NEW RECIPE: I am done with peanut butter right now. Almond butter is a healthier spread and it tastes so much better, but you have to make your own because store bought spreads will never compare to homemade. All nut butters are easy to make and well worth doing. With almond butter, roasting the nuts is key and don’t be afraid to roast them well. Here is a tray I just took out of my toaster oven. Don’t be afraid to roast them really well but keep an eye on them towards the end.
Ovens are all different so roasting might take longer in a larger oven. That’s why I love my toaster oven – it’s a smaller space for the heat to circulate so things brown faster. When the almonds are done, you can tell by the darker color and especially by the fragrant smell. Nutritionally, almonds provide protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
By the way, it’s a noisy process for a few seconds at the beginning so I always step away from the food processor when it starts. And at the end, it will look smooth but there is always some thicker paste on the bottom of the processor bowl. That’s why I stir it up from the bottom and process it a little more to mix it all together.
If you over-process it, it might be too runny. If you under-process it, it might be grainy, but it will always be delicious! 😋
This is me walking. Big hat, long sleeves, shirt buttoned up, collar up, sunglasses, and sunscreen – sunny or overcast, I do this every time I walk. This is how my skincare starts. Here are some things you may not know:
Did you know that there is no such thing as sunblock? Nothing can block the sun from damaging your skin. They used to call it sunblock but then the FDA got involved so now it’s called sunscreen.
But sunscreen does not block the sun’s damage – it only helps decrease the risk of skin cancer and the aging effects of the sun. The risk is still there. So even with a high SPF, you are only reducing the exposure from dangerous UVA/UVB rays, which is why I always cover up when I’m outside. UVA rays age the skin with wrinkles and spots and UVB rays cause sun burn. Both contribute to skin cancer risk.
Here’s a shocker: On overcast or cloudy days, I’ll bet you didn’t know you’re still getting up to 80% of the sun’s damaging rays. Look it up!
One popular sunscreen has this in their description: “Helps decrease the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun if used with other sun protection measures.” No sunscreen can completely prevent damage.
How about this? Time spent sitting near windows or in a car, also has risks. Glass blocks most UVB rays but UVA rays can pass through glass.
Here’s one more: Those harmful UVA/UVB rays also bounce off of concrete & pavement, water, sand, walls, and snow, with snow being especially dangerous. Skiers know that.
I’m not done yet. Did you know that the sun is also damaging to the eyes? Sunglasses are vital. I asked my eye doctor, “What’s the most important thing to do to protect your eyes?” He said, “Wear sunglasses.” Got it! (He also told me I had the retinas of a 40-year old! 👍) My big sunglasses also have protection on the sides so the rays can’t sneak in when I’m not looking. 👀
I’m old enough to remember not just basking in the sun, but actually applying coconut oil to intensify your tan! With a foil reflector!! 🔥 OMG!! Nobody knew – it was the 1950s. We tanned. We burned. Our shoulders peeled like blistered shishito peppers. 🌶
Too much fun in the sun… And you’ll end up “well done.” 🥵 I’ll shut up now, I made my case. Get some sunscreen and slap it on your face! 😎
p.s. Teresa made a valuable comment below. It’s important to get your skin checked regularly by a dermatologist. During my own screening late last year, the doctor said it was rare to see someone my age without skin cancer. Whew! 👍 I still go every year.
I didn’t make any new year’s resolutions because I’m already living them. Well I suppose I could resolve to eat less sweets. I thought about it. I’ll give it some more thought and get back to you. Here’s what I cooked this week:
Lemon blueberry loaf (I found good blueberries in December! 🫐)
Rigatoni and meat sauce with steamed beets
Club sandwiches
Vegetable soup (to go with the sandwiches)
No knead fruit & nut bread
Crispy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
Chicken meatballs with spinach-walnut pesto and broccolini + salad
Bran muffins
Almond butter (recipe coming soon)
Broiled salmon with steamed vegetables
Sesame seed breadsticks
Butterscotch pudding
I thought about it some more, about the sweets, and… I need more time. I’ll get back to you after I finish this batch of macaroons. 🙂
The things I mention here are all second nature to me, It’s just the way that I live and have lived for years. In fact, I had to think hard about what might be different since it’s all so normal to me. Here it is and I hope it’s no too long-winded!
I don’t use teabags. I use organic full leaf green tea and brew one cup at a time as needed in my mini glass teapot. The same goes for black tea – organic, full leaf tea brewed one cup at a time.
I never drink any very hot beverage. Into my biggest mug, I pour my hot brewed tea and add enough cold water to cool it down to luke-warm. It just feels like very hot beverages are not kind to the throat or tongue, and long term, they are also a risk factor for esophageal cancer.
No ice cold drinks either. Room temperature only.
The only beverages I drink at all are tea and water – nothing else. I have no desire for anything else.
I eat very little fruit, maybe a bite or two a day. (but I do eat LOTS of vegetables! 🥦 🥕🫑 🍅 🧅)
I never eat sweets on an empty stomach. It’s always better to include some fat and protein with sweets to slow down the sugar spike (like an apple with a few walnuts) (or a cookie with a glass of milk).
We have no aspirin, tylenol, antacids, cold medication, allergy pills, none of that in our house. If we have any discomfort, we focus on finding the cause, not masking the symptom. If I have pain, I use ice or heat. I sometimes consider getting anti-anxiety medication when I look in my lighted, magnified, makeup mirror, but I finally decided to stop looking so hard. 😳
Skin gets thinner and drier as we age, so I keep water and lip balm everywhere: in the kitchen, bathroom, at my desk, by the sofa, in my purse, and in my car.
I don’t take multi-vitamins. I feel my diet gives me all the nutrients I need.
I peel peppers before eating or cooking. The skins seem hard to digest.
Finger nails also get weaker as we age. They can crack or peel so I use a glass nail file. It’s a lot kinder to the nails than an emery board.
Manicures – pedicures – facials – massages? Not for me. I can’t seem to sit still long enough!
I eat something every 3-4 hours.
It’s my belief that in many cases, you can decide not to be sick. I have had occasions when I feel a cold coming on and I simply decide that, “this is not going to happen!” I make chicken soup, rest for the day, and start making a To Do list for tomorrow. That’s as far as it’s ever gotten. No cold or flu in over 50 years.
I trust what my body tells me. Some things are obvious: When I’m thirsty, it’s telling my I’m dehydrated and should drink some water. When I eat too much, it punishes me by making me lethargic and uncomfortable, to each me a lesson. Listen to your body. It will let you know what you need, and don’t need. Craving an orange? You might need some vitamin C. Craving a steak? You might need some heme iron. Craving something salty? You might be dehydrated – salt is an essential electrolyte. And you body will readily let you know what you don’t need. A perfect example is a hangover. 🤢
I hope these things are helpful without being too preachy… 🙂
For anyone using corn starch in their recipes, I want to share the new way that I measure corn starch… using an empty baking powder tin! I just fill the empty tin with corn starch and measure away. It’s as simple as that. You can also use these tins to measure cocoa powder or spice mixes you make at home. Well, that’s all for today. I’m off to buy popping corn for my Christmas caramel corn. 🍿😋🍿
I can hardly wait to start my Christmas baking! Some people hide Christmas presents – me? I need to hide Christmas cookies from the man who lives here. He’ll never find them because they’re in the garage in the pile of junk he promised to clean up.. in 2009! Here’s what I cooked this week:
Pan-fried turkey meatballs but with with chicken – it’s softer so they’re kind of flat but so tasty!
Yes, I have my own way of making a sandwich. They are always open face with lots of lettuce on top. I use either baby romaine leaves or chunks of iceberg lettuce. I always add fresh vegetables. This time it’s cruciferous radishes, crisp carrots, and important leafy greens. (Thank goodness we don’t have a hungry pet rabbit! 🥬 🥕🐇) Does that not look delicious?? That and a cup of tea makes a fantastic lunch! I’m never too full because it’s not a lot of bread, which is my own whole wheat bread. Salmon is my favorite but I also make tuna, egg salad, and sardine sandwiches this way. Other favorite lunches are: almond butter & banana sandwich, lentil soup, or potato pancakes (when I have time). It’s usually a quick sandwich since there is always lots to do.
I’m on my feet all day so I put on sneakers first thing in the morning. I remember an all-day shopping spree with my older sister when she was wearing sandals and I was in sneakers. At the end of the long day, she was dead on her feet and I could have still gone for hours. Sneakers are a must!
My afternoons are usually spent stocking up on a couple of our “staples” like making tortillas, granola bars, or bread. Other times it’s almond or peanut butter or hard boiled eggs, salad dressing, butter-mix, things like that. (This is NOT all in one day! 🙂 just a sampling) It’s also when I try out new recipes. When everything you eat is made from scratch, its takes effort. To me, it’s worth every effort. This probably seems like a lot of work but to me, it’s a labor of love, a gift I give to myself and my husband, that keeps us healthy.
Oh, I also grocery shop about every third day. It’s mostly “perimeter” shopping because that’s where all the good stuff is: produce, dairy, and meat, while most of the processed foods are in the cereal, snack, bakery and beverage aisles.
I’m not done yet! There is also laundry, washing dishes, and making the bed. I have no housekeeper because I prefer a less hectic household and don’t mind doing my own chores. I also monitor my website and YouTube comments every day, answering some questions when I can. By the way, companies approach me every week asking to place ads on this website or asking me to promote a certain product. It’s a firm no every time.
So there’s a typical, busy afternoon. Doing all this keeps me productive and stimulates my brain every day. I hope some of this might be of interest. I have lots more to share but it’s hard to find the time… and now you know why. 😀
How did we live before freezers? I grew up in Canada and I’m old enough to remember the ice man coming to the house with a giant block of ice for the “ice box.” My immigrant parents were so excited to have that new modern appliance! Today, you can operate your freezer with a phone! Who knows? Some day they might say, “Remember when people actually had freezers?” 😀 These days, the freezer is the star of my kitchen. Here’s what’s in my freezer:
Several kinds of homemade breads, sliced, separated with wax paper, and ready to use.
Homemade chicken stock, frozen in one cup containers.
Toasted nuts ready for baking.
Apple or lemon blueberry bread, sliced and separated with wax paper.
Cookies. Lots of homemade cookies!
Ice cream: One pint usually stays around for about 2-3 months.
Muffins: homemade oatmeal and bran.
Leftovers.
Open packets of yeast.
Shredded Parmesan cheese.
Tortilla chips. I only use them for taco salad so they stay fresher longer when frozen.
Bacon. Wait…WHAT? 😳 WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY? 😳 I said it ➡➡ Bacon! Before you drop your spatula, allow me to elaborate. Three or four times a year, I make club sandwiches as a treat. Club sandwiches are a waste of time without bacon. Here’s how I do it: I buy low sodium bacon, separate all the slices, take a sharp knife and cut away all the big chunks of fat. (there’s not much left but that’s okay) I then place the remaining lean parts onto wax paper and freeze them. When I’m ready to make club sandwiches, that lean bacon is ready for me!
p.s. The last time I made club sandwiches my husband was so happy to get bacon that after dinner, he watched “Dancing With The Stars” with me – the entire TWO-Hour Finale! ❤️❤️ That’s the power of a club sandwich!
Thanksgiving is just days away and there’s a lot you can do in advance… like planning the perfect outfit to wear for dinner. I recommend pairing a colorful holiday blouse with the biggest stretch pants you own! Here’s what I made this week:
Fresh cranberries for Thanksgiving dinner
Chicken soup
Skinless chicken drumsticks with rice and Swiss chard + salad
Custard pudding
Banana bread (for a friend)
Apple bread (for me!)
Spaghetti with simple meat sauce + salad
Oatmeal muffins
Plain chicken jambalaya + salad
Simple white bread with egg to make bread cubes for my Thanksgiving bread stuffing
Penne with chicken & pesto sauce with steamed carrots & zucchini
Taco salad
I’m so looking forward to my Thanksgiving dinner. Everything is from scratch and is out of this world. I’ll be making turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, fresh cranberries, gravy, and pumpkin pie with real whipped cream!!! Tomorrow, I’m roasting turkey wings to make stock for my gravy and stuffing. After all that food, we never feel overly full or lethargic, probably because we’re not having anything involving marshmallows! 😀
NEW RECIPE: I am done with peanut butter right now. Almond butter is a healthier spread and it tastes so much better, but you have to make your own because store bought spreads will never compare to homemade. All nut butters are easy to make and well worth doing. With almond butter, roasting the nuts is key and don’t be afraid to roast them well. Here is a tray I just took out of my toaster oven. Don’t be afraid to roast them really well but keep an eye on them towards the end.
