Eat More Broccoli

Never a fan of broccoli, eating it has always been an issue -- something done actively to repent for any sins committed. Broccoli has an acquired taste -- a strong flavor that overwhelms any other ingredient in a recipe, except thick cheesy sauce. While broccoli with cheese sauce is tasty, it moves broccoli out of the health food category and into the heart-attack category. Broccoli salad was always somewhat eatable, yet the mayo in the recipe removed some of broccoli's value. A new recipe from the American Institute for Cancer Research offers broccoli with olive oil, orange juice and rice vinegar -- certainly lower in calorie then the popular mayo version. The recipe follows:

Spring Broccoli Salad

2 cups broccoli florets (or fresh green beans, if desired)
1/4 cup purple onion, diced
1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced
1/4 cup pimento peppers, diced
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
1/8 tsp. dried marjoram
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pinch of cayenne pepper

Steam the broccoli for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it is bright green. Transfer broccoli to a medium bowl. Add the onion, yellow pepper and pimento.

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice concentrate, rice vinegar, garlic, parsley, marjoram, salt, pepper and cayenne. Toss the dressing with the broccoli. Serve at room temperature or cold.

Makes 4 servings.

Per serving: 60 calories, 3.5 g total fat (<1>

This version of broccoli salad is eatable, even tasty, with the addition of 1/2 cup raisins, reminiscent of the traditional broccoli salad. The salad was prepared and chilled, and offered for dinner. Husband loved it, Law School Boy Jack, on the other hand, eager to try new things, took a huge spoonful, chewed for a few minutes, then left the room to empty his mouth. Returning, he offered, "It just didn't do it for me." Apparently eating broccoli is an acquired taste that is far greater then his almost 25 years.

Photo attribution: AICR

Curly Hair Woes

Curly hair is often wished for by many, but when curly hair strikes after years of straight as a board hair, one is confused, frustrated, and the owner of every hair product on the market. What should one do? Visits to the local hair salon have provided the best cut possible, but the curly hair creates a painful hair drying session every day. Hair straightening products are applied throughout the hair, thickening products are applied at the roots of the crown. The largest natural hair brush available is rolled under as heat is applied to each section. At the salon the hair is straight, frizz free, and swings. At home, not so much -- the hair is full, somewhat frizzy, and while it does swing, it moves more as a hedge, not individual hairs.

Salon Buzz in Chicago will again come to the rescue. Erin, the best hair stylist on the planet, will again provide the magic and the lesson on how to finish the hair. Interestingly, Salon Buzz happens to be the place Oprah sends all her "make-overs." Now we know why.

What do all the other curly heads out there, who blow dry their hair straight each day, do to make their crowning glory shine and swing? We need help here. Waiting for your answers.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Grazing Horses

Watching horses graze in pastures is medicinal to all who have time to sit and ponder which blade of grass will be eaten next. The herd continues to grow, and Annie, the three month old American Quarter Horse filly gets bigger every day. In the photo, Annie is second from the left, almost as big as her mother.

The herd considers itself a family, much like yours and mine, except this one has two mothers, two brothers, and one baby sister. When it rains the family stands together, over Annie, who lays under them. They also stand under the pine trees. Eating grass, along with grain and hay, is their favorite past time. Sometimes they even people-watch, walking with me as I go down the lane to get the mail. Interesting animals, these horses.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

TECH cocktail CONFERENCE - Event Planning

Planning an event can be a daunting task, from finding the venue to ordering tablecloths, signs, souvenir bags, and of course, food for the entire day. For the past several months planning has been underway for the first TECH cocktail CONFERENCE, to be held Thursday, May 29, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Loyola University Water Tower Campus, 25 East Pearson, Chicago. The count-down has begun, and in 12 days TECH cocktail will proudly sponsor it's first conference.

The CONFERENCE focus takes a "no nonsense" approach to running a successful business leveraging technology and the Web. Experienced top-notch speakers include Mike Domek of TicketsNow, Dick Costolo, former CEO of Feedburner, acquired by Google in June, 2007, Jason Fried of 37 Signals, Adrian Holovaty of ChicagoCrime.org (now Everyblock) and Geneive Thiers, founder of SitterCity.com, as well as many more. Keynote and panel discussions allow attendees to select the path that best suits their interests and needs. A complete schedule of speakers and panels can be seen at http://www.techcocktailconference.com

The brainchild of Frank Gruber and Eric Olson, TECH cocktail received the Illinois Technology Association's Chicago cityLIGHTS Award for having the most influence on technology in the state of Illinois the past year. And it continues. The CONFERENCE runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and culminates with the popular TECH cocktail mixer event, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at John Barleycorn -- Wrigleyville. Registration is still available -- hurry! Hope to see you there.
Photo Attribution: somewhatfrank

Happy Birthday Jessica

The celebration of life continues in this Chicagoland home as Jessica regains her title of eldest sibling, again being two full years older then her younger bro, FJ. Frank turned 30 on Friday, and today, May 11, Jessica is 32. Proud to be an older sister, and very good at it, Jess plans a day at Wrigley Field, a birthday tradition.

A Cubs Suite, drinks, dinner, and of course birthday cake and presents were in order the past few days for both FJ and Jess. From this somewhatforty plus mom of three, on Mother's Day, happy birthday dear children. Being your mother has been an adventure without need of GPS navigation; I am proud of you and thankful I am your mom. Hokey -- somewhat. Sincere -- absolutely.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Mother's Day, 2008

Mothers everywhere know the joy of bringing up baby, and horses are no different. Annie, the American Quarter Horse filly born February 13, 2008, shares a moment with her mother on Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all who nurture children, whether two legged or four.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Birthday Wishes

Children are a gift that make a parent's life complete and three such gifts have been bestowed upon me. My three children are a blessing to me; they are all independent adults who I am proud to mother.

May has always been a busy month for family events, in this case birthdays. May 11th is the day the eldest child, Jessica, entered the world, kicking and screaming all the way. May 9th is the birthday of child two, son one, FJ, also known as Frank -- a middle child who is a supportive mediator in all things controversial. A "driven" person who stays up longer then he should to get the most from each day, he rises early to get a move on. As in all "big" birthdays, the celebration begins and continues for days -- this 30th birthday is no different. After a big celebratory breakfast, a Cubs game in one's personal box with other party goers, and then drinks at a Wrigleyville hotspot, hosted by older sister Jessica, the party moves north. Drinks, dinner, and birthday cake are essentials at all birthday celebrations and this one is no different. FJ - you are a delightfully happy person who is kind and caring. Enjoy your day -- er weekend. Happy big Birthday FJ.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus.com

May Day

The first day of May brings with it hope the hyacinths and tulips will continue to blossom as spring is in full swing in Chicagoland. May is also the month of graduations for many and birthdays for the two eldest: Jessica (May 11) and FJ (May 9) who continue to celebrate each year with cocktails, dinners, cook-outs and of course, cake. This year is no different -- except one of them has a "big" birthday this year, as do I.

May also allows us to celebrate mothering by honoring our mothers with cards, flowers, dinners and of course, cake. What every mother wants for Mother's Day is her children, or at least a call or card from them proclaiming their appreciation for the superb mothering demonstrated through the years. Get busy. Enjoy this most beautiful May Day.