Quick, Easy & All-Natural Egg Nog

Hi everyone! It's that time of year when holiday traditions take over. This includes a variety of foods and beverages. One of the most popular beverages is egg nog. Believe it or not, there is a healthy way to enjoy your egg nog. It doesn't contain any additives, preservatives, colorings or other harmful ingredients.

Traditional egg nog is made with cream. This, of course, adds extra fat and calories. Instead, substitute the cream with lowfat or nonfat milk. You will get used to the taste. I started drinking home made egg nog as a kid. It always contained lowfat milk, so I became accustomed to the taste. You can do the same.

Here's what you'll need for one serving:

1 cup lowfat or nonfat milk
1 egg
cinnamon
nutmeg
1 T. sugar or honey

Combine all ingredients in a blender, shaker, or food processor. Process until a thick consistency is reached and ingredients are all blended together. Taste and add additional sweetener, if needed. Blend again.

Pour into a chilled glass. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon for some extra color, if desired.

Store leftovers in airtight container in the refrigerator.

Since so many LOVE alcohol in their egg nog, you can add whichever type you prefer. Me...I enjoy the nog au natural.

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Simple, Tasty Beet Soup

It's the root vegetable season and beets are one of the most overlooked foods around. It's such a shame, too. They provide a fantastic sweet taste and contain a wealth of nutrients. Anyways...here's a quick and easy way to enjoy these delectables.

1 medium beet, peeled and sliced
1 small onion, cubed
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced
1 slice green or red cabbage
3 cups water
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Place all ingredients into either a crockpot or stovetop pan. For crockpots, cover and cook over high heat for 3-4 hours. For stovetop cooking, cover and cook over medium heat until veggies poke done.

Serve while warm with some wholegrain crackers or bread.

Store leftovers in airtight container and refrigerator. It can also be frozen for future use.

Happy Memorial Day 2013

Healthy Patriotic Feast

Red, white, and blue are the colors for this military remembrance day. The day brings with it celebrations, parties, tributes, and sharing. What better way to share with others than by bringing a colorful dish or two to the potluck and feast? Here is a healthy way to participate...

RED:

Salvation Salsa

2 large hot house tomatoes, diced

¼ cup leek or red onion, diced

½ avocado, peeled and cubed

1-2 T chopped basil, rosemary, thyme and parsley

olive oil, to taste

2 T red wine vinegar

½ orange

Place all ingredients, except for orange, into mixing bowl. Combine thoroughly. Squeeze the orange over the mixture. Mix completely. Place in fridge to chill. Adjust vinegar and oil to taste.

Either enjoy the salsa as a halibut topping or a side dish.

WHITE:

Patriotic Halibut

1 pound halibut

½ t Italian seasoning

olive oil

Lightly spritz a grill or frying pan with the oil. Place the pan over medium heat. Rinse the halibut so it is moist. Cover the fish with seasoning. Cook halibut until done, about 8 minutes. Flip over at about the half-way mark to evenly cook. Check for doneness throughout cooking time.

BLUE:

Blueberry Smoothie

1 handful blueberries

1 cup plain yogurt

cinnamon, if desired

Place all ingredients into blender. Puree until desired consistency is reached. Serve chilled. Add a fresh sprig of mint to give a delightful and refreshing taste.

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Slow Cookin' Split Pea Haven

Here's a healthy recipe for a soup that can be slurped via a straw. I developed it while becoming acquainted with my crock pot oh..so many years ago. This recipe came in particularly handy while I was recuperating from my fractured jaw. It's also perfect for times when you want good nutrition without having to take the time to chew your food.

The longer you cook the mixture, the softer the veggies become. I like to cook it until everything purees together in one wondrous blend.

Slow-Cookin' Split Pea Haven

6 cups water

2 cups split peas, rinsed

1 medium carrot, sliced and peeled

1 small onion, peeled and sliced

1 T Italian seasoning

1 small stalk broccoli, peeled to remove thick outer coating

1-2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup cabbage

* Place all ingredients into crockpot. Stir thoroughly. Set crockpot setting on HIGH.

* Cover and cook for five hours. Stir occasionally throughout cooking time to prevent sticking.

* Cooking times vary, so check periodically.

* Serve warm with a slice of wholegrain bread or crackers.

* Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator.

* Soup can also be frozen for later use.

NOTE: For a non-vegetarian version, you can add a skinless and boneless chicken breast or pork tenderloin to the pot. When done, the protein will easily fall apart with a fork.

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Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone! Enjoy your favorite green beverage, some Irish Stew and the luck of the Irish!

Tasty & Easy Veggie Juice

Vegetable juice provides a wonderful way to get a variety of nutrients in liquid form. It is ideal for those fasting or simply wanting to get nourishment without chomping on something.

An interesting thing happened the other night that I feel is worth sharing. It involves a very easy and tasty way to make your own vegetable juice.

Fill the bottom of a dutch oven with about an inch of water. Place a metal steamer into the pan.

Cut up your favorite veggies. Mine included a yellow beet, onion, carrots, broccoli and mushrooms. Place the veggies onto the steamer.

Place the dutch oven onto a stovetop burner. Cook over medium heat until veggies can easily be poked with a fork or knive. Remove from heat.

Remove the veggies and place on serving platter. Then, remove the steamer and notice there is colorful liquid remaining in the plan. This is your tasty and nutritious veggie juice.

Let the juice cool. Either serve immediately or pour into large container and place in fridge for future enjoyment. You can store this juice for up to four days.

How easy is that?! Find interesting? Kindly share...

My Unique Cookery: Strawberry Romanced Shortcakes

My Unique Cookery: Strawberry Romanced Shortcakes: Happy Valentine's Day to all my readers! This is the day of chocolates, red-colored foods and heart-shaped delights. So, let's make it quick...

Why Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables?

Hi my favorite readers! How many times as a kid did you hear to finish your plate of vegetables? Or, to eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away? If you were like me, it was a daily occurrence. Teaching kids to eat fruits and vegetables plays a crucial role in instilling healthy habits that last a lifetime. It also is important for living a healthy adult lifestyle. To this day, eating plain and simple fruits and/or veggies is a pure delight. Here's an interesting fact you may not be familiar with...

You know that eating fruits and veggies provides needed nutrition that fuels your body, supplying the energy needed to keep it operating at optimum levels. Did you also know that the nutrition fuels your mind? Yep...studies done at the University of Warwick reveal that these tasty delights feed your brain and enhance your mental outlook. Western culture studies continually reveal that eating at least 5 servings daily of these antioxidant-rich foods lower risks of developing chronic health conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Rarely is any mention made about the effects on brain functioning, though. That is until now. It appears the more you eat of these foods, up to seven servings daily, the stronger and more positive your mental health will be. Happiness, contentment and a positive mental outlook will become second nature. How nice is that?

So, instead of turning to those “mental health” prescriptions that are supposed to make you happy by decreasing your depression level, turn to food. Good, old-fashioned food can do the trick. Food has been used for centuries as natural remedies for a variety of health conditions. I am no medical professional, but I can certainly attest to the benefits of eating unadulterated food.

Here we go with the liability stuff: Granted, everyone is different. You may have a mental condition that warrants medications. You may have been on depression medications so long that your body has become accustomed to them. Do not stop taking any medications without checking with your medical care provider. Remember....what works me for me, may not work for you...

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