What Are Boomerang Kids?

Boomerang kids are those that after being out on their own for a period of years, come home again. The reasons for their return to their parents are varied, but usually are due to unemployment, debt, or divorce or illness. As many as 25 million adult children are back at home. This number increases during economic recessions, so it's very high right now. For me, my goal for my children was always financial and emotional independence. When a child comes home after being on his own for many years, there are bound to be adjustments, misunderstandings and arguments. Assuming that the goal of most parents is to help make their adult children independent again (there are some parents who are thrilled that their children are back home and do not make an effort to help them regain independence), here are a few things that experts say you, as the parent, should consider.

Set expectations with your adult child as soon as they return home. Let them know that this is temporary, that you will help them resolve the problems that brought them back home, and let them know the guidelines for living in your house again. After all, you are making a big sacrifice to help them. You've probably gotten used to life without them in the house, enjoy it, and will have to change your ways somewhat. You may also face financial responsibilites that you weren't counting on that might delay retirement.

Set a time limit. Many adult children may take advantage of your hospitality. Make sure that they pull their weight.

Charge rent. Adult children often say, "Are you kidding?" when asked to pay rent, but it will give them some sense of responsibility, even if they are in a deep financial mess. Your goal as the parent will be to help them sort out their financial troubles and get on their feet.

Many cultures encourage or even demand that children stay at home until marriage. It is likely that an Iranian child will stay at home until marriage, possibly even after marriage. The same holds true in many Mexican homes. American culture generally has children leaving the home after college. If American kids went back home after college many might wonder why they're not out on their own. In other cultures, they would think it strange if the kids didn't stay at home. But in this time of high unemployment among adults from 22-30 and high divorce rates, it is very likely to see these young adults back at home. The challenge (besides getting along with each other)is to get the child back on his feet, employed and independent as soon as possible. That's a big challenge today.

Can The Maldives Be Saved?

It was appropriate that on April 22, Earth Day, Ron and I drove to the Landmark Theatres in Hillcrest to see the documentary, Island President. It's about the plight of the Maldives, a country of over 2000 islands, that is struggling to survive. The reason for its possible demise is global warming. The film focused on the efforts of the former prime minister of the Maldives, Mohammed Nasheed, who worked tirelessly prior to the Global Warming Conference in Denmark in 2011, to convince world leaders to help save the tiny nation, by reducing CO2 emissions from 392ppm to 350ppm (parts per million). He felt that if the Maldives went under (the water level is rising at an alarming rate and land is disappearing), other nations would face the same plight.

  We were spellbound for 1hour and 40 minutes as we watched this tiny man deal with his own country and world leaders. He was like a rock star in his own country, admired by many for lifelong struggle for democracy in the Maldives, and for speaking his own mind. Nasheed served 19 months in solitary confinement under the former leader of the Maldives, and to his surprise was released relatively unharmed. Within several years he was the prime minister of this tiny country in the Indian Ocean. He was forced to resign last year due to mounting tensions and political unrest, but he definitely left his mark. His leadership led to positive proposals for his country at the Denmark Global Warming Convention in 2009. For now, the Maldives are alive and well, but it will take a great amount of work to keep them alive. They are trying to become the first country to be carbon neutral. Their goal is to do so by 2020. That is a lofty goal, but one which they intend to achieve. It's the best way to reverse the damage we have done to the planet.

Our intention was to have breakfast at the new hotspot in Hillcrest, Snooze. I wrote about it a few weeks ago. I had eaten at their Boulder location and absolutely loved the food and the menu. Well, aparently everyone else does too. At 1pm there was a one hour wait. We'll try it another time, during the week. It's right across from Landmark Hillcrest theatres.

    Learning how other countries and cultures are dealing with global warming was a great way to celebrate Earth Day. Most of us don't see on a daily basis the damage that has been done to the planet. If we don't deal with the problem we'll be leaving our grandchildren a planet that may not be able to be saved.

Zucchini Butter (or Marmalade)

If you've got a vegetable garden going for spring and summer, you're probably overloaded with zucchini. You can only eat so much zucchini bread or zucchini muffins. Here's another idea of what to do with excess zucchini. Make the recipe below for zucchini butter. It's a great item to have on hand. Use it as a spread for a vegetarian sandwich, scramble it into eggs for breakfast, or serve it as an appetizer on crackers. It's so easy you'll make it again and again.

                              Zucchini Butter

  2 pounds zucchini, more or less*
1/4 cup olive oil or butter, your choice
 2 minced shallots, garlic, or combination of both
 Salt and pepper

   Coarsely grate the zucchini. Let it drain in a colander for 3 to 4 minutes or until you are ready to begin cooking. Squeeze the grated zucchini in a dish towel to remove excess water. In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil/butter. Sauté the shallots briefly. Add the zucchini and toss. Cook and stir over medium heat until the zucchini reaches a spreadable consistency. If you scorch the bottom, turn the flame down! (And scrape those delicious bits into the marmalade for added flavor.) The zucchini will hold its bright green color and slowly caramelize into a nice vegetable jam. I hope you enjoy it.

Pie In A Jar

Besides getting great local gossip at the Y, I also get some great recipes. I was spinning next to a woman the other day who was telling me about pie in a jar, and that she had made these little individual pies for a baby shower and everyone just loved them. Each pie is made in a half pint mason jar, completely assembled and ready to bake, then frozen. They're in the freezer for that night when you have a yearning for something warm and home made, or when unexpected guests drop by for dessert. I made apple pie, but you can use any fruit or berry, or if you're really lazy, just use the store bought filling. I also made my own crust, but again, buy the store bought if you wish. Anyway you make these, your guests will be delighted not only with a wonderful home made pie, but the presentation. They are so cute!!

Pie in a Jar

4 half pint mason jars, with lids, available at Ace Hardware
pie crust, enough for 1 regular size pie with top crust
fruit filling or crumb topping

Pie Crust

1 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cupt + 1 T shortening (I use Crisco butter flavor)
1/4 cup ice water, or as much as needed

prepare crust and wrap in plastic wrap until needed. In the mean time, make the filling

Filling

2 cups peeled and cored apples, sliced (or any fruit of your choice)
2 T. sugar (brown or white)
2 T. flour
1 T. butter (cut in little pieces)
cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla as desired

Mix all ingredients together and get ready to assemble.

Assembly

Roll dough, and cut rounds for the tops of the pies from the lid of the mason jar. Roll out pie dough, or simply take little pies and press on inside of jar, bottom and sides. Then fill with fruit mixture, almost to the top. Take the rounds you cut for the top and place them on top, crimping the sides all around. Cut a few slits in top for steam to escape. Put tops on jars and store in freezer. If you prefer a crumb top, use 2 T. oatmeal, 2 T. butter cut in bits, 2 T. brown sugar and a little cinnamon. Mix all together and press on top of fruit mixture, then put the top on and freeze.

When you're ready to eat, cook for 45 minutes at 350 degrees or until pies are brown and bubbly. Do not worry about the jars cracking. They won't. Enjoy.

I know they sound like a lot of work, but they really aren't...I made them today and they came out great.

The Gulf Oil Spill Two Years Later

I have recently heard ads on TV and radio from various Gulf states, trying to get tourists to return, two years after a horrific oil spill. The ads say they're back to "business as usual", and I thought to myself that could not be true. It's not. It would be nice if millions of gallons of oil could spill into the Gulf and in two years time things would return to normal, but that is far from the truth. After all, it's been 23 years since the Exxon oil spill in Alaska, and the waters and wildlife have not yet completely recovered. The estimation by scientists is that it will be several decades before marine life and water have recovered. Several months ago, after a campaign to show the world how much BP has done to help cleanup the Gulf, a report describing the "unprecendeted" harm to dolphins in the area of the 2010 spill, a vast stretch of the Gulf south of the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coasts and the Florida panhandle. Carcasses of 675 dolphins were recovered in the region from February 2010 to February 2012, or roughly 337 each year. The average number of "strandings" annually in the northern Gulf from 2002 to 2009 was 74. And the 159 carcasses recovered in Louisian waters after the spill was eight times higher than the historical average. Additionally, nearly all of the live dolphins captured and studied in the Louisiana area were underweight, anemic and suffered from liver or kidney disease. About the same time, another study was released describing the damage to a coral colony at the bottom of the ocean seven miles from the site of BP's well blowout as unprecedented. The colony, usually thriving with marine life, was covered in brown muck. It was like a graveyard of corals. On the surface things may look like they're returning to normal, but beneath the surface-in some cases only a few feet below the sand and surf-lurk a host of hazards: thick tar mats, petrochemicals absorbed by marine life, and particles of oil broken down by chemical dispersants that have settled in the ocean bottom. Adverse effect, mostly invisible to the public, continue to be documented by scientists: killifish, a small fish often used for bat that are usually plentiful in marshy areas of the Gulf, are suffering from chronic illnesses as a result of absorbing toxic chemicals, insects like ants and crickets are disappearing from wetlands that still contain petrochemicals in soils and water, and at the bottom of the food chairn, zooplankton is still being found contaminated by traces of oil. BP recently paid many billions of dollars in fines to communities in the area to help clean up the spill. This is helpful, but federal and state bills must be enacted to make oil drilling safer. All the money in the world is never going to restore life in the Gulf to what it was. I remember how outraged I was when the oil spill occurred, and now it is 2 years later and BP has paid a lot of money in fines, but isn't anyone criminally responsible for the deaths of 11 men and ruination of marine life, water, plantlife, and communities that depend upon the Gulf to survive? You tell me.

Guerilla Gardening In San Diego

One of the easiest ways to beautify our city is to take abandoned lots or any unused land and plant something. Such an easy idea, actually an old idea that has found a new life. Not only are people planting native plants, called "seed bombs", but fruits and vegetables are also being planted. It's a great way to beautify and feed the city, and get adults and children alike, involved in gardening and conservation. Brilliant. The guerilla movement is nationwide. I'm just trying to think of where, in my community, seed bombs could be planted. I'm going to keep my eyes out for both the seed bombs and a place to plant them. Below is an excerpt from the UT, which tells more about the new trend called "guerilla gardening." San Diego’s first seed bomb vending machine is managed by Jim Mumford, founder of GreenScaped Buildings and a specialist in planted roofs and vertical gardens. He fashions himself as an eco-warrior who scans for new ways to get people talking about greening the urban environment. “You put two quarters in and turn the dial and out rolls a seed bomb,” Mumford said. “It’s a great feeling.” He was amazed by the interest when he took his “secret weapon” to a recent environmental fair in San Diego. “Watching the kids, it was like a magnet. They had to come over and look at it,” Mumford said. “Because of that, the parents came over and talked. ... A lot of this is really just to get the conversation going.” The guerrilla gardening movement gained attention in the early 1970s when activists in New York City made illicit plantings on blighted parcels. Its roots go back at least to the 19th century, when a pioneer nicknamed Johnny Appleseed planted the frontier with apple trees. Keep your eyes open for seed bomb vending machines. Buy your seed bomb, find a local empty lot that needs a little sprucing up, then drop the bomb. What an easy way to beautify San Diego! “Gardens, scholars say, are the first sign of commitment to a community. When people plant corn they are saying, let's stay here. And by their connection to the land, they are connected to one another.” Anne Raver quotes

Slurpee Lite is Delicious!

I can honestly say I've been in 7-11 maybe a half dozen times in my life, usually to get a cold drink when I'm on the road.  The Slurpee always looked delicious and refreshing, but oh, the calories.  They're just loaded with sugar.  7-11 finally figured out that if they made a lite drink, weight and health conscious consumers would buy it.  The first Slurpee Lite, made with Splenda, was just introduced.  I stopped my local 7-11 to give it a try.  I had just finished a long walk on a hot day, so maybe that's what made it so extra refreshing.

I got the Fanta Slurpee Lite, 20 calories per 8 oz. serving.  Besides enjoying this refreshing drink, I also got the brain freeze everyone talks about.  You have to drink it slowly to avoid that.  Of course there are no 8 oz. cups at 7-11, so even though they quote the calories for an 8 ounce serving, you cannot buy an 8 ounce serving.  I think my cup was 16 ounces, and I drank every bit of it.  It was lightly carbonated, orange flavored, slushy consistency coolness. 

New flavors will be introduced throughout the year.  In July, expect strawberry-banana, and in August, look for cherry-limeade. 

In order to get new customers like me, who have never had a Slurpee before, 7-11 is having a special day.  On May 23, from 11am-7pm, 7-11 will offer a FREE 7.11 ounce slurpee.  What a great promotion, and a great way to introduce the public to a sugar free slurpee.  I just loved my first experience as a slurpee drinker.  It definitely won't be my last. 

Knowing Where Your Food Comes From

I recently received an e-mail from Vivian, describing how bar codes on food tell you the country of origin. This is of great interest to many of us, who for many reasons, want to buy American, or NOT buy from certain countries. The main concern of this e-mail was how to avoid buying from China, which does not have the same food standards as the U.S. It said that any bar code that began with 690-695, indicated China as the country of origin. As I researched this further, I found this to not be entirely true. The matter is complicated, with several bar codes being used globally. One code tells the country of origin, one code tells where the food was processed or distributed. Very confusing. I am copying here an article I found at the website tropicpost.com, which might clear some of this up.

  Knowing the country of origin of your food is so important. Several years ago Trader Joe's was selling fish from China. I talked to the manager of the store and told him I was not buying fish from China. Within several months, the fish from China was discontinued. Public pressure can change things. We need to speak up if we don't like something. You can make a difference. Here's further information on bar codes from the website tropicpost.com.

"Many people are being led to believe, through a well circulated email, that the first three digits of the bar code on food packets, reveals the country of origin of the contents. This would unfortunately appear to be another ‘urban legend’.

The first three digits of a barcode, merely reveal in which country the barcode was assigned, not in which country the product originated.

Here is a direct quote from GS1 website, with a Google ranking of 6:
◦GS1 Prefixes do not provide identification of country of origin for a given product. They simply provide number capacity to different countries for assignment from that location to companies who apply. Those companies in turn may manufacture products anywhere in the world.

On their prefix-list page you can read the full list of GS1 numbers and the country they relate to. The United States is 000-019; United Kingdom 500-509; Australia 930-939; China 690-695.

However, most companies are required to show where the food was processed, or packaged. Most home branded Australian products will have an Australian 93 barcode, regardless of the ingredients source.

Under the Trade Practices Act a food product can legally be described as ‘Australian Made’, if it has been substantially transformed (mixed or blended, seasoned, cured or homogenized) in Australia and at least 50% of the production costs have been incurred in Australia.

To confuse the picture even more, there’s more than one kind of bar code in use around the world. UPC bar codes, the type most commonly used in the United States, do not typically contain a country identifier. A different type of bar code known as EAN-13 does contain a country identifier, but it’s more commonly used in Europe and other countries outside the U.S.

Even in the case of EAN-13 bar codes, the digits associated with country of origin don’t necessarily specify where the product was manufactured, but rather where the bar code itself was registered. A product manufactured in China and processed in France, could have an EAN-13 bar code identifying it as a French product.

Looking for a ‘Made in XYZ’ label is generally helpful, but with regard to food and beverages, there’s no sure-fire way to determine in every case, where a product, or its components originated.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration mandates country-of-origin labeling on many food products, but there are exceptions, most notably the entire category of “processed foods.” Consumer groups are currently advocating the closure of these loopholes."

It seems clear to me that food producers are trying to muddy the waters, rather than help the consumer. Hopefully consumer groups are on top of this issue and will make these bar codes easier for us to understand.

Can Coconut Oil Help Alzheimer's?

I learn the most interesting things at the Y. Recently I was listening to a conversation about a woman who had been treating her father, an Alzheimer's patient, with coconut oil. Before taking the coconut oil the father was asked to draw a simple clock. He could not do it. After being treated with pure coconut oil for several months, he could easily draw the clock and much, much more. This is interesting to note, as news about the failure of drugs in treating Alzheimer's continues to make headlines. Drug companies Pfizer and Medivation admitted that the new drug they were developing, dimebon, not only did not help patients in trials, but made patients worse. The expensive drug had already reached phase lll trials. So the development of the drug has been abandoned. Researchers are beginning to look at the role of diet in Alzheimer's and focusing on prevention. People are also beginning to see positive results using coconut oil to reverse the effects of Alzheimer's.

For years we've heard that because coconut oil is a highly saturated fat, we should stay away from it. Cholesterol is required in the brain as an antioxidant, an electrical insulator. It plays an important role in the formation and functional of synapses in the brain. Several studies show a lack of cholesterol present in the brains of Alzheimer's paties which is so vital for several functions. The study also shows that there is a cholesterol deficiency in dementia and Parkinson's disease. Dr. Raymond Peat has talked aobut the importance of saturated fats in the development of the brain. In a study with mice, those eating a diet high in saturated oil had superior brain development.

Coconut oil differs from other oils because it's rich in medium chain fatty acids that are utilized readily by the body for energy. According to Dr. Bruce Fife, from his new book Stop Alzheimer's Now, there are so many benefits of coconut oil.

Here are just a few of the dozens of benefits of coconut oil: boosts immune system, protects against heart disease, helps protect organs, balances body weight by increasing metabolic rate, creates healthy skin and hair, kills viruses that cause flu, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, provides quick energy, helps improve digestion and absorption of other nutrients.

If you believe it does all that (and the list goes on), it may be the next wonder drug. Every year it seems to be something else. As with everything else, check with your doctor before using it regularly. Coconut is used regularly in about 1/3 of the world's cultures and has been used for thousands of years in local folk medicine.

How much to take? How often? I have no idea, but you can google Alzheimer's disease+ coconut oil and find out much, much more. The story I told at the beginning of this blog about the father who couldn't draw the clock is certainly not scientific, but it's certainly worth looking into the possible positive effects of coconut oil on Alzheimer's.

Budino di Farro

Del Mar Highlands has remodeled and added several wonderful new restaurants. The newest addition is DaVanti Enotoca, a wonderful Italian restaurant which I will review at another time. For now, here is a variation on their dessert, budino di farro, which I have not seen on other Italian menus. It's basically rice pudding, but made with farro, which is a starchier grain, similar to arborio rice. I have been cooking with farro for about a year now, usually making cold salads, or occasionally a risotto type dish, so when I saw this dessert on the menu, I just had to have it. Actually, I never got to eat it at the restaurant.  I have tried twice to go to Enoteca and have not gotten in.  So, I went home and made a similar recipe.  This recipe is NOt the one used in DaVanti Enoteca, but a variation. I hope you like it.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup non fat Half-and-Half
1 1/4 cups low-fat milk (2%)
1/2 cup Arborio or carnaroli rice or farro
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2-inch piece vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs, slightly beaten
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon melted butter

SAUCE

1 tablespoon butter, cut into bits
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup pitted Bing cherries, cut n half(apricots would work well too)
2 tablespoons Amaretto Liqueur

DIRECTIONS

Combine the Half-and-Half, milk, rice, and salt in a 2-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the rice mixture, then add the vanilla bean piece. Cover the pot and cook until most of the liquid is absorbed. The rice should look soupy. This should take about 25 to 30 minutes.

Remove the vanilla bean and save for another use. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Stir in the sugar and let the mixture cool.

Preheat the oven to 325F. Brush six 3 by 1 1/2-inch ramekins with the melted butter.

Combine the eggs, lemon zest and cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir the mixture into the cooled rice. Fill the ramekins 2/3 full with the rice mixture and place them in a baking dish. Pour boiling water along the sides of the baking dish so it comes half way up the sides of the ramekins. (cook in a water bath)

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean but the pudding still jiggles when shaken. Remove the ramekins from the baking dish and allow to cool to room temperature before serving. Or refrigerate covered until ready to serve.

To make the sauce:
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and stir in the sugar. Cook until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the cherries and continue cooking until the cherries are glazed looking. Raise the heat to medium high and stir in the Amaretto. Cook 1 minute. Transfer the sauce to a small bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature.

To serve the budino:
Run a butter knife around the inside edges of the ramekins and unmold each one onto a dessert plate. Spoon some of the cherry sauce over the top; garnish with a mint leaf and serve.

Variation: Diced citron, raisins or dried fruits can be added to the rice mixture before baking.

The Warning Signs of Alzheimer's

So often you hear about someone who has a particular disease and say to yourself, "I might have that. I have some of those symptoms." Most of the time it is nothing, but it is important to look for changes that persist, and then act. We hear a lot about Alzheimer's today. There is a big difference between Alzheimer's and natural aging. Some symptoms that we see in Alzheimer's exist to some extent in everyone, if they live long enough. Just because you forgot where you put your car keys does not mean you have Alzheimer's. Here are 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's, and the difference between them and what is normal. It's worth taking a look at.

    Memory loss that disrupts daily life One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own. What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later. Challenges in planning or solving problems

       Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.

 They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. What's a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

         Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. What's a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

           Confusion with time or place. People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. What's a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

         Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror. What's a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.

          New problems with words in speaking or writing. People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock"). What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

          Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time. What's a typical age-related change? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

          Decreased or poor judgment. People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean. What's a typical age-related change? Making a bad decision once in a while.

         Withdrawal from work or social activities  .  A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced. What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

         Changes in mood and personality. The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone. What's a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted. These 10 symptoms were taken directly from the Alzheimer's website. I hope this information is useful to you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stacked in Mission Valley

Several months ago I heard about a new restaurant coming to San Diego, and I haven't had a chance to get there yet. However, Ron was recently playing in a bridge tournament at Town and Country Hotel, and I suggested he and his team try Stacked for lunch. It's in the Fashion Valley shopping center right next door. So this information is from him, but he knows a good burger and fries, so I trust his judgement.

Stacked began in Torrance. Two of the principal founders of BJ's had sold out their interest in that restaurant group, and were looking for something new to do. They started Stacked in Torrance, and now have three locations. It's nothing new, but the gimmick is that each table has an IPad, to be used for ordering your food. Of course the waiter is available to help you, if you're like me and have never used and IPad. The restaurant itself is busy and quite noisy, and the food is good.

Ron had a burger and fries. He had it just the way he likes it, with cheese, bacon and catsup. It was cooked to his specifications, and very good. Others in his group all had salads. The ingredients were all very fresh, and of course they will make it exactly the way you want it. They have about 6 listed salads, like Caesar, Asian and Mediterranean, then a list of about 30 ingredients, if you want to build your own salad. Other items on the menu include pizza. I don't know if it's thick or thin, but it is very popular. Again, you can order one of their traditional pizzas, or build your own. They also have milk shakes, very popular today on burger restaurant menus. Chicken sandwiches, sausages, and ice cream cookies sandwiches can also be ordered. As I said, the food is nothing new, but everything is made to order, so you get exactly what you want. The gimmick is the IPad, which I think would be fun. It's worth a try for lunch sometime if you're shopping in Mission Valley. Everyone always wants to eat at the Cheesecake Factory, but this is a great alternative, and probably not as crowded. Give it a try.

Helen Woodward Is Saving Lives And Much More

When I think of Helen Woodward Animal Center I think of pet adoptions. Yes, they do that, and much, much more. I was inspired by Mike Arms, CEO and Renee Resko, VP of Development who came to our recent luncheon to educate our group about the center. The stories they told made me want to sign up to volunteer right away. Can you believe they have over 900 volunteers at the center? It's the volunteers that help make their many programs so successful.

Helen Woodward's mission statement is: "Helen Woodward Animal Center's passionate belief that animals help people and people help animals through trust, unconditional love, and respect, creates a legacy of caring. Sharing this philosophy with others, the Center inspires and teaches, locally and globally, the importance of the animal-human bond." Some of the many areas that they address are adoptions, animeals, boarding, education, equine hospital, P.E.T., Therapeutic riding, and A.C.E.S.

Animeals is a program that works with Meals on Wheels. When the center discovered that many recipients of Meals on Wheels were sharing their food with their pets, Helen Woodward started a program that would deliver pet food to those receiving Meals on Wheels. These elderly people would rather go without food themselves than give up their pets. Fortunately Helen Woodward Center solved the problem, so now they are able to enjoy their own nutritious meal AND feed their pet.

Therapeutic riding is another very important program at the center. They work with children and adults with brain injuries and cerebral palsy, with excellent results.

CEO Michael Arms has made it his business to teach the business of saving lives. He talks about how animals have saved our lives, and how we should work to save their lives. Military dogs, therapy dogs, guide dogs and rescue dogs are just some of the many types of dogs that have helped mankind. Mike told the story of a guide dog who helped his master to safety from the 86th floor of the twin towers during 9-11. Service dogs will give their life for their masters. Why can't we do more to ensure that they have a life?

Although the number of animals euthenized every year has decreased throughout the last decade (it's down to 5million last year), it's still so much more than it should be. Educating people nationwide and worldwide to spay and neuter their pets is important in reducing the pet population. We also need to get lawmakers to get rid of puppy mills. (I'm dreaming). Did you know that in some states it is still legal to just go shoot your dog if you don't want him anymore?

I'm so happy we live in an area where many dogs are given a second chance. We've got a long way to go, but with the work of people like Mike and Renee at the Helen Woodward Animal Center, we're making progress. Thanks to both of you for your dedication to saving lives. Millions of pets thank you too.

Pepper Goes To Doggie Day Care

The most important thing on the day of our move was to find a safe place to keep Pepper for the day. He's a runner. I think that's how he ended up in a shelter in the first place, so taking him to someone's house was out of the question. In our old house he climbed the fence and squeezed himself through four inch posts and got out several times. So, I decided to look into day care.

I thought day care would be great, because I'd have gone through the enrollment process and could use the day care on other occasions if Ron and I were going to be out for the entire day. Well, getting your dog into day care is pretty much like getting them into preschool. I'm laughing right now as I write this, thinking of all the questions we were asked and the tests that Pepper had to take. Yes, you heard me right. Pepper had to pass a temperment test in order to be admitted into the day care. It makes perfect sense. They don't want aggressive dogs.

The first "school" I contacted would not take him. I had to commit to sending him regularly, at least once a week. I was just looking for a safe place for him in emergencies. The second place I checked out is called Animal Keeper. It's right near the Y in Encinitas, and I'd driven by there many times and saw happy dogs running around the yard, so Ron and I went for a tour. Since Pepper is a small dog, he would go into the Tiny Tots program. I told them he loved to play with big dogs, but they said he must stay with his own size for safety reasons. The yard was big, with toys galore, an obstacle course, and lots of places for the dogs to just sit and hang out. In the summer they put a wading pool out there and really let them have some fun. They're in the yard most of the day, but at 3:00pm they bring them inside and put them in a "suite." It's a good sized room, much larger than a crate, with a nice soft blanket and a TV! The reason they bring them inside is that it makes it much easier for pick up, which is from 3:30-6:30.

We thought this would be a fine place for Pepper to go on occasion, so we filled out the form, had the vet send over his records so they knew he was up to date on all his shots. Then we took Pepper for the temperment test, which he passed. Whew!

On moving day we dropped Pepper at Animal Keeper at 7:45, and picked him up at 5:00pm. He was happy to see us when we returned, but I felt comfortable knowing he had played all day and was looked after by loving people.

I was telling my friend Kay about Pepper's day at day care, and she told me such a funny story. She used to have a friend that worked full time and sent her lab to doggie day care Monday through Friday. The dog used to sit in front of the house waiting for the bus to pick him up. He just loved going to day care. Of course he didn't know that Saturday and Sunday the bus would not come for him, but he'd still sit out there waiting for about an hour, then figure that he wasn't going, and come in the house. I think Pepper would love going to day care every day. He just loves to play. I take him to the dog park three times a week, and that will have to do.

It's National Hamburger Month

Not to be confused with National Hamburger Day, which takes place in December, May is National Hamburger Month. That means advertisers are doing whatever they can to get you to come to their burger restaurant. Statistically we all eat about three burgers a week! Yikes! Believe it or not, there are people that eat a burger everyday. I try to limit myself to one or two a month. I really like Elevation Burger in Carlsbad. The meat is all grass fed, everything is extremly fresh, and the company is environmentally conscious. I looked on line to see where the burger deals were this month, and was disappointed to find very little PR for this "holiday." Of course this is not a nationally recognized holiday, but it's a great chance for restaurants to promote themselves. Locally, Elevation Burger in Carlsbad was the only restaurant I could find with a good burger promotion. If you take your mom to Elevation on Mother's Day, she eats free. If you go there any Monday in May, you get double stamps on your card. Their card is already a good deal, because you only need to eat there 7 times before you get a free burger. Jimmy Buffett's restaurant have a national promotion to celebrate national hamburger month. The will have special beef items on the menu, plus "meat ups" for their Facebook friends. I think the burger chains, like McDonalds, Burger King, et al, are missing the boat. Why arent' they promoting burgers this month? They seem to have so many other crazy promotions, this seems like a natural. Keep checking. Maybe advertising will begin later in the month. In the meantime, keep looking for specials like Mother's Day at Elevation, and keep saving money.

Scaling Down

Between 2002 and 2012 we have moved four times. We owned a very large home in Los Angeles from 1988-2002. It was 5800 square feet plus a full guest house. So when we sold it in 2002 and moved into a rental in Westwood which was about 3500 square feet, we literally cleaned house. We had a friend that had just bought his first home, so we gave most of the big furniture to him. Beds, dressers, tables, and a few TV's. We had built a home in Del Mar which we were planning to move to, so the Westwood house was just an interim residence, and we really didn't spend much time there. In 2003 we moved permanently to the Del Mar house, which was about 2500 square feet. At this time we gave away all the rest of the furniture from Los Angeles, as we had a completely furnished home in Del Mar. We scaled down our belongings too, but with lots of storage space in Del Mar, I wasn't forced to face the inevedible, throwing things away. In 2006 we moved again, this time to a 1900 square foot rental in Carlsbad. This is where I was faced with giving away "stuff." I managed to part with a lot, but still clung to boxes of stuff that sat in the garage for almost six years. We just completed another move, this time into a 1270 square foot home, but for some reason it was easier for me to throw things away this time. Our large furniture just didn't fit in this small house, but with a little maneuvering we were able to make a small house very comfortable. I never thought I'd move from 6000 feet to 1200 feet and say I'd like it, but I really do.

As I've started walking Pepper around the new neighborhood, I've noticed a couple of things. First, there are lots of pick up trucks in this neighborhood. Nice new ones, with men working on them all the time. Many campers too, with families cleaning and getting them ready for weekend trips. I've also noticed garages. Since the homes in this neighborhood are smaller, much more stuff is stored in garages and more activity takes place in garages. The garage is often times an extension of the house, like another room. There are many men that use the garage to fix cars and build things. More likely, though, the garage is used for storage. Some are neat as can be, with boxes lined up around the perimeter, everything in it's place. Tools on peg boards so that you know where everything is, and surfboards and chairs are hung from the rafters. Other garages are the biggest mess you've ever seen. There are a few garages that are so loaded with stuff I'm not sure how the owners even know what they have. It reminds me of the show about hoarders that you see on TV where there is so much junk in the house you can't even find a path in which to walk.

Our garage is one of the neat ones. I'm just waiting for the last truck to come pick up an old TV, two dressers, a table, and two boxes and we'll be the neatest garage on our street. Just about 10 neatly stacked boxes on the side of the garage, a few bar stools which I can't part with, a small table, and a bunch of tools.

The best thing about living in a small space is that everything has to have a place. You can't just throw stuff around without the house looking messy. Keeping things in order is a bit more work, but the result is a beautiful, uncluttered home. I'm happy in my 1270 square feet, but please, don't ask me to go any smaller!

More Food From Expo 2012

The frozen food section of supermarkets is bursting with new flavors. Chinese, Indian, and Mexican entrees dominated the food show. Aside from Evol's many varieties of burritos, both in size and fillings, they also make bowls, wraps, flatbreads, and pizza. I love all their products. I'm partial to the burritos but I also keep the bowls on hand for an easy meal. They're available at Sprouts, Whole Foods and hundreds of other markets. Check their website www.evolfoods.com to find the store nearest you.

Indian food was everywhere this year. I liked Tandoor Chef, with many frozen entrees available. I'm not a great fan of Indian cuisine, but some of the chicken dishes were really delicious.

I love Chinese food. A new product to me was Green Chopsticks. They have a beef bulgogi bowl (fabulous) and several varieties of potstickers. This is a great product. You'll think you're in a fine Chinese restaurant. Their products are available at Bristol Farms and Jimbos, and I'm pretty sure I saw them at Costco last week. Try them. Annie Chun has been around a long time, and this year I tried their wonton soup. Delicious. They also make frozen potstickers but I did not get to try them. Annie Chun can be found in most major markets.

I'm going to finish up my review of the food show with a few odds and ends, random items I liked. Buja, is a cracker mix with Indian spices made from chick peas. Unusual and delicious. Sea Noodles are a fantastic option for those that like pasta without the calories. They're made from kelp, and can be served hot or cold. I tasted a crunchy Asian salad with a sesame dressing and the sea noodles. You can also serve them hot with your favorite Italian sauce. Amande is a cultured almond yogurt which I enjoyed very much. Michael Seasons makes a popped snack from black beans. It was good and salty and loaded with protein. Yesto makes several skin creams from fruits like cucumber, strawberry and watermelon. I loved the cool refreshing feel and smell of the cucumber cream. Florida's Natural makes organic fruit nuggets, kind of chewy like gummy bears. They're available at Whole Foods.

Green toys are something I found a wonderful addition to the show. It's great to see trucks and cars made from recycled products that are sturdy, functional and made in America. Many other products like cooking bowls and utensils made from recycled products were seen at the show. They're a little pricier than the things we normally buy, but they are great looking and environmentally good. The final item I must tell you about is HydroFlask. It looks like your typical water bottle, but this bottle keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot liquids hot for 12 hours. They have bottles and food flasks in many sizes and shapes, and I'm going to get one. Go to www.hydroflask.com. I'm guessing they sell them at Whole Foods.

This is all for this year from the Natural Food Expo 2012. I hope you have an opportunity to try some of these new products over the next few months. I love going to the show and seeing what's new, then sharing that information with you. Enjoy.

Chayo's Famous Chicken

Chayo is the wonderful woman who lives with my mom, helps her clean and cook, keeps her company and in general looks after her. She is such a special person. I have known her for 19 years. She came to work for me when Phil was 15 years old, and has been a part of our family ever since. When she lived with me she did very little cooking, but since she's been with my mom, she's become a great cook, even cooking for my mom's dinner parties. One of her best dishes is the chicken recipe below, which will become a favorite in your house too.

Chayo's Famous Chicken

1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
2 cloves garlic
1/2 onion, sliced
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup catsup
1/2 cup barbeque sauce
1 T. honey
1/2 cup dried apricots, cut in half
1 red pepper, chopped (optional)

Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, and brown in skillet coated with a little oil. Remove chicken pieces, add chopped garlic and onions, and cook for a few minutes. Then add the rest of the ingredient and mix well. Add the chicken back in, cook for 20 minutes or until chicken is tender.

Serve over rice, small pasta or couscous. I think you'll enjoy this, and the leftovers are great the next day.