Tabbouleh Tonight

I'm not exactly sure what prompted today's craving for couscous. Perhaps it was the article I recently read (thanks, SB) about Bill Clinton's shift to a modified vegan diet and his resulting weight loss.

Here's the recipe I used. The only modifications I made were to substitute currants for the raisins and to use both mint and parsley. We also bulked up the tomatoes since our garden is producing so many right now. 

I could eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Fresh, flavorful, nutritious and delicious! Tough to top this.

Variation on Slider Scam

Robyn shared a "fresh perspective" today based on our earlier slider scam post.

After shopping, she loaded her groceries and purse into her car. While wheeling her cart back to the enclosure, a woman drove by, stopped to compliment her about an article of clothing and asked for all the details.

While giving the woman the info, she happened to turn around to see that there was a man couched beside her car. Thinking quickly, my friend used her key to remotely lock the doors before her purse/and who knows what else/would have vanished.  

Stay alert, women. 

Please forward this info to all you know. Keep your purse with you AND lock your car.

Crazy. Very creative people out there.

Making Deposits Using Your Cell

Am I the last to know about this? Such a cinch to deposit checks simply by using your smart phone. A Wells Fargo app is required/see their website or ask for more info at your bank.

"Sliders" Target Women at Gas Stations

Just a few feet away. Such an easy crime. MUST WATCH.  A huge heads-up. Share with all you know.

Personalizing That Pizza

Perhaps with the week's leftovers. Sicilian Ciabatta. How much fun is this? Everyone gets to enjoy their own particular part of this creative pizza-like dish. Make your own base or stop by Trader Joe's for their ready-to-bake dough in the refrigerated section of the store.
source

Zucchini Noodles with Basil Balsamic Marinated Tomatoes

This hand-held julienne peeler (under $20 for the one most highly recommended gadget of this type) produced a lovely, pasta-like zucchini salad. So fresh. Such a fabulous way to use the giant squash growing in your garden. Available on Amazon, of course.

If enjoying as a cold salad, I found that it's best prepared just before serving so that squash remains most.

Because our garden is burgeoning with produce, I began experimenting. I steamed the squash briefly and preferred this to the colder version. 

This morning I heated leftovers in the microwave and topped with shaved parmesan.  This was, perhaps, my favorite.

But really, how could you go wrong with basil, balsamic, olive oil, pine nuts, fresh vegetables and parmesan? 

the recipe

Solutions for Summer Challenges

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Inundated With Basil?

Yep.

I adore the fragrance. There's nothing better than a big bunch of basil on the kitchen counter. And cuttings often root in a glass of water, prolonging its use in your meals and on your menus.

Fragrant, fresh and abundant this time of year, how best to use this member of the mint family?

Pesto, for sure. But then what?

Thanks to an email from a friend who received a bunch from our garden, we will make far better use of our bounty!

More interesting info about basil.

And from Bon Appetit... "Some say using a blender rather than a food processor results in a smoother puree. When combining pesto with pasta, Ligurians mix a small ladle of the cooking water into the pesto just before adding the noodles; this dilutes the concentrated sauce and helps it adhere to the pasta."

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Classic-Pesto-109802#ixzz2aNtD5xTN

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Thanks so much, Susan, for these ideas!

High Diving Giraffes

Truly remarkable. Smiled my way through the entire video. What fun.

Many thanks, Barb!

Wooden Spoon Bugs!

How much fun are these? Be sure to see the link for millipedes and much, much more!

Here's where it happens!

Incredibly Inspiring Video

Whoa. Powerful.

If he can do this, just think what the rest of us are capable of accomplishing.

Let's get going, people. We can do it!

Going to the Seashore Anytime Soon?

Some excellent ideas on this website.

Find out what they are!

Sunny Days/Washing the Dirt Away

Great summer fun for kids of all ages.

I want to live wherever they are!

Spring Cleaning from Olive Us on Vimeo.

Simple, Satisfying Summer Salads With Jamie Oliver

Many of you have always made your own salad dressings. I've just begun. MUCH more flavorful, fresh and healthy than the bottled varieties and so incredibly easy to do.

What's taken me so long?

High Intensity Interval Training

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS CONCEPT. It's not necessarily new. Interval Training has been around in the athletic world for years. We're only now getting around to publicizing the benefits by documenting scientific studies.

This I can do. Long, tedious workouts, not so much.

The Truth About Exercise with British physician Michael Mosely appears this fall on BBC.

Enjoy.

Watch The Truth About Exercise with Michael Mosley - Promotion on PBS. See more from Michael Mosley.

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A Promising Test for Pancreatic Cancer

Another really, really inspirational TED Talk!

Over 85 percent of all pancreatic cancers are diagnosed late, when someone has less than two percent chance of survival. How could this be? Jack Andraka talks about how he developed a promising early detection test for pancreatic cancer that’s super cheap, effective and non-invasive -- all before his 16th birthday.

A paper on carbon nanotubes, a biology lecture on antibodies and a flash of insight led 15-year-old Jack Andraka to design a cheaper, more sensitive cancer detector. Full bio »

Thank you so much, Susan R!

Herbed Flatbread Pizzas

Loved this.  Crispy, crunchy, flavorful & fresh.  This Sunset recipe uses everything growing in your garden or found at your local Farmer's Market.
recipe

Twenty Things We Could Learn From Our Pet

Is this the cutest dog ever?  How did they get this terrific picture?  Now to remember to put this wisdom into action.

Here's the link.  Love it.

Twelve Foods Nutritionists Eat

Well worth reading.

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Thanks to Judi and SC.

Ten Minutes to a Strong Core

Workout Group, are you ready for Wednesday?  

Let's add this 10-minute routine to the toned arms series, OK?  Good.

Are we going to be in shape, or what?

We're getting there. Slowly. Gradually.