Health Tips

Ever seen one of these?

I never knew Romanesco cauliflower even existed until I came across it in the farmer’s market this year. Sure, I’ve seen purple and orange cauliflower, but the Romanesco’s dinosaur-ish shape really caught my eye.

What makes it so interesting is the fact that each of its little peaks is a perfect replica of a whole Romanesco cauliflower. Apparently, if you were to magnify the little points, you would be able to see the fractal pattern repeating itself over and over. An infinite vegetable! I like it.

I incorporated my mini head of cauliflower into dinner via a giant roasted salad, which included turnips and brussels sprouts as well.

It never ceases to amaze me that a simple toss with coconut oil, salt and pepper makes for the most delicious veggies on earth. One of these days someone’s going to slip some tree bark in there and see if I still love it. Chances are high.

A little drizzle of my simple miso-tahini dressing made it all the more interesting.

As for the bread, it’s the second time I’ve made the oat groat bread recipe that I found via HEAB. Still easy. Still amazing.

I’m aware that I’ve failed to acknowledge the heaps of spread piled upon the bread wedges. That was deliberate. The recipe’s a secret, but only for tonight! I’m just waiting for the right moment, bwahaha…

In the meantime, check out Katie’s amazing giveaway! You could win a Magic Bullet OR a spiralizer OR a hand blender! Jump on it—you should be clicking around her site as much as possible, anyway, in support of Operation Chocolate-Covered Kindness.

I’m off to nurse a food baby made of roasted vegetables. Have you discovered any fun new-to-you produce items this season? Now is the time!

from: http://www.soapandchocolate.com/2009/11/seasonal-highlight-romanesco.html

This weekend my roomie hosted a casual gathering in celebration of the Indian holiday Diwali, or festival of lights.

According to the all-knowing Wikipedia:

The word दीपावली(Dipavali) literally translates as a row of lamps in Sanskrit^[1]. It is traditional for adherents of Diwali-celebrating faiths to light small clay lamps (or Deep in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil within an individual. During Diwali, many wear new clothes and share sweets/snacks with each other. Some Indian business communities start their financial year by opening new account books on the first day of Diwali for good luck the following year.

And so we shared sweets/snacks with each other. Plus
20-odd friend-types. These sweets/snacks included…

Samosas:

Samosas are sort of pastry-type pockets that may have various fillings. The roomie served two varieties: one with a spicy lentil filling and the other with a spinach-paneer (cheese) filling. These were small and baked, though the samosas you’d order in a restaurant will likely contain a filling of potatoes and peas and have a fried baseball-sized shell. Dippers include both coriander (cilantro) and tamarind chutneys.

Pakoras:

Pakoras are what I would describe as Indian tempura. Various vegetables (eggplant, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli…) are thickly coated with a chickpea-flour batter and deep-fried to devilish deliciousness.

Paneer Rolls:

Paneer is an Indian cheese that is found in many Indian vegetarian dishes. The weight and texture is not unlike tofu, but there is no mistaking its cheesiness! There’s a reason it’s so popular. For “paneer rolls,” we were instructed to spread a bit of mint chutney on a slice of naan, place a few paneer cubes on top and sandwich-ify for convenient snackage. These sold like hotcakes! Or paneer rolls, as it were…

Bhelpuri:

Is insanely delicious. A typical street snack in Bombay, bhelpuri is a sort of trail mix made of puffed rice, dried vermicelli and crispy crackers, which is mixed with potatoes and onions and tossed in a tangy tamarind sauce. Probably not a dish you’d find in your average Indian restaurant, but if by chance you do ever come across it, nosh immediately!

We also had about three gallons of kheer, which is a sweet rice pudding, and we barely made a dent in it (I top out after one gallon, unfortunately).

Here’s an example of Diwali decoration—the roomie placed a handful of these delicate candle holders around our living room.

That’s my meager contribution in the background: Lindsay’s chai-spiced oatmeal cookies. Am I the gringo here or what? Well, I don’t suppose gringo is quite the right word…

Anyway, if you’ll pardon my very second-hand descriptions of the party snacks, I hope you get to try them some day! There are many wonders to behold in Indian cuisine, if you just know where to look.

cough::www.soapandchocolate.com::cough

from: http://www.soapandchocolate.com/2009/11/diwali-101.html

 November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.   According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and as many as 10 million family caregivers.   Caregivers tend to experience high levels of stress and anxiety, and it is important to recognize the signs of such stress.  Visit us at http://www.tendercarenursing.health.officelive.com if you have any questions, or need help for an aging loved one in the area. 

 

Coping with Caregiver Stress

 

Alzheimer caregivers report that they frequently experience high levels of stress. Too much stress can be damaging to both a caregiver and the person with Alzheimer’s.

 

If you experience some of these signs of stress on a regular basis, consult your doctor. Ignoring them can cause your physical and mental health to decline.

 

Symptoms of caregiver stress

Denial

Anger

Social withdrawal

Anxiety

Depression

Exhaustion

Sleeplessness

Irritability

Lack of concentration

Health problems

           

Be a healthy caregiver

Taking care of yourself is one of the most important ways to be a healthy caregiver.

 

Know what resources are available. Adult day care, in-home assistance, visiting nurses and Meals-on-Wheels are just some of the services that can help you.

 

Become an educated caregiver. As the disease progresses, new caregiving skills are necessary. Find information on alz.org or contact your local Alzheimer’s Association.

 

Get help. You are not failing as a caregiver by asking others for assistance. Seek the support of family, friends and community resources. Alzheimer’s Association support group meetings are a good source of comfort and reassurance. Or you can join our online community.

 

Take care of yourself. Watch your diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. Make time for shopping, lunch with friends or even a golf outing. Take advantage of community services such as adult day care or in-home companion services to care for your loved one while you take a break.

 

Manage your stress level. Stress can cause physical problems and changes in behavior. If you experience symptoms of caregiver stress, use relaxation techniques that work for you, and consult your doctor.

 

Accept changes as they occur. People with Alzheimer’s change and so do their needs. They often require care beyond what you can provide on your own. Look into care services such as in-home caregiver services and residential care.

 

Do legal and financial planning. Consult an attorney to discuss legal, financial and care issues. If possible and appropriate, involve the person with Alzheimer’s and other family members.

 

Be realistic. Many of the behaviors that occur are beyond your control and the control of the person with Alzheimer’s. Grieve your losses, but also focus on the positive moments.

 

Give yourself credit, not guilt. You are doing the best you can. Don’t feel guilty because you can’t do more. Your loved one needs you, and you are there – that should make you feel proud.

 

Original content found HERE. (more…)