Go Green – Dr Oz has!

Go Green

I drink green tea three times a day. It’s packed with heart-boosting and cancer-stopping polyphenols that black tea doesn’t offer. (These beneficial chemicals are lost when it’s fermented.) Green tea also delivers a boost of alertness, but from a smaller dose of caffeine than black tea. Green tea can even fight dandruff, although only if you pour it directly onto your scalp. (It’s probably a good idea to let it cool down first.)

MatchaGT is a great way to start your exercise routine!

Read more: Dr_Oz_Tip_14

You should always check with your health care provider before beginning a new health program.

 

Getting more from our exercise programs is always a bonus.

What if a cup of Matcha could help reduce your tummy fat?

Green tea plus exercise speeds the loss of tummy fat – LA Times January 20, 2009 Per the Journal of Nutrition

“Consumption Enhances Exercise-Induced Abdominal Fat Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults”

The study showed that adults who participated and maintained a set caloric intake plus 180 minutes a week of exercise (lets hear it for those 10,000 steps a day) showed greater decline in abdominal fat.

Take a moment and blend or shake yourself up some MatchaGT! Increase the power of Matcha by adding additional boots such as MultiVitamin, Energy, and Women’s Blend. With germ season about to open with the start of school how about some Immune Support!
So try this one on instead:

MatchaGT

Matcha GT Energy Shot 4 oz

4 oz milk (soy, vanilla soy, 2% etc,)

1 scoop Matcha GT

4 oz ice

Shake in bar shaker

MatchaGT Latte

Matcha GT Latte 12 oz                                                                    

2 oz milk

2 scoops of Matcha GT & stir

Steamed milk to top of cup

Break a Sweat

Sweat Till You’re Wet

If you can work up a sweat for just 1 hour a week, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits: reduced risk of heart attack, better mood, and lower blood pressure. I like interval training on the elliptical, with 15 pullups and 15 dips every 10 minutes. Your muscles will become more efficient, so you’ll have more stamina for more enjoyable activities that also work up a sweat.

Men’s Health tip:

Read more: Dr Oz Tip 17

Inspired by Dr. Oz and his article in Men’s Health.  I wanted to know what the difference was between breaking a sweat and not breaking a sweat when it comes to exercise.  It seems like there are millions sites and a million ways to exercise and not break a sweat but really how healthy are we being by not breaking a sweat?I went to University of Michigan’s website and reviewed Dr Zernicke’s article “Breaking a sweat good for strengths throwing bones”.

“Physical activity,
exercise and sport all provide a variety of benefits to our heart, lungs and other vital organs.  Researchers at the University of Michigan have confirmed that exercise is just as important for a healthy skeletal system.

Dr. Ronald Zernicke director of the University of Michigan bone and joint injury prevention and rehabilitation Center concluded that exercise –  specifically weight-bearing activities such as running gymnastics basketball and dancing – are effective in building and enhancing overall bone health.”

He also noted that physically demanding continuous exercise regimes are not necessarily the best activities to build and enhance bone health. Dr Zernicke says rest periods within exercise plans can help stimulate bone growth as much if not more than the activities executed without rest.

“Physical activity is absolutely beneficial for overall bone health.”

Dr Zernicke recommends

Participate in weight-bearing activities such as dancing jumping in running these activities will be more effective for bone health than non-weight-bearing activities like swimming and cycling.

Encourage adolescents to exercise because they have a window of opportunity to have enhanced bone mass and strength that will carry on for the rest of our lives.  Activities they can influence good good health in adolescence include aerobics football and jumping activities.

Incorporate rest periods into an exercise plan instead of continuous physical activity, break up exercises into multiple sessions so your body can rest. Periods of rest will help your bones program themselves for strength building and improvement.

Exercise no matter what your age – activities for older populations such as walking can be effective in enhancing bone health,  especially in older man and postmenopausal women.

Don’t think that inactivity protects your bones –  not providing the body with exercise and physical activity can actually cause bones to become weak and brittle.  For older populations, a brisk walk can strengthen bones and benefit the body beyond simply bone building.

Consult a physician before starting any exercise program.

Thanks Dr Zernicke and the University of Michigan for letting us know we need to take breaks, that rest is important, that we need weight-bearing activities to maintain healthy bones.

So do you need to break a sweat or can we have the beautiful body without one?

The answers is probably you can probably have some of both but the real truth this is that as much as you can have a beautiful body without breaking a sweat you can’t have beautiful bones with out the weight bearing exercises.

Stress Relief through Piggy Banks

How can we relieve stress through our piggy banks?

How can you do that considering the economy?

I was inspired by Dr. Oz article in Men’s Health Magazine.

Stress relief through financial security makes sense; there is nothing as stressful as not knowing what the future’s going to hold and wondering if you can financially afford to have a future is very stressful.

There are many ways that we can make changes to change our future; the first most obvious one is stop super sizing.  In America we have a super size mentality; we go through the drive through – small medium large extra large. How would you like your order and no matter where we’re going there’s always a question – small medium large or extra large and when it comes to clothing those sizes can go even larger.  We are a consumer nation; all around us costly and constant bombarding is always there.

It’s time for change; small change first; stop super sizing do you need the $80,000 car or will the nice $24,000 economy vehicle with amazing gas mileage do you just as well?  Do you need that large mocha frapuccino or could you go smaller or order a coffee and place that extra change into your piggy bank? Can you order a small instead of a large or super size and place the difference into your savings?

Credit cards – did you know if you use over 30% of your credit per card if it actually maybe harming your credit score? This little industry detail (that no one knows of) has created this monster of poverty that we see. It’s time to take a step back; it’s time to use our money wisely. Remember that it’s a voting tool and to put some of it away to ensure that stress is lower in coming years.

So – stress relief through piggy banks – I think the answer is actually fairly simple take your check and take 10-20% put it aside in something that earns some interest; stocks, bonds, real estate and let it be the beginning of your stress free piggy bank.  We often say that $20 isn’t enough to make a change.  I disagree $20 every 2 weeks into a savings account that then eventually moves into an investment account is the beginning it doesn’t have to be $1 million or even $1000 you’re $20 savings added to the next savings added to the next can be amazing I remember, when I was small, there was always this math problem and it was really hard to get my head around it.

Which is more being given $1 million or one penny the first day, double that penny the next day than doubled the previous days pennies and so on for a month?

It certainly looks as if $1 million is more than all those pennies added up because each penny is worth so little.

How could even a whole LOT of pennies be anywhere near $1 million?

If we think about this problem carefully, we will find there’s a surprising answer.  I’ve looked at this problem my entire life; it’s hard to visualize.

The first day you get one penny, day 2 you get to two pennies (thusyou have three pennies now) and the 3rd day you get four pennies, by day 5 you have 16 pennies added to the savings which adds to 31 cents.  By day 30 the total number of Pennies is 1,073,741,823 pennies!  yes that’s over a billion pennies!  If we divide that number by 100 because there’s 100 pennies in the dollar that’s almost $11 million!  $10,737,418.23 to be exact.

So take that $20 and put it in your saving; no now in 30 days it won’t be almost $11 million unless you follow the formula but it’s a start and everyone has to start somewhere.  Every little penny counts and when they’re all added up in the end – you have financial security.

Thanks for reading Stress Relief through Piggy Banks; have a wonderful week.

Numbers Count

Know Your Numbers, Then Aim Lower

Take the part of your brain dedicated to your steak house’s phone number and reassign it to your heart’s vital signs. These include blood pressure (which ideally should be below 115 over 75), LDL cholesterol (under 100), resting heart rate (under 70), and fasting blood sugar (under 100). If your numbers aren’t ideal, change your diet until they improve.

Men’s Health tip: It doesn’t take drastic changes: Check out how real guys have lost 2 million pounds on the Belly Off! diet. Read more: Dr Oz Tip 18

There are many ways to lower ones numbers but before you begin you have to know your numbers. Schedule a check up with your doctor and learn what your numbers mean to you life and your health. Real Manly Reasons To See your Doctor ~ WebMD What to Expect

3 Quick Healthy Steps

1. Walk

2. Oatmeal boosted with almonds and flaxseed

3. Go Green!

Three little changes that can not only improve one’s health but prolong one’s life.

1. – WALK – walk – walk

From blood pressure to heart rate to cholesterol to sugar levels all benefit from a nice walk. Daily of course is best but even every other day has benefits. Add in a step counter (often less than $5) and goal for 10,000 steps. Start slow and gain over time. As health and stamina improve change things up with a walk up and down a set of stairs. Add in just three steps or four – the changes don’t need to be huge. Then when you are ready add small hand weights. And remember GO SLOW! Really the reason Tai Chi works is because it’s slow – extreme control.

2. Oatmeal

The number one super food for all of these is Oatmeal. Yes oatmeal. Your Mom’s daily servings as a kid gave you the foundation for a healthy heart. Now with the options available your oatmeal doesn’t have to be the same old thing. Oats are rich in beta-glucan, a soluble fiber. By adding in almonds and flax seed your oatmeal works harder. Almonds contain two powerful antioxidants – vitamin E and flavonoids – which prevent the oxidation of LDL. Flaxseeds contain lignan and soluble fiber, which block the production of LDL and increase your body’s ability to get rid of cholesterol.

3. Go GREEN

Greens – Low levels of magnesium in the body are associated with vasoconstriction—tightening of the arteries—making a smaller passageway for blood to flow and, subsequently, increasing blood pressure. Leafy greens, whole grains, a wide assortment of beans and halibut are great sources of magnesium.

Spinach Salad with Fresh Fish – Halibut or Salmon is a good way to GREEN one’s table!

Spinach My Green of Choice

SPINACH! – Why SPINACH?

It’s an easy salad to add to ones diet.  It’s rich deep green leaves are packed with (via http://www.spinachwords.com/) vitamins and minerals – a very complete list can be found on Spinach Words.

Topped with a nice Omega3 rich fish spinach becomes a healthy powerhouse.

Introspectively a close look at the various ailments will show that exercise, a fiber rich diet that includes both grains and greens and consistent water intake are the keys to moving fat and cholesterol through the body.

These few changes will also assist in preventing strokes, intestinal ailments, heart disease in both men and women, diabetes and in some cases help control diabetes, assist with hypoglycemia, and much more. 

Three little changes that can not only improve one’s health but prolong one’s life.

An Active Romance Life is Heart Healthy!

Sex is Healthy and doctors have been saying so for years.

This isn’t about movie sex or the pretends we are inundated with on a daily basis. As a culture there is a multitude of stigmas surrounding sex and sexuality.  The fact is as much as sex sells; it also heals.

• Sex Relieves Stress – increasing levels of oxytocin and stimulating relaxation
• Sex Boosts Immunity – linked with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A or IgA, which can protect you from getting colds and other infections
• Sex Burns Calories – burn about 200 calories in 30 minutes of sex
• Sex Improves Cardiovascular Health – may help lower cholesterol and the risk of heart attack
• Sex Boosts Self-Esteem – increases the youth-promoting hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrostone)
• Sex Improves Intimacy – oxytocin at orgasm stimulates feelings of affection, intimacy, and closeness
• Sex Reduces Pain – thanks to the endorphins and corticosteroids released during sexual arousal and orgasm
• Sex Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk – sex appears to decrease a man’s risk of prostate cancer, and the prevention of endometriosis in women
• Sex Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscle – increased muscle use means less later life incontinence
• Sex Helps You Sleep Better – oxytocin released during orgasm also promotes sleep

And that’s just the beginning.

Queens University in Belfast tracked the mortality of about 1,000 middle-aged men over the course of a decade. The study was designed to compare persons of comparable circumstances, age and health. Its findings, published in 1997 in the British Medical Journal, were that men who reported the highest frequency of orgasm enjoyed a death rate half that of the slackers.

Have as Much Sex as Possible

If a 50-something man could have sex 700 times a year, the exercise and stress reduction would make him look and feel years younger.  I wouldn’t recommend quitting your day job in order to hit that number—but what’s the harm in trying? The next time your loved one says she has a headache, tell her she’s literally killing you. It works for me.

Men’s Health tip: Use this fun schedule to have sex eight times this week.

Read more: Dr Oz Tip 17

 

 

Sexual Healing Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1/2 ripe banana, sliced
• 1/2 cup blueberry low-fat yogurt
• 1/4 cup ice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 scoop libido blend by smoothie essentials
• 1 scoop trim and fit blend by smoothie essentials

• 2 tablespoons pecans, toasted, plus more for garnish
• Dash freshly grated nutmeg, plus more for garnish

Preparation

1. Purée all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass, and garnish with toasted pecans and grated nutmeg; serve.

Lift that weight – don’t carry it!

It may sound silly but weight training does in deed build mental focus and thus strengthen your mind as well as your muscles.  Bicep curls and leg lifts are easy and can be done even sitting; squats are a bit more challenging,  All are considered strength training and have been shown to  decrease insulin resistance, decrease resting blood pressure, reduce arthritis pain, even improve memory.

Start with stretching!

Even those confined to a chair can stretch.  Reach for the ceiling and reach for the floor.  Reach while hugging yourself!  Reach for that refridge door!  Don’t forget to do each side equally.  Hold a can of beans in each hand while you do it and add just a touch of extra weight without over doing it.  Have a rubber band well give it some tugs – about 12 will do.  Pull out slowly and gently as far as feels good then back in again slow and gentle.

Remember – SLOW and GENTLE!!

Fast is great for the heart but sprains don’t always heal well.  Slowing down and doing less but with greater focus improves your strength and your focus affecting both your muscles and your brain.

Have you considered TAI CHI?

Tai chi is sometimes referred to as “moving meditation”—practitioners move their bodies slowly, gently, and with awareness, while breathing deeply. The slow movement and self control moves one gently while building strength with no accessories but the natural resistance of gravity and self.

Per Dr Oz

Add Some Weights

Just 30 minutes twice a week spent lifting weights can build significant muscle mass. What’s more, working all that muscle burns tons of calories, making it a great way to lose your gut, too. Don’t have weights? Try lifting yourself: Pullups are the most valuable muscle-building exercises I do. Oprah’s trainer, Bob Greene, pointed out to me that pullups work the back, pecs, arms, and belly all at once. And since you’re lifting yourself, you’ll think twice before eating that doughnut, because you’ll just have to lift it later.

Read more: Dr_Oz_Tip_19

Rehydration Smoothie

from O Magazine

serves 1

1 cup watermelon chunks, frozen*

1/2 cup coconut water

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, from 1/2 lime

4 to 5 mint leaves

4 ice cubes

Combine ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Serve immediately.

*A little hint about freezing melon chunks. Chunk the melon fairly small, into about 1/2-inch cubes. Also, freeze the cubes flat, in a single layer.

Variations: Mango, honeydew, strawberries, blueberries, even a bit of frappe mix or matchagt!

Go “Nuts” with Your Diet

NUTS!!

Many people have a resistance to nuts.  The “FAT” they cry.  Yet the “FAT” in nuts is healthy in the right quantities.  Packed full of protein nuts can chase away the afternoon blahs.

No Peanut Butter Cups do not count as healthy nut fats even in dark chocolate!!!

Per Dr Oz

Nuts are among the best sources of healthful fats and protein around. I keep a bag of walnuts in my fridge and use their massive dose of omega-3 fatty acids to boost my brainpower while I see patients. Half of a handful eaten about 30 minutes before a meal will temper your appetite and help you avoid the drive-thru.

Read more: Dr_Oz_Tip_20

What can NUTS do?

Almonds help balance sugars

Cashews help balance minerals

Macadamia Nuts help balance fluids

Peanuts help balance blood sugar

Pistachios are rich in potassium (helps regulate the body’s fluid balance), phosphorus (helps build bones and teeth) and magnesium (important element in the conversion of the body’s energy), and are also a good source of vitamin B6 (aids protein metabolism and absorption) and thiamine (enhances energy and promotes normal appetite). The nuts deliver 30 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, so they pack a considerable wallop from a nutritional standpoint.

Walnuts – Omega-3 Dense – Immune Booster – Decreases Cholesterol Levels – Supports Healthy Sleep

So try this one on instead:

NUTS on the PLAYA

Every year I go out to the desert with 50,000 other crazy people and spend 10 days celebrating art and life.  No electricity, no water, no showers, no refrigeration.

Nuts are our friends.  Despite the heat and dust a few personalized packages of nuts and trail mix bring us through our week in good health.  Ok so not everyone comes through is good health but those of who choose to – we do. 

Balancing our fluids, providing protein, keeping our sugars in check, providing necessary minerals that equate to electrolytes – nuts are the perfect food for many of us.

From Madcap Cupcake

Marathon Seed & Nut Energy Bars

1 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened coarsely shredded coconut
1/3 cup Thompson raisins
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup raw almonds or pistachios, coarsely chopped
2 tbsp flax seeds
1/4 cup brown rice syrup
3/4 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325F.

Lightly toast sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, coconut and nuts in the oven for ten minutes. Make sure the coconut is in its own pan and stir it after 5 minutes – check often as it will toast faster than everything else. You may need to remove the coconut earlier to prevent it from burning.

Remove toasted nuts, seeds and coconut from oven and transfer to a large bowl. Add flax seeds, raisins and cinnamon, and stir everything together.

If you like, you can warm the brown rice syrup for ten seconds in the microwave so that it pours more easily. You can also spray your measuring cup with a spritz of vegetable oil before measuring so that the syrup slides out more readily. Add the brown rice syrup to the bowl with one hand while mixing ingredients with the other. Stir until well combined.

Line a jelly roll pan or rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper and transfer seed and nut mixture to pan. Use a silicone spatula (which won’t stick) to spread the mixture out evenly and press it flat. The mixture should be less than 3/8″ thick, or about 1cm. Try to get it as flat as possible without crushing it. The above ingredients fit rim to rim in a 13.5 x 10-inch pan, but you could definitely use a larger pan and just have extra space left over.

Return pan to oven and bake for ten minutes (check at 8 minutes and monitor frequently – remove if seeds start to brown).

Place pan on rack to cool completely. Break into pieces or cut into squares.

Eat. Enjoy. Run a marathon.

Salsa to Swing – Your Brain on Dance

Hit the Dance Floor

Per Dr Oz

Crosswords and card games aren’t the only way to keep your brain razor sharp. It turns out that any kind of dancing with complex moves is stimulating enough to give your neurons a workout. Even the simplest moves provide some physical exercise. So don’t be such a wallflower on your next night out. As a bonus, dancing may help you with tip No. 17.

Read more: Dr_Oz_Tip_22

Salsa, Swing and even Ballroom

• Square dancing
• Swing (traditional or West Coast, which is more technical)
• Line dancing, which can be done to country, rock, pop, or salsa music
• Folk dancing, which can reconnect you to your ethnic roots or introduce you to a whole new culture
• Ballroom
• Belly dancing
• Salsa
• Flamenco
• Jazz
• Tap
• Modern
• Clogging (double-time stomping and tap steps)
• Contra (square dance moves in lines with men and women switching places)

Dance your brain into gear!!

Why wait?  Don’t wait for that special occasion or the Saturday dance group – dance down the street!  Practice steps as you walk!  Grab a business mate and twirl into the break room.  The laughter and smiles that accompany dance bring warmth and light to your heart and your day.  It’s easy to improve any day with a few twirls and giggles.

Dancing can be magical and transforming.

It can breathe new life into a tired soul;
make a spirit soar;
unleash locked-away creativity;
unite generations and cultures;
inspire new romances or rekindle old ones;
trigger long-forgotten memories;
and turn sadness into joy, if only during the dance.

AARP

Dancing is an exercise for mind and body.

• It strengthens bones
• Increases heart rate
• Adds Laughter
• Creates Smiles
• Increases Stamina and Flexibility
• Improves Balance
• Introduces New Friends
• Fuels Passion

 

From Cooking Light

Banana Cream Pie Smoothie

A higher-fiber alternative to plain milk, this smoothie doubles as a smart breakfast or a milk shake-like treat. One serving of the smoothie contains 315 milligrams of calcium, roughly the same amount as a glass of milk. Freeze and store extra bananas in zip-top plastic bags so you can whip up this smoothie in a flash.

• YIELD: 2 servings (serving size: 1 cup)
• COURSE: Beverages, Beverages, Nonalcoholic, Breakfast/Brunch, Desserts

Ingredients

• 1 cup sliced ripe banana (about 1 large)
• 1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt
• 1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons whole wheat graham cracker crumbs (about 1/2 cookie sheet)
• 1 tablespoon nonfat dry milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ice cubes (about 1/4 cup)
• Graham cracker crumbs
• 1 scoop each
•     
  

Arrange banana slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, and freeze until firm (about 1 hour).
Place frozen banana and remaining ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs. Serve immediately.

Stepping Out – Your Arteries Will Thank You!

10,00 Steps that’s all it takes!!

Per Dr Oz –

Do Your Penis a Favor . . .
. . . and step on a treadmill. Men who exercise enough to burn 200 calories a day significantly lower their chances of impotence. That’s because impotence often has the same cause as heart attacks: blocked arteries. Your penis is like a dipstick for your arteries, so check it. If you’re interested in keeping it up later in life, lace up the sneakers now.

Read more: Dr_Oz_Tip_23

Now is the time in this fabulous weather to start the walking habit.

While it’s beautiful take advantage and walk the streets, greet your neighbors, smell the flowers, hear the birds and get to know the neighborhood pets.

Walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise.  Fairly safe (watch for cars and bikes), gentle and low impact it has a waist of benefits!!

Our waist lines often are the first sign we need to move – move – move.  And walking is an exercise that transports well!!  No special equipment required.  From lowering LDL and raising HDL levels, to managing Type2 diabetes or even preventing it’s on set, to lowering blood pressure and increasing heart and vascular health walking 10,000 steps is a key to unlock the easiest health door. 

A brisk walk is best but it’s ok if that’s not as brisk as someone elses – it’s the movement that truly counts.  Start slow if it’s been a while, choose a smooth surface if balance is an issue then put one foot in front of the other.
There are lots of conversations on foot wear.  My thought is respect your feet and legs.  if they aren’t happy then you won’t walk.  Don’t over do, go slow, respect your body and cruise in what ever makes you happy.  Yes even barefoot just watch for things that can cut or damage your feet.  Thus most people find shoes the ebst thing to wear.

Use a pedometer!!  How do you know how far you’ve gone – how many steps there are in your day?  A Pedometer!!!

A pedometer doesn’t have to be expensive to work it just has to work.  I think my last one was $3.00.  Sadly I lose mine to my son.  He likes to see how far he goes then finds other uses for the batteries – yep there is a pattern to this lol.  Yet a cheap pedometer has served me well.

Once you are walking regularly adding in some weight is a good idea.  I’ve sued all sorts of weights over the years.  From ankle and wrist to hand held.  I often go onto http://www.freecycle.org and find whatever anyone is sharing and that’s what I use.  I usually stay under 5lbs each but that’s really a personal preference.  Just be safe – no need to strain or sprain anything.

And WATER!!  Water you!  Staying hydrated is so important.  The general agreement is weight divided by 2 = the ounces one should take in each day.  Many of those come form fresh fruits and vegetables and the rest should come from water.  Check with your doctor though if there is anything in your health that requires his attention he may have another formula for you specifically.

WATER Works

But it can be boring so why not bump it up!!

Add a slice of lime, orange or lemon to your water.
Try coconut water with no additives
Add a bit of salt just to help replace the salt you sweat out.
Add a bit of ginger
How about mint, lemon grass, or parsley?

These same lovelies can be added to sparkling water.  A great “bar” drink that’s good for you!

Pass on coffee though.  Alcohol and coffee dehydrate plus they don’t replenish missing vitamins and minerals.

Delicious – Refreshing – Healthy

Mock Sangria

This recipe could be lightened by using low calorie juices but those often contain chemical sweeteners or un-researched sweeteners.  I prefer real sugar over fake.  I believe it healthier for the system.  I also replaced the lemon-lime soda often found in these recipes with sparkling water or carbonated lemonade.  This helps cut the sweet.

Ingredients

• 2 cups  orange juice, chilled
• 1 cup  unsweetened white grape juice, chilled
• 1 cup  cranberry juice
• 1 1-liter bottle  sparkling water or carbonated lemonade, chilled
•   Ice cubes
• 2 cups  assorted fresh fruit (such as oranges, cut into wedges; thinly sliced and halved lemons and/or limes; pineapple wedges; seedless red or green grapes; sliced, peeled and pitted peaches; and halved strawberries)
•   Fresh mint sprigs

Directions

1

In a large bowl or pitcher, stir together chilled orange juice, white grape juice, and cranberry juice.

2

Add the sparkling beverage; stir gently.Add the fruit so it can marinate.

3

Fill glasses about two-thirds full with ice. Pour juice mixture into glasses. Add some fresh fruit.  Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Makes 10 (about 6-ounce) servings.

CIY – Yes Cook It Yourself!

Cook It Yourself

Think you know how much salt, butter, msg and other questionable ingredients go into those mashed potatoes, vegetables, and meats at a restaurant?

Dr Oz: You’re probably off by half. If you can cook, you not only save money but also gain control over what goes into your meals. Plus, for most women, a man who knows how to cook is as sexy as one who stars in movies. I have trouble boiling water. Thankfully, I’m already married.

Read more: Dr_Oz_Tip_24

In the summer grilling is a guys salvation and an equal opportunity cooking style. Using a grill chimney to start your fire versus lighter fluid is a great start to a chemical free barbeque.  In winter an indoor grill, panini pan, iron skillet or toaster oven can replace your grill.

Fresh fruits, vegetables and organic meats are next. Tomatoes, squash, corn, peaches, nectarines, apples, pineapple, clams, oysters, even romaine all grill just as nicely as hamburgers and steaks!

Ever grill your salad?  How about your dessert?

A bit of cooking spray will keep things from sticking but so can a bit of olive oil, peanut oil, butter or other favorite cooking oil and having the grill temperature right.

I am a HUGE bleu cheese fan so romaine grilled then served with crumbled bleu cheese, walnuts, cherry tomatoes, and drizzled with bleu cheese dressing is yum to me but not everyone likes bleu cheese.

So try this one on instead:

2 hearts of romaine – cut in half
olive oil
Trader Joe’s Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar
Fresh Minelos, Tangelos or Oranges – Sectioned
Cherry tomatoes
Trader Joe’s Spanish Idiázabal Cheese – grated fine**
**If served on the side those who are vegan may still enjoy this salad.

Coat the romaine with olive oil thinly.
Grill on a medium heat

Mix the vinegar with a it of olive oil for the dressing.

Serve the grilled romaine with halved cherry tomatoes, orange sections and drizzled with the vinegar and oil topped with a bit of finely shredded Spanish Idiázabal Cheese. The perfect grilled salad.

DESSERT

2 peaches – cut in half
butter
French Vanilla Ice Cream or Creme Fraise**

**If served on the side those who are vegan may still enjoy this salad.

Coat the cut section of the peach with butter thinly
Grill on a medium heat

Serve the grilled peaches with a drizzle of butter beside vanilla ice cream or creme fraise.

Nectarines and apples also work well!

A perfect summer dessert!