“Affordable, nutritious and of course, delicious, peanut butter is a staple found in most American homes,” said Leslie Wagner, executive director of Southern Peanut Growers. “While some parts of the country prefer their foods hot and spicy, others prefer savory and sweet. But no matter where you go, families love making peanuts or peanut butter a key ingredient in their favorite recipes.”

After School Peanut Butter Apple Pie by Alisha L., Midwest region

Ingredients

Prepared pie crust

Chopped peanuts (optional)

For the Filling:

7 apples, peeled cored and sliced

2/3 cup sugar

3 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon lemon juice

For the Crumble:

3/4 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

Place the crust in a 9-inch pie pan and crimp edges. Use dried beans to weigh down bottom. Bake crust for 10-15 minutes, or until crust is lightly browned.

Mix all the filling ingredients together and put in crust. Using hands, mix crumble ingredients until in pea-sized pieces. Top the apples with crumble. Don’t worry if it’s piled high; the apples will cook down and the pie will be evenly proportioned.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Keep the edges covered with foil until last 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped peanuts.

Midwestern Food Festivals and Events

Here are a few upcoming Midwestern food (and drink) events:

• Dig IN–A Taste of Indiana in Indianapolis on August 28-Sample local Indiana cuisine, meet the farmers and watch local chefs compete. And try Indiana wine and beer. For more info, go to http://www.digindiana.org.
• Michigan–Traverse City Cider Week, held from August 14-21, offer varieties of apple cider at the local taverns. Orchard tours are also held and you can visit the Cider and Sausage Salon at the Cathedral Barn, with all the tastings one can handle. Visit http://www.mca30.wildapricot.org for more details. On Mackinac Island, there’s a Fudge Festival from August 19-21 (13 fudge shops within 3.8 square miles!).  Bartenders will whip up chocolate drinks and vendors will hold fudge and beer tastings. http://www.mackinac island.org
• In St. Louis, Missouri, it’s the St. Louis World’s Fare, from August 19-21; local restaurants are showcased, along with the city’s history. http://www.stlworldsfare.com.
• Lincoln, Nebraska has the Capital City Ribfest, August 18-20. There’s award-winning BBQ featured from around the world (and live music), held at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. For more info, go to http://www.pinnaclebankarena.com.
• Cleveland, Ohio has the Great Lakes Burning River Fest from August 26-27; there will be music, food and beer at the Coast Guard Station on Whiskey Island. http://www.burningriverfest.org.

For more Midwestern regional festivals, go to http://www.midwestliving.com/events.

Libra (Sept.22 or Sept.23-Oct. 22 or 23 )-This sign is one of partnership; Libra bosses thrive on personal interaction and always have a goof sense of balance and justice.
They have a taste for elegance and luxury in their surroundings-and they also like employees who carry themselves with an elegant air and luxurious flair!
They will strive for harmony and mutual effort in the workplace; they always level with you (and your opinion will matter to them).
They also have a strong need to be liked and will go out of their way to be likable (and they’ll expect you to be cooperative and cordial).
Always Show Good Manners Around This Boss.

They’ll honor commitments made to others and have an unshakable loyalty to those employees who stood by their side and helped them (and the company or business).
They’re not totally “buddy-buddy”. They thrive on pressure and demand hard work from you (become familiar with their standards, pay attention to the details and follow instructions precisely. Because if you don’t, you’ll be in deep trouble). And they don’t care if you like them or not.
These Bosses Never Forget a Kindness-or an Insult!

Saggy bosses are good-natured and usually add a humorous element to the workplace, endearing themselves to employees. They have a happy, friendly attitude (for the most part)-and want you to be the same way.
If you come to work grumpy, you’ll have to “put on a happy face” for the duration.
Having an Upbeat Attitude Will not Only Make a Saggy Boss Happy, it’ll Help you Get a Raise; These Bosses Believe in Sharing the Wealth!

Capricorn (Dec. 21 or 22-Jan. 19)-They live to work! (and are the most ambitious of the zodiac signs), but need to be around others to further their climb.
Executive and authority positions are a natural for them.
Capricorn bosses also convey a natural ability that causes others to believe and trust in them, but don’t get too familiar with them (it won’t be appreciated, to say the least). Do not request a raise; you’ll receive one when they decide that you’ve fully earned it.
They’re a strong, steady influence in the workplace environment and will have no trouble keeping the company in line, but may come across as a “stick in the mud.”
They Expect Things to Run Smoothly and According to Regulation; They’ll Become Very Upset if it’s Not!

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.18)-They have an overall concern for humanity. These bosses are friendly and helpful, but are very unpredictable.
Most of their ideas are so far advanced for the time that it may take years, decades or even centuries before the rest of the world catches up to you.
They’re frequently interrupt what you’re doing to give you other jobs or prospects.
Don’t look for compliments because they do not openly show appreciation.
And they’re not concerned with your private life or how you dress or look; They Want to Know if You’re Willing to Work Hard.

Pisces– (Feb. 19-March 20th)-They’re gentle. They’re sympathetic. And they give you time to adjust to new tasks. Employees are often uplifted themselves by this boss’s natural compassion and understanding of others’ feelings.
But these bosses rarely come into work and leave at a set time (they can be a little “scatterbrained”).
Instead, they count on you to be on time and make sound decisions.
These Bosses Want Solid, Staple Employees who are Obedient and Loyal (and they’ll probably have an “enforcer” to deal with the rough and tumble of regular business dealings).

Source: “Joyce Jillson’s Lifesigns

Knowing your employer’s astrological sign can not only give you vital clues to their personality, it can also help you learn what your boss expects and how to get ahead on the job (for those still employed).

Bear in mind that some starting and ending dates for a few signs tend to vary, depending on the source.

1. The Aries boss (Mar. 21-Apr. 19 or 20) works hard and fast; they’ll expect you to
do the same. You’ll impress them if you’re self-motivated (starting projects on
your own) and are loyal. If you’re willing to work overtime, keep your nose to
the grindstone, and don’t engage in idle gossip at work, you’ll be OK (Aries
Bosses Won’t Put Up With This Nonsense-or any Mean, Vicious Crap).

2. Taurus bosses (Apr. 20 or 21-May 20) require the qualities of discipline and
perfection (or close to it!) in their employees. Don’t put off any current or
impending work and be sure to double-check it after completion. They’re pretty
even-tempered (it takes a lot to make this boss mad), but they’re suspicious of
new ideas. Never Tell Them What To Do!

3. Gemini (May 21-June 20 or 21)-Working for this boss can be a whirlwind
experience, for there’s always hustle and bustle in the workplace; they’re
production-oriented. This sign will sometimes stick with “the old tried-and-true“,
but will suddenly take risks on new ventures. Be Flexible and Perform Your
Work Quickly (while maintaining accuracy)!

4. Cancer (June 21 or 22-July 20 or 22)-They may appear cold and unapproachable when they’re in charge, but this often hides a natural shyness. Take time to get to
know them; you may find they’re really friendly and patient. Cancer’s feelings
get hurt VERY easily (watch how you joke around them!). They appreciate compliments for a job well done. Avoid Being Critical, tread carefully and watch what you say.

5. Leo (July 21 or 23-Aug. 21 or 22)-They have to and love being the center of attention, so flatter them a lot. They have amazing vitality and work long hours, but these
bosses can also be pompous and overbearing (“full of it“). If you’re equally dedicated and strive to do excellent work, you will always get a wage increase, because Leo
bosses are generous. Stay Loyal and Do Your Best!

6. Virgo (Aug. 22 or 23-Sept. 21 or 22)-They’re highly intelligent and they
admire and respect the same in employees. Virgos are even-tempered and can
be persuaded by good logic. But they operate on a strict schedule and impose
strict regulations which you MUST follow to keep your job. Keep Everything
Neat, Tidy, and Businesslike!

Source: “Joyce Jillson’s Lifesigns

It’s a surprisingly versatile vegetable which can be steamed, boiled, grilled or roasted and even eaten raw (mostly as coleslaw).
I’ve just completed a cabbage weekend; Saturday was a main meal of steamed (or boiled) cabbage, sausage and potatoes, all cooked in one pot, with spices and seasonings. Sunday, some of the leftover raw cabbage was shredded (the leaves can also be broken up into smaller pieces using the fingers) and used to make a side dish of coleslaw (with a couple of drops of lemon juice and a few spices and seasonings). Both were delicious and very filling!

Did You Know That…..

The cabbage is one of the world’s oldest cultivated vegetables.
The ancient Greeks worshiped it for its high medicinal properties.
The ancient Romans believed it stopped drunkenness.
Choctaw Indians in Florida grew cabbage as early as 1775.
Dutch settlers to America made “Kool Sia” after their first cabbage crop sprouted.
Cabbage is grown in all 50 states; Florida, California. Texas, New York and New Jersey are the leading cabbage producing states.
U.S. farmers produce more than 25 billion pounds a year.
Cabbage production ranks number five, behind the potato, lettuce, onion and tomato.
A member of the cruciferous vegetable family, cabbage is a proven power-fighter against cancer and heart disease.
Cabbage is second only to the potato in worldwide vegetable popularity.
It has twice the fiber of Boston, Romaine, or iceberg lettuce and has less than 20 calories per cup, shredded.
Popular holidays for serving coleslaw are: The Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Christmas.
Cabbage is a great source of vitamins A and C, and beta-carotene when eaten raw-such as coleslaw.

Basic Coleslaw Proportions:
For 2 servings-2 cups shredded cabbage and ¼ cup slaw dressing
For 4 servings-4 cups shredded cabbage and ½ cup slae dressing
For 8 servings-8 cups shredded cabbage and 1 cup slaw dressing
For 12 servings-12 cups shredded cabbage and 1 ½ cups slaw dressing
A three-ounce cabbage serving contains 1% protein; 0 fat; 35 mg calcium; 0-3 mg iron; 17 mg carbohydrates, 70 mg vitamin A; 64 mg vitamin B; and 3.4 gm fiber.

Making Coleslaw
Coleslaw can be made from three types: Green, which is the main coleslaw cabbage; Red-the royal purple leaves add color to salads; and Savoy, which is slightly milder than green and red. It has crinkly pale-green leaves in a long loose head.
Always pick firm heads, heavy for their size, with crisp, colorful leaves (wilted, droopy leaves means that it’s an old cabbage lacking in flavor).
Wrapped in plastic and refrigerated, cabbage will keep in the veggie crisper drawer for several weeks.
Wash the cabbage; remove any tough outer leaves.
Cut the head in quarters; top to bottom, then cut out the core.
Slice across each quarter in ribbon-like shreds; or use the slicing blade of a food processor for instant shredding. Coarsely shredded cabbage retains more crispness and flavor because less water is lost from the cabbage leaves.
One medium head of cabbage yields approximately eight cups, shredded.
Now mix with slaw dressing-To seal in the flavor and prevent discoloration, mix as soon as possible after shredding. Want a crisp slaw? Shred, mix and serve immediately. For a marinated slaw, chill for several hours or overnight to blend flavors.

Serving Ideas

For Cabbage Cups: Use the large outer leaves of the cabbage to line the serving bowl or platter, then mound the slaw on top; smaller leaves can make individual cups.
For a Red Cabbage Bowl: Cut a thin slice from the top of the cabbage to prevent tipping. Cut across the stem end. With a sharp knife, remove the core and carefully hollow out the inside to with ¾ -inches of top and sides and fill with slaw.

Here are two slaw recipes from T. Marzetti Co:

Crunchy Mandarin Slaw
Ingredients
Slaw:
4 cups green cabbage, shredded
1can (11 oz.) Mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup celery, chopped
3 green onions, chopped, tops included
Dressing:
½ cup slaw dressing, original or light
1 cup Chow Mein noodles
This is to be mixed right before serving; the fruit sweetness blends with the vegetable crunchiness for an unforgettable taste.
Mix the slaw ingredients and refrigerate. Before serving, add the slaw dressing and noodles.
Makes 8 servings

Here Comes Summer Slaw
Ingredients
Slaw:
4 cups green cabbage, shredded
1 cucumber, grated
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 oranges, peeled and cut in small pieces
Dressing:
½ cup slaw dressing, original or light
2 tablespoons orange juice
Mix together the slaw ingredients.
Combine the dressing ingredients and toss together.
Refrigerate several hours to blend flavors.
Makes 8 servings

Growing Your Own

Want to grow your own cabbages at home? Here are a few tips from Bonnie Plants:
Cabbages need at least six hours of full sunlight, more if possible.
Bonnie O.S. Cabbages will need at least 3 feet on each side to spread out. Don’t have that much space? Use a large container.
Work some compost into the soil (cabbages love it!).
Feed your cabbages some all-purpose vegetable fertilizer; fertiilize every 10 days.
Your cabbage will need at least one inch of rainfall each week. Not raining or having a dry spell? Use a watering can or garden hose; gently water at soil level.
Keep weeds out of the cabbage patch (they compete for the cabbage’s food and water). And look out for brown or white moths; get rid of them right away. Cold weather is also bad for cabbage. If it’s below 32 degrees, cover your cabbage with a bucket or cloth covering.
In 10-12 weeks, there should have a big cabbage , just waiting for you.

(Sources: “Recipes make great eating-From Cabbage To Coleslaw”-The Vindicator, Suzanne Schubert-Cox and T. Marzetti Co., June 2, 1993 and “Grow Your Own-Getting It To Grow” by Kathy Van Mullekom, Daily Press-Newport News, Va.-The (Sunday) Vindicator, March 9, 2014)