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Throat relief -- This tip courtesy of TV Talk Show Host Wendy Williams is definitely worth sharing.  Dissolve a Halls cough drop in a cup of hot tea and drink.  This combination helps soothe strained vocal cords.  How you doin? 

Frying tips -- Use fresh, clean oil to produce fried foods that are not greasy and have good flavor and color.  Fry most foods between 300 and 350 degrees.  Monitor the temperature with a candy thermometer that attaches or hangs down the side of your heavy pot.  Use soy or peanut oil, but if you have nut allergies, use vegetable oil. 


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Chef Lauren Von Der Pool, Vegan/Raw Food Cuisine Expert
Earth Day is April 22, 2010 -- In honor of this day which recognizes the importance of being kind to the environment, I will be sharing green tips for the next three weeks.  The first one is below.  

Recycling tip part 1 -- Forget the beauty aisle and pamper your body with recycled foods.  Think twice before throwing away the following leftover produce because they are wonderful facial treatments.

Mashed avocado -- Combine with a little fresh lemon juice, then apply the paste-like mixture to your face; leave the mask on for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off.  Mashed avocado (minus lemon juice) is also a great deep hair conditioner.

Mashed papaya -- Great natural facial mask; leave on for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off.

Cucumber puree or slices -- Apply to your face to help reduce swelling; cucumber slices are really good for puffiness around the eyes.

Next week, I will continue my month-long observance of Earth Day with recycling tip part 2:  more leftover foods to pamper your body with. 

Learn more about Von Der Pool's exotic vegan and raw food cuisine at vonderpoolgourmet.com.

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Do you have a culinary question or tip to share? 

Email your questions and tips, along with your city and state, to  drakeel@drakeelenterprises.com.  We will do our best to publish as many as we can.  

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