Extreme Lightning, Health Tips, Sea Turtle. Books.

A couple of interesting segments on GMA yesterday, one was about lightning storms in Venezuela where they have something like 300 such storms a year, usually around midnight, 40,000 bolts a day. Experts do not know why this particular area is subject to so much lightning. The pictures were pretty spectacular.

The second item was an interview with Dr. Memmet Oz who is a cardiothoracic surgeon and who has just come back from touring different countries where his television programme is aired. A couple of things I found interesting – from China he recommended T’ai Chi for which I have always been a great advocate, there is a video on GMA of a master doing three exercises taken from a T’ai Chi routine. From Australia he said blowing the didgeridoo is great for people with sleep apnea because it strengthens the muscles at the  back of the throat. Even if you happen to have a didgeridoo handy, they are not easy to play. Here is a video of Larry 'Winiwini' Gurruwiwi playing one http://youtu.be/DC9w4KWEgJE. Dr. Oz went on to recommend Noni Juice which comes from Hawaii. I have tried it, it doesn’t taste bad, but it is pretty expensive for all its health benefits, Robyn Roberts apparently can’t stand the taste so Dr. Oz said she could drink pineapple juice instead. He started off in Turkey where his parents still live and from there he particularly recommended hazel nuts and Purslane leaves for a good diet. He said the Turks eat Purslane mixed with yoghurt. I used to grow Purslane in NC it comes in all kinds of colours, but I didn’t know I could eat the leaves.

Another amazing story is about a sea turtle who’s shell was cracked by the propeller of a boat. The shell was repaired by a combination of vets, biotech firms and an orthodontist. I assume it is under sedation in the picture. Propeller accidents occur quite often in waterways where people are speeding up and down in their pleasure boats. Manatees are often damaged this way.

Not to be forgotten, I also finally received the case for my Kindle and also Glenda Larke’s last book in her Watergiver’s Trilogy Stormlord’s Exile, having got the first two I was really awaiting this last book anxiously. Actually it seems this month several of my favourite authors have new books coming out. I have a library book to finish before I can start the book though. If you haven’t yet read this trilogy, I can highly recommend it, as I can all of Glenda’s books. Karen Miller also has a new book out, a Blight of Mages which I am also sure will be a good story as all the rest in the series have been. What I don’t understand, how can they be selling used books already when the book has only just been published?

As usual I am passing on the recipe from Mushroom Canada which looks particularly delicious this time.

Mushroom and Pork Souvlakia

1 lb. pork tenderloin 500 g
3 tbsp olive oil 45 mL
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 25 mL
1 large clove garlic, minced 1
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano 7 mL
1/8 tsp Each dried rosemary & black pepper 0.5 mL
16 medium whole fresh mushrooms 16
1 large lemon, cut into wedges 1
Wooden skewers

Cut pork tenderloin into 1”(2.5 cm) cubes. In a large glass bowl or resealable plastic bag mix oil with lemon juice garlic, oregano, rosemary and pepper. Add mushrooms and pork to mixture and toss to coat. Cover or seal and marinate 2 –24hours in refrigerator, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile soak skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. Alternate mushrooms, pork cubes and lemon wedges on or water-soaked wooden or metal skewers. Barbecue over medium high heat, about 5-7 minutes per side or until pork is slightly pink in the centre. Makes 4 servings.

Variation: Add pieces (1”/2.5 cm) of green or red sweet pepper and 1 tbsp (15 mL) oil to the marinade and alternate with other ingredients on skewers OR substitute lamb leg or chicken breast for pork
Tip: Instead of barbecuing the kabobs may be broiled in oven or cooked in 425ºF (220ºC) oven.
Nutritional Information:
Calories: 256, Sodium: 52 mg, Protein: 28.5 g, Fat: 13.6 g, Carbohydrates: 5.0 g, Dietary Fibre: 1.5 g

Have a great day