Last Viewed Food Blogs (316)

Though stevia is most likely as safe as artificial sweeteners (or more so), few long-term studies have been done to document its health effects in humans. A review conducted by toxicologists at UCLA, which was commissioned by nutrition advocate Center for Science in the Public Interest (Kobylewski & Eckhert, 2008), raised concerns that stevia could contribute to cancer. The authors noted that in some test tube and animal studies, stevioside (but not rebaudioside A) caused genetic mutations, chromosome damage and DNA breakage. These changes presumably could contribute to malignancy, though no one has actually studied if these compounds cause cancer in animal models. Link: NATALIE DIGATE MUTH, M.D., M.P.H., R.D.
I think maple syrup, honey are only alternatives to sugar. At the end we’ll see that better use sugar than stevia, etc...

Mushroom deaths suspect insists she loved victims
In the low mountains of Australia’s far southeast, faith and family run deep in the tiny settlements that stretch across the wild ocean tip of the state of Victoria. It was here, in the dairy farming hamlet of Leongatha, about 90 miles south of Melbourne, that nine days ago several old friends, including the town’s Baptist minister, gathered in the home of Erin Patterson, editor of the local newsletter, for lunch. Now, three are dead and a fourth is in a critical condition after police suspect.

On my way to visit an old friend who had surgery and cannot leave his apartment for a few days, I asked if he needed/wanted anything. His reply was to get him a hamburger. I stopped at Wendy's and for me, I got a thick shake. They gave me a paper straw. Ugg... the last time I had a paper straw was the cafe in the health food restaurant. It failed.

So While I was sucking air... knowing these things don't work well with frozen drinks. I waited until I left my friends apartment and started back on the shake that was already melted. By then, the straw was wilted and failed.

I understand their concern with saving the planet from plastic waste and recycling... but plastic straws should be mandatory with thick shakes.

That's my thought on the subject.

So yesterday, somewhere around 10am I woke up to the sound of turkey clucking. Little bastards. Still in my underwear I slipped on some flip-flops, walked to the front door and grabbed the loaded shotgun (Stevens 311 (1940s vintage) I had placed there just for them.

I went out and with a single shot convinced the flock survivors waking me wasn't their smartest move. Returning inside I unloaded the gun, found some pants and logged onto VA;'s Dept of Game and checked the new acquisition into their system.

I then texted my 'step daughter' as she had asked to be notified when I got a turkey. In a little while she called back. She wanted to know how to clean it and also wanted me to bring it by so she could cook it for me. She was at classes right then, but suggested if I could be at her BF's place around 5ish that would be perfect.

Next I found a good video about how to field dress a Wild Turkey in about 3 minutes. I texted this to her.





bless you youtube.

So I checked my email and oh golly there was a work assignment in it. Visit a foreclosed upon property 20 miles away, see if the former owner had snuck back in, check for any signs of vandalism if he hadn't (notifying the local sheriff dept as the bank's contracted representative if either one was found), and confirm that the realtor had placed a for sale sign up as he said he had.

So after a slow leisurely breakfast I go outside with a plastic bag and place the turkey hen in it (letting the cats out in the process) and secure the bag in a place the cats can't get to while I was gone. Then I putter around on the PC a bit. I check FB and watch a friends Halloween video (nicely done, ), print off the information needed for work assignment, pictures, address, directions, phone numbers, etc., then around noonish I let the cats back in and depart for the work.

Yes, the for sale sign was there. A lovely $4,000 sq. foot home stuck 20 miles further back into the rurals. Eighty acres of private woods around it. Similar properties all around, each with their own forest. Gravel road to it in decent shape. A gravel driveway to an immaculate palace. The usual real estate combo padlock on the door. I call the realtor and tell him who I am then open the padlock and get the key and do my walk through. The whole backside of the place is spectacular mountain view as the property is high up that mountain. I wish I had brought my binoculars. I confirm the electricity is still on and the faucets all work and are off. I check the heat pump and the hot water system for signs of sabotage or vandalism. Nothing found. The place is gorgeous. A swimming pool in back. Paved walkways. A pool house, a 4 car detached combination garage (the house has an attached 2 car as well) and garden tools shed, etc., etc. I didn't ask the Realtor, nor did the bank paperwork specify, but I am guessing somewhere around 2 million. Money comes & money goes. Nothing amiss found I lock up and thank the realtor and depart for home. A quick and easy $75 thus made.

I stop off at Sheetz and grab a large steak and cheese sub with fixings, then sit on their patio and attempt a chat with the woman at the next table. It starts, but then her ride shows up and with a wave she departs. Seemed like a nice lady. Ah well...

So I get back home around 3ish. The cats are waiting for me at the front door. I let them in, log onto my PC then fill out my online report and submit it to my handlers with time/date stamped photos attached.

Then after making sure the cat food bowls are full I grab the plastic trash bag full of turkey and depart for MD. I arrive there just about 5 and she bids me enter.

I came across a video on tuna harvesting where they are farmed and contained in nets getting fresh salt water. This is totally different than older processes where fish are in a lake and the sea water is pumped in.

With the abundant Rat and Mouse blogs of late I thought I would share some of my favorite recipes for cooking them.
Bandwagon Mouse

Ingredients:-
6 freshly killed mice. (Substitute rats if you have them)
1 large onion, finely chopped.
1 box of tic tac’s. (Scampi fries or mint flavor)
Selection of cookies
250g Pirate Arrrs.
1 table spoon of lols.
Garlic, ginger & turmeric to taste.

Wash the mice in boiling water to remove the fleas and other things in their fur, remove the innards and leave to soak in fresh or cubed chicken stock.

Heat up a cast iron pan and add soulmate oil or olive oil if soulmate is not available, add the onions, ginger and garlic, a spoon of turmeric and Saute until the onions are soft, add the mice to the pan and cook on both sides until the fur is blizzard's, add the lols, the tic tacs and simmer for 2 valentines.

Serve on a bed of Pirate Arrrs and garnish with the cookies.

Bon appetit!

There must be some scientific explanation as to why I can open a container of yogurt and the top surface is smooth and solid. After taking a scoop or two and putting it back in the refrigerator, liquid floats to the top making a small lake. I pour it out before taking another serving and the next time I get more yogurt... yeah, more liquid at the top!

My sister is playing old man’s marbles today. I don’t like the game, so she did not even bother to ask me along. My father will be having lunch at his retirement village and will be joining her after lunch, so I have the place for myself today.

And I’ll be making my own food for a change.

I asked Bea to come around for lunch with me; she undertook to bring a salad or two and will provide the dessert. She’ll be here early to give me a hand.

I’m not very fond of chicken but today I’m in the mood for it. I’ll be off to the supermarket to get some after posting this blog. I don’t like the white meat of a chicken; too dry. I only eat the thighs, drumsticks and the wings and only if the skin is nice and crispy. I’ll be cheating today. I’m going to do the chicken in the microwave before putting it in the oven.

I don’t know yet what we’ll have with it, I’ll have to see what is available, but spinach, butternut, and green beans will probably win. Those are my favorites. I have potatoes in the house and with a helping of rice it should make the meal. And not to forget the wine. I have a crisp dry white in the fridge since last night.

We’ll probably spend the rest of the afternoon listening music. We share the same taste in music and never bother with the TV. In all, I’m looking forward to a blissful day. I always enjoy it when she’s around; it’s a pity she is just a sister to me.

Have a great Sunday!

My niece graduated from a college of Asian Medicine last year and (in the future) may enroll for the advanced studies in Shanghai China. She was talking to my wife at a party and got on the subject of vegetables with natural health benefits.

One that interested her was Bitter Melon. She described it's appearance and I said I recall seeing it in the local Asian market that we often shop at. I bought some for all of us.

My wife prepared some that was sauteed with carrots. It looked okay and without testing a slice, I put a bunch on my plate.

Bitter may not be the correct word... it stuff is horrible tasting! I ran to the refrigerator for some vinegarette dressing to mask the flavor and continue to choke down the rest.

My wife asked if I wanted more...

One of our new employees asked if there was a pizza shop near the office. Yes, I replied... due west about a mile in a little shopping plaza on the left. He didn't ask if I wanted to go with him. My answer would have been yes. This place does real hand thrown pizza, thin crust and real tomato sauce and not like that corporate pizza that comes on a conveyor belt or the one with the 1" thick crust that has the texture of a sponge.

As a kid, we lived 1 block away from 2 really good pizza restaurants. Different recipes but both had great flavor. My parents used to order pizza with anchovies. They used the Italian word 'alice' pronounced ah-leege and the baker knew what they were talking about. It's tiny salty fish you get from a can. Much smaller than Sardines. Awesome taste but you will drink a gallon of water soon after because they are really salty.

Mmmm... PIZZA !!
Reminds me of my childhood.