Tuesday, June 25, 2013

REM Sleep, Shellfish, Asparagus.

I phoned the Sleep Management Group and asked them about the lack of dreams. Apparently I was wrong, you can have dreams when you are not soundly asleep. You can also have them whilst in REM sleep (in case you don’t know, that is Rapid Eyelid Movement) but not remembeCPAPring them doesn’t mean you are not getting your REM sleep. The best way to determine this, apparently, is by the level of tiredness each day. They also informed me that it does take a while for the level to noticeably decrease. In my case the pressure was turned up to 10 on the 22nd so I may not yet be feeling the benefit, or, of course, I may need it even higher. The results of the last sleepover at the sleep clinic will determine this I believe, but we won’t get those until some time in July. It is a tad confusing as the Sleep Management Group are not the same as the sleep clinic. I might say, I still seem to need a nap in the afternoon unless I am bowling.

Talking to a friend the other day and discussing he and his wife coming to dinner and I scampiwas astounded that he doesn’t like lobster or shrimp but yet he does like fish. Now I personally would sell my soul for lobster as most people are aware. Second comes King crab and third shrimp. I love scampi too, but they are not really shrimpavailable in this part of the world. There is a rock shrimp which I tasted in North Carolina once and I think it is the same thing, but am not totally sure. Over here you will come across a recipe, Shrimp Scampi, but basically all that is is shrimp cooked in garlic butter, nothing to do with scampi at all. The top pic is a scampi I think they are a bit bigger than the average shrimp too.

I have been toying with the idea of canning some asparagus before Gusthe week is up. I have a recipe from the farm for a pickled asparagus which is canned. I buy their jars sometimes, but its not the cheapest way to go. This is the recipe posted by Barrie’s:

Pickled Asparagus

BY gus | POSTED November 28, 2012

Using 5 lbs of Ontario asparagus, wash well and soak in ice water while you are preparing the 6 pint jars. Place 1/2 clove of garlic, 1 tsp dill seed, 1 tsp mustard seed, and 6 peppercorns in the bottom of each jar. Place asparagus, tips up in jar. Don’t waste tender ends. Can them also for bite size treats. Bring 8 cups water, 2-1/2 cups white vinegar, 3 tbsp pickling salt, 1/2 cup white sugar to a boil and pour over asparagus. Process in hot bath for 5 to 6 minutes.

Only problem is I don’t have a proper hot water bath although I have a huge stockpot which I am sure could be used. The picture, by the way, is the farm’s new mascot GUS. You can buy mugs and T shirts with this logo on.

The other day I posted a recipe for asparagus and almond soup. Yesterday I made my own version of it. This is immediately after adding the ground almonds. I guess I am not a very good photographer, the soup should, and does, look green, honestly Alex. However, it tastes delicious.

Asparagus and Almond Soup

1 lb asparagus (if shop bought you will need more because you 002cannot use the ends)
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup ground almonds.
Toasted almonds for garnish

Wash the asparagus and chop into pieces. Put in a pan with the chicken broth and the onion. Cook til tender. Blend. Add the ground almonds. and cook a few minutes longer.
To serve ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with a few toasted almonds.

To do toasted almonds, put them in a dry nonstick pan and sauté until they begin to colour slightly.

Have a great day
Jo_thumb[2]

12 comments:

  1. Hi Jo .. a lot of people are allergic to some forms of shellfish, and can become so later in life .. I'm very glad I'm not and would always eat shell fish if on offer ..

    We're having lovely asparagus at the moment .. I love it plain and simple ... but enjoy reading the recipes ...

    Cheers and hope your sleep is improving .. Hilary

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    1. Yes, but the people I am thinking of are not allergic, they just don't like it. Show me a lobster and I will follow you anywhere.

      I try the asparagus lots of different ways. You really should try the crispy baked asparagus fries, they are delicious.

      Yes, I think it is.

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  2. REM sleep and dreaming have always fascinated me. Not really sure why. Hopefully a few more days will bring you to 100% though. About the shellfish, I must say I have to agree with your friend. :)

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    1. I am learning more and more about sleep and REM since starting this CPAP stuff.

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  3. Good to know about the REM sleep.
    I like fish and shrimp but never cared for lobster. I don't like my food staring back at me either.

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    1. We were served fish in what was Yugoslavia once and they served it with the head on and it was staring at me with its large teeth showing.

      I love lobster, only thing I don't like is squid.

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  4. No seafood for me.

    So glad you are getting things figured out, but naps are a good thing, right?

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    1. Dunno what you're missing girl.

      Naps are good, but not when you feel you have to have them.

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  5. I didn't know tiredness had to do with dreams. My husband always has such vivid dreams and he seems to get so tired. I will have to read up on that.
    My food pictures don't always show the color right. It can be irritating. The soup looks good to me.

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    1. No dreaming is a good thing, but vivid dreams may occur when one is not sound asleep. Sounds to me like your hubby should go to a sleep clinic too. I am much better.

      Infuriating when the colours don't come out right, I believe food photographers do all sorts of things to make the pix the right colour even though by the time they have finished the food is inedible.

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  6. That recipe looks fabulous. And such fascinating stuff about dreams!

    Sarah Allen
    (From Sarah, With Joy)

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    1. It tasted good although I haven't served it yet, it's in the freezer. I like to have a good stock of soups for the winter in particular although we both enjoy chilled soup in the summer.

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