Honeyed Fruit Salad..French Recipe

Accompany this honeyed fruit salad with a baguette, assorted cheese, and a bottle of spicy-sweet sparkling dessert wine for a lovely picnic.



Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry white wine
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 pint strawberries, hulled
2 pears, cored
2 peaches, pitted
3/4 cup sweet cherries, pitted
1 kiwifruit (optional)
Preparation:
Process the first 4 ingredients in a blender until the dressing is smooth. Chill for 20 minutes before serving.

Halve or quarter strawberries, cut pears and peaches into 3/4-inch pieces, and halve cherries. Cut the kiwifruit in half lengthwise, and then cut each half crosswise into 1/4-inch slices. Toss the prepared fruit with the desired amount of dressing and serve immediately or chill.

Low Fat Lemon Bars

These moist, tangy lemon bars are a wonderful low fat treat. You might want to make two batches, as they will disappear fast.




Ingredients:
For the Base:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup quick oats
3 tbsp butter
For the Topping:
1 egg
1 egg white
1 cup sugar
3 tbs flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
Confectioner's sugar, sifted, for sprinkling
Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine flour, oats and sugar in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender, add butter and blend until the mixture is crumbly.

Press crumbs into the bottom of the baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes until edges are golden.

Meanwhile, whisk egg and egg white. Add sugar and beat until creamy. Add flour, baking powder, salt and lemon; whisk until smooth.

Pour lemon mixture over pre-baked base. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until center is set.

Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 16 squares.

Per Serving: Calories 133, Calories from Fat 24, Total Fat 2.8g (sat 1.4g), Cholesterol 19mg, Sodium 15mg, Carbohydrate 25.1g, Fiber 0.1g, Protein 2.1g

The First Flower Of Spring

In some areas of the country, like ours, we have flowers virtually all year round. In other parts of the U.S. the snow will soon be melting and you'll be able to see your first flower of spring. Here is a bit I came across while researching superstitions.

The First Flower of Spring:
The day you find the first flower of the season can be used as an omen:
Monday means good fortune,
Tuesday means greatest attempts will be successful,
Wednesday means marriage,
Thursday means warning of small profits,
Friday means wealth,
Saturday means misfortune,
Sunday means excellent luck for weeks.

Red Pepper Bean Salad..French Recipe

This colorful and tasty salad evokes images of a picnic in the French countryside. Add some crusty bread and a good wine and enjoy!


Ingredients:
1 15oz can white beans, drained
1/2 lb green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces and steamed
1/2 cup Kalamata olives
1 red bell pepper
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Preparation:
Toss all ingredients in a bowl, and chill for 2 hours before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

Clothesline Tips For Summer

Do you like to hang your laundry out for drying? Are you planning to put up a clothesline this spring to save energy? Here are some tips I've come across that may be helpful! There's nothing like the smell of laundry that has dried in the fresh air.

The average load of wash uses about 35 feet of line; your clothesline should accommodate at least that. Unless the height of a pulley-style line is significant, the clothesline shouldn't be a lot longer than that, as the sag factor increases with length.

A load of wet wash weighs about 15 to 18 pounds if it is spin dried. It will shed about a third of that weight as it dries. This may not seem like much weight, but it won't take long for your new clothesline to get stretched out a bit. By leaving a little "tail" when you tie your knot for either style of clothesline, you'll be able to undo it, pull the line tight, and retie it as often as you need to.

There are three common clothesline types to choose from:
Basic plastic clothesline has the advantage of being waterproof and cleanable (you can wipe off the inevitable mildew). With wire and fiber reinforcement, it is stretch-resistant and it's cheap. You can find a 100-foot roll for less than $4. However, it is thin, which means that it will be harder for you to grip, and the clothespin is not going to hold as tightly as on a thicker line.

Multifilament polypropylene (nylon) is tempting because it is lightweight, water- and mildew-resistant, and strong. However, its slippery texture deters a firm clothespin grip, and it doesn't tie well.

My top choice is a basic cotton clothesline. It's about the same price as nylon, which is about $7 to $8 per 100 feet. In theory, it is weaker, but unless you're hanging out pots and pans to dry, it should hold up fine.

Homemade Stress Relief

Here are a few herbal remedies to help ease anxiety and stress in these difficult times. Please note that if you take any medications please consult your physician before consuming or using herbs or herbal teas. Also, if you are pregnant, consult your Dr. as well. Some medications and herbs are not compatible.


Massage your temples with lavender oil.

Drink chamomile tea to ease stress.

Drink rosemary tea to alleviate melancholy or depression.

For a relaxing body rub, soak equal parts finely shopped dandelions, burdock (roots and/or aerial parts), yellow dock, and lobelia in 1 quart rubbing alcohol for two weeks. Apply externally.

Trying to remain relaxed but alert? Some studies suggest that the smell of apples, apple cider vinegar, or spiced apples have this effect.

A tea of elderberry flowers is considered relaxing to the nerves and is sleep inducing.

For insomnia, drink bee balm or chamomile tea and eat mandarin oranges.

Low Sodium Pie Crust

I know..you don't have to remind me. I'm on a cardiac diet and I know I have to watch my sodium, among other things. Some habits die hard though, and I need a treat every now and then. I found this low sodium pie crust that will be great for my fruit pies this spring and summer. It makes 2 large crusts.


Ingredients:
2 1/2 c Flour
2 T Sugar
8 T Shortening,Chilled
12 T Unsalted Margarine,Chilled
6 to 8 T Water

Place flour and sugar in food processor bowl. Pulse until mixed. Add shortening and process until mixture has the texture of sand, about 10 seconds. Slice margarine over top. Process until mixture is pale yellow and resembles coarse crumbs, about 10 1-second pulses. Turn mixture into medium bowl. Sprinkle 6 tablespoons of cold water over mixture. Fold and press with rubber spatula until mixture sticks together, adding up to 2 more tablespoons of water if needed. Divide dough into 2 balls, flatten each and wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Roll out between sheets of waxed paper or plastic wrap. Transfer to pie plate.

Nutrition:Calories 279
Total Fat 20 gr
Saturated Fat 4 gr
Polyunsaturated Fat 6 gr
Monounsaturated Fat 9 gr
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 1 mg
Potassium 31 mg
Carbohydrates 22 gr
Dietary Fiber 0.7gr
Protein 3 gr 30%

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows

Marshmallows are even better when dipped in chocolate! Use purchased or homemade marshmallows for this quick and easy treat. If desired, you can place the marshmallows on toothpicks or small skewers before dipping to make them easier to eat and serve. This is a great party treat for all ages.


Ingredients:
1 package (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tbsp shortening
1 bag large marshmallows or 1 lb homemade marshmallows
Assorted sprinkles or small candies (optional)
1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Preparation:

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil.

2. Combine the chocolate chips and the shortening in a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave until melted, stirring after every minute.

3. Skewer the marshmallows with toothpicks or small skewers, and use to dip the marshmallows in chocolate. Place a marshmallow in the melted chocolate and submerge it slightly. Take out and place on baking sheet to dry. If you are using sprinkles or small candies, sprinkle them on when the chocolate is still wet. Repeat with remaining chocolate and marshmallows.

4. Place the marshmallows in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set the chocolate.

5. If desired, melt the white chocolate and drizzle it over the marshmallows for a decorative look. Briefly return the candy to the refrigerator to set the white chocolate before serving.

Sun Dried Tomato And Walnut Bites

Here is a great recipe if you love tomatoes and are looking for new ways to eat them.

Ingredients:
12 small red-skinned boiling potatoes (about 1 ½ pounds)
15 sun-dried tomato halves (not oil-packed)
1 teaspoon dried rosemary OR 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/3 cup nonfat cottage cheese
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
Place the potatoes in a steamer rack in a large pan over boiling water. Cover the pan and steam until the potatoes are just tender when pierced, about 15-20 minutes, depending on size. Cool to room temperature.

Cut each potato in half and, using a melon baller or a teaspoon, scoop out and discard 2 teaspoons of potato flesh. This impression will hold the filling later.
While the potatoes are cooking, cover the tomato halves with boiling water and soak for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry. If necessary, cut away any tough edges or stems.

Place the tomatoes in a food processor with the rosemary and garlic and process until coarsely chopped. Add the mayonnaise, cottage cheese and lemon juice and process until smooth. Add the walnuts and process until they are incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You will have about 1 1/2 cups tomato mixture.
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the tomato mixture into each potato half. Place on a serving platter and serve at room temperature.

Aries Birth Flower

Would you like to buy the Aries in your life a bouquet of flowers for their birthday? Match the Aries enthusiasm and zeal with flowers the color of passion (romantic or otherwise) –like an anything-but-demure red tulip flower bouquet. Dazzling and full of energy, it’ll appeal to their love of bold gestures and their appreciation for the slightly unexpected.

Breakfast Smoothie For Heart Health

Can you tell I love smoothies? This one is a high protein, low fat, tasty breakfast smoothie, with a secret veggie. I have to watch my sodium and carbs so have highlighted those in the nutrition facts.


Ingredients:
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup blueberries
1 small banana
1 cup spinach
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 serving 1 packet splenda
2 oz soy protein
Directions:
In a blender mix juice with the frozen berries.
Add banana and spinach. Blend until mixed.
Add protein powder. Blend. Add remaining ingredients. Blend.
Enjoy!
Note:
Try different frozen fruit. You can use less spinach if it is too strong.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 5
Calories 178
% Daily Values*
Total Fat 0.56g
Saturated Fat 0.106g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.212g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.078g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 28mg
Potassium 806mg
Total Carbohydrate 23.97g
Dietary Fiber 4.2g
Sugars 12.92g
Protein 24.34g

Hand Thermometer

I know this is a bit much but I couldn't resist posting it. Did you know that you can use your hand for a thermometer when you are cooking outdoors? I think I'd rather invest in a thermometer but just in case you are without one, this is the way to do it:

Hold your palm close to where the food will be cooking: over the coals or in front of a reflector oven. Count "one-and-one, two-and-two," and so on (each pair is roughly equivalent to one second), for as many seconds as you can hold your hand still.

Seconds Counted Heat Temperature
6-8 Slow 250°-350°F
4-5 Moderate 350°-400°F
2-3 Hot 400°-450°F
1 or less Very Hot 450°-500°F

Lowfat Vegan Coffee Cake

This low-fat and vegan coffee cake uses applesauce for moisture and a healthy amount of spices for flavor. Perfect for a weekend vegan brunch.



Ingredients:
1/4 cup vegan margarine
2 cups applesauce
1 cup flour
1 1/2 cups wheat bran flakes or oat bran
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Preparation:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease the bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan.
In a large saucepan, heat the vegan margarine and applesauce together until margarine is melted. Remove from heat.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined, then pour into baking pan.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Aries!

March 21 – April 19
Aries people are creative, adaptive, and insightful. They can also be strong-willed and spontaneous (sometimes to a fault). Aries people can be driven and are very ambitious often making them over-achievers in anything they set their mind to tackle. Aries are fire signs, and so too is their personality. They may be quick to anger, but don’t take it personally, it’s just their fiery, passionate personalities showing through. Aries signs have excellent sense of humor, and they get along with almost everyone at the party (and they DO know how to party). Aries can be impatient, but we love them anyway because they are devoted friends, lovers and family members – they are loyal to then end and will fight for their causes (usually supporting the underdog).

Aches And Itches Bath Recipe

Do you find yourself aching and itching after a day of working in the garden? Make up some of this bath remedy and keep it in a beautiful container on your bathroom counter for those days when you need relief. This also makes a wonderful, homemade gift.



Ingredients:
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup dry milk
1 cup epsom salt
1 cup sea salt
Mix all ingredients together in a large ziploc bag or bowl. Store in a decorative container and enjoy!

Soymilk Crepes

This recipe is wonderful because you almost always have the ingredients on hand. They are healthy and can be a meal or a treat. This makes approximately 20 crepes if you have 1 per serving.



Ingredients:
1-1/3 cup unsweetened soymilk
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 egg whites
1/2 cup water
Directions:
1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on highest setting.
2. Meanwhile, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Optional, but suggested: spray a light coating of nonstick cooking spray on the pan about every 3-4 crepes.
3. Using a 1/8 cup, equivalent to 2 tablespoons, spoon batter on to the pan and quickly swirl the pan so the thin batter will become a circle shape. (The batter should be paper-thin.)
4. Using a fork, check the underside of the crepe every so often so it is as golden or brown as you like (this only takes a few seconds).
5. When your crepe is the way you like it, slide it on to a plate, and you're ready to fill it.
6. To fill it, choose any of your favorite fillings (see list below for some ideas), and fill one side of crepe.
7. There are MANY different ways to fold a crepe. Some easy ones are rolling it up like a burrito, folding it in half like an omelette, or folding it into quarters to form triangles.

(You can stack your crepes with alternating sheets of wax paper in between and store them in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.)

POSSIBLE FILLINGS:
BREAKFAST:
~ egg whites, lean sausage/bacon/ham, low fat cheese, fresh fruits such as apple (drizzle with apple syrup in recipe below), fat free whipped cream
LUNCH:
~ tuna, veggies
~ lean deli meats and cheese
DINNER:
~ chicken breast and mushrooms (either fresh or in a healthy sauce)
~ spinach, cheese, mushrooms
~ smoked fish (salmon)
~ lean ground meat and salsa
DESSERT
~ fat free chocolate/caramel sauce and fresh fruit
~ apples/pears and cinnamon
~ fresh orange slices
~ sugar free pie fillings
~ sugar free jam or preserves
~ sugar free maple syrup and fat free ice cream

Low Sodium Apple Syrup

I have been searching high and low for low sodium recipes that will fit in to my new cardiac healthy lifestyle. Here is one that is an easy and delicious alternative to purchased syrups.




Ingredients:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1-1/4 cups unsweetened apple juice
Sugar substitute equivalent to 4 teaspoons sugar

Directions:
In a small saucepan, combine the cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and apple juice until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in sugar substitute. Yield: 1-1/4 cups.

Nutrition Facts
One serving:
(2 tablespoons)
Calories:
20
Fat:
0 g
Saturated Fat:
0 g
Cholesterol:
0 mg
Sodium:
1 mg
Carbohydrate:
5 g
Fiber:
0 g
Protein:
0 g
Diabetic Exchange:
Free food.

Banana Wrinkle Fighter Recipe

Bananas are a wonderful anti-wrinkle treatment. Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy. Spread all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water followed by a dash of cold. Gently pat dry. This also does wonders for acne.

Victorian Cure For Swollen Feet

I was reading through some Victorian Cures and found this. It may or may not work but the next time I find myself with swollen ankles I may just give it a try.

FROM 1890...

To cure swollen feet quickly, bathe or soak them in a mixture of half water and half natural apple cider vinegar. You could also wrap them in cloths soaked with this mixture. You will soon see the swelling go down.

Vegan Pancakes

A wonderful and healthy pancake recipe with only 58 mgs of sodium.


Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup soy milk
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Preparation:
Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl until well mixed. Mix in the soy milk and oil and beat together until batter is smooth. Drop 1/4 cup of batter at a time onto a hot oiled griddle, or well greased frying pan over medium high heat. When bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake, approximately 3 minutes, flip, and cook the other side for another 2 minutes. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts:
One pancake provides approximately:
Calories: 149, Calories from Fat: 50
Total Fat: 5.6g, 9% Saturated Fat: 1.0g, 5%
Cholesterol: 0mg, 0%
Sodium: 58mg, 2%
Total Carbohydrates: 22.2g, 7%
Dietary Fiber: 1.2g, 5%
Sugars: 2.4g
Protein: 3.7g
Vitamin A 0%, Vitamin C 0%, Calcium 22%, Iron 9%, based on a 2000 calorie diet

The Daisy

What is a garden without a few daisies? I just planted some English Daisy seeds and can't wait for them to peek their little heads up out of the soil. With the warm weather that is predicted for us, I am hoping that my spring flowers make their appearance soon!

The flower symbolism associated with the daisy is purity, innocence, loyal love, beauty, patience and simplicity. Daisies are often depicted in meadows in Medieval paintings, also known as a "flowery mead." Daisies are believed to be more than 4,000 years old and hairpins decorated with daisies were found during the excavation of the Minoan Palace on the Island of Crete. Even further back, Egyptian ceramics were decorated with daisies. Daisies were also used in Mary Gardens.

Commercially important plants in the daisy family include the food crops lettuce, chicory, globe artichoke, sunflower, safflower and Jerusalem artichoke. Other commercially important species include flowers used as herbs and in herbal teas and other beverages. Chamomile and calendula are grown commercially for herbal teas and the potpourri industry. Echinacea is used as a medicinal tea.

Low Fat Guacamole

Blend 1 avocado with 1 cup low fat cottage cheese. Add 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon chopped chives or cilantro, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. A quarter cup serving has 60 calories and 4 grams of fat - half as much as regular guacamole!

Keep Your Garlic Safe

I love buying flavored oils with herbs and garlic. They always look so beautiful displayed in the kitchen, but did you know it could be dangerous to keep them out if you plan on consuming them? According to a wellness book I was just reading they claim:

Garlic can pick up the bacterium that causes botulism from the soil. Immersing the garlic in oil gives the spores the oxygen free environment they need to germinate if left at room temperature. The resulting toxin cannot be detected by taste or smell. Be equally careful with flavored oils containing herbs. Refrigerate the herbs and garlic in oils that you plan to consume.

Black Bean Salsa

Here is a recipe for a great black bean salsa. It will perk up cooked chicken, pork, or fish and can be eaten with chips for a nice treat. Cut up corn tortillas and bake them in the oven until crispy for low salt chips. It is best when eaten the same day, but will keep 2 days refrigerated in a covered container
Ingredients:
2 C dried black beans, cooked
1 C no salt added corn
3/4 C (packed) fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 C red onion, finely chopped
2 T fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Mix all ingredients thoroughly & enjoy

Sodium content in milligrams (oh, how I am tiring of counting sodium!)

2 C dry black beans, boiled 60
1 C no salt added corn 20
1 C red onion, chopped 1
2 T fresh lime juice 1

Total sodium in recipe = 82 mg

Make Your Own Lip Scrub

Keep your lips soft and smooth with this homemade lip scrub.

Ingredients:
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp olive oil

Mix together and brush on lips in circular motion. Exfoliate once or twice a week and your glosses and lipsticks will look much better as well. What could be easier?

Foods That Heal

I am one with a belief that almost anything can be healed with the proper foods. I came across this information and am passing it on to others in the hope that it might help in someone else's journey back to health.


Did you know:
Garlic is a Super Immune System Booster - For thousands of years, garlic has been used as both a food, and as a medicinal herb, and with good reason. Garlic contains an amino acid called "alliin". This acts as an antibacterial and antifungal.
Eaten regularly, garlic is said to help prevent heart desease, lower blood cholesterol, wash out fats, and increse the protective HDL's (high-density lipoproteins) while decreasing the heart damaging LDL's (low-density lipoproteins).

Garlic is also able to inhibit clot formation, which in turn reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Garlic has been used for treating high blood pressure, and has been made note of in several studies regarding anticancer activity.

It has also been shown that garlic may slow or stop the growth of various fungi and molds, including:

Candida albicans, a yeast that causes vaginitis and a wide variety of health problems.

Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus carried by dust, which causes a disease similar to tuberculosis.

One of the most exciting effects of garlic is its ability to detoxify the body, which in turn, further boosts the immune system.

This may be surprising, but another wonderfood which is far too often overlooked is:

Onion - Immunologists have found that the onion is an anti-thrombotic known to inhibit blood clots and also acts as a serious stimulant for weak heart muscles in cardiovascular ailments. The onion bulb develops a substance of sulfuric acid known as "alliin".

The onion is also a source of "quercetin" which is an anti-cancer substance that fights bacterial invasion.

DID YOU KNOW:
The average person hosts up to FIVE POUNDS of bacteria in the colon! The quercetin in onions and other yellow vegetables helps to regulate and eliminate the danger this poses to your health and immune system.

Include several garlic cloves together with several small onions in your daily diet. They add flavor to salads, sauces, salsa, and entrees. To combat the effects of odor on your breath, chew raw carrot sticks after your meal, or chew peppermint leaves that you grow in your herb garden, or in a pot on your kitchen window.

Out-of-Shape Immune Systems
We all know the signs that prove that our bodies are "out of shape". Our body fat increases, we tire more easily, walking short distances can tire us or cause us to be short of breath, and we usually find it hard to become motivated to make changes. We get depressed more easily, we don't eat right, and we don't care about exercise. What does this have to do with our immune system? ...just about everything...
When the immune system is "out of shape", we feel fatigued, we lose the fight against depression, our hearing and eyesight begins to fail, we have muscle aches, digestion problems, find it hard to get restful sleep, and have no energy for even the most mundane of things. Just as we have to keep our bodies healthy, we have to do the things that will keep our immune systems healthy.
Improve the diet
Get more sleep
Get the right kind of exercise in the right amounts
Improve the attitudes that dicate how we handle stress

9 Essential Immune Boosting Nutrients
Vitimin A and Beta-Carotene
Found in most fruits and vegetables, especially yellow - carrots, cantaloupe, yams (sweet potatoes)
Protects against tumor growth and cancerous disorders
Boosts white blood cells that detoxify your system

Vitimin B6
Whole grains, potatoes, nuts, lean meats, poultry, dark leafy vegetables
Helps to distribute the needed amino acids that build and repair the cellular walls of your immune system to resist infectious diseases

Folate
Found in legumes, salmon, dark leafy vegetables, eggs and liver (eggs and liver are high in cholesterol - consume in moderation)
Essential in the formation of cells, especially red blood cells

Vitamin C
Citrus fruits, tomatoes, cabbage, and other raw leafy vegetables, strawberries, melons, kiwi (excellent source in small package - 2 kiwi provide a day's RDA of Vitamin C)
Essential to the healing of wounds, formation and maintenace of the capillary walls, guards against infection by stimulating white blood cells

Vitamin E
Wheat germ, whole grains, vegetabel oils, cereals
Strengthens the immune system at several levels. Prevents damage to cells, stimulates white blood cells. Effective and lifesaving antioxidant

Selenium
Seafoods, lean meats, poultry, eggs, whole grains, and garlic
Guards against damage, builds resistance to tissue breakdown and counteracts the effects of toxic byproducts

Zinc
Whole grains, oats, seafood, eggs, meat and poultry
Boosts energy levels, is a helper in many immune functions, needed for insulin to work and for carbohydrates to metabolize

Iron
Liver, green leafy vegetables, raisins, whole grain breads and cereals, prune juice, wheat bran, and brewer's yeast
Oxygen carrying element of the blood, and an essential part of every cell.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Seafoods, trout, mackerel, and salmon
Valuable in increasing the activity of the white blood cells and are important in the cleansing and detoxification of your system.

Creamy Asparagus Soup

This soup is a good source of potassium, vitamins A and C, iron, folate, magnesium and selenium. If you prefer, you can substitute broccoli for the asparagus.
Serves 6


Ingredients:
2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
1/2 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup whole-wheat (whole-meal) flour
1 1/2 cups fat-free milk
Lemon zest, to taste
Cracked black pepper, to taste

Directions:
In a large soup pot over high heat, combine the potatoes, asparagus, onions, celery and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the butter.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and milk. Pour the mixture slowly into the soup pot, stirring constantly. Increase the heat to medium high and continue to stir until the soup thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Season with lemon zest and cracked black pepper to taste. Serve in warmed bowls.

Nutritional Analysis
(per serving)
Serving size: 1 1/2 cups
Calories 145
Cholesterol 12 mg
Protein 6 g
Sodium 71 mg
Carbohydrate 23 g
Fiber 3 g
Total fat 4 g
Potassium 503 mg
Saturated fat 2 g
Calcium 81 mg
Monounsaturated fat 2 g

Odd Facts About Celery

I'm sure you're asking how I come upon this odd information. I have no idea, I just do! When I find something interesting in my journeys through books and the internet, I save it to pass on to others. If you're ever lucky enough to have my on your trivial pursuit team you'll thank me for all of my useless knowledge!

Did you know:
Celery is a member of the Umbelliferae family, which also includes carrots, parsley, dill, cilantro, caraway, cumin, and the poisonous hemlock.

King Tut's tomb contained a shroud adorned with garlands of wild celery, olive leaves, willow, lotus petals, and cornflowers.

In The Iliad by Homer, the horses of Myrmidons graze on lotus and wild celery (selinon as the Greeks called it).

In the Odyssey by Homer, meadows of violet and wild celery surround Calypso's cave.

Hippocrates described celery as a nerve soother.

As far back as ancient Rome, celery was considered an aphrodisiac. Today, scientists know that celery contains androsterone, a pheromone released by men's sweat glands that attracts females.

A recipe uncovered in Pompeii for a celery dessert called for roasting chopped celery in an oven and serving it with honey and ground pepper.

Aulus Cornelius Celsus, writing around 30 AD, wrote about the use of celery seeds to relieve pain.

The first recorded mention of celery in France was in 1623.

18th century French courtesan Madame de Pompadour, mistress of Louis XV, ate celery soup and truffles in an effort to adopt a "heating diet" so she would be less frigid and more attractive to the king. It is also said that she fed the king celery soup to fan the fires of his passion.

Famed Italian lover Casanova made sure to include lots of celery in his diet to keep up his stamina.

It takes just one ounce of celery seeds to produce an acre of celery.

Celery was first introduced to America in 1856 when a Scotsman named George Taylor brought celery to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

By 1872, Dutch farmers were transforming acres of Kalamazoo mucklands into celery fields.

Kalamazoo began promoting itself as the "Celery City" and became known around the country for the "strange" vegetable.

The town of Celeryville, Ohio was settled by celery farmers from Kalamazoo, Michigan who began growing the vegetable there.

There is a celery museum in Portage, Michigan called the Celery Flats Interpretive Center.

Today, California is the nation's top celery producer. Michigan ranks fourth.

The 1897 Sears Catalog featured a nerve tonic made from celery and described celery as a "great nerve builder."

One stalk of celery contains about 10 calories. Some contend that it contains "negative calories," meaning that one spends more calories digesting it than are consumed when it eating it, which supposedly helps with weight loss.

The Fifth Doctor on the BBC show Doctor Who, played by Peter Davison, wore a stalk of celery on his lapel.

Celery, onions, and carrots make up the "holy trinity," known as the "mirepoix," of French cuisine. These three vegetables are used together as the base for many French dishes, including sauces, stews, soups, and stocks.

Celery, onions, and bell peppers are considered the "holy trinity" of Louisiana Creole and Cajun cuisine.

People who are allergic to celery are often also allergic to mugwort pollen. Celery root contains more allergen than the stalk and is therefore more dangerous for people allergic to celery.

After a patron at the Pump Room at Chicago's Ambassador East Hotel decided to stir his Bloody Mary with a stalk of celery, the idea caught on and celery became permanently linked with the drink.

Happy Home Recipe

Here is a recipe of the most important kind. I'm not sure where I found it, but it is worth saving and passing on. Make this recipe and you are destined for happiness!




4 c Of love
2 c Of loyalty
3 c Forgiveness
1 c Friendship
5 Spoons of hope
2 Spoons of tenderness
4 qt Of faith
1 Barrel of laughter


Take love and loyalty, mix them throughly with Faith. Blend it with tenderness, kindness and understanding. Add friendship and hope, sprinkle abundantly with laughter. Bake it with sunshine. Serve daily with generous helpings

Almond Smoothie..Drink To Your Health

I love smoothies to start my day. They are easy, refreshing and quick to make. Enjoy this heart healthy smoothie and start your morning off right.
Did you know this about almonds?
They contain 12 per cent of your daily allowance of protein and no cholesterol.

They are the best whole food source of vitamin E (in the form of alpha-tocopherol) which may help prevent cardiac issues.

Most of the fat in almonds is monounsaturated, also known as the ‘good fat’.

They’re loaded with minerals like magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, as well as lots of healthy fiber.

If you're pregnant, or thinking about it, almonds are a great source of folic acid.

They contain more magnesium than oatmeal or even spinach.

All this means almonds help your body stay strong and vital.

Throw in the banana which has good levels of potassium and Vitamin C. Put all of the fruit and nuts into a blender, add some rice, soy or skimmed milk and blend to taste.

And there you have most of your five a day and an easy and nutritious start to the day.
What you need:
1 apple
1 banana
15 almonds
Handful of blueberries
Half litre of rice, soy or skimmed milk.

Just Say No To Sodium!

In my quest for better health after my cardiac issue, I am researching high and low for ways to better take care of myself. First off in my new health plan, get rid of the salt shaker. Not that I added salt to my foods to begin with, but it is hidden in more items that you purchase from the grocery store than you can imagine! I was shocked to see how much was in my fat free Italian salad dressing! Please read the labels on your foods and take action now, before you have an event like the one I had. You can save yourself! Staying under 2000mg of salt a day is a challenge, but one I am taking to save my life.

To also help lower your blood pressure, the American Heart Association suggests following the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan. It reminds me of the food pyramid.

The DASH diet:

Grains and grain products: 7–8 daily servings
Vegetables: 4–5 daily servings
Fruit: 4–5 daily servings
Low-fat or nonfat dairy: 2–3 daily servings
Meat, poultry, and fish: 2 daily servings or less
Nuts, seeds, and legumes: 4–5 servings per week
Fats and oils: 2–3 daily servings
Low-fat sweets: 5 servings per week

Make Your Own Fly Repellents

We don't have many flies here by the coast, but when we do, they are most annoying! Here are some ways to make your own fly repellents and fly repellent strip.

Use mint as a fly repellent. Small sachets of crushed mint can be placed around the home to discourage flies.

Bay leaves, cloves and eucalyptus wrapped in small cheesecloth squares can be hung by open windows or doors.

Place a small, open container of sweet basil and clover near pet food or any open food in the house.

A few drops of eucalyptus oil on a scrap of absorbant cloth will deter flies. Leave in areas where flies are a problem.

You can make your own flypaper with this simple recipe:
Mix 1/4 cup syrup, 1 tbsp. granulated sugar and 1 tbsp. brown sugar in a small bowl. Cut strips of brown kraft paper and soak in this mixture. Let dry overnight. To hang, poke a small hole at the top of each strip and hang with string or thread.

Breakfast Shake For Low Sodium Diets

The recent event of cardiac arrest threw me for a loop. Not one to be down for long, I am doing as much research as I can while I recover. Eating, the way I know it, has become a thing of the past. It is quite a challenge for me not to grab my morning scone and half pot of coffee. Not that I ate bad, but I did not keep track of sodium and sugar in my diet, nor did I eat the amount of protein that my body needed. That is something that I have to do from now on so I've been in search of recipes that will satisfy me and meet the requirements of my new found health plan. This smoothie recipe is a great low sodium recipe that I found on the cardiac health site. I will use it for breakfast with a few nuts on the side. If I forego the nuts I will add protein powder to the recipe.

Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
3/4 C pineapple juice
1/2 C lowfat vanilla yogurt
1/2 C strawberries, rinsed

Peel and slice banana.

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth, then serve.

Sodium content in milligrams

one banana 1
3/4 C pineapple juice 2
1/2 C low fat vanilla yogurt 70
1/2 C fresh strawberries 1

Recipe total = 74 mg

The Month Of March

There are many superstitions about March. We often hear that "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." This means that the first day of March is often stormy, and the last day is mild and warm. Another saying is, "April borrowed from March three days, and they were ill." This refers to the first three days of April, which are generally rough and blustery like March. A third saying calls the first three days of March "blind days" because they are "unlucky." If rain falls on these days, farmers supposedly will have poor harvests.

Bloodstone and Aquamarine are the birthstones of March, and Violet is the flower.

Important Dates In March
March 1
--Ohio became the 17th state, 1803.
--Augustus Saint-Gaudens, American sculptor, born 1848.
--Nebraska became the 37th state, 1867.

March 2
--Sam Houston, American political leader, born 1793.
--Bedrich Smetana, Czech composer, born 1824.
--Carl Schurz, American political leader, born 1829.
--Texas declared its independence from Mexico, 1836.
--Pope Pius XII born 1876.
--Kurt Weill, German composer, born 1900.

March 3
--Missouri Compromise passed, 1820.
--George Pullman, American inventor and businessman, born 1831.
--Florida became the 27th state, 1845.
--Inventor Alexander Graham Bell born 1847
--Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, 1918.

March 4
--William Penn received grant of Pennsylvania, 1681.
--The first Congress under the U.S. Constitution met, 1789. This date was used as Inauguration Day until 1937.
--Vermont became the 14th state, 1791.
--Knute Rockne, American football coach, born 1888.

March 5
--Gerardus Mercator, Flemish geographer, born 1512.
--British soldiers fired on a mob in the Boston Massacre, 1770.
--Heitor Villa-Lobos, Brazilian composer, born 1887.
--Joseph Stalin, Soviet dictator, died 1953.

March 6
--Italian artist Michelangelo, born 1475.
--Elizabeth Barrett Browning, English poet, born 1806.
--Santa Anna captured the Alamo, 1836.
--Ring Lardner, American humorist, born 1885.

March 7
--Luther Burbank, American horticulturist, born 1849.
--Tomas Masaryk, cofounder of Czechoslovakia, born 1850.
--Maurice Ravel, French composer, born 1875.
--Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone, 1876.

March 8
--Jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., born 1841.

March 9
--Amerigo Vespucci, Italian explorer, born 1454.
--The Merrimack (then called the Virginia ) fought the Monitor, 1862.
--Samuel Barber, American composer, born 1910.

March 10
--Arthur Honegger, French composer, born 1892.
March 11
--Torquato Tasso, Italian poet, born 1544.
March 12
--Canadian politician William Mackenzie born 1795.
--Sir John J. C. Abbott, prime minister of Canada, born 1821.
--Clement Studebaker, American manufacturer, born 1831.
--Gabriele d'Annunzio, Italian poet, born 1863.
--Juliette Low founded the Girl Scout movement in America, 1912.
--First transatlantic radio broadcast, 1925.
--President Harry S. Truman announced the Truman Doctrine, 1947.

March 13
--Joseph Priestley, English chemist, born 1733.
--Johann Wyss, Swiss author, born 1781.
March 14
--Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin, 1794.
--Johann Strauss, Austrian composer, born 1804.
--Albert Einstein, German-born American physicist, born 1879.

March 15
--Julius Caesar assassinated, 44 B.C.
--Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States, born in Waxhaw settlement, either North Carolina or South Carolina, 1767.
--Maine became the 23rd state, 1820.
--American Legion founded, 1919.

March 16
--James Madison, fourth President of the United States, born at Port Conway, King George County, Va., 1751.
--Georg S. Ohm, German physicist, born 1787.
--United States Military Academy founded at West Point, N.Y., 1802.

March 17
--St. Patrick's Day.
--British evacuated Boston, 1776.

March 18
--John C. Calhoun, American statesman, born 1782.
--Grover Cleveland, 22nd and 24th President of the United States, born in Caldwell, N.J., 1837.
--Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Russian composer, born 1844.
--Rudolf Diesel, German inventor, born 1858.

March 19
--Missionary and explorer David Livingstone born 1813.
Livingstone - The Truth Behind the Legend

--Political leader William Jennings Bryan born 1860.
--Ballet producer Sergei Diaghilev born 1872.

March 20
--Henrik Ibsen, Norwegian poet and dramatist, born 1828.
--Lauritz Melchior, Danish tenor, born 1890.

March 21
--Johann Sebastian Bach, German composer, born 1685.
--Benito Juarez, Mexican political leader, born 1806.
--Modest Mussorgsky, Russian composer, born 1839.

March 22
--Sir Anthony Van Dyck, Flemish painter, born 1599.
--Randolph Caldecott, English illustrator, born 1846.
--Robert Millikan, American physicist, born 1868.

March 23
--Patrick Henry, according to tradition, declared "Give me liberty, or give me death!" 1775.
--Roger Martin du Gard, French novelist and Nobel Prize-winner for literature, born 1881.

March 24
--William Morris, English poet and artist, born 1834.
--Andrew Mellon, American financier, born 1855.

March 25
--Lord Baltimore's colonists landed in Maryland, 1634.
--British Parliament abolished slave trade, 1807.
--Arturo Toscanini, Italian conductor, born 1867.
--Bela Bartok, Hungarian composer, born 1881.

March 26
--A. E. Housman, English poet, born 1859.
--Robert Frost, American poet, born 1874.
--James Conant, American chemist and educator, born 1893.
--Tennessee Williams, American playwright, born 1911.
--Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman justice of Supreme Court of the United States, born 1930.

March 27
--Louis XVII of France born 1785.
--Lithographer Nathaniel Currier born 1813.
--Wilhelm Roentgen, German physicist who discovered X rays, born 1845.
--Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, German-born architect, born 1886.

March 28
--Pierre Laplace, French astronomer and mathematician, born 1749.
--Aristide Briand, French statesman, born 1862.

March 29
--John Tyler, 10th President of the United States, born at Greenway Estate, Charles City County, Va., 1790.
--Parliament passed the British North America Act, 1867.
--Cy Young, American baseball player, born 1867.

March 30
--Francisco Goya, Spanish painter, born 1746.
--Treaty of Paris ended the Crimean War, 1856.
--United States purchased Alaska from Russia, 1867.
--Amendment 15 to the U.S. Constitution, stating that a person cannot be denied the ballot because of race or color, proclaimed, 1870.
--Albert Einstein announced revised Unified Field Theory, 1953.

March 31
--Rene Descartes, French philosopher-scientist, born 1596.
--Joseph Haydn, Austrian composer, born 1732.
--Commodore Matthew C. Perry made the first treaty between the United States and Japan, 1854.
--United States took possession of the Virgin Islands by purchase from Denmark, 1917.
--Daylight Saving Time went into effect in the United States, 1918.
--Newfoundland became the 10th province of Canada, 1949.

I Had A Heart Attack!!

Hello to everyone. I'm sure you've been wondering where I've been since no new posts have been added. I had a massive heart attack last week!!! I would not have thought it would happen to me but it did. After a stent, a few days stay in the ICU and more days on the cardiac wing, it is my hope that I am as good (almost) as new. I will be back to posting later in the week and I am hoping you are all well!!!