Lettuce Knives and Salad Spinners

Tonight while I was cutting up lettuce for tacos with my plastic lettuce knife I thought about this blog. It occurred to me that there may be a lot of people out there who have never heard of a lettuce knife or may never even have thought to use one.

So what is a lettuce knife and why should you use one?

"A lettuce knife is a knife which is designed to cut lettuce without causing the lettuce to brown, yellow, or wilt. These special knives have serrated blades and they are typically made from plastic, which will not react with the lettuce to stimulate browning. Since browned lettuce is deemed aesthetically unpleasing, a lettuce knife can help keep a salad looking crisp and fresh without forcing cooks to tear lettuce by hand. The use of a knife also reduces the need to handle lettuce directly, reducing the risk of food borne illness." (Source: Wisegeek.com)

Before using a lettuce knife to cut lettuce you should wash your lettuce first. The best way to wash lettuce is to use a salad spinner.  A salad spinner consists of three parts an outer bowl, an inner removable basket, and a lid with a crank handle.  The purpose is to spin the salad after washing to remove moisture.

Check out this video to learn how to use a salad spinner and a lettuce knife.

Alan Parsons Project

This morning on Body Electric the background music was the Alan Parsons Project.  Here are two songs I exercised to this morning:

Time


"Time, flowing like a river
Time, beckoning me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever
But time
Keeps flowing like a river
To the sea
Goodbye my love, Maybe for forever
Goodbye my love, The tide waits for me
Who knows when we shall meet again
If ever"

Eye in the Sky


"I am the eye in the sky
Looking at you
I can read your mind
I am the maker of rules
Dealing with fools
I can cheat you blind
And I don't need to see any more
To know that
I can read your mind, I can read your mind"

What music do you like to exercise to?  What are some of your favorite exercise shows?

Adele- Rolling in the Deep

I tend to listen to classic rock when I am driving in my car, but this morning my radio was tuned to another station. Sometimes it's nice to shake things up; especially, when you hear a song that really speaks to you. Like this one by Adele....



"The scars of your love, remind me of us.
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
I can't help feeling...
We could have had it all... (you're gonna wish you, never had met me)...
Rolling in the Deep (Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
You had my heart... (you're gonna wish you)... and soul in your hand (Never had met me)
And you played it... (Tears are gonna fall)... To the beat (Rolling in the deep)"

What songs have spoken to you lately?

John Butler Trio

My friend posted this video on Facebook and I am so glad that she did. I was completely blown away by this guys guitar skills. What an amazing instrumental!

Ocean


What instrumentals do you enjoy?

Taylor Swift- Back to December

I've had this song stuck in my head all day...



"So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you, saying I'm sorry for that night
And I go back to December all the time"

Is there an apology that you need to give that is long overdue?

Rod Stewart- You're in My Heart

Do you ever hear a song on the radio and start tearing up?  While I was driving yesterday I heard this song and the eyes started watering.  Rod Stewart is a master at the lyrics.



"You're in my heart, you're in my soul
You'll be my breath should I grow old
You are my lover, you're my best friend
You're in my soul"

What songs make you cry?

John Lennon & Yoko Ono

The other day the lyrics "Oh My Love" popped into my head. I finally got around to looking up the song tonight. After watching a few John Lennon videos that featured him with his wife, Yoko Ono, I am so struck by the love that they shared for one another. If only we could all feel that kind of love for another person. I think John had the foresight to write the song "Imagine" because he knew that love is what makes the world go round.

Oh My Love

"Oh my love for the first time in my life,
My eyes are wide open,
Oh my lover for the first time in my life,
My eyes can see,

I see the wind,
Oh I see the trees,
Everything is clear in my heart,
I see the clouds,
Oh I see the sky,
Everything is clear in our world,

Oh my love for the first time in my life,
My mind is wide open,
oh my lover for the first time in my life,
My mind can feel,

I feel the sorrow,
Oh I feel dreams,
Everything is clear in my heart,
Everything is clear in our world,
I feel the life,
Oh I feel love."

Imagine

"Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one"

What lesson do you think we are all here on Earth to learn?

America in Color

Have you ever wondered what life looked like in the 1940s? Check out these rare color photos spanning the period from 1939-1943.

We may have a struggling economy and think that times are hard. But if we really think about it don't we have it pretty good?

Paul McCartney

Since the beginning of January I have been getting up at 6:30am each morning to exercise to the fitness shows, Body Electric and Classical Stretch on PBS. While doing the grueling Body Electric workout today I heard some really beautiful and moving Paul McCartney songs playing in the background. They made my workout so much more enjoyable!

How Kind of You


"How kind of you to think of me
When I was out of sorts
It really meant alot to be
In someone else's thoughts
Someone else's mind
Someone else as kind, as you"

This Never Happened Before

"I'm very sure

this never happened before

I met you and now I'm sure

This never happened before"

Nutrition in the News

New Dietary Guidelines for Americans are released, highlights include limiting sodium intake to 2300mg for most people and filling half your plate with veggies and fruits.

Nutella, the beloved (but not particularly nutritious) chocolate-hazelnut spread, is facing a lawsuit over nutrition claims in its advertising. A reminder that reliable nutrition information comes from reading the nutrition facts label and ingredient list of foods.

Another good reason to eat a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids: not only is it good for your heart, but may also help prevent against Alzheimer's disease.

(Source: Nourish Family Nutrition)

Cowboy Music: Love, Heartbreak & God

Rascal Flatts- Bless the Broken Road

What a beautiful song! I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.

"Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you"

Jason Aldean- Truth

Don't you just want to give him a big hug?


"Just don't tell em I've gone crazy,
That I'm still strung out over you,
Tell em anything you want to,
Just don't tell em all the truth,
Yeah don't tell em all the truth"

Chris Young-The Man I Want To Be

I love the depth of this guy's voice! He's definitely going places!

"That I wanna be a stay man
I wanna be a brave man
I wanna be the kind of man she sees in her dreams
God I wanna be your man
And I wanna be her man
God I only hope she still believes
In the man I wanna be"


Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?

Sunshine

Sometimes the world and everything in it seems bleak and dark.  But if we use our imaginations and a little bit of creativity we can create a brighter reality.  Hope the sun shines on all of you today!

Happy Valentine's Day!

John Lennon-Love


"Love is real, real is love,
Love is feeling, feeling love,
Love is wanting to be loved.
Love is touch, touch is love,
Love is reaching, reaching love,
Love is asking to be loved.
Love is you,
You and me,
Love is knowing,
We can be.
Love is free, free is love,
Love is living, living love,
Love is needing to be loved."

Isn't this what we all really want and need? I hope that you all are showered with love today. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Ray Lamontagne

I never get tired of Ray Lamontagne. Here are a few songs that I discovered recently. The first one is an instrumental and it is just beautiful. The second is very haunting but the lyrics and his voice speak volumes. Enjoy!

Truly, Madly, Deeply


Till the Sun Turns Black


"Time goes slowly when you're only, waiting,
'til the sun turns black."

What does Ray's music evoke in you?

80s Night

I remember as a young child that my parents went to a Pat Benatar concert and brought me home a 'Get Nervous' T-shirt. I loved that shirt and wore it all the time until it became a belly shirt. That was a sad day! Anyways tonight I am remembering the 80s of my childhood and listening to some classic 80s songs from Pat and from Tom Petty (who is also amazing!).  Wonder if my parents ever saw him in concert? Hmmm...guess I should ask.

Pat Benatar-We Belong


"We Belong to the light
We Belong to the thunder
We Belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We Belong, We Belong
We Belong together"

Tom Petty- You Got Lucky


"You got lucky babe

You got lucky babe

when I found you"

What bands did your parents like?  Did they influence your musical tastes?

Diabetes & A Mediterranean Diet

Are you scared of getting Type 2 Diabetes? According to a study, if you lose 7% of your body weight and walk for 30 minutes 6 days per week you will lower your chances of getting the disease by 58%. (Source: Better Homes and Gardens, Nov. 2007)

If you have already been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes or want to improve your eating one study found that a Mediterranean diet is very successful at controlling blood sugar. The following lists below are foods to eat less of and more of on a Mediterranean diet:

Eat Less
Beef, Lamb, Pork
Butter, margerine, butter substitute
Low-fat Crackers, chips
Reduced-fat Cookies
Egg Substitute; fat-free yogurt; reduced-fat American, Cheddar, and Swiss cheese
Baked Potatoes, bread, rice

Eat More
Fish, Poultry, Beans
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil or other vegetable oils such as soybean and canola
Walnuts or other nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, olives
Fresh Fruit
Whole Eggs; Whole Yogurt; Feta, Parmesan, or goat cheese
Roasted or sauteed vegetables tossed with herbs and drizzled with olive oil
(Source: Reader's Digest, date unknown)

Here is a great Mediterranean inspired recipe to get you started:

Walnut-Olive Pesto
Place 2 cups walnuts, 1 cup large pimiento-stuffed green olives, 1 large garlic clove, 1 tblsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tsp lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp dried thyme in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped. Use as a topping for pasta, meat, fish or chicken, as a spread for crackers or as a sandwich spread. It's also a great flavor enhancer in sauces and chili. (Source: Relish Mag, 2010)

Fleetwood Mac

Does anyone remember the music buying club Columbia House? Well as a kid, my family bought lots of music from them. We had quite the collection of cassette tapes and later Cds. When I got my own stereo system, complete with a tape deck, I would hoard all the cassette tapes in my room. One of my favorite tapes was Fleetwood Mac's Greatest Hits collection. Here are a few songs I really loved and still do:

You Make Loving Fun


"Don't, don't break the spell,
It would be different and you know it will.
You, you make loving fun,
And I don't have to tell you but you're the only one."

Say You Love Me


"cause when the loving starts, and the lights go down,
And theres not another living soul around,
Then you woo me until the sun comes up,
And you say that you love me."

Who are your favorite Classic Rock artists?

Jamie Oliver's Food Rules

Here are some food rules that I snagged from Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution FB Page. All really great common sense ideas!

1. Cook at home
2. Avoid Packaged Foods
3. Avoid too much refined sugar
4. Trade refined grains for whole grains
5. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables (Plant a garden)
6. Teach your kids to cook and use different ingredients
7. Read labels and reject what you don't understand
8. Choose food grown and raised close to home
9. Try new foods
10. Learn to love drinking water
11. Serve the same food to your family and friends that you serve to yourself
12. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store where the fresh, whole foods are
13. Eat less sodium
14. Avoid flavored milk. It has more sugar than soda.
15. Use fresh herbs and spices
16. Exercise, keep moving and eat healthy.

Happy Happy Birthday Baby

Remembering a special angel on the other side today....

Wanda Jackson- Happy Happy Birthday Baby

"Happy happy birthday baby no I can't call you my baby
Seems like years ago we met on a day I can't forget cause that's when we fell in love"

The Shirelles- Dedicated to the One I Love


"While I'm far away from you my baby
I know it's hard for you my baby
Because it's hard for me my baby
And the darkest hour is just before dawn
Each night before you go to bed my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
And tell all the stars above
This is dedicated to the one I love"

How do you remember your deceased loved ones on special days?

Bento Boxes

I am always so inspired by the Bento Box lunches I have read about on Wendolonia. This past Christmas I bought the boys a Frog and a Panda Bento box. I have only packed snacks in them so far but I am feeling inspired by Wendolonia's video (see below) and just may attempt to pack a full lunch in them. So cute and functional!



Do you pack your kids school lunches? Do you use Bento Boxes?  What healthy foods do you pack?

Jerrod Niemann

Just discovered these two songs this morning! Wow, very talented and extremely sexy guy! Am I right? But seriously I really enjoyed these songs.

Lover, Lover--How would you feel if you saw the neighbor kids taking off with your stuff?


"Lover, Lover
you don't treat me no good no more"

What Do You Want-Would you go back to a former lover if you were lonely or would you question their motives?


"What do you want from me?"

The Lost Valentine

Last night I watched The Lost Valentine starring Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt. What a tear jerker! I cried buckets watching this Hallmark movie, but it was worth the tears. If you get a chance to see the movie you won't be sorry!



Have you ever waited for someone to return?

Validation

Sometimes we all need to hear that we matter and that we have value. Check out this short and very cute film called, Validation.  I promise you will come away feeling better about yourself.  After, make someone's day today and tell them how much you value them!