Eating McDonald's French Fries: Do You Know What's In Them?

These are the ingredients used to make French fries in McDonalds's, United States -

Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [Wheat and Milk Derivatives]*, Citric Acid [Preservative], Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (Maintain Color), Salt. Prepared in Vegetable Oil: Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ and Citric Acid added to preserve freshness. Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent. Contains: Wheat and Milk. *Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.

McDonald's explains these ingredients on their website as part of their 'Our Food, Your Questions' initiative. Some of these are -

Dextrose is a natural form of sugar that helps give the fries their perfect golden color.

Sodium acid pyrophosphate is added to keep the potatoes from turning gray after freezing and before they are cooked at the restaurant.

Citric acid is added to preserve the freshness of the oil.

Dimethylpolysiloxane is also added to reduce foaming and oil splattering.

TBHQ is an antioxidant that acts as a preservative, allowing the oil to remain fresh from the supplier all the way to the restaurant.

I thought I was eating potato, salt and oil.  Boy, was I wrong.  We all want transparency in everything these days, but really, do you want to be eating something, the ingredients of which you can't even pronounce?  McDonald's French fries taste great and look fantastic, and now we know why.  I for one don't eat them, don't even go to McDonald's (haven't had a big mac in 40 years), but many people do, now that they are offering healthier food items and listing ingredients.  It's always a good idea to check the list of ingredients in anything you eat.  The rule I follow is that if it has more than three ingredients that I can't pronounce, I don't eat it.  This eliminates a lot of food items, but it also keeps me away from many foods with artificial coloring, artificial flavoring and added sugar.  Who knows what's lurking in some other fast food items?  Check it out next time, before you buy it.

Better Buzz Encinitas= Great Coffee

Can a four block area in Encinitas, California, support six coffee shops?  I guess so, as the latest coffee house, recently opened, to rave reviews.  I was shocked the other day, when walking down Coast Highway 101, I noticed a new coffee house, Better Buzz.  Brand new, and so busy you had to wait for a seat.  It's big and beautiful, with the coffee bar in the middle, and seating all around the perimeter and looking out on the street.  It's one of those places that just feel good.

Better Buzz serves all the regular fare, including blended drinks, lattes, mochas, and just about any other coffee or tea drink imaginable.  They have numerous bottled juices, and a pastry case that looked pretty good.  Additionally, they have a few food items on the menu, like sandwiches and paninis.

Better Buzz is actually a chain, which I don't usually like.  I prefer independent coffee houses (which I at first thought this was).  Better Buzz has seven locations in San Diego, including San Marcos, Mission Valley, and Pacific Beach.  Some of their locations are drive through, others not.  The Encinitas location is a regular restaurant.  It's the vibe you feel when you walk in that makes it special.  High energy, lots of talking, laughing, mingling.  Definitely a place to do more than drink coffee.  There are many other coffee houses in this small space of Encinitas, including Starbucks, all are busy, but Better Buzz is packed.  Try it next time you're in Encinitas and you'll know why.

Pickleball May Be Dangerous To Your Health

Almost daily, since I started pickleball lessons in June, I've been playing this wonderful game.  For those who don't know what it is, I will give you a brief description, but if you go to UTube and ask for pickleball, you can watch a game and in two minutes see players in action.  Pickleball is played on a court slightly smaller than a tennis court both in length and width.  The racket is solid, like a paddle tennis racquet, and the ball is similar to a whiffle ball, but a little heavier.  At Ocean Hills we play only doubles, so players don't have to cover too much ground.  Most of us don't move so well anymore.  You do need good reflexes, because much of the game is played near the net, where the ball is hit back and forth, hard and fast.  An hour of pickleball and I've had all the exercise I really need for the day.

When our teacher Herb started our lessons, the one thing he stressed from day one is to NEVER run backwards (back peddle).  That's the easiest way to fall and get a concussion or break a wrist.  Also, never run forward if you've got too much ground to cover.  Safety first.  Winning a game is never worth a trip to the ER.  Unfortunately, too many people, in the heat of the moment, forget Herb's warning and run backward or too far forward.  We had another woman go to the ER yesterday with a compound fracture in her wrist.  She was running backwards.  Last week a woman I hadn't seen before showed up at the court wearing a helmet.  I asked her why, and she told me she had run backwards, tripped, and had a concussion.

These accidents happen on a weekly basis.  So you might ask, "Why do you play pickleball, when there are so many accidents?" Because it's so much fun.   I try to be constantly conscious of Herb's words, and never run backwards or dive for balls in front of me.  I know my limitations.  I know that I'm doing this for fun, for the social experience, and for exercise.  I'm never going to be a 5.0 player (the highest ranking), but I will be good enough to play with most people and have a good time.  If a shot goes over my head, I just let it go.  The days of competition are gone.  Now, all we want to do is have fun.

Ken Sushi Workshop: Sushi Extrodinaire

Move over Station Sushi and Sushi Ota, there's a new place in town that will make you up your game.  Thank you, Barbie, for introducing me to my new favorite sushi restaurant in North County.  Ken Sushi Workshop is located on El Camino Real, just south of the 56 (near Ruth Chris).  It's a destination, so everyone there is a serious sushi eater.  It's been open for about 18 months, and has been a hit since it opened it's doors.  Ken, the owner, is always there, serving up the freshest and most creative dishes around.  Like the restaurant itself, the food is beautiful.  Simple, elegant and delicious.  Since Barbie had been there many times and practically knew the menu by heart, we let her do the ordering.  Here's some of what we had.

We began with a little crispy rice cake that had been fried, topped with spicy salmon and avocado.  So simple, fresh and delicious.  We then had a salad, a mixture of greens, veggies and sashimi, in a wonderful soy dressing.  Next, we had several cut rolls, one in particular that I couldn't eat, but wanted to in the worst way.  It had crab and shrimp inside, and was topped with a crispy green tea crunch.  Because I am allergic to shrimp I was afraid to eat the whole roll, so I tried to pick out the shrimp and eat the rest.  I wanted to taste the green tea crunch that was sprinkled on top, and I'm glad I did.  It was so unusual, and really made the dish pop.  Vivian, another of my sushi friends, ordered collar of Hamachi, or was it Hamachi cheeks?  Whatever it was, I can't wait to order it again.  The collar of the Hamachi is cooked to a delicate tenderness, falling off the bone.  It's served with a soy dipping sauce.  After eating the fish, everyone wants to suck on the bones, it's that good.

Ken Sushi Workshop serves all the usual sushi dishes, but Ken does magic, by taking standard dishes and enhancing them.  His creative juices are always flowing, and he will always come up with a new and interesting dish for you.  He offers two fixed price meals, one for $120 and one for $150.  Yes, you read that correctly.  These meals consist of 10-12 courses, all uniquely different.  The best place to sit for one of the special meals is at the sushi bar, where you can watch Ken at work, and interact with him.  I'd love to try that for a very special occasion.

Prices at Ken Sushi are a little on the high side, especially for the specialty dishes, but well worth it.  Six of us had lunch there recently, and the price with tax and tip, was $24per person.  We did not eat all that much, but we certainly didn't walk away hungry.  Next time you're in the mood for some really good sushi, and price is not a priority, try Ken Sushi.  It's a winner.

Lucky's Bakehouse and Creamery

There's a chain of natural food stores in the Rocky Mountains and and mid-west called Lucky's.  If you are lucky enough to have one near you, you'll know what I'm talking about.  They are found in Ohio, Colorado, Floriad, Georgia, Montana, Wyoming, and Indiana, just to name a few.  Their food is fresh and delicious and local.  What I liked most when I went to Lucky's Bakehouse and Creamery in Boulder was the delicious baked goods.

Across from Lucky's market in Boulder, is Lucky's Bakehouse and Creamery.  We took Elsa and Lennon there for cupcakes one afternoon, and I was so impressed.  Everything is made by hand.  You can watch the bakers baking.  There are many gluten free choices, which makes Boulder residents happy.  Everyone seems to be gluten free in Boulder.

I'm including some pictures from the cases in the front of the store.  In addition to the delicious baked goods, Lucky's also makes homemade ice cream.  Next time you're in Boulder, check out Lucky's.  You'll be glad you did.

Gender Reveal Parties Are All The Rage

When I was pregnant, my friends threw me a shower.  Nice lunch, gifts for the baby, a game or two, then we all went home.  Well, parties for the pregnant mom (and dad) have come a long way.  The next evolution involved dad as well.  Showers were for couples, not just the mom.  Parents had couples over for a lunch or dinner, gifts for the baby, maybe a few games, and everyone went home.  Fast forward to the 21st century and the new gender reveal party.  Here's some of what you might find at such an event.

Here's the first story I heard about such a party.  A pregnant woman went to her doctor with her best friend, to be given the news on the sex of the baby.  She decided not to find out at that time, but to have her best friend get the information, keep it secret, and plan a party to reveal the sex of the baby.  The best friend planned a party with a cake, that when cut into, was either pink or blue, depending on the baby's sex.  I heard this story two years ago.  A gender reveal extravaganza in 2015, is complete with games, favors, and a Pinterest board.

The trend for such parties has exploded in the last year.  The reason, say some, is that in hard economic times, people are looking for something to celebrate.  Mostly however, we can thank social media for the uptick.  After seeing videos online, everyone wants to get into the act.

I'm not going to go into all the ways one can celebrate.  I think you get the idea, and you can go to UTube and see some of the parties.  Or go to Pinterest for hundreds of ideas.  Would your kids or grandkids choose this type of celebration to reveal the sex of their baby?  For me, it's a little over the top.  In fact, I'm all for waiting until the birth of the baby so everyone can find out the exciting news at the same time.  However, this is the 21st century, and I guess we shouldn't expect anything less.

Great Art Is Everywhere

On the hottest day of the year, I took a group of 14 women to LA for a tour of graffiti/ mural art in the Arts District of downtown LA.  Although the art, our guide Kevin, and the lunch were great, what we'll all be talking about when we mention this trip, is the weather.  It was oppressive, but we made it.  Here's a quick recap of our day,

Half of our group boarded the train in Solana Beach, the other half got on in Oceanside.  We all made it aboard, which was a miracle in itself, as this was the day after Labor Day, and everyone was on the train going somewhere.  I brought morning snacks for everyone, so while we munched on organic apples and Costco muffins, we talked about the day to come.  Arriving in LA at 9:50, we took the Gold Line subway one stop, to Little Tokyo.  None of us had ever taken the subway in LA so this was a bit of a challenge.  We all bought our Tap Card from the kiosk and boarded the subway, after just a short wait.  It was now 10am, and it was heating up.  We had to walk a few blocks to meet our guide Kevin, artist and owner of LA Art Tours, in the Arts District.  It was getting pretty hot already, and we were skeptical about surviving a 1 1/2 hour walk in 99 degree weather.

Kevin has been a working artist in LA, living in a loft in the Arts District, for 20 years.  He told us how the area is gentrifying rapidly, a good and bad thing for the people who love the neighborhood.  Lots of trendy restaurants and shops are popping up, but along with that, many huge residential complexes, some quite ugly, that they are calling lofts.  They're actually small studio apartments in the district, renting for around $2,000 per month.  Traffic is terrible, and construction is everywhere.  The locals (the real artists) don't like it.  Many of the original graffiti art murals have been removed or destroyed to make room for residential and commercial space, but new art is popping up everywhere.  It's on the ground, on building walls, on telephone polls, just about everywhere you look.

Kevin explained to us that most of this is NOT art done by gangs.  (that's done somewhere else).  Many pieces are commissioned, or at the very least owners have given permission for the artists to decorate the buildings.  Many pieces have a social message, others are just representations of LA, others seem to have no meaning at all.  We were surprised by the diversity in style and form.  Many young kids, untrained in art, called toys, serve as apprentices, and learn art techniques from the lead artists.  Artists come from all over the world to decorate buildings in LA.  A pair of German twins does some very intricate art, while Sheppard Fairey, a world reknown artist, best known for his Obama bumper sticker design "Hope" has several pieces in the area.  Even Banksy, the most famous graffiti artist, did a piece in LA.

By the time we had walked the Arts District for 1 1/2 hours, we were ready to faint.  Seriously.  We made it to our lunch destination, Umami, collapsed into our seats, and spent the next hour cooling off and enjoying a delicious Umami burger.  Yum.  Some women chose to walk in the 99 degree heat back to the train station.  I decided we would take an Uber, and for $5 (total) four of us got a ride back to the train station.  I figured I'd see Little Tokyo some other time.

A great day was had by all, and we're all looking forward to our next excursion.  It's such fun to get away for a day with a wonderful group of women.  Thanks to all of you who attended for making it so memorable.

And You Thought We Had Immigration Problems

I follow the  news constantly, and am saddened by the spiraling migrant and refugee problem in Europe.  The pictures are heart wrenching.  Hundreds of thousands of migrants are pouring into Europe from Syria, seeking refuge from Isis, war in Syria and extreme poverty.  It's a humanitarian crisis, and many European countries are stepping up big time.  Germany is taking the lead.  Angela Merkel has pledged to accept 800,000 refugees over the next two years.  She is urging all European Union countries to accept their fair share of the migrants.  France, Britain, Denmark and Sweden have also agreed to take Syrian refugees over the next several years.  Hungary's right wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban, does not see things as other EU countries do.  He delivered a series of incendiary comments last week saying that "Europe's Christian roots" were being threatened and insisting that the problem is a German problem.

There is a difference between migrants and refugees.  The former are leaving their country to seek a better way of life, while the latter are leaving for political reasons.  The refugees are seeking political asylum.  The European problem is quite different than the illegal immigration problem we have in the United States.  We have in the past had many refugees coming here seeking political asylum.  El Salvador, Guatemala and Vietnamese refugees come to mind.  But the immigrants coming here illegally today are by and large coming for a better way of life.  Typically, their lives are not threatened in their birth country, but they want what we all want and are willing to risk their lives coming here, to get it.

It is interesting to see how a continent with dozens of countries, dozens of languages, and different cultures, is taking their immigration problem and dealing with it immediately.  We, on the other hand, are still arguing about everything.  The years keep rolling by, and we still have no immigration policy  in place.  We are the land of immigrants.  It's part of what makes us a great nation.  We need to learn to deal with immigration problems, instead of simply pushing the problem off to another generation. I applaud the Germans for taking the lead on their difficult problem.  I applaud Pope Francis, too, for comments he made on September 6.  He said that every parish in Europe should take in at least one family.  That would be a great beginning.  I remember many years ago when the U.S. had a flood of Russian Jews immigrate.  Every synagogue took in families and help them assimilate until they could get on their feet.  Most people want to help, but often the negative voices are the ones we hear.  It's nice to see that so many Europeans are stepping up and helping.    

Do You Love Pizza? Try Urbn

Ron and I have not been eating out much lately, so I have not reviewed any restaurants recently.  Oceanside is not exactly a food mecca, so driving to one our favorite restaurants is always a pain.  We've been staying close to home at pizza restaurants, like Blaze Pizza, Pieology and Urban Pi.  They're all pretty much the same:  a thin pizza crust, followed by cheese, sauce and maybe a few toppings.  They fill you up, but none of them are really great pizza.  I had heard about Urbn pizza from several friends, but had never been there until recently.  After my first visit, it is now my favorite pizza spot in all of San Diego.  I would rank it up there with Mozza, which is no longer in San Diego.  Here's a little about this great find.

Urbn Pizza has four locations.  We dined at the Vista location, on Main Street, just across from several new breweries.  Urban is very casual.  It's got a dozen or so metal tables and chairs, a bar that gives you a great view of the pizza oven and the preparation of the food, and a very limited, but excellent menu.  You have your choice of a 10 inch or a 16 inch pizza, and dozens of toppings.  Other than wonderful looking salads and beverages including wine and beer, that's the menu.

The crust is crispy, thin, with the outer crust puffy and fantastic.  The tomato sauce goes on first (a white alfredo sauce if you prefer), then the toppings.  We had half anchovy, pepperoni and black olives (that was Ron's half), the other half was eggplant, mushrooms, and sliced meatballs.  My half was like eggplant parmesean on a pizza.  The top was loaded with thick, gooey cheese.  On my second visit to Urban I ordered the Italian salad. (available in Encinitas but not Vista).  OMG.  It was delicious, huge and a great idea to order with a small pizza.  The price is a bit more than regular pizza, but well worth it.  Our dinner was $29, which included a 16 inch pizza (loaded), one drink, tax and tip.  The pizza actually serves four, so it's not all that expensive.

Urbn is located in Encinitas, Vista, North Park and El Cajon.  They do a big take out business as well, and there is about a 15 minute wait for your order.  It's not fast food, like Blaze or Urban Pi, but  a great place to go with a group when you want a really great pizza and a glass of beer.  I can't wait to go back again.  Give it a try.  It's one of the best pizzas you'll find in the San Diego area.

New Words Added To the Oxford Dictionary

The Oxford Dictionary is updated four times a year.  There are 4,000 new words added to the dictionary each year.  Could that be?  I checked and double checked this fact, so I'll accept that it's true.  This year, as always, there are some fascinating new words, many of them related to the internet or American culture.  Thank you, Jan, for bringing this article to my attention.  You always send me something unusual and interesting.  Here are just a few of the new words, many of which were new to me.

1.  Manspreading...a term coined by commuters, it referes to a men on busses and trains who splay their legs wide and encroach on neighboring seats.

2.  Awesomesause...extremely good, excellent.  The only place I ever heard it is in a TV commercial.

3.  Butt dial....calling someone accidentally with your mobile phone in your rear pocket.  I think we're all familiar with the word and the act of butt dialing.

4.  Social justice warrior...(informal derogatory) a person who expresses or promotes socially progressive views.

5.  Wine o'clock...an appropriate time of day for starting to drink wine.

6.  Rage-quit...(informal) angrily abandon an activity or pursuit that has become frustrating, especially the playing of a video game.

7.  Hangry...bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger.

8.  Spear phishing...the fraudulent practice of sending emails ostensibly from a known or trusted sender in order to induce targeted individuals to reveal confidential information.

9.  Snackable...(of online content)designed to be read, viewed, or otherwise engaged with briefly and easily.

10.  Fatberg...very large mass of solid wasted in a sewerage system, consisting especially of congealed fat and personal hygiene products that have been flushed down toilets.

You know how I always say that one of my goals is to learn something new everyday?  Well, I have just learned 10 new words this morning and you probably have too!  I found this very interesting, and I hope you did too

Crystal Cruises is Expanding

For decades, Crystal Cruises has had just two luxury cruise ships, but with the recent sale of the cruise line to the Genting Group, things will change.  Most passengers and industry insiders wondered why the company never expanded.  The new company has big plans for Crystal, including two new ocean liners, two river ships, a yacht, and a 787 jet configured for just 60 passengers, for round the world travel.  Oh, they will also have residential suites on the new ships, from 600-4000 square feet, for those with unlimited funds who are just having too much fun to ever get off the ship.  The ships are being built in Germany, and the first one is expected to hit the water in 2018.  That's all we know for now.  Crystal is keeping a tight lid on their plans.  I was interested in the company that bought Crystal, so after a bit of research, here's what I know.

The Genting Group is a Malaysian conglomerate.  It was founded in 1965 by  the late Malaysian entrepreneur Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong.  The Ganting Group develops, operates and markets casinos and resorts all over the world.  The group employs over 58,000 globally.  They own 41 casinos in the UK alone.  Their revenue is over 17 billion annually.  Additionally, they're involved in projects at Aqueduct Race Track in New York, and are working on a 14 acre project in Biscayne Bay in Miami.  They have ventured into biotech and real estate development.  They're a truly global company, and it appears Crystal should be an important part of their portfolio.

Competition makes every company work harder for your business, so this expansion should be good for cruising.  I can't wait to try them out!

Hyperthermia: Hot Weather Hazard For Seniors

The recent spell of heat and humidity really knocked me for a loop.  I fear that there is more to come, as September and October are usually our hottest months.  Yes, we've got air conditioning and it helps somewhat, but unless I want to run it 24/7 the house still heats up.  When we get our solar, in about a month, I will run it as much as necessary to keep the house cool.

Hot weather and outdoor activity for seniors can lead to tragic consequences.  Hyperthermia is the general name given to the variety of heat-related illnesses.  The two most common forms of hyperthermia are heat exhaustion and heat stroke, the latter being the most dangerous and requiring immediate medical attention.

Health factors can increase one's risk of hyperthermia.  Some of these risk factors include: poor circulation or inefficient sweat glands, high blood pressure (or people on a restricted salt diet), inability to perspire (often caused by medications including diuretics, sedatives and tranquilizers), being substantially overweight or underweight, taking several drugs for various conditions, or drinking alcohol.  Lifestyle factors may also increase one's risk.  Some of these factors include:  unbearably hot living conditions, lack of transportation (to get to a mall or place to cool off), overdressing, and visiting overcrowded places.

Heat exhaustion is a warning that the body is getting too hot.  The person may be thirsty, giddy, weak, uncoordinated, nauseous and sweating profusely.  The skin is cold and clammy.  Salt supplements may be required, but only with advice from a doctor.  Heat stroke can be life threatening.  Body temperature can be above 104 degrees, and the person may feel faint, with a strong rapid pulse, and lack sweating.

Of course the best advice is to avoid getting to the point where you are exhausted or showing symptoms of heat stroke.  Stay inside, drink lots of water, rest, and most importantly, stay out of the direct sun.  I played pickleball on one of the hottest days in August which was not a great idea, but so much fun I couldn't resist.  I was constantly drinking water to stay hydrated, but even so, I was not sweating and I knew I should stop playing.  I did stop, long before I got to a dangerous level, but in retrospect, I never should have played in the first place.  I felt tired and lethargic all week during the extreme heat, and the old saying, "Listen to your body," rings true.  If you don't feel well, don't push yourself.  I promised myself I will remember this as we face September and October, and probably a lot more heat.  Stay safe and don't push yourself in this extreme heat.

Moon Cookies: A Blast From The Past

Growing up, I have fond memories of baking with my mom.  She was not really much of a baker, but she did make wonderful brownies, snickerdoodles, lemon bars, and moon cookies.  We called them moon cookies, but they are more commonly known as Mexican wedding cookies.  We would bake them on a Sunday afternoon, then freeze them, and dole them out as special treats.  I recently had a little party at my new home.  I decided to make cookies for dessert.  I made white chunk macadamia, snickerdoodles, and moon cookies.  They were all delicious, but Carolyn loved the moon cookies, so I told her I would post the recipe.  The cookies freeze well.  I always make extras, keep them in a cookie tin in the freezer, ready for unexpected occasions.

                                                              Moon Cookies (Mexican wedding cookies)

1 cup butter, softened
1/2  cup white sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. water
1 tsp. baking powder
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup confectioners sugar

Combine butter and white sugar and beat until well blended.  Mix in water vanilla, and baking powder.  Slowly add flour until blended, then add chopped almonds.  I chopped the almonds finely in my Cuisinart.  Do not over chop, or you will end up with almond butter.  Refrigerate the mixture for a few hours, until dough is very firm.  Then, roll cookies in your hands like a snake and shape into crescent shapes.  Be sure there are no cracks in the dough or the cookies will break when cooked.  Leave a bit of space between cookies, as they spread a little bit because of the baking powder.  Cook at 325 degrees for 15 minutes.  Do not let them get too brown.  In fact, they should just be turning brown when they're done.  Let them cool.  Finally, roll in confectioners sugar.  Eat and enjoy!