I've Got Shingles

A few days before I was going to Boulder to visit my kids and grandkids, an ugly red rash appeared on my left shoulder.  It didn't hurt right way but I had a feeling from start it was Shingles.  By the time I got to the dermatologist on Tuesday morning, the rash had spread, lots of blisters had formed, and pain and itching was constant.  The doctor confirmed my suspicions.  I had shingles.

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox.  Anyone who has had chicken pox can develop shingles.  The virus remains dormant in certain nerve cells of the body until reactivates.  About 20% of those who have had chicken pox will get shingles, usually only once.  Shingles might be caused by a temporary weakness in immunity caused by lack of sleep or stress.  I have no idea why shingles decided to rear it's ugly head in me right now.  I had the shingles shot last year, but all that does is give me a lighter case. 

 The symptoms ofshingles can last for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This means the burning, itching, tingling, or extreme sensitivity could be around for quite a while.  Headaches, fever and electrical shocks can hang around far too long.  Luckily I started medication quickly, so my symptoms shouldn't be too bad.

Anyway, due to the contagious nature of shingles for youngsters that have not yet been vaccinated for chicken pox (my granddaughter is only 5 months old) I had to cancel my trip.  Everyone was disappointed, but in a few weeks time  I'll reschedule.  What's the point of visiting grandchildren and not being able to hug and kiss them because of possible infection?  I'd rather be safe than sorry.  Anyway, I missed the 100 degree temperatures and the destructive fires that have been burning this week.  I'll go to Boulder when I'm better, the temperature is better, and the air quality is back to normal. 

Don't think that just because you had the shingles shot you are home free.  You're not.  I t just means that if you're unlucky enough to get shingles, you'll have a milder case. 

Does Acupuncture Really Work?

Acupuncture is an alternative medicine methodology, originating in China, that treats the patient by the manipulation of thin needles that are inserted into pressure points in the skin.  Stimulating these  points can correct imbalances in the flow of qi (energy) through channels, called meridians. 

After suffering for 5 years with knee and leg pain, visiting 4 orthopaedic surgeons both in San Diego and Los Angeles, and having 2 arthroscopic surgeries on my knee, I am no better.  I've had physical therapy, deep massage, cortisone injections and another series of injections that involve a rooster.  I've also tried homeopathic remedies and magnets.  The only improvement has been deep massage and a jacuzzi jet sprayed directly on my knee, and the relief is only temporary.  So, I decided to turn to an alternative. 

Many years ago I saw a documentary on TV that blew my mind.  Doctors in China were performing open heart surgery on a man using acupuncture as the only anesthesia.  Unless this film was altered, the results were amazing.  The patient was conscious and talking to the doctors throughout the operation, and he felt no pain.  I figured if acupuncture could do this, it was certainly worth a try. 

I started my treatments about 3 weeks ago.  I think I feel better.  Is it real or just that I want it to work so badly that I think I feel better?  I can tell you one thing.   Immediately after the acupuncture treatment the swelling below my knee is gone.  Unfortunately so far, it doesn't last.  I plan to continue with about 4 more treatments,  to give it a fair shot.  I do believe there is some improvement, but as I say, it doesn't last.

Acupuncture is thousands of years old.  It was possibly discovered during some war, when men wounded in battle by arrows were believed to have been cure of chronic afflictions that were otherwise untreated.  Sharpened stones found in China indicate that acupunture may have been practiced as early as the Stone Age.  Improvement in metals led to replacement of stone and bone needles with metal.  Acupuncture spread from China to Korea, then on to Japan and the rest of the world. 

Studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture are inconclusive.  It is difficult to evaluate.  Most doctors practicing Western medicine do not endorse it.  That, however, may be because of ignorance.  Few have studied acupuncture or seen it in action.  I do know that it is not yet covered on most health insurance plans, however the IRS (starting in 1973) allows expenses for acupuncture to be taken as a medical deduction. 

My philosophy about health issues is this.  Try the traditional Western approaches that work so well for so many.  If that doesn't work, then investigate alternative treatments.  I have discovered that all ailments are not curable.  There are many disease and conditions that we know next to nothing about.  My particular condition may be just that, and if it is, I'll just do the best and live with it, knowing that I have tried everything available.  I will leave no stone unturned. (after several weeks of treatment I am no better.  I feel better immediately after treatment but it just doesn't last)

Good Mexican Food=Miguel's

Many months ago Marie Callender's in Carlsbad closed.  Ron and I we unhappy because when they had they special pie sale, we were first in line for either lemon meringue, cherry , or key lime pie.  "Oh well, another one bites the dust," I said.  Six months later  we have a wonderful new restaurant in Carlsbad.  It's Miguel's, part of the Brigantine family of restaurants.  It's beautiful, contemporary, casual and delicious. 

Every new restaurant, if it's any good, is busy in the beginning.  Miguel's has been open for several months now, and they're still packed all the time.  We tried them on a Friday night.  There was a 45 minute wait, so we opted for open seating in the bar area.  We had a nice table in the corner where we could watch all the action,  and we didn't have to wait.

They have a wonderful regular menu, but since we were there during Happy Hour (3-6:30 M-F), we chose items from the Happy Hour menu.  There was lots to choose from.  We ordered way too much.  We started with drinks.  A sangria for Ron and a blended margheritta for me.  I couldn't taste much alcohol in my drink, but it was good anyway.  We were soon brought a basket of warm chips with two different salsas.  One was the traditional red salsa.  The other was a thin cheese sauce spiced with jalepenos.  Yum.  For dinner we had the following, and again I must say we ordered way too much.  A chicken quesedilla was huge, loaded with chicken and cheese.  I took two slices home.  Next we had 2 tamales, one stuffed with cheese, the other filled with shredded pork.  I also ordered queso fundido, which is a skillet filled with melted cheese, with a side of warm tortillas.  Spread the gooey, melted cheese on the tortilla for a little bit of heaven.  Finally, we ordered a fish taco.  It's the same taco that is served at The Brigantine and is one of the best in town.  I was so full I couldn't eat the taco, so that came home too.  The entire meal was $34, with two drinks and all that food.  We should have ordered at least one less item. 

Miguel's is a winner.  Good service, excellent food, and a comfortable restaurant make for a winning combination.  They do take reservations for large parties, but if you're just 2 or 4, try sitting in the bar.  It's extremely comfortable.  Also, go during the week if possible.  It's much less crowded and you'll get the same great food.  I know we'll be there soon again.

Capsaicin and Weight Loss

Scientists are always seeking the next big discovery in weight loss.  Chile peppers have an active compound called capsaicin, which may have multiple benefits for weight loss and hypothermia.  Below is a segment of an article from a health magazine describing what has been discovered thus far.

How Chile Peppers Benefit Weight Loss

New research has shown evidence that the "burn" in peppers when you eat them actually contributes to weight loss. The funny thing is, we normally aren't too keen on ingesting a lot of capsaicin with the intention of contributing to our weight management. It burns our mouth, in essence, if we ingest too much of it. You can understand why a non-burning version of capsaicin called dihydrocapsiate (DCT), which could very well have the same benefits of peppers but without the burn, has been well received. A study at the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition monitored the weight loss potential of DCT in 34 men and women willing to consume a very low-calorie liquid meal replacement product for 28 days. Directed by the professor of Medicine and Public Health, David Heber, researchers then randomly provided several subjects with empty placebo pills or DCT supplements containing two dosage levels. At the beginning and end of the study, an assessment of body weight and fat had been recorded for data determining energy expenditure (heat production) in each subject after consuming one serving of the test meal. The resulting data staggered the Experimental Biology 2010 Meeting in Anaheim, California, where the researchers presented their information. Indisputable data showed energy expenditure almost doubled in those participants consuming DCT versus those supplied with placebo pills. The resulting theory stands pretty firm: by increasing food-induced heat production, peppers can actually help with weight loss. This was the first study done to examine the benefits of DCT. Bottom line? Peppers may have that kick, but that kick will help move you down the path to a healthy weight.

How Chile Peppers Fight Fat

Appearing in ACS' monthly Journal of Proteome Research, a study documented by Jong Won Yun and colleagues observed the effects of capsaicin in lab rats. They found empirical evidence of an 8% weight loss in capsaicin-treated rats, as well as an apparent presence of at least 20 altered key proteins normally found in fat. The final theory is this: capsaicin actually alters certain proteins in fat to reduce their size, thereby contributing directly to weight loss. Scientists are virtually calling capsaicin the 'anti-obesity compound'. Similar results were found in a study conducted by Gow-Chin Yen and Chin-Lin Hsu and reported in the March 21 issue of the ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. More elaboration on how capsaicin works to reduce fat cells explained the process of apoptosis, a mechanism in which cells self-destruct due to capsaicin's biochemical signal. Effectively, fat cells stop growing because of peppers!

Researchers are now working on medication to turn this compound into something more easily ingested than a hot pepper.  In fact, they say that capsaicin may someday replace gastric bypass for weight loss.  Wouldn't that be nice?

Mother always told you to eat your vegetables, but I don't think she was talking about chile peppers.  Now add them to the list of vegetables that may help control weight and fat cell production.  How much do you need to take to make a difference?  I have no idea, but I'm sure researchers are working on that right now, and as soon as I see any printed information, I will let you know.

The Graduate

Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman, move over.  Pepper is the new "Graduate."  Yes, he made it through the 6 weeks of sit, stay, down, wait, and shake hands.  He's ready to move on to intermediate class, where he will learn heel, park it (go to your blanket), and get better at all the commands.

Pepper's got a lot of learning yet to do, but he's very smart, tries hard to please, and I'm convinced he'll be the first of my dogs in many years that is well trained.  Even though he's small, it is such a pleasure when they're well behaved.  My biggest challenge is getting him to stop lunging and pulling every time he sees another dog when we're out on a walk.  And if he gets out of the house and sees a dog across the street, whoosh, he's gone in a flash and hopefully no cars are coming because he does not stop and look both ways. 

Last week Pepper got out of the house.  The gardeners were in front of our house working, their truck, a big Ford F-250 was there, and the window was down.  What did Pepper do?  He took a big leap and landed in the drivers seat.  What a little clown he is. 

Anyway, thought you'd enjoy a picture taken at graduation from PetSmart training.  I love our trainer Leslie.  She's at the Leucadia store and teaches several classes.  I'll keep you posted on how the next phase of training goes.  Go Pepper!

More Great Savings For Seniors

Thank you, Linda, for this fabulous list of senior discounts.  Except for Ross, I don't know any place that asks you if you qualify for a senior discount.  I have not checked out this list, but I plan to try some very soon.  I never heard about Subway, but I intend to find out. We'll take any discount we can.  I just checked with the corporate office of Subway and was told that discounts are available on a store by store basis.  It's up to each individual franchise to decide if they want to offer a discount or not.  Many Subway's do offer a senior discount.  I think the best thing to do is to sign up for e-mail alerts from places you frequent.  Some discounts are last minute or short lived.  For example, today Southwest had a 30% off sale on future flights.  I quickly took advantage of this and bought a $244 ticket for $174.  That's a nice savings, but the sale was only for one day.  It's hard to keep up on all this, but think about signing up for e-mail alerts on your favorites. 

Anyone else who has senior discounts that aren't mentioned here, please let me know. 


YOUmustASKfor your discount!

RESTAURANTS:Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off (55+)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
Chili's: 10% off (55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off (55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations (55+)
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday (55+) thought they used to give it free to seniors!!!! Guess too many hang out there in the a.m. :)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+) Did not know this - here in Cook County - that's the tax!

Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off (55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off (55+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)
RETAIL & APPAREL:Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
Big Lots: 10% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks: 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 20% off (50+)Kohl's: 15% off (60+)Modell's Sporting Goods: 10% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)
GROCERY:Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 5% off (62+)
TRAVEL:Airlines:Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Rail:Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Bus:Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+
Car Rental:Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP membersAvis: up to 25% off for AARP members Best Western: 10% off (55+)
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
Over Night Accommodations:Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT:
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 30% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
SeaWorld Orlando, FL: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
CELLPHONEDISCOUNTS:
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).
MISCELLANEOUS:
Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)
Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

NOW, go out there and claim your discounts - - - and remember --- YOU must ASK for your discount --- no ask, no discount.

Not Your Mother's Bath Salts

When I hear someone talk about "bath salts", I think about relaxation, warm water, soothing and quiet moments.  Think again.  When you hear people talk about "bath salts" today, they are more likely talking about the newest designer drug, that can alter your mind in unimaginable ways and cause you to do things you won't even remember.  The drug has many names, like Cloud Nine and Ivory Wave.  Sounds inviting, doesn't it?

I was watching a program recently where they were talking about the rise in the use of heroin by young adults 18-25.  The price is cheap, access is easy, and quick as can be, they're hooked.  They also talked about bath salts, and their rise in popularity, for a number of reasons, but one big draw of the drug is that there is no test to detect their use.  Because they are a fairly new drug, they are difficult to detect.  Drug users who need to take frequent drug tests are turning to bath salts, because up to now, their use cannot be detected. 

The results of the use of bath salts can be deadly, both for the user and others.  There have been several recent cases in the news about users of this drug who became violent and cannibalistic.  A few cases are known where the drug user bit off part of the face and other body parts of people they attacked.  They had no memory of doing this, which makes it even scarier.  The drug is easily accessible by anyone over 18, no questions asked.  Dr. Drew says the chemical makeup of the drug is changed frequently, so users don't know from one time to another what they're really taking.  Below is an exerpt from www.webmd. that explains what the drug is and its consequences.

No, these are not the bath salts I buy when I feel tired and achey and just want to relax.  We have a new use for something old, and very therapeutic.  The new use is quite the opposite.

First of all, what are bath salts?

"The presumption is that most bath salts are MDPV, or methylenedioxypyrovalerone, although newer pyrovalerone derivatives are being made by illegal street chemists. Nobody really knows, because there is no way to test for these substances," Horowitz says.

Why are they called bath salts?

"It’s confusing. Is this what we put in our bathtubs, like Epsom salts? No. But by marketing them as bath salts and labeling them 'not for human consumption,' they have been able to avoid them being specifically enumerated as illegal," Horowitz says.

What do you experience when you take bath salts?

"Agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, chest pain, suicidality. It’s a very scary stimulant that is out there. We get high blood pressure and increased pulse, but there’s something more, something different that’s causing these other extreme effects. But right now, there’s no test to pick up this drug. The only way we know if someone has taken them is if they tell you they have.
The clinical presentation is similar to mephedrone [a chemical found in other designer drugs], with agitation, psychosis, and stimulatory effects. Both of these agents should be of concern, as severe agitated behavior, like an amphetamine overdose, has occurred.
A second concern is the ongoing suicidality in these patients, even after the stimulatory effects of the drugs have worn off. At least for MDPV, there have been a few highly publicized suicides a few days after their use," Horowitz says.

Are bath salts illegal?

"You can find them in mini-marts and smoke shops sold as Ivory Wave, Bolivian Bath, and other names," Horowitz says. "The people who make these things have skirted the laws that make these types of things illegal. While several states have banned the sale of bath salts, ultimately it will have to be a federal law that labels these as a schedule 1 drug, which means it has no medicinal value but a high potential for abuse, and declare them illegal."

 

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Regrowing Celery

I haven't written any gardening articles in quite a while, but this caught my eye, I tried it, and it worked.  So, I'm sharing it with all of you who like to experiment a little.  Celery is one of those vegetables where all we eat are the stalks, discard the small stalks and stem.  Well, you can regrow celery in the following way.  Try it, it's kind of fun, and if you have children or grandchildren around, they will love to watch what happens in just a few weeks.

Take a bunch of celery, cut off the bottom, about 3 inches.  This is what you will use to regrow a new plant.  Take the piece that you cut off, and put it in a dish with water.  Place in a sunny place, like a window ledge, indoors.  If you don't have a sunny place, take a plastic container and invert it to make a "hot house."  In a few weeks you will have something that looks like the picture above.  Be sure to water it frequently.  It needs to be kept pretty moist.  When you have good growth on the new plant, transplant it in your yard.  Celery does not like extreme heat, so watch it. 

As the celery grows, you have two options.  Either let it grow to maturity, pull out the plant, and regrow the base of it again.  Or, you can just pick off celery stalks as you need them (the outside first), and allow the rest of the plant to continue to grow. 

I had a very large vegetable garden when I lived in LA,  but I never grew celery.  First, I don't like it all that much, and second, it seemed like a lot of work for a stalk of celery.  Regrowing it from an existing plant is just fun.  If you feel like trying something new, this is for you.  No fuss, no mess, and if it doesn't work well, oh well. 

800 Degrees Is Hot, Hot, Hot

In Los Angeles, things are always changing.  I grew up in Westwood, and have seen huge changes in the past 50 years.  It's a university town for sure, but it is surrounded by a traditional neighborhood of families.  Stores and restaurants go in an out.  The latest hot spot is 800 Degrees, a neapolitan pizzeria, with a twist.  The restaurant took over a theatre which had closed on Lindbrook Drive, and is already looking to expand.  I was there on a Saturday at 11am when it opened, and here's what I found.

The concept of the restaurant is that you get to watch your pizza being made, and it is made to your specifications, with the toppings you want.  It is very reasonably priced, and very good.  Would I say it's the greatest pizza I ever had?  Not at all, but it was good, thin, crisp, and all ingredients were delicious.  They use fresh mozzarella rather than the traditional shredded mozzarella, and I like that.  Pizzas start at $5.15 for the simplest one, and can go up to maybe $12, depending on how many toppings you add.  The pizzas are not the typical 8" individual pizza, but 12" pizzas for a modest price.  They're big, but everyone seemed to be ordering their own rather than splitting, and most people seemed to eat the whole thing.

Other menu items include Small bites, most around $6.  Meatballs, antipasti and truffle cheese bread ($11) were on the menu.  Several options for burrata were also on the menu, and my mom and I split the burrata with beets, balsamic, and arugula for $5.  Just delicious.  Several $5 salads are also on the menu, and you can finish your meal with gelato for $3 a scoop. 

We arrived when the restaurant opened, and from arrival to delivery of the meal was almost a half hour.  I thought that was rather a long wait, considering that the pizza only takes 3 minutes to cook.  But everyone seemed to love it.  Just go with someone you want to stand and talk to for 20 minutes.  Older people can order and sit down, and their name will be called. 

I liked the place, but can't say I loved it.  I would definitely go back, as everything was really fresh, and the toppings for the pizza were things I really like, like carmelized onions, eggplant, oven roasted mushrooms, in addition to traditional pepperoni, meatballs, etc.  No word of them coming to San Diego anytime soon, but they are expanding in Westwood, and I hear they have plans for Hollywood and the Valley.

Gifts For Those Who Have Everything

I always struggle with what to get for the person who has everything.  I know the feeling of not wanting any more stuff.  I just went through a major giveaway, and the last thing I want to do is start accumulating.  So along comes Mother's Day, and since I have such a great mom, I wanted to remember her and honor her in a special way, but she too, is decreasing her belongings, so buying her something was out of the question.  Here's what I did. 

I made arrangements to spend the day with her.  Not on Mother's Day, but the day before.  She was busy on Mother's Day, taking a very interesting class on "banned books", and she didn't want to miss it and I didn't want her to.  We've gotten used to celebrating many occasions on days other than the actual day.  After all, it's all about getting together.  Anyway, I went to LA on Saturday, and we spent the day together.    Mom and I went her physical therapy studio, where they were giving complimentary classes in Feldenkrais method of movement.  It was the week of Moshe Feldenkrais' birthday (1904-1984), and all the physical therapy studios were having free classes in his method of somatic movement, to introduce his techniques to the public.  Feldenkrais was born in a town which is now in the Ukraine, but left home early to travel to Paris and England, where he studied engineering and judo and self defense.  He became more and more interested in the mind-body awareness, and began to develop his own unique method of healing.    We took the  shoulders class and felt stress free and great afterwards. 

Next, we went to to 800 degrees, the hot new pizza place in Westwood, which I will talk further about at another time.  All in all we had a great day, just the two of us. 

Back to the gift.  I wanted to bring my mom something, so here's what I brought.  I had recently discovered Magic Beads, tiny beads, available in many colors, that when soaked in water for 6-8 hours, become round like marbles, and can be used for many different things.  My mom always has flowers in the house, and magic water beads are perfect for using in vases.  You can layer them, or just use one color.  Either way, they're very attractive, and can be used again and agin.  I just bought some more for myself, as they have other uses.  Mom loved the gift and our day together, and I didn't add any more clutter to her house .  I think spending time together is just about the best gift anyone can give or receive.

Chemtrails Conspiracy Theory

Someone recently asked me if I knew about chemtrails. I must say I had never heard of chemtrails, and now that I know about them, I'll probably never hear or think about them again. Someone I know had flu like symptoms, and was convinced it was from chemtrails. These are the lines of exhaust that come from aircraft, that the conspiracy theorists believe will make you sick, influence the weather and control population. They think the government is spraying something down on the earth to make people sick. If this was even remotely true, why would a few people get sick and most not? It's not just a U.S. conspiracy theory either. Theorists believe it takes place in the U.K. and Canada too. There is a perfectly good explanation for the trails left behind by planes, and it has to do with condensation. Yes, there was a time, and they may still do it, when farmers and maybe the government, were spewing down seeds to help form clouds to help produce rain. I don't know if this still exists, but most people knew about this and understood why it was done. Scientists have confirmed that chemtrails is just an urban myth. An X in the sky caused by "vapor" is supposed to be the indicator that chemicals are being dumped on us. It's hard to believe when such a small percentage of the population is sick, and if they were going to go to all the trouble to hurt the population, why wouldn't they use something that really made people sick? And what would be the objective of all this anyway? I for one am a non believer in the chemtrails conspiracy theory. Yes, I think our government is capable of all kinds of secrets and activities that we know nothing about, but chemtrails is not one of them. Show me some proof and I may rethink my position on chemtrails.

Turning Leftovers Into A Gourmet Meal

Ron and I have a lot of leftovers, just like just about everyone else. Over 27% of food we buy is thrown out. So, if you were actually able to use all the food you bought, your food bill would be 27%less. Part of the reason for so much thrown out food is that we go out to eat, and invariably bring home more food.

  Recently Ron and I went to Crust for dinner. We have different tastes in pizza, so we each ordered an individual pizza and each brought home 1/4 of the pizza. So, the next night I wanted to use up the pizza without making dinner seem like another night of leftovers. Here's what I did. First I made a delicious caesar like dressing (but without the cheese). This dressing is for those that love salty things, like anchovies.

  I combined 1/4 cup mayonnaise, a few splashes of Worcestshire Sauce, a few splashes of lemon juice, and about 4 anchovies. I blended well, then thinned the dressing with a little milk. Adjust the anchovies to your taste. I poured this over crisp romaine. Next, I made some homemade croutons. There's no comparison to the ones you make at home in just a few minutes, and the ones you buy at the store.

  Take a few slices of bread, white works well, but brioche or sourdough will do just fine. Cut off the crust, and cut bread in cubes. In a pan, brown a little garlic with about 2T. olive oil, then add the bread cubes, a little salt, and cook until light brown. This will take just a few minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, cool, and sprinkle on top of the salad. In minutes you have a truly gourmet salad.

    For the rest of the dinner I just reheated the pizza (one slice each), took some frozen raviolis (from Costco) and boiled them up and added a little leftover marinara sauce from earlier in the week. What a great dinner, in no time flat, and it didn't feel like leftovers. I can't wait to make the salad again. Ron and I both loved it, but you've got to experiment with the amount of anchovies. I don't know what percent of food I throw out, but it's more than it should be. Meals like this will help me use up leftovers, rather than throwing them out.

The Dangers Of Sugar

I've written before about the dangers of corn syrup, and how, because of its low cost, it is found as a sweetner in thousands of supermarket products. Along comes 60 Minutes and does a story on the dangers of sugar, and after viewing it I will definitely become more conscious of the sugar content in the items I eat. The bottom line of the 60 Minutes story is that sugar is toxic. That sounds like an exaggeration. How can sugar kill you? Slowly, is the answer. It will lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, just to mention the top killers of Americans. It's also addictive. Try to cut sugar out of your diet completely and you will likely experience headaches, flu like symptoms and night sweats. If you do kick the habit you will also find that the desire for alcohol decreases because alcohol is full of sugar!

Sugar makes you fat, which will cause you to develop high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, any of which can kill you. So why do we continue to eat it? It tastes good, and since none of these diseases develop overnight, most people feel they can control their sugar intake and thus their possibility of developing one of these diseases. Statistics show otherwise. All these diseases are increasing, with diabetes topping the list. Younger and younger people are developing the disease, and many Type 2 diabetics are diagnosed as early as 12 years old. In 20 years half our population will have diabetes. And we'll all be paying for it, one way or another.

The culprit is soda, fast food, snacks like crackers, cookies and cakes, and juice. Yes, juice is usually loaded with additional sugar. You must become a label reader, and even if you read labels you may not be aware of all the hidden sugar in packaged products. Try to find a cereal or cracker without sugar. They're out there, but hard to find.

Most of us know that the healthiest diet is a natural diet. Ron and I knew Nathan Pritikin many years ago, and learned through his program how to eat to stay healthy. Of course his program was difficult to follow, but you can't argue with the results. 80% of those on high blood pressure medication that came to his in patient program were off their medication in 6 weeks. Type 2 diabetics reduced their insulin intake dramatically. And heart patients were also much improved. Years ago, before the advent of McDonald's, sodas and packaged snack food, Type 2 diabetes was a rareity. High blood pressure was out there, but the percentage of those who had it was so much less.

Am I giving up sugar? No, I'm not even going to try. But I am going to pay close attention to labels, especially on cereal, breads and crackers. I know there are many options out there and I will try to find products with little or no sugar. To quote my mother, "Everything in moderation." I guess I'll have to give up my Easter Peeps. Darn, one of my favorite things to eat.

A Day At The Gardens

About an hour north of San Diego is Corona del Mar, and there you will find a hidden gem, Sherman Gardens.  To celebrate a big birthday of my friend Jan, a few of us went north for the day.  We always have such a great time together.  Getting there is half the fun.  When we finally arrived, it was just about lunch time, so we spent the few minutes we had checking out the gift shop.  Beautiful scarves, handmade jackets, gardening books, and many beautiful gift items.  We lunched outside in the garden, with ducks and flowers all around.  It was perfect.  The food at the cafe is worth the trip.  They have a fixe prix lunch for $20 or $25, depending on whether you get the 2 or 3 course meal.

I had the most well prepared quiche lorraine I've had in years.  The custard was perfectly cooked, not overcooked and hard.  The quinoa salad with greens that accompanied the quiche was good too.  I started with a warm goat cheese salad and greeens in a vinegrette dressing.  Kind of a cheesy day, but delicious.  The crab cake on a bed of risotto was the most popular item on the menu.  Everyone raved about it.  Debbie ordered the meat loaf, a hearty slice of dense meatloaf with gravy, potatoes and veggies.  We also had a delicious beet salad and tomato soup as starters.  We ordered 2 desserts for the table:  an insanely lemony tart with a shortbread crust, and a flourless chocolate cake.  Both got rave reviews. 

After lunch we spent some time in the small, but exquisite gardens.  One section is devoted to succulents.  This was our favorite.  Artistically displayed succulents of many varieties, in pots, in beds, coming out of shells, you name it .  Beautiful.

Our next stop was Rogers Garden in Newport Beach.  The place was hopping on a Friday afternoon.  It is such a treat to wander around the nursery.  They have so many plants to choose from it's really overwhelming.  Candy for your eye.

A fabulous day was had by all, and we'll definitely be back to both gardens soon again.  A day out with the girls, fine food and beautiful gardens, now what could be better?  Nothing!  Happy Birthday, Jan.  (I won't say what number you're celebrating, but it's a biggg number)

Great Appetizer: Cheese Balls With Apple

I recently attended a wine tasting at the home of Carol and Rand. I was asked to bring an appetizer. The hosts were providing all the wine and other beverages, and the guests all brought appetizers. What a wonderful array of both food and wine we all enjoyed. Street tacos, home made hummus with special Turkish bread from a bakery downtown, artichoke and parmesean cheese dip, shrimp and cocktail sauce, salad, roasted veggies, and cheese balls with apple. I saw a similar recipe on a new favorite website of mine, pinterest.com. I have adapted it a bit and came up with this. Everyone seemed to like it. They were all gone quickly, and they look so pretty. I used toothpicks to hold the cheese and apple together, but you could also use popsicle sticks, available at Michaels or JoAnnes.

                                 Goat Cheese Balls With Apple

  4 ounces goat cheese 6 ounces cream cheese (block, not whipped) 2 tsp thyme Blend ingredients in food processor until completely mixed, then refrigerate while you prepare the next step. 4 slices of bacon, cook crisp 1/4 cup pecans salt and pepper to taste Blend ingredients in a food processor until mixture is very fine, almost like sand. It will get a little wet, which is fine. Put it in a flat bowl. Roll the cheese into balls, about 1 inch in diameter. The mixture should make about 20 balls. Then roll each ball in bacon-pecan mixture, pressing the mixture into the ball to make sure it sticks. I refrigerated them overnight at this point, but that is not necessary. Core an apple, and make thin slices. Dip the slices in lemon to prevent them from browning. I cut each slice in half and put a cheese ball on top, then held them together with a toothpick. You can make the balls with or without the apple, but everyone agreed that the apple added some nice crunch and sweetness. Enjoy.

Do You Like Chai Latte?

My daughter in law Deborah, introduced me to chai latte when I was in Boulder a few months ago. I knew what it was, but had never tasted it until I bought it at Whole Foods in Boulder. I couldn't believe that the 32 ounce concentrate that they sold was more than $8. Yes, it makes a lot of drinks, but that's pretty expensive. I recently found a brand at Trader Joe's called Oregon Chai. It's half the price, and very good. To go one step further, you can make your own blend of chai tea. It's nothing more than a blend of herbs, spices and tea. I found a recipe which I modified a bit to get it just the way I like it, and below is the result. You can make this blend for about $1.50, from which you will get 8 servings.
                                          Homemade Chai Tea Concentrate

    I used a 1 1/2 quart crock pot for this Ingredients: 4 1 1/2 inch slices fresh peeled ginger, use vegetable peeler for the slices. 2 2 inch cinnamon sticks 8 whole cloves (I get mine in bulk bins) 15-20 green cardamon pods or 2 heaping demitasse spoons powdered cardamon 2 6 inch vanilla beans, cut into 1 inch pieces OR 2 cap fulls non alcohol vanilla extract 1/4 tsp fresh nutmeg (dried if fresh is not available) 3 T. sugar, or equivalent amount of agave 1/2 cup honey 4 cups water 6 black tea bags, decafe if you prefer Put all ingredients except the tea bags into the crock pot. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7-8 hours. Add tea bags. Let steep for 5-10 minutes. Remove tea bags and press with spoon to get all water out. Strain contents of the crock pot, then place in 1 quart beverage container. Add water to make 1 quart. Now you have your chai tea concentrate ready for use. I have not tried this yet, but if you want to reduce the calories, you might cut the honey in half, and use a little artifical sweetner. Just a thought. The great thing about this recipe is that you can make it once, then tweak it to your personal taste, a little more cinnamon or a bit more ginger, your choice. I hope you enjoy this money saving recipe. I prefer it hot, but it's great cold too. Enjoy.