Tips for Healthier Cooking to Improve Your General Health
Make your own fresh breadcrumbs by trimming crusts from your whole-wheat bread, spread the bread on a baking sheet, and bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit until crispy, about 15 minutes. Crumb the crispy bread slice by using a grater or food processor.
Use whole-grain bulgur as a filler in meatloaf, burgers, and as the base for salads and side dishes.
Citrus is in, so make Lemon Thins for the cookie jar rather than brownies. Saving calories helps with the New Year’s resolutions you made.
Winter season seems to make us think of comfort foods, but often these foods are high in fat and calories. Try Cranberry-Turkey Meatloaf and cut both the calories and the fat.
Add flavor and important Omega-3s, DHA and EPA by drizzling ½ teaspoon of lemon fish oil on your baked or broiled fish just prior to serving.
Rethink cream sauce and make it without cream, and without guilt.
This recipe will make 6 cups and can be refrigerated for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 3 months:
- 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 2/3 cup long or medium-grain white rice
- 5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth or “no chicken” broth
- 1 cup dry white wine
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground pepper, preferably white
~ Recipe by Chef John Ash
Homemade soups are a great winter comfort food and get in lots of veggies. Have fun filling your “pot” with salt-free or low sodium broth, and get creative with your choices. Hot, flavorful soup shared with family or friends warms ones’ heart and soul.
Massage Therapy Increases Movement
Let’s think about the importance of stretching the low back to allow increased freedom of movement.
Massage therapy is one therapy that can loosen tout, soft tissues by means of breaking up fascial adhesions; and also relax and loosen muscle tone.
For this approach to be the most effective and to last longer, it is important to stretch the client’s tissues. One’s goal is to have the increased range of motion during the treatment session to last due to the stretching and lengthening all soft tissues.
Effective treatment strategy includes the client’s active self-care in doing stretches at home. For best results, the stretching is most effective when done after the tissues have been warmed up. This warming of tissues can be done by physical activity or by use of moist heat. Keep in mind; this stretching can be assertive, but not forced.
Well-hydrated tissues are a MUST to prevent injury and allow comfort. If you would like more information, or would like to begin massage therapy to benefit your health, please contact us for an appointment.
Reading About Improved Health
The first couple months of the New Year find life less busy at Heart Wood Place, and allow me to relax, refresh, and continue my education in the form of reading articles to benefit my skills and business.
Any of you who know me is aware I feel strongly that all things happen for a reason, even though I may not realize what they are at the time.
In early December, a client mentioned a book he had recently read, and it was about the life of Solomon Wickey. Even though I knew him and had consulted with him, I was not aware of a book, “Solomon’s Touch” by June Naugle. Yes, you guessed it – my first book to read this New Year.
Many of you may know the term and use of iridology. Scriptures address the use of herbs, essential oils and the truth eyes reveal. “The lamp of your body is your eye.” In Genesis, we read, “I have given you the herbs for your medicine.” Keep in mind, a medical doctor studies symptoms through scientific tests and, based on those tests, makes a diagnosis, meaning the name of the disease, and then treats it. A nutritional consultant treats the cause, not the symptom.
Better health is built by improving dietary intake and a different lifestyle. Many experts say there are not more than twenty known diseases that exist altogether; and they can be addressed by oxygenation, cleansing, nourishing, or getting the trauma out of the body and then restoring the electrical disturbance.
The book I mentioned is a good read for anyone interested in learning more about natural approaches to health by means of using herbs and improved nutrition. Solomon Wickey is a well-known herbalist that hundreds of us from all corners of the USA have great respect for. I am proud to be affiliated with the Natures Sunshine Products Co.; four generations of my family use them.
Ideal Christmas Gifts
When giving gifts this season, think about how important one’s health is. Remember to take extra Vitamin C to ward of the sniffles, bundle up when going outside, and share great memories with loved ones this holiday season!
Gift certificates make the perfect gift for someone on you list who may need a getaway from their daily business; or if someone could use some pampering at our Day Spa. You may request a gift certificate in any denomination to fit your gift-giving list of special people.
Something new we are offering this year – our beautiful Therapy Packs which can be used as a hot or cold pack, are conveniently sized, and show the Heart Wood logo. Affordably priced at $5 each, consider purchasing at least two for your home, one to keep in the freezer and one to keep ready to use as a warm pack when needed.
Holiday Activities Near Heart Wood Place Bed and Breakfast
Holidays are a special time to travel, visit family, and take a break from the daily routine. When visiting Southeastern Michigan, remember The Heart Wood Place Bed and Breakfast is a short drive away from many local activities to enjoy!
Miracle on 34th Street
The Croswell Opera House is presenting “Miracle on 34th Street” the first two weekends of December; with matinee showings at 2:30 pm and evening performances at 7:30 pm. Visit THE CROSWELL for a complete list of show times and for ticket information.
Hidden Lake Gardens Holiday Festival
December 1st from 4-8 pm, Hidden Lake Garden’s annual Holiday Festival will feature more than 2,000 luminaries lighting the path to their conservatory. Musical groups will perform, and Santa will see children in the visitor center.
Winterfest
The Annual Winterfest Celebration is December 7-8 in downtown Adrian, with a parade kicking off the activities. The Winterfest Light Parade begins at 6:30 pm on Friday, December 7th through the downtown area, and the Adrian Public Library will be showing a family-friendly movie right after the parade ends.
Downtown Adrian First Friday celebration will bring music and artists to the downtown area that evening, so there should be plenty of things to walk around and see.
Santa will visit on Saturday, December 8th from 8 to 10 am at the Big Boy restaurant on Broad Street. Local businesses will feature activities during the day on Saturday, with everything from gingerbread house judging, you band performances, local artists showcasing their work, mascots from local sports teams, and many children’s activities.
Snowflake at The Croswell
The Croswell Opera House will feature “Snowflake” on December 23rd. Visiting artist Gale LaJoye will combine physical humor, silent acting, and illusion during his one-man show, which begins at 2:30 pm on Dec. 23rd. Ticket information is available at http://www.croswell.org
Heritage Park Light Display
The annual Christmas lights display will be at Heritage Park during the month of December, opening at dusk each day, just off North Adrian Highway.
Festival of Trees
The Lenawee Historical Museum’s annual “Festival of Trees” will be featured during the month at the museum on Church Street in Adrian. Trees are sponsored and decorated by local groups and organizations.
Heart Wood Place Bed & Breakfast
Remember that we are located within a short drive of all these activities as well as fine dining in the community. Reserve your room at Heart Wood Place during December for a wonderfully relaxing visit!