Sweet Salsa

This Salsa has become my go to recipe for summer picnics and potlucks. I have received many requests for this recipe - so here it is! Soooo good! Some call it "Poor Man's Caviar" or "Where's the Tomatoes? Salsa" but it's just a really great healthy recipe.

The Salsa:
2 different colored sweet peppers (red, yellow, or orange)
1 green pepper
1 bunch of green onions/scallions
1 can pinto beans, rinsed
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can shopeg corn, drained

The Dressing
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup olive oil
sea salt to taste

Mince and chop the peppers and onions into finely diced squares (as small as you can). Combine all the peppers, onions, beans and corn in a medium size bowl. Heat the dressing ingredients over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Take the dressing off the heat and pour over everything in the bowl. Stir it all up into the yummy colorful goodness. Salt to taste. Letting it marinate for a few hours in the fridge to soak up the dressing is better but not necessary.

Serve with tortilla chips. Yum - Love them vegetables!!

Shining some light on Sunscreen

I recently returned from a camping trip with a sunburn. I should have followed my own advice on sunscreen.....Hope this helps you prevent a sunburn on that next adventure!

What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?
UVA Rays = Aging Rays. UVB Rays = Burning Rays.
UVA Rays are more harmful than UVB rays because the penetrate deeper into the skin and damage cells and proteins to cause Aging. These are the rays that are associated with skin cancer.
UVB rays cause sunburn. These rays are most intense from 10am-4pm. Their only benefit is that they are needed to help the body produce Vitamin D3.

What does SPF mean?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It indicates how much UVB rays are blocked by the sunscreen. The higher the SPF the greater the protection against UVB rays.

What SPF should I use?
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the use of sunscreens with an SPF of at least 15 per day.
It is very important to use a broad spectrum sunscreen that provide both UVA and UVB protection.
This is what I tell my patients:
Light Skin that burns easily should use at least an SPF of 45+
Skin that burns easily but tans nicely should start out with SPF 30+ and than decrease to SPF15 as you tan.
Skin that doesn't burn and just tans should start out using a 30+ and then decrease as you tan to a SPF15 as you tan.
Skin that is deep in pigment can use SPF 2-12.

When should I apply sunscreen
You should apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes prior to sun exposure that is going to be at least 20 minutes long.

Peanut Chicken with Citrus Ginger Sauce

This dish is great for dinner!! It is a great alternative to fried chicken dishes because it is made in the oven with no oil!! Oh - and it tastes great, especially with the sauce. MMmmmmm


Ingredients:
16 Crackers (Wheat or Saltines)
1/2 cup peanuts
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3 egg whites
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds of chicken, tenderized, and cut into 1" wide strips
1/4 cup flour (regular white flour or King Arthur white whole wheat flour)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425
2. Use a food processor to pulse the crackers and peanuts into a fine mixture
3. Stir the paprika, salt, and pepper into the cracker and peanut mixture
4. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl
5. Put flour in separate bowl as well
6. Dredge chicken in flour, then egg whites, and then cracker/peanut mixture
7. Place chicken on a wire rack that has been sprayed with Pam and placed on a cookie sheet
8. Bake for about 20 minutes, turn around 13 minutes.

While the Chicken is baking make the Citrus Ginger Sauce:
1 inch or 2 Tbsp of grated fresh ginger, squeeze out juice and discard solids
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
2 Tbsp peanut butter
1 Tbsp. soy sauce (reduced sodium better)
2 tsp lime juice

Pulse all ingredients a few times together to make the sauce

Hope you like this healthy recipe!!!

Shaklee - My choice for nutritional supplements

Shaklee Independent Distributor

In my own personal search for a healthier life I have found Shaklee. Their products not only provide amazing health benefits through nutrition but they also have a great line of natural home cleaning and beauty solutions. I have felt a difference in my life and health. Feeling this change has led me to want to share not only Shaklee but any other news, research, or fun facts about health with others. Everyone has the right to feel this good.

So why make my first post about Shaklee? At least once a day when I'm working in the pharmacy I get asked about nutritional supplements. I use my pharmacy school knowledge and recommendations in research to pick out a nutritional supplement that "seems" to be a good choice. The thing is nutritional companies aren't regulated by the FDA!!! There is nothing forcing them to research their ingredients, conduct clinical trials, or to ensure that the nutrition promised is actually being delivered. Shaklee conducts intensive research on every ingredient and product before it is even released. Shaklee also conducts clinical trials on every single product - not only to monitor the health benefits but to ensure their delivery system is perfect. I found this company through the extensive published scientific studies. Besides those I love that they don't test on animals and that every ingredient and product is tested for toxins and stability.

Their Vita Lea line is a great multi-vitamin to start with. From there other supplements exist for certain health conditions and needs. I use the vitalizer line because I like having anti-oxidants and pro-biotics on top of the multi-vitamin.