Keeping it Simple (KISBYTO): National Blueberry Cheesecake Day

Keeping it Simple (KISBYTO): National Blueberry Cheesecake Day: (Google Image)  By Chef Diane A few months ago I was talking to my cousin in Texas. He recently turned 50, so I have been giving ...

National Blueberry Cheesecake Day

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By Chef Diane

A few months ago I was talking to my cousin in Texas. He recently turned 50, so I have been giving him grief about getting older. That’s the job of a good cousin right? He has had periods of forgetfulness, so in my research I found that along with Ginko, blueberries are also great in helping with memory issues. So...I made him a card with a picture of blueberries on it, to help him remember to eat some blueberries.  You would think he would appreciate my subtle reminders...hahaha.

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The other night I was having a craving for some ice cream.  I don't like buying it and having it in my freezer, because once its there it calls to me constantly until I eat it all up.  Does your food ever "talk" to you??  Well this craving was so strong that I decided to go down the road to McDonald's for an ice cream cone.  As I pulled up to the box to place my order, I looked up at the menu and saw a big bowl of blueberries...they sell them now.  I thought to myself, isn’t that a   healthy choice?

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Today when I looked at my assignment sheet I see that it is National Blueberry Cheesecake day.  I think someone is telling me to make blueberry cheesecake.   It is believed that cheesecake originated in Ancient Greece where it was served to athletes during the Olympic Games in 776 B.C. Since then, recipes for cheesecake have evolved and today we have cheesecakes in hundreds of flavors — from plain to white chocolate to blueberry,

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The types of cheese used in cheesecake vary depending on where it is made and the intended flavor of the cheesecake. American cheesecakes are made with cream cheese, while Italian cheesecakes are made with ricotta. Furthermore, German and Polish cheesecake recipes call for quark cheese.

Blueberries are full of Vitamin C and dietary fiber.  They contain manganese, which plays an important role in bone development and in converting the proteins, carbohydrates and fats in food into to energy, and they have great antioxidant benefits as well.  With all these benefits, how can you not have some blueberry cheesecake?  Below is a recipe from Myrecipes.com to get you started.   If you don’t have time to make all this, you can get a mix for cheesecake that is on the cake mix aisle at your grocery, you can get already made mix in containers in your dairy aisle, or you can even get a frozen cheese cake and add your own blueberries.  What's stopping you?  Celebrate Blueberry Cheesecake Day!

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Blueberry Cheesecake

Ingredients

Crust:

• 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 5 cookie sheets)
• 2/3 cup reduced-fat vanilla wafer crumbs (about 20 cookies)
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:

• 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen wild blueberries, thawed
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 1/2 (8-ounce) blocks fat-free cream cheese, softened
• 1 (8-ounce) block 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 5 large eggs 
• Click to see savings

Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups fat-free sour cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sauce:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup fresh or frozen, thawed, wild blueberries

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. To prepare crust, combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl. Drizzle with butter; toss with a fork until moist. Firmly press mixture into bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325° for 10 minutes; cool on a wire rack.
3. To prepare filling, combine 2 1/2 cups blueberries and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a food processor, and process until smooth. Place puree in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 6 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Cool slightly. Reserve 1/2 cup blueberry puree for sauce; set remaining 1 cup blueberry puree aside.
4. Place cheeses in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed for 3 minutes or until smooth. Combine 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and salt. Add sugar mixture to cheese mixture; beat well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour batter over prepared crust. Pour 1 cup blueberry puree over batter; gently swirl with a knife. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until cheesecake center barely moves when pan is touched. Remove cheesecake from oven (do not turn oven off); place cheesecake on a wire rack.
5. To prepare topping, combine sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl, stirring well. Spread sour cream mixture evenly over cheesecake. Bake at 325° for 10 minutes. Remove cheesecake from oven; run a knife around outside edge. Cool to room temperature. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. Remove sides of spring form pan.
6. To prepare sauce, combine reserved 1/2 cup blueberry puree, 1/4 cup sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 8 minutes or until sauce is thick, stirring constantly. Gently fold in 1 cup blueberries. Remove from heat, and cool. Serve sauce with cheesecake

Preparing for Memorial Day...

By Akindman

(Thanks sis for the email)

God Bless our Veterans…

MEMORIAL DAY

It is the

VETERAN,

not the preacher,

who has given us freedom of religion.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the campus organizer,

who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the politician,

Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the

VETERAN who

salutes the Flag,

It is

the

VETERAN

who serves

under the Flag,

Makes you proud to be an AMERICAN!!!!!

Heat Safety Awareness Day

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By Akindman

Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. In fact, on average, excessive heat claims more lives each year than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined. In the disastrous heat wave of 1980, more than 1,250 people died. In the heat wave of 1995 more than 700 deaths in the Chicago area were attributed to heat. In August 2003, a record heat wave in Europe claimed an estimated 50,000 lives.

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North American summers are hot; most summers see heat waves in one or more parts of the United States. East of the Rockies, they tend to combine both high temperature and high humidity; although some of the worst heat waves have been catastrophically dry.

How does heat affect the workplace? When exposed to extreme heat or when working in hot environments, workers can be at risk of heat stress. Heat stress occurs when the body is unable to cool itself by sweating. Heat rashes, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can occur as a result. Heat also increases the risk of workplace injuries. Sweaty palms, fogged safety glasses and dizziness can all contribute to injury.

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Who's at risk? Workers with heart disease, high blood pressure, overweight or over 65 years are at greatest risk. Those who work outdoors, including farmers, utility and construction workers, firefighters, miners, factory works, and bakery workers are a few examples.

Here are a few tips and reminders for keeping yourself, loved ones, and pets safe when temperatures rise:

• Those whose work, or whose activity schedule requires that they be, outdoors for prolonged periods should take frequent breaks to get out of the sun.
• Remain well hydrated (drink plenty of water).  Water is the best fluid to drink to re-hydrate and/or to stay hydrated.  Beverages high in sugar or caffeine are not recommended.
• Prolonged exposure to heat and humidity may increase the chances for a variety of ailments such as sunburn, heat exhaustion, heat stroke (hypothermia), and heat cramps.
• Pets and small children should never be left in automobiles, even for short periods of time.  Seeing as though most episodes of extreme heat occur in the spring and summer months, when the sun angle is highest, the interior of an automobile can undergo rapid rises in temperature very quickly.  Did you know that recent studies suggest that on a day when the temperature is 80 degrees, the interior of an automobile with closed windows is capable of reaching 120 degrees after an hour of being left unattended?  Imagine how high those temperatures could get if the air temperature were 85 or even 90 degrees!  Furthermore, closed windows do not allow for the heat to escape as easily (open windows will not provide much heat reduction either, especially if the vehicle is stationary).  Dangerous, or even life threatening, conditions may materialize for pets, children, and even adults in these situations.
• Check on the elderly to ensure that they are remaining safe and healthy.
• Make sure pets have adequate fresh, cold water and food.  Pets should not be left outdoors in the heat for prolonged periods of time.
• Get out of the heat, and into an air conditioned environment, for at least a few hours each day during periods of excessive heat.  If your home is not air conditioned, go to a shopping mall or other air conditioned place.

Links:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lbf/?n=heatawarenessday

National Tap Dance Day

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By Diane Forrest

I knew a man Bojangles and he'd dance for you in worn out shoes

Silver hair, ragged shirt and baggy pants, that old soft shoe

He'd jump so high, he'd jump so high, then he lightly touched down

Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Bojangles, dance.

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Even before the shows, "So you think you can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars", I think nearly every little girl grew up wanting to dance.  The town I grew up in didn't have any dance classes, that's why I got stuck with piano lessons.  But, I did have old Shirley Temple movies to watch, and I would love to see her dancing with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.  They were wonderful together in the several movies they did.  For a clip of one of their movies, click here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjCFYpWDmfM

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In 1878 on this day, Mr. Bojangles was born in Richmond Virginia.  His parents both died by the time he was 7 years old, and he and his brother were raised by their grandparents. . Details of Robinson's early life are known only through legend, much of it perpetuated by Robinson himself. He claimed he was christened "Luther"—a name he did not like. He suggested to his younger brother Bill that they should exchange names. When Bill objected, Luther applied his fists, and the exchange was made.  He began dancing when he was 5 years old.  He soon dropped out of school and began a career in dancing by the age of 12.  It was not until he reached the age of 50 that he danced before a white audience.  He became the toast of the town, and in 1929 he was in his first movie.  Following that he made 17 more movies before retiring in 1943.  He died in 1949 at the age of 71.  Even though he earned over 2 million dollars, he died penniless.  His friend, Ed Sullivan arranged a funeral for him, and over 35,000 were in attendance.

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A favorite Robinson anecdote is that he seated himself in a restaurant and a customer objected to his presence. When the manager suggested that it might be better if Robinson leave, he smiled and asked, "Have you got a ten dollar bill?" Politely asking to borrow the manager's note for a moment, Robinson added six $10 bills from his own wallet and mixed them up, then extended the seven bills together, adding, "Here, let's see you pick out the colored one." The restaurant manager served Robinson without further delay.

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Bill Robinson spent his lifetime entertaining the country.  That is why in 1989, a joint U.S. Senate/House resolution declared "National Tap Dance Day" to be May 25, the anniversary of Bill Robinson's birth.

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Tap dance day can be celebrated with an event which may be organized by a studio or tap dance interest group. Some may also celebrate it individually due to geographical dispersion or lack of access to the wider tap community. National Tap Dance Day is celebrated in many different ways. For example, a studio may send people out onto the streets to teach the "Shim Sham Shimmy" to passers-by. However, there are several cities (particularly in America) that have their own performances and events to coincide with Tap Dance Day.

National Escargot Day

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A man walks into a Cadillac dealer and buys a car...but before he gets it delivered,

he asks the salesman to put a large 'S' on the doors and roof.

"What do you want an 'S' on the doors and roof of a Cadillac for?"

The man replies: so as I pass people on the freeway they can say: "Look at that 'S' car go!"

By Diane Forrest

I remember watching the movie Pretty Women, with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.  On her first evening out, he takes her to a business dinner at a fancy restaurant.  For the appetizer they are served escargot.  Julia picks up one with a special tool, and before she can grasp it, the critter flies from her hands, across the room, and is expertly caught by the waiting attendant.  She exclaims, "slippery little suckers" and he replies, it happens all the time.  In fact the same waiter or actor who played the waiter, Allan Kent also caught something accidently tossed by Anne Hathaway in the Princess Diaries.

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Today is National Escargot Day.  Escargot is French for snails.  They are removed from their shells, cooked, the replaced in their shells and served.  They are appetizers, served in French restaurants.  Escargot can be considered a healthy food because snails are high in protein and very low in fat. However, not all species of snails are edible and the taste of the snails vary among species.

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If you have never tried them before, below is a recipe from cooks.com.  Instead of placing them in shells, this recipe calls for stuffing them in mushroom caps.  Why not try your hand and your palate at some escargot today.

ESCARGOT

• 1 stick of butter, softened
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp. chopped shallots
• 2 lg. cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 can escargot
• Mushroom caps

Rinse escargot: pat dry. Mix first 4 ingredients. Place 1 mushroom cap in bottom of escargot cup dish. Add 1 tsp. of butter mixture and escargot. Add butter and escargot until all escargot are used. End with butter mixture. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 to 20 minutes or until butter bubbles. Serve with thick slices of crusty French bread.

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National Crohn's and Colitis Day

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By Diane Forrest, RN

What do a past president, beauty pageant winner; actress and professional wrestler have in common?  Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mary Ann Mobley, Shannon Dougherty and George "The Animal" Steele all have Chromes and Colitis, along with 1.4 million other Americans.

Crohn's Disease is a chronic (ongoing) disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although it can involve any area of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, it most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon.  Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, are the two main disease categories that belong to a larger group of illnesses called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because the symptoms of these two illnesses are so similar, it is sometimes difficult to establish the diagnosis definitively.

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Crohn's disease may occur at any age. It usually occurs in people between ages 15 - 35.

You are more likely to get this disease if you:

• Have a family history of Crohn's disease
• Are Jewish
• Smoke

The main symptoms of Crohn's disease are:

• Crampy abdominal pain
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Pain with passing stool
• Persistent, watery diarrhea
• Weight loss

Certain types of foods can make diarrhea and gas worse. To help ease symptoms, try:

• Eating small amounts of food throughout the day.
• Drinking lots of water (drink small amounts often throughout the day).
• Avoiding high-fiber foods (bran, beans, nuts, seeds, and popcorn).
• Avoiding fatty, greasy or fried foods and sauces (butter, margarine, and heavy cream).
• Limiting dairy products if you have problems digesting dairy fats. Try low-lactose cheeses, such as Swiss and cheddar, and an enzyme product, such as Lactaid, to help break down lactose.
• Avoiding foods that you know cause gas, such as beans.
• Ask your doctor about extra vitamins and minerals you may need:
• Iron supplements (if you are anemic)
• Calcium and vitamin D supplements

The Cause of Crohn's is unknown, and there is no cure.  There are periods of inactivity as well as flare ups.  Certain medications such as Metamucil or Citrocel may ease the symptoms, and surgery to remove part of the diseased colon may help, but wont cure the disease.

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Ulcerative colitis differs from another inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease. Crohn's can affect any area of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the small intestine and colon. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, affects only the colon. The inflammation involves the entire rectum and extends up the colon in a continuous manner. There are no areas of normal intestine between the areas of diseased intestine. In contrast, such so-called "skip" areas may occur in Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis affects only the innermost lining of the colon, whereas Crohn's disease can affect the entire thickness of the bowel wall.

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Today is National Crohn's and Colitis Day to learn how you can help to find a cure, click on this site:  http://www.ccfa.org/donate/?LMI=6