Food | dymoonblog

A fine WordPress.com site

Posts tagged ‘Food’

HOT DOGS!

WOW and wow again.. Good morning everyone, here it is a few days before the big day.. everyone is having a family get together soon, has had one or is planning one. Last night at church we had our monthly Thanksgiving service. After service on the 21st, tradition has it that we have Japanese Curry on rice.. We get two different choices, mild and spicy along with a green salad.. and yes there is always a dessert, members bring in goodies too. Last night it was a big honking apple pie from Costco that was front and centre for those with a sweet tooth.

On our way home I turned to my friend Eartha and said ” I could go for a hot dog right now”. I really really meant it, I’d had hot dogs on my mind since the other dat, Not any hot dog, but the big ones we get from Costco, steamed. It is the closest to the Montreal dog that I drool over. I’ve learned to eat it bare. No condiments. Why, cuz they don’t always have them out, and because it is messy if you are going to be eating it in your car..BEFORE you drive out of the lot.

Obviously we did not stop for hot dogs.. it was late and time to get home. But the thought has not gone away, because in doing my research for the blog… look at what I found… No there is no point in my going out and buying hot dogs and buns.. that is not how it works with a craving… The best part of eating an “all dressed” hot dog, is to go and get one from a vendor who knows how to dish them out. Do you agree?

Everyone has their own specialty. Something they do well. I accept that making a good hot dog is not one of mine.

In PL we have a Precept … Precept #13 – There is a Way for Men and a Way for Women. I’ve always had a bit of a problem with the wording, and I’ve had many a discussion about this with various ministers and officials of the church.. I am of course limited due to the fact that this ministry is out of Japan, and few of the ministers, I myself can dialogue with, speak with a good command of the English language. I do not speak Japanese.

So to me, and this is MY take on it after years of study and being with PL. we men and women are like the hot dog, we come in one shape (human) the shapes and sizes differ, but we all hot dogs. And then depending on where we live and the customs and beliefs we are adorned with as we journey along. We appear to be other than what we actually are. (in this missive, hot dogs =^_^=) human beings.

We, each and every one of us, may take a different path, or use different condiments to enjoy our hot dog, in the end, we are satisfying a craving, an urge, a desire….. What is different is how we want our hot dogs, our choices are what we decide to do with the hot dog…. and in the end, the choice we made, was it a good one?

Oh my, won’t you be happy when I find myself hot dog and move on…… cravings !!!!

Have a super happy day everyone!

Namaste – Oyashikiri

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

garlic

Garlic, what is it about garlic that can make it such a special plant, not everyone likes it, but many do, and those of us who appreciate its flavour, love to put it in almost everything we make for consumption. I myself like garlic, in Chinese cooking, it is almost a staple. When I keyed in garlic what I got was recipes of all kinds that use garlic. Garlic cheese bombs, rustic chicken with garlic gravy, roasted garlic, garlic rubbed roasted cabbage steaks, very impressive.

They all sound so tempting and so yummy, and I likely to try them, probably not. Over the years I have I freely admit, set in my ways, and although I enjoy what I cook and eat, food is not something I have a passion for, it is necessary in life, and therefore, I eat.

Many of my friends are “foodies” they love experimenting and trying something new, they chase the food trucks, all the rage now.. each truck a delight to the palate and the sensory senses.

Just the smell of fresh garlic is a savory moment.

If you are old school, and you crush your garlic on a wooden cutting board, (I use the Chinese traditional cleaver) when that aroma burst into the air, Wow!

Now to my husband who didn’t grow up with the smell of garlic or other seasonings and ingredients of Chinese cuisine, caught of guard, he can find it almost repulsive.

We are all different and unique, it comes up in our daily lives all the time.

Why do we have such issues with it, when it is on a grander scale.

Did you know that garlic is a good remedy to stop a persistent cough..

I admit when told of this, I was not really a believer.

I had a cough that wouldn’t go away. A friend said, “hey you gotta try garlic!” He told me to make a piece of dry toast, and put a fresh piece of garlic on it and eat it. Nothing else, only the crushed garlic and the dry toast. Unable to sleep because of the cough, I got up and out of sheer frustration with my situation, I made a piece of toast, minced the garlic with one wop of my palm on the cleaver… and … put it on the dry toast….. bit into the garlic and toast.

I had never eaten (to my knowledge) raw garlic (except the stems in a salad) talk about instant reaction in my mouth. It is strong, potent, and for good measure I’ll say again, strong. I persisted and ate it all…………. the cough went away. I think my beloved husband was ready to go too, the dogs didn’t mind, but even I held my breath… the moment passed, and so did the coughing.

You just never know until you try something.

PL Precept # 18 – Each Moment Is a Turning Point

Namaste – Oyashikiri

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

simplify

living on the beach man

oh that’s where I wanna be

hmmm the sun, the surf

and fishing, that is something else

I could have fresh fish everyday

prawns and simple fare

oh man but does that sound so fab

sunny days with clear blue skies

even scuba diving and water adventures

I’ve never done before…

that said, my reality is simple

while I would like ro explore for a week or so

a place totally different from my own

I’m a proud Canadian who loves being home

We have four glorious seasons

each one giving us different reasons

to go out and explore the great Canadian experience

I do love to travel

but more and more, I want to be home

where life is simple, and its my own’

The holiday season is fast approaching

the lights, the cool invigorating frosty air

wood fire crackling in the fireplace, home baking

and evergreens everywhere

AND AND AND

now it is pumpkin season,

there are so many different squashes

and fall vegetables everywhere

LOL and it can be spooky and fun

you never know what you will see while being out and about

there are just too many creative people out there

so, yes, I love love reading about David’s* travels

and his photography showing us all

where he has been, delights and teases me

David I watch for your reads

now lets eat..

Smile everyone,

It’s Friday!

Namaste – Oyashikiri

*David photographer,blogger -A wandering memory- WordPress

*pinterest

*DIY Heidi Rew (Parties for Pennies)

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

sweet relish & smoked oysters

Even when we do our best, some times we don’t feel that the outcome was what we wanted or expected. On reflection, when reviewed, often we are left wondering.. “what were we thinking” If you love to cook, you know, if like me, you are someone who creates the meal from scratch and on the go that what seems great in thought, does not always translate well to the tongue and taste buds.

Life situations are much the same, we think we want, or feel that something just “has” to happen, or we want to reach another level in our careers, we just “know” that the change will somehow make our everyday life sooooooooooo much better. We will be soooooooooooo much happier, etc.

Then we reach that plateau, or when we acquire what we thought would make life so much easier, the reality hits home. Life is. The sun still shines, the rain pours, bills keep coming in, and friends come and go. Nothing has changed except the players and the environment you are in. In other words, everything has changed, but you still feel that discontent, that “je ne c’est pas quoi” When we live doing our best, then each moment of the day is a good one, we are happy about what we are doing and our choices. If the outcome isn’t what we wanted, then revisit the “want”. It isn’t always the destination, more often than naught, it is the journey that counts. Now is what matters. Happiness is … (we all have our own happy button, find yours)

Why on earth was I thinking oysters and sweet relish? oh well, that was then, this is now.

Namaste – Oyashikiri

* Dill with it Art Print by Phil Jones (society6.com)

** found on buzzfeed.com

*** steamykitchen.com

Guess what food item will be on the grocery list today =^_^=

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Happy Thanksgiving

When I keyed in the word Thanksgiving, my screen was instantly filled with pictures of food, Very delicious tempting foods, from salads, veggie dishes to main dishes. But I was looking for more. Even the crock pot BBQ Beer pulled chicken with cheddar corn popovers, tho’ yummy, was passed on.

Thanksgiving I know is about gathering with friends and family to enjoy the bounty of a good fall harvest. Often it is the last big feast before the holidays in December.

For members of PL (Perfect Liberty) we celebrate Thanksgiving every 21st of the month. 12 months of the year. Why .. because it is an important reminder that we should always be thankful and grateful for the life we are living. I came across a prayer the other day I would like to share part of it with you.

Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers,

But to be fearless in facing them.

Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain,

But for the heart to conquer it.

Let me not look for allies in life’s battlefield

But to my own strength.

I am grateful every day for my friends, I count each and everyone of you as a friend. I am truly blessed. May the Universe grant you your prayers, this day and always. Blessings …

“A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart”

Namaste – Oyashikiri

* found on halfbakedharvest.com ( salted caramel apple snickers cake)

** halfbakedharvest.com – you’ll find recipe there

*** prayer found in 2013 Friendship Book

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Days gone by

The other day I drove past a small Baptist Church. I couldn’t help but wonder, what it had been like several decades ago. The town it is in is not all that big, and it has several churches. This is one of them. Back in its day, the town was active, and bustling with activity. There are still many working farms in the communities. Do the small churches still fill up and bubble over with the voices of growing families and animated children?

This is one I found on the back road as I wound my way down the quiet highway towards another small town in the townships. I stopped the car in both instances, and walked up to and around the buildings. You can see that there is a cemetery next to the Presbyterian church. Reading tombstones is a wonderful way to pass the time and take in the history of a place. There is something very valuable in remembering and giving thanks to ancestors and their contributions to what “is” today.

My journey that day took me past miles of tended farmer’s fields, plowed and ready for the next growing season. It was a relaxing drive, I found that my mind emptied as the landscapes changed. The beauty of being on an open road with a clear blue sky above, and the zillion shapes and colors of autumn formed a gallery of unique artwork just for me. I was on a natural high.

Monotone you say! no way, it is a master piece I say..…Never take for granted the food on your plate. Think back to days gone by, when farmers came from all around to pray in the small churches in the towns and villages. Working hard all week, then Sundays gathering with friends for shared community and song. Traditions are being lost and forgotten. Remember when you drive along a country road, to look at the vistas you are passing. When you look and see a barn that has lost part of its roof, and the walls are falling in on themselves, remember that at one time it had a purpose, it is a testament of another time. One that got us to where we are today.

I left home with no expectations, and was treated to a day filled with wonders, and amazing moments. I felt deep gratitude, the Universe blessed me with a precious gift. A glimpse of life in another time,, an appreciation of days gone by.

Namaste – Oyashikiri

Pictures by Q (driving from Winchester to Embrum)

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Silliness aside

Jalapeno bacon, scrambled with eggs and hot chili spice, topped with another jalapeno sliced, seeds left in.

Side of calamari, battered in salt and pepper. accompanied by a garden fresh juicy tomato.

Dear reader who asked the question, would I eat this when my taste buds are not busy battling a nasty flu bug. Answer, yes and no. I am on the mend, the omelet I am eating no problem, I cannot do the sliced jalapeno even with the tomato to cool it down. The jalapeno bacon, ,hmmmm yes.. it is sooo good. I cook the bacon up on it’s on with about as many slices of jalapeno as you see in the picture. The whole package of very thinly sliced bacon goes into a wok type pan and is slowly cooked in its own juices along with the peppers.

When the bacon has simmered and cooked for about 20 minutes it is taken out with tongs and well-drained, When I cook I used the bacon for flavouring, in the mornings it is used to do up an omelet such as the one above… It is delicious, no extra seasoning is needed, but hey, go crazy with whatever you feel will grab your morning appetite.

This morning I am treating myself to a hearty breakfast since I know we will be on the road for a couple of hours. It is a beautiful autumn day, Hubby will take us for a drive, so the dogs can have a good run in the dog park by the St. Lawrence River. (body of water that runs between Canada and the United States.

Principle #12 in Perfect Liberty is about starting the day with a pleasant and positive attitude.

Whatever your plans for today, I hope that you succeed at accomplishing what you want to do, you are all in my thoughts and prayers no matter where I am, In heart and spirit you are with me always…

Namaste Oyashikiri

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Chop Suey

Today we celebrated Ancestor’s Day, we do this on the 11th of every month. It is a time to pray and give thanks for the lessons and teachings that we learned in life as we progressed along the journey through our days and nights. It is not only our parents, it it is teachers, friends, other family members. neighbours, health care professionals , anyone we come in contact with who may have an affect of influence us, in some way shape form or other.

The name of this piece where the two ladies are sitting at a table in a Chinese Restaurant is Chop Suey. This is an oil painting done by Edward Hopper in 1929. It is currently in a private collection, I found this copy on wikipaintings.org. This picture brings back memories of the restaurants many decades ago. As soon as we sat down, a waiter in a smart uniform of black pants and a white jacket would appear with a pot of hot tea and cups. Rice was always free with your meal. It seems that every town or city had a Chinese restaurant and each one had on the menu, a version of Chop Suey.

Cooks back then were very adaptable to the region they were cooking in. The ingredients used back in China were not readily available in the city never mind the smaller towns, so they grew bean sprouts and served a variety of meats with sprouts, celery,onion and a few slivers of peppers for colour. If they used chicken it was chicken shop suey, if it was pork, pork choe suey etc., when crispy noodles were sprinkled on top the dish became a chow mein. NO we didn’t eat chop suey at home.

Today there are Asian grocery stores almost everywhere, even the big super markets have sections dedicated to the products and vegetables used in Asian cuisine. The ingredients are there for the actual meal, but the ambiance and customer service of yesteryear. Now you pay for the tea, and the rice, and yes you have a lot to pick from on the menu, it is no longer the simple menu of choosing from column A, B or C.

We can’t go back, but when I think of the ancestors or people who influenced some of my behaviour, the cooks and waiters who came to Canada to start new lives, their beliefs that hard work and dedication to the task before them, come to mind. They came to a country where they didn’t know the language to earn money so they could send or go back for their families, They wanted a better quality of life for those they loved, so they applied Makoto (sincerity) to their lives and earnestly did what needed to be done.

I am humbled by such dedication & selfless giving for the next generation. I give thanks for this memory, and I pray that I in turn will do something worthwhile that will help those around me and who will come after me.

Veggie chop suey – Yum…. (food pictures from Pinterest)

Namaste Oyashikiri

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Feelings -Thanksgiving

What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving……….

A meal shared with friends and family………..

Is it the joy you take in gathering supplies to make colorful decorations that will please the the eye and delight the senses? Small gifts for friends, or just to brighten your home.

As the color titillates our awakening senses, we are open to new adventures Where ever we are when the leaves start to change, we feel it in the air. Our appreciation of life is aroused and we find ourselves more open to changes, in fact, our creative juices start to bubble with ideas that want expression.

This picture evokes the desire to explore, to walk down this sun filled path, to smell the autumn leaves as they progress through their cycle of change. You know that the photographer who took this picture, felt the sun and heard the birds and wildlife that surround her/him. They managed to capture the moment beautifully. If you listen closely you’ll hear the rustle of the leaves as a gentle breeze makes its way through the spectrum of fall colored foliage.

Life is to be enjoyed, Thanksgiving is a time to express and give thanks for the bounty we receive in life, In Perfect Liberty, (PL) we give thanks each month for the many blessings in our lives. We do so on the 21 st . of each month.

Faith grows not only through intellectual understanding but also through actively participating in life, the PL WAY.

PL Precept 20.

Live Maintaining Equilibrium Between Mind and matter

PL Precept 21

Live in Perfect Liberty

Namaste – Oyashikiri

photos -Pinterest

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Gooood Morning everyone! =^_^=

PL (Perfect Liberty) lesson of the day >Willingly Take on Tasks That are Behind the Scenes < Be the one who is able to proactively take on the troublesome tasks that no one likes and for which they are not recognized. by doing so you will be filled with a genuine feeling of accomplishment.

Yesterday I was on a road trip with a dear friend, we took to the highway with a simple goal, a day away. We were blessed with wonderful weather, the bluest of skies and good roads. Crossing over into the States was quick, no long line ups, and we easily found the way to the places we had more or less decided to explore. The for sure destination was the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort for the noon hour buffet special.

Yes, those are big honking coconut breaded shrimps you see on top, and Yes i did take a picture of the dessert plate, and NO, I’m now showing you. Suffice to say it was very good, and totally enjoyed. For those wondering where all the greens were, they were in the car, we munched on raw sugar snap peas and other veggies as we drove along. No chips or junk food for us.

The whole day was one moment of living after another, we enjoyed the sights along the way, the company, the experience, we meandered , rested, and traveled again. Home at a reasonable hour, tired but happy…. that is what I call.. a holiday, =^_^=

Oyashikiri

*posted on Pinterest by Guillermon Perez via Tio Jesus TioChucho muydelgada.com

** Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort is in upper NY State, east of Massena