Rosemary Tea

• 2 sprigs of rosemary
• 1 small ginger (crushed or grated) for strong flavor
• Lemon Peels (1lemon) 
• 1tbs lemon zest (it contains many antioxidant ingredients.)
• 2 cups of boiling water
• 2 tsp. of honey

Directions

1.Using a medium  saucepan  combine all the ingredients  and simmer for 6min. 

2.Strain the tea and add more honey as needed.

Serve hot!

5 Lifestyle Habits of Optimistic  People

#1 — Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
You’ve heard the phrase, “choose your battles wisely” — this is more important than ever when steering clear of additional drama and headaches that may taint your mood. If it’s not going to affect your health, livelihood, marriage or family, chances are it’s a molehill and not a mountain.

#2 — Breathing Space
Having a space to decompress after a long day or sometimes mid-way through the day is essential in focusing your energy on the right things. We must center ourselves and make certain we have a full tank before we continue to extend ourselves to others. When you run on empty, resentment, anger and frustration are sure to follow.

#3 — Who’s Your Squad?
Who are the people you can go to at a moment’s notice and they rally around you with positivity and encouragement? It may be a special co-worker, a long-time friend, your spouse or maybe a parent. Identify your biggest cheerleaders in life. They make deposits into you, not debits. These are the people who will remind you of your worth when you can’t do it for yourself.

#4 — Let It Go
We all know the catchy tune from Disney’s Frozen about not holding onto things. This can really be applied to everyday life. Much like my point in number 1 about choosing battles, even when something occurs that is worth your energy — don’t let it fester inside of you, draining you of all your capacity to function. Choose an appropriate amount of time to handle the situation and then move on. With the exception of grieving an extreme loss, such as the death of a loved one (in which case I strongly advise you to seek spiritual or professional counseling), most things are a blip on the radar in retrospect once you look back.

#5 — Encouragement Breeds Gratitude
They say giving is better than receiving and when it comes to kindness, this couldn’t be more true. Giving words of encouragement and praise to others is great way to boost yourself. You’ll be surprised at how awesome it feels to push someone else forward with kind words. 

-Tina B. Ladson

Oven Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

 Oven Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

1 lb. -2 lbs Yukon gold or  red potatoes. Can use russet potatoes too, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 medium onion, cut into small chunks
• 1/4c olive oil
• 2 tbs dried rosemary
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled & cut into third
• 1/2 tsp garlic  powder
• 1tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp black pepper

• Instruction

  Preheat the oven to 425 degrees f. Cover the baking pan with foil paper. I like to spray my pan with cooking nonstick spray.

  Wash the potatoes  (I like to scrub mine with  a kitchen brush)

  In a separate bowl quarter the potatoes into a large bowl(do not peel)

  Add the remaining ingredients into the bowl and toss to coat the potatoes.

  Place the potatoes on your  foil covered baking sheet, spread out into a single layer to ensure even cooking.

  Place into a 425 degree F oven and bake for 35-40 minutes depending on the  size of potatoes you use.

  Serve with steamed Brocolli and grilled teriyaki chicken. 

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Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

1 packages  Bacon (not turkey bacon)

1 lbs Asparagus 

1/2 stick butter

1/4cup light brown sugar

2 tablespoons of soy sauce

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Wash them and cut the  bottom of the stems.

Wrap 2 -3 asparagus stems with one bacon Strip.

Place them on a foil covered cookie sheet.

On a saucepan heat  soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and butter stirring frequently to prevent  burning. Continue until the sugar is all dissolved. The end product should be a thick brown sauce.

Using a  pastry brush, baste the bacon Asparagus.  Turn the asparagus and baste the bottom side  as well. 

Place  in the oven for 12-15 minutes  or until the bacon is slightly crispy on the outside.

 I like to serve them with  parmesan Mashed potatoes or Mushroom Risotto.  

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Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

3 pounds red potatoes, unpeeled

• 1 tablespoon  2 teaspoons  salt
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 1/4 pound unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  A Sprig of cilantro 
  and/or Chives  chopped
  
  

  Directions

  Place the potatoes and 1 tablespoon salt in a pot  with cold water to cover. 

  Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer covered, for  30 minutes, until the potatoes are  tender, drain and transfer in a bowl.

  
  

  In a small saucepan, heat the half-and-half and butter.

  Using a potato masher mash them up. 

  Add the hot cream and butter to the potatoes, Fold in the sour cream, Parmesan cheese and season the potatoes salt and pepper;  

  Garnish with chopped chives or cilantro.

  serve immediately.