 Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Chili peppers need to be in your diet. Here are 18 healthy reasons to spice up your diet with more hot chili peppers. Just by adding more spice to your life, you're also boosting your health in several ways. I've always loved the way it burns, but now I have even more reason. Vitamin A The beta carotene concentration is high in red chili peppers, especially. This is converted to Vitamin A within the body. Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 is one of the B vitamins that helps the body with energy-related metabolism. Vitamin C This vitamin comes in large amounts in hot chili peppers. It aids the body in immunity, as well as wound healing. Capsaicin This compound is only found in chili peppers. It's what causes them to be spicy. But it also helps reduce pain and inflammation. It's also one of the several antioxidants found in chili peppers. Antioxidants are known for helping with the prevention and healing of cancer. Capsanthin This is another powerful carotenoid antioxidant found in chili peppers. It is also thought to aid in fighting cancer. Carbohydrates Chili peppers are packed with plenty of good carbs to help create good energy. Plant-based carbs contain fibers that help the body produce energy, stabilize hormones, lose weight, sleep well, promote healthy brain function, and more. Copper Copper promotes strong bones and healthy neurons and is often a rare commodity in the Western diet. But it can be found in various chili peppers. Ferulic Acid This is yet another strong antioxidant found in chili peppers. It can help protect against many chronic diseases. Fiber Chili peppers have fiber, which is very good for digestion and keeping you regular. Vitamin K1 Vitamin K1 (or phylloquinone) is know for aiding in blood clotting, promoting healthy kidney function, and promoting healthy bones. Lutein High amounts of lutein have been linked to improved eye health and function. Strong concentrations have been found in green or immature hot chili peppers. Monounsaturated & Polyunsatured Fats These good fats help reduce the bad cholesterol and raise the good cholesterol. In chili peppers, they come in many forms, including some of the Omegas. Omega 3 This all-important polyunsaturated fat can help you lower unhealthy levels of bad cholesterol. Omega 6 The human body cannot produce the polyunsaturated fats Omega-6 or Omega-3, both of which are found in chili peppers. Potassium Think you can only find potassium in bananas? Wrong. You can also get it from eating lots of spicy chili peppers. Potassium may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Protein Did you know that chili peppers contained protein? The exact amount of protein needed each day is debated by many health professionals. However, most will agree that it's definitely beneficial. Sinapic Acid Sinapic (or sinapinic) acid is another powerful antioxidant also found in chili peppers. This compound is similar to ferulic acid. Violaxanthin This carotenoid antioxidant can be found in yellow chili peppers. Like other antioxidants in chili peppers, this compound can help fight many major chronic diseases, such as some types of cancer. Want lots of yummy recipes containing chili peppers?
Several of the recipes in "Vegan Recipes That Don't Suck" show you new and tasty ways to use these important spices.
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 Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved You've probably heard of hummus, but as far as I know, no one else has done what we have with it. I was thinking one day and wanted a different take on both hummus and salsa, minus some of the ingredients from both, such as tahini, which my stomach is definitely not in love with. Enter hummus salsa. Ingredients:
Directions: Throw everything in a blender on the puree setting until it's well mixed and the consistency of salsa. If your blender has a tough time with it, just add a tiny bit more water at a time until it blends. Serve with chips, just like you would with salsa. You can also use it to top your favorite Mexican cuisine. Serves: 4 (For more yummy soy-free vegan recipes, get your copy of our ebook today!)   Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Tired of looking in the cabinets and fridge for something fast that's actually good and healthy? We can help! Our new recipe e-book is gaining traction and will show you how to make simple meals that are packed full of taste and nutrition. "Quick & Tasty Vegan Recipes For Gourmet Budgeters" is not for people who like to take all day to cook. This is for those who like to get things done quickly, but with quality while on a low budget. All of our meals are vegan and soy-free! Most are also gluten-free and non-gmo. Imagine that! They also can be made easily and on a budget. If you live your life on the go like we do, these will really come in handy. We make a lot of these meals easily while camping in our RV too. "Quick & Tasty Vegan Recipes For Gourmet Budgeters" will show you how to make awesome healthy meals with simple instructions. "Quick & Tasty Vegan Recipes For Gourmet Budgeters" is now published! Order now to get your copy for download immediately. It's available in both .PDF and .DOC and you'll receive options for both as soon as you pay with the button below.  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved If you're looking for a vegan recipe that allows you to enjoy some great Asian-style cuisine vegan style - and without soy or gluten, here you go! Our soy-free Spicy Szechuan Stir Fry recipe is sure to please large families, vegans, transitioning vegans, and even non-vegans! Let us know what you think in the comments below! Ingredients:
Directions: Put the olive oil in a wok or large frying pan. Throw in everything else and mix it up. Cover, stirring occasionally until everything is moist and evenly heated. This should take about 25-30 minutes. Serve on a plate with a fork or chopsticks. Optional: Serve over rice or rice noodles. *Note: Some individuals with wheat gluten sensitivities may also have sensitivities to corn gluten. If that's the case, eliminate the baby corn from this recipe. All other ingredients are safe for those on a gluten-free diet, to the best of our knowledge. Please let us know if you believe our information is incorrect, so that we can adjust the recipe. Serves 8
Did you know that you can save more money by buying bulk organics online? Many people don't know that buying bulk is even possible with organics, since local organic stores often carry individual items or small bulk packages. Here's how you can save money buying bulk organics online.
Buying Bulk Organics Online Provides More Selection Because buying bulk online gives you more selection, you can save even more money this way. Also, when you go to your local organics grocer, you're stuck with buying individually what they have in stock. The online stock and sales may be much better, especially in bulk. A savings does generally come with getting bulk items. But online organic shops may also have percentage or coupon deals that the local stores don't have. Buying Bulk Saves Time Remember that your time is actually worth money. The more time you spend shopping, the less time you have for other things. Also, the more trips you take to a store buying your organics, the more gas you are likely to spend. By buying bulk organics online, you save this time, thereby saving you money in the long run. Your time is valuable. Use it wisely by taking one trip to your computer, rather than taking ten to the local store.
Short on time, but want to prepare a quick and healthy meal? Here are a few quick meal ideas using only simple nutritious ingredients. These options can be prepared quickly but would still be healthier than many alternative quick meals, especially since these choices are all natural.
Vegetarian Sloppy Joes Sloppy Joes are an all-time American favorite. But they aren’t generally healthy. However, that’s no longer an issue if you choose to prepare Vegetarian Sloppy Joes. Heat in just a few minutes, add your favorite organic buns, and you’re ready to eat! Quinoa Meal Did you know that quinoa can be even more versatile than rice? It’s also quite healthy as well. If you can’t make it from scratch, there are many simple quinoa meal packages with a variety of flavors, such as basil pesto, artichoke & roasted pepper, garden vegetable, mango jalapeno, and many more. Lentil Soup Lentil soup can be quite flavorful and wholesome, as well as quick. There are many canned and dried lentil soup options that can be made in mere minutes. Some flavors include onion, curry, garden vegetable, sicilian, low sodium, quinoa and kale, and more. Many of these only require simple stovetop or microwave preparation.
Looking for a new beverage that’s both natural and good for you? Coconut water is both, and has many benefits to your health and physical well-being. Here are just a few benefits of drinking coconut water.
Full of Nutrition Coconut water is filled with tons of nutrients, including antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also a great source of amino acids and enzymes. Some of these nutrients provide anti-aging and anti-cancer effects. Easy on the Stomach Not only is coconut water good for rehydrating your body after excessive sweating or vomiting, it’s easy on the stomach and is excellent for soothing upset stomachs. It can also naturally settle acid reflux and GERD. Boost Good Cholesterol and Lower Bad Cholesterol Another benefit of drinking coconut water is lowering your LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol while also boosting your HDL (or “good”) cholesterol. By doing this, you can naturally lower your risk of heart disease and many other conditions. One of the Best Thirst Quenchers Coconut water is also full of electrolytes and carbohydrates, making it an excellent thirst quencher and energy booster. Because it's so good at fighting dehydration, it can also treat headaches, many of which are triggered when a person is dehydrated.
Mixing your protein powder to drink on the go is the usual way to get in your daily amount. But it doesn't have to be the only way. Enjoy these five great ways to use protein powders.
Mix it In Your Smoothie Is your smoothie missing protein? Just blend your favorite protein beverage powder right into it. This can enhance both the flavor, as well as the nutrition levels. Add it to Pancake Mix Make your morning pancakes tastier and healthier by adding some protein powder to the batter. This can be a great way to get your morning pick-me-up. Blend it Into Oatmeal Feeling more like oatmeal? Go ahead and stir in your favorite protein powder beverage to make it heartier and healthier. Mix Into Your Cookie Dough Recipe Cookies? Yes, your cookies can actually be healthy and still taste good. Substitute some of your daily allotted amount of protein powder for some of the flour in your favorite cookie dough recipe. Then, just cook and enjoy! Mix Some Into Your Favorite Banana Bread Does your banana bread need an extra boost? Try blending in a vanilla or strawberry protein powder for more nutrition, as well as an amazing flavor.
Sometimes, the morning routine must be faster than you'd like, leaving you wondering what to eat. Not to worry. Quick breakfasts can still be healthy.
Organic Granola is Healthy and Fast! You probably already know that organic granola is healthier among breakfast foods. But do you know why? It can lower cholesterol, is said to increase energy, may aid in weight loss, is heart-healthy, can regulate digestion, may prevent anemia, can increase cognitive abilities, may help manage diabetes, can improve skin health, can stimulate new hormonal and tissue growth, can build stronger bones, and may even prevent cancer. Cereal Bars Are Great On-The-Go When you're in a rush, you need breakfast foods you can just grab and eat. Cereal bars can be great for that. Just be sure to choose the right ones. All of them aren't all they're cracked up to be. But many of the organic ones are very healthy. Look for ingredients like pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, whole rolled oats, bananas, and other fruits or whole grains. Try to avoid things like high fructose corn syrup. Healthy Peanut Butter Toast Toast is quick and easy to take out the door for breakfast. Peanut butter itself is healthy, when you choose a good organic blend with only simple ingredients. But choosing the right bread is also key. Organic darker whole grain breads, such as whole rye, pumpernickel, and flaxseed are often healthier.
 Thinking about drink choices that are healthier? Oolong tea should be high on your list. Here are 5 benefits of drinking oolong tea.
Antioxidant One study found that oolong tea may help prevent ovarian cancer from occurring. It is said to have natural antioxidant properties that specifically target this type of cancer. Weight Loss Aid Many swear by oolong tea’s ability to aid in weight loss. According to scientific studies, it can increase metabolism, burn fat, and block dietary fat absorption. Mental Alertness Drinking oolong tea is said to aid in mental alertness. This is likely due to the natural caffeine content. Helps Prevent Tooth Decay Oolong tea may help reduce the enzyme activities of streptococci bacteria. This bacteria has been known to cause formation of dental plaque, which can result in dental caries. Of the teas examined in a 1993 study, oolong was proven to have the most benefits. Helps Ease High Blood Pressure & Certain Heart Conditions One study claims that oolong tea can help reduce the blood concentration of triglycerides. These are the most common fats found in the body. It has also been found to reduce the body’s cholesterol level after just one month of regular drinking. Here are 5 of my super simple and tasty breakfast, lunch, or snack smoothies you can make in a blender, Magic Bullet, or Baby Bullet. Bonus: They're vegan, gluten free, and can also be used as baby food. Smoothies can be a great way to pack a ton of daily essentials into one meal.  Image © muffinn; Flickr.com Instructions For All of the Smoothies Below Simply chop up the ingredients, pour about a cup of water in your blender, and then put in all the ingredients and use the smoothie or blend function. It’s very important to chop the ingredients beforehand, so that you don’t wear out your blender too quickly. Each recipe makes enough for three to four smoothies, depending on your appetite.  Smoothie One: Healthy, Hearty, and Fruity One pink lady apple, a handful of baby carrots, one banana, ten spinach leaves without stems, two kale leaves, a handful of blackberries, one cup of strawberries, one-half cucumber, one lemon (peeled), 1 orange (peeled), one Roma tomato, a handful of black Chia seeds, and a tablespoon of flaxseed powder  Smoothie Two: Lots o’ Kale Yumminess! Five kale leaves, an orange, one cup of strawberries, one cucumber, two bananas, one handful of black Chia seeds, and one tablespoon of flaxseed powder  Smoothie Three: Citrus Berry Splash One orange, one cup of strawberries, one cup of blackberries, one handful of black Chia seeds, one tablespoon of flaxseed powder, one banana, one Roma tomato, one kale leaf, and one-half cucumber.  Smoothie Four: Fruit & Veggie Sweetness Two bananas, one cup of strawberries, a handful of blackberries, a handful of black Chia seeds, a tablespoon of flaxseed powder, one orange, one Roma tomato, one sliced raw sweet potato, a handful of baby carrots, one kale leaf, and one lime  Smoothie Five: Green & Hearty Burst Two bananas, one Roma tomato, one avocado, one scoop of green superfood, one mandarin orange, one lime, one cup of strawberries, 1/4 cantaloupe, a handful of baby carrots, one tablespoon black Chia seeds, one tablespoon flax seed powder, and one nectarine All Images © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved, Unless Otherwise Specified  Photo by caligula1995 via Flickr.com Need to add some easily-made comfort to your meal? According to my kids (and many others), my homemade cabbage hits the spot. Preparation is simple and it can be pretty much left alone to do its thing while you’re preparing the rest of the meal. You haven’t had cabbage until you’ve had this mama’s cabbage. I may be biased, but try it and find out! Ingredients:
Directions: Fill a large pot with all ingredients, except the salt. Fill to a couple inches from brim with water. Then, heat the mixture on high until it’s boiling. Turn it down to medium-low heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Add salt to taste, if desired. Boil for another 15 minutes. Note that if the water boils below the food during cooking, you should add more water as needed. Pairs well with: Mama’s Spicy Meatloaf Mama’s Country Soul Food Cornbread Mama’s Mashed Potatoes Mama’s Country Soul Food Green Beans and Potatoes Mama’s Wings Seven Ways Texas Style Smoked BBQ Ribs Southern Style Potato Salad *Note: Some of our older recipes were written before we went vegan. We plan to eventually update them all with vegan options, so if you see one that is not vegan, it will include a vegan version soon! Only SOME of our fabulous recipes are published on this journal. For more tasty tidbits, grab our very affordable recipe ebook, full of quick and tasty vegan recipes that don't suck!  It's party or Super Bowl time and you need snacks and appetizers to feed all those hungry people in your living room. Seven layer dip is a great way to fill up bellies. Many Super Bowl recipes are not vegan. This one is! This is one of those great party snacks that really could be a meal to some. I've tasted many varieties of the seven layer dip. Some have been good, some have been alright, some have been not-so-good, and none ever had anything really special that made me want more. So, I came up with my own Super Bowl or party dip: Mama's Seven Layer Dip (or Eight). Ingredients for Mama's Seven Layer Dip (or Eight):
Directions: The first step in making Mama's Seven Layer Dip (or Eight) for your Super Bowl or other party is to make Mama's Spicy Guacamole. Leave some extra pico de gallo for one of the dip layers. This creates the eighth layer and is optional. You'll also need to heat up some refried beans. Adding in some salsa can create a nice flavor. Now that you have those two steps done, you're ready to make Mama's Seven Layer Dip (or Eight). From this point, it's actually pretty easy. You will now need to get out a 9 x 12 glass cake pan. The bottom layer in Mama's Seven Layer Dip is the refried beans. Spread those across the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle some shredded vegan cheese and black olives atop the refried beans and put it in the oven for a couple minutes, until the cheese melts. Next comes the guacamole and then the vegan sour cream. After that, comes the salsa. If you want homemade salsa, follow the pico de gallo recipe, except at the end, place all the ingredients into a blender. Now take the pico de gallo, mix some shredded lettuce (or your favorite leafy greens) in and sprinkle that atop the other layers. You can also sprinkle some extra shredded vegan cheese and add some extra vegan sour cream to the top for effect. That makes the layer numbers change though, so if you're a perfectionist, go with the first option! That's it! Now serve with your favorite tortilla chips and eat! * This recipe serves 8, but can be doubled, tripled, etc. More Superbowl-worthy recipes on Life Successfully: *Note: Some of our older recipes were written before we went vegan. We plan to eventually update them all with vegan options, so if you see one that is not vegan, it will be vegan or include a vegan version soon! Only SOME of our fabulous recipes are published on this journal. For more tasty tidbits, grab our very affordable recipe ebook, full of quick and tasty vegan recipes that don't suck! Kid and Adult Tested and Approvedby Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  This isn't your ordinary meatloaf recipe. I have tried many meatloaf recipes and some were good, but none were what I was looking for. A good meatloaf recipe seemed hard to come by (as did finding one without milk as an ingredient), so I had to make my own. It is a combination of my mom's meatloaf recipe and my own added adaptations. Some meatloaf recipes I tried would turn out dry or be lacking in flavor. Not this one. In fact, this meatloaf is pretty tender and also has a bold, somewhat spicy kick to it. To get the full effect of this spicy meatloaf recipe, be sure to follow the instructions exactly.
Being that we have a large household to satisfy, not every meal is enjoyed by every single family member. There is generally a complaint from someone about some ingredient contained in the recipe (or one that is missing). However, this meatloaf recipe has been requested by every family member at least a few dozen times. So, in our house, this meatloaf is a sure bet for avoiding complaints. Ingredients: - 3 pounds fresh ground beef (humane and organic) - 2 eggs (humane and organic) - 1 diced organic roma tomato - 2 diced organic green onions - 2 tbsp organic chicken broth - The following spice blend to taste: garlic powder, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, chili powder, paprika - 2 diced organic carrots (for tenderness and flavor) - 1 diced organic potato - 2 slices of toasted bread (crushed) - Your favorite non-GMO BBQ sauce (optional) - Non-GMO Ketchup (optional) In addition to the ingredients, you will need a glass rectangle 9 x 12 cake pan and a large mixing bowl. Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350 F. The first step in making your meatloaf is to place the ground beef in a large mixing bowl. Throw in all the ingredients, except for the BBQ sauce and ketchup. Mix it up by kneading the ingredients in with your hands. For the sake of those who will be eating this, be respectful and wash your hands before preparing this dish. Once all the ingredients have been well-blended, take your raw meatloaf concoction and place it inside the cake pan. Smooth out the raw meatloaf mixture so that it neatly takes up the whole pan. If your oven tends to cook quickly, cover the meatloaf with foil. Stick it in the oven for about an hour or until it is browned and there is no pink in the middle. Then, if desired, spread ketchup over one half of the meatloaf and BBQ sauce over the other. The reason for both is simply because everyone has a different preference here, so everyone is covered. You can also opt not to use either. If you use one or both of those, put the meatloaf back in for about 5 minutes and then take it out and serve. Be careful not to eat too much. Side Menu Suggestions: I suggest picking two of the items below as side dishes. In our house, these would be homemade as well. - Mama's Easy Country Soul Food Cabbage - Southern Potato Salad - Cornbread - Mashed Potatoes - Macaroni & Cheese - Green Beans & Potatoes - Southern-Style Greens *Note: In case frequent readers notice inconsistency, it is true that some household members no longer eat meat at all. But this is still used for those who do. by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  Photo via A Health Blog at Flickr.com Your brain is an amazing thing. It controls your entire body. That said, we need to be sure we are taking proper care of our brains. The best way to do that is to eat food that enrich the brain's functions. Both kids and adults should eat to feed the brain. The 4 groups of foods that do this are fatty acids, amino acids, glucose, and micronutrients. Fatty acids (foods and supplements containing Omega-3 and Omega-6)
Amino Acids (Proteins)
Glucose (carbohydrates)
Micronutrients
How to Manage From the lists above, we can gather that the best brain foods are fruits and vegetables, fish, dairy, whole grains, and meat and legumes (in moderation). If your kids are a bit picky, try making kid-friendly combinations of the correct nutrients. You also may want to try slight variations to any of the meal suggestions to fit your child's taste. Just refrain from adding those nasty refined sugars. Sure they may taste good, but numerous studies have shown that sugar can be hazardous to the brain. Breakfast ideas to feed the brain
Snack ideas to feed the brain
Lunch and dinner ideas to feed the brain
*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network
by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  Chinese food is a favorite of many adults, but often children won't share the same sentiments. Tweens can be especially picky because they are starting to fully develop and realize their own tastes. Are you tired of desiring your favorite Chinese entrees, only to forgo them for something more kid-friendly? Well, now you may be able to enjoy your beloved Chinese food again, your tween included. The recipes below have been tried and loved by my children, who used to balk at the thought of Chinese food. Over time, using these recipes of mine also helped to ease them into trying and liking the authentic ones.
Egg Rolls Many egg rolls contain things tween kids are unfamiliar with and so they often shy away from them. In order to avoid this issue, what I like to do is substitute those ingredients for ones kids are more likely to enjoy. Rather than pork or beef, I will use chicken or scrambled eggs. Keep the egg roll ingredients as simple as possible, eliminating the things your kids don't like. You can even mix it up and add slightly non-traditional Chinese food items that your kids enjoy. Beef Lo Mein Often the beef lo mein served in many restaurants will contain things like onions that children might be hesitant to taste. Eliminating some of the garlic, as well as the raw onions, from the recipe tones down the flavor for the kids. Sometimes you can just use powdered versions of both, as it's really the sight of the fresh garlic and onions that tweens will frown about. It will be just as tasty, but your tweens don't have to see those ingredients they don't like. "Un"-Sesame Chicken Some children will shy away from the sesame seeds, so you can trick them by using sesame oil instead or substituting orange chicken for sesame chicken. The texture of foods is very important when it comes to satisfying kids. You can make the orange or un-sesame chicken more interesting by leaving the sauce to the side for dipping. This makes things fun for the kids. If you really enjoy the sesame seeds, consider making two sauces. Egg Drop Soup Since egg-drop soup is structured differently than other soups, a child might refuse to taste it. The broth is very thin and then the child can see huge chunks of things floating around in there. This might strike a child's mind as a bit odd. Consider accenting it with some of your child's favorite noodle shapes. While noodles are not a traditional ingredient in egg drop soup, adding a small amount may open your child up more to trying it out. You may gradually be able to take away the noodles as your tween grows. Tween-Friendly Fried Rice Fried rice often contains vegetables that tweens do not prefer, such as peas and carrots. You don't have to eliminate these vegetables. Instead, I suggest pureeing them and stirring them in as the rice is cooking. This keeps the nutritional value. But your kids don't even need to see those veggies lurking. Chances are, whatever is out of sight is also out of mind. If your kids also have a thing against eggs, you can add them to the puree as well. You can also tone down some of the spices by using less. Most any cuisine that your tweens may have something against can be adjusted to fit their needs. You just have to be creative in your preparation methods. Whether you are going to hide the ingredient or eliminate it altogether, there's always a way to make your favorite cuisines kid-friendly. Don't stop enjoying your favorite foods. Just learn to cook them in new ways. *I originally published via Yahoo Contributor Network  by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
Ingredients: 1 large (28 oz) can of crushed tomatoes 1 large can of whole tomatoes 1 large can of diced tomatoes 1 small can of diced tomatoes with green chiles 1 large can of black beans 1/2 cup diced onions cayenne pepper to taste chili powder to taste black pepper to taste salt to taste garlic to taste Directions: Blend all ingredients in a large pot and simmer until heated and flavorful. Stir frequently. Serves: 6  By Candes King Meisenheimer - There are so many different uses for roasted pecans I could take up five pages listing just the ones I know of! But, despite the seemingly infinite uses for them there are only 4 'preparations' for pecans: whole, chopped, crushed, and rolled. And there are secrets to each. (The remainder of this article was formerly published at a site no longer in service.)
 By Candes King Meisenheimer - Pecans are one of America's favorite nuts. These little beauties are packed full of flavor and nutrients, making them a great addition to many different kinds of dishes. Whether you're making a dish in which pecans are the heroes, such as pecan pie, or simply adding crushed and rolled pecans to muffins or soups to kick up the flavor there are some tricks to working with them. (The remainder of this article was formerly published at a site no longer in service.)
by Candes King Meisenheimer
October is the start of the holiday rush for many families in America. It’s when things start to gear up just bit. Savvy shoppers are on their final leg of Christmas shopping, and party divas are putting in extra breakers to handle the electrical load that will soon be added to their breaker boxes. The last of the harvest is coming in in most places, and the days and nights are getting starting to get cold. We start to think about entertaining, and all that goes with it. Especially desserts. (The remainder of this article was formerly published at a site no longer in service.) by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Potato salad is a common barbecue side dish. There are so many ways to make it and everyone seems to have their own secret touch. Some versions are native to certain areas, such as southern style potato salad. When I moved to Texas, unbeknownst to me, my existing potato salad recipe matched the Southern style flavor that Texans are used to.
This recipe started with my mom, but I eventually adapted into my own tastes and ended up coming up with the perfect Southern style BBQ side dish. It's easy to make and every time I get asked to a barbecue, this recipe and my spicy guacamole are requested. According to friends, no one can match my flavor. I shouldn't be giving away my secret ingredients, but lucky for you, I've always been known for sharing most everything. Ingredients: To make potato salad you need potatoes, of course. Five pounds is good for this recipe. If you are going to have more than 10 people, add more potatoes and other ingredients accordingly. Double it, triple it, quadruple it - whatever you need to do for your number of guests. Next, you need 4 hard-boiled eggs - cooked and peeled. You also need at least 2 cups of mayo (could be more or less depending on coverage) and maybe ¼ cup of spicy brown mustard. Pickles, green onions, paprika, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and pepper are your remaining ingredients. Directions: First you need to boil the potatoes and the eggs. Wait! Don't forget to peel the potatoes first and then cut them into 2 or 3 inch round pieces. Just don't peel the eggs until after they are done. To save dishes, you can actually boil the potatoes and eggs together and even drain them together. Put the eggs into a large mixing bowl and use a potato masher or fork to break up the eggs into smaller bits. Next, put in the potatoes. Then, cut up enough pickles and green onions to your liking. Pile on the mayonnaise and stir enough in to your desired coverage. Some people like only a little mayo. Some like a good amount. Squirt in some spicy brown mustard as well. This adds the Southern touch. Next, sprinkle on the cayenne pepper, paprika, sea salt, and pepper to taste. If you don't like spicy, you can skip the cayenne pepper. Remember that the heat degree of the cayenne pepper will increase the longer it sits. Only thing left to do now is refrigerate the potato salad until cool and serve to guests. Mmm! Goes great with: Texas Style Smoked BBQ Ribs Mama's Spicy Meatloaf Mama's Wings Seven Ways *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Photo: Wikimedia Commons; Oddjob; Public Domain Texas definitely has some great barbecue food. You haven't had barbecue until you've had it in Texas. Until four years ago when we moved to Texas from Colorado, I'd never had Texas style BBQ. Ribs have always been one of my barbecue favorites so I had to try those first. To my surprise, these ribs were smoked, which was something I hadn't done before.
When you drive around Texas - at least here in Houston - there are vendors at the side of the road with their barbecue grills and smokers. When folks gather together, you can be sure that at least some of the food will be smoked. No, that doesn't mean burnt - unless Uncle Bob forgets about the food. Getting Started So, what do you need to prepare smoked BBQ ribs? For starters, you'll need a smoker grill. Pricing starts very modestly and can get pretty steep. There's a smoker for everyone's taste and budget. You're also going to need some coal and some flavored wood chips if you prefer. These help enrich the smoke flavor. This is kind of a no-brainer, but you need some ribs also. Head to the meat market and take your pick. As long as it's meat, it's Texas style. Then, you need to have barbecue sauce, right? In Texas, that's often prepared as a side, rather than used to baste the meat. Texas Style BBQ Sauce Homemade sauce is best, but if you buy, at least buy local for authenticity and freshness. This is enough sauce for one rack of ribs. Mix the following ingredients together in a blender: 16 ounces of tomato sauce, 5 green onions (scallions), 4 garlic pods, 1 tbsp of black pepper, 2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp dry mustard, 1 tsp sea salt. Once these ingredients are blended well, transfer them to a medium-sized saucepan and add ½ cup water and ¼ cup vinegar. Simmer for 30 minutes or more, removing from heat once the sauce achieves your desired thickness. Stir frequently to keep the sauce from sticking to the pan. Texas style smoked BBQ Ribs To prepare the ribs, season them lightly with just a dash of pepper and wrap them in foil. Leave an unclosed gap at the top - maybe an inch wide and 3 or 4 inches long. This allows for moisture. Place the ribs in the smoker grill. After 30 minutes, you may need to add a little bit of water to your ribs. You can do this easily with a spray bottle. Repeat as needed. The ribs should smoke for about 6-10 hours. Depending on the cut of meat you get, increase the time as needed. Some may wish to apply the barbecue sauce right before the meat is done. Others may wish to set it aside and let everyone apply their own. Pair with one or more of these dishes for more Southern flavor:
 Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved It's no secret that I love many things related to New York. That IS my home state after all. But I swear I wasn't thinking New York the day we tried a new pizza place. In fact, pizza wasn't even on the agenda.
My oldest daughter and I were on an errand and all of a sudden I see this vehicle with I love NY all over it. So, of course we were delighted at the design. Then, I thought “..hmm, wait a second, most people do not decorate their vehicles like this. Could this be pizza?” I seem to be drawn to all things New York and I can always sniff out a good pizza. The vehicle was driving and we were walking. So that was the first challenge. Luckily, they turned the corner and pulled into a car wash. So we followed them, of course. Don't worry people, I am totally not a stalker – unless New York style pizza is involved. Anyhow, sure enough once we got closer, we saw that it was in fact a pizza vehicle – one for I Love NY Pizzeria Denver (nypizzadenver.com/). So we robbed them for the pizza. Kidding. We took down the name and number nonchalantly and went home and ordered it. We opted for ordering online, as this was most convenient for us. The online menu was simple to navigate, even with all of their options. The prices were more than fair as compared to similar styles of pizza restaurants we've tried in the past. Payment processing online went smoothly as well. You can choose from paying cash at delivery or paying via PayPal, which allows more options such as credit card payment. When the pizza delivery driver arrived, the kids were playing just outside the door with their friends. They excitedly shouted “Are you the pizza dude?” He replied back very friendly stating that he was and joked with the kids for a second. That was already a win – that and the fact that he didn't have to call me to figure out where my place was. Most delivery drivers get lost trying to find us. But he had no issues and arrived earlier than expected. The pizza smelled so good before he even handed it to me. The delivery driver was very friendly with me as well. The conversation was the perfect amount of time – not so fast and rude like you don't matter, but not too long that you're wondering when the person will leave. The kids and the dogs were all immediately in line behind me as I carried the food inside. It did smell pretty darn good. But the taste test would be the true test. I threw the dogs a few pepperonis (yeah, I know they're bad, they don't get them often) and they wouldn't leave me alone after that. So that was a good sign. Then, the rest of us dug in. The cheese was very “melty” just like New York pizza should be and the toppings all tasted fresh, unlike many delivery pizzas we've tried. I ordered more than we usually order because I had planned on us having some for lunch the next day. However, we ended up eating it all that night. We chose a few different types of pizzas and toppings and equally enjoyed them for different reasons. Customer Service: Excellent Wait Time: Exceeded Expectations Value: Excellent Taste: Above Average Rating: 5 Stars Photo Credit: Lyn Lomasi Disclaimer: Author is not affiliated with products, brands, or companies mentioned in this post, nor has she received any monetary compensation from said products, brands, or companies in relation to this posting. Views are solely based on personal experience. by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved The coolest thing about hot wings is that there are so many different ways to make them. This can come in handy on Super Bowl Sunday but really works any time of the year. It's especially handy when you have a ton of people coming over because you can make sure there's something for everyone. Here's Mama's Wings (my wings) with different sauces from mild to fiery hot and even a vegan version, since we have a mix of meat-eaters and vegans. This is one of my specialty recipes and is often requested. I hope you enjoy these wings as much as everyone else who has had a chance to try them. Scroll to the bottom of the wing sauce recipes for the vegan version.
Ingredients for Mama's Wings: 5 lbs uncooked organic, free range chicken wings or cauliflower (for vegans) Frank's Red Hot (gallon size) Frank's Red Hot Xtra Hot (optional substitute for original) Crushed Red Pepper (1 bag or jar) Habanero Sauce (any brand, small jar) 2 sticks of organic salted butter (or Earth's Best vegan, non-gmo) Bill's Best Organic BBQ Sauce Y.S. Organic Honey or your favorite Agave Nectar Salt (optional) Garlic Powder Onion Powder Ranch or other favorite dipping sauce (optional) Directions for Mama's Wings: No matter which flavor you choose, the basic directions for making Mama's Wings are the same. Preheat the oven to 400F. Clean the wings and place them on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Cook them at 400F for about 30 minutes. Take them out and spread on the sauce of your choice. Put them back in for about 30 more minutes. Take the wings out and spread more sauce over the top. Then, serve with ranch dressing, carrot sticks, and celery. Mama's Mild Wing Sauce: Melt 2 sticks of butter in a saucepan. Turn the heat off. Stir in about 16 oz of Frank's Red Hot. Add garlic powder and salt (optional) to taste. Mama's Medium Wing Sauce: Prepare this the same as mild sauce, except add in about ¼ cup of crushed red peppers. Mama's Hot Wing Sauce: Prepare this the same as mild sauce, except add in ½ cup crushed red peppers and use Frank's Xtra Hot, instead of the original. Mama's Fiery Hot Wing Sauce: Prepare this the same as hot wing sauce, except in addition to the red peppers, add ¼ cup of habanero sauce. Mama's BBQ Wing Sauce: Use Bill's Best BBQ Sauce (original or spicy), thinned out with just a little bit of water mixed in. For extra flavor, add onion powder and garlic powder to taste. Mama's Honey BBQ Wing Sauce: Prepare this the same as BBQ wing sauce, except also add 1/2 cup of honey. Mama's Spicy BBQ Wing Sauce: Mix Bill's Best BBQ sauce (spicy) with an equal amount of Frank's Red Hot. For extra flavor, add onion powder and garlic powder to taste. Vegan Wing Instructions: To make vegan wings, simply boil 5 pounds of cauliflower heads until soft. Then, break up into pieces about 1" x 3". The size doesn't need to be exact. Spread your favorite wing sauce on the bottom of a cookie sheet,m about 1 inch thick. Then, pour over the top and cook for about 15 minutes or until browned. Pour more heated sauce over the top and serve with your favorite vegan dipping sauce. Serves: 10 (or less if they eat large portions) -- can be doubled, tripled, etc. Try one or more of these dishes along with Mama's Wings for more flair: - Boiled Cabbage - Southern Potato Salad - Cornbread - Mashed Potatoes - Macaroni & Cheese - Green Beans & Potatoes - Southern-Style Greens - Texas Style Smoked BBQ Ribs - Mama's Spicy Gucamole Dip by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved What happens when you crave something sweet at night, but don't have the ingredients for your usual treats? Tonight I glanced in the cupboard to see what I could bake with what I had on hand. I had cookie-making ingredients, but was missing some of my usual add-ins. Then I realized I did have oats. "Hmm, what if I put these dried cranberries in there too?" I threw it all together and came up with a great cranberry oatmeal cookie recipe. There aren't any left, so apparently, the eight people in the house approve.
Ingredients:
Directions: Preheat oven to 350F. Many cookie recipes call for creaming the butter (or spread) and sugar first, but I'm very non-traditional. I'm also a risk-taker. So, sometimes my baking is a little haphazard, but it always comes out good. Just ask my live-in taste testers (aka my kids). If they'll eat it without a complaint, it's good. I just throw everything in the mixing bowl in whatever order I feel like at the time. Stir it all together until it's blended well. The consistency should be soft and easy to create a ball with. If it's too sticky, add a little bit of flour until you can work with it better. Now, take your cranberry oatmeal cookie dough and create small 4 inch balls and place them on the cookie sheet about an inch apart. Cook for about 15 minutes or until brown. I usually prefer my cookies soft. If you'd like more firmness in your cranberry oatmeal cookies, just cook them a touch longer. Once the cookies are done, let them cool on a plate or cooking rack and serve. Yield: About 3 dozen cranberry oatmeal cookies For different taste variations, add some cinnamon, nutmeg, or both. Note that my recipes are made in a high altitude environment, so no altering for that will be necessary. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network |
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Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans Content Community. Services include ordained soul therapy and healing ministry, business success coaching, business success services, handcrafted healing jewelry, ethereal and anointing oils, altar and spiritual supplies and services, handcrafted healing beauty products, and more!
Lyn is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! While rescuing civilians from boring business practices and energy vampires, this awesomely crazy family conquers evil and creates change. They live among tigers, dragons, mermaids, unicorns, and other fantastic energies, teaching others to claim their own power and do the same. By supporting us, you support a dedicated parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to several causes. Profits from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature support these causes and our beautiful family! HIRE OR SHOP WITH LYN | CONTACT LYN Archives
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