Visit to Murcia

Last weekend we went to Murcia in south-eastern Spain, the capital and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, and the seventh largest city in the country. The city is divided into the old town and the new. The Cathedral of Murcia was built between 1394 and 1465 in the Castilian Gothic style. Its tower was completed in 1792 and shows a blend of architectural styles.

 The first two stories were built in the Renaissance style (1521–1546), while the third is Baroque. The bell pavilion exhibits both Rococo and Neoclassical influences. The main façade (1736–1754) is considered a masterpiece of the Spanish Baroque style. Pedestrian areas cover most of the old town of the city, which is centred around Platería and Trapería Streets. 

Trapería goes from the Cathedral to the Plaza de Santo Domingo, formerly a bustling market square. Located in Trapería is the Casino, a social club erected in 1847, with a sumptuous interior that includes a Moorish-style patio inspired by the royal chambers of the Alhambra near Granada.

 

. The name Plateria refers to plata (silver), as this street was the historical focus for the commerce of rare metals by Murcia's Jewish community. The other street, Traperia, refers to trapos, or cloths, as this was once the focus for the Jewish community's garment trade. 

Fine dining is possible in the old town center.

We traveled back to Alicante, not on the motorway, but in the mainland, the backyard of Spain, a wonderful countryside who still amazes. From old watermills to in-land seas, Golden sunshine on a land that lays restless with long plains and bushy quarters. There is semblance with the inland Morocco, next to the sandy mill you will find farmers growing cabbage, celery and olives. What a combination.

 Driving all the way to Santa Pola, the landscape changes into a sea side resort with one of the left places, wild in nature, that em brasses the sea and little creeks. In summertime the place to be for campers, and tourists who love the country side with a sniff of the salty sea. Little wooden houses on the beach in this tile of the year are empty, the beach restaurants are gone. Every summer season they construct whole little villages with refreshments, food and tapas bars.

Poppy Appeal, British Legion in Benidorm

A great day for  the British Legion. The sun was glorious over the standards from all around,  La Nucia, Benidorm, Benimantel. The British Consul Paul Rodwell, along with the Mayor Agustin Navarro and RBL District Chairman Chriss Wyatt gave speeches.

The Royal British Legion plays an active role in the local community, and they rely on the help of their members to carry out the work in their local areas. There are many ways people can help and become involved, and it is essential to their work for the serving and ex-Service community.To raise public awareness of what the Legion does in the community and encourage more people to get involved with the welfare and membership activities of the Legion, they participate in various events and activities. 

Today Poppy Appeal was launched with pipes and drums,Torrevieja Pipes and Drums band,  the visitors gave them a standing ovation after they performed the British Hymns.

I most admit there are some bad notes to see. The comrades from the different branches wearing their uniforms and medals and proud to serve, next to some English lads with no decency for the flag and the commemoration of the battle field, sitting in the front line with no shirts and half naked,  a shame for the Brits. 

Proud to be the Chelsea Pensioners present at the ceremonial

  Several Spanish residents asked about the "uniform" and after a conversation and several photographs, they enjoyed it. A Chelsea pensioner is an in-pensioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a retirement home and nursing home for former members of the British Army located in Chelsea, London. Historically, however, the phrase applied more widely, referring to both in-pensioners and out-pensioners. 

Poppy Appeal 2013, Benidorm  the photoset.

Don't forget to donate to one of the finest organisations for ex-service men. 

The British Legion North Spain pay their website a visit. 

Street art, food and gin master class

Spaniards are know to have fiestas every week. Bonfire  and music, in the still of the day or night you hear them everywhere. We visited this weekend : Fira Gata al Carrer , a typical Spanish Fiesta, with stands going from gastronomy to craftsmen, and street art.

 Design companies made some set ups in the cobbled streets with the classical fronts of old townhouses. Out of the balconies the young artists made their point in exhibiting their form of art. Collages of tissues, painted clothing, and lace. Made by you artists and really worth a look.

Gastronomy was somewhat disappointing,  only some special sausages, a pastry shop and a wine shop, we expected some more specialties.

A light came into the darkness, the organizer announced a masterclass in Gin, new tendencies. We are good bloggers so we payed them a visit and a taste. Fine perfumed gin with a nice flavor. The head chef, barman served it as a master en we really enjoyed. 

Finally at the end of the day a nice performance was given by a local Folk dance group. We enjoyed the day. 

Medieval Market San Miguel

Since the 18th century, there was always a market in Altea. This was to honour San Miguel. Artisan from all around came to town to exhibit there art and performances. It stopped during First World War and never after. Some of the local shops tried in mid-thirties to organise a similar market but it did not worked out properly. Finale the local authorities wanted to boost shops and tried to set up again a medieval market in the main high street. From September 27 until 29 a large choice of craftsman’s come to Altea. You can find a diversity of fine food, handmade leather bracelets, purses, silk Moorish clothing, etc….

A trio who played typical instruments from the area gave us some nice music background. With their costumes and nicely decorated stallers it gave an expression of what it was in the ancient times.

Look for the photoset by following the link.

Medieval Market Photoset

Altea, the fight between Moors and Christians

Moors and Christian (Moros y Cristianos) Festivals are held in many towns and cities throughout Spain but most predominantly in the southern Valencian Community. The festivals commemorate the battles which took place for the control of Spain during the period known as Reconquista (from the 8th to the 15th century).

One of these festivals on the Costa Blanca is that held at the end of September in Altea. This picturesque town is an easy drive north of Benidorm, around 10 minutes along the N332. You can park in the new part of town and walk up to the winding, white-washed streets of the old picturesque village.

Just have a look at the photo's

Young street musicians

 

Very nice young street musicians in the old town

The world stood still

 

You can find that lovely lady at the sunday market in Polop, in Spain.

 A wonderfull performance in 30° sun.

Turmeric against depression an inflamamatory skin conditions

In cooking, herbs and spices boost the flavor of our food. But did you know these same spices and herbs can also deliver health benefits that, in some cases rival our strongest medications?  Turmeric, known in the west for its use in Indian cooking, is often referred to as the “Queen of Spices”. It comes from the dry ground root of Curcuma longa, typically found in India and Indonesia. It has a deep yellow-orange tinge, from which it earns one of its nicknames, “Indian saffron”. Health benefits of turmeric include antiinflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant properties. In India and China it has been used medicinally for centuries. In the Western world, however, turmeric is best known for its culinary prowess. Turmeric gives American yellow mustard its bright yellow color. Also, it is one of the main ingredients in curry dishes. It has a bitter, peppery flavor and smells like a mixture of orange peel and ginger. Turmeric´s health benefits are well-known and documented.
The history and the discovery of the benefits of turmeric are fascinating. Both India and China claim to have been the first to use it medicinally. Ancient Polynesians carried turmeric with them on their voyage across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. In 1280 AD, Marco Polo recorded information on the benefits of turmeric in his diary. “There is also a vegetable which has all the properties of true saffron, as well the smell and the color, and yet it is not really saffron.” Even in modern times, in Hawaii turmeric is still used, known to Hawaiians as “Olena”.
Undoubtedly, the most powerful ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin gives turmeric its characteristic yellow color. It is a substance that is non-toxic and is found in turmeric along with other nutrients. These nutrients are included in the list below. The nutrients and quantities in 2 teaspoons (4.52 grams) of turmeric powder is as follows:
Dietary Fiber – 960 mg
Manganese – 0.36 mg
Vitamin B6 – 0.08 mg
Iron – 1.88 mg
Potassium – 114.48 mg
Turmeric has been used for centuries not only in cuisine, but also as an integral part of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine.  (The former relies on turmeric for many external treatments as well as in Java, it is featured prominently in the “Lulur”, a pre-wedding body treatment given to all new brides on their wedding day to beautify the skin). Recent research is beginning to back up many of these time-tested uses with scientific data. The most well-known benefit of turmeric is its anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin has been shown to produce anti-inflammatory effects that rival those of ibuprofen and hydrocortisone. As an added benefit, curcumin does not have the potential toxicity that pharmaceutical drugs exhibit.
According to scientific studies, conditions for which turmeric may be beneficial are numerous. These include, but are not limited to the following conditions:
Alzheimer´s Disease
Adrenal Insufficiency
Psoriasis
Diabetes
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Infertility
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Osteoarthritis
Cystic Fibrosis
Cancer (all types)
Heart Disease
Liver toxicity & disease
Multiple Sclerosis
So here are the top health benefits of Turmeric:

1. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.
2. Is a natural liver detoxifier.
3. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.  This is good news for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Polymositis, and many other autoimmune and inflammatory issues.
4. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.  Eases headaches and muscle and joint pain.
5. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
6. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
7. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
8. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
9. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
10. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

Use in spice form in juices or use as an addition to Curried Lentils or even as an addition to salad dressings for salads such as Mexican Millet Salad or Corsican Quinoa Salad. Alternatively you can added to your green drink in the morning.

Antiques markets and fine villages

Pego is lying just inland from the northern Costa Blanca resort of Dénia, the town of Pego sits in a depression, surrounded by mountains. A part of the Marina Alta comarca of Alicante. It is a little town with a nice main place and many small restaurants. In plaza de la font, you will found typical tapas restaurants. Casa Nova is one of those little beauties. They serve mouth-watering dishes for competitive prices.

 Worth visiting in Pego are the Arciprestal Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (16th century) built in the Renaissance style, built on the ruins of an earlier church, the Chapel of Ecce Homo (18th century) in the Baroque style and designed by the Valencian architect Fray Francisco Cabezas, the Church of the Sagrada Família, the hermitage of San José (19th century), the hermitage of San Miguel (17th century), the Castillo de Ambra (Castle Ambra) thought to originate from the early 13th century and the Parque Natural de la Marjal de Pego-Oliva (Natural Park of the Pego-Oliva Marshes)

Then we headed for the Rastro market in Javea, every Saturday you will find a large choice of antiques, bric-a-brac, and even new stuff. Amongst the antiques stallers you will find the local produce, oranges, avocados, tomatoes. There is a special staller with all kinds of dried seeds and fruits. It is well worth a visit. There are approx. 350 different stallers. Many foreign tourists are regular visitors. Always looking for a bargain.

Honey and Cinnamon, the Healthy Gesture

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the  Copenhagen  University , it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it.  It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours.  As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured.  According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.  To make it lukewarm,  place it in a small jar and let it set in warm water for awhile.

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack.

Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.   In  America and  Canada,  various nursing homes have  treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS: According to the studies done in  India and  Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA – FLU: A scientist in  Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old might start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water.  If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder.  Do not boil, but pour one cup of boiling water onto the mixture of honey and cinnamon. Generally start off with a teaspoon of each, and then adjust depending on taste. Remember honey is a sugar based product, so teaspoon is best to start with. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
 
SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

CANCER: Research in  Japan and  Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

BAD BREATH: People in  South America first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts helps restore hearing.

CONCLUSION:
It is good to take some sort of mixture of cinnamon and honey daily!

Yamato Japanese restaurant

I travelled a lot in my life and it always amazes me, the best encounters you make around food. Being a foodie myself I always try to find the most eloquent places to have dinner. I try to talk to chefs and waiters to know about the local cuisine, try to avoid ex-pat restaurants and pubs. Look up local food, you will be surprised what you can find and at affordable prices.

Last evening I went to Albir, a little town near Benidorm with hug lots of restaurants and dinners. Japanese restaurant, Yamato, named after a Japanese battleship during world war2. The dining was a mixture of eastern artefacts nicely displayed in glaze cabinets all around.  The system is original; you receive a menu, a list, and a pencil. Make your choice as much as you like in the nice presented dishes with the Japanese names and English translation. Great choice of nigiri sushi, maki’s, teppanyaki, sashimi a vegetarian dishes.  Everything freshly made to order. The gentle waiter gave us an explanation what it was all about.

Great was the surprise when we start talking to one of the waiters. The whole staff is Chinese, they live in Spain for nine years and they speak fluently Spanish, English and some German.

At the link below you can see it for yourself in a virtual tour.

Yamato Restaurant

Healthy Detox Juice Recipes

 If you’re trying to get some harmful toxin out of your body and perhaps lose a few pounds, a healthy juice detox could... be the answer for you.

1. Watermelon Limeade

Servings: 4
Ingredients:
About 1.5kg of watermelon
Three quarters a cup of lemon juice
Honey (amount depends on your taste)
A few fresh mint leaves
Ice
Chop the watermelon into slices (remove the skin and seeds), then simply mix up all the ingredients (through a juicer) then refrigerate / add in the ice and mint. Finally stir in the honey and enjoy.


2. Carrot, Celery, Ginger and Parsley Juice

Servings: 2

Ingredients:
4 large sized carrots (make sure they aren’t peeled and their ends should be trimmed)
4 celery sticks with their leaves
Half a scrubbed beetroot
6 pieces of parsley (stem and leaves)
2 inch piece of ginger (unpeeled and washed)
Ice
Simply mix up all the ingredients (through a juicer) then refrigerate / add ice and drink cold.



3. Healthy Green Detoxifying Juice Servings: 2

Ingredients:
5-6 oz. of baby spinach leaves
2 apples (cored and halved)
Half a lemon
2 medium sized carrots (scrubbed)
2 celery sticks
2 inch piece of ginger (peeled)
Ice
Mix up all the ingredients (through a juicer); fill some ice into the glasses; pour in the juice and serve.



4. Vegetable and Fruit Mix Detox Juice
Servings: 2

Ingredients:

1 Apple
5 medium sized carrots
5 stalks of celery
A bunch of spinach
Half a bunch of parsley
Cold pressed wheatgrass (quantity depends on taste)
 Simply mix up all the ingredients (through a juicer), add in the ice, they you are ready to enjoy!



5. Grapefruit, Papaya and Pineapple Juice
Servings: 2

Ingredients:
8 oz. of grapefruit juice
Half a cup of papaya cubes
Three quarters a cup of pieces of pineapple
A pinch of finely chopped parsley leaves
Simply mix up all the ingredients (through a juicer) then refrigerate / add ice and then drink cold.

nical effects of innovative tuina manipulations on treating cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type and changes in cerebral blood flow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the clinical effect, treatment times, and rheoencephalogram changes in vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis patients treated with innovative Tuina manipulations.

METHODS:

One hundred and twenty six cervical spondylosis patients (vertebral artery type) were randomly divided into test and control groups. Patients in the test group were treated with innovative Tuina manipulations, while those in the control group were treated with the routine Tuina manipulations according to the textbook of Chinese Massage for Acupuncture and Moxibustion majors. The clinical effects, treatment times, clinical symptoms, and cerebral blood flow were measured.

RESULTS:

The response to the treatment was 100% in the test group and 88.71% in the control group. Patients in the test group required (7 +/- 4) treatments before recovery, while those in the control group required (15 +/- 7) treatments before recovery (P<0.05). The clinical symptoms exhibited greater improvement in the test group compared to the control group (P<0.05). There were no differences in cerebral blood flow between the two groups.

CONCLUSION:

Both innovative Tuina manipulations and routine Tuina manipulations produced satisfactory therapeutic results in vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis patients. However, the innovative manipulation was more effective in improving the functional symptoms, although there were no changes in the cerebral blood flow.

Traditionel Irish Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 lb/500g mutton or lamb cutlets (bone removed) cut into 2"/5cm chunks
• 2lb/ 1 kg potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
• 1 cup/115g onion, roughly chopped
• 1 cup/ 100g leeks, cleaned and finely sliced
• 1 cup/170g carrots, roughly chopped
• 1½ pints / 750 ml dark beef stock
• 2 or 3 cabbage leaves, thinly sliced (optional)
• Salt and Pepper

Preparation:

Heat the oven to 180C/ 

• In a large frying pan heat half the oil to hot but not smoking. Add half the lamb pieces and brown all over. Remove the lamb and place in a casserole, cover with a half of the potatoes, onions, leeks and carrots.
• Add the remaining oil to the frying pan, heat again then add the remaining lamb and brown all over. Add to the casserole and cover with the remaining vegetables.
• Add the stock, cover with a tight fitting lid, cook in the oven for 1 hour. Add the cabbage (if using) replace the lid and cook for another hour. Check from time to time to make sure the stock isn't reducing too much, if it is add a little boiling water. The meat and vegetables should always be covered by liquid. If the sauce is too runny at the end, cook a little longer with the lid removed. Season with salt and pepper.

Just a dream, now a ruine

 I had a dream, and suddenly there it was. When I toke a closer look it was just a ruine. Wandering what could it have been, and then we saw the fine things behind those old stones. One of the old waterworks over a dry river. Along past and just to prove what mankind could have realised. Now a whitness of and old and rich past.

Lackered seabass with Vietnamese greens

Ingredients

For the glaze:
6 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp agave syrup, we recommend Groovy Food Company agave rich and dark
3 tsp rice vinegar
1½ tsp cornflour
4 fillets ofsea bass, approximately 150g each

 

For the Asian greens:

1 tbsp vegetable oil

2 cm piece offresh ginger
1 garlic clove
250 g mixedgreens, such as bok choy, sprouting broccoli and kale
2 tbsp vegetable stock, or water
sesame oil, for drizzling
soy sauce, for drizzling

1. For the glaze: Mix soy sauce, agave nectar and rice vinegar in a small saucepan. Mix 1½ tablespoons of water with the corn flour in small bowl until smooth and add to soy sauce mixture. Stir mixture over medium heat until the glaze boils and thickens slightly - this should take about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
2. Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Arrange the fish on a small non-stick baking sheet then brush with some of glaze. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until opaque in the centre.
3. For the Asian greens: Meanwhile, heat a little oil in a wok or large frying pan, add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Throw in the thicker stemmed greens and cook for a minute, add the rest of the greens and the stock and put a lid on. Cook for 2 minutes or until tender then take off the lid and add a splash each of sesame oil and soy sauce.
4. When the fish is cooked, bring the remaining glaze to a boil and then spoon over the fish. Serve with the Asian greens.

 

Green papaya salad Vietnamese

Ingredients

1 green papaya, (180 g), peeled

200 g pork belly, finely sliced
5 green mint leaves
5 Asian leaves Asian basil (Thai basil)
5 mint leaves
5 coriander leaves, finely chopped
200 g cooked medium tiger prawns, peeled, de-veined and sliced in half lengthways
1 tbsp. fried red Asian shallots
1 tbsp. crushed roasted peanuts
½ tsp. fried garlic chips
1 red chilli, sliced
 
Dipping fish sauce
3 tbsps. fish sauce
3 tbsp. white wine vinegar
2 tbsps. sugar
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 chilli, finely chopped
2 tbsp. lime juice

 Preparation:

 1. For the dipping fish sauce: combine the fish sauce, vinegar, sugar and 125ml water in a saucepan and stir over medium heat until just before boiling point is reached, then set aside to cool.

2. Stir the garlic, chilli and lime juice into the cooled sauce and set aside until ready to serve.
3. Shred the flesh of the green papaya or chop into very fine matchstick-sized pieces and submerge them in icy water for 4 minutes, then drain. (This will keep them crisp.)
4. In a large bowl combine the drained green papaya, pork belly, chopped green herbs, fried shallots, garlic chips and prawns.
5. Spoon over 3 tablespoons of the dipping fish sauce and mix well. (The remainder of the dipping fish sauce can be kept in the fridge for up to 1 week.)
6. To serve, turn the salad out onto a serving platter and sprinkle over the crushed peanuts and sliced chilli.


Lahsooni Gosht, wonderfull beef or lamb curry

Ingredients
 • Beef or lamb 800 grams
 • Garlic, chopped 20-25 cloves
 • Oil 4 tablespoons
 • Bay leaves 2
 • Green cardamoms 3-4
 • Black cardamom 1
 • Cinnamon 1 inch stick
 • Cloves 6-7

 • Onions, chopped 2 large

 • 2 large lemon stalks crushed
 • Ginger, chopped 1 1/2 inch piece
 • Green chillies, chopped 5-6
 • Coriander powder 1 tablespoon
 • Red chilli powder 1 teaspoon
 • Turmeric powder 1 teaspoon
 • Tomatoes, puréed 2 medium
 • Salt to taste
 • Garam masala powder 1 teaspoon

Preparation

Clean and cut meat into one and half inch pieces on the bone. Heat oil in a thick-bottomed pan. Add bay leaves, green cardamoms, black cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and onions. Sauté till onions turn light brown in colour. Add ginger, lemon stalks, garlic and green chillies. Stir bake this for half a minute. Add lamb pieces and cook on a high heat for five minutes or till lamb is seared and its juices sealed in. Add coriander powder, red chilli powder and turmeric powder. Stir well. Add three cups of water and bring it to a boil. Cook on low heat for about thirty minutes or till lamb pieces are almost done. Add tomato puree, salt and garam masala powder. Cook covered till lamb is tender. Serve hot garnished with garlic flakes

6 Foods in Your Kitchen That Could Kill Your Dog

 

Everyone likes to slip their pooch a tidbit or two of human food every now and again; we're all guilty of loving our pups just a bit too much sometimes! Some foods are so dangerous, though, so they should never be considered as treats

 

Alcoholic Beverages

While not technically a food, alcoholic beverages are common enough and potent enough to deserve a mention. Your dog should never be given or allowed access to any drink containing alcohol. Alcohol causes identical damage in animals that it does in humans. In dogs, though, the effects are greatly magnified because they're so much smaller than the average human. Additionally, the canine body does not metabolize alcohol and the toxin builds up far quicker and with far more dire results. Even minute amounts of alcohol can cause vomiting, seizures and damage to your dog's liver and brain.

Raisins

Raisins may be one of the most toxic human foods a dog can eat. A very small number of raisins can easily kill a dog, and the smaller the dog, the more dire the threat. Merck Veterinary Manual states that .18 ounces of raisins per pound of body weight is a lethal dose. A lunchbox size pack of raisins is 2 ounces, and would be enough to kill a 10 to 12 pound dog. No one is sure what the toxic compound in raisins actually is. While there's been a lot of research conducted, no conclusion has been reached. What is known, though, is that raisins cause very quick kidney failure. Progression typically happens within one to three days, and early symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and seizures. If your dog has been exposed to raisins, take him to the vet immediately.

Macadamia Nuts

It's hard to resist the rich, meaty, delicate flavor of a macadamia nut whether you walk on two legs or four. It's very important, though, to keep your macadamia nuts and anything containing them to yourself. For your dog, ingesting these nuts can cause vomiting, weakness, tremors and hyperthermia. The symptoms usually resolve within 48 hours and typically aren't lethal, but it can be quite unpleasant for your dog. Just to be safe, your dog should be taken to the vet for monitoring if he's helped himself to something containing macadamia nuts.

Caffeine

Caffeine in any form can be quite dangerous for your pup. Just like in humans, it overstimulates the central nervous and circulatory systems. It can overtax the heart and, depending on the amount your dog consumed, can cause death. Tremors, rapid heart beat and unsteadiness are signs of caffeine consumption.

Onions

Onions can cause anemia in your dog when they're ingested over a period of time or in large amounts. While anemia may not sound all that serious, it quickly becomes so when you consider the fact that anemic cells cannot carry oxygen all that well and your highly-active pup may collapse without warning while exercising, walking or simply being. If your dog eats onions, take him to the vet; he'll likely need stabilizing treatment, up to and possibly including a blood transfusion.

Chocolate

While it takes a huge amount of chocolate to be lethal, smaller amounts can make your dog quite sick. Vomiting, diarrhea, panting, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and hyperactivity are signs that your pup has helped themselves to chocolate. Severity of the symptoms varies with the amount of chocolate your dog has eaten. White chocolate is the least dangerous and dark baking chocolate is the most dangerous, due to the amount of toxins they contain.

source ;  Kea Grace, Demand Media

Lemon cheese cake with coconut

150 gr cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 spoon freshly grinded coconut
1 spoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 pie crust

 

 

 

 

Preparation:

1 Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees.

2 Beat cream cheese in bowl with electric mixer on medium, until creamy.
3 Add sugar and beat until well blended.
4 Add sour cream, lemon juice and lemon peel; mix well.
5 Add eggs, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended.
6 Pour batter into pie shell.
7 Bake at 180 degrees for 35- 40 minutes or until centre is almost set.
8 Cool completely on wire rack.

Vietnamese beef stew

Ingredients

2 to 2¼ pounds well-trimmed boneless beef chuck, cut into 1½-inch chunks

2 stalks lemongrass, loose leaves discarded, cut into 3-inch lengths and bruised with the broad side of a cleaver or chef's knife
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 large cloves garlic, minced
2½ to 3 tablespoons peeled and minced fresh ginger
1½ teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder
1½ teaspoons packed light or dark brown sugar
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoons canola or other neutral oil
1 yellow onion or 8 ounces shallot, finely chopped
1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomato in purée (1½ cups)
½ teaspoon salt
2 whole star anise
About 3½ cups water
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh Vietnamese coriander or Thai basil

 

1. In a bowl, combine beef, lemongrass, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, five-spice powder, brown sugar and bay leaf. Mix well to evenly coat. Set aside to marinate 30 minutes.
2. In a heavy-bottomed casserole, heat oil over high heat until hot but not smoking. Working in batches, sear beef on all sides, and  transfer to a plate. Each batch should take about 3 minute’s total. Reserve lemongrass, bay leaf and leftover marinade.
3. Lower heat to medium-low, add onions and cook gently, stirring, until fragrant and soft, 4-5 minutes. Add tomatoes and salt. Cover and cook until mixture is fragrant and has reduced to a rough paste, 12-14 minutes. Check occasionally to make sure tomato is not sticking to bottom of pan. If it is, stir well and splash in some water.
4. When a paste has formed, add beef, reserved marinade ingredients and star anise. Give a big stir, then cook, uncovered, to meld flavours, about 5 minutes. Add water, bring to a boil, then cover and lower heat. Simmer until beef is chewy-tender (close to being done), about 1¼ hours. Press on a piece; it should yield but still feel firm.
5. Add carrots and return to simmer, adjusting heat if needed. Cook, uncovered, until carrots and beef are tender, about 30 minutes. (Everything up to this point can be done up to 2 days in advance, then cooled, covered and refrigerated. Bring to a simmer before continuing.)
6. Remove and discard lemongrass, bay leaf and star anise. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with herbs.

Le poem de l'amour



J’ai trouvé ma douce étoile
Sur le chemin de ma vie
Et le bonheur se dévoile
Chaque seconde avec elle…
La prunelle de ses yeux
Me réchauffe de passion
Quand son regard amoureux
Me transmet tant d’émotions…
...Ses mains sont des papillons
Aussi douces que la soie
Calmant toutes les tensions
Blottie au creux de ses bras…
Et nos coeurs, main dans la main,
Amoureux et passionnés
Avancent sur les chemins
De l’amour illimité.......



Ce poem je ne l'ai pas ecrit, c'est comme les marchand, je vais au magasin, il me presente des idées et je les achetes. Comme de bien entendu il faut le moment exact pour publier. A mon avis ceci est une description de bonne foie et de bon coeur. 

Friday Fish Pie

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 800 g skinless fillets of fish such assalmon, cod, whiting, hake or haddock
• 150 ml white wine
• 1 lemon, juice only
• 125 g butter, diced
• salt and freshly groundblack pepper
• 150 g mushrooms, sliced
• 225 ml double cream
• 1 heaped tbsp Dijon mustard
• 4 tbsp finely chopped mixedherbs
• 1 kg mashed potatoes

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Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4.

2. Place the onion in the bottom of a large saucepan and lay the fish on top in an even layer. Pour in the wine add the lemon juice scatter with 100g of the butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and simmer on a low heat for 15–20 minutes or until the fish is cooked.

3. In the meantime, melt the remaining butter in a small frying pan and sauté the mushrooms on a gentle heat for 5–6 minutes or until softened. Season well with salt and pepper.

4. Once cooked and using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the fish from the saucepan (leaving the onions and cooking liquid in the pan) to a 22cm square ovenproof dish.

5. Add the cream to the onions and cooking liquid in the pan and continue to simmer, with the lid off, for 10–15 minutes or until the sauce is reduced and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir in the mustard, herbs and sautéed mushrooms and check the seasoning.

5. Pour the sauce over the fish in the dish and spoon over the mashed potato, spreading with the back of a spoon or fork. Alternatively, pipe the mash over the fish with a piping bag and nozzle for a more professional-looking finish. The fish pie can be prepared to this stage, left to cool and then placed in the fridge overnight until ready to bake.

6 Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes or until bubbling and golden on top. If cooking from chilled then bake for about 40 minutes instead. Serve immediately.

Lettre de Philippe Bouvard a François d'Hollande

J'ai toujours adoré Monsieur Bouvard, la reussite, ces oeuvres et son etern elle sourire. Grace a son endurance il est devenu un grand monsieur, jamais pris par la politique mais avec une plume qui ne connais pas son egalle. Donc je n'ais pas pu resister a publier cette lettre.

 

Je ne suis pas un héritier. Je n’ai jamais disposé d’un franc, puis d’un euro que je n’aie gagné à la salive de ma langue ou à l’encre de mon stylo. Je profite d’une aisance qu’il ne m’est possible de sauvegarder qu’en continuant à travailler – à 82 ans – dix heures par jour et 365 jours par an.

 J’ai élevé de mon mieux mes enfants. J’aide mes petits-enfants à poursuivre les études qui n’ont pas été à ma portée. J’ai toujours payé mes impôts sans un seul jour de retard et sans un mot de remerciement. J’ai financé des porte-avions que l’on ne m’a pas admis à visiter, des bâtiments officiels à l’inauguration desquels on a omis de me convier. Et ne voilà-t-il pas qu’un énarque, entretenu depuis sa majorité par les contribuables voudrait me faire honte de ce que je gagne avant

LETTRE DE PHILIPPE BOUVARD À FRANÇOIS HOLLANDE
Je ne suis pas un héritier. Je n’ai jamais disposé d’un franc, puis d’un euro que je n’aie gagné à la salive de ma langue ou à l’encre de mon stylo. Je profite d’une aisance qu’il ne m’est possible de sauvegarder qu’en continuant à travailler – à 82 ans – dix heures par jour et 365 jours par an.
J’ai élevé de mon mieux mes enfants. J’aide mes petits...-enfants à poursuivre les études qui n’ont pas été à ma portée. J’ai toujours payé mes impôts sans un seul jour de retard et sans un mot de remerciement. J’ai financé des porte-avions que l’on ne m’a pas admis à visiter, des bâtiments officiels à l’inauguration desquels on a omis de me convier. Et ne voilà-t-il pas qu’un énarque, entretenu depuis sa majorité par les contribuables voudrait me faire honte de ce que je gagne avant de me déposséder de ce qui a échappé à la triple érosion du fisc, de l’inflation et des emplettes inutiles ! Je suis un créateur et un mainteneur d’emplois. Je fais vivre des proches dont certains m’accompagnent depuis plus de trente ans et que le candidat socialiste (puisque c’est de lui qu’il s’agit) projette implicitement de diriger vers les Assedic. Or, en quoi ai-je démérité ? Ai-je volé quelque chose à quelqu’un ? N’ai-je pas donné au fur et à mesure que je recevais, persuadé que la dépense constituait le plus efficace acte social ? J’ai perçu quelques heures supplémentaires, mais aucune subvention. Je n’ai touché d’autre argent public que la maigre solde d’un sous-officier durant mes quinze mois de service militaire. Je n’ai jamais bamboché aux frais d’une république qui examine à la loupe les additions de restaurants de ses dignitaires mais qui continue à régler. Je n’ai jamais fréquenté de paradis fiscaux. On chercherait en vain la plus petite niche chez moi depuis que j’ai cessé d’avoir des chiens ! Une seule fois, je me suis délocalisé dans le cadre de la loi Pons à la coûteuse faveur d’un investissement hôtelier dans les DOM-TOM qui m’a fait perdre 100% de ma mise. A la distribution des bonus, des stocks options et des dividendes, j’ai toujours été oublié. Mon casier judiciaire est vierge. Mon courage est intact. Je ne suis pas un damné de la terre. Mais je ne suis pas non plus un profiteur ou un esclavagiste. Je ne suis protégé de personne, sauf du public auquel je dois la longueur de mon parcours. J’ai mes opinions mais je n’ai jamais adhéré qu’au parti des amoureux de la France. J’ai versé à la collectivité davantage que je n’en ai reçue : pas un jour de chômage et une seule nuit d’hospitalisation en six décennies. Je me situe sans honte mais sans fierté excessive dans cette classe moyenne qu’on souhaite faire disparaître en nivelant notre société par le bas.
Je refuse autant d’être culpabilisé par un politicien (qui voudrait que l’on prenne son inexpérience pour de la normalité) que la France accorde sa confiance à un homme que l’Europe prive de la sienne et qui, bien
qu’ambitionnant de devenir le gardien de la constitution ne paraît pas s’être préoccupé de la constitutionnalité de ses propositions.
Quant à moi, j’aurais nourri mes enfants, bâti des maisons, planté des arbres. Mission accomplie. Et vous MR HOLLANDE qu’avez-vous fait ? Sinon d’augmenter les impôts d’une classe moyenne pour favoriser les fainéants et les assistés de notre pays.
Philippe Bouvardde me déposséder de ce qui a échappé à la triple érosion du fisc, de l’inflation et des emplettes inutiles ! Je suis un créateur et un mainteneur d’emplois. Je fais vivre des proches dont certains m’accompagnent depuis plus de trente ans et que le candidat socialiste (puisque c’est de lui qu’il s’agit) projette implicitement de diriger vers les Assedic. Or, en quoi ai-je démérité ? Ai-je volé quelque chose à quelqu’un ? N’ai-je pas donné au fur et à mesure que je recevais, persuadé que la dépense constituait le plus efficace acte social ? J’ai perçu quelques heures supplémentaires, mais aucune subvention. Je n’ai touché d’autre argent public que la maigre solde d’un sous-officier durant mes quinze mois de service militaire. Je n’ai jamais bamboché aux frais d’une république qui examine à la loupe les additions de restaurants de ses dignitaires mais qui continue à régler. Je n’ai jamais fréquenté de paradis fiscaux. On chercherait en vain la plus petite niche chez moi depuis que j’ai cessé d’avoir des chiens ! Une seule fois, je me suis délocalisé dans le cadre de la loi Pons à la coûteuse faveur d’un investissement hôtelier dans les DOM-TOM qui m’a fait perdre 100% de ma mise. A la distribution des bonus, des stocks options et des dividendes, j’ai toujours été oublié. Mon casier judiciaire est vierge. Mon courage est intact. Je ne suis pas un damné de la terre. Mais je ne suis pas non plus un profiteur ou un esclavagiste. Je ne suis protégé de personne, sauf du public auquel je dois la longueur de mon parcours. J’ai mes opinions mais je n’ai jamais adhéré qu’au parti des amoureux de la France. J’ai versé à la collectivité davantage que je n’en ai reçue : pas un jour de chômage et une seule nuit d’hospitalisation en six décennies. Je me situe sans honte mais sans fierté excessive dans cette classe moyenne qu’on souhaite faire disparaître en nivelant notre société par le bas.

 Je refuse autant d’être culpabilisé par un politicien (qui voudrait que l’on prenne son inexpérience pour de la normalité) que la France accorde sa confiance à un homme que l’Europe prive de la sienne et qui, bien

 qu’ambitionnant de devenir le gardien de la constitution ne paraît pas s’être préoccupé de la constitutionnalité de ses propositions.

 

 Quant à moi, j’aurais nourri mes enfants, bâti des maisons, planté des arbres. Mission accomplie. Et vous MR HOLLANDE qu’avez-vous fait ? Sinon d’augmenter les impôts d’une classe moyenne pour favoriser les fainéants et les assistés de notre pays.

 Philippe Bouvard

New Year's eve at Laugnac, Le Relais

In the year 2012, living at our home under the olive tree we decides to go into the wild and bring a visit to our dearest friends in the Lot et Garonne, Le Relais de Laugnac. A warm and cosy restaurant, just next to the mairie. In front a couple of nice chestnuts trees.  We started the evening with a nice child bottle of champagne served with canapes with chicken Guadeloupe, a tarama with fly bird chillies, what the French call a Prelude gourmand. People started to arrive, most of the locals they know us from previous visits. And the obligatory English expat, a poor example of the ancient British Empire.

Menu :

Veloute du potager au foie gras

Tarte tatin d’echalottes aux delices du sud-Ouest

Cotelettes Sandre sur son lit de feves

Trou Laugnacais with a wink to the coconut tree

Civet et cotelet de sanglier avec ses accompagnements

Croustillon de fromage avec son pain fumé

Delice de Citron

 

 

Tarte Tatin a l'echalotte

 

Cottelette de Sandre sur un lit de feves

 

Civet et cotelet de sanglier avec ses accompagnements

 

Delice de Citron

 

 

The owners, Bernadette and Christian, together with their chef the Famous JR, did there outmost to enjoy every taste.  A nice mix out of French, Guadoloupian cuisine.  With bubbles and a good laughter,Dj Lolo,  always the heat of the night, brought us his version about different songs and music. A very nice and funny clown to animate the evening. We managed to fraternise with the French, in a very intimate way, for the pleasure of all man kind. A wonderfull evening, with very dear and good friends.