Celebrating the holidays Panamanian style

Making my list and checking it twice. I love the holidays especially Christmas with all of its traditions. I will be celebrating with my family, those that are still here, and those that have gone to heaven, and have left us a legacy to be continued. With that been said here is my list: Empanadas, tamales, carimanolas, arroz con pollo, arroz con gandules, fruit cake, (black cake), eggnog or Ron pope, sorrel punch, ceviche, and much more..... But what can I say, I will gain a few pounds, but it's all about the Holidays!!!!

Desserts

The best tasting coffee

Homemade honey cinnamon nutmeg mask

Yesterday I decide to pamper my self with this cinnamon, honey, nutmeg mask and it was wonderful.

These spices are not just for flavoring your baking, it's also anti-inflammatories and great for soothing skin. Nutmeg and honey act as natural anti-inflammatories {reduces swelling and redness in skin}. They’re also great for soothing acne scars and preventing infection.In addition, the nutmeg and cinnamon also work to exfoliate your skin when you wash this mask off.” Thank you collegefashion.net for this info which is actually where I found this.

Recipe:

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

2 tbsp honey

Direction: mix all ingredients in a bowl, it will form a thick paste, it will be little gridy, apply mask to face and leave on for 30 minutes you will sence a little tingling, remove with warm water. Apply moisturizer immediately. Your face will have a shine and soaft as a baby's bottom.

Food and supplement that help build your brain

Red Wine:

Wine and health is an issue of considerable discussion and research. Wine has a long history of use as an early form of medication, being recommended variously as a safe alternative to drinking water, an antiseptic for treating wounds, a digestive aid, and as a cure for a wide range of ailments including lethargy, diarrhea, and pain from child birth.^[2]

Ancient Egyptian Papyri and Sumerian tablets dating back to 2200 BC detail the medicinal role of wine, making it the world's oldest documented man-made medicine.^[3] Wine continued to play a major role in medicine until the late 19th and early 20th century, when changing opinions and medical research on alcohol and alcoholism cast doubt on the role of wine as part of a healthy lifestyle and diet.

In the late 20th and early 21st century, fueled in part by public interest in reports by the United States news broadcast 60 Minutes on the so-called "French Paradox", the medical establishment began to re-evaluate the role of moderate wine consumption in health. Everything in moderation, women should drink five ounces of red wine per day, which is equivalent of one glass of wine, and for men is two glass of wine per day. Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine and dark chocolate, has long been associated with the prevention of heart disease and other health benefits.For moderate drinkers, medical research indicates moderate wine consumption may lower the mortality rate and risk of heart disease.^{[medical citation needed]} Studies have shown that moderate wine drinking can improve the balance of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) to high-density lipoprotein (HDL "good" cholesterol), which has been theorized as to clean up or remove LDL from blocking arteries.^[27] The main cause of heart attacks and the pain of angina is the lack of oxygen caused by blood clots and atheromatous plaque build up in the arteries. The alcohol in wine has anticoagulant properties that limits blood clotting by making the platelets in the blood less prone to stick together and reducing the levels of fibrin protein that binds them together.^{[28][medical citation needed]}However these anticoagulant properties of wine only stay in the system for a maximum of 24 hours after consumption.^{[medical citation needed]} While having a glass of wine the night before may lower the risk of having a heart attack the next day, there is still the potential of long-term effects of alcohol. These anticoagulant properties can also be amplified adversely by binge drinking, with the individual becoming over-anticoagulated and at increase risk of a stroke or heart

Fish 

Blueberry

Walnuts

Sunflower seeds

Sesame

Pumpkin

Dark green vegetables

Carrots

Orange juice

Green tea

Gingko biloba   

Dark chocolate

Autumn

I love this time of the year, it's warm and full of color. It will put a smile on your face even when you don't feel like it. I enjoy picking up the fallen leaves from the grounds as I walk in the morning, it reminds me of how creative God is and how much he love's us.

Sweet substiturion

Agave syrup:

Derived from the fruit oa a cactus-like plant, this nectar is sweeter than sugar so you may want to use less of it. Choose the least refined brand, the darker the color, the better.

Blackstrmolesses:

This old fashioned is the residue that's left after sugar crystals are removed from beet juice or sugarcane. It contains antioxidants, vitamin, and minerals- including b vitamins, calcium, phosphorus and iron.

Brown Rice Syrup: 

Made by fermenting rice grains, this delicately flavored, Amber-colored sweetness has complex and simple sugars and some of the grain nutrients still intact.

Coconut Palm Sugar: 

This sweetness come from Palm tree blossom that have been reduced down to syrup and then sugar. It has a low glycimic index and high level of micronutrients. It contain much less fructose than cane sugar. It can be subtituded for white sugar in a one- to- one ratio. It's less sweeter than cane sugar but with more of a brown sugar or molasses flavor..

Date Sugar:

Made from pulverized dates, this sweetener offer the consistency of sugar but without being refined.

Xylitol:

A natural compound found in birch threes, corn fiber, and many fruits and vegetables, this sugar alcohol is popular in gums and candies. It's been shown to reduce bacteria and cavities while preventing plaque from adhering to teeth.

Xylitol contains 40% fewer calories than sugar. It has the same sweetness of sugar.

Yacon powder or syrup:

This low glycimic and low calorie sweener is derived from a South American root vegetable. A study of the syrup's effects on obese volunteers with insulin resistance showed that yo an syrup promoted weight loss and suppressed appetite. It can be used in recipe that call for molasses, as it has a similar taste.

Smart suppliments

Smart supplement by Dave Clark

Fyi: Omega 7

" there is still work to be done.( and it is at places like Harvard medical school and the Cleveland clinic), but early research on palmitoleic acid, a polyunsaturated omega-7 essential fatty acid, points toward a host of health benefits from this nutrients.

omega 7 is found most readily in the oils of macadamia nuts, wild salmon, anchovies, and the berries of the sea buckthorn shrub, which grows in mountainous and costal areas in Europe and Asia.

It's healthful effects are thought to include a feeling of fullness that makes it less likely for you to overeat; regulating blood sugar metabolism ( warding off Type 2 diabetes); and a host of skin and cell- related benefits, such as inhibiting bacterial growth.

Diabetes inhibitor: a study at the Harvard Medical School showed that, out of 400 fatty acid tested, omega 7 was the most effective at regulating lipid metabolism, in part because it regulates insulin action. The same researchers studied omega 7 in more than 3,000 patients and found it effective in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Omega 7 is available in tea and supplement form).

Foods that help fight the common cold and more.

These wonderful foods have been part of my pantry for years, they are very healthy and helpful.

These two wonderful treasures are therapeutic to have on hand in your kitchen. Though garlic and ginger are available in supplements and dried powder form, both are more effective, medicinally speaking, in fresh form. Here is looking at these supperstars.

Garlic:

It's great for lot of ailments, including intestinal disorders, flatulence, worms, respiratory infections, skin disease, wombs, and symtoms of aging, recent study of shown that garlic can help improve heart health. Some of the other health benefits is that it can triple treat against infection, offerings antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Dr Andrew Weil, MD recomends eating several cloves of raw garlic at the first onset of symptoms as an effective home remedy for the common cold. To make it more palatable chop garlic fine and mix it into food.

Now lest look at the benefit of Ginger: 

Ginger as been used in these country for centuries ( Asia, China, India, and Areibic herbal traditions). To help aid in detention, stomach upset, diarrhea and nausea, for more than 2000 years. It also helps treat arthritis, colic, motion sickness, morning sickness, painful mentrual periods, and the common cold.

Ginger contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerrols that helps treat some inflammatory conditions, daily ginger use has been found effective for relieving muscle pain following strenuous exercise, and also provide relief from pain and swelling in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or general muscular discomfort.

The Power of Vision

Turkey Burger BLT

This burger is deliciuos, all you need is a turkey burger wether frozen or prepared fresh, tomatoes, lettuce, crispy turkey bacon, mustard and mayonnaise. I got creative and added some pickle onions and few slices of jalapeño. But insted of putting the tomato on the inside I decided to used it as a topping on top of the burger bun. Get creative and do something new with your burger.

Healthy snack

Delicious.....roasted garbanzo coconut beans, I didn't know how it was going to taste but Omg it is deliciuos creamy, crunchy and addicting, I couldn't stop eating it. What a good source of fiber.

Recipe: 

1 15oz can organic garbanzo beans

1 tbsp organic coconut oil + 1 tsp coconut oil for drisling

1 tsp curry powder

1tbsp organic shredded coconut

Direction: 

1-preheat oven at 400

2-drain and rinse garbanzo beans in a strainer, pat dry

3-toss garbanzo beans in a medium size glass bowl, with coconut oil, and curry powder.

4- arrange garbanzo beans on a baking sheet in a single layer.

5-bake for approximately  30 minutes, or until crispy.

6-when done transfer in a serving bowl

7- sprinkle and toss with more curry, shredded coconut and used the second tsp of coconut oil for drizzling.

Some of the health benefits of garlic

-Raw garlic is better than cooked if the person wishes to take advantage of the full medicinal potential of allicin. The reason is that the molecule is very unstable and is easily destroyed by elevating the temperature.  

-For a person with no ailments, 2-4 cloves of garlic are the maximum daily dosage. This can be taken in before the person sleeps and can be taken in with milk or water afterwards.  

-Due to the anticoagulant properties of Allicin, garlic should never be taken before any minor or major surgical procedures are done.  

-How Do You Incorporate Garlic Into Your Daily Diet?

There’s two options:

1. Add the garlic to your meal or add it to a green juice or smoothie.

2. Cut a clove of garlic into small pieces and swallow the small pieces one at a time. (with a meal)

10 Reasons Why You Should Eat Garlic Daily:

1. Garlic Contains a High Amount of Antioxidants – The antioxidants destroy free radicals and reduce overall oxidative stress. Free radicals can damage DNA and cell membranes. High levels of oxidative stress have been associated with many diseases and conditions. Antioxidants are also beneficial for preventing types of cancer.

2. Garlic Lowers Your Cholesterol- A study found that the consumption of garlic reduced cholesterol by 9 to 12 percent. Reductions were noted in LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

3. Garlic is Antibacterial- Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic. It is able to eliminate harmful bacteria but does not kill off healthy bacteria as chemical antibiotics do.

4. Garlic is Anti-fungal- Garlic’s Allicin is also responsible for destroying fungi. Many use garlic as a means of eliminating fungal infections.

5. Garlic Thins the Blood- Garlic consumption has been shown to thin the blood which can aid in preventing heart disease, the formation of blood clots, heart attacks and stroke.

6. Garlic Boosts Your Immune System- Garlic has strong antiviral properties. To many in Russia, garlic was known as “Russian Penicillin” due to its abilities to effectively treat infections. A study found that garlic is effective at preventing and treating the common cold. It found that those who consumed garlic had significantly fewer colds and the length of their cold was shortened compared to those who did not eat garlic.

7. Garlic Lowers Risk of Atherosclerosis: Studies suggest that garlic may prevent blood clots and destroy plaque which contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

8. Garlic Lowers Your Blood Pressure- Garlic has been used in China for many years as blood pressure medication. Additionally, the Japanese government officially recognized garlic as a blood-pressure depressor.

9. Garlic Helps Your Joints- A study found that those who eat high amounts of garlic were less likely to have osteoarthritis.

10.Garlic Prevents Cancer- Increased intake of garlic has been found to be associated with the reduced risk of certain cancers. This includes cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast.

My experience with garlic has been helpful and a good one.  I start the fall and winter season by taken a fresh clove of garlic once a day. Everyday I get up I take one clove of garlic, if the garlic is to big I cut it in half or in quaters and take it a little at a time just like if I was taken vitamins. If I don't have time in the morning to take it, I take it at night before I go to bed. It has help me whith my cholesterol, cold, it strengthens my immune system and I rarely have the flue. Garlic has been a great experience for me especially since I am a diabetic, and my immune system can be low. 

Wellness class

I haved been teaching a wellness class in my home to help diabetics and anyone else that will like to live a healthy life style. Health and wellness start in our kitchen, so learning how to cook and prepare healthy meals is a good thing. The class is to help us understand the overall wellness of our bodies and the importance of it. We Focus on  healthy eating, and balancing our  sprit, mind and emotions, because it all  plays a part in making us feel well. To accomplish this we will share our culinary experience on a monthly basis, and we will also share our experiences in these areas: 

Massage

Exercise

Meditation

Facials

Vitamins

Teas

How to read labels

Appearance

Encouragement 

Spices

Portion control

Glycemic index

Because of my experience, I especially will like to helped type 1 diabetics, since I have experienced this condition for filthy four years of my life  and I have learned how to balance it in every area expressed above. A condition does not have to be deth sentence, but a manageable experience, where we can share and help others to experience the victory in thier lives.

encouragement

Soups

Soups are my favorite I love most of them because it's a meal in it self and it's very healthy. I love soup because it's comforting and it reminds me of my grandmother. I could have  soup everyday and not feel guilty. I can remember when living with my grandmother soup was always served on the table and sometimes we will get a special treat and that was a salad. In those day soup and salad wasn't available like today, so she would serve it to us  before she would serve the main course. If you think about it soup can help in reducing the amount of the entrees you eat and you would be satisfied. It May even help you to loose weight, It will help with your portions sizes. My favorite is chicken soup and I can eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, believe it or not I have had it a lot of time for breakfast and is wonderful.

Encouragement

An encouraging word keeps you strong through out the day.

Encouragement

encouragement for the mind

My mind is renewed by the Spirit of the Living God and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.  My mind is liberated and I am set free from the things in my past.  My past can no longer steal from my future.  I am happy!  I am whole!  I am no longer handicapped by poor self image!  I am created in the image of God!  I now have the Spirit of Christ in me that makes me different than I was before.  I am a new creation and I am forever change.

Encouragement

Start your morning on a good foot, by being positive and smiling at your circumstances :) have a bless day.

Cough remedy in 3 days

Cough remedy in 3 days

1/2 cup fresh lemon-lime juice ( about 5 lemon + 1 lime)

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tbsp grated ginger- micro plane

1/3 cup clover honey

 Squeeze fresh lemon and lime in a cup or bowl, add ginger, cayenne, and honey whisk together and pour in a glass jar, cover and keep in the refrigerator. Take 1 tsp 3 times a day for 3 days cough should subside.

Home remedies

Home remedies for the cold season

The cold and the flue season is here again, so let's prepare our bodies and our immune system to be strengthen  and resist what this season will bring. So let's start early and be ahead of the game.

Encouragement

We start our day with an encouraging word so that we are able to have a positive mental attitude about  everything we may encounter in this day. Whether it be your job, traffic, other negative people, train ride, family, or children. We must remember that this is the day The Lord has made for us to rejoice and be glad in it. Have bless day!!!!

centerpieces

center pieces

center pieces

dry flower centerpieces

cake stands

Cake stands

French Style Green Bean with Sun-Dried and Heirloom Tomatoes Salad

Keeping things simple and easy, but at the same time nutritious.

Here is one of my grandmother's recipe that today may not be so healthy because she prepared as a salad with eggs and mayonnaise. We are talking about green beans in the can whether cut or French style. My version is prepared with French style green beans, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, heirloom tomatoes and a sweet onion vinaigrette, delicious enjoy!!!!!

Encouraging words for the day!!!!

some of my favorite desserts

i find it truly amazing how much our moods can affect our day. I got up this morning a bit slumber, but afeter i said my prayers i felt much better. i began to think about what i was going to prepare for my next wellnes class, so i decided to make two dessert recipe and it was trully amazing and delicious.  the recipes are: chocolate farro rice pudding top with almonds and blueberry and a chocolate mousse parfaits.

Chocolate Farrro rice pudding

Ingredients:

1 tsp Frangelico liqour

1/2 cup organic peaeled farro

1 cup whole milk

2 cups water

1 tsp coconut sugar 

pinch salt

1 whole cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 large egg yolk

Additional ground cinnamon (for garnish)

Directions:

Combine farrow, water, sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low. Cook until most of liquid evaporates and mixture is thick, and farro grains are tender or soaf. stirring frequently, about 30- 40 minutes. in another sauce pan  Whisk egg yolk, milk,vanilla and frangelico simmer until thicking slightly, then add the cooked Farro, mix well.  Return mixture to saucepan continue stirring until mixture is thick (do not boil). Transfer pudding to large glass bowl. Refrigerate until cool. Sprinkle with cinnamon before serving.

this next recipe has some secret ingredients and is absolutely deliciuos!!!!!

Chocolate mousse parfaits

Chocolate Mouse Parfaits

1 1/2 large avocados

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup agave

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tsp ground flaxseed

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup cool-whip (for topping)

1/2 cup raspberries

2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut (topping)

1 tsp shaved chocolate (topping)

directions:

1- Puree avocado, cacao powder agave, and flaxseed in a food processor or nutri-bullett until silky and smooth. refrigerate in a airtight container until ready to use. (up to 3 days).

2- layer some raspberries on the bottom and 1 tbsp mousse at bottom of each parfait glass, layer in the fresh fruit and sprinkle with coconut, layer 1 tsp coolwihp, continue to layer until the glass is filled then layer one raspberry and sprinkle with coconut and chocolate shavings.

3- divide remaining mousse and toppings among glasses.

*these desserts are some of my favorites and very popular among my friends and family. each time a make them they can't belive how delicious they are.

Encouragement

Have a Bless Day!!!!

Spinach stuffed turkey meatballs

sometimes you don't think you can create something out of what you have in your refregirator, but you can. i serch high and low and i realize i had ground turkey, spinach, and string cheese, and i said; walla lets create something delicious to eat and here it is spinach stuffed turkey meatballs. But you might say is just meat balls but no...they are infuse with some Caribbean spices that kicks it up a notch so may tastebuds sing alleluha and the angels rejoice in heaven. 

Word of encouragement

Have a Bless Day!!!!

Mash yuca with red quinoa

Cook yuca like a potato until tender, drain and mash with butter, then add the already cooked quinoa to the yuca and mix well. 

Tip: low on the glycemic index and great for diabetics.

Celebrating and enjoying life

Healthy breakfast

Stuffed plantains and carimanolas

Memories from back home (Panama) remembering my grandmother,  just kick-up a notch. Plantains stuffed with picadillo and open face carimanolas with picadillo, top with dice tomatoes and queso fresco. Very low carb and on the glycimic index. Recommended for diabetic. These recipes I have tried  it for myself because of the condition of diabetes in my life. Ejoy

Picadillo recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon cumin

4 cloves garlic

1 medium white onion (chopped fine)

1 small green pepper (chopped)

1/2 cup beef stock

3/4 cup tomato sauce

2 small potatoes (peeled and diced)

8 to 10 green olives (pitted)

salt and pepper to taste

olive oil for sautéing

Preparation:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper.

2. In a fruing pan, heat the olive oil. Sauté the onions, green pepper, and garlic until soft.

3. Add the ground beef mixture, beef stock, and tomato sauce. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.

4. Add the diced potato. Cover and cook another 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are done.

5. Remove the cover. Add the olives and cook uncovered 15 minutes or until the liquid is fully evaporated, but the meat is still moist.

6. Serve the picadillo warm with rice, farrow, quinoa.or let cool and use as a filling for empanadas and papas rellenas.

FYI - for a healthier serving used farrow or quinoa grain to substitute the rice serving, especially for diabetics.

Carimanolas recipe

Batter

3 pounds yucca
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 tablespoon salt
oil for deep frying

Peel yucca, cut into pieces and cook in water until tender but not overcooked. Puree in a food processor while warm and knead with oil and salt until the batter is soft but firm. Form balls with the yucca, flatten it, add one tablespoon of the filling and close it, giving it an elongated form. Heat the oil and fry the fritters until brown. Remove from oil and drain excess oil by placing them on a paper towel.

FYI: Glycemic index- indicates how quickly food will raise your blood sugar. Anything above filthy is not good for a diabetic. The lower the index # is better for you.

Glycemic index on:

Green plantain:   39

Yuca root:          46

Healthy breakfast

Mangu

 

Dominican Breakfast: Mangu with a side of bacon, scramble eggs and cafe con leche ( coffee and cream.) 

Mangu

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

2 green plantains, peeled

3 cups water

1 tablespoon butter

1 tsp Sazon Goya con Azafran ( with saffron)

4'tsp mojo

4 -6 pieces turkey bacon, baked and crumble.

Directions:

1

To peel plantains, cut off ends then cut in the middle or into thirds if very large. Then make a slice through lengthwise, from cut end, to cut end. Make another slice a quarter of the way around and then peel off that piece. I often make 3 -4 cuts equidistant around then peel them off with the side of the knife. They should just pop off.

2

Boil the plantains with butter and Sazon Goya until tender (like potatoes). Drain and reserve the broth. Mash plantains, adding reserved water broth plus,  bacon fat until they look like mashed potatoes.

3

In meantime while boiling plantains, baked  the bacon and drain on paper towels. crumbled up 4 pieces of bacon if desired. Used other pieces of bacon to served on the side.

4

Transfer mangu to plate and top with mojo. Served with a side of bacon and scramble eggs.

Healthy breakfast

 Cuban breakfast. Steam yuca with garlic mojo sauce, slice tomatoes and some calabasitas with a fried egg. Delicious!!!!! Very healthy and low carb. Low on the glycemic index for us diabetics. Always remember to eat in moderation (portions)

FYI: The glycemic index is a rating system that can help diabetics predict how different foods will affect their blood sugar levels. Cassava has a low glycemic index of 46, which means that it is less likely than some foods to cause a rapid rise in blood glucose levels. If you are diabetic, cassava could be a healthier choice than white potatoes, which have a high glycemic index of 85, according to DietAndFitnessToday.

Healthy Eating

Summer squash stuff with chili and cheese

Take your leftover chili and create a new healthy dish.

One large summer squash cut in half, seed removed, then stuff with your leftover chili and top with your favorite cheese put in a 425 oven and Cooked for about  one hour, or until squash is tender to the touch. Enjoy!!!!

Encouragement