It's been fun sifting through old recipes stored in a large tin. I've saved not only recipes but interesting and helpful information like the 1951 publication "Colonic Irrigations: Painless, Pleasant, Healthful". I'm sure you'll be horrified to learn that Constipation is a Curse to Civilized Peoples or that Slow Elimination Means Slow Decay of Mind and Body. Yes indeedy, if you're suffering from a variety of ailments, including but not limited to biliousness, colds, asthma, nervousness, rheumatism, appendicitis, insomnia or high blood pressure, perhaps the only solution lies in an effective colonic irrigation! And remember, you heard it here first.
So how about we follow up that appetizing bit of information with a recipe? What, you're no longer hungry? How can that be? Maybe I can tempt you with this, though.
MEAT & POTATO QUICHE
3 Tablespoons oil
3 cups shredded potatoes
1 cup swiss cheese
3/4 cup cooked, chopped meat - your choice
1/4 cup onion
1 cup light cream
2 eggs
salt & pepper
Mix oil and shredded potatoes and press into pie pan to form shell. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes.
Layer swiss cheese, meat and onion in shell.
Mix cream, eggs, salt & pepper and pour over other ingredients in shell.
Bake at 425 for 30 minutes until set.
And it's not true that real men don't eat quiche no matter what you've heard. So this recipe is perfectly acceptable to serve to husbands and sons.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
To Recycle Or Not To Recycle? That is the question.
I am 1/3 of the way to 1000 posts. And it's only taken 18 months to get here ☺ In honor of post #334 I thought I'd give you my opinion about a vitally important current affair. I know, I know, my expertise amazes and astounds and you're fairly breathless with anticipation over my weighty and well-thought out thesis regarding Pop Bottle Deposits.
Some states are looking to add revenue by either initiating or expanding their bottle deposit laws. I'm a pretty strong proponent of these laws because I see several benefits, not the least of which is cleaner roadsides.
Naysayers must not be able to remember the piles of cans and bottles littering the roadways in years past.
Aside from the whole "Don't Litter" campaign, I propose people are more conscious today that they're throwing nickles and dimes out the window if they toss those bottles and cans.
[I'm not using real names to protect theignorant innocent.]
"I just don't see it working," said a political historian and social science professor at Boston University. "At this point, given job losses and people cutting back on everything, you don't want to give them an excuse not to consume or purchase something."
Nay, nay, nay. [or is it nya, nya, nya?] Anyway...
This argument makes no sense to me. The nickle or dime deposit isn't going to make people stop buying their Coke or Mountain Dew. Higher cost of the product might, or declining income could prevent someone from buying it, but the deposit law? I don't think so.
"What's next? If the budget deficit isn't fixed, will we bring all trash back to the store?" Thisinane comment argument from the president of the Massachusetts Food Association, which has long opposed the bottle law.
What's this about bringing all the trash back to the store? What other trash is he talking about? In the six months since we left the U.S. have they started recycling other things too? Or this guy just spouting off without really thinking through what he says?
Although his idea does have merit. Plastic packaging of all sorts is being re-used in a whole mess of other applications: construction, landscaping, clothing, furniture and other household items...
So to me it makes no sense NOT to recycle. [Double negative = Positive statement]
One of the things I appreciate about life here in Argentina is that it's very easy to find refill pouches for quite a few products, especially cleaning and laundry items. It's still plastic but much less than if I had to buy a bottle or dispenser every time, as was necessary in the U.S.
Bottom line in my considered opinion is that bottle deposit laws are a good thing, and we might want to consider recycling more, not less.
Once I wake up I'll be back with a recipe for Saturday Stirrings.
Some states are looking to add revenue by either initiating or expanding their bottle deposit laws. I'm a pretty strong proponent of these laws because I see several benefits, not the least of which is cleaner roadsides.
Naysayers must not be able to remember the piles of cans and bottles littering the roadways in years past.
Aside from the whole "Don't Litter" campaign, I propose people are more conscious today that they're throwing nickles and dimes out the window if they toss those bottles and cans.
[I'm not using real names to protect the
"I just don't see it working," said a political historian and social science professor at Boston University. "At this point, given job losses and people cutting back on everything, you don't want to give them an excuse not to consume or purchase something."
Nay, nay, nay. [or is it nya, nya, nya?] Anyway...
This argument makes no sense to me. The nickle or dime deposit isn't going to make people stop buying their Coke or Mountain Dew. Higher cost of the product might, or declining income could prevent someone from buying it, but the deposit law? I don't think so.
"What's next? If the budget deficit isn't fixed, will we bring all trash back to the store?" This
What's this about bringing all the trash back to the store? What other trash is he talking about? In the six months since we left the U.S. have they started recycling other things too? Or this guy just spouting off without really thinking through what he says?
Although his idea does have merit. Plastic packaging of all sorts is being re-used in a whole mess of other applications: construction, landscaping, clothing, furniture and other household items...
So to me it makes no sense NOT to recycle. [Double negative = Positive statement]
One of the things I appreciate about life here in Argentina is that it's very easy to find refill pouches for quite a few products, especially cleaning and laundry items. It's still plastic but much less than if I had to buy a bottle or dispenser every time, as was necessary in the U.S.
Bottom line in my considered opinion is that bottle deposit laws are a good thing, and we might want to consider recycling more, not less.
Once I wake up I'll be back with a recipe for Saturday Stirrings.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Living it up vicariously
Since I still wasn't feeling so hot last night, I stayed home while the hubby went with the co-workers to Alta Gracia for the Encuentro Anual de Colectivdades (International Food & Music Festival). This is the very sort of event I LOVE and was very sad to miss it. It goes through Sunday so if I'm feeling better tomorrow the hubby might take me for a bit. The heart does palpitate at the very thought of ALL THAT FOOD!
The dancing was pretty cool, too. The hubby was most impressed with the Brazilian troupe. For one number, the men executed a very precisely choreographed dance with machetes! But the dance was the only thing executed; he said machetes were flung about, sparks were flying, but nobody lost their life or a limb :-)
And the bottle dance by the Paraguayan team was outstanding. Each dancer had a bottle on their head except for the prima donna who ultimately danced with EIGHT bottles on her head. Unfathomable talent! I can't even keep a flat book on mine while taking baby steps. She started with one, and would periodically dance up to a ladder where a man on top would add another bottle (bottles balanced one on top of the other) and then she'd sashay around. I would love to share photos but our silly cell phone camera doesn't have a flash so all the pictures the hubby took are dark and blurry :-(
The food was pretty incredible too. The hubby didn't eat at every booth (I don't see how anyone possibly CAN -- with 15!) but here's what he did enjoy:
From Italy
Bagna cauda which is basically boiled vegetables and raviolis, served separately and with a third dish of anchovie cream sauce for dipping, kept warm by one of those little sterno pots.
From Iraq
In this booth Muhammad made a big display of preparing the food (which is half the fun, you know!). He was wearing the long white traditional garment and would expertly carve chunks of meat off hanging pieces of lamb and assemble delectable shawarma (pita roll-ups) stuffed with the lamb, lettuce, tomato and onions topped with a creamy yogurt sauce (we called it raita in the U.S., not sure what it's called here).
The co-workers ate some chipas and sopa paraguaya at the Paraguay booth, but the hubby abstained. How anyone can abstain from sopa paraguaya is beyond me. The stuff is AMAZING! The only solid soup in the world, it's more like creamy cornbread filled with wonderful bits of oniony goodness. Be still my heart!
But he totally indulged at the German booth. Early on they shared saurkraut, potato salad and brochette fritz (skewers of frankfurters wrapped in bacon). Later they returned to listen to the music, watch the dancers, and have dessert: mocha cake and streussel.
Between the food and the entertainment, they enjoyed the festival for half the night, arriving home around 3 a.m. As much as I would have enjoyed the sights and sounds and flavors, there's no way I could have made it that late. As it was, I was in bed by 11 p.m. and asleep long before they returned. But it was fun hearing about their experiences and I enjoyed it vicariously. Which is better than not enjoying it at all.
(photo is from the promotional material for this event)
The dancing was pretty cool, too. The hubby was most impressed with the Brazilian troupe. For one number, the men executed a very precisely choreographed dance with machetes! But the dance was the only thing executed; he said machetes were flung about, sparks were flying, but nobody lost their life or a limb :-)
And the bottle dance by the Paraguayan team was outstanding. Each dancer had a bottle on their head except for the prima donna who ultimately danced with EIGHT bottles on her head. Unfathomable talent! I can't even keep a flat book on mine while taking baby steps. She started with one, and would periodically dance up to a ladder where a man on top would add another bottle (bottles balanced one on top of the other) and then she'd sashay around. I would love to share photos but our silly cell phone camera doesn't have a flash so all the pictures the hubby took are dark and blurry :-(
The food was pretty incredible too. The hubby didn't eat at every booth (I don't see how anyone possibly CAN -- with 15!) but here's what he did enjoy:
From Italy
Bagna cauda which is basically boiled vegetables and raviolis, served separately and with a third dish of anchovie cream sauce for dipping, kept warm by one of those little sterno pots.
From Iraq
In this booth Muhammad made a big display of preparing the food (which is half the fun, you know!). He was wearing the long white traditional garment and would expertly carve chunks of meat off hanging pieces of lamb and assemble delectable shawarma (pita roll-ups) stuffed with the lamb, lettuce, tomato and onions topped with a creamy yogurt sauce (we called it raita in the U.S., not sure what it's called here).
The co-workers ate some chipas and sopa paraguaya at the Paraguay booth, but the hubby abstained. How anyone can abstain from sopa paraguaya is beyond me. The stuff is AMAZING! The only solid soup in the world, it's more like creamy cornbread filled with wonderful bits of oniony goodness. Be still my heart!
But he totally indulged at the German booth. Early on they shared saurkraut, potato salad and brochette fritz (skewers of frankfurters wrapped in bacon). Later they returned to listen to the music, watch the dancers, and have dessert: mocha cake and streussel.
Between the food and the entertainment, they enjoyed the festival for half the night, arriving home around 3 a.m. As much as I would have enjoyed the sights and sounds and flavors, there's no way I could have made it that late. As it was, I was in bed by 11 p.m. and asleep long before they returned. But it was fun hearing about their experiences and I enjoyed it vicariously. Which is better than not enjoying it at all.
(photo is from the promotional material for this event)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Feelin' a bit like a whooped puppie today...
...as I sit here typing in the midst of a storm. Hallelujah! 'cause it's cooling down. That's the pattern of weather here. It gets hotter 'n hotter 'n hotter and then a storm from the south blows in and cools us down.
Yesterday we left early for Cordoba to take my Macbook in for some much needed maintenance and repairs. After almost 2 months the store had finally received the necessary parts. When the hubby picks it up Friday we should be able to use all the ports, the case won't be cracked any more, and I'll have a new battery. Yay!
On our way into town I started feeling like maybe my going wasn't such a good idea. Not to burden you with TMI but the recurring problem I've been having for months reared its ugly head again -- thankfully we were close to the Wal-mart and whipped in there for a quick pit stop and the hubby bought some pharmaceuticals to counteract the problem. Unfortunately, after months of this, he knows just what to ask for.
I managed to make it through the day and we even accomplished some shopping in addition to dropping off the Macbook. But I was VERY glad to get home and just sort of collapse into my Poang chair. Took an evening nap, got up to eat a little something, and back to bed for a blissful night of sleep. Am feeling ever so much better today except just wiped out. Like some giant energy-sucking monster has been at it again. I foresee bloodwork in my immediate future to figure out exactly what it is and what to do about it. I'd been doing fine (for the most part) since the parasitic flush. [Now doesn't that phrase 'parasitic flush' sound like some weird dance moves from the 60s?]
Without my Macbook I'm feeling a bit like I've lost one of my limbs. The hubby is graciously allowing me use his PC laptop but it's just not the same. Not feelin' the same 'puter love that my Mac gives me. *sigh* And once you get used to a Mac, PCs are poor substitutes. Now don't get all defensive, PC users. I was once one of you. For a quarter of a century. But since switching to Mac, life is so much better. So much brighter and easier and FULFILLING. Just sayin'.
And until I get the Mac back I have limited time on the computer so I won't be able to hop around Bloggyville so much and leave random comments that cause other bloggers to scratch their heads or hit the delete button until their computer begins smoking. As a communications major you'd think I'd be better able to communicate the funny, but I've determined that me trying to do funny doesn't work. So if you're ever the recipient of one of my bizarre comments, cut me some slack, 'kay?
Even though I can't do the funny, I enjoy when other people can. So I thoroughly enjoy the funny bloggers in my life (you listening Lid, Deb, Amy, Dee, Sophie, Mel & others? Keep up the funny!). Not to say these women aren't occasionally serious. But they can even do the serious funny. What a gift!
I have come to the conclusion my bed is too firm and is the cause of my hip and shoulder pain. Therefore today we will haul the heavy transformer into the bedroom and plug in the air chamber doohickey thing and deflate my side a little. There are many, many things in life I cannot control. But the air in my mattress? I am Queen of that. And why it should give me such inordinate pleasure I have no idea.
I am rambling on, have you noticed? When you're tired and have nothing to say, do you ramble too? Well I'm off to visit a few blogs while the hubby is out running errands. TTFN (ta ta for now).
Yesterday we left early for Cordoba to take my Macbook in for some much needed maintenance and repairs. After almost 2 months the store had finally received the necessary parts. When the hubby picks it up Friday we should be able to use all the ports, the case won't be cracked any more, and I'll have a new battery. Yay!
On our way into town I started feeling like maybe my going wasn't such a good idea. Not to burden you with TMI but the recurring problem I've been having for months reared its ugly head again -- thankfully we were close to the Wal-mart and whipped in there for a quick pit stop and the hubby bought some pharmaceuticals to counteract the problem. Unfortunately, after months of this, he knows just what to ask for.
I managed to make it through the day and we even accomplished some shopping in addition to dropping off the Macbook. But I was VERY glad to get home and just sort of collapse into my Poang chair. Took an evening nap, got up to eat a little something, and back to bed for a blissful night of sleep. Am feeling ever so much better today except just wiped out. Like some giant energy-sucking monster has been at it again. I foresee bloodwork in my immediate future to figure out exactly what it is and what to do about it. I'd been doing fine (for the most part) since the parasitic flush. [Now doesn't that phrase 'parasitic flush' sound like some weird dance moves from the 60s?]
Without my Macbook I'm feeling a bit like I've lost one of my limbs. The hubby is graciously allowing me use his PC laptop but it's just not the same. Not feelin' the same 'puter love that my Mac gives me. *sigh* And once you get used to a Mac, PCs are poor substitutes. Now don't get all defensive, PC users. I was once one of you. For a quarter of a century. But since switching to Mac, life is so much better. So much brighter and easier and FULFILLING. Just sayin'.
And until I get the Mac back I have limited time on the computer so I won't be able to hop around Bloggyville so much and leave random comments that cause other bloggers to scratch their heads or hit the delete button until their computer begins smoking. As a communications major you'd think I'd be better able to communicate the funny, but I've determined that me trying to do funny doesn't work. So if you're ever the recipient of one of my bizarre comments, cut me some slack, 'kay?
Even though I can't do the funny, I enjoy when other people can. So I thoroughly enjoy the funny bloggers in my life (you listening Lid, Deb, Amy, Dee, Sophie, Mel & others? Keep up the funny!). Not to say these women aren't occasionally serious. But they can even do the serious funny. What a gift!
I have come to the conclusion my bed is too firm and is the cause of my hip and shoulder pain. Therefore today we will haul the heavy transformer into the bedroom and plug in the air chamber doohickey thing and deflate my side a little. There are many, many things in life I cannot control. But the air in my mattress? I am Queen of that. And why it should give me such inordinate pleasure I have no idea.
I am rambling on, have you noticed? When you're tired and have nothing to say, do you ramble too? Well I'm off to visit a few blogs while the hubby is out running errands. TTFN (ta ta for now).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)