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Pineapple Dole Whip {Clone}

When you go on vacation and indulge in something so good that you long for it even after you are back home, what do you do? You make it or at least, attempt to. That's exactly what I did after getting some serious hunger pangs for Disney World's Pineapple Dole Whip. For those that aren't familiar with this ridiculously refreshing treat, it's pineapple whipped to a cold and creamy soft serve consistency that's known for giving folks serious addictions. I speak from experience. So to get my fix, I went on my search to make that fantastic Pineapple Dole Whip at home...

It looks like I'm not alone and many others have been on their own quest for duplicating pineapple whip. Of course, nothing will ever beat the original but this one comes close in terms of color, flavor and texture. The main ingredients for this recipe is pineapple sherbet for the base with a tub of whipped topping to add some lightness and creaminess. A standard ice cream base with fresh pineapple would be too heavy of a texture since the original pineapple whip just melts in your mouth with a touch of creaminess.

For the creaminess factor, I learned that the original was non dairy. Well, to mimic that, I used a non-dairy whipped topping - a generic or store brand is usually available. I think the Cool Whip brand does have dairy mixed in, at least as of recently. Using non-dairy whipped topping would add the light and creamy texture that's fairly close to the original.

Although the base is pineapple sherbet, I wanted to up the pineapple flavor. To do that, instead of using just pineapple juice, I came across frozen pineapple juice concentrate. I used that in place of pineapple juice to boost that sweet, citrus flavor and it did - perfectly!

Lastly, for color, I added a little yellow food coloring to get that beautiful light yellow hue. You can certainly omit this if you want too.

It may not be the exact clone for the original but we think it's pretty darn close! Give it a try and please let me know what you think or what adjustments could be made to get us all a bit closer to Disney's original!

EDITED to add - Feel free to use other sherbet flavors {raspberry, lime, orange, lemon, etc.} in place of pineapple... and play around with other fruit juice concentrates like orange, lemonade, etc. And if you're feeling particularly thirsty, serve it 'float' style by filling a tall glass with pineapple whip and pineapple juice. Refreshment through a straw, I tell you :)

Pineapple Dole Whip Clone
recipe adapted from Disney Diner

1 carton Pineapple sherbet, softened
1 8oz container whipped topping, softened
1/4 cup frozen pineapple juice concentrate
1 teaspoon yellow food coloring {optional}

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients until everything is thoroughly mixed into one uniform mixture.

Transfer mixture to a gallon sized freezer bag; seal and freeze overnight.

For soft serve, using your hands, massage the freezer bag to slightly warm up the pineapple whip for easy squeezing out of the bag. [Snip a corner of the bag and pipe out the pineapple whip into your serving bowl.

Or, scoop out the pineapple whip as you would ice cream and serve.

Globe Telecom first PH telco to offer BlackBerry Q10

On the back of its strong and longtime partnership with BlackBerry®, Globe Telecom becomes the first telco in the Philippines to launch the BlackBerry® Q10 and will be the only operator offering the newest BlackBerry smartphone for the first thirty (30) days when it becomes officially available in the country on June 7.
The leader in postpaid is poised to offer the best deals for BlackBerry Q10 under its best-ever MySuperPlan, a next-generation postpaid plan that allows subscribers to get more than what they pay for with a plan value that is almost twice the value of prepaid load.
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Roasted Potatoes & Kale

If there's an ingredient I would like to use more in the kitchen, it would probably be kale. Aside from it being packed with nutrients as a superfood, friends have raved about kale in smoothies, as chips and in salads. Not too long ago, friends and I got together for our regular potluck dinner where the theme was brunch for dinner. We all prepared a brunch item to bring to the table and I was surprised by this side dish of Roasted Potatoes & Kale, shared by my friend Kelly. I've made roasted potatoes countless times and I've heard of baking kale for kale chips... but it never dawned on me to combine the two! Well Kelly did exactly that, where seasoned roast potatoes married seasoned roasted kale for a match made in deliciousness...

This was a great side dish that I've made it at home... but the original picture from our brunch came out better {thanks to the natural lighting that day.} You can use whatever kind of potato you have on hand - red, russet, etc. I personally like the buttery flavors of Yukon Gold potatoes. I do recommend fresh kale as frozen kale won't result in the same crisp texture that adds to the dish. I can't wait to play with kale more often and this was just the dish and recipe to inspire me. What's your favorite way to use kale? I'd love to get some more ideas!

Roasted Potatoes & Kale
recipe adapted from Epicurious

1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped into bite sized pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1/2 pound fresh kale (about 1 small bunch), rinsed with stems/tough ribs discarded, then roughly chopped
salt & pepper to taste



Preheat oven to 450°F.

In a large bowl, combine the potatoes with 1 tablespoon oil, minced garlic, salt and pepper.Transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. 
In the same bowl, toss kale with remaining 1 tablespoon oil along with salt and pepper to taste. After potatoes have roasted, add the kale on top of the potatoes. Return to the oven and roast for another 10 minutes, or until kale is crisp.
Serve potatoes and kale hot or at room temperature, seasoning to taste if desired.

Samsung Introduces the GALAXY S4 Mini

Samsung today announced their latest offering for smartphone it's the Galaxy S4 mini, just like the Galaxy S3 with it's smaller version Galaxy S3 mini, this Galaxy S4 mini is the smaller brother of the popular Galaxy S4.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 mini is equipped with 4.3”qHD (16:9 wide view) Super AMOLED screen and powered by 1.7 GHz Dual-Core Processor and will run on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean).
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CBC Inclusion Interviews: What Did Smith and Carr Mean By Inclusion?


CBC's Terry Seguin conducted two very good interviews with outgoing NBTA President Heather Smith and EECD Minister Jody Carr over the last two days.  However, neither of Terry's guests gave a clear definition of what they meant by "inclusion".  The only clear definition of inclusion offered by the current administration is one provided by the Alward administration's inclusion mentor Gordon Porter. It is a definition of inclusion which Minister Carr has not disavowed and one which is at odds with the New Brunswick government's policy statement which defines inclusion as evidence based and based on a student's best interests. 

The source of much of the uproar over inclusion in NB is Mr. Porter's obsessive insistence that ALL students be educated in the regular classroom as he stated last year in a session on inclusive education in Newfoundland:

"CORNER BROOK — Gordon Porter believes inclusion is the most natural thing in the world. The educator and director of Inclusive Education Initiatives presented a session on inclusive education at the Greenwood Inn and Suites on Thursday. Porter, who is also the editor of the Inclusive Education Canada website inclusiveeducation.ca, spoke to parents, educators and agency professionals who deal with children with special needs at the pre-conference for the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living Conference taking place in the city today and Saturday. The session was sponsored by the Community Inclusion Initiative. 

 Porter’s session revolved around the theme of parents and teachers working together to make inclusion work.“It means kids go to their neighbourhood schools with kids their own age in regular classes,” said Porter.“If you’re seven years, old you go to the school just down the street. You go in a class with other seven-year-olds, and you’re supported if you have extra needs. “It’s so simple, it’s that simple,” said Porter.""

- Diane Crocker, The Western Star, April 13, 2012: Inclusion in the classroom 'simple', says educator.

For some children with challenges, including some like my son with severe autism, inclusion in the classroom was not simple or natural.  He was overwhelmed by the classroom environment and came home each day with self inflicted bite marks on his hands and wrists.  He  was removed from the classroom at our request and  received his instruction from UNB-CEL Autism trained education aides at alternate locations in grade school, middle school and high school.  The biting disappeared and he was able to receive the education promised to all children in New Brunswick. He was accommodated.

Now my son's alternate learning locations are targeted as "segregated" learning by the omniscient Mr. Porter. The accommodation of my son's  disability that has allowed him to receive his education in local schools is at serous risk of disappearing when the Porter Aucoin Report becomes fully implemented in 2013.  It seemed to me in listening to EECD Minister Carr and NBTA President Smith that they were not challenging Mr. Porter's "everyone in the classroom" dictate.  They appeared to disagree only over how many aides would be in the regular classroom to assist the teacher.  My son's accommodated education is at serious risk in the Porter era.

La vignarola

La vignarola è un piatto che probabilmente veniva assaporato dopo la fatica in vigna (ma l’etimo potrebbe essere anche più banalmente legato al fatto che «vignarolo» è il nome attribuito agli ortolani) ed è la più gustosa ricetta romana della primavera.

Vignarola is a dish that was most likely eaten after working hard in the vineyards (but the etymology could also simply be tied to the fact that "vignarolo" is a name that was given to produce dealers in general). It has since become one of the tastiest Roman springtime recipes.

Per prepararla vi occorreranno 300g di fave sgranate, 300g di piselli sgranati, 2 carciofi romaneschi, 2 cipollotti, 1 cespo di lattuga romana, 100g di guanciale, 100g di prosciutto crudo tagliato in una fetta spessa, mezzo bicchiere di vino bianco, sale, pepe, olio extravergine d'oliva e mentuccia.

Vignarola ingredients:
300 g (11 oz.) shelled broad beans, 300 g (11 oz.) shelled peas, 2 roman artichokes, 2 spring onions, 1 head of romaine lettuce, 100 g (3.5 oz.) guanciale (similar to jowl bacon), 100 g (3.5 oz.) prosciutto, cut in one thick slice, 1/2 glass white wine, salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil,  lesser calamint

In una padella antiaderente mettete a soffriggere il guanciale ed il prosciutto crudo tagliati in dadolata, unite poi l'olio extravergine d'oliva e fate stufare i cipollotti tagliati fine.
Aggiungete poi le verdure, secondo il tempo necessario per portarle a cottura, ossia dapprima i carciofi tagliati a spicchi e poi a fettine, poi i piselli e le fave.
Spruzzate con il vino bianco e, quasi a fine cottura aggiungete la lattuga e se vi piace la mentuccia romana. Portate a cottura coperto.
Stufate le verdure, seguendo un ordine legato al tempo di cottura.
Cominciate con i carciofi tagliati a spicchi grossi, poi i piselli e le fave.
Facoltativa una spruzzata di vino bianco, prima di aggiungere i cuori della lattuga, la mentuccia nella quantità desiderata (senza esagerare) sale e pepe.

Instructions
Sauté the guanciale and the prosciutto (cut into cubes) in a non-stick pan. Add the extra virgin olive oil and simmer with the finely chopped spring onion.
Add the vegetables, according to the time needed for them to cook, i.e. first the artichokes (cut into quarters and then slices), then the peas and the broad beans.
Add a little white wine and, right before the dish is done, add the romaine lettuce and, if you like, the lesser calamint. Cover and finish cooking.
Remember to stew the vegetables by following an order associated with their cooking times. Start with the artichokes cut into large sections, then the peas and the broad beans.
A splash of white wine is optional before adding the lettuce, calamint (in the desired quantity but without going overboard), salt and pepper.


Nella mia cucina:

Cherry Mobile Omega HD 2.0 Quad-Core Device, priced at Php 8,999

Cherry Mobile looks like updating most of it's popular smartphones to 2.0 with upgraded specs, one of this is the new OMEGA HD .20, the highlights are 12 MP BSI Camera and its DragonTrail Glass Technology on a 5-inch HD IPS screen.

Just last march Cherry Mobile OMEGA HD was launched with 1GHz dual-core MediaTek MT6577 processor and 5-inch HD (720×1280) with SRP of Php 7,999.00. The OMEGA HD 2.0 is equipped with 1.2GHz Quad-Core processorr so it's safe to assume that it will use the same chipset MediaTek with the latest MT6589 chipset. the OMEGA 2.0 will have an SRP of Php 8,999 that's Php 1,000 more for the Quad-Core processor upgrade.

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Lenovo Smartphones Back-to-School SALE

Just in time for school year, Lenovo is having a sale on their Smartphones, Enjoy great deals & discounts at the Lenovo Back-to-School sale! This sale is from June 1-2 only.

The SALE event will be held at 2299 Don Chino Roces Ave. (Pasong Tamo Extension) Makati City on June 1-2, 2013, 9am to 5pm only.

So what to expect in this event:
  • Free powerpack for the first 20 Lenovo smartphone* buyers on June 1.
  • Buy 1 Take 1 offer on select models. 
  • Plus major discounts on selected models! 
* Applicable only to the following models: P700i, S560, S880, K860, and S720. 

So if your looking for a new Android Smartphone, better check this-out and you could save more on your purchase on that new phone. 

Greek Rubbed Pork Chops

Life is too short and you're never promised tomorrow. Recently, I found out my childhood friends who I grew up with lost their dad. They were a great family and I have so many fond memories as a kid with them as neighbors who lived directly across the street. For years, they were like an extension of my immediate family because we'd share whatever we had from toys, food, clothes, etc. It was awesome. Our childhood together was filled with basketball games in our driveway with other neighborhood kids, watching the boys on our street doing tricks on their skateboards, blasting house or freestyle music while we experimented with crazy hairstyles involving cans of Aquanet hairspray, etc. Ah... fun times. And when I heard the news that their dad passed away, all those memories came flooding back. It's another sign that we won't live forever and we should cherish the time we do have with loved ones while we can. Because my neighbors gave me my first introduction to Greek culture and cuisine as a child, I'm dedicating these Greek Rubbed Pork Chops to the 'K' family. These pork chops getting a loving rub down of lemon juice, Worcestershire, oregano, thyme, garlic, mustard and other seasonings to absorb the flavors before baking up in the oven...

There were three children in the family... Analie was the eldest and the coolest chick I knew because she was all about the latest fashion, who knew how to use makeup like a rockstar and was like the big sister I never had. Mary was a year older than me who gave me the brutal honesty I needed whenever I needed it about boys, friends, school, and everything else I confided her with, which I love about her. She would also share the cool things she learned from her sister and pass them on to me! And there's Johnny who is the same age as me and I always thought of him as another brother. With all the time he spent with my own brother playing video games and doing whatever boys do, he was always one to be a trend setter whether it came to skateboarding, biking, or his absolute favorite, golfing. Together, we had quite a fun childhood and I'm lucky to have had them as neighbors.

Another thing I remember were the times where I got to try baklava, moussaka, dolmades, and a few other things their dad cooked up. It saddened me to hear of their loss and I'm keeping their family in my thoughts and prayers. I hope they can find peace in this difficult time knowing their dad provided such happy memories to remember him by. Mr. K certainly did for me and I can't help but smile when I think of him. Thank you K family, for being a part of my childhood...


Greek Rubbed Pork Chops
recipe adapted from Taste of Home

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
4 boneless pork loin chops (about 3/4 inch thick and 4 ounces each)


In a large resealable plastic bag, add the pork and the remaining ingredients. Seal the bag and turn to coat the pork chops completely. Chill the pork chops in the bag in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight. 

Remove the pork chops from the bag and place onto a baking sheet. Discard marinade.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 


Bake pork chops in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, depending on thickness, or until a thermometer reads 145°. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. 

Bacon Mac & Cheese

Welcome back from a holiday weekend! I hope you had some time to relax and enjoy some quality time with loved ones. I had a great weekend and had quite a bit of fun in the kitchen too. We taught a Mexican tamales class, did a Chicago steakhouse restaurant review while celebrating a dear friend's birthday, hit up the local Six Flags amusement park, ate our fair share of Korean food, had ourselves a French-inspired picnic on the living room floor, and satisfied our sweet tooth by testing out a slew of dessert recipes. But now it's back to the usual daily grind. And after the whirlwind of what seemed to be global ride of eats, our favorite meals are always the ones that are comforting and feel like home. Like macaroni and cheese. If the Baron had his way, he'd be quite content with the kind right out of the blue box. But for me, I like adding other dimensions of flavors and textures to keep it interesting. So for this Bacon Mac & Cheese, smoky crisp bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a dash of hot sauce were mixed in with pasta before baking it up with a crunchy cheesy breadcrumb topping...


I think it's safe to say that I'm the most adventurous eater in our home. Between Joel and The Baron, they like things nice, simple and plain. There's nothing wrong with that - it certainly makes it easy for me... but I like to switch things up and throw them some culinary curveballs now and then. One way I like doing that is by making a traditional recipe for common dishes and adding a spin to them. For this macaroni and cheese, I made the typical cheese sauce using sharp cheddar. I also added some bacon {it makes everything better, as they say} and for a kick, I put in a few dashes of hot sauce. You could stop here and serve it as is... but for a layer of texture, I transferred the pasta to a casserole dish and topped it with more cheese and some breadcrumbs to bake up to a crisp topping. Yum. I guess the lack of leftovers made this a successful dish!

* You could easily freeze this as well. To prepare for your freezer, prepare as directed but do not bake after adding the cheese and breadcrumb topping. You can cool and cover with plastic wrap, then with foil before storing in the freezer. Or better yet, use a freezer- and oven-safe container like Glad SimplyCooking Ovenware.

Bacon Mac & Cheese
adapted from Cooking Light


  • Cooking spray
  • 3 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 12 ounces macaroni, penne or curly {GF} pasta
  • 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour or gluten free flour blend*
  • 1 1/2 cups skim milk, divided
  • 2 cups finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce {Frank's Red Hot}
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • slices center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup panko or regular {GF} breadcrumbs
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 2-quart broiler-safe dish by coating with cooking spray.
  2. Meanwhile, bring 6 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil. 
  3. Add the pasta; cook 8 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  4. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine flour and 1/2 cup milk. Gradually whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk and bring to a boil. Continue to stir constantly to thicken.
  5. Remove saucepan from heat and let it stand for about 5 minutes. 
  6. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, onions, hot sauce, pepper, and bacon; stir. 
  7. Add pasta and toss to combine. Transfer pasta into your prepared dish and top with 1/2 cup cheese and 1/4 cup {GF} breadcrumbs. 
  8. Place in preheated oven and bake for 7-10 minutes or until cheese melts and top browns. Serve hot.

*Gluten free flour blend:
This is the best combination for my personal uses and has never failed me. I purchased a majority of the ingredients at an Asian market (at less than $.99/lb) and the other ingredients marked were Bob Red Mill brand. Cornstarch was Argo brand.

300 grams superfine brown rice flour (Bob's Red Mill)
250 grams sweet rice flour (Asian market)
150 grams tapioca flour (Asian market)
100 grams sorghum flour (Bob's Red Mill)
100 grams potato starch (Asian market)
100 grams cornstarch (Argo brand)

Whisk together the above flours and store in an air tight container. To use, measure out 140 grams for every cup called for in your favorite baking recipe (NOT yeast bread recipes.) Add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for every cup used in the recipe as well to help with texture and binding. Voila! You can bake gluten free with confidence! 

Plate to Page Ireland

JUST A DASH OF CREATIVITY

Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation and a pinch of creativity. 
Bo Bennett 


It’s odd how different one group is from another. More or less bloggers, more or less professionals. They come from all over the world, every continent, but it isn’t that. Each group has its own distinct, unique personality, its own needs, its own dynamics. Each group brings something different to the table. Each Plate to Page workshop weekend begins much like a blind date: surreptitious, curious glances, trying not to appear as if staring; dancing around each other’s words, trying to understand the meaning; feeling each other out in an attempt to capture and understand each persona, each sense of humor, each level of shyness. Curiosity tainted with doubt fills the space, excitement mingled with self-consciousness. Like the first day of school. I often feel like a parent or a Scout leader trying to make everyone feel comfortable and at home, wanting this group, like the others, to form one happy, cohesive family.



By late morning of the first day, things start to click. The first set of exercises does that. One “I can’t write. I don’t write! I won’t write!” Another, arms crossed, slouched in the chair, refusal to make eye contact. Or worse: a brassy, fearless glare! “Make me, if you dare!” A “I came here only for the photography” is a sharp punch in the gut. A third releases her inner child, her inner, as she puts it, Gollum. “Impossible! I cannot! I will not! What am I doing here?” We have in some way asked them to bare their soul, show their true selves to a group of complete strangers, maybe try something they never have before dared or have convinced themselves they are not able to do; terrifying, indeed. We are all to be judged! Discomfort is inevitable. Yet we continue merrily around the group, (not giving in, not accepting any excuse not to participate) asking to hear everyone’s work, the result of an exercise done under pressure, under the constraints of time and limitations of subject. Then the second exercise is given, a mere quarter hour has passed and thick crusts are shed, embarrassment and angst give way to the spirit of the weekend and a warmth and bonhomie fill the room and we are off!

The imagination imitates. It is the critical spirit that creates. 
Oscar Wilde 


 Sofiah jumps into both the photo and the writing work.

Laughing, joyful clapping, cheering each other on as one more funny story is read aloud. Or breath taken away, emotions raw as another reads out a stunningly beautiful piece. Critique given, discussion ensues, heads nodding in accord, another attempt, pushing oneself to move a step forward. We coax out talent, explain flaws, guide and instruct. Eyes light up in understanding, impish grins as foibles are admitted, self- satisfied blushes wash over cheeks, and rightfully so, when a piece of writing is simply, utterly superb.

Plate to Page workshops are nothing if not exciting. We watch as our students give the best of themselves. Each arrives with his or her own baggage: different levels of experience and talent, different interests and goals. Friday morning, barely the time to claim a bed and have a snack and they are plunged into a world of words and images, stories to tell visually and verbally. The photographers cringe at the writing exercises, the writers worry about their photography skills, yet very quickly they are swept up in the challenge, begin to understand the reasons behind the program we offer and are energized!

Ilva teaches advanced styling and photography.

Meeta discusses shooting white on white while...

Ilva works on another setup, another mood, a different light.

And as the weekend progresses, as the participants open up to so many personal and creative possibilities, the group grows closer, barriers are broken and masks – both personal and creative masks - are dropped. Prosecco and wine corks are popped, glasses filled and refilled, the endless abundance of food circulates and they are ready for the next set of exercises.





Plate to Page workshop is filled with the tapping of keyboards, the scratching of pens and pencils on paper (yes, the old fashioned way), the clicking of cameras. Plates of food, boxes of props, bottles of bubbly are carried throughout the houses and around the grounds of gorgeous Decoy Country Cottages outside of Dublin, Ireland. The sun plays tag with the rain, allowing for a change of light and ambiance for the photo shoots, as if on cue, as if part of the program.



 While the students work on their photography, the writing instructors improvise.

Challenges are accepted, worried looks, furrowed brows give way to grins and whispers between partners, a hurried dash towards props like on any episode of Top Chef, scurrying off to a corner to set up a shot. Or gathered around a long table, stories read aloud with confidence, with doubt. One topic, twelve visions. Jeanne and I push them to think outside of the box, forget their self-imposed limits, other peoples’ expectations. We show them how to follow their instincts, to find what works, to find their natural voice, to find inspiration.


White against white, violet on charcoal, bounces repositioned, cutlery shifted. Fingers fiddle with settings, moods varying from romantic to brooding to country to elegant, light to dark, busy to stark. Meeta and Ilva explain, discuss, point out, move back to allow for personal interpretation, to each his or her own style.


By the end of the weekend, each student has discovered something new about him or herself, his or her talents, what he or she is capable of. By the end of the weekend, each student has understood the synergy between writing and photography.


By the end of the weekend, we have formed one cohesive group, a family. Once again.

No great thing is created suddenly. 
- Epictetus 


What fascinating participants: Monica and Sofiah, Anne Marie and Karon, Susana and André, Kate and Samantha, Mafe and Sumayya, Lidija who came all the way from Ireland, Scotland, Portugal, the United States, South Africa, Guatemala, England, Singapore and Slovenia. Photographers, writers, authors, bloggers and those just starting off.

Read some of our P2P Ireland participants reviews:

Sumayya: A food inspiration to write and create
Susana and André: From food to friendship
Karon: Food photography and a dream come true

And how could one possibly eat – or drink – better than at Plate to Page? Thanks to Donald Russel Butchers, Ed Hick’s Bacon Jam and Love Moorish Smoked Humous (Lemon & Dill and Chilli Harissa !!!) – we could not get enough ! Prosseco in abundance from Nino Franco in Italy and gorgeous red wines from Brancott Estate in New Zealand. And artisinal jams from the wonderful Wendy at Sunchowder’s Emporia in Florida ! Always a treat !

David describing each stunning dish he prepared for lunch as Meeta photographs.

And P2P Weimar alum the super talented David came to cook for us on Sunday. His lunch and dinner literally left this noisy, boyant, joyous group…speechless. That is how good his food was.


And what goodie bags, thanks to amazing sponsors (visit our Sponsors page to discover more!). Incredible Better Zesters (Better? Nope! The best!) and knife sharpeners from Edgeware. Dukkah and Skinny Hot Chocolate from South African NoMu. Donegal Rapeseed Oil. A copy of one of my favorite cookbooks Heartbreak Recovery Kitchen by Jeanne Ambrose and Lindsey Ambrose. Artisinal chocolates from Rococo Chocolates. Patron Tequila.
 
But the food is for another post…

READ MORE: DISCOVER PAST PLATE TO PAGE WORKSHOPS



Plate to Page Weimar
Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.
Anonymous







Plate to Page Tuscany
And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.
- Sylvia Plath







Plate to Page Somerset 
Creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday.
- Ray Kroc

NBTA Acknowledges Education Department's Obsession With Inclusion Philosophy



The New Brunswick Teachers Association has spoken up ... sort of ... about New Brunswick's extreme inclusion philosophy.  The NBTA to its credit  acknowledges, finally, that inclusion is a philosophy not an educational plan as stated by outgoing NBTA President Heather Smith at a meeting of delegates from around the province.  Smith also acknowledged that the education focus during the past year has been  on the Porter Aucoin Report with all "professional development" focused on inclusive education.  Smith, in a recent Daily Gleaner article by Tara Chislett,  also talks about the need for more resources without identifying any of those resources.  Many autism students who require autism trained education aides do not have them.

Outgoing NBTA President Smith also fails to acknowledge that some students with severe autism and other severe difficulties require accommodation of their disabilities by learning outside the regular classroom. Unfortunately the inclusion extremists have targeted such human rights accommodations as constituting segregation and  are trying to eliminate them. What Smith did not say is that in New Brunswick inclusion is a ridiculously simplistic "everybody benefits from education in the regular classroom" belief.

Although Ms. Smith did not go far enough in her critique of the education philosophy that has ruled the minds of New Brunswick educators and civil servants it is a solid beginning.  At last one voice, other than the Autism Society New Brunswick in its submissions to the MacKay and Ministerial inclusive education reviews, and me personally, has spoken out against the decades old mindset that has provide obstacles to the accommodation of students with severe disability challenges.

"The president of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association says the Department of Education has focused too much on inclusive education over the last year instead of giving teachers what they need most: an education plan laying out achievement goals.
“One year ago, I stood at this AGM and made the statement that New Brunswick was still without a publicly unveiled education plan,” she told the crowd. “It’s frustrating that I am here making the same statement today. It is quite clear that the education focus this year has been on the Porter Aucoin Report and that all department-led professional development has focused on inclusive education.
“I have a degree in special education and it is my belief that inclusion is an approach, a philosophy, not an educational achievement goal.”
Smith said in addition to a lack of an education plan, schools continue to struggle with not having enough resources as the government continues to cut away at budgets.    ...  “Inclusion’s not an outcome. I’m sorry. It’s a philosophy. And we’ve had that philosophy in our schools since the mid-80s. It’s a great philosophy, we support it if the supports and resources are there so schools can do it effectively.  “But that’s not a plan for education. It’s not."  (Bold added - HLD)

Excerpts from Teachers Say Education Plan Overdue, Daily Gleaner, May 26, 2013 

MyPhone unveiled 3D smartphone, the MyPhone A919 3D for Php7,390

MyPhone another local phone company just unveiled their latest smartphone offering the  MyPhone A919 3D, smartphone, This smartphone offer 5” Naked Eye 3D (WVGA) Display. Thus, a real 3D experience minus the 3D glasses.


The A919 3D smartphone is one another offering on the A919 series that MyPhone have on its line-up. With it's 5MP 3D Camera can let you spruce up your posts on Facebook,
Twitter or Instagram with 3D images. 
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CBC News Misrepresents Autism By Omitting Any Reference to Intellectual Disability



In "The  new definition of autism" CBC News provides detailed descriptions of autism as represented by the five pervasive developmental  disorders in the DSM-IV and the Autism Spectrum Disorder in the now published DSM5.  With one major exception the article is a good summary of autism disorders pre and post DSM5. On another positive note the article expressly references ABA/IEBI as the primary evidence based intervention for autism treatment.  The major exception to this otherwise balanced, thorough article is the failure to mention, while describing conditions commonly associated with autism,  the substantial numbers of  persons with autism who also have an intellectual disability:

"What are some of the symptoms of ASD?

There is no single symptom that would lead to a diagnosis of autism. But someone who shows a number of the following characteristics and behaviours would likely be diagnosed with an ASD:
  • Shows no interest in other people
  • May be interested in people, but does not know how to talk, interact with or relate to them
  • Has difficulty initiating and maintaining a conversation.
  • Is slow developing speech and language skills, which may begin to develop and then be lost, or may never develop fully.
  • Has difficulty interpreting non-verbal communication such as social distance cues, or the use of gestures and facial cues, like smiles, that most of us take for granted.
  • Repeats ritualistic actions such as spinning, rocking, staring, finger flapping, and hitting oneself.
  • Has restricted interests and seemingly odd habits, like focusing obsessively on only one thing, idea or activity.
As well, people with ASD may have secondary problems such as:
  • Neurological disorders including epilepsy.
  • Gastro-intestinal problems.
  • Fine and gross motor deficits.
  • Anxiety and depression.
Children with ASD develop motor, language, cognitive and social skills at different rates from other children their age. For instance, they may be very good at solving math problems but have great difficulty making friends or talking."
The only reference to intellectual or cognitive disabilities in the CBC News article is in the last paragraph above which implies that cognitive skills may develop at different rates in conjunction with other skills and immediately mentions possible strengths such as solving math problems.  This is not by any means a clear and accurate representation of the intellectual disability that is present in large numbers of persons with autism. 
The CDC in the United States has estimated the numbers of persons across the autism spectrum who also have intellectual disability in the range of 41-44%:
  • Data show a similar proportion of children with an ASD also had signs of intellectual disability than in the past, averaging 44% in 2004 and 41% in 2006.
The CDC estimates are consistent with other estimates of the "co-morbidity" of autism and intellectual disability that I have posted links to on this site.

There is no legitimate reason to ignore the large numbers of persons with autism disorders who also have intellectual disabilities.  It is a relationship that should be explored and studied (La Malfa)  not hidden  and stigmatized.

Ciambelline di frolla montata Whipped Shortbread Cookies

La ricetta è tratta dal suo splendido libro Profumi dal forno, impossibile sbagliare!
This recipe is taken from pastry chef Omar Busi's wonderful book "Profumi dal Forno" (Fragrances from the Oven) - you can't go wrong!


180 g (1-3/4 sticks) of butter, 75 g (3/4 cup) of confectioners' sugar, 30 g of egg white (roughly the egg white of 1 medium egg), 1 g (1/6 tsp.) of salt, 1/2 a stick of vanilla, 220 g (1-3/4 cup) of weak flour (W = 160)


Per realizzare circa 35 ciambelline vi occorreranno 180g di burro, 75g di zucchero a velo, 30g di albumi (che corrisponde a circa un albume medio), 1g di sale, 1/2 baccello di vaniglia, 220g di farina debole (W=160).

A proposito di farina debole, saprete certamente che le farine, a seconda della quantità di proteine che contengono, si definisco "deboli", "medie" o "forti". Ma il coefficiente che mostra questa forza (W) spesso  non è indicato sulla farina che compriamo normalmente: potrete riconoscere il tipo di farina controllando la quantità di proteine in percentuale sulla tabella nutrizionale posta sulla confezione: 8-9% la farina è debole, 10-11% la farina è media, oltre l'11% la farina è forte.

Ma torniamo alla realizzazione delle nostre ciambelline.

Whip the softened butter with the confectioners' sugar in the mixer with the wire whip attachment until the mixture is light and airy. Add the egg white, the salt (dissolved in a tablespoon of water), and the vanilla. Finally, add the flour a little at a time, of course after sifting it well, to prevent the mixture from deflating and compromising the crumbly texture of the cookies!
Place the mixture in a pastry bag with a star tip and pipe out the cookies into rounds on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about an hour, and then bake at 180°C (350°F) until they are lightly golden (about 10-12 minutes).

Montate in planetaria con la frusta (o nel mixer) il burro morbido con lu zucchero a velo sino a che non si ottiene un composto chiaro e spumoso. Inserire gli albumi, il sale sciolto in un cucchiaio d'acqua, la vaniglia e infine, un po' per volta, la farina. Per non smontare l'impasto e quindi non compromettere la friabilità dei frollini, aggiungete la farina poco alla volta, dopo averla ovviamente setacciata!

Mettere il composto all'interno di una sacca da pasticceria con bocchetta rigata e formare le ciambelline su una teglia ricoperta da carta forno. Lasciar riposare in frigo la teglia per un'ora circa e poi cuocere a 180°C sino a vedere una leggera colorazione (occorreranno circa 10-12 minuti).

Nella mia cucina
Tazze e cucchiaini Villa d'Este Home

Tamales Made Easy

I love being in the kitchen... so much so that I enjoy being in the kitchen on my spare time. Now as a single parent, the 'spare time' I have is pretty limited. Thankfully I am able to find a work/life balance with my busy schedule so that I can have some kitchen therapy on a regular basis. On the weekends Joel is spending time with his dad, I use that time in the kitchen teaching culinary classes in the city. I've been having so much fun with teaching that it's now become a more serious steady job I do on those specific weekends. One of the popular classes I teach is a tamales class.

Making tamales is a great kitchen activity to do in a group because there are quite a few components to making them and everyone can be involved. To help with a recent tamales class I taught, the folks of 
Del Monte® reached out to me with a culinary challenge. They asked me to creatively incorporate canned fruits or vegetables into tasty dishes with pantry staples. Challenge? Oh, I think I can come up with something!

For this challenge, they sent me a few cans of 
Del Monte® canned fruit and vegetables including:
(2) cans Del Monte® Cut Green Beans
(2) cans Del Monte® Diced Tomatoes
(2) cans Del Monte® Whole Kernel Corn
(2) cans Del Monte® Pear Halves
(2) cans Del Monte® Sliced Peaches
1 Del Monte apron and some can strainers

So with these ingredients, I made some delicious fillings for our tamales! Here are some recipes I prepared for my tamales class using Del Monte vegetables:

Corn, Black Bean & Cheese Filling

3 (15 oz) cans of black beans, rinsed & drained
2 cans Del Monte® Whole Kernel Corn, drained
1/2 cup diced bell pepper (red, green, yellow or mix)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cups shredded hot pepper jack cheese

Place half of the black beans in a large bowl. Place the remaining black beans in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until mashed. Add the mashed black beans to the bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. 


Pico de Gallo Salsa

2 cans Del Monte® Diced Tomatoes, drained
1 diced medium sized white or yellow onion
1/4 bunch of cilantro (use more or less depending on your taste),minced
juice of 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic
1 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp sugar
2 jalapenos (or more if you prefer it hotter), seeded and minced

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and serve.


Mexican Rice
recipe adapted from AllRecipes
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
1/4 cup diced yellow bell pepper
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
1 can Del Monte® Cut Green Beans, drained
1/2 cup Del Monte® Whole Kernel Corn
1 1/3 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2/3 cup tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup frozen peas

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and sauté onions, garlic and bell peppers until softened.
Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until toasted and golden. Add the garlic powder, salt, cumin, and tomato sauce. Stir until all the rice is coated. 
Add the chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.
Uncover and add corn and peas. Fold in and cover for 3 minutes until warmed through. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Del Monte® products deliver the same essential nutrients as fresh, making it simple to incorporate a full serving of fruits and vegetables into your dish. Since they’re packed at the peak of ripeness, Del Monte makes it possible to enjoy garden quality fruits and vegetables all year round, no matter what the season. Del Monte® can help add an easy, creative twist to your meal while also helping save time in a savvy way that family or guests wouldn’t even notice

Are you a fan of 
Del Monte®  If so, Del Monte® as offered a gift pack to a lucky reader to play with! A lucky reader will receive:
  • (1) can Del Monte® Cut Green Beans
  • (1) can Del Monte® Diced Tomatoes
  • (1) can Del Monte® Whole Kernel Corn
  • (1) can Del Monte® Pear Halves
  • (1) can Del Monte® Sliced Peaches
  • 1 can strainer
  • 1 apron
To get in on the Del Monte® giveaway, simply leave a comment with a dish you usually make using canned fruits or vegetables! I'll be choosing a random winner on Thursday, June 6, 2013 who'll receive the gift pack above, compliments of Del Monte®. And if you're so inclined, check out Del Monte® round the web through these links!
DelMonte.com – http://bit.ly/8AMAmK
Twitter –  http://bit.ly/147IvBV
The Del Monte® products, information and two gift packs have been provided by Del Monte®.

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