Each today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,

And each tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this one day,

My article on What Makes Olive Oil Virgin, Extra Virgin, Organic Or Not? has now been published on Ezine Articles. You can read the entire article by visiting www.greatarticlesbyMartha.com  

But the short answer is that extra virgin olive oil is made with great care - careful picking, careful squeezing so as not to over heat the oil.

This made me think about how much we are like that sensitive oil. Being holistic is about paying attention to your Whole person. Carefully picking and choosing what you eat, what you think about, how you spend your time. Sometimes we need to squeeze ourselves and stimulate ourselves to do better. Sometimes we need to cool off and not get overheated.

Since we know this about ourselves, why would anyone continue to feed themselves food that does not nourish them and in fact can cause harm? Especially when there are so many healthy alternatives now.

Years ago when I started developing the recipes available in “The Holistic Cookie” there were no alternatives available except for what you could make yourself.  Now there are huge stores full of prepared food with no preservatives and with high quality nutrition in mind. So why do people keep eating that junk food?

I am seriously asking this question. Please leave your comments. Why do you think that people keep eating that junk food?

Today on the Oprah tv show, in reference to her weight gain last year, Oprah said jokingly, “I did not just fall off the wagon. I let the wagon run over me.”

What a beautifully picturesque way of describing something that anyone who has struggled with weight and health issues has felt!

In fact, this is one of the reasons that I wrote “The Holistic Cookie - Enjoy Nutritious Time Tested Recipes”. When a person feels like falling off the wagon, have a holistic cookie. You made it. You know what is in it — low fat of a good quality, low sugar that is organic, high protein Vita-Spelt flour, extra fiber from oatbran or rolled oats and extra fiber from other fruits and vegetables. And NO transfats or preservatives or anything else you are avoiding. 

Holistic Cookies taste good, but are so loaded with fiber that you really feel satisfied with only 1 or 2 and do not feel like eating the “whole box”.

Dearest Oprah, this is how you fall off the wagon and get right back up on that wagon and avoid letting it run over you!

“The Holistic Cookie” E-cookbook is now available at http://www.TheHolisticCookie.com

I love this time of year when I get to teach people about Hot Lemonade.  I have been using this old-fashioned recipe for years. Year after year it helps people by soothing inflamed throats and reducing the swelling. You might think this recipe is counter-intuitive when you first read it, but cayenne pepper is know to reduce inflamation. Honey and Lemon are known to have antibacterial properties. There is also the added benefit that this tastes pretty good!

Holistic Tip — Sugar does not have antibacterial properties, nor does it sooth mucus membranes. If you use sugar instead of honey, this recipe will not work.

HOT LEMONADE - 1 cup

1 tbsp. Lemon juice

1 tsp. honey (sugar does not work here)

dash of red cayenne pepper — powerful, don’t need much

Add hot water to your cup. Drink and enjoy! Results begin immediately.

Of all the parties and all the new food combinations I ate during the Holiday Season, this Winter Salad using avocados and red grapefruit was my favorite. Use an exotic flavored vinegar or just use an Italian dressing. Wow! Refreshing! Satisfying! and Delicious!

Red and Green Exotic Winter Salad

1 Avocado plus 1 Red Grapefruit — cut into little pieces into a bowl

Dressing

Pour on some Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and some Blackberry Ginger Balsamic Vinegar or flavored vinegar of choice.  Or simply use your favorite Italian dressing.

When was the last time you tried something new and exotic to eat? This could be an interesting discussion. Please add your comments.