Braided Apple Pie Bread

For the Apple Filling

3 medium-size Granny Smith apples
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons lemon juice

For the Bread

2 1/2 cups bread flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon instant yeast
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons vegetable oil

For the Glaze
1/3 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
5 teaspoons whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt
Pinch or 2 of nutmeg


Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Make the Apple Filling: Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin slices, then cut the slices in half. Toss the apple pieces with the sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Bake the apple filling in an 8-inch square baking pan (or 9-inch pie tin) for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. (Note: Do not turn the oven off at this point. You will be using it to bake the finished braid.)

Make the Bread: While the apple filling is baking, begin preparing the bread dough. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add the water and oil and mix the dough for 6 minutes using an electric mixer on medium-high speed.

Spray a smooth clean surface with cooking spray and turn the dough out onto the surface. Knead the dough briefly to give it a smooth surface (this will only take several turns of the dough to accomplish). Spray a rolling pin with cooking spray and roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 12-inches by 16-inches in size. Lift onto a greased baking sheet.

Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut each side into strips about 1-inch wide down each side, leaving the center third of the dough uncut. Spread the apple filling down the middle third of the dough. Fold strips of dough into the center, crisscrossing the filling by alternating strips from each side. Lightly press ends to seal, and straighten out the braid with your hands, if necessary, to straighten.

Bake the braid in the oven for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the braid cool for several minutes.

Make the Glaze: Whisk together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl until blended and smooth.

Brush the glaze in a thick coat over the entire surface of the apple braid while it is still cooling. Carefully transfer the braid to a cooling rack set on a baking sheet (to catch drips) to finish cooling and prevent the bottom of the braid from becoming soggy from sitting in any pooling glaze. Slice and serve.

Montreal born bodybuilding legend Joe Weider dead at 93

Montreal native Joe Weider, a legendary figure in bodybuilding who helped popularize the sport worldwide and played a key role in introducing a charismatic young weightlifter named Arnold Schwarzenegger to the world, died Saturday at age 93.

He popularized bodybuilding and spread the message of health and fitness worldwide with such publications as Muscle & Fitness, Flex and Shape. Schwarzenegger himself is the executive editor of Muscle & Fitness and Flex.

He created one of bodybuilding's pre-eminent events, the Mr. Olympia competition, in 1965, adding to it the Ms. Olympia contest in 1980, the Fitness Olympia in 1995 and the Figure Olympia in 2003.

Source

Spring Daisy Cake

Makes: 10  servings

Prep   1 min  to  20 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 1 pound (8 oz) box prepared white fondant

• Gel-paste food coloring

• Cornstarch

• 28 inches round cake layers (your favorite yellow cake recipe)

• 1 recipe Fluffy Vanilla Frosting, below

Directions

1. Divide fondant in half and knead yellow coloring into one half, using a light dusting of cornstarch to prevent sticking. Working with one color at a time, roll both white and yellow fondants into thin sheets, about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out small flowers. (Daisy cookie cutter from winbeckler.com.)

2. Knead scraps together to soften and make small balls; moisten with water and press a ball into the center of each flower. Dry flowers overnight on a wire rack to give them shape. Note: While working with one piece of fondant, you should always keep the other piece covered to prevent it from drying out.

3. Trim domed tops from cakes and place one cake on a serving platter. Color 2 cups frosting dark green and the remaining frosting light green. Cover cake layer on platter with light green frosting about inch thick, then top with second cake. Ice entire cake with light green frosting. Use extra frosting in a piping bag with a #5 plain tip to create a border on the bottom edge.

4. Use dark green icing in a piping bag with a #10 or #12 plain tip to pipe grass points on the top of the entire cake. Top with fondant flowers. Makes 10 servings.

Nutrition Facts

• Servings Per Recipe 10
 
• cal.(kcal)945,
 
• Fat, total(g)50,
 
• chol.(mg)164,
 
• sat. fat(g)26,
 
• carb.(g)124,
 
• Monosaturated fat(g)13,
 
• Polyunsaturated fat(g)7,
 
• sugar(g)105,
 
• pro.(g)4,
 
• vit. A(IU)1118,
 
• Riboflavin(mg)0,
 
• Cobalamin (Vit. B12)(µg)0,
 
• sodium(mg)371,
• Potassium(mg)14,
 
• calcium(mg)111,
 
• iron(mg)1,
 
• Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Fluffy Vanilla Frosting

Yield: 5 cups

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsalted butter, softened

• 6 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• a pinch of salt

Directions

1. Beat butter until creamy, about 2 min. Add sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well and scraping down sides of bowl. Beat in vanilla and salt; stir until smooth. Makes 5 cups.

Source

First Day of Spring 2013

Happy Happy Day

Earth Hour 2013

Saturday, March 23, 2013
Earth Hour 2013
Dare the World to Save the Planet

Switch off your lights on Saturday 23rd March at 8:30pm and show the world what you're willing to do to save the planet.

Join the global community at www.earthhour.org

Apple Pie in the Sky Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 Scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 cup raw apples, chopped
• 2 teaspoons walnuts
• 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 5 large ice cubes

Directions

1. Put all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until all ice is crushed and smooth.
2. Pour into a large glass

Stolen iPad Pictures Lead To Some Fun For Victim

Stupid iPad thief takes self-shots not realizing they are being backed-up to the rightful owners iCloud account. So what do you do when your iPad has been stolen and you can see all the pictures the thief has taken? You post the pictures to your Facebook account and entertain your friends with clever captions.

Read the story by Chris Crum,  here

Strawberry Shortcake Bites

Ingredients

• 1 pound strawberries
• 1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup reduced fat or nonfat cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 Tablespoon stevia
• Graham cracker crumbs

Directions

1. Wash and dry strawberries.
2. Cut the leafy tops off and discard.
3. Core the strawberries with a small knife and set aside.
4. In a small bowl whip together the Greek yogurt, cram cheese, vanilla, and stevia until smooth.
5. Using a pastry bag or small spoon, fill each cored strawberry with the cream cheese mixture.
6. Place strawberries in refrigerator to set.
7. Take strawberries ou and dip the tops into the Graham cracker crumbs.
8. Place back in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

David Thomas Benefit

Barely minutes after 2 in the afternoon and the band is already 20 minutes into a set as part of their tuning.  With the  conclusion of Bob Seger's "Come to papa" fading in the background, the noise from the people milling about fills the room.  Idle chatter replacing loud music.

An hour passes.  The room is now full of unfamiliar faces eager to support a young man finally on the road to recovery after a serious workplace accident almost took his life and left him in a medically induced coma for over a month.  Laughter in the distance between old and new friends is comforting.  The smell of steak on the barbecue is beginning to waft through the doors and wrap itself around the room.

Looking thin, pale and moving ever-so-slowly, David Thomas enters the room and greets everyone along his path to his seat.  Many hugs, handshakes and at least one teary pair of eyes greeted him.

He didn't come alone.  With him entered a seemingly endless entourage of friends, filtering into the already crowded room.  Finding seats wherever they can.  The noise level has noticeably increased.  Excited chatter!  The crowds collective sigh of relief on finally seeing with their own eyes, the young man who fought so hard to live and who continues to work hard to get better.

It was only moments before everyone found somewhere to sit and settled in for the meal which would be served shortly.   People lined up politely and waited as wait staff served steak to each guest or pasta (for the children), then all proceeded in neat rows to the tables full of salads, potatoes and other 'fixings'.     

The mood was light and friendly.  By the time desserts were served, prizes were being picked and given to the winners.  Many donated gift certificates, televisions and other goodies from local businesses who came through for this young man.  It wasn't long before the speeches were presented and the band played thunderous melodies to entertain David and all the guests in attendance. 

It was a wonderful day, with a wonderful turn-out, for a wonderful man and a great cause.




The event was held at Oasis Lounge on Forest Glade Drive, Windsor.  The band members are Mark Chichkan (lead guitar/vocals) , Mike Chichkan (drums), Mitch Taylor (base guitar) -- collectively they are known as United Snakes.

Our Motown Night With Serieux

The St. Clair Centre for the Arts was the location for the presentation of The Sounds of Motown with Serieux.  Arms Bumanlag was the MC and spoke twice.  The only part I could actually hear was part of his name and where he works.  For whatever reason the audio was a bit 'hollow' and uneven.

The menu was very tasty and nicely put together.  They started the night with fresh pasta sheets with cream sauce, sautéed mushrooms, baby spinach and lots of cheese they call "The Classic 5"

Followed by "The Month of May" salad consisting of mixed greens, broiled mushrooms and asparagus.

The main course was "Hitsville USA", chicken breast stuffed with Wisconsin cheddar cheese, Michigan dried cherries and smokey tomato compote with Idaho potatoes.  It looked great but as a vegetarian my entree was couscous, rice, bulgur wheat combination with eggplant, zucchini cauliflower, broccoli and black beans.  It was very good but far too much for me to eat.  

Hitsville USA stuffed chicken breast

Vegetarian dinner option

Finally, the "Chocolate Temptation" dessert.  Chocolate mousse torte, chocolate dipped strawberry and white chocolate and sauce.  I think in this case a picture will speak volumes. A virtual dessert feast for the eyes! Enjoy!

Finally, here's a brief video of the performance. 

Real-Life Story of The Notebook

Ninety-one year old Jack Potter reads 75 years of personal diaries to his wife on a daily basis.   His wife Phyllis, 93, has dementia  and was moved in 2007  to a nursing home near the home they shared for 5o years.   Jack has visited his wife every day and reads to her from the diaries he's been writing since he received his first one from his father for Christmas in1938.

"Phyllis means everything to Jack," Susan Oates, home manager at Copper Beeches, part of Four Seasons Health Care, told ABCNews.com. "He says there was no boss in their relationship, everything was equal."
Potter says his wife was aware that he kept detailed diaries throughout their marriage, but "didn't pay particular interest" to his habit. Now the diaries serve as a remaining tie between the pair.
"When Jack visits Phyllis he either talks to her about their long life together or remembers particular holidays with the help of the diaries," said Oates. "Phyllis still recognizes Jack despite the dementia. She pats his leg when he reads to her and often smiles."
"Phyllis is very affectionate toward Jack and reaches out her arms to hug him when he arrives and kisses his hand when he leaves," she said.

 Source

Baked Bean Dinner Surprise

One day I met a sweet woman and fell in love. When it became apparent that we would marry, I made the supreme sacrifice and gave up beans. 

Some months later, on my birthday, my car broke down on the way home from work. Since I lived in the countryside I called my wife and told her that I would be late because I had to walk home. On my way, I passed by a small diner and the odour of baked beans was more than I could stand. With miles to walk, I figured that I would walk off any ill effects by the time I reached home, so I stopped at the diner and before I knew it, I had consumed three large orders of baked beans. All the way home, I made sure that I released all the gas. 

Upon my arrival, my wife seemed excited to see! me and exclaimed delightedly: "Darling I have a surprise for dinner tonight." 
She then blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the dinner table. I took a seat and just as she was about to remove my blindfold, the telephone rang. She made me promise not to touch the blindfold until she returned and went to answer the call. The baked beans I had consumed were still affecting me and the pressure was becoming most unbearable, so while my wife was out of the room I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go. It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running over a skunk in front of a pulpwood mill. I took my napkin from my lap and fanned the air around me vigorously.

Then, shifting to the other cheek, I ripped off three more. The stink was worse than cooked cabbage. Keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, I went on like this for another few minutes. The pleasure was indescribable. When eventually the telephone farewells signaled the end of my freedom, I quickly fanned the air a few more times with my napkin, placed it on my lap and folded my hands back on it feeling very relieved and pleased with myself. My face must have been the picture of innocence when my wife returned, apologizing for taking so long. She asked me if I had peeked through the blindfold, and I assured her I had not. At this point, she removed the blindfold, and twelve dinner guests seated around the table chorused: "Happy Birthday!" I fainted!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mac and Cheese Style Cauliflower

Ingredients

• 8 cups cauliflower florets 
• 2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
• 3 Tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 cups low fat milk
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 cups grated extra sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven at 350*F.
2. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil.
3. Add cauliflower florets, and boil 5 to 7 minutes or until just tender.
4. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid and set aside.
5. Melt butter in same pot over medium heat.
6. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
7. Whisk in milk, garlic and reserved cooking liquid and cook 7 to 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened, whisking constantly.
8. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, nutritional yeast, cayenne pepper and egg yolks until cheese is melted.  Fold in cauliflower.
9. Spray cooking oil in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
10. Spread cauliflower mixture in baking dish and sprinkle with dread crumbs.
11. Spray breadcrumbs with cooking spray
12. Bake 30 minutes or until casserole is hot and bubbly and breadcrumbs are crisp and brown.

Serves 8

Sweet and Sour Cucumbers & Dill

Ingredients

• 2 English cucumbers (1 1/2 pounds total) unpeeled, sliced thin
• 1 Tablespoon coarse Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup thinly chopped fresh dill
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Directions

Place cucumber slices in colander.  Sprinkle with salt; toss to coat.

Let stand 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

For Dressing

Stir vinegar, dill, sugar and pepper in a large bowl until the sugar dissolves. 

Blend

Drain cucumbers and pat dry.  Add cucumbers to the dressing and stir to blend.  Refrigerate from 15 minutes to 2 hours before serving.

Serves 6 - 8

The Sociology of Gossip