Daily anagram challenge! Sharpen your brain with today’s anagram puzzle. Unscramble the letters to reveal the hidden word or phrase, and submit your answer to see if you’re correct. Happy puzzling!
Today’s Anagram:
Month: December 2024
3 Powerful Resources Always Available
Never forget the three powerful resources you always have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness. ~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
After Yesterday ~ A Poem by A. R. Ammons
After Yesterday
A. R. Ammons
After yesterday
afternoon’s blue
clouds and white rain
the mockingbird
in the backyard
untied the drops from
leaves and twigs
with a long singing.
Healthy Foods & Recipes ~ Pasta
Four Healthy Reasons to Include Pasta in Your Diet
- Good Source of Energy
Pasta is rich in complex carbohydrates, providing a slow and sustained release of energy, making it an excellent choice for active individuals or anyone needing a steady energy supply throughout the day. - Low in Fat
Pasta is naturally low in fat, making it a heart-healthy base for meals when paired with lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables. - Versatile Nutritional Base
Pasta serves as a perfect canvas to incorporate nutrient-rich ingredients like leafy greens, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and lean protein, enhancing its overall nutritional profile. - Gluten-Free and Whole-Grain Options
With the availability of whole-grain and gluten-free varieties, pasta can cater to various dietary needs while providing extra fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals.
Healthy and Easy Recipe: Mediterranean Veggie Pasta
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 8 ounces of whole-grain or gluten-free pasta (e.g., penne or spaghetti)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add cherry tomatoes and zucchini, and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in Kalamata olives, baby spinach, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Finish with Lemon and Feta: Drizzle lemon juice over the pasta, sprinkle with feta cheese (if using), and mix gently.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
This Mediterranean Veggie Pasta is a quick, nutritious, and flavorful meal that celebrates the health benefits of pasta while incorporating fresh, wholesome ingredients!
Source: ChatGPT
Great Healthy Tips:
Today’s Great Healthy Tip
Walking briskly for 30 minutes daily can improve mood and overall health.
Walking is a great exercise, so is running, biking, anf indoor machines like the elliptical, recumbent or upright bikes. If you’re just starting be kind to yourself and take it easy. Walk at a pace where you can carry a conversation. Gradually increase your distance. Most importantly, do it consistently. You’ll surprise yourself.
Happiness is Like a Kiss
There’s an old song sung by Ella Fitzgerald and Louie Armstrong titled, It Takes Two to Tango. The chorus lyrics read: “Takes two to tango, two to tango / Two to really get the feeling of romance / Let’s do the tango, do the tango / Do the dance of love.” That’s the way it is with happiness. Our happiness increases in direct proportion to the number of people with whom we can share it and who reciprocate it with us. Think about going to a ball game alone. Your team wins an exciting game. The people around you are sharing their joy with their friends, It’s not quite the same as when you have someone with you to share the joy of victory. When I passed my dissertation defense on my way to my doctorate, I called my wife as soon as I got out of the defense meeting. She screamed with joy. We were sharing a happiness moment. Bernard Meltzer had it right when he wrote, “Happiness is like a kiss. You must share it to enjoy it.”
Anagram Challenge
Daily anagram challenge! Sharpen your brain with today’s anagram puzzle. Unscramble the letters to reveal the hidden word or phrase, and submit your answer to see if you’re correct. Happy puzzling!
Today’s Anagram:
A Characteristic of an Emotionally Healthy Person
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Healthy Foods & Recipes: Walnuts
4 Healthy Reasons to Include Walnuts in Your Diet
- Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Walnuts are an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid that supports heart health and brain function. - Loaded with Antioxidants
Walnuts contain high levels of antioxidants, such as vitamin E and polyphenols, which combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. - Supports Brain Health
Known as “brain food,” walnuts are linked to improved cognitive function and may help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. - Improves Gut Health
Walnuts promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which contributes to better digestion and overall gut health.
Easy & Healthy Recipe Featuring Walnuts: Walnut and Berry Parfait
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla, plant-based if preferred)
- 1/2 cup mixed berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
- 2 tbsp walnuts, chopped
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
- In a glass or bowl, add a layer of Greek yogurt at the bottom.
- Top with a layer of mixed berries.
- Sprinkle a portion of the chopped walnuts over the berries.
- Repeat the layers until you fill the glass or bowl.
- Drizzle honey or maple syrup on top if desired and add a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
This parfait is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a light dessert, packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Source: ChatGPT
Great Healthy Tips: Step Away from the Computer and Move
Take breaks from prolonged sitting every hour to move and stretch.
Note: I do most of my work from my laptop in my home office. When I get into what I’m doing time moves past me without my thinking about it. This is a good reminder for me to take my own advice and take a break every 45 minutes to an hour.
