Irvinga (Irvinga gabonesis) or West African Mango Extract, Ceremides, and PQQ

Go to www.SpiceApothecary.blogspot.com

I purchased my African Mango on the web through

http://www.pureafricanmango.com/

Did You Know? by Sammy Martin #1 Achilles' Heel

D0 you know where the phrase "Achilles' heel" comes from?

In a Greek mythology Achilles, the greatest warrior of that time, had been dipped in the river Styx as a baby by his mother hoping to make him immortal. Achilles' heel was the only part that did not get dipped because his mother was holding him by his heel. Achilles was considered invincible. During the Trojan war, Achilles was shot in the heel by a poisonous arrow which killed him. So now we refer to a person's weak spot as their Achilles' heel.

By Sammy Martin

Recipe #28: Really Good Macaroni and Cheese

This is a standard easy mac and cheese recipe that is tasty. I want a recipe that is to die for so the next Macaroni and Cheese recipe will be "The best you have ever had!" Look for it soon on www.Askusha.blogspot.com or on www.AskedUsha.com.

2 Tbs butter

2 Tbs flour

1/4 tsp dry ground mustard

1 tsp salt

1 /2 tsp white pepper

2 cups whole milk or half and half (warmed)

4 cups sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 lb elbow macaroni cooked and drained

Heat butter on medium heat add flour and whisk on med low heat for about 5 minutes (until a nutty aroma is produced) but do not let the mixture turn brown. If this happens throw it out and start over. Add mustard, salt and pepper and continue to whisk for another minute. Add 1/4 cup milk and whisk, continue adding and whisking milk until all of the milk is gone. Turn heat off and stir in the cheese until all is blended. Fold in the cooked macaroni. Add fine ground pepper to taste.

Serveings: 8

Coming soon: Macaroni and Cheese "The Best You Have Ever Had!"

Recipe #27: Yellow Rice

4 Tbs Corn Oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1 medium white onion diced medium

1/4 tsp cumin seeds
1 medium Serrano chili minced (optional)
1 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup Spanish peanuts
6 cups cooked Rice
1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped fine
1/2 fresh squeezed lemon

Heat oil on med-high. Add mustard seeds and cover immediately to prevent splattering and popping of oil. Add onions, cumin seeds and chili. Cook until translucent.Reduce heat to medium. Add Turmeric and salt. Add Spanish peanuts. Mix well over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Add rice one cup at a time and mix completely until all rice has been added. Add cilantro and lemon and mix well.

Servings: 6 One cup servings
Serving Ideas: Serve with Nonfat Plain Yogurt or Raita (Indian style tangy yogurt with cucumbers and onions).

Gavin Tail Twister #22: I have non-opposable thumbs!

Tonight Gavin (7 1/2 years old) spilled a cup of water twice in 10 minutes. He was so disappointed in himself that he cried all the way into the bathroom and through the whole tooth brushing process. I consoled him and told him "Gavin it was an accident and it's just water. It's not like you spilled milk. That would be something to cry about!"
Gavin still upset says "it is like I don't have opposable thumbs!"
My question to him as I snicker "well,what kind of thumbs do you have?"
As Gavin sniffles with disappointment and walks out of the bathroom, he says "I have non-opposable thumbs!"
I knew Gavin spilling that water had something to do with his bad genes!

Gavin Tail Twister #21 : Why didn't I think of that!

Gavin was be-bopping in the living room last night and out of the blue says "I don't understand why everyone waves their hand high up in the air like this (with his hand waving in the air) for both hello and good bye."
Gavin follows with final thoughts on the subject..."If you want to say good bye it should be like this..." Gavin lowered his waving hand and turned it away from his body. "Just like this so everyone will know if you are saying good bye and not hello."

Why didn't I think of that!

Recipe #26: Red and Green Spinach Enchiladas "The Best You Will Ever Have!!!!"

8 flour tortillia shells

6 oz fresh spinach cut in strips
1/4 Red onion chopped

2 Tomato cut in cubes
16 0z Pepper Jack Cheese divided in half
1/4 cup Cilantro chopped fine

3 Scalliions thinly sliced
1 16 oz can Ole Elpaso Red enchilada Sauce
1 16 oz can Ole Elpaso Greene Verdes sauce

Fill each tortillia with spinach, onion, tomato, cheese(reserve 1/2 cheese for topping) and cilantro.
Roll and Place in baking pan
Cover in Reserved cheese, sprinkle with scallions and top with green and red enchilada sauce.
Bake for 30 min at 400 until warm throughout and bubbleing in the middle.

Recipe #25: Cauliflower and Peas

4 Tbs Corn Oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1 Med Yellow Onion (minced)
1 Tbs Ginger (minced)
1 Tsp Garlic (minced)

1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
3 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt

1 can Rotel Original (14.5 oz)

1 whole cauliflower cut in pieces

1 1/4 frozen peas thawed
1/2 cup fresh Coriander Chopped

Heat oil on medhi. Add mustard seeds (use cover so it does not pop out on you).
Add onion , ginger and garlic and sautee til tender.
Add all spices and salt. Stir
Add Rotel and simmer 5 minutes on med heat.
Add Cauliflower and stir until all cauliflower is covered evenly. Cover and cook stirring occasionally for 15 min.
Add Peas and cook uncovered 5 min on medium until most of the water evaporates.
Add fresh Coriander. Stir and serve.


Serving suggestions: With Nann, rice or by itself.
Servings: 4
Storage: regrigerate for upto 5 days.

Gavin Tail Twister # 20 He's Just Not Telling Me !

On one evening in the middle of the week, I was trying to get the kids ready for bed. I followed the usual evening ritual and asked each child if homework was complete, if their clothes were ready for the next day, teeth brushed, la la la... While I was interrogating each child about library books due the next day, I was of course cleaning the kitchen, getting lunches la la la...
My son (age 11)Sam's answers in a monotone, low voice, single syllable with lips not moving voice "yes" for all the questions.
Gavin (age 7) of course answered all questions with shifting eyes, one corner of the upper lip cocked up like Elvis, and with a double syllable southern lisp "yease", "yease", "maaaybe"! All the while, he is jumping on the sofa. I am getting ill now because I am tired and Gavin is playing with me. Gavin knows he's done with most everything, he just likes pushing my buttons sometimes. I glance over the room and see his tennis shoes across the room on the floor. I immediately tense up and start fussing.... "Is that were your shoes go? You know in the morning you won't be able to find them in a hurry. If you just put your shoes where they belong in the mud room, I wouldn't be fussing at you now. For that matter have you found your I Pod that you got for Christmas and immediately lost?"
Gavin quickly defends himself. "Moamh (that is just how Gavin said it), I had it right here on the sofa."
"Yep, I know Gavin. This stuff just disappears by it self. God knows where that thing is!"
Gavin stops jumping and looked directly in to my eye and puts his hand on my shoulder like he has just had an epiphany.
In a quiet but absolute statement Gavin says "MOM! GOD DOES KNOW WHERE MY I POD IS! HE'S JUST NOT TELLING ME!"
Ha! I love that child!