Happy Healthy Long Life

Money Well Spent: In the Pursuit of Health, Calming Quiet, Cozy Warmth & Excellent Dental Care

#6 on Gretchen Rubin's Ten Tips for Being Happier:  Buy Some Happiness

I’ve learned to look for ways to spend money to stay in closer contact with my family and friends; to promote my health; to work more efficiently; to eliminate sources of irritation and marital conflict; to support important causes; and to have enlarging experiences.

-Gretchen Rubin, author & blogger-

Look, I know this is not the time to advocate spending money--but then again--a lot of businesses will be helped greatly if we can loosen up our purse strings a little.

I don't spend money easily.  I don't like excess.  And I don't like to shop--except for food & books.  My parents were young adults during the Great Depression, so their lessons of thrift definitely have rubbed off on me.

But...this year I've purchased a few things that I would describe as MONEY WELL SPENT!

I use them almost everyday, & they've brought me and my husband:

• Good health with little effort
• A quiet home where it's easy to read & think
• A warm cozy bed even with our thermostat set to 58 degrees
• Excellent dental care with germ-free toothbrushes

In Pursuit of Health - The Vita-Mix 5200

• Yes, I know you are all ready to shoot me if I say one more thing about my Vita-Mix & green smoothies--but believe me, I too, was once a skeptic!  And I don't part with money easily.
• We use this blender everyday, and at a hefty $450 I figure that at $1/day for a year & 3  months it's worth it.
• There is no way is the world that I could eat 5 cups of kale, spinach, Swiss chard or spinach; an orange; a kiwi; mixed berries; 5 carrots; an apple; some pomegranate juice & 2 TBS. of ground flax seed in one day.  But I can put it all into this incredible blender, add some water or ice & VOILA--I have a delicious drinkable, portable breakfast & mid-day snack.  You cannot believe the power of this contraption.
• I use it to make salad dressings, to instantly puree vegetable soups, make my own tahini, hummous, all-fruit sorbets, and more.
• It cleans in seconds & there are no annoying parts to take apart like in a food processor.
• To read more of my annoying green smoothie discoveries, click here and here

 

In Pursuit of Quiet - The Acoustic Research 900 MHz Wireless Stereo Headphones with autotuning - Model AW772

• My husband loves his TV time--especially loud WWII videos, like The Band of Brothers--Seinfeld reruns & anything on SPIKE.  I like to sit in our cozy Library/Den with him, but honestly, the noise is so annoying!
• My sister clued me in to the idea of wireless headphones that allow one to watch TV or listen to  music--have the volume as high one likes--and not disturb anyone else.  She bought a pair of these for my brother-in-law #1 for Father's Day.  He said it was a gift for her, not for him--but Oh Well--that's my sis!
• Back in September I wrote about  My husband's promise:  He's buying wireless headphones to use when he wants to watch TV & I want to read or write. Or vice versa.  Why be mad, distracted, or have to read the same page over & over again when you can buy wireless headphones for your TV?  Viva the silence!
• He bought them--he loves them--and so do I!  I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it is to not have a loud TV in the background when I want to read, write or think.  In fact, I can cook in the kitchen while listening to the radio (NPR of course), while hubby is less than 5 feet away in our den watching Seinfeld.  It's AMAZING!
• Another plus--since they are wireless, he can walk into his office, go get a snack, wash some dishes & keep listening to whatever he wants to listen to.
• Only downside:  When he has his headphones on he can't hear me (I guess that's an upside for him) unless I get right next to him & tap him on the shoulder.
• He picked the Acoustic Research brand by going to our small town's electronics store so he could support the local economy & get some expert advice on a reliable model.  Expect to pay between $65-$120 for a good pair--I think.
• I think wireless stereo headphones would also be the perfect solution for anyone who has to share a tiny 1 bedroom or studio apartment with a roommate.

In Pursuit of Warmth - The Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad with dual controls

• We set our thermostat to go down to 58 degrees when we go to sleep.  Natural gas prices are sky high. Even with a sheet, a quilt & a down comforter, last winter I had to resort to crawling into a down sleeping bag to get warm enough.  Needless to say, my husband wasn't too happy with this.
• This Fall, I spotted a queen-sized Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad at Costco for about $75 & thought I'd give it a try.  After all, Costco will gladly accept returns if you are dissatisfied with a product.
• We both LOVE this mattress pad--which I know sounds slightly looney.  It's got a nifty Preheat setting that we set fifteen minutes before crawling into bed, & each of us has preset our preferred temperatures--I'm comfortable with Low, and hubby who doesn't wear PJs likes #3.
• Now we only need a light-weight quilt to stay warm through the night.  No need for the down comforter.  And the house is a cool 58 degrees.  We could probably even go lower!
• There's even an automatic shut-off that turns the pad off, should you forget, after (I think) 10 hours.  And of course it has multiple adjustable temperature settings for both sides.
• Save Energy & Save Money.  Calculating with March 2008 Energy Information Administration forecasting---if you can lower your thermostat 8 degrees, 24 hours a day, 25 weeks a year, you save up to $131 a year.  That's a pretty good dollar return for a $75 investment, not to mention a cozy warm bed!

In Pursuit of Excellent Dental Health - Phillips Sonicare Flexcare 2 Handle Toothbrush All-in-one Sanitizing Charging and Storing Unit

• Full disclosure here.  My husband is a dentist and we've used the original Sonicare model for years.
• This new Flexcare model came out about 6 months ago--and there's no comparison to the older model.
• The pluses:  There is a timed Maxcare mode that keeps that toothbrush oscillating in your mouth for a full 3 minutes.  The average person brushes for less than a minute with an old-fashioned toothbrush.  If you want a quick brush between meals--there's a 1 minute Go-Care setting.
• Ultra-violet light sanitizer is included & it kills up to 99% of E. Coli & streptococcus Mutans, not to mention assorted cold viruses.  Since we all keep our toothbrushes in the bathroom & flush the toilet with the seat up--I think you get the picture.  The sanitizer is a closed-door unit keeping your toothbrush away from any nasties.
• If you travel, the set includes a portable travel charger--a nice convenience.
• My last dental check-up was absolutely the best I have ever had.  My dentist could not believe it.  It was as pretty close to perfect as you can get.  He would not conclude that it's the Flexcare--but I've done nothing else differently.  Again Full Disclosure:  I floss my teeth daily.  I apparently hold my toothbrush at the correct angle (a must do!) & I Only Brush My Teeth Once a Day in the Morning.  I say it's the Sonicare Flexcare  that is giving me excellent dental health.
• This unit is not inexpensive.  I saw it online at Costco for $160.00.  But with new research coming out weekly about the connection between good dental health, inflammation & heart health--I think it's a small price to pay.  It's all about prevention in my book!

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Go Away! (but not for too long)

Doesn't it sound great to stay home all day, camping "in"--all cozy with nothing to do but what you want to do?  My boss clued me into this "Real Life Adventure"  cartoon from 11/11/08--and I was looking forward all week to my own "camping in" adventure this weekend.

How did I get so lucky?  My husband is down in Florida for five days to "entertain" (really-he's a funny guy) my mother-in-law who is convalescing from successful cancer surgery.  We've been tag teaming.  He was there the weekend before the surgery--I was there for the surgery--and he's back down there for post-surgery entertaining. And my fantastic & amazing sister-in-law is there all the time!  If you're new to this blog I talked about my mother-in-law's experiences here and here.

So What Am I Going to Do?  Absolutely Nothing! 

• Do you know how nice it is to have the house all to yourself?  No plans.  No work.
• On the rare occasions that my husband is out-of-town I book the time with fun events with my friends or I've got BIG IMPORTANT STUFF to do.  Not this time.  Except for Sunday--it was pre-arranged--a lecture by best-selling author Sarah Vowell.  I've never heard of Sarah Vowell, but she's on This American Life--so what could be bad?  It's bound to be an adventure.
• My entire life I've shared a bedroom.  First with my sister--and actually we shared a double bed while growing up.  In college I always had a roommate--in fact 6 of us shared a 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment.  From college it was marriage--shared bed--shared bathroom. Then kids.  I'm not complaining--but I am looking forward to this weekend. A bedroom--a bathroom--a house--all to myself.
• I'm not cleaning or organizing a single thing in this house this weekend.
• I'm not planning or pre-cooking our Thanksgiving feast.
• I'm about to cook a new recipe because I want to:  Palestinian Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions.  It's supposed to be amazing!  Click here for the recipe.  Update: This is fantastic! The gym buddy who recommended it to me said her son stuffs it into a whole wheat pita & tops it with some feta.  She often mixes up a tzatziki sauce with Greek yoghurt, cucumber & dill.  Double the cumin; cut the onions very thin.  If you can figure out a way to cut the oil, let me know. Use canola oil instead of olive oil--drops the sat fat from 2.7 grams to 1.3 grams.
  
• I may do some computer research, reading and blogging--but only if I feel like it.
• I'm watching 2 videos that my husband was so-so about (but he would have watched them, had I asked, because he's a great guy & he knows I pick winners).  "Under the Same Moon" and  "The Year My Parents Went on Vacation"
• That's all I've planned.

By the time Tuesday rolls around I know I'll be tired of all this unplanned quiet time with nothing to do but what I want to do.  But in the meantime I'm having a good old-fashioned-blanket-over-the-card-table "Camp In".

Honey--if you're reading this--and I know you're not, because you're in a "computer-free zone"--I'm just kidding.  I love, you're perfect, and I can't wait 'til you're home!

Mixed Marriages - Vegetarians vs Meat-Eaters or Health Conscious vs Foodie

"I wanted us all to eat the same thing for pragmatic, household economy reasons, but also because that's part of being a family."

    -Jean Benson, whose husband Steve became a vegetarian after 19 years of marriage-

"If you can't allow your partner to have latitude in what he or she eats, then maybe your problem isn't about food."

         -Susan Jaffe, Manhattan psychiatrist-

"My husband started eating meat again after a 7-year hiatus as an ethically motivated and health-conscious vegetarian. A year ago we came to a compromise: I would eat less meat--choosing mostly beef, pork and poultry produced by local California ranchers without the use of hormones or antibiotics--and he would indulge me by sharing a steak on occasion."

-Christine Lennon, from "Why Vegetarians are Eating Meat" in Food & Wine-

The new Mixed Marriage isn't about religion or race, it's all about food.  There are a lot of these "inter-dietary couples" around these days, even among some of my best friends.  The most difficult ones occur when you thought you married a meat-eating foodie and he or she ends up becoming a vegetarian--or worse--a vegan.  It's tough when you and your spouse aren't in agreement about what to eat for dinner.  It's no fun to eat an artisanal triple cream brie alone.  Or bake a praline cheesecake or braised short ribs that your spouse won't even taste.  Who wants to experiment with a new recipe when you're the only one who's going to partake?  Not me!  As Kate Murphy writes in her New York Times article, "I Love You, but You Eat Meat":

"Sharing meals has always been an important courtship ritual and a metaphor for love.  But in an age when many people define themselves by what they will eat and what they won't, dietary differences can put a strain on a romantic relationship."

Dr. Kathryn Zerbe agrees. "Food has a strong link to love.  That is why refusing a partner's food can feel like a rejection."

So what happens when your "same-diet-as-you" spouse switches teams after marriage?

The hardest part is cooking dinner.  Everyone can make their own breakfast or lunch.  But, dinner?  Who wants to be a short-order cook, or succumb to an every man for himself attitude?

I started to think about all this recently, when my friend Annie said she'd just about had it with her meat and potatoes loving husband.  She's not a vegetarian, but she's become health conscious. This creative cook is fed up with cooking & eating his boring meat meals, when he won't even try her healthy ones.  She often cooks 2 separate meals (he doesn't cook) and not only does it result in a lot of work, she ends up eating too much.

True Mixed Marriage Confessions.  Twice over the course of 37 years my husband decided to go 100% vegetarian--long before Boca Burgers & Whole Foods could make it easier.  It got old real fast, for me, the chief cook. Since I only wanted to cook one meal--it felt confining--the meal prep took too long & eating at friends' houses & at restaurants meant pasta or salads.  He jumped ship once when he started to crave thick corned beef sandwiches, and then again for visions of tuna fish sandwiches.  Thank goodness!

He who cooks can call the shots--sometimes.  Lee's an "after-marriage vegetarian" who cooks, married to a meat-eater who's quite happy to eat his vegetarian meals.  Tess can get her meat-fix at lunch, and besides, Lee is quite happy to cook meat, as long as he doesn't have to eat it.  He roasts the Thanksgiving turkey & cooks the holiday brisket. 

It's called "Changing Your Taste Preferences" and it will work, if you give it a chance.  Maybe with a little creative cooking and willingness on the part of your partner, you just might change his or her taste for a meat or fat or even for strictly vegetarian fare.  I'm from a meat-at-every-meal-no-vegetables-but-iceberg-lettuce-or-canned-peas family.  I routinely ate cookies and coffee lightened with vanilla ice cream for breakfast in my "salad days". Today my eating follows the Pareto Principle's 80/20 rule.  80% vegetarian, 20% fish/poultry.  Meat on rare occasions.

I can honestly say, my tastes have radically changed!  I wouldn't have believed that one day I would love whole grains, beets, kale, quinoa, tempeh, and green smoothies.  And last Thursday's "grilled to perfection" Old Chicago hot dog started to taste like a "big mistake" half way through eating it.  The same goes for former-favorites like barbequed ribs and Burger King. 

Dr. T. Colin Campbell, the 70-something nutrition researcher who grew up on a dairy farm, and is now a compelling advocate for eating vegan, says that one's food tastes can change in as little as 3 or 4 months.

You Can Change Your Taste Preferences

I see several very significant findings in Dr. Esselstyn's study. First, remember that these patients consumed a very low-fat diet quite comfortably for a very long period of time. How so? Primarily, by changing their taste preferences. This is a very important point seldom mentioned when speaking about these diets. Namely, if you switch from a high-fat diet to a low-fat diet, your initial response may at first be "Yuk!" However, if you exercise a little patience for, perhaps, three to four months, your taste preferences will change. You'll then prefer your new low-fat diet over your old high-fat diet. When, in addition, your health improves and you start feeling better, you're on your way to a lifetime of healthier eating habits. If you're like most people, you'll begin to wonder how you could possibly have eaten that greasy stuff in the past. Dr. Esselstyn reported that his patients lost their craving for meat and fat, and "can now travel away from home for weeks at a time while still adhering to the diet."

Even son #2 started eating my vegetarian dinners this summer.  I hold him up as the standard bearer--if he could learn to like Quinoa with Black Beans and Mango, or Asian Noodle Salad with Mango, then there's hope for the most recalcitrant meat-eater.

How about the Omnivore's Solution?   According to Christine Lennon, a meat-eater married to a vegetarian who recently turned omnivore, "about a dozen in our circle have recently converted from vegetarianism, eating sustainable meat purchased from small farmers."  Michael Pollan, the author of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" has started a mini-revolution--giving the OK to eat meat--sometimes, with his motto:  "Eat Food.  Not much.  Mostly Plants."   And just to be clear, he's talking ethically-raised, grass-fed, no-hormones, no-antibiotics, no-factory-farms!

With the recent movement toward locally "grass fed" and "pasture-raised" cattle, meat-eating can be looked on as an ethical, environmental, and healthy practice.  Grass-fed cows are lower in fat, higher in the healthy omega-3's and far better for you than the manufactured fake soy foods that many vegetarians end up eating.  According to Ashley Koff, a Los Angeles registered dietitian:

"What we know about soy is that as you process it, you lose a lot of the benefits.  Any soy-based fake meat product is incredibly processed, and you have to use chemicals to get the mock flavor.  Any other whole-food diet is going to be a lot better for you."

A few famous vegetarians are giving animal protein a second look, as well.  Mariel Hemingway  says, "I was a vegan for 16 years, and I truly believed I was doing the right thing for my health. But when I was vegan, I was super-weak.  I love animals, and we should not support anything but ethical ranching, but when I eat meat, I feel more grounded.  I have more energy."

And even Mollie Katzen, the original Moosewood Cookbook author is experimenting a little with meat after 30 years.

We do what we can to bring everyone to the table.  There can be something for everyone, a little fish, a little Black Bean Lasagna, a little gluten-free Quinoa casserole, a little cage-free turkey, a little wine, and don't forget a Big Salad. No one way is the best for everyone.  It's all about breaking bread together, isn't it?

New York Times: The Secret of a Sound Marriage? Marry Your Financial Soul Mate!

"Marrying a person who shares your attitudes about money might just be the smartest financial decision you will ever make.  In fact, when it comes to finances, your marriage is likely to be your most valuable asset--or your largest liability."

   -Tara Siegel Bernard, "The Key to Wedded Bliss?  Money Matters"   NYT Sept. 10, 2008-

When I read Ms. Bernard's column last night I  had an ah ha moment.  She's absolutely right.  Yes, love is a key ingredient to a solid marriage, but as Betsey Stevenson, a business professor at the University of Pennsylvania says:

"A lot of the debates people have about money are code for how we want to live our lives.  A lot of of the choices we make in how we want to live our lives involve how we spend our money."

And Susan Reach Winters, a divorce lawyer in Short Hills, NJ agrees:

"Most people think people break up over sex issues and children issues--and those are issues--but money is a huge factor in breaking up marriages."

How much money do you think you need to be happy & secure?  What's more important to you, money or time?  Are your a saver or a spender?  Are you a bargain-hunter or do you want the best brands?  Are you an impulse buyer or someone who waits & thinks it over?  Can you live with debt or do you aim for the debt-free life?  Big house-little house?  Expensive car-Modest car?

And the big question?  Are you & your spouse in agreement on these questions?

When I got married at 21, almost 37 years ago it was the early 70's.  Still the Woodstock, back-to-the-land, anti-establishment era.  We didn't think we needed much money to get by or be happy.  And we lived on my big $5100 a year while my husband finished grad school.  Our parents said, "You'll see.  Money will matter to you one day."

Yep, they were right, money matters, but who knew at age 21 how lucky we were to marry our  "financial soul mates".    I'm probably the more conservative one of the two.  At birthday, anniversary times, or on vacation, hubby always say, "I wish you liked jewelry.  I wish there was something I could buy you." 

We've been in our 1960's era house for over 25 years.  It's still a work in progress.  We buy our cars & drive them for over 10 years.  We hate to shop.  We like to save. We both work less than 5 days a week.  But, we don't think twice about buying high quality healthy food, athletic equipment, or books; making charitable contributions, investing in our kids' education, or going on modest-cost vacations. 

So, here are the Seven Keys to Wedded Financial Bliss according to the successfully married and experts on psychology, divorce and finance:

• TALK AND SHARE GOALS
• RUN A HOME LIKE A BUSINESS
• BE SUPPORTIVE OF CAREERS
• ENJOY, BUT WITHIN REASON
• USE A MEDIATOR IF YOU HAVE DIVERGENT FINANCIAL GOALS OR STYLES
• MAINTAIN SOME INDEPENDENCE
• INVEST IN YOUR MARRIAGE--SPEND TIME & MONEY TOGETHER!

And as I wished Dave & Emily on my blog post on the eve of their wedding,

May you have enough money to feel both secure and generous.  Not so much that you become out-of-touch & spoiled.

Yes, Dear. Just Do It! Tonight Again? Yes, 365 Nights!

                                                  

   

"Honey, you know, I've been thinking.  Why don't we do it for the next 365 days in a row?

Two different couples, the  "Bible-studying meat-eating Republican" Mullers in North Carolina, and the  "multi-grain backpacking" liberal Browns in Boulder, Colorado---both had the same idea in 2006. Why not make love every night for a year?  Read Ralph Gardner's whole story in the June 8^th issue of the New York Times.

Two different couples.  Two different reasons.  For the Mullers is was Charla's extra special 40th birthday gift to her husband Brad.  According to Charla,

"This is something no one else would give him.  It didn't cost a lot of money.  It was highly memorable.  It met all the criteria for a really great gift."

Brad, her husband, wasn't so enthusiastic.  He was used to his wife's "big ideas and poor follow-through".  And since Charla hadn't been so generous with "her gifts" since the arrival of their two kids, he wasn't expecting this gift to materialize either.

As for the Browns, wife Annie is the one who had the "big idea".  They didn't have that much going on after they moved to Boulder.

"I thought we don't have anything else going on.  It might kick-start our marriage."

She even made poor Doug have sex the night he had vertigo.

"I'm not a quitter.  The night he had vertigo, I said, "I'm sorry guy, you've got to keep going."

So, what happened with the sex-every-day experiment?  Some good things.  Some bad.  But mostly good. And since the Browns & the Mullers have done the "leg work" we can just learn from them.  As Doug says,

"I'm glad we did it.   But as far as a practical message, nobody needs to do it 100 days.  You don't have to climb Mount Everest to understand alpine sublime."

• By day 101 Doug said he felt "sort of like you had some long-forgotten appointment to hear some tax attorney talk about estate planning.
• Both couples say that the everyday "physical intimacy created more emotional intimacy."
• "It required a daily kindness and forgiveness, and not being cranky or snarky," said Charla.
• "It was just intense closeness.  We were so aware of wherever the other person was mentally and emotionally and physically, " said Annie.
• But Charla's gift became her "stupid idea" after 10 months.  And the Browns hit the wall after 100 days.
• They definitely don't recommend the "experiment to everyone", but both couples agree the results have had a positive impact on their marriages.

I can't help thinking how this is a little like being forced to eat chocolate everyday (lots of chocolate), or always being on vacation, or having every day be sunny and 73^o.

                                                                         

It's Off to Chicago for a Wedding - Time to Think About Marriage and Friendship

   

 "Happy marriages begin when we marry the  ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry."

                            -Tom Mullen-

We're off to Chicago for the wedding of Dave and Emily & I'm so excited!!!

I'm so excited because:

• My husband and I have known Dave's parents since college, almost 40 years now. Yikes!  They're dear friends, and I'm so thrilled to be able to celebrate this wonderful wedding.
• Our kids are friends, even though they grew up in different cities and my oldest son and daughter-in-law will be there to celebrate, too.
• We are all still friends with a number of couples who all graduated within a few years of each other--who got married right out of college, and through incredibly good luck are all still married.  For most of us, this is our 36th wedding anniversary.  Yikes!
• Dave and Emily are an extraordinary couple-soul mates for certain. Smart, talented, warm, adventurous and bound to make wonderful contributions to the world.
• Friendship Rules!

In honor of their wedding I did a little thinking about what I've learned after 36 years of marriage.

• Laugh a lot, touch a lot, show affection & give each other compliments!  It's the WD-40 of marriage.
• When your spouse asks for your help or needs you to show up--Do it!
• When your spouse needs to talk--Listen.
• When it's important to speak your mind--Speak up.
• Know when it's important to keep quiet.
• Cut each other some slack.
• Learn to dance.
• Get into the habit of taking walks-it's the best time to talk.
• Make time for activities you do together.
• Make time for activities you do on your own.
• Laugh a lot.  It bears repeating.
• Cook together.
• Stay healthy for each other.
• Be wonderful to each others parents.

Favorite advice from Meg Tufano.

•  Listen to your spouse. Shut up and listen, every day, for at least a half hour a day. Ask pertinent questions. Remember the answers. Keep notes if necessary. Your children depend on your relationship with your spouse. Make sure your marital relationship is solid and your kids will be fine. (For men: if your wife is looking miserable, ask her to tell you what’s wrong and keep asking until she spills her guts. WHATEVER it was, it will no longer make her miserable because she has talked about it with you. This is the magic key to making women happy. Flowers are always nice too!.
• Rest. Sundays are good if only because other people may be doing the same thing. But any day is fine. Rest is essential to everything else you care about. Without rest, the fragility of your life will be front and center; with rest, you have a savings account of energy from which to draw to help out others. Make it religious in the sense you ALWAYS take rest at least once a week.

My Wish for the Two of You.

• Outrageous & memorable adventures
• Wonderful friends
• Good health
• Work that you're passionate about
• Enough of life's challenges to make you stronger, wiser, and kinder
• Kids who are above average, sleep through the night, are easy-going and lots of fun
• The gift of balancing your life, your work and your family
• Enough money to feel both secure and generous.  Not so much that you become out-of-touch & spoiled.
• The knowledge that it's your friends, family & experiences that will bring you your greatest joys.  Invest your time and money accordingly.

To Life, To Life, L'Chaim, Be Happy, Be Healthy, Long Life!

    

It's a Snowed in Saturday and We're Outside Driving for Dopamine

Here's the post I should have written earlier in the week, but I had a bit of delay getting internet access at home.  So without further ado....

Last Saturday we were completely snowed in. With 30 inches falling in 24 hours (I measured) I honestly can't remember that much snow falling that fast.  The roads were a mess and I was thrilled to stay safe and snug at home and try out a few healthy recipes.

Problem was I didn't have all the ingredients I needed.  My husband, who's always up for a crazy adventure, said he be glad to drive to the grocery store with me, but it would have to wait until the afternoon. 

By 3:00 when we pulled out of the drive (thankfully our snow plow guy had already come 2 times by then) it was a total whiteout.  When we pulled up to our mailbox to get the mail we briefly got stuck, and at this point I said, "Oh forget it!  Let's just pull back into the garage.  I can make something else."   To which my husband says, "No. Let's go.  It will be fun.  It will be a bonding adventure."

Know-it-all-me says, "Yeah, it will increase the dopamine in our brains.  That's what happens when you share adventures with your spouse.  And then you fall madly in love again." 

It's  absolutely true.  So, listen up.  Make sure you and your significant other are continually having crazy adventures, or at least doing something more exciting than dinner & a movie.  Here's what science writer Tara Parker-Pope had to say recently on the subject in the New York Times:

"The theory is based on brain science. New experiences activate the brain’s reward system, flooding it with dopamine and norepinephrine. These are the same brain circuits that are ignited in early romantic love, a time of exhilaration and obsessive thoughts about a new partner. (They are also the brain chemicals involved in drug addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder.)"

To read Pope's full article, click here.

And if you want to see a very interesting video from Dr. Helen Fisher of Rutgers who has done extensive research on the nature and chemistry of romantic love and marriage, click here.

Back to our snowy adventure and the real reason for this post, the 2 DELICIOUS HEALTHY RECIPES I made while snowed in!  As soon as we pulled onto the main road I knew we were in big trouble!  We couldn't see a thing, the usually plowed main road was completely snow-covered & I knew this was insane.  I envisioned a terrible accident, permanent paralysis, disability, knocked out teeth, totaled car, all for a can of coconut milk, oat flour, and maybe a rental movie. 

There was no way my husband was going to turn back, though.  He was loving this and that dopamine was flooding his brain.  I think cortisol, the stress hormone was flooding mine.  In the end we got to the store, picked up all the needed ingredients, and when hubby asked if I wanted to go on to the video store I said, "Yeah let's do it!  We've come this far."

The video store shelves were pretty much cleaned out, but I took the recommendation of the 20-something video store clerk and rented Reign Over Me with Don Cheadle and Adam Sandler.  I hate Adam Sandler, but love Don Cheadle and took a chance.  You may never trust my recommendations again, but blame it on our dopamine intoxication.  We both LOVED this movie.  It's about grief, loss, the power of friendship, and the need to have someone you can really talk to, especially men.  Let me know if you agree or not with this recommendation.

Now for the recipes.  The first one, Red Lentil Mulligatwney with Apple-Celery Salsa, I got from my friend and cook extraordinaire, Dick.  It's exotic and satisfying!  The original recipe comes from Cooking Light.  The second recipe, Guilt-free chocolate chip muffins, comes from the March issue of Health, and was developed by Bethenny Frankel, a celebrity natural foods chef.  I typically don't like using applesauce for a fat substitute and wouldn't have even tried these muffins, but the picture looked so good.  It's unbelievable that oat flour, applesauce and cocoa can produce such a yummy treat.  Even my husband loved them.  They're so rich that one muffin really satisfies the chocolate addiction.

Red Lentil Mulligatawny with Apple-Celery Salsa  For a copy of this recipe on a single page click here

Salsa:

2/3 cup finely chopped Granny Smith apple

¼ cup finely chopped celery

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

 

Soup:

3 ½ cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

1 cup dried small red lentils

1 cup chopped onion

1 ½ cups light coconut milk

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tsp. grated peeled fresh ginger

½ tsp. ground cumin

1/8 tsp. ground turmeric

¼ tsp. coriander

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

½ tsp. salt

 

1. To prepare salsa, combine the first 4 ingredients, cover and chill.

2. To prepare soup, combine broth, lentils, and onions in a soup pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes or until lentils are tender. Cool about 15 minutes. Pour contents into a blender (you can do this in 2 batches-I did it all at once) & blend until smooth. Pour lentil mixture back into the pot. Blend the coconut milk, tomato paste & dry spices in the blender until smooth. Pour this mixture into the soup pot & whisk into the smooth lentil mixture. Cover and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, until heated through. Remove from heat & add the lime juice.

3. Ladle into bowls & top with ¼ cup of the salsa.

Makes 4 very generous servings

 

Nutrition Facts for Red Lentil Mulligatawny Soup with Apple-Celery Salsa Serving Size: 1 serving Amount Per Serving Calories 238 Total Fat 6.3g       Saturated Fat 4.6g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 530mg Carbohydrate 34.4g       Dietary Fiber 12.8g       Sugars 5.8g Protein 14.1g Vitamin A 10% Vitamin C 16% Calcium    4% Iron 19%

 

Guilt-Free Chocolate Chip Muffins  For a copy of this recipe on a single page click here.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook:        20 minutes
Makes:      8 muffins

Cooking spray

1 cup applesauce
1 tsp. canola oil
1/2 cup Splenda brand sweetener (or 1/2 cup turbinado sugar)
1/2 tsp real vanilla extract
1/4 tsp real almond extract (optional)
3/4 cups oat bran flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Powdered sugar (optional)

Place 8 paper or silicone liners (if you haven't tried these they're great!) in muffin tin; coat with cooking spray.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine applesauce and next 4 ingredients.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the next 6 dry ingredients.  Add oat mixture to applesauce mixture; stir until blended.  Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Spoon batter into muffin cups.  Bake for 20-22 minutes, rotating the pan a half-turn after 10 minutes.  Muffins are done when tops are firm to the touch.
4. Cool slightly.  Top with powdered sugar, if desired. 
Serving size:  1 muffin

 

Nutrition Facts for Healthy Librarian´s Guilt-free Chocolate Muffins Serving Size: 1 serving Amount Per Serving Calories 150 Total Fat 5.9g       Saturated Fat 2.5g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 0mg Carbohydrate 24.8g       Dietary Fiber 3.1g       Sugars 9.5g Protein 2.7g Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0% Calcium    0% Iron 6%