Even though that delicate orange colored fruit you love is small in its size, it packs quite the nutritional punch! So much so, that it’s definitely worth writing about.

The apricot (which means “early matured fruit” in Latin), was discovered in China, and I’m sure when it was found it became quite the popular snack due to its abundance, fragrance, taste, and nutritional value. The apricot trees grow up to 15 feet tall, and they’ll actually produce fruit for an average of 25 years! That’s a lot of apricots.

The main powerhouse nutrients and vitamins in apricots are vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, iron, phosphorus, calcium, and perhaps best of all (and a great asset to colon health), fiber. Not to mention they’re one of the healthier fruits you can eat calorie and fat wise.

Keep in mind; we’re talking about fresh apricots in the above information. Most people associate apricots with the dried version, and while those are still great and contain a lot of fiber, they’re also high in calories due to the sugar content, and they may contain a preservative that has the possibility of instigating asthma attacks. Never-the-less, dried apricots are still a great snack alternative to candies and cakes, and they still contain good amounts of iron and potassium.

Perhaps one of the most revered assets of eating apricots is the extremely high level of beta-carotene, which is a card carrying member of the anti-oxidant family. Anti-oxidants, among other benefits, are best known for its role in disease fighting and prevention. Just one apricot contains roughly 30% of the recommended US daily intake amount of beta-carotene. So get to eating!

When ingested, beta-carotene converts to vitamin A, which is a key vitamin that keeps your gums, hair, and skin healthy (not to mention a host of other glands and organs). Vitamin A helps in fighting disease due to it’s immune system boosting power, and much research has been done on apricots to harness the vast amounts of beta-carotene (vitamin A), so that it can be used for healing.

Not only does an apricot contain a healthy amount of fiber, which is key for good colon health (helps to clean out the “gunk” that builds up over time), it’s also on the starting lineup for fighting heart disease. Apricots contain a couple other powerful substances which you may know as Vitamin C, and also Lycopene. When you combine the above two, the resulting compound is an excellent way to protect yourself from heart disease, stroke, and even many forms of cancer.

Just remember the next time your in the produce isle, don’t pass these babies up. Pick up a few for good health. Avoid the green ones (which will never ripen), and make sure you refrigerate them when you get home to keep them fresh. They’re a great after school snack that will help keep everyone healthy!

Quit putting it off, your life depends on it. Download A Free Low Carb Diet Plan from LowCarbs101.com and start losing weight, TODAY.

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I just made my delicious stuffing for the turkey tomorrow. Here’s my recipe:  Five slices of white bread blitzed into breadcrumbs, a bunch of spring onions,250grams dried apricots, a half teaspoon salt, a small bunch of sage leaves, one egg, the rind of a lemon and the juice of the lemon. Blitz it all together in a food processor or chop it all finely. Leave it in the fridge until Christmas morning, then stuff the inside of the bird with it. I use sausage meat stuffing for the neck end.

Raw Christmas feast for twelve carnivores? What do you think their opinion of a six course raw menu would be? Exactly! So the hypocrite in me gave them what they wanted; turkey mince balls, cranberry chutney, chestnut souffle and a mountain of roasted vegetables. At least until dessert.The raw foody in me then managed to sneak in a raw chocolate Christmas pudding without anyone noticing it was raw. Usually traditional Chrissie puddings seriously clog up your digestive system – you’ll find this one does the opposite!

THE INGREDIENTS
200g organic dried apricots
300g raisins
100g prunes
10 delicious caramel-like medjool dates
2 pods of vanilla
a pint of freshly juiced apple juice
3 grated carrots
2 grated apples
a healthy dash of cinammon
150g ground almonds
100g chopped hazelnuts
100g chopped pecan nuts

HOW TO MAKE IT
1. Soak the fruits, vanilla, cinammon and carrot in the apple juice, in a covered bowl, for three days
2. Blend as best you can – roughish texture is still ok
3. Add chopped nuts to mixture
4. Spoon mixture into small pots as in the pic above (I use recycled yoghurt pots)
5. Make the raw chocolate to the recipe here
6. Cover with a generous layer of liquid raw chocolate and refrigerate before serving. Yum.

It tasted delish and with all those dried fruits in there, also gave everyone a good digestive clean out the next day! Just two of the benefits…

TIP
I had loads left over, so rolled the mixture into balls, coated them in left over raw choc and then coconut. They last for ages and make yummy late Christmas presents for lovely neighbours.

There are different ways to strengthen the immune system with the use of dietary supplements. Here are just a few examples;

mixed carotenoids (natural vitamin A)- good for the mucous membranes (respiratory and intestinal tract protection)

vitamin C complex (natural vitamin C with bioflavonoids)- traditionally used to boost the immune system against infections and tumors but also good for formation of collagen, along with L-lysine and L-proline

vitamin D3- studies show that it could protect against the flu (low levels of exposure to sunlight during the winter months make one vulnerable to the flu) and against certain forms of cancer

selenium- one of the co-factors in the formation of glutathione, which is abundant in the spleen and lymphocytes, both involved in immune system health

zinc- has antimicrobial properties and also good for prostate health in men

manganese- helps in the production of SOD, one of the antioxidants endogenously produced in our bodies

probiotics- an essential nutrient especially if one has taken antibiotics in the past, helps prevent bacterial and fungal overgrowth in the intestine

clove- has the highest ORAC (antioxidant levels) level among all natural substances, has antimicrobial properties as well

thyme- its constituent thymol has antifungal properties

lemon- has d-limonene which has anti-carcinogenic properties, has anti-viral properties as well (along with other citrus oils)

cinnamon- has antibacterial properties, also regulates blood sugar

rosemary- antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory

oregano- antimicrobial

chlorella and spirulina- immune stimulants

raspberries- rich in ellagic acid, which has anti-carcinogenic properties

apricots- rich in vitamin B 17, also has anti-carcinogenic properties

wolfberries- stimulates release of HGH from the pituitary

broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables- lowers xenoestrogens, cleanses liver

frankincense- helps repair DNA

More to come….

Some time before Christmas, I make fruitcake.

I soak dried fruit in brandy for a day,

Then combine with batter, now oven-bake.

Even though it’s got a bad rap, I say:

Fruitcake is delicious aged for some time,

Soaked in some liquor; not just any wine.

It’s dense and moist, and much sweeter than I’m–

The perfect end to a feast of roast swine.

Like a vintner, I age my cakes some years,

Sealed in marzipan, they wait in cellar.

Whilst they improve, we all enjoy some beers;

As we dream of a delight so stellar.

Raisins, prunes, currants, spice, and apricots;

I do so like this cake that I begot.

Remember  the Chocolate Scones I made from the MSBH not so long ago?  Remember how they turned out not so good?  Well, the recipe for Oat and Dried Apricot Scones is more of the same.  I think it’s this unfortunate addition of an egg with the wet ingredients.  Scones do perfectly well without eggs.  I like my scones more on the biscuit-side of things, and so the egg and the cake-y texture it creates bugs me. Do British bakers use eggs in their scones? Is that the “traditional” way of making scones?  Will someone please explain this absurdity to me?

I think this recipe would be fantastic if we omitted the egg and just added a bit more buttermilk to compensate.  Someday, I will make them again and do just that.  But until then, I give you the MSBH approach to Oat and Dried Apricot Scones.

The dried apricots and oats are inspired and seem like a no-brainer addition to any scone.

The dry ingredients are pretty straightforward.  Keeping the apricot bits from sticking together in one big clump takes some work.

Then the wet ingredients are added and a loose ball of scone dough results.  Exciting stuff.

The scones are formed and cut.  I should have cut each of those smaller rectangles diagonally into two triangles but I spaced it.  I think it would have helped immensely in the look of the final scones.  Had I left the egg out, they would have likely kept their rectangular shape too.  And tasted miles better.

But this is what I ended up with.  Blech!  I’ll make them again without the egg and post results.  It was so disappointing to be left with these little blobs of blob.  It’s like something you’d see in the lunchbox of a factory worker in some grimey industrial city during the Great Depression.  He’d pull out one of these shapeless, chewy scones from a dirty napkin in his rusty lunch tin and grimly take a bite while contemplating his dismal lot in life.

After canning hundreds of jars this year, I still have one favorite preserve with the exception of my $27 Cherokee Purple Tomato Sauce and it’s apricot preserves.  The recipe below is easy to make and during apricot season I would make a single batch or a double batch several days in a row as it was so quick and easy to put up.  Sometimes I even made it while I was making dinner . . .it’s that easy after you get the hang of it. The flavor is simply apricots, apricots, apricots.  I put up 3 dozen 1/2 pints and a dozen pints which I think is enough to last until next apricot season. I look for recipes for preservation that have more than one use after they are put up: Apricot preserves are not only great on toast but also are a great glaze when making an apple tart or Martha Stewart’s apricot window cookies.

The recipe is borrowed and adapted from Alice Waters:

Apricot Preserves

• 2 1/2 pounds apricots
• 2 3/4 cups sugar (scant)
• 1 pat butter
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Simply wash, pit, and quarter the apricots and place in a non-reactive pan with the sugar. Cook over medium heat until it reaches the consistency that you like (~20 minutes).  I add a pat of butter if the mixture starts to foam.  Remove from heat and add the juice of one lemon.
• Yield: 2 pints (I jar in 1/2 pint jars)
• Store in the refrigerator or
• Use a boiling-water canner: Remember to apply all the canning best practices: clean and sterilize jars, lids, and rings (never re-use lids and only jars intended for canning should be used), jars and preserves must be hot,  1/4 inch headspace for pint jars and 10 minutes at less than 1,000 feet above sea level, remove all air bubbles, wipe jar lips, jar rings should only be finger tight, at least 2 inches of water above the tops of jars,  timing in boiling water bath is always from a full boil with a full boil the entire preserving time, place jars on a towel and cover with a towel to cool, do not disturb for 12-24 hours,  never re-tighten jar rings, after cooling check seal and store in a cool, dark location.  Please confirm all best practices with a current book or a university extension to ensure canning safety!

© OB Farmlander, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to OB Farmlander with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

I leaned in closer to the mirror, my nose just inches from the glass… I examined every inch of my face as I prepared to mask it with powders and paints. The music sounding from my laptop gave sent a rush of endorphins through my body and I couldn’t help but dance to the rhythm while I got ready. Lotions, potions, perfume and makeup were scattered atop the much-to-small vanity in the corner. The rest of the room was just as unruly, a good tidy was definately overdue. I barely gave this a second though as I continued to dance, for today was Saturday and I had to prepare myself for the festive buzzing of the mall.

The vanity was definately a little unconventional due to its size, but it fit well in the corner of my room and had ‘antique value’ according to my stepfather. The old mirror was small and round, it had already started to develop those tiny little brown specks that are apparent on most antiques. I looked deep within its depths, assessing my own reflection. I lost track of time as I stared, thinking about how I looked just right. Not fat, and definately not too skinny… just, normal. Everyone around me must be over-exaggerating, there is no way that the girl in the mirror is underweight!

The song on the laptop shifted and I immediately snapped out of my trance. I looked down at the clock: 9:48a.m.! I grabbed my bag, took one last look into the unseemingly dishonest mirror and took off out the door to meet my mother waiting for me in the car. Christmas was in the air, and the mall was calling my name.

***

As I entered the mall from the frosty wind outside, the incessent buzzing of holiday spirit filled my soul with joy. The smiles, the laughter, the incredible fragrances that only come around at this time of year. Entire aisles were lit up with flurescent lighting and Christmas music echoed throughout. We walked swiftly towards the other end of the mall, not wanting to be held up by unessesary delays like long coffee shop lineups. Each store had its own special allure; Christmas sales and specials compleye with their own music and decorations, each one more inviting than the next. I found myself gazing into all of their display stands in awe of the beautiful gifts on display. How I wished I had more people to buy gifts for, more friends in my life to which I could shower with gifts and love at this wonderful time of celebration. My focus shifted and I jolted backwards and nearly fell. There seemed to be a terrifyingly skeletal figure staring at me from behind the glass… oh wait, I pondered. My mind racing, heart pounding. Was that me?!

——————————————

I don’t know if I will ever fully see myself as I truly am.

Sure, people tell me that I am underweight, and I beleive them. For my age and my height I have an unhealthy bmi; I’ve seen the charts, I’ve heard the facts. But still, the girl who stares back at me from the depths of the mirror looks just fine to me. In fact, she looks just right. Every once in awhile, I catch a glimpse of myself in a window unintentionally…  like today in the mall. I find myself  startled when I see myself as a small, hopelessly skeletal figure.

Part of me thinks that my resistance to recover stems from the fact that despite the science and the charts, I have chosen to beleive the first reflection in the mirror, the one where I am just fine the way I am now. Part of me thinks I would be crazy to want to gain weight, and ED sure as hell agrees.

Today’s Eats:

Breakfast: Oat Bran, Vanilla Almond Milk, Dried Apricots and Raw Almond Butter

Lunch: Curried Shrimp!

Dinner: Half Buttercup Squash filled with Cottage Cheese!

Today was a little rough, but I most definitly survived. I realize that it is much harder to stick to my plan on the weekend because my schedule is so lax, and being at the mall for the majority of the day did not help. I am soooo not brave enough for the food court. I missed both my morning and afternoon snacks because my lunch schedule was totally wacked; We ended up going out (to the Green Garden, obviously) when we were done shopping, which was around 2:30 pm! I would say that certainly qualifies as a late lunch :/ I felt quite ashamed that I couldn’t eat my snacks today… how can I be so strong one day and so ignorant the next? I know I have to be responsible and not depend on my mother, but it made me slightly annoyed when she didn’t push me to eat anything whilst we were in the mall. Its almost as if ED directed my anger towards her, and I was able to use this as an excuse to restrict. I tried to make up for my missed snacks by ordering my favorite entree [which I usually would never do at lunchtime because it is so heavily portioned.] I have to say that I managed to eat every last drop of savory curry, and couldn’t have enjoyed it more!

Dinner was on the lighter side on account of me being insanely full after an entire curry dish (and we can’t forget the ensure I washed down about an hour afterwards!). It was simple, yet incredible. I had the leftover half of my buttercup squash with cottage cheese.

Despite the missed snacks, I think I got close to my goal today… I will have to see if I can manage to appropriately ‘beef’ up my bedtime snack or not:P  Because I am forced to do this meal planning/nutritional buisness on my own (as some of you may know, I am unable to find an adequate nutritionist in my area which puts alot of resposibility on my shoulders), I was wondering if any of you ladies could advise me on my meal plan and the goal I should strive for each day? I realize that stating numbers is not exactly a great idea and that everyone’s body is different when it comes to needs of recovery, but a ballpark of what you think a step in the right direction in terms of caloric intake would be greatly appreciated. Currently I have been bouncing between 1000-1400 because I figured I had to start out slow. I can’t stand feeling out of control and I feel that I can’t trust my body. You all have way more experience with trained professionals than I do.   Anything would be helpful my dears!

Also, do you suffer from distorted reflections? How do you deal with them?

I hope the rest of your weekends are filled with holiday cheer! This time of year tends to bring out the best in people.

xoxo TAT

Free radicals are unstable molecules that have unpaired electrons. In their attempt to stabilize themselves, they steal electrons from our cells, in effect causing cell damage and subsequent self-destruction, a process also known as apoptosis. Free radicals are generated every second in the body. It’s not only caused by dietary and lifestyle indiscretions but also by normal metabolic processes such as breathing and eating. Free radicals are not all bad. It’s one of the ways our body defends itself from pathogens for instance. It’s excessive free radical activity  that causes health problems.

What can we do to quench excessive free radical activity? These can be done through substances called antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that donate electrons to free radicals which are then effectively neutralized. Antioxidants can come in different forms such as vitamins (vitamins A and C), minerals (zinc, selenium), amino acids (glutathione), herbs (turmeric, garlic, ginkgo) and superfruits (wolfberry, apricots, pomegranates, blueberries).

Is it necessary for everybody to take antioxidants? In a perfect world, probably not. But with todays imperfect environment, we all need to take antioxidants from food sources as well as supplements. Not all supplements are created equal, however. I generally prefer whole food derived rather than synthetic supplements.

*Sigh*

I don’t know why this is happening to me.

I don’t know how this is happening to me.

The court was horrible. I did answered the questions well and didn’t fall into their traps when they questionned me.

Unfortunately, it’s not the case for my mom:

But that’s not her fault. She doesn’t understand french very well (okay she totally sucks with any language other than chinese) and can’t express herself clearly, ie:

The Child protection services lawyer: -’Mrs, do you care about your daughter?’

My mom: -My daughter doesn’t need the doctors intervention.

The CPS lawyer: -After hearing the mother, we can now see that the parents are not taking their responsability and letting their daughter in danger by…”

You know what I mean? I’m aware that her answer sounded like the typical ‘bad mom’ in TV shows, but I know she meant to say: ‘Leave my daughter alone, I love her and it hurts me seeing how upset she gets because of you.’

It’s not fair.

She barely understood a thing, seemed so lost and looked so stupid!

I feel so bad.

And my lawyer is an ass. She didn’t show my new health results to the judge. They were high enough to prove I’m not in danger, and that my health greatly improved. She even asked me questions that weren’t relevant and weren’t going to help me at all. My mom is pretty sure she doesn’t care about my case at all (she called me at the last minute to ask me about the situation). In fact, she’s friend with those doctors. Next time she calls, I’ll fire her.

The judge didn’t give the sentence yet. But we all know what is gonna be.

I lied to you:

I said I wouldn’t cry.

But I did.

I went to my math exam after that, and I must admit it wasn’t a good idea. I barely had time to finish my copy and almost cried in the classroom.

I know you guys didn’t understand 99% of what I said. It’s pretty complicated. Something I did in the past, something I had in the past/still have/always will, something I don’t what other to know of but that’s essential to tell if I want to prove them wrong…Okay I’ll stop, your heads are spinning.

Aside from this shit, I have a question for US/Canada shippers:

Can we have customs problems if we ship food within US/Canada??

I’ll leave you with some yummy eats. I always try to include some posivity since I know there’s some people that doesn’t read the long paragraphs and just look at the pictures…(yeah, BUSTED!)

Pumpkin oatbran

With applesauce and almonds

With chopped apple and PB

Do you guys prefer nuts on top of your oatmeal or PB?

I think I prefer nuts…PB is better on toast

Close-up on the burned almonds (I know, I’ll never change…)

‘Triple Orange foods’ Swiss Oats 

No orange flavor…

Pumpkin, Peach and Apricots…

3 orange foods, hence the name x)

Click on the title for the recipe, or just check the ‘recipe’ page

My Pumpkin Yogurt

This time, I didn’t burn the almonds.

New invention!

‘What is this stuff?‘, you guys are asking.

Well, it’s hummus.

But made with black beans instead of chickpeas

I love the color.

Would’ve been perfect for Halloween.

I have tons of homework. With all the court/law/doctor thing, I think I’ll crack up soon. They just don’t get how this is affecting me negatively.

But I’m more worried about my mom. She’s so depressed and feels guilty because she didn’t do well in court. She lost a lot of weight (I won’t say numbers, but holy crap!) and has no appetite. We’ve been eating pizzas (thank Lord they have a good deal) and eating frozen meals because she doesn’t have the motivation to cook.

I must admit I’m not helping her much…I didn’t really talk to her since the court thing. I feel a little bit of anger because she really looked stupid in front of the judge…I’m going to the mall with my friends today, maybe I’ll get a gift for her or something. Any ideas?

xoxo

Vanilla

The judge didn’t give the sentence yet. But we all know what is gonna be.

It’s hard to believe I actually have to go to class today. It feels like I haven’t been in ages. What classes am I taking? Ha…just kidding!

I slept like a rock last night, but I still did not want to get out from under my cozy covers this morning. So…I stayed in bed and pondered about breakfast possibilities. I am in desperate need of a trip to the grocery store, so it was slim pickings.

Oats to the rescue:

• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup rolled oats
• 4 dried apricots
• chopped raw almonds
• dash of cinnamon
• splash of light vanilla soymilk

I am actually looking forward to going to the gym today – a break in my routine was much needed! I’ll let ya know how it goes…

Happy Last Day of November!

~ Hillary

Today has been a day of unwavering procrastination and rain. The sun decided not to show up at all and now it’s half 7 and it’s bona fide dark and STILL raining. But. There is hope on the horizon. These:

Little spheres of fluorescent ‘fruit’, imbued with sugar and then coated with wanton abandon in more sugar. Very 1970s and beyond kitsch, glace cherries are glorious in their brazen defiance of anything approaching health or fashion. They’re all fake tan and peroxide hair and teetering heels, but goodness they are proud of it.

I don’t let myself buy them because I know they would disappear in the hour. They have only appeared in my cupboard today because they’re the star performer in my soon-to-be-created tiffin for tomorrow’s bake sale. Already they are winking at me, little tempting fairy lights.

Yes, I’m sure dried apricots would make a healthy substitute, or dried cranberries for that matter. But glace cherries were not made to be substituted. Nothing beats their gloopy sugar hit, the way they crack and crunch into moistness when you find one nestled in amongst nondescript raisins and peel in fruit cake.

I love cherries full stop, but hymns to M&S kirsch cherry liqueurs (dark chocolate cracks and oozes fiery kirsch and an alcohol-soaked cherry), uberly-naff maraschino cherries (not just for Del Boy), my mum’s incredible chocolate-and-cherry buns and cherries bleeding into a paper bag, staining your hands as you eat far too many when the season begins, will have to wait until I’ve finished what I was supposed to be doing today.

Ah yes. Tiffinmaking. Oh dear.

But for more procrastinating – try cherry picking here, making your own here, or keeping out the rain and the cold with one of these.

It’s official: I’m back on the couscous bandwagon.  Thankfully, I’m not quite as obsessed as before.  Unlike my earlier college days, I do vary my diet a little; I also eat pumpkin pies, apple crumb cakes and cranberry sauce.  I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: couscous salads are so flexible, you can add whatever you have lurking in your fridge drawers and it’ll probably make a good meal if you spice it up enough.  That said, I’ve been making several grain & veggie salads of late and this one really stood out and, despite the fact that it provided a huge Tupperware of leftovers, two days later there wasn’t a semolina granule to be found.  What made this salad different was the spicing.  I didn’t skimp with salt (3/4  teaspoon for the entire salad), chili powder, coriander, cumin, garam masala and cinnamon.  I took a riff from my previous Moroccan Couscous dish with the sweet-tastes (I even added a splash of orange juice at the end).  But I also wanted it to have a bit of a kick, like a chocolate mole sauce, so I included chile peppers, chile powder and a smidgen of cumin for warmth.

The best and most unusual part of this salad was the fact that the couscous played a minor role.  Instead of eating COUSCOUS flaked with a few specks of parsley and a lentil or two, the couscous was the medium to eat nuts, dried fruit and savory, spiced veggies.  Each spoonfull had chew and crunch.

I tried this salad hot, room-temperature and cold.  My favorite was room-temperature.  Conversely, my dad’s favorite was piping hot and my mom loved it cold.  As my cousin Emily said, we’re like the Three Bears.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/3 cup pecans, chopped

1 cup whole-wheat couscous
1 cup chopped dates and dried apricots

1 large onion, white or yellow
5 sweet chile peppers (or 1 large bell pepper), thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
generous amount of ground pepper
1/2  cup dried beans (I boiled a 12-bean mix from a market bulk bin)
olive oil
1 tablespoon orange juice, optional

Methods:

1.  If using dried beans, measure 1/2 cup and boil according to cooking time.  Skim off any white foam that rises to the top during cooking.

2.  In an ungreased sauce pan, toast pine nuts and pecans on medium-high, approximately 5-7 minutes.  Pinenuts burn easily, so keep close watch.

3.  Boil amount of water according to couscous instructions.  Remove from heat.  Stir in whole-wheat couscous and chopped, dried fruit.  Cover for five minutes, then fluff.  Set aside.

4.  In a skillet, heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil.  Add chopped onion and cook until wilted and slightly browned, about 5 minutes.   Add peppers, cook another 3-4 minutes.  Add generous pinch of sea salt and spices.   (Don’t skimp here; remember that these ingredients will flavor the entire salad.)  When cooked, remove from heat.  Toss with couscous salad.  Add more olive oil to taste, pepper, salt if necessary and smidgen of OJ, if using.

5.  When beans are cooked, drain and add to salad.  Toss.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

“Its Called a Breakup Because It’s Broken” and “Mend a Broken Heart in 30 Days” are nice and all, but when going through an earth shattering breakup, lets get real. They don’t help. Ice cream? No, whiskey. No contact? 200 texts a day! Here is a list of the real must haves to get you through your breakup 10 lbs lighter, looking cute and having had a little fun.

1. Mexican nighty

At PHF we always like to look our best, even in the midst of a nervous breakdown. You wouldn’t go to a black tie event wearing jeans would you? Always dress appropriately for the event! A Mexican nighty, preferably pale yellow, is the perfect outfit for complete mental collapse. It’s airy and comfortable, and with a cardigan thrown over top it looks cute when you walk to the corner for alcohol and cigarettes. There is no shame in wearing it every day for over a week.

2. Baby food

When crying and hyperventilating all day and night, it’s hard to get food down. Everything tastes horrible. But you need to eat, if only to keep the booze and anti depressants down. Wear your Mexican nighty to the grocery store and stock up on baby food. It’s affordable, easy to swallow, and packed with nutrients. If you have company, offer them a jar of pureed apricots. It’s my favorite.

3. Laptop

Since you’re not going to be leaving the house much, things can get lonely. Your laptop is your best friend. Need to talk to someone? Email his ex girlfriends! Wondering why you can’t feel better, even though it’s been weeks? E-diagnose yourself with a personality disorder (I find borderline personality disorder to be a fun one). Miss your boyfriend so much you could die? Use the blind function on your computer to have an electronic voice read you every email he’s ever written you. And always be on the look out for pictures of him with other girls.

4. Psychotropic medication mixed with booze

Anything can be a party if you throw in some festive drinks and pills. Your local clinic or family doctor will be happy to hook you up with various downers. After hours? Head to the emergency room, baby! Empty wine bottles also make great ashtrays and create attractive avant-garde center pieces when filled to the top with cigarette butts.

5. Down comforter

Most of this party is going to be spent in bed, so make sure you have a thick, high quality down comforter. It will soak up the tears, spilled wine and baby food, and keep you cozy during a record breaking heat wave. Don’t even think about walking the 4 blocks to the beach to cool down in the ocean. Sweat it out. Think of it like a cleanse.

I found some really great leeks from Super 88 this weekend and they were really cheap. First thing you’ll want to do when you decide to cook them is wash them. Leeks grow in the sand, and the grains have a tendency to get caught inside the leeks. Wash them thoroughly and chop off the tops and bottoms of the leeks much as you would celery. Then slice them in half going down the length of the leeks.

Coat the leeks with olive oil, salt and pepper. Put your leeks on a grill or on a grill pan over medium heat. When they’ve developed grill marks on one side, flip them over and let them cook on the other side.

That’s about it. Throw those leeks on a plate with a cooked piece of salmon fillet over top of it. Squeeze some lemon over the whole thing and enjoy!

The other thing I did with the salmon was just a fruit plate. It was yummy, but there wasn’t really anything to tie the salmon to the fruit. The lime especially didn’t really add anything, but I definitely ate it when I was done with everything else. But it looked so pretty, didn’t it?

Currently Cooking To

Thurston Harris – Little Bitty Pretty One

It’s fun to dance around to. Sometimes I like to pretend I’m in that scene in Matilda when she makes pancakes. This song is especially fun when you cook with your roommates (especially if your roommates are musical theater people and like to harmonize!).

Enjoy!!

Jag kan tala om att jag är en farlig jävel inatt. Har tappat räkningen på gångerna jag börjat asgarva och sagt “Undrar om ____ skulle bli arg om jag taggade honom/henne på Facebook” om bilder. Gamla mappar = GULDGRUVA. Har nästan inte förlorat några bilder sen 2004. Hohoho. Riktigt fin humor hade jag också, vill jag mena.

Ska inte hänga ut någon nu. Det orkar jag inte. Jag tänker däremot bjussa på 3 fina bilder och en video. Camhumor 2004, min riktiga hårfärg 2004, en vacker teckning 2006 och APRICOTS!!1

De två senaste är tillägnade Rivpappa och Svampkalas såklart! <3

NU SKA VI GÅ TILL STATOIL! 04:12! Ps. Robin sa just att han tycker att camhumor 2004-bilden är “fin” med ett mycket obehagligt tonfall. Hilfe.

Adventures in beautiful South Africa is a fascinating way to the famous African safaris and other holidays to experience the most thrilling and exciting activities. When you say: "Safari in Africa", the head immediately goes to see the excitement, some of the wildest, extinct in the area, and even some rare animals.

South Africa is definitely a large and varied country, offering a clear, almost unlimited opportunities for adventure travelers. This extraordinary countryThey offer a breathtaking land and water sports such as mountaineering, trekking, canoeing and whitewater rafting. Many of the travelers choose to regard a South African holiday is the best option for the holiday to an African safari tour, but do not forget that there are so many other things you enjoy. If you are a very satisfying experience and vacation once in a lifetime trips, you may want to consider one of the following options.

Kruger National ParkPark

This is the park that is filled with beautiful animals and is known as the finest game reserve in the world. The park is home to many species of animals and a sanctuary for big cats. As you visit the park you will see many animals like lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, impalas and other animals.

Kalahari Gemsbok National Park

This option is further away and robust in comparison to Kruger, and is a large and imposingly large herds of wildlife-filledGemsbok, eland, springbok, and wildebeest. This is the place where the Kalahari lion is a you are welcome, as you will have a foot in this majestic park.

Canoeing on Orange River

This is the most popular place for adventure travel, where you can enjoy a good time canoeing the Orange River. The river winds its way through the realm of Bushmanland and its shores are generally, which is a lush oasis ideal place to watch birds and wildlife.

So you are interestedPlanning a holiday you will never forget? This test, enjoy the animals harbor of South Africa. Adventures in South Africa is a very exciting experience, where the wild animals to the beautiful scenery to enjoy exciting activities that you will never forget!

Travel Blog

Why apricots?

The carotenoids, vitamin A and lycopene, found in orange colored fruits and vegetables, have “the proven capacity to inhibit the growth of cells of several cancer lines, including brain gliomas,” (David Servan-Schreiber, Anti Cancer, page 122). Other carotenoids have been shown to “stimulate the growth of immune cells and increate their capacity to attack tumor cells,” (David Servan-Schreiber, Anti Cancer, page 122).

In addition, “a study that tracked breast cancer patients for six years showed that those who consumed the most foods rich in carotenoids lived longer than those who consumer less,” (David Servan-Schreiber, Anti Cancer, page 122)

APRICOTS STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE AND THYME

Apricots Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Thyme

This recipe could not be easier! And these apricot bites are a wonderful appetizer – something a little different and very delicious.

Note: Here are the directions for making just one Apricot Stuffed with Goat Cheese. You’ll want to make a lot more than just one!

Ingredients

1 dried apricot

• I used Mariani Ultimate Apricots that I had bought at Costco. They’re a good size, soft and plump – just perfect.
• Like most dried apricots, the Mariani brand contains sulfur dioxide which is used to preserve the color (keeps them orange, not brown like apricots without this preservative). Some people are allergic to sulfur dioxide. For those people it’s definitely not safe to consume products that contain sulfur dioxide; for the rest of us, it’s OK. For more on sulfur dioxide’s safety — and the safety of many other additives and preservatives in our food – see CSPI’s website.

¼-½ teaspoon goat cheese

• If possible, choose goat cheese from grass-fed goats because the omega 3 to omega 6 balance of grass-fed milk (cheese) and meat is closer to the ideal 1:1 ratio.
• Where can you find cheese from grass-fed goats? I have found grass-fed dairy products at our local farmer’s market. Of course, when the market is not in season, you have to look elsewhere – at specialty grocery stores and online (americangrassfed.org and eatwild.com)
• Not to worry. If you don’t use grass-fed goat cheese, that’s fine too.

2 pieces ( ¾ to 1-inch long stems, each) fresh thyme

• Note: Herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil and mint are very rich in essential oils of the terpene family, and these oils “promote apoptosis [cell death] in cancer cells and reduce their spread by blocking the enzymes they need to invade neighboring tissues.” (David Servan-Schreiber, Anti Cancer, page 123)
• Use the tender ends of the sprigs of thyme for this recipe.
• Use a pair of kitchen shears to cut ff the tender ends of the thyme.
• Tip: Reserve the woodier ends of the thyme for another use, such as making soup.
• You can freeze the remaining thyme sprigs(after washing). Just put into a resealable plastic bag for the freezer and freeze.
• You can also store thyme sprigs  for about a week in the refrigerator. Just loosely wrap them in a paper towel and refrigerate. Do not wash the thyme before you refrigerate it. But do wash it before you are ready to use it.

Directions

Pry the dried apricot halves apart or cut them apart with a sharp serrated knife, but do not completely separate the two halves of the apricot. (The two halves of the apricot should be joined together on one end.)

Spread the goat cheese onto one of the apricot halves.

Place the thyme on the cheese so that two (or more) ends of the thyme peek out over the edge of the apricot.

Cover the filled apricot half with the plain apricot half.

And…that’s the recipe. It’s that simple!

Enjoy and be healthy!

Leni

A parrot:

A parrot eating a banana:

A poem about apricots, parrots, unrequited love and falling asleep in the bath:

Even when I was dreaming