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Friday, 14 March 2008

Zucchini carrot bake

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1 onion, large, finely chopped
1/2 cup soy flour
1 1/2 teaspoons gluten free baking powder
1/4 cup skim milk
1 cup grated carrot
3/4 cup grated reduced fat tasty cheese
1/2 cup rice flour
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt


Method:
1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mix well to combine.
2. Place mixture into a lightly oiled and baking paper lined 20cm round cake tin.
3. Bake in a moderate oven, 180°C (160°C for a fan forced oven) for one hour or until lightly browned on top.

Notes: Sides of tin can be dusted with soy grits.

motivational quotes #2

" The difference between winners and losers is that losers don't fail enough."

" Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary."

" There are only two ways get anything in life: Either it is going to happen, if not, I will make it happen."

" Potential is a static, but Attitude is a driving force."

" Nothing is impossible in this world; anything can be done with confidence."

" Negative thoughts are the weak link; a shift in your awareness and thinking positive will change your day."

" Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in."

" Ignite your vision and goals with focus and a strong purpose, purpose drives action and action drives success."

" Success in life is not determined by how we are doing compared with others but by how we are doing compared to what we are capable of doing. Successful people compete against themselves."

" If you know where you are going, then go! If you don't, find the directions and go!"

" Never do less than what is always expected, but always do more than what never is."

Vegetable filo triangles

Ingredients:
20 sheets filo pastry
1 1/2 cups canned kidney beans, drained
1/2 cup reduced fat milk
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 potato, grated
40 g grated reduced fat cheese
1/4 carrot, grated
1 tablespoon tomato chutney
1/2 onion, grated

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Combine potato, onion, carrot, beans, parsley, cheese and chutney together. Mix thoroughly.
3. Lay one sheet of filo pastry on a dry chopping board with the longest side of the pastry facing you.
4. Lightly spread with milk. Lay the second pastry sheet on top and spread with milk. Repeat this process with another two pieces of pastry.
5. With a sharp knife cut the pastry into five strips.
6. Place 1 tablespoon of the vegetable mixture on the bottom of each pastry strip and fold up into a triangle.
7. Lay the triangles on a lightly greased tray. Lightly spray tops with canola oil and sprinkle paprika on top.
8. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown in colour.

Thai fish cakes

Ingredients:
300 g boneless white fish fillets, try flathead, rockling or bream
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup self-raising flour
1 small cucumber, finely chopped
1/2 red capsicum, chopped
3 spring onions, finely chopped

Method:
1. Process fish in food processor or chop finely.
2. Combine with the remaining ingredients.
3. Heat oil in non-stick frypan and cook spoonfuls of mixture until golden brown on both sides.

Notes: Makes 12 fish cakes.

Chicken - sweet and sour

Ingredients:
500 g cooked skinless chicken, diced
2 carrots, cooked and diced
1 capsicum, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon olive oil

Sweet and sour sauce:
1 cup pineapple pieces, (no added sugar)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
dash soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornflour
1/2 cup water

Method:
1. Heat oil in non-stick frypan and fry onion, garlic and ginger for 3 minutes.
2. Add capsicum and celery and stir-fry briefly.
3. Combine sauce ingredients and add to vegetables.
4. Heat over a medium heat and stir until thickened.
5. Add cooked carrot and chicken.
6. Serve with steamed rice and a salad.

healthy chicken wrap

Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 skinless chicken breast, cubed
2 burrito wraps
2 tablespoons reduced-fat natural yoghurt
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/4 cup low-fat cheese, grated
2 tablespoons diced tomato
1/2 onion, diced
1/4 teaspoon coriander, chopped
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon garlic, crushed


Method:
1. Heat the wok to medium heat and cook onion. Then add the garlic, coriander, cumin and turmeric.
2. Chop the chicken into small cubes/ strips and add to wok. Toss into spices, onion and garlic. When chicken is cooked through, remove wok from heat.
3. Heat wraps in microwave until soft and warm. Place on a plate. Put 1 tablespoon of the yoghurt onto the wrap and place half of the chicken onto it.
4. Put preferred amount of lettuce, cheese and tomato on chicken. Fold bottom of the bread and fold the sides of the bread over the filling. Do the same for the second wrap.

Diabetes Symptoms

The most common symptoms for Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes are as follows:

Fatigue is a cause for concern. Fatigue signals the body is not efficiently using the glucose for fuel. The body will switch over to burning the fat in the body as its fuel source. This causes the body to use more energy and the result is constant tiredness.

If you experience unexplained loss of weight, even though you are eating the right amounts of food, and even more, you may not be processing the calories. You are also losing sugar and water by frequent urination. Dehydration also leads to weight loss. Excessive thirst occurs when there are high blood sugar levels in the blood. It signals the brain there is too much sugar in the blood and the body tries to dilute it. This will make you constantly feel thirsty.

Another way to rid the body of excess blood sugar is through frequent urination. Sugar carries water with it as it is flushed out of the body. The body gets confused and tries to produce more insulin when the body has become resistant to it. In turn, you may also feel an extreme need for thirst. Commonly, intense hunger is found in those with diabetes. This is due to the fact that the body does not realize why the sugar it ingests is not being processed, so it is simply asking for more food to help remedy the problem. When the body has high insulin levels, the body thinks it needs to stimulate hunger. You may be eating more, but not gaining weight, and could even lose weight.

A slow healing of wounds in the proper time is another sign you should be concerned about high blood sugar levels. The high sugar levels prevent white cells from functioning properly. White blood cells fight bacteria and clean up dead tissue and cells. When the white blood cells are not working properly, it takes wounds longer to heal and there is more of a chance of infection in the wound.

Frequent infections also may be a sign of poor blood sugar control. Yeast infections, skin infections, and urinary infections appear because sugar levels in the blood allow infections to attack and grow. If these infections often show up, you should contact your doctor, especially if you have been diagnosed as prediabetes.

If you experience weakened or blurry vision, you should have your blood sugar levels checked. This isn’t a symptom of diabetes alone, but is widely known as a symptom of high blood sugar levels as well as itching, especially around the groin.

One of the scariest diabetes symptoms could be how it affects your mental status. Agitation, inability to pay attention, increased irritability, confusion, and high sugar levels could explain inactivity and the previously listed symptoms. Some people go through times of extreme agitation and irritability, usually caused by neglecting what they are supposed to be doing to control their sugar levels. Symptoms of diabetes are different with each person. Knowing how diabetes works can help you understand how complications may happen. If someone is experiencing any of the listed problems, your doctor may want you to have a blood sugar test before the doctor appointment.

Dandruff - Some Natural Alternatives

Although dandruff poses no health danger, they can be a source of embarrassment. Many people believe that dandruff is associated with lack of hygiene, but actually dandruff is caused by scalp glands that do not function correctly, causing drying and then scaling of the skin. Shampooing infrequently may help aggravate the case of dandruff but it will not be the cause.

Itchiness and burning may come with it in serious cases, and you should consult your doctor before trying any treatment at home. Here are a few alternatives:

In a pan, mix one cup of apple cider vinegar and one cup of water and add a few mint leaves. Bring it to boil for about 5 minutes and allow it to rest at room temperature for approx. 12 hours. Strain the mixture and massage your scalp twice a day for a week. After massaging, just let your hair dry naturally, don't need to rinse it.

Tea tree oil is also believed to be quite effective for dandruff, preventing flaking and infection. Try massaging your scalp by applying just tea trea oil.

Squeeze the juice out of one large lemon. Apply half of the juice onto your hair, then wash your hair with your regular shampoo and rinse. Mix the other half of the lemon juice with two cups of water.
For best results, repeat this process regularly.

Here is a solution with bay laurel leaves. Add four teaspoons of crushed bay laurel leaves to one quart of boiling water. Let it rest for about 30 minutes, strain and cool for one hour in refrigerator. Wash your hair with your normal shampoo and then massage some of the solution into your scalp. Repeat treatment once more and let it stay on your scalp for about one hour before rinsing.
For best results, repeat this process regularly.

In a pan mix 2 heaping tablespoons of dried thyme, rosemary and sage in one cup of water. Boil for 10 minutes. Strain and let it cool. Shampoo your hair with your normal shampoo, rinse and massage the solution into your scalp. Do not rinse.

motivational quotes #1

" In every great act, there is a challenge. In every challenge, there is a reward. In every reward lies the product of our efforts. In every effort lies new beauty to be born."

" Heroes get remembered but legends never die. Follow your heart and you can never go wrong."

" You never know when opportunities come. They can be slow as a snail or as fast as lightning. Our goal in life is to watch out for those opportunities, as they may be our one step to success."

" You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path. Aim high. Behave honorably. Prepare to be alone at times, and to endure failure. Persist! The world needs all you can give."

" When you cannot make up your mind which of two evenly balanced courses of action you should take - choose the bolder."

" An optimistic dream is a seed that grows into a tree of success."

" If you change your mind, you can change your life."

" Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky. Class has nothing to do with money. Class never runs scared. It is self-discipline and self-knowledge. It's the sure footedness that comes with having proved you can meet life."

" Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life for better or for worse."

" Believe in yourself, for it is only you who can determine whether or not you are the achiever of your dreams."

" Everyone gets scared, and everyone falls. The key is to get right back up and try again."

10 Essential Health Tips (The Basics to Practice Every Day)

1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.