FRIDAY FARE: Healthy Recipe - Spinach Floret Salad

Guest blogger, Shannon Stahura...

The recipe today comes from a magazine... "Taste of Home Great: American Cookout" July issue. If I did tweak it, I would reduce sugar to 1/2 cup and use canola oil instead of vegetable oil, I would omit radishes, make mushrooms optional and probably change the title to Spinach Salad.

I was really impressed with this recipe, not just because it tastes great, but because it is filled with lots of healthy greens which are always high in vitamin and mineral content.

Spinach Floret Salad

1 bunch of spinach (or bag)

2 cups of chopped iceberg lettuce

2 cups broccoli florets

1 1/2 cups cauliflowerets

1 cup chow mein noodles

2 hard boiled eggs, sliced

2 green onions chopped

3 fresh mushrooms, sliced

3 radishes, sliced

Dressing

1 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions

Toss first 9 ingredients and (bacon optional). Blend all of the dressing ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Toss salad with dressing and serve.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Have a GOOD Day...

1. Get out of bed
2. Breath in and out
3. Give thanks
4. Smile
5. Hug someone
6. Take a nap
7. Gain knowledge
8. Enjoy food
9. Laugh
10. Take a hot bubble bath

Do something for yourself, and something for someone else. Life is good. ENJOY it!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - Pink Cookies

TUESDAY TIDINGS - August 12th meeting

At our next Sister Survivor meeting - August 12th - we'll be talking about skin care, make up, and hair care. Please email Kara at nafari01@yahoo.com, and let us know what you'd like to talk about. What kinds of problems are you having with your skin and hair? What questions do you want answered?

We really would love to cater this meeting to you, ladies!

Looking forward to hearing from you.

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR "SPOTLIGHT" INTERVIEW WITH CANCER SURVIVOR, BETHANIE NEWBY. CLICK ON "SPOTLIGHT" ON THE RIGHT SIDEBAR.

MONDAY MEMOIRS - Reminder

At our last Sister Survivors meeting, I gave the following assignment to the writing class: Describe the day you learned about your diagnosis. Where were you? What was your reaction? How did you feel? Who told you about the diagnosis? What were your immediate impressions?

Because we had only one attendee, this is a reminder to those who couldn't be there.

Like everyone who has ever heard the words "You've got cancer", I remember exactly what happened that day. If you'd like to read about my experience, CLICK HERE to visit my blog. This is a tough assignment, but I know that if you'll do try to write down everything you remember about that day, it will help you to think more calmly about your cancer journey.

"The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests." --Epictetus

FRIDAY FARE: Healthy Recipe - Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad

Guest blogger, Shannon Stahura...

Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad

Your probably thinking... "Oh no! Not another pasta salad." Let me assure you, this one is different. I have been making this salad for thirty years and it is hands down the best, everyone's favorite, never any left over kind of salad. And, of course it is healthy! This salad calls for lots of steamed broccoli, which is full of vitamin A, vitamin C and has a high content of potassium and calcium. I guarantee this is one you will want to add to your recipe book and make again and again.

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 bag of multi-colored spiral pasta (wheat is optional)

1 head of broccoli

5 oz. pepperoni diced (optional)

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

4 T red wine vinegar

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 t. freshly ground pepper

3/4 cup olive oil

salt to taste

Directions:

1. Cook chicken in simmering water for 20 min.

2. When cool enough to handle, cut into chunks.

3. Steam broccoli florets until tender (5-7 minutes)

4. Combine vinegar, garlic, oregano, pepper and olive oil in a jar with tight-fitting lid. Shake well and set aside.

5. Cook noodles according to package directions and drain and rinse with cold water.

6. Combine chicken, broccoli, pepperoni and pasta in a large bowl and toss with dressing. Sprinkle in feta cheese and serve.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - God Knows Best...

God Knows Best
by Helen Steiner Rice

Our Father knows what's best for us,
So why should we complain--
We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there must be rain--

We love the sound of laughter
And the merriment of cheer,
But our hearts would lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear...

Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow,
He tests us, not to punish us,
But to help us meet tomorrow...

For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm,
And the sharp cut of a chisel
Gives the marble grace and form...

God never hurts us needlessly,
And He never wastes our pain
For every loss He send to us
Is followed by rich gain...

And when we count the blessings
That God has so freely sent,
We will find no cause for murmuring
And no time to lament...

For our Father loves His children,
And to Him all things are plain,
So He never sends us pleasure
When the soul's deep need is pain...

So whenever we are troubled,
And when everything goes wrong,
It is just God working in us
To make our spirit strong.