Often people attempt to live their lives backward. They try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be happy and who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.
– Margaret Young
Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start 
today and make a new ending.
Read Also
Stock dogs show off herding skills at Ag in Motion
Stock dogs draw a crowd at Ag in Motion. Border collies and other herding breeds are well known for the work they do on the farm.
– Maria Robison



I am trying to take the above quotations to heart as I venture into 2009. Like other years, I am hoping this one will be a time 
filled with new beginnings, harmony, peace and good health.
Part of my new beginning was to take the time to read a book called, 
You: Being Beautiful, by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen. In their 
book, the doctors explain how we must be healthy inside to be beautiful. We are reminded that 
if the body is not working properly, it stores blubber. Losing the extra weight is not about dieting. It is about changing the way you eat 
and learning what your body needs. Here are some highlights.
- Take stock of your pantry. 

Avoid hydrogenated oil, which often 
masquerades as partially hydrogenated oil. Roizen says we should 
also eliminate sugar and high fructose corn syrup from our food. Avoid enriched foods 
and look for whole grain pasta, bread, beans and brown 
rice for added nutrition. 


Roizen recommends foods that contain less than four grams of saturated fat and less than four grams 
of sugar per serving.

- Get moving. Oz suggests a 30 minute walk each day. Strive to walk 10,000 steps a day.


- Stand tall and look thinner. Improved posture pulls in your abdominal muscles, making you look leaner. Good posture also strengthens your core muscles, taking strain off your back. Fish oil, loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, is the only supplement proven to melt belly fat, fight depression, ease joint pain and protect your heart.
- Studies show that people who take time for 
breakfast are thinner. Oatmeal, whole grain cereal and egg-white omelets are smart 
choices. Try a fruit
smoothie if you need to take it with you.
My kids’ smoothie
1/4 cup frozen strawberries 60 mL

1 large ripe banana (or fruit of your choice)

2 tablespoons orange 25 mL

juice concentrate
2 cups water 500 mL
1 teaspoon psyillium 5 mL
seed husks
2 tablespoons protein 25 mL
powder



Peel banana and break into chunks. Add frozen strawberries and juice concentrate. Put all ingredients in a blender. Add the water and/or ice, as well as powder and husks. Cover and 
blend until fairly smooth. Psyillium seed husks and protein powder are available at some 
grocery stores and health food stores across Canada. 


Oven stir fry
An easy recipe for when in a hurry.
4 cups sliced, assorted 1L
vegetables
1 pouch teriyaki glaze 96 g
coating mix
4 boneless skinless chicken 600 g
breasts
2 cups converted rice, 500 mL
uncooked
Heat oven to 375 F (190 C). Spread the vegetables into shallow foil-lined baking pan.
Cut the chicken breasts into strips. Coat with the pouch of coating mix as directed on the package. Place the coated meat evenly over the vegetables (bell pepper strips, sliced mushrooms, slivered onions, celery slices, zucchini slices, broccoli florets). Sprinkle with any remaining mix.
Bake 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Meanwhile, cook the rice, place on serving plate and top with the chicken-vegetable mixture. Serves four.
Raspberry angel cake
Angel food cake is my favourite dessert. It is always light and elegant.
1 package (16 oz.) angel food cake mix
1/2 teaspoon almond extract 2 mL
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 mL
1 package (3 oz.) raspberry gelatin dessert
1 package (12 oz.) frozen unsweetened
raspberries, thawed
1 tablespoon sugar 15 mL
Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Fold in extracts. Spoon two-thirds of the batter into an ungreased 10 inch (25 cm) tube pan. Add gelatin powder to remaining batter; drop by tablespoonfuls over batter in pan. Cut through with a knife to swirl.
Bake according to package directions. When done, immediately invert pan onto a wire rack; cool completely, about one hour. Carefully run a knife around sides of pan to remove cake. Cut into slices. Combine raspberries and sugar; serve over cake.
Yield: 12 servings.
Source: Light and Tasty magazine.
Substitutions
Dear TEAM: I have a recipe that calls for 1/2 cup egg substitute. Can I use fresh eggs instead and how many? – E.O., Rosetown, Sask.
Dear E.O.: You can substitute two fresh eggs for 1/2 cup (125 mL) egg substitute in your recipe. There might be a slight change in texture, but it should not be too noticeable. Many people who are watching their cholesterol use egg substitute, which is mostly egg whites.
Dear TEAM: I am not able to eat commercially prepared whipped topping products but have no problem with whipped cream. Is there an easy way to figure out how much cream to whip to equal the amount of topping that comes in commercial cartons? For instance, when a recipe calls for an eight ounce container of whipped topping, how much whipping cream should I whip instead? – C.C., Biggar, Sask.
Dear C.C.: In most recipes, whipped cream may be used instead of whipped topping. But you should be aware that there may be some differences in texture and stability, which could result in minor changes in the end product. When substituting, keep in mind that whipping cream doubles in volume once it is whipped. If a recipe calls for an eight oz. carton of whipped topping, whip 11/2 cups (375 mL) of whipping cream, which will yield three cups (750 mL).
Beat winter with colour




Now that the Christmas decorations are put 
away the house looks so drab and boring. What can we do to jazz it up and beat the blues that come with winter?
Why not try experimenting with colour in your rooms? Psychologists have determined that certain colours can elicit certain responses. Red and red-based shades like burgundy excite the senses. Scientists say our hearts beat faster when we see red.


Blue is the colour of tranquillity and causes the
 body to produce calming chemicals.

 Green, the colour of nature, is known to calm and refresh the spirit. Yellow not only speeds the metabolism, it also enhances concentration, which is perhaps 
why legal pads are yellow. Purple, the colour of wealth and status, is also said to inspire 
imagination.
Now which colour should you choose? Where do you start? Whether you are 
buying new cushions or painting a wall, Steven Sabados and Chris 
Hyndman, interior designers and co-hosts of Steven and Chris on CBC TV, 
shared these decorating tips.


Before you do anything, determine the mood you hope to achieve in the room. Next, said Sabados, “find a family of colours you are drawn to, choosing 
from either pastel tones, earth tones or jewel tones. Within each of 
those shade ranges there will be warm and cool choices.”


Ideally, the colour you choose to decorate with should go with the largest pieces in 
the room and complement the flooring. For example, match items to the colour of your sofa rather than to a small coloured picture.

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.
