Health & Wellness

This is a wonderful show of support and determination. You’ll be smiling at the end of the clip - all I ask, is that you share that smile with someone today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fw1CcxCUgg

If you’ve never made a frittata before - this is an easy one and so yummy too. A frittata is like a quiche, in that it uses eggs and vegetables but it has no crust and becomes very dense so one slice with a side salad makes a hearty and healthy meal. If you don’t have an oven proof skillet - check the thrift stores for an affordable one.

Vegetable Frittata

2 large leeks
2 T olive oil
1 c diced and cooked potato
1 pound summer squash, sliced
2 T fresh chopped parsley
1/2 chopped fresh thyme (1/4 t if using dried)
1/2 t pepper
3/4 t salt divided
8 large eggs
1/2 c milk
1/4 c water
3/4 c shredded parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Remove and discard root ends and dark green tops of leeks. Cut in half length wise and rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove grit and sand. Thinly slice leeks.
2. Saute the leeks in 1 T hot olive oil in an oven-proof skillet over med-high heat 4-5 minutes or until tender. Remove leeks from skillet. Saute potato in same skillet with remaining 1 T oil for 3-4 minutes or until golden. Add squash and saute 10 minutes. Stir in leeks, parsley , thyme, pepper and 1/2 t salt until blended.
3. Process eggs, milk and 1/2 c parmesan cheese, 1/4 water and remaining 1/4 t salt in a blender until blended and pour over leek mixture in skillet. Cook over medium heat without stirring, 2 minutes or until edges of frittata are set. ( top layer should appear wet)
4. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese and transfer to oven and bake 10- 12 minutes or until center is set.

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, gifted ability, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace from that day. We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people will act in certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing that we can do is play on the one string that we have and this string is, Attitude. I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it. And so it is with you….We are in charge of our Attitudes.
– Charles Swindoll

This makes a nice lunch or snack.

Lettuce Chicken Wraps

romaine lettuce leaves
3 chicken breasts, cooked and sliced
1 bunch of cilantro
1/3 c pine nuts
3 cloves garlic
1/4 c chicken broth
1 t salt
1/2 c olive oil
1/3 c grated parmesan cheese
1 avocado
2 red roma tomatoes
1 bunch green onions


1. Blend garlic cloves, 1 t salt, cilantro leaves and pine nuts in a small food processor until you get a creamy mixture - transfer to a bowl and add olive oil while whisking. Also add chicken broth as needed to create a spreadable pesto. Mix sliced chicken with pesto until coated.
2. Core and seed tomatoes and cut into strips.
3. Chop green onions and slice avocado and set aside.
4. To assemble: fill one end of a lettuce leaf with chicken mixture and top with onions, tomato strips, avocado slices and grated cheese. Carefully rollup and enjoy!

What a great workshop! My heartfelt thanks go to Carol for sharing her gifts with our group.
The important thing I learned is that I only need to devote 5 minutes a day to this practice and I will begin feeling the relaxing benefits immediately. I can do 5 minutes!
If anyone is interested in the informational sheets we received from this workshop - please let me know and I will get them to you.
Carol will be back for another workshop on June 22 ( Gentle Yoga). Keep checking the blog for updates.

This free workshop will be helpful to everyone - you will not want to miss this. You will learn basic concepts in self- guided meditation to help you naturally relieve stress which will also offer long term benefits for your body as well. No prior experience is necessary - this is easy to learn and you will experience the benefits immediately.
In addition, an exercise featuring eating with awareness will end the evening’s focus. All are welcome- please let Sandra Lane know you will be in attendance via e-mail at slane819@yahoo.com or phone 412.741.6724 We will be meeting in the Simpson room at church.

Tomato-Basil Vinaigrette
This is a fresh, easy vinaigrette for any green salad.

1 cup chopped seeded plum tomatoes
1 cup packed coarsely chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 T balsamic vinegar
1 T dijon mustard
2 garlic cloves
1 cup olive oil

1. Blend all ingredients and 1/2 cup oil in food processor.
2. While machine is running, add remaining 1/2 cup oil and process until well blended.
3. Store in container and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.

One of the elements of the H&W ministry is to keep your mind active and sharp, so here is a riddle for you….

For some, I go fast
For others, I’m slow
To most people, I’m an obsession
Relying on me is a well-practiced lesson.
What am I?

If you have an answer , leave it in the comment box.
Have a blessed day!

This is a super easy recipe with no fattening crust.
Bon Apetit.
Broccoli-Rice Quiche
serves 6
1 1/2 cups fat free milk
3 eggs
1 T dijon mustard
I small onion finely chopped
3/4 cup shredded swiss cheese
1 2oz jar chopped pimentos drained
1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
3/4 cup uncooked Uncle Ben’s Instant Brown Rice

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 inch pie pan with cooking spray. In a pot heat the milk until very hot but not boiling.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat eggs and mustard until blended. Add onion, cheese and pimentos and mix.
3. Stir broccoli and rice into hot milk. Slowly add egg mixture, stirring constantly. Pour into sprayed pie pan.
4. Bake for 30- 35 minutes or until center is set.
Let stand 5 minutes before serving.