Archive for the ‘Poultry’ Category

Drugs: Keep Them Under Wraps

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

‘Medicine’ cabinets, if there is such a thing anymore, are no longer off limits to our teens. Prescription pill popping is so common place now with media advertising and TV commercials targeting young parents to baby boomer grand parents that it’s no wonder our teens take it to heart that it’s okay for them to do it too. Wrong. Parents, if you must pop ’em, protect them and do it out of plain sight and pain sight. Keep them inaccessible. Better still, find natural alternative ways to deal with your issues. With teens, you’re not the only ones in your house and they are very sensitive, very aware of what’s going on. It’s obvious to them that it’s permissible.

How do you protect them from the side effects that they don’t even consider along with the drugs, which undermine their entire psyche making them anti-social, anti-school, anti-communicative, and anti-help driving them into further depression to the point of being suicidal? Most people forget that pharmaceutical drugs are mostly derived from plants. Try researching the natural derivatives with a natural health practitioner and natural foods to help your teens.

Peer pressure, anxiety, and moodiness as hormones change or make their debut are common and part of growing up. With aware parents they will get through. We all did. The epidemic increase of depression is one of the most troublesome teen problems. A March 1st, ’09 full page add in the NYTimes from the The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, stated that “1 in 5 high school teens admits to abusing prescription drugs.” That’s an epidemic that we have to face. But how can we face it when those drugs come from mom and dad, the two people these kids need to trust more than anyone else in their lives.

Drugs are drugs. They trust us and we trust the pharmacies. Wrong. Another quote:“taking drugs without a prescription can be as dangerous and addictive as using street drugs.” It’s easy when they’re 2 -years-old. Oh, those terrible 2’s! Flexing their gimmees and NOs. But the teen years are more contemplative, more quietly discontent, dark countenances, tenuousness, fear of life’s coming unknowns, slamming doors, unresponsiveness, withdrawing into themselves, and within their rooms. What to do. Make a haven of relaxation, acceptance, and natural snacks to munch on.

We’re creating a generation of prescription addicted teens.Be aware of their moods. You were there. With each birthday expect the expected and let them know that what they’re going through is not unexpected. Tell them you got through it. You’re there for them. Explain to them why you’re taking those drugs specific to what condition and that they don’t have it and how harmful it can be for them. Their anger and hostility are pretty normal to a degree. It’s OK. You’ve got their backs. You love them regardless…forever. Together make a lifestyle change to a more natural approach.

One solution to consider while keeping that lid on your drugs, start introducing natural alternative remedies and foods into your lives. Help them cope by helping them change their brain chemistry with non chemical, natural foods and nutrients. Get them into the kitchen with you to cook their favorite meal. Teens can feel isolated and alone which can drive them to drugs. Hug ’em. They never tire of that or hearing your validations of love.

Take them or better yet, send them for an Aromatherapy massage. Now there’s a constructive suggestion. Those are sooooo nice, relaxing and therapeutic for guys and gals to get rid of tension if only for a little while. Put some fragrances around the house, whatever they like or try something new. Change the pictures on the walls and the furniture around the house. Break the monotony in the house for them. Drag out some new childhood photos. Make the issue subtly not pointedly just to let them know you notice and care. Take a LOVE time out. Create an atmosphere of love and trust so they come to you rather than go your ‘medicine’ cabinet.

Mandarin Ginger Chicken Bites

Sunday, January 11th, 2009

Organic / natural ingredients taste best.

mandarinchickbitesThis is an appetite wetter for sure.

Just that right chickenny sweet ‘n sour ‘n crunch.

This makes you lick your lips for what’s to come.



You’ll need:

1 Cup finely chopped cooked Chicken
1/2 Cup Golden Raisins
1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries
1/2 + teaspoon Fresh Ginger
3 Tablespoons finely chopped Fresh Parsley OR Cilantro
2 Tablespoons toasted sliced Almonds
2-3 Tablespoons Mayonnaise or to your taste
1/2 teaspoon Raspberry Vinegar or other sweet light vinegar
Salt & Pepper to taste
40-50 Wheat Crackers good quality natural cracker
*One jar of Mandarin Orange sections drained and rinsed

NOTE: You can use veggies instead of crackers like thickly & diagonally cut English cucumber rounds. Again, your choice.

Mixing bowl
Serving platter if they get that far

To prepare:

In a bowl, mix together first 6 ingredients. Mix vinegar and mayonnaise together and add to chicken mixture. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Spoon mixture onto your favorite crackers or veggies and serve. Delicious.

Knock Your Socks Off Chicken Chili

Sunday, January 11th, 2009

Organic/natural ingredients taste best.

chickchiliServes 6-8+

— you will want to double this one for seconds all around.

It hits the spot for a
chili night.

(yes, pun intended)

You’ll need:

4 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1-1/2-2 Pounds +/- cut into 3/4“ chunks Chicken (or Turkey)
1 Small Package Organic Frozen (your choice) — defrosted Mixed Veggies
1 Small Package Organic Frozen & unsweetened — defrosted Corn Niblets
1 Medium diced Onion
5 Cloves Garlic or to your taste, mashed ‘n minced
3 teaspoons dried Oregano
1+ Tablespoon dried Cumin or to taste
2-3 Jalapenos Ribs & seeds partially, all, or none removed
You decide the heat level: more ribs ‘n seeds, more heat
Use hotter chilies if you prefer even more heat
1 teaspoon fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
1 28-oz. can Crushed Tomatoes or 3-4 Cups fresh
3+ Cups Organic Chicken Broth depends on how thick you like it
1 Can – Black Beans 15-ounces drained
1 Can – Pinto Beans 15 ounces drained
1 Can Kidney Beans – 15 ounces drained
1 Cup Cilantro chopped or to your taste (I love it so I use a lot)
1-1/2 teaspoons Black Pepper
1-1/2 teaspoons Sea Salt

On-the-side: lime wedges, sour cream, avocado slices with one big crusty whole wheat or sourdough artisan bread or a pile of warm pan toasted tortillas

Large, heavy porcelain/cast iron or stainless steel pot & lid is best
About one hour cooking time

NOTE: I recommend using latex gloves when handling hot peppers

To prepare:

Heat oil in pot on low/medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic till they are aromatic, a few minutes. Add chicken chunks and continue sautéing for a few minutes. Mix in veggies and niblets and cook on medium heat for a few minutes. Add oregano, cumin, jalapenos and mix through. Add tomatoes with juice, chicken broth, lemon juice, all beans, salt & pepper. Bring heat down to simmer for 45 minutes. Add cilantro and adjust flavors to your taste. Simmer 15 minutes more. Serve with the sides. S-mokin’!

ABOUT: Wellness Chef Helen Sandler
Lecturer, personal chef, teacher, wellness coach, & speaker, Helen promotes a healthier lifestyle through common sense, organic / natural approach to a happier, positive life.

Helen Sandler is used to being an innovator and at the cutting edge of whole foods whole grains awareness. After graduating from SUNY, New York with a teaching degree, she began to follow her real passion for healthy cooking which took her from Los Angeles to Boston to attend the cooking school of the late and great master Japanese natural chef, Aveline Kushi. Later that passion took her to Kyoto, Japan to continue her studies, where she spent four more years learning the art of healthy Japanese cooking (Seishoku).

As Wellnes Chef Helen she is the featured authority at CTNgreen /wellness with articles in the library there and the virtual paperless magazine at CTNGreen Magazine



970-618-0731
helskitchen@gmail.com