Guest post written by Madeline Houston
I was really surprised when I became a parent that so much of those skills are just cooking for other people's children. But it also gives you somewhat of an excuse to cook and bake some really great things. The holidays are especially the case for that between all of our church activities, my kids' Christmas party and their class holiday parties at school. I've been baking so many cookies lately, but I don't really mind it. I love baking cookies and also eating them too!
But I thought that maybe I could find a new recipe or two to try out for this holiday season. It never hurts to have a few extra recipes on hand. While I was online looking up some recipes, I came across some info on miracle ear. I forwarded it to my husband and convinced him to go and get fitted with some hearing aids.
I found this one really cute cute Christmas cookie that I really took over the top with some holiday cookie cutters. Plus, some colorful icing never hurts, either!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Quick n Easy Banana Split
This is a recipe similar to one found in my new Speedy Sneaky Chef
book. My picky 7 year old loves it. It's now one of my go to snack recipes for him. It is super easy and only takes a few minutes to make.
1 frozen banana
3 tbs of yogurt, plain or any other flavor of your choosing will work
1 tsp honey
1/8 tsp cinnamon
Add all ingredients in order to a small food processor. Mix until smooth.
Tip: Keep a couple of frozen bananas in the freezer ready to go.
This recipe would also be great with other frozen fruit in place of or in addition to the banana.
book. My picky 7 year old loves it. It's now one of my go to snack recipes for him. It is super easy and only takes a few minutes to make.1 frozen banana
3 tbs of yogurt, plain or any other flavor of your choosing will work
1 tsp honey
1/8 tsp cinnamon
Add all ingredients in order to a small food processor. Mix until smooth.
Tip: Keep a couple of frozen bananas in the freezer ready to go.
This recipe would also be great with other frozen fruit in place of or in addition to the banana.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Jessica Collins Soft and Chewy Gingersnap Cookies
I love ginger cookies this time of year. I made this recipe last week. It was a ginger cookie recipe by actress Jessica Collins I found in the December 27, 2011 issue of Soap Opera Digest. Pretty good!
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tbs ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 sticks butter - 12 tbs - a little colder than room temp
1 cup granulated white sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup dark molasses
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon sugar: 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon mixed in a small bowl
Mix together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, salt.
With a mixer, beat butter & sugar until light & fluffy - about 1 minute.
Beat in egg, molasses, vanilla on medium speed - about 1 minute.
Turn mixer to low & gradually add flour mixture. Do not overmix.
Form dough into a loose disk & wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. - Apparently this is a great cookie baking secret, so don't skip this step.
Preheat oven to 350. Let dough sit for 10 minutes at room temperature.
Pinch off small amounts of dough and roll into a ball. Roll each ball into cinnamon sugar and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Place balls 2 1/2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 15 - 17 minutes.
Cookies are done when they are set and slightly cracked on top.
Note: Cookies will puff up and flatten.
Sprinkle warm cookies with a pinch more of cinnamon sugar and cool on a wire rack.
Jessica Collins used to play Dinah Lee on the soap opera Loving. She now plays Avery on The Young and the Restless. She also has her own cooking website: http://www.jessicacollins.tv/
More Cookie Recipes
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tbs ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 sticks butter - 12 tbs - a little colder than room temp
1 cup granulated white sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup dark molasses
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon sugar: 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon mixed in a small bowl
Mix together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, salt.
With a mixer, beat butter & sugar until light & fluffy - about 1 minute.
Beat in egg, molasses, vanilla on medium speed - about 1 minute.
Turn mixer to low & gradually add flour mixture. Do not overmix.
Form dough into a loose disk & wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. - Apparently this is a great cookie baking secret, so don't skip this step.
Preheat oven to 350. Let dough sit for 10 minutes at room temperature.
Pinch off small amounts of dough and roll into a ball. Roll each ball into cinnamon sugar and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Place balls 2 1/2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 15 - 17 minutes.
Cookies are done when they are set and slightly cracked on top.
Note: Cookies will puff up and flatten.
Sprinkle warm cookies with a pinch more of cinnamon sugar and cool on a wire rack.
Jessica Collins used to play Dinah Lee on the soap opera Loving. She now plays Avery on The Young and the Restless. She also has her own cooking website: http://www.jessicacollins.tv/
More Cookie Recipes
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Couponing
Posted by Gaylord Campbell
With the economy the way it is these days, I have been trying to save money the best that I can. One way I have found to save money is through couponing. And I hate to say it, but I am sort of becoming obsessed with couponing. People who are obsessed with couponing are like they are in some sort of cult. I guess I have joined the cult. Most of the time that I spend looking for coupons is when my children are in school. We live across the street from a park called Memorial Park in York, Pennsylvania. Since we got York Clear Internet, I can just take my laptop over to the park after the kids go to school and get on all these couponing websites. That way I am getting some fresh air, and finding ways to save my family money at the same time. Some of the websites have coupons that you have to print out so I just bookmark them and print them when I get back in the house. Other websites have something that allows you to send the coupon to your cell phone, and when you get to the store the clerk can just scan your phone to get the discount. Isn’t it amazing what technology can do these days?
With the economy the way it is these days, I have been trying to save money the best that I can. One way I have found to save money is through couponing. And I hate to say it, but I am sort of becoming obsessed with couponing. People who are obsessed with couponing are like they are in some sort of cult. I guess I have joined the cult. Most of the time that I spend looking for coupons is when my children are in school. We live across the street from a park called Memorial Park in York, Pennsylvania. Since we got York Clear Internet, I can just take my laptop over to the park after the kids go to school and get on all these couponing websites. That way I am getting some fresh air, and finding ways to save my family money at the same time. Some of the websites have coupons that you have to print out so I just bookmark them and print them when I get back in the house. Other websites have something that allows you to send the coupon to your cell phone, and when you get to the store the clerk can just scan your phone to get the discount. Isn’t it amazing what technology can do these days?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Health Benefits Dark Chocolate Antioxidants
About two years ago, my doctor put me on the Low Glycemic Mediterranean diet. You basically limit grains, dairy and red meat, and eat lots of nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry & lean meat, olives and olive oil. You also eliminate all processed foods, chemicals, artificial sweeteners and caffeine, although green tea is ok. Red wine and chocolate are also ok. I'm home all the time by myself with two small children, so I haven't really gotten into the red wine yet, but once they are older I will definitely add in a glass per day. Being able to eat chocolate is also a huge bonus.
I love chocolate! Dark chocolates are full of antioxidants, which help fight heart disease, diabetes and lower your cholesterol. It may also improve memory, neurovascular activity and alertness. Eating dark chocolate also improves your mood as it contains tryptofan and stimulates the release of endorphins.
I've read that a chocolate craving indicates a magnesium deficiency. A chocolate craving is also very common for women between ovulation and the start of menstruation. I take a magnesium supplement to help with migraines. I also make sure to eat a little bit of dark chocolate every day, so I don't crave chocolate as much as I used to. When I do crave chocolate, a handful of dark chocolate chips and a batch of my homemade chocolate chip granola bars really help.
Dark chocolate comes from cacao, which is a plant, and contains flavanoids called flavanols. The higher the cacao content, the more flavonols present. At least a 70% cacao content is recommended. The chocolate I eat every day contains 80%. I tried the 90% and it's edible, but it's really bitter. The 80% is much easier to eat. I also make sure to use dark chocolate chips when I bake. Milk chocolate does not contain as many antioxidants as dark chocolate. It tastes smoother, but the added milk reduces the antioxidant activity. It's also not recommended to eat dark chocolate with a glass of milk, as that will also reduce the amount of antioxidants. Natural cocoa powders are a better choice for baking rather than Dutch-processed cocoa powder, which is not a good source of antioxidants due to alkalinization.
Eating a small amount of dark chocolate daily is a great activity to add to your daily health regimen.
I love chocolate! Dark chocolates are full of antioxidants, which help fight heart disease, diabetes and lower your cholesterol. It may also improve memory, neurovascular activity and alertness. Eating dark chocolate also improves your mood as it contains tryptofan and stimulates the release of endorphins.
I've read that a chocolate craving indicates a magnesium deficiency. A chocolate craving is also very common for women between ovulation and the start of menstruation. I take a magnesium supplement to help with migraines. I also make sure to eat a little bit of dark chocolate every day, so I don't crave chocolate as much as I used to. When I do crave chocolate, a handful of dark chocolate chips and a batch of my homemade chocolate chip granola bars really help.
Dark chocolate comes from cacao, which is a plant, and contains flavanoids called flavanols. The higher the cacao content, the more flavonols present. At least a 70% cacao content is recommended. The chocolate I eat every day contains 80%. I tried the 90% and it's edible, but it's really bitter. The 80% is much easier to eat. I also make sure to use dark chocolate chips when I bake. Milk chocolate does not contain as many antioxidants as dark chocolate. It tastes smoother, but the added milk reduces the antioxidant activity. It's also not recommended to eat dark chocolate with a glass of milk, as that will also reduce the amount of antioxidants. Natural cocoa powders are a better choice for baking rather than Dutch-processed cocoa powder, which is not a good source of antioxidants due to alkalinization.
Eating a small amount of dark chocolate daily is a great activity to add to your daily health regimen.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Cafeteria Food Scrub Clothes
When my oldest son was born nine weeks early, I spent a lot of time at hospitals. He was in the NICU of two different hospitals for a total of five and a half weeks. During that time, I ate in the hospitals' cafeteria a couple of times. I don't remember what I had to eat, but I do remember it wasn't the greatest food. I also felt a little out of place being surrounded by doctors and nurses all dressed in their scrub clothes. I must have been very noticable wearing regular clothes in a sea of doctors wearing http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Men/.
I'm not a real fan of cafeteria food anyways. When I was in high school I would eat it once in a while, but the food just never tasted that good. When I was in college, I ate at the cafeteria a few times. The college cafeteria food was much better than the high school cafeteria food. The school lunch menu my son brings home from his elementary school is really something. It's always the same: pizza, some flavor of chicken, chili and tacos.
These days I don't eat out much. It gets very expensive. I also like to know what's in my food. Due to my high blood sugar and cholesterol issues, I've done a lot of nutrition research. It's amazing how changing your diet and adding some exercise can make you feel so much better. It also makes your blood sugar and cholesterol numbers return to normal.
Unless it's organic, food is filled with chemicals, pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and growth hormones. That's a big part of why people are sick nowadays. McDonald's gets a bad rap, but what about a cafeteria or your local diner. Is the burger you just ordered made with grass fed beef? Probably not, which means whatever that cow ate, you are now eating. That cow was probably fed corn. Was that corn organic? Probably not. That corn was probably sprayed with pesticides, maybe Monsanto's RoundUp. Maybe the corn seed was genetically modified. The cow may have been injected with antibiotics, which you are now ingesting. Some farmers give their cows growth hormones. You might be eating that in your burger too. The ketchup you put on the burger, take a look at the ingredient list. Chances are very good it contains high fructose corn syrup. If it wasn't made with organic ingredients, it will also contain pesticides. The bun may contain high fructose corn syrup, GMOs and pesticides too.
Good thing there are doctors and nurses out there to help us when our bodies can no longer handle all those invisible, extra ingredients that will eventually make us sick.
I'm not a real fan of cafeteria food anyways. When I was in high school I would eat it once in a while, but the food just never tasted that good. When I was in college, I ate at the cafeteria a few times. The college cafeteria food was much better than the high school cafeteria food. The school lunch menu my son brings home from his elementary school is really something. It's always the same: pizza, some flavor of chicken, chili and tacos.
These days I don't eat out much. It gets very expensive. I also like to know what's in my food. Due to my high blood sugar and cholesterol issues, I've done a lot of nutrition research. It's amazing how changing your diet and adding some exercise can make you feel so much better. It also makes your blood sugar and cholesterol numbers return to normal.
Unless it's organic, food is filled with chemicals, pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and growth hormones. That's a big part of why people are sick nowadays. McDonald's gets a bad rap, but what about a cafeteria or your local diner. Is the burger you just ordered made with grass fed beef? Probably not, which means whatever that cow ate, you are now eating. That cow was probably fed corn. Was that corn organic? Probably not. That corn was probably sprayed with pesticides, maybe Monsanto's RoundUp. Maybe the corn seed was genetically modified. The cow may have been injected with antibiotics, which you are now ingesting. Some farmers give their cows growth hormones. You might be eating that in your burger too. The ketchup you put on the burger, take a look at the ingredient list. Chances are very good it contains high fructose corn syrup. If it wasn't made with organic ingredients, it will also contain pesticides. The bun may contain high fructose corn syrup, GMOs and pesticides too.
Good thing there are doctors and nurses out there to help us when our bodies can no longer handle all those invisible, extra ingredients that will eventually make us sick.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Health Benefits of Coffee Espresso Machines
Christmas is coming fast. I have a ton of shopping to do with few ideas. I have lots of ideas for what I want, but it's hard coming up with ideas for others. Gift cards are always an option I guess.
At the top of my list is a juicer. I was checking out Espresso Machines. I may add one of those to my list as well. I saw pumpkin coffee for sale in Hannaford the other day. Since then, I've been thinking about putting my one cup coffee maker back into use. A nice hot, frothy cup of cappuccino sounds really good too. I don't have an Espresso Machines though. I've bought the pre-made cappuccino mixes before. They are good, but not as good as the homemade version using one of those nice professional Espresso Machines.
The other day I was reading about the health benefits of coffee. Coffee is full of antioxidants. Apparently, it helps protect the brain from dementia and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinsons. It also helps protect against diabetes, stroke and depression.
Coffee should be consumed in moderation though as it can aggravate any existing kidney or bladder problems. It also stimulates the release of adranaline and inhibits the release of serotonin. This may result in irritability and jitteriness causing an inability to cope with stress.
Dark roasted, organic Arabica coffee is the best. Arabica has a richer flavor than Robusta, which is found is less expensive coffees. Dark roasted coffee has less caffeine than lighter roasts.
It's also a good idea to choose mycotoxin free coffee. Mycotoxin is a fungus found on coffee beans and are formed during the drying process. They may cause health problems affecting the liver, kidneys, smooth muscles, and alimentary canal. You also feel better after drinking mycotoxin free coffee. To ensure your coffee is mycotoxin free, choose coffee made from a wet process instead of drying. Stay away from decaffeinated coffee. Stick with Arabica coffee made from coffee beans grown in high altitudes such as Central America. Stay away from coffee blends and choose an Americano if all else fails, as steaming will remove the toxins.
At the top of my list is a juicer. I was checking out Espresso Machines. I may add one of those to my list as well. I saw pumpkin coffee for sale in Hannaford the other day. Since then, I've been thinking about putting my one cup coffee maker back into use. A nice hot, frothy cup of cappuccino sounds really good too. I don't have an Espresso Machines though. I've bought the pre-made cappuccino mixes before. They are good, but not as good as the homemade version using one of those nice professional Espresso Machines.
The other day I was reading about the health benefits of coffee. Coffee is full of antioxidants. Apparently, it helps protect the brain from dementia and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinsons. It also helps protect against diabetes, stroke and depression.
Coffee should be consumed in moderation though as it can aggravate any existing kidney or bladder problems. It also stimulates the release of adranaline and inhibits the release of serotonin. This may result in irritability and jitteriness causing an inability to cope with stress.
Dark roasted, organic Arabica coffee is the best. Arabica has a richer flavor than Robusta, which is found is less expensive coffees. Dark roasted coffee has less caffeine than lighter roasts.
It's also a good idea to choose mycotoxin free coffee. Mycotoxin is a fungus found on coffee beans and are formed during the drying process. They may cause health problems affecting the liver, kidneys, smooth muscles, and alimentary canal. You also feel better after drinking mycotoxin free coffee. To ensure your coffee is mycotoxin free, choose coffee made from a wet process instead of drying. Stay away from decaffeinated coffee. Stick with Arabica coffee made from coffee beans grown in high altitudes such as Central America. Stay away from coffee blends and choose an Americano if all else fails, as steaming will remove the toxins.
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