Because ice crystals can cause breakage of cell membranes in some foods, freezing them should be avoided. Mushrooms, soft fruits, and salad vegetables tend to lose crispness and firmness when frozen. Raw grapes and apples become mushy. Tomatoes become watery and limp.

Saturday, May 14, from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the Robinson City Park'sMarathon Shelter. Do you have too many irises and not enough day lilies? Are your houseplants falling off the shelf? Then dig up your irises, divide your houseplants and bring them to the Master Gardener Plant Sale. Anyone can buy! And anyone can sell seeds, flowers, plants or trees. You set your own price. Table space is $10.00. Call the Extension Office at 546-1549 by May 9, to reserve a space or for more information. Have your plants priced in containers (styrofoam cups, plastic baggies, plastic shopping bags or pots) and please have each plant labeled clearly! Bring your own change. This can make you money for those plants you want to buy OR you can get other members of your family together and have a table. Plus any HEA Unit is welcome to have a table to have a fundraiser!

It should come as no surprise that a sedentary lifestyle promotes several diseases and life-threatening conditions, many of which can be warded off with regular exercise. Walking is an easy low-intensity workout that you can do anywhere to get you active. Here are some tips on how to get active with the hip new pedometers that are selling like hotcakes all over the country.

1) Develop goals for yourself based on self-improvement. Write your goals down and continue to look at them once a week. You are simply trying to increase your current activity level, no need to set an arbitrary number.

2) Buy a logbook. Log your steps/miles everyday and review your progress.

3) Buy a quality pedometer. $20-$30 will buy you a multi-function pedometer that you will want to wear, take care of, keep and use for a long time. A cheap pedometer will frustrate you.

Consumers will now find Sugar Lite from Equal and Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking in their grocery stores. A half-cup of Splenda Sugar Blend replaces a full cup of pure sugar. This product is made from Splenda and sugar. New Sugar Lite from Equal bakes and measures just like sugar – with half the calories. Per cup consumers save 384 calories using these blends versus real sugar. However baked goods such as cakes, cookies and brownies made with these blends still turn out very calorie dense. It is a good idea to use Splenda in beverages, puddings, and pie fillings because calories saved are significant in these applications.

1 cup sugar = ½ c. Splenda Sugar Blend = 1 cup Sugar Lite

1 pound sugar = ½ pound Splenda Sugar Blend = 1 pound Sugar Lite

TRADITIONAL SALISBURY STEAK

1 egg

2 T. dry bread crumbs

1/2 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. pepper

3/4 lb. ground beef

3 T. flour, divided

2 T. olive oil

3/4 c. water

2 T. ketchup

2 t. Worcestershire sauce

1 t. beef bouillon granules

1 medium onion, quartered and sliced

1 can (4 oz.) mushrooms, drained

In a small bowl, combine the egg, bread crumbs, garlic powder and pepper. Crumble beef over mixture; mix well. Shape into two patties; dredge in 2T. flour. In a skillet, brown patties on both sides in oil; drain. Set patties aside. Add the remaining flour to the skillet; whisk in water until smooth. Stir in ketchup, Worcest. sauce, and bouillon. Add the onion and mushrooms. Bring to a boil. Add the patties. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until no pink. Serve gravy over patties. Yield: 2 servings. Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals 479 calories, 23 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 196 mg cholesterol, 1024 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 44 g protein.

PINEAPPLE MALLOW CREAM

1 c. miniature marshmallows

1/2 c. crushed pineapple

1/2 t. lemon juice

1/4 c. heavy whipping cream, whipped

In a saucepan, combine 1^st three ingredients. Cook and stir over low heat until marshmallows are melted and mixture is blended. Cover and chill until partially set. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon into serving dishes and cover and chill for at least 30 minutes. Yields: 2 servings

BREAD PUDDING

1 slice bread, cubed
2 tablespoons raisins
1 egg
1/2 cup evaporated milk
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Divide bread and raisins between two greased 8-oz. baking dishes; set aside. In a bowl, beat egg, milk and water; pour over bread. Combine sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool slightly. Serve warm.