Publisher's Desk...
Good morning to one and all. We??™ll start this week off with great recipes, more of my Valentine??™s Day offerings, and lots of interesting things. The ???Crazy Corner??? is as crazy as ever. After a weekend like the one that just passed, I could stand to relax. How about you? As a matter of fact, I am ready to return to work so I can slow down, lol.
I worked on the submissions received thus far for the February theme of ???Recipes for Romance??? over the weekend while my grandkids slept. We have some great ones for you but could use more. Please, won??™t you send along your two most favorite recipes today for publication on February 1st? I have a few of my own that I am sure will delight someone on that special day set aside for loved ones.
Please remember:
A to Z Recipes is an Honor System publication. Your necessary participation keeps the monthly minimum contribution set low and this publication possible.
Enjoy!
Ramblings...
Doing Valentine's Day Right
(Right according to Maggie, that is)
Men and women have been overwhelmed by Valentine's Day ever since Pope Gelasius declared it a holiday in A.D. 496. But Valentine's Day doesn't have to be a chore, filled with cards containing bland sonnets and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. To make this year's February 14 a special day for your loved one, keep it simple and sweet.
Since Valentine's Day is on a Saturday this year, why not have breakfast in bed? No, you brute! Not that! Serve him/her some steaming coffee, freshly-squeezed orange juice (ok, Minute Maid will do), poached eggs (you can do it), some buttered croissants and fresh fruit. Enjoy a leisurely time after breakfast. It will require less effort as you are, er, uh, already there if you know what I mean. Take all morning, if you??™d like.
Together, make a huge Po Boy for lunch. Take a French roll, split it, and pile on the goodies; sliced turkey, ham, cheeses. Make sure you add some thinly sliced cucumbers, black olives, and shredded lettuce. You probably will need to replenish your energy about now, right?
For dinner, rent an old romantic movie. You know, the ones made when men were men, and women were women. Nosh on junk food and sip champagne. Enjoy the time together, like when you were first married.
Right before you retire to the bedroom...unlock the closet and let the kids out. I bet they're hungry after being cooped up there since morning!
Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
Did You Know?...
Fiber In Your Diet
Shared by Jessica, Corfu, Greece
In doing some research on "dieting", I came across this, from the South Carolina Department of Mental Health! Fiber is important in weight loss, but I was fascinated to know that it was important for mental health as well!
http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/bryan/fiber.htm
--Why does it matter?
Grandmother said, "Eat your roughage! It's a broom to clean out your digestive track."
--Well, Grandmother was right! Roughage, or fiber, matters! You need to be sure to eat enough fiber in order to maintain good health.
What exactly is "dietary fiber"?
Dietary fiber is food that you eat that can't be broken down by enzymes in the small intestine of the digestive track. Almost all natural dietary fiber comes from edible plants.
How much fiber should I eat each day?
You need 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day, with an upper limit of 35 grams. --Become a "label reader" to track the number of grams per serving in your food.
Plan your eating so it provides sufficient fiber and supports comfortable elimination -- eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day, eat the skin of fruits and vegetables -- wash them well but don't peel them, eat six or more daily servings of breads, cereals and legumes, choose to use whole grain flour products instead of overrefined white flour, decrease the amount of fat that you eat to less than 30% of your total daily calories, drink 6 to 8 cups of water or other beverage every day.
Can a person eat too much fiber?
Yes. Don't eat any more than 35 grams per day of fiber. Eating too much fiber causes uncomfortable gas.
What are the health benefits of dietary fiber?
Scientific research has shown that fiber has some preventive and therapeutic benefits in irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, colorectal cancer, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol). Soluble fiber plays a role in lowering cholesterol levels. Insoluble fiber helps prevent and control intestinal problems. Everyone needs to include both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber in their daily diet.
Which foods are good sources of fiber?
Good sources of soluble fiber are oat bran, barley, beans, peas, apples, and citrus fruit (oranges, grapefruits, etc.).
Good sources of insoluble fiber are wheat bran, whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
Everyone, especially people who are taking antipsychotic medication or antidepressant medication, should make a daily habit of eating 20 grams worth of foods from the list below (--amount of insoluble dietary fiber is given in the parenthesis after the food item):
Legumes: green peas (3.3 grams per 2/3 cup), kidney beans (4.9 grams per 1/2 cup), pinto beans (4.7 grams per 1/2 cup), lentils (3.9 grams per 2/3 cup), grains: all-bran cereal (7.6 grams per 1/2 cup of all-bran), all-bran roll, bran muffin, oat bran cereal (2.2 grams per 1/2 cup of oat bran), oat bran muffin, oat bran roll, corn (1.4 grams per 2/3 cup), vegetables: broccoli (stalk, 1.4 grams), carrots (one large, 1.6 grams), and fruits: apple (medium, 2.0 grams), banana (medium, 1.4 grams), orange (medium, 0.7 grams).
Why does fiber matter in treatment of mental illness?
Fiber matters because constipation may result from taking medications which are used in the treatment of mental illness. Antipsychotic medication (used to treat confused thought symptoms), antidepressant medication (used to treat depression), and some of the medications given to correct uncomfortable side-effects of psychiatric medications may lead to constipation. By being sure that you eat enough fiber in your daily diet, you get all the health benefits from the fiber plus you naturally avoid any problems with constipation. Fiber will help you to have regular, comfortable bowel movements.
![icon]()
![icon]()
Ultra-Fiber Balanced Fiber Supplement, Coated Caplets
![icon]()
Supplements can help when your diet
is low in natural fiber. As always, ask
your doctor first.
Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
Discussion Forum
Our discussion forum at QuickTopic for our topic "Eating and Cooking Healthier" is well under way. To join in (or just to read) use your web browser to go to:
A to Z Recipes Discussion Forum
You don't have to register or sign in, and you can choose to receive email for newly posted messages -- just click the
Subscribe button when you get there.
NOTE:
Maybe once you get to the site using the above link, you could add it to favorites. Links that are easy to find are more likely to be used again.
Next Monthly Theme...
Recipes For Romance
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, share with us those recipes you consider when preparing that special meal for your sweetheart. Is there a special beef or seafood dish he/she enjoys? How about that aphrodisiac to all...chocolate? Share your favorite recipes for romance with us, won't you? Now, here is the NEW set of rules:
A to Z Recipes continues with its popular Theme Issues. We will share theme recipes and post them on the first Sunday of each month. Send your recipes no later than the last Friday of each month to have them posted in the next monthly theme issue. You may send in TWO of your favorite theme recipes in ONE email. If the number of recipes exceeds those needed in the issue, the publisher will post as many from every submitter as possible and save the remaining recipes for the following Sundays of that month. The rules for recipe submissions for the monthly theme issues are the same as ALL recipes submitted for posting.
The rules are as follows:
As a service to your fellow readers, please send only recipes that are in a form that others could easily copy and save for their own use. Recipes that would require a lot of editing or cleaning up or use non-standard measurements should not be submitted. Recipes without a name and location of sender may NOT be posted or posted without any credit given. There will be NO recipes posted that are from other recipe-zines. A to Z Recipes protects the privacy of its readers and does NOT publish email addresses. There will be no exceptions.
The deadline for February's theme issue is Friday, January 30th.
Theme recipes must have subject: "Recipes for Romance" and will be posted on Sunday, February 1st.
As usual, only recipes are to be sent to: A to Z Recipes Inbox
Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
Crazy Corner...
While Shopping One Day...
Shared by Linda, CA
A gent, exiting the supermarket, was very surprised when a good-looking
young lady greeted him by saying, "Good evening." He couldn't remember
having seen her ever before. She evidently realized that she had made a
mistake, for she apologized, and explained. "Oh, I'm so sorry. When I
first saw you I thought you were the father of one of my children."
She walked on while the man was left staring dumbfounded after her, and
puzzling over how he could possibly have ever forgotten an affair with
a woman like that?
He did not realize, of course, that she was a local school teacher.
EXCUSES WHY MEN FORGET VALENTINE'S DAY
* The Florist couldn't find your house, did you move?
* I sent a candygram. Someone must have eaten it.
* The Hallmark Store was closed, and I didn't want to send less than the best.
* I sent an e-mail card. You never got it? AOL must have messed up again!
* I left a message on your answering machine to meet me for dinner. Where were you?
* I didn't know you liked jewelry.
* I thought Saint Valentine's Day was a Catholic holy Day.
* Your mailman must have been shot in a Post Office Massacre.
* I thought we would do something different this year.
* I thought it would mean I was making a commitment.
* You didn't remind me!
A New Game
Shared by Mary Jane, Stockton, CA
One Monday morning a mailman is walking the neighborhood on his usual route. As he approaches one of the homes he notices that both cars are in the driveway, his wonder is cut short by Bob the homeowner coming out with a load of empty beer and liquor bottles.
"Wow Bob, looks like you guys had a hell of a party last night." The Mailman comments.
Bob in obvious pain replies," Actually we had it Saturday night, this is the first I have felt like moving since 4 am Sunday morning." We had a about fifteen couples from around the neighborhood over for the holiday cheer and got a bit wild. Hell we even got so drunk that around midnight we started playing WHO AM I."
The Mailman thinks a moment and says, ???How do you play that?"
Bob continues between hung over gasps," Well all the guys go in the bedroom and we come out one at a time with a sheet covering us and only our "units" showing through a hole in the sheet. Then the women try to guess who it is."
The Mailman laughs and says," Damn I am sorry I missed that."
"Probably a good thing you did," Bob responds," your name was guessed four or five times."
Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
Amazon.com Valentine's Day e-Cards!
Special Valentine's Day cards for him and for her, and for anything in between; and left to it; and right. Amazon.com not only lets you send these cards for free, you can also attach a gift certificate for your Valentine.
FREE Valentine's Day Cards
Placing a vote takes only a moment and helps promote A to Z Recipes.
12351/27809_ratingimage.jpg
es/ratingimage.jpg" width="140" height="15" border="0"> |
Having trouble using the method above for placing your vote?
Click here for a link that may be more user friendly.
A to Z Recipes, an HONOR SYSTEM publication, operates solely through reader support. You may donate through PayPal, Amazon Honor System, or other methods listed.
HOW DOES THE HONOR SYSTEM WORK?
Put simply, the service allows you to make a contribution of any amount as little as US$1.00 monthly to A to Z Recipes using your credit or debit card through the same purchasing system used when buying a frying pan from Amazon.com. The combined total of those contributions is paid to A to Z Recipes on a regular basis and can be used by us to cover our expenses. There is no cost to you other than the charge made on your credit or debit card and we receive no private information about you as a result of the transaction.
For more information on the "Amazon Honor System", or to make your monthly contribution now to A to Z Recipes, please go to our custom PayPage at A to Z Recipes PayPage (http://www.amazon.com/paypage/PGBGWX02BJ39R). You can also use the Donate through PayPal "Make a Donation" button. Please help us make this newsletter and web site a financial success!
Thanks very much for your time and support of A to Z Recipes and if you have any suggestions, insights, or problems about what I've discussed here, then feel free to email me at Contact List Owner(maggieblackwell@hotmail.com).
To make cash donations using other methods, click here.
Your Favorites...
SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN ROTINI SALAD
Serves 6 to 8
~Sent in by Elaine, MO
1 (12 oz.) package rainbow rotini, uncooked
1 lb. boneless chicken, cut in 1 inch pieces
salt and pepper
1/3 cup unsifted flour
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
3/4 cup bottled Italian salad dressing
1/2 tsp. paprika
Cook rotini as package directs; drain. Season chicken with salt and pepper; coat with flour. In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook chicken in oil until lightly browned and tender; drain. In a large bowl, combine rotini, chicken, tomatoes, celery and onion. In a small bowl, stir together remaining ingredients. Add to rotini mixture; mix well. Cover. Chill thoroughly. Refrigerate leftovers.
APPLE SPARKLER
~Sent in by Kim, WA
??? 1 tablespoon red or green colored sugar (optional)
??? 10 unpeeled orange wedges or chunks
??? 5 unpeeled lime wedges or chunks
??? 5 6-inch wooden skewers
??? 2/3 cup raspberry juice blend
??? 1 750 ml bottle sparkling apple cider or sparkling pear-apple juice, chilled
1. Sprinkle colored sugar on a piece of waxed paper. Moisten the rims of five wine glasses, one at a time, with a little water. Dip each rim in sugar and set aside for 5 to 10 minutes to dry.
2. For fruit garnish, place 2 orange wedges and 1 lime wedge onto each skewer; set aside.
3. Divide raspberry juice blend among prepared wine glasses. Being careful not to disturb the sugar on the rim, gently pour sparkling cider into each glass. Place a citrus skewer in each glass.
Makes 5 servings.
PICKLED GARLIC
~Sent in by Shirley, WA State
Peel 24 small cloves of garlic (if thicker than 1/2 inch slice in half lengthwise).
In a 1 to 1 1/2 quart pan, mix with:
1/2 c. rice vinegar or white vinegar
3 Tbl. sugar
1 tsp. salt
Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Cool. Cover and chill 1 day or up to 2 weeks. Place in a jar and cover with gingham and a raffia bow. Great in a picnic basket.
NO-FAIL SUGAR COOKIES
~Sent in by Carolyn, WV
This recipe can be cut in half if you do not want so many at one time.
6 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients and add
to butter mixture. Chill 1 to 2 hours, or you can take freshly made dough
and put a glob between two pieces of parchment paper and roll out to
preferred thickness. Then you put it on a cookie sheet and pop it in the
fridge. Continue rolling out the dough between two sheets of parchment
until you have used up all dough. By the time you are finished, the first
batch will be cool enough and ready to cut. The reason this is such a great
option is that you don't have to use additional flour. Reroll leftover
dough and repeat.
Cut into desired shapes when dough has chilled. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
30 minutes before baking. Bake on ungreased baking sheets for 8 to 10
minutes or until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around edges.
These hold their shape very well. This recipe can make up to 8 to 10 dozen
3 inch cookies. Have made them many times.
PORK CHOPS ZINGARA
Serves 4
Christine, Block Island, RI
4 Loin pork chops
1 small White onion, chopped
1/4 pound Mushrooms, julienned
1 cup Tomato sauce
2 tablespoons Ham, cooked and julienned
3 tablespoons Dry sherry
Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD OF PREPARATION
1. In a lightly greased skillet, brown the chops on both sides over brisk heat. Cover, reduce the heat and cook slowly until the chops are almost tender, about 20 minutes.
2. Add the onion and mushrooms and cook slowly, covered, until the chops are tender and the onion is soft, about five minutes.
3. Add the tomato sauce. Heat until simmering. Add the remaining ingredients.
4. Serve at once. If desired, finish off by adding bits of butter to the sauce just before serving and swirling it in to give the sauce a gloss.
Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
Heart Healthy...
LIGHT BUTTERMILK PANCAKES
~Sent in by Jean, Syracuse, NY
The batter aerates during its resting time, resulting in lighter pancakes.
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter, plus more for cooking
1 egg, beaten lightly
2 cups buttermilk
Maple syrup and jam (for serving)
1. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.
2. Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, the egg and buttermilk in a bowl. Whisk in the dry ingredients until batter is just smooth. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Lightly brush a nonstick skillet with butter and place over medium heat. Ladle 1/4 cup of the batter into the skillet, spreading it out a bit; cook until the pancake is golden and small bubbles form on the top, about 40 seconds. Flip and continue cooking until golden, about 40 seconds. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more butter as needed to the pan. Serve the pancakes as you make them, with syrup or jam; or keep them warm, loosely covered with foil, in a 200 F oven.
Makes about 10 4-inch pancakes to serve 4 or 5. Per serving (based on 4, without syrup or jam): 290 calories, 43g carbohydrates, 11g protein, 8g fat, 70mg cholesterol.
Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
For Two...
CAESAR CHICKEN-SALAD SANDWICHES
2 (4-oz.) skinned, boned chicken breast halves
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, divided
2 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce
Cooking spray
3 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. anchovy paste
1/2 tsp. bottled minced garlic
1/8 tsp. pepper
4 (1/2-oz.) slices whole-grain bread
2 romaine lettuce leaves
4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices tomato
Preheat broiler.
Combine chicken, 2 teaspoons lemon juice and soy sauce in a large zip-top plastic bag. Seal and marinate in refrigerator for 10 minutes, turning bag once. Remove chicken from bag. Place chicken on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; broil 6 minutes on each side or until done. Cool; shred chicken with 2 forks.
Combine chicken, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, mayonnaise and next 5 ingredients (mayonnaise through pepper). Spread 1 cup chicken mixture over each of 2 bread slices. Top each with 1 lettuce leaf, 2 tomato slices and 1 bread slice. Store sandwiches in small zip-top bags in refrigerator.
Makes 2 sandwiches. Nutritional values per sandwich: 366 calories, 37.3g carbohydrate, 63mg cholesterol, 11.4g fat, 1mg sodium, 30g protein, 155mg calcium, 2.4mg iron and 3g fiber.
Source: Cooking Light magazine
Click here to submit an item for posting in this section.
Estee Lauder - Pleasures Intense Eau De Parfume Spray 30 ml/1 oz
Estee Lauder captures the joy of nature,
passion & love. Embodies the velvety, rose,
jasmine, lily & ylang ylang,golden woods & vanilla
Only $39.00 from Strawberrynet.com
FREE worldwide shipping!
Always remember:
Do NOT respond to this newsletter by hitting "REPLY". Please use the appropriate email address. Thanks!
A to Z Recipes Website
| View recent issue archives on our web site
| View recent issue archives at Zinester
| View vintage issue archives at Topica
| Shop with Us
| Subscribe to Newsletter
| Unsubscribe from A to Z Recipes
| Recipe Collection
| Contact List Owner
| Make a Submission
| Support this publication
| Reciprocal Links
