Tuesday Tunes!

by Lydia Tuesday Tunes

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 Hi Framers! This week’s Tuesday Tunes we are doing a Throw Back Tuesday! Here we are looking at one of the greatest dancers of all time-Gene Kelly. He once said if Fred Astaire was the “Cary Grant” of dance, then he was the “Marlon Brando”. 

 

 

Eugene Curran “Gene” Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American dancer, actor, singer, film director, producer, and choreographer. Kelly was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style, his good looks and the likable characters that he played on-screen.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was the largest and most powerful studio in Hollywood when Gene Kelly arrived in town in 1941. He came direct from the hit 1940 original Broadway production of “Pal Joey” and planned to return to the Broadway stage after making the one film required by his contract. His first picture for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was For Me and My Gal (1942) with Judy Garland. What kept Kelly in Hollywood were “the kindred creative spirits” he found behind the scenes at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The talent pool was especially large during World War II, when Hollywood was a refuge for many musicians and others in the performing arts of Europe who were forced to flee the Nazis. After the war, a new generation was coming of age.

Those who saw An American in Paris (1951) would try to make real life as romantic as the real life they saw portrayed in that musical, and the first time they saw Paris, they were seeing again in memory the seventeen-minute ballet sequence set to the title song written by George Gershwin and choreographed by Kelly. The sequence cost a half million dollars (U.S.) to make in 1951 dollars. Another Kelly musical of the era, Singin’ in the Rain (1952), was one of the first 25 films selected by the Library of Congress for its National Film Registry. Kelly was in the same league as Fred Astaire, but instead of a top hat and tails Kelly wore work clothes that went with his masculine, athletic dance style. Gene Kelly died at age 83 of complications from two strokes on February 2, 1996 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California.

 

The Famous Scene from Singin’ in the Rain

 

Tap Dancing on Roller Skates? Of course! Who can’t do that?

 

Just give him a creaky floor and a newspaper…

 

 

Facts about Mr. Gene Kelly:

 

He was voted the 42nd Greatest Movie Star of all time by Entertainment Weekly.

Was named the #15 greatest actor on The 50 Greatest Screen Legends list by the American Film Institute.

Had a fever of 103 degree while filming the famous rain scene in Singin’ in the Rain (1952).

Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1959.

Kennedy Center Honoree, 1982.

Awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton in 1994.

A stage version of “Singin’ in the Rain” was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 2001 for Outstanding Musical Production, with choreography by Kelly.

Martial arts stars Jackie Chan and David Carradine both cite him as an influence.

Is one of the many movie stars mentioned in Madonna‘s song “Vogue” and was a dance consultant for her 1993 “Girlie Show” tour.

Links We Like!

by Lydia Links We Like

Happy Friday Everyone!

 

It’s a week before Thanksgiving! So Happy Early Thanksgiving everyone! Here are some fun videos to help you get through the long-awaited weekend. Enjoy!

 

Partitions divide countries, friendships find a way (Thankful for lasting friendships)

 

Thankful for laughter! Haha!

 

And since Thanksgiving is only a week away…I couldn’t resist showing a scene from A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on how to prepare a Thanksgiving feast! If you haven’t seen it, you can watch the whole thing on YouTube! 🙂

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 Lastly, be thankful for your incredible ability to dance. It truly is an amazing gift. 

Thankful

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Eat Well Wednesday!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

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We love favorable food!

It keeps things interesting and it’s always fun to play around with different flavors to see what you can come up with.  Living in San Antonio, means that we are surrounded by tons of Mexican food restaurants. We love to cook Mexican inspired dishes; enchiladas, taco salad, fajitas; and all make an appearance on our dinner plates.

To be honest with you despite the abundant Mexican restaurants here, my husband and I are not huge fans of eating out for a couple of reasons. One because we don’t know what is actually going in the food and the quality of the ingredients that are used. And second because it can be really expensive to eat out all the time. I would rather invest that money in quality, real food that we can prepare and enjoy ourselves. Just my feelings on eating out though, I know a lot of people rely on it because of busy schedules and they enjoy eating out. I firmly believe though that doing a little meal planning and prepping means meals don’t have to be a burden and can often be cooked, consumed, and kitchen cleaned in the same amount of time as sitting down for a meal at Chili’s.

So that is a little peek into our lives, lets’ get down to business and learn how to make your own taco seasoning.

First off, take a look at the ingredients for store-bought Taco seasoning packets. Spice and coloring is the first ingredients. Coloring?!  You also have some MSG and modified food starch. Umm….no thank you.

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Instead, gather these common pantry seasonings and make your own.

When a recipe calls for (1) packet of taco seasoning, I use about (4) Tablespoons of this homemade seasoning.

It is really simple.

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If you don’t already have these spices on hand, I suggest checking out the bulk spice section at your local grocery store. Spices can be expensive and while they don’t really go bad, it is so nice to be able to buy only what you need. There are a lot of times that I only pay .20 cents for a new spice I want to try in a dish or one that I don’t use very often and don’t want to spend $6.00 on a whole jar.

Homemade-Taco-Seasoning-with-labels

Homemade Taco Seasoning Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons Chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 2 teaspoons Paprika
  • 6 teaspoons Cumin, ground
  • 4 teaspoons Sea Salt
  • 4 teaspoons Black Pepper

Combine all of these spices in a jar or small container and mix well.

When a recipe calls for (1) packet of taco seasoning, I use about (4) Tablespoons of this homemade seasoning.

Use to flavor your taco salad, fajita meat/ vegetables, soups, anything really!

Do you use pre-made spice packets or do you create your own spice mixture?  

Leave a comment below!

 

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0-1Jill Wentworth is leading us Wednesday by Wednesday into making better food choices and being more healthful. Tune in every Wednesday to get some great recipes and advice from someone who really knows health. In an effort to fuel her passion to serve as well has enhance the lives of others through their nutritional choices, she started Eat Well SA(San Antonio). Her vision is to educate you on how to incorporate a healthy array of foods into your life. Eat Well is not a diet, nor does it embrace any one specific dietary agenda. She also offers customized programs that are educational and teach you the tools you need to maintain healthy, well-balanced eating for your busy lives.

Links We Like

by Lydia Links We Like

WOW!

 

 

In honor of Veterans’ Day this week. Thank you.

 

 

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Hosting a party? Try these awesome recipes!

 

 

 

Cheesy Swiss and Bacon Dip

 

 

Ingredients

  • 8 slices center cut bacon, chopped
  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 rounded teaspoons prepared Dijon style mustard
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, available on dairy aisle
  • 3 scallions, chopped

Instructions

  1. Brown bacon in non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Drain crisp bacon bits on paper towels.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, Dijon, Swiss and scallions with cooked bacon.
  3. Place mixture in a shallow baking dish or pie pan.
  4. Place in microwave for 3 minutes. Stir.
  5. Place under broiler until top is browned.
  6. Or you can bake at 400 degrees bake until golden and bubbly at edges, 15 to 18 minutes.
  7. Serve with crackers or bread.

 

 

 

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate recipe recipes ingredients instructions drink recipes easy recipes christmas recipes halloween recipes holiday recipes thanksgiving recipes

 

 

 

 

Eat Well Wednesday

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

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There are some scary ingredients in pre-packed foods and some most consumed convenience food is cereal and granola bars.  They make for quick breakfasts and easy snacks.

The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice convenience for wholesome nutrition!  By making better choices at the store, you can make better choices for the food you choose to fuel you and your families bodies with.

 

 

Let’s do some comparisons, starting with granola bars.

 

 

Special-K-bars-300x150

(Hey Special K may only have 90 calories, but they almost have 90 ingredients too!  Yikes.)

Red flags in the ingredient list are hydrogenated oils, Red # 40, and BHT (A scary preservative used to lengthen shelf life, but is also found in embalming fluid and jet fuel.)  Here is a much better option…..

 

 

Cascade Farms Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars

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With half the ingredients of the Special K bars and very little preservatives, these would be a much better alternative to the sugar filled, artificial bars.

 

 

I would also HIGHLY RECOMMEND these delicious bars:

Be Kind Bars are the bomb!!

Not only are they well-balanced with protein, carbohydrates and fats, the ingredient list is stellar!!
Look for these sweet little treats at all major grocery stores and Starbucks.
 
 

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Remember to look for foods that have simple ingredients lists.  Eliminate the fake stuff, artificial ingredients and preservatives.  Go for the simple, wholesome, well-balanced snacks and your body will love you!

 
I hope this information helps you navigate the snack isle a bit better.  Be Well!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 0-1Jill Tarpey is leading us Wednesday by Wednesday into making better food choices and being more healthful. Tune in every Wednesday to get some great recipes and advice from someone who really knows health. In an effort to fuel her passion to serve as well has enhance the lives of others through their nutritional choices, she started Eat Well SA(San Antonio). Her vision is to educate you on how to incorporate a healthy array of foods into your life. Eat Well is not a diet, nor does it embrace any one specific dietary agenda. She also offers customized programs that are educational and teach you the tools you need to maintain healthy, well-balanced eating for your busy lives.
 
 

 

Links We Like

by Lydia Links We Like

Hello everyone! Here is the newest installment of Links We Like!

 

Here are a few helpful life pro tips that could come in handy!

1. The screw end on your broom handle is the same size as your paint roller so don’t waste money on an extender

2. If you don’t have hair gel and you need some, use some sun screen or skin moisturizer

3. Use Coca-Cola to remove rust (video link: http://www.thatvideosite.com/v/11781/using-coca-cola-to-remove-rust)

4. Multi-task for muscle tone: Holding your stomach in while brushing your teeth, tightening your core through that red light. Surprising how many heel lift/crouch combos you can do while in the stand up tanning booth. Some are isometric, others active. You can be pretty creative, and while this won’t be a fitness routine, every bit helps! Just keep your balance, and your eyes on the road!

5. Putting dry tea bags or dryer sheets in smelly shoes or gym bags to absorb the unpleasant odor.

 

How to remove stems from strawberries (use a straw…get it?) ;P

 

 

 

Amazing aren’t they?

 

 

 

 

 

Eat Well Wednesday!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

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I LOVE carrot cake!  It is by far my favorite cake out there, I will take it over chocolate any day.

I am always looking for a healthy alternative to the delicious treat. Something I can have often and not get off track of my healthy, balanced eating by consuming multiple slices of cake.

The answer: Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Muffins.  They are awesome! They’re the perfect handful of sweetness to satisfy that carrot cake craving.

These muffins would make a great snack by themselves or pair them with some Greek yogurt and a handful of almonds and you have a wonderful, well-balanced breakfast.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!!!

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Jill Tarpey is leading us Wednesday by Wednesday into making better food choices and being more healthful. Tune in every Wednesday to get some great recipes and advice from someone who really knows health. In an effort to fuel her passion to serve as well has enhance the lives of others through their nutritional choices, she started Eat Well SA(San Antonio). Her vision is to educate you on how to incorporate a healthy array of foods into your life. Eat Well is not a diet, nor does it embrace any one specific dietary agenda. She also offers customized programs that are educational and teach you the tools you need to maintain healthy, well-balanced eating for your busy lives.

Eat Well Wednesday!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

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Creamy Salad dressings don’t have to be full of saturated, trans fat, and bad for you.  Sure Kraft Ranch dressing is creamy and pretty yummy when dipping chicken fingers or dressing your salad.  However, it is full of trans fat, chemicals, artificial coloring and preservatives.

Check out this nicely dressed salad.

Creamy-Chipotle-salad-dressing

Homemade Creamy Chipotle Salad Dressing

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cups Plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/3 cup Cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Chili powder
  • 4 teaspoons Lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt

 

Directions

Step 1 Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix well.
Step 2 Wash and chop romaine lettuce, add chopped onion, and tomatoes.
Step 3 Pour dressing over salad and toss well.Top with grilled chicken and sliced avocado for a yummy, well-balanced meal.

 

This is a wonderful alternative to mayo and sour cream based dressing and because the Greek yogurt is fully packed with protein. There are endless possibilities for this dressing! Change-up the flavoring by adding some dill and onion powder or a great veggie dip.  Put a dollop on a baked sweet potato for a creamy substitute to sour cream and butter, or make a savory spread with chives and onion powder to spread over a whole wheat bagel.

Enjoy the possibilities and Be Well 🙂

 

0-1

Jill Tarpey is leading us Wednesday by Wednesday into making better food choices and being more healthful. Tune in every Wednesday to get some great recipes and advice from someone who really knows health. In an effort to fuel her passion to serve as well has enhance the lives of others through their nutritional choices, she started Eat Well SA(San Antonio). Her vision is to educate you on how to incorporate a healthy array of foods into your life. Eat Well is not a diet, nor does it embrace any one specific dietary agenda. She also offers customized programs that are educational and teach you the tools you need to maintain healthy, well-balanced eating for your busy lives.