Domenica delle Palme
In Italy & America, as well as many other places around the globe, celebrate Palm Sunday (Domenica delle Palme) by the churches handing out palm leaves as a sign of peace. Churchgoers take them home and exchange the palm leaves with friends and family. They may shape the palm in the form of a cross and leave it on their door.
Tomatoes & Hernando Cortez
It is thought that sometime in the mid-1500’s, Spanish conquistador (who conquered the Aztec empire), returned to the Old World from Mexico and brought with him a small, fleshy, yellow sphere-shaped fruit which Italians named the pomo d’oro (golden apple). In the course of the next two hundred years, thanks to the magical Italian soil, cherry-like fruits evolved into larger, lusher, ruby colored tomatoes, much juicier and sweeter than their ancestors. Now the tomato, or pomodoro, is a key ingredient in Italian dishes. They may be served stuffed with rice and beans, sliced and alternated with slices of mozzarella for a nice antipasto, or pureed and seasoned for use as tomato sauce over pasta.
Principles For Living A Good Life
• Keep Family Ties Alive & Positive
• Make Time For Old Friends And For Making New Ones
• Make Love A Part Of Everything You Say And Do In Life
• Keep The Dinnertime Focus On Good Nutrition And Good Relationships
• Take Care Of Your Money, But Remember What True Wealth Is
• Always Put Your Best Foot Forward In All Situations
• Improve Your Communication Skills To Improve Your Relationships
• Reconnect To God To Gain Meaning And Appreciation For Your Life
• Cultivate A Positive Attitude And It Will Change Your Life
• Give And Ask For Forgiveness, It Will Lift A Heavy Weight Off Of You
Essential Equipment
I like the NordicWare Platinum Anniversary Bundt Pan for its nonstick coating, convenient handles and sturdiness. This is a versatile bundt pan and holds up over the years. The cost is about $31.99.
Power Foods
These foods are good for your heart and good for you! These foods will have a major impact on your health. Up your intake of these foods for a positive difference.
Berries: Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. They are all heart healthy berries. If they are out of season purchase them frozen and heat them until they are warm. Spoon them onto oatmeal, crepes and even grilled meats. They are a good source of antioxidants, fiber and phytonutrients.
Chia Seeds: Forget the Chia Pets! They are not only for novelty planters. These tiny seeds are essentially flavorless and don’t require grinding. Make them an easy addition to anything from rice pilaf to lean burger patties. They are a good soarch of antioxidants, fiber, electrolytes, phytonutrients and unsaturated fats.
Broccoli: Broccoli loses nutrients when boiled or left too long in the refrigerator. Try broccoli steamed or roasted until tender. Cook within a few days of purchasing. Broccoli is a good source of antioxidants, fiber, electrolytes and phytonutrients.
Fish: Do yourself a favor and get hooked on wild salmon, herring and rainbow trout. These three great catches are low in contaminants. If you have a picky eater put these fish into your favorite dishes such as tacos. Fish is a good source of antioxidants and unsaturated fats.
Dark Greens: Leafy greens such as kale, collard greens and mustard greens are especially nutritious when they are steamed. Serve them with a bit of vinaigrette dressing or chop them and use them as a quick nutrition booser in dishes such as baked ziti or meat loaf. Dark Greens are a good source of antioxidants, fiber, electrolytes and phytonutrients.
Beans: Beans are so very good for you. You might like to puree a can of black beans and use it in place of eggs and oil. Trust me you won’t notice the swap.
Nuts: For the largest dose of phytonutrients, eat whole nuts that have their skins intact. Almonds and walnuts will fit the bill. If you want to control calories then keep each serving down to 1/3 of a cup. Nuts are a great source of antioxidants, fiber, electrolytes, phytonutrients and unsaturated fats.
Oats: This whole grain lowers bad cholesterol and helps control your appetite. Try the nutty steel cut oats in a pilaf or use oat flour to replace a quarter of the unbleached flour in recipes. Oats are a great source of antioxideants, fiber, electrolytyes and phytonutrients.
Olive Oil: I can’t say enough good things about olive oil. This kitchen staple has a low smoke point. When you’re using it in a hot dish add it at the end of cooking for added benefits. Olive oil is a great source of antioxidants, phytonutrients and unsaturated fats.
Pomegranate Juice: Make sure it is pure and not loaded with sugar. Add this sweet & tart juice to sparking water or blend it with berries and low fat yogurt for a perfect smoothie. Pomegranate juice has three times the antioxidants that red wine has and is a great source of electrolytes and phytonutrients (as well as antioxidants).
Cracking Peppercorns
Cracked Peppercorns give steak a crunchy and flavorful crust. Seal a handful of black peppercorns in a ziplock plastic bag. With a rolling pin, tap the peppercorns until they crack open but are not crushed
