World Kindness Day Health Benefits of Kindness

Random Act of Kindness:  A selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases an animal. There is no reason other than to make people smile or be happier. Either spontaneous or planned in advance, random acts of kindness are encouraged by various communities.

Health Benefits of Kindness

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation

Established in 1995 as a nonprofit organization, The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is a resource for people committed to spreading kindness. The Random Acts of Kindness™ Foundation inspires people to practice kindness and to “pass it on” to others. They provide a wide variety of materials on their website, including activity ideas, lesson plans, project plans, teacher’s guide, project planning guide, publicity guide and workplace resources - all free of charge. 

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is the United States delegate to the World Kindness Movement, an organization that includes various nations. People in these countries promote kindness within their countries’ borders and are creating a global network of kindness and compassion. As people from different cultures and from all walks of life are joining to spread kindness, they are creating a powerful, synergistic action throughout the world.

Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand

Studies have shown acts of kindness can result in physical and mental health benefits.
• Kindness can bring a sense of richness and fulfillment to our lives, and promote good health and longevity.
• Helping others can decrease the effect of diseases.
• After performing an act of kindness many experience a feeling of euphoria followed by a period of calm.
• Acts of kindness have shown to reduce feelings of stress, depression, loneliness, overeating, etc.
• Helping others increases self-worth, happiness and optimism.
• A person feels more energetic after performing an act of kindness
• A more optimistic and happier outlook on life

Kindness is not only something that has positive benefits for ourselves, it is something that has a positive effect on the community.

Try Some Kindness (The Letter K Song)

As people tap into their own generous human spirit and share kindness with one another, they discover for themselves the power of kindness to effect positive change in their lives and the lives around them. When kindness is expressed, healthy relationships are created, community connections are nourished, and people are inspired to pass kindness on.

National Indian Pudding Day

Indian Pudding

Modified from @AFamilyFeast

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Yield: 10 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 eggs
4 cups 2% milk
½ cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup molasses
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon dry ginger
¼ teaspoon allspice
pinch of nutmeg
1/2 cup golden raisins
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray
1/4 cup Vanilla ice cream per serving 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Beat eggs in a small bowl and set aside.
3. In a 6-quart pot, heat milk to hot, do not boil. Slowly add in cornmeal and whisk continually until all of the cornmeal is added. Cook for 10 minutes on a low simmer, stirring occasionally. Be careful that it does not stick and burn to the bottom of the pan.
4. Remove from heat and add all other ingredients except the beaten eggs. Mix to combine.
5. Temper the eggs by slowly adding some of the hot pudding a little at a time to the eggs, stirring as you go (about a cup total). Then add the egg mixture to the pot and stir.
6. Pour mixture into a 6-cup casserole dish and place the casserole dish in a water bath. Bake for about one hour and 30 minutes.
7. The pudding should be set up and somewhat firm. If the center is a bit loose, that is okay.
8. Let the pudding rest for 15 minutes, then serve hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

National Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week

This is National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week. How You Can Help... 

I've heard about Chicken Soup for the Soul but have not read any books. I browsed the site and was fascinated and inspired by the stories. I came across one specific story devoted to Hunger and how a group sold pizza for $1.00 to raise money for the hungry.

New York City's Biggest Pizza Party
Helps Feed The Hungry


National Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week 

No one should worry about whether they will have food on their plates or a roof over their heads. But the reality is that hunger and homelessness are widespread problems that affect far too many people. Many Americans live on the edge, forced to choose between basic necessities like purchasing food, paying rent, or going to the doctor.

Needed items and services might include:

• Clothing. The lack of clean, well-fitting clothes and shoes causes great hardship beyond exposure to the elements—it hurts one's self-image and chance to get ahead. People experiencing homelessness must travel light, with few opportunities to safely store or adequately clean what they can't carry. In job interviews, a poorly dressed person has little chance for success. Give your clean clothes to those who could use them. Before you give your clothes or start a clothing drive, talk to your local shelter and find out what items they need. Most have limited storage space and can't use winter clothes in summer or vice versa. Some serve only a specific group of people. Please clean the clothes before you donate them.

• In-kind services and materials. Service providers may use copying, printing, food, transportation, marketing assistance, computer equipment and assistance, electrical work, building materials, plumbing, etc.

• Household goods or other items. Service providers may need kitchen utensils, furniture, books, toys, games, stuffed animals, dolls, diapers, etc.

• Books. People experiencing homelessness may have limited access to a library and find that there is little for them to do when spending a night at a shelter. Find out if your local shelter would appreciate donations of books. Consider organizing a book drive to create a small library at the shelter if there is not one already.

• Computers. Many non-profit organizations need help purchasing expensive but essential equipment such as computers. A local shelter or service provider might greatly appreciate the donation if you have a machine you no longer need. Shelter guests might also enjoy donating devices for their use, although you should check if a shelter would have space to set up public computers.

• Homeless "survival kits." Create and distribute kits that include cups, pots, pans, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and cosmetics. (Try coordinating this through a group that gives out meals from a van, for example.)  During cold weather, organize drives for blankets, coats, hats, scarves, mittens, socks, etc.

• Phone calls. Help people experiencing homelessness contact loved ones by offering the opportunity to make free long-distance calls on holidays. Donate to or organize a cell phone drive for the homeless.

• Job opportunities. Encourage your company, school, or place of worship to hire people experiencing homelessness (if they are not already working). Most unemployed, homeless adults desperately want to work but need an employer to give them a chance.

• Support for a homeless person or family. As people move out of a shelter or transitional housing program, consider raising money to contribute for a security deposit or assist by contributing household goods, babysitting, or moral support. See if your local shelter has a partnering program.

   

National Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Cappuccino: A Taste of Art and History

Cappuccino: A Taste 

of Art & History

A cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink traditionally prepared with a double espresso and steamed milk foam. Variations of the drink involve using cream instead of milk and flavoring with cinnamon or chocolate powder. Wikipedia.

Chocolate Cappuccino, modified
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup chocolate liqueur

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 cup hot brewed espresso

3/4 cup scalded milk, 1%

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions

1.         Combine liqueur and syrup in a microwave-safe dish.

2.         Heat on HIGH for 30 seconds.

3.         Divide the liqueur mixture among 4 mugs

4.         Add 1/4 cup espresso to each.

5.         Froth milk; pour about 1/4 cup milk into each mug.

6.         Top with ground cinnamon; garnish with chocolate shavings, if desired. 

November 1 to 7, National Fig Week Figs, Civilizations Oldest Fruit

   The Fig

      How to Plant a Fig Tree

        Nutrition Information

        Edible Recipe Art

        Fig Art
        Side Effects 

        Resources

Selection. Look for figs that are soft and smell sweet. Handle carefully because their skins bruise easily. 
Storage. Fully ripened figs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature before serving.

How to Plant a Fig Tree

Nutrition Information

Figs are rich in fiber, potassium, phytonutrients, and antioxidants, such as carotene, lutein, tannins, and chlorogenic. 

Recipe: Peach & Fig Yogurt Flower

Dried figs can be used to substitute fat in baked goods. When using dried figs in baking to replace shortening or oil, do not over-mix or over-bake. In a recipe, use half the normal amount of shortening, margarine, butter, or oil when using dried puree. 

Fig Art

Side Effects from WebMD
Avoid prolonged sun exposure when taking fig leaf because it can cause the skin to become extra sensitive to the sun. Wear sunblock outside, especially if you are light-skinned. 

Skin contact with fig fruit or leaves can cause a rash in sensitive people.

Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Fresh or dried fig fruit is safe in amounts found in food, but there’s not enough information to know if it’s safe in the larger amounts used as medicine.

Surgery: Fig might lower blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using fig as medicine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Resources
1. California Figs
2. Figs, Fresh, Fruits and Veggies More Matters 

3. Figs, Wikipedia® 

Celebrate National Nachos day with Two-Cheese Veggie Nachos

Two-Cheese Veggie Nachos Recipe |

Recipe by Michelle Klug We love the double-cheese contrast here: Shredded cheese melts into a bubbly blanket over the tortillas, while crumbly queso fresco covers the veggies with a salty kick. It's an impressive dish for coffee table dining--it's fun to

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup chopped red onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chopped zucchini
1 cup fresh corn kernels
2 tablespoons thinly sliced jalapeño pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 (14.5-ounce) can of organic black beans, rinsed and drained
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas, cut into wedges
Cooking spray
2 ounces shredded reduced-fat Mexican-blend cheese (about 1/2 cup)
3/4 cup diced peeled avocado (about 1 small)
2 ounces crumbled queso fresco (about 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 medium tomato, diced
4 lime wedges

Instructions

• Preheat broiler to high.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Add zucchini and next 5 ingredients (through salt); cook 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add beans; cook for 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
• Arrange tortilla wedges in a single layer on a large jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Lightly coat tortilla wedges with cooking spray. Broil 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned and crisp. Sprinkle shredded Mexican cheese evenly over tortillas. Broil 1 minute or until cheese melts.
• Top chips evenly with bean mixture, avocado, queso fresco, cilantro, and tomato. Serve with lime wedges.

Sandwich Day - Use Your Creativity

 November 3rd is National Sandwich Day. The sandwich was named after John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. In the 1700s, John Montagu created the sandwich because he wanted to eat his meal with one hand.

Resource: Build a Better Sandwich, @Healthyfamprj

 

Greatest Movie Sandwiches

National Deviled Egg Day - Recipes

The traditional deviled eggs are hard-boiled, shelled, cut in half, and the egg yolk removed. The yolk is mixed with other ingredients, such as mayonnaise and mustard, and placed in the hard-boiled egg white. Deviled eggs are customarily served cold as a side dish, appetizer, or main course. 

Recipes
The following recipes are modified for low cholesterol and variety.

Egg Whites with Tomatoes,
Parsley and Bulgur

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 Eggs, hard-boiled, yolks removed
4 Tablespoons Diced Tomatoes, Parsley, and Bulgur, prepared
Directions

Fill egg whites with diced tomatoes, parsley, and bulgur. Serve

Nutrition Information

Egg Whites filled with Diced Tomatoes,
Zucchini and Feta Cheese

Ingredients
1 Egg White, cut in half
1/2 cup Diced Tomatoes
1/3 cup Diced Zucchini
1/3 ounce Feta Cheese
Directions
Fill egg whites with ingredients. Serve

Resources and References
1. Wikipedia: Deviled Egg  This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License
2. Consumer Reports, Deviled Eggs are a Healthier Snack

Nutrient Analysis Services
Ensure accurate nutritional analysis for your recipes utilizing an extensive research database and over 35 years of experience. A valuable service for Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, Recipe Websites, and the Recipe Blogger. Your readers will benefit from the Nutrition information and a Registered Dietitian. Contact: Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND at recipenews@gmail.com or call 954-294-6300