• Do not eat foods or limit foods high in cheeses, fats and oils (especially pizza, macaroni and cheese, lasagna, cheeseburgers, potato and macaroni salads). These types of foods slow down the digestive transit and can trap fecal matter in the intestines as well as create gas pockets there, especially if you also have dairy sensitivities.

• Drink copious volumes of water, especially in the hot months. Being well-hydrated moves digestive material more efficiently than juices, sodas and energy drinks. Plus, the regular hydration will curb constipation.

• Consume small, frequent meals (4-6X per day) as opposed to large, infrequent meals (1-2X/day). Large meals and snacks inhibit transit of digestive materials. Do not eat on the run or under stressed or angry. Eat slowly.

• Consume whole wheats and grains (unless you are gluten sensitive), fresh fruits and vegetables. Limit red meats and choose poultry or fish/seafood portions (if you are omnivorous) about the size of your fist. Eating organically is preferred as much as possible.

• Give your body regular exercise, especially aerobic activity-the oxygen is good for relaxing your colon. As an extra bonus, regular exercise reduces stress hormone levels. Make sure to give yourself sufficient time after a meal for vigorous activity-IBS can flare up if food is not digested properly.

• If you are a premenopausal woman, your IBS symptoms could be amplified before or during your menstrual cycle. Take extra care of your eating, resting/sleeping habits around these times of the month.

• Make sure to decompress and destress each and every day. A hyped-up and ramped-up nervous system can either bring on sudden diarrhea or constipation due to high levels of cortisol and epinephrine. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones messes up regular bowel movements.

• If you work at a high-level stress job/career or live in a high-stress environment, you may want to consider changing jobs and/or living situations. Chronic exposure to high levels of stress not only brings on frequent or chronic IBS attacks, but also wreaks havoc on other aspects of your health. You may be more prone to heart disease, stroke and nervous disorders. If you are a highly sensitive person (HSP) and an introvert like I am, you will be more vulnerable to stressful situations, so make sure to rest sufficiently and limit your exposure to stressors.

• Make sure to have regular check-ups with a gastroenterologist if your symptoms change drastically or worsen over time.

I am reading a great book by Kira Salak called Four Corners. It is her stories as a lone traveler in Papua New Guinea. It is interesting to read it from her point of view on the great dangers there. I read stuff and thought “really” I didn’t know that.

You see our experiences were vastly different because she traveled their alone whereas I went over there when I was two and had all the protection of my family, other missionary families and all the wonderful PNG wantoks (friends) we had. Since I lived there until I was thirteen, I feel that I am part PNG-ian.

I get excited when I can buy a bowl of greens or make myself some fish (tin mackerel) and rice. I just recently saw a post on Facebook for Books for Papua New Guinea. They are asking for books because they don’t even have textbooks or books to use in schools. I got so excited I went through all my books and am going to the post office today. Why? Because I feel like I am helping my own people.

I came back from New Guinea when I was thirteen leaving my dear mother in a grave in the small village of Pabrabuk. My life was never the same after losing my mom, but it has never been the same since I lived in New Guinea either. When my family and I went back to PNG in 2007 (fourteen years after we left), we still went back to many wonderful wantoks taking us everywhere and throwing us huge feasts called muums – food cooked in the ground wrapped in banana leaves and cooked with hot stones. Amazing! Pig, chicken, sweet potatoes, bananas and greens cooked to amazing perfection. In the Highlands, where we lived, that was how it was cooked. The pig fat gave it the flavor and moisture. In the Sepik region (the coastal areas) they do the same thing, but mix in coconut milk which is also yummy.

So we were celebrated and given many bilums which are homemade purses made out of yarn and sometimes fur. We were so surprised to find that even after fourteen years of being gone nothing has changed. It felt like we were walking back into the time period when we had left. The people still lived in grass huts in the villages, besides Port Moresby, the capital which you have to fly to, everything was just as we left it. It was amazing and wonderful at the same time.

What was disheartening for me, though, was Pabrabuk, our little village I grew up in with missionaries and people everywhere, and where my mom was buried, was like a ghost town. There were a handful of people living in the houses and a few people going to the college we had started. However, the silence everywhere made me feel so lonely. I had thought that being able to go back to my mother’s grave would help me feel close to her, but all I felt was loneliness.

We weren’t able to stay in the house we grew up in, but were put in the guest house. The moment we went in, I wanted to leave and go to the closest town which was Mt. Hagen, an hour away. When you would turn the lights on roaches would scatter everywhere. They were all over the walls in the kitchen. In the bathroom we had to cover our toothbrushes in plastic bags so the roaches wouldn’t crawl all over them. In bed, I would pray that no roach would crawl on me as I slept.

It was funny, our itinerary was to fly into Port Moresby and stay with our wontaks, then fly to Lae (the rainforest there is so beautiful) where another of our past friends were. They drove us to Goroka where we had moved to the last three years we were there (and lived with my step-mother – so not fun memories), and then through the Highlands highway, where I always would stop and buy a fresh, flower crown, through Mt. Hagen to Pabrabuk.

We didn’t even know if we were going to be able to go to Pabrabuk because it was so dangerous. We had a police escort there. I was so thrilled, because that was the highlight of my trip. So my disappointment that what I looked forward to the most was the worst experience made me feel really depressed.

On top of the loneliness from past memories, and the disgusting roaches, my ex-husband and I were not speaking and my father, a missionary and preacher, was upset at me because I was wearing pants. We had a fight and I won and still wore my pants, despite my father telling me I was disgracing my mother’s memory. However, it all made the trip of my dreams the worst trip I ever took.

The only positive part about Pabrabuk was we trekked to a vine bridge, because my sister-in-law had never seen one, and had a glorious adventure. The New Guineans are famous for not caring about the time as most do not have watches in the villages. Why would they? So if you ask them how long it will take to get somewhere they just shrug and say “not long – half and hour to an hour.” So thinking our trek to this vine bridge would only be an hour an a half at the most we all set out without food and water, my brother, his wife and two kids, my ex-husband who I wasn’t talking to, and myself. My father, of course stayed back at the village.

After several hours walking in the sun, the kids started getting hungry and my brother realized we weren’t close to this place at all. Thankfully, the natives we passed by gave the kids some peanuts and we continued on. We finally made it there after another couple of hours. We walked over the vine bridge, ate more peanuts and drank out of the water below.

It was all well and good, a nice little adventure, until we started heading home and it began to get dark and then it started to sprinkle on us. Walking in the dark through kunai grass (long, sharp blades of grass – which is why I wanted to wear pants) and over rocks we could now not see very well was a lot different than trekking during the day.

The way home seemed twice as long and we were never so happy to see the van waiting for us. We stopped to get some snacks for the kids at some little store in the middle of nowhere. We were told to stay in the van as the men were drunk and it wasn’t safe. My sister-in-law acted scared, but I wasn’t scared. Nothing bad had ever happened to us in New Guinea. In fact, I was always disappointed growing up, that when there was a tribal war, or something bad happening that I wasn’t allowed to go see, but my brother was.

The next day we took it easy and walked twenty minutes to a waterfall and swam under it which was lovely, but the most memorable waterfall was the one in Goroka where we would always take our friends and slide down the waterfall and dive off the cliffs. I still love Papua New Guinea and feel it is deeply part of who I am, but I don’t know if I’ll ever go back again.

It seems to me that lately, tilapia seems to be a new inexpensive fish. Where did this come from? It seems tilapia, originally a fresh water fish from Africa which has made its way to American fish farms. So how does tilapia work on the dinner table? First this is a whitefish that takes on the flavor of what it is cooked in. Tilapia is very tender so it is best cooked steamed, baked or broiled. It is high in protein and low in cost. It will be around a long time.

Poultry on the other hand can be cooked use most methods. I choose the thighs, tenders and legs over the more expensive breasts, even when the recipe calls out chicken breast as most do. The thighs and legs have bone in them which enhances the chicken flavor. Just use what your mother said and wash your hands after handling raw chicken. If you do not, you may spread salmonella, a bacteria responsible for food poisoning.

Pasta is best if made from scratch. But if you don’t have the equipment or the desire to spend the time making your own, the store bought variety will do. Pasta, in most cases is simply semolina flour, eggs and salt. If you don’t have a pasta roller, a rolling pin may do. The cost is cheaper than the store bought kind and you control the quality. Fresh pasta will absorb any sauce that you pair it with better. And lastly, a must to know if making your own pasta is to let it dry for 15 minutes after cutting so it will not clump together is the boiling water.

Casseroles are their own worst enemies, boil overs in the oven, soggy, under and at the same time over cooked ingredients, mushy pasta, or leftover casseroles being overcooked. What a mess, why would anyone even want to try a casserole? Because they meld flavors well, they are a one pot dish, they allow you to use up leftovers and they freeze well. To prevent boil overs in the oven, butter the lip of your casserole dish before you start. To eliminate a soggy casserole, squeeze out extra moisture from greens and defrost frozen vegetables in a colander to allow for drip drying. To prevent pasta from becoming mushy, under cook it by 6 minutes and allow the sauce of the casserole to finish cooking it. And to equal out cooking times of different vegetables, parboil, or partially cook the heavier ones like potatoes, yams and turnips.

Arthritis and joint pain can be a debilitating condition for most sufferers. A reduction in the cartilage tissue that cushions the joints is the primary symptom of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Although they have different causes, most diseases that cause joint pain are characterized by high levels of inflammatory.

Because conventional medicine has little to offer by way of a cure, doctors recommend prescription drugs like Ibuprofen and Aspirin that can cause serious side effects and organ damage when taken for long time. But there are many natural ways for sufferers of joint pain to get relief from the agony.

Arthritis sufferers are advised to follow general precautions such as getting adequate rest and water, not exercising too much, using compresses, avoiding alcohol, practicing yoga or another low-impact exercise natural. Following a healthy diet and avoiding inflammatory foods such as red meats, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes can also help curb inflammation.

A growing number of doctors and nutritional experts have come to believe that diet plays a primary role in the onset of inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Doctors like Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a leading advocate of the anti-inflammatory diet, recommend a diet that is low in simple carbohydrates such as sugar, processed foods, pasta, breads, pastry and baked products. These are high-glycemic index foods that can increase levels of the pro-inflammatory peptides in the body.

Perricone recommends an anti-inflammatory diet that includes consuming a high quality protein (such as tuna or salmon), adequate amounts of essential fatty acids, as well as colorful fresh fruits and vegetables. The reason this diet works to reduce inflammation is because it supplies a number of essential nutrients that can heal inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and autoimmune disease.

Essential fatty acids like those found in salmon, flax, nuts, seeds and olive oil, can significantly curb inflammation, reduce pain and swelling, improve joint mobility and prevent further degeneration of joints. However they have to be taken over months to see a noticeable effect.

Supplementation with folic acid has been found to reduce hip fractures resulting from osteoporosis. Taking a good supplement that provides bone minerals such as magnesium and calcium is essential for sufferers of joint pain. Zinc has also been shown to relieve joint pain and stiffness. A good supplement will also include Vitamin D and B6, as well as antioxidant vitamins like A, C and E.

Other nutritional substances that have been shown to significantly reduce inflammation in a number of studies are turmeric, which was found to reduce symptoms by 73%, and bromelain, a protease enzyme derived from pineapples. Anti-oxidants like alpha-lipoic acid are also recommended as part of the anti-inflammatory diet.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), an organic sulfur-containing nutrient, has proved helpful in relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and reducing pain. Also recommended are nutrients like chondroitin, which helps build cartilage, and glucosamine, which curbs inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory herbs such as boswellia, and immune-regulating herbs like ashwagandha and ginseng can regulate a hypersensitive immune system and lower levels of pro-inflammatory metabolites. Other herbs used to heal achy joints are St Johns wort, celery seed, angelica, juniper, sarsaparilla, devils claw, wild yam and willow bark.

A good joint supplement may not contain all these ingredients, but including some of them as part of your daily intake can help heal a number of inflammatory and joint conditions.

If you’re not fully up to speed on “arbitrage” strategies, I want to give you a lightning fast primer. Nothing too painful. Just a quick wax and rip touch up job. My objective is to give you a heads up on where to buy some of the cheapest ads (i.e. low CPC bids). But we’ll jabber on a bit about arbitrage and let you know why you might want to try it too.

In fact, let’s get that out of the way first. Then we’ll get you into our list of 9 new networks for low CPC costs.

What is arbitrage in 30 seconds or less?

Wax on, wax off. Here’s a simple version.

You buy low and sell high – at the same time. In the online ad world, the pros who pull this off have a simple formula:

My total ad earnings from paid traffic > My total ad spend

Arbitragers pay for cheap ads. And then they get those visitors to click on higher CPC ads on their own site.

Understanding the basic concept is easy. The harder part is making sure that you actually make it work. That means figuring out a way to earn more than you spend in ads.

Here Are 9 Ad Networks With Lower CPC Ad Costs (That aren’t bots)

I want to share with you 9 ad networks that are on my radar for lower CPC. You can test and experiment with the traffic to see if results in cost efficient conversions for you.

If your site is optimized and getting a higher average CPC for your ad clicks, you may even be able to utilize these low priced ads for an arbitrage scenario.

#1 Taboola

Taboola isn’t exactly small potatoes, until you stand them up next to AdSense. They are doing 750 Million unique visitors per month. Their model is to drive traffic to your content by posting links to it on their partner sites. As an ad buyer, your content becomes a recommendation, and the ad clicks may be more cost effective than the big players.

#2 Outbrain

Outbrain follows the same model as Taboola, letting your content get recommended on partner sites. And they work with premium destinations including CNN and ESPN. They aren’t quite as big as Taboola, though not too far behind. That’s a good thing as it puts further downward pressure on their ad costs in order to stay competitive and grow their network.

#3 Facebook (Mobile Traffic)

Facebook has a massive swath of traffic, much of it mobile based. You know, people checking their Likes at dinner or during the dull parts of the movie – or the good parts of the movie. They’re targeting is expectedly top notch since they track so much data on their users. You can zero in on ideal ad clickers. But keep in mind, it can impact your per click costs. As Facebook works hard to monetize all that mobile traffic, you benefit by getting lower costs per click.

#4 Gmail Ads

Gmail ads are text based. While Gmail has all kinds of frenzied eyeballs on it every day, they are typically both fleeting and focused. They want to get through their emails as fast as possible. That opens the door for you to get those ads at very competitive rates. Note: You buy these ads from within Google AdWords. In general, the less popular an ad channel, the more likely you are to find low cost CPCs.

#5 RevContent

RevContent comes in 3rd place to Taboola and Outbrain. Beyond the giant face of Steve Jobs on their homepage and some bold marketing that includes the word “manifesto”, they are attempting to differentiate by focusing on some user experience aspects with their ad widget. Like the others, it’s a great idea to test them out.

#6 Gravity

Gravity.com is in the recommendation business too. Each of these networks tends to have agreements in place with major publishers. Choosing Gravity over one of the others may come down to reviewing their publisher network. What’s the best match? They advertise “Personalized 1:1 targeting”. We can translate that to meaning they put the bulk of their efforts into tracking their users and matching them up with ads. But this is a part of the algorithm for every network.

#7 YouTube Ads

YouTube might scare you a bit if you’re intimidated by the word “video” – as it relates to you having to create it! But the YouTube network provides excellent ad targeting opportunities. As a Google property, they collect an immensity of data on their users. So you should be exploring this network. If you absolutely can’t create video, freelancers can do it for you on a minimal budget. That video barrier is a part of the reason you may see better overall CPC rates advertising with YouTube.

#8 MGID

MGID is another of the native advertising style networks. You can get lower rates, but you have to monitor your results. You don’t want to pay for ad clicks coming from bots. The smaller the network, the more vulnerable. Keep a watchful idea. It impacts your profitability.

#9 Criteo

Critea claims “machine learning” is the secret sauce behind their targeting algorithms. Every ad network is constantly trying to find new ones to do so. It makes sense. By helping their advertisers get better results, they make more money from their traffic partners. We have to test to see how they perform versus the other networks. Is the machine learning just some simple data collection and number crunching, or are they building Skynet?

If you think that spinach pasta is the healthiest pasta you can ever have then wait until you hear about quinoa pasta. It’s a family of pasta made from quinoa flour instead of wheat. People who are gluten intolerant or those with celiac disease will benefit from it because it’s gluten-free. This type of pasta comes in various shapes and corn if often added to add flavor and texture.

Quinoa pasta is healthier than traditional wheat pasta and it offers a lot of benefits. Its high protein content is great news not only for vegetarians but for weight watchers as well. It has a great amount of amino acids and it is one of the few grains that can offer complete protein.

To make quinoa pasta you will need:

1/2 cup of stone ground quinoa flour

1/3 cup of tapioca flour

4 tablespoons of potato flour

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1 large egg

2 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon of water

Flour for kneading (1/4 cup quinoa floor, 2 tablespoon tapioca and 1 teaspoon potato flour)

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients together and then form a deep well in the center of the mixture. Crack the egg and add the olive oil and water at the center of the notch. Using a form, combine the wet and dry ingredients together until it gets mealy. Form it to a ball and place it back into the bowl, make sure you cover it with cling wrap. Let it sit for about an hour. After an hour, check the dough if it’s sticky, knead more flour into it if you have to. The dough should be able to hold its shape well and can be sculpted like firm clay.

Use a hand-crank pasta maker and flatten the dough into a rectangle. Moderately thick pasta works the best with this kind of dough. Boil salted water and cook the pasta for about 5 minutes or until you get the texture that you want. Pour it into a colander and then rinse it with running cold water.

This Sicilian-style Strata is great for serving an early lunch or late breakfast because they can be prepared a bit of time before the actual baking. However, this Sicilian-style Strata recipe can also be served as entrees for dinner.

This recipe produces 8 servings

The ingredients for this convection oven recipe are:

1 loaf of crusty bread (Italian style preferred) cut into cubes.

1/4 cup roasted red peppers, chopped

1/4 cup green onions, sliced thinly

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1 can (14 1/2 oz.) chopped tomatoes

1/4 cup pitted black olives, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

6 large eggs

4 ounces of diced prosciutto or ham

3 cups milk

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend (better dried)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup chopped parsley

2 tablespoons drained capers

To prepare the Sicilian-style Strata:

1. First, you should place half of the bread cubes in a baking dish which has been lightly oiled. This convection oven Sicilian-style strata recipe may need a baking dish that’s about 9 inches by 13. You then need to spread the green onions, prosciutto or ham, peppers and Parmesan cheese on top. Make sure that they are evenly distributed. After that, you need to place the remaining half of the bread cubes on top and cover that layer with tomatoes, olives and mozzarella cheese.

2. Beat the eggs and whisk them with the seasoning and milk. Pour the resulting mixture over the layered ingredients of the Sicilian-style Strata. Cover the dish and place in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours.

3. In a convection oven set to 325 degrees, bake the dish for about 40 to 50 minutes. After baking, you should let it stand and cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle capers and parsley over the Sicilian-style Strata. Gut the dish into squares and then serve.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in the body that is caused by a reduction in the levels of the thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is situated in the neck just below the Adam’s apple and it is this gland that produces the thyroid hormone which determines the body’s metabolism or the rate at which it burns calories.

Sometimes the thyroid gland may produce a quantity of the thyroid hormone much less than that required by the body to function normally and this results in a slower metabolism which shows physical signs manifesting itself in what most people call the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

These symptoms can range from cramps, headaches, body chills and aches to hair loss, excessive weight gain, a heightened sensitivity to cold, constipation and even mental dullness. Some people have also experienced dizziness, a drop in pressure and an overall loss of libido. In overweight societies like the U.S. and other European countries, even China whose society is now gaining average on the obesity scale, research is suggesting that an under-active thyroid may be the main cause of such a trend.

Given the genetic nature of thyroid conditions, the disease may be passed on from generation to succeeding generation. There are medical procedures and supervised treatment available for thyroid conditions that can easily take care of the problem. Many people however would like to use natural remedies and treat the root cause rather than the symptoms of the condition.

Coconut oil acts as a catalyst to the metabolic activities of the body. It not only regulates, but the proper dosage will bring to moderation all the functions necessary to burn energy and consume calories. Coconut oil consumption creates a hormonal balance and raises the stamina and energy and also brings about mood stability.

Know More at: Thyroid Cancer

If coupled with a healthy diet and reduced intake of toxins (such as wheat flour, potatoes, refined sugar and other foods that rate high on the glycemic index) then the results will be immediate and physically noticeable. Not only do the symptoms of hypothyroidism disappear but the body will feel fit and rejuvenated in comparison to the state of lethargy that is generally caused by a low hormonal level.

Coconut oil however should be taken in amounts that are befitting to your age and body structure. Most companies put on their coconut oil packages or cartons, an approximation or a suggestion for dosage and this is indicated with the use of a chart.

You may also wish to read more at: Pets and Thyroid

The woods are full of them. Old age stereotypes of every form and size dot the landscape of the mind. And, they have a negative affect on the way we age. I’m in my 70’s and have been subjected to them just like everybody else who is over 60. Fortunately, I’ve been able to counter most of them. You can too!

What are we talking about? Here are some common examples. I often hear people say, “Oops, I’m having a senior moment” which is another way of saying because I am aging I automatically forget things. But the person who is saying this is often under 50. However, the bait is out there and has been swallowed: when you get old you lose your memory, period. This, of course, is grossly untrue.

I also hear a different version of being a senior on the golf course. When someone hits a short drive that hits a concrete sidewalk, and they get a big rebound for an extra 20 or 30 yards, they are said to have gotten a “senior bounce.” Then look at all of the birthday and greeting cards with jokes about getting old, and not being able to do much anymore. And, we certainly can’t forget how the younger set uses elderspeak on us. You know, that loud sweetie pie voice with the condescending tone.

What is the danger of all of this if you are a member of the older set and believe it? Many accept the aging stereotypes without realizing it, and consequently reduce their activities, become couch potatoes, narrow their outlook on life, expect less of themselves, and affect their health negatively. Here is what you can do to resist the reinforcement that aging is stark decline and loss of your wits.

1. The research is clear. What you think affects the aging process. Every thought you have has a physical effect at the cellular level. When you think negatively, focus on fear, or get angry look what it does to you physically. On the other hand, a positive view of aging can affect the quality of your life, including memory, and the way you age.

2. Therefore, stop thinking old. Ignore the stereotypes and focus on what you can give to your community and family. Love is the most important coping mechanism for dealing with life. Tell the people you love that you love them. Be a part of a nurturing community and you will find it incredibly difficult to grow old. Believe that you are not old until you stop having fun.

3. Any form of energy expenditure can be useful to maintaining health. And the research backs this up. A study of 302 people between the ages of 70-82 in the Journal of the American medical Association showed that any level of physical activity can prolong life. Keep moving on a regular basis is the key. Check with your Doctor first to see if he/she has any restrictions for you. Then crank the activity into your daily routines.

4. Use light weights every other day. As we get older we tend to lose muscle mass. You can counter this natural loss with light weight training. Start with 2-5 pound weights and 8 repetitions for the arms and 12 for the legs. Gradually increase to 20-25 for the arms and 40 for the legs.

5. Never stop learning. “Anyone who stops learning is old,” said Henry Ford, “whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” Education about diet, exercise, interpersonal relationships, as well as successful aging, can make a difference in your health status and the way your mind stays sharp. Your choices are critically important in the quality of life you maintain. You can choose peace of mind and nurture tranquility each day or allow yourself to drift into conflict over everything you don’t agree with.

6. Remember that interpersonal relationships with extended family and other friends are crucial factors in happiness and longevity. Surround yourself with people you love, who are cheerful, and you will reduce the stress hormones swirling around inside. Keep in touch, and don’t be shy about developing new friends regardless of your age. Social connections are as important as your diet.

7. Be your own best friend and don’t pull yourself down because you make a mistake. As Buckminster Fuller said, “The only reason I know so much is because of all the failures I’ve had.” Minimize the negative emotions (anger, worry, guilt, and depression) that you allow to live in your head, and you will strengthen your immune system and add to your longevity. There are many studies that support this approach and will show you how to pull it off.

So get in touch with and strengthen your beliefs in a power greater than yourself that will give you the wisdom to choose and the direction to turn your thoughts for the greater good. Learn what you can and cannot control and give yourself the benefit of the doubt.

In summary, how you age is essentially up to you. George Vaillant, Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard University and co-author of Successful Aging, put it this way “An active and happy old age, dear Brutus, may not lie so much in our stars and genes as in ourselves.” He should know, having conducted one of the largest studies on why some people age with fewer problems than others. So be proactive as you grow older, and let the stereotypes remain unfounded, as they have always been.

As a native German from Munich, the capital city of Bavaria, I love to tell my friends about leberkaese. I work as a chef in Austin, Texas and my guests call me Chef Keem. Unfortunately, no butcher in the entire great State of Texas seems to be willing to make and sell this fantastic Bavarian sausage loaf. Most folks think about a certain canned meat product when I describe my favorite breakfast food from the Old Country. But really – there is no comparison!

The word leberkaese is a combination of leber (German for liver) and kaese (German for cheese), but you will find neither one of these foods on the list of ingredients. There are different interpretations of the origin of the name. Most likely it comes from old German words describing the shape of the product.

Although the use of seasonings and spices may vary depending on regions and individual preferences, a standard recipe contains a basic set of high-quality ingredients: lean beef and pork, bacon with the rind, fresh onion, salt, pepper, marjoram, garlic, and lemon zest. All this is ground finely in a buffalo chopper with the appropriate blade, until it becomes a smooth paste of well-blended components. After this meat paste is filled into loaf pans, it is baked to a juicy pink interior with a medium brown crust on top.

A slice of freshly baked leberkaese is wonderful with fresh bread, usually a sourdough roll that has been been split in halves. A squirt or two of some sweet Bavarian mustard complete this traditional Munich breakfast dish. Another great preparation is to brown a slice on the griddle or in a frying pan, and serve it with fried potatoes and eggs sunny-side-up.

Whenever I ordered a loaf of authentic leberkaese from a Bavarian butcher in Wisconsin, my guests were impressed with the quality and good taste of this relatively unknown dish. I hope that more American foodies will discover this juicy Bavarian specialty during their next visit to a German restaurant.