the daily recipe

More than 150,000 people have been killed by the South Asian earthquake and tsunami and their aftereffects. Millions more remain without food, shelter, medicine and other necessities.

Almost three in 10 Americans say they have donated to victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia, according to an Associated Press poll taken as the private total begins to approach the amount given by the government.

Despite the outpouring, the amount still pales in comparison to the donations in the days following the Sept. 11 attacks. But much more is expected. Twenty-nine percent say they have given for tsunami aid; an additional 37 percent say they plan to.

Before the next big story comes along and the media jumps ship, make it a point to keep spreading the word to help and not to forget all those in need just because it stops appearing on our televisions and computers everyday.

Donation Links

AmeriCares Foundation South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund is delivering vital water purification systems and essential medicines to combat disease to the people most at risk.

Direct Relief International Tsunami Relief Fund is distributing emergency medical supplies and other health-related items to locally-run programs in South Asia.

American Red Cross Tsunami Relief and Recovery Efforts provides nutritious food, everyday supplies, basic healthcare and the support victims they need.

Clinton Foundation & UNICEF Tsunami Water and Sanitation Fund was funded to address the critical water and sanitation needs of children affected.

Long-term eating of lots of red and processed meat such as bacon and coldcuts may increase the risk of cancer in the colon and rectum, 20 year study says. I guess this may not be a groundbreaking finding for some of us.

Read the Articles on Google News



But this does reinforce some time-honoured nutritional advice from mom -- more fruits and veggies and less red meat is a recipe for good health.

Yes, it's fried pickles! It's friggen easy to make and it's fricken good! Gretchen thinks it would be good with 1000 Island dressing. Berger likes to dip it in horse radish to give it a kick but he has yet to taste it. All I need is a cold beer in a forsted mug.


the procedure
1. Combine flour, corn meal, and barbecue seasonning, and place in a medium bowl.
2. Make a slurry of mustard and beer in a separate medium bowl.
3. Dip the pickle slices in the mustard mixture and then in the flour-cornmeal mix.
4. Deep-fry at 325* in peanut or canola oil until the batter is browned.
5. The pickles will float to the top when done.

the formula
1 cup flour
1 cup of yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon barbecue seasoning
half cup prepared mustard
1/8 cup beer
20 to 30 dill pickle slices (deli slices, dill flavor)

We took a mini road trip to SF bay for a little NYE celebration. The road was wet on the way up and full of snow on the way back down. Fun trip that consisted of clubbing, dim sum, lots of driving, more eating and little bit of sight seeing.