Moroccan Chicken with Preserved Lemons and Green Olives

It's been a while since I gave you the recipe for preserved lemons. Making them yourself takes several weeks, but it really worth it. They're expensive to buy if you can even find them, and they're so easy to make. I found them online at Williams Sonoma, and with a little searching you will find them at other speciality stores. The chicken recipe to follow is delicious and something different than your ordinary chicken dinner. I hope you try it and enjoy it.

Moroccan Chicken with Preserved Lemons and Green Olives

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2T. olive oil
2 medium onions, sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 garlic cloves, thinly slice
1/2 tsp. tumeric
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
8 pieces preserved lemon
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
16 pitted green olives, halved
2 T. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Pat chicken dry, season with salt and peppe. Heat 1 T. oil in a 12-inch skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then saute chicken until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm, covered.
Add remaining oil to skillet and reduce to moderate heat. Cook onions and garlic, stirring frequently until softened but not browned, 8-10 minutes. Add tumeric and pepper and cook, stirring for 1 minute.

Scrape pulp from preserved lemon, reserving for another use. Cut rind into thin strips and add to onions with broth, wine and olives.

Return chicken, with any accumulated juices, to skillet. Braise, covered, until chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes. Serve sprinkled with cilantro.

I like this dish served over couscous, but you could use rice or noodles. The preserved lemon gives it a very authentic, Moroccan flavor. Enjoy.

Halloween Treats

It's Halloween time, and retailers are doing everything they can to get you to buy costumes, pumpkins and candy, and some are even offering coupons or freebies at their restaurant. A few have come to my attention, so check them out.

My favorite is Chipotle. Not only are they delicious anytime, but this special, if you're so inclined, makes me want to dress up like a fool. They'll give anyone $2 off a burrito, bowl, salad or taco on October 31 if they dress up as their favorite processed food!! What a concept. All the money will be donated to Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, of which I am a great admirer. This was by far the most unique special I found.

Others include TGI Fridays, which will give a free appetizer to anyone who comes in costume on October 29, 30 or 31. IHOP will offer children free pancakes if they come in costume on October 31.

A few other specials out there now, not related to Halloween are the following: Taco Bell has a coupon for a free Frutista Freeze (Orange n'creme) through November 25. Go to the Taco Bell web site to find the coupon. Finally, Baja Fresh has two different coupons available through )October 31. Depending on what you buy, they offer a $2 or a $5 coupon. Again, check their website and print the coupon if interested.

In difficult economic times restaurants are always offering specials to the consumer. Anything to get you in the door. If you come once, their hope is that you'll like it and come again. Happy Halloween.

Gloria's Cafe: Authentic Mexican and El Salvadoran Food in LA

When my boys were young, we had a wonderful woman who cared for them. Her name is Julia, and to this day she is one of the most special people I have ever known. She is warm and loving to everyone who has the good fortune to know her. She has not worked for me for over 20 years, but she never misses birthday or holiday phone call to everyone in our family. She is truly one of a kind.

One of the special things she did for my children was take them to her home on her days off. She would leave Saturday morning by bus with them, and I would usually go pick them up Sunday night at her home. To this day, my kids describe these weekends with Julia as among their most memorable moments in their childhood. That says it all. What they did was mostly hang out with her family, help Julia cook a big family dinner, and play with the kids in her neighborhood. They just loved it. A special treat was when Julia took them to an El Salvadoran restaurant for pupusas. They still talk about these outings. Recently Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives visited Glorias Cafe in Los Angeles and raved about it, so I had to see what it was all about. They serve authentic Mexican and El Salvadoran food in a little cafe on Venice Blvd in West Los Angeles. If you're in the area and in the mood for something special, you might check it out.

Here are some of their most popular items. Plato tipico is a combo of typical Salvadoran fare. One pupusa, yuca frita, chicharon, curido, plantanos, rice and black beans. All that for $11.50. Another very popular item is Seven Seas Soup. This is like a Salvadoran boullibaise. It combines 7 seafood items in a tasty vegetable soup. At $13.00 it's a bargain. Another very popular item is Bistec Encebollado. This is Salvadoran style marinated strips of steak, sauteed with salsa and seasoned grilled onions at $12.00. My favorite dessert is Empanadas de Leche. This is a very sweet dessert, so split it. Its sweet mashed plantain, filled with sweet milk custard, deep fried and rolled in sugar. 2 per order at $3.75. There is so much more that Gloria's has to offer, but I like to stick to the Salvadoran choices, as I can get good Mexican in plenty of restaurants.

The story I told you about Julia and my kids is just another example of how food and experiences surrounding food are so important in our life. My children will never forget Saturday afternoons and pupusas with Julia.

Bright Green Future

There is so much buzz today about "going green", and many communities are working hard to reduce waste,construct buildings that are more efficient, and create new jobs that will help with job recovery. A conference called "Bright Green Future" will take place in San Diego on November 6, and I'm going to try to be a part of it.

I checked out their website, and many of the details of the conference are not yet available, but I'm marking my calendar now, as they will need plenty of volunteers. Many of the conference speakers will be experts in their fields, but I am sure they will need many volunteers to help make the conference a success.

Topics that will be addressed during the conference include green business, jobs and training, green architecture and construction, climate change, zero waste, and sustainable life. One topic that caught my eye was "Victory Gardens". I would love to see San Diegans get into gardening. When I lived in Los Angeles I worked at a community garden helping locals plant and cultivate their own fruit and vegetables. Some families got involved for economic reasons. It's a huge savings to a family to grow your own vegetables, and the added benefit is that the family will eat a healthier diet. Studies have shown that low income families eat a poorer diet, the main reason being cost. Fruits and vegetables cost much more than rice and beans. I would love to get involved in such a project.

Another topic that I thought sounded interesting was "Developing a Zero Waste Business Plan". Many forward thinking businesses are trying hard to recycle or reuse everything in their business. This is a lofty goal, and with some help from experts more businesses can try to achieve this and contribut to zero waste, the ultimate goal.

Lots of topics will be discusses and hopefully some ideas for putting these ideas into practice will help San Diego solve the economic and environmental challenges of the future. Check out www.brightgreenfuture.net after September 15 for more information on where, when and how you can get involved in this important event.

Fortieth Visit to Taft

One of the happiest days for any prisoner is visitation day. Friday was an especially happy day for Ron. Our friends Laurie and George came all the way from San Diego to visit. That is very special and above and beyond what one would expect. In fact, Ron has told me he has no expectations about people coming to visit. It does, however, bring him great joy, and will be something he will be talking about for weeks to come. To know that someone cares enough to take an entire day out of their life to drive up and see him, well, it means alot.

Everyone who knows Ron has tried to support him, and me, in their own way. Hardly a week goes by that I don't get a call from one of his softball team mates, card cronies or old friends. "Is there anything I can do to help?" is what they all want to know. I have been so fortunate to have so many people there to lean on. My own friends call often just to chat, to have lunch, to just be there for me. Whether I want magazines or recipes, my friends deliver. Many friends send him cards and letters (most of which he doesn't answer, but are much appreciated) which keep his spirits high. He's had friends visit from Santa Barbara, Phoenix and next week our New York friends will visit. He has had a visitor every week since he's been there, and this says a lot for our friends and family.

The prison system puts the highest priority on visitation. Work, classes or medical appointments are missed when a prisoner has a visitor. The BOP (Bureau of Prisons) realizes the importance of keeping inmates connected with their loved ones. Ron is fortunate to have so many loved ones, as I found out today.

You look around the visiting room and see inmates laughing, eating and playing games with their visitors. It's a happy place as I've said before, but what I sometimes lose track of, is that there were only about 30 inmates who had visitors on Friday. Saturday and Sunday are also visiting days, so perhaps there are 100+ inmates who have a visitor on any given week. That means over 400 men have NO visitors. In fact, there are men that have been incarcerated years without a single visitor. How sad. The men that don't have visitors usually don't get mail either. For whatever reason, they have become isolated from the outside world and it seems that adjustment to society will be extremely difficult for these men.

I asked Ron how other prisoners react when they know their friend or bunkie has a visitor. He said they are openly delighted, but inside some of them are crying. Some of the men have such diffiult family situations that they have not seen their children in years. But as I stated last week, one of the essentials of happiness is HOPE. Everyone in prison is always hoping for a better tomorrow. The best we on the outside can do is support them. For each of us that means something different. For some it means calling and supporting me, for others it means sending Ron books, cards and letters, and for some it means visiting. This is Ron's 41st week at Taft. Only 31 weeks to go, and I plan to be there every step of the way.

I think of the prison experience and how outsiders handle it as similar to having a very sick friend. Everyone deals with it differently. Some will visit the friend regularly, some will take him to appointments, some will call, others will bring food. It's the same for those with a friend or loved one in prison. We all do something, what we can in our own way.

A special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my son David today. He and Brian, the two sons that live in Los Angeles, have been visiting Ron regularly, write letters to him and talk to him. Phil (who lives in Colorado) and Ron have stayed connected during this time too, by letter and phone. I am appreciative of everyone one who has been there for us. It means so much.

French Lentil Salad with Halibut

I never had lentils until a few years ago when I discovered their health benefits and versitility. Now that you can purchase cooked lentils (two varieties) at Trader Joe's there's no reason not to make them a regular part of your diet. You used to have to cook them for an hour before serving, but now you can make a gourmet meal any night using lentils. Below is a recipe Phil served us in Bouder recently. The ingredients he added to the lentils were whatever he had in the house that night. You can vary it dozens of ways.

French Lentil Salad with Halibut

1 package cooked French lentils (available at Trader Joe's)
1/4 cup shaved fennel
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 T. chopped mint
2 T. chopped parsley
1/4 c. chopped artichoke hearts (packed in water)

Combine above ingredients, adding more or less of any ingredient, depending on taste. Add lemon juice and olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, and toss. If you prefer, replace lemon juice with balsamic vinegar.

Cook 4oz pieces of halibut, seasoned with salt and pepper, in a little oil on top of the stove. Do not overcook. Cook until halibut separates and flakes.

Place lentil mixture on plate and place halibut on top. In the 15 minutes it takes to prepare this dish, you have a healthy, gourmet meal. Enjoy.

A Must See: Denver Botanic Gardens

I recently spent several days in Boulder with my son Phil, his wife Deborah and grandson Lennon. My mom and I visited together, and one morning we decided to do some sightseeing while Phil and Deborah went to work. What to do was the big question. We decided to visit the Denver Botanic Gardens. No one I know had ever been there and we both love plants and flowers, so we headed to Denver. The gardens are located just a few minutes from the city center, and are probably the nicest gardens I've ever seen including Kew Gardens in London and Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles.

Wow is all I can say. I would plan on about 1 1/2- 2 hours to visit the gardens. They are small but filled with great beauty. One of my favorite areas of the garden was where herbs were incorporated into the garden, often as hedges. Purple basil as a low hedge is spectacular. There are numerous other edible plants used in decorative manner such as white and purple cabbages and kale. One area has spectacular apricot trees, laden with fruit. Of course I was concerned with what happened to all the fruits and vegetables in the garden, and I got the answer I was hoping for. It is all harvested and donated to food banks in the Denver area.

The gardens have paid personnel to do the heavy planting, but much of the garden is tended to by the many volunteers. Everywhere I looked there were volunteer workers watering, weeding, leading tours or working in the fabulous gift shop.

A small indoor tropical plant area was also of great interest to me. It was a meandering, circular space that housed so many interesting species of plants, many of which I had never seen before.

On the rooftop is a succulent garden. Rooftop gardens are the hottest thing in gardening today. Look at cities like New York and Chicago from an aerial view and you will see them dotted with gardens. The Denver Botanic Gardens is slowly developing this space and it will take some time to be as beautiful as the rest of the gardens.

One other great feature of the the gardens for locals is the education program. We were there during the summer and lots of school age children were involved in week long summer programs. These classes are so valuable to students and a great enrichment activity for kids. They looked like they were having a ball.

The gardens were pleasant surprise and something I would recommend to anyone going to the Denver area or for locals that may have overlooked a real find, right in their own backyard.

The Med Revisited

I've been coming to Boulder for more than 10 years, and one restarant that has survived, and thrived, is The Med. It's still one of the best bargains in town and one of my favorite places for casual dining in a beautiful atmosphere. They have recently expanded, done a bit of a makeover, and the results are spectacular. Inside, outside, or bar area, it doesn't matter where you eat, they're all equally enjoyable. Since it was a beautiful summer day we opted for outside under an umbrella in the patio area.

The menu has so much to choose from it's hard to know where to begin. There were four adults for lunch plus the baby who loves to eat, so we ordered about 10 items. They have hot tapas, cold tapas, soups, salads, pizza, pasta and sandwiches. We ordered calamari with a wonderful dipping sauce, lamb chunks on a skewer cooked to perfection, served with a cool minty yogurt sauce, lamb meatballs in marinara sauce, caesar salad, rucola salad with with arugula, blue cheese, dates, onion, pancetta and shallot dressing, tuna tartare, white bean gazpacho, hummus, grilled artichokes, and bruschetta. Each dish is betwwen $2.50-$5.00, so for very little money you can have a real feast. The pizzas looked delicious, and big salads are on the menu for those that don't want to graze. I love this kind of restaurant. A little of this, a little of that. It makes eating so much fun.

Go to www.themedboulder.com and check out their complete menu, happy hour and hours of operation. They have a great happy hour with reduced prices on tapas and drinks. Also, they offer a kids menu. They are very kid friendly. When we left they had a monumental cleanup job, as half of Lennon's food ended up on the floor, but they cleaned up his mess with a smile. I loved our meal and will go back again when I return to Boulder. Every visit is a new experience. There is always something unique and interesting to try. That keeps me coming back.

More Websites to Love

On a rainy morning last week, I got on the computer to check my e-mail. Well, one thing led to another, and before I knew it I had missed my yoga class. I was lost in cyberspace in some new and interesting websites. None of these sites are new, they're just new to me, and now to you. I hope one day when you feel like getting "lost in space" you'll check some out. I will list them in no particular order, as they're all very different. I like them all.

1. Sagemountainfarm.com....I'm very much into buying produce from sustainable farms and eating at restaurants that make an effort to buy locally. I came across Sage Mountain Farms website and loved it. It has links to just about everything related organic farming in San Diego, from farmers market locations, to special events, to how to get involved in CSA programs. The farm is family owned and operated, which I also support.

2. Sandiegoroots.com....This is another farming site that has everything you ever wanted to know about organic farming and more. It will inform you about volunteer opportunities in addition to links to restaurants that purchase food from sustainable farms. It's a great website.

3. Globalissues.org. This is a new favorite of mine. One of my complaints about the media today is that they miss many important stories, for a variety of reasons. (maybe I'll write about why they don't mention these stories someday). There are so many issues we know nothing about that this website covers. Please check it out. You will probably wonder, as I did, why these stories never made the newspaper. There are reasons, but that's a subject to be discussed later.

4. Thenibble.com....I LOVE this website. You know how much I love food, so naturally I would like this site. It has a special product featured each week, and it even has contests you can enter to win prizes. The site is an offshoot of Gourmet, so it's got to be good. Foodies should check it out.

5. Treehugger.com...I've been reading this website for about two years now. It has interesting articles about saving energy, pollution and just about anything else related to the "green" movement. I love this website and look at it frequently.

6. Delish.com....This website is a great resource for new recipe and food ideas. For example, the last time I looked at it they had 17 recipes for chicken. We're all looking for new ways to cook chicken, so enjoyed this site very much. There's always something new, and although you probably won't use most of it, you'll see one thing that will make checking it out worth your while.

These are my new favorites and I hope you add some of them to your list too. If you have a great site that I've never mentioned that you think I'd like our my readers would enjoy, please leave a comment at the end of the blog. Thanks.

One more thing for those of you in North County. Phil's Barbeque is opening on October 19, 2010. They will be in San Marcos, in the shopping center on San Marcos Blvd. and the 78 freeway. They are in the space formerly occupied by Johnnie Carrinos. They're right next to In and Out. I plan to wait until the initial crowd dies down before venturing over there. If it's anything like their other location it will be a big hit. The food is great, but the wait, well, I don't like to wait. If anyone of you go there, please let me know how it is, if you can call in your order, etc. We'd all like to know.

Thirty Ninth Visit to Taft

Friday was a happy day. I awoke early, drove to Taft, and was greeted by a beautiful sight as I sped along the highway. In the distance were several big, colorful balloons. I've never seen that there before and can't possibly imagine why people would be ballooning at 8am over the flat, barren land of Taft, but they were, and it made me smile. Not much could have happened that day to wipe the smile off my face, as Ron, and my calendar told me we were finishing the 40th week, with 32 to go. That made me happy.

"The three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for." Joseph Addison (1672-1719. He was an English essayist, poet, playwright and politician). Smart man. Having something to do is essential. A passion for your work makes life worth living. Although I am not working right now (except for sporadic part time jobs) I am passionate about my avocations. Bridge, yoga and reading bring me great joy. Ron is definitely NOT passionate about his current work (gardening), but no one was more passionate about their past work than Ron, and I believe whatever he does in the future will be done with great enthusiasm. Something to love is another essential to a happy life, and for me that starts with loving oneself. You've got to love yourself before you can love someone/something else. The final ingredient to happiness, something to hope for, is a key element to true happiness. I'm thinking right now about the Chilean Miners and how they never gave up hope. I know I will be thinking about them for years to come, as the rescue and recovery of those men touched me deeply and gave me great hope for the future of mankind.

So I guess you could say I have all three essentials of happiness. Ron has two out of three right now, so I guess that makes him happy 2/3 of the time! He's really extremely happy, even though his work is not satisfying. The happiness he feels from the expectation of my weekly visits makes up for the lack of passion for his work.

I recently heard that a book will soon be released about the life of Nelson Mandela during his 26 years in prison. I can't wait to read it. He must have been a happy man, even while incarcerated. He was passionate about his desire to change his country, he had something to love and he had a lot to hope for. I was listening to an interview about him and learned that one emotion he never allowed himself to show during his incarceration was anger. He said it was a wasted emotion. He never showed it then or in all the years since he was released. During the course of his incarceration he must have had plenty of practice in tempering this emotion. I think about Ron and what he has told me about incarceration, how hard it is to keep your emotions in check, and can only imagine what Mandela endured. It's unimaginable. Hope is what kept Mandela going. When you think about it, in or out of jail, hope is what keeps most of us going.

Ron and I are both happy right now. It might seem hard to imagine that he, in prison, and me, wife of someone in prison, could be happy, but we are. We have a deep love for each other, great hope for our future, and for me anyway, stuff to do that I find fulfilling. Ron's work may not be fulfilling right now, but the help he is giving other inmates and the bonds he is forming at Taft make him very happy. Finally, counting the days until June also makes Ron happy. I can hear it in his voice when he calls each night.

Miracle in Chile

I'm not one to believe in miracles, but what has been unfolding in Chile over the past 69 days is nothing short of miraculous. I have been rivited by the courage, determination and will of the men involved in this dramatic rescue. This is one of the most amazing events I have ever witnessed. On so many levels it gives me hope for mankind and for our ability to overcome any obstacle, and hope that we will some day learn to "just get along".

I cannot imagine what this experience has done to the 33 miners who were trapped underground for 69 days, 17 days without food or water and not knowing if anyone was even looking for them. Yet they survived and thrived. Men became leaders, medics, poets, entertainers, videographers and much more. Remember, these are just ordinary men, many with less than a high school education in many cases, who rose to the occasion. The situation called upon each of them to become extraordinary, and they did.

How did it happen that this band of 33 miners, ages 19-63 organized a mini society, with leaders and rules. I think of the classic novel "Lord of the Flies", and what happened to the group of children in that story. In the book, all that the children knew of civilized society was abandoned and lawlessness took over with tragic results. In the Chilean mine disaster, the trapped men became a cohesive unit, each one with a specific job to do, and each focused on getting through the ordeal with body and mind in tact. Yes, they had help from above. I'm speaking of the men and women who counseled them, guided them, advised them, during the ordeal. If you asked the trapped men who guided them, they may have a more spiritual reply, as their faith helped many of them survive.

We hear so often the stories of men and women in difficult situations and how they cope. POW's, holocaust survivors, stranded boaters and hostages come to mind. They form a bond for life that no others can understand. They will forever share a unique experience with the group. The fact that these men handled their ordeal with such grace and strength of character, is what I so admire.

Each of these men became so much more than they probably ever thought they could during this 69 day experience. Their lives are changed forever. My life is changed forever knowing what they went through. It shows what man can do. Just about anything. It gives me great hope for the future of mankind in a time where there isn't a whole lot about which to be hopeful.

Products That Rocked The Stock Market

Ever since I was a little kid I paid attention to the stock market. My early memories are of breakfast before elementary school and the radio in the background giving the daily stock report. My mom and dad got interested in the market when my mom was left a small amount of money and wanted to learn all she could about protecting and growing her little nest egg. Over the years she did quite well, and although I did not study the market as she did, just by being around her I learned a lot. As Charlie Whittingham, a famous horse trainer used to say when people asked about his son, "I taught him everything he knows, but not everything I know". I love that quote. That's what my mom did for me, and for that matter, my son David.

David has been a stock broker for 11 years now. He got into the business partially because of his curiosity over what my mom and dad were always talking about. He studied finance in college, and after a brief stint in the restaurant business went to work for Morgan Stanley. Today, he works with a J.P. Morgan affiliate, finding ways to protect and grow portfolios in these challenging times.

I recently read an article that got me thinking. New products come on the market all the time. How do we as investors decide which ones are THE ones to buy? Which ones will have staying power and outperform the market? Here's how a few recent hot products have done.

1. Kindle. Kindle is the fastest selling e-reader on Amazon. It was originally released in November, 2007. Amazon stock fell 55 points as the economy worsened during one of the worst years in market history. Currently, shares have rebounded and now trade nearly 40% above where they were when Kindle made it's debut. This would have been a good stock to buy, if you could survive the bumpy road.

2. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. KKD was founded in 1937, but only in the 1990's did it embrace a strategy of expanding outside the southeastern U.S. They went public in April, 2000. Initially shares spiked to $49.37 in August, 2003. The stock succumbed to gravity in 2004 and has traded mostly in the single digits since. One share now costs about $3.75. This would not have been a good long term buy.

3. Crocs. The shoes look ugly to many, but they're made of a special material that renders them odor-resistant and makes them especially comfortable. Some market investors hoped Crocs would become the next Nike, but the Crocs craze and the company faced competition from copycat brands. The company was found in 1999 and went public in 2006. Initially the stock rose 423% in the first 20 months after the company's initial offering, peaking at $74.75 in October, 2007. The stock fell to barely about $1 in March 2009 before beginning to rebound. Crocs shares have nearly doubled in value in 2010. Again, for long term investors, this was not a good buy. If you're great at timing the market, you would have cashed out big time.

4. IPod. This product by Apple has significantly impacted the tech and electronic market. Apple was first released in October, 2001. In it's first year, Apple shares fell 18% amid a tough enviornment. In October 2002, one share of Apple cost about $8. It's worth about 60 times that amount today. I think that qualifies as good investment.

Often new ideas, new companies come along that catch America's fancy. As an investor we have to decide whether these are fads or whether they will stick around. So to be a good investor you not only have to be a financial analyst, but you need to spot trends and decide what will last and what will be gone tomorrow. Tough decisions, especially in hard times, but when you pick a stock that does well, it sure is exciting.

A Weird, Random Vegetable-Sea Beans

You know I'm always looking for something new and unique in food, and here's another one of my finds. Sea beans, also knowns as salicornia, can often be found in grocery stores or farmers' markets, usually in a box near the mushroom section. They're mysterious short stalks of a dark green vegetable. It looks like something you might find washed up on the beach. Sea beans grow wild in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. It is not seaweed, as often described, nor is it cactus, which it slightly resembles. Eaten raw or cooked, its flavor can best be described as sea salty intense, with a sort of grassy asparagus aftertaste. When fresh, Sea Beans are crunchy like snap peas. They are very pricy, but might be nice to try for a change. Here's a recipe I found for Sea Beans, Porcini and Walnut Salad.

Sea Beans, Porcini and Walnut Salad.

Blanch the sea beans in boiling water for about 1 minute, then put in an ice bath for another minute.

Slice porcini mushrooms, cook on stove top over medium heat in olive oil, salt and pepper for about 4 minutes. When tender, add the blanched sea beans and some chopped raw walnuts. You may need to add a little fresh lemon juice to balance out the salty flavor. Top with some shaved parmesean or goat cheese for a unique side dish with any grilled fish. Let me know what you think. Enjoy.

Luciles Brings New Orleans to Colorado

Every time I've eaten at Lucile's in Boulder, Colorado, I've had to wait. That's a good sign. It's never more than 15 minutes, but the place is always crowded, whether it's for breakfast on Sunday or lunch on a Wednesday afternoon. The Boulder restaurant, one of four in the Denver area, is housed in an old historic home. Walk up the stairs, into the entry of the house, and you'll be seated in the living room or dining room area. The rest of the house has been turned into a kitchen. And a great kitchen it is. Here are some of the New Orleans style dishes you can enjoy.

My favorite meal there is breakfast. A big, hearty, calorie laden breakfast. The prices are reasonable. There's nothing over around $8 and the food is fresh and delicious. Last year Lucile's opened their own organic farm, so most of the fruit and produce is fresh from the farm.

Praline waffles is a favorite of mine. Delicious fluffy waffle with pecans, fruit and fresh whipped cream. Served with praline syrup. Eggs ponchartrain is another great dish. Fresh caught mountain trout, poached eggs, sauce bernaise. It's served with grits or potatoes and a buttermilk biscuit. Eggs sardu, another popular item is composed of creamed spinach, gulf shrimp, poached eggs and hollandaise, and of course grits and biscuits. Pain perdu is a New Orleans style french toast, served with fresh fruit, one egg, hot Louisiana sausage and buttery syrup. How about rice pudding porridge? I haven't tried this yet but porridge topped with raspberry sauce, currents and cream sounds good to me. There are also lots of egg dishes on the menu, like Farmers eggs with muenster and ricotta cheese.

In addition to all these wonderful menu items, Lucile's is one of the few places to find hot, just out of the fryer beignets. There are 4 in an order, and I've eaten the whole order myself. They may be better than what you get in New Orleans. Lucile's also serves a killer coffee cake, and their biscuits from scratch are irresistable.

It's worth the wait to eat there. So if you're ever in the area, Boulder, Denver, Longmont or Ft. Collins, be sure to visit Lucile's for a taste of New Orleans in the Rocky Mountains. Your first visit will definitely not be your last.

Thirty Eighth Visit to Taft

I've been so busy lately, that the half way point of Ron's incarceration came and went without any mention from me. How could I forget to talk about the fact that more than 50% of his time at Taft is finished? As it stands right now, he has completed 275 days, and has 231 more to go. Looking at it another way, he's got 33 more weeks to go.

When Ron first started serving time at Taft, the days seemed endless. I remember counting the days until he had finished 10%. Ron says that time is flying by for him. He has work, umpiring, classes and lots of new friends to schmooze with. I, on the other hand, find the days go slowly but the weeks go quickly. I know that doesn't make sense, but here's what I mean. I sometimes find the days going slowly, but then I turn around and it's Thursday, ready to go back to LA for my Friday visit with Ron.

Today we spent time talking about stress, and how much we have in our individual lives. The tumultuous years before January, 2010, were filled with the most unbelievable stress for both of us. I am sure that Ron's diabetes was exacerbated by stress. Over the past few years, my hair got very thin, also a result of stress. (I think). Today while we were visiting Ron mentioned how much thicker my hair looked. I believe it's because of a reduction in stress.

In Ron's case, he says he has no stress right now, other than what he brings on himself. The causes of his stress are self inflicted. He will start to think about when he is released, what his probation officer will and will not let him do, and he gets stressed. He creates all sorts of scenarios for himself of things that will not likely happen. What will happen if he accidentally breaks probation? That thought causes him stress. His day to day life is stress free. As a result his overall health, and specifically his diabetes is much improved. He has no decisions to make, no bills to pay, no business conflicts to contend with.

I, on the other hand, am faced with the stresses of daily life. I don't find this too daunting, yet dealing with bills, overseas customer service representatives that are difficult to communicate with, and traffic sometimes gets me down. I also fantasize about the time Ron is back home and the problems we may encounter. This causes me stress.

Overall, this is a stress free period for both of us, as evidenced by Ron's good health and my thick hair. I hope, come June, my hair will stay thick and his health will stay good.

First Fridays on Abbott Kinney

You're probably all aware of the great truck food explosion and the impact it's had on urban culture. Gourmet food trucks of all types roam the streets of our major cities, stopping to serve at any event that attracts a crowd: a ball game, a concert, a downtown office building at lunch, or a nightclub that's closing. How do you know where the trucks are? You Twitter, of course. Just follow your favorite truck on Twitter, and they'll tell you where they are and what they're serving each day. Technology and food have finally met up.

The businesses on Abbott Kinney have come up with a clever idea to increase their own business. Bring in the food trucks. On the first Friday of every month, dozens of food trucks line the streets of Abbott Kinney in Venice, attracting thousands of diners and potential buyers. The businesses stay open late and the food trucks do too. It's a win-win situation for shopkeepers and food truck owners. I was there last week to check out the action.

Overall, I was disappointed. Some of the food was absolutely delicious, some was just ok, some I didn't really like at all. We arrived on the early side as I had been told parking was a big problem, and many trucks were still not up and running when we left at 7:45. Maybe the action starts late. In any event, my favorite truck was the Korean Taco Truck. I had a beef taco, Korean style that was just delicious. It was not too spicy, but there was plenty of kimchee for those that like spice. We also ordered a quesedilla from them, also delicious. My least favorite truck was a small truck serving Japanese streetfood. They only serve one thing. It's a ball about the size of a large egg, filled with octopus. The batter is a mixture of rice flour and herbs. It is baked and topped with scallions, mayo and teriyaki sauce. We all tried it and decided we would not order it again. At another truck we ordered mac and cheese. Good, but not great. David bought several desserts to take home from cupcake and cookie truck. Mini cupcakes, iced cookies and rice crispy bars were just some of the items.

The trucks were mostly ethnic, Korean and other Asian foods were the most plentiful. Lots of sushi trucks, Korean Barbeque, Philippino foods, and Thai. You really don't know where to start or when to end. I really overate.

Some of my favorite trucks were Ahn Joo (Korean), Kabab'n Roll, Calbi, Greenz on Wheelz, and Shrimp Pimps.

The main negative for me is the lack of anywhere to sit. I still like to sit down and eat. Food trucks serve mostly finger food, wraps, tacos, sandwiches and the like, that you can hold and eat and walk at the same time. It's a social experience that most will enjoy. I can't wait to try some other unique foods, like crepes, shrimp tacos, ice cream and gelato trucks and bacon tacos at another time.

The food truck explosion offers a new dimension to our culture. Fine food at low prices is available to anyone. You just need to be connected to the internet and keep track of where your favorite trucks are setting up today. It's a great concept, offering a great variety of food, but for me, I still enjoy sitting down to eat my meal.

Living In The Moment

I'm sitting at my desk, looking at the calendar and getting ready to cross off today as if the day were already over. It's 7:20am. There are so many wonderful things that could happen today. Why do I already want this day to be over? Because at this time in my life I want time to go quickly! I bring myself back to what I have learned from yoga and meditation and try to enjoy each moment. I have a wonderful day planned. Why do I want it to be over?

Do you remember when you were a small child and the concept of time was unclear? You'd ask questions like "When is my birthday?" or "How much longer until Christmas?" or as you're driving in the car "When will we get there?" We all wanted time to "hurry up." We couldn't wait to say we were 5 1/2 or 5 3/4. When we were in high school we couldn't wait until graduation, we were counting the days until our 16th birtday and we could drive. We were always wishing for time to pass quickly. When kids came along we were hoping the bad stages of childhood passed uneventfully, while we enjoyed the peaceful stages and hoped they would last forever.

At a certain stage of life you realize how precious each day is, and that wishing your life away detracts from enjoying life to its fullest. Many times I catch myself saying that I wish this stage of my life were over but I force myself back to the moment. This time in my life may turn out to be one of the happiest times for me. I look at each day as an adventure, a new chance to learn something new, help another person, make the world a better place in some way, and of course have fun. I do know that I have found out in the last nine months that I can do things I never thought possible. My challenge each day is to stay on course, not mark the days off on my calenday at 7:30am, to live with excitement and anticipation for what this day may bring.

My mother-in-law had it right when she said "don't wish your life away." She said to enjoy what you're doing and don't always be waiting for the next event. I like what Jerry Seinfeld said many years ago when i saw him in a live show. He talked about people always hurrying to get to the next event in their life and never enjoying what they were doing. You tell your dinner guests you have to go home. Why? To get ready for tomorrow. You're out for lunch and you have to get home to get ready for the next thing you've got planned. As a result, many of us don't enjoy what we're doing. We're thinking about what we have to do next.

So living in the moment is what it's all about for me. I have not crossed today off my calendar. I have several exciting things planned, and who knows what else will come up? That's one of the great things about life to me. The unexpected. Time will move at it's own pace whether I like it or not. I choose to enjoy this pace and this time.

Two Days in Playa Vista

Last week my friend Jan and I spent a few days cat sitting for her daughter's new feline friend, Lucy. I'm allergic to cats, but with Benedryl in hand, I said yes. Luckily this cat has short hair and my reaction was minimal. I went two days without having to take any medication.

Playa Vista is adjacent to Marina del Rey, in Los Angeles. It's a new area of apartments and condominiums, with lots of green space between buildings, and just a mile from the the ocean. I decided to take Jan to Venice Beach on Saturday. It's a must see for visitors to Los Angeles. If you've never been, you must go once. For me, it's a great place to take out of towners and get a nice workout at the same time.

We rented bicycles and were on our way. The area from Washington Blvd north, to the Santa Monica Pier, is colorful, to say the least. There is a bike path that winds northward, past beachgoers, musclemen, roller bladers, tattoo artists, street vendors and musicians. We stopped along the way at the skate park and watched with amazement the skill and daring of the young skateboarders. They are quite amazing. Many rollerbladers are also on the bike path, and there is an area for the bladers to show off their skills. We were there early, but in the afternoon this area resembles an ice skating rink with performers practicing their jumps, twirls and dance routines. It's very entertaining.

We reached the pier, turned south, and walked our bikes back to Washington Blvd. We passed the Shul on the Beach, Tattoos on the beach, sidewalk chalk painters, vendors selling everything from luggage and sun glasses to tee shirts and jeans. We passed Muscle Beach, a long time attraction, which now has stadium seating surrounding the workout area for spectators. There wasn't much activity when we were there, but you can often see men with huge muscles working out in front of the crowd. Handball and paddleball courts are also on the boardwalk, and full of players. Many private trainers use the area to train their clients. There was a yoga group practicing on the sand, and several trainers with their clients on the grassy area doing sit ups and lunges. One of the most interesting activites we saw was a large group of young people in something that looked like rollerblades, but the bottom of the shoe had two flexible strips that bounced when they walked. They're called Bounce Shoes, and what a workout you get from them. The teacher was leading them through a series of exercises and I could see they were really working hard.

Of course Venice Beach offers lots of eating opportunities, too. It's the standard beach fare of corn dogs, snow cones, popcorn and pizza. We decided to wait until our ride was over and get some really good food.

We were just a few blocks from one of my favorite Venice restaurants, 3 Square Cafe. It is owned by Hans Rockenwagner, one of the most respected chefs and restauranteurs in Los Angeles. It was Saturday and they were serving brunch. Jan had an apple pancake with creme fraiche. It was like a cake/pancake with apples in it, topped with powdered sugar and creme fraiche. I had an egg white omelette with fresh veggies and cheese. Other items included crab cakes, corn meal pancakes, tuna burgers on pretzel bread, corned beef sandwich with spicy cole slaw and bread pudding french toast with smoked bacon and eggs. Everything was excellent. Afterwards we took a short walk along Abbott Kinney and enjoyed the interesting shops.

What a wonderful day. Warm weather, good company, exercise, great food and some interesting sights. Who could ask for anything more?

Purreed Cauliflower and Parmesean Cheese

Don't close this blog just yet. I hope cauliflower didn't turn you off, because you'll be missing something if you don't try this recipe. A few weeks ago I was having dinner at my mom's house in Los Angeles, and she suggested we make a recipe suggested to her by her good friend Clyde. I said, "sure, why not?" until I heard it was cauliflower. Was I ever wrong. The recipe below is low calorie, healthy and absolutely delicious. You can make the same recipe with turnips and it would be just as good. Try it for a change. It's a good way to get your veggies, and believe me, you won't think you're eating cauliflower.

Purreed Cauliflower and Parmesean Cheese

1 medium head of cauliflower, cleaned and cut in florets
3 T. parmesean cheese
1/4 c. low fat milk or chicken broth, or as much as needed to think to proper consistency

Steam cauliflower florets until very tender. Cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to blender, add parmesean cheese, liquid (milk or chicken broth), and salt and pepper. Blend until purreed, like mashed potatoes. Start with a little liquid, then add more as needed.

You will think you're eathng mashed potatoes. Honestly, it's that good. You could also add a little horseradish to give it a bit of a kick, or some garlic. Experiment with this easy, versatile side dish. I hope you enjoy it.

Thirty Seventh Visit To Taft

Last week I told you about SHU, and I guess some readers of this blog were shocked. I have spent most weeks talking about the prison experience and how well both Ron and I are handling it, but the cold reality is that Taft Camp is a prison, no matter how much freedom the men have within the camp. The bottom line is that the men at Taft, many of them type A personalities, are used to running the show. They now have to learn to take orders. They must learn to bite their tongue and do what they're told. I suppose it's a bit like being in the military. The institution is based on structure and discipline. Without both the place would be mayhem. It's difficult for men who have spent their lives running businesses and being leaders in the community, to all of a sudden keep quiet. But that's what they must do to make their time at Taft go swiftly and smoothly.

Ron has found new ways to be a leader. He is helping young inmates with their accounting courses. He enjoys this very much. Teaching is something he's never had the opportunity to do, and he finds value in the help he is giving these young men. Ron has also taken a leadership role in Toastmasters, a group that meets weekly where men have a chance to speak and hone their public speaking skills. He is secretary of the group. (I'm not sure what that means). Ron also meets informally with a small group of men who discuss their feelings and problems. I think this is a wonderful thing, as there are basically no psychological services available at Taft. Some men just need a good listener, and Ron has become one. He's a problem solver, and he has helped many men get through a difficult time. I think he may come back in another life as a psychiatrist.

Ron also enjoys helping new inmates get acclimated to prison life. Some men walk in so scared and clueless about what they are facing, that without someone to take them by the hand they could end up in trouble before they know it. He remembers his first night at Taft, when he was dropped off there after spending 11 days in SHU. It was raining, he had no clothes, no bed, no towel, no nothing! They dropped him off, and if someone at the camp hadn't helped him find clothes, a mattress and blanket, he would have really struggled. A warm smile and a handshake to a new inmate is golden. This is where Ron shines. He knows how to help, how to make a newcomer not feel so alone, and how to get him through the first few days.

Although Ron's leadership skills are no longer used to run racing stables, accounting businesses, or hotels, he is using his lifelong collection of experiences in a new way. Maybe in the long run, a more important way. What could be more important than helping a newbie feel comfortable in his new home? Nothing.

How Often Do You Change Your Oil?

Old habits are hard to break. Who doesn't remember their father going out to check the oil in the family car? I'm not sure dad even knew what he was doing, but someone way back when to him it was important to check the oil regularly. What would happen if you didn't have an oil change every 3,000 miles I don't know, but we all bought into the 3,000 mile number.

Recently consumer advocates and environmentalists are saying that changing oil that often is not necessary. I have read that cars from 2003 and newer do not need the oil changed so often. Oil chemistry and engine technology have improved to the point that most cars can go several thousand more miles before changing the oil. A better average, says Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com, is 7,500 between oil changes and sometimes up to 10,000 miles or more.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board ran public service announcements for several years about the 3,000 mile myth, urging drivers to wait longer between oil changes. Although the information is a few years old, the board has a list of cars on its web site and how often they need oil changes. The concern is not only the cost to drivers, but the environmental impact of throwing away good oil, said Mark Oldfield, a recycling specialist for the agency.

What actually happens if you don't change your oil? Well, it doesn't run out, it simply gets dirtier and dirtier. It's like mopping the floor with a bucket of dirty water. Blackstone Laboratories in Fort Wayne, Indiana, one of the best known places for engine oil analysis, will send you a free kit. You send back an oil sample and for $25 they'll tell you all sorts of things about your car.

Most experts talk about the type of driving as a determining factor in how often to change the oil. Stop and go driving means more oil changes than longer-distance driving, for example. As always, you should consult your owner's manual for their recommendations. Many automobile makers are recommending more mileage between oil changes.

Old habits are hard to break, but this is a good one to examine. It will save you money and even though many dealerships recycle used oil, it will help reduce waste in the environment. My 2007 Saab is ready for an oil change, but I plan to wait another 1,000 miles.