Welcome to another issue of Around the Kitchen Table!

It hailed here today. April usually brings a few days of unusual weather. The cold air currents carry rain drops up to colder atmosphere, the drops freeze, and then fall to the ground as hail.

Recipes this issue are Chicken-Parmesan Pasta, Lemon and Olive Chicken, Barbecue Bacon Shrimp, Carrot Cake Cookies, and Banana Cupcakes with Ganache Frosting.

The giveaway this month is a Watkins Natural Care Sampler.

If you are considering a home based business please take a look at Watkins. I will give you a $30 gift certificate to buy products for yourself. Just join with me as your sponsor, Eleisia Whitney ID# 335001. Sign up at my business information web site http://www.vanillasage.com, at http://www.watkinsonline.com/eleisiawhitney under Join Us - As an Associate, or by calling Watkins at 1-800-928-5467. Give my name and ID# as your sponsor.

Make your house a Watkins home.

Until next issue,

eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com

VanillaSage Blog

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Join my Watkins Team today for just $39.95! Save 25% or more on Watkins products for yourself. Earn extra income or build a full-time residual income business. Our award-winning team offers excellent training with a proven plan for success and a FREE business-building web site! Visit www.vanillasage.com for free details with no pressure or obligation. Check out our 941 System with No Selling Required! Our new Watkinize Your Home bonus program can let you earn hundreds in cash when you help new associates Watkinize their homes. Celebrating 141 years of Quality, Integrity, and Value! Join this month and receive a $30 gift certificate from me to buy products for yourself.

Soup and Gravy Bases
21175 Beef
21176 Chicken
21179 Cream
21177 Mushroom
21178 Onion
Regularly $8.99 - Special $8.29 each

21183 Six Onion Soup Base
Regularly $8.99 - Special $8.29

21182 Mexican Soup and Seasoning Base
Regularly $8.99 - Special $8.29

Natural Seasoning Blends
01913 Barbeque Seasoning
01912 Garlic Herb Seasoning
Regularly $5.49 - Special $4.99 each

Flavored Salts
01993 Butter Salt
01998 Garlic Salt
Regularly $5.49 - Special $4.99 each

01141 Purest Granulated Black Pepper, 12 oz/340 g - All-Natural - Save $1.00
Regularly $15.49 - Special $14.49

All-Natural Gourmet Herbs and Spices
01924 Celery Seed
01930 Garlic Flakes
01931 Garlic Granules
01933 Lemon Peel
01935 Minced Green Onion
01936 Mustard (dry)
01938 Onion Flakes
01939 Onion Granules
01940 Orange Peel
01944 Red Pepper Flakes
Regularly $5.49 - Special $4.99 each

Gourmet Seasoning Blends
01960 All-Purpose Seasoning
01963 Chicken Seasoning
01972 Grill Seasoning
01973 Ground Beef Seasoning
01977 Omelet and Souffle Seasoning
01985 Soup and Vegetable Seasoning
Regularly $5.49 - Special $4.99 each

01169 Steak Sauce
$7.99 - Purchase one Steak Sauce at regular price, get the second for $3.99!

01168 Meat Magic
Regularly $9.99 - Special $9.29

01056 Inferno Hot Pepper Sauce
Regularly $8.99 - Special $8.49

01057 Tropical Salsa
Regularly $8.99 - Special $8.49

01046 Jalapeno Hot Pepper Sauce
$5.99 - or just $2.99 with the purchase of one Calypso Hot Pepper Sauce (01058)!

Gourmet Snack and Dip Seasonings - Save $1.00
02050 Bacon and Cheddar
02051 Bacon and Horseradish
02068 Bacon and Onion
02069 Blazin Cajun
02054 Crab
02055 Cucumber and Dill
02056 Garden Vegetable
02057 Garlic and Dill
02062 Salsa and Sour Cream
02065 Tomato and Horseradish
Regularly $8.99 - Special $7.99 each

Limited Edition Snack and Dip Seasonings - Save $1.00
02070 Tomato and Basil
02059 Mandarin Orange
02071 Sesame and Garlic
$8.99 each or $7.99 each when you purchase any two!

All-Natural Gourmet Herbs and Spices
01920 Allspice
01923 Cayenne Pepper
01949 Chili Powder
01926 Cinnamon (Korintje)
01927 Cloves (ground)
01955 Cloves (whole)
01928 Cumin
01966 Curry Powder
01932 Ginger
01937 Nutmeg
01942 Paprika
Regularly $5.49 - Special $4.99 each

02600 Good Tastings Bread Mix
$5.99 - or just $5.49 each with the purchase of two!

Gourmet Extracts and Flavorings, 2 fl oz/59 ml
21381 Banana
21387 Orange
21395 Lemon
21367 Peach
21389 Pineapple
21705 Raspberry
21386 Strawberry
Regularly $4.99 - Special $4.59 each

Food Colors
05807 Blue
05814 Green
05804 Red
05809 Yellow
$2.99 each - or buy green, red & yellow, get blue for only $1.29!

02270 Skin, Hair and Nails - Save $1.00
Regularly $15.99 - Special $14.99

02269 Eye Care Formula - Save $1.00
Regularly $14.99 - Special $13.99

02272 Rezist Plus - Save $1.00
Regularly $19.99 - Special $18.99

02268 Fruit/Veggie Complex - Save $1.00
Regularly $18.99 - Special $17.99

02317 Watkins Liniment - Save $2.00
Regularly $12.99 - Special $10.99

60491 Icy Blue Ointment
Regularly $6.99 - Special $6.49

60492 Warming Analgesic Balm
Regularly $6.99 - Special $6.49

10491 Menthol Camphor Breathe Easy Bath Soak - Save $1.00
Regularly $9.99 - Special $8.99

10498 Pain Relief Burn Cream
Regularly $8.99 - Special $8.49

06607 Travel Size Petro-Carbo Salve
$4.99 - or just $2.49 with the purchase of Full-Size Menthol Camphor Ointment and Rub (02358)!

20532 Manicure Pack - Save $2.00
Regularly $15.99 - Special $13.99

Natural Liquid Hand Soaps
13050 Aloe and Green Tea
13052 Lavender
13051 Lemon
13053 Orange Citrus - New!
Regularly $7.49 - Special $6.99 each

10513 All-Natural Body Oil - Save $1.00
Regularly $9.99 - Special $8.99

Dry Oil Body Mists - Save $1.00
10472 Aloe and Green Tea
10476 Vanilla
Regularly $9.99 - Special $8.99 each

Many other products are highlighted in the April Sales and Promotions Catalog and April Specials Online.

Thanks for reading my newsletter and entering each month. Please don't quit; you might be next month's winner!

Spring arrived so it's spring cleaning time! Win a Watkins Natural Care Sampler that includes four one-fluid ounce bottles of Tub and Tile Cleaner, All Purpose Cleaner, Dish Soap, Window Cleaner, and a sample of Laundry Detergent.

Describe your favorite spring activity. Send an email with your description, your name and address and "April Contest - Spring" in the subject line to eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com Winner will be chosen at random.

Margaret from Wisconsin is March's newsletter contest winner. She wins a set of Watkins Food Colors, 1 fl oz bottles of blue, green, red, and yellow. Have fun with our line of food colors! Mix and match to create a rainbow of colors that are sure to brighten your cookies.

Make your life the best it can be. Eat nutritious foods, exercise, love, and laugh!

Because of its high fructose content, honey has a higher sweetening power than sugar. This means you can use less honey than sugar to achieve the desired sweetness.

To retain honey's wonderfully luxuriant texture, always store it at room temperature; never in the refrigerator. If your honey becomes cloudy, don't worry. It's just crystallization, a natural process. Place your honey jar in warm water until the crystals disappear. If you're in a hurry, place it in a microwave-safe container and heat it in the microwave on HIGH for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Remember, never boil or scorch honey.

Chicken-Parmesan Pasta
6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.)
Watkins Season Salt
Watkins Garlic Powder
Watkins Onion Flakes
Watkins Black Pepper
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1 cup Italian-style bread crumbs
3 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
1-1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1 tsp. Watkins Oregano
6 oz. spaghetti, cooked, drained

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Sprinkle chicken with season salt, garlic powder, onion flakes, and pepper. Dip chicken in egg whites, then in bread crumbs, turning to evenly coat both sides of each breast. Place in greased 13x9-inch pan.

Bake 20 to 25 min. or until chicken is done (165 degrees F). Top with 2 cups sauce, cheeses and oregano. Bake 5 min. or until mozzarella is melted. Meanwhile, heat remaining sauce.

Toss spaghetti with sauce; place on plate. Top with chicken.

Lemon and Olive Chicken
It takes just a few minutes more to make a big batch of this Mediterranean-style chicken than it does to prepare a small one. Eat half now; freeze the rest. You can store this chicken frozen for up to six weeks. When you're ready to serve it, thaw, then put in a pan with water to coat the bottom; cover, and simmer until hot.

8 chicken breast halves
Salt and Watkins Black Pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 lemons
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup green olives, pitted and halved
2 cups chicken broth made with 2 cups boiling water and 3 teaspoons Watkins Chicken Soup Base
1 teaspoon Watkins Thyme
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Red Pepper Flakes

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. In two batches, sear the chicken, skin side first, until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate.

Cut the lemons in half lengthwise and then into thin slices crosswise. If the skillet is dry, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add the onions and garlic, and cook over medium heat until soft but not brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in lemon slices, olives, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Put the chicken on top of the vegetables, pour in any accumulated juices from the plate, and sprinkle with thyme and crushed red pepper. Cover, and simmer until the chicken is just cooked through, about 15 minutes. Add more chicken broth if necessary. Makes 8 servings.

Barbecued Bacon Shrimp
1 pound (32 to 36 per lb.) peeled, deveined shrimp, rinsed
16 to 18 slices bacon (16 to 18 oz.), cut in half crosswise
Cooking oil spray or salad oil
Watkins Gourmet Original Barbecue Sauce
Wood toothpicks

1. Count shrimp; for each, you need 1/2 slice bacon and 1 soaked wood toothpick.
2. Arrange bacon slices in single layers in 2 pans, each 10 by 15 inches.
3. Bake in a 450 degrees F oven until bacon begins to brown on the bottom (lift to check), 4 to 8 minutes. Do not over cook. As bacon is browned, transfer to towels to drain. Discard fat in pans.
4. Wrap 1 bacon strip around each shrimp; secure with a toothpick. Spritz the inside of an 11- or 12-inch square hinged grill basket with cooking spray (or lightly brush with oil). Arrange wrapped shrimp in a single layer in basket; close basket. Cook in batches, if needed.
5. Prepare barbecue for direct heat. When it is medium-hot (you can hold your hand at grill level only 3 to 4 seconds), lay basket on grill and turn as needed to brown bacon lightly, 2 to 3 minutes total. Remove basket from heat, open, and baste bacon-wrapped shrimp with barbecue sauce. Close basket, flip over, open basket, and baste shrimp with more sauce. Close basket, return to grill, and cook, turning once, until shrimp is opaque but still moist-looking in center of thickest part (cut to test) and bacon is well browned, 2 to 3 minutes longer. You may also cook bacon-wrapped shrimp under the broiler. Place oven rack 6 inches from coils. Cook shrimp wrapped with chicken for 2 to 3 minutes. Brush with barbecue sauce. Turn and brush other side with sauce. Cook another 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Transfer bacon-wrapped shrimp to a platter. Pour remaining sauce into a bowl. Dip shrimp into sauce to eat. Yield: Makes 8 appetizer servings.

Carrot Cake Cookies
These delicious cookies were cakey, moist, flavorful, and snack-sized. Make sandwich cookies by placing filling between two cookies or frost tops of cookies with filling.

1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla
1 cup finely grated carrots (2 medium)
1 scant cup walnuts (3 ounces), chopped
1/2 cup raisins (2 1/2 ounces)
Two choices of filling below

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter baking sheet or cover with parchment paper.

Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

Beat together butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in carrots, nuts, and raisins at low speed, then add flour mixture and beat until just combined.

Drop 1 1/2 tablespoons batter per cookie 2 inches apart on baking sheets and bake, until cookies are lightly browned and springy to the touch, 12 to 16 minutes total. Cool cookies on sheets on racks 1 minute, then transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.

Sandwich flat sides of cookies together with a generous tablespoon of cream cheese filling in between.

Choice of two fillings
8 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup honey

While cookies are baking, blend cream cheese and honey in a food processor until smooth.

2 ounces bar cream cheese, room temperature
2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice or orange juice

With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sugar and lemon juice; beat until combined. Cover; chill until firm, at least 30 minutes.

Banana Cupcakes with Ganache Frosting
Using extra-ripe bananas in this recipe ensures the cupcakes will be sweet and moist. The ganache frosting is made even fluffier with the addition of marshmallow creme.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
1-1/3 cups mashed ripe bananas (2 to 3 medium)
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Frosting
7 squares (1 ounce each) semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
6 tablespoons shortening
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup marshmallow creme 1/2 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, combine the eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla. Beat into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and pecans.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

For frosting, in a small saucepan, melt chocolate with cream over low heat; stir until blended. Remove from the heat. Transfer to a small bowl; cool until mixture reaches room temperature.

In a large bowl, cream shortening and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in marshmallow creme and vanilla. Add chocolate mixture. Beat until light and fluffy. Frost cupcakes. Yield: about 1-1/2 dozen.

The 2008-2009 Project FeederWatch Bird count season is over. My personal bird count is summarized at my California Bird Watching Blog. We also had two very unexpected visitors to our backyard last week. See a picture of our surprise visitors on my blog.

Visit Project FeederWatch for more information and to find out how you can become a citizen scientist and count the birds you your own backyard!

Find out more about this year's Backyard Bird Count at www.birdcount.org.

Visit my birdwatching blog California Birdwatching for pictures of my backyard friends.

Top 25 bird lists by state and region for the 2007-2008 season are now online.
View lists of the most common feeder birds in each state or province.

Map of FeederWatch Count Sites

rightbird.com
for information about familiar and unfamiliar birds. Instantly see illustrations of birds that match the attributes you select. The more characteristics you know, the narrower the search is for the "right bird." Includes audible bird call samples.

Project FeederWatch

Each time your product total reaches $100.00 in one year, you will receive a gift certificate for $10.00 off your next Watkins order. (Total does not include shipping and sales tax.) This total is accumulative - you do not have to order $100 worth of Watkins products in one order. I keep a total of the products you purchase and when your total reaches $100 I will send you a $10 gift certificate! January 1 begins a new year.

Ask your family and friends if they would like to order Watkins products with you. If your order is $150 US or $150 CDN your shipping is free!

Order Online:
Watkins

Order by Phone:
Toll-Free Ordering at:
US and Canada 1-800-928-5467
Please give them my ID# 335001 when ordering.

US Orders by Mail:
Mail your order with check or money order to:
Watkins Incorporated
P.O. Box 5570
Winona, MN 55987-0570
Please give them my ID# 335001 when ordering.

Canadian Orders by Mail:
Mail your order with check or money order to:
Watkins Incorporated
277 Hutchings Street
Winnipeg, MB R2X2R4
Please give them my ID# 335001 when ordering.

Get FREE SHIPPING on orders over:
$150.00 in US
$150.00 in Canada

The Watkins Business Opportunity

Start your own home-based business with Watkins for as little as $39.95 plus tax. Our new Membership Package and Optional Upgrade Assortments allow you more flexibility. Join for the 25% discount or for part time or full time income.

Join with the
Membership Package US #09830 ($39.95 plus tax)
Membership Package CDN #09831 ($39.95 plus tax)
and then choose one or all of the optional assortments to meet your business goals.

Watkinize Your Home Product Assortment #09834 US
Watkinize Your Home Product Assortment #09835 Canada
Cost $349.00 USD / $449.00 CAD
Total Assortment Value Value - $625.28 USD / $789.38 CAD
Assortment of 52 products, free E-Associate Web Site and three months web maintenance free, chance to earn WYH bonus payouts.

Associate Gift Certificate Assortment #09824 US
Associate Gift Certificate Assortment #09825 Canada
Cost $129.00 USD / $159.00 CAD
$200 USD/ $250 CAD Watkins Gift Certifcate
Total Assortment Value $200 USD / $250 CAD

Living Naturally Upgrade Assortment #88009 US
Living Naturally Upgrade Assortment #88010 Canada
Cost $69.95 USD / $81.95 CAD
If you would like to present Watkins products in a relaxed atmosphere, Watkins Living Naturally Upgrade Assortment is the perfect fit for you. Set out the welcome mat, gather your friends and indulge in the one of a kind taste that is Watkins. Spending time relaxing with friends, sampling simple and delicious recipes is the essence behind Living Naturally.

Package of Master catalogs, order forms, invitation postcards, event guide, and enough products to give four sampling events.

The Watkins Company is beginning its 140th year of providing outstanding products that people use every day. What other company has such a history of experience, success, and integrity?

Get all the details today! Watkins Home Business

Or contact me at: eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com

DID YOU KNOW THAT WATKINS:

• Offered the first known money-back guarantee?
  
• Had two leaders presented in Success Magazines We Create Millionaires article on MLM?
  
• Is 140 years old?
  
• Was rated as one of 5 Hot Home Based Companies in Executive Female Magazine?
  
• Was listed in the A list of Top Network Marketing Companies in Downline News Magazine?

Dont let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway. We might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use. - Earl Nightingale

If anything in this newsletter has added a little spice to your life tell me about it. If you have any other helpful hints for using spices and herbs, share them with our readers. Email me at: eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com

If you would like to receive a Watkins Monthly Highlights catalog, our Watkins Mainline catalog, and a FREE sample please send your request to eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com

Hope to see you next month!
Eleisia Whitney
Independent Watkins Associate, ID# 335001
23 Oak Ridge Lane
Danville, CA 94506

Watkinize Your Life

Copyright 2002-2009
Around the Kitchen Table

The statements made and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the Independent Watkins Associate who is the publisher of this document, and are not to be construed as the statements or opinions of Watkins Incorporated. Sponsoring or selling Watkins products outside U.S.,U.S.Territories and Canada is strictly prohibited. Contests and prizes are provided by Eleisia Whitney and not Watkins, Inc. or other Independent Associates.

Please give my name and email address if you decide to join.

Original Country Clipart by Lisa

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