Friday, January 30, 2004

The recent Rave. Okay not this minute, but In the past few years this has become so popular. Thats right i'm talking about BALSAMIC VINEGAR. What do you know about it. Besides that it is scrum-didlie-umscious.

Modena( that's the region it comes from, when you buy balsamic try to make sure that's where it's from, this is why) Italy's balsamic vinegar is aged at least 6 to 12 years and some are aged for 50 to 100 years. As could be expected, these vinegars can be quite expensive, some costing over $200 per ounce!( if you ever get to taste an aged one, that's quite old I guarantee you will say whollly...mollllyyy!!!)

This distinctive vinegar has long been cherished: in fact, it was once considered so valuable that it was included in the dowries of young ladies of nobility and was specifically mentioned in wills. And in 1944, when reports of approaching American bombers reached the Modena area, small kegs of balsamic vinegar were packed up along with money, jewelry and other valuables.

'Balsamic' means 'like balsam' - and balsam is an aromatic resin - balsamic vinegar simply refers to the fact that it is thick (resin like) and aromatic.

Pretty interesting stuff.. If I do say myself...Just a little something from your friend the ethnofoodoligist... Yes that is a real word.. Some time we should discuss all the stuff that china invented but never gets credit for.


Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Yes it's superbowl time again.here's a little article i found on a foodie web site. i thought it was an interesting little morsel to chew on...no pun intended!

USA: California farmers prepare for onslaught of avocado thieves
28 Jan 2004
Source: Monica Dobie

Avocado farmers in California are securing their crops against the yearly onset of thieves who steal thousands of dollars worth of fruit every year.

With a price of US$1.20 per pound, (or two avocados), the demand is at its highest due to the Super Bowl (1 February), the most popular day of the year for guacamole. Police or “guac cops” in San Diego and Ventura counties, where 68% of the country’s avocados are grown, patrol the area tracking thieves who sell them to dubious roadside stands, restaurants or to wholesalers in Los Angeles.

In Ventura County, 29 suspected thieves were arrested last year, charged with stealing an estimated US$115,000 worth of avocados.


Monday, January 26, 2004

Nutrition Tip of The week

Does your food supply you with all the vitamin C you need?

Vitamin Alert!
Vitamin C Saves Arteries

You know how important vitamin C is for protecting you from heart disease and cancer, but does your food supply you with all the vitamin C you need? An Arizona State University East study found that if you drink orange juice within a week of buying or making it from concentrate, it has all the vitamin C it promises on the label; 2 to 4 weeks out, it has much less. Note: Packaging also matters. Prevention magazine tested freshly squeezed OJ, and here's how it compares:
How Much Vitamin C Are You Getting?

Vitamin C in orange juice When bought 4 weeks later


Reconstituted from frozen 85 mg 45 mg


Waxed paper carton, screw top 65 mg 20 mg


Waxed paper carton, nonresealable 28 mg 0 mg


Freshly squeezed 96 mg 83 mg


All samples were 8 ounces




The daily amount that we are supposed to intake is 250 mg!! Other sources besides citrus fruits are red bell pepper, broccoli, and tomatoes.

Lettuce Eat,
Another helpful hint from Greg K-C

Sunday, January 25, 2004

Avoiding the tears: Yes thats right folks were talking about onions!!!

WaterWash an onion after the first cut.
Cut under cold running water.

Hot n' ColdHeat the onions before chopping.
Peel and then chill the onions in the refrigerator (1 hour) or freezer (15 minutes) before chopping.

AirCut an onion on a breezy porch or with a fan blowing away from your face.
Turn your head away while chopping (watch those fingers!!).
Breath with your mouth open exhaling through your nose.

Romantic
Light a candle near the chopping block.

TechniqueCut along the vein not across it.
Cut with a very sharp knife.
Cut near the bottom of the onion last. Where the root is

Look weird
Wear large glasses or goggles.
Hold a lemon, piece of bread or a sugar cube in your mouth, the food will absorb the gas before it reaches your eyes.

What ever works for.. personally it's all a bunch of hooey... For goodness sakes alive just buy a food processor if its that bad...he he hee.. i have been cooking professional for a while now. And i still sometimes cry..What helps you from crying?



Friday, January 23, 2004

Topic of the dayPart 1Why do onions make you cry?
Cutting into an onion will break open its' cells releasing noxious sulfur fumes. When this gas hits your eyes *KABOOM*, the tears start flowing. This is due to the mild sulfuric acid that is produced when the gas dissolves in the watery tears. You react to this eye stinging by blinking and producing even more tears which will eventually flush out the irritating acid. Please resist the urge to rub your eyes, especially if you have onion juices all over them.

Maybe after that..how to keep those onions from making you cry..



Sunday, January 18, 2004

Here's the question: If i opened the first resturant on the moon Cafe Crater, what would moon cuisine be?

You tell me what you think, then later i'll tell you what i think. This is just for fun!!

Saturday, January 17, 2004

Vacations...well mine is over. I'm back to work, what can i say there's a little thing know as reality. With that comes bills..if only i could get them to take a vacation too!! If I figure that out I'll let you know. So here are a few rediclous thoughts. That really don't have much to do with anything?? Maybe they do i'm not really sure.

1. Did you know you can take a trip to the moon now? Yup, it's true. I did it. It was fun -- there's all this great cheese and wine, and they have lots of great old art, and that famous tower, and everyone speaks English there. Still, I don't know if it was worth the HUGE price. Okay my imagination is a little wild.

2.I've heard of these new "earth-friendly" eco-tourism packages. They're designed to have a minimal impact on local wildlife, the proceeds go to benefit charity, and they're a great change of pace from all those the baby-seal-clubbing expeditions.

3. The thing I hate about traveler's checks is how inconvenient they are. Like, say you get robbed. It takes soooo long to sign over each and every check to the mugger.

4. The worst thing about traveling is the expense. Here's some tips to save money: instead of taking a plane or a boat, try -- your feet! Instead of eating at a lot of expensive restaurants, eat once at a cheap buffet before you go.

5. One thing about traveling, is that you should really learn the customs and culture of the local people before you get there. In Japan, it's polite to belch after a good meal(i would fit right in). In Korea, they eat dogs. And in Ohio, murder is illegal.(as well as the other states)

6. The terrible thing about the amusement parks now is how many lines there are. You wait in line to get in, then you wait in line to get tickets, then you wait to buy food. The line at the bathroom is WAY too long to wait in, so you skip that. Then the line at the pants store is just impossibly long. Then you have to wait in line at the police station, and then again at the court house. It's just gotten way out of hand.

7. A place I'd really like to visit is China. I'd really like to try the food.

i don't know if any of the above makes any sense at all??? I don't really care. Some days i feel funny. Today not one of them. it must be that silly thing called work, its getting in my way.. Hmmmm, i'll have to do someting about that.







Wednesday, January 14, 2004

Ponderings for the New Year

If you mixed vodka with orange juice and milk of magnesia, would you get a Philip's Screwdriver?(that's sounds extra yummy? he hee he!!)

Why do we say something is out of whack?
What is a whack?(if you have the answers to this one let us know)

If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?(We know what you are saying...that was lame!)

Why do women wear evening gowns to nightclubs? Shouldn't they be wearing night gowns?(I couldn't answer that either)

If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

When someone asks you, "A penny for your thoughts," and you put your two cents in, what happens to the other penny?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Why do croutons come in airtight packages? It's just stale bread to begin with.

When cheese gets it's picture taken, what does it say?(this is something that makes me go hmmm?)

Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist, but a person who drives a race car not called a racist?

Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites?

Why do overlook and oversee mean opposite things?

If horrific means to make horrible, does terrific mean to make terrible?

Why isn't 11 pronounced onety one?(this is one of my favorite thoughts to ponder)

"I am " is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do " is the longest sentence?

If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked and dry cleaners depressed?( o.k. this is pretty bad too..but you must admitt it is quite humorous)

Do Roman paramedics refer to IV's as "4's"?

Why is it that if someone tells you that there are 1 billion stars in the universe you will believe them, but if they tell you a wall has wet paint you will have to touch it to be sure?( that's the truth)

If you take an Oriental person and spin him around several times, does he become disoriented?

If people from Poland are called "Poles," why aren't people from Holland called "Holes?"

Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?


Just a few thought to ponder.. Feel free to comment. I always have ssomething to say about everything. You do too! You can't hide from the dynamic duo. aka The k-C's

Tuesday, January 13, 2004

A quick run down on our cruise adventure!!!!
Sun 1/4 We boarded the boat oops, I mean ship, in the early afternoon. This trip included the in-laws( this trip was a 30th anniversary celebration), my bro-in-law Roy and my husband and I. This day was spent checking out all the stuff on board and having a simple dinner.
Mon 1/5 First full day on board, we were at sea. These days are very relaxing. Sitting by the pool getting some tan.. ok a little sun burn. Hot top and that night was our first formal night for dinner so we cleaned up good a dinner. The food was quite excellent consider trying to feed 1500 people 3 meals a day plus snacks. I give those chefs and cooks a round of applause.
Tues 1/6 Dominican republic, Nice in the tourist areas, the other parts , so so. Good place to kayak( I enjoyed it throughly) and shop.
Wed 1/7 Off to San Juan Puerto Rico, this is an excellent place. We went to the rain forest which is a good hour and half drive from the port but it was so amazing. If you get the time we highly recommend it. Also an awesome place to buy good cheep duty free booze.
Thurs 1/8 US Virgin island of St Thomas. This place was so clean, the water super blue..just like in the commercials. Here we did the tourist thing and did some light shopping. I would give this island another visit if opportunity knocks.
Fri 1/9 Another relaxing day at sea…Yeah!!!!
Sat 1/10 Nassau, Bahamas… Dirty, annoying pushy natives, so we took a water taxi to Paradise Island where the Atlantis Resort is. It is quite lovely. Someday I would mind being a guest in the bridge suite. Also know as the Michael Jackson Suite. He was the first person to stay in it. 10,000 per night with a week minimum.
Sun 1/11 Back to land.. All in all it was a most excellent vacation. I applaud the whole crew of the celebrity Millennium. Well that’s the readers digest version!!!!
Stay tuned for the up and coming silliness. My batteries are re charged and ready.


Monday, January 12, 2004

Update ...this week at the request of our loyal audience...we will have a special how to start the new year healthly...as far as nuitrition is concerned. And what we plan to do!!! So stay tuned...so about the delay folks...vacations happen.

Hellol everybody were back!
Yes...i don't know where to begin...I wanted to keep everyone up to date on our travels. But The blog went crazy when we were out and about.

Here's a few reasons why to take a cruise.. we recommend it highly!!There are cruises available for any budget.

From 3 to 100 days, cruises fit your schedule. (I can't even fathom 100)

At a hotel you check in. On a cruise you check-out! (we you try you'll agree)

One thing you'll never see on the menu is the price. (Except if they have a specialty resturant)

Cruising allows quality time with your family.

Visit 4 countries in a week.

The awe-inspiring view from the deck of a cruise ship is included. (excellent sunsets)

Get trim in state-of-the-art fitness centers. ( Walking around the top deck is the best excercise with a great view)

No packing-unpacking-packing-unpacking-packing.

Travel to over 1800 ports around the world.

The world is 2/3 water. Until you go on a cruise, you really haven't visited earth.

Rejuvenate mind, body and spirit in the shipboard spa. ( it can be expensive but if you have the money go for it)

For the health conscious, low calorie, low sodium and heart-healthy meals are available. ( We ate from the spa menu and it was pretty good)

A resort just sits there, but a cruise will move you.

Listen to interesting lectures by world-renowned experts. (Blah..if thats your thing)

On some cruise ships, kids sail free, and they'll love you for it. ( but ships with small # of kids is even better)

On a cruise ship, your luggage arrives in your room before you do. (depends how large the ship is)

You don't need to make dinner reservations.

Live entertainment. Casinos. Spas. All within a short stroll.

No cover charge, ever. ( but plenty of gratuity.. they deserve it they work there butts of)

Experience other cultures. (Buy duty free booze!!!!

Do everything, or nothing at all.

The next days excerpt will include a readers digest of our little trip. Hopefully this week I can get so pics one the web..
Until tomorrow...tahtah.

Monday, January 05, 2004

This was what should have posted
How U Doin'

Well today were at sea and it's loverly...
here's an idea how to relax
Apple spice bath
This bath smells wonderful and feels great especially in cold climates or if you have the chills.

Use two - three cups of dried chamomile flowers. Mix in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of grated ginger root. Place in a muslin bag and hang in really hot bath water. Let steep in the water for about 10 min or until your water is to the temperature you like. Remove the bag and soak your body no longer than 15 - 20 minutes! The apple/ginger scent is wonderful. The ginger will bring the blood to your skins surface making it warm and tingly.

have a lovely day!!!

Sunday, January 04, 2004

HELLO ALL.... IF YOUR CHECKING THIS IN THE MORNING WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO PORT EVERGLADES, FORT LAUDERDALE FL.
WERE SAILING AROUND THE CARIBBEAN ABOARD THE MILLENNIUN. OUR SAILING TIME IS 4:30PM... WOOOHOOOO!!


check it out... this is where we are today.

Saturday, January 03, 2004

Well todays going wonderful. Currently in St. Thomas.

Feelin fine all the time.
were poets and didn't even know it. heheheh

the k_C's
Today were in San Juan... thats right Puerto.

were still relaxing!!!!

Have a wonderful day

The Tanned K-C's.
We are on a cruise. Do you know where The K-C's are?

Today we are in Casa De Campo, Dominican Republic



That's right relaxing and never mind We don't want to rub it in...

Have a wonderful day!!!
HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!! AND ALL THAT JAZZ

i HOPE EVERYONE'S NEW YEAR HAS BEEN GREAT SO FAR... SO REMEMBER TO KEEP UP THOSE RESOULUTIONS... YOU HAVE TO AT LEAST TRY TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR WITHOUT CHEATING OR QUITTING. AND IF YOU HAVEN'T MADE ONE YET WELL YOU BEST GET STARTED!!!!

IN THE UP COMING WEEK I WILL BE ON VACATION ....SO THE K-C'S WILL BE SAILING AROUND THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN... BON VOYAGE...TO US....

HAVE A GOOD WEEK I HOPE YOU DON'T MISS US TOO MUCH. i KNOW WE HAVE BEEN SLACKING DURING THE HOLIDAY MONTHS BUT VERY SOON WE WILL BE BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS!!!!!!