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COLUMBUS DAY

Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century but did not become a federal holiday until the 1937. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage. Throughout its history, Columbus Day and the man who inspired it have generated controversy, and many alternatives to the holiday have appeared in recent years. ORIGINS OF COLUMBUS DAY A U.S. national holiday since 1937, Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of  Christopher Columbus  in the New World on October 12, 1492. The Italian-born explorer had set sail two months earlier, backed by the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. He intended to chart a western sea route to China, India and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia; instead, he landed in the Bahamas, becoming the first

Tips On Eating Healthy

Here are some tips to stay healthy: Slow down on the sodium:  Americans eat more than double the daily amount of sodium recommended by the American Heart Association.  Too much sodium  increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and other health problems, but this excess isn’t just from salting at the table. Americans get most of their sodium — 77 percent — from  processed foods . If you choose these foods, compare the labels and look for lower-sodium versions.   Pile on the fruits and vegetables:  Choose all kinds of fruits and vegetables — fresh, frozen, canned, juiced and dried. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Look for fruits and vegetables of many different colors. Then try a “healthy sauté” using a small amount of liquid to cook vegetables. Need a quick, healthy weeknight dinner? Try a salad. The American Heart Association has  tasty recipes  packed with such items as tofu, broccoli, mushrooms and much more.   Get the skinny on  fats

Taco Days!

National Soft Taco Day October 3 / National Taco Day October 4 The word taco started in the 18th century silver mines in Mexico. Back then, a taco was just some paper wrapped around gunpowder. Taco Bell has tried to enter the Mexican market twice, failing both times, even after branding their food “American” food. Food Finds about Tacos A taco is a traditional Mexican dish composed of a corn or wheat tortilla folded or rolled around a filling. A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, chicken, seafood, vegetables and cheese, allowing for great versatility and variety. A taco is generally eaten without utensils and is often accompanied by garnishes such as salsa, avocado or guacamole, cilantro, tomatoes, minced meat, onions and lettuce. According to the Real Academia Española, publisher of Diccionario de la Lengua Española, the word taco describes a typical Mexican dish of a maize tortilla folded around food (“Tortilla de maíz enrollada con algún

Tarte Tatin Recipe

There is some controversy as to how this divine dessert (tarte solognote) came about. Was it an accident (as so many kitchen   wonders are) or was it just an improved upon recipe of the region? In any case it was made popular at by 2 sisters that ran the Hotel Tatin 100 miles (60 kilometers) outside of Paris. It was Louis Vaudable, owner of Maxim’s Paris that coined the name "tarte des demoiselles Tatin" Tart of the sister’s Tatin. Normally you would use a short crust or a pate brisee. I used a simple pie crust in our recipe as we were short on butter. Serves 6-8 9 1/2 inch/ 24 centimeter pie crust Pie Crust Ingredients: 1 1/3 cup/167 grams all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon/2ml salt 1/2 cup/118ml vegetable (crisco) shortening or 115g cold butter 3-6 tablespoons/45-90ml iced water In a bowl add flour and salt. Whisk to combine. Cut the shortening into the flours until only small pea sized balls are visible. Mix 1 tablespoon of water at a time until the dough

Caramel Custard Recipe

Caramel custard, or crème caramel, is a caramel-coated baked egg custard. It takes a little bit of practice to perfect, but the result is a creamy, flavorful dessert that’s well worth the dress rehearsals. Ingredients 1/2 cup/96g sugar 3 large eggs, slightly beaten 1/3 cup/69g sugar 1 teaspoon/5ml vanilla 1/8 teaspoon/.5ml salt 2 1/2 cups/625ml very warm milk Ground nutmeg Directions 1. Heat oven to 350F/176C/Gas 4 2. Heat 1/2 cup sugar in heavy 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is melted and golden brown. Divide sugar syrup among six 6-ounce custard cups; tilt cups to coat bottoms. Allow syrup to harden in cups about 10 minutes. 3. Mix eggs, 1/3 cup sugar, the vanilla and salt in medium bowl. Gradually stir in milk. Pour over syrup in cups. Sprinkle with nutmeg. 4. Place cups in rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches, on oven rack. Pour very hot water into pan to within 1/2 inch of tops of cups. 5. Bake about 45 minutes or until kn

Benefits of Apples

What makes apples so great? In 2004, USDA scientists investigated over 100 foods to measure their antioxidant concentration per serving size.  Two apples’Red Delicious and Granny Smith’ranked 12th and 13th respectively .  Antioxidants  are disease-fighting compounds. Scientists believe these compounds help prevent and repair oxidation damage that happens during normal cell activity. Apples are also full of a fibre called pectin – a medium-sized apple contains about 4 grams of fibre. Pectin is classed as a soluble, fermentable and viscous fibre, a combination that gives it a huge list of health benefits. 1. Get whiter, healthier teeth An apple won’t replace your toothbrush, but  biting and chewing an apple stimulates the production of saliva  in your mouth, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria. 2. Avoid Alzheimer’s A new study performed on mice shows that  drinking apple juice could keep Alzheimer’s away and fight the effects of aging on the brain . Mice

October is Breast Cancer Month - Male Breast Cancer

All people, whether male or female, are born with some breast cells and tissue. Even though males do not develop milk-producing breasts, a man’s breast cells and tissue can still develop cancer. Even so, male breast cancer is very rare. Less than one percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men, and only one in a thousand men will ever be  diagnosed  with breast cancer. Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking  treatment . Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma Of the men who develop breast cancer, the vast majority of those cases are  Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) , which means cells in or around the ducts begin to invade surrounding tissue. Very rarely, a man might be diagnosed with  inflammatory breast cancer , or Paget disease, of the nipp

Vegetarian Jambalaya Recipe

Adapted from recipe created by Steve Bett i Serves 6 1 medium eggplant, diced into ½ inch/1.27cm pieces 2 tablespoons/30mls olive oil 2 ½ teaspoon/2mls paprika ¼ teaspoon/1ml ground sage ¼ teaspoon/1ml salt (or salt substitute) 1/8 teaspoon/.5ml pepper 1/8 teaspoon/.5ml cayenne (or to taste) Preheat oven to 350F/176C/GasMark4. Toss eggplant with oil to coat evenly.  Add seasonings, mix well.  Lay seasoned eggplant on baking sheet evenly in one layer.  Roast for 20-25 minutes. 1 tablespoon/15ml olive oil ½ cup/118ml onions, diced in ¼ inch/6mm pieces ½ cup/118ml celery, diced in ¼ inch/6mm pieces 1 clove garlic, minced 1 ½ cups/340ml tomato, diced 1 medium red bell pepper, diced in ¼ inch/6mm pieces 1 cup/225ml zucchini, diced ¼ teaspoon/1ml paprika ¼ teaspoon/1ml ground thyme 1 ¼ teaspoon/6ml salt ½ teaspoon/2ml pepper ½ teaspoon/2ml turmeric 2 cups/450ml cooked brown rice 3 cups/375ml black-eyed peas, drained Sauté  o

October 1st is National Pumpkin Spice Day!

Here are today’s 5 thing to know about Pumpkins: The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake. In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling. Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites. The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds. The Connecticut field variety is the traditional American pumpkin. Today’s Food History 1795  Robert Bakewell died (born, May 23, 1725).  Bakewell was an agriculturalist who helped revolutionize cattle and sheep breeding in England. He obtained the best animals he could find and then worked with a closed herd, inbreeding only superior animals. 1908  The Model T Ford was introduced at a price of $825. Due to efficient mass production, by 1925 the price of a 2 door Model T was only $260. 1913  A monument