A Woman's Network - for when life is like juggling huge exercise balls

Mexican Xmas Cookies

Cuervo Cookies---This is my kind of baking!!!!!!!!!

I know it's a little early, but it is time to start baking for the holidays.  This is the BEST Christmas Cookie recipe EVER!

Christmas Cookies
1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK, try another cup just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit, Pick the frigging fruit off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just! pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Check the Jose Cuervo.

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the! window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

CHERRY MISTMAS

Potato Latkes

My father makes the best latkes -- he always said that it was grating them by hand that made them so good.  It is not a latke made with love unless there is a little knuckle in it!

2 eggs
3 c. grated, drained potatoes (easy when using a food processor!)
4 tbsp. grated onion
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. cracker or matzo meal
1/2 c. oil for frying latkes plus about 2 tbsp. for onion

Saute onion until slightly browned. Beat eggs. Add potatoes, onion, salt, pepper, and meal. Heat half the oil in frying pan and drop potato mixture by the tablespoon. Fry until browned and crispy on both sides. Serve with applesauce or sour cream. Serves 8.

Today's Tip

Drink lots water.  In the summertime heat and perspiration tend to deplete our water.  Drink eight glasses a day to quench your thirst and to keep you hydrated during the summer months and all year round.

Healthful Ingredients

Keep your heart strong and your energy level high.  The following foods in your shopping cart are sure to guard against heart disease, keep you energized while keeping your waist trim.

Whole-grain breads and cereals -- You can reduce your cholesterol, and control your weight with a diet that includes significant amounts of insoluble fiber.

Fruits -- Eat delicious fruits like apples, pears, citrus and berries.  They are packed with fiber and have shown promise in fighting heart disease. Lycopene, found in fruits like tomatoes, watermelon and pink/red grapefruit, are thought to help lower your risk cardiovascular-disease.

Dark, leafy greens --  Reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease by eating greens such as arugula and spinach which contain folate.  Folate is thought to break down homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood that is thought to increases the risk of heart-disease.

Nuts -- Containing healthy fats, walnuts have omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to lowering triglyceride levels. Other nuts such as almonds, cashews,and macadamias possess monounsaturated fats.  These fats are paramount in helping lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and will also raise HDL (good) cholesterol.

Salmon -- Fight heart disease with cold-water fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids; salmon, mackerel and sardines are among healthy heart fish.

Summer Citrus Salmon

half fillet of salmon (a few pounds) or 4 salmon steaks 3/4 of an inch thick
(optional) 1/4 cup of Saki or rice wine

one lime
one lemon

1/4 cup - extra virgin olive oil
fresh dill sprigs (about 10 - 20)
2 tablespoons of light soy sauce

20 stalks of asparagus

Mix juice of 1/2 lemon, 1/2 lime into the olive oil, soy and Saki.  Place salmon skin side down on a large piece of foil on top of grill heated to a medium heat.  Brush with flavored marinade.  Lay dill sprigs on top of salmon.  Slice remainder of lemon and lime and lay on top of the dill.  Close lid to the grill and let cook for 20 minutes. 

Cut the base of each asparagus, and shave the skin of the remaining stalk.  Use the same marinade to brush onto stalks.  Cook on grill with salmon (on foil) for 20 minutes with the salmon.

This promises to be a delicious summer dinner, light and easy to prepare.  This fast meal is a good for the soul and healthy for the body.

10 Ways Sugar can Harm Your Health

Excerpted From Ediets.com  for entire article click here

By Lynn Prowitt-Smith
Special for Ediets.com

June 7, 2005

Sugar may be sweet, but consuming it has a sour effect on your overall health. Though the facts about sugar may be hard to swallow, it is important to learn why you need to make more nutritious choices. Sample these 10 reasons eating refined sugar can damage your health. Educate yourself about sugar and find out where hidden sugars lurk.

How could something so sweet leave such a bitter mark on your health? Learn why you should shun sugar and make more nutritious food choices.

1. Sugar causes blood glucose to spike and plummet.

2. Sugar increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

3. Sugar interferes with immune function.

4. A high-sugar diet often results in chromium deficiency.

5. Sugar accelerates aging.

6. Sugar causes tooth decay.

8. Sugar affects behavior and cognition in children.

9. Sugar increases stress.

10. Sugar takes the place of important nutrients.

Slashing Sugar

Now that you know the negative impacts refined sugar can have on your body and mind, you’ll want to be more careful about the foods you choose. And the first step is getting educated about where sugar lurks -- believe it or not, a food needn’t even taste all that sweet for it to be loaded with sugar. When it comes to convenience and packaged foods, let the ingredients label be your guide, and be aware that just because something boasts that it is low in carbs or a “diet” food, doesn’t mean it’s free of sugar. Atkins products never contain added sugar. For more information, read "Finding Hidden Sugars."

Picky Little Eaters

My friends are always complaining about how picky their kids are when it comes to meal time.  I came across this site and thought it might be helpful when it comes to preparing meals that are healthy and that your kids will enjoy.

Summer Bruschetta

4 large (vine ripened) tomatoes, diced 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 cup freshly shredded Romano cheese, 2 cloves garlic- finely chopped, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste), 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper(to taste) Finely dices fresh oregano (to taste), 1 loaf French bread - toasted and sliced

In a large bowl, mix together the tomatoes, basil, Romano cheese, and garlic. Mix in the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, kosher salt, pepper, and oregano. Spoon onto toasted french bread slices and serve as a delicious summertime snack with a chilled glass of chardonnay.

Healthy Heart Guidlines

By no means would I ever call myself overweight, in fact some might say that I am thin.  I weigh 116 pounds and I am 5 foot 3 inches tall (Okay -- 5 foot 2 and 117).  Because I am thin does not mean I do not have to watch what I eat.  I like many others have dietary concerns. I struggle day in and day out to maintain a balance of diet and glucose levels without foregoing the sumptuous pleasures of a great tasting meal. I watch what I eat to remain healthy.  By following the American Heart Association's guidelines for a healthy heart, and the American Diabetes Association's guidelines for a  diabetic diet (food pyramid) -- I have come to a place where I am comfortable with my food choices.

Treat Yourself Well -- Delicacies

Caviar and delicacies of the rich and famous

100 different flavored coffees

Robin's Cookies -- This link is for Mia and the Hayne's girls -- THESE COOKIES ARE THE BEST!!!!!

New Dan's Delicious sugar free chocolates and much more

Gourmet pastas and sauces

Ethnic Grocer -- exotic foods and ingredients from the far corners of the earth

Gift of the month club

PrimeWine.com