Oats:A Fabulous Frugal Food

Image via WikipediaOats truly are a super food! They lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of certain cancers, help prevent strokes and even lower blood pressure. 

High in fiber content, oats are great for digestive health. They help control blood sugar levels, and may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
 

Oats also are a good source of complex carbohydrates, B vitamins, and minerals such as phosphorous, iron, selenium, magnesium, and calcium. These important vitamins and minerals can help ease menstrual symptoms, boost energy, strengthen bones, support a healthy nervous system and raise your metabolism.

A bowl of oatmeal at bedtime can help you to sleep. Not only does it have a calming effect, but it keeps you feeling full. No more getting up in the middle of the night to raid the refrigerator!

Oatmeal also is a great ingredient for a homemade facial scrub. It is a mild exfoliant that will slough off dead skin cells, without irritating sensitive skin. 
 

Here is a simple recipe you can try at home:

To make a mild facial scrub, combine:

1/2 cup honey
2 cups oatmeal
1/3 cup corn meal

Spread the paste gently onto the face and throat area.
Rub it in with a soft, damp wash cloth.
Rinse well with warm water.

Do you want some old fashioned, slow cooked oatmeal that reminds you of the kind your grandmother made? 
 

Try this crockpot recipe for apple spice oatmeal: 

You will need:

2 cups milk

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. melted butter

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup regular oats (not quick cooking or instant)

1 cup peeled, chopped apple

1/2 cup chopped dates or raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Spray the inside of a 3-4 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and mix well. .

Cover and turn on LOW setting. Cook 5-7 hours until oatmeal is tender.

Stir well before serving

Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Epsom Salts: The Frugal Way to Healthier Plants

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Epsom salts are a low cost, non-toxic way to improve your garden. They contain sulfur and magnesium, two key components in seed germination, plant growth and the maintenance of healthy cells in sprouting plants.

Here are some tried and true tips from seasoned gardeners, who swear by the benefits of Epsom salts.

Are you growing roses?
To produce more canes and roses and make the foliage greener and more lush, work ½ cup of Epsom salts into the soil around the rose bush, and water well. You can also dissolve ½ cup of Epsom salts into your watering container and apply when the buds are beginning to open. For ongoing rose care, mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts per gallon of water and apply as a spray.

Does your garden have tomatoes and peppers? Have you noticed that the leaves sometimes turn yellow or curl later in the season? That is because the soil is deficient in magnesium. To prevent this, mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts to a gallon of water, and use it to water your seedlings. When your plants start to flower and fruit starts to form, spray the plants with this mixture.

Epsom salts have been used by avid gardeners as fertilizer for generations. They simply toss a handful into the soil and work it in well before planting their seeds. As a maintenance dose, they may water with Epsom salts every other week. If you chose to use Epsom salts frequently in your garden, you can water with a weaker solution, adding 1 teaspoon of salts per gallon of water.

Why not test the results for yourself?

Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Healthy Frugal Food:Strawberries

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Strawberries are a delicious, nutritional-powerhouse food that is available all year long. They are high in fiber, rich in antioxidants and are fat-free and low in calories.

Numerous studies have shown these scrumptious berries to reduce inflammation in the body, boost heart health and increase immunity. They contain more vitamin C than an orange! While sweet in taste, strawberries rate low on the glycemic index, so they do not spike your blood sugar levels.

Since beauty is both inner and outer, I am including two recipes for you to try—a stress-busting strawberry smoothie and a wonderful strawberry facial mask. Enjoy the beautiful, radiantly healthy results!

Strawberry Smoothie

You will need:

2 1/2 cups strawberries
1/2 cup strawberry nectar (or 1 cup strawberry yogurt)
1 pitted peach
1 cup low-fat plain yogurt

Blend in a food processor or blender until it is the consistency you like.

Strawberry Facial Mask

You will need:
4 or 5 very ripe, medium size strawberries
2 teaspoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon honey

Rinse the strawberries in lukewarm water, and pat them dry
In a small bowl, mash the fruit with a fork
Add the cream and honey, mixing well
Leave on for 20 minutes

Strawberries stimulate the skin, reduce swelling and redness and are a natural exfoliant, getting rid of the dead cells on the surface of the skin.

Honey is antibacterial and a great blemish fighter. It is also gentle on the skin.

The cream is moisturizing and feels great!

Why not try both of these recipes yourself?


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Healthy Frugal Food:Mango

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Mangoes are rich in essential nutrients and antioxidants that prevent premature aging, boost the immune system and generally improve overall health. They are rich in vitamins A (beta-carotene), B6, C & K, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, fiber and vitamin E.

Fiber is wonderful for weight loss, colon health, and lowering levels of bad cholesterol.

B6 lowers the risk of kidney stones, and improves cardiovascular health and brain function.

Vitamins E and A are powerful fighters of free radicals, which reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and may even improve vision.

Vitamin K is important for normal clotting of the blood and it keeps your bones strong and healthy.

Magnesium is essential for proper nervous, muscular and cardiovascular functioning. Studies suggest it plays a role in reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome, lowering blood pressure, and assisting in weight loss.

Mangoes are high in natural sugar, but low in glycemic load, meaning they do not affect blood sugar like many other fruits with high natural sugar content.

This powerhouse food is inexpensive, tasty and versatile to use.

Here are two wonderful recipes to try at home. One is for a facial scrub to make your skin soft and glowing with health. The other is for a wonderful mango salsa. Enjoy!

Mango Facial Scrub

1/4 Mango
1 teaspoon Honey
1 teaspoon Almond Meal

Mash the mango very well with a fork.
Stir in the honey, then add the almond meal.
Make it the consistency of a paste that you can spread and massage on freshly cleansed skin.
After gently massaging for 5-10 minutes, remove the paste with a warm washcloth, and pat your skin dry.

Mango has enzymes that give the skin a healthy glow. Almond meal is a gentle but effective exfoliant, which will slough off dead skin cells and restore your complexion. Honey acts as a mild buffer and humectant, adding vital moisture to the skin.


Spicy Chiles with Mango Salsa

You will need:
6 large poblano or Anaheim peppers
1/2 medium white onion, peeled and cut into rings
2 ripe mangos, peeled, pitted, sliced and divided
6 ounces Colby Jack or Pepper Jack cheese, cut into 12 strips
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 very small chipotle pepper
1 teaspoon canned adobo sauce
A few snips from a sprig of fresh cilantro

Grill peppers and onions over high heat. The peppers should be well-charred and the onions lightly- charred. Place the peppers in paper bag. Fold the top over several times. Set aside for 20 minutes.

Remove the peels from the peppers by rubbing them gently with your fingers. Make a slit the length of the pepper, and carefully remove the seeds and membranes.

Place 2 large mango slices and 2 cheese strips inside each pepper. Place on large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil and grill over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Remove them from the grill and keep them warm.
Chop 1/2 cup mango.

Puree grilled onions, remaining mango, lime juice, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce until smooth.
Season to taste with salt and stir in chopped mango.

Place a small amount of mango salsa on each serving plate and top each pepper with additional salsa and snipped cilantro.
This takes about 20 minutes of preparation time and 5-10 minutes of cooking time. So fast, simple and delicious!


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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