Posted at 07:37 AM in Food and Drink, Health, Holidays | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
I read the head line "Lettuce and eggs top risky food list" and thought we might have some type of outbreak or problem in the food supply. Then I read the article and I could not believe that someone had wasted their time to write it. In the article it talks about how the The Center for Science in the Public Interest had listed its top 10 dangerous foods and that lettuce (leafy greens) and eggs where at the top of the list. The article went on to say that all of the top 10 foods combined had caused 50,000 reported illnesses over the last 19 year. What a joke 50,000 over 19 year and I am sure that in most cases this would have been a mild illnesses and easy treated. To put this in to perspective in the last 19 years we have average 42,116 DEATHS from auto accidents, and 20,000 DEATHS from the flu a year. I am sorry, but I am not going to get to worked up over 50,000 people or and average of 2632 people a year that get sick because they did not wash their food well enough.
Sources:
http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/06/news/companies/riskiest_foods/index.htm?postversion=2009100609
Posted at 11:36 AM in Food and Drink, Health, Science | Permalink | Comments (0)
I have said it over and over but everything is better with bacon on it or in it. I have thought long and hard and cannot fine a food that is not made better by bacon. If you all have one let me know what it is and how it was when you tried it. Yes you have to try it, no shooting from the hip. Here are two links that prove my point.
Posted at 11:13 AM in Food and Drink | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Posted at 06:00 PM in Food and Drink, Holidays, Superstition | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
New Year's Traditions and superstitions. Many of the these associated with the event bear the common theme that activities engaged in on that day set the pattern for the year to come. Others have to do with warding off evil spirits or attracting luck. Because January 1 is the first day of the New Year, we have drawn a connection between what we do on that day and our fate throughout the rest of the year.
Here are some of the ways we attempt to guarantee a good outcome through our acts on that portentous first day:
Kissing at midnight: We kiss those dearest to us at midnight not only to share a moment of celebration with our favorite people, but also to ensure those affections and ties will continue throughout the next twelve months. To fail to smooch our significant others at the stroke of twelve would be to set the stage for a year of coldness.
Stocking Up: The New Year must not be seen in with bare cupboards, lest that be the way of things for the year. Larders must be topped up and plenty of money must be placed in every wallet in the home to guarantee prosperity.
Paying Off Bills: The new year should not be begun with the household in debt, so checks should be written and mailed off prior to January 1st. Likewise, personal debts should be settled before the New Year arrives.
First Footing: The first person to enter your home after the stroke of midnight will influence the year you're about to have. Ideally, he should be dark-haired, tall, and good-looking, and it would be even better if he came bearing certain small gifts such as a lump of coal, a silver coin, a bit of bread, a sprig of evergreen, and some salt. Blonde and redhead first footers bring bad luck, and female first footers should be shooed away before they bring disaster down on the household. Be rude to them if you have to, but don't let them near your door before a man crosses the threshold. The first footer (sometimes called the "Lucky Bird") should knock and be let in rather than unceremoniously use a key, even if he is one of the householders. After greeting those in the house and dropping off whatever small tokens of luck he has brought with him, he should make his way through the house and leave by a different door than the one through which he entered. No one should leave the premises before the first footer arrives. The first traffic across the threshold must be headed in rather than striking out. First footers must not be cross-eyed or have flat feet or eyebrows that meet in the middle. Nothing prevents the cagey householder from stationing a dark-haired man outside the home just before midnight to ensure the speedy arrival of a suitable first footer as soon as the chimes sound. If one of the partygoers is recruited for this purpose, impress upon him the need to slip out quietly just prior to the witching hour.
Nothing Goes Out: Nothing — absolutely nothing, not even garbage — is to leave the house on the first day of the year. If you've presents to deliver on New Year's Day, leave them in the car overnight. Don't so much as shake out a rug or take the empties to the recycle bin. Some people soften this rule by saying it's okay to remove things from the home on New Year's Day provided something else has been brought in first. This is similar to the caution regarding first footers; the year must begin with something's being added to the home before anything subtracts from it. One who lives alone might place a lucky item or two in a basket that has a string tied to it, then place the basket just outside the front door before midnight. After midnight, the lone celebrant hauls in his catch, being careful to bring the item across the door jamb by pulling the string rather than by reaching out to retrieve it and thus breaking the plane of the threshold.
Black Eyed Peas: A tradition common to the southern states of the USA dictates that the eating of black eyed peas on New Year's Day will attract both general good luck and money in particular to the one doing the dining. Some choose to add other Southern fare (such as ham hocks, collard greens, or cabbage) to this tradition, but the black-eyed peas are key.
Work: Make sure to do — and be successful at — something related to your work on the first day of the year, even if you don't go near your place of employment that day. Limit your activity to a token amount, though, because to engage in a serious work project on that day is very unlucky. Also, do not do the laundry on New Year's Day, lest a member of the family be 'washed away' (die) in the upcoming months. The more cautious eschew even washing dishes.
New Clothes: Wear something new on January 1 to increase the likelihood of your receiving more new garments during the year to follow.
Money: Do not pay back loans or lend money or other precious items on New Year's Day. To do so is to guarantee you'll be paying out all year. Also from the south comes the custom of eating greens such as cabbage, collard greens, mustard greens, kale or spinach to bring money.
Breakage: Avoid breaking things on that first day lest wreckage be part of your year. Also, avoid crying on the first day of the year lest that activity set the tone for the next twelve months.
Letting the Old Year Out: At midnight, all the doors of a house must be opened to let the old year escape unimpeded. He must leave before the New Year can come in, says popular wisdom, so doors are flung open to assist him in finding his way out.
Loud Noise: Make as much noise as possible at midnight. You're not just celebrating; you're scaring away evil spirits, so do a darned good job of it! According to widespread superstition, evil spirits and the Devil himself hate loud noise. We celebrate by making as much of a din as possible not just as an expression of joy at having a new year at our disposal, but also to make sure Old Scratch and his minions don't stick around. (Church bells are rung on a couple's wedding day for the same reason.)
The Weather: Examine the weather in the early hours of New Year's Day. If the wind blows from the south, there will be fine weather and prosperous times in the year ahead. If it comes from the north, it will be a year of bad weather. The wind blowing from the east brings famine and calamities. Strangest of all, if the wind blows from the west, the year will witness plentiful supplies of milk and fish but will also see the death of a very important person. If there's no wind at all, a joyful and prosperous year may be expected by all.
Born on January 1: Babies born on this day will always have luck on their side.
Sources:
Hole, Christina. The Encyclopedia of Superstitions. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1996. ISBN 0-76070-228-4.
Opie, Iona and Moira Tatem. A Dictionary of Superstitions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989. ISBN 0-19-282-916-5.
Pickering, David. Dictionary of Superstitions. London: Cassell, 1995. ISBN 0-304-345350. Tuleja, Tad. Curious Customs. New York: Harmony Books, 1987. ISBN 0-517-56654-0.
Posted at 08:59 AM in Food and Drink, Holidays, Superstition, Traditions | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Yes, it's "amateur night" out there.
So if you're looking to spend it safely at home - with your own New Year's Eve party for friends and loved ones - check out the following resources for throwing a New Year's Eve bash to remember : with ideas for recipes, themes, decorations, party games, favors and more to last you right up until the final countdown ....
Holiday Recipes : New Years - Featuring great ideas for easy buffet parties, plus lots of recipes for appetizers, make ahead dishes and more ideas for a New Year's Day brunch.
New Years Day Food Traditions
Webtender - Your own personal online bartender who can show you exactly how to mix, stir and frappe any New Year's Eve concoction requested. Browseable by keyword or recipe, or choose a drink right out of the hat with their random drink generator.
New Year's Eve Party Ideas - eHow.com - New Year's party central, including hints for holiday get-togethers with family, plus kid friendly party ideas, decorating themes, tips for stocking the bar, hangover cures, and ways to say "cheers" in 10 different languages...
New Years Eve Party - If you're keeping the kids up, keep them amused with these fun ideas for welcoming in the New Year, including links to New Year crafts and coloring pages.
New Year's Eve Party Guide - From confetti.co.uk, the Brit party site featuring ice breakers and games, recipes and party planning ideas.
New Year's Party Games - More ideas for keeping the party going, including New Year's Charades, Funny Face, Guess My Resolution, New Year's Eve Win, Lose or Draw, and more.
For more great ideas and recipes, see Preparing for New Years Eve
Posted at 01:23 PM in Food and Drink, Holidays, Quick Ideas, Quick Tips | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Ingredients:
-2 oz Vodka
-2 oz Southern Comfort
-6 oz Orange Juice
-Ice
Mixing Instructions:
Pour over ice, stir, and serve
(slightly altered recipe from www.webtender.com)
Posted at 10:30 AM in Food and Drink | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I find making this recipe with homemade Guacamole makes it tastier and gives it a homemade touch.
Ingredients:
| 1 can (16 oz.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Refried Beans |
| 1 cup BREAKSTONE’S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream |
| 1 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick ‘N Chunky Salsa |
| 1 cup prepared guacamole |
| 1/4 cup chopped green onions |
| 1/4 cup sliced pitted ripe olives |
| 1/4 cup sliced jalapeño peppers |
| WHEAT THINS Snack Crackers |
Preparation:
| SPREAD refried beans on large serving plate; top with layers of sour cream, salsa and guacamole. |
| SPRINKLE with green onions, olives and jalapenos. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve as a dip with crackers.Recipe courtesy of Nabisco World http://www.nabiscoworld.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipe_id=56603&cat=7&subcat=19&catname=Appetizers%2fSnacks&subcatname=Mexican+Dips*Nutrition info found on the website. |
Posted at 10:27 AM in Food and Drink | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
1 pound Mexican chorizo, removed from casings and crumbled
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups cooked pinto beans
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Water
Homemade Tortilla Chips, recipe below, or large, restaurant style corn tortilla chips
1 1/2 cups grated pepper jack
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar
1 small white onion, sliced into thin rings
5 large jalapenos, stemmed, seeded, and chopped, or to taste
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
In a large skillet, cook the chorizo, garlic, and cumin, stirring, over medium-high heat until the sausage is browned and the fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. To the fat in the pan, add the pinto beans, chili powder, salt, and 1 to 1 1/2 cups water (depending on the moisture in the beans). Cook over medium heat until warmed through, smashing with the back of a heavy wooden spoon or potato masher until chunky/smooth. Remove from the heat.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.On a large, oval ovenproof platter or in a large baking dish, spread 1 layer of chips. Top with a layer of 1/2 of the beans, then 1/2 of the sausage, cheeses, onion rings, and chopped jalapenos. Repeat with another layer of chips, beans, sausage, cheese, onions and jalapenos. Bake until the cheeses are melted and the mixture is hot, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven.
In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and lime juice, with a pinch of salt. Drizzle over the nachos, garnish with cilantro, and serve immediately.
Homemade Tortilla Chips:
9 corn tortillas, cut into quarters
4 cups corn or vegetable oil
In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the oil to 360 degrees F.
In batches, add the tortillas to the oil, being careful not to overcrowd, and cook until golden brown, turning once, about 1 minute. Remove and drain on paper towels. Season lightly with Essence. Serve warm or use to make nachos.Yield: 3 dozen chips
Posted at 10:24 AM in Food and Drink | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
3 cups chopped Vidalia onions
3 cups shredded Swiss cheese
2 1/2 cups mayonnaise
Garlic salt, to taste
Mix all ingredients and pour into greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes until lightly brown. Serve with corn chips.
Posted at 10:20 AM in Food and Drink | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)