Friday, December 21, 2012

Friday, December 21, 2012

Good morning.

Well, the ‘big’ storm hasn’t arrived in this part of the world…………….yet.  The fields are still pretty much all green.  It’s always so pretty here when the fields are snow covered.  Actually it’s pretty here at any time.  We love the views.

Yesterday afternoon we spent planning and cooking healthy recipes, one tried and true and 3 new ones.  The tried and true, Jane’s Asparagus Quinoa Salad is always a hit. It lasts up to a week and seems to get better each day, but of course it never lasts that long. 

We made a Spiced Chickpea Snack Mix which was okay but sounded and looked better on the printed paper.It was just so-so.

We then made Tomato Capers Olive Roasted Chicken and Balsamic Glazed Squash for supper to eat along with the Quinoa Salad.  They were both very good, full of protein.   We usually make extra chicken (or lean meat, or whatever we are having etc. to use in salads, soups, etc.)  By the end of the day, I was able to accomplish my targeted level required for me.    

I like the way I say “we” – I sit at the counter relaxed, read the recipes, do a little chopping and Bob does all the running, mixing and cooking! (lol)    Bit of a turnaround these days.

That’s usually how we approach other projects anyway.  I have the ideas, get his input, we discuss the best and most efficient way to do it and he does the physical work!  I think he shutters and gets tense when I start a sentence with “I’ve been thinking………”.

Anyway, after the preparation was done, the three of us (including Munching Myrtle) rewarded ourselves with a variety of goodies.  OH MY GRACIOUS – she was acting rather nuts again, doing back flips and running around in circles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She’s started doing the Happy Dance and hadn’t even won the lottery.  She had trouble deciding which one to try first – can’t believe the quality of baking sitting on the counter – there were not two items the same and EVERYTHING we tried was absolutely delicious.  We are surrounded by amazing bakers.  I haven’t looked at the stash in the pantry yet – I know SHE’S been in there being nosey, checking things out, but I’m waiting for a day or two.

A little Christmas trivia:

Most people associate mistletoe with kissing, as its customary for anyone caught standing under a sprig of this plant (often strategically placed in a doorway) to receive a kiss.

Mistletoe was not allowed in Christian places of worship for many years because of its widespread acceptance in pagan ceremonies.

So where did kissing under the mistletoe begin? One legend attributes this practice to the English who, after every kiss, plucked a berry from the bunch and discarded it. When the berries were gone, tradition called for the kissing to stop. Needless to say, plentiful bunches were eagerly sought for the holidays.

Most American mistletoe is commercially harvested in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Vermont conditions are too cold for this plant although it grows in the wild in the southern states and as far north as West Virginia.

Before getting carried away with this symbol of love, be aware that this plant has been used medicinally for many centuries, and still is. It has been used as a general cure for most ailments, particularly for epilepsy. In Europe, preparations from it are used for treating cancer while in the U.S. this use has not been approved. Current research suggests this plant even might have a use for treating AIDS.

So if you’re going to be hanging mistletoe, I’m sure it will be done by now.

I’m off to start another day and it will be a positive one.

Hope you have one too!