To Vaccinate or Not

You're probably thinking I'm referring to whether or not to vaccinate children, as there is a great deal of controvery on that subject. No, I'm talking about whether or not to vaccinate your DOG. This is a very controversial subject today which I was unaware of until my mom called me. She took her dog Captain in for her yearly shots yesterday, and this morning she is shaking, not eating, and very lethargic. She wanted to know if that had ever happened to any of my dogs. I couldn't remember any of them having such a reaction, but it prompted me to do a little research.

I went online and read extensively about vaccinations, and the consensus is that we are over vaccinating our dogs. Some of the shots give lifetime immunity and yet veterinarians are are also business owners. and vaccines is a big part of their business. As such they tell you to vaccinate every year when in fact your dog may not need it and it may cause more health problems than it prevents. Rabies ,in particular, may be given more than needed. In Europe, the rabies vaccine is only given every seven years, in America it is given every 2-3 years. Meds for heartworms are often given routinely by vets, even in areas of the country where it is impossible for them to get.

It used to be standard procedure to take you dog to the vet every year for a checkup and his/her shots. That was in the day when we did whatever the doctor ordered. Today we are all taking responsibility for our health care, and the care of our pets, and are not giving our pets meds that we think are unnecessary. Do your own research before allowing your vet to give meds that you don't think are needed or perform procedures that they don't need.

Just one little example. My dog Barney has been on an arthritis med called Rimadyl since he was three years old. The drug can potentially cause liver damage, so when Barney was young, the vet would do a blood test every year to check his liver function. When Barney was 15 years old and I changed vets, the new vet wanted to do the blood work. I told the vet that the dog had already lived much longer than expected, and even if he had liver damage I wanted to continue the drug to make him comfortable. The doctor refused to prescribe the drug if I did not have the blood test. I immediately changed doctors, and I now have a vet that understands that the most important thing for a dog this age is keeping him comfortable. He's not just interested in getting another $100 for bloodwork. By the way, Barney is almost 19 years old (in January he'll be 19), on his last legs, literally, but he's not in pain from arthritis. Bottom line of all this is to do your own research. Don't just accept what the vet says, just as you probably don't just accept what your doctor says. We have have to make these descisions for them. We all want our dogs to live a long, healthy life and doing a bit of research before making their decisions, can go a long way in making that happen.

Home Remedies to Save you Money

It seems like every week I've got another ache or pain somewhere on this old body of mine. I have two very easy home remedies to save you money and hopefully help those tired old bones feel better. I was at my first physical therapy appointment today and my therapist gave me these easy home remedies.

Many muscle pains are treated with both hot and cold. Heat should not be applied until at least 48 hours after an injury, as you are dealing with inflamation, and you want to use cold. Here is an easy recipe for a cold pack.

Pour three cups of water in a gallon size zip-lock bag.

Add one cup of isopropyl alcohol. Close bag and mix contents

Place in another zip-lock bag and close second bag.

Place in freezer.

Contents should turn into a slushy mixture. If it is too solid, add more alcohol. If it is too watery, add water.

Always use a thin layer of cloth between the cold pack and skin.

Apply to painful, injured area for 5-20 minutes.

Stop the icing when you get numb.

Reuse over and over and of course, do not eat the ice.

The other great home remedy is the rice sock recipe. This is an easy, convenient item to heat and apply to painful areas.

I athletic sock

Uncooked white rice

Fill the sock 3/4full with rice.

Tie off or knot the end of the sock

Place in the microwave for 30 seconds-2minutes on High. Sock should be warm but not hot enough to burn.

Kepp on body part as tolerated for 5-20 minutes.

It's great for neck shoulder, arm, back, hip, knee, foot, ankle. I'm using it on my knee right now and it works wonders. So you don't have to buy those expensive items, just make it yourself and you always have it on hand. Hope you don't need these, but they're great to have on hand if you do.

Wandering Around La Playa

Fran and I took our wanderers group on a trip to La Playa and Shelter Island a few weeks ago. It was the most perfect day weatherwise. 75 degree weather, with a slight breeze. There were 17 of us in all, and although our route was hillier than I had remembered, we all made it.

We started in the the community of La Playa, right off Rosecrans, near Shelter Island. It is one of the oldest areas in San Diego, and originally housed many Portuguese immigrants. Today it is home to those with money, as most of the the homes are $2million and up. Most were built in the 1920's, some before that, and many have been labeled Historical Landmarks. This label entitles the residents to some tax breaks to help offset the high cost of maintaining the property. We talked to one resident that told us it was a never ending battle to keep up the homes properly maintained.. The homes are beautiful. You see all types of architectural styles, from traditional Spanish, to contemporary Mediterranean, to Cape Cod style. It is obvious that this small community takes great pride in their homes, as they are all meticulously maintained.

The houses right on the sand are really special. They are not big, but are well kept, and beautifully landscaped. The view you see from your living room window is San Diego bay and lots of beautiful boats. What more could you want?

Next, we drove to Shelter Island, where we had a wonderful lunch at the Red Sails Inn. We sat on the patio and watched the boats, the water and the birds. It was a wonderful day for all of us. Except for lunch, it was a free day, and a heathy day. Walking, talking, and enjoying the beautiful sights of San Diego bay. Now that's my idea of a great day.

Lima Beans You'll Actually Like

Many, many years ago (close to 50 years ago) my mom used to make the most wonderful lima bean casserole. Now I have to tell you I really don't like lima beans at all, in fact I have never eaten them any other way than the way she made them. I think it's the texture I don't like, but the sauce in this dish is so delicious, you'll forget what you're eating. I haven't made this in 40 years, but it popped into my head today when I was driving down Leucadia Blvd. and saw a sign for the lima bean festival. This is a great dish to bring to a pot luck dinner. It goes well with lamb, barbequed meats and chicken. Try it, you'll like it.

Lima Bean Bake

2 15 ounce cans of cooked lima beans

1/2 pint sour cream

1/2 cube butter

1 1/2 tsp dry mustard (add more to taste)

1/4 cup brown sugar

Melt butter, drain beans, and mix all ingredients in casserole dish. Cook for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees. That's it. I hope you try this dish, and let me know if you like it.

It's Not Where You Go, But Who You Go With

After spending the last two days at Warner Springs Resort, just about 25 miles from Ramona, I can honestly say it's not where you go on vacation that matters, but who you're with. I went with 12 amazing women, some of whom I already knew well, others I had a chance to get to know better. We had the BEST time imaginable, spent very little money, had a million dollars worth of laughs, and came home refreshed.

Warner Springs is known for its hot springs. The sulphur water comes up from the ground at 140 degrees, then it is cooled off to 105, and pumped into a very large pool. They have two side by side pools, one a regular cholorinated pool at about 80 degrees, the other the hot sulphur pool. People sit around the pool and relax in the hot water for hours. It is super relaxing. Our group brought some games to the pool, so in between dunks we played a game called Sequence.

Accommodations are how should I say, rustic. To quote my friend Meena, "Don't expect too much." Actually, we stayed in the newer, upgraded casitas, which were adequate. What do you expect for $96 per night per person, including breakfast, a $5 voucher for dinner and unlimited golf? If you were staying more than one night, you get the second night free. You can hardly afford to stay home at those prices.

We arranged in advance to all bring wine, cheese and munchies and meet for a pre dinner cocktail party at 5:00. What a rowdy bunch. We ate and drank (several bottles of wine) and made a mess of the room, but had a really great time. Then it was off to the lodge for dinner and games (again). This time we played Shanghai, a rummy type game. We were all exhausted from a full day, so many laughs, stories and jokes. No one wanted to walk back to the room and we probably wouldn't have found the room anyway. There were only two cars there, so a bunch of us piled into Regina's car. I said it looked like a clown car at the circus, stuffed with people, and you could never figure out how they all fit.

Although we were exhausted, our day was not finished yet. Our resident astronomer, Jan, insisted that we look at the stars. Boy was I glad I did. Living in the city we rarely get a chance to see a dark sky, but at 3,000 feet and no lights around the stars really came alive. Jan pointed out the Milky Way, Venus and many other constellations. We saw shooting stars, and literally thousands of stars that looked like you could reach out and touch them. This was a real treat.

The next day started with a hearty breakfast at the golf grill, golf, and then we said goodbye to Warner Springs. We headed toward home, with a quick stop at the Julian Pie Shop, for some declicious pie. It really was better than what you get in the markets around San Diego. I think it was the incredible smell when you walked in the shop that enhanced the flavor. Yum.

It's all about who you're with, and this trip proved that to me in spades. An average place became a five star experience with the right group of ladies. Thanks all for a wonderful time.

Why Buy Organic Produce?

In a perfect world, we would buy all of our groceries organic. Unfortunately, organic food is still more expensive (although the price is dropping) or even unavailable. To make wiser consumer choices I will list the produce with the highest level of pesticide contamination. The information is based on information and studies by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Working Group. The latter is a nonprofit environmental research organization the says you can lower your pesticide exposure by almost 90 percent by avoiding conventional versions of the top 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables.

There are lots of reasons to buy organic. First, it's better for the environment. No pesticides means healthier soil, water and wildlife. Buying organic supports small farmers. Organic farmers can earn a fairer price for organic produced compared to factory farming. Organic farming is good for biodiversity. Organic farmers are growing a wide variety of non-genetically modified (non-GMO) fruits and vetetables. Where factory farming has shrunk our choices in the supermarket to one or two types of any produce variety, organic farmers are resurrecting many heirloom varieties. Finally, organic foods are healthier for you, although research remains inconclusive. The long term effects of consuming pesticides has not been sufficiently studied, but they can't be good for you.

So here are the top fruits and veggies to buy organic, with the percentage of sampled produce that contained pesticides: nectarines, 97.3%, celery 94.5%, pears 94.4%, peaches 93.7%, apples 91%, cherries 91%,strawberries 90%, imported grapes (Chile) 86%, spinach 83.4%,potatoes 79.3%,bell peppers 68%, red raspberries 59%. Produce with thin or porous skin is more likely to contain pesticides. Strawberries and raspberries in particular will just absorb the pesticide.

Now here are the fruits and veggies found to contain the least amount of pesticides. Notice that many of these have thick, inedible skins which protect the fruit. Asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, kiwi, mangoes, onions, papaya, pineapple, sweet peas.

Yes, organic food is still expensive, but by buying organic produce from the list of food that is loaded with pesticides you can try to keep healthy and stick to your budget .

Healthy food should be a right, not a privilege just for the rich. Keep healthy and watch your budget by eating organic produce from the list with high amounts of pesticides. Your body will thank you.

Beach Break Cafe is Something Special

There are a million breakfast places in North County, most of them pretty good, but one stands head and shoulders above the rest. It's the Beach Break Cafe at 1902 S. Coast Highway in Oceanside. We've been going there for breakfast for the past 9 years and I can honestly say I 've never been disappointed. This is the kind of place Guy Fieri, from Diners, Drive Ins and Dives would like to review. Since Guy hasn't discovered it yet, I'll let you in on the best kept secret in Oceanside.

The restaurant is owned by Gary and Zell, and one of them is almost always there. They're friendly, as are all their employees. The place itself is on the highway in a little strip mall. Inside there are about a dozen tables, some nice booths, and a surfer decor. Outside there are a few tables with umbrellas. Wherever you sit you'll be well taken care of. Everyone is so friendly. They'll even try to help you decide what to eat, as you'll probably have trouble deciding. If you go on the weekend, expect quite a wait. They have coffee available outside during the wait, which is a great special touch.

What should you eat at the Beach Break? I love their omelettes. They have every combination imaginable, and they'll make anything you can dream up. Omelettes are served with either country fries ( good) or crispy hash browns (great). I don't want to know how much butter they put on the hash browns to get them so good and crispy. You also get a choice of toast or coffee cake. I recommend at least one person at the table try the coffee cake. It's like a crumble cake with drizzled icing. Warm and delicious. Ron loves the banana crunch french toast. The bread is dipped in crunchy cereal before grilled. It is topped with sliced bananas and whipped cream. Eggs benedict are out of this world, too. Very traditional, with a wonderful hollandaise on top. If you like BIG pancakes, this is the place for you. They're almost as big as the plate. They also serve fresh squeezed orange or tangerine juice, and good strong coffee.

When we first moved here and were exploring various restaurants and neighborhoods, we told our friends from Carlsbad about it. They didn't want to go there because it was in Oceanside. It wasn't the right neighborhood. Look what they missed. I have found that some of the best places to eat are in the most unlikely spots. This place is a winner, and if you find yourself up in Oceanside, you'll be delighted to know about The Beach Break Cafe. 760 49 6355 (no web site)

An Explosion of Farmers Markets

Throughout the world, farmers markets have been around for decades. Long before there were supermarkets, there were daily open air markets. With the introduction of the the supermarket, open air markets in the U.S. practically disappeared. But they have made a mighty comeback, and are growing at a rapid pace. Not only are they increasing, but they are now available to all consumers, rich or poor. I'll give you a little background on the expansion of farmers markets in Southern California.

The first market in L.A. County opened in 1979, in the parking lot of a Gardena church. A peach farmer brought his fruit to the Gardena parking lot, and was mobbed by customers from day one. Other farmers saw the possibilities, especially of being able to set their own prices, rather than selling wholesale where they were told the price per box that buyers would pay. The first five markets in Southern California were sponsored by the Interfaith Hunger Coalition. Their goal was to help small farmers sell their produce and poor people buy it. Their feeling was that everyone should have access to fresh, nutritious food.

Presently there are over 120 farmers markets in the Los Angeles area, and dozens more in Orange County and San Diego. Mayor Villaraigosa wants to turn L.A. into the farmers market capital of the world.

One important change in the current markets is that they now take food stamps. In fact, at the Gardena market, half of their weekly business is from customers using food stamps. This means that good, nutritious food is finally available to ALL people.

Most of us have moved to the city for the many conveniences it provides, but we still want to eat like we live on the farm. Now that everyone has access to locally grown wholesome food, let's hope that the farmers market trend continues to grow. The side benefit of all this is that it keeps local farmers in business, doing what they love to do. I don't know about you, but I don't want a society where all our food comes from ConAgra.

Thursdays at Borrelli's

One of the favorite pasttimes for women of a certain age is mah jongg. Every Thursday you can find a group of dedicated mah jongg players at Borrelli's Restaurant in Encinitas. Be there by 11am for the best table, the one in the front with the best lighting. You'll probably be playing with Helene, woman in charge, and player who always says "I've got absolutely nothing here", right before she calls "mah jongg".

Today I played for the first time in a few months and was happy to be back, although my mind was in Colorado, not Encinitas. Last night my first grandchild was born, a boy, and my thoughts were already a million miles away. I couldn't help but think about holding that beautiful baby. There were more than 20 women at Borrelli's today for an afternoon of lunch, mah jongg, and lots of talk.

The best part of the afternoon is a chance to talk to some wonderful women. It's like a mini therapy session. Each table of mah jongg is having their own conversation, trying to solve everyone's problems. Today, with several new grandma's present, there was a lot of talk about childbirth, names of children and weights of their newborns. It's a lot cheaper than therapy. Just $11 for lunch is a small price for an afternoon of fun.

Save the Tuna

As a group of friends and I sat at Station Sushi today eating the most amazing sushi for lunch, I thought about an article I had recently read in the LA Times. It was an editorial about the diminished supply of Atlantic bluefin tuna. I fact checked the information and it appears true, the bluefin tuna, the one that appears on the menus of ony the priciest restaurants is in dire straits. The population that spawns in U.S. waters has declined by 82% since the 1970's, as commercial fishing fleets have responded to plunging catches by simply fishing more intensively, as if the supply were inexhaustible.

Efforts to impose sustainable catch limits on this fish have failed miserably-for decades. Current international fisheries management has proved unable to make change, but there is a new group that may be able to save these magnificent fish. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITIES) has a chance to step in and help in the effort to save the bluefin tuna. A proposal has been made by Monaco. We could co-sponsor this project, which would reassert our leadership in international conservation. So far, nothing has been implemented, but both sportfishing, science, and common sense tell us we can't keep withdrawing from the bank faster than we're replenishing it.

One scientist compared this problem of overfishing to thePonzi scheme of Bernie Madoff, offering constant returns from an ever-dimishing resource. Hopefully the international community will realize what is happening before it's too late. We need to protect this fish before their numbers dwindle to the point of no return. Not just for myself, a die hard sushi lover, especially tuna, but for all mankind, who has been nourished by this fish throughout history, we must protect them from extinction.

More New Restaurants

Not long ago I blogged about all the new restaurants that were opening in north county, and how, in this difficult economic climate, it was surprising to me. Well, here are a few more restaurants that have either recently opened or are opening soon. I guess money lending is loosening up, or else there are a lot of people sitting around with a lot of cash. With the failure rate in the restaurant business so high, it just amazes me how many people are giving it a try. I'm glad they are. It gives all of us more to choose from.

In the Bressi Ranch Center where the new Trader Joe's and Stater Bros are, Tommy V's is planning to open another restaurant. They closed in Carlsbad about nine months ago, but will reopen in a new location. Their food was delicious, but expensive. Perhaps their prices will be a bit lower in the new location.

In the spot where Tommy V's closed, you will find Thai Pasta. I haven't tried it yet, but it does sound interesting.

In Encinitas, on Highway 101, a new restaurant, Barracuda is coming soon. This is a location that has never been successful. It was French, then a wine bar. Perhaps a fish restaurant will make it.

In the Lumberyard, there has been a restaurant under construction for several months now, called.......I don't know when their opening is scheduled, but it sounds like the type of restaurant Encinitas will support.

In Del Mar, there is a new yogurt shop called Swirls. I was there yesterday. It is the most expensive of the self serves that I have been to recently. They charge 39 cents per ounce for yogurt. Very Berry in Encinitas charges 35 cents, and Yogurtland (my favorite) in Pacific Beach and Little Italy charge only 30 cents. That's a 30% difference in price. Also, Swirls had a very limited selection of fresh fruit toppings.

In Carmel Valley in the Carmel Village Center, is a new place I'd love to try. It's called Volacano Grill and Mai Tai Bar. It's a blend of Asian and Hawaiian, with ribs and plenty of other appetizers. Sounds like it's great for a snack and a drink, or a full dinner. If anyone has tried it, please let me know.

So here are more places for us to try. If you have new places you know of that are opening soon, or have recently opened, please let me know. I'm delighted to see how many businesses are trying to get going at this time. It gives me great hope that things are going in the right direction. I just hope they can stay busy and open.

Five Star Restaurant at Happy Hour Prices

I just discovered a wonderful way to enjoy expensive steakhouse food at a fraction of the cost. Join the discriminating diners who love West Steakhouse, in Carlsbad, (http://www.weststeakandseafood.com/) for Monday Night Football Happy Hours. What is it? It's all the great food you would normally find at West, without the steak, at happy hour prices. This bar menu is available every day of the week from 4:30-6:30, but on Monday nights during football season it's available from 4:30-the end of the game. I can't wait to try it out myself.

Such a great menu, you won't even want a steak. Appetizers range from $7-$8 and include fried calamari, jumbo shrimp cocktail, and tartare trio combo (cerviche). Burgers and sandwiches are also priced around $7.50, and include the classic West burger, chicken sandwich and steakhouse sliders. The salads sound delicious. How about a filet mignon wedge salad for $9 or a caesar salad? Lamb chops with veggies and mashed potatoes for $12 and mushrooom ravioli, too.

This looks like a great value. You get to eat at one of the areas best restaurants (in the bar area), and watch Monday Night Football, all at the same time. It's kind of like two for the price of one. It's a win-win situation. Good food, good atmosphere, and for the guy that can't miss Monday night football, he's happy too.

More on Benin

There is so much to see in Benin and Togo, but I will just tell you the highlights of my trip. The people were really the highlight, and being allowed to visit their homes and play with the children was just extraordinary. Most of the homes we visited were mud huts. It was hot and dry when we were there. I don't really know what happens to the village during the rainy season.

Benin is a country that at one time was divided up into many regions, or kingdoms. The Dahomey kingdom becamevery powerful during the slave trade and the kings became very wealthy from selling their captives as slaves. The main tourist attraction here is the Palace of the kings complex, a UN World Heritage site where 12 of the kings each had their palaces. Today, there are many kings throughout Benin, but they no longer have any real power. They are, however, highly respected in their small villages. We had the chance to meet several of them. They were always dressed in fancy robes and greeted us warmly. Many had never seen a white woman before, or very few.

Ganvie was one of our most interesting stops. 25,000 people live permanently on Lake Nakoue in houses built on stilts. The whole life of the town is lived on and in the water. It's absolutely fascinating. The town was established during the slave trade and is still vibrant today. All their buying and selling is done from little boats, similar to the floating markets in Thailand.

One of the more fascinating events we witnessed was a voodoo ceremony. About 60% of Benin follows voodoo, and it is officially recognized as a religion, the only country in the world that recognizes voodooism. Voodoo originated in the region, but the Marxist regime that came to power in 1972 discouraged its practice. Followers of voodoo worship spirits, or fetishes, to guide them in their lives. We watched a young girl go into a trance by whirling around, chanting and slapping people. She slapped me and I couldn't believe her strength. This went on for about 30 minutes. I've never seen anything like it. Other ceremonies associated with voodoo involve men dressing as animals with masks and straw skirts and dance around fire and sing and shout. Animal sacrifice is also part of the their religion, but fortunately we missed that part.

One of the best things about the people of Benin is their love and appreciation for arts and crafts. Masks are a big part of religious ceremonies, and as a visitor we went to many craft shops and watched the people work. Had I known about the beautiful masks in advance, I would have brought an extra suitcase, but I crammed as much into the one I had, and the photo above is the display I have of masks from Benin. Also, I bought a beautiful carved man, who I affectionately call Grandpa. He is sitting on a chair in my house. I watched the man carve him from a tree trunk. I didn't know how I would get him home, but got lucky. The concierge at our hotel was willing to pack him up and send him home. I never expected to see him, but about six weeks later he appeared. I just love him.

On this trip I had the privilege of becoming friends with a woman from Atlanta, Connie Stokes. At the time she was in the state congress, and was traveling with us on a trade mission. She and I became fast friends. Atlanta and Cotonou were sister cities, I believe. Other travellers included a minister's wife, several journalists and two doctors. All in all, it was one of my most memorable travel experiences. I had the opportunity to learn about a new culture and connect one on one with the people. One final thing. Benin was the first country that I travelled to that had no western advertising. No Coke, Pepsi, KFC, none of it. By now that's probably no longer true, but at the time it made me feel I was so far away from western culture. I was.

Check Out Our City San Diego

Thank you, Barbara, for telling me about a new local magazine, Our City San Diego (http://www.ourcitysd.com/). It was launched in June 2009, and will be published six times per year. It is great for money saving tips, what's going on in our town, where to find the best fish tacos, weekend getaways, and home renovation and decorating . Barbara told me about it about a month ago, but I just got around to really looking at it in depth.

Each issue is packed with restaurant reviews, lists of new restaurants, recipes, events in the area, where are the best golf courses and what new theatre productions are worth seeing. In the current issue there was an article about the monthly art festivals in Escondido, always on Saturday.

Escondido is known for having a great number of working artists in residence, and each month they, and others from the San Diego area, can show off their wares on the streets of Escondido. It's a great way to spend a free fall afternoon, that is unless you find some beautiful piece of art you can't live without. There are also so many good restaurants in the area, so combine it with lunch or an early dinner. Try Vincents on Grand for a real treat if you haven't been there before.

Next time you're at the newsstand, look for Our City San Diego. It is visually stunning and really lets you know what's new in the city, what's good in the city, and it will give you great ideas if you're in the mood to try something new. Thanks, Barbara.

The Latest Trend: Mobile Couponing

Technology is changing so fast it's hard to keep up. Software makers and restaurants have teamed up to present wireless discounts to the consumer on the go. Here's how it works. Those with iPhone and iPod Touch can download the software application, then have access to coupons from more than 100 merchants that have so far signed on. The couons show up on the cell phone with either a bar code or a promotional code number. The phone user shows the screen to the cashier, who scans the bar code or enters the promotional code into the cash register to redeem the coupon. Participating merchants include Rubios, California Pizza Kitchen, and Islands Restaurants.

Two forces are driving mobile coupons, said Greg Hallisnan, chief marketing officer with Verve Wireless in Encinitas. One, coupons are back in vogue due to the recession, and two, faster cellular networks have boosted what can be delivered to the wireless phone. Consumers see these phones as more like a personal information device that's not just for making voice calls.

Mobile couponing is convenient and easy for busy consumers. So far the download for the iPhones has had more than 250,000 downloads this year. The trend is growing, and is seen by most merchants as a compliment to traditional print coupons. Coupons are making a comeback. At the height of their peak in 1992, 7.9 billion coupons were redeemed. In 2008, 2.6 coupons were redeemed, but the trend is definitely increasing, and mobile couponing is just one more way for merchants to try to get our business. Very interesting. I wonder what's next. Thanks, Barbara, for bringing this story to my attention.

There's Nothing Like Homemade Mayonnaise

If you've never had homemade mayonnaise you don't know what you're missing. It is so superior to regular mayonnaise, even the best brands, that it's worth the 10 minutes that it takes to make. Below you will find a basic recipe which you can whip up in no time, and I'll give you a few ideas for variations. Mayonnaise can be used as a dip for artichokes, fresh veggies, a condiment for grilled fish and as a spread on sandwiches of all kinds. One of my favorite lunches during artichoke season is a cold, steamed artichoke with anchovy mayonnaise. That may not be for everyone, in which case make a garlic or a garlic and caper mayonnaise. Here is the basic recipe.

Homemade Mayonnaise

2 egg yolks

3/4tsp salt

1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard

pinch of cayenne pepper

4 to5 tsps lemon juice or white vinegar

1-1/2 cups cannola or salad oil

4 tsp hot water

Beat yolks, salt, mustard, pepper and 1 tsp. lemon juice in a small bowl until very thick and pale yellow. If using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed. Add about 1/4 cup oil, drop by drop, beating vigorously all the time. Beat in 1 tsp each lemon juice and hot water, then add another 1/4 cup of oil, drop by drop, beating all the time. Beat in another teaspoon each of lemon juice and water, then add 1/2 cup oil in a very fine, slow, steady stream. Continue with this process until all the lemon juice, water and oil are added. If you like thin mayonnaise, add a little more water. The key is adding the oil drop by drop, otherwise it will clump. You can do this in a blender too, but the oil must be added slowly. Mayonnaise will keep about one week in the refrigerator.

For a variety of sauces, add one of the following at the end of the process: 4 tsp dijon mustard, 2 T. tomato puree with 2 minced pimentos and 1/2 crushed garlic clove, 1-2 tsp curry powder, 2 tsp. anchovy paste. Enjoy.

Eating Healthy at the Naked Cafe

After a lively meeting of my favorite social club, 14 of us went to the Naked Cafe (http://www.thenakedcafe.com/) for lunch. We had worked up quite an appetite voting on budgets, boundaries and bylaws, and were ready for a hearty, healthy meal.

The Naked Cafe has two locations. The one in Solana Beach is on Sierra, right across from Fletcher's Cove. The other location is in a shopping center on Carlsbad Village Drive in Carlsbad. At both you will get delicious food, and plenty of it.

Since I had been there several times, I warned our group that splitting was necessary, unless they all wanted doggie bags. Only one person did not heed my warning, and she ended up taking half her meal home. They're only open for breakfast and lunch, and at the Solana Beach location expect a wait on the weekends, especially in the summer.

The breakfast items range from several varieties of humongous pancakes, most made with whole grain and fruit, and very big. Then there's coconut french toast, topped with shredded coconut and a fruit puree. Eggs, omelettes, breakfast burritos, bacon, sausage, hand made tortillas, fresh herb bread, beef hash, scrambles, homemade granola, fresh fruit, and oatmeal complete the breakfast options.

I was there for lunch, and had difficulty deciding between a wrap, a salad or a sandwich. Many lunch items have an Asian influence. Barbie and I split the Goddess Wrap, a mixture of sauteed tofu, with grilled veggies, a little spice and a little sweet, all wrapped up in a spinach tortilla, served with black beans on the side. Big, beautiful smoked turkey sandwiches, veggie sandwiches, and soft chicken tacos were also delicious. The homemade soups are available Monday-Friday, and vary from day to day.

In addition to all this, Naked Cafe serves wonderful speciality drinks. Green tea latte, pumpkin spice coffee late, and Mexican hot cocoa are just some of their hot drinks. The cold drinks include several different mimosas, with various fruit juices, Arnold Palmers, and berry tea mixed with pomegranete and lemondade. Last but not least, you can splurge with a shake or a smoothie. No way you go hungry here. Best of all I got to spend an hour with some wonderful women, talking about our busy lives and showing pictures of our grandchildren.

Great Trips

One of my most memorable trips took place about 10 years ago, when I went to Benin and Togo. Being the adventurer that I am, even though I had never heard of either country, the chance to explore a little known area of Africa intrigued me.

I was working as a travel agent in Los Angeles. A woman from Ghana, who planned group trips to West Africa and shared office space with our travel agency, was taking a group of journalists and some dignitaries to Benin and Togo and asked me if I'd like to join them. I jumped at the chance. Having never heard of either country, I did not know what was in store for me. We met at JFK, and from there flew Air Afrique to Benin. I arrived there and discovered I was the only Caucasian person on the trip. No problem, I thought this would be a fantastic experience. It would give me a look at what it's like for African Americans when they're the only one of their race in a room.



Most of the people were very nice, and many were going to discover their roots. After all, Benin was one of the biggest ports for transporting slaves from Africa to America. Ouidah was the main port in West Africa for shipping slaves to the Americas. You can visit the Old Portugese slave fort with its excellent museum. You can walk along the route the slaves took, past the Tree of Forgetfulness to the Door of No Return where they were put onto the ships. Many in our group cried when we took the walk from the slave quarters on the beach to the ocean where many of their ancestors began their journey to America. It was a very moving experience.



Even in the main city, Cotonou, the only accomodations above the level of a hut at that time was at the Sheraton. They were typical, with big lobby, bar, nice pool area, etc. The staff at the hotel began our stay with an al fresco meal by the pool, with fish, rice, several salads fruit and sweets. Everything was delicious. They also had a local group performing typical West African music, which was delightful.



This was a cultural trip. No animals to see, just lots of villages, tribal chiefs, crafts, and dancing. One thing typical of West African culture is very colorful clothes. The fabric is printed with colorful, stylish designs. And boy can they dance. Every celebration begins and ends with dancing and singing. You often think that people that don't have a lot of worldly possessions are sad, but this is not the case. They celebrate life, and enjoy every moment of it. There is much more to tell about Benin and Togo. I will stop now and pick this up next week, when I'll tell you more about the places we went and the interesting things we saw.

Morning or Noon, Pipes is Awesome

Could a surfer joint in Cardiff by the Sea really serve one of the best breakfasts around? You betcha. I've been eating (I really can't say dining) at Pipes since we first started coming to San Diego in 1999. It began as a surfer hangout for breakfast and lunch, but now has a loyal following of locals from all over the area. Last year Rachael Ray visited Pipes on her San Diego for $40 a day show and raved about it. So it's no longer a secret, and the long lines for lunch and dinner confirm that.

It's really just a little shack, with surfer pictures all over the walls. The inside has only about 8 tables. The rest is patio seating, which is what you want with our beautiful weather. It's great for people watching. You might see young or old surfers, businessmen, mommies and their kids, movie stars or sports stars. On a recent visit I saw Luke Walton (basketball player, son of Bill Walton).

So here's the drill. Line up and plan on a 10 minute wait. It's really not bad. In the meantime check out the menu and get ready to order. The staff will bring the food to your table while you get your own drinks. They have a special coffee bar outside for specialty drinks, otherwise regular coffee and soft drinks are served inside.

The food is fresh and plentiful. Breakfast is probably a little more popular than lunch, but not because the breakfast food is any better. It's all good. The breakfast burrito is enough to feed an army. It's a large tortilla stuffed with eggs, potatoes, beans, cheese, chilis and who knows what else. You won't be hungry until dinner. Pipes serves lots of scrambles, using eggs or just egg whites, as I like to order. The add ins can be anything you want: bacon, peppers, onions, cheese, sausage. Served with an English muffin, this breakfast is a winner. French toast, pancakes and omelettes are also available. There is a special everyday. For example, pancakes and bacon with an egg, for around $6.50. Good, hot coffee completes a delicious meal.

Lunch is equally great. My favorite is the egg salad sandwich on toast with either potato chips or delicious, fat, salty, french fries for around $6. The tuna stack, veggie sandwich,burgers, burritos and several salads give you plenty of deliciousness to choose from. Again at lunch there is a special every day, which will save you a little money.

Next time you feel like a place with real local atmosphere, try Pipes. The food is great and the people watching is even better. They're located across the street from the Seaside Market in Cardiff by the Sea. 121 Liverpool Drive. No web site. Happy eating.

I just returned from a five mile walk. My walking partner Fran, was unable to make our planned outing, so I carried on without her. I walked from the Lumberyard north to D Street, west to the ocean and down to the Self Realization Temple, then continued south to Pipes. I had a delicious egg salad sandwich and two diet cokes, and walked back. A total of about five miles, so I think I burned off lunch.

New Ways to Shop

For many of you, shopping is a favorite pasttime. Unfortunately, it's not a good activity for those of us trying to save money. But I have some ideas on how to feel like you've been shopping without spending a lot.

Have a clothes exchange. Get together with a dozen or so of your favorite people, preferably ones that are your size, and have a clothes exchange. You each gather from your closet unwanted or unused clothing, meet somewhere and display it, and swap clothing. I know I've got practically unused items in my closet that I will never wear, and they may be just what someone else is looking for. You can also include handbags, costume jewelry and hats and scarves.

The other idea is to visit a consignment store. There are several in the area to choose from. My favorite is Take Two in Rancho Penasequitos.(9917 Carmel Mountain Road 858 484 3300) This is run by my friends Alex and David Collett, and has been a big hit ever since they opened. The clothes are high end and merchandise is always changing. I have seen several friends, including Carole, who have bought some exquisite outfits there, at a fraction of the original cost. Another good consignment store is Double Take. They have three locations, Carlsbad, Encinitas and Solana Beach. They have a good selection of clothing also, with merchandise changing often.

Finally, thrift stores are everywhere. Every charity and church seems to have one, and if you've got the patience to sort through the stuff you may find something great. Generally, the items are not of the same quality as those you'll find in the consignment stores.

So feel like you've been on a shopping binge. Have a clothing swap with your friends, go to a consignment store and buy a really expensive outfit at less than half the price, or browse in a thrift shop and discover something wonderful. Any which way, shopping will brighten your mood. If it's good enough for Sarah Palin, it's good enough for me!

Great Recipe from Colorado

I brought back more than just great pictures of my new grandson Lennon from my recent trip to Colorado. I brought some incredible recipes, which I will share with you over the next few weeks. As I've said before, my son Phil is a fabulous cook, and he impressed me with each and every meal. Staying home for a few weeks have given him time to cook and garden. I enjoyed the benefits, and you will too, if you try some of these recipes. He does not cook from a recipe, so he gave me the measurements off the top of his head, and I can't guarantee the amounts. Taste everything, and adjust if necessary.

On the first night of my visit, we had a salad made from ingredients from his garden. It was just delicious. We had it with steak, but it woud go well with chicken or fish. You'll love this one.

Endive Radicchio Salad

1/4 head radicchio, chopped

1 head frisse (lettuce) chopped

belgian endive, chopped (use as much as you desire)

hazelnuts, to taste

fresh Parmesean cheese, sliced thin

Dressing

1/3 c. vinegar, combo of champage and white wine vinegar

1/2 good olive oil

1 T. honey

2 T. lemon juice

Mix all ingredients together, making sure the vegetables and cheese are cut in small pieces. Toss with the dressing, drizzle truffle oil on top before serving (optional). Serve on a large white platter, with the salad spread out over the plate, not piled up. It looks beautiful.

Serve the salad with the following bread: Slice good bread, and toast in oven or on top of an open grill (to create grill marks). Drizzle with olive oil and small amount of minced garlic. This is a great first course. You're going to love it.

Coffee Wars?

Remember the cola wars of the 1960's? Every shopping center had a booth where you could sample Coke and Pepsi and decide which was best. Years after the cola wars began, there's no answer to the question, which drink is best, Coke or Pepsi? Everyone has their favorites. I guess it's the same with coffee.

I recently was at Starbucks and noticed they are having a taste test from October 2-5. I went home to check it out online, and could find no mention of it. I assume it's a sampling of their many varieties of coffee, not a comparison to other coffee houses like Peet's and Coffee Bean, although that would be a great idea. Actually, last night I saw a commercial for this promotion. They are introducing individual INSTANT coffee drinks, so that's what you'll be sampling if you go to Starbucks this weekend. This is not a new concept, as instant coffee has been around forever, but I'll be anxious to taste it and see if it's any good.

As with the colas, everyone seems to have their favorites, mine being Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. I've been frequenting them for over 35 years. Did you know that they invented the iced blended drink years ago? (Starbucks calls it a Frapuccino, but Coffee Bean was selling this drink in the 1970's). But I digress. The coffee at Coffee Bean is good and strong, but not bitter. Starbucks is good too, but their regular blend is a bit weaker. Peet's and Seattle's Best also have excellent coffee, as do many of the fast food restaurants, most notably McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts. These, however, do not compare to the coffee houses in either regular coffee or specialty drinks.

According to a coffee history legend, an Arabian shepherd named Kaldi found his goats dancing joyously around a drak green leafed shrub with bright red cherries in the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Kaldi soon determined that it was the bright red cherries on the shrub that were causing the peculiar euphoria and after trying the chrries himself, he learned of their powerful effect. This sounds very good, but is in fact false. The coffee bean began on the plateaus of central Ethiopia and somehow were brought to Yemen where it has been cultivated since the 6th century. Upon introduction of the first coffee houses in Cairo and Mecca coffee became a passion rather than a stimulant.

Our passion for coffee has not diminished through the years. Quite the opposite. On every corner of every city throughout the world, you're likely to find a coffee house. The great marketing of companies like Starbucks and McDonald's have showed us that we can't live without coffee. And going to a coffee house to drink coffee and work has become a lifestyle for many, both old and young. I will often make coffee at home, but much prefer to go out for my coffee. It just tastes so much better!