To Our Beloved Golden Gate: Happy 75th Birthday!
Posted by Michelle Moquin on May 27th, 2012
Good morning!
In celebration of the Golden Gate’s 75th birthday, I thought just posting a photo was perfectly fitting. And…what better photo to post than one of my adored Grandmother and my precious Mother, as a young child, walking across our beloved bridge on opening day, with other family members.
This was a recently discovered picture that I had never seen before until we went through my grandmother’s photos after her passing over a month ago. I absolutely love the photo – it is such a memorable occasion – I wanted to share it with all of you on such a special day.
- Mother and Grandmother: Opening Day Golden Gate Bridge
*****
Readers: Isn’t it just simply fantastic? And you’ve just got to LOVE the styles of the day. Do you have a relevant photo that was taken on this day? I know you can’t post here but care to share why it is so special to you? Blog me. If you are celebrating in the events today, have an amazing time!
Social Butterfly: Thank you. The music at Carnival yesterday was fantastic – love to dance to music that really moves me and makes me move.
Sorry to hear you were not feeling well and missed the 50th, and that you won’t be participating this year. I was on the bridge for the 50th and I have to tell you it was a party…and yet not. I was stuck, literally in a crowd that was not moving, and I have to say it was not a comfortable feeling. Other than that, I enjoyed myself during the festivities, but was happy to be off the bridge when I was finally able to. I have decided not to partake in the events today. But I am sure they will be quite memorable.
Anonymous: Typo – Thanks for the correction. I see that verse in no stranger to you.
Oh Eric: Didn’t mean to slight you, of course, if you had met me perhaps you wouldn’t have been so slight.
Have a beautiful Sunday everyone no matter what is on your agenda!
Peace & Love….
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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May 27th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Beautiful picture Michelle. I hope I get in this is my third try.
May 27th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
Kashi Cereal Stirs Anger – Exposed by Small Rhode Island Grocer
A note on a Rhode Island grocer’s shelf has gone viral, informing consumers everywhere that the popular “natural” cereal brand Kashi actually contains genetically engineered grains
As a result of consumer outrage, the Kashi brand, which is owned by Kellogg Company, has now pledged to use at least 70 percent certified organic ingredients by 2015—a move that may be too little, too late for many health conscious consumers.
The pledge came just days after initially trying to further mislead consumers by denying the test results, which had found Kashi GoLean cereal contained 100 percent genetically engineered soy.
Currently, the ONLY label that can protect you against genetically engineered ingredients, synthetic pesticides, and other harmful additives is the USDA 100% Organic label
A simple sign on a grocery store shelf has gone viral, causing a storm of outrage among consumers who feel they’ve been misled by cereal maker Kellogg’s claims about its Kashi cereals.
A Rhode Island grocer posted a note on the shelf where Kashi was supposed to be, saying he’d learned it wasn’t 100 percent natural after all, and therefore wasn’t carrying it anymore.
It turns out the soy in Kashi cereals comes from genetically modified Roundup-ready soybeans, which have a gene inserted in them that allows the crop to withstand otherwise lethal doses of the weed killer.
USA Today reported that consumers felt duped into believing that Kashi was all-natural when it’s noti.
Their complaints were initially brushed off by Kashi general Manager David DeSouza, who told USA Today that since the FDA doesn’t regulate the term “natural,” the cereal maker has done nothing wrong by defining “natural” as minimally-processed with no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or sweeteners.
Were You Duped by Kashi’s Wholesome Brand Identity?
People generally tend to believe that the word “natural” refers to foods grown “in a natural way,” which really amounts to organic farming methods, or close to it; sans harsh chemicals, and most definitely not something that has been genetically engineered.
Unfortunately, that’s not what the “natural” label represents at all. In fact, the “natural” label is unregulated, and companies can define it as they please.
But most food manufacturers are well aware of this general misperception of what the label means, and frequently misuse it to lure health conscious consumers into spending more. This is known as “green-washing” and it certainly applies in this case.
Adding insult to injury, the company appears to have made a poor attempt to save face by further misleading consumers about the accuracy of the information that led the Rhode Island grocer to not carry the Kashi brand anymore.
The Cornucopia Institute released a report, Cereal Crimes, back in November of last yearii, which details the presence of genetically engineered grains in a number of leading “natural” cereal brands, including Kellogg’s Kashi brand.
Shockingly, many of the products tested were found to contain high amounts of genetically engineered grains—some, including Kashi, containing 100 percent genetically engineered grains!
The report also mentions a class action lawsuit filed against Kellogg/Kashi on August 31, 2011, “for allegedly misleading consumers with its “natural” claims.
One Kashi® product in particular, GoLean® Shakes, is composed almost entirely of synthetic and unnaturally processed ingredients, according to the plaintiff.”
The report contrasts these findings with tests of certified organic cereal products, which by law are not allowed to contain any genetically engineered ingredients or synthetic pesticides.
While some were found to be mildly contaminated with genetically engineered ingredients, overall, the report highlights the fact that the ONLY way to ensure you’re not buying a genetically engineered product is to buy a product bearing the USDA 100% Organic label.
When Greenwashing Attempts Finally Backfire…
Once the grocer’s sign went viral and angry consumers began overloading the Kashi telephone lines, the company switched to a recorded message stating they were temporarily unable to accept calls. Then, according to an April 26 report by Cornucopia Instituteiii:
“When the company again began accepting calls, a Kashi consumer affairs employee, Rick Duran, told a Cornucopia staff member that “no actual testing” of their cereal products had been performed.
This mimicked the analysis also offered in a response by the company in an online video posted that same afternoon on the Kashi Facebook page.
The video spokesperson called Cornucopia’s information “scientifically inaccurate and misleading because it was not based on actual testing of Kashi products.”
“This characterization of our work by Kashi is blatantly false,” said Will Fantle, Cornucopia’s Research Director. “We purchased a readily available box of Kashi’s GoLean® cereal from a Whole Foods store.
We then sent a sample to an accredited national lab for testing, finding that the soy in the natural cereal was 100% GMO.”
The Kashi video also suggested, disingenuously, that any genetically engineered contamination in their food was from incidental sources rather than crops intentionally grown from GMO seed.
While acknowledging that over 80% of the soybeans grown in North America are GMO, they explain that, “practices in agricultural storage, handling, and shipping, have lead to an environment where GMOs are not sufficiently controlled.”
“This is classic public relations spin and crisis communications work, where corporations use misinformation to try to cover their tracks,” said Rebekah Wilce, of the Center for Media and Democracy/PRWatch, which helps expose corporate PR tactics…”
Three days later, the USA Today reportediv:
“… Kellogg got itself into trouble by “not being entirely transparent,” says Roger Nyhus, president of Nyhus Communications in Seattle. He sees a trend among some companies “of fudging language to allay consumer concerns and jump on the green bandwagon, and I think it’s starting to backfire.” … Kashi’s DeSouza says that by 2015, all new Kashi products will “contain at least 70 percent USDA organic certified ingredients.”
So, in a matter of days, Kashi ended up backpedaling as their initial attempt to discredit the Cornucopia Institute’s test results backfired, and now the company has agreed to ensure their products will, within the next three years, contain at least 70 percent certified organic ingredients.
While this is probably not going to be enough for most health conscious consumers, Kashi’s pledge is at least a good demonstration of the power of consumer education, and that consumers ultimately have the power to influence even the largest of food companies. After all, they can only sell what you’re willing to buy!
“Natural” Label is Frequently Misused to Lure Health Conscious Consumers
The misuse of the term “natural” by companies who simply pay lip service to sustainability and the organic movement undermines companies that are truly sincere in their efforts to bring you eco-friendly, unadulterated, safe foods.
And companies like Kashi cannot rightfully claim ignorance about the impact the word “natural” has—marketing firm polls have shown that more people respond favorably to the “all-natural” label than the organic label!
It’s a powerful word that conjures up wholesomeness in most people’s minds. Marketing terms such as “natural” are certainly not chosen willy-nilly.
No, they’re selected based on what works and what sells. As illustrated by this market research summary by The Hartman Groupv:
“Consumer understanding and shopping behavior of organic and natural foods and beverages continues to change and evolve.
Today’s consumers are confused, yet continue to be engaged by the vast array of products, messages, symbols and labels they encounter when making decisions about what to eat or drink and where they shop.
… This study will identify the hierarchy among these attributes and point out differences by product category as well as deeper distinctions between “organic” and “natural” themselves.
It will enable companies to go beyond the clutter of product call-outs to have a singular focus on what matters most to consumers thereby increasing brand loyalty and likelihood of purchase”
According to a 2010 Hartman Group poll, more than 60 percent of consumers erroneously believe that the “natural” label implies or suggests the absence of genetically engineered ingredients, so Kashi’s statement that there’s nothing wrong with using genetically engineered ingredients in their “natural” products is rather weak.
Food companies know this misconception exists, and they actively prey on consumers’ assumptions.
Fortunately, the Cornucopia Institute’s report has awakened many to this sad truth. As one now-former Kashi consumer stated on the company’s Facebook page:
“Yours is the only brand cereal I have bought for years. Not anymore! You are despicable. Everything you supposedly stand for is a lie.”
The Difference Between Natural and Organic
It’s important to understand that the “natural” label is not regulated and does not provide a guarantee of being free of genetically engineered ingredients or synthetic pesticides and additives.
Currently, the ONLY label that can protect you against genetically engineered ingredients and other unsavory additives is the USDA 100% Organic label.
The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) took effect October 21, 2002, and regulates the standards for any farm, wild crop harvesting, or handling operation that wants to sell an agricultural product as organically produced.
The labeling requirements of the NOP apply to raw, fresh products and processed products that contain organic agricultural ingredientsvi.
In order to qualify as organic, a product must be grown and processed using organic farming methods that recycle resources and promote biodiversity.
Crops must be grown without synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizersvii.
Organic livestock must have access to the outdoors and cannot be given antibiotics or growth hormones.
Products labeled “USDA 100% organic” must contain only organically produced materials
Products labeled simply “USDA organic” must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients, whereas
The label “made with organic ingredients” can contain anywhere between 70 to 95 percent organic ingredients
Organic products cannot be irradiated, are not allowed to contain preservatives or flavor enhancing chemicals, nor can they contain traces of heavy metals or other contaminants in excess of tolerances set by the FDAviii.
Additionally, the pesticide residue level cannot be higher than 5 percent of the maximum EPA pesticide toleranceix.
For the complete National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances under the USDA organic label, see this linkx.
To learn more about organic foods and the findings detailed in the Cereal Crimes report, please listen to my interview with Mark Kastel of the Cornucopia Institute.
Mom Stands Up to Monsanto and Wins Major Environmental Award
Genetically engineered foods do not just pose a health hazard for those consuming them. GE crops also threaten the health of the environment and those living in GE farming communities, due to the heavy use of pesticides required to grow these crops.
A woman in Argentina who was instrumental in getting the president of Argentina to investigate the connection between pesticide use and the incidence of cancer and other devastating illnesses and deaths in her town has been awarded the 2012 Goldman Environmental Prize—the world’s largest prize honoring grassroots environmentalists.
The Goldman recognizes unsung heroes who often take great personal risks to work to protect the world’s natural resources and human lives.
Thirteen years ago Sofia Gatica gave birth to a daughter who died three days later of kidney failure.
Determined to learn what killed her child, she learned that the people in her working-class neighborhood, surrounded by genetically engineered soy fields and subjected to regular insecticide spraying, were plagued with unexplained health issues including high rates of neurological and respiratory diseases, birth defects, and infant mortality.
Even though she faced an uphill battle and death threats, Gatica succeeded in getting a municipal ordinance passed prohibiting aerial spraying around her town.
Argentina’s Supreme Court followed with a ruling that not only banned chemical spraying near populated areas, but ordered the government and soy producers to prove the chemicals are safe.
The Devastating Health Effects of Roundup
As of July 2013, Argentina will no longer allow the use of endulsofan, an off-patent organochlorine insecticide, and Gatica is currently involved with an effort to enact a nationwide ban on glyphosate as well.
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Monsanto’s broad-spectrum herbicide Roundup, which is used on all genetically engineered Roundup-Ready crops, which have been genetically altered to withstand otherwise lethal doses of the chemical.
Glyphosate is easily one of the world’s most overlooked poisons.
Research published in 2010 showed that the chemical, which works by inhibiting an enzyme called EPSP synthase that is necessary for plants to grow, causes birth defects in frogs and chicken embryos at far lower levels than used in agricultural and garden applicationsxi.
The malformations primarily affected the:
Skull
Face
Midline and developing brain
Spinal cord
The amount of glyphosate residue you can be exposed to through food is remarkably high, in terms of being close to the maximum residue limit (MRL) allowed.
According to a report in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology, the highest MRL for glyphosate in food and feed products in the EU is 20 mg/kg.
Genetically engineered soybeans have been found to contain residue levels as high as 17 mg/kg, and malformations in frog and chicken embryos occurred at 2.03 mg/kg!xii That’s 10 times lower than the MRL.
Other independent scientific research has also found that glyphosate has the potential to cause grave health damage, including a 2009 study that tested formulations of Roundup that were highly diluted (up to 100,000 times or more) on human cells, and even then the cells died within 24 hours.xiii
Why We MUST Insist on Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods
Labeling may be the only way to stop the proliferation of genetically engineered foods in the U.S., but simple petitions will likely fail. We strongly support state initiatives, such as California’s ballot initiative to require labeling for genetically engineered foods sold in their state.
A coalition of consumer, public health and environmental organizations, food companies, and individuals has already submitted the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act to the State Attorney General, and thousands of volunteers have done an outstanding job collecting the required signatures.
Now, the campaign needs funding. Needless to say, it’s going to be an enormous battle, as the biotech industry will outspend us by 100 to 1, if not more, for their propaganda aimed at stopping Californians from voting it into law.
I urge you to participate in the Money Bomb Against Monsanto, which was launched on May 1. By May 26, a broad coalition of food, farming, health groups, and organic food manufacturers, will attempt to raise one million dollars (i.e. “The Money Bomb”) to help get this law passed.
Donations can be made online, via regular snail mail, and over the phone. And to sweeten the deal further, a group of “Right to Know” public interest organizations and organic companies have pledged to match the first million dollars raised in this nationwide “Drop the Money Bomb on Monsanto Campaign.”
May 27th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
Michelle you have a beautiful family.
May 27th, 2012 at 9:55 pm
The biggest story I’ve read this morning is the quintessential double standard that exists in politics:
“Though the Obama campaign has repeatedly attacked Mitt Romney for his career at Bain Capital, President Obama still accepted $7,500 in campaign contributions from three Bain executives. His campaign press secretary, Ben LaBolt told The Politicker the president has no intention of giving the money back.”
Truly remarkable… You can read more below, but seriously, how can you attack someone on a job they had when you take campaign donations from the very company your target worked for? But, as we’ve watched for almost four years, this president ceases to surprise.
You know who else is a ‘vampire’ capitalist? The co-chair of Obama’s reelection campaign:
“If ‘vampire capitalists’ are destroying this country, why is Federico Pena co-chairing President Barack Obama’s national re-election campaign?
President Obama’s campaign has unbundled its slash-and-burn attack on private equity, creative destruction and various other ‘unfair’ capitalistic realities. The attacks don’t seem to be sticking, apparently, as Obama is losing ground in some major swing states according to polls. It certainly doesn’t help that other Democrats haven’t exactly gotten with the program.” Read more below.
Senate votes on abortion funding, biofuels, and Air Force
From Hope — “Committee leaders emerged from a three-and-a-half day, closed-door markup session to announce that the bill had received unanimous approval — after making a total of 150 alterations to President Obama’s proposal. Unlike the House version of the bill, which passed last week after the addition of $4 billion in funding to the package, the Senate bill stayed in line with the president’s budget of roughly $631 billion, including overseas combat operations funding.” Read more below.
Plus more from syndicated columnists and more from our special defense issue.
Have a nice Memorial Day weekend!
-Adam
May 27th, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Michelle, looked for you on the Bridge, didn’t see you. Maybe next time.
May 27th, 2012 at 10:10 pm
Hafa Adai Michelle. Your mother was so cute. Great Picture.
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This is an article to remind those of you on our island to be more careful how you dispose of Prescription drugs.
++++++++++++++
Have you ever wondered what becomes of prescription drugs that are disposed of in the trash or flushed down the toilet?
What about the tons of medicines that are ingested by humans worldwide that end up excreted in urine or feces?
Within the last 10 to 15 years, concern has arisen among governments and research scientists regarding the impact of prescription drug residues in surface water and groundwater throughout the world.
Scientists are able to measure and analyze chemical compounds found in prescription drugs, determine their prevalence in the environment, where they end up and if they have any effects on the environment.
This field of science is referred to as pharmacopollution.
A wide variety of prescription drugs are now being detected in rivers, streams, lakes and even aquifers in many places around the world.
These drugs run the gamut from antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth-control pills and other types of hormones to seizure medications, cancer treatments, pain killers, tranquilizers and cholesterol-lowering compounds.
Despite the fact that no research has yet been conducted here on Guam, it can be assumed that these medications are present in our rivers, streams and coastal waters as well.
How do they end up in the waterways? The human body uses as little as 10 percent of prescription drugs that are taken, the remaining 90 percent of medication is then excreted in urine and feces (unmetabolized). Expired and unused medications are flushed down the toilet or disposed of in the trash.
Because sewage treatment plants are not equipped to test for and remove drugs from wastewater, the treated wastewater, or effluent, carries the residual drugs with it into the body of water to which it is flowing.
Although the island’s new Layon Landfill is lined to protect groundwater, the leachate (rainfall that percolates through the trash in the active cell) is (or will be) collected and pumped to a nearby wastewater plant for treatment and will ultimately be diverted into the ocean.
There is so little known about long-term exposure and possible effects of prescription drugs that we should be extremely cautious with our methods of disposal.
As far as the marine environment is concerned, research shows that the levels of prescription drugs in fresh water and wastewater can have negative impacts to various marine species.
Many prescription drugs can have an impact on male and female reproductive organs in marine species, these are known as “endocrine disruptors.”
This can negatively effect the reproduction of certain fish species. The residual effects on their consumers (humans) is relatively unknown.
We can change our disposal habits to be more environmentally responsible. Instead of flushing expired or unused medications down the toilet, store them in a safe place and dispose of them at the next drug take-back collection event.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other federal and local entities, conducted another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 28 in Guam and the CNMI.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, a total of 42 pounds of prescription drugs were collected on Guam and Saipan. Everything that was collected was then sterilized and ground into a powder-like consistency. The material will then transported to the Layon Landfill and disposed of at a designated site.
So do your part to reduce contamination of our surface and groundwater by storing your unwanted drugs until the next prescription drug take-back event.
Make sure the medications are stored in a safe location that isn’t accessible by children or pets. Safely disposing of your prescription drugs is another way you can help to protect and improve our water quality on Guam.
Peggy Denney is a communicator for the University of Guam’s Sea Grant Program.
==========================
Congratulation San Francisco on your 75th Golden Gate Bridge Anniversary.
Anna
May 28th, 2012 at 4:42 am
Michelle, you are doing the America a disservice by supporting gay marriage. The legalization of gay marriage more than likely in the next 10 years this country will be saying that mothers and fathers are not necessary.
And when it does America will become more and more like Europe. Strong families build strong economies. This is not the age of strong families it is the age of disfunction and corruption. No good will come of gay marriage.
Believe me in 20 years the outofwedlock birth rate will be close to 100% and hardly anybody will be getting married. The first gay couple ever married are already divorced. They waited all these years for marriage just to get divorced?
No, gay marriage is wrong and by looking at the state of the family and lack of faith in Nordic countries and Europe as a whole one can see the overwhelming evidence.
Dr. King never used intimidation to promote his agenda. He never coerced people into saying what they didn’t want to say. He did not try to use the law to censor what people said. He attacked people only when they used violence against black people he never tried to control their words or their thoughts.
The gay movement is doing the exact opposite. And he definitely did not fight for or believe in gay rights. He did not get shot to legitimize gay sex. Read his 1958 letter to a black boy struggling with homosexuality.
May 28th, 2012 at 5:08 am
Michelle, sometimes it is so difficult getting on to your blog. My service refuses to allow it so I am trying this on a friends computer.
She is reading your blog for the first time. Her vocal english is fine but she can only pen Greek. I just wanted to congratulate on reserving this day to mention family.
Xylia
May 28th, 2012 at 5:27 am
Thomas, I am gay white man and what you are advocating is a form of racism. Your kind have been doing it forever.
How disingenuous for you to cite MLK when you and yours are the ones who tried desperately to keep blacks from enjoying equal rights.
You used all the save arguments you are now using to stop us from experiencing equal rights. When that didn’t work you resorted to violence of every imagination. Nothing was too cruel or inhuman for you to employ in your quest to suppress the equal rights of your targeted group
Hypocritically you cite MLK when you mention violence. You and your kind brought every kind of violence you could against black people to keep them from gaining even the basic remnants of human rights.
If blacks hadn’t awaken and decided they were not going to allow you and your kink to continue to rape, beat, and murder them at will you would still be doing so.
Turning the other cheek to your kind would be equivalent to jumping into a pit of rabid dogs.
Your cruelty knows no bounds because you are basically subhuman.
Like the OTW we will eventually gain our civil rights. Then you will be citing one of our leaders as to why they should wait when you write to your next target of discrimination.
Your kind never ceases, like garbage you are an inevitable by product of humanity. A thing that must be recognized for its potential to cause disease and death to humanity unless disposed of properly.
Raymond
May 28th, 2012 at 5:44 am
Crustless Apple Pie and Other Fast, Delicious Foods
Many of us have fond memories of Mom or Grandma spending hours in the kitchen slicing veggies, trimming cuts of meat, carefully adding spices and patiently simmering…roasting…baking…steaming…and so on.
But today, who has time for that? We’re pulled in so many directions that it seems like a victory if we sit still long enough to wolf down some takeout.
In fact, a recent report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found that among its 34 country members, Americans spend the least amount of time cooking and the third-least amount of time eating.
So why is our obesity rate the highest of the bunch? Perhaps in part because too few of us have found the secret to making healthful meals fast enough to suit our busy schedules.
Well, here’s someone who has found that secret—Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, author of 25 books on nutrition and cooking, including Comfort Classics: Hearty Favorites Made Healthy.
Magee has generously shared four recipes—each naturally low in calories and saturated fat yet high in flavor—that will let you put tasty, nutritious meals (dessert, too!) on the table in less than 15 minutes.
For breakfast: Very-Veggie Quesadilla.
Why settle for boring cold cereal when you can kick off your day with a warm and quick quesadilla?
To prepare: In a large skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, heat 1 cup egg substitute or egg whites over medium heat until semi-firm. Flip with a spatula.
Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. shredded reduced-fat cheese and 2 Tbsp. minced green onion, then top with a large whole-grain tortilla. When the underside of the egg is cooked, flip everything onto a plate, tortilla-side down.
Sprinkle with diced tomatoes, avocado and bell pepper to taste. Top with a second large tortilla, then cut into wedges. Makes two servings.
For lunch: Cashew-Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich. If you’re used to thinking of chicken salad as a gooey mix of mayo and chicken, you’ll be delighted with the zesty taste and crunchy texture of this version.
To prepare:
Remove and chop the meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Place 2 cups of the chicken in a medium-sized bowl (reserve any remainder for another use). Into the chicken, stir ⅓ cup finely chopped celery…one finely chopped green onion…and ¼ cup cashew pieces.
Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together 4 tsp. nonfat plain yogurt…¼ cup fat-free sour cream…1 tsp. curry powder…and ¼ tsp. low-sodium chicken-broth powder.
Stir mayonnaise mixture into chicken mixture. Use six slices of multigrain bread plus lettuce and sliced tomato to taste to make three chicken salad sandwiches.
For dinner:
Turkey-Avocado Burgers. The typical turkey patty, while nutritious, is notoriously bland—but not this spiced-up version!
To prepare:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine one pound extra-lean ground turkey…¼ cup fine bread crumbs…¼ cup egg whites…2 Tbsp. soy sauce…2 Tbsp. minced onion…1 tsp. minced garlic…and 1 tsp. minced ginger.
Shape into four patties. In a large skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook burgers over medium heat for about four minutes per side or until done (do not overcook).
Place each burger on a whole-grain bun and top generously with sliced avocado and salsa. Makes four servings.
For dessert:
Easy Crustless Apple Pie. This guilt-free indulgence takes just a few moments to make.
To prepare:
Core an apple and place in a microwavable dish. Into the center of the apple, spoon 1 tsp. brown sugar and ½ tsp. of whipped butter.
Drizzle apple with lemon juice and sprinkle with cinnamon to taste. Microwave on high three to four minutes or until tender.
(If your microwave tray does not turn automatically, rotate the dish a quarter-turn halfway through the cooking time.) Makes one serving.
Source: Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, is the author of 25 books on nutrition and cooking, including Comfort Classics: Hearty Favorites Made Healthy (a Barnes & Noble Bargain Book).
She is based in Pleasant Hill, California, and wrote the nationally syndicated column “The Recipe Doctor” for 10 years.
May 28th, 2012 at 7:25 am
My poor ex country seems to be headed for ruin and it may take a big part of europe with it.
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In every economic crisis there comes a moment of clarity. In Europe soon, millions of people will wake up to realize that the euro-as-we-know-it is gone. Economic chaos awaits them.
To understand why, first strip away your illusions. Europe’s crisis to date is a series of supposedly “decisive” turning points that each turned out to be just another step down a steep hill.
Greece’s upcoming election on June 17 is another such moment. While the so-called “pro-bailout” forces may prevail in terms of parliamentary seats, some form of new currency will soon flood the streets of Athens.
It is already nearly impossible to save Greek membership in the euro area: depositors flee banks, taxpayers delay tax payments, and companies postpone paying their suppliers — either because they can’t pay or because they expect soon to be able to pay in cheap drachma.
The troika of the European Commission (EC), European Central Bank (ECB), and International Monetary Fund (IMF) has proved unable to restore the prospect of recovery in Greece, and any new lending program would run into the same difficulties.
In apparent frustration, the head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, remarked last week, “As far as Athens is concerned, I also think about all those people who are trying to escape tax all the time.”
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Don’t forget folks .. if and when the IMF is asked (and it agrees to) help fund the Euro/Greece mess, that we here in the good old USA will be footing part of the bill!
The USA coughs up 17% – in ca$h – of what the IMF has in reserves ….. so, follow the money; afterall, it’s YOURS!
May 28th, 2012 at 7:35 am
Kate Says:
May 28th, 2012 at 7:31 am
Read this and “Why You’re Still Not Married.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tracy-mcmillan/why-youre-still-not-married_b_1541011.html?ref=daily-brief?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=052812&utm_medium=email&utm_content=BlogEntry&utm_term=Daily%20Brief
Don’t for get to take the test.
Kate
May 28th, 2012 at 7:36 am
James Says:
May 28th, 2012 at 7:34 am
Howie please tell me this wasn’t an alien;
The officer…approached and saw that the naked man was actually chewing the other man’s head, according to witnesses. The officer ordered the naked man to back away, and when he continued the assault, the officer shot him.
The attacker continued to eat the man, despite being shot, forcing the officer to continue firing. Witnesses said they heard at least a half dozen shots.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/26/naked-man-eating-victims-face-killed-miami_n_1548359.html?utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily%20Brief&utm_campaign
May 28th, 2012 at 7:40 am
Damn that was one scary video. Maybe the zombies are really coming.
May 28th, 2012 at 7:41 am
The rumor is that the “dead” body came alive on the morgue table and was caged and put on ice.