Apple Enchiladas!

The last week or so has been very busy. With work, family commitments, and the onslaught of tropical storm Debby, my blogging has taken a back seat. The dust (and rain) has settled and I have the time to blog more frequently.

While at work a few days ago, a coworker from Texas told me about a recipe for apple enchiladas. I was intrigued by the recipe and combination of Texas/southern cuisine. I'm going to try them this coming Saturday. Here's the link to the recipe!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-enchiladas/

Top 5 Foods for Beautiful Skin

Discovery Health recently released information pertaining to the best foods for one to eat if they seek beautiful, healthy skin. Healthy skin basically boils down to vitamins, nutrients, and a healthy diet of protein, vegetables, fruits, and whole-grains.

5. Seafood

 

Active components: Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc
Benefits: Smooth, clear and glowing skin

Increasing omega-3 intake can reduce dryness and inflammation. Inflammation can cause skin to age.

 4. Citrus Fruits

 

Active component: Vitamin C
Benefits: Smooth and taut skin

Vitamin C is a prime skin-care ingredient in tons of beauty creams. This vitamin aids in the body's production of collagen, a protein that forms the basic structure of your skin. In case you get tired of eating all that fruit, hot peppers, bell peppers and sprouts also have good amounts of vitamin C.

3. Red and Green Vegetables

Active components: Vitamin A, beta-carotene
Benefits: Bright and smooth skin

Orange-red vegetables are full of beta-carotene. Our bodies convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which acts as an antioxidant, preventing cell damage and premature aging. In the case of vitamin A, you also get anti-acne benefits.

Spinach and other green, leafy foods provide tons of vitamin A, too, which helps your skin produce more fresh new cells and get rid of the old ones

2. Nuts

Active component: Vitamin E
Benefits: Young and soft skin

Vitamin E combats skin-aging free radicals, especially protecting skin from sun damage due to UV-sunlight-generated free radicals. Vitamin E also tends to help skin hold in moisture, relieving dryness and making skin look younger.

Almonds, pistachios and walnuts also provide a nice supply of omega-3 fatty acids, another great skin nutrient.

1. Whole Grains

Active components: Rutin and B-vitamins
Benefits: Clear and moisturized skin

Wheat germ provides the B-vitamin biotin, which assists cells in processing fats. If you don't have enough biotin in your body, your skin can become dry and scaly.Replacing your refined-flour pancakes with buckwheat pancakes is a good acne-reducing move. Incidentally, this would also help reduce your risk of developing diabetes

Not into buckwheat? Avocadoes and mushrooms can provide similar benefits.

Now, while oranges, buckwheat, oysters, spinach and almonds are great foods for your skin, achieving great-looking skin through dietary changes doesn't have to be so specific. A healthy body means healthy skin. Just feed your body good, healthy foods, get some exercise and keep your stress low, and your skin will reap the benefits.

Simplistic Coffee Makers The Way of The Future?

Like many people, I'm not a morning person. The idea of waking up and brewing coffee is second to me hitting the snooze button. Even the traditional machines with automated brewing still required programming and prepping. I recently purchased one of the Keurig Special Edition B60 coffee makers which has made my mornings not only more enjoyable, but delicious as well.

I've seen similar machines at local supermarkets so I was familiar with how they worked. For those who have never used one, the machine brews coffee/tea/hot chocolate from little pouches that you buy from the store (located in the coffee/tea aisle). Everything is self contained. The only thing you have to do is fill the machine with water. Whenever you want a drink, you place a pouch in the machine and press the button. The speed of service is incredible!

The only downside I'm considering with the machine is the cost of the drink pouches versus traditional coffee grounds. Regardless of cost, a few extra dollars is well worth those few extra minutes of sleep ;)

$149.00 on Amazon

Smokey Bones National Burger Eating Contest!

I stopped by my local Smokey Bones for lunch today and found out the restaurant chain is holding its annual national burger eating competition later this month! I don't have the stomach for eating large amounts of beef in one sitting like I used to, but here's the information from Smokey Bones Facebook page if you're interested.

"Calling all Contenders, registration is now open for the Burger Battle, our National Burger Eating Contest. Devour your way through the rounds to take home the Burger Battle Title.

The fastest national time wins $2,500 cash. The fastest time in each restaurant wins a $200 Smokey Bones Gift Card.

$10 entry fee. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Homes for our Troops. http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer"

Since every Smokey Bones has a different contest date, be sure to contact your local restaurant for information!

Handmade Caramel Dragon Lollipop!

We're fortunate to have readily available sweets in America, but nothing compares to the artistic ability and beauty of this Chinese street vendor making a caramel lollipop for a child! Check out this video! Wouldn't you love to have one?

"Let's Pizza" Vending Machines Rolling Out in US Fall 2012

Test marketed throughout Europe for the last few years, the "Let's Pizza" vending machine will be making its American debut this coming Fall. After customers make their selection, they will pay approximately $6.00 for a 10.5'' pie that will be ready in 3 minutes.

There's something to be said about the quality of a pizza made from a chain of restaurants, let alone one that comes from a vending machine. Personally, I prefer my pizzas made by hand.

I believe these will be popular in certain regions of the US, perhaps near universities or businesses that are open late. What do you think?

Top 5 Worst Fast Food Meals For Children

This past week, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) released a report detailing the worst fast food meals for children. What's even more shocking is some fast food restaurants are marketing their products as "Healthy" choices. While I do not completely agree with fast food restaurants bending the truth, I certainty cannot agree with some parents blaming corporations for their own negligence. Today, there are 16.9 million obese children in the United States. Knowing this, legitimate parental awareness, involvement, and action is necessary if childhood obesity rates are to decline.

1. Chick-fil-A Kids Grilled Nuggets Kids Meal

Nutrition facts: 570 calories, 19 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 75 milligrams of cholesterol, 1,150 milligrams of sodium, 23 grams of sugars

Nutrition shocker: Contains the same amount of cholesterol as a Big Mac

2. McDonald's Cheeseburger Happy Meal

Nutrition facts: 520 calories, 20 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 920 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of sugars

Nutrition shocker: Contains more sodium than 13 orders of McDonald’s kids fries.

3. Sonic Kids' Jr. Burger Meal

Nutrition facts: 550 calories, 17 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 35 milligrams of cholesterol, 715 milligrams of sodium, 42 grams of sugars

Nutrition shocker: Contains more sugar than two Twinkies.

4. Burger King Hamburger Kids Meal

Nutrition facts: 380 calories, 10 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 615 milligrams of sodium, 24 grams of sugars

Nutrition shocker: Contains almost as much cholesterol as six slices of pork bacon.

5. Denny's Build Your Own Jr. Grand Slam

Nutrition facts: 332 calories, 11 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 570 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of sugars

Nutrition shocker: Contains almost 100 more milligrams of sodium than the government recommends children consume at breakfast.