Saturday, July 6, 2013

Tailorbird, Firefighters, Elephant Piggy Back, Rain.

Another interesting fact I just learnt. While researching Avian Flu in 2009, scientists cambodian-tailorbirdphotographed a small bird at a construction site on the outskirts of Phnom Penh (Cambodia) that, upon recent study, was identified as an entirely new species, the Cambodian Tailorbird. To me that is fantastic that scientists are still discovering new species today when with all the research which takes place, I wouldn’t have thought there was much left to discover.

It’s bad enough that the poor families of the 19 firefighters killed recently are having to suffer the loss of their loved ones, but then you get idiots like this: A rep from the Westview Baptist church is saying that it is a sovereign God that caused the fires to turn and kill the firefighters. What a terrible thing to say. I have no idea which Baptist Church this was, but a friend in Arizona told me it was on her local news. My heart goes out to these families who’s worst fears must now have been realised.

A South African friend of mine posted the following scientific picture on Facebook. I am absolutely staggered.Elephant ride
There is a place we pass now and again where they have models of some dinosaurs and of an elephant, the difference is remarkable, but I have never seen this comparison before, gobsmacking. I hope they never clone this perisher, there wouldn’t be room for any of us.

I have to say, I am sick of rain although, as friends pointed out raintoday, everywhere is gloriously green. Change from this time last year when we were virtually under drought conditions. I guess that’s something to do with all the clover I mentioned the other day. But, boy, would it be nice to see some sunshine for a change. I shouldn’t complain I suppose, at least we have no floods round here, but it does get depressing.

I love Chinese food, first fell in love with it as a youngster being taken to a restaurant in London, England, by friends of my parents. Matt used to cook up a mean Chinese meal but for some reason stopped doing so, pity. It seems I am not alone with the dieting bit lately, so I have decided to leave the nutrition information in, where available. This is part of Meatless Monday that people are starting to follow.

Moo Shu Vegetables


From EatingWell:  September/October 2008

This vegetarian version of the classic Chinese stir-fry, Moo Shu, uses already-shredded vegetables to cut down on the prep time. Serve with warm whole-wheat tortillas, Asian hot sauce and extra hoisin if desired.

4 servings, about 1 1/4 cups each
IngredientsMoo Shu Veg
  • 3 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, divided
  • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 12-ounce bag shredded mixed vegetables, such as “rainbow salad” or “broccoli slaw”
  • 2 cups mung bean sprouts
  • 1 bunch scallions, sliced, divided
  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, (see Shopping Tip)
Preparation
  1. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add eggs; cook, stirring gently, until set, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a plate.
  2. Wipe out the pan and heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened and fragrant, 1 minute. Add shredded vegetables, bean sprouts, half the sliced scallions, soy sauce and vinegar. Stir to combine. Cover and cook, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are just tender, about 3 minutes. Add the reserved eggs and hoisin; cook, uncovered, stirring and breaking up the scrambled eggs, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining scallions and remove from the heat.
Nutrition
Per serving : 171 Calories; 9 g Fat; 2 g Sat; 4 g Mono; 212 mg Cholesterol; 14 g Carbohydrates; 11 g Protein; 4 g Fiber; 328 mg Sodium; 226 mg Potassium
1 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 medium-fat meat, 1 fat
Tips & Notes
  • Shopping tip: Hoisin sauce is a dark brown, thick, spicy-sweet sauce made from soybeans and a complex mix of spices. Look for it in the Asian section of your supermarket and in Asian markets.
Have a great weekend
Jo_thumb[2]

13 comments:

  1. I always say that if today's environmentalists existed millions of years ago, we would still have dinosaurs. They protect everything.

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    1. Can you imagine it. Jurassic Park was bade enough.

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  2. The Moo Shu sounds good.
    That is one big dinosaur.
    We've had a ton of rain as well. My lawn has gone insane with growth. Still wish I could replace it with Astro Turf.

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    1. Yes, hope to try it tomorrow perhaps.
      It is rather large isn't it?
      At least we don't have to cut grass, one advantage of living in an apartment.

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  3. Seems like a good recipe. I used to cook Chinese food often, but I forgot I used to love Hoisin sauce! Thanks for the reminder. I will never understand -- never -- people who call themselves Christian yet accuse God of being a murderer. Huh?

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    1. Yes, good recipe, and fairly easy to prepare.

      You and me both. But then peculiar things have been done in the name of religion for a long time.

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  4. That church you mentioned is (I think) a very activist church that causes disruptions at military funerals and the like. Evil people doing evil deeds in the name of God. Horrid. I think I'll have some moo shu veggies instead...
    Tina @ Life is Good

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    Replies
    1. Evil certainly seems to describe them. Yup, eat some Chinese food, it will make you feel good.

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  5. How is that dino possible?! How is that idiot Baptist possible?! How can it still be raining?!I have to say it makes me hopeful for the world at large when a new species is discovered...maybe there are still new things left, its great! I've been out of commission for a bit and cut back on the blog hopping for a while but had to come see what was up here. Im glad I came on Moo shu day it's my favorite but no one at home likes it. Hope you see sun and lots of it soon! Zoe

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    1. All of these possibilities are definitely possible although one can wish some were not.

      The discovery of new species always fascinates me. Glad you are back, if not yet totally.

      I too hope it will stop raining, but we have more in the forecast.

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  6. Hope you are satisfied with the test

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  7. I think its amazing we are still finding new species of animals and fish and flauna. After tsunamis we discovey all kinds of new sea life that washes ashore.

    Its sad to see churches blaming God for things like this. I think its the Westboro Baptist Church that protests at funerals of American soldiers blaming their deaths on God killimg them becuase of homos running loose in the country.

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    1. It is amazing to me, one tends to think there can't be anything left to find and then something else turns up.

      I think whoever these people are, they are a terribly misguided bunch of bigots.

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