Monday, March 31, 2014

National Tater Day, In the News, and Enjoy

- Today is National Tater Day!

National Tater Day was actually named to honor the Kentuckian farmers who celebrated the end of winter by trading sweet potato snippets to plant. Today, people celebrate both the sweet potato and the regular white potato on Tater Day.

There is actually very little similarity between the sweet potato and the white potato.

The Sweet Potato and the White Potato:

  • The white potato has more calories, vitamins, fiber, and calcium. White potatoes have more iron.
  • Sweet potatoes are a much better potato choice for diabetics as white potatoes cause blood sugars to rise 30% more than sweet potatoes.
  • Sweet potatoes have more potassium than bananas.
  • Most of the fiber from both potatoes is in the skin.
  • One may substitute sweet potatoes in any of your potato dishes.



    In the News - They walk among us!

  • Judge Wants Back on Bench After Insanity Ruling
  • Stray Dog Problem Has Dallas Residents Afraid to Go for Walks
  • Authorities Look for Millionaire Couple Receiving Food Stamps
  • Con Men Stopped Entering Vatican Bank with 3 Trillion of Fake Bonds
  • Mob Hitman Turns Las Vegas Tour Guide

    Enjoy - Relax and enjoy these images and videos!








  • Friday, March 28, 2014

    Something on a Stick Day, In the News, and Enjoy

    Something on a Stick Day - Today is Something on a Stick Day!

    Something on a Stick Day celebrates things on a stick.

    So what comes on a stick? Practically anything. The first thing that comes to mind is popsicles and fudgecicles. Hotdogs on sticks are popular at campfires. There are also corndogs, shrimp, and many chinese treats. Cocktail wieners and cheese are picked and eaten on a stick (a toothpick).

    You can also get just about anything on a stick when receiving food samples at a store or festival.

    Celebrate this fun day by serving food for meals and snacks on a stick.

    In the News - They walk among us!

  • Facebook Plans Internet by Drones
  • Large Bel Air Estate Lists for $65 Million
  • Teen Suspended for Confederate Flag on Truck
  • STUDY: 1 in 4 Car Crashes Involve Cellphone Use
  • New Scientific Evidence Reveals Shocking Extent of Electropollution Damage

    Enjoy - Relax and enjoy these images and videos!









  • Thursday, March 27, 2014

    National Spanish Paella Day, In the News, and Enjoy

    National Spanish Paella Day - Today is National Spanish Paella Day!

    The roots of paella reach back to Valencia. The original Valencian dish was a mixture of meat, snails, beans, and green vegetables. There two basic variations on the original: Seafood paella, as the name suggests, eliminates the meat in favour of all seafood. Mixed paellas are more akin to the original but usually include chicken (instead of the traditional rabbit) and shellfish (instead of snails).

    The most distinctive characteristic of any paella is the bright yellow rice that comes from the saffron (azafrán)—an ingredient in any paella.

    At its core, paella is a meal that makes use of what is at hand—local, fresh and available.

    Once one has established the mixture of meat and fish one wishes to use in the paella, the only challenge is timing it right to make sure the rice is cooked and the shellfish are still tender and sweet.

    Paella (serves 6)

  • 1.5 cups Arborio or other short grain rice
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, diced
  • zest of one lemon
  • 1/4 pound chorizo, sliced in 1/4' rounds
  • 6 chicken thighs, skin on
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp crushed saffron
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
  • 2 red peppers, thick julienne
  • 1 pound prawns
  • 1 pound mussels
  • 1 pound clams
  • juice of one lemon
  • parsley, chopped

    1 -In a large sautée pan with tight-fitting lid or paella pan, cook chorizo on medium heat until browned on both sides and fat has rendered off. Remove from pot and set aside.
    2 - Add chicken to the pan. Cook until deep brown color on both sides. Remove from pan and set aside.
    3 - Add onions and sautée until translucent.
    4 - Add garlic, paprika and lemon zest and cook for another minute.
    5 - Add rice. Stir to coat rice with oil and toast for about 2 minutes.
    6 - Add white wine to deglaze pan, scraping off brown bits from the bottom.
    7 - When wine has almost been absorbed add 3 ½ cups stock and saffron. Let stock come to boil and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 3 minutes.
    8 - Bury chicken and chorizo in the rice/stock mixture. Cover and cook for 12 minutes.
    9 - Add peas, peppers and prawns. Cover and cook for another 2 minutes.
    10 - Add clams, mussels and remaining ½ cup of stock. Cover and cook for 3 minutes.
    11 - Remove lid. If shellfish haven’t opened, replace lid and let cook for another minute.
    12 - Squeeze lemon over paella and sprinkle with parsley.
    13 - Enjoy.

    In the News - They walk among us!

  • Guinea Bans Bat Eating to Curb Ebola Spread, Warns on Rats
  • Postal Service Employees Use Travel Cards to Gamble, Pay Bills and Go Bowling
  • VIDEO: Lazy USPS Driver Throws Heavy Box with Hard Drive Against Garage Door
  • U.S. to Require Casinos to Vet High Rollers' Funds
  • App Tells You When to Go to the Bathroom During a Movie

    Enjoy - Relax and enjoy these images and videos!







  • Wednesday, March 26, 2014

    National Spinach Day, In the News, and Enjoy

    National Spinach Day -Today is National Spinach Day!

    The Spinach plant is native to Asia. Food historians believe that Spinach was first domesticated in Nepal during the first century. From Nepal it was taken to China. Between the 11th and 16th centuries, spinach grew in popularity around Europe.

    Today, the United States is the second largest producer of Spinach (China is first). The states that grow the most spinach are California, Arizona, and New Jersey. The U.S. exports most of its Spinach to Canada.

    Spinach is one of the best iron sources. One serving of spinach has 6.43 mg of iron—over 2 mg more than one serving of beef. Spinach is also a great source of calcium and folic acid. Spinach has anti-inflammatory properties and have been linked to the prevention of many cancers. Spinach—along with other dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli and kale—are some of the most healthful foods.

    When buying spinach, buy only those with dark green leaves that show no signs of yellowing, limpness, or wilting. Also, do not pick spinach that has a slimy film on them as this is a sign that the spinach is decaying.

    In the News - They walk among us!

  • Secret Service Agents on Obama Detail Sent Home from Netherlands After Night of Drinking
  • Goat, Chickens, Pigeons Found with Throats Slashed in Rock Creek Park
  • Scientists Warn of Risks from Growth Hormone
  • Ocean City To Post "No Profanity" Signs
  • Man Assaults Girlfriend with Anger Management Book

    Enjoy - Relax and enjoy these images and videos!