Saturday, January 6, 2018

Unbeleivable, Cold. Polar Bear, Elephants.

Everyone tells me, if you need it, ask for help. So, it being Twelfth Night today I am planning to take down the decorations. We have a bunch of storage boxes and a locker room. Getting the boxes will not be easy for me with a cane, taking them back will be nigh on impossible. Our superintendent is well aware Matt has a broken bone in his foot so Friday afternoon I asked him if he could help me put them back. His response "What are you going to pay me? I don't work for free". I couldn't believe it. I was telling everyone at exercise class and one of the women said she had a flat cart and would come and help me. I think our new instructor was about to offer as well. We all thought our super was such a nice guy, but one of our instructors was a temp and didn't have a key. She rang the super and he said he was not a doorman!! He wouldn't let her in. All he needed to do was press a button on his phone. I know there is a lot to take care of in this building but..... I must admit I was a bit upset.

Hope all of you are keeping warm. We were watching the squirrels outside the windows of our party room where we exercise. All of us wondering how the poor little beggars keep warm. It is frigid here, more than we, who are used to the cold winters, are prepared for. Not only that, if the wind is in a certain direction, you would almost think we didn't have windows. The electricity costs must rise to great heights during such weather. This cold weather would be useful up north to freeze the ice for  the polar bears. I do hope it is helping them. That video of a starving polar bear dying was really upsetting.


One good piece of news, China, the biggest ivory market, has banned the sale of ivory. I am sure there will still be a black market, but it should make some difference to the slaughter of elephants.

This recipe is full of things you can buy already prepared.

Steak with Mixed Olive Tapenade, Butternut Squash and Green Beans


1 (12-oz.) pkg. steam-in-bag frozen butternut squash (such as Archer Farms)
3/4 tsp kosher salt, divided
2 oz pitted marinated olives, finely chopped (about 3 tablespoons)
3 Tbs minced shallot
3 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 Tbs fresh orange juice, divided
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
1 tsp grated orange rind
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1 (8-oz.) pkg. haricots verts (French green beans)
2 oz pre-spiralized red beets
Cooking spray
1 (1-lb.) flank steak, halved lengthwise
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 Tbs chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1. Cook squash according to package directions. Place squash in a bowl; stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt.

2. Combine olives, shallot, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon juice, vinegar, rind, and crushed red pepper in a bowl.

3. Bring a large saucepan filled with water to a boil. Add haricots verts; cook until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Place beets in a colander; drain haricots verts over beets. Place mixture in a bowl. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and remaining 1 tablespoon juice; toss.

4. Heat a grill pan or large skillet over high; coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle steak with black pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add steak to pan; cook to desired degree of doneness, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Place steak on a cutting board; let stand 5 minutes. Cut across the grain into thin slices.

5. Divide butternut squash, haricots verts mixture, and steak among 4 plates. Top steak evenly with olive mixture. Sprinkle servings evenly with parsley.

Servings: 4

Source: COOKING LIGHT

Author Notes
This bountiful plate comes together in a snap thanks to savvy finds from the supermarket like frozen precooked butternut squash, olives from the olive bar, and spiralized beets (available in the produce section). If you can’t find the beets, you can add 1/3 cup precooked, sliced beets to the cooked and drained green beans. Cutting the steak in half will also speed up cooking; be sure to let it rest a few minutes before slicing.




Have a great day
 

22 comments:

  1. That super is a jerk.
    Won't watch the video because what really bothers me about videos like that is the people film - but don't do anything to help the animal. Wounded animal struggling? No, we're not going to get it help - we're going to film it dying. Lion stalking baby cheetahs? No, we're not going to fire off guns and scare away the lion - we're going to film the carnage and the sad mother cheetah when she returns. Sorry, I love animals too much. I couldn't just watch.

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    1. LOL Alex.

      I know what you mean, but we can't interfere with nature. Even if we have contributed to the loss of the ice. Denise is also right, adapt, adapt, adapt. The photographer did write that a) he didn't have any seal meat handy and b) it would only have been one meal.

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  2. I'd be out rounding up folks to protest and get that guy fired! Well, we all know what a rabble-rouser I am. I used to feel sorry for the polar bears and then I watched a documentary and it said that unlike other bears, they will only eat seals. Rather starve than eat something else. Even will let their cubs starve. If you do not adapt, you will not make it. Makes one wonder what birds did to survive when the dinosaurs died out. We should all remember that predatory animals do what they have to do to survive and that humans have really no right to interfere, IMHO. I mean, we eat meat, fish, and poultry, right?

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    1. Guess I got on my soapbox. Sorry.

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    2. As a super he isn't bad Denise, he is just not willing to do stuff outside his job I guess. I did think he would help me under the circumstances but I guess not.

      Yes, you are right about adapt or survive. It is still heartbreaking to see.

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    3. I watched several documentaries about birds and it was awful to watch them stealing chicks from other species nests to feed their own young. Survival of the fittest, I guess.

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  3. Hi Jo - gosh people ... where is empathy - I sincerely hope things improve with the doorman - supper sounds good and it is very cold! - cheers Hilary

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    1. Well, I guess it isn't the superintendent's job but as you say, where is empathy. Right now I am burning up. The sun is streaming in our windows and making this room very hot Hilary, even thought the outside temp is about -17C or so

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  4. That was uncalled for by the Super. wow. Maybe no one gave him tips this year for the holidays and he's mad?

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    1. Tips? Don't think that's usual here JoJo. I hope not 'cos we've never tipped a super.

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  5. The Super will live to regret his unkindness when he asks for help one day. It's called Karma. I'm afraid I can't watch videos of dying Polar Bears, Jo. Stay warm.

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    1. I would be delighted to think Karma would come around to him Pinky. Been taking down the decorations all on my own and that was hard work. No way I could get them into the locker on my own but a friend will be helping me on Sunday afternoon as I mentioned. If only Matt hadn't fallen down those stairs - ah well.

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  6. What an insensitive, mean-spirited superintendent! Sadly, I've seen that polar bear video. Heartened to hear that China has banned the sale of ivory.

    I do like that recipe. Hope you can stay warm. It's almost tropical in the UK compared to what you've been experiencing.

    Gary

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    1. I must agree Gary. It is a terrible film but was taken to demonstrate the effects of global warming. I was delighted about the banning too.

      Well you did have a big storm. We are supposed to warm up tomorrow. The temps will be almost balmy!!

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  7. Rather inconsiderate of the super in the circumstances I’d say. I’ve still not taken our tree down due to my own foot problem. My husband has enough to do with looking after me and trying to keep my garden alive in the mid 30 C temperatures we’re having. As well he’s looking after our daughter’s garden since she’s away so I’m not even asking. The tree will have to stay until things settle a bit
    That polar bear video was heart wrenching. i saw it a while back and it was so distressing not to mention depressing.

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    1. Well having just learned one is supposed to tip a super, I never knew, maybe that is the problem!! I sympathise with your hubby - how is your foot now? You've got 30Cs and we've got -20Cs. Yes, heart wrenching and not much we can do unfortunately.

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    2. My foot is slowly improving but there’s a possibility because of where the fracture is I might end up haviing to have a pin inserted. That’s the last thing I want.
      I come from a country where tipping is rarely done so I wouldn’t have thought of tipping the super either. We might tip someone for exceptional service here but it’s not expected.

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    3. I do hope you don't have to have a pin Helen.

      Tipping is a big problem for me, I sure didn't know people tipped their supers.

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  8. I couldn't watch that video. It's cold here for almost two weeks but at least we didn't get all that snow. Hope you can your stuff taken down and Matt gets better soon.

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    1. You are not alone Susan. You might as well have the snow if it's that cold. Makes the place look pretty. Yup, it's down and with Matt it is a question of time.

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  9. What are you going to pay me. Amazing.

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