Gotta Eat, Can't Cook

January 3rd, 2014

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Glow Wine: Biting Cold Antidote

Glow wine comes from the German word “gluehwein” (pronounced “glue-vine”). The American term for the same or similar drink is “mulled wine”. But “glow” makes this very simple and fantastically flavorful hot drink sound so much more magical, which is just what you need to warm you right down to your soul when it’s as biting and dark outside as it will be tonight.

Here’s a picture of the ingredients you’ll need – all commonly found. Just click either picture on this page for a complete step-by-step picture book recipe. Stay warm!

Glow wine ingredients

December 30th, 2013

Blog, Fitness/Health

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Coconut Sugar: Great Tasting White Sugar Alternative

I just tried organic coconut sugar for the first time and love its advertised “light caramelized flavor” in coffee. After researching coconut sugar online, I found that even though it contains just about the same calorie count as white sugar, 15-16 calories per teaspoon, coconut sugar, derived from the coconut blossom sap, has the following benefits:

it contains vitamins, minerals (potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron) and amino acids (white sugar has no mineral content)
it has a relatively low Glycemic Index (GI) of 35, which means it takes about twice as long as white sugar (GI of 60-80) for the body to absorb
it is rated as a highly sustainable food (produced mostly in the Philippines and Indonesia)

Despite its benefits, though, coconut sugar is still sugar, which is great in moderation as a flavor enhancer but poor overall as a sound nutritional source.

For more information, check out these links:

wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_sugar
The Healthy Home Economist http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/coconut-sugar-a-healthy-and-sustainable-sweetener/
Livestrong http://www.livestrong.com/article/367337-what-are-the-benefits-of-coconut-sugar/

December 27th, 2013

Blog

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Loving What I Learn From My Kids

My oldest son turned 22 today. To call him a kid now doesn’t seem right, though thankfully he’s got a lot of kid in him that I hope and think will be with him for a long, long time.

I’ve always said I love my kids where they are now and every moment in that now we pass through together. That’s life. And that life has sure had its moments of thrills, tears, laughs, frustrations and smiles punctuated by moments of enlightenment when I’ve learned something from them that has life affecting real meat on the bone. Read more »

December 26th, 2013

Blog, Breakfast, Fruit

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Pineapple, Yogurt, Jam and Dried Fruit

As promised, here’s a quick and easy way to use freshly cut pineapple. All you have to do is add yogurt, jam and dried fruit, and you are good to go.

Here’s what you need. Just click either picture on this page for a complete step-by-step picture book recipe.

December 24th, 2013

Blog, Fruit, How To & Tips

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How to Cut a Fresh Pineapple Quickly and Easily

Fresh pineapple: crisp tropical flavor, symbol of hospitality – perfect for the holidays!

Just click either picture on this page for complete step-by-step picture book directions showing how to check a pineapple for ripeness and cut it as quickly, easily and safely as possible.

Next post: easy to make pineapple, yogurt, jam and dried fruit salad

December 20th, 2013

Blog

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Living Holiday Spirit

I don’t know if it’s just how fast time flies, repetition or over-commercialization, but I find myself referring to this time of year more and more as the “horror-days”.

And then something happens that, even though it’s become part of the routine this time of year, also grabs right through my ribs and breathes a warm, bright spark of Read more »

December 19th, 2013

Blog, Cycling, Fitness/Health

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Chocolate Laced Flu Relief

I know there’s no such medicine labeled “chocolate laced flu relief”. I do know, though, that this year’s version of the flu very effectively faked left and went right around the flu shot I got this fall and totally zapped my drive for physical activity and interest in food. Ow! Read more »

December 18th, 2013

Blog, Mind Food

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Mind Food: Higgs Boson, Reality, and Life

Got nailed by the flu the other day (despite getting a flu shot this fall) and was so out of it yesterday I didn’t even want to think of food to write about or eat. Instead, I did what my son did when he was flu-zonked himself this weekend; I fed my mind – while I was awake – and watched an hourlong YouTube video: Sean Carroll – The Particle at the End of the Universe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwdY7Eqyguo). Read more »

December 16th, 2013

Blog, Breakfast, Cycling

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Cycling: Chocolate Pumped “Star Wars” Ride Fuel

I don’t know how you feel when there’s a big snow storm expected, but for me, my mind flips a switch, my heart rate goes up in eager anticipation, and one of my favorite things to do is to get out on the bike and try to time it just right headed for home just as the snowflakes start flying. I call it a “Star Wars” ride because the flakes I see through my cycling glasses look like stars shooting past by Luke Skywalker’s x-wing fighter cockpit window. No-kidding, as soon as that happens, I can hear John Williams and his whole orchestra in my mind belt out the main title Stars Wars symphony. Talk about a big smile! Read more »

December 13th, 2013

Blog, Breakfast, Cycling

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Cycling: Winter Pre-Ride Holiday Flavored Breakfast with a Kiwi Twist

You bet it’s gonna’ stay darn cold here in the Northeast with a good shot of snow expected this weekend from winter storm Electra. My heart’s already racing about the probability of doing some cross training on cross country skis. But until then, there’s still clear weather to get on the bike to see things like this.

New England Winter Riding Early December 2013