Enjoy a cup of rose-hip tea

photo by Fort Greene Clinton Hill

DEAR SARA: I have three or four rose hips. How many rose hips would it take to make a pot of tea? — Juju, Virginia

DEAR JUJU: You could get a decent cup with four rose hips. Cut the rose hips in half, and remove the seeds or strain after boiling. Boil water in a nonreactive pan, add the rose hips, and steep until desired strength. I recommend at least 10 minutes. When you have more rose hips, you can let them steep in a slow cooker overnight, too. Sweeten with honey or sugar, or add some fresh mint or lemon juice for added flavor.

DEAR SARA: Can I use dryer lint for stuffing when I make stuffed animals? Have you tried it, and what were your results? — M.H., Texas

DEAR M.H.: I haven’t tried it and wouldn’t bother. It’s so fine that your project would lose its shape, couldn’t be washed, and you would get dust particles coming out of whatever you make. You can use it to make clay. Here’s a recipe: www.planetpals.com/dryer_lint_crafts.html. Or stuff it into toilet-paper rolls to use as fire starters.

DEAR SARA: What are your frugal standby foods? What kinds of things do you keep on hand for hungry teenagers (or just family members who eat like one)? I am seeing it would be beneficial to have a couple frugal filler-type foods to offer when I’ve met my limit on more expensive foods (example: homemade bread). But I need more ideas than just bread, because if I make it too often, it starts going stale because the novelty wears off. My 4-year-old ate four waffles for breakfast today. At this rate, will he be eating 16 of them in 12 years? I better buy stock in Eggo! — W.H., Florida

DEAR W.H.: You can make your own homemade waffles, which will be bigger, healthier and cheaper.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
1-1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs, separated
2 tablespoons sugar (can adjust to taste)

Heat the waffle iron. Stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir together the milk, butter, vanilla and egg yolks, add to the dry ingredients, and blend until smooth but don’t overmix. Whip together the sugar and egg whites, and fold into the batter. Pour the waffle batter onto the iron, and cook until golden brown.
You don’t want to simply fill kids up. You want to make sure that it’s nourishing food rich in protein, iron, calcium and zinc. You can offer foods such as pasta, rice, soups, sandwiches such as peanut butter or wraps, baked potatoes, lentils/beans such as hummus dip, cottage cheese, whole-grain crackers, breads and cereal such as oatmeal, fruit smoothies, salads, popcorn, applesauce, hard-boiled eggs and nuts in moderation, fruits, cheeses and raw vegetables. Most teens crave junk food. Some healthier choices can include homemade pizza or taco salads, or make baked wings versus fried or baked apples with cinnamon. Instead of ice cream, offer frozen yogurt, cinnamon toast instead of doughnuts, quick breads or muffins instead of cake, baked potato skins instead of potato chips or graham crackers instead of cookies.