Favorite things...........

When did they all grow up???    Lizzie, Alex and Becca ...(.and Aspen.)...are really wonderful young adults and we are so proud of them.   Can't wait to see them soon.  

Healthy eating has been in the news of late.     The 2015 Dietary Guideline Advisory Committee has just issued it's latest recommendation on what Americans should be eating.    They concluded that a diet higher in plant-based foods and lower in animal-based foods is both healthier and better for the environment.  The meat industry is fighting back saying the meat advice is "flawed and nonsensical" and is urging people to protest the new guidelines.  "Hot dog, sausage, bacon and salami lovers throughout the land stand together as Americans in favor of a balanced diet that includes meat and poultry of all kinds."    The book "Whole" tells the truth about the influence of big business in our government policies.

Dr Dean Ornish wrote a strong opinion piece in the NY Times "The Myth of the High Protein Diet"   and John Stewart interviewed the author of "Living the Farm Sanctuary Life: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Mindfully, living Longer and Feeling Better Every Day" last night.   The discussion mentioned that going plant based is easier than ever.

On Sunday, we will go to St Petersburg for the sneak peek tour of the movie Plant Pure Nation which will open in July at local theaters.   It's been showing to sold out crowds in other cities.    The authors wrote "The China Study".  

The Masters Golf is on this week and I love watching it.    It is one of the most beautiful settings and yes, I know they discriminate against women and blacks altho there are now a few as members.    We live close enough to watch the Pro's in several of the Florida tournaments but having done that years ago at Pebble Beach and at the Buick Open in Westchester,  I now prefer TV.

I brought a pressure cooker !!    I hope to cook beans and grains in a fraction of the time.    I've never owned one and this one is very high tech and simple ( I hope).    It's  a slow cooker as well.   In my research, they are used to quickly make baked potatoes and sweet potatoes.   ( Guess they aren't really baked.)     Last night I made a "cheese" sauce out of potatoes, onions, carrots, spices and nutritional yeast ( a flaky substance with a  nutty, cheesey flavor ).   I mixed it with brown Jasmine rice and broccoli and Paul gave it an "8".    Tonight, the sauce will be used on baked potatoes.     I'm gradually building up a repertoire of favorite recipes.    

I watched Masterpiece theatre on Sunday night.   "Wolf Hall"  a compilation of the books of Hilary Mandell's, "Wolf Hall" and "Bringing Up the Bodies".   It covers the period of Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell and Anne Bolyne.    I thoroughly enjoyed the books but the show comes on at 10 pm and I am fading and we can't record the local channels.    I am a  British history fan but still have moments of figuring out who's who.    Maybe that's why I liked London so much.   Plus, I have British blood flowing thru my veins..

We're sort of planning our summer.    We'd love to see you but put in your reservation now so we can make sure we are not traveling when you decide to come out and climb mountains with us.   (not literally, we'll climb by Jeep ! )    We are thinking of heading to British Columbia and the beautiful Canadian Rockies.