On St Patrick's Day . . . Eat your Greens!

Don't forget to eat your greens today! For good health, professionals recommend 5 to 9 servings of fruits and veggies a day. Here are a few recipes to help you do just that!

Balsamic Roasted Green beans with Sweet onions

This is an excellent, easy to prepare, healthy way to get your veggies.

1 1/2 to 2 lbs fresh green beans, cleaned and trimmed
1 large sweet onion, cut into thick slices
3-4 T balsamic vinegar
1 head of garlic, roasted
salt and pepper to taste

Mix roasted garlic and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Divvy up green beans and onions place as single layer onto both baking sheets. Bake both pans for 20-25 minutes. Veggies may be slightly brown on the slip that has had contact with the pan. Shake or flip veggies and roast an additional 20 to 25 minutes. Veggies are done with they have various brown spots on them and look wrinkled.

Remove veggies from sheets and place into shallow bowl. Pour garlic/balsamic over veggies and mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.


Sauteed Zucchini Boats

This dish makes a beautiful plate presentation. Looks soooo fancy, yet so simple to prepare!

2 to 4 zucchini
1 T diced garlic
1-2 T grated parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 400. Spray a large skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Place on med-low heat and add garlic. Slice zucchini in half longways and add to skillet, cut side down. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until zucchini starts to get lightly brown (or before your garlic burns). Remove skillet from heat and place zucchini, this time cut side up, onto a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Scrape garlic out of skillet and spread on cut side of zucchini. Sprinkle with a little salt, pepper and grated parmesan cheese. Place in over and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until zucchini is knife tender.

Moving on from figs to wigs

Warning: The following entry contains adult language and adult themes. It may not be suitable for young audiences.

"Fuck! Can't we just go to a bar and drink?"

MM turned and smirked at me, but didn't respond.

I was thinking about how when we were in pharmacy school, MM and I would drink after a bad day, bad week or bad test. MM and I had a running joke that we knew we were sufficiently drunk when we couldn't feel our teeth. We would sit at the bar, turn to each other and go, "Look!" Knocking on our teeth with our fist, we'd state, "I can't feel my teeth." That was the sign of a good evening.

Unfortunately, we weren't having a bad day. We had just come from one of those 'cancer' shops. You know the one . . . Tons of shirts and buttons stating, 'Cancer Sucks' or 'Bald is Better.' A shop that has a variety of head scarves and wigs. We were in there because MM starts chemo in three weeks. Mid-February, MM was diagnosed with uterine cancer. After a seven hour surgery that removed her female organs, a shitload of tumors and portions of her colon, she was stapled together and told that her first round of chemo would resume in five weeks. Great.

Needless to say, our wig shopping trip did not go well. Granted, we had a very nice sale associate, but my friend, MM, doesn't do well with the velveteen glove approach. She is more of the hard-line, tell-it-like-it-is, this-is-how-it's-gonna-be woman. I guess it didn't help that there was another woman in there, our age, who was having her head shaved and wig fitted because she was starting chemo in a couple of weeks.

Up until the wig shopping, MM's cancer was just a six letter word and a huge ass incision. In some parallel dimension, the visual of her losing her hair made the cancer real. The first wig MM tried on was hysterical because neither of us knew how to put the damn thing on. The second time was still funny, but by the third, we both felt it. 'It' was the fact that we shouldn't be here. MM and I half-heartedly looked at the book of wig styles, but by then, most of my energy was spent keeping the tears back.

We beat a hasty retreat to the car, at which point I said, "Fuck! Can't we just go to a bar and drink?"

Then, her anger spewed forth. "I don't need everyone looking at me with pity or sympathy. Don't feel sorry for me. If you want to feel sorry for someone, feel sorry for my kids."

I pondered this outburst for a moment and said, "OK. So, what you want me to say is, 'Yo Bee-yach! If you're gonna puke, do it out the window.'"

MM laughed and nodded her head. It was then that I realized I couldn't do it. I couldn't hold back any more. As the tears start to well up in my eyes, MM looks over, huffs and said, "Oh God. Not you too?" With the tissue jammed half way into my eye sockets, she went on to explain, "You know you can't push those things out the back of your head, right?"

"Yeah. Right. But it helps some," I explain.

"Am I your first cancer friend?"

I sigh. "Yes. You're popping my cancer friend cherry."

MM and I laugh as we pull into the CostCo parking lot. "Come on," I said. "We gotta get some water if we're going to lose all this fluid crying."

With that, we hopped out of the car and tried to be 'normal.'

Love you MM.

Freakin' out over Figs!

So, when I visited my girlfriend, MM, I took her three different types of muffins. The two types of bran muffins listed below and an oat-topped fig muffin. Out of all the muffins, my girlfriend had the most enthusiastic response over the fig muffins. Unfortunately, I can't take credit for the 'original' fig muffin recipe. Those cudos below to my friend, and fellow bread baker, Gina. However, I can't let a recipe go without a few small Christa style tweaks (of course). Below is my tweaked up recipe.

Oat-topped fig muffins

1 and 1/2 cups flour
1 c whole wheat flour
3/4 to 1 c Splenda
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 and 1/2 c fat free milk
1/2 yogurt (I used Dannon Light 'n Fit-Vanilla Creme) (note: the original recipe called for 1 and 1/2 c lowfat buttermilk; didn't have any, hence the milk and yogurt substitution)
1 and 1/4 c chopped dried figs
1 T canola oil
1 t vanilla extract
2 egg or 1/2 cup egg substitute

topping
3 T brown sugar
1/4 c quick cooking oats
1 T butter or margarine (I used Parkay light)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine flours, sugar and next three ingredients into a large bowl. Mix and make a well in the center of the mix. In a smaller bowl, whisk together milk and next 5 ingredients. Then, pour fig mixture into flour mix. Stir until combined. If batter seems a little dry, try adding milk or yogurt, one tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is wet but not runny. Spoon 1/4 cup batter into muffin cups that are coated with cooking spray.
Combine the three ingredents for topping into a bowl and toss with fork until combined (it will appear crumbly in texture). Sprinkle over muffins. Bake for approximately 15 minutes. Muffins are done with a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Makes approximately 15 to 16 muffins.

Gina tells me that there are only 85 calories per muffin. But, the taste makes you think it's a 300+ calorie splurge!

Happy Baking!

Not your usual bran muffins

First thought when I saw this recipe: Bran muffins? Who the hell wants to waste their time baking bran muffins?

My previous experiences with bran muffins have left me with the impression that they make better sponges than edible breakfast fare. Admit it! You've had those 'bran muffins' that are so dry that they leave you with the feeling that you've mistakenly opened your mouth in a sand storm.

Thought after my first taste: Oh my gosh! I have seen the light! I now believe.

What possessed me to "waste" my time? My girlfriend, MM. She's recently had surgery that, among other things, involved her colon. So I was thinking, 'what could I bake for her? Cookies? Yeah, but they'd do nothing for her health (which I'm really concerned about). Bread? Maybe some bland-ish bread that she could eat if she doesn't feel well. What about something that could help with bowel function? Bran? Hmmm. The only thing I know of is bran muffins. Gag!'

What else do I have to do with my time? So, I did a little research and found that my favorite bread blogger, Farmgirl Fare, had also posted a recipe for bran muffins (sans sugar!). So, I printed it out, evaluated it, did some Christa tweaking and made my first batch.

My wide eyed reaction has propelled me to share this wonderful recipe with you!

Farmgirl Bran Muffins-Christa-style

2 cups wheat bran
1 cup oat bran
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
3 eggs (or 3/4 c egg substitute)
3/4 cup Splenda
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup yogurt (I used Dannon Light 'n Fit-Vanilla Creme)
1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cup milk (I used fat free)
1 T canola oil
1 t vanilla extract

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a muffin pan or use paper liners. In a large bowl, combine wheat bran, oat bran, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix and set aside. In a smaller bowl, mix eggs, Splenda, honey yogurt, milk, canola oil and vanilla extract. Whisk to mix and pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix with rubber spatula until combined. If it appears a little dry, try adding milk or yogurt, one tablespoon at a time, until you get a mixture that is wet, but not runny.

Fill muffin pan with 1/4 cup of mixture and bake approximately 15 minutes. Muffins are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean! Cool muffins in the pan for 10 minutes and then finish cooling on a wire rack. Makes about 15 to 17 muffins.

Some alterations:
Blueberry Bran muffins
Follow the recipe above, but just add 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries in the batter. Tip: If you use frozen blueberries, rinse any ice from the berries, shake off excess water and then add to batter. Don't overmix and use batter immediately.

Raisin and Spice Bran muffins
Follow the recipe above, but add 2 T cinnamon, 2 t nutmeg and 2 t cloves to the dry ingredients. Also, add 1/2 to 3/4 cup raisins into the wet ingredients. Then, combine as instructed above.

As always, sample the batter before baking. If it doesn't taste sweet enough, try adding more Splenda or honey. If the raisin/spice mix doesn't have enough spice power, then add a little more!

These are soooo good! Best when eaten shortly after baking or zapped in the microwave for 20 to 25 seconds. I've been eating these, slathered in peanut butter, for breakfast the past four days.

Besides their taste, another great thing about these muffins is that they freeze wonderfully. Just double bag them in Ziploc freezer baggies. Thaw them at room temperature or for a few seconds in the microwave. Next experiment . . uh, I mean next time, I'm gonna try adding peanut butter and possibly chocolate chunks. I'll let ya know how it goes!

Happy baking!

How much did you pay for your coffee?

As I reviewed my last entry about Peru, I realized that I forgot to share something rather important about the residents of Lima shantytowns. The Peruvian currency is the sol. The average exchange rate for the month of February was $1=2.8 soles. The average shantytown family income is between 10 and 20 soles per week. Thus, these people subsist on $3.50 to $7 per week. That is per household, not per person. And how much did you pay for your coffee this morning?

My thoughts and prayer

Dear God,

Let me start off by saying thank you for giving me life. I may not always express it, but I am thankful for the ability to experience every emotion, good health and loving family and friends.

Although my blessings are too numerous to list, I would like to petition the universe for something else. I need a purpose for my life. I need a passion. I need to identify what it is that I was put on this earth to do. Something that makes me feel worthy, fulfilled and takes away the desire to just "numb out" at times. As I write this, I think I put the request for the proverbial cart in front of the proverbial horse. So, let me modify and start off by asking for the ability to be receptive to any 'signs' the universe is sending my way. Along with that, I ask for the ability to interpret those signs and the faith to act.

Don't get me wrong. I know that my issues(listed above) appear more trivial than the majority of the population's. But, that doesn't mean they should be discounted. These issues are important to me. While others around me may find my prayer very petty or narcissistic, I believe that you love and listen to all your children equally. Hence, why I am documenting my requests.

In closing, I am deeply thankful for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon me. Please keep my family, friends and loved ones safe as they go about their lives. In your name we pray. Amen.

The fascinating, talented Frida Kahlo

When DJ asked what I wanted for Valentine's Day, I mentioned that I'd like to attend the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We attended the exhibit yesterday and I found it wonderful and thought-provoking.

It helps that Frida was a talented, strong, fascinating woman. Before her near-fatal bus accident, at the age of 18, Frida had made the decision to study to be a doctor. After the accident, when her physical condition made that desire impossible, she turned to her love of art and painting. Just think, if she had become a doctor, she may not have realized her full potential as an artist. Makes me think about the saying, "things happen for a reason."

This woman was able to transform her pain, physical and emotional, into beautiful artistic expressions. She is quoted as saying, "I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best." That is quite an insightful quote. Frida knew she was alone. Although she was married and mingled with many artists, politicians and friends, she was emotionally alone. This woman had the nerve to look at herself in a very harsh and critical light. How many of us could do that? I'll admit; not me.

Take a good look at the first picture above. The hummingbird, often a sign of luck and freedom, is dead and strung on a chain of thorned vines. The monkey, who while playing with necklace, is really strangling Frida, making her bleed. The cat looks on with quite a menacing look, giving the viewer the impression that he is stalking Frida. The second picture, The Two Fridas, depicts Frida as the woman Diego Rivera fell in love with and the Frida that existed at the time of this painting. On the right, she is portrayed as a strong woman in traditional Mexican dress, holding a picture of Diego as a child (symbolizing her devotion to him). On the left, she is viewed as having the same external physical qualities, but her heart is broken and, although trying to staunch the flow, she is slowly bleeding to death. You could stand in front of these paintings for tens of minutes and still not absorb all the detail and emotion.

This absolutely fascinating exhibit is at the Philadelphia Museum of Art until May 18th.

Lima Lessons #3 and #4

Over half of Lima's population live in shantytowns like the one pictured above. One of the most educational trips was the morning we spent visiting a few of these neighborhoods. Tagging along with the PPA social worker, we made 'house calls.' These are done to evaluate the homes/environment of children at PPA or the homes/families of potential PPA children. Not all the children at PPA are orphans. Many have families. Families that don't have the resources to raise a child.

The first visit was to Alex's home. Alex is a 9 year old boy who has been at PPA for about one month. He lived with his father and two other siblings (older sister and brother) in a small house just up the hill from his grandmother. Alex's mother is MIA. Rumor has it she ran off with another man from one of the neighboring shantytowns. Since Alex's father was at work, we were greeted by his grandmother. I can not tell you the welcome we got from the grandmother and her neighbors. I thought we would be greeted with animosity. The residents wondering why we "slum it" by visiting there little shacks. Just the opposite. The grandmother kissed each of us on the cheek and offered her profuse thanks and praise for visiting their neighborhood. She, and the other residents, were quite honored to have us visit. Amazing, isn't it? Here we are, foreigners who probably earn more in one month than these people will earn in their lifetime, yet there is no disgruntled feelings. No jealousy, envy or socioeconomic inferiority towards us. And, they don't expect you to have pity for them. We were greeted one human being to another. Which leads me to Lima Lesson #3: We should treat each other as humans regardless of appearance, status, income or color.

The second picture is the blue house where Alex's dad and siblings live. The third picture? One of the neighborhood's communal toilets. Just a hole with a concrete rim around the opening.

Our next visit was to a family whose four children were in the PPA admission process. Some background: PPA will accepts children age 9 months to 17 years. Depending on current enrollment, some age groups may not have available space. Each child goes through a three part screening process; (1)family/home evaluation (to determine level of poverty), (2) physical and (3) mental evaluation of the child. There were four children, but not all will be accepted. There is a belief that accepting all the children from one family might promote the parents to (irresponsibly) have more children. Thus, PPA's policy is to not accept all the children from one family. If all the family's children pass the screening process, and there is available space in each age group, then PPA leaves it up to the parents to decide which child (or children) to send to PPA. Has sort of a 'Sophie's Choice' feel, doesn't it?

What was amazing about this family is their acceptance. They had accepted that 'this' is where they would live out their lives, but they knew they wanted more for their children. When you talked to the children, they never asked for anything. Didn't want toys, candy or food. They were quite content to eat what was given and play with what they had. This entire family was missing one of America's biggest desires . . . . MORE. Which, in a roundabout way, brings me to Lima Lesson #4: Be thankful for what you have and remember that the Universe has a way of providing you with just what you need.