Chapped Lips?

If you lips are chapped, you may be dehydrated.  Remember, drink 2- 8oz. glasses of water as soon as  you wake up or especially after your morning coffee.  It is even better with a squeeze of lemon to help detox the body from the day before.  Then remember to keep drinking through out the day.  Yes, it is a nuisance at first until your body adjusts, but remember, it is good for proper body function, detoxification and helps decrease appetite.  Drink up!

Southern Fried Goodness!

Do you want to eat healthy but still have that craving every now and then for that "Southern Fried Goodness"?  Here is a healthier version of Mom's Southern Fried Chicken...

Fried Chicken - (a Healthier Version)- that will make you want to shout the Rebel yell - even if your a Yankee! 

Yee-haw!

 

Ingredients

·        1 broiler/fryer organic chicken, cut into 8 pieces (you may even use skin-off breast pieces)

·        2 cups plain Kefir or low fat buttermilk (I make my own Kefir)

·        2 tablespoons kosher salt

·        2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika

·        2 teaspoons garlic powder

·        1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

·        Flour, for dredging (whole wheat pastry)

·        Coconut oil, for frying

·        Directions

Place chicken pieces into a glass container and cover with kefir or buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours - or whatever time you have.  This tenderizes the chicken and adds flavor too.

Melt enough coconut oil over medium-low heat (I use expeller pressed/organic that has a neutral flavor instead of cold pressed extra virgin which has a coconut flavor) so that it comes just 1/8-inch up the side of a 12-inch cast iron skillet or heavy fry pan. Once oil liquefies raise heat to 325 degrees F. Do not allow oil to go over 325 degrees F.

Drain chicken in a colander. Combine salt, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Liberally season chicken with this mixture. it should look red.  Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.

Place chicken skin side down into the pan. Put thighs in the center, and breast and legs around the edge of the pan. The oil should come half way up the pan. Cook chicken until golden brown on each side, approximately 10 to 12 minutes per side.  The internal temperature should be 180 degrees. 

Drain chicken on a rack over a sheet pan.

Food Inc. Documentary - A Must See

Hey, did you see Food Inc. on the Oscars last night?  Maybe you didn't notice it in the Independent Documentary category - but it is a must see.   

This isn't a gross-out movie to scare you into eating healthier or buying someone's product.  It is an eye opening educational film about how our food is grown and processed.  We think we eat food that comes from a farm when in fact we eat "factory food".  When you see the manufacturing process one can easily come to an obvious conclusion about why we have so much disease in our culture. 

For instance, most corn and soy beans grown in America (except organic) are a Monsanto product. Food Inc. shows how Monsanto gained the monopoly on seeds and petro-chemicals that farmers must use to produce their crops..And as monopolies word, the farmers have little choice but to purchase from them - or be shut out of business.  Sadly, many family farms have been swallowed up by the industry giants. 

Monsanto developed and owns "Round Up" weed killer.  Monsanto labs have also genetically altered corn and soy bean seeds to survive being sprayed with Round-up. So, when the farmers plant these genetically modified seeds and when the weeds begin to grow Round-up is sprayed on the entire field. It kills everything it touches except the genetically altered plant. 

Monsanto's research says genetically modified corn has no adverse side effects on those who consume it.  Independent studies say otherwise. Serious illnesses and cancer are linked to consumption of genetically modified crops; So much so, that Europe has banned genetically modified foods from being brought into the country.  Monsanto also spearheaded and lobbied to prevent consumer labeling of genetically modified foods.  Sounds like an evil conspiracy doesn't it?  You decide. 

 

PS - If you would like to purchase a copy e-mail me at :

rondaholmberg@comcast.net

I think it is so important we sell it!

I am on a Diet. Are you?

I am on a Diet.  Are you?

Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe

If you think of mushroom soup as that gelatinous can-shaped grey stuff that glops out of a can (not to mention loaded with MSG) - this recipe is NOT that stuff!  

This recipe is well worth the home-made effort!

Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe

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Ingredients

·        1 pound regular white mushrooms, cleaned, quartered or sliced

·        1 Tbsp lemon juice

·        1 Tbsp unsalted butter

·        2 Tbsp minced shallots (or ½ diced onion plus 1 Tbsp Garlic)

·        1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

·        1/2 bay leaf

·        1 teaspoon salt

·        1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

·        2 cups heavy cream (or buttermilk, or yogurt)

·        1 1/2 cups chicken stock - organic

·        1 teaspoon Non-GMO cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbsp water (or flour)

·        Minced parsley for garnish

Method

1 Coarsely chop mushrooms and lemon juice.

2 Melt butter in (4-5 quart) sauce pan and lightly sauté shallots on medium heat. Add mushrooms, thyme and bay leaf, sauté over moderate heat for 5-10 minutes, or until the liquid that is released from the mushrooms disappears.

3 Add salt, pepper, cream and chicken stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

4 Add cornstarch slurry and simmer, stirring until thickened. Correct seasoning and add more lemon juice to taste.

Serves 4. Serve sprinkled with a little parsley.