Pomegranate jam and sweet escapes

Pomegranates are an Intriguing and Powerful Fruit that stirs up the imagination.

As I make my Pomegranate Jam, I think of the Shakespearean phrase, ‘Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate tree…’ and the memory of playing the part of ‘Juliet’ when I was eighteen years old without ever seeing a pomegranate tree or the fruit itself. This is odd because I was raised as a vegetarian. Yet decades later, there is a pomegranate tree growing in my backyard.

Pomegranates are a Powerful Antioxidant!

The pomegranate looks similar to an apple on the outside but inside the skin, you’ll find a multitude of tiny berries that are beneficial to your health and beauty.

Pomegranates are good for you!

Can you eat the seeds in each juicy morsel? Yes, chew it well, the seeds contain oil, and isoflavones (also contained in soy) so it becomes creamy in your mouth. The juice squirting in your mouth from each berry is quenching and soothing to your throat. Also, feel good knowing that you are getting nutrients including 5 polyunsaturated fatty acid that helps with cell regeneration.

Picking a Sweet Pomegranate… Beware of Creepy Bugs!

I always pick fruit at the market that has markings on the skin because I know the bugs like sweet things too. Because of our hot summer, my pomegranates were already bursting on the tree. This made the seeds easy to get out. However, it invites creepy large bugs. Yuck!

The bugs looked slow-moving so I carefully ventured into the tree to pick a pomegranate. What just flew above my head? Was it one of these bugs? Yikes, they fly! The Leaffooted Plant Bug was well camouflaged within the tree!

I ran to my house to get my cell phone so I could take a picture of these little critters. Can you see the creepy crawlers? It won’t be easy to see the bugs but that’s what makes it fun! Are you game?

Play with a friend. Where’s ‘Waldo,’ the bug? (Reminiscent of the children’s books, ‘Where’s Waldo’ or in some countries, ‘Where’s Wally.’) Hint: In this collage of two pictures, there is a bug in each picture. If you have trouble finding the bugs, you can click on the picture to enlarge it. 😉

Leaffooted Plant Bugs in the Pomegranate Trees!

Natural Pomegranate Jam Recipe

(made with Lemonade and Pectin)

This simple pomegranate jam recipe contains no added sugar! It is sweetened with a little honey and lemon aid that I made from fresh lemon juice (lemons from my tree). Of course, you’ll also need fresh pomegranate seeds and pectin (pictured).

Natural Pomegranate Jam with Pectin

Prepare:

I suggest that you put on an apron so you don’t stain your clothing and wear tight-fitted latex gloves (if not allergic to latex) to protect your nails.

Soak and Separate Pomegranate:

I soak each cracked pomegranate in water to cleanse it and then put it in the water again to get the seeds out while the pomegranates are immersed in water. This is an easy way to loosen the seeds because the seeds sink and the pulp floats. Then, I put the pomegranate berries/seeds through a strainer, discard any unwanted remnants and keep only the best. One large pomegranate yields about one cup or less of berries/seeds.

~ This recipe makes three cups of my Natural Pomegranate Jam.

~ First open the package of Pomona’s Universal Pectin (pictured) containing no sugar or preservatives. The information /instructions that are found on the inside of the package are plentiful and can be confusing, so I have made it easier here:

Ingredients:

3 cups of lightly mashed pomegranate berries/seeds

1 cup of fresh lemonade (lemon juice and water sweetened with stevia and honey or agave)

2 teaspoons of calcium water (powder is in the package – 1/2 teaspoon of powder to 1/2 cup water)

1/2 cup of honey * Ikaria honey has many health benefits; it is rich so use less.

2 teaspoons of pectin (powder in package)

Glass jars with tight lids (let jars and lids sit in hot water until needed)

Instructions:

In a bowl, add 1/4 cup of lemon aide with the mashed pomegranates and keep the mixture on the side for later. Meanwhile, put 3/4 cup of juice and honey in a pan with the calcium water and boil separately. Then, put this mixture in a blender and add pectin until the powder dissolves in juice. Put the pomegranate mixture in a pan and bring it to a boil. Pour the pectin mixture from the blender into the pan and return to a boil. Remove the mixture from heat and fill the warm, empty jars with the jam mixture, leave some room at the top, and screw the lids on tightly. When the mixture cools, it will harden into a jam. Put jam into the refrigerator when the jars are cool. Enjoy!

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Powerful Connections & Sweet Escapes

No matter how far or near, the power of love connects us to those who have touched our hearts. That wonderful energy triggers our memory and senses just by listening to a song or eating food.

Making Pomegranate Jam renews my connection to a special friend, Robyn Whatley – Kahn who is living on the island of Ikaria in Greece. She specializes in the quality of Archaeologous guided tours to the area where pomegranates first grew, namely Turkey, which some scholars claim is the location of the Garden of Eden.

Below, I put together a few pictures that Robyn sent me for a glimpse of the places, people, and things that can fill your senses while on an Archaeologous Turkey tour!

Views of cultural sites in Turkey – Quality tours and healing works with Robyn Whatley-Kahn

Turkey is loaded with biblical history. Noah’s Ark landed on Mount Ararat (Agri Dagi) in Eastern Turkey. Ephesus in Turkey is the burial ground of St. John which is now a huge Basilica of St. John (in ruins and excavations) When walking in Ephesus, you are walking the footsteps of Apostle Paul, Mother Mary as well as Cleopatra, Alexander the Great…

Robyn and I have a past of traveling and entertaining together in the 70’s girl group, The Golddiggers. Now, we are both involved in healing, I am an exercise coach/therapist and Robyn is a Body Talk practitioner. The bonds of the past powerfully unite us.

Book: Beyond Our Wildest Dreams and The Golddiggers during the mid-1970s

Pictured are Maria Lauren, Dean Martin, Linda Eichberg – (top row) Maria Lauren, Linda Eichberg: Alberici Sisters, Joyce Garro, Peggy Gohl, (bottom row) Patti Gribow and Robyn Whatley-Kahn.

In the book, Beyond Our Wildest Dream, my sister, Linda Eichberg and I fondly remember times as members of The Golddiggers during the groovy 70s. As insiders, we tell backstage stories of entertaining with icons including the Rat Pack. Those who were there, our “Golddigger” sisters and other notables share their viewpoints giving a broad perspective to this special era in showbiz history.

It was a fun time of sisterhood and friendship when the TV Variety Show was prime and celebrity legends ruled the Las Vegas strip.

Our readers have found it to be a sweet escape!

 ~~~

‘Within one pomegranate there are many berries/seeds that burst of a sweet tartness, just like the experiences and people that fill my life.’ – Maria Elena Alberici

Wishing you the sweetness of life,

Maria Lauren, aka Maria Elena Alberici

Your Powerful LIFE blog

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Keep on Hoping – The Oscars

Maria Lauren, aka Maria Elena Alberici – Riccio

No matter your age, keep on hoping. It might have been easier to be a starry-eyed dreamer when we were younger but as we get older and wiser, we calculate more and hope less. Forget about being hopeless! I like being hopeful better. Don’t you?

This month, my post highlights movies about inspirational people who give us the impetus to hope and put that hope in action. Next month, my post will highlight the artists who have touched our lives with their music.

In life, awards are given and achievements met but most importantly is the journey, the learning and the work. Sometimes the work is honored with an Academy Award.

I appreciate being entertained by a good movie, a story that makes me smile, laugh or expands my mind. This year, I’m delighted that we were offered films centered around real people whose true story not only affect us but show us the value of love, encouragement and perseverance to conquer the odds. These Oscar nominated movies are “The Theory of Everything,” “Unbroken,” “The Imitation Game,” “Selma” and “Wild.”

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The Theory of Everything

Stephen Hawkings was a professor, mathematician and a proclaimed unbeliever in God who was given only two years to live when he was diagnosed with ALS. With the love, hope and dedication of his wife, he lived a long and productive life. In his later years he professed to knowing the mind of God.

“Where there is life, there is hope.” – Stephen Hawkings

I believe a good movie should spark your imagination. How did the universe start? Stephen Hawkings searches for this answer. As I reflected on Mr. Hawkings theory, I came up with my own theory: In the beginning, in the  darkness were particles of light, God. Within that light was the hope of God to create and expand the light. We are part of this process, evolution and hope.

“The Theory of Everything” is nominated for Best Picture and the two stars, Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones are also nominated for their honest and stellar portrayals.

Unbroken

Angelina Jolie directs the story of Louis Zamperini, who thanks to the  encouragement of his brother became a USA Olympian. Louis served in World War II and when his bomber plane was shot down, he survived on a raft for 47 days and the perils of being a prisoner of war. Louis, later forgave his war-time captor and in 1998, he took part in the Olympic Torch relay at the Olympic Games. The movie touches on the root of Louis’s strength, a hope to survive, a deep Christian faith, and ends with a feeling of victory.

“Unbroken” received two Academy Award nominations.

The Imitation Game

The Imitation Game is a historical thriller about Alan Turing who tries to crack the enigma code during World War  II.  The war was not the only place where the cruelties of humanity were endured. During that time, Mr. Turing was convicted of indecency because of his homosexuality. Instead of doing jail time, he undergoes the harsh procedure of chemical castration so he can continue his work in the hope of saving lives.

“The Imitation Game” is nominated for eight Academy Award including Benedict Cumberbatch for leading actor, and Kiera Knightley for supporting actress.

Selma

Every year Martin Luther King day is celebrated which gives us an occasion to reflect on his life, speeches, hopes and civil rights. Selma is a drama about the struggles and hopes during that time in history and gives us another opportunity to contemplate the perils of unjustified prejudice.

“Selma” is nominated for two Oscar nominations in the category of best picture and best original song.

Wild

Academy Award winning actress, Reece Witherspoon portrays Cheryl Strayed and her journey of self-discovery while on a 1,100-mile hike along the beautiful but rugged Pacific Crest Trail. Although part of her wants to quit, she moves forward in freedom, bravery, vulnerability and hope. The journey helps her to leave behind the struggles of her past and move-on into her future.

Both Reece Witherspoon (best actress) and Laura Dern (best supporting actress) are nominated for Academy Awards for their work in “Wild.”

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The light of encouragement comes in many forms like a smile, a hug or kindness and divine help is always available in the bible: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12

My hope in God gives me the peace to move on in positive action. Sometimes nature can rekindle my hope and be a place of self-discovery. Sometimes I even find it at the movies! 🙂

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Oscar Trivia

To get you ready for the Academy Awards, I thought you might like to know a little about the history of the Oscar. Here’s a walk down memory lane to 1975 with Bob Hope as the Master of Ceremony. Bob Hope has hosted the Academy Awards nineteen times, more than any other host to date.

While viewing this YouTube, it made me reminisce. In 1974, my sister and I, Alberici Sisters, toured with Bob Hope in the singing and dancing girl group, The Golddiggers. It was an exciting time in showbiz and we had quite a journey performing with icons like the real members of the Rat Pack. The groovy 70’s comes alive in our book filled with true anecdotes of fun, hope, entertainment and backstage stories about the Stars. Beyond Our Wildest Dreams is selling on Amazon.

Bob Hope and The Golddiggers tour in 1974! Pictured clockwise: Linda (Alberici) Eichberg, Wendy Kimball, Bob Hope, Maria (Alberici) Lauren, Patti Gribow, Peggy Gohl

See you at the Oscars!

Maria Lauren, aka Maria Elena Alberici – Riccio

Your Powerful LIFE blog

This blog is about LIFE: Living, Inspiration, Fitness, Entertainment.

Statements on this site do not represent the views or policies of my employer, past or present, or any other organization with which I may be affiliated. This information is not meant to take the place of a physician. All content is copyrighted.