Chances are you do, as there are 130 sanctuary cities scattered over 27 states, 28 sanctuary cities being in California. The term dates back to the early 1980's. Sanctuary cities began as a religious and political campaign in the U.S by churches of various denominations to support and shelter refugees fleeing Central American Turmoil. Churches and synagogues believed refugees sent back to their home countries would be persecuted or even face death. In 1979, Los Angeles became the first sanctuary city. In the internal policy, the city instructed its police officers to not ask arrestees about their immigration status. San Francisco began identifying as a sanctuary city in 1989.
Today's supporters for the designation argue local government is not responsible for immigration enforcement. Focusing scarce local resources and law enforcement efforts to deter unauthorized immigrants might undermine community relations. The discussion on sanctuary cities has heated up recently due to the Pier 14 shooting of a young woman by a Mexican native with multiple felony convictions who has been deported five times.
Everyone is disturbed by this event and sees a need for change. The immigration issue is complicated, too much to discuss in this short blog. Laws protecting illegal immigrants are passed by local authorities for many different reasons. Federal law is responsible for immigration reform. Our congress needs to step up, stop playing politics, and come up with a plan for protecting our borders from illegal immigration and finding a way to deal with illegals who are already here. ( a path to citizenship or legal residency).
I first learned about sanctuary cities when I went over to visit a friend recently. I walked into the house and heard Rush Limbaugh shouting in the background. When I asked what he was talking about, my friend told me "Sanctuary cities." He said that San Francisco was one of these cities. I went home and researched the topic, and he was right. San Francisco is one of the sanctuary cities, and so are over 130 other American cities. Our congress needs to get its act together and work on immigration reform. The problem is massive and nothing will change quickly.
One final thing. The reported crime rate that some politicians blame on immigration is actually a fallacy. The crime rate for immigrants is far lower than for native born Americans. Most immigrants come for a better life for their themselves and their family. Most are hard workers and will do anything they can to make it here. Let's get our politicians to work on immigrant reform so that we can keep our borders protected and have those that want to immigrate, can do it legally.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Friday, August 28, 2015
Italian Mushrooms
Ron and I went to Newport Beach last week to have dinner with long time friends Mark and Lisa. We went to an Italian restaurant in Crystal Cove Shopping Center, called Modo Mio. If you know the area, it's the shopping center that also houses Mastro's. Anyway, we had a delicious dinner at Modo Mio and enjoyed catching up with Mark and Lisa. Prior to our meal arriving, the chef sent over a platter of mushrooms in lemon juice and olive oil. It was delicious, and just the perfect way to start a meal on a warm, summer evening. Went I got home I pulled out an old recipe I had for mushrooms, Italian style, that I used to make as part of an antipasto. Here's the recipe.
Mushrooms Italian Style
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 T. minced parsley
Mushrooms Italian Style
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 T. minced parsley
2 T. olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound of mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
Combine first 5 ingredients and set aside. Put cleaned and cut mushrooms in a bowl, then add the lemon juice/olive oil mixture. Allow mixture to rest for at least an hour. Serve with crusty bread as a first course. Another idea is to clean the mushroom and keep them whole, let them marinate for at least an hour, and serve them as part of an Italian antipasto, with meats, cheese, peppers and olives. They're delicious either way. Enjoy.
3 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound of mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
Combine first 5 ingredients and set aside. Put cleaned and cut mushrooms in a bowl, then add the lemon juice/olive oil mixture. Allow mixture to rest for at least an hour. Serve with crusty bread as a first course. Another idea is to clean the mushroom and keep them whole, let them marinate for at least an hour, and serve them as part of an Italian antipasto, with meats, cheese, peppers and olives. They're delicious either way. Enjoy.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Keep Drinking Your Coffee, It's Good For You
We've been told to limit our consumption of coffee. It's not good for us. New studies say that coffee may be better for you than you ever thought. First, coffee may make you smarter. Caffeine potently blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, leading to a net stimulant effect. Controlled trials show that caffeine improves both mood and brain function.
Coffee can help you burn fat and improve physical performance. Partly because of its stimulant effect, caffeine raises metabolism and increases the oxidation of fatty acids. Caffeine can also improve athletic performance by several mechanisms, including by mobilizing fatty acids from the fat tissues.
Caffeine may lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. In observational studies, coffee has been repeatedly associated with a lower risk of diabetes. Eighteen studies with a total of 457,922 participants show that each additional cup of coffee per day lowered the risk of diabetes by 7%.
Coffee may lower your risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In prospective studies, coffee drinkers have up to a 60%lower risk of Alzheimer's and dementia. Coffee may also be good for your liver. Multiple studies have shown that coffee can lower the risk of cirrhosis by as much as 80, the strongest effect for those who drank four or more cups per day.
Finally, coffee is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. It contains 6% of the RDA for Vitamin B5, 11%of the RDA for Vitamin B2, 2% of the RDA for B3 and B1, and 3% of the RDA for manganese and potassium. So drink up, coffee is good for you.
Coffee can help you burn fat and improve physical performance. Partly because of its stimulant effect, caffeine raises metabolism and increases the oxidation of fatty acids. Caffeine can also improve athletic performance by several mechanisms, including by mobilizing fatty acids from the fat tissues.
Caffeine may lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. In observational studies, coffee has been repeatedly associated with a lower risk of diabetes. Eighteen studies with a total of 457,922 participants show that each additional cup of coffee per day lowered the risk of diabetes by 7%.
Coffee may lower your risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In prospective studies, coffee drinkers have up to a 60%lower risk of Alzheimer's and dementia. Coffee may also be good for your liver. Multiple studies have shown that coffee can lower the risk of cirrhosis by as much as 80, the strongest effect for those who drank four or more cups per day.
Finally, coffee is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. It contains 6% of the RDA for Vitamin B5, 11%of the RDA for Vitamin B2, 2% of the RDA for B3 and B1, and 3% of the RDA for manganese and potassium. So drink up, coffee is good for you.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Losing Your Best Friend
A friend of mine just had to put her 12 year old Springer Spaniel, Lady, down. I saw Lady just a few days before she died, and am convinced that Rena made the right decision at the right time. Lady was no longer enjoying life. She was laboring with every breath and had lots of trouble walking. It's the hardest thing in the world, making the decision on when to euthanize a pet. For me, it's important to distinguish between keeping a pet alive for you, or keeping him alive because life is still worth living for him. When you're keeping an animal alive for yourself, and he has no quality of life, it's time to say good bye. Lady's death brought back memories of my last few months with Barney, whose picture still appears on my blog.
Barney lived to be 19 years of age, and had I not euthanized him, he might have lived another 6 months. I put him down when he no longer smiled at me in the morning, when he no longer wanted to go for a walk in his little red wagon, when he no longer perked up when he heard the garage door open. I put him down when he gave me a look that said, " I've had enough." Everyone said Barney would tell me when it was time to go, and he did. I'm sure that Lady did the same for Rena, and as hard as it to live without a pet that's been part of your family for years, it gets better. You give it some time, get another dog (or cat), and grow to love that new pet more than you ever thought possible. That's what happened to me when I got Pepper 4 1/2 years ago. Now, I can't imagine life without Pepper.
This was written for all you animal lovers. I know some of you that are not pet owners and lovers cannot understand how we cry and grieve over the death of a dog, but anyone of you reading this who has a pet, knows exactly what I mean. For the rest of you, you'll probably shake your head and wonder what all the fuss is about.
Barney lived to be 19 years of age, and had I not euthanized him, he might have lived another 6 months. I put him down when he no longer smiled at me in the morning, when he no longer wanted to go for a walk in his little red wagon, when he no longer perked up when he heard the garage door open. I put him down when he gave me a look that said, " I've had enough." Everyone said Barney would tell me when it was time to go, and he did. I'm sure that Lady did the same for Rena, and as hard as it to live without a pet that's been part of your family for years, it gets better. You give it some time, get another dog (or cat), and grow to love that new pet more than you ever thought possible. That's what happened to me when I got Pepper 4 1/2 years ago. Now, I can't imagine life without Pepper.
This was written for all you animal lovers. I know some of you that are not pet owners and lovers cannot understand how we cry and grieve over the death of a dog, but anyone of you reading this who has a pet, knows exactly what I mean. For the rest of you, you'll probably shake your head and wonder what all the fuss is about.
Friday, August 21, 2015
Is It Too Hot To Walk Your Dog?
On a visit to Phoenix I was surprised to realize how hot the ground was. Asphalt or cement were both too hot for me to walk barefoot, something I do often, when taking Pepper out for a short walk. So how do you know if it's too hot for the pads of your dog? Although they walk on them all the time and can withstand rocks and uneven ground, they're not used to extreme heat, and if it's too hot, the pads of their feet will burn, just as yours would.
I saw a recent article where I learned how to tell if the ground is too hot to walk your dog. Take your hand, and with the back side on the ground, hold it there for 5 seconds. If you can do that, your dog is good to go for a walk. If not, keep him inside, or walk on dirt, grass, or woodchips. This information was from a veterinary hospital, so I assume it is accurate. Anyway, it's a good way to measure whether it's safe to walk your dog on concrete or asphalt. If you can't stand it, chances are, your dog can't stand it either. We don't want to burn those pads, that's for sure. Just a handy little tip for all you dog owners. To me, there's almost nothing more important than keeping my dog healthy and happy.
I saw a recent article where I learned how to tell if the ground is too hot to walk your dog. Take your hand, and with the back side on the ground, hold it there for 5 seconds. If you can do that, your dog is good to go for a walk. If not, keep him inside, or walk on dirt, grass, or woodchips. This information was from a veterinary hospital, so I assume it is accurate. Anyway, it's a good way to measure whether it's safe to walk your dog on concrete or asphalt. If you can't stand it, chances are, your dog can't stand it either. We don't want to burn those pads, that's for sure. Just a handy little tip for all you dog owners. To me, there's almost nothing more important than keeping my dog healthy and happy.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Are You Recycling Correctly?
You probably thought as I did, that recycling was easy. Put paper in the paper container, plastic in the plastic container, plant matter in the green container. Turns out, it's a little more complicated than that. In my community, all recyclables are tossed into one container, and sent to the processing plant. The problem is that this reduces the value of batch of recyclables as a whole, because non-recyclable materials can get mixed in with and contaminate recyclables.
So what is the eco-conscious consumer to do? It turns out that there are some things that aren't worth recycling because they end up doing more harm than good at the plant. Small scraps of paper, for example should not be put in the blue recycling bin. It is virtually impossible to separate shreds of paper from other materials rolling down a conveyor belt. They should be put in a paper bag, stapled shut, and labeled "shredded paper" on the outside. A person at the processing plant may recognize the bag, and remove it from the rest of the recycling stream and sort it into paper products. Really? I just can't see that happening in reality.
Condiment packets like soy sauce and ketchup packets are made out of plastic or an aluminum-plastic combination. Nobody's recycling them right now. You're better off throwing them in the trash. Polystyrene foam containers are almost never recyclable because of their lightweight and are typically soiled with food residue, which will contaminate the whole batch of recyclables. Paper cups are usually coated with plastic, so they can't be recycled with other paper products. It's a good idea to check with your local waste management authority to make sure you are disposing of them properly. Plastic bags are a big hassle at the recycling plant too. They often fly off or clog sorting machinery, which causes the operation to be shut down until the clog is fixed. At one plant in San Francisco, they have to shut down the machines every night for at least an hour to go in and manually pick out all the pieces of plastic bag that have jammed up the various machines. A better idea is to take plastic bags to your local grocery store. They usually have a plastic bag recycling bin at the entrance.
>p>We all think we're helping the environment by recycling, but not all products should be recycled. Waste management gets paid for what they bring to be recycled, and the value of the recycling materials can be reduced if contaminated. This is something I didn't ever think about until now, and I just thought you should know.
So what is the eco-conscious consumer to do? It turns out that there are some things that aren't worth recycling because they end up doing more harm than good at the plant. Small scraps of paper, for example should not be put in the blue recycling bin. It is virtually impossible to separate shreds of paper from other materials rolling down a conveyor belt. They should be put in a paper bag, stapled shut, and labeled "shredded paper" on the outside. A person at the processing plant may recognize the bag, and remove it from the rest of the recycling stream and sort it into paper products. Really? I just can't see that happening in reality.
Condiment packets like soy sauce and ketchup packets are made out of plastic or an aluminum-plastic combination. Nobody's recycling them right now. You're better off throwing them in the trash. Polystyrene foam containers are almost never recyclable because of their lightweight and are typically soiled with food residue, which will contaminate the whole batch of recyclables. Paper cups are usually coated with plastic, so they can't be recycled with other paper products. It's a good idea to check with your local waste management authority to make sure you are disposing of them properly. Plastic bags are a big hassle at the recycling plant too. They often fly off or clog sorting machinery, which causes the operation to be shut down until the clog is fixed. At one plant in San Francisco, they have to shut down the machines every night for at least an hour to go in and manually pick out all the pieces of plastic bag that have jammed up the various machines. A better idea is to take plastic bags to your local grocery store. They usually have a plastic bag recycling bin at the entrance.
>p>We all think we're helping the environment by recycling, but not all products should be recycled. Waste management gets paid for what they bring to be recycled, and the value of the recycling materials can be reduced if contaminated. This is something I didn't ever think about until now, and I just thought you should know.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Vallarta Express: Fast Mexican in Encinitas
Fran and I were out on one of our regular Saturday walks in Encinitas, and discovered Vallarta Express was finally open. We'd been watching and waiting for its opening for several months, and we walked by on opening day. Naturally we had to try it. We were lucky to get coupons on opening day, allowing us to get a free taco or enchilada with the purchase of a drink. We both got tacos, an order of chips and salsa, along with a drink. Service was fast and efficient, and the taco was delicious. So were the chips, fresh and warm, and they have several salsas to choose from, so you're bound to find one that fits your pallet.
I liked it so much that when Phil and his family were here a few weeks later, I suggested we go there for lunch after a morning at Moonlight Beach. It was quick and easy, perfect for kids. On this visit we sampled more of the menu. Here's what we had and how we liked it. Phil tried one of the many tortas. He had the carnitas torta. It was so big even Phil couldn't eat it. It came with fries. The carnitas was good, the sandwich was sooo big, with thick bread, that it looked unappetizing. Phil agreed, and ate less than half. The kids had a quesadilla, which was delicious. How can you go wrong? I had a carne asada taco, also delicious, and Deborah had Vallarta bowl, with beans, rice, avocado, cotija cheese, and steak. It was similar to a Chipotle bowl, something I'm quite familiar with, and it was excellent.
The restaurant has enchiladas, breakfast burritos, combo plates and salads. Prices are moderate, food is fresh, and except for the enormous size of the tortas, everything looked and tasted delicious. It's right near Whole Foods on the coast in Encinitas, and a great place to stop for a quick meal. I hope you give it a try.
I liked it so much that when Phil and his family were here a few weeks later, I suggested we go there for lunch after a morning at Moonlight Beach. It was quick and easy, perfect for kids. On this visit we sampled more of the menu. Here's what we had and how we liked it. Phil tried one of the many tortas. He had the carnitas torta. It was so big even Phil couldn't eat it. It came with fries. The carnitas was good, the sandwich was sooo big, with thick bread, that it looked unappetizing. Phil agreed, and ate less than half. The kids had a quesadilla, which was delicious. How can you go wrong? I had a carne asada taco, also delicious, and Deborah had Vallarta bowl, with beans, rice, avocado, cotija cheese, and steak. It was similar to a Chipotle bowl, something I'm quite familiar with, and it was excellent.
The restaurant has enchiladas, breakfast burritos, combo plates and salads. Prices are moderate, food is fresh, and except for the enormous size of the tortas, everything looked and tasted delicious. It's right near Whole Foods on the coast in Encinitas, and a great place to stop for a quick meal. I hope you give it a try.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Japanese Eggplant Makes A Summer Treat
There's good and bad about growing your own summer veggies. The good part is you have fresh, summer veggies in abundance. You get so many zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant that you don't know what to do with them. The bad part is also that you get so many veggies you end up giving them away. I have a recipe to help use up those extra Japanese eggplants. It's a recipe I've been making for years, and I think you will love it.
Chinese style Japanese Eggplant
1 1/2 lbs. Japanese eggplant
1 T. oil
1 T. fresh ginger
Sauce
3 T. light soy sauce
2 T. red wine vinegar
2 T. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 T. sesame oil
1 tsp chili paste with garlic
Cut eggplant lengthwise into thick, shreds. Put on a heatproof plate and place plate on steamer. Steam, covered for 30 minutes or until eggplant is tender. If you don't have a steamer, set eggplant on a rack over double boiler and steam. Combine sauce ingredients in a bowl. Heat oil in wok. Stir fry garlic and ginger on low heat, then pour in sauce and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cool, and pour sauce over eggplant.
This dish is delicious hot, but I often make it as a cold salad and eat it as a snack or with a sandwich for lunch. It fills you up and tastes fantastic. I hope you enjoy.
Chinese style Japanese Eggplant
1 1/2 lbs. Japanese eggplant
1 T. oil
1 T. fresh ginger
Sauce
3 T. light soy sauce
2 T. red wine vinegar
2 T. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 T. sesame oil
1 tsp chili paste with garlic
Cut eggplant lengthwise into thick, shreds. Put on a heatproof plate and place plate on steamer. Steam, covered for 30 minutes or until eggplant is tender. If you don't have a steamer, set eggplant on a rack over double boiler and steam. Combine sauce ingredients in a bowl. Heat oil in wok. Stir fry garlic and ginger on low heat, then pour in sauce and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cool, and pour sauce over eggplant.
This dish is delicious hot, but I often make it as a cold salad and eat it as a snack or with a sandwich for lunch. It fills you up and tastes fantastic. I hope you enjoy.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Five Months At Ocean Hills And I Feel Great
It's hard NOT to fit in at Ocean Hills. There are people from all walks of life, all religious and political affiliations, and with over 60 different clubs, there's bound to be something for everyone. It's a matter of putting yourself out there. That's exactly what I've done. It's taken five months, but I finally feel at home.
I start each day with a short walk with my favorite four legged friend, Pepper. He starts nuzzling me around 6am, but I never get out of bed before 6:30. We take a 20 minute walk, and during that time, probably make 4-5 stops to visit with other dogs and their owners, or say hello to the many neighbors I now know by name. Next, I usually go to the pickleball courts to play for an hour or so. I just love the game, and find that it's one of the best ways to meet people. There is often quite a group of players, so when you're not on the court, you get to know the other players. I like it so much that I find myself giving up a morning at the gym in favor of pickleball. I still get to the gym at least twice a week, try to boogie board once a week, and play bridge once a week, so you can see how busy my mornings are.
If I still have energy in the afternoon, I head for the golf course. It's right outside my door, and most afternoons there is no waiting, just go out and play. We have a yoga instructor that comes to the village twice a week, and if I've got the energy, I may go to her class. Otherwise, around 4:30 each day Pepper and I walk over to the dog park, where he plays with Carley, his new best friend, and many other adorable dogs, while I chat with dog owners and catch up on village gossip. (there's plenty of it).
Evenings are for parties. With over 60 clubs in the community, there always seems to be a party. Ron and I go to Nubees once a month. It's a chance to meet new people in the community. Everyone is looking for new friends, so the atmosphere is nothing but friendly. Last week we went to the Racquet Club party, which was great fun. Dinner, dancing and great music made this a wonderful evening. Next week we'll attend the Doo Wop party. More food, music and dancing. If it's not a party night, it's either a bridge night or night in the hot tub. Everyone is so friendly in the jacuzzi.
It's just a matter of putting yourself out there and giving it a little time. Five months in, I have a few new friends and LOTS of acquaintances. I even started a new group with some of the new people I've met. My visits to Del Mar and Solana Beach have become less, and that's a big negative for me. However, Fran and I have not given up our Saturday walks, and I'm still getting to the Y twice a week. Who ever knew that retirement living was going to be so hard? So many choices, but I'm loving it!
I start each day with a short walk with my favorite four legged friend, Pepper. He starts nuzzling me around 6am, but I never get out of bed before 6:30. We take a 20 minute walk, and during that time, probably make 4-5 stops to visit with other dogs and their owners, or say hello to the many neighbors I now know by name. Next, I usually go to the pickleball courts to play for an hour or so. I just love the game, and find that it's one of the best ways to meet people. There is often quite a group of players, so when you're not on the court, you get to know the other players. I like it so much that I find myself giving up a morning at the gym in favor of pickleball. I still get to the gym at least twice a week, try to boogie board once a week, and play bridge once a week, so you can see how busy my mornings are.
If I still have energy in the afternoon, I head for the golf course. It's right outside my door, and most afternoons there is no waiting, just go out and play. We have a yoga instructor that comes to the village twice a week, and if I've got the energy, I may go to her class. Otherwise, around 4:30 each day Pepper and I walk over to the dog park, where he plays with Carley, his new best friend, and many other adorable dogs, while I chat with dog owners and catch up on village gossip. (there's plenty of it).
Evenings are for parties. With over 60 clubs in the community, there always seems to be a party. Ron and I go to Nubees once a month. It's a chance to meet new people in the community. Everyone is looking for new friends, so the atmosphere is nothing but friendly. Last week we went to the Racquet Club party, which was great fun. Dinner, dancing and great music made this a wonderful evening. Next week we'll attend the Doo Wop party. More food, music and dancing. If it's not a party night, it's either a bridge night or night in the hot tub. Everyone is so friendly in the jacuzzi.
It's just a matter of putting yourself out there and giving it a little time. Five months in, I have a few new friends and LOTS of acquaintances. I even started a new group with some of the new people I've met. My visits to Del Mar and Solana Beach have become less, and that's a big negative for me. However, Fran and I have not given up our Saturday walks, and I'm still getting to the Y twice a week. Who ever knew that retirement living was going to be so hard? So many choices, but I'm loving it!
Monday, August 10, 2015
Staying Young
Since moving to Ocean Hills I have spent more time than ever before talking and enjoying the company of seniors. I still have a hard time calling myself a senior, although at 70, that's exactly what I am. But I'm young compared to several new friends, both in their late 90's.
Paul is 96, and a regular at the dog park. A dog will keep you young, and owning a dog is one of my tips to seniors for staying youthful. Your dog depends on you. You must get up every morning and walk and feed him. He requires it, and it will make you feel useful. Paul brings Tiger to the park almost everyday. It's a chance for Tiger to get some exercise, and Paul to get some stimulating conversation. If you're disabled and unable to care for a dog, try a cat. They're easy to care for, yet will give you love and companionship.
Magda is 97. She lives across the street from me, alone, except for a woman who comes three times a week to take her out to run errands and tidy up around the house. She is so interesting, so funny, and has so many amazing stories about her long life, both in Hungary and America. Last week I ran into her. She is always dressed. That's another one of my tips for staying young. Get up and get dressed everyday. Don't lounge around in pajamas all day. Even if you've got nowhere to go, get up and act like you did. Magda mentioned to me that she wanted to go see the movie, "Still Alice," that was showing at our clubhouse that afternoon. I, too, had thought about going. I invited her to join me. We walked over and enjoyed the movie, and an afternoon together. I feel quite sure Magda would not have gone to the movie on her own, but with a little encouragement, she was happy to go.
Most of my other new friends are not quite as old as Paul and Magda, but one thing we all seem to have in common is a lot of aches and pains. For me, it's just my knee, and it's something I can deal with, but for others, their aches and pains may be much more serious. I also have a 91 year old mother, and pearls of wisdom ring in my ears on a daily basis. Part of her daily routine is to get down on the floor everyday, and to get up off the floor without assistance. Easy, huh? Well, not so easy at 70+ and when you're in you're 90's, it's extremely difficult. She feels doing that everyday helps to keep her young. At least she knows that if she falls she'll be able to get up! Everyone I've met here is trying to keep young. Owning a pet, getting up and dressed everyday, and making sure you can still get up off the floor, are just three things you can do to keep yourself youthful.
Paul is 96, and a regular at the dog park. A dog will keep you young, and owning a dog is one of my tips to seniors for staying youthful. Your dog depends on you. You must get up every morning and walk and feed him. He requires it, and it will make you feel useful. Paul brings Tiger to the park almost everyday. It's a chance for Tiger to get some exercise, and Paul to get some stimulating conversation. If you're disabled and unable to care for a dog, try a cat. They're easy to care for, yet will give you love and companionship.
Magda is 97. She lives across the street from me, alone, except for a woman who comes three times a week to take her out to run errands and tidy up around the house. She is so interesting, so funny, and has so many amazing stories about her long life, both in Hungary and America. Last week I ran into her. She is always dressed. That's another one of my tips for staying young. Get up and get dressed everyday. Don't lounge around in pajamas all day. Even if you've got nowhere to go, get up and act like you did. Magda mentioned to me that she wanted to go see the movie, "Still Alice," that was showing at our clubhouse that afternoon. I, too, had thought about going. I invited her to join me. We walked over and enjoyed the movie, and an afternoon together. I feel quite sure Magda would not have gone to the movie on her own, but with a little encouragement, she was happy to go.
Most of my other new friends are not quite as old as Paul and Magda, but one thing we all seem to have in common is a lot of aches and pains. For me, it's just my knee, and it's something I can deal with, but for others, their aches and pains may be much more serious. I also have a 91 year old mother, and pearls of wisdom ring in my ears on a daily basis. Part of her daily routine is to get down on the floor everyday, and to get up off the floor without assistance. Easy, huh? Well, not so easy at 70+ and when you're in you're 90's, it's extremely difficult. She feels doing that everyday helps to keep her young. At least she knows that if she falls she'll be able to get up! Everyone I've met here is trying to keep young. Owning a pet, getting up and dressed everyday, and making sure you can still get up off the floor, are just three things you can do to keep yourself youthful.
Friday, August 7, 2015
Fennel and Hearts of Palm Salad
When I visit my kids in Boulder, we usually eat dinner at home. Phil is a great cook, and it's easier than going out. When I was there in late May, Phil made a wonderful dinner one night. He marinated chicken wings (I think I've already posted the recipe) and then made a fantastic fennel and hearts of palm salad. He takes a wide bowl like one you might use for pasta, and layers the salad and serves it family style at the table. Here's how it's made.
Fennel and hearts of palm salad
Shave fennel with a mandolin and cut hearts of palm in strips. Put the shave fennel and hearts of palm at the bottom of a wide bowl. Add chopped green olives, sun dried tomatoes, marcona nuts, and shaved parmesan. Top with the following dressing.
lemon juice, champagne vinegar, oil, honey, mustard, shallots. Since Phil doesn't measure as he cooks, I can't give the specifics of the dressing. The lemon juice and champagne vinegar would be about 1/3 of the liquid and the oil would be 2/3 of the liquid. A little honey, mustard and shallots will complete this delicious dressing. Drizzle on top of the salad and wait for compliments. Everyone will love this. It was a great summer meal with barbequed chicken wings. I hope you enjoy it.
Fennel and hearts of palm salad
Shave fennel with a mandolin and cut hearts of palm in strips. Put the shave fennel and hearts of palm at the bottom of a wide bowl. Add chopped green olives, sun dried tomatoes, marcona nuts, and shaved parmesan. Top with the following dressing.
lemon juice, champagne vinegar, oil, honey, mustard, shallots. Since Phil doesn't measure as he cooks, I can't give the specifics of the dressing. The lemon juice and champagne vinegar would be about 1/3 of the liquid and the oil would be 2/3 of the liquid. A little honey, mustard and shallots will complete this delicious dressing. Drizzle on top of the salad and wait for compliments. Everyone will love this. It was a great summer meal with barbequed chicken wings. I hope you enjoy it.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
A Short History of The Workmen's Circle
My source for interesting information used to be the Encinitas Y, but since we moved to Ocean Hills and I don't get to the Y very often, I have had to find a new source. I now rely on my daily visits to the dog park for information on politics, religion, culture and gossip. I also get information from just about everyone I talk to here. The oldest residents of Ocean Hills are a wealth of information. Ron and I were at our weekly Ocean Hills bridge game one Tuesday night, and the 93 year old woman to my right was telling me about the early years in LA. She mentioned a group called The Workmen's Circle, gave me the history of the organization and told us her parents were members of the group. Now I will tell you a little about this remarkable group.
When the Yiddish-speaking immigrant Jews came to America, many found themselves in overcrowded tenements and hazardous sweatshops. With poverty came disease. Thus, a group of Jews founded the Workmen's Circle in New York City in 1900 as a refuge from oppression. They established schools and camps for children and adults, published books, operated a famous medical department for their members' care, sanitariums for the infirm, ran credit unions for their members, and bought tracts of land for cemeteries. The Karl Liebknecht Branch was the first in Los Angeles, founded in 1908. The organization has enjoyed a continuous presence in Los Angeles ever since. They recently celebrated their 105th anniversary year.
Early in it's history the Workmen's Circle members established the City of Hope, originally for the care of tuberculosis patients, now a world-famous center whose philosophy still calls for free medical treatment. Over the years, the Workmen's Circle has expanded into the support of the Jewish Home for the Aging and many other charitable causes. The Workmen's Circle was one of the earliest voices to speak against Nazism in the 1930's, and against Stalinism. They have advocated consistently for civil rights legislation, health care reform, and full and equal rights for all people. In the 1940's and 1950's Workmen's Circle was active in Chicano electoral campaigns and in the farm workers struggles.
Their goal has always been to preserve the unique beauty of Jewish culture and advocate for Yiddish cultural activity in particular. To this day they have an active organization in LA. It's amazing that after 105 years the organization is still relevant and an important voice in Los Angeles. Just thought you should know.
When the Yiddish-speaking immigrant Jews came to America, many found themselves in overcrowded tenements and hazardous sweatshops. With poverty came disease. Thus, a group of Jews founded the Workmen's Circle in New York City in 1900 as a refuge from oppression. They established schools and camps for children and adults, published books, operated a famous medical department for their members' care, sanitariums for the infirm, ran credit unions for their members, and bought tracts of land for cemeteries. The Karl Liebknecht Branch was the first in Los Angeles, founded in 1908. The organization has enjoyed a continuous presence in Los Angeles ever since. They recently celebrated their 105th anniversary year.
Early in it's history the Workmen's Circle members established the City of Hope, originally for the care of tuberculosis patients, now a world-famous center whose philosophy still calls for free medical treatment. Over the years, the Workmen's Circle has expanded into the support of the Jewish Home for the Aging and many other charitable causes. The Workmen's Circle was one of the earliest voices to speak against Nazism in the 1930's, and against Stalinism. They have advocated consistently for civil rights legislation, health care reform, and full and equal rights for all people. In the 1940's and 1950's Workmen's Circle was active in Chicano electoral campaigns and in the farm workers struggles.
Their goal has always been to preserve the unique beauty of Jewish culture and advocate for Yiddish cultural activity in particular. To this day they have an active organization in LA. It's amazing that after 105 years the organization is still relevant and an important voice in Los Angeles. Just thought you should know.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Dunderi with Lemon and Butter
I just learned about dunderi, an Italian dumpling, that is sooo delicious! I read about it on Tasting Table, a website that I read regularly. Jean Louis, famed chef from Portland, Oregon, is an expert in Italian dumplings, or gnocchi. He says that all gnocchi are dumplings, but not all dumplings are gnocchi. Dunderi are dumplings, but they're not gnocchi.
Jean Louis called both Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich, and neither of them knew what dunderi was. After much research, Jean Louis discovered that it is a ricotta dumpling from the Amalfi Coast. It's delicious, and so easy to make, with a yummy lemon butter sauce. Here it is.
Dunderi with Lemon and Butter
2cups whole milk ricotta cheese
6 egg yolks
1 cup finely grated Parmesan (use a microplane)
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1tsp. kosher salt
1 cup, plus 2 T, all purpose flour, plus more for dusting
Sauce
1 stick unsalted butter
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
zest of 1 lemon
kosher salt, to taste
Mix ricotta with egg yolks until smooth. Stir in Parmesan, nutmeg, salt and flour until the dough just comes together.
Dust work surface with flour, then scrape dough onto the work surface and sprinkle with additional 1/4 cup of flour.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then dust with flour.
Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each piece into a log, about 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut the log int 1/2-1 inch long pieces. Place them on a pan, but don't let them touch. Cook in a large pot of salted water for 45 seconds to 2 minutes, or until they float to the top.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet until the butter becomes golden brown and turns toasty. Add lemon juice and zest, and season with salt. Add the dumplings and toss. Top with Parmesan chees and serve immediately.
Dunderi can be frozen before cooking. Freeze on a baking sheet, then store in a plastic bag, and take them out when needed.
Jean Louis called both Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich, and neither of them knew what dunderi was. After much research, Jean Louis discovered that it is a ricotta dumpling from the Amalfi Coast. It's delicious, and so easy to make, with a yummy lemon butter sauce. Here it is.
Dunderi with Lemon and Butter
2cups whole milk ricotta cheese
6 egg yolks
1 cup finely grated Parmesan (use a microplane)
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1tsp. kosher salt
1 cup, plus 2 T, all purpose flour, plus more for dusting
Sauce
1 stick unsalted butter
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
zest of 1 lemon
kosher salt, to taste
Mix ricotta with egg yolks until smooth. Stir in Parmesan, nutmeg, salt and flour until the dough just comes together.
Dust work surface with flour, then scrape dough onto the work surface and sprinkle with additional 1/4 cup of flour.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then dust with flour.
Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each piece into a log, about 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut the log int 1/2-1 inch long pieces. Place them on a pan, but don't let them touch. Cook in a large pot of salted water for 45 seconds to 2 minutes, or until they float to the top.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet until the butter becomes golden brown and turns toasty. Add lemon juice and zest, and season with salt. Add the dumplings and toss. Top with Parmesan chees and serve immediately.
Dunderi can be frozen before cooking. Freeze on a baking sheet, then store in a plastic bag, and take them out when needed.
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