Naomi enjoys helping others stay healthy

In addition to being the extraordinarily talented mother of Ashley and Wynonna, and grandmother to Elija and Grace, Naomi Judd’s star shines brightly as an internationally respected humanitarian and goodwill ambassador. Through her award-winning music, books and endless public-service efforts, she continues to help others stay safe, healthy and reach their potential. Naomi provides some great tips for staying healthy along with one of her favorite recipes.

The family loves it when you cook what?

“Our family meatloaf recipe is the ultimate feel-good meal. Actually, it’s my mother’s recipe — a true country classic from the days when she worked as a riverboat cook. My favorite meatloaf dinner includes mashed potatoes, grilled vegetable salad and a basket of freshly baked biscuits. Of course, homemade gravy is a must.”

If you could enjoy a dinner with four other musical superstars, present or past, who would be at the table and what would be on the menu?

“I’d invite my good friends Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Lee Ann Womack over for a casual meatloaf dinner, of course. We’d just gather around my kitchen table. Nothing fussy at all.”

Give us some healthy eating tips that keep you so beautiful.

“As a registered nurse, I know that the best beauty treatment is good nutrition. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is essential for healthy-looking skin, nails and hair, and for a trimmer figure. Here are a few of my best tips:

• Protein is the building block of hair, so protein-rich foods such as fish, meat, milk, cheese and cereals help promote shine and strength so there’s less splitting.

• For healthy nails I eat plenty of fresh fruit, whole-grain cereal and yogurt, which are great sources of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. I like to think of a bowl of cereal with fruit as a meal and a mini beauty treatment.”

Judd Family Meatloaf

2 1/3 cups coarsely crushed soda crackers (1 1/2 tubes from package)

2 pounds lean ground beef

1/2 pound breakfast sausage patties

1 large egg

2 medium onions, chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, minced

3/4 cup ketchup plus 1/4 cup for the top

1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat the oven to 325 F. In a heavy-duty plastic food-storage bag, place the crackers, seal and roll over with a rolling pin until crushed but not powdery. In a large bowl, with clean hands (take any rings off your fingers, too), mix together all the ingredients except the 1/4 -cup ketchup for the top. Mix thoroughly but lightly, being careful not to pack the meat too much. Place in a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan and shape into a loaf. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil. Spread the top of the loaf with the reserved ketchup. Bake, uncovered, another 60 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Makes 10 servings.

Source: “Naomi’s Home Companion”