Race for the Cure, Grand Canyon,

You know what this is a reminder of. For my friend who is taking part this is her site once again. It seems I have been making a right mess of my web links in the last few days, I do apologise. I think I have fixed them now. Thanks for pointing them out to me.

Well, today's Good Morning America pick for the 7 Wonders of America was, not surprisingly, the Grand Canyon. There are 13 pictures on the GMA website which is at ABC News. Apparently they are not sure when the canyon was carved out, 5,000,000 years or 6,000,000 years ago. Give or take a million *g*. The pictures also show the viewing platform or walkway built by the Hualapai Indians which is on their reserve and which apparently costs $25 to walk onto. Until today I hadn't realised it was a horseshoe walkway I had thought it a solid platform. I am not sure I personally would have the guts to ride down into the canyon, maybe I could stand on the walkway. Although you can click on my pictures and see them better, do try the GMA website, they are so much better and also each picture has a paragraph of fascinating information about the canyon. Its a place I have always wanted to visit it is so magnificent.

We have some canyons in Ontario which are quite impressive, we visited one on our first vacation after we came to Canada, Ouimet Canyon. When we were there some 30 odd years ago, there was no lookout, but apparently there is now by the look of the picture. I remember Matt frightening the life out of me when, despite warnings and I think ropes, he went to the edge to take pictures. What was worse, the film got jammed and he had to change it half way with the result that he did the same thing when we walked back. Not having actually seen the Grand Canyon, Ouimet impressed us quite a bit, the trees looked so tiny at the bottom and it appeared to stretch for miles. Another impressive Canyon in Ontario is the Agawa Canyon, but we haven't been there. That has a waterway and a railroad running along it taking you up north. There is also a train called the Polar Bear Express which takes one to James Bay on the edge of the Hudson Bay. We nearly went on that trip once, not sure why we didn't.

Here's another finger food, hors d'oeuvres or snack which we enjoy.

Romaine Wrapped Ginger Chicken

Source: Cooking Light - Jan/Feb 1994

9 lge Romaine leaves
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 Tbs dry sherry
1 tbs soy sauce
1-1/2 tsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp dark sesame oil
dash of ground red pepper
1 10 oz pkg frozen chopped turnip greens
veg cooking spray
1/2 tsp vegetable oil
1-1/2 tsp peeled, grated ginger
1 sml clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup coarsely chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped water chestnuts
5 oz skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into 1/2" cubes.

Trim vein on each lettuce leaf. Plunge into boiling water and cook for 10 seconds. Drain and refresh. Set aside.

Combine broth and next 5 ingredients (sherry to red pepper) stir well and set aside.

Cook greens according to package directions. Drain well, place on paper towels, squeeze until barely moist; set aside.

Coat a large saucepan with spray. Add oil, place over medium heat until hot. Add ginger, garlic, sauté 30 secs. Add greens, mushrooms and bell pepper, sauté 1 min. Add chestnuts and chicken and sauté 1 in. Add broth mixture, bring to a boil, cook 2 mins or until thicken and chicken done, stirring constantly.

Spoon 1/4 cup of mixture onto lettuce leaf, and fold. Serve warm.

Have a great day.