• I will be taking a break from my writing so we can travel from Taos, NM to the Dayton, OH area, to be with family and friends during the holiday.  I will continue my writing next year.  It has been fun coming up with subjects to write about that I think people are interested in reading, and enjoy learning from.  There has been challenges that have made me work my brain when it gets lazy.  That has been a good thing.  My goal is to continue coming up with fun recipes and subjects everyone can learn from, taking away some knowledge of healthy living.

• Remember to take deep breaths when you feel the stress coming on over the holidays.  Stop and take a power nap if necessary.  If you find yourself really feeling run down don’t forget Vitamin C can be a very important vitamin supplement that can boost the immune system tremendously.  For the new year make it a goal to be the healthiest you have ever been.  Being healthy can be your life insurance.

I wish everyone a safe, healthy, and enjoyable holiday.

Happy New Year 2010! I wish it to be the best year ever for all of you!

Melinda Baker

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Photo by:  grongar

• You still have plenty of time to whip this recipe together and give as a last minute gift.  I have had this recipe for a year and just now decided to try making it.  Wish I had made it a long time ago.  The recipe is so easy and is simply satisfying to the “sweet tooth.”  It makes for an inexpensive, nice tasting, gift.

Sugar and Spice Walnut Recipe

1/3 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 pound walnuts (or pecan) halves

1 egg white, room temperature

1 tablespoon water

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

In medium bowl, mix together sugars, salt, cayenne and cinnamon.  Reserve.  In a large bowl, beat egg white until frothy but not stiff, add water and stir until combined.  Add walnuts and stir to coat evenly.  Sprinkle nuts with sugar mixture and stir until evenly coated.

Spread sugared nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet fitted with parchment paper.  Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally as needed.  Remove from the oven and separate nuts as they cool.  Let cool for at least an hour before serving.  Nuts will last for a week in a tightly sealed container.

If you want more spice than sweet add a slight amoun more of cayenne pepper.  This recipe makes a good hostess gift, stocking stuffer, or even a nice teacher gift.  Don’t wait as long as I did to try this recipe, you’ll be glad you didn’t.

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Photo by:  mor10am

• The two major types of diabetes are: type 1 and type 2.  I am writing about type 2 which is non-insulin dependent.  The most common of the two is type 2 diabetes.  Approximantely 90 to 95 percent of sufferers have the type 2 form of diabetes.  Type 2 diabetes is most popular in affecting people in their later years but has become common recently with younger people being diagnosed with the disease.  The lack of exercise, and poor diet helps contribute to this shift in younger people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Continue Reading »

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• I thought this recipe was very easy and quick to prepare.  It only took heating up the store for a short time, and except for cutting up the dried apricots there was nothing else I had to prepare.  If you like chocolate this recipe will be for you.  Having almonds and fruit in the recipe makes it a little more healthy. Continue Reading »

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Photo by:  azrainman

• I thought I would share some ideas on ways you can get a “warm fuzzy” feeling during the holiday season.  It isn’t all about buying that expensive gift…remember it is “the thought that counts.”  Be creative, maybe you can come up with your own idea.

Tips for a Soulful Holiday Season

1. When wrapping gifts use old newspaper, magazine pages, and reuse good condition gift bags.  By recycling paper you will help save the trees of the world.  The soul will feel feed by changing the way you wrap those gifts. Continue Reading »

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Photo by:  BLW Photography

• The reason we feel so stressed mainly has to do with the demands forced upon us from family, work, and our lifestyle.  We also impose upon ourselves, causing stress in the desire to have high accomplishments.
• When we allow high levels of stress it can create a break down of the immune system, changes in hormonal function, digestive tract complications, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurological difficulties, along with disease. Continue Reading »

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Photo by:  Lara604

• This recipe is for people who eat a vegan diet but I made a few changes because I didn’t have the required ingredients.  The cookies were nice and crunchy and provide fiber from the rolled oats.  The recipe also suggests adding add-ins such as 1/2 cup nuts or raisins.  I received many compliments on how good these cookies tasted which is why I wanted to share them on my website.  I hope you find them as enjoyable as all my taste testers did. Continue Reading »

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Photo by:  LWY

• I want to first explain some of the negative effects caffeine has on the body and why it is healthy to consider detoxing from the stimulant.

1. Some people may believe caffeine helps curb their appetite but truth is the stimulant ends up increasing the appetite, along with enhancing the craving for sweets and promotes the storage of fat.
2. Caffeine has a diuretic effect which forces a more than normal amount of excretion of vitamins, minerals, and water.  Vitamins B and C are especially susceptible to being leeched out of the body along with the mineral calcium when too much caffenie is consumed.
3. The gastrointestinal, circulatory, and cardiovascular systems are affected from too much caffeine.  The hydrocholoric acid output is increased, the heart beats faster, blood vessels around the brain constrict but around the heart they dilate, blood flow to extremities is decreased, and eyeball pressure is raised.  It is highly suggested anyone suffering from glacoma should consider no consumption of any caffeine.
4. Caffeine has some effect on every organ, tissue, and cell in the body.
5. Kidney stones can develop from the chemical and diuretic effects of caffeine.

• Note:  The above mentioned negative effects are a result of consuming 500mg or more of caffeine a day. Continue Reading »

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Photo by:  Maggie Hoffman

• If you want to warm yourself up with a tasty curry dish this recipe may be for you.  It has that good curry flavor with ease to prepare.  The flavor is even greater the next day.  This is a lighter vegetarian version of Punjabi-style saag curry which is usually heavy on the cream, butter, and cooked with lamb. Continue Reading »

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