WHAT'S IN THE COLUMNS
THE POWER OF TEA AND TOAST
Diet or no diet? To eat that tempting pie or punish your body by
going hungry for a night or go for a moderation by tossing a few
peanuts in your mouth? To choose the 'trend' of looking like a
porcelain goddess or enjoy a normal, happy life. Tracey Smith has
sparked an interesting debate with this week's column - Peanuts
on the Keyboard.
Read her column
and join the discussion at the forums at 'Comments
Invited'.
FRUGAL CRAFTING
Christmas is about showing others your appreciation and how much
you care for them by giving them a thoughtful gift. When things are
made from the heart, they mean so much more. Karen Armacost shares
some frugal Christmas Gift Ideas in
Christmas
Crafting - The Frugal Way.
ASK AUBURN
Dear Auburn, Theoretically, if a shareholder in a closely held
corporation which derives over 60% of its income from residential
rental revenues, is there any legal means which would allow
avoidance of personal holding company tax?
Donna answers at
http://www.dotcomwomen.com/ask_auburn.shtml
WOMEN & SUCCESS
It can be a little daunting when it comes to turning that dream
of yours into a reality. Where should you begin? And what in the
world should you do when your dream is larger than your pocketbook?
Larnette paves the way at
http://www.dotcomwomen.com/women_success.shtml
WEAVE WELL
Another little gem of English usage this week: a frequent mistake
concerns the use of 'providing' and 'provided??™. It is NOT correct to
say, for instance: 'You can make a living online, providing you
follow the right instructions'. What you should have said is: 'You
can make a living online, provided you follow the right
instructions.' Virginia explains at
PROVIDING AND
PROVIDED.
FOOD
DIABETIC CHOCOLATE CAKE
6 Tablespoons reduced-calorie stick margarine
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon chocolate extract
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
12 packets or 4 teaspoons bulk Sweet 'n Low granulated sugar
substitute
1/4 cup liquid egg substitute
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 large egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Preheat oven to 325-degrees. Spray bundt pan with non-stick
cooking spray; set aside. In small saucepan over medium heat,
melt 2 Tablespoons margarine; remove from heat.
Stir in cocoa and chocolate extract. Set aside to cool. Into
small bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and
salt. Set aside. In large bowl with electric mixer at medium
speed, cream remaining
margarine, sugar, 9 packets Sweet 'n Low (or 3 teaspoons bulk),
egg substitute, vanilla and orange peel.
Beat in reserved chocolate mixture. Add flour mixture alternately
with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour and beating well
after each addition.
In large metal bowl with electric mixer at high speed, beat egg
whites, cream of tartar and remaining Sweet 'n Low until stiff
peaks form. Spoon into prepared pan. Bake 30 minutes or until
wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10
minutes. Remove cake from pan and cool completely on rack.
Makes 12 servings.
Yield: 1/12 recipe
Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Fat
Nutrition: 112 Calories, 3 g Protein, 18 g Carbo, 4 g Fat
BEAUTY
How to use essential oils
Quick Guide
Massage: - Dilute 5 drops of essential oils to 10ml of carrier
oil.
Bath: - Add 6 drops of essential oil to a warm bath.
Burner: - Fill vaporizer cup three quarters full with water, then
add 4 drops of oil.
Footbaths or Handsoak: - add 6 drops of oil to a bowl of warm
water.
Inhalation: - place one drop of oil on tissue or pillow. NB -
some oils may stain.
Radiators: - place three drops on a cotton wool pad and leave on
a radiator.
Water Bowl: - Pour hot water into bowl and add 8 drops of oil,
then inhale steam.
Massage
This should perhaps carry a warning as some oils are very
sensual.
An aromatherapy massage can be relaxing, stimulating, energizing
or sensual depending on the essential oils that you blend
together. Add 5 drops of essential oil (or a blend of
essential oils made up to 5 drops) to 10mls of base carrier oil.
The base carrier oils can
also be blended with other carrier oils i.e. Almond with Avocado
for dry skin or Calendula for it's soothing properties. The
essential oils are absorbed into the skin and inhaled inducing a
sense of calm and relaxation. Massage is also beneficial for
easing muscular aches and pains.
Bath
Essential oils are ideal in the bath. At the end of a busy day
fill the bath with warm water,
add 2 - 6 drops of essential oil; stir the bath water and allow
time to relax in the warm
vapours. Feel the tension just slip away. Essential oils can be
added to a water-soluble
medium that is suitable for the bath or to full fat milk. This
will allow the essential oils to
disperse within the water; this is a good idea for young children
or people with sensitive
skin.
Inhalation
For an invigorating, clearing or relaxing experience add 3 - 4
drops of essential oil to a
bowl of steaming warm water or an electric facial steamer. Cover
your head with a towel
and breathe deeply over the vapors for a few minutes. Use
essential oils that are helpful in
clearing the head, stimulating the mind or just to relax at the
end of the day.
Vaporisation
Research has shown that our sense of smell is highly developed
and that aromas can have
a profound emotional and physiological effect. Add up to 10 drops
of essential oils to a
diffuser or burner to create a comforting mood or a sensual
atmosphere. Many essential
oils have antiseptic or disinfecting properties for use in the
sick room or as air fresheners
and others enhance concentration when working and or studying.
Compress
Make up a massage blend with base carrier oil and essential oils.
Gently massage the
affected area with the blend and then place hot or cold pack as
required.
