Fresh Squeezed Living

Video Recipe: Homemade Greek-Style Veggie Burgers (Delicious & No Passport Required)

As everyone in the FSL community is aware, I love (most) everything Greek! Their culture, history, country, people and of course the food provides so many things to fall in love with. Have you found that to be true as well?

Have you been dreaming of a trip to Greece lately? Is your heart and passport ready but your wallet is not? Many people have had to alter their summer travel plans this year. Many cite that due to their wallet being lighter (in weight) than they had anticipated they now have to make some sacrifices.

Sometimes things come up in a life and we have to make a few moderate sacrifices to get to where we want/need to be. Sacrifices can be okay especially when we expect they will be short term. Temporary sacrifices/substitutes in lieu of a greater gain cause us to focus on the long-term reward vs. short-term discipline necessary to gain the reward.

Food: Locally Known Helps You Save Some Green on Your Next Salad

Is your wallet feeling a bit ill over the soaring gasoline prices? If you are like many others, to keep your wallet off life support, you’ve had to make some adjustments in your discretionary spending habits. Maybe you’ve redirected some funds from one area of your budget to cover the higher costs for necessities.

Did you give up your daily Starbucks designer coffee drink? Do you find you are making less visits to your local movie theatre? Maybe you’ve decided to head over to your local public library to check out those bestsellers.

If you are like me, you haven’t come upon much relief to your wallet at your local supermarket either. The unexpected pricing trends across a variety of categories prove that higher costs for corn, ethanol and gasoline are affecting us on so many different levels.

Video Recipes: This Secret Ingredient is For Those Who Are Big on Taste & Short on Time

How good are you at keeping a secret? Do you find you can hold the secret for a short while but then….it somehow inadvertently slips out? Keeping a secret can be a bit of fun or it can also be a source of great stress depending on the how others could be impacted if the secret got out of the bag. Knowing a secret can make us feel more “in the know”, but some secrets also carry a burden of responsibility when we are called to keep it well uhh….secret.

In a hurry and looking for healthy eating ideas?

In these days of trying to be more efficient and do things faster, we often find ourselves trying to multi-task, minimize distractions, reduce clutter and cram more and more into just a few precious hours.

As is often the case, we find ourselves acting like the Energizer bunny as we try to keep going, going and going. Do you often feel like you are playing the old game called “beat the clock“? We have probably come to learn (the hard way), that we have to provide our body with a generous amount good and healthy foods, moderate exercise, ample relaxation and reasonable sleep. If we get out of balance in any one area, it can lead to causing us to feel a bit “off”. When we become out of balance and remain in that uncorrected state for too long, we may even encounter feeling sluggish, irritable, depression, and burnout. Definitely not good.

We just need to be mindful of all these potential factors as we plan our days, weeks and months. Let’s get a plan to prevent these possibilities. Eating well is the foundation for everything good to come about in our body.

If you are like many others, one of the biggest challenges you face on a frequent basis is how to eat healthy when you are in a hurry. While this is an unavoidable challenge, it is definitely one you can overcome successfully.  You just need a plan.

It’s time to welcome in the substitutes

Do you remember how news that a beloved teacher was absent would quickly spread through the school hallways? I do. I also remember during my early school days that soon after that rumor hit my ears feelings of dread would begin to set in. Oh no, not the substitute. I believe it is almost a reflex reaction to respond negatively to most things considered a substitute for what we really want.

In the end, the substitute really was not nearly as awful as we forethought. If we even allowed ourselves to be open (even a little bit), we realized the substitute was really okay and just another regular person.

The same is true for us now as adults, just being a little open to substitutes can lead us on a pathway of discovering healthier eating habits that are also (not God awful) but okay and very beneficial.

Organic Eating: Easy & Affordable Ways To Add Organic Foods

If you are like many in the Fresh Squeezed Living (FSL) community, you have been hoping to discover some terrific, easy & affordable ideas to help you add organic foods to your diet.  Well today is your lucky day!

Switching to organic is tough for many who don’t want to pay higher prices or give up their favorite foods. But by choosing organic versions of just a few foods that you eat often, you can increase the percentage of organic food in your diet without big changes to your shopping cart or your spending, writes Tara Parker-Pope.

Enjoy!

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Dinner Plate: Make It Delightful, Healthy & Tasty

If you are anything like me, you are frequently looking for healthy and delicious recipes to build a great meal.  Here are some of the tastiest and healthiest recipes I’m currently featuring on my dinner plate.  These delightful recipes put emphasis on using many of the best-for-you foods including:  Apples, Almonds, Broccoli, Blueberries, Red Beans, Salmon, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes & more.

Bon Appetit,

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Organic Eating: It Is Written, Let There Be Healthy Bread

Have you heard about the bread that has been created based on a biblical scripture?  The reference scripture is Ezekiel 4:9. “Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof.” King James Version

I discovered the bread appropriately named Ezekiel 4:9® a few months ago.  After just one slice, I quickly added it to my list of favorites. Ezekiel 4:9® bread is a very healthy  and tasty, Organic Sprouted 100% Whole Grain Flourless Bread made by Food for Life.   

Are You A Post-College Adult That Still Loves Noodles?

Have you heard the saying that Ramen noodles really is the poster-food of college students?  Maybe you remember your college days and more than a few days and nights of dining with a bowl of hot and tasty Ramen noodles.  Did you prepare yours on a stovetop, in a microwave or in coffee pot?  I’ve heard some wild stories over the years.  However, if money was a bit tight it was one of just a few true budget-dining options.

Salad Plate: Collection of Salads Big On Flavor

Do you love exciting, original and flavorful salads? I hope so. My recipe collection is filled with lots of wonderful eats. Today I am going to share some of my favorite salad recipes. Whether you are looking for a green salad, something with chicken and nuts, fruit, or lobster and more, I have you covered. This tasty assortment of recipes is sure to add some major excitement to your salad plate. Enjoy these wonderful salads as a refreshing and delicious dinner. Have fun experimenting and trying to pick a favorite recipe. I love all of them. The Spicy Green Salad with Machego and Pears is brand new to my collection but after just one serving; it has already scored many points with me.

Organic Eating: How To Eat Healthy and Organic For $7 Per Day

Have you heard a statement such as "eating organically is cheaper in the long term because of the health care costs you'll avoid later on?" While that is indeed true, many become mildly irritated in hearing such because in the real world, only actual currency is accepted at Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's, not Longevity Logic bucks. So what should you do if you want to eat organic food, but are on a modest budget?  Today you will discover some great ideas and find the answers you want.

Juice Glass: New Exotic Juices Are Overflowing With Disease Fighters

Do you enjoy a glass of juice in the morning? I absolutely love juices. A small glass of juice is an absolute must for me on a daily basis. A healthy and convenient dose of vitamins and antioxidants in a tasty beverage is a great way to begin a busy day. The National Cancer institute recommends five servings of vegetables and three of fruits each day, the truth is this: The average American eats only 1 1/2 servings of vegetables and, on average, no fruit on many days. The deficit caused by insufficient nutrition, combined with the stress we place on our bodies on a daily basis; it is obvious why many feel  they are running on empty.

Do You Know Which Food Choices Improve Mood & Energy?

Do you ever spend some or all of a day feeling particularly sluggish, despite having received a full night of restful slumber? Have you ever found yourself cranky and irritable, perhaps a bit stressed, without being able to determine why? You might want to look at what you've eaten, because many foods can have beneficial or adverse reactions to your overall mood.

Chocolate Lovers: Dream List of Top Ten Chocolate Recipes

Wouldn’t you agree we all get those sudden cravings for chocolate at one time or another?  Sometimes it is during stressful moments we feel like, if I can just get a piece of chocolate, I am sure everything will be just fine.  Is that too funny or what?

What is your favorite form of chocolate?  I can understand if you answer with chocolate chip cookies, brownies, chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, or one of those new gourmet dark chocolate bars, which have suddenly populated the candy section at your local supermarket.   Maybe you love them all like I do!

Could A Raw Food Lifestyle Be Right For You?

Have you heard of the raw food diet (or movement) as a healthier way of living? Are you curious to learn how it works? What benefits do eating raw food provide? Do you want to know if you can try raw food on a small scale (without totally altering your current eating habits)?  Well, stayed tuned.

Tea Cup: Curb Cravings With Green Tea Helps The Body Burn Fat

Green tea has a long history of healthful benefits and its qualities are significantly more effective than black tea. Both teas come from the carnellia sinensis plant but green tea leaves are steamed rather than fermented like black and oolong teas. This prevents a powerful anti-oxidant, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), from being oxidized and therefore diminished.

Antioxidant Properties

Most of us have heard of the positive effects red wine can have on a fatty diet and its healthful benefits on heart disease. High amounts of catechins polyphenols, particularly EGCG, are present in green tea. And EGCG has twice as much resveratrol as red wine, making it a powerful weapon towards lowering cholesterol, inhibiting blood clots and negating the effects of a fatty diet.

Chocolate Lovers: Gourmet Hot Chocolate for Grown-Ups

As the fall days get shorter and the chill of winter afternoons slowly creep up, don’t get caught without the comfort of a delicious mug of hot chocolate. Hot chocolate soothes the soul and wipes out those chocolate cravings. Why is chocolate so loved? It provides us with the endorphin-enabled happy feelings we associate with a good mood and comfort.

Many of us grew up with easy to prepare packets of instant hot chocolate such as Swiss Miss and Nestle Hot Cocoa. If you were able to add some hot water to a mug with a package of mix and simply stir, you could enjoy some hot chocolate in a few minutes. Who could ever forget those “mini marshmallows? Those hot chocolate moments were fun as children.

Soup Bowl: Savory Soups Make a Comforting Meal

After a long day, everyone can appreciate a bit of comfort. And as the temperatures continue to fall, we will desire some warmth as well. A bowl of soup will satisfy you on many levels. Soup represents comfort---homemade chicken soup has remained a classic throughout the generations. Soup is perfect for a casual dinner when paired with a salad, freshly baked bread or sandwich. Soup produces feelings of satiety and is very healthy making it a great choice after a long day or busy weekend.

Holy Cow, Will Powdered Milk Make A Comeback?

Have you experienced sticker shock in the last few months as you’ve visited the dairy case at your local supermarket? Apparently, milk the drink that "does a body good" is proving harmful to the health of checking accounts.

Traditional Turkey Receives Competition for Annual Thanksgiving Feast

We all know competition is everywhere.  There are more choices now in every sector of industry and categories across the board.  No product or business is safe from the threat of being knocked out of the top spot and/or losing market share.  However, everyone thought the traditional turkey was safely in position for the annual Thanksgiving get together.

Well word is the traditional turkey has received no immunity from competition either.  Who would have ever imagined the turkey would be under pressure to remain in the top spot and primary focus of the annual Thanksgiving feast?  This is yet another reminder that times are changing.

Vegetable of The Week: Leeks

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day and the sun is shining wherever you are. As for me, I'm doing well and enjoying the gorgeous sun and still warm weather in Florida.  I am thrilled to make this first post in the category of "Vegetable of The Week".  Each week a new vegetable will be selected and given its moment in the spotlight.

You will discover basic information, nutritional values, health benefits and a few recipes to help you put the vegetable in action. I hope that you will enjoy these “Vegetable of The Week” segments.  As usual, your comments and feedback are always welcome.  If you have a great recipe, you would like to share, please email it to me.  Everyone loves a great recipe, right?

Have you ever experienced leeks?  Alternatively, have you just reached right over them as you sought out something else in the produce section?  I hope that after learning more about them today, you will be inspired to add them into your eating plans on a regular basis.

Good News...Salsa Is Good For You

When you think of condiments, what comes to mind?  Ketchup, mustard and other condiments that have been in American culture for a very long time.  Recently, with globalization and the immigration of foreigners to America, we have seen and tasted foods from all over the world.  Salsa is quickly becoming the most popular condiment in the United States.  According to sales records, salsa is taking  over the top spot from ketchup.  Unlike ketchup, salsa is easily made at home and offers a variety of ingredients and variations.  You can increasingly see salsa being used on a variety of foods.  It has successfully integrated its way into American foods.  The other day, I saw somebody adding it to their baked potato. 

Although tomatoes are the main ingredient of salsa, many times, you’ll see salsa without tomatoes.  Fruit salsa (mango salsa) is becoming a very popular alternative to the traditional tomato salsa.  Originally used strictly with Mexican food (salsa means sauce in Spanish), salsa is now being used with such things as eggs, potatoes, burgers and other foods.  Since salsa is so easy to make, you can have many types of fresh salsa in your refrigerator at all times.  If you like especially spicy food, you can add extra spice to your recipe.  Certain cultures that enjoy spicy food (Indian) also enjoy making and using homemade salsa.  Even cultures that aren’t used to spicy food (Japanese) enjoy using salsa (although, a milder version of salsa) with their dishes.

Soft Shrimp Taco With Pineapple Mandarin Salsa

Greetings to All,

I just had to share this recipe with everyone.  This is truly one of my favorite treats to "splurge" on (calorie wise).  I don't splurge often, but I reserve a few days a year for such things as this shrimp taco.  I hope you fall in love with it as well.  Let me know how yours turn out.  Enjoy!!

Pineapples: The Healing Fruit of the Tropics

For a natural and tasty way to improve your health and boost your healing capacity, add fresh pineapple and pineapple juice to your diet. Pineapples are nutritionally packed members of the bromeliad family. This delightful tropical fruit is high in the enzyme bromelain and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which plays a major role in the body's healing process.

Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties, encourages healing, promotes well-being and has many other health benefits. Bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect can also help relieve osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce postoperative swelling. Additionally, bromelain can relieve indigestion. The enzyme contained in fresh pineapple helps break down the amino acid bonds in proteins, which promotes good digestion.

Strap on Your Cape and Grab a Super Food, It's Going to Be a Long Day

Okay guys (and gals), how many of you remember watching cartoons in your childhood featuring your favorite super heroes? Did you ever dress up for Halloween as one of your beloved super heroes? Just putting on that costume made you feel bigger, stronger and more powerful, didn’t it? Maybe you were one of those children that tied a towel (or sheet) around your neck, ran across the room and pretended to fight some invisible ghosts or bad guys.

In addition, who can ever forget about the inspiration we all received from the beloved Popeye the Sailor Man? He surely knew what to turn to when extra power was needed to battle old Pluto. Well we are all grown up now, and for most of us, we do not have to fight off any ghosts or bad guys. However, some things remain the same, we find ourselves needing some extra power to make it through the long and demanding workday (and evenings!).