Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a serene yet enjoyable Thanksgiving in the company of your loved ones.  One of the benefits of hosting Thanksgiving is having lots of leftover turkey to eat over the weekend. Here are some great  ideas. Just be sure to use skinless white turkey meat when preparing these recipes, which all serve two.

For Breakfast:
Mexican Turkey Scramble 
Heat 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 thinly sliced scallions and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 cup finely diced skinless white turkey meat and 3 tablespoons fresh spicy salsa; cook 1 to 2 minutes more. Add 3 beaten eggs and, stirring constantly, cook until eggs are set. Top each serving with 2 avocado slices and serve with extra salsa, if desired.

For Lunch:
Curried Turkey Salad 
Stir together 1/2 cup plain fat-free yogurt, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder, and 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger in a medium bowl. Fold in 2 cups cubed skinless white turkey meat, 1 diced celery stalk, 1/2 diced cucumber, 2 tablespoons diced red onion, and 2 tablespoons of a chopped fresh herb, such as parsley or cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over lightly dressed greens.

For Dinner:
Ginger Turkey Stir-Fry 
Stir together 1 tablespoon canola oil, 2 chopped scallions, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 2 teaspoons minced ginger in a medium bowl. Add 2 cups cubed skinless white turkey meat and stir to coat; set aside for 10 minutes. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey mixture and cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add 2 cups small broccoli florets, 1/2 cup halved snow peas, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, and 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce. Cook 2 to 3 minutes more, stirring constantly. Serve hot.

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. 

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,

because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. 

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,

because it means you've made an effort.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who

are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,

and they can become your blessings.

I am thankful for you.

From the book, "Awakening Love" 

Written by Yolanda Pacheco Garcia

www.victoryp.com

Peanut Butter and Humpty Dumpty - Not

How to Choose a Peanut Butter

These days the supermarket shelves are packed with an almost overwhelming range of peanut butters: chunky, super-chunky, creamy, sugar-free, sodium-free, natural, organic. It goes on and on. When it comes to your weight-loss goals, how do you choose the best one? Start by considering that many supermarket peanut butters may contain more added sugar and hydrogenated oil than all-natural peanut butters.

Going Natural
On the South Beach Diet they recommend “natural” peanut butter, either freshly ground in the store or a national brand. Peanut butters labeled “natural” use peanuts and oil (usually peanut oil) as their ingredients, although some do contain a little salt and occasionally a little sugar (look for brands with 1 g of sugar or less). Because the peanut oil rises to the top in these natural products, you will have to stir it in. There are also “no-stir trans-fat-free” natural peanut butters available. These products usually contain palm oil or palm stearin, which is added to keep the contents from separating. There is no need to shop in health-food or specialty-food stores to find natural peanut butter these days. Most supermarkets carry it.

Benefits of Peanut Butter
In addition to being a great source of protein, peanut butter is rich in monounsaturated fat, the B vitamin folate, and resveratrol (the phytochemical also found in red wine). These nutrients are important for cardiovascular health.

Snack on It
You can enjoy up to 2 tablespoons a day of peanut butter as your nut allowance on all Phases of the South Beach Diet. But it’s especially good as a satisfying mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack. Enjoy it with celery, jicama, or fennel, or in a lettuce roll-up. It’s great with all-fruit jam on whole-grain crackers, or spread it on apple, pear, or banana slices.

Humpty Dumpty - Not

Like two young kids,

we laughed and played

We were like one

happy couple portrayed.

And then finally, 

I heard the truth.

I couldn't believe

you'd be so uncouth.

The daggar went deep

breaking my heart 

Our dreams were shattered

my  hopes fell apart.

But I will pick up the pieces

and put them together again

 unlike Humpty Dumpty

I will make a new friend!

from "Awakening Love" by Yolanda P Garcia

-- www.victoryp.com