Sun Dried Tomato Hummus

Article first published as Sun Dried Tomato Hummus on Blogcritics.Some ingredients are destined to be used in the same predictable way. Take for instance, chickpeas or garbanzo beans. The main reason why I would even bother having this in my pantry is simply to prepare a homemade hummus. After awhile, plain, traditional hummus gets boring. When that happens, the fun begins. I love playing with various flavor combinations and I think I've found my favorite hummus recipe. This Sun Dried Tomato Hummus allows the flavor and color of sun dried tomatoes shine with a little hint of fresh basil to freshen it up...For my recent Mediterranean Kabob Party, I aim

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Is Walking Autism Therapy? No, Just Fun for Conor and Dad

In the space of two days Conor and I went on several walks together.  Nothing makes me feel better than going for a good walk, preferably along a trail or hiking in the woods.  I love being outdoors in nature and I always have. As an added bonus I like walking even more when I am walking with Conor.  We took advantage of the long weekend to get lots of walking in.  It may not be as scientifically based as swimming with dolphins or riding horses in Mongolia but it makes me and Conor feel better. We both enjoy walking together. So far this long weekend here in New Brunswick we have gotten out for several trail walks and a bridge walk

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Sunday Fun Day Giveaway: Winner Announced!

Happy Sunday! How was your weekend? Any fun culinary adventures taken? It's been a busy weekend for me so my apologies for a late posting. I can't believe we've done a Sunday Fun Day Giveaway for 3 full months straight! It was something I started on my birthday - May 1, 2011 and there have been 12+ readers who have won some great food inspired goodies. This week I'm taking a little breather so I can line up some more giveaways to share. But let's not forget I have a winner to announce! Last week the lovely folks of Back to the Roots sponsored the giveaway for a Grow at home Mushroom Garden. A lucky reader will receive a Mushroom Garden they can

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Πολιτική βουντού. Μυθοπλασίας!

Οι  θεατές των γεγονότων                                                                      ΕΥΓΕΝΙΑ ΗΛΙΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ      Μη σκοντάψεις στη ζωή σου και πέσεις (Η σιδερένια φτέρνα-Τ. Λόντον)   Ζούμε σε παράξενες εποχές και καθημερινά η ζωή μας αλλάζει. Τα στοιχεία που μεταβάλλονται σ

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Foodbuzz 24x24: Mediterranean Kabob Party!

The summer is prime grilling season and rather than throwing the usual cookout with burgers, brats and hot dogs, we decided to host a summer cookout with a bit of ethnic flair. Some of our foodie friends joined us for some grilling fun at our Mediterranean Kabob Party! We prepared some Mediterranean inspired dishes and for fun, we had a Mediterranean kabob bar for our guests to be creative with.To make our event even more special, FoodBuzz is featuring our Mediterranean Kabob Party for their July 24x24 Food Event. The FoodBuzz's 24x24 Food Event showcases food blog posts from 24 Foodbuzz Featured Publisher bloggers of 24 unique meals occurring

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Strawberry Nutella Swirl Ice Cream

July is National Ice Cream month and I've been working my ice cream maker quite a bit. With so many flavors to choose from, I decided to take inspiration from what I had lurking in my fridge and pantry. Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits of all time and I especially enjoy dipping them in a little Nutella, a chocolate hazelnut spread. I had both of these ingredients on hand and that's when it dawned on me that I could try combining them into an ice cream! That's when this Strawberry Nutella Swirl Ice Cream was born. It's delicious proof that two great flavors are even better when combined with ice cream....In making Strawberry Nutella Ice Cream

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Autism and the DSM-5's Unintended Consequence: The Return of Dr. Allen Frances

Dr. Allen Frances is engaged in an all out revolt against the DSM-5 revision process and those conducting the revision.  Underlying his revolt is an admission, at times express but always implicitly present, that if we have seen a series of false epidemics in areas such as Autism, ADD and childhood bipolar disorder then he, as much as anyone is responsible for those epidemics.  Dr. Francis oversaw the DSM-IV revisions on which he now puts great weight with his claims that we are now witnessing three false epidemics in autism, attention deficit and childhood bipolar.  Of late he has focused in particular on what he calls the false autism

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Cheddar Ranch Cheese Ball

The summer heat brings out the snacker in me. I'm definitely a snacker where I like to eat small meals and portions throughout the day. And if I were to choose my ultimate favorite snack, it would be cheese and crackers hands down. Often times I'll reach for a wedge of various cheeses to enjoy but every now and then, I enjoying making cheese balls. The latest one I made was this Cheddar Ranch Cheese Ball. Cheddar and blue cheese are mixed with cream cheese and seasoned with ranch dressing before being rolled in almond slices. It's creamy, crunchy and bursting with flavor!For most cheese balls I make, they all include cream cheese as a binder and blank

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Autism & Real Inclusion: Conor Counts the Days (40) to School

My son does not receive what many would consider an inclusive education. Those who subscribe to the philosophy that all children benefit from learning in a mainstream classroom  would be horrified to learn that my son receives his individualized, ABA based instruction outside the classroom in individual environments in the local high school.  He also begins and ends his day and spends time in a resource center with other children with challenges and interacts with other students to the best of his limited abilities in the common areas.When Conor began school he started in the mainstream classroom and came home each day with bite marks on his

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HONEY VANILLA MINI MADELEINES

ONE (SUNNY) JULY DAYTwenty-four years ago we experienced a month of July so similar to this one. It rained and it rained and it rained. Every single day. I was desperate and disheartened for I was planning my wedding. I had visions of disaster, rushing through a downpour to get to City Hall and arriving there drenched. No lovely bride in a flowing white dress, hair perfectly coiffed, gorgeous bouquet of roses and lavender would stroll into the Grande Salle to be joined to her dashing Frenchman. No, I saw ruined shoes, the beautiful violet suede matted and smeared. I could almost feel the silky material of my coat soaked through and bunched up in an un

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