Luscious Chocolate Fondue Recipe

© By Deborah S. Tukua, cookbook author and freelance writer, http://www.athomeonhollycreek.blogspot.com/

Romantic Dessert Serves 6 to 8

Nothing tastes as luscious as warm melted chocolate. Melt your sweet one’s heart with this winter-perfect, cozy, gourmet dessert. The bonus, it takes only minutes to make!

Ingredients:

6, 1-oz. squares, unsweetened chocolate

1 ½ c. sugar

1 c. half and half

½ c. butter (1 stick)

1/8 t. salt

3 T. crème de cacao liqueur

Wash and prepare dipping desserts, just before making fondue. (See suggested list below.) Place on serving plates and chill until ready to serve.

In medium bowl, melt chocolate in microwave according to package directions. Add butter to bowl and melt in microwave for 30 seconds. Stir 30 seconds to thicken. Stir in sugar, salt and half and half. Microwave for 45 seconds and stir. Repeat until fondue is heated through. Stir in liqueur. Pour into fondue pot. Light fondue burner and place fondue pot over burner. Dip prepared dessert dippers into warm sauce with fondue spears and enjoy!

Dessert Dippers: fresh strawberries, apple slices, bananas (I love mine frozen), and pound cake cubes

Notes: Store unused chocolate fondue in refrigerator. To re-serve, microwave until warmed through. For a romantic party of two, reduce recipe by one-half.

The Squeeze on Lemons - Lemon Aid

©By Deborah S. Tukua, author and freelance writer

Lemons must be at the top of the list of versatile fruits. Not only do lemons make a delicious pie or a refreshing pitcher of lemonade, it naturally contains valuable health and beauty aid properties as well. Through the centuries, sailors carried lemons aboard ship to prevent scurvy, which is caused by a lack of Vitamin C.

Phyllis Balch, C.N.C., author of Prescription for Cooking and Dietary Wellness states, “No drink can compare with the valuable properties, internally or externally. As a cleanser it neutralizes and promotes healing.” Mrs. Balch also states, “Lemons cleanse the bloodstream and liver, reduces inflammation, treats colds, influenza, and sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, digestion, heartburn, diabetes, scurvy, fevers, and Rheumatism. Lemons are a wonderful liver stimulant and a solvent for uric acid and other toxins.”

With ample reasons to consider lemons a beneficial health aid, here are a few home uses.

Acne Treatment – After washing the face to remove excess oils, pat the face with lemon juice three times a day.

Blood Purifier – Drink the juice of one lemon in a cup of warm water each morning. (Lemon juice should not be consumed if you have an ulcer.)

Cough Suppressant – Mix lemon juice and honey in a small glass jar. Take a tablespoon as needed.

Hand Cleaner, Softener, and Odor Remover – To cleanse and soften the hands after washing dishes or to remove vegetable stains, rub hands well with lemon juice. It will also remove strong odors such as onions and fish from the hands.

Heartburn Relief – Add 1 t. lemon juice to half a glass of water and drink.

Sore Throat Gargle – Combine equal amounts of lemon juice and water and gargle.

Dried Crepe Myrtle Winter Arrangement

© By Deborah S. Tukua, author and freelance writer
http://www.athomeonhollycreek.blogpsot.com/

The winter landscape may be lacking in color and flowers, but there’s at least one handsome cluster available to bring indoors. A deep rich brown dried botanical arrangement is free for the clipping if you have access to a crepe myrtle bush this winter. The naturally dried flower pods are ready to clip and use in your favorite vase. Clip stems using a pair of garden snippers in lengths to suit selected container.

As a centerpiece for our bronze table, I chose a vintage, brown chocolate pot to display sprigs of dried crepe myrtle. The dark brown container pairs handsomely with the richness of the brown, dried material. (See photograph.)

Dried crepe myrtle stems also look great displayed in a naturally woven basket, perfect in less formal, country decorating. Secure a floral block of oasis to the inside center of a basket with floral adhesive. Carefully insert stems into the floral oasis and display.

Your rich brown crepe myrtle arrangement should last for many seasons to come. From time-to-time the flower pods will release seeds. Set the vase on a plate or mini tray to capture falling seeds.

Wrapping Paper to the Rescue: Transforming a Vintage Hoosier Cabinet

© By Deborah S. Tukua, author and freelance writer
http://www.athomeonhollycreek.blogspot.com/
Desire a fresh new look inside? Don’t grab a brush and a bucket of paint. Try this easy home decorating project instead. Like a fresh coat of paint, a favorite roll of wrapping paper will quickly transform a room and lift the spirits, even on the dreariest of winter days, without denting the budget. Wrapping paper is as versatile to use in decorating as wallpaper. It’s so inexpensive, you can change it as often as you like.

Our vintage Hoosier cabinet received a romantic, shabby chic makeover. We covered its door panels in a delicate blue rose wrapping paper. (See photo.)

Supplies:
Wrapping paper, double sided tape, tape measure, straight rule, rotary paper cutter

Directions:
Measure the inside dimensions of the door panel(s). Cut wrapping paper to size. Affix double-sided tape to the perimeter of the wrapping paper on the reverse side. Press prepared wrapping paper onto the door panel and smooth into place.

Don’t have an old Hoosier cabinet? You can achieve the same look on paneled, recessed kitchen, bathroom or china cabinet doors. Be careful not to overdo. Limit this decorative treatment to one piece of furniture in a room.

More decorating ideas using wrapping paper:

• Decorate the inside of glass doors with wrapping paper.
• Line the back wall of a china cabinet or bookcase with wrapping paper.
• Affix rectangles of wrapping paper to walls, like wallpaper and trim perimeter with picture frame molding.
• Use wrapping paper to line the inside of picture frames or cover matting.
• Cover hardbound books in coordinating wrapping paper and display on open shelving.

French Onion Soup Recipe

© By Deborah S. Tukua, freelance writer and cookbook author
www.athomeonhollycreek.blogspot.com & www.hollycreekbooks.com

Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients:
2 T. olive oil
2 T. butter
2 large sweet onions, Vidalia, sliced
½ t. sea salt
½ t. fresh ground black pepper
½ t. dried thyme
¼ t. garlic powder
4 c. beef broth
4 slices whole grain bread, toasted or Melba toast crackers
4 slices of white cheese (Your choice: havarti, extra sharp white cheddar, mozzarella or fontina)

Directions:
Melt the olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan. Add the onions, salt and pepper. Cook 10 minutes, over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Stir in the thyme, garlic powder and broth. Simmer 15 minutes, or until onions are soft.

Ladle hot soup into 4 ovenproof bowls. Top each bowl of soup with a slice of toast or Melba toast crackers. Add sliced or shredded cheese to each bowl. Microwave until cheese melts. Or place ovenproof bowls under the broiler, until cheese begins to melt. Serve immediately.

Lose Weight, Get Healthy and Stay Trim

© By Deborah S. Tukua, author and freelance writer, www.athomeonhollycreek.blogspot.com

Whether you want to shed 5 pounds after the holidays or drop 50 before your next birthday, loosing weight is all about making wise choices and improving your lifestyle. Though I’m no expert on weight loss, nutrition or exercise, I experienced personal success, losing 25 pounds last year, following a few key principles. With no more weight to lose, I continue to work on building muscle, toning my body and maintaining my current weight. Many people have asked what I did differently to lose weight. So, I’ll share my weight loss tips with you.

Getting Motivated to Lose Weight - The first step towards success in anything is to get started. You can’t finish a race you haven’t started. Motivation and positive results early on kept me going and extended my weight loss goals beyond what I initially envisioned. Have full-length photographs taken. You can see yourself more realistically in a photograph. Seeing what others see when they look at you may be the kick-start you need to get going. Take your bust (or chest), waist and hip measurements. Record them and the date. Now you’re ready to begin.

Eat Healthy Foods to Lose Weight –
1. Instead of going on a crash diet, develop healthy eating habits.
2. To get off to a good start, eliminate all sugar the first week or two, to expedite losing that first five pounds. For optimum weight loss, stay off sugar or limit it to 100 calories a day. Avoid foods containing high fructose corn syrup. Commercial ketchup, barbecue sauce, cereal and salad dressings are often loaded with sugar and unhealthy fats. Watch the liquid calories you consume. Cut out sugar-sweetened beverages: fruit juices, soft drinks, cappuccino and alcoholic beverages too. (After you lose weight, you can occasionally enjoy these in moderation.)
3. Use xylitol or stevia, a natural, non-caloric herb to sweeten beverages instead of sugar.
4. Artificial sweeteners cause your body to crave sugar and are unhealthy. Don’t consume them.
5. Limit intake of carbohydrates: potatoes, pasta and bread that turn into sugar during digestion. Eliminate fat toppings on potatoes such as bacon and sour cream. Avoid rich cream sauces on pasta. Make your own Alfredo sauce substituting 2% milk for the cream or consume tomato-based sauces instead.
6. Drink plenty of purified water to keep your body functioning well.
7. Drinking green tea aides in weight loss. Drink it in place of regular iced tea. (I make a gallon pitcher of iced green tea and sweeten it with Stevia.)
8. Avoid fried and processed foods, bleached flours, and foods containing hydrogenated oils, and unhealthy fats.
9. Cook with and consume healthy fats: olive oil, coconut oil, Omega-3, natural nuts and seeds, avocados and grass-fed, free-range meats.
10. Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nutritious meals daily.
11. Prepare meals at home, using natural, basic ingredients, instead of eating fast foods containing additives and other unhealthy, fattening ingredients.

Establish Good Eating Habits for Weight Loss –
1. Start each meal with either: fresh fruit, a healthy green drink or a fresh dark green leafy salad.
2. Take modest servings. Don’t rush through a meal; take your time and enjoy every bite. Wait 10 minutes after eating what’s on your plate before taking seconds or deciding to have dessert. It takes that long for your stomach to tell your brain its full. Better yet, avoid second helpings. This helps greatly. Once you get used to eating smaller portions, you’ll feel full faster.
3. Don’t eat a large meal in the evenings.
4. Eat a bowl of whole grain, low-sugar cereal topped with fresh fruit and low calorie almond milk as the evening meal once or twice a week.
5. If you must have dessert, have it after lunch. Limit it to 100 calories.
6. Don’t snack after supper. Enjoy a cup of herbal tea or coffee instead. Avoid unhealthy snacking between meals. Rid your pantry of junk food. Healthier snack choices include: fresh fruit, a handful of raw almonds, salsa and baked tortilla chips, or popping your own popcorn in olive oil.

Exercise 5 to 6 days a week. –
Exercise helps you lose weight faster. Daily exercise increases your energy levels and motivation. When you work off more calories than you consume, you’ll lose weight. Muscle burns more calories and reduces the amount of fat stored in your body. An increase in muscle naturally increases the amount of calories burned. Walk or jog 30 minutes a day. If you suffer with knee or heel pain, swim instead. (And locate a Gonstead chiropractor for treatment and relief.)

To lose the most weight, exercise 45 to 60 minutes a day. Combine cardiovascular exercise, such as a treadmill workout, aerobics, brisk walking or jogging with weight training, muscle-building exercises. You don’t need to do the full exercise regimen all at once. (I walk about 20 minutes, usually in the mornings. Later in the day, I spend another 15 to 20 minutes, doing at least 100 sit-ups on the Ab Rocket and working out on a Total Gym machine. I attribute a great amount of personal weight loss success to the Total Gym. Keeping the machine set-up in our home makes working out convenient and excuse-free.) It also helps burn fat and build muscle, bringing faster results than dieting alone could do.

In a Nutshell –
Losing weight and keeping the excess pounds off requires a lifestyle change. The worthwhile things we achieve in life require effort. Two basic disciplines, eating right and exercising is what it takes. The energy, slimmer figure and muscle tone you gain along the way will motivate you to finish the race. The sense of accomplishment, the visual and physical rewards are well worth it. If I can do it, you can do it! Go for it!

When You Give A Dog A Bowl

An Essay ©By Deborah S. Tukua,www.hollycreekbooks.com

The sound came from behind. “Tap, tap, tap.” I turned my head, glancing over my shoulder, but didn’t see any movement on the porch. Returning to my work, I heard the same sound again. This happened two more times. Each time, I spun around and examined everything in sight, like a detective hunting for clues. The porch swing slightly swayed. Was someone playing a trick on me?

Sitting by the window later in the day, I watched a bright red cardinal zip into the dog food bowl on the porch. He nabbed a piece of hard food with his thick, yellow beak, pecking the dish. Ah, the source of the mysterious tapping sound, revealed.

A titmouse with its big black eyes and gray tufts of head feathers was next to dip into the bowl and flit away with the goods. Another titmouse and another, appeared, taking hurried turns, snatching morsels and then coasting in the breeze to nearby tree limbs. Back and forth the birds glided to the bowl, like anxious siblings afraid the other one would beat them at their hoarders’ race. Moments later, a larger set of invaders sauntered toward the house. Our rooster trio pranced nervously onto the porch, one a time, pecking up the feed as fast as their heads would bob back and forth. A hen perched on the edge of the bowl and helped herself. My tap on the window sent them flapping. But the bold roosters persisted in their attempts to sneak up again. Before long, all that remained in the dog food bowl was crumbs.

The next morning, I returned to the window to greet the day. Startled, I leaned back and then smiled. There in front of me, an odd crew had gathered. The roosters and our lone hen stood in the grass, on the edge of the porch, staring my way. Several titmice rested on the arms of a chair, beside the empty bowl. A male cardinal perched on top of the rocking chair, completed the semi-circle of birds-in-waiting. The feathered collection sent me a nonverbal message loud and clear. “Where’s our breakfast? Why are you late?”

If our dog, Cream Puff is generous enough to share her bowl of food with all the brave birds in Holly Creek, then I must do what any good hostess would - start buying bigger bags of dog food. When you give a dog a bowl, no telling who will come and dine!