OMG ~ Simply To Die For !!!

I am all about taking care of your body and mind in order to live a long and healthier life but sometimes you just gotta say, "The hell with it," and give into that gut-wrenching, saliva drooling desire to chow down and divulge in the pleasure of something truly delicious.

If you are looking for a really simple and inexpensive recipe to wow your friends at a gathering or loved ones around your table at home, you've just got to try these delectable recipes.



Breakfast Pigs In A Blanket

Delectable puff pastry (you can either make your own from scratch or use Pillsbury), brush the pastry lightly with dijon mustard and hand wrap around mini breakfast sausages. Glaze the tops lightly with maple syrup and bake to perfection.




Vegetable Frittata ~ Serves 4

Be creative when it comes to what you add ... anything from asparagus, mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, peppers. Place 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small chopped onion and cook til soft. Add whatever veggies you prefer and raise your heat to medium, stirring occasionally until softened. Make sure the vegetables brown lightly but don't burn.

Turn your heat to low and add 1/4 cup of basil. Beat 3 eggs, add 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese (or any cheese of choice), season with fresh pepper. Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, pour in eggs distributing evenly around your vegetables and cook undisturbed until eggs are barely set. Then run under a broiler for only a minute to brown very slightly. Cut into wedges and enjoy.



Traditional Spanish Paella

This is a fragrant combo that comes together so easily and serve a family of 6. You can do just a vegetable version or add chicken, sausage and shrimp which is what I did and had myself an "Oh My God," moment.

Ingredients: 3 tbsp. of olive oil, 6 boneless chicken breasts, 1 lb. of peeled shrimp,1/2 lb. of turkey sausage, 1 green pepper, 1 small onion, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 tsp. each of paprika, oregano, thyme, 1 1/2 cup of long grain rice, 2 2/3 cup of chicken stock, 1 cup of frozen peas, 1/4 cup parsley.

Heat olive oil in a pan and add sausage and diced up chicken turning until brown then remove. Add pepper and onion cook until softened, stir in garlic, paprika, oregano, thyme and dash of pepper. Add rice and chicken stock, bring to a boil, return chicken to pan, reduce heat to low, cover and let cook on low for 15 minutes.

Slice sausages and stir in along with shrimp and peas and 2 tablespoons of the parsley. Cover and cook 5 minutes longer. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with remaining parsley.

The Dynamics of Yoga

My first introduction to Yoga was nearly ten years ago when I got hauled off by a girlfriend who didn't want to join the class alone. I made a fuss, not because of an aversion for the exercise but there was something about being twisted into a pretzel that left me with a feeling of dread.

My time in class was short-lived. I admit I was a tad bad and asked to leave for disrupting the class because my continual outbursts of, "You want me to do what?", did not sit well with the teacher prompting hysterical laughter from the class.

Now that I am older, more wiser and in control of my inner self, I understand why Yoga has a well-earned reputation as not only a stress reducer but preventing a number of ailments like back pain and lowering the risk factors for diabetes. Striking a pose is truly beneficial in so many ways if practiced a few times a week. Just 2 1/2 hours a week for 10 weeks has proven reduced symptoms of asthma sufferers according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

For those who get caught up in mindless eating due to stress and other emotional upset ... you can reduce those cravings just from the practice of meditation, relaxation and developing healthier strategies to deal with controlling your emotions.

Will I be doing poses like the King Pigeon and Firefly noted here ...
... ahhhhh NO !!!! But, I certainly will add some of the more basic moves to my weekly work out regime.