It is impossible to know exactly when and where Memorial Day began, as people in towns all over the country began in the 1860s setting aside special times to honor those who had died fighting to defend their homeland. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan.

The holiday was first observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. After World War I most states began celebrating Memorial Day, and the holiday has been officially celebrated the last Monday in May since the passage of the National Holiday Act in 1971.

On this Memorial Day 2012, let us pause to remember those who have bravely fought and given their lives to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today – those freedoms our courageous forefathers first outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the First United States Constitution.

As you celebrate today, try this simple, but patriotically colorful recipe. All you need is:

Strawberries
White chocolate
Blue sugar crystals

Wash and dry the strawberries thoroughly.
Melt the white chocolate in a pan on your stove top.
Pour the blue sugar crystals in a bowl.
Dip half of a strawberry in white chocolate.
Dip the tip of the white chocolate covered strawberry in blue sugar crystals.
Repeat until all strawberries are decorated.

Enjoy.

Happy Memorial Day!




 
_ Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables every day—the brighter the better.

The brighter, deeper colored fruits and vegetables contain higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants—and different colors provide different benefits. Some great choices are:

Greens:

Greens are packed with calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc, vitamins A, C, E and K, and they help strengthen the blood and respiratory systems. Be adventurous with your greens and branch out beyond bright and dark green lettuce. 

For example, try kale.  Kale contains large amounts of folic acid and potassium and strengthens hair, skin and nails. 

Broccoli has more vitamin C than citrus fruits and is a great source of fiber.  It boosts the immune system, stalls the growth of cancer cells, reduces the risk of heart disease as well as promotes healthy bone growth since it contains large quantities of calcium. 

Spinach is high in Vitamins A and C and iron along with antioxidants.  It promotes healthy brain function and strong bones and muscles. 

Lettuce is well known for being very low in calories.  Romaine lettuce is packed with antioxidants and fiber.  It contains high levels of magnesium which revitalizes muscle, brain and nerve tissue.  Lettuce is high in iron which helps with the formation of red blood cells.  Go green and stay healthy.

Sweet vegetables:

Naturally sweet vegetables add healthy sweetness to your meals and reduce your cravings for other sweets. 

Sweet potatoes are one of the most common sweet vegetables and have huge amounts of beta-carotene, manganese, copper, fiber, B6, potassium and iron.  A virtual nutritional supplement store is found in a sweet potato.  Sweet potatoes help stomach ulcers and inflamed colon conditions.  They help prevent cancer due to large Vitamin A content, and they help stabilize blood sugar levels. 

Pumpkin is good for urinary tract and kidney support. 

Carrots are the richest source of beta-carotene and are good for eyesight.  They reduce cholesterol, and the risk of heart disease, and help control insulin levels in diabetics.  To satisfy that sweet tooth, try munching on raw sweet veggies.

Fruit:

A wide variety of fruit is also vital to a healthy diet. Fruit provides fiber, vitamins and antioxidants.  Berries are cancer-fighting, apples provide fiber, oranges and mangos offer vitamin C. 

Mangoes in particular are high in iron and help fight anemia
as well as relieve clogged skin pores. 

Oranges contain many vitamins and antioxidants and have been shown to help fight asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, kidney stones, high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes. 

Papaya contains fiber and digestive enzymes that help break down food in the stomach.  Papaya juice has been proven to prevent motion and morning sickness.      

To relieve stress, relax outside in the fresh air with some deep breathing exercises and a tall chilled glass of fresh fruit juice.  Just 15 minutes of deep breathing, focusing on your blessings and a healthy drink will help you continue on and face the rest of your responsibilities of the day.    

So look at adding some color to your diet and live healthier in 2012.

 
A decade ago, I was looking for a way to spice up the cookie recipes I baked for family celebrations and holidays.  I tried putting my cookie dough in mini muffin tins and Mookies were born.  The entire extended family loves them and requests them for every event.  Later I began lining the mini muffin tins with decorative liners for birthdays and holidays.  Over the years they have become very popular at our school, church and neighborhood activities. 
My husband combined the words "cookie" and "muffin" and created the name "Mookies."  I am constantly experimenting with ingredients and trying ideas my children come up with.  Try Mookies.  You will fall in love with their delectable sweetness!