Chicken recipes are always a family favorite. This versatile ingredient can be cooked and prepared in a number of ways. From easy casserole dishes, to one-pot pasta recipes, if you are looking for a new way to spice up your midweek dinners, take your pick from the selection of recipes below. Bon Apétite!

1. One Pan Salsa Chicken Casserole

An easy and tasty casserole you can whip up in minutes. Just add chicken, salsa, corn, rice and spices to a dish and bake.

Recipe Source

Ingredients (Serves 6)

• 1 cup uncooked basmati rice, rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 16-ounce jar salsa
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1½ teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 large chicken breasts (about 1-1/2 pounds), thawed
• 1 cup shredded cheese blend
• 2 green onions, sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°Fahrenheit. Add the rice, black beans, corn, salsa, chicken broth, chili powder and oregano to an 8x8 inch baking dish. Stir the ingredients to combine.

2. Cut the chicken breast into three pieces and add into the mix. Submerge the chicken into the liquid as far as possible.

3. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 1 hour. The rice should be tender and the liquid absorbed. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with cheese. Then return to the oven and bake until the cheese has melted. Top with green onions and serve.

2. Creamy Chicken and Bacon Pasta

This hearty recipe is topped with cream, cheese and bacon - make this lovely recipe your new dinner to go. Dig in! 

Recipe Source

Ingredients (Serves 4-6)

• 1 pound cooked chicken breast, cut into slices 
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅔ cup heavy cream
• ⅔ cup milk
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan 
• 4 cups cooked fettuccine 
• 2 cups steamed broccoli florets
• 6 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute and add the cream and milk.

2. Bring to a boil and add the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Stir until both have melted.

3. Turn the heat off and mix the cooked pasta. Add the cooked chicken slices, steamed broccoli and cooked bacon to the pasta mix, folding everything together, and serve.

3. Honey Dijon Chicken

This dish, consisting of chicken, potatoes and broccoli marinated and drizzled with a delicious honey dijon glaze, is easy to throw together on a busy weeknight.

Recipe Source

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, plus more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
• 16 ounces baby red potatoes, halved
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts,5-6 oz each, pounded to even thickness if necessary so that they cook evenly
• 20 ounces broccoli florets

Directions:

1. For the marinade, mix 1 tablespoon olive oil with honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Put aside half the sauce for later and use half to marinate the chicken for one hour.

2. Preheat the oven to 400°F and toss the potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Place on a foil-lined pan and lay the chicken breast on top. Add the broccoli and drizzle the remaining sauce.

3. Bake for 35 minutes until the chicken has cooked through and the potatoes are tender.

They run hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis; soup kitchens; dispensaries and mobile clinics; children and family counseling programs; orphanages; and schools. Members of the institute must adhere to the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, and the fourth vow, to give "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor".

Mother Teresa was the recipient of numerous honors including the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. In 2003, she was beatified as "Blessed Teresa of Calcutta". A second miracle credited to her intercession is required before she can be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
 

Eggs make a nutritious, versatile ingredient. One of my favorite ways to eat them is

scrambled. While it may seem like an easy recipe to make and you're probably thinking

that you do not need a set of tips to follow for scrambled eggs, getting the right

consistency and color is not as simple as it may seem. The tips (plus a bonus video) below

will show you how to achieve uniformly golden, soft, and custardy scrambled eggs.

TIP #1: Choose the freshest eggs you can find

When cooking something as simple as scrambled eggs, your final product will be as good

as the ingredients you've started off with. So use the freshest eggs you can find. The yolk

should be of an orange, golden color.

TIP #2: Whip it well

A good blender combines the whites and yolks well enough for a streak-free scramble and

whips up a good amount of air, creating light and tender egg mixture. At this stage, you can

also season the eggs with a little bit of salt.

Rome, Milan and Florence are often the most sought out places in Italy, but the boot-shaped country has so much more to offer than just those three cities. Italy is overflowing with all kinds of hidden gems – from castles and forests, to waterfalls and botanical gardens rich in exotic plants. These 15 places are shining examples of these gems, with the added benefit of not being very well-known, so they’re not riddled with tourists. They are, however, a true representation of Italy’s rich and magnificent history.

Click on the name of the site to see its location on the map

1. Ponte del Diavolo

The “Devil’s Bridge” got its name from an old Tuscan folk tale that describes it as having rare mystical powers. This beautiful stone bridge was constructed in the picturesque town of Cividale del Friuli during medieval times and spans a gorgeous river that crosses the town. This spectacular piece of masonry only shines brighter against a backdrop of the fantastic natural beauty in the surrounding area.

2. Castello di Petoria

Built during the Middle Ages, this castle can be found near the city of Gubbio in the center of Italy. The castle has changed hands many times throughout the ages prior to 1909. It was converted into a prestigious hotel during that year, and it has been one ever since. Visitors get to enjoy a unique sense of isolation from the outside world, making this a perfect place where you can take a “time-out” and relax.

3. Grotte di Castellana

One of the world’s most captivating cave systems is located in Italy’s heel. The Castellana Caves, which contain two miles of breathtaking hiking trails, are over 90 million years old. Be sure to tour the “White Cave” – it is one of Italy’s most powerful experiences.

4. Bosco Monumentale del Sasseto

At the foot of the Torre Alfina castle, there is a magical forest filled with trees whose twisted, moss-covered branches seem to have come straight out of a fairy-tale book. The rare and colorful flowers, along with birds chirping and the cool breeze, make walking here a surreal experience.

5. Isola di Loreto

Some 100 years ago, on a small, secluded island in the Lombardia district of northern Italy, a huge castle was built between two lighthouses and a large marina. The place is surrounded by lush, green gardens that give it the feel of a medieval royal palace.

6. Civita di Bagnoregio

 “A Jewel on the Hill” is the nickname given to this magical town, whose name loosely translates to “the dying town.” The town has been on this hill for nearly 2,500 years and overlooks a stunning valley. Due to weather conditions the town is closed off to visitors for most of the year, but you mustn't miss it if you’re there in the summertime

Urinary incontinence can be an embarrassing problem, and it is far from being uncommon. While it is more often associated with the elderly, it can actually happen at any stage in life. This guide will teach you how to control it naturally:

Urinary Incontinence Types and Causes

The problem is more often associated with women, especially during pregnancy or menopause. It arises when there is a lot of internal pressure in the bladder. These are the different types of urinary incontinence:

• Urgent Incontinence

Usually accompanied by the urge to urinate, this type of urinary incontinence happens when the sensory impulses in the walls of the bladder don’t react in time.

• Overflowing Incontinence

This occurs when the bladder is stretched from being full of urine, which can be caused by a number of factors, such as urethra blockage, prostate enlargement in men or neurological damage to spine caused by a spinal cord injury, surgery or multiple sclerosis.

• Psychogenic Incontinence

Feeling fear, anxiety, mania or being exposed to something phobic are all causes of this type of incontinence.

• Neurological Incontinence 

Changes to the nervous system caused by a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries or other ailments result in changes in urinary function, and thus incontinence.

Homemade Urinary Incontinence Remedies

Here are four tonic recipes for urinary incontinence that you may try at home:

Recipe 1

• 2 tbsp. fennel
• 1 cup water

Directions

Boil the fennel in the water for five minutes and leave to cool. Once cooled, drink the mixture. Do this once a day.

Recipe 2

• 1 handful raspberry leaves
• 1 cup water

Directions

Boil the raspberry leaves in the water for five minutes and leave to cool. Once cooled, drink the mixture. Repeat once per day. This remedy is particularly good for those looking to strengthen their pelvic muscles.

Recipe 3

• 1 garlic bulb
• 1 handful white hawthorn flowers
• 2 liters water

Directions

Crush the garlic and combine with the hawthorn flowers in the water. Boil and leave to brew for 15 minutes. Next, strain the mixture, add it to a bathtub filled with warm water, and bathe in it.

Recipe 4

• 1 tbsp. bearberry leaves
• 1 liter tea

Combine the tea and bearberry leaves. Drink a cup once every three hours, no more than five times each day. Note that those who have kidney inflammation should not try this remedy.

Waking up each morning with red, puffy eyes can be incredibly painful and irritating. And they certainly look as bad as they feel. Over the years I've tried my hand at a number of natural remedies, (here are 10 other remedies for dark circles and puffy eyes you can try) that have offered me both relief and beauty. Here are nine of my favorite tried-and-tested DIY treatments for red, puffy eyes and dark circles.

1. Tea Bags: Tea contains anti-inflammatory properties, making them an ideal natural remedy to relieve the pain and puffiness caused by irritated eyes. Apply green or black tea bags over your eyes for 10-15 minutes. To help absorb the tea bag's positive effects, keep them refrigerated prior to applying them.

2. Egg Whites: To reduce the swelling and puffiness under my eyes (eye bags) and to reduce the effects of wrinkles, I have found egg whites to be especially useful. Whip them up to a stiff consistency and use a soft cloth to apply them to the area under your eyes. Allow the egg whites to dry and sit for about 15 minutes.

3. Strawberries: With strawberries in season, this is a perfect time to purchase this sweet fruit. They are high in alphahydroxy acid, an organic acid that is known to reduce swelling. Place a couple of slices under your eyes for a couple of minutes. 

A low carb-diet has its benefits - it promotes weight loss and can reduce symptoms of diabetes. Nevertheless, it's important to maintain a well-balanced diet and include wheat and grains in your meals. However, there are instances (as you're about to see) when you can swap your carbohydrates for wholesome, nutritious alternatives, replacing your wheat with vegetables, fruit and nuts instead. Here are some nutrient-rich alternatives you should try:

Our bodies are amazing and complex systems. It’s alarming at times how little control it feels like you have over it. If you understand some of the processes in your body, you can sometimes get it to do what you want. These tricks can help you be more in control without requiring any tools. Surprisingly, many aches and pains can be solved without having to resort to pills

or visiting the doctor. 

Source: Flickr

1. Quickly relieve headaches and migraines

Why not try a natural way to relieve pain without having to resort to a painkiller? Acupressure is an effective way to do so in 5 minutes.

There is a Shiatsu point in your hand that is good at relieving pain in the frontal lobe. This spot is located in the webbing between your index finger and thumb, on the highest muscle point very close to where the bones meet. Using your thumb and index finger, press hard on the muscle from both sides, placing the thumb on the back of your hand and the forefinger underneath.

This technique can also be used with shoulder pain, toothaches and labor pain.

2. Ensure you remember something

If you want to make sure to remember something, timing is key. Encoding information before you go to sleep is one of the best ways to help your memory. This is because memory consolidation happens when you’re sleeping - that's when all the short-term memories are transferred to the long-term memory. If you want to do well on a test or work presentation, it’s best to revise before you head to bed. 

3. Slow your heart rate down

If you’re nervous or have to run to get somewhere, your heart pounds. One way to slow your speedy heart rate down is by breathing. Your vagus nerve governs your heart beat and to lower it back to a normal rate, you need to stimulate it. Pinch your nose and try to breathe

out while keeping your mouth closed. You’ll increase the pressure in your chest, which will stimulate the vagus nerve.

4. Stop a nosebleed

Most nose bleeds originate from the front of your septum, the cartilage wall that divides

the nose in two. If you want to stop any bleeding the trick is to press hard against your

upper gums. Find the spot behind the tiny dent below your nose. I recommend placing

a swab of cotton wool or gauze behind your upper lip.

5. Control dizziness from alcohol

This won't stop you from being tipsy or drunk, but it can stop you

from falling flat on your face. Balance is controlled by the sensory organs in your inner ear, which has fluid with the same density

as blood. When you drink alcohol your blood is diluted and the fluid that the sensory organs float in is raised, confusing the brain and

your sense of balance. You can provide your brain with a different stimulus for improved perception. Put your hand on something stable. Your hand's sensitive nerves give the brain a tactile input so that

it can re-assess the situation and offer you a clear view while

enjoying a drink.

Gut bacteria number more than 100 trillion cells. But not all bacteria are created equal. 'Good' gut bacteria, for instance, have been found to improve digestion, strengthen the immune system and produce vitamins your body needs. Meanwhile, 'bad' gut bacteria can cause digestion problems, mental health issues and skin conditions to arise, among others.

In fact, numerous studies have been conducted on the gut, exploring the connection between gut bacteria and overall human health. Results have shown that unbalanced gut bacteria can be detrimental to your health. But how can you determine whether something is wrong with your gut bacteria to begin with, and what can you do about it?

Be on the lookout for these common warning signs, indicating that something may be wrong with your gut. Here's what to watch out for:

1. Digestive issues

Unhealthy gut bacteria is often associated with digestive problems. While prescription drugs like Prevacid or generic antacids help people who struggle with digestive issues, these medications only address the symptoms at the surface. Some symptoms you may experience that indicate an unhealthy gut include:

• Gas
• Bloating
• Heartburn/acid reflux
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Irritable Bowel Disease (including Crohn’s and Ulcerative colitis)

2. Mental issues

Your gut health may also have an impact on your mental health. In fact, scientists have discovered that certain mental disorders can be linked to disturbances in gut bacteria. Depression and anxiety, brain fog, OCD and autism may all be a result of an imbalance in your gut bacteria.

3. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

A healthy gut helps your body produce and synthesize vitamins and minerals. If your gut bacteria is unbalanced, your body will have a harder time processing essential vitamins and minerals, like vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin B12 and B7, as well as magnesium.

"You can kiss your family and friends goodbye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind and your stomach, because you do not just live in a world, but a world lives in you." - Frederick Beuchner

Even though its easy to forget at times, family is the most important thing in the world. I wanted to send you a message to remind you how much you mean to me and how grateful I am to have you in my life. You have always been there to share my joy, dry my tears and lend me a helping hand. Whether you are near or far, our family bond is always strong and our love is forever true, so I hope you enjoy this charming presentation I'm sending to you.

"What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories" - George Eliot

"Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter." - Brad Henry