Because fish sticks and falls apart so easily on a grill, this is the best way to cook it! Not only does the fish soak up the citrus flavor of the lemons, but it keeps your fish in one piece and makes clean up really easy.
Showing posts with label Healthy Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Healthy Food. Show all posts
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Best Way to Save Fresh Herbs
Oma hates when her fresh herbs go stale and limp in the refrigerator. If you freeze your herbs in olive oil it will prevent them from browning and getting freezer burn. Not to mention they will always be handy, whether in season or not. Toss the cubes in a pan for sautéing meat and veggies, or use them as a sauce for pasta.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Best Way to Ripen Bananas
Opa loves Oma's Banana Bread; however, there never seems to be enough ripe bananas available. This tip will cure that issue!
Baking firm, yellow bananas in a 300°F oven for 40 minutes to make them softer and sweeter and ready for baking.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
The Best Way To Chill Wine
Oma loves this simple tip! Just plop one or two frozen grapes in a glass of red wine that has been kept at a room temperature that is too warm.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Best Way To Use Lemons (& Other Citrus)
If you use lemons as much as Oma does, this tip will come in handy. If you roll while applying a bit of pressure to your citrus fruits (lemons, limes, oranges, etc.), you will get so much more of that yummy juice.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Best Way To Cut Pancakes
If you have kids, you know how handy this simple tip can be. This tip will make it so much faster and easier to cut Reef's pancakes! It works with a stack of pancakes, waffles and spaghetti noodles, too.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Best Way to Store Ice Cream.
A plastic freezer bag keeps the cold air from making your ice cream rock hard. If you like straight spoons and soft ice cream, this trick is worth the extra step! Try to push out as much air out of the bag as you can before putting it in the freezer.
Opa will be happy to learn this tip!
Friday, March 6, 2015
Best Way To Reheat Pasta
Instead of stirring your pasta several times in between the cook time in your microwave, leave a small circle empty in the middle of your plate so that the pasta will cook more evenly.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Best Way to Peel An Orange
This tip is especially useful for those of you that don’t have any nails to dig into the tough skin of an orange. With a few clever cuts of a knife, you can peel an orange and eat it without juice dripping all over your hands. But best of all, it’s FUN!
Oma's oranges are in full harvest - I will try this today!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 30
A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
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| Breakfast with bananas, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, coconut and almond milk |
Oma has enjoyed this month of fruit discovery. Fruits are scrumptious and help to satisfy the cravings for sweets in a healthy manner.
Eating plenty of fruits is a tried and true recommendations for a healthy diet. It can help you ward off heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure, prevent some types of cancer, avoid a painful intestinal ailment called diverticulitis, and guard against cataract and macular degeneration, two common causes of vision loss.
The latest dietary guidelines call for five to thirteen servings of fruits and vegetables a day (2½ to 6½ cups per day), depending on one’s caloric intake. Oma will try to start and end her day with a variety of fruit.
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| Dinner salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and yellow bell peppers. |
Related Posts:
- Day 29 Sweet Lime
- Day 28 Pomegranate
- Day 27 Longan
- Day 26 Horned Melon
- Day 25 Cucumber
- Day 24 Blackberry
- Day 23 Bell Peppers
- Day 22 Quince
- Day 21 Lemon
- Day 20 Tomato
- Day 19 Crookneck Squash
- Day 18 Kiwifruit
- Day 17 Passion Fruit
- Day 16 Corn
- Day 15 Blueberries
- Day 14 Dark Chocolate Strawberry Halves
- Day 13 Coconut
- Day 12 Avocado
- Day 11 Pears
- Day 10 Mango
- Day 9 Pitaya
- Day 8 Habanero Pepper
- Day 7 Watermelon
- Day 6 Grapes
- Day 5 Banana
- Day 4 Nectarine
- Day 3 Peach
- Day 2 Black Plums
- Day 1 Apples
- A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Monday, September 29, 2014
Sweet Lime
Day 29
A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
The sweet lime is almost exclusively served as juice, and is the most common available citrus juice in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Like most citrus, the fruit is rich in vitamin C, providing 50 mg per 100 g serving. In Iran it is used to treat influenza and common cold.
Like most citrus, sweet limes will not ripen off the tree, and must be picked when fully ripe. This is indicated by its tennis ball size and lustrous greenish yellow sheen. Gently scratch the surface of a sweet lime: If its oils give way in the fingernails, it is ripe. The juiciest fruits feel heavy for their size.
Related Posts:
- Day 28 Pomegranate
- Day 27 Longan
- Day 26 Horned Melon
- Day 25 Cucumber
- Day 24 Blackberry
- Day 23 Bell Peppers
- Day 22 Quince
- Day 21 Lemon
- Day 20 Tomato
- Day 19 Crookneck Squash
- Day 18 Kiwifruit
- Day 17 Passion Fruit
- Day 16 Corn
- Day 15 Blueberries
- Day 14 Dark Chocolate Strawberry Halves
- Day 13 Coconut
- Day 12 Avocado
- Day 11 Pears
- Day 10 Mango
- Day 9 Pitaya
- Day 8 Habanero Pepper
- Day 7 Watermelon
- Day 6 Grapes
- Day 5 Banana
- Day 4 Nectarine
- Day 3 Peach
- Day 2 Black Plums
- Day 1 Apples
- A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Pomegranate
Day 28
A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Oma’s Pomegranate trees are filled with red ripening fruit. One thing that Oma has learned by experience is to watch the pomegranates closely, because if you do not pick them the minute they are ripe, the squirrels will climb the trees and eat them all.
Pomegranates are hard and messy to eat. Oma now squeezes the juice out of them with a Hand Juicer Press. You would be surprised at how much delicious juice you will easily harvest!
Each pomegranate is about 83 calories. The fruit is suggested by nutritionists in the diet for weight reduction and cholesterol controlling programs. Regular inclusion of fruits in the diets boosts immunity, improves circulation, and offers protection from cancers.
Oma loves to use her fresh squeezed juice in her adult refreshment. Check out the Oprah’s Pomegranate Martini recipe: Just shake 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice; 2 ounces Absolute Citron vodka or white tequila; 1 ounce Cointreau liquor; cup of ice; splash of sparkling water (optional) ; and squeeze of lemon (optional). Then put in chilled martini glasses and garnish with pomegranate fruit.
Related Posts:
- Day 27 Longan
- Day 26 Horned Melon
- Day 25 Cucumber
- Day 24 Blackberry
- Day 23 Bell Peppers
- Day 22 Quince
- Day 21 Lemon
- Day 20 Tomato
- Day 19 Crookneck Squash
- Day 18 Kiwifruit
- Day 17 Passion Fruit
- Day 16 Corn
- Day 15 Blueberries
- Day 14 Dark Chocolate Strawberry Halves
- Day 13 Coconut
- Day 12 Avocado
- Day 11 Pears
- Day 10 Mango
- Day 9 Pitaya
- Day 8 Habanero Pepper
- Day 7 Watermelon
- Day 6 Grapes
- Day 5 Banana
- Day 4 Nectarine
- Day 3 Peach
- Day 2 Black Plums
- Day 1 Apples
- A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Longans
Day 27
A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
The Longan is a small round brown fruit is very similar to the popular lychee. Oma has three of these trees.
This fruit is packed with essential nutrients and an excellent addition to your daily diet. They are packed with antioxidants and per pound contain more iron than spinach. However, even more importantly – they taste great - sweet with a slight musky aroma!
Longans are used in traditional Chinese food therapy. It is used to treat insomnia, amnesia, edema and cardiac palpitations. Longan wine tonic is said to enrich the blood, beatify the skin, and is a remedy for grey hair. Combined with don quai and white peony root as a tonic, it is said to increase a woman’s sexual libido.
Related Posts:
- Day 26 Horned Melon
- Day 25 Cucumber
- Day 24 Blackberry
- Day 23 Bell Peppers
- Day 22 Quince
- Day 21 Lemon
- Day 20 Tomato
- Day 19 Crookneck Squash
- Day 18 Kiwifruit
- Day 17 Passion Fruit
- Day 16 Corn
- Day 15 Blueberries
- Day 14 Dark Chocolate Strawberry Halves
- Day 13 Coconut
- Day 12 Avocado
- Day 11 Pears
- Day 10 Mango
- Day 9 Pitaya
- Day 8 Habanero Pepper
- Day 7 Watermelon
- Day 6 Grapes
- Day 5 Banana
- Day 4 Nectarine
- Day 3 Peach
- Day 2 Black Plums
- Day 1 Apples
- A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Friday, September 26, 2014
Horned Melon
Day 26
A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
The horned melon is also known as the kiwano, African horned cucumber or melon, jelly melon, hedged gourd, melano, and blowfish fruit. It is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family.
Horned melon connoisseurs describe the flavor of the slimy green interior in this fruit as a cross between cucumber, zucchini, and kiwifruit. Unfortunately, this fruit is filled with entirely too many seeds for Oma’s palate!
Nevertheless, the horned melon is a good source of vitamin C, potassium and iron. Each fruit is approximately 91 Calories
Interesting fact: This fruit which looks like it belongs in space, was featured in an episode of Star Trek.
Related Posts:
- Day 25 Cucumber
- Day 24 Blackberry
- Day 23 Bell Peppers
- Day 22 Quince
- Day 21 Lemon
- Day 20 Tomato
- Day 19 Crookneck Squash
- Day 18 Kiwifruit
- Day 17 Passion Fruit
- Day 16 Corn
- Day 15 Blueberries
- Day 14 Dark Chocolate Strawberry Halves
- Day 13 Coconut
- Day 12 Avocado
- Day 11 Pears
- Day 10 Mango
- Day 9 Pitaya
- Day 8 Habanero Pepper
- Day 7 Watermelon
- Day 6 Grapes
- Day 5 Banana
- Day 4 Nectarine
- Day 3 Peach
- Day 2 Black Plums
- Day 1 Apples
- A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Cucumbers
Day 25
A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
The Cucumber is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae (same as the squash, pumpkin, and watermelon). It is a creeping vine that bears cylindrical fruits that are used as culinary vegetables. There are three main varieties of cucumber: slicing, pickling, and burpless. Within these varieties, several different cultivars have emerged.
The cucumber is originally from Southern Asia, but now grows on most continents. Many different varieties are traded on the global market. Like watermelon, cucumbers are made up of mostly (95 percent) water, which means eating them on a hot summer day can help you stay hydrated.
Oma did not know that cucumbers are the fourth most cultivated vegetable in the world. They are known to be one of the best foods for your body's overall health, often referred to as a superfood.
Nine Reasons to Eat Cucumbers
- Protect Your Brain (contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin)
- Reduce Your Risk of Cancer (polyphenols called lignans)
- Fight Inflammation
- Antioxidant Properties (vitamin C , beta-carotene)
- Freshen Your Breath*
- Manage Stress (multiple B vitamins)
- Support Your Digestive Health (rich in water and fiber)
- Maintain a Healthy Weight (very low in calories)
- Support Heart Health (potassium)
*Placing a cucumber slice on the roof of your mouth may help to rid your mouth of odor-causing bacteria. According to the principles of Ayurveda, eating cucumbers may also help to release excess heat in your stomach, which is said to be a primary cause of bad breath.
Related Posts:
- Day 24 Blackberry
- Day 23 Bell Peppers
- Day 22 Quince
- Day 21 Lemon
- Day 20 Tomato
- Day 19 Crookneck Squash
- Day 18 Kiwifruit
- Day 17 Passion Fruit
- Day 16 Corn
- Day 15 Blueberries
- Day 14 Dark Chocolate Strawberry Halves
- Day 13 Coconut
- Day 12 Avocado
- Day 11 Pears
- Day 10 Mango
- Day 9 Pitaya
- Day 8 Habanero Pepper
- Day 7 Watermelon
- Day 6 Grapes
- Day 5 Banana
- Day 4 Nectarine
- Day 3 Peach
- Day 2 Black Plums
- Day 1 Apples
- A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Blackberry
Day 24
A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
What distinguishes the blackberry from its raspberry relatives is whether or not the torus (receptacle or stem) 'picks-with' the fruit. When picking a blackberry fruit, the torus does stay with the fruit. With a raspberry, the torus remains on the plant, leaving a hollow core in the raspberry fruit.
Much like spinach, raisins, apples, plums and grapes, blackberries are rich in bioflavonoids and Vitamin C, but other nutritional benefits include a very low sodium count and having only 62 calories to a cup.
Folklore in the United Kingdom is told that blackberries should not be picked after Old Michaelmas Day (11 October) as the devil has made them unfit to eat, by stepping, spitting, or fouling on them. There is some value behind this legend as wetter and cooler weather often allows the fruit to become infected by various molds such as Botryotinia which give the fruit an unpleasant look and may be toxic.
Related Posts:
- Day 23 Bell Peppers
- Day 22 Quince
- Day 21 Lemon
- Day 20 Tomato
- Day 19 Crookneck Squash
- Day 18 Kiwifruit
- Day 17 Passion Fruit
- Day 16 Corn
- Day 15 Blueberries
- Day 14 Dark Chocolate Strawberry Halves
- Day 13 Coconut
- Day 12 Avocado
- Day 11 Pears
- Day 10 Mango
- Day 9 Pitaya
- Day 8 Habanero Pepper
- Day 7 Watermelon
- Day 6 Grapes
- Day 5 Banana
- Day 4 Nectarine
- Day 3 Peach
- Day 2 Black Plums
- Day 1 Apples
- A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Bell Peppers
Day 23
A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Oma loves the taste and color of the yellow bell pepper. Peppers are seedy and thus categorized as fruit. Most of the differences in bell pepper color stem from time of harvest and degree of ripening.
Green peppers are bell peppers that have been harvested before being allowed to fully ripen. While green bell peppers usually turn yellow-orange and then red this is not always the case. Red, orange, and yellow bell peppers are always more ripe than green ones and therefore require more time in the ground before they can be harvested; that's why they are more expensive.
Bottom line: all of the bell peppers originate from the same species of plant, and they achieve their different colors naturally, not by any artificial means. Yellow bell peppers are a good source of vitamin C. A medium bell pepper has just twenty-four calories.
Related Posts:
- Day 22 Quince
- Day 21 Lemon
- Day 20 Tomato
- Day 19 Crookneck Squash
- Day 18 Kiwifruit
- Day 17 Passion Fruit
- Day 16 Corn
- Day 15 Blueberries
- Day 14 Dark Chocolate Strawberry Halves
- Day 13 Coconut
- Day 12 Avocado
- Day 11 Pears
- Day 10 Mango
- Day 9 Pitaya
- Day 8 Habanero Pepper
- Day 7 Watermelon
- Day 6 Grapes
- Day 5 Banana
- Day 4 Nectarine
- Day 3 Peach
- Day 2 Black Plums
- Day 1 Apples
- A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Monday, September 22, 2014
Quince
Day 22
A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Oma had never heard of a Quince before and wasn’t even sure it was a fruit. Come to discover, the quince is the sole member of the genus Cydonia in the family Rosaceae (which also contains apples and pears, among other fruits). It is a small deciduous tree that bears a pome fruit, similar in appearance to a pear, and bright golden-yellow when mature.
Quince is low calorie fruit; 100 g fresh raw fruit is about 57 calories. In addition, it composes several vital poly-phenolic antioxidants than apples and pears. The fruit is the storehouse for phyto-nutrients such as dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
Interesting fact: When a baby is born in Slavonia (Croatia), a quince tree is planted as a symbol of fertility, love and life.
Related Posts:
- Day 21 Lemon
- Day 20 Tomato
- Day 19 Crookneck Squash
- Day 18 Kiwifruit
- Day 17 Passion Fruit
- Day 16 Corn
- Day 15 Blueberries
- Day 14 Dark Chocolate Strawberry Halves
- Day 13 Coconut
- Day 12 Avocado
- Day 11 Pears
- Day 10 Mango
- Day 9 Pitaya
- Day 8 Habanero Pepper
- Day 7 Watermelon
- Day 6 Grapes
- Day 5 Banana
- Day 4 Nectarine
- Day 3 Peach
- Day 2 Black Plums
- Day 1 Apples
- A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Lemon
Day 21
A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Oma has five Eureka lemon trees on her property. Needless to say this was before she knew that on such plant would produce enough lemons for a family!
The 'Eureka' grows year-round and abundantly. This is the common supermarket lemon, also known as 'Four Seasons' (Quatre Saisons) because of its ability to produce fruit and flowers together throughout the year.
Lemons are probably best known for being a rich source of vitamin C or ascorbic acid, a pungent water-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin C helps boost the body’s immune system and attacks free radicals and toxins in our bodies.
Lemons are also a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate. If this is not enough to convince you that lemons are the kings of citrus, they also have antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Sore throat? Try a gargle of equal parts lemon juice and warm water twice a day.
Related Posts:
- Day 20 Tomato
- Day 19 Crookneck Squash
- Day 18 Kiwifruit
- Day 17 Passion Fruit
- Day 16 Corn
- Day 15 Blueberries
- Day 14 Dark Chocolate Strawberry Halves
- Day 13 Coconut
- Day 12 Avocado
- Day 11 Pears
- Day 10 Mango
- Day 9 Pitaya
- Day 8 Habanero Pepper
- Day 7 Watermelon
- Day 6 Grapes
- Day 5 Banana
- Day 4 Nectarine
- Day 3 Peach
- Day 2 Black Plums
- Day 1 Apples
- A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Tomato
Day 20
A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
Oma bought the delicious organic tomato in the photo above from the Jimbo’s Naturally store. Tomatoes are easy to add to your daily diet. Slice them for sandwiches, toss them in salads, cook them into sauces or squeeze them for juice. Packed with vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, and lycopene; tomatoes are both delicious and good for you.
Interesting Facts: Botanically speaking, a tomato is a fruit. However, the government classified it as a vegetable in the late 1800s so it could be taxed under custom regulations. New Jersey calls the tomato its state vegetable. Arkansas uses tomatoes as both the state fruit and the state vegetable.
Related Posts:
- Day 19 Crookneck Squash
- Day 18 Kiwifruit
- Day 17 Passion Fruit
- Day 16 Corn
- Day 15 Blueberries
- Day 14 Dark Chocolate Strawberry Halves
- Day 13 Coconut
- Day 12 Avocado
- Day 11 Pears
- Day 10 Mango
- Day 9 Pitaya
- Day 8 Habanero Pepper
- Day 7 Watermelon
- Day 6 Grapes
- Day 5 Banana
- Day 4 Nectarine
- Day 3 Peach
- Day 2 Black Plums
- Day 1 Apples
- A Different Fruit A Day Personal Health Challenge
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