Easy chocolate dessert

Posted on March 15, 2011 by babyboomersmusings

Easy chocolate dessertHere is a chocolate dessert that I can eat without getting a migraine as long as I make it with a pure good chocolate that I have tested for myself. Remember in moderation once in a while and not when you are having a flare up of arthritis. Now remember everyone is different, use a chocolate that you are o.k. with.

Easy Chocolate dessert

  • Take 240 ml (1 cup) of whipping cream and mix in 15 ml ( 1 tablespoon) of sugar,  5 ml (1 teaspoon ) vanilla  in a  saucepan about 1 liter ( 4 cup) capacity. Heat to the start of boiling. Remove from heat.

Note: This amount  and type of sugar is personal taste adjust for your liking.

  • Take 2 whole large egg yolks and whisk in a bowl until light and creamy, then temper with a little of the hot cream, keep whisking while adding a little more of the hot cream at a time until about 1/3 of the hot cream is in the bowl.
  • Slowly add the warmed egg mixture back into the pot of hot cream mixture whisking as your adding it.
  • Heat back to the start of the boiling point remove from heat.
  • Add 60 grams ( 2 oz ) of high quality dark bittersweet baking chocolate ( at least 70% ) like Z chocolate, Bernard Callebaut, or Cacao Barry and stir until melted and mixed thoroughly.

Note: These are brands that I am o.k. with in small quantities. Use what is good for you.

  • Pour into 4 clear glass serving dishes. Cover with plastic wrap to keep it from creating a film cool. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
  • Serve with  a dollop of real whipped cream and fruit ( like strawberries or raspberries ).

This recipe makes 4 small or 2 generous servings. If you want to serve more people just double the ingredients.

Note: This is lighter than a mouse but still rich tasting. Closer to a custard or a pudding.

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I get migraines but I still need chocolate!

Posted on March 4, 2011 by babyboomersmusings
    
Well , I haven’t been on-line in a few days because I had a migraine. It is another wonderful reason that I have my travel website, as it goes on without me! I do not have to go to work if I don’t feel like it.
I decided to make migraines my next topic, as it may be of assistance to others that have this problem.
 
 I know that you can get a migraine from a drop in the barometric pressure, too much sun, and stress but I find most of mine can be traced back to food. It seems to start in my stomach! I try to eat as clean as I can but even then some food triggers them.

Most people who get migraines know that they should avoid nuts, chocolate, citrus, yellow cheese, too much coffee and wine to name a few. You may also like to know that you should avoid processed foods.

I find that I also get them from foods and beverages containing sulphites, msg and certain chemicals. If I have trouble knowing what an ingredient is then I tend to stay away from it.

 No one wants to give up chocolate completely and forever. Here is what I have found. I can eat some types of chocolate in moderation. I ate Luderee chocolates when I was in Paris last year and brought some home with me with no problems. I can eat Z chocolat a French brand. I also ate chocolate at the French Riviera café in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. They make them on site and import the ingredients from France. I can eat Cacao Berry. I buy their Dark chocolate, couveture Tanzanie, original 100% pure coco butter ,75 % min cocoa in little wafers. They are great for drizzling and decoration.

I can eat Bernard Callebaut cooking squares if I use them to make deserts rather than eating it pure and not too concentrated. Like Chocolate mouse or cake.

No matter what the brand… I cannot eat fillings of fruit as dried fruit almost always contains sulphites unless stated otherwise. I also stay away from liquor fillings.

I have not found any brand of chocolate chips that I can eat.

I drink coffee but only one or two cups a day.

For wine I can drink any pure Chianti from Italy, Villa Teresa organics from Italy, Blue nun and most German Rieslings, cipes and most wine from summer hill wines (organic) in British Columbia Canada. Now I have tried some other organic wines with no success. So Organic still has sulphites in most cases as they put this in the ground. I drank a couple of mouthfuls of a French organic and that was enough to set off a really bad migraine.

In all cases please only drink one or two small glasses at a time as even a small amount of sulphites can give one a problem. Wine is good for you just like Chocolate. We can indulge once in a while and only in moderation as long as you do not have an allergy to these foods or beverages. If you already have a headache of course don’t go near it!

What favourite brands have you found?

I am not trying to replace medical advice. Please check with your health care practitioner before trying anything that I am suggesting on this page.

The Canadian government has decided to label foods with sulfites. This has made it easier for people that suffer from migraines.

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This is the first step towards better health

Posted on January 28, 2011 by babyboomersmusings

I think that the first step that you must take to get on the road to better health is to decide that you need to change your approach to the problem. This is true whether you have an inflammatory illness or any other health issue.

I know that there are those whose bodies have started to shut down and they can only expect to be made as comfortable as possible. I am not addressing them. I am speaking to those of you that still have time to change. That is most of us.

Life is too short to waste it in pain and sickness.

You must get diagnosed and  take the drugs that your Doctor prescribes if it is going to save your life but as soon as you can you need to take charge. You’re the only one that can take care of you.

You may get varying diagnoses from different Rheumatologists. It can be confusing and frightening. You may have to change Doctors several times before finding one that agrees to alternative methods for controlling the symptoms. You have to find a Doctor that will work with you and your naturopath…

The first one I was referred said that I had to take the drugs and that I would get lazy, fat, stupid and would eventually end up in a wheelchair! Now why would we want to keep taking something that not only will not cure, but has horrible side effects?

That is when I made the decision to find a better way.

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Starting a health category

Posted on January 21, 2011 by babyboomersmusings

I picked up a flu bug on the way home from Puerto Vallarta. I very rarely get the flu. I probably was a little careless or maybe it is just breathing that stale air on the plane. I have talked with others that have a similar bug. I try hard to take care of my health and I believe that is why my symptoms seem to be milder. I am still able to work and since I am fortunate enough to work from home, I won’t be sharing my illness with others.

This prompted me to start a new category under Health. A good part of the reason that I started this blog was to share my methods for improving health.
I have an autoimmune disorder. It is inflammatory, chronic, a type of Rheumatoid arthritis. I tell you this not to be whining but so that you know my background. I had a lot of other problems that were related to this. Through research reading and experimentation I went from almost giving up, thinking my life was over to enjoyment of life and hope for a good future.
The first step that anyone must take before they can move forward is to get as healthy as you can. While I was at my worst I was not able to enjoy travel. I did not see any reason to make business plans. When you can barely move, are in a lot of pain and are sleeping sitting up you have no ambition for the future.
If you are not as healthy as you should be, please let improvement of health, be your first step in making a great future for yourself.

“I still have bad days, but I used to have bad years”

~Anonymous

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Good Party

Posted on January 20, 2011 by babyboomersmusings

While I am slowly sorting through my pictures and videos of my trip to Puerto Vallarta, I thought you may enjoy this video from you tube.

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2011 New years in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Posted on January 19, 2011 by babyboomersmusings

from first floor balcony

I have just returned from my annual trip to Puerto Vallarta. I always have a wonderful time. I also feel very good there as the warm weather helps my health. This year I was able to stay for 5 weeks.

My sister lives there full time so it is nice to visit with her.

This year was a big celebration of the revolution for Mexico so they invested a lot of money to make the New year party extra wonderful. Like every year we watched fireworks and danced in the street!

My goal is to spend the whole winter there every year.

We own a condo on the south shore. We have it listed with home exchange. When I have more money and time freedom I would like to make more exchanges.

http://www.homeexchange.com/show.php?id=111681

Do you have similar aspirations and can you share how you are making it happen.

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What will I be when I grow up

Posted on January 18, 2011 by babyboomersmusings

Baby boomers have always done things differently. I have no reason to believe that will change as we approach our latter years. I am trying to find a way to have freedom to enjoy those years to the fullest.

I am not thinking retirement in the same way as our parents.

I want to keep learning and exploring and keep active as long as I can.

I don’t want to work in the same way as I have in the past. I need to travel and work from wherever I am at the moment.

I started a website about Best international travel tips and travel tips for packing luggage. I am hoping that I will be able to replace my income to give me that freedom that I am looking for.

http://www.travel-tips-packing-luggage.com/

 

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