Wordless Wednesday

News You Can Use....3 Superfoods you probably already eat-or should be!

BROCCOLI- we all know that it's great for us. It's a yummy veggie that fights cancer. Well it also safeguards our lungs! A recent study found that people who consumed more sulforaphane, an antioxidant in the vegetable, doubled the amount of protective enzymes in their airways. More reasons to load up on this powerhouse!

GINGER- I know that this root is good for pregnant people that suffer from nausea, but I did not know that it protects against ovarian cancer. University of Michigan researchers found that ginger maybe cause cancerous cells to die. Another reason to add this flavorful ,spicy root to your dishes.

CARROTS- I think everyone knows these are great for eyesight, but did you know carrots could slash your odds of developing colon cancer?Carrots, which are high in falcarinol, lowers your risk of tumors. Bugs Bunny is on to something!



*Thanks to Shape Magazine*

They grow up so fast!!!

My little girl is on her way to kindergarten next week. I cannot believe it!!! She is so ready to go and I think I am too. I'm so happy and excited for this new beginning for her and cannot believe how fast it came, but at the same time I am not sure I am ready for her to be so grown up!! We were able to visit her new school and to meet her teacher. In typical Amara fashion she greeted her new teach with the biggest hug. I told the teacher to get used to it. Amara is very sweet natured and loves to give over the top " hellos" to anyone that she thinks is nice. And aren't all teachers nice?!?!? She will do very well in school because as a 5 year old, she loves it. I hope that lasts!

We have been spending extra time together doing fun stuff these past weeks as a last hurrah to summer and the break. A trip to the zoo, walks in new territories and visiting new parks have been our fun activities.

I am also not sure how my son will take her absence! They are joined at the hip. I am very lucky I think that those 2 get along so well. I am not sure how long that will last, so I better soak it up while I can.

Wordless Wednesday

Zucchini-Blueberry Muffins

I am on a muffin kick! The only thing I did differently is I added a banana. I also only used 1/8 of both of the sugars. I think the banana made up for my reduced sugar strategy. Come to think of it I omitted the 1/4 c sugar by accident-oops! I also used 2 handfuls of blueberries ( a bit more than the 1/3 cup called for) They were really good. I liked these better than my last effort too. I am not sure if it had anything to do with the extra banana and blueberries, but this recipe made 15 muffins, not 12.

SERVES 12 , 12 muffins
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (about 1/2 of one large zucchini)
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup white flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 egg
1/4 cup white sugar, plus
1/8 cup white sugar
1/8 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice or lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 dash vanilla
1/3 cup blueberries
Directions
1Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and grease a muffin pan with pam.
2Combine zucchini, applesauce, oats, flours, egg, sugar, and lemon juice in a bowl (use a spatula to mix, it will make things easier).
3Let this mixture sit for about 15 minutes.
4In the meantime, mix together the baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
5Fold this into the first mixture.
6Stir in blueberries and add a dash of vanilla.
7Scoop the batter into muffin pan and sprinkle with cinnamon.
8Bake for approximately 25 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean).
9*You can also double the recipe and still make only twelve, to make larger, heartier muffins.