Burmese Python, Floods in Alberta.

I actually sat out on our balcony yesterday. First time in weeks. Tomorrow it is supposed to rain once again.

Item in the news yesterday, an albino Burmese python was discovered dumped in Chilliwack, BC. I don’t believe such animals should be sold as pets in the first place, but having acquired one, I cannot understand people just dumping it – presumably so they didn’t get into trouble not having a license. The snake was not in very good shape, and would, no doubt, have perished in our Canadian winter. It is currently being cared for by a vet and they are looking for a good home. Wouldn’t be mine, I am not into reptiles. There is a video on the site which gives a better picture of the python.

Calgary is suffering badly from flooding as well as its neighbourhood.  It is being predicted the floods will be worse than in 2005  which were pretty bad. This picture is of a guy swimming after his cat which was being swept away. His truck is also disappearing in the flood waters. The article is full of videos of the flooded areas. Emergency services are being deployed to give what assistance they can. This seems to be quite a year for disasters if you consider all the tornadoes in the States which have caused such devastation.

I found a delightful salad yesterday on Food For Rabbits which I made for us for supper last night. I don’t keep red wine vinegar so I used a little Balsamic instead. It was very good. I actually thought it would have been better without the tomato but Matt didn't agree.


Spring Asparagus Salad w/ Hearts of Palm and Cherry Tomatoes
Food for Rabbits


1 bunch of asparagus, steamed
1 can of hearts of palm
1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 green onions, sliced
1 small shallot, diced
1/2 lemon, juiced
1.5 Tbs red wine vinegar
1.5 Tbs white wine vinegar
1 tsp gluten free dijon mustard
6 Tbs olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook asparagus til al dente. Chill in ice bath or cold water. Chop into bite sized pieces cut diagonally. Place in large bowl. Cut each stalk of hearts of palm into 4 pieces and then each into 1 inch pieces at a diagonal.  Add to bowl, then your halved cherry tomatoes.  Add in sliced green onions and finally the chopped shallots.
2. In a separate bowl, add in vinegars, mustard and a pinch of salt. Slowly pour in olive oil and whisk to emulsify.  Add in pepper and adjust ingredients to desired taste. Pour dressing over salad and mix.  Add lemon juice as desired.
3. Serve into bowls and enjoy!
4. This recipe would go great with some anchovies on top!  Also, if you can find jarred hearts of palm, please use those instead of canned!  Unless labeled, cans can be lined with BPA (toxic!!).  But some brands, like Native Forest, guarantee that their cans are BPA free so do some research before buying your canned foods.  Can also substitute hearts of palm with artichoke hearts!

Servings: 3

Have a great day