What You Need: 1 1/2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and de-veined 1 1/2 C of orange juice 1 t lime juice 1 t orange zest, grated 1 t lime zest, grated 1 t ground cumin 1 t of salt 1 t ground cinnamon 1/4 t cayenne pepper How to Make It: Place [...]
There are many schools of thought about whether snacking is okay between meals, and how often to eat them. Snacking has long been thought to be a bad thing that spoils your appetite for the main meals of the day. Another school of thought which is gaining more credence is that snacking can be the [...]
What You Need: 1 (16 oz.) bag of frozen hash browns 2 lbs. chicken breasts 1/2 t of salt 1/4 t of pepper 1 (12 oz.) bag of frozen peas and carrots 1 (6 oz.) can of sliced mushrooms, drained well How to Make It: Allow the oven to preheat to 450 [...]
If you suffer from heartburn you are not alone. It can turn a relaxing meal into a four-alarm fire inside your body. For those who are suffering with heartburn, here are fifteen foods that may be safe for you to eat. What is heartburn? Another name for heartburn is acid reflux. Heartburn occurs when acid [...]
What You Need:
1 1/2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and de-veined
1 1/2 C of orange juice
1 t lime juice
1 t orange zest, grated
1 t lime zest, grated
1 t ground cumin
1 t of salt
1 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t cayenne pepper
How to Make It:
Place the shrimp into the pressure cooker.
Add in the orange and lime juice and zest.
Sprinkle with the cumin, salt, cinnamon and cayenne pepper.
Bring to high pressure and cook 1 minute.
Remove from the heat and allow the pressure to fall by itself.
Remove the lid and cool at room temperature 30 minutes.
Cover the cooker and chill in the liquid for 30 minutes.
Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and place on ice.
Discard the liquid.
These shrimp make a great appetizer for a dinner party. Lemon juice and lemon zest may be used in place of the lime if you prefer.
Makes 4 servings
There are many schools of thought about whether snacking is okay between meals, and how often to eat them.
Snacking has long been thought to be a bad thing that spoils your appetite for the main meals of the day.
Another school of thought which is gaining more credence is that snacking can be the best way to avoid overeating.
Whether one is trying to maintain their current weight, trying to lose weight, or eat healthier overall, here are some tips and suggestions for snacking the healthy way.
When most people think of snacking, things like potato chips, fries, candy bars, ice cream cones, or other unhealthy items come to mind. It’s no wonder the majority of people associate snacking with something negative.
All of these “bad snacks” can add just as many, if not more, calories than a regular meal, especially ig you overindulge. As with one potato chip brand, they proudly boast that it is tough to eat just one. Of course it is—they wouldn’t be able to make huge profits ig you bought only one bag a year!kj
Don’t despair, however. It is possible to snack without adding all the fat and calories to your diet, and bingeing.
Think of the examples listed above, and the number of calories you are adding to your diet. Remember, it takes only 2000 to gain a pound, but 3500 to lose one.
But food is the fuel of the body. Some people need to snack to keep up their energy levels throughout the day.
Instead of giving up their favorites, snack lovers need only change their snack choices to a more healthy alternative.. For instance, a bag of fast food fries or potato chips can easily become a hot baked sweet or russet potato fries with fresh herbs or cinnamon sprinkled on top. That is a tasty, filling snack, with fewer calories, carbs, or saturated fat.
As for that candy bar, it’s really the chocolate most are after when they grab their favorite one. The nougat, peanut butter and caramel are yummy, but don’t be fooled, it’s the chocolate craving that gets candy bar lovers.
In place of those pound-adding candy bars, make some home-made granola bars. Use rolled oats, bran, nuts, and chocolate chips. Dark chocolate is supposed to be better for us in terms of our heart health, so try some dark chocolate pieces inside, or drizzle a bit of dark chocolate on top. Anytime you need a snack, grab a granola bar instead of a candy bar.
If you want to go for a ready-made health bar, or protein bar, always read the label first. A lot of them may sound like healthy choices, but can pack more calories than a whole meal, a fair amount of it from fat. Fat makes you feel full, but too much can be unhealthy.
Likewise, some of them any have too many carbs. Likewise, excess carbs can pack on the pounds when they get converted to energy in your body and are then stored as fat if those calories aren’t burned off through exercise.
For many die hard snack addicts, ice cream is very hard to give up. If this sounds like you, have confidence in yourself and try something just as cool and sweet, but even better for you. Whip up some smoothie mix and freeze it in a container for at least twenty-four hours. When that ice cream craving hits, scoop some smoothie into a bowl and top it with a small amount of nuts (be careful, they have a lot of fat in them) and a dab of whipped cream.
Before you know it, you’ll be craving yummy smoothies instead of that fattening ice cream loaded with fat and sugar. We have a lot of great smoothie recipes here at the site, so you can make yourself a virtual ice cream parlor simply and easily. You can also sprinkle chocolate chips on top to satisfy that craving as well.
Nuts are a danger because they are high in fat and so very energy-density rich. Why not try other crunchy things, like tortilla chips with salsa, or carrot sticks and celery sticks with hummus dip. You can have some nuts too, but not huge handfuls.
Some people crave dairy, so those little mini-cheeses can come in very handy, or the cheese triangles with a couple of low-salt, low fat crackers. Again, read your food labels to see what a portion is, and then try to eat half that.
What You Need:
1 (16 oz.) bag of frozen hash browns
2 lbs. chicken breasts
1/2 t of salt
1/4 t of pepper
1 (12 oz.) bag of frozen peas and carrots
1 (6 oz.) can of sliced mushrooms, drained well
How to Make It:
Allow the oven to preheat to 450 degrees.
Spray the lid and inside of a cast iron Dutch oven well with a non stick cooking spray.
Spread the frozen hash browns over the bottom of the pan.
Lay the chicken pieces of the potatoes and sprinkle evenly with the salt and pepper.
Add the bag of frozen peas and carrots and top with the sliced mushrooms.
Cover and bake 40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Makes 4 servings
Want a bit more flavor? Add a few halved garlic cloves underneath and around the chicken before adding the peas and carrots. You may also make this dish a little Italian by rubbing the chicken pieces with Italian dressing instead of sprinkling with the salt and pepper.
Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 40 minutes
Total Time: approximately 50 minutes
Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 440; Fat 4g; Carbohydrates 47g; Cholesterol 75 mg; Sodium 33 mg; Protein 41g;
Fiber 15g
If you suffer from heartburn you are not alone. It can turn a relaxing meal into a four-alarm fire inside your body. For those who are suffering with heartburn, here are fifteen foods that may be safe for you to eat.
What is heartburn? Another name for heartburn is acid reflux. Heartburn occurs when acid from the stomach moves backwards from the stomach, up into the esophagus. When stomach acid comes in contact with such delicate tissue it can cause pain and discomfort. Left untreated, heartburn can cause problems such as esophageal strictures due to the erosion of the lining there.
No one wants that to happen. You may take medicine to control your heartburn, but the simplest thing you can do is learn what foods you can and cannot eat. While most of the foods we will discuss here are on the heartburn-free side, each person is different. Some foods that may really irritate your stomach and lead to heartburn may not faze someone else.
The way to know more about your heartburn is to find out your triggers. These are foods, time of day and other situations that trigger heartburn. Keep a journal of daily meal times and ingredients in foods to chart when heartburn occurs.
In the meantime, here are some foods that you can start with. Just because you have heartburn doesn’t mean you have to starve or give up good taste.
1. Apples and bananas. T hese fruits do not contain a lot of citric acid.
2. Broccoli. Roughage cleans out your digestive system and contains lots of fiber.
3. Bread. You can eat white or multi-grain, but multi-grain is better for your health.
4. Extra lean red meat Cutting away the fat can keep that food from causing heartburn.
5. Graham crackers. They make a nice healthy snack.
6. Chicken breasts without skin. Lean meat can be cooked with the skin if it is removed prior to eating.
7. Fat-free cheese choices like low-fat cream cheese. Too much fat can get the heartburn going again.
8. Water. It hydrates the body. If you don’t like water, add a flavoring packet.
9. Low-fat salad dressing. They do not contain the same fat content but will have the same taste yet with fewer calories.
10. Cookies. Many sweets have to be avoided but you can have a few like cookies, licorice and jelly beans.
11. Oatmeal and bran cereals.
12. Pretzels. The salted kinds are okay but avoid flavored ones.
13. Fish. Bake your fish to avoid adding fat.
14. Egg whites. Boil the eggs and discard the yolk.
15. Potato chips or baked potato. Stay away from the greasier form of chips or fried French fries.
Use these fifteen foods as a start for your diet. Continue to monitor what you eat and when to keep heartburn at bay.
What You Need:
2 (29 oz.) cans of sliced peaches, drained well
2 (29 oz.) cans of sliced pears, drained well
1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained well
1 (15 1/4 oz.) can apricot halves, drained well and sliced
1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling
How to Make It:
Place the peaches, pears, pineapple and apricots into the slow cooker.
Stir the cherry pie filling in with the fruit.
Cover the crock pot and cook on high heat for 2 hours or until heated through.
Makes 16 servings
Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 2 hours
Total Time: approximately 2 hours 10 minutes
This easy mixed fruit compote served on a cold Christmas day will definitely warm their hearts as well as their tummies. It makes a great side dish with any of your favorite meats.
MORE READING: Fantastic Fruit Salads
Have you ever had a urinary tract infection? If so, then you know how painful and uncomfortable it can be. When it comes to treating these types of infections, try a few natural remedies before reaching for prescription medications.
When you contract a urinary tract infection, see your doctor. They will recommend treatment options for the infection. Don’t be afraid to approach them with the question of using natural remedies. If they say that it is okay, here are some of the treatments to try.
1. Cranberry juice. Cranberry juice has been a long-standing treatment for urinary tract infections. A component of cranberries called proanthocyanins is believed to keep bacteria from infecting and inflaming the walls of the urinary system. Since they can’t get a foothold, they are taken away by the urine as it passes through. You can drink 100 percent cranberry juice (up to 3 cups a day) or use cranberry tablets.
2. Uva Ursi. This is an herb that has been known to kill bacteria. The main compound in this herb is arbutin. For it to work, the urine has to be alkaline. Taking sodium bicarbonate before using this herb can increase the alkalinity.
3. Diuretic herbs. Diuretic herbs like dandelion leaves, parsley and hydrangea increase urine production. The more urine that is present, the more likely the bacteria will be washed out of the body. Other diuretic herbs are horsetail and marshmallow.
4. Try vitamin C. Vitamin C increases the strength of the immune system. A stronger immune system can fight off invading bacteria. Most vitamin C is obtained through the foods we eat, particularly citrus fruits. It is better to get the vitamin C from food but supplementation may be in order. Bacteria that cause urinary tract infections don’t flourish in acidic environments. So, eat as much citrus as you can.
5. Water. Your body is made up mostly of water. Water is needed to give the body an internal shower. Cells need water and so does your urinary system to flush out all of the impurities from your body. Drinking a lot of water can help urinary tract infections from reoccurring.
There are other herbal remedies for urinary tract infections that you can also try. Changing the environment where the bacteria thrive will kill them and stop the infection.
Before taking any herbal remedies or treating yourself, it is important to discuss your plans with a doctor. Some herbs such as uva ursi are not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. Herbs are treated like medicines. They can have serious interactions with traditional medications. Even with natural remedies, only a urinalysis will confirm that you are free of the bacteria that caused the condition.
MORE READING:
The New Green Family Guide: A Beginner’s Guide to Going Green As a Family
What You Need:
2 Tbsp vinegar
2 Tbsp salad oil
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp celery seeds
1 cucumber, peeled, halved and sliced thin
1 sweet onion, sliced thin
1 C cherry tomatoes, halved
1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
How to Make It:
Whisk the vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and celery seed together in a mixing bowl.
Add the cucumbers and onions and stir to coat.
Stir in the tomatoes and bell pepper strips.
Cover the bowl and chill for at least 4 hours stirring occasionally.
Makes 6 servings
This is a great way to stay within your budget. Use those extra vegetables from the garden. Use red, yellow or orange bell peppers if you want to give your salad a little color. This salad can be chilled for up to 24 hours before being served.
Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Chilling Time: approximately 4 hours
Total Time: approximately 4 hours 15 minutes
Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 54; Fat 5g; Saturated fat 1g; Carbohydrates 3g; Fiber 1g; Protein 0g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 195 mg
MORE:
Our aim is to publish top health news, recipes, and healthy living tips and information for Asians and Asian-Americans.
Ingredients:
1 (15.6 oz) box Cranberry Quick Bread mix
1 C water
2 T canola oil
2 large eggs
3 T creamy peanut butter
1 banana, peeled and sliced
Method:
Place the oven temperature on 375 and allow the oven to heat up.
Spray a loaf pan with a non stick cooking spray and flour being sure to tap out the excess flour.
Place the quick bread mix into a mixing bowl.
Add the water, oil and egg and whisk until completely.
Bake for the amount of time directed on the box.
Remove and cool in the pan for 15 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling for 1 hour.
Cut 8 slices from the cooled loaf.
Spread the peanut butter on 4 slices of the bread.
Layer the bananas on top of the peanut butter.
Lay the remaining slices of bread on top of the sandwich.
Serving Size: 4
These make a quick little breakfast sandwich that can be eaten on the run. It is a tasty treat for fall with its luscious taste of cranberries.
MORE READING:
What You Need:
1/4 C olive oil
2 T unsalted butter
2 medium onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
4 cloves
Cayenne pepper to taste
12 C vegetable stock
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained
2 medium carrots, sliced thin
2 medium potatoes, chopped
1 C butternut squash, chopped
1 C parsley, finely chopped
2 C frozen corn
1 C unbleached flour
2 T cornmeal
2 t baking powder
1 t sugar
1/2 t salt
2 T parsley, finely chopped
1 t dried dill
1 T unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces.
2/3 C soy milk, cold
How to Make It:
Place the oil and 2 T butter into a large kettle over medium heat.
When butter has completely melted add the onions and garlic.
Cook 10 minutes or until tender.
Add the bay leaves, cloves, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper and stir well.
Add the tomatoes and the vegetable stock and mix well.
Bring to a rapid boil and slowly add the beans, carrots, potatoes, squash and 1/2 C of the parsley.
Return to a rapid boil, lower heat to medium low and continue to simmer for 35 minutes.
Vegetables should be fork tender.
Remove the bay leaves and throw them away.
Add the corn and the other 1/2 C of parsley and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Place the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, salt, dill and 2 T parsley into a large mixing bowl.
Add the butter and work into the flour mixture with your hands and this should from small crumbs with the flour mixture.
Add the milk and stir just until all the dry ingredients are moistened.
Return the heat under the soup to medium.
Bring soup back to a rapid boil.
Using a spoon gather enough dough to make a small ball.
Shape the ball with your hand.
Place the dumpling into the boiling soup.
Continue until all the dough has been used.
Place the heat back to medium low.
Cover the pot and continue cooking for 15 minutes.
Do not remove the lid until after 15 minutes.
When the soup is ready the dumplings should be puffy.
Serve soup hot.
MORE READING:
In the car, a bag of dried apricots or pineapple will fix that sweet tooth in a hurry, not to mention it’s good for you too. You certainly get satisfied very quickly, as compared with cookies and candy.
You don’t have to waste your time and money purchasing a food dehydrator in order to dry your own fruit. Fresh fruit can be dehydrated at home with an oven, microwave, and a rack.
Dehydrated fruit with no preservatives will keep for around two weeks so only make as much as you will eat in that time.
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, do not dehydrate well, but their skins do. Candied orange and lemon peels make a tasty ice cream garnish, an ingredient for a fruit cake, or they can be eaten alone.
Fruit roll ups are very popular as well, but look at what is in the package. If they are more sugar than fruit, give them a miss.
How else can you eat fruit on the run? Use your blender. Fruit smoothies allow you to get all of your daily fruit requirements in one drink.
nstead of using ice cream, use soy or fat free milk and ice cubes to make it smooth and give it texture. Sugar substitutes can be used to add more sweet flavor if desired.
Mix and match your favorite fruits to keep things from getting boring, and make a smoothie for breakfast every day. You can even have it on the run if you put it in your travel mug before heading out for work in the morning.
Fruit is one food that can be eaten on the go rather easily. There are many varieties of fruits to try, all with their own unique taste.
So since fruit is more readily available and easy to eat, with fresh and dried choices, you have no more excuses for not getting the recommended amount of fruit servings in your diet.
Fruit is a pretty handy snack, At most, you’ll only be left with a peel or seeds to toss in a trashcan when you carry a piece of fresh fruit with you. That and your napkin, of course (paper towel!)
For younger kids, the skin of fruits can be tough or make it less appealing. With one or two teeth, it is hard for them to even break through the outer covering of some fruits such as apples.
Prepare for a day of shopping or a car trip by peeling some fruits and putting them in a container or Ziploc bag.
Sprinkling with a few drops of lemon juice will keep fleshy fruits like apples and pears from turning brown, which is another reason some kids don’t like to eat fresh fruit.
Fresh fruit is a good snack idea on the run because the sugars in fruits keep your blood sugar more stable than chocolate bars. Not only that, but they make the fruit yummy.
Plus, you are getting your daily allowance of nutrients from natural sources every day, and some very healthy fiber too.
Try to find chances to add fruit to whatever you eat each day
Drop a few raisins in a cup of yogurt or add some blueberries or other fresh berries, for a quick and sweet treat. Add fruit to your cottage cheese, or to your salad.
The newest way to enjoy fruit on the run is dried. Fruits have been preserved in this manner for years, (often with a candied glaze) for years but now it’s becoming popular to eat it, and to eat it without the sugary coating.
They may not always look good, but they were often dried at their peak of ripeness. We all snigger at prunes, but what are they only dried plums. (And now Sunsweet brand does actually have individually wrapped, juicy prunes you can eat on the go, as sweet as candy, but with a ton of fiber).
So eating dried fruit is the latest snack fad. You know how fads go. Fad or not, this is a good one. Dried fruits concentrate the sugar for an even sweeter taste. Eat these dried fruits alone or as a garnish.
Just be careful with the dried fruit as some of it can be preserved with some fairly heavy chemicals. Go for natural ones in health food stores where possible.
Be especially careful with apricots, as they often use sulfites to preserve that lovely orange color, but can trigger an allergic reaction in many people. Try to shop for your dried fruits in healthfood stores, where you can buy in bulk and freeze to keep them preserved for even longer.
Let’s face it, we’re all busy. If we have to remember one more thing today, even if it is beneficial to our health, the chances of actually remembering it are slim to none.
According to the food pyramid, we should all be eating five or more servings of fruit per day. Most people barely get one, and that one serving is usually in the form of juice rather than the actual fruit itself.
Here are some ways to get your servings of fruit each day without having to work too hard to do it.
The best way to eat fruit is in its natural form. It is sweet and contains nutrients needed by the body. You can take an apple, peach, plum, pear, banana, and various other fruits along in the car, in the elevator, at your desk, and around the store if you are sneaky.
No, this is not a recommendation to be a fruit stealer at the store, but if it is the only way to relieve your hunger and stop you overshopping, weigh it, buy it, and eat it.
People like to show off their nails when the weather permits. Freshly polished fingernails and toenails make us feel pretty, but, anyone can have trouble with their nails that makes them want to hide them. One way to keep your nails looking their best is to revamp your diet.
What you eat can have a profound effect on the health of your nails. Nails and hair share something in common. Eating the wrong foods can make them both brittle and dry, which can lead to hair loss and breaking nails. Before trying dietary supplements, you should examine your diet.
Nails need protein to stay strong and hard. Hard nails grow longer and prettier. When nails are brittle, they reach a certain length and then break. Getting the right types of protein ensures that you have both good-looking nails and a healthier diet. Choose lean cuts of meat and also nuts, beans and legumes.
Nails also need zinc. If you have zinc deficiency, it can show up in your nails as white spots. Increasing your zinc intake will help to fight the white spots and also help new nail cells to grow. Zinc comes from shellfish. Eat more shrimp if you want an easy way to combat the problem.
Zinc is also found in nuts. As a snack, try eating some almonds or unsalted peanuts. To make it even easier, try a bit of flaxseed or bran in your yogurt or on your salad for an extra crunch of goodness.
Iron is another mineral that your body really needs. Many women are iron deficient, especially if they are in their menstruating years. Increase iron intake by eating lean red meat at least twice a week. Dark leafy vegetables also contain iron. Steam them or eat them raw to get the most nutritional value. Iron can keep your nails straight and thick.
Moisturize your nails. Vitamin E oil rubbed into the nails, cuticles and surrounding skin can keep them looking well- nourished. Cracks and splits are less common in nails that are not dry all the time. Vitamin E can be taken internally by eating vegetables and nuts.
An overall well-rounded diet will keep nails growing strong and prevent problems with them. Eat five fruits and vegetables a day. Include super foods that contain many of the nutrients that a healthy body needs: salmon, broccoli, spinach, pumpkin, yogurt, blueberries and oats, to name a few. Combine as many of these foods as you can into each meal.
If your nails are yellowing, brittle, split or contain white spots, take a look in your pantry. What you are eating could be having an effect on the appearance of your nails.
OTHER READING:
Everyone worries about getting proper nutrition, but in this hectic-paced world we live in, where fast food abounds, actually eating right can be a very challenging task.
The lifestyle of an average American is crammed with chores, which makes us cram goodness knows what into our mouths. Between juggling work, family, and outside commitments, people have come to believe that they have no time for cooking or healthy eating.
Creating a nutritious meal for the family when you are all on the run is challenging enough. Trying to balance your daily nutrition requirements can be even harder. Add to that special diets, like vegetarian, vegan, or lactose intolerant, for example, and you can have a nightmare on your hands.
Fortunately, MyPyramid is here to help, at http://www.mypyramid.gov
The FDA has put up resources to help you calculate your daily requirements, and the best sources for each, so you can make every meal, and even every mouthful, count. And customize it for all your family members as well if you are cooking or planning meals for more than one.
One size does not fit all when it comes to food and nutrition, which is why they have designed these interactive tools. MyPyramid Plan offers you a personal eating plan with the foods and amounts that are right for you. You can get started with the MyPyramid Plan quickly and easily at the site.
MyPyramid Tracker offers a detailed assessment of your food intake and physical activity level. You can also use the advice “Inside the Pyramid” section to help you
There are a few limitations to the site that you need to be aware of. MyPyramid food patterns are designed for the general public ages 2 and over.
They are not therapeutic diets for specific health conditions. Those with a chronic health condition should always consult with a health care provider to find a dietary plan that is right for them, particularly for conditions like diabetes.
But MyPyramid is a quick easy way to start thinking a bit more about sound nutrition and educating yourself about what you can eat each day for maximum nutrition.
A lot of people turn to vitamins and supplements, but ideally you should be able to get balanced nutrition from the food you eat.
The useful sample menus should get you started with a nutritional eating lifestyle you can sustain both short and long term without driving yourself crazy or taking too long cooking and shopping. So you can have more time to sit down, eat, and savor!
FURTHER READING:
What You Need:
2 T water
1/2 C onion, minced
1/2 C green pepper, minced
1 lb firm tofu
6 T ketchup
6 T chili sauce
1/2 t salt
1/8 t pepper
4 buns
How to Make It:
Put the water in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the onion and green pepper.
Cook 5 minutes.
Pat the tofu dry and mash.
Add the mashed tofu to the skillet.
Cook 15 minutes.
Pour in the ketchup and chili sauce and mix well.
Sprinkle in the salt and pepper.
Reduce heat to low.
Continue cooking about 15 minutes or until completely heated through.
If the mixture becomes to dry you can add 1 T water at a time until as moist as you like.
Serve on the buns.
MORE READING:
What You Need:
4 T unsalted butter, at room temperature and cut into pieces
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 C hot roll mix
3 t yeast (if a packet comes in the hot roll mix use 3 t of that yeast)
1 t baking powder
2 t sugar
1/2 C very hot water (125 degrees)
1 C of flour, divided
4 T unsalted butter, melted
How to Make It:
Spray a rimmed baking sheet lightly with a non stick cooking spray.
Place the butter into a large mixing bowl.
Add the egg into the butter.
Place the hot roll mix and the yeast into the bowl.
Sprinkle the baking powder and the sugar over the yeast.
Pour the hot water over the top of the ingredients in the bowl.
Use a wooden spoon and stir until the butter has blended into the dough.
Sprinkle 6 T of the flour over the top of the dough.
Use the wooden spoon and knead the flour into the dough until the dough is no longer sticky.
More flour may be added 1 T at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Lightly flour your hands and knead 2 T of flour into the dough 3 times or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
Light flour a cutting board or flat surface.
Flour you hands and place the dough into the center of the floured surface.
Pat the dough out to 1/2 in. thick round.
Use a round cutter to cut out the biscuits.
Reroll the scraps and pat out to continue cutting biscuits until the dough is completely used.
Place the biscuits on the baking sheet.
Brush the tops of the biscuits with the melted butter.
Fold the biscuits in half and brush the tops with butter again.
Cover the biscuits loosely with plastic wrap.
Place them in a draft free area and allow the dough to rise for about 2 hours.
Allow the oven to heat to 400 degrees.
Uncover the biscuits and bake 12 minutes or until a golden brown on top.
Serves: 12 biscuits depending on size
FURTHER READING:
When fall arrives, there are no shortages of places where someone in need can acquire a pumpkin. Boy scouts and other civic organizations sell from their stock or they buy pumpkins to sell to the public. Either way, they are plentiful.
One way to make a little cash during the months of September through November is to begin and maintain a pumpkin farm of your very own. One doesn’t need a twenty acre setup to grow pumpkins but time and attention along with patience are required.
It seems easy to grow something with such a solid rind but these beauties are temperamental. Unless they get what they want, their growth will be puny indeed. Start with good soil to nourish your pumpkin seeds.
Pumpkin seeds are not put into the ground from the start. They are planted indoors in the spring. These humble beginnings give pumpkin seeds a fighting chance to germinate away from bugs and birds. Most growers plant more seeds than they need in case something unforeseen happens and some of the seeds or small pumpkins die.
Once those seeds begin to rear their tiny little heads above the soil, they are ready to go out into the world of the garden. The first month is the most critical. Tiny pumpkin seeds need protection from insects, the sun, and drying out. On cold evenings, cover new seedlings to protect from harsh winds and potential late season frost.
Just when you thought that they were old enough to go it on their own, fungus bursts on the scene. It is not common but possible for all pumpkins. One way to avoid damaging fungal growth is to water pumpkin plants during the morning so that the water has time to soak in and the leaves can dry in the sun of the day.
Fertilizer provides nutrients for the pumpkins and promotes increased growth. Continue watering as much as possible to grow larger pumpkins. Since pumpkins are mostly water (like watermelon) the extra water is carried in the “meat” of the pumpkin.
Bees come to pollinate pumpkins. Without pollination, pumpkins will be small and there will be fewer of them as harvest time. Declining bee populations have led some growers to pollinate by hand. This is a lot of work so pray for the bees to do it.
When harvest time comes, keep pumpkins on the vine as long as possible. Cutting an unripe pumpkin from its vine can stop the ripening process all together.
Pumpkin growing is not an easy task, but it is a rewarding one. With the way that we use pumpkins each year around the holidays, it can become a profitable business.
During winter, we all can get a little complacent as most of nature is hibernating. Here are some tips to keep your family healthy when the next season begins.
Spring is the time of new life. Trees and flowers bloom and the grass becomes green again. The weather gets warmer as nature awakens from a long wintry sleep. Think of your body. It is awakening, too.
In the spirit of the time of year, it is time to get moving. The body may be a bit stiff from winter, but you can get going as soon as the weather improves.
* Get moving – Exercise is more fun together than done alone. Take a daily trip to the park for a refreshing walk. Do you have bikes? Don those protective helmets and hit a trail in your town or city.
* Take a class – Gyms will be ramping up as many people come out to sculpt a new body for the summer. Find a class that you like: aerobics, kickboxing, step aerobics, spinning, kettlebell workouts or weight training. In a class setting, you get camaraderie and helpful instruction.
* Eat light – As the weather gets warmer, you don’t want to be bogged down with heavy foods. Soups and stews were okay for winter, but now you can eat more colorful fare like fresh fruit, veggies you can carry to snack on, and salads. Add lean meat to your salad or peanut butter to an apple or stalk of celery for added protein.
* Learn to de-stress – The body may need a push to release its pent-up energy. Having a massage can get the blood flowing and unblock the flow of energy throughout your body. Don’t go only for the full body massage; try a facial or foot massage as well. Kids will enjoy this type of pampering, too.
* Play – All movement doesn’t need to be structured. After dinner, throw the ball around in the backyard. Spend a Saturday morning playing volleyball or kickball. Play is not only good for your muscles, but also your mind. Sharing a laugh with the family stimulates the release of endorphins, which heighten mood and makes for beautiful memories.
* Get some vitamin D – This is the sun vitamin. Many of us don’t get outside because we are too busy. This is also the techie generation that spends a lot of time indoors. Make time each day to get your family outside to soak up some vitamin D the old-fashioned way. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium, which is important for strong bones.
Besides shedding those heavy winter clothes, shed a few pounds with the family and get healthy this spring.
What You Need:
1/2 C pecans
Romaine lettuce torn into small salad pieces
1/2 C red onion, sliced
4 T dried cranberries
How to Make It:
Place the pecans in a shallow roasting pan.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place pecans in the oven for about 5 minutes or just until they begin to be fragrant.
Remove and allow cooling.
Place the lettuce in salad bowls.
Add the onion.
Add the cranberries.
Add the pecans.
Serve with your favorite dressing.
MORE READING:
Up to one quarter of people with psoriasis may develop psoriatric arthritis.
Psoriatric arthritis leads to joint pain, swelling and limited mobility.
To find out more, and what treatments can help relieve the symptoms, you might like to visit the psoriatric arthritis center.
MORE TOPICS:
* Increase foods rich in thiamine including cooked lentils, long-grain brown rice, Brazil nuts, pecans, spinach, cantaloupe, milk, and eggs. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic believe thiamine helps relieve cramping during menstruation.
* Eliminate trans-fatty acids, not only during your period, but for the sake of your overall health. Trans-fatty acids, found in commercially prepared pastries containing partially hydrogenated oils, and in certain margarines, may increase cramping. They are most commonly found in fast food, and many be another reason for your strange and uncontrollable cravings during this time of the month. If you can reduce or eliminate transfats, you may feel some relief from cramps. *Eat more fiber. It can help control cravings and reduce bloat by reducing constipation and keeping your bowels and digestion working well.
*Avoid sugary foods, which can produce wild energy and mood swings. Also avoid chocolate, which can be high in calories and fat unless you eat the 85% pure variety. Many people don’t believe changing your eating habits can affect whether or not you get menstrual cramps, or affect the severity of them. But it is possible for menstrual cramps to be reduced by eating some foods and avoiding others. If it is possible to treat menstrual cramps with nutrition, why don’t more women use this method? Part of the reason is that they are not aware of the role nutrition plays in their overall well-being.
Now that you know about menstrual cramps and nutrition’s role in reducing cramps, what changes will you make?
MORE READING: 25 Great Breakfast Shakes and Smoothies Brilliant Breakfasts on a Budget
In an earlier article we gave you some handy healthy eating tips. Here are more ideas on how to going to give you some advice about how to stay active to help keep slim and trim all year round.
Little changes can add up to big results if you are consistent.
Further Reading