Too much work,
and no vacation,
Deserves at least a small libation.
So hail! my friends, and raise your glasses;
Work's the curse of the drinking classes.
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Hello all… I made through another rough Holiday. Easter and the the golf tournament just happened to land at the same time. The least they could do is shift the golf tournament, because you can’t move Easter. Well thank goodness it is over, so were in the middle of another lovely week. You are saying middle? That’s right. Were winding up for a busy weekend, pretty much like most weekends. And I am so excited…ok that was a little sarcasm. But enough of that silly talk about work…

A few interesting points….
Sometimes I think I have to much time on my hands..

If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee. (Hardly seems worth it.)

If you passed gas consistently for 6 years and 9 months, enough gas is produced to create the energy of an atomic bomb. (Now that's more like it!)

The human heart creates enough pressure when it pumps out to the body to squirt blood 30 feet. (O.M.G.!)

A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves to death. (Creepy)

Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour. (Do not try this at home...maybe at work.)

The flea can jump 350 times its body length. It's like a human jumping the length of a football field. (30 minutes...can you imagine??)

The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds. (What could be so tasty on the bottom of a pond?)

Some lions mate over 50 times a day.

Butterflies taste with their feet. (Something I never wanted to know.)

Elephants are the only animal that cannot jump. (OK, so that would be a good thing....)

A cat's urine glows under a black light. (I wonder who was paid to figure that out?)

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. (I know some people like that.)

Starfish have no brains. (I know some people like that too.)

Polar bears are left-handed. (Who knew? Who cares!)

So that my list of useless facts..I hope you enjoyed them!!!!

How you doin’ ? Step in my world for a sec….

I know I have been neglecting my blog duties. I been sucked in to the wonderful world of work. U know being a culinary genius takes a lot of energy. Not really, the food part is very easy, the creative process and all. The part that kicks my butt is running around, you know the physical labor part and all. Yuck! Oh well in my field it’s like a package deal. So all the shows on TV about how the world of professional kitchens are not very true... Or in movies when they are going through a kitchen and the chef’s are humming (la la la) and there’s classical music playing. What I think the funniest part of all that is, not one person has a bit of sauce or signs of working on there clothes. Trust me even in the world of fancy stuff… chefs get food on them. I know I do!!! Enough about work ...

Kids do you know what time it is???? Thats right time for useless food triva facts...Food trivia yes i love it I can never get enough of this stuff..

Some things are not what they seem. Did you know the following facts?

Ten gallon hats only hold about 6 pints. I guess ten gallons sounds better..i don't know?

Refried beans aren't really what they seem. Although their name seems like a reasonable translation of Spanish frijoles refritos, the fact is that these beans aren't fried twice. In Spanish, refritos literally means "well-fried," not "re-fried."

The hamburger was invented in 1900 by Louis Lassen. He ground beef, broiled it, and served it between two pieces of toast. I wonder who decided to put all the goodies on them?

The pound cake got its name from the pound of butter it contained. I thought it was if you ate to much it would make you gain a pound...

The world's costliest coffee, at $130 a pound , is called Kopi Luwak. It is in the droppings of a type of marsupial that eats only the very best coffee beans. Plantation workers track them and scoop their precious poop. They say it tastes really good..?

To determine the percentage of alcohol in a bottle of liquor divide the proof by two.

Spilling salt considered good luck in Japan. Interesting...

The most recognized smell in the world is coffee.

About 8 percent of the weight in a box of corn flakes is corn.

Well I hope you enjoyed another list of useless food info...see ya next time...

My new Boss...

So last week the new executive chef started. He's a middle aged Austrian Guy. He seems to be okay so far. In fact I'm slowly finding out about his dry sense of humor.. I have to congradulate myself...I think i was the first one to get him to crack a smile....I can hear you saying...what???? Well he's kinda of serious looking all the time. So me and my kitchen partner in crime decided the first task we were going to take on was to get the guy to smile. But who can say that i don't bring a smile to their face. I don't want to toot my own horn, but i am the queen of zany!!!

From Reuters News Service:Canada's Ottawa Citizen newspaper
recently printed a recipe for Chanterelle Lemon Pasta in its food section, calling for one cup of Chanterelle mushrooms. They even provided a helpful photograph so amateur mushroom hounds could find their own growing in the wild. Unfortunately, the photograph instead showed Destroying Angels, which are deadly when eaten.(oops that could really suck) So do yourself a favor don't go out picking mushrooms in your yard!!!)

TODAY IN FOOD HISTORY* National Oatmeal-Nut Waffle Day( e-mail me if you ever ate oatmeal-nut waffles)

1791 Samuel Mulliken of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania received a patent for a machine to thresh corn and grain.

1853 Self rising flour was supposedly invented by Henry Jones of Bristol.(Dates vary, 1845, 1852 and 1853).

1903 Lawrence Welk, champagne music-maker, was born.

1947 Mark Stein of the music group 'Vanilla Fudge' was born


Question of the week: What the difference between Japanese and chinease chop stick???

I f you wanna know...well I tell later...so stay tuned..

I gotta go catch some ZZZZ's!!!!

During National Nutrition Month® 2005 and Beyond: Losing or Managing Weight Is All about Calories In, Calories Out
-->
Diet trends often focus on one food or one nutrient, promising it will be the magic bullet for losing weight and keeping it off forever. But when registered dietitians analyze a weight-loss plan, invariably it turns out that the key is reducing your intake of calories.

“There is no panacea for weight control,” says registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association spokesperson Cathy Nonas. “It’s all about the calories you put into your body versus the calories you burn. Eat a balanced diet with mostly fruits, vegetables and whole grains as your base. Accompany this with daily physical activity to help your body burn those calories so you can maintain a healthier weight.”

Nonas adds: “Budget yourself, just like you would your finances. If you overspent in the calorie department one day, try to make up for it in the exercise department the next. Over time, if you save up calories, you are able to have that once-in-a-while splurge and not feel like you’ve blown your calorie budget.”
The American Dietetic Association’s Complete Food and Nutrition Guide provides great calorie-burning activities to do per hour by body weight:
Activity
Calories for 120 pounds
Calories for 170 pounds
Basketball
330
460
Bicycling (10 mph)
220
310
Bowling
165
230
Hiking
330
460
Horseback riding
220
310
Jogging
385
540
Mowing lawn
300
425
Running (10 mph)
880
1,230
Swimming
330
460
Walking briskly
220
310
Weight training
165
230

With nearly 70,000 members, the Chicago-based American Dietetic Association is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition and well-being.
National Nutrition Month®, created in 1973 and celebrated each March, helps promote healthful eating and provides consumers with practical nutrition guidance.

TODAY IN FOOD HISTORY

* National Tortilla Chip Day*

Swamp Cabbage Festival
Did you Know????
The Cabbage Palmetto (Sabal palmetto) is native to the Southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean. Also known as Cabbage palm and Swamp Cabbage. This is the plant that hearts of palm are obtained from. The tender hearts of the terminal bud or young leaf shoots. Hearts of palm have many layers (similar to leeks), and are a pale ivory color, with a very mild nutty flavor. They are used mostly in salads. The state tree of South Carolina is the Cabbage palmetto, and is also on the state flag.
Enough of that serious stuff>>>>Silly thoughts to bring a chuckle to your day!!

Buffalo meat is getting more popular. I suppose soon we can expect cold cuts made from it -- possibly called "buffaloney." (okay i didn't come up with that by myself, it was an old one)

On a diet? Try a rice cake? The only way you know you're eating something is when you open your mouth to talk, stuff floats out. I think i would rather eat carrot sticks!!

Or worse yet fast food... It's called "fast" food because you're supposed to eat it really fast. Otherwide, you might actually taste it.

The big problem with "fast" food is that it slows down when it hits your stomach. And it just parks there--and lets the fat have time to get off and apply for citizenship.

I really do hate to cook, whenI wake up in the morning. For breakfast I would be happy eating a tub of Cool Whip. It even goes well with coffee. Thank goodness for my coffee, sometimes I think that without it I would rarely make it to work. If I could just move the coffee pot into the bedroom....hmmm. That's the best idea so far...today!!!

well cheeros, I gotta get to bed...so i can do it again ....

Water yourself
Water, water, everywhere - but do we have to drink it all?

Only 3% of the world's water is drinkable. The rest is either contaminated, or seawater, or both.
In terms of volume, 75% of your bone is made up of water. Water also figures large in terms of body tissue. It plays a vital role in supplying oxygen to cells, as well as temperature regulation, waste removal and the everyday running of all major organs.

You can go about four weeks without food, but only three days without water.
For maximum health, experts reckon you should drink approximately two litres of water (eight glasses) each day. Coffee and booze don't count, because both have a diuretic effect on the body. Caffeine and alcohol both serve to squeeze water from cells, which means you lose more fluid than you take on board.

If you wait until you're thirsty before you reach for that glass, then you're already dehydrated and the damage is done.

When the body is dehydrated, it often sends out signals that are misread as hunger pangs. Mild dehydration actually slows down body metabolism, so you're losing out on two counts if you let your water intake slip.

A little dehydration can leave you feeling tired as well as messing with your short-term memory. Start to feel a bit parched, and simple mental tasks could seem like a massive Jedi mind challenge.

It's advisable for pregnant women to increase their daily water intake to meet the needs of the developing foetus. Mothers who breastfeed should also keep spinning the cold tap to replace fluid used in milk production.

So drink as much water as you can. You really can't drink to much!! An on top of that your body will thank.. Cheers to happy drinking! Of coarse i'm talking about water!!

TODAY IN FOOD HISTORY*

National Chocolate Mint Day
1847
The Donner Party is rescued after being snowbound in the Sierra Nevadas. Almost half of the original 87 members died, and some of the survivors seemed to be well fed considering the ordeal they went through. Cannibalism itself is not a crime, and no charges were ever brought.

1906
Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company (W.K. Kellogg Company) was founded by Will Keith Kellogg to manufacture breakfast cereals (cornflakes).

1913 Cracker Jack began to put prizes in each box.

1985 Cherry Coke was introduced. Actually, soda fountains (remember them?) had been making them for decades.

1999
The world's largest strawberry shortcake was created in McCall Park, Plant City, Florida, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. The city holds the Guinness record for the world's largest strawberry shortcake, over 6,000 pounds.

LOST IN THE TRANSLATION
The Dairy Association's huge success with the campaign "Got Milk?" prompted them to expand advertising to Mexico. It was soon brought to their attention the Spanish translation read "Are you lactating?"Coors put its slogan, "Turn It Loose," into Spanish, where it was read as "Suffer From Diarrhea."When Gerber started selling baby food in Africa, they used the same packaging as in the US, with the smiling baby on the label. Later they learned that in Africa, companies routinely put pictures on the labels of what's inside, since many people can't read.Pepsi's "Come Alive With the Pepsi Generation" translated into "Pepsi Brings Your Ancestors Back From the Grave" in Chinese.The Coca-Cola name in China was first read as "Kekoukela", meaning "Bite the wax tadpole" or "female horse stuffed with wax", depending on the dialect. Coke then researched 40,000 characters to find a phonetic equivalent "kokou kole", translating into "happiness in the mouth."Frank Perdue's chicken slogan, "It takes a strong man to make a tender chicken" was translated into Spanish as "it takes an aroused man to make a chicken affectionate."

Pretty interesting stuff!!! Things that make you go hmmmm....

For Chocolate Lovers
-->-->
February 14, 2005


Aside from cupids, hearts and flowers, one thing is synonymous with Valentine’s Day. Chocolate.
Among South American tribes, chocolate was considered a food of the gods. For many people it remains just that. However, chocolate does contain fat and a number of calories.
The fat in chocolate is a combination of saturated and unsaturated fat and does not appear to increase blood cholesterol levels. A serving of chocolate contains about as much caffeine as one cup of decaffeinated coffee.
Research shows that chocolate contains antioxidants that may help prevent cholesterol from sticking to artery walls, reducing your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Chocolate also contains flavonoids, which are the same compounds that give red wine and tea their disease-preventing benefits. The darker the chocolate, the more antioxidants and flavonoids it contains.
Don’t forget the amount of chocolate you eat can make a difference in your calorie intake, so enjoy it in moderation.
Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team


Everyone have a delightful day!!!!

It's not just a dessert, it's a lifestyle...

That’s right folks were talking about:

flan - n.

1. A tart with a filling of custard, fruit, or cheese.

2. A custard that is baked in a caramel-lined mold and served chilled with the caramel side up.

(pronounced "flon" or "flawn")

For some reason at work we get the oddest food ideas. I think sometimes it’s to keep our minds off whats really going on. It’s just a minor distraction…Today is my Bosses last day so this is a little tribute to the sense of humor he brought into our kitchen. It’s been great Chef D. L. , thanks for all the practical jokes and pulling my leg. I don’t know how you did it every time…and I always fell for it…peace out!!!

Love Poem Flan Style

by Anonymous (They were probably too embarrassed to admit they wrote this)

Roses are red,

Flan is yellow

Sugar is sweet

Won't you be my fellow?

Flan

i love flan, its tastes the best,
i love it so much i have a flan fest.
flan, o flan! you are so cool,
just thinking of you makes me drool

Alternative Uses for Flan

Flan has so much potential that it is a shame it has been stereotyped as a dessert for so long. Never again! It's time to bring flan back into the mainstream. Here are a few suggestions for other ways to harness the power of flan.

Flan-iture

Move over inflatable furniture! Flan-iture is all the rage in Paris, so it can't be long before the craze hits the US. Be the first on your block to own the entire flan collection, including a sofa, loveseat, end table and rug.

---

The Sounds of Flan

Do you have trouble relaxing? Do your hard days at work make it hard to sleep at night? Your problems are solved with the Sounds of Flan. This six disc set releases your inner flan, helping you relax. The sounds on these discs are made from real flan, no imitations here. The discs include sounds of wild flan in nature, underwater flan, and performances by the Flan Symphony Orchestra.

Flantact Lenses

Do you find it hard to look at the world through your own dreary eyes? Wouldn't life be much more fun if everything looked like flan?!

Now, ladies and gentlemen, you too can step into the eyes of Señor Flan and Flanita (I would say shoes, but while the metaphor would make more sense, it would be inaccurate since these are flantact lenses, not flan sneakers). Ok, so really that made no sense, can we forget that last marketing ploy and just say that you're completely uncool if you don't have flantact lenses. Everyone is doing it!!

Okay it's true... My ideas get more bizzarre everyday!!! I'm sure if I make myself laugh or if I am totally confused???? Okay it is funny, you can't deny it... So i'm nuts..or should i sprinkle nuts on my FLAN. Hold on let me ask Senor Flan and Flanita!!!!! There looking at me like I'm crazy... just like you are thinking. I think it's past my bed time, don't you...

Flan is seriously under-represented on the world wide web. We here are trying to change that, little by little. So please, pass the magic of flan on to your friends

Today is National Bagel and Lox Day

So another fat tuesday has come and gone...so in celebration of Mardi Gras


YOU MIGHT BE A CAJUN IF...
(This was forwarded to me at chef net by Fred)

YOU MIGHT BE A CAJUN IF:.....
· Watching "Wild Kingdom" inspires you to write a cookbook.
· You won't eat a lobster because you think it's a crawfish on steroids.
· You take a bite of 5-alarm Texas chili and reach for some Tabasco.
· You pass up a chance to meet the president to go to the Crawfish Festival in Breaux Bridge.
· Your children's favorite bedtime story begins with, "First you make a roux..."
· You're asked in school to name the four seasons and you reply, "Onyons, celery, bell peppers, and garlic."
· You think the "Fab Four" are "Paul Prudhomme, John Folse, Justin Wilson, and A.J. Smith".
· You let your black coffee cool and find it has gelled.
· You describe a complete breakfast as some deer sausage, grits and a yard of boudin.
· None of your favorite vacation spots are north of Abbeville.
· You sit down to eat boiled crawfish and someone says, "Don't eat the dead ones" and you know what they mean.
· You refer to Louisiana winters as "gumbo weather"
· You gave up Tabasco for Lent.
· You learned bourre' the hard way - holding yourself upright in the crib.
· You don't know the real names of your close friends - only their nicknames.
· You can look at a rice field and can tell how much gravy it'll take for that much rice.
· Your high school's rendition of the national anthem begins with, "Jambalaya, crawfish pie, filet gumbo..."
· You stand up when they play "Jolie Blon."
· You consider Breaux Bridge the state capitol.
· You think the Mason-Dixon line is at Bunkie.


Culinary quiz for Wed:

1) What do basil, marjoram, oregano, sage and rosemary have in common?
2) What are the only two food preferences humans are born with?
3) What are the top 3 'farmed' fish crops in the U.S.?

ANSWERS
1) They are all in the mint family.
2) Humans only have two basic food preferences that we are born with; a liking for sweet foods, and a dislike for bitter foods. All other preferences are learned, either culturally or by personal experience which may cause us to associate certain tastes or foods with unpleasant or pleasant moments. Medical disorders may also cause a craving or revulsion for certain foods.
3) Catfish is the largest 'crop', followed by crawfish and the third largest 'crop' is rainbow trout.

So I hope this has been humorous for you 'cause it has been for me..and maybe a little informative???

Update From Super game central!!!!

Can I say my feet are doing most of the talking. They are barking!!! Is it Monday yet? Another 12 hour day has gone by, thank goodness it’s one day closer to being over, woo hoo! Greg and I are beat, we been working 12- 18 hour days everyday since this past Wednesday. It’s been a long week, and it’s coming to a close after one more day! So if anyone is trying to get a hold of us, we will get back to you early next week. We didn’t forget about you…we promise. Creating food for the masses can be time consuming.

TODAY IN FOOD HISTORY* National Frozen Yogurt Day* Feast of St. Amand, patron of bartenders, brewers, vintners. (Perfect day, for superbowl Sunday, I’m sure there many people will help celebrate this one!!!)


Well, we chat more next week…..because we’re plum tuckered out right now. I’m going to hit the hey…TOODLES!!!

FEBRUARY 3 National Carrot Cake Day
Cookies Anyone???

This week the big football game is in J-ville. Greg working down at the stadium on the kitchen crew through the rest of the week, to make a little extra money. Here’s an interesting fact: they are baking 14,000 cookies a day. What’s more interesting, they are all homemade, you know from scratch. WOW!! I’m impressed. So if any one gets down to the stadium..make sure to a cookie.

The origin of Cookies: Two issues to deal with here. The word and the food. The food, originated in Rome sometime around the 3rd century B.C., and it was called 'bis coctum' meaning twice baked.
The Roman 'bis coctum' was not sweet, it had no sugar added. 'Bis coctum' is the origin of the word 'biscuit,' which is a flakey quick bread in the U.S., but in England a biscuit is what in the U.S. would be called a cookie or cracker.
Small sweet cakes that are similar to cookies probably originated around India or Persia around the 7th century, possibly because that's where sugar cultivation started.

The origin of the word:
Sugar was added by the Dutch and they called it 'koekje', meaning little cake. The Dutch took them to America in the 18th century and the word became 'cookie.'

Why is it traditional to make fork marks on Peanut Butter Cookies?
Most recipes for peanut butter cookies call the the dough to be mixed with a fork, and made into balls that are then flattened with the fork.My guess is that the practice just evolved from the nature of the dough, and that the easiest way to make the cookies was to roll the dough into balls and flatten the balls with the fork, leaving fork marks. The criss-cross would follow because it is a little creative and artistic.Also, consider that peanut allergies are fairly common, and the distinctive markings make peanut butter cookies easily identifiable, giving further reason for the tradition to be continued.

So that’s that’s the skinny on cookies!!! I bet you didn’t know all that! The marks on the peanut butter cookies, we really don’t know it’s really just a guess. So who ever invented they thanks because I love them.

So I read a book and it made the wheels in my head turn.

It’s funny sit back and think things over. Not the ha haa type of funny but more the look how far I’ve come. Or even pondering where am I’m I going and how am I going to get there. Or even where am I going? Am I doing things the right way? What is the right way? Do I believe in karma, and if so…well this what I think!!!

"IT'S MY KARMA"
One of the most messed views of karma is the idea that nothing can be done about it. No matter how terrible our situation , there is always something we can do, even if it's just dealing with it as best we can with a patient smile, a good attitude and a loving heart. (Maybe a good bit of humor ) The time will come when we will be through with this stretch of the hard road,( it may be a long road, but that’s why there is patience) and it's best to come out of it with no bitterness. Remember, no one has done this to me, it is a result of my own actions, thoughts or words. In patience I can and will overcome it and rise again to an even greater level than before. Again, keep in mind that in the worst situation often lies the greatest opportunity…



THAT'S JUST AN OPINION..BUT i THINK ITS WISE IN SOME WAYS!!

Lesson of the day read a good book and you will never know what comes to your mind.
The book I read was a Culinary/murder mystery.

So I read a book and it made the wheels in my head turn.

It’s funny sit back and think things over. Not the ha haa type of funny but more the look how far I’ve come. Or even pondering where am I’m I going and how am I going to get there. Or even where am I going? Am I doing things the right way? What is the right way? Do I believe in karma, and if so…well this what I think!!!

"IT'S MY KARMA"
One of the most messed views of karma is the idea that nothing can be done about it. No matter how terrible our situation , there is always something we can do, even if it's just dealing with it as best we can with a patient smile, a good attitude and a loving heart. (Maybe a good bit of humor ) The time will come when we will be through with this stretch of the hard road,( it may be a long road, but that’s why there is patience) and it's best to come out of it with no bitterness. Remember, no one has done this to me, it is a result of my own actions, thoughts or words. In patience I can and will overcome it and rise again to an even greater level than before. Again, keep in mind that in the worst situation often lies the greatest opportunity…



THAT'S JUST AN OPINION..BUT i THINK ITS WISE IN SOME WAYS!!

Lesson of the day read a good book and you will never know what comes to your mind.
The book I read was a Culinary/murder mystery.

TODAY IN FOOD HISTORY

* National Corn Chip Day*
UK: National Salt Awareness Day

1878 The first patent for a glass milk container was issued to George Lester.

1924 Carl R. Taylor of Cleveland, patented the first U.S. ice cream cone rolling machine.

1978 Sweden banned aerosol cans. No more Reddi-Wip!

2004 A 60 ton, 56 foot long sperm whale exploded on a busy street in Tainan, Taiwan. A buildup of gas from internal decay caused the explosion. Researchers were taking the whale by truck to the National Cheng Kung University for a necropsy. The whale had beached itself and died on January 17. No one was injured in the explosion, but blood and entrails showered cars and shops, and traffic was held up for several hours while the mess was cleaned up.

DID YOU KNOW? Food Trivia

Horehound, Marrubium vulgare, is a member or the mint family native to Eurasia. A bitter, aromatic herb that has been used as a cough remedy for thousands of years, horehound is said to take its name from Horus (son of Osiris and Isis) the Egyptian god of the sun. Juice extracted from the leaves is used to flavor liqueurs, candy, cough drops and syrups, and horehound honey used to be as popular as horehound candy.

CULINARY QUIZ
1) 30 years ago large this aquatic vertebrate might sell for a penny a pound for catfood, if it sold at all. Today, that same animal will sell for up to $50 per pound (that's $50,000 for a one!), mainly due to the popularity of two Asian food specialities. Name this animal and the Asian food specialties.

2) In the early 20th century this was considered a disgusting food by the British. Escoffier, while chef at the Carlton Hotel in London, had them accepted by no other than the Price of Wales by listing them on the menu as 'cuisses de nymphes aurore', or legs of the dawn nymphs. What is the common name of this food?

3) How did the alligator pear get its name and what is the other common name for it?

4) How much feed does it take to produce a dozen eggs?

5) What country has more varieties of crabs than anywhere else in the world?

6) What herb is used in the production of imitation maple syrup, rum and butterscotch flavors?

7) What percentage of a lemon is juice?

8) How many pounds of mustard are consumed in the world each year?

9) The East Coast and West Coast of the U.S. have differing tastes in peanut butter. What are their preferences?

10) What percentage of all pumpkins are sold for food?

answers: i have to much time on my hands:
1) Atlantic bluefin tuna (250 to over 1,000 pounds). Sushi and sashimi.
2) Frog's legs.
3) Alligator pear is another name for the avocado, so named because the trees grow in areas infested with alligators, or because their skin is rough like an alligator’s. Take your pick.
4) It takes about 4 1/2 pounds of feed to produce a dozen eggs.
5) The United States.
6) Fenugreek.
7) Lemons contain 30 to 45 percent juice depending on variety, climate, maturity when harvested, and storage conditions.
8) Over 700 million pounds of mustard are consumed worldwide each year.
9) Creamy peanut butter is prefered on the East Coast, Chunky on the West Coast.
10) 99% of all pumpkins are sold for decorations, Only 1% are sold for food.

well i hope you found this stuff interesting...it was worth chewing on for me...heheh no pun intended!!!

Soooo Back to Work...ack!!!

Well today was my second day back to work after being sick last week with a sinus infection...boy did that stink (not really..I couldn't smell a thing). I really felt tired by the end of today, I hadn't worked for seven days. Then i had to come back.. and stand for 9 hours 2 days in a row.. I admit i must be feeling better. I feel a wave of silliness coming through!!!

THE STRAIGHT DOPE ON FOOD, HEALTH AND EXERCISE

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats and that's it. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable slop

Q: Is beer or wine bad for me?
A: Look, it goes to the earlier point about fruits and vegetables. As we all know, scientists divide everything in the world into three categories: animal, mineral, and vegetable. We all know that beer and wine are not animal, and they are not on the periodic table of elements, so that only leaves one thing, right? My advice: Have a burger and a beer and enjoy your liquid vegetables

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body, and you have body fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain-No Pain.

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: You're not listening. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

any questions...believe me I have some great answers for you...my advice to you is. if you want to ask me a question...be ready for a very well thought out answer...hehehehe..

Chicken soup anyone???

Yes, i've been sick this week, and last week as well. I have not been to work since last sat. , so i am getting rid of a pretty nasty sinus infection. My boss called this morning to check up on me, to see if I was still alive. I'm not the type who gets sick very often, but when i due it is pretty nasty. I was nice of my body to wait till it was slow at work, so i would really miss anything. Speaking of chicken soup makes me think of this....

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A Noodle by Any Other Name
The terms pasta, macaroni and noodles are often used interchangeably. But they are not the same thing. (Really no joke!) Who would think that such a simple dish could be so complicated? It's really not that complicated.... OK, I can’t resist saying it. It’s time to use your noodle.

Pasta is the general term for the wheat product derived from putting together semolina flour with liquid, usually water and/or eggs. Use water and you have macaroni, use eggs and you have noodles. (pretty simple!!!) Semolina flour, made from durum wheat, is the flour of choice because of its high protein content. This provides the pasta with structure so it will maintain its integrity during fabrication and cooking. It is resistant to water absorption, which renders it ideal for cooking pasta al dente, an Italian phrase translated as “to the tooth.” It means that the finished pasta will have some resistance to the bite and not be overly soft.

Oh, and by the way, Marco Polo did not introduce pasta to Italy. Historical evidence reveals that pasta was being made in Italy in the 11th century, 200 years before Marco Polo. The earliest known evidence of pasta production goes back to about 1000 B.C. in central Asia. Pasta is available in fresh and dried forms. (here's a little tid bit...china invented a ton of stuff...they been around for a really long time) While the dried, if left in a cool, dark place can last indefinitely; fresh pasta must be refrigerated and used within a few days. Fresh pasta also cooks much quicker than its dried counterpart. Some folks add oil to the pasta water, believing that it will prevent the pasta from sticking. This is an absolute waste of time. Oil and water are chemically incompatible. The oil floats to the surface, thus preventing any mingling with the pasta. Neither does salt prevent sticking. Salt is added to the water to season the pasta. What prevents sticking is placing the pasta in already boiling water, not overcrowding the pot, and stirring, particularly at the early stages of cooking.

Lastly, there is no reason to rinse your pasta after cooking. People who practice this usually harbor irrational beliefs about “starch.” Starch is nothing more than carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are not evil and rinsing the pasta will reduce them only minimally. Most of the carbohydrate is in the pasta. Simply draining it removes most of whatever carbohydrate has leeched out during cooking. Rinsing only serves to un-season your pasta. There are countless shapes and sizes of pasta and even more sauces that can accompany it. Here are is a recipe.
I perfer whole wheat pasta ...if you haven't tried it you should, a serving of pasta is 1/2 cup cooked!!! So if you plan on having a big bowl of pasta for dinner don't over do your complex carbs during the day....unless you have a physical day tomarrow

PASTA PROVENCAL
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 batch scallions, green and white parts chopped
1 yellow squash, chopped into a medium
dice4 cloves garlic,
chopped2 large button mushrooms,
chopped 4 plum tomatoes,
1 can tomato paste
2 cans or 28 ounces chicken broth
basil and parsley, chopped,
to taste salt and pepper to taste
1 lb angel hair
the oil in a large saucepan and add the scallions and mushrooms. Sauté for a few minutes and then add the squash. As soon as it softens add the garlic and sauté one or to minutes more. Add chicken broth, tomatoes and half of the tomato paste. Bring to a boil and then simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. You may not need all the paste. This sauce is supposed to be light so check the consistency as it’s simmering, adding more paste if necessary. Add the herbs one minute before the sauce is done cooking. Add salt and pepper to taste. Since this is a light sauce, a delicate pasta like angel hair is best. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese. Yummy!!!

Yes there's lots of humor and tasty recipes coming your way so I hope your ready!!! I must be feeling better....

Did someone say soup???

It’s still chilli out side (no pun intended) , and will be for some time. The other day I was talking to my Mom on the the phone. And she mentioned that that she had black bean soup the other day and it was quite delicious. She wanted to know if I had a recipe, of course I do!!!! Let me search my file…it’s between my ears you know? I have a couple of choices so get your printer warmed up and your soup pot ready..

Black Bean and Salsa Soup (vegeheads) no meat
(this is so easy for a quick last minute dinner)


INGREDIENTS:
· 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
· 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
· 1 cup chunky salsa
· 1 teaspoon ground cumin
· 4 tablespoons sour cream
· 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion ( or chives or een diced white onion)

DIRECTIONS:
1. In an electric food processor or blender, combine beans, broth salsa and cumin. Blend until fairly smooth.
2. Heat the bean mixture in a medium saucepan over medium heat until thoroughly heated. To serve, ladle soup into 4 individual bowls and top each bowl with 1 tablespoon of the sour cream, and 1/2 teaspoon green onion.

Black BeanMeaty 'Cuban

INGREDIENTS:
· 2 cans black beans
· 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch strips
· 4 (3.5 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage, or spicy
· 4 bay leaves
· 1 teaspoon ground cumin
· 2 onions, chopped
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 tablespoon sherry or dry red wine, or white
· 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large pot over med heat, combine the beans, chicken, sausage, bay leaves, cumin, onion, garlic and sherry. Add enough water to cover all ingredients.
2. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. . Add tomato paste to soup and stir until dissolved. Salt and pepper to tasteCover and simmer .about 30 min. salt always at the end!!! it reduces and may become to salty.


Black Bean Vegetable Soup with bacon

Half of the black beans in this spicy soup are pureed with tomatoes, the other half are simmered with carrots, onion and kernels of corn." Original recipe yield: 6 - 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:
· 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
· 1 onion, chopped
2-3 slices of bacon chopped, or a ham bone
· 1 clove garlic, minced
· 2 carrots, chopped
· 2 teaspoons chili powder
· 1 teaspoon ground cumin
· 4 cups vegetable stock ( or chicken stock)
· 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
· 1 (8.75 ounce) can whole kernel corn
· 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
· 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
DIRECTIONS:
1.In large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; cook bacon, onion, garlic, and carrots, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until onion is softened. Add chili powder and cumin; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add stock, 1 can of the beans, corn, and pepper; bring to boil.
2. Meanwhile, in food processor or blender, puree together tomatoes and remaining can of beans; add to pot. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until carrots are tender.

So try them out...the recipes are so easy a yummy, you won't be disappointed. It winter so warm yourself and your family with a hot bowl of soup. I think up and coming days I talk about the traditions of soup and high light a few of my favorite soup recipes as we wonder through our winter wonder land. And yes it's been cold here in jax...Karen, joe, and greg have a had to scrape the ice off there windshields quite a few times this year already. Well that's all I know..until next time...

What have I been up to???

Well today I had the day off…thank goodness. I have been a little bit under the weather. And working in a refridgerated kitchen is not my idea of fun…on top of that we had a super nasty nor easter blow in. But I woke up today feeling much better!!!

My bro-in-law to be’s family is in town, so we been enjoying there company. This afternoon the ladies took a little trip to world golf village and went a bridal show. It was fun, and very informative to meet some of the local vendors. We saw some good ideas and we also so some pretty ugly ones too!!! Sis Karen won a few good prizes, and it was well worth the admission. Surprise to me, there were quite a few guys there and boy did they look like fish out of water!!! So guys out there…just go fishing instead…trust me!!! We saw so dresses, and most were quit unattractive. After all that we headed back home and went to grab some dinner. So that’s a wrap folks ….have a lovely day.

A Clean kitchen is a Happy Kitchen!!!

I returned to work today after my little time off. Went in and prepared for a small party, then cleaned. It’s odd to say that there’s no better feeling than walking into a spotless kitchen where the stainless steel is sparking after being polished. It’s relaxing not to have to run around to serve a bunch of people. So people at work gripe about our after holiday deep cleaning, but I don’t mind. Maybe it will teach them to be a little less messy?? There’s always hope.

What’s cool about JANUARY 7
National Tempura Day---Yummy !!!if you don't know what tempura is i'll explain later.
1896 The Fannie Farmer Cookbook is published.1901 Alfred Packer is released from prison. He served 18 years for cannibalism after being stranded in the Rocky Mountains. (Actually he was convicted of murder, since cannibalism was not against the law).Gross!!!1958 Ant Farms go on sale. Milton Levine had the idea at a July 4th family picnic. I wonder if he had dreams of fencing them in so they would not bother him at picnics?

DUMB FOOD LAWS
Arizona: It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water.
Illinois: A law forbids eating in a place that is on fire.
Kentucky: By law, anyone who has been drinking is "sober" until he or she "cannot hold onto the ground."
Washington: All lollipops are banned.
Florida: It is illegal to sell peanuts after sundown on Wednesday.
Alabama: Putting salt on a railroad track may be punishable by death.

As you can see i have to much time on my hands, and i'm up to late as usual. The internet is like a time warp. I sit dow at 12 and the next time i look up at the clock it's way later.
Well that’s all folks…and have shiny happy kitchen kind of DAY!!!