I am back

I could not remember how to post to my blog. Sad, eh?

Not sure if I will be writing more on food..or on life. A lot has happened since my last post.

At least I can login now!

The "Jewish Menu"...Oak Cafe, Sept 2013

So my menu begins tomorrow..not my recipes, but recipes from people I admire...like my Gramma Rosenberg Tolliver.  Food I grew up eating...comfort food.  Also recipes from around the globe.  Yum.  Just Yum.

September 25, 26 & 27 Melody Elliott Koontz's Compilation of Jewish Food from Africa, Europe and North America Visit Melody's popular food blog; "Cooking Schmooking". You'll find it to be brilliant! She has researched Jewish food the world round and put together this menu with her own recipes as well as those from her grandmother, Lydia Rosenberg Tolliver, Marlena Spieler and Michael Twitty. Black-eyed Pea Hummus and Chopped Liver, Rye Crostini or Fragrant Beetroot Soup with Spicy Lamb Kubbeh Holishkes, Boiled White Potatoes, Parsley or Turkey Schnitzel, Sweet Potato Latkes, Bahaart Spices Poppy Seed Cake, Ice Cream or Toubkal Delight

Right of Passage for my Granddaughter

Who is Homeless?

When people think of homelessness, an image usually comes to mind. Not usually any of the following images.

 

When one google's the word "homeless" photos of mostly men show up.  Dirty, no shoes, raggedy clothes..living on the streets, storing worldly belongings in precious shopping carts.

One can become homeless overnight if you are living paycheck to paycheck.  If you don't have a permanent address, you are homeless.  So, you are sleeping in the back room of a friends house?  If it is not permanent, you are homeless. It feels like shit. It feels like you are invisible...doesn't it?  Don't make waves...sneak here, sneak there. Have lunch with old friends and choose a salad only...make it up as you go along.

You could be just out of high school or still in elementary school.. or just entering retirement where at one time you dreamed of leisure, at last.  Nobody can tell.  You feel shame about it and it is your biggest secret. 

You've done everything right..except be born to parents who lost their jobs or were into drugs so you got out of the house as soon as possible. Maybe you got really sick and it took all of your life savings to fight to stay alive..only to wish you were dead.  

Your car is filled with what you have left..your furniture is in storage until you find a place but you are behind on the rent there.  You carry with you your most beloved "stuff".  A few cookbooks, a couple of well worn cast iron pans, a grate from your oven, a rolling pin, layers of clothing but you don't wear them all at once.  Thinking about it makes you laugh.  At least you can still laugh.  You have good underwear too..very important in case you end up in the ER.

You wander through the sunny farmers market in your good jeans and Talbot sweater, Marc Jacobs sunglasses, and that hat you bought in Spain eons ago.  You have just enough gas in your old car (sold the Acura for money over a year ago) to get to the room you rented for 3 weeks. "I'll buy some tomatoes and peppers.. serve it over microwavable rice".  

Many people are homeless.  You pass them on the street or at the farmers market..or in the park as they swing..or on the bench as they rest.  Many, taking a break from the constant worry and humiliation that comes from finding yourself in this precarious position in life. You...the planner and most generous friend to all.

  "Well, I survived cancer"....and you begin to laugh until warm tears roll down those rosey cheeks.

Designing Menus

It was so nice to be asked to do a "Jewish" menu again for next fall for Oak Cafe at American River College.  After blogging through Marlena Spieler's Jewish Cooking a few years ago (with lots of help from my *co-bloggers), I was asked to do a menu for them.  What a blast.

If you've never been to the Oak Cafe you MUST go.  All of their menus are excellent.  

The food is carefully and expertly prepared by the culinary students under the guidance of Chef Teresa Urkofsky.  She is a peach of a woman.  A real mensch.  The ingredients are top notch.  The cost for a 3 course meal with beverage?  $15.00 bucks.  Make reservations though!

I decided to honor my grandmother and use several of her recipes that we grew up eating.  Of course, we didn't know it was traditional "Jewish" fare...as it was quite the secret that her folks were Jews. My grandmother came from Romania at age two..through Canada and then down to the Dakotas. Her folks (my great-grandparents) came from Poland, through Western Russia and then onto a slow boat from Romania. 

We had the holishkes, the fish fritters, the matzoh ball soup...sometimes with noodles.  We had the brisket, the cholent, the challah, chopped liver, and lot's of fermented stuff.  Did I mention the rugelach?


So..coming up with a menu is fun and a challenge too.  I have to come up with several..so the instructor and students can choose what they want to make.  No dairy with meat?  I admit, I don't know all the rules as we surely were not Kosher.  I learn.  I learn.  What else am I gonna do?  I hope I don't plotz over it.

*Eileen Makishima Thornton

*Shankari Ascot

The Musselshell's "Dead Man's Bend"

When I was a child, maybe 4 or 5, my mom would take us to rivers and lakes to swim.  She was a strong swimmer.  We would sometimes go with friends to "dead man's bend" on the Musselshell River outside of Roundup, MT..where we lived.  One hot summer's day, the 4 of us Elliott kids were with some of the Harper kids.  We had all been swimming along the shore with my mom and Mrs. Harper..and they admonished us NOT to go under the water.  Mom must have been in her late 20's at the time.

Suddenly we heard a cry for help...in the middle of the river.  It was Pam Harper..about age 7.  It was a blur but my mom threw off her robe and jumped into the river with her cat-eye glasses on.  I recall that...like I was worried about her losing her glasses.. at first.  We watched her swim toward Pam and then the current which had taken Pam quickly, took them both downstream.  We watched them bob up and down...Pam was screaming but I never heard my mom yell.

All of us kids ran along the banks of the river...we were crying for mommy is all I know.  It was about 2 blocks down that mom finally drug Pam up on the shore...falling next to her amid tall grass.  Pam was blue and mom's lips were blue..but she had those glasses on...that I loved so much. I will never forget.

Mom turned her over and hit her on the back...Pam threw up..a lot!  She was breathing and wasn't blue for much longer.  My mom was shivering.  I don't recall much more..except going to Dairy Queen after.

We drove up...mom asked everyone what they wanted.  When Pam did not get what she wanted she said.."I wish I would have drowned"...and my mom's arm came around from the front seat in a rush and her hand smacked Pam across the face.  Not another sound was heard as we took the Harper family back to their house.

The story ended up in the local newspaper...Mrs. Harper called it in.  When we showed up on Sunday (at church) everyone was telling my mom she was a saint...and her cheeks turned the same red as her lipstick, but she remained very humble.  That's when I knew..no matter what my mom ever did, she'd always be my hero.  (and we all learned to swim..very well).

P.S.  I still will not swim in a river.  Underwater currents scare me.

The Heat is Off

Sacramento just saw 7 days of triple digit heat.  I got sick on day 5 and I betcha the heat was partially to blame.

Today, it felt great to pull back our heavy thermal drapes and let the sun shine in.  I don't know about you, but I NEED sunshine in my house.  Let there be light!  The cats are sitting in the windows...a breeze is coming in and all is right with the world once again.

I did not test my blood sugar at all last week but I did weigh and have lost 4 lbs.  I probably threw up most of what I ate...plus, we didn't feel like cooking or eating.  Dave was recovering from knee surgery and is back to work today..but is on limited movement.

So, am happy to be feeling much better and am headed to my fave store to buy a few things that will be good for us to eat.

We are having friends over Sunday for lunch..and I will be attempting my version of Indian food.  I might "chicken out" though and make Vietnamese...maybe do an all veggie meal.

I love Pho..it is my favorite.  I could live on it.  But..won't be good if it is 100 degrees out!  Maybe some lettuce wraps or rice paper spring rolls. Hmmmm.

I will be making a meyer lemon/mango/ginger sorbet...that is for sure.













Sorbet photo by The Culinary Chase

This Enlightened me, Educated me, and Changed me

This is so worth the read.  Be good to yourself and take the time.  Michael Witty is a super human being.  I hope Ms. Deen takes him up on his offer.



http://afroculinaria.com/2013/06/25/an-open-letter-to-paula-deen/

Frick and Frack

So how goes the blood glucose testing, the eating, the blood glucose testing, the carb counting, and the occasional weigh in?

    

Fasting number

I miss the days of just grabbing something to eat...believing with all of my heart that it was healthy for me.  For Me.

Cheese?  out. I love you Feta Cheese but you must have been the cause of my 30 pt. blood glucose spike after breakfast.  Yes, I had a Greek salad for breakfast. Tomatoes, cukes, some spinach, some onion, 2 TB extra virgin olive oil, and fresh squeezed lemon juice..and some pepper AND 1/2 cup jasmine BROWN rice. Of course, it could have been the tsp of creamer in my coffee..or my coffee.  Testing will drive a girl frickin nuts.  Frack!  I bet it was those 5 Kalamata Olives I chopped & topped it with.

 I made a salad like this to last 4 days.  I guess I'll have to pick out all of the Feta,    and those olives too.  Feta first...test next.. then I'll determine how to proceed. ~photo from food network because mine turned out like crap

(oh..did I tell ya?  I gained 3 lbs.  Not to worry lovies... me left foot probably weighs that much.  I'll stop watching my glucose and it will fall off..eventually)

Need a lift?

I always always have matzoh balls in in the freezer..for days like this when I need a lift.  I feel a bit queasy for some reason and a hot bowl of soup always helps.  I also keep chicken soup in the freezer.  I recommend it.

My Super Power

I had NO idea that I had super hero powers.  Not until about 1:30 a.m.  It actually woke me up from a deep sleep.

I hurried into the bathroom to investigate this feeling I was having...I never turn on the light as not to disturb my husband.

Now, my next door neighbor's bathroom is directly across from our master bath.  Maybe it is their master bath as well.  I know this because on a quiet day, when the wind is blowing just right..I can hear their toilet flush.  I guess they can hear ours too.

So the second I sat down I farted like I never knew possible, SO LOUD...and the neighbor's bathroom light went on instantly!  I am not kidding.  It was immediate.

How to harness such power..such energy?  For good..or for bad?

My dear husband suggested I light The White House Christmas Tree every year.

Sugar...Oh Sugar Honey..You Are My Candy Girl?

                                             Down...but not out.


So, most people who know me KNOW that I am not into sweets.  I never have been.  I AM, or was, into carbs as in pasta, potatoes, and bread.  Also love eggs and cheese. I love me a martini every now and again..but no booze since Jenn and I shared one at the coast!

I counted carbs like crazy this week. I exercised. Did not focus on weight.  Took my glucose readings.  Coffee makes my sugar go up by 20 points!  My fasting glucose on Wednesday was too high but was lower than a month ago.140.


I did weigh yesterday even though I said I was not going to focus on pounds lost..just on glucose readings.  Guess what?  (chickenbutt)

I gained two pounds and fasting glucose was 160! Normal is 100 or below. I'm going back to Paleo and I will take fenugreek (thanks Shankari).  I lost weight doing Paleo and that has to make a difference.  I know it. Perhaps my cardiologist was right..no wheat of any kind for me. Dr. Shah said.."apple people like you cannot lose eating wheat or legumes. No grains.  PERIOD.

I will find what works for me.  For me.  I'll tell ya this though..I was so fricken' careful this week and I gained two pounds AND my fasting is UP....not gonna do it. 

I'll let ya know how it is going next week.  Gee..I sure will miss that 1/2 cup of oatmeal for breakfast every single day.

100 and 145 or bust!

My goal is to reduce my blood glucose to 100 and my weight to 145.  I look great at 145.  So got the diabetes diagnoses ..finally.  I have been working to stay away from it but not hard enough.  I gain, I lose.  I gain.  I lose.

I need to stay the course.  I can use your help and support.

I am not on medication for diabetes II, and I don't want to be.

I am going to classes on how to manage it..well, they start next week.  I hate going to classes.  I really do.  I think it was all those years in college..and working full time.  All schooled out.  But I'll go..or I will give it a shot.  I have been studying online as well.  This link on carb counting was very helpful.

So, went to the dr. in early May and weighed a whopping 211 lbs.  I weighed yesterday... 202.  Our scales are a lb apart. My fasting glucose was high...145.  Heck I'd be thrilled to lose 45 glucose points and 45 lbs!  That would be awesome.  A lb. at a time.  Will weigh weekly..on Sat.  I get my glucose meter on Tuesday so will be sharing those numbers too.  I'll be able to see which foods are best for me.

So, have been eating foods to lower and stabilize my glucose.

I will be posting about this journey until I lose the sugar and the weight.

My 15 Minutes

Well, the Sacramento Bee published two pages today about the two years I was involved in testing recipes for the newly nominated James Beard Award for Best Cookbook.."Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking" by Nathalie Dupree and Cynthia Stevens-Graubart.  (was that sentence too long?) I and 29 other people across the USA tested recipes..for the second time.  Very thorough those two are!

Gumbo

I am thrilled for the media coverage, as the co-authors will be here April 3, 4, and 5th..very soon!

Of course, I am absolutely gorgeous in the photos (camera adds 40 lbs).  I had a blast with the photographer and the journalist....who I enjoyed in my kitchen for 4 hours the other day!

The article says I am an AVID blogger...so I best start blogging again, eh?

The beautiful photos of the food...which I didn't know I'd be making until Manny arrived and said, "so what are we eating?", are beautiful online.  I was making "fake stuff" for photos...ya know, onions and peppers in a hot saute pan for the photos.  Good thing I can think fast on my feet and had a FEW of the REAL ingredients to make the seafood gumbo from the cookbook!

Refer to article about their schedule.  They will be on TV Thursday morning, Good Day Sacramento/channel 31 with Chef Jon Clemmons of The Porch...9 a.m. hour.

So..FED EX is here to deliver the 75 copies of Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking.  Luckily, American River College is getting their own shipment today!  Elaine Corn and I will be merrily schlepping escorting books and authors around town soon. 

P.S.  This is so cool.

P.S.S. I used to watch Nathalie on PBS all the time.  Nathalie and Julia.  Cynthia produced the shows!  I still use Nathalie's advice when it comes to big dinners.  Fill a very large cooler (or two) with soapy hot water, hide em, and throw the dirty pots and pans in there ...so you can enjoy company and do em later!  If you read her recipes, you will notice that she often mentions things like.."why dirty another pot?"  She also admits to hating to empty the dishwasher...I do too, and so does my DIL.  Sisters from another mister.

Retro Kitchen "Re-model" Continues....

By the time I finish my kitchen/diningroom, retro will be out-of-fashion.  Oh well, I seem to be behind the curve most of the time.  La-di-da.

I made a mood board with cabinet paint ideas, flooring ideas, etc.  I already have the retro table and chairs...which I believe are from the late 40's.  I have the retro bar stools, the retro buffet, and retro lamps.

I can't imagine painting those damned cuboard's myself..but probably will.  Have done it in the past, before I had achey-breaky neck and knee joints!

The floor...well, that is another matter.  Anyway..here is my mood board.  What do you like?

    um..just realized after posting this..that clicking on thumbnails does not enlarge them.  Well, whatdoyouthink about the floor possibilities?  Those are the easy to see blocks of forbo marmoleum ideas.  (Hey...if you right click on the photo you want to look at, you can then click on view image and it will give you an icon to enlarge image...whew!)

The First Step...I Am Powerless

I've spent the last year..maybe two coming to terms with my condition.  I couldn't stand to look in the mirror for fear of my own reflection.  The truth was there before me. Who is this person??  I was in denial, big time.

I had long been afraid that other people would notice...did I falter in my speech or gait?  Would they notice that I couldn't recall what I did yesterday?  Or last week?  Would they notice that my behavior was a bit confusing?  Could they smell it on my breath...or in my house..or on my clothes?

I was afraid of what I might get in the mail...and was afraid to answer the phone.  I knew it might be someone who knew what I was up against.

I've talked to other people..on the down low, who felt the same way but were also unwilling to admit it.  Fear of rejection, judgement, and of just being ignored..or the worst, of being alone.

I've tried to cover up my mistakes, clumsiness, and social awkwardness with excuses, justifications, etc.  I was afraid someone would actually ask me about it.

So, I've heard it is best to just be public about it.  Be brave and just spit it out.  Tell the truth.

My name is Melody.. I am a senior citizen, and I belong to AARP.   

Mike's Mixed Memories....RIP

I just learned that someone I really admired and loved passed away about a month ago.  He was a FB friend, email friend, and co-blogger buddy.  He led a very intriguing life and was about the wisest and smartest person I never met.

Dave and I talked about going to Maine...always wanted to go.  But, we never made it.

Here is Mike's last post..as it turns out.  No wonder he stopped answering my emails!  RIP dear Mike.  Ashes in the lake I hear?  Perfect.

Mike's Mixed Memories


I'd also love to add a second favorite post by Mike...on staying in touch.

Burning Bridges Moving On

When the Cardiologist Speaks....I Listen (mostly)

                          Legumes

                           Potatoes

                           Matzoh Balls

                           Pie!

                           Fried Schnitzel (or those mashed potatoes)

No fried anything.  No flour..not even almond or rice flour.  Only lean meats and some fish.  Non-starchy veggies.  No sweet potatoes either.  No bread.  No pasta, of course.  Not even gluten free. Some fruits.  No alcohol...especially no beer.  Nothing fermented.  No Kim Chee?!

Yes..it's Paleo but Dr. Shah says he puts fat little apple shaped people (like me) on this plan because it's the only way to lose BELLY FAT. Weight Watchers has too much starch Melody... He also said  "I was cool with Paleo before Paleo was cool".  Love Dr. Shah.

I have gotten used to eating a lean hamburger in between crunchy lettuce leaves!  I have learned to be creative with my veggies...experimenting with tons of salads that don't contain lettuce.

Nothing like a heart attack scare, a stint in the hospital, and an angiogram to make this woman a believer!!

I am told that when I reach my goal weight, I can begin to add some of my favorite things back into my diet.  Like legumes.  I love beans.  Perhaps some pasta from time to time.  Oh...and yes...I want some god damned mashed potatoes!!!   (and some kim chee please)

Vulnerability and Intimacy--part 1 of 3

My daughter-in-law posted an adorable video of my 4 year-old grandson, Ethan, promising his mother that he'd always snuggle with her..when he's 14, and when he is 50.  I am ashamed to admit that my first thoughts were negative.  They had nothing to do with Ethan or my DIL...but were all about me and how I react to such intimate and vulnerable moments like that.  Truth is....I thought it was the sweetest and most innocent video I'd ever seen. I hope it holds true!  I'd wished my own mother would have said such things to me, even though I am an old turd.

I began to think about the most intimate and vulnerable moments I'd ever experienced.  I thought about the birth of both of my boys.  No question!

Most mom's can relate to the birthing experience.  I was no different.  Unfortunately, with my first son, Mike...the doctor was a dipwad.  I was practically passed out by the time he arrived.  He was bruised and unhappy..unable to nurse..and I was just 17.  I am positive that it made a difference in the way we related to one another over the years.  I have tons of guilt about it.  I would walk down to the nursery and stare at him..all bruised and with the BIG head.  I felt like a loser...but I looked at him and thought..wow, you are one tough little boy!  I just kept thinking..."he is a part of me..my own blood".

He had the cutest smile, and had curly hair down his neck.  I would just sit and rock him..did not want to put him down as I was afraid he wouldn't wake up.  We'd both fall asleep in the rocker...and in the morning, I'd put him in his crib and get on with my morning..stopping to feed him and rock him.  His dad worked out of town...his life story.  I would often take Mikey to bed with me..and listen to his breath...so afraid he would stop breathing. I would even take him with me into the bathtub..making sure the water was not too warm..he would lay on my chest and belly.   I don't know why?  I just felt that way.  I know I didn't get much sleep his first year!

I used to sing The Water Is Wide for Mikey...probably why he loves speed metal today!

When Life Give's You Lemons..from a favorite blog

The Fifty Factor is one of my favorite blogs.  I love how she writes..and this post really made my day!  Please enjoy.  The part about the old lady in the Micky D's parking lot just absolutely cracked me up!

http://www.thefiftyfactor.com/2012/09/lemons.html