Name Change

The name on this Blog before was Cookbook Val.  Now it is One of a Kind Cookbooks.  That is my store name with Amazon.  One of a Kind means literally I have one only cookbook by that title.  Some cookbooks are collectible-I have been to many estate sales in Las Vegas lately.  Many are written by celebrity chefs.  And most of them are just good old-fashioned cookbooks with great recipes.  You will still see a few bargains under my Amazon storefront for $1 and up.  But for the most part, my prices now start at $3.99 and up.

My new goal with this blog is to create a recipe from one or two of cookbooks that I am selling each week.  Report on the goodness of it-give you the recipe too and then maybe that will convince you to buy this book.  Or another book.  Plus, look forward to seeing videos of me cooking these recipes in the future on You Tube.

So look at Amazon for the storefront "One of a Kind Cookbooks"-that's me, Valerie Brown

EBay cookbooks is done for the next couple of months. With a holiday work schedule-not enough time off and the stress of the holidays, I have decided not to sell cookbooks until after the holidays. I'm sorry about this and appreciate everyone's business, but my other "real" job is what pays the bills. Besides with the holidays coming, media mail which I ship by USPS takes forever and then people get mad at me. Too much stress. But I am going to continue with my blog.

I will continue to report on new books that I find. Then maybe you can find them locally or put them on your wish list until after the holidays.

About 5 years ago, my son developed an interest in cooking. So each birthday and Christmas now, he gets one cookbook for whatever level of cooking he is at. This has turned out to be his favorite present. He so looks forward to what I get him. Now, I have a new daughter-in-law and she wants her cookbook too! She has heard so much about Nicky's cookbooks that she wants in as well. So consider this idea for Christmas presents for your family members. One of my sisters is really into low-carb cooking, so I have her Christmas present too!

I have two Pillsbury Crescent Rolls burning a spot in my refrigerator, so I need to do something with them. I had the big book on Pillsbury Dough Magic in my EBay listing-Valerie2901, that nobody bought, so it's now mine. Hundreds of recipes to try with their products: Biscuits, Crescent Dinner Rolls, Breadsticks, Pie Crusts, Pizza Crusts, Cookies & more. I'm sure to find something to make. Last time I had some, I made the crescent rolls, stuffed them with cooked scrambled eggs & cheese and served them to a breakfast brunch with friends. All 24 disappeared in minutes!

Martha White products is having a big recipe contest for any of you that want to enter. Go to: www.marthawhite.com. I actually made a wonderful recipe for this contest only to find that cornbread recipes are not allowed for this contest. But I will share it with you.

Sweet Cornbread-Five Pepper Cheese Miniature Muffins

1 7oz. Martha White Sweet Cornbread Mix

1 egg

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1/4 cup sour cream

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup chopped finely jalapeno, red, orange, yellow pepper

1/8 tsp. black pepper

Heat the oven to 375F. Prepare the miniature muffin pans by greasing with garlic powder (1 tbsp butter with 1/8 tsp garlic powder-I used leftover Papa John's garlic butter). Set in hot oven for 5 minutes.

Combine the cornbread mix, egg, milk & sour cream, mix until smooth. Add the cheddar cheese, peppers, black pepper-blend all together. Fill muffin tins about 3/4 full. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Best served warm. Makes 24 miniature muffins.

Yesterday, I went to my friend's home-Vernalisa who had a big soup gathering. She made Italian Meatball Soup for 30 of us and everyone else brought something else. My contribution was the above cornbread muffins-they also disappeared very quickly. (So also did my beautiful white bowl that it was presented in, but I found it hidden away eventually in the dishwasher).

The cooking videos are coming along, still not out on U-Tube. You know the bottom line is that I want to be a food sponsor for someone in the future. So keep my name in mind if you know anyone in the food business.

That's all for now.

CookbookVal

aka: Valerie Brown of Las Vegas, NV

I am almost finished reading COOK OFF by Amy Sutherland. Though published in 2003, it is a little out of date (will explain in a minute), but well worth reading. It is a story of those who enter food recipe contests. It follows the lives of the some of the truly big contesters (that's what they call themselves), their big prizes and some of their secrets. One of the interesting things I read was that people create recipes on their computers, submit them to recipe contests and actually win big prizes without every making them. Can you imagine.
This book will not go on sale, but I recommend you try and find it and read it-you will be inspired. This book is going to a friend of mine, Marsha White in Dallas, TX, who has suffered in the recession, like many of us and thinks that maybe entering cooking contests is a way to make some extra money.
It has inspired me, when I get home from this trip, I'm going to start dabbling in some of these food recipes contests and maybe win some good prizes.
Many of the big name/big cash prizes written about in the book have fallen away to the nation's economy, including The National Chicken Cook-Off, The National Beef-Off (though they may re-open this in 2012) and Pillsbury is still having their bake-off, but recipes are to be submitted Jan-April 2011, but the Bake-off, will not be until sometime in 2012.
There are still some big prizes out there, but because of the computer age, they now receive tens of thousands of entries, instead of hundreds.
When the book listings stop in the next few days, they will re-start on October 15-I have to time everything, so that I'm home when the EBay sales come in, because I know you want your books right away. Look for Valerie2901 for lots of new listings of cookbooks on EBay. Again thanks for your sales and remind me about feedback.
That's all for now.
Cookbook Val

Cookbook Review:
The Spice Necklace by Ann Vanderhoof

I'm at work on a trip, so I probably won't have a lot of cookbook reviews this week. In the meanwhile, I'm entertaining you with The Spice Necklace. The Spice Necklace was sent to me by a New York publisher, in hopes for maybe a review and passing it on to a local book group.

If you can swing a 7-year Caribbean adventure on a sailboat, than this book may be a primer for you. The Author & her husband lead us through adventures with Caribbean cooking, eating and island life. It was a little slow at first, it is still an inside look at life on the various Caribbean Islands. Grenada is the author's most memorable stop. With lots of history in the foods of Grenada and it's chief export-nutmeg. Grenada's export of nutmeg is only to Indonesia ( nutmeg's world largest producer and exporter). In Chapter One, she has included two recipes-one for Ginger Spice Cookies and Grenadian Banana Bread with Chocolate, Nutmeg & Rum. Both have too many ingredients for my cooking, but the 2nd recipe does sound intriguing.

More to come....

I have been gone for 3 days, but now I'm back. At least for a couple of days.

Cookbook Review:
Weight Watchers Shortcut Cookbook

This was printed in 2003 by the Oxmoor House. Based on Weight Watchers Current Point System, there are 141 recipes to choose from. Beautiful color photographs of some of the finished recipes are included.

For 5 points in the No Cook section, you can prepare a Grilled Chicken Greek Salad in 6 minutes. Or in the No Mess section, for 6 points, you can prepare and serve Cheese Ravioli in Pesto & Tomato Broth in 14 minutes. Or in the Last Minute Supper Section for 4 points, you can prepare and serve Polenta with Mushrooms, Zucchini & Mozzarella in 21 minutes. You get the picture. Other sections of recipes include: Make Ahead Meals, Dinners for Two, Family Favorite Recipes, Easy Sides, Sweets & Treats & Beverages & Snacks. You know what! These recipes are so good & easy to prepare-you don't even need to to be on a diet to enjoy them.

Spent the last 3 days in Kingston, NV. This town is divided into two sections-Kingston 1 and Kingston 2. Neither is very big-maybe a couple of hundred people in each, but definitely divided. We stayed in Kingston 1 at my friend Patty's retreat. She bought this place 5 years ago, because she is a big fisherman/woman and the lake is five minutes away is stocked yearly with trout.

The big draw in the surrounding towns is the Gold Mine. They just found a new gold vein and more workers than ever are being employed to work it.

We passed through Goldfield, coming and going to Patty's place. This was the original capital of NV, now a small but thriving town.

That's all for now.

Cookbook Val

I try and keep my starting prices low on EBay-Valerie2901 or under the general heading of cookbooks. And sometimes, my customers get some real bargains for $.99. Thank you to those of you who have actually emailed me and told me they appreciate the low prices. I make a little, I make alot-it's all the same, as long as you enjoy the cookbooks that I'm selling. They also appreciate the media mail which sometimes takes a little longer, but it sure is a lot cheaper than first class and priority mail.

Speaking of media mail, I scored one for me. I go to the same small post office here in Las Vegas 2-3 times a week to mail out my cookbooks. Same people every time. And every week they threaten to open my packages of cookbooks. Go ahead and open them, I tell them, as long as you re-package everything properly. This postal facility finds it hard to believe, that I ship out 40 or more cookbooks a week. Obviously these people don't cook. So after a year of this abuse, I contacted the US Post Office in Wash D.C. and explained my problem here. And the problem has stopped. I still tell them that I am shipping media mail, but no threats now-though they do touch each envelope or parcel to make sure there is a book inside. Media mail for those of you not familiar with it applies to any printed matter, sheet music, DVD's, CD's-anything to do with media. My local post office has told me it doesn't include magazines, but I looked up the definition of media mail and there is no statement saying you can't ship magazines as well at a reduced media mail price.

Every once in awhile, I get in a corn tortilla frenzy, but then when I'm finished with it, I have the problem of what do I do with the other 25 corn tortillas in the package. You get a lot for your money with corn tortillas. I now have my answer found in Joan Lunden's Healthy Choices Cookbook (look under Valerie2901 on EBay). "My Cracker". I am forever trying new crackers, because most of the crackers on the food shelves now have so much starch in them. I can actually taste the carbs and preservatives. Though this recipe is titled "Tortilla Chips", this will be my new "Cracker" for awhile. It's great with salsa, cheese, dips.

Tortilla Chips

8 corn tortillas, non-stick vegetable oil spray, sea salt to taste.

Spray the tortillas lightly on both sides with the vegetable oil spray. Cut each one into 8 wedges and sprinkle with sea salt (not too heavy) and then bake them in a preheated 350F oven for 8-10 minutes or until lightly toasted and crispy. Try other seasonings too.

Only 67 calories for 8 tortilla chips-that's not bad and very tasty.

I know this isn't unique, but I have always only made tortilla chips out of flour tortillas. So it's new to me.

Another book I'm promoting to today (again listed under Valerie2901 on EBay) is Vintage Feasting by Joy Sterling. The author's story is a vintner's year of fine wines, good times and gifts from Nature's Gardens. Listen to this entry from the book:

February 14. The vineyards are asleep. Daphne, a flowering shrub, is blooming, and our Valentine's Day feast is fresh, cracked Dungeness crab soup cooked with Fume' Blanc, served with garlic mayonnaise and bubbly...

Charming. The book is a little dry sometimes, but overall worth reading.

One other thing I'm promoting today. I have a meet-up group for women who enjoy cruising together. Men can come as well of course. I'm not making any money on this, but I enjoy cruises and if someone wants to come along, then come along-you'll at least know me on the cruise. The website is www.meetup.com/WomenTravelingTogetherOnCruises . I have a cruise scheduled for July 23-Alaska Inside Passage and a Southern Caribbean Cruise on Oct 11th. If you would like me to email you some info on it, let me know at crazyvalbrown@yahoo.com. I started this group, because I have traveled all over the world by myself-it's not hard for me, but it is hard for other women to do this. For whatever reasons.

That's all for now.

Cookbook Val

I was a very lucky woman last night. My musician friend arranged for me to go see Barry Manilow and I had a front row seat. What a wonderful musician and singer. Last night was a promotion with QVC the shopping network, to plug his latest CD-Romantic Love Songs. Barr will soon be starting at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas (March 5th). Hopefully more comp seats will come my way.

It's tax time and I did my taxes-how about you? Taxes put the fear of God in me when I do them and truly I have nothing to every worry about, but I still worry. So it's done and now behind me. Prior to moving to Las Vegas, I was living in GA, where I didn't do my state taxes for many years, but they caught up with me. Honestly, it was enough each year just to get my federal taxes done. So now I'm being audited by the State of GA, but we (State of GA Revenue Dept. & me) agreed, that by the time we're done, they will owe me a nice check.

I've also started my own Meetup group www.meetup.com/WomenTravelingTogetherOnCruises

I have joined some other meet-up groups, this is the new thing now. Look in your city for meet-up groups for things that you enjoy. It's been a wonderful opportunity for me to meet new people here in Las Vegas. My meet-up groups are the Romance Writing Group, Magicians (I'm not a magician, but I love magic), The Chef's Table (meeting in different homes & restaurants, sharing food) and the a Travel & Social Club (does day-trips, cruises & meets at different restaurants for socializing). So I decided to start up my own group. I love cruising and I know alot of women are intimidated by traveling alone-so "men" and women-if you want to join me on my cruises, come along. At least you'll know one person-me!

Now for my plug for my EBay listing-Valerie2901 or under the general heading of cookbooks on EBay:

2 books that haven't sold, but should have:

From Sunrise to Sunset, a hardback book down as a fundraiser for the Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation in Las Vegas. It is such a well-presented book with original art and sketch's of children. For you bread makers out there, there are over thirty original bread recipes. Over 200 great recipes can be found in this book-unique, new, clever and very tasty.

Casual Entertaining by Good Seasons (the salad dressing people)-this is not a big book, but it does have 59 fresh and super simple recipes, with beautiful color photographs. If this one doesn't sell soon, it's going to go in my personal collection.

A new festival to attend: Alabama Chicken & Egg Festival-April 10-11, 2010. They will have wing eating contests, clucking contests, chicken motorcycle run, and much more. www.chickenandeggfestival.com It sounds like alot of fun.

So do you think you make a great barbecue sauce. In just two weeks, applications will be online for the 2010 American Royal Barbecue Contest. This is an invitational contest where individuals are able to secure applications on Feb. 10th and team applications on March 8th. www.arbbq.com

That's all for now.

Cookbook Val

Hi! Busy today, shipping off the many cookbooks that have sold this week on my EBay listing-Valerie2901. Thanks again for the sales! Many new cookbooks to be listed, as soon as I find the time.

Yesterday, my first day back from my trip and I booked an amazing massage with Christa at the Las Vegas Hilton Spa. There are not many masseuses that can relax me enough to make me fall asleep, but Christa did and I am totally relaxed from it. The mysterious aches and pains in my knees and calves are gone.

I was reading something forwarded to me today that I found interesting and wanted to pass it along. If you know any women receiving Chemotherapy, there is a cleaning service that provides free housecleaning for 4 months. You're required to get a note from your doctor faxed to Cleaning For a Reason and they will contact the cleaning service in the zip code of the woman.

www.cleaningforareason.org. Honestly, I can't believe it doesn't, but this group does not include men in this free house cleaning, though I am sure there are exceptions allowed. It's part of the breast cancer group and is offered nationwide.

The starvation diet seems to be working-I lost 5 pounds last week. I'm not really starving myself, but it is limited calories to 1250 per day and to me that's starving myself. I have found a new sandwich bread that travels so well. Orowheat Sandwich Thins is the name, stays fresh longer than most breads, try not to refrigerate-dries it out, but for people who travel, this is a great little bread to carry around. It's hard to find in the grocery stores,-so keep checking back-100 calories per sandwich bread (2 slices). And I don't know if turkeys cluck, but I have eaten so much turkey breast, that I feel like clucking!

Always looking for new ideas to heat up in a coffee pot in the hotel or on the plane-one of my friends brought a can of french onion soup, poured it in a plastic bag, added some croutons and a slice of provolone cheese and re-heated/cooked in the coffee pot water-amazingly good!

A new chef website you may not be aware of www.chefjeffcooked.com. He is on Sunday afternoons on the Food Network and has a new cookbook out.

A food event you may or may not want to attend-August 4-8, 2010 Testicle Festival in Clinton, MT. The Rocky Mountain Oyster festival, serving deep-fried bull testicles. I think I will skip this one!

This food event sounds a little better: March 6-7, 2010, The Festival of Chocolate in Orlando, FL. Be a kid in the candy store and enjoy two days of chocolate treats at the Orlando Science Center. The event will have competitions, demos by awarding winning pastry chefs, & a Kids-4-Chocolate area.

I sell a lot of biography's (not just cookbooks) on my EBay listing that I have already read. Not read yet, but I'm looking forward to reading is an early book done by Louie Anderson, the comedian. Titled Dear Dad-Letters From An Adult Child. Once finished, I'm hoping to get this autographed by Mr. Anderson at the Excalibur Hotel, where he performs nightly. Look for this in the next week or two if you are interested in purchasing it on my EBay listing-Valerie2901.

That's all for now.

Cookbook Val

Happy New Years!

I know I'm a few days late, but I have been flying the friendly skies for many days now-spent New Year's Eve in West Palm Beach at the City Place at the BB Kings Blues Club. Music and fine wine-what a wonderful combination. The City Place in West Palm Beach, FL is an all-inclusive little town on its own, with numerous restaurants, night clubs, comedy clubs, music venues & boutiques. All within an easy walk. Plus we were staying at the Marriott, though a 15-minute walk away, they were kind enough to drop us off and pick us up.

I still have the horrible cold or at least the chest congestion, that never gives up.

My EBay business is going great. Over 50 cookbooks sold last week! Please look under the general listing of cookbooks or Valerie2901 at EBay. Still over 200 great cookbooks listed for you to buy. Lots of great finds, celebrity cookbooks, collectibles, specialized cooking.

Today, I will promote vegetables and vegetarians. I don't have a lot of vegetarian cookbooks right now-they go as quickly as I get them in. The vegetable cookbooks, well, so many of them can be used for the vegan-not everything is prepared with chicken or beef broth or pork lard. Some very good recipes-each unique in its own way. I liver a vegetarian lifestyle for weeks at a time, but I still love my steak, chicken and shrimp. Have you read the book "Skinny Bitch"? Supposedly it's a diet guide, but really the book is to convince you to become a vegan. Nothing wrong with that. Promotes the Morningstar and other Vegan products. I love Morningstar products-when they are on sale. Otherwise they are a little pricey for me on a regular basis.

But back to my cookbooks for sale on EBay:

The Vegetarian Guide to Diet & Salad by Dr. N.W. Walker-publishing date unknown

Of These Ye May Freely Eat-A Vegetarian Cookbook by JoAnn Rachor, Pub 1999

Favorite Salad Recipes by Publications Intl, pub 1986

The Art of Salad Making by Carol Truax, pub 1968

Classic Potato Dishes, edited by Lisa Dyer, pub 1996

Sunset Ideas for Cooking Vegetables by Sunset/Lane Pub, pub 1974

Better Homes & Gardens All-Time Favorite Vegetable Recipes by BHG, pub 1977

Great Taste, Low-Fat Vegetables by Time/Life Series, publishing date unknown

Simple Foods for the Pack by Vikki Kinmont & Claudia Axcell, by Sierra Club Books, pub 1976

Vegetable Cookbook by Nitty Gritty Publications, pub 1975

Zucchini Cookbook by Nancy Ralston & Marynor Jordan, Garden Way's Pub, pub 1977

The Carrot Cookbook by Audra & Jack Hendrickson, Garden Way's Pub, pub 1987

Cookinb with Herbs by Patricia Lousada by Bloomsbury Books, pub 1987

Totally Chile Pepper Cookbook by Helene Siegel and Karen Gillingham, Celestial Arts,pub 1994

Hot & Spicy Recipes by Cookbook Publishers, pub. 1998

Have you seen the advertising by Taco Bell? They are advertising their DriveThruDiet. Their Jarrett of Subway fame is now Christine who lost 54 lbs by eating the Fresco food items offered by Taco bell. Interesting, maybe there is something to this. www.DriveThruDiet.com

I've spoken before about my favorite food at El Pollo Loco-the Taco Al Carbon (flame grilled chicken on corn tortillas with cilantro & onion) is only $.79 each! It won't fill up the average guy, but for me, 2 of these are perfect for lunch, 307 total calories and no fat.

Next time you're in Tunica, MS for a little gambling, make your way over to Harrah's for Paula Deen's Buffet. This buffet features many Southern favorites, including hoecakes and biscuits to fried chicken and collard greens. I can't go there too often or I will never get my weight off.

That's all for now.

Cookbook Val

Tonight Pasta Shells with Mascarpone Cheese and Walnuts

I listed a book by Suzanne Somers today on EBay, under Valerie2901 called "The Sexy Years". Women, look for this book. It explains so much about menopause, whether you are in it or not and the menopause that men go through. I have read almost every book Suzanne has written and you have to take some of what she says with a grain of salt. But in every book she does do her homework and the research. This has nothing to do with cooking, but it is a book I recommend.

Again not cooking, but at least something to do with food. Soften your feet with a lime and sea salt scrub. Sea salts smooth out tough calluses, the vitamin C in the lime brightens your skin tone and Epsom salts reduce excess swelling.

Dampen feet. Dip half a lime in sea salts and scrub over calluses. Fill a basin with warm water and 1-2 cups Epsom salts. Soak for 10 minutes. Dry and moisturize with a foot cream.

My chef for today is Brian Boitano. Not that well known, but he is on Food Network. Brian is a Former Olympic Figure Skater. His website is www.brianboitano.com , which will link you to the Food Network and his recipes. He has alot of fun with his cooking and the recipes are easy to produce and very tasteful. This is a chef worth knowing more about.

Last night I made chicken wings again, but I think this is the last time, I will be deep-frying them. Set off the smoke alarm many times-I'm sure my neighbors loved that whiny sound of the smoke detector. This time, I took the time and made my favorite wing sauce.

My wing sauce: 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 bottle Louisiana hot sauce, celery sticks, blue cheese dressing.

Melt butter in a small sauce pan. Add the hot sauce; stir until well-blended. If you like your wings hotter, add the rest of the hot sauce bottle.

After chicken wings are fried & drained, place in a serving bowl. Pour sauce over wings, mix well. Serve with celery and blue cheese dressing on the side.

Does it get any easier than this!!!

Tonight I will be cooking Pasta Shells with Mascarpone cheese and Walnuts. Why don't you make some too and we'll compare notes:

4 tbsp butter, 6 oz mascarpone cheese or double-creme, 1/2 lb pasta shells, cooked and drained, 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2 oz shelled walnuts, chopped coarse, salt, freshly ground black pepper.

In a heatproof serving dish, melt the butter and cheese. It must gently heat, not boil.

To this mixture, add the cooked pasta. Turn it round and round adding half the Parmesan cheese. Add the walnuts and and add salt to taste. Sprinkle liberally with pepper. Serve remaining Parmesan cheese separately.

Start planning now for the Whoopie Pie Festival, September 18, 2010 at the Hershey Farm Restaurant & Inn in Lancaster, PA. There will be a Whoopie Pie Treasure Hunt, Whoopie Pie Race, & so much more. www.whoopiepiefestival.com

And last but not least, more trivia on Las Vegas & Elvis Presley:

Many people assume that Elvis lived in Las Vegas between 1969 and 1976. In fact, he performed her just eight weeks (often spilt between January and August).

Elvis helped design the Imperial Suite on the 30th floor of the Hilton, where he stayed during his engagements. The suite no longer exists (it does really, but now it's the Barry Manilow suite).

In 1964's Viva Las Vegas, Elvis marries Ann-Margaret at Little Church of the West. The church, in operation for almost 70 years is the oldest structure still standing on the Strip.

More to come.

That's all for now.

Cookbook Val

Pasta to die for!

You all know I love Pasta. Well, I have the best Alfredo sauce ever for you to try. It came from the book The Joy of Pasta, which is available for sale on my EBay listing-Valerie2901. This book has incredible recipes, that are rich and creamy and oh sooo... easy to make.

Alfredo Sauce

1/4 pound butter, 1 cup heavy cream, salt, 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, fresh ground black pepper, pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, 1 pound fettuccine pasta

In a heavy heatproof casserole, combine the butter and 1/2 cup of the cream. Simmer over low heat until the butter has melted; this should take less than 1 minute. Turn off heat.

Prepare pasta, drain, then transfer to the casserole with the butter and cream. Turn the heat on under the casserole and with 2 wooden spoons or forks, lift the pasta and toss well, coating it completely with the sauce. Add the remaining 1/2 cup cream, Parmesan cheese, some salt and pepper to taste,l and nutmeg. Toss briefly for another minute, correct the seasoning and serve immediately with more Parmesan cheese on the side.

Don't take any shortcuts with this recipe. It changes the flavor alot. This is a very simple, but delicious recipe and will only add about 5 minutes to your cooking time.

Last night I went with a friend to the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay. They had the best happy hour special. Ever heard of the 1-2-3 deal. $1-beers, $2-well drinks & $3-house wines. Plus all the appetizers were half off. Lots of people, no one famous, but food was good, and there was plenty of music to listen too.

Make your whole body velvety with an oatmeal and shea butter treatment! Oatmeal gently lifts away rough dry skin and rich shea butter makes skin feel extra-supple!

Mix 1 cup ground oatmeal, 1 cup olive oil and 1 tbsp honey. In the shower, massage scrub onto skin. Rinse and pat dry. Massage in a rich shea butter cream or lotion.

Chef of the Day: Rachael Ray-visit her website and blog on www.rachaelray.com. In 2006, Rachael launched a non-profit organization that empowers kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking by teaching families to cook, feeding hungry kids and funding cooking education and scholarships.

That's all for now.

Cookbook Val

The Pineapple

January 11, 1813, the first pineapples were planted in Hawaii. They may have originally come from Brazil, though other sources say that Columbus encountered them first in Guadeloupe, their true home. As if in tribute, it was also on this day in 1935 that Amelia Earhart took off from Honolulu to make the first solo flight from Hawaii to California.

Fragrant and impressive to look at, most pineapples now come from Hawaii. Fifty years ago the Royal Hawaiian Hotel had a fountain in the lobby that provided fresh pineapple juice.

Pineapples do not continue to ripen after picking. They will keep for some weeks but should not be refrigerated-temperatures below 45 degrees F are not beneficial. A distinctive aroma is one indication of a good pineapple as well as being heavy for its size. The fruit is sweeter at the bottom, so if is to be served plain, it should be cut lengthwise.-Life is Meals by James and Kay Salter.

A week later. That seems to be all I can do these days. But it's better than nothing. After the sinus infection, I developed a head cold, that is thankfully all gone now. Seems to be my year. But I am a lucky woman, sinus infections and colds aside-I am a very lucky person. So not to say, that I have ever won the lottery or I even win at Bingo very often, but I am a lucky woman.

I don't know if I mentioned before, but as I joke, I did a stand-up routine on me being "A middle-aged sex goddess". I do not want to do this as a career, but it seems there is a need in life for a middle-aged sex goddess-I've even been offered paying jobs. It just won't be me. Instead, I'm trying to talk my sister into doing this or my girlfriend in Dallas. Both very funny people, with attitudes that could work on stage. Not me, I want to be Paris Hilton. A woman who is famous, for doing nothing.

Selling lots of cookbooks lately-doing something right. Today, I'm going to promote Chocolate. I have 3 interesting Chocolate books that haven't sold:
Hershey's Cocoa Cookbook
White Chocolate by Janice Wald Henderson-the cover alone should make you want to buy it
BH&G Chocolate
All with luscious desserts and treats await you. Look under Valerie2901 on EBay or under general heading cookbooks.

Live a little, love a little, be happy.
Cookbook Val

I have a new plan with my blog and cookbooks that I sell on EBay. Listing the books each week is so time consuming and wears out my tiny little brain, trying to think out new and exciting things about each and every book. So I have 63 books left to list and then I'm going to take more time actually trying out recipes in some of these books. I will still sell books on EBay, just not as many, since I will be going into a slow time anyway. Look for my cookbooks non EBay-Valerie2901 or under the general heading of cookbooks. And I will still do my blog and maybe become more creative in my writing.

Today, I'm going to talk about Crepes-when was the last time you made Crepes? In the 70's or 80's maybe? But these delicious little French Pancakes can be an economical family meal or elegant party fare at so little cost. I have two of these books available and I highly recommend both of them. Try something different, something new. Look under cookbooks or Valerie2901 on EBay: You Can Do Anything With Crepes or Better Homes and Gardens Crepes Cook Book.

I have more to say, but it will try and do on a separate post today. I have been locked in this house long enough and need to lie out in the sun for awhile.
Cookbook Val

Small Cookbooks

You know those cookbooks, the paperbacks found by the cash register that cost $3.99 and up. I consider those small cookbooks-small gems. Typically those cookbooks hold about 100 pages in recipes. The average hardback cookbook is about 125 pages. And yet, I sell these small gems 5 for the price of 1 and people rarely buy them. These are pretty good buys, at least I think so. I probably have 100 that I keep for me. If you are a future Pillsbury Bake-Off Contestant, you should be getting some of these small books-at least for some ideas. Look under Valerie2901-EBay or cookbooks

Speaking of Pillsbury Bake-Off Contestants, one of the girls I work with, was one of the finalists a few years back, and her sister-in-law actually won it one year. She lived (still lives) in Kansas and she said entering food contests, was a way of supplementing the family income. I have never had any of my recipes considered for the finalist competition, but I'm going to keep trying.

Last night in a hurry to get to Bingo-I am not obsessed with Bingo, just something to do in Las Vegas with big returns, I got out of my car and heard the car next to me still running, I thought to myself how odd. Locked the car door and realized, it was my car still running with the car keys still inside. What a mess! I walked home (thank goodness it wasn't too far), retrieved my extra keys and 30 minutes later, got back into my car. Must have something to do with the blonde hair. Didn't make it to Bingo last night. I did go this afternoon, playing cheap Bingo and still won $17 (cheap bingo is a small buy-in-mine was only $10). So I won my money back and a little extra.

Today, I started going through clothes I haven't worn in a year. Tossing those I would probably never wear again into the Goodwill bag-filling the Goodwill bag.

It was pretty cool today in Las Vegas, almost to the point of being cold. The weather has definitely changed here in the dessert.

My sinus infection is almost gone. It just takes alot of rest and some sun for me to get better.

I have received an Internet message, I am about to lose Internet-high winds in the dessert. More later.
Cookbook Val

Today is Friday, September 25th

G-G-Green Chartreuse-Anthony had lost his stammer in the deep waters of his old romance. It came flowing back to hi, momentarily, with the coffee and liqueurs. "Real G-g-green Chartreuse, made before the expulsion of the monks. There are five distinct tastes as it trickles over the tongue. It is like swallowing a sp-spectrum.-Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh, 1945.

When I feel stress in my life or I am exhausted, I sleep-walk. I have done this all my life. Last night I went to bed hungry. Woke up to find a food bowl and napkins, next to my bed and a open tortilla chips bag in the kitchen. Turns out I nuked shredded cheese on tortilla chips last night & then ate them-sleep eating. I guess it's a combination of stress and exhaustion that starts the sleep eating, not the first time this has happened. But it is the first time, I used the microwave while sleeping.

I know there are people reading my blog out in Internet Land. I appreciate it. Makes me feel less alone.

I'm surprised that my Christmas & Holiday cookbooks haven't sold yet. Christmas is coming. So tonight, I'm going to list my cookbooks for the Holiday season. Look for it under Valerie2901 on EBay or under the general heading of cookbooks.

Best of Holiday Recipes by Taste of Home Magazine

Ladies Home Journal Handbook of Holiday Cuisine

Holiday Cookbook by Miriam B. Loo's

Homemade Christmas-a fundraiser for Marine Toys For Tots Foundation

Treasury of Christmas Recipes-From Your Favorite Brand Name Companies

The Thanksgiving Table by Diane Morgan

So what about that 18 pound baby? Poor mother, I can only imagine her pain at childbirth.

Offered free tickets to Gino Vanelli on Sunday night. Unfortunately, I will be in Los Angeles. I would really like to see him again. Nobody ever offers free tickets for Barry Manilow either, wouldn't mind seeing his show either.

Well, I had plans to make Coconut Custard Pie, but I have run out of time today. Maybe on Tuesday, when I get back from my next trip. Lots of people don't like coconut, but I do.

Cookbook Val

Five Days Later!

Five days later, I am back to this. Really hard to do this, when I'm on a trip. Not much energy on my down time, the airplane pressurization is really getting to me these days.

Choosing The Wine: Red Bordeaux is like the lawful wife: an excellent beverage that goes with every dish and enables one to enjoy one's food. But now then a man wants a change...-My Life and Loves, Frank Harris, 1922-27.

In my ode to fund raiser cookbooks, I have four new ones for you to look over. There are gems in here I tell you.

Hip Kids Cook! by the Junior League of Omaha, NE-standard recipes for kids functions & parties, but a new twist to some familiar recipes

Gourmet Gallery Cookbook by the Stuart Society as a fundraiser for the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, FL. 440 pages of recipes-there has to be something in here for everyone.

Seasoned With Love by the Women's Ministries of Calvary Christian Center of Buena Park, CA

From Our House To Yours by the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Assn. of Realtors of Huntington Beach, CA

Look for these cookbooks and other cookbooks on EBay under general heading of cookbooks or my listing area-Valerie2901. Many times, people have asked me about my listing name. I have had this EBay listing area for many years and as much as I would love to change my listing name, to something like Cookbook Val, but every time you do, you need to open a new bank account for the new name. Too much work.

I just finished a book (now listed on EBay), that I thought was fiction, but in fact turned out to be a memoir (definitely non-fiction). Psychic Junkie by Sarrah Lassez. It actually was quite interesting, though a little slow at times, it was worth finishing. A true story of a women addicted to psychic readings.

So while on this past trip, I'm in my bed and look down and see something black with legs. We've had some issues lately at work with hotels and bed bugs, so immediately, I jumped up and stripped my bed for other little creatures. The thing is though, I didn't feel any bites, and anything that sucks blood out of me, I definitely feel. So I look again at this black thing and realize it is one of my mascaraed coated eyelashes-that's me with the "blonde hair". I found another one later (I rub my eyes too much, hence the loss of eyelashes-luckily they grow back fast). Speaking of which, I have yet to talk to anyone who has used that new product Latisse. I'm interested in feedback on this new prescription only product that grows long great eyelashes.

I really have lots to say, but it's bedtime now. Cookbook Val

The Martini

I don't really drink Martinis, too strong for me. One time, I had a severe head cold, was out with friends and they convinced me to have 3 martinis-the next time my head cold was gone. The alcohol was so...strong, it killed all the cold germs in me.

There is something about a Martini,
A tingle remarkably pleasant;
A yellow, a mellow Martini;
I wish that I had one at present.
There is something about a Martini,
Ere the dining and dancing begin,
And to tell you the truth,
It is not the vermouth-
I think that perhaps it's the gin--Collected Verse From 1929 On, Ogden Nash

Last night, after my blog, I think I had the best "box" pizza I have ever had! All Natural French Pastry Pizza Singles-goat cheese & onion. Vegetarian, no trans fats. It is put out by Alex & Liz, founders of Olive Street Table LLC in Santa Barbara, CA or www.tfppc.com. The pastry was actually a light fluffy pie crust. Honestly, it was the best pie crust (or pizza crust), I have ever had, so rich, buttery-perfect.

Today, I spent some time and money at the Palazzo in Las Vegas. It is beautiful, but I'm trying to figure out what the big deal is about it. Very understated, in an elegant way. The marble tiles in the bathroom were good. And unfortunately, I don't have the monetary budget for their shopping arcade. By the looks of the lack of traffic in the stores, neither does anyone else. I did win and lose hundreds of dollars for a couple of hours and ended up breaking even-thank goodness.

I got my bi-monthly pedicure and then went on to the shop next door to get my hair layered. The hair-raisers shop is at Jones & Flamingos in the Smith shopping Center. My hair dresser, Debbie, a former showgirl, now in her 40's, proceeded to give me a teased, big bouffant hair from somewhere in the 1960's. Is she kidding me or what! Plus the sign, said haircuts, $13.99. My bill came to $35.00, plus tip-needless to say, her tip may been bigger, but not when she charges me more than double the price, plus an out-of-date hairdo, shes lucky she got any tip at all. Being the nice person I am, I left without saying anything, went to my car and flattened out my hair. Luckily, I have good hair, that responds to just about anything.

Tonight, I made this great easy chicken recipe that you need to follow exactly:

Burnt Mushroom Chicken

1 to 2 tbsp. lemon juice, 2 to 3 tbsp. butter or margarine, 4 oz. can sliced mushrooms, 4 to 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

Melt butter and lemon juice. Saute' chicken breasts and mushrooms on medium heat. Remove chicken when done (3 to 4 minutes per side, or until no longer pink inside). Continuing saute'ing mushrooms until crispy (burnt). Serve with mushrooms on side or top of chicken.

I used no salt or pepper, and this was wonderful. I will definetly use this in the future.

Now, a plug for my ebay cookbooks website-Valerie2901. 3 books that have not sold in a long time and they should have. "Quick from Scratch-PASTA" by Food & Wine Books. Easy pasta, tasty menus, little time. Another Pasta book-"Great Meals in Minutes-Pasta Menus". Pasta is just not in these days and I don't know why not. The third book is "Classic Recipes For Everyday Cooking" by Better Homes & Gardens-a great starter book for the new cook in your family. All have great, easy recipes, some simple, some elegant-all wonderful. Pasta does not sell easily. I love cooking pasta, in fact I have made many pasta recipes from the Food Network with Giada-great cook, easy recipes. My thing with pasta is easy, a few ingredients, not too greasy, even light if possible.

Tonight, I also went to a show at the Southpoint Htl & Casino to see Ronn Lucas, a ventroliquist. I have seen him many times on cruise ships and always enjoy his show. He will be playing there for the next 5-6 weeks on Thursday night at 7:30pm, well worth the small fee of $20 per person. Maybe the best and least expensive show in town right now.

Cookbook Val

My niche in life

I think I have found my niche in life-filling you with useless and not-so-useless information. As well as recipes to keep you cooking and your stomach filled. I think that's it. That's what this blog is for, my unrequited need to teach people about food and the flavors, tastes, scents and seasonings.

My Wine Tribute: SHERRY: A self-willed wine!

Sherry is a self-willed wine which gives a good deal of trouble to its guardians during its early years; it must have its own way, but like many a difficult child, when Sherry reaches the age of sweet reasonableness, it is the most amenable of all wines, the only one that will not let its nose be put out by being left overnight and even for some days in a decanter; the only one to put up cheerfully with cigarette smoke and over-scented women-A Wine Primer, Andre Simon 1986.

This next book up, I would love to own, but I'm afraid if I did, I would use it all the time. Look for the next 2 books under cookbooks on EBay or Valerie2901. "Mini-Fryer Cookery" by Barbara Melhven. 211 tested recipes from hot appetizers to main dishes, beef fondue to desserts-all deep-fried. Just the way I like it. I had chicken wings about 2 months ago and felt so guilty. I still have french fries once in awhile, that is my comfort food, when I'm not feeling good-so I save it for that time. I think my writing my chicken wings cookbook is the way I can warrant eating chicken wings once in awhile, because I have to test the recipes.

The other book I can recommend is: "Grilling With The Perfect Flame Cookbook". The author is the Grill Company published in 1995. It is not a big book by any means (only 36 pages), but good easy grilling recipes, great marinades, sauces and ideas.

An example: Key Lime Shrimp

1 lb. large raw shrimp, 1/4 cup- lime juice, 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, 1 tsp. garlic, minced.

Peel shrimp, leaving tails intact and thread shrimp on skewers. Mix remaining ingredients in bowl. Grill skewers for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Brush on sauce while grilling. Arrange on platter and serve immediately.

I don't even have to make this recipe, to know it will work and taste good.

I spent the day scouring thrift stores for cookbooks and hit the mother lode at the Outreach Community Center on Lake Mead Blvd in North Las Vegas. Overall today, I bought approximately 70 new and used cookbooks.

I also hit the Poker Palace for bingo-me and all the old people. Of course, I didn't win, I never do, but I was throughly entertained.

Cookbook Val

Eventful Week for Me!

I have had a week full of events in my life. Starting with some Kashmir sapphires I bought many years ago in India. I have found a buyer for them and if all goes well, I may have a small fortune on my hand. On the other hand, if they are appraised and I was sold glass (which I don't think I was), I will have as much as I had before-very pretty stones that need setting.

Besides cookbooks & cooking in my life, I have been collecting gemstones for years, waiting for the right time and enough money to set them all. Now, I think its time to look for barter, buyers and some more jewelry lessons to set some of them.

I read a book recently called The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow. It was a hard book to get into, but once I did, it was very moving. Sappy Val showed up at the end. It doesn't take much to get Sappy Val out and crying these days.

Today, I took a drive into the desert to the Gold Strike Casino in Jean, NV. They offered me a free buffet and a much needed long drive in the desert. The buffet was good, good country food, quite the hot spot in Jean, NV. For $4.95 per person, every table was filled very quickly and as well as open seats at my booth. The drive was needed to clear my head, about sapphires and relationships and new horizons ahead. I'm still not there yet, but soon will be.

My cookbook of the day, "Farewell To Fat" by Richard Simmons. Who is described in this book as the Yankee Doodle Dandy of aerobics. This man should receive an award, for everything that he as done and contributed to the weight loss community. Yes, he's a little over the top, but he has contributed so much in the 70's, 80's & 90's! The recipes in this book are steeped in American tradition-dishes passed on from one generation to another and now updated with flavorful twists from Richard's own kitchen. Look for this book on EBay, under cookbooks or Valerie2901-my little part of EBay.

Cookbook Val

Turkish Cookery by Inci Kut

Turkish Cookery is my cookbook to talk about today. Listed on my EBay website-Valerie2901 under the general headings of cookbooks. I have been to Turkey a couple of times, so I'm really enjoying reading this. The culinary art in Turkey is made of a great variety of delicious dishes which are a mixture of various delicacies inherited from different regions of the vast Ottoman Empire. Among different parts of Turkish Cookery, the most notable are hors d'oeuvres (meze), pastries (borek) filled with meat, cheese, vegetables or any other filling, stuffed vegetables and vine leaves (dolma) of two different kinds with meat or rice, broiled or roasted meat dishes (kebab and kofte), different kinds of rice dishes (pilav) and finally vegetables cooked in oil (zeytinyagli). There is so much more in this book to learn about the food and culture. One of my exotic books.

I thought of another cookbook that sells really well: George Foreman cookbooks! I love my George Foreman Grill-use it all the time. The books are well worth getting.

One of my favrite places to eat in Las Vegas is at Ellis Island Casino-one of the best deals in town-for $6.99, you get a 16 ounce beer from their micro brewery on site, a large salad, a baked potatoe and a 10 ounce top sirloin (and the steak is really good). What a deal!

Also, yesterday, besides picking up the fabulous rasberries, I picked up a bag of 6 pears and a bag filled with a dozen plums, for $.99 each.

That,s all for n0w.
Cookbook Val