Freedom!!!

 

“If we lose freedom here, there’s no place to escape.”

— Ronald Reagan (1911 – 2004)
American actor & politician; 40th President of the United States

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

S.O.S.

“Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”

— Isaac Asimov (1920 – 1992)
Russian-American writer & biochemistry professor

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Harmony, Please

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

— Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1943)
Indian lawyer & political ethicist

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Hello, Brothers and Sisters

 

On this, the International Day of Peace, let us all pray and work together… just as if we were civilized.

Posted in Write Again! | Leave a comment

Lead On!

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”

— John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963)
35th US President

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Go with the Flow

“Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.”

— Lao Tzu (6th century BC – 5th century BC)
Chinese writer & philosopher

 

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Success Thinking

“Understanding that failure is not the opposite of success is part of success.”

— Arianna Huffington (1950 – )
Greek-American author

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

The Time Is Now

 

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

— Chinese Proverb

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Expect the Unexpected

“If life were predictable it would cease to be life and be without flavor.”

— Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 – 1962)
Former First Lady of the United States

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Don’t Lose Hope!

Photo by Ron Smith

 

“We must accept finite disappointment, but not lose infinite hope.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.  (1929 – 1968)
American minister & activist

 

To find hope in times of despair dwell on positive thoughts.

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Blah, Blah, Blah

“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882)
American essayist

To me, mere words today equal meaningless hype, especially when repeated actions yesterday have proven to be opposite those words. I am not swayed (at least not positively) by verbal platitudes meant to appease sensibilities. Talking a “great talk” falls on deaf ears when we “listen” to what someone has actually been doing or advocating for years.

 

Posted in Notable Quotables, Write Again! | Leave a comment

Risky Business

 

“If you risk nothing, then you risk everything.”

— Geena Davis (1956 – )
American actress

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Lovely Lizard

September 8th is National Iguana Awareness Day, and these lizards need a little respect. Highly adaptable, they adapt well to environments ranging from rocky streambeds to sandy deserts.

 

 

 

They can blend with their surroundings and change colors to absorb more sunlight when temperatures get chilly. However, they are among the most frequently abandoned pets. Too often, people don’t learn what their care will involve. Vet costs alone can be hundreds of dollars per year, and while they live about 20 years, they can grow to be 6 feet long.

 

 

While Sir Ronald is neither lizard nor well-suited to live in the desert, he has grown to more than 6 feet tall! So, silly, but I also wish him the happiest anniversary today, our 23rd wedding anniversary. Love you, Babe!

Posted in Write Again! | Leave a comment

Healing

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi

 

“The greatest healing therapy is friendship & love.”

— Hubert H. Humphrey (1911 – 1978)
38th vice-president of the US

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Coffee Ice Cream Day

 

For National Coffee Ice Cream Day enjoy your ice cream as it is or with some extra coffee beans or chocolate chips.

 

 

 

 

 

Or mix some into a mudslide… along with some vodka, coffee liqueur, Bailey’s Irish Cream, heavy cream, and some ice. Hello Brainfreeze!

Posted in Super Simple Is Key! | Leave a comment

Choose to Use Our Brains

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go.

— Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) (1904 – 1991)
American author & cartoonist
(Adopted the name “Dr. Seuss” while an undergraduate at Dartmouth College)

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

 

For National Macadamia Nut Day, enjoy them raw, roasted, or chocolate-covered.

 

 

 

 

Or try them cooked into a favorite bread, muffin, square, or fudge. They’re also great on chicken, fish, and pork, or tossed on a salad. Or try a little decadence, like my Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Bread.

 

 

Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Bread
Here’s a great way to enjoy the Polynesian flavors of Hawaii any time!

1 c flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
½ c butter, softened to room temperature
½ c sugar (not a substitute)
¼ c brown sugar
2 lg eggs
2-3 T sour cream (full fat)
1 c mashed ripe banana
¼ c milk
1 T grated fresh orange peel
1 T pure vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
1 c flaked, unsweetened coconut
1 c crushed pineapple, drained
1 c chopped macadamia nuts

Topping:
¾ c coarsely chopped roasted macadamia nuts
¼ c finely chopped macadamia nuts
¼ c flaked, unsweetened coconut
2 T brown sugar

Combine flour, salt & baking soda in a small bowl; set aside. Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the sour cream, banana, milk, orange peel, and extracts. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture just till combined. Then fold in coconut, pineapple, and nuts. Spoon batter into well-buttered (or parchment paper lined) 9×5” loaf pan. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle on top, pressing down into the batter slightly. Bake in center of oven at 350°F for 1 hour. Test doneness by inserting a wooden toothpick into center. If it comes out clean, it’s done. (If not, let cook another 10 min. Test again.) Let cool 1 hour on wire rack; then remove from pan and let cool on the rack to room temperature. Store in refrigerator, wrapped airtight.

KISS Tip: I prefer roasted, salted macadamia nuts, but you can use raw, if you prefer.

Posted in Incredible Edibles | Leave a comment

Pause to Relax

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”

— Mark Black
Canadian author

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Go Coconuts!

 

For World Coconut Day enjoy coconut fresh or in a favorite dish. Try adding shredded coconut (or coconut milk or water) to rice, a favorite cookie or cake, in breading for fish, chicken, or shrimp, or in a soup, especially one with a little curry.

 

 

 

 

Or enjoy a coconut beverage, its own water or a fave concoction.

 

 

 

Today, we share Super Simple Apricot Macaroons!

Super Simple Apricot Macaroons
This is a tasty twist on the traditional all-coconut macaroon.

2/3 c sugar (not monkfruit or other substitute)
½ c finely chopped dried apricots
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
½ tsp fine sea salt
2 lg egg whites, lightly beaten
1 T finely grated lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
3 c (about 8 oz) finely shredded unsweetened coconut
Whisk together sugar, apricots, extract, salt, egg whites, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Add coconut, tossing till completely combined. Spoon into 12 mounds on 2 parchment lined baking sheets. Bake in upper & lower thirds of 350°F oven for 6-8 min. Rotate pans and bake for another 5-6 minutes, till the edges are lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

KISS Tips: These can be stored airtight at room temperature for up to a week. You can also substitute another dried fruit, like peaches, pineapple, or mango for the dried apricots. A fun variation is dipping the bottoms of the baked cookies in some melted dark chocolate chips! Simply grease a small microwavable bowl with about 1 tsp solid coconut oil; microwave 1 c chocolate chips for 2-3 20-second intervals, stirring to complete the melting. After dipping cookies, let them cool in the fridge upside down for 15-20 min.

For more recipes, check out my other posts or find my cookbooks, in print and digital formats, online at sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

 

Posted in Super Simple Is Key! | Leave a comment

Le Burger Week

 

While we celebrate Labor Day weekend, lots of burgers will hit the grills. Perfect, as we start Le Burger Week in our neighboring Canada. Enjoy!

Posted in Incredible Edibles, Taste Bud Travels | Leave a comment

Eat Outside!

For National Eat Outside Day,

we all know what to do!

Enjoy your picnic!

Posted in Super Simple Is Key! | Leave a comment

Beach It!

Hmmm… let’s see. How should we celebrate National Beach Day? Hah! Let’s go to the beach… or at least daydream about beaching it. Enjoy!

Posted in So Silly!, Super Simple Is Key! | Leave a comment

The Smell of Success

Success.

“I didn’t get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it.”

— Estée Lauder (1908 – 2004)
American businesswoman

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Healing Power

“Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.”

— Tori Amos (1963 – )
American singer & songwriter

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

C-c-c-courage!

Image by Gerd Altmann

“All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

— Walt Disney (1901 – 1966)
American film producer, entrepreneur, and animation pioneer

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Sail on!

“The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.”

— John Maxwell (1947 – 1969)
American author

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Just over the Edge

“The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

— Steve Jobs (1955 – 2011)
American businessman & inventor

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

National Waffle Day

Make them waffles; make them chaffles (cheesy, but no flour). Make them for breakfast; make them for dessert.

 

 

 

But this is the day to make ‘em!

Posted in Super Simple Is Key! | Leave a comment

Slavery Remembrance

Various days throughout the year have been established to recognize the blight on mankind’s history that slavery has been. Today is one of them… International Slavery Remembrance Day. Most of us are well aware that for hundreds of years, millions of Africans were captured, sold, and transported across lands and oceans to serve as slaves. In truth, humans have been enslaving each other since long before recorded history. Lauding power over other people in such an inhuman fashion is just one despicable part of our earthly existence. There are likely no people on this planet whose heritage does not include suffering at the evil hands of others. And this slice of man’s inhumanity to man continues today… worldwide. Yes, even in America. As I find myself saying far too often, we humans are very slow to evolve. Yet, we must keep trying. Never give up the fight for equal dignity for all people and a world without racism, discrimination, bigotry, and hatred.

Posted in Write Again! | Leave a comment

The Search for Wisdom

 

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.”

— Lao Tzu (aka Laozi) (6th Century BC – 5th Century BC )
Ancient Chinese philosopher

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Actuality Awareness

My actions and words have told you who I am for years. (Love me or hate me, but you know me.) Now… If you were paying attention and saw that I suddenly advocated in opposition to what I have already done and said, you would rightly wonder what on earth was going on with me. Just saying, though it’s not happening.

Let us keep our eyes, ears, and minds open to actuality.

Posted in Write Again! | Leave a comment

The Process of Becoming

 

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

— E.E. Cummings (aka ee cummings) (1894 – 1962)
American poet and playwright

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Always Ask Questions

“Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning.”

— Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
German-born theoretical physicist

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Artistic Rule Breaking

 

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”

— Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973)
Spanish painter & sculptor

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

No Identity Issues

 

 

“Definitions belong to the definer, not the defined.”

— Toni Morrison (1931 – 2019)
American novelist and editor

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Drink Rum, Mateys!

Celebrate National Rum Day with a favorite rum cocktail. Great for summer is an icy cold punch.

Orange Pineapple Rum Punch.
Ice
1 ½ oz coconut or spiced rum, as you prefer
2 oz orange juice
1 ½ oz pineapple juice
Orange slice, for garnish
Fill a glass with ice. Add the rum and juices, stirring with a bar spoon. Garnish and serve.

KISS Tip: A festive and colorful twist comes from following the ice with ½ oz grenadine.

Posted in Super Simple Is Key! | Leave a comment

Chill, Baby!

Photo by Chris Thompson

 

Celebrate National Relaxation Day by simply chilling out. Set all the stress aside… skip the political rhetoric… turn the page on the naysayers… cancel the chaos… embrace serenity and inner peace. Chill, Baby!

 

 

“Relaxation is not laziness. It’s about finding balance and taking care of yourself.”

— Elizabeth Scott (1972 – )
American author

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Dream On!

 

“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.”

— C. S. Lewis (1898 – 1963)
British writer & theologian

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

Hope Lives!

 

 

“Hope is a waking dream.”

— Aristotle (384BC-322BC)
Ancient Greek philosopher & polymath

Posted in Notable Quotables | Leave a comment

National Julienne Fries Day

August 12th is an annual day to celebrate the shoestring fried potatoes. A French favorite since the early 1700s, julienne cut fries are cut in thin, uniform matchsticks. These are the opposite of the thick, meaty steak-cut fries, so on National Julienne Fries Day, give your salty, crispy side a taste. My fave are Truffle Fries, which I always choose when I spy them on a menu. Enjoy my Super Simple way to make them at home.

 

 

 

Super Simple Truffle Fries
If making your fries from scratch, remember to soak your raw potatoes in cold, salted (and/or sugared) water for 20-30 min. AND fry them twice, as it’s the second frying that gives them crispness.

Favorite frozen French fries (shoestring style, of course, but any cuts work fine)
Truffle oil
Parmesan cheese, finely grated (or shredded)
Sea salt (& pepper, if you like)
Finely minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

Bake the fries per pkg directions. Drizzle with a little truffle oil and toss to distribute. Sprinkle with cheese and seasonings. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
KISS Notes: Truffles are a type of mushroom. Truffle oil is a neutral oil, infused with peelings of white truffles.  Truffles are exotic. For example, black truffles can sell for anywhere between $300 – 1,000 per pound, and white truffles can fetch $4,000 a pound. Because white truffles have a stronger flavor, their peelings are used to infuse oil. Truffle oil is also great on risotto and in creamy sauces like alfredo.

Posted in Incredible Edibles, Super Simple Is Key! | Leave a comment