Sea Scallops With Pomegranate Dressed Salad

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• Wellness

Ingredients

Serves 8

2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seed
Coarse salt and ground white pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
16 medium-size scallops
1 bulb fennel, tough outer leaves discarded, halved lengthwise, cored, and thinly sliced crosswise
1 bunch arugula, tough stems discarded, well washed (2 cups)
1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 tablespoons minced chives
1 ripe avocado, diced
1/4 cup fresh pomegranate seeds, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together pomegranate molasses, olive oil, ground ginger, and ground fennel; season with salt and pepper.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Season scallops with salt and pepper. When the oil is very hot, add as many scallops as will fit in a single layer, with at least 1/2 inch of space between them, and cook without turning until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn scallops over and cook 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until centers are slightly translucent. Repeat with remaining scallops.
3. Whisk dressing to combine. Add fennel, arugula, parsley leaves, and chives. Toss well. Add avocado and toss again. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
4. To serve, put the salad in the center of a platter and arrange scallops on top. If desired, garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Best and Worst Holiday Foods

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So, as we get ready to feast on our favorite holiday foods this holiday we may be unaware of what may be better healthier eat then others. According to Men’s Health some of our favorite foods may not be the best for our health.

Worst Classic Holiday Drink

Eggnog

350 calories
19 g fat
22 g sugars

The primary ingredients are milk, cream and eggs. Hot chocolate is just as tasty with nearly one-third of the calories. But beware, cups of hot chocolate from national outlets like Starbucks and Caribou Coffee can be twice as treacherous as the homemade version. Blame excessive serving sizes and heavy dollops of full-fat milk and thick and caloric whipped cream. Stick with the homemade hot chocolate, instead.

Drink this instead:

Hot Chocolate

120 calories
4 g fat
15 g sugars

Worst Appetizer

Crab Cake

400 calories
19 g fat

Opt for the crustacean cocktail, but keep your dipping under wraps; most cocktail sauces are light in calories, but loaded with sodium.

Eat this instead:

Shrimp Cocktail (12 shrimp)

165 calories
1 g fat

Bonus tip: You may be tempted to order an appetizer or side when you’re out to eat, but make sure your extra add-on isn’t one of the worst apps, sides or starters—you’ll only be making next year’s weight-loss resolution that much more daunting! Continue Reading

Link Bewteen Our Emotions And Our Health

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Burying emotions without processing them in a healthy way can cause a host of negative feelings, such as anxiety, fear, insecurity, anger, and sadness, as well as physical problems. In traditional Chinese medicine, there are five negative emotions that correspond with areas of the body. When the energy in each area of the body becomes blocked or stagnant, the body suffers.

* The energy in the lungs is weakened by sadness. This can result in asthma, shortness of breath, a propensity to catch colds or flu, and fatigue.
* The liver is damaged by feelings of anger and irritability. We may experience depression, muscle cramps, or headaches.
* The spleen is associated with anxiety. Weak spleen energy is said to cause us to worry too much about things, especially those we cannot control. Physical signs include digestive problems, edema, sinus congestion, or skin rashes.
* When kidney chi is weak, we can feel scared. This may show itself in the body as fatigue, urinary problems, back and knee problems, or sexual difficulties.
* The energy in the heart can become imbalanced, and excessive joy (mania) is a negative emotion. We may experience insomnia, restlessness, and inability to concentrate.

The energy flow, when blocked in one area, affects other areas as well, because everything in our bodies is connected and the health of one part depends upon the health of the others.

According to this theory, when our bodily energy is low, it increases our more difficult emotions. Conversely, when we experience negative emotions, it weakens our energy centers and throws them out of balance. We can see how interrelated our minds and bodies really are. What we are feeling influences our body’s health, and our body’s health influences our mind’s well-being.

When our feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, or fear are suppressed, it can be devastating for our health. To ensure optimal health , and that you are balanced in mind and body, you need to recognize your emotions, process them, and release them. You can’t not have emotions. Even the most even-tempered, content people experience negative emotions; the key is to acknowledge them and not allow them to remain trapped inside. Continue Reading

Still Looking For That Perfect Eco Gift Still…

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• Eco Friendly

Green Gift Ideas from Terri Bennett on Vimeo.

Fun, Affordable, & Eco Friendly Toys from Terri Bennett on Vimeo.

Still looking for those perfect eco gifts? Here is a video to set you in the right direction.

College Students Unable To Graduate Because They Are Over Weight

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Most college students expect to receive their diplomas on the basis of grades, but at a Pennsylvania school, physical fitness matters too.

Students at Lincoln University with a body mass index of 30 or above, reflective of obesity, must take a fitness course that meets three hours per week. Those who are assigned to the class but do not complete it cannot graduate.

Now that the first class to have this requirement imposed is nearing graduation day — students who entered in the fall of 2006 — the school faces criticism from both students and outsiders about the fitness class policy.

Lawson, who told CNN she had been putting off getting her BMI tested until this year, recently found out she would have to take the class. At first angry, Lawson said she is now more “confused” about the requirement.

But James DeBoy, chairman of the school’s Department of Health and Physical Education, says the requirement is just like courses to help students’ communications or math proficiency. The faculty also has a priority to be honest with students, he said. Continue Reading