What To Buy And What To Avoid

I suppose by this point most everyone has head about the "poo-poo parasite" (Cyclospora) issue in the United States. The parasite is contracted by consuming contaminated food or water. Symptoms are severe, watery, and sometimes explosive diarrhea, which can last for weeks if untreated.

The Food and Drug Administration thought they had identified the source of the outbreak-shredded iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico that came from one specific supplier-but it turned out to be a false positive result and the hunt is still ongoing.

In the midst of all this I found this great infographic about things that are safe and not safe to eat until the outbreak is under control.

Reader's Digest

Things that are safe to eat: Thick peeled fruits (like bananas, oranges, pineapples, avocados, and watermelons); firm, smooth vegetables (like cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli); layered vegetables (like cabbage); commercially frozen products (both fruits and vegetables); and cooked or processed foods (canned and baked).

Things to avoid, or only eat cooked: Raw berries (like raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries); soft-skinned fruits (like peaches, plums, nectarines, and grapes), raw leafy greens (like fresh spinach, romaine lettuce, and greens); prewashed salad mixes (like bagged kits and precut greens); precut grocery fruit bowls (anything including melons or berries), and fresh raw herbs (like cilantro, basil, and parsley).

If you live in the United States, how much have you been affected by the outbreak? Have you made any changes in your diet?

Frozen Dessert Delight

Hubby Tony left Thursday night for an event and returned this afternoon. While he was gone I had a great time arranging my own schedule and eating whatever I wanted to, including breakfast for dinner at home, a meal out with Son Donald, and a second meal out with just myself for company.

Although Tony traditionally cooks dinner on Sunday I told him I would take care of it tonight. There was some kale in the refrigerator that had to be used up, so I made Cookie and Kate's Farro and Kale Salad with Goat Cheese, which also includes toasted almonds, dried cherries or cranberries, and a flavorful vinaigrette. That healthy dinner meant that we could celebrate today's "holiday", National Ice Cream Day, by going out for dessert.

My classic hot fudge sundae was a delicious end to the weekend.

Five years ago today: Stopping The Burn

Twice-Given Gift

The last time I went out to dinner with a group of women one of them had a present for everyone and brought out a box of six tubes of color changing lipstick. Each tube had a different flower embedded inside. I received the tube with the pink flower. I learned that the lipstick goes on clear, but the tint changes depending on your body temperature (lighter when you're cold and darker when your temperature rises).

Amazon

However, because of some skin issues I am very careful with the products I use. The gift giver insisted I try it on my lips but I declined. Instead I rubbed some on my thumb, observed the color change, then thanked the woman and put the tube in my purse.

Later that night my thumb started itching so I knew the product wasn't for me. Instead, I offered the tube on my Buy Nothing group, and the next day it was on it's way to someone else's house.

Five years ago: Twosome Traveling

Up To Date

Back in 2008 Hubby Tony and I met with a lawyer to develop a set of estate-planning paperwork. After we received the documents from the lawyer we put them in the desk and I basically forgot about them.

At my last checkup appointment the doctor asked me if I had a designated medical power of attorney, someone who could make medical decisions for me if I become too sick or injured to make them myself? And if so could I bring a copy of the legal document in to the office?

The answers to her questions were both 'yes'. I sent myself an email to remember to find the document, but that message got buried in my Inbox. Last week when I was deleting old emails I found the message and asked Hubby Tony to pull out the paperwork for me so I could make a copy.

Leafing through it, I discovered a problem. All of the basics were still correct, but many of the details were not. The contact information for Tony and the alternate attorneys (my boys) reflected where they lived 18 years ago and the phone numbers they had then. Not surprisingly, some of the other estate planning documents also had the same issue.

Tony did some research and found out a notarized addendum with the correct information was all that was needed to make simple changes. This morning we went to the bank with our addendum paperwork and took care of the last step. Fifteen minutes later we walked out the door with notarized sheets and I can take the copy to the doctor's office next time I see her.  

Source

Five years ago today: Family Frolicking

Multi, Multi, Multi-Talented

On the first day of summer my post included a poem by Shel Silverstein. Victor S E Moubarak of Time For Reflections and The Christian Lounge left a comment on that post that in addition to prose and poetry, Shel Silverstein was also was a song writer, including the song "A Boy Named Sue", made famous by Johnny Cash.

I had no idea, but Victor's comment sent me down a rabbit hole of research on Shel Silverstein.

• I learned that some of his other well-known songs were Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show's "The Cover of "Rolling Stone" and "Sylvia's Mother, and "The Unicorn" by the Irish Rovers. His songs have been performed by Johnny Cash, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, the Irish Rovers, Bobby Bare, Emmylou Harris, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Marianne Faithfull, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. 

• He was one of the leading cartoonists for Playboy magazine, and his work also appeared in many other magazines and newspapers.

• His comedy songs were often played on the Doctor Dimento show.

• And if being an author/poet/songwriter wasn't enough, he composed music for several films.

• He also wrote more than 100 one-act plays.  

If Shel Silverstein hadn't died in 1999 I wonder what else could have been added to his list of accomplishments? 

Five years ago today: Fun With The Families

No Change Needed!

I have thick hair with a mind of its own. Putting the cowlicks in their place requires the use of a brush and blow dryer. This morning I was whipping my mane into place when the blow dryer sparked and then died.

I immediately unplugged the device and thought about my next step.

The dead blow dryer predated my move to the condo, so it was at least six and a half years old, a good lifespan for a small electronic. It was the ideal device - enough watts to dry my thick hair, easy to move into different positions, and quality attachments that made the job easier. Over the years I had developed the perfect hair drying routine with it, and I wasn't excited about figuring out something different.

As one does in this internet age I started my search online. Ten minutes later I was doing a happy dance when I realized I could order the exact same model on a big box store's website and pick it up later in the day.

Five years ago today: Bathroom Humor

Pineapple skin tea

Free SVG

I was processing a pineapple today. When I was done there was a bowl of pineapple chunks and another bowl of waste- the outer peel, core, and crown and I started wondering if any of the waste had another use.

A little internet research told me that I should just toss the crown, but the peel and core could be turned into a drink. I used the recipe for Pineapple Skin Tea at PlantYou.

I washed the peel well I chopped it and the core up, tossed everything in a pot, then added water, fresh ginger, a little powdered turmeric, and a bit of maple syrup. The recipe called for a cinnamon stick (which I didn't have), so I substituted powdered cinnamon.

After the mixture came to a boil I lowered the heat until it was simmering and ignored it for an hour, then used a colander to drain the liquid.  The tea had a light, refreshing pineapple taste, but I didn't enjoy the cinnamon dregs in the bottom of the cup . If I ever made this again I would definitely use a cinnamon stick or strain the liquid with a fine mesh sieve.

Five years ago today: A Prayer for Dealing with Difficult People

Commemorating The Nation's Anniversary-Day 10 (The End)

Hubby Tony and I are learning a little bit about each of the States, and enjoying food from them as a way to celebrate the USA's 250th anniversary

Today is the last day of our project. It's been fascinating to discover facts about the country and how the states all tie together. My set for the day, and the facts I learned, were:

• Illinois As of 2017, the state pet is shelter dogs and shelter cats.
• North Carolina The carnivorous Venus flytrap grows naturally in the wild nowhere else on Earth except within a 60-mile radius of Wilmington.
• Oregon Oregon is the only state in the U.S. with a state flag that features a different design on each side. The front shows the state seal, while the back features a golden beaver.
• Oklahoma The Oklahoma State Capitol is the only state capitol to have had active oil wells on its grounds, with production lasting until 1986.
• Massachusetts Two sports were invented in Massachusetts-Basketball in 1891 and volleyball  in 1895.

This time I decided that my inspiration ingredient would be sweet potatoes, the state vegetable of North Carolina, and easily available at the grocery store. Thinking about cooking options for the vegetable, I decided I didn't want fries, and I didn't want a Thanksgiving-inspired dish. Instead, I made a pan of enchiladas with sweet potato and black bean filling. They were very good, and as a bonus the recipe made enough for leftovers.

Five years ago today: A Happy Coincidence

Commemorating The Nation's Anniversary-Day 9

Hubby Tony and I are learning a little bit about each of the States, and enjoying food from them as a way to celebrate the USA's 250th anniversary

Tony had an interesting collection of states today, and came up with some interesting facts.

• New York The first pizzeria in the United States opened in New York City in 1895. Since the 1960s, the price of a slice of pizza has been roughly the same price as a subway ride, generating the idea of “Pizza Principle” among economists.
• New Hampshire The state has 4 nicknames: Granite State, for the extensive granite formations and quarries; Mother of Rivers, for the New England rivers that originate in the state's mountains; White Mountain State, for the White Mountain Range; Switzerland of America for the mountain scenery.
• Tennessee The massive 1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes were so powerful they temporarily made the Mississippi River run in reverse, creating Tiptonville's Reelfoot Lake.
• West Virginia Is the only state completely within the Appalachian Mountain range. West Virginia is the third most forested state. The Monongahela National Forest covers nearly a million acres of land, and spans across 10 counties.
• Idaho At 7,900 feet deep, Hells Canyon surpasses the Grand Canyon as the deepest river-carved gorge in North America. Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls stands 212 feet tall, making it 36 feet higher than Niagara Falls.

This morning before church I drove along with Tony to Bagel Union, where he got traditional New York bagels to serve as part of dinner. His first choice was an Everything bagel. When he said he also wanted one that was non-savory I suggested Honey Buckwheat. Tony added an individual serving of cream cheese to the order. I was intrigued at what he would come up with

At dinner time Tony served up large bowls of vegetable soup with lentils (northern Idaho produces a large portion of all lentils grown in the USA) and a half of an Everything bagel for each of us. In my opinion, nothing beats a good New York bagel with its crispy crust and a chewy interior. This one was perfectly toasted, and the onion, garlic, poppy seeds, sesame seeds and kosher salt was the perfect seasoning for a savory dish.

For dessert, Tony toasted the second bagel and served it with cream cheese mixed with huckleberry preserves, because huckleberries are Idaho's state fruit.

Commemorating The Nation's Anniversary-Day 8 (Happy 4th of July!)

Hubby Tony and I are learning a little bit about each of the States, and enjoying food from them as a way to celebrate the USA's 250th anniversary.

Today is the Fourth of July, the day the United State's Declaration of Independence was officially adopted by the Continental Congress in 1776. It is also Day 8 of our project, and my turn to come up with facts about five states and a food item from one of them.

• Vermont Montpelier is the only U.S. state capital without a single McDonald's restaurant, and the state is one of only four (along with Hawaii, Maine, and Alaska) to ban billboards to protect its scenery.

• Louisiana The state flag features a white pelican, but the official state bird (chosen in 1970) is the brown pelican

• Alaska Because of their massive municipal boundaries, the four largest cities by area in the United States are all in Alaska: Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell, and Anchorage. (Sitka is roughly four times larger than Rhode Island.)

• Georgia The first major gold rush in American history didn’t happen in California—it happened in Dahlonega, Georgia, in 1828. The gold dome of the State Capitol building in Atlanta is actually covered in locally mined gold.

• Iowa The only state bordered by two major rivers—the Mississippi to the east and the Missouri to the west.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tony and I didn't have big plans for the day, mainly due to the excessive heat that's been around for the past week. Neither one of us wanted to be outside for hours.

I knew I didn't want to cook today, and would have taken the day off from the project except for the fact I knew that if I chose something from Louisiana there were a number of Cajun and Creole restaurants in the area that would be happy to fill our stomachs. We decided to go out for lunch. I researched which were open on the holiday and gave Tony a list of three to choose from. After some discussion we decided on Sister Cities Cajun.

We got there just a few minutes after the restaurant opened, and the chef was in the dining room. When we told him it was our first time there he told us a little about the restaurant and what the most popular items were. We ended up ordering both of them.

My Smothered Catfish had a freshly-fried filet on a bed of white rice and was smothered in shrimp and crawfish etoufee. (I was able to sub out the shrimp for extra crawfish). A piece of cornbread was perched on the side of the plate.

Tony's Dirty Chicken started with a smoked chicken breast on a bed of dirty rice, all smothered in seafood gumbo. It also came with a piece of cornbread

Five years ago today: A Song About America For The Fourth Of July