Ring in the New Year Right!

Well, it's the end of the holiday season and the year and I don't know about you, but I'm still full from the holiday feasting…and a bit tired from all the shopping, guests, etc that goes along with the holidays…but (don’t you just hate that word ) we still have one more rather important party to get on with! I don’t know about you but I want to welcome in the New Year sharing a good time, some laughs, good food and drink with my friends, but I also want to relax and feel comfortable and not rushed. So, I'm going to plan a simple New Year's Eve party, and I'm going to show you how you can do the same.

First and foremost, this will be an informal gathering…no dinner, just drinks and hors d'oeuvres and a good time. No need to set a dress code or anything like that, just tell your guests what you’re planning as far as food goes and let them come as they are. 

Anyway, let’s get to the food. I plan on serving just a few hors d'oeuvres that really pack flavor into small packages. First up, my Spinach & Feta Puff Pastry , also called Spanakopita. This is a light, flaky and delicately delicious combination of spinach, feta cheese, garlic and pine nuts, all wrapped up in puff pastry or phyllo dough. It is extremely easy to make and bakes in 15 minutes. I would suggest doing all the prep beforehand, up to wrapping the pastries. If you do create the pastry beforehand you MUST keep them refrigerated right up until you place them in the oven to bake!

The second hors d'oeuvre will be my Crab Mousse , another light delight that can be served with either whole-grain crackers or atop a slice of cucumber…or even tucked in a leaf of endive. However you decide to present this creamy, delicious mousse, it will be a huge hit, trust me!

Keeping with the seafood theme of the crab mousse, the third item offered up with be my Thai Lemon Shrimp. This sweet and spicy shrimp will surprise your guests with its complex yet complimenting flavors of sweet coconut and brown sugar bouncing off the spicy chili sauce…a crowd pleaser for sure!

Next, I’m planning on serving my Caprese Sandwiches to cool down and chill out from the spiciness of the Thai shrimp. These delicate yet delicious sandwiches are so simple to make, let you 8 year old daughter help you :) A simple slice of tomato is coupled with provolone cheese and fresh basil, complimented by my Veganaise , a healthy, light vegetarian mayo that is surprisingly like its heavier, unhealthy mayo cousin.

I also want to include a salad of some kind so I’ve decided to go with my Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato and Feta salad. This is another dish that is so simple to make that you can re-hire your children to help put it together. Chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, olives and feta cheese is tossed with a simple olive oil and lemon dressing…healthy, light, clean and delicious!

Of course you have to offer something sweet as well, so I’ve opted to serve two desserts.: my Italian Hazelnut Cookies , crispy, sweet cookies made from toasted hazelnut, sugar and vanilla and my Antioxidant Fruit Salad, a simple mix of mango, blueberries and pomegranate, delicious, bright and full of anti-oxidant goodness to start the recuperation phase and help avoid the “day after” side effects of ringing in your new year.

That’s it…simple yet elegantly healthy food that will have your guests talking about this party for weeks to come…but wait! There’s more! The final item that is an absolute must for after-party eating…and the very best hangover cure that I’ve ever experienced…Ceviche! Yes, I said ceviche. This final dish should be served either right before your guests leave for the night or, if you’re like me and the party goes on until early the next morning, for breakfast! Trust me when I tell you that you will thank me for recommending this wonderful dish as the final touch to a perfect evening…the Pièce de résistance if you will.

So, here's wishing for you the very best, happy and healthy new year! Don’t drink and drive…stay safe and healthy this new year!

Mental Health - Live Creatively Maladjusted

Dr. Patch Adams, Chairperson of the International Association for the Advancement of Creative Maladjustment.

From earliest childhood, parents and other well-meaning adults instruct us on how to behave, what to do and say, how to avoid problems with others, cultivate good manners and relationships. As we become a little older, these early instructors are joined by fashion and makeup designers, the media and the advertising industry who tell us just how and who to be in order to gain the approval of others. All of this is supposed to help us navigate through life without emotional pain —“to assure your ego’s survival and protection from getting hurt.” In other words, all of these well-meant efforts are geared towards our ego, but what about our Spirit?

We must distinguish between living from personality (ego) and living from character (Spirit). The word “personality” comes from the Latin word “persona,” a word that denoted the mask worn by actors. When we live from our personality or ego, we move through life based on acceptance by our peers, following the latest trends, looking for happiness that can be extracted from our experiences; when things get emotionally challenging or don’t feel safe, the personality-driven person will panic. And living from personality is “an agreement with mediocrity.”

The word “character” on the other hand represents our innate strengths and virtues. It is related to the French word “caractère” and means “imprint on the soul”. While our personality is the façade that we tend to display to the world, “character is revealed when the mask is removed.” When we live from character, we move through life even-minded; happiness is an inherent quality of our life, regardless of the situations in which we may find ourselves. The International Association for the Advancement of Creative Maladjustment is about developing and displaying character instead of ego 24/7/365.

Are your own core values determining your life or are you driven by fashion and trends, being accepted by others, being cool? Have you made a conscious decision about what is running you? Do you serve the world, or do you expect the world to serve you? Living from character means living in integrity with your true and divine nature. In Martin Luther King’s terminology, living from character means being a thermostat instead of a thermometer — while the thermometer merely reflects what is, the thermostat sets the status quo. Living from our true character means contributing to the improvement of our civilization, coming from compassion versus judgment.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his address to the American Psychological Association in 1967, urged "Creative Maladjustment" as the appropriate behavioral response to life in an unjust society.

Compliance with the norm of social injustice is problematic, Dr. King noted. But one can abide in a wholesome and justifiable position in the face of injustice through creative maladjustment, by which he meant a commitment to upholding the values of freedom and dignity for all.

Every great man in history dared to be different and put up with scorn and ridicule from people who were going through life based on personality. All these contributors to the betterment of civilization have been (or are) nonconformists and are “creatively maladjusted.

Living creatively maladjusted means two things. The first is the courage to defy society’s standards and step out of the stale conformist’s role and entertaining “new ways of being in the world” since it is our complete lack of creativity that keeps our world enmeshed in false fear, useless wars, greed and turmoil. Becoming creatively maladjusted opens the way towards a “genuinely civilized global society.

For more information on living creatively maladjusted or for information on how to join the International Association for the Advancement of Creative Maladjustment, go to http://www.mindfreedom.org/go/alt

Live healthy people! 

Speeding Up Your Metabolism

Metabolism refers to the body’s process of chemical reactions that occur in order to sustain life. The process of metabolism allows cells to grow, reproduce, maintain (breath), rebuild and respond to different environments. Therefore, keeping your metabolism in top running order will keep you fitter, thinner and result in a healthier, happier you. As we get older, the most important things to do to keep weight off are increasing activity (ANY activity) and limiting calories. The following are just some extra ways to boost your metabolism:

· Eat three meals per day, starting with breakfast! Starting your day on a healthy foundation, such as a bowl of high-fiber cereal, or oatmeal makes it far less likely you'll grab a fattening Danish later on. Another benefit to breakfast? Studies say that it gets your metabolism going…more millions of dollars spent to discover the obvious!

NOTE: Contrary to the popular belief that we should eat many smaller meals a day, I believe that this practice accomplishes one thing…putting more food in your stomach than you need! To me it is only logical that the more you eat the more you are adding to the problem…having your body work harder to digest and function. I believe that the opposite is true: Eat three solid meals per day and drink water in between meals, rather than snacking.

·  Add muscle. Each pound of muscle burns about six calories a day, versus two calories a day for fat. Strength training exercises, such as lifting weights or doing squats, lunges or sit-ups, can help you build muscle.

·  Consume enough protein. Although your body needs a combination of carbohydrates, protein and fat each day, protein is especially important for people who want to lose weight. One reason is that getting enough protein ensures that any weight you lose comes primarily from fat and not from muscle. I’m not talking red meat here…fish (especially), chicken, chick peas, beans, etc will give you all the protein you need without the harmful side effects of consuming red meat.

· Get moving. Just 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise five days a week can burn about 1,000 calories a week. That works out to about 15 pounds a year. High-intensity workouts, such as jogging or using a stair climber, may have an additional benefit -- increasing your resting metabolic rate after a workout. 

· Drink plenty of water. Your body runs more effectively when you're well hydrated -- and that includes your metabolism. Water is your best calorie-free choice.  Instead of snacking between meals, drink a glass of water.

· Get some zzzs! Running short on sleep boosts levels of the hormone ‘ghrelin’, which research says can make you hungrier, slow your metabolism and promote fat retention. The key is to get in at least seven hours of sleep per night…and I don’t care if Einstein only got 3 hours a night. If he had slept 7-8 hours a night he probably would have been using 20% of his brain instead of 10% :)

· Never crash diet. If you go on a very low-calorie diet, your body will go into starvation mode -- slowing your metabolism instead of speeding it up to make full use of every calorie consumed. That's why most people shouldn't trim more than 500 calories a day from their normal intake.  

· Stay cool, you’ll live longer: When I was in University, I did an exit paper on longevity and found that there were basically two key elements to living longer:  living in a cold climate and being a fish eating people.  The cooler you can stay the more calories your body will burn, just trying to stay warm. So although there's no need to be uncomfortable, lowering the thermostat by a few degrees in the winter may accomplish two goals: reducing your heating bills and burning a few extra calories while your cooped up inside.

Follow these guidelines to a faster metabolism and a healthier you…Happy Holidays!

Ultimate Tartar Sauce

I love tartar sauce on certain fishes and this is the best I’ve ever made.  Top the fish of your choice or add to canned tuna for a great tuna salad!

Ingredients (1 ¼ cups)

• 3/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise (I recommend Smart Balance)
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 2 anchovy fillets, chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse to blend.

Salmon Burgers

This healthy salmon burger is delicately delicious…a true delight! The most common mistake people make when cooking salmon is to overcook it. The fish should still be pink or almost raw in the middle when done. Just don't overcook it and you’ll be fine. Also, use fresh salmon instead of canned to get a clean, fresh, wonderful flavor. Serve over a bed of salad greens or on a whole-grain bread and enjoy!

 

Ingredients (Serves Four)

• 1 pound wild salmon fillet
• 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon capers, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh  lemon zest (grated lemon peel)
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dill, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. With a large chef’s knife, chop salmon into small (1 inch) chunks – Do not over chop or the fish will get mushy…and nobody likes a mushy salmon :)
2. Transfer to large bowl and gently stir in onion, cilantro, garlic, dill, grated lemon zest, salt and pepper and mix gently…DON’T OVER MIX IT!  
3. Divide the mixture into 4 patties and chill in the frig for 30 minutes before cooking.
4. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the burgers and cook until browned on both sides and just cooked through - 5 minutes.

Serve with a dollop of Ultimate Tartar Sauce…buen provecho!

 

Nutrition

Per serving: 239 calories; 13 g fat ( 2 g sat , 6 g mono ); 74 mg cholesterol; 2 g carbohydrates; 26 g protein; 0 g fiber; 255 mg sodium; 653 mg potassium.

Foods That Fight Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common diseases on a global scale. According to Johns Hopkins, 46 million Americans suffer from this crippling disease…that’s one out of every five people or a whopping 20% of the population! Leslie Bonci, R.D., and director of Sports Nutrition in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, states that “Food isn’t a panacea but some foods can make your joints healthier” I, myself, have suffered with arthritis from the time I was in my 30’s, the result of playing contact sports in my youth. Now the arthritis has progressed into what they call ‘degenerative joint disease’ which, for all intents and purposes, means that there are some days that I can’t even get out of bed, literally.  The good news is that, in addition to medication, while there are certain foods that can actually trigger inflammation, there are plenty of tasty anti-inflammatory foods that can ease the pain that comes with osteoarthritis in knees, hands, ankles, etc. and even some that can help symptoms of severe rheumatoid arthritis. Let’s take a closer look at some of these ‘anti-inflammation super foods’.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

 

Some folks think that extra-virgin olive oil is just for making salads. Well, if you haven't started cooking with EVOO up til now, it’s time. Besides being the least processed and purest (therefore the best possible oil for you) of all oils, extra-virgin olive oil is rich in oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that fights inflammation. No other oil has the same properties of extra-virgin olive oil, so get rid of the vegetable oil for this much healthier option. Use extra virgin olive oil in cooking and on salads - It's good for your heart and your brain, too. Read more about olive oil HERE!

Eat Less Meat and More Fish

If you haven’t noticed by now I have very little in the way of red meat protein recipes on this blog…and red meat has a bad rep for a reason. It's higher in cholesterol and salt and these can not only clog your arteries and cause hypertension but will actually cause inflammation! Good news? There are much healthier ways to get your protein! Switch to fish like salmon, snapper, tuna, cod, halibut, and bass – that are high in omega-3 fatty acid. For fish and seafood recipes look HERE!

NOTE: If you're ever absolutely craving that steak, at least opt out for grass-fed beef which is higher in healthy omega acids.

Snack On Fresh Fruits & Nuts

Between meals, try nuts and fruits – or a nut/fruit blend! Walnuts, almonds, pistachios and hazelnuts are all great choices. So are an array of fruits like apples, blueberries, cherries, pineapple, raspberries, and strawberries all of which, in addition to helping control inflammation, are high anti-oxidant foods. For more information on nuts and fruits look HERE and HERE!


Let Them Eat…Garlic

 
Garlic. I use it in almost everything…and you’ll notice in my recipes there is almost always a healthy dose of this little warrior. Instead of cooking with salt, use garlic to flavor your food. You can sauté it, roast it (sweet & yummy!), serve it raw minced up in a dip or salad dressing. Anyway you like it…eat more garlic! Combine garlic with the herbs in the next section for some great flavor. And for Saturday night, chew on some mint leaves to freshen up your breath - It'll help fight inflammation as well…a win-win proposition!

NOTE: A special article dedicated solely to garlic is in the works, so stay tuned!

Fresh Herbs

A word of advice here: Always use fresh herbs whenever possible! Fresh is always best in anything and especially true in herbs…if you want the healing benefits that go along with good flavor. My daily herb list includes basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, fennel, thyme and savory. You can also add red chili peppers, turmeric and ginger in recipes that can handle them. I also add an array of herbs and garlic to a combination of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a tasty, all-purpose salad dressing / marinade. For this recipe look HERE!

Ready, Set…Go For Chocolate!

Good news for all you Chocoholics out there! Chocolate – yes, chocolate is great at fighting arthritis – but it has to be dark chocolate of at least 70% pure cocoa to be really beneficial.

Green Tea Time

 

Besides reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer, green tea works like a liquid roto-rooter as it wages an anti-inflammatory war inside your body. Hot or cold, add some lemon juice to perk up the tea's flavor and kick up the antioxidants. Of course, you’ll need some nice ice cold spring water to make your tea, hot or cold – just another natural joint lubricant.

There is no cure for arthritis (can you believe it?) but, coupled with other treatments, therapies and medications, a diet rich in omega acids and antioxidants could keep inflammation down so you can start living a life a bit more freer from the debilitating pain that goes along with the disease. We all should eat healthier, but when our food can help treat swelling and inflammation it only makes better sense to take advantage of it. So, when you’re making out your weekly shopping list, be sure to add these foods and remember – fresh is always best!


Eat healthy people!

Asparagus with Tomato and Goat Cheese

A delicious side dish that can double as a salad when served cold.

Ingredients (For four)

• 1 pound fresh asparagus spears
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• Sea salt to taste

Preparation

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add tomatoes and garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
• Add asparagus and sauté for another 3 minutes.
• Stir in vinegar and cook 2 minutes more.

Arrange asparagus on a platter, topped with tomato mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and pepper. You can kick it up a bit by adding pine nuts and black olive to the saute when you add the balsamic. 

Calories 75; Fat 2.3g (sat 0.3g)

Cashew Chicken

This classic dish is lightened by using olive oil and no soy sauce (less fat and salt) and still packs incredible flavor! Chinese five-spice is a key flavor element here.

 

Ingredients (for four)

 

·         1 head broccoli florets (save the stems for broccoli soup!)

·         ½ head bok choy, chopped

·         1 can no salt baby corn

·         4 ounces cashew nuts

·         3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

·         8 ounces pea pods

·         6 ounces bean sprouts

·         6 garlic cloves, crushed and chopped

·         1 large onion, sliced thin

·         8 ounces mushrooms (Shitake, Portobello… your choice)

·         1 large can no-salt water chestnuts

·         1-2 tablespoons Chinese five spice (fennel, anise, cinnamon, cloves and ginger)

·         ½ teaspoon fresh ground sea salt

·         4 tablespoons olive oil

IMPORTANT NOTE: You’ll notice that I use olive oil for everything because it is the healthiest oil you can use. While peanut oil is more popular for frying, because of it’s very high smoke point , olive oil is also good for frying – just don’t let the oil go above 375 degrees or it will start to reach it’s smoke point. The smoke point is the point where oil starts to breakdown molecularly and can produce carcinogens – so just be careful with the heat and use a thermometer!

 

Equipment needed

 

·        A wok or large non-stick, bowl-shaped sauté

·        A large hand-held spider strainer (or large slotted spoon)

·        Various containers for prepped and cooked food

 

Preparation

It is very important when stir-frying food to have everything prepped in advance of when you start cooking! So, your first task is to chop and slice everything and separate by category – aromatics fast cooking veggies, slow cooking veggies, etc. Stir-frying is so called because you should be constantly stirring while frying. This is fast and furious cooking at its best with the object being to cook the chicken though while keeping the veggies as near a raw state as possible – every veggie should still have a crunch to it when you have the texture right.

·        
Pre-heat oil in wok to 375 degrees.

·         Add aromatics (onion and garlic) and stir-fry for 1 minute - remove from wok with spider and set aside

·         Add chicken chunks, season with some five-spice and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes or until cooked through – remove and set aside

·         Add broccoli and bok choy and stir-fry for 2 minutes

·         Add mushrooms and stir-fry for 1 minute longer

·         Remove broccoli, bok choy and shrooms and set aside

·         Add water chestnuts, bean sprouts, baby corn and pea pods, season with five-spice  and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, until heated through

·         Add all ingredients back into the wok, sprinkle with sea salt and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, stirring all ingredients together.

Serve over brown rice with baked veggie spring rolls (pictured), your favorite red chili sweet sauce, a bottle of Sake and xiang shou 享受!

 

Nutrition

Each serving contains: 360 calories with 10g of total fat; 55mg of cholesterol; 250 mg of sodium; 30g of total carbohydrates and 33g of protein.