Holiday Recipes: Caribbean Shrimp Salad

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

Caribbean Shrimp Salad

1 pound of frozen or fresh shrimp, deveined and cleaned

4 tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrette

2 whole plantains (also known as Jamaican bananas)

6 roma tomatoes

1 ½ Spanish red onion

1 bag of Caesar seasoned croutons

1 5oz. bag of Good Sense orange cranberry almondine (the product may contain raisins, honey toasted almonds, cranberries, and a good source of Beta Carotene)

1 navel orange

1 bag or pound of fresh spinach

2 16oz. bottles of Caesar dressing

Directions

1. Stove top range should be set at medium, place an even amount of canola or regular oil to cooking pan, place skinned plantain in pan. Plantain can be sliced down the middle or in quarters. Turn plantains over several times until golden brown – cooking time will be 5 to 7 minutes. Remove plantain from cooking pan, place on paper towels to drain off excess oil.

2. Stove top range should be set at low heat. Spray cooking pan with Pam or canola oil non-stick spray, let pan heat for 2 minutes, and add shrimp to cooking pan. Shrimp should be sautéed for 6 to 10 minutes, squeeze 1 ½ of navel orange juice over shrimp, turn or lift pan repeatedly to ensure even cooking of juices.

3. Place clean and rinsed off fresh spinach in large salad bowl, add 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinaigrette to spinach leaves – saturate and stir in vinaigrette.

4. Add sliced roma tomatoes, Spanish onion, shrimp, top off with a small handful of cranberry almondine. Add desired amount of Caesar dressing, do not overwhelm with too much of the dressing due to the balsamic vinaigrette that has been added.

5. Top off Caribbean Shrimp Salad with Caesar or seasoned croutons. Place the plantain on a side dish along with two thin slices of navel oranges. While enjoying the appetizing salad, the navel orange can be squeezed on the plantain to give your taste buds an ultimate tantalizing sensation.  

Photo Credit: Yomi Yomi -- 2007, September -- Wikimedia Creative 2.0 Commons

Healthy Weight Recipes: Skillet Shrimp Gumbo Recipes

Ingredients

6 Servings

½ cup of Smart Balance 50/50 Butter Blend

2 cups of fresh or frozen okra

1 ½ pound of medium shrimp, shelled and deveined

3 garlic cloves or 3 tablespoons of Spice World crushed garlic

½ cup of chopped scallions

1 ½ teaspoon of iodized salt

1 ½ tablespoon of ground pepper

2 ½ cups of spring water

1 can of whole tomatoes

8 drops of Texas Pete hot sauce

2 drops of Tabasco hot sauce

2 whole bay leaves

1 cup of cooked rice

1 ½ tablespoon of Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle seasoning blend

1 ½ cup of finely chopped celery

1 ½ cup of finely chopped Spanish onion

Skillet Shrimp Gumbo Recipes

Directions

1. Turn stove top burner on medium heat, add Smart Balance butter blend to cooking pan, bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally so that okra can cook thoroughly. Add the shrimp, garlic, iodized salt, scallions, and pepper; simmer ingredients for 5 additional minutes.

2. Begin to add spring water, tomatoes, and bay leaves to cooking pan; cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in Tabasco sauce and Texas Pete hot sauce, remove bay leaf before returning lid to frying pan.

3. Add rice to a large bowl, cover rice with gumbo – serve immediately.

Photo Credit: jeffrey w. -- via flickr -- Wikimedia Creative Commons

Healthy Gift Ideas for Diabetics

Undeniably, diabetics have special needs – not like that of most healthy people; needs that have to be attended to properly. Each and every person living with diabetes – must learn to be disciplined and educate their self in their pursuit to live a long and healthy life. For persons living with diabetes there are many wonderful products that cater to the well-being of diabetic’s health, nutrition and overall well being.

Before using any nutritional or health-aid supplements – always consult your physician to make sure that they are approved before making a decision on your own.

Healthy Gift Ideas for Diabetics: Natural Sugar Substitutes. It has come to no surprise that unnatural artificial sugar substitutes have many side effects that can cause severe damage to those individuals whom suffer with diabetes. The best healthy and natural sugar substitutes for diabetics are Sugar in the Raw (grown in Hawaii), Piloncillo, Private Selection Organic Sugar, Healthy organic sugar, Sun Crystals (a blend of naturally sweet stevia – the stevia leaf and pure cane sugar), truvia (Erythritol is a natural sweetener, it is found in fruits and pears).

Healthy Gift Ideas for Diabetics: Diabetic Foot care. The majority of diabetics are aware that maintaining everyday foot care is essential to overall good health. Diabetic Basics has formulated a product that soothes the feet, kills germs, absorbs moisture, the powder can be sprinkled inside of shoes to give the ultimate germ killing comfort.

Shopping Resource: www.healthyfeetstore.com

Healthy Gift Ideas for Diabetics: Creative Diabetic Gift Baskets. Most Americans and people world-wide that suffer with diabetes – will come to appreciate and welcome a variety of care packages that are provided by FindGift.com. The gift baskets are filled with “sugar free items, Virginia peanuts, Brie cheese spread, crackers, seasoned pretzels, cheese wafers, pistachios, some delicious sugar free candies and cookies.” The varieties include; Diabetic Get Well Gift Basket, Sugar Free Snacker Gift Basket, Sugar Free Bountiful Gourmet Gift Basket, Gourmet Sugar Free Healthy Gift Basket, and the Happy Birthday Sugar Free Gourmet Gift Basket. The prices range from $32.00 to $84.99. Shopping Resource: www.findgift.com

Healthy Gift Ideas for Diabetics: Home Spa Themed Alternatives. A day or evening of relaxation may include using sea salts, mineral salts, natural lavender bubble baths, lavender bath soaps, goat milk bubble bath, goat milk bathing soap, rose petal bubble bath, Dr. Teals Herbal/Mineral Bath. Many of these products can now be found at many well-known and established retail markets. There are many local independent health food stores throughout the continental United States that offer a wide variety of therapeutic foot-care products to help aid in diabetic foot care.

Healthy Drink Recipes: Favorable Juice Drinks for All the Seasons

For each mother and father who is looking for alternative healthy drinks – there are many resources available when it comes to incorporating a healthy juice alternative. American families can choose a healthy way to serve wholesome and nutritional healthy drinks without the addition of unwanted additives – that have become a part of our mainstream society.

Not only does cranberry juice fight off many infections, but these little berries offer a stream of powerful antioxidants for growing children and adults who seek optimum health. You can never get enough of these natural flavonoids, cut the unwanted sugar by adding concentrated cranberry juice and lemons as an alternative to laboratory infused juice drinks that contain a variety of unnatural compounds.

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

Add 1 gallon of freshly squeezed lemon juice (preferably 5 lemons)

2 oz. of Tree of Life cranberry concentrate or any 100% bottle of cranberry concentrate

1 ½ slice of lemon wedges

Frosted glasses are optional

Directions

1. Mix 2oz. of favorite cranberry concentrate to 1 gallon of freshly squeezed lemon aid juice

2. Shake thoroughly, place in refrigerator for 1 or 2 hours, serve with chilled glass and slice of lemon

This juice drink is a healthy alternative to drinks that are filled with sugar, splenda, and other sugar substitutes. Always treat yourself and your family to the best of what the earth has to offer.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons

Broccoli, Bacon and Cheddar Mountain Baked Potato

Ingredients

Serves 8

8 king size Idaho or regular baking potatoes

2 one pound packages of bacon

1 16oz. jar of pasteurized process cheese sauce

1 16oz. package of sharp cheese

2 11oz. bags of frozen broccoli florets

Directions

1. Separate bacon slices and place on two baking pans, place in oven and bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes, turn several times to ensure bacon is thoroughly cooked. Drain grease from pan and place bacon on paper towels to drain off excess grease. Chop bacon into finely grated pieces, place in bowl and cover until needed to top off

Potato.

 2. Place 8 potatoes in oven, set temperature at 450 degrees, bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Turn potatoes four times to ensure an even bake.

3. Place both 11oz. bags of broccoli into medium cooking pot, bring to boil for 10 minutes. Drain broccoli in colander and immediately remove potatoes from oven.

4. Slice potatoes in half – top with a healthy portion of pasteurized cheese.

5. Add chopped bacon, then top off with broccoli florets, add a liberal amount of sharp shredded cheese and cracked pepper or add garlic herb dipping spices to complete topping.

6. Place potatoes back in oven for 5 to 8 minutes, serve immediately.

Photo Credit: Alfonso Coley

Come fare italiano Pomodori verdi fritti

Serve 6-8

2 chili di pomodori verdi
6 fette di provolone
Meno di 1 ½ padella piena di olio di canola di cottura (sarà necessario ripetere l'operazione 2 volte se la cottura per un gruppo più grande)
briciole di pane italiano
1 cucchiaio di Goya Adobo pepe condimento
Migliori uova di 2 uova sbattute, Terra
1 cucchiaio di basilico

Come fare Pomodori verdi

1. Pomodori verdi devono essere tagliati in quarti di media; questo dà il pomodoro la migliore consistenza frittura.

2. Aggiungere 1 tazza di pangrattato italiani a ciotola mescolare, mettere le uova sbattute a parte, girare fuochi superiore a 1 quarto sotto fuoco medio, e aggiungere olio di canola di cottura della vaschetta.

3. Stagione entrambi i lati di pomodori verdi con basilico, aggiungere 1 cucchiaio di Goya Adobo condimento per la pastella di uova.

4. Dip nei pomodori verdi in uovo battitore uno alla volta, rotolare entrambi i lati nel pangrattato italiani, e subito aggiungere i pomodori in cucina padella. Girare il calore fino a medio, e friggere pan per 10 a 12 minuti, girare pomodori verdi 2 volte per dargli quel tessuto marrone dorato.

5. Top i pomodori verdi con una fetta moderata di provolone, lasciate sciogliere sulla parte superiore del pomodoro, mentre ancora in padella. Rimuovere immediatamente dalla padella, mettere i pomodori su un tovagliolo di carta per drenare l'olio in eccesso e servite subito con un bicchiere di zinfandel rosso o bianco.

Photo Credit: Andy Melton 2008 -- Wikimedia Commons

How To Make Italian Fried Green Tomatoes

Serves 6 to 8

2 pounds of green tomatoes

6 slices of provolone cheese

Less than 1 ½ pan filled with canola cooking (will need to repeat this step 2 times if cooking for a larger group)

Italian bread crumbs

1 tablespoon of Goya Adobo pepper seasoning

2 Egg Land’s Best eggs, beaten

1 tablespoon of sweet basil

How to Make Green Tomatoes

1. Green tomatoes should be sliced into medium quarters; this gives the tomato the best frying consistency.

2. Add 1 cup of Italian bread crumbs to mixing bowl, place beaten eggs aside, turn stove top burner to 1 quarter below medium heat, and add canola oil to cooking pan.

3. Season both sides of green tomatoes with sweet basil, add 1 tablespoon of Goya Adobo seasoning to egg batter.

4. Dip in green tomatoes in egg batter one at a time, roll both sides in Italian bread crumbs, and immediately add tomatoes into cooking frying pan. Turn heat up to medium, and pan fry for 10 to 12 minutes, turn over green tomatoes 2 times to give it that golden brown texture.

5. Top off green tomatoes with a moderate slice of provolone cheese, let melt on top of tomato while still in frying pan. Remove immediately from frying pan, place tomatoes on a paper towel to drain off excess oil and serve right away with a glass of red or white zinfandel. 

Photo Credit: Andy Melton 2008 -- Wikimedia Commons

How To Save Your Life

A great deal of people today – who are of sound mind, and good health, have come to realize – that proper nutrition plays an important and vital role on overall health. The combination of proper sleep and exercise, is what help heal and mend the body into a well-being of Zen-like health. As the science of nutrition is being constantly improving upon the coexistence of key bio-nutrients. These bio-nutrients have now become the true life-saving keys, facilitating a healthy lifestyle. 

The building blocks of living a healthy and long life rely on proper nutrition, and eating the right combination of super foods. These combinations help command the body perform at super proficiency.

The new wave, and rave of whole foods, in addition to the cultivation of organic whole foods – have become the new science of living healthy – in today's time. Healthy nutrition, and learning to eat healthier – is all about, and knowing, how to take care of what the omnipotent creator had in plan, a design catered for, and piloted to all human beings.

The golden keys – unto living a virtuous and prosperous long life – depend solely on proper nutrition, and eating whole foods on a daily basis.

Learning how to incorporate a weekly nutritional program – include exercise that helps and aids in the increase in the metabolizing-effect of all whole foods. A well-balanced life is filled with eating whole foods on a daily basis. Using bio-nutrients to boost the immune system – are the key elements to living a healthy and prosperous life.

Our inner divine self – rely upon discarding all toxic poisons from the body – which in turn, cannot damage a healthy and divine Zen-like life. Each and every person born of this Earth – is born with the inner knowledge, to make a conscious decision – on becoming a wiser, and educated consumer, relating to foods that govern their daily life.

There are many choices people of the world can choose from, and today's open market – relating to nutritional supplements and eating healthy, rely on the rational conscience and science – on applying this philosophy to our human/delicate, and daily life. Half the battle on improving one’s Zen-like health – is learning, and beginning to use the correct formula – to live like a king – without spending a king’s ransom to do so.

In closing: This life, is your only life; you must continuously educate yourself on what God provided. For God provided all of this for his creation, and this is the true key – to living a Zen-like healthy and complete life.

Learning to eat foods from the garden, is the here and now; something that is manageable, simple, and cost effective, these foods are the flesh of our flesh – which sustains the spirit of all mankind.