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Archive for January, 2009

How are your Resolutions working out this year?

31 Jan

Here is a pat on the back if you’ve managed to stick to your New Year’s Resolutions about eating right and trying to incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine. If you’ve been eating smart, and burning a few more calories than usual, chances are you should be seeing results by now. 

If you feel you have fallen short of your goals, not to worry. There is always February. And remember, you don’t have to be perfect. Even little changes can all add up to a big difference in your overall health.

Keep up the good work, and also remember, it takes 90 days for anything new to become a genuine habit, so you’re on your way to better health and fitness.

The main thing to keep in mind is that just because it is the holidays each November and December does not mean you should let Thanksgiving and Christmas or other seasonal festivities de-rail your healthy eating regimen. 

Now that Valentine’s Day is approaching, new temptations are starting to crop up, so we have some great recipes for you to help keep you on track and still be able to share special treats with your loved ones. Enjoy, and keep up the good work!

 
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Posted in General

 

Creamy Cheese Pearl Onions and Peas

29 Jan


What You Need:

 

1 1/4 t salt, divided

1 (10 oz) pkg. pearl onions

2 (10 oz) pkgs. frozen peas, thawed

4 1/2 t butter

4 1/2 t flour

1/4 t pepper

1 1/2 C milk

3/4 C process cheese, cubed

 

How to Make It:

 

Place 2 in of water into a sauce pan.

Sprinkle the salt into the water.

Add the pearl onions.

Place the pan over medium high heat and bring to a boil.

Allow the onions to boil for 5 minutes.

Place the peas into the pan with the onions.

Reduce the heat to medium low, cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes.

Drain, place in a serving bowl and set aside.

Place the butter in a large saucepan over low heat.

Allow the butter to melt completely then add the flour.

Sprinkle in the remaining salt and the pepper and stir until smooth.

While stirring gradually add in the milk.

Bring the mixture to a boil.

Stirring continuously boil the mixture for 2 minutes or until it begins to thicken.

Add the cheese and continue stirring until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

Pour the sauce over the onions and peas and stir to coat.

 

Serving Size:  8

 

If you want a little color to your onion and peas add a few pimento before pouring on the cheese sauce.  If you like nuts add a few chopped cashews or pecans for a crunchy topping. 

 
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Posted in Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes

 

Love Me Do Shrimp Pasta

27 Jan

A fast and tasty pasta dish.

What You Need:

 

1/2 (16 oz) box linguine noodles

1 C shrimp, peeled and de-veined

1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with basil and garlic, drained well

1 (3 oz) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature

4 fresh spinach leaves, torn

 

How to Make It:

 

Cook the linguine according to the package direction.

Rinse under cold water and drain well.

Place a skillet over medium heat on the stove.

Add the shrimp, tomatoes and the cream cheese.

 

Cook 4 minutes, stirring constantly until the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce is creamy.

 

Place the spinach leaves into a large salad bowl.

 

Add the shrimp mixture and toss to combine the spinach.

 

Serving Size:  2


 
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Posted in Healthy Eating, Recipes

 

Love My Lemon Broccoli

25 Jan


What You Need:

 

1 bunch broccoli, cut into spears

1/2 C sour cream

3 T milk

1 t lemon juice

1/2 t lemon peel, grated

 

How to Make It:

 

Place the broccoli into a steamer basket and place the basket over a saucepan filled with 1 inch of water.

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the water to a brisk boil.

Cover the basket and steam the broccoli 6 minutes or until crisp tender.

Place the sour cream into a small microwavable bowl.

Add the milk and lemon juice and whisk to combine.

Place the lemon peel into the mixture and stir to incorporate.

Microwave uncovered on 50% power for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until the mixture is heated through.

Transfer the broccoli to a serving bowl and pour the sauce over the top.

 

Serving Size:  4

 

This is a quick but scrumptious vegetable you can make for a special dinner. Sprinkle a little paprika over the sauce for that festive touch. 

 
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Posted in Vegetarian Recipes

 

Fun Fruit Medley

23 Jan


What You Need:

 

1/4 C canola oil

1/4 C orange juice

3 T lemon juice

2 T sugar

1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks, drained

1 (10 oz) can Mandarin oranges, drained

2 C seedless green grapes, halved

1 fresh pear, sliced

1 banana, sliced

1 apple, sliced

1/2 C Maraschino cherries, halved

1/4 C mini marshmallows

 

How to Cook It:

 

Place the oil in a mixing bowl.

Add the orange and lemon juice and whisk until well combined.

Stir in the sugar and continue stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.

Place the pineapple, oranges, grapes, pears, banana and apples into a large salad bowl.

Add the cherries and marshmallows and toss the ingredients together well.

Pour the juice mixture over the fruit and stir to cover the fruit completely.

 

Serving Size:  8

 

Want your children to eat more fruit?  This salad does just that and they will love it.  Give them something healthy and fun to eat by making this salad for lunch or dinner.

 

 
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Posted in Healthy Eating

 

Divine Honey Ginger Drumsticks

21 Jan


What You Need:

 

1 T ginger juice

1 T honey

8 chicken drumsticks

2 C canola oil

4 T corn flour

2 egg yolks, lightly beaten

4 T breadcrumbs

 

How to Make It:

 

 

Place the ginger juice into a sealable plastic bag big enough to hold all the drumsticks.

Add the honey to the bag and seal.

Shake the bag until the ingredients are mixed together well.

Add the drumsticks, seal and refrigerate 4 hours.

Place the canola oil into a deep fryer or large heavy sauce pan and bring the temperature to 365 degrees.

Remove the drumsticks from the bag and throw away the bag.

Roll each drumstick through the corn flour.

Dip them into the egg and then roll them through the breadcrumbs being sure to completely cover the drum stick.

Place 2 drumsticks into the fryer at a time and fry 5 minutes or until a golden crispy brown on the outside.

Allow the heat of the oil to come back to 365 degrees before adding any more drumsticks.

Drain on a paper towel and allow them to cool before serving.

 

Serving Size:  4

 

What child doesn’t enjoy a good chicken leg?  Give them these for lunch or dinner with a little honey and brown sugar dipping sauce and watch them eat every bite. 

 
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Posted in Chicken Recipes

 

Toasted Almond Broccoli with Orange Sauce

19 Jan


What You Need:

 

3 C water

3/4 t salt

12 C broccoli florets

1 C whipping cream

1 T orange juice concentrate, thawed

1/2 t pepper

1/2 C almonds, sliced and toasted

 

How to Make It:

 

Place the water in a Dutch oven pan over high heat.

Sprinkle in the salt.

Bring the water and salt to a rapid boil.

Place the broccoli florets into the boiling salted water.

Bring back to a rapid boil.

Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 10 minutes or until the broccoli is fork tender.

Dump the broccoli into a colander and allow the broccoli to drain.

Place the broccoli into a serving dish.

Place the whipping cream into the Dutch oven pan.

Add the orange juice and pepper stirring to combine.

Place the pan over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes or until the mixture is completely heated through.

Pour the sauce over the broccoli.

Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the broccoli just before serving.

 

Serving Size:  12

 

To toast almonds place them on an ungreased cookie sheet in a single layer.

Toast in a 350 degree oven approximately 8 minutes or until the almonds become a golden brown. Almonds can also be toasted in a skillet for 6 minutes over medium heat and in the microwave on high for 4 minutes.  Always remember to stir the almonds often for even toasting and never let them darken any more than a light golden brown

 
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Posted in Healthy Eating, Recipes

 

Onion Sage Soufflés

17 Jan

A hearty meal for a cold day, simple and frugal, but filling.

What You Need:

 

1 T olive oil

2 onions cut into wedges

1/2 t salt

1/4 t pepper

3 T butter, divided

1 garlic clove, minced

3 eggs

1 1/2 C milk

1/3 C flour

1 (4 oz) pkg. white cheddar cheese, shredded

1 T fresh sage, chopped

 

How to Make It:

 

Place the olive oil into a large skillet over medium heat.

Allow the oil to become hot but not smoking.

Add the onion wedges and cook for 5 minutes.

Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the onions.

Add 2 T of butter to the skillet.

Stir in the garlic and continue cooking 8 minutes or until the onion are fork tender.

Remove the pan from the stove and set aside.

Use the remaining butter to grease 10 small (5 oz.) baking dishes.

Set the oven temperature to 400 degrees and allow the oven to heat while finishing the soufflés.

Place the eggs into a mixing bowl.

Whisk the milk in with the eggs.

Add the flour and whisk until smooth.

Add the cheese and sage stirring until all the ingredients are incorporate together.

Fill each baking dish with onions.

Spoon the cheese mixture over the onions in each dish.

Bake 22 minutes or until a golden brown and puffed.

Allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.

 

Serving Size:  10

 

Soufflés sound difficult to make but in reality they are very simple and takes very little time.  Due to the short baking time these soufflés can be baked while the meat is resting. 

 

 
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Posted in Healthy Eating, Recipes

 

How To Diminish Cellulite 2

05 Jan

Within just a couple of weeks after starting to exercise and eat right, you will slowly begin seeing a difference, and you will be one step closer to better looking thighs, hips, buttocks and arms.

This in turn will help you gain back the confidence that you once had before cellulite started making you self-conscious.

Cellulite is not just a vanity issue, it is a clear sign that your lifestyle is out of balance. it may take some work, but it’s never too late for anybody to start thinking about making some improvements to your health. Especially the kind of improvements that could help with your self esteem.

Cellulite is also partly due to genetics, but if we are prepared to work hard enough, we can try start making those improvements in our appearance that we so desire. Even thin people can have cellulite if they eat the wrong thing and don’t stay toned and keep their body cleansed and fit.

Exercising and eating better, along with drinking plenty of water, will not only help you to diminish your cellulite, but improve your overall health drastically.

This year, you could actually get excited about going swimsuit shopping for a change, instead of cringing at that thought. Start today, and you will soon see your cellulite melting away in time for the warmer weather.

How to Melt Your Cellulite This Simple Home Exercise Program Works, or your money back.

 
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Posted in Cellulite

 

How To Diminish Cellulite 1

03 Jan

We all know how important it is for us to look and feel good when the weather is warmer, or we are on vacation.

Cellulite is one of the main reasons why so many of us choose to not wear short shorts or any kind of bathing suit.

But the good news is, there are a number of strategies you can start using to reduce the appearance of cellulite right now, before the warmer weather comes and you want to bare all.

With concentration and determination, you can begin seeing signs of that ugly looking cellulite diminishing.

The first thing is to build long lean leg muscles with the help of yoga or pilates, and aerobics.  Cycling is also great for the leg muscles.

Another key aspect to getting rid of cellulite is to eat a diet low in fat or animal products.  Drink more water, and eat more fruits and vegetables. Try low sodium soups as well to help you feel full and give you lots of hydration and nutrients too.

Also try to keep the area circulated, avoiding tight clothing, and using massage or a loofah.

 
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Posted in Cellulite

 
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