What is Tofu?

One of my favorite side dish is a fried tofu. It's good, healthy and versatile on any dish. I know I'm not the only one who loves tofu.

Benefits of tofu

Rich in Nutrients - Tofu is rich in both high in protein and B-vitamins. Tofu is an excellent substitute for meat in many vegetarian recipes. Soya beans used to make tofu contains a lot of calcium. This calcium originates from the coagulant (nigari). When making tofu, the soy proteins along with calcium, providing tofu with a ready source of calcium. Calcium in tofu contributes to the prevention of osteoporosis.

Easy to digest - An additional benefit of tofu is that it is easy to digest. This is because the soybean’s fiber is removed during the manufacturing process.

Reduce cholesterol - As most other soyfoods, tofu reduces heart disease by lowering the level of the "bad" Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and as the result maintaining the level of "good" High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

Rich in isoflavones - Tofu is rich in isoflavones. When making tofu, the soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, remain bound to the soy protein. Firm tofu contains about 35 mg isoflavones per 100g. Isoflavones will reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a disease associated with reduced bone density and increased bone fractures. Isoflavones will also lower rates of breast cancer and prostate cancer, and reduce menopausal symptoms including mood swings and hot flushes.

Chicken with Mushrooms and Marsala

Ingredients

1 3-pound whole free-range chicken, cut into 8 pieces

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

1/2 bunch fresh thyme sprigs (about 8 sprigs)

2 cups button mushrooms, halved

2 shallots, diced

1 1/2 cups sweet Marsala wine

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 stick unsalted butter, cut into cubes

2 cups penne pasta

Directions

1. Rinse the chicken pieces with cool water, then pat dry with paper towels. Season the chicken pieces well with salt and pepper.

2. In a large roasting pan heat a 3-count of olive oil (about 3 tablespoons) over medium heat. Add chicken and brown in hot oil about 10 minutes, until golden all over, turning pieces occasionally to brown on both sides. Remove chicken from pan and set aside on a plate tented with aluminum foil. Add garlic, thyme, mushrooms, and shallots to hot roasting pan. Season with salt and pepper and saute until mushrooms are brown and shallots are slightly caramelized. Deglaze the pan with Marsala and chicken broth, scraping the brown bits off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.

3. Nestle the chicken back in the pan, making sure each piece has good contact with the bottom of the pan. Top each chicken piece with butter. Cover the pan, leaving lid slightly askew. Cook over mediumlow heat for 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through (180 degrees F), basting the chicken with the pan juices periodically.

4. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook penne pasta according to package directions; drain. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Serve with hot penne

Bubbly Lyrics by Colbie Caillat

I've been awake for a while now

You've got me feelin' like a child now

'Cause every time I see your bubbly face

I get the tinglies in a silly place

It starts in my toes

An i crinkle my nose

Wherever it goes

I always know

you make me smile

Please stay for a while now

Just take your time

Wherever you go

The rain is falling on my window pane

But we are hiding in a safer place

Under covers staying dry and warm

You give me feelings that I adore

They start in my toes

Make me crinkle my nose

Wherever it goes

I always know

That you make me smile

Please stay for a while now

Just take your time

Wherever you go

What am I going to say

When you make me feel this way

I just mmmmm

And it starts in my toes

Makes me crinkle my nose

Wherever it goes

I always know

That you make me smile

Please stay for a while now

Just take your time

Wherever you go

I've been asleep for a while now

You tuck me in just like a child now

'Cause every time you hold me in your arms

I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth

And it starts in my soul

And I lose all control

When you kiss my nose

The feeling shows

'cause you make me smile baby

Just take your time now

Holdin' me tight

Wherever wherever wherever you go

Wherever wherever wherever you go

wherever you go

I always know

'Cause you make me smile

here just for a while

Achieving Happiness through Meditation

There is only one way to achieve happiness. That way is to simply be happy. You are probably thinking right now how to be happy. "Things just don't work that easy. It doesn't take into much consideration the times that I am miserable. The problems or mishaps that come up in my everyday life, not to mention the tragedies, will be your turn down." At this point I have to hold on and meditate. Meditation can be done many different ways, just find the one that works best for you.

Being happy more often than you have been is an incredibly difficult task to accomplish-not in the doing of it once you know how and then in keeping aware of what you have discovered. Yet, I still say that with meditation you can do learn it how to be relax. The path that you have chosen that will lead you to your current situation was not a few days or months in the making, but a long and strenuous path that has spanned through many years. By taking the time to meditate about who you are, and what you have in life. If you are satisfied with the way your life is going, congratulations-do more of what you have been doing and you will get more of what you already have in your life. Failure to make those changes will find you seeking the things you really would like in your life so on.

Because some of this will seems impossible, ridiculous, or maybe even foolish. It may at first offend, causing you to ridicule on what you are reading and maybe even cause you to reject what you have read. I really want to suggest to you that before you reject how meditation can help your life, ask yourself whether or not you want it to be true-then for your benefit please give yourself the chance to see it as true.

In this day, with all the things we have to deal within our lives, it is very hard to stay on a positive level, a focus situation. Be happy all the time, but taking a few minutes a day just meditating by yourself will help you keep things in perspective. Rather than being unhappy about the situation you are in you can find a way to find the happy part of being unhappy.

Word for Today

Mediocracy - is a word for being ruled or rule by those who are average or below average competence. A society that which people with more or less talent and skill are dominant and influential.