Cake Pops
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Lentil Soup - Armenian
RED-ORANGE LENTIL SOUP
Serving size about 8 servings
- 2 cups small red-orange lentils, sorted and rinsed
- 2 quarts (8 cups) water
- 2 Chicken bouillon cubes
- One handful fine (#1) bulgur
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 3 Tbsp butter or olive oil
Directions
1. Sort through lentils and discard any stones, and rinse.
2. In an 8 qt. pot, combine the lentils, water, bouillon and bulgur. Cook until lentils and bulgur are tender, about 20 minutes.
3. Sauté onions in butter or oil, until softened and lightly golden.
4. Add onion to soup and cook another 10-15 minutes.
** Note: Chicken, beef or vegetable broth can be used in place of the water. In that case, OMIT the bouillon cubes, and add salt to taste.
**Note: Brown or Green Lentil just need to adjust cooking time. Brown or green lentil takes a bit longer to cook.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Candy Corn Cookies
Just in time for Halloween. Easy, super cute
Candy Corn Cookies.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Orange Food Coloring (if you dont have orange you can make it with red and yellow food coloring)
- Yellow Food Coloring
Instructions:
step 1
In large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition; add vanilla. Add flour mixture and beat on low until just combined.
step 2
Divide dough into thirds. Place one-third of dough into 4 in. by 4 in. square; wrap in plastic wrap and set aside. Place another one-third of dough into another medium bowl. Add small amount of yellow food color; mix until color is well blended. Form yellow colored dough into 4 in. by 4 in. square and wrap in plastic wrap. Place remaining one-third of dough back into bowl. Add small amount of orange food color; mix until color is well blended. Form orange colored dough into 4 in. by 4 in. square and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate all three doughs at least 30 minutes.
step 3
Line bottom and sides of 9x5-inch loaf pan with waxed paper or plastic food wrap. Press the white dough evenly onto bottom of prepared pan. Press orange dough evenly over white dough in pan. Press yellow dough evenly over orange dough in pan. Cover with plastic food wrap; refrigerate until firm (at least 3 hours or overnight).
step 4
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. .
step 5
Invert loaf pan to remove dough. Peel off waxed paper. Place layered dough onto cutting surface. Cut loaf crosswise into 1/4-inch slices using sharp knife, trimming edges to make even, if necessary. Cut each slice into 6 wedges. Place 1-inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until vanilla dough is lightly golden.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Oreo Pops Recipe
My newest addiction is Pinterest. I believe most people now
are addicted to Pinterest. You can find everything on there. Whatever you think
of there is a way to do it and you can find it step by step.
I came across the Oreo Cake Pops and decided it would be
perfect for the weekend. I had family coming over for BBQ and needed a quick
desert idea to make the table pop. This is one of the easiest, cute, decorative
desserts that can be made that will make people say WOW. Here is a picture of the batch I had made. Enjoy!!!!
- Box of Oreo Cookies
- Bag of White Candy Melts
- Bag of Lollipop Sticks
- Chocolate Sprinkles
- Foam to use as a stand
Step 1- Melt a small portion of the chocolate melts in the microwave
as directed on the bag.
Step 2- Take a lollipop stick and dip it in the chocolate melt then into the Oreo.
Step 3- Place the Oreo Pop down to dry. You can put the Oreos in the refrigerator for a few minutes to speed up the process.
Step 4- Melt the rest of the chocolate melts in a microwave safe bowl which is big enough for the Oreos to fit.
Step 5- Dip each Oreo in the chocolate and add Sprinkles of your choice to the Oreos.
Step 6- Place the Oreos on foam to dry.
Step 7- Enough… MMMMMM
Step 2- Take a lollipop stick and dip it in the chocolate melt then into the Oreo.
Step 3- Place the Oreo Pop down to dry. You can put the Oreos in the refrigerator for a few minutes to speed up the process.
Step 4- Melt the rest of the chocolate melts in a microwave safe bowl which is big enough for the Oreos to fit.
Step 5- Dip each Oreo in the chocolate and add Sprinkles of your choice to the Oreos.
Step 6- Place the Oreos on foam to dry.
Step 7- Enough… MMMMMM
Monday, September 17, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Apple Cider Vinegar and Weight Loss ?
Apple Cider Vinegar and Weight Loss
Vinegar has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The Babylonians first converted wine into vinegar in 5000 BCE using date palms, grapes, and figs, and believed vinegar had exceptional healing properties. Hippocrates is said to have used vinegar as an antibiotic. Samurai warriors supposedly used a vinegar tonic for strength and power. During the U.S. Civil War, soldiers used vinegar to prevent gastric upset and as a treatment for various ailments including pneumonia and scurvy. It was also used to sterilize wounds during World War I.
Apple Cider Vinegar's Health Benefits
Apple cider vinegar is a powerful detoxifying and purifying agent. It breaks downmucous within the body and in so doing, it improves the health and function of the vital organs of the body, such as the kidneys, bladder and liver. It also prevents excessively alkaline urine. It oxidizes and thins the blood, which is important in preventing high blood pressure. It also promotes digestion, assimilation and elimination, all the while neutralizing any toxic substances that enter the body. Cider vinegar has been found to neutralize any harmful bacteria that may be found in certain foods. When a mixture of cider vinegar and water is taken before a meal it has been known to prevent digestive upsets.
Vinegar as a Cleanser
Vinegar's acetic acid content has recently been put to the test as a cleanser of bacteria in foods. One study shows that 35% white vinegar (1.9% acetic acid) kills E. coli bacteria better than other food cleansers including chlorine added to water.
The Apple Cider Diet
The apple cider diet has been around since the 1970s. Back then proponents claimed that somehow a combination of apple cider, kelp, vitamin B-6, and lecithin promoted the body's metabolism to burning fat faster than it would normally. These days advocates claim that all you need to do to lose weight is to take one, two, or three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar before every meal, starting with one teaspoon and then working up to two or three. As well as helping you metabolise fat, the vinegar is said to reduce your hunger and cravings. But does is actually help you lose weight?
Though many people are quick to dismiss apple cider vinegar as just another fad diet, a report in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that not only does vinegar help to control blood sugar and insulin levels following a carbohydrate-rich meal, but it helps to create a feeling of fullness (called satiation). After ingestion of 2 tablespoons of vinegar followed by a carbohydrate-rich meal, the sense of fullness was more than doubled. The beneficial effect is produced by the acetic acid content of the vinegar. Most vinegar sold in retail stores is 5% acetic acid. According to the Journal of American Diabetes Association and additional benefit is that a more acidic stomach may also increase the absorption of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin C. However, an acid substance may irritate existing gastric ulcers as well as cases of heartburn (acid reflux).
Spices That Kick Start the Metabolism: Ginger
Spices That Kick Start the Metabolism:
The History of Ginger
Ginger is native to India and China. It takes its name from the Sanskrit word stringa-vera, which means "with a body like a horn" from its antler-like appearance. Ginger has been important in Chinese medicine for many centuries, and is mentioned in the writings of Confucius. It is also named in the Koran, the sacred book of the Moslems, indicating it was known in Arab countries as far back as 650 A.D. It was one of the earliest spices introduced to Western Europe, where it has been used since the ninth century. It became so popular in Europe that at one time it was included in every table setting, like salt and pepper. A common article of medieval and Renaissance trade, it was one of the spices used against the plague. In English pubs and taverns in the nineteenth century, barkeepers put out small containers of ground ginger, for people to sprinkle into their beer -the origin of ginger ale.
How Does Ginger Work in The Digestive System?
It helps protect the gastric system by increasing the pH of stomach acid, reducing its acidity, thereby lower the rate of gastric secretions, and increasing digestive enzyme activity. Rather than blocking the feelings of nausea in the brain, it acts directly on the stomach and liver to reduce nausea and vomiting. It is also said to speed up
Other Spices That Kick Start the Metabolism
Chillies - chilli peppers provide three times more vitamin C than oranges. Moderate amounts of fresh or dried chillies will induce the body to sweat - a cooling mechanism which could explain the popularity of chillies in hot climates. The heat comes from a component called capsaicin, which is concentrated in the white ribs and seeds. Capsaicin can relive nerve pain and is sometimes used in a cream to ease the pain of shingles. Herbalists advocate the consumption of chillies to warm the body, improve circulation and stimulate the metabolism.
Turmeric - contains compounds that herbalists use to treat and prevent conditions of the liver such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and jaundice. It calms the digestive system and stimulates the gall bladder to release bile (aiding the breakdown of fats). Added to beans and pulses it can help to reduce gas and bloating. Curcumin, an active component, is thought to have anti-tumour effects.
Cinnamon - Several compounds isolated from cinnamon may one day become the key natural ingredients in a new generation of products aimed at lowering blood sugar levels. The extracted compounds increase insulin sensitivity by activating key enzymes that stimulate insulin receptors, while inhibiting enzymes that deactivate the receptors. The compounds also have antioxidant effects, which may provide synergistic benefits to people with various forms of diabetes.
www.safeslimming.com
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