Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts

Monday, May 31, 2010

Me= MEat free MEmorial day and a quote or two

Happy Memorial Day - now there is an ironic reason for a holiday and celebration.  Regardless the first meatless recipe comes from a daily newsletter whose title may offend [so I'll spare you the title] but has great health tips tips and information.  The second is from all recipes (dot) com.

#1 Drunk BBQ Corn
Ingredients:
10 ears fresh corn with husks
1 quart beer (non-alcoholic or wheat-free, if desired)
1 (7 pound) bag of ice cubes
Directions: Place whole ears of corn in an ice chest. Pour the beer over top. Dump the ice out over the ears of corn. Place the lid on the cooler, and let sit for 8 hours, or overnight. Preheat smoker to 250° F. Place the corn in the smoker and close the lid. Cook for 1 to 2 hours, turning every 20 minutes or so. Kernels should give easily under pressure when done. To eat, just peel back the husks and dig in.

#2 Double Tomato Bruschetta


Double Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

Ingredients

  • 6 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, stems removed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 French baguette
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven on broiler setting.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.
  3. Cut the baguette into 3/4-inch slices. On a baking sheet, arrange the baguette slices in a single layer. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly brown.
  4. Divide the tomato mixture evenly over the baguette slices. Top the slices with mozzarella cheese.
  5. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.


Now a few quotes just because...

  1. Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. --Unknown 
  2. Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come most alive, because what the world needs is people who have come alive. --Howard Thurman 
  3. In order to make anything a reality, you have to dream about it first. --Adora Svitak 
  4. If we do not lay ourselves at the service of mankind, whom should we serve? --John Adams 
  5. You must trust and believe in people, or life becomes impossible. --Anton Chekhov 
  6. Joy and happiness are the indicators of balance in a human machine. --Walter Russell 

Be safe and have fun today!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Me= MEat free Monday and one additional product review

Monday is here again and with this day comes another meatless recipe.  Yes I'm actually still supporting two campaigns simultaneously: meatless on Mondays and meatless in May.



This following recipe is from All recipes (dot) com and received five stars which comes in handy since I just purchased two containers of large strawberries for only $4.00.  Can you believe that?  Strawberries are usually so expensive.  Needless to say that I'm excited.  I just might switch the poppy seeds out for walnuts.  I love walnuts in salads.


Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Spinach and Strawberry Salad Recipe
Ingredients



  • 2 bunches spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
  • 4 cups sliced strawberries
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, toss together the spinach and strawberries.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, sugar, paprika, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. Pour over the spinach and strawberries, and toss to coat.

Now to a product that I really like.  I recently attended an event that handed out samples of eco-friendly laundry detergent.  The sample I received was enough for one large load.  I have been using the Wonder Balls over the last several months and I love them because they use no harsh chemicals.  After a load my clothes are clean and great but no fragrance.  After all clean does not have a smell but I do miss fragrance in my laundry especially my linens.  

So I gave my sample of Method a whirl on a load of linens and was pleased.  Method uses "green" ingredients a high powered plant based formula using mostly renewable ingredients.  The packaging uses less plastic and has a brilliant pump so no more detergent spilling on the floor which is also fantastic.  Their log line is "For a jug-free America."  Method uses smartclean technology.  Method's smartclean technology™ is designed to be inside-out: detergent with the cleaning agents outside, water inside. the cleaning agents get to work right away: once they're released in the wash, they're like magnets immediately drawn to dirt and stains. and unlike traditional detergent, more of our cleaning agents are used, which is why you can use so much less and still get a great clean. 4 pumps to be exact.
method laundry

[Disclaimer: I have no relationship with the manufacturer featured in this post.]  I don't have any samples to share but here is a coupon if you care to give this product a try.  My apologies if I sounded like a commercial.  I don't want to sound cheesy.  After all that's Carma Sez' job.  When I like something I spread the word.

Monday, May 17, 2010

ME = Meat Free Monday

Well Monday's roll around so fast.  Here are more delectable Meat free Monday and Meat free in May recipes for you and your family to try.  The first one I created one day out of desperation and hunger.  Two very fitting motivations.

#1 Deviled avocados for Breakfast or for a snack
CLP0504226 - Avocado
(No actual recipe photo available yet, this one is courtesy of www.veer.com)
I created this recipe due to only having avocados one morning when I woke up remembering that I had still not gone food shopping. One large avocado per person.  Peel and pit a large ripe avocado, with a fork slightly mush the 'meat' in a bowl, sprinkle Sea Salt and Cayenne pepper to taste.  I like a pinch of each.  And add a tea spoon of Agave nectar [for a little sweetness but not necessary]. Mince one garlic bulb and mush some more.  Do not mush or blend into a creamy consistency, leave lumpy [avocado chucks] dollop onto whole wheat crackers, into the skin half or eat right out of the bowl.  I prefer organic products [avocados, pepper and garlic] and crackers without many chemicals or additives.

Health benefits.  Avocados add a tasty twist to your meals, and a 1-ounce serving of fresh avocados contains 0mg of cholesterol, 0mg of sodium and 0.5g saturated fat. See the chart for how avocados compare as a substitute on sandwiches, toast and in place of other popular foods.  Sea Salt - here is research that I attained from health benefit of water (dot) com.  There are benefits and warnings so read with caution and always consult your health care provider regarding your intake.

Dr. F. Batmanghelidj MD, the author of "You are not sick, you're thirsty!" explains that salt has many other important functions than just regulating the water content of the body. Here are only a few of it's invaluable benefits:


  • First, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj MD explains that salt is not bad for you. It does not raise the blood pressure. It is the insufficiency of other minerals that normally hold on to and keep water inside the cells that causes a rise in blood pressure. Given in conjunction with other minerals, salt will actually lower blood pressure to normal levels.
  • Salt can be very effective in stabilizing irregular heartbeats and, contrary to the misconception that it causes high blood pressure (in conjunction with water and the other essential minerals).
    - One or two glasses of water with a little salt will quickly and efficiently quiet the racing and "thumping" heart and, in the long run, 
    will reduce the blood pressure.- Talk with your doctor about the right balance of water and salt for your diet.
  • Salt is a strong antihistamine.- It can be used to release asthma. Put it on the tongue after drinking a glass or two of water. It is as effective as an inhaler, without the toxicity.
    - it can also stop persistent dry cough and clear the lungs of mucus plugs and sticky phlegm, particularly in asthma, emphysema and cystic fibrosis sufferers.
    - 
    Salt is a strong antiseptic
  • Salt is vital for extracting excess acidity from inside the cells, particularly the brain cells.- if you don't want Alzheimer's disease, don't go salt-free and don't let them put you on diuretic medications for long!
  • Salt is vital for the kidneys to clear excess acidity and pass the acidity to the urine. Without it the body will become more and more acidic.
  • Salt is a strong anti stress element for the body. It is essential in the treatment of emotional and effective disorders.
    - Lithium is a salt substitute that is used in the treatment of depression.
    - It also essential for preserving the serotonin, melatonin and tryptamine levels in the brain - essential antidepressant neurotransmitters.
  • Dr. F. Batmanghelidj MD also believes that salt is vital for the prevention and treatment of the cancer. Cancer cells - he explains- cannot leave in an oxygenated environment. When the body is well hydrated and salt expends the volume of blood circulation to reach all parts of the body, the oxygen and active immune cells in the blood reach the cancerous tissue and destroy it.
  • Salt is also important for sleep regulation - it is a natural hypnotic
    - If you drink a full glass of water, then put a few grains of salt on your tongue and let it stay there, you will fall into a natural, deep sleep.
  • Salt is a vitally needed element for diabetics.
    - It helps balance the sugar levels in the blood and reduces the need of insulin.

*Warning! At the same time you must not overdo on salt. Always make sure you drink enough water to wash out the excess of salt.
As a rule of thumb, per day you need about 3-4 grams for every 10 glasses of water. An easier calculation is a quarter teaspoon of salt per quart of water.
Consult your doctor to determine the correct balance of salt and water for your diet!



#2 Napa Cabbage Salad - courtesy of all recipes (dot) com
Serves 6
Review - "This is a yummy, crunchy cabbage salad with toasted ramen noodles and almond slivers. The bowl is always licked clean at potlucks!"
Napa Cabbage Salad Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 head napa cabbage
  • 1 bunch minced green onions
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1 (3 ounce) package ramen noodles, broken
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 1 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Directions

  1. Finely shred the head of cabbage; do not chop. Combine the green onions and cabbage in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  3. Make the crunchies: Melt the butter in a pot. Mix the ramen noodles, sesame seeds and almonds into the pot with the melted butter. Spoon the mixture onto a baking sheet and bake the crunchies in the preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven, turning often to make sure they do not burn. When they are browned remove them from the oven.
  4. Make the dressing: In a small saucepan, heat vinegar, oil, sugar, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, let boil for 1 minute. Remove the pan from heat and let cool.
  5. Combine dressing, crunchies, and cabbage immediately before serving. Serve right away or the crunchies will get soggy.


Wednesday, May 12, 2010

ME = Meat free in May

ISP2103091 - A girl holding a piglet
(www.veer.com)
Since I am supporting two meatless campaigns, Meatless Monday and Go Meatless in May, it is appropriate to post as many meat alternative recipes as I can.  Therefore I have found a few others that you may enjoy with your family.  I haven't tried these yet but the day is young and I must still shop for food.


Enjoy!


www.supportmfm.org


http://www.facebook.com/MeatlessMay?ref=ts&utm_source=Weekday+Newsletter&utm_campaign=dc60fa5853-Your_Daily_Thread_Weekly_Newsletter9_25_2009&utm_medium=email

The following are from all recipes (dot) com after I searched for the best/most popular vegetarian recipes:


#1 Candied Walnut Gorgonzola Salad

Missy's Candied Walnut Gorgonzola Salad Recipe


Prep Time:5 Min
Cook Time:5 Min
Ready In:10 Min




Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup walnut halves
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3 cups mixed greens
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
  • 1 tablespoon raspberry vinaigrette
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

  1. Place walnuts and sugar in a skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves into a light brown liquid and coats the walnuts. Remove walnuts from skillet, and spread them out on a sheet of aluminum foil to cool.
  2. Place in a large salad bowl the mixed greens, cranberries, cheese, vinaigrette, vinegar, and olive oil. Toss gently; add candied walnuts, and toss again.


#2 Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole

Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe


Prep Time:30 Min
Cook Time:30 Min
Ready In:1 Hr



Ingredients

  • 4 cups sweet potato, cubed
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  •  
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Put sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cook over medium high heat until tender; drain and mash.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  3. In medium bowl, mix the sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potato mixture.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly brown.
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[Alert - the following paragraph discusses physical and biological observations during a meat free lifestyle.]
I must say that I an not a vegetarian however over the past several months I've been enjoying delicious vegetarian and vegan cuisine very much and have noticed a difference in my physicality.  My skin is clearer, my menstrual cycle has normalized [the regulation of such a condition was the catalyst to having my having a stroke], and bowl movements are more frequent and healthier looking.  Per my health coach Dr. Foster and America's doctor, Dr. Oz, they are supposed to have a lighter color, be a little fluffy in water and float, not have a dark color and sink to the bottom of the bowl.  

I have more energy, purchasing vegetarian food is kinder to my budget since I must shop more regularly.  

Habits. The rule is DO NOT KEEP PREPARED FOOD REFRIGERATED FOR MORE THAN TWO DAYS. This means more trips to the grocery store during the week.  If I buy greens for salads, 'grain' meat [like Field Roast], or if I cook a meal [pasta] and there are left overs, those left overs are tossed away if they are not eaten up by day two.  That rule is because bacteria can grow even in the refrigerator and can contaminate your food.  What I do keep for about a week is fruit (apples, oranges, grapes, kiwi).  Per my health coach even frozen foods are not recommended for preservation for more than 10 days.

Visiting the market several times per week is a lifestyle change but it does not have to be costly.  It takes education [knowing that you must change], a mental shift [deciding to change], research [finding alternative meals], planing and budgeting. Bunches of greens, and other types of vegetables are pennies and you leave the market with quite a bounty for dinner. There is a market near my home that sells 10 cloves of garlic for $1.00.  You can't beat that with a stick. Optimal health and wellness is a lifestyle choice and changing habits can be a challenge.  It is for me.  However like the no pain no gain philosophy at the gym, one can adapt to change in our nutrition plans order to lessen trips to the doctor and to discover how much fun it can be to eliminate meat for a day or so. 

I used to think that vegetables were just a side dish but because of very talented chefs these days they are the meal. Take a look at these foto search images in order of appearance: cannelloni with oregano, hummus with cherry tomato sandwich, veggie lasagna, miso cake with beetroot sauce, veggie pizza, veggie burger, pasta, veggie sushi, this last image is from Plum Bistro in Seattle and I have no idea what vegetable this is under the sauce but look at it, does it matter?  Yum.  




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