Welcome to this issue.
Pour yourself a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and pull up a chair.
Get ready to spice up your life!

The Spice For This Issue

EDITOR’S COMMENTS
MOTIVATIONAL WORDS
FEBRUARY SPECIALS
SMILES FOR THE HEART
MY WATKINS STORE
CONTEST - CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCT FOR FREE!
HEALTH TIP - WINTER MYTHS
COOKING TIP
RECIPES
BIRDWATCHING - 2005 GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
JOIN OUR TEAM
DID YOU KNOW?

Visit our web site for new offers and information. Free Watkins collectible ceramic salt and pepper shakers (shaped like pepper can and vanilla bottle) when you place an order of $25 or more. Watkins Visit our online catalog to see our complete product line and February's specials.

If you would like to receive a new free Watkins catalog and product sample, send me an email with “free catalog and sample” in the subject line. Send to: eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com

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Hope you had a Valentine's Day filled with love and food to warm your heart and soul!

I got carried away with the recipe section in this issue. The featured "healthy food" is beans and I found so many nutritious recipes that I couldn't help myself! Bon appetite!

Don't have many contest entries yet. What Watkins product would you like to win?

Enjoy the health tips, cooking tips, and the smiles.

If you are interested in starting your own Watkins Home Business get all the details at: Watkins Business Details

Until next issue,

Make your house a Watkins home.

eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com

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Watkins Purest Ground Cinnamon
Our award-winning high-oil Korintje cassia cinnamon is about twice as flavorful as the Ceylon variety, and is the best flavor cinnamon available anywhere.
#01115 - 6 oz./170 g Regularly $6.99 Special $6.49

Dessert and Frosting Mixes
Get all the goodness of homemade with the convenience of a mix! Stock your pantry and create luscious puddings, pies, sauces, fillings and frostings that taste just like homemade, but without the hassle. Recipes included.

#01012 Banana
#01013 Butterscotch
#01014 Chocolate
#01015 Coconut
#01016 Lemon
#01017 Rice Pudding
#01019 Vanilla
Regularly $5.99 Special $5.49 each

#01018 Tapioca
Regualrly $7.99 Special $7.29

Gourmet Peppers and Blends
In glass jar.
#02001 Cracked Black Pepper
#02002 Granulated Black Pepper
#02003 Cajun Pepper
#02004 Fire Pepper
#02005 Lemon Pepper without sodium
#02006 Onion and Garlic Pepper
Regularly $4.69 Special $4.39 each

Sea Salt
A gourmet product harvested from ancient sea deposits, with a pure clean flavor. Grind in spice mill.
#02012 Sea Salt
Regularly $4.69 Special $4.39

SoyNilla, But 3 save 15%
This great-tasting beverage contains soy isoflavones and other natural ingredients designed to promote overall health; it may even reduce the risk of heart disease! SoyNilla is a convenient, high-protein, high-calcium, fat-free, cholesterol-free mix that can be blended with water, milk, or your favorite beverage for a smooth creamy-tasting drink.

#02090 - 12.3 oz./350 g - 10 servings
$10.99 or just $9.34 each when you purchase 3 SoyNilla
(Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein a day may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of SoyNilla contains 13.5 grams of soy protein.)

TheraTeas
Buy one tin - get matching refil for 1/3 off!
Tea contains powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Because green tea is not fermented like black tea, it contains only one-third as much caffeine and a much higher concentration of polyphenols. Recent research also show that green tea may boost metabolism. Decorative collector's tin holds 18 individually-wrapped bags.
#01218 Mint and Lemongrass - contains two varieties of mint and citrusy lemongrass
#01219 Vanilla - flavored with real Watkins Vanilla
$9.99 each

Refills
#01238 Mint and Lemongrass
#01239 Vanilla
$5.99 each or just $3.99 each with purchase of matching tin filled with tea.

Menthol Camphor Ointment
This cooling, soothing product has been making people feel better for more than 85 years. It helps relieve that stuffed-up, congested feeling of a chest cold and suppress the accomapnying cough. Also provides temporary relief from aching muscles as well as sunburn, windburn, and minor burns and scalds. Also in handy travel size
#02358 - 4.13 oz./117 g. Regularly $8.99 Special $7.99
#02359 Travel Size - 0.3 oz./9 g - $3.99

Pain Relief Spray - New
The pain-relieving properties of Watkins Liniments and the penetrating vapors of our Breathe Easy Relief Mist come together in this convenient, fast-acting spray. Menthol and camphor provide quick, relief from sore muscles, aches and arthritis pain; eucalyptus and thymol and a soothing, purifying aroma.
#02350 (4 fl. oz./120 m.) Regularly $8.99 Special $7.99 - Introductory price

Menthol Camphor Ointment Collectible Dish - Limited Quantities!
This handy dish is perfectly proportioned to hold a full-sized tin of Menthol Camphor Ointment - but you could use it to hold those little dresser or vanity essentials and keep them out of sight. Each dish is boxed with a gold seal, individually numbered and comes with a matching numbered collector's card.
#04955 -$19.99 or just $5.99 with purchase of #02358 Menthol Camphor Ointment.

Give the Romance of Vanilla!
Get Vanilla Conditioning Shampoo for half price with $25 purchase of Vanilla Body Care!
#02990 - Vanilla Dry Oil Body Spray - $11.99
#02976 - Vanilla Body Wash and Bubble Bath - $8.49
#02977 - Vanilla Hand and Body Lotion - $8.99
#06562 - Romantic Vanilla Collection - $39.99
Contains Vanilla Body Wash and Bubble Bath, Hand and Body Lotion, Vanilla Body Bar, Vanilla Dry Oil Body Sray.

Vanilla Conditioning Shampoo
Our two-in-one features a built-in conditioner to clean, detangle, and moisturize.
#03329 - 12 fl. oz./360 ml - $11.99 or just $5.99 with $25 purchase of the Vanilla products listed above.

Scented Kitchen Candles
Freshen your home with these long-lasting candles that have been favorites for years. Glass jar adds a "welcome home" look. Burns more than 30 hours.
#06720 Cranilla
#06702 Vanilla
$7.99 each

Non-Aerosol Air Enhancers
The warming scents of vanilla and cranilla (cranberry-vanilla) are available in these convenient sprays. Available in the pure scent or jazzed up with a burst of fresh cranberry. More than 700 sprays.
#06652 Cranilla
#06653 Vanilla
$4.99 or just $2.49 each with purchase or matching candle.

Citrus Grove Candle
Delightful orange scent. The beautiful orange color is complemented with a silver lid to match the Citrus Grove Air Enahncer. Contains real orange fragrance.
#06704 $8.99

Citrus Grove Air Enhancer
The refreshing, energizing scent of a freshly-peeled orange is captured in this delightful spray with real orange oil. Aluminum pump bottle preserves the essential oil; delivers more than 700 non-aerosol sprays.
#06654 - $5.99 or just $2.99 with the purchase of a Citrus Grove Candle.

Stain Pro Rug Cleaner
Anionic surfactants and cultivated bacteria strains dissolve and digest tough stains left by food and other organic sources. Safe for stain-resistant carpets.
#06716 - 8 fl. oz./237 ml. - Regularly $6.99 Special $6.49

Stain Pro Grease, Tar, and Gum Remover
High-powered d-limonene formula removes tar, grease, motor oil, and adhesives from clothing, upholstery, and hard surfaces such as formica, linoleum, ceramics, and procelain.
#06722 - 8 fl. oz./237 ml. - Regularly $6.99 Special $6.49

Many other products are featured in the February Highlights Catalog and February Specials Online.

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her even when his hands got arthritis, too. That's Love. " Rebecca - age 8

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss." Emily - age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka - age 6

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore," Cindy - age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."Elaine-age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you" Karen - age 7

" Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget" Jessica - age 8

And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. (Now this will melt your heart.)

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

As part of our new Brand Awareness program, Watkins is allowing Associates to sell a limited number of products on their personal web site. Some of you have expressed an interest in ordering one or two products and not having to pay the full shipping cost, so to save on shipping costs, you may order one, two, or more items for a shipping cost of only $4.00.

I have included some of the most popular products in my online store. Take a look! My Online Store

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER FEBRUARY'S CONTEST

I would like to encourage more subscribers to enter the monthly newsletter contests. To enter February's contest you tell me what Watkins product you would like to order. Email me the product name and your name and address. If you are chosen at random I will send you that product! Browse our online catalog or your printed catalog and let me know what product is on your wish list!

Please email your contest entry to: eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com with "February 2005 Contest" in the subject line.

WINTER MYTHS - AND THE TRUTHS BEHIND THEM

Every winter they reappear—old wives' tales about colds, allergies, skin care, and more. It's time to end the madness—by learning the truth.

Myth: You can catch a cold by going outside with wet hair or sleeping near a drafty window.
Truth: Despite what your mother told you when you were a child, this simply isn't true. Colds are caused by viruses transmitted person to person—for example, shaking hands with someone who has a cold. Being outside with wet hair is not going to give you a cold.

While staying warm and dry will make you comfortable, the only way to avoid catching a cold is to keep the virus out of your system. To do that, wash your hands frequently during cold season, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.

Myth: The flu shot can give you the flu.
Truth: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu vaccine is a killed (inactivated) virus, which means it's impossible to get the flu from a flu shot. In rare instances, however, vaccines such as the flu shot can cause serious problems, such as an allergic reaction. With the flu shot, problems are more likely to occur in people who have had severe reactions to eggs, because the influenza vaccine is grown in hens' eggs. If you fall into this category, see your physician before you get a flu shot.

Myth: You don't need sunscreen in winter.
Truth: Sure, more of your skin is covered when you're out in the cold, but the skin that's exposed still needs protection. Both the American Cancer Society and the Skin Cancer Foundation recommend year-round use of sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 (SPF 30 for children).

The easy way to remember to use sunscreen every day? Make it part of your morning routine, and put it on before you apply your makeup.

Myth: Allergies go away in winter.
Truth: While many of the triggers for spring and fall allergies (ragweed, pollen, etc.) have gone into hiding at this time of year, allergies still pose a problem for many people in winter. Mold, dust mites, and pet dander—which can be prevalent indoors—are common allergy triggers throughout the winter.

If you suffer from winter allergies, keep Watkins Supercold Tablets - 02325 - 48 tablets for $9.99, on hand. Watkins Supercold Tablets contain a proven anthihistamine and decongestant combination for temporary relief of nasal congestion from colds, hay fever or allergies and relieves runny nose, sneezing, itching of nose and throat, and itchy, watery eyes.

Other steps to take include frequent vacuuming; regularly washing all curtains, drapes, and bedding; and using a dehumidifier in any damp areas of your home to help fight mold growth.

~~ I have personally used Watkins Supercold Tablets for allergies and got relief from symptoms within minutes.

Improve your soups and stews with these helpful tips and suggestions.

1. Make soup 1 to 2 days in advance to let flavors blend.

2. To thicken soup or stew add a little instant mashed potatoes. You can also thicken soup or stew with a mixture of 2-3 tablespoons of flour mixed in 3/4 cup cold water. Place flour and water in a jar and shake until flour is dissolved. Slowly stir into hot soup or stew until desired thickness.

3. To remove excess fat from hot soup or stew, carefully soak up fat with an ice cube wrapped in paper towel or use a slice of bread.

4. To remove fat from cold soup or stew, simply chill. Fat will solidify on top. Remove with spoon.

5. Reserve the vegetable cooking water and use in place of plain water to improve soup flavor.

6. Shin, marrow, neck and oxtail bones are best for stock flavoring.

7. Veal knuckles are best for making jellied stocks.

8. If soup tastes thin or weak, add Watkins Chicken or Beef Soup Base to increase flavor.

9. Cold soups dull the tastebuds and usually need more seasonings than hot soup. Taste and adjust before serving. And don't forget to use Watkins spices and herbs for the most flavorful soups ansd stews.

10. If using beer or wine in the soup, reduce salt slightly.

11. Wine added to soups should be done shortly before serving and do not let it boil.

12. Too much wine will make soup bitter. 1/4 to 1/3 cup per quart is plenty.

13. When reducing or boiling down a soup stock, do not add salt until the end as the salt becomes more concentrated as the liquid is reduced.

14. If soup is too salty, add half a peeled raw potato and simmer about 15 minutes to absorb excess salt and then remove potato.

15. 1 teaspoon of sugar or light brown sugar will mellow the acidity of tomato soup.

16. Vegetable cream soups can be thickened by pureeing some of the vegetables with a bit of the liquid.

17. Add herbs at the end to preserve the most flavor.

    Tips:
    - One quart soup equals 6 first-course servings or 3 to 4 main course servings.

    - Use a soup tureen when serving soup as a main course to lend elegance to the table and keep soup hot for second helpings.

    - Match a light-flavored soup to a rich or spicy main dish and vice versa.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    RECIPES

    Why beans are so nutritious.

    PROTEIN

    • Each half-cup serving of dry beans provides six to seven grams of protein, meets at least 10% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein, yet costs about 20 cents per serving.
    • A single half-cup serving of cooked dry beans counts as one, one-ounce serving of lean meat in the USDA Food Pyramid Meat and Beans group, and as a full serving of vegetables in the Vegetables group.
    • The quality and digestibility of beans can be improved by consuming them with cereal grains. Beans are a rich source in lysine, but a poor source of methionine. Cereal grains are a poor source of lysine, but high in methionine and other sulfur amino acids. When beans and grains are served together in dishes like beans and rice, or tortillas and refried beans, they provide a complimentary protein profile.

    CALORIES

    • There are only 100 to 120 calories in a half-cup serving of beans. However, calories and other nutrients are diluted in canned beans because the moisture content is higher.

    CARBOHYDRATES

    • Beans contain an average of 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving. The carbohydrates in cooked beans are mainly starch, a complex carbohydrate, and less than 1% of simple sugars, mostly Sucrose.
    • Discarding the soaking and cooking water helps remove oligosaccharides and reduces flatulence. Hot soaking removes about 50% of these sugars. Extended soaking removes more, but reduces vitamins and minerals. Canned beans may contain up to 4% sucrose as a flavor enhancer.

    FIBER

    • A half-cup serving of cooked dry beans provides about 25-30% of the Daily Value of dietary fiber. About 75% of the fiber is insoluble which may reduce the risk of colon cancer. The remaining 25% of the fiber is soluble fiber which may reduce blood cholesterol. Studies have confirmed that beans are effective hypochoesterolemic agents when added to the diet.
    • Consumption of beans produces a moderate increase in blood glucose and insulin levels which may be helpful in the metabolic control of diabetes. The American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association include beans in the exchange system.
    • The slower release of glucose and the increased satiety from beans may also to enhance the effectiveness of weight-reducing diets.

    LIPIDS

    • A half-cup serving of beans contains less than 0.5 grams of mostly polyunsaturated fat and no cholesterol. Pinto bean lipid is 84% polyunsaturated fatty acids. Most of this fatty acid is linoleic acid.

    VITAMINS

    • Although some B vitamins are lost in preparation, cooked dry beans retain more than 70% of these vitamins after hot soaking and cooking. Extended cooking times will result in greater B vitamin losses.
    • One half-cup serving of beans provides 36% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of 400 micrograms of folacin and 11% of the RDI for thiamin.

    MINERALS

    • One half-cup serving of cooked dry beans contains large amounts of iron, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, potassium, copper, calcium, and zinc.
    • The iron and calcium content can increase slightly when hard water is used for home preparation. Canned beans sometimes contain added calcium to increase firmness.
    • The bioavailability of these minerals is somewhat lower due to the presence of fiber, phenolic compounds and phytic acid, which decreases their absorption. The absorption of the nonheme form of iron in beans can be increased by consuming beans with a source of vitamin C, or with small amounts of meat.
    • One half-cup serving of cooked, unsalted dry beans contains 500 mg of potassium and small amounts of sodium. The level of potassium may be useful in a hypertensive diet.
    • One half-cup serving of salted beans provides nearly 20% of the Daily Value for sodium on a 2,000-calorie diet. Most commercially prepared canned and dried beans contain added sodium for flavor. Check the label to determine sodium content.

    The following soup mix, soup, salad, and side dish recipes containing beans are not only nutritious but taste delicious! I'm sure you will find several that will become family favorites.

    Gift Giving Bean Soup Mix

    2 cups instant minced onion
    1/4 cup Watkins Dried Basil
    4 tsp Watkins Granulated Black Pepper
    2 tsp EACH Watkins Cumin and Watkins Garlic Granules
    1 tsp Watkins Ground Ginger
    4 Watkins Bay Leaves
    6 cups dried small red beans
    2-2/3 cups dried lentils
    1-1/2 cups EACH dried white navy beans and dried split peas
    4 cups uncooked brown rice

    Toast minced onion in non-stick skillet, stirring constantly, over medium low heat. Remove from skillet; cool.

    In each of 4 one-quart jars, place the following: 1/2 cup red beans, 1/3 cup lentils, 1/3 cup split peas, 1/2 cup red beans, 1/3 cup lentils, 1/3 cup navy beans and 1/2 cup red beans.

    In each of 4 zipper-style plastic bags, place the following: 1/2 cup toasted onion, 1 tbsp basil, 1 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp ground ginger and 1 bay leaf.

    Place spice-filled bags on top in each jar and cover with jar lids. Place 1 cup rice in each in 4 zipper bags (not the same bag as the spices).

    Makes 4 soup mixes.

    Cooking Instructions to Include with Gift

    Remove spice bag from jar of beans. Wash beans and combine with 9 cups water in Dutch oven. Bring to a boil and boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 30 minutes. (This is the way you "jump-start" dried beans so you don't have to soak overnight.) Drain. Return beans to pot and add rice, 12 cups Watkins chicken broth, and spice bag contents. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 1-2 hours or until beans and rice are tender. Garnish each serving with sliced green onion tops if desired. Each bean soup mix makes 8 servings.

    Nine Bean Soup Mix Recipe

    1 pound great northern beans
    1 pound white limas
    1 pound black beans
    1 pound kidney beans
    1 pound green peas
    1 pound lentils
    1 pound pinto beans
    1 pound garbanzo beans
    1 pound barley

    Combine all the ingredients in a very large bowl. Divide mixture evenly in 9 containers for gifts. Be sure to include the recipe below for using the bean mix.
    Or prepare and store in air-tight jars or containers until you are ready for bean soup!

    Yield: 9 gift containers (about 2 cups each)

    Nine Bean Soup Mix Recipe
    1 package Nine Bean Soup Mix
    1 quart water
    2 teaspoons salt, optional
    1 turkey leg, ham bone and left-over ham, or 1-1/2 pounds roast beef
    1 (28 ounces) can tomatoes, chopped
    1 large onion, chopped
    1 teaspoon Watkins Chili Powder or 1 teaspoon Watkins Thyme and 1 teaspoon Watkins Rosemary
    1 teaspoon Watkins Garlic Granules
    brown sugar, to taste
    1/4 cup small pasta

    Soak the beans overnight in water and salt. Next day, pour off the water and add two quarts fresh water and the meat, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for two hours.

    Add the tomatoes and onion, chili powder or herbs and the remaining ingredients, except pasta. Cook 1 hour more. Add pasta about 30 minutes before soup is done. If the soup gets too thick, add Watkins Beef, Chicken Broth, or water. Remove the meat, chop it in bite size pieces, and return to soup.

    Yield: about 8 servings

    This soup is easy to make and tastes so good. It contains three of our "healthy foods," beans, spinach, and tomato. It makes a fresh-tasting and satisfying first course or a light meal.

    Spinach Bean Soup

    1/2 cup chopped onion
    3 garlic cloves, minced
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    2 cups water
    1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
    2 cups chicken broth made from Watkins Chicken Soup Base
    1 teaspoon Watkins Oregano
    1/2 teaspoon sugar
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1/4 teaspoon Watkins Granulated Black Pepper
    5 cups packed torn fresh spinach
    1 can (16 ounces) navy beans, rinsed and drained
    1 1/2 cups cooked small tube or other small pasta
    1/2 to 1 teaspoon Watkins Calypso Hot Pepper Sauce
    8 teaspoons shredded Parmesan cheese

    In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the water, tomato puree, broth, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the spinach, beans, cooked pasta, and hot pepper sauce; heat through. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
    Yield: 5 servings

    Nutritional Analysis:
    1 1/2 cups equals 243 calories, 4 g fat ( 1 g saturated fat), 2 mg cholesterol, 940 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber, 13 g protein.
    Diabetic Exchanges:
    2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1 lean-meat

    Reduced-fat sausage, white beans, and vegetables make this nutritious soup plenty filling.

    Cannellini Comfort Soup

    1/2 pound reduced-fat fully cooked smoked sausage, cut into bite-size pieces
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    1/2 cup chopped green pepper
    1/3 cup chopped onion
    2 garlic cloves, minces
    1/3 cup white wine or chicken broth
    2 cups chicken broth made from Watkins Chicken Soup Base
    1/2 teaspoon Watkins Italian Seasoning
    1/4 teaspoon Watkins Granulated Black Pepper
    1 can (19 ounces) cannellini or white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
    3 cups coleslaw mix

    In a large saucepan, cook sausage in oil for 2 minutes. Add the green pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the 1/3 cup wine or broth; cook about 3 minutes longer. Stir in broth, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the beans and coleslaw mix. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until beans are heated through and cabbage is tender.
    Yield: 4 servings

    Nutritional Analysis:
    1 cup equals 251 calories, 7 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 25 mg cholesterol, 939 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber, 14 g protein.
    Diabetic Exchanges:
    2 lean meat, 1 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable

    Pork and Black Bean Chili

    1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil, divided
    2 medium yellow onions, peeled and coarsely chopped
    5 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
    2 1/2 pounds boneless pork roast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
    1/3 cup Watkins Chili Powder
    1 1/2 tablespoons Watkins Ground Cumin
    1 1/2 tablespoons Watkins Dried Oregano
    1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Watkins Cayenne Pepper, or to taste
    1 teaspoon salt
    1 can (14-1/2 ounces) plum tomatoes, chopped, with their juice
    3 cups Watkins Chicken Broth, made from Watkins Chicken Soup Base
    2 cans (15 ounces each) low-sodium black beans

    Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until tender.

    Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large, heavy casserole or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat has lost its pink color, about 15 minutes.

    Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne and salt; cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Add the onions and garlic, tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring the chili to a boil, stirring occasionally, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the pork is tender, about 1-1/2 hours.

    Drain the beans, rinse and drain well again. Stir the beans into the chili and simmer 10 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

    Yield: 6 to 8 servings

    Pork, Sweet Potato, and Black Bean Stew (microwave recipe)

    1 pound boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
    2 teaspoons Watkins Chili Powder
    1 teaspoon honey
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1 onion, chopped
    2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
    1/4 cup fresh orange juice
    1 10-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
    1 teaspoon Watkins Cilantro
    Watkins Black Pepper, to taste
    mix together 1 teaspoon softened butter and 1 teaspoon flour for thickening

    In a 2-1/2-quart glass casserole combine the pork, the chili powder, the honey, the salt, the onion, the sweet potatoes, the orange juice, and 1/4 cup water, cover the surface of the pork mixture with wax paper, and microwave the pork mixture at high power (100%) for 8 minutes. Stir the pork mixture and microwave it, covered with wax paper, at medium power (50%) for 15 minutes, or until the pork is just tender. Stir in the black beans and the butter flour mixture and microwave the stew, covered with wax paper, at medium power (50%) for 2 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and salt and pepper to taste.

    Yield: 2 servings

    Smoky Seven-Bean Soup Recipe

    2 pounds smoked pork shoulder, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
    4 quarts beef broth, made with Watkins Beef Soup Base
    3/4 cup dried red kidney beans
    3/4 cup dried navy beans
    1/2 cup dried pinto beans
    1/2 cup dried baby lima beans
    1/2 cup black beans, canned, drained
    1/2 cup garbanzo beans, canned, drained
    1/2 cup dried lentils
    1/2 cup chopped onions
    1/3 cup low-sodium Worcestershire sauce
    2 Watkins Bay Leaves
    2 teaspoons Watkins Dried Italian Seasoning
    1 cup chopped carrots
    2 ribs celery, sliced
    Salt and Watkins Black Pepper, to taste
    Watkins Calypso Hot Pepper Sauce or Watkins Jalapeno Hot Pepper Sauce, to taste

    Combine pork, beef broth, beans, onions, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves and Italian seasoning in Dutch oven. heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, covered, 1 to 1-1/2 hours until beans are almost tender.

    Stir in carrots and celery; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 45 minutes or until beans and vegetables are very tender. Season with salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce.

    Per serving: 300 calories, 21 percent calories from fat, 25 grams protein, 36 grams carbohydrates, 11 grams total fiber, 7 grams total fat, 36 milligrams cholesterol, 391 milligrams sodium.
    Yield: 12 servings

    Colorful Bean Salad

    1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
    1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
    1 cup fresh or frozen corn, thawed
    1 medium green pepper, chopped
    1 medium sweet red pepper, choppped
    1/2 cup chopped red onion
    1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped*
    2 tablespoons Watkins Grapeseed Oil or canola oil
    2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    1 1/2 teaspoons Watkins Ground Cumin
    1 1/2 teaspoons Watkins Chili Powder
    1 teaspoon sugar
    1/2 teaspoon Watkins Oregano
    1 tablespoon lime juice

    In a large bowl, combine the black beans, garbanzo beans, corn, green pepper, red pepper, red onion, and jalapeno pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegars, cumin, chili powder, sugar, and oregano. Pour over bean mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, sprinkle with lime juice.
    Yield: 8 servings.

    Nutritional Analysis:
    One serving (3/4 cup) equals 161 calories, 5 g fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 177 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 6 g protein.
    Diabetic Exchanges:
    1 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
    *When cutting or seeding hot peppers, use rubber or plastic gloves to protect hands. Avoid touching face. Juice from hot peppers will burn skin and membranes around nose, mouth, and eyes.

    Caribean Cobb Salad
    Serves 4

    4 cups torn romaine lettuce
    1 pound medium shrimp, cooked, peeled, and deveined
    1 cup papaya, cubed
    1 cup fresh pineapple, cubed
    1/2 cup avocado, cubed
    1/2 cup chopped red or green bell pepper
    1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
    1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
    2/3 cup Orange-Soy Vinaigrette
    1/4 cup chopped unsalted cashews, toasted

    Orange-Soy Vinaigrette:
    1/2 cup orange juice
    1/2 cup pineapple juice
    1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
    2 tablespoons Watkins Hot Honey Soy Sauce
    1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
    2 teaspoons sugar
    1 teaspoon Watkins Lemon Pepper

    Preparation: Arrange lettuce on a serving platter. Spoon shrimp down center of platter; arrange papaya, pineapple, avocado, bell pepper, beans and cheese in rows on either side of shrimp.

    Drizzle Orange-Soy Vinaigrette over salad. Sprinkle with cashews.

    Santa Fe Cobb Salad

    This Cobb Salad gets a Mexican twist with the addition of black beans, green pepper and jicama.
    Serves 6

    6 cups bite-sized pieces mixed greens
    1 medium tomato, diced
    1/4 cup red onions, diced
    1 cup jicama, peeled and diced
    1 cup green bell pepper, seeded and diced
    2 ears sweet corn, kernels cut from cob or 1 package petite frozen corn
    1/4 cup avocado, diced
    1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
    1/4 cup low-fat Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
    1 cup baked tortilla chips, lightly crumbled

    Dressing:
    3/4 cup tomato juice
    1 jalapeno pepper, seeded
    Juice of 1 lime
    10 sprigs cilantro or 1 tablespoon Watkins Cilantro
    1/4 teaspoon Watkins Ground Cumin
    1/2 teaspoon Watkins Ground Oregano
    1 teaspoon salt
    1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, optional

    Preparation:
    Place mixed greens on a large platter. Arrange diced vegetables, beans and grated cheese in parallel rows across the top of the salad greens. Scatter tortilla chips over the vegetables.

    Dressing:
    Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor fitted with a metal blade. Process or blend to combine. Pour dressing on salad; toss and serve.

    Apple Baked Beans Recipe

    3 (16-ounce) cans pork & beans or canned baked beans, fat pieces removed
    1/2 cup prepared Watkins Barbecue Sauce
    1/2 medium onion, chopped
    2 Red Delicious apples, peeled and chopped
    2 tablespoons Watkins Honey Prepared Mustard
    4 slices lean center cut thin bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In an oven-proof glass baking dish, mix beans, barbecue sauce, chopped onion, chopped apples, and mustard until combined. Place bacon pieces evenly over the top. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and mix in the cooked bacon. Return to oven and bake an additional 30 minutes.

    This can be made in advance and reheated. Reheat in 350-degree F. oven for about 25 minutes until hot.
    Yield: 10 to 12 servings
    

    Email for your free copy. Free February Highlights Catalog or order online Watkins Online Catalog

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    BIRD WATCHING

    Count the birds - Great Backyard Bird Count!

    The Great Backyard Bird Count begins Friday February 18 and continues through Monday February 21. This year's theme is "North America's Great Backyard." Join bird watchers all over the US and Canada and spend a few minutes or hours relaxing in nature. Print your bird checklist at: http://gbbc.birdsource.org/gbbcApps/checklist

    Get your cameras out and send in your photos to the new photo gallery of images from Great Backyard Bird Count participants. To learn how to submit photos to be considered for inclusion, visit http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/gallery/gallery.htm

    This effort helps define:

    • Where birds are living and in what populations during February.
    • Their migration patterns.
    • Bird habitat needs.
    • How winter weather impacts bird populations.

    All of this information contributes to wild bird conservation efforts. It doesn't matter whether you count five species in your backyard or the 75 you see in a day's outing. It's easy to participate:

    • You can spend as much or as little time as you like.
    • You can make it a family outing or school or scout project.
    • Just count the birds in your backyard, park or wildlife refuge.
    • Then report your findings online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc You may also view past years' data.

    This year we are encouraging you to go out into America’s Great Backyard, our public lands, and count birds. Take your family to your local National Park, National Wildlife Refuge or other public space with a bird checklist printed from the website, and count the birds you see. Then return to your computer and enter the birds you noted earlier to the central computer through the Internet. We will then add your sightings to those that others reported to present a full picture of our bird life. Please encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to take part too and help us spread the word.

    Project FeederWatch has begun for another year. If you like to feed, observe, and count your backyard birds why not become a Project FeederWatcher? Get all the details at: Project FeederWatch (www.birds.cornell/edu/pfw)

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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    Start your own home-based business with Watkins. We offer several assortments to join Watkins and the Summit Group.

    1 – The Basic Business Starter Kit - $200.00 US; $279.00 Canada (plus tax and shipping)
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    Assortment details, pdf file Assortments

    It is only as we develop others that we permanently succeed. Harvey S. Firestone ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    The Watkins Company is beginning its 136th 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 Magazine’s “We Create Millionaires” article on MLM?
      
    • Is 136 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?
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    If your e-zine list is taking too long to build, there are others that will build it for you, and for free. Get the details on how this system can start working for you in less than five minutes.
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    “Don’t 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

    
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DID YOU KNOW?

    The packing pellets that Watkins uses to ship their products are made of cornstarch and are biodegradable. Use them to protect your own packages when mailing to family and friends. If you like to recycle, take them to your local packaging and shipping company. They will recycle them for you.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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

    If you would like to browse our online catalog go to
    Watkins
    Our home business may be right for you or someone you know - Visit our informational web site at
    Watkins Home Business
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Thank you once again for your continued support and for remaining a valued subscriber to
    Around the Kitchen Table - Watkins Newsletter!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    When your family gives thanks remember to include a prayer for the men and women standing guard to keep us all safe and free.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." - Henry Ford
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    *** Integrity Since 1868 ***
    136 years of experience and integrity goes into each one of our products. J.R. Watkins started a lasting tradition when he introduced the world's first money-back guarantee, which we still honor on every product we sell.

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

    Watkinize Your Life

    Copyright 2002-2004
    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.

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