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Show Tips on cooking for one by Charlotte Brennand USU Extension food safety specialist LOGAN Cooking for one on a regular basis can become monotonous. There are also nutritional concerns if meals are skipped or not complete. There are many tasty dinners available in grocery stores. Fast food restaurants and delicatessens also provide food rapidly. In these cases, you pay for someone p elses labor. Sometimes it may be worth it to you; other times it may not. You can make most meals for a lot less money and tailor them to your personal likes and diet needs. They are also available without leaving home. Portioning individual servings and freezing them for later can be a useful solution to the daily cooking problem. Though it takes more time initially, it takes much less time per meal than cooking every meal from scratch. For a slight increase in work, you can have portions for later use. There are also economic benefits to cooking and freezing large quantities. It is possible to take advantage of the normally lower price per pound for larger purchases. 6-- When consciously planning to preserve part of the food, there is less likelihood of spoilage problems since there are fewer leftovers. Money is also saved by not going to the grocery store as frequently; thus there is less temptation for impulse buying. Freezing food can be a helpful way to simplify food preparation for solo cooking. Consider these tips. Carefully select freezing containers and packaging. The major objectives in packaging are to keep air from the product and minimize moisture loss from the product. All containers and packaging materials should be food grade. If you plan to take food directly from the freezer to the microwave, use containers sold as microwave safe. Cool foods quickly before freezing. Foods should be cooled quickly to retard the growth of bacteria and to help retain the natural flavor, color and texture. The more rapidly the food freezes, the better the quality of the food later. Allow one inch space around packages to allow the food to freeze rapidly. Freezer temperature should be zero grees fahrenheit or below. de- Make soup or stew ice cubes. A convenient method for handling soups, stews and other liquid mixtures is to make bowlshaped ice cubes. After cook- ing, freeze the mixture in microwaveable bowls overnight. Then run tap water over the back of the bowl and remove the frozen disk. Place them in a plastic bag, press the air out, seal it and return it to the freezer. To use, place a frozen disk in a bowl and microwave it. Experiment with freezing family favorites. From a safety perspective, there is much more flexibility when freezing products than when canning. No food becomes toxic due to freezing method. & SALT LAKE I CITY--Ta- x evasion scams, including fraudulent tax return preparation, cost taxpayers billions of dollars every year. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reports that criminal investigations into Freeze overnight or until frozen solid, then transfer to bags or containers and place in freezer. Breads freeze well. Specialty breads can be made in small loaves, frozen in serving portions or individually frozen, then stored in the same plastic bag. Be aware that certain items should not be frozen, due to effect on the quality of the product. For example, gravy, pudding and cream pie filling curdle when frozen and thawed. Other items that shouldnt be frozen include mayonnaise, salad dressing, cream to be whipped, sour cream, yogurt, soft meringues, lettuce or other fresh greens, cream or custard d pies and eggs. Mayonnaise, salad dressing, sour cream, yogurt and gravies can be frozen if used in combination with other ingredients. Be aware of thawing and hard-boile- reheating methods. Most products can be reheated in a variety of ways. Foods frozen in sealed bags can be reheated by placing in boiling water. Bread heated in a microwave oven. If bread products are left too long, however, they will become tough and dry. Soups and stews can be heated in a sauce pan or microwave oven. Fried rice is best refried. Purchase larger quantities of meats, poultry and fish. It is usually cheaper per pound to buy larger quantities of meat. Do not freeze fresh meats in the packages they are sold in if you want to keep them longer than weeks in the freezer. The film over fresh meat is made to allow oxygen to reach the meat so it keeps the bright red 1- -2 color. However, the presence of air with frozen food will lead to freezer bum and rancidity. After dividing into portions, wrap the meat in plastic wrap and freezer paper, or seal in plastic bags for freezer storage. If not dividing the meat, removal from the grocery store package prior to rewrapping is tax return 4 v t, i i ft ' I ft changes when starting a diet NAP- S- More than 50 percent of adult Americans are significantly overweight and at increased risk for several dis- eases including diabetes, 1 s asthma and heart disease. The major culprits are too little exercise and too many unhealthy foods and beverages. But according to womens health expert Donnica Moore, MD, its never too late to benefit from a healthier lifestyle. In fact, lifestyle changes may help reverse risk factors associated with certain diseases. Still, for people who want to lose weight but dont know where to begin or have previously failed at dieting, the process can be overwhelming. The trick is to replace in- - zero-calor- ie well-plac- ed Planning your dream Idtchen by Dennis Hinkamp LOGA- N- Many people have too much family and not enough kitchen. Many people are also planning to remodel or build a new home. The kitchen is often die most expensive and most used room in the house and thus requires the most planning. Utah State University Extension and the Utah State University Utah House in Kaysville present a day-lon- g seminar Explore your Dream Kitchen, Saturday, Jan. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The seminar covers all aspects of design, evaluating and selecting appliances, working with contractors,, storage, energy conservation, accessibility and budgeting. Instructors include ex pert kitchen designer Chris Woodward, cabinet and interior designer Kathy Warren, Utah House program coordinator Kerry Case, Utah House project director Leona Hawks and Utah State Extension agents Marilyn Albertson and Teresa Hunsaker. There is a registration fee and is limited to 30 participants. Early registration is encouraged because participants need to bring kitchen measurements to die semi- nar. One hour of college credit is available through Utah State University Continuing Education for an additional charge. To register or for fee information, call Kerry Case at the Utah House at VA care for optional. The same techniques used for cooking for one can also be used for someone in the family with special diet requirements or when taking food to someone who is unwilling or unable to cook. More information can be found at http: extension.usu.edufiles foodpubsfn501.pdf unallowable credits or excespreparers. While most on sive returns more doubled than exemptions preparers provide good serpreparers vice to their clients, a few in 2002. prepared for their clients. Fraudulent preparers also unscrupulous tax preparers Dishonest tax preparers file false and fraudulent tax can commit fraud in a nummay manipulate income figber of ways. They can claim ures to obtain fraudulent tax returns and ultimately, deinflated personal or business credits, such as the Earned fraud their clients. Income Tax Credit. It is important for taxexpenses, false deductions, Missing the signs that a payers to know that even if preparer could be abusive someone else prepares their could cause the taxpayer conreturn, they are ultimately siderable financial problems. responsible for all the inforSome of the most common mation on the tax return. The Better Business Busigns include: Claiming that reobtain can reau, along with the IRS, they larger recommend that taxpayers funds than other preparers. follow these tips when hirBasing their fee on a percentage of the amount of the ing a preparer: Get referrals refund. Fees should be based from satisfied clients. Ask on the complexity of the rethe preparer about their trainthe on size never the of turn, ing, experience and current tax savings or refund. knowledge of tax law. grained bad habits with healthy Find out whether the they can get Claiming ones, so tackle smaller changes immediate payment of preparer has ever represented you first to increase the odds of sucyour return. Keep in mind taxpayers in an audit, or has cess, says Moore. ever been denied eligibility that this is a loan. FrauduOne of the simplest things lent tax prepares often pad to do so. anyone can do for their health their pockets by giving cash Consider whether the inis to drink more water. a high interest rate dividual or firm will be front at up Filtered water costs only while presenting it as an inaround to answer questions pennies a gallon and readily stant refund federal from the about the preparation of the available, Moore says. And, tax return months or even not only does it help curb the government. to the tax Refusing sign years after the return has appetite before, but replacing been filed. one sweet drink for a glass of return or provide the taxMost importantly, taxfiltered water each payer a copy for his or her sure records. make payers should always review Always day saves about 50,000 calothat you have something in their return before signing ries a year. Moore recommends using hand that shows proof of and ask questions on entries reminders. Keep a what transpired and you they do not understand, and container of filtered, healthier should have a receipt for serget a copy of the return for water on the kitchen counter. vices rendered. their records. Finally, do not Or, put a pledge in writing and should be very ever sign a blank tax form or Taxpayers careful when choosing tax one filled out in pencil! post it on the refrigerator. fraudulent Start with small ' when possible. This works well for berries, vegetables, muffins, slices of pie and cake. Spread food individually on a cookie sheet so it doesnt touch. products and meats, such as barbecued ribs, can be heated in an oven or toaster oven. Toaster ovens are less expensive to run than standard ovens and are usually large enough for single servings. Most products can be re- Avoiding tax evasion scams , including fradulent tax preparers 1 - Feel free to experiment by combining a variety of products or seasonings. Boiled potatoes tend to become soggy, but can be included if that is acceptable. Freeze a small batch initially to see if you like the results. Freeze individual portions January 29. 2004 - The Pyramid - Pace Seven veterans of Iraqi Freedom NAP- S- The U.S. forces engaged in Operation Iraqi Freedom won a war and toppled a ruthless regime in a matter of days. However, the effort to keep the peace and rebuild a nation continues to produce U.S. military casualties. As a result, the Department of Veterans Affairs (V A) is working closely with the Department of Defense to ensure that Americas newest generation of veterans receive the best treatment possible without delay. For more information contact the nearest VA medical center or clinic and ask for the Iraqi war veteran contact office or call For benefits information call or visit www.va.gov. With combat casualties flowing back to military hospitals in die U.S., VA makes sure the wounded soldiers know what their veterans health care and benefits options are even before they are discharged from military service. VA offers special health tare benefits to newly discharged combat veterans under a program that provides free care for conditions that may be related to military service for two years after discharge from the military. The benefit waives the usual requirement that veterans prove a connection between medical problems and military service, or that they fall below minimum income level. For the first time, VA is enveterrolling combat-wounde- d ans into the VA health care system before they formally leave military service. This enables the veterans to choose treatment in a facility nearest their homes as they recuperate and await discharge. National Guard and Reserve members called to active duty are eligible for VA health care conditions for service-connect- and for VA benefits depending on length of active military service. Also, more than 23,000 former prisoners of war (POWs) already receive some form of compensation for their wartime experience. There are, however, many who do not. Thats why the VA is asking former prisoners of war not currently using their benefits to contact VA to find out if they may be eligible for disability compensation and other services. This is important since new policies are in place to cover an increasing number of former POWs as new illnesses have been found related to wartime captivity.' They have the same copay rules as other veterans for medications and for extended care. Free dental treatment for any dental condition is available to former POWs held for more than 90 days. Cleary Building Corp. Featured Special 30 x 40 x ft 10Wv $7,995 0 tuft) UX jrwJ r M t Atk tboul til other tptcttltl Specializing in tte manufacturing, shipping and instalation of customized preengineered structures FuSy twnd mi bMt mmntf n t idustyl kMitte Oruttt) Sutrt tee ttentl CM us for your butmg rm)s baby1 Toll butt Free prirta ftafov tfw ahamroc to appfted |