Have French bread on hand to dip in the spicy and zesty lemon sauce.

Ingredients

1/4 cup/60 mL Original Grapeseed Oil*
3 tbsp/45 mL lemon juice
2 tsp/10 mL honey
2 tsp/10 mL soy light sauce
1 tsp/6 ml, Cayenne Pepper* (more if desired)
1-1/4 tsp/6 mL Parsley*
3/4 tsp/4 mL Garlic Granules*
1 pound/454 g uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Lemon wedges
One loaf of French bread

Cooking Directions

Combine first seven ingredients in 13-x9-inch/33-x23-cm. glass baking dish. Add shrimp; toss to coat. Refrigerate one hour. Bake at 450°F/235°C until shrimp are cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve shrimp with lemon wedges and French bread to dip in the spicy and zesty sauce. Add a glass of dry white wine or iced tea. Makes about 6 servings. Bon Appetit.

*Visit Watkins to see herbs, spices and flavorings.

Stress is a fact of life. However you should not allow stress to undermind you. You cannot always step out of stresses way when it visits, but there are some things you can do to keep the visit short.

 Here are a few tips for keeping stress and anxiety under control in turbulent times:

• Focus on today, not yesterday, you cannot always undo what’s done. Worries about the past or the future can undermine your attempt to accomplish anything in the present. When you feel yourself growing anxious, concentrate on what you can do right now, then take the Nike people’s advice and, just do it.

• Try to identify your worries and/or fears. Sort out your feeling so you know exactly what you’re worried about. Overcoming a vague dread is difficult, but once you’ve got a specific target, you’ll be able to find ways to deal with your fear directly.

Perhaps most important thing to remember is:

.  Look for positive energy. Don’t hang out with people whose anger or depression spills over onto you—find friends who support you and offer encouragement. Watch hopeful movies, listen to upbeat music. The more positive energy in your life, the better you’ll be able to keep stress at bay.

I have “lived” with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) since I was in my 20’s. No, I do not suffer from it, but one of my best friends does. At this point she is in remission, but I have seen her at low points. But not the lowest, because she would not allow anyone to see her. Her strength and resolve amazed me when we were twenty-somethings, it still does decades later. I do not know her pain first hand, but I do remember that she sometimes let her guard down and the pain that showed in her face almost undid me. And yet, she did not complain, nor did she want sympathy.

A couple of years ago I met someone online who has become a very dear friend, she too has RA. Once more I am amazed by the fortitude and resilience she seems to have found as she battles RA.

Just recently my dear friend has become a champion and advocate for positive thinking about RA, and how not to let it control your life. She has a Blog that has changed mid-stream and has become a symbol and testament to her struggle and her courage with RA. I continue to be proud to call this lovely lady a friend. If anyone here has RA or knows of someone who has it, take a look at her Blog Arthritis Is a Journey and pass it on. Be inspired by her open and honest observations as she shares her trials and tribulations of living with RA.

 If your teen is heading for college this year be sure to check out a college book rental site called Chegg. These people rent books to students. They rent your books online, they can track your books as well.

The site promises quick purchase turn around. They return the books to Chegg for free. They can even sell books to them.  So what is the down side? Well… your kid cannot use highlight markers in these books.

As always read the fine print should be read before signing up for or agreeing to the policy, etc. However, this seems to be a win-win situation. I can remember the high cost of my books many years ago, no one let me in on the “buy used books” secret, so I paid full price. This is an inexpensive way to get the books your child needs. Bank the allocated book money.  

When your son or daughter gets the college/university book list, check out Chegg first.  Oh yes, they even plant a tree for ‘each’ book you rent.

No need to cook. A great salad anytime, but wonderfully cooling in the summer.

 Ingredients

3 tbsp/45 mL fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp/30 mL honey
1 tbsp/15 mL Original Grapeseed Oil
1 tsp/5 mL poppy seed
1 tsp/5 mL Onion Flakes
To taste, freshly-ground Sea Salt
To taste, Lemon Pepper
4 cups/1 L torn romaine lettuce
1 cup/250 mL coarsely-chopped red delicious apples
1/3 cup/80 mL coarsely-shredded carrots

Cooking Directions

In small bowl, combine lemon juice, honey, grapeseed oil, poppy seed, onion flakes, salt and lemon pepper; refrigerate until serving time. To serve, place lettuce in large salad bowl; top with apples and carrots. Toss with dressing. Makes 4 servings.

Visit me at Watkins

I first saw these disposable plates in the September issue of Fast Company magazine. I was so intrigued that I went to Whole Foods to buy a package of eight for $6.50. As a single person living alone and a new greenie, these plates would be a God-send for me if I did not like eating off of the china dishes I found at a flea market years ago. However, I have a friend whose dishes are those eco-unfriendly Styrofoam plates. These dishes were made for people like her. And anyone else who uses disposable plates but wants to do their ‘green’ share. They are definately eco-friendly and good for parties as well as “limited” daily use.

VerTerra plates are beautiful, stylish and have a good weight to them; and they are supposed to last through about 20 uses and washings. Plus you can put them in the micro-wave and the fridge. I have not washed one of these plates 20 times, nor I have micro-waved one, but I will continue using and testing them.

Believe it or not this dinnerware is made from sanitized, steamed and shaped fallen leaves. How is that for eco-friendly? Once you see the plates you will get past the picture that may be dancing in your head. Visit the VerTerra site at VerTerra. 

Yes. Grocery shopping can be good for your health, if you choose the right foods to buy. What foods are you putting in your food cart?

Fiber. Look for whole-grain breads and cereals, as well as dried beans and brown rice.

Green vegetables. The darker the better. Deeper greens signify a higher concentration of vitamins A, C, and E, along with folic acid, calcium, and other important nutrients.

Frozen produce. Check the label carefully. Some frozen fruits and vegetables contain as many nutrients as the fresh variety, especially produce that has been sitting out for a few days.

Pasta. This can give you a good dose of protein, iron, and B vitamins.

Check expire dates. Be sure to take time to check expiration dates on perishables such as bread, milk, yogurt, meats, etc.  You don’t want to get home and find that you have 2 days to eat something. Oh, that’s just a target date; not necessarily, the store may have had the product for some time.

Don’t Buy Bruised Fresh Products. Bruised and knicked produce shortens the time you can keep the item at home.  

Visit A Better Cook for recipes and more.