With the start of a new year, I thought it might be fun to do something a little different and take myself (and possibly you) on a fun history lesson. Instead of looking at what the most popular fashions, music, and fashion were from 2015 or predicted for 2016, why not look at what was popular a hundred years ago? So here’s a fun little list of the most popular fashions, foods, and music “pins” from 1916.
So what was life like in 1916? To start, the United States had just entered World War I, unlike anything the world had ever experienced before. Patriotism in the U.S. was at an all-time high and citizens were encouraged to help with the war effort by enlisting, planting gardens to help with the diminishing food supplies, purchasing war bonds, and much more. Women and African Americans were encouraged for the first time in our nation’s history to work the types of jobs that had typically only been offered to White men.
With women entering the workforce, uniforms became quite the novelty and even little girls would sew uniforms for their dolls. The U.S. saw women’s hemlines shorten to allow for more movement when working and helping support the war effort and hairstyles also started to shorten. Despite the war, women’s fashion grew while becoming more practical. Even though corsets were still worm by most women clothes became less fitted.
1916 Hollywood
The most popular movie of the year was D.W. Griffith’s “Intolerance” which cost $385,907 to make, considered one of the most expensive movies at its time.
The top five girl names were Mary, Helen, Dorothy, Margaret, and Ruth. The top five boy names were John, William, James, Robert, and Joseph.
1916 Recipes
And last, but not least, here’s a fun digital copy of one of the more popular cookbooks of the time, Good Housekeeping Woman’s Home Cookbook with such American favorites as Cottage Pudding, Sweetbread Salad, and An Inexpensive Cake.
Amazing how much has changed in 100 years and yet a lot is very much the same–we still come together as a nation during war and still love to cook delicious recipes for our families, wear the latest fashions, watch movies (now talkies in color!) and listen to music. Here’s to another 100 years!
It’s that time of year…witches, goblins, ghosts, galore. With Halloween breathing down our necks, I’m seeing so many adorable recipes for Halloween parties. So here is my list of the 31 most spook-tacular recipes for planning the ultimate Halloween Party!
Spices are like shoes for me. I have way too many! Unlike my shoes, with as much as I cook and bake, I get plenty of uses out of my spice. One life hack that I’ve recently discovered is making my own spice mixes. I’m sensitive to monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is in just about everything nowadays so I love that I can eliminate MSG from my seasonings, limit the amount of salt that goes into them, and save a ton of time and money all at the same time. Seriously, how often have you run to the store to pick up a packet of taco or Italian seasoning because a recipe called for it and you were out? Chances are you actually already had all of the spices needed in your cupboard! Even better, if your family really loves an herb or spice (in my house it’s garlic and parsley) you can add extra to your spice mix to create a truly unique family blend. Use empty spice containers or small mason jars to hold your spice mixes. As long as you place these spice mixes in an airtight container, they should keep for six months.
So here are my top 7 spice mixes or blends which you can make at home. Don’t forget, be creative! If you don’t like something then don’t add it. If you really like something else then add even more! Treat it like a fun home experiment. 🙂
#1: Taco Seasoning Recipe This is a great substitute for your store-bought taco seasoning packets like Old El Paso and McCormick. This recipe equals one ounce of taco seasoning or one packet of taco seasoning mix. Use for tacos, fajitas, or anything you want to add a little zip to.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
Directions:
Mix all of the above ingredients in a bowl. Store in an airtight container.
#2: Italian Seasoning Recipe I use A TON of Italian Seasoning in my house so finding my own recipe was a must. This is a great copycat of the pricey bottled variety which never lasted long in my home.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons dried basil
3 tablespoons dried oregano
3 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Directions:
1. Place the ingredients in a food processor and pulse a few times until the herbs are uniform and thoroughly mixed. Store in an airtight container.
#3: All Purpose Seasoning Recipe I love a good all purpose seasoning and is great on meat, fish, veggies, and pasta. Basically great on anything savory. 🙂
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon red pepper
¾ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground bay leaves
¼ teaspoon chili powder
Directions:
Mix all of the above ingredients in a bowl. Store in an airtight container.
#4: Apple Pie Spice Recipe As soon as the leaves start to turn my family starts to crave some homemade apple pie and pumpkin bars. Those teeny tiny bottles of apple pie spice can cost $3-$4 but what’s really in them? Just a few standby spices you already have in your spice cupboard! 🙂
Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon of cardamom (optional)
Directions:
Mix all of the above ingredients in a bowl. Store in an airtight container.
#5: Seasoned Salt Recipe If you like Lawry’s Seasoned Salt then you’ll love this MSG-free copycat substitute. Great on just about everything.
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cornstarch
Mix all of the above ingredients in a bowl. Store in an airtight container.
#6: Dry Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe Dry Italian Dressing is one of those items that’s called for in a lot of my favorite crockpot and pasta salad recipes but it’s pretty pricey and always seemed to be that one item I never had on hand. Not anymore! This is a great copycat recipe for “Good Seasons” and MSG-free!
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
Mix all of the above ingredients in a bowl. Store in an airtight container.
Italian Salad Dressing Recipe:
2 Tablespoons of Dry Zesty Italian Dressing (Recipe Above)
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup oil
2 Tablespoon water
#7: Dry Ranch Seasoning Recipe This is a great copycat and MSG-free version of a packet of dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing and equals one packet. I see these packets called for in a lot of casserole and crock pot recipes so it’s great to have a home-made version for the seasonings instead of buying all of those packets.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
Mix all of the above ingredients in a bowl. Store in an airtight container.
Ranch Salad Dressing Recipe:
Dry Ranch Seasoning (Recipe Above)
1 cup of mayonnaise
1 cup of buttermilk
Directions:
1. Mix ingredients in a medium bowl and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve with salad.
Ranch Dip Recipe:
Dry Ranch Seasoning (Recipe Above)
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 3/4 cups sour cream
Looking for other great recipes and ideas? Be sure to subscribe to my blog for the latest updates or see a few of my favorite previously published recipes and ideas below: