Monday, February 26, 2018

Year of the Dog, Book, Saturday Sickness, Olympics.

I've  been needing stamps for international postage for a while and not got round to buying them. However, I did so when in the post office a couple of days ago. I couldn't resist them. Almost don't want to use them. There is another of a different type of dog which I discovered when looking for this one. In case you are unaware, February 16 was the beginning of the Chinese New Year which is the reason Mandarin is offering dumplings both galore and various. I had another fill of them on Friday for lunch. Friend's birthday. I also made sure to have some kelp salad. I really, really like that. As a general rule I try to never eat anything which is not Oriental in preparation. They usually have roast beef or other such items there, but I don't touch them. Only time I might have done so was if we had made it for Christmas. I would certainly have had some turkey. Actually I was thinking, on Friday, should I book for Christmas next year? Maybe I will leave it til later in the year.

A lot of noise is being made about the movie A Wrinkle in Time, Oprah is in it, so I thought I would order it from the library. Seems like it might be a while before I get it. But, as I have three library books, a proof and a Kindle loan, I don't need anything else just now. I investigated buying it but for some reason the Kindle version is more expensive than the paperback!!

Saturday night, having been sick the last two, I was almost too nervous to eat or drink anything. The likelihood of lightening striking a third time on a Saturday is pretty low, but just  the same....  By the time you read this I will know one way or the other. Well, I a pleased to report nothing happened and I was fine all night long. Phew. No, I haven't been to the doctor - I just haven't had time.

Oh well, the Olympic games has come to an end, I will have to wait  two more years for the summer games. I watched the Closing Ceremonies and was certainly impressed with all the technology. Especially the tiger figure in the sky made by drones. They really must have worked hard to achieve that. I enjoyed the ceremonies but I am not too sure Matt did. I think the next Winter Games in Beijing will be something to see as well. I really, really, wanted the Olympic mascot, Soohorong, but looked for it on Amazon and it isn't cheap. I cannot justify buying one sadly. I notice Kurt Browning was referring to them as 'stuffies'. He said he was taking one home for his kid. Lucky kid. Of course the mascot for Beijing with be a Giant Panda.

Having talked about Zoodles or spiralized zucchini noodles, I came across this recipe and thought it sounded good.

Spiralized Zucchini Noodles With Spicy Peanut Sauce

Precut produce helps this staff favorite come together in a flash. Spiralized zucchini and summer squash are in the prepared produce section of many supermarkets; you can also spiralize your own or make ribbons with a vegetable peeler. Squash takes the place of noodles in these bowls, so you'll need a hefty amount for each serving. The zucchini noodles don't require cooking—they'll add freshness
and crunch to the finished dish. Make the sauce while the tofu cooks and have the other vegetables at the ready so you can toss and serve immediately.

1/4 cup cornstarch
1 (12-oz.) pkg. extra-firm water-packed tofu, drained, patted dry, and cut into 1-in. cubes
1 1/2 Tbs canola oil
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3 Tbs creamy peanut butter
3 Tbs lower-sodium soy sauce
1 Tbs unsalted ketchup
1 Tbs Sriracha chili sauce
1 Tbs water
2 tsp light brown sugar
1 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger
2 (16-oz.) pkg. spiralized zucchini or yellow squash and zucchini (about 4 cups total)
3 cups fresh mung bean sprouts (about 5 oz.)
1 cup matchstick-cut carrots
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
1/4 cup unsalted peanuts, finely chopped and divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
4 scallions, cut into 1-in. pieces
4 lime wedges

1. Place cornstarch in a shallow dish. Add tofu; toss to coat, shaking off excess. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Add tofu to pan; cook 8 to 10 minutes or until tofu is brown and crisp, stirring occasionally.

2. Combine lime juice and next 7 ingredients (through ginger) in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine spiralized squash, sprouts, carrots, 1/4 cup cilantro, 2 tablespoons peanuts, and mint in a large bowl. Add tofu and peanut butter mixture to bowl; toss. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cilantro, remaining 2 tablespoons peanuts, and scallions. Serve with lime wedges.

Servings: 4

Source: Cooking Light

Have a great day
 

16 comments:

  1. LOL. Retirees who don't have time to go to the doctor. Me too. Hope to see mine tomorrow about the hip which is still annoying me. I have never read the book, but have heard about it. Although, since it was written when I was in high school, I could have read it and just forgot. Wouldn't be the first time. P.S. See the doc.

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    1. It is amazing isn't it Denise? Hip replacement in your future do you think? Thought I would check it out sounds like a good story. PS Eventually

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    2. Not likely I need a hip replacement. It is bursitis.

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    3. Oh, I have that too Denise. The orthopaedic surgeon gave me so diclofenac ointment which helps enormously.

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  2. The drones put on an amazing show. Just think of all the calculations that go into it.
    Yes, go see the doctor. Make time!

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    1. Calculations, practice, amazing Alex. I didn't know, before the games, that South Korea was so big on technology.

      As I said above, eventually.

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  3. We had to look it up - I didn't even realize it was a white tiger. The hats the kids wore looked more like bear.

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    1. Funny, I knew right away Diane. I think I had seen the logo somewhere or something.

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  4. I didn't see the Olympics at all. I kept meaning to but we are creatures of habit and we watch all our fave shows and go to bed w/o even seeing what else is on TV.

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    1. I love to watch the Olympics JoJo, especially the Winter ones. Otherwise I don't watch much TV at all. Wheel because it's on and Jeopardy which is my favorite. Other than that, it's the occasional movie or nature programme.

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  5. Glad to hear you weren't sick on Saturday. Nausea is dreadful. I just googled that movie and it looks interesting. I like Sci Fi too.

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    1. I don't know about the movie Pinky, may get to see it, know I can read the book.

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  6. I’m glad you had a better Saturday this time. I just had a thought about the IBS. My son is a sufferer and the dietician we saw told us that sugar can cause severe stomach upsets if you have IBS. Once he cut it out of his diet the episodes stopped. He has found he can eat a little over the years but it’s always a bit of a risk so he tends to avoid it unless he’s at home. It may not be what’s causing your symptoms but worth thinking about.

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    1. That's interesting Helen. Since I started dieting in 2016 (I think) I have allowed myself a dessert on Saturdays only - as a general rule. I often have a piece of carrot cake, but last Saturday I had rhubarb which had a sweetener not sugar. So maybe I have developed an intolerance although I do eat chocolate quite a bit.

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  7. Hi Jo - I hope generally you're feeling better. I must get some of those stamps ... and we had Chinese on Saturday. I never saw either of the ceremonies ... I'll catch a bit at some stage .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Yes, thanks Hilary. They are good stamps, I will be sending one to Bob Scotney. Love Chinese of course.

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