On My Mind Today

I have been collecting cookbooks and recipes for many years, and every now and then I rediscover something I forgot all about.   Looking for a brunch item to share, I came across a Reader’s Digest Great Recipes for Good Health  cookbook. The breakfast pudding that follows is simple to make (can be done the night before), and delicious. Hope your family and friends enjoy this pudding!   Blueberry Breakfast Pudding 1 large egg 1/3 cup light or dark brown sugar 1 cup skim milk 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind Pinch of nutmeg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 6 slices whole wheat bread Non-stick cooking spray 2 cups fresh blueberries, sorted and stemmed ½ cup plain low-fat yogurt (optional)  1. With a fork, beat the eggs and brown sugar together in a large bowl until well blended. Stir in the milk, cinnamon, lemon rind, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Tear the bread into ½ inch pieces and stir into the mixture. ...

It's very easy to get comfortable with the people who love us, which is both a good and bad thing. It's good to be close enough that you can let your guard down and be yourself. The bad thing is that because you are so comfortable, you sometimes forget to treat them they way they should be treated. The longer you are with someone the more you see the habits that can drive you crazy, rather than the things that make you love them. For some reason you always see those little things that can annoy you. Perhaps because it is easier - at least easier than taking the time to remind yourself of the good things. When this path is taken too often, you will find yourself treating acquaintances with more kindness and respect than the one who loves you. When somebody loves you they take you not only when you are at your best, but also when you are at your worst. They accept all of your qualities and habits. They listen when you are happy, sad or angry; they bear your burdens with...

I love vegetables and like preparing them in different ways. I recently had some parsnips in my refrigerator, and went on a search for a new recipe. I ended up taking a few things from one or two recipes and came up with my own variation. They turned out great! Full of flavor they would be a nice addition to your Easter dinner. Horseradish-Garlic Sauteed Parsnips 1-1/2 pounds of parsnips, peeled and cut into 3-4 inch sticks 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil salt and fresh ground pepper to taste 3 Tablespoons butter 4 teaspoons bottled horseradish 1/2 Tablespoon finely chopped parsley 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1. Melt butter in frying pan on medium low heat and add the extra virgin olive oil. Stir in horseradish and garlic. 2. Add the peeled and cut parsnips and stir to coat with horseradish-garlic mixture. Cover and sauté on low until parsnips are tender. 3. Remove from heat. Stir in parsley, and salt & pepper to taste.

If you’re reading this, then they finally got our cable and internet back up and running. Our service went out at 7 last night, and what we were hoping would be a short interruption ended up lasting almost 24 hours. There are many things you discover when you have no TV, internet or phone. One, it is extremely quiet; two, you are grateful to have a DVD player; and three, we are fortunate to have cell phones. Of course after an hour of no service we called and got the pre-recorded “we are experiencing a service interruption in your area and are working to resolve it as soon as possible”. After another half hour we decided to watch one of our many DVD’s. Still no service after this so we went to bed. When we got up this morning the service was still out so I called again. A pre-recorded message was not going to appease me at this point so I waited to speak to a representative. Can you imagine having their job? For the most part you must have a difficult day all the time – ho...

Per the Oxford Dictionary: Patience - Noun the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset: synonyms:  forbearance - tolerance - restraint - self-restraint   Patience is the one thing that many people seem to be short on today. If they can't have what they want immediately then they lose control. Just take a look around you. Whether it is in sports, business, entertainment, the political arena, or even within our own circle of family and friends, we see a lack of self-restraint and an abundance of anger. I have to believe that much of it comes from the immediate gratification that we get through our technology. Whatever we want to see or do can be achieved quickly via our smart phones, tablets or computers. There is no need to wait until the library opens to research in books for the information we need. Want to purchase something? Either you can do so online, or ...

I can always count on Food Network to share some great recipes. Since I am a chocolate lover any kind of brownie appeals to me. This is one of 50 brownie recipes that they put together for the readers of Food Network Magazine. How can you go wrong with brownies frosted with cream cheese frosting! Red Velvet Brownies 1 cup flour 3 tablespoons cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1-1/2 cups dark brown sugar 1 stick butter 2/3 cup water 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 3 eggs 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla 2 teaspoons red food coloring Cream Cheese Frosting 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 stick butter, room temperature 1-1/2 cups confectioner's sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat a 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray. For easy removal, line the pan with foil, leaving an overhang, then coat with more cooking spray. 2. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder in a bowl. 3. Br...

Throughout our lives we have many highs and lows. During the good times we can’t imagine how things could be any better. During the bad or difficult times we imagine that everyone else has a better life. In the back of our mind thinking the grass is surely greener where they stand. As hard as we may try, we can’t help but feel envious of others in tough times. It’s only human nature to do so. No matter where we are personally, professionally or financially, it seems we always want a bit more. As if more of anything is going to make us feel better about who we are or the life we currently have. It’s difficult not to go to this place in our minds when we are constantly bombarded with images of what a “great” life should look like. We tend to forget that these images are someone else’s idea of a great life. They present it hoping you will feel dissatisfied with your life, and usually it is to make you want to purchase their products. And sometimes the pressure comes from ...

Overall we have had an extremely mild winter here in the Northeast. Almost nonexistent snowfall and very few bitter cold days. I have never seen a winter like this in my entire life. Although it has been mild, it is still winter. Shorter daylight hours and no leaves on the trees. Lacking in light and color, which in turn leads to a lack of energy. Now that we have entered March there is anticipation and hope of what is arriving soon. The daylight hours have begun to stretch later into the day, and Daylight Savings time will be here in another week. Having the extra hours of sunlight seems to invigorate the body and soul. Each year, like a miracle, the sun shines longer, brighter and higher in the sky. As if the days are being touched by the angels. With the extended light and warmth comes a renewed sense of energy that makes me anxious to become reacquainted with the earth. My flower bed has started showing signs of what's to come. I yearn to have my hands in the dirt plant...

Winter and comfort food go hand in hand. After a long day of work we want to come home to a nice easy meal. Nothing better than something that is quick to put together so you can take time to relax while it cooks. From the pages of Crock Pot Cooking this one is for all the fish lovers. Halibut in Creamy Wine Sauce 2 -12 ounce packages of frozen Halibut (or Haddock) steaks thawed 2 tablespoons flour 1 tablespoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup butter 1/3 cup dry white wine 2/3 cup milk or half & half cream Lemon wedges 1. Pat Halibut steaks dry, place in Crock Pot. 2.Combine flour, sugar and salt. 3. In saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour mixture. When well blended, add wine and milk and cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Allow sauce to boil 1 minute while stirring. Pour sauce over fish. Cover and cook on High setting 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve with rice pilaf or fr...