True Life Blog

The Recipe Secrets Newsletter (RSN)
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Weird Asian Spice Clinically Shown To Help Reverse Diabetes…Learn how you can eat the foods you love without the guilt by
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Hi ,
Hope you had a great week.
With 2014 in full swing, everyone is working on those new years
resolutions like eating better and getting in shape. To help you
do just that, I’ve selected some incredible salad recipes (below)
that are both satisfying and nutritious. First, I have a secret
recipe for a spinach salad with an irresistible warm bacon dressing.
This recipe is only one of the healthy and delicious salad recipes
featured in The Best Salads cookbook. This collection of over
175 easy-to-follow salad recipes are creative, flavorful and so
good for you.
Members of our Discount Cookbook Club will receive this entire
cookbook with their membership. If you’re interested in joining
the club, you can download this title and many others right now: Go Here

Or if you’d like to get this title alone: Go Here

Enjoy!
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New Secret Recipe
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Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
8 oz baby spinach
2-4 large eggs
8 pieces thick-sliced bacon
3 Tbs red wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4-6 large white mushrooms, sliced
1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
Wash, drain and pat the spinach until thoroughly dry. Place into a
large mixing bowl and set aside.
Hard boil eggs and then slice each egg into 4 quarters, lengthwise,
and set aside.
While the eggs are cooking, fry the bacon and remove to a paper
towel to drain, reserving 3 tablespoons of the rendered fat.
Crumble the bacon and set aside.
Transfer the fat to a small saucepan set over low heat and whisk in
the red wine vinegar, sugar and Dijon mustard. Season with a small
pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper.
Add the mushrooms and the sliced onion to the spinach and toss. Add
the dressing and bacon and toss to combine. Divide the spinach
between 4 plates or bowls and evenly divide the egg among them.
Season with pepper, as desired. Serve immediately.
Serves: 4

Share This Recipe:

Source – The Best Salads
Enjoy these great-tasting recipes from our forum:
– Tilapia Salad

– Quinoa Salad
– Crunchy Pea Salad
Find these recipes and many more on our forum: Go Here
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Until next time… Be Well!
Kind Regards,
Ron
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The Recipe Secrets Newsletter (RSN)

My buddy Mark over at Mark My Words, shared a very open and honest post about a discussion he and his wife had with family members and their friends over the holidays, which partially included the topic of homosexuality being a choice.

So I owe my inspiration for this post to Mark, because he sparked me to share my voice on this topic.

Thanks Mark!

——————

I can’t tell you how many times people have told me that they honestly believed homosexuality is something you choose.

Almost like choosing between a plaid shirt or a striped shirt.

And what I usually ask is, “Did you choose to be heterosexual, or we’re you born that way?”

And their answer is always, “I was born this way.”

I reply, “Well…there you go.”

——————

For as long as I can remember, I have always known I was homosexual. Of course when I was younger, I didn’t know the definition homosexuality, yet I still knew I was attracted to the same gender.

And please allow me to share that when I say attracted to, I don’t mean just sexually, I also mean emotionally. And I share this because many people believe that homosexuality has only to do with a physical attraction. However, it’s just like heterosexuality, men are attracted to women and women are attracted to men not only on a physical level, but also on an emotional level.

The only difference with homosexuality is that you are attracted to the same gender, both physically and emotionally – it’s the gender you feel more drawn to share a loving and committed bond with.

Yes, a person who is born homosexual can ignore it, resist it, or try to change it. They may even attempt to put it on hold until much later in life, but it’s always there. Always. So really, the only choice I can see being made by someone who is homosexual, is their choice to accept it.

For me, I just accepted being homosexual because it always felt the way I should be. I never allowed the pressures of society or religion to dictate what I should accept or not accept about myself. I always felt that because I was born this way, there was no mistake.

And yes, my family knew that I was homosexual as well. Yet, it’s not like we talked about it all the time when I was younger, but they knew and accepted it. But even if they hadn’t, it would not have altered how I felt about myself.

I knew I was different, but different didn’t ever make me feel that it was anything to be ashamed of, or make me feel unequal or less valuable.

I never felt as if something was wrong with me.

I simply knew that I was born different in who I was attracted to, that’s all.

I would like to conclude this post by saying that I sincerely hope it helps anyone who may have a misconception of homosexuality and choice; giving them a clearer understanding.

You don’t wake up one day and say to yourself, “I’m going to choose to be homosexual.”

Nor, can any experience ever make you suddenly become homosexual.

Believe me when I tell you, a person is born this way.

It’s not a choice.

Characteristics

This is an excellent salad for the colder months of the year when we benefit from more fat (but always healthy and quality fat) in our diet. It is a richer type of salad that is very filling and zestfully delicious. It is equally as dense with a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. It is especially rich in iron and zinc. It is naturally low in sodium, high in fiber and cholesterol free. It incorporates the goodness of whole, plant foods with healthy carbohydrates, fats and protein.

TYPE: Salad, Meal, Appetizer
PREPARATION: < 15 mins
SERVING: Makes 1 meal sized salad

• Raw
• Vegan
• Wheat-free
• Gluten-free
• Peanut-free
• Nut-free
• Soy-free
• Corn-free
• Refined sugar-free

Goodies Needed

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups/handfuls of Baby Spinach (organic)
• 1 cup/handful Candy/Grape/Cherry Tomatoes (organic)
• 1/2 Red Bell Pepper (organic)
• 1 Avocado (organic)
• 6 – 8 Large Olives (organic)
• 2 TBS Raw Pumpkin Seeds [or Raw Sunflower Seeds] (organic)

Dressing:

• 2 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil (organic)
• 2 TBS Balsamic Vinegar (organic)

TOOLS:

• cutting board and knife
• optional – salad spinner
• salad dish and utensils

Preparation Steps

1. Wash and shake off excess water from the spinach, unless pre-washed. Place on cutting board, and chop roughly into smaller pieces. Place into your salad dish.
2. Wash the avocado, cut lengthwise and remove the pit. (See instructional video for avocado.) Slice and dice the avocado into smaller chunks. Add into salad dish.
3. Wash the tomatoes and cut in halves. Place into salad dish.
4. Wash the pepper, cut lengthwise, remove the core and seeds. Using half, slice into thin slices. Cut the slices in half and place into salad dish.
5. Add in your olives.
6. Sprinkle a minimum of 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds over the salad. (Use more for added calories, fat, or protein needs.)
7. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the salad. Serve and enjoy.

Meal Nutritional Benefits

Spinach:

• Excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and is a rich alkaline food source
• good source of: vitamin K, vitamin A, manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B2, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, tryptophan, fiber, copper, vitamin B1, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin E, omega-3, vitamin B3 and selenium
• protects against osteoporosis, heart disease, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, arthritis, and other diseases
• enhances eye sight, immune system and mental function
• for more information, visit the spinach detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Bell Peppers:

• Great source of antioxidants
• good source of (in descending order): vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, fiber, molybdenum, vitamin K, manganese, folate, potassium, vitamin B1, vitamin E, tryptophan and copper
• helps reduce risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, protects against rheumatoid arthritis, promotes healthy eyesight and lungs, and enhances overall good health
• for more information, visit the bell peppers detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Tomatoes:

• Excellent source of lycopene – an antioxidant found to decrease many cancers as well as heart disease
• Good source of (in descending order): vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, molybdenum, potassium, manganese, fiber, chromium, vitamin B1, vitamin B6 and folate
• Aside from preventing a list of cancers, especially of the prostate, they also enhance prostate health, colon health and pancreatic health
• For more information, visit the tomatoes detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Avocado:

• provides the meal with healthy fatty acids
• good source of (in descending order): vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C and copper
• help regulate healthy blood pressure, help decrease LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol and enhance overall health
• help protect against breast cancer, prostate cancer and oral cancer
• for more information, visit the avocado detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Olives:

• great source of monounsaturated fats
• good source of (in descending order): iron, vitamin E, fiber and copper
• have anti-inflammatory compounds, have antioxidant properties for fighting cancers and offer protection from heart disease
• for more information, visit the olives detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Pumpkin Seeds:

• excellent source of vital minerals
• good source of: vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc and iron
• contain antioxidant and microbial benefits, help prevent diabetes 2, heart disease and cancer, and promote overall good health
• for more information, visit the pumpkin seeds detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Olive Oil:

• Rich in monounsaturated fat and polyphenols
• Protects against chronic degenerative diseases, increases life span, protects against heart disease, enhances healthy blood pressure, enhances proper gastrointestinal health and reduces breast cancer risk
• Helps control proper blood sugar, helps prevent belly fat and insulin sensitivity, helps prevent bone loss, has anti-inflammatory benefits, helps protect from free radical damage, helps maintain healthy weight and protects against H. pylori
• For more information, visit the olive oil detailed overview from World’s Healthiest Foods

Balsamic Vinegar:

• Contains antioxidants, as well as antibacterial and antiviral properties
• Enhances healthy digestion and weight maintenance as it can suppress appetite and increase the amount of time it takes for the stomach to empty
• Can help regulate blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure, and is linked to positive effects on the cardiovascular system
• For more information, read about the health benefits of balsamic vinegar

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The Recipe Secrets Newsletter (RSN)
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Hi ,
Hope you’re doing well.
It’s been brutally cold here in New York. With temperatures only
in the single digits, I’ve been keeping busy in the kitchen to stay
warm. Today, I have a secret recipe for a delicious pizza served
at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Margherita pizza is an Italian classic that
combines a few basic fresh ingredients to create a great-tasting pizza
that will become a favorite in your household.
To save time you can use store-bought pizza dough or you can make
your own dough from scratch by following this recipe on our forum: Go Here

Enjoy!
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New Secret Recipe
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Carrabba’s Margherita Pizza
Store bought pizza dough
Semolina, cornmeal or whole wheat flour for the pizza peel
Extra-virgin olive oil for brushing
5 ounces fresh whole milk mozzarella, thinly sliced and cut into
2-inch pieces
1 1/2 ripe plum (Roma) tomatoes, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices
8 to 10 fresh basil leaves, torn or coarsely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Position a rack in the bottom third of the oven. Place baking stone
on the rack and preheat the oven to 550°F, allowing at least 30
minutes to reach this temperature. Evenly sprinkle a pizza peel
with semolina.

Shape the dough into a 12-inch round. Transfer to the pizza peel.
Brush the dough with olive oil. Arrange the mozzarella and tomatoes
evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the perimeter

Slide the pizza off the peel onto the stone. Close the door
immediately and bake until the crust and the underside is browned
(use the peel to lift the pizza and check), 8 to 10 minutes. Use
the peel to remove the pizza from the oven and transfer to a
carving board. Sprinkle with the basil. Let stand for 3 minutes
Season with the pepper, if desired. Using a pizza wheel, cut the
dough into wedges and serve hot.
Makes 1 Pizza
Share This Recipe:

Source: Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Until Next Time… Be Well!

Kind Regards,

Ron
PS- Join us on Facebook and get more recipes and freebies: Go Here

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The Recipe Secrets Newsletter (RSN)

Whatever possessed me to go the wine and spirit store at 4 PM on New Year’s Eve is beyond me. I should have gone the day before, but nooooooo, I went when every other person in this city decided to go.

Allow me to interject here that Pennsylvania is a strictly regulated state when it comes to alcohol and can only be purchased in a liquor store. Whereas in Florida (where I lived for 20 years), you can purchase wine and beer in grocery stores, convenient stores and most drug stores (like CVS and Walgreen’s). When I went back to Florida last year to visit my family, I had forgotten how awesomely convenient that was.

Anyway, as I walked up to the store (which by the way is a brand new store) I could tell, just from looking through the widows that it was PACKED with customers. I stood outside and pondered, “Do I really want to do this?” But then I thought, “Why not…no matter what store I go to, it’s going to be crowded.” So, I went inside and decided to make it an adventure. Besides, I had my camera with me so I knew I could take pictures and write a blog post about it.

Isn’t it hilarious how we bloggers are always thinking blog post?

First of all, it was so crowded that I couldn’t even get to the Cabernet Sauvignon section of wines because the line of people waiting to get to the cash register, wrapped around the entire store; blocking the shelves. And the customers were so paranoid that someone else was going to cut in line, that there were no spaces between them to even see what was on the shelves.

Finally, I found the wine section I was looking for and had to say, “Excuse me, but I need to get in between you so that I can quickly grab a bottle off that shelf.” A woman so kindly said, “Sure, go right ahead.”

After I got my wine, I then had to figure out where the check out line started. And low and behold, it started waaaaaaay on the other side of the store by the front entrance. And you will be able to tell from the next series of photographs, how big this liquor store is. It looks like a MEGA wine and spirit store.

So I took my bottle of wine and marched myself to the end of the line.

Then very nonchalantly, I pulled out my camera and started snapping photos so that I could show you how LONG the line was.

I did eventually make it to the other side of the line, but even still…

I have to say that the cashier who rang me up was a delight – very friendly, upbeat and quick. And I told her so; thanked her, and then wished her a Happy New Year.

All in all I probably only had to wait in line maybe 15-20 minutes, so I didn’t think it was that bad.

But as I walk out the door though, I turned around and noticed that there was now a line just to get INTO the store. In fact, the store manager had to stand outside and monitor how many people could enter by how many people exited.

And as I walked away, I took one last look through the windows and thought, “Shit, I’m glad I went at 4 PM instead of 5 PM.

Happy Monday y’all!

The Recipe Secrets Newsletter (RSN)
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The Almost Sugar That’s Actually GOOD for You!
Discover how you can turn sinful candy…into sumptuous
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Hi ,
Hope you had a wonderful week.
We were hit with a blizzard here in New York overnight. I’m already
exhausted from shoveling snow. I’m certainly looking forward to a
relaxing weekend. To help keep this weekends meals stress-free,
I’ve collected some fantastic crock pot recipes (below) to help
make your dinners a snap to prepare.
First, I have a secret recipe for beef and peppers. This recipe
tastes great and couldn’t be easier to make. Serve it over some
rice and dinner is all set.
This recipe is only one of the delicious crock pot recipes featured
in the Set It and Forget It cookbook. In this book, you will find
a complete collection of easy-to-prepare crock pot recipes.
Members of our Discount Cookbook Club will receive this entire
cookbook with their membership. If you’re interested in joining
the club, you can download this title and many others right now: Go Here

Or if you’d like to get this title alone, go here.
Enjoy!
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New Secret Recipe
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Beef and Peppers
2 pounds round steak — lean
2 green peppers — sliced thin
2 tablespoons dried onions — minced -or- 1/2 minced fresh small onion
1 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 garlic clove — minced
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Cut the steak into serving size pieces. If desired you can brown the meat in a little hot oil before adding to crockpot.
Place the thinly sliced pepper rings in bottom of crockpot, reserving a few to place on top of meat if desired. (Vegetables cook better when placed on bottom of pot.)
Arrange the meat on pepper, careful to not stack one piece directly on top of another.
Mix all other ingredients and pour over meat and peppers.
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for about 4 hours.
Serve with rice or mashed potatoes and simply seasoned vegetables.
Serves 8

Share This Recipe:

Source – Set It and Forget It Crock Pot Recipes
Enjoy these great-tasting recipes from our forum:
– Crockpot Creamy Mexican Chicken

– Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken
– Crock Pot Chicken and Ramen Noodles
Find these recipes and many more on our forum: Go Here
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Until next time… Be Well!
Kind Regards,
Ron
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The Recipe Secrets Newsletter (RSN)

The old stock exchange building in Society Hill, Philadelphia

First, I would like to thank everyone who submitted a photograph for this theme.

And what I love about these photographs is the variety.

For those of you who missed this photo share, I will be sharing more in the upcoming year with different themes.

So without further ado, I give you…Winter!

Enjoy…

Mark from Mark My Words: “Winter in the Columbia Gorge. This is Horesetail Falls during a recent cold spell.”

Jaffer Maniar from ManiaRavings.com: “This was taken last week when we had the big freeze. Everything was covered in ice: Including these ropes and clothespins.

Dale Cooper from Diary of an Internet Nobody: “A giant snowball that was left on a footpath in Rock Park in Barnstaple a couple of years ago, it’s about five foot across. Took nearly a week to melt.”

Rob from Luna Park Gazette: “This is a sign that a co-worker actually put on her door.”

Angelia from Angelia’s Photography: “One of the “great” winter storms of my time. Yes, really. Record breaking snowfall in our North Texas town. It is one of my most favorite times out taking photos.”

Mel from Mels Dream: “This was Friday morning down the road…..and no, I didn’t get to hobble into the snow. I’m a workin’ woman and I was already pressing getting to work on time.”

Bijoux from Bytes From the Burbs: “This winter photo combines two things that get on my nerves: deer and snow.”

Debbie from Musings by an ND Domer’s Mom: “I know this doesn’t look “wintery,” but this is what a Southern winter looks like! Notice the leaves still on the magnolia tree at right and the grass still sort of green! This picture was taken just the other day from Gulfport, MS.”

Jean from Jean Has Been Shopping:  “Winter in Arizona (bougainvillea).”

Secret Agent Woman from Blogging Incognito: “I took this one in my front yard last winter – a dogwood branch with the buds encased in ice – I like it as a reminder of the Spring that lies within the Winter.”

Valerie From Photo A Day Blog:  “i only drink hot chocolate in the winter and when i do i always top with whipped creme.”

Again, thank you everyone! And if you haven’t already done so, please visit these blogs because they’re really COOL people!

What Science Has Learned About Willpower and Self-Control

Perhaps your resolve for 2014 is to quit smoking, improve your diet, drink less alcohol, become more physically active, or to break some other bad habit. However, we all know sticking to a New Year’s resolution can be hard. After all, temptations are everywhere, and bad habits can be difficult to shake.

I almost think of bad habits as something needing to be healed like a pesky wound, or something to be nurtured and encouraged to move on. After all, if you think about it, if a person becomes dependent on their bad habits, they establish a relationship with them, and it can be hard to say goodbye to that which is known so well.

Plus, everyday life is full of self-control demands, and these daily demands can drain ones willpower. Keep in mind it’s most challenging to resist temptations when you’re tired or stressed. Researchers have determined self-control is highest in the morning hours, and steadily declines and deteriorates over the course of the day. When trying to change you can’t relay on willpower alone. If you do, you run the risk of feeling burnt out.

Luckily, scientist are discovering which strategies are effective at boosting willpower, and WILL put an end to bad habits. The best part is, these strategies consist of instituting minor, doable tweaks to your usual behavior.

Five Strategies That Work For Breaking Bad Habits:

Choose the Right Words 
It’s more empowering to say, “I don’t,” rather than, “I can’t,” when trying to resist temptation and stick to your planned course of behavior, according to the latest recent research. For example, if you are trying to eat healthy and someone offers you a chocolate chip cookie, you’d say, “I don’t eat sweets,” rather than, “I can’t eat sweets.”

This is effective because the phrase, “I can’t,” signals a sense of loss from having to give up something you want – whether it’s ice cream after dinner or sleeping an extra half an hour in the morning, rather than getting up to work out.

By contrast, saying, “I don’t” is self-empowering and elicits determination, thus making any refusal strategy more effective. Researches say using the words “I don’t,”  increased peoples’ feelings of control, which then resulted in a positive behavioral change, more than saying “I can’t,” or using the generic, “just-say-no” strategy.

Keep Other People’s Reactions in Mind
When considering a particular choice for yourself you’re trying to change – that bad habit you want kiss goodbye – researches suggest you consider the opinions of people you value – what would they think of your choice? Would they be proud of you or would they disapprove?

Using this ‘social element’ can provide a powerful boost to ones self-control. Bringing a role model to mind is also an effective tool when you need a little boost to your willpower by asking yourself what that role model would do.

For some people, envisioning what their mother or father would think about their loss of willpower is an effective way to stay on track.

Engage in Mini Workouts 
Recent research has also found short bouts of exercise improved self-control. The theory: Brief bouts of exercise may boost blood flow to the pre-frontal areas of the brain, which are responsible for executive functions, such as planning and controlling inhibitions.

For people trying to quit smoking for example, going for a short, brisk walk when a craving for a cigarette ensues, helps to alleviate the craving and break the habit cycle. It’s turning your attention away from your craving and toward an activity, thus helping to reprogram the brain, and enjoy a healthier pursuit.

Commit to a Small, Consistent Act of Self-Control 
Sticking with a single behavior requiring self-control can improve overall willpower. Simply foregoing dessert after dinner for example, helps to improve the overall willpower in other areas of a person’s life, like taking good care of our health, resisting temptation, and feeling more in control of our emotions.

Implementing this single behavior self-control becomes a form of training, which will naturally boost confidence, and help a person to improve all areas of their lives. Such as when a person starts to lose weight and they begin to feel healthier, they are rewarded with an improved self image, positive feedback and support from others, increased energy, improved sleep, etc. which furthers motivates change, and strengthens self-control and willpower.

Practice Mindfulness Meditation 
Mindful meditation, or shamatha, is a form of meditation involving developing a conscious awareness and acceptance of living in the ‘now’ – assisted by focusing on breathing, posture, and gaze – while letting your mind roam free. It’s taking your mind to a place of calm and harmony.

This activity is relaxing, but has also shown, according to a recent study at the University of Basel in Switzerland, to counteract the effects of focusing on maintaining self-control, which can lead to a depletion of self-control by feeling worn out from maintaining the effort to change.

 In other words, mindfulness meditation can replenish your self-control after it’s been drained. Mindfulness meditation is  not difficult to do, requires no special equipment, and is best performed in a place that is void of too much noise or distraction. If you’d like to learn more about this form of meditation, there are many websites offering online guides. This is one I personally like: How To Do Mindfulness Meditation.