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Βενιζέλος, Σαμαράς, Παπαδήμος λεηλάτησαν μετρητά των ΑΕΙ, ΤΕΙ ,Νοσοκομείων ΕΟΦ κλπ
Λεηλάτησαν... ΑΕΙ, ΤΕΙ, νοσοκομεία!
Τραβούν τα μαλλιά τους οι πρυτάνεις των ελληνικών πανεπιστημίων, οι πρόεδροι των ΤΕΙ και οι διοικητές των δημόσιων νοσοκομείων. Ξαφνικά, ο ένας μετά τον άλλον ανακαλύπτουν ότι οι καταθέσεις που είχαν τα ιδρύματα των οποίων προΐστανται στην Τράπεζα της Ελλάδος... έχουν κάνει φτερά σχεδόν ολοσχερώς! Το κεντρικό τραπεζικό ίδρυμα της χώρας, χωρίς να τους ρωτήσει, κατ' εντολήν της κυβέρνησης είχε μετατρέψει εν κρυπτώ τα αποθεματικά των ΑΕΙ, των ΤΕΙ και των νοσοκομείων σε ομόλογα του ελληνικού Δημοσίου, τα οποία στη συνέχεια... «κούρεψε» με το περιβόητο PSI - δηλαδή καταλήστεψε τα λεφτά των ανώτατων και ανώτερων εκπαιδευτικών ιδρυμάτων και των δημόσιων νοσοκομείων!
Οσο πιο συνετή και συντηρητική διαχείριση έκανε το κάθε ίδρυμα τόσο μεγαλύτερη ζημιά υπέστη με το κόλπο αυτό.
Οσο πιο πολλές καταθέσεις είχε δηλαδή στα αποθεματικά του, τόσο πιο πολλά ομόλογα αγόρασε η Τράπεζα της Ελλάδος και επομένως τόσο πιο πολλά λεφτά έχασε το ίδρυμα που αντί να σκορπάει και να ξοδεύει τα λεφτά του, τα αποταμίευε. Καλά να πάθει!
Ακρως αποκαλυπτικό το πάθημα του Εθνικού Μετσόβιου Πολυτεχνείου, το οποίο αναδείχθηκε σε «πρωταθλητή του κουρέματος με την ψιλή»: του έφαγε η κυβέρνηση... 31 εκατομμύρια ευρώ! Δεύτερο σε απώλειες το Πανεπιστήμιο της Αθήνας που έχασε 13 εκατομμύρια, ακολουθεί το Πάντειο με απώλειες 8 εκατομμυρίων και πάει λέγοντας.
Η λεηλασία δεν άφησε τίποτα όρθιο. Πάνω από 120 εκατομμύρια ευρώ είχαν 17 πανεπιστήμια της χώρας σε καταθέσεις τους στην Τράπεζα της Ελλάδος για τις λειτουργικές τους ανάγκες. Ε, από αυτά σχεδόν τα... εκατό «πάν' και τούρκεψαν»! Τους τα λεηλάτησε η κυβέρνηση με το κόλπο του PSI. Τους άφησε μόνο 33 εκατομμύρια ευρώ καταθέσεις - και μάλιστα σε έξι ΑΕΙ δεν άφησε ούτε ένα ευρώ! Τους άφησε 33, τους πήρε 87 εκατομμύρια - δηλαδή τους έφαγε το 72,5% των καταθέσεών τους! Γερή μπάζα.
Τα ΤΕΙ μπορεί να είναι πιο φτωχά, είναι όμως πιο πολλά - γι' αυτό και οι δικές τους καταθέσεις στην Τράπεζα της Ελλάδος «γδάρθηκαν» δεόντως. Οπως κατήγγειλαν οι αλλόφρονες πρόεδροί τους, από τα 150 εκατομμύρια ευρώ που είχαν καταθέσει, η κυβέρνηση τους έφαγε τα 100 και τους άφησε 50 εκατομμύρια.
Το «κούρεμα» μέσω PSI των δικών τους αποθεματικών ανήλθε στο ύψος του 68% των καταθέσεων που διατηρούσαν στην Τράπεζα της Ελλάδος, όπως ακριβώς κατήγγειλε η έκτακτη σύνοδος των προέδρων των ΤΕΙ.
Πρώτο θύμα μεταξύ τους το ΤΕΙ της Αθήνας, το οποίο είδε εν μια νυκτί τις καταθέσεις του να πέφτουν από τα 11 εκατομμύρια στο... 1,9 - μείωση δηλαδή 82,7%!
Το ΤΕΙ Θεσσαλονίκης μπορεί να έχασε κάπως λιγότερα σε απόλυτα νούμερα από τα 9,1 εκατομμύρια που έχασε της Αθήνας καθώς αυτό έχασε «μόνο» 8 εκατομμύρια ευρώ. Δημιούργησε όμως ένα κυριολεκτικά αχτύπητο ποσοστό λεηλασίας: από τα 8.200.000 που είχε σε καταθέσεις, η κυβέρνηση του έφαγε τα... 8.020.000 ευρώ και του άφησε μόνο 180.000! Πρόκειται για αρπαγή του... 97,8% (!!!) των καταθέσεών του στην Τράπεζα της Ελλάδος. Ασύλληπτο ποσοστό, ομολογουμένως.
Αγριο χέρι έβαλε η κυβέρνηση και στα αποθεματικά των νοσοκομείων, αν και εκεί μέχρι στιγμής αποκρύπτονται τα συγκεντρωτικά στοιχεία των απωλειών. Από όσα έχουν διαρρεύσει αποσπασματικά και με την επιφύλαξη ότι αυτά δεν είναι επίσημα στοιχεία από τους διοικητές των νοσοκομείων, στο Ιπποκράτειο νοσοκομείο της Θεσσαλονίκης π.χ. λέγεται ότι τα ταμειακά του διαθέσιμα από 10 εκατομμύρια ευρώ που ήταν μειώθηκαν στο... 1 εκατομμύριο.
ΑΠΩΛΕΙΕΣ
Αφησε ερείπια το... «σωτήριο κούρεμα»
Εκτός από τα μέλη της κυβέρνησης, κανένας δεν δείχνει ενθουσιασμένος από την «ιστορική επιτυχία» του PSI. Μάλιστα, όσο περνάει ο καιρός τόσο περισσότεροι φορείς διαπιστώνουν ότι έχουν «κουρευτεί» κι αυτοί χωρίς ούτε να το ζητήσουν ούτε να το περιμένουν. Πανεπιστήμια και ΤΕΙ απειλούνται με κλείσιμο μετά τη λεηλασία των αποθεματικών τους. Στα νοσοκομεία δεν έχουν σε πολλές περιπτώσεις να πληρώσουν ούτε καν τους τρέχοντες λογαριασμούς, όσο και αν σιωπούν οι διορισμένοι διοικητές τους για την επερχόμενη καταβαράθρωση του δημόσιου συστήματος υγείας που σε λίγο θα προσλάβει καταστροφικές διαστάσεις. Μέχρι και τα αποθεματικά του Εθνικού Οργανισμού Φαρμάκου λεηλάτησε η κυβέρνηση - είχε 106 εκατομμύρια και του πήρε τα 74. Μήπως δεν σωθήκαμε τόσο πολύ;
Γιώργος Δελαστίκ
Εθνος 30-03-2012
Τις Βερσαλλίες της πολιτικής μας φτώχιας τις αναγνωρίζετε.
Η τελευταία φωτό από την Realnews 1-4-2012
Strawberry Lemon Quick Bread
I’ve said it before a million times that I am so blessed to live in Florida in the winter time…summer time not so much, and this year doubly so. With our mild temperatures all of our food crops did amazingly well. I found that I had an abundance of things that I love. Two of them being lemons and strawberries.
This year the strawberry and lemon crops have been so plentiful that I had so many lemons and strawberries that I just had no way of getting them used up unless I made something with them. I searched high and low for a recipe for that used both strawberries and lemons. Weird huh? Not many out there. So I adapted a strawberry bread recipe from Union Street Eats and it turned out perfect!
Strawberry and Lemon Quick Bread (adapted from Union Street Eats)
Preheat oven to 375F
Grease and flour a 9X5 inch bread pan
Ingredients:
2 Cups fresh strawberries, roughly chopped
1 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
zest of one lemon
3/4 Cup granulated sugar
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 Cup vegetable oil
1/4 Cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
I also want to give a quick shout out to the folks at The Food Channel. They featured my blog in “Thing We Love” So honored…Head on over and check them out. They have some great stuff on their site (besides me!! LOL)
This year the strawberry and lemon crops have been so plentiful that I had so many lemons and strawberries that I just had no way of getting them used up unless I made something with them. I searched high and low for a recipe for that used both strawberries and lemons. Weird huh? Not many out there. So I adapted a strawberry bread recipe from Union Street Eats and it turned out perfect!
Strawberry and Lemon Quick Bread (adapted from Union Street Eats)
Preheat oven to 375F
Grease and flour a 9X5 inch bread pan
Ingredients:
2 Cups fresh strawberries, roughly chopped
1 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
zest of one lemon
3/4 Cup granulated sugar
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 Cup vegetable oil
1/4 Cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
- Place chopped strawberries in a large strainer or colander and sprinkle with a couple of Tbsp of sugar. Let sit for about 15 minutes
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, lemon zest, both sugars, cinnamon, baking soda and salt
- In a separate bowl whisk together eggs, vanilla, oil and lemon juice.
- Stir in the strawberries.
- Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined. Do not over-mix.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool before removing from pan.
I also want to give a quick shout out to the folks at The Food Channel. They featured my blog in “Thing We Love” So honored…Head on over and check them out. They have some great stuff on their site (besides me!! LOL)
Canada's Autism Epidemic? To Start With We Have to Use American Numbers 1in 88 Children, 1 in 54 Boys
Canada Flag Photo by Harold L Doherty
The CDC in the US has released new numbers on the autism epidemic in the US. It now estimates that 1in 88 children (1 in 54 boys) have an autism disorder. There are no known, reliable estimates available for Canada which has not updated its autism estimates in several years. The Harper government has not taken Canada's national autism crisis seriously preferring to hide behind constitutional walls and leave the availability of treatment to an autistic child to depend on which province his/her parents live in.
A National Autism Symposium was cancelled once the Harper government became aware that serous autism advocates were planning to participate. The symposium was rescheduled and the resulting symposium was a sham. Speakers and so called "community representatives" were chosen who would not take an aggressive advocacy position on any autism issues.
The speakers list even included persistent anti-ABA activist Dr. Laurent Mottron who believes that the idea of curing autism is nonsense. Mottron's mentor and fellow anti-ABA, anti-autism cure activist Michelle Dawson was also in attendance. Causes of autism stressed the genetic bases of autism with no attention to possible environmental causes or triggers. The prevalance rate of 1 in 165 advanced by Dr. Eric Fombonne at that 2006 symposium is still the only figure recognized by the Harper government and by the Autism Society Canada.
With the release of the United States CDC estimate of 1 in 88 Autism Speaks has called for a serious response to the autism epidemic:
Autism Speaks called for the development of a national autism action plan that should include, among other elements:
- Increased funding for basic science uncovering the genetic underpinnings of autism;
- Increased funding for environmental research detecting the causes of autism;
- Accelerated funding and development of effective medicines and treatments;
- Commitment to a strategy where all children with autism from every background are diagnosed no later than18 months of age;
- Commitment to a National Training Corps to recruit more therapists and service providers, as well as specially trained teachers and teacher assistants;
- A strategy to address the growing needs of adults with autism, specifically around continuing education, employment, housing/residential living and community integration.
In terms of the prevalence rate though it is absurd to rely on the outdated figure of 1 in 165. In the absence of any credible, current estimates from Canadian government institutions or from federal autism advocacy groups, the US figure of 1in 88 should be taken as the best available estimate of Canada's autism rates.
We must also continue the push for national Medicare coverage of effective ABA autism treatment, for continued, real autism research of causes and cures, and for the beginnings of a plan for adult autism employment opportunities and adult residential care and treatment facilities.
The US has stepped up to the plate, again, in offering meaningful, honest information about the autism epidemic. Canada has long suffered from a lack of will that has allowed our autism epidemic to become a national autism crisis. We must begin now working toward the day when a new national government is elected that will take our autism crisis seriously.
In the meantime we should abandon the ridiculously outdated autism estimate of 1 in 165 and use the American estimates: 1 in 88 children, 1 in 54 boys.
AUTISM SPEAKS Demands An Urgent, New Response To The Autism Epidemic As CDC Updates Prevalence Estimates
1 in 88 Children; 1 in 54 Boys
AUTISM SPEAKS DEMANDS AN URGENT, NEW RESPONSE TO THE AUTISM EPIDEMIC AS CDC UPDATES PREVALENCE ESTIMATES
Population of People with Autism and Cost to Society Continue to Skyrocket
A National Public Health Crisis Requires a National Strategy
NEW YORK, N.Y. (March 29, 2012) – Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, today called on the nation’s elected and appointed leaders to immediately develop a new, coordinated strategy to take on a national public health emergency – the autism epidemic – in the wake of a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) finding that autism is now diagnosed in a staggering 1 in every 88 American children.
Bob Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks, said, “We have an epidemic on our hands. The costs are staggering and will continue to rise as prevalence continues to increase. We know that early diagnosis and treatment are critical, so it is imperative that the U.S. government steps up its commitment to helping people living with autism today. There is a way to address this. The investment we make now is essential to reducing the immediate and long-term costs of autism to families and society.”
Autism Speaks called for the development of a national autism action plan that should include, among other elements:
- Increased funding for basic science uncovering the genetic underpinnings of autism;
- Increased funding for environmental research detecting the causes of autism;
- Accelerated funding and development of effective medicines and treatments;
- Commitment to a strategy where all children with autism from every background are diagnosed no later than18 months of age;
- Commitment to a National Training Corps to recruit more therapists and service providers, as well as specially trained teachers and teacher assistants;
- A strategy to address the growing needs of adults with autism, specifically around continuing education, employment, housing/residential living and community integration.
"Our commitment must meet the challenge,” added Wright. “We need the President, the public health agencies and representatives from both sides of the aisle to come together. A national emergency needs a national strategy. Anything less won't be enough."
The CDC report, published in this week’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), states that more than 1 percent, or 1 in every 88 children, is diagnosed with autism today, including 1 in 54 boys. This is a 78% percent increase in 6 years (2002-2008) and a 10-fold (1000%) increase in reported prevalence over the last 40 years. The report uses the same methodology that produced the CDC’s 2009 prevalence findings of 1 in 110 children with autism.
"We know early diagnosis matters, but early diagnosis without access to treatment means nothing,” said Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., Autism Speaks chief science officer. “A majority of children don't get the treatment and services they need and deserve. We have to address all of this as we move forward."
“The CDC numbers are alarming, yet they don’t begin to tell the story of the real families, real individuals struggling every day,” said Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr. “From fighting to get a diagnosis and secure appropriate educational services and therapies, to trying to manage tremendous financial and emotional burdens or find a satisfying job opportunity, families are engaged in a daily battle against this disorder. We need to marshal the same resources and attention that the government has devoted to other diseases and disorders and finally make this a fair fight.”
The total 2011 National Institutes of Health budget was $30.5 billion. Of this, only $169 million – or 0.6% -- was directly focused on autism research.
Earlier this week, Autism Speaks announced preliminary results of new research that estimates autism costs society a staggering $126 billion per year (U.S.) – a number that has more than tripled since 2006. This cost increases to $137B with the new prevalence numbers. The cost of providing care for each person with autism affected by intellectual disability in the U.S. is $2.3 million through his or her lifespan. The lifetime cost of caring for individuals who are not impacted by intellectual disability is $1.4 million. The Autism Speaks-funded research was conducted by researchers Martin Knapp, Ph.D., of the London School of Economics and David Mandell, Sc.D. of the University of Pennsylvania.
About Autism
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by social and behavioral challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 88 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum – a 1000 percent increase in the past 40 years that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed over $173 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 95 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
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Autism Speaks: Lifetime Care of Individuals with Autism Highest for Those with Intellectual Disability $2.3 Million U.S.
NOTE: The information in this Autism Speaks news release is based on the US estimate of 1 in 110 persons having an autism disorder. New autism prevalence information released today by the CDC indicates that autism disorder diagnoses have increased by 78% to a current rate of 1 in 88 persons, 1 in 55 for males. HLD.
NEW RESEARCH FINDS ANNUAL COST OF AUTISM HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED TO $126 BILLION IN THE US AND REACHED £34 BILLION IN THE UK
Lifetime Care of Individuals with Autism Highest for Those with Intellectual Disability $2.3 Million U.S. and £1.5 Million U.K.
New York, N.Y. (March 28, 2012) – Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, today announced preliminary results of new research that estimates autism costs society a staggering $126 billion per year (U.S.) – a number that has more than tripled since 2006, and annually in the U.K. has reached more than £34 billion (equivalent to $54 billion U.S.). The costs of providing care for each person with autism affected by intellectual disability through his or her lifespan are $2.3 million in the U.S. and £1.5 million ($2.4 million) in the U.K. The lifetime costs of caring for individuals who are not impacted by intellectual disability are $1.4 million in the U.S. and £917,000 in the U.K. (equivalent to $1.46 million). The Autism Speaks-funded research, conducted by researchers Martin Knapp, Ph.D., of the London School of Economics, and David Mandell, Sc.D., of the University of Pennsylvania, will be presented at the international conference “Investing in our Future: The Economic Costs of Autism,” hosted by Goldman Sachs Hong Kong in collaboration with the Child Development Centre and Autism Speaks, on March 31 in Hong Kong.
Drs. Knapp and Mandell compiled information from recent studies of autism costs from multiple sources to calculate the current cost of autism associated with the current CDC-reported prevalence that 1:110 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The cost of autism continues to grow with the rise in prevalence. While the latest prevalence estimates in the U.S. and U.K. are comparable, the primary difference in total costs of autism in the U.S. and U.K. are due to differences in total country population (five times larger in the U.S. than the U.K.).The research team found that the cost of autism in the U.S. alone is greater than the entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 139 countries around the world.
Bob Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks, said, “Autism is a global public health crisis. The costs are staggering and will continue to rise as prevalence continues to increase. We know that early diagnosis and treatment are critical, so it is imperative that the U.S. and governments around the world step up their commitment to helping people living with autism today. The investment we make now is essential to reducing the long-term costs of autism.”
This research found that intellectual disability plays a major role in the cost of autism to individuals, families, and society as a whole. The costs of autism per year are nearly twice as high on average for children and adults with intellectual disability than for children and adults without intellectual disability, $2.3 million in the U.S. and £1.5 million in the U.K. ($2.4 million) for those individualswho are impacted by intellectual disability compared with more than $1.4 million in the U.S. and£917,000 ($1.46 million) in the U.K. for those who do not have intellectual disability.
A number of factors were considered by the researchers that contributed to the cost differential between U.S. and U.K. lifetime and total costs. The education and healthcare systems in the two countries offer different responses to the needs of people with autism and their families. Access to empirical data regarding healthcare and education costs differed between the two countries. It is also currently estimated that 45 percent of individuals with ASD in the U.S. and 55 percent of individuals with ASD in the U.K. have intellectual disabilities, defined as an IQ of 70 or less. Experts consistently point to early interventions as key to increasing language and IQ scores, and reducing life span costs.
Total costs to the U.S. were also based on adult prevalence of one-half of one percent, lower than currently estimated 1:110 prevalence of autism in children, derived from past CDC studies. The researchers point to adult prevalence as an area for additional study in the U.S.
The research also found that non-medical costs account for the greatest proportion of expenses. While direct medical costs, such as outpatient care, home care, and pharmacy, contribute significantly to overall expenses, non-medical costs, including intervention services and special education, child daycare, and especially residential placements and care for adults who age out of school and can no longer live at home with parents account for the largest proportion of autism costs.
“The burden on families affected by autism is enormous,” continued Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr. “The extraordinary cost further exacerbates that burden. The time and effort involved in coordinating the care and treatment plan across a large number of providers has reduced the ability of many families to earn a living. Too many families are still denied insurance coverage for essential treatments and services, and the economics add to overall emotional burden on families.”
Building on this preliminary research, Autism Speaks recently provided additional funding to Drs. Knapp and Mandell to support an additional year of study to examine how autism therapies reduce lifetime costs associated with autism. Their investigation will focus on both intensive preschool behavioral interventions and vocational interventions that support an individual’s independence during the transition to adulthood. Calculations will take into account costs related to healthcare, education, caregiving, housing, and employment.
As confirmed by this study, the majority of costs related to autism are incurred during adulthood, principally due to the cost of residential care as well as loss of productivity, underemployment and unemployment among adults with autism. Services for adults are both lacking and expensive.
In 2007, Michael L. Ganz, Ph.D. of the Harvard School of Public Health published research in the journal Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine which estimated that autism cost the United States more than $35 billion per year, and that the incremental cost of caring for an individual with autism over his or her lifetime due to their special needs was more than $3 million. Despite growing prevalence, autism currently receives less than five percent of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases and disorders.
Dr. Mandell added, “We are paying for the costs of inaction and the costs of ‘inappropriate action.’ Social exclusion of individuals with autism and intellectual disability, and exclusion of higher-functioning individuals from employment opportunities are increasing the burden not only on these individuals and their families, but on society as a whole.”
Dr. Mandell and his colleagues recently published findings in Pediatrics that mothers of children with ASD are less likely to work, work fewer hours per week and earn substantially less. Typically the primary caregiver, mothers are called upon to serve as their child’s case manager and advocate, and on average, earn 56 percent less than mothers of children with no health limitations. They earn 35 percent less than mothers of children with another health limitation. They are 6 percent less likely to be employed, and they work an average of seven hours less per week.
Dr. Knapp, Professor of Social Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science and a preeminent expert on health economics explained that the economic burden of autism varies widely across different parts of society from the individuals with ASD, their families, the communities they live in, businesses in those communities, to the government agencies which provide healthcare, education, welfare benefits, social care, and housing. “There is an immediate need for better coordination across public agencies and levels of government from local to national in the way that society structures its service delivery system; too often responses to the needs of individuals and families are piecemeal and less helpful than they could be,” he concluded.
This research was wholly funded by Autism Speaks. The World Health Organization (WHO), through its partnership with Autism Speaks, is serving in an advisory capacity and providing technical support for the cost of autism analysis.
About Autism
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by social and behavioral challenges, as well as repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 110 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum – a 600 percent increase in the past two decades that is only partly explained by improved diagnosis.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed over $173 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 95 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
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| JANE E. RUBINSTEIN | Senior Vice President |
| Rubenstein Associates, Inc. | 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105 |
Sour Cream & Meyer Lemon Pound Cake
This cake is all about the lemons. You won't find any lemon extract involved. Instead, this recipe uses the true lemon essence from the peel and juice, which is more than enough for this cake. I used Meyer Lemons but you can use standard regular lemons in this recipe. Or if you want to do a twist, substitute the lemon with limes, tangerines, etc.
I've been having a lot of fun recently playing with different gluten free flours in various ratios. Doing so made me believe that baking is possible even when you're living gluten free. But if you're not gluten free, no worries. This recipe works in either case. The original recipe calls for cake flour which you can follow below. However for my gluten free friends, you can still make this decadent cake without gluten. I've included recipes for both versions.
Sour Cream & Meyer Lemon Pound Cake
recipe adapted from Epicurious
recipe adapted from Epicurious
3 cups cake flour*
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups sugar
6 eggs, room temperature
1/4 cup fresh {Meyer}lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated {Meyer} lemon peel
1 cup sour cream
Glaze:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 to 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* For a gluten free version, combine:
140 grams (1 cup) brown rice flour
140 grams (1 cup) tapioca starch
140 grams (1 cup) sorghum flour
1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum
Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease 9x5 loaf pan. Dust pan with 1 tablepoon cake flour; tap out excess flour.
Sift flour, baking soda and salt into medium bowl, set aside.
Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl at medium speed until fluffy. Gradually add sugar and beat 5 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just until combined after each addition. Beat in lemon juice and peel.
Using rubber spatula, mix in dry ingredients.
Mix in sour cream.
Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake cake until tester inserted near center comes out clean, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Let cake cool in pan on rack 15 minutes.
Cut around cake in pan. Turn out cake. Carefully turn cake right side up on rack and cool completely. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Wrap in foil and let stand at room temperature.)
For the glaze, place confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup; stir in lemon juice (glaze should be thick, yet pourable). Add more sugar or lemon juice, as necessary, to achieve desired consistency. Pour half of glaze over cooled cake and allow to set. Once set, pour the remaining glaze and allow to set before serving.
Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl at medium speed until fluffy. Gradually add sugar and beat 5 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just until combined after each addition. Beat in lemon juice and peel.
Using rubber spatula, mix in dry ingredients.
Mix in sour cream.
Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake cake until tester inserted near center comes out clean, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Let cake cool in pan on rack 15 minutes.
Cut around cake in pan. Turn out cake. Carefully turn cake right side up on rack and cool completely. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Wrap in foil and let stand at room temperature.)
For the glaze, place confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup; stir in lemon juice (glaze should be thick, yet pourable). Add more sugar or lemon juice, as necessary, to achieve desired consistency. Pour half of glaze over cooled cake and allow to set. Once set, pour the remaining glaze and allow to set before serving.
Black Bean and Goat Cheese Pizza
Last week one day I put a post on Facebook saying that I was making a black bean and goat cheese pizza. Having never tried it before I added the comment at the end…”How could that not be good right?” To those of you who responded that there was no way it could be good, you’re just plain crazy.
This ended up being an absolutely delicious pizza and we all were fighting for the leftovers the next day.
I pretty much followed the same recipe that I use when I make black bean and goat cheese quesadillas the only real change being the pizza crust instead of tortillas.
Goat Cheese and Black Bean Pizza
Preheat oven to 500F (I use a pizza stone on the bottom shelf and cook my pizzas on a cookie sheet directly on the stone.)
1 package of store bought pizza dough or your own recipe (I make a bread machine dough that we love). Stretched as shaped on a pan. We use a cookie sheet pan and make rectangular pizzas.
Black Bean Topping
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 lg yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
24-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 cup water
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeno, chopped or sliced if desired
4 oz. or more goat cheese, crumbled
Directions
In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until hot. Add the onion and garlic and sauté, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the beans, cumin, chili powder, oregano and 1/2 cup water and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost all the water has evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes. Take the pan off the heat. With the back of a fork, break up the beans to make a chunky mash. Stir in half of the cilantro and season with salt and pepper.
Spread the black bean mixture over the pizza dough and crumble the goat cheese and dab on top, sprinkle with jalapeno.
Cook until hot and bubbly and the pizza crust is browned to your liking (should be about 20 minutes but keep an eye on it. My oven is funky at 500F. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.
This ended up being an absolutely delicious pizza and we all were fighting for the leftovers the next day.
I pretty much followed the same recipe that I use when I make black bean and goat cheese quesadillas the only real change being the pizza crust instead of tortillas.
Goat Cheese and Black Bean Pizza
Preheat oven to 500F (I use a pizza stone on the bottom shelf and cook my pizzas on a cookie sheet directly on the stone.)
1 package of store bought pizza dough or your own recipe (I make a bread machine dough that we love). Stretched as shaped on a pan. We use a cookie sheet pan and make rectangular pizzas.
Black Bean Topping
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 lg yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
24-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 cup water
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeno, chopped or sliced if desired
4 oz. or more goat cheese, crumbled
Directions
In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until hot. Add the onion and garlic and sauté, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the beans, cumin, chili powder, oregano and 1/2 cup water and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost all the water has evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes. Take the pan off the heat. With the back of a fork, break up the beans to make a chunky mash. Stir in half of the cilantro and season with salt and pepper.
Spread the black bean mixture over the pizza dough and crumble the goat cheese and dab on top, sprinkle with jalapeno.
Cook until hot and bubbly and the pizza crust is browned to your liking (should be about 20 minutes but keep an eye on it. My oven is funky at 500F. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.
Blue Cheese & Caramelized Onion Meatloaf
You can bake this in a few ways aside from the usual meatloaf pan. Kids will love this baked in a muffin pan. Or you can even bake in mini baking loaves for individual servings. You can even ditch the idea of meatloaf and roll the meat mixture into meatballs for a delicious appetizer. However you decide, you can't go wrong! I served this with a spinach and mushroom mashed potato which paired with the flavors wonderfully!
Blue Cheese & Caramelized Onion Meatloaf
recipe adapted from Food
recipe adapted from Food
1 cup breadcrumbs {or gluten free crackers, processed into crumbs}
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 pound 80/20 ground beef
1 egg (slightly beaten)
1/2 cup caramelized onions
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 pound 80/20 ground beef
1 egg (slightly beaten)
1/2 cup caramelized onions
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a standard 9x5 loaf pan or 4 mini loaf pans and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine 1 cup bread crumbs {or processed gf cracker crumbs} and 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese. Add ground beef, egg, onion, salt and pepper. Blend to incorporate all the ingredients evenly throughout.
Shape into a loaf or 4 small football shaped loaves. Bake meatloaf into preheated oven for 1 hour. Allow to cool slightly and serve.
Shape into a loaf or 4 small football shaped loaves. Bake meatloaf into preheated oven for 1 hour. Allow to cool slightly and serve.
My Passport 2 TB portable Drive from WD is now Locally available
Western Digital® (NYSE: WDC) today announced the next generation of its top-selling My Passport® line of portable hard drives, offering consumers a fresh new enclosure design and the first-ever 2 TB capacity in a portable drive.
Read more »
Read more »
Biscoff Swirled Brownies
Let's start this off by saying this is NOT a gluten free recipe. Because the Biscoff spread is made out of gluten laden cookies, all my GF friends will have to sit this one out until the Biscoff folks make a gf version. Shamefully, I admit overlooking my gluten intolerance/sensitivity for this recipe... but wow, it was worth it. I had a taste of the Biscoff spread itself and had to fight hard to resist having more. The Biscoff spread is combined with softened cream cheese, an egg and some sugar to create a cheesecake like batter that's swirled into the brownie batter.
The brownie portion of the recipe is easy to prepare as gluten free (just use the gluten free flour blend in place of the all purpose flour called for). But the recipe is flexible since you can substitute the Biscoff spread for peanut butter or even nutella.
Not sure where to get your hands on Biscoff spread? Look for it at World Market retail stores or if you have a Trader Joe's in your area, pick up their version called 'Speculoos: Cookie Butter.' The most important thing... get your hands on them. Like, as in yesterday.
Not sure where to get your hands on Biscoff spread? Look for it at World Market retail stores or if you have a Trader Joe's in your area, pick up their version called 'Speculoos: Cookie Butter.' The most important thing... get your hands on them. Like, as in yesterday.
For the Biscoff swirl:
1/2 cup Biscoff Spread {or gluten free peanut butter or Nutella spread}
4 ounces cream cheese
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
For the brownies:
1 cup dutch-process cocoa
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 & 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup all purpose flour {or 140grams gluten free flour blend + 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum}
Preheat oven to 325. Grease a 9 x 13" pan.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine all the ingredients for the swirl batter and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the cocoa, salt and baking powder and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Turn off the heat and add the sugar, stirring to combine. Return to the heat until it's hot again, but not boiling. Remove from heat.
Stir in the cocoa mixture. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the flour. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth evenly.
Dollop the Biscoff mixture on top of the brownie batter. Use a table knife to gently swirl the mixture, making sure each piece with have a little bit of the swirl.
Bake for 30-35 minutes. The swirl will look set, but the brownies will still look soft in the middle. Cool on a wire rack before cutting.
Autism Research Bias and the DSM-5 Autism Do-Over Exclusion of Those with Intellectual Disabilities
Why has the APA decided that the DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder should eliminate or substantially reduce the numbers of persons with ASD who are intellectually disabled? The removal from an ASD diagnosis of persons with ID will be accomplished by the express wording of Mandatory Criterion A of the DSM-5's New Autism Spectrum Disorder which requires "A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays.." Where the numbers of persons with intellectual disability constitute the vast majority of persons with Autistic Disorder under the DSM-IV they will now be removed from the autism spectrum under the DSM-5 Autism Do-Over which will now define autism largely in terms of the current Asperger's definition of social communication and repetitive behavior deficits. The DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Diosrder would be more accurately titled Aspergers Spectrum Disorder. But why the substitution of Asperger's for Autism in the DSM-5 Autism Do-Over?
The answer may be found in the convenience of autism researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical manufacturers. It is easier to treat, and even research, high functioning autism and Aspergers than to deal with patients and subjects with classic, severe autism and intellectual disability. Interviewed for an article in the Financial Times about the DSM-5's new autism spectrum diagnostic criteria Dr Craig Erickson, chief, Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center, Indiana University School of Medicine noted the presence of a high functioning autism bias in autism research:
"The DSM-5 modifications will be great for drug development, as there will be greater standardization in clinical trials, said Dr Craig Erickson, chief, Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center, Indiana University School of Medicine. With hardened criteria, there will be better, clearer studies that are easier to interpret, he said. DSM-5 changes will be a positive for research as the improved diagnostic clarity would ensure proper enrollment criteria, Ring agreed.
Erickson noted that there is often a bias in clinical trials, where high-functioning patients are typically enrolled as they are more readily able to tolerate routine procedures such as blood tests part of clinical trials. Further, it is easier to make improvements in less-impaired children, Elliott said, noting the Phase II Kuvan in autism trial included children with IQs in the 50-60 range as well as Asberger patients.
To avoid a bias in developing treatments only for higher-functioning patients, it would be especially advantageous to target specific symptoms rather than a broad lump of ASD so that specific interventions can target symptoms for a particular severity, for example stereotypic motor movements, Elliott said."
I have commented several times about what I perceived as high functioning bias in autism research. Dr. Erickson confirms my perception as Dr. Catherine Lord has done previously in Social Policy Report, Autism Spectrum Disorders Diagnosis, Prevalence, and Services for Children and Families:
""However, research in ASD has tended to use overwhelmingly White, middle to upper middle class samples, and has often excluded children with multiple disabilities and/or severe to profound intellectual disabilities". [underlining added - HLD]
The APA has stated in its form letter reply to those who submitted concerns to them about the new Autism Spectrum Disorder criteria that the new definition is based on existing research:
"The [DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder] proposal is based on years of accumulated clinical, epidemiological, and neuroscience research which was thoroughly examined by the members of the DSM-5 work group on Neurodevelopmental Disorders."
A problem with that explanation is that the research on which the DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder is based is biased in favor of high functioning autistic and Asperger's subject participation. The existing research as admitted by Dr. Lord and Dr. Erickson tends to exclude the severely challenged, intellectually disabled population. The new DSM-5 reflects that research bias by expressly excluding the intellectually disabled from a DSM-5 era Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.
The DSM-5 Autism Do-Over will exclude the intellectually disabled to make life easier for autism researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical manufacturers. There is no compelling reason to expressly exclude the intellectually disabled from the ASD except for the convenience of these groups.
There is no legitimate research basis for removing the intellectually disabled from an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. There is only bias ... bias against the intellectually disabled.
"The DSM-5 modifications will be great for drug development, as there will be greater standardization in clinical trials, said Dr Craig Erickson, chief, Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center, Indiana University School of Medicine. With hardened criteria, there will be better, clearer studies that are easier to interpret, he said. DSM-5 changes will be a positive for research as the improved diagnostic clarity would ensure proper enrollment criteria, Ring agreed.
Erickson noted that there is often a bias in clinical trials, where high-functioning patients are typically enrolled as they are more readily able to tolerate routine procedures such as blood tests part of clinical trials. Further, it is easier to make improvements in less-impaired children, Elliott said, noting the Phase II Kuvan in autism trial included children with IQs in the 50-60 range as well as Asberger patients.
To avoid a bias in developing treatments only for higher-functioning patients, it would be especially advantageous to target specific symptoms rather than a broad lump of ASD so that specific interventions can target symptoms for a particular severity, for example stereotypic motor movements, Elliott said."
I have commented several times about what I perceived as high functioning bias in autism research. Dr. Erickson confirms my perception as Dr. Catherine Lord has done previously in Social Policy Report, Autism Spectrum Disorders Diagnosis, Prevalence, and Services for Children and Families:
""However, research in ASD has tended to use overwhelmingly White, middle to upper middle class samples, and has often excluded children with multiple disabilities and/or severe to profound intellectual disabilities". [underlining added - HLD]
The APA has stated in its form letter reply to those who submitted concerns to them about the new Autism Spectrum Disorder criteria that the new definition is based on existing research:
"The [DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder] proposal is based on years of accumulated clinical, epidemiological, and neuroscience research which was thoroughly examined by the members of the DSM-5 work group on Neurodevelopmental Disorders."
A problem with that explanation is that the research on which the DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder is based is biased in favor of high functioning autistic and Asperger's subject participation. The existing research as admitted by Dr. Lord and Dr. Erickson tends to exclude the severely challenged, intellectually disabled population. The new DSM-5 reflects that research bias by expressly excluding the intellectually disabled from a DSM-5 era Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.
The DSM-5 Autism Do-Over will exclude the intellectually disabled to make life easier for autism researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical manufacturers. There is no compelling reason to expressly exclude the intellectually disabled from the ASD except for the convenience of these groups.
There is no legitimate research basis for removing the intellectually disabled from an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. There is only bias ... bias against the intellectually disabled.
CLASSIC CHOCOLATE CHIP PECAN BLONDIES
ANOTHER TRIP
I am packing for a trip to New York City. How exciting and special is this trip – the International Association of Culinary Professionals annual conference and I am attending! I’ll be hugging friends once again that I have had the great luck to have already met, meeting and spending time with others. This is a learning and working trip: meetings, appointments, introductions, and sessions. I feel like I’ve finally grown up and can join the real professionals, and that is extremely gratifying, thrilling and motivating. Yet, this will be my first trip back to New York since that visit with my brother Michael during his illness, since his death. My first time not staying with him. Daunting, to say the least. And truly bittersweet, like a thick, bitter-tinged salted butter caramel wrapped around the big juicy sweet apple.
I rush around the apartment, doing laundry, catching up on long-neglected e-mails, finishing articles and cleaning the kitchen. My suitcase lies empty and gaping, nagging me to pay it some heed. I normally begin packing several weeks before a trip, yet I can’t seem to concentrate on the task at hand. Too excited? Distracted? Feeling unorganized and unprepared? Maybe. Likely. So I do more laundry, type more e-mails, change the sheets on our bed once again and bake.
My family has not quite gotten used to my leaving for chunks of time, even as I leave more often. They get along just fine without me – shopping, marketing, cooking, laundry – everything runs smoothly with only men in the house! Yet they are sad when I leave them; my company is always in demand, whether it be for a stroll around town just to get a bit of fresh air or when errands are needed to be run. And now that we are house hunting and decisions need to be made on the spot, I leave a wide gap in that need and decisions risk being made without me. But I am more than happy to leave the three of them on their own for a week here and there, no matter how much I miss them. They do that man thing and bond – they go out for pizza, watch action films (think giant fire balls, gladiators or something military), take Marty outside of the city for a run in the great outdoors. Much time will be spent in the garage readjusting the Lambretta and taking it for a spin around the block, putting together Simon’s portfolio and sometimes I suspect that things may just run a bit more smoothly and comfortably without my female presence and point of view. And big mouth.
What will New York hold for me? Many have such high hopes for me, yet I go with rather a large blank running through my head, quite possibly the reason I find it hard to get overly excited about something so formidable and utterly exciting before I actually step into the crowded hotel lobby. Finding myself surrounded by hundreds of food writers, photographers, editors, cookbook authors and chefs is indeed daunting, yet thrilling and inspiring. As shy and uncomfortable as I am around people that I do not know – and who somehow all seem to already know each other – I rarely have problems introducing myself. I have been promised that attendees of this conference are wildly friendly and open to random self-introductions, happy to take one by the hand and show one the way. I have a list of far-away friends to meet, a schedule written down in black on white of breakfasts, lunches and dinners organized. This will be the time to share ideas, listen and discuss while being back in one of the world’s most exciting cities. Oh yeah. And as my friend Ken says, we’ll be eating our way across Manhattan!
And so I fly away across the ocean, leaving my men one more time. They’ll be perfectly fine with my short absence, yet I do not like to leave them empty handed. And so I bake. I love to leave them a sweet treat or two to see them through my time away; a coffee cake, a tin of cookies and a pan of brownies always soothes their moments empty of me! I threw together one of our favourite snacks, a pan of Classic Blondies chock full of mini chocolate chips and crunchy pecans, flavored with a hint of cinnamon and grated orange zest. Easy to make and oh so easy going down. My men are crazy about chocolate chip cookies and this is as good as if not better.
CLASSIC CHOCOLATE CHIP PECAN BLONDIES
With a kiss of cinnamon and orange – adapted from Linda Burum’s Brownies
A long-time family favourite.
1 ¼ cups (175 g) flour, lightly spooned into the measuring cup and levelled
1 ¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ - 1 tsp ground cinnamon, depending on taste
Finely grated zest of one orange, preferably untreated, optional
2/3 cup (about 11 1/3 Tbs, 160 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
½ cup (100 g) granulated white sugar
2/3 cup (140 g) packed light or golden brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
2 tsps milk
½ - 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts
½ - 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and butter a 9 x 9-inch metal cake pan.
Stir or whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon and finely grated zest in a small bowl.
In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar until blended, smooth and fluffy. Beat in the brown sugar until blended, smooth and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, adding the vanilla with the second egg, just until blended. Beat in the milk.
Using a wooden spoon or a spatula, fold in the dry ingredients just until blended; fold in the chips and the nuts until evenly distributed.
Spread the batter evenly and smoothly in the prepared baking pan and bake for about 30 minutes until the center is just set; cover the pan loosely with a piece of aluminum foil for the last 5 minutes of baking if the Blondies are browning too quickly.
Remove the Blondies from the oven and allow to cool on a rack. Eat warm or at room temperature. And a spoonful of Salted Butter Caramel Sauce or two never hurt anyone. Mama says.
Summer journeys to Niag'ra
and to other places aggra-
vate all our cares.
We'll save our fares!
I've a cozy little flat in
what is known as old Manhattan
we'll settle down
right here in town!
And tell me what street
compares with Mott Street
in July?
Sweet pushcarts gently gli-ding by.
The great big city's a wonderous toy
just made for a girl and boy.
We'll turn Manhattan
into an isle of joy!
- Lorenz Hart & Richard Rodgers
what is known as old Manhattan
we'll settle down
right here in town!
And tell me what street
compares with Mott Street
in July?
Sweet pushcarts gently gli-ding by.
The great big city's a wonderous toy
just made for a girl and boy.
We'll turn Manhattan
into an isle of joy!
- Lorenz Hart & Richard Rodgers
I am packing for a trip to New York City. How exciting and special is this trip – the International Association of Culinary Professionals annual conference and I am attending! I’ll be hugging friends once again that I have had the great luck to have already met, meeting and spending time with others. This is a learning and working trip: meetings, appointments, introductions, and sessions. I feel like I’ve finally grown up and can join the real professionals, and that is extremely gratifying, thrilling and motivating. Yet, this will be my first trip back to New York since that visit with my brother Michael during his illness, since his death. My first time not staying with him. Daunting, to say the least. And truly bittersweet, like a thick, bitter-tinged salted butter caramel wrapped around the big juicy sweet apple.
I rush around the apartment, doing laundry, catching up on long-neglected e-mails, finishing articles and cleaning the kitchen. My suitcase lies empty and gaping, nagging me to pay it some heed. I normally begin packing several weeks before a trip, yet I can’t seem to concentrate on the task at hand. Too excited? Distracted? Feeling unorganized and unprepared? Maybe. Likely. So I do more laundry, type more e-mails, change the sheets on our bed once again and bake.
My family has not quite gotten used to my leaving for chunks of time, even as I leave more often. They get along just fine without me – shopping, marketing, cooking, laundry – everything runs smoothly with only men in the house! Yet they are sad when I leave them; my company is always in demand, whether it be for a stroll around town just to get a bit of fresh air or when errands are needed to be run. And now that we are house hunting and decisions need to be made on the spot, I leave a wide gap in that need and decisions risk being made without me. But I am more than happy to leave the three of them on their own for a week here and there, no matter how much I miss them. They do that man thing and bond – they go out for pizza, watch action films (think giant fire balls, gladiators or something military), take Marty outside of the city for a run in the great outdoors. Much time will be spent in the garage readjusting the Lambretta and taking it for a spin around the block, putting together Simon’s portfolio and sometimes I suspect that things may just run a bit more smoothly and comfortably without my female presence and point of view. And big mouth.
Start spreading the news,
I'm leaving today.
I want to be a part of it -
New York, New York.
These vagabond shoes
Are longing to stray
And step around the heart of it
New York, New York.
I want to wake up in a city,
That doesn't sleep,
To find I'm king of the hill,
Head of the list,
Cream of the crop
At top of the heap.
- John Kander, Fred Ebb
I'm leaving today.
I want to be a part of it -
New York, New York.
These vagabond shoes
Are longing to stray
And step around the heart of it
New York, New York.
I want to wake up in a city,
That doesn't sleep,
To find I'm king of the hill,
Head of the list,
Cream of the crop
At top of the heap.
- John Kander, Fred Ebb
What will New York hold for me? Many have such high hopes for me, yet I go with rather a large blank running through my head, quite possibly the reason I find it hard to get overly excited about something so formidable and utterly exciting before I actually step into the crowded hotel lobby. Finding myself surrounded by hundreds of food writers, photographers, editors, cookbook authors and chefs is indeed daunting, yet thrilling and inspiring. As shy and uncomfortable as I am around people that I do not know – and who somehow all seem to already know each other – I rarely have problems introducing myself. I have been promised that attendees of this conference are wildly friendly and open to random self-introductions, happy to take one by the hand and show one the way. I have a list of far-away friends to meet, a schedule written down in black on white of breakfasts, lunches and dinners organized. This will be the time to share ideas, listen and discuss while being back in one of the world’s most exciting cities. Oh yeah. And as my friend Ken says, we’ll be eating our way across Manhattan!
And so I fly away across the ocean, leaving my men one more time. They’ll be perfectly fine with my short absence, yet I do not like to leave them empty handed. And so I bake. I love to leave them a sweet treat or two to see them through my time away; a coffee cake, a tin of cookies and a pan of brownies always soothes their moments empty of me! I threw together one of our favourite snacks, a pan of Classic Blondies chock full of mini chocolate chips and crunchy pecans, flavored with a hint of cinnamon and grated orange zest. Easy to make and oh so easy going down. My men are crazy about chocolate chip cookies and this is as good as if not better.
CLASSIC CHOCOLATE CHIP PECAN BLONDIES
With a kiss of cinnamon and orange – adapted from Linda Burum’s Brownies
A long-time family favourite.
1 ¼ cups (175 g) flour, lightly spooned into the measuring cup and levelled
1 ¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ - 1 tsp ground cinnamon, depending on taste
Finely grated zest of one orange, preferably untreated, optional
2/3 cup (about 11 1/3 Tbs, 160 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
½ cup (100 g) granulated white sugar
2/3 cup (140 g) packed light or golden brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
2 tsps milk
½ - 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts
½ - 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and butter a 9 x 9-inch metal cake pan.
Stir or whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon and finely grated zest in a small bowl.
In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar until blended, smooth and fluffy. Beat in the brown sugar until blended, smooth and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, adding the vanilla with the second egg, just until blended. Beat in the milk.
Using a wooden spoon or a spatula, fold in the dry ingredients just until blended; fold in the chips and the nuts until evenly distributed.
Spread the batter evenly and smoothly in the prepared baking pan and bake for about 30 minutes until the center is just set; cover the pan loosely with a piece of aluminum foil for the last 5 minutes of baking if the Blondies are browning too quickly.
Remove the Blondies from the oven and allow to cool on a rack. Eat warm or at room temperature. And a spoonful of Salted Butter Caramel Sauce or two never hurt anyone. Mama says.
