MONDAY FAQ 11/21/11

Welcome to this week's edition of Monday FAQ where I publicly answer most of the questions I get during the week here in this post. Let me know if you have an unanswered questions I might be able to feature here!




I'd like to host an event, but I don't live near you.  Can I still host and earn the host benefits?


Most definitely!  I have done many "long distance" events.
I can give you a link to a video of me doing an in-home cooking demonstration for a great host whose name is Judy.  Although you name is (likely), not Judy, everything else is this video would apply to you and your guests.  It is just what I would do if I were to come to your home.

I will also send you samples of most of the foods I use in that video with instructions on how to prepare them so you and your guests can sample them.  Plus, you will get order forms and price lists and brochures just like any other host.

Once you and your guests have sampled the food and watched the video, we can "meet" by conference call or skype (or similar) to address any questions that come up and finish the party.

Your guests would then have 3 days to get their orders into you or me in order to have them linked to your party.  They would have access to my contact information in case they had any questions during that time.

I've had a lot of success with these parties and people who would like to use me as their consultant, but do not live near me.  They also work well for those with odd schedules.  I'd be more than happy to do one with you!


Note: For those of you who don't know what we are talking about when we say "host an event," Shelf Reliance sells it products primarily through independent consultants who do in-home cooking or emergency preparedness demonstrations.  I am one of those independent consultants.  You can learn more about hosting here and more about Shelf Reliance here.


I'm not sure how to use my powdered butter and powdered shortening in baked goods.  Any tips?

• Tip #1: Add 1 1/2 times what the fresh recipe calls for.  For example, if a fresh ingredient recipe calls for 1/2 cup butter, and you want to use powdered butter instead, add 3/4 cup butter powder.  These products aren't 100% butter or shortening; they also contain milk to help in the drying process.  So 1/2 cup butter powder wouldn't actually have 1/2 cup butter in it.  I've found my recipes turn out better when I add 1 1/2 times what is called for.
• Tip #2: For recipes that call for "soft" butter, I found a ratio of 1 cup powder to 1 T. water works well.  Any more water and the recipe ends up too wet.  So if a fresh recipe called for 1 cup butter, but I wanted to use powdered butter, I would add 1 1/2 cups powder and 1 1/2 T. water.
• Tip #3:  Don't worry about mixing the powered and water first.  Just add the dry powder with the dry ingredients and the water with the wet.  It should work out fine!
• Tip #4: This isn't baking, but I love it, so I thought I'd include it anyway.  Butter powder makes great raspberry honey butter!

I am an independent consultant for Shelf Reliance; a company with a mission to empower others to become self reliant, prosperous and charitable.  You can learn more about Shelf Reliance, becoming a Shelf Reliance consultant ,buying their products, or earning free products, on my Shelf Reliance Consultant website.