Blessing Breakfast: Strawberry-Orange Smoothie with Vitamin

"Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen."xx xxxx

Frozen organic strawberries, creamy yogurt, touch of honey and orange juice whip up into tasty smoothie, a good source of Vitamin D.

Good Source of Vitamin D
One of the 13 essential vitamins needed for the body to function. You can find Vitamin D in Fish (fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and orange roughy), Fish liver oils (cod's liver oil), Fortified cereals, Fortified milk and dairy products (cheese, yogurt, butter and cream).

Strawberry-Orange Smoothie
Serves 2

2 cups Yoplait® Fat Free plain or Yoplait® 99% Fat Free creamy vanilla yogurt
1 bag (10 oz) Cascadian Farm® frozen organic strawberries
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon honey

History of Cotton Candy

 1897 – William Morrison and John C Wharton invented cotton candy

Cotton candy as we know it was first created in 1897 when a dentist named William Morrison joined forces with a confectioner by the name of John C. Wharton.  

Together, the duo created a machine that spun heated sugar through a screen, creating the floss-like texture that we all know and love.

Morrison and Wharton sold boxes of cotton candy for a quarter each to fair-goers. The treat was so popular that, by the end of the fair, over 68,000 boxes of cotton candy were sold.

Go Texan: Rio Star Grapefruit Margarita

Feast on Beverage recipes from Top Texas Chefs who are part of the GO TEXAN program that represents Texas agri-business on a state, national and international level.

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is proud to play a role in the continuing success of Texas growers, merchants and restauranteurs.

Whether it's grown, sewn or served up on a plate, more than 26 million Texans shop, travel and dine out in support of Texas agriculture.

Catholic Holidays and Festivals: 5. Holy Week

5. Holy Week: A Sacred Journey to Easter (check calendar for date)

Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian calendar, encompasses significant events such as Palm Sunday, recalling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

The observances of Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper, and Good Friday, reflecting on the crucifixion, invite Catholics to delve into the depths of their faith.

These days culminate in the Easter Vigil, a solemn and joyous occasion celebrating the Resurrection.

Catholicism: Glory Be To The Father

Every day is a holiday
when I live God’s good life
He meant for me.

Roman Catholicism traces its origins to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostle Peter, who is considered the first Pope by Catholic tradition.

Key historical milestones include the establishment of the Papal States in 590 C.E. under Pope Gregory I and the significant reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.

The Glory Be Prayer

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:

As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
— Source: USCCB

Catholic Holidays and Festivals: 4.. Lent

4. Lent: A Season of Spiritual Discipline (check calendar for date)

Lent, spanning 40 days leading up to Easter, is a time of spiritual discipline, self-reflection, and repentance.

Beginning with the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday, Catholics engage in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as a means of preparing their hearts for the celebration of the Resurrection.

Catholicism: The Mantilla

 

Every day is a holiday
when I live God’s good life
He meant for me.

I don’t remember exactly when I got my mantilla. It feels as if I’ve had it forever.  

It’s a beautiful white lace veil. When I put it on my head, it fell below my shoulders. I wore it when I went to church. I was in church for mass every weekday, Sunday and for the sacrament of confession, and choir practice. I said the Stations of the Cross. I prayed and lit a candle. I was baptized in church and made my 1st Communion among many other times.

My mantilla is beautiful. I saved it to wear when my daddy walked me down the aisle on my wedding day. Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t able to have the church wedding I dreamed about. I still have my mantilla, and it’s in prestine condition.

Blessing Breakfast- 3 Fruit Smoothies

"Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Make fruit smoothies for breakfast to break the same old wearisome bowl of cereal or toaster tart. When you make a healthy smoothie breakfast:

Sunday Dinner Recipes: Dressed Chicken Breasts with Angel Hair Pasta

Let's start with a blessing from Colossians 3:2

“Lord, please set my mind on things above, and not on earthly things. Help me to live a life aligned with Your will and purpose and not mine.”

It's shop for Sunday Dinner recipes. This Sunday dinner recipe is the main event in a modest 3-course meal with Chicken stuffed with plums and brie cheese from Sunsweet, Butter salad with Pistachios, Bread Pudding and suggestions for wines. You can certainly add more courses.

A well planned menu starts with a nicely decorate

Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

Give your senses a gift by making this strawberry-banana smoothie. My honey discovered this wonderful breakfast drink. He made it up himself, and it's a winner!

How to Make Raspberry Spritzers

It's How To Day, today, and we're getting a jump on the holidays with this refreshing and colorful beverage.

Raspberry spritzers are known for their crisp, smooth and refreshing taste. They make festive drinks and can be made easily in both alcoholic or non-alcoholic versions. This is a non-alcoholic spritzer.

It's easy to make. Try it now. If it suits you, save the recipe and serve it up to company over the holidays.

Arnold Palmer Ice Tea Drink

Arnold Palmer Ice Tea drink is a wonderful and healthy and refreshing drink that tastes good anytime of year. Of course, my honey loves it. It taste good, but it's Arnold. Ya know that he's such an avid golfer, but even so... he wouldn't drink this tea unless it was REALLY good.

Look for it on your grocers shelf and try it yourself.

Arnold Palmer Ice Tea Drink

At last year's Christmas dinner, son, Tim, introduced us to Arnold Palmer's Ice Tea which is half tea and half lemonade. We're hooked on it.

This fun and tasty drink has no preservatives, artificial flavors or sweeteners. Perfect for someone watching their weight, or someone with health restrictions.

I serve it over big ice cubes with slices of fresh lemon. For a treat, I chill the tea glasses and that my friend is a fun drink.
Wowee gazowee!

Keep a healthy supply on the pantry shelf. We do. Yum!

Note: Cooking is just so much more fun... and easier... when you have the right items in your pantry.

That's it for today, blog.

Sweetheart Raspberry Punch

A few Christmases ago, my granddaughter Stevie, asked me where the punch was. My bad, I didn't think to make it. Now, I will for next year's Christmas dinner celebration [for sure]. 

I simply adore Stevie and what she wants from her old gma, she gets! That's all there is to that.

I still have a Milkglass punch bowl from the 60s I use. Any big bowl will do. Use cups, everydat glasses or stemware. Have fun.

Perfect Beverage 4 For Cinco de Mayo

May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, a day many Mexican-American cotozen descendants who live in the United States celebrate. Cinco de Mayo is not a celebration of Mexican Independence. That's September 16. May 5th is the day to remember an unlikely victory against overwhelming odds. It's a good day to remind us all to strive for victory whatever the challenge.

Recipe with B5: Pan-Seared Chicken with Orange & Grapefruit Sauce

Sweet, tart and tangy, grapefruits, you can find them year-round. Grapefruits are not only excellent sources for Vitamin B%, they are also good sources of fiber, Vitamins A and C, potassium and folate. The pink and red varieties are also good sources of lycopene.

Good Source of B5
One of the 13 essential vitamins needed for the body to function. You can find B5 (Pantothenic Acid) in Avocado, Broccoli, kale, and other vegetables in the cabbage family, Eggs, Legumes and lentils, Milk, Mushroom, Organ meats, Poultry, White and sweet potatoes, Whole-grain cereals and fruits.

Honey Mosso: Do You Want One or Two Cherries

I breathe out a big sigh as I go over this weekends activities. It's the Fourth of July and for most, this means fun in the sun. But woe is me as I jump with glee, I plan on catching up on my long overdue screenplay.

Let's see, it's been a few light years. I surprise myself with my ability to put things off. All I have to do is take what's been in my head for months and years and tippy tap on the keyboard to get it done. But nooooo, I seem to find ways to defer my pleasure for another day. Gad! I am beginning to see a pattern here.