Just as it always is, it was an invigorating pleasure reading Dr. Seuss’s Bartholomew and the Oobleck on Monday with Hastings third graders in Tom Salvemini’s class joined with students from Julia Horowitz’s class. The best thing about it is seeing and hearing how uniquely engaged the students are year to year. Read more »
Woke this morning to UGH! bad cycling weather news online. But then while making coffee, I saw this out my kitchen window – sun and a patch of clear sky.
Maybe I could get out for a “Star Wars on the bike” ride – a ride with flakes flying by my face like stars flying by Luke’s X-wing fighter. Read more »
December 9th, 2013 
Blog, Cycling, Fitness/Health 
Comments Off on Short Notice Cycling Rocket Fuel: Nut Butter and Trail Mix Toast
With the weather turning on a dime the way it has lately as fall blends into winter, I’ve been hawking the forecast both online and out my window quite a bit lately to pick just the right time to rip out on the bike. Inevitably, I’ll find that window opens just after whatever I’ve had for breakfast or lunch has already spent all its energy inside me. Yah, I sure know a good deal of that energy loss could be due to some of the “caged Bruce” pacing I do between work tasks. Read more »
December 5th, 2013 Blog, Cycling Comments Off on New Hi-Vis Crosswalk Signs: Thank You Westborough DPW! 
Thanks very much Westborough DPW (Dept. of Public Works) for installing new high visibility crosswalk signs at high traffic pedestrian crossings in town.
This whole – and not very expensive – effort started this time last year with a couple people in the second story office of the Brain Injury Read more »
December 4th, 2013 Bar Drinks, Blog, Seasonal/Holiday Recipes Comments Off on Crisp and Seasonally Flavorful Fall (Whiskey) Sour – All in Pictures
This past weekend I got some requests for the crisp and fully flavorful “fall sour” seasonal variation on the traditional whiskey sour shown in the picture with the turkey dinner below left. The picture below right shows the ingredients. Click any picture on this page for a complete step-by-step picture book recipe.
Rule of Thumb: For every 1 1/2 ounces of lemon juice, add 1 teaspoon sugar, 1-2 teaspoons almond (orgeat) syrup, 3-4 ounces bourbon, and 2 ounces apple cider.
December 2nd, 2013 Blog, Chicken & Turkey Comments Off on Leftover Turkey? Turkey Nachos: Real Easy, All in Pictures 
Have leftover turkey and want something fast, flavorful and family pleasing? Easy! Make turkey nachos: Just your favorite corn (or any) chips, leftover turkey, canned beans (optional) and melted cheese topped with your choice or a combination of sliced avocado, chopped tomato, chopped onion, sour cream or plain yogurt and/or salsa. Read more »
November 29th, 2013 Blog, Chicken & Turkey, Seasonal/Holiday Recipes, Thanksgiving Dinner Comments Off on How to Remove and Store the Meat from a Turkey
First, I hope you had a fun and relaxing Thanksgiving. Yah, I know for some of you that line’ll lay a good wry smile on your face. I had a good time stretched out on my toes in the traditional Thanksgiving family picture – and just managed stand with the tallest in the group. You bet, I’m smiling! Read more »
November 28th, 2013 Blog, Chicken & Turkey, Seasonal/Holiday Recipes, Thanksgiving Dinner Comments Off on Stress-Free Roast Turkey Here’s how the 15 1/2 pound turkey I roasted last night (Thanksgiving Eve) turned out after 2 1/2 hours of high heat roasting. After misreading a recipe and making adjustments years ago, using high oven heat (450°F/230°C) at 10 minutes per pound is my favorite stress-free method for ensuring a moist and tender turkey. Read more »
November 27th, 2013 Blog, Chicken & Turkey, Seasonal/Holiday Recipes, Thanksgiving Dinner Comments Off on Quickly Thawing a Frozen Turkey in Water 
It’s the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Stores will be closed tomorrow. Hopefully, you’ve already bought a turkey if you plan to have turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
If you bought a frozen turkey, here’s the quickest safe way to thaw it. Plan on 30 minutes thawing time per pound – about 6 hours total thawing time for a 12 pound turkey, 7 1/2 hours for a 15 pound turkey. Read more »
November 26th, 2013 Blog, Dessert, Seasonal/Holiday Recipes, Thanksgiving Dinner Comments Off on Pie Crust: Rolled vs. Pressed 
I’m fairly new to making pies but have already learned a lot regarding flavor and efficiency. Most importantly, I’ve learned NEVER to make a pie crust that’s just a bland container for a flavorful filling. No way! Here’s a picture of a crust I made recently loaded ground almond, chocolate multigrain cereal, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, shredded coconut and much more. I’ll put together a picture book recipe soon – after Thanksgiving.
I also learned very recently, after my daughter asked if we could try it, that pressing pie crust dough into a pie pan is so much easier than rolling out the dough like this:
Here’s how I do it now – much easier:
For more practical Thanksgiving help, check out the Gotta’ Eat, Can’t Cook Thanksgiving Help Page by clicking any picture on this page.
