What is your most peaceful time of day?
For me it is evening, just when the sun is setting. The colours in the sky dictate relaxation and everyone is usually settling from a day of activity. And alas, tired eyes fall closed.
The face of a sleeping child is angelic, and with one look at their puckered lips, long eyelashes and rosy cheeks, all the craziness of the day just melts away.
I often go outside and listen to the quiet at this time of night: the croaking frogs; the bright clear stars and the crisp spring air.
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Despite my repeated slaps at mosquitoes, it’s a time for quiet renewal and reflection.
Everyone needs time like this. For some it may be a brisk walk, a good book or a morning run. For others it may be couch and remote time, internet or phone minutes. Whatever works for you, do it, even if it means getting out your old spandex suit (yikes) or the matching leisure suit that you and your spouse used to sport in the days of young love. Do something just for you.
Will detoxifying be part of your springtime cleaning?
Many people have asked me about detoxifying their bodies in the spring. I cannot answer yes or no but what I can suggest, and what many detox plans recommend, is starting the day with a cup of hot water with lemon juice. This is a great way to refresh and kick start your system each morning, literally clearing away toxins that may have built up in the night.
You can also commit to drinking at least eight to 10 glasses of water during the day to flush out your system. Eat as much fresh fruit, vegetables and salad as you can.
To really give the kidneys and liver a good cleansing, try to eat a few dried apricots each day and a handful of red grapes and opt for cranberry juice or dandelion tea over caffeine-fueled
beverages.
Do you need to freshen up your spring menus? Here is a great full meal casserole.
Chicken and broccoli meal
6 chicken breasts
2 cups water 500 mL
2 teaspoons vegetable bouillon 10 mL
11/2 cups converted long 375 mL
grain rice
21/2 cups water 625 mL
1 can (10 oz.) cream of 284 mL
mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream 125 mL
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese 125 mL
1/4 cup mayonnaise 60 mL
1 teaspoon curry powder 5 mL
1/2 cup water 125 mL
2 cups lightly steamed fresh 500 mL
chopped broccoli
If you overcook the broccoli, it will be like mush in the casserole.
Cut the chicken into cubes and add to the first amount of water and vegetable bouillon in a skillet and cook until tender. Cook the rice in the second amount of water.
Combine the soup, sour cream, cheese, mayonnaise, curry powder and water in a mixing bowl. Spoon the rice into an ungreased three quart (three L) casserole and cover with the lightly steamed broccoli. Lay the chicken over the broccoli and pour soup mix over the top. Bake uncovered at 350 F (180 C) for about one hour. Serves six. Serve with sliced tomatoes or a raw vegetable for some colour.
Strawberry freeze cheesecake
This is tasty after a tiring day of mowing grass and gardening.
Combine 11/4 cups (310 mL) graham crumbs with 1/4 cup (60 mL) melted butter. Press on bottom of nine inch (22 cm) spring form pan.
Beat one eight ounce (250 g) package cream cheese with 3/4 cup (175 mL) sugar in bowl until smooth.
Combine 11/4 cups (310 mL) juice (such as orange, raspberry, grape or lemonade), one cup (250 mL) crushed fresh or frozen strawberries, blueberries or raspberries and one tub (one L) thawed whipped topping. I used stiff whipped cream.
Pour over prepared crust. Freeze until firm. Remove from freezer and let stand in refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving.
Chocolate fudge cupcakes
I enjoyed these treats from Weight Watchers because the applesauce is used to reduce the fat content.
11/2 cups unbleached flour 375 mL
1 cup sugar 250 mL
3/4 cup cocoa 175 mL
2 teaspoons baking powder 10 mL
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 mL
1/4 teaspoon salt 1 mL
1 cup applesauce 250 mL
2 egg whites
1/4 cup vegetable oil 60 mL
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 mL
1/2 cup chocolate chips 125 mL
Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine applesauce, egg whites, oil and vanilla; beat until blended.
Add flour mixture to applesauce mixture and stir just until evenly moistened. Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon the batter into 12 paper-lined muffin tins. Bake for approximately 25 minutes until centres spring back when lightly pressed. Cool cupcakes on a rack.
Frost if desired. A dab of whipped cream on top does wonders, too. Enjoy.
Lilacs fail to bloom
Dear TEAM: Our yard was landscaped using shrubs, perennials and grasses that would provide us with colour and variety. Unfortunately, our lilac bushes either do not bloom or have so few flowers that we cannot enjoy the colour. What could we do to bring on the blooms? – S.L., internet.
Dear S.L.: To answer your question I turned to an article that was written for Canadian
Living magazine by Sara Katz. Here are some recommendations:
- Young lilacs may not bloom because the energy is put into developing a good root system. Be patient.
- Each year, cut back one-third of the main stem to 12 to 23 inches (30 to 60 cm) tall. Remember that lilacs bloom on the previous year’s branches. Prune the flower heads as soon as the colour fades.
- Perhaps your lilac is getting too much nitrogen from your lawn fertilizer. Cut back and check the results.
- Give your lilac at least four hours of sun each day. Prune overhead trees if they are blocking the shrub’s good sun.
- Your surrounding dirt may be acidic. If a soil test confirms this, dig in horticultural lime and compost around the base.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team
Resources. Send correspondence in care of this news-
paper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
