[LauraO]

You know the little packets of red pepper pods that you get when you have a pizza delivered?

After having hundreds of these packets pile up, I finally figured out how to put them to great use!

I, for one, hate to bite into one of these little seeds, so I empty the packets into my blender and grind them to a coarse powder, put them in a small plastic container with a lid and put them in the cupboard with the rest of the spices.

This spicy chili powder is great to add to spaghetti sauce, chili, soups, meats, omelettes, etc. It just gives your food a nice little kick that makes people go, "Hmmmm.... what is that flavor?" I use it all the time, and don't have to buy chili powder anymore!

I empty the parmesan cheese packets into my parmesan cheese container and store it in the fridge. I also squeeze all the little ketchup and mustard packets into my ketchup and mustard containers. I save the little jellies, jams, butter and artificial sweetener packets that you get in restaurants.

[vgleason]

I add them to chili

[mcnerd]

And of course I get this hint after I've already tossed the packets out (tired of looking at them everywhere).

[LauraO]

Originally Posted by mcnerd

And of course I get this hint after I've already tossed the packets out (tired of looking at them everywhere).

Hey, if you're a pizza lover like me, you will have your supply replenished before you know it!!! LOL!!!

[Faith]

You can also sprinkle them around your plants outside. It helps keep the 'critters' away, but doesn't hurt them.

[2vette2camaro]

Yes I add them to the bird feeders to keep the squirrels out.

[mysweetiepie]

Originally Posted by 2vette2camaro

Yes I add them to the bird feeders to keep the squirrels out.

Does that really work ? Would it work on raccoons ?????????

[2vette2camaro]

It does work on the squirrels but I don't know about racoons.

[LauraO]

[bette]

It works to keep ants out of your house. Just put some around your doorways and windows.

[marbear]

We went to a wedding once and I was just so moved to see everyone crying like a baby as we bid farewell to the bride and groom...until my lips and hands started burning. Turns out the mother of the groom got anti-squirrel birdseed and it has red pepper in it! People were rolling on the floor in the bathroom in pain! Thank goodness I did not rub my eyes!

[NoahsMomma]

Originally Posted by marbear

We went to a wedding once and I was just so moved to see everyone crying like a baby as we bid farewell to the bride and groom...until my lips and hands started burning. Turns out the mother of the groom got anti-squirrel birdseed and it has red pepper in it! People were rolling on the floor in the bathroom in pain! Thank goodness I did not rub my eyes!

Sherry

[tammiw516]

Think they will laugh at me when I ask Dominoes for 100 extra packets?

[LauraO]

[mpayne]

Great ideas! I love all the ideas you folks have for alternative uses for everyday products.

I just tossed all of our old condiments, too... will remember this post next time!

I usually add the little packets to DH's lunch box when he takes sandwiches (mayo & mustard packs so the bread doesn't get soggy before lunchtime). I add Taco Bell sauce to chili and spaghetti sometimes. Those little soy sauce packs from Chinese restaurants always come in handy because I so rarely use it, I hate to buy a whole bottle.

[mumsfarm]

We keep ours for trips in the car, zoo, fishing, ect... when everyone eats something diffrent on a sandwich. Sure beats having to keep up with jars and easy to throw away what you dont use. Little salt packets in glove box to mix with water if someone gets to hot in summer time

[Javahead]

LauraO I am so glad to see someone else admit squeezing packets of ketchup and mustard into the bottles. I have been doing that since I was 17. My entire family has a long standing joke about handing me packets for my stash while they giggle.
~I recently taught my 6 year old granddaughter about squeezing too.

[CHERYL S]

I Am Trying To "squeeze" Out Every Bit Of Everything I Can !!!! Drives My Boyfriend Nutz But He Sure Appreciated The Extra $$$$$.

[geishagirl81]

Marbear, I grew up on a farm. As a teen, my brother was a cook at a Mexican restaraunt. He convinced my parents to plant a 20 by 30 foot salsa garden complete with Habanero peppers. So one day he was home picking, cleaning, dicing, and cooking salsa when my parents got a frantic call while they were shopping. Apparently in the midst of creating a batch of fire hot habanero salsa, he had to take a quick potty break. And didn't wash his hands BEFORE he relieved himself of excess fluids. My dad rushed home to make sure that he didn't need to go to the ER. So now, 10 years later, he still receives pepper themed gifts from the family!

[ashambmom89]

Originally Posted by geishagirl81

Marbear, I grew up on a farm. As a teen, my brother was a cook at a Mexican restaraunt. He convinced my parents to plant a 20 by 30 foot salsa garden complete with Habanero peppers. So one day he was home picking, cleaning, dicing, and cooking salsa when my parents got a frantic call while they were shopping. Apparently in the midst of creating a batch of fire hot habanero salsa, he had to take a quick potty break. And didn't wash his hands BEFORE he relieved himself of excess fluids. My dad rushed home to make sure that he didn't need to go to the ER. So now, 10 years later, he still receives pepper themed gifts from the family!

thanks I needed a good laugh

[itsbelong]

We don't have pizza delivery. But what great ideas!

[tammiw516]

The hot pepper salsa garden story is just too funny. Sounds like something I would do.............well if I were a male, .

[ctsunshine]

I've never squeezed the ketchup, mustard into the bottles (great idea!) but I've used a bunch of packets when making meatloaf.

CTSunshine