@ DAFOXFL - In my research I've read and heard plenty of stories of grandmas canning everything in a water bath, or not canning at all - just heating the food up, screwing the lid and rings on tight, and hoping for a good seal. Many people say they never had problems, but I follow the new guidelines which say that low acid foods (corn and beans) require 240 F which can only be reached by creating steam under pressure. Better safe than sorry.

My problem is I always get busted. This isn't about money it's about food, about the inability to resist the urge to taste, everything. Who says that we are in the wrong for ordering an extra dish, it's not like we are committing a moral sin, it's just another pasta course. Besides life is too short to not order the onion rings AND the french fries...oh yeah let's not forget the butterscotch milkshake...

@rockandroller - You should share the biscuits with friends, they'll love you for it! 1 stick of butter = 8 tablespoons

Bummer that you had a bad coconut cream experience. That's usually one of my favorites. I'd love to see them all tucked and nestled together happily in a box. What a great thing to bring to a party, or birthday, or the SE office!

@ volkstricken - Do you have any health food stores near you? If so, try there in the bulk section or in the baking section. If not, just go ahead and use the sweetened coconut. For some reason it tends to be stickier than unsweetened shredded coconut. I'd reduce the amount of sweetener you use, but if you like things sweet it might just be perfect!

@ verak - If you want Gomasio (the sesame seeds and salt) your local Whole Foods should carry it. Check the Asian foods section where you might find seaweed, pickled ginger, sushi making stuff etc. I buy Eden Organics Black and Tan Gomasio.

@ Lower Yeast Side - Try bags made of alternatives to cotton like these or these

@all you Maine Root fans, I stumbled upon a bottle this weekend, bought it, and will crack it open with dinner tonight.

@everyone asking about Vernor's. My dad is from Michigan so this was the soda of choice in our house, when we had soda. In my experience, if you don't watch it when you open a can it will give you a coughing fit. It's some powerful stuff, but I wouldn't say it's a true ginger beer.

Thanks for stopping by cornrefiner, but I'll stick with grade B maple syrup, raw honey and good ol' white sugar in my homemade cookies every once in awhile. No HFCS for me.

I would agree that this isn't traditional gazpacho. I'm no expert, but I did live in Spain for 6 months and I ate my fair share of gazpacho while there. I think it's also safe to say that no momma or grandma in the whole of Spain makes it the same way either. Just because it's not traditional doesn't mean it can't be tasty!