Homemade Electrolyte Drink (a.k.a. Pedialyte)

Gaeleen says, "Good thing we've been ill, or I wouldn't have thought to submit this recipe! One thing I have figured out is that eight children and two bathrooms is not a good equation when gastroenteritis strikes the home..."

This recipe is from Gaeleen's family doctor.

Ingredients:

1 liter of water
8 oz. orange juice (must be orange for potassium)
2 Tbsp. corn syrup
1/2 tsp. salt

Shake well and use liberally to prevent dehydration.

What a handy recipe! Not only are Pedialyte and its generic forms really expensive, but they also contain high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors. This is a wonderful alternative that is additive-free and inexpensive.

And Gaeleen, we hope your bunch gets to feeling better really soon! 

Submitted by Gaeleen

Making a Proper Pot of Tea

Often it is cheaper to buy loose tea leaves than tea bags, so here is the way to make a proper pot of English black tea.

You will need the following:

Tea leaves - 1 tsp. per person plus 1 tsp. for the pot

Boiling water

Sugar to taste

Milk or lemon to taste.

1. Fill your kettle with fresh cold water and bring it to the boil.

2. Meanwhile, swish hot water around in the teapot (preferably china or earthenware). This is an important step as it helps the water remain at the boiling point when it is poured in the pot.

3. Just before the kettle boils, empty the water out of the teapot and put in the tea leaves. Take the teapot to the kettle and fill it with the freshly boiled water.

4. Stir the tea briefly, then put the lid on the pot and leave the tea to brew for 3-6 minutes, depending on how strong you like it. Remember larger leaf teas take longer to brew. You may use a tea cosy to keep the pot warm if you have one.

5. Pour the tea through a strainer into the cup, and then add milk, sugar or lemon.

6. After about 15 minutes the tea will start to stew in the pot and have a nasty bitter taste and so it is better to make a fresh pot at that time.

7. Have some slices of lemon ready for those who would prefer their tea weaker and without milk.

Serve with your favorite tea party fare, little sandwiches and cakes and whatever other things you enjoy. When my daughters were very young they used to share teatime with us, and to accomodate them we made the tea very weak and added a lot of milk. They used to enjoy the ceremony of afternoon tea very much and still enjoy tea today.

Written & submitted by Linda @ Penny-wise 

Hot Chocolate...Before it's too late!

I don't know what the weather's been like in your neck of the woods (or desert or island or wherever you're joining us from), but it's been unseasonably warm where we live. Before we start craving freshly squeezed lemonade and popsicles, I wanted to get this recipe for hot chocolate in. This is Linda's favorite hot drink for chilly evenings when she's wanting a treat. She says, "Use the best dark chocolate you can afford."


Ingredients:

1 oz. (25 gm) dark chocolate broken into pieces

A pinch of grated nutmeg

7 fl oz (200 ml) milk

Sugar to taste,

1 Tbsp. heavy cream, whipped

grated chocolate and cinnamon

To Make:

1. Place the chocolate, nutmeg, milk and sugar to taste in a saucepan. Heat gently and stir until the chocolate melts. Do not boil.

2. Serve with whipped cream and the grated chocolate on top. Enjoy!

Submitted by Linda @ Penny-wise

Homemade Gatorade

What a great recipe!

Ingredients:

1 cup lemon juice
2 Tbsp. lime juice
2/3 cup honey or sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
water

Combine all ingredients in a gallon-size container or jug. An old milk jug will do. Fill with water. Best chilled.

Wow, was that easy or what?

Who knew you didn't have to pay $1.50 for a small bottle of Gatorade? This whole recipe makes a gallon, and the ingredients don't even cost $1.50. It's even better because it's free of artificial colors and flavors!


Submitted by Gaeleen