A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds.
A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy
reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.
~ Saint Basil





Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if
they were going to be dead by midnight.
Extend to them all the care, kindness and
understanding you can muster, and do it with
no thought of any reward. Your life will
never be the same again.
~ Oq Mandino

"Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends
for it is one of God’s best gifts. It involves many things,
but above all the power of going out of one’s self and
appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another."  
-Thomas Hughes



"I think what’s important for kids to know is that
your decisions here on earth matter, your behavior
matters and how you treat other people matters."
-Matt Damon



"Goodness in other people and what they contribute
inspire me. I love it when someone is gifted and
shares it in some way so that it has
a trickle-down effect."
-Renee Zellweger

STRAWBERRY CREAM DESSERT

 Fresh berries, if desired


Heat oven to 350°F. Press cookie dough evenly into bottom only of ungreased
13x9-inch pan. (If dough is sticky, use floured fingers.)

  2. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and 3/4 cup of the strawberry topping with electric mixer on medium-high speed about 1 minute or until well blended. Add eggs; beat about 2 minutes or until well blended and creamy. Spread evenly over crust in pan.
 
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until center is set. Cool 1 hour.
Center will sink slightly as it cools.
 
4. In medium bowl, mix whipped topping, food color and remaining 1/4 cup strawberry topping. Spread topping mixture over cooled cream cheese layer. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until set.
To serve, cut into 6 rows by 3 rows. Garnish each
serving with fresh berries. Cover and
refrigerate any remaining dessert.

                                               

Health benefits of grapes

• Grapes are rich in polyphenolic phytochemical compound resveratrol. Resveratrol is one of powerful anti-oxidant, which has been found to play protective function against cancers of colon and prostate, coronary heart disease (CHD), degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer's disease and viral/ fungal infections.

• Resveratrol reduces stroke risk by altering the molecular mechanisms in the blood vessels. It does so firstly by reducing susceptibility of blood vessels damage through decreased activity of angiotensin (a systemic hormone causing blood vessel constriction that would otherwise elevate blood pressure) and secondly, through increased production of the vasodilator substance, nitric oxide (a beneficial compound that causes relaxation of blood vessels).

• Anthocyanins are another class of polyphenolic anti-oxidants present abundantly in the red grapes. These phyto-chemicals have been found to have anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, as well as anti-cancer activities.

• Catechins, a type of flavonoid tannin group of anti-oxidants found in white/green varieties has also shown to have these health protecting functions.

• In addition, the berries are very low in calories. 100 g fresh grapes just provide 69 calories but zero cholesterol levels.

• Grapes are rich source of micronutrient minerals like copper, iron and manganese. Copper and manganese are an essential co-factor of antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is specially concentrated more in raisins. In addition 100 g of fresh grapes contain about 191 mg of health benefiting electrolyte, potassium.

• They are also good source of vitamin-C, vitamin A, vitamin K, carotenes, B-complex vitamins such as pyridoxine, riboflavin, and thiamin.