Pocket Bikes

Pocket bikes or mini bikes are the latest crazy. I must admit that I did not know too much about this sport until now. I guess this would also be in some catagory of extreme sporting. The Pocket Bike Forum is the place to go for all your minibike information. If you are new to the sport of have questions, be sure to visit the general pocketbike discussion thread. There you will all sort of questions answered ranging from where you can buy a bike to how to fix cracked fairings.

There are some other basic information threads that are vital as a resource for the person interested in these minibikes. If you have concerns about gear, all those questions will be answered. If you are in question as to what color to paint your bike and what others are doing as far as painting their bikes, then do not miss the paint and design thread. The site itself is free to register. Please sign up because there are some pages you cannot get to until you are a registered member.

Have you weighed in on the debate of air cooled pocketbikes verses water cooled pocketbikes? Check the forums on both of those. Make your own decision as to which is better. The love of pocketbikes is not limited to the states. You can get information about the International Racing Associations, the National American Racing Associates and the American Racing Associations. The Pocket Bike Forums really is a resource. It is a place to network and form connections with others involved in the sport of pocketbikes. Be sure to add this page to your favorites so that you can quickly visit again.

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Black Olive Tapenade

Olive tapenade is one of my favorite things in the entire world. It goes with everything and accentuates all meats. I cook with it all the time. Try this recipe. It is wonderful.


======================
Black Olive Tapenade
Adapted from The Vegetarian Meat & Potatoes Cookbook, by Robin Robertson (The Harvard Common Press, 2002).

Simple Solution
The salty earthiness of black olive tapenade is the perfect complement for pasta, spread on crostini or bruschetta, or to top sweet red baked potatoes.

A recipe is only as good as its ingredients, and tapenade is no exception. Use only good-quality, brine-cured olives, not the canned supermarket variety.

If using a food processor instead of the traditional mortar and pestle, be careful not to overprocess – the tapenade should retain some texture. Both large, meaty Kalamata olives and the smaller, sweet Gaeta variety are great in this recipe.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups Kalamata or Gaeta olives, pitted
3 tablespoons capers, drained
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

In a food processor or mortar, combine the olives, capers, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Slowly add the oil and pulse or work with the pestle into a coarse paste, retaining some bits of olive and caper for texture. Taste to adjust the seasonings. Stored tightly covered in the refrigerator, this will keep well for a week or two.

Makes about 2 cups.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

My Oscar Favorites

Some of my favorite movies actually won. Pirates of the Carribbean won for best visual effects. That is one of my favorite movies. Babel won for music. The music is great and I even went to Barnes and Noble last weekend and almost bought the CD. I went to the movie and was dissappointed. It was not Oscar quality work for Brad Pitt. I really want to see the Last King of Scotland. I will buy that once it is out on DVD. I might have to look now. It might already be out.

Belisi Blog: How to Look Like an Oscar Starlet? That is the question. Well it all starts with the gown. Designer of course. IT must be drop dead georgous. Then the shoes have to match. Beyonce looked beautiful and so did J-Lo and Jody Foster. Queen Latifah has blown up...time to step away from the table! To look good at the Oscars, everything must be perfect, hari, dress, shoes, purse. The entire package. The Diva's Dream gives the run down on their thoughts of how to look like a starlet. Check that out. It is an intersting post. Me? My big day is New Year's Eve. That is my one day to put on a fancy dress. That is my diva day. The Diva's Dream even says that we, the everyday woman, can look like a fashionplate even when we are doing laundry. I would be up for that. To be elegant and classy all the time. She gives us tips and the essetials needed to be an everyday oscar looking diva. Be sure to check them out. You might just find yourself with a little spring in your step with your elegant, classy eveyday look.

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Stress Management

Here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological texts. The funny thing is that it works.

1. Picture yourself near a stream.

2. Birds are softly chirping in the cool mountain air.

3. No one knows your secret place.

4. You are in total seclusion from the hectic place called the world.

5. The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

6. The water is crystal clear.

7. You can easily make out the face of the person you are holding

underwater.

See. You're smiling already

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Winter Warmth

I am so over space heaters. My mom has been a faithful user of space heaters for years. I am fearful they will cause a fire. I just am paranoid about them. She has had two since the 1970's that are long and low to the ground. These I am fearful of the most. The good thing about them is she has just retired them for more modern ones. The new ones, I can handle. The news ones are better in that they look like a oscillating fan and seem a little more safer. There is some sort of mesh cover to keep you from putting your fingers in the fire.

If you are in need for things to keep your heater healthy, you may want to check out the online outlet store for heating supplies. They have a wide selection of parts and accessories for your home heating devices, including factory closeouts and factory reconditioned items. These items cam even help to lower you heating expenses by 15%. Now that can be a huge savings in the winter time. They have all your heating needs from actual heaters to parts to repair the heaters.

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Water Snobbery

I am a big fan of water. Not just any water, but bottled water. I love Perrier water. I drink at least a bottle a day. Does that make me a water snob? Some people do look at me funny when I drink straight from the bottle of Perrier. I love the fizziness of it. It reminds me of champagne and can make me feel quite festive in the middle of a crazy work day. Abotu two weekends agon I was watching tv and I saw a blurb about Bling Water. The water that cost $75 per bottle. Now that is excessive. I think you are just paying for the GENUINE SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS. Not I think this is water snobbery. Not Perrier.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Games for Girls

She is a cutie, isn't she? These are really fun and cute. I am a member of several sites that allow you to have an avatar. Many of they are built in and only after you have posted for awhile can you have your own.

Dress Up Games is a site that allows you to make your very own customized avatar. Look at these cute gothic ones. I would like one of those. You can dess up gothic dolls or any of the other styles in many different outfits. You can even change the hair, the style or the accessories. The site has a tremendous collection of doll graphics and pictures. There are even celebrity dolls. These cuties can be used in forums and chat rooms. This site actually has forums and chats dedicated to discussions about creating dolls these dolls. I guess this can really be a hobby, designing these dolls.

Now I would not know where to start but if you need help there is a handy-dandy doll manual that gives you all the instruction you need to get started. I would have to begin there. One you design the doll you want you can get the HTML and use it on sites like myspace or anywhere you want to use a customized avatar.

Disclosure
You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Dead Sea Salt

The waters of the Dead Sea have been renowned for their therapeutic effects since ancient times. Two thousand years ago, Flavius wrote that the salts from the Dead Sea heal the human body.The waters from the Dead Sea are unique in that they contain 27% of various salts as compared to 3% in normal sea water. Further, while sodium accounts for approximately 80% of the salt content of normal sea water, it comprises much less of the salt total in water from the Dead Sea.

The balance of the salts in Dead Sea water are magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and bromides.Why are these types of salts beneficial? Magnesium is important for both combating stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Potassium energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Sodium is important for the lymphatic fluid balance (this in turn is important for immune system function). So we can see that bathing in high quality sea salt could replenish the minerals which are critical to our skin metabolism.

The Dead Sea lies at the bottom of the Syrian - African Rift Valley, about 400 meters (1280 feet) below sea level. Known in Biblical times as the Eastern Sea, the Romans called it Mare Mortuum, the Israeli Geographic office called it The Sea of Salt. This remnant of the sea, which covered the area over two million years ago, is the lowest natural place on Earth. Its depth ranges from 1376 feet (430 meters) in the north to 32 feet (10 meters) in the south.

The waters of the Dead Sea are unique, having a total salt concentration that is 10 times higher than ocean water, reaching 33% versus 3%. But that's not all! The composition of the brines is also unique, comprising magnesium, potassium and calcium chlorides, in addition to a high concentration of bromides.This extraordinary chemical composition has made the Dead Sea an ideal spot for people seeking relief from skin and rheumatic disorders, and an equally popular choice for vacationers seeking relaxation. In fact, these soothing miracle-working waters have a reputation that dates back over 2000 years when the Roman historian Flavius noted.

"The Dead Sea cannot be praised too highly. Travelers take this salt home because it heals the human body and is therefore used in many medicines." The therapeutic effects of bathing in the Dead Sea were well known even in times of antiquity. Galenus, for instance, stated that this salt water was good for the treatment of Arthritis, Eczema, Muscular Pain, Rheumatism, Psoriasis, and also to Relieve Tension, Aid Relaxation, and develop Smooth Silky Skin.

According to the book of Samuel, King Solomon presented the Queen of Sheba with Dead Sea salts upon her visit to the Holy Land. The Empress Cleopatra, who was an ardent user of Dead Sea beauty formulations, was actually given title to the entire region by Mark Anthony after he conquered it.Today, the Dead Sea has taken on a new dimension: Modern science has proven the therapeutic and rejuvenating properties of its unique mineral content. The Dead Sea has become a renowned center for natural health and beauty treatments, with people coming from around the world to bath in its mineral-rich waters.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Dead Sea Salt

The waters of the Dead Sea have been renowned for their therapeutic effects since ancient times. Two thousand years ago, Flavius wrote that the salts from the Dead Sea heal the human body.

The waters from the Dead Sea are unique in that they contain 27% of various salts as compared to 3% in normal sea water. Further, while sodium accounts for approximately 80% of the salt content of normal sea water, it comprises much less of the salt total in water from the Dead Sea. The balance of the salts in Dead Sea water are magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and bromides.

Why are these types of salts beneficial? Magnesium is important for both combating stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Potassium energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Sodium is important for the lymphatic fluid balance (this in turn is important for immune system function). So we can see that bathing in high quality sea salt could replenish the minerals which are critical to our skin metabolism.

The Dead Sea lies at the bottom of the Syrian - African Rift Valley, about 400 meters (1280 feet) below sea level. Known in Biblical times as the Eastern Sea, the Romans called it Mare Mortuum, the Israeli Geographic office called it The Sea of Salt. This remnant of the sea, which covered the area over two million years ago, is the lowest natural place on Earth. Its depth ranges from 1376 feet (430 meters) in the north to 32 feet (10 meters) in the south.

The waters of the Dead Sea are unique, having a total salt concentration that is 10 times higher than ocean water, reaching 33% versus 3%. But that's not all! The composition of the brines is also unique, comprising magnesium, potassium and calcium chlorides, in addition to a high concentration of bromides.

This extraordinary chemical composition has made the Dead Sea an ideal spot for people seeking relief from skin and rheumatic disorders, and an equally popular choice for vacationers seeking relaxation. In fact, these soothing miracle-working waters have a reputation that dates back over 2000 years when the Roman historian Flavius noted. "The Dead Sea cannot be praised too highly. travelers take this salt home because it heals the human body and is therefore used in many medicines."

The therapeutic effects of bathing in the Dead Sea were well known even in times of antiquity. Galenus, for instance, stated that this salt water was good for the treatment of Arthritis, Eczema, Muscular Pain, Rheumatism, Psoriasis, and also to Relieve Tension, Aid Relaxation, and develop Smooth Silky Skin. According to the book of Samuel, King Solomon presented the Queen of Sheba with Dead Sea salts upon her visit to the Holy Land. The Empress Cleopatra, who was an ardent user of Dead Sea beauty formulations, was actually given title to the entire region by Mark Anthony after he conquered it.

Today, the Dead Sea has taken on a new dimension: Modern science has proven the therapeutic and rejuvenating properties of its unique mineral content. The Dead Sea has become a renowned center for natural health and beauty treatments, with people coming from around the world to bath in its mineral-rich waters.

Chasing Dreamdates

There are many free dating sites out there. Lots of them. This one, Just say hi, is one where you can actually meet people in your area to correspond with, eventually meet and have a relationship with. There are thousands of people signed up and there is even a gallery of pictures where you can actually see some of the future men or women who might just be your dream date! We can all wish can't we? There is supposed to be a dream date for everyone out there. I have to keep believing in that or my cat lady future is looming just ahead.

The services available are just like many of the paid dating sites. It is just that they are free here. Totally free with no credit card needed. There is a forum as well that you can join, also free, so that you can post and network and build relationships. So be sure to check it out. The need to stay at home on a Saturday night might just disappear. You might just find your dream date on Just Say Hi!

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Tongue Scrapers

I bought new toothbrushes for the household last week and normally I get the same brand each time. I made a change because of my child. She has a problem with bad breath at times and said she saw a commercial about a toothbrush that had a tongue scraper. Well the thing was about four dollars but if you have a child asking for a toothbrush, you buy it even if it costs ten dollars!!

Well, I bought it and hopefully it will do the trick. She uses mouthwash as well, but she seems to always have an odorous mouth. That is just the way it is for some. Sulfur and all that. In most cases it is the malodorous volatile sulfur compounds (VSC's) produced by anaerobic bacteria that are the actual cause of a person's breath problems. Using a toothpaste that contains VSC neutralizing agents such as chlorine dioxide or zinc can help to alleviate these problem. Now I have not seen any sort of toothpaste with zinc and that sure does not sound like it would taste good either. We will stick with the toothbrush, peroxide and baking soda for now.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Calgon Take Me Away!

I want a spa vacation. I think I have mentioned this before. That is my goal this year. To go on a spa vacation anywhere. Now on Hotel Reservations they have some that really look like good deals. Just look at the selection. There are spa vacation packages from the states to overseas with competitive rates and featured discounts to places all over the world. There are some spa destinations near Niagara Falls. In addition there are hotels with great rates. On the left side bar there is a link for special internet rates for additional savings.

I have booked hotels in the past at special internet rates and they are the lowest rate you can find. Special Internet Rate hotel reservations booked through Interactive Affiliate Network are guaranteed to be the lowest rate. Now lets say you find something even lower after you book, then all you have to do is let them know within 24 hours of the booking and you can get the difference refunded to you. They really aim to please. There is help available twenty four hours a day if you need asistance by calling the toll free number available.

You can even book your flight to receive global discount airfare. Once you land have a car waiting for you with a rental. This site is almost like having one stop shopping. All your travel needs are centralized in one place. It makes for ease in travel. Hotel Reservations can also help with vacation rentals. What is cool is the map of the world that comes up. You select your country destination and then select a region or state, put in the dates you plan to be in the area and all your options come up. There is even a kind of a sale on right now. You can save up to 70% if you book online.

The company has been around for more than 6 years providing travelers great prices on reservations for both work and play. They offer availability on more than 70,000 properties all over the world so you are sure to find that hotel, condo or resort ready and waiting for you to arrive. Hopefully for me it will be my spa vacation. I will arrive most likely stressed and hope to leave a new woman.

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

The Evils of Milk

I love milk but it does not love me. I am lactose intolerant and it kills me. I have used soy for about the last 5 years with no problems. I just miss regular milk. Today I have a large coffee drink with soy protein and it has now done me in. My stomach is a bubbling mass of hot, molten latte. But is sure was good going down. The bad thing is I bought about 1/2 gallon of the pre made up coffee latte and I hate to throw it away. But I just might have too.

The bad thing is I drank it about 2 and then took a nap. When I woke up I had no idea what was wrong..not remembering I had drank REAL milk. I just realized about 30 minutes ago. I guess I will be drinking lots of water to flush it all out.

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest significant amounts of lactose, the major sugar found in milk. Lactose intolerance is caused by a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is produced by the cells that line the small intestine. Lactase breaks down milk sugar into two simpler forms of sugar called glucose and galactose, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream. Not all people deficient in lactase have the symptoms commonly associated with lactose intolerance, but those who do are said to have lactose intolerance.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Self Help Health

With the age of technology comes a wealth of information about our health on the world wide web. I know because may times for my job I have to use WebMD. Whenever I have a question about myown health I go there of do google searches for whatever ails me....like finding out that apple cide vinegar cures indegestion. I tried it and it works.

There is another resource out there now called Medical Health Information Resource. It is a place where you can get answers to health questions in language that the average person can understand. No medical jargon. It covers some of the most complicated heath issues to the most common ones. Be sure to check out the sidebar with the list of medical topics there. This site would be a great way to start getting basic information on what ails you.

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Red Wine Vinegar

Indegestion is supposed to be cured by adding vinegar or drinking vinegar. It is actually not enough acid in your intestinal track. I think this is true. I just drank one half cup of vinegar diluted with water and my stomach feels a little better. Funny how that works.

Indigestion is mainly the sign given out by your body due to the excessive and fast eating. Consumption of high fat food does not gel well with your stomach which causes indigestion. I guess it was all that bojangles. I know that if I had not had the vinegar I would be having reflux when I sleep. I also have some aloe vera gel that I drink as well. These natural things do have some merit.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Swarovski Binoculars

There is a park about 20 minutes away from me that offers birding every saturday morning for $5.00. I would like to go some saturday morning. I did call about 6 months ago to see what equipment would be needed and all that was was a good pair of hiking books. It is a three hour hike and a god pair of binoculars. I have the boots but no binoculars. I even went looking at my local stores for a cheap pair and I never found any. They said they have some for the public to use, but it would be nice to have my own.

After looking at the swarovski binoculars, there are some really nice quality peices there. Eagles Optics has great low prices, outstanding customer service and free financing on orders over $200. You can't beat that. The swarvoski binoculars have several in their series that are ergonically correct. waterproof and even decorated with crystals. Pretty fancy! Look at this one. It is decorated with golden crystals. It has a pretty price of $840, but look at those crystals! Check out Eagle Optics. They want satisfied customers so they maintain a free 30-day unconditional guarantee and have a toll free number to call if you have any questions.

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

A Bad Food Day

I ate nothing good today. Until just about the end. It started with bojangles chicken and biscuits for breakfast. Coffee. For lunch I had nothing . For snack I had 2 bojangles sweet potatoe pies. They were good, but of so many calories. For dinner I did a little better. I had rotisserie chicken adn greens. That was the only vegetable I have had today. I felt giulty so I went to the store and bought a large jar of sundried tomatoes and a large bag of 6 avacadoes. I love avacadoes. I will eat those plain for breakfast. I love their nutty, creamy flavor. Tomorrow I have to do better. This is getting out of hand.

I think I will go drink some of my sparkling apple cider. I might redeem myself with that. It will be like drinking some apples. I need to break out power juicer tomorrow and get back on track.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

A Problem Right Now

Right now credit card debt is taking its toll on me. I had a very good christmas due to plastic. If you read back you will find that post where I went crazy shopping. For every gift I bought for someone else, I bought two things for me. Please tell me, what was I thinking?!!! Now the plastic is haunting me, like the ghost of christmas past. I pay and pay and the amount goes down but oh so slowly. I have one card with the late fee of $39.00. Don't think about being late with that one. Those fees will add up quick. It will be a struggle for the next few months but by the end of the summer, I should have made some headway.

If your credit has deteriorated to a place where you had no idea how low it could go, you may want to consider Bad Credit Personal Loans. (If I do not get my act together I may sinking.) There are two types. Those that are secure and those that are unsecured. Secured bad credit loans are loans that you are given in exchange for a security deposit, which is equal to your loan amount, or valuable assets that you own. Unsecured bad credit loans do not require you to secure the loan with money or assets, but they do have very high fees and interest rates. At times, you may be paying a 30%+ interest rate in order to take advantage of this type of bad credit loan.

You really need to think about your situation to see what bad credit loan will be best for you. The unsecured is a little tricky with that high interest. It can build up quickly. No matter which one you choose, each type of bad credit loan will help you to build or rebuild your credit history, as long as you make your monthly payments on time. Think about your financial. Is it good? Mine is ailing right about now. The good thing about all of this is that there is still away to improve your credit in the long run.

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Dinner of Champions

Tonight I did not feel like cooking at all. So what did I find to eat? Instant cream of wheat. Two packages, with lots of butter and suger and wheat germ. Now that is a tasty dinner. Good for you too. Did you realize.....

1. That one serving of Cream of Wheat supplies nearly half of the daily value of iron.
2. That one serving of Cream of Wheat supplies 20% of the daily value for calcium.
3. That Vitamin C helps to enhance the amount of iron the body can absorb.
4. That about 25% of children aged 4-8 are not getting the recommended amount of iron in their diets.
5. That only half of all women eat breakfast every morning - and that 40% of those don't eat breakfast because they don't have time.
6. More than half of all women think they get enough calcium in their diets, but in actuality, 9 out of 10 women are not getting the recommended level of calcium.

I have always loved cream of wheet. I like it even more than oatmeal. When you make it with milk instead of water, it is even better. It is so smooth and creamy.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Minty Fresh

Minty is the look of the new Mint credit card . It is a savings with 0 percent on purchases and balance transfers until December 1, 2007. In addition there is 0 percent on balance transfers until August 2008 on those that are debited to you account. Who can pass that up? Some of the other great features include no annual fee, worldwide acceptance at over 24 million locations and free online management of your account. There are alot more features and benefits. So be sure to check the new minty cards out.

To suit your every need, there are two options for you. There is the credit card. The card is offered as two versions, a standard credit card and the MC2 card which has the bottom right-hand corner removed. Then there is the pre-paid card that canbe given as a gift and used anywhere. Mint is minty fresh, so be sure to check out your financial opportunities there!

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Heavy Lids

I got the sleepies tonight due to the canadian club and gingerale. Feeling loopy? No too much. We have to get up anf function on tomorrow. I am just suddenly very tired. Hundreds of people have contracted salmonella poisoning from contaminated jars of peanut butter, the FDA announced last week. ConAgra, the manufacturer responsible for the outbreak, will shell out more than $50 million to recall all of the Peter Pan and Wal-Mart "Great Value" brand peanut butter made at its plant in Sylvester, Ga.

I realy eat peanut butter. What I do eat is nutella. Now that is some good stuff! Peanuts, chocolate, those whipped haxel nuts. Boy that is a heavenly flavor. Just thinking about it now makes me want some on a cracker.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Intervention Needed!

I think of so may kids today who are in trouble. Not just kids but adults who are supposed to be on top of the world. People like Britney Spears and Nicole Ritchie and some other big name stars. All of their money and power does not seem to make them exempt from addiction. I wonder if it makes them more susceptible? They have the money and influence to buy anything they want. So many of them to into drug rehab but does it really do them any good? They stay sober for awhile and then fall right back off the wagon. They have access to the best doctors that money can buy.

What about the average day person. What kind of resources are out there for a problem like this one? Stone Hawk is out there. The Stone Hawk Rehabilitation Center is located in south central Michigan surrounded by woods and trees and rolling hills. It is a serene setting for people who need peace in times of trouble. It does have an impressive success rate of 76%. They use the New Life Detoxification Program to get the drugs out of the body. Be sure to take a virtual tour to see what it is all about. Even the program name is symbolic. The stone signifies the clan --the frug free-- clan that you are now a part of and the hawk signifies rebirth and healing.

If you know of a young person in need, be sure to check out this program. It may be a way back from the abyss.

Disclosure
You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider

I am addicted to this drink. It reminds me of champagne and I love to drink it in wine or bubbly glasses. It is so fun. Martinelli & Company was founded by Stephen G. Martinelli, a young Swiss, who in 1859 settled in Central California's fertile Pajaro Valley near Monterey Bay, where the apples were of exceptional quality for cider making. This sparkling cider is my favorite. Be sure to get some at your local stores.

In 1868 he started his cider business in his brother's barn, using apples from California's first commercial orchards. The original products were bottle-fermented champagne cider, hard cider, and carbonated soft drinks.. Deliveries were made by horsedrawn wagon.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Aging Well

I have fallen victim to cosmetics. I have been using Estee Lauder products since my 20's. I have the eye creams, and alpha hydroxy things and night repair and all those creams to slow down the again process. They feel good but they sure are expensive. Now I have just about run out of everything except for the Eyezone. Now I need to restock with something. I do believe that all those cremes and potions do help keep the skin lubircated and wrinkle free.

Now I do not think that I would ever choose to have a face lift or things like botox, but lots of people do. At Sculptra London they do recommend that very thing. Scupltra™ works in the lower layers of the skin in order to smooth and firm the treated areas of the face. Did you know that the benefits can last for as long as two years? That is amazing. It is a face lift procedure that is injected. The number of necessary injections depends on many different factors. After the first treatment, your practitioner will recommend whether you need any subsequent treatments and how many these should be. Some feel that injections is the best way to go. For now, I think I will stick with my jars and creams and serums. They are working so far so good for me!

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Chapped Head

Dave. Dave. Dave. He just said that it is so cold that Britney Spears has chapped head and not to be outdone Rosie O. has shaved her back! EEK!

Chapped lips is a problem I have had in the past. Chapped lips give new meaning to the expression "crack a smile." When your lips are sore, red, and peeling, even a little grin can crack them wide open. Now when I was little Vaseline was the cure for just about everything. When I got older I graduated to Blistex . That little green tube is a wonderful thing. Now I tend to use cosmetic balms. Bath and Body works has all sorts of balms. I have about 5 that I use.

Before you go out—and several times while you're out—coat your lips with a lip balm. Since lips don't hold anything on them very well, reapply it every time you eat or drink anything or wipe your lips. Do not lick your lips. That only makes them more chapped. Just remember, apply the balm. Balm is good! Just keep that mantra going.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Made in the Shade

I love my shades in the summer. They are not Ray Bans but I alwasy wanted a pair of those. I have my prescription glasses that are tinted, so they darken and lighten accordingly. When the Matrix came out and Neo and Trinity were wearing all those cool glasses, I wanted a pair. I remember doing a search on line and some of them were made by Ray Ban. I still want some sunglasses like those from The Matrix. There are none cooler.

Be sure to check out the RayBans at BestBuyEyeglasses.com. You will not dissapointed. They have evey designer you could possible think of. They even have Fendi. My glasses are Fendi. Best Buy Eyeglasses carries the finest quality eyewear collections available at discounted prices you won't find anywhere else. They even had a way to let you try on a pair in the comfort of your own home using someting called the exclusive Virtual Try-on Mirror. That is a way to be sure you are happy with your selection. Therehave a staff comprised of eye care professionals with years of experience, so be assured that if you have any concerns, they will be address the right way.

Summer is coming! If you need some new glasses or shades, be sure to check out Best Buy Eyeglasses.

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Hampster in a Wheel

That is me. A hampster running in a wheel. I just can't seem to get off. There are not enough hours in a day for all the things I need to do and cannot get done. I sometimes want the world to stop or at least slow down for a day or two so that I can catch up. But it never does. Right now I feel slightly overwhelmed. Work is all consuming. I want to have time to walk and excercise but right now I am so exhausted I just want to go to bed as soon as I get home. There is no strength to do anything. That is bad becasue I have so much to do. You just do not know. This weekend I plan to somehow make the time for me to do something.

I know now I am suffering from sleep deprivation. If I sit for five minutes I am alseep. Last night I went to bed early but I woke up still tired. About 2 today I was ready to take a nap and could not. Tonight I have a meeting and I have to go to a friends house. That will take up the entire evening. Then it is straight to bed. Please let me off the wheel! Just for a minute. Well, off to brush my teeth. It is time to fo to the meeting.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Paintball

I have a co-worker who has a son who plays paintball. My coworker has also developed a liking for the sport too as he is always the one to take him to play it with his teen friends. He told me they even had a paintball birthday party one year. Paintball is a competitive game played to win. It is like a more challenging, high-stakes version of tag, hide-and-seek, or capture the flag. You shoot at other people (and get shot at!) and because of that you do have to have proper equipment. Goggles and the whole nine yard. It is paint. Who wants paint in the eye? Who wants to loose an eye? The eyes, and to a lesser extent the ears, are vulnerable to serious injury if hit by a paintball.

The actual paintballs are spherical gelatin capsules containing paint, other non-toxic and water-soluble substances, and dye, shot from a compressed gas-powered gun, commonly called a marker. There are acutually quite a few people who play this game. The Sporting Goods Manufacturer's Association estimates that over 10 million people play annually in the United States alone. Who knew? Did you know that the first paintballs were created by the Nelson Paint Company in the 1950s for forestry service use in marking trees from a distance, and were also used by cattlemen to mark cows?

The game can be different each time. Tactics can vary as well -- from being quiet and sneaky and picking your shots carefully, to being loud, fast, and shooting constantly. Check out some of these free paintball videos and see for yourself. Those videos are on a site called PBVids.com which is a site devoted to uniting paintball enthusiasts from around the world. Well you do have to register, but that is free. You will be there with lots of others who love the sport of paintball. The site is compiled of several sections. If you are new to the sport, there is a help and advice page where you can get advice on what types of gun to buy to how to fix a leaky gun.

On the paintball talk page you can find a host of topics that vary from barrel types to paint types and even where to buy paintball supplies on the web. After searching I found a thread about the girls of pinball. Who knew? That sure was a surprise. Models posing with paintball guns. There is a gallery where you can upload and view other paintballers. Be sure to check out those videos. Some of them are pretty cool. There is even a paintball thread to shop for supplies.

PBVids.com really is a resource and a place on the web that caters to the sport of paintball. Just about everything for the novice to get started can be found there. For the more experienced player it is a place to network and keep abreast of what new trends are influencing the sport. So be sure to check out the site and add it to your favorites so you can it whenever you need to. You might just gain a little more appreciation for the game. Me? I hear a lot about it from my co-workers. I am kind of glad I have girls. And especially girls who are not into paintball.

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

The Ten Healthiest Foods

10 great health foods: Best bets for eating well

Introduction

Here are your best bets for eating well. These 10 health foods are some of the healthiest because they meet at least three of the following criteria:

• Are a good or excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients
• Are high in phytonutrients and antioxidant compounds, such as vitamins A and E and beta carotene
• May help reduce the risk of heart disease and other health conditions
• Are low in calorie density, meaning you get a larger portion size with a fewer number of calories
• Are readily available

Click on the tabs to the left to find out more about these foods and what makes them good choices.

Apples

Why eat apples? Apples are an excellent source of pectin, a soluble fiber that can lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Fresh apples are also good sources of the vitamin C — an antioxidant that protects your body's cells from damage. Vitamin C also helps form the connective tissue collagen, keeps your capillaries and blood vessels healthy, and aids in the absorption of iron and folate.

Almonds

Why eat almonds? These tear-shaped nuts are packed with nutrients — fiber, riboflavin, magnesium, iron and calcium. In fact, almonds have more calcium than any other nut — 70 milligrams (mg) in 23 almonds. And one serving of almonds provides half of your body's Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin E.

Like all nuts, almonds provide one of the best plant sources of protein. And they're good for your heart. Most of the fat in almonds is monounsaturated fat — a healthier type of fat that may help lower blood cholesterol levels.

Blueberries

Why eat blueberries? Blueberries are a rich source of plant compounds (phytonutrients). As with cranberries, phytonutrients in blueberries may help prevent urinary tract infections. Blueberries may also improve short-term memory and promote healthy aging.

Blueberries are also a low-calorie source of fiber and vitamin C — 1 cup of fresh blueberries has 83 calories, 3.5 grams of fiber and 14 mg of vitamin C.

Broccoli

Why eat broccoli? Besides being a good source of calcium, potassium, folate and fiber, broccoli contains phytonutrients — a group of compounds that may help prevent chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Broccoli is also a good source of vitamins A and C — antioxidants that protect your body's cells from damage.

Red beans

Why eat red beans? Red beans — including small red beans and dark red kidney beans — are good sources of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and thiamin. They're also an excellent low-fat, low-calorie source of protein and dietary fiber. Red beans also contain phytonutrients that may help prevent chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Salmon

Why eat salmon? Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids — a type of fat that makes your blood less likely to form clots that may cause heart attacks. Omega-3s may also protect against irregular heartbeats that may cause sudden cardiac death, decrease triglyceride levels, decrease the growth of artery-clogging plaques, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke.

In addition to being an excellent source of omega-3s, salmon is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and is a good source of protein.

Spinach

Why eat spinach? Spinach is high in vitamins A and C and folate. It's also a good source of riboflavin, vitamin B-6, calcium, iron and magnesium. The plant compounds in spinach may boost your immune system and may help keep your hair and skin healthy.

Sweet potatoes

Why eat sweet potatoes? The deep orange-yellow color of sweet potatoes tells you that they're high in the antioxidant beta carotene. Food sources of beta carotene, which are converted to vitamin A in your body, may help slow the aging process and reduce the risk of some cancers. Sweet potatoes are also good sources of fiber, vitamins B-6, C and E, folate and potassium. And like all vegetables, they're fat-free and relatively low in calories — one small sweet potato has just 54 calories.

Vegetable juice

Why drink vegetable juice? Vegetable juice has most of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients found in the original vegetables and is an easy way to include vegetables in your diet. Tomato juice and vegetable juices, which include tomatoes, are good sources of lycopene, an antioxidant which may reduce the risk of heart attack, prostate cancer and possibly other types of cancer. Some vegetable and tomato juices are very high in sodium, so be sure to select the low-sodium varieties.

Wheat germ

Why eat wheat germ? At the center of a grain of wheat is the wheat germ — the part of the seed that's responsible for the development and growth of the new plant sprout. Though only a small part of the wheat seed, the germ is a highly concentrated source of nutrients, including niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin E, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc. The germ also contains protein, fiber and some fat.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

The Toys of Boys

(There might be a girl or two interested in bikes.) Do I know anything about street bikes? I know not a thing. I do know just what I have seen on the television... I have seen some extreme sporting events that involve those bikes. I have enough trouble just riding my regular bicycle, let alone a bike that does street bike stunts! When I really think back, I can only think of Evil Knievel as the only person of my childhood who was into stunt bikes. He was amazing in his time. Could be he called the father of street bike stunts? He jumped long distances on his motorcycle. The bad thing is that it seemed to always result in injury. Today things seem different. There tends to be some sort of rules and regulations for this sport. Thank goodness.

There are ways to get more knowledge about this sporting event via Stunt Life Forums. With over 54,000 members, Stunt Life has been the most popular discussion forum for stunt bike riders since 2002. There are even picture galleries where proud stunt bike parents can show off their bikesters. I saw a post where you can get tips on building your own bike with pictures. That post was called stunt bike building 101 . There was even a post on shoes that sparked. You know those people are living on the edge! Now some of the responses to that question about where to get the shoes that sparked were funny. Here is the funniest, "You cut the buttom of the shoes out, wear toe rings and drag your toes, they'll spark."

The stunt bikes are not just the only thing there are topics on. They run the full gammet from bikes, to ATV's to minibikes. You can even get outfitted there. People are even selling their bikes there as well. Within the forums there are even stunt groups that have been formed to that people of the same interest can network like the Regional Rider Meetup. Regular stunt events can be posted on a calendar so that all can keep abreast of what is happening. There is even an arcade. So even gaming needs can be met there. Interested in Stunt Bikes? Like living on the edge? Well, be sure to register and join in free of charge. The Stunt Bike forums is a happening place for those infected with the stunt bike gene.

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

A Day for Plantains

Today was a day for plantains. I had a hankering for some so I went to the store and got three large ones. I fried them in butter. I melted two sticks in the pan with some Sugar in the Raw and some cinnamon. I hated that mixture till it was hot but not burning the sugar. Then in went the plantains. I fried them up for about 5 minutes and I have not been able to stop eating. The sugar has caramelized some and boy are they good. The plantains have a kind of sugary crust that is sweet and just a little crunchy.

The plantain (or platanos) is a banana, musa paradisiaca, which is eaten cooked rather than raw. Plantain are eaten in most tropical countries of the world. The largest exporters of bananas are the northern portions of South America as well as Central America. The fruit is primarily carbohydrate, approximately 40 grams per 1/2 banana and about 180 calories. Like the common yellow banana, the fruit is very high in potassium approximately 500 milligrams per serving. The plantain is normally eaten as a starchy staple food. It can be boiled, baked, or fried and served as a vegetable or made into a sweet dessert, depending on the degree of ripeness of the fruit.

Now I have just about eaten them all. I have about 1 whole plantain left that has been cut up. At this rate I will have to buy some more for later this week. Today has really been a treat!

How To Select a Plantain
Plantains can be prepared at any stage of ripeness. Make sure to pick a recipe appropriate for the fruit you have on hand.

Green: When the plantain is green it is quite starchy and the flavor is much like a potato. The green fruit can be fried or boiled.

Yellow: When the plantains yellow the sugars begin to develop and impart a slight sweetness to the fruit. At this stage the fruit may show a few freckles of black.

Black: The plantain is at it's sweetest once it turns black. Normally you would want to use black plantains for dessert or any recipe where a sweet taste is desirable. You may purchase yellow plantains and store them in a paper bag until then ripen and turn black.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

My Body Sculpting Years

Years ago when I was in my 20's I lived at the gym. I was a regular gym rat! I was at the gym daily. I went every day after work adn I worked out. I was buff and I was in shape. That was the days of high impact aerobics. We all did them. It was all about the pounding music, Jane Fonda and lots of spandex. Spandex and leg warmers.

I got very in shape after being about 35 pounds overweight. I had acquired a dancers body. Spandex was my friend. I then turned my mind to body sculpting. I wanted a little more muslce. Now how did I get into that? I was dating a new boyfriend who was very into lifting. He had a regime that he did each week at the gym that included regular lifting schedules.

Now he ws built like Adonis. He was perfect in every way. He was really into the lifting and scultping his body. He was very knowledgeable and began to teach me. I was not really into it but I did some. I did actually change the way my body looked. I got just a little bulky. I guess for the person who does not have anyone to help muscle forums cold be the wa to go. You can get information on the correct way to lift or even information on equipment or gear. I think that with aerobics, you really can't go wrong with that. With lifting you can go wrong if you lift the wrong way and hurt yourself or bulk up to a look that you did not want. All that muslce does not just go away overnight.

For the skinny on lifting be sure to check out the forums. I don't think I will be lifting again. I need to regain that dancers body. I do think I would just like to do toning.

Disclosure

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

White Tea

I bought my first box of white tea last week.  So far so good.  It does have a different taste than the green.  I like it.  It seems to be a smoother tea. 

White tea has arrived in North America. While Chinese tea drinkers have been hip to white tea’s benefits since the Ming Dynasty, until recently it was virtually unknown outside of Asia. Not anymore. Today, everyone from chefs to medical researchers is praising white tea’s delicate flavor and purported health benefits. Market researchers predict consumers will soon share their enthusiasm, turning white tea into one of the hottest new food trends.

But, what is white tea? Most tea aficionados know that all tea comes from the same source: the Camilla Sinensis tea bush. Whether a tea leaf winds up in a cup of green, black, or oolong tea depends entirely on what happens after it is plucked. Black tea derives its dark color and full flavor from a complex fermentation process that includes exposing crushed tea leaves to the air for a strictly defined number of minutes. 

Tea leaves meant for more mellow tasting green tea are not fermented at all, but merely withered in hot air and quickly steamed or pan-fried. A gentle rolling and final heating stabilizes the tea’s natural flavors. Oolong teas fall somewhere in the middle: partial fermentation gives them a distinct reddish color and a “flowery” flavor.

So, where does white tea fit into the picture? White tea is made from immature tea leaves that are picked shortly before the buds have fully opened. The tea takes its name from the silver fuzz that still covers the buds, which turns white when the tea is dried. The exact proportion of buds to leaves varies depending on the variety of white tea. For example, White Peony contains one bud for every two leaves, while Silver Needles, the crème de la crème of white teas, is made entirely from downy buds picked within a two day period in early Spring.

Of course, an exotic appearance alone doesn’t explain white tea’s sudden surge in popularity. The secret lies in what happens after the buds are plucked. Tea leaves destined to be sold as white tea undergo even less processing than green tea leaves. Instead of air-drying, the unwithered leaves are merely steamed.

The result? A pale tea with a sweet, silky flavor. People who have tried both note that white tea lacks the “grassy” aftertaste so often associated with green tea. Furthermore, studies indicate that white tea is better for you. Leaving tea leaves so close to their natural state means that white tea contains more polyphenols, the powerful anti-oxidant that fights and kills cancer-causing cells, than any other type of tea.

Happy Valentine's Day

Cinnamon Dolce Latte

I went to Barnes and Noble last night.  I went just wandering trying to relax after a very busy day.  I bought a puzzle book because I decided that my mind needed some stimulation.  I them decided to go to the Starbucks counter.  I saw the wonder Cinnamon Dolce Latte and just knew I had to try it.  It was wonderful.  It is an indulgent beverage with flavors of sweet cinnamon, butter and brown sugar, combined with our signature Espresso Roast, freshly steamed milk, and topped with whipped cream and Cinnamon Dolce sprinkles.  I did check out the calories and they totaled 340.  That was my dinner.  I of course had to have the whipped cream.  Why go to that counter and plan to get no whipped cream.  You are missing a big part of life if you leave off the whipped cream. 

I sat down and enjoyed my latte and did two puzzles.  Luckily the difficulty level is just enough.  I do have to look up some words. But I am able to figure most out.  It was a nice diversion for about an hour.  Then I was off to home to the drudgery that is there.  I can say that I have been doing very well in regards to avoiding that coffee counter.  I used to go there once a week for frappuccinos.  The java chip of course.  What other is there?  I have not had one of those in about 6 months.  I think my intervention self imposed as it was, has worked.  Going last night did not bring out that Starbucks frappuccinos love that I normally have.  It is in check.  Starbucks every 3-6 months seems like a good plan.
I

A Breakfast of Champions

To day I had a breakfast of champions.  M & M’s.  A little jar full.  The peanut ones.  I washed them down with a big bottle of Perrier water. Lemon flavored.  I did bring a small container of blackberries.  I bought them at the store day before yesterday and I let them sit overnight to get riper or maybe a little sweeter.  They had some mold on them this morning.  How can they be moldy that fast?    I ate what I could and threw the rest away.  That ended up being most of them.  The ones I did eat were wonderful.  I wanted them for the antioxidants. 

Few fruits have quite the provocative allure, the fragile charm or the nutrients of berries. They're full of fiber, minerals and vitamins, and loaded with healing antioxidants. Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are rich in proanthocyanidins, antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and heart disease. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries contain ellagic acid, a plant compound that combats carcinogens. Blueberries also appear to delay the onset of age-related loss of cognitive function.

I love berries and have recently come to love to just eat them out of the container.  I love blue berries that way and I have never been a blue berry fan.  Not until about three years ago.  I also bought with me today a box of white tea.  I have not tried it before either.  The white tea is supposed to have more antioxidants  that the green tea.  Now I do drink green tea just about every day. 

What is so special about green tea?   

The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots.  The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

Improving Profits and Reducing Costs

Improving Profits and Reducing Costs. Isn't that the goal of every business? I can't think of one who wants to go the opposite way. There is a company that can help with IT value management.
That company is Acorn. Acorn improves profitibility while looking business performance. A highly flexible soft ware system combined with consulting to meet your companies needs are the key to profit improvement. Their solutions enable your business to confidently measure, optimize and predict costs and net operating profits, just to name a few of the feature you can manage. The only job of the Acorn professionals is helping customers improve profits and reduce costs , so they are focused on the customers goal to quicky improve profitability. Really the size of business does not matter, whether you are small or a huge conglomerate, Acorn has the resources to fit the size of your particular business. For improving profits and reducing costs, Acorn and their system if IT value management is the only way to go.

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Thai Culinary Delight!

Last night a friend and I went out to eat at a Thai restaruant. We had a meal that out of this world. Oh my god! The food was so good. We started off with basil rolls that were really good. Then we had the coconut chicken soup. We were so impressed with that we could have stopped right there. It was something I had never had before. Then we had the Pad Thai for our entree. It was good as well.

I can't wait to go back to visit that restaurant again. It was good eating!

Coconut Chicken Soup

1 quart chicken stock, recipe follows
1 stalk lemon grass, white part only, cracked open with the flat side of a knife
3 kaffir lime leaves, fresh or dried, hand torn
1 (3-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
2 small Thai chilies, halved lengthwise
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 (13-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce (nam pla)
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 (8-ounce) can straw mushrooms, rinsed
4 limes, juiced
1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leavesBring the stock to the boil over medium heat in a soup pot. Add the lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, ginger, chilies, and garlic. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and gently simmer for 10 minutes to let the spices infuse the broth.

Uncover and stir in the coconut milk, fish sauce, sugar, mushrooms, lime juice, and chicken. Simmer for 5 minutes to heat the chicken through; season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into a soup tureen or individual serving bowls. Garnish with cilantro. Be careful to avoid chewing the lemongrass, ginger, or lime leaves.

Yield: 4 servings

Chicken Stock:
1 whole free-range chicken (about 3 1/2 pounds), rinsed, giblets discarded
2 carrots, cut in large chunks
3 celery stalks, cut in large chunks
2 large white onions, quartered
1 head of garlic, halved
1 turnip, halved
1/4 bunch fresh thyme leaves
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercornsPlace the chicken and vegetables in a large stockpot over medium heat. Pour in only enough cold water to cover (about 3 quarts); too much will make the broth taste weak. Toss in the thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns, and allow it to slowly come to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and gently simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, partially covered, until the chicken is done. As it cooks, skim any impurities that rise to the surface; add a little more water if necessary to keep the chicken covered while simmering.

Carefully remove the chicken to a cutting board. When its cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones; hand-shred the meat into a storage container.

Carefully strain the stock through a fine sieve into another pot to remove the vegetable solids. Use the stock immediately or if you plan on storing it, place the pot in a sink full of ice water and stir to cool down the stock. Cover and refrigerate for up to one week or freeze.

Yield: 2 quarts

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

It will be called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The announcement was made on the writer's official website.

Despite the publication date not being known, the book is tipped to be a big seller, like the rest in the series.

Speculation about the plot has surrounded the book after Rowling admitted two characters will die - some think it could be Harry Potter himself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Now I have been in cohoots with some of coworkers and we think that Harry Potter will die. IT will be the only way that Harry Potter cannot be brought back to life by some other author or producer trying to make a spin off. I think the only way to do him justice IS to kill him off. It would be an ugly day when Harry was brought back spin off style as a rapper or an extreme snowboarder or something crazy like that. Harry, you lived a long and happy life making us all happy. Now we will always remember your books and the craze surrounding them and all the fun we had reading and watching the movies.

You can actually pre-order the book ahead of time. I think I will be taking advantage of that. You can too.

Pre-order Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at the links below!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Standard



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Deluxe

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Foreign Love

Foreign love. Can it be real? I have heard of these russian mail order brides but have not really looked into the legitimacy of how it works. There are really some pretty women on the site. I guess with the rush to do online dating, it would stand to reason that mail order brides would be on an upward spiral as well. Apparently most Russian girls have well-developed family values and instincts. It is hard to believe that men from all over the world do develop relationships with women from Russia. Most Russian brides are looking for a life partner on this site. They prefer to get to know a person before creating a more serious bond or marriage. It seems that the goal to have a family and a serious relationship is instilled early.

Now that is different from the throw away releationships we all seem to have in our western culture. Signing up is free, so you men out there..cupid's day is coming and if you do not have a sweety this year, you might be able to work on one for next year. It is never too late to find love. With the internet, the world has become a very small place. The goal of russian women is to find husbands so the divorce rate in marriages with Russian women tends to be much lower than with marriages in America, UK and Australia. Now that is something that would be a great benefit. We all just want to find someone to grow old with. It might just be a Russian Bride. You guys out there...take a look!

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~

Anna Nicole Smith Dead at 39

Reality star Anna Nicole Smith died Thursday after collapsing at a South Florida hotel, one of her lawyers said.

Smith, 39, did not respond to CPR, and her boyfriend, Howard K. Stern, 38, was with her when she passed, her attorney, Ron Rale, told FOX News.

The former Playboy Playmate was found unresponsive Thursday in her Seminole Hard Rock Cafe Hotel and Casino room in Hollywood, Fla.

Emergency responders performed CPR at the scene and a breathing apparatus was inserted in her throat, hotel officials told TMZ.com. Smith was immediately transported to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood just after 2 p.m. EST.

Local streets were closed off to rush Smith to the hospital, three miles away. Paramedics were seen pumping her chest as she was taken from the hotel.

Stern told "Entertainment Tonight" that her temperature was running high Wednesday night and that the couple had been in Florida shopping for a new boat.

"She checked in Monday at 8 p.m. as a guest. She was due to check out tomorrow," said Danielle Giordaano, a spokeswoman for the Hard Rock Hotel.