A Yummy Boost

 if you feel tired mid day or after lunch maybe you need a yummy boost. It could be anything from a handful of walnuts to a refreshing glass of ice green tea. This is what's needed from keeping you crashing at your desk, whether at a home office or a a more traditional one.

Anything can cause fatigue. It could be an underlying illness like diabetes or sleep apnea. Mostly it's our addiction to our devices. We stay up late answering e mails, watching the latest Tiktok videos or scrolling through social media. The morning is fine. we get up, have that breakfast and bounce about. Yet after lunch we may feel the need for a good long nap. This is perfect on a weekend with nothing to do but it can be a pain when you have papers to look over or kids to pick up from school.One of the top boosters are nuts. These can easily be bought in a package or a jar and kept in a handy drawer. A handful of almonds can help as can any other nuts. You can try the flavored ones for a different taste however the ones lightly salted with sea salt work just as well.Even peanut butter can be used for an energy booster. Make a plate of cracker sandwiches with them for a tasty snack. vary this with spreadable cheeses because dairy is  definitely fatigue fighter as well.  Having Brie or Gouda is a lovely way to enjoy a break. Another dairy rich snack to try is cottage cheese. Cut up either fruit or vegetables for a tasty cup.

Veggies also provide a lift as well as giving.extra nutrition.Try cut up carrots , broccoli and green peppers dipped in a fun oil and red wine vinaigrette. Add seasonings such as oregano and thyme to spice it up. You could even create a small salad with the addition of grape or cherry tomatoes. Any fruit is excellent for keeping away mid day tiredness. A fruit snack is also a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth(stay away from  any processed baked goods when you;re feeling sluggish - these will only add to the problem). A handful of cherries or grapes is always great for a quick bite. You could also make a fruit salad with them along with chunks of melon and apples . Drizzle a mix of honey and Greek yogurt over them to make them a bit more interesting.Add some grated dark chocolate or chocolate chips -another fatigue fighter. You could also have a bar of very dark chocolate to munch on as well.This and a hot cup of tea is a treat as well, perfect for keeping you bright eyed and awake.

Don;t worry if you're droopy and drowsy in the afternoon.There are yummy boosters that can revive you. Try them to make the most of your day.

A Plea For The New Year

 

If only life were like living in a fairy tale with gingerbread houses and spun sugar gifts. The year past has been just awful to restaurants, diners, bistros and cafes worldwide. We need to order more from our local mom and pop eateries as much as we can. If they're offering outdoor dining , then have a meal in the fresh air if the weather is good  - or just bundle up. Try to eat out even twice a month. If you feel this is too much, then order from them at least every week. Make it a fun weekend treat.

 2020 taught us to not only protect ourselves but protect each other. This year, in 2021, we need to protect the worldwide restaurant industry. They need us as much as we need them.

Black Friday Kitchen

If there's ever a time to restock your kitchen it's this weekend, starting with today , Black Friday. There's so many deep discounts that that it pays to replace the appliances and gadgets that you have. Get to your big box stores, malls or internet for some good deals that will benefit your holiday cooking and baking.

One of the biggest and most important items to buy for your kitchen is an air fryer. It really is a time saver and makes cooking dinner that much easier. Right now Target has their air fryer brands such as As Seen On TV (which is what mine is) on sale for half price - only $69.97 instead of the regular full price of $129,99. I can't  begin tell you how vital one is  to cooking. It's something that will get used four to five times a week. Target also has the mini fryer at $39.99 along with other version that can fry up to three and four quarts at prices under $60.00 Another big item on sale right now is the Instant-pot. This another must have for any kitchen and if you don't have one now is the time to buy. Again Target seems to be the go to store for them. Their pricing is amazing, with the store slicing off thirty dollars off of most prices.If you don't feel like leaving the house or waiting for Cyber Monday., then check out Amazon. They too are having a sale on some of the Instant Pots offered. The sales prices are not as good as Target's but you can still save anywhere from $20 to $80 and shipping is free if you have an Amazon Prime subscription.

One of the best stores to shop at for  kitchenware is Macy's . You can buy a variety of much needed gear at very good sales prices. Calphalon is now priced $200 below its' usual sales price. One lavish set has everything a home chef needs from a ten inch frying pan, a five quart Dutch oven with lid and two sauce pans. That kitchen classic, Pyrex is also discounted. Macy's has their mixing bowl set on sale for just $27.00 instead of the usual $47. This is a must buy because you can not only use the bowls for leftovers but for mixing cookie dough in this upcoming holiday baking season.Even Pyrex measuring cups are a few dollars off and again these are important in the kitchen all year long.Martha Stewart has long been a standard at one of the US's oldest department stores. Now all her baking utensils have discounts that novice and pro bakers would love. Her non stick doughnut pan is only $5.99, perfect for those who want to bake those yummy rings for holiday brunches. The madeleine pan is twenty dollars off  at only $11. This is a great gift for those enamored with French pastry. The spatulas and cake pans are also discounted. Cookie makers  should buy the OXO cookie press at only $29.99 The designs include Christmas themed ones with wreaths trees and snowflakes.

Take advantage of  this Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday  to restock your kitchen. The deals are incredible and perfect for the home chef looking for bargains. Start shopping now.

Simple Weekend Meals

With start of the school year weekend time becomes precious -too precious to waste in a hot kitchen cooking. You can still create healthy meals but in less time.That way you can spend more time cheering on the soccer field, enjoying an empty beach or visiting your college kid.

Instead of reaching for cold cuts which are overly processed,. try roasting a chicken or turkey during the week and using the left overs for sandwiches , salads or simply  with gravy. Freshly made soups are easy to whip up and all it takes is a good base. Use bouillon cubes or stock and have fun., Minestrone is not only a quick one two three soup but you can load it with good for the family and you veggies. Use tomatoes from the garden along with sliced zucchini , peppers and onions. Toss in some cannellini and red kidney beans for more flavor too.Another easy fave is stratichella or "rags soup". You can take either, beef  chicken or vegetable broth, and then add spinach and beaten egg. Serve with hot crusty Italian bread and a green salad.

Dinners can be simple too. For those too tired , after a day of apple picking or just cleaning house or the summer place, you want something,quick warm and delicious. Pasta fills the bill because it's easy to boil up and then throw on a homemade sauce. For sheer simplicity go with con burro  or just simply butter melted into any kind of pasta. Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. You can also try aglia e olio, again , it's just olive oil cooked with garlic cloves or slices. You can also make a pasta fresco with tomatoes, and garlic sauteed in olive oil. If you want add pepperoni or sausage. chicken or steak grilled indoors is another easy supper suggestion. Serve with sauteed sliced squash and green beans for a well balanced but quick meal.

Late summer weekends are busy ones. Don't spend all day cooking up meals when you could be doing a million other things. Make something nutritious but make it simple and quick