Taste-bud Journey: Chia Lemonade Recipe

During the pandemic, I am taking taste-bud journeys as I self-isolate rather than physical journeys. Here is my adapted recipe for Chia Lemonade. I got the idea for this back when I experimented with the Keto diet back in the fall of 2018.

Please note that you can use any type or flavor of cold liquid. I personally just really enjoy the flavor of this caffeinated lemonade.


Chia seeds have multiple health benefits:

• Very few calories


• Two tablespoons of chia seeds contains lots of fiber, protein, Omega-3s, calcium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B3, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and other nutrients


• Considered to be a whole-grain food and gluten-free.


• Loaded with antioxidants and the good kind of fat


• They help some people lose weight. As healthline reports: 'Its soluble fiber absorbs large amounts of water and expands in your stomach, which should increase fullness and slow the absorption of food.' (link for this article will be included in my resources listed below.)


• Considered to be heart-healthy, has potential to lower blood sugar levels, reduce chronic inflammation, and increase bone-health


• They also act as a great thickener to recipes.


• You can also use Chia Seeds as a replacement for eggs in recipes. Google CHIA EGGS to see easy recipes for making this.


• I often add chia seeds to muffin and bread recipes to add some extra nutrients.

Recipe

• 1 tbsp of Chia Seeds  
• 2 cups of Water
• 8 squirts of Mio Lemonade 3

Please note: You can use Chia Seeds to thicken any cold drink such as juice, iced tea, iced coffee, slushies, milkshakes, etc.

Please also note: After placing a tablespoon of Chia Seeds in your drink, let it sit for a minimum of 15 minutes either on the counter or in the refrigerate. That gives the Chia Seeds a chance to absorb the water and brings out maximum health benefits.

  

Procedure

• Step 1: Place 1 tablespoon of Chia Seeds in a tall glass or bottle.


• Step 2: If you intend to use a water enhancer such as Mio Lemonade, use 8 squirts. Obviously, you can use less or add more depending on your taste preferences. Also, you can use any flavor of water enhancer. That simply is the one I find most refreshing.


• Step 3: Pour in 2 cups of water.


• Step 4: Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to give the Chia Seeds time to expand. I personally prepare 2 or 3 bottles in advance as I generally drink one or two of these a day to increase my water-intake in a tasty way.


• Step 5: You can certainly add ice, if you like. Since I use gallon-size jugs of refrigerated bottled water, I find my drink already cold enough as is.


• Step 6: Enjoy! Do keep either a tall spoon handy or give the bottle a shake every swallow or two as the Chia Seeds sometimes have a tendency to settle.

Please note: I have a tendency to overdo soft drinks; therefore, I have found this to be a tasty way to maintain my body's hydration levels.

 

Please also note: This is a great drink to use after a workout or doing something strenuous like carrying in multiple bags of groceries. It is extremely thirst-quenching as well as full of health benefits.

  

Cooking and Nutrition Sites that have inspired me:

• Gemma's Bigger Bolding Baking website that includes over 100 great cooking videos.

• All Recipes Website that includes all kinds of sweet and savory recipes.

• 11 Proven Health Benefits of Chia Seeds by Kris Gunnars

Books written by Debbie Dunn:

Here is the Amazon Link to all anti-bullying curriculum books plus all children’s books written by Debbie Dunn (both paperback and Kindle). It will open up in a new window.

• Author’s Page on Amazon.com

Taste-bud Journey: Baked Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

During the pandemic, I am taking taste-bud journeys as I self-isolate rather than physical journeys. Here is my recipe for Baked Ham. This was my mom's recipe. She would always serve it with Scalloped Potatoes. Yum!

 

My mother always made Scalloped Potatoes from scratch. That is the way I used to do it, as well. But with the pandemic and a lot of laziness on my part, I discovered a box mix that I personally really like: Idahoan Au Gratin Homestyle Casserole

• To make it even cheesier, I always toss in a couple of handfuls of Colby Jack Shredded Cheese.
• It only requires water, milk, and butter.
• Since I am not much of a milk-drinker, I keep powdered milk on hand that I mix into water in the required-recipe amounts.

 

Recipe

• Pre-sliced ham
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp prepared mustard

 

Please note: To make it simpler, I mix the glaze in a large microwave-safe measuring cup. Then, I heated the glaze for 2 and 1/2 minutes.

Please also note: This recipe has been doubled since I wanted to make certain that all the ham would get fully saturated with the glaze while cooking.

  

Procedure #1

• Step 1: Get butcher to make ¼-inch slices in a baked ham and tie it together with a string.


• Step 2: Bake ham for 45 minutes at 350° F.


• Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare glaze.


• Step 4: Mix brown sugar, lemon juice, water, soy sauce, and mustard in a saucepan or in the microwave. Heat to boiling.


• Step 5: Pour glaze over ham. Cook ham for another 45 minutes, basting with juices every 15 minutes.

Alternate Procedure #2: If the ham is from deli and pre-cooked and you are also preparing a veggie that requires baking such as Scalloped Potatoes try this instead:

• Step 1: Preheat oven to 450° F. In my case, I was also preparing a boxed Scalloped Potatoes mix since I grew up always having the two of them served together.


• Step 2: Mix together glaze recipe. Either heat it in a sauce pan on the stove until boiling or microwave it for 2 1/2 minutes until boiling.


• Step 3: In a 9x13 sheet pan, lay out one layer of ham slices. Baste with glaze mixture.


• Step 4: Continue layering ham. Baste the top of each layer.


• Step 5: Once all ham is in pan, pour the entire glaze mixture into pan.


• Step 6: Since I was also preparing a Scalloped Potatoes mix that cooked at 45 minutes at 450° F for 25 minutes, that is the temperature I also used for the ham. I cooked both side-by-side on the top rack of the oven.


• Step 7: According to the box instructions of the Scalloped Potatoes, I needed to let them to sit for a few minutes before serving. So, after 25 minutes, I turned off the oven but left the ham pan inside until about 5 to 10 minutes had passed. Then, I removed ham from the oven and plated servings of both.

Please note: Since I order groceries on-line and have them loaded into my car, I had no opportunity to discuss typing together a sliced ham with a string. Therefore, I had multiple pre-sliced ham pieces that I wished to have covered with glaze.

Please also note: So, as you might have observed with the above photo, I laid down one layer of ham at a time and basted each layer with glaze prior to topping it with another layer of ham. And so forth. Then, a poured the rest of my glaze on top of all of it since I personally best enjoy baked ham swimming in this glaze as it cooks.

  

Cooking Sites that have inspired me:

• Gemma's Bigger Bolding Baking website that includes over 100 great cooking videos.

• All Recipes Website that includes all kinds of sweet and savory recipes.

Books written by Debbie Dunn:

Here is the Amazon Link to all anti-bullying curriculum books plus all children’s books written by Debbie Dunn (both paperback and Kindle). It will open up in a new window.

• Author’s Page on Amazon.com

Taste-bud Journey: Lettuce Soup Recipe

During the pandemic, I am taking taste-bud journeys as I self-isolate rather than physical journeys. Here is my adapted recipe for Lettuce Soup. It was inspired by a couple of recipes I found on the internet.

Please note that this soup bowl easily holds a three-cup serving. The recipe itself makes enough for either:

• 3 servings of 3 cups each or
• 6 servings of 2 cups each or
• 9 servings of 1 cup each.

Recipe

• 12 oz bag of lettuce (any kind)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 tsp chives
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
• 10 oz bag riced cauliflower
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp minced onion flakes
• 1 tsp chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp ground flax
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning

Please note: The addition of chia seeds is optional. It helps thicken the soup; plus, chia seeds are super nourishing.

Please also note: You can substitute or add in any spices you desire. I tend to be sensitive to pepper and spicy foods; therefore, that dictates my ingredients choices.

  

Procedure

• Step 1: In blender, place lettuce and 2 cups chicken broth. Blend until mostly smooth.


• Step 2: Pour that mixture into microwave steamer.


• Step 3: Add rest of ingredients.


• Step 4: Cover and microwave for 10 minutes.


• Step 5: Stir mixture.


• Step 6: Garnish serving with salt-free pine nuts. Enjoy!

Please note: You could alternatively use an immersion blender; however, when I tried it, I ended up splattering soup on my kitchen wall. Lol! Therefore, next time I make this recipe, I will blend those ingredients instead.

 

Please also note: Leftovers can be refrigerated for next-day use or frozen for future use.

  

Cooking Sites that have inspired me:

• Gemma's Bigger Bolding Baking website that includes over 100 great cooking videos.

• All Recipes Website that includes all kinds of sweet and savory recipes.

Books written by Debbie Dunn:

Here is the Amazon Link to all anti-bullying curriculum books plus all children’s books written by Debbie Dunn (both paperback and Kindle). It will open up in a new window.

• Author’s Page on Amazon.com