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May 4, 2013

John is wondering how I never get sick

Hey Jenny, I’m fascinated over the fact you haven’t been sick in decades. Besides eating the right foods..I was wondering if you think using items like hand sanitizers/Clorox wipes are necessary? Also do you take any special precautions if someone around you is ill to avoid catching it? Thanks!

My Response:
I can’t remember the last time I had a cold – maybe 25 or 30 years ago, and I’ve never missed a day of work in my life. So yes, I really never get sick. I don’t use any sanitizers or take any special routine precautions. I don’t run from sick people as I know some people do and I sometimes wonder if exposing myself to a variety of germs is what keeps my immune system so strong. However, if I’m around someone who is sick, I probably wouldn’t shake their hand or share a glass but that’s about it. I also believe that a positive attitude helps a lot. If I ever feel like something is coming on, I simply deny it. I decide that I don’t have the time or desire to be sick and I don’t get sick. Some people feel a cold coming on and simply accept they’ll be sick and they are. I hope I’m making sense. But there’s more…

Many years ago my back went out and I was lying on the couch in severe pain on an ice pack. I could barely walk and couldn’t even stand up straight. The phone rang and it was Hollywood Squares asking if I could fill in for someone at the last minute. I jumped off the couch, put my clothing together and headed for studio. We taped five shows that day which involved climbing up and down into the squares and the whole time, my back pain was gone. I couldn’t have taped these shows with a bad back so it had to go away… and it did. Ever since then, I’ve been convinced that it’s possible to deny some illnesses and pain.

Besides eating fairly well (I still have pizza or a gelato once in a while) it may be what I do NOT eat: No fast food at all, no soft drinks at all, no diet drinks at all, and no store-bought cookies or sweets – I make all my own. And I drink a lot of green tea. I hope I didn’t preach here too much but I appreciate your asking and hope this gives you something to think about. Take care.

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Filed Under: Nutrition, Questions? - Forum
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May 3, 2013

How to Prevent Sinking Cupcakes

Debbie asks… Hi lately my cupcakes have become wrinkled and flat once out of the oven can you to me what might cause this please.

My Response…

Baking is such an exact science that almost any small change in a recipe can cause it to fail. Here are a few possible explanations:

  • Your baking powder or baking soda is expired.
  • Your ingredients are not room temperature.
  • Batter was over-mixed.
  • Oven door was opened during baking.
  • Batter was too liquid.
  • Improper measuring.
  • Oven was not preheated long enough.
  • Oven temperature is not accurate.

Make sure you follow your recipe exactly, right down to the size of the eggs (usually large) and use fresh ingredients. I hope this helps. Does anyone else have cupcake advice for Debbie?

Filed Under: How To . . .
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May 2, 2013

My How To Guide

How To Store Cut Fruit & Vegetables

How To Aerate Flour

How To Store Granola Bars

How To Store Homemade Bread

How To Reheat Frozen Dinner Rolls

How To Freeze Yeast

How to Keep Tortillas Soft

How To Measure Flour

How To Aerate Flour

How To Toast Nuts

How To Store Celery

How To Freeze Pesto

How To Keep Brown Sugar Soft

How to Rise Dough

How To Line a Square Pan with Parchment Paper

How To Store Parsley

How To Freeze Pecan Balls

How To Measure Ingredients

How To Keep Cookies Crisp

How To Share My Recipes

How To Restore Crusty Bread

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Filed Under: How To . . .
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May 2, 2013

Are you man enough for this spicy salad?

SpicyCabbageSalad_600It’s cold and it’s hot! It’s my Spicy Cabbage Salad with Jalapeno Peppers and it’ll bring tears to your eyes. The brisk lime juice dressing is made as spicy as you want with added drops of Tabasco but you don’t have to go that far. I’ve also made a gentler version by using the milder Anaheim pepper and the fresh lime dressing and it’s still a fabulous, refreshing and super healthy salad.  But if you like your food to bite you back, that’s good because spicy meals boost your metabolism and help with weight loss. This simple recipe is only cabbage, onions, and peppers but make it once and you will crave it like I do. Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones

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Filed Under: Soups/Salads/Side Dishes
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Apr 30, 2013

Better than takeout – ready in less than 20 minutes.

Best Orange Chicken RecipeI made one of my favorite meals ever for dinner today, my Orange-Sesame Chicken. If you like Chinese food then you know that much of it is deep fried but this chicken is just lightly sauteed and the sauce, made with fresh-squeezed orange juice, is fantastic. It takes longer to cook the rice than it does to make this healthy meal so be sure to start your rice first.

Today, I made fragrant jasmine rice. I always include a side of broccoli and you can add your broccoli to the rice during the last 5 minutes to save extra dishes. This orange-sesame chicken is an easy, healthy recipe that actually cooks up in less than 10 minutes, but you have to wait for the rice to cook! Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones

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Filed Under: Main Dishes
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Apr 29, 2013

Easiest Lemon Brownies

To show how incredibly easy it is to make my healthy Lemon Brownies, I’ve made a video. These awesome low-fat brownies have no butter and it’s a simple, easy recipe… one bowl, no mixer needed. But even if they weren’t this easy, I’d still be making them all the time – they are that good! Click here for my healthy recipe.

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Filed Under: Videos 3 Comments
Apr 26, 2013

Greek Lemon Potatoes

Greek Lemon Potatoes

My stepmom is Greek so I have grown to love Greek food (and her, too!). She told me that you can cook almost any Greek dish with olive oil, lemon, and oregano and this delicious side dish is the perfect example. The potatoes are marinated and roasted in the oven until they’re tender inside and the edges are crispy and golden. And wait until you taste this delicious combination of fresh lemon juice, garlic, and oregano.

There’s been lots of talk lately about the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet so there’s plenty of reason to try my easy Greek lemon potatoes. Did I say easy? See for yourself. Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones

Filed Under: Soups/Salads/Side Dishes
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Apr 26, 2013

Sesame Seed Breadsticks

 Homemade Breadsticks

For someone who likes crunchy food, my sesame seed breadsticks are a must. You simply cannot buy breadsticks like this anywhere and when they’re fresh out of the oven (after they stop their snap, crackle, and popping) it’s hard not to eat half the batch right there. I make 15 at a time and when there’s only one left, I make more. If you haven’t tried this easy recipe, you’re missing out. I was out of whole wheat flour so I made this batch with just all-purpose flour.  To see the video and printable recipe, click here. – Jenny Jones

Filed Under: Breads/Muffins
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Apr 26, 2013

Alicia is asking what to serve with gyros

I am interested in the Greek potatoes recipe. Is that recipe still availabe?
Also, what would you recommend serving with chicken gyros for a light lunch?
Thank you!

My response:

I just posted the Greek Lemon Potatoes recipe and as for the chicken gyros lunch, I would say that’s already a pretty hearty lunch. So if anything, I would only add some crudite or a salad. One suggestion I can make is to serve a middle eastern cucumber salad which would tie in beautifully with the gyro which is traditionally Turkish or Greek, depending who you ask. I love these fresh cucumber salads which are almost like a salsa, typically made with Persian cucumbers, onion, tomato, lemon juice, and olive oil.

Filed Under: Questions? - Forum
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