This ‘N That Chitchat
Posted by Michelle Moquin on August 2nd, 2010
Hellooo…
How is everyone? I had a very busy weekend. I worked hard and played hard and this morning it was tough climbing out of bed, when I so wanted to sleep for another hour. No complaints…just stating the facts.
I’m just going to check in with you all today. No topic; just me. There were a few comments that I wanted to address, and today is the day.
First of all, loved the dialogue between SP101 and all of you.
Harris: Sorry to hear my readers are encroaching on your privacy and fun. I have to say though, that I do get a kick out of the fact that you met via my blog. I am sure that you and Evelyn are still enjoying each other in spite of it all. :)
Kris: I applaud it too. Water is our life source. We can’t do enough to ensure its purity. Did I say “purity”? Okay…well at least so that it is drinkable.
Raina: Maybe next time. Zen Lill and I haven’t seen each other in 2 years. We thought a little privacy was in order. And I will ditto Zen Lill’s words and give gratitude to those of you who honored it and gave us the space to chat away freely and uninterrupted.
Bob: Are you the poet behind these, or are you gathering them from somewhere? They are cute and quite witty.
Evelyn: Hmm…well it’s one thing having the crowd at your fingertips and in control, and another thing when you have strangers invading your private space. I guess Harris is getting a dose of “celebrity paparazzi” and not liking it. I don’t blame him.
Readers: How about giving Evelyn and Harris a little bit of space to enjoy themselves without gawking eyes – okay?
Leroy: As much as I don’t like your bigotry, I am happy that you are seeing the true colors of the republicans, and their actions are making you think…making you take different actions, a different stance. I’m glad to see it happening. It give me HOPE that others will open their eyes and follow suit too.
As a few readers have said, “It is a start.” All I can add is, remember that Obama is white too. If he’s doing it for his own kind, he’s doing it for the blacks and the whites. But I believe Obama doesn’t see color. In my opinion, he is making this country a better place for all.
Lastly, I have to agree with Victor: Dine on something other than FOX and lighten up on the racial slurs. And as Doug said, please tell all of your friends of your new insights to your failed party.
Brad: I really hope that wasn’t the reason why you chose Hasting Law School. It seems you are definitely having fun here – All I can say is I wish you luck in school too.
Judy: Interesting article. Remember when car alarms were first installed? They were a big thing and a pretty good warning that people paid attention to. Until every time a car got bumped slightly or a heavy wind activated it. Then people didn’t take the alarm seriously, and stopped paying attention. In fact hearing a car alarm go off in the middle of the night was a nuisance. Now we have that same thing occurring with alarms that are much more serious warnings. Thanks for posting.
Mandy, Joyce and Hank, and all of those interested in seeing what Doug looks like: Click on Doug’s name and it will go to his blog site where you can see his photo. He is easy on the eyes to say the least. :)
Got to run – Peace out.
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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August 2nd, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Michelle
I agree. It is worth the attention to have met this wonderful woman.
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Dear MoveOn member,
A nuclear bomb in your city? Unthinkable, right?
Not really. Right now there are 23,000 nuclear weapons in nine countries—any one of which could be accidentally set off or stolen by a terrorist. But with your help, that could change.
Your mission: go see Countdown to Zero, an important new film about the massive threat we face in a nuclear world, brought to you by the Academy Award-winning team behind An Inconvenient Truth and a great new organization called GlobalZero.org.
To view the trailer, buy tickets and learn more click:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89715&id=22173-7692656-D.YcAPx&t=1
Featuring ex-CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson and a host of former world leaders, Countdown to Zero opens in your city this weekend.
These kind of smart, politically relevant movies usually don’t get distributed nationwide unless they greatly exceed box office expectations opening week—so we need your help to pack every screening.
Check out what people are saying about the film:
“…Countdown to Zero will cast a frightening, punishing spell… brings the issue into penetrating focus, making a strong case for renewed global vigilance. Exceedingly well researched, …this scenario is not merely “possible,” or even probable, but eventual.”—Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York1
“Countdown to Zero makes old terrors radioactively new again. Lucy Walker, the director of this documentary about the still clear-and-present danger of nuclear weapons, has her finger on the ultimate hot-button topic, and she doesn’t let go…
it’s the rare film that could trigger and unite the reflexes ?of the left and the right. It makes ?getting rid of nukes seem less like a ”cause” than an imperative. A-”—Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly2
President Obama has shown more leadership on this issue than we’ve seen in decades. In the months to come he could face fierce opposition to some vital policy steps that will pave the way towards reducing the world’s nuclear arsenal—and he’ll need unprecedented public support.
Sometimes issues of national security seem inaccessible and far removed. It almost feels like there is nothing we can do personally to make an impact. But this is something we can do today.
The more of us that go see this movie this weekend, the better our chances that it will spread to theaters across the country and fuel an unstoppable global movement.
Please, get tickets and invite your friends and family to join you:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89715&id=22173-7692656-D.YcAPx&t=2
==========================================
These were for the 30July showing. You will have to check for times in your neighborhood.
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Harris
It’s so nice of you to speak of my daughter.
Michelle.
I thought the women would be interested in this.
==========================
Breast health without mammograms
Ladies, if you’re looking to lower your risk of breast cancer, skip the doctor’s office–and head to the supermarket instead.
The latest research confirms that good nutrition and safe supplements can lower your risk for breast cancer–making it easier to just say no to the cancer screenings that have led to the mass overtreatment of women around the world.
There are a lot of new studies worth mentioning here, but let’s start with a supplement everyone should be taking anyway: Fish oil.
Researchers looked at data on 35,016 postmenopausal women who did not have breast cancer at the start of the study. They found that those who took fish oil supplements had a 32 percent lower risk of developing the most common form of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma.
The new study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention comes on the heels of research last year that found women with high levels of EPA–one of the components of fish oil–have half the risk of breast cancer.
And, of course, fish oil can also lower cardiovascular risk, improve mental health and protect vision in men and women alike.
If you’re not eating fatty fish several times a week, be sure to get a quality fish oil supplement. Since some can give you the “fish burps,” you may need to shop around until you find one that works for you–just don’t give up, because the benefits are too good to miss.
And if you do opt for eating your fish over swallowing a capsule, be sure to fry your fillets in olive oil. That’s because in addition to adding some great taste, another new study finds that this healthy oil can also fight breast cancer.
Spanish researchers say experiments on rats show that olive oil can block the gene that causes breast tumors, turn off the proteins that feed cancer cells and prevent the DNA damage that leads to cancer, according to a study published in Carcinogenesis.
That would certainly help explain why people who enjoy a Mediterranean diet also enjoy a lower risk of cancer–not to mention fewer heart problems, since olive oil is great for cardiovascular health.
And as long as we’re in the supermarket, make sure you add some broccoli and Brussels sprouts to your shopping cart– because these veggies may have the power to shut cancer down.
Ohio State University researchers say indole-3-carbinol, or I3C, appears to block the growth of breast cancer cells by switching off a molecule the cells need to divide. The best sources of I3C come from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and cabbage.
Other vegetables and supplements can also help lower your risk. As I mentioned a few months ago, bitter melon extract kills breast cancer cells in a lab setting. It tastes like its name–so unless you can handle some bitterness, a supplement may be your best bet. (Read, “Bitter melon’s cancer-blocking powers.”)
And recent studies on more common supplements are just as promising. One study found that calcium supplements slashed the risk of breast cancer by 40 percent, while multivitamins lowered the risk by 30 percent. (Read, “Vitamins can lower breast cancer risk.”)
Of course, talk to your doctor before adding new supplements to your regimen–but for most people, these are safe, simple, inexpensive and completely natural options.
They may even be part of your diet already.
So feel free to skip the screenings… but make sure you don’t skip good nutrition.
===================================
And thanks for the request for privacy. Evelyn says it has been more than she would have believed.
Ruth
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:33 pm
We all must have our secrets.
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:46 pm
ACUPUNCTURE SAFETY: PUNCTURING THE MYTHS
Acupuncture is hardly considered exotic anymore — according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3.1 million Americans visited acupuncturists in 2007, up from 2.1 million in 2002.
People like acupuncture for its benefits, of course, but also because — despite the fact that it involves sticking needles into the body — it seems very safe.
But let’s not be too quick to take this for granted: A recent research report from the University of Hong Kong reminds us that, like all medical interventions, there are some potential safety concerns associated with acupuncture.
It is wise to know about these so that you can be sure that the acupuncture treatment you receive is helpful, not harmful… and I suspect you will be surprised to learn that the greatest danger is not associated with contaminated needles.
The surprising finding from this research: The largest number of medical complications associated with acupuncture treatment arose from the failure to properly sanitize patients’ skin before using the needles.
Puncturing bacteria-laden skin with needles — even sterile ones — transports these microbial invaders into the body, sometimes resulting in serious infections and in rare cases leading to joint destruction and organ failure.
The study also reported concern that contaminated auxiliary equipment, such as swabs and towels, could cause mycobacteriosis, potentially resulting in ulcerative lesions.
SHARP INSIGHTS
To find out more, I called Lixing Lao, MD, PhD, LAc, an expert on acupuncture-related health risks and the director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Program at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
While contaminated needles were once problematic, he told me that in the US this is now so rare as to be almost unheard of. Dr. Lao said most acupuncture done here now uses disposable needles, and acupuncture training includes thorough instruction in sanitary procedures, including proper disinfection of patients’ skin and hygienic management of sheets, towels and other equipment.
Vigilance is the obvious solution for preventing infectious problems. Sanitation is vital. Before having an acupuncturist treat you…
Confirm that he/she is a member of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and is licensed by your state. (See http://www.nccaom.org for more information and to locate licensed acupuncturists in your area.)
Be sure you feel comfortable with the acupuncturist and can see that the office and treatment facilities are clean and well-maintained.
Make sure your skin is properly cleansed, using an alcohol-soaked pad, before being punctured.
OTHER SAFETY ISSUES …
Dr. Lao emphasized the importance of informing your acupuncturist about any medical problems you have in order to stay safe. Specifically…
Tell the acupuncturist if you have a pacemaker. Some acupuncturists use electrical stimulation equipment to accelerate treatment. Although it has never been proven that the electrical current interferes with a pacemaker, practitioners keep needles away from the front of the neck and over the heart in people who have them just in case.
Inform your doctor about health problems, such as a bleeding disorder, if you take blood thinners or have a low white blood cell count.
When clean needle precautions are followed, acupuncture is a safe treatment procedure — but it’s not risk-free.
“Proper training and rigorous licensure requirements are critically important to minimize the risks in acupuncture practice,” said Dr. Lao. Safety problems in acupuncture are extremely rare, but approaching it with care will go far to make sure they remain so.
Source(s):
Lixing Lao, MD, PhD, LAc, director, Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Program, Center for Integrative Medicine, professor of family and community medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
What does “Say on the eyes” mean Michelle?
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
What does “Say on the eyes” mean Michelle?
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Yes Michelle, Brad tells anybody who cares that you are the reason he chose Hastings. Frankly, I’m glad he did. But on the other hand, I’m more his age and I like to think I look as good.
Sure I don’t have a spaceship or super powers, but how do we know that you do either? One would think a guy with his smarts, looks, money and connections would grow up.
Nancy
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:01 pm
How about that. Most of the time I can’t get in to post and today I get to do it twice when I have little to say.
Gloria
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Michelle
Just because obama’s mother was raped by a baboon doesn’t make him a white man. Just as it doesn’t make a jew white because he claims to be one because he can pass.
If he could pas, he would be just another mud person like the jews.
George
August 2nd, 2010 at 2:28 pm
George,
The funny thing about your ignorance is that the white elitists, that you so aspire to be but will never attain, control who and how people get into the public fray in order for them to even get on the docket in order to be elected. So, you can blame your own peeps about bringing Obama to the front of the line to take the Presidential position. Upon Obama graduating Harvard he was hired by one of your own, for his first job out of College. Henry Kissinger hired him, to which was the beginning of the Obama historic political machine. He was initially groomed by your man, Kissinger, one of the biggest figure heads of the GOP and Washington for decades, even longer than your man Cheney. As for your Jew quips, you would be referring to over 50% of Washington and Wall Street. So, if you wish to continue to gripe about who is in office, you might want to learn the corrupt process and its history to know the whole story and all of the players, as to who’s side you are really on.
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Ditto. Doug
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Hi Mischa, just arrived back home, spent some time in the Sierras, all the old haunts and still hanging with my baby boy. Lloyd, I was at a huge party and was dancing and cooing and kissing my bit and a man walked up to me and said ‘i want to be your baby! Hahaha…it made me think if you : )
Evelyn, like Mischa I’m still blown away that you two met via this blog. I’ll jokingly say this: hon, I have no sympathy for you : ) you and Harris actually have met, I waited two years plus and Anonz has always had bigger things to do, though I know he’s on the endangered species list, I can’t help but be a titch envious of the ease of your meeting. ah well, Cie la vie…
Luv, Zen Lill
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:44 pm
I think Mischa meant ‘easy in the eyes’ and yes Doug is a looker ; ) ZL
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Mischa,
I’m still stumped about Harrys, did these 3-4-5 people just happen to be in the neighborhood? I don’t believe in coincidences…how’d that even happen? There was no word of it here…so what’s your theory?
Harris, point taken. I understand you wanting privacy with your lady, I like my privacy also (with or without a man involved) though next time I’m in SF I would love to share time with the peeps of MM blog, Mischa, Doug and I will duck out for private convos at some point I’m sure : )
- ZL
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:52 pm
I for one wouldn’t mind hooking up with you Zen Lill the next time you come to SF. Let the blog know.
I have had Michelle’s picture pointed out to me on more than one occasion when I was at Harry’s. I always act as if it is my first time seeing it so the person gets benefit from the discovery.
Jorge
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Michelle
I couldn’t get in all day yesterday. My post kept coming back say “you already said that.”
Today, I see that looney george is at it again. Why do you let this guy on your blog? He is definitely sick.
Doug, you have the system down pat. They are pitting us against each other while the empty our pockets.
I’m going to keep this short in the hopes it will post.
Leon
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:15 pm
So Harris it doesn’t pump your nadds to be one of the darlings of London.
I don’t think anyone will actually bother you two. They would have to a right nutter to start something with you two.
The way most of Michelle’s blogsters fill about her here, Id put notes on it.
Diana
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:37 pm
I can’t believe it. It is a little after 6 in the morning here in Paris and I just spotted Harris and Evelyn at the Lyon train station.
I circled back to get a second look at the big (and I do mean BIG) red head. I took a couple of pictures with my cell phone and waited until they finished talking to two very excited couples and I said hello.
Or rather Bonjour in my best french accent. Being that I am from Petrozavodsk Karella.
Evelyn (she’s so gracious) asked me how I knew it was them. I told her she is on my twitter and several other tracking list.
Even Harris perked up and laughed when I told him that he had been sighted all over Europe and in Finland where I had just left a crowd gather around and booed a big red head who was with a white girl. I think they though he was cheating on Evelyn.
Harris asked me where I was from. I asked him how he knew that I wasn’t french. He said that my English was flawless but my French needed a little work.
When I told them I was looking for a way to get to the Roissy Airport, they invited me to come along with them because they were taking the 7 AM bus to it.
I did. So here I am sitting next to them and writing about it. How Kool is that?
Ceilja
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Not on your Nelly. I can’t believe you. Send pictures.
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Zen Lill
My cousin has a picture of you at the hotel. It was only a side shot as you were going down the stairs as she and her friends were far to the right of you on the top tier.
Do you remember a large party sitting in the corner of the top tier? That was her group.
She said that you did not look over for her to get a full facial. Too bad.
Anyway she said that she took the picture because she recognized Michelle and you were a tall blond. So she speculated that you might be Zen Lill.
I was at home, in Noe Valley. But she didn’t call until you guys left. I would most definitely come up and politely said Hello.
Bharat
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:48 pm
My mobile just lit up with emails from all over. The word is that “HE” (Harris&Evelyn) are traveling secretly early in the morning to avoid the fans.
Je suis accro au deux.
Kris
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:52 pm
It is just not cricket to be chasing those two. Remember Michelle asked us to lay back. When they return to London. those of us who are true fans will give them their space.
you frenchies should do likewise.
Pei
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Ditto Pei.
Why must everyone act like a nipper when it comes to those two?
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Is that your real name?
Pei
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Yes,
why do you ask?
Pei
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Me too.
Pei
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:57 pm
We would probably not be so curious if Evelyn would say a few words about what is going on.
Face it! Curious minds want to know.
Ellen
My real name too.
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Michelle
If I email you couple of pictures of the two of them will you publish them and give me credit?
Olga
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:06 pm
I’m for North Carolina and that is just tacky Olga. I hope Michelle says no.
Harris bring Evelyn to NC. We will show you how true fans behave.
My family owns a very respectable lodge in downtown Burgaw. We will put you up first class for free and pay your airfare. First Class of course.
What do you say? It is still summer here and the fresh sea food is without peer. Not to mention the world famous barbecue.
Sal
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Nice try Sal.
Evelyn and Harris, we can do Sal’s offer one or two better.
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:18 pm
They are all talk. The best hotels there are at least 10 miles from their beach.
Sal
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Michelle
I have been trying to get in since yesterday. Why am I continuing to get “you are posting too fast, slow down.”?
How do I get in?
Pearle
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Okay Zen Lill, it seems everybody has a picture of you but me. Why don’t you post one or two before they go on sale from somebody else.
Okay so tweet me those hot pink pants.
Larry
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Ditto with Michelle. All that came through was a shot of some legs hanging out of a coat.
The legs are nice, but can’t you send a picture of Michelle with her legs?
What kind of cheap-ass cell phone do you have anyway?
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:27 pm
They just exited the train station. I have pictures.
Mitzy
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Screw you Mickey. You don’t deserve to see her legs much less her face and legs.
I have the 4g Iphone for your smart-butt information.
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:58 pm
How to Grow Perfect Tomatoes
Sheila Buff
When was the last time you bought a really good-tasting tomato from the grocery store? Weather permitting, you can grow a bumper crop of your own, much more delicious tomatoes this year and use them for salads, sauces and other recipes — and give them to grateful friends.
Almost anyone can do it, even if you don’t have enough space for a garden. How to go about it…
CHOOSE THE RIGHT VARIETIES
The typical garden catalog might offer 10 to 20 tomato varieties — a specialty catalog might offer several hundred.
Not every tomato variety will grow well in every garden, but there are some stalwart varieties that are easy to grow, disease resistant and produce large crops of delicious tomatoes just about anywhere.
Some top choices found in catalogs and garden centers…
Small fruits — cherry tomatoes. Riesentraube, Sugary, Sun Gold (yellow), Sweet 100.
Medium fruits — salad or slicing. Better Boy, Big Boy, Box Car Willie, Celebrity, Early Girl, Flammé (orange), Lemon Boy (yellow), Matina, Paul Robeson (black), Sioux.
Large fruits — beefsteak. Brandywine varieties, German Johnson, Goliath, Mortgage Lifter.
Most tomato varieties will do reasonably well anywhere, but if you have a short, cool growing season — or a long, hot, and humid one — choose varieties that are best for your area.
Good medium-sized red choices for short seasons — Early Girl, Jetsetter, Stupice. Good medium-sized red choices for long, hot seasons — Homestead, Porter’s Pride, Solar Fire, Sunmaster.
PLANT METHODICALLY
Tomatoes like good soil with lots of organic material (humus) in it, a fair amount of room, and plenty of warmth and sunshine.
Tomatoes hate the cold, so plant them after the last frost for your area (check with your local county extension or farm bureau to find the date for your area).
Also, choose a spot that will get at least six hours of full sun every day.
If you grow your own seedlings, start the seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area.
Space the seedlings two to three feet apart (in all directions) or one plant per pot if you are using containers. Dig a planting hole six to eight inches deep or more –
it should be deep enough to hold the roots and the stem of the seedling up to the first set of true leaves (not the small rounded leaves closest to the roots).
Planting deeply helps your tomato plants develop strong roots, which will help them flourish.
Place a stake by each plant now, so you won’t disturb the roots later on when the plant is bigger. As the plants get taller, tie them loosely to the stakes with string or twist ties.
This keeps fruit and foliage off the ground, making it easier to find and pick the tomatoes — and also keeps the branches from breaking under the weight of the fruit.
To keep down weeds, insects and plant diseases, and to help conserve moisture, cover the soil around the plants with a thick layer of organic mulch, such as dead leaves, grass clippings, straw, shredded newspaper — or use black plastic sheeting or landscape cloth.
Tomatoes in soil that has been enriched by organic gardening methods don’t usually need added fertilizer. If your soil isn’t as good, your tomatoes may need some help.
Apply natural fertilizers, such as compost tea (soak a shovelful of compost overnight in a gallon or two of water, then pour off the water around the plants) or fish emulsion, available at any garden center,
when the seedlings are first planted, again when the first blossoms appear and again when the first fruits start to turn light green. If you want to use a manufactured fertilizer, Miracle-Gro for tomatoes has the best mineral balance.
WATER DEEPLY AND OFTEN
The true secret of growing perfect tomatoes is watering them deeply and often. The best way to water is with soaker or drip hoses along the bases of the plants. These get the water down to the roots without wetting the foliage and fruit, where it can cause mildew and other diseases.
Tomatoes need to be watered on a regular basis. Check the moisture level every few days by digging down a couple of inches. If the soil is dry below the surface, you need to water.
Tomatoes need roughly two to three gallons of water applied per plant per week — more if it’s very hot and dry, less if it’s been rainy.
If you use soaker hoses, let the hoses run for two to three hours. To hand water, gently apply about a quart of water around the base of the plant, let it soak in and then repeat once or twice more.
If your tomato plants start looking badly wilted or yellowed even though you’ve been careful about watering regularly, chances are a tomato disease is at work. Once these problems turn up in your garden, they’re there for good.
Avoid them in the future by selecting resistant varieties. Resistance to the most common tomato diseases is indicated by these letters after the variety name on the seed packet or label on the container (if you bought seedlings)…
A stands for Alternaria arborescens fungus.
F for Fusarium wilt.
N for nematodes (tiny worms that attack roots).
T for tobacco mosaic virus.
V for Verticillium wilt.
Check with your local county extension agent or farm bureau to find out more about specific tomato diseases in your area and for help identifying what’s hurting your plants.
HARVESTING YOUR CROP
For best flavor, pick your tomatoes when they’re still two or three days away from being fully ripe. Let them finish ripening indoors on a countertop away from direct sun.
Homegrown tomatoes will often have some green at the stem end even when they’re ripe. They may also still have some green on the shoulders.
Pick them anyway — by the time they turn completely red, if left on the vine, they will be overripe. Most important of all: Never put tomatoes in the refrigerator! Their taste and texture will be ruined.
TOMATOES FOR SMALL SPACES
No space for a garden? If you have a balcony, patio, porch or a sunny window, you can still enjoy homegrown tomatoes.
The secret is to choose a variety designed for container growing. These varieties are all small, compact plants with small fruits that will grow well in pots or even hanging baskets.
The most popular variety is called, unsurprisingly, Patio. Other container favorites include Florida Basket, Red Robin and Sprite.
For really small spaces, try Tiny Tim — the plants grow to only 18 inches — or Micro-Tom, the world’s smallest tomato variety. These plants grow to only eight inches. For tomatoes in containers…
Use the largest container possible for the space.
Pick the sunniest spot.
Protect the plants from wind by putting them in a sheltered spot or putting a windproof screen around them.
Fertilize as needed.
Water often, daily if necessary. Plants in containers dry out quickly. Check the soil daily for moisture.
Bottom Line/Retirement interviewed Sheila Buff, author of several books on gardening, natural history and the outdoors, including The Great Tomato Book (Burford Books). Ms. Buff lives in Milan, New York. http://www.sheilabuff.com.
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:01 am
Michelle
I checked out Doug’s blog. He can talk and he is easy on the eyes – :)
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:06 am
I couldn’t post. What happened?
I’ve learned that 99% of the time when
something isn’t working in your house one ]
of your kids did it.
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:12 am
Michelle, I was so excited to be addressed personally by you that I forgot myself. Here’s the poem.
HEY DIDDLE, DIDDLE the cat took a piddle,
All over the bedside clock.
The little dog laughed to see such fun.
Then died of electric shock.
Oh, and was it me or the poems that you referred to as “cute and quite witty.” I ask because they could be as true for one or the other or both.
Bob
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:17 am
Target has spent over $150,000 in the Minnesota Governor’s race backing state Rep. Tom Emmer, a far-right Republican who supports Arizona’s draconian immigration law, wants to abolish the minimum wage and even gave money to a fringe group that condoned the execution of gay people. 2
Target must think customers won’t care. They’re wrong: We do care, and we need to let them know that we want Target—and all corporations—out of our elections.
Will you send a message to Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel telling him that you’re not going to shop at Target unless they stop trying to buy elections? Click here to add your name to the petition:
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:24 am
My brother had a stroke. I have been checking everything I could to learn more. I found this. Just thought I’d share.
———————————————-
Fighting back after stroke
Surviving a stroke is only half the battle. The real challenge begins for many stroke victims when they return home from the hospital.
Many of them face debilitating and even permanent damage, and some even need to relearn basic activities like walking, talking and eating.
Now, two recent studies give some hope to a seemingly hopeless situation.
The first comes in the form of a simple easy-to-find everyday vitamin–one many people start their day with, whether they know it or not.
Vitamin B3–better known as niacin, a nutrient that can be found in abundance in coffee–helps rats that have suffered ischemic strokes to grow blood vessels and new nerve cells in their brains, according to a study presented at the recent International Stroke Conference.
That’s all well and good for the rats, but will it work on humans? That’s what the research team at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit wants to figure out–which is why they’re now testing to see if humans can get those same benefits after suffering an ischemic stroke. (That’s the most common type of stroke, which happens when blood can’t make it to the brain.)
But we already know that niacin has some terrific benefits for the arteries, as I’ve mentioned before. (Read “Common vitamin tops meds.”) What’s more, it’s easy to get it from your diet by eating more oatmeal, peanuts, mushrooms and fish.
And, as I mentioned, you can even get it from your morning brew. Espresso is overflowing with niacin, containing about 30 times what you’ll find in a serving of tuna or mushrooms.
Regular brewed coffee is also an excellent source of niacin, but it doesn’t contain nearly as much as espresso.
Niacin is also inexpensive and widely available in supplement form.
The researchers say this nutrient appears to rewire the brain… which is exactly what another group of scientists working with stroke patients say about a very different treatment.
Their study looks at how stroke victims benefit from something many of us do in the shower every day: singing.
It’s long been known that singing and speaking use different parts of the brain, which is why many stutterers can often belt out a tune without a single pause.
And in recent years, stroke patients who’ve lost the ability to talk have been learning to sing instead. It’s called “melodic intonation therapy,” and researchers say that the singing appears to rewire the brain–putting regions to use that had not been used before the stroke.
Many patients who’ve lost all ability to speak can begin communicating again after just one therapy session.
Stroke is often a traumatic life-changing event that robs people of their independence along with many of their abilities. It can be a long way back–but there is a road that can take you there.
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Michelle, I want to thank you and your bloggers for all you do to keep health information flowing.
Mischa
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:29 am
With all this talk about chasing the newest hot lovers on this blog. I thought it was time we got to talking about some really hot sex.
And Guam being where America’s Day Begins is just the place to start.
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Washington, Aug 3 (ANI): Scientists at University of Guam Marine Lab have uncovered the evolutionary origins of coral sex.
In a new study, researchers have found that ancient corals consisted of mostly separate sexes and needed to pass through an evolutionarily period in which they brooded their young before they could become spawning hermaphrodites.
“Most species of corals on tropical reefs are hermaphrodites and participate in one of nature’s most amazing spectacles, an annual mass spawning in which shallow moonlit waters rapidly fill with a ‘blizzard’ of brightly colored eggs,” said Alexander Kerr, senior author of the study.
“The evolutionary origins of coral sex turn out to be surprisingly complex. The reason for this round-about pathway from separate sex to hermaphrodite is uncertain, but is likely related to the rigors of existence on shallow, tropical reefs,” she added.
The study has been published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. (ANI)
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Hafa Adai
Anna
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:35 am
Yes, You Can Eat These Desserts!
Lisa R. Young, PhD, RD
New York University
Forget food deprivation. These delicious treats are good for you… and you won’t feel a crumb of remorse.
CHOCOLATE BANANA FREEZE
Recipe: Roll a firm banana in 1 ounce of melted dark chocolate, then in 2 tablespoons of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or peanuts. Freeze until the chocolate hardens.
Benefits: Heart-healthy potassium and omega-3s, plus disease-fighting antioxidants. Bonus: Dark chocolate eases inflammation.
Calories saved: Up to 300, compared with a banana split.
GRILLED PEACH MELBA
Recipe: Cut a fresh peach in half and remove the pit. Grill or broil on each side for 5 minutes. Top with 4 ounces of fat-free frozen vanilla yogurt, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of warmed all-fruit raspberry spread.
Benefits: Fiber for good digestion, vitamins A and C, calcium — and gourmet taste with no fat.
Calories saved: At least 250, compared with a fruit tart à la mode.
JUICY BAKED APPLE
Recipe: Core a baking apple (Rome, Cortland), put 2 teaspoons of raisins in the center and pour a bit of unsweetened cherry or pomegranate juice over the apple. Cover with foil, and bake at 350ºF for 35 to 45 minutes.
Benefits: Fiber, vitamin C, iron, potassium and antioxidants.
Calories saved: About 150, compared with a slice of apple pie.
SUPER SOY SMOOTHIE
Recipe: Put 8 ounces of vanilla-flavored soy milk, 1 cup of cut-up fruit of your choice, 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds and a few ice cubes into a blender, then whip until frothy.
Benefits: Protein from soy, antioxidants from berries and cancer-fighting lignans from flaxseeds.
Calories saved: About 200, compared with a milk shake.
YUMMY YOGURT PARFAIT
Recipe: Spoon 1 cup of low-fat whipped or regular yogurt (with “live and active cultures”) into a tall glass, layering it with ½ cup of berries and a handful of whole-grain cereal, such as Kashi GoLean.
Benefits: Calcium and protein, plus improved intestinal health and digestion from the cultures and fiber.
Calories saved: Up to 250, compared with flan or crème brûlée.
Bottom Line/Women’s Health interviewed Lisa R. Young, PhD, RD, adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University. She is in private practice in New York City and is the author of The Portion Teller Plan: The No-Diet Reality Guide to Eating, Cheating, and Losing Weight Permanently (Broadway), http://www.portionteller.com. She also is a member of the Bottom Line/Women’s Health advisory board.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:18 am
[...] Harris: I would expect to hear nothing less. [...]
August 4th, 2010 at 9:34 am
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