Choosing Voluntary Simplicity » Household Hints & General Information

How To Make Cake Flour

Shirley — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:04:03 +0000

Reader question... "I usually use all purpose flour for baking, but I have a few recipes where the flour ingredient is cake flour. I've been buying cake flour but that stuff is expensive. Can I substitute all purpose flour for the cake flour and will the results be as good? Or do I need to buy cake flour for these few recipes?" --Lisabette N.

Solving the Natural Peanut Butter Oil Separation Problem

Shirley — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:28:28 +0000

Reader question... "I have been making a strong effort to eliminate processed foods from our diet and to eat more whole and healthy foods. One change we have made has been away from regular peanut butter to the peanuts only peanut butter. We like the taste but I'm finding it to be a real hassle the way the oil keeps separating. I have tried stirring and stirring and stirring but it never gets completely mixed up and when we get to the end of the jar I always find hardened peanut butter that didn't get mixed in. Also the peanut butter stays too greasy because it never gets completely mixed. I've read your posts where you mention using all natural peanut butter and I'm thinking you must have some solution to this problem." --Jeena

Accomplishing What Needs To Be Done… Efficiently, Quickly, and With As Little Stress As Possible

Shirley — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:11:54 +0000

Eventually just about everybody comes to the realization that housework is never ending and involves drudgery, tedium, and getting your hands dirty. It's a fact of life that if we want to live like civilized people in clean houses there will always be chores that need to be done.

Freezing Apples For Pies

Shirley — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 13:44:53 +0000

We have two apple trees nearby that are literally loaded with apples this year. Last night I made a pie to see if these apples are ready for picking, and they are... so now I guess it's time to start freezing apples for fresh-baked pies for the months ahead! I use a really easy method... I just line a pie plate with aluminum foil, layer in the apples, sugar, spices, etc. and freeze. Decide beforehand, though, what pie plate you plan to bake your apple pies in, or you'll end up with a frozen pie shape that doesn't fit your crust!

Freezing Raw Tomatoes?

Shirley — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:23:52 +0000

Reader question... "Is it really possible to freeze whole raw tomatoes for winter salads and have them be almost like fresh? I keep seeing instructions for doing this but the tomatoes I froze raw and whole last year were a watery mess after they were defrosted." --Ava H.

Easy To Peel Hard Boiled Eggs

Shirley — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:02:04 +0000

If you've ever struggled to peel a hard boiled egg or ended up with a greenish yolk, try this... Start with eggs that have been refrigerated for several days (more than a week is best). NEW EGGS WILL NOT PEEL EASILY.

An Easier Way To Separate an Egg

Shirley — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:11:35 +0000

I have read there are three ways to separate an egg... that the first way is to use a commercial egg separator... the second way is to crack the egg and pour the egg yolk back and forth between the two shell halves... and the third way is to crack the egg into your open hand and let the egg white drip through your fingers.

Here is my method... and it is a whole lot easier and less messy than any of the above.

Freezing Batter for Quick & Easy Muffins Anytime

Shirley — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:57:58 +0000

I just took a batch of fresh-baked carrot yogurt muffins out of the oven... but I mixed up the batter over a week ago!

Having ready-to-bake homemade muffins in your freezer is so convenient. The process is simple. Use any muffin recipe, mixing the batter as usual. Portion the batter into individual paper or foil baking cups in a muffin tin... but freeze the muffins instead of baking them. Once the muffins are frozen, remove them from the tin and store them in a freezer bag. Do not thaw the muffins before baking.

How Long Should Food Be Left in the Freezer?

Shirley — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:57:09 +0000

The experts tell us that as long as food is kept frozen at 0°F (-18°C), it is safe to eat indefinitely. What that food will taste like after being frozen for long periods of time is another matter entirely... especially to someone with super-sensitive taste buds like myself who can detect even the slightest hint of "freezer taste"!

Another Green Cleaning Solution That Really Works

Shirley — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:36:48 +0000

Reader question... "My husband and I are both heavy tea drinkers. Many of our teacups and mugs are badly stained and the stains don't come off no matter how hard I scrub them. Do you know of a natural non chemical way of removing the brown stain from the cups?" --Annette