Labor Day Menu

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(Menu Courtesy of Martha Stewart)
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Main
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Shrimp Boil with Tomato-Red Onion Salad and Garlic
Serves 4 (I double every recipe)
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2 lemons, halved, plus wedges for serving
3 bay leaves
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1 large garlic head, halved horizontally
3 medium onions, peeled and quartered
1 dried red chile
Coarse salt or sea salt
8 sprigs fresh thyme, tied together with kitchen twine
1 pound new red potatoes, unpeeled, halved if large
4 ears corn, husked, halved crosswise
1 pound unpeeled large shrimp, shells slit lengthwise from top to halfway down back, deveined
Hot sauce, for serving
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Directions
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Fill a large stockpot with 4 quarts water. Squeeze lemons into water; add rinds. Add bay leaves, seasoning, garlic, onions, chile, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes.
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Add potatoes; simmer 12 minutes. Add corn; simmer 5 minutes. Add shrimp; cover, and simmer until opaque, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer ingredients to parchment paper or a bowl. Sprinkle with salt; serve with lemon and hot sauce.
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Salad
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Tomato and Red Onion Salad
Serves 4
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1 1/2 pounds small to medium red and yellow tomatoes, halved if small and quartered if medium 1 medium red onion, quartered and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup good-quality extra-virgin olive-oil
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Directions
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Gently toss together tomatoes, onion, parsley, and salt in a large bowl; season with pepper. Drizzle in oil, and toss to combine. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
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Bread
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Warm Bread with Garlic-Herb Butter
Serves 4
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1 large garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon, freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 loaf crusty bread
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Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a mortar and pestle, crush together garlic and salt to form a paste. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add parsley, chives, lemon juice, and butter; stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.
Place bread on a baking sheet. Warm bread in oven until crust is crisp, about 10 minutes. Serve with the butter. Butter can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.
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Dessert

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Cherries on Ice
Serves 4
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1 pound sweet cherries, stems attached, rinsed and drained
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Directions
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Place cherries in a bowl; set aside. Fill a medium bowl with ice; add water. Set out a small bowl for pits and stems. To serve, have guests pick cherries from the bowl and dip them in ice water, then place pits and stems in small bowl.
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Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!!
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Yes We Can!!

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After watching the final night of the Democratic Convention I had to get out my copy of the recording Barack Obama left on my answering machine in March of 2007, and listen to it once more. He had seen a note I had on left on his website , with a small donation, and contacted me as he was leaving his office for the evening. When the message began - "Hello Sabina, this is Senator Barack Obama" -- I nearly fell on the floor. Fortunately he left a number that I was able to call him back at, and a few days later I was able to speak with him briefly.
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I am so proud of the Democratic Party for nominating him as our candidate. I have so much renewed hope for the future of our Country - that I can hardly contain my enthusiasm.
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Yes We Can!!!

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Let's Talk Bras

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This time of year always puts me in the mood for buying some new clothes and undergarments. Now that the kids are back in school and all their drawers, and desks are packed full -- it's time for me!!

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With that in mind --what about a subject that all women deal with -- finding the right bra or rather fitting the right bra. You can take take Oprah's advice and have an expert do a measurement for you at Nordstrom (which I finally did) or calculate it yourself using the link below. Either way this should be done before you go to look for a new bra.

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It seems that most of us, 8 out of 10, are wearing the wrong bra size. Which translates to uncomfortable fits - which can cause fits. I am happy that this ordeal is over for me, and bra shopping is so much easier. I can now concentrate on finding something I love -- that suits my needs with no guesswork - tugging, or pulling.

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Here are 9 that offer great support no matter what size or style you wear.
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I found this information via Real Simple. They had some excellent brand suggestions. I actually purchased the first bra shown (and matching knickers), at Bloomingdales, and absolutely love it!! Although you might have to pay a little more for a good bra, it's definitely worth every penny!!

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#1 Best Seamed Bra for a Large Bust - Fayreform Evolve Underwire Bra, about $68

This pick offers a precise fit and extra lift for sizes up to a G cup. The feminine lace is a welcome rarity in this size range.

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#2 Best Seamed Bra for a Small Bust - Lands’ End Women's Lace Balcony Non-padded Underwire Bra, $39

Beauty meets function, lauded for its lacy cups lined with comfy mesh, strong spandex side panels for shaping, and slim double straps.

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#3 Best T-Shirt Bra for a Large Bust -Marie Jo Avero Contour Bra ,around $95

Designed for those whose cups runneth over (up to a size E), this microfiber bra provides full coverage with pretty details. “You can’t put a price on this kind of support,” the article stated.

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#4 Best T-Shirt Bra for a Small Bust - Jockey Padded Microfiber Underwire Bra, $26

Not only is this style a steal but it’s also made of a silky-soft microfiber that disappears under clothes.

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#5 Best Convertible Bra for a Large Bust - Prima DonnaPrima Donna Satin Deluxe Full Cup Seam Free Bra, around $90

Appropriate for wide-set necklines or strapless tops, this option has silicone strips and side boning to lift even a G cup.

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#6 Best Convertible Bra for a Small Bust - Chantelle Essensia Plunging Convertible Bra, around $60

This “amazing bra” features adjustable straps, a plunging neckline, and a band extender (it attaches and crosses around the torso), so you can don low-cut and backless dresses.

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#7 Best Strapless Bra for a Small Bust - Simone Perele Sunlight Strapless Bra, $72

Molded cups of stretchy mesh create a lightweight wonder that “moves with you, not against you.” A silicone strip ensures the bra stays put. Also comes with attachable clear straps.

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#8 Best Minimizer Bra for a Large Bust - Bali Platinum: Minimizer Bra with Lace Trim, $34

A sophisticated bra that trims as much as 1 1/4 inches off the bustline, up to a size DDD.

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#9 Best Padded Push-Up Bra for a Small Bust - On Gossamer: Bump It Up, $42

This enhancer lets you adjust your cleavage. Twist the mesh center to get the desired effect, then hook on as usual.

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Let the shopping begin!!

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Frozen Grapes

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(Photo Courtesy of Jupiter Images)
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Frozen grapes are great to munch on. They are good when you have the need to nibble on something. It takes a long time to eat one grape, it tastes like frozen ices, and is also good for you. _
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1. Buy a bunch of grapes. It does not matter what type or color.
2. Wash them carefully and let them drain in a strainer.
3. Remove the grapes from the stems.
4. Place a handful or more in small plastic sealable container.
5. Put them all into a freezer and allow them to freeze.
6. Take out container when you feel like munching.
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Note -They usually take a few hours to freeze, so be patient.
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Warning - Do not feed these to small children, as they are easy to choke on.
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Convention Crazy

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There are four registered voters in our house (me, my husband, and our two oldest sons - ages 18 and 20) and to say that we are all "thrilled" as this Democratic Convention begins would be an enormous understatement.
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Go Obama/Biden!!
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One Guilty Pleasure

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I have been tagged to reveal "One Guilty Pleasure" -- here it is. I love old sci-fi films. I've seen' em all -- The Time Machine, Them, The Fly, Creature From the Black Lagoon, The Day the Earth Stood Still, the list goes on and on. My favorite is Forbidden Planet (especially the letter-box version). The characters and setting were inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest -- so maybe that lets me off the hook a bit. I have seen this movie -- maybe 20 times or more throughout my life.

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Robbie the Robot - Krell technology - and invisible monsters from the Id -- I'm in!!

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Definition of the "Id" in case you wondered (taken from Wikipedia).

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The Id comprises the unorganized part of the personality structure that contains the basic drives. The Id is unconscious by definition. In Freud's formulation it is the dark, inaccessible part of our personality, what little we know of it we have learnt from our study of the dream-work and of the construction of neurotic symptoms, and most of this is of a negative character and can be described only as a contrast to the ego. We approach the id with analogies: we call it a chaos, a cauldron full of seething excitations ... It is filled with energy reaching it from the instincts, but it has no organization, produces no collective will, but only a striving to bring about the satisfaction of the instinctual needs subject to the observance of the pleasure principle.
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[Freud, New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis (1933)]

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Pretty intense stuff. As a kid I was pretty fascinated by this concept - as it was presented in the film. The Oscar-nominated special effects, and groundbreaking use of an all-electronic music score still hold up some fifty-two years later -- I my opinion.

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You are now tagged - admit at least one guilty pleasure!!

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Make Ahead - Lunch Recipes

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I've been trying out some new lunch recipes that I can make up ahead of time. These have been the best ones so far.

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Open Sesame Noodles

Hot or cold, the sauce on these whole-wheat noodles creates a delicious alternative to everyday spaghetti.

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Total Time : 15 minutes
Prep Time : 15 minutes
Servings : 1 (this can easily be double, tripled etc.)

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Ingredients

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2 ounces whole-wheat thin spaghetti
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 Tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
2 Tablespoons scallions, rinsed, roots trimmed, peeled and thinly sliced

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Optional
3 ounces cooked, diced chicken breast
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

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Directions

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Step 1 - Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a 1 1/2-quart pot and cook spaghetti according to package directions. When the spaghetti is done, pour it into a colander, rinse, strain well and then place it in a medium-size bowl.

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Step 2 - Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl (including the chicken breast and red pepper flakes if using) and mix well.

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Step 3 - Transfer to a medium-size re sealable container and refrigerate for up to three days until ready to eat, or serve immediately.

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Notes - This recipe can easily be doubled, triple, etc. It keeps up to three days if tightly covered and refrigerated. If you can’t find or don't have rice wine vinegar -- lime juice can be substituted in equal amounts. Be careful not to overcook the pasta. This recipe works best when the spaghetti is “al dente” -- that is, when it’s a bit firm on the inside.

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Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 dish

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Calories 280 - Calories From Fat 120 - Total Fat 14g - Saturated Fat 1.5g - Trans Fat - 0g Cholesterol 0mg - Sodium 610mg - Total Carbohydrates 35g - Dietary Fiber 7g - Sugars 2g - Protein 9g

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Squiggly Wiggly Wrap

With just three tasty ingredients assembled in three simple steps, this lunch treat is as easy as—that’s right—one, two, three!

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Ingredients

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One 8-inch whole-wheat tortilla or wrap
2 Tablespoons reduced-fat cream cheese (1 ounce)
1 Tablespoon spreadable all-fruit preserves

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Variations

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Instead of cream cheese, try 2 Tablespoons of peanut butter.
Instead of preserves, try 2 Tablespoons of thinly sliced strawberries, peaches or apples.

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Directions

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Step 1 - Spread the cream cheese evenly onto the whole-wheat tortilla or wrap, working from the center outward and leaving a 1-inch border around the edge without cheese.

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Step 2 - Spread all-fruit preserves (or place thinly sliced fruit) on top of the cream cheese, leaving a 1/2-inch border of plain cream cheese.

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Step 3 - Roll up the wraps tightly, being careful not to push the filling out of the sides. Slice in half and serve. Squiggly Wiggly wraps will keep overnight in your fridge.

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P.S. A serrated bread knife makes cutting the wraps easier.

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Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 wrap

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Calories 260 - Calories From Fat 70 - Total Fat 8g - Saturated Fat 3.5g - Trans Fat 0 - Cholesterol 15mg -
Sodium 260mg - Total Carbohydrates 37g - Dietary Fiber 2g - Sugars 13g - Protein 7g

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Recipes courtesy of Right At Home.

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Super Food - The Highest Antioxidant Fruit Ever

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Açaí (ah-sigh-ee)

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Studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! Açaí is the high-energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree. Harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, it tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate. Hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that makes it nature's perfect energy fruit. It is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. Although it may not be available in your supermarket, you can find it in several health food and gourmet stores (often in juice form). They are also sold frozen or powdered or as pre-packaged smoothies, carbonated drinks, flavoured coconut water etc.

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I prefer to make my own smoothies with the juice. Yummm...

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Smoothie Recipe

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7 Oz (200 grams) Acai Juice
½ Cup Soy Milk or Juice
Fruit (one banana, ½ half apple, or 1 cup of other fruit)

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Directions:

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Blend all ingredients together. Top with granola, or sliced fruit.

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Variants: Add ½ cup yogurt or ½ cup ice. Also, frozen Acai pulp (I have found this is easier to work with) may be used in place of the juice.

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Olive Oil - A Healthy Fat

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Living in Sonoma County in Northern California where olive orchards abound -- you could spend an entire weekend touring estates and shops -- tasting not just wines, but olive oils. My favorite is The Olive Press located in the city of Sonoma.

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Health Benefits -

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There may be added health benefits that make purchasing that - not so cheap - bottle of extra virgin oil worth it.

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The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels. (1-3) No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated as olive oil -mainly oleic acid.

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But while all types of olive oil are sources of monounsaturated fat, EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed.

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Extra virgin - considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives.

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Virgin - from the second pressing.

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Pure - undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.

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Extra light - undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavour.

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Zero Waste Lunch - Good for the Earth and Your Pocketbook

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Food for Thought - Adding up to a Zero Waste Lunch

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Facts -

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Much of the trash we generate comes from the packaging on the food we buy, and lunch foods are no exception. In fact, it has been estimated that on average a school-age child using a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds of waste per school year. That equates to 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for just one average-size elementary school.
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If you want to give your kids a healthy lunch, brown-bagging it is the way to go...but skip the brown bag, along with those "snack size" and single-serving containers. According to WasteFreeLunches.org, all those juice boxes and cracker packages mean an average of 67 pounds of waste generated by one child each school year, and hundreds of dollars wasted on "convenience" foods.

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Regardless of whether it's basic peanut butter and jelly or something more elaborate on the menu, the first two ingredients of a low-waste lunch are a reusable lunch container and a refillable bottle. There are lots of fun and stylish beverage containers available these days.

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I found a perfect lunch bag at a great low price by Arctic Zone. It also comes with a plastic food container that is stored in the bottom zip-around compartment, perfect for sandwiches. It's large enough to carry a 12 oz beverage container made of stainless steel by Thermos, which has a spring loaded straw feature for easier access, and no spills.

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I have three grade school aged kids, but this idea can also work for adults as well.

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Example of possible savings -
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A Disposable Lunch

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1 egg salad sandwich $1.25
1 yogurt .85
1 granola bar .45
1 apple .30
1 package of carrots and dip .65
3 plastic bags .12
1 juice pouch .35
1 plastic spoon .04
1 paper napkin .01

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TOTAL $4.02 _

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A Waste-free Lunch

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1 egg salad sandwich $1.25
1 serving of yogurt .50
1 serving of granola .35
1 apple .30
1 serving of carrots and dip .25
water 0
cloth napkin 0
stainless steel spoon 0
packaging 0

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TOTAL $2.65

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Disposable Lunch $2.02/day -- $20.10/week -- $723.60/ school year_
Waste-Free Lunch $2.65 /day -- $13.25 /week -- $477.00/school year

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723.60 - 477.00 = $246.60 savings per school year -- per person!!

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Favorite Olympic Event

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Someone recently posed the question - What is your favorite Olympic event to watch? For me this is an easy one -- swimming. So as you can imagine, I have been in absolute heaven this past week. Watching Michael Phelps, and Dara Torres, in particular, and with the magic of my digital recorder -- I haven't missed a race. I can cut through all the fluff and commercials -- enjoying each exciting second.

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Michael Phelps has defied the odds and is pure magic in the water. I've leapt right out of my chair a few times, as I'm sure many others did, during his races. The most decorated Olympic Champion of all time, and he has such a likability factor about him.

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Dara Torres, age 41, with those incredible abs, inspires utterly. I saw a quote of hers that went something like this -- “When you hit the water, it doesn't know what age you are.” I love it!!

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I should also mention that I really love watching the diving competitions as well. When Guo Jingjing of China takes the springboard, whether in synchronized or individual competition -- I am spellbound. Her grace, beauty, and skill are unsurpassed. I know that she has been dubbed the "Diving Diva", but she delivers flawless dives time after time.

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Flâneur

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The term flâneur comes from the French verb flâner, which means "to stroll". A flâneur is thus a person who walks the city, looking at buildings and places -- watching the passersby, thinking and being inspired. I particularly love when this way of seeing the world is translated through photography. The photos of Willy Ronis (above) for example. His rather well known photos of Paris give me such inspiration in my own attempts at photography. Most of us simply don't feel we should spend our time as flanuers. It just isn't productive or something. What a shame. I think when the moment comes, and we face our last day on this planet -- that we will have wished for more time to work, but more to play. Time to be "in the moment" -- to savor life, and it's beauty.

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