Wednesday, March 31, 2010

W.A. #312: A Culinary Review



"A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?

-Albert Einstein

Weekend Assignment #312: Write A Culinary Review



It's no secret, I LOVE to cook! I love everything about cooking, from creating recipes of my own, to playing food detective to make all those yummy things that can be bought out in the world, except with my healthier approach. Tonight, Alan and I had homemade French Bread Pizza, and Organic Creamy Tomato soup for dinner, which doesn't sound particularly exciting, but it was TOO yummy. I was happy with how dinner turned out, but even happier with dessert.

I had made Low-Cal Biscuits and Gravy for breakfast, about 300 calories per serving. I made some biscuits which were generic "buttery tastin" and after breakfast I had about 5 left over, so I decided to make Berry Shortcakes. I had purchased some frozen mixed berries a couple days ago, with the intention of making some vinaigrette or possibly a topping for some ice cream. I decided to thaw them out but wasn't expecting them to hold up well, so I planned to make a hot compote. I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that not only did they hold their shape after thawing but they tasted as if they had just been picked! And there was very little liquid upon thawing. Nice!

So, here is my review; Europe's Best is a fantastic product! I will probably buy this brand exclusively from now on! Perfect for cobblers, or a topping for pancakes or perhaps for dessert such as the shortcake I made tonight! Great product. Great taste!

4 Berry Shortcake

Calories 185

Buttery Biscuit: 110
1/2 cup Mixed Berries : 45
2 tbs. Light Whipped Cream: 15
Dusting of powdered sugar: 15 (Optional)

Extra Credit: The worst meal I ever ate was probably the time my boyfriends mother gave me, Alan, her son, her husband and herself food poisoning... ON PURPOSE! LOL. But the worst culinary experience I have ever had at a restaurant took place in Los Angeles and LAX. I was 7 years old, and my sister and I had flown down to L.A. to go to Disneyland. We were on our way back home, when we decided to have lunch at the airport before we left for home. OMG. IT WAS A NIGHTMARE! Not food poisoning bad, but I swear I could still taste it 3 days later! UGGGGG! I didn't eat a hamburger for about 2 years after that incident! LOL. That's ok, I was probably healthier for it. :) Don't eat a hamburger at LAX, under any circumstances!

:)

-Carly

Monday, March 29, 2010

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #83: Your Favorite Things









"The earth laughs in flowers"

-Ralph Waldo Emerson










EMPS #83: YOUR FAVORITE THINGS. NOW CLOSED!
You know that song "A Few Of My Favorite Things" from The Sound Of Music, well, the other day I had it stuck in my head so I thought it would make a good subject for this week's photo shoot assignment. Simply grab your camera and show us YOUR FAVORITE THINGS. Raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens work, as do bright copper kettles or warm woolen mittens. It's all up to you. Maybe you just love whipped cream on hot chocolate, if so, show us. Or perhaps you prefer something much more modern... like your iPhone. If so, cool! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Extra Credit: Show me something old fashioned and something modern that are among YOUR FAVORITE THINGS.

**PLEASE READ**
This Monday Photo Shoot closes next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET. So you have until that time to get your photo, upload it to your blog, journal or website, and comeback here with the link. Please remember, the link you leave must be a link which goes back to an entry specific to this week's photo shoot assignment, and you are responsible for it's accuracy. Please double check it. NO HYPERLINKS ARE ACCEPTED. Also, please include a link to the Monday Photo Shoot in your entry so your readers will be able to find the assignment and join us for the fun.

Linking List for EMPS #82: Goodbye Winter/Hello Spring 03/22/10

NOW CLOSED!

1. Freda

2. Jama

3. Sherrie

4. Sandy

5. Greg

6. Suzanne

7. Nesa

8. Karen

9. Duane

10. Jan (Link submitted by Email)

See you next week, with an all new Monday Photo Shoot assignment! :)
-Carly

Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Definition Of Insanity



Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.

-Albert Einstein

Question: Is John McCain insane or is he simply showing his true colors?

What is John McCain thinking? Aligning himself with this hateful woman, and the raciest Teabaggers who follow her around salivating? Is he trying to cash in on the popularity she enjoys with that particular group, or has is he experiencing some sort of dementia? Either way, I predict that John McCain will be losing big this year. If he manages to win his party's primary, I doubt he will see a victory this fall. The republican party has turned into a specter of fear and hate, oh and let's not forget BLATANT LIARS. When was the last time you heard a truly positive message from them? Of course I suppose "positive" might be a subjective thing. If you are into throwing rocks through windows, and leaving threatening messages on the answering machines of elected officials, if that is your... ahem... cup of tea... then I imagine you are proud of the republicans. So sad for you. So very sad.


Senator McCain...


Being the "Party of Hell No" is not something to be proud of. Indeed, someday you will look back on this and cringe, not just because you had chosen to put your pride before your service to your country, but because you SOLD OUT to fear. At one time I had respect for you and all you went through in Vietnam. I am sad to say, I have lost any little bit of that respect that I once had for you. Now sir, I pity you. I feel sorry for you, in that you have chosen to fall victim to your own party's fear mongering. You sir, have made yourself into a liar. You have aligned yourself with liars, such as Sarah Palin. You have aligned yourself with violence and hate. Tell me Sen. McCain, what are your values now? Still Pro-life? What kind of America are you asking these children to grow up in. One where they can have their health care cut off because of a pre-existing condition? America... the country where special interests trumps the general well-being of it's people. America... the country where big business trumps the well-being of it's people. America... the country where money stands between a sick child, and it's right to a healthy life. Shame on you.

Sen. McCain... you, sir, have jumped the shark! And I can't wait to see you fail this year! Welcome to the private sector. Check out Walmart, you would make a terrific greeter.

-Carly