Real Life Zombies, Hallelujah,

Well, it's Hallowe'en today and I received a Hallowe'en contribution from National Geographic. This is what National Geographic have to say:

Real-Life Zombies

Sometimes real life can be stranger—and scarier—than fiction. Such is the case with these “zombie snails.” The parasite Leucochloridium paradoxum infects snails through bird poop, turns their antennae into pulsating caterpillar doppelgängers , and then compels them to slime their way to the top of plants, where they are easily eaten by birds. Thus the parasite is passed back to the bird, which completes the spooky cycle by pooping it out again—to the peril of the snails. —Nick Lunn, editor

The video doesn't work from here but this link will show you the cycle of the snail eating the bird poop and becoming bird food once more. Delightful.

One of my friends, Australian blogger Helen V of Imagine Me posted a blog the other day talking about Pentatonix and their acapella version of Hallelujah which is on their recently released 'That's Christmas to Me' album. I finally got round to watching it and I thought it was fabulous. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.



Now I'm seriously thinking of getting their Christmas Album.

I always enjoyed vegetables especially broccoli and Brussels Sprouts, I know there are many people who don't. However, a few years ago I stopped enjoying them. I didn't know why. Then something I read or heard, made me rethink and I started cooking them in distilled water. Lo and behold I am enjoying them again. Turned out it was the softened water in the building which was giving them a taste I didn't like.  As I was serving broccoli on Saturday night and our meal was a relatively plain one, I found a way of dressing it up which appealed to me and it was good.

Broccoli with Garlic Butter and Cashews

"A new recipe a neighbor gave us. What a hit with my family. Just the right mixture of garlic and

cashews with our favorite side dish, broccoli. And, so very easy to make!! If in a pinch, you could probably use frozen broccoli too, but I haven't tried."

1 1/2 lbs fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces
1/3 cup butter
1 Tbs brown sugar
3 Tbs soy sauce
2 tsp white vinegar
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup chopped salted cashews

1. Place the broccoli into a large pot with about 1 inch of water in the bottom. Bring to a boil, and cook for 7 minutes, or until tender but still crisp. Drain, and arrange broccoli on a serving platter.

2. While the broccoli is cooking, melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Mix in the brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, pepper and garlic. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Mix in the cashews, and pour the sauce over the broccoli. Serve immediately.

Servings: 6

Have a great day