photo by bucklava
DEAR SARA: We buy Super Pretzels in bulk. Each box comes with a huge cinnamon/sugar pack that we never use on our pretzels. Now I have about three pounds of it and no idea what to do with it. Plus, as long as we keep buying the pretzels, we will keep getting bags of it. I know we could make cinnamon toast, use some on sweet potatoes and make cinnamon pancakes or muffins. But what else? I hate to have it go to waste. — Leigh, e-mail
DEAR LEIGH: Wow, that’s a lot of cinnamon sugar. Here are a few ideas: cinnamon rolls, snicker-doodle cookies, quick breads, baked apples, French toast, toasted nuts, oatmeal or popcorn. You can make a quick breakfast-biscuit treat, too. Dip cut biscuit dough (refrigerated tube buttermilk biscuits will work) in butter to coat both sides and then dip each biscuit into cinnamon and sugar. Place on a baking sheet. Put an indentation into the top, and fill with your favorite fruit preserves. Bake in a preheated 375 F oven for 15 minutes.
DEAR SARA: Any home remedies for tooth pain? I have a wisdom tooth that needs to be pulled. I have taken uncountable amounts of ibuprofen and Tylenol with codeine. I’m also taking an antibiotic and rinsing with salt water, regular water and a rinse the doctor gave me. I’ve tried ice packs, too. The pain will stop for maybe 20 minutes every now and then but comes right back. I’m living in the sink, rinsing every few minutes because the pain is so bad. Do you have a remedy that might work? — alarosalpn, Connecticut
DEAR ALAROSALPN: I’m not a medical expert, but my pharmacist recommends over-the-counter clove oil. It’s in a tiny bottle that comes with small cotton balls. It costs less than $10. Give your local pharmacist or dentist a call and ask his or her opinion. I would ask about the maximum amount of painkillers you can take safely, too. I’ve had tooth pain and had success simply brushing or rinsing with mouthwash. The mint dulled the ache. I know that sounds sarcastic, but I’m serious. Please seek dental help as soon as possible. Also, check whether there’s a dental school near you. They’ll often offer discounts.
DEAR SARA: Do you have any soft-food ideas? I’m trying to find some things that can be made for my grandparents to eat. They still live on their own, and my aunt helps all that she can with making food for them, but no one else helps. Chemo ruined my grandpa’s teeth, so they had to be pulled. He has dentures, but they do not seem to fit him. My aunt has taken him several times to have them adjusted, but they just seem way too big for his mouth. Needless to say, he does not wear them. What are some things that can be made that he can eat? — Mandy, Ohio
DEAR MANDY: I would ask his doctor or a nutritionist for a balanced soft-meal plan. I can suggest a few ideas to fill in. Try creamed corn; applesauce; well-cooked soft vegetables; baked or mashed white and sweet potatoes; meats ground into soups; pasta meals using small pasta; bananas; scrambled eggs; oatmeal; cottage cheese; egg salad; white rice; and yogurt.
译文:
剩余的桂皮和糖的几种用途
亲爱的萨拉：
我们买了大量的椒盐卷饼。每一盒都配有一盒桂皮或糖，但是我们从来都不涂在椒盐卷饼上。现在，我都积了3磅的桂皮/糖,也不知道用来做什么。另外，如果我们一直买椒盐卷饼，那我们会一直得到很多包的糖或桂皮。也许我们可以做桂皮土司，煮甜马铃薯，做桂皮薄饼或松饼。但是还剩下有糖和桂皮呢？我不喜欢就这样浪费掉。
莱
亲爱的莱：
哇，那可是大量桂皮糖哦。下面有一些做法：桂皮卷，丝都多饼干，快速焙烤面包，焙烤苹果派，法式土司，烤坚果，燕麦粥或爆米花。你甚至可以做一份简单的早餐，如饼干。
在切好的饼干面团 （用冷藏管装的酸奶饼干较好）的两面蘸蘸黄油，再把每一片饼干浸到桂皮和糖里。然后放在烤盘上，再在饼干表面印一个凹，然后在凹印放上你最喜欢的果酱。在一个预热华氏375度的火炉考15分钟。
亲爱的萨拉：
你有什么治疗牙痛的家庭疗法吗？我有一根智齿需要拔。我已经服用了大量的布洛芬和泰诺林，配着可待因服用的。还有一片抗菌素，还用盐水和正水来冲洗我的智齿，还有医生给我的一瓶漱口液。我也尝试过用冰块来敷。间间歇歇大概每20分钟就疼一次。严重的牙痛使我几乎离不开漱口槽，没几分钟就要漱一次口。你有什么有效地治疗牙痛的家庭疗法吗？
阿拉罗萨尔潘，康涅狄格州
亲爱的阿拉罗萨尔潘：
我不是一个药学专家，但是我的药剂师推荐我去买非处方的丁香油。小瓶装还配有小棉球。不用10美元就可以买到。打电话给你当地的药剂师或牙医，征求他的意见。如果我是你，我会问清楚在安全范围内，适合我的止痛药最大量是多少。我曾经也经历过牙疼，但用了漱口水来漱口或刷牙也能止痛。薄荷能疼痛。这个方法听起来有挖苦的味道，但我是真的觉得很有效。请尽快去找牙医治疗，另外，看看附近有没有牙科学校，因为牙科学校经常会打折。
亲爱的萨拉：
你能给我一些做柔软食物的建议吗？我打算做一些食物给我的爷爷奶奶吃。他们俩住在一块，我的姑姑尽心尽力做食物给他们吃，但没有其他人能帮她了。化疗使得我爷爷的牙齿都坏了，所以必须要拔掉。爷爷有一副假牙，但并不适合。我姑姑已经带我爷爷去矫正了几次，但那副假牙还是太大。不用说，爷爷不需要带着假牙了。有什么食物是适合我爷爷吃的呢？
曼迪，俄亥俄州
亲爱的曼迪：
如果我是你，我会请他的医生或营养学家给他列出一套均衡的软食物清单。我可以补充一些建议。可以试试奶油玉米;苹果酱;煮的很烂的蔬菜;烤的或捣碎的白马铃薯和甜马铃薯;肉末汤;小碎的乳酪餐;香蕉；炒蛋；燕麦；白软干酪；鸡蛋沙拉；白米饭和酸奶。