I am not a fancy kitchen gadget person.  I like to cook the old-fashioned way.  I chop all my vegetables with a knife, mix a lot by hand, I even have a manual can opener.  The fanciest thing I have in my kitchen at home is a food processor, which I finally broke down and purchased after I burned out my blender while making huge amounts of pesto with an overabundance of basil from my garden last summer.

But, I have to admit, I am having a blast in my sister’s kitchen while I am visiting her.  She is the kitchen-gadget queen.  I just made an apple pie with one of her tools, an apple peeler, also known as the  Back To Basics Apple and Potato Peeler.  It was the most fun I’ve ever had (Okay, maybe that is a slight exaggeration).  I think I could even make a few art-projects with it.  It not only peels and cores the apple, it also turns it into an accordian (without the music, of course).

It made a project that would normally take nearly an hour, what with all the peeling and slicing of the apples, take about 15 minutes.  I’d probably make pie every day if I had one of these things at home.

So if you like apple pie, but don’t make it as often as you would like to because peeling the apples takes so long, get one of these things.  It makes the process so simple, you can make pies for everyone you know and still have time left over in your day.

If nothing else, it can entertain the children…

I just read an article in the newspaper that suggested making banana bread to help reduce stress.  The author’s reasons included the meditative, calming process of cooking, as well as the fact that bananas contain potassium, which helps to reduce stress.

This may work for some folks, if they like to cook.  I can say that some people I know would be taking the batter half way through the recipe and chucking it in the waste basket, because they hate cooking and they find the process stressful in itself.

A better idea might be to eat a banana a day for potassium.  It is said that potassium can help lower blood pressure, prevent and treat heart disease, and regulate the heartrate.  Potassium also works as an anti-stressor by enhancing adrenal function, so increasing potassium intake in anticipation of unusual physical or emotional stress is often recommended.

Some other sources of potassium include potatoes, winter squash, tomatoes, avocadoes, celery, carrots, sunflower seeds, oranges, and yogurt. 

Looking for that perfect gift for a special woman in your life? Why not consider giving her a gift certificate for a massage?  Even if you waited until last-minute to get her something special, you can still purchase gift certificates online for massage.

Metamorphic Massage For Women in Raleigh now offers instant gift certificates online.  Simply go to http://www.metamorphicmassageforwomen.com/services/gift-certificates/ You can purchase a gift certificate and print it up instantly if you need it right away, or you can have a glossy postcard-type gift certificate mailed to either you or the recipient, if you have more time.

Whether you are a procrastinator and need last-minute gift certificates, or a planner and would like a glossy gift certificate to be sent via the mail, you can find the right gift for the special woman in your life.  Show her how much you care for her health and well-being, and give her a gift she will truly appreciate…massage!  You can purchase a gift certificate for a 30-, 60-, or 90- minute session, or a package of six 60- or 90-minute ssessions if you want to give her something that she can savor for a longer time.  We also offer couples massage (60-minute sessions), and gift certificates are available for these, as well.

I am not a huge restaurant person.  Being a vegetarian, and a darn good cook, I find very few restaurants  that meet my standards.  There is one such place near my office, Zest Cafe and Home Art, located in the shopping plaza at Six Forks and Strickland in Raleigh.  From the moment you arrive, it is a delightful experience.  The Cafe is marked by a fence in the shape of forks, knives, and spoons.  Their menu changes with the seasons, and there is always something delightful to choose from, whether you are a vegetarian or a meat-eater. 

Their salads are delicious, and their Mediterranian “pizzesta” is an experience every mouth should have at least once in their life.  I can almost guarantee that you will want to go back.

And if you’re looking for something to add a little zest to your home for a special party, check out their little store…there are some truly unique items.

Eggplant Parmesian is one of my favorite dishes.  Unfortunately, if you go to a restaraunt, the dish is usually laden with grease, due to the way they cook it.  The eggplant acts like a sponge, and absorbs the oil which it is fried in during the first step.  I always left the restaurant with a stomach ache, and stopped ordering this dish when I went out to eat.  

I have discovered a better, healthier way to make this dish.

EGGPLANT PARMESIAN (approximately 6 servings)

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggplants
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup flour (I use soy, you can use what you prefer)
• 1 cup bread crumbs (or cracker crumbs…I like to use sourdough Wasa Crispbread)
• 1-1/2 quarts Marinara Sauce
• 2 cups mozzarella, shredded
• 1 cup grated parmesian cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

The process:

Part I:

1. Slice eggplant into 1/2 inch rounds. (Optional:  Some people think eggplant is bitter. If this is you, sprinkle each slice with salt, let stand 10 minutes, and wipe off juice that results.)
2. Place flour, beaten egg, and bread crumbs in 3 separate shallow bowls.
3. Coat eggplant slices in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs.
4. Place them on a cookie sheet.
5. Bake in oven for 35-40 minutes, or until soft when you insert a fork.

Part II:

1. In 13×9 pan, cover bottom of pan with sauce.
2. spread egglant to cover entire pan.
3. Cover with sauce.
4. Add layer of mozzarella.
5. Sprinkle parmesian over mozzarella.
6. Repeat , ending with cheese on top.

Cover pan with foil, cook for 35-40 minutes.  Remove foil, cook for additional 10 minutes so cheese browns slightly.

Remove from oven, let cool slightly before eating.

Although it is important to establish a routine in our daily lives, it is equally important to have outlets and change up the scenery once in a while.  Whether you are in the same office every day, or take the same route to work, things can become tedious and seemingly mundane.  Making a few changes here and there is good and keeps you from losing sight of the good things in life.  Here are a few you change the scenery in your daily life and improve your mood in the process.

Take a walk

Chances are, like many Americans you drive your car everywhere.  Our world is such a fast-paced place, we always feel the pressure of time upon us and feel the need to rush through everything.  However, it’s very good for us to slow down the pace and gain some perspective from time to time.  Infusing walking into your day is a great way to do this.  Get out during a lunch break and breather in the air.  Enjoy the weather, watch people as they go about their business.  Doing this can greatly help your outlook and reduce stress at the same time.

Go to a park

We spend so much time indoors that we all too often forget about enjoying parks, trails, and other areas available for public use.  Watching children play and seeing families together is quite inspiring and relaxing to watch and helps us to reconsider the things we place importance upon.

Take a long drive

Sometimes, just the feeling of taking a trip is the same as actually going out of town.  If you like driving, go explore some roads you’ve never been down.  Turn the music up, roll the windows down and spend some quality time just driving around.  Although this may not be very cost-effective considering gas prices, the feeling of driving down the open road is something many find relaxing and something many people rarely get the opportunity to do anymore.

Visit friends or family

Make a spontaneous visit and go see someone you really care about.  Often we get too busy to stay in touch with the people who really matter to us, so take some time to physically go visit someone.  Make plans or just drop in, depending upon the schedule of the person.  Visiting with people you have a special bond with can really help put things in perspective.

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of <massage therapy jobs. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24@gmail.com

One of the greatest ways to calm yourself down during a stressful moment is to take a few deep breaths.   Often, when we are in the midst of a stressful experience, we either hold our breath, or take short, shallow breaths, as our sypatheric nervous system kicks in (also known as the fight or flight response).  This type of breathing does not allow for proper flow of oxygen throughout our body. 

So what is a true, deep breath?  Many people are unaware that the main muscle involved in breathing is the diaphragm, which sits just below the rib cage.  When we breathe properly, this muscle contracts, pushing down towards our belly, allowing our lungs to fully expand.  When we exhale, the diaphragm relaxes, pushing up against the lungs, helping to expel air.   

Have you ever watched an infant sleeping?  Do you recall how the baby’s belly expands?  The child is using her diaphragm muscle properly.  Unfortunately, as we age, especially in today’s society, the stresses of the world affect our breathing, and we tend to breather using the uppper portion of our lungs.  Hence, taking in a breath and your chest rises instead of the belly expanding.

Try this:  Lay down flat.  Place one hand on your chest, and the other on your belly.  Inhale slowly, and see where the breath lands…is it your belly, or your chest?  If you feel your chest rising more than your belly, focus on expanding your belly as you inhale.   It may take some practice before you master this proper breathing technique.

When you notice  your body tensing, take a few minutes to breathe deeply.  It can make a world of difference. 

I am a self-proclaimed Aqua-holic.  I love water, pure and simple.  I drink a lot of it.  In fact, besides my morning cup of coffee, and the (very) occasional margarita or glass of wine, water is all I ever drink.

Your body is made up of 80% water.  In order for your body to function properly, your cells must be properly hydrated.  The cells are the building blocks of all your muscles and organs.  If they are dehydrated, your body is not going to function as the efficient machine it is designed to be.  According to a lot of what I have read, one of the causes of many dis-eases is dehydration. 

According to F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. in his book Water: For Health, for Healing, for Life: You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty! , “every twenty-four hours the body recycles the equivalent of forty thousand glasses of water to maintain its normal physiological functions….Within this pattern of water metabolism and its recycling process…the body becomes short of about six to ten glasses of water each day.” (p.225)

Most reliable sources I have read, including “Dr. Bat”, suggest drinking at least half of your body’s weight in ounces of water per day.  So, for example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink at least 75 ounces of water daily.  Using this formula, that commonly known recommendation of drinking eight 8oz glasses a day really only works for those who weigh around 128 pounds.

If you are active, drink caffeine, or alcohol, you should drink even more than half your body weight in ounces of water.

For some of us, that is a lot of water.  Some are hesitant to drink that much, because they don’t want to spend the day in the bathroom.  Try to gradually build up to the amount your body really needs. Add one more glass per week, until you reach your recommended amount, so your body gets used to drinking more.

Some folks I know complain of constipation.  I ask them how much water they drink, and usually I hear “very little” or “none.  I don’t like the taste.”  Water is an excellent laxative.  Try drinking a glass of water with fresh lemon squeezed into it upon rising in the morning.  This helps to get your digestive process moving.  You can also pour a tiny bit of pure fruit juice (not sugar-laden) into your glass to give it a little bit of flavor, if that will help you drink more.

So go have a nice, tall glass of water right now.  Your body will thank you for it.

A few miles north of my office on Six Forks Road in Raleigh,  a delighful new shop recently opened up, named When Pigz Fly.  They offer work created by local artists, on consignment.  Jewely, scuplture, pottery, watercolors, and more can be found in this eclectic little shop.  I am considering selling my hand-woven rayon chenille scarves there. 

You can’t miss the place…when heading North on Six Forks, it is a few miles past 540 on the left hand side.  The building is brightly painted, and there is a lovely little area at the back that looks like you would want to hang out there with a cup of tea and a good book.

If you are looking for a nice, unique gift, or want to treat yourself to something original, stop in.  You’ll be glad you did.