If you have yet to try mango salsa, without a doubt you have been missing out, and it’s time to give it a try. For those of you that have, I don’t even need to tell you how good it really is. This salsa goes great with shrimp, chicken, or just about any type of meat. Of course, it would also go great served with just tortilla chips. A perfect dish to serve this with would be Jerk chicken, the flavors would complement each other nicely. This salsa is a basic combination of diced mango, bell pepper, green onion, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro. It is then mixed with the combination of lemon and lime juice for perfect flavor. This recipe can easily be double or tripled to meet your needs. Enjoy.

Ingredients:
1 mango (peeled, seeded and chopped)
¼ cup red bell pepper (finely chopped)
1 green onion (chopped)
2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)
1 fresh jalapeño pepper (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: In a medium bowl mix mango, red bell pepper, green onion, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, and lemon juice.
Step 2: Cover, refrigerate and allow to sit at least 30 minutes before serving.
(Makes 4 servings)

More computer finds that I wanted to share.  Some of these I’ve heard all my life so now I know if they are True or False.

Myth #1: Caffeine is addictive.False: Although caffeine is considered a mild stimulant, it’s not addictive, according to the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Unlike classic stimulants – think cocaine and amphetamines – there’s rarely a strong compulsion to use caffeine.

But caffeine can be habit-forming. That’s why you may feel mild withdrawal symptoms if you skip your morning cup of joe or afternoon pick-me-up.

Typical symptoms include headache, restlessness and irritability. Should you decide to give up caffeine, don’t go cold turkey; instead, slowly decrease your consumption over a week.

Really though, why bother? Studies show moderate caffeine intake actually enhances your mood and improves alertness.

For adults, the American Dietetic Association suggests no more than 200 mg to 300 mg a day, which equals two to three cups of coffee.

Black represents the absence of light and color. In Western cultures, black is considered the color of death. Its color personality is associated with feelings of mourning and grief, and also of hatred. However, black also can be powerful and provocative, which explains its use in men’s suits and its effectiveness when used in dresses. Wear black when you want to make an impression and project seriousness.

White is the symbol of balance and unity, of all the colors coming together as one in harmony. As such, white is a powerful symbol of purity and peace — for example, its use in wedding gowns and monuments. However, in a daily setting, white can be jarring and feel unfriendly and sterile. People are less likely to be productive or feel comfortable in a room painted white.

Green, the color of life and nature, is associated in the United States with health and prosperity. Like blue, green can promote relaxation, peace, and calm. Because green is often considered the most neutral of the colors, it is often used in institutional settings such as schools and hospitals and in color therapy. Green in your clothing could help people think of you as positive and relaxed, and a darker green room could be an ideal place to unwind.

Orange is an odd color, in that it provokes mixed reactions. It’s not as intense as red, so it doesn’t prompt the same violent mood reaction. Orange and its darker sister, brown, tend to have connections to the natural world and the great outdoors similar to those of the color green. Regarding color and mood, orange can produce feelings of warmth and enthusiasm, while brown creates feelings of comfort and security. As such, brown furniture may feel seem more relaxing and pleasing in a room than orange furniture.

Violet – Because it is a “cool” color like blue and green, violet feels soothing and peaceful and can help relieve anxiety. However, purple also has connections to royalty and nobility, and can feel like an exotic color. A purple tie can add a touch of dash to your look; however, a purple suit probably would be too much. One study found that people responded much more positively to a store painted violet than they did to the same store painted in yellow.

This recipe is for my friend Sal Buttaci, Author of Flashing My Shorts and his wife Sharon

3 cups skim milk
2 pkg. sugr free French Vanilla instant pudding
1 pkg. Crystal Light Lemonade
16 oz. lite whipped topping
2 graham cracker pie crusts (lite/fat free)

Mix first 3 ingredients.  Fold in whipped topping.  Pour into 2 pie crusts.  Chill overnight.  Enjoy Guys!

The original recipe called for the broccoli to be cooked. I decided to use it raw and let it cook in the oven. Reason – to keep it from being too mushy. The recipe didn’t call for the cheese nor corn, I added those and am glad I did. For changes, use chopped squash. This would also be good with a cup of cooked chicken added to the mix.

Get your copy of the recipe by clicking on Martha’s Kitchen Korner

This came through an email to me from Everyday Health.  I found this so interesting that I decided to pass it along to everyone.  This is more than I want to put into one post so it will be posted in 3 parts. 

Colors can have a profound effect on how you feel. Just choosing which color of dress or suit to wear makes a statement.

Yellow tends to be a color that promotes happiness and joy in people. This color is associated with optimism, energy, alertness, and adventurousness. Yellow is also intensely arousing, although less so than red, but can be overwhelming when the yellow is too bright. Many companies such as Kodak and Shell use yellow in their advertising to promote optimism and enjoyment. For the individual, wearing a yellow dress or spending time in a yellow sunroom can brighten up the day.

I’ve been absolutely slammed so didn’t get a chance to post about this early. Voting ends today for July’s Mystery Box Cupcake Challenge, in which bakers had to bake cupcakes using tea, with names like Thai Tea Cupcakes and Caramel Savannah Cupcakes. Today’s the last day to vote on these wonderful-looking entries. Click here to bake your way to August’s finals.

All of these cupcakes are by James and the Giant Cupcake, a custom cupcakery located in Oakland, California. They can be reached at 510-735-4353 or email jamesandthegiantcupcake@gmail.com and do free delivery in Berkeley and Oakland, and $10 delivery other locations in the East Bay.

Description from their site:

A cupcakery that creates amazing cupcakes using only the best ingredients. We strive to use unrefined sugars, organic ingredients and the freshest fruits from local farmers markets. We think that the perfect cupcake should be moist, topped with fluffy frosting and leave you daydreaming for more. We hope you do too!

French toast and maple bacon cupcakes

Sea salt caramel cupcakes

Hostess with the Mostess orange creamsicle cupcakes

Flavors include bubblegum (!!), peppermint patty, chocolate chili, peanut butter and jelly, cinnamon bun, vegan carrot, lemon poppy, mocha and more – see their site for info.

Guinness and Bailey’s cupcakes

Custom cupcake order – a happy birthday message in Arabic (note from Rachel: now this is why I absolutely adore cupcakes, because you can make them say whatever you want, however you want – I believe they are the most versatile dessert around!)

These cupcakes are by Vintage Cupcakes in Brazil, who you can also follow @Vintagecupcakes on Twitter, via blogger Daily Life in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

I’m really liking the one with chocolate wrapped around its outside!