Sunday, March 28, 2010

Fresh Ideas for Easter

At this Easter season of hope and renewal we testify of the glorious reality of the atonement and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Read more>>
The word Atonement describes the setting “at one” of those who have been estranged, and denotes the reconciliation of man to God. Sin is the cause of the estrangement, and therefore the purpose of atonement is to correct or overcome the consequences of sin.
Jesus Christ, as the Only Begotten Son of God and the only sinless person to live on this earth, was the only one capable of making an atonement for mankind.
BIBLE DICTIONARY - Atonement

Celebrate spring with these easy healthy Easter recipes. Spring holidays are here and sometimes we need a little something special when we gather with friends and family.


Ham, Gruyere & Spinach Bread Pudding
Ingredients
For the custard:
4 large egg whites
4 large eggs
1 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
For the bread and filling:
4 cups (4-6 slices) whole-grain bread, crusts removed if desired, cut into 1-inch cubes
5 cups chopped spinach, wilted
1/2 cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers
1 cup (5 ounces) diced ham steak
For the topping:
3/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat an 11” x 7” glass baking dish or a 2-quart casserole with cooking spray.
2. To prepare the custard whisk egg whites, eggs and milk in a medium bowl. Add mustard, pepper and rosemary and whisk to combine.
3. Toss bread, spinach, roasted red peppers and ham in a large bowl. Add the custard and toss well to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and push down to compact. Cover with foil.
4. Bake until the custard has set, 40-45 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese and continue baking until the pudding is puffed and golden on top, 15-20 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Spinach Benefits:

Health Benefits of Spinach: Better Vision
Eating Spinach is Good for the Heart
The Cancer Fighting Benefits of Eating Spinach
Eating Spinach Builds Better Blood Cells


Italian Ham Cold Plate
6 slices Deli Fresh Shaved Smoked Ham
1/2 cup  baby spinach
1 tomato, halved
1 slice  honeydew melon (2-inch wedge)
5 RITZ Crackers
1/4 cup Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
2 Tbsp. Zesty Italian Dressing
Make It!
ARRANGE ham, spinach, tomatoes, melon and crackers on plate. Top tomato halves with cheese.
DRIZZLE with dressing or use dressing as a dipping sauce.

Honeydew Melon Health Benefits:
Contain potassium, this mineral helps keep your muscles from cramping.
Great source of folic acid for women of childbearing age because it is known to prevent birth defects.
Ideal food for people who want to lose weight and for those who want to improve their health because it is low in sodium, fat-free, cholesterol free and low calories. One cup of honeydew contains 60 calories.
Contain plenty of water which keeps us hydrated.
It is a great source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent many diseases.

Crisp-and-Creamy Baked Chicken
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
6 Tbsp.  (1/2 of 1 pouch) Extra Crispy Seasoned Coating Mix
2 cups instant white rice, uncooked
2/3 cup  (1/2 of 10-3/4-oz. can) condensed cream of celery soup
1/4 cup milk
1 cup  Shredded Cheddar & Monterey Jack Cheese
Make It!
HEAT oven to 400°F.
COAT chicken with coating mix as directed on package; place in greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Discard any remaining coating mix.
BAKE 20 min. or until chicken is done (165°F). Meanwhile, cook rice as directed on package.

MIX soup and milk until well blended; pour over chicken. Top with cheese. Bake 5 min. or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly. Serve with rice and hot steamed carrots.


Health Benefits of Carrot:
   1. Carrot can enhance the quality of breast milk.
   2. Carrot can improve the appearance of the skin, hair and nails.
   3. When taken daily it can lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
   4. Raw contain beta-carotene, a strong antioxidant that can prevent cancer.
   5. Carrot juice when taken everyday prevent bodily infections and is claimed to be valuable for the adrenal glands (the small endocrine glands situated above the kidneys).
   6. Carrot can help improve eyesight.
   7. Carrot can help increase menstrual flow.
   8. Carrots can regulate blood sugar.
   9. Carrot can promote colon health, because carrot is rich in fiber.

Carrot Cake
Ingredients
Cake 
1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple  
2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour, (see Ingredient Note)  
2 teaspoons baking soda  
1/2 teaspoon salt  
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon  
3 large eggs  
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar  
3/4 cup nonfat buttermilk, (see Tip)  
1/2 cup canola oil  
1 teaspoon vanilla extract  
2 cups grated carrots, (4-6 medium)  
1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut  
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (see Tip)
    Frosting 
    12 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, (Neufchâtel), softened  
    1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted  
    1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract  
    2 tablespoons coconut chips, (see Ingredient Note) or flaked coconut, toasted
      Preparation
      1. To prepare cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
      2. Drain pineapple in a sieve set over a bowl, pressing on the solids. Reserve the drained pineapple and 1/4 cup of the juice.
      3. Whisk flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whisk eggs, sugar, buttermilk, oil, vanilla and the 1/4 cup pineapple juice in a large bowl until blended. Stir in pineapple, carrots and 1/4 cup coconut. Add the dry ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula just until blended. Stir in the nuts. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.
      4. Bake the cake until the top springs back when touched lightly and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
      5. To prepare frosting and finish cake: Beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with toasted coconut.
      Enjoy with your Family and Friends!

      Monday, March 22, 2010

      Healthy Tips for Spring

      Healthful eating is never so easy as it is in the spring. From salads to sides, entrées to desserts, here is a collection of our wholesome springtime favorites.
      Spring is here—and fresh produce is one delicious benefit of this season of rebirth. These easy healthy recipes highlight fresh fruits and vegetables in season, such as asparagus, sweet peas, strawberries, artichokes, leeks and rhubarb. For produce at its peak, shop the farmers’ market or grow fruits and vegetables in your garden.

      Preventive Medicine

      Fresh fruits and vegetables are healthy in part because they contain phytochemicals, or beneficial compounds, such as beta-carotene, and lycopene, which aid in the prevention of cancer.

      An Apple a Day

      There is truth to the old "apple a day" adage, though this time of year, think seasonally and make it a "strawberry" or "artichoke" a day.... Beyond having weight-watching benefits, a diet plentiful in fruits and vegetables decreases your risk of stroke and heart attack, helps lower blood pressure, and even guards against eye disease.

      Rich and Thin

      Spring favorites asparagus and artichokes are often associated with rich, luxurious menus, but they're also incredibly healthy: They are both excellent sources of fiber and contain a host of nutrients, including vitamins C, K, and folate. "Asparagus is a particularly well-rounded vegetable, nutritionally speaking," says Monica Reinagel, chief nutritionist for our sister site NutritionData.com, writing in Epicurious and NutritionData's joint newsletter Healthy Dinner Tonight. "It's high in antioxidants A, C, and E, as well as vitamin K (for healthy bones), and has an array of B vitamins for energy."

      My Favorite Recipe
      Asparagus with Prosciutto
      Ingredients
      16 spears asparagus, (about 1 bunch), trimmed
      1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
      Pinch of salt
      Freshly ground pepper, to taste
      2 very thin slices prosciutto, (about 1 ounce), cut in half lengthwise

      Cream Cheese (optional)
      Preparation
         1. Preheat grill to medium.
         2. Toss asparagus with oil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Wrap 1 length of prosciutto around the middle of 4 asparagus spears. Repeat, making 4 bundles. Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the asparagus bundles, turning once or twice, until the asparagus is tender and charred in spots, about 10 minutes.

      OPTIONAL: Spread cream cheese in a length of prosciutto and wrap around the middle of 4 asparagus spears.

      Saturday, March 6, 2010

      Provident Healthy Life

       "Welcome to Provident Healthy Life blog page. I will be updating this space regularly with new topics, tips, and healthy recipes that I think will be of interest to Provident Healthy Life users".  I would like your cooperation in order to build our best healthy lifestyle.  If you have any topics e.g. Allergies, High Blood Pressure, etc. that we can investigated, or “How can we prevent or get better with natural methods?” Please, you can write in a comments section and we can help us to each other.
      Our bodies are gifts from God. The Lord has commanded us to keep our bodies and minds healthy (see I Corinthians 3:16-17; D&C 88:124; 89). By doing this, we are better able to take care of our own needs and serve others.


      If you feel this blog is helping, please do tell your friends and loved ones...
      With  Love,
      Glorys Puerto-Matos
      CONTACT US
      Have an idea or question? Email us at glorys@energyandrelax.com

      NOTE: The information on this site does not constitute medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.  Before embarking on any weight loss plan or making dietary changes, you should consult your doctor.

      Food

      Eat 
      Eat well, eat often 4 - 6 small meals a day to optimize your metabolism and keep your body energized and in balance.  The quality of the food we eat will determine of the red blood cells that determine the quality of bones, muscles, organs and so on.  Be sure that the majority of your food choices are high in nutrients, fiber, good fats, and lean protein.

      Eating healthy is important. Eating healthy: 
      • · Lowers disease risks
      • · Increases productivity
      • · Gives you more energy
      • ·  Makes you stronger
      You probably think eating healthy is expensive. I’ll be honest — it is. But there are tricks to keep it low cost. 
      What is Healthy Food? Before we start, let’s define healthy food. It consists of:
      • Protein. The building blocks of muscles, needed for strength.
      • Fat. A balanced intake of omega 3, 6 & 9.
      • Veggies. All kinds, especially green fibrous veggies.
      • Fruit. Full of vitamins.
      • Water. 1 liter per 1000 calories you expend.
      • Whole grain food. Oats, rice, pasta, breads, …
      CONTACT US
      Have an idea or question? Email us at glorys@energyandrelax.com

      NOTE: The information on this site does not constitute medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.  Before embarking on any weight loss plan or making dietary changes, you should consult your doctor.

      Discover 28 Simple Ways to Be Healthy

      Each of us has a responsibility to try to avoid problems before they happen and to learn to overcome challenges when they occur.  Helping to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of major health conditions, improve your confidence and self-esteem.
      Providing for ourselves and others is evidence that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
      We can go to the gym every day and eat the right foods, but if our soul are sick, we won’t be well (see Jeremiah 33:6).
      Everyone wants to look and feel healthy, and there are seemingly endless easy ways to improve your health from the inside out. Whether you're improving your diet or just getting off the couch, small steps can make a big impact.

      “I am Healthy, Happy, and Transformed”



      CONTACT US
      Have an idea or question? Email us at glorys@energyandrelax.com 

      NOTE: The information on this site does not constitute medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.  Before embarking on any weight loss plan or making dietary changes, you should consult your doctor.