Recipes of the Month

It's the new year, so why not try a new way of eating. Of course you don't have to, but here are a few suggestions. Try gluten-free, food combining, organic produce and free-range meats, or Ashton Embry's Best Bet Diet for MS, which incorporates most of these items.

If none of those appeal to you, you can always try making healthier food choices. If you aren't as mobile as you used to be and you've gained a little weight, try eating smaller portions. Add more fruit and vegetables to your diet, (apples are especially good for loosing weight). You can also try eating more fish for omega 3's, drinking more water, and eating less sweets.

There are so many ways to become a better “you”. Eating more healthy is just one step toward building that person from the inside out.

I'm including recipes from The Best Bed Diet which are also gluten-free. I'm also including a smoothie recipe that's delicious as well as healthy. So without further ado, here are the recipes - Enjoy!

Moroccan Chicken Casserole 4-6 skinless boned chicken breasts 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 crushed clove of garlic 2 tsps each of ground paprika, ground coriander 1 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp ground cloves 2 medium sweet potatoes – peeled and diced 3 Tbsp arrowroot 2 cups of chicken stock salt and pepper to taste chopped parsley to garnish 1. Using paper towels, pat the chicken pieces dry. 2. Heat oil over medium heat in large pan. 3. Add garlic and spices to the pan, stirring over a medium heat for 10 to 20 seconds. 4. Add chicken and cook 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until coated with spices. 5. Transfer chicken to ovenproof dish, scattering vegetables over the chicken. 6. Mix arrowroot with chicken stock in fry pan, stir until thickened and boils. Remove pan from heat. 7. Season sauce with salt and pepper, and pour vegetables and chicken. 8. Cover with lid, and cook at 350 F for one hour, until chicken cooked through. (Serves 4) Recipe by Trish Appelbe – www.ms-diet.org Have you ever had fruit for dessert, instead of cookies, cakes or other baked goods? Here's a gluten-free dessert recipe for you to try. Peach Almond Delight 3 fresh peaches 4 oz slivered almonds 2 Tbsps diced dates 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp natural vanilla extract 1/ cup water 1. Wash the peaches and cut each into eight sections. 2. Mix with the almonds and dates, and drizzle with vanilla. 3. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Serves 2 Going Green Smoothie 1 cup green grapes 1/2 cup pineapple 2 cups fresh spinach 1/2 ripe banana, peeled 1/2 cup water 1 cup ice cubes 1. Place all ingredients into Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid. (Or place fruit in your food processor or blender according to manufacturers instructions.) 2. Select Variable 1. 3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. 4. Blend for 60 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately. Serves 1 The Best Bet Diet – Recipes for People with Multiple Sclerosis distributed by DIRECT-MS.org. Smoothie recipe is from my Vita-Mix Cookbook, distributed by Find out more about the Vita-Mix here.

Note: If you would like more recipes like these, , drop me a line and let me know.

Quote of the Month

This quote is perfect to start the year off with.

Here's the quote. Enjoy it!

Inspirational Quote "~ Courage is not the absence of fear, but simply moving on with dignity despite that fear. ~". ~ Pat Riley ~ Photo courtesy of Flickr_Mathias-Erhart

Tip of the Month

What does it mean to have a new outlook on life? I suppose when you really think about it, it has a lot to do with making resolutions. I like to think of it as making a fresh start.

Not necessarily making a promise to do something in a certain amount of time. More like deciding to live your life differently. And that decision doesn't have to be a big giant change all at once. Changes, no matter how small, can make a big difference in your life.

These small changes can lead to even bigger changes down the road. The main thing is, is that you start. That way you have something to build upon – something to grow.

What Do You Want?

What do you want in your life? Is it something you can possibly work towards or attain within a year? Do you need the help of someone else or can you get there on your own?

Start with a list of possible changes you'd like to make. Then decide what it will take to get you there. Suppose you want to lose a few pounds. I know, I know. This is what everyone wants to do at the beginning of the new year. I think if you try it as a life change and not a resolution, you are more likely to stick to it.

What will it take for you to lose a few pounds? Eating more healthy foods, right? Now what baby step can you take to get you there? Eat more fruit. So the next time you shop or send someone to the store, get a bag of apples.

Now you have the apples on the kitchen counter. The next time you want a snack, grab an apple. Wash it off, and either slice it up or eat it whole. Add it to a smoothie or cut it up in your salad.

Expectations

What can you expect when you make changes like this? Not much, you say. Well that may be true if you're only talking about one month or even two. Over the course of a year, however, that simple change could mean the difference between an additional 5 or 10 pounds. Because you substituted an apple for a cookie or a slice of cake, the healthier choice meant less weight gain.

So, small changes mean big differences. Even if those differences take place over a longer period of time. They still mean something. And that something is important in your life in the long run.

(Clicking image below will open a new window).
Book of the Month

This months book Fighting Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: Practical Ways to Create New Habits and Increase Your Energy by Nancy Lowenstein is a book that may actually help you make the changes you want to make over the course of the year. At least it will help you deal with one of the main symptoms that may keep you from getting what you want.

It has 9 chapters, including the following:

The information in this valuable resource can help individuals with MS learn techniques to assist them in having more energy to do the activities they enjoy. Lowenstein's expertise on fatigue management, rehabilitation, and environmental modifications make this the go-to book for dealing with fatigue and MS.

Of the 400,000 people in the US with multiple sclerosis, 86% cite fatigue as the number one symptom of their disease. If you are one of these people, Fighting Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: Practical Ways to Create New Habits and Increase Your Energy is the book for you.

You don't have to simply put up with fatigue, or resort to substances such as caffeine, sugar and medications to combat it, instead this book will show you how to use "Energy Conservation Techniques" to deal with this debilitating symptom. Studies show that these techniques have a positive impact on a person's ability to deal with fatigue as a result of MS.

If you'd like your own copy of Fighting Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis, click the link (will open a new window).

Cartoon of the Month

Have you ever felt invisible? This is especially true when you are in a wheelchair. We've had this happen several times when we are out. Sometimes I don't say a word, just look at my husband and let him respond.

How do you respond?

You can still check here for past Cartoon of the Month cartoons.

This months cartoon is also drawn by my 17 yr old daughter, Nasya. She is an up and coming young cartoon artist. Enjoy her artwork - (she may be famous soon).
Here is the cartoon. We hope you enjoy it.