Saturday, January 28, 2012

D'Lynnes Zuchini Muffins

D’Lynnes
Chocolate Chip Pineapple Zucchini Oatmeal Coconut Muffins or Bread

3 Farm Fresh (free range) eggs
1 cup of pure olive oil
1 cup of brown sugar
½ cup of real maple syrup
½ cup of honey
2 tsp. vanilla
Combine the above – mix until smooth
Gently fold in (by hand) the following ingredients
2 cups shredded Zucchini
1 ½ cups of Coconut
1 ½ cups of chocolate chips
1 can crushed pineapple – drained
3 cups of real flour (non bleached)
1 ½  Cups of Oatmeal (not quick oats)
2 tsp. of baking soda
¼ tsp baking powder
1 tsp of low sodium salt
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp of Allspice

Spread batter in 2 greased 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pans or in muffin cups –
Bake loaves at 350. degrees one hour or until toothpick comes out clean
Bake muffins at 350 degrees for 20 mins.


Friday, January 27, 2012

A WHOLE BUNCH of COCONUT reasons to love them


From this link;

I have known this for a very long time
 but I have been asked to share it with you!!


All this, and the ever growing number of health benefits that are continually being discovered, make coconut oil an amazingly versatile product that everyone can benefit from.
This website will show you why coconut oil is so healthy and how you can incorporate it into your daily life, as I have.
Coconut Oil Benefits In Cooking
Coconut contains many health benefits and is a nutritious source of meat, milk juice and oil. For generations it has been effectively used to feed, fuel and cure a large percentage of the world’s population, especially in the Asian and Pacific countries.
While coconut possesses many health benefits due to its fiber, vitamins and nutritional content, it is the oil that makes it a truly remarkable food and medicine.
Coconut oil used to be regarded as bad oil, high in saturated fat and therefore not good for our diet. But recent studies have shown that the coconut oil is a different sort of saturated fat that reacts differently in our bodies.
It’s all to do with the type of fat molecule that is present in the oil. Coconut oil is composed predominately of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). This won’t mean much to most people, but it is what gives coconut oil its unique qualities.
Most of the saturated and unsaturated fats found in our daily diet consist of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Most oils and processed foods we eat contain these unhealthy fats.
MCFA found in coconut oil are very different from LCFA. Unlike other fats, it is not stored in the body. MCFA’s are processed in the liver and immediately used for fuel, or energy. That’s why athletes and sportsmen and women are turning to coconut oil to use as a natural energy drink.
They do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and actually help to protect against heart disease and lowers the risk of atherosclerosis.
It is primarily due to the MCFA in coconut oil that makes it so beneficial to our bodies and so healthy to cook with.
There are only a very few good dietary sources of MCFA. By far the best sources are from coconut and palm kernel oils.
Coconut Oil Health Benefits
Traditional medicine among the Asian and Pacific population have used the healing properties of coconut oil extensively and to great effect, for many years. Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illness.
This bold claim is not without substance as scientists have recently discovered various healing properties of coconut oil and how it can be used in modern medicine to treat a variety of conditions.
Here’s how coconut oil benefits your health:
Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Viral and Anti-Fungal
Coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. It kills viruses that have a lipid (fatty) coating, such as herpes, HIV, hepatitis C, the flu, and mononucleosis.
It kills the bacteria that cause pneumonia, sore throats, dental cavities, urinary tract infections, meningitis, gonorrhea, food poisoning, pneumonia, and many more bacterial infections.
It also kills the fungus/yeast infections that cause Candida, ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush, jock itch, diaper rash and more.
Coconut oil isn’t a cure in itself, but it does contain these properties that fight against such ailments.
Coconut Oil for Energy
Coconut oil is able to boost energy levels and endurance. It is not stored in the body’s cells like other fats and actually breaks down much quicker within the liver and used like a carbohydrate.
Athletes and bodybuilders use it as a natural supplement in sports drinks. It also increases your metabolism which is great for anyone wanting to lose weight. There is a whole industry devoted to losing weight through coconut oil products and recipes.
Improved Digestive System
Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and absorption of fat soluble vitamins, minerals and amino acids. This helps to prevent various stomach and digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome.
The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion.
Diabetics use it to reduce their symptoms and the risk of developing diabetes is reduced with regular use of coconut oil in your cooking.
High in Antioxidants
Coconut oil, in particular virgin coconut oil contains high levels of antioxidants which help to protect the body from free radicals and prevent degenerative diseases, cancer and premature aging.
The Healthy Fat in Coconut Oil
It has been accepted for a long time now that diets high in saturated fat can cause heart disease. This is true of popular cooking oil and many fast and processed foods.
Coconut oil is also high in saturated fat, but scientists are discovering that this form of saturated fat is actually good for your heart despite the bad press it has received over the years.
It contains about 50% lauric acid, and has shown not to increase ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels that other saturated fats do.
For optimal heart health it is recommended we have a healthy balance of saturated, poly-unsaturated and mono-unsaturated fat.
Coconut Oil for the Hair
Coconut oil is one of the best natural products for promoting healthy, shiny hair. This widely used oil provides essential proteins needed for nourishing damaged hair and makes an excellent shampoo or conditioner.
It is commonly used as hair-care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams.
Due to its anti-fungal properties, regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry.
For more information on this, read my article: Coconut Oil for Hair. Also watch the video below.
Stress Relief
Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.
Skin Care
Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skin, including dry skin.
The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. But unlike mineral oil, there is little chance of having any adverse reactions on the skin.
Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. It forms the basic ingredient of various body care products such as soaps, lotions, creams, etc., used for skin care.
Anti-Itch Cream
Coconut oil is anti-inflammatory, so it’s possible it would bring some relief from bug bites, as it promotes healing.
Healing Balm
Since it is anti-inflammatory, coconut oil might be useful as a salve to speed healing of bruises, strains, and sore muscles.
Coconut Oil as a Mosquito Repellent
Coconut oil is used in various mosquito repellents as a natural product, rather than using Deet. Just by eating it or using it as a shampoo or face cream etc., can ward of mosquitoes.
Coconut Oil Side Effects
Unless you have some sort of allergic reaction to oil or fat, coconut oil shouldn’t give you any problems. Over the course of my research I have not found any possible side effects through consuming it.
Using coconut oil on the skin might cause a reaction for some people, (as could any cream or liquid), but again this is highly unlikely.
Many health organizations still advice people not to consume too much coconut oil because of its high saturated fat content. Even though research has identified coconut oil as having different compounds to other saturated fat, government regulated health authorities take an age before they will approve a natural source as a health benefit.
Where Can I Buy Coconut Oil?
There are plenty of good online stores that sell coconut oil products. Its worldwide popularity speaks for itself, but up until now you probably never realized how beneficial it actually is!
The best coconut oil you can buy is organic, virgin and ‘cold pressed’. Make sure it has these and you’ll be fine. Cold pressed simply means the oil is produced without heating it first.
Heating it turns the oil into a hydrogenated fat in order to make it solid at room temperature. Hydrogenated fat is not nearly as healthy and turns unsaturated fat to saturated and may also contain very unhealthy trans fat.
Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, is the best-selling coconut oil product on Amazon and I use this product myself.
It tastes delicious and is great for cooking or to use as a butter substitute. I also use it as a conditioner for my hair and it works an absolute treat.
It has over 350 positive reviews on Amazon and is simply the best coconut oil product out there.
Conclusion
Coconut oil is truly the healthiest oil you can consume. It is rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal, and contains no trans fat (even olive oil has some trans fat). You can even use it on your skin to help prevent wrinkles, or your hair for a shiny, healthy look.

and its the BEST KY you will ever use!!!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Attitude

More often than not affects how we feel - 
in the words of C. Swindoll;



Friday, January 20, 2012

Green Goodness


 With all the quick weight loss scams out there
 that are unhealthy
 and full of artificial ingredients ...
We decided to try the
Green Monster Smoothie Recipe
as a meal replacement at lunch today
its all natural and LOADED with fresh spinach
It was good... it will be made again - 
and we didn't get hungry!!
With all our resources for "REAL" foods why ingest the "fake" ones?

Green Monster Spinach Smoothie

Serves 1
Ingredients:
1 frozen sliced banana
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
1/2 cup 0% Vanilla Chobani Greek yogurt or Stoney Fields Organic
1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze (or other kind of milk) I used Coconut Milk
4 cups baby spinach (or more, or less)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Staging...

So today was BUSY...
up and at em first thing in the am to 
clean house and stage it for a showing this afternoon - 
There is nothing like the smell of fresh baked cookies or bread 
to make a house smell like "home"
This recipe was declared the BEST EVER by the 
lookers and my hubby ;-)))

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Yumminess and Inovations....

 Briannas Blush - my favorite dressing for this scrumptious salad
 Red Heads Balsamic is Bruces Favorite
 Don't forget to keep hydrated its good for so many things 
and will help you from getting headaches... even the Migrane kind!
 Rarely do I use my recipe book holder as most of my recipes are on my lap top
so it looked like a great place to keep clementines
trying to keep warm on a blustery winters day

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Breakfast for a King


 Saute' in a bit of Olive Oil, garlic and no salt seasonings
Mushrooms, onions and Brocolinni
when they are tender add 
4  farm fresh egg whites 
and one yolk from one of the eggs
(feed the rest of the yolks to your doggies it makes their coats shiny)
Let cook till you can flip over easily... 
cook till done to your liking
remove from burner add a smidgeon of 
white extra sharp cheddar till melted
serve with half of english muffin 
with spun local honey(helps fight allergies)
and a side of 
Wests Windy Acres All Natural Bacon
ENJOY
I am a firm believer in a good healthy start to ones day... 
We eat breakfast every day 
and most often it is eggs 
... on occasion its 
Muesli on organic yogurt and smothered in fresh fruits 

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Snow is falling... Soups on...

There is something about soup...
on a cold, snowy winters day!!
DLynnes Italian Soup Dejour

Saute in a dutch oven a bit of olive oil,
diced up onions and garlic till the garlic is tan... 
then add all the Italian spices you can think of...
cilantro, oregano, basil, rosemary, garlic (yes more)
and whatever looks and sounds good
1 small container of organic veggie broth
1 container of crushed tomatoes
1 container of diced tomatoes
then veggie mix of your choice 
today I used, 
broccoli, peppers, carrots, onions, chestnuts, mushrooms 
stir all together with the sauteed garlic and onions
I added the left over cooked ground pork from the other night... 
and a bunch of chopped up Brocolinni
I didn't but you could snap up a handfull of spaghetti noodles or Orzo and add that to your soup!
Simmer for a few hours
serve with warm Italian Loaf - 
and your favorite dark red Vino - 
ENJOY!!
I know we are going too!!

Please note - my recipes will rarely be exact
there is a purpose to this... 

I am using my culinary imagination
to get YOUR creative juices flowing -  
Have fun with it!!
D'Lynne


Thinking of a Friend or two...

You just never know whats going to be set in front of you 
from that big...
 sometimes GIGANTIC Platter called
LIFE... 
But put up your dukes and 
FIGHT 
Take a few mins out of your day to watch these two videos;


and


Turns out 
MOM WAS RIGHT
all those years ago when she was telling you to 
EAT YOUR VEGGIES - 

this is another link too;
http://www.thewahlsfoundation.com/mmm/



Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Teach your children well...

Nectarine love...
As parents we too often assume that if its not something we like to eat then our children shouldn't have to eat it either... 
its a huge determinate to our  children when we deprive them of something their little bodies need because we don't like it... 
Studies say to try something new on our babies at least 
8 times before we determine "THEY" don't like it - 
Good Nutrition does not come from a box or a can...
it comes from whole foods... and it starts with breast milk from Moms who eat healthy whole foods!!
More often than not we can help our babies build up antibodies in their tiny bodies with good nutrition..
 it will help protect them for the rest of their lives - 
Remember this starts BEFORE conception!!!

Monday, January 9, 2012

to HEALTH with it

Saw a sign today that said... 
A year from now you will wish
you had started today... 
Its true so 
DO IT
Start today
Not sure if you are like me you get inspired by others ideas - 
I hope so because you are going to see LOTS of ideas here to 
eat and be healthy!!
Remember eating several SMALL healthy meals a day is a good thing
Todays mid morning meal was
Blueberries, Bananas, Clementines sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon

Lunch was a green salad  covered with 
Strawberries, blueberries, dried cherries, brocolinni,
 a bit o pecans, sunflower seeds
and a wee sprinkling of gorgonzola cheese - 
the dressing can be your chose but its better if is olive oil based - 
I used Brianna's Blush
Bruce used Red Heads Balsamic

Mid afternoon snack was an apple with a bit o cinnamon

Dinner well that is still in the
imagination stage...
stay tuned ;-)
and...
VOILA



Egg White Omeletts.... OH MY!!!
Saute it a bit of olive oil
Peppers - Red, Yellow, Orange
Mushrooms
Brocolinni
crushed garlic
organic no salt seasoning
only saute until they are tender but not soft
(don't cook out all the flavor)


In another pan or dutch oven
cook up some 
Wests Windy Acres Ground Pork
with some seasonings such as 
basil, oregano, fennel a bit of garlic 


 Then whip up egg whites and cook them as 
you would an omelette
Once the omelette is done put on a plate
layer with a bit of ground pork
lots of the veggies... a bit of feta
folder over...
add more veggies and a bit more feta
Serve with a smile... 
IT WAS DELISH!!





Sunday, January 8, 2012

Eat More... Please

The way we all should eat -


This Video link above is Important 
PLEASE... 
take time to watch this for your sake... 
your childrens sake....
your unborn childrens sake.... 
your family around yous sake!!!
it Stresses the importance of 
the way that we as Humans should Eat!!!
She says in so many words what I have been saying for years - 

PAY TO EAT HEALTHY NOW
or 
PAY THE DOCTOR LATER...

that is your choice!!!

She Stresses the necessity of eating
3 cups of dark greens
3 cups of bright colored veggies
3 cups of fruit 
grass fed meats 
- avoiding starches

incorporating the 
 Hunter, Gather food sources of old
eliminating all processed, boxed, packaged foods etc...
saying if you do you will 
NOT be hungry...
NOT have cravings... 
your body will heal 
you WILL 
FEEL BETTER!!!
Its worth a try isn't it???

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Friday, January 6, 2012

Hikes n Snacks

 After a long hike thru the hills with Blaze
 Honey Crisp Apples n Babybel Gouda
a refreshing snack!

Tidbits



On being Strong...


For some of us this is very true... 
I personally am one of those people 
who will always 
try to mask the hurt I feel
whether it be inflicted by someones words
or 
if it be the hurt my body feels when I over do it - 
I don't want that kind of sympathy from people
often I find that kind of sympathy is not sincere...
There are very few people who know 
when I am hurting
mentally or physically... 
and I have learned that 
NEGATIVITY BREEDS NEGATIVITY... 
So not matter what I am 
"JUST DANDY"
we have a FB account and I am blown away 
at how often people post all the 
negatives in their lives... 
Seriously??!!?
 More often than not we have more to
 be 
grateful 
for 
than we have, to be negative about - 
***
I have one friend in particular that has
EVERY REASON 
in the world to post negative status's about her health 
but she NEVER does... 
her status are
funny, 
uplifting 
and most times 
AWE INSPIRING
she is a role model to the rest of us...
no matter what life hurls in your direction
take up the sword of  
POSITIVE ATTITUDE
you will be amazed at the results!!
Wouldn't you rather be surrounded with people 
that laugh with you 
than those who whine?!?!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

note to self

Bodies in Motion
tend to STAY in
MOTION...

Bodies at rest are usually 
unhealthy and unmotivated


SO GET UP
GET MOVING!!!
I did ... though I was incredibly sore from overdueing
it the last  couple of days going for a long hike in the hills with the dog
helped to loosen things back up....

You know its true...
though your body and mind tell you
I CAN'T
you heart is saying
for my sake you need to - -
Healthy hearts, minds and bodies take time
but they only way you can make that start
is to...
TAKE THAT FIRST
 STEP




Tuesday, January 3, 2012

10" of Fresh Snow Means...

A Work OUT!!!
Gotta admit sometimes all I need is a
fresh coat of snow on the great outdoors to 
MOTIVATE ME!!!
YES...
I hurt when I am done...
I will hurt again tomorrow BUT
my mind feels free and my heart is HAPPY!!
This year I have added another yard to shovel
so now its double time ;-)
1 hour of snow shoveling = approx. 408 calories burned
SO I worked up an appetite...

Tonights dinner required a bit of 
Prep...
1 Crock Pot
1 Beef Roast
Cloves of Garlic
Onions, Pepper, 
SALSA....
Cooked slowly for 5 hours or so...
 When roast is done
Slice up into small strips or pcs.
Place desired amount of beef on a Taco Shell
Cover with a bit of the salsa sauce from the crock pot
add some sliced red peppers and tomatoes
Sprinkle with a bit of cheese... 
serve once the cheese melted with 
a bit of plain yogurt - 
DELISH!!!


Recipes and Healthy Tidbits




And when days are this BEAUTIFUL
Get out and go snowshoeing...

Monday, January 2, 2012

So from this day forward I pledge to be kinder to my body

Knowing that if I do - it will be kind to me...


So I am eating more of less...

Breakfast -  egg yolks with a bit of garlic on a half of honeyed english muffin -

Apple

Lunch - BLT Salad - very refreshing change from all the HEAVY foods over the last two months -

Handful of - nuts

Out to go for a hike with the dog and SHOVEL snow

If our Bodies are a Temple

WHY do we treat them like a 
GARBAGE DUMP...
This is especially true for me when that 
that dreadful word 
HOLIDAYS... appears....
sometime just before 
Thanksgiving
Every bon bon from
Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory
get together with all the 
Sugar Plum Fairies come out to play...
they take... good intentions,
 will power and conscience
lock them in a closet and lose the key till 
New Years - 
If you are like me I find myself playing too...
 a nibble here and nibble there and before I know it 
I am in misery... 
body aching... stomach churning... head throbbing misery