Due to this being a holiday weekend, I will not post a menu or shopping list for this week. Sorry for any inconvienience. If you need any recipes, just look into the "Recipes" archives. Thanks for the understanding and have a safe and happy 4th of July!
"Hearken dilligently unto Me, & eat ye that which is good..." Isaiah 55:2
This weekend is the 4th of July. Most of us have BBQ's, family reunions, camping trips, or lake weekends to attend. The fun with family & friends will most likely revolve around FOOD. The problem is this... most of the food we love to share with our families and friends are NOT good for us! Lots of our side dishes are loaded with mayonaise and even if it started out being a vegetable, what we do to it, well takes away any nutritional value. Here are a few pointers and ideas to help keep you healthy during these fun holiday weekends!
Most of all, enjoy your self and have fun with your family and friends!
Read more...If you have been trying to get signed up for the weekly menu email & it hasn't worked, I appologize! It is not up and working! If you haven't done so already, go to the home page and click the "subscribe" button. Fill out your name and email, and that's it! Thanks for patiently understanding we are still new at this and trying to work out the quirks! Also, if you try a recipe and like it, please comment! That way others will be more likely to try it as well. Or if you added something that made it even better, yet still healthy, post a comment on that too! Thanks!
Read more...Well, I have had several of you ask me to post recipes and directions on how to can/preserve your fruits and vegetables at home. If you know me, you know that I have been canning now for 6 years. My mother-in-law & I decided when I was pregnant with my oldest that we would start having a garden. She taught me how to can and has shared her recipes with me, that I will now share with you!
My goal is to put the recipes out and then have a 3 page planner that you can print off that will help you when your canning day comes. Wether or not you have your own garden is not necessary. There are plenty of farmers markets around that you can buy what your family will eat. The canning however is up to you!
The recipes are easy to follow, however if you have never canned before, I recommend you asking someone with experience to help you the first time. Especially when using a pressure canner. Also, the pressure canners are quite expensive, so I also recommend asking around your family to see if there is one that is not being used anymore. If it is an older canner, beware that the pressure gauge & even the seal may be bad and need replacing. Look for the owners manual or download one online to help you with replacing the parts!
Otherwise you can buy a waterbath canner at Fred's for $15.00. It works just as well, but takes twice as long to process. Plus I think the shelf life of your vegetables is not as long when they have been processed in a water bath vs. a pressure canner! Some things I preserve, can be done "open kettle" meaning you don't need a canner at all!
If you get started and have any questions, feel free to contact me through email, facebook or if you have my number, call me! I'd be glad to help in any way!
So look for the recipes for canning and go ahead and give it a try! Good luck and enjoy!
• Blueberries, are high in antioxidants.
• Strawberries; are also bursting with antioxidants. They are 53 calories in 1 cup which has more vitamin C than a navel orange. Believe it or not they also contain malic acid which acts as a tooth whitener!!
• Almonds, are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Peanuts; have same healthy oil that almonds do, they are a great weight loss snack. People who eat peanuts and products like Natural PB tend to have lower BMI's than those who nix peanuts. On a reduced calorie diet that includes healthy fats like peanuts and natural PB more weight is lost and it is more likely that you will stay on track than a diet low in fat.
However, watch portions! 1/4 cup unsalted regular or dru roasted peanuts or 2 Tbsp of natural PB daily is all you need.
**FYI: store your nuts in the fridge so they won't spoil!**
• Tomatoes, are high in lycopene which may ward off ceratin types of cancer.
• White Button Mushrooms; budget friendly! use them on salads or on your pizza. They contain Vitamin D, and may help regulate levels of the feel full hormone lepton. They are also a good low calorie alternative to red meat!
• Flax seeds, is another great source of omega-3 fatty acids, and has been proven to help lower bad cholesterol.
• Sunflower seeds; top them on a salad or cereal, but no more than one oz, 1/4 cup. it has 3 grams of fiber per serving, plus antioxidant boosting vitamin E. Seek out unshelled seeds at the supermarket.
• Broccoli, is rich in vitamin C, and full of fiber. Also a good cancer fighting food!
• Cauliflower; one cup chopped has 3/4 of you daily vitamin C needs, and also contains the same anti-cancer compounds as broccoli.
Cook with caution though, microwaving and boiling diminishes the antioxidants. Instead, brush with olive oil and roast, or toss in oil and wrap in foil and grill until golden and crispy.
• Salmon, another good source of omega-3 fats and protien.
• Trout; has the same omega-3 fats that reduce inflammation. Two servings a week at 3 oz each serving will give you the recommended omega-3's plus a small dose of calcium.
• Olive oil, is a good for you fat, but like anything, don't go OVERBOARD!
• Safflower oil; high in monounsaturated fat, can help fight the "muffin top", belly fat that wraps around your middle! Use it for salad dressing, and sauteing. It has a higher smoking point than olive oil so use it for stir frying as well. It does spoil easily so keep it in the fridge. Just bring it to room temp before using!
• Edamame; has 4 grams of fiber in just a 1/2 cup and is a healthy dose of protein.
• Black Beans; cooked has 7.5 grams of fiber per 1/2 cup. put them on baked potatoes, make a meat free burrito or mix with corn for a salad. If using canned, rinse them good to reduce sodium!
• Brown rice; has more nutrients, minerals and cholesterol lowering fiber than white rice.
• Barley; good source of complex carbs which your body converts to energy. Whole grain barley had 16 grams of fiber in 1/2 cup! WOW That's eight times more than brown rice. It can also help lower total cholesterol levels, & help keep you full. Eat hot or chill cooked barley and eat with chopped veggies or on a salad.
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