Testing Eggs for Freshness

I'm always careful about buying eggs and using them soon but not sure how long they may have been in the store. I do prefer local organic eggs but they are not always available.

Here's a handy way to tell if eggs are ok to eat --

Place an egg at the bottom of a glass full of water and watch what happens:

* If the egg lies at the bottom on its side, it's fresh.
* If the egg sinks, but with one end up, it's getting old but is still edible.
* If the egg floats at all, you should buy some fresh ones.

This test is effective because eggshells are porous — over time they dry out, letting air in and moisture out. If you prefer using egg whites, then save some time and money by buying eggs in bulk and separating them right away. Egg whites freeze very well and can even be kept for up to three or four days, covered, in the refrigerator.

It's a cane...it's a seat...it's lightweight and good for travel

When we were on our last trip to Russia, someone had a combination cane and seat. Looked like a great thing to have, especially when waiting in lines. Steve did some research and found something that is even better, especially for us since we don't like to carry anything heavy. How would we put the larger cane/seat in our small carry on bag?

It's called a flipstick since it's both a cane and a leaning-on kind of seat, actually a monopod. As you can see in the picture, it collapses down to fit in a bag that has a handle so can be carried on the shoulder or even hooked onto a backpack. When extended , it's a useful cane. You push a button and the top part converts to a "seat" that you can lean on as you angle the stick behind you.

Of course, Steve found the best price after doing some Internet searching. He ordered the basic one for me since the height was right. It arrived today, just as advertised...works very well. Flipstick Model 03.

Site info: The Model 03 Flipstick is a 3-section cane with a seat on top. It has a handle which makes it easy to carry when it's extended. It is shock corded and fits into a cordura nylon pouch for easy transport. It makes birding in the field more enjoyable by providing an easily portable seat available at any time. It can safely support 280lbs. It is black and 34.5 inches tall when extended.

He also ordered the Flipstick Taller Model 04. It's back ordered but expected "soon."

Site info: This flipstick is a walking cane with a seat on top. It is adjustable between 34.5 to 36 inches. It is foldable. It is shockcorded. It comes with a carry case. Color: Black

For times when our walking sticks aren't needed, this will be good to take with us.

Covering up cooking goofs

Just found these tips. Hopefully none of us will need them but it's always good to have a way to solve a cooking dilemma simply and quickly.

Mushy cooked veggies
If veggies are mushy after cooking too long, there's an easy fix. Make a veggie puree by mixing them in a food processor or blender. Be careful not to blend too long or the puree will be very watery. Season to taste. Garlic always works well for me.

Too spicy salad or sauce
Besides pairing it with a cold beer (too many carbs for me), adding dairy is a good idea to cut down on the heat and spiciness. Stir in about 2 tablespoons of low-fat yogurt. East Indian meals usually have a yogurt side dish to help with the spiciness. Raita anyone? I found this easy recipe.

Something to share... keeping onions fresh...

We always like to share useful information, sites, and great products that we find and use. This is a special place to do this. Good thing about a blog is that the emails are already set up and I can include pictures very easily if I want.

It's amazing how so many ideas we read about are forgotten. Cutting out articles and piling them up on a desk doesn't help me to remember. I read one today that I thought was a good idea.

Have you ever wanted to buy a whole bag of onions because it cost a lot less than buying one or two? Ever wanted to buy extra of a type of onion while it's in season? My favorite is Vidalia but they're not always available at a good price.Saving money is good but they will probably rot before you use them all. Here's something I read in a magazine that I thought was an interesting way to keep them fresh. According to the article, it says that they will stay fresh for SIX MONTHS. I'm not sure if that is a fact but sounds good to me. Get ready... You'll need to a pair of CLEAN pantyhose. Good use for one with a small run that you were going to throw out anyway. Drop the onions, one by one, into a leg, tying a knot between each onion. Hang the hose on a hook in your pantry. It must mean that it has to be kept in the dark. Many of us don't have a pantry so maybe a closet would be okay. I'll have to try that. When you need an onion, cut the hose below the lowest knot. I think it's a great idea. Have to try this one sometime when the onions are on sale.