Under A Blue Moon

Ninety-nine percent of the time when I bake breads at home, they're dark and grainy. [See Thursday, July 9 2009 post by clicking here.] But once in a blue moon I'll make a light and fluffy country loaf, using unbleached, all-purpose flour. Well, guess what? Tonight, New Year's Eve -- there's going to be a blue moon. So to mark the occasion and kick off a new year, I baked a loaf of country bread and cut it into big, thick slices. And it's not...

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It's Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas

Mahalia Jackson 1911 - 1972Around the holidays, I find myself counting my blessings for tangibles and non-tangibles, big and small. One of the many things I'm grateful for is the age we live in, including the ability to look stuff up on YouTube. It's such a magnificent library for music, vintage interviews, historic speeches, old movies and television shows, current events and talented ordinary people. If we ever have to start paying for the channel,...

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May the Pies Of Texas Be Upon You

When I plan a big holiday dinner and do a lot of cooking, I sometimes make my life slightly easier by ordering an appetizing dessert. It's more expensive than if I make it myself, true, but everything is paid for in either time or money. And the bustling holidays are the perfect time to spend a little more on culinary treats that are extra special, extra rich and extra delicious.Some of the best pies known to man can be ordered from Royers Round...

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"There'll Always Be A Christmas," An Album Review

A classic Christmas album has been remastered and released as a CD.  It features The Ames Brothers, a popular 1950s quartet, singing in perfect harmony.  There are 12 songs and one bonus track.  And whether singing in close four part harmony, or taking solo turns, there is never a false note or arrangement.The album is an enjoyable blend of religious and secular Christmas music. Listeners may not know all the songs, as some are not...

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Time Of The Season

It's that time of the year again, harvest ... and holiday time. What side dishes do you serve at your holiday dinners? My picks are low in cost, fat and calories, but high in nutrition, fiber and flavor. They include:Sweet Potatoes - Now is the time of plenty; you'll find them for 69 cents a pound, or less. I love sweet potatoes baked or microwaved. They satisfy my sweet tooth, which is activated by a myriad of holiday candies and treats. Sweet...

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Home Gyms: Save Time, Space and Money

You don't need an expensive gym membership or fancy exercise equipment to get a great workout, not according to Consumer Reports magazine. This got my attention because after dinner I ate two hefty slices of pumpkin praline pie; and frankly I've never managed to survive a trial, one-week gym membership.  I'm serious! -- nor do I have room in my home for a treadmill.All you need to set up a complete fitness routine at home are the following:1)...

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Organic And Eco-Friendly Gifts

As the holidays approach I'm starting to think about great gifts to buy for family and friends. I do my best to select special items that are useful and will make relatives and buds happy. This year I'm adding beautifully wrapped gift sets of organic bath and body products to my list.One reason I like to give organic products is for their purity. All natural soaps and moisturizers, made with essential oils like lavender and jojoba, are good for...

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The Fruits of Fall, Is It Time For A Change?

When selecting food, most of us prefer the familiar. Too often we resist new dishes and taste sensations. What are we afraid of exactly? If we stick to the tired same old fare, time and again, we'll never expand our horizons, right? So this week while at the fruit market, I bought a pomegranate and an eggplant. I bought them partly because I did not grow up eating them. Not only are they fresh, they are exotic, colorful and at $1.00 each, a...

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Keep Colds And The Flu Away

Although it's impossible to avoid all germs, many doctors agree there are measures you can take to keep from catching every virus that goes around. Start by getting enough rest -- at least 7 - 8 hours of sleep each night -- and eating balanced meals with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Here are a few extra precautions to lessen your chances of getting sick:1} Wash your hands often, especially after touching public areas like doorknobs and shaking...

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Michael Jackson: An Artist At Work, A Review

Michael Jackson and dancers from "This Is It" rehearsals Yesterday I did something uncharacteristic. I saw a film at a movie theater on its opening day in New York City, no less. “This Is It,” is an amazingly well-made music documentary about Michael Jackson, the performer. For 111 minutes, you get to watch MJ at work, and you can't take your eyes off him. He was a gifted entertainer who could...

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Keeping Up With The Joneses … In Denmark

On a recent show, Oprah visited families around the globe, featuring the lives of women. I'm a sucker for these kinds of programs. The place that appealed to me the most was Copenhagen, Denmark. I like the mindset and lifestyle of its people. Danes are ranked #1 as the happiest in the world by 30 years of scientisfic studies and polls. And if you watched Oprah, you learned why. Here's a summary:1. In Copenhagen, people are concerned about...

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Save On Your Next Computer ... And Electronics

Would you buy a refurbished computer? I did -- the second time around -- and saved 18% off the sticker price. I bought my first computer, an Apple PowerBook, at retail. Last year after seven years of use, I replaced it with a refurbished MacBook Pro that I ordered from the Apple Store online. First I went to Apple's mega store on Fifth Avenue, so by the time I looked online, I had talked to several Mac Geniuses and knew just what I wanted. I...

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Never Underestimate The Value Of A Sample

Receiving product samples is wonderful. Who doesn't like trying something for free? In our poor economy, businesses must scrabble to bring in and keep customers. This week while running my usual day-to-day errands – and just for walking into Kiehl's, a sales associate gave me samples of three new hair products to take home. It amounted to a full week's supply. Down the street at Godiva's – without even asking, I was handed two scrumptious gourmet...

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