Pamela Leavey

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Why Drinking Warm Lemon Water Is Good For You

lots-of-lemonsI am big believer in alternative health modes and I recognize that what we eat every day plays a big part in our health. I don’t always find the time to eat healthy, but I try to keep to well maintained diet low in sugar and fat.

The internet is a great place to pick up diet and health tips, because people are always sharing this useful information. Of course, you do need to be wary of your sources on the internet, because there is plenty of false information on the internet that is passed around via email and social media.

The medical group that my doctor belongs to posted an informative piece on warm lemon juice that I thought I should share with readers. Needless to say, as I look down this list posted below I can see more than a few reasons to start adding warm lemon water to my diet daily.

Drinking warm lemon water is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to keep yourself healthy!

Here are 16 reasons to add warm lemon water to your diet:

  1. Lemon is an excellent and rich source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient that protects the body against immune system deficiencies
  2. Lemons contain pectin fiber which is very beneficial for colon health and also serves as a powerful antibacterial 
  3.  It balances maintain the pH levels in the body 
  4. Having warm lemon juice early in the morning helps flush out toxins 
  5. It aids digestion and encourages the production of bile
  6. It is also a great source citric acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium 
  7. It helps prevent the growth and multiplication of pathogenic bacteria that cause infections and diseases 
  8. It helps reducing pain and inflammation in joints and knees as it dissolves uric acid 
  9. It helps cure the common cold 
  10. The potassium content in lemon helps nourish brain and nerve cells 
  11. It strengthens the liver by providing energy to the liver enzymes when they are too dilute 
  12. It helps balance the calcium and oxygen levels in the liver In case of a heart burn, taking a glass of concentrated lemon juice can give relief
  13. It is of immense benefit to the skin and it prevents the formation of wrinkles and acne 
  14. It helps maintain the health of the eyes and helps fight against eye problems 
  15. Aids in the production of digestive juices 
  16. Lemon juice helps replenish body salts especially after a strenuous workout session

source: http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/cheers-to-drinking-warm-lemon-water

I tend to cook with lemon very frequently, because I love the flavor of lemons, and I have long been aware of the fact they have a lot of health benefits.This winter I have been enjoying adding lemon rind to my homemade soups for an extra boost of lemon flavor. When braising my onions, garlic and meat, I use my peeler to cut strips of rind to add to my braise. Later I add the lemon juice to the soup. It gives a very unique, pungent and savory flavor to the soups.

The list above really is a eye-opener on the reasoning of drinking warm lemon juice. As I said above, I am planning to add warm lemon water to my diet. I like that a “glass of lemon juice contains less than 25 calories” and “is a rich source of nutrients like calcium, potassium, vitamin C and pectin fiber.”

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Cooking For One: Chicken and Black Bean Chili

It’s always a challenge if you are cooking for one and you love to cook, not to over cook. This afternoon, when I hit the grocery store aisles chili popped into my head and I sought out the ingredients for Chicken & Black Bean Chili. (more…)

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Primavera

Primavera, also known as Allegory of Spring, is a panel painting by Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. Painted ca. 1482, Primavera is known to be one of the most popular paintings in Western art, though it’s history is unknown. Among the theories of it’s creation is that it was commissioned in 1477 by Lorenzo de’ Medici.

Botticelli-primavera

Fascinating work of art, for contemplation on this the first day of Spring…

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Pamela’s Mediterranean Chicken

When I cook I rarely follow a recipe and usually change things up each time I cook it. Mediterranean Chicken is one of my favorite chicken dishes. It’s easy and light fare. I have had some requests for the recipe. Enjoy…

 Mediterranean Chicken

1  1/2 lbs. chicken tenders – cut into 1 inch cubes

1  14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes (with garlic or basil is a good choice)

1  14 oz. can of whole or quarter artichoke hearts (not marinated) — drained and chopped

1 medium yellow onion sliced thin

2 cloves garlic chopped

splash of olive oil

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp oregano

1 chicken bouillon cube

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 4 oz. package of feta cheese

Saute onions and garlic in olive oil and then add chicken and spices and saute until the chicken is lightly cooked. Stir in tomatoes and simmer on low for 20 minutes until chicken is tender. Add lemon juice and chopped artichoke hearts. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and sprinkle with feta cheese and fresh ground pepper.

Mediterranean Chicken1

Serve on rice. Serves 4 – 6.

Mediterranean Chicken2

I recommend pairing this with a salad of spring greens and red onion with vinaigrette and ciabatta.

Alternatives to the Mediterranean Chicken… substitute artichoke hearts with sliced zucchini or summer squash. Add rosemary or basil.

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Getting Back Into The Groove and Thinking Baked Apples

I’ve been getting back into the groove since I moved. Finally thinking about cooking again. I have 3 apples that I hate to toss, but are too soft for my taste. I was thinking of baking them, but most recipes call for butter and I’m not a fan of butter. I ran across this recipe that I think I’ll try…

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Baked Apples

makes 1 apple packet| Preheat oven to 400º By Sasafrass

You’ll need:

I apple 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 Tablespoons brown sugar 1 piece of aluminum foil

Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Slice 1 apple of your choice very thin (1/8 inch) you’ll end up with approximately 40 slices total. 2. Place apple slices onto a sheet of foil, sprinkle 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. 3. Wrap up foil by gathering each corner and pinch it together and place on baking sheet. 4. Bake at 400º for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile there’s some Mediterranean Chicken stewing on the stove top.

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Tandoori Lamb Burger Disappoints

Last night I met a friend for dinner at Ten Center Street in Newburyport. As I recently moved back to the Newburyport area and had worked at Ten Center Street some 30 years ago, I thought it would be a good choice for dinner. Since I have been back in the area I’ve had dinner at The Grog (my old haunt), The Black Cow and Joseph’s Winter Street Cafe.

My friend and I both ordered the Tandoori Lamb Burger on Ten Center Street’s Burger Menu, agreeing that we both liked Lamb and thought it sounded very tasty. I’m no food critic, but I do know what I like.

Good Lamb should never taste strong or “gamey” as our burgers did. In fact, the burger had such a strong gamey flavor that it overwhelmed any “Tandoori” seasoning and the carmelized onions I had ordered as a topping. I also felt the burger was undercooked, though I did not ask to have it cooked more. Lamb like beef is good when it’s rare but I prefer my burgers to cooked through. In defense of the meal, the fries with the burger were very good and the Chips and Dips from the Tapas Menu were tasty, though they were not at all generous with the Tomatillo & Tomato Salsa or the Guacamole.

Ten Center Street had always been one of my favorite restaurants in Newburyport, back in the late 70’s and all through the 80’s. I never had a disappointing meal there throughout that entire time. Last night’s burger was perhaps enough to sour me on dining there again in the near future.

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