Do life.

Daily Effort

Just like a ship in the ocean, to fail to progress in the spiritual life towards God means moving farther away from Him. Even a ship that stands still is pushed back by the gentle wind.

"In choosing Him, you choose yourself."

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

cookies

• 2 1/4 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (I use 1/2 Whole Wheat Pastry Flour)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• grated zest of 1 orange, optional
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

glaze

• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  
• For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray baking sheets with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
  1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, soda, salt and spices in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  2. With an electric mixer set on medium speed, cream together the butter and sugars. Scrape down the sides of the bowl,
  3. then add the pumpkin, eggs, vanilla and orange zest, beating well to blend.
  4. Slowly add the dry ingredients, beating well to blend. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
  5. Using a tablespoon scoop, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake on the middle oven rack for about 18 minutes, until edges are lightly browned. Let cool on the baking sheets 5 minutes before transferring to racks to cool.
  6. While the cookies are still warm, press two chocolate chips into the cookie to make eyes for the pumpkin.
  For the glaze: Stir together the sugar, milk and vanilla until the glaze is smooth. Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze and put back on the racks to set, or drizzle in a pumpkin pattern as we did for the photo.
  Courtesy of www.kingarthurflour.com

The joy of being is worth the pain of becoming.

Chlorophyll??? more like Boro-phyll. NOT...

What's So Great About Wheatgrass?
Wheat Grass Benefits

40 Points about Wheat Grass & its
 Nutritional Values

1 Wheatgrass Juice is one of the best sources of living chlorophyll available.

2 Chlorophyll is the first product of light and, therefore, contains more light energy than any other element.

3 Wheatgrass juice is a crude chlorophyll and can be taken orally and as a colon implant without toxic side effects.

4 Chlorophyll is the basis of all plant life.

5 Wheatgrass is high in oxygen like all green plants that contain chlorophyll.  The brain and all body tissues function at an optimal level in a highly-oxygenated environment.

6 Chlorophyll is anti-bacterial and can be used inside and outside the body as a healer.

7 Dr. Bernard Jensen says that it only takes minutes to digest wheatgrass juice and uses up very little body energy.

8 Science has proven that chlorophyll arrests growth and development  of unfriendly bacteria.

9 Chlorophyll (wheatgrass) rebuilds the bloodstream.  Studies of various animals have shown chlorophyll to be free of any toxic reaction.  The red cell count was returned to normal within 4 to 5 days of the administration of chlorophyll, even in those animals which were known to be extremely anemic or low in red cell count.

10 Farmers in the Midwest who have sterile cows and bulls put them on wheatgrass to restore fertility.  (The high magnesium content in chlorophyll builds enzymes that restore the sex hormones.)

11 Chlorophyll can be extracted from many plants, but wheatgrass is superior because it has been found to have over 100 elements needed by man. If grown in organic soil, it absorbs 92 of the known 102 minerals from the soil.

12 Wheatgrass has what is called the grass-juice factor, which has been shown to keep herbivorous animals alive indefinitely.

13 Dr. Ann Wigmore and institutes based on her teachings has been helping people get well from chronic disorders for 30 years using wheatgrass.

14 Liquid chlorophyll gets into the tissues, refines them and makes them over.

15 Wheatgrass Juice is a superior detoxification agent compared to carrot juice and other fruits and vegetables. Dr Earp-Thomas, associate of Ann Wigmore, says that 15 pounds of Wheatgrass is the equivalent of 350 pounds of carrot, lettuce, celery, and so forth.

16 Liquid chlorophyll washes drug deposits from the body.

17 Chlorophyll neutralizes toxins in the body.

18 Chlorophyll helps purify the liver.

19 Chlorophyll improves blood sugar problems.

20 In the American Journal of Surgery (1940), Benjamin Gruskin, M.D. recommends chlorophyll for its antiseptic benefits. The article suggests the following clinical uses for chlorophyll: to clear up foul smelling odors, neutralize Strep infections, heal wounds, hasten skin grafting, cure chronic sinusitis, overcome chronic inner-ear inflammation and infection, reduce varicose veins and heal leg ulcers, eliminate impetigo and other scabby eruptions, heal rectal sores, successfully treat inflammation of the uterine cervix, get rid of parasitic vaginal infections, reduce typhoid fever, and cure advanced pyorrhea in many cases.

21 Wheatgrass Juice cures acne and even help to remove scars after it has been ingested for seven  to eight months.  The diet must be improved at the same time.

22 Wheatgrass juice acts as a detergent in the body and is used as a body deodorant. 

23 A small amount of wheatgrass juice in the human diet helps prevents tooth decay.

24 Wheatgrass juice held in the mouth for 5 minutes will help eliminate toothaches.  It pulls poisons from the gums.

25 Gargle Wheat grass Juice for a sore throat.

26 Drink Wheatgrass Juice for skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis.

27 Wheat grass Juice keeps the hair from graying.

28 Pyorrhea of the mouth: lay pulp of wheatgrass soaked in juice on diseased area in mouth or chew wheat grass, spitting out the pulp.

29 By taking Wheat grass Juice, one may feel a difference in strength, endurance, health, and spirituality, and experience a sense of well-being.

30 Wheatgrass juice improves the digestion.

31 Wheat grass juice is high in enzymes.

32 Wheatgrass juice is an excellent skin cleanser and can be absorbed through the skin for nutrition. Pour green juice over your body in a tub of warm water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.  Rinse off with cold water.

33 Wheatgrass implants (enemas) are great for healing and detoxifying the colon walls.  The implants also heal and cleanse the internal organs.  After an enema, wait 20 minutes, then implant 4 ounces of wheatgrass juice.  Retain for 20 minutes.

34 Wheatgrass juice is great for constipation and keeping the bowels open.  It is high in magnesium.

35 Dr. Birscher, a research scientist, called chlorophyll "concentrated sun power." He said, "chlorophyll increases the function of the heart, affects the vascular system, the intestines, the uterus, and the lungs."

36 According to Dr. Birscher, nature uses chlorophyll (wheatgrass) as a body cleanser, rebuilder, and neutralizer of toxins.

37 Wheat grass juice can dissolve the scars that are formed in the lungs from breathing acid gasses.  The effect of carbon monoxide is minimized since chlorophyll increases hemoglobin production.

38 Wheatgrass Juice reduces high blood pressure and enhances the capillaries.

39 Wheat grass Juice can remove heavy metals from the body.

40 Wheatgrass juice is great for blood disorders of all kinds.

**Disclaimer: I personally do not believe in "cure-alls" or magic foods...but I do believe in the restorative power found in many many edible things around the world, in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. Generally speaking, the more colorful your plate-- the better off you are. I think of it as one small way God tries to bring color into our lives. Drink up, buttercup.

The Sandwich Generation

This is a touching story that eloquently depicts the beautiful mess of life....when a woman is faced with caring for her elderly father and her own family. It is painfully truthful and touches on the strength of the human spirit. I hope you like it.

The Sandwich Generation: Part I 
http://mediastorm.com/publication/the-sandwich-generation

The Sandwich Generation: Part II
http://assets.aarp.org/external_sites/caregiving/multimedia/LifeWithHerbie.html

Harvest happy.

Together, these guys will knock your socks off!  Helloooooo, Fall.

Wine encouraged.

Roasted Squash Toss

Recipe courtesy Sunny Anderson, 2009

Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons red chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (2 pound) butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 (1 1/2 pound) acorn squash, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup almond slivers
• 1/2 orange, zested and juiced (about 1/3 cup juice and 1 tablespoon zest)

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix together garlic, olive oil, sugar, cumin, chili flakes and cinnamon. Add squash cubes and toss well to evenly coat. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Place on two sheet pans and bake until nicely caramelized and soft when poked with a fork, stirring squash halfway through baking, about 25 to 30 minutes. While baking, place almonds in a dry skillet over medium-high heat and toast, stirring often, until lightly golden, about 4 minutes. Transfer squash and almonds to a serving bowl, toss with orange juice and zest, and serve.

Ricotta Ravioli with Spinach Pesto

Recipe courtesy Sunny Anderson, 2009

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh ricotta
• 1 cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 (12 ounce) package wonton wrappers
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 4 cups spinach, loosely packed
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Special equipment: Food processor

Directions

In a small bowl, mix together ricotta, 1/4 cup hazelnuts, nutmeg, lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste. Lay several wonton wrappers on a work surface. Scoop a generous tablespoon of the ricottafilling into the center of each wrapper, and brush outside edges with egg white. Lay another wonton wrapper on top of each, and press firmly with fingertips to press out air and seal ravioli. Transfer ravioli to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers and filling, making 18 to 20ravioli total. Cover baking sheet with a damp paper towel and transfer to refrigerator to set up, about 30 minutes.

To make the spinach pesto:

In a food processor, combine remaining 3/4 cup hazelnuts, lemon juice, spinach, garlic, parmesan, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste and puree until smooth.

Fill a large pot with water, salt liberally, and bring to a boil. Cook ravioli in three batches, until they are cooked and float to the top, about 2 to 3 minutes. Strain and transfer to serving bowls with a dollop of spinach pesto.

© 2011 Television Food Network G.P. All rights reserved

Sunflower Patches in Assisi

Takes me to another place...



Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one's thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe