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For Daily Use

Another reason to take that multivitamin: At least in women, regular consumption of the pills seems to ward off potential chromosomal damage, according to research in the June 1 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A study of 586 women found that telomeres, regions of DNA that protect the ends of chromosomes, were 5.1 percent longer among regular multivitamin users than nonusers, after controlling for age and other variables. Shorter telomeres have been associated with chromosome damage and aging. the vitamins’ value could come from their antioxidants, which neutralize chemicals that damage DNA, the research suggest.

(Science News, August 15, 2009)

For Daily Use2009-09-29T21:15:10-05:00

Pesto Minestrone

Beans are a magical fruit. They’re high in fiber, high in protein and low in fat. A few days ago we made our own minestrone with blackeyes. Speaking of which, I think it’s lunch time.

Ingredients
1 can (16 oz) dice tomatoes, undrained (or you can use fresh tomatoes)
2 cups coarsely chopped cauliflower (1/2 small head)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced carrot
1 1/2 cups chopped zucchini
3 cups cooked (1 cup dry makes 3 cups cooked) or 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans or blackeyes, drained and rinsed
3 cans (14.5 oz) reduced sodium chicken broth
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni or small pasta shells
For pesto:
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves OR 1 cup flat parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon water
2 cloves garlic

Directions
In a 5-6 quart saucepan bring to boil 1/2 cup water, tomatoes, cauliflower, onion, and carrots; reduce heat and simmer covered 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add zucchini, beans, broth and pasta. Return to boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, put all pesto ingredients in food processor or blender and process until finely chopped. Just before serving, remove soup from heat and stir in pesto. Makes 8-10 servings.

Pesto Minestrone2012-02-29T07:02:40-06:00

Rainbow Garden Ratatouille

As some of you know, my wife, Heather, has a passion for organic gardening. And her vegetable garden is “off the hook”. After harvesting some zucchini, onions, squash, peppers, tomatoes, and a few herbs, she thought she’d take a stab at this recipe. All I can say is “Mmm, mmm, goood.”

Ingredients
2 zucchini, sliced
1 large yellow onion, sliced
2 yellow squash, sliced
1 eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 green bell pepper, sliced
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 large tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions
Saute zucchini, onion, yellow squash, eggplant, celery, green pepper and garlic in oil for 7 to 10 minutes. or until vegetables are tender. Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, thyme and pepper; mix well. Simmer until heated through, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately. Yield: 10 servings. (4-H Children’s Garden, Michigan State University)

Rainbow Garden Ratatouille2012-02-29T07:05:12-06:00

Jaci and Eric Boxing

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaSzBJp7kCM[/youtube]

Jaci and Eric Boxing2009-09-03T11:25:56-05:00

It’s All Greek To Me

Turkey burgers are a nice change from ground beef. To me it has such different flavors and textures. Recently, I took it to the next level by giving it a Mediterranean flair.

Ingredients:
1) 1 tsp garlic powder
2) 1 tsp onion powder
3) 1/2 – 1/4 tsp black pepper
4) 2 Tbsp parsley (dried or fresh)
5) 1 tsp thyme
6) 2 Tbsp dried oregano
7) 1/2 tsp lemon peel
8) 1/4 cup ketchup
9) 1 slice whole wheat bread toasted, finely chopped or 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

In a medium bowl, mix ingredients together. Add 2 pounds extra lean ground turkey to mixture. Make patties and it’s grillin’ time!

g8t7usfnrc

It’s All Greek To Me2012-02-28T18:08:29-06:00

Inside Out Ravioli Casserole

ravioli

This is a recipe I adapted from my old Better Homes and Garden’s cookbook. You will notice that exact measurements aren’t important – just wing it – keep the proportions roughly the same, and have fun substituting different veggies/pasta/ground meats. This recipe is a great one to get veggies into kids’ tummies without them even realizing it!

  1. 1-3 Tbsp olive oil
  2. approx. 16 oz. pasta – rotini or shells work well
  3. 1 small onion
  4. 1-2 clove garlic
  5. handful mushrooms – sliced
  6. 1 cup zucchini and/or eggplant diced into small pieces
  7. approx. 16 oz. supreme lean ground beef
  8. approx. 16 oz. tomato sauce
  9. approx. 8-10 oz. tomato paste
  10. fistful fresh oregano, basil, and thyme – chopped (if use dried about 1/2 Tbsp. each basil and oregano, 1 tsp. thyme)
  11. fresh ground pepper
  12. (optional splash of red wine)
  13. 2 eggs or 3 egg whites (reminder: all the fat in eggs comes from the yolk; the white is pure protein)
  14. 1 cup grated cheese (I usually use used a cheddar – mozzarella or monterey jack mix)
  15. approx. 1/4 cup parmesan
  16. 2-3 cups chopped fresh or thawed spinach (if frozen squeeze gently to remove excess moisture – then “fluff separate spinach leaves for mixing)

Directions:

  1. Heat water for pasta.
  2. Heat oil in large pan. Saute items 3-6 until just soft but not overcooked. Set aside.
  3. When water boils, cook pasta until al dente (just soft but not mushy), drain and rinse.
  4. Cook ground beef over high heat in same pan for flavor – stir and separate as it cooks to prevent clumping.
  5. When cooked, lower heat to medium, add sauteed veggies back in.
  6. Add items 8-11, wine if desired, cook 5-10 minutes until excess moisture is removed.
  7. While cooking meat sauce mix ingredients 12-15, pour and spread into a 13 x 9 baking dish.
  8. Preheat oven to 350.

When meat sauce has reach desired consistency, (the casserole will hold together better if the sauce is less runny), pour over pasta mixture in baking dish, sprinkle some parmesan over the top, bake for 30 minutes at 350.

Inside Out Ravioli Casserole2009-09-15T10:18:40-05:00

Coffee May be Good for You

Data from a major pair of studies, the Nurse’s Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, have turned up evidence that coffee may reduce the risks of death. The two studies together have tracked 86,214 female nurses for 24 years, and 41,736 male veterinarians, pharmacists, and other health workers for 18 years. Every two years the volunteers answered detailed questions about a variety of health habits including coffee consumption, smoking, weight, exercise habits, etc. After accounting for the fact that coffee drinkers tended to have less healthy lifestyles, the data showed that women drinking 2-3 cups of coffee per day had 25% lower death rate from heart disease and an 18% lower risk of death from all causes compared with other equally unhealthy peers. These stats held regardless of whether they drank caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. One of the difficulties in examining the data were the fact that so many coffee drinkers were also smokers. It is premature, the researchers say, to start guzzling coffee for health benefits, but the fact that it may have health benefits is not too far-fetched because of all the antioxidants in coffee. Other studies have had mixed results. Some have linked coffee consumption with heart disease and cancers, but these other studies did not factor out the other stresses placed on the body by the other unhealthy habits that coffee drinkers often have (e.g. smoking). Coffee may have gotten a bad reputation simply by association. The researchers emphasized that most participants in the studies from which the data came were tracked in the late 80’s and 90’s and drank mostly drip coffee. The health effects of coffee might be dependant on how it is made. Source: Science News. July 5, 2008.

Make mine a latte.

Coffee May be Good for You2012-02-29T12:02:46-06:00

Potassium is Pro-Muscle!

Diets rich in potassium appear to help preserve muscle. A study was recently conducted by the federal Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston (reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in March ’08). They were interested in keeping muscles strong so that the muscles could help prevent falls that so often cause bone breakage in the elderly. They had a study group of almost 400 men and women and they tracked them for 3 years. They were giving them calcium and vitamin D for bone health. After the three years were over they looked at the amount of muscle participants had and correlated it to other components in their diet. The strongest correlation was the potassium intake. Individuals with the highest potassium intake were able to protect their muscles “enough to offset a good chunk of, if not all of, the age-related decline in muscle that normally occurs,” said the researchers. How does potassium help? The researchers believe that the potassium acts as an alkaline buffer to acids that build up in the muscles and trigger breakdown. The acids are naturally produced when protein and cereal grains get broken down by the body. Better choice of diet? Get fewer carbs from cereal grains and focus on fruits and veggies. The bonus is that fruits and veggies are high in potassium!

Source: Science News, March 29, 2008

Potassium is Pro-Muscle!2012-02-28T18:05:52-06:00

Basic Barbeque Rub

I recently used this rub recipe from How to Grill by Steven Raichlen on some boneless/skinless chicken breasts and boneless pork chops. After adding the rub, I let them sit in the refrigerator for a few hours. (If you can let them sit over night, that’s even better.) I threw them on a hot grill, and in just a few minutes they were ready.

Ingredients:
1) 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2) 1/4 cup sweet paprika
3) 3 Tbsp black pepper
4) 3 Tbsp coarse salt
5) 1 Tbsp hickory-smoked salt
6) 2 tsp garlic powder
7) 2 tsp onion powder
8) 2 tsp celery seeds
9) 1 tsp cayenne pepper

Makes about 1 Cup. Use 2-3 tsp per pound of meat. Store rub in an airtight jar away from heat or light; it will keep for at least 6 months.

Basic Barbeque Rub2009-09-03T10:26:05-05:00
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