0 Lentil Soup with Sausage Brown Rice and Spinach Things Are Looking Up

Today on Serious Eats: Swiss Chard and Turkey Sausage Over Polenta. So simple. So seductive delicious.

Painful things I have done recently (SPOILER ALERT):

Dislocated and/or broke my left pinky toe on a door frame. That’ll teach me to ... uh ... walk.  

Read the entire Lord of the Rings series. Fellow nerds! Hear my call! Why did no one tell me the books were butt-awful? Sweet bejeezus, Tolkien dedicated entire CHAPTERS to whether Frodo and Sam should take a left at the scary-looking rock, and exactly two pages on the death of Gollum, destruction of the ring, and collapse of Mordor. By the ancient sword of Elendil, Charles *freaking* Dickens would been like, “This needs fewer words, old chap.” 

Admitted my English degree has been fairly useless. With apologies to the Bronte sisters, Jane Eyre does not prepare you for the intricacies of expense reports. 

Watched Precious. “Hm,” I thought halfway through the film, “The only thing that could possibly make this more depressing is if they gave Precious AIDS.” (ten seconds pass) “Aaaaand there you go.” 

Threw out my old music cassette tapes. Oh, man. Here’s something they don’t tell you when you move: Carrying 90 boxes up a flight of stairs isn’t the hardest part. It’s chucking beloved, but outdated and useless possessions, like Open Up and Say ... Ahh!, the 1988 multiplatinum classic from Poison. Every rose has it’s thorn, indeed.

A very enjoyable thing I did recently: 

Ate Double Lentil, Sausage, Brown Rice, and Spinach Soup from the stupendous Kalyn’s Kitchen. Speaking of which, Kalyn just published her Top 10 Recipes of 2010, which you should gaze upon immediately.

HOTUS and I had guests for the first time at our new apartment. As it turns out, it’s impolite to starve company, so thus, the soup. And it tasted good. Real good. So good, there was slurping. From guests! Even my sister liked it, and she hates food.

I made two medium-sized changes to Kalyn’s original recipe: I substituted water in for part of the chicken broth, and used a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for Spike Seasoning, which I couldn’t find in Brooklyn. Also of note: Kalyn and I both used a 3.5-quart slow cooker. If you don’t own one, she includes instructions to adapt the recipe for the stovetop at Kalyn’s Kitchen. (They’re not included here).

A wonderful thing I have recommenced recently: 

Blogging. Its good to be back, sweet readers.

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If this recipe floats your boaty, these will surely make you gloaty. (Sorry.):

• Pasta with Turkey Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
• Slow Cooker Pork Chops, Apples, and Sweet Potatoes
• White Bean and Kale Soup with Turkey Sausage

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Double Lentil, Sausage, Brown Rice, and Spinach Soup
Serves 6.
Adapted from Kalyn’s Kitchen.

1/2 medium onion, diced small
1 carrot, peeled and diced small
2 stalks celery, diced small
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
A few shakes each: kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, paprika
3 links pre-cooked chicken or turkey sausage, chopped into 1/3-inch pieces
1 (15-ounce) can petite dice tomatoes, undrained
2 (15-ounce) cans chicken broth
2-1/2 cups water
1/4 cup brown or green lentils
1/4 cup red lentils
1/4 cup long-grain brown rice
4 cups chopped fresh spinach
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1) Heat olive in large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Saute until ever-so-slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Saute an additional 2 minutes.

2) Pour onion mixture into crockpot. Add sausage, tomatoes, broth, water, and all lentils. Stir to combine. Cook on high 3 hours.

3) Add rice and spinach. Stir to combine. Cook 1 more hour.

4) Add balsamic vinegar. Stir to combine. Cook 15 minutes. Serve, with crusty bread and “Parmesan cheese if desired.”

Approximate Calories, Fat, Fiber, Protein, and Price Per Serving
226 calories, 7.8 g fat, 7.3 g fiber, 15.5 g protein, $1.72

Note: Calculations are for Chef Bruce Aidells Chicken & Apple Sausage from CostCo., since the numbers were easily available online. I personally used a different, yet similar brand, the label of which I cant remember, and is currently buried under two feet of garbage.

Calculations
1/2 medium onion, diced small: 23 calories, 0.1 g fat, 0.8 g fiber, 0.5 g protein, $0.17
1 carrot, peeled and diced small: 25 calories, 0.1 g fat, 1.7 g fiber, 0.6 g protein, $0.08
2 stalks celery, diced small: 17 calories, 0.2 g fat, 2 g fiber, 0.9 g protein, $0.25
1 tablespoon olive oil: 199 calories, 13.5 g fat, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein, $0.13
3 cloves garlic, minced: 13 calories, 0 g fat, 0.2 g fiber, 0.6 g protein, $0.20
1 teaspoon dried thyme: 3 calories, 0.1 g fat, 0.4 g fiber, 0.1 g protein, $0.12
A few shakes each: kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, paprika: negligible calories, fat, fiber, and protein, $0.03
3 links pre-cooked chicken or turkey sausage: 480 calories, 30 g fat, 1.5 g fiber, 42 g protein, $4.34
1 (15-ounce) can petite dice tomatoes, undrained: 70 calories, 0 g fat, 3.5 g fiber, 3.5 g protein, $1.69 (ugh, I know)
2 (15-ounce) cans chicken broth: 67 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g fiber, 13.1 g protein, $1.33
2-1/2 cups water: negligible calories, fat, fiber, and protein, $0.00
1/4 cup brown or green lentils: 119 calories, 0.5 g fat, 14.7 g fiber, 12.4 g protein, $0.37
1/4 cup red lentils: 119 calories, 0.5 g fat, 14.7 g fiber, 12.4 g protein, $0.37
1/4 cup long-grain brown rice: 171 calories, 1.3 g fat, 1.6 g fiber, 3.7 g protein, $0.18
4 cups chopped fresh spinach: 28 calories, 0.5 g fat, 2.6 g fiber, 3.4 g protein, $0.86
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar: 20 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein, $0.20
TOTALS: 1354 calories, 46.8 g fat, 43.7 g fiber, 93.2 g protein, $10.32
PER SERVING (TOTALS/6): 226 calories, 7.8 g fat, 7.3 g fiber, 15.5 g protein, $1.72

0 The Latest Cavalcade of Risk Is Up

.... and its been up for a while.  The tardy DMCB was mentioned in Louse Norris excellent rendition of the Cav back on November 14.  Even now, however, the Colorado Health Insurer Insider page is still worth a visit for anyone interested in the some great writing on the economics of enterprise, business and insurance risk.

Enjoy!

0 5 Tips to sleep and wake up on a regular basis every day

5 Tips to sleep and wake up on a regular basis every day - Sleep and wake up at the same hour every day has many health benefits. Discipline in this bed unfortunately still rarely done by many people. So try to see tips for sleep and wake up regularly every day as reported by the Huffington Post following.

1. Do not be put off

When the body has felt tired and you yawn many times, it means your body is telling you that its time to rest. So do not ignore or postpone the break when the body has given the signal.

2. Eat and drink nutritious

Before and after sleep, make it a habit to always consume water. As for food, avoid eating two hours before bedtime for digestion. Consumption of nutritious foods and beverages is important to support the maximum break time.

3. Keep a journal

Not just people who are just in need of a diet journal, you should also keep a journal to sleep. Record the time in which you feel more sleepy, then discover why. That way, you can set the hours of sleep and wake up at the same time every day.

4. Turn off the phone

Before going to bed, turn off all cell phones and electronic devices that could interfere with rest. Phones can be used as an alarm so you can wake up the next morning at the same time every day.

5. Have recourse

If all else has been tried but not too irregular sleeping hours, try to contact your doctor. Consult with an expert will certainly help you in overcoming the problem of sleeping.

Make sure you sleep for seven to eight hours a day. Also, do not sleep in the middle hours of the night or waking up late.

0 Lower your Blood Sugar Step Up Your Exercise A Bit

Lower your Blood Sugar - Step Up Your Exercise, A Bit by John H Markus

People, who have diabetes, hear the same question almost every time they visit the doctors office. How is your diet and are you exercising? Those of you afflicted with this disease know that diet and exercise are essential to controlling blood sugar levels. Applying that knowledge is key in control. Self discipline is needed to stay on track. Lets say, you have this self discipline,and are on track.

What can you do to get better blood sugar readings. Just step it up a bit, not much, just a little bit. The Canadian Public Health system, recently conducted an experiment on overweight diabetics. The people involved were on a walking program. The experiment was officially called "Picking Up The Pace." In it, some subjects were chosen to increase their walking by 10%. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, the results were as most would expect. The people walking the extra 10% lost a significantly higher amount of weight and showed healthier levels of blood sugar Ten percent of what you are doing now, is not much. If you are walking 1,000 steps in 3 minutes, step it up to 1,100 steps. If you are bench pressing 10 repetitions step it up to 11 repetitions, or put a few more pound on the bar.

This concept relates to any type of exercise you are performing. Just step it up a little. You will find your blood sugar levels to be better. There are many other areas of your health that will also improve. Your heart will work a little harder. This makes it stronger. Your circulation will be more efficient. Your internal organs will function better because of increased blood flow. This will help increase bone density. All of the bodys functions will profit form this small increase in intensity. You will see evidence in your blood sugar readings. You will start to lose a few pounds. You will look better. You will feel better about yourself. You will feel better.
About the Author

John Has been a pharmacist since 1973. His wife of 32 years has Type I diabetes. Johns mother-in-law and 8 year old granddaughter also have diabetes. There were some challenging times. With knowledge and single-eyedness they were able to get this disease under control. John also has been studying exercise and nutrition, and their effect on the body for more than 30 years.

0 How to Sit Up Rightly Fitness

How to Sit Up Rightly | Stomach problems not only belong to you alone, but also almost all of us have problems with sit ups. Been diligent sit up, but never slim stomach, until it was so saturated and no longer believe in it properties will sit up. Do not rush to give up, maybe there was something wrong with you technique.

Sit up and Benefits:

Sit ups are a movement of abdominal exercises, by lying down on a floor/mat. Folded his knees, and dug in the floor then back in a sleeping position pulled forward, toward the knee. This movement is done for several sets with regular breathing.

Recently, sit ups done with a few variations. Both legs are straightened and attached to the floor, pinned to the wall, using the help of fit-ball, or hung in the air. Basically the same benefits, but with different difficulty levels will sculpt the abdomen from the side that is not merely the same.

Train the abdominal muscles is important. In addition to the stomach to be more slender, the fats that accumulate on the side of the waist to catch fire and you do have the potential for cholesterol and heart disease can be avoided.

For appearance alone, you can more easily choose pants or skirt that you like, without having to feel inferior to the blob of fat everywhere.

Common mistakes made when sit ups:

1. The position has not been fitted and quickly do sit ups

2. Sit up too quickly

3. Sit-ups a lot of movement on the grounds for slim faster

How to sit up rightly?

Right Sit up is: put every part of the body with the correct position. If you feel ready and comfortable, then begins to sit up.

- Better to use a comfortable mat or do situps in the recommended tools (such as that you meet on fitness place)

- Focus on the movement of the abdominal muscles, not how many sit ups you do

- Do sit ups with several sets of the same, for some time, no need to rush to increase the number of sets. But just do it on a regular basis

- Adjust the breath correctly. When the body in a sleeping position, inhale deeply. Exhale slowly at the up position.

0 Tips Close up Vagina

Vagina Close up tips needed by new mothers to restore strength hip muscles are sagging because after childbirth. Many mothers who felt less confident after giving birth because her vagina was not as tight already before birth, so it feels less satisfying her husband. Much has been made of the mother to return the muscles toned vagina that can keep her husband happy.

Here are some tips that might tighten vagina mothers try.

Kegel exercises
Now beginning to many women who followed the Kegel exercises to strengthen back muscles intimate organ. Kegel exercises originally as gymnastics therapy for women who have problems can not withstand large urinate or when the pregnancy. But there are other benefits obtained from the Kegel exercises to make the muscles in the lower pelvis or around the sex organs to become stronger.

Full-blooded Vagina
Vaginal acupressure is a technique that uses tapping the nerve points relating to the vagina in order to smooth blood flow and the muscles become more toned.

Fumigation or fogging V
This curing method is the traditional way that has long done, fumigation is done by burning a variety of spices in a container like a brazier. Fumigation is used to kill the bacteria that exist in the area of ​​the vagina and makes it susceptible to disease. But keep in mind to do the fumigation not too often, because it can also kill the good bacteria.

Herbal and Traditional Remedy
Many traditional ingredients like betel leaves, turmeric, tamarind is beneficial for maintaining healthy Miss V. Has also been widely available in the form of medicinal herbs, pills, liquids containing such materials, making it easier to consume. This herb or drug nature not to tighten the muscles, but to keep the vagina area to keep it healthy.

Hopefully beberpa tighten vagina above tips can help women or mothers who want to restore the vagina tight as it once was so it can make the relationship of husband and wife to be more romantic.

0 Why Back Pain Every Wake Up

Health for human | Lots of complaints of back pain experienced by patients and is increasingly felt pain complaints or become heavy on waking.


Do you also feel the same? These complaints are usually the most often felt by the elderly, but there are also teenagers and young adults who complain about it.

Actually, most back pain caused by muscle pain and other causes that may own the spine, nerves or the presence of infection and so forth.

So back it consists of the spine or the spine and back muscles which also serves to move the spine earlier. While the backbone itself has the function to hold the body in an upright position so that, in addition to bone is also to refute the chest cavity and protects the nerves that are around him.

Head and body weight we have reached 50% of total body weight and muscle is all backed up earlier. So for example were doing activities that raised his head and body with a rather long time for example 2 hours more, for example, if we sit without leaning for 3 hours, then this will cause the muscles to work extra hard and will cause muscle pain later.

In addition to the above there are several causes of muscular back pain include:

1. Spinal deformities such as a curved spine, such as scoliosis, lordosis or kyposis, this usually comes from a genetic abnormality.

2. Causes of back pain that is caused by the individual himself, namely obesity, so the burden of the backbone to withstand the weight of the body.

3. Lifting heavy objects repeatedly and unnecessarily, as it is to note how your spine is kept safe.

Later in the elderly is also worth noting that there are processes of aging / degenerative in all organs, including bone and muscle back earlier. Usually in older people a lot of cases of back pain due to decreased function of the bearing spine or intervertebral Discus (see picture next to degenerative discs).

Normally, this disc serves to reduce the load or to cushion the spine, but in older people will experience a decline in function due to reduced ability to absorb water earlier disc.

Disc was finally running low and will stand out due to load so be clamped spinal nerves are located around it (see picture next to Herniated Disc), this is a lot of the cause of back pain in older people.

Another cause of back pain that is caused by a bed that is used is too soft or too hard which will make the form the backbone will change as well as muscle balance is also disturbed.

How short-term solution?

We recommend that the elderly have to multiply the sport, because with this sport will be able to increase endurance and prevent degenerative diseases of the possibilities that arise.

Not all exercise is suitable for the elderly, exercise that is suitable for the elderly is the high road with a speed adjusted to the ability, when the sport is run regularly, it will make the back muscles become stronger and will get back to stable, then other sports matches is gymnastics, especially the movement that involves a lot of back muscles.


As for the teenagers and young adults more complaints like this result because of the back muscles, so the solution by extending the exercise, if the complaint has not subsided, you should immediately see a doctor, because the complaint could not come from the back but coming from a place other.

0 Make Up Tips For Perfect Complexion

Foundation

This has several beauty benefits. It evens out skin tones,

smoothens the skin’s texture, provides a base for other

make-up, and keeps colors true.

Color Check

* Do not use the back of your hand to check the color
   because it is darker. Apply a little on your jaw-line
   and check.

* Check this in daylight.

Foundation Mixes

Foundation and powder in one handy ready-mixed compact
are the short-cut to a natural-looking complexion. They are
smoothed on with a sponge and suit most skin types, except
very dry skins.

FOUNDATION TIPS

* Keep in mind your skin type and needs when buying your
   foundation. It should not look uncomfortable.

* If you have dry skin, look for a creamy, moisturizing
   formula.   

* For oily and combination skin, an oil-free or water-based
   make-up is best.

* Water-based foundations give a matte finish.

EYESHADOW TIPS

* Pressed powder eyeshadows give excellent coverage and are
  useful for building up color intensity; the colors also keep true
  during wear.

* Loose eyeshadow powders tend to be pearly and slightly finer
   textures than pressed and are best used as highlights or for a
   soft sheen.

* Cream eyeshadowis by far the most difficult to use and it tends
   to sink into the crease of the socker-line after few hours.