Cafe Touba: The Next Trend After Cold Brew?

Every time you think they can't come up with something new in the coffee field, a new drink comes along.  We've had French press coffee, pour over coffee, charcoal coffee and cold brew coffee.  Now, from Senegal, we have Cafe Touba.  What is cafe Touba you ask?  It's a mixture of of ground coffee from Guinea, boiled with cloves, water, Selim pepper and sugar.  It's kind of like Turkish coffee meets cola.  I've never seen or heard of it before I read about it on one of my favorite websites, Tasting Table.

Pouring the coffee is an art.  It's poured from low to high (similar to how they pour tea  and coffee in Turkey), which aerates the brew and creates froth.  It's a West African espresso with a lather of spiced suds on top.

The drink was named after the city of Touba in Senegal.  Drinking it was a ritual, some thinking the drink had spiritual or magical powers and possible medicinal benefits.  I don't know if this is true, but the drink is a staple in Senegal, and may some day come to America.  It's not a new drink, but it is new to me.

Iggy the Iguana

I was reminded of one of Phil's childhood pets while reading a travel letter sent by friends Wayne and Linda from their trip to the Galapagos Islands.  Wayne sent many pictures of iguanas, large, small, on rocks sunning themselves, others on rocks in the shallow water, others hanging from tree branches.  For the most part, the iguanas they saw in the Galapagos were brown.  Our Iggy, was green.

Phil was about 9 years old and had an interest in animals.  He loved our dogs, but he also liked anything he found outside:  pill bugs, snails and birds come to mind.  Somehow he got the idea in his mind that he would like an iguana.  Always the willing mother who wanted my kids to have all kinds of experiences, we researched iguanas and determined one would do well in the Southern California climate.  So, my dad, so handy with building and fixing everything, built the future Iggy an elaborate cage.  It was a beautiful thing, so we went to the pet store and purchased our first Iggy.  Phil loved the little iguana, only about 4 inches long.  Iggy would sit in his cage, munch on leaves and fruit, and sleep.  Phil liked to take him out and let him climb on his arm.

All seemed to be going well, except for the fact that Iggy never seemed to grow.  I was expecting him to grow to about a foot long, but he did not.  The months rolled by, and Iggy was thriving, seemed happy, but small.  Summer came, and Phil was going to summer camp for a month.  He put me in charge of Iggy, gave me explicit instructions on how to care for him.  One thing I was told to do was to put him on the balcony in full sun for about an hour, to warm him up.  Iggy seemed unhappy with Phil gone, and he was snapping at me and would not let anyone touch him.  Then one day, I lost track of time and gave Iggy a four hour sunbath.  That was just too much for him, and he died.  I can still remember how I felt. How was I going to tell Phil that I had killed his iguana?

He wasn't as upset as I thought he'd be, especially when I told him we could get another iguana to replace the one I had killed.  We bought Iggy 2 the following week, but he fared no better than Iggy 1.  He only lived a few months.  I determined iguanas were meant to live in the wild, although I have heard of numerous people keeping them as pets.  We decided there would be no more Iggy's for us.

Fast forward 30 years.  Phil still has interest in animals, although it is really his son Lennon that wants to know anything and everything about all creatures, large or small.  So, Phil is now in the process of building a chicken coop, where they will house 6 egg laying chickens.  They want to add ducks to the pen, if the two can coexist.  I'm hoping they do better with the chickens and ducks than we did 30 years ago with the iguanas.

Adapting Your LIfestyle To Your Aging Body

I'm 73 years old, and still feel I can keep up with most everyone.  However, over the past 8-10 years I have seen huge changes in what I can and cannot do.  I will tell you what I've noticed, and how I've adapted.

At age 65, my day went something like this:  Rise at 6:30, give Pepper a 20 minute walk and get him fed.  Leave for the Y at 7:30 for an hour of either spin, zumba, yoga, aerobics, or some other great activity.  Coffee with my Y friends, then home, shower and get ready for the day.  At 10:00-10:30 I'm ready for the rest of my day.  Maybe a bridge game at a duplicate club, a class at Brandeis and lunch with friends, a Newcomers event of some sort, or boogie boarding during good weather. In the late afternoon I would take my dog for a good 30 minute walk or go to the dog park, then read for an hour before dinner.  Evenings were usually spent at home catching up on paper work, watching TV, etc.  Yes, my days were busy.

Fast forward 8 years.  I have had a broken ankle, an injured shoulder, and a partial knee replacement.  I have dealt with Ron's ALS, cancer, and broken leg.  I have had to change my routine and my short and long term goals.  On a daily basis, my day now looks something like this:  7am, rise and shine, take Pepper for a 20-30 minute walk and feed him.  Come home, fix Ron's breakfast and mine, then assist him in getting ready for the day.  (With the broken leg it's hard to dress himself without help).  Get him his breakfast, and take him into his office, where he is comfortable and will spend the next few hours.  I will leave for Pickleball around 8:45, play until 10:15.  Home for a shower, fix lunch and get ready for the afternoon, which may consist of playing bridge, with or without Ron, taking a Brandeis class, going to an Ocean Hills event like Line Dancing or Friday Discussion, or playing the ukelele with a group.  I usually get home around 3pm, take a one hour rest (maybe read, but lately not so much), then go to the dog park from 4-5.  Home, fix dinner, and collapse.  If I have any energy left at night, I may read for a while before taking Pepper for his final short walk at 8pm.

What's changed?  Well, the gym is no longer in my repetoire of activities.  I get my exercise through golf, pickleball, boogie boarding, walking and pushing the wheelchair. I find I need more rests.  I never used to rest in the afternoon, but now it is mandatory.  I do most of the same activities, most with less intensity than before.  The walk that Fran and I take most Saturday mornings used to be 5 miles.  It's now more like 3.5 miles.  Little changes, that allow me to do the same things, but just a lower intensity level.

It's difficult to see yourself aging.  I have embraced it, know it is inevitable, and get my inspiration from people like Jane, age 91, who plays pickleball daily and is a damn good golfer, and Paul, age 98, who comes with his dog to the park everyday.  They do what they love, but have just toned it down.  You don't have to give up what you love, just do it with care and attention to the fact that you can't do what you could 10 years ago.  Keep going, nap when necessary, and enjoy every day.

Pepper Tree Frosty Since 1953

An old fashioned ice cream stand in Vista that I just heard about?  Yup, it's true.  Pepper Tree Frosty has been located on Santa Fe Road in Vista since 1953, but my first visit to this iconic ice cream and food stand  was in June, on the recommendation of our friend Dan.  Ron and I stopped by for an afternoon delight, delicious soft serve vanilla ice cream topped with hot fudge and caramel sauce for $2.55.  I ordered the small size and ended throwing about 1/3 of it out.  It was too big to finish.

No matter what time of day you go to Pepper Tree Frosty (hours are 10am-10pm) there will be a line.  When we went at 3:30pm there were about 10 people in line.  That gave me plenty of time to study the menu and figure out what to order.  There are sundaes made with soft serve or hard ice cream, milk shakes and malts, probably 20 different flavors, slushes (flavored shaved ice), dipped soft serve ice cream cones, dipped bananas, brownies topped with ice cream and sauce, and old fashioned banana splits, with three or four scoops of ice cream.  The banana splits can be topped with several toppings, including marshmallow sauce, hot fudge, butterscotch or caramel, pineapple and strawberry sauce.  Add whipped cream, nuts and a cherry, and memories of the 1950's will come roaring back.  Remember sitting at a lunch counter and enjoying (usually sharing) a banana split?  I sure do.  The difference is, that back then I could finish one.  Now, I'd only eat about a quarter of it.

Next time you need an ice cream fix, go to Vista to Pepper Tree Frosty.  They have an outdoor seating area, long picnic tables, but no inside seating.  This is a stand.  Prices are reasonable.  I think the banana split was around $5.50.  You will love the choices, but be prepared to wait in line.  Oh, they have food too, but I didn't sample it.  I'll save that for next time.

Trumps Immigration Policy

We've all seen the pictures of children being torn from the arms of their mothers as they try to seek asylum in the United States.  We've heard the babies and young children crying out for the mothers.  No one who has a heart can possibly think this is OK.  Yet, the Trump administration to try to make us believe this is LAW.  It is not the law.  It is a policy put in place by the Trump administration in April, 2018.  So far, several thousand children have been separated from their parents, and it does not appear this policy will end any time soon.

The reality is that many of the immigrants arriving at the U.S. border, are seeking asylum.  The law is different for asylum seekers than it is for illegals trying get into our country.  Federal law guarantees that anybody seeking refuge without legal status is entitled to an interview to determine the credibility of his or her claim, while international law prohibits the U.S. from denying entry to those escaping persecution or from returning them to their home countries.  However, this is not happening.  All illegals arriving at our border are treated the same.  Parents sent off to jail, minors placed in "camps" temporarily.

The immigration laws that exist today have been effect for over 20 years.  It is the interpretation that the Trump administration has taken that is different.  Democrats, Republicans, civil rights leaders,  and religious leaders from all faiths condemn this policy.  Is the purpose of this policy to get the congress to approve Trump's wall?  Could be.  In the mean time, who suffers?  Families, especially children who will be damaged for life.  I am so sad to think that our country would do this to families.  We must continue to speak up, and vote in November for candidates who condemn this policy.

One To Go: Thai Kitchen in Encinitas

I was on my way to bridge one morning, when I stumbled up the brand new One To Go Thai Kitchen that opened in early March in Encinitas.  It didn't look like much, but the sign said "Thai Street Food."  That caught my eye.

It's pretty basic.  Just a few tables for dining in.  Mostly it's take out, and it is excellent.  The only thing I ate was the Pad Thai noodle with tofu.  The food was delicious.  I talked to other patrons who were eating See You noodles, flat wide rice noodles with egg, broccoli and carrots, and Drunken noodles, wide rice noodles, egg, garlic and veggies.  Everyone loved their food.  The menu includes lots of small bites, like thai beef jerkey, angel wings fried tofu, sai-eu (thai sausage served over rice) and larb gai (minced chicken, chili, onions, mint seasoned with spicy lime dressing).  Several soups are available, and a few curries and pineapple and basil fried rice.  It's a great menu, and if you live in the area or are driving by (as I was) and want to try something new, call One 2Go Thai Kitchen at 760 334 5555.  Food is good, but don't expect much if you choose to eat in.

What Makes You Feel Alive?

I was talking to my son Phil one morning, and he informed me he might not be able to run in a race he has been training for.  He hurt his back, carrying a heavy pack while backpacking, and doesn't know if he'll recover in time.  He's disappointed, but realizes there will be another race at another time.  I asked him why he has run 700 miles and biked many more miles training for this event.  He said that running, biking, and pushing himself physically, makes him feel alive.  I pondered this for a few moments, and liked what he was saying.  Most of us go through our days, our weeks, even years, doing the same thing day after day.  I thought about what makes me feel alive, and enjoyed thinking about this, and came up with the following things:  boogie boarding, playing pickleball, walking at the beach, watching the surf break and feeling the wind on my face, driving in a convertible, skiing (not so much anymore), hiking to the top of a mountain and enjoying the view, and watching my grandchildren.

When I started boogie boarding about 15 years ago, I said that more than anything other than skiing, boogie boarding made me feel like a kid again.  It makes me feel free, young, alive.  Pickleball does the same thing.  Wind and water make me feel alive.  I love driving in a convertible and feeling the wind on my face.  Going to the beach on a windy day, walking in the surf and listening to the sounds of the ocean and birds, makes me feel alive.  Enjoying nature, especially a hike to the top of a mountain, makes me feel alive and appreciate the beauty we have all around.  As Phil said, running or biking until breathless makes him feel alive!

Everyone will have their own list on what makes them feel alive.  I enjoyed thinking about it, and I imagine my list will change as I think more about it.  Make your own list.  It's great to be alive and we should all engage in activities that push us.  It's a great feeling.

Try Market For Your Next Special Occasion

11 years ago Market Bistro and Bar opened in Del Mar, right on Via de la Valle, across from the polo fields.  Well, I finally had a chance to eat there last week, thanks to an invitation from our friend Laura.  Laura recently celebrated a big birthday, and her foodie son David, who owns and operates a fine dining restaurant in Florida, gave her a $400 gift certificate to Market for her birthday.  Laura and Richard invited Ron and I to join them for dinner, which we happily did.  We spent every last penny of that $400 gift certificate!  So now that you know how expensive Market is, you are probably wondering, is it worth it?  My answer is YES,YES, YES.  The dinner was the best I've had since I've been in San Diego, and that includes places like Mr. A's, Pamplemousse, and all the great steak houses.  Here's just a sample of what we ate.

Before getting to the food, I must say that Market is a comfortable restaurant.  It is classy, with white table cloths, but not stuffy.  The wait staff is friendly and casual, not stuffy or aloof.  The restaurant has comfortable leather chairs and is dimly lit.  I think they are going for fine dining without the attitude.  They succeeded.

Starters included corn soup, foie gras and torchon with blueberry jam, amberjack tartare and shaved radish salad, blue cheese souffle with Santa Rosa plums, and crispy soft shell crab with peaches (or mango) and a cruncy Thai cabbage slaw.  Our table had the soft shell crab, blue cheese souffle, and foie gras.  The artistry in the kitchen was amazing.  Every plate was perfection.  I had the soft shell crab, finished it quickly, and wanted more.  It was that good.  The entrees included miso marinated black cod with spring onion broth, spring lamb with artichoke ravioli, and grilled beef tenderloin with white cheddar cheese souffle.  OMG, the lamb was delicious  I overate, and paid the price that night.  Neither Ron or I could get to sleep.  Prilosec can only help so much.

I'm not used to eating such large, rich meals, and I won't do that again soon.  Next time I go, I plan to order two appetizers.  I just can't eat the way I used to.  A small taste of each item is what I'd really like.,P>

That reminds me.  Market also offers a tasting menu for $79 per person.  For an extra $45 you can have wine pairings with each course.  Now that would be something!  I highly recommend Market for your next big event, or just a big splurge.  It's well worth it.

First Kate Spade, Now Anthony Bourdain: What's Going On?

Suicide in the U.S. has spiked by 30% since 1999.  Why has this happened and what are we going to do about it?  With the suicides of two high profile, successful people, I asked myself, "What's going on?"  It's not a simple answer.  It's hard to understand how successful adults who seem to "have it all" would find life so bad that they would take their lives.  About 90% of adults who commit suicide have been diagnosed with depression.  Apparently psychologists have not yet found successful ways to deal with depression.  Depression often leads to drug and alcohol abuse, which may ultimately lead to suicide.  Other factors include poor relationships, homelessness or loss of job.  So, what we need to do is raise healthy children and do everything we can diminish the possibility of depression.

According to the World Health Organization, there is a suicide every 40 seconds, somewhere in the world.  Among teens age 15-19 suicide rates are highest.  Much of teen suicide is related to the toxic socialization for teens.  What this means is physical or emotional childhood and adolescent abuse, which makes suicide 12 times more likely.  Violent methods of punishment such as spanking, have got to go.  Shaming a child to teach him a lesson has no place in modern society.  There is no justification for abuse.  Statistics show that children who are beaten, abused or shamed are more likely to be violent adults, poor parents, or suicide risks.  Children need love and nurturing to develop into emotionally stable adults.

Drugs and alcohol seem to be the two leading problems that end in suicide.  Suicide used to be called "the silent killer,"  but that is no longer so.  Celebrities coming out and talking about depression, struggles with drugs and alcohol, or teens revealing bullying and shaming that they have endured, brings this problem out in the open, but solutions are not in sight.  We've got a long way to go.  Let's start with the children, and concentrate on raising emotionally healthy adults.  Keep violence out of child rearing and work on raising kids that love and respect one another, and the world around them.

Renewable Energy CAN Power A Country!

Portugal is leader in many social and cultural issues.  I have written about their decriminalization of drugs in the past.  Now I have learned that they are able to power the entire country (Mainland) with renewable energy.  In the month of March Portugal produced 103.6% of their electrical needs.  55% of this came from hydro power, 42% came from wind.  Fossil fuel was used for the balance.  Those numbers don't add up, but it seems more like 97% of their power was renewable.  Close enough, and better than most of the rest of the world.

The hills around Lisbon that used to be filled with grain silos are now fill with wind turbines.  At the moment renewable energy is still expensive, but statistics say that by 2040 production of renewable energy will guarantee a cost effective way for their total electrical consumption.

There are a few other countries that meet their electrical needs through renewable energy.  Most are small, so it is unfair to compare them to countries like the U.S.  Iceland and Norway meet essentially all their electrical needs, but they take advantage of extraordinary geology which helps immensely.  Denmark, when the weather is windy, can also meet all their electrical needs, and Costa Rica is also producing enough renewal energy to keep the lights on.

Every program, whether it be excellence in education, reducing drug use, or providing energy that is renewable and clean, is easier to do on a small scale.  However, countries like Portual, Norway and Denmark, can provide a template for larger countries.  We need to see what they are doing right, and use their expertise.  At the moment (2016), only 10% of America's energy comes from renewable energy.  Certain states have far exceeded this number, like California, but overall, we have a long way to go.  Let's see what others are doing and follow their lead.

Wait Until Eighth

Many doctors, psychologists, educators and parents are concerned about the use of IPads, computers and smart phones by young children.  At what age is it appropriate for a child to own a smart phone?  How much screen time is acceptable for children, and how much time and access should a child have?  Most people agree that children are spending too much time in front of a screen, too much time on social media, and too much time surfing the net or playing games.  An organization called "Wait Until 8th" has emerged.  Their goal is to educate parents in the proper use of technology, and delay ownership of smart phone until 8th grade (high school).

Thank you David for  sending me this informative article on why Silicon Valley executives are saying no to the smartphone for their children until at least age 14.  Children are often spending anywhere between 3-7 hours daily in front of a screen.  Many childhood essentials are pushed aside for online amusement.

Here are just some of the reasons parents should delay ownership of a smartphone for their children:  Smartphones are addictive.  Smartphones are like slot machines in your children's pocket, constantly persuading them to crave more.  Smartphones are an academic distraction.  Academic habits are established in elementary and middle school years.  Introducing a constant distraction with a smartphone is paving the way for academic mediocrity.  Smartphones impair sleep.  Studies show that the use of smartphones and other portable devices with screens affects the quantity and quality of sleep in children.  Smartphones interfere with relationships.  Children are often inattentive with the constant distraction the phone brings.  Face to face relationships suffer.  Additionally, smartphones put your child at risk for cyber bullying, may increase the risk for anxiety and depression, and expose children to sexual content.  Need I say more?  Weigh the risks and benefits of too much screen time for children and the risks of getting a smartphone before they have developed good academic and social skills.  You'll have a happier, healthier child.

Helpful Household Tips

Here are a few wonderful household tips that I got from the website "Brainy Crafts."  There so simple.  Some I have tried, others I have not.  I leave that to you, so let me know what you like and don't like.

1.  How to clean a clogged sink without calling the plumber:  pour into drain a little bit of baking soda, followed by a little vinegar, and some hot water.  Wait one hour, then run water and see how you've opened your drain.

2.  How to clean the inside of your microwave without scrubbing:  Take 1/2 lemon juice and squeeze into dish.  Put the rind in the dish.  Microwave for 4 minutes, then remove lemon, and wipe clean.

3.  Shine your shoes by using a banana peel.

4.  Polish your chrome hardware with toothpaste, or put toothpaste on a brush and clean shower grout.

5.  To remove smell from hands after handling fish or anything smelly, use lemon juice, then a little toothpaste.  Smell removed.

6.  Polish your car with toothpaste.

7.  Remove stuck on crud from burnt pan:  add dishwasher soap to bottom of pan, add a little hot water, place a paper towel on top of the water and wait one hour.  Burnt stuff should be easily removed.

It's amazing that standard household items like toothpaste, lemon juice, baking soda and vinegar can be used in so many ways.  I hope this is helpful.

Mexican Corn Chowder

Regardless of the season, there's nothing better than a hearty soup.  This recipe for corn chowder is truly comfort food.  Don't count calories, just enjoy.



                                        Mexican Corn Chowder

2T. melted butter
1/2 cup diced onion
2T diced jalepenos, without seeds
2 cloves minced garlic
2T. flour
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock (I prefer chicken)
2 cups corn kernels
salt to taste
chopped cilantro to taste
2T heavy cream
chopped bacon and cacique cheese for topping

Melt butter in pan, then add onion and cook until onions are translucent.  Add diced jalepenos.  These can be omitted if you do not want your soup spicy.  Add garlic, then add flour to thicken the mixture.  Add chicken stock and corn, and cook for 10 minutes.  Finish by adding salt, cilantro and heavy cream at the end.  To serve, ladle into bowls and top with crumbled bacon, crumbled cacique cheese (or other cheese of your choice), and slices of jalapeno, if desired.  The is a rich, hearty soup, great for a lunch time meal with some crusty bread and a green salad, or as a starter for dinner, with a light meal to follow,  If you do not like spicy soup, moderate the amount of diced jalapenos, but do add a little.  They add so much flavor.  I hope you enjoy.  Oh, I don't usually measure when I cook dishes like this, so use your own judgement.  You may need extra flour to thicken, and possibly a little less corn in the chowder.  Modify to your liking and enjoy.