Medic Alert, Paper Towel, General, TV.

Hope you all had a fabulous New Year’s Eve. Happy New Year.

I forgot to mention that on Friday I received my new Medic Alert bracelet which we then had trouble figuring out how to fasten on my wrist. Matt finally managed to sort it out. This one in the picture is Australian, but it looks like mine. I have to wear it with my watch as when I bowl I wear a wrist guard and I would never be able to remove the bracelet, shouldn’t do so anyway.

News on Sunday says paper towels in washrooms may not be the healthiest thing to use. The paper tends to retain bacillus and other contaminants particularly if it is recycled paper. Read the article, it is not actually a definite source of illness, but it isn’t a nice thought that you are drying your hands on contaminated paper.

For the first time ever, we have taken down our decorations before Epiphany. The reason being, the cleaner will be in the day before and our tree sheds as badly as a real one so she might as well vacuum that as well as the rest. Funny we have had this tree for many years and Matt was looking at its box, it was about $49 when we bought it and has done sterling service. How much a similar tree would cost today, I dread to think.

What snow we had for the New Year has just about gone now as it rained heavens hard on Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon and evening it was blowing a gale, very odd weather. They are talking more snow coming, but not much other than flurries I believe.

I watched the final episode of Downtown Abbey last night. Wonderful programme, next week they begin Series II. I am surprised how much I had forgotten of the programme I saw last night except for the announcement that England was at war with Germany, that being the First World War of course. I think it is beautifully acted and the characters are very real. I started watching it by accident last year and loved every episode so far. I wouldn’t mind getting the series on DVD but they aren’t cheap. Bit pointless as I would be the only one watching it.

Eating Well are promoting a diet at the moment and the following recipe is one they are recommending. To me it looks delicious and will be one I shall be trying quite soon – when I’m up to cooking again that is.

Mediterranean Wrap

From EatingWell: May/June 2010

This wrap is stuffed with chicken tenders and couscous with a hit of  lemon and a healthy dose of fresh herbs. Save any leftovers to wrap up for an easy lunch. Serve with: Mixed green salad and a glass of crisp white wine.

4 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup couscous, preferably whole-wheat
• 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1 cup chopped cucumber
• 4 10-inch spinach or sun-dried tomato wraps or tortillas

Preparation

1. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in couscous and remove from the heat. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, combine parsley, mint, lemon juice, oil, garlic, 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Toss chicken tenders in a medium bowl with 1 tablespoon of the parsley mixture and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt. Place the tenders in a large nonstick skillet and cook over medium heat until cooked though, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a clean cutting board. Cut into bite-size pieces when cool enough to handle.
4. Stir the remaining parsley mixture into the couscous along with tomato and cucumber.
5. To assemble wraps, spread about 3/4 cup of the couscous mixture onto each wrap. Divide the chicken among the wraps. Roll the wraps up like a burrito, tucking in the sides to hold the ingredients in. Serve cut in half.

Nutrition

Per serving :479 Calories; 17 g Fat; 3 g Sat; 11 g Mono; 67 mg Cholesterol; 49 g Carbohydrates; 34 g Protein; 5 g Fiber; 653 mg Sodium; 382 mg Potassium

Have a great day