THE NEW SUPERFOOD
Local fitness experts Mike and Stephanie Morris and their nieces, sisters Molly Jones-Gray and Stephanie Jones-Jordan of Seattle, have come up with a dynamite all-natural oat mix that is a superfood of taste - trust me, it's delicious.
THE NEW SUPERFOOD
Local fitness experts Mike and Stephanie Morris and their nieces, sisters Molly Jones-Gray and Stephanie Jones-Jordan of Seattle, have come up with a dynamite all-natural oat mix that is a superfood of taste - trust me, it's delicious. Called Molly's Muesli, the mix includes rolled oats and oat bran; pumpkin, chia, ground flax and sesame seeds; and cinnamon. The high-fiber muesli's heart healthy Omega 3s and 6s help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and are a rich source of minerals, protein and monounsaturated fat. It's blended and packaged by Targil Seasoning of Opelousas. (The sisters' parents are former NFL QB Bert Jones and Opelousas native Danni Dupuis Jones, Stephanie Dupuis Morris' sister.) The Seattle residents know a little something about nutrition, as Molly is a Bastyr University-educated Naturopathic Doctor (and non-practicing midwife), and Stephanie is a registered dietician at a Seattle hospital; the Morrises are nationally renowned health experts for their Resist-A-Ball program, owners of Full Health Circle LLC and are contracted by Opelousas General Health System to service its employee wellness program. You can substitute the muesli for flour in just about any recipe and be sure to sprinkle about a quarter cup on your cereal or yogurt for a daily boost. Check out the website, fullcircle-nutrition.com, for great recipes. Make your way to Sandra's Health Food Store on Rena Drive and grab a 2.11-pound bag, $12.39, or pick it up at Benny's Supermarket on S. Union Street in Opelousas. - Leslie Turk
SWAMP SUDS
Let berry-scented crawfish "soapettes" crawl through your bathtub after you enjoy the real thing on your dining table. These mini glycerin soaps are poured and hand-crafted in Louisiana, and they take on the appearance of the state's signature dish, without the Tony Chachere's, of course. At $4.50 a dozen, mini crawfish critters can bejewel any bathtub or soap-dish with a Cajun flair and refreshing scent. If crawfish aren't your style, the Mardi Gras Shop also makes fleur-de-lis and alligator-shaped soaps for the same price - nearly any Cajun country staple can transform into a glycerin concoction. All the Cajun creatures can be found on etsy.com if you search "Su Stella," the woman who crafts these adorable, cleansing swamp friends. - Andrea Gallo
NO SWEAT
The Norpro Comfort Grip Deluxe Scraper doesn't seem like one of those kitchen must-haves until you need to clean a pan and realize that, oh wait, you can't get into its nooks and crannies with enough force or dexterity and you don't want to damage said pan. The scraper is simple enough: it's plastic and comes in bright colors and has a sturdy grip, with one rounded scraping edge and one more pointed scraping edge to better get into corners and turn circles in a pot. It doesn't scratch the surface so it's safe to use on any kind of pan. You use half as much dish soap and exert half as much sweat - and it's cheap. For $1 at The Kitchen Shop in Grand Coteau, it's a miniature lifesaver for a likewise price. Oh, and if you get candle wax on something or spill on a hard floor, it's a dream. - Anna Purdy