Tips to avoid stiffness while on an airplane...

Many people feel cramped on an airplane. A plane does not necessarily allow each person to have the amount of personal space that he or she may desire. What simple steps can you take to keep yourself lose while on a flight?

1. A simple one is to take a walk up and down the aisle a few times.
2. Drinking water - keeping hydrated is important for muscle health.
3. Taping your toes...stretches your shin.
4. Doing a simple twist in the seat will lubricate your spine.
Perform the twist on each side.
A few simple steps to the twist:

1. Sit tall with your feet on the ground and square your shoulders to the wall in front of you

2. Place your right hand on the back of the chair and your left hand on the right thigh or armrest.

3. Inhale to lengthen your spine. Exhale and turn your belly to the right. Inhale to lengthen your spine, exhale to twist your belly more and turn your heart to the right as well. Inhale a third time to lengthen your spine. Exhale and deepen the twist from your navel and heart then finally turn your gaze toward your right shoulder.

4. Repeat on the other side.

A HINT...slow and deep breaths help the twist be felt deeper in your body...increases intensity.

Travel Safely and Comfortably as you visit your family and friends this holiday season!

Apples are on Sale...

What to do with the abundance? You can make homemade applesauce? How you ask? Adding a bit of butter to a put, cutting apples into small pieces and adding cinnamon. (Keeping the skin on is a personal preference). Cook at low heat until the apples cook down into a mushy consistence. Stir periodically.

The apples give a delightful scent to the house and require very little babysitting while cooking. You can accomplish other activities in the house while letting them slowly cook.

I had some extra applesauce sitting around and decided to add it into a BANANA BREAD recipe. I substituted applesauce for the bananas and added a 1/2 cup of raisins to soak up the extra moisture. The bread turned out great!

The applesauce loaf of bread is a good way to add fiber into your diet. It is a satisfying snack...add a bit of peanut butter for a more substantial snack or some jelly for a sweet treat.

Jerusalem Artichokes...a NEW FIND at the Farmer's Market

For a while I have been looking at these roots on display at one of the farmers my husband and I frequent. A month or two ago I finally asked what they were. He told us they were Jerusalem Artichokes and could be cooked like potatoes. Sounded interesting. I decided to wait for cooler weather and give it a try.

Within the last month potatoes AND jerusalem artichokes have been available at the farmer's market. I asked the farmer how to prepare them (as well as how to pick out one). He told me to pick out the ones that have less nodules as they are the easiest to clean and work with. I decided to follow the farmer's instructions and boil the potatoes and jerusalem artichokes together. I mashed them and added a small amount of butter (salt free), salt, and pepper. They were wonderful! The jerusalem artichokes added a slight different flavor and texture to the mashed potatoes. It was delightful! Like potatoes, the skin is edible...it's a personal preference whether you eat the skin or not!

Now that I know I like them, I want to find more uses for them. I am curious what health benefits may come from eating them. I have started to research.

Jerusalem artichokes have been used as a potato substitute for people with diabetes. This is good to know as diabetes runs in both my family and my husband's.

They are high in iron and a good side dish for any protein.

I looked them up on Food Network's website and am looking forward to trying a few recipes! Cauliflower is on sale this week...I think I'll try the Spice-Roasted Cauliflower with Jerusalem Artichoke recipe first!

Time Change...Routine Chnage

“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”

— Shel Silverstein

The time change brings possibilities, not just darkness earlier. Take advantage of the change and change your routine.

Have you been working our regularly?
Have you been eating home cooked meals?
Have you been getting enough sleep?

November brings Family, friends and Turkey dinners. November brings shopping and holiday parties at work. This is a great time to assess your lifestyle and your habits and usher in a change that needs to be made.