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Showing posts from July, 2006

Time to Prepare for the Assumption

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary is on August 15. I didn't realize until now that there is a traditional fast which happens for the first two weeks of August to prepare for this feast day. As we are told in A Continual Feast : Before the celebration of the Assumption there is a traditional fast throughout much of the Christian world -- especially among the various Orthodox groups. (The Copts in particular keep this fast with the greatest devotion.) In Sicily and throughout much of Italy this fast and subsequent feast take an interesting form: for the first fourteen days of August no fruit at all is eaten. Then, on the day of the feast itself, every possible kind of fruit is eaten, along with an assortment of cheeses and breads. But no meat. This is, then a little like Christmas Eve: a "joyous fast." This tradition may also be related to the fact that on this day it has long been customary to implore the blessings of the Virgin over herbs, fruits, and flowers. Now this is

Health Question & Answer Session

I thought it was important to get the word out on these medical theories. Via GOP Soccer Mom . Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true? A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables? A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetab

Mmmmm ... donuts ....

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You Are a Powdered Devil's Food Donut A total sweetheart on the outside, you love to fool people with your innocent image. On the inside you're a little darker, richer, and more complex. You're a hedonist who demands more than one pleasure at a time. Decadent and daring, you test the limits of human indulgence. What Donut Are You? Via Madame Chow who is glazed... Tags: Food

Best Sloppy Joes

For a variety of reasons, not the least of which is lack of inspiration, my family has been lucky to get a home cooked meal from me these days. Luckily, they seem to have a strong liking for tuna sandwiches and I thank them for their forbearance. When I do cook it is likely to be something like this which is also a well loved favorite. (I expect my cooking levels to rise next week since I have been STRONGLY inspired by Quick & Easy Thai: 70 Everyday Recipes but more about that later.) I am not positive but believe this recipe came from Gourmet in the letters from readers section quite a long time ago. I often skip the chopped onion when I am especially pressed for time. Enjoy! Step 1: 1 pound extra-lean ground beef 1/2 cup chopped onion Sauté beef and onion until meat is no longer pink. Drain fat. Step 2: 1 cup ketchup 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar 2 teaspoons white vinegar 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon Worcestershire 1 teaspoon Dijon Pepper to taste Add all and c

Tony Bourdain and "No Reservations" Crew Stranded in Beirut

eGullet founder, Jason Perlow, has an entry on his blog about this. Via SlashFood were they note, "Some of his updates sound sarcastic and as obnoxious as we would expect from Tony, but they also have some real insight into what is going on over there." Tags: Food

Myth Buster: Baking Soda in the Fridge

Now I can stop feeling guilty for never being a caring enough housewife to have that box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors ... because it doesn't work! Question - I am attempting to find out how Baking Soda works to eliminate odors. In other words, what does it do, chemically speaking, to eliminate odors. I need to be able to explain this complex process in simplistic terms. ------------------------- [Answer] Hoping to not disappoint you, baking soda does not eliminate odors very well at all. As a wash solution, it is mildly alkaline and can serve to cut grease when dumped down a drain. However, crystal Drano is much more effective -- and far more dangerous to use. The popular "open box of Arm & Hammer® in the refrigerator" simply provides an adsorbent material that can soak up odors -- but not very effectively. For example, if some of the odoriferous materials floating around in the refrigerator are acidic, the alkaline baking soda can absorb and neutral

It's a Small Internet After All...

Funny story---I went to my mom’s house the other day and she made this beautiful fresh potato salad with fresh parsley and I exclaimed over it and my mom said, oh I got the recipe online from this woman called “Happy Catholic”--- From an email sent by a blogging pal ... Tags: Food

What Will You Be Having For July 4?

We'll be having grilled chicken, watermelon, deviled eggs, apple pie and potato salad. I love potato salad but very rarely like one that isn't homemade. There are three in my repetoire that get chosen at random, my mom's potato salad (which I think came from Gourmet magazine long ago) which is full of onions and nicely tart, Nanny's potato salad (not my Nanny, but that of my friend Angie) which is full of olives, and this one which came from Cook's Illustrated. My mother says that this potato salad reminds her of the one that her mother used to make. Occasionally her mother would substitute chopped dill pickles instead of using sweet as is mentioned below. It is a nice variation and one that I make sometimes just depending on my mood. Also I will sometimes use red onion instead of the scallions. American Potato Salad 2 pounds Red Bliss or new potatoes, boiled, peeled, in 3/4" cubes 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black