A Bolognese sauce is truly a labor of love, demanding the upmost patience from you, the chef. Many books I’ve consulted have the same basic type of recipe. The secret ingredient is time.

Take the time to make sure your meat browns nicely. Take the time for the wine and the milk to absorb. Don’t rush perfection. Finally, don’t baulk at the long simmer time (two hours plus). Time will reward you with one of the most delightful and satisfying of pasta dishes.

For my sauce, I always use red wine. After the wine, I add a half cup of milk and allow it to absorb. Part of the secret is the meat. I’ve made a very nice sauce using the three-meat pack for meatloaf which includes veal, beef, and pork.

Opt for good canned tomatoes. Don’t skimp with grocery store brands. This would be a great recipe for organic tomatoes. I always add garlic to my Bolognese sauce. How can you not add it?

So, if it’s raining and you have plenty of time to hang around at home, indulge yourself with a Bolognese sauce that will be sure to satisfy.

Photo by stu_spivack

National Sauce Month: Penne Bolognese is a post from: The Road To Wellness

Tweet This Post

Unfortunately, as I’ve later learned, when you have allergies, skin conditions like this are not uncommon. They are all indicative of an autoimmune response that is impaired or stressed.

While high blood pressure was no surprise given my family history, eczema was a bit of a shocker. All I know is that one itchy spot can sure cause a lot of discomfort. My only consolation is that it it not widespread.

The important lesson to take away from this regards the function that your skin plays. It is your first line of defense against infection, viruses, and other nasties. If it has been breached because of a skin condition, you need to take notice. Your front line has been attacked.

Take any skin condition seriously and have it checked out. Most times, it is benign and not a cause for concern. However, don’t risk it. Keep your frontline in tip top shape.

Not Something Else! Eczema? is a post from: The Road To Wellness

Tweet This Post

I had my usual annual appointment. It’s always a bit nerve wracking. I can’t say I ever look forward to going to the doctor. Today was no exception.

I felt calm, despite getting lost going to the new clinic location. I felt okay. Yet, when the nurse took my blood pressure, it was high, way too high.

After a frank discussion with my doctor, I left with a prescription for blood pressure medication. I’m not sad, but rather thankful that my condition was caught and is now being treated. In four weeks, I go back in for a recheck and extensive blood tests to establish a baseline.

My word of advice then, regarding my own experience, is to make time for those annual visits. As much as we hate them, as much as we hate undressing for the doctor and dealing with the probes and the probing questions, do it. Do it for your family. Do it for you. Make your appointment today.

Me? High Blood Pressure? is a post from: The Road To Wellness

Tweet This Post

Crab is such a delightful seafood. Who needs a National Crabmeat Day to celebrate it? Lobster is one thing, but crab is truly sensual. I don’t know whether it’s the cracking of the claws or the physical handling of the meat that makes it so. All I know is that if you want to prepare the perfect aphrodisiac meal, crab is your best bet.

The wonderful thing about it is its simplicity. You can of course, go all out with a crab salad or other such dish. For me, I prefer steamed (or roasted) crab in it all its simple glory. Sure, there is the butter, but it’s only a once-in-awhile indulgence. Normally, crab is relatively expensive.

For the healthy lifestyle, have it as a splurge or treat. Of course, if crab is $4.99 a pound, you just found an excuse for that indulgence.

Photo by Hazel Bregazzi

Celebrate Decadence with National Crabmeat Day is a post from: The Road To Wellness

Tweet This Post

One of my favorite sauces is a red wine reduction sauce. Yes, it take a bit, over one hour. The result however, is out of this world.

The nice thing about these types of sauces is that they are relatively low in calories. The reduction time concentrates the flavors, so a little goes a long way. Another good thing about them is that you may use a little less butter on your baked potato if you pour a little sauce on it.

Here are some elements of a good sauce:

• No cooking wines. Use a wine that you would drink, preferably the same one that you’ll be drinking with dinner. Cooking wines are high in salt to preserve their shelf life. A salty sauce is not a good sauce.
• Use good stock. My favorite is Swanson brand. Use the low-sodium, low-fat varieties for a healthy alternative. I prefer to use broth out of the carton rather than cans to avoid that tinny taste.
• Always use fresh herbs rather than dried. You’ll often find that fresh herbs add some nuances lost in dried.
• To lower the glycemic value, use cornstarch and cold water rather than flour to thicken your sauce. I will finish with a bit of butter, but for thickening, I prefer the smooth texture of cornstarch.
• Speaking of butter, a good sauce demands a good butter. Skip the grocery store brands and opt for a better, unsalted butter. I use Plugra exclusively.

Sauces are a fun way to stretch your culinary talents to turn an ordinary meal into something truly special.

A Special Sauce for National Sauce Month is a post from: The Road To Wellness

Tweet This Post

I don’t know about you, but I remember as a kid always being active. My mom would kick us out of the house to go outside and play. We didn’t spend our time playing video games. Our toys were the rocks, mud, and sticks we found outside. It was just that my parents didn’t have a lot of money. Our fun depended upon our imagination.

The more I learn about health, the more it becomes obvious that we hold the keys to our good health. Inactive? Find ways to incorporate exercise by taking small breaks throughout the day. Tired from work? Use exercise to help you relieve stress. Have a medical condition such as hypothyroidism? Modify your diet to find ways to counter its ill effects.

The point is you are in the driver’s seat. You have the ability to make good choices. If you face a challenge, there are ways to overcome it. All it takes is for you to muster the will power and take charge of your health.

Take Charge of Your Health is a post from: The Road To Wellness

Tweet This Post

Perhaps it’s another one of those bizarre celebrations with no definite origin. No worries though, as if I needed an excuse to celebrate sauces.

A good sauce is one way you can add flavor to your meal, with fewer calories. A highly-flavored sauce can truly make a meal.

I routinely will prepare sauces. I take pride in it. Of course, since it’s just my husband and me, I can take the time to prepare a complicated sauce. The reward is worth it to me. Besides, oftentimes a sauce is just a lot of reduction time. It’s not like you’re slaving away in the kitchen.

I prepared this delightful mustard-cognac sauce from Epicurious last week for a date night dinner. There was some reduction time, but actually relatively little. Except for a bit of clean up on the stove, it was very easy. The ingredients were readily available.

As you prepare your meals for the week, take some time to plan for some tasty sauces. I’ll be writing about some of my favorites this month. Bon appetit!

Expand Your Horizons—National Sauce Month is a post from: The Road To Wellness

Tweet This Post

Sweet potatoes are low in fat, but contain megadoses of vitamins A and C. It is a good source of fiber and potassium. With so much going for it, sweet potatoes are hard to beat.

Of course, we include sweet potatoes in our Christmas meal. I have a recipe that I’ve prepared for years. It’s more of a sweet potato casserole, with plenty of butter, spices, and pecans. One of my favorite everyday sweet potato recipes is sweet potato fries.

Cut them into french fry size. Bake them in a 400 degree oven, and yum, you have a healthy side dish. The first time I had them, I felt as if I had made this marvelous discovery.

For those on a low carb diet, they do pack plenty of carbs, but their glycemic load is small. Still, there’s no reason not to enjoy this welcome break from potatoes. Bon appetit’!

February is National Sweet Potato Month is a post from: The Road To Wellness

Tweet This Post

Now, I have to admit not being one for sweets. I can walk past a plate full of cookies, even fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. On the hand, have a tray of cheeses and crackers, and I’ll settle in for a good nosh. My weakness is savories.

If you’re like me, have no fear. We can still celebrate the month of cherries with a yummy grilled pork tenderloin with fresh cherry chutney or duck breast with cherry-pepper sauce.

Not only are cherries delicious, but they are good for you. Cherries provide healthy does of magnesium and potassium. This good source of dietary fiber also is a healthy source of vitamins C and K. Indulge! It’s good for you!

Photo by hotblack

National Cherry Month is a post from: The Road To Wellness

Tweet This Post

For a real sense of security and peace of mind, nothing beats having a place that you can call your own. Want a new bathroom? Go for it! How about a sauna? Just pick up the phone, and it’s yours.

Even if it is your first time buying, there are important benefits available to you, namely, the $8,000 Tax Credit. The credit is available for first-time buyers. Use it toward your mortgage or to get some furniture. It is for your to establish your home.

Owning a home carries new worries, new stresses. You worry about repairs, whether the roof will leak. You are now responsible to make sure everything is working. You are responsible for making your home energy efficient. Any help you can get is sure to be appreciated.

This is such an exciting time. It is also a great way for you to find a home base, a sense of place. Your home is your sanctuary, your refuge.

When you are home, your life should follow your own pace. A tax credit is a great way to alleviate the stress that having your first mortgage can bring. Use it and relax. You’re home now.

Buying Your First Home With $8,000 Tax Credit is a post from: The Road To Wellness

Tweet This Post