These Greek Zucchini Cakes (Kolokithopitta) are fairly easy to make and taste delicious. The taste of zucchini, onion and feta combined with the egg make this a delicious side dish or snack.
Greek Zucchini Cakes
Ingredients
1 pound zucchini, grated
1 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 small onion, grated
1 green onions, thinly sliced
1 tbsp chopped parsley
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Olive oil
¼ cup breadcrumbs
Oil for frying (Safflower or Sunflower)
Directions
Grate the zucchini and put it in a colander. Sprinkle salt on top and leave it to drain for 10 minutes. Rinse in cold water and squeeze dry in a kitchen towel until dry.
Combine the cheese, egg, onions, flour, oregano, garlic, and pepper in a large bowl; fold in the grated zucchini.
Form into small cakes, about two tablespoons of mixture for each, dipping into breadcrumbs to set.
Add sunflower or safflower oil to frying pan at medium heat. Add cakes and fry, turning once, until browned. About 4 minutes on each side. Serve immediately.
A police report indicates that Leslie Carter suffered a drug overdose although nothing has been confirmed yet.
Authorities reportedly found at least three drugs – Olanzapine, Cyclobenzaprine and Xanax – near Carter who died in upstate New York on Tuesday. She was 25.
The prescription medications listed in the police report treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anxiety. An official cause of death is still pending a completion of toxicology.
Ginger Carter, her stepmother, told police that Leslie had suffered “a long history of mental illness and was on medication for her depression” and that she had seemed particularly distressed the morning of her death.
Nick and Aaron Carter’s sister was an aspiring singer whose song “Like Wow!” appeared on the Shrek soundtrack and appeared on the “House of Carters” reality television show.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has labeled this emerging form of drug abuse a “national epidemic.” Prescription drugs are the cause of more deaths by overdose than “street drugs” such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
A recent CDC study found that in 2009, more Americans died from prescription drugs than motor vehicle accidents.
Prescription medications for pain and anxiety are particularly potent and highly addictive, and they can be lethal if combined with alcohol or other narcotics. A recent government report said painkiller deaths more than tripled in the past decade.
What is extremely troubling is that the abuse is particularly prevalent among teenagers. The CDC reports that one in five high school students school has taken a prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription.
Emily Maynard is the next new Bachelorette and she is nervous as hell!
Shooting for the new season of The Bachelorette begins next month. But Maynard, a single mom of one, is getting cold feet.
“It really hasn’t hit me, what I’ve signed on to do,” Maynard, 25, told People. “I’m scared to death.”
So why is she going to do it? She shied away from the limelight when she was dating the Bachelor’s Brad Womack. She seemed to dislike the tabloids after the show ended and she and Brad were engaged, and then even more so when their engagement ended.
Maynard had said she had no intentions of ever being the next Bachelorette.
Well that didn’t last long!
“I genuinely meant that,” Maynard says. “I feel like the biggest hypocrite because I said that and now I’m doing it.”
So what changed her mind?
“I know it can work,” Maynard says. “I fell in love the first time and no, we didn’t end up getting married, but in the end just falling in love, for me, is a success.”
This time, rather than filming the show in Los Angeles, the new bachelorette will stay in Charlotte, N.C., where she lives with her six-year-old daughter, Ricki.
When the show travels to other locations, Ricki will also tag along. But will she be meeting with any of the bachelors?
“She’s not going to be involved in a lot of filming and certainly not meeting the guys,” Maynard says. “But she’s really excited to go on vacation with Mommy.”
Why not just go out on a normal date with a guy from her town? Wouldn’t that be the best thing to do for her daughter’s sake? One day she will be able to watch the footage from the show… and see her mom share intimate moments with quite a few men. Creepy?
“My schedule is very different than a normal single guy’s schedule. I can’t go out every night of the week,” she says.
“They just kind of fizz out before they ever have a chance to become anything. I have to take things slowly because I have a daughter, so that makes it really hard.”
And dating publicly on television will be much easier.
When a new year dawns, we take advantage of it. We are ready to launch a better life, which often rests on better health. It’s not about how we look, it’s about how we feel. Every one of us deserves to feel good in our own skin; it’s a basic human need. If your body is weighing you down or holding you back in some way, it’s time to make a change.
I know how to lose weight, because I’ve done it more than once. I’ve lost baby weight, alcohol weight, college weight, comfort weight. I know what has worked for me (see below), and what has not (daily weigh-ins, counting calories, cutting carbs, not even food journals).
I struggled with my body image and my weight for a long time before I learned how to let go of the excess fat I was carrying. If I can do it, you can do it.
You’ve likely heard many of these before, and some may be new, but I promise that everyone will take you a baby step closer to that elusive goal weight. In no particular order:
1. Eat to live, don’t live to eat. Is food the only good thing in your life? Are you always planning your next meal? Do you look forward to going home so you can eat in private? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are probably living to eat. You are probably also not living for your highest self, you’ve probably lost track of your interests and passions. When I’m preoccupied with my “projects,” it’s easier for me to eat less. Not that I ever “forget” to eat, I am not one who enjoys a rumbling stomach, but when I have had enough, I am eager to get back to what I was doing rather than continuing to eat.
Likewise, if I am engaged in something that’s fascinating, I’m less likely to crave an afternoon sugar fix. Rediscover your interests and passions by asking yourself the following questions: what did I enjoy doing when I was a child? If I could do anything and make money doing it, what would it be? What am I doing when I lose track of time?
2. Eat more food from the earth(vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains) and less from the animals (meat, dairy,
Eat your veggies!
eggs).
3. Drink herbal tea. This is one of my best tricks. Tea is warming and satisfying. Tea can be sweet or savory. Tea provides nutrients and tea can even support weight loss. Drink tea instead of snacking, and you may find that tea is all you were craving, after all.
4. Turn each meal and snack into a ritual, which means: don’t eat standing up, don’t eat in front of the TV, don’t eat at your desk, don’t eat in your car. This might be the hardest one for me. If you have to, invest in pretty dishes, silverware, cloth napkins and placemats. Go to Ikea if you’re on a budget, go to Anthropologie if you’re not.
5. Listen to your body. Listen deeply, listen carefully. If you can do this, portion control will come naturally. How does your stomach feel after you eat that movie theatre popcorn or that custard or that McDonald’s hamburger? How does your body feel when you go for a run or play with a child or practice yoga? Is your body serving your greatest good? Or is your body in despair and in need of some nutritious food and peaceful sleep and good loving? You have all the tools and wisdom and capacity to live the life you want, it’s up to you to listen.
6. Don’t eat after 8 pm at night. Unless you’re truly hungry and you’re reaching for raw fruits and veggies. NEXT PAGE
Whether you’re looking for a walk-in clinic, dentist, chiropractor or even a personal trainer, Health Local is your go-to place.
The website also features “Your Healthy Life” online magazine which offers health, nutrition and lifestyle articles geared towards women and their families.
Health Local, a part of the Primacy group of companies, boasts over 100 medical clinics across Canada located within Loblaws and Superstores. So you can shop while waiting for your appointment and then visit the in-store pharmacy right after to conveniently fill a prescription.
Visit HealthLocal.com to find a medical clinic or health professional near you.
The reason I wanted to start with that statement is because it sums up a whole lot about my life at the moment.
I am a Canadian mom living in Holland, land of the bikes. I have four kids, aged 4,5,7 and 8 – who all have their own bikes but prefer to be chauffeured around in mine. I do everything with my bike: grocery shopping, school pick-ups, doctor’s appointments, date nights etc. It has become a part of me, my daily life. My legs are also in good shape, which is an added bonus. People don’t recognize me if I’m not using my bike. It’s a one of a kind!
I am an entrepreneur. I have worked for as long as I can remember. I spent many years in new media – teaching and consulting – all over the world, which is also how I met my husband. He hired me for a project – and that was that. (I still sent him my invoice by the way…)
Flash forward to baby number four! I had to stop working. I was so tired that I was running on adrenaline, which in turn, kept me awake at night even when everyone was sleeping. For two years, we slept every afternoon from 1-3pm. No exceptions. I kept busy with daily life but found myself volunteering for big school projects, committing to sitting on the board of the daycare, etc. I am someone who likes to work.
Lianne and her kids
Last year I picked up an idea that I had worked out while expecting my third child. It was based on a successful booklet I had written some time ago for photographers about digital photography. It was Q&A based, postcard size and a great success. The outcome has led to a series of booklets called: Lianne’s Quick Guide for the Busy Woman.
The first is about Babies 0-6 months and the next two (expected by summer 2012) are Babies 6-12 months and First Aid (daily life style). They are Q&A based, small and to the point and I love them.
But now that I’m back at work with a full load of kids, I have to figure out balance. It was never an issue. I worked a lot – had long vacations. Then I had a lot of kids. Now I have to find a way to combine the two without compromising too much on what’s important for Me – Lianne and Me – the mother.
Living in Holland helps with that. People take time to enjoy life in a way that North American’s don’t. They say that Dutch mothers are the most balanced. What do I think? Stay tuned!
Lianne Bergeron is an author and entrepreneur who lives and works near Amsterdam with her Dutch husband and four kids. She’ll share her life abroad without family support, kids that speak Denglish and traditions that aren’t hers. Life with four kids and 10 bikes and her on-going quest to balance it all on her bicycle built for six. Follow her on Twitter and read more about her books at LiannesQuickGuide.com.
Last year, I freaked out when I heard about the trend called “Vajazzling” and then “Vatooing”… you know, decorating your bikini area with crystals and temporary tattoos?
Well now, the New York spa that created those bikini stylings have come up with the latest trend – the Foxy Bikini and the Carnivale.
What the what?!?
The renowned New York hair removal spa owned by former Real Housewives of New York’s Cindy Barshop has just launched two brand new trends in bikini styling that are quickly becoming a hit amongst their high end clientele.
The Carnivale Bikini gives the Brazilian bikini line an extra boost by decorating the area with feathers in a variety of colors. The Foxy Bikini features actual real fox fur which is glued to a waxed bikini line.
Real fur… Barshop had said in her video that she was using fox fur that had been dyed red and pink for the treatment.
After widely covered outrage from PETA over her use of real fur and an e-mail campaign trying to convince her to go faux fur, Barshop has decided to make the switch. She wrote:
“I respect and value your opinion and was moved by your determination in what you believe in. I have every intention to fix this by re-introducing the Foxy Bikini with Faux Fur. Lots of love and positive energy to you and your cause.”
Good thing she switched to faux! Um…. not really! Who would even consider getting this done?
I highly doubt it would be comfortable, let alone unattractive. Feathers and fur on my hoo-ha?
No thanks.
Would you consider getting feathers or faux fur on your bikini line?
Hunky dad and soccer star David Beckham has joined forces with H&M for an exclusive new underwear line. Oh yeah!
The stunning David Beckham TV ad makes its debut during the Super Bowl on February 5 in a $2 million spot.
The new bodywear line will mainly include boxers and briefs, but will also feature vests, shorts and t-shirts.
“My design team and I spent 18 months developing the collection,” the soccer star-turned-designer said of his latest venture.
“It’s been a fantastic collaborative experience, and I’m very happy with the end result.”
Thank you, David. Thank you.
The 30-second ad focuses on the 36-year-old’s flawless tattooed body, gorgeous face and bedroom eyes as he poses to the song “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by The Animals.
Improving your health is no small feat. If it were, I wouldn’t have a job, everyone would be running around with a six pack and the “diet” industry wouldn’t be in the billions.
Improving your health is more than an apple a day – it’s changing your life.
It doesn’t happen overnight or with pills and injections because you are changing the way you have been living for 20, 30, 40 years or more. It is a constant battle of wills and some things are certainly easier to change than others.
But does it mean we are too lazy as a society? Maybe but I’m here to tell you that there are ways to have better health with just a few little things that you can start doing right now that can impact the way you live for the long term.
Here are 5 steps to better health:
1. Water.
Yep, good old fashioned water; not pop, juice, coffee or tea. A lot of people roll their eyes and claim they know the importance of water but what shocks the heck out of me is the lack of consumption. Your body sweats approximately two litres of water every day and that’s not with exercise, that’s just from living! Not replacing it can affect energy levels, digestion, bowels and can create headaches.
2. Sleep.
This is a luxury that a lot of us moms are lacking but have direct effects on our efficiency, mood, stress and weight loss. Insufficient sleep helps to store cortisol (the stress hormone) around your mid-section. Not only does this hormone aid in fat storage, but it also suppresses the immune system. Weight management and sleep deprivation don’t mix.
3. Steps.
So simple yet so ignored. We live in such a fast paced society of “do-ers” that we don’t take the time to walk instead of ride, take the stairs instead of elevator or park at the other end of the parking lot. As little as 20 minutes a day has great benefits both mentally and physically.
4. Meditate.
This is a personal favorite of mine. Meditation saved me after I suffered some stress related health issues after my second daughter was born. The healing benefits of shutting your mind off starting with five minutes a day is un-measureable. Chanting out loud, listening to a DVD or just deep breathing, gives your brain that break in a 24/7 day. It can create the difference between a sane mom and someone who’s on the brink.
5. Change your internal dialogue.
It breaks my heart when I hear so many moms beat themselves up about how over weight they are, failures and lacking as a mom. Sending these messages out into the universe is self-sabotage at its best. Instead of feeling guilty about what you didn’t do, try praising yourself for what you did.
Changing the way you live doesn’t have to be an exercise in peril. Starting with five simple steps to better health can make a great foundation for bigger and better things to come.
So tomorrow try adding just one of these things on the list and watch the transformation begin!
Samantha Montpetit-Huynh is the mother of two beautiful girls and the founder of Core Expectations, Toronto’s only full services wellness team that delivers personal training, abdominal rehabilitation and other support services to the homes and offices of pregnant women and new moms across the GTA. Visit her website.
Is your child inattentive or hyperactive? Is your child easily distracted?
Have you caught yourself saying the following:
my kid gets distracted easily
my kid can’t focus
my kid is hyperactive
Sara Dimerman has a great podcast on Parenting a distractible, inattentive or hyperactive child.
If you’re concerned that your child may be more distractible, inattentive or hyperactive than the average child his or her age, then you’ll want to listen to this episode.
You will learn more about why this happens, what to do and not to do about it and what resources and supports are available to you and your child.
Hear Sara Dimerman in convesation with Carol Barber and Kate Davidson, members of the College of Psychologists of Ontario on this HelpMeSara Podcast.
