Sausage & Mushroom Lasagna

The slight heat wave we've had the past couple days finally shifted and we welcomed the cooler temperatures. It got cool enough that we started to crave some comfort food. One such comfort food is lasagna. This Sausage and Mushroom Lasagna was worth the time to make and is even better when made ahead of time...

This lasagna recipe had quite a bit of rave results from the AllRecipes website. After making it, I definitely concur - it's an amazing recipe and can be adapted easily to incorporate other ingredients. I used the base recipe and added some portobello mushrooms. If you're not a mushroom fan, simply omit it - it's still a solid recipe nonetheless. I did tweak it slightly by changing a handful of ingredients as well as the process. With a baby to care for, I shortened the time to make this and highly recommend making it in advance. Doing so not only saves time but allows the flavors to meld and the noodles to absorb all the goodness of the homemade sauce.

Sausage & Mushroom Lasagna
recipe adapted from AllRecipes

1 pound sweet Italian sausage

1 pound lean ground beef
3-4 large portobello mushrooms, diced

1 large onion, minced

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley + more for garnish

12 lasagna noodles

16 ounces ricotta cheese

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Fill a large pot with hot tap water. Place dry lasagna noodles in the water and soak for 20-30 minutes. While noodles are soaking, prepare the meat sauce.  

To prepare the meat sauce, in a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Remove, from heat, stir and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. 

To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese. Chill the lasagna for at least 3 hours or overnight for better flavor.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake chilled lasagna in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25-30minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

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'Whopper-licious' Malted Milk Ice Cream

I never have been big on candies. In fact, I only go out of my way to buy candy if I'm using it in another recipe. When I came across a recipe for malted milk ice cream, I knew I had to pick up some malted milk balls. The down side? Getting my husband to save enough so I can use some in the recipe! Thankfully, the Whopper-licious Malted Milk Ice Cream I made is studded with just enough candy!...


Aside from using malted milk balls in this recipe, I also had to pick up malt powder. It's not a usual pantry ingredient in our house so I'm on the search for other recipes calling for it. If you have some to share, please let me know! This ice cream recipe is cooked and uses quite a bit of egg yolks - 6 to be exact. As a result, it's super creamy and rich... and makes a great milkshake too.

'Whopper-licious' Malted Milk Ice Cream
recipe from David Lebovitz

1 cup half-and-half
3/4 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup malt powder
6 large egg yolks
2 cups malted milk balls, coarsely chopped


Warm the half-and-half, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, vanilla, and malt powder and set a mesh strainer on top.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.

Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula. Pour the custard through the strainer and whisk it into the malted milk mixture. Stir until cool over an ice bath.

Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. As you remove the ice cream from the machine, fold in the chopped malted milk balls. Place mixture in a freezer safe container and freeze overnight for flavors to meld before enjoying.

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Autism Rising? Dr. James Coplan Says It Ain't So But Is He Right?

Dr. James Coplan,  a developmental pediatrician with four decades of experience with special needs children,  argues in Psychology Today that there is no increase in incidence of autism.  Dr. Coplan distinguishes between autism prevalence which he describes as rates of autism diagnosis and rates of autism incidence which he describes as rates of autism occurrence .  The essence of the Coplan autism epidemic denial has been heard before and is obviously partially correct. The  changes in diagnostic definitions of autism from the DSM-III to the DSM-IV have expanded dramatically the numbers of persons described as autistic. I agree with that observation and I don't know of anyone who disagrees with it.  The problem is that those diagnostic definition changes do not necessarily explain the entire, startling increase. 

Dr. Coplan does not really provide any credible argument or evidence to show that the entire startling, increase in autism diagnoses  results from the 1994 diagnostic changes.  Since my son was diagnosed 12 years ago (and his diagnosis is Autistic Disorder, assessed with profound developmental delays) the reported rates of autism, the autism prevalence as described by Dr. Coplan,  have literally skyrocketed. From 1 in 500 to 1 in 110 with the most recent increase from 1in 150 to 1 in 110 occurring over a two year period, long after the DSM-IV changes.  Dr. Coplan simply provides no compelling argument or evidence to support his rigid thinking that the increase is explained entirely by the diagnostic changes, increased awareness or the internet as some are now using to spice up the denial argument.

Another problem for Dr. Coplan is that he is not criticizing parents of autism children , celebrities, or doctors who do not follow medical "consensus"  with his argument. It is easy to mock, ridicule and belittle   a celebrity actress autism mom when defending the safety of vaccines (even though it is an irrational strategy which simply creates more suspicion of health authorities).  It is much more difficult to ridicule the CDC which compiles the autism prevalence rates. It is much more difficult to mock the IACC which has published information indicating that only about 40-50% of the increase can be explained by the 1994 diagnostic change and social ascertainment factors.

Another huge problem for Dr. Coplan is that his argument ignores any possible environmental factors as causes or triggers of autism disorders.  If autism incidence, rather than diagnosis, has remained constant than that supports the decades  old thinking that autism was entirely genetic; that no environmental factors were involved. That paradigm was never much more than an assumption to begin with but it is  now giving way to a new paradigm; one that views autism disorders as resulting from the interaction of genetic and environmental factors.  

That autism paradigm shift is remarkable in its own right given the fact that autism research funding has been directed overwhelmingly toward genetic research at the expense of environmentally  focused research.  In other words if you look at the sky you will see the sky.  If you look at the ground you will see the ground.  If you do genetic research .... well you will find that in 3% of cases studies persons with autism had common genetic processes all of which were unique to the individuals involved.  YUP after decades of genetic research that's all we got.  With a shift toward more environmental autism research we are likely to find more environmental triggers of autism disorders ... and more information to explain the startling increases in autism incidence.

This humble autism dad in small town New Brunswick, Canada does not need a distinguished pediatrician like Dr. Coplan to convince me that the DSM-IV expanded the numbers of those diagnosed  with autism.  And I agree with him that the DSM-5 will continue that expansion. A great danger of that future expansion is that the obsession with genetics will once again be supported by the inability to distinguished autism prevalence and incidence because of a new DSM change.  The environmental aspect of autism disorders, the environmental triggers of autism disorders, which may essentially be synaptic disorders, will be neglected and the real increase in autism incidence denied and obscured again.

Dr. Coplan's decades of pediatric experience should be respected and valued but they should also be seen as potential obstacles to new thinking, new paradigms and new evidence from credible authorities, like the CDC and the IACC. Researchers like Dr. Irva Hertz-Picciotto,  who has said that we need more environmental focused research to help us understand what is happening, should be heeded and their opinions valued.  We have to move to a new paradigm and abandon the old assumptions that autism is entirely genetic, that autism is not actually increasing, if we are to understand what is causing these autism disorders that may be synaptic disorders.

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Italian Stuffed Mushroom Caps

While friends enjoy hitting the mall, I enjoy wandering at a grocery store. I especially enjoy the produce section when I score on sales! There was a super sale on portobello mushroom caps recently and those found its way in my grocery cart. I've been searching for recipes to use them in and on a whim, made these Italian Stuffed Mushroom Caps as a great side dish...


Portobello mushrooms are wonderful to stuff because they are a nice size and the shape allows for lots of stuffing. This recipe involves chopped tomatoes, a bit of homemade pesto, shredded parmesan cheese and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Everything is tossed together, stuffed into the mushroom cap and then baked until the cheese melts. It's a perfect side dish for any Italian inspired menu!

Italian Stuffed Mushroom Caps
original Joelen recipe

4 large portobello mushroom caps, destemmed
1-2 large plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1-2 tablespoons pesto (homemade or storebought)
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl. Stuff the mushroom caps with the tomato mixture and place on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes and serve hot.

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Chocolate Mint Oreo Ice Cream

Chocolate and mint are one of my favorite chocolate combos, so you can imagine how I didn't hesitate picking up a package of Mint Oreos. As much as I could easily devour a package of Mint Oreos, I thought it would be even better to swirl them into rich, creamy chocolate ice cream. This Chocolate Mint Oreo Ice Cream gives the traditional cookies and cream ice cream a run for it's money!...


This is chocolate mint heaven in a bowl. Oreos filled with minty cream finds it's way in decadent chocolate ice cream that's been kissed with more mint. I used a chocolate ice cream recipe from Ben & Jerry's and substituted peppermint extract in place of vanilla extract. Having that mint flavor in the ice cream only enhanced the minty Oreos... delish!

Chocolate Mint Oreo Ice Cream

recipe adapted from Ben & Jerry's

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups milk

2 large eggs

1 cup sugar

1 cup heavy cream, or whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 cup Mint Oreos, roughly chopped

Melt the unsweetened chocolate in the top of a double boiler over hot, not boiling, water. Gradually whisk in the cocoa and heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. (If the chocolate clumps or "seizes", don't worry - the milk will dissolve it). Whisk in the milk, a little at a time, and heat until blended. Remove from the heat and let cool.

Whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the sugar, a little at a time, then continue whisking until completely blended, about 1 minute more. Pour in the cream and vanilla, and whisk to blend.

Pour the chocolate mixture into the cream mixture and blend. Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 1 to 3 hours, or even overnight.

Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and freeze following the manufacturer's directions. During the last 1-2 minutes of churning, add the chopped Oreos to mix into the ice cream. Remove from the ice cream maker and store in a freezer safe container. Freeze overnight to meld flavors and serve. Makes 1 quart.

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Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

I'm giving my ice cream maker a workout these days since it's been so muggy and hot lately. To use up some strawberries I picked at a local strawberry field recently, I made this Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream. Hello, yumminess! Now this is an ice cream that any cheesecake lover can appreciate!

There have been a few cheesecake ice cream recipes I've come across but I went with David Lebovitz's recipe since he's the king of ice cream recipes in my book! His recipe is decadent and rich, just as ice cream should be. Unlike many of his ice cream recipes, this one doesn't require any cooking, so it's a quick and easy recipe to make. Cream cheese, sour cream and half & half are combined with sugar, lemon zest and a pinch of salt to create the cheesecake ice cream base. This mixture is churned and once that's done, a simple strawberry sauce is swirled in. For additional texture, I added chopped strawberries as well.

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
recipe from David Lebovitz

8 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
1 lemon
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup half and half
2/3 cup sugar
pinch of salt

Strawberry sauce:
1 1/2 pounds strawberries, rinsed and hulled
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Zest the lemon directly into a blender or food processor, then add the cream cheese, sour cream, half and half, sugar and salt and puree until smooth.

Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Place half of the ice cream in a container, then spoon in some of the strawberry sauce; repeat layers, then gently swirl with a spoon. Store in the freezer until ready to serve.

To make the strawberry sauce, puree the strawberries with the sugar and lemon juice in a food processor until smooth. Press the puree through a strainer to remove the seeds.

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Strawberry Swirl Pound Cake

You never know when a good recipe idea will hit you. I get excited when there are cooking magazines available to browse in waiting rooms. While I was at my doctor's appointment recently, I picked up a recent issue of Everday Foods magazine and came across a recipe for Blackberry Swirl Pound Cake. Since I had an abundance of strawberries to use up, I made this Strawberry Swirl Pound Cake instead...

When it comes to pound cake, I like enjoying it with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream. It's simple, sweet and so easy to make in a flash! But when I saw the recipe for Blackberry Swirl Pound Cake in the magazine, I knew I could easily substitute the blackberries for strawberries. It came out wonderfully and it's just as good as enjoying plain pound cake with fresh berries... if not better! The crumb of this pound cake is soft and tender while the swirl of sweet strawberries adds just enough sweetness without overdoing it. If I make this again, I would probably add more strawberry sauce and swirl it more so it's more visible throughout. Since I love strawberries so much, I drizzled some extra strawberry sauce used in the batter over the slices before serving... yum!

Strawberry Swirl Pound Cake
recipe adapted from Everyday Foods/Martha Stewart

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
6 ounces strawberries (1-1/3 cups)
1-1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/4 cups
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs. lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly butter a 5-by-9 inch loaf pan and line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides; butter parchment. In a food processor, puree strawberries with 2 tablespoons sugar. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together butter and 1-1/14 cups sugar until light and fluffy, 5 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat to combine, scraping down bowl as needed. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

Transfer half the batter to pan and dot with 1/2 cup strawberry puree. Repeat with remaining batter and puree. With a skewer or thin-bladed knife, swirl batter and puree together. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, about 1-1/4 hours. Let cool in pan on a wire rack, 30 minutes. Lift cake out of pan and place on a serving plate; let cool completely before slicing. (Store cooled cake, wrapped tightly in plastic, at room temperature, up to 3 days.) Cake can be topped with a drizzle of more strawberry puree and/or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream.

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New Brunswick Autism Education: Everyone in the Mainstream Classroom Inclusion Model Continues to Hold Back Progress

I have been a frequent promoter of the progress made in New Brunswick in the education of autistic students. Recent developments though show the extent to which that progress has been uneven with ultimate implementation of changes being left to the School District level. A bilingual and bifurcated Education department in New Brunswick has resulted in some francophone districts preferring to go it alone or to follow models from outside New Brunswick.

Two developments have spurred the  progress that has been made. One is  the training of 4-500 teacher assistants at the excellent UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training program. The program has received high marks on external review by Dr. Eric Larsson and has included knowledgeable guest speakers like David Celiberti of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment.  The UNB-CEL AIT program has emphasized both quality and integrity with course entry requirements, substantial practicum and examination requirements. Unfortunately the program has been opposed by some in the Department of Education who felt that the program, which resulted from political-parent consultation, represented a loss of departmental influence. The Department is now moving back to what it has wanted all along ...  an in house training program with all the inherent conflicts of interest, quality and integrity issues that in house training brings with it. Some school districts have also refused to enroll teacher assistants in the program particularly in New Brunswick's francophone school districts which have tended to go their own direction in New Brunswick's bilingual and bifurcated education system.

Progress has also been made in modernizing inclusion in New Brunswick schools.  For years the dominant "everybody in the mainstream classroom" approach pushed hard by  the New Brunswick Association for Community Living and by Gordon Porter,  the former chair of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission,  has held total sway in New Brunswick.  This approach does not reflect the research literature, or the experience of families like ours, which says that not ALL students with autism belong in the mainstream classroom.  I have presented legal reviews and research literature reviews to the MacKay Inclusion Review, (Professor MacKay is one of the worst offenders, and I use the term "offender" intentionally, when it comes to promoting the "everybody in the mainstream classroom" model of inclusion).

My son used to come home with bite marks on his hands and wrists from his days in a mainstream classroom where he was overstimulated, and learning a different subject matter, using different methods than the other children in his class. Once removed from the class for most of his  academic learning his self injury ceased and his school career has been a true joy as I have indicated many, many times on this blog.  Conor has not been sent to a prison like isolation room.  He has been educated in a small side room with an autism trained teacher assistant. The room is decorated with the usual learning tools and is not in the least restrictive. Conor visists the school gym, pool, kitchen and library.  He is around other children there and in the halls.  I have seen children greet him at school many, many times.  Conor's classroom is the school and he is not alone in such accommodations which have been made for other students in District 18.

The concept of the whole school as a classroom or learning environment is not mine. I am not a professional educator and I did not come up with it. The person who did relay that concept to me was Alex Dingwall the Superintendent of School District 18.  The use of the whole school environment. to provide alternative learning locations and accommodation for autistic children who can not function in the mainstream classroom is not mine. It may or may not be Superintendent Dingwall's but it was he who relayed it to me during a settlement conference for a Human Rights complaint I had filed on behalf of my son and which I ultimately withdrew because he has been accommodated in our neighborhood schools here in Fredericton.

I caught some of the CBC coverage of the Moncton child placed in a jail like time out room. I heard Krista Carr of the NBACL offering her commentary without acknowledging that the system in place in that school district is the total inclusion, everybody in the mainstream classroom, model which does not recognize that the classroom is not right for all children and does not put any emphasis on providing alternate learning locations outside the mainstream classroom. The total inclusion model pushed by the NBACL, by the former chair of the NB Human Rights Commission and by Professor Wayne Mackay has failed and harmed some New Brunswick autistic students, including, for a brief period of time, my own son. Thankfully Conor has,  long since his failed mainstream classroom experience, had access to an alternate learning location in our neighborhood schools. The credit for that accommodation does not belong to me, or to Professor Wayne MacKay,  former Human Rights Commissioner Gordon Porter or NBACL official Krista Carr. The credit belongs to educators at School District 18 who have accommodated my son's disability.

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Ανδρών επιφανών έλλειμμα

Ανδρών επιφανών έλλειμμα

Ζούμε σε μια υπέροχη χώρα με έναν λαό εντελώς ετερόφωτο και χειραγωγούμενο. Άγεται και φέρεται από ηγετίσκους του δικομματικού κοινοβουλευτισμού, κατ επίφασιν δημοκρατικού καθεστώτος, που προάγει την αυτοαναίρεση, την μη συμμετοχή και τελικά την απογοητευτική και αντίθετη από τα συμφέροντά του αποχή από τα κοινά. Γιατί όταν τους θεωρείς όλους ίδιους και απέχεις σίγουρα σε διοικούν χειρότεροι και από σένα.
Ατύχησε αυτός ο τόπος από εποχής Μητσοτάκη και εντεύθεν να χειμάζεται από πρωθυπουργούς και λοιπούς ηγέτες, πνευματικούς, θρησκευτικούς, ινδάλματα και αθλητές της ζωής κάτω του μετρίου και της βάσεως., μηδέ των σημερινών εξαιρουμένων. Ένα καλά δομημένο σύστημα τραπεζιτών, εφοπλιστών και εργολάβων με εκδοτική επικουρία και καναλαρχών αρχιπειρατία κατάφερε να διαιρεί και να βασιλεύει, χρησιμοποιώντας τους για τα θελήματα, να νέμεται κρατικές προμήθειες , αμυντικές δαπάνες, ανύπαρκτες ανάγκες, κατευθυνόμενους διαγωνισμούς, να μιζάρεται, να προβάλλεται και να αναπαράγεται δημιουργώντας μια χώρα παράσιτο της Ευρώπης. Κατορθώσαμε ακόμα και στο προνομιακό μας χώρο του τουρισμού να δημιουργούμε χρόνια δυσαρεστημένους πελάτες που μας απορρίπτουν εδώ και χρόνια συστηματικά. Τουριστική περίοδο τριμήνου όταν το 12μηνο θα φάνταζε λίγο για τα πλούτια της χώρας Φτάσαμε σήμερα να φαντασιονόμαστε ανύπαρκτα πρακτορικά κέρδη από κρουαζιερόπλοια, που ο Σκαι τα ανεβάζει και σε 1,2 δις !? ενώ οι υποδομές για την υποδοχή και έναρξη κρουαζιέρας είναι προ πολλού στην Ιταλία ,την Βαρκελώνη και την Σμύρνη. Φκιάξαμε τον ακριβότερο προορισμό στην Ανατολική Μεσόγειο με το σπατόσημο για να μάθουμε όψιμα το Γενάρη 2010 ότι τα λεφτά που μαζεύονται χρόνια τώρα στην εξοχώρια Αίολος του Λουξεμβούργου είναι μέρος κάποιου κρυφού δανείου του Σημίτη προς την Goldman Sachs με άγνωστους αποδέκτες και μυρηκαστές.
Είμαστε το μοναδικό κράτος με υποθηκευμένα χρόνια τον ορυκτό και υπεδάφιο πλούτο του σε σφετεριστές ολίγων συμφερόντων χωρίς δημόσιο όφελος. Μόνο νταμάρια και περιβαλλοντική καταστροφή απαράδεκτη. Η πιο παλιά λιγνιτορυχική μονάδα της Ευρώπης έκανε 51 χρόνια να σταματήσει και οφείλουμε να επιβραβεύσουμε μια γυναίκα για αυτό την κα Μπιρμπίλη.
Όσοι ταγοί θρησκοπιθηκίζουν γύρω από το λαϊκό αντίστοιχο αίσθημα λυμαίνονται δημόσια εδάφη, περιουσίες φιλέτα και ανύπαρκτα κτηματολόγια, χαίρονται μια ζωή εις υγεία των φορολογούμενων κορόιδων και όταν έρχονται σκάνδαλα σαν το Βατοπέδι που δείχνουν πόσο ψηλά διαπλέκονται αντί να ξυριστούν Εφρεέμ και Αρσένιος και να φυλακιστούν προφανώς επειδή κρατούν κάποιους πολιτικούς από τα μαλακά συνεχίζουν να διαγουμίζουν τις αμαρτίες τους χωρίς συγχώρεση με το Σατανά μέσα τους. Ακόμα και ο ψοφοδεής Ιερώνυμος με αποδεδειγμένο φιλανθρωπικό έργο μπροστά στον ΣΔΟΕ υπεραμύνεται των τάχα μου 90.000 φιλανθρωπικών κλινών και κανείς χριστιανός δεν βρίσκεται να τον ρωτήσει πούντες; Η σκανδαλάρα της Αλληλεγγύης με τα ορατά 80 εκατ μείον έκανε και το Μητσοτακέϊκο να ψάχνει για άλλους θεούς., τώρα θα αλλάξουν όνομα την ΜΚΟ και θα την πουν Αγάπη.
Όλοι της γης οι απατεώνες βρήκαν πεδίο κερδοσκοπίας λαμπρό στη χώρα που έχει ανατρέψει κάθε νομικό και ηθικό κανόνα.. Πως θα γινόταν αυτό αν δεν υπήρχε πολιτική κάλυψη από τις ανεπρόκοπες μονοκομματικές κυβερνήσεις που διοικούν έως τα τώρα;;. Θυμάστε τι κατηγόρια έπεσε από το σύστημα το 1989 στη κυβέρνηση Ζολώτα και Τζανετάκη είτε συμμετείχε ο Ανδρέας τότε είτε όχι. Τέτοιες αλληλοελεγχόμενες κυβερνήσεις φοβόταν το σύστημα, και τις κατηγορεί ακόμα. Ήθελε Μεσσίες Σωτήρες καταλληλότερους όπως τους λεν στις δημοσκοπήσεις και όχι διαγωνισμούς με καθαρούς όρους απευθείας αναθέσεις έργων δημόσιου τομέα. Και προς Θεού ατιμωρησία να καλύπτει ο ένας τις πομπές του άλλου και οι δύο να κρύβονται πίσω από ένα Σύνταγμα που τους χάριζε το πολιτικό άσυλο και το μη καταλογισμό στον απατεώνα πολιτικό με τη ψήφο σας στα χέρια και τα λεφτά σας στην τσέπη του την ατιμωρησία.
Ότι χειρότερο κοινωνικό παράδειγμα για να ξεσηκωθούν οι δείκτες κοινωνικής διαφθοράς στα ύψη. Στην εποχή του Κ. Καραμανλή του νεώτερου. οι δείκτες αυτοί υπερέβησαν το 50% διαφθορά κάνοντας τις συναλλαγές μεταξύ πολιτών επισφαλείς νομικά και μια κοινωνία ο κλέψας του λαδόσαντος. Για όσους κάτω του 50% που έχουν πιά τα χέρια τους καθαρά με την χριστιανική και νομική έννοια το κράτος φαντάζει καταπιεστής βασανιστής και η κοινωνία αλληλεγγύης ανύπαρκτη έως εχθρική. Συστηματικά έγινε συκοφάντηση ακόμα και στην ηθική υπόσταση της Αριστεράς μια και έπρεπε όλοι να φαίνονται ίδιοι. Ειλικρινά δεν το απολαμβάνεις να είσαι τίμια μειοψηφία στο τόπο σου. Εκεί όμως που είναι σπαρταριστή καρικατούρα καπιταλισμού είναι να παρακολουθείς πια σε διαπλεκόμενο επίπεδο να ρίχνει ο ένας τον άλλο οι λεγόμενοι στύλοι του συστήματος. Όταν καταργηθούν οι κανόνες................
Πάντως το τελευταίο διάστημα που μας ενδιαφέρει βλέπουμε τον τελευταίο αυτής της κατηγορίας των ψηφισμένων απατεώνων να ορμάει στο ψητό, συγνώμη τις συντάξεις και τους μισθούς της ανύπαρκτης ευημερίας μας, κατά του κόσμου της εργασίας γιατί ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΑΝΤΕΛΩΣ ΑΝΙΚΑΝΟΙ να φορολογήσουν το παρασιτικό κεφάλαιο που εξέθρεψαν. Βρέθηκε μια μικρή χώρα να χρωστάει 200 δις σε ευρωπαϊκές τράπεζες και 38 δις σε ελληνικές άλλα δε 30-35 δις ομολόγων πρέπει νάναι σε χέρια ασφαλιστικών ταμείων. Υφιστάμεθα κάθε λογής εξευτελισμό και κατασυκοφάντηση ως χώρα για να καλοπληθωθούν οι πιστωτές μας. Ελάτε στη θέση της Μέρκελ, που δεν συμφωνώ με την μονεταριστική της πολιτική, που ξέρει ποιούς 6 πολιτικούς έχει λαδώσει, που ξέρει που πήγαν τα λεφτά για τραίνα, υποβρύχια, τηλεφ. κέντρα ,φορτηγά, τρόλευ, άρματα μάχης κλπ και οι μακρυχέρηδες πάνε να της βγουν και μπαταχτσήδες, θα μας ρουφήξει το αίμα μέχρι να καταλάβουμε να μην τους βγάζουμε κορώνα στη κυβέρνησή μας. Και θα μας ξαποστείλουν από το ευρώ.
Φοβάμαι ότι με τις ξεχωριστές τιμές για τη χωριάτικη στο βωμό του περιστασιακού κέρδους χάσαμε το φιλότιμο, την εντιμότητα την είχαμε χάσει προ πολλού με τις ντροπές του Κεντέρη και τα ακριβότερα τρόφιμα και φάρμακα στην Ευρώπη γιατί η τιμή τους κρύβει μίζες, όπως οι μπουλντόζες επιδοτήσεις, και πίσω από κάθε καταλήστευση ένα πολιτικός του ΠΑΣΟΚ ή της ΝΔ που δυναστεύουν 35 χρόνια τον τόπο. Για τους ΅συναιτέρους΅ μας στην ΕΕ παρουσιαζόμαστε σαν ζητιάνοι με απλωμένο συνεχώς το χέρι. Σε όλα τα κόμματα υπάρχουν και έντιμοι ιδεολόγοι που έχουν καταντήσει ήδη είδος εν ανεπαρκεία. Κουλουριάνος, Δρεττάκης, Μπένος, Παπαδόπουλος Αλ.,Πεπονής, Αγγελόπουλος Νικ.,Λαμπρόπουλος, Καμμένος Παν.,Ρουσόπουλος Θεόδ. ξεχώρισαν και φαγώθηκαν από το σύστημα.

Ακούραστες προσπάθειες μη παραγωγικών διαδικασιών και όχι ο γλίσχρος και αναιμικός συνδικαλισμός που οι παπαγάλοι τυρβάζουν ότι έδιωξαν κάθε καμινάδα από την χώρα. Έχω μιλήσει με πολλούς επιχειρηματίες που ένοιωθαν φτωχοί αφεντάδες της δουλειάς τους όταν έμπλεκαν με το λεφούσι των πολιτικών σε κεντρικό ή δημοτικό επίπεδο. Οι επιχειρηματίες αναγκάσθηκαν να διώξουν δραστηριότητες και κεφάλαια στο εξωτερικό γιατί είδαν τους πολιτικούς συχνά να εκβιάζουν ή να μην θέτουν τίμιους κανόνες ανταγωνισμού. Κάποιοι βέβαια στυλ Χριστοφοράκου έστησαν λαμπρά παιγνίδια έπαιξαν και βγήκαν κερδισμένοι με τους τζίρους της Siemens στη καμπούρα του Ελληνικού λαού. Σήμερα απλά αναρωτηθείτε όσοι πληρώνετε ΟΤΕ το πάγιο των 30 ευρώ σε τι υπηρεσίες πραγματικού κόστους αντιστοιχεί......Υποχρέωση των πρωθυπουργών της χώρας είναι να δημιουργούν δουλειές για καταπολέμηση της ανεργίας και να προσπορίζονται φόρους για να υπάρχει το κοινωνικό κράτος για υγεία, παιδεία και πολιτισμό, άντε και τις συντάξεις που έχει υποχρέωση συνταγματική να τις εγγυάται. Πείτε μου έναν από τους Μητσοτάκη, Σημίτη, Καραμανλή και Παπανδρέου που πέτυχε αυτό το στόχο. Άρα είναι άχρηστοι σαν ηγέτες και στο βαθμό που δεν απέτρεψαν την ολισθηρή πορεία της χώρας προς την υπερχρέωση και τα δημοσιονομικά ελλείμματα έχουν ευθύνες αντίστοιχες και προσδιοριζόμενες. Όλοι αυτοί οι δακτυλοδεικτούμενοι με 5 δάκτυλα εντός Βουλής και Δήμων παίρνουν σύνταξη στα 8 χρόνια, όλοι μας οι υπόλοιποι παιδιά ενός ξεβράκωτου Θεού τώρα στα 40 χρόνια και στα 65 χρόνια, παρόλες τις αντίθετες προσπάθειες του ΚΚΕ με κατατεθειμένο σχέδιο νόμου για να ανατραπεί αυτή η αδικία. Ποιός λαός όμως να τους δώσει τις ευθύνες όταν τα αρχηγικά κόμματα δεν έχουν σχέση με τα παλιά κόμματα που ξέραμε όταν τα γραφεία της γειτονιάς γέμιζαν κόσμο κάθε μέρα. Οι χειραψίες στις βασιλόπιτες και οι απολυμένοι στάζιερς δεν γεμίζουν το καλάθι στα ακριβά σούπερ μάρκετ. Στοιχειώδης κομματικός έλεγχος στα αυτονομημένα στελέχη κυβερνήσεων μόνο σαν φωτεινές εξαιρέσεις πια συναντάμε.
ΑΝ ΌΛΗ ΑΥΤΉ Η ΔΙΑΦΘΟΡΆ έχει περονιάσει οριζόντια την καθημερινότητα είναι γιατί υπάρχει πρακτική ατιμωρησία στη δικαιοσύνη. Μια κλίκα συμβούλων και παρατρεχάμενων ίδιοι και στα δύο κόμματα εξουσίας αλώνουν τους κυβερνητικούς μηχανισμούς και αρμέγουν το άχρωμο άοσμο και εύγεστο κρατικό ταμείο. Αντίθετα τίμιοι υπάλληλοι απομονώνονται από τους καλά δομημένους κομματικούς μηχανισμούς ανα κλάδο. Στο “νοικοκύρεμα”, ο κος Παπανδρέου σε μια σειρά νομοσχεδίων του 9μήνου δήλωσε απών και έξω από την ελληνική πραγματικότητα. Εκεί που χρωστάν στο δημόσιο και στα ταμεία χαρίζεται ,στον Καλλικράτη συνδέει χρεοκοπημένους με ανθηρούς δήμους, στο ασφαλιστικό και το εργασιακό λειτουργεί σαν το μακρινό όνειρο του κάθε ζητιάνου Δασκαλόπουλου και Μίχαλου. Οι τόσοι οικονομολόγοι σύμβουλοι απλά εισπράττουν τα μισθά τους και από αξιοποίηση δημοσίου περιουσίας και έλεγχο των ασύδοτων τραπεζιτών τίποτα.

Οι τράπεζες έχουν στραγγίξει την αγορά θαρρείς και εκτελούν συμβόλαιο πτωχοποιησης της χώρας. Είναι γνωστό ότι μετά την αθρόα είσοδο τόσων ανειδίκευτων λαθρομεταναστών το μεροκάματο στην οικοδομή έχει πέσει κάτω των 25 ευρώ φυσικά δεν κολλάνε ένσημο και ουδείς υπάρχει να ελέγξει από το ΙΚΑ τα ρημάδια συμφέροντά του. Οι ελαστικές μορφές εργασίας στην Ελλάδα οργιάζουν και χωρίς διαπραγμάτευση και αποζημιώσεις καταντά ο κάθε μικροεπιχειρηματίας βασανιστής του άλλου του εαυτού του εργαζόμενου που επέλεξε να συνεργαστεί.
Μας κατσικόθηκε ένας Παπανδρέου με προεκλογικά ψέματα, οδήγησε τη χώρα συνειδητά σε υποχρεωτικό οικονομικό βιασμό θαρρείς και δεν υπάρχει άλλη σχέση αγάπης και μίσους στο ΔΝΤ μόνο ο βιασμός, από παντού γράφεται ότι η μπίσνα του δανεισμού είναι μια ακόμη απατεωνιά της εξουσίας και όχι φιλανθρωπία ή λυκοσυμμαχία, η καμένη υφεσιακά γη και το ξεπούλημα μετά, όταν οι αντιδράσεις των εργαζομένων θα έχουν καταπέσει ,ωστε να καρπωθούν ότι θα έχει μείνει όρθιο. Ο κος Παπανδρέου και η τρόικα νοιάζονται μη στάξει καθόλου η λαδωμένη ουρά της πλουτοκρατίας στη χώρα.

Η δημοκρατία δεν γνωρίζει αδιέξοδα. Μια νέα κυβέρνηση απο συνδυασμό κομμάτων έξω από τη λογική του υπογραφέντος Μνημονίου θα μπορούσε να συμμαζέψει οικονομικά τη χώρα στηριζόμενη στις δικές μας δυνάμεις και όχι τα άρπαγα χέρια των διεθνών τοκογλύφων που μας έριξε ο κος Παπανδρέου..Ασε που σαν πρόεδρος του κατασκευάσματος Σοσιαλιστική Διεθνής δεν λύνει ούτε τα προβλήματα Αίτης, Ισραήλ, Γαλλίας, Ισπανίας και λοιπών ανά την υφήλιο. Απολύστε τον πριν καταστρέψει ότι απέμεινε
ΔΙΟΝΥΣΟΣ
27-6-2010
Σχετικά1. Ο Ασσουρμπανιμπάλ και ο Παπανδρέου
2. Ο πρωθυπουργός είναι γυμνός

3. Η κρίση , το μπουλβάρ και η επιθεώρηση...... του Σταύρου Τσακυράκη.

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Ice Cream Week!

It's officially summer and to me, that means it's ice cream season! I've been doing some churning lately and it's been quite a tasty adventure. If you haven't dusted off your ice cream maker (I have the Cuisinart ICE-20) or have yet to get one, hopefully these ice cream recipes will get you moving! It's Ice Cream Week at my house so stay tuned every day this week for the following recipes...

* Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream *

* Chocolate Mint Oreo Ice Cream *

* 'Whopper-licious' Malted Milk Ice Cream *

* Chocolate Peanut Butter 'Pieces Ice Cream *

* Blackberry Studded White Chocolate Ice Cream *
(photo coming soon!)

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Chicken Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing

My favorite salad would definitely have to be a Cobb Salad. I love the combination of the ingredients, especially when tossed with a homemade ranch dressing recipe. If you're looking for a heartier salad that's big enough as a meal, this Chicken Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing just may fit the bill!...

I'm not sure what I like most about this salad... the creamy diced avocadoes, the tang of the crumbled blue cheese, the crunch of the crumbled bacon, the subtle sweetness of ripe tomatoes or the homemade ranch dressing. Regardless, together they are outstanding as a cobb salad. 

I've had difficulty finding a ranch dressing recipe that's spot on, but the recipe I found from Cook's Illustrated nails it on the head. I won't be buying ranch dressing from a bottle any more! The original recipe included bits of red bell pepper, however I omitted it and it was still perfect. This ranch dressing recipe can be altered to use as a thick dip by omitting the buttermilk and doubling the amount of sour cream.

 Chicken Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing

dressing recipe adapted from Cook's Illustrated

1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

3 eggs, hard boiled, peeled and chopped

3 cups chopped, cooked chicken breast

2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped

3/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled

1 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced

3 green onions, sliced thin on bias for garnish

Place the shredded lettuce on the bottom of your serving platter.
Place each of the remaining ingredients in a row on top of the lettuce except for the green onions.
Sprinkle the green onions over the top of the salad for garnish
Drizzle the top of the salad with ranch dressing (recipe below), then toss to combine and serve immediately. 

Ranch Dressing:
1/2 small clove garlic, peeled
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 small red bell pepper, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1 medium scallion, white and green parts, minced
1 small shallot, minced (about 1/2 tablespoon)
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley leaves
1/2 teaspoons minced fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Pinch ground black pepper
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream

Combine the minced garlic and salt and work together to create a smooth paste.

Mix the garlic paste, scallion, shallot, parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, and black pepper together in a medium bowl. Add the buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream and whisk until smooth. (The dressing can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.)

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Conor's Toy Story 3 Movie Place Adventure

Almost a month ago we took Conor to see SHReK in the local Empire theater. It was Conor's first visit to a theater in a few years and it went very well.  We weren't sure  though if it was a fluke or not so today we went again; this time to see Toy Story 3. Woody and Buzz  are a couple of Conor's old favorites. It went very, very well. Conor was not in the least bit agitated.  He laughed out loud during the movie and had lots of fun. In the combined picture above Conor smiles and points out some familiar faces Woody and Mr. Potato Head.

Conor was happy, very happy,  and Mom and Dad loved every minute of Conor's Toy Story 3 movie place adventure.

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PISTACHIO PAVLOVA

With Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse and Vanilla Sauce

ROOT ROOT ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM

"Rugby is a game for barbarians played by gentlemen. Football is a game for gentlemen played by barbarians."

- attributed to Oscar Wilde

Europe is all a-flutter with the World Cup. Day in and day out, television sets, radios and computer screens everywhere are tuned in, news hours are devoted solely and completely to this grandest, loudest of all sports events. From the first coin toss and that first kick heard round the world, every European sits, watches, listens with bated breath, hands clasped, heart pounding. Prayers are interspersed with groans, grunts and choice expletives, the sweet taste of hope mingled with the jarring pungency of despair. Even Wimbledon, that most sacred and royal of tennis tournaments, has been forgotten, washed out, left in the dust of so many free kicks.


Of course we are speaking of the World Cup as in football. No, not American football, rather what Americans refer to as soccer. Now as my family and friends know, we are rugby people. Yes, we prefer rugby to soccer, the Gentlemen’s Sport over the Street Sport. And who doesn’t love watching those muscular men with the great thighs in skin-tight shorts and jerseys running around, clutching each other in wild embrace, hair swinging, weaving in and out as graceful as dancers with the final, beautiful dive chest first onto the green. Whew. Sorry, I sometimes get carried away.

So, where was I? Ah, the World Cup. This rare event has been punctuated by an even rarer event in our household, a visit from a friend who has come to stay. Clare and I sit side by side, day after day watching match after match, eating bowl after bowl of popcorn, sipping birch sap champagne (Sweden’s finest!) and root…root…rooting for the home team.

Nelly Kelly was sure some fan,
She would root just like any man,
Told the (referee) he was wrong,
All along, good and strong.
When the score was just two to two,
Nelly Kelly knew what to do,
Just to cheer up the boys she knew,
She made the gang sing this song.

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, (yellow cards and) you're out,
At the old ball game."

- Jack Norworth, 1908, 1927
(slight changes Life’s a Feast)

Truly caught up in the excitement of all of the drama, whipped up into a frenzy of patriotic fervor, Clare and I have spent every single day of her visit dashing between kitchen and living room, baking furiously and shouting at the players, shaking our fists, slapping hands to foreheads. But both she and I have one saving grace when it comes to the World Cup, our double lives: Clare is English and lives in Scandinavia while I am American living in France. We each have a choice of home teams, are swayed by such varied attachments that if one of our teams loses or gets sent home in disgrace we can simply switch our allegiance and still be loyal to a home team. The hullabaloo surrounding the French national football team has been making headlines and the repercussions of a continuous losing streak have been making waves throughout the country for so many years that supporting the Americans has been easy, especially after having watched how less thuggish the USA team has been playing in this World Cup, near perfect examples of sportsmanship and elegant football. Clare, on the other hand, has been vacillating between the English and any Scandinavian team who can gather together eleven blond men in shorts who can kick a ball. Watching England play has been a hair-pulling experience, yet they have indeed pulled through. We each heaved a huge sigh of relief as that first England-USA game ended in a draw, I can tell you that! No girl fighting necessary!


So while we are root…root…rooting for whichever home team feels the most like home (or has the better chance of winning) at the moment, we have been cooking and baking – poor Clare is suffering from food blog syndrome contagion: every waking moment is spent either at the market, the supermarket or in the kitchen cooking and baking when one is not sitting in front of a computer blogging said cooking and baking. In between the bouts of gorging on salty popcorn and nibbling on Swedish Dinkel crackers, we have been craving sweets. It started the day she arrived with a chocolate layer birthday cake (for son Clément) layered with whipped cream and raspberries and topped with chocolate buttercream, and was followed shortly after with luscious, amazing, perfect lemon ice cream (recipes will soon be revealed on Life’s a Feast). And then that time of the month rolled around, the Daring Bakers’ challenge, a multi-layered confection of chocolate, heavy cream, mascarpone and everything sweet.


The June 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Dawn of Doable and Delicious. Dawn challenged the Daring Bakers’ to make Chocolate Pavlovas and Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse. The challenge recipe is based on a recipe from the book Chocolate Epiphany by Francois Payard. I wanted to make a lighter flavored pavlova to offset the rich chocolate flavor of the mousse, so I chose a simple white pavlova in which I folded deep jade green pistachio nuts and added a dash of vanilla. I added cornstarch and vinegar to the meringue recipe as I usually do which gives the meringue a dry, crispy outer shell and a light, airy, marshmellow-like center. The pistachio meringue was perfect; just crispy on the outside without being crumbly or powdery, soft on the inside with the perfect marshmallow center, just chewy without being sticky and it truly melted on the tongue, leaving behind a wonderful delicate nutty taste. The chocolate mousse was creamy, smooth and very rich with an intense, not-too-sweet semisweet chocolate flavor. The Vanilla Sauce, made by folding crème anglaise, mascarpone and lightly whipped cream together, with a splash of nutty, warm Amaretto, was beautiful and the perfect balance with the chocolate mousse.


Thanks to Dawn, Lis and Ivonne for this wonderful event and delicious dessert!


PISTACHIO PAVLOVA with CHOCOLATE MASCARPONE MOUSSE
And a Crème Anglaise Vanilla Sauce

PISTACHIO PAVLOVA

3 large egg whites
¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
1 tsp cornstarch
3/4 tsp vinegar (I used cider vinegar though you can use white wine vinegar)
½ tsp vanilla
1 ¾ oz (50 g) shelled pistachio nuts


Grind the pistachio nuts finely but with some small chunks.

Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Line one large baking sheet with parchment or oven paper.

In a clean large bowl (I prefer plastic), beat the egg whites on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase mixer speed to high and continue beating until foamy. Gradually add the sugar to the whites as you continue to whip the whites until very stiff peaks hold and the meringue is glossy and moist.


Blend the cornstarch, the vinegar and the vanilla until the cornstarch is dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Pour this liquid over the whites and fold together. Add all of the ground pistachios except two tablespoons and fold into the meringue.

To make one large pavlova, trace an 8- or 9-inch (20- to 22 ½ cm) circle onto the parchment and scrape all of the meringue out into the center of the drawn circle. Using the back of a spoon or a metal spatula gently spread the meringue out until you have an even disc. You can make a slight well in the center if you like. For individual pavlovas, draw six or eight 4-inch (10-cm) circles on the parchment and divide the meringue evenly among the circles then gently spread the meringue until even and level. Again, make a slight well in the center of each meringue to hold the mousse. Do not overwork the meringue or it may deflate. Bear in mind the pavlovas spread and puff up a bit so leave a couple of inches between each shell.

If you like, you can hold back some of the meringue and, using a pastry bag and a star tip, pipe stars out onto your lined baking sheet to serve as cookies alongside the mousse.

Sprinkle the remaining chopped or ground pistachios on the surface of the pavlovas.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and immediately turn the oven down to 250°F (120°C) and bake the pavlovas until the outside is dry and crisp. It should also be dry and crisp on the underside. Do not overcook if you want the pavlovas to be marshmallow-like on the inside as a pavlova should be! If the pavlovas begin to brown too quickly simply cover them loosely with a sheet of aluminum foil. Remove them from the oven to cool on cooling racks.


CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
This is half of the recipe suggested by the Daring Bakers but I found it quite enough

¾ cup (190 ml) heavy cream, chilled
4 ½ oz (125 g) semisweet chocolate (Lindt 70%), chopped
6.6 fluid ounces (195 ml) mascarpone
Pinch ground nutmeg
1 Tbs Amaretto (can be replaced by 1 tsp vanilla)

Place ¼ cup (65 ml) of the heavy cream in a sauce over medium heat. When warm, add the chopped chocolate and stir until the chocolate is just melted and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. It will thicken slightly.

Place the mascarpone and the remaining cream in a large bowl. Add the nutmeg. Whip on low speed until the mascarpone is loose and smooth. Add the Amaretto and continue to beat on medium speed until it holds soft peaks. Do not overbeat or the mascarpone will break.

Mix about ¼ of the mascarpone mixture into the chocolate to lighten, then beat in the remainder until well incorporated. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge.

CRÈME ANGLAISE (for use in the Vanilla Sauce)
This is half the recipe suggested by the Daring Bakers, but again, I found it to be quite enough

½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
½ Tsp vanilla extract
3 large egg yolks
3 Tbs (38 g) sugar

Whisk together the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until they turn pale yellow. Combine the milk, cream and vanilla in a saucepan over a medium high heat, bringing the mixture to the boil. Remove from the heat.

Pour about ¼ cup of the hot liquid into the yolk mixture in a slow stream, whisking constantly so that you do not end up with scrambled eggs.

Pour the yolk mixture back into the pan with the remaining cream mixture and put the heat back on low.* Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until it is thick enough to lightly cover the back of the spoon. Do not overcook.

Remove the mixture from the heat and strain into a bowl through a fine mesh sieve. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, 2 hours or overnight.

* If the cream curdles – which may happen if the heat is too high and the cream gets too hot – simply remove the pan from the heat and whisk in a few tablespoons of cold heavy cream. Whisk for a few minutes until it smooths and thickens a bit and then push through the sieve. Chill in the refrigerator over night. It will be thick and smooth enough to use in the Vanilla Sauce.

VANILLA SAUCE (Mascarpone Cream)
Again, this is half the recipe suggested by the Daring Bakers.

1 recipe Crème Anglaise (above)
¼ cup (65 ml) mascarpone
1 Tbs Amaretto (or 1 tsp vanilla)
¼ cup (65 ml) heavy cream

Slowly whip the mascarpone and the Amaretto into the chilled Crème Anglaise until thick and creamy. Put the cream in a bowl (preferably chilled) and beat with an electric mixer until very soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.

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Conor's Last Day at Nashwaaksis Middle School

Conor and Mom wore their finest Shrek Green T shirts as Conor headed off for his last day at Nashwaaksis Middle School.  Middle school has been a great time for Conor.  He loves going to school and he was a bit anxious yesterday knowing it was his last day. 

In the final picture Conor poses with Brad Daniels,  the Education Assistant who has worked with Conor for most of the past three years.  Brad has been absolutely outstanding working with Conor. I really can't put enough emphasis on what a great contribution he has made to Conor's life as  Conor began his journey through the physical and emotional challenges of adolescence (you can see by these and many pictures that Conor has had a significant growth spurt).  Brad has excellent training from the UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training program and experience working with other autistic students but beyond that background his outstanding commitment and character are not easily matched.

There have been other fine Education Assistants working with Conor during Brad's breaks or when Brad was not able to attend at the school over the past three years. And he liked the staff as well. I don't even know the names of all the people that have treated Conor so well at Nashwaaksis Middle School (I will mention "Cathy" and "Mrs. Heptich"), including the many students who said hello to him and talked to him when he arrived at school.

To the fine people of Nashwaaksis Middle School a final thank you. Our buddy Conor has loved his time with you.

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Μην φοβάσαι απόλυσε τους!

Μην φοβάσαι!
ΕΥΓΕΝΙΑ ΗΛΙΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ
Never turn your back on fear. It should always be in front of you, like a thing that might have to be killed Hunter S. Thompson
Ακούγοντας τις δηλώσεις του κυρίου Παπακωνσταντίνου τρόμαξα. Δάκρυσα όταν άκουσα τον κύριο Λοβέρδου. Ένιωσα μία αφόρητη ένοχη. Ότι μεγάλωσα και τόλμησα να πλησιάσω την στιγμή που πρέπει να εισπράξω αυτά που χρόνια τώρα μου κρατούσαν ,από το μισθό μου , χωρίς να με ρωτήσουν αν συμφωνώ. Χωρίς να έχω το δικαίωμα να αρνηθώ ότι σε ότι αφορά το σύνολο των κρατήσεων και ούτε σε ότι αφορά στο πώς θα τα χρησιμοποιήσει το ασφαλιστικού μου ταμείο. Κυρίως δεν ερωτήθηκαν αν συμφωνώ με τις επιλογές της κάθε κυβέρνησης σε ότι αφορά στο ΄΄ νοικοκύρεμα ΄΄ του ταμείου μου.
.Στα νιάτα μου διάβαζα τα πάντα ξεκινώντας από επιστημονική φαντασία και τελειώνοντας με τους ρώσους κλασσικούς. Διάβαζα πολύ και συγκέντρωνα διάφορα στοιχεία. Η μνήμη μου δούλευε ρολόι ,μάθαινα εύκολα και χωρίς μεγάλη δυσκολία .Τώρα που γέρασα θυμάμαι την πλοκή και την ιστορία των βιβλίων αλλά ξεχνώ το όνομα του συγγραφέα. Τα τελευταία γεγονότα μου θύμισαν ένα διήγημα που είχα διαβάσει κάποτε. Η κοινωνία ήταν μία κοινωνία νέων που είχαν σαν μόνιμη απασχόληση το κυνήγι των γέρων. Τους πιάνανε και τους εξόντωναν. Με μίσος και κακία όλη κοινωνία ήταν στραμμένη ενάντια στους υπερήλικες. Τους σκότωναν για να εξυγιανθεί η κοινωνία. Στο διήγημα ένας νέος επιλέγει έναν γέρο. Τον κυνηγάει αλλά ο γέρος έχει φοβερές αντιστάσεις, πολεμάει για την ζωή του και αντέχει .Κρύβεται, του ξεφεύγει και τον κουράζει πάρα πολύ. Ο κόσμος ζητωκραυγάζει ενθαρρύνοντας τον νέο να συνεχίσει αλλά ο νέος αρχίζει να κουράζεται. Όπως είναι λογικό, ο γέρος εξαντλημένος, μετά από μήνες τρεξίματος, πεθαίνει. Ο νέος που κουράστηκε τόσο πολύ ανακαλύπτει ότι γέρασε, μειώθηκαν οι αντοχές του και μέσα στο πλήθος των νέων ξεχωρίζει.Γέρασε! Ενστικτωδώς αρχίζει και τρέχει για να σωθεί. Διαβάζει , μέσα στα μάτια του πλήθους, ότι αυτός είναι το επόμενο θύμα. Τρέχει για να σωθεί , βλέπει ότι από θήτη έφτασε θύμα.
Συνταξιούχε μην φοβάσαι !Δεν φταις που γέρασες! Μην αφήνεις να σε τελειώσουνε. Τα πολλά όχι της κυβέρνησης (κομμένη σύνταξη, κομμένα τα δώρα, κομμένο εφάπαξ) και η ενοχοποίηση των συνταξιούχων σίγουρα σε προβληματίζουν .Μην μασάς! Δεν είσαι μόνος ! Η κοινωνίας μας δεν τρομοκρατείται εύκολα από την πολιτική του ΠΑΣΟΚ. Πράγματι άλλαξε η αναλογία (2/1)εργαζόμενου /συνταξιούχου αλλά ποιός φταίει; Το 1975, η αναλογία ήταν 7 προς 1. Δούλευαν δηλαδή 7 άνθρωποι για να παίρνει 1 τη σύνταξή του, φροντίζοντας ταυτόχρονα για την νοσοκομειακή περίθαλψη όλων. Ποιες διευκολύνσεις πρόσφερε το κράτος για να μειωθεί η υπογεννητικότητα; (1931 πληθ.6.500.000 γεν.200.000/χρ ,το 1991 πληθ.10.000.000 γεν. 98.000/χρ.)
Ποιες συνθήκες εργασίας και μισθού προσφέρουν στους νέους.; Έχουν καταλάβει οι κυβερνόντες και οι βουλευτές που ψηφίζουν ορεξάτοι το ασφαλιστικό και το εργασιακό ότι αύριο από θήτες θα είναι αυτοί τα θύματα;

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Jerk Chicken with Mango Cilantro Relish

Rain, rain and more rain. We've been pounded with so much rain lately. Ironically, all this rain makes me think of the tropics... well, tropical storms really. With my mind on the tropics, I figured a tropical inspired dinner seemed pretty fitting. I made this Jerk Chicken with a Mango Cilantro Relish and now I wish I was on a sunny island...

Jamaican jerk seasoning is a blend of spices are used to marinate meats such as chicken and pork. The spices commonly used in jerk include hot chile peppers (like scotch bonnets or habaneros), thyme, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, garlic, salt and pepper. When making this recipe, the chicken really absorbed the flavors well, especially when marinating for about 2 days, if not longer.

We personally aren't big on spicy foods, at least not often, so I adapted this recipe to substitute the scotch bonnet pepper called for in the original recipe with a jalapeno pepper. I also prepared this dish as a freezer meal, since marinated meats do well as make ahead/freezer meals. You have your option to grill the chicken or bake in the oven - both cooking options are noted below. I baked this dish since all our charcoal got wet on our deck with the recent storms we had.

To finish off this dish, a mango cilantro relish makes for a great condiment. The relish has bright notes of cilantro, along with the juice of a lime and orange. The sweetness of the mango and red onions work nicely with the subtle heat of the jerk marinade as well. This relish is a must to serve with the chicken!

Jerk Chicken with Mango Cilantro Relish
recipe adapted from Bobby Flay

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 onion, coarsely chopped
2 scallion, coarsely chopped
1 large jalapeno pepper, stem and seeds removed
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Pinch ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
4 chicken thighs, skin on, bone in
4 drumsticks, skin on

Serve with Mango Cilantro Relish (recipe follows)

Puree all the ingredients, except the chicken, in a food processor until almost smooth. Piece the chicken with a fork to make tiny holes. Place the chicken in a large shallow baking dish and rub the marinade into the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours, depending on how intense you want the flavor to be.

To grill - preheat grill. Grill chicken on each side for 5 to 6 minutes or until cooked through.

To bake - preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken on baking sheet lined with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees.

* To make ahead/freezer meal - Prepare the chicken as directed above and place in a gallon sized freezer bag to marinate. Seal and freeze chicken. When ready to prepare the chicken, defrost completely and following the cooking directions for either the grill or oven.

Mango Cilantro Relish

(recipe courtesy of Bobby Flay)

2 mangoes, peeled and diced
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
3 tablespoons lime juice
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper


Combine the mangoes, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and orange juice in a bowl and gently mix. Season to taste with salt and pepper. This relish can be made ahead.

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Autism Rising. Time to Face the Truth

The prevalence of ASD is rising in this country without a definitive understanding of why this is occurring. According to a December 2009 report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including 1 in 70 boys. That rate represents a 57 percent increase from the CDC’s report in 2007, which last reported that 1 in 150 children with a diagnosis of ASD.4 The CDC has not been able to attribute this increase to better, earlier and broader diagnosis of the disorder, concluding that it cannot “rule out” a true increase in the prevalence of ASD.

The economic implications of ASD on society are significant. According to a 2006 study by the Harvard School of Public Health, the direct and indirect costs of taking care of an individual with autism over a lifetime can be $3.2 million. Lost productivity and adult care contribute heavily to this estimate. The cost to society to care for all individuals with autism is estimated to be $35 billion each year.5

Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP)Review and Evaluation of Proposed Legislation Entitled: An Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism House Bill 3809 Provided for The Joint Committee on Financial Services March 2010       

I will leave it to those who glorify autism disorders to KWibble with the information provided by  both the DHCFP of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the CDC.  The conclusions reached concerning rising autism rates have been voiced many times by concerned parents and autism professionals but have been dismissed   Autism is a disorder, it is a serious disorder that impacts everyone in our society. It is time to ignore the autism is beautiful nonsense once and for all and push hard for real autism research, treatment, cure and services. Let's not let another decade go by without a serious effort to address the very real autism crisis that has been staring us in the face for so long.


It ain't just genetic. Time to face the truth, autism is rising and the crisis is real.

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