mixes that my oldest has fun doing pretty much by herself!); Sunday: Chicken or roast (in the crockpot, and this is for lunch after church); Monday: Mexican; Tuesday: Leftovers; Wednesday: Oriental; Thursday: Fish; and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the same. Just thought I'd share in case it will help anyone!

Organic Cleaner

Really works well on stains! I poured some full strength on some nasty paint marks from my oldest's clothes and it came right out in the wash!

Have I mentioned banana pudding?

My husband loves banana pudding. I used to think it was so-so (hadn't always been a banana fan) but with each pregnancy, my like for bananas increased and with it ... cravings for banana pudding. The banana dessert mix makes an excellent banana pudding. Just by itself, it's great, but when I slice bananas and layer the pudding, slices and vanilla wafers, top with whipped cream (the real stuff), my husband says it's as good as the pudding he raved about at Pappadeaux. That must be good!

I'm not kidding!

I'm not, when I say that this cinnamon is the best I've ever tasted. It's sweet and spicy and cinnamon-y ALL BY ITSELF. I made some baked oatmeal this morning for breakfast (recipe below) and this cinnamon just makes it so much better. I keep saying it, but it's true!

Baked Oatmeal
Prep: 5 min, Cook time, 30 min.
Ingredients:
2 c. old-fashioned oats; 1/4 c. veg. oil (canola is good); 1/4 tsp. salt; 1 tsp. cinnamon; 3/4 c. milk; 1 tsp. baking powder; 2 eggs; 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
Preheat to 350 degrees. Mix above together and press into 8-inch square pan (ungreased). Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done, starting to brown and cooked through. (Optional: Serve with warm milk. Stewed or baked apples poured over it is very good, too, as is apples or dried blueberries baked into the cake.)
This makes an excellent breakfast or snack. Very nutritious as well as delicious! It's a favorite in this house, especially on cold mornings. I don't care for regular oatmeal cereal, but this stuff is excellent!
http://sahmsnwahms.com/subpage.html

Sesame garlic or tomato basil?

I'm trying to decide which of these two snack dips I like the most. I think sesame garlic, but it's close. Any of you have a favorite? Leave a comment to let me know!

Mandarin Orange Tart!

I'm going to be trying this recipe soon, and I'll let you know how it turns out. (BTW, this is what the picture is on the sidebar. YUMM!) I've been hearing rave reviews about it. This is by far one of my most popular products. It's so refreshing to use it with just sour cream as the directions state, but for a richer fruit dip, I use half cream cheese and half marshmallow creme. I usually prepare it this way for showers, for example. I also make my own plain yogurt and this makes a great flavoring for it!

Mandarin Orange Tart (or Pie)
Ingredients
Crust: 1 cup/250 mL graham cracker crumbs; 1 tbsp/15 mL Orange Peel; 1 tbsp/15 mL granulated sugar; 3 tbsp/45 mL melted butter

Cream Cheese Layer: 3 oz/85 g softened cream cheese; 1 tsp/5 mL Original Double-Strength Vanilla; 1 tbsp/15 mL Mandarin Orange Fruit Dip Mix' 1 tbsp/15 mL soft butter; 1 tbsp/15 mL milk

Top Layer: 1 (10 oz/285 g) bag of marshmallows; 3/4 cup/180 mL milk; 3 tbsp/45 mL Mandarin Orange Fruit Dip Mix; 1 cup/240 mL whipping cream; 1 can mandarin oranges (drained)

Cooking Directions
Add orange peel, sugar and butter to the graham cracker crumbs. Mix well. Press in bottom of a 9-inch/23-cm pie pan. Beat cream cheese, vanilla, dip mix, butter and milk together until smooth. Spread over bottom of pie crust. Melt marshmallows and milk in a large saucepan over medium heat. Let cool.When cool, stir in the dip mix. Whip cream until soft peaks form. Fold into cooled marshmallow mixture. Pour half of mixture over cream cheese layer. Place mandarin oranges over marshmallow mixture. Pour the rest of the marshmallow mixture over the oranges. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serves: 8

My grandmother knows Watkins!

I was talking with my grandmother recently and asked her if she had heard of Watkins. She had, and went on to tell me about a man who sold Watkins in her hometown when she was a girl. The products were reputable back then, and that was in the 1920s and 1930s. She wanted a catalog! I found it quite exciting ...

Delicious dressing!

I whipped up a really good dressing to pour over sliced tomatoes this evening -- just some Watkins Garlic & Parsley Grapeseed Oil and some balsamic vinegar, black pepper and freshly milled sea salt to taste.

Omelet & Souffle Seasoning

Yum. It can be described in that one sentence. I haven't really made omelets before. I make a ton of other stuff, but omelets weren't something I really cared to make since my husband makes them pretty well. But I purchased some of the Watkins Omelet & Souffle Seasoning the other day and it really does make a difference. I decided to make omelets for supper the other night and my husband took a bite and said, "WHAT did you put in this?" (In a good way.) I said, "Just the Watkins omelet seasoning." He said it was superb.