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Low-Sugar, High-Protein Lemon Raspberry Muffins

Berries are finally in season! Pick up a pint, and make these moist and naturally sweet muffins. 
Made with Greek yogurt instead of buttermilk, they're a tasty way to get some protein without all the fat. These are so light and summery, with bursts of juicy raspberries — perfect to grab with your morning smoothie or to bake up for a weekend brunch.

Each muffin contains 3.2 grams of fiber and 5.4 grams of protein! Fairly substantial for a little muffin, and quite delicious too.

Adapted from Eating Well recipe

Low-Sugar, High-Protein Lemon Raspberry Muffins

Ingredients

1 lemon
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/3 cup canola oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups white whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat 12 large (1/2-cup) muffin cups with cooking spray, or line with paper liners.
2. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest from the lemon in long strips. Combine the zest and sugar in a food processor; pulse until the zest is very finely chopped into the sugar.
3. Add yogurt, oil, egg, and vanilla. Pulse until blended.
4. Combine whole-wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Add the yogurt mixture, and fold until almost blended. Gently fold in raspberries. Divide the batter (it will be thick) among the muffin cups.
5. Bake the muffins until the edges and tops are golden, 18 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan for five minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Serve warm.

Makes one dozen muffins.              Information

                          Yield: 12 muffins                               Cook Time: 30 mins

Category                                                                     

Pastries, Desserts, Breads                   Nutrition: Calories per serving 180

***This recipe came from www.eatingwell.com if you would like to check out their site.

The health benefits of Pomegranates

The seeds of this round, red fruit are touted for their antioxidants.

by Anna Norris  |  Tuesday, November 18, 2014

On the outside, they may look a bit like Red Delicious apples – but once you slice them open, you can tell pomegranates are quite different. Unlike apples, the tastiest part of pomegranates is actually their seeds. Just cut off the crown, slice the pomegranate into sections like an apple, and pop out the seeds for a sweet and tangy snack. 

Tiny as these kernels are, they pack a punch. Full of antioxidants, pomegranate seeds have been found to have a host of health benefits, from lowering cholesterol to combating arthritis. 

"Pomegranates are known for their high polyphenol content," Marisa Moore, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told From the Grapevine. Additionally, she said that the fruit offers a good source of potassium and vitamin C.

But don't be threatened by the hardened exterior and the myriad seeds within. "With a little time invested to open the fruit, pomegranates make a great snack," Moore said. She suggested topping salads with the seeds or incorporating seeds and juice into sauces and salsas.

Let's crack these fruits open and take a closer look at the health benefits of pomegranates, as backed by scientific studies from Florida, California and Israel, where pomegranate orchards reign supreme:

Pomegranates boost your immune system

Moore recommends drinking pomegranate juice as it effectively concentrates the beneficial nutrients in pomegranate seeds, for a more potent product. "The antioxidant activity of pomegranate juice can be as much as three times higher than that of green tea and red wine," she explained. Specifically, pomegranates contain three types of antioxidants: tannins (which have made red wine famously healthy), anthocyanins and ellagic acid. Antioxidants are important to keep the cells in our bodies healthy and able to fight off viruses, keeping down inflammation and preventing organ damage.

In fact, it outshines many other juices in comparison, according to a 2008 collaborative study between the University of California and the Rambam Meidcal Center in Israel. Pomegranate juice contained the highest concentration of antioxidants studied – even more than red wine, Concord grape juice, blueberry juice, black cherry juice, açai juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, ice tea and apple juice (in that order).

Pomegranates lower blood pressure

Think of them as stress relief in edible form. Harnessing the power of their antioxidants, pomegranates have been shown to improve systolic blood pressure (the top reading that shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats). When it comes to systolic blood pressure, the lower the better, and according to a study from the Lipid Research Laboratory at the Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences in Israel, pomegranates achieve this by ensuring that arteries are clear of plaque, which leads us to the next wonderful benefit of these fruits... 

Pomegranates lower cholesterol

By promoting a speedy clearing of the arteries, pomegranate juice also has tremendous effects on cholesterol. Another study out of the Lipid Research Laboratory analyzed pomegranates' many effects on cardiovascular health, finding that drinking concentrated pomegranate juice led to decreased cholesterol levels. Again, we have the polyphenol antioxidants to thank for this. A similar study from the same laboratory followed patients over the course of three years, finding that a daily ounce of pomegranate juice cleared out 30 percent of atherosclerotic plaque (the kind that hardens your arteries and can impede blood flow to the rest of your body, at worst causing a heart attack or stroke). Overall, drinking pomegranate juice appears to be an overall boost for your heart health.

Pomegranates combat inflammation

Antioxidants also work wonders on inflammation throughout your body, and pomegranates work their magic on even the most painful arthritis cases, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that pomegranate extract doesn't just reduce inflammation but also helps alleviate pain and even fights against cartilage degradation.

Pomegranates may inhibit cancer

Several studies show that pomegranate juice inhibits cancer cell growth and even gives those cells an extra nudge to go ahead and die (a process called apoptosis). A 2012 study out of the Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology showed that pomegranate juice prevented the proliferation of a particular human prostate cancer cell, while an earlier study from Florida Atlantic University found similar results with regard to breast cancer cells. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it's not just the seeds, but the rind and oil as well, that work against cancer cells by reducing blood supply to tumors, in effect shrinking them. While relatively few studies have been conducted with human participants (many have been in vitro), it is clear that pomegranates have the potential to be a powerful anticancer agent.

With dozens of studies backing the positive health effects of pomegranates, it's evident that this miracle fruit is more than just a snack. Next time you see one at the market, give it a try – add the fruit to your breakfast spread or throw the seeds in your next batch of Israeli couscous!

"Merry Christmas" everyone, and may GOD BLESS each of you!
Happy Hanukkah for my Jewish friends and GOD BLESS Israel...!!!!!!

Legends of Christmas

Christmas Wreaths
The wreaths of Christmas are very special symbols of the season. Wreaths represent a love that knows no end. Much like the wedding bands that couples exchange when married, the wreath has no beginning and no ending. So, too, the love which came down at Christmas is eternal love, and the wreaths symbolize the love of God that never ends.

The Christmas Tree Star
Christmas Star on top of the tree for the most part represents the Star of Bethlehem. Christians see candles as "Christ's Light" and the lighting of candles on Christmas Eve comes from the Jewish "Feast of Lights" or Hanukkah.

The Candy Cane
The candy cane represents one of the oldest symbols of Christmas, the shepherd's crook, for the shepherds were among the first to experience that first Christmas. The colors of the candy cane have special meaning, too. The wide red stripe represents the sacrifice of Christ, "For by his stripes we are healed." The narrow red stripes represent our own sacrifices (giving). The white stripe is a symbol of purity. The peppermint plant is a member of the hyssop family, referred to in the Old Testament as a medicinal herb used for cleansing. As you eat your candy cane, you might want to break it, as Christ's body was broken for you, and share it with a friend, thus sharing in the sweetness of the true meaning of Christmas. 

Christmas tree
The Christmas tree, which is an evergreen with it's boughs stretched toward heaven, reminds us of the everlasting life that Christ came to bring sinners. The candles or lights on the tree remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.

The Holly
The holly leaves and berries from the holly bush are widely used in holiday decorations. The sharp pointy edges of the holly leaf remind us of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore upon his brow. The red berries remind us of the blood that Jesus shed. 

A few uses for Lemons

Lemon cleaning tips         

The acid in lemons has antiseptic properties and a fresh scent, making it a natural solution for your household chores. Save money by using this citrus fruit to replace costly cleaning products.

• Kill microwave smells. Fill a heat-resistant bowl with water and half a lemon and zap for five minutes.
• Bust dust particles. Mix 10 drops lemon oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and a few drops olive oil in a spray bottle. Spray onto surfaces; wipe with a cotton flannel cloth.
• Attack a stain. Add ½ cup lemon juice to a load of white laundry, then let dry in the sun.
• Polish wood. If it's varnished: Add a few drops of lemon to ½ cup warm water. Spray onto a slightly damp cotton cloth and wipe furniture. If it's unvarnished: Mix 2 teaspoons each of olive oil and lemon juice. Apply to a soft cotton cloth. Use wide strokes to distribute evenly.
• Clean in the bathroom. Put lemon juice on a sponge and wipe shower doors to remove soap scum.
• Sparkle and shine. This natural bleach and disinfectant cleans brass and copper. Sprinkle salt over half a lemon, rub it over

Lemons don't just belong in your fridge! You can save money by using this fruit from head to toe in place of expensive beauty products.

1. Freshen bad breath. Gargle with lemon juice and water to kill odor-causing bacteria, or suck on the lemon wedge served with your water.
2. Soften skin. Combine lemon zest with sugar and soak the mixture with olive oil for 30 minutes for a homemade body scrub. Give a little extra TLC to dry patches on the elbows, ankles and knees.
3. Add sunny highlights. Want to lighten your tresses a notch or two? Mix lemon juice with your favorite conditioner and apply to damp locks before heading out to catch some rays.
4. Fix a streaky tan. To lighten a botched self-tanning job, rub a halved lemon over the area.
5. Whiten yellow nails. Soak fingers in lemon juice for five minutes. To prevent stains in the future, apply a clear protective base coat before nail polish.
6. Zap zits. Try lemon juice on blackheads at night to clear up skin
   

More ways to use Vinger

45 Uses for Vinegar

1. Freshen up the fridge. Clean the shelves and walls with a solution of half water and half vinegar.

2. Brighten coffee cups and teacups. Gently scrub stains with equal parts vinegar and salt (or baking soda).

3. Eliminate odors. Swab plastic containers with a cloth dampened with vinegar.

4. Kill bathroom germs. Spray full-strength vinegar around the sink and tub. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

5. Save a garment. To remove light scorch marks on fabrics, rub gently with vinegar. Wipe with a clean cloth. This technique also works on antiperspirant stains.

6. Tidy up a toilet. Pour a cup or more of diluted white distilled vinegar into the bowl. Let sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with a toilet brush and flush.

7. Lose the carpet stain. Make a paste of 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and ¼ cup salt or baking soda. Rub into the stain and let dry. Vacuum the residue the next day. (Always test an out-of-sight part of the carpet first.)

8. Renew paint brushes. To remove old paint, place brushes in a pot with vinegar. Soak for an hour, then turn on the stove and bring the vinegar to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.

9. Wipe off a dirty faucet. To get rid of lime buildup, make a paste of 1 teaspoon vinegar and 2 tablespoons salt. Apply to sink fixtures and rub with a cloth.

10. Stop static cling. Add ½ cup of white distilled vinegar to your wash cycle. The acid reduces static  and keeps dryer lint from sticking to your clothes.

11. Make old socks look new. Get the stains out of old socks and sweaty gym clothes by soaking them in a vinegar solution. Add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to a large pot  of water, bring to a boil and drop in the stained clothes. Let them soak overnight, and in the morning stained clothes are fresh and bright.

12. Restore handbags and shoes. Wipe white distilled vinegar on scuffed leather bags and shoes. It will restore their shine and help hide the marks.

13. Banish weeds. Pour white distilled vinegar on the weeds growing in the cracks of your walkway and driveway. Saturate the plant so the vinegar reaches the roots.

14. Liven droopy flowers. Don’t throw out cut flowers once they start to wilt. Instead, add two tablespoons of white vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar to a quart of water. Pour the solution into your vase, and the flowers will perk up.

15. Put an end to itching. Dab a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar on mosquito bites and insect stings. It will stop them from itching and help disinfect the area so they heal faster.

16. Whiten your teeth. Brush your teeth once a week with white distilled vinegar. Dip your toothbrush into the vinegar and brush thoroughly. It will help prevent bad breath, too.

17. Make nail polish last longer. Before you apply your favorite polish, wipe your nails with a cotton ball soaked in white distilled vinegar. The clean surface will help your manicure last.

18. Keep car windows frost-free. Prevent windows from frosting over in a storm by coating them with a solution of three parts white distilled vinegar to one part water. The acidity hinders ice, so you won’t have to wake up early to scrape off your car.

19. Let your dog shine. Spray your dog with one cup white distilled vinegar mixed with one quart water. The solution is a cheap alternative to expensive pet-care products, plus the vinegar will help repel pests like fleas and ticks.

20. Battle litter-box odor. Cat litter can leave behind an unwelcome smell. Eliminate it by pouring a half-inch of white distilled vinegar into the empty litter box. Let stand for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water.

21. Kill bacteria in meat. Marinating in vinegar knocks out bacteria and tenderizes the meat. Create a marinade by adding ¼ cup balsamic vinegar for every 2 pounds of meat to your own blend of herbs and spices. Let the meat sit anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours, depending on how strong you want the flavor, then cook it in the morning without rinsing.

22. Prevent cracked eggs. Prevent eggs from cracking as they hard-boil by adding two tablespoons of white vinegar to the water. The eggs will stay intact, and the shells will peel off more easily when you’re ready to eat them.

23. Steam away a microwave mess. Fill a small bowl with equal parts hot water and vinegar, and place it in the microwave on high for 5 minutes. As the steam fills the microwave, it loosens the mess, making clean up a breeze.

24. Repair DVDs. If you have a worn DVD that skips or freezes, wipe it down with white distilled vinegar applied to a soft cloth. Make sure the DVD is completely dry before reinserting it into the player.

25. Get those last drops. If you can’t get that final bit of mayonnaise or salad dressing out of the jar, dribble in a few drops of vinegar. Put the cap on tightly and shake. The remaining condiments will slide out.

26. Rinse fruits and vegetables. Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to one pint water. Use the mixture to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, then rinse thoroughly. The solution kills more pesticide residue than does pure water.

27. Brighter Easter eggs. Before your kids dye Easter eggs, mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar with ½ cup of hot water, then add food coloring. The vinegar keeps the dye bright and prevents the color from streaking.

28. Loosen a rusted screw. Pour vinegar onto the screw, and it will easily unstick.

29. Remove gum. To remove gum from fabric or hair, heat a small bowl of vinegar in the microwave. Pour the warm vinegar over the gum, saturating the area. The gum will dissolve.

30. Keep cheese from molding. Wrap cheese in a vinegar-soaked cloth, then place in an airtight container and refrigerate.

31. Renew a loofah. Soak your loofah in equal parts vinegar and water for 24 hours to dissolve soap residue, then rinse in cold water.

32. Remove wax. If you get melted candle wax on your wood furniture or floors, gently wipe it away with a cloth soaked in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.

33. Take a relaxing bath. Add ½ cup of vinegar to warm bath water for a cheap spa session at home. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving you feeling soft and smooth.

34. Brighten your hair. Remove hair product buildup by rinsing a tablespoon of vinegar through your hair once a month.

35. Freshen fabrics. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spritz your home to neutralize odors in fabrics, carpets, shoes or any sprayable surface.

36. Erase crayon. If your kids get crayon marks on the walls or floor, dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and gently scrub. The vinegar breaks down the wax, making for an inexpensive, nontoxic way to clean up after children.

37. Sticky stickers. Don’t scratch at the residue left by stickers or price tags. Instead, apply vinegar to the gunk, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe the glue away.

38. Clean the dishwasher and coffee pot. Reduce soap buildup and food residue by pouring a cup of vinegar into your empty dishwasher or coffee pot once a month and letting it run a full cycle.

39. Sanitize pet accidents. You can remove the stain―and smell―of your pet’s accident by mixing ¼ cup vinegar with a quart of water and blotting the mixture onto the mess with a washcloth. Continue dabbing until the spot is gone.

40. Prep for summer grilling. To remove charcoal buildup from your grill, spray white distilled vinegar on balled up aluminum foil and scrub the grate thoroughly.

41. Restore showerhead pressure. If your showerhead gets clogged with mineral deposits, soak it for 15 minutes in a mixture of ½ cup vinegar and 1 quart water.

42. Clean your scissors. When your scissor blades get sticky, wipe them down with a cloth dipped in full-strength white vinegar. Unlike soap and water, vinegar won’t ruin the blades or rust the metal.

43. Unclog drains. For a natural, nontoxic way to clean clogged pipes, pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of white vinegar, down the drain. Let the products bubble and foam, then flush the pipes with a pot of boiling water.

44. Eliminate dandruff. If your scalp is feeling dry or flaky, vinegar can be a simple at-home remedy. Once a week, pour one cup of apple cider vinegar over your scalp, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

45. Soften your feet. Summer sandals leaving you with cracked heals and calluses? Soak your feet for 20 minutes a day in one part vinegar to two parts warm water. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving your feet soft and smooth.