Enjoy Dark Greens in the New Year

There are many reasons as to why you should include greens in your diet. As one food rich in antioxidants and alkaline they help fight inflammation and help to neutralize acids found in your body. Our bodies will also benefit by eating dark green veggies. From our skin to our tummies there are many reason that we should enjoy dark greens. 

Dark green veggies are not only healthy but they are a fun addition to the New Years Day dinner and are thought to bring good luck as well.  The Thought is that the dark green color is the same color as money making room for a good financial future. 

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 large bunch of kale, rinsed & leaves torn from stems
• 8 ounces baby spinach
• salt & pepper
• 1/2 – 1 cup Parmesan cheese shredded

1. Melt 4 TBSP of butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook for one minute stirring constantly.
2. Slowly whisk in milk, nutmeg, and heavy cream. Add onion and bring to a simmer, stirring quite often to prevent clumping and scorching. Simmer on low heat while you prepare the kale.
3. Chop kale into small pieces.
4. Melt remaining butter in large saute pan over medium heat. Add kale a little at a time, stirring occasionally until it begins to wilt, cover, turn to medium-low heat and let kale cook for 2-3 minutes. Add spinach and let it wilt.
5. Once kale & spinach is soft, pour in cream sauce, folding with spatula to combine. Season to taste with salt & pepper.
6. Mix in Parmesan cheese. Pour into an oven safe dish, and sprinkle with additional Parmesan if desired.
7. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes; then broil for 5 minutes until cheese is browned.

Preparation time: 5-10 minutes
Cooking time: 20-25 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 12

retweet post 

shared
facebook linkup
facebook linkup --- 2/15 --- tweeting 4 us 3
create bake grow
friday favorites

Pork Brings Good Luck In New Year ==== Slow Cooker Recipe

One food considered lucky is pig. Pigs often symbolize progress in countries around the world. Pigs are always moving forward and rarely if at all backward. Countries such as Hungary, Austria, Spain, Cuba and Portugal have all had a part in making pork or pig a traditional food for the first of the year. Perhaps you should try enjoying a recipe related to pigs or pork on the first of the year so that you too can follow the tradition and superstition that may help bring your good fortune in the new year

2 pounds pork tenderloin

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried sage

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup shredded carrot

1 (14.5-ounce) can sauerkraut (the whole thing)

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

8 rolls for serving (optional)

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. 

Put the roast into the bottom or your cooker. In a mixing bowl, combine the dried spices: mustard, thyme, sage, paprika, salt, pepper. Rub these spices on all sides of the roast. Put the shredded carrot, sauerkraut, and caraway seeds into the empty bowl, and stir to combine. Then pour all contents on top of the spiced roast. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the meat shreds easily with two forks.

recipe resource 

retweet post 

shared at
facebook linkkup
facebook linkup --- blog and social media ct 2/13 --- done
morning cup of joe

Play a game of Hopscotch

One of my favorite games when I was a child was hopscotch. While my kids have not found a true fondness for the game as I did I have seen them play the game as well.

Hopscotch was a game played in ancient Britain during the Roman Empire. The original boards did not only have 10 squares but rather had over 100 feet of playing area. These boards were used for military training purposes in which the men would run the course in full armor with field packs attached. Thus hopefully making the men stronger with steady footwork.

The children during this time period drew their own courts which were much smaller. The new boards also had a scoring system and "hopscotch" was created. The game quickly spread throughout Europe.

To Play:
The game is played with each player holding a marker. The marker is normally a stone of some sort. To start the game a player will toss the marker into the first square. The stone must land in the square without touching a line or bouncing out. In the case that it does the player will not be able to go further. However if the stone lands properly in the square the player then hops through the court straddling the side by side squares and hopping on the left or right foot in the single squares.

In the end the player then turns around and continues to hop back stopping to pick up the marker. The game continues with each square. If the player steps on a line, misses a square or loses his balance and falls the player must end their turn and repeat the square that they are currently on. The winner is the player that completes each square first.

pinned here
retweet here

shared at these facebook group linkups
retweet the words
grow your blog -- 2/7
facebook linkup --- tweeting 4 us 1 -- 2/15

shared at these blog linkup
dare 2 share
grace at home 

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts #recipe

1 cup ketchup

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

16 oz sliced bacon

3 (5 oz) cans water chestnuts

wooden toothpicks

1. Preheat your over to 350 degrees.
2. In a small saucepan combine the ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce and heat until bubbly and then remove from heat.
3. Cut your bacon strips into thirds. Don't use too think of a cut of bacon for this or it wont get crispy.
4. Wrap each water chestnut with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
5. Dip each bite into the sauce to coat thoroughly and place into a baking pan.
6. Repeat with the remainder of the bacon and water chestnuts.
7. Be careful not to crowd the pan. As these appetizers cook, the bacon fat renders and will fill the bottom of the pan. If you place too many in your baking dish you will end up with soggy bites.

recipe source 

retweet post

shared at
facebook linkup --- blog and social media ct --- 2/13

Identity Theft

Have you ever thought much about identity theft?? Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information to commit fraudulent acts or crimes. It is something that should be taken seriously as over 9 million Americans are taken advantage by in this manner every year. Identity theft can not only ruin your finances but can also be emotionally draining. In addition, Identity theft can occur whether the individual is living or deceased. 

By using another individuals information such as their name, address, social security number, or credit card number to purchase items or property, get loans, credit or services are committing identity fraud. Fraud has occurred in such occasions as to get official documents such as government issued IDs or passports, open accounts, obtain loans or government benefits or get goods or services. Moreover these frauds occurred with little regard to the individual whose ID had been stolen.

Individuals who have their identities stolen will find their finances and reputation are often damaged. Victims of identity fraud often have a hard time getting credit cards, mortgages or loans. So what is it that you can do to help prevent this from happening to you::

• be sure to shed all documents that contain personal or financial info before getting rid of them. ID thieves will often dumpster dive to find some shred of information they can use if all information is shredded it can not be used.
• Protect your social security number and only give out when absolutely needed
•  Often individual looking for information will call you on the phone claiming they work at a bank or credit card company and ask questions. Never give out any information to callers who you do not know

retweet post
shared on facebook 
pin post

shared on
facebook post --- blog and social media ct -- 2/13 --- done 
friday feature
facebook post === twitter marketing rt / like --- 3/26