Edible Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 11. Give your mother a homemade treat. How about Cranberry Tea Bread, Homemade Granola, or Date-Walnut Cake with a flavored coffee, coffee creamer, or flavored tea. Wrap them in a pretty cloth napkin tied with a ribbon or nestled in a basket. Give her quiet time to read a novel by her favorite author and enjoy her goodies. Or, join her for breakfast or afternoon tea.

Cranberry Tea Bread

Crystallized ginger elevates the flavor of this not-too-sweet tea bread. Spread a warm slice with cream cheese for the perfect breakfast.

1/4 cup canola oil, plus more for pan
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons Watkins Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Ground Cinnamon
3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
2 large eggs
1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen (not thawed)
1/4 cup crystallized ginger, coarsely chopped or 1/2 teaspoon Watkins Ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour an 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pan. Spread oats on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until golden brown and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Place in a large bowl; stir in flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

In a separate bowl, stir together yogurt, oil, and eggs; whisk until combined. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid ingredients; stir until just combined. Fold in cranberries and ginger.

Spoon mixture into the prepared pan and smooth top with a rubber spatula. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of the loaf comes out just clean, about 50 minutes. Check the loaf after 30 minutes and tent with aluminum foil if browning too quickly. Cool 10 minutes in the pan, and then run a metal spatula around edges and invert loaf onto a rack. Turn right side up to cool completely before slicing.

Health Benefits of Cranberries

Cranberries get much of their disease-fighting abilities from their high levels of antioxidants, nutrients thought to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Recent research also suggests that the phytochemicals in cranberries may aid in the fight against heart disease. In one study, participants who drank three glasses of sweetened or unsweetened cranberry juice daily saw their HDL, or “good,” levels of cholesterol increase by an average of 10 percent. Cranberries may also help blood vessels relax in people with hardening of the arteries, and they have some power to protect brain cells against the damage that can occur with stroke.

The cranberry’s biggest claim to fame, though, is preventing urinary tract infections (UTI). Although it has long been a folk remedy, researchers recently have discovered that cranberries contain compounds that stop bacteria from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract and bladder, allowing the bacteria to be flushed from the body. However, cranberries work only as a preventative; once the bacteria have imbedded themselves in the bladder wall and started an infection, cranberries don’t seem to help. The berries’ bacteria-busting quality crosses over to other parts of the body, as well: New research suggests that they can prevent infections in the gastrointestinal region and stop bacteria from sticking to teeth and causing cavities.

Homemade Granola

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1 teaspoon of salt

Preheat the over to 325 degrees F. Combine honey, maple syrup, butter, and brown sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often. In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, shredded unsweetened coconut, and salt. Pour the honey mixture over the oat mixture and stir. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet and spread granola evenly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool before transferring to airtight glass containers.

Deliver in an airtight glass container with a tag giving helpful suggestions of serving with yogurt and fresh fruit or just using as a healthy snack.

Date-Walnut Cake
I found this recipe at http://be-it-ever-so-humble.blogspot.com

3/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla
1 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Combine oats and boiling water in large bowl. Let sit until water is absorbed. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9″ round pan.

Add brown sugar, honey, and oil to bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Add vanilla, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. Add half the flour, the buttermilk, and then remaining flour. Fold in the dates, raisins, and walnuts.

Pour into pan and bake 25-30 minutes, or until cake springs back when you touch the center.

Cafe Swiss Mocha Flavored Coffee

1/4 C. Powdered Creamer
1/3 C. Sugar
1/4 C. Instant Coffee
2 T. Watkins Powdered Baking Cocoa

Process in a blender until well blended. Store in an air tight container. Use by tablespoonfuls according to taste. Spoon in cup and add hot water

Cafe Vienna International Coffee

1/2 cup Instant coffee
2/3 cup Sugar
2/3 cup Nonfat dry milk
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon

Layer ingredients in jar.
Attach to the jar:
Use 2 teaspoons per cup of hot water.

Instant Cappuccino

1 c. powdered creamer
1 c. powdered chocolate milk mix
2/3 c. instant coffee
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. Watkins Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. watkins Nutmeg

Mix all ingredients together. Use 1 heaping Tbls. per cup of boiling water. Store in airtight container.

Amaretto Coffee Creamer

3/4 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
1 tsp. Watkins Almond Extract
1 tsp. Watkins Ground Cinnamon
3/4 cup confectioners sugar

Combine all ingredients in a container with a tight fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Store in airtight container and give creamer with the recipe for Amaretto Coffee. Yields 12 servings.
Attach to the jar:
Amaretto Coffee: In a mug, combine 2 tablespoons of creamer with 6 ounces of coffee.

Bavarian Mint Coffee Creamer

3/4 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
1/2 cup Watkins Cocoa
3/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp. Watkins Peppermint Extract

Combine all ingredients in a container with a tight fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Store in airtight container and give creamer with the recipe for Bavarian Mint Coffee. Yields 15 servings.
To make Bavarian Mint Coffee:
In a mug, combine 2 tablespoons of creamer with 6 ounces of coffee.

Low Calorie Spiced Tea Mix

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons Orange flavored drink mix, sugar-free
1/4 cup Lemonade flavored-drink mix, sugar-free
3/4 cup Iced tea mix, sugar free
1 teaspoon Watkins Ground Cloves
2 tablespoons Watkins Ground Cinnamon

1. Combine all ingredients, stirring until blended. Store mixture in an airtight container.
2. For each serving, place 1 teaspoon mix in a cup. Add 1 cup hot water, stirring well. Serve hot.

Spiced Tea Mix

1 (9 oz.) jar powdered orange breakfast drink mix
1 (4 oz.) jar lemon flavored ice tea mix
1-1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. Watkins Cinnamon
2 tsp. Watkins Ground Cloves
1 tsp. Watkins Ground Ginger

Mix drink mix, sugar and spices. Label and store in tightly covered container at room temperature, no longer than 6 months.
Attach to the jar:
For each serving mix 3 teaspoons spiced tea mix and 1 cup boiling water in mix until mix is dissolved. Garnish each with a twist of lemon or orange peel and a cinnamon stick if desired. Makes about 5-1/4 cups mix.

Spiced Tea Sachet

Cheesecloth
1 tea bag
1 cinnamon stick, crushed
6 whole cloves, crushed
1/2 tsp Watkins Dried Orange Peel
string

Cut two 4-inch squares of cheesecloth; place 1 on top of other. Place tea bag, cinnamon, cloves and orange peel on top. Pull up corners and tie into bundle with string. Place in mug, jar or basket. Makes 1 sachet, enough for 1 cup tea.

Eleisia Whitney has a Watkins Home Business. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter, Around the Kitchen Table, that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/may1-08newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com and shop for products at http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney

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