APPLES OF GOLD

Light and refreshing taste.

Makes about 10 pints.

3 1/2 cups superfine sugar  or stevia
2 cups hot water
4 large fresh elderflower heads
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
juice and pared rind of 1 lemon
8 1/2 pints water, heated to almost boiling

Mix the sweetener with the hot water.  Pour the mixture into a large glass or plastic container.
Add all the remaining ingredients.
Stir well, cover and leave for about 5 days.

Strain off the liquid into sterilized screw top bottles.  Glass or plastic.
Leave for a further week (or a bit more).
Serve very cold with slivers of lemon rind.

8 Servings

6 tablespoons olive oil
2 1/2 pounds rutabagas, peeled, cut into 1″ cubes
2 pounds onions, cut into 1″ chunks
1 pound carrots, cut into 2″ long pieces
1 pound orange-flesh sweet potatoes (yams), cut into 1″ cubes
30 garlic cloves, unpeeled
14 fresh sage leaves or 1 tablespoon dried, crumbled
7 sprigs fresh rosemary or 1 tablespoon dried, crumbled
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 450°

Place 2 heavy large roasting pans in oven and heat 15 minutes.
Remove from oven.
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to each.
Add half of vegetables, garlic and herbs to each pan.
Drizzle 2 tablespoons oil over vegetables in each pan.
Season with salt and pepper.
Roast vegetables until tender when pierced with fork, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/4 hours.
Serve.

Everyone has points they’d like to hide – a few extra pounds, bags under the eyes, etc.

Here’s some pointers sure to keep things hidden.

1.  Lose weight – stand-up straight.  Standing up straight can make the appearance of losing 5-10 pounds in an instant.

2. Color – an instant face-lift.  Wearing dark colors can make you thinner, while light colors can add a few pounds.

Learn your face shape and color accordingly.

3. Size matters – It actually hurts your internal organs when you squeeze into clothes that are too small.  Find your size and own it!

4. Breasts and Hips – Remember the rule of Color.  If you want something to look bigger, wear lighter colors to accent it.
If you want to make it look smaller, wear darker colors.

5. Always wear things you like and recycle the rest.  Thinking is half the battle and if you think something looks awful on you,
chances are you will wear it bad and feel it all the time you wear it.  Your toss off may be another’s treasure so recycle to the homeless,
the missionary barrel or to someone who thinks it’s awesome.  Both of you will benefit.