The end of the World and Ballerina's

There was a bit of a rumor going around about the rapture going to happen, and the end of the world, I made plans anyways.  I'm not letting a crackpot with proven inaccuracy ruin a perfectly good weekend for me.  It seems that everyone was in a jovial mood about the whole affair, it's sad because one day it will happen, but who will take it seriously when it does?  I'm not going to try and tell you what to believe, or how to live your life, but when you figure out what you believe you should live it.  I believe that when the Bible says we will not know the time or the hour, we won't know, not for certain.  That being said, we should live everyday like it is our last, but plan for a very long future.  Having lost my mom, when she was so young, made me remember to enjoy every moment.  We should be quick to love, laugh, and forgive.  Life is short, even if we live over 100 years, in the grand scheme of things, that is nothing.  So, live for the moment, enjoy every breath you take.
 
Saturday I went for a bit of an adventure, family time can happen like that.  Waking up is not my favorite thing to do, but it was so worth all the fun of today's events.  I was able to watch my little niece dance in her first competitive performance, they won first place.  It does help when you are the only one in your category.  This first performance had the largest group of girls in the performance.

First performance of the day (song: A Whole New World)

They had another performance, it was a bit more formal being on stage in front of a larger crowd.  This time the group dwindled between the side curtain and the stage.  One of the little girls ended up loosing her nerve as well, but they were still adorable.

Second performance (same song, different stage)

We had a great time, eating, and watching frog jumping.  My little niece rode a pony, and other rides, and then braced up to do her final routine.  This time the teacher had them holding hands and walking on stage together, and she sat them in their spots.  They did a fabulous job, and the crowd loved them. 

Third Performance (same song, same stage)

After all of that we were all tuckered out, and my little niece fell asleep the minute the car starting driving home.

Dinner tonight

So, tonight dinner was not the first thing on my mind, and it was a bit hot.  I love our George Foreman Grill for hot summer nights, we can have grilled chicken with out heating up the house.  So this salad was all from our Farm Fresh to You delivery, not really a CSA but it's similar.  Local, organic, and seasonal it's just perfect. 

Salad

Grilled chicken breast
broccoli
radishes
strawberries
lettuce

My delivery came bright and early

 

 

Today I  opened my door, ready to dash off to work, when I noticed my box was there.  I had forgotten that this was the last Friday of the month, I had only been thinking about the new release of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie the night before, and did not set out the previous deliveries box. I will now need to set myself an alarm for next month, before I hoard a collection of these things.

Other than being a bit frustrated with myself for forgetting, I began to make room in our fridge for the newest yummy goodness, and checked on line to see what was in store for me once I return to open my treasure.

Monday 05/16/2011 - Friday 05/20/2011

Service: Regular

(Weights are approximate)

	4	cnt	Kingsburg	Navel Orange
	2	cnt	Washington	Braeburn Apple
	2	cnt	Edison	Hass Avocado
	2	cnt	Coachella	Green Bell Pepper
	1.5	lb	Our Farm	Assorted Potato
	1	cnt	Salinas	Strawberries Berries
	1	cnt	Salinas	Bunched Broccoli
	1	lb	Salinas	Fava Bean, fresh
	1	bu	Our Farm	Red Radish
	1	cnt	Our Farm	Green Leaf Lettuce
	1	bu	Our Farm	Fresh Cilantro
	.5	lb	Sebastapol	King Trumpet Mushroom
Produce Growing Region: Please note that if we run out of product from one farm, we may have to supplement with produce from other growing regions. In those rare instances, produce may come from elsewhere than what is listed here.

Updated - 05/20/2011 09:47:13

I like to think of these as special, since I will not be receiving special deliveries or presents for a while, but will be the giver throughout the summer and fall season.  I will have one more box delivered soon, nothing to cook, but a book will arrive.  The Hunger Games, have you read it? Don't spoil any surprises for me, I read some and am excited to see if it really is as adventurous and thrilling as some have said.  I'll let you know what I think once I've devoured that book.  It's a trilogy, so I may have to continue on if I like it all that much, or just to see what will happen at the very end.  I get sucked into things like that.

Looking at my look above, I'm not seeing anything that is particularly strange or frightening in any way.  So, I'm not sure I will have an unusual food posting in the near future.  But this does look like a fabulous light array of foods that I can make quickly and simply.  During the spring/summer I'm not one to want heavy foods, I'm sure there are countless others out there who feel the same way.  Most of these I won't even cook, they will just end up sliced and diced in some fabulous salad or quinoa dish.

I'm currently reading the Port Royal book by Linda Chakin, and it's been nice.  I can't say it's been a page turner like Twighlight was, and after reading that series I could not read this book at all, I actually dove straight into the book that my sister is writing, and was hooked.  Aren't you all curious now what she is writing about?  You'll have to wait though, but if you want to see her writing style she has a blog you can go to by clicking here.  Well, after her book, a pirate book just wasn't cutting still so I ordered the Hunger Games and now while I'm waiting I'm reading about Pirates, well, kind of, the main character Emerald is still on the island. Maybe that's what's bothering me, I need to read until she's off on an adventure some where on the high seas.  I should have plenty of time to read this weekend since I'm still unable to talk, and I still feel sick.  It would be nice to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie though, but I'm pretty sure that it will have to wait.

More Excitement about Quinoa

Today I'm here working, when I would rather be in bed nursing my soar throat and painful abdomen.  It seems that being responsible does have some draw backs.  I've read some where about how the increased interest in Quinoa has cause the price to skyrocket in the rural areas that farm it, here is the article.  It does give me something to pause and think about though.  I've seen on the Tropical Traditions website another issue as well, regarding an items being renewable and sustainable and why they won't sell it.  Coconut sugar is the topic over there (it's number 9 on the list of answered questions).  It seems that the tapping of the sap makes the tree unproductive of any other fruits, so it would not be a sustainable product.  I personally love Quinoa and will use it in the future, but there is still room in our diets for other brow rice and cauliflower to replace other favorite starches as well. There is room to try new things, and expand our palate without going overboard.  It would still be nice to have another day off to be sick and in bed though, oh well. 

Image Found Here

I ate these before I took a picture, I'm sorry.


Quinoa Stuffed Peppers -
Serves 6
Preparation time: 1 to 1 1/4 hours
Baking time: 10 to 15 minutes

1 cup raw quinoa
6 medium bell peppers
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onions
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
1 cup peeled and diced carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 cup diced zucchini
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 1/2 to 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil a baking pan. Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse well under running water. In a covered pot, bring the quinoa and 2 cups of water to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the quinoa is soft and the water absorbed.

While the quinoa cooks, cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise and, leaving the stems on, seed them. Brush the bell pepper shells with about 2 tablespoons of the oil, inside and out. Place them cut side down on the prepared baking pan and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until softened and slightly browned, but not collapsed. When the bell peppers are roasted, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Meanwhile, in a skillet, warm the remaining tablespoon of oil and saute the onions and garlic on medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the onions have softened. Stir in the cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, salt, carrots, celery, zucchini, and corn. Cover the pan and cook for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are very tender.

Combine the sauteed vegetables and the cooked quinoa and add salt to taste. Turn over the roasted pepper shells and spoon filling into each half. Sprinkle each bell pepper half with some of the grated cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted.

Moosewoodrestaurant.com: recipes archive #60


inCyst.com: Have a fruitilicious summer week 3


Seriouseats.com: Quinoa plum salad

I have to admit this is a favorite of mine now, I think it's because I love the Latin flavors, and lime so much!!!
Quinoa Taco Salad - The Gluten Free goddess
How to cook quinoa super easy way - The Gluten Free goddess

Quinoa 365.com Recipes


8/2/11
The Spunky Coconut did a while write up on Quinoa, and how it is a seed and not a grain. But the Paleo diet still does not include it, and why.

The Thin Man, and the newest development

The Thin Man goes Home

Nora Charles: Pretty girl.
Nick Charles: Yes. She's a very nice type.
Nora Charles: You got types?
Nick Charles: Only you, darling. Lanky brunettes with wicked jaws.

To watch two different trailers click here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025878/

If you know me at all, you know of my love of old movies.  One of my all time favorites is the Thin Man series.  It did not start out to be a series, but it gained a following and the main characters were just to fabulous to let go of. He is a retired sleuth, and she is a wealthy socialite who loves to get in on the action.  He is rather reluctant to take on these cases but he always finds the solution.

A favorite scene of mine, Nora begins to wonder if she could kill her husband, and he slowly removes the knife from her hands.

Of course this scene is another midnight thinking session, and she is putting herself in the mind of the woman accused.  See how she is cutting the bread, it's before the pre-sliced revolution.  You know the saying, it's better than sliced bread! It's before that phrase came about.  I'm so enamored with their interactions.  

Nora, Asta, and Nick Charles

Nora Charles: Pretty girl.
Nick Charles: Yes. She's a very nice type.
Nora Charles: You got types?
Nick Charles: Only you, darling. Lanky brunettes with wicked jaws.

Myrna Loy and William Powell

Nick Charles: How'd you like Grant's tomb?
Nora Charles: It's lovely. I'm having a copy made for you.

 To see more on the screen play:

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1336214809/ Here is the really awesome news, for those who like new movies. Johnny Depp, another of my favorite actors, is going to be in the new remake Thin Man Series!!! I am very excited to see how this unfolds, I think he will pull the character off very well.  But the leading lady needs to be refined, sassy, and flirtatious in such a way that really shows off their chemistry.  I love their interactions, and the way she tries to stifle back the giggles from some of the scenes, she is a fantastic actress portraying a great wife.  I don't talk abut marriage much, but if mine could be so flirty and fun all the time it would be perfect.  There was another film who paid tribute to Nick Charles as a character, can you guess?  It was an animated flick, still need more hints?  Hoodwinked, have you seen it?  Mr Flippers, the sleuth of that little flick has some similar characteristics of the Nick Charles character, sans alcohol.

The Thin Man, actually refers to the man missing, and not the sleuth Nick Charles

Okay I had to, I've included some of the memorable lines, just in case.

Nora Charles: [to Asta, as Nick and Asta are going out on a case] If you let anything happen to him, you'll never wag that tail again. 

___
Nora Charles: [suffering from a hang-over] What hit me?
Nick Charles: The last martini.

 ___
[Nick has revived Nora after knocking her out to keep her from being accidentally shot by Joe Morelli]
Nora Charles: You darn fool! You didn't have to knock me out. I knew you'd take him, but I wanted to see you do it.
Lieutenant John Guild: [laughs] There's a girl with hair on her chest.

___
Nora Charles: How many drinks have you had?
Nick Charles: This will make six Martinis.
Nora Charles: [to the waiter] All right. Will you bring me five more Martinis, Leo? Line them right up here.

___
Nick Charles: Now my friends, if I may propose a little toast. Let us eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
Nora Charles: You give such charming parties, Mr. Charles.
Nick Charles: Thank you, Mrs. Charles.

___
Nora Charles: Nick? Nicky?
Nick Charles: What?
Nora Charles: You asleep?
Nick Charles: Yes!
Nora Charles: Good. I want to talk to you.

___
Nora Charles: Take care of yourself
Nick Charles: Why, sure I will.
Nora Charles: Don't say it like that! Say it as if you meant it!
Nick Charles: Well, I do believe the little woman cares.
Nora Charles: I don't care! It's just that I'm used to you, that's all.


Okay, okay I'm done with the quotes, I could go on, but you should just watch the films so you hear how they lines are delivered.  Just to let you know, I'm not usually a fan of re-makes, but I'm hopeful for this one.  Irregardless I will remain an unabashed fan of this series.