The Bakers Palette

2016-09-03T11:30:00.000-04:00

My favorite Cookbooks!

2012-03-11T21:14:00.000-04:00

As you all know, I love to collect cookbooks! I have featured a few of my favorite selections and researched the cheapest price I could find on them!

Amazon.com Widgets

2012-03-11T20:47:00.001-04:00

I love my kitchen aid mixer. If don't have the mixer, you must save up. Amazon has it at a much better price than I paid for mine locally!

If I were to rank each attachment on usefulness, I would probably rate them in the following order: 1. RVSA - Slicer/Shredder 2. FGA - Food Grinder 3. FVSP - Fruit/Vegetable Strainer Buying this bundle means you get everything that comes with the attachments if you were to buy them separately. I will review each one... First is the (RVSA) Roto Slicer w/ Shredder. With this attachment, despite it's bulk of the attachment itself, you also get a metal shaft (for attaching your cones), 2 shredding cones and 2 slicing cones. The two different cones for slicing/shredding are basically used for how finely (or coarsely/thick) you want your food to be shredded or chopped. If you're working on a feast, the removal of the cones while the attachment is installed is a snap. All you do is twist the cone in the opposite direct that it turns (make sure the power is off of course) and it just comes off. I've not only sliced things like zucchinni, carrots, and cucumbers of varying thickness to test, but I've also shredded things various block cheeses. This thing is simply amazing! Based on other reviews, it has been mentioned that these cones are not stainless steel, rather but chromed steel. If the chrome ever comes off, then you will expose the steel. If you didn't know, regular steel WILL rust. So rather than taking a chance with my cones, I have been very careful and have throughly dried them after each wash. Proper care will go a long way. Other reviews say to use pliers to remove your cones (if they are hard to remove). DO NOT DO THIS. Despite making it easier, any metal on metal will scratch. Scratching your cones means you will remove the chrome. Removing the chrome means eventual rust and ruining your cones. Take proper care of your cones!! My second favorite is the (FGA) Food Grinder. With this attachment, you get the plastic stomper (for pushing the meat down into the grinder), a coarse grinding plate (for thicker grounded foods), a fine grinding plate (for thinner grounded foods). With a food grinder, you can grind meats, cheeses, breads (for breadcrumbs), and firm vegetables/fruits. I've always wanted to grind my own meats, as with grocery store ground beef, you never really know what type of cuts were used. So rather than waiting for ground beef to go on sale, I can just pick any cut that goes on sale and instantly turn it into ground meat. So I'm instantly saving money. Plus by grinding your own meat, you can choose the quality/cut and even add things directly to it like garlic gloves or seasonings and it will grind with the meat. I've already made several burger patties, which I then freeze for later use. Some good tips on how to grind well is to freeze your meat (if not already) for about 30 minutes to harden it a bit. The softer the meat, the more "mushy" the consistency will be. If the meat is slightly firm from freezing, it will grind much better. Also if you're grinding fatty meat, it's good practice to grind it twice just so you can make sure the fat is well ground and distributed throughout your batch. One caveat to the food grinder is that you need to try and avoid meats that have really big chunks of fat. I tried it on several occasions and they just don't grind that well. The fat gets tangled in the plate and then it backs up the actual grinding process itself. Last but not least is the (FVSP) Fruit Vegetable Strainer. DO NOT confuse this with the (FVSFGA) - Fruit & Vegetable Strainer & Grinder (MSRP $119.99, Amazon Price $99.99) KitchenAid FVSFGA Fruit/Vegetable Strainer and Food Grinder for Stand Mixers. They are essentially the same BUT the FVSP are the pieces that you attach to the FGA to strain your fruits & vegetables. If you do not have the FGA, then you cannot use the FVSP. You will need to buy the FVSFGA which is a combo pack of the grinder & strainer in one box. I think the KitchenAid model numbers have a terrible numbering/lettering scheme and this makes it so much more confusing... Personally I've only used this attachment once as a test to make applesauce. Apples were 79 cents a pound at my local grocer, so I thought why not test it out. Making the applesauce was a cinch. I was actually surprised at how quickly this thing ran through the 4 apples that I bought. Quarter the apples, slightly cook them, dump them into the strainer and the juice comes out one end and the remains come out in the back. It is somewhat messy, but it does the job. I heard you can make your own tomato sauce, which I haven't done yet... but I love Italian food and that will be my next project. Again... I think this attachment pack is an EXCELLENT value. It gives you everything you need to grind/chop/shred/strain, which gives you that much more of a dimension of use for your KitchenAid mixer. Highly recommended.

Pineapple Cheese Casserole

2012-01-31T17:34:00.000-05:00

Pineapple Cheese Casserole

About 5 or 6 years ago, we were invited to an event in the Lake Norman area. They served this casserole as one of the sides and I fell in love with it. I can't believe I had never had this before. It is easy and goes very well served with ham. This would also be a great dish to take to a potluck. Enjoy!

Pineapple Cheese Casserole

2 large cans pineapple chunks, drained
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers
1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour and sugar in a large bowl.

Drain pineapple and stir into the dry ingredients.

Add cheese and stir in well.

Place the mixture into a greased casserole dish.

I crush my crackers in the wrapper. It is so easy when you do it that way.

Sprinkle the crackers evenly over the top of the casserole. Melt butter in the microwave and drizzle over the crackers. Bake for 30 minutes and it is ready! This is such an easy side dish and so yummy!

Moving Blog! Please bookmark!

2012-01-19T01:51:00.000-05:00

Thank you for visiting my blog. For some reason for the past week or so, I have had problems and glitches on this blog. I have several blogs and have decided to move the food blog over to the original one that I started long ago.

Please bookmark this new link:
http://atasteofsouth.blogspot.com/

Trader Joe's Vitamins

2012-01-17T16:45:00.000-05:00

Vitamins & Minerals I wanted to share another great deal from Trader Joe's. I have purchased several differnet suppliments from them before. I feel confident that they have pure ingredients. I recently have had trouble with the larger vitamins. I saw the chewable mulit with minerals, on a recent shopping trip. I decided to try them. I only paid $6.99 for 90 tablets. I compared the minerals with the list that Dr. Oz had given out before. I really like them and have taken them for about a month. I will use theses from now on.

I decided to share the list of vitamins and minerals that they provide, so that you may also compare them to what you are taking. I love shopping at Trader Joe's. I trust them and the quality of the foods that they offer. Everything is healthy and good for you. If you like freezer foods, you should check out their selections. I love the french onion soup, the orange chicken. My list is so long that I could talk all day about the things I love to buy from them. I have featured some of them and a shopping list before on a previous blog posting.

I have to run, I am excited because my youngest daughter and Melissa are headed over to visit me! Maybe they will want to help me make another batch of granola. I am about to run out. Have a wonderful evening!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blog template problems

2012-01-17T00:52:00.002-05:00

Please overlook the spaces between postings on this blog as I try to restore. I am experiencing issues today with the template. - Posted using BlogPress

Ava spent the MLK holiday with Gamma!

2012-01-16T19:59:00.002-05:00

Today Ava was out of school and came to visit me! We were able to finish that puzzle that we worked on the last vsit. Ava wanted Mac and cheese for lunch. We watched a cute movie about puppies on netflix and then we made cake pops!

We used a recipe out of one of my favorite cookbooks. I purchased this cookbook at a gift shop about 9 years ago while on vacation. This cookbook, Southern Treasures, has recipes from the Taster's luncheon and Valdosta Recipe books, provided by the Valdosta Junior League. I have enjoyed every recipe that I have tried out of this book.

The recipe that we decided to use was a rich buttery cake layer that I have been wanting to try. The recipe was titled Coconut cake ~ Old recipe. The coconut was not in the layer but in the icing. This was a very tasty recipe with lots of flavor.
I used King Author unbleached cake flour. The combination of butter and having that extra teaspoon of vanilla really made a rich cake layer that was full of flavor.

Rich Buttery Vanilla cake layer:
2 1/2 cups cake flour, sift before measuring
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup milk
1/2 cup egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla

Sift the first 4 ingredients together in a large bowl. Add butter and 3/4 cup of milk. Beat 2 minutes, scrape sides of bowl. Add egg yolks, 1/4 milk, and vanilla. Beat 1 minute or until mixed. Pour into 2 buttered and floured 9 inch cake pans. I used the batter for 12 cake pops and made cupcakes with the rest of the batter.
Bake 20 minutes in a pre-heated 350 degree oven. Allow to cool and frost.

I enjoy kitchen gadgets. I must say that I was disappointed with this gadget. It gets very hot and was a little messy to use.

I measure and let Ava put everything in the bowl as we follow the recipe. All three of my children love to cook and the girls love to bake. I think Ava will also carry on the same family tradition. It was passed down from my grandmother. My Mother starting teaching me at the age of seven.

I am so thankful to have been able to spend the day with my little granddaughter, Ava Grace. We ate a few too many cakepops with sprinkles but we had a very good day!

Banana muffins

2012-01-16T00:29:00.001-05:00

Banana Muffins

I purchased one of the nifty cupcake appliances awhile back when they were on sale.

I have enjoyed this mainly to bake cornbread muffins and breakfast muffins.

I decided to use this today for my banana muffin recipe. The muffins are ready in less than 5 minutes.

The recipe is a basic banana muffin recipe.

Banana Muffins

1 1/2 cup flour

1 T. baking soda

1 T. baking powder

1/2 T. salt

3 large bananas

3/4 c sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup butter (I used coconut oil)

Topping

1/3 c brown sugar

1 T. flour

1/8 T. cinnamon

1 T. butter

Cream the butter and sugar well. Add the egg and then begin adding banana

pieces. Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a mixing bowl and begin adding in a little at a time until mixed well. Don't over beat.
Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 20 -25 minutes.

The topping is easy. Just put everything in a bowl and mix with melted butter and sprinkle on top of batter.

The recipe would have turned out better if I had of waited to put the topping on top. I didn't think about that and just put the topping on when I first poured in the batter. Since I used the cupcake maker, I should have waited to put the topping on at the end of the cooking time so that the sugar would not burn..

Yummy!

Free Cooking Classes!

2012-01-12T12:54:00.001-05:00

I love Williams & Sonoma and I am so thankful that I have two stores located within 10 miles of my home. I had a blog posting last year about the founder. I didn't realize that they offer free cooking classes each month. This would be a fun activity to do in the winter! If you would like to see the blog post click here:

Interesting story about Chuck Williams, founder of Williams and Sonoma

To check out the classes that your local store is offering just click this link:
W & S
Each month brings a new lineup of cooking classes at your local Williams-Sonoma store. Learn about cuisines from around the world – and close to home – from talented chefs and culinary experts.

Each 1½ - to 2-hour class includes a cooking demonstration, generous samples of featured dishes and printed recipes to take home.
Class fees vary by store location.
Participants receive a 10% discount on store purchases the day of the class.
Available at select stores; class dates and times vary by store location.
Space is limited and reservations are required. Call a participating store to register.

Chocolate Covered Granola

2012-01-11T18:38:00.004-05:00

Today I was on downstairs having a lunch break and saw a commercial for new chocolate covered granola bars. It looked so good that it had my mouth watering for chocolate. This inspired me to make some at home out of the homemade granola I featured on my blog earlier. I prefer preparing my own meals and snacks if at all possible, so that I can control what goes into my body. (*Update: I checked out the label on the new bars at the grocery store on Saturday and they have high fructose in them! I won't buy those.) The granola recipe that I featured on my blog before was honestly the best I have ever made. I have to say that this little idea was a success! It was like eating a good piece of fudge! This was very healthy as it has loads of antioxidants. I used Trader Joe's dark european chocolate & coconut oil and just poured the melted chocolate over my granola. I can't tell you how yummy this was. It was quick and easy! Give it a try. Enjoy!

Quick & Easy Homemade Chocolate Granola bars

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I used 2 sections of the Trader Joe's Chocolate and added 2 tablespoons of Coconut oil.

I heated the chocolate in the microwave for 2 minutes in 30 second intervals, as I was checking it each time making sure not to over heat.

I added about 2 tablespoons of sugar. I used brown sugar, but it would have been best to have used Powdered sugar.

I sprayed the mold with non-stick cooking spray. I looked around to find something that I could use so that I could pop out the chocolate easily. I decided to use a lid from my mixing bowl. It worked great! I sprinkled a thin layer of homemade granola across the entire lid.

I then poured the melted chocolate evenly over the top of the granola.

I put this in the freezer because I couldn't wait to taste. It was set in 20 minutes.

Yummy!

It worked! It popped right out!

The chocolate covered granola was better than homemade chocolate fudge. I love fudge but this is a great healthy alternative. It has lots of healthy ingredients. I have read that 2 ounces of chocolate daily is a great way to get a serving of healthy antioxidants in your body. Antioxidants are not only healthy, they fight disease, and burn fat!
Give this a try. You won't be disappointed. The granola was rich with oats,coconut, flax seeds, walnuts, and cranberries. This granola was really good with a coating of rich chocolate over it. Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think!

Yummy! I like this best frozen! I will make this again soon!

Thank you for stopping by.

How to take care of your cast iron skillet

2012-01-09T21:26:00.001-05:00

I use my cast iron skillets often. When I married I was blessed with two iron skillets at my wedding shower. I had no idea how to clean them or how to re-season them. I learned very quckly that you can't wash them with soapy water. I also learned that I must always dry thouroghly and regrease before storing.
The more you use it, the better it gets!

I keep a nice brush at the sink with a long handle. I usually find a good one from the dollar tree. When it starts looking old and worn, I just go pick up a new one. I scrub all food and grease with brush and hot water.

I dry the pan and spray with cooking spray. I have found that this is all that is needed to keep them clean and ready to use again.

Now the pan looks good as new and it is ready for my next cooking session. I store the cleaned iron skillet in the drawer under my stove. I find these pans are great for pan frying foods! I use my iron skillet to fry up the best country fried steak and gravy, fried chicken, and my favorite fried fish. I use coconut oil to fry and olive oil to sauté.

If you don't have a nice iron skillet, you can find them at most discount stores. I got a new Paula Deen Iron skillet this past summer that is a nice medium size pan. I have enjoyed it and found it at Ollie's disount store. Ollie's is one of my favorite discount stores ever. I discovered this store years ago while working in the Virgnia area. We now have them all over North Carolina.

Thank you for dropping in for a visit! Have a great day!

Potatoe Leek Soup

2012-01-07T00:06:00.005-05:00

Hello World!
Today was such a beautiful day! The weather was beautiful. It felt like spring at around 66 degrees and very sunny! I had the windows open enjoying fresh air while getting things done around the house. My little Ava came by to spend the afternoon and we had a fabulous time! She is the light of my life. She brings so much joy and peace into my life. I became a better person once she came along. I think it has a lot to do with age as well. I am so thankful for her and that she is healthy and cute! She took a pic of me making Potatoe Leek soup for dinner.

I made roasted leeks the other day and wanted to use them to make a quick pot of soup tonight. Served it up in no time flat with a couple pieces of crusty artisan bread from Trader Joe's!

I wanted to share a tip on one of my favorite appliances. The kitchen gadget that I am using today is called an immersion stick blender. I purchased this about 15 years ago and I love it. It is powerful. You can mix drinks in a cup without it splattering about. You can make peanut butter in the can of peanuts with this thing. That is about as fresh as you can get. You can do all kinds of things with it, but I find I use it most in making soups or to purée. I have learned that to be successful you must set yourself up with the proper tools! It helps make any project much easier.
Happy Friday!

Trader Joe's Frozen Leeks & a Recipe!

2012-01-04T15:34:00.002-05:00

Trader Joe's is by far my favorite market. This week I found frozen leeks in the freezer section. I was so excited and the best part is the whole bag was only 1.49! I prefer to purchase mostly frozen veggies and fruits because they are cheaper, they have a longer shelf life, and they are healthier. This is because they are flash frozen just after being harvested. This allows the nutrients to be preserved but when we buy fresh veggies that are not local, they may have been shipped across the country before they reach the market. The older they are the less nutrients we find.

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Spread them out on a greased cookie sheet. Top with thinly sliced sweet onion and chopped fresh garlic.

Sprinkle Kosher salt or sea salt. Bake in a 425 degree preheated oven for about 30 - 45 minutes.
Be sure to take them out after 15 minutes or so and turn them so that all of the leeks will get caramelized. Due to the fact that all ovens are different, please be sure to keep an eye on the leeks so that they don't burn. I like mine to have a roasted, caramelized texture.

Yummy! You can use these to serve for dinner or you can use them in a dish. Leftovers make a wonderful casserole or soup.

This is by far a favorite Roasted Leek Soup Recipe from Ina's Show (Barefoot Contessa):

4 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts, cleaned of all sand (4 leeks)

2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks

1/4 cup good olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 cups baby arugula, lightly packed

1/2 cup dry white wine, plus extra for serving

6 to 7 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade

3/4 cup heavy cream

8 ounces creme fraiche

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for garnish

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Combine the potatoes and leeks on a sheet pan in a single layer and roast them per above instructions. After tender, add the arugula and toss to combine. Roast for 4 to 5 more minutes, until the arugula is wilted. Stir in the wine and 1 cup of the chicken stock and cook over low heat, scraping up any crispy roasted bits sticking to the pan.
In batches, transfer the roasted vegetables to a food processor fitted with the steel blade, adding the pan liquid and about 5 cups of the chicken stock to make a puree. Pour the puree into a large pot or Dutch oven. Continue to puree the vegetables in batches until they're all done and combined in the large pot. Add enough of the remaining 1 to 2 cups of stock to make a thick soup. Add the cream, creme fraiche, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper.
When ready to serve, reheat the soup gently and whisk in 2 tablespoons white wine and 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Serve hot with a good crusty artisan bread. Yummo!

Homemade Granola

2012-01-03T22:53:00.002-05:00

I love granola. I especially like it on top of yogurt because I love the crunch. I sprinkle granola, berries and drizzle honey on top. Yummy!
Today I wanted to share a yummy recipe with you. It is healthy, very easy to make, and very good!

Homemade Granola

6 cups of oats

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup of pure maple syrup

2 cups coconut

1 cup dried cranberries (chopped figs, pineapple,or any dried fruit)

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup flaxseed

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cup coconut oil

After gathering all ingredients, measure out the oats and place in a big mixing bowl.

I store most of my ingredients in glass jars that I recycle. Add coconut.

Add Cranberries and stir in as you go.

Flaxseed is very healthy and gives you healthy Omega 3. I usually grind these in my mini blender but since I am making granola I decided to put the whole seeds in. I didn't even know they were there when they are baked.

I added cinnamon to give it even more flavor and health benefits. Not to mention how yummy my home smells while baking!

Add 1/2 cup oil. I use coconut oil for even more added health benefits.

Mix well and spoon mixture on two large greased cookie sheets. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 16 minutes or until lightly browned. Be sure to keep your eye on your oven since all ovens are different and it may take more or less time depending on your particular oven.

The granola is yummy! I mixed in about 1/4 cup of chopped pecans in this batch and put a teaspoon of almond flavor as well. It is so good that I ended up having another serving of just granola after eating the yogurt in the picture. Who knew healthy eating could be so good! This is a very hearty, healthy snack. I can have it on yogurt or as cereal in the morning. It made 6 glass jars of granola.

Serve with yogurt and fresh berries for a yummy snack or desert. I promise you will love it!
Enjoy!

Cracker Barrel Recipe Book ~ Thrift shop find!

2012-01-02T16:38:00.004-05:00

Today I enjoyed stopping by one of my Favorite Thrift shops! I love their selection of books. That is the first section of the shop that I head to. I love to read and I love cookbooks! This book is going to be a treasure. It has recipes, but the forward in this book is the perfect read to start off my new year.

Today is the second day of 2012 and I am very excited about this year. I am going to start a new chapter in my life with a new career, focusing also in renewing old and new relationships, and working on being a better person inside & out.

I thought I would share the forward of the book with you. The recipes and helpful tips look amazing in this book.
The Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores Recipes and Health Secrets to make you live longer, by Phila Hach

Phila Hatch has earned a reputation as one of the South's favorite speakers and Chefs. She has written eight cookbooks. She is the owner of Hachland Hill Dining Inn. She also has a BS degree in Food and Nutrition. She has hosted a television cooking show and has served as editor of many leading magazines. I am going to enjoy this book!!!I think of books as treasures of wisdom. And yes, even cookbooks are full of wisdom.Now I would like to share a portion of the forward in this book with you today. I hope that it insprires you as much as it has inspired me. Enjoy You have a right to be well and what you EAT can make you well!How you think can make you well!How you sleep can make you well!How you exercise can make you well!How you eat can make you wellso......Eat, Think, and be MERRY and you'll never have to diet! Let's take inventory of ourselvesOur adult bodies are approximately 70% waterOur brain is 75% waterOur heart is 75% waterOur lungs are 86% waterOur liver is 85% waterOur boes are 22% waterOur blood is 83% water We swallow approximately 2-3 quarts of water each day in our food and drink and we eliminate that amount too unless we have certain physical irregularities such as diabetes and then as much as 3 gallons of water can be eliminated by the body in 24 hours. Water effects our health, our prosperity and our joy of living. There are 12,000 chemicals getting into our drinking water through contaminating our surface and ground water. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers also are appearing in dangerous levels in our drinking water. The nitrate items formed are particularly toxic to infants under 6 months of age. Nitrates prevent oxygen from being absorbed into our tissues. It now takes approximately 47 - 50 different chemicals to purify and cleanup our drinking water. A few drops of chlorine in a gallon of creek water is still used by oggers and campers to get rid of bacteria.... chlorine is not without its pit falls because it can interact with decaying plant matter to form carcinogens. It's the mixing and mingling of chemicals in our enviroment that can cause havoc to our health.
And so it is with our foods, it's the mixing and mingling of vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates in our body that can keep this humance machine working smoothly for 100 years or more. Medical care is what doctors do,Health care is what you can do! This book is a result of many years of study and living with a healthy mind and body and the secreats that I have learned form people who live to be old and happy. In 1850, 30% of the American Economy was powered by enegy from the human muscle. That figure today has withered to 1%. A hundred years ago no one ran and exercised for their health - their daily living and chores kept their body machine in constant motion. Those of us who have to get up early and physicially work daily are fortunate. Our bodies remain supple and elastic. The recipes are designed to bring better health into focus, which is the key to good health. The recipes are filled with a supply of wonderful amounts of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals. The book has tons of helpful tips and information. It also has grocery list and recipes for daily meals and entertaining guest. I love that this book also has inspirations quotes and stories throughout as well.I will feature some of the recipes in the weeks to come and more information as I really get into the book. Have a wonderful day. Remember to try to focus on the moment you are in, and to enjoy every minute of your day!Thank you for visiting my blog today. Please come back soon.

Antioxidants and Body Fat loss

2011-12-29T16:56:00.002-05:00

Back in the fall I ran across an article in a magazine. It stated that if you loaded high antioxidant foods in each meal that you would rapidly lose body fat. It gave a week of sample menus. I looked it over and it looked yummy to me. I was so excited because it included foods that were healthy but also foods that I actually enjoy eating.

I have worked consistantly since 2005 to eat a healthier diet. I give a lot of credit to a lady that worked in the nutrition department in Whole Foods Market. I went in there 3 to 4 times a week as it was one of my accounts that I serviced each week. I learned so much from her about healthy eating but the science behind it. That is what made it so interesting. Each week I look forward to seeing her and had a list of quetions to ask. She is the one that shared information about your body and PH balance. If your PH levels are too high you are open for sickness and disease.

Getting back to fat loss and antioxidants..... I decided to try the menu suggestions for one week that I saw in that article. It actually worked. I would go back to school each day and report to my classmates on my results. I had a few things here and there that were not on the list. I remember one evening I forgot about it and ate a piece of candy before I even realized. It really isn't a diet but a new way of eating and a healthy one. I lost right at 9 to 10 pounds in one week. I had gotten into a rut for the last semester of cosmetology school and had eaten a lot of foods that I don't normally eat. I noticed a difference in my clothing and my tummy from eating foods with hydronated oils and lots of other unhealthy foods that I hadn't been eating.
Below you will find the foods that I ate that week:

Breakfast:
1 cup greek yogurt ( I purchased trader Joe's plain) I added stevia, vanilla, honey to each serving)
1 handful of frozen blueberries ( mixed berries are fine)
a few crushed walnuts

Lunch
1 whole wheat wrap ( I have found this at most grocery stores)
a small portion of pre-cooked chicken that I had cooked in olive oil
a small portion of roasted veggies (onion, spinach, peppers, garlic)
( I made a large batch of both roasted veggies & chicken for the week. I did assemble the wrap each morning to take for lunch) I found that making them ahead was not working for me because the wrap became soggy)

Dinner
1 3 oz. sirloin steak or grilled salmon (the size of the palm of my hand)
1 baked sweet potatoe with cinnamon & stevia
Greens (usually more roasted spinach & onion drizzled in a little olive oil)

1 glass of red wine after dinner ( it was on the list of snacks and two snacks were allowed each day) or unsweetened red grape juice
Green tea with stevia and lemon ( any time during the day)

Snacks ( 1 serving)
nuts 4 or 5
2 pieces of Dark chocolate
yogurt (low fat sugar free)
low fat sugar free pudding ( I did cheat and buy some of the packaged pudding for convenience when I was in school but will not do this now due to health reasons. The whole purpose of doing this in 2012 is to be healthy so I will make my own homemade pudding and put it in glass containers for storage for my prepared snacks)

This is all that I can remember of that article but the items listed on the above menu are the foods I selected from the menu in the article. I have researched loads of information every chance I can get and have complied some information that I have placed below. I found this from various sites but can't remember the sites because I put the information in a file for my own personal use. I have decided to share it on my blog.
Please take a look at the information. I invite you to share information with me and other blog readers on my blog as well. I have made a pledge to share as much knowledge and information with others in 2012 that I possibly can.

Fruits:
Bananas, berries—especially blueberries—papaya, plums, pomegranate, red grapes,
tomatoes and tomato sauce I like to keep a supply of frozen berries that I purchase at the market. I love frozen blueberries. I also like adding frozen bananas and pineapple in my smoothies.

Veggies:
Artichokes, avocado, Brussels sprouts, carrots, onions,sweet potatoes

Dark Chocolate
Green & Black tea

Nuts: Hazelnuts, walnuts and many other types of nuts are good for weight loss. I like to put crushed walnuts on top of my yogurt. I also like to sprinkle a little of Trader Joe's honey almond crunch cereal on top with a drizzle of real honey. I don't stir because I love the crunchy sweetness on top! Yummy!

Highest Antioxidants Foods:
Artichokes are also super-high on the ORAC scale—7,900 points— and they contain
phytochemicals that may lower cholesterol levels.
Lemon water    (I like to make up batches of this ahead of time so that it is chilled and ready for future use. Another tip is that I like to infuse other fruits in my water. Get creative and make a batch of berry water as well to quinch your sweet tooth. I love cucmber infused water and mint infused water as well. It is so refreshing in the summer.
I just put a handful of mulled berries in a large glass jar of water and shake) Lemon peel contains pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to help with weight loss. Add an ounce of lemon juice and some zest to each of your eight daily glasses of
water (which will help you feel fuller), and you'll add 3,200 ORAC points.

Red grapefruit - I read that one study found that people who ate half a grapefruit with each meal lost 3.6 pounds over a 12 week perioud. The red variety have more of the cancer-protecting antioxidant lycopene. Half a grape-fruit has 1,900 ORAC points.

Tips For Natural Weight Loss with a High Antioxidant Low Fat Diet

Start by recording your weight and waist measurements
Try doing this same day every week. One study reported that older people looked younger and
that their wrinkles became less and less noticeable eating a high antioxidant diet.

Keep a Journal of food eaten and water intake as well as your feelings and
emotions. Record your weight and waist measurements before you start and record your weight and
measurements each week.

You should consume 100,000 Orac (antioxidant value) per day of antioxidants for weight loss.  Studies have shown that you must eat 50,000 ORAC a day to open the gateway to lose weight

Eat 60 grams of protein per day spread out over the course of the day.

Exercise ( I saw a routine on Dr. Oz that I may try)

track calories via a journal or food app on your phone
Women typically need to consume 1200 calories a day, & men around 1500 calories a day.

You can eat unlimited amounts of green veggetables without adding them to your
calorie count, but you must count the calories for root vegetables.

Try to remove soft drinks including the diet variety.I am going to strive to only have them occasionally and pray that I can cut out the craving all together as I did back in 2009. I went almost 6 months without them.

Drink the right  amount of water to help you reach your goal weight.
Take your goal weight in pounds, divide it by two. drink 10 - 8 oz glasses of water
each day. The more water you drink the more weight you will lose. I have read that it is wise to drink water when you first wake up. That is easy for me because I am so dehydrated.

This helps to detoxify the body as well as hydration and the Orac.

Increase your fiber intake

Eat a minimum of three pieces of the best chocolate 4 your health each day
but don't forget to add in those calories. Each piece of chocolate has the ORAC listed
on the wrapper. Count the ORAC count the carlories and the ORAC

Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. If you get less sleep your body releases cortosol, which increases fat.

High Antioxidant foods:
Figs ~  slow the aging process.
Eating a handful of dried figs increases the amount of antioxidants in your blood for
four hours, much longer than many other foods. Two small figs have about 2,700 ORAC
points.

Red bell peppers ~ The unique combination of large amounts of vitamins A, C, and E make red bell peppers
a skin superfood. Half a cup adds 600 ORAC points.

Watermelon

Certain antioxidants have been shown to fight cancer, boost immunity, and keep bones
strong.
Beans are loaded with phytochemicals (including saponins, protease inhibitors, and
phytic acid), which may protect cells from damage that potentially causes cancer,
reports the American Institute for Cancer Research. Half a cup has 7,800 ORAC points
Prunes
These wrinkly little dried fruits are rich in vitamin K and a top source of the
mineral boron, and we need both for strong bones. A three-prune serving gives you
1,900 ORAC points.
Cherries
Young women tend to be oblivious to heart disease, but that attitude itself is a big
risk. How you eat today helps predict how healthy your heart will be 30 years from
now.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that the anthocyanins in dark
cherries reduce belly fat and lower cholesterol and blood sugar; one serving packs
3,500 ORAC points.

Dark chocolate
Rich in flavonoids, chocolate is believed to promote heart health by reducing platelet
activation, affecting the relaxation capabilities of blood vessels. One ounce of dark
chocolate has 5,900 ORAC points.

Blueberries
The neural pathways in our brains are growing and improving all the time. Eat the
right foods and you'll be able to concentrate better, remember more, and feel calmer.
Blueberries may improve memory, cognition, and balance. Researchers believe that
blueberries (9,700 ORAC points per one-cup serving) reduce inflammation and can help
us overcome the normal effects of brain aging.

Cinnamon
Researchers believe that cinnamon may inhibit certain Alzheimer's disease cells. One
teaspoon of cinnamon adds 7,000 ORAC points.
Plums
These juicy treats decrease anxiety-related behaviors, and researchers think they may
protect against depression. One plum adds 4,100 ORAC points to a meal.

Other Top Antioxidant Foods

Artichokes
grapes
burdock (an herb)
spinach
broccoli
carrots
tomatoes
turmeric (an herb)
bilberries
green tea
garlic
ginkgo biloba (an herb)
apples
cantaloupe
kale
artichoke
basil
beans
beets
Brussels sprouts
gogi berries
guavas
leafy vegetables
olive oil
oranges
peppers
plums
pomegranates
sweet potatoes
tangerines
wheat germ

Foods that help you burn fat

1) A whey protein powder that uses an advanced, patented, peptide technology that
actually targets fat and helps you to burn it off. I have blogged about this over a year ago on my blog with recipes for my smoothies and a link to my sources on line for the best organic prices. You can search my blog for the recipes. (By adding this powder almost 75% of the weight loss was
fat. )
2) Marine foods: Salmon, trout, tuna, oysters, herring and other wild fish
This lycopene-rich fruit provides 33 percent more protection against sunburn than
other fruits. (You still have to wear sunscreen though!) One cup of this diced melon
has 200 ORAC points

3: Beans

Thank you for visitng my blog. Please visit me daily as I will be adding more content.

Happy New Year from Myrtle Beach! Dinner at Sea Captian's House

2011-12-28T22:23:00.002-05:00

I love Myrtle Beach and try to go often. I usually go in June, July, September, and after Christmas if I can. When I was working in management, MB was part of my territory and I went every four to six weeks. I loved it.

Last night I was honored to have dinner at Sea Captain's House restaurant. We were told that this place had the best seafood in Myrtle Beach. The building looked like a beautiful little beach cottage by the sea. Upon entering the building, I felt like I was visiting family. It really looked like a pretty home. The food and atmosphere were fabulous. It was a very hard to decide what to order. I decided on the Pecan encrusted Grouper, fresh from the sea. It came with a stuffed baked potatoe and steamed vegetable medly and a salad.
While waiting I enjoyed reading the history of the place.
I read that this restaurant was originally just a beach cottage and was built in 1930 by Henry Taylor of High Point, NC and the family used it for vacations. In 1954 Mrs. Nellie G. Howard purchased the cottage and began operating it as a guesthouse called, Howard's Manor. It had nine guestrooms and she served three home cooked meals a day. In 1962 the property was sold and plans for a highrise fell through so they decided to operate a restaurant instead. Next time you are in the area, you must put this place on your list for dinner! Enjoy!

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2011-12-27T17:34:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year from Myrtle Beach!

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Ava had a sleepover with Grandma! She asked me if we could make brownies!

2011-12-24T15:27:00.001-05:00

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Sweet Potatoe Casserole

2011-12-24T14:16:00.005-05:00

I love sweet potatoe casserole. I have made so many different recipes and all were yummy. This recipe is very basic and doesn't have spices, but it is by far my favorite recipe that I have ever made. I especially like it with ham. Give it a try and let me know what you think. I love it when the house if filled with the smell of baked sweet potatoes. A Southern Comfort Food.

You will need:
3 cups of cooked Sweet Potatoes
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 stick butter
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup flour

Bake Sweet Potatoes until tendor. I baked mine while cooking a ham for 2 hours on slow heat. I purchased two bags from Aldi for 99 cents a bag. I baked both bags at once and used all of them for a double batch for my Christmas dinner.

Whip the sweet potatoes until smooth and fluffy. The more you fluff the better the texture of the dish.
Cream in butter and sugar at medium speed.

Add 2 eggs ( I usually beat them with a whisk first but if you skip that step like I did this particular time, it did not make a difference)

Add 1/2 cup of milk. I have made the recipe often and have tried cream, whole milk, and evaporated milk. I do love the richness that the evaporated milk adds to the recipe.

Add vanilla. I put in 1 teaspoon of pure maple syrup when I made this at Thanksgiving.

After everything is mixed well and fluffy pour in a greased casserole dish. My dish is a 6X 8 for one recipe.
Now you will need to mix the topping:

Mix in your brown sugar, flour.

TIP: I save all glass jars and love storing brown sugar, baking chips, coffee, nuts, and so many things in the jars. It really keeps your brown sugar fresh!

Slowly add in the melted butter.

Add nuts and sprinkle over the entire dish.

Ready for the oven. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until the center is firm. It is not done if you see a jiggle in the middle when you move the dish. I have made a double batch and you have to bake it about 50 minutes.

I forgot to snap a picture after it came out of the oven. It is yummy! Let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Merry Christmas!

Cruciferous Vegetables

2011-12-19T14:41:00.000-05:00

Today I was cleaning out some paperwork in my dayplanner that I felt was important to save. I have some new apps on my Iphone that allow me to scan and file with the click of a button. I picked up a paper from my surgeon that performed a lumpectomy a couple of years ago on me. She said my diet was very important and vital to breast health to prevent this from happening again. I filed that paper away but tried to eat a healthier diet. When I was in Cometoloty school I found myself on a budget and also like so many others, short of time. I made my lunch often but some days I just wanted to eat fast food. Once you eat it, you crave it. It was cheap and easy to pick up, not to mention fast! Well a few months ago I discovered another lump. I went to her again and she did a biopsy. Thank the Good Lord it was a non-cancerous and it has become smaller. She gave me a new print out which was a TSA Diet for Breast Health. I saw many on the list that I was NOT doing.
Exercise was one that I have gotten lazy about. She suggest 4 - 5 times a week to do aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes.
She suggest to control body fat.
Decrease caffeine to one serving a day.
Vitamin E ( almonds are a good sorce)
Omega 3-FA (wild salmon, tuna, flax seed, & walnuts) This one is vital
Fiber 30-50 grams daily
Antioxidants ( especially orange and green)
Vitamin D
Vitamin C (anti-inflammatory)
Consider organic (avoiding chemical estrogens in pesticides or as an additive in meats or dairy)
*** Eat Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage & broccoli, collards,etc) She said they contain Indole-3 Carbinal which acts like Tamoxifen in your body. Tamoxifen is chemotheropy. Well I heard a Dr. about a year ago when I was doing research for my Mother which was fighting Cancer. It also said to eat at least 3 of those foods on the list to naturally fight cancer just as if you were taking powerful chemotheropy.
These are Anti-Angiogenesis foods. Take a look at this link: http://www.ted.com/talks/william_li.html

I felt led to share this information today. Please read over it and share with your loved ones and friends. We all need to eat a balanced healthy diet. If we could get away from processed foods and eat well, we can take control of our health and lead better lives. God Bless!

Tea Time!

2011-12-16T02:10:00.000-05:00

I love hot tea. Today I am sharing my favorite for the season and it is

Trader Joe's Organic Ginger Pear.

It is so yummy and I like to add honey. The Oolong and Mate Chocolate is also very good.

Tea is has so many health benefits and it is so relaxing and warms the soul.

Ginger helps soothe your tummy. Ginger helps treat a cough, cold and congestion.

Tea contains antioxidants. Tea helps keep arteries clear and clog-free. Tea helps protect you against

cancer and it boost your immune system.

You can find so many wonderful varieties of tea. I enjoy shopping at World Market also. You can find good teas from all around the world. They also have 2 pots brewing all day for customers to sample. Tea makes a great gift!
Enjoy!

Banana flambé

2011-12-11T19:49:00.003-05:00

I found banana's at the market for 24 cents a pound! So tonight I decided to make something yummy with the bananas. We had a wonderful Sunday lunch. I woke up around 9 and put a pork tenderloin in the oven. I cooked it slow for 2 1/2 hours. It was so tender and yummy. I served it with gravy, rice, and garden peas. We had leftovers tonight and then finished it off with this yummy dessert! Enjoy!

- I slice the banana's fairly large because they will cook down and get too mushy if you slice them up too thin.

For this dish I sliced up three banana's.
1 cup of brown sugar
1 stick of butter
1 teaspoon of good vanilla
1/4 cup of chopped walnuts
Cinnamon
Brandy, rum, bourbon or Tuaca (to flame at the end)
A salon client gave me the Tuaca for a present. It is good Italian with hints of citrus and vanilla.
I used this tonight. You can skip this step but it does give a good flavor and the presentation is a lot of fun
if you are having guest over for dessert!

Melt the butter in a large, heavy skillet.

Put the Brown sugar in the pan. And cook the banana's.

Put in a dash of cinnamon.

Add the walnuts in the pan so that they roast a little in the pan and pick up some of the flavor!

Stir carefully so that you don't make the banana's mushy.

Once they are tender and the sauce has thickened you can splash in the Tuaca. Have a torch lighter handy and immediately light on top of the bananas where you splashed it in the pan. It will light up and flame and burn out the Tuaca and give the dish a caramelized flavor.

I tried to get a shot of the flame. Can you see it? It is a low flame because I don't put in too much.

Tonight I served this over 2 scoops of Vanilla bean ice cream. It was divine!

I like to save the leftovers for breakfast. It is so yummy over hot oatmeal in the morning. I have served this over oatmeal for breakfast so many Winter mornings when Emily was in High school. We enjoyed it sooooo much! I just left off the Tuaca!

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit! Have a wonderful evening and come back again soon!
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What's for Dinner?

2011-12-09T11:30:00.002-05:00

I use my crockpot often. It makes life so much easier when you can simply throw in a few ingredients and have a wonderful meal ready later in the day, to allow you to work on other task. Tonight our dinner will be old fashioned pot roast with veggies. I keep a variety of frozen veggies in the freezer. I try not to use can veggies since I found out that they line the cans with BPA materials.