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Most spices can last a long time without “going bad”, but for optimal taste, fresher is always better.  The following guidelines will help you determine how long to keep spices in the cupboard - might as well get rid of the ones that are no longer adding flavor to your favorite dish.


    Ground Spices...........................2-3 years

    Whole Spices ............................3-4 years

    Seasoning Blends .....................1-2 years

    Herbs ........................................1-3 years

    Extracts ....................................4 years

        (except pure vanilla, which lasts indefinitely)


Also:

  1. •Any Schilling brand spices are at least 7 yrs. old

  2. •Any McCormick brand spices in a can are at least 15 yrs. old         (except for black pepper)

  3. •Any McCormick brand spices with “Baltimore MD” on the label are at least 15 yrs. old


General spice tips:

  1. •Spices should have a vibrant color

  2. •Spices should have a noticeable aroma when you crush it

  3. •Spices should be stored away from moisture, heat and direct sunlight - try not to sprinkle herbs and spices directly from the bottle into a steaming pot

  4. •Red Pepper spices, such as paprika and chili powder will retain their color and remain fresher longer when stored in the fridge.


Still not sure if you should throw it out?  Ask yourself,

“Do you really want to eat something

that is ten years old?”

Healthy Kitchens: Spices

Your home should only be filled with things you

NEED, USE and LOVE. -  Peter Walsh

To get the most flavor from your spices, check the expiration dates and keep things fresh

Trying to lose weight?

Things you need to know


Snack before Dinner

It takes the body nearly 30 minutes for ghrelin levels to fall and give you a “full” feeling when you eat.  To avoid overeating during your next meal, either slow down or try eating a 100-calorie snack about a half hour before mealtime.


Nix soft Drinks

The sugars (fructose) found in most soft drinks will actually block the signals your body uses to determine when you’ve consumed enough energy from food.  This block causes you to drink way too much soda and will never really quench your thirst or hydrate your body like a simple glass of water. 


Fill up on Fiber

The benefit of high-fiber diets lies in the fact that fiber actually slows down the body’s rate of processing nutrients.  The body needs a longer period of time to actually absorb the fiber nutrients, therefore leaving you feeling “fuller” for a longer period of time.


Build more muscle

Muscle burns nearly a dozen times more calories than fat.  By simply walking 10,000 steps a day and participating in a muscle-building strength program you’ll increase your body’s calorie burning potential. 

Tip #1 - schedule a time to sit down and plan out meals, such as after breakfast on Saturday morning so you won’t be starving while you plan the menu.


Tip #2 - have a calendar for the current month, your shopping tablet and a pencil.  Also, have cookbooks, recipe box and any magazines with recipes you want to try nearby.


Tip #3 - Mark off any evenings on your calendar you probably won’t be eating at home (date nights, late meetings, evening appointments, etc.)


Tip #4 - Plan and mark easy nights first; nights when you know you have a limited time to cook so you’ll need simple meals.  Sandwiches or healthy canned soups are a simple option and can be paired with crackers, sliced cheese, celery, carrots and apples. 


Tip #5 - Next, which meals you plan to cook and what nights to cook them for the next month and tag the recipe with a sticky note and the date for the recipe.  


Tip #6 - Using your recipes as reference, survey the pantry and freezer for supplies and create a shopping list for what you’ll need in the next 30 days. 


Tip #7 - Match any applicable coupons you have with your shopping list and attach them to the list. 


Tip #8 - Post your meal calendar on the fridge, grab your list with coupon attached and go shopping!  Remember: To keep shopping healthy and affordable, stick to your list, eat a meal before you shop and only make extra trips to the store for small things (like milk, fresh fruit and bread)

Healthy Kitchens:

Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines practiced every day. - Jim Rohn

Make meal planning simple, easy and healthy.

Healthy Lifestyles: Get a Good Laugh It relaxes the body, boosts the immune system, triggers the release of endorphins and increases blood flow.  Start laughing!


Several men are in the locker room of a golf club. A mobile phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands free speaker function and begins to talk. Everyone else in the room stops to listen. 
 
MAN: 'Hello' 
WOMAN: 'Honey, it's me. Are you at the club?' 
MAN: 'Yes' 
WOMAN: 'I am at the shops now and
found this beautiful leather coat. It's
only  $2, 000. Is it OK if I buy it?' 
MAN: 'Sure, go ahead if you like it that much.'
WOMAN: 'I also stopped by the Lexus  dealership and saw the new Models. I saw one I really liked.'
MAN: 'How much?' 
WOMAN: $ 90,000'
MAN: 'OK, but for that price I want it with all the options.' 
WOMAN: 'Great! Oh, and one more
thing...the house I wanted last year is back on the market. They're asking$  980,000' 
MAN: 'Well, then go ahead and give them an offer of  $ 900,000. They
will probably take it. If not, we can go the extra 80 thousand if it's really a pretty good deal.' 
WOMAN: 'OK. I'll see you later! I love you so much!'
MAN: 'Bye! I love you, too.' The man hangs up. The other men in the
locker room are staring at him in astonishment, mouths agape. 


He turns and asks: 'Anyone know who this phone belongs to?' 

Healthy Lifestyles:

Think out of the box


Next time you’re tossing out containers from around the house, consider re-purposing the item to solve other problems like these problem-solvers:


Ketchup bottle - can be used to keep pancake mix in the fridge for a quick breakfast during the week.


Toilet Paper Roll - can be used to manage unruly extension cords that are not being used or those behind your desk.  It can also be used as a hairband holder so you don’t have to scramble through the drawer next time you’re looking for one.


Napkin Holder - can be used as a bill organizer to keep mail sorted until bills are paid or mailed.


S-Shaped Shower Hooks - can be used in a closet to hang purses and keep them from cluttering up the floor.


6-Pack Carrier - can be used to hold condiments or utensils on the patio table.


Old Cassette Case - can be used to hold earphones so the cord doesn’t tangle.


Shower Cap - can be used as a  shoe wrap to keep clothes clean inside your luggage during travel.


Plastic Soap Case - can be used as a hard travel case for the digital pocket camera.


Towel Rack - can be used in the garage to hold spray bottles.

Tips for Shopping Smart

"A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools."   Spanish Proverb

Healthy Kitchens:

DON’T TRUST THE PACKAGING - the words “smart choice” & “reduced fat” don’t necessarily mean the item is healthy.  Marketers are paid to create packages that will get your attention and seduce you to purchase the product.  Beware of exterior labels that claim “health”.  Read the food label to be sure of the contents. 


SCAN THE INGREDIENTS - Reading food labels can be intimidating, but there are simple things you can learn about a food item with a quick glance.  The first few items on the list of ingredients are the most abundant in the product so an item claiming to be “whole grain” should actually have whole grain listed within the first three items on the ingredients list.  The further you get down the list of ingredients, the less you’ll find of that item in the product. 


LOOK FOR FIBER - Carbohydrates, such as pasta, rice and cereal, should contain at least two grams of fiber per serving.  Fiber is more filling to the body and will help you stay feeling fuller longer after eating. 


CHECK THE FAT CONTENT -  Avoid words like hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil, (these are code words for trans fats), high fructose corn syrup and “enriched”.  These words signify harmful fats and empty calories.  Unsaturated fat is better that saturated fat, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for you, just that it’s better than saturated.  You want no more than three grams of fat per serving or per 100 calories.  Bottom line: If you can’t pronounce the main ingredients on the list, that item is best left on the shelf.


EAT BEFORE YOU SHOP - When you shop on a full stomach you make much healthier decisions and have more patience to read the labels.  Plus, you’ll be less likely to buy M&M’s for the ride home in the car.