ENTERTAINING SPRING 2020

Anti-Bacterial and Virus Hand Wipes, Microwave Lemon Curd, Sentimental
Pillow Cushion, Chair Exercises for Feet

Entertaining  Spring 2020
by Mary Canovas

It´s almost spring, not that you can tell by the weather. It seems we´ve had a mix of spring and early summer all winter long. I really can’t imagine what kind of weather summer will bring.  On that happy thought, let´s get down to business – the flu and our new possible pandemia – the coronavirus flu. It just so happens, we published a great anti-bacteria and virus hand wipe a few years ago, when everyone was worried about another flu virus outbreak from China.  Please check it out. 

Along with our recommendation for your hands and well-being, I´ve also included the easiest recipe to make lemon curd for your tummy, chair exercises for everybody´s feet and an easy pillow cushion DIY for your comfort and memories which uses recycled T-shirts for the planet´s health.  Enjoy and stay well!

THE VERY BEST ANTI-BACTERIAL & ANTI-VIRUS HAND WIPES

If ever there was a time to make and use anti-bacterial and more importantly Anti- Virus hand wipes, THIS IS IT!  But commercial brands contain all sorts of chemical products, are expensive and even hard to find in our local pharmacies. Our wipes are Doctor recommended, easy and cheap to make and have no extra chemical products added.    

The reason is easy – the basic ingredient that is effective against germs and viruses on our skin is alcohol.  Instead of adding all kinds of extra chemicals, we add your very own favorite hand lotion to counteract any dryness that can occur when using pure alcohol. 

Materials:  

• Alcohol (regular rubbing alcohol) 
• Your favorite hand or body cream.  We also recommend baby lotion (not oil) or moisturizer for sensitive skin if you have sensitive skin. 
• Kitchen paper towels – the stronger the better – at least 2 to 3 ply.
•  A plastic container with a lid.

How To:

• NOTE:  For effective protection, always use 6 parts alcohol to 4 parts cream, lotion or moisturizer. 
• Place 6 tablespoons alcohol and 4 tablespoons cream in a bowl and mix well.  
• Separate individual sheets of paper towels.  
• Fold the sheets of paper towels in continuous layers alternating as in video. 
• Cut the folded layers to fit in the container and insert them into the container. 
• Pour the liquid that you think you will need over the wipes and let it penetrate for about 5 minutes. If you see that more is needed, add more, close and turn the container upside down so that the liquid penetrates to the bottom.
• Leave about 10 to 15 minutes or until soaked through. 
• Individual sheets will come out easily. 
• Always make sure your container is tightly covered after each use. 
• We recommend disposing of your towels in the trash can rather than in the toilet. 

OUR SENTIMENTAL PILLOW CUSHION — NO SEW RECYCLED T-SHIRT SOOOOO EASY !!!

Perhaps the easiest and most professional pillow cushion you have ever made. Make it with either new or recycled T-shirts. We´ve called it Sentimental Pillow Cushion because you can make it from those beloved old t-shirts used by your favorite people or a special t-shirt you wore to a memorable event or any other really beautiful, out there or classic t-shirt you have hidden in your closet or drawers.

It´s a great way to embrace your loved ones again or remember a lost moment in time and display it on your sofa, bed or armchair.  Follow video for How To. 

Materials:  

• t-shirt any size  
• safety pin, strong thread, scissors 
• Ornament or button or our rosette of the same fabric 
• Optional: needle, large button, ornament, etc. glue gun

REAL LEMON CURD — MICROWAVE — EASY, FAST & ALWAYS PERFECT

Lemon Curd is one of life´s nicest pleasures.  Absolutely delicious on or in almost anything:   scones, cupcakes, cakes, tarts, frosting … And I make a mean ice cream from it too.   However, making it, especially for a novice cook, can be daunting – Bain Marie, curdling egg yolks, stove temperatures and cooking time etc.

You´ll never believe you can make it in a microwave and that it looks and tastes just like our old recipes.  Even if you are an experienced chef, please try our recipe – it´s really a lot of fun seeing how it all comes together.  Also remember that you can freeze the curd for up to a year, so make a double batch and enjoy whenever you crave this very essential treat.

Ingredients:

• 190 gr. or 9 -10 tablespoons sugar 
• 3 large eggs + 1 egg yolk 
• Zest of 2 small (or 1 large) lemons 
• 120 ml. or 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice  
• 120 gr. 1/ 2 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly 
• pinch salt 

Note: Cups are US cups = 240 ml

Preparation: 

IMPORTANT– Bowl must be microwave safe.

• Total microwave time will depend on microwave power. 
• Eggs must be at room temperature. 

• Beat eggs, yolk and sugar in a microwave safe bowl until smooth. 
• Mix in lemon juice, lemon zest and melted and slightly cooled butter. 
• Heat the mixture in the microwave at intervals of 45 seconds, stirring between each interval until the mixture is thick for 3 to 4 minutes (depending on the microwave power). 
• It will be ready when the mixture is thick enough to cover the back of a spoon. Watch video.  
• Transfer the lemon cream to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of the cream.  
• Let cool completely at room temperature. 
• Once cold, remove the plastic wrap and place in a container with a tight lid in the refrigerator.
• Expiration 2 to 3 weeks. 
• Lemon curd can be frozen for up to 1 year.
•  To defrost, transfer from the freezer to the refrigerator 24 hours before use. After defrosting, store in the refrigerator in a covered container and use within 2 to 3 weeks.

CHAIR EXERCISES TO RELAX & STRENGTHEN FEET, ALL AGES

Feet get tired and rebel. They need specific exercises, as much or more so than the rest of our body. Our daily exercise routine will relax, strengthen and maintain the muscles of your feet to keep them in the best condition to face (or feet?) your daily life. You can do them in your chair at home or even in the office (when nobody is around).  They are suitable for everyone – young, old and in all kinds of shape. They will not tire or stress the body although they do help with blood circulation. As always, if you have any doubts, consult your doctor before beginning any exercise routine. 

An important tip:  If you can walk, it is very convenient to start getting used to walking barefoot every day — at first a few minutes and then more and more. There is no better exercise for the feet than walking barefoot. It helps us with the body’s balance while aligning all the muscles of the body without stressing it.
Try to wear comfortable shoes every day. 

Add our exercises to your daily exercise routine. You will notice the difference and your feet will thank you.

Materials: tennis ball or similar, towel, chair. 

Exercise Routine:  10 minutes total .
Follow video .

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Featured image (collage, frame supplied):
Spring in Kumakohgen, Japan. Photo by Mak, cropped, Unsplash
Coronavirus by Fusion Medical Animation, Unsplash, cropped