Mother's Little Helper

Mothers (and Fathers, and Grandparents, and Babysitters), meet your new best friend.

The Skrapr. Say goodbye to fingernails worn down to the quick from scratching and scrubbing your countertops or floors. Dried up playdough? Baked on egg? Pot of pasta overflowed? Daughter decorated the floor with stickers? Son decorated the counter with glitter glue?

Originally designed as a non-damaging scraper for ceramic stove-tops, this baby is handy in so many other ways.

In the Kitchen:

• Counters: Granite, Marble, Corian, Silestone, and most other smooth counter surfaces.*
• Glass-Top Stoves: Use The SKrAPr with only a small amount of water to remove most burnt food stains. For hard to clean areas the SKrAPr’s hardened edge can safely be used to remove these stains.
• Griddles: Use The SKrAPr to easily remove burnt eggs, pancake batter, etc.
• Le Crueset Pots and Pans: Stuck on rice, sauces around the edge, all easily removed on these types of cooking vessels with just a little water.
• Hard Anodized Pots and Pans: Clean these with the flat side of the blade and a little water.
• Cookie Sheets: Easily remove burnt chocolate and sugars with The SKrAPr’s edge.

Around the House:

• Hardwood Flooring: Clean paint drips, putty, gum, etc., off wood surfaces and floors.
• Tile Floors: Clean away paint, putty, glue residue quickly and easily from most smooth tiled surfaces.
• Windows and Doors: The SKrAPr is the only tool that guarantees a scratch free cleaning while removing paint, bird droppings, stickers, etc, from your house windows.
• Bathrooms: Remove soap scum in the shower, silicone caulking around the tub.
• Living Room: Use The SKrAPr Jr to remove candle wax from tables, shelves, etc.

*The SKrAPr should be tested first on Stainless Steel counters and stoves as some Stainless Steels are softer than others and therefore may be marred by The SKrAPr.

• The Skrapr
• Will not scratch glass top stoves
• Will not mar or scratch surface
• Virtually indestructible
• Skrapr paper included to keep The Skrapr sharp
• Mildew resistant
• Temperature resistant
• Dishwasher safe

The Best Ever

Lots of things claim to be the best ever. But, I am telling you, these ARE the best ever measuring spoons. Ever.

I used to be of the mindset that, what the heck, it's all the same measurements so who cares if you have an inexpensive plastic set or a fancy-schmancy stainless steel set?

Well, it makes a lot of difference.

Meet the Cusipro Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons.

One, the shape of these babies is wonderful-- long and narrow, they can squeeze inside your spice jars. The heavy-duty design that withstands the pressure when digging into canisters of brown sugar and flour. The gently curved handles allow the spoons to sit securely on the counter without tipping over. The tops of the spoons are flat (unlike the rounded edges of some plastic types) so I can scoop up the baking powder and then use the lid to level it out. And, unlike every single plastic set I own, the storage clip actually stays closed and keeps them together.

Some things in life are worth the extra investment, especially if it improves the experience.
Every time I use these spoons I am so pleased that I don't have to use another utensil to get my spices out of the jar. And I love the weight of them; it makes me feel like a serious professional chef.

This weekend is Inventory at the store. Imagine counting every.single.nut.and.bolt in the store. And every.single.board.in.the.yard. And it's been miserable cold here, with windchills in the -51 range.

But... it is almost the end of January. And you know what that means?
The official beginning of the Dreaming of Spring season. And with that comes the arrival of seeds, peat pots, indoor greenhouses, potting mix...ahhh, can you smell the potting mix? Feel that moist, loose soil in your hands? Envision the rows and rows and ROWS of new seeds, new little pockets of potential just waiting to shoot up and scream BRING ON SPRING!

Lunch!

Eatools are the handy way to eat lunch! Reusable and lightweight, they are perfect to keep in your purse, your backpack, your car or your desk drawer.



Taking your lunch to work? Check out our new Elle Lunchbags--these are sooo cute, I love the new styles! They all include a set of Eatools and are insulated to keep your lunch warm or cool. We have a wide variety of styles and sizes, on display near Gingersnaps!

Aprons etc

Heather has been a busy bee uploading things to our website www.hhlloyd.com including some photos of our fancy new aprons and gloves, which you can view here.



We also have a new line of jams, jellies, syrups and more from the Dark Tickle Company so for all you Newfoundlanders here is your source for products that include the bakeapple (cloudberry), partridgeberry (lingonberry), crowberry, squashberry and wild blueberry.

We are also fully stocked on floursack towels and dishcloths--after the last post we sold out of most colors! We have some beautiful new fall assortments available and, as I mentioned previously, you will love them. Love.


Just hit the floor, some beautiful GORGEOUS new fall scarves and hats. Most of the scarves are only available in singles per color or design, so if you see one you like snatch it up! Today the front cash area was buzzing with ladies trying them on!

We are also excited to start showcasing our Fall Products like apple bakers, apple cider mix and hot dips for entertaining.

Look forward to our Fall Festival which starts Oct 7--more details to come!

Dripstik

Invented by a mother of five! After Hannah finally decided she liked Ice Cream last fall (previously she would snack on dry cones), she has been indulging in cones at Sweetpea's and subsequently getting ice cream everywhere. I can't wait for these to come in, I am going to keep one at the store with her name on it!

• Keeps kids' clothes clean by catching the sticky drips from ice cream cones or any frozen treat on a stick.

• Two products in one: One end holds frozen treats on a stick. Flip the Dripstik over and the other end holds ice cream cones in almost any size and variety.
• Perfect for road trips. Indulge your children with stops at ice cream shacks without worrying about the upholstery. Let them get the cone instead of a cup and spoon.

• Helps disabled or elderly persons, letting them enjoy ice cream with self-sufficiency.

• Durable, soft plastic is long-lasting and easy-care-- simply pop into the dishwasher!

St Patty's Day Treats

Yum. For St Patrick's Day, as a kid, another favorite treat was when my Mom made green Rice Krispie Squares. As an adult, it looks a little .. well.. green, but as a kid it was totally cool. This isn't my picture (it's a little TOO green, ours were more pale) but it is something you can try for fun. Even if you are all grown up, EVERYONE loves Rice Krispie Squares.

These knives are amazing

My Mom had a reputation for having the dullest knives around. I am not really sure why, they all were just really awful. We make most of our holiday meals at her place so all the slicing and dicing was slow and painful.

Finally she upgraded to these knives, and fell so in love she got a set for all of us. They are FANTASTIC. I have Henkels knives, and I now regularly reach over those for one of these, particularly the chef knife which is a dream. They are so sharp, and are weighted perfectly. Even my Aunt and Uncle, who have uber-expensive knives they brought back from Europe, love these knives. You simply must try them.

You don't even realize how dull and lifeless your knives are until you use a good knife. Have I convinced you yet? ;)

Knife Set With Block

• - Set contains the following knives:
  One 3.5" paring knife (2.0mm blade thickness)
  One 6" utility knife (2.5mm blade thickness)
  One 7" santoku knife (2.5mm blade thickness)
• - All the knives have NSF certificate
• - Blade material is German steel
• - Stone grinding finish
• - Half tang design
• - Black Santoprene ergonomic handles
• - Wooden block is 6.5" diameter x 2.5" wide x 7.5"
  high in size for a sleek elegant presentation
• - Black paint on wooden block provides water
  resistance

• $ 59.97

Coffee or Tea Press on the Go

New from Planetary Designs--a travel mug with a built-in french press! Finally, a travel friendly way to enjoy fresh pressed coffee or loose leaf tea! One the best features about these cups is the fine-mesh filter through the drinking hole--guaranteed to catch any wayward coffee grounds or tea leaves so they stay in the cup. Brilliant!

The lower design (travel cup) also has a compartment in the bottom to store your tea or coffee to make another cup later. The upper design leaves room for a few more ounces for those of you that enjoy an extra large cup.

I LOVE IT. I received this cup as a gift a few years ago and finally tracked them down to bring them to you!

If you've never tried your coffee in a french press, you simply must. Also this is SO EASY to make your own portion without firing up the old coffee maker (or a solution for you at work if you aren't as lucky as we are with such delicious coffee brewing all day in Gingersnaps! Bring your own grounds and do it yourself). AND, if you are getting hooked on loose leaf tea, this is an excellent way to enjoy it.

Additional details:

• Constructed of double-walled, 18/8 restaurant-grade stainless steel
• Patented plunger press and ultra-fine, stainless steel mesh screen
• High gloss, scratch-resistant finish
• Top-shelf dishwasher safe
• 14 oz. capacity, 6 3/4"H. (travel mug) 20 oz. capacity, 6 3/4" H (desk top mug)
  

Valentine's Treats for Grown Ups

A decadent but easy treat for two is baked brie. We carry a few different brie bakers (including the stainless steel one, above, which is also safe for use on the grill) but you can also bake brie in any kind of casserole dish. Brie is delicious baked on it's own, or with an assortment of toppings (a delicious dessert option is just brie, topped with brown sugar and sliced almonds.)

For Valentine's Day, why not spice it up with some hot pepper jelly?

Baked Brie with Hot Pepper Jelly

Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F)

TO PREPARE THE BRIE: Remove top rind of cheese, leaving rind on sides and bottom in tact. Place brie, cut side up, in Brie Baker.

DIRECTIONS: Top prepared brie with 125 ml (1/2 cup) Hot Pepper Jelly.

Place Brie Baker, without putting the lid on, in center of hot oven for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven (with oven mitts) & put Brie Baker cover on Baker to keep baked brie warm and soft until ready to serve. Place hot Brie Baker on a serving platter and surround with toasted baguette slices. Remove lid just before eating.

For something even easier, try one of our baked brie toppings, such as Cranberry Almond or Maple Walnut. Try serving with slices of apple or pear and an assortment of breads or crackers.

Valentine's Treats Day for Kids

I think it's sweet to do cute things for Valentine's Day for your kids. Although my daughter is only 19 months old, I still plan on doing something special for her for Valentine's day. I remember when I was little, I woke up one Valentine's Day to find a little package of cinnamon hearts under my pillow.

We have a great assortment of heart shaped cookie cutters, cupcake/muffin pans and cake dishes at the store. You could also make heart shaped pancakes, sandwiches or even eggs for breakfast!

Another neat idea is fondue--chocolate fondue is really easy to make (and we have some really affordable chocolate fondue sets starting at around $12). Your husband or wife would enjoy this too!

This recipe, from Food Network Canada, is super cute. Make fruit skewers for dipping in chocolate fondue, peanut butter and jelly fondue and vanilla yogurt dipping sauce.

Yield: 6

Ingredients

Fruit Sticks with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

• 2/3 cup whipping cream (35%) (150ml)
• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped (100g)

Vanilla Yogurt Dipping Sauce

• 1 cup plain yogurt (250ml)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (65ml)
• 1 vanilla bean

Directions

Fruit Sticks with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

1. Thread 6-8 skewers with a variety of your favourite seasonal fresh fruit. Here are some suggestions: Strawberries, Green Grapes, Pineapple, Melon, Orange or Clementine Segments, Peaches, Pears, Apples, Bananas. For a treat, you could also include marshmallows or cubed pound cake.
2. Heat the cream in a saucepan set on low until just steaming. Stir in chocolate and continue to heat gently until it melts, about 2 minutes. Stir until smooth and transfer to a small fondue pot to keep warm. Serve with fruit skewers.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Chocolate Dipping Sauce

1. Following the basic chocolate sauce measurements and method above, whisk in 1/4 cup/50 mL each smooth peanut butter and strawberry jelly to the warmed cream when adding the chocolate. Heat until melted, stirring to incorporate additions.
   Tip: This recipe could easily be doubled. And remember, the better quality the chocolate, the better the sauce. But in a pinch, baking chocolate or even chocolate chips, works wonderfully. You could “soup up” the sauce by trying flavoured chocolates in place of the plain chocolate.

Vanilla Yogurt Dipping Sauce

1. In a bowl combine yogurt and maple syrup. Cut vanilla bean in half and scrape out seeds and add to yogurt mixture.
2. Serve with fresh or dried fruit.

   Makes 1.25 cups/175ml

Pop...pop....pop....

Mmmm cold days like this are perfect for popping corn. We offer a variety of popcorn machines, including our very popular hand-crank Snack Maker.

The Schneider's Theater II Snack Maker reaches 475° F, the same temperature as commercial poppers. The thru-the-handle stirring paddle keeps kernels moving and evenly heated. This prevents burning and 97% popping of extra-crispy popcorn. The steam escapes through the vents allowing the kernels to explode.

Did you Know Popcorn has:

• more protein than any other cereal grain;
• more iron than eggs, peanuts, spinach or roast beef;
• more phosphorous and fiber than potato chips, ice cream cones or pretzels.

And at 1 gram of fiber per cup it is similar to 1/2 cup of bran flakes or a large apple with skin.

Don't forget to spice it up with one of our flavored seasonings such as ketchup, dill pickle, salt & vinegar, nacho and 5 more! Yum! Sounds like a movie night in the making.

Update: Jeff and I finally bought one of these puppies after carrying them for years. OH MY it was the BEST popcorn ever! First of all, it was done in like 2 minutes flat and it all popped. Secondly, it was so soft and fluffy, the way popcorn was meant to be (not hard and dry and crunchy). It was melt in your mouth delicious. Jeff, a skeptic who did not want to even try it, was sold. He said it was the best popcorn of his life. PLUS, you can add Theatre Spice to the mix while popping, and then it tastes just like movie theatre popcorn. YUM!

Heart Smart Rice Bran Oil

Rice Bran Oil is made from the bran of the rice kernal. It is available in Gourmet and boasts numerous benefits:

-Highest smoke point of any coventional oil (over 250* C) resulting in faster cooking times with less oil absorbtion.

-Greater shelf stability

-Subtle nutty flavor (vs. Canola: no flavor, Olive: strong flavor). Ideal for salad dressings, marinades, mayonaise and vinigrettes.

-Trans Fat Free

-Non-GMO

-Naturally Rich in Vitamin E (110% of RDA)

-No added chemicals to acheive shelf stability

-Hypoallergenic

-High in Oryzanol, a powerful antioxidant found only in rice bran oil. Shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels significantly more than Olive oil.

-Rich in Phytosterols and other unsaponifiables that have been shown to lower LDL levels and inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the colon, breast and prostate gland.

-The World Health Organization recommedns a consumption of an oil that has a ratio of approx 1.0:1.5:1.0 for saturated, monunstaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Rice Bran oil is the only oil that most closely matches this recommendation.

Try these delicious Salad Dressing Recipes:

Poppy Seed Dressing

1/2 Cup sugar
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 Cup cider vinegar
3/4 Cup Natural Harvest Rice Bran Oil
2 to 3 tsps. poppy seeds

Using blender at low speed mix f rst 5 ingredients. At medium speed drizzle in oil until thickened, beat in poppy seeds, cover, and refrigerate.

Honey Citrus Dressing

2 tbs. Grated orange rind
2 tbs. Minced onion
1/4 cup Limejuice
2 tbs. Orange juice
2 tbs. Honey
Salt & pepper to taste
2/3 cup Natural Harvest Rice Bran Oil

Place all ingredients in a covered jar and shake vigorously. Chill until serving.

Watch this, you're gonna love my nuts

Christmas Gift Idea #9

You know you want one.
Or you know your "friend" wants one.

We've got 'em.

So pick one up for your "friend" and get one for yourself, too.
They sell out fast, so check back if we are sold out, or special order them at front cash.

Slap your troubles away with the slap chop!

Stocking Stuffer Idea #103

It seems like every time someone makes a list of #'d ideas, they are random and not in numerical order. So, I designate this idea number #103--Cupcakes to Go!

This is a cute little travel container (available in white, pink and blue) to tote your cupcake safely without squashing the delicious icing on top. Sweet!

Attention Mr. Ross. Calling Mr. Ross. I believe your wife would enjoy finding one of these in her stocking on Christmas morn.

Available in Gourmet.

Another great recipe from the Breast Friends

Learn more about the Breast Friends Here

CHOCOLATE BANANA CAKE
(Great combination!)

2/3 cup buttermilk 2 cups flour

½ cup canola oil ¾ cup cocoa

1 cup sugar 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

2 eggs 1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla ¾ teaspoon salt

1 ¼ cups bananas, mashed

Cream together; oil, sugar and eggs. Stir in bananas and vanilla. In a separate bowl mix together; flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Divide batter between two greased 9 inch round cake pans. Bake at 350º F. For 40-45 minutes. Cool. Ice with Chocolate Banana Frosting.

Another Recipe from the Breast Friends

Learn more about the Breast Friends in this post!

Donna's Mandarin Orange Salad

1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 head bib lettuce, torn
1/2 head romaine lettuce, torn
1 cup celery, chopped
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1-11 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained

DRESSING
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 table spoons sugar
1 tablespoon parsley, snipped
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash of pepper
dash of hot pepper sauce

Cook and stir almonds and sugar in skillet over medium heat until sugar is melted and nuts are coated. Cool on wax paper. Mix dressing with green, celery, and onions 5 minutes before serving. Gently stir in oranges. Sprinkle alomonds on top. Shake dressing ingredients in a tightly covered jar. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

A Recipe from the Breast Friends

Recipe from "The Breast of Friends Cookbook".
For more information on the Breast Friends, see our previous post or their website.

THE “BREAST” CHAMPAGNE CHICKEN AND SHRIMP

20-30 shrimp, (tailed and deveined or
precooked shrimp)
2 green onions
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper
1 cup water
¼ cup flour
1 cube chicken bouillon
3 tablespoons butter
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
¾ pound mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup champagne

Shell and de-vein shrimp or if you are using precooked shrimp-thaw. In a medium bowl combine shrimp, green onions (cut diagonally in pieces 1 inch long), lemon juice and salt; set aside. In small bowl combine water, flour, and bouillon; set aside.
Add butter to a large skillet and over medium heat, cook chicken breasts until browned and tender (approx. 10 -12 minutes). Add 1/3 cup champagne to the frying pan and simmer the chicken breasts for another 3-4 minutes.
While chicken is simmering cook mushrooms in another frying pan, until tender. Remove with slotted spoon when done. Drain shrimp and in the mushroom skillet over high heat cook shrimp mixture until shrimp turns pink about 5 to 7 minutes or 1-2 minutes to heat precooked shrimp. Remove chicken to a platter and keep warm. Stir flour mixture (set aside earlier) into chicken skillet until blended. Gradually add cream and champagne. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils; stir in mushrooms; heat thoroughly. Place a few shrimp on each chicken breast and pour sauce over chicken and shrimp. Dish can be prepared ahead and reheated.

Have heartburn? Try Himalyan Salt!

On yesterday's Dr. Oz show, he discussed how Himalayan Salt (available at Home Hardware) has been found to reduce the symptoms of heartburn. One of the possible reasons for this is the 20-50 minerals found in this type of salt (the same kind used to make beautiful salt rock lamps) or that this type of salt reduces acid. Click Here to see the video.

Another option to try is Real Salt:

Compared to RealSalt brand salt, regular “table salts” and also many sea salts appear stark white because they have undergone harsh bleaching and refining. By contrast, RealSalt is extracted from deep within the earth, crushed, screened, and packaged without any bleaching or refining. RealSalt’s unique “pinkish” appearance and flecks of color come from more than 50 natural trace minerals, including iodine.

Real Salt is available in the Gourmet department.

My Dad has heartburn and has been using these types of salt recently. Hey Dad, how's your heartburn? [And PS--Where the heck did Richard's Thought of the Day go? Haven't had any lately? ;) ]

Update: Dr Oz also mentioned Himalayan Salt in February 2010 as an inhaler to help with with allergies, sinus infections and breathing difficulties Click here for the video!

Be Cool for Back to School

New insulated Elle lunchbags are now in stock! In addition to some simple, basic, black-and-brown styles, we also have some fashion-forward designs this fall (love the red and black). Save some money and pack your own lunch, but go in style and keep your food cool (or hot)!

Also new this fall are larger, multipurpose totes that you can use as a purse and a lunchbag in one.

Some features of the bags include:

1. Wide opening with zipper or drawstring closure
2. Insulated interior keeps food and drinks cold or hot
3. Easy to wipe lining
4. Collapsible for easy storage
5. Insulated interior keeps food and drinks cold or hot

Fruits and Passions

After some confusion and disappointment this spring, we are pleased to announce that we will indeed be carrying Fruits and Passions in Lloydminster exclusively!

Watch for our new F&P mini-boutique opening up beside Gingersnaps later this month!