America Is A Melting Pot

We've always heard America called a melting pot.  Since it's beginning, we've been a nation of immigrants, and in the beginning, our founding fathers were searching for religious freedom.  I find it ironic that all these years later, there are Americans that want to prohibit immigrants seeking religious and political refuge, entrance into our great country.  Most immigrants are seeking a better life for themselves and their family.  Most are not rapists, thieves or terrorists.  Most end up paying taxes and contributing to American society.

Racial or religious profiling is wrong.  I remember when I went off to Berkeley in 1963, I had a roommate who had never met a Jew before.  She was skeptical of me in the beginning, as she had been taught so many stereotypes.  We became fast friends, and all the barriers came down.  She couldn't believe how she had been misled by her family and community for so many years.  The same is true when you get to know any person of another race, religion or culture.  Usually they don't fit the stereotype.  Today, it's the Muslims that many are questioning.  Muslims have been living in our country for a long time, now all of a sudden we want them out because of terrorism?  Of course we have to keep terrorists out, but that doesn't mean that Muslims that have been here for decades should be sent home.  That's ridiculous.

There are good people and bad people in every religion, culture and country.  The Oklahoma bombers were white Americans.  Go to rural Idaho and you will find many hate groups flourishing.  They are usually against anyone that isn't American, white and Christian.  But this is NOT America.  We are a nation of immigrants from all over the world.  That is part of what makes us great, the fact that anyone, from anywhere, has an opportunity here.  Let's work on strengthening requirements for immigration, and not just keeping someone out because of their ethnicity.

Did You Get YOur Driver's License At 16?

I remember the day I turned 15 1/2.  I was down at the DMV as soon after school as my mom could get me there.  I couldn't wait to get my learner's permit.  My parents were great at allowing me to practice driving during the time I had my learner's permit.  By the time my 16th birthday came around, I was a pretty good driver, and ready to go get my permanent license.  My mom had promised me she would take me to the DMV after school on the day of my birthday.  She did, and I passed the test with flying colors.  I was now free to drive one of my parents' cars whenever they were available.

Fast forward 55 years, and take a look at a typical 16 year old today.  Many teens are not so excited about getting their license.  In fact, only about 75% of young adults between the ages of 20-24 have a drivers license, compared to 91% of that age group driving 30 years ago.  Why aren't teens so excited about driving?  I know for me it was a really big deal.  The license, and of course terrific parents who let me use the car whenever I wanted, meant freedom.  I could turn up the music and cruise Hollywood Blvd. or go to Truman's drive in after school for french fries and a coke.

What is it about society today that makes driving less important for teens?  I think much of it has to do with mobile phones and texting.  From a very early age, kids have the ability to stay connected with friends through phone and text.  They are essentially free, because parents are not listening to their conversations (for the most part), and this makes kids feel independent.  Maybe parents should know what their kids are texting.  Perhaps this is how many of them get into trouble, but that's a topic for another time.  When kids do turn 16, they have services like Lyft and Uber to take them where they want to go, for very little money.  Back in our day, we had to work all summer to pay for insurance and gas money.  Also, kids like to drink, and the fact that they are taking Uber instead of driving while drunk, is a very good thing.  Statistically there are less cases of drinking and driving among teens since Uber and Lyft came along.

My kids were still in the generation where they couldn't wait to drive.  They all got their licenses on their 16th birthday.  But my niece, just 8 years younger than my youngest child, didn't get her license for several years after her 16th birthday.  She just wasn't that interested in driving.  My thought is that through phone and text, most kids already have a life separate from their parents, and feel very independent.  They no longer need the car to get that feeling.  Any thoughts on the subject?

Edible Utensils Are Good For The Planet

Narayana Peesapaty of Hyderabad, India, recently developed edible utensils.  His company, Bakeys, uses millet, rice and wheat flours to make chopsticks, forks, knives and spoons, to replace the plastic variety that are used in billions of take out orders worldwide.  The utensils come in three flavors, plain, sweet and spicy.  They are not intended to replace metal cutlery, but are meant to be used for take out food.  Imagine how many plastic utensils are thrown away every year, just to sit in a landfill for the rest of time because they do not decompose.  The edible utensil is waste and chemical free.

Current plastic utensils contain polystyrene, or #6 plastic, which can leach a chemical called styrene.  Exposure to styrene can lead to eye irritation, headaches, fatigue and depression.  Most importantly, most companies do not recycle #6 plastic because it is not cost effective.  The edible utensils are great for the environment.  There is no recycling necessary.  Even if the consumer doesn't want to eat the utensil, it is biodegradable, and will not hurt the environment.  Congratulations to Mr. Peesapaty for developing a product that will help our planet.  I believe edible utensils will be seen everywhere in the U.S. in the not too distant future.  Cost is probably an issue right now, but over time, the cost of these utensils will decrease and they will become the new norm.  To keep up with food trends, I would expect to see gluten free edible utensils in the very near future.

"Always Ready:" The U.S. Coast Guard

A group of Newcomers were lucky enough to tour the U.S. Coast Guard facility in San Diego.  Thank you Tema for arranging such an informative tour.  About 20 Newcomers met at the Coast Guard Headquarters in San Diego, right near the airport.  We began our tour in the Ward Room with a power point presentation.

The Coast Guard is the world's most respected and reliable search and rescue organization.  Their duties are multifaceted.  They protect Americans on the sea,  protect us against threats delivered by sea, and they protect the sea itself.  Some of the activities they are engaged in include protecting American ships from pirates, stop ships delivering illegal drugs or immigrants, rescue recreational boaters as well as cruise ships and airplane crashes, and work to protect the sea and its inhabitants.  The Posse Comitatus Act was passed years ago which allows the Coast Guard to be the cops on the high seas.

During war, the Coast Guard changes uniforms and becomes part of the Navy.  They are managed by Homeland Security.  The Coast Guard is the smallest of all armed forces.  There are only 49,300 members, about the number of members of the New York City Police Department.  There is also an Axuillary Coast Guard, which consists of volunteer who work aside the Coast Guard.

We saw a Coast Guard helicopter up close.  They are huge, although they only seat about four people, with room for at least one stretcher.  They're used to rescue people from accidents in the water.  They are in the air 20-30 minutes after their call to action.  They have a 250 mile range, and can fly for six hours.

Because of money, it is difficult to recruit good men and women to the Coast Guard.  They have their own academy just as the other branches of service do, but they are not given as much in government funds as the other branches of services.  In fact, they receive 60% less money per person than the Navy.  It's a shame, because after our tour today, I realize how important they are to protecting our coast line and protecting the environment.

Our tour ended, and we all headed to Point Ballast Brewery on India Street in San Diego.  Not being a beer drinker, I cannot vouch for the fabulous beer they produce, but those who did drink a pint, were all raves.  The food was good, fish tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, kale and brussel sprout salad, and vegetarian burger made from chick peas and butternut squash, just to name a few of the menu items.  It's always a great day when you combine good friends, good food, and an informative tour.  This was definitely a great day.

Liberty Market Food Hall

On a warm, sunny April morning, Fran and I drove to Liberty Statio to see the new food hall.  We were not disappointed.  We waited for a few weeks after the opening, for  them to get all the kinks ironed out.  It was lots of fun, and we'll definitely go again.

It's been compared to Quincy Market in Boston or Pikes Market in Seattle, but I'm not so sure I would make that comparison.  Right now, it's about 90% food stalls and restaurants.  There are a few small gift shops and a florist and a wine store, but the rest of the market is food.  We were there on a Friday, and it was bustling.  One thing that won't change as the market evolves is the high level of noise.  It is best walk through the market, get your food, and go to one of the outside areas to eat.  It is very loud inside.

Our favorite place was Parana, a stall serving empanadas.  We sampled one, loved it, and took  some home for dinner.  They can easily be reheated or frozen and saved for another time.  There are at least 6 different fillings to choose from, all delicious.  It's by far the most popular food stall in the market.  Other choices included a stuffed burger stand, Thai kitchen, healthy salads and wraps, creole food (including beignets), lobster rolls, Mexican food stall, barbequed beef stand, raw bar, pasta stall, and several delicious bakeries and a gelato stall.  Prices are moderate, food looked great everywhere I turned, and there is lots of seating.

There are also several restaurants in or adjacent to Liberty Market, most notably Stone Brewery.  Wow, what a place.  It's huge, with many rooms for private parties, lots of outdoor seating, and even an area for playing bocce while waiting to eat.  I have not been to this location of Stone Brewery, but if it's anything like the Escondido location, the food is creative and delicious.  I can't wait to try it for dinner on a warm summer evening.

  The food hall at Liberty Station is definitely something you could put on your agenda for out of town visitors.  I think most would like it.  It's fun, everyone can pick out their own kind of food, and there's plenty of room for kids to run around in the outside eating areas without feeling confined.  It's a great addition to the food scene in San Diego.

No Calorie, No Points Breakfast (Almost)

In anticipation of a big dinner at Luxe Buffet, I decided to go very light on breakfast and lunch.  I was saving my points for a splurge at this Chinese buffet in Carlsbad.  The philosophy of Weight Watchers is that you can eat whatever you want if you account for it.  So, I scrambled up a delicious breakfast of egg whites with sauteed zucchini, mushrooms and onions.  It's a great 1 point breakfast and almost no calories.  A side of mixed fruit, 0 points on Weight Watchers, completed the meal.  Here's the recipe.

                                            Veggie egg white scramble

3 egg whites

1/3 cup broccoli, cubed

1 large mushroom, sliced

1/4 cup red onion, diced

Spray a small pan with Pam, and saute all veggies until soft.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Add the egg whites, and  incorporate all ingredients, and cook until eggs are scrambled.  Add salt and pepper.  You can make this with any veggies you have on hand, or you can add protein, like shredded cheese or diced chicken if you desire.  I use whatever I have on hand.  Spinach, tomatoes and olives also work well.  So simple, so delicious, and you can save your points or calories for a splurge later in the day.

Brunch in Lake Elsinore

My sister Madeleine and her family moved to Lake Elsinore about two years ago.  I had not had an opportunity to visit them until today, April 14.  Madeleine decided to have a little pre Mother's Day brunch for myself, David, Tracy and Calvin, Madeleine, Alison and Jimmy (her hubby) and Mom.  We all arrived around 11am, and enjoyed several hours together, talking, laughing and eating.  Madeleine has a beautiful home on a cul-de-sac in the hills of Lake Elsinore, with a beautiful view of both the lake and the surrounding mountains.  The highlight was a wonderful lunch prepared by Madeleine and Alsion.

We began the meal with some slightly spicy lamb meatballs, which were absolutely delicious.  I held myself to just one, knowing that lots more food was on the way.  The main lunch was a vegetarian pasta salad, with olives, onions and artichoke hearts and cheese and tomato paninis.  It was a just wonderful.  The sandwiches consisted of mozzarella cheese and heirloom tomatoes on the inside, melted butter on the outside, then grilled to a golden brown.  Yum.  The dessert was to die for.  I plan to make it for my next party, as it can all be made ahead of time.  It was poached pears in port with a reduction sauce, on a bed of marscapone and topped with marscapone.  It was out of this world, and so pretty.  Madeleine also served soft chocolate chip cookies for dessert, and wonderful espresso or latte from her espresso machine.  What a feast.  A great day was had by all, food and conversation and just getting together was long overdue.

Al Schwimmer: Above and Beyond

I recently saw the film Above and Beyond, about the circumstances that created the Israeli Air Force.  The star of the movie, in my opinion, was Al Schwimmer.  I had not heard of him prior to viewing the movie, but realize he played a vital role in the creation of Israel.

In the late 1940's it was decided that Palestine would be divided in two, half would remain Palestine, the other half would become the free state of Israel.  Palestine was not happy, and thus began Israel's war for independence.  Israel won, but fighting between Israelis and Arabs continues to this day.

Al Schwimmer, an American born Jew, is responsible for creating the Israeli Air Force.  Using the skills he had learned during WW11 and his engineering skills, Schwimmer smuggled aircraft out of the U.S. in a circuitous  way to get supplies to Israel.  He asked WW11 pilots to volunteer to help in his efforts, and he got tremendous results.  Many young American Jews who had just finished serving in the U.S. Air Force, were willing to risk everything for an effort that they knew was illegal, but felt it was morally right.  At the time there were 600,000 Jews in Israel (not yet a state), many refugees from concentration camps, and about 50 million Arabs in the surrounding area.  Schwimmer knew the Israelis had no chance to win a war without some help.  He got help from friends in high places (we don't know exactly who), and bought discarded aircraft left over from the war.  He got pilots to fly the planes to Israel, carrying supplies for the people of Israel.

This is truly a David and Goliath story.  The Egyptians were invading Israel, and an Air Force of just 4 planes was able to stop them.  Through the course of several years, Schwimmer was able to get 3,500 volunteers from around the world to help Israel establish itself as a country, and protect it from Arab nations that didn't want Israel to exist.

Al Schwimmer was arrested and fined for his illegal endeavors, but never regretted what he did, thinking he made the right moral decision.  David Ben Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel, asked Schwimmer to come to Israel, which he did.  He started Israel Aerospace Industries, and became a close personal friend of Ben Gurion.  During Bill Clinton's presidency, Schwimmer was given a full pardon.

The movie Above and Beyond contained many interviews with surviving pilots, most of who flew 25-30 missions during Israel's war for independence.  What impressed me most about this story, is how many good people there are in the world.  There are so many people, Jew and Gentile alike, that risked it all to do what they considered the moral thing to do.  Let's not forget Al Schwimmer, and all the men and women that contributed to creating the state of Israel.  They are all heroes in my eyes.

Rediscovering Firefly in Encinitas

It's been years since I dined at Firefly, and now that I've rediscovered it, I'm sorry it took me so long.  We were dining with friends Laurie and George one Friday night, and I asked Laurie to pick the restaurant.  I wasn't in a decision making mood.  She said, "Meet us at Firefly in Encinitas,"  and I'm glad we did.>p.

We walked into a dimly lit room, great for me on that particular night, as my face was recovering from a chemical peel to remove pre-cancerous spots.  I hope it's working, as my face looks like a train wreck.  The restaurant was just about full.  We were seated at a quiet corner table, great for us, as we could all hear each other.  I loved my dinner, as did the others I dined with.

We began with a nice glass of wine, and a basket of warm bread and butter, and breadsticks.  It was difficult for me to choose a starter, as there were so many things to choose from.  Dates wrapped in bacon, beet salad, romaine wedge, chopped with lots of blue cheese crumbles and bacon.  They also had a small order of mussels, red curry chicken wings, grilled flat bread, and Spanish meatballs.  For my entree I chose a seared sea bass on a bed of risotto.  It was perfectly cooked and delicious.  Laurie had the short ribs, a hearty dish of well cooked short ribs and vegetables.  Ron ordered the rack of lamb, his favorite, and was not disappointed.  George opted for the Firefly burger, which looked wonderful.  We were all stuffed, but George and Ron wanted more.  They both ordered the berry cobbler, one served with cinnamon gelato, the other with vanilla ice cream.  The cobbler was good, but the cinnamon gelato was exceptional.  I don't know how much cream was in the gelato, but it sure was rich and creamy.

  Good food does not come cheaply.  The bill for the four of us was $190 before the tip, but well worth it.  Next time you want a great meal, think about Firefly.

Animals Are Amazing

I thought I'd give you a few fun facts about animals.  It never ceases to amaze me, the things they do and what I don't know about them.  Here are a few facts about animals that you might not know.

1.  Houseflies always hum in the key of F.
2.  Bats are the only mammals that can fly.  (I knew that)

3.  Ostriches can run faster than horses, and the male ostrich can roar like a lion.  (I've actually seen that.)
4.  Tigers not only have stripes on their fur but also on their skin.  No two tigers ever have the same stripes.  It's kind of like fingerprints!
5.  A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.
6.  Elephants can smell water up to three miles away.  They are also one of the three mammals that undergo menopause, the others being humpback whales and human females.
7.  The koala eats only eucalyptus leaves and nothing else.
8.  There are one million ants for every human in the world.  Also, ants never sleep and do not have lungs.
9.  A snal can sleep for three years and can grow back a new eye if it loses one.
10.  Giraffes have no vocal cords so they communicate by vibrating the air around their neck.  Their tongues are blue-black in color to protect it from becoming sunburned when they eat from tall trees.
11.  Sea otters hold hands when they sleep to keep them from drifting apart.
12.  The immortal jellyfish, Turritopsis nutricula, is the only species known to live forever.

The Power of Pets

I noticed that San Diego is having an interesting expo in April called Successful Aging Expo.  It takes place on Saturday, April 30, at the Town and Country Hotel in Mission Valley.  They will have all kinds of booths, giving seniors tips on health, finance, housing and much more.  It got me thinking about my own life as a senior, and what I can do to improve my life.  One thing I know for sure, my dog Pepper adds to my life in so many ways.

The evidence is mounting, that animals are important to human health.  65% of American households have a pet, and many swear their relationship with their animals makes them happier and healthier.  The scientific evidence backs up this up.  A National Institutes of Health sturdy of 421 adults who'd suffered heart attacks found that dog owners were significantly more likely to be alive a year later, regardless of the severity of their heart attack.  The American Heart Association states that pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, decreases cardiovascular disease risk.  Two NIH funded studies found that dog owners who regularly walked their dogs were less likely to be obese than those who didn't have a dog.  This was particularly true for seniors.  We all know the valuable role therapy dogs play today.  Stroke victims who haven't talked in months have talked when a dog cuddles up to them, and having a dog next to you brings down heart rate and blood pressure.

I know that many of you non pet owners are saying to yourself, "It's just too much trouble.  It's going to tie me down."  The fact that it is some work to own a pet is exactly the point.  It gives you a reason to get up in the morning.  Fido has to be fed.  It gives you a reason to take a walk.  Fido needs a walk.  It also gives you social interaction with others while walking or at the dog park.  Everyone wants to stop and pet Fido when you're out for a walk.  Finally, your Fido will give you unconditional love like you've never known, and you will look forward to returning home each day and seeing his funny face and wagging tail there to greet you.  But what about travel, you say?  Pet walkers and sitters are everywhere, and vary in price from $20-$50 per day (very reasonable I think).  Pet walkers usually get $10 for a 30 minute walk.  This is a small price to pay to have your best friend taken care of when you're not available.  Think of all the money you're saving by having the dog.  You're less likely to get high blood pressure or cardio vascular disease, which will cost a lot more than a pet sitter.  Finally, except for a full body massage, having a pet curled up next to you is the best stress reducer I know of.

Fostering A Dog In Need

I was out walking Pepper one morning, when I met a neighbor a few blocks over named Don.  Don was walking a shy little Chihuahua.  We introduced ourselves, and talked for about ten minutes.  Don has been a foster parent to needy dogs for the past nine years.  He gave up golf and  fishing for what he says is the most rewarding work he's ever done, fostering needy dogs.  In all, Don has fostered 36 dogs before their forever family was found.  His current dog was abused (who would abuse a four pound dog?), so he's very shy and skiddish.  By the time this little guy is adopted, probably in about three months, he'll be able to cope with family life and will be on the road to recovery.

Don mentioned one dog he fostered who had multiple broken bones, but still had a warm heart.  There are a variety of types of issues that cause a dog to go into foster care.  Animal abuse, injury, surgery, abandonment, or just too young to adopt out, are the main reason for foster care.  I could tell from Don's stories how satisfying this work was for him.  He said that when his first foster dog was adopted after nine weeks, he cried for three days.  Now he has a dog of his own, and understands that the foster dog is temporary.  He will get the dog well and prepare him for adoption.  It's kind of like the wonderful people that raise puppies to go into the guide dog program.  Thank you Don, and all the wonderful people that foster dogs that don't seem adoptable, and get them ready for their forever family.

Rediscovering La Jolla

Fran and I spent a few hours exploring La Jolla in February in hopes of finding some new shops, restaurants or museums.  We did.  I had heard a lot of buzz about the new concept called The Lot, a combination restaurant, bar and upscale movie theatre.  What I found there was something I want to go back and visit again.

We were on an exploratory trip, so we did not eat at The Lot.  The menu looks wonderful, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.  We were there at noon time, so we checked out the lunch menu.  Burgers at $19, fish tacos at $16, and many salads between $14-$19.  A meal at The Lot does not come cheap.  The bakery case looked fantastic, with tarts, croissants, cookies and cakes.  There is indoor and outdoor eating available.  There are fire pits outdoors which looked wonderfully inviting.  Beautiful fresh flowers adorned every table, and although the decor is minimal, it is very attractive.  The movie theatre which is housed in the same building, is exquisite inside.  Everything is modern, sleek and clean looking.  The theatres, of which there are several (four or five), hold about 75 people in state of the art reclining seats (almost 180 degree recline), with a tray table and menu, for food service in the theatre.  The cost for all this is $15 for seniors during the day, more at night.  Movies start at 9am, so you can go to the movies and stay for a late breakfast or early lunch.  The concession stand is also very upscale.  They serve four different types of popcorn:  regular buttered, chili, caramel and salt and vinegar.  Candy is also not your run of the mill theatre candy.  These items don't come cheap either.  Candy is $5.50 per box.

The Lot is definitely a place you want to try at least once.  The price may discourage some, but it really is quite special.  I can't vouch for the food (yet), but I will tell you everything looked great, and it's a place I would be happy to spend a few hours.

Kumquat Marmalade

My kumquat tree is in full bloom.  What should I do with all those beautiful, sour, kumquats?   Add sugar and make kumquat marmalade is the best I could come up with.  I have hundreds of kumquats, so I imagine I'll have marmalade for months.  The mixture of sweet and sour is really delicious!  I love chopping the fruit coarsely and getting a thick, sweet marmalade.  Here's my version.  Anyone with a kumquat tree should give this recipe a try.

                              Kumquat Marmalade

2 cups kumquats, chopped or sliced in thin discs, and seeds removed
2 cups granulated sugar
juice of 1 lemon
juice of 1/2 orange

Clean and chop kumquats and place in large sauce pan.  Add juice of one lemon, and juice of 1/2 orange.  Cook fruit with the lemon and orange juice for about one hour, or until fruit is soft and fully cooked.  Then, add 2 cups of sugar, and cook mixture for approximately 20 minutes, or until mixture thickens.