Sunday, October 30, 2011

Banana Cupcakes



I had some very mushy bananas and what better idea than to make banana cupcakes on a glorious Sunday? This recipe makes 12 muffins.


Ingredients
225g unsalted butter, softened
225g caster sugar
225g self-raising flour sifted
4 eggs
1/4 tsp nutmeg
225g mashed bananas
100g chocolate chips

Icing
200g cream cheese / mascarpone
175g icing sugar
1tsp vanilla essence
edible glitter, and decorations

How to:
1. Pre-heat an oven to 180C. Place baking cases in muffin tins.
2. Beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar , flour, eggs and nutmeg and beat until smooth.
3. Add the mashed bananas and chocolate chips.
4. Spoon the batter in the cases and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the muffins when cooked and allow to cool down.
5. To make the icing, slowly beat the cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla essence together.
6. Swil or pipe the icing onto the cooled muffins and decorate with edible glitter and decorations.
7. EAT!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

The Meat Issue

I just read an article that got me thinking about what we eat. There is a huge debate / flame war going on out there and it's time I add my two cents worth regarding


OMNIVORES vs. VEGETARIANS vs. VEGANS


So lets get facts straight.


Omnivores eat everything. Veggies, starches, meat, fish and other animal products. I'm one of them. I thoroughly enjoy animal products.


Vegetarians fall in many categories. You have have the ones that will dairy products only , those that will eat fish only, those that will eat dairy and fish only.


And the Vegans, who will not eat ANY animal based product, or wear products made from animals (wool, leather, silk).


Then you have those on paleodo-diets who only eat veggies and meat. No grains. Apparently that's what our ancestors ate. I disagree. We certainly ate grains but only when in season, and veggies only in season and meat when we could catch it. The cave man did not have the best diet. Having done an Atkins diet (low carb high protein) once that viciously rebounded on me and messed up my entire metabolism, I can tell you Paleo is not the way to go.


So the whole debate people are having is that it's cruelty to animals to eat animals, bad for natural resources to do animal husbandry, bad for natural resources to destroy large tracts of land for mono-culture crops, that we have evolved to eat both vegetables and meat, that our digestive system is not geared to eat plant matter only etc. The list is endless.


So where do I, as an omnivore stand in all this? I do believe we are meant to eat animal protein. Our digestive system is not designed for pure vegetable diets. We haven't evolved that way. We digest meat-based iron better than plant based iron. And no, spinach is not very rich in iron. There are others plants that fare much better.


I'm not saying vegetarian diets are bad per say. Unfortunately many vegetarians don't quite consider what nutrients they need in order to be healthy and they get deficiencies and that's where the whole vegetarianism / veganism is bad for you argument comes from. I've known obese vegetarians because they predominantly ate starch. I've met on the verge of starvation vegetarians too. Not good. If you buy the correct books that tell you what plants have the right nutrients for you and how to balance your food, then you'll be a healthy vegetarian / vegan.


It's all about doing your research properly.


I think modern society consumes far too much meat. Fish is healthier, but you then have the dilemma of depleting the oceans resources and destroying marine ecosystems from poor fishing methods. Buy only from sustainable fishing practices. SASSI has a great booklet that will help you determine which fish you should buy.


The Meat-Free Monday is a good idea. But I recommend you extend it to every second day meat-free. There are many options to get protein: beans, chickpeas, soya (though soya monocultures are the reason for the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, so I say stay away from soya) and Quinoa.


It's all about balance. A bit of protein (the size of your palm), lots of veggies and fruit (the more colourful the better) and some starch. If you have a balanced diet you will not suffer from cholesterol, overweightness, heart disease...


Nuff said!


PS: Dear Vegans, let your babies have mother's milk. They need it more than your morals / ideals. Let them get mommy's antibodies, let them grow strong and healthy. Only when they are onto solids should you decide to go vegan on them. Don't forget the importance of omegas for their brain development too. Before you even think of bringing them up on vegan diet from day one go to your dietician and follow their advice. Seriously. It's for your baby's own good!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

WARNING: May contain garlic

Yesterday I decided to harvest some of my home grown herbs and make my very own basil pesto. It was a huge success. I believe that had any vampires decided to have a go at me they would have disintegrated into sparkly dust.




Ingredients


Approx 50g basil (or rocket or both)


Crushed garlic (the quantity will depend if you are vampire hunting or having to go to work the next day)


Grated Parmesan (again, quantities at your discretion)


Pine nuts (or walnuts or pecan nuts)


Olive oil




Food blender is a must, be it a handheld one, or a snazzy one. Otherwise you can use a mortar and pestle and be at it for years. Your choice really.




Method


Whizz up the greens. Add the garlic, Parmesan and nuts. Whizz whizz whizz until you have a paste. Slowly add olive oil until you have the consistency you want.




That's it




Make pasta. Add pesto. Eat! OM NOM! NOM!




HEY PESTO!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

THE QUEEN HAS SENT AN EMAIL

Email from the Queen - An important announcement regarding the USA




To the citizens of the United States of America from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

In light of your immediate failure to financially manage yourselves and also in recent years your tendency to elect incompetent Presidents of the USA and therefore not able to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately. (You should look up 'revocation' in the Oxford English Dictionary.)



Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas, which she does not fancy).Your new Prime Minister, David Cameron, will appoint a Governor for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated sometime next year to determine whether any of you noticed.


To aid in the transition to a British Crown dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:



  1. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'colour,' 'favour,' 'labour' and 'neighbour.' Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters, and the suffix '-ize' will be replaced by the suffix '-ise.' Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. (look up 'vocabulary').


  2. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as ''like' and 'you know' is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. There is no such thing as U.S. English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take into account the reinstated letter 'u'' and the elimination of '-ize.'


  3. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.


  4. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can't sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist, then you're not ready to shoot grouse.


  5. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although a permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.


  6. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.


  7. The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) of roughly $10/US gallon. Get used to it.


  8. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.


  9. The cold, tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. New Zealand beer is also acceptable, as New Zealand is pound for pound the greatest sporting nation on earth and it can only be due to the beer. They are also part of the British Commonwealth - see what it did for them. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.


  10. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie Macdowell attempt English dialogue in Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one's ears removed with a cheese grater.


  11. You will cease playing American football. There are only two kinds of proper football; one you call soccer, and rugby (dominated by the New Zealanders). Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies).


  12. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of America. Since only 2.1% of you are aware there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable. You will learn cricket, and we will let you face the Australians (World dominators) first to take the sting out of their deliveries.


  13. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.


  14. An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).


  15. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 p.m. with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; plus strawberries (with cream) when in season.

God Save the Queen!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

GROSS!

This is what Jodie Marsh now looks like.




Is that a human being? Is it a coconut stuffed handbag? What happened to that gorgous buxom feminine body of hers? And what is with that spray tan colour? Goose shit green?


And please, someone explain to me how, in any universe a body builder could in any shape way or form look appealing. Toned bodies are nice, but oily, shit-coloured coconut stuffed handbags / matresses? Really?


What's your verdict?

HOT or VROT








Catholic Idiocy...Again

And am I surprised? No.

An article from the local online news: Belgian arch: No divorcee teachers
Brussels - Belgium's outspoken Roman Catholic Church leader, Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard, stirred the beginnings of a fresh controversy on Wednesday after recommending divorcees not be allowed to teach children.

So that would mean that there would be much fewer teachers around (as if we needed less), considering the high rate of divorce worldwide. How does being divorced affect the ability to teach children? Please explain that to me. The Catholic Church is only to happy to forgive paedophile priests but not divorce? I thinketh me that they have lost the plot. And are still stuck in the 15th Century.


My lovely neighbour is a teacher. Yes she's divorced (her husband was a dick). She's religious. She's an utter darling. Telling her to not teach because she's divorced would be just plain stupid. The Catholic church really needs to learn to think.


Oh, wait. Ratzinger was elected Pope. I guess you can't teach old crusty farts to actually thing and be progressive. If the other monotheistic faiths can move with the times, why can't the Catholic church?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

What men really want

My great (and lecherous) friend Taltos sent me a great article on what men really want. It's quite an eye-opener and things start making sense when reading it. Here are some direct quotes. But I recommend you read it (whether you are man or woman).




Men hide their emotions from themselves and us.



Women assume that when men hide their issues, they have a secret plan. They don’t.



Meanwhile, what is it men really want? To be loved without expectation. To mess up without being judged. To feel emotions at their own pace. And to be allowed the simple privilege of honest talk.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Ma Shrooms are growing

They are growing extremely fast. Look at them. As big as my hand. And so many of them!




I e-mailed the kit suppliers to find out what they are supposed to look like when they are ready for harvesting. I've been told that they should be ready by tomorrow! I am sooooo exited :-) NOMNOMNOM!


"Bon Apetit!"






































Sunday, October 9, 2011

Epiphany

I posted a status earlier today, at night. So many of my friends responded and I suddenly had an epiphany on how I tend to approach relationships.

I recently met a really nice guy via DatingBuzz. We chatted online for a while, decided to meet and spent an awesome Sunday together last week. We then decided to meet up again this weekend. He came over to my place, had lovely lunch, watched tons of DVDs, series etc. And nothing happened! I thought to myself "Am I misreading the signals, do I think he's interested in me but isn't, isn't he supposed to make the first move, why hasn't he..." If you know me well enough you know ten million scenarios always go through my mind. So the doubt settled in.

This morning I read my friends' comments on my status, and I realised something: I ALWAYS rush into relationships. I don't let them slowly mature from friendships into relationships. It's instant gratification. And the result: two long-term relationships who's endings hurt, and a string of short term relationships / flings that hurt me even more.

My shrink and I have spoken quite a bit about instant gratification. I reach for the sweet comforting food because it makes me feel safe and good. I rush into relationships (today's epiphany). Like Jean Anouilh's Antigone
"I want everything of life, I do; and I want it total, complete: otherwise I reject it! I will not be moderate. I will not be satisfied with the bit of cake offered for being a good little girl. I want to be sure of everything this very day; sure that everything will be as beautiful as when I was a little girl."
And I want it now. This very minute.

But I am at a stage in my life where I need to learn that gratification need not come immediately, that there is the delayed gratification. The gratification of "I haven't felt the need to eat the desert and as a result I've lost weight", of "I haven't rushed into a relationship and it's worked out for the best" (maybe friendship, maybe relationship).

Go slow. Isn't that a new lifetyle trend anyway? Go slow, get to know the guy better (as LeBiscuit recommended). You never know where it will lead. Agrippina actually said "Maybe he's a gentleman". I like that thought. I've always wanted to date a gentlemanly guy. And Taltos, it wasn't your long-distance vibes vibes that interfered. I was me expecting too much too soon.

So thank you all for making me realise this about myself. You rock! And I love you all very dearly! *MWAH*

Now let me post this before I get all emotional and teary.

PS: Next time round I'll be going to his place and he's making me dinner. That's promising. AND I WILL TAKE IT SLOWLY! No need to rush.

Darn it all to heck!

Hmm... I think that if after a very long second "date" the guy hasn't made a move it's probably only destined for friendship. Damn! He's a really nice guy to boot. So where the fuck will I meet the right guy who'll be as interested in me as I'll be in him? Or have I lost my mojo?

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Band of the Week

I'm always having fun putting unknown bands (to me) on my ipod. This week I discovered a band I totally like: HURTS.


Do yourselves a favour and go listen to them. They've been around a while it seems, but never heard their songs. They're classified pop-alternative-rock. If you feel like listening to some soft-cock-rock meets Depeche Mode, meets highly orchestrated melodies this is the band for you. The lead singer has a gorgeous voice. The lyrics are stunning. I'm hitting the repeat button. A lot.



from the album Happiness (2010)


There are times when we question the things we know.
We never thought that the cracks would begin to show.
We both know love is not that easy,
I wish I'd known that it would be this hard
To be alone. Please, come home!

The loverless nights, they seem so long,
I know that I'll hold you someday.
But until you come back where you belong,
It's just another lonely Sunday.

Is this the end of the love that has just begun?
I always hope that the best, it was yet to come.
So please come back, don't you leave me
We're both so young, I know you need me too.
And there'll always be, times like these.

The loverless nights, they seem so long,
I know that I'll hold you someday.
But until you come back where you belong,
It's just another lonely Sunday.
Maybe we'll see that we were wrong,
If ever we look back one day
But till you come back where you belong
It's just another lonely Sunday.

Lonely. Lonely.
If you don't come back tomorrow,
I'll be left here in the cold,
If you don't come back tomorrow,
I'll go.

The loverless nights, they seem so long,
I know that I'll hold you someday.
But until you come back where you belong,
It's just another lonely Sunday.
Maybe we'll see that we were wrong,
If ever we look back one day
But till you come back where you belong
It's just another lonely Sunday.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

I have baby oyster mushrooms!




Still babies, but there nevertheless! I'm a proud mommy and I can't wait to harvest them. They look a bit obscene, but soon they will be yummi goodness in my plate.

The light at the end of the tunnel

It has been nearly a month since I've weaned myself off the anti-depressants and I haven't felt this good in a long, long time. I have been monitoring myself very carefully. The last thing I want is to head down that hellhole again. And bar one hiccup, my mood has been 8/10 most days.


Going to the shrink has also taught me a lot about myself. Things that I would not normally have picked up on and when made aware of it, suddenly make sense. It's quite an awakening.


Many factors have played a part, the most important one being the new job. Chinabean told me the other day "They do say that change is as good as a holiday - I'd say the proof is in watching you right now!!!" It's a great affirmation when friends notice the change. The work load is quite hectic, but I am learning so many new things. I'm finally coming into my own. A great reward when colleagues compliment you on work well done and clients request further work from you. And I got to see my very first mining blast. It was HUGE and totally awesome! I'm still on a high from it.


One of the fun things about being off the drugs is not only the happy factor, but that my libido has returned. I had forgotten it was this high. I do feel it needs to be held at bay with a cattle prod lest it try and take me over, but it's good to have the old friend back. Thank goodness for the Rabbit and Duracell batteries.


Life is good. May it continue!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Another gold star for yours truly

Another kg down! Booya! Without even making an effort. Being happy in the work place is doing me a world of good. Happy dance!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Get Thee To Balkanology

The term is EPIC!


Balkanology presents: Boom Pam Live from Israel, A Fiddle East party.

Joburg, Carfax, 15th October 2011
Doors: 9pm
Tickets: R120 door and online: www.webtickets.co.za

DJs:
Toby2shoes
Maoriginal

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=254063854629784

We are absolutely ecstatic to present BOOM PAM! A Mediterranean Balkan Surf Rock Tuba driven power trio seasoned with dueling guitares and alcohol soaked wedding party ecstasy, all the way from Israel.

≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠
Tel Aviv based band Boom Pam was formed in 2003, plays a mixture of Mediterranean, rock and surf music in a format of a unique power trio consisted of Electric Guitar, Tuba and Drums. Boom Pam have been playing in Clubs, Bars, Live Venues and Music Festivals.
Their live act was an immediate success in all forms and scale raging from a tied Concert Halls to wild alcohol soaked parties. Playing in Tel-Aviv and all around Israel, the show took place in venues of all sizes, from private houses to the Philharmonic.
Highlights were warming up for both the reunion show of legendary band "Minimal Compact" and Emir Kusturitza's "Non Smoking Orchestra" and showcasing at WOMEX 2006 (the World Music Expo) which all launched they're worldwide touring career.
Boom Pam's debut album was recorded in Frankfurt for the German label "Essay Recordings". The band co-produced the album with DJ Shantel. This LP was released during the Spring of 2006 and is being distributed throughout the World. The album went straight into the top ten list of the European World Music Charts.
Second album "Puerto Rican Nights" was released on 2008 by "Essay Recordings" as well.
Back in Israel, the band kept being involved in numerous artistic collaborations. Amongst others: Working with the "Bat-Sheva" Dance Ensemble, releasing several Israeli hit singles, recording music for films and collaborating with the New York based band, the Balkan Beat Box. Recently played a concert with the Israeli philharmonic orchestra.
Their debut show in North America was at the globalFEST 2007, held in NYC. Afterwards they have toured throughout the USA and Canada, opening for the legendary VENTURES in California, playing in the Winnipeg folk festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival.
In mid 2010 Boom pam released their 3rd album at Tel Aviv based label "Audio Montage", followed by appearance at SXSW and three European tours.
Boom Pam have been playing together for 8 years and have been touring extensively around the globe (Europe, U.S.A., Canada, Mexico and South Africa), continues to blend magic Surf Guitars kicked by Tuba and heavy Drums on an ecstatic Mediterranean spicy trip.

The Bliss Bubble

I'm in a bliss bubble. It rocks! I recommend it. The receipe:



  1. Be in a job you enjoy with awesome colleagues.


  2. Visit dear friends you haven't seen in a long time.




  3. Go on a date with a guy who does actually look like his photo (hot) and with whom you end up spending 8 hours just chatting and having a great time with. More please?!

And even though I woke up at 3 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep, got stuck for 45 minutes on Jan Smuts because the robots were out at Hyde Park and there were no pointsmen on duty and I could put my head on my desk and have a good snooze, I am happy.


So I need to share the Love. Or is that Lesbians?


Wallace Wells: If you want something bad, you have to fight for it. Step up your game, Scott. Break out the L-word.


Scott Pilgrim: Lesbian?


Wallace Wells: The other L-word.


Scott Pilgrim: ... Lesbians?