|
Welcome to the
December issue of “Making the Healthy Choice the Easy
Choice.”
Here you will
find information you can use on a timely topic, healthy
eating, recipes and more! I welcome your feedback and
questions. Please send them to
Janet@nourishyourlife.com Thank you!
December is
the month for reflecting.
As I
reflect on “Christmas’s past”, so many memories come
to mind. One of my fondest memories is of my mom and I
baking cookies; dozens and dozens of cookies to
brightly package and deliver to all of our friends and
neighbors. How I loved walking up and down the street
with her, bundled up against the cold wind, and
knocking on our neighbor’s doors. Often, they would
invite us in and we would sit for just a few minutes
and reflect with them on the year-gone-by. In more
recent, yet past years, I continued this tradition
with our daughter, Jill. We would spend a whole day
baking together, then package up our cookies and walk
up and down the street delivering them. We especially
enjoyed visiting with the older neighbors, and
listening to their stories of “remembrances.” They
would tell us stories of the depression, of
their children and grandchildren, the good times and
the bad…I am sure that our visit meant as much to
them, if not more, than our gift of cookies. What do
you reflect upon as we, (here in this part of the
country)-are bundled up to reflect on years-gone-by?
My
challenge for you this month is to reflect with your
family on what has meant most to you as the years have
gone by. What stories do you remember? I would LOVE
for you to share them with us. Just email me at
janet@nourishyourlife.com. Thank you!
Quote for
the month:
To reflect
on one’s past, is the key to one’s future. A life well
lived is a life to live well.
(Anonymous)
Healthy
eating in December:
Oatmeal!
We love oatmeal on a cold winter’s morning! There is
just something about its goodness that warms our heart
and soul-along, of course, with our tummies…Steel cut
oats are our favorite; with rolled oats close behind.
The little packets of instant oatmeal? Maybe if we are
on the run-but they just don’t satisfy in the same
way.
Health
benefits:
Oats are
high in fiber, low in calories, contain magnesium,
potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, thiamine,
protein and an excellent source of carbohydrates. The
fiber, in oats, is both soluble and insoluble.
The soluble fiber has been shown to help reduce
cholesterol and lower blood sugar. The insoluble
fiber aids in preventing constipation and hemorrhoids.
There are also plant chemicals in oats that help to
prevent heart disease and some forms of cancer.
My challenge
for you this month
is to eat a
bowl of oatmeal at least one morning a week. Try it with
chopped nuts, dried fruit, ground flax seed or anything
else that sounds good to YOU. Why not try mixing it with
cooked quinoa for added protein! Another great idea is
to make granola with oatmeal and quinoa. It is easy to
take with you, keep in your desk for a quick wholesome
snack, or…package it up in brightly colored plastic wrap
and give it to your friends and neighbors as a gift!
Here is a
great recipe for a large batch of Oatmeal-Quinoa
Granola.
Oatmeal-Quinoa Granola
Makes about
16 cups
Ingredients:
2 cups
soaked quinoa (soak one cup of quinoa in 1 ½ cups
water for two hours)
8 cups
rolled oats
1 cup
walnuts (or other nuts that you enjoy)
1 cup
pumpkin seeds
1 cup
sunflower seeds
1 cup
wheat germ or ground flax seed
1 cup
chopped dried fruit
1 cup
canola oil
1 cup
honey
Directions:
Preheat oven
to 250 degrees
1. Heat
oil and honey in a saucepan; stir until well blended
2. Stir in
remaining ingredients
3. Spread
on a baking sheet (you may need to use more than one
baking sheet.)
4. Bake in
oven for about one hour, stirring occasionally.
5. Allow
to cool
6. Package
in air-tight plastic bags.
7.
Enjoy
Nutrition
facts:
1 serving (1/2 cup)= 228 cal, Protein = 5 grams, Carbs =
24 grams, Fat =12 grams (healthy fat)
Do you know of someone who would benefit from this
information?
We welcome you to pass it on.
|
