What a wonderful combination Gay Lea has put together for this Holiday Season. It is a must to include in your Christmas baking! The Chai floating islands add just that little extra pizzaz to an already delicious treat! Enjoy! Happy Holidays everyone!

Ingredients:

To make the Shortbread:

1. Beat the butter with the sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
2. In a separate bowl stir flour with the cornstarch, cardamom & salt; beat into butter mixture on low speed.  3. Divide the dough into two portions and shape each into a log, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
4. Chill for at least 1 hour or until firm enough to slice easily.
5. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and position the racks in the lower and upper thirds of the oven.         6.  Slice the logs into ⅛ inch (3 mm) thick rounds; transfer to parchment paper-lined baking sheets.           7. Bake in batches and rotate the sheets halfway through baking for 15 minutes or until bottoms are pale golden.
8. Cool completely on a rack.

To make the Frosting:

1. Meanwhile, beat egg whites with lime zest and juice until foamy.

2. Add the icing sugar and beat on low until combined.
3. Beat on high until fluffy; chill if needed until firm but spreadable.
4. Spread 1 tsp (5 mL) frosting onto the bottom of half of the cookies.
5. Sandwich with a second cookie and serve with Chai Floating Islands.

Makes about 5 dozen sandwich cookies

Tips:      Store the unfrosted baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Frost the cookies no more than 3 to 4 hours before serving.

Frosting can be made up to one day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Let stand at room temperature until spreadable before frosting cookies.

Chai Floating Islands:
6 cups         milk
5         Chai tea bags    (or use one of the all natural Chai recipes available in betweenclosefriends )
½ cup         Redpath® Instant Dissolving Sugar
¼ cup         Naturegg™ Simply Egg Whites™, well shaken
1 tsp         vanilla extract

1. Heat the milk, Chai tea bags and half the sugar in a deep skillet  set over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until simmering.                                                                                                                         2. Meanwhile, beat egg whites with vanilla until fluffy. With the mixer on high, gradually add remaining sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.                                                                                                               3. Use two spoons to create eight smooth ovals from the meringue mixture & float on the warm tea mixture. 4.  Simmer, gently spooning the warm tea mixture over the meringues every 2 min, until set (about 6 min.). 5.  Carefully divide the tea mixture between eight teacups and top with a meringue.                                       6.  Serve immediately with sandwich cookies.

Makes 8 servings

Preparation time: 30 Minutes

This year, I experimented with planting some heritage tomato varieties, including a beautiful yellow-orange one that tastes remarkably like the blood-red beefsteak tomatoes that my mother used to grow in the 1950’s.

Extremely tasty! And low acid, too! I have been spoiled this year, eating them warm from the vine! Not to mention tomato and basil sandwiches daily!

Perhaps, part of the delicious tomato fare is because like my mother, this year I also grew herbs accompanying those tomatoes. Including basil, oregano, bountiful parsley (a 3 year effort finally successful), rosemary and sage. (For other recipes using these herbs, and herbal remedy recipes, check the category section of betweenclosefriends.)

With several quarts of tomato sauce (with above-mentioned fresh herbs) put up, there are still many ripening on the vine. I love different ways to serve fresh tomatoes, although this year I am not tiring of eating them fresh, they are so delicious!

Since tomatoes are actually a fruit, this is a natural. Without further narration, I present below yet another unique way to serve your fresh tomatoes, while there are still some hot days left. Or, keep some of this scrumptious Yellow Sorbet in the freezer for entertaining and surprising your guests! (You may also like to serve some Versatile Lavender Cookies with your sorbet, or try some Watermelon Salsa– recipes are in the Favorite Food Recipes category.)

For more unique ways with tomatoes, or for natural healing remedies, recipes, reviews; please check out the category section in betweenclosefriends.com.

Recipe for Delicious Yellow Tomato Sorbet

Ingredients:

2 c heritage yellow tomatoes, peeled, seeded and  coarsley chopped. (approximately 2 lbs). I found that these heritage tomatoes peeled well, without scalding.

1 c white sugar (I found that this year, I actually used less sugar! So go easy, you can always add additional sugar to sweeten after cooking.)

½ c filtered water

Juice from 1 medium lemon

Method:

1. Stir together the chopped peeled and seeded heritage yellow tomatoes, with the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Cook for an hour, stirring as needed.
3. Adjust for sweetness, if required.
4. Have an ice bath ready, and after cooking place the saucepan of Yellow Sorbet in the bath to cool.
5. Once cooled, puree the mixture with the lemon juice.
6. You can either place your Yellow Sorbet in an ice cream maker, processing according to the manufacturer’s directions, or use the standard ‘ice-cube tray’ method which will result in a grainer texture.
7. Freeze your homemade tomato Yellow Sorbet in a plastic resealable container until ready to serve.
8. Using an ice cream scoop, place heaping mounds in crystal serving bowls for maximum visual effect.
9. Garnish with a couple of spoonfuls of red coulis drizzled over top, and then a couple of spoonfuls of your green tomato coulis. (Recipe below) Finish the garnish with a fresh sprig of basil leaves to the side.
10. Serve and enjoy the compliments!

To make the Red and Green Tomato Coulis:

Puree approximately ½ c of your best, peeled and seeded, red tomatoes. Adjust sweetness with white sugar, stirring to dissolve completely. Place in a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until your Yellow Sorbet is ready to serve.

Repeat with your best unblemished green tomatoes; also pureeing approximately ½ c, and also adjusting for sweetness with white sugar. Refrigerate in a covered small bowl until needed.

1) Participants in this program have said they feel better about themselves, are happier and more productive

2) You can gain quality time in your life simply by not spending time worrying about food choices, or selecting, preparing and cleaning up after meals on your fasting days. Visit the site and read real testimonials from people who actually look forward to their fasting days, because they know they’ll get much more done!

3) Save money with this method! No fancy foods to buy, no program fees, supplements or scales.

4) You lose fat, not muscle, with this program.

5) Combine it with other dietary programs, if you like! There are no lists of foods that you can and cannot eat. You can choose carbohydrates and carb-load; it works for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike!

Excellent plan of action!

Click here to get this program…

If you are interested in preparing your own homemade organic pet foods, see the ‘Homemade Pet Treats‘ or ‘Herbal Pet Remedies‘ sections in betweenclosefrieinds.com blog.

Vomiting Cats: Vomiting is one of the most common symptoms cats have. It can be a minor problem or a very significant major problem. As a pet owner, you may not know what to do when this happens, so this article will focus on what you can do for your pet at home.

Here are some of the most common questions pet owners ask about vomiting.

What is vomiting?
Vomiting is the act of expelling contents from the stomach through the mouth.

What is the difference between vomiting and regurgitation in cats? Regurgitation is expulsion of contents of the esophagus – the tube that takes food from the mouth to the stomach. The contents never actually reach the stomach. Regurgitated substances often are tubular – the shape of the esophagus and is often undigested (since it didn’t reach the stomach). Also, the motion an animal goes through is different with regurgitation vs. vomiting. Often an animal that regurgitates will just…spit up with very little effort. They don’t use abdominal muscles as they do when they vomit.

What causes vomiting?
Vomiting can be caused by a variety of problems including eating too quickly, eating too much, eating something that is not digestible, eating a different type of food, eating spoiled food or eating garbage. Vomiting can also indicate a systemic problem such as cancer, kidney failure, diabetes and other infectious diseases.

For a full list of possible causes, see below or, go to Vomiting in Cats

What can I do at home?
Specific home treatments are dependent on the cause of the vomiting. Here is the general approach to treat a vomiting cat:

· If your cat vomits once and then eats normally with no further vomiting, has a normal bowel movement and is acting playful, then the problem may resolve on its own.

· If you can find any predisposing cause such as exposure to trash, change in diet or eating plants, always eliminate the source of the problem.

· If your cat vomits several times and you cannot take your cat to your veterinarian (which is recommended), then you may try the following:

- Administer only prescribed medications. Please check with your veterinarian before giving ANY medications.

- Withhold food and water for two hours. Oftentimes the stomach lining may be very irritated. Some cats will want to eat even though their stomach is irritated, and they will continue to vomit. Give the stomach time to rest for a few hours.

- After waiting for two hours, if your cat has not vomited, offer small amounts of water (a few tablespoons at a time). Continue to offer small amounts of water ever 20 minutes or so until your pet is hydrated. Some cats won’t drink water. You can offer fresh water, water in a different bowl, top off the water bowl, or adding ice cubes to the water can encourage some cats to drink. Sometimes offering tuna juice can stimulate cats to drink.

- If there has been no vomiting after the small increments of water are offered, then you may gradually offer a bland diet.

- Small frequent feedings of a bland digestible diet such as: Hill’s Prescription Diet Feline i/d. You can make a homemade diet of boiled chicken. Don’t over feed your cat as they may eat the entire bowl and vomit again. Feed an approximately inch square piece of meat – cut up into smaller pieces. If there is no vomiting, offer a small amount more about one hour later. Give small amounts frequently – every three to four hours for the first day. You can gradually increase the amount and decrease the frequency as your cat tolerates.

- Many veterinarians recommend Pepcid AC® (generic name is Famotidine) to decrease stomach acid. This helps many pets. The dosage most commonly used is 0.25 to 0.5 mg per pound (0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg) every 12 to 24 hours. A 10-pound cat should get about 10 mg once to twice daily. This is an oral medication, which can be found at most pharmacies in the antacid section. Pepcid (Famotidine) does not require a prescription. It is often used for three to five days.

- Feed a bland diet for two days.

- Then gradually return to regular cat food over the next one to two days. At first, mix a little of your cat’s regular food into the bland diet. Feed that for one meal. Then feed a 50/50 mix for one meal. Then feed ¾ cat food and ¼ bland diet for a meal. Then, return to feeding your cat’s regular food.

- If your cat goes out – keep your cat in until you know his problems has resolved.

- This is important! If vomiting continues at any time or the onset of other symptoms is noted, call your veterinarian promptly. If your cat is not eating, acts lethargic, has continued vomiting or has any other physical abnormalities mentioned above, it is important to see your veterinarian. Your pet needs your help and the professional care your veterinarian can provide. If your pet is having the clinical signs mentioned above, expect your veterinarian to perform some diagnostic tests and make treatment recommendations. Those recommendations will be dependent upon the severity and nature of the clinical signs.

When is vomiting an emergency?
If the vomiting continues after your cat eats, or if your pet acts lethargic or doesn’t want to eat, then medical attention is warranted. See your veterinarian.

If your cat is losing weight, if you see blood in the vomit – please see your veterinarian.

Great Links for More Information
For more details about vomiting, go to Vomiting in Cats and Chronic Vomiting in Cats(duration longer than 1 or 2 weeks).
Related topics – go to Acute Diarrhea in Cats, Gastroenteritis in Cats, and Dehydration in Cats.

Disclaimer: Advice given in the Home Care series of articles is not meant to replace veterinary care. When your pet has a problem, it is always best to see your veterinarian as soon as possible. But in some cases, it is not always possible to seek veterinary care. You could be traveling, it could be after hours and there are no 24-hour clinics near you, or maybe you simply can’t afford it. Whatever the reason, when your pet has a problem, you need answers. Most vets will not give you any information over the phone – they will tell you to bring your pet in for an office visit. So, when these difficult situations arise, many pet owners don’t know what to do – and they end up doing the wrong thing because they don’t have sound veterinary advice. When your pet has a problem and you can’t see your vet, the information in this series of articles can help guide you so that you will not inadvertently cause harm to your pet. However, this information is not a replacement for veterinary care.

Causes of acute vomiting may include:
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders

· Bacterial infection of the GI tract

· Diet-related causes (diet change, food intolerance, food allergy, dietary indiscretion)

· Foreign bodies (toys, string, plastic, hairballs)

· Intestinal intussusception (prolapse of one part of the intestine into another)

· Intestinal volvulus (torsion of a loop of intestine, causing obstruction with or without compromising the blood supply to the part by strangulation)

· Intestinal parasites

Non-gastrointestinal disorders

· Acute kidney failure

· Acute liver failure or gall bladder inflammation

· Diabetes mellitus

· Drugs (certain drugs can cause vomiting including digoxin, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, adriamycin, erythromycin and tetracycline)

· Hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the· blood)

· Motion sickness

· Neurological disorders (such as vestibular disease, meningitis, increased intracranial pressure or other central nervous system disorders)

· Overeating

· Pancreatitis

· Peritonitis (inflammation of the membrane lining the walls of the abdominal and pelvic cavities)

· Post-operative nausea

· Pyometra (an accumulation of pus in the uterus)

· Sepsis/systemic infection

· Toxins or chemicals

· Viral infections

Causes of chronic vomiting may include:

Gastrointestinal disorders

· Chronic colitis

· Chronic gastritis (lymphocytic plasma, eosinophilic, granulomatous)

· Diaphragmatic hernia

· Diet related (food allergy or intolerance)

· Foreign bodies

· Gastric motility disorders

· Gastric outflow obstruction (due to a variety of causes)

· Gastrointestinal ulceration

· Hiatal hernia (protrusion of a structure, often a portion of the stomach, through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm)

· Hypertrophic gastropathy

· Intestinal obstruction

· Neoplasia (the formation of a tumor)

· Parasites

· Severe constipation

Non-gastrointestinal disorders

· Chronic pancreatitis

· Heartworm infection

· Liver failure

· Neurological disorders (neoplasia, inflammatory diseases, etc)

· Kidney failure

· Toxicity (such as lead)

Vomiting may be caused by a number of disorders. A single episode of vomiting is seldom cause for concern but prolonged or excessive vomiting may be a sign of a serious underlying problem. Have your pet examined by a veterinarian if he is vomiting before he becomes seriously dehydrated or debilitated.
Different diseases will be considered as potential causes of vomiting by your veterinarian depending on your pet’s medical history and physical examination. If the vomiting has been occurring for three months in an 8-year-old cat with a history of weight loss, then laboratory work and radiographs (X-rays) may be the diagnostic tests of choice. Since vomiting can be a symptom of many different diseases, numerous diagnostic tests may be needed to determine the cause of your pet’s problem. The extent of the work-up should be discussed with your veterinarian.

For a fresh single serving, combine:

1 c freshly washed spinach

1 medium sized sweet apple, cored

1 c purified water

2 T good quality extra-virgin olive oil

2 capsules of your pet’s favourite fish oil

Method:

1. Place the first 4 ingredients in a blender.

2.  Blend until smooth and liquid texture. If necessary, add a little more water.

3.  Just before serving, break open the fish capsules, and drizzle the oil over the top of your pet’s smoothie.

For additional healthy and nourishing all-natural pet food recipes and remedies, please check out the Homemade Pet Treats and Herbal Pet Remedies categories in betweenclosefriends.com.

Your pet will enjoy his very own smoothie, but don’t overdo it. Two to three times a week is optimal.

Any leftover smoothie keeps well in the fridge for up to three days.

This recipe will yield just over 1 cup of pet smoothie, which will fill an average-sized doggy bowl. You may wish to divide his serving into two for smaller sized pets.

The ingredients in Kitty’s Own Green Smoothie will help keep her healthy and strong, with a beautifully luxurious shiny coat while boosting her immune system, and is especially good for your indoor felines. The optimal maintenance serving size for your grateful Kitty is between 2 and 3 Tablespoons twice a week. (This recipe is especially effective for an ailing cat, quickly helping her improve. But don’t force it upon her.)

1 c wheatgrass clippings (or any other grass, not sprayed. I usually grow my own…easy instructions below)

1 c purified water

Pinch of fresh catnip (optional—as the addition of the fresh catnip will drive your Kitty wild!)

2 T good quality X-Virgin olive oil

2 capsules fish oil (reserve to the end, and pour over the smoothie when it is in the bowl. My cats are partial to salmon oil, but you can use any fish oil that your kitty prefers)

1. Combine the first four ingredients in a blender, and blend together well until smooth and pureed.
2. At this stage, you can either serve ½ of Kitty’s Own Green Smoothie and freeze the remainder for another day, or freeze it all. (If you freeze the whole amount, pour the fish oil on top of the smoothie in the ice cube tray, and freeze combined.) Once frozen, store in an air-tight freezer bag to keep freshest.
3. When serving freshly made, drizzle the fish oil over the top of Kitty’s Own Green Smoothie to complete this nourishing treat. (Use the appropriate amount of fish oil to the amount you are serving—2 capsules for the full amount.)

For more healthy organic recipes for Kitty or other pets, please check the Homemade Pet Treats category of betweenclosefriends.com

It is very easy to grow your own crop of wheatgrass for both kitty and yourself. This will ensure that it is fresh and pesticide-free, not to mention readily available!

Simply purchase some natural wheat seeds from your local bulk food store, soak 3 Tablespoon of seeds in water for a day, then plant them 1 inch deep in a medium sized pot of damp potting soil. Place the pot in a warm area, misting daily. When the sprouts are 3 to 5 inches high, ( 2-3 days later), they are the most nourishing and tender.

NB: Make sure to keep the sprouts out of kitty’s reach, or she will devour them in one sitting!

The healing effects of the aloe vera combined with the cooling of the cucumber and the avocado make this Refreshing Green Facial Recipe a very effective sunscreen, or after the fact as a sunburn-soother and healer. The ingredients in this version of Refreshing Green Facial are perfect for improving your overall skin health by deep cleaning and nourishing your skin, naturally.

Ingredients:

1/2 regular sized avocado (skin and pit removed)

4 to 5 inch length of cucumber

1 large aloe vera leaf

Method:

1. Combine the above ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.

2. Apply to your skin generously.

3. Leave on for approximately 20 minutes for maximum results.

4. Rinse off with tepid water.

You will really enjoy the soothing and cooling effects Refreshing Green Facial has on your skin. For more natural skin-care recipes, facial cleanser, shampoos, etc please check the betweenclosefriends.com categories.

This poem says it all, and more…..

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Happy

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Mother’s Day!

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- Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you’ve had a baby………Somebody doesn’t know that once you’re a mother, ‘normal’, is history.

-Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct…….Somebody never took a three year old shopping.

- Somebody said being a mother is boring…….Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver’s permit.

- Somebody said if you’re a good mother, your child will ‘turn out good’…….Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

- Somebody said ‘good’ mothers never raise their voices…….Somebody never came out the  back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through a neighbour’s kitchen window.

-Somebody said, you don’t need an education to be a mother…….Somebody never helped a fourth grader with her math.

- Somebody said you can’t love the fifth child as much as you love the first…….Somebody doesn’t have five children.

- Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books…….Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose and in his ears.

- Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labour and delivery…….Somebody never watcher her ‘baby’ get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten or on a plane to leave for military ‘boot’ camp.

- Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back…….Somebody never organized four giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

- Somebody said a mother can stop worrying when her child get married…….Somebody doesn’t know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother’s heart strings.

- Somebody said a mother’s job is done when her last child leaves home…….Somebody never had grandchildren.

- Somebody says a mother knows you love her, so you don’t need to tell her…….Somebody isn’t a mother.

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All the best to everyone….remember your mother today, no matter how close or far, and tell her you love her. No matter what, she cares about you.

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Happy Mother’s Day!

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I have started a new section to my Blog where I will review books of interest to me, and hopefully to you also. I will be completely honest with my reviews and let you know what I like and do not like. These books will vary in gendre, and still have relevance to my site.

My first review is the second of two ‘triple threat’ novels by these co-authors.

‘Hand of Fate’ by Lis Wiehl and April Henry is a mystery novel that is certain to delight! This ‘whodunit’ setting is Portland, Oregon and centers around the mysterious death of blunt and outspoken radio talk show host, Jim Fate.

Three long-time friends since grade-school find their lives intertwined in their attempt to solve this dramatic ‘on air’ death. These women approach the crime as a TV Crime Reporter (Cassidy), a Federal Prosecutor (Allison), and a FBI Special Agent (Nicole).

Although the first few chapters jumped around somewhat, I was quickly drawn into their lives through the easy writing style, and found the Hand of Fate hard to put down. By the end of the novel, I felt I knew each woman personally as a friend.

From the outset, I believed that I knew who killed Jim Fate, but was lead to other worthy suspects, then surprised by the actual killer revelation.

This is a novel that I would highly recommend for the writing style, character development, and overall entertaining reading.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

1. Beets
High in the B-Vitamin, folic acid, these colorful root vegetables also contain powerful nutrient compounds that help protect against birth defects and heart disease. The betaine in beets helps reduce inflammation, with the antioxidant pigment that gives beets their rich, purple-crimson color-betacyanin- is also a powerful cancer-fighting agent; especially colon cancer. Sneak it in: Add pickled beet sticks as a garnish to your salads, or serve borscht (recipe in betweenclosefriends.com) as your soup dish at lunch with a sour cream garnish.

2. Cherries
Loaded with vitamins A and C, fiber and antioxidants (including sleep-promoting melatonin), high in phytochemicals (plant chemicals that have disease preventative properties), cherries also contain anthocyanins (flavonoid pigments), that can have a significant impact on relieving muscle and joint soreness by reducing inflammation. Sneak it in: Delicious as snacks, in desserts, added to your breakfast oatmeal, or chopped for a colourful garnish over salads.

3. Cranberry
Compared to 20 other fruits, cranberries had the highest level of both free and total polyphenol antioxidants (phenols), with red grapes at a distant second place. Phenols are an oxidant that decrease the risk of heart disease, stoke and cancers, and also support the immune system. Sneak it in: Serve cranberry jam on toast (recipe in betweenclosefriends.com); use in soups, stews and baking; or sprinkle dried cranberries over salads and in your morning cereals

4. Eggs
Eggs are nutrient dense, contain high quality protein, while providing many vitamins and minerals, and only 70 calories per egg. The yolks are loaded with choline, which is proven to help combat breast cancer. Sneak it in: Crumble a hard-boiled egg over your favourite salad, stir a lightly beaten egg into clear soups for added interest.

5. Kale
This nutrient rich, low calorie leafy green is rich in antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. The sulphur-containing phytonutrients also contained in Kale are believed to lower the risk of arthritis and cancers such as ovarian and breast. Sneak it in: Delicious used in soups, pasta dishes, and combined with chickpeas and potatoes.

6. Kefir
This ancient cultured milk product delivers antibiotic properties, protein, minerals and vitamin B, and is an ideal substitute if you are lactose intolerant. Kefir can also be made ‘dairy free’. Sneak it in: Use in place of yogurt with granola and berries or in traditional Lassis (recipes in betweenclosefriends.com); add to your favourite smoothies; mix with fruit juices.}

7. Mushrooms
These tasty treats are loaded with antioxidants, riboflavin, selenium and other nutrients that keep our immune system healthy and help prevent cancer. Sneak it in: Combine with onions, garlic and thyme to make stock for risotto; obvious toppings for pizzas and salads; delicious stuffed as dinner appetizers!

8. Pistachios
Pistachios are the lowest-calorie, highest-fiber nut containing antioxidants, heart-healthy fats/protein, while offering more than 30 different vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. They are the only nut to contain significant amounts of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Pistachios are also an excellent source of vitamin B6, containing as much as beef liver! Sneak it in: Use them in pestos instead of pine nuts, toppings to your salads, and chopped over rice dishes.

9. Ground Salba
This ancient grain contains essential minerals, and vital age–fighting antioxidants while providing 8x more omega-3 fatty acids than salmon, 25% more dietary fiber than flaxseed, 30% more antioxidants than blueberries, and 7x more vitamin C than an orange! Sneak it in: Sprinkle over breakfast cereals; in smoothies; in pasta dishes and salads; or bake/cook with it in breads, cookies, muffins, burgers, gravies, etc.

10. Spirulina
With more iron than beef and more protein than soy, high in essential fatty acids, Vitamins B, C, D, and minerals; this algae is the only plant source of vitamin B12. Sneak it in: Add spirulina powder to breakfast smoothies, dips, and use to make tasty broths for homemade soups. (recipes in betweenclosefriends.com)

NOTES:

6. Kefir was discovered by ancient Egyptians who found that the fresh cow, goat, or sheep milk they carried in their leather pouches while traveling through the dessert, would ferment into a tasty effervescent thirst-quenching beverage. Today, dairy-free alternatives are also available using coconut milk, rice milk and soya milk. (recipe to make your own soyamilk, and kefir available in betweenclosefriends.com) It is also tasty used in fruit juices, coconut water, and in ginger beer. Kefir can be purchased ready made in most Health Food Stores, Fitness Centers and some specialty grocery stores. Starter kits to make your own Kefir can be also purchased here, and online.

9. A 100% natural whole food, Salba is gluten free and can be eaten whole or ground. When used in powder form, it is an excellent substitute for flour or eggs in recipes. (1/4 c cold water mixed with 1 T Salba powder is equal to 1 egg). Clinical studies indicate this ancient nutritional powerhouse grain helps to: boost energy levels, reduce blood pressure, promote balanced blood sugar levels, reduce weight, aid in digestion, and is heart- healthy. Ground Salba can be purchased in most Health Food Stores, Fitness Centers and online.

10. Spirulina is a microscopic blue-green alga cultivated and harvested from small lakes and ponds around the world, and is now commonly used as a dietary supplement as well as a whole food whose use dates back to the Aztecs in the 9th Century. It is available in tablet, flake and powder form in most health food stores and drugstores. (Jameson commonly carries Spirulina in tablet form, which you can crush and use as a powder).