Sharing Recipes--Waldorf Salad

This salad was first created at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City in the 1890s. The original salad combined apples, celery and mayonnaise. There are many ways to build this tasty salad. I prefer to substitute yogurt for mayonnaise and add oranges. Feel free to add or substitute your favourite fruits.


Ingredients

6 ounces low-fat plain yogurt
1/2 cup orange juice
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 apples
1 large orange
1 rib celery
1/2 cup golden raisins
3 tbsp chopped cashews

Procedure

• Cut apples into 1/2" chunks.
• Peel and separate orange into segments.
• Chop celery.
• In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, orange juice, honey, and cinnamon.
• Add the remaining ingredients.
• Stir to mix.

Makes 6 servings

Spicing It Up With Cinnamon

This hot-weather plant is grown in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Egypt.

Besides using it in cooking, cinnamon is also thought to have health benefits. In traditional Chinese medicine, cinnamon is used for colds, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It is also believed to improve energy, vitality, and circulation.

Recent studies have found that cinnamon may have a beneficial effect on blood sugar. In an American study conducted by Dr. Richard Anderson, sixty people with type 2 diabetes took 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon in pill form daily. These amounts are equivalent to one-quarter of a teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. After 40 days, all three amounts of cinnamon reduced fasting blood glucose by 18% to 29%; triglycerides by 23% to 30%, and total cholesterol by 12% to 26%.

Each morning, I add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to my smoothie. Here are a few other ways to enjoy this tasty spice:

• Stir it into low-fat yogurt and cottage cheese.

• Place a sliced apple and a teaspoon of cinnamon in a plastic bag. Shake well and enjoy.

• Add it to meat loaf or oatmeal.

• Boil a cinnamon stick in water for tea.

Dieting on a Budget

Those of us who are addicted to sugar find it difficult to simply throw out the sugar and do without. The following alternatives to white sugar have fewer calories, a lower glycemic index, and additional nutrients.

Brown Sugar Although the nutritional value is the same, the browner the sugar the more flavour it has and so the less you will need. When you are baking, if you swap white for brown, you will save 15 grams of carbs in every 1/4 cup you use.

Honey Honey is sweeter than sugar, has fewer calories, and contains vitamins and minerals that keep your cells healthy. In particular, darker honey has a higher antioxidant content. Honey also enhances the growth of "good" bacteria in the gut. Many hay fever sufferers report that local honey is very helpful during the pollen season.

Stevia This herb has enormous sweetening power. The liquid form is the most convenient choice for cooking--it measures easily and stores in the fridge. Keep in mind that 1/8 of a teaspoon of liquid stevia is equivalent to 1/2 cup of sugar. It works well in everything from pancakes to puddings.

Splenda The primary ingredient in Splenda is sucralose, a sugar substitute processed from real sugar. Sucralose is calories free, does not affect blood sugar levels, and maintains its sweetness across a broad range of temperatures. Splenda measures cup for cup like sugar in recipes.

Freshening Up

Our kitchens are incubators for all kinds of smells. I am always on the lookout for any quick fixes that will reduce or eliminate these unpleasant odours.

Consider the following tips:

• To remove the odours associated with cabbage, broccoli or fish, set out a small bowl of vinegar on the the counter next to the stove.

• When you are frying, remember that it is very easy for oil to splatter on the stove, counter tops, and floor. Unless the oil and food splatter on these surfaces are wiped clean, the cooking odour will remain strong. Use a rag dipped in degreasing dish detergent to clean all surfaces and then rinse with a damp cloth.

• When a casserole dish bubbles over in the oven, it is important to take immediate action. Sprinkle salt on the burned mess to remove the smoky odour and then clean up when the oven is cool.

• Food splatters in the microwave can be easily eliminated. Combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 cup of water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for two to three minutes. Then wipe off the walls and the turntable.

• A friend suggested the following technique to get rid of the "burned popcorn smell". Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with 4 or 5 cloves, 1/2 chopped lemon, and 2 cups of water. Microwave on high until it boils and let it sit until the water cools. Wipe walls with a paper towel and leave the door open to air out the microwave.

• And, if you have some extra time, consider brewing coffee or baking. The delicious aroma of brewed coffee, apple pie, or banana bread can quickly overcome any unpleasant odours.

Dressed Up Salads

It is very easy to give our salads a boost with the following nutritious and delicious superfoods:

Eggs will give salads an instant boost of protein. Each hard-boiled egg adds 6 grams of the nutrient for less than 30 cents an egg.

Walnuts are a good source of Omega 3. A quarter-cup of chopped nuts contains five grams of protein and two grams of fibre.

Red cabbage is an excellent source of Vitamin C and beta carotene. And, it also offers protection against cancer.

Sunflower seeds are loaded with Vitamin E and also contain thiamin, selenium, and magnesium.

Strawberries add colour and sweetness to any salad. Also, one cup contains 103 mg of Vitamin C.

Lentils add instant fibre to any salad. Three-quarters of a cup contains six grams of fibre and less than one gram of fat.

When Life Happens

Last month, my mother fell and broke her arm--an unfortunate circumstance, especially for someone suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

She has spent the last four weeks in the hospital and is making a very slow recovery. While visiting her, I learned about the Convalescent Care Program (CCP) which is available in the province of Ontario.

What is CCP?

This program provides 24-hour care to people who may be ready to leave the hospital but are not able to return home safely. It will help you recover your strength, endurance and functioning before returning home. It is usually delivered in long-term care homes which have met guidelines for this specialized care. CCP is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, so there is no fee.

You can qualify for the program if...

• You are at least 18 years of age.
• You have a valid Ontario Health Card.
• Your doctor has said your health condition is stable and you do not need to be in the hospital.
• You have needs that cannot be met by the home care program in your community.
  
• You are likely to return to your home within 30 to 45 days.

We are truly blessed to be living in a country where universal health care is available.

Sharing Recipes--Chocolate Chip Muffins

I found this old favourite as I was rummaging through my recipe books. These quick and easy-to-make muffins will delight everyone.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1/3 cup melted butter
1 egg
1 cup chocolate chips

Procedure

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Grease the muffin tins with butter or margarine.
  

• Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

• Add the chocolate chips

• In a separate bowl, combine the egg, milk, and butter.

• Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture.

• Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Makes 12 muffins