Don't Do Anything Rash…

Gardening season is in full bloom, so don't let skin irritations keep you from digging all the way in. Sun, heat and humidity, as well as exposure to certain plants and biting insects, may lead to skin rashes and irritations. The best way to avoid rashes is to protect your skin and avoid the irritant, but that's not always possible. If you experience occasional skin rashes and irritations as a result of spending time outdoors—don't scratch. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, and avoid clothing that may have come in contact with the irritant. After washing, consult an old friend—Watkins Red Clover Salve. Red clover is a natural skin treatment that has been used for centuries to treat skin discomforts. It may be just what you need to avoid those little bumps in life.

Brenda Koth, MS, RD

Grape News for Your Skin!

The newest anti-aging beauty treatment doesn't require surgery, acid peels or injections. A few dabs of grapeseed oil onto your skin and around the eye area can help diminish fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin's appearance, and make it feel as smooth as silk. In the days of Cleopatra, women applied the leftovers from winemaking directly onto their skin, and those who stomped grapes at Italian wineries noted the smoothness of their skin. It wasn't until recently, however, that the anti-aging and skin beautifying properties were attributed to the oil inside the grapeseeds. You'll find traces of grapeseed oil in some high-end cosmetics, but you'll get the greatest benefits by applying grapeseed oil directly onto the skin. Extremely light and absorbent, Watkins All-Natural Body Oils contain pure, all-natural grapeseed oil in a unique blend of natural plant oils and vitamin E for smooth, vibrant, younger-looking skin.

Brenda Koth, MS, RD

Here's the dirt on food!

Lunchtime - a spoonful of this, a handful of that, a dab of ...dirt? Like it or not, we actually eat several pounds of dirt in our lifetime, according to Susan Moores, a St. Paul, Minnesota, dietitian. Luckily, Mom was right - a little dirt never hurt anyone - but there are a few other culprits that are cause for concern. Bugs, weeds and other critters wreak havoc on plants, and chemicals ar often used to keep them away. Since these chemicals are specifically designed not to wash off in the rain, it stands to reason that they won't wash off with tap water, either. Even organically-grown foods harbor dirt, insects and bacteria that water alone won't wash off. If the thought of ingesting dirt and other foreign matter isn't very appetizing, Watkins Fresh Wash can help make it all a little easier to swallow. Fresh Wash is proven to work 400% better than rinsing with water alone, removing over 90% of surface contaminants and impurities. It even doubles the healthy life of lettuce. Choose from spray or concentrate - either way, it will definitely clean your palate!

Brenda Koth, MS, RD

The Agony of De Feet

If you're itching to kick off your boots and tiptoe through the tulips, you'd better do some "sole" searching first. If there's one part of our body that we tend to neglect, it's our feet. With proper care, you'll feel good about baring your soles, and you may even avoid having to foot the bill for a doctor visit. If your feet are looking a little rough around the edges, try Watkins Peppermint Foot Scrub with pure peppermint oil and pumice-it will rid your feet of dry, dead skin and smooth out the rough spots. For a surge of energy that will absolutely knock your socks off, massage your feet everyday with Watkins Peppermint Foot Cream. The pure peppermint oil will energize your entire body and help to relieve pain and itching. If you work out, apply Peppermint Foot Cream before exercise. Research shows the aroma of peppermint can help you work harder and faster, resulting in more calories burned during exercise. Both are available at Watkins Museum and Store, just a pumice stone's throw from downtown.

Brenda Koth, MS, RD

Kosher Products

Some Watkins product labels are imprinted with a
Kosher symbol. The appearance of this symbol on
any product means that the product has been certified
Kosher by officials of the Jewish faith. The
specific symbol appearing on our products represents
the organization that has certified our products—
the Upper Midwest Kashrut Association.
The following Watkins products have been certified
Kosher and Pareve:

Aloe Vera Juice (both)
Black Pepper and Pepper Blends (all)
01115/01926 Cinnamon, Korintje
Extracts
21395/01195 Lemon
21385 Maple
21705 Raspberry
Vanilla
(all—Original Double Strength, Pure, Clear,
and Organic)
21376 Vanilla Nut
Gourmet Herbs and Spices (all except:)
01951 Cinnamon, Saigon
Gourmet Whole Peppercorns (all)
Organic Herbs & Spices (all) (U.S.)
Organic Seasonings
00510 Beef Seasoning
00511 Chicken Seasoning
Seasoning Blends
01960 All-Purpose Seasoning
01961 Apple Bake Seasoning
01977 Omelet & Soufflé Seasoning
01979 Pizza Seasoning
01981/21143 Poultry Seasoning
01982 Pumpkin Pie Spice
21992 Seasoning Salt

Food Sensitivities~Sugar

The following products contain some form of
sugar (including dextrose, corn syrup, etc.):

Flavored Salts (all)
05311 Chai Latte
01232 French Vanilla Cocoa Mix
Dessert Mixes (all but Chocolate)
Extracts
21385 Maple
Vanilla
(all—Original Double Strength, Pure, Clear,
and Organic)
21376 Vanilla Nut
02600 Good Tastings Bread Mix
02005 Lemon Pepper
Medicinal Products
32319 Cough Medicine (Canada)
02320 Cough Syrup Plus (U.S.)
02326 Supercold Cough Medicine (U.S.)
00511 Organic Chicken Seasoning
Pizza Crust Mixes (both)
Sauces & Condiments
Barbecue Sauce Concentrates (all)
01058 Calypso Hot Pepper Sauce
01056 Inferno Sauce
01168 Meat Magic
01169 Steak Sauce
01057 Tropical Salsa
Seasoning Blends
01961 Apple Bake Seasoning
01959 Chili Seasoning
01987 Coleslaw Seasoning
01989 Fish & Seafood Seasoning
01972 Grill Seasoning
01986 Potato Salad Seasoning
21992 Seasoning Salt
Snack & Dip Seasonings:
02068 Bacon & Onion
02054 Crab
02055 Cucumber & Dill
02056 Garden Vegetable
02062 Salsa & Sour Cream
02070 Sesame & Garlic (seasonal)
02064 Tomato & Bacon (seasonal)
02065 Tomato & Horseradish
Soup/Gravy (all)
02090 SoyNilla® (U.S.)

Food Sensitivities~Salt

The following products contain salt:

Barbecue Sauce Concentrates (all)
01058 Calypso Hot Pepper Sauce
01232 French Vanilla Cocoa Mix
Dessert Mixes (all)
Flavored Salts (all)
02600 Good Tastings Bread Mix
01168 Meat Magic
Organic Seasonings
00510 Beef Seasoning
00511 Chicken Seasoning
Pizza Crust Mixes (both)
Seasoning Blends
01959 Chili Seasoning
01987 Coleslaw Seasoning
01989 Fish & Seafood Seasoning
01972 Grill Seasoning
01986 Potato Salad Seasoning
Snack & Dip Seasonings (all)
Soup/Gravy (all)
01169 Steak Sauce
Salt

Food Sensitivities~MSG

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Some people have experienced unpleasant symptoms
after consuming foods with MSG. This is
thought to affect about 2% of the population
(fewer than the percentage who have allergic reactions
to other foods).

Watkins adds no MSG to any of its products;
however, MSG does occur naturally in a wide variety
of foods, such as Parmesan cheese, mushrooms
and tomatoes, and is present in flavoring agents
such as hydrolyzed proteins and autolyzed yeast
extracts.

In the case of hydrolyzed protein products (such
as in our Soup Bases and Barbecue Sauces), the
glutamate that is present is the same as that found
in fruits, vegetables, meats and grains. Also, an
8-ounce serving of broiled chicken breast contains
15 times more free glutamate—alleged to be the
cause of “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome”—than an
8-ounce serving of processed food containing HVP
(hydrolyzed vegetable protein).

Food Sensitivities~Gluten-Free/Vinegar

Some people have an acute sensitivity to gluten, a
protein present in wheat and some other grains.
Because distilled white vinegar is made from grain based
alcohol, there are varying schools of
thought on whether gluten-sensitive individuals
should use products containing this ingredient.
Although the vinegar used by Watkins is, to the
best of our knowledge, gluten-free, it is our position
that this choice is up to the individual and
his/her health care provider. A separate list of
products containing vinegar is found after this
Gluten-Free list.

The products listed below do not contain distilled
white vinegar, and are, to the best of our knowledge,
free of gluten and/or gluten derivatives:

Aloe Vera Juice (both sizes)
01038 Baking Cocoa
01039 Baking Powder
Black Pepper and Pepper Blends (all)
Cinnamon (all)
01232 French Vanilla Cocoa Mix
Coffee, Organic (all) (U.S.)
01040/31040 Cooking Spray
Dessert Mixes (all)
Extract
21365 Peanut Butter
Flavored Salts (all)
Fresh Wash® (both)
Grapeseed Oils (all)
Gourmet Herbs and Spices (all)
Gourmet Whole Peppercorns (all)
Liquid Spices (both)
Medicinal Products
02332 Peppermint Whitening Toothpaste
02300/32300 Settelz
02326 Supercold Cough Medicine (U.S.)
01981/21143 Poultry Seasoning
02012 Sea Salt
Seasoning Blends (all except:)
01959 Chili Seasoning
01976 Meatloaf Seasoning
Snack & Dip Seasonings
02069 Blazin’ Cajun
02055 Cucumber & Dill
02057 Garlic & Dill
02062 Salsa & Sour Cream
02071 Sesame & Garlic (seasonal)
02070 Tomato & Basil (seasonal)
02065 Tomato & Horseradish
02090 SoyNilla® (U.S.)
Soup Bases
21175 Beef
21180 Cheese
21176 Chicken
21179 Cream

Products Containing Vinegar
The products listed below contain distilled white
vinegar or vinegar solids. Our supplier has stated
that “to the best of our knowledge, no gluten is
present” in the distilled white vinegar used by
Watkins. However, we provide this list as a service
to those who choose to avoid vinegar. These products
are otherwise gluten-free.

Barbecue Sauce Concentrates (all)
Hot Sauces/Salsas (all)
01168 Meat Magic
Seasoning Blends
01959 Chili Seasoning
01976 Meatloaf Seasoning
01169 Steak Sauce

Food Sensitivities~Dairy Products

The following products contain dairy-derived
materials and/or sodium caseinate:

01232 French Vanilla Cocoa Mix
05311 Chai Latte
01040/31040 Cooking Spray
Flavored Salts
01993 Butter
Snack & Dip Seasonings
02050 Bacon & Cheddar
02055 Cucumber & Dill
02057 Garlic & Dill
02062 Salsa & Sour Cream
02065 Tomato & Horseradish
Soup/Gravy
21180 Cheese
21176 Chicken
21179 Cream
21177 Mushroom
21173 Turkey

Nectarine-Cantaloupe Soup

This nutritious and colorful cold soup is an elegant, delicious way to serve fruit. It's as impressive as it is easy, and makes a beautiful first course for breakfast or brunch

6 nectarines, washed, unpeeled, pitted and sliced
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup honey
1 tspWatkins Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2tsp Watkins Cinnamon
Dash Watkins Nutmeg
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
3 cups peeled, seeded, diced cantaloupe
1/4 cup fresh blueberries
Mint sprigs

(may need slightly more orange juice before serving)

In saucepan, combine prepared nectarines, water, lemon juice, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Puree in blender or food processor ; transfer to large bowl. Add orange juice and cantaloupe to blender and process; add to bowl with nectarine mixture and stir to combine. Cover and chill thoroughly. Serve soup in chilled bowls; garnish with blueberries and mint.. (If soup becomes too thick during chilling, add more orange juice.)

Makes 8 servings.

Gingered Vegetables

1 Tbsp. Watkins Garlic & Parsley Grapeseed Oil
1 cup diagonally sliced carrots
1 cup diagonally sliced celery
1 cup red bell pepper strips
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
1 cup fresh broccoli florets
1 cup fresh or frozen snow peas
1-1/2 tsp. Watkins Garlic Granules
1-1/2 tsp. Watkins Ginger
2 Tbsp./30 mL cornstarch
1-1/4 cup /325 mL water
2 tsp./10 mL Watkins Soup Base

Place a large skillet or wok over high heat; add grapeseed oil and heat until hot. Add carrots, celery, red pepper and onions; stir-fry 3 minutes. Add broccoli, snow peas, garlic granules and ginger. Combine cornstarch, water and soup base; pour over vegetables. Cook until mixture begins to boil and thicken, stirring often. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer just until vegetables are crisp-tender. Makes 6 servings.

Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce

2 tbsp Watkins Garlic & Parsley Grapeseed Oil
2 tbsp chopped onions
2 tsp Watkins Garlic Flakes
2 large tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped
2 tsp Watkins Basil
Salt and Watkins Black Pepper

Saute onion and garlic flakes in the grapeseed oil on medium heat until onions are soft. Add the chopped tomatoes and basil and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve over your favorite pasta or polenta.

Makes 1-1/2 cups sauce.

Cheddar & Summer Squash Casserole

2 Tbsp Watkins Grapeseed oil
1 medium onion, chopped
3 lb. yellow crookneck squash
1 tsp salt
Watkins black pepper to taste
1/4 C. Watkins Cheese Soup & Sauce Base
1 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 C. milk
8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (low fat or fat free saves calories)
1 Tbsp parsley flakes (or 2 tbsp. fresh, chopped)
2 tsp Watkins Italian seasoning
1/4 C. bread crumbs
1 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Heat olive oil, and saute onion over medium heat until soft but not browned. Meanwhile, slice yellow squash; cut larger parts in half lengthwise before slicing.

Add squash, salt, parsley and black pepper to pan; continue to saute until squash starts to stick or brown, then add water. Cover, turn heat to low and cook until barely tender, not soft.

Use a blender or whisk to combine flour, Cheese Soup and Sauce base and milk. When well blended, cook in a separate pan, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Remove from heat, and stir in the shredded cheese. Pour over the yellow squash mixture, combining gently. Turn into a casserole dish or small lasagna pan.

Mix together the bread crumbs, Italian Seasoning and Parmesan. Sprinkle evenly over cheese-squash mixture. Bake for about 20 minutes until bubbly. Garnish with more fresh parsley if desired.

Vanilla Soda...Yum!

1 teaspoon Watkins Pure Vanilla Extract
1-1/2 teaspoons sugar, or equivalent artificial sweetener
8 fluid ounces (1 cup) club soda
1 scoop vanilla ice cream

Place vanilla and sugar in bottom of each glass being prepared; stir to mix. Pour in club soda, stirring gently to blend. Carefully add a scoop of ice cream to each glass. Serve with a straw of long spoon.