My Favorite NAUGHTY Things

STUPID EASY FUDGE.  Seriously.  It's so easy, it's practically stupid.  In a saucepan over medium heat, melt together two bags of chocolate chips with one can of sweetened condensed milk.  Blend well and then pour into a pan and let cool.  That's it!  Now for the fun part: You can use plain old semi-sweet chocolate chips or you can combine them with butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, mint chips, whatever you find at the store.  You can add nuts or pretzels or raisins or craisins or any old thing your heart desires.  And you can eat it yourself or cut it up, put it a pretty little dish with a bow, and give it away.  Stupid easy! 

My holiday wish for you . . . .

. . . . . . peace and joy and love.  Lots of love.  Many thanks to all of you who check in regularly.  Merry Christmas.  

Fight Off A Cold or the Flu with These Five Foods

Welcome to cold and flu season -- fa la la la la la la la laaaaaa!  Even though we may all be destined to get one or the other this year, here are a few suggestions that might help:

1. Tap into the power of protein.  Protein helps bump up your body's production of disease-fighting antibodies, so make sure you get a little at every meal.  Focus on lean meats, fish, nonfat dairy products, beans, and nuts.

2. Fill your plate with color.  The most colorful items in the produce department also contain some of the highest levels of Vitamin C and flavonoids, both of which can help increase your production of protective immune cells.  Reach for oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, kiwi fruit, blueberries, the list goes on and on.

3. Warm up with tea.  Folks who sip three mugs of black tea daily may produce up to ten times more virus-fighting agents than coffee drinkers.  Tea bags, everyone!

4. Get your grains.  Whole grains provide selenium, zinc, and beta glucan, all of which enhance immunity.  Add oatmeal, shredded wheat, barley, couscous, and amaranth to your diet.

5. Go for the spice.  Chicken soup may shorten the duration of a cold by up to 50%.  Why?  Cooked chicken releases cysteine, an amino acid that's chemically similar to a drug used to treat bronchitis.  Enough said.  And if you can stand the heat, spice it up.  The capsecin in hot peppers and sauces helps relieve congestion.  

Let's see . . . protein, vegetables, whole grains, tea . . . where have we seen those before?  It turns out that the foods that are so good for you are good for what ails you as well.  Eat hearty and stay healthy!   

My Favorite Things -- Healthy, Naughty, or Otherwise

Cheese Bake Judy.  Cheese Bake Whodie?  Don't ask me, I don't know the answer.  The recipe originally came from my friend, Tammy, who says that's what it's called in her family.  At our house, it's become Judge Judy, as in, "Hey, is there any Judge Judy left?"  Go figure.  I'm sure there are four dozen recipes similar to this one roaming around out there, but I've recently been reminded of how handy it is during the holidays because you assemble it the day before, refrigerate it overnight, then pop it in the oven in the morning, which may make it the world's most perfect breakfast for Christmas Day, especially if you have a house full.  Here's my recipe:

6-8 slices of soft bread

1 pound of cooked breakfast sausage

2 cups of shredded cheese

9 eggs

3 cups of milk

1 tsp. of dried mustard

salt and pepper to taste

Spray a 9"x13" baking pan with cooking spray.  Arrange the bread in a single layer covering the bottom.  Spread the cooked sausage over the bread, then sprinkle the cheese on top.  Whip the eggs and milk together, then add the dried mustard, salt, and pepper.  Pour the egg mixture over everything, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate overnight.  The next morning, remove the pan from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature before baking, if possible.  Remove the foil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes, until bubbling around the edges and golden brown on top. 

If this isn't the perfect vehicle for leftovers, I don't know what is.  You can use any cooked protein and any kind of cheese you happen to have around.  Combine shredded chicken, sauteed onions, green chiles, and pepper jack for Cheese Bake Juanita.  Ground beef and/or Italian sausage, sauteed onions and peppers, mozzarella cheese, and a little oregano and basil makes Cheese Bake Juliana.  And pretty much any leftover cooked protein combined with vegetables and cheese gives you Cheese Bake Joanie, Jeanie, or Janie.  It's a no-brainer!

Is there another variation in your family?  Please share it!  (See the instructions for leaving a comment in red at the end of all the articles.)