Top 9 Super Foods for a Healthier You





You are what you eat so make good choices everyday for optimal health and a long life. These are all natural foods, not produced in a factory or plant. Most of these foods have immediate, as well as long term benefits. Try working these wonder foods into your weekly menu. They can help improve your health, and your longevity, boosting energy, fighting off disease and feeling and looking great.

Tomatoes:
These are amazing fruits packed with punch. They supply the body with loads of vitamins A, C and E, and potassium. The tomato has a high amount of lycopene, they aid in the prevention of heart disease, high cholesterol and cancer. Throw them in a salad, or sun dry them, or make salsa, even have a daily glass of tomato juice to reap the many benefits of the tomato.

Salmon:
One of the healthiest fish you can eat on the planet. Rich in Omega-three and amino acids, salmon provides support for your metabolism, and eyes and muscles, it improves memory and keeps your brain sharp. The oils in the salmon can make your skin and hair look great. Rich in vitamins also, salmon supplies iron, calcium, selenium and phosphorus and vitamins A, B and D. Grilled or baked, salmon can be a fantastic choice for any main meal several times a month.

Broccoli:
A very powerful vegetable, broccoli is a great source of vitamin C, folic acid, which is great for pregnant women. It’s rich in fiber which helps with a healthy digestive system. The long term benefits are great, and is said to help prevent diabetes, tumors, arthritis, heart disease and several types of cancer. Raw or cooked, a great choice for a side dish or appetizer.

Carrots:
They are full of nutrients for a healthy body. Carrots contain protein, calcium, iron and potassium. They are also great sources of vitamins C, K, B1, B2 and B6. They are known to boost the immune system. Raw or cooked carrots make a great snack or compliment to almost any meal.

Apples:
These are a good source of Vitamin C and potassium, they reduce cholesterol, strengthen bones and aid in the prevention of strokes and heart disease. Whether it be a tart Granny Smith or a rich Red Delicious, apples can ward off disease and actually aid in being full, and keep from overeating throughout the day.

Blueberries:
These little blue buttons are high in anti-oxidents and help lower cholesterol. Blueberries have been proven to aid in the prevention of heart disease, cancer and they promote vision and urinary health. These are great in salads or mix them up in the blender for a cold smoothie snack.

Almonds:
This is the most healthy nut around. Full of healthy monounsaturated fats, almonds also contain protein, fiber, potassium, and calcium. They are chock-full of vitamin E and actually aid in lowering cholesterol, as well as lowering your risk of heart disease and diabetes. They also have cancer fighting abilities. These are great raw or toasted over your favorite chicken dish.

Sweet Potatoes:
The sweet potato is a nutrient-rich vegetable that contain high amounts of fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Sweet potatoes are great at stabilizing blood levels, which make you feel fuller longer. The spuds also have cancer and heart disease fighting properties. They are known to help people with asthma, ulcers and preventing diabetes. They are easy to digest and aid in weight loss efforts. Sweet potatoes are great warmed up with a teaspoon of brown sugar.

Oatmeal:
Not only a great source of fiber, oatmeal good source of many nutrients including vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, iron, and magnesium and protein. Oatmeal is great for the digestive system, helps prevent heart disease and has cancer-fighting agents. Great warmed up with berries or stevia, or in an oatmeal raisin cookie.

Go Sweet 16!!!! Michigan State Basketball

MSU is a 2 seed the Midwest Region and all signs are pointing to a final four showdown at Ford Field for the NCAA Championships. The Spartans defeated Robert Morris Thursday (77-62) and USC in a bit of a nail biter on Sunday (74-69). Led by Travis Walton and his season-high 18 points, the Spartans put on a staunch unforgiving defense in the final four minutes of the game, holding them without a field goal.

Will the Big-Ten Champs be able to defeat powerhouse Kansas in the third round? I think Coach Tom Izzo has them pumping all on cylinders and the green and white fans are hoping that depth and experience are going to matter down the stretch.

Here is a stat that I love: "During his 14 years as the Spartans' head coach, every one of Tom Izzo's four-year seniors have advanced to at least one Final Four."

Here's hoping we'll be partying like it's 2000 again when all is said and done, those seniors and underclassman will be carrying on that tradition.

GO GREEN!

Fabulous Scallop Recipe!

Ok I have been hounded by my facebook friends for the recipe here it is. Simple, quick and tasty, ENJOY!

2 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. oil (I use olive oil)
4 tsp. lime juice
1/4 tsp. grated lime peel
1/2 lb. bay, calico or sea scallops (I think we had about 14 large scallops)
Lime wedges for serving

Combine honey, oil, lime juice, lime peel. Pat scallops dry with paper towel and add to marinade.
Marinate, stirring occasionally, from 1 hour up to 24 hours. Preheat broiler. Arrange scallops and marinade in single layer in a glass baking dish. I used foil on the bottom.

Broil 4 inches from source of heat 4 to 7 minutes, depending on size of
scallops or until opaque throughout and lightly browned on top. Serve with lime wedges and if desired, and or hot crusty French bread to soak up the juices. Makes 2 servings. Recipe can be doubled, tripled, etc.

We used basmati rice and green beans any veggie would work well on the side.

New Ebay Templates in March

2 BRAND new template from the*pink*tulip! Click on the logos below to take you to the auctions.

Hooked on the Bachelor

Ok I remember the Trista and Ryan season years ago and have not watched in a while. I watched some last year with Deanna and Jason (whom she did not choose). Well since I heard ABC choose him as the new Bachelor, I have been waiting for the start of this season. He is a good looking single dad, and I married one of those, so I am sort of rooting for him to find true love. He seems like such a nice guy, has a three year old son, and has been unlucky in love so far. Will he meet the woman of his dreams? Only time will tell! So far I really like Jillian from Canada....I hope the cheerleader doesn't win! You can see the show and clips at ABC.com.

January busy month for the*pink*tulip!

January is one of my busiest months of the year as a graphic designer. People want to turn over a new leaf with fresh me pages, one of a kind store fronts, and I started to offer a new product in December, blog designs. I have done about 5 so far and they are a lot of fun to create.

For 25.00, you get a nice, fancy logo, two interchangeable backgrounds and complete blog set up on blogger with matching fonts and headers. Sounds like a steal right?

Here is the listing on Ebay :) You can click on the listing and see the samples I have done. Thanks for looking!

Lipstick Jungle No More?

Lipstick Jungle is the story of three working women in New York City. It's from Candice Bushnell, from Sex and the City fame. I am trying to figure out if this has been cancelled, NBC seems to keep changing it's mind...it was my new favorite show and I am a little ticked! Ok off to mail some lipstick to the NBC execs now!

If you like American Idol, check this out...

She is the 2008 winner of the X-Factor, which is the UK version of Idol. Alexandra Burke came out the winner and she blew everyone away the last three weeks of the competition. Her version of her hero Beyonce's Listen in the semi's made her the stand out to take the crown. To everyone's amazement, Beyonce joined her on a surprise duet for the finale and I bet there was not a dry eye in that venue. Look for her in the near future, she has an amazing voice.

Here is the semi-final performance:



The finale with Beyonce:

Snow fun!

It's all snow all the time in Chassell, Michigan. Alexa is thrilled with the ability to make snow angels on a whim, chase her brother and sister on the ice rink out back and have hot cocoa three times a day! Natasha and Trey are also spending lots of time shoveling and plowing with Kory.






We had a dazzling light and fireworks show over the pond also......

Meet Emily Dawn!

This is Kory's neice Emily, she is 15 years old and lives in Ishpeming, Michigan. She is a singer, actress and musician. She is trying out for American Idol this summer, and she has a quite a following on youtube.com...... and here is one of her renditions by Nelly Furtado which I just love.

The 12 days of Christmas Michigan style!

One the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me:

12 slices of bacon
11 glitter glue pens
10 Dr. Suess books
9 recees cups
8 rice krispie treats
7 candy canes
6 christmas cookies
5 golden barbies
4 hackey sacks
3 pair of pajammas
2 dancing care bears
1 13 foot tree!

MERRY Christmas from Chassell!

We had Kiril and his family up for a couple days. Trimmed the tree last night and Alexa got up at 6:00 to see what Santa Claus brought!

Trip To Dubai...Desert Getaway...

Here are some photos from our trip to the desert...we stayed in a wonderful resort called the Jumierah and got to go on a desert safari, camel rides and all. it was 85 degrees all week and a perfect little getaway from the rain in Holland. I highly recommend this place for any type of traveler.

Veggie Tales!

Kory built a nice little garden in our backyard and it yielded some big vegetables. Now we need to make salsa! Alexa loved pulling all the tomatoes off the vines.

Wine Tasting 101

We had the chance to go to a great wine tasting party Sunday in Wassenaar at an old Castle. They had vendors from Spain, France, South Africa, Italy and many others promoting their tasty vino. There were about 200+ varieties of wine to sample. Kory likes the reds and I like the whites. My favorite was a fruity white from France. We went with our usual group of friends. Then we went back to my friend Kelli's house and had Italian food. Enjoy the photos!

Halloween 2008

Alexa had her party on Wednesday at school, and they we went out trick or treating Friday night. I helped organize the class party with a couple other moms. She was Cinderella and Aurora.

Addicted to Oilily!

I cannot get enough of these clothes! Kory took me again to shop at the outlet mall in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. I bought a lot in Alexa's size, and I have some women's also, but I will list most of it on Ebay and see how I do. I should have over 40 NWT items in my store around Christmas, maybe in November if Kory goes home for a few days.




If you have any interest in anything before I list it, most everything is in a 4.5.6 (116, 128) size range. Email me at bspiroff7070@aol.com.

See my current OILILY LISTINGS HERE.