Maintaining Bone Health By Eating Spinach

Spinach has been popular in cooking for hundreds of years and can be traced back to the 16th Century and most likely originated from India.

Why is Spinach so popular?

1. It's a good source of: iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium.

Eating spinach is essential to maintaining good bone health since it is high in vitamin K. As we age, our bones become brittle, it's just part of the natural aging process. You can slow down this process by incorporating foods that are high in vitamin k, vitamin D and calcium into your daily diet.

2. Spinach is readily available out in the market place and it's easily grown at home.

Spinach can be found: canned, frozen or fresh and in a variety of package sizes.

Now that we know that spinach is good for us, what can you make with spinach?

Here are a few of my favorite spinach recipes.

Party Dip Recipe1 packet Ranch salad dressing mix
1 (10 ounce) bag frozen spinach
1 c. mayonnaise
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c. chopped green onions

Let spinach thaw. Remove cream cheese from refrigerator and let it set at room temperature for 20 minutes to soften. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until well blended. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. You can serve this dip with crackers, raw vegetables, chips or party breads.

Healthy Fresh Salad Recipe1 lb. fresh spinach
1 sm. red onion, sliced into rings
3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Remove stems from spinach, wash leaves and pat dry. Tear or chop into bite-size pieces. Combine fresh spinach with sliced onions, eggs and crumbled bacon. Top with the following dressing.

Dressing:

1 sm. onion, chopped
1 c. olive oil
1/3 c. white vinegar
1/3 c. granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. yellow mustard
1 tsp. celery seeds
1/2 tsp. salt

Combine all of the above ingredients together in a medium sized bowl. Mix until well blended. Use this dressing on top of your spinach salad.

Creamy Soup Recipe1 (10 ounce) bag frozen spinach
1 c. milk (I use 2% milk)
1 can cream of chicken soup
optional: shredded cheddar cheese

Thaw out your frozen spinach by letting it sit in a colander so that the liquid drains. In a large saucepan combine your milk, cream of chicken soup and your drained frozen spinach. Simmer on low for 10 minutes, stirring often and then serve. Do not use high heat or you will scorch the milk. If you like cheese, you can sprinkle a little cheese on top.

Shelly Hill is a mother and grandmother living in Pennsylvania who enjoys cooking and baking. You can visit Shelly's popular online foodie blog called Shakin 'N Bakin in the kitchen at http://wahmshelly.blogspot.com for free menu ideas, cooking tips and free recipes.

Treat Yourself To A Homemade Natural Facial Beauty Mask

When it comes to beauty, I think natural is best. I have tried many of the chemical facial masks out in the marketplace, but find them too harsh for my delicate skin.

To solve that problem, I started making my own freshly made masks with natural ingredients. They are just as good, if not better, than store bought facial masks.

Here are a few tips before you get started.

You will want to wash your face with a gentle face cleanser before applying your mask. If you have really sensitive skin, let mask on for 5 minutes to see how your skin reacts to it. These recipes are meant for one-time-use, please discard anything that is left.

Cucumber Facial Mask

1/2 cucumber
1 egg white
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon mint extract

Remove cucumber skin and cut into slices. Using an egg separator, collect your egg white and discard the yolk. Place cucumber slices, egg white, lemon juice and mint extract in a blender container. Purée the ingredients until well blended and then place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Apply the cucumber mixture to your face. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm, then cool water. Blot face dry with a soft cotton towel.

Tip: This mask is great for tired looking skin.

Lemon Facial Mask

2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

In a small bowl, combine all 3 ingredients with a wire whisk until blended. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Apply the mixture to your face. Leave on your face for 10-15 minutes, then wash it off. Blot face dry with a soft cotton towel.

Tip: This mask is great for tired looking and dry skin.

Banana Facial Mask

1 sliced banana, peel removed

1 cup olive oil
2 egg whites

Combine all 3 ingredients in a blender container and blend until smooth. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Apply mixture to your face. Leave on your face for 10 minutes, then wash it off. Blot face dry with a soft cotton towel.

Tip: This mask is great for dry skin or acne prone skin.

Shelly Hill has been making her own beauty treatments at home since 1993. She believes that natural beauty is best for delicate and sensitive skin. You can visit Shelly's Shakin 'N Bakin in the Kitchen Foodie Blog at http://wahmshelly.blogspot.com for more free health and beauty recipes that are made from food items!

Wordless Wednesday - Baby G

The love of my life...grandbaby...Baby G.