Stressed Out? Escape to Belgium Waffles & Berries

Stay Sane with Belgium Waffles and Berries

by Cal Orey

“I've waffled before. I'll waffle again.”
Howard Dean

Ever wake up to an imperfect world and wish you could just crawl back into bed? Yeah, it's one of those not so fun days. I'm suffering from writer's "Computer Hell."... My 7 month old laptop (a real lemon) has been diagnosed (again): defective hard drive. I may lose all programs, all work, all of it. All gone. So what can make me feel better?

I'm taking a jet plane to Belgium (in my dreams). No, that's not in the cards for me today. But I am going to go to Belgium Waffles and Berryland. Homemade? Not this time around. But on a good day I am going to do just that and do it right. Enter: The Belgium/Belgian Waffle: According to the quick and resourceful Wikipedia, "The Belgian, or Brussels waffle, is prepared with a yeast-leavened batter. It is generally, but not always, lighter, thicker, and crispier and has larger pockets compared to other waffle varieties. In Belgium, it is served warm by street vendors, dusted with confectioner's sugar, and sometimes topped with whipped cream or chocolate spread."

For now, it's Belgian Van's all natural multigrain waffles.--Gourmet style. Read: No trans fat, made with whole grain, complete with good stuff like protein, calcium, and iron. The bonus? I'm topping two of 'em (just 230 calories) with fresh, organic blueberries. These little blue gems are full of vitamins A and C (stressbuster), both essential to your health. One cup of blueberries has a mere 82 calories, and no fat.

Once I get my computer craziness settled, I vow to celebrate and buy a real waffle maker and I even checked out this Web site for Belgian Waffles--so you can make the real thing if your day is a happy one and you want to make these babies from scratch. I glanced at the site, the different shapes and prices of waffle makers as I munched on my hot, once frozen delights. But hey, they were light, crispy, topped with fresh and juicy blueberries and that real maple syrup that I do love despite the cost...Sure, I'd love to savor the homemade waffles like my Mom used to make on Sunday mornings. I'd hold the butter and use California's Sciabica olive oil so the waffles wouldn't stick to the new gadget that I don't have today. (Or maybe the makers are nonstick?) Life goes on...But hey, in the real world sometimes you have to make lemons into lemonade. Speaking of lemons, I loathe my computer. How many hours does it take to fly to Belgium?

One more thing: Oh, oh, oh...Did you know that there are a variety of waffle types?

Drink a Little Java (Before the FDA Bans It)

Treat Yourself to a Cup of Java (for your sanity's sake)

By Cal Orey

Actually, this seems to be the basic need of the human heart in nearly every great crisis - a good hot cup of coffee. --Alexander King

This morning I was awakened by a most pesky courtesy phone call from India... Believe it or not, another untimely death in the family has hit my world. But this time around, it wasn't one of my dear fish. My laptop computer has died. Sadly, it is only 7 months old. Yes, I am sad, mad, and fed up. After our hour long chat with the enterprising tech, I have a bit more faith in the new laptop I ordered than the plan to fix the "old" one. It was difficult to fight for my rights (I have a warranty through November) because I had not had my first and only daily cup of gourmet java. Truly, it was task to spar without it. But hey, I'm looking forward to my new, improved black laptop to be delivered on my doorstep. (Not a box of dark chocolate truffles from Ireland but it will make me smile.)

Now that I put the computer issue on the table, let's talk coffee. Once I hung up the telephone, it was a relief to go into the kitchen and brew a fresh cup of French Roast java. I will not skimp on the quality of coffee. No way. After I let my Brittany duo outside, I came back in and savored sip after sip of the best brew topped with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon. (My computer died!) And yes, coffee can be healthy for you if and if you drink it in moderation. I once wrote in one of those mini mags I penned, that researchers have found drinking two cups of coffee will increase metabolism significantly for at least three hours afterward, according to nutrition studies. And I can personally attest it boosts your mental and physical energy as well as can uplift your spirit.

Then happier, I treated myself to a bowl of homemade granola with organic 2% low-fat milk, and fresh strawberries. This is my second granola batch--it includes peanut butter, chocolate chips, and pecans. (The original recipe made with extra virgin olive oil can be found in The Writing Gourmet archives.) And that's not all...After breakfast I noticed another one of my new fish died. He was floating ontop of the aquarium. (Must be a bad batch. He was nameless. No tears.) Speaking of fish, I just got the swimming pool report for the day. The lifeguards claim they are cold as they are clad in skindiving suits while teaching swimming lessons. Thank goodness for a little good java.

One more thing: I just heard thunder. Uh oh, another loud thunderbolt. I guess there is a God afterall. Read: Not a good day for a swim. It's now raining. Perhaps, another cup of hot java is the perfect prescription for the day.

Dump 5+ Lbs. Fast on Secret Oil & Vinegar Diet

Melt Off 5 Lbs.+ Fast on the

Two-Day Secret

Olive Oil & Vinegar Detox

By Cal Orey

Forget three meals per day. Grazing on 5-6 mini meals (teamed with olive oil and vinegar) can help you shed up to five whopping pounds or more of unwanted winter weight and body fat. Or maybe you overindulged in too much rich food and want to detox your body and start over--eating fresh and all-natural food. I promise you this plan works like charm.

This quickie diet plan is easy, filling, cheap, will stoke your fat-burning power, and get your body and mind ready for the summer days ahead.

Lots of people, like me, and maybe even you, may only have a few unwanted pounds to dump or may want a perfect jump-start diet to help motivate you to get back into shape or eating healthy for your health's sake, especially during the season when special events--weddings to birthdays--hit. It's a time when the temperature soars and we wear less and show more in shorts, tank tops, and bathing suits, yes bathing suits... Here's the secret ingredients to the diet that really works. And enjoy, Hot Fun in the Summertime...

Two-Day Olive Oil & Vinegar Detox Diet

Breakfast: Fresh berries (no limit)
Lunch: 4 ounces fresh white-meat turkey
Greens with dressing made of fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon each virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, and spices to taste
Snack: 1 cup fresh berries
Dinner: 6 to 8 ounces fresh flounder, sole, or salmon
Snack: 1 cup fresh berries

SECRET NOTES:

• Drink a minimum of six 8-ounce glasses of water (I prefer bottled water) with fresh lemon throughout the day.
• Check with your doctor before starting this or any diet.
• For an extra healthful edge to this diet plan, every day before each meal, drink 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in an 8-ounce glass of water. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey, if desired.
(Excerpted from The Healing Powers of Vinegar...a 7 day detox diet plan is included in the book on pages 141-143)