We love and miss our Snowbirds, but we all know when the season comes, it takes a little longer to get in our favorite restaurants. Stop by your favorite square and visit the local restaurants today. The Villages Daily Sun and Valpak have great coupons. Cut out the coupons, set them aside, then let villagereats.com do the work. You save the coupons and I will tell you when to use them.

Have a great day and enjoy the cooler weather.

Hey Villagers! Valpak coupons are here. Look at all of the specials listed on Villager Eats and start saving money.

WHAT A DEAL! Thursday Evening my husband and I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Redsauce. We used our coupon from The Villages Daily Sun (BOGO Chicken Marsala) and enjoyed two entrees of Delicious Chicken Marsala for $18.00. The presentation was beautiful and included 3 pieces of chicken covered with Marsala mushroom sauce with a side of risotto and fresh garden vegetables. We topped off our meal with a Chocolate Chunk Gelato dressed with strawberries and a macadamia cookie.

We sat outside in the bar area because we always enjoy the socialization and the view of Sumter Landing. The table next to us was hoping that we would share our dessert with them and that is all it took to start up a conversation. Ana Rodriguez, Manager of Redsauce was both gracious and attentive. I am blaming her for my need to go home and workout (not).

Redsauce was the first restaurant that my husband and I visited when we arrived in The Villages several years ago. We continue to visit Redsauce because we believe a good dining experience consists of great food, friendly servers and hands on management. Redsauce has it all.

My absolute favorite dish is the fried goat cheese salad!!!

My favorite Mexican dish is Chicken Chipotle Enchiladas. I have been trying to make this dish since I moved from Colorado. I finally figured it out. Follow the recipe below and you will be amazed.

Chicken – use any cooked chicken you desire. The whole chickens that are already cooked at grocery stores work well but you never know what flavoring techniques they use.

You will need shredded chicken, shredded cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese and chipotles in adobe sauce and flour tortillas.

I use one large boneless skinless chicken breast cooked on a grill that I keep in the refrigerator until I’m ready to make the dish. I then shred the chicken and place it in a saucepan with 2 garlic gloves, onions and oregano with 1 cup of chicken broth. I warm it on a low flame with a lid to keep the chicken moist.

Sauce: In a blender mix 1 cup of chicken broth (from the chicken you warmed), 2 chipotles and a little of the sauce and 4oz of room temperature cream cheese. If it doesn’t look like enough sauce, add some chicken broth.

Tortillas: Warm tortillas for 10 seconds in microwave. Fill tortilla with a tablespoon of cottage cheese, shredded chicken, a little sauce and some cheese. Roll up the tortilla and place in pan. Continues this process until you have made 6 tortillas. Cover the tortillas with the sauce and cook at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

ENJOY!

Living in The Villages provides us with so many opportunities to eat out. One of the reasons that food seem to taste better when eating out is because a lot of fats are used to flavor the food. Especially butter. Yum! Sometimes I try to convince myself that I can eat anything I want because I spend most of my time golfing, walking the dog and playing softball. Exercise is a good thing but when your Doctor tells you your cholesterol his high and you have a chance of a cardiac event in the next 10 years, you may want to make some changes. A cardiac event sounds like a party but we know it isn’t. I’m going to try these 10 steps once my brownies are gone!

1. Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the best foods to cleanse your arteries. Full of fiber and minerals, it helps lower blood pressure and prevent blood clots that can lead to serious cardiovascular illness. It works within the veins and arteries to alleviate inflammation that may have accumulated over time. It boosts the body’s production of glutathione, an antioxidant that fights inflammation and prevents damaging oxidation that causes clogged or blocked arteries. It also contains alpha-linoleic acid and folic acid, which prevent hardening of the arteries.

There are many great recipes for asparagus. Steam it, roast it, grill it and even eat it raw in salads.

2. Avocado

Avocado helps reduce the “bad” cholesterol and increase the “good cholesterol” that helps to clear the arteries. It also contains vitamin E, which prevents cholesterol oxidation, as well as potassium, which is known to lower blood pressure. Avocados are a delicious replacement for mayo on a sandwich, or as a salad topping, and of course, in guacamole.

3. Broccoli

Broccoli can prevent artery clogging because it is loaded with vitamin K, which prevents calcium from damaging the arteries. Broccoli also prevents cholesterol oxidation and is full of fiber, which lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. Stress can lead to tearing and plaque build-up of arterial walls. These little trees also contain sulforaphane, which helps the body use protein to prevent plaque build-up in the arteries.

It is recommended to have two to three servings of broccoli per week for the maximum benefits. Broccoli is another versatile vegetable—it tastes great grilled, roasted or steamed and is a great side dish.

4. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish—mackerel, salmon, sardines, herring and tuna—are rich in healthy fats, which can help to clear the arteries. Omega-3 fatty acids help to increase the “good” cholesterol while reducing triglyceride levels, decreasing blood vessel inflammation and the formation of blood clots in the arteries, and can even lower blood pressure.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends people eat fish at least twice per week to reduce plaque build-up. Baked and grilled fish are the most optimal for heart health.

5. Nuts

Instead of reaching for the cookie jar, try a healthier alternative—nuts. Almonds are the best choice because they are high in monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, fiber and protein. The magnesium in almonds also prevents plaque formation and lowers blood pressure. Walnuts are another good source of omega-3 fatty acid, which will reduce “bad” cholesterol and raise “good” cholesterol levels, which in turn lowers the risk of plaque build-up in the arteries.

The AHA recommends three to five servings per week (one serving is equivalent to a handful). Nuts also make a great salad topper.

6. Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid, an essential fatty acid that lowers “bad” cholesterol and raises “good” cholesterol. Rich in antioxidants, it is one of the healthiest oils to use in cooking or for dressings.

Use olive oil instead of butter and drizzle over salad or pasta. It is recommended to choose 100 percent organic virgin olive oil for maximum health benefits.

7. Watermelon

This summertime favorite is a great natural source of the amino acid L-citrulline, which boosts nitric oxide production in the body. Nitric oxide causes the arteries to relax, decreases inflammation and can help lower blood pressure. Watermelon also helps to modify blood lipids and lowers belly fat accumulation. Less fat in the abdominal area lowers the risk of heart disease.

8. Turmeric

The main component of this spice is curcumin, which is a power anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is a major cause of arteriosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries. Turmeric also reduces the damage to arterial walls, which can cause blood clots and plaque build up. Turmeric also contains vitamin B6, which helps to maintain healthy levels of homocysteine, which can cause plaque buildup and blood vessel damage in excess amounts.

Turmeric can be an ingredient in many dishes, both sweet and savory. One way to get your daily dose is by drinking a glass of warm turmeric milk daily. If you’ve never cooked with it before, now’s the time to get creative for your health!

9. Spinach

This dark, leafy green is filled with potassium, folate and fiber, which helps lower blood pressure and prevents artery blockage. One serving per day helps lower homocysteine levels, a risk factor for heart diseases such as atherosclerosis.

It doesn’t matter if you eat it raw or cooked, the benefits are the same. So try it in salads, smoothies and even on your omelet.

10. Whole Grains

Whole grains contain soluble fiber, which binds to the excess LDL cholesterol in your digestive tract and removes it from your body. Whole grains also contain magnesium, which dilates blood vessels and keeps your blood pressure at regular levels.

The AHA recommends at least six daily servings of whole grains, so trade your carbs for whole-grain alternatives like whole-grain breads, whole wheat pastas, brown rice, quinoa, barley and oatmeal to improve cholesterol levels and keep your arteries clear.

Do you have a Nuwave and wonder what to do with it? I always make my chicken wings in the Nuwave because they turn out crispy without deep frying. By using the Nuwave, you don’t heat up your kitchen by using the oven. I like my wings really crispy as you can see by the picture. Follow these steps to delicious wings:

Make sure wings are dry. Cover wings with a dry rub (store bought or homemade). Shake the wings in a plastic bag for good coverage. Let sit for 20 minutes. Spray the Nuwave rack with cooking spray so they don’t stick. Cook at 350 degrees for 20 minutes on both sides for a total of 40 minutes. I heat up Franks hot sauce and little butter in a sauce pan and then coat my wings just before serving. Of course I dip the wings in ranch dressing.

Feel free to share other Nuwave recipes.

September 12th is National Chocolate Shake Day. I wish I could get one without leaving the couch. Where do you buy your favorite shake? I like Steak and Shake in The Villages.

19th Anniversary – Always on our mind. Always in our hearts.

If you pull up behind me, this is what you will see. The hottest website in The Villages. Look on the right side bar of our pages and that is where you can advertise. Give me a call at 352-255-1375 to get your deal today. Get ready for the season.

Burger Monday at World of Beer on Labor Day! My husband and I celebrated Labor Day at World of Beer at Brownwood Paddock Square. Why? Because I looked on villagereats.com and found $5 burgers on Mondays. The burger was cooked just right and tasted like it was cooked on a charcoal grill. Just look at the picture. This has to be the best $5 meal in The Villages. I could eat another one right now. Of course the beer is always a hit. My husband had a Amber Belgium that was delicious.