Happy New Year!

Be Blessed!!!!!



Checker Players

3 Generation Of Checker Players

2011 Tax Savings

The Huffington Post   Janean Chun  
First Posted: 12/26/11 09:17 AM ET Updated: 12/26/11 09:17 AM ET
'Tis the season for procrastination, and Congress isn't the only player waiting until the 11th hour when it comes to taxes. Some small-business owners are scrambling in this last week of the year to try to reduce their tax burden. "Even though Congress failed to extend for 2012 various income tax provisions that expire at the end of 2011, it's still possible to do year-end tax planning now," says author, attorney and small-business advocate Barbara Weltman. Reporting income when you receive it and deducting expenses when you pay them gives you more control over your taxes. Ready to make some very last-minute tax moves that may save you money in 2012? According to Weltman, here are five things you need to know.
1. Don't bill yet for work you're doing now. Typically you'd send an invoice as quickly as possible, but Weltman suggests at this point, for tax purposes, you "consider waiting until the end of the year to send it. This will ensure payment is received in 2012, and taxes on the income are deferred for another year." One caveat, according to Weltman, is if you expect to be subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT) in 2011. If so, the opposite approach may make more sense -- bill immediately to receive the income in 2011, so "your income will be taxed at no more than 28 percent under the AMT vs. a regular tax rate of up to 35 percent," Weltman says.
Another factor to keep in mind: If you have any concerns about getting paid, it's not worth it to delay invoicing just for the tax benefits. "The sooner you start collections," Weltman says, "the more likely you'll receive all that you're owed."
2. Buy office supplies before the end of the year. Assuming you have the space to store it, try to stock up on the paper, toner or other office supplies you project to use throughout 2012. "Order them now so that the cost is deductible in 2011," Weltman says.
Weltman says an exception to this deduction is prepaid expenses for something that extends beyond the end of next year. For example, if you prepay a three-year subscription to a trade journal or renew a three-year membership to a trade association, that cost is deductible over three years, not just in 2011.
3. Invest in a qualified retirement plan. "If 2011 is expected to be profitable and you don’t yet have a qualified retirement plan, sign the paperwork to establish one for your business before the end of the year," Weltman says. "You'll then have until the extended due date of your return to fund the plan."
Weltman suggests you talk to a brokerage firm, mutual fund or other financial institution about what you need to do to adopt the plan for 2011. Find more information about qualified retirement plans in IRS Publication 560 (while it has not yet been updated for contribution and benefit limits in 2011, the general rules continue to apply).
4. Splurge on equipment. Want an iPad? Need more office computers? Tempted by the after Christmas sales? According to Weltman, if you buy the equipment and start to use it in your business before the end of the year, you can claim a full-write off. The write-off is available whether you finance the purchase in whole or in part. Here's what Weltman says you need to do to get this deduction:

• Use the Section 179 ("expensing") deduction for pre-owned property. This write-off is allowed only if you are profitable. The dollar limit on purchases for 2011 is $500,000.
• Use 100 percent bonus depreciation for new property, whether or not you are profitable. The write-off of the entire cost of eligible property can create or increase a net operating loss, which can mean a refund of some or all of the taxes paid in the prior two years.

5. Settle up your accounts payable. "You may have bills piled up that are not due until 2012 -- if you pay them now, you can deduct the expenses in 2011," says Weltman. If you don’t have the funds in your bank account at the moment, Weltman says you should consider putting the expenses on your business credit card if the vendor or other party allows it. Costs charged to a major credit card before the end of the year are deductible this year even though the credit card bill isn’t due until 2012.
Though you may be tight on time, Weltman says you shouldn't skip one more important step: "Contact your CPA or other tax advisor immediately to discuss whether these or other last-minute actions make sense for your tax situation," she says.

Last-Minute 2011 Tax Savings: 5 Things You Need To Know

Holiday Sides

Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 5 med. baking potatoes, peeled and sliced
• 1 C. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 C. garlic seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 C. milk
• 1 Tbs. butter
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the potatoes into a saucepan, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Cook for 5-10 minutes, just until soft. Drain water, and mash potatoes. Beat in the butter, and about half of the milk using an electric mixer. Add more milk if needed to achieve the desired consistency of mashed potato. Season with salt and pepper. Spread potatoes evenly in a 9x13-inch baking dish, or desired casserole dish. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and cheese over the top. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until the cheese is melted and the top is browned. Serve immediately.

Bobbie's Corn Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 can whole kernel corn with liquid
• 1 can creamed corn
• 1 box Jiffy (must use Jiffy) corn muffin mix
• 2 eggs
• 8 oz. sour cream
• 2 Tbs. sugar
• 8 oz. shredded mild or sharp cheddar depending on taste

Directions

It is very important to add things in order according to directions and mix each time as directed. Otherwise it will affect the end result. In a large mixing bowl. Beat eggs and add sugar. Beat well. Add sour cream and beat well. Add both cans of corn and stir well. Add Jiffy mix and about 6 oz. of the cheese. Mix well and pour into a 9x13 inch casserole that has been sprayed well with Pam. Top with remaining cheese and bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. 

Holiday Hams

Holiday Coca-Cola Baked Ham

Ingredients

• 1 10-12-lb. bone-in ham
• whole cloves
• 1 1-lb. box dark brown sugar
• 1 12-oz. can Coca Cola (no diet)
• 1 14-oz. can pineapple rings, drained and the juice reserved
• 1 C. sweet concord grape wine

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Using a sharp knife, remove the rind from the ham. Score surface of the ham crosswise and lengthwise, forming a crisscross pattern about 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Place 1 clove in the center of each square. Place ham, fat side up, in a roasting pan. Press brown sugar onto the surface of the ham. Expect some sugar to fall into the roasting pan. Place in oven and bake until brown sugar just begins to melt, about 30 minutes. Pour the Coca-Cola over the ham, mixing with melted sugar in bottom of roasting pan. Baste ham with the cola mixture and bake an additional 30 minutes.Meanwhile, combine reserved pineapple juice and sweet concord grape wine in a small bowl. Baste ham with pineapple mixture every 20 minutes. Bake ham for a total of 16 minutes per pound. During the last 20 minutes of baking time, remove ham from oven and decorate with the pineapple rings. Use 2-3 wooden picks (toothpicks) to hold each ring in place. Place a cherry in the center of each ring, also using a wooden pick. Return to oven and continue to bake the final 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to stand for at least 15 minutes before transferring to serving platter. Skim excess fat from drippings in the pan. Serve drippings as sauce with the ham. 

Baked Honey Ham

Ingredients

• 2 C. honey
• 2 C. brown sugar
• 1/3 C. cider vinegar
• 2 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. cloves
• 5-6 lb. bone-in ham, or 3-4 lb. boneless ham

Directions

Combine honey, brown sugar, vinegar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Bake bone-in ham at 350 degrees for 1 hour to heat through, basting with honey sauce occasionally. If desired, bake another 10 minutes at 450 degrees to glaze the top.

To cook boneless ham, slice half way through at 1/4-inch intervals, then tie with string. Place in roasting pan. Heat honey sauce and pour over ham to marinate for 24 hours before baking. Then bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until heated through. If desired, bake another 10 minutes at 450 degrees to glaze the top.

Yield: 6-8 servings

Sugar-Free Holiday Treats

Sugar-Free Cherry Pie

Ingredients

• 2 16 oz. cans pitted tart cherries, in water - not syrup
• 1 large box cook and serve sugar-free vanilla pudding mix
• 1 small box sugar-free cherry gelatin
• Sugar substitute to equal 4 tsp. sugar (such as Sweet N Low or Equal)
• 1 baked 9-inch pastry shell

Directions

Drain cherries, reserving juice. Set cherries aside. In a saucepan, combine cherry juice and dry pudding mix. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil and is thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in gelatin powder and sweetener until dissolved. Stir in the cherries; transfer to pie shell. Cool completely. Top with Sugar-Free Cool Whip. Store in refrigerator.

Yield: 8 servings

Sugar-Free Cherry Tea Mix

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. unsweetened cherry-flavored soft drink mix
• 1 1/4 C. sugar-free instant tea mix (artificially sweetened)

Directions

Combine items in a small bowl until well blended. Store in an airtight container. To serve, stir 2 tsp. tea mix into 8 oz. hot or cold water.

Kidz R Kidz Xmas Party

My Granddaughter Daycare Xmas Party.
Colors - Lime Green/Chocolate

 
                             



Xmas Lunch With Friend

Lemon Juice

20 Unusual Household Uses

From EcoSalon's Stephanie Rogers:
When life gives you lemons, use them to clean your house.
Juicy, aromatic and highly acidic, lemons bring out the flavor in sweet and savory foods but they nearly always play a supporting role in the kitchen. Stop relegating them to the rim of your glass and give these winter citrus fruits their due -- because they're serious cleaning and freshening powerhouses.
These 20 unusual uses for lemon juice will make your home look and smell fresh, brighten your laundry, and improve your hair, nails and skin.
Quick tip: roll a fresh lemon under your palm on the countertop to soften it up for easier juicing.
List and captions courtesy of EcoSalon.

Fingernail Brightener - Nails looking dull and yellowed after a long period covered in dark polish? Just squeeze a lemon into a small dish, clean your nails and soak them in the lemon juice for a minute or two. Some women claim that this treatment will also make nails stronger, particularly when adding a tablespoon or so of olive oil to the dish.

Food Preservative - Keep cut fruit and vegetables like apples, pears, avocados and potatoes from turning brown by squeezing on a little bit of lemon juice. You can also perk up droopy lettuce by soaking it for an hour in a bowl of cold water and the juice of one lemon.

Emergency Deodorant - Caught smelling less-than-fresh, with no deodorant around to save the day? Cut a lemon in half (or snag a wedge from your drinking glass) and rub it under your arms. The citric acid in lemon juice will reportedly kill odor-causing bacteria. In fact, you could use this trick to ditch conventional deodorants altogether.

Odor Destroyer - Even garlic, fish, mothballs and that disgusting gunk in your garbage disposal can't stand up to lemon juice's odor-eliminating power. Use a cut lemon or fresh-squeezed lemon juice to remove bad smells from your refrigerator, cutting board, microwave or practically any other surface. You can even add it to the cooking water of stinky foods like cabbage, or just simmer lemon peel in water on the stovetop as a natural air freshener.

Insect Deterrent -  Many insects are highly sensitive to smell, including spiders, ants, fleas and typically so-hardy-they're-almost-alien cockroaches. Squirt lemon juice in windowsills, the thresholds of doors, along baseboards and into any cracks where insects might get into the house. Add lemon juice to your floor wash for even more insect-repelling action.

Lighten Age Spots and Freckles - There's some debate as to whether this actually works, but if you're desperate to reduce the appearance of freckles or dreaded age spots, lemon juice might be worth a try. Apply lemon juice with a cotton ball once per day and over time -- we're talking months -- they may lighten a little bit.

Glass Cleaner - Lemon juice will make hard water stains, debris and other marks on glass disappear. Use straight lemon juice on a sponge for tough jobs, or dilute a few tablespoons in a cup of water and spray it on. Wipe it off with newspaper for totally transparent windows (that might just kill a bird or two.)

Stain Remover - Sweat, mildew, berries, wine, oil -- pretty much any substance that leaves a stain on fabric can be removed with good old lemon juice. Durable fabrics can be rubbed with a paste of lemon juice and salt while more delicate fabrics might require a gentler touch, saturating the stain with lemon juice and then washing it out.

Sore Throat Soother - Gargle with a teaspoon of lemon juice in 1/8 cup of warm water to help shrink swollen throat tissue and kill bacteria. Frequent cups of hot tea made with a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of lemon juice will also do the trick.

Toilet Cleaner - When mixed with household borax (not the insecticide kind), lemon juice can remove even those stubborn rust stains from the toilet bowl. Make a paste of borax and lemon juice and apply it to the stain with a scrub brush or sponge. Let it sit for up to two hours, then scrub away.

Metabolism Booster - Does lemon juice really boost metabolism? Some of the claims raise red flags as being a bit too enthusiastic, and most of these lemon-based "metabolism boosters" are recommended as food replacements in starvation diets. But hey, adding a little lemon juice to your water every day will make it taste better, and drinking more water can definitely help you lose weight. So, there's that.

Dandruff Treatment - Lemon juice may not cure dandruff or prevent it from occurring in the first place, but it can remove flakes that are already present so you don't have to worry about them making an appearance on your clothing. Massage lemon juice into your scalp, leave it on for ten minutes and shampoo as usual.

Metal Polish - Slice a lemon in half, dip it in salt and rub it onto metal surfaces like stainless steel ranges and copper pots to eliminate grime and make them gleam.

Rice De-Sticker - A few drops of lemon juice added to simmering rice will keep it from sticking to the pot, making clean-up a lot easier.

Hair Highlighter - You can achieve natural-looking highlights at home with nothing more than a little lemon juice, a sunny day and something to occupy your hands for an hour or two. Either apply it directly to the strands you want to highlight or get an overall lightening effect by spraying on a diluted mixture of 1/2 cup lemon juice to 1/2 cup of water. The intensity of the lightening will vary depending on your hair type and texture.

Laundry Brightener - Just as it removes stains, lemon juice can act as a natural, non-toxic alternative to bleach. Add a quarter cup of juice to the washing machine to brighten whites. Lemon juice's stain-removing power is further heightened by hanging the treated laundry up to dry in the sun.

Heartburn Relief - The efficacy of this trick depends on whether your heartburn is caused by too much acid in your stomach, or not enough. If it's the latter, drinking a little lemon juice in water can quickly relieve discomfort.

Facial Treatment -

Applied with a cotton ball, a little lemon juice acts as an astringent, eliminating oil and tightening pores for a smoother look. Mix salt and lemon juice into a paste for an all-natural exfoliant.

Itchy Skin Soother - Apply full-strength lemon juice to unbearably itchy skin rashes like poison ivy to soothe them and keep them from spreading.

Hangover Help - The next time you're groaning in pain the morning after enjoying just a tad too much alcohol, try drinking a little lemon juice squeezed into warm water or tea. Not only does it help you re-hydrate, but the lemon juice can reportedly help balance the pH levels in your body and replace the vitamin C lost in the binge.

Hearty Turkey Soup

ingredients

• 1 meaty turkey frame
• 4 cups water
• 4 cups turkey or chicken broth
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• Chopped cooked turkey
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, cut into thin strips
• 1-1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• 3 cups sliced or cubed vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, or turnips
• 1-1/2 cups high-fiber or whole wheat pasta, such as rotini or penne
• 1 15-oz. can Great Northern beans or white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

directions

1. Break turkey frame or cut in half with kitchen shears. Place in large pot. Add water, broth, onion, garlic, and salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours.
2. Remove turkey frame. Cool; cut meat off bones; coarsely chop meat. Add enough turkey to equal 2 cups. Set aside. Discard bones. Strain broth; skim off fat.
3. Return broth to pot. Stir in tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Stir in vegetables. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer for 5 minutes. Add pasta. Simmer, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes or until pasta is tender and still firm and vegetables are tender. Stir in turkey and beans; heat through. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

Blue Pitbull

I met Myaski on my daily walk in the Park this weekend.  Myaski is UKC blood line and bred in the USA. Myaski max weight can be 125 pounds. 

The blue pitbulls are great guardians. Their potential as guardian dogs can be exploited only if they are trained properly, because blue pitbulls need to be taught the commands you want them to do. Other than that, blue pitbulls are extremely obedient and fast learners as well, so training should not be an issue. They have a life expectancy of about 12 years and must have plenty of exercise. Pitbulls have always been controversial, because there are many reported cases in which they attacked people on the street, or even their owners.

Granddaughter's Birthday

Grandson Earning Orange Belt

Removing Melted Candle Wax

How to Remove Melted Candle Wax Using Heat or Cold

Viewing in General

Click website: http://www.ronhazelton.com/tips/how_to_remove_melted_candle_wax_using_heat_or_cold

 

You know, when you think about it, there are few things more beautiful in the evening than candlelight.  But sometimes, what you’re left with the next morning, well it’s not so pretty, wax drippings on your furniture. Now, there are two ways to get rid of these, the hot method and the cold method.  Let’s start with this one.  Now, heat softens, in fact it will liquefy wax, but the trick is to put on enough heat to melt the wax without damaging the furniture, for that a hairdryer is perfect.  For the cold method, you’ll need some ice, or you can use frozen vegetables, i happen to like peas.  The ice, or in this case, the frozen vegetables makes the wax very cold and very brittle, so that by taking something like this spatula, we can just chip it right off.  So go ahead, light up those candles, enjoy a romantic evening, you’ve got nothing to fear from wax drips.

Black Friday 11 25 11

 

 

Herb-Butter-Roasted Turkey.

The herb-flavored butter from this recipe is tucked under the skin of the turkey before roasting it. The butter helps provide flavor to the turkey and helps keep its meat moist. This flavored butter can also be used when roasting chicken to provide the same wonderful herb flavor. You can chat with others to find new side-dish recipes to serve with your turkey.

ingredients

• 1 14-pound turkey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
• 2 to 3 tablespoons snipped fresh thyme, tarragon, marjoram, and/or rosemary
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Pear-Pecan Stuffing (see Recipe Center)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Remove giblets and neck from interior cavity of turkey; reserve for gravy stock. Rinse bird; pat dry. Cut off wing tips; reserve for gravy stock. Season cavity with salt and pepper.
3. For Herb-Butter Seasoning, combine butter, the fresh herbs, and garlic. Starting at the neck end of the turkey, loosen the skin by sliding your fingers underneath it, being careful not to tear it. Slide your hand as far as you can toward the other end of the turkey, separating the skin from the meat. Rub about two-thirds of the herb-butter seasoning over the entire breast.
4. Spoon some of the Pear-Pecan Stuffing into the neck cavity. Skewer neck skin to back. Spoon more of the stuffing loosely into the body cavity. (If you pack stuffing too tightly, it will not get hot enough by the time the turkey is cooked.) Tuck drumsticks under tail skin, or tie to tail. Transfer any remaining stuffing to a 2-quart casserole; cover and chill in the refrigerator.
5. Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Insert a meat thermometer into the center of one of the inside thigh muscles. The bulb should not touch the bone.
6. Rub remaining herb-butter seasoning over the entire turkey. Cover turkey loosely with foil. Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F. Continue roasting turkey for about 3-1/2 to 4 hours or until thermometer registers 180 degrees F. Cut band of skin between legs after 2-1/2 hours so the thighs will cook evenly. Bake casserole of stuffing alongside turkey during the last 40 minutes or roasting. During the last 30 minutes of roasting, uncover turkey.
7. When done, remove turkey from oven; cover. Let turkey stand 20 minutes before carving. To serve, remove stuffing from turkey; transfer to a serving bowl. Carve turkey and serve warm. Makes 14 servings.

Turkey Dressing

Cornbread Stuffing

Ingredients

• 4 (6.5 ounce) packages dry corn bread mix
• 6 cups dry bread crumbs
• 1 pound sausage
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 3 cups chopped celery
• 2/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 eggs, beaten

Directions

1. Prepare the cornbread according to package instructions. Once cornbread is cooled, crumble it into a large bowl. Stir in the bread crumbs.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. In a large pot, saute sausage in margarine with the onion, garlic, green bell pepper and celery until tender. Stir parsley, poultry seasoning, sage and salt into the mixture. Pour broth, eggs and cornbread/breadcrumbs into the mixture; mix until the ingredients stick together easily. Transfer to a 9x13 inch pan.
4. Bake covered in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 30 minutes.

The Best Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup self-rising soft-wheat flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
5 Tbsp. ice water
3 large eggs, separated
2 cups baked, peeled, and mashed sweet potato (about 2 large)
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup cane syrup
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel
1 cup cold heavy cream
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation
Whisk together first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl until blended. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until crumbles are about the size of small peas. Sprinkle ice water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, evenly over surface of mixture in bowl; stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. Shape into a ball. Roll out pastry to an 11-inch circle. Fit pastry into a 9-inch pie plate; fold edges under and crimp. Place pastry in refrigerator while preparing filling.

In a medium bowl, beat egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Place sweet potato in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add egg yolks, 1/3 cup cream, and next 3 ingredients, beating until smooth. Stir in lemon peel. Fold about one-third of the beaten egg whites into potato mixture. Fold in remaining egg whites. Pour filling into prepared crust.

Bake at 375° on bottom rack 40 minutes or until set. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

While pie cools, beat 1 cup cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form. serve pie with whipped cream.

Family's Thanksgiving Menu

Turkey

Ham

Chitterlings

Dressing/Gravy

Cranberry Sauce

Broccoli Casserole

Squash Casserole

Green Bean/Potatoes

Collard Green

Field peas/okra

Whole Corn

Potato Salad

Dirty Yellow Rice

Macoroni Cheese

Mexican cornbread

Regular cornbread

Punch Bowl Cake

Sweet Potatoes Soufflé

Green Marble Cake

Sweet Potato Pies

Coconut Cake

Red Velvet

Peach Cobbler

Tea/Soda/Water

Are You Ready For The Holidays?



What are you serving at your home?

10 Table Manners You Need to Know

by Reader's Digest Magazine, on Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:36am PDT

If you think people don’t care about etiquette at the table as much as they used to, think again. One soup slurp or tooth pick is all it takes to turn some people off. So to stay on your toes, here is a quick—and necessary—table manners refresher course from Louise Fox of the Etiquette Ladies, Canada’s Etiquette Experts:

• If you are the recipient of a toast, keep your glass at arm’s length—never drink from it. Instead, simply nod your head and graciously say, “Thank you.”
• Never take your cocktail to the dinner table.
• Allow your food to cool on its own—never blow on anything.
• If you wear lipstick, keep it off your plate and napkin by blotting it as soon as you apply it.
• Your napkin is there for you to dab your mouth only. Do not use it to wipe off lipstick or (God forbid) blow your nose.
• Keep your elbows off the table at all times.
• Don’t put your purse, keys, sunglasses, or eyeglasses on the table.
• Take food out of your mouth the way it went in. If a piece of steak fat went into your mouth with a fork, spit it out onto the fork.
• Remove an olive pit with your thumb and index finger.
• Taste everything on your plate before you add salt or pepper.
• Leave your plate where it is when you are finished with your meal—don’t push it away from you.

You’ll find even more good-behavior tips at http://www.etiquetteladies.com/etiquette_ladies_home.php.

Pumpkins and Pumpkins Seed

How to prepare:
Spread 'em on a baking sheet and give 'em a good roast, says Caplan. She recommends people either grab a handful as a stand-alone snack, or work them into a healthy homemade trail mix with dried cranberries and whole wheat pretzels. Big salad fan? Try sprinkling a handful on top of your next creation.

How to prepare:
Judy Caplan, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, suggests roasting or sautéing pumpkin "meat" with a little bit of olive oil, salt and pepper. For a slightly sweeter treat, she suggests cooking the pumpkin with a bit of pure maple syrup.

Brussels Sprouts and Apples

How to prepare them:
There are hundreds of variations you can try on roasted brussels sprouts, or you can work them into brussels sprouts gratin.

How to prepare:
Throw a few apples in your bag and eat them, as is, throughout the day. Or for a slightly more substantial snack, slice them and enjoy them with a few slivers of cheese. Another tasty fall treat? How about some homemade apple sauce, sprinkled with cinnamon?

Pomegranates and Beets

How to prepare them:
Try sprinkling the seeds on top of hearty fall salads and desserts or sip some pomegranate juice, straight-up. You can also work the juice into a variety of dishes, from dinner entrees or in syrups and jellies.

How to prepare:
For a cozy fall dish, Caplan suggests roasting beets with some fresh garlic and rosemary (also in season) and maybe topping that off with some fresh goat cheese. Beets are also great in salads or soups.

7 Fall Foods

1. Persimmons - a good source of Vitamin C as well as manganese, potassium and (depending on their origin) calcium.
2. Pomegranates - the pulp surrounding the seeds, are high in antioxidants and a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin C.
3. Beets are jam-packed with folate, vitamin C and magnesium.
4. Brussels Sprouts - good source of dietary fiber and folate and high in vitamin C
5. Apple are high in fiber and are a good source of several vitamins, including A and C.
6. Pumpkin Seeds are rich in healthy fats and oils.
7. Pumpkin - are a great source of fiber and vitamin A

Persimmons

How to prepare:
Once you've found persimmons that are truly ripe, try eating them as is or working them into deserts, like pudding or accompanying a fresh, coconut ice-cream. You can also eat them in dried form.

Fall Dish

Papa's Chili

Ingredients

• 2-4 lb. ground chuck
• 4 cans tomato sauce
• 1 medium can tomato paste
• 1 large can tomatoes
• 3-4 Tbs. chili powder
• 1 large onion
• 4 cans chili beans
• 1-2 tsp. hot sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In pan cook meat and onion. Drain grease. Add 1 can tomato sauce and 1 Tbs. chili powder. In large pot add 3 cans tomato sauce, can of tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 Tbs. chili powder and salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat. Add 4 cans chili beans and the meat and onion mixture you cooked in the beginning. You can add more chili powder and hot sauce to your taste. Let simmer on low heat 2-5 hours. The longer it cooks the better it is I think.

Routine Checkup

You don’t miss something until it’s not there any more!



Lower Your Cholesterol

Friday, August 15, 2008

Tips to Lower Your Cholesterol Levels Part IV---With Herbs

As mentioned in the other articles, if you have too much low density lipoprotein LDL known as bad cholesterol, overtime cholesterol can build up in your arterial walls causing blockage and leading to heart attack and stroke. Beside prescription drugs and others, herbs place an important role in helping to lower cholesterol levels.
Today because of high cost and side effects of prescription drugs, many people try to seek help from herbalists for cost effectiveness and results.
Here are some herbs that have proven record in lowering cholesterol levels
1. Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek seeds contain alkaloid, protein high in lysine and L-trytophan that can help to inhibit cholesterol absorption. Study shows that fenugreek seeds help lower LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides but not lower HDL cholesterol levels.

2.Garlic
As we mentioned in "nature of superfood--the best 2 superfoods", we know that garlic contains hugh amounts of oganosulfure. This helps in lowering LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides while raising HDL cholesterol levels.

3.Hawk thorn berry
Hawk thorn berry contains bioflavonoia that help in increasing the blood to the blood muscles, therefore it helps to prevent and reduce blood vessel degeneration. Daily consumptions of hawk thorn berry can enhance circulation and treat valvula insufficiency, irregular pulse and abnormal acid levels in the blood. Study shows that hawk thorn berry bioflavonoia also helps in
lowering LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides while raising HDL cholesterol levels.

4.Alfalfa
Alfalfa contains fiber and chemicals that help to keep the LDL cholesterol away from being deposited in the blood vessels resulting in more harmful cholesterol leaving the body while not affecting HDL cholesterol.

5. Bilberry extract
Bilberry extract contains anthocyanosides that help to strengthen the blood vessels that supply the retina and help to prevent the bleeding of these blood vessels. Bilberry’s anthocyanosides also function in exerting antioxidant effects that inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

6. Ginger
Ginger helps to lower cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure and prevent blood clots in the arterial walls when taken with vitamin E. It also helps to stimulate and revitalize the heart muscle and strengthen the peripheral's circulation.

7.Capsicum Extract
Capsicum extract contains chemicals stimulating properties and create increased blood flow. Study shows that capsicum extract help to reduce high blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels.

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