Julie and Julia - The Movie For Cooking Lovers

Julie and Julia is a fabulous movie! Meryl Streep, once again makes us think and feel as though we are watching a real person in action as apposed to an actor portraying a role. Stanley Tuchi is perfectly suited for the role of Mr. Childs, Julia's husband.

I didn't know much about Julia Childs before this film, and by the end of the film a sadness set over me, as I wished they were both alive today. Their spirit as individuals and as a couple is much to be admired, particularly Mr. Child who shows such interest in Julia's dreams as a cook book writer and teacher and supports her every step of the way. Julia's eccentric personality and body language, will have you laughing throughout the movie and wishing you knew her and had her as a friend.

This movie also lets us know that giving up on your dreams should never be an option and that sometimes successes come in the later years.

Deviled Eggs

Here is another one from Isabel De Los Rios, Certified Exercise Specialist, and Author of The Diet Solution.  These deviled eggs can act as a breakfast meal, quick grab and go snack and is full of the much needed but much lacked protein. These are also great for your kids' lunch box or snack box.

Deviled Eggs
Courtesy of Isabel De Los Rios


Ingredients

-6 eggs
-Extra virgin olive oil
-Dijon mustard
-Sea Salt and pepper
-Fresh dill or Paprika or both

Directions

1. Hard boil the eggs
2. Cut each egg in half and place all the yolks into a separate bowl.
3. Add 1-2 tbls of olive oil a 1 tsp of Dijon mustard and mix.
4. Add more olive oil and/or Dijon mustard based on taste.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Mix in 1 tbls of fresh dill (or more if you'd like).

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Baked Chicken Al La Isabel

Isabel De Los Rios, Certified Nutritionist, Certified Exercise Specialist, and
Author of The Diet Solution, sent me some recipes to try. This is an example of some of the wonderful, yet healthy dishes she offers in her diet and nutrition program, showing the world you don't have to eat tasteless meals and snacks to lose weight when on a diet. It's all about eating healthy and enjoying meals at the same time.

This dish is an Italian style roast chicken. I have personally tried each of the recipes myself and have enjoyed cooking and eating them. My family has also enjoyed them, including my 5 year old picky eater.

Baked Chicken A La Isabel
-----Courtesy of Isabel De Los Rios

Ingredients

-1 whole baking chicken
-A combination of your favorite Italian spices (Isabel uses oregano, thyme, parsley, garlic powder, salt and pepper)
-Extra virgin Coconut Oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees
2. Place 1-2 heaping Tbls of coconut oil in a small pan and melt over low heat until it becomes liquid.
3. In a bowl, mix 1-2 tsp of each of the spice.
4. Pour the melted coconut oil into the bowl with the spices and mix well.
5. Let the coconut oil/spice mixture cool down a bit.
6. Using your hands, rub this mixture under the skin of the chicken. Make sure to coat it thoroughly.
7. Place the chicken, breast side down, in a glass baking pan. (This will make sure the breast is juicy)
8. Bake in the oven for 2-3 hours. (This will be determined by the size of your chicken. After the first hour and a half, begin to check it consistently every 10-15 minutes until cooked through)

The beauty of this dish is that it can be made ahead of time and reheated for dinner or lunch and it will still taste delicious and fresh.

Serve with Risoni Salad and your preferred steamed vegetables

To reheat

1.Set oven to 250 F
2.Cook chicken for 20 minutes.

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Homemade Pesto

I love pesto!  It's healthy, quick and easy to make, and adds a wonderful flavor to many dishes.

Once you make pesto at home you may surprisingly find that store bought is no where near as good or as fresh, and it is definitely not as healthy as homemade. Oh, and it's much more cost effective to make this little goody food at home.

Ingredients

-1/3 cup flat leaf parsley (firmly packed)
-1/2 cup firmly packed fresh dill sprigs
-1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped coarsely
-1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
-1/4 cup lemon
-1/4 cup olive oil (preferably virgin and organic)

Directions

Now get a load of how easy and quick this is!

1. Combine all ingredients except the olive oil in a blender
2.  Blend and at the same time gradually add the olive oil until pesto thickens.

Store in an air tight container in the fridge.

Use with chicken, pasta, steamed vegetables, fish, red meat and much more.

Risoni Salad

This Italian pasta salad is light, delicious, and can be used as a light main meal or side dish to accompany chicken, fish, or red meat.  It is also wonderful served over a bed of rocket leaves.

Ingredients

-1 cup risoni (An Italian pasta)
-6 slices of turkey bacon
-1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
-1/4 cup finely chopped basil
-1/4 cup finely chopped parsley (flat leaf)
-2 tbls olive oil
-1 tbls red wine vinegar
-1 tbls pesto ( you can make your own pesto or buy from the market)

Directions

1.  Cook pasta until tender
2. Cook turkey bacon and cut into small pieces
3.  Combine all ingredients and mix well.

This dish is meant to be served at room temperature so there is no need to refrigerate if serving it the same day, provided it is covered and kept at room temperature.

Tandoori Marinade Recipe

Tandoori is a common taste around India and the Middle East and commonly used with chicken and prawn. Using tandoori marinade for a BBQ is especially delicious, as it gives the meat and fish a unique flavor most people can't quite identify.

TANDOORI MARINADE

Ingredients

-2 tsp turmeric powder
-2 tsp sweet paprika
-1 tsp kosher salt / sea salt
-1 tsp black pepper
-1 tsp coriander powder
-1 tbls vegetable oil
-2-3 tbls Greek yogurt (you can use any yogurt you like but Greek yogurt is more healthy offering the value of probiotics. It also has a creamier texture making the marinade richer in taste)
-2 tbls fresh lemon juice
-1-2 drops of red food coloring. This gives the marinade the color of original tandoori style without all the heat that comes with it.

Directions

1. Combine all the ingredients and mix well.
2. Put the marinade in a plastic bag and seal the bag.
3. Mix the meat or fish well into the marinade by moving it around in the bag until each piece is well coated.
4. Refrigerate for 2 or more hours. The longer you marinate the more the flavor.

Accompany with mint dipping sauce.

This recipes is enough for 500g of prawns or chicken.

Salad Dressing with Turmeric Recipe

Ingredients

-1/4 cup red wine vinegar
-1 teaspoon ground turmeric
-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
-2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
-2-3 anchovies
-2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
-2 cloves garlic grated
-Pinch of salt (taste test first before you add the salt. The anchovies are already salty so you may find you don't need to add any more salt)
-1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Heat the vinegar and turmeric over a medium heat for 2-3 minute. Stir continuously and do not let the mixture boil. Heating up the turmeric a little will release it's essence and infuse it into the vinegar.
2. Allow the mixture to cool
3. Combine all other ingredients with the cooled mixture and whisk well.
4. Store tightly and allow to chill until ready for use.

Consider this dressing as a dip for vegetables or pita crisps. It's great for a party or gathering because it is easy and quick to prepare and gives you a chance to feed your guests something healthy that also tastes great. You will definitely be asked for the recipe by your guests, so have a few copies printed out.

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Related Links

Natural Medicine - Health Wonders of Turmeric

Turmeric Beauty Recipes

Turmeric First Aid Natural Remedies

Tulsi To Heal and Refresh

The herb Holy Basil, know in Ayurvedic medicine as Tulsi, offers numerous healing agents through consumption.  It is easy to cook with, usually inexpensive (depending on what part of the world you are living), is delicious to the taste buds, and is usually available world wide.  Wellness With Tulsi.

This natural medicine recipe is suitable for both adults and children, and considered to be just as effective, if not more so, than over the counter medicines.  It is safer to use and has added health benefits.

Tulsi For Cold/Flu

Ingredients

-Tulsi Leaves (Holy Basil)
-Honey

Directions

1.  Pound Tulsi leaves to release their juice.
2. Combine the juice with honey and drink.

Tulsi Refresher

Ingredients

-2 medium cucumbers, diced
-25 to 30  fresh basil leaves
-3 to 4 pinches - dried oregano
-1/2 fresh squeezed lemon juice
-2 to 3 pinches  ground white pepper
-1 to 2 tbls honey
-400 ml chilled water
-1/4 tsp  salt

Directions

1. Put all ingredients in mixer, except water.
2. Run till mixture is smooth and has no lumps.
3. Add water and whisk till smooth and frothy.
4. Pour into individual glasses and serve immediately.

A nice touch to this recipe is to chill the glasses ahead of time.  This is a refreshing drink to have after a workout, a long tiring day, and times of stress.

Turmeric For Beauty - Homemade Beauty Recipes

Turmeric has powerful qualities for healing. The wonders of Turmeric have been used for centuries by women, and is now catching on with men, as they join the fight of ageing gracefully. With store bought beauty aids being so plentiful and so high priced, people are finding other means of taking care of their skin, hair, and teeth, without resulting to over priced products who's price is often based on just the packing alone.

 Turmeric Beauty Recipes

****I suggest you use thin plastic gloves, spatula or brush to apply these remedies.  Turmeric will stain the nails for a couple of days so if you have an outing or special engagement be sure take this under advisement.

Turmeric Face and Body Mask
(Also known as the Indian Bridal Glow)

For glowing skin

Recipe

-1 Cup Gram Flour (AKA garbanzo flour / Besan / Chickpea Flour)

- 3 tbls Turmeric Powder (preferably organic or Indian)

-Almond Oil (enough to make a paste)

-Combine the flour and Turmeric in a bowl and mix.

-Gradually add the almond oil until a paste is formed.

Application

-Apply the paste to the body and let it set for about 15 minutes.

-Begin the exfoliation process by rubbing the dry mixture off with your hands.  This process will also help you get rid of any unwanted peach fuzz hair.

-Wash off with cool water

Turmeric Face Glow

Recipe

-Dry Turmeric Root

- Milk

- Pound the turmeric root with milk to form a fine paste.

Application

-Apply to face and neck and leave for 1/2 and hour.

-Rinse with cool water

For Skin Infections

-Combine Neem leaves and turmeric into a paste and apply.

This also works well for chapped lips so be sure to have a mixture on hand in the winter season or when you're out in the snow.

Turmeric Pre-Bathing Oil

For Radiant Healthy Skin

Recipe

-2 tsp turmeric powder

- Coconut Oil

-Add the turmeric to the coconut oil and shake well.

Application

-Apply oil to skin before taking a bath or shower.

-Let stand on skin for 10 minutes and then have your bath.

- If you use it only once or twice a week then leave it on 10 minutes or longer. With regular use you don't have to leave it for the full 10 minutes.

Turmeric Arms and Legs

Recipe

-2 tsp Turmeric Powder

- Sour Curds

-Gram / Besan Flour

-Mix the above together well.

Application

-Massage into arms and legs as required

-Remove with cold water

-Use Besan Flour instead of soap

Turmeric NO wrinkles

Helps reduce dark circles, fine lines, and crows feet

Recipe

- 2 tsp turmeric powder

-Malai (clotted cream)

-Combine mixture

Application

- Apply to skin around the eyes.

- Leave on for 10 minutes

- Remove with cool water

Turmeric Foot Smoother

Recipe

-Coconut or caster oil (warmed)

- 2 tsp. Turmeric Powder

- Combine ingredients

Application

-Massage oil over entire foot, including heels, toes, in between toes, and top and bottom of foot. Pay attention to the area that is most affected.

-Put on socks (old ones because the turmeric color will stain)

-Leave for 15 minutes and rinse off.  You can increase the time to a longer period of you wish.

Turmeric for pigmentation and acne scars

Recipe

-Pound turmeric root with tender coconut water.

Application

- Apply to required area

-Leave on as long as you can - you can even sleep with it overnight and wash your face normally in the morning.

This will also help to lighten skin discoloration


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The more often you use Turmeric in your beauty regime the more impact it's wonderful qualities will have. I noticed a difference after only 2 applications.  I use it regularly and have benefited from it's glow effect on the skin.

I have traveled both roads of buying the store bought, top of the line beauty aids and reverting to the olden days natural beauty remedies. Personally, the natural remedies worked better and I also found them to have a stronger staying power. I feel good using them and even better that my money is going elsewhere of importance instead of in the pockets of the beauty industry that some might say has been ripping people off for years.

Natural Remedy Cabinet - Turmeric For First Aid

The idea of keeping turmeric in your home and office first aid kit to be used as a natural remedy, is becoming more and more of a popular, as people are catching onto the many wonders of turmeric.

Turmeric is useful in emergency situations to:

• Stops bleeding fast
• Disinfect the wound to prevent infection

For remedies that require you to ingest turmeric you need to cook it first and form it into a paste. Cooking it will remove the bitter taste as well release it's essence into the oil or water.

Internal First Aid Remedy Recipes

Sore Throat

-½ teaspoon of thick turmeric paste and form into a ball. 

-Pop it into the back of your throat and swallow with a glass of water.

You can do this a few times a day and as often as every hour

Creaky or Stiff Joints

-1 cup of Golden Milk every day

Duration: 40 days

Stomach and Digestive Problems:

-1 cup Golden Yogurt a day.

This is also good for intestinal candidiasis because of the probiotics in the yogurt and the anti fungal effects of the turmeric.

Gastritis

-Yogurt, banana and 1 Tbsp. of turmeric paste.

Take daily

External First Aid Remedy Recipes

Eczema chicken pocks, poison oak or ivy, shingles, scabies

-Apply the past directly onto the infected area.

-Cover lightly with gauze or loose cotton clothing. (take care to use old clothing, as turmeric will stain the material)

Sores and Wounds

-Put turmeric paste directly on the wound.

-Cover with gauze and apply pressure to stop bleeding

***Serious wounds require immediate medical attention.

Douche

Helpful in countering odor and yeast infections.

-Plain yogurt (With active acidophilus cultures)

-2-3 tsp. Turmeric

-Water

-Use 8-10 parts water, 1 part yogurt and blend until smooth

Here is the preparation for turmeric paste and golden yogurt.

Turmeric Paste

-3 Tbsp. turmeric

-3 cups water

-Bring turmeric and water to a boil to form a thick paste. About 8-10 minutes.

Once it starts to thicken slightly, you must stir it constantly to prevent scorching. Add a little water if you need to.

Store in a tightly covered glass jar in the fridge.

Golden Yogurt

-------Compliments of Yogi Bhajan

-1/8 tsp. turmeric

-½ cup water

-1 cup milk

-1-2 Tbsp. almond oil (optional)

-Honey to taste

-Boil water and turmeric in small saucepan over medium-high heat for 8 minutes

-Meanwhile, bring the milk and almond oil to boiling point in a separate pan and remove from heat. -Combine the two mixtures and add honey to taste.

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Curried Turmeric Popcorn

Turmeric Popcorn - The Kid Friendly Healthy Snack

Ingredients

-1 teaspoon curry powder
(use mild curry if your serving to children)
-1 tsp turmeric powder
-1/4 cup unsalted butter
-2 pinches sea salt
-3 cups freshly popped corn

Directions

1.Pop the popcorn.

2. Make the curry infused butter.
Melt the butter of a slow to medium heat taking care not to let the butter burn. Add the curry powder, Turmeric, and pinches of sea salt. Stir for no more than 3 minutes then remove from burner.

3. Add curry turmeric mixture to popcorn.

There are two ways to add the curry to the popcorn.

• One way is to drizzle the mixture over the popcorn and stir at the same time to get an even coating

• The second way is to add the mixture a spray bottle, layout the popcorn onto baking trays and spritz the mixture over the popcorn, tip it then into a bowl and mix again. Although this has an extra step, I find it works best with ensuring even coating of the mixture.

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Cinnamon Toothpicks

Cinnamon is commonly used in cooking and baking, has a beautiful taste and odor, and is a common kitchen spice that holds many natural health wonders.  Health and Cinnamon.

Use these cinnamon sticks to help if you are on a diet, trying to quit smoking, or as breath freshners.  And guess what?  They are sugar free!

Of course you can purchase cinnamon sticks from the store but why not make them at home to get the maximum impact of cinnamon health wonders and home made is always a better health option.


Ingredients

-Cinnamon oil (found in drugstores and health food stores)
-Toothpicks (colored ones are also fun)
-Small jar with with a lid

Directions

1.  Add 2 ounces of cinnamon bark oil to the jar.
2.  Add the toothpicks and put the lid on the jar.
It is important to choose a jar with a lid that fits properly in order to keep the oil fresh. Fresh oil is re-usable.
3.  Allow the toothpicks to soak in the jar of oil overnight.  Any longer and they might be too hot for your mouth. 
4.  Remove them from the jar and place on a non-absorbent surface such as a baking tray.
5.  Transfer them to a portable container if you want to keep them in your pocket or purse.  Otherwise store them in a closed container of some sort to keep them clean and fresh.

Related Links

Natural Medicine - Health Wonders of Turmeric