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Healthy Living A to Z: O is for Orange

Today we are talking about the color orange. The orange color in carrots, pumpkin, squash, oranges, apricots, cantaloupe, nectarines, yams (and others) comes from carotenoids, the best known of which is Beta Carotene. It is also found in dark green leafy vegetables, another reason to eat your spinach.

Orange is not just a bright, happy color, it has health benefits. In addition to being an immune system booster, and promoting eye health, beta carotene helps create Vitamin A, a powerful anti-oxidant that helps reduce the harmful effects of free radicals and potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

The best way to get beta carotene is through food. If orange foods have not been a staple of your diet, you get to explore ways to use them. An adventure, Oh Boy! So make some pumpkin soup, sweet potato oven fries, mashed sweet potatoes or pumpkin pasta (but don’t forget the carrots and oranges) and have fun.

Thought for Today

“Life’s problems wouldn’t be called “hurdles” if there wasn’t a way to get over them.” — Author Unknown [Source: http://www.quotegarden.com/%5D

Thought for Today

“Every day we make our souls new again.— Joan Chittister OSB [Source: http://www.benetvision.org/]

Need Advice from a Kitty or a Cat Parent

Kitty on Stove Copyright 2014 R.A. Robbins — Kitty on Stove
Copyright 2014 R.A. Robbins

This is Callie snugged up around the burners on my stove top. She has always looked for warm places, but since we moved she always wants to be on the stove when it is hot.

I turn my back for a minute and there she is looking like she’s sitting around a campfire. I’m waiting for her to start roasting marshmallows and singing Kumbayah.

But all kidding aside, this is getting to the point of being dangerous. We are afraid she is going to get burned. All our usual training and disciplinary measures are having no effect. We turn our backs and she’s right back at it.

So, first, is heat seeking behavior “normal” for cats? Hershey didn’t do anything like this. And of course, any suggestions for getting the dangerous stuff under control? I know I have kitties and cat parents following me here and I need your help.

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To see the update on this post follow this link: https://espirational.com/2014/07/23/callies-campfire-update/

Thought for Today

“Sometimes we are called to proclaim God’s love even when we are not yet fully able to live it. Does that mean we are hypocrites? Only when our own words no longer call us to conversion. Nobody completely lives up to his or her own ideals and visions. But by proclaiming our ideals and visions with great conviction and great humility, we may gradually grow into the truth we speak.” — Henri Nouwen [Source: Daily Meditation June 21, 2013 http://www.henrinouwen.org/%5D

Thought for Today

“No relationship can thrive without the sense of spaciousness that comes with stillness. Meditate or spend silent time in nature together. When going for a walk or sitting in the car or at home, become comfortable with being in stillness together. Stillness cannot and need not be created. Just be receptive to the stillness that is already there, but is usually obscured by mental noise.” — Eckhart Tolle [Source: Weekly Present Moment Reminders]

Thought for Today

“Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance.” — Brian Tracy
more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/balance.html#rFAPteUPr2TfUSwD.99

Cool Smoothies for a Hot Summer — Pina Colada

I never should have tried this one. It is so good and so easy to make. I do not usually buy coconut milk, but this time I decided to splurge for a special treat.

So, how healthy is this smoothie? Pineapple contains Bromelain which has potential anti-inflammatory and digestive tract benefits.
[Source: The World’s Healthiest Foods http://www.whfoods.com]
Ingredients

• 2 cups coconut beverage (I use Silk PureCoconut)
• 1 – 12 ounce package frozen pineapple chunks

Instructions
1. Combine coconut beverage and pineapple in blender.

2. Lock down lid on blender and pulse 3 times, then turn on high.

3. Blend until smooth and thick. If you did not use frozen pineapple add enough ice cubes to thicken the mixture.

4. Pour into glasses and serve. This makes two large or four small smoothies

This recipe is part of a summer series on smoothies. Enter “smoothies” in the search box at the top of the right column to find the others.

Rogene Robbins is the author of Frozen Fun: 25 Dairy and Dairy Free Ice Cream Recipes available in the Amazon.com Kindle Store

Thought for Today

“Fear will always knock on your door. Just don’t invite it in for dinner. And for heaven’s sake, don’t offer it a bed for the night.” — Max Lucado, Imagine Your Life Without Fear

Thought for Today

Crane migration in central Nebraska Copyright 2010 by R.O. & R.A. Robbins — Crane migration in central Nebraska
Copyright 2010 by R.O. & R.A. Robbins

“To love is to think, speak, and act according to the spiritual knowledge that we are infinitely loved by God and called to make that love visible in this world. — Henri Nouwen [Source: Daily Meditation June 16, 2013 http://www.henrinouwen.org/%5D