Diet Friendly Fast Food

Day 356.

11 days to go until 2009. Im going to cry.

Today is the first day of Hanukkah, and there are only a few days left until Christmas. If youre entertaining for the holidays, or need any last-minute hostess gifts, these peanut clusters rock. And they make A LOT. You could easily feed the entire neighborhood on one batch, or make yourself very, very sick.

I, um, have eaten too many. Much too many. Its Susan and Amies fault. I had to change Susans original recipe because I live in one of the few places in the world without a Walmart, and couldnt find Chocolate Bark. Nor did any of our grocery stores know what chocolate bark is/was. So I improvised, and am quite pleased with the results. My waistband, not so much...

The Ingredients.

3 (16-ounce) jars lightly salted roasted peanuts (lightly salted is important!)
2 (4-ounce) boxes German Bakers Chocolate
1 (8-ounce) box Unsweetened Bakers Chocolate (there are 2 in the picture. that was wrong.)
1 (24-ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla (not pictured because I didnt know I wanted/needed it until after the photo)


The Directions.

Use a large crockpot. This makes about 150 peanut clusters. Spray the inside of your crock with cooking spray, and place the unwrapped baking chocolate, and bars of German chocolate in the bottom. Add all the peanuts. Pour in the chocolate chips, and add vanilla. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, or high for about 1.5. While the chocolate is melting, lay out a bunch of parchment paper on your counter top or kitchen table. When time has elapsed, stir well, and remove from heat. Use a small ice-cream scoop to plop out bite-sized piles onto the parchment paper.

Let cool before eating---this takes a long time---hours. Itd be best to leave them overnight so you dont pick at them. Unless you have much more will power than I do, then I suppose it would be okay. But I sort of hate you.

Package up and give away as soon as possible.

The Verdict.

These are addictive. The chocolate flavor is quite rich, and tastes dark. If you arent a fan of dark chocolate, use milk chocolate chips. The salt flavor from the nuts is subtle, but is there, and it makes your tongue itch for more.

and more.


I was thinking about nut-allergies during the night. I think you should turn these into pretzel clusters. Definitely.

Difficult to escape the detox! Under this banner, fits a successful market from an impressive array of vegetable juices with patches to stick under the feet, through the fasting cures (with or without forced marches), ionic devices or infrared and enemas. All designed to get rid of toxins responsible for all our ills and our pounds. Are we all really addicted?

Where toxins come from? 
External attack ...
A real toxin, what is it? A substance produced by a microorganism, a bacterium or a fungus (microscopic), which can be toxic and thus cause serious and / or pathological disorders sometimes fatal disease. The most deadly example is the bacterium called botulin, widespread in the earth, and develops the most virulent toxins, because it causes paralysis of the entire body. Many other bacteria that secrete toxins sometimes very nasty causing food poisoning or other diseases tetanus genre.

... or internal disorders? 
Furthermore, our produce many different metabolisms waste those of oxidation, urea and uric acid, lactic acid, etc. It is not strictly speaking toxins.

natural detox 
Besides some real toxins are destroyed by gastric juices, we are equipped with an immune system that, when they come squatter our body develops antibodies, antitoxins and will immediately go to war against them. This battle takes place in the digestive tract, kidneys and liver, real factory cleaning our body.

The bodys natural mechanisms to eliminate
Dirt are eliminated in the urine and feces. As well as the balances of different metabolisms. Our bodies are remarkably equipped to transfer the bulk of foreign molecules.

All this happens naturally when one is healthy and when it was a relatively balanced way of life. If one suffers from a disease affecting the liver or kidneys or disrupting our metabolisms, these cleaning systems are so overwhelmed and sometimes ineffective. But in these circumstances it is not to dive into a detox ridiculous but to heal.

Detox, disposal, purification 
Where does this madness of detox? United States, it seems, where more than 15,000 centers would exempt care, where we can not count the detox products nor peoples who indulge. She won Europe. And although the genre nutrition claim "clean body" is now prohibited, these products are always a hit. Is to eliminate the agenda: get rid of slag left by both food as environmental pollution, those generated by stress, etc.

Exaggerated fear of toxins
It is therefore necessary to purify hoping to erase pimples on the buttocks, bags under the eyes, swollen stomach and gurgling, cellulite and rolls of fat, while it is obviously due to the monstrous pile of toxins . But also to erase the guilt of not eating, drinking and moving as it should. Lent Catholics was the precursor of the detox!

Delusions expensive detox 
Sold on the Net, there patches that sticks underfoot and will absorb excess water and harmful waste during the night (50 € box 10 ...). Evidence of their effectiveness? They became dark brown in the morning because the toxins miraculously through the body. In fact, it is the sweat that changes their color. In the same vein, there are also foot baths in water where the electrodes generating a small current. Also exist very expensive devices (200-300 €) issuing frequencies, waves, supposed ions neutralize toxins and regenerate the body.

Dangers of detox 
Many potions more or less thick, greenish or marronnasses, diuretics and / or laxatives, also sold on the Net.

Side effects of detox cures 
Manufacturers often take pains to warn that during the course of detox, the need to urinate is frequent stools will change, bloating and flatulence will move as minor skin symptoms, fatigue, dizziness, etc. All this is normal since the process of removing toxins is on the way! In other words, the cure detox makes you sick at first but its good for you because you detoxify.

Dangers of colon hydrotherapy
One can opt for enemas, euphemistically called "colonic irrigation" or "colon hydrotherapy" it injects laxatives, herbs and then rinsed. The side effects (cramping, bloating, vomiting, hydroelectric imbalances) of this dangerous practice have been reported by doctors at the University of Georgetown.

Fasting: no unsupervised
There are also fasting, of course, not always without danger, especially when it is practiced in several days of treatment involving intense physical effort and it is not supervised by a physician or health practitioner recognized.

Detox daily 
It is in the power of everyday lies the best detox: consuming the right amount of fruits and organic vegetables, so less loaded pesticides, drinking enough water as to facilitate the work of kidneys, respecting its needs sleep and regularly granting forest walks at the seaside or in the countryside, away from air pollution.

Montignac, Dukan and Shelton are the most famous differentiated regimes.

However, studies have shown that food dissociations are not effective ...


The principle of differentiated plans
These schemes have in common that allow them to eat almost everything, but not at the same time.

The idea is based on the belief that certain foods should not be digested at the same time, to avoid any adverse effects so-called - the creation of toxins, weight gain, etc.

They recommend to separate the eating certain foods or types of food: we can consume fat and sugar, for example, but not in the same meal.

Why are they differentiated regimes ineffective?
Some differentiated regimes are effective in the short term, but are often not on time.

The return to a more normal diet did gain it back. However, unless you have a will and high spirits, it is very difficult to stick to over time as they are not compatible with a normal social life.

Where does the success of differentiated regimes?
Many people swear dissociated diets work. And it is true that you can lose weight by dieting separated ... But this is due to anything other than the fact of not eating certain foods together.

If you are only entitled to a small group of foods (proteins and fats for example), your appetite will be stimulated less because you have less choice.
Moreover, these regimes that prohibit eating together lipids (fats) and carbohydrates (sugars) actually suppress the higher calorie items by nature, that is to say, pastries, chips, fries, chocolate, etc.
By removing these fatty and sugary foods, the total calorie intake decreases and you lose weight.
But this has nothing to do with the separation of food

Weaknesses differentiated regimes
Differentiated regimes show no immediate health hazard. But they do not comply with the principles of a balanced diet base.

Those who favor the proteins (meats, cold cuts, cheeses) encourage the consumption of foods containing animal fats.
However, these so-called saturated fats are harmful to the cardiovascular system.
In addition, divest itself of certain foods causes frustration, which will eventually be the cause of more or less big "meltdowns."
Some cures (or Anthony Shelton diet) may also lead to fatigue, digestive problems and deficiencies.

Hello, Earth Mothers blender! Arent you pretty with your:

• Reversing blade – pulls ingredients in for better chopping and blending.
• 6-point star blade design – more blades for better food chopping and ice crushing.
• Pre-programmed setting for frozen drinks and food chopping – blender automatically shuts off.

Day 332.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a wonderful day full of warm memories and lots of love.

If you are in need of some last-minute crockpot holiday food ideas, heres the list.

This year were going to have:
--cornbread stuffing
--sweet and sour caramelized onions
--candied sweet potatoes (Ill update the picture and recipe for this, too, after we eat)
--mashed potatoes with cream cheese and sour cream
--homemade cranberry sauce
--mulled wine
--this pumpkin pudding
oh! and an oven-roasted turkey.

I wasnt planning on doing any more Thanksgiving-y dishes; my mother-in-law is bringing store-bought pies and ice cream. My kids arent huge pie eaters, and have never shown any interest in pumpkin pie. Like, EVER. But my seven-year-old convinced me last night that its the crust of the pie that she doesnt like, but she likes the filling. And then her younger sister decided to say the exact same thing.

Crustless pie? Thats easy. I can do that. This is much better than my original plan, which was to open a can of pumpkin pie filling and hand them each a spoon.

The Ingredients.

--1 can of pumpkin puree (15 oz)
--1 can evaporated milk (12 oz--the big can, not the little guy!)
--3/4 cup white sugar
--1/2 cup Bisquick-type mix (I used Pamelas Baking Mix)
--2 eggs
--2 T butter, melted
--1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
--1/2 tsp nutmeg
--1/4 tsp cloves
--1/8 tsp ginger
--2 tsp vanilla extract

The Directions.

I used a 4 quart crockpot and it was the perfect size. If you only have a big one, you can use it, but be aware that the batter will be spread out more and will cook much quicker. If you insert an oven-safe dish into the crock, it will work, but the batter will be quite thick and will take a VERY long time. Plan accordingly.

Spray cooking spray into your crockpot.

Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients, and whisk until fully blended. No need to use a hand or stand mixer, just some elbow-grease.

Pour the batter into the prepared crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for about 6. Check your "pie" after 2 hours on high, and 3 hours on low, then check every 30 minutes.

When fully cooked, the pie will look just like a finished pumpkin pie. The batter will have browned and will crack in a few places. The center will have set enough for you to touch it without getting batter on your finger.

Let sit in the crockpot until room temperature, then spoon into serving dishes and top with whipped cream.

The Verdict.

Perfect. It tastes fantastic, is gluten-free, and was terribly easy to do. Well be making this again, and Im happy to have it to serve today.

yay!

Im off to peel potatoes. For hours.
serenity now!

I have been asked through BlogHer to help showcase the far-reaching power of social media to help people in need.
Procter & Gamble, the makers of TIDE laundry detergent are selling "vintage" T-Shirts to help families devastated by disaster.

This is what P&G says on their Loads of Hope website:

Tide Loads of Hope helps in the aftermath of a natural disaster by providing clean clothes and a sense of comfort to families in need. Partnering with Feeding America, we travel to disaster affected neighborhoods with the Tide Loads of Hope truck or vans, our free mobile laundry service.

Tide Loads of Hope truck:

32 high-effiency washers and dryers stationed on the truck
Can do 300 wash and dry cycles a day -equal to one years worth of laundry for a single family
Will wash about 9,000 loads of laundry over a four-week period
Leveraged during massive disasters where electricity is unavailable in the region
Tide Loads of Hope vans:

In partnership with a local laundromat, the Tide Loads of Hope vans provide free laundry service at the same load rate as the trucks
Leveraged during disasters where neighboring communities still have a source of electricity

To date, Tide Loads of Hope has washed more than 35,000 loads of laundry for over 20,000 families. Most importantly, the Tide Loads of Hope program means were equipped to take action whenever and wherever there is a need in our country.

Tide Loads of Hope Vintage Tees:

Tide Loads of Hope can also be supported through the purchase of a Tide Vintage Tee. All profits go to support families affected by disaster.

Where it all started:

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the need for clean clothing became critical, and Tide found a way to help. So in November 2005, the Tide Loads of Hope truck headed to Camp Hope in the Metairie, LA area and cleaned over 10,000 loads of laundry. The spirit of this first venture informs and inspires everything Tide Loads of Hope program does.

How can you help?

P&G has asked us to help get the word out about their efforts to raise money via T-Shirt sales to support families that are affected by disaster in this one-of-a-kind program. The shirts are vintage-looking and support a great cause.

Shirts can be purchased through this link:
http://tidetshirts.pgvillage.com/c-9-show-all.aspx?_vsc=tide4

Please use this link (this helps distinguish the source, as we are having a good-natured contest between several social media companies - but of course, the goal is to get the word out about this great charity!)

So, heres what Im asking: If you are so inclined, please post a short blurb on your blog (regular blog is fine!) and/or tweet about the program, and share the T-shirt link with your readers. If you DO post about it, or tweet about it, will you drop by this form and leave me the links? (You can also share on Facebook or wherever floats your boat, too. BlogTalkRadio hosts? Podcasters?) We want to show P&G the power of social media!

thank you for your time, effort, and help.
xoxo steph

And!
A meatball soup is on the way. AND! you can totally use Coke instead of soda in brown sugar chicken. But.
it perhaps maybe will keep your kids up at night?
hmmph.