Friday, May 8, 2015

Orange Honey Tilapia Slow Cooker Recipe


Fish! Its whats for dinner.

I love making fish in the crockpot. I love making pretty much anything in the crockpot, but the ease of making fish is just so wonderful, Im surprised everyone doesnt cook fish this way.
Its easy.
Its moist and flavorful.
It doesnt heat up the house on a hot day.
it doesnt stink up the kitchen.
and clean up is practically non-existent.

SCORE!

I had a bunch of frozen tilapia in the house that I bought in bulk, and needed a new recipe. My kids hands-down favorite tialpia is Parmesan Tilapia, but I wanted a super low-fat dinner to counteract the gobs of Cheesy Creamed Corn I ate the other day.

The Ingredients.
serves 4

4 tilapia filets (frozen is just fine)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 (10-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
aluminum foil
salt and pepper to taste at the table

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Lay a length of foil on your countertop and place the fish directly in the middle. Dribble balsamic vinegar and honey over the top of each fillet, and place a handful of drained mandarin oranges on top (my kids like to drink the juice!).

Fold over foil and crimp the edges to form a packet. Put the foil packet into your slow cooker, and put the lid on (if youd prefer to have one fish fillet per packet for serving, divide the sauce and the oranges). Cook on high for two hours, or until fish flakes easily with a fork. If your fish was frozen, it may take another 30 minutes or so, but you should still check it after two hours. Season to taste with some salt and pepper at the table.

The Verdict.

We all loved this, and I was able to share my grandfathers story about mandarin oranges really being boneless baby goldfish. Its a bit odd---but the kids loved the story the same way I did when I was growing up!

more fish in foil:
fillet of sole with pesto
salmon with a sweet and spicy rub

and more on the way!

ps: my friend Sean started a new endeavor called Punk Domestics. If you liked the idea of making homemade yogurt, I think youll get a bunch of great ideas. Hes also looking for submissions, if youre interested!
Read more »

How to Lower Triglycerides with Diet and Exercise Easy Tips

What are Triglycerides ?
Will Exercise help to reduce Triglycerides count ?
Will Dieting lower my Triglycerides ?

These are some basic questions that you may ask if you find increased level of Triglycerides in your blood report. We will try to answer all of these questions and help you in the best possible way to lower your Triglycerides level. So lets start from the very first question.

What are Triglycerides ?


In simple terminology Triglycerides is the fat deposited in our body and increased level of Triglycerides is something to worry about. If you want to know more about Triglycerides then read following points:

Whenever we eat something fatty or rich in carbohydrates our Triglycerides level is increased. Triglycerides are the end product created by our digestive system from fat that we eat.
  • The reason for increased level of Triglycerides is that if cant consume what we ate.
  • Our body store that fat in form of globules which are deposited on our hips and belly. Lipoproteins in our blood help transport these globules through blood stream to our hips and belly.
  • So if your hips and belly size is increasing at a good speed then you need to change your life style.
  • Increased Triglycerides level may result in thicker blood, which causes blood pressure. Thicker blood can easily form clots inside blood vessels (in extreme cases) and may result in heart attack.
  • If Triglycerides level remain increased for a long period then it may harm your heart health.

What causes increase in Triglycerides level ?


There are various reasons for increase in Triglycerides. Some of the common reasons are discussed below.

  • Fatty Diet : If you like fatty diet, then chances of higher Triglycerides level increases in you with your age. Specially if you dont indulge in a physical activity on a regular basis.
  • Lack of Physical Activities: Sometimes even if you dont eat fatty diet, your Triglycerides may increase if your body dont consume what you eat. Our body can generate triglycerides from the extra calories that we consume every day.
  • Genetic Factor: If you think that you are aware of the above factors and check you diet and physical workout and still your Triglycerides are increasing then it might be a genetic factor. In that case consult your doctor as soon as possible


How to lower Triglycerides with Diet


Triglycerides can be reduced if you take care of following things in your diet.

  • Dont eat fatty diet especially which is rich in bad cholesterol. 
  • Avoid excess amount of carbohydrates in your diet.
  • Dont eat that you cant consume. Sometimes overeating can be very harmful if you are doing it on regular basis. Even if you are not eating fat or carbohydrate rich food, the extra calories due to overeating can affect you. These extra calories will be transformed into Triglycerides and later deposited on your belly and hips.


How to lower Triglycerides with Exercises


Some physical activities like aerobics, jogging or workout in gym can help a lot if you are trying to lower your Triglycerides level. According to some reports aerobics is the best way to reduce the count of triglycerides in your blood. Some people prefer to do workout in gym or weight lifting and you should consult your doctor before taking such form of workout into action. High Triglycerides patients may also have higher cholesterol level  which may result in higher blood pressure, so exercises like wight lifting might harm you.

Read more »

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Slimming Reflexes right from wrong!


Slimming your reflexes are they good?

Many slimming tips then circulate that they are not based ...


Slimming, Weight Loss: 10 affirmations to untangle fact from fiction! 

1) It is better to shop after a meal and a light snack.
Its true! 
It is not advisable to shop hungry.
Hungry, you may bring your choices on products rather than calories and you did not really intend to buy.
The ideal is to make your shopping after breakfast or lunch, otherwise eat a small snack, made such a reduced dairy or fruit.

2) Never drink before meals.
This is wrong! 
Drink a large glass of water before meals reduces appetite. So it is a good reflex!
Also, do you impose to drink at least a liter and a half of water a day. And of course, ban sugary drinks and sodas. 

3) In case of slimming diet, fruit juices are allowed.
This is wrong! 
Certainly, compared to sodas, fruit juices have the advantage of providing at least vitamins.
But on the other hand, they also contain a lot of sugar, and many of them are even fortified sugar. Better to avoid if you want to lose weight

4) There must be a list of forbidden foods.
This is wrong! 
Certainly not! Refrain food leads to frustration and food compulsions.
Better to authorize and occasionally some reasonable amount calorie foods, rather than maintain a permanent feeling of deprivation.

5) low-fat products do not help to lose weight.
This is wrong!
Diet products help to reduce calorie intake, provided you do not eat more pretext that they are lightweight .. 

6) Every meal starts with salad or soup.
Its true! 
Each meal should be structured and varied appetizer, entree and dessert.
Always prefer raw vegetables, fruits and vegetables.
Take small portions and avoid helping. 

7) The time spent at the table should be as short as possible.
This is wrong! 
At the table, take your time, eat slowly and chew well.
This way, you are attentive to your feelings of hunger and satiety.
Use small plates, take small portions, do not you back for seconds and feel free to leave your plate. 

8) No more than one fruit a day because they contain a lot of sugar.
This is wrong! 
Fresh fruits are sweet, but they provide vitamins that your body need.
They should be favored for snacks, snacks and desserts.
And indeed, at dessert, always favor those that contain the most fruit.
Eat every day at least two or three fresh fruit. 

9) It is best to avoid dairy products because they are rich in fat.
This is wrong!
Dairy products are an essential source of calcium for all ages.
It is essential to consume three dairy products per day.
For the line, choose low fat dairy products high in fat. 

10) A session of physical activity per week is not enough, even if it is intense.
Its true!

You have to move every day to boost metabolism.
Thirty minutes of physical activity a day is a minimum.
Nothing prevents you from walking or to cumulate minutes: 10 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes at night.

Read more »

Monday, May 4, 2015

10 Good Reasons To Eat Raw Foods

A host of chronic health conditions and feeling lousy all the time, lead me to make the shift from a standard American diet to raw, living foods. Ten months into this healing journey, I can give you a long list of the benefits Ive reaped as a result. Symptoms of ill health that plagued me – migraines, heartburn, fatigue, joint inflammation, acne, cellulite, edema, morbid obesity – have disappeared.

There are lots of websites devoted to educating people about the raw foods lifestyle. I decided to take a cyber-cruise and see what reasons other folks list for going raw:

  1. To strengthen your immune system.
  2. To break your emotional attachment to food.
  3. To raise your vibration.
  4. To reach your bodys natural weight.
  5. To function at your peak performance.
  6. To detoxify your body.
  7. To reverse the signs of aging.
  8. To have unlimited energy.
  9. To save time and money.
  10. To help the environment and lighten your carbon footprint.
While none are my own, I have to agree theyre all good reasons. But, do you have to eat all raw, all the time to benefit? No. Im a firm believer that what you leave out of your diet, is equally important as what you add in. The more highly refined and processed foods you eliminate, the better.

Our body is roughly 75 percent water. Try to mirror that percentage on your plate with fresh uncooked fruit and vegetables at each meal.

See that Smart Shopper Guide in the sidebar to the right? Click on it, print the page, and hang it on your fridge. Buy and eat organic whenever possible. Pay with your dollar instead of your health.

Load up on leafy greens – juices, smoothies, salads, wraps, supplements. Aim for at least two pounds of greens a day.


So, if 75 percent of your plate is raw, whats comprising the other 25 percent? Try to improve the cooked components of your diet.

Healthier Transition Foods

  • steamed vegetables
  • steamed sweet potatoes or squash
  • sprouted grain breads
  • whole grains
  • almond milk
  • sulfur-free dried fruits
  • unpasteurized cheese and milk (preferably goat or sheep)
  • wild-caught fish
  • organic, grass-fed meat and poultry
It stands to reason that for optimum health and nutrition, youll need to eat as close to nature as possible. What youll find is that your body will naturally guide you toward more healthy choices. Today, cooked food and animal flesh just dont have the same appeal to me as they once did. You can look at A Day In The Life to see my own progression.

Recommended Reading

Whatever your current diet, these two books are wonderful resources, chock full of information and inspiration to get you started on your own healing journey.


The Raw Food Detox Diet: The Five-Step Plan for Vibrant Health and Maximum Weight Loss



High Raw: A Simple Approach to Health, Eating and Saving the Planet

Read more »

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Whats Really Behind Your Food Cravings

Ive written before about Changing My Relationship With Food and how the process was key in my recovering from morbid obesity. One of the things I discovered along the way was that food cravings are physical.

Physical cravings are our cells crying for the nutrients they need. Sadly, we often respond to this urge by eating highly processed and refined foods which only promote further malnourishment.

Yup, that was me. Tipping the scales at over 300 pounds, yet starving. I used to think the four food groups were Starbucks, chocolate, cheeseburgers and French fries.

While I was transitioning from the Standard American Diet of packaged and processed foods to a diet high in raw, living foods, I went through some periods of strong cravings. {To get a sense of what my transition looked like, you can read A Day In The Life}

Early on, my body craved wild-caught Alaskan salmon daily. After several months of detoxifying my system of food additives and preservatives, I couldnt get enough beets. Morning, noon and night, all I wanted for about a week was beets. Crazy, since prior to that, you couldnt pay me to eat them.

There were a couple of weeks I remember, where the only greens I wanted were mustard or turnip greens. I have to be honest here and tell you, for most of my life I didnt even know what mustard and turnip greens were, much less eat them.

I still experience cravings and have learned to listen to my body. If watermelon is what my body desires, I eat watermelon. Craving kale, Ill make a large green smoothie.

Anyways, all this is to say that I was recently reading a terrific book by naturopathic doctor Colleen Huber, Choose Your Foods Like Your Life Depends On Them, and was pleasantly surprised to find this:

Food Cravings

Nifty, huh? This is only a partial listing. You can see the whole chart of Food Cravings here.

So, tell me, what food has your body been craving lately? Will you reach for a healthy alternative instead of the bag of Doritos?
Read more »

Thursday, April 30, 2015

How to make your Immune System Strong and Healthy

Health of our immune system tells how long can we live and if that life will be healthy or not. Usually we dont take care of our immune system and only care for it when we are suffering from some disease. Its a strange fact but true that "We notice our body only when its unhealthy". When we are healthy we dont notice it. You might have not looked at the fingers of your foot from a long time, as if they were not there. However they worked continuously for you. We only notice them if they are hurt or wounded.
To be frank, its not a bad thing. Its a sign of a healthy body that we dont notice it. Because our mind is made to notice it only when its in pain. So dont get into more philosophy and make your immune system better so that it can keep your body free from diseases and painless.

What is our Immune System ?


Our Immune system a mechanism in our body to fight against diseases and any any foreign element. Our blood contain Lymphocytes (White Blood Cells) which fight the micro-organisms that can harm our body. These Lymphocytes die themselves after doing their job or after a certain expiry time. Scientists known the minimum amount of Lymphocytes that should be present in our body, but their optimum number is not yet known. According to some researches our body automatically generates more Lymphocytes when there is a urgent need for them.

You cant say that only Lymphocytes are Immune system. Our Bone marrow generates blood and Lymphocytes are created there so it is also a part of our our immune system. Our Kidney filters our blood and its also a part of immune system. Our Nostrils also filters the air that we inhale and the dust and other micro-organisms stick to the moist surface, thus defending our body. Similarly tear glands in our eyes keeps wetting our eyes so that our eyelids can wipe-off the dust from surface of eyes, it not only keep our eyes clean but also protect us from several micro-organisms. All these things create our immune system.
Taking care of only one thing cant keep our entire immune system strong. All systems in our body are interconnected. We need to strengthen our entire body to make our immune system healthy.

How to make your immune system strong and healthy


Exercise Regularly


Its not necessary to do power lifting or workout in a gym. Exercises like running, jogging, swimming and aerobics can also keep you fit. It increases your blood circulation make you sweat. Sweating is also necessary for a healthy immune system. You may also opt for some sports activity if you dont want to exercise.

Have a balanced diet full of minerals, vitamins and proteins


There is nothing new in this. Healthy diet is must for a healthy body. Deficiency of any vitamin or mineral can make you sick. You also need to have protein, carbohydrate and fat in the right amount.

Try to live a stress free life


Stress is the worst disease as it kills you from inside. Here inside means that it damages your ability to think properly and affect your day-to-day activities. It may also affect your sleep.

Don’t Smoke 

Smoking is like ingesting gaseous poison yourselves. Its the worst bad habit for health.  

Dont be Alcoholic


Mild amount of Alcohol is not harmful but being alcoholic is harmful. Consumption of alcohol reduces your ability to think properly and increases your reaction time. It means that your reflex-actions are delayed.

Use Medication only when its Necessary


Unnecessary medication reduces the natural ability of your body to fight against diseases. In other terms it makes your immune system weak. Medication should be used as a supporting hand to your immune system, not as a replacement of immune system.

Avoid High Dosage of Medicines


High dosage of medicines make the micro-organisms to adapt and becoming more powerful. Thus making you more prone to getting sick. Especially antibiotics should be taken in mild amount.

Maintain your weight


Weight plays an important role in your health. Being overweight means that your immune system in weakening. It also make you prone to High Blood Pressure and Diabetes.

Keep your Blood pressure Controlled


After the age of 40 you should get you blood pressure checked regularly. High or low blood pressure for longer durations can impact all systems of your body.

Sleep like a Child


Sleeping like a child means sleeping stress-free. You can have a deep sleep only if its stress free. A good sleep is necessary for your body to repair itself. It also saves you from a number of psychological disorders.

Meditation


Last but no the least "Meditation". Meditation is known to have a number of positive impacts on body. Some people believe that your chances of getting ill are highly reduced if you practice meditation regularly.
Read more »

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Slow Cooker Fall Favorites

37 recipes listed, all gluten free and family friendly
I just got back from a pumpkin patch field trip with sixty kindergarteners. In the rain. I wish I could say that I planned ahead and plugged something in so I could happily (and maybe a bit smugly?) report that, "we came home to a hearty bowl full of wholesome goodness that warmed us right up."

oh how I wish I could say that.

But I cant. We came home instead to soggy tuna and rice cakes.

But you? You can totally plan ahead. These are fantastic fall slow cooker recipes that will keep your tummies full, your house warm and cozy, your family happy, and your budget in check.

Beverages

Holiday (non-alcoholic) Punch (although "Holiday" is in the title, Ive been making this a lot. Wednesdays can totally be the new Holiday.)
Pumpkin Spice Latte (yummers)
Chai Tea Latte (I dont actually like this so much, but my mother-in-law loves it, and so do her friends.)

Appetizers

Brie with Balsamic Apricot Topping (just made this again on Saturday, and have been requested to make it on Thursday for my friend Jennifers jewelry party. Oh! anyone want to buy jewelry? I think there might be an online form.)
Sundried Tomato Dip (one of the very first things I made during my challenge)
Cream Cheese, Sausage, and Rotel Dip (AKA Mommy Crack)
Pizza Fondue (liquid pizza)
Fancy Cheese Fondue

Main Courses

Apricot Chicken (the kids LOVE this)
Pomegranate Beef (from Karinas Kitchen, the Gluten Free Goddess. She is wonderful.)
Pizza Soup (because you need more liquid pizza)
Cowboy Stew (from Headless Mom)
Pasta Fagioli (copy cat(ish) from the Olive Garden. We eat this monthly.)
Coq au Vin (red wine for purple, white wine for not-purple)
Azorean Stew (from Sean at Hedonia)
Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup (I get the nicest thank you notes about this one)
Java Roast (doesnt taste like coffee. I promise.)
Chile Verde (I make this for guests. Often.)
Margarita Chicken (from Alanna, of Kitchen Parade)
Mongolian Beef (lots of ingredients, but totally worth it)
Korean Ribs (from Stefania, of City Mama)
Orange Apricot Pork Chops (a favorite with kids)
Cranberry Pork Tenderloin (my little buddy Austins review is priceless on this one)
Asian Peanut Butter Pork (mmm. peanut butter.)
Sausage Vegetable Medley (we eat this an awful lot. super easy.)
Autumn Sausage Casserole (C. Beth reminded me to add this!)
Jamaican Pumpkin Soup (amazingly delicious)

Desserts

Cheesecake (I was crazily ecstatic at how this turned out. I think the neighbors could hear my squealing)
Crustless Pumpkin Pie (exactly what it sounds like!)
Apple Crisp (the people in the audience at GMA liked this)
Peach (or whatever fruit youd like) Pie (I had canned peaches in the house)
Pumpkin Pie Dip (fondue-y)
5 Layer Brownies (use a small slow cooker for this, or your middle wont set)
Pound Cake (I cant believe I ate the whole thing)
Rice Krispies Treats (the kids can do this alone. while I nap. Its a good thing.)
Caramel Apples (great surprise as an after school snack)
Brownie-in-a-Mug (So. Much. Fun.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The holidays are coming! My books make excellent gifts! :-)
Read more »

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Winner of the Wireless HP Photosmart C6380


We have a winner! Thank you so much to all who entered the contest, there were 1642 of you.

The random number thingamabob chose lucky number:

1337, who is BECKY!

Becky wrote how Living Wirelessly, Printing Wirelessly would help her by:

This is an awesome giveaway that can create fabulous opportunities! My hubby and I are both teachers, and we work from our laptops from dusk to dawn. We are constantly running up and down two flights of stairs to hook up our computers to the printer and print what we need for school and for our grad classes. I am also a big scrapper, both traditional and digi. This printer would make printing my pages and pics so much easier. HP is all about quality, and I know my memories would be preserved in high quality. Though I may gain weight from not running up and down steps to plug in and print, I am willing to take that chance. I would love to say goodbye to the days of leaving my comfy, cozy work couch to go upstairs and print what I need! Thank you again for the opportunity!
~ Becky

Congratulations, Becky. I hope you and your hubby get a lot of great use out of your new printer.

and psst. you could always try The CrockPot Diet if youre worried about gaining weight... ;-)

Happy Presidents Day!

New recipes (still pork. but I think I may actually be done with the pork thing in about a week...) coming up tomorrow.

Have a fantastic day. xoxo steph
Read more »

Monday, April 27, 2015

Slow Cooker TV Dinners



One of the finer comforts in life is having a well-stocked freezer. Before our family became gluten free, I regularly bought packaged frozen lasagna, pizza, and hot pockets (mmm, hot pockets) to pop in the oven on a busy weekday night when I forgot to plug in the slow cooker.

This really isnt a possibility now: not only is packaged gluten free food terribly expensive, Im just not comfortable feeding the family manufactured food on a regular basis.

So Ive combined two of my favorite loves into one completely awesome package: Slow Cooker TV Dinners. 

Ive always been a meal-planner, but I like that I can plan two or more weeks of meals and get them all in plastic zipper bags in the freezer, so Im not chopping onions or potatoes each and every day. I figure if Im already chopping an onion, I might as well chop up 10 and get it over with!

(or you can go the environmentally-friendly route and use Tupperware!)

One of the easiest ways to stock your freezer is to cook large batches of food, and freeze half of it. Clearly label and date the food, and then serve it again a few weeks later.

My family will ALWAYS eat the following things--- no matter how often I serve it:
taco soup,  easy lasagna,  chile verde,  beef bourguignon,  chicken makhani,  balsamic chicken

Instead of saving the leftovers for the next day, I freeze them to pull out later in the month. The food is already cooked-- so I thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then microwave or heat on the stovetop. I dont find the slow cooker all that useful to reheat leftovers.


Another way to successfully stock your freezer is to assemble freezer bags with raw meat, vegetables, sauce, and spices. I like to buy my meat in bulk, and then I simply put the ingredients needed for a specific recipe into a freezer bag and clearly label the outside with a magic marker. I then pull the frozen bag out the night before to thaw in the refrigerator. In the morning, I dump the food into my slow cooker and cook according to the recipes directions (Id suggest writing that on the bag, too).


Its recommended to thaw the food overnight, and not just put a block of ice into your slow cooker in the morning. In general, its fine to cook with frozen meat, vegetables, etc., but the other ingredients should be room temperature, and the stoneware should always be room-temp before being plugged in. You can read more about this on Crock-Pots official website. 

Read through the ingredients and directions on each recipe-- if it makes more sense to add chicken broth, etc. in the morning, do so, and if Ive got directions to add something right before serving, follow those guidelines--- dont just dump everything into the bag if it doesnt seem appropriate. :-0

if youd like, you can sign up at ZipList to create a personalized shopping list. All of these recipes are in their database (Ive included a little button that says "save recipe" under each recipe). Its free, and Ive found it immensely helpful.

10 Chicken candidates for Slow Cooker TV Dinners:
brown sugar chicken,  honey garlic chicken,  margarita chicken,  chicken adobo,  cream cheese chicken,  applesauce chicken,  lazy chicken,  green pepper chicken,  apricot chicken,  Vietnamese chicken

10 Beef candidates for Slow Cooker TV Dinners:
super simple cranberry roast,  3-packet pot roast,  sweet mustard roast,  ropa vieja,  Italian beef,  pomegranate beef,  Azorean beef stew,  simple Thai beef,  Korean ribs,   easy fajitas

10 Pork candidates for Slow Cooker TV Dinners:
 teriyaki and apricot pork chops,  peanutbutter pork,  rootbeer pulled pork,  cranberry pork roast,  pulled pork with sauerkraut,  peking pork chops,  hirino psito,  carnitas,  pineapple pork,  apple cinnamon pork roast

my kids will also eat the following fish dishes (ooh, Dr. Seuss!) twice a month:
parmesan tilapia,  honey orange tilapia,  pesto fillet of sole

 I hope this helps a bit with your meal planning! 

P.S.: some of the photos in these recipes are HORRENDOUS-- they were taken before I (somewhat) knew what I was doing with food photography. If you make a recipe of mine and take a better picture, send it my way and Ill give you full credit.


other stuff you might find useful:
meal planning for dummies (or for normal people, whatever)
The Daily 7 For a Highly Successful Household
Help! My Slow Cooker Cooks Too Hot!

never miss a recipe! sign up for the A Year of Slow Cooking newsletter by clicking HERE.
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Sunday, April 26, 2015

CrockPot Tapioca Pudding



Day 196.

Adam has fond childhood memories of eating homemade tapioca pudding. I have fond memories of peeling back the foil of a Handi-Snacks and then licking it. Repeatedly.

Yesterday, we made some new memories.

Thank you, Becky. Thank you for sharing your tapioca recipe with us.


The Ingredients.

-- 2 quarts of 1% milk (half-gallon)
-- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
-- 1 cup small pearl tapioca (Becky says you can find this at an Asian market; I found it in our "fancy" grocery store, but not at Safeway)

-- 3 eggs (her recipe calls for 4, but I only had 3 in the house and took a chance. It worked!)
-- 1 teaspoon (real) vanilla

The Directions.

In a four quart or larger size crockpot, combine the milk, sugar, and tapioca pearls. Stir well to mix. Cover and cook on high for 2-5 hours. You are looking for the tapioca to be soft and somewhat slimy. The mixture will not be very thick, its okay.

In a separate bowl, mix the eggs with the vanilla. Take a 1/2 cup of the hot milk and tapioca mixture and whisk it into the egg bowl (I just learned from my father-in-law that this is what they mean by "tempering the eggs" in cookbooks!). Add another 1/2 cup of the hot milk and tapioca, and whisk that into the eggs, too. Then add yet another. Now youll have a bowl of yellowy tapioca gooeyness.
Pour the contents of the egg-bowl into the crockpot, and whisk until it is all thoroughly combined.

Cover your crockpot and cook on high for another 30-45 minutes, or until the tapioca is pudding-like in consistency. Unplug and let it sit for about an hour to cool.

Ladle into serving-size bowls and chill in the refrigerator.

or eat it with a serving spoon, hot, right out of the crockpot. Your choice.

The Verdict.

Fantastic! Wonderful! Youve got to make this! Thank you so much, Becky, for sharing with me/us.

Adam thought we could get away with cutting the sugar quite a lot. Hes probably right.

I was very pleased with the consistency---just like a Handi-Snacks. But much, much better.
Read more »

Friday, April 24, 2015

Beer Braised Turkey with Potatoes


Hello there! Its summer time, and just when I think the days couldnt possibly fly by any faster, they do. I love having the girls home with me, and weve been having lots of fun playing board (bored?) games, staying up late, camping in the backyard, and running through the sprinklers.

and were only in week number two!

Today, though, my 7-year-old has the flu, and there is nothing worse than hearing friends outside riding bikes when youre stuck inside on the couch. Shes a good sport, though, and is watching RV on loop (cute movie, ages 7+; quite a few bathroom-related jokes....) while I catch up on computer work.

Although were in June, and slow cooker fare usually conjures up snowy/rainy days and crisp fall weather, I implore you to NOT forget about your slow cooker during the summer months. It keeps your kitchen cool, and provides more opportunity to play!

Beer Braised Turkey with Potatoes
The Ingredients.
serves 4-6
2 pounds potatoes, washed and quartered (no need to peel)
1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced
3 pounds turkey drumsticks, or a bone-in turkey breast
4 tablespoons butter (melted, or just toss in the half-stick)
1 tablespoon dried basil (or 1/4 cup finely diced fresh basil leaves)
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 (12-ounce) bottle of beer (Redbridge, by Anheuser Busch is gluten free.) If youd prefer to not cook with alcohol, you can use a non-alcoholic beer.

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Place the potatoes and onion into the bottom of your insert, and add turkey on top. Frozen is okay--- and I did try to peel away some of the skin from my legs since I have weird skin issues. Plop in butter, basil, and lemon juice. Sprinkle on salt, and pour in the beer. Cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours.

The Verdict.

I served our turkey dinner with steamed Brussels sprouts, although if I had gotten my act together earlier in the day would have preferred to roast them or make the worlds best Brussels sprouts. The turkey was beautifully moist, and the drippings made a fabulous gravy (thicken by reducing in the stove, or by whisking in a cornstarch slurry--1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water).

Save your turkey bones to make soup!
Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
Turkey Stew


Heres to the BEST. SUMMER. EVER!! What are your plans?


Read more »

Thursday, April 23, 2015

From Potatoes to a Protein Rich Diet Facts for your Health

White collar jobs and lack of exercise have often been blamed for health hazards like cholesterol accumulation, heart attacks, diabetics, high blood pressure, and obesity. The facts that support such a belief are that white collar jobs prevent people from sweating out the carbohydrates that they have stored through their food habits and exercises seldom form a part of people’s daily routine. Therefore, the stress here seems to be completely on burning away those useless chunks of fat. But even people know that fat is the enemy and that all the food that they eat brings them closer to the enemy, they only start taking active steps against it when it is too late, i.e, when things really go out of hand. Then it is like a ‘do or die’ situation.

From Potatoes to Protein

The same people who would not even use the steps to go from the first floor to the second floor begin to do jogging or walk like dogs early in the mornings. They also start sticking to a diet devoid of meat, eggs, butter, rice, and potatoes. They focus on taking as many leafy vegetables and fruits as possible, as per the dietitians advice, and leave meal tables unsatisfied. After a month or two, these people get back to their old tricks, filling their tummies to the top, until the next hazard strikes them, and that might be too late.

The fact to be considered here is whether it was the white collar job or the lack of exercise that are the real culprits. Studies show that the actual cause of fat accumulation which leads on to the other related health issues are because of the absence of enough protein in people’s diet, making them eat more and more of the foods made from food grains . For example, people tend to eat more bread or rice and use protein-rich foods like meat and butter just as side dishes. When they start dieting, the meat gets removed and some vegetable condiments replace them. In both of these circumstances they are not providing themselves what their bodies need. What the body needs most is protein. The nutrition that we get from other sources is already contained in the protein. When protein content is less, people will tend to eat more of carbohydrates because that is the only way that their hunger can be naturally satisfied. Even when using vegetables like cucumber and tomato or fruits like apple and peach, it is carbohydrates that keep on being added to the diet. That is why very few people have been able to come out of obesity through a controlled diet.

Therefore, it is not the jobs or the exercises that is the cause of accumulation of fat. The addition of a good amount of protein to the diet along with leafy vegetables is the solution for the problem. It can be seen that if there is a good portion of meat or any other source of rich protein for a meal, the people who eat it will be greatly satisfied, thus avoiding overeating of carbohydrates.
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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

CrockPot Spinach and Artichoke Dip


Day 357.

Its the first day of Winter Vacation, and the girls and I are sick. Which means this is a very. normal. year. for us.

Well be fine. Weve got a bunch of books and videos from the library, the good tissue with the built-in Vicks, and 4 quarts of spinach artichoke dip.

This recipe comes from Joey in Minnesota who has a nineteen-month-old and is pregnant. She needs a juggling book for Christmas.

The Ingredients.

1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (9-ounce) bag baby spinach, chopped
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 T jalapeno slices, chopped

The Directions.

I used a 4-quart crockpot. Drain and chop artichoke hearts, and add to the crockpot. Scrunch the spinach and chop it the best you can---mostly try to get the long stems off if you can. Add to the crockpot. Add mayo, sour cream, and chopped jalapenos. Top with 1/2 cup each shredded mozzarella and Parmesan.

Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, or high for 1. Stir. The spinach should begin to welt. If it hasnt, cook some more. When the spinach is totally wilted, take the lid off and add the other 1/2 cup of each cheese, and let it melt while the lid remains off. The spinach will have created some liquid that doesnt really need to be in there.

Serve with your favorite chips, sliced veggies, or bread cubes.

The Verdict.

I liked this a lot. I couldnt taste the jalapenos at all and whined that it "wasnt working" (I wanted my sinuses to drain. lovely image, sorry. but thats what I was going for) but Adam and the kids could taste them and thought it was plenty spicy. I think though, Id add many more jalapeno slices next time and maybe switch out the mayo for a half-block of cream cheese.
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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Finding My Balance

I share a bit more of my story today and talk about coming into balance in a guest post over at Fertilehealthy. I hope youll stop by. Fertilehealthy is the brainchild of my friend Hanlie in Cape Town, South Africa. If you dont know Hanlie, you should. Just open the dictionary to the word perseverance and youll find her picture.
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Monday, April 20, 2015

Water slimming and diet Myths and Realities


Water itself is not especially thin, contrary to popular belief still firmly rooted in the minds of many women!

But why do we recommend routinely drink more water through dieting?

If the water itself does not lose weight, its still a thin ally
If diet, drinking water is essential for several reasons, not the least:

Water provides no calories.

It is a valuable aid to drain metabolic waste associated with weight loss.

Water replaces snacking by taking repeated sips, which is a much better habit.

It provides a full stomach feeling and a slight appetite suppressant (a decoy effect for the body), very useful to counteract frustration with too few large meals.

Water provides varying amounts of minerals: calcium, magnesium, interesting contributions in the context of a restricted diet, and perhaps deficient.

Drink water and lose weight in practice
If you are concerned about your figure, and if dieting, drink at least 1.5 liters of mineral water per day.
And, especially if it is very hot, you engage in physical activity, or you are under (e) (older people are more quickly dehydrated).

Difficult for you? Follow these tips to more easily achieve your goal:

Any drink from the bottle, experience shows that in this way, we drink more than glass.

If you have trouble drinking pure water, think of flavored waters: scented with citrus, almost no calories, they are a nice way to drink water.

Drink one to two additional glasses of water before or during meals to reduce hunger and increase satiety.

Create the desire to drink by making a habit of constantly placing a bottle of water in all the places where you spend the most time.
So drink become a routine gesture, an automatic that you will naturally without thinking.

If you tend to drink too little, learn to drink without thirst because thirst is a deceptive phenomenon whose appearance is often late.
A good indicator to see if you are properly hydrated (e) your urine should be clear and abundant.
If they are dark (apart from taking certain medications), drink more.

What water should you drink?
A trace mineral water (less than 500 mg per liter of minerals, such as Volvic, Evian ... ??) whose pleasant taste will make it easier to absorb the amount of water needed. Its mineral content is also suitable for all.

If your plan is harsh and may carencer you, opt for a more mineralized water (Vittel, St Amand, Contrex).

Cool or at room temperature, it is still a matter of taste!
Avoid having too cold water can cause heaviness of stomach and intestinal disorders.
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Sunday, April 19, 2015

A Feast For The Eyes Vanilla Chia Pudding

Sometimes, looking is enough.
And, sometimes, you just have to give in to temptation.

Friday Food Porn

Even Oprahs jumped on the chia bandwagon since her bud Dr. Oz touted the health benefits of these lil seeds. And boy, do they pack a wallop. Containing all the essential amino acids, chia seeds are considered a complete protein. Pair them with fresh blueberries and hemp milk, and you have an easy, delicious summertime dessert.

Feed your inner voyeur this raw vegan Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding and have a snoop around Foods For Long Life. Dr. Joanne Mumola Williams received her doctorate in holistic nutrition in 2007 and has been creating sexy, healthy recipes ever since.

Live a little. Its the weekend.

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Saturday, April 18, 2015

SLIMMING BY ELECTROSTIMULATION DILEMMA


Everyone knows the lap belts electrostimulation which we call shops boast qualities.

Meant we shape a dream figure, are they really lose weight?


Above all, they are as harmless as it seems?

The belt electrostimulation How does it work?
The principle of electrostimulation devices used by these famous "bodybuilding effortless" is quite simple: via electrodes placed on the skin, a low intensity electric current is sent into the muscle fibers to make them work.

At each pulse, the muscle would contract and gain little by little in power.

If the conditional is required, it is because the reality of non-medical electro-stimulators is different.

Why does she electrostimulation not slim down?
The non-medical electrostimulation devices are far from keeping their promises slimming:

If overweight, the skin tissue and the fat layer just prevent the electrical pulse to reach the muscle fibers.
To burn calories, so to lose weight, it is essential to work on up to muscles simultaneously. However, electrostimulation devices act only on one muscle at a time if the device has two pairs of electrodes, it can not stimulate muscles as 2 maximum.
Electrostimulation devices commercially display a current frequency from July to August hertz. Now, to actually act on the muscle, the frequency must be minimum 35 hertz. In addition, the duration of contraction should be 4 to 7 seconds to be effective, which is far from the case of lap belts, for example


The virtues of medical electrostimulation
The slimming effectiveness of stimulators sold commercially is far from proven.

The principle of neurostimulation muscular yet proven in very specific applications:

In athletes to compensate for a specific muscle lacking, always within the framework of a comprehensive training program.
After an injury or accident, to promote muscle recovery.
After a major plan to revive the abdominal muscles.
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Friday, April 17, 2015

CrockPot Peking Duck Recipe


Day 351.

I have cracked the duck-in-the-crockpot code. You need to use a rack. Too much liquid forms in the pot, and the meat needs to be up above it. I used a little round rack that came with my rice cooker, but you could use anything---an inverted ramekin to lift the bird up out of the collected juice, a collapsible steamer basket (great idea, KW!), foil balls, etc.

This duck tastes great, is seasoned nicely, and held up in the crockpot. Heres how to make traditional Peking Duck, and heres how I made it crockpot-friendly:

The Ingredients.

--4 to 5 pound duck
--5 whole green onions
--4 star anise
--1 inch ginger, peeled
--2 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice (or you can make your own.)
--1 tsp cinnamon
--1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
--1 tablespoon honey
--2 tablespoons soy sauce (La Choy and Tamari wheat-free are gluten free)

The Directions.

Use a 6 quart crockpot, and insert a cooking rack of somesort in the bottom of your pot. Wash the green onions and lay on top of the rack.

Skin the duck the best you can. Peel ginger and stuff inside cavity, with the star anise. In a small bowl, combine dry spices. Rub all over the bird, inside and out. Place the duck inside your crockpot, breast up. (I did breast down yesterday, and that was a mistake. It got too soggy.) Drizzle on soy sauce and honey.

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. Serve with plum sauce.

I made a down-and-dirty plum sauce:
--1/3 cup plum jam
--1 tablespoon soy sauce (La Choy is GF)
--1 tablespoon white sugar
--1 teaspoon garlic powder

The Verdict.

I was much happier at how this duck held up in the crockpot, and how most of the grease dripped away. The meat was nicely seasoned, and tasted great. We really liked the plum sauce. The kids ended up eating little smokies in bbq sauce because it was the Girl Scouts Holiday Party and that was our offering (done in a crockpot, of course).
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Thursday, April 16, 2015

CrockPot Refried Beans Recipe




Day 236.

We eat a lot of refried beans in our house. The kids love them in simple bean and cheese burritos, and Adam I like them covered in salsa for an afternoon snack.

We also have also have a 25-pound sack of pinto beans that lives in our garage. I think weve probably moved with the beans twice.

I bought the bag at a restaurant supply store when I taught preschool and was planning on starting a preschool or homeschool co-op in our home. Kids really like playing with beans---its a great sensory activity and its soothing to pour the beans back and forth between measuring cups and feel them falling through fingertips.

Anyhow, we were out of refried beans the other day, so I decided to make my own. Dont worry, I didnt use the beans the kids had been playing with. The rest of the bag was tightly sealed.

The Ingredients.

--2 cups of dried pinto beans that have been picked through to get all the broken and funky-looking pieces taken out
--water

--1 1/2 yellow onions
--1 1/2 red onions
--10 whole garlic cloves
--2 tsp cumin
--1 tsp coriander

The Directions.

You will need to soak the beans overnight. Not only will this soften them better, but it will help release the gas.
Rinse the beans well in a colander, and dump into the crockpot. Add enough water so the beans are fully immersed, with an two to three inches of water on top. Put the lid on your crockpot. Do not turn on.
Let them soak.

In the morning, drain and rinse the beans under cold running water.

Put them back in the crockpot with enough clean water to cover the beans with about an inch of water.

Stir in the cumin and coriander.

Peel and cut the onions in half, and put them in the crockpot. Peel all of the garlic, but toss them in whole.

Cover the crock and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the beans are tender.

I cooked ours for exactly 9 hours. The were soft, and some of the beans had split.

Fish out the onion and the garlic cloves. If you want to keep some of the garlic in for flavor, you may. Its your choice. If the beans are soft and you still have a bit of liquid left, carefully drain it, saving a little to help with the smooshing and for added flavor.

Using a potato smasher, or hand mixer, mash the beans.

Now you have two options. You can just start using the beans (the way I did, because Im pretty darn lazy), or you can scoop hunks of smooshed beans out of the crock and fry them on the stove top with a bit of butter or olive oil (or lard (ick)). Your choice.

No salt was added, so youll need to season to taste.

The Verdict.

These were surprisingly easy and tasty. The kids have been eating them for lunch. The next day they were a bit dried out, but a touch of warm water fixed that. I needed to add quite a bit of salt to make them taste like the canned variety. I have 4 baggies of ready-to-go beans in the freezer, which is great for after-school snacks.

not-too-spicy bean dip
chicken nachos
smoky refried bean soup
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Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Health Care Tips System Services Products for Men Women Girls and Kids

Health Care Tips

  • Always wash your hands before having food.

  • Keep your Kitchen clean and well managed. Keep Cooked and Uncooked food at different places.

  • Keep your bathroom, wash basin and sink cleaned by phenyl.

  • Eat healthy and eat limited. Overeating may lead to various diseases.

  • Have plenty of fluid daily. It heaps in keeping your blood clean and removes impurities from your body.

  • Do some physical exercises regularly. It may be running, swimming, aerobics, yoga or workout in a gym.

Health Care Systems: Health Care Systems are group or organization of like-minded people with a single objective of improvement of health of people. They can provide any type of services in their geographical area to fulfill their objective.

Health Care Services: There are various types of health care services around the globe. Some are non-profit organizations funded by some major organizations for the betterment of society. Others are businesses like hospitals and clinics. Apart from that health insurance is also a major part of health care services.

Health care Products: Health care products can be categorized into various sections. Some major health care product types are:

  • Medicines

  • Books and Magazines

  • Electronic Gadgets (Electronic devices to measure BP and Sugar level etc.)

  • Other Medical Equipment (Example : Surgical equipment for Doctors)

  • Traditional Accessories (Such as wheel chair and Walkers)

Health care Tips for Men

Health care Tips for Women

Health care Tips for Girls


Health care Tips for Kids

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Tuesday, April 14, 2015

A Feast For The Eyes Mango Mint Salad

Sometimes, looking is enough.
And, sometimes, you just have to give in to temptation.

Friday Food Porn

As the song says – Summertime, and the livin is easy. After enduring what seemed like a winter that just wouldnt quit, I am revelling in not only the warmer temps but the abundance of fresh produce available. Farm stands and farmers markets are open for the season, and Im in heaven. Ive even been able to walk out the back door and harvest a beautiful selection of just-picked lettuce and herbs from my own garden.

I have a voracious appetite for all things green. Imagine my delight when I discovered Green Appetite, a site loaded with luscious ideas for plant-based living. Jessica Stone is an ex-pat living in London, who believes "the ultimate recipe is no recipe at all" and that "the best dishes are uncomplicated and respect the inherent genius in nature rather than try to improve upon it." Hello? Will you marry me?

I stalk her blog now.

You can feed your own inner voyeur. Her mango mint salad will knock your sandals right off, but have a look around. Youll find lots of sexy recipes, and discover just how tasty eating green can be.

Live a little. Its the weekend.
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Sunday, April 12, 2015

Lentil and Kale Super Food Slow Cooker Recipe


Ive been slow to warm up to kale. I sort of feel like Ive been peer pressured to cook with it ---- I see it all over the internet and all over the cooking channels and thrown in my face in lots and lots of food magazines.

and I hate being told what to do.

I tried the oven "fried" kale chips. I put it in smoothies. Guess what? Id rather eat a bag of Lays, and even if I call the smoothies "dinosaur shakes" or "swamp juice" my kids arent all that impressed, and Im left to drink a pitcher full of murky liquid all on my own.

of course, Im the type of person who likes cheese in a can more than is probably socially acceptable...

anyhow. I needed to cook up the kale I had in the fridge, because I hate wasting food even more than I hate being told what to do.

This, here, is SUPER FOOD. Not SUPER in that it tastes like oreo cheesecake or chocolate mousse, but SUPER in that it has a bunch of super foods in it: lentils, tomatoes, garlic, and kale.

and it actually tastes pretty good!

The Ingredients.
serves 6-8 as a side dish, 4 as a full meal
2 cups lentils, rinsed
1 onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (7-ounce) can fire roasted whole chiles (mild; this provides tons of flavor)
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
3 cups chopped kale (just the leaves. give the stems to the guinea pigs or the compost heap)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt (start with 1/2, then season if needed at the table)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon cumin
3 cups chicken or vegetable broth

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Rinse lentils until the water runs clear, and then put the wet lentils into your slow cooker. Add diced onion and the chopped garlic. Add the entire cans of fire roasted chiles and diced tomatoes. I used the whole chiles because I had them in the house and so the kids could pick them out, but the chopped chiles would be just fine if thats what you have already.
Add the kale, dried spices, and stir in the broth. Cover, and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or until the lentils are bite tender and the onion is translucent. It took closer to 6 hours in my 6-quart.

The Verdict.

I ate this as my main course, but Adam and the kids had it as a side dish with some sliced chicken and artichoke sausage. Adam and I really liked everything about this--- we felt full but not grossly overstuffed, and we were really quite satiated. The prominent flavor is from the ginger and cumin; it tasted a lot like Dal.

I insisted on three bites from the big kids, but couldnt convince the baby. I am looking forward to leftovers for lunch, and since Im trying to eat better more often than not Im going to make another batch and freeze in lunch-sized portions.

BlogHer is next week! Are you going? If so, find me--- Id love to meet you!!  Ill be the one without the smart phone...

other stuff you might like:
lentil and sausage stew
lots and lots of chicken slow cooker recipes
poor mans chili
honey beans and spinach dinner
lots of vegetarian slow cooker recipes


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