Monday, October 31, 2016

Protein-Packed Turkish Çılbır

Protein-Packed Turkish Çılbır

Turkish Çılbır

Recipe developed by Brittany Peterson
Ingredients
  • 6 ounces plain, non-free Greek yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 egg
  • A splash of vinegar
  • A pinch of salt
  • ½ teaspoon butter
  • A pinch of Aleppo pepper flakes (or red pepper flakes)
Directions
  1. Mix minced garlic and yogurt together and set aside.
  2. Poach egg: Crack egg into a bowl. Bring water to a gentle boil and add a splash of vinegar and pinch of salt. Make a whirlpool in the water with the back of a spoon, and gently lower the egg into the center of the whirlpool. Allow to cook for 3-4 minutes, and remove with a slotted spoon.
  3. Meanwhile, melt butter and mix in Aleppo pepper (or red pepper flakes).
  4. Place garlic-yogurt mixture into a serving bowl. Make an indentation in the center for the poached egg. Gently lower the poached egg into place and drizzle with peppered-butter.
  5. Eat with a spoon or soak up with bread



Tips for a Lifetime of Healthy Eyes Please share with yours family and friends


Get Eye Exams

This one seems obvious, but many people neglect this part of their health regimen. Unlike a dreaded dentist appointment, eye exams are a piece of cake with virtually zero pain. Even if you don’t have to wear contacts or glasses, it is still important to get an annual eye exam. One vital test is the dilated eye exam, which can detect problems very early so they can be treated quicker. This exam is so easy — eye-drops widen your pupil to allow your eye doctor to see into your eye.

Wear Sunglasses and Protective Glasses

One very easy way to prevent diseases of the eye is to wear sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses can decrease the risk of developing a common condition that causes severe blurring, called cataracts. There are other conditions that cause damage to the eye as well, such as macular degeneration and tissue growth over the white of the eye.
And if you play contact sports or other activities, wearing protective glasses can make a world of difference. Imagine getting hit in the eye with a hockey stick during a game because you didn’t have protective glasses. This could cause blindness from just this one swift movement. With protective eye gear, the risk of blindness is greatly decreased. Protect your eyes!

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

One last important way to protect your vision is by eating healthy foods and exercising. Antioxidants and vitamins in nutrient-rich foods can bolster the fight against vision diseases and conditions.
But what do exercise and healthy weight have to do with vision? Well, a major risk factor for diabetes is being overweight or obese; and having diabetes increases your chances of having eye problems. Eating a whole, balanced and varied diet along with regular exercise will help maintain your goal weight and control blood sugar levels. Some absolutely delicious and vision-protecting foods are:
  • Oranges: Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant.
  • Salmon and Tuna: Oily fish and eggs are high in omega-3s.
  • Green Leafy Vegetables: These are high in disease-fighting antioxidants and beta-carotene.
  • Nuts and Seeds: These have vitamin E, another essential antioxidant.

Do you love Indian food

The vegetarian curry dish featured below is extremely flexible. Feel free to adapt it. For instance, I used vegetables that I had in my fridge: carrots, bell peppers, broccoli and onion. Or, if you don't like spicy food, leave out the Serrano peppers and cayenne


Recipe items 
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 cups diced broccoli
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • ¾ cup diced carrots
  • 2 cups diced onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1 to 2 fresh serrano chili peppers, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • ¾ teaspoon turmeric
  • ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, diced, with their juices
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1½ teaspoons garam masala
Method 
  1. In a small bowl, stir together yogurt and cornstarch. Set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add broccoli, peppers and carrots and sauté until just tender. Remove from heat.
  3. Heat remaining olive oil in a medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for about 4 minutes, stirring often. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until onions are golden brown. Add garlic, ginger and serrano chilies to the onion. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
  4. Add cooked broccoli, peppers and carrots to onions. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add coriander, cumin, turmeric and cayenne. Stir often and cook for 2 minutes.
  6. Add tomatoes and their juices, yogurt mixture, cilantro and kosher salt. Stir well, cover and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 10 to 20 minutes, or until vegetables are thoroughly cooked. Remove from heat. Add garam masala and stir well.
  7. Garnish with extra cilantro and serve. Serves 4.
Cooking Note
  • Serve with brown rice or quinoa, if desired. Experiment with adding tofu, chicken or other meat while cooking to increase the protein content. The recipe is very flexible!

Dairy-Free Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream

Vegan Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream


Recipe by Lee Crosby
Ingredients
  • 1 pound frozen pitted cherries
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup almond butter
  • ¼ cup maple syrup (or ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons date paste)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
Method 
  1. Pulse frozen cherries and cocoa powder in a food processor until cherries are broken up into small pieces, about the size of peas.
  2. Add remaining ingredients — almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract and almond extract — to food processor. Pulse, scraping the sides two to three times as you go, until almond butter is just incorporated. Be careful to not overmix!
  3. For soft-serve texture, serve immediately. For a firmer texture, transfer to a storage container, place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice cream, and freeze for 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Serves 4.
 Note
  • If you've opted to freeze for a firmer texture, thaw the ice cream on the counter for 15 to 30 minutes (or microwave for 15 to 20 seconds) before serving for easier scooping.

Facebook and Twitter

How to Make Your Social Media Presence More Professional

Arguably the most popular social media sites in use today, Facebook and Twitter are where potential employers are most likely to check up on you. While some users choose to keep their accounts for private use (accessible only to family and friends), Facebook and Twitter are excellent ways to engage professionally.
If you would like to maintain a professional presence on Facebook and Twitter, there a few options to transition your personal account into your professional life. Facebook has a feature that allows you to choose your audience by applying certain filters to current, future and all past posts. Facebook users also have the option to create a separate page directly from the account menu, allowing you to work as an administrator from your personal Facebook account while posting directly onto your newly created page.
If you have used a Twitter account in the past and want to make the transition to professional, I suggest starting from scratch and creating a new account specifically for professional use. Not only will this will help you build your online presence, it also will allow you to network with people in the profession. Hashtags and Twitter chats are great for connecting and engaging with others and getting your name out.
The most important thing to keep in mind when using either of these platforms is to know your audience and post relevant material. It's also important to remember that being professional on social media doesn't mean you have to be dry and boring — be yourself, but find the appropriate balance.

Instagram

Use of visual apps such as Instagram has increased dramatically over the past few years. If you're on Instagram, the good news is that making your account look professional is an easy process. Start by deleting anything you find embarrassing. Then, build a library relevant to your career and interests.
Like Twitter, Instagram utilizes hashtags to allow users to find relevant material, so search and use hashtags in your posts to build a following and network with others in the field. Instagram is a great way to show everyone what you do and how you do it. Use your photos to catch someone's eye and draw them in. People can get a pretty good idea of who are just by looking at a few photos. Choose wisely!

Periscope

This live broadcasting app gives users real-time access to those who are broadcasting. As with other platforms, hashtags make it easy for users to find and connect with others. Once you begin a broadcast, you are able to talk directly to viewers either in private broadcasts or public broadcasts, while they can leave comments and questions during your live stream. This is a great tool for professional use because you can host live discussions with other professionals or clients. The app has become increasingly popular in recent months, so it is a great idea to join and build your presence now.
Social media is here to stay and it is important to make sure you use your accounts to showcase yourself. Transitioning from personal to professional use is key for success in the future. Your professional social media presence allows you to stand out and network, giving you an advantage in the field
BY EJ OTTO

Polish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls A traditional Polish dish

A traditional Polish dish

Ingredients
  • 1 head white cabbage
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice
  • 1 pound raw lean ground meat (at least 85-percent lean)
  • ¾ cup finely diced yellow onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, diced or pressed in a garlic press
  • 6 white mushrooms (5 ounces), diced
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 25 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 15-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan
  • ¼ cup panko bread crumbs  
  • Method 
    1. First, remove cabbage leaves from the head by using a sturdy paring knife to cut a deep circle around the stem of the cabbage. Bring a stockpot of water to boil and place the cabbage head into the boiling water. After approximately 3 to 5 minutes, the outer leaves will soften and can be removed with tongs and set aside to be filled. The inner leaves may require additional boiling to release from the head.
    2. In a mixing bowl, combine brown rice, raw ground beef, onion, garlic, mushrooms, oregano, basil, salt, soy sauce and red pepper flakes. Use a large fork or freshly washed hands to make sure ingredients are evenly distributed.
    3. Add olive oil to a large unheated skillet with a cover.
    4. Place one cabbage leaf on a work surface. Add approximately 2 tablespoons of the filling to the stem end of the cabbage leaf. Fold the left and right sides of the leaf in towards the center, then begin to roll the leaf, starting at the stem and filling end. Place the cabbage roll, fold side down, into the skillet.
    5. Continue with remaining cabbage leaves and filling.
    6. Arrange rolls to fill the surface of the skillet, adding a second layer if necessary.
    7. Add marinara sauce and diced tomatoes to the skillet, coating each cabbage roll.
    8. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook on medium-low heat for approximately 50 minutes.
    9. Preheat oven to broil.
    10. Combine grated mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs. Remove cover from skillet and sprinkle cheese-and-breadcrumb mixture over the cabbage rolls.
    11. Place the skillet, uncovered, under broiler for 2 to 4 minutes, or until cheese and breadcrumbs turn golden brown. Remove, cool for 10 minutes and serve. Makes approximately 16 rolls and serves 8.

Risks for people and profits?

Source:
University of Melbourne
The study also found that fragranced products may affect profits, with more than 20% of respondents entering a business, but leaving as quickly as possible if they smell air fresheners or some fragranced product. More than twice as many customers would choose hotels and airplanes without fragranced air than with fragranced air.
In the workplace, over 15% of the population lost workdays or a job due to fragranced product exposure. Over 50% of Americans surveyed would prefer fragrance-free workplaces. And over 50% would prefer that health care facilities and professionals were fragrance-free.
The research was conducted by Professor Anne Steinemann, from the University of Melbourne School of Engineering, who is a world expert on environmental pollutants, air quality, and health effects.
Professor Steinemann conducted a nationally representative population survey in the United States, using a random sample of 1,136 adults from a large web-based panel held by Survey Sampling International (SSI).
The results are published in the international journal Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health.
When exposed to fragranced products, 34.7% of Americans suffer adverse health effects, such as breathing difficulties, headaches, dizziness, rashes, congestion, seizures, nausea, and a range of other physical problems. For half of these individuals, effects are potentially disabling, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"This is a huge problem; it's an epidemic," says Professor Steinemann.
Fragranced products are pervasive in society, and over 99% of Americans are regularly exposed to fragranced products from their own use or others' use. Reports of adverse health effects were as frequent and wide-ranging across all types of fragranced products.
"Basically, if it contained a fragrance, it posed problems for people," Professor Steinemann said.
Professor Steinemann is especially concerned with involuntary exposure to fragranced products, or what she calls "secondhand scents."
She found over 20% of the population suffer health problems around air fresheners or deodorizers, and over 17% can't use public restrooms that have air fresheners. In addition, over 14% of the population wouldn't wash their hands with soap if it was fragranced.
Over 12% of the population experience health problems from the scent of laundry products vented outdoors, over 19% from being in a room cleaned with scented products, and over 23% from being near someone wearing a fragranced product.
More generally, over 22% of Americans surveyed can't go somewhere because exposure to a fragranced product would make them sick.
"These findings have enormous implications for businesses, workplaces, care facilities, schools, homes, and other private and public places," said Professor Steinemann.
For instance, a growing number of lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act concern involuntary and disabling exposure to fragranced products.
Professor Steinemann's earlier research found that fragranced products -- even those called green, natural, and organic -- emitted hazardous air pollutants. However, fragranced consumer products sold in the US (and other countries) are not required to list all ingredients on their labels or material safety data sheets. Nearly two-thirds of the population surveyed were not aware of this lack of disclosure, and would not continue to use a fragranced product if they knew it emitted hazardous air pollutants.
Professor Steinemann's research continues to investigate why fragranced product emissions are associated with such a range of adverse and serious health effects.
In the meantime, for solutions, Professor Steinemann suggests using products that do not contain any fragrance (including masking fragrance, which unscented products may contain). She also recommends fragrance-free policies within buildings and other places.
"It's a relatively simple and cost-effective way to reduce risks and improve air quality and health," she explains.
Professor Steinemann has also completed a survey of the Australian population, with results expected to be published soon. "The numbers are similarly striking," she said

These are great to make whenever you have a party

Chicken Spring Rolls These are great to make whenever you have a party, or just want to snack on something homemade ...