SHINY GLOWING RED PEPPERS

Christopher Columbus discovered sweet peppers on his travels in the New World. He thought he could make a fortune importing this delish veggie BUT sweet peppers grew fine in their new, Mediterranean home.

When young, sweet peppers or bell peppers are green. There are also yellow, orange, purple and brown varieties. Red peppers are actually green peppers left to ripen on the vine for a longer period of time. The sweetest peppers are red, yellow and orange, while green and purple peppers have a more tart flavour.

Peppers are full of vitamins and BONUS consist mostly of water so are low in calories.

Picking a pepper : Look for smooth, firm flesh that has a rich colour and no shriveled or soft spots. Avoid peppers with a hefty feel - this usually means they are full of seeds.

Pepper partners : Sweet peppers taste great with eggplant, tomatoes, summer squash, onions, garlic and corn. Other good flavour partners include basil, marjoram, olives, mozzarella, goat cheese, Parmesan and capers.

Yummy roasted red peppers

• red bell peppers
• olive oil
• garlic cloves
• chopped parsley
• salt and pepper

What to do;

Roast peppers until they have blackened spots, blisters and are tender. Place into a plastic bag and set aside to cool. Once cool remove the skin and seeds. Cut into strips. In a glass jar combine salt, pepper,olive oil, garlic and parsley. Add peppers and store in the fridge.

Great on pizza's, salads, in wraps or as a snack with a cheese platter.

Today I am grateful for;

• fab summer weather
• yesterday's yummy pizza
• my new laptop courtesy of the insurance :) and
• the mechanical mouse
• the conduit guys
• Pete's visit - was sooo scrumptious to see you
• my 2010 Kent calendar

This makes me smile

" When I think of how much I have to look forward to, I almost hyperventilate." - Mike Dooley.

Fabulous John Lennon Quote;

Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted."

Wisdom Card Reading

I am a natural winner. I only listen to the winners - people who know what they are doing and who live a joyous, loving, prosperous life.

Love yourself, create your own paradise and throw in some ' spur of the moment fun' and live it........

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

CHOLESTEROL KICKING CAYENNE PEPPER

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Cayenne Pepper hotness scale 8 - 9.

Cayenne pepper takes its name from its supposed centre of origin - the Cayenne region of French Guiana. It is now grown largely in India, East Africa, Mexico and the United States.

Cayenne is made from the ripened fruit, varying from red to yellow. The powder is red or red-brown in colour.

Cayenne pepper assists in reducing blood cholesterol. In fact, cultures who consume large amounts of Cayenne pepper have a much lower rate of cardiovascular disease. It is a traditional, as well as modern, remedy for rheumatic pains and arthritis due to what is termed as a "counterirritant"effect. This wonder-spice contains vitamin C, flavonoids, beta-carotene, capsanthine and capsaicin. It can "rev up"metabolism and aid in weight loss. Cayenne also improves circulation.

Add a pinch to lemon juice and water first thing in the morning to give your day some ooooomph!!!

So simple to be healthy;

• "unplug" and enjoy the silence
• eat often and well - low fat, fruits, veggies, beans, nuts 'n seeds
• tuck in and get your 8 hours of zzz's a night
• laugh lots, it's also great for ab-toning
• move, lift your arms towards the sky and see how high you can reach
• educate yourself about health challenges that you face
• drinks loads of clean, filtered water - flush out the toxins
• play
• do creative stuff - write, knit, draw, journal, etc
• take long, mindful breaths

Today I am grateful for;

• the cute pics of Kent
• the coming weekend
• breezing through Friday the 13th

Quick 'n yummy fried rice;

Fry onions, red chilli and garlic in olive oil. Add frozen mixed veggies and sauté until cooked but still crispy. Add cooked rice, salt and pepper and fry for a few minutes. This was delicious with baked tomatoes (topped with fresh organic basil from the garden), baked butternut and steamed caulie.

Quote

In three words I can sum up everything I've learnt about life : It goes on. - Robert Frost

Urban Goddess inspiration (Lulu McNamara);

If you are being disturbed by unpleasant dreams, buy a beautiful dream catcher and place it above your pillow. This is a Native American tradition that can really help a Goddess have the sweet dreams she deserves...

Luv life and life will luv you back - this weekend just be ...........

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

WEEKLY SHOPPING LIST

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Here's a good standard shopping list to use as a guide.

This will stop you from breezing down the 'danger-aisles'.

• broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, bok choy, brussels sprouts
• brazil nuts
• flaxseeds or flax oil
• apples, bananas, oranges, berries, grapes, etc
• garlic
• green tea
• olive oil
• sesami oil
• stevia
• turmeric
• asparagus, beets, spinach, sweet potatoes, green beans, butternut, etc
• wakame seaweed
• brown rice, quinoa, barley, beans, lentils, etc

When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot become manifest, strength cannot be exerted, wealth is useless and reason is powerless. - Herophilies, 300 B.C.E.

Spinach and red speckled kidney beans

Cook a tomato sauce as a base. I used tomatoes, garlic, chilli, onion and green peppers. Once the sauce has reduced to a nice thick consistency add the pre-cooked beans and simmer for around 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper. Just before serving stir through the chopped spinach.

Delish served in a wrap or on toasted rye with a pink cabbage salad.

Pink Cabbage salad

• white cabbage, chopped
• red cabbage, chopped
• onion, chopped

Mix all the above ingredients, add salt and pepper, lemon juice and olive oil.

Today I am grateful for;

• a rain-free day - AT LAST!
• fun surprise SMS's
• books

Famous vegetarians;

Leonardo da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, George Bernard Shaw, Robert Louis Stevenson, Henry David Thoreau, Pythagoras, Paul and Linda McCartney.

More Urban Goddess inspiration (Lulu McNamara)

Forget the old hippie connotations and get the incense out - there are so many varieties now, you'll be able to choose one to suit your mood precisely. You can also use incense in a quick energy-cleaning exercise.

Here's my version of a quick energy-cleaning exercise;

Light incense and, while dancing around the house waving the incense, chant this mantra;

I clear my space of all negativity and open it up for fun times and peace.

Today, rejoice and savor each moment as a gift. Direct your attention to what really matters to you. View life as a passenger on an amazing journey and stay open to possibilities and surprises - they are constantly around you ...................

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

INVIGORATING WEDNESDAY

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Dry-skin brushing is very beneficial for the lymph systems. It removes dead cells and helps keep your 'temple' glowing.

Dry-skin brush for around 3 minutes in the mornings before you shower. This will stimulate circulation and reduces the appearance of cellulite.

How; you will need a natural bristle or plant-fibre long-handled brush. Start at the soles of your feet and working your way up your body always brush in the direction of the heart.

Then take a shower and smother yourself in body lotion or organic coconut oil.

Yummy red cabbage recipe

• onions
• red cabbage
• veggie stock
• wine
• flour
• olive oil
• Himalayan salt

what to do;

Sauté onions in olive oil, add chopped cabbage, a glass of white wine, veggie stock and salt. Simmer for 30 minutes until the cabbage is cooked. Add a spoon of flour to thicken the gravy.

This was delicious together with green beans, carrots and 'shrooms lightly sautéd with onions in a little veggie broth. Add a huge salad and you have a healthy meal.

More Urban Goddess inspiration (Lulu McNamara);

Plants in the house can literally breathe life into a room. An Urban Goddess fills her home with flowers as often as possible - there is no better way to enhance the spirit of a room.

Quote;

Lack of knowledge is darker than the night. - African proverb.

Today I am grateful for;

• the hectic day I had
• laughs with Mish
• recovering my lost file from the supermarket trolley
• the monthly garden service

Today enjoy the rain, wear cowboy boots with shorts, take a brisk walk and focus on the beauty of living ....

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

COOL AS A CUKE

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Cukes are a good source of fiber and contain vitamin C, potassium, folate, B-complex and amino acids. The skin of the cuke contains vitamin A and silica. Silica strengthens the connective tissue that keeps us from falling apart. Tendons, muscles, bones, cartilage, ligaments and the skin ..... they all love silica.

Cukes are great to juice and are an excellent alkalizer and they normalize blood pressure.

Dive into this low calorie fruit (yep! like bell peppers cukes are actually fruits) and watch your complexion GLOW!

Cuke 'n Fennel Salad

• 2 cukes,chopped
• 1 fennel bulb
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley -chopped
• hearts of romaine

What to do;

shave fennel and then julienne into thin slices. Mix all the ingredients and dress with lemon/olive oil dressing. Place on a bed of romaine hearts and tuck in.

Latest US Census;

says the top five killers are; heart disease, cancer, iotragenic illness (doctor induced), stroke and diabetes. All except (possibly) one are said to be diet related.

Today I am grateful for;

• the squirrel in my tree - he's stealing the apple I put out for the birds
• Yummy left over veggie bake I had for breakfast
• my pups who woke me up @ the crack of dawn, slobber-slobber

Lazy-chicks veggie bake (part of last night's dinner)

• caulie and broccoli florets
• carrots, diced
• onions
• mixed herbs
• olive oil
• Himalayan salt

Toss all veggies and seasoning in olive oil and bake for 30 minutes. This was delicious with fried rice.

Today, try some cart-wheels, put on your pink wellies and take a walk in the summer showers .....

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

EAT AN AVO TODAY

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Almost all the fat in avo's is the heart-healthy mono and polyunsaturated kind. Avo contains no cholesterol and contains oleic acid that helps to lower cholesterol. They are also a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. The avo is also rich in glutathione, an antioxidant which 'zaps' free radicals. Free radicals promote ageing and chronic diseases such as cancer. In addition avo's contain vitamins E, C, B6 potassium and folate. In fact, this super-yum nosh contains a whopping 60% more potassium than bananas.

There are so many uses for avo's - use instead of margarine on bread or crackers, use as a dip, add to wraps, pizza's, salads, mash with some lemon juice and enjoy with rye bread topped with onions and tomato, add to a rice-paper parcel together with your fave stir-fry, etc.

Tasty avo dip;

• avo, lemon juice, chilli, garlic, Himalayan salt

Just blend all ingredients, garnish with cayenne pepper and serve with toasted rye bread 'fingers' , cherry tomatoes and 'plumpy' black olives. Yum!!!

Today I am grateful for;

• my fabulous weekend filled with fun, chick-talk and adventures
• this mornings sunshine after all the rain
• being ALIVE
• my green sparkly ring

This weekend's food;

Totally fell off the wagon as far as the cheese goes. Saturday a Pizza (BUT it was topped with hormone-free cheese - the guys we ordered from claim to use hormone free cheese), so that's OK, BUT Sunday I shared a cheese platter - WOW!!! was it delish! So today is definitely detox day, started off with lemon water with a pinch of cayenne pepper, a shot of wheatgrass, green tea and now loads of filtered water with lemon juice.

A little more Urban Goddess Inspiration ( Lulu McNamara)

An Urban Goddess always passes on a compliment - even when secretly she is seething with jealousy. Being magnanimous is essential to the Goddess way of thinking. Always give for the pure joy of giving, not for what you hope to receive in return.

Quote;

"Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm." Sir Winston Churchill

"Slam-dunk" those negative thoughts, encourage yourself and others and always remember to bring out your inner-child ....

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

WINTERY SATURDAY

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Scrumptious news for all those popcorn fans out there!

It seems that popcorn is on par with fruits and veggies in the antioxidant department. A recent study shows that this 'evergreen' fave snack contains surprisingly large levels of ployphenols, which is a natural plant antioxidant. This antioxidant is said to reduce heart disease and cancer risk by removing free radicals from the body. This substance also has up to 10 times the antioxidant effect of vitamins C and E.

So, carry-on-popping...... this of course excludes the flavoured varieties and microwave popcorn AND don't smother it in butter and salt.

"Tea is an exquisite medicine that may prolong human life. The mountain country and the valleys where tea grows is holy and powerful." - Kissa Yojoki

Unlike black tea, green tea contains large amounts of catechins, which are compounds that boast many anticancer properties.

TO MAXIMIZE the preventative effects allow your tea to brew for 8 - 10 minutes. Japanese green teas are said to have higher levels of anti-cancer compounds.

Always drink your green brew fresh and try to drink three cups daily.

Today I am grateful for;

• being able to sit in my pyjamas while writing this post (drinking green tea)
• the internet - endless fun 'n learning
• last night's wonderful sleep
• last night's left over salad, which I dived into for breakfast - just added an avo for extra 'punch'

Last night's dinner;

Fun times with my family ..... Mexican wraps and a huge salad together with cheese bread sticks. Nice 'n easy, just get everyone to prepare and roll their own wrap.

Urban Goddess Inspiration (Lulu McNamara);

When out on your travels, build up a little collection of shells, leaves, stones, rocks, driftwood and branches. Not only are these naturally beautiful, but they also carry the energy of the earth and sea, and they are completely free ....Look at the work of artists like Andrew Goldsworth for inspiration.

Place a Buddha in your home. Whatever your spiritual inclination, the Buddha, as a symbol of compassion and loving-kindness, will always cast a benign influence over your surroundings.

Remember;

a friend is someone who thinks you're a good egg even though you're slightly cracked!

This weekend breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and supper like a pauper - enjoy the cool, windy outdoors and find time for a blustery walk along the ocean. Don't forget to play lots, love, giggle and be grateful .......

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

THURSDAY STUFF

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Onions and garlic kick cancer right off the planet

And garlic also keeps vampires at bay.

Garlic and other members of the Allium family (garlic, onions, leeks, shallots and chives) are said to slow the development of cancer through their protective action against the damage caused by carcinogenic substances and their ability to prevent cancer cell growth.

The molecules responsible for this are released when the vegetables are crushed, chopped or chewed.

Freshly crushed garlic wins in 'leaps 'n bounds' - it is by far the best source of anticancer compounds. Remember, not in supplement form - the 'dinkum' thing!

This is nuts!

I read today that a company by the name of Eli Lily, who are the sole manufacturers of rBGH the artificial growth hormone given to dairy cows that increases peoples risk of cancer, also manufacture breast cancer treatment meds and a pill that 'reduces the risk' of breast cancer. Disgusting! Talk about milking cancer.

More Urban Goddess inspiration;

All work and no play makes an Urban Goddess a dull girl. If life is becoming flat and colourless, it's definitely time to do something totally frivolous - and not feel guilty about it.

Allow yourself an afternoon out. Watch an old film, or spend a couple of hours doing some leisurely window shopping and coffee sipping, or sitting in a sunny park with a bottle of wine and a gossipy old friend. These simple things in life are often the moments to treasure.

Today I am grateful for;

• a successful doc visit for my Papsti
• time spent wrapping presents for my little Princess and darling Kent
• cuke 'n carrot juice
• the early morning raindrops

Last night's din-din;

Re-cycled left over broccoli salad - just added cuke 'n tomato. Boiled potatoes swished in olive oil and fresh parsley from the garden, steamed patti pans, cauli and leftover cabbage casserole. Not very adventurous ....... but yum nevertheless.

Quote

Every man dies, not every man truly lives. - Braveheart

Today, thank the Universe for veggies, avo, the ocean, fun times, special peeps, family and create a magic, sparkly Friday filled with fairy dust ...

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

GRATITUDE WEDNESDAY

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Did you know that you can gain health benefits from being grateful?

Think of something you are thankful for and hold onto that feeling for a few seconds. If you do this the following is said to happen;

• breathing becomes deeper, which increases the oxygen level of your tissues,
• heart rhythm becomes more harmonious, which positively affects your mood and other organs,
• blood supply is increased to your heart, as coronary arteries relax.

Consciously look for blessings in your life and your health will be affected in a positive way.

Take the gratitude quiz www.chopra.com/agni/nov09/quiz

Urban Goddess Inspiration (Lulu McNamara);

Through the ages and across the cultures there have been many Goddesses taking many different forms, from Kali, the Hindu Goddess of life and death (my fave), to Hecate, the Greek Goddess of darkness, spirits and sorcerers, to Spider Woman, the Navajo Goddess of Creation, to Xochiquetcal, the Mayan Goddess of Music, Art and Love. Each was admired and worshipped in her own way.

If you ever feel disenchanted with our modern-day divas, read up on some ancient mythology - you will never be short of Goddesses to inspire and guide you.

A fave book I often delve into;

The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets (Barbara G Walker)

Last night's dinner;

Cabbage casserole ; a mega-load of chopping, but I just Vitamix-ed it.

• onion, garlic, cabbage, carrots, green peppers, leftover rice, split peas (green), tomato, tomato paste, chilli
• mix all the veggie ingredients plus rice plus split peas in a huge bowl
• make a tomato sauce with the tomato, tomato paste, chilli and garlic
• stir the tomato sauce into the veggies and transfer to a baking dish
• bake at 180C for around 45 minutes

We also had steamed squash and a huge broccoli and red pepper salad in a lemon/avocado oil dressing.

Quote;

Vegetarian food leaves a deep impression on our nature. If the whole world adopts vegetarianism, it can change the destiny of humankind. - Albert Einstein

Today I am grateful for;

• the red lettuce growing in my garden
• my comfy TV chair (re-cycled from my Papsti's garage)
• my pink readers
• my fan
• as always, my wonderful family
• oh! and as always, in summer, my swimming pool

Sing in the shower (These boots are made for walking....), play hop-scotch and think of life as one giant ice cream parlour........

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

WORLD VEGAN MONTH

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Take some time to consider our environment

"Removing the causes of environmental degradation is often more effective than seeking to control the symptoms." - Cornelis de Haan, Livestock Adviser to the World Bank

Many of us are becoming aware of the direct correlation between what we eat and the health of our planet. More and more we are hearing about food miles over-packaging, GM foods, etc. Farmers used to be seen as 'custodians' of our land, but today they are being viewed more and more as destructive and wasteful. Factory farming directly affects our land, water, air, etc. Ammonia emissions from manure storage and use lead to localized acid rain and our crumbling forests.

It is said that world meat production has quadrupled in the past 50 years and livestock now outnumber people by more than three to one. Obviously this trend contributes hugely to our environmental problems.

Many of us are trying to limit the amount of water we use, trying to be more energy efficient and walking short distances instead of using our cars. Take a moment to examine your eating habits to lessen our environmental impact.

Fun links;

• www.mealographer.com track your nutrition
• www.selfcreation.com self creation and awareness

More Goddess Inspiration (Lulu McNamara)

It doesn't matter how old you are. You could be 50 or 15 - being an Urban Goddess is about attitude, not age. It's a state of mind. True Goddesses are timeless.

Think about ageless women you admire, women who have remained radiant and inspirational into their forties, fifties, sixties and beyond. They could be Audrey Hepburn or Eartha Kitt, Simone de Beauvoir or Maya Angelou. They could be Mother Teresa or Madonna or Germaine Greer. All these women have Goddess qualities that age cannot diminish.

Last night's chow;

It's hot now so the raw salads get bigger 'n bigger. A huge salad including spinach, cabbage, lettuce, herbs, cuke, tomato, apple, sesami 'n sunflower seeds, peppers and onion with a sprinkle of fresh lemon juice.

With this we had the last of the juicy corn on the cob, baked baby sweet potatoes and a carrot 'n pea casserole.

Just thought to share my wheel of fortune;

• health
• family
• friends
• fun times
• work
• my pups
• spirituality, etc

Never base your happiness on one thing only. What is your wheel of fortune?

Today I am grateful for;

• bunking work for an hour at lunch time
• this wonderful wind free day
• daily swims
• the voucher I received today

Quote

One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks. - Jack Penn

Today, read a biography of an inspiring woman and find your true inner Goddess...

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx

MONDAY MUSINGS

Feed your face and your skin

Make sure you load your supermarket trolley with the following face-saving edibles;

• green tea - reduces cancer risk and may assist in reversing sun damage
• tomatoes - cook your tomatoes for many health benefits, also said to help eliminate skin-ageing
• sweet potatoes - loaded with vitamin C which is essential for collagen production
• almonds - they fall in the seed not nut category, a powerhouse of vitamin E
• dark chocolate - improves skin texture and resistance to uv rays
• carrots - the vitamin A repairs damaged cells, reduces the development of skin cancer cells and keeps your 'peepers' in top form
• flax seeds - the omega 3 fatty acids wipe out spots and fine lines
• spinach - the big C hates these luscious green leafies, they literally bolster the cells' ability to renew themselves

It's so easy, feed your "temple" with the above yumminess and your skin will automatically benefit.

Add this to the above and you will be "health-happening";

• use crushed garlic daily - it reduces your risk of many serious illnesses including cancer and heart disease
• add beans to your daily raw salad - it is said that people who eat legumes have a far lower risk of obesity than those who don't
• eat apples daily - full of anti-oxidants, vitamin C and potassium. Just add to smoothies or salads or munch as a snack.
• lemon juice - add to your filtered water, one lemon gives you 45% of your daily vitamin C - so simple!

Who can be an Urban goddess (Lulu McNamara);

Any woman can! Any woman who wants to reconnect with her divine female energy can realize her true Goddess potential.

Remember, as a woman, you are already an expression of the universal female archetype, and you deserve to be honoured as such. No matter how ordinary you may feel you are, you can still be a Goddess in spirit and action with your own unique Urban Goddess energy, characteristics and style.

More Urban Goddess Inspirations to follow in future blogs.

Last night's nosh;

Loads of lightly steamed crunchy Broccoli (including the green leaves) and a veggie bake, which included potato, golden Patti pans, courgettes, green beans, lentils- smothered in a tomato sauce and topped with wholewheat breadcrumbs for crunch. Oh, chilli and garlic of course. Together with this we had a carrot and cuke salad dressed with lemon juice and some herbs from the garden.

Today I am grateful for;

• yesterday's "cutie-pie" shopping for my two darlings
• the hours I spent yesterday working on Picasa - SOOO much to learn, SUCH fun
• it's November - Yay!!! almost holiday time again
• my early morning swim today
• today's breakfast of oats, apple 'n loads of flax seeds with green tea

Why;

do weekends seem to pass at the speed of a formula 1 racing car? So many things to do, so many places to go and so little time.........

Wisdom Card Reading;

Everything I do is by choice.

I now listen to what I say. I don't say anything that I don't mean to become true for me. (this is very difficult!)

Cultivate a habit of zest, experience every moment as extraordinary. Find a park, jump on a swing and giggle .....

Peace 'n whirlpools of luv

xxx