Cocoa Tomatoes

I just discovered the cocoa tomato.  I was shopping at my local Food Lion and saw some small round things near some vine tomatoes.  I walked over and saw that they were cocoa tomatoes.  I had never heard of them before or seen them.  I bought 4 to start with just to try with my salad on Saturday.  When I got home I bit into one.  It was so sweet and juicy.  I added a little sea salt and I was hooked. 

Well I went back and got about 12 more.  They are juicy, hearty and just so good.  I have not put one in the salad yet.  So far I have eaten them like apples.  So good!  These at my grocery store and being shopped from Canada.  After doing a little research they are a European tomato eaten mainly in Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland and the Mediterranean.  It is a very earthy tomato and the color goes from green to brown as it ripens. 

These cocoa tomatoes have definitely been a treat!  My daughter the picky eater won't try one because of the color. This is the same child who will not eat purple lettuce.  It must be green and her tomatoes must be red.  She does not know what she is missing out on.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder. ~~Unknown~~

Making a Better Choice

So many times I think that women can be driven by their urges when it comes to food.  I know that it is that way for me sometimes.  Not always, but it seems that I know that chip or that piece of candy is not the best option but I go for it any way.  I want to make a better choice and of recent I have.  One of the things that has helped me had been participating in a small group study using the Daniel Plan.  It has made me think and be very aware of what I choose to eat and then makes me accountable to others in my group.  It has made me shop better and make better choices in the grocery store.  When all at the office may be eating candy to get through the day I have been able to resist and pull out my avocado instead.

Our group has finished the study and the key is to keep going.  To keep making the right choices when it comes to food.  Our health depends on it.  My health depends on it.  Food has to be the right choice to help my body get better and maintain.  I am making a better choice.

On this Sunday morning I am beginning with a detox drink that I have seen all over the internet for years and it works.  I have drank it before but not in a long while.  It is supposed to help with turning those taste buds around too.  I make a tea and drink it warm.  3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, juice of one lemon, a shake of Cheyenne pepper and 2 tablespoons of raw honey.  I add hot water to that in my favorite coffee cup and ta-da--- detox tea!  This I drink on an empty stomach to start the day. 

Breakfast will be 2 boiled eggs, a banana and 2 small cocoa tomatoes.  Breakfast of champions!

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder. ~~Unknown~~

Early Thursday

It is about 5:45 AM now and I have been awake for hours.  I woke up about 2am and have been awake ever since. I decided to do something constructive.  I made dinner for today.  We are having mung beans with spinach and coconut milk over rice.  I did decide to add some beef tips so I browned them and added them.  I work today at 11 so by 10 dinner will have been cooking for 5 hours in the crock pot.. It will almost be done.  The dog and the cat have been my constant companiones this morning. 

I did eat a very early breakfast.  I had an apple and two eggs fried in extra virgin coconut oil.  That is being topped off with a cuppa dandelion tea.  I also loaded the dishes in the dish washer.  My eyes are now feeling heavy.  I put in Independence Day so I do believe it will be watching me in about 15 minutes, as opposed to me watching it. 

I do know I need to try to sleep now a few more hours because it will be a very long day. 8 pm is a long time to be awake when the start of the day was at 2am.  Peace out for now.....nap times and tea are calling me.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder. ~~Unknown~~

Crock Pot Corn Beef and Cabbage

Ingredients

• 4 cups hot water
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 large onion, cut into quarters
• 3 lbs corned beef brisket ( with spices)
• 8 small white potatoes or 8 small yellow potatoes, scrubbed and cut into quarters
• 1 head cabbage, cored and cut into 10 wedges ( about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 4 -5 carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces

Directions

1. Combine the water vinegar, sugar, pepper and onions, in a 6 qt crock pot and mix well.
2. Place corned beef and contents of spice packet in the mixture.
3. Scatter the potatoes over the top and along the sides.
4. Cover and cook on high heat setting 4 hours.
5. Remove the lid and scatter the cabbage wedges over the top.
6. Cover and continue cooking on high 3-4 hours longer, or until beef is tender.
7. To serve, carve the beef into slices against the grain and serve with the cabbage and potatoes, with some of the cooking liquid spooned on top of the beef to keep it moist.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder. ~~Unknown~~

About Turmeric

I have just begun doing my research on turmeric and its use as an alternative medicine.  It grows wild in and is the forests of Asia and is a herbaceous plant.  The root can be dried and ground up or used whole like ginger. I have never used it whole, just the powder.  It is mainly used as a spice for cooking in Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern foods.

Turmeric has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years to cure liver ailments, stomach problems and skin problems.  Turmeric has been shown to be effective in treating inflammatory illnesses also.  I think now that there are clinical trials being done to see if it is effective in treating cancer.

I am even more convinced that food is medicine and can be used to treat our ailments.  Food can also be a preventative measure if we take the time to eat the right way to heal our bodies.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder. ~~Unknown~~

Sweat is Fat Crying!

Hello blog!  It has been a while.  I am back.  I have found my muse and a little motivation too.  I plan to get back on track with the exercise and getting more active.  That is my issue.  Not enough motion in my day.  I need to get up and get moving and I plan to make an effort to do that.  Right now I think that my weight is getting the best of me.  Weight on a bad knee is not good.  So I think I will have to fight thru the pain to better rewards! 

The time to fight fat is now.  What is it that I hear people at the gym saying?  SWEAT IS FAT CRYING!  So get ready to cry FAT!  It is on!

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder. ~~Unknown~~

Cantaloupe Juicing

I broke out my juicer today and juiced a half cantaloupe. I love this juice as it is refreshing and so good for the body. Here are some of the many benefits!

The high amount of beta-carotene and vitamin C (anti-oxidant) in cantaloupe makes it an excellent fruit in helping to prevent many degenerative diseases. I get excited just thinking how much more my body can absorb these precious nutrients when I drink of its juice.

Anti-coagulant: A unique compound in cantaloupe helps decrease the viscosity of the blood, hence preventing the abnormal formation of blood clots in the cardiovascular system.

Arteriosclerosis: Regularly consuming vitamin C retards the development of hardening of the arteries.

Cancer prevention: The high vitamin C content acts as a good anti-oxidant that protects cells from damages by free radicals. Regularly drinking juices high in anti-oxidants keep cancer at bay, especially against intestinal cancer and melanoma.

Cataracts: The natural vitamin A from beta-carotene in this juice lowers the risk of cataract and generally helps improve your vision too.

Cholesterol: Drinking juices high in anti-oxidant has been proven to fight the oxidative stress that is the main culprit in oxidizing the LDLs in the blood.

High blood pressure: Potassium in this rockmelon helps excrete sodium, thus bringing down high blood pressure especially in those with salt-sensitive hypertension.

Immune system: The strong content of vitamin C stimulates white cells to fight infection, naturally building a good immune system.

Insomnia: A special compound in cantaloupe relieves the nerves and calm anxieties. A help for insomniacs.

Menstruation problems: For women, drink this wonder juice around the time of menstruation and it will help reduce heavy flow and clots.

Muscle Cramps: A deficiency in potassium can cause muscular cramps and greater susceptibility to injury. Drink cantaloupe juice to prevent these.

Pregnancy: The high content of folate (folic acid) prevents neural tube defects in infants.

Quit Smoking: The natural nutrients and minerals found in this juice provides a synergistic combination that helps the body recover from nicotine withdrawal of one who is trying to quit smoking. Smoking also quickly depletes the vitamin A in a smoker, but cantaloupe juice can help replace it with its beta-carotene.

Stress: When going through a stressful period, keep this musky melon on the side and drink its juice regularly. The potassium content helps to rebalance and normalize the heartbeat. This in turn sends oxygen to the brain and regulates the body's water balance.

Water retention: Especially in pregnant women. Muskmelon juice helps your body excrete excess sodium, thus reducing water retention.

Japanese Salad

Japanese Salad

1 package prepared slaw
4 scallions, chopped
1 package Ramen noodle soup
1/4 cup margarine or butter
3 tablespoons sesame seeds or 1 cup sunflower kernels
1/4 cup or 1/2 cup slivered almonds 

Dressing:

1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup sugar or Equal

Smash noodles in the package, the smaller the better. Melt the margarine or butter in a skillet. Add noodles with flavor pack, seeds or kernels and almonds. Brown mixture well. The browner the mixture, the crunchier the salad. Cool and put in airtight container. Add noodle mixture and dressing before serving.

This salad is the best!  Healthy and full of flavor!  

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder. ~~Unknown~~