December 21, National Fried Shrimp Day

Batter-Fried Shrimp

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup light beer
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
8 oz raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Whisk beer, flour, mustard and salt in a medium bowl until smooth.
2. Batter the shrimp right before you add to the skillet.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Hold shrimp by the tail and dip in the batter one at a time. Let excess batter drip off.
5. Add the shrimp to the hot oil, making sure they aren’t touching. Cook, turning once. Adjusting heat as necessary to prevent burning. Cook until golden brown on the outside and curled, 3 to 4 minutes total. Transfer to a paper towel and pat dry. Serve on a platter.
6. Season the shrimp with pepper and serve right away.

Nutritional Analysis

Ensure accurate nutritional analysis for your recipes utilizing an extensive research database and over 40 years of experience. A great service for Recipe Bloggers, Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, and Recipe Websites. Your readers will benefit from the Nutrition information and a Registered Dietitian. Contact: Dietitians-Online.com; Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND at recipenews@gmail.com

National Stress-Free Family Holiday Month Tips for Coping with Holiday Stress and Depression

18 tips for coping with holiday stress and depression:

1.       Make realistic expectations for the holiday season.

2.       Set realistic goals for yourself.

3.       Do not take on more responsibilities than you can handle. Pace yourself.

4.       Make a list and prioritize the important activities. This can help make holiday tasks
     more manageable.

5.       Be realistic about what you can and cannot do.

6.       Do not put all your energy into just one day. The holiday cheer can be spread from
     one holiday event to the next.

7.       Live and enjoy the present. Look to the future with optimism.

8.       Don't set yourself up for disappointment and sadness by comparing today with the
    good old days of the past.

9.      If you are lonely, try volunteering some time to help others.

10.   Find holiday activities that are free, such as looking at holiday decorations, going
   window shopping without buying, and watching the winter weather, whether it's a
   snowflake or a raindrop.

11.   Limit your drinking, since excessive drinking will only increase your feelings of
  depression.

12.   Try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a new way.

13.   Spend time with supportive and caring people.

14.   Reach out and make new friends.

15.   Make time to contact a long-lost friend or relative and spread some holiday cheer.

16.   Make time for yourself!

17.   Let others share the responsibilities of holiday tasks.

18.   Keep track of your holiday spending. Overspending can lead to depression when the bills arrive after the holidays are over. Extra bills with little budget to pay them can lead to further stress and depression.

Resource
1. Holiday Stress and Depression, WebMD   http://wb.md/2kw3Lh7

December 8, National Brownie Day Comparing the Brands

The chocolate brownie is either fudge or cake-like, depending on its density. They may include nuts, frosting, whipped cream, chocolate chips, fruits, or other ingredients. 

Comparing the Brands

Recipe Resources

Fitsugar, Healthy Brownie Recipes That Make a Diet Seem Decadent