Happy birthday Maya Angelou

“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass.” 
― Maya Angelou

Green Eggs & Ham Frittata

6 servings

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 8 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, diced
• 1 5-ounce bag baby spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup diced ham
• 1/2 cup shredded havarti or Muenster cheese

• PREPARATION

  1. Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 450°F.
  2. Whisk eggs, dill, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Heat oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add leeks; cook, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add spinach and ham; cook, stirring, until the spinach is wilted, about 1 minute.
  3. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and cook, lifting the edges of the frittata so uncooked egg can flow underneath, until the bottom is light golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top, transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the eggs are set, 6 to 8 minutes. Let rest for about 3 minutes before serving. Serve hot or cold.

  NUTRITION

  Per serving: 217 calories; 15 g fat ( 5 g sat , 6 g mono ); 296 mg cholesterol; 6 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 14 g protein; 1 g fiber; 418 mg sodium; 320 mg potassium.
  Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (63% daily value), Folate (24% dv), Vitamin C (17% dv), Iron (15% dv)
  Carbohydrate Servings: 1/2
  Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 1/2 medium-fat meat, 1 fat
  http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/green_eggs_ham_frittata.html

more reasons to drink water

6 Air Purifying House Plants

1. Bamboo Palm: It removes formaldahyde and is also said to act as a natural humidifier.

2. Snake Plant: It absorb nitrogen oxides and formaldahyde.

3. Areca Palm: One of the best air purifying plants for general air cleanliness.

4. Spider Plant: Great indoor plant for removing carbon monoxide and other toxins or impurities. Spider plants are one of three plants NASA deems best at removing formaldahyde from the air.

5. Peace Lily: Peace lilies could be called the “clean-all.” They’re often placed in bathrooms or laundry rooms because they’re known for removing mold spores. Also know to remove formaldahyde and trichloroethylene.

6. Gerbera Daisy: Not only do these gorgeous flowers remove benzene from the air, they’re known to improve sleep by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off more oxygen over night.

Swirled Cheesecake Brownies

24 bars

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours (including cooling time)

INGREDIENTS

CHEESECAKE TOPPING

• 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, (Neufchatel)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon nonfat plain yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

BROWNIE LAYER

• 2/3 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg whites, or 4 teaspoons dried egg whites (see Ingredient note), reconstituted according to package directions
• 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup strong (or prepared instant) coffee, or black tea
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• PREPARATION

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Coat a 7-by-11-inch brownie pan or baking pan with cooking spray.
  2. To prepare topping: Place cream cheese in a small mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add sugar and beat until smooth. Add egg, flour, yogurt and vanilla; beat until well blended.
  3. To prepare brownie layer: Whisk whole-wheat flour, cocoa and salt in a bowl. Place egg, egg whites and brown sugar in a large bowl and beat with the electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add oil, coffee (or tea) and vanilla; beat until well blended. Add the dry ingredients and beat on low speed just until well blended, stopping once to scrape down the sides.
  4. Scrape about half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Slowly pour the topping evenly on top. Drop the remaining brownie batter in large dollops over the topping. Draw the tip of a sharp knife or skewer through the two batters to create a swirled effect.
  5. Bake the brownies until the top is just firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Coat a knife with cooking spray and cut into 24 bars.

  TIPS & NOTES

  • Make Ahead Tip: The brownies will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. (Alternatively, bake brownies in an 8 1/2-by-12 1/2 -inch foil pan, wrap well and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.) Bring to room temperature and cut into bars shortly before serving.
  • Ingredient Note: Dried egg whites are convenient in recipes like this one because you don't have to figure out what to do with 4 egg yolks. Look for powdered brands like Just Whites in the baking aisle or natural-foods section or fresh pasteurized whites in the dairy case of most supermarkets.

  NUTRITION

  Per bar: 105 calories; 4 g fat ( 1 g sat , 2 g mono ); 21 mg cholesterol; 16 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 1 gfiber; 54 mg sodium; 45 mg potassium.
  Carbohydrate Servings: 1
  Exchanges: 1 other carbohydrate, 1/2 fat

quote of the day by Bruce Lee

truth of the day with Maxine