Apple Pie Martini Cocktail Recipe

When I think of the Fall season I think of the leaves changing colors, the crisp cooler air, fresh apples & pumpkins from the local orchard and of course...Halloween. Fall is a great season to get together with friends & family and just enjoy each other's company.

Today I am sharing with all of you a delicious cocktail recipe from the great folks over at Nielsen-Massey. Looking for other recipes for the Fall and upcoming holiday season? If so, head on over to their website and check out their extensive recipe collection. The following recipe makes 1 martini.

Apple Pie Martini Cocktail Recipe

Apple Pie Vanilla Syrup

1 cup apple juice
1 1/2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract
15 whole cloves
3 whole cinnamon sticks
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar

In a small saucepan, add juice, vanilla extract, cloves and cinnamon sticks; stir to combine. Cook over medium heat until juice is reduced by half. Carefully add sugars, cook and stir until sugars are melted; remove from heat. Completely cool and strain before use. Refrigerate unused syrup in an airtight container. Apple Pie Syrup is also a great addition to a hot mug of apple cider.

Yield ½ cup syrup

Martini

4 fl. oz. half-and-half
1 fl. oz. Coffee Liqueur
1 fl. oz. Apple Pie Vanilla Syrup
1/2 fl. oz. apple pie liqueur
1 cinnamon stick
freshly grated nutmeg (garnish)

Add ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and freshly grated nutmeg.

SPY - Starring Jason Statham on DVD September 29th

I love just about every movie that I've seen actor Jason Statham in. Seriously...he is one HOT looking and VERY talented actor. He can pull off all kinds of different roles but my favorite are when he is playing an action-packed role. He has a new DVD release coming out and I am really looking forward to seeing it because I want to see how he does in a comedic role. Here is some information about that upcoming release.

Queen of Comedy Melissa McCarthy “in her funniest movie yet” (Leonard Maltin, LeonardMaltin.com) embarks on the mission of a lifetime as secret agent Susan Cooper in SPY. The September 29th Blu-ray release will include two versions of the film - Theatrical and never-before-seen Unrated Cut. The DVD will feature the Theatrical version. Both the Theatrical version and Unrated Cut of Spy will also be available on Digital HD September 4th. The global ensemble cast features Jason Statham, Jude Law and Rose Byrne who deliver hysterical performances in this summer blockbuster hit that totaled over $100 million in the domestic box office.[1] The movie was adored by critics who gave it an astounding 95% fresh rating on RottenTomatoes.com.

McCarthy is armed and hilarious in this “outrageously entertaining” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) comedy hit from director Paul Feig (The Heat, Bridesmaids). Deskbound CIA analyst Susan Cooper (McCarthy) is about to become the world’s newest — and unlikeliest — secret weapon. When her partner (Law) falls off the grid and another top agent (Statham) is compromised, Susan volunteers to go deep undercover and bring down a deadly arms dealer. Loaded with wise-cracking action and adventure, SPY is a mission impossible to resist!

Unlike Susan’s absurd yet effective secret agent gadgets, the SPY Unrated Blu-ray™ can barely conceal its massive amounts of bonus features, including two gag reels, fifteen alternate scenes and an all-new Unrated Cut with an extra 10 minutes! With more than two hours of never-before-seen footage, fans of the film will be able to join the fun on set as the cast cracks up while doing Feig’s bidding, learn just how handsy the world of espionage can get for McCarthy, and see just how all those bats made it into the CIA Headquarters and onto Susan’s desserts! And don’t forget to check out the 15 classified alternate scenes and three redacted scenes, featuring Jason Statham as you’ve never seen him and outrageous performances by the rest of the cast, including Miranda Hart, Allison Janney, Bobby Cannavale, Peter Serafinowicz, and 50 Cent. Fans can also join the filmmakers, including Feig and producer Jessie Henderson, as they talk about how the summer’s funniest film came to life while you watch it.

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is the industry leading worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox produced, acquired and third party partner film and television programming. Each year TCFHE expands its award-winning global product portfolio with the introduction of new entertainment content through established and emerging formats including DVD, Blu-ray™, Digital HD and VOD.Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is a subsidiary of 20th Century Fox, a 21st Century Fox Company.

Neptune Shrimp Personal Pizza Recipe

Kontos Foods, provider of flatbreads, crepes and other ethnic foods, suggests using ready-made 7-Inch Pizza Parlor Crust to make this seafood-inspired meal. This recipe adds a delicious Mediterranean twist to the always satisfying traditional pizza pie.

Neptune Shrimp Personal Pizza Recipe

One 7-Inch ready-made pizza crust (optional - grill for 1 min. before topping grilled side up.)
6 medium shrimp raw (peeled and de-veined)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
1 oz. sliced scallions
8 cherry tomatoes (quartered)
4 oz. shredded whole milk mozzarella (artisan) cheese
1 oz. shredded Parmesan cheese
½ oz. chopped dill or chives

Conventional oven - preheat oven to 400⁰ F; Convection oven - preheat oven to 375⁰ F. Sauté raw shrimp, garlic, and scallions in the olive oil for about 1 minute, or until the shrimp turn pink. Using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp, scallion/garlic mixture and set the seasoned olive oil to the side. Spread the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese onto the pizza crust. Spread the shrimp and scallion/garlic mixture on top of pizza evenly.

(Optional) Evenly drizzle seasoned olive oil over the top.

Place topped pizza into the oven on a pan (Tip: Place directly on rack for a crispy crust). Note: Toaster ovens are ideal for Kontos Foods Pizza Parlor Crusts! Conventional oven - Bake for 6-8 minutes; Convection oven - Bake for 5-6 minutes. Remove from oven with a baking sheet or pizza spatula. Top with quartered cherry tomatoes and chives or dill. Let cool for 1-2 minutes. Slice into 4-6 slices.

Note: Oven baking times can vary. Flatbread pizza is ready when the cheese is melted completely and edges are medium brown, to liking.

“This new spin on a classic pizza will make dad feel extra special while indulging on one of his favorite foods,” said Steve Kontos, vice president and owner of Kontos Foods. “And, as an added bonus, this personal pizza is ready to eat in less than 10 minutes, giving families more time to spend enjoying it together.”

Kontos 7-inch Pizza Parlor Crusts comes five to a pack. Kontos sells its products to retailers and foodservice establishments across North America and around the world. Find Kontos Foods on Twitter @KontosFoods, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Kontosfoods and on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/kontosfoods/.

French Roast Chocolate Pudding Cakes Recipe

Nothing says back-to-school like a good cup of coffee… Currently the largest family-owned and operated coffee company in the U.S., Community Coffee Company offers high-quality blends featuring 100% select Arabica coffee beans in a variety of yummy flavors. Available in premium ground & whole bean, as well as single-serve k-cups, this coffee is not just great for sipping – it’s an amazing ingredient to cook with! Check out this recipe for French Roast Chocolate Pudding Cakes. This guest post recipe makes 24 servings.

French Roast Chocolate Pudding Cakes Recipe

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cups cocoa, unsweetened, Dutch process
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp Kosher salt
1 cup sugar
1 ¼ cups dark brown sugar, tightly packed and separated
1 ¼ cups Community coffee French Roast or Dark Roast, brewed
1 ½ cups whole milk
3 large eggs
1 ½ sticks butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 ½ tbsp vanilla extract
Optional: vanilla ice cream as side garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place paper muffin cups in two 12-cup muffin pans. In a medium bowl, combine flour, 1 cup of cocoa, baking powder and salt. Whisk to remove lumps. In a separate bowl, combine sugar, 1 cup of brown sugar, brewed coffee (cooled), milk, eggs, butter and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth (some lumps will remain). Combine the wet and dry mixtures, mixing well.

Transfer batter to the cupcake pans, filling them ¾ full. In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup of cocoa and ¼ cup of brown sugar together. Sprinkle a tablespoon over each cake and place pans in the oven to bake them for 20 minutes. The cake’s edges should be crisp, but the middle should be very soft - similar to pudding. Cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream as a side garnish.

Sparkling Cherry Beverage Recipe

Hosting a get to-gether or end of summer party? If so, you can kick it off with some refreshing Sparkling Cherry beverages like the ones shown below. They look delicious and are courtesy of Sparkling ICE.

Sparkling Cherry Recipe

4 oz. Cherry Limeade SPARKLING ICE
1 cup brandy
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
½ cup Simple syrup
¼ cup cherry brandy
¼ cup orange liqueur
10 mint leaves (plus a few more for garnish)
6 cherries (stems and pits removed)
2 oranges, halved and sliced
Ice

In a large pitcher, combine Cherry Limeade, brandy, orange juice, Simple syrup, and orange liqueur. Stir in cherries and orange slices. Garnish with mint leaves, cover and chill for 24 hours. Serve over ice.

Five Tips to Help You Age Gracefully

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Celebrity Trainer And Nutrition Expert Explains The Secrets Of Hollywood’s Hottest Stars

Stars like Dame Helen Mirren and Demi Moore seem to defy aging. Is it possible for the average American to maintain a smooth face and lustrous tresses even as time marches on? Model, celebrity trainer and nutrition expert Joey Thurman says it is, provided you follow an age-defying diet and fitness plan.

“The food you put inside your body is going to reflect on your outside appearance, and I don’t just mean as far as your waistline,” says Thurman. “There are some foods which can actually age you faster than others, leaving you looking tired, bloated, and years older than you actually are. Thankfully, there are also plenty of foods which can help improve cell repair and keep you looking as young as you feel.”

Here are Thurman’s top five tips to help you age gracefully:

1) Eat healthy fats. “People tend to think that fat is the enemy,” says Thurman. “Yet that just isn’t true. There are bad fats such as lard and butter which are dangerous for your waistline and your heart health, but there are also healthy fats such as those found in olive oil and avocado. Not only do they taste great, but they have properties which can help to keep you looking young and feeling great.”

2) Hydration is key. “Your body needs water in order to perform even the most basic functions. It also needs water to help it stay looking young,” says the trainer, “Work more water into your diet by making infused waters at home with watermelon and other summer fruits.”

3) Eat guava. “Guava is a very trendy fruit right now in Hollywood,” says Thurman. “It is very high in Vitamin C which is an important component of any anti-aging diet. Not to mention, it just tastes great!”

4) Reach for sweet potatoes. “Sweet potatoes have been called the perfect food because they are low in calories but still high in fiber. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, and they can assist in cell repair. Bake or steam them, and then add some cinnamon. Or you can mash them and add a little garlic. No butter or sugar needed!”

5) Omega Fatty Acids. “Omega Fatty Acids are a key part of any anti-aging diet, not to mention any healthy lifestyle. You can get them from things like chia seeds or flax seeds, or foods like whole grains. You can also take supplements to help boost your intake.”

About Joey Thurman: Joey Thurman is a health, fitness, nutrition expert and the creator of The Lifestyle Renovation, a website dedicated to helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. Joey was named the best trainer in Chicago by the Chicago Sun Times in 2015. He has appeared on CBS, WGN, FOX, ABC and WCIU sharing his insights as a celebrity fitness trainer, published author and nutrition expert. Joey’s work has been featured in publications such as U.S. News and World Report, People Magazine, Livestrong.com, BodyBuilding.com, Inspiyr, TimeOut Chicago, RedEye, American Global Traveler, CaliDiet, Chicago Sun Times, and Brazen Women. Joey is a fashion model represented by Chosen Model Management where he works with brands including Neiman Marcus, Abercrombie, Jockey, Kohl's, and Carson Pirie Scott. He has also appeared on the covers of Healthy for Men and TimeOut Chicago. Joey is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), a Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS), a Certified Corporate Nutrition Professional (CCNP) and a FITchef. For more information, please visit www.thelifestylerenovation.com and follow Joey on Instagram and Twitter at @JoeyThurmanFit.

Tips for Treatment of Persistent Headaches

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Are You Misguided In Your Headache Treatment? You May Be Missing The Root Of The Problem, Doctor Says

It’s human nature to want to take the shortest route to ending debilitating pain, and that’s part of why the pharmaceutical industry makes its hundreds of billions of dollars each year, says Dr. Fred Abeles.

“Just like we’re all tempted to reach for that sweet, salty or fatty snack when we’re hungry, many of us want to treat our chronic headaches with a quick fix by popping a pill,” says Dr. Abeles, author of the book “Break Away: The New Method for Treating Chronic Headaches, Migraines and TMJ Without Medication” (www.FredAbeles.com).

“While it’s understandable, pills are often another example of the easy path being a temporary one. Just like a candy bar ensures hunger will come raging back sooner than later, so too does pain medication tend to guarantee a future date with pain.”

Many headache sufferers may be under the mistaken impression that their headache is the result of nerves, but that’s wrong in most cases, he says. Most pain originates in muscle and connective tissues, he says.

Dr. Abeles reviews ways to best navigate the problem of painful and persistent headaches.

• Priority No. 1: avoid misdiagnosis. Doctors are experts who spend many years in college, training and helping others. Patients figure that surely they know best. But that’s not 100 percent true. A real estate agent can’t make you happy without your input. A financial advisor cannot meet your goals unless you communicate your goals and money situation effectively. The same is true for doctors, who are busy in today’s healthcare system and may be misled by patients, who tend to be flustered and potentially vague about their symptoms. In other words, patients need to be their own top advocate for their own health, and that means doing one’s due diligence in paying close attention to symptoms, communicating effectively to healthcare providers and considering multiple causes. A simple pain-relieving prescription is often not a lasting solution.

• Don’t just treat your symptoms; get to the root cause. As mentioned, pain-relief drugs are like candy bars for hunger – they only kick the problem down the road temporarily. The real culprit for chronic headaches usually includes inflammation, muscles of the head and neck, forward head posture, cervical alignment and its effect on the cranial nerves and vertebral artery.

And, for millions of sufferers, the cause of headaches is a misaligned bite. This includes the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. This is located at the front of the ear where the temporal bone meets the lower jaw on the side of the head.

• Your answer may be found in a painless, non-pharmaceutical treatment. Headaches have a variety of causes, from lifestyle choices to chemical activity to a combination of reasons. Millions overlook the symptoms of TMJ, which include a clicking or popping jaw, a bite that feels off, snoring, pain in the jaw/jowl areas and a forward head posture. If you have any of these symptoms, there is a silver lining to your problem, because there are multiple options that are free of pain and do not require altering your body chemistry with pharmaceutical drugs. A few bite adjustments, for example, can dramatically improve the alignment of your lower jaw, resulting in happy, calm muscles that don’t create pain. Physical therapy may include one or more of the following: ultra-sound, cold laser, NuCalm, trigger point muscle relaxation, Cefaly and more.

About Dr. Fred Abeles - Dr. Fred Abeles is known as one of the most sought after TMJ experts in the United States (www.FredAbeles.com). He’s famous for getting results where all other have failed and getting those results without the use of surgery, needles or drugs. He is author of the new book “Break Away: The New Method for Treating Chronic Headaches, Migraines and TMJ Without Medication.” Dr. Abeles is the Clinical Instructor and Regional Director for the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies – one of the most prestigious post-graduate teaching centers in the world today. Dr. Abeles has been featured on NBC and CBS, consults with leading dental manufacturers on the development of new dental products, been on the cover of the profession’s biggest magazines and instructed dentists throughout the United States and Canada on state-of-the-art techniques for treating headaches and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Five Ways to Eat Clean on a Budget

Growing Zucchini in the Garden

You might think that only the Gwyneth Paltrows and Beyonces of the world can afford to eat clean. Not so, says celebrity trainer, model, and nutrition expert, Joey Thurman.

“People of all financial backgrounds can eat clean,” Thurman insists, “Yes, healthy eating comes much easier if you are wealthy, but it is not something that only rich people can enjoy. In fact, preparing healthy, whole meals at home can actually save you money in the long run.”

Here are Thurman’s top tips for how to eat clean on a budget:

1. Shop at a farmer’s market or join a CSA (community supported agriculture). “A CSA will deliver fresh fruits and veggies to your door, all grown by local farmers. Not only will you be eating clean, but you will be supporting farmers in your own community,” says Thurman, “If you think you can’t manage to eat all that delicious produce on your own, you can share the costs of CSA membership with your friends and split up the bounty.”

2. Grow what you can. “Stop spending five dollars on basil every time you go to the grocery,” says Thurman, “It is easy to grow your own herbs, even if you live in an apartment in the city. The cost of seeds is negligible, and with just a little sunshine and water, you can have fresh herbs to spruce up your meals whenever you desire.”

3. Go used. “Craigslist is awesome when it comes to finding gently used kitchen tools,” says Thurman. “Get a secondhand juicer or a blender to make fruit smoothies for breakfast. You can also get handy items like knife sets, cutting boards and more.”

4. Do what you can. “Not everything that passes through your lips has to be organic,” says Thurman. “If you can’t afford organic everything, then get to know the ‘Dirty Dozen’ and simply buy organic when it comes to those items. Remember, perfection isn’t the goal. It’s all about doing your best and being mindful of what you eat.”

5. Stock up on frozen veggies. “Frozen vegetables are great,” says Thurman, “Many people wrongly think that these items don’t have as many nutrients as fresh veggies, but this just isn’t true. Vegetables are frozen at the peak of their freshness, and most of their nutrients stay intact. So don’t be afraid to buy frozen produce whenever it is on sale. Then you can easily defrost and add to your dinner with little muss and fuss…all for less than a run to a McDonald’s drive-thru!”

About Joey Thurman: Joey Thurman is a health, fitness, nutrition expert and the creator of The Lifestyle Renovation, a website dedicated to helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. Joey was named the best trainer in Chicago by the Chicago Sun Times in 2015. He has appeared on CBS, WGN, FOX, ABC and WCIU sharing his insights as a celebrity fitness trainer, published author and nutrition expert. Joey’s work has been featured in publications such as U.S. News and World Report, People Magazine, Livestrong.com, BodyBuilding.com, Inspiyr, TimeOut Chicago, RedEye, American Global Traveler, CaliDiet, Chicago Sun Times, and Brazen Women. Joey is a fashion model represented by Chosen Model Management where he works with brands including Neiman Marcus, Abercrombie, Jockey, Kohl's, and Carson Pirie Scott. He has also appeared on the covers of Healthy for Men and TimeOut Chicago. Joey is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), a Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS), a Certified Corporate Nutrition Professional (CCNP) and a FITchef. For more information, please visit www.thelifestylerenovation.com and follow Joey on Instagram and Twitter at @JoeyThurmanFit.