Ask Al A Carte

Key to Remembering

askalacarte — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:04:39 +0000

Want to be sure to take your lunch with you as you run out the door to work? Place your keys in the refrigerator, and you will never forget.

This also works well when sending leftovers home with company.

Milk it for All it’s Worth

askalacarte — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:11:54 +0000

Have your eyes lost their sparkle? Are they carrying some bags you don't want? Try this.

Take a cup, add an ice cube, and cover with milk. Grab two cotton balls, a towel for under your chin, and lie down. Dip the cotton balls in the ice milk, close your eyes, and place one on each lid.

When the cotton balls are no longer cold, dip again in the milk, and put back on your lids. Do this for about 15 minutes.

You will be amazed at how fresh you look ... and feel!

Egg on Your Face

askalacarte — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:05:18 +0000

Here’s a way to have egg on your face without being embarrassed!

Separate one egg into two small cups.

Using your fingers or a pastry brush, spread a layer of the egg white on your face. Note: Do not get it too close to your eyes.

Let dry. Spread a second layer of the white. Once that is dry, put on a coat of the yolk. When dry, rinse with warm water. Pat dry and apply your favorite moisturizer.

Your skin will glow, and you’ll feel great!

Ask Al A Carte

askalacarte — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:13:12 +0000

When you combine food with advice, you’re bringing love to the table. This column tackles everything from family and relationships to work and social issues. The advice is real and each answer segues into a delicious recipe. Readers can rely on Al A Carte to nourish them—body and soul!

Need some food for thought? Email askalacarte@cs.com.

Al A’s Carte of Gift Ideas

askalacarte — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:39:35 +0000

One of my favorite gifts to give is a picnic basket filled with something special. For a romantic evening include a bottle of champagne, glasses, candlesticks, cloth napkins, and gourmet goodies. Remember, picnics are not just for the summer. Enjoy a winter picnic in front of the fireplace or any other room in the house.

For the Movie Buff: Fill an old-fashioned popcorn box with microwave popcorn, candy bars, soda, and a couple of DVDs or movie tickets. You might even want to include a subscription to an entertainment magazine. Lights! Camera! Action!

For Food Lovers: Always appreciated is a gift of food. Place a favorite recipe and the ingredients to make it in a pot or bowl. Add a wooden spoon, measuring cup, and anything else that goes with it, along with a novelty dish towel or apron. Bon Appetit!

Wrapping Things Up: Baskets make great containers for gifts, and anything can serve as a basket: Flower pots, bowls, coffee mugs, jars, even a Frisbee. Fill them with anything from cookies and candy to scarves and jewelry. Wrap in cellophane and tie with a bow!

Family Fun: Find a gift that encourages the family to spend time together. Here are some thoughts: A digital camera to record special moments; a jigsaw puzzle to work on together; tickets to an event, activity, or movie. A gift card for a local restaurant, complete with takeout menu, also makes a great gift. Happy Holidays!

Food for Thought

carrieout — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:31:36 +0000

Am so excited about our upcoming food memory anthology. We received some wonderful entries, and there’s still a little time for you to send in your submissions. It doesn’t need to have a recipe, just a memory inspired by food – eating it, sharing it, shopping for it!

My food memory: “How I Found Peas and Quiet in Aisle 6.”

Introducing Carrie Out

askalacarte — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:53:47 +0000

Hi, All. My daughter – Carrie Out – will be joining me on my blog. She is the expert on dialing for dinner and galloping to the grocery! Watch for her first post, coming soon!

Al A Carte is Collecting Recipes

askalacarte — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:47:22 +0000

Ask Al A Carte (aka Alexandra Anne Carte) is collecting recipes for her upcoming ebook. Send your favorite recipe – along with a paragraph telling why it’s your favorite. You can even include a pic! Send to askalacarte@cs.com. By submitting, you are giving permission for your essay to be published.

Boss Blues

askalacarte — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:52:21 +0000

Dear Al A. Carte,

I have a boss who’s always making advances toward me. And when I don’t acquiesce, he over-fills my in-box, so I have to work overtime. I like my job, and I know I am lucky to have one. But I hate the boss. Can you help?

Overtimed

Dear Overtimed,

You should not have to put up with this behavior. There are laws against sexual harassment. Use your NOODLE.

Noodle Pudding

1 8-oz. package of cream cheese

6 eggs

scant ½ cup sugar

¼ lb butter or margarine, melted

2 ¾ cups hot milk

1 tsp. salt

1½ tsp vanilla

1 8-oz. package of broad noodles, cooked

½ cup of corn flakes, crushed

Optional: 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ cup raisins

Beat cream cheese and eggs together until well-blended. Add sugar, margarine, milk, salt, and vanilla. Stir noodles into this mixture. Add cinnamon and raisins if you’d like.

Pour into a well-greased, large baking pan. Cover with crushed corn flakes. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.

* * *

Ask your boss for a copy of the company’s sexual harassment policy. If that “warning” doesn’t stop his behavior, then follow the outlined procedure.

Women Trouble

askalacarte — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:09:35 +0000

Dear Al A. Carte,

Every woman with whom I become serious usually ends up leaving me, saying they want to have a more open relationship and date others. Usually, when I’m content to spend my time with just them, they decide it is time to end the relationship. What should I do?

Left Behind

Dear Left Behind,

Chill out with some GAZPACHO!

Chilled Gazpacho

2 15oz. cans tomatoes, drained (reserve liquid) 1 red pepper

1/2 onion

5 cloves garlic

1 TBL parsley flakes

3 basil leaves

½ tsp. cumin

1 TBL cilantro

1 TBL lime juice

Chop all ingredients in food processor except for tomato juice and lime juice. Place in a large bowl and add tomato juice. Then chill in freezer. For serving, ladle into cups and sprinkle a few drops of lime juice.

Coarsely chopped, this can be used as a dip.

Chill in freezer. Then ladle into cups and add a few drops of lime juice before serving.

* * *

Now’s the time to enjoy dating a variety of people. When you find that special someone, and the relationship is good, she will not want to see anyone but you.