CELEBRATE SPRING WITH REFRESHING PEA SOUP

2 cups frozen or fresh peas
1 leek, halved and sliced thinly (white part only)
4 cups vegetable stock (low sodium)
1/2 t. dried tarragon
1 c. chopped romaine
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. fresh ground pepper
1/2 c. buttermilk


Spray a pot with cooking spray and heat to medium.  Add leeks and stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.  Add stock, peas and tarragon and cook until peas are tender (4-6 minutes).  Add romaine, salt, and pepper and process in blender until smooth (or use immersion blender).  Return to pot, add buttermilk and heat.


Pour into bowl and garnish with a little plain, fat-free yogurt and a pinch of nutmeg.


Can be served hot or cold


Makes about 6 cups at less than 50 calories each.

CHANGE BEGINS WITH YOU

I had just about decided to never watch the news or read a newspaper or touch my computer.  All the news seemed really BAD, and I was frustrated that I couldn't really do anything about it.  I doubted that my measly vote would make a difference, although I sincerely wanted to vote everybody who was in - out

While going through my possible blog posts folder I came across the following,  which was written on the tomb of  an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abbey (1100 A.D.):

"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world.  As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

"But it, too, seemed immovable.

"As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

"And now, as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize; if I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

"From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world."

What a concept!  If we all decided - before we were on our deathbeds - to start change within ourselves, what might we accomplish?

Energy efficient CFL light bulbs - what everyone should know

With thermometers, fluorescent bulbs & energy saving CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) --- Short of calling the Haz-mat team to your home when one has broken it's important to be aware  of the "Clean-up" protocol and the effects these  mercury containing household items have on our  health and environment.

Investigate Magazine warns 
"The real cost is not one light bulb breakage, but how badly affected homes will be after 20 years of amateur attempts to clean up one of the deadliest neurotoxins on the planet. A generation of children crawling on mercury-infested carpets would give new meaning to the phrase, "dumbed-down". 


Check out page 4 of our March issue of LIFE-STYLE magazine for guidelines on properly "cleaning-up" and disposing of these light bulbs. Be patient the magazine will load in a moment or so.