Creamy Mushroom and Chicken Pasta

Health benefits

Olive Oil is rich in mono-saturated fats which helps protect against Type II diabetes. It helps with weight loss; maintain healthy heart, lower blood pressure, keeps healthy bones and healthy skin. In addition, it helps prevents colon and skin cancer.

Garlic is an ear infection, sore throat and tonsillitis remedy. It wards off coughs and cold, breaks s down blood clots, reduces risk of heart attack and stroke, prevents cancer and aids respiratory problems. It also heal and reduce itchiness of insect bites, stop toothache and aids in digestion and stomach problems.

Red Onion is antiseptic, anti-spasmodic and anti-biotic. It assists with asthma, detoxifying of metals and parasites, prevents cancer, protects brain, strengthens bones, aids digestion and purifies Blood.

Mushrooms are anti-oxidants and rich in zinc. They lower cholesterol level, support immune system, increase vitamin D level, maintain healthy skin, and contain natural insulin. They also increase metabolism, inhabit cancer, and thin blood.

Rosemary is rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, these are thought to help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation. It is rich in antioxidants which play an important role in neutralizing harmful free radicals and also helps improving digestion. It enhances memory and concentration and it is good for your brain by helping prevent brain aging. It has differential anti-proliferative effects on human leukemia and breast carcinoma cells.

Pine nuts are a powerhouse of vitamin, mineral, antioxidants and other nutrients. They also contain monounsaturated fatty acids that are heart-friendly and help lower bad cholesterol in the blood and increase the level of good one.  They also help protect the heart from heart conditions. Pine nuts contain excellent amounts of vitamin E which helps to maintain the health of mucus skin and fights harmful free radicals that causes cancers and other fatal diseases.

Parsley is anti-inflammatory and rich in many vital vitamins, including Vitamin C, B 12, K and A. it helps keeps your immune system strong, tones your bones and heals the nervous system. In addition, parsley helps flush out excess fluid from the body, thus supporting kidney function. It also helps controlling blood pressure, maintaining healthy heart and preventing cancer.

 

Ingredients

-          2 tbsp olive oil

-          1 clove of crushed garlic

-          1 small finely chopped onion

-          1 cup of sliced fresh mushrooms

-          3/4 cup of cooking cream

-          2 tsp of dried rosemary

-          1 tbsp of butter

-          500 g ribbons pasta

-          200 g shredded chicken

-          1/3 cup pine nuts

-          3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

-          1/4 cup chopped parsley

-          salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1.       Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of salted boiling water until al dente then drain.

2.      Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Spray 1tbsp of olive oil. Cook the chicken for 3 minutes until browned. Transfer to a bowl and cover to keep warm.

3.      Heat the reaming of the oil in the frying pan; cook garlic and onion, stirring, until onion softens. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring, until tender.

4.      Add cream and rosemary to pan; bring to the boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for about 3 minutes or until sauce thickens; add the butter, then stir.

5.      Add the hot cream sauce to the hot pasta with the chicken, pine nuts, half the cheese, and parsley; toss gently until combined.

6.      Season to taste with salt and pepper.

7.      Serve immediately, topped with rest of cheese.

8.      Enjoy J

How to prepare yourself for work after the weekend?

It is easy to understand all those posts about “Hating Monday”. It’s Sunday night and you are already feeling the weekend has slipped away. However, the biggest challenge of Mondays is the prospect of facing down a fresh week of work. Taking some time to prepare for your workweek can make the biggest workload more manageable, and help you succeed all week long.

These 5 tips will help face your week head-on and be productive!

1.        Have some “Me Time”

Weekends are often fill with social activities. However, they are supposed to be relaxing. Try to save a little personal time to relax before the new week begins.

2.        Have a to-do list

Lay out the assignments that you are going to work on that week. With a prioritized list, you'll feel more prepared for the upcoming week.

3.        Don't try to keep the weekend going

Go to bed early on Sunday night and make sure you ready yourself for the week ahead. You don't want to start the week by feeling tired.

4.        Put on something that makes you happy

Whether it is a necklace or a sparkly pair of earrings or a new tie, choose something to wear on Monday that makes you perk up.

5.        Get some exercise

Exercise will naturally boost your mood and has the added benefit of helping you sleep better. Get outdoors, you will feel energized and focused and ready to take on your day.

10 benefits of using Sweet Almond Oil

The almond is originated in southwest Asia and the Middle East, as far as the Indus River in Pakistan. Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts in the world. They contain many healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients. They help reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) and at the same time increase the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body which reduces heart diseases. They are rich in vitamin E which is a strong antioxidant helping fight free radicals that cause cancers, degenerative diseases and aging. In addition, almonds are good source of protein and   rich in calories which means they are source of lasting energy.

Almond oil is extracted from almonds. There are many varieties of almonds, but they are generally classified into two classes.

-          Bitter Almonds: these are almonds that are bitter to taste. They are hardly ever eaten, or used in recipes. Bitter almonds however are used to produce bitter almond oil.  These almonds contain a small amount of hydrogen cyanide, which is extremely poisonous. Eating just a few of these almonds can lead to a vertigo, or even death.

-          Sweet Almonds: these are the almonds that we are accustomed to eating. They are used to produce sweet almond oil. This oil too has a sweet taste, making almond oil one of the tastiest almond oils.

Here are 10 benefits of using Sweet Almond Oil

1-       Regulates Cholesterol

Almond oil has a high potassium content and low sodium content which helps in regulating blood pressure and maintains cholesterol levels. This prevents in development of cardiovascular diseases. It is also rich in folic acids and protein which are proved to be beneficial for cardiac health. It is known that intake of almonds as part of our regular diet can also lower and regulate the high cholesterol levels.

2-      Protects Against Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar becomes elevated due to your pancreas or cells being unable to produce insulin properly. Almonds and almond oil have been proven to both help regulate blood sugar levels.

3-      Helps with Healthy Weight

Some researches have proven that people who consume almond oil as a regular part of their diets show greater weight loss than people on an identical diet without almond oil.

4-      Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

Heart disease is often caused by chronic inflammation. Adding regular almond oil consumption to your diet should help you to reduce inflammation in your body and keep your heart healthy.

5-      Boosts Memory And Strengthens Nervous System

Almond oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. It also has significant amounts of potassium. These nutrients support the nervous system and keep any kind of nervous disorders at bay. Add a few drops of the oil to a glass of milk and drink this every night before you go to bed.

6-      Makes Skin Healthier and Delays Signs Of Aging

Almond oil improves the complexion greatly and imparts a warm glow to the skin. It completely nourishes the skin, making it smoother and softer. Applying almond oil on your skin regularly will make your skin feel younger and fresher. Getting rid of wrinkles is one of the most known benefits of almond oil for skin. Massaging your skin with this oil will help in improving the blood circulation and tighten your dull, aged skin.

7-      Reduces Dark Circles

Massage your under eyes with almond oil every day before you go to bed. The vitamin E in the almond oil with regular use will lighten the skin under the eyes. Regular use of almond oil will also reduce wrinkles and crowfeet around the eyes.

8-      Prevent Hair Fall

Almond oil adds an intense luster to your hair and makes it healthy. Apply almond oil once or twice a week to moisturize the scalp. This will reduce hair fall and improve the hair quality.

9-      Promotes Healthy And Strong Nails

For healthy strong nails, massage them with a few drops of almond oil daily. The potassium and zinc present in the almond oil, leaves your nails feeling stronger and more hydrated, and making them less prone to peeling or breaking.

10-  Promotes Long Flirty Eyelashes

Before you go to bed, dip an old mascara wand to apply in the almond oil and apply the oil on the eyelashes, just the way you would apply mascara.

Top 10 Pantone Colors – Spring 2016

"Colors this season transport us to a happier, sunnier place where we feel free to express a wittier version of our real selves," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute

1-      Rose Quartz a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure.

2-      Peach Echo a shade that emanates friendlier qualities, evoking warmth and accessibility.

3-      Serenity comforts with a calming effect, bringing a feeling of respite even in turbulent times.

4-      Snorkel Blue plays in the navy family, but with a happier, more energetic context.

5-      Buttercup reveals a shining beacon transporting its wearer to a happier, sunnier place.

6-      Limpet Shell suggestive of clarity and freshness, its crisp and modern influences evokes a deliberate, mindful tranquility.

7-      Lilac Gray adds a distinctive edge to this classic gray shade.

8-      Fiesta is a harbinger of excitement, encouraging free-spirited exploration to unknown but welcoming locales.

9-      Iced Coffee manifests as another strong neutral for the season.

10-  Green Flash calls on its wearer to explore push the envelope and escape the mundane, radiating an openness that combines with the rest of the palette in unexpected but serendipitous ways.

Healthy Spinach Pomegranate Salad

Health Benefits

·         Spinach Leaves are an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, copper, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. They are a very good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, protein, and choline.

·         White Onion is antiseptic, anti-spasmodic and anti-biotic. It assists with asthma, detoxifying of metals and parasites, prevents cancer, protects brain, strengthens bones, aids digestion and purifies Blood.

·         Walnut assists with healthy blood formation, development and growth. It contains vitamin B complex and rich in vitamin E. It strengths kidneys and lungs, lubricates digestive system, balances good verses bad fats, improves brain health and metabolism, and fight free –radicals.

·         Pomegranate provides relief from stomach disorders, protects against heart ailments, maintains blood sugar levels and blood pressure, and reduces risk of developing cancer. It also lowers dental plaque and helps reduce symptoms of anemia. In addition, it provides youthful and glowing skin and helps overcome depression.

·         Balsamic Vinegar is low in calorie which helps with weight loss. It lowers and stabilizes blood pressure levels. The polyphenols in balsamic vinegar limited the ability of LDL cholesterol to oxidize and this reduced the amount of damage done by LDL cholesterol on the body’s cells.

·         Olive Oil is rich in mono-saturated fats which helps protect against Type II diabetes. It helps with weight loss; maintain healthy heart, lower blood pressure, keeps healthy bones and healthy skin. In addition, it helps prevents colon and skin cancer.

·         Honey is anti-viral, anti-fungal and a powerful antioxidant. It helps ward off allergies, soothes sore throats and is a natural expectorant.  It also stabilizes blood pressure and balances blood sugar levels, boosts immune function, promotes digestive health.

Ingredients

-          2 cups rinsed and drained baby spinach leaves

-          ¼   sliced white onion

-          ½ cup walnut pieces

-          ½  cup crumbled feta cheese

-          1 peeled and seeds separated pomegranate

-          2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

-          1 tbsp olive oil

-          1 tsp honey

-          Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1-      Place spinach in a salad bowl. Top with white onion, walnuts and feta.

2-      Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the top

3-      Mix together the balsamic vinegar, the olive oil, the honey, the salt and pepper.

4-      Add the mix to the salad

5-      Enjoy J