Whoever said nothing is impossible obviously hasn't tried nailing Jell-O to a tree.

I've been feeling my writing muse pretty strong lately. It was so strong, it took me by surprise. It's been 4 years since I have contributed to this blog, and it's still here. Waiting. Like a dog, but without the needy gaze and the sloppy tongue. It's my blog, I can call it a dog if I want... 

I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately. I'm digging deep people, trying to reconnect with myself, who I am, who I'm supposed to be, and what I'm supposed to do with it when I figure it out? So I am starting here. I have nothing of note to contribute. I'm not involved in any groundbreaking project and I have nothing tangible to share. I'm working on all that. 

This my friends, is my first step. 

Not baby steps mind you, not uncertain, hesitant steps, but more like the steps of a lazy, oversized, bafoon. A little belligerent and unsteady, but solid and with good intentions. Reminiscent of that quirky, drunk uncle that would show up unexpectedly for the holidays. It's cool, He's got lottery tickets and whoopy cushions for all the kids. So what if he gives the ladies too long of hugs?  He smells of pipe tobacco and Cheap cologne, but he wore a tie and he showed up.

You're happy to see him, being family and all, but he's probably going to drink too much and pee off your back deck. 

Welp, that sums it up. 

I am. 

John Candy.

Low Calorie Banana Blueberry Bread

I made this banana blueberry bread today- WOW! It was wonderful! Low calorie and low fat, you can eat 2 or 3 pieces and not feel one bit guilty!

1/4 Cup Sugar
2 TBS Butter (softened)
1 Large egg
1/4 cup applesauce
3 ripe bananas
Blend above ingredients

Then Mix together in separate bowl:

3/4 Cup all purpose flour
1/2 Cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt


Blend dry ingredients to wet ingredients 1/2 cup at a time and add 1 cup fresh blueberries. (Any berries or fresh fruit would due, depending on the season)

Grease Bread Pan


Bake for 50 minutes at 350

10 Servings per loaf
100 Calories per serving
Calories from Fat 23, 2.5 grams total fat, 14mg cholesterol, Fiber 1gram

Genetically Modified Salmon

Just those words are enough to turn me off, but after reading Dr. Andrew Weil's blog about the topic, I thought it appropriate to discuss. These fish have been genetically engineered to eat less and grow faster. They are grown in ocean pens, and require less food to reach desired weight, which can dramatically compromise the nutritional value of the fish. Often the fish will escape the ocean pens and spread disease and parasites to the wild salmon.

Not only are these fish nutritionally compromised, but they could pose an additional threat to the environment with the waste-disposal and water-use problems. If the FDA approves the genetically modified salmon it could be as little as 2 to 3 years before they hit the grocery stores.

Is this the kind of food we want to feed our kids? I am leaning towards no...thoughts?

Fry this!

Sweet potatoes are amazing. I really don't like them candied at Thanksgiving, so it wasn't until a few years ago that I became a fan. Pangaea Cafe' and Pub serves grilled mixed (sweet and russet) potatoes as a side in the winter and this is how I got hooked.

Tonight we cooked burgers, and like every other American, I love French Fries with my burger. The greasier and saltier the better! But, since I am trying to eat healthier and turn my family onto a more nutritious diet, I opted for a lower calorie, better for you, twist of the fry.

I peeled and cut a garnet yam into french fries, placed them on a lightly oiled baking sheet, rolled them around so they got a nice light coating. Seasoned them with salt and pepper. I preheated the oven to 350 and baked for about 40 minutes, turning every 5-10 minutes until crispy. Mmmm.


Here are some sweet potato facts:

As an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) and a very good source of vitamin C, sweet potatoes have healing properties as an antioxidant food. Both beta-carotene and vitamin C are very powerful antioxidants that work in the body to eliminate free radicals. Free radicals are chemicals that damage cells and cell membranes and are associated with the development of conditions like atherosclerosis, diabetic heart disease, and colon cancer. This may explain why beta-carotene and vitamin C have both been shown to be helpful for preventing these conditions.

Since these nutrients are also anti-inflammatory, they can be helpful in reducing the severity of conditions where inflammation plays a role, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Friday...what can I say?

Jeff cooked tonight. Grilled salmon with a saffron cream sauce, steamed cauliflower and carrot, served over angel hair pasta. Sooo good.

Cauliflower instead of potatoes, say what?

Cauliflower is a peculiar looking vegetable, and I admit, as a kid, unless it was covered in cheese, I wasn't going to touch it. But I have come to value the crunchy, white and weird vegetable as an important nutrient in the balanced diet. Now for the not-so boring facts:

• Cauliflower contains a chemical called Allicin that helps maintain heart health and lowers risk of stroke.
• The presence of Vitamin C and Selenium in cauliflower strengthens the immune system.
• Adding cauliflower to your diet regularly will help maintain cholesterol levels.
• Cauliflower is rich in Folate. Folate is key in cell and tissue growth.
• The high fiber content in cauliflower is great for colon health and will lower risk of colon cancer.
• Cauliflower contains important phytochemicals which fight off certain cancers of the hereditary type.
• Cauliflower has been found to be a wonderful blood and liver detoxifier. This is because, the thiocyanates and glucosinolates present in cauliflower aid in increasing liver ability of neutralizing potentially toxic substances.
• Cauliflower contains a substance called Sulforaphane, which can effectively remove chemicals that cause cancer in the body! This substance also aids in preventing the spread of cancerous cells, that is metastasis, even in advanced stages of cancer! This chemical is released when you chop or chew cauliflower.
• Very recently, it was found that a chemical called 'indole-3-carbinol', found in cauliflower can effectively prevent the development of breast cancer, because it works as an anti-estrogen agent!
• Consumption of cauliflower regularly can aid patients afflicted with diseases like asthma, arthritis, kidney and bladder disorders, constipation and high blood pressure.
• A regular and high intake of cauliflower reduces the risk of prostrate cancer!
• Cauliflower is an ideal ingredient for a low-carb diet as it does not contain starch.

Ok, so now that you know the laundry list of health benefits of cauliflower, you might wonder, what do I do with it? Here are some options:

• Instead of potatoes, throw some cauliflower into your favorite soups for a hearty and healthy addition.
• Mash steamed cauliflower with a pat (not half cube) of butter and a 1/4 cup of shredded low fat cheese and serve it as a side. the kids will think they are mashed potatoes.
• Cream of cauliflower and zuchinni soup (google a recipe for cream of cauliflower soup and substitute low fat milk for cream for a lighter choice, add zuchinni and blend with hand mixer for a creamy soup.)

What are your favorite cauliflower recipes? Please share!!!

Juice, Plus What?

I was given a jug of apple juice recently for my kids. The first thing I notice on the side of the label was 15% juice, just above the nutritional facts. Sorta grossed  out, I decided to read the ingredients. First thing in that list was HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP. Before the apples, before water. This is one perfect example of why our country is battling childhood onset diabetes and childhood obesity. That one ingredient is a huge contribution to the health problems that are arising in Americans today. Read the labels of juices you buy, if anywhere on the label it reads "juice cocktail", put it back on the shelf.