The only downside to making French toast in the microwave oven is that you can’t get the slightly crisp crust on the surface of the bread the way you can when your cook French toast in the frying pan. But the positives way outnumber that one slight negative. For me, the coolest thing about making French toast in the microwave oven – aside from it’s fantastic flavor – is using the same plate to soak, cook, and eat the French toast from, which greatly cuts down on cleanup afterwards.
October 26th, 2014 
Blog, Breakfast, French Toast 
Comments Off on Microwave Oven Cooked French Toast – All in Pictures Microwave Oven Cooked French Toast – All in Pictures
October 4th, 2014 Blog, Snacks, Special Recipes, Videos Comments Off on New Short Guacamole and White Bean Recipe Video & Updated Picture Book Recipe New Short Guacamole and White Bean Recipe Video & Updated Picture Book Recipe
Just posted a new short video that shows how to make guacamole with white beans, which both tastes great and provides a beneficial blast of dietary fiber.
Thanks and a Toast to My Dear Ol’ Mom
My 92 year old mom died two weeks ago. Like I mentioned at her celebration of life last Saturday, which really was a celebration of her fiercely independent nature, compassion for others, and gutsy expression of free will right to the very end, Mom was strong and positive role model, mentor, and darn good friend. As I’ve written here before, she was a pioneer both in medicine and as a well-rounded, frontier-loving world traveler.
Mom had some terrific lines she used to lay on us as kids – and even as adults. “Better safe than sorry.” That one usually prodded me to do something other than what was prescribed. “Always bring a sweater.” Mom knitted us some gorgeous sweaters as kids, and if one of them, like the one shown below, was on me when I walked out the door, great. Otherwise, I’d be ok. “Put a nickel in it!” I never knew where that came from or where the nickel was supposed to go, but my brothers and I sure got the intent whenever we “lallygagged” behind her brisk and purposeful forward stride.
But the one line that stands out most now is, “Wake up and die right!” I found that line a bit odd in my younger years, but I sure get it now. It’s all about living life full-on moment to moment and doing whatever you can to make a positive contributing difference wherever you are.
Well, Mom, that’s the deal. I get it, greatly appreciate every moment I got to share with you, and will keep your spirit alive in everything I do!
Lots of love, Mom! Thanks and cheers!
September 14th, 2014 Blog, Breakfast, Kid-Friendly Recipes, Snacks Comments Off on Kid-Friendly Power Cinnamon Toast – All in Pictures Kid-Friendly Power Cinnamon Toast – All in Pictures
This plain or power cinnamon toast step-by-step picture book is a great, very easy way to help empower kids in the kitchen and keep them powered up for a good sustained energy burn.
Here’s all it takes to put it together – and, as always, there are just suggested ingredients. Let your – and your kids’s – imaginations run.
September 5th, 2014 Blog, Cycling, Cycling Food Comments Off on Grafton-Mendon Ride and Post-Ride Lunch Grafton-Mendon Ride and Post-Ride Lunch
The pre-ride breakfast I posted here yesterday (below) kept me going no problem for a big smile 48.7 mile ride with good biking bud, Ken, out through Grafton and Mendon.
September 4th, 2014 Blog, Breakfast, Cycling, Cycling Food Comments Off on Pre-Rip Up the Road Balanced Breakfast Pre-Rip Up the Road Balanced Breakfast
September 2nd, 2014 Blog, Fitness/Health Comments Off on Guacamole with White Beans – Great Flavor & Fiber All in Pictures Guacamole with White Beans – Great Flavor & Fiber All in Pictures
In addition to tasting great, avocados are uniquely rich in heart healthy and anti-inflammatory properties. Here’s a terrifically easy, flavor and fiber packed variation on “chop & smash” guacamole that includes tips on using regularly processed vs. sodium reduced canned beans as well as how to check avocados for ripeness and/or ripen them as quickly as possible.
August 25th, 2014 Blog, Salads & Salad Dressings Comments Off on Heirloom Tomato, Fresh Basil, and Feta Cheese Salad – All in Pictures Heirloom Tomato, Fresh Basil, and Feta Cheese Salad – All in Pictures
If you’re a tomato fan but never tried a fresh heirloom tomato – and you’re fortunate enough to have them available where you live, have at ‘em! They’re awesome!
Heirloom tomatoes are tomato varieties of different sizes, shapes and colors that have been passed down from generation to generation to maintain their favorable flavor, color and texture characteristics. Heirloom tomatoes are most plentifully available at the end of summer and are best when they’ve been ripened on the vine taken fresh off the field.
92 Years of Fierce Independence
Been a while since I laid down a word here – but for good reason. Right after popping off the last piece about the end of the Tour (de France) weeks ago, I flew off to spend time with my dear ol’ mom in California for her 92nd birthday.
Mom’s always been one unique and fiercely independent woman. She was one of the first woman radiation oncologists and always a champion for compassionate care. For the past three years, she’d been living with her now 93 year old, very spry, and incredibly supportive best friend in Laguna Beach. But just before getting to California two weeks ago – a trip my girl and I had planned along with one my younger brothers months in advance – my mom ended up in the hospital and then rehab facility due to degrading physical strength. Read more »
July 27th, 2014 Bar Drinks, Blog, Cycling Food, Drinks Comments Off on Tour Toast to Vincenzo Nibali – Sparkling Wine and Rum Punch Blast Tour Toast to Vincenzo Nibali – Sparkling Wine and Rum Punch Blast
By holding the overall leader’s yellow jersey virtually end-to-end, Italian cycling champ Vincenzo Nibali has more than proven his hard-earned magical dominant status this Tour de France 2014. En français: Incroyable (incredible)! In italiano: Congratulazioni, Vincenzo!
As a toast to Vincenzo’s victory, which he’ll nail down during the Tour’s final stage ride into Paris today, here’s a really cool drink that combines the crisp, bubbly flavor of dry Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) with the tropical flavors of rum and citrus juice: Sparkling Wine and Rum Punch Blast.
