If you had to bicycle, to use your entertainment equipment how much would u be watching?

Power Consumption of Typical Appliances:
Small TV 100 watts
Large TV 200 watts
Laptop PC 10 watts
Desktop PC 75 watts
Stereo 20 watts
Charging a cellphone 5 watts
Hi Effic Desk lamp 15 watts

The Pedal-A-Watt Stationary Bike Power Generator
The average rider will produce between 125 and 200 watts using the Pedal-a-Watt. While this may not seem like much power, many pieces of equipment draw very little power and can be powered for long spans of time with small amounts of power.

An Explanation of Watts vs. Watt-Hours
Watts is an instantaneous measure of power at any moment in time. Watt-hours is a measure of power over time.For example, the Pedal-A-Watt, creates 200 watts of power. If you pedal for 2 hours, then you have created 400 watt-hours ( 200 watts x 2 hours) of power.This 400 watt-hours would power a 100 watt light bulb for 4 hours, a 200 watt large screen TV for 2 hours and so on.

Maybe everyone in this country needs this.... something to think about..

Foods Named After People
Did you ever wonder about how many foods there were in the world that are named after people, like Bananas Foster, and vice versa? No, well maybe now is the time to think about it,....


Bananas Foster:The dessert, topped with dark rum, banana liqueur and vanilla ice cream, was created in 1951 and named after Richard Foster, long time friend of proprietor Owen Brennan and customer of Brennan’s restaurant in New Orleans.

Reuben Sandwich:This sandwich has two possible origins. One legend claims it dates back to 1914 and was named after New York restaurant owner, Arnold Reuben (1883-1970). Still another tale claims the creator was one Reuben Kolakofsky (1874-1960) who is said to have invented the sandwich to serve for his "poker group" which gathered at his Omaha, Nebraska, grocery.

Oh Henry! The Williamson Candy Company of Chicago introduced this candy bar back in 1920. It was named for a young man who did odd jobs for the company store who was summoned by those words.

Are you hungary yet?

I can't believe this product is real, but as you can see from this infomercial and from their website at ComfortWipe.com, it is as real as it gets. Unbelievable!

The Tour de France ... is finished...

so I will be blogging on a normal basis.. so stay tuned...

and on that note:

Congratulations to Yauheni Hutarovich, the Lanterne Rouge (the last rider to finish) of the 2009 Tour de France, for his 5th place finish on the Champs d'Elysees on Sunday! That boy can sprint!! Well done indeed and a memorable finish to your Tour!

I like this as much as the peanutbutter jelly song... what a fun and addicting ad... Iwant to share it with you because it's stuck in my head so maybe it will get stuck in your head too!!! :^)
ENJOY.............

The Tour de France has the greatest fans in the world...

People say " they are crazy" I say they just love it... If I was there I would be showing my support...TOO!!

That's tail-gating my style.... bread and wine.. that's biblical style....
And yes Lance Armstrong is THE MAN!!!
Every sport has people that streak.... it happens every year in France... TOO!!!

HUH?

Is it alive or dead ready to be cooked?

I really Like this song... give it a listen!!!!

Cooking for One or Two

When it's just you or the two of you, cooking for a few people presents a special challenge. How do you eat a varied, healthy diet without having tons of leftovers or having to throw away food?

What has worked well for us is to make a large casserole but divide it into two smaller baking pans. Bake and wrap and freeze the other (well labeled, of course). That way you still have leftovers for lunch, and an easy dinner another day. Think about cooking once and eating twice whenever you are in the kitchen.

I also just make main dish salads in the summer and we just eat them until they are gone. I try to use lots of fruits and vegetables in them so the salads really are a one dish meal. Vary dinners by serving different kinds of whole wheat bread, or additional vegetables or fruits with the same salad.

Think about serving more unusual foods for some meals. For instance, I have found that chicken melon salad (with a yogurt dressing) makes a fabulous breakfast. Serve breakfast food for lunch or dinner. Omelets, pancakes, and scrambled eggs (maybe with sliced tomato for fresh veggies or fruit) are satisfying and comforting when eaten for dinner. You'll have fewer leftovers and more interesting meal choices. When you're cooking for two you can experiment more, so have fun!
OR
Cooking a larger quantity of food and using the leftovers in another recipes in the next day or two is also a great way to reduce time in your kitchen. An example is Roasted
chicken , you can use the leftover meat in Pasta chicken Salad the next day, or Cashew Vegetable Chicken Stir-Fry the next.

Bon Appetite!

Would You Rather? Salt & Pepper vs. Butter

Lets delve into the world of seasonings and spreads, those magical toppings that can make basic foods taste better.

Option #1: You can never add salt & pepper to your food.

Option #2: You can never add butter to your food.

Now keep in mind, we are NOT talking about using salt, pepper or butter in recipes, merely the use of them as a post prep/cooking additions. You can still eat food with these ingredients in the recipe, but, for example, you can never sprinkle salt and pepper on a plate of food at home, or in a restaurant, you can never spread butter on your bread or plop it on top of your mashed potatos etc. etc.

I think it goes without saying that you are NOT allowed to try and take a shortcut on this. “Butter” in this case includes margarine and any other spreadable fat made to be similar to butter. Likewise, you can’t use “sea salt”, white pepper, or some other shortcut to get around not being able to use salt and pepper.

What would you do? Please puts some comments..i'm still thinking about it.

I Am Your Gummy Bear (The Gummy Bear Song)
For your viewing pleasure...
a novelty dance song by German composer Christian Schneider and released by Gummybear International. The single has been released in the original Hungarian ("Itt van a Gumimaci")



The song has since been released in at least seven languages and the corresponding videos posted as well featuring a "jolly and jiggly" lime green cartoon image of a rubbery candy gummi bear. In 2007 top charts around the globe... what can i say people love candy...



Yummy! i love gummy bears... Did you notice that the bear has a bite out of his ear.. it wasn't me!!!

Sunday Recap...

Brrrr... Can you believe that it rained enough to cool the pool down to a chilly 86 degrees.
Sunday afternoon the K-C's headed over to my parents house for a early celebration in Honor of My Sister Sarah, and bro-in-law Laszlo's Anniversary. We shared some snacks, drinks and laughter that afternoon. We all decided to take a little swim in the pool, and couldn't believe that it didn't feel like bath water. It was almost chilly at first...ha ha ha.....for those of you who don't know that the pool is most often 9o plus degrees in July. Followed by a fun card game of golf we enjoyed a delicious dinner includeing a roast on the grill and a champagne toast. Then onto dessert of blueberry cake toped with fresh blueberries a bit of vanilla ice cream. It is blueberry season please do not neglect these tasty little morsels. Happy Anniversay Sarah and Laszlo and to many more years of happiness... CHEERS!! Family Time is always so fun, I am so fortunate that mine gets along and can party like the best of them!

Cheers to family!

Le Tour!!!!!
Check out this tV add from France to advertise the tour de france.. i think it is quite funny!!!




Pretty funny!!!

ART...:^)

Took a trip down to the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art Yesterday...fantastic!

There has been some debate lately about the importance of art. This is my contribution to the discussion.When I have not drawn or painted anything in a while, I feel like something is missing. My theory is this: Just like my body needs shelter, food, and exercise, and my mind needs meditation and nature, my spirit needs art! Oh joy, to have enough free time to sit down and create something that did not exist before! (which I have time to do now...but really haven't as much as i should...) Of course, a healthy spirit trickles down to the mind-body, which experiences benefits such as clarity and calm. I am a firm believer of encouraging the arts in schools as well as in life. What can be more satisfying – and more important – than to connect with your own creative spirit? When I don’t create, my world appears duller, with less sparkle. When I create, I believe in miracles, in the good in all people, and in the future of our planet. When I don’t create, fear and doubt seeps in and faith dissipates. To me, art helps create a little bit of peace within.I wonder how many other people there are out there feeling the same way as I do? Why does art matter to you?

Remember art takes many forms...

How are you treating the temple that your spirit lives within?

Each one of us living on earth is a spirit living within a physical body. The body is the temple within which the spirit lives during a life on earth. Some of us treat our bodies well while others do not. Food is the fuel that keeps the physical body alive. Eating healthy is important for the health of the physical body.

I have had plenty of time to contemplate this thought. I have been trying to think about food in a new light, it's often hard to explain the way I think about food since my life is wrapped into it so deeply. I am a professional chef and am trying to direct my knowledge and well being to help change myself and those around me. So i decided to jot down some of the thoughts that pass through my mind...

ONE: Remember to have an attitude of gratitude.
Be grateful that I am alive. Give thanks for me body and make a promise to myself each day to treat my body well.

TWO: Make great choices as I create me financial budget.
What is more important than eating healthy food? Why would any of us want to spend money on clothes we do not really need when instead we could be buying the highest quality of fresh food? I am on a tight budget, so I shop the sales. Buying good food is an investment in my future. Without good nutrition, my body is going to suffer and my future depends on my health.

THREE: Cook, even when I do not feel like it.
Most of us can’t afford to have a cook or eat out everyday. In order to eat healthy, we need to cook healthy meals. One way to enjoy cooking is to listen to wonderful music while preparing a meal. Or put a headphone on your phone and make a phone call to a close friend while you are cooking. (Just be careful to watch the stove while laughing with a friend.)

FOUR: Set a limit on treats.
If I want to be a healthy weight, then I have to set a limit on treats such as sweets, fatty foods and alcoholic drinks. Of course it’s great to have a candy bar or a glass of white wine. But treats need to be what they are called: treats, and not consumed every day and at every meal.

Five: Avoid eating more than I need as a way to solve emotional problems.
For some of us, a huge piece of cake tastes better than ever when we are feeling down. But I have to remember that whatever my problems are, they are going to be worse if I also feel bad about eating too much. I should reach for a cup of herbal tea instead of a candy bar when I am feeling blue.

Six: Make a spiritual commitment to eating well for the rest of my life.
Once again, be grateful that I am alive. Know that the best way I can give thanks for the life I am living, is to take care of the body that my spirit is living within. With a healthy body I will feel better mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I will be able to make better choices for myself, family and for my world.

Amen!

So your going to a pot luck or summer party... what could you take...how 'bout

Lebanese Potato Salad
Dressed with a tangy lemon vinaigrette and fresh mint, this invigorating—and dairy-free—potato salad makes the perfect summer potluck contribution.
Makes 8 servings, about 2/3 cup each
( I tried to make sure thr recipe has all the info you will need to have success)

ACTIVE TIME: 20 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 1 1/4 hours (including cooling time)
EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

2 pounds russet potatoes (about 3 medium)
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

1. Place potatoes in a large saucepan or Dutch oven and cover with lightly salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a cutting board. Let cool for 20 minutes. Cut the cooled potatoes into 1/2-inch pieces. 2. Whisk lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the potatoes and toss to coat. 3. Just before serving, add scallions and mint to the salad and toss gently.

NUTRITION INFORMATION:
Per serving: 143 calories;
5 g fat (1 g sat, 4 g mono);
0 mg cholesterol;
22 g carbohydrate;
3 g protein;
2 g fiber;
153 mg sodium;
516 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus:
Vitamin C (20% daily value),
Potassium (15% dv).
1 1/2 Carbohydrate servings
Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1 fat

Can't get any easier than that give it a try.. yummy!!! Happy healthy cooking to all!!!

Check out this coincidence I think NOT:
Check out this article my Mom-in-Law Linda forwarded to me.. it's very interesting!
Here's an excerpt

It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish...All before making a human. He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best and more powerful when eaten raw. We're such slow learners.

God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body! God's pharmacy! Amazing!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. the pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... And YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes

A Tomato has four chambers and is read. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuro-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain function and, YES, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These food replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant, and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female; they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical Cancers. And how profound is this. It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the motility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Hmmm...makes me think a little!!!

Breakfast: Why is it so important?
Why is breakfast the most important meal of the day?

I admit I,m not good at eating breakfast, so I'm really trying to change that.
I know coffee is not enough.
A healthy breakfast refuels the body and replenishes blood sugar, and gives the energy necessary to start a new day. In addition, evidence indicates that breakfast is good for both the mind and bodies health.

A healthy breakfast should consist of a variety of foods. To make a healthy breakfast each day, choose one item from at least three of the following four food groups:

Fruits and vegetables. Consider fresh, whole fruits and vegetables, fruit or vegetable smoothies, or 100 percent juice without added sugar. (Whole fruit is better because of the fiber)

Grains. Choose whole-grain rolls, bagels, hot or cold whole-grain cereals, or low-fat bran muffins.
Dairy. Consider skim milk, low-fat yogurt cups or low-fat cheeses, such as cottage and natural cheeses.

Protein. Choose hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter, lean slices of meat and poultry, or fish, such as water-packed tuna or slices of salmon.

So i have a Delicious breakfast recipe...
Oat meal blueberry pancakes:

3/4 cup oatmeal
1 cup water
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg, slightly beaten
3/4 cup fat-free (skim) milk
1 cup fresh blueberries

Plain yogurt, if desired maple syrup
1)To cook oatmeal, combine oatmeal and 1 cup of water. Cook either conventional or microwave method according to package directions.

2)Combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl.

3)Mix egg and milk in another medium bowl.

4)Add flour mixture to egg mixture; stir until well bended.

5)Stir in cooked oatmeal.

Heat griddle or skillet: grease if desired. Pour batter by 1/3 cupfuls onto medium hot griddle. Cook pancakes about 3 minutes or until puffed and dry around the edges. Before turning add a few fresh blueberries to each pancake. Turn and cook approximately 2 more minutes or until golden brown.

An excellent breakfast choice... better nutrition than a your regular pancakes and super delicious....

Happy Breakfasting.... Remember why it's breakfast... because were breaking the fast of a good nights rest... also important to rehydrate.

Happy Independence Day!!!

And here's some video for Your Holiday enjoyment!!!

This is really COOOOL!!!
Back in college I took many art classes and was always fascinated watching other artists. Each person has many different styles and techniques... It's really amazing, to watch an artist produce. Most artist don't usually do this in public, so I came across this on youtube!!! I think i need to buy a little paint....fun..fun..fun... You might even laugh. The music is so funny!!!




And by the way...I know your asking " how did you get the paint to peel off like that?" Answer... used a watercolor masking fluid. Its really expensive, like 8 bucks for a small bottle. But its worth it....

PostSecret is an ongoing community mail art project, created by Frank Warren, in which people mail their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard. Select secrets are then posted on the PostSecret website, or used for PostSecret's books or museum exhibits.

No restrictions are made on the content of the secret; only that it must be completely truthful and must never have been spoken before. Entries range from admissions of sexual misconduct and criminal activity to confessions of secret desires, embarrassing habits, hopes and dreams.

I have the Postsecret video post from youtube below. It very powerful, now maybe it serves as a reminder to not judge others we are all human, and no one is perfect. I hope those that have released there secret can now move on or have the courage to reach out if they need help.



I want to thank all of the contributors for there courage...If even just one soul is touched..it is worth it...