All My Opinions: September 2011

Monday, September 26, 2011

Black Chick Pea Curry

I tried a black chickpea curry this weekend (made it on Sunday) and it is delicious. You can find black (really dark brown) chickpeas in most Indian markets. There is one in downtown Silver Spring (across the street from the Greyhound bus terminal on Fenton Street). I have included the recipe. I did not use a pressure cooker but put some sea vegetable in the cooking water and it still took a longer time than the lighter colored chickpeas but they are very tasty and as you can see below, good for you.

Indian Super Market

8107 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910-6702(301) 589-8417 ‎
Most garbanzo beans found in the grocery (especially canned garbanzos) are cream-colored and relatively round. This type of garbanzo bean is called the "kabuli-type." Worldwide, there's a far more common type of garbanzo bean called the "desi-type." This second type of garbanzo bean is about half the size of cream-colored type we're accustomed to seeing in the grocery, and it's more irregular in shape. The color is also different - varying from light tan to black. Researchers have recently determined that many of the antioxidants present in garbanzo beans are especially concentrated in the outer seed coat that gives the beans their distinctive color. Darker-colored "desi-type" garbanzo beans appear to have thicker seed coats and greater concentrations of antioxidants than the larger and more regularly shaped cream-colored garbanzos that are regularly found at salad bars and in canned products. Of course, it is important to remember that antioxidants can be found in both types of garbanzo beans and you'll get great health benefits from both types. But if you have previously shied away from darker-colored or irregularly-shaped garbanzo beans, we want to encourage you to reconsider and to enjoy all types of garbanzo beans, including the darker-colored and irregularly-shaped ones.

Here is a link to the youtube video of the two women cooking the peas and the recipe:

http://showmethecurry.com/daalsbeans/kala-channa-black-chick-pea-curry.html

Recipe under video:

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Emergency Contacts

The Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) announced it has added an emergency contact option

to Maryland driver's licenses.

Maryland drivers can now add three emergency contacts to their driver's license so police will know who to call if an accident occurs. The emergency contact information is stored electronically on an individual's driver's license and will be available only to authorized law enforcement personnel.

https://securetransactions.mva.maryland.gov/emvastore/MustHave2.aspx?SingleUseWindowGuid=45af0088-26d5-4a40-aa7c-815d630bd0ae

Delicious!

I cannot wait to try this!

Dark Chocolate and Chili Vinaigrette

http://contact.washpost.com/go.asp?/bCAW013/mQNZF4YM1/uJZGQ9UM1/xT0E74YM1

comment below

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Refinance?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/low-mortgage-rates-are-beyond-reach-for-many-with-underwater-home-values/2011/09/13/gIQAG6kEXK_print.html

Vegan Festival 2011

http://dcvegfest.com/

Saturday, September 24 · 11:00am - 6:00pm
Location: George Washington University Yard at 2000 blk H St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20052
Created By: Compassion Over Killing

The DC VegFest is a FREE outdoor festival vegetarian celebration in the nation's capital. We've got amazing speakers including Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Wayne Pacelle, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau and Dr. Michael Greger.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Chicken Class Action

Kentucky Fried Chicken class action:

https://couponmarketinglitigation.com/Portals/0/Documents/KFC_CF_v3.pdf

Hidden Cameras

Now we have to be aware that THERE MAY BE cameras in public bathrooms:

http://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Suit+Alleges+Spy+Cam+in+Starbucks+Bathroom+|+NBC+Washington&urlID=460701122&action=cpt&partnerID=521042&cid=130107193&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcwashington.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2FDC-Suit-Alleges-Spy-Cam-in-Starbucks-Bathroom-130107193.html

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Meatless Monday

Vegetarian Chili with rutabaga, butternut squash, corn, black beans, kidney beans over quinoa

Jobs Act and African Americans

http://politic365.com/2011/09/10/white-house-heres-how-american-jobs-act-will-help-african-americans/

Friday, September 16, 2011

High Fructose Corn Syrup

We all know how bad this is so be aware of the new name "corn sugar" - so many tricks to get you to buy what is "bad" for you

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AP-Exclusive-Official-slams-apf-2529890392.html?x=0

$5 Food Challenge

Are you in?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj9MSutJc_w&feature=youtu.be&hd=1

Cyberspace Complaints

The new way to complain and a lot more effective than a telephone call or email - Facebook, Twitter, etc.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Shouting_in_Cyberspace_Washington_DC-129838498.html

Mary J Blige

Here's what we missed if we weren't at the Fillmore in Silver Spring

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Mary_J__Blige_At_Fillmore_Silver_Spring_Washington_DC-129945328.html

Unintended Pregnancy?

OK, please look into this if you take birth control pills or know someone who does

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110915-714535.html

Take Cover

West Nile in PG County

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/health/West-Nile-Confirmed-in-Prince-Georges-129942833.html

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Fruit and Vegetable Delivery

Well, I have given a delivery of fruits and vegetables to my door a try. I have to say I like it very much. This is a small family owned farm and their deliveries are at night. To make it convenient you can leave a cooler at your door and they will put your delivery in it. However, in my case I am in an apartment building so that would not work outside the building. The guard station, however, said they would take it and bring it to my apartment. I can choose to have a cooler outside my apartment door or I can open the door and accept the delivery. Guess depending on where you live you would have to make arrangements for your delivery.

First time I got a delivery I was confused about the day though they did tell me Wednesday, the 14th around midnight as I was the first delivery. Ended up with them coming at 10:45 pm on the 13th. I heard the tap on the door but I was not about to open my door at that time since I was expecting no one. I did peep through the peep hole and seeing no one went back to bed. At that point the telephone rang and it was South Moutain Veggies (http://www.southmountainveggies.com/home.php) telling me that my delivery was outside my door. I opened the door and there was their signature green bag with my produce.

I am new at this ordering thing so I didn't know what to expect. I had gotten a deal through Groupon - (get 50 to 90 percent off the best stuff your city has to offer. Hot deals in Chicago, New York, Boston and many other cities with http://www.groupon.com/ ).for a $38 basket for $19 that is supposed to feed a family of 4. When I looked at the list it didn't appear it would so I decided not to share with two other friends and splitting the cost.

Well, I have to tell you the produce and fruits are beautiful and the pears are to die for. It really is enough fruits and veggies for I would say 2-4 people. I will be eating lots of fruits and vegetables this weekend. I did customize the basket which you can do. I have lots of garlic and spinach now and a big head of savoy cabbage along with lots of pears, etc. The pears are seckels (brownish yellow and russet, most often having a dark reddish blush, the small almost bite-size Seckel pear, pronounced SEHK-uhl, sometimes has a dull green cast. A very sweet pear with a rather grainy texture, this hybrid offers a subtly spicy flavor.)

I really like this idea and have decided that I will do a smaller basket that I can customize.

If you want to give them a shot please mention that I referred you. Doesn't get me anything from them but lets them know that word of mouth works.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Brothers and Sisters

I just rewatched the finale and this the best that television has to offer and yet it got cancelled. Love the quote Nora made at the end

"It is never too late to be what you might have been"

This show has an excellent cast and some of the best writing on television

Jury Duty

Off I went on Monday morning to jury duty. Last time I had jury duty was 15+ years ago in DC and I was in and out in 2 hours with check in hand BUT NOT THIS TIME. The room was full to overflowing. Court started at 10 AM and the first 45 people were called (1-45) and I am #262 so I settle in for a long wait. At 11:30 we were told that all four cases on the docket had settled and my heart skipped a fast beat in anticipation of leaving soon and having some shopping fun on Rockville Pike.

At 12:00 names were called randomly to be dismissed and that is when I found out that Montgomery County has an instant jury thing going on. Means that a case in the lower court can ask for a jury trial which is kicked to the higher court (us) so some of us would be sitting in anticipation of being called for a case from the lower court. As she called the numbers I was really happy until I heard the dreaded 262! Just to check I asked in a cheerful voice, "does that mean I have to come back" and she replied in an even happier voice "yes, we will see you after lunch". The smile quickly left my voice and my face as I trudged out of the room. Lunch, mind you, is from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. At 2 PM she entered the room and told us to have a seat and begin the wait. Wait we did until 4 PM and I was so happy to leave then I almost ran to the door but I did remember to get my check ($15 minus my contribution of $5 to the generous juror fund for abused children).

The waiting is bad enough but going through the metal detectors (turn on all electronic devices and for me that is the Palm, the cell and the Nook) and take off my belt. At lunch time I forgot to get my belt so after reaching the cafeteria (thank goodness I brought my lunch so no money spent there) I had to go back upstairs to get it. Didn't realize that after entering the cafeteria and leaving you have to go through the metal detector again - enough is enough - I will not leave that room again except to go to the bathroom.

A whole afternoon of playing Angry Birds and I guess I was so frustrated that I was winning because I felt like I wanted to knock something off so better the pigs in the game than somebody.

Well, the day ended on a good note because that evening I went to a cooking demo at Whole Foods and was treated to pan roasted tilapia, couscous with almonds, raisins, parsley and chives and a peach crisp - delicious and again Chef Egg pulled off a fabulous meal.

I tell you it takes us seniors a while to get over the weekend and here it is Tuesday and I am still tired.

Good Weekend

It started with the sun coming out on Friday as I walked home - beautiful. Saturday up and out early to go see the 9-11 exhibit at the American History Museum. I forget, living here in MD so close to DC, that we have some of the best museums in the country. In any event the line was way too long so we skipped it and headed over to Chinatown to stop at the Asian market for some ginger drink. When we got to the Portrait Museum (across from Zola's) we happened upon the Art on Foot festival. What a blast! We spent a good amount of time sitting in the food tent watching various chefs from DC prepare dishes and the we sampled - always good to try new foods and I did try cerviche and I have to say the best were the tuna sliders.

Now for dessert - Co Co Sala blew it out of the park with their dark chocolate mousse, salted caramel brulee with crunchy chocolate balls - I could have eaten it until I went into a coma!

We cruised some of the tents and there was beautiful furniture, paintings, clothing, etc. Prices were a little steep though. There was a photographer there who did have the most amazing pictures - amazing enough that I just had to buy 4 of them - various animals that I will hang in my bathroom.

We then trooped down the street to the wonderful dance enticing sounds of the brass section from the House of Prayer. This was music you could not sit down and listen to. Even in the hot sun there was a line following the tuba player as he came off the stage and wandered around - great to get your heart pumping.

When we left to go to the Asian store we noticed a line of people waiting to go into the Verizon Center. We found out it was something called Spirit of America (multimedia show of the armed forces from George Washington through today complete with orchestra). A very nice lady turning in two extra tickets gave them to us (the show was free for all who wanted to attend). To my amazement I sat there for 2 hours and enjoyed every minute.

We never made it to the Asian store on Saturday but came home exhausted and fulfilled at 10:30 PM. We were lucky that we caught a train right away since the wonderful metro was of course doing track work on the red line AGAIN!

Sunday brought us another beautiful sunny day and I headed out early to see the 9-11 exhibit. This time I got in with just a 20 minute wait. It is a small exhibit but nevertheless it stirs up all the emotions from 10 years ago.

Leaving there I went back to the Art on Foot festival in time to eat what the chef at Legal Seafood cooked up. I have to say in this one weekend I had more raw fish than I have ever had - raw tuna, raw scallops, raw shrimp, raw pollock. . . . and while it is not something I would prepare at home I did eat and enjoy it. The chefs were very entertaining and we did get courtesy cards for free food at some of the restaurants. I did again get the opportunity to stroll some of the tents and look at the wonderful items for sale.

This time I made it to the Asian market and again went home exhausted.

P.S. I did get up on Sunday at 5 AM so that I could prep the food I needed to cook for the week and also do laundry and prepare for jury duty on Monday before I went off to enjoy the day.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Desegregation in 2011!

It is 2011 and we still need the Federal Government to deregulate communities!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/nyregion/11settle.html?pagewanted=all

Confession Time

Did you know that Chipotle had to confess to using pork in its beans? If you are on a strict diet either for health or religious reasons then you need to ask exactly what is in the food being dished up and if you can't get a definite answer from the server then ask for the manager.

http://blog.usfoodsafety.com/2011/08/18/chipotle-menu-to-fess-up-to-bacon-usage/

People who deliver packages to your home. . .now you can pick them up yourself when you stop in 7-11. Sometimes you don't want the package delivered at home for fear of theft. Now, you have an alternative and the number of drivers will drop. . .http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/09/07/7651025-pick-up-your-amazon-package-and-a-slurpee