Welcome to another issue of Around the Kitchen Table!

I hope you had a very special Valentine's Day with your loved ones yesterday.

This year is Leap Year because February has 29 days! A very Happy Birthday to you if you get to celebrate your birthday on your birthdate. We all have an extra day this year so plan a special activity to celebrate.

The recipes this issue include Pancakes, P B and J Pancakes, Southwest Corn Pancakes, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Chicken and Barley Stew, and Slow Cooker Swiss Steak Supper. Your cinnamon rolls will be irresistable when you make them with Watkins Vanilla and Cinnamon!

Check out this month's specials. Stock up your pantry and your medicine chest.

Each month one of you is chosen to receive a free full-sized product so enter the contest. You might be the winner!

Starting February 1st you can join Watkins for just $39.95. Join for the 25% discount on your own products and earn a 25% commission on sales. If you are interested in starting your own Watkins Home Business get all the details at Watkins Business Details (http://www.vanillasage.com). Join for the discount, for part time income, or a full time career!

Build your own home business so you can stay home with your family, save for your children's college fund, retire early, pay off bills, or save for retirement. With consistent effort you can build a thriving business! Let me help you.

I love to hear from you. Any suggestions to make this newsletter more informative and helpful are appreciated.

Make your house a Watkins home.

Until next issue,

eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com

VanillaSage Blog

Please share this newsletter with your friends. Help me grow my subscribers. The web address is http://www.everydaynecessities.com/atktnewsletter.htm Thanks!

Privacy Statement - We never share your personal information with anyone else.

Gourmet Extracts and Flavors, 2 fl oz/59 ml
21381 Banana
21395 Lemon
21368 Mango
21387 Orange
21367 Peach
21389 Pineapple
21705 Raspberry
21386 Strawberry
Regularly $4.99 Special $4.59 each

Baker's Size Extracts, 6 fl oz/180 ml
01191 Almond
01192 Butter
01194 Coconut
01195 Lemon
Regularly $9.99 Special $9.49 each

01193 Caramel
Regularly $12.99 Special $12.49

01196 Vanilla (Original Double-Strength)
Regularly $10.49 Special $9.99

01197 Pure Vanilla
Regularly $16.99 Special $16.49

Original Double-Strength Vanilla, 11 oz. Save $3.00
01008 Regularly $13.99 Special $10.99

Baking Powder
01039 Regularly $3.99 or $1.99 with the purchase of one Cooking Spray (01040) and one Baking Cocoa (01038)

Purest Ground Cinnamon All-Natural Save $.50, 6 oz/170 g
01115 Regularly $6.99 Special $6.49

Pizza Crust Mixes Save $1.00
05333 White Deep-Dish
Regularly $4.99 Special $3.99

05334 Whole-Wheat Thin
Regularly $3.99 Special $2.99

Gourmet Snack and Dip Seasonings
02050 Bacon and Cheddar
02051 Bacon and Horseradish
02068 Bacon and Onion
02069 Blazin' Cajun
02054 Crab
02055 Cucumber and Dill
02057 Garlic and Dill
02062 Salsa and Sour Cream
02065 Tomato and Horseradish
Regularly $8.49 Special $7.49 each

All-Natural Baking Spices
01961 Apple Bake Seasoning
01982 Pumpkin Pie Spice
Regularly $4.99 Special $4.59 each

Gourmet Seasoning Blends
01959 Chili Seasoning
01967 Fajita Seasoning
01989 Fish and Seafood Seasoning
01976 Meatloaf Seasoning
01979 Pizza Seasoning
01983 Salsa Seasoning
Regularly $4.99 Special $4.59

Gourmet Herbs and Spices
01920 Allspice
01923 Cayenne Pepper
01949 Chili Powder
01926 Cinnamon (Korintje)
01951 Cinnamon (Saigon)
01927 Cloves (ground)
01955 Cloves (whole)
01928 Cumin
01966 Curry Powder
01932 Ginger
01937 Nutmeg
01942 Paprika
Regularly $4.99 Special $4.59

Vanilla Two-in-One Shampoo Save $.50
03329 Regularly $11.99 Special $11.49

Aloe and Green Tea Daily Shampoo
03326 Regularly $9.99 Special $9.49

Aloe and Green Tea Daily Conditioner
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Peppermint Rejuvenating Foot Cream Save $1.00
10478 Regularly $9.99 Special $8.99

Peppermint Exfoliating Foot Scrub Save $1.00
10479 Regularly $9.99 Special $8.99

Peppermint Purifying Foot Spray Limited Quantities! Save $1.00
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Peppermint Shea Butter Foot Repair Moisturizer Limited Quantities! Save $1.00
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Peppermint Firming Body Cream Limited Quantities! Save $1.00
10499 Regularly $6.99 Special $5.99

Shea Butters Save $.50
10473 Aloe and Green Tea
10489 Lavender
10482 Lemon Cream
10493 Mango
10494 Vanilla
Regularly $7.99 Special $7.49

Menthol Camphor Ointment Save $.50
02358 Regularly $8.99 Special $8.49

Pain Relief Spray Save $1.00
02350 Regularly $9.99 Special $8.99

Beef, Iron and Wine Tonic Save $1.00
02330 Regularly $11.99 Special $10.99

Settelz Save $1.00
02300 Regularly $7.99 Special $6.99

Male Formula Save $2.00
02262 Regularly $17.99 Special $15.99

Generation III Laundry Detergent
06730 Regularly $13.49 Special $12.99

Bio-Drain Opener
06782 Regularly $11.49 Special $10.99

Triple-Action Liquid Laundry Detergent
06741 Regularly $13.49 Special $12.99

Concentrated Organic Cleaner
06787 946 mL/32 fl. oz.
Regularly $10.49 Special $9.99

06746 3.78L/1 gallon
Regularly $30.99 - Special $29.99

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

ENTER FEBRUARY CONTEST

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

Lilly from Pennsylvania is January's newsletter contest winner. She wins a bottle of Citrus and Chamomile Dry Oil Body Mist. This rich, moisturizing spray leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Apricot kernel oil and vitamin E nourish skin with essential lipids and nutrients and because the oil is quickly absorbed by the skin, it leaves a dry yet soft feel. With our exclusive citrus floral fragrance.

I don't know if you are experiencing cold stormy winter weather where you live but to help you through the winter doldrums I'm going to give a product from each of our stores for February's newsletter contest prize. I'll give one product from each of our stores Gourmet Pantry, Bath and Body, Home Remedies, and Home Care, my choice of products!

To enter February's contest answer this question. With all the concern about global warming, depleting natural resources, over-flowing landfills, pollution, and endangered plant and animal species what are you doing to help make this planet a better place to live? Email your answer with your name and address to eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com with "February Contest - Save the Planet" in the subject line.

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

Pancake Pointers

• Heat your skillet over medium-high heat, or turn your griddle to 375 degrees about 5 minutes before you plan to use it. Your skillet is ready when a few drops of water skitter across the surface.

• Grease the cooking surface with a light coating of vegetable oil or spray with cooking spray before heating. Nonstick or well-seasoned surfaces may not need any grease.

• Stir the batter with a whisk or fork, just until the ingredients are moistened. Don't worry if there are small lumps in the batter, they will disappear during cooking.

• Measure ingredients carefully. Batter that is too thin will spread unevenly and result in flat pancakes. Batter that is too thick won't spread much at all. If you like your pancakes on the thinner side, add a little milk to the batter.

• Don't throw away milk if it sours before the container is empty. Use the sour milk as a substitute for milk in your pancake recipes. There is no adverse taste and your pancakes cook light and fluffy.

• For well-rounded pancakes about 4-inches wide, pour the batter onto the hot skillet using a 1/4-cup measuring cup.

• Flip pancakes only once! Repeated flipping will toughen the pancakes. Pancakes are ready to flip when they're puffed, covered with bubbles and slightly dry around the edges. Cook the other side until it is golden brown.

• If you are cooking pancakes for a holiday such as Valentine's Day use a cookie cutter to cut pancakes into heart shapes or pour batter into a heat resistant heart-shaped cooking form.

• To keep pancakes warm, place them in a single layer on a paper-towel-lined cookie sheet in a 200 degree oven. Don't stack warm pancakes or they will become limp and soggy.

• To freeze pancakes, cool and wrap them in aluminum foil or place them in a freezer bag for up to a month. To reheat, place them in single layer on baking sheet, cover with foil and heat at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

• For variety, stir fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) blueberries, finely chopped apples, thinly sliced bananas, mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the batter.

• For flavorful toppings, try sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or bananas with whipped cream or a little powdered sugar sprinkled on top.

Take Rezist Plus (02272) to fight off winter colds and flu. Who has time to get sick? Rezist Plus can help you to stay well through the winter months, and all year long!

Rezist Plus contains ImmunEnhancer with arabinogalactan (AG), found to be twice as effective as echinacea in boosting the immune system. Rezist Plus enhances the body's natural defenses to help ease allergy symptoms and headaches. It also works to ease lactose intolerance and gas and bloating while enhancing absorption of calcium and helping to maintain normal cholesterol levels.

$19.95 (60 caplets, 30-day supply)

I know yesterday was Valentine's Day but I thought you might enjoy these Valentine's Day Funnies.

Q: What do farmers give their wives on Valentine's Day?
A: Hog and kisses!

Q: What would you get it you crossed Odie with the God of love?
A: A stupid cupid!

Q: Why did the pig give his girlfriend a box of candy?
A: It was Valenswine's Day!

Q: Do skunks celebrate Valentine's Day?
A: Sure, they're very scent-imental!

Q: What did the chocolate syrup say to the ice cream?
A: "I'm sweet on you!"

Q: What did the paper clip say to the magnet?
A: "I find you very attractive."

Q: What did the French chef give his wife for Valentine's Day?
A: A hug and a quiche!

Q: What did one pickle say to the other?
A: "You mean a great dill to me."

Knock, Knock!
Who's there?
Olive.
Olive who?
Olive you!

Q: What did the elephant say to his girlfriend?
A: "I love you a ton!"

Q: What did the bat say to his girlfriend?
A: "You're fun to hang around with."

Q: Did you hear about the nearsighted porcupine?
A: He fell in love with a pincushion!

Q: What did the pencil say to the paper?
A: "I dot my i's on you!"

Q: Why did the cannibal break up with his girlfriend?
A: She didn't suit his taste!

Pancakes
Homemade pancakes are comfort food for both breakfast or dinner.

2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon Original Double-Strength Vanilla
2 eggs

1. Heat griddle or skillet over medium-high heat or electric griddle to 375 degrees F; grease with cooking spray, vegetable oil or shortening. (Surface is ready when a few drops of water sprinkled on it dance and disappear.)
2. Stir all ingredients until blended. Pour by slightly less than 1/4 cupfuls onto hot griddle.
3. Cook until edges are dry and bubbles appear on surface. Turn; cook until golden.
4. Serve with maple suryp, fruit syrup, powdered sugar, fruit compote, or applesauce and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
5. Serve with sausage, ham, or bacon for a complete meal.

Syrup
1 cup fruit jam, jelly or preserves
1 cup maple-flavored syrup

Pancakes
2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Maple Extract
Additional peanut butter, if desired

1. In 2-quart saucepan, heat jam and syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warm.
2. Heat griddle or skillet over medium-high heat (375 degrees F); grease with butter if necessary (or spray with cooking spray before heating). In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, 1/2 cup peanut butter, the milk, the maple extract, and eggs with wire whisk or fork until blended.
3. For each pancake, pour slightly less than 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry. Turn; cook until golden. Serve pancakes with additional peanut butter and syrup.

Southwest Corn Pancakes
Pancakes for dinner! Go wild with flavor! Cheese, corn, green chiles and chili powder add a little kick to cornmeal pancakes.

1 1/2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (2 oz)
1/2 cup canned or frozen (thawed) whole kernel corn
1/4 cup chopped green chiles (from 4.5-oz can)
1 teaspoon Watkins Chili Powder
Sour cream, if desired
Thick 'n Chunky salsa, if desired
Shredded lettuce, if desired
Sliced ripe olives, if desired

1. Brush griddle or skillet with vegetable oil or spray with cooking spray; heat griddle to 375 degrees F or heat skillet over medium heat.
2. In large bowl, stir Bisquick mix, cornmeal, milk and eggs with wire whisk or fork until blended. Stir in cheese, corn, chiles and chili powder. Pour batter by slightly less than 1/4 cupfuls onto hot griddle; spread slightly.
3. Cook until edges are dry. Turn; cook other sides until golden. Serve with sour cream, salsa, lettuce and olives.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

4-1/4 to 4-3/4 cups/1 to 1.25 liters all-purpose flour
1 package quick-rising active dry yeast
1-1/4 cups/325 mL milk
1 tsp/5 mL Original Double-Strength Vanilla
1/4 cup/60 mL sugar
1/4 cup/60 mL butter
1 tsp/5 mL salt
1 tsp/5 mL Purest Ground Cinnamon
2 eggs 6 tbsp/90 mL butter, softened
1/2 cup/125 mL brown sugar
4 tsp/20 mL Purest Ground Cinnamon
1 cup/250 mL powdered sugar
1 tsp/5 mL Original Double-Strength Vanilla
4 to 5 tsp/20 to 25 mL milk

Combine 1-1/2 cups/375 mL of the flour and yeast in large mixing bowl. Heat the 1-1/4 cups/325 mL milk, vanilla, sugar, butter, salt, and cinnamon just until mixture is warm (120-130 degrees F/50-55 degrees C), stirring constantly. Add to flour mixture along with eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds; scraping sides of bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can (dough will be soft). Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough (3 to 5 minutes total). Shape dough into a ball; place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1 to 1-1/2 hours). (The dough is ready for shaping when you can lightly press two fingers 1/2-inch/1-cm into dough and an indentation remains.) Punch down dough and divide in half. Place each half on lightly floured surface and smooth into a ball. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.

On lightly floured surface, roll half the dough into a 12 x 8-inch/30 x 20-cm rectangle. Spread with 3 tbsp/45 mL of the butter. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle half over rectangle. Roll up from short side. Seal edges (brushing with water makes rolls easier to seal). Repeat with remaining dough. Slice one roll into 8 pieces and the other roll into 7 pieces. Arrange slices, evenly, cut-side up, in greased 13 x 9-inch/33 x 23-cm baking dish. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled (about 30 minutes). Bake at 350 degrees F/180 degrees C for 25 to 40 minutes or until light brown. Invert at once onto wire rack, invert again. Cool slightly. Drizzle rolls with a glaze made by combining the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Serve rolls warm or store in an air-tight container. Makes 15 servings.

Chicken and Barley Stew

1 cup uncooked quick-cooking barley
5 1/2 cups water
3 tablespoons Watkins Chicken Soup Base
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 (10-ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup chopped cooked chicken
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Dried Thyme
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Black Pepper

Bring barley and broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. While barley cooks, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; saute 3 minutes. Add mixed vegetables; saute 2 minutes. Add vegetable mixture, chicken, salt, thyme, and pepper to barley mixture; simmer 4 minutes.

Slow Cooker Swiss Steak Supper

1 1/2 pounds beef boneless round steak
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Seasoning Salt
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Black Pepper
6 to 8 new potatoes, cut into fourths
1 1/2 cups baby-cut carrots
1 medium onion, sliced
2 cups diced canned tomatoes (from 28-oz can), undrained
1/4 cup ketchup
1 cup beef gravy made with Watkins Beef Soup Base (directions below and on container)
Chopped fresh parsley, if desired

1. Cut beef into 6 serving pieces. Spray 12-inch skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Sprinkle beef with seasoned salt. Cook in skillet 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until brown.
2. Layer potatoes, carrots, beef and onion in 4- to 5-quart slow cooker. Mix tomatoes and gravy; spoon over mixture in slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on low heat setting 7 to 8 hours or until beef and vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with parsley.

Directions for Preparing Beef Gravy
Melt 2 tablespoons butter or margarine in a pan. Blend in 2 tablespoons of flour and allow to bubble over low heat. Add 1 tablespoon Beef Soup Base and 1 cup of water. Cook, stirring constantly until thick and smooth.

The 11th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is February 15-18. Join thousands of North American nature enthusiasts by participating. The information you gather in as little as 15 minutes will help support and protect wild bird populations and their habitats. Find tools to help with identification and details on how to participate at www.birdcount.org.

I participated last year and am participating again this year. I identified and counted several bird species this morning. This bird count is slightly different than the bird counts for Project FeederWatch. Bird watchers can count birds they see flying in the sky as well as those at their feeders.

Visit www.birdsource.org/gbbc/kids for coloring pictures, puzzles, and games to get your kids involved in a fun and educational hobby, birdwatching.

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

Top 25 bird lists by state and region for the 2005-2006 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

CUSTOMER REWARDS

I'd like to reward my Watkins customers.

Become a Member of my Watkins $100 Club!

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 $99 US or $125 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:
$99.00 in US
$125.00 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 and then choose none, one, or all of the optional assortments.

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

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

• New Associate Good Tastings Assortment #77066 US / #77067 Canada
  Cost $69.95 USD / $81.95 CAD
  Good Tastings Quarterly Assortment and $50 USD/ $60 CAD Watkins Gift Certificate
  Total Assortment Value Value - $130 USD / $171 CAD

Assortment details, pdf file Membership Package and Assortments

Please rate this Ezine at the Cumuli Ezine Finder.

Just click on this link and "Cast Your Vote." Please vote. You can vote once a day. Your votes help me to increase my subscribers.
Thank you. I appreciate your support.

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 2002-2008
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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