Category: Points of interest

Zucchini Pizza Casserole/Recipe Share

exps2912_FM153592A03_20_2b-1-696x696.jpg

Ingredients
4 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 can (15 ounces) Italian tomato sauce
1 medium green or sweet red pepper, chopped
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Place zucchini in colander; sprinkle with salt. Let stand 10 minutes, then squeeze out moisture.
Combine zucchini with eggs, Parmesan and half of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Press into a greased 13×9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish. Bake 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat, crumbling beef, until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add tomato sauce; spoon over zucchini mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses; add red pepper. Bake until heated through, about 20 minutes longer.
Freeze option: Cool baked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Unwrap casserole; reheat on a lower oven rack until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

Test Kitchen Tips
Italian sausage or ground turkey sub well in this casserole.
Make it vegetarian by skipping the meat and increasing the veggies. Mushrooms or finely chopped cauliflower (or a combination of the two) taste great.
This packs up nicely for weekday lunches.
Nutrition Facts
1 cup: 315 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 855mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
Originally published as Zucchini Pizza Casserole in Country Woman March/April 1990

Continue reading Zucchini Pizza Casserole/Recipe Share

Word of the Day

black and white blur close up dark
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

ap·pa·ri·tion
[ˌapəˈriSH(ə)n]

NOUN
apparitions (plural noun)
a ghost or ghostlike image of a person.
synonyms:
ghost · phantom · specter · spirit · wraith · shadow · presence · vision · hallucination · bodach · Doppelgänger · duppy · spook · phantasm · shade · revenant · visitant · wight · eidolon · manes
the appearance of something remarkable or unexpected, typically an image of this type.
“twentieth-century apparitions of the Virgin”
synonyms:
appearance · manifestation · materialization · emergence · visitation · arrival · advent

ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense ‘the action of appearing’): from Latin apparitio(n-) ‘attendance’, from the verb apparere ( see appear).

Tips to Lower Cholesterol/Information Share

two people holding chips and fried chicken
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by your liver and obtained by eating animal products such as meat, dairy and eggs.

Eating large amounts of saturated fat, trans fat and sugars can raise cholesterol levels.

While “good” HDL cholesterol may be beneficial for your health, high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, particularly when oxidized, have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

That’s because oxidized LDL cholesterol is more likely to stick to the walls of your arteries and form plaques, which clog these blood vessels.

Here are 4 tips to lower cholesterol with your diet and help reduce your risk of heart disease.

1. Eat Foods Rich in Soluble Fiber
Soluble fiber lowers cholesterol by preventing reabsorption of bile in your gut, which leads to the excretion of bile in the feces. Your body pulls cholesterol from the bloodstream to make more bile, therefore reducing levels.

2. Enjoy Lots of Fruits and Vegetables
Eating at least four servings of fruits and vegetables daily can lower LDL cholesterol levels and reduce LDL oxidation, which may reduce your risk of heart disease.

3. Cook with Herbs and Spices
Both fresh and dried herbs and spices can help lower cholesterol levels. They contain antioxidants that prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidation.

4. Avoid Artificial Trans Fats
Artificial trans fats are linked to higher LDL cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart disease. Recently, the US banned their use in restaurants and processed foods, making them easier to avoid.

Avoid ingredients that increase LDL cholesterol, like trans fats and added sugars, to keep cholesterol in healthy ranges.

All evidence & citations are from US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

Sugar Free Nutella Copycat /Recipe Share

The Recipe for Sugar Free Copycat Nutella

This is actually a lot easier than you may think it is.

 

What you will need to make this.

Roasted Hazelnuts Skinned–1 Cup

Canola Oil–1 Teaspoon

Your choice of Sugar Alternative -1 Tablespoon equivalent to sugar Sugar Free Chocolate Chips–1/2 Cup

or

No sugar added Cocoa Powder 1/4 cup

Greek Yogurt–1 Tablespoon

How to make this recipe.

If hazelnuts are not roasted and skinned, do so by roasting them in a 350 oven for 15-18 minutes.

Allow them to cool and then remove the skins

Place your chocolate chips in a microwave safe cup and melt them in the microwave.

I set my microwave on medium high and melt in 20 second increments stirring between increments.

You can melt them over a double boiler if preferred. Don’t forget to stir. In a food processor, process your hazelnuts and oil together for about a minute or until they become somewhat pasty.

Add your yogurt, sugar alternative and the cocoa (if using cocoa) to the food processor and continue to blend.

You will need to stop the processor a few times to scrape the sides to ensure that everything is blending together.

If using chocolate chips, add your melted chocolate chips (if using chocolate chips) and pulse your food processor a few times until blended.

However, if you are using the cocoa method you can skip this step.

Read more at: https://thesugarfreediva.com/sugar-free-copycat-nutella/
Copyright © https://thesugarfreediva.com

10 things that can make you sick/Information Share

short red hair woman blowing her nose
Photo by Public Domain Pictures on Pexels.com
  • Your flu shot fear
    Each time you encounter the intense inflammation that can accompany the flu, you release chemicals that damage blood vessels and may raise the risk of inflammatory-rooted diseases like heart disease later in life.
  • Your unpredictable schedule
    One of our biggest stressors is not finances or marriage but the lack of a regular routine. Even simply eating lunch an hour later than usual can spike levels of the stress hormone cortisol and disrupt your body’s ideal state. Try to eat, sleep, and exercise at the same time every day, 365 days a year.
  • Your fruit and veggie selections
    By the time produce travels from its source to store shelves, it has lost many of its disease-fighting compounds. Buy fresh veggies locally or when in season. If not, stick to frozen, which is prepared at peak ripeness to lock in nutrients.
  • Your gym workout
    Even if you exercise vigorously, spending the rest of your day sitting could affect cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure.
  • Your heels
    You know that stilettos aren’t comfy, but the pain they cause is also a sign of inflammation linked to chronic disease. While Dr. Agus doesn’t say that heels trigger heart attacks, he does believe that sticking to comfortable shoes can protect your body from inflammation’s long-term damage.
  • Your nail biting
    Nail biting is more than just a bad tendency; it can also wreak havoc on your health. In a small Turkish study, 76 percent of nail-biters tested positive for diarrhea- and vomit-causing bacteria like Escherichia coli, compared to just 26.5 percent of non-biters.
  • Your ‘sad desk lunch’
    Your office is a breeding ground for bacteria—and unfortunately, your keyboard is one of the germiest spots. In fact, a 2013 study discovered that in just one day, more than 50 percent of surfaces and employees can become infected with a virus. Eating lunch outside (or at least away from your desk!) can reduce how much bacteria you are exposed to on a daily basis.
  • Your smoking habit
    If the cancer risk alone wasn’t a good enough reason to quit this vice, here’s one more: Smoking can decrease your immune function, making you more likely to catch the flu, cold, or pneumonia.
  • Your unwashed bed sheets
    Bad news: Dust mites love your warm, dark bed as much as you do. While they are relatively harmless by themselves, their droppings and discarded body fragments can trigger asthma and allergic reactions, according to the Daily Mail.
  • Your lack of sleep
    While we should be sleeping for seven to nine hours every night, only half of Americans reach that goal. But skimping on your shut-eye can do more than just decrease your energy levels. Not sleeping enough can also leave you vulnerable to illnesses, because your cells can’t fully recharge while you snooze.
  • https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/10-common-habits-that-are-making-you-sick/ss-BBJ3lEh?ocid=spartandhp#image=10

Recipe Share/Middle Eastern Tabbouleh

https://keto-diet-app4.blogspot.com/2018/06/net-carb55g-middle-eastern-tabbouleh.html

(net carb:5.5g)

Middle Eastern Tabbouleh

Ingredients
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil (120 ml)
¼ cup lemon juice (80 ml)
½ teaspoon salt
2 bunches of fresh parsley, chopped
1⅓ cup Hemp seeds (215 g)
3 medium tomatoes, diced
8 green onions, finely diced
¼ cup chopped fresh mint (24g)
1 small garlic clove, minced

Instructions
Place the olive oil, lemon juice and salt in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
Add remaining ingredients and serve.
6 servings

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving

Calories
226
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20.6g
26%
Saturated Fat 2.8g
14%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 209mg
9%
Total Carbohydrate 7.6g
3%
Dietary Fiber 2.1g
7%
Total Sugars 2.7g

Protein 5.3g

Vitamin D 0mcg
0%
Calcium 36mg
3%
Iron 2mg
14%
Potassium 255mg
5%

Some things you may not have known/Information Share

Car Features, you may not be using or know about…

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/ownership/13-weird-car-features-you-didn’t-know-you-might-have/

 

 

Gas Tank Locator
How many times have you pulled into a gas station in a rental car and been hit by the sudden realization that you have no idea which side the gas tank is on? Guessing wrong is more than annoying—you either have to execute a fancy maneuver or try to pull the hose all the way around to the other side of the car.
Even if you’ve logged many years behind the wheel, driving cars that were yours, borrowed, or rented, as well as (the worst) rented moving trucks, you may be blown away to learn that there’s a tiny arrow next to most gas gauges that shows which side it’s on. The feature has been standard on new cars for almost a decade, according to Country Living

Slide 1 of 13: Gas Tank LocatorHow many times have you pulled into a gas station in a rental car and been hit by the sudden realization that you have no idea which side the gas tank is on? Guessing wrong is more than annoying—you either have to execute a fancy maneuver or try to pull the hose all the way around to the other side of the car. Even if you’ve logged many years behind the wheel, driving cars that were yours, borrowed, or rented, as well as (the worst) rented moving trucks, you may be blown away to learn that there’s a tiny arrow next to most gas gauges that shows which side it’s on. The feature has been standard on new cars for almost a decade, according to Country Living. Find out why all gas caps aren’t on the same side.

Road Condition Indicators
Gas cap location isn’t the only cool thing you’ll find if you keep an eye on the dashboard of a new car. The next time you’re driving in winter, you may notice an odd dashboard light that looks like a road with a snowflake on it.
It’s meant as a warning that the temperature outside is low enough for roads to freeze, according to mycardoeswhat.org, a website created by the National Safety Council and the University of Iowa.

 

Anti-Lock Brakes
You probably know you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), particularly if you ever drove a car without it—Mercedes started selling cars with ABS in 1978, and most other manufacturers got on board in the 1990s. That’s why, if you took driver’s ed in the 1980s or early 1990s, you may have learned to pump the brakes quickly if you needed to stop fast.
If you just stomped on the non-ABS brake suddenly, the car’s wheels would lock up and you could slide without being able to maintain any control. ABS pumps the brakes for you, a lot faster and with the help of sensors that can tell which wheels need to be freed momentarily so they can regain traction. ABS is necessary for stability control, so all cars sold in the United States are now equipped with it.

Slide 3 of 13: Stability ControlDriving on wet or icy roads, you might occasionally see a dash light flash that shows a tiny car skidding around. That’s an indicator that your stability control feature is engaged briefly to keep you on the straight and narrow (literally). All cars sold in the United States since 2011 have been required to have stability control, according to mycardoeswhat.org—sensors can tell if the car is turning too far (getting ready to spin out) or not turning far enough (with a possibility of plowing off the road), and it engages the brakes on one or more wheels to control the turn. If you see a button in your car that lets you turn off stability or traction control, ignore it. The only time you would need to turn the feature off is when you’re trying to get the vehicle unstuck from deep snow, according to mycardoeswhat.org. Plus: Learn the hidden meaning behind these 12 everyday items.

Slide 5 of 13: Computer Driving AssistanceNewer and more high-end cars can now help you with many of aspects of driving. Optional safety features include parking assistance (which will do the parallel parking for you), downhill assist (which automatically keeps your car from accelerating too much as you descend), and sensors that can detect bikes, pedestrians, and other hazards. Some cars will even brake for you if you don’t react in time to avoid a collision (automatic emergency braking). Be sure you’re fully aware of all the features your car offers so you’re not surprised or confused by an unfamiliar indicator light or—even more disconcertingly—by your car stopping or slowing down when you haven’t hit the brakes yourself. In the market for a new car? These are 34 things a car salesman won’t tell you.

Computer Driving Assistance
Newer and more high-end cars can now help you with many of aspects of driving. Optional safety features include parking assistance (which will do the parallel parking for you), downhill assist (which automatically keeps your car from accelerating too much as you descend), and sensors that can detect bikes, pedestrians, and other hazards.

Slide 4 of 13: Anti-Lock BrakesYou probably know you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), particularly if you ever drove a car without it—Mercedes started selling cars with ABS in 1978, and most other manufacturers got on board in the 1990s. That’s why, if you took driver’s ed in the 1980s or early 1990s, you may have learned to pump the brakes quickly if you needed to stop fast. If you just stomped on the non-ABS brake suddenly, the car’s wheels would lock up and you could slide without being able to maintain any control. ABS pumps the brakes for you, a lot faster and with the help of sensors that can tell which wheels need to be freed momentarily so they can regain traction. ABS is necessary for stability control, so all cars sold in the United States are now equipped with it.

 

Storage

Slide 6 of 13: StorageCar companies like to squeeze little extra spaces in wherever they can, and some are super-useful if you know they’re there. Recent Toyota Highlanders have a great shelf in the middle of the dashboard that’s perfectly placed to hold cell phones and sunglasses. The Dodge Journey has a compartment under the passenger seat, as well as two cubbies under the floor behind the front row—they’re removable bins, so if you fill them with sodas and ice or use them to transport dirty shoes, you can pull them out to clean them later. The Land Rover Discovery has a storage area for hiding valuables behind a climate control panel. You won’t believe the 15 weirdest things mechanics have found in cars.
companies like to squeeze little extra spaces in wherever they can, and some are super-useful if you know they’re there. Recent Toyota Highlanders have a great shelf in the middle of the dashboard that’s perfectly placed to hold cell phones and sunglasses.
The Dodge Journey has a compartment under the passenger seat, as well as two cubbies under the floor behind the front row—they’re removable bins, so if you fill them with sodas and ice or use them to transport dirty shoes, you can pull them out to clean them later. The Land Rover Discovery has a storage area for hiding valuables behind a climate control panel.

Hooks

Slide 7 of 13: HooksThe big space in the back of an SUV often feels like a free-for-all—groceries, sports gear, and that bag of old clothes you keep meaning to donate seem to roll around with every turn you make. Did you ever notice little plastic hooks back there, a couple of feet above the floor? Those actually have a purpose—you’re meant to hang shopping bag handles from them so the bag full of eggs doesn’t topple over. Some cars have them behind the front seats as well. Nissan even has one in the front passenger seat that the company calls a curry hook because it can be used to keep your takeout bags upright. Plus, most cars have hooks above the rear doors—you can hang your coat or dry-cleaning up there to avoid wrinkling.
The big space in the back of an SUV often feels like a free-for-all—groceries, sports gear, and that bag of old clothes you keep meaning to donate seem to roll around with every turn you make. Did you ever notice little plastic hooks back there, a couple of feet above the floor? Those actually have a purpose—you’re meant to hang shopping bag handles from them so the bag full of eggs doesn’t topple over. Some cars have them behind the front seats as well. Nissan even has one in the front passenger seat that the company calls a curry hook because it can be used to keep your takeout bags upright. Plus, most cars have hooks above the rear doors—you can hang your coat or dry-cleaning up there to avoid wrinkles.

 

Grab Handle

Slide 8 of 13: Grab HandleAbove each car door, you’ll usually find a handle. You’ve probably always assumed that the purpose of those is to give you something to hold while your brother/grandma/driver’s ed student takes corners a little faster than you prefer. But these handles are actually very useful to someone with limited mobility trying to get in or out of the car, according to cars.com—a wheelchair user or anyone lacking leg strength can hold on for stability while maneuvering into a comfortable position. Did you know you don't need to go to the shop for these 100 DIY car maintenance tasks and repairs?
Above each car door, you’ll usually find a handle. You’ve probably always assumed that the purpose of those is to give you something to hold while your brother/grandma/driver’s ed student takes corners a little faster than you prefer. But these handles are actually very useful to someone with limited mobility trying to get in or out of the car, according to cars.com—a wheelchair user or anyone lacking leg strength can hold on for stability while maneuvering into a comfortable position

Conversation Mirror

Slide 9 of 13: Conversation MirrorLots of mini-vans and some crossover SUVs have a small convex mirror mounted overhead that lets the driver keep an eye on the goings-on in the backseats. It often pulls down from a compartment mounted near the rearview mirror, and it will help you keep tabs on your kids, dogs, and whatever else is along for the ride without having to take your eyes off the road for an extended period. Read about the items you should never leave in your car.
Lots of mini-vans and some crossover SUVs have a small convex mirror mounted overhead that lets the driver keep an eye on the goings-on in the backseats. It often pulls down from a compartment mounted near the rearview mirror, and it will help you keep tabs on your kids, dogs, and whatever else is along for the ride without having to take your eyes off the road for an extended period.

Enhanced Soundproofing

Slide 10 of 13: Enhanced SoundproofingListening to some good music in your car? Modern soundproofing makes it a lot easier to hear all the subtleties of an orchestral piece, as well as the not-so-subtle whining from your kids in the backseat. According to the New York Times, makers are not just adding extra layers of insulation around engine and suspension mounts—some are also adding active noise cancellation, like the type you can get in headphones. The Buick Enclave Avenir SUV uses the company’s QuietTuning technology, which means the doors are triple-sealed, the windows have special glass, and the sound system creates waves that counteract the sound waves coming from the engine and road noise, according to wardsauto.com. You won’t miss it when your kids ask, 'Are we there yet?'
Listening to some good music in your car? Modern soundproofing makes it a lot easier to hear all the subtleties of an orchestral piece, as well as the not-so-subtle whining from your kids in the backseat. According to the New York Times, makers are not just adding extra layers of insulation around engine and suspension mounts—some are also adding active noise cancellation, like the type you can get in headphones. The Buick Enclave Avenir SUV uses the company’s QuietTuning technology, which means the doors are triple-sealed, the windows have special glass, and the sound system creates waves that counteract the sound waves coming from the engine and road noise, according to wardsauto.com.

 

Drowsiness Detector

Slide 11 of 13: Drowsiness DetectorAccording to the New York Times, sleepy drivers caused more than 800 accidents in 2015. Even with enhanced safety measures like stability control and collision sensors, a driver who is dozing off behind the wheel is a hazard. Makers including Audi, Mercedes, and Volvo are solving the problem with detection systems that monitor how well you’re staying in your lane, along with how long you’ve been driving—a coffee cup icon will pop up on your dash if the car thinks it’s time for a break. But manufacturers are also working on sensors that monitor a driver’s heart rate and breathing, and even track your posture and eye movements, so it can warn you well before you’re drifting off to sleep (and off the road). These 5 car additives could possible solve your car problems.
According to the New York Times, sleepy drivers caused more than 800 accidents in 2015. Even with enhanced safety measures like stability control and collision sensors, a driver who is dozing off behind the wheel is a hazard.
Makers including Audi, Mercedes, and Volvo are solving the problem with detection systems that monitor how well you’re staying in your lane, along with how long you’ve been driving—a coffee cup icon will pop up on your dash if the car thinks it’s time for a break.
But manufacturers are also working on sensors that monitor a driver’s heart rate and breathing, and even track your posture and eye movements, so it can warn you well before you’re drifting off to sleep (and off the road).

Adaptive Cruise Control

Slide 12 of 13: Adaptive Cruise ControlIf you want a little taste of what self-driving cars will be like, engage your adaptive cruise control. Unlike old-fashioned cruise control, which lets you lock in a steady speed without having to keep your foot on the gas pedal, new systems use lasers, radar, and/or cameras to adjust your driving speed so it matches the car in front of you, according to Consumer Reports. The publication reports that 75 percent of owners who used adaptive cruise control were satisfied with it. Check out these strategies for outsmarting a car dealer.
If you want a little taste of what self-driving cars will be like, engage your adaptive cruise control. Unlike old-fashioned cruise control, which lets you lock in a steady speed without having to keep your foot on the gas pedal, new systems use lasers, radar, and/or cameras to adjust your driving speed so it matches the car in front of you, according to Consumer Reports. The publication reports that 75 percent of owners who used adaptive cruise control were satisfied with it.

 

Pumpkin and Walnut Squares/Recipe Share

Pumpkin-Walnut-Squares_EXPS_HCA18_32620_B05_19_5b-696x696.jpg

Ingredients

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup cold butter, cubed
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
Sweetened whipped cream, optional
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Mix flour, sugar and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in walnuts. Reserve 1 cup mixture for topping; press remaining mixture onto bottom and halfway up sides of a 13×9-in. baking dish.
In a large bowl, beat remaining ingredients just until smooth. Pour into crust; sprinkle with reserved topping.
Bake until golden brown, 50-55 minutes. Cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold. If desired, dust with confectioners’ sugar. Refrigerate leftovers.
Nutrition Facts
1 square: 221 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 139mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
Originally published as Pumpkin Squares in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2018