How to Make Peach Cobbler (A Colonial Classic)

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Americans have always been fond of desserts.

In colonial times, desserts were a status symbol and the fanciest part of a meal because sugar and flour were very costly and not readily available.

The most popular colonial desserts were Bettys (A popular baked pudding; spiced fruit was layered with buttered bread crumbs. This can also be served with lemon sauce or whipped cream. The most familiar form is Apple Brown Betty.), Cobblers (Fruit filling’s put in a baking dish and topped with a biscuit dough. The dough may completely cover the fruit or just be dropped on the fruit by handfuls. And a cobbler’s always baked. The name probably came about because of the crust that resembled cobblestones) and Grunts. ( This was a stewed or baked fruit dish; biscuit dough is rolled and then put on top of the fruit. The name may have come from the noise people made while eating it!).

This dish was also known as Slumps. Another theory states that the “Grunt” and “Slump” names came from the sounds of the fruit and dough as they’re cooking!

These classic desserts are a vast improvement over earlier varieties, for cooks had to make do with whatever ingredients were at hand. Now, they’re both delicious and nourishing. 

So without further ado, here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp lemon juice

3 cups canned peaches

If you prefer fresh peaches (depending on their availability) and have the time to cut them up, by all means, do so. I personally would rather use fresh myself, so I make the time!

Topping:

 1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup butter, softened

1. Combine sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, drained peaches (or the fresh peach slices), and 1/2 cup of reserved peach juice (if you’re using fresh, you won’t have to worry about juice) in a 2-quart baking dish.

2. For the topping, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

3. Stir in butter and milk.

 4. Spread over the fruit mixture and bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes or until golden brown.

Did You Know That…..

In colonial times, many people didn’t drink water or milk for fear of disease. Alcoholic beverages were widely consumed. Hmmm…..

How to be a Successful Inventor

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Many aspiring inventors make three mistakes:

They try to invent the wrong things.

They don’t have the persistence (or patience) to stay with a good idea until it pays off.

They don’t go about selling their inventions the right way.

And bear in mind that it may be years before a basically good idea begins to affect the inventor’s bank account favorably (the consumer market is a fickle one; the industrial field may pay more).

 When you try to sell your product or service, the people around the table will usually tell you all the reasons it isn’t any good. It’s partly because they didn’t think of it, partly because they may be taking a huge risk if they buy it, and partly because it’s always hard work to turn an idea into a product ready to sell.

Pick three companies that could logically use and produce your invention. Present it to all three at the same time. Tell each one that two others are looking at it. Fear of competition is a stronger motivating force than the desire for a new product.

To increase your chances of success:

You’re going to need strong persistence (or stubbornness, determination, foolhardiness, you name it), know-how, and a knack for producing the right thing for the right purpose (and at the right time).

Also, in no particular order:

Invent by the rules(for the most part).

Companies have a huge investment in their going product and don’t like to gamble. If they tried something totally new and it didn’t catch on, they could or would be wiped out. What a company will buy is something that won’t interfere with the going product (or may enhance it).

Look for new materials for ideas.

There’s a vast amount of inventing done by applying new materials to old problems.

Be alert to new ideas everywhere.

Read trade magazines, go on virtual plant tours if possible, have phone conversations or virtual chats with factory workers, for example. If you’re still commuting to work, look around and see what’s still being done by hand, or where a process is complex, messy, or expensive. Always ask yourself: “What can be done more effectively, better, cheaper, or differently?”

Apply your ideas in many fields.

While you’re developing your product, service, or process for one area, continue working on your second or other products. Diversify!

If you have a good idea, keep trying.

Watch-and study-the TV show, “Shark Tank” (and before that, there was a similar show, also on ABC, which aired for two seasons, called “American Inventor“). Many, if not most, inventors have labored for years on their products or services. Most get turned down or only make it to the preliminary rounds. But most vow to keep up because they believe; they know their product or service is great. And that’s what you’ll need to do:

 Never Give Up!

Did You Know That…..

You can develop an inventive ability far more than you may believe possible by utilizing creative thinking.

There’s a common pattern of motivation used by many inventors and creative individuals; they have a great interest in any potential problems or solutions and a strong desire to solve them.

General knowledge is very important; other things being equal, the one who has a broad knowledge of many fields and a lot of prior experience can often come up with new and significant creative ideas more easily and rapidly than the individual who has only specialized knowledge of one field.

Enhancing Bedtime/Maximizing Sleep (Decor): Tips and Ideas

Posted in Food/home improvement/business, Home Improvement/Interior Design, Uncategorized by
  •  For That Perfect Snooze
  • According to a 2015 study in the Journal of Sleep Medicine and Disorders, weighted blankets improved duration and sleep quality for insomniacs; they can provide the same calming pressure as a hug and may lower anxiety levels and heart rate.)
  • Try Chambray-This fabric will keep you comfortable year-round.
  • Percale is great for hot weather and sweaty people; it’s cool and breathable.
  • Sateen has a slight sheen and always looks smooth (no ironing needed).
  • Three Pillow Types
  • Back Sleeper?
  • A contoured style is your best option; it relieves neck pressure.
  • Side Sleeper?
  • Go for a thick, gusseted one (has panels on all four sides); it bridges the distance between your ear and shoulder.
  • Every-Which-Way?
  • Get a memory-foam that responds to your every movement; it’ll provide good alignment.
  • Blankets and Comforters
  • According to Rebecca Robbins, Ph.D., a sleep researcher at New York University Medical Center, “Blankets are a great way to stay in your comfort zone, especially when it gets cold at night, or if you sleep with someone with different preferences.”
  • Use wool for weight and warmth; cotton’s best for a lighter covering.
  • A synthetic comforter should be reliably hypoallergenic.
  • A comforter made with real down should have a fill power of 600 or higher.
  • Gaining Better Sleep Habits Through the Day
  • Maintain a regular wake-up time seven days a week; consistency will help stabilize your circadian rhythm and your internal clock. And don’t sleep in on the weekend; it’ll throw you off. If possible, eat breakfast by the window (is it a sunny day? Getting a good dose of sunlight early in the morning will not only lift your spirits but will set your circadian clock correctly).
  •  Do you make your bed regularly? Then you’re 20% more likely to get a good night’s sleep on most days than people who don’t, according to a National Sleep Foundation survey.
  • If possible, eat a light dinner and a hearty lunch (big dinners will drag out your digestive process; opt for a 500 calorie-or less-meal). And reduce caffeine intake (stays in the body for hours!).
  • I’ve found that any extensive, intense activity will put me “out” in an instant (I’m also a caregiver). Staying awake has become a challenge! I’m able to keep going as long as needed, but once I sit down or rest…..It’s often recommended to turn off all lights, the TV, etc. to induce sleep; I no longer have that problem.
  • The Calm Meditation App is a go-to stress buster for actress Holly Robinson Peete: “Sleep is the hardest self-care practice for me. This app helps me get an afternoon nap in my dressing room” (free, iTunes).
  • Did You Know That…..
  • Humans spend a third of their lives sleeping.
  • Fish sleep with their eyes open because they don’t have eyelids.
  • There’s no cure for snoring.
  • U.S. presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt all snored.
  • According to the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, just one sleepless night could increase your risk for Type 2 diabetes (researchers found that sleep-deprived mice had higher blood glucose levels and fat content in the liver-both of these factors are linked to diabetes and insulin resistance.
  • “When I was training in surgery, we were taught that if you could train yourself to do things without sleep, it made you a better doctor. It’s the opposite! You’re more creative and able to perform better if you sleep more. It’s not a sign of weakness. Prioritize it. And you should be sleeping long enough to dream.”-Dr. Oz
  • When you type “Why Am I So” in Google Search, the most common auto-fill result is “Why Am I So Tired.”
  • At least 71% of people own three sets of sheets for their bed.

Do you tuck in your top sheet?

44% do, 40% do not, while 15% don’t use a top sheet at all.

Getting Enough Zzzzs

Did You Know That…..

Using nasal strips or treating allergies often quiets snoring. A short nap can help you get the hours of sleep you need; the ideal one would be just 20-30 minutes and no later than early afternoon. That’s least likely to cause grogginess or mess up regular nighttime sleep. You’re getting enough sleep if you wake up feeling refreshed. You’re NOT if you doze off at:

A traffic stop or in a line of traffic for a few minutes.

In a public place

In the car passenger seat (for an hour)

While watching TV or reading

40% of teens aren’t getting the sleep they need (it’s due to their changing biological clock; many are not tired until 10 or 11 pm., according to Wendy Troxel, Ph.D., and a senior behavioral/social scientist at the RAND Corporation). Teens-or anybody else-can’t really catch up on sleep, but what CAN be done is to return to a regular schedule. After two or three good nights, the body will bounce back.

Sleep-Deprived

“Most of the time when someone says they only need five to six hours of sleep, that means their ability to tolerate sleep deprivation is better than most,” says  Meeta Singh, M.D., medical director of  Detroit’s Henry Ford Sleep Laboratory. “They’re actually walking around with sleep debt and have forgotten what it feels like to be awake and alert.”Older people are affected even more; the amount of deep sleep received tends to decrease with age.

“You start slowly losing the robustness of ‘slow-wave‘ sleep,” (the dreamless, non-REM sleep that’s among the most restorative), according to Sigrid Veasey, M.D., University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.

Veasey also says that the sleep-deprived function in a state of impairment, to the point where they don’t notice anything’s wrong. But, the people within their inner circle WILL notice; they’ll see the depression, non-interest in regular activities, and the short temper.

Good sleep not only provides a much-needed rest, but it also gives the brain a chance to clear and clean itself out; what’s called the glymphatic system gets rid of the debris and toxins from the brain and nervous system that accumulates during the day.

Three simple ways to overcome tired are:

1. Pick a consistent, regular bedtime schedule and follow it.

2. Take a nap whenever possible.

3. If your body clock’s off-kilter with the job you do or your personal life, readjust. Shift it with light. To be a night owl, opt for sunshine or bright lights later in the day. For an early bird schedule, consider dimming overhead lights and shutting off electronics about an hour before bedtime. Opt for bright light in the morning.

Another factor to consider is the mattress. According to the Better Sleep Council, whether one wakes up feeling refreshed can depend on the age of a mattress and its condition (one that’s seven years old or older may need to be replaced).

Sources: “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This”-Edited by Alison Abbey, Parade Picks, Parade magazine, March 18, 2018, and “The Art Of The Bed” by Petra Guglielmetti, Martha Stewart Living, April 2018, Better Family Health segment-Better Homes & Gardens, June 2019; “The Walking Tired” by Christie Aschwanden, Parade, January 2019; “Your All-Day Guide to Better Sleep” by Karyn Repinski-Spry Living, November 2018, “A Helping Hand” by Nicole Pajer-Spry Living, November 2018, “It’s About Time!” by Paula Spencer Scott-Parade, September 9, 2018, and “A To Z Guide To Your Best Night’s Sleep” by Diana Dickinson-Better Homes and Gardens, January 2017, and”How mattresses affect sleep quality” by MetroServices, Vindy Homes supplement-The (Sunday) Vindicator, May 5, 2019.


“Spanish Macaroni”

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 This is one of my all-time favorite things to eat. I loved (and still do) the smell, the look, and especially the taste.

When I was younger, I thought that all Hispanic people, and the Spaniards in particular, ate this regularly (My mom always called this meal “Spanish macaroni“, so the name stuck for me. Later into my teens, I realized this was her version of Johnny Marzetti). I found out just recently that “Spanish mac” is actually an American (!) dish that originated in Columbus, Ohio at Marzetti’s, an Italian restaurant in 1896 (first served by Teresa Marzetti and named for her brother-in-law, Johnny Marzetti. Italian-American dish, perhaps?).

By the 1920s, the Marzetti meal became a Midwest sensation; its popularity spread to the other U.S. regions, becoming a national culinary treasure.

It can be prepared in various ways, using different kinds of meats, cheese, and peppers (However, I would strongly recommend using strictly elbow macaroni for maximum flavor). 

Here’s the basic recipe; remember, you can always add on something if you want:

1. Boil the elbow macaroni until done. Drain and put to the side. 

2. Chop or dice the onion and green pepper 

3. Then sauté the onion and green pepper in the cooking oil. Add the beef (or other meat). Cook until done. 

4. Now mix everything together with the diced tomatoes and spaghetti sauce. Heat until very hot. 

5. Spoon 1/3 of the mixture in a casserole dish; add a few slices of Cheddar (or other types of cheese) on top of this. 

6. Add another layer of the macaroni mixture on top of the first one. Now you can add or insert more cheese in this second layer, or you can simply leave it as is. 

7. Put in the last layer of mixture; add more cheese slices, or not (This is entirely up to you!).

8. You can either bake this at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or at 375 degrees for about 20-25 minutes ( I usually do the former).

Picking the Right Size Rug for any Room

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The right rug type and size can go a long way to really highlight a room’s decor or bring it into sharp focus.

Here’s a small guide to help you.

1. Runners-This protects wood floors while adding warmth and softness to high traffic
areas like stairs and hallways. (a striped runner’s great for this; the
pattern helps you get the right alignment.) The standard size is 2′ 3″ x 8′.
To get the placement right, allow at least 4″ of space between the sides of the
runner and the walls or edge of steps.
In a corridor, keep a close eye on proportion. Standard runners may be too
narrow to fit the space.
Just remember that the gap between rug and walls should be no more than
one-third the width of the runner

2. Accent (or Scatter) rugs are small (usually 2′ x 3′), adding instant color and
pattern. And they can be moved on a whim!
To position an accent rug the right distance from a piece of furniture, wall or
cabinet, take the width of the rug and divide it in half.
The number you’re left with is the maximum distance the rug should be placed
from the furniture.
You can use two or three rugs in complementary colors to break up a long,
narrow hallway or corridor

3. The next best thing to a wall-to-wall rug is a full-size one (4’x 6′, 6′ x 9′, 8′ x 10′,
or 9′ x 12′). If you want to showcase the floors, pick a rug that’s a little smaller
than your room.
Standard decorator rules state that a full-size rug should be placed within 18″
of at least two of the walls (Do you have a large china cabinet, an
entertainment center, or series of bookshelves? If so, then measure from these
pieces instead of the walls.)
Ideally, the legs of all main furniture pieces should be on the rug. Make an
exception for wall-hugging pieces like a large china cabinet; this should be
completely off the wall.
Picking a full-sized rug in a centralized position in a room helps bring attention
to its main focal point.

Additional Info

Types of Rugs

 For ageless beauty and sheer elegance, go for a classic Oriental rug. When shopping for one, keep these
tips in mind: Consider pale colors and neutrals (such as cream) to make a small room look larger. For a room with light-colored
walls, deep jewel tones provide a rich look. Simple designs will give a room an open, airy feel, while more detailed
patterns convey cozy intimacy. You don’t have to spend thousands on an Oriental rug; one costing in the low hundreds (or
even less) can wear as well as the pricier model. It’s because the higher-priced rugs are made of more costly and fragile,
natural fibers. 

Straw-Most rugs made of jute, hemp or coir come in beige, but you can paint them. And they also come pre-dyed.
Remember that small patterns go with traditional furniture, while large patterns suit country styles. 

Rustic-A multicolored
rug and braid rug will give you a wide variety of colors to build your room’s palette around. Rugs made from this
yarn complement any décor; thick weaves in oval shapes soften a room with angled ceilings and walls. 


Pile rugs add a
spot of color to wood or tile floors. They also provide contrast when layered over wall-to-wall carpet. Pile rugs are
available in strips, with borders, or geometric patterns.

Classic Comfort: Soup and Sandwich

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Here are a few delicious combinations that you can mix and match for the perfect lunch duo!

Easy-to-make soups

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup of beef broth, vegetable broth, miso broth, roasted garlic chicken broth, or Italian-seasoned chicken broth.

½ cup of shredded pre-roasted chicken, diced tofu, or shredded pre-roasted beef

canned carrot coins, or seeded and diced tomatoes

A ½ cup of wild rice, orzo, white rice, ditalini pasta or linguine

Cook for 5 minutes or until heated through. Now while the soup’s heating up, fix up a healthy half-sandwich option to go with it.

Easy-to-make half-sandwiches

Choose one slice of either whole-wheat pita, whole-wheat English muffin, regular whole-wheat bread, health, or pumpernickel

Add 2 tsp of a spread, like garlic-flavored mustard, mango chutney, honey-Dijon mustard, sun-dried tomato pesto, or horseradish mustard

Now add three slices of Black Forest ham, shredded roast beef, grilled eggplant, grilled chicken breast, or shredded smoked turkey

Additional Info

According to a recent study, soup-eaters take in fewer calories than those that don’t eat soup.

For canned soup, reduce your salt intake by choosing low-or reduced-sodium versions.

Here’s the calorie count on seven classic soups, per cup serving size::

Vegetable-72 calories

Chicken noodle-114 calories

Minestrone-127 calories

Chicken rice-also 127 calories

Cream of mushroom-129 calories

Vegetable beef-153 calories

Split pea with ham-185 calories

A Few Food-Packaging Definitions

Low-sodium-Less than 140 mg of sodium per serving

Sugar-free-Less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving

Fat-free-Less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving

Light-Compared to the original product, one-third fewer calories or 50% less fat

Low-calorie-40 calories or less per serving

Low-fat-3 grams or less of fat per serving

How to Sell Almost Anything

Posted in Business, Food/home improvement/business, Uncategorized by

This is not just about selling as a job; the following five-step process can
and does apply to many other aspects of life.
Whether you’re the biggest extrovert or super shy, at some point in
your life, you will be selling SOMETHING.

1. The first step in the selling process is Prospecting-At least about 10% of
your time will be spent doing this, and it will be even more when you first start
selling.
Did you know that word-of-mouth is actually the most cost-effective way to get
business to come to you?
Until a business is self-sustaining, YOU will be talking up and promoting your company through public relations, direct marketing, and innovative advertising.


 2. Qualifying your prospective customers-This means that you want to find the
right prospective customer.
The single best way to do this is by networking, which is simply meeting people
and developing business with them.
This can be accomplished by going online, through community involvement,
volunteering, sponsoring events, or fundraising (all these will increase your
visibility and credibility), or just by being in the right place at the right time.


 3. Researching and Targeting-You will spend at least 15% of your time doing
this. Research means careful preparation-finding the motivators and benefits
that will convince a potential customer to buy. Targeting is a goal to be
achieved that’s reflective of your strategic approach. Who are you aiming for?


 4. Presentation-40% of your time will be spent presenting to your prospects,
telling about your products or service, the company (and possibly its goals),
and in this process, also about yourself.
When you come down to actually getting the order (or a yes, green light, go
ahead), you have made a “close.”


 5. Service-Very important! The strategy here is to build relationships and
increase billings. You want to make certain that you stay in touch with your
customers (especially the regular ones).

Here are at least seven ways to make sure you get repeat business:
Do a great job!
Deliver on time (or ahead of time) and meet your deadlines.
Solicit feedback.
Make it right (if a problem develops or things go wrong-because at some point,
you know they will).
Give preferential treatment to your regular customers.
Go out of your way to assist your customers’ business.
Answer phone calls and correspondence promptly.

Additional Tips

When handling an irate customer:

Never contradict one.
Never lie to one.
Never give an irate customer an immediate answer. Why? Because you may need the extra time to double-check your
information. Tell the customer you’re going to look into the problem as soon as possible (ASAP), and get back to them or
rectify the problem ASAP.

Rearrange Your Furniture, Rethink Your Living Space

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Across America, heavy drapes have been exchanged for lighter curtains, lawn chairs and tables are sprawled out on decks, porches, backyards, and patios, walls are being checked over for possible repainting, and even your “cast of regulars” (the furniture, lamps, etc. that’s been in one room or area forever) are taken stock of.

Purging-Items you’ve removed can find new life in other rooms (It’s a fact that if you leave things in the same place for months or years, you’ll tend to stop seeing them). For example, a table that you hardly noticed in your living room might instantly perk up the bedroom or den. If you’re having trouble visualizing a different layout, have a friend or relative come over (make sure it’s someone who doesn’t see or live with your furniture arrangement every day). They’re a fresh pair of eyes! 

Swapping or Switching-Move your artwork or paintings to a different wall or room. Mix different shapes and sizes together (You can also do this with furniture). Pair older items with brand-new, traditional with modern. 

You can move that sofa!-You can also try new locations of major furniture pieces too. If possible, try the sofa on the opposite side of the room. By changing a room’s focal point, you can also give the space a new purpose. For example, if the couch was facing one wall, and now it’s facing the nearby kitchen, suddenly there’s more conversation flow toward that particular area. Even outdoor tables or patio chairs may be used (and useful) inside. 

Consider the new-Once you’re done purging and rearranging, you may still want to acquire one or two new items. But always bear in mind that the changes you make with your current furniture might be much more inspired-and better looking!-than what you’d do with new.

 Sometimes just moving one or two pieces is all it takes to give a room a total makeover and have you (and everyone else) re-admiring your home from a new, fresh perspective!

The 60-30-10 Color Formula-Redecorating in terms of color can be simplified by using 60-30-10. Take a look at some rooms in magazines or online. Most of them have the 60- 30-10 color formula. 60% is the dominant color or hue, unifying the entire room (A good example would be the walls). 30%’s the secondary color, which would be the upholstery or furniture. The “30” provides visual interest. The 10% is an accent color, which provides that touch of sparkle. This would be an accent piece like a small rug or floral arrangement 

Brighten Up With Yellow

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All shades of yellow will make any room in the house look bigger, brighter, and softer.

It’s also a real mood-lifter (every known culture worldwide associates this color with sunshine and happiness).

Did you know that a yellow room or one with yellow accents encourages socializing and conversation?

As I’m writing this, I’m using two bright yellow pencils, a yellow legal pad, and am wearing pale yellow pants with yellow socks. And I’m feeling pretty content for the moment.

My mom has a kitchen with yellow accents and the family always gravitates to it; the food could be a factor too, though…..

To Convey Bright Cheerfulness, go with Egg Yolk yellow. Besides being a mood-lifter, yellow also improves your memory when you’re near it; it’s the biggest memory enhancer of all the colors.

A room in Sunny yellow shades has the suggestion of light and sunshine, casting a luminous glow that draws people in. Did you know that just by adding a touch or two to your surroundings-flowers, curtains, rugs, furniture, and/or pencils (!), you’ll also feel rejuvenated? It’s because yellow’s a “hot” color which raises your pulse rate (in a good way).

 For A Relaxing, Comfortable Setting, Canary yellow is the one. It’s an
amber yellow which is perceived as mellow and warm, delicate and feather-soft.

Citrus with Green Undertones set off associations with
freshness and cleanliness. Being surrounded by yellow reduces physical
pain, especially muscle cramps.

A Pale room creates an upbeat setting for family gatherings and entertaining (this is right on the money; my mom’s living and dining room walls are pale yellow!).

 Go for the Gold to express richness, status and prestige. Whether it’s gilded
mirrors and frames on brass hardware and candlesticks or just a gold-tone
wall, your room will always look luxurious.

Additional Info

If you prefer a color scheme that includes a lot of yellow, you’re bright, optimistic, and ingenious.

Other uplifting colors are all shades of peach and apricot.

For a quick re-do just paint a single wall, the woodwork, or small wooden chair or table.

Add a few throw pillows or a small rug-coordinate them by choosing patterns that combine peach or yellow with one or two of the colors that are already in your room.Hang translucent blinds or sheer curtains in pale yellow or apricot-they’ll create “instant sunlight” year-round.

Here’s a tip from Drew Scott of Property Brothers (from Reveal sneak preview brochure, 2021): “Warm up a black-and-white palette by pairing organic pieces and pops of bright color” (like yellow).

“Monochromatic palettes are more interesting when accent pieces are mixed in that have undertones of nearby colors. Yellow will feel more complex with accessories that lean toward orange (like coral or tangerine) or toward green” (like emerald, forest, or kelly).- A Philippe Radon tip (from “go with the flow”, home/color segment by Monica Biegler Eyers-Better Homes & Gardens, June 2021)

Oh, Mighty Tomato Recipe Supplement: Spinach and Tomato Toss

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This is fuss-free and easy to make, only taking a total of 20 minutes (or less).

Did you know one of the ingredients, tomatoes, helps prevent sunburn? It’s because they contain lycopene, a compound that helps protect the skin from the damaging effects of UV light.

Ingredients

1 medium onion

1 clove garlic, peeled and sliced

2 Tbs. olive oil

2 bags (6 oz. each) baby spinach

1 pint cherry tomatoes

 In a large skillet over medium heat, cool sliced onion and garlic in oil for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Increase heat to high; add baby spinach, cherry tomato halves and salt.

Cook 5 minutes more, or until spinach is tender and tomatoes are juicy, stirring frequently.

Serve salad warm or at room temperature.

Makes 4 servings