Thursday, May 14, 2009
newer hummingbird pics
I took some more hummingbird pics on my porch this week. Not bad for using my 5+ year old digital camera.
People with kids, don't forget to check out my other blog!
I have homeschooling ideas, tips, as well as fitness info and other ramblings on this blog
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Sweet Chili Tofu Fried Rice from Tyler
I love Tofu, and Tyler Florence lol.
http://food.aol.com/experts/tyler-florence/sweet-chile-tofu-fried-rice-step-by-step
I removed the video because it was playing at the same time as other sounds on my page.
If you want to see him make it (he is nice to look at and he cooks!! whoo!)
http://food.aol.com/experts/tyler-florence/sweet-chile-tofu-fried-rice
http://food.aol.com/experts/tyler-florence/sweet-chile-tofu-fried-rice-step-by-step
I removed the video because it was playing at the same time as other sounds on my page.
If you want to see him make it (he is nice to look at and he cooks!! whoo!)
http://food.aol.com/experts/tyler-florence/sweet-chile-tofu-fried-rice
Sunday, May 10, 2009
I love my Vitamix !!!
This is the model of vitamix I have. There are newer models with speed control dials on them, but this suits us just fine.
My father in law got us a vitamix a few years ago. We thought he was crazy to spend so much money on a "blender". Its not just a blender, it's so much more! You can make soups and all in it, and it heats them too. We love it.
Super heathy, better than a juicer too because it grinds up the fruits and veggie pulps to a smooth liquid, that you get the whole food in your soup/drink.
http://www.vitamix.com/ if you want to see what all it does, they have a video on their site and recipes etc.
Here is a recipe I got from the vita mix group I am in.
Black Bean Soup
3 cups Chicken or vegetable stock
28 ounce Can of black beans (1/2 reserved)
30 ounce Can of chickpeas (1/2 reserved)
1/2 cup onion, cooked
3 cloves Garlic, roasted
3 T lime juice
1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded
1/4 cup red pepper, diced (reserved)
1/4 cup green pepper, diced (reserved)
1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced (reserved)
1/4 cup scallions, chopped (reserved)
1 t cumin
2 t chilli powder
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Place all ingredients in container in order listed.
Secure 2-part lid. Select VARIABLE, speed #1.
Turn on machine and quickly increase speed to #10; then to HIGH.
Run for 6 to 7 minutes.
Reduce speed to VARIABLE, speed #4.
Add reserved ingredients.
Run for additional 10 seconds.
Serve immediately.
Yield: 7 1/2 cups (1.8 L)
3 cups Chicken or vegetable stock
28 ounce Can of black beans (1/2 reserved)
30 ounce Can of chickpeas (1/2 reserved)
1/2 cup onion, cooked
3 cloves Garlic, roasted
3 T lime juice
1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded
1/4 cup red pepper, diced (reserved)
1/4 cup green pepper, diced (reserved)
1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced (reserved)
1/4 cup scallions, chopped (reserved)
1 t cumin
2 t chilli powder
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Place all ingredients in container in order listed.
Secure 2-part lid. Select VARIABLE, speed #1.
Turn on machine and quickly increase speed to #10; then to HIGH.
Run for 6 to 7 minutes.
Reduce speed to VARIABLE, speed #4.
Add reserved ingredients.
Run for additional 10 seconds.
Serve immediately.
Yield: 7 1/2 cups (1.8 L)
Note: If you look behind the bar in restaurants, most have the vitamix back there!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Recovery Drinks and Fitness Supplements
Marian Nestle is an amazing woman and I just want to post a excerpt from her blog about supplements and recovery drinks...
My "recovery drink" after a workout comes from FOOD...REAL FOOD! I take out my vitamix, throw in some walnuts whole and bananas, and grind away till it makes a paste...then I add some milk and cocoa powder...the bananas make it sweet for me...and give me potassium. I need the chocolate because, that is me!!! So cocoa is a healthier choice than something like a sugary fake chocolate syrup. I add a few ice cubes to make it really cold and there is my "recovery drink" Simple and all REAL!
Do Sports Supplements Help?
September 2, 2007 Today’s question: Dear Prof. Nestle, I enjoyed your article in the recent Scientific American and thought that you would be a good person to ask the following: Food supplements have become a huge fad among people who “work out”.Protein powders, various lipids, amino acids and dozens of other arcane pills and potions. My step son, who is otherwise a very sensible and educated young man, indulged in some of them (maybe still does) when he lifts weights. I tried to convince him that a normal, healthy diet is all that one needs. That perhaps these supplements make a difference to competitive athletes who want to shave a few milliseconds off their speed, or add a few pounds to their weight-lifting, but that for a person who just wishes to be fit (even REALLY fit!) they are a total waste of money. One pays tens of dollars per kg or two of protein extract. For a similar cost, relief agencies ship hundreds of times that weight of basically the same material to 3rd world countries.
Moreover, I doubt very much that most of the claims made for them have ever been proven in proper clinical trials. I’m not even sure whether some of the nutrients that are known to be part of normal metabolic pathways cross the plasma membrane that readily. And even if they do, do they provide enough extra to make any detectable difference in performance. I raised this issue with several colleagues in our Physical Education Faculty…and they seemed equally sceptical about the value of these substances. One of them said that the supplements might help decrease the time at which one reaches a specific level of performance, but not the ultimate level itself. What might be your thoughts? My thoughts: I devote a chapter in my book, What to Eat, to the question of supplements. The chapters come with extensive end notes and references, which may help convince colleagues. My understanding of sports supplements is similar to yours–they give a tiny edge to elite athletes but act as placebos for everyone else. The marketing hype is so over the top that the attorneys for several states are taking them on. But I like to put sports supplements in context: they are generally harmless and are a whole lot better than steroids.
This is by far, the best nutrition book I ever read. (her blog link is here too) http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3788425355710541784&postID=2302168420706684963
I also want to note that what it says on the container of your powdered protein drink (or whatever nutritional supplement you are taking, herbals etc) may not be what is really in it.
There is no one to mandate that its bad for you, that it really has what it says is in it...its a free for all. The only thing the FDA does, is once its already on the market, test it and if they find it to be harmful they can pull it from the shelves...the damage to you may already be done! Why do you think you see the lawyers on TV asking if you have been hurt or lost a family member to something such ephedra or diet supplements etc...The supplements you use may not be safe (and don't fall for the products study..they are selling it, of course their study says its good, duh).
Be safe, get your nutrition from REAL FOOD... and in as natural of a form as you can!
this is a cross post from my Enzo's Galaxy blog, because I like to get my point across.
http://enzosgalaxy.blogspot.com/
My "recovery drink" after a workout comes from FOOD...REAL FOOD! I take out my vitamix, throw in some walnuts whole and bananas, and grind away till it makes a paste...then I add some milk and cocoa powder...the bananas make it sweet for me...and give me potassium. I need the chocolate because, that is me!!! So cocoa is a healthier choice than something like a sugary fake chocolate syrup. I add a few ice cubes to make it really cold and there is my "recovery drink" Simple and all REAL!
Do Sports Supplements Help?
September 2, 2007 Today’s question: Dear Prof. Nestle, I enjoyed your article in the recent Scientific American and thought that you would be a good person to ask the following: Food supplements have become a huge fad among people who “work out”.Protein powders, various lipids, amino acids and dozens of other arcane pills and potions. My step son, who is otherwise a very sensible and educated young man, indulged in some of them (maybe still does) when he lifts weights. I tried to convince him that a normal, healthy diet is all that one needs. That perhaps these supplements make a difference to competitive athletes who want to shave a few milliseconds off their speed, or add a few pounds to their weight-lifting, but that for a person who just wishes to be fit (even REALLY fit!) they are a total waste of money. One pays tens of dollars per kg or two of protein extract. For a similar cost, relief agencies ship hundreds of times that weight of basically the same material to 3rd world countries.
Moreover, I doubt very much that most of the claims made for them have ever been proven in proper clinical trials. I’m not even sure whether some of the nutrients that are known to be part of normal metabolic pathways cross the plasma membrane that readily. And even if they do, do they provide enough extra to make any detectable difference in performance. I raised this issue with several colleagues in our Physical Education Faculty…and they seemed equally sceptical about the value of these substances. One of them said that the supplements might help decrease the time at which one reaches a specific level of performance, but not the ultimate level itself. What might be your thoughts? My thoughts: I devote a chapter in my book, What to Eat, to the question of supplements. The chapters come with extensive end notes and references, which may help convince colleagues. My understanding of sports supplements is similar to yours–they give a tiny edge to elite athletes but act as placebos for everyone else. The marketing hype is so over the top that the attorneys for several states are taking them on. But I like to put sports supplements in context: they are generally harmless and are a whole lot better than steroids.
This is by far, the best nutrition book I ever read. (her blog link is here too) http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3788425355710541784&postID=2302168420706684963
I also want to note that what it says on the container of your powdered protein drink (or whatever nutritional supplement you are taking, herbals etc) may not be what is really in it.
There is no one to mandate that its bad for you, that it really has what it says is in it...its a free for all. The only thing the FDA does, is once its already on the market, test it and if they find it to be harmful they can pull it from the shelves...the damage to you may already be done! Why do you think you see the lawyers on TV asking if you have been hurt or lost a family member to something such ephedra or diet supplements etc...The supplements you use may not be safe (and don't fall for the products study..they are selling it, of course their study says its good, duh).
Be safe, get your nutrition from REAL FOOD... and in as natural of a form as you can!
this is a cross post from my Enzo's Galaxy blog, because I like to get my point across.
http://enzosgalaxy.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Artisan Bread in Five Min a Day Pizza Crust
I found my flour!!!!! I made pizza last night that tasted exactly the same as pizzerias. My family loved it so much. We made it Neopolitan style (thin crust, but not thin like paper thin)...
It's so easy using the Artisan Bread In Five Minutes a Day book. I used flour, water, yeast, sugar and salt. Throw it all in and mix with a wooden spoon. So lazy to make, yet so good. Let it set on the counter for 2 hours, throw in the frige and its ready to grab a wad and use at a moments notice...make bread, pizza, bagels, etc.
The flour I used is....King Arthur Unbleached High Gluten Flour (sir lancelot)
made from high protein hard red spring wheat of the highest quality available. (haha took that right off the sticker on the bag) I use 1 C semolina and 5.5 cups of the king Arthur High Gluten.
I got it in a 5 lb bag at the mennonite country store near my house for $ 3.03! They buy it in bulk and bag it in many quantities, so you can buy smaller bags and bigger bags.
I will use it again and again. Says on it its used to make bagels and pizza dough. Now if I can only find NYC water in a bottle to make it even more like NY pizza...this was truly the best ever and we make a lot of pizza, always changing and looking for the perfect combo.
I used the Master Recipe (from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day book) and added about two tablespoons of sugar. You can make it thin like we did and I am sure it will be good as a sicilian style pizza too if you prefer that.
Its crispy outside and chewy inside. yum.
before baking...little mozzerella balls all over it. YUM.
My husband and I make a great team. I make the dough, and he forms the pizzas. This below was my favorite, I ate almost that whole pie...white pizza with spinach and garlic is my weakness! He makes it on my pizza stones but he puts it on parchment so its easier to get in and out of the oven.
To watch the authors of this book make the dough in no time at all, watch this you tube video.
It's so easy using the Artisan Bread In Five Minutes a Day book. I used flour, water, yeast, sugar and salt. Throw it all in and mix with a wooden spoon. So lazy to make, yet so good. Let it set on the counter for 2 hours, throw in the frige and its ready to grab a wad and use at a moments notice...make bread, pizza, bagels, etc.
The flour I used is....King Arthur Unbleached High Gluten Flour (sir lancelot)
made from high protein hard red spring wheat of the highest quality available. (haha took that right off the sticker on the bag) I use 1 C semolina and 5.5 cups of the king Arthur High Gluten.
I got it in a 5 lb bag at the mennonite country store near my house for $ 3.03! They buy it in bulk and bag it in many quantities, so you can buy smaller bags and bigger bags.
I will use it again and again. Says on it its used to make bagels and pizza dough. Now if I can only find NYC water in a bottle to make it even more like NY pizza...this was truly the best ever and we make a lot of pizza, always changing and looking for the perfect combo.
I used the Master Recipe (from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day book) and added about two tablespoons of sugar. You can make it thin like we did and I am sure it will be good as a sicilian style pizza too if you prefer that.
Its crispy outside and chewy inside. yum.
before baking...little mozzerella balls all over it. YUM.
My husband and I make a great team. I make the dough, and he forms the pizzas. This below was my favorite, I ate almost that whole pie...white pizza with spinach and garlic is my weakness! He makes it on my pizza stones but he puts it on parchment so its easier to get in and out of the oven.
To watch the authors of this book make the dough in no time at all, watch this you tube video.Also, see the authors blog. http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/ I have it in my fav links section too. I found this book over a year ago and adore it, they are coming out with a whole grain version of this book in the fall or winter of this year and I can't wait.
I promise you, anyone can make this dough! It takes no kneading..its a lazyman's dream come true for havin homemade pizza, breads, bagels etc. My son loves the cinnamon raisin bread. I make it in the early morning in less than five min, let it rest and then bake it, and he wakes up to hot cinnamon raisin bread.
This is the best book by far for making breads and doughs. Below are the Author's making the bread on video.
This is the best book by far for making breads and doughs. Below are the Author's making the bread on video.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Make your own Hummingbird Nectar
This is the hummingbird at my house at dusk..it was getting really dark, I never expected to see one this late. In these pictures I used the nectar that came with my new feeder, hence the red color, but I make my own nectar easily with sugar and water and no color.
Directions for making safe hummingbird food:
Mix 1 part sugar (use raw sugar if you can help it) with 3 parts water and bring to a boil to kill any bacteria or mold present.
Cool and fill feeder.
Extra sugar water may be stored in a refrigerator.
Red dye should not be added.
The hummies are attracted to the red flower on your feeder, not the color of the nectar. I love the feeders with landings because they stay longer when they can sit to eat.
All about HummingbirdsIncluding hummingbird-attracting plants, zoom pictures of a hummingbird garden, colorful pictures of tropical hummingbirds, and much more!
The hummingbirds at my house fight over the three feeders 
we have. Its quite enjoyable to watch them fighting, it resembles a quiddich match like in the movie Harry Potter. I see them mostly in the mornings and early afternoon, and then in the early evening, up until a bit past dusk. I don't see them during the hot times of the day, I guess they are smart and stay in shady locations when the temperature soars.
we have. Its quite enjoyable to watch them fighting, it resembles a quiddich match like in the movie Harry Potter. I see them mostly in the mornings and early afternoon, and then in the early evening, up until a bit past dusk. I don't see them during the hot times of the day, I guess they are smart and stay in shady locations when the temperature soars.
Here is a recipe to make your own nectar, we make our own every year. It does not need to be red...we have alot of activity at our feeds with just clear nectar. Its super fast to make, and very inexpensive!
Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Directions for making safe hummingbird food:
Mix 1 part sugar (use raw sugar if you can help it) with 3 parts water and bring to a boil to kill any bacteria or mold present.
Cool and fill feeder.
Extra sugar water may be stored in a refrigerator.
Red dye should not be added.
All about HummingbirdsIncluding hummingbird-attracting plants, zoom pictures of a hummingbird garden, colorful pictures of tropical hummingbirds, and much more!
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