Popovers to die for!

This recipe is SO easy and so yummy. I highly recommend using the suggested substitutions to lower fat and cholesterol.

Time: 1 hr 10 min
Servings: 12 popovers

1.5 cups flour (Suggested, 3/4 c all-purpose flour, 3/4 c whole wheat flour)
3/4 tsp salt
3 large eggs (suggested, 2 yolks, 4 egg whites)
1.5 cups milk (suggested, fat-free...trust me...it's still amazing)

In large bowl, mix flour and salt; make a well in center. In another bowl, beat eggs and milk, then pour into well. Gradually stir egg mixture into flour/salt until batter is the consistency of heavy cream yet slightly lumpy; do not overbeat. Allow batter to rest for about 30 mins to an hour.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place 1 tsp butter in each cup of a 12-cup muffin tin or two 6-cup popover tin (suggested use very little or none to reduce fat/chol). Heat in oven until butter melts...about a min. Divide batter among cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake until puffed and golden brown, about 20 mins.

Turn out popovers,serve immediately. And take a picture because they are so gorgeously yummy and huge when they come out of the oven...but the height doesn't last long (this is normal).

Grab some butter, honey and/or jam and enjoy!

(pict...mini popovers!!!)

We'll see him again...

I've caught a couple episodes of America's Got Talent recently. If you haven't seen it, don't worry, you're not missing a lot. Except the rare talent that finds it's way on-stage.

I'd like to shed light on one such talent. Michael Grimm

He has an amazing voice. He's humble. He's grateful. He's giving.
I'm sure we'll see more of him.



Go, Michael!

Please Stay, LeBron!

I just saw the best thing ever... 

In the fight for the basketball star LeBron James, Cleveland fans have staged an aggressive, heartfelt video campaign using songs like "We Are LeBron," sung to the tune of "We Are the World." 

Not to be outdone, New York City is getting into the multimedia game by producing videos to lure him east. see video here


And although I live in NYC, I want to see LeBron stay in Cleveland (heart is where your family is [Cleveland for me]). They deserve each other. LeBron seems like an upstanding, hard working guy...just like Cleveland. 

Besides, the Knicks stink. And yes, they know it. 


CLEVELAND ROCKS!!!!


hugs n kisses, Cleveland.
mmmmmmmwah!

Planet Green...

I am a HUGE fan of Planet Green. It's by the Discovery Channel (another fav).

Planet Green recently showed photos by a photographer who gets within feet (!!) of whales and oh..my...god...these photos are amazing! As far as I'm concerned, when someone is SO good at what they do that inspires you to want to do it too, is a feat that should be bottled and sold!

This photographer is that good.

Check them out...

Photographer: Bryant Austin

A quiet Chicago afternoon...

Here I sit in a coffee house in Chicago hitting a couple of my favorite places before I go to another hotel that's far from the city.

The coffee is good. The cinnamon roll I got was ok. As soon as I saw it I remembered my Mom telling me about a place here that has amazing cinnamon rolls. I assured her I would not go looking for the place. Alas...I found this one. Dang.


The one place that was on my list to go to is this amazing store in the Gold Coast area of Chicago. It's called P.O.S.H. I first went there last year with my sister and Mom. I was instantly in love.

They carry "flea-market chic" finds, unique antique styled wares and home-goods. Books. Maps (I love cool old looking maps...I bought one for Rome this visit). And more. A wonderfully European-style boutique. 

I spoke with the gentleman behind the counter who was nothing if not terribly nice, he was Karl Sorensen. He helped me find the map I was looking for and we chatted a bit. The store was filling up with customers while I was there going through all it had to offer while I searched for that one thing I felt I had to have, the one thing I felt someone else would love and then those same things that I had to figure out how to get back to NYC in my bag which was already full. (wow that was a long sentence). I left with only the map.

Should you find yourself in the heart of one of my favorite cities, Chicago....I highly recommend a visit to this great store.

Here is a pict of an item I thought long and hard about. They would have gone SO well in my Brooklyn apt. Unfortunately I couldn't get them. But should I change my mind....

Vintage Wooden Tops

Not just any tea...

For the record...I love coffee. I love the way it smells. I love the smooth and warm sensation that runs down my throat and into my chest when I sip it. It's what I look forward to every morning and what I enjoy on weekend mornings when the sun is coming up.

That being said, every evening since I can remember, I've had a cup of tea. It too is so soothing. All different types. Last time I went to Chicago I stayed in a nice hotel downtown. It was an exhausting day so all I wanted to do was draw a bath and have a cup of tea and fall asleep to a movie.

I called down to the desk and they brought me up three different types (kinds) of tea, all being Mighty Leaf Teas. I'd heard of the brand but never had it. Didn't give it much thought to be honest. But as soon as I opened the bag to make the tea an amazing aroma spilled from the packet.

The tea was in a little "sack" that let the tea leaves flow more freely in the hot water. It smelled good and was a fantastic and soothing cup of tea.

Bottom line, I HIGHLY recommend it. I came across a couple packs the other day again and remembered how much I like it. So...that's my latest recommendation on something that I found truly yummy.

My fav is the Orange African Nectar. Although I haven't tried them all, yet. You'll notice the difference if you like tea.

Enjoy.

Getting a haircut?

I'm sure you've heard...there's been a bit of a spill off the coast of Louisana. Ok...a HUGE spill, can you say "Exxon Valdez"?

A San Francisco-based nonprofit group, Matter of Trust, came up with an idea of collecting hair, and even pet fur, putting it into nylons to create "tubes" and help aid in the oil spill clean-up. As you know, hair absorbs oil. The nylons will be placed in the oil ridden water to help absorb the oil. I heard the plan was that BP would take care of the tubes after they've been soaked with the oil in the water with possible incineration. I think that sounds like a great plan. Any help is good help. This is a huge mess.

The hair can be donated. The group is called Matter of Trust. Please note that the plan is not authorized by the government, yet. But I'm crossing my fingers. It's my understanding that a 15-chain store has become active in the effort...PR at Partners, headed by Jacqui Davis. I commend her efforts!

See what you can do today. Stay informed.

sources:
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/problem-for-containment-dome-in-gulf/?hp
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/07/AR2010050704893.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-gulf-oil-spill,0,1622568.story

Etsy Shout-Out

Last August I bought a custom necklace from one9designs. Kristin was fabulous to work with!

My necklace I had made with the first letter of the name of each of my family members (7 in total). Each letter was on a small leaf floating on the chain. I love it and have gotten many compliments on it. I showed it to my family when I went home to visit (Cleveland) and my sister wanted one too. Last month I ordered her the same necklace, same letters, same leaves.

She loves her necklace. As do I mine.

Thank you, Kristin for your creativity and professionalism. You rock. :)

You can find one9design by clicking here.