EASIER-THAN-IT-LOOKS THANKSGIVING Recipes

Thanksgiving is a time of family, friends, football (no basketball this year, sad), and EATING.  Here are a couple of easy and tasty recipes to accompany your turkey (or Tofurkey ) meal.  Linda's preparing ORIGINAL GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE.    For dessert, along with the pies, are TRADITIONAL PEANUT BUTTER KISS COOKIES.  Yummy.

Original Green Bean Casserole

2  (16 oz) Cans of cut green beans, drained or 2 pkgs. frozen cut green beans, cooked and drained

3/4  cup milk (I prefer almond milk, but it depends on your taste)

1   (10 3/4 oz) Can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/8 Tsp. of black pepper

1    Can French Fried Onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In medium bowl, combine beans, milk, soup, pepper, and 1/2 can of fried onions; pour into 1 1/2 qt casserole.  Bake uncovered, at 350, for 30 mins.  Top with remaining onions; bake uncovered, 5 mins. or until onions are golden brown.  

Traditional Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

1    Cup sugar 

1    Cup peanut butter

1    egg

18  milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine sugar, peanut butter, and egg.  Shape into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. NOTE:  If dough is too sticky, refrigerate 1/2 hour or until easy to handle.  Bake for 10 mins.  Remove cookies from oven.  Press a chocolate kiss into the center of each warm cookie.

Enjoy the holiday.  Remember our goal to minimize the drama on holidays (No More Holiday Drama, 8/31/11; Drama Is A Drug, 10/25/09).  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

OCCUPY YOUR MIND (no politics)

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I participated in the "Occupy Ft. Lauderdale" demonstration in downtown Ft. Lauderdale.  It turned out to be a lot of fun (I think that's the word), for several reasons.  Political beliefs aside, it felt good to have an outlet for some of the anger I've felt during this difficult economic time.  It was exciting to be a part of a real cause, and feel like my voice was being heard, in a movement that represents most Americans.  It was thrilling for drivers to ride by beeping their horns and encouraging the group of a couple of hundred people.  "No comment" on the guys that gave us the finger (though that was kind of funny).  I was energized.


Those of you who are feeling blah about your life sometimes need to find some things to energize you.  My suggestion, based on my recent experiences, is to find something that you believe in and participate in it.  It's especially invigorating if there are other people involved.  Something about a group of people all directing a positive energy towards something they all believe in magnifies the individual energy that you feel.  Religious activities demonstrate that.  Concerts.  The feelings that are generated trigger the release of hormones (and other chemicals in the brain) that make you feel good.


Other activities to occupy your mind with include volunteering, charity work, giving to and helping others.  So, in addition to your exercise, hobbies, healthy relationships, this is a way to expand your interests and enjoy life more.