Welcome to another issue of Around the Kitchen Table!

May is another month filled with days to celebrate! May 5 is Cinco De Mayo, May 11 is Mother's Day, and May 26 is Memorial Day. Other important days to commemorate are graduations and wedding and baby showers. Use Watkins gourmet ingredients to create delicious, unforgettable meals and snacks for your guests!

The winner of my Watkins Bloggy Carnival Giveaway is Maureen Severin of Maryland. She wins our award-winning Vanilla, Cinnamon, and Black Pepper.

The recipes this issue include Wild-Rice Chicken Casserole, Spicy Chicken with Grilled Pineapple, Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Crab Dip, Apple Pie Cheesecake With Warm Caramel Sauce, Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pudding Cake, and Cinnamon Jam Biscuits.

If you try one of the recipes found in this issue please send me an email to tell me how it turned out and if you would make the recipe again. I'll include your comments in the next issue.

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

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 or for part time or full time income!

Build your own home-based 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

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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 140 years of Quality, Integrity, and Value!

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

Root Beer Extract - Limited Time!
21600 Regularly $4.99 - Special $4.79

Gourmet Extracts and Flavors
21381 Banana
21395 Lemon
21368 Mango
21367 Peach
21389 Pineapple
21705 Raspberry
21386 Strawberry
Regularly $4.99 - Special $4.59 each

Bakers Size Extracts, 6 fl oz/180 ml - Save $1.00!
01191 Almond
01192 Butter
01194 Coconut
01195 Lemon
Regularly $9.99 - Special $8.99 each

Vanilla (Original Double Strength) - Save $1.00!
01196 Regularly $10.49 - Special $9.49

01193 Caramel - Save $1.00!
Regularly $12.99 - Special $11.99

01197 Pure Vanilla - Save $1.00!
Regularly $16.99 - Special $15.99

Original Double Strength Vanilla, 11 fl oz/325 ml - Save $3.00
01008 Regularly $13.99 - Special $10.99

USDA Certified Organic Seasonings
00510 Beef Seasoning
00511 Chicken Seasoning
Regularly $5.99 - Special $5.59 each

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

All-Natural Baking Spices
01961 Apple Bake Seasoning
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Regularly $4.99 - Special $4.59 each

Limited Edition Snack and Dip Seasonings - Save $.50!
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Gourmet Snack and Dip Seasonings - Save $.75 on any two!
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
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02065 Tomato and Horseradish
$8.49 each or just $7.74 each with the purchase of any two Snack and Dip Seasonings

All-Natural Grapeseed Oils for Dipping and Cooking - Save $.50
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01527 Garlic and Parsley
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Italian Pepper
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Gourmet Salad Seasonings
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Pain Relief Spray - Save $1.00!
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Shea Butters - Save $.50!
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Aloe and Green Tea Daily Shampoo - Save $.50!
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Aloe and Green Tea Daily Conditioner - Save $.50!
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Bio-Drain Opener - Save $.50!
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Many other products are highlighted in the May Highlights Catalog and May Specials Online.

ENTER MAY CONTEST

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

Lori from California is the winner of April's newsletter contest. She wins a Treat Your Feet Gift Kit, for an in-home foot spa. Comes with a bonus pumice stone stick and reusable vinyl bag.
Includes
Peppermint Shea Butter Foot Repair Moisturizer
Peppermint Gentle Exfoliating Foot Scrub
Peppermint Refreshing Foot Spray
Natural Pumice Stone

The winner of May's newsletter contest will receive a Hand Repair Gift Set. Beautify your hands with Watkins! Gently scrub hands and nails with the nailbrush and pat dry. Then apply either Watkins Aloe and Green Tea Hand and Body Lotion or Lemon Cream Hand and Body Lotion.
Includes
Aloe and Green Tea Hand and Body Lotion (8.3 fl. oz./250 mL)
Lemon Cream Hand and Body Lotion (8.3 fl.oz./250 mL)
Lemon Cream Shea Butter (8.6 oz./250 g)
Nail Brush with J.R. Watkins Logo
Cotton Gloves

To enter May's contest answer this question. "Do you buy organic products such as eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Email your answer with your name and address to eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com with "May Contest - Organic" in the subject line.

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

How much pasta?
When preparing pasta as a main dish, plan for two ounces of pasta per person, although hearty eaters may prefer four ounces.

Test for Baking Powder
If you're unsure about the freshness of your baking powder try this test. Put one teaspoon in 1/3 cup of water. If the water does not fizz toss the baking powder.Your baked foods won't rise properly. Don't skimp by using ineffective ingredients.

Wild-Rice Chicken Casserole
I made this casserole as a side dish with Roasted Cornish Game Hens. I omitted the 2 cups of cooked chicken. It was a delicious accompaniment with the game hens. For a main dish casserole add the chicken.

1 6-ounce package long grain and wild rice mix
2 cups of chicken broth prepared from 2 cups boiling water and 3 teaspoons Watkins Chicken Soup Base
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 10 3/4 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 soup can milk
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Curry Powder
2 cups cubed cooked chicken

Bring 2 cups water to a boil and add 3 teaspoons chicken soup base. Add long grain and wild rice mix and cook according to package directions.

milk, and curry powder. Stir in chicken and cooked rice.

Pour into a 2-quart casserole and bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 35 to 40 minutes.Stir before serving. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Spicy Chicken with Grilled Pineapple

8 scallions, chopped, plus 1/4 cup dark-green 2-inch-long thin strips for garnish
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus additional for grill
1 habanero or jalapeno chile, chopped
1 teaspoon Watkins Thyme
1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons Watkins Allspice
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Ntmeg
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon
3-1/2 pounds chicken parts (thighs and drumsticks)
1 fresh pineapple, about 4 pounds
2-1/2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1. Make sauce/marinade: Place first 12 ingredients, except scallion garnish, in a food processor and puree until almost smooth. Transfer half of puree to a small bowl and keep chilled, covered, for sauce.
2. Place remaining puree in a large heavy-duty resealable plastic bag with chicken and seal, turning to coat well. Marinate, chilled, turning bag occasionally, at least 8 hours or overnight, placing bag in a large bowl to catch any leaks.
3. Preheat grill and lightly oil rack. Let chicken stand in marinade at room temperature 30 minutes before grilling. Meanwhile, cut sides and ends off pineapple. Cut crosswise into 15 slices about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle one side of each slice with 1/2 teaspoon packed light brown sugar. Place sugared side down on rack and grill, turning once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a platter, alternating slices with scallion garnish.
4. Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade) and grill over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until cooked through, 35 to 45 minutes, depending on size. Transfer to platter with pineapple and serve with remaining sauce on side (exercise caution; sauce is spicy). Makes 6 servings.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 4-ounce can diced green chili peppers
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons Watkins Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Watkins Cumin
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups chicken broth prepared from 2 1/2 cups boiling water and 3 3/4 teaspoons Watkins Chicken Soup Base
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Mexican blend cheese (6 ounces)
12 6-inch tortillas

In a large saucepan cook onion and green pepper in the 2 tablespoons butter or margarine until tender. Combine onion mixture in a bowl with chopped chicken and green chili peppers; set aside.

For sauce, in the same saucepan melt 3 tablespoons butter or margarine. Stir in flour, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Stir chicken broth; cook and stir till thick and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup of cheese. Stir 1/2 cup of the suace into the chicken mixture.

Dip each tortilla into remaining sauce to soften; fill each with 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture. Roll up. Arrange rolls in a 13x9x2-inch baking dish; pour remaining sauce over. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Serves 6.

Crab Dip

8 oz/227 g cream cheese
1/4 cup/60 ml sour cream
4 tablespoons/60 ml Watkins Crab Snack and Dip Seasoning
1 tablespoon minced onion or chopped green onion
1/4 cup/ 60 ml crabmeat or imitation crab, coarsely chopped

Allow cream cheese to soften at room temperature; stir. Fold in sour cream, seasoning, onion, and crab. Refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes to allow flavors to develop. Serve on melba toast or assorted crackers.

Apple Pie Cheesecake with Warm Caramel Sauce
Bake this is a decadant dessert for Mother's Day, May 11.

18 honey graham crackers
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Ground Cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, melted
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon Watkins Ground Cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon Watkins Ground Nutmeg
3 large eggs
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
1 (21-ounce) can apple pie filling

Process graham crackers, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a food processor until finely ground. Add butter; pulse 4 or 5 times or until blended. Press mixture into bottom and 1 inch up sides of a 10-inch springform pan; set aside. (If you don't have a food processor place graham crackers in a large plastic bag and roll with a rolling pin to form fine crumbs. Pour crumbs into a bowl and mix in sugar and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until blended. Then press into springform pan.)

Beat cream cheese at medium speed until smooth. Combine 1 cup sugar, 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add to cream cheese, beating just until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Add sour cream and vanilla, beating until blended.

Pour half of batter into prepared crust. Carefully spoon small amounts of apple pie filling evenly over cheesecake layer. Pour remaining half of cheesecake batter over fruit layer.

Bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until almost set. Remove from oven; run a knife around edge of pan to release cheesecake from sides of pan. Do not remove sides of pan or cheesecake will split. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and chill 8 hours.

Note
One teaspoon Watkins Apple Bake Seasoning can be substituted for the cinnamon and nutmeg in the cream cheese mixture.

Serve with warm Caramel Sauce. Store in refrigerator.

Caramel Sauce

1 (14-ounce) package caramels
1 (5-ounce) can evaporated milk

Combine caramels and milk in a large saucepan; cook over medium-low heat until caramels are melted and smooth, stirring often. Let caramel sauce cool slightly; then pour sauce over cheesecake.

Makes 16 servings

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pudding Cake
(Crock pot recipe)

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Watkins Baking Cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons Watkins Baking Powder
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla
3/4 cup peanut butter-flavored pieces
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup Watkins Baking Cocoa
2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
2 tablespoons chopped unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

In a mixing bowl stir together flour, the 1/2 cup sugar, the 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, and baking powder. Add the milk, oil, and vanilla; stir until batter is smooth. Stir in the peanut butter pieces.

Spread batter evenly in the bottom of a greased 3 1/2- or 4-quart crockery cooker.

In another mixing bowl combine the 3/4 cup sugar and the 1/4 cup cocoa powder. Stir together boiling water and peanut butter; stir into the cocoa mixture. Pour evenly over the batter in the slow cooker.

Cover; cook on high-heat setting for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted 1 inch into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Let stand, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes to cool slightly.

To serve, spoon pudding cake into dessert dishes. Sprinkle with peanuts.

Cinnamon Jam Biscuits

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
10 teaspoons of your favorite jam, jelly, or preserves
1 12 oz tube refrigerated buttermilk biscuits separated into 10 biscuits

In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Dip top and sides of biscuits in butter, then in cinnamon-sugar. Place on un-greased baking sheets. With the end of a wooden spoon handle, make a deep indention in the center of each biscuit; fill with 1 teaspoon preserves. Bake at 375 degress F for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool before serving.

The 2007-2008 bird counting season of Project FeederWatch is over.
Below is my Personal Count Summary.

Personal Count Summary for 2007-2008

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 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

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:
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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

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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