I was in the food market today, by the fish section and got my flounder. Here comes a young mom with her 10 years old boy, she points to the glass shelve and say:
"Look, it's octopus on the plate."
Her boy replied: "Eww." And turned his head away.
I said to the boy, "it actually tasted pretty good, pretty pretty good!"
He looks at me in doubt, still shaking his head a bit. The mother asks me: "How does it taste exactly?"
"It taste like a chewy chicken, with some texture in it, very good source of protein. This style right here was cooked with a teriyaki sauce, added some sweetness in it." I replied.
The store keeper interferes, that a free sample was offered.
The boy still turn his head away, thinking it is a gross food.
I said to the boy: "try it, it's free, and you get to try something new today. Be adventurous, you never know what the future holds?!"
The mother agrees but she wasn't trying it neither!
What I saw is the mother telling her son octopus is a gross food, putting a prejudice conclusion in his little head before he even try it, or willing to try it. I think if I am a mother, I would never tell my child my personal conclusion before he / she can try it and make a comment on his / her own.
I guess most people aren't that adventurous. Unlike it when I was a child, my parent encouraged me to try different things, go figure it out yourself, never set a limit to tell me what I can not do or what I should not try (except bad things like drug), always push the limit even when you think you have reach your peak.
By now, I think back and really feel happy that they let me try things I never imagined, I rode motorbike, I went diving, rock climbing, white-water drafting, bungee jumping, sky-diving..... I did all these before I was 24. Mom sometime just say it was dangerous for some action such as the sky-diving one, she was not crazy about it but she was there, always support me and tell me "BE ADVENTUROUS, you never know what the future holds."
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
honey follow-up
It even said so in the Torah, old testament in the bible - Quoted:
Honey is one of the oldest foods and in antiquity it was used as a substitute for sugar. The words of Torah are compared to honey, in that they are sweet (Tehillim 19:11), like honey (Devarim Rabbah 1:6). The honey-like taste of manna made it an appealing food for children (Yoma 75b).
Honey supplies energy at 64 calories per tablespoon, providing fuel for working muscles. Its composition is 17.1% water, 82.4% total carbohydrates, and 0.5% proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. The carbohydrate content is mainly fructose (38.5%) and glucose (31%), with the remaining 12.9% of carbohydrates made up of maltose, sucrose, and other sugars (Khan et al., 2007). The energy-yielding properties of honey are noted in Ta’nach.
During a specific battle against the Philistines, King Saul declared a fast and forbad his army to eat. King Saul’s son, Yonathan, unaware of his father’s decree and weary from the battle, found some honey in the forest and ate it. His strength was reinvigorated and he declared that if the others in the army had eaten, they would have had more strength to fight the enemy and the victory would have been much greater (I Samuel 14:27-30).
Honey has anti-microbial activity and, thus, never spoils and does not need refrigeration. Honey discovered in the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh, King Tut, was tasted by archeologists and found to be edible (Khan et al., 2007). The hypertonicity of honey (due to its high sugar content), its low pH of 3.9, its hygroscopicity, and the presence of antimicrobial substances, collectively called inhibins, all contribute to its antibacterial and antifungal properties (Zurula and Lulat, 1989). Specific antimicrobial chemicals, identified as components of the inhibins, include hydrogen peroxide, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid (Wahdan, 1998). The antimicrobial activity of honey may explain the lack of decay of the body of the dead Hasmonean girl, preserved in honey for seven years by Herod (Bava Basra 3b).
On a more pleasant note, the medicinal and therapeutic properties of honey were noted in the gemora. Honey was used as a wound salve placed on sores (Shabbos 76b, 77b, 78a, and 154b). Rashi (Shabbos 76b) noted that honey was placed on blisters that form on the backs of horses and camels due to the constant rubbing of the burdens they carry and was placed on abrasions on the back of one’s hand and leg. In modern medicine, honey has been of proven value in treating infected surgical wounds, burns, and ulcers and was successfully used in the postoperative management of patients who had undergone cancer surgeries. One report showed that skin grafting and amputation were avoided by local application of honey to wounds, which promoted healing, whereas conventional treatments failed (Zurula and Lulat, 1989). Other effects of honey on wounds include reduction of inflammation, edema, and pain resulting from burns. Several clinical studies on the usage of honey as a dressing for infected wounds reported that the wounds became microbial-free in 5 to 10 days.
It was reported that gangrenous tissue and necrotic tissue were rapidly replaced with normal tissue when honey was used as the dressing (Khan et al., 2007). Tumor development at the surgical wound site following cancer surgery was decreased by the pre- and post-operative application of honey (Hamzaoglu et al., 2000).
Apparently, there is a positive connection between honey and eyesight. In the incident cited above with Yonathan, after consuming the honey he stated, “See now how my eyes lit up when I tasted a bit of this honey” (I Samuel 14:29). Honey, if consumed after meals, was thought to be beneficial to the eyes; honey enlightens the eyes of man (Yoma 83b). Honey was used to treat the life threatening condition termed bulmos, induced by hunger. One of the symptoms of bulmos was weakening of the eyesight. For one who is seized with bulmos, we feed him honey and all other sweets, because honey and all kinds of sweets restore the eyesight of a person. Patient recovery from bulmos was indicated by restoration of vision (Yoma 83a, 84b). A Lebanese ophthalmologist, citing the ocular health effects of honey noted in the gemora as his medical reference source, reported that topical application of honey to eyes of patients improved visual acuity impaired by epithelial corneal edema (Mansour, 2002).
Many chronic human diseases have some association with oxidative stress. Antioxidants are protective chemicals that scavenge oxidants and free radicals, thereby absorbing molecular damage that might otherwise compromise the functioningof DNA, proteins, and essential lipids. Honey, with its high levels of antioxidants, may augment natural body defenses against oxidative stress, thereby promoting good health. “Given that the average sweetener intake by humans is estimated to be in excess of 70 kg/year, the substitution of honey in some foods for traditional sweeteners could result in an enhanced antioxidant defense system in healthy adults” (Schramm et al., 2003).
Honey is one of the oldest foods and in antiquity it was used as a substitute for sugar. The words of Torah are compared to honey, in that they are sweet (Tehillim 19:11), like honey (Devarim Rabbah 1:6). The honey-like taste of manna made it an appealing food for children (Yoma 75b).
Honey supplies energy at 64 calories per tablespoon, providing fuel for working muscles. Its composition is 17.1% water, 82.4% total carbohydrates, and 0.5% proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. The carbohydrate content is mainly fructose (38.5%) and glucose (31%), with the remaining 12.9% of carbohydrates made up of maltose, sucrose, and other sugars (Khan et al., 2007). The energy-yielding properties of honey are noted in Ta’nach.
During a specific battle against the Philistines, King Saul declared a fast and forbad his army to eat. King Saul’s son, Yonathan, unaware of his father’s decree and weary from the battle, found some honey in the forest and ate it. His strength was reinvigorated and he declared that if the others in the army had eaten, they would have had more strength to fight the enemy and the victory would have been much greater (I Samuel 14:27-30).
Honey has anti-microbial activity and, thus, never spoils and does not need refrigeration. Honey discovered in the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh, King Tut, was tasted by archeologists and found to be edible (Khan et al., 2007). The hypertonicity of honey (due to its high sugar content), its low pH of 3.9, its hygroscopicity, and the presence of antimicrobial substances, collectively called inhibins, all contribute to its antibacterial and antifungal properties (Zurula and Lulat, 1989). Specific antimicrobial chemicals, identified as components of the inhibins, include hydrogen peroxide, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid (Wahdan, 1998). The antimicrobial activity of honey may explain the lack of decay of the body of the dead Hasmonean girl, preserved in honey for seven years by Herod (Bava Basra 3b).
On a more pleasant note, the medicinal and therapeutic properties of honey were noted in the gemora. Honey was used as a wound salve placed on sores (Shabbos 76b, 77b, 78a, and 154b). Rashi (Shabbos 76b) noted that honey was placed on blisters that form on the backs of horses and camels due to the constant rubbing of the burdens they carry and was placed on abrasions on the back of one’s hand and leg. In modern medicine, honey has been of proven value in treating infected surgical wounds, burns, and ulcers and was successfully used in the postoperative management of patients who had undergone cancer surgeries. One report showed that skin grafting and amputation were avoided by local application of honey to wounds, which promoted healing, whereas conventional treatments failed (Zurula and Lulat, 1989). Other effects of honey on wounds include reduction of inflammation, edema, and pain resulting from burns. Several clinical studies on the usage of honey as a dressing for infected wounds reported that the wounds became microbial-free in 5 to 10 days.
It was reported that gangrenous tissue and necrotic tissue were rapidly replaced with normal tissue when honey was used as the dressing (Khan et al., 2007). Tumor development at the surgical wound site following cancer surgery was decreased by the pre- and post-operative application of honey (Hamzaoglu et al., 2000).
Apparently, there is a positive connection between honey and eyesight. In the incident cited above with Yonathan, after consuming the honey he stated, “See now how my eyes lit up when I tasted a bit of this honey” (I Samuel 14:29). Honey, if consumed after meals, was thought to be beneficial to the eyes; honey enlightens the eyes of man (Yoma 83b). Honey was used to treat the life threatening condition termed bulmos, induced by hunger. One of the symptoms of bulmos was weakening of the eyesight. For one who is seized with bulmos, we feed him honey and all other sweets, because honey and all kinds of sweets restore the eyesight of a person. Patient recovery from bulmos was indicated by restoration of vision (Yoma 83a, 84b). A Lebanese ophthalmologist, citing the ocular health effects of honey noted in the gemora as his medical reference source, reported that topical application of honey to eyes of patients improved visual acuity impaired by epithelial corneal edema (Mansour, 2002).
Many chronic human diseases have some association with oxidative stress. Antioxidants are protective chemicals that scavenge oxidants and free radicals, thereby absorbing molecular damage that might otherwise compromise the functioningof DNA, proteins, and essential lipids. Honey, with its high levels of antioxidants, may augment natural body defenses against oxidative stress, thereby promoting good health. “Given that the average sweetener intake by humans is estimated to be in excess of 70 kg/year, the substitution of honey in some foods for traditional sweeteners could result in an enhanced antioxidant defense system in healthy adults” (Schramm et al., 2003).
hidden miracle
Ever since Victor got home from the ER, he has been very weak. Though he told me not to talk about him on my blog, that he would like to remain anonymous, I would still like to bring this topic out because it is something magical.
Due to a toxin effect from taking too much antibiotic for his sinus infection, this particular problem attacks the tendon of his body, Vic had it first on his foot, then his wrist blown up like a 250lb man's hand, then his right shoulder and now his back. His appetite on food is getting better in the last 10 days, at least he does not have to follow a liquid diet, he can eat solid food and vegetable.
He has been on a website with newsgroup discussion with people around the country having the same problem with the same drug that he took, he read many stories that really scares him about the after-maths of dealing with it. Some people get better in 3 months and some just don't get better after 2 years.
Many people on this newsgroup reported having problem with Soy product, or an ingredient called "Letchitin", it exists in most sweet or chocolate, milk product or dairy related product. So Vic stopped drinking his soy milk and having his cereal in the morning, instead he makes "cream of rice" and put banana and strawberry in it.
So a week gone by, he did not get to take any desserts or chocolate. He started to complaint to me he needed something, something sweet. Then I looked into the pantry and found a package of gluten free yellow cake mix, I used this to bake a gluten free honey cake before and have boxes left over.
OK I said this is a treat, I am baking you a gluten-free honey cake. Of course it tasted great, last night was the first time he ate it, starting this morning the swollen of his shoulder had gone down and the pain from his back was subsided.
He ate some more when we came back from the golf course in the afternoon, then he said his pain has been lighter after 4pm or so. He was wondering what it was, I told him perhaps you had sex and your brain produce somekind of chemical in controlling your pain. I was kind of in the joking mode.
But he got really serious, he said it is definitely something I consumed, what did I eat that I didn't eat in the last 10 days?! I told him the only thing I could think of is the Honey Cake.
Honey! Yes, it's the honey miracle!
will post what is the good thing about honey on the next day.
Due to a toxin effect from taking too much antibiotic for his sinus infection, this particular problem attacks the tendon of his body, Vic had it first on his foot, then his wrist blown up like a 250lb man's hand, then his right shoulder and now his back. His appetite on food is getting better in the last 10 days, at least he does not have to follow a liquid diet, he can eat solid food and vegetable.
He has been on a website with newsgroup discussion with people around the country having the same problem with the same drug that he took, he read many stories that really scares him about the after-maths of dealing with it. Some people get better in 3 months and some just don't get better after 2 years.
Many people on this newsgroup reported having problem with Soy product, or an ingredient called "Letchitin", it exists in most sweet or chocolate, milk product or dairy related product. So Vic stopped drinking his soy milk and having his cereal in the morning, instead he makes "cream of rice" and put banana and strawberry in it.
So a week gone by, he did not get to take any desserts or chocolate. He started to complaint to me he needed something, something sweet. Then I looked into the pantry and found a package of gluten free yellow cake mix, I used this to bake a gluten free honey cake before and have boxes left over.
OK I said this is a treat, I am baking you a gluten-free honey cake. Of course it tasted great, last night was the first time he ate it, starting this morning the swollen of his shoulder had gone down and the pain from his back was subsided.
He ate some more when we came back from the golf course in the afternoon, then he said his pain has been lighter after 4pm or so. He was wondering what it was, I told him perhaps you had sex and your brain produce somekind of chemical in controlling your pain. I was kind of in the joking mode.
But he got really serious, he said it is definitely something I consumed, what did I eat that I didn't eat in the last 10 days?! I told him the only thing I could think of is the Honey Cake.
Honey! Yes, it's the honey miracle!
will post what is the good thing about honey on the next day.
National Forgiveness Day
I do not know half of these special days in United States, got Earth Day, Secretary Day, Children Day....this day that day to create awareness of some sort.
But this one is a good one, it is not made for massive merchandising, to sell cards or flowers; it is a time to reflect. And its main purpose is not just ask you to forgive someone offended you, it asks you to forgive yourself.
Many time in life we carry burden we did not have to, in golf it does the same thing. We are the one who stop us from moving forward, we are the one who expects the most from ourselves and put on extra loads and do not know how to forgive ourselves when we do make mistakes sometime.
Things happened and it may not happen the way we want to, we must learn how to forgive ourselves and let go.
There was a Zen story about a master monk bringing 3 student monks to a training, monk in Asia is not suppose to touch women, not even have direct eye contact as ancients instructed. Here by these monks are going to cross a shallow river, they saw a beautiful young lady holding a basket of food but staring at the water, she is so slim and fragile but the river's current is so strong, she is afraid to go across.
The master monk never thought of the consequences but to offer help to this young lady, she gracefully accepted and let him hold her on his back, he carried her through the river toward the opposite side. When they landed together, she thanked him and split the road.
The 3 students were speechless, they looked at each other and did not make a noise; until some hours later on the road, one of them could not suppress himself but ask his master:
"I don't understand, master, aren't we not suppose to touch women?"
"Yes, that is what we were taught, women represent temptation." Master answered.
"Then why did you carry that woman across the river? You both had close contact on the body, this is forbidden in our teaching!"
"My boy, that was 3 hours ago. I have already forgot about it, at that moment she needs help, didn't I teach you to land a helping hand whenever needed?"
"Yes you did, my master." the students nodded but still confused.
"The teaching taught us not to touch women because of the temptation posed, she is simply a person who needs help at that moment, did not pose any temptations to me, my intention was pure. I offered help yet kept my pure intention, it did not contradict our teaching. You are the one who contradict the teaching by letting it bother your mind in the last 3 hours! I let it go at the moment the lady landed on the ground. Now do you understand?!"
"Yes we understand now master, we created the trouble in our mind, if we let go like the way you did, it wouldn't make us so uncomfortable for 3 hours. As long as we keep our intention pure, we should shield ourselves from all other distraction."
Forgive and forget, don't put any extra burdens in our mind and our heart, that is what the story told I guess.
But this one is a good one, it is not made for massive merchandising, to sell cards or flowers; it is a time to reflect. And its main purpose is not just ask you to forgive someone offended you, it asks you to forgive yourself.
Many time in life we carry burden we did not have to, in golf it does the same thing. We are the one who stop us from moving forward, we are the one who expects the most from ourselves and put on extra loads and do not know how to forgive ourselves when we do make mistakes sometime.
Things happened and it may not happen the way we want to, we must learn how to forgive ourselves and let go.
There was a Zen story about a master monk bringing 3 student monks to a training, monk in Asia is not suppose to touch women, not even have direct eye contact as ancients instructed. Here by these monks are going to cross a shallow river, they saw a beautiful young lady holding a basket of food but staring at the water, she is so slim and fragile but the river's current is so strong, she is afraid to go across.
The master monk never thought of the consequences but to offer help to this young lady, she gracefully accepted and let him hold her on his back, he carried her through the river toward the opposite side. When they landed together, she thanked him and split the road.
The 3 students were speechless, they looked at each other and did not make a noise; until some hours later on the road, one of them could not suppress himself but ask his master:
"I don't understand, master, aren't we not suppose to touch women?"
"Yes, that is what we were taught, women represent temptation." Master answered.
"Then why did you carry that woman across the river? You both had close contact on the body, this is forbidden in our teaching!"
"My boy, that was 3 hours ago. I have already forgot about it, at that moment she needs help, didn't I teach you to land a helping hand whenever needed?"
"Yes you did, my master." the students nodded but still confused.
"The teaching taught us not to touch women because of the temptation posed, she is simply a person who needs help at that moment, did not pose any temptations to me, my intention was pure. I offered help yet kept my pure intention, it did not contradict our teaching. You are the one who contradict the teaching by letting it bother your mind in the last 3 hours! I let it go at the moment the lady landed on the ground. Now do you understand?!"
"Yes we understand now master, we created the trouble in our mind, if we let go like the way you did, it wouldn't make us so uncomfortable for 3 hours. As long as we keep our intention pure, we should shield ourselves from all other distraction."
Forgive and forget, don't put any extra burdens in our mind and our heart, that is what the story told I guess.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Voting
At the time I became a citizen, I should get my voting card immediately. I was pre-occupied with a lot of things to do around the house, did not submit my entry till the 5th of October. It was clearly marked on the form I submitted, it takes 29 days to be effective from the postmarked date versus voting deadline.
So here I thought I was late for the action on 11/2/2010, last weekend I received my voting card. Victor wants to vote early so I went to the early voting site with him yesterday, I told him I just got my voting card, he didn't believe it, he said now I can vote with him.
I told him No, because of the 29 dates deadline I missed it.
He insists I can vote because I received my voting card. He then said the passport mentioned 4-8 weeks process time, but I got it within 10 days, does it mean I am not allow to travel with the passport till that restricted period of time?
I disagreed with him, I thought this was because of counting the prospect vote issue. Every states are different, some states are 14 days, some states are 45 days. Anyway, I went to early voting with him.
While we were in the line, by the way it was more than a 30 minutes wait; we met a couple who lived in Costa Rica for 2 years, and they also lived in Ching Mai Thailand for 3 years, so we started talking about our trip.
At the time I sat down to register with a poll worker, she told me I was rejected!!!
I hated to say this to victor: "I TOLD YOU SO!"
So here I thought I was late for the action on 11/2/2010, last weekend I received my voting card. Victor wants to vote early so I went to the early voting site with him yesterday, I told him I just got my voting card, he didn't believe it, he said now I can vote with him.
I told him No, because of the 29 dates deadline I missed it.
He insists I can vote because I received my voting card. He then said the passport mentioned 4-8 weeks process time, but I got it within 10 days, does it mean I am not allow to travel with the passport till that restricted period of time?
I disagreed with him, I thought this was because of counting the prospect vote issue. Every states are different, some states are 14 days, some states are 45 days. Anyway, I went to early voting with him.
While we were in the line, by the way it was more than a 30 minutes wait; we met a couple who lived in Costa Rica for 2 years, and they also lived in Ching Mai Thailand for 3 years, so we started talking about our trip.
At the time I sat down to register with a poll worker, she told me I was rejected!!!
I hated to say this to victor: "I TOLD YOU SO!"
Sunday, October 24, 2010
silly golf cake
I had this idea like a year ago, reading a magazine and saw a cake was made in a flip flop shape just felt it was funny looking, it was the type of cake that makes you smile just by looking at it. Then I said to myself, I could transfer the idea to make a silly-looking golf cake, not necessary a flip flop but having a theme for the cake seems fun.
At that time, I had the 14th hole of Jupiter Country Club in my mind which is a nice par 3 over water with two deep bunkers guarding the front part of the green. Now that I am at eastpointe country club, the 16th hole re-assemble a similar look to it without much elevation changes.
Victor does not feel too well lately so I have some time in my hand to fool around at the kitchen. I drew 4 scratches then I expand the most reasonably looking one into a one to one ratio drawing on a piece of wax paper, which later I can trim the cake or create some mount around the cake following the real size wax paper drawing.
While I was trying to buy baking supplies at a local cake supply store, the owner share her cake creation album with me, actually it was the owner's sister, she did not bake the cake, her younger sister did but she showed me the album. Her version was pretty funny looking but technically it was just different color of butter cream frosting and different style of piping. I needed texture, forms and slope so I decided to go on my own.
Turns out it was better-looking than the professional custom baker version, I would check later if it taste good though, the cake is going to my friend's two young daughters.
A friend was complaining that I made the cake out from cake mix (red velvet cake), well, it took 6 hours actively working around the kitchen just to fool around with the frosting, it will take 8 hours if I make the cake from scratch. I would say that is about the maximum amount of time that I committed to make a cake, the next project would be a wedding cake if it takes so much time! Anyway, Victor was amazed at the cake and said: "I've never seen anything like it!"
Summary of cost:
Cake mix $3
Pumpkin cream cheese filling $6
Marshmallow mini $2 (use as filling and also use to build mount of the slope)
Honey Graham Cookie $3 (crumble for bunker)
Eggs $2
Butter $5
Coconut sweeten $2 (rough --- mix with icing color green in a zip-lock bag, roast in oven for 15 minutes to dry afterward)
Rice Crispy $1 (crumble for cart path)
Licorice $2 (use as borders around the lake, use a carving knife to shape rakes)
Jello in blue $1 (use as lake, mold into a plastic glad box lined with plastic wrap, when the jello set a few hours later, un-mold onto the cake surface)
Icing color $3
Lady golfer $3
Green sprinkler $3 (fringe of the green and tee box grass)
Coconut oil $2
Jelly bean (tee box marker)
Creativity and Patience --- Priceless!
Monday, October 18, 2010
House Launched!
http://www.hometakesvideos.com/showcase/tour.php?id=1638&cat=tour&style=ub
you may have to copy the above link, then paste it on your browser. I have trouble to post a hyperlink through java script on this blogger site.
click the above link, should lead you to a video tour of the house, it did not show the guest rooms and their bathrooms entirely but it shows a little bit on the photos button on top right corner. Every looks pretty good except victor's office, it shows his coffee cup hanging on the desk top.
it took more than 3 weeks to get the house into its tip-top shape for photo-shoot, I am very happy with the outcome, this is the first step to getting a prospect --- at least get dressed up! If I wake up in the morning with thick glasses, did not wash my face and comb my hair, I am sure there won't be any prospects; same theory goes to getting a client to look at the house, it has to be presented well.
Let's see what happen next! I am getting excited
you may have to copy the above link, then paste it on your browser. I have trouble to post a hyperlink through java script on this blogger site.
click the above link, should lead you to a video tour of the house, it did not show the guest rooms and their bathrooms entirely but it shows a little bit on the photos button on top right corner. Every looks pretty good except victor's office, it shows his coffee cup hanging on the desk top.
it took more than 3 weeks to get the house into its tip-top shape for photo-shoot, I am very happy with the outcome, this is the first step to getting a prospect --- at least get dressed up! If I wake up in the morning with thick glasses, did not wash my face and comb my hair, I am sure there won't be any prospects; same theory goes to getting a client to look at the house, it has to be presented well.
Let's see what happen next! I am getting excited
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