Top of the day to you.

And I'm very late with this week's recipe…almost a week late. The foul weather had my server playing all kinds of craziness on me. A lot of the week I couldn't get out on the Internet to save my soul! And being booked for some presentations also kept my focus elsewhere. Anyway, Tomorrow I will be sending each of you an article on why it's the optimum practice to eat your desserts before the meal and never after. This article is the once a month article and will catch me back up with my goal to give each of you a healthy tip to help keep you motivated to stay on track. And by the way, thanks to the scores of people who wrote me wondering if I was all right or something because they missed the recipe of the week. That's my motivation, knowing I'm making a difference in your lives.

This week is a very simple but so effective recipe for complete energy and endurance to carry you through the day without a moment of down time. It's called my SWEET RICE!

I'm going to give you the same way to cook the rice I gave you several weeks ago but with a difference twist that will make you look forward to this SWEET RICE Dish.

INGREDIENTS:

One half cup whole grain rice (per person)
A small pinch of Cayenne
One quarter teaspoon of Basil,
One quarter teaspoon of Thyme,
One quarter teaspoon of Oregano
One quarter teaspoon of Sea Kelp
One half ounce Flaxseed Oil
One small Sweet Potato or preferably a YAM

1st of all wash the whole grain rice and let it toast it in a dry skillet on a medium heat until golden brown (about 3-5 minutes) or until just before they start popping in the skillet. Then cook the rice immediately. Here's the best procedure I've found to cook it from this point. Always 2 parts water to 1 part rice. While the water is coming to a boil with the rice already in the water, add your favorite spices and herbs. I add a small pinch of Cayenne Pepper (while I'm thinking of the great Francis Bologna in New Orleans, LA who just loves the stuff), ¼ teaspoon of Basil, ¼ teaspoon of Thyme, & ¼ teaspoon of Oregano. Now when the water begins to boil, turn it down to the lowest heat for exactly 1 hour then shut the stove off completely and when you're ready to eat it, add the Flaxseed Oil and the Sea Kelp. Stir it vigorously and then with a Cole Slaw GRATER, grate the Sweet Potato (or Yam) atop of the rice and mix it all together thoroughly and sprinkle some dry Parsley on top for taste and color! This if one of my favorite, easy NOON dishes to eat either on the run; on the trampoline out back or whatever setting I find myself in the moment. Enjoy this and you will probably do what I do, make it a staple in your diet. EAT GOOD STUFF!

Wayne "The Mango Man" Pickering

PS My C/D of the Week has to be Randy Travis' Greatest Hits. He's just flat good! When you are in the mood for some good country, I think of him along with so many other great artists like Merle Haggard, Ray Price and Marty Robbins! What a hoot, "The Mango Man" having a streak of country in him. Boy Howdy!

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