Fall Apples!

It's been a while since I posted anything...been busy as the bees with Summer gardening and family!  Realizing we are near the end of September all of a sudden says Apple Time!!  Fresh Fall Apples are available in Farmers Markets and grocery stores, even for picking fresh in the orchards...so partake in one form or another.  Wash them well and eat the skins too, for that is where the highest levels of antioxidants and bioflavonoids exist. Remember we are now building our immune systems for the winter. One of my favorite things to do with them as the weather gets chilly is bake them in a dish with a crumb topping, oh so YUMMY!

Here's a recipe to try:

Apple/Berry Crumble
 

5 Golden Delicious or Rome Beauty apples

2 cups fresh or frozen berries such as blackberries, blueberries, cranberries or raspberries

3/4 cup packed brown sugar or Coconut Palm Crystals, divided--1/2 cup and 1/4 cup

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided --1 tsp and 1/2 tsp

1/3 cup unsifted all-purpose flour or Spelt flour or Whole Wheat flour

1/8 teaspoon salt, divided into 2 pinches

5 tablespoons butter or vegan alternative

1/3 cup quick rolled oats

Cooking Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Butter (or use coconut oil) a baking dish.

In a large bowl add apples, berries, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 pinch of salt and toss to blend. Pour apple-berry mixture into the prepared dish.

In a medium-sized bowl combine flour, 1 pinch of salt, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. With pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter until it's crumbly. Stir in the oats.

Sprinkle the oat mixture over the apples and bake 40 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is crisp and golden.

The Undiet!

"The Undiet": Why The Blood Type Diet is so Popular for Losing Weight For a diet not designed as a traditional calorie-cutting “diet,” why is the Blood Type Diet so successful at helping people reach their natural, healthy weight? Health News You Can Use From Jean Ferraraccio Find Out More About The Blood Type Diet
	How The Blood Type Diet Works: The Basics Genuine Weight Loss Goes Deeper Over several decades, researchers have identified over 1,000 common foods that contain powerful proteins called lectins. Here’s the key: These food lectins become active and important for you when they interact with your blood type. For example, after consuming any number of foods containing wheat, both blood types O and A can experience bloating and other digestive problems. This may be more than a simple “food intolerance.” The walls of the stomach and intestines are lined with sensitive receptors that interact with, and respond to, the lectin in wheat. At first, you may only experience that wheat lectin interaction as a mild digestive problem, or a dull, listless feeling after consuming foods not right for you. Over time, the result is a steadily deteriorating state of health, loss of energy and weight gain. The good news is, by removing these targeted foods and replacing them with foods more suitable for your blood type, you begin to experience the benefits of a leaner, cleaner, more energetic body.
	Why That “Weight Loss” Shake is Actually Packing it On Over 80% of us Can't Tolerate Most Weight Loss Products Most so-called weight-control shakes are only about limiting calorie intake without taking into consideration your unique biochemical needs. Do you wonder why so many people lose weight, only to gain it back--and then some? Or why many people may lose weight in the face and neck, but remain persistently overweight around the middle? Improper and unhealthy weight loss leads to unbalanced and unhealthy weight distribution. Genuine weight loss and genuine, lasting health comes from considering how your body interacts with the foods and beverages you consume. Dr. D’Adamo’s pioneering and on-going research confirms that your blood type is the single most important determinant in how your body interacts with the foods you eat and whether those foods cause inflammation, digestive problems, or weight gain for you. Over 80% of Americans are either type O or A. Wheat and corn by-products are two of the key weight-gaining foods for blood types O and A. Amazingly, most popular “low calorie” diet bars and shakes contain whey and corn-derived ingredients which for blood type O: Inflames your digestive tract lining and interferes with your digestive process, causing bloating. Slows down the rate of food metabolism, so you don't efficiently burn calories for energy. Compromises your production of insulin. Upsets your hormonal balance, causing water retention, thyroid disorders and other problems. By simply replacing the key weight-gaining foods in your diet, you can begin not only helping your body lose weight, but also gain more energy.
	It's Simple to Get StartedStep One: It's easy to overlook a common source of dietary lectins: So-called "low calorie" diet foods and other snack foods. Take a new look at the snacks or diet drinks and powders you may be using right now. Do any of them contain any of the foodstuffs that are harmful to your blood type, or have lectins known to lead to inflammation and weight gain? Consider replacing these with blood-type friendly Dr. D’Adamo-designed snack bars and our protein drinks and teas. Not only are these foods easier on your system --but they can have an immediate impact on your body’s lectin chain-reactions. Step Two: Look at your diet. Don't try to change your entire life in one weekend. After looking over the key weight-gaining foods for your blood type, consider replacing at least two of them with other foods that may be neutral or even beneficial for your type. Example for Types O and A:Replace wheat breads and pastas with better-tolerated and neutral Spelt breads and pastas. Ideally, until you reach your preferred state of health and weight, you'll want to consume less of these grains, and add more quality meats and vegetables. However, removing the gluten is a huge step in the right direction. Example for Types B and AB:Replace corn muffins and taco shells with and pastas with better-tolerated and neutral Spelt breads and pastas. Ideally, until you reach your preferred state of health and weight, you'll want to consume less of these grains, and add more quality meats and vegetables.Find Out More About The Blood Type Diet

Happy New Year 2011!!

                                    Ring out the old,

                                    Ring in the new,

                                    Ring out the false,

                                    Ring in the true.   Tennyson

    

1/1/11...a very auspicious sequence of numbers for all this Kalends of January, signifying amazing new beginnings, rebirth, birth, new growth, and good fortune.  The first three weeks of January also lie in the tree-calendar month of the birch tree, representing beginnings and purification.  According to Celtic tradition, the sacred color of the month is white, which corresponds to the white bark of those lovely delicate looking trees. 

 

Looking back at 2010, many had a difficult, challenging year with life changes on many levels. It was a year full of energetic numerologic portals, lunar eclipses and the Mercury retrograde through the holidays! Boy, was Mercury laughing as airports, trains, buses, taxis and cars full of seasonal travelers were snarled amidst snowstorms.  Mercury commanded  a time for reflection and stomped on any who would not listen.  No matter how bad the situation, there is always something to be learned and for that we are grateful.  We have to be on the learning path to make better choices and continue to have new, enlightening adventures. So we finish 2010 with gratitude!

 

The verse above ends with 'Ring in the true!'

To start the new year with truth compels us to use our inner wisdom, recognize the voice within, respect it and acknowledge it openly.  Our inner voice comes from the heart space, a place of pure love and honesty. Discriminate between the pure voice from the heart and the learned, judgemental voice of the intellect.  Breathe deeply and pause to hear the true voice from within. Allow that voice of purity and love to guide you in new experiences for 2011...rebirth, renew, revitalize, grow like a barren birch tree in the winter, full of new beginnings, processing internally all that will bud out in beautiful new ways this year. 

 

Wishing you all a year of love and abundance!

 

If January Kalends be summary gay,

'Twill be wintry weather till the

    Kalends of May.   Anon. English