And now let us welcome the New Year
Full of things that have never been
– Rainer Maria Rilke
Instead of feeling blue about the credit card bill and how your resolutions are behind schedule already, why not change your outlook?
Celebrate the year ahead. Face the cool, crisp winter weather head on. The long dark evenings allow us to enjoy flickering candlelight for hours after a comforting supper. This time is prime for steaming tea and conversation or a good book, things that we do not have time for when we are doing yard work. Use this time to dream and ponder the year ahead.
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Treat life like an adventure, and remember, “you only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough.” (Joe E. Lewis)
Like many of you, one of my dreams or resolutions is to strive for better health. Even small changes can do great things for your well-being. Here is some information from Dr. Andrew Weil.
The caffeine spell
As you’re having a second cup of coffee or another can of cola, think about the fact that caffeine is an addictive drug that four out of five American adults use every day. The problem with caffeine is that it gives you a rush of energy and productivity, but that is followed by a crash.
If you want to give it up or at least cut back, do so when you are most relaxed. As your intake decreases, be prepared to experience tiredness, irritability and a bad headache. Conquer these side effects by keeping busy. Substitute green tea or decaffeinated coffee for caffeinated coffee, and drink water or fruit juice mixed with sparkling water in lieu of cola. Physical exercise and a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables may also help when you are cutting back.
Reading for mental fitness
Read for your mental health. Historical fiction, mysteries, humour, science fiction – it doesn’t matter as long as you find the material intriguing. Research shows that the old adage “use it or lose it” applies to your mental power as much as the rest of your body.
Tasty New Year recipes
Here are some new recipes that I collected over the holidays.
Ham ball
Our kids like to have this appetizer as a meal, served with sliced vegetables and fruit. It works great on busy days.
2 cans (61/2 oz. each) ham, 184 g
drained and stirred
8 ounces cream cheese, softened 250 g
1 tablespoon mayonnaise 15 mL
2 teaspoons parsley flakes 10 mL
1 tablespoon chopped chives 15 mL
or green onions
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard 1 mL
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 mL
Mix the ingredients well in a bowl and shape into a ball. Serve with crackers. You can make ahead for up to two days and refrigerate, or it can be frozen.
Slow cooker beef dip
3 pound beef roast, cut into 1.5 kg
large chunks
3 celery ribs
1 large onion
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 cup ketchup 250 mL
51/2 ounces tomato paste 156 mL
1/2 cup packed brown sugar 125 mL
1/4 cup vinegar 50 mL
3 tablespoons chili powder 45 mL
2 tablespoons lemon juice 30 mL
2 tablespoons molasses 30 mL
2 teaspoons salt 10 mL
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 10 mL
1 teaspoon ground mustard 5 mL
8-10 buns
Place beef in a five quart (five L) slow cooker. Add the celery, onion and green pepper. In a bowl, combine the ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, chili powder, lemon juice, molasses, salt, Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Pour over beef mixture. Cover and cook on low for nine hours or until meat is tender. Skim fat from cooking juices, if necessary. Shred beef and serve on buns.
Poppy pleasures
Dear TEAM: My husband and I treat ourselves to some Lady Borden poppy roll and bread at a bakery in Regina. This bakery is very old and has a national reputation for its family recipes. Anyway, their poppy rolls are very good, and I want to know if you could locate a recipe for poppy filling to be prepared at home? Also, could you provide me with a bakery type white glaze for poppy rolls, cinnamon buns and coffee cake? – K.B., Yorkton, Sask.
Dear K.B.: My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are the best cooks when it comes to ethnic treats. Use the glaze that accompanies the lemon cake.
Czech poppy seed roll
2 tablespoons yeast 30 mL
1/2 cup milk 125 mL
1 pound butter 500 g
3/4 cup sugar 175 mL
6 cups flour 1.5 L
11/2 teaspoons salt 7 mL
6 egg yolks
11/2 teaspoons vanilla 7 mL
2 tablespoons lemon juice 30 mL
and rind
2 cups cream milk 500 mL
Sprinkle yeast over milk. In a separate bowl, cut together butter, sugar, salt and flour. Add egg yolks, vanilla, lemon juice, yeast and milk mixture, and one cup (250 mL) of cream milk. Mix until dough is light (add more cream milk, slowing until dough is light and does not stick to hands). Let rise for two hours. Prepare the filling.
When dough has risen, divide into six balls. Let each ball rest 10 minutes. Roll out to 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) thick. Spread with poppy seed filling. Roll and pinch seams. Let rise for one hour.
Bake at 350 F(180 C) for 30 minutes.
Filling:
2 cups ground poppy seed 500 mL
(done in a coffee grinder)
11/2 cups raisins 375 mL
(with a dash of milk in a blender)
3/4 cup ground walnuts or 175 mL
pecans
1 teaspoon anise powder 5 mL
(optional)
1/2 cup honey 125 mL
1 cup sugar 250 mL
dash of cinnamon, if desired
Filling method: Mix and cook over medium heat for approximately 15 minutes in one cup (250 mL) milk or cream milk.
Poppy seed lemon cake
1 lemon cake mix
1 instant lemon pudding mix, four serving size
1/2 cup oil 125 mL
1 cup water 250 mL
4 eggs
1/2 cup (125 mL) poppy seed mixed in with 1/2 cup (125 mL) milk
Mix ingredients and pour into a greased bundt pan. Bake at 350 F (180 C) for 45-55 minutes. Cool and remove from pan.
Glaze with a mixture of one cup (250 mL) icing sugar, one tablespoon (15 mL) water, and 1/2 teaspoon (two mL) vanilla.
Link changed
The link at the end of the Jan. 8 TEAM column to the Potato Growers of Alberta was incorrect. It is http://www.albertapotatoes.ca.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
