Since I am missing the first four pages of my Grandma’s 1961 Betty Crocker Cookbook and shall never know:
1). The reasons why those four pages are missing
2). What they contained
This is the first page I see when I open the cookbook. A fun page with some tips for Kitchen Know-How. It covers much more than kitchen know how. Like tips on how to be a well-rounded (NOTE: not Rounder) person. Maybe the thing that I love most about this page is that the advice shared then is still pretty useful today. Maybe things haven’t changed all that much since 1961.
So here is what it says:
“Plan Ahead
Write menus for a week’s meals at a time. Shop for staples once a week, fresh fruits and vegetables twice weekly.
When cooking, assemble all ingredients and utensils before beginning to prepare the dish.
If you have a freezer, make several cakes, pies, cookies, main dishes or sandwiches at a time and freeze some for future use.
Combine Jobs
Bake cake or cookies while washing dishes or cooking dinner. Pare vegetables while meat is browning.
Plan leftovers. Cook some foods to be served more than once such as beef roast; use again for beef sandwiches, beef hash or beef pie.
Plan and organize daily work while working with hands (peeling potatoes, sweeping floor, etc.).
Refresh your spirits
Every morning before breakfast, comb hair, apply makeup and a dash of cologne. Does wonders for your morale and your family’s, too!
Think pleasant thoughts while working and a chore will become a “labor of love.”
Have a hobby. Garden, paint pictures, look through magazines for home planning ideas, read a good book or attend club meetings. Be interested – and you’ll always be interesting.
If you have a spare moment, sit down, close your eyes and just relax.
Organize Work
Have a weekly plan for schedule such tasks as washing, ironing, baking, shopping, cleaning the refrigerator or washing floors. One task done each day provides a sense of accomplishment and keeps work from piling up.
Alternate sitting-down tasks and standing-up tasks. Don’t be on your feet too long.
Let the family help you. Very young children can set the table; older ones help cook and wash the dishes. Include them in party plans.
Be Comfortable
Wear comfortable shoes and easy-fitting clothing while working.
Stand erect. Good posture prevents fatigue.
Have sink, work table, counter tops at height that is comfortable to eliminate strain. If dishpan is too low, set it on a box.
Use a dust mop and long-handled dust pan. Use self-wringing mop to prevent stooping.”
I know if I would follow all this grand advice, I’d have a better posture, a happier outlook, a more organized kitchen, and be more prepared at meal-time. Goodness only knows what it would do to make Captain Cavedweller’s world a better place.
I think maybe I’ll start with “Refresh Your Spirits” and go from there.
Happy Entertaining!
Shanna
