Saturday, October 31, 2009

 
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DRINKS FOR WINTER DAYS AND NIGHT CAPS

DRINKS FOR WINTER DAYS AND NIGHTS….NIGHT CAPS.

I often think of how many cups of caffeine we consume, simply because they are instant, quick and require no effort. A teaspoon of hot water and presto, the quick fix. No one stops to think if it is good for us, has bad side affects or if it keeps us awake and really is only instant gratification …………….

My late husband, Jeff, was a pharmacist as well as a Homeopath and Naturopath. He loved making concoctions. During winter he always went into the garden, picked a few grapefruit and made his "Hot Grapefruit Drink" that everyone loved. Simply squeezed half a grapefruit per person into a jug, a dash of honey and boiling water. It worked; it was tasty and felt good in the system. We can make quick lemon drinks like this, add honey or cinnamon and they are a satisfying drink.

I remember my Mom, used to warm up the milk, pour it into the tall glass and we were given a square of chocolate to drop in and stir. It was simply wonderful.

I would like to see cocoa used for kids for hot drinks. Simply add a little honey and make the drink with milk, soya milk or almond milk.
There is a great product called Almond Cream. It is created in Jerusalem from fresh almonds The local name is Skedia. The almonds are cold pressed and it has the consistency of peanut butter. Many mothers use this as an alternate choice to cows milk. You need to know what age they start with it and how to mix it. It is written on the container. For the kids and adults, just boil milk and spoon this in. You can add a drop of vanilla or cinnamon, honey or agave syrup. The kids and adults will love it. Better than sweetened sugary drinks and caffeine loaded mugs.
There are two other drinks I love for the whole family. Ovaltine and Milo. The basic chocolate drinks are good if the ingredients are pure cocoa and non harmful additives. Just check the ingredients and who manufactured the drink, and of course the dates.

If you have had dental work, suffer from sore gums or gum infections, drink the famous Rona's cure for all. Simply boil the water and pour two cups into a jug with six or seven cloves. Let it stand for a few hours and drink the tea. It works wonders.

I also like the cure for stuffy noses, colds and any flu symptoms. Cut up two onions, place in a pot with three cups of boiling water. Cover with the lid and drink FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. When you have this on an empty stomach, it clears the mucous, cleans smoker's throats, and relieves stuffy noses. You will feel the differenceI in a few hours.

FORTUNE DELIGHT WITH THE LEMON TASTE OR CINNAMON AROMA,
This is a natural quick drink and relieves the heavy winter feeling. Drop the contents of the sachet into a cup of boiling water and you have an excellent drink. ….no additives and a healthy choice. You can order from Aaron at 480 203 2871 in the States or ask me about it in Israel.


CURE THE FLU…. ONION DRINK.

Stand near the onions and cut them up into tiny slices. Then place the five cut up onions into six cups of water, add half a cup of parsley, a leek, a little dill, a clove of garlic or two and salt and pepper. Grate in one carrot for color. Slowly cook this until the ingredients are soft. You can have the soup a few times a day.

ANTI FLU VISUALISATIONS IN THE HOME.
Have bowls of onions in the kitchen, a few garlic lying around and a jar of honey , lemons and citrus foods in a large bowl. Grapefruit, guava, mandarins, oranges, nectarines, lemons, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli and cabbage, lettuce and green herbs and avocadoes are great for snacks.

Make this a good week. Love and light RONA

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

 
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PREVENTION AND PREPARE FOR WINTER

PREVENTION AND TIPS TO FIGHT WINTER AILMENTS.

At the beginning of winter, we all feel the days are too short and dark falls too early. We still hang onto the summer joys. Often this is the time to start prevention ideas for winter ailments.
Firstly, you need to be warmer at night. Sleep with a blanket that is handy to use if you feel cold. Make sure the kids are covered and tucked in. We forget with the stylish duvets, that half the night they lie on the floor and the kids are uncovered and cold.
Old people need a light cover and air in the room too. Make sure they can reach a light, panic button, or phone and no little rugs next to the bed. Either a floor cover or large carpet. Slipping is often the result of being half asleep or in a hurry to go the bathroom. The kiddies need nightlights for security and to help them find their way when they are half asleep.

I do not like all kinds of wake up clocks, cell phones, TV's, radios and other electrical gargets in the bedroom.

Start the day with a glass of water. Drink this when you have washed your teeth,
Have a healthy morning drink ....not coffee on an empty stomach.
Start with 1. A glass of boiled water with a slice of lemon in it and a bit of honey.
2. Have the same drink with the addition of one teaspoon of oive oil. This is great for the bowels, skin and general health..
3. For people who have scratchy and sore throats, dryness and problems with catarrh, add some ginger to the morning drink. You can grate it into the drink, or prepare the drink the night before. This is how I do it. I use fresh ginger or two ginger candies. Boil the water, use two glassfuls. Add the ginger and cover the glass. In the morning drink the water and eat the ginger, or drink it and top it up for later.
4. Cranberry Juice is great to fight infection, Supposed to have components that fight E.coli bacteria . I recommend half a glass topped up with water once a day.
5. Orange juice, grapefruit , mango and apple are good in season. Do not gulp them down, as they need to be taken slowly and let digestion begin in the mouth. Vegetable juices, carrot, celery, parsley, tomato, beetroot and smoothies with a blend of all, are great. Especially good for people post operations and having cancer treatments.

You will feel the difference that honey, lemon and ginger make to health. The old fashioned remedy of crushed cloves of garlic and honey with a grated onion, prepared the night before, is a great tonic for kids against colds and infections . Just a teaspoon of the tonic in the morning for kids, older folks and in fact all of us.......................a teaspoon a day, keeps colds away.

Breakfast is a must. No one must leave without a cereal that is cooked. Use oats and add honey, cinnamon or a little brown sugar. There are other cereals that are good too, but not the general commercial things that we do not know what happens in order to prepare them.

I like a fruit and yogurt breakfast with nuts and raisins.
Kids like toast and an omelets too. Make sure they eat slowly and comfortably. This will make the difference to their day AND TO THEIR STUDIES.

Washing hands before eating, after toilet and touching all the grime on subways, buses and in the streets generally, playing with birds and animals, need a good wash with soap and water. Encourage the family to make this a priority all the time.

Start the winter with walking, breathing, yoga and time outdoors every day. Take time for reflection and doing hobbies indoors when the suns sets. Find time to catch up on yourself…………………………………………………………………………………………

Love and light RONA

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

 
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hot one course meals, soul food winter delights

ONE COURSE WINTER MEALS….NOURISHING AND WARM……SOUL FOOD

'Here are some ideas for a great meal for the family and guests. You can make it ahead of time and heat it up. I find that with some soup, good bread and a main course, the meal is done.

FOCACCIA, BLACK OLIVES, ONIONS AND COOKED POTATOES.

Buy two large breads, the flat type. Fry three chopped onions in a little olive oil. Add pepper and salt, a little crushed garlic and some rosemary sprigs. Fry until the onions are soft.

Dice three cooked potatoes, and cut up half a cup of black olives.
Place the onion mix, the olives and potatoes on the bread.
Roll up and secure in foil. Leave in the fridge until you are ready to bake it . Unroll the bread sprinkle a little olive oil and grill for ten minutes.
Serve this with a great green salad, diced tomatoes and a red onion, good Dijon dressing and slices of health bread. Enjoy.


SPINACH AND WALNUTS, GOATS CHEESE PIE.


Fry three chopped onions, two peeled grated potatoes , two cloves of garlic, one teaspoon of grated ginger , salt and pepper in a little olive oil This will take about seven minutes Wash and slice three cups of spinach and mix this into the fried vegetables. Let this cool a little while.
Add two beaten eggs, one yogurt, grated apple, one cup of grated kaskeval or goats cheese. Stir through half a cup of chopped walnuts. Place in a lightly oiled baking dish and bake for fifteen minutes. This is terrific with a good cooked rice or bowl of hot cous cous. I also like to roast red peppers and serve them peeled with a little olive oil, herbs and parsley.


NOODLES, LEEKS, CHEESE AND CAULIFOWER PIE.

Cook the noodles and drain. I cook about 350 grams. Slice two cups of leeks, two cups of cauliflower cut into pieces, salt and pepper and fry lightly in a little olive oil. I chop three tablespoons of parsley and stir this in as well. I use half a cup of cream and milk mixed together. Or you can use a cup of yogurt. Stir gently to mix it all.
Use a fairly deep oven dish and oil this lightly. Layer the noodles and thinly sliced onions. Cover with a cup of grated cheese. Sprinkle on a little black pepper and dried rosemary. Place under the grill for five minutes and serve.
Serve with a cabbage salad, mixed with black olives.


MUSHROOM, POTATOES AND ROSEMARY QUICHE.

Use a variety of Tekoa mushrooms. Half a cup for each person Fry in a little olive oil, with black pepper and vegetable salt. Mix two cups of yogurt, three cooked and diced potatoes, a cup of chopped onions, two beaten eggs, sprigs of rosemary and half a cup of grated cheddar cheese. I bake this for twenty minutes in a medium oven and serve the dish on a bed of cooked rice noodles. I pour over a mustard sauce made of two teaspoon s of Dijon mustard mixed with a jar of yogurt and chopped chives or parsley.


Remember the winter meals should be hot, filling and have lots of color. That is why I add salads that look fresh and full of energy. Have a few nuts and raisins to add to the rice and cous cous dishes.

Make this week creative and fun for all of you. Remember many people are not feeling as warm as you, so look around and help those who might need a blanket or a few sweaters, gloves and a woolen cap for winter.

Love and light Rona

Sunday, October 4, 2009

 
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Potatoes cold and hot, quick and easy to create.

POTATOES.

Potatoes are a delightful vegetable. They are easy to prepare, everyone loves the variations we use to enjoy them and they have good food value. If you want a light meal, a side dish or food for little kids and older people, the potato is your answer.

BAKED POTATOES.
Simply scrub the skins and bake the potatoes. You can then slice and bake them in the oven, in a dish with a little olive oil, salt and pepper, drizzled over them . Bake for fifteen minutes. I serve them with finely cut up chives and a little techina.

BAKED POTATOES WITH SIDE DISHES OF PESTO, TOMATO RELISH AND OLIVE SPREAD.

I bake one or two potatoes per person. When ready I cut them in half and sprinkle a little yogurt on them, dried parsley and grill for two minutes. Serve with a pesto spread, tomato and olive spread in little bowls. For kiddies I make a bowl of grated cheese and they love to sprinkle it on the potatoes.

POTATOES AND CHEESE FILLING.

Bake the potatoes. Then scoop out the inside and mash with salt and pepper and a little chopped parsley. I mix a yogurt, or cream, a little olive oil, half a cup grated cheese, salt, pepper and vegetable salt. Beat the filling well and replace into the potato. Carefully spread more grated cheese on top and bake in a hot oven for ten minutes.

POTATOES AND MUSHROOMS.

I love this easy to prepare combination.
Peel seven potatoes, boil for ten minutes in a little salted water. Slice into layers. Slice three onions into rings, slice four tomatoes, without the skins, one large cup of sliced, fresh mushrooms. Layer these in an oven dish that has been oiled with a little olive oil. Sprinkle with vegetable salt and pepper. Cut up parsley, a few garlic cloves and bits of dried onions and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary. I cover it all with a cup of yogurt and some low fat cream cheese. You can use cream, but I prefer sane and sensible ideas. Bake this for forty minutes in a
medium oven. You can do this a day ahead and re warm.

BAKED VEGETABLES
I use two cups of peeled, diced potatoes, two cups of diced carrots, one cup of onions, half a cup of chopped turnips, three slice zucchinis, six cloves of garlic, a cup of button mushrooms, a few shitake mushrooms, a cup of cauliflower flowerets, vegetable salt four bay leaves and a few black peppercorns. Place in a large oven dish. Sprinkle olive oil over it all. Pour on two large cups of vegetable soup into the dish and bake covered for forty minutes in a medium oven. Remove the lid and check if the vegetables are soft. At this stage I add two cups of sour cream and a cup of chopped chives and parsley and bake for ten minutes more. Serve with grated parmesan cheese on the top.

POTATOES AS A COLD SALAD

I bake ten potatoes in their skins. Then I peel and cut them up into squares. Some people scrub the potatoes well and leave the skins on. Kids prefer them without the skins. I place them in a deep salad bowl. Make a mixture of one cup sour cream, pepper and a bit of curry powder, one grated onion, three teaspoons of Dijon mustard, and two diced pickled cucumbers. Mix it all and serve hot or cold. You can add chopped black olives over them and serve with cut up boiled eggs. Use two cups of sauerkraut as a side dish and this will be an easy meal to create.

Have a week of joy. Love and light RONA