Sounds Good

Vintage cookbook advises company should be joy, not work
The Modern Method of Preparing Delightful Foods by Ida Bailey Allen went for 10 cents in postage and a Karo label in 1927.
A reader let me borrow his relative’s copy of the book from the Corn Products Refining Co. I like Allen’s notion that company should be mean joy, not work. I hope to have lots of joy this summer.
Much of this book is devoted to hearty dinners for the husband coming home for the noon meal. Table settings are very important. Here are a few suggestions:
When Supper is the Evening Meal
Clam and Corn Chowder, stuffed egg salad with Tomato Mayonnaise, rolls and butter, Jellied Fruits, Ginger Cookies, tea (adults), milk (children).
Supper — When There Are Guests
Cold Baked Virginia Ham, Potato Salad, Raised Corn Bread and butter, Fruit Cup, French Doughnuts, tea (adults), milk (children).
Quick Time Supper
Savory Creamed Eggs on Toast, French Fried Potatoes, lettuce and tomato salad with French Dressing, Chopped Apricot Pudding, tea (adults, milk (children).

Sparkle
If merlot was calorie free, I might think differently, but I currently call Sparkling Essence my favorite no calorie drink that doesn’t come from the tap. R.W. Knudsen Family distributes tall, slim, silver cans of sparkling water with flavors of cucumber, lemon, mint and blueberry. I enjoy this more than some champagnes I’ve tried. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

Hemp healthy
The minute Cody the food taster said the hemp seed nuts tasted like pine nuts, I was hooked. He’s right, though Manitoba Harvest likens them to sunflower seeds. Either way, they’re a unique topping for salad, cereal and yogurt. After Cody’s decree, I want to blend them with olive oil and fresh basil for a pesto. The Canadian company’s Hemp Seed Nut Butter taste a little bit more …healthy. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. You can pretend it’s peanut butter, but that greenish tint reminds you it’s healthy. Still, it’s nutritious and you can get used to it quite quickly.


Girl Scouts get to DQ
While my husband is crazy for Thin Mints, Girl Scouts Tagalongs were new to him. New to Dairy Queen this summer is a blizzard made with these peanut butter patties. I may head to the valley for my husband’s family reunion this summer, and that means Dairy Queen Blizzard stops all along the way.


Healthy by the pool
How far we have come. I was repelled to discover the trend of mixing those nasty energy drinks with liquor for a night of clubbing. On the other hand, some health food nuts/liquor lovers are mixing it up the other way.
Elations and Fruit20 Essentials are two good-for-you drinks I’ve tried in my lunch. As with so many, tasters imply these healthy beverages would be even more tasty with a little vodka. Turns out the makers already thought of that. Here’s their take on some refreshing fun:
Elations Harry Cranberry (for runners)
1 bottle of Elations Cranberry Apple
2 ounces of vodka
2 slices of lime
Mix ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake vigorously and pour over ice into a rocks glass
Makes 2 servings, each with: Calories 40, Total Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 0mg, Total Carbohydrates 6g, Dietary Fiber 0g, Protein 0g.
Why? Because runners typically suffer from joint strain and pain and Elations is a drinkable supplement that helps prevent joint discomfort.
 
FRUIT2O-TINI
For the straight up “Nutritionista” whip up the Fruit20-tini
4 ounces of Essentials™ Strawberry Kiwi or Citrus or Peach Mango (choose your favorite flavor)
1 1/2 ounces of vodka
Splash of pineapple juice
Splash of lime juice
Splash of orange juice
Muddled cucumber
Mix ingredients into a cocktail shaker, shake vigorously and pour into a martini shaker
Makes 1 serving, each with: Calories 110, Total Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 25mg, Total Carbohydrates 3g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 0g.
Why? Because the nutrients in Fruit20 Essentials are equal to two full servings of fruit which makes it actually nutritious, so you can drink and receive health benefits at the same time.
ddoiron@panews.com