Sweet and Sour Meatballs over Rice

(I used a nice pre-made meatball for this recipe.)

Ingredients:

10 Meatballs
1 Package of Uncle Ben's Whole Grain Brown Rice (Microwave Pack)
1 Sliced Green Pepper
1/2 an Onion - cut into medium strips

Sauce:

1 small can Crushed Pineapple w/ juice
1/2 c. Pineapple Tidbits
1/2 c. Grape Jelly
1/2 c. Ketchup
Dash of Hot Sauce
1/4 c. Soy Sauce
Dash of Nutmeg and Allspice

Directions:

• Mix your sauce and warm over med-low heat.  
• Add the meatballs to the sauce, cover and marinate for 20 minutes.  
• Saute the peppers and onions.
• Microwave the Whole Grain Brown Rice (Per Package Instructions)
  
• Serve by layering the rice with the peppers and onions and top with meatballs and sauce.

Enjoy!

Iodine Deficiency Common among Women - Supplement with Kelp for Optimal Health

The US introduced iodized salt in 1924 to help protect the population from deficiency symptoms.

However, a recent study published in 2008 Environmental Science & Technology Journal, revealed that 47 of 88 samples randomly tested did not meet the US FDA Standard for Iodine content.

Add to that the ever-growing trend of people avoiding salt and we are looking at a resurgence of an iodine deficient American population.  I admit myself that I consistently use Himalayan Pink Salt and Celtic Sea Salt. (Which do not contain any significant amounts of iodine)

Women considering pregnancy should be aware that iodine largely affects nervous system development of a growing infants and women should be aware of/monitor their iodine intake during pregnancy.  This also poses another problem due to the avoidance of seafood items during pregnancy months.  Iodine deficiency has also been shown to be a factor in ADD and ADHD disorders, which may develop during infant growth.

The most widely recognized and understood facet of iodine use within the body is its regulation of thyroid hormones.  This is of particular interest to women, who seem to experience thyroid irregularities far more frequently than men. Iodine is also useful as a bacterial inhibitor, per its use as a topical skin disinfectant, and a purifying agent in water.

Recently I learned that iodine plays quite the role in preventing Fibrocystic Breast Disease.  It appears to normalize the effect of estrogen in breast tissue – which would also lead us to believe that by lowering the effects of estrogen in the breast that it may also play a role in the prevention of breast cancer in general.

In addition, it seems that several experts agree that overall iodine deficiency plays a role in immune system function as well.

While goiter (enlarged thyroid) is the most recognizable symptom of iodine deficiency, there are other warning signs to watch out for concerning hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.  

• Hypothyroidism:  (fatigue, weight gain, lethargy, depression).
• Hyperthyroidism:  (weight loss, rapid heartbeat, changes in appetite).

The utilization of iodine is thwarted by certain foods, including those that contain goitrogenic compounds, like: Cruciferous vegetables (for example: cabbage and broccoli).

Proper Iodine levels may play a role in the prevention and/or treatment of:

• Cognitive impairment
• Fibrocystic breast disease 
• Goiter 
• Hyperthyroidism 
• Hypothyroidism
• Multiple miscarriages
• Breast Cancer
• Diabetes 

 










Sources of dietary iodine include:

• Sea Vegetables (like kelp)
• Most fish/shellfish – However, it is hard to predict the amount of iodine in fish due to its concentration being dependent upon the feeding regimen and cycles
• Milk, Eggs and Yogurt
• Strawberries

I recently started supplementing with Kelp myself to help with my own weight loss efforts and to provide some relief from cyclical tenderness associated with Fibrocystic Breast Disease.

Here are some informative articles from Natural News:

“Iodine May Be the Critical Mineral for Weight Loss, Energy and Beauty” – by Barbara Minton, Natural Health Editor

“Iodine Deficiency and Its Link to Diseases in the Body” – by Mary Laredo, citizen journalist

Always consult your physician, nutritionist, or health care advocate before beginning any supplement regimen.

Canine Epilepsy - Phenobarbital Losing Effectiveness

My Little Baby is having trouble with his seizure control.  It is breaking my heart. He has had Grand Mal Seizures since 2006 and the Phenobarbital Meds have worked for some time.  However, the Pheno is not working well anymore, even after increasing it 300%.  We tried Potassium Bromide and the side effects were too great.  It is so sad and hard to deal with increased seizure activity...it has only been a week in between seizures.  I want to make him all better.  But, I have to say it is breaking my spirit.  I have another appointment with the vet and am armed with a lot of research info on various meds to try.  Wish me luck.  We love our puppy so much...if anyone has any helpful information please share. :)

What Are Your Guilty Pleasures? - Curious Minds Want To Know

Okay - I know, you know, we all KNOW...We all have some guilty pleasures.

What are yours?

Complete the Survey by leaving a comment with a few of YOUR "Secret" Guilty Pleasures!

A Few Of Mine Are:

• Doritos - Totally have to wash my hands many times to get rid of the evidence!
• Soap Operas -I've been taping them for years!
• Celebrity Rags - I leave them on the treadmill.
• Atkins Snack Bars - Love the Chocolate/Caramel Ones
• Big Brother- Total Mindless TV (Don't tell anyone)
• Long Sunday Naps with My Husband - I adore these...they are Amazing!
  

WHAT has happened to Customer Service?

I want great customer service! – Who doesn’t, right?  In today’s economy it seems logical that most companies would agree, however, I have found that NOT to be the case in a handful of recent, frustrating situations.

How many representatives does it take to change a light bulb? 

We’ve all been there.  It seems that phone customer service is perhaps the worst offender…is it "out of sight out of mind”?

After many prompts we finally get to an actual person and we tell them our situation.  Next, we are routed to another Rep and we re-tell the whole situation.  Then, we are re-routed again and WOW, guess what? – We’ve got to recite our situation/issue yet again!

Then, by some weird (or not so weird) freaky thing – we get disconnected.

We bite our lips and call again, enter the numbers requested, listen to some music or ads while we wait, then we are graciously allowed to speak to another representative only to go through being forwarded another 4 or 5 times (all the while reciting our now memorized issue each and every time).

Is it any wonder that we (Valued Customers - I use that term loosely) are completely frustrated by the time we actually speak to a manager?!

Email isn’t much better; I recently became completely annoyed trying to rent a property. (NOT naming names- much to their pleasure, I'm sure)

I have an idea for all those struggling companies out there – FOCUS on customer service.

Here’s another idea…if you have 30 check-out lines…open more than 2!

I suppose that I have been obviously misguided in my notion that “The Customer is ALWAYS right” and that “The Customer ALWAYS Comes First”.   I mean customers are WHY are companies built in the first place.

When I ran my restaurant many years ago, I had this elderly gentleman of about 80 years old that was a regular customer.  

EVERY single time he came in he asked for Oyster Stew as an appetizer.  I never had Oyster Stew on my menu, EVER.  

BUT, you know what? – I had oysters, milk, butter, celery, white pepper, salt, parsley, and paprika.   I must have made him Oyster Stew a hundred times.  I did this sort of thing for customers ALL the time…if you’ve got the ingredients, why not make it?! 

-Customers do come first sometimes and in some places.

I guess if you’re a Big Company it is easier said than done, YET I am only suggesting that they answer the phones and take care of their customers in a timely, suitable manner.

Good Business is NOT Rocket Science!

Salmon Burgers with Asian Slaw and Lemon-Dill Aioli /Tortellini Pasta Salad

I used Pre-made Limited Ingredient Wild Salmon Burgers from Whole Foods.
(Cooked them on the grill)

For the Asian Slaw:

• Mix a bag of pre-cut and washed cabbage.
• Coat and toss the cabbage with Sesame Oil.
• Sprinkle in a tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds (black and natural).
• Add 2 teaspoons of sugar and refrigerate to chill.

Lemon-Dill Aioli:
Mix and Chill the following:

• 1/3 c. Olive Oil Mayo
• 1 Tb. Fresh Lemon Juice
• 2 tsp. Dill
• 1 Clove fresh minced Garlic
• Dash of White Pepper

Tortellini Pasta Salad:

• Cook, rinse, and chill the Tri-Color Tortellini. 
• (I used a frozen bag of pasta- around 16 oz.)
• Coat and toss with about 1/4 c. Olive Oil. 
• (May need a little more, depending on your taste)
• Add 1/4 c. Pre-made Sun Dried-Tomato Pesto Sauce.
• Add 1 small can of drained Sliced Black Olives.
• Add 1 small jar of drained Pimentos.
• Add a Dry Package of Knorr Spring Veggie Mix
• Add 1/2 c. Fresh Shredded Parmesan.
• Mix all above well and chill for a couple of hours.

Enjoy!

I received a Best Blog Award!

 

I received a Best Blog Award!
Special thanks to Lazy Bear Blogs

This is an awesome way to honor our fellow bloggers out there; here are the rules of receiving this award:

1) To accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve discovered and think are great! Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are my top 15 picks:

Heart Law

Small Town Mommy

Dream Town

Wii Mommies

Wahm Café

Health Nut Wannabe Mom

House of Book

Inspiration

Moms Lifestyle

The Angels Weekly

Jennsylvania

Posh Mama

Pink Lemonade

Live Passionately

Taste With The Eyes

I hope you can take the time to check out the above fabulous blogs!
Thanks again to all my fellow bloggers out there!

Organization Project – The Kitchen Pantry

If you have a pantry, awesome! If you don’t, you can still organize those cabinets with the same flair. The kitchen is the “heart” of the home. I believe that organizing your food storage is the first place to start when getting your home into top organizational shape.

Pantry Project Overview

1. Remove all items from the area and Take inventory.
2. Clean the space you have to work with. (Shelves/drawers etc.)
3. Choose your layout.
4. Make a list of organizing supplies needed.
5. Purchase supplies.
6. Gather items for discard or donation.
7. Label your new containers/drawers.
8. Re-stock the area.

Let’s Get Started!

• Remove Items. Take inventory. This is a critical first step. Divide and conquer the products you have on hand by separating them into categories.
• Separate the items by like packaging. (Cans, boxes, etc.)
• Further separate again by food categories. (Grains, Pasta, sauces, etc.)
• Now we can see the approximate items you generally have on hand that will need to be stored. This will help you decide on storage containers and placement within the area you have to work with.

• Clean the space you have to work with.

• Choose your layout.
• Here is where you will work with the space you have allocated.
• Take measurements of the height, width, and depth of the shelving area.
• Visualize the open space and what containers you think will work for your items.
• Take stock of your items again, divided by category and packaging material.
• During the process of organizing your space, you may find that another trip to the store is necessary due to changes made. I suggest purchasing a wide variety and quantity of storage devices beforehand. You can always return the unused items, but you will probably find that any leftover containers can still be put to good use elsewhere in your home.
  

• Make a list of supplies needed.
• Do you need can holders? Drawers? Movable shelving? Bins? Stackable Units? Shelf lining materials?
• Do you have a label machine? – Or would you like to use labels that simply write on?
• Also add storage bags to your list in various sizes.

• Purchase Supplies!
• You can purchase your supplies at any number of outlets. Consider: Wal-Mart, Target, Craft Supply Stores, Container Stores, and stores dedicated to organizational supplies.

• Gather items for discard or donation.
• Go through your sorted categories and check expiration dates.
• Throw out all expired items.
• Also gather any items you know you will never use and if they are still viable products, you may want to donate them at the market or other collection areas in your town.

• Label your new containers, if desired. This works well if you use any bins or drawers that you cannot readily see the contents inside the units. (I love my little label maker and have used it often. Label makers can be purchased at office supply stores.)

• Re-stock the area. This is the fun part. Now you can see the fruits of your labor and enjoy your new organized pantry!

Below are a couple of photos of my own pantry.

Organization is key to feeling de-stressed!