baked mozzarella bites

(alternative snacks for after schoolfried cheesesticks)1/2 cup of panko(japanese breacrumbs)3(1 ounce)sticks of mozzarella string cheese 3 tablespoons of egg substitute cooking spray&1/4 cup of low-sodium marinara sauce         1. preheat oven 425    2.heat medium skillet over medium heat. add 1/2 cup of panko to pan,cook for two minutes or until toasted,stirring frequently.remove from heat and place panko in shallow dish.  3. cut mozzarella sticks in 1-inch pieces.working with one piece at a time,dip cheese in egg substitute;dredge in panko. place cheese on baking sheetcoated with cooking spray. bake at 325 for three minutes or until cheese is softened or throughly heated.  4. pour mainara sauce into microwave save bowl.micro on high 1 minute or until throughly heated,stirring after 30 seconds. serve with mozzarella pieces. yield: 4 serving(serving size) 3 mozzarella bites and one tablespoon of sauce.

COOL CUCUMBER SOUP

temperatures reaching 90 degrees in many areas of the country, it’s just too hot to cook. But it’s never too hot to eat right, so mercury rising is no excuse to roll through the drive-through. Ellie Krieger’s Cool Cucumber Soup is just the solution. It’s perfect for the height of summer because:

• You won’t need to turn on the oven or stove to make it.
• It’s done in 20 minutes.
• It’s a great way to use up the cucumbers growing like crazy in the garden.
• It clocks in at just 130 calories and 2.5 grams of fat, so makes a waistline-friendly light lunch or appetizer.
• Per Ellie, it’s a good source of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and calcium.

What are you waiting for? Get out the blender and whip up this super-cool, creamy-yet-good-for you cold soup.


Cool Cucumber Soup
Serves 4

3 cups plain nonfat yogurt
1 English cucumber (about 1 pound), cut into chunks
1 scallion, white and green parts, coarsely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus sprigs for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium tomato, seeded and diced, or 3 sliced radishes
2 teaspoons olive oil

In a blender, combine the yogurt, cucumber, scallion and dill. Pulse until pureed. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Ladle into individual bowls. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons of diced tomato or radishes, drizzle with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and garnish with a dill sprig.

Per 1 cup serving:

Calories: 130
Total Fat: 2.5 grams
Saturated: Fat 0 grams
Protein: 11 grams
Total carbohydrate: 17 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Cholesterol

AFTERNOON SNACK TIME

LOOKING TO FIGHT OFF AFTERNOON OR EVENING SNACK BINGE??CUCUMBERS HAVE BEEN USED FOR CENTURIES AND OFTEN USED BY EUROPEAN TRAPPERS,TRADERS,AND EXPLORER'S FOR A QUICK MEAL TO THWART OFF STARVATION. SO THINK WHAT IT COULD DO FOR YOU AS A SNACK.  THANKS FOR READING    MAGGIE

HEALTHY PANCAKES APPLES AND WALNUTS

Apple Walnut Pancakes recipe – 143 calories
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup skim milk
1 egg, beaten
2 teaspoons cooking oil
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup apple, finely chopped
2 tablespoons butter

Preparation:
1. In a bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.
2. Add the egg, oil and milk to the dry ingredients and mix well.
3. Add chopped walnuts and apples and mix well.
4. Heat a griddle and melt a small amount of butter on the surface.
5. When the pan is heated, pour 1/4 cup of the batter onto the griddle.
6. Cook the pancake until small bubbles appear on the surface.
7. Flip the pancake and continue cooking until done.
8. Repeat steps 4 through 7 until you’ve used up the batter.
Servings: 1

Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 143
Total fat: 7.2 g
Cholesterol: 34.6 mg
Sodium: 306.6 mg
Total carbs: 15.7 g
Fiber: 0.9 g
Protein: 4.2 g

ITS A FABULOUS DAY

TODAY IS JULY 14TH AND A BEAUTIFUL DAY,WEATHER IS ABSOLUTLY FANTASTIC AND FOR PEOPLE HERE IN NEW ENGLAND ITS A NICE DAY TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS.               

PROTECT YOUR SELF FROM UV RAYS

WHEN ENJOYING YOURSELF ON THE BEACH PLEASE REAPPLY SUNSCREEN EVERY TWO HOURS. IT IS FRUSTRATING TO KEEP REAPPLYING BUT ANY SUNBURN YOU RECIEVE BEFORE 16 TO 18 YEARS OLD IS DAMAGING TO THE SKIN SOME 35 TO 40 YEARS LATER.I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I BEGAN TO GET RED SKIN TONES FROM EAR TO EAR ABOUT AGE  55 WHICH CONTINUED TO SPREAD AS THE YEARS WENT BY. CONSULTED A DOCTER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FROM A SEVERE SUNBURN IN CHILDHOOD AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE FOR THE SITUATION. SO PLEASE APPLY THAT SUNSCREEN.

helpful hints (by maggie)

Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower simply take a cut cucumber and gently rub on mirror. Your bathroom will have the scent of a spar.Looking for a green way to clean your faucets,sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean,not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back your shine,but it won"t harm your fingernails while you clean.                 THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING     MAGGIE

information on body mass

Is your waist circumferance more than 35 inches(for women) and 40 inches for(men)? "belly fat"( called visceral fat) is easier absorbed by the body than other b ody fat which increases your chances for cardiovascular disease dramatically.Is your body mass index, which defines the average relative weight for height in people older than 20 years old( check your BMI on any website) more than 25?If you are muscular,therefore more body mass,your BMI may be the average optional between 18.5 to 24.9 but that may not mean you are overweight.These two figures will give you an idea if you are overweight.If you are consider some eating habit changes(even the baby step ones are worth a try that along with a little physical activity to bring yourself to better health.    thanks for reading maggie

CUCUMBERS ARE A GEM

Cucumbers contain most of our daily vitamins just one contains vitamin B1,vitamin B2,vitaminB3,vitaminB6,Folic acid,Vitamin C,Calcium,Iron,Magnesium,Phosphorus,Potassium,and Zinc. Feeling tired in the afternoon grap a cucumber instead of a caffeinated soda to get a pick me up.             THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING    MAGGIE

TIRED LEGS NEED HELP

Your docter can explain to you how the blood flow in the legs is difficult as returning blood flow to the heart can lead to problems if you have slightly elavated blood pressure.I have experienced this and in so doing now have a vein in one leg where there are bursts of the blood causing varicose veins. I denid at first and said no to blood pressure medicine. So do your self a favor and check with a doctor.My legs ached all the time.   thanks for reading  MAGGIE