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Monthly Archives: May 2012
I confess; I love herbs! There’s nothing I like better than to sit in my herb garden and smell all my wonderful plants. For me, herbs provide pleasure and practicality. I can use them in my kitchen, for crafting and to attract wildlife like hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow. They’re not fussy and usually you can just plant them and let Mother Nature take care of the rest. It’s best to try … continued…
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With summer approaching and warmer temperatures already here for many of us, it is important to be prepared for exercising in the heat. Here are some tips to help you do that safely! Stay hydrated. You should consume water (or a sports beverage depending on the intensity and length of your exercise session) before, during, and after exercise. Dehydration is already starting by the time you get thirsty, so don’t wait on that to be your gauge! Choose moisture wicking … continued…
This recipe took a few twists and turns. It started out in my head as a tostada for dinner and as I thought about it and discovered Tostitos Baked Scoops, I decided I wanted a summertime appetizer. Four of these chips make a satisfying and surprisingly low-calorie snack. I will be honest with you: I ate eight of them for a healthy lunch when I was done with this recipe. Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 2 minutes heating time … continued…
Did you know there is a No Dirty Dishes Day? Me either, but in the spirit of avoiding the kitchen as the days grow longer, May 18 is No Dirty Dishes Day. While some people might take that to mean no dishes left in the sink day, I’m going with let’s not dirty anything today so there’s nothing left to wash at the end of the day. I’ve had to make the concession to a dirty knife and a cutting … continued…
Asparagus is one of my absolute favorite vegetables… I like it cooked, raw, in soup, in quiche, on the grill, any way you can think of! Lucky for me and the rest of the asparagus lovers out there, it is officially in season. This is the first week for most Farmer’s Markets in the Midwest so while you are out browsing the booths be sure to look for some fresh asparagus. What to look for? • Aim to use … continued…
Every year we go through a delicate dance at my house; what will the kids give me for Mother’s Day? My oldest insists on raiding her piggy bank and buying me an “extra special” gift. My youngest usually joins in the fray saying she wants to do whatever her sister is doing. Now, I don’t get upset about this entire ruckus because it’s really my kids trying to show how much they love me. But, each year I do tell … continued…
This is my take on a traditional Greek dish that I’ve lightened considerably by replacing most of the pasta with sliced, roasted eggplant. I finish it with a béchamel (a milk sauce) made from skim milk lightened with egg whites. This has a few more steps than a lot of our Laura’s Lean Beef recipes, but it’s worth it—I have this in mind for a Mother’s Day Brunch dish. The fresh dill makes me think of this as such a … continued…
May is High Blood Pressure Awareness Month so I wanted to discuss high blood pressure and the positive effect that exercise has on preventing and treating it. What is Blood Pressure? Blood pressure is the amount of pressure that is applied to the walls of the arteries in your body as your blood circulates. The top number (systolic blood pressure) represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting. The bottom number (diastolic blood pressure) represents the pressure … continued…
There’s something about the combination of mint and bourbon that can only mean a Kentucky Derby tie-in. I love the combination. The mint and bourbon both come through on this one, and the brown sugar and bourbon both help make a nice crust on this grilled flank steak. Of course it doesn’t have to be served just on Derby Day…Mint (grow your own—even I can get mint to grow) is just a nice, surprising addition to a lot of savory … continued…
