Snow Day and Caramel Popcorn

Everyone loves a Snow Day now and then.  Especially if it means staying home from work or school with a warm cup of hot cocoa and a good book; or in today's world, "snuggling up" with a good story on a Kindle or Nook or on a laptop.  In this high-tech society, I still like to read actual books; although I admit the convenience of virtual books is wonderful too. Do you think books will become an artifact of the past?

Whatever your method of reading, it's nice to have a fun snack.  One of my favorites is caramel popcorn.  This recipe came from my mother-in-law; it turns out every time.

Caramel Popcorn

Pop 5 quarts of popcorn. Remove unpopped kernels.

1 c. margarine, melted
2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 c. corn syrup (you can use light or dark)
1 tsp. vanilla or other favorite flavoring (sometimes I use hazelnut)
1 tsp. baking soda

Melt the margarine then add the sugar and corn syrup and vanilla.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Then boil for 5 minutes without stirring.  Remove from heat and add the baking soda.  It will bubble up and become frothy at this point.  Immediately pour it over the popcorn. Mix it well; I usually use a long-handled wooden spoon.
Now you have to make a choice.  Are you going to eat it on the gooey side?  Or do you want it drier?  If so, bake it in the oven at 250 degrees for about 45 minutes, turn it over frequently.  Break it apart and store it in an airtight container.  Rumor has it that it is really good for a long time, but we always ate it too quickly to find out.
This makes a fun food gift!  Put it in a decorative tin or jar that you've decorated yourself.
Enjoy!  Ciao!

The 7 Heavenly Foods for Your Heart

Hi Everyone!
I have compiled a list of 7 foods that are really good for your heart and help prevent heart disease.  Yes, dark chocolate made the list! I've always known in my heart that chocolate was good for me!

1. Salmon

Since I suffer from arrhythmia, Salmon is good for me because it has been shown to prevent erratic heart rhythms.  It also improves cholesterol ratios and lowers blood pressure. You should eat this a couple of times each week. Grilled salmon with grilled asparagus is my personal favorite.

2. Beans

There are so many kinds of beans!  In general, I love beans, but there is one that I refuse to eat.  I think black-eyed peas taste like little bags of dirt, so I will never eat them (not even as part of New Year’s tradition; sorry Grandma, my Southern roots can only take me so far).  But the health benefits of beans are great.

·         High in fiber-will make you feel full and help lower cholesterol

·         Potassium-keeps the heart muscle strong and regular

·         Folate-this is a B vitamin and it breaks down certain amino acids that increase the risk of heart disease

Beans are really versatile.  They work in things, like soup and salad, or as stand-alone dishes.  I once ate pinto bean cookies!  Yes, you can grind the dry beans and replace part of the flour with the bean flour and it tastes great! You should eat them several times a week.  So explore this marvelous food in its many varieties.

3. Berries

And you felt guilty for eating jams and ice cream toppings, not anymore! Besides being a great treat, they are good for your heart.  These little gems can prevent cell damage because they are full of polyphenols. We have a new old saying, “A strawberry, blueberry, and boysenberry a day keeps the doctor away.” How? Berries can help your body fight diseases with their natural antioxidants.  You can add them to so many things; cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, salad, or eat them alone for a snack. 

4. Oatmeal

Mom was right.  Turns out oatmeal is good for you.  It’s full of vitamins and minerals that are good for your heart.  Also, it is a great source of fiber and since it’s a whole grain, it helps lower your cholesterol. It’s good for your digestive system and can help protect against some cancers. We always think of it as a breakfast food, but my family likes it as a dessert too.  Try this, a scoop of warm oatmeal with a scoop of ice cream on top…mmmm.  I’m kind of sneaky and throw a handful of oatmeal into many main dishes when no one is looking.  For example, two cups of dry oatmeal added to a meatloaf makes it much healthier.

5. Skim Milk

We know milk has calcium and that calcium is good for your bones and teeth, but did you know that it can help lower your blood pressure?  It’s also good for your arteries.  Whatever source of calcium you choose, make sure you are getting enough, it doesn’t all have to come from skim milk, but a glass a day is a really good idea to get you started.

6. Vegetables

Mom was right again. It seems veggies contain carotenoids and flavonoids, both good for your heart.  Eat them as fresh as you can, sauté them instead of boiling them until they turn into sludge.  The fresher the better.   They can be side dishes or main dishes.  Check out your local farmer’s market for inspiration.

7. Dark Chocolate

Hurray!  I just knew it had to be good for my heart!  This time I was right and Mom was wrong, dark chocolate contains antioxidants.  It protects us from free radicals (those crazy atoms, molecules and ions that go bezerk in our bodies and cause all kinds of problems).  Dark chocolate also lowers our risk of having a heart attack.  Somehow I knew that, but having modern science verify it gives me the justification I need to indulge! But don’t get carried away, one square of dark chocolate each day is supposed to be enough. So, dip a berry in chocolate and enjoy a healthier heart!

Ciao! 

   

Reaching Out Close to Home

Hi Everyone!

Americans seem to be less involved socially than in the past.  Community ties are not what they used to be and all of this leads to more people who are isolated and lonely.  We all know that lonely individuals can become depressed, especially when they are not involved in a religious organization, because churches are a wonderful source of social integration.

Some individuals are more at risk than others.  For example, adults who lost a parent when they were younger, and adults who suffered from low-esteem as children/teens are more likely to suffer from chronic loneliness as adults.

Lonely people report  more health problems and mental health issues.  Some other common effects of loneliness include depression, mood swings, addictive behaviors, low energy, chronic fatigue, and poor sleep patterns. It can even effect how well one's body responds to a flu shot!

Reaching out to friends, family, and neighbors who may be suffering from loneliness can be rewarding for everyone.  Invite them to join you for a walk around the block.  Invite them to a social/community activity or church meeting.  Share a snack or current events item.

Older members of your community or church have a wealth of information about the past.  Ask them about a specific historic event, or about their childhood.  Have them tell you a story or share a recipe.  Share a bit of your time and enjoy the rewarding feeling that comes from helping others.
Ciao!

My Favorite Brownie Recipe

We finally have a snow day and campus is closed.  One of my former students said she was bored and would make brownies if only she had a brownie mix.  Well, my friends, this may be a bit old-fashioned but you don't need a brownie mix.  Brownies are fast and easy to make and better than a mix.  Here is my favorite brownie recipe and it makes a nice batch in a 9x13 pan:

1 c. margarine, melted (2 sticks)
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa
1/2 t. baking powder
1 c. chocolate chips

Melt margarine and add sugar, mix well.  Add eggs, mix well.  Mix flour, cocoa and baking powder, then add to wet mixture.  Blend in chocolate chips. Pour batter into a 9x13 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray (or greased).  Bake 350 degrees for about 30 min.  Sometimes I pour the rest of the bag of chocolate chips on top and let them melt, then spread it and let cool. 

You'll never need another brownie mix.
Enjoy! Ciao!

Taking Care of Ourselves and Our Family

This week has been full of all-night writing sessions.  I couldn't do it if my husband wasn't the most supportive guy on the planet.  But, if you're like me, a few time management coping strategies are helpful.  Here is a list of time-management suggestions:

• Do more than one task at a time
• Have a Plan B
• Say "No" to additional time demands
• Break large jobs down into smaller jobs
• Make a list of your priorities
• Ask your family to help, even young members of the family can and like to help
• Budget your time so that you don't feel overwhelmed
• Leave work in the workplace, don't bring it home (when you are a stay-at-home mom, the lines become blurred, but you need time away from housework too)
• Make 'to-do' lists

Use technology to lighten the load--when I realized that I didn't have to iron everything, my world got better!  My favorite way to iron is to throw it back in the dryer for a few minutes.  My grandmother still irons sheets/pillowcases/handkerchiefs!


Here is a list of strategies for taking care of yourself:

• Give yourself permission to be a less-than-perfect housekeeper
• Allow special time for each child
• Eat nutritionally balanced meals
• Engage in family activities
• Spend time together and make it count
• Interact with your spouse (this benefits both of you)
• Take time for yourself to do something you enjoy
• Engage in a hobby
• Attend social, religious, group meetings
• Exercise

The Creepy Story Behind "Bon Ami"

"Bon Ami" is a flash fiction piece that was just published by Running Out of Ink Literary Journal.  The main character, Devon, was in another story I wrote called "The Covering Up."  Devon was a secondary character in that one, he was definitely on the creepy side, but my fellow readers/writers wanted to know more about him.  So, I wrote this piece that gives us greater insight into Devon and his love interest, Lucy. 

What's interesting about Lucy is that she never speaks or moves on her own in the story...for good reason.  Devon is a bioarcheology student who has been spending way too much time in the lab.  Lucy is always there too.  He fantasizes about her and falls in love with her.  Unfortunately, Lucy can't return his affection because she has been dead for a few million years.  Lucy is the name of the Australopithecus skeleton found in 1974 in the Awash Valley in Ethiopia. 

My family thought the whole thing was a little creepy; Devon didn't seem to have a problem with it though.  By the way, I wrote this on Halloween night, maybe that has something to do with it.  I hope that you enjoy reading it.

http://www.runningoutofink.com/bon_ami.html

Ciao!

The Story Behind the Poem

Here's the story behind my poem that took third place in the Reader's Choice Awards from Northern Liberties Review:

It started out with an idea, a memory really, of a time when I painted signs at the rodeo grounds in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.  One day I was painting the biggest sign on the grandstand.  I had to stand on the chutes in order to reach it.  It was a really hot summer day and I was pregnant with my fourth child.  I was enjoying the quiet, it was afternoon. 

Apparently no one realized I was there, because suddenly someone let a group of horses into the arena!  They came barreling through the chutes I was straddling!  I was holding a can of paint in one hand and a brush in the other.  I was scared; scared of losing my balance, scared of dropping my paint or brush into the fray and having a horse rear up under me, scared of getting trampled to death, etc.  All I could do was stand there, one foot on each side of the chute, trying to stay balanced against the vibrating metal and thundering hooves. 

Inspiration did not come at that point, just perspiration!  But looking back on that moment, what an image it created in my mind.  One that came alive with words and eventually ended up as a poem.  Think about events in your life that are vivid images.  Write them down and see where they take you.

Painting Signs at the Rodeo

Straddling chutes, wild horses run between my legs 

Spotted ponies, wet with acrylic  

Hiding in a plum thicket, a wild bull snorts at the edge 

No clown claims him

Pheasants flap wildly over my head 

While thick-set men in suits watch

Alligator-skin boots impatiently pace 

Ready to take ringed-necks to sporting deaths.