My Favorite Spring Chicken Recipes

Good Morning Gals!

As I looked out my kitchen window this morning, I noticed that the pussy willow bush that my husband and I planted in the fall is beginning to get white little buds all over it.  I also noticed that there are more bugs roaming around and the weather has been flip-flopping quite a bit lately.  One day its 50 degrees with thunder storms and the next day its in the 30s with light snow; all signs that spring is definitely on its way. 

A Holiday Favorite Gets a Healthy Makeover

Good Morning Ladies! 

Well, here we are half way through December and only 9 days until Christmas.  Hard to believe!  I had the day off from work yesterday, so I was busy kicking the Christmas spirit into high-gear.   I finished decking the halls, mailed out the Christmas cards & began my favorite holiday pastime, baking cookies!  Yum!   I found this recipe online and wanted to share with all of you. 

Guilt-Free Turkey Noodle Soup

Welcome Back!

I hope you all had a terrific Thanksgiving with your loved ones.  I know I did, which is why I didn't get around to posting last week.  My fiance & I hosted the thanksgiving shindig this year & it was extra special since it was our first holiday together.  I made a 17 pound bird which provided us with plenty of leftover turkey for the week plus all of the other naughty side dishes, which got me thinking about healthy eating.  I came across a recipe for chicken noodle soup last night and decided it would work well for all of the left over turkey we need to use up.  I just made a big pot of it for dinner tonight.

A Season of Change: Part II

Welcome Back!

Last Wednesday I introduced the topic of change and my personal story of how I’ve had to cope with change over recent years.  I must admit, the timing of this blog post couldn’t be more appropriate this week, as I am currently dealing with several huge changes in my life.  In order to fully explain, I need to pick up where I left off with my story on Wednesday’s blog post, A Season of Change: Part I.

A Season of Change: Part I

Well, it's official!  Fall is in full swing.  This past weekend, my sweetie and I kicked off the season by exploring a corn maze and picking out some pumpkins for the front porch.  Looking back, it’s good we went on Saturday because on Sunday a storm moved in providing us with the first heavy rainfall of the season. 

I love fall.  It's hands-down my favorite time of year.  I love how the weather suddenly cools off and the leaves begin to change from green to brilliant shades of orange, yellow and red. The drastic weather and visual changes that come with the season mirror life in many ways. 

Striking a Balance Between Hubby & Hobby

I’m a giver, which is great, but, at times, it can also act as my kryptonite.  I absolutely embrace my roll as a caretaker of family and friends, and more recently my fiancé.  I love taking care of others and making them feel loved through my actions and it feels even better when I receive acknowledgement and appreciation for my deeds.  Unfortunately, the problem with this scenario is that, often times, I’m left feeling exhausted, disappointed and even grouchy. 

Pumpkin Prozac?

Here's a little food for thought (pun completely intended): Did you know that pumpkin seeds contain the same essential amino acid as Prozac?  That means, like the prescription drug, a handful of this healthy snack food  can actually lift your spirits.

In a recent Health Magazine article, Nine New Superfoods for Women,  Dr. Jampolis says,  “like chocolate, they’re a good source of the amino acid, tryptophan, which is a mood elevator—nature’s healthy Prozac.”  So, just like dark chocolate, it's considered one of the healthy superfoods, but unlike chocolate, you don't have to worry about the additional calorie intake.  Natural Prozac and a guilt-free snack, now that's a super seed indeed!

In addition to its ability to lift spirits, the article states that "an ounce serves up 150 milligrams of immune system– and bone-strengthening magnesium, about half of your daily requirement."  It's no wonder that pumpkin seeds are considered a superfood. 

If you want to incorporate this happy seed into your diet, here's a few suggestions.  Use pumpkin seeds as toppings for salads, ice cream & muffins or add them into breads,  soups and trail mix.    

So next time you're feeling down, pop some pumpkin seeds.  No prescription required, courtesy of Mother Nature's Pharmacy. 

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It's October 1^st.  Can you believe it?

October happens to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  So, on this Worry-Free Wednesday, I’ve decided to tackle the topic of breast cancer prevention.  In addition, I would like to dedicate today's post to a former UCSC co-worker, Samantha Szemeredi, who lost her battle with breast cancer on June 30, 2008.  She was 41 years old. 

Samantha fought her diagnosis for a couple of years, and while her cancer seemed to be in remission and her health began to improve, the disease came back with a vengeance and very suddenly took her life leaving many of her friends, family and colleagues (like myself) completely stunned.  Sadly, she left behind a husband and teenage son. 

The news of Samantha's death reached me via email two days after her passing (on what happened to be my 30^th birthday – talk about irony).  It hit me like a ton of bricks.  I remember feeling completely shocked and saddened by the devastating news.  How could this be?  I asked myself.  She was so young, strong, ambitious and out-going.  This kind of thing just doesn't happen to someone like Samantha, I thought.  I then quickly came to the realization that cancer does not discriminate.  It was soon thereafter that the worry began to set in.  For the rest of the summer I devoted myself to staying fit by swimming vigorous laps around the pool and reading up on cancer statistics and prevention.  During my research, I learned some interesting facts about breast cancer. 

Did you know that only 5 to 10% of breast cancers are linked to inherited mutations?  Therefore, just because your mom had breast cancer doesn’t necessarily mean that you will.  And the reverse is true as well.  Just because breast cancer doesn’t run in your family doesn’t mean that you are immune to it.  Research has indicated that there are many factors that may increase a person’s chance of developing breast cancer.  Some of the possible at-risk categories include: being a woman (although men can get breast cancer, women are at higher risk), getting older, never having children or having your first child after age 35, weight gain, radiation exposure, high bone density, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), use of alcohol and race (Caucasian women are at slightly higher risk).  So now you are probably thinking: Well, thanks Katherine for making me worry, but what do you want me to do with this information?  Well, rest assure, there is some good news.

With early detection, the odds of beating the disease are in your favor.  So instead of worrying about it, let's do something about it.  Educate yourself and take the proper measures to prevent the disease and learn from survivors like my acquaintance, Jamie Inman, CEO & Founder of the Stay in the Pink organization and two-time breast cancer survivor.  She is truly an inspiration.  Her motto:  I am alive. . . and I have cleavage!

In her article, Should We Be Doing Breast Self-Examinations?, Jamie reinforces the importance of performing monthly self-exams.  She states that although researchers may claim that there is no proven correlation between self-exams and a drop in the breast cancer mortality rate, “70 percent of all breast cancers are self- or spouse-detected, AND since mammograms miss 20 percent of tumors, my position is to equip women to do their exams with more skill and confidence so they don’t have to rely solely on mammogram and experts…” She also mentions how “studies show that only 14% of women perform a monthly breast self-exam.”  Now, can you imagine how many lives might be spared if 100% of us gals performed monthly self-exams?  Just a little food for thought.  

Breast cancer is a treatable and curable disease, but early detection is key.   It is imperative that women not only perform monthly self-exams, but also schedule regular check-ups with their physicians and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  So instead of worrying about an uncertain future and potential tango with the breast beast, let’s do something about it.  

 When was the last time you had an exam or mammogram?  Perhaps it’s time to schedule your appointment today.  I just scheduled my next doctor’s appointment.  October 26^th, to be exact.  

So what are you waiting for?  There's no time like the present!

 

In Memory of  Samantha Szemeredi