Janice Taylor Living » Janice Taylor Fully Baked Living

Watermelon: Straight Up and SKINNY (Recipe Alert!)

jtaylor — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:25:20 +0000

Watermelon Straight Up: mouth-watering, nutritional thoughts and a recipe!

faToid ~ Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.

Dig it! Watermelon season is here.
From May through-out the summer, the best, sweetest and most delicious fruit ever is readily available. AND at 46 caloties per cup, you’re gettin’ a whole lotta bang for your calorie buck!

What is watermelon?
The watermelon is neither a fruit nor a melon. (I’m shocked. Next thing you know, they’ll be telling us that the world isn’t round.)

Watermelon’s official name is Citrullus lanatu, and it is a member of the botanical family Curcurbitacae; and it is a vegetable. (Go know!!!!) It is related to the cucumbers, pumpkins and squash families. Watermelons are native to the Kalahari desert of southern Africa and were introduced to America by Africans transported as slaves.

Fresh watermelons may be eaten just as they are, used to flavor summer drinks, or in a variety of recipes. (One of my favorite summer recipes is below.)

Is Watermelon a healthy choice? You bet!
Congrats to the Watermelon for receiving the “heart healthy” seal of approval from the American Heart Association and for being the leader in lycopene among fruits and vegetables. Lycopene is known to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Watermelon is also loaded with Vitamins A, B6 and C, is low in sodium, fat-free, low in calories and is 92% water! A 2-cup serving of watermelon is only 80 calories. That’s twice as much bang for your buck as most fruit!

What are the benefits of Vitamins A, B6 and C?
The vitamin A found in watermelon can help to prevent night blindness and it gives a boost to the infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes.

The vitamin B6 that used by the body to produce neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, melatonin and dopamine, which we all know by know make us feel good, help to alleviate anxiety and panic.

And the Vitamin C can boost the immune system’s resistance against infections and viruses. Once again, those free radicals chances of aging us or creating cataracts are diminished.

Tasty Tidbit ~ How to Pick A Watermelon:
* Your watermelon should be firm, symmetrical and free of bruises, cuts and dents.
* Pick it up and make sure it’s heavy. Yeah baby, since watermelon is 92% water, it should be heavy for its size.
* Take a look at its underside. A creamy yellow spot marks where it sat on the ground naturally ripened in the sun!

Watermelon Gazpacho
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:
8 cups cubed seeded watermelon (make sure it’s sweet – the sweeter the better tasting the gazpacho)
1 green apple, diced
1/2 cup finely chopped onion, Vidalia (sweet onion)
1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
2 teaspoons fresh (if at all possible) basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Instructions:
In blender, puree watermelon with 1/4 cup of onion, pepper and 1/2 apple; pour into large mixing bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients (the other 1/4 cup of onion, pepper and apple). Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour to blend flavors.

Spread the word (NOT the icing!),

Janice

National Hug Day – the Rules for a Full Frontal Hug

jtaylor — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:13:06 +0000

Today is National Hugging Day! I’ve already hugged three people! And in doing so, I realized that hugging is a bit more complex than just grabbing someone and squeezing! Not everyone welcomes a full frontal hug! Go figure.

Anyway, if you are thinking about participating in this national holiday, “Hugging Day,” then there are some rules that you definitely will want to follow!

The RULES of HUGGING!

1. Oral Hygiene:
When was the last time you brushed your teeth? Gargled? Flossed?
What did you last eat? Is the smell of onion still lingering? Please, Good Oral Hygiene is an absolute must!

2. Body Hygiene:
Do you smell good?
Did you workout and you’re all sweaty? No sweats please!

3. Eye Contact:
You definitely want to make eye contact with someone before you hug it out! Friendly hugs require a brief eye-to-eye. Romantic hugs require a long-lasting simmer.

4. The Gentle Lean:
Best to lean in gently and slowly as you wrap your arms around the ‘huggee,’ lest you overwhelm them.

5. The Positioning of the Arms:
Above or below the other person’s arms. Needless to say, if their arms are hanging by their sides, get out quick.

6. No Squishing, No Bear Hugs:
Remember, this is a gentle, sweet hug. Firm is one thing, but squishing is another! And bear hugs … for goodness sake, we’re not trying to knock the breath out of eachother!

7. No Back Patting:
Back patting can lead to burping and it’s just not good feng shui. Breaks the loving energy!

8. Body Language:
Pay attention to your huggee’s body language. When they begin to let go, you let go as well. Not to worry, this is not the last hug ever!

Enjoy your day!

More De’lite’ful Spot On Skinny News from Our Lady of Weight Loss!
How to GET RID of DEAD WEIGHT!!!
7 Tips: Stressed to Refreshed!
Are YOU Desensitizing the Word of God?

Spread the word … NOT the icing!
Janice
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Insomnia Cookies: 25 Fully Baked Tips to Better Sleep

jtaylor — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:10:51 +0000

A recent study conducted by the Harvard Women’s Health Watch reports that sleep difficulties visit 75% of us at least a few nights per week. A short-lived bout of insomnia is nothing to worry about. However, the bigger concern is for those who suffer from chronic sleep loss, because they are likely to be affected in numerous areas:

1. Sleep helps the brain commit new information into memory; therefore lack of sleep can impair learning and memory.

2. Chronic sleep deprivation affects the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and alters the levels of hormones that affect our appetite: leptin (an appetite regulating hormone), and higher levels of ghrelin (a hormone produced by the stomach that sends the ‘I’m hungry, feel me’ signal to the brain.) (leptin and ghrelin)

3. Those who are sleep deprived are more likely to be irritable, cranky, impatient, and are all in all moodier than those who sleep!

4. Sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone level and irregular heartbeats.

Now that we know how important it is to get the proper amount of sleep, here 25 tips that can help you to get a good night’s rest!

25 Fully Baked Tips to Better Sleep

1. Relieve Stress Daily. People who are stressed-out are more likely to suffer from insomnia. It’s important to explore various types of exercise, meditation, and/ or yoga so that you find the one that best helps you to relax. Have fun exploring.

2. Exercise. Follow a consistent exercise (or movement) program. It will increase your energy levels during the day, improve your mood and help to regulate your sleeping patterns at night. Remember – even 10 minutes here and there throughout the day adds up to a restful night’s sleep.

3. Exercise in the morning or afternoon. For many, working out within 3 or 4 hours of sleep can make it harder to fall asleep.

4. Light snacks. Eating a heavy meal too close to bedtime can interfere with sleep. Instead, if you are hungry, have a light snack but avoid protein-rich and caffeine containing foods and beverages.

5. Stop eating all together at least 3 hours before sleep. This will prevent heartburn, indigestion and energy boosts from the food. A good weight loss rule anyway. You’ve got to stop at some point, no?

6. Natural Root. Valerian root and Melatonin seem to be the most effective supplemental sleep aids. ALWAYS discuss dosage, risk and effectiveness with your doctor before taking.

7. Aromatherapy. Lavender and chamomile scents can be soothing and relaxing. Perhaps in spray form, or scented candle. Also, vanilla ‘kills’ appetite.

8. Eat at regular intervals during the day. This will keep your blood sugar levels even, thus keeping you alert all day and ready to sleep at night. And bonus, it will keep your ‘hunger’ in check, so that you don’t go off the deep end, into that vat of chocolate that’s calling your name!

9. Write it out. Before bed write down all your thoughts in a journal without judgment. Stream of consciousness. Let it rip and roll. It will help clear your mind, as you can close the book on the day. It works!

10. Turn off the lights. It can be difficult to sleep with the lights on. You might even want to wear a sleep mask (I have a leopard one!). Be sure to close the blinds, shades, drapes!

11. Sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. Your body will get into its automatic rhythm.

12. Put the clock where you cannot see it. Clock watching can create anxiety.

13. For a light late night snack, try dairy products. Milk contains the sleep inducing amino acid, tryptophan. (Go organic, please! So that the milk is coming from a healthy cow … Eat Healthy: Be Political!)

14. Avoid tobacco. Tobacco products contain nicotine, a stimulant. You shouldn’t be smoking anyway (sorry, but for goodness sake!).

15. Don’t oversleep. Too much of a good thing can actually make you more tired.

16. Think positive. People who focus on the positive tend to sleep better and experience better health in general. Remember: thoughts are like the clouds; they float in and out – you don’t have to attach to them!

17. Do not hit the snooze button. Simply get up. Get up! GET UP!

18. Plan for a healthy 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Set your mind as you climb into your comfy bed.

19. Nap wisely. No more than 20 minutes. But do nap if you can!

20. Limit caffeine during the day. Try for less than 1-2 cups of caffeinated beverages during the day.

21. Schedule some down time every day. Stretch, take a hot bath, read. Stare into space!

22. Add white noise and/or wear ear plugs. Most people can’t fall asleep when things are too loud. Sometimes even the crickets are screaming.

23. Drink in moderation. Alcohol may help you fall asleep, but it will likely wake you in the middle of the night.

24. Rule out medications. If you are taking medication, ask your doctor about its side effects.

25. Check the thermostat. If it’s too hot or too cold, it may be difficult to fall asleep. That’s for sure!!!

Good night!