HURRICANE ISAAC!

It's the waiting that gets to you most!!  This photo was taken in Miami yesterday.

 



Still at home watching the weather channel for updates.   Tomorrow morning, will head for my daughter's house north about half hour from me.  She is on 3 high and dry acres with no trees around the house.  I am in a good area no flooding, but I have many trees around my place.  Not a good thing I found out during Katrina, I loss 12 trees.  

 

Looks like this storm will bring more rain than winds but you just never know.

 

Car packed and everything secured at the house inside and out.  Dogs have been following me around all day long. They know something is up. 

 

God protect the people in Isaac's path who do not have the ways and means to run for cover. 

 

Well that about it for now, should be in bed by now but sleep is nowhere to be found!!

 

Peace to all!

 

 



 

Kitchen Failures and Success!

The other day, I decided to try my hand at something Mexican peasants do every day, Corn Tortillas.

It seemed so easy, and I have been looking for bread substitute, the sprouted bread is over $5.00 in the stores.  So, I proceeded to gather the things I would need to make non-fat tortillas, corn flour, water, baking soda and salt.

It went well enough, all the ingredients were mixed in the bowl, plus I threw in a little Amaranth seed, for a bit of added protein.  

I mixed it all together and made one large patty.  Then I divided the patty equally and made small balls.

Placing the ball of dough between waxed paper I rolled to 1/16” thick and put the tortilla on the grill to cook.

This is the end product.  What happened?  They were not pliable, just stiff little cakes. It would never work as a wrap. 



Although, I must say the taste was right on, maybe add a bit Jalapenos and some green onion leave in small balls fry them and call them Hush Puppies or leave them flat and call them Johnny Cakes, or Flat Corn BreadJ

And now for a pause that refreshes:

  Sweet potato, Carrot, Celery, Pineapple, Apple Juice.  Delish!!!!!!!!

Enjoy life, Juice!   Thanks for stopping by.

Cataract surgery over and done and it was a breeze.

The surgery took about 10 minutes and the doctor said it was one of the most flawless surgeries he has ever done.  I arrived at 7:30 AM and left at 9:30 AM. Yea for me!  I am still a bit cocked eyed, since that eye has not returned to pre-dilation status.  The doctor said it would be 50% better today and by the weekend it will be 100%.

This morning I work up and could see across the room.  I am nearsighted and I had a corrective lens (for distance seeing) put in that eye.  Seeing close and reading without my glasses has never been a problem for me.  The doctor told me to try and not wear my glasses so my brain can get use to one eye for distance and one eye for close up vision.  It is a bit of a challenge since the surgery eye is not at 100%, yet.  Eventually, I will need the surgery in the right eye.

For anyone who is contemplating this surgery, let me say it was painless before , during and after.  I am so happy I did this the results so far, are awesome.

Did you ever play tourist in your own town?

Most of us take the cities we live in for granted.  The other day I decided to ride around and see what my little community had to offer.  I thought you might like to see what I discovered.

 

Live Oak 100 years +

Low branches make for childhood fun

Fern growing with the Spanish Moss
 



Spanish Moss

Spanish Moss grows on the North side of trees.







I love when city planners respect the Live Oaks.



 

 

When I drive down this street my mind drifts back to the past.  I begin to wonder how it would have been to have grown-up here, say, 70, 80, 100 years ago.  It must have been wonderful to play in these yards and climb these trees. 

 

You can almost see Opie coming down the road.

The porches are a part of Southern living and who could do without a swing.  On hot nights families would sit out and enjoy the lake or river breezes.  I grew-up and lived most of my adult life in New Orleans but we still did porch sitting.  Parents would sit and talk and children would play until it was cool enough to go to bed.  Seems like back then it was not as hot but I am sure, as a child, that was not an issue for us.

 

 

Can’t you see kids running with the dog, tossing a ball back and forth in this yard while mom and dad sit back sipping sweet tea?  My Great Aunt Agnes would have a glass of Gallo, red wine every evening on the porch.  She lived to her middle nineties, just saying....  

Not my house growing-up but close enough for you to get the idea of the banquettes in front of the houses.  We lived on a wide boulevard in a district called Mid-City, in New Orleans.

For us city dwellers, with not much front yard but plenty of cement banquettes, (sidewalks) for skating, and playing hopscotch, we also, played freeze or statue.  Do you remember that game?  You run around like crazy and when the “IT” person yells, freeze !, you do, no matter what position you’re in at the time.  If you move you are out. 

 

So inviting!

 

Love the white picket fencing.

Most of these houses are well over 100.  Although, some newer ones have been built they are in keeping with the period. I have been coming “across the lake” for the last 25 years but I have only been living here since 2000.

What a find!

Glass all around.

 

I love this Greenhouse or Summer house whatever it purpose.

Much has change in the last twenty-five years and of course Katrina severely damaged many of the old places on the lake front but back along the Bogue Falaya River things have remained much the same.

Rediscover your town and show it to us, would love to see it through your eyes.  I will continue to seek out gems of my town and share them with you. This has been a quiet respite for me.  I hope you enjoyed it.

Rain, Rain you can stay! I think I’m going to bake today.

This is how this day started and it kept up most of the day.

 

The temperature dropped to the low eighties not that cool but better than the nighties.  Looks like the perfect time to crank up the oven.

The secret to staying on any new way of eating is variety. 

I love to cook and come up with new and exciting things.  Since I have begun this new way of eating I find my creative juices are stirring.  I have some ideas and I decided this would be the perfect day to test out some of those recipes.

This is what I made today,

Pulp Crackers and Pulp Muffins both quite tasty.  They were easy and quick to make.  I do not use salt so you might want to add a pinch to the cracker and muffin recipes.  If you are eating butter and jams I am sure that will taste great on the muffins but I am off sugar.

Recipes will be at the end.  Let's get started!

This is what I used for the Pulp Crackers

 

 

Pulp from Carrots, Celery, Brussels Sprouts, Parsley, Beet and Beet Greens, Ginger, Radish, Orange, Pineapple, and Red Grapes.

 





     Place chia seeds, coriander, curry, five spice, red pepper flakes, paprika, black pepper, sunflower seeds and flax seeds in fry pan and toast for about 30 seconds.

Spread out evenly, about 1/4 inch and cut to desired size.

 

 

TaDa Pulp Crackers

Pulp Mini Muffins

 

 Muffins sitting on my Limoge', I feel so, Out of Africa!

 

 

Soft and Chewy and full good things.

 

Another view of the crackers.

 

 

Mighty good with a cup of Rooibos Provence Herbal Tea !

 

 

Help Yourself

Recipes:

My Pulp Crackers

Ingredients:
2 cups juice pulp, tightly packed

1/2 cup chia seed

2 tsps. ground coriander

1 tsps. Curry powder

1 tsps. Five spice powder

1 tsps. Red pepper flakes

2 tsps. Paprika

1/3 cup sunflower seeds

2 tbsps. Flax seeds

Black pepper to taste

2 tbsps.  Soy Sauce

1/3-1/2 cup water

Instructions:

1.      Place chia seeds, coriander, curry, five spice, red pepper flakes, paprika, black pepper, sunflower seeds and flax seeds in fry pan and toast for about 30 seconds

2.      In a food processor add the pulp and the toasted spices. Pulse to combine well.

3.      Add the soy sauce then and a little water at a time until it is combined into a smooth paste like mixture. You want your mixture to be thick and sticky, but spreadable.  How much water will depend on the wetness of the pulp.

4.      Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mixture onto it evenly.  I put a big dollop of mixture in the center of the baking sheet and smooth it down with a spachelor.  Next, I cover the sheet with a piece of aluminum fold and use something to roll it out evenly, about 1/4 inch.  Bake at 350 degrees until crispy. It takes about an hour.  I needed to sheet pans.  Makes about 24-30 depending how you cut them.

Pulp Muffins

Ingredients:

2 C Juicer Pulp

½ C. Unsweetened Applesauce

1 ½ C. Quinoa Flour Gluten Free

2 Tsps. Baking Soda

½ C Nuts chopped (your choice)

¼ Raisins

Instructions:

1.      Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray of lightly grease muffin pan.  I used a mini muffin pan.

2.     In a food processor add the pulp and applesauce.  Pulse to combine.

3.     Add in flour, baking soda.  Pulse until just combined,  The batter will be very thick.  Add nuts and raisins and stir by hand to combine.

4.     Transfer the batter to the mini muffin pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.  A knife inserted in the center should some out clean when they’re done.

These muffins do not rise much, so fill to the top.  They are very most and chewy.  Delicious!!

Hope you enjoyed the rainy day project.  I had a wonderful day.  Maybe tomorrow I get to the housework!

 

Juice and Be Well!

 

 

 



Po-Boys & a Computer Virus

Yesterday, I went over to my daughter’s house to work on the family computer.

It had a virus on it and it would not let you do anything.  When I called to make sure someone would be there I found out three of Grands were home.  I asked if they wanted me to bring lunch.  You know what that answer was, right?

I ordered 3 roast beef po’boys from Bears Po-Boy’s in Covington.  On the way I stopped at Wendy’s to pick up something for me, a baked potato with chives (no butter) and a side salad (no dressing I used lemon only). 

When I arrived at the house and the youngest, Griffin, 14 came out to help.  We sat around the dining room table.  Everyone unwrapped their food and we said a pray of thanksgiving.  I

II am trying to eat healthy so it was a bit difficult at first smelling those hot roast beef sandwiches but I stuck to it.  My potato and salad filled me up and I had such a feeling of satisfaction that I was able to stick to my eating plan.  Each day it gets easier.  Eating out is a big part of my social life so this was a good start.



Roast Beef Po'boy

Want a Bite?

My Lunch

 

 

 

Computer is Working

 

It took longer than expected to get the virus off the computer.  Those things are a royal pain.  After doing the fix and all the scanning that is necessary, and working on the audio problems everything is now working.  Hooray!  Griffin started school today he is a junior in high school.  Next week, his sister Taylor is off to college.  A freshman it is so exciting.

Beverly’s Birthday!

Today is my friend’s birthday and we took her out to lunch at Longhorn’s.  I told you this is one eating bunch of people.  She thought it was only going to be her and I. 

Everyone was at the table waiting.  When she drove up to the restaurant met her at the door carrying my purse.  The girl ask how many I told her two and as we followed the waitress passed the table where everyone was waiting , I said I think we will sit here instead.  Beverly had just taken off her sun glassed and was digging in her purse so when she looked up everyone said surprise!  It was a fun time.  I had a baked sweet potato and steamed broccoli with lemon (no butter on either).  It was delicious!

Later, we all went to the movies to see Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones in, "Hope Springs".   A light movie with many laughs, esp. for those couples that have been maried a long time.

The Ladies!

That free dessert looked scrumptious by I wasn’t even tempted.

Hope you all are having fun, I am!

Happy Trails and Be Well.

Docter Visit Today!

Just returned home from my follow-up blood pressure check with the doctor, well the results are confirmed.  My blood pressure was 135/76.  I am good to go for eye surgery August 15.

I told the doctor what I had been doing and he said; “you know your pressure is alright now, but you may not be able to keep it down by just diet and exercise”.  He asked me why I did not take the meds (bata blocker- Metopolol ER Succiante 50mg) he gave me?  My response was, if I have been able to keep my BP in the normal range by changing my diet why in the world would I take a pill esp., such a strong pill with such serious side effects?  My blood pressure has been lower for the past 20 days since I changed my diet? (I keep a list of my BP checks)  I believe I am on the right course of action. 

A side note:  I do not suggest that any of you do what I have done.

If I had any underlining problem it might be a different story but my blood test and ultrasound were all fine.  I had a stress test done last year, no issues.  The way I look at it I’ve done this to myself.  Eating and drinking with abandon. 

Juicing did more than help me get control of my blood pressure.  It helped me control my cravings and gave me energy and made me pain free.  I believe all my problems can be reversed by this plant based diet I am eating.  I am okay with staying off beef, pork and chicken but the jury still out as to eliminating fish and seafood, altogether.  As for now until the end of this month, at least, I will continue with just veggies, fruit, seeds, and nuts.  We’ll see!

Cooking is one of my favorite things to do.

I have been collecting cook books since I was thirteen years old.  I love the food network and the cooking channel, (surprising, right?).  This new way of eating has sparked some cooking creativity.  Hope you enjoy the pics and recipes.

Kale Salad

Kale Salad 

Chop:

2 cups Curley Kale

1 cups Apple (your choice)

1 cup Carrots Diced

1 cup Red Cabbage

1 cup celery

2 Banana Peppers

1 Yellow Pepper 

After chopping place in large bowl and toss, keeps in frig for about week.

Toppings:

Roasted Garlic

Capers

Nuts (your choice)

Dressing:

¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar

1/3 cup Olive Oil

1 teas. Dijon Mustard

Packet of Stevia

¼ Sherry

Pepper (no salt- capers have enough)

Put a bit of the salad in a serving bowl and decorate with toppings



Lentils, Butternut Squash & Stuffed Mushrooms with a Balsamic Vinegar Reduction

Lentils

Red Lentils

2 Carrots Diced

2 Bay Leaves

1 teas Cumin

1 teas Red Pepper Flakes

1 Qt Chicken Stock

In Dutch oven, add all the above ingredients, bring to boil stir well.  Lower to a simmer.  Cook about 39-35 minutes until tender and creamy.  Add water if necessary, to keep at an oatmeal consistency.  (do not make too, soupy).  That's Louisiana hot sauce on my bowl!

Butternut Squash

Place whole in a 350 degree oven and bake until you can stick a knife in the biggest part.  When cooled cut lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.  Serve with a dash of nutmeg, a packet of Stevia and some nuts on top as garnish.

Stuffed Mushrooms

6 med Portabella Mushroom Tops

½ cup chopped portabella (or other mushroom) minced

¼ cup dried tomatoes minced

¼ cup shallots minced

¼ cup sunflower seeds

¼ cup roasted garlic minced

Mix all ingredients, and then stuff the tops.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.  Drizzle with Balsamic Vinegar reduction.

 Balsamic Vinegar Reduction

2 cups of Balsamic Vinegar

¼ cup Sherry

Bring to a boil reduce to simmer about 15-20 minutes.  Make about ½ cup of  sauce ( sauce will coat spoon when ready)   Keeps in frig for about a week.



 Keep Juicing & Be Well!

It's Over!!!!

Officially, stopped the juice fast today,

I gave if one more day (total 11 days) just for good measure.

Blood pressure still doing great, this morning 129/77, couldn’t want anything better.  Morning fasting blood sugar has been under 100 for the past 11 days so I will not be checking it every morning.  Those little test strips are pricey.   I will monitor it weekly.   Still not having any back pain or leg pain, joints all seem to be moving as they should.   No pain meds!!  Energy is up, sleeping is good.  (Of course the new mattress might have someting to do with that).  Of course there is no more of this:

or this

DIET or Otherwise!!!!

My plan!

 At least ,for the next couple of weeks, juice in the morning, green smoothie for lunch and all the veggies (cooked and raw) for supper and snacks .  I will incorporate nuts into my diet either ground in my smoothie or raw in salads and snacks.  Also, I am adding ground Flax seed in my smoothies, about ¼ to 1/3 cup.   I do not want to go vegan or vegetarian, totally.  I know some of you are but I’m not there yet.

 

My cataract surgery is scheduled for August 15.  I want to keep my body well-nourished with veggies and fruit until then.    After the eye business, I will add one new food a week to see what it can tolerate.  I do not want to go back to the pain, edema and high blood pressure.    I think this is a good way to proceed.

BTY 12lbs weight lost.  Now, that was worth the fasting. 

One of my friends has started juicing, not a juice fast but incorporating more juice into her diet.  She has already begun to see results after just 2 days.  Juicing is amazing!

Out with my Boys

Yesterday, hot or not, took my little guys to the dog park. It was empty in the small dog area. In the large dog area there was only one dog running around. It was hot but in the sitting on the bench in the shade there was a nice strong breeze blowing. We stayed about 45 minutes.

DOG PARK

Both dogs got their fair share of sniffing and smelling in to last them a while. They ran all over the place and looked like they were having fun.  The large dog came close to the fence between the two areas and little Vito commenced to barking like there was a lion approaching.  This is the most activity I have seen out of him since he came to live with us about 3 weeks ago. It was like he was protecting me and his little brother, Val.   Now, Valentino on the other hand ran up to the fence and wanted to play with the other dog.  I’m confused.  At home, Valentino seems to be the one who takes the aggressive stance in the yard and Vito just kind of stands around. Well I’m sure the dogs know what is going on, so I’ll let them handle it.

Vito in Action

Nothing much going on around here today went to New Orleans yesterday to run some needed errands.  Today, schedule is free maybe the gym this afternoon. Found my book on simplifying your life (that I had misplaced it should give you a clue) maybe I will get to work in this office and the filing that needs to be purged.  Yes that’s the ticket!  I’ll get to that file cabinet. 

Keep Cool an Be Safe!