Neat Gadget!

My son, Andrew, got me this neat juice extractor for Christmas. I thought maybe it would be complicated and all, but it is the easiest thing to use.



I picked some berries.


We put the extractor together. Bottom is filled with water, middle section collects juice and top section has holes like a strainer and is where you put your fruit.


You turn on the heat to get the water boiling. There is an opening in the middle section where the steam rises. The juice comes out of the berries and falls into the middle section. When it reaches an inch or so up, it comes out of the tube.


There is an instruction sheet with a time table as to how long you steam your fruit. We did it for longer than it said. Just make sure the water doesn't all evaporate from the bottom container.
It makes more juice than the old fashioned way. It is so easy, too, no more cooking and straining through a cheesecloth.


I didn't make jelly with it, though I had more than enough juice to do it. I just poured it into a container and added sugar.


You can use it with vegetables and herbs, too. It would be great for when you make grape jelly, but for some reason our grapes are not producing hardly any grapes this year. It would be great for making tomato juice, too, or even apple juice.

On another note. . .

I haven't been on the computer much lately. I've been suffering with tendinitis in my upper right arm and shoulder. I let it go toooo far before going to the doctor. I couldn't move my upper arm more than an inch or two away from my body and I couldn't sleep at night, because it was so painful. I think I got it from pulling weeds almost all day a couple of weeks ago. The computer aggravates it, so I've been trying to stay away from it as much as possible.

Anyway I did finally go to the doctor. So glad I did! In addition to pain pills, muscle relaxers and pills for inflammation, he is also treating me with what he calls a hammer. It's a little complicated to explain, but it does look a little like the end of a sledge hammer and he puts it along your shoulder and upper arm. It vibrates up and down on you and when it hits the affected area, boy do you know it. But,let me tell you, he's made a believer out of me. I am almost back to normal. One more visit this week with the hammer should do it. He said it also works for carpel tunnel syndrome.

Hope everyone's having a nice summer and don't work too hard!