Quote

"I cannot live without books: but fewer will suffice where amusement, and not use, is the only future object." -- Thomas Jefferson

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Cross One off My Bucket List--Ants by Bert Hölldobler and Edward O. Wilson

I enjoy reading the books by E.O. Wilson. When his book, with co-author, Bert Hölldobler, Ants came out, I wanted to buy it, but it's a big, expensive book. So, I put it on my bucket list.

During a visit to my brother's, he treated me to a visit to a used bookstore and there I found "Journey to the Ants: A Story of Scientific Exploration" by Bert Hölldobler and Edward O. Wilson.


So, in essence, I can cross off one item on my bucket list. While this book is about Hölldobler and Wilson's early lives, and exploration and research into the lives of ants, it is still satisfying.

I will probably go to a library to look up Ants because I have at least five different species of ants who visit my home.

Microwave: Buried Baked Potato

My sister is on Weight Watchers. This has stimulated me to reexamine my eating habits and recipes. I try to follow MyPlate.gov and the American Heart Association guidelines but I think I am missing the mark considerably.

American Heart Association Guidelines (Abbreviated)

Eat an overall healthy dietary pattern that emphasizes:

Limit saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, red meat, sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages. If you choose to eat red meat, compare labels and select the leanest cuts available.One of the diets that fits this pattern is the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan. Most healthy eating patterns can be adapted based on calorie requirements and personal and cultural food preferences.

When I look at my recipes and then at My Plate, I see I am falling short on vegetables, fruits and grains.

Now, the recipe below was devised based on what I had on hand but with the idea to bump up the vegetables and proteins.


Microwave: Buried Baked Potato


Ingredients:

1 medium to large white potato
1 dab of butter
1 tspn red beans, canned, drained
1 tspn Salsa
3 bits & pieces mozarella cheese
2 green olives w/pimento, sliced
2 sprinkles of imitation bacon bits
2 dashes red pepper sauce
1 fried egg
S/p to taste


Process:

Wash potato, pierce with a fork.
Place in microwaveable bowl.
Microwave on high for 5-6 minutes. Check, if you can push a fork through, it's done.
Remove.
Slice potato in half.
Mash insides with a fork.
Add butter, beans, salsa, cheese, olives, and bacon bits.
Sprinkle hot sauce about the whole potato.
Top with fried egg.

My new secret ingredient: a few dashes of red pepper sauce.

 See why I called it Buried Baked Potato :-)

This was a surprisingly tasty and filling dish.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

#STC2018 Tweeting Star Trek Cruise January 2018

#STC2018 Tweeting Star Trek Cruise January 2018


Check out @BitsBitesBooks!


With the #BombCyclone storm, this will be interesting. Didn't bring enough warm clothes :-(



Thursday, December 21, 2017

Mug O'Quichy-Canned Spinach Soup-Egg Quesadilla

Mug O'Quichy-Canned Spinach Soup-Egg Quesadilla


Ingredients:

1 8oz Mug

A dab of olive oil
1 egg
3 Tbspns canned spinach soup concentrate (don't add water)
A dash of Tabasco sauce or ground black pepper
A dab of milk
1 flour tortilla
Toppings: a sprinkle of imitation bacon bits, a dash of Parmesan cheese


Process:
Add dab of oil to mug, swish around to coat bottom and sides of mug.
Add egg, soup, sauce and milk in a mug.
Stir vigorously to mix ingredients thoroughly.
Microwave mixture 2 minutes on high.

Place tortilla in skillet, heat on medium-high to brown bottom. Turn over, add egg mixture on top of tortilla.
Sprinkle bacon bits and Parmesan cheese on top. Heat about 1-2 minutes, fold tortilla, then transfer to a plate.


Variation: use mushroom soup concentrate.


Friday, November 24, 2017

Star Trek Cruise 2018

Star Trek Cruise 2018





Another opportunity to meet science fiction fans.


World Con 76 San Jose, CA August 16-20, 2018

World Con 76 San Jose, CA August 16-20, 2018

This is an opportunity for writers or lovers of science fiction and fantasy to meet other authors, share their work, participate in workshops and events, and vote in the Hugo Awards.

http://www.worldcon76.org/


Friday, October 6, 2017

Microwave: Baked Potato Salad

Microwave: Baked Potato Salad


Ingredients:

5 medium to large white potatoes, peeled
1 cup plain yogurt
1 TBspn mayo
1/2 red onion, diced
1 Medium slice, Mozzarella cheese, diced
1/2 Cup Imitation Bacon bits
Ground black pepper to taste
A palmful of dry parsley, crushed
A few dashes of Parmesan cheese
Garnish: a handful of cherry tomatoes, halved (Optional)



Process:

Place potatoes in microwaveable dish.
Pierce with fork. Cook on high for six minutes or more until cooked.
Let potatoes cool before dicing.
Add diced potatoes to large bowl.
Add the remaining ingredients, except garnish.
Mix and stir well until potatoes are coated.
Cover bowl, place in frig to cool.
Add garnish to individual servings.

I usually don´t add salt to my recipes but I just thought, maybe I should make sure I offer a salt shaker to guests.



 
Also, Lucy likes it. Lucy is a friend who is brave enough to try some of my recipes. This is the first recipe she has liked :-)