Sweet Potato Recipe for Thanksgiving

Mashed Maple Sweet Potatoes

I found this on the internet—it sounds so good! Perhaps one of my talented daughters will bring it to our Thanksgiving dinner….


A splash of cream and maple syrup add sweet richness, while black pepper adds kick. This serves 4-6 people, so if you have a crowd, you’ll have to double it (or more if it’s like our family!). It only takes an hour to cook. Or you can prepare it up to two days ahead of time—cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Reheat in a 350°F oven or in the microwave.

INGREDIENTS

3 pounds sweet potatoes

1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup heavy cream, warmed
1/4 cup pure maple syrup, warmedPinch of ground cloves
Salt and pepper, to taste Additional black pepper and maple syrup (optional, for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Pierce each potato with a fork, and bake until very tender, about 1 hour.

2. Remove and cool slightly. Halve potatoes lengthwise, and scoop out flesh into a large bowl. Mash with a potato masher or, for a smoother purée, force through a potato ricer. Stir in melted butter, warmed cream and syrup. Taste, and season with salt and pepper.

3. Transfer to a serving dish. Sprinkle a few grinds of black pepper and a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup. Serve.

Health Benefits of Spinach

Spinach is a nutritional powerhouse! It is low in calories but dense in nutrients including calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin A. Keep fresh spinach cool and minimize storage time.

Consider reduced-sodium canned and frozen spinach as other options if you can't eat it soon after buying it.

Extra Calories from Soda

Don't forget the calories in sugared beverages. One 12-ounce soda contains about 150 calories. Drinking three cans of regular soda each day, without eating less food or doing more exercise, can add up to about a 1-pound weight gain each week.

If you regularly drink sugared beverages, try cutting back. Start by switching part or all of your consumption to sugar-free drinks. Consider making your own flavored
beverage by simply squeezing fresh lemon juice into your water.

Pumpkin Nutrition

Autumn is a great time to discover the versatility, flavor and nutritional benefit of pumpkin. Often the star ingredient in many sweet delights, such as pie and custard, pumpkin can also make a savory side dish. So don’t throw away your carvings; instead, roast, sauté, steam or mash…and enjoy! When you do, count on getting a good supply of vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C, fiber, iron, potassium, and other nutrients. Hint: Small, 2- to 5-pound pumpkins are best for cooking.

How much water do you use?

Believe it or not, the average water usage per person per day is 200 gallons! 

Here's how...

• Showering wet down, soap up, rinse off = 4 gallons  
• Brushing teeth wet brush, rinse briefly, = ½ gallon
• Shaving, fill sink basin = 1 gallon
• Washing hands fill sink basin = 1 gallon Tub bath minimal water level = 10 to 12 gallons
• Flushing toilet using a smaller tank = 4 to 6 gallons
• Dishwashing washing and rinsing in the sink = 5 gallons
• Automatic dishwasher short cycle = 7 gallons
• Washing machine short cycle with minimal water level = 27 gallons
• Outdoor watering average hose = 10 gallons per minute
• Leaks - even a small drip can add up to 25 gallons per day

The above gallon usage is calculated minimally. You can count on using quite a bit more if you leave the water running while brushing your teeth, shaving, washing the dishes, using old toilets that require more water, running the dishwasher and washing machines on longer cycles and filling the bath tub to the top. Remember, water is not cheap or limitless. Please use this natural resource wisely and save on your water bill.

Are you a Vegetarian?

It is important for vegetarians to eat plenty of iron-rich plant foods. The type of iron (non-heme) found in plant-based foods is not as well absorbed as the iron (heme) found in animal sources.

Good plant-based sources include lentils, kidney beans, black beans, dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruit and whole grains. Iron-enriched products such as cereals and breads are also good sources. To enhance iron absorption, consume vitamin C-rich foods at the same time you eat iron-containing foods. These include strawberries, green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and citrus fruits.

Boring but Important!

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes that involved distracted driving.

Distracted driving applies to anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the steering wheel, or interrupts your concentration while driving. If you need to take a phone call or send a text, pull off the road safely and stop.

Establish family rules with your children as well, so that they understand the dangers of texting while driving. Visit the Governors Highway Safety Association  Website to learn more about cell phone usage laws in your state.