Cafe of Life

6:26:28 AM EDT 40 Tips for Better Life - 2008

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, SMILE. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning, complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.

7. Make time to practice meditation, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9 . Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, and your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUESaway.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28.REMEMBER, GOD heals everything.

29 . However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful , beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________ Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to b e stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about. I just did.

May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door...




Written by cooknuplife Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 1 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

10:19:04 AM EDT 3  (15 oz) cans of no-salt added black beans, undrained
2 (13 3/4 oz) cans low-sodium beef broth
1 1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cup water
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 tsp minced garlic
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can no-salt added chopped tomatoes, undrained. 
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can chopped green chiles, undrained
1/4 lb.  extra lean cooked ham, diced
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp coarsely ground pepper

Directions:

1.  Combine first 6 ingredients in a large Dutch oven; bring mixture to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
2.  Add tomato and remaining ingredients to bean mixture.  Cook, uncovered, over low heat 30 additional minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Hmmmm....Hubby and I loved this recipe.  Hubby says "let's have this again".





Written by cooknuplife Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 1 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

10:07:26 AM EDT Sweet N Sour Chicken

8 bonelss, skinless, chicken breasts
1 (20 oz) pineapple chunks
3 tbls. brown sugar
3 tbls. ketchup
3 tbls. soy sauce
2 tbls. vinegar (we use red wine vinegar)
1 tbls. cornstarch
1 tbsl. ground ginger

Directions:

1.  Grill chicken or broil chicken 5 minutes on each side until chicken no longer pink in center.
2.  Combine pineapple chunks, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, cornstarch and ginger in saucepan.
3.  Cook until sauce boils and thickens.
4.  Spoon sauce over broiled or grilled chicken before serving.

This only has 216 calories per serving.  It was wonderful and I plan on using the sauce (w/o) the pineapple chunks on other things like pork chops.  This was so easy and so tasty.  It's one of the Jenny Craig recipes.  I'm posting in my journal so I will always have it!  Hope you try it too.





Written by cooknuplife Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 1 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

9:45:40 PM EST

Hubby emailed this recipe today so I could copy and paste in the journal for internet buddies.... Enjoy

1 14 oz can artichoke hearts

1 cup real mayonnaise

1 ½ cup parmesan cheese

A good dash of garlic powder

Triscuits or bread (Hawaiian bread is very good with this)

 

Optional ingredients:

A can Sliced water chestnuts (highly recommended!)

½ box of chopped frozen spinach

Dash of Worchestshire sauce

Dash of Tabasco sauce

Paprika

 

Coarsely chop the artichokes (finely choped works just as well)  add the other main ingredients.  If you use the water chestnuts (which add a pleasant crunchy texture)

coarsely chop them too.  I like the worchestshire sauce.  This spinach adds color and texture but I like the dip just as well without it.   Excellent on triscuits, but any old cracker will be fine.  I sprinkle paprika on it to make it look more colorful, taste-wise it is a totally optional ingredient.

 

Bake at 350 in the oven for about 20 minutes, it is much better warmed.  

 

Very easy to make and it is the best thing you can do to an artichoke.

You can usually find them with the canned vegetables, they are ready to use out of the can, you can buy whole artichoke hearts (more expensive) or quartered artichoke hearts (less expensive).  Since you just chop them up for this recipe, I buy the quartered.

If you are new to artichokes, buy a small jar of the marinated artichoke hearts right beside the canned artichokes, they are my second favorite way of eating artichokes.

 

Written by cooknuplife Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 4 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

4:59:18 PM EST

1 package (6 oz) of white and wild rice mix
1/3 cup slivered almonds
4 cornish game hens (each 20 to 24 oz)
salt
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

This recipe is for use in a clay pot cooker, but any covered roaster should work also.

1.  If you have a clay pot, soak the top and bottom of it (at least a 4 3/4 quart cooker)
 in water about 15 minutes and drain.

2.  Cook rice mix according to package directions, using 1/4 cup less water; cook uncovered during last 5 minutes and stir in almonds.

3.  Rinse hens and pat dry, reserving giblets for other use.  Sprinkle hens inside and out with salt.  Fill cavities with rice stuffing; close openings with small skewer.  Place hens, breast sides up, in cooker.

4.  Place covered cooker in cold oven.  Set oven at 475 degrees.  Bake until hens are tender and legs move easily, about 1 1/4 hours. 

5.  Heat honey, butter, mustard, curry powder and ginger in small saucepan stirring until melted and bubbly.  Brush hens with honey glaze.  Bake uncovered until shiny and dark brown, 10 to 15 minutes.  Remove hens to serving platter.  Skim and discard fat from cooking liquid; spoon over hens.

And then enjoy b/c it is sooo good!




Written by cooknuplife Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 2 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

10:55:23 AM EDT

1 pkg. frozen spinach (thaw and drain before using)

1 small yellow onion, diced

1 can Rotel tomatoes, drained

1 (8 oz). pkg. cream chese

2 cups shredded monterrey jack (mozzerella also works well)

Splash of milk

Garlic Salt, salt, and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place the first five ingredients in a baking dish, with the spinach on the bottom.  Cover.  Bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven, stir to combine ingredients and distribute cream cheese.  Add splash of milk, garlic, salt, and pepper and stir until well blended.  Bake for an additional 15 minutes uncovered. 

Serve warm with tortilla chips, pita chips, bagel chips, or gourmet crackers.

 

Written by cooknuplife Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 1 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

9:39:04 PM EDT

"....for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:10

"Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverence".  James 1: 2-3

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."  Proverbs 16:9

"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galations 5: 22,23

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  Proverbs 31:30

"...let us stop passing judgement on one another.  Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way."  Romans 14:13

"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man"  Proverbs 27:19

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ".  Galations 6:2

 

 

Written by cooknuplife Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 1 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

11:31:42 PM EDT

"If the Lord delights in a man's way he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."  Psalm 37:23,24  ----> This is one of my favorite verses.  When going thru tough times, it helps you realize, if I'm in his hands, I can't goof up...and if I fall...he'll set my feet back in the right direction - so long as I'm trying.

"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever."  Daniel 12:3

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful."  Proverbs 15:13 

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  I John 1:9  ----> (This is nice isn't it...?  There are some that do not believe in God's grace, that some sins cannot be covered.  I'm thinking how sad that would be to think that.)

"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10 ----->  This verse reminds me of Dad, and I know his crown will be awesome. 

"Be imitators of God...as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us."   Ephesions 5: 1,2

"He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8.

"The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand and any who seek God."  Psalm 14:2

"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."  Job 9:10.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."  Romans 12:21

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."  James 1:12

And of course, ending tonight with another of my favorite: 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Philippians 4:6

Dear Father:

You know the thoughts of our hearts, our hurts, our feelings, our needs, our issues, our situations, our health, our familes, our friends, our coworkers, our fellow church members.  You know the complexities of our days in the interworkings of all these networks of life that we find ourselves in.  Please be with us and keep our paths straight as your word tells us you will do.  Please help us to be patient, forgiving, kind and to possess the fruits of the spirit.  Thank you for our blessings....of which we do not sit and count but should. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Written by cooknuplife Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 3 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

9:11:55 AM EST

TACO SOUP with BLACK BEANS

1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained

28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

15 1/4 oz. can corn, undrained

15 oz. can black beans, undrained

15 1/2 oz. can red kidney beans, undrained

1 envelope dry Hidden Valley Dressing mix

1 envelope dry taco seasoning

1 small onion, chopped

Tortilla or Corn chips

Shredded cheese

Sour Cream

 

1.  Combine all ingredients EXCEPT: chips, shredded cheese, and sour cream in slow cooker. 

2.  Cover. cook on Low 4-6 hours. 

3.  Garnish individual servings with chips, cheese, and sour cream.

This was taken from our Fix It and Forget It cookbook, which we love....Get you one if you don't have one.  We enjoy our winters with lots of these crock pot recipes.

 

Written by cooknuplife Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 4 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

7:29:39 PM EST
Feeling Happy
Hearing Christmas Music

White Chocolate Covered Pretzels

1 lb. white chocolate

1 9 oz. bag mini pretzels or reg. pretzels

Melt white chocolate in top pan of double boiler (we have our double boiler in storage as we rarely use it...LOL... so I just put a metal mixing bowl atop the stove top pot and it worked fine.  If you have it too close to the heat it will burn.)  I used medium heat.

Dip pretzels in chocolate.  Allow exess to drip off.  Place on a cookie sheet sprayed with Pam.  Put in a cold place until chocolate hardens. 

Then....enjoy...

Written by cooknuplife Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 3 comments: Show Recent | Add your own