Coffee Cake Pound Cake

TOTAL TIME       3 hours, 35 minutes               Makes 12 serving
This year, resolve to think beyond a ho-hum box of chocolates for a hostess gift. Instead, pass on this sweet treat, which marries two Southern specialties, coffee cake and pound cake, to create one buttery, best-of-both-worlds dessert.

PECAN STREUSEL:
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup chopped pecans

POUND CAKE BATTER:
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup butter, softened
2-1/2 cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups all-baking soda
1 (8-oz.) conpurpose flour
1/4 teaspoon tainer sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Prepare Pecan Streusel: Combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles small peas. Stir in 3/4 cup pecans.

Prepare Pound Cake Batter: Preheat oven to 350°. Bake 1 cup pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°.

Beat butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy. Gradually add granulated sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Stir together flour and baking soda; add to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.


Pour half of batter into a greased and floured 10-inch (12-cup) tube pan. Stir together toasted pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon; sprinkle over batter. Spoon remaining batter over pecan mixture; sprinkle with Pecan Streusel.

Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 to 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack, and cool completely (about 1 hour).
Heart healthy

Maxy sez :When is the Best Time to Test Your Blood Glucose

By Amy TenderichAmy Tenderich was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in May of 2003. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of Diabetes Mine and co-authored the book Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes. You will frequently find her speaking at diabetes, health, and social media events across the country.
The best times to check your blood glucose (BG) actually depend on your reasons for checking. If you are checking in order to choose your insulin doses, then the best times are:

1. At wake time in the morning
2. Before and after each meal
3. At bedtime

If you do not need the information immediately to set insulin doses but are checking for more “general purposes”—like to evaluate changes or improvement in your overall BG control—then checking at the same times each day is most helpful. This helps you identify trends, like if you are consistently high every day in the late afternoon. Of course, you’ll only see these trends if you keep track of your test results.

It’s important to use the little log book that comes with your meter to keep track of your numbers and look over them periodically. The data is not just for your doctor. It's for you. 

As a rule of thumb, just before a meal and then three or four hours afterward provides a useful timeframe for seeing the effects of that meal. Similarly, testing before and just after exercise will tell you the effects of that particular activity.

If you routinely test before and after meals, before and after exercise, and before and after sleeping, you'll have great results to review yourself or with your doctor. These numbers will give you a good sense of what might be pushing your blood glucose up or down.  

Some people believe that if they get their A1c blood test done regularly, there’s no need for daily glucose testing.
Wrong.
It is true that the hemoglobin A1c (or simply A1c for short) is considered the “gold standard” of blood glucose measurement. It’s conducted in a laboratory and measures your average blood glucose levels for the past three months. This test is used as the main measure of your glucose management. (The recommended goal is a level of less than seven percent.)

The big picture

The A1c looks at the big picture, i.e. “What effect are my blood glucose levels having on my chance of future diabetes complications?” BUT, if your A1c turns out to be high, this test doesn’t provide a clue as to what you can do about it. A high A1c result tells you that you need to change something, but only your individual daily glucose results can provide the real clues about specific actions or strategies you might need to take. That’s why frequent home glucose testing matters!

Meeting your target A1c

What if you meet the A1c target (7.0 or below), while your before- and after-meal blood glucose numbers have been “off”? What does this mean?

Remember that the A1c is an average number. In other words, it's a point that reflects the “middle” of all your glucose values over the past three months. So you could have a “perfect” A1c result of 6.5 that might actually reflect the mid-point between several weeks of severe highs and lows. Not good.

If, however, your A1c met your target and you did not have frequent low blood glucose values, then all of your levels during the previous three months were okay. They were okay even if they were occasionally off-target. There will always be fluctuations, which is why the A1c is the perfect complement to daily testing.

In a nutshell: All of the existing clinical research tells us that your A1c is the vital indicator of your future health. Your glucose meter is a vital indicator of how you’re doing on a daily basis, leading up to your A1c.

Stay tune Amy Tenderich will share more tips with us .

Southern Fried Chicken

This fried chicken  is a no-fail, no-fuss version of classic fried chicken with a perfectly crunchy seasoned crust (the trick is the cornstarch) and juicy meat.

TOTAL TIME: 45 MINUTES      SERVINGS: 4

6                   large eggs
Kosher salt
3                  cups all-purpose flour
1/2              cup cornstarch
1-1/2          tablespoons garlic powder
1                   teaspoon paprika
1                   teaspoon crushed red pepper
Freshly ground black pepper
1                  3-1/2-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces
Vegetable oil, for frying

1 .  In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt. In another bowl, whisk the flour with the cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, crushed red pepper, 2 1/2 tablespoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.

2 .  Pat the chicken pieces dry. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and dredge in the seasoned flour. Dip the coated chicken in the egg, then dredge again in the seasoned flour and transfer to the baking sheet.

3 .  In a large cast-iron skillet, heat 3/4 inch of oil to 360 /176*;. Set a rack over another baking sheet. Fry half of the chicken over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted nearest the  bone registers 165 /176*;, about 15 minutes. Transfer to the rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Serve right away.

PAIRING
There are myriad opinions for fried chicken: Champagne, Pinot Noir, even Lambrusco. Try the minerally NV Christian Etienne Champagne Brut.

Heart healthy

Aunt Jeannie Happy Birthday

Hope your special day brings you 
all that your Heart Desires 
Here's Wishing 
A day full of
Pleasant Suprises .
Happpy Birthday Aunt Jeannie 

Jonny , Sha , Jenny , Man Carano 
Chris . Sheryl  , Bubba Landrieau

Aunt Jeannie ----------we are wishing you a very Happy Easter

Happy Easter  to Aunt Jeannie and her family .
Man says to tell uncle Brian  not to eat too many eggs  , they will make him have musical fruit .

To you from the Cubs with love .
Jonny , Sha , Jenny , Man Carano
Chris , Sheryl , Bubba Landieau 

Apple Fritters

Makes 3 dozen
Eat these apple fritters hot with all the powdered sugar you can stand.

3     cups all-purpose flour
1/2     teaspoon salt
2     teaspoons baking powder
1/2     cup sugar
1     large egg
1     cup milk
1/4     cup butter or margarine, melted
2     teaspoons grated orange rind
1/4     cup fresh orange juice
2     cups diced cooking apple
1     teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable oil
Sifted powdered sugar

1 .  Combine first 4 ingredients; make a well in center of mixture.
2 .  Combine egg, milk, and butter, stirring well; stir in orange rind and next 3 ingredients. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
3 .  Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches into a large Dutch oven; heat to 350°. Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls into hot oil; fry fritters in batches 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain fritters well on paper towels, and cool slightly. Sprinkle with sifted powdered sugar.
Heart healthy

Salmon Croquettes

By pairing this superfast recipe with a light salad, you can impress the family and still have time to enjoy the meal.

TOTAL TIME      45  minutes
4 servings (serving size: 2 croquettes and 1 tablespoon sauce)

1/4    cup organic canola mayonnaise (such as Spectrum), divided
4    teaspoons fresh lemon juice, divided
2-1/2    teaspoons Dijon mustard, divided
1/4    cup finely chopped green onions
2    tablespoons minced red bell pepper
1/2    teaspoon garlic powder
1/4    teaspoon salt
1/8    teaspoon ground red pepper
2    (6-ounce) packages skinless, boneless pink salmon
1    large egg, lightly beaten
1    cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1    tablespoon canola oil
1    tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1    teaspoon finely chopped capers
1/2    teaspoon minced garlic
1/8   teaspoon salt

1 .  Combine 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard, and next 7 ingredients (through egg), stirring well. Add panko; toss. Shape mixture into 8 (3-inch) patties.
2 .  Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add patties; cook 5 minutes on each side or until browned.
3 .  Combine remaining mayonnaise, juice, and mustard with parsley, capers, garlic, and salt, stirring well.
Heart healthy

Russia threatens 'real war' with US in Syria as Boris Johnson calls for increased sanctions

Business Insider         ADAM BIENKOV       April 10th 2017 
LONDON — Russia has warned of a "real war" with the US if they attempt to issue them with an ultimatum over their support for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

British foreign secretary Boris Johnson will on Monday call for Western powers to impose sanctions on Russia if it fails to cut ties with Assad following his chemical weapons attack on his own civilians.

However, the Russian embassy in London warned of a "real war" if the US and its allies impose any such ultimatum.

Any such threat by the G7 nations "brings us to real war" they warned, before questioning the leadership of US secretary of state Rex Tillerson and Johnson.

In a joint statement, Russian, Iranian and Assad-supporting forces said that the US attack on Syrian airbase last week had crossed a "red line" and warned that any further attacks would be responded to with force.
"What America waged in an aggression on Syria is a crossing of red lines," the statement said.

"From now on we will respond with force to any aggressor or any breach of red lines from whoever it is and America knows our ability to respond well."
Johnson was due to begin a visit to Moscow today. However, the foreign secretary cancelled the trip following a telephone conversation with Tillerson.

The decision led to condemnation and mockery both at home and abroad.

Johnson had shown a "fundamental misunderstanding or lack of knowledge of the events in Syria, Russia's efforts to settle that crisis and the general objectives of diplomacy", the Russian foreign ministry said.

"The decision to call off Johnson's visit to Moscow confirms once again doubts in the presence of added value in speaking to the UK, which does not have its own position on the majority of present-day issues, nor does it have real influence on the course of international affairs, as it remains 'in the shadow' of its strategic partners. We do not feel that we need dialogue with London any more than it does."

Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell insisted on Sunday that Johnson should have gone ahead with the visit, while Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said he had been left looking like a "poodle" of the US.

Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond said the decision had left Johnson looking "daft."

"The idea the Foreign Secretary can't be trusted because he might pursue his own line or have an independent thought or crossover what the Americans are going to say just makes him look like some sort of mini-me to the United States of America," he told the Andrew Marr show.

"That's not a position any Foreign Secretary would want to be in."

Witchy sez:
This is the point where we need someone in the White House that knows what the hell they are doing. We are going to end up in a war with Russia and N. Korea because of this A-hole's idea that everyone has to agree with us is not going to work.  We need someone that can actually speak to people in a calm way, not throw around warnings like he is doing. He is so programed to getting his own way.

Trumps only interest is his ego. Literally NOTHING ELSE matters.
His entire campaign and administration proves this beyond any doubt.

Nuff sez

One dish meal ---Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes

Total time   1 hour   50 minutes
Serves 4 (serving size: 1 pork chop and about 1 cup vegetables)
One sheet and dinner is done, thanks to  Pork Chops, squash and potatoes.

4    (1-inch-thick) frenched pork loin chops
1/2    cup fresh lemon juice
4    tablespoons olive oil
3    garlic cloves, minced
3    tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1    teaspoon black pepper
3    teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2    medium yellow squash, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1    large zucchini, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1/2    pound small red potatoes, quartered

1 .  Place pork chops in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Whisk lemon juice, oil, garlic, oregano, pepper, and 2 1/2 teaspoons salt; reserve 2 tablespoons marinade. Pour remaining marinade over pork, turning to coat. Chill 1 to 8 hours.
2 .  Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine squash, zucchini, potatoes, and reserved marinade. Spread squash mixture in an even layer on a heavy-duty aluminum foil-lined rimmed sheet pan.
3 .  Remove pork from marinade, discarding marinade. Pat dry with paper towels, and place on top of squash mixture.

4 .   Bake 25 minutes. Increase temperature to broil, and broil until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 140°F, about 5 minutes. Transfer pork to a serving platter, and cover with foil. Return pan to oven, and broil squash mixture until slightly charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer squash mixture to a serving bowl; toss with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and serve with pork.
Heart healthy

Happy Birthday Jenny

Dare to think , dare to try, dare to achieve.

Follow your heart and you'll always succeed.
Dare to dream big and make it come true.

Face the world bravely in all that you do.

You're unique and you're special,

Always be you.

Life isn't measured by how old you are,

But by the footprints you leave in people's hearts.

You're on a wonderful journey, I know you'll go far.

Written for Jenny with much love

Aunt Jeannie

Chicken with Mushroom Sauce

 TOTAL TIME       50 minutes               4 servings 
(serving size: 1 breast half and 1/3 cup sauce)
Make an easy chicken dish topped with a savory mushroom sauce for a tasty meal that's ready in minutes.

4    (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2     teaspoons canola oil
1/2    teaspoon salt, divided
1/4    teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4    cup chopped shallots
1    (8-ounce) package presliced mushrooms
2     minced garlic cloves
1/2    cup dry white wine
1-1/2    teaspoons all-purpose flour
3/4    cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
2    tablespoons b 
1    teaspoon minced fresh thyme

1 .  Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, and pound to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or small heavy skillet.
2 .  Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add canola oil to pan; swirl to coat. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Transfer chicken to a serving platter; keep warm.
3 .  Add shallots and mushrooms to pan; sauté for 4 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Add garlic; sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, scraping pan to loosen browned bits; bring to a boil. Cook until liquid almost evaporates. Sprinkle mushroom mixture with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and flour; cook 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Add broth to pan; bring to a boil. Cook 2 minutes or until slightly thick. Remove pan from heat; add butter and thyme, stirring until butter melts. Serve with chicken.
 Heart healthy

Carrot Cake

2           cups all-purpose flour
2           teaspoons baking soda
1/2       teaspoon salt
2          teaspoons ground cinnamon
3          large eggs
2          cups sugar
3/4      cup vegetable oil
3/4      cup buttermilk
2         teaspoons vanilla extract
2         cups grated carrot
1         (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1         (3-1/2-ounce) can flaked coconut
1         cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Buttermilk Glaze   (recipe below)
Cream Cheese Frosting     (recipe below)

Line 3 (9-inch) round cakepans with wax paper; lightly grease and flour wax paper. Set pans aside.
Stir together first 4 ingredients.
Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrot and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter into prepared cakepans.
Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Drizzle Buttermilk Glaze evenly over layers; cool in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

                                           Buttermilk Glaze
1                 cup sugar
1-1/2         teaspoons baking soda
1/2             cup buttermilk
1/2             cup butter or margarine
1                 tablespoon light corn syrup
1                 teaspoon vanilla extract

Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Boil, stirring often, 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.

                                           Cream Cheese Frosting 
3/4            cup butter or margarine, softened
1                (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1                (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3                 cups sifted powdered sugar
1-1/2         teaspoons vanilla extract

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth.
Heart healthy

Maxy sez : Diabetes and Walking: Small Steps, Big Difference

By Mikel Theobald Reviewed by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Exercise is an important part of managing diabetes, and walking is one of the best options. It's easy to get started, and it can fit into any schedule.
For people with type 2 diabetes, regular physical activity is especially important because of the huge impact it has on maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. “A 20- to 30-minute walk can help lower blood sugar for 24 hours,” says Tami Ross, RD, LD, a spokesperson for the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Not only can exercise make you feel better, but it can also help prevent many complications of diabetes. And you don't have to run five miles a day or lift heavy weights at the gym to benefit from it. Brisk walking — fast enough to break a light sweat and get your heart beating faster — on a regular basis can make a big difference in your overall health and how well you manage your diabetes.

The Benefits of Walking

Walking is easy, costs practically nothing (aside from a good pair of walking shoes), and can be done almost anywhere. When you have diabetes, the advantages of walking include:

Improved blood sugar control
Lower blood pressure
Improved cholesterol — lower bad cholesterol and higher good cholesterol
Fewer diabetes-related complications, such as heart disease and stroke
Weight loss and weight maintenance
Improved circulation and movement
Stress relief, better sleep, and an overall feeling of well-being
Walking Recommendations for Diabetes

The current recommendation for exercise for people with diabetes is to aim for 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise at least five days a week. Ross suggests thinking of exercise as a kind of “extended-release medicine.” That’s because 30 minutes of exercise can provide benefits for 24 hours — a good reason to not skip a day.

If you're not used to exercise, even walking, you’ll need to start slowly and build up to the suggested 30 minutes. Aim for 10 minutes a day the first week and gradually add more time as your energy allows. Try to walk three to five minutes longer each week, until you reach the goal of at least 30 minutes five days a week. Keep in mind that your total walking time can be broken up to include a 10-minute walk to the grocery store, a 10-minute walk around the block, and 10 minutes of mowing the lawn. The key is to move consistently during each 10-minute time span.

Gearing Up for Walking

Taking steps to ensure foot health is essential to a walking routine because diabetes makes you more prone to foot infections. Be sure to buy walking shoes that fit properly. Choose shoes that are sturdy yet comfortable and that provide plenty of support. Consult a specialist at a walking or running shoe store and let him or her know that you have diabetes so that you can get recommendations on the best design and fit for you. A doctor who specializes in foot care (podiatrist) can also suggest good walking shoes.

Next, consider these extras that can make walking more comfortable and more fun:

Good socks. Choose proper-fitting socks that won't bunch up or move around in your shoe. Choose fabrics that wick away moisture from your feet to keep them from getting damp.
A pedometer. This small, wearable device can help you track how many steps you take. Experts suggest that you build up to 10,000 steps a day — the equivalent of five miles. Don’t worry about reaching “five figures” right off the bat — even 4,000 to 5,000 steps a day can yield great health benefits, so pick a goal that’s right for you and build on it as your endurance increases.
A walking buddy. Walking can be more fun if you do it with someone else. Plus, a walking buddy can help keep you motivated.
Exercise log. Track your progress by keeping an exercise log book. Be sure to record your blood sugar levels before and after you walk so you can see how it affects your levels.
Other Important Walking Tips

Before you start any exercise routine, including walking, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Here are some other important tips to keep you healthy and safe:

Schedule your walk 30 to 60 minutes after a meal.
Check your blood sugar before you exercise. If it's under 100 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL), have a snack before getting started and then wait until it’s above 100 mg/dL to start your walk. If it’s 250 mg/dL or higher, wait until it comes down to a normal range before you begin to exercise.
Check your feet for blisters, bumps, cuts, sores, or redness before and after every walk. If you notice any problems with your feet, don't walk that day and call your doctor. You may want to try swimming or another form of exercise until your feet heal.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations for keeping your toenails appropriately trimmed, so as not to injure yourself while walking.
Stretch before you walk.
Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your walk to stay hydrated.
Bring glucose tablets or a snack or drink, such as hard candy, fruit juice, or regular soda, in case your blood sugar drops while you're walking.
Wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace and carry personal identification with you.
Walk in a safe place, away from traffic and with other people around. If the weather isn’t cooperating, take a walk at the mall.
Walking is an easy way to help control your diabetes and get in shape. Make a plan, find a friend, and get moving!