Chocolate, Easiest BBQ, Safety and Health Tips

by | Jul 13, 2010

Janet Scott

 

It is hard to believe we are already half way through July!!  Bill and I have a new grandson that arrived over the weekend.  Our daughter Danielle had a baby boy weighing in at 10 lbs 10.7 ozs and 22 inches long!  He is a BIG boy!  We are happy they are both doing great and should be headed back to their home tomorrow!

Now, before I get started with some great recipes and tips I wanted to make sure you know, if you haven’t had the opportunity to check out our website resources that we have great Help topic articles written by some of the top Psychiatrists and Psychologists in the Nation.  There are several right on the front page and then if you go to Help by Topic there are several more there as well.  You will find everything from Divorce, Depression to Blending Families and forgiveness.  Please check it out at www.freeourfamily.com

FOOD SAFETY TIPS:

Making sure the foods you eat are fresh is also key to wellness.  If a product has a “use by” date, don’t go past that.  It is different from a “sell by” date which states when the product should be sold by.  Here are some time frames you should use when using food:

*  Whole meats:  Three to five days

*  Whole Poultry:  One to two days

*  Ground meats:  One to two days

*  Organ Meats:  One to two days

*  Fresh sausage:  One to two days

*  Cooked refrigerated sausage:  Three to Four Days

*  Cured (but not fully cooked) ham:  Five to seven days

*  Fully cooked ham:  Seven days  (three days for sliced once opened)

*  Deli Meats:  Two weeks (unopened):  Three to five days (opened)

*  Bacon and hot dogs:  Two weeks (unopened):  One week (opened)

*  Eggs:  Three to five weeks

*  Cooked Foods:  Three to four days

HEALTH TIPS:

Here’s Dr. Oz’s 5 tips that will increase health and help slow the aging process and for explanations, log on to www.droz.com :

*  Exercise

*  Eat colorful fruits and vegetables

*  Stay slim; eat a little less

*  Be with People you love

*  Emotional Health is key to longevity

Now for some GREAT RECIPES:

SECRET’S IN THE SAUCE BBQ RIBS

Servings:  5       Prep Time: 10 in   Cook 6 Hours

Ingredients

  • 2 racks pork baby back ribs (about 4-1/2 pounds)
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons pepper
  • 2-1/2 cups barbecue sauce
  • 3/4 cup cherry preserves
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Directions

  • Cut ribs into serving-size pieces; sprinkle with pepper. Place in a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Combine the remaining ingredients; pour over ribs. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender. Serve with sauce. Yield: 5 servings.

CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES

Servings:  24          Prep Time:  15  Bake 35 Min. + Chilling

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts
  • FILLING:
  • 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  • In a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar. Stir in extracts and chocolate mixture. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to chocolate mixture. Stir in nuts. Pour half of the batter into a greased 8-in. square baking dish; set aside.
  • For filling, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, butter, flour and vanilla until blended. Pour over batter in pan. Spoon remaining batter over filling. Cut through batter
  • with a knife to swirl the chocolate.
  • Bake for at 325° for 35-40 minutes or until filling is set. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cut into bars. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: about 2 dozen.

 

Have a Blessed Night!

Janet Scott

2 Comments

  1. Shelley

    Those brownies sound positively delicious – will have to try them out soon!

    • chocolateandgod

      Everyone around me seems to be on a diet so I haven’t been able to try them so if you have or do please let me know how they are I may have to try them at Christmas time!

      Janet