Salad Bouquet

There is something very satisfying about going in to your garden and picking supper or lunch with a varying in salads!! I pick a Salad Bouquet, I love using different herbs and leafy greens.. I am going to figure out if I can do anything with the ferns, I know we have to be careful as most are not edible..

The 3 pica above is a Stroganoff I made from scratch!! I had a small piece of pork left over from the roast, I sliced cooked with onions, Garlic, peppers a little Swiss Chard , and garnished with Parsley , mushrooms and noodles serves with a mixed salad!!

Our Garden is our sanctuary, def lot more this year, the year of Covid 19.. We play relaxing music, have a glass of wine and play board games mostly Scrabble and Backgammon. We laugh a lot!! This is helping us through these stressful times. Having our Grandkids and kids with significant others close by, really is a plus.. .

Board Games are a great way of receiving stress Here is some info I found on the web!! re Board Games

Here’s the top health benefits of board games https://howgameareyou.com/health-benefits-board-games/

Have fun and feel good. One of the effects of playing board games is laughter and it has be found out that this increases endorphins. This chemical in our body is known to elevate the feeling of happiness
Family time. Nowadays spending an uninterrupted time with your family may be quite impossible given the different schedules each family member has. Yet playing board games after a family dinner is one excellent way to get together and strengthen your family bond.
Memory formation and cognitive skills. The areas of the brain that are responsible for complex thought and memory formation are the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These parts most benefits when playing board games.o get together and strengthen your family bond.
Reduces risks for mental diseases.Playing board games keeps your mind engaged by exercising it and building it stronger. It’s good to note that stronger brain has lower risks of cognitive decline.
Lowers blood pressure. As playing board games effects to laughing and endorphins. This things can help lower or maintain blood pressure.
Speed up your response. In a study at the University of Toronto, they found out that students who regularly played video games were far quicker in locating than those who don’t. Get yourself into board games and sometime soon, you’ll be able to find those hard-to-find car keys without searching the whole house.
Reduce stress. According to an online survey by RealNetworks, Inc., 64% of the respondents said they play games to unwind and relax. 53% play to relieve stress.
Grows your immune system. Research shows that negative thoughts and feelings can reduce the ability to fight disease whilst positive thoughts and feelings. The enjoyment and laughter you get from playing board games prevents effects with the chemicals being released by the body.
Child development. Playing board games help children develop their logic and reasoning skills, improve critical thinking and boost spatial reasoning. The ability to concentrate and focus for a longer period of time is also developed with just playing board games.
Therapy treatment. Most types of board games require players to use fine motor skills to pick up or move pieces which are actions that both involves coordination and dexterity. And have been found out that can really be helpful when added to occupational therapy treatments. Try not to be constantly watching the news, limit yourself to once a day other wise this will increase your stress… Live , Laugh and Love .. Eat a healthy diet and keep a healthy mind..
Virtually any form of exercise or movement can increase your fitness level while decreasing your stress. The most important thing is to pick an activity that you enjoy. walking, stair climbing, jogging, bicycling, yoga, gardening, weightlifting and swimming, walking the dog.. Music also is a great way to relieve stress , put on a great playlist and sing, cook, what ever you love to do!! Stay Safe everyone

Fresh Food Fresh Start

Hello fellow Foodies, Family & Friends

This blog is a little different, I am starting this off with a Thank You To the AHS, All Nurses , Home Care Nurses, Dr Aniki (my family Dr). Dr Buni ( Internist) & Dr Indar, who did my 2 surgeries!! One Nov last year & One May this year.. Thank you so much!! I HAVE MY LIFE BACK. !!

I have always loved to cook and always watched what I eaten for many years now have lean towards somewhat vegetarian for or at least Plant Based.. Could be something to do with the years I spent working in KGH Dietary!! Fun times great people!!

It seemed what ever I ate it hurt, I hurt all over……

2015 We watched a few Documentaries about food and processed foods.

one was Plant Pure and the other , tohttps://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr47Kb3uhVfUBcA54ZXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEya2Jva3AwBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQzAxNjRfMQRzZWMDc3I-/RV=2/RE=1595288440/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.plantpurenation.com%2f/RK=2/RS=n42C6OMT0bSpJ3KTTX227mpW39M- Knives over Forks, Cooked was an amazing Documentary Michael Pollan’s new Netflix series explores the history of cooking!!! This really made us think about what we eat , how we cook it, fast foods, processed foods! yes they are quick, by all means once in a while is OK .

I was getting symptoms that scared me, I was beginning to think that this could be a cancer!! My yearly checkup with Dr Aniki early 2016, I knew wasn’t going to go well as this past year had been a tough one, results came back I was scheduled for a scope May 3rd 2016!! But as it happened I had to re schedule as that day I had an apt in Edmonton (Sinus Dr!! another amazing Dr ) and could not go, re scheduled for Sept

May 3rd 2016, there was a forrest fire, we woke up early set off to go to Edmonton wit and over night bag, it was 28 degrees hot .. Kate and Aaron were looking after George. We set off at 7 am bright sunny clear skies the Forrest fire seemed to be under control!! Within 2 hours being on highway 63, we wee getting txts from Katie, Ian and Victoria, the winds had changed the fire was heading for Fort McMurray, first it was , this was not good. At First voluntary Evacuations then came the big one Mandatory Evacuations for the city of Fort McMurray!! My heart was in my mouth, my kids, grandkids and dogs were in Mac!!..

Wikipedia

On May 1, 2016, a wildfire began southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. On May 3, it swept through the community, forcing the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta’s history, with upwards of 88,000 people forced from their homes.^[12] Firefighters were assisted by personnel from both the Canadian Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as other Canadian provincial agencies, to fight the wildfire. Aid for evacuees was provided by various governments and via donations through the Canadian Red Cross and other local and national charitable organizations.

Sweeping through Fort McMurray, the wildfire destroyed approximately 2,400 homes and buildings. Another 2,000 residents in three communities were displaced after their homes were declared unsafe for reoccupation due to contamination. The fire continued to spread across northern Alberta and into Saskatchewan,^[14] consuming forested areas and impacting Athabasca oil sands operations. With an estimated damage cost of C$9.9 billion, it was the costliest disaster in Canadian history.

The fire spread across approximately 590,000 hectares (1,500,000 acres) before it was declared to be under control on July 5, 2016. It continued to smoulder, and was fully extinguished on August 2, 2017. It is suspected to have been caused by humans in a remote area 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Fort McMurray, but no official cause has been determined to date.

We spent the next 4 weeks on a friends Pig Farm in Camrose. Irvings Farm Fresh. They have amazing pork products.. Allan and Nicola Irving good friends of ours.. David worked on the farm, I was doing some of the cooking, putting to use what we had learned watching the documentaries. That was a tough month for me as I was not feeling well.. George our Springer Loved the farm, we had a lot of laughs. One when David fell off the pig barn after a torrential down pour and landed in the Piggggggg mud ( POOP)

We eat out once in a while, and try little to no processed foods, but for the Most part now we cook everything from scratch, I bake my own bread and buns weekly, Meat we use as an ingredient not the main part of the meal!! Gut health has become a huge part of out life, we eat a lot of beans, Legumes , Eating this way cuts down on your garbage , we put the bins out maybe every 3 weeks..

Gut Health is important!! Eat Lots of Vegetables, Legumes, Beans and Fruit , fiber can be digested by certain bacteria in your gut, which stimulates their growth. Beans and legumes also contain very high amounts of fiber. Some high-fiber foods that are good for your gut bacteria!! Your system gets used to the gassy food believe me .. This change in the way we eat was part of getting me well and getting David off the Gout Medication, Cholesterol meds and blood pressure meds! Working out became a regular this, our busy lives made exercising and eating right kinds difficult.. We made changes slowly!! , shopping became different , no pre packaged meals, buying a lot more fresh produce, none or little fast food, this would be a treat.. For me this was the start of me getting well. Cook fresh , from scratch!!

Photos below were this weeks Culinary treats, Home made Scotch Baps they are amazing, a fresh fruit salad I made to have at breakfast , a Soup made with Carrots, Onions, Cabbage Garlic and potatoes with a veg stock them I puree it .. Then a pic of my boy George..

Fast forward to Sept 2016, I went to see Dr Indar and he sent me for a scope, I had a problem with my colon, not to sure what it is as yet possible Diverticular, disease.. Then I saw Dr Buni, More scopes at one point was on Steroids for a few months!! Then after a couple more visits, I was referred to Dr Indar and 2 Surgeries later !! Life is good, fingers crossed Bricks4Kidz can start back up once school starts!!

I feel amazing get up early walk George do house work , of-course have an amazing play list on, starting to work out . I truly can’t remember last time I felt this well.

We will continue our journey with food and eating from scratch!! This time of the year, we have a few different types of leafy greens and herbs growing in our garden potatoes and tomatoes!! Lots of fresh tomato sauce and pasta sauces to freeze!! Eating this way cuts down on our household garbage, Less packaging, less pre packaged foods and less processed foods Your tastebuds change!!! For the better

Eat to Live don’t Live to Eat!!..

Me being told when this was first Diagnosed to find a hobby relax do yoga!!!! Hmmmmm I also started to crochet #Hugs4Cops Blankets for Cops & All First Responders , For Cops with PTSd or just need a hug ( #Hugs4CopsBlanket) We actually play a lot of Backgammon and a scrabble game I got when i was about 8 yrs old!!

Every stitch a hug, making a difference a stitch at ta time … MY Journey continues during this 2020 Covid 19 and World unrest!! Think Positive, be the best person you can be, always be up for a random act of kindness!! Live Laugh and Love, you never know what tomorrow brings..

Photos of David and I, Our kids and grand kids!! My life.. dogs Meg and Molly MY Mommy and Daughter Springers) and Penny my daughter and son in laws dog over the rainbow Bridge, Paw prints forever on our hearts. Now George and his sister Gracie , she is Aaron, Katie and Asher Dog and Coal Matthew, Bailey and Colins rescue dog.

These last 3 Pics are my challenge coins, I am truly honoured and humbled to have these !! Love y’all

Canada Day

As Canada Day Fast approaches, what are you all doing for this?? Were staying home just having a BBQ for us! There was a new Covid 19 Out break a couple of weeks ago and as from Yesterday we were at

There is one new COVID-19 case in Fort McMurray and three new recoveries. This brings the total number of active cases in the city to 13, with 29 recoveries.

The number of cases in Wood Buffalo’s rural hamlets remains unchanged, with 11 active cases and three recoveries!! With name being a little over a month Post Op, I don’t want to do anything to harm this.. I am feeling great, eating a healthy diet really helps.. Our Youngest Grand son and his mom Came from Lunch then we took lunch to them, and of course David ( Grandad) Got Asher very dirty so he bathed him, we also got to see Colin and Bailey for a short visit, Miss B is turning 10 in July and Asher will be 1 year.. In Sept Colin is turning 14, oh my where does the time go.. lol Its nice to talk and visit now with Close family as Anxiety can get pretty wild… So Staying Healthy both mentally and physically is important and always remember there is always someone who will listen, my door is open if you need to talk, Believe me I’ve been there !! So this week we have had a lot of greens from the Garden salads and Swiss chard, we have 8 potato plants through and the garden is really coming along ! I did make Kedgeree, this week a Jamie Oliver recipe.. It wasn’t bad..

I have 2 chapters to read in the amazing Autobiography book 30 years of Frontline Policing in the UK..

Firearms and Fatals: An Autobiography of 30 Years Front line Policing Exposed

Tangye, Sgt Harry

What a great book, at times I felt as though I was on those calls with Sgt Tangye ! I have also another great Book by a Dog Handler and his dog Finn Fabulous Finn and his K9 Partner https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwipo8LzqaXqAhVvHzQIHXw9B4UQFjAAegQIAhAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2FFabulous-Finn-Brave-Police-Brink%2Fdp%2F1786489090&usg=AOvVaw2QABDZOvau2kFMjrjeuz0H I bought both of these on Amazon.. Great Gifts or just a great read for yourself…

David cooked a roast of beef on the BBQ earlier this week and I boiled potatoes with the skin on they are just like baked potatoes only a wee bit juicier.

For Canada Day David wants to make his own burgers with lean ground beef and Ground Pork from Irvings farm fresh amazing pork products We had a laugh about the burgers and David wants to do a Hulk Size Burger , I will cook portobello mushrooms and make big buns lol … Please all stay safe and stay healthy .. These are tough times we are going through.. I on a daily basis do deep breathing exercises and stretching, as yet I have to be careful, once I am all healed its back in the Gym and Yoga.. David and I laugh a lot and , play board games, recently we have been playing scrabble I got this when I was 7 or 8 yrs old .. We also play Backgammon these games help us .. Well guys Up and onward Live Laugh and Love

#CF Snow Birds

Condolences to this Pilots Family and Snow Birds Family, We watched them fly over Fort MCMurray ,on the Operation Inspiration tour.. I shed a tear , it was such a beautiful thing for them to do! Now we are mourning the lost life of Capt jenn Casey. RIP

public affairs officer with the Snowbirds, died in the crash, the Canadian Armed Forces said in a statement.

The pilot of the CT-114 Tutor aircraft, Capt. Richard MacDougall, sustained serious injuries in the crash, My Heart Aches and I think I will crochet a Hugs Blanket for the Snow Birds, in Memory of Capt Jenn Casey #Hugs

With the Covid 19 virus, flooding we had , Surgery for me on the 27th, and our Son in Hospital in Edmonton, a crazy time for us.. Up and Onward an we are looking forward to one day soon having friends and family over for a BBQ. I awoke this morning not feeling great, my heart was heavy, so I thought I have to shake this feeling, what better way that a healthy Breakfast.

Here are 11 good reasons to include berries in your diet.

Loaded with antioxidants. …
May help improve blood sugar and insulin response. …
High in fiber. …
Provide many nutrients. …
Help fight inflammation. …
May help lower cholesterol levels. …
May be good for your skin. …
May help protect against cancer.

The Science Behind Breakfast

Why breakfast is the most important meal of the day

You might think that the recommendation not to skip breakfast is just plain good advice. After all you need enough fuel to make it through the morning, right?

But research has found even more reasons for making room for the “most important meal of the day.”

Probably the most appealing benefit is that breakfast jumpstarts your metabolism and, thus, helps you burn more calories throughout the day. Even George my Springer Joins in our breakfast, he loves Yoghurt and a Salmon Oil Capsule, he really loves them , we like to shake up our wake up !!

Cognitive function

Breakfast also restores glucose levels, an essential carbohydrate that is needed for the brain to function. Breakfast can improve Memory, and concentration, and makes us happier, I know if i get hungry i get Hangry, lol

When did the word breakfast originate?15th centuryIt was not until the 15th century that “breakfast” came into use in written English to describe a morning meal, which literally means to break the fasting period of the prior night; in Old English the term was morgenmete meaning “morning meal.”

Right now I think it is time for a Cup Of tea ! #StaySafe out there #LiveLaugh and Love Love y’all

I then proceeded to make a Home Made Hand Sanitiser, for our personal use.. This afternoon I am finishing a #Hugs4Cops Blanket to send to an RCMP officer hurt in the line of Duty . I actually have 2 to send one here in Fort McMurray and one near Edmonton . Just my way of showing them we appreciate their work, Firefighters also !!

#STAYHOME #COOK #SAFE

David and I are finding lots to do during the Self Isolation, We love Chinese food, from the leftover roast beef which wasn’t a lot I cut in to tiny strips, 1 onion in chunky pieces, 4 cloves of garlic diced4 plum tomatoes diced, 1 Jalappeno sliced thin / left over carrots from the roast dinner, I added 2 tbl spoon curry powder, i tsp madras paste, and 1 tsp Grace creamed coconut, the simmered a while then added the left over gravy from the roast, oh my gosh you should taste this curry!! We made a veggie stir fry, rice and spring rolls, these ones I bought in Super Store they we Thai, shrimp and delicious

There wasn’t a lot left over from this dinner Just some rice and curry! Then we went in to the sun room and played our first game of BackGammon for this year, I am getting pretty good t this game.. We always have a playlist on, we sing , cook and do house work to this.. George is enjoying his daily walks , as yet we cant walk him far as yet again he is limping.. this is an intermittent thing on a yearly, basis it comes and goes,

Another day another day to create , hmmm so I have 1 1b ground beef, i brown this meat and half it, one half is going to make my Spaghetti Sauce and will be delivered to friends as a gift, the other half of the meat will go in to malign one of Davids fave Holopshy , For us for Supper I have 1 1/2 cup of cooked rice , 1/2 1lb browned ground beef, 4 garlic cloves diced,Large can tomato sauce, 2 tsp dried mustard , 1 medium green cabbage, fresh ground black pepper , 1/4 the cabbage and slice thn, layer on the bottom of a casserole dish mix meat, onion, rice and garlic laover the cabbage, top layer is thinly sliced cabbage.. Mix the mustard powder , pepper with tomato sauce and poutr over the cabbage, cook in a 360 f oven for about 1 hour, let stand to cool a while.

I also made bread to fo along with the Spaghetti sauce for a gift I will leave on their porch joust to say , we are thinking of you . I have also bee crocheting baby slippers, David has got his seeds planted and keeping the in a warm place, so that when the snow eventually goes we cn plant our garden, out sanctuary for the summer..

How then can we mindfully make good food choices? a web site I got this from health.harvard.edu

Make a schedule or a daily meal plan. A schedule is more predictable for you and for everyone in your household.
Consider apps to stay connected around a meal. Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime with family and friends. Share recipes or even cook virtually together.
Plan for groceries. Try to buy fewer processed, high-salt or high-sugar snacks.
Load up on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins.
Save money. Skip the high-sugar soda and juices; instead flavor water with edible citrus or berries.
Plan and enjoy an occasional comfort food for a weekly treat — pick a day and enjoy whatever you want, just not all your favorites on the same day!
Manage your environment. If candy is simply not in the cupboard, then you can’t eat it.

You might be surprised to learn that certain nutrients in foods have been shown to reduce anxiety or spur the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine — and we all want to feel as good as we can during these times of uncertainty. People are feeling a lot of stress right now, and the unfortunate reality is that stress worsens feelings of low mood or angst, and it also suppresses our immune systems. Therefore, targeting immune-boosting foods will have a dual effect — you may feel less anxious and boost your immunity.

I’d suggest incorporating these foods as a way to include healthier options into your nutrition during this unusual time of stress and uncertainty. We all have to eat, so attending to our nutrition is something we can all control, and then reap the benefits of an improved mood.

Reduce anxiety and boost immunity by choosing:

Citrus fruit and red bell peppers (both rich in vitamin C, which in some studies has been shown to support your immune system)
Spices: ginger, garlic, turmeric, and capsaicin (from chili peppers) can be easily added to soups, stews, stir-frys, or salad dressings.
Foods rich in zinc such as oysters, clams, mussels, cashews, liver, beef, and egg yolks. You may recognize zinc as an ingredient is the cold remedy Zicam, as zinc has some virus-fighting effects.
Magnesium-rich foods may help you to feel calmer, and help support immunity. Stress can deplete our magnesium levels too. Examples are legumes, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and whole grains.
Fatty fish like wild Alaskan salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids. A study on medical students in 2011 was one of the first to show that omega-3s may help reduce anxiety.
Eat probiotic-rich foods such as pickles, sauerkraut, miso, and kefir.
Add some antioxidants to your anti-anxiety diet, which can support your immune system.

The bottom line:

Staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging for everyone, and the increased anxiety (and boredom) can cause people to abandon their healthy eating intentions and snack on whatever is around. But with a little thought and planning, you can continue to make good food choices and maybe even boost your mood and immunity.

‪#BellLetsTalk . #Hugs4Cops Blankets #EveryStitchaHug #MakingaDifferenceaStitchataTime ‬ #firstresponders.

Since Evac in 2016 I have been Crocheting Hugs Blankets. In 2013 a Police dog got Killed, in the line of duty, Quanto was his name, Katie and I Scrapbooked a picture collage for the #EPS and Dog Handler. I presented it, it was a heart wrenching . I cried.. Since Then I have supported #First Responders #Hugs4Cops Id say twice a month I go buy wool at Walmart.. Thank you First Responder and Cops for the job you do on a daily basis