Drink, I must….

April 21, 2011 by 18 Comments

My battle with Blogger continues. 

Today is Thirsty Thursday on FTLOB.

Sharing something made with Jack Daniels.

I like Jack. 

Have been doing some serious sippin’ of late.

                                           

Sadly, it hasn’t taken the edge off my desire to choke the everloving poopies out of both Blogger and HTML code.

Nevertheless…drink, I must.

Make one of these and offer a toast  in my direction for good wishes.  Please!!

I appreciate your support.

    Jack Colada

1 1/2 parts Jack Daniels
    1/2 part Tuaca*
1 part Cream of Coconut
2 parts Pineapple Juice
*Tuaca is a Vanilla/Citrus Liqueur
Mix ingredients with 1/2 cup of ice in a blender until slushy. Pour into a hurricane glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry. Serve immediately.
 Or, like I did,  just stick a straw directly into the blender.
Why waste a glass?
Signature
Filed Under: Uncategorized

Suddenly, the light goes on….

April 19, 2011 by 8 Comments

Hot off the presses today, the first update, in 27 years, regarding Alzheimer’s disease.  I’m not impressed with all of the latest findings.

New Alzheimer’s Guidelines targets early stages

Don’t get me wrong, for anyone going forward this medical epiphany, supporting pre-testing for the disease, will hopefully benefit people slated to suffer with Alzheimer’s/Dementia and dictate treatment that might prevent it or significantly slow its progression.   That’s a positive.

What I do take great exception with is this one statement in the news article….

Many researchers believe most Alzheimer’s drugs have failed because they were tried in people whose disease was too advanced to do any good.


As a caregiver for my late mother, I battled with her physicians over the medications they prescribed that did nothing for her aberrant behaviors; in fact, every little pill, all combined, did nothing but exacerbate various aspects of  the late-stage dementia she suffered from.  This was almost 8 years ago, when my mother first came to live with us and I did my own intensive research, challenging her physicians at every turn.

I’m well aware that doctors continue to treat the caregivers along with the patient, prescribing sedatives, anti-depressants and anti-psychotics along with drugs like Aricept and others administered to those suffering with dementia.  The hope has been that, for the patient still living at home or with family, these drugs would quell the horrible symptoms that create absolute turmoil in the familial environment.  I can speak, with great authority, that this course of treatment never proved to be favorable in caring for my mother which is why I ceased giving her anything that was prescribed.  Eventually, her physicians concurred and her quality of life was compromised only from Alzheimer’s destructive march, not the side-effects of multiple medications.  As I’ve posted before, patients in too many nursing facilities are routinely pumped full of these medications if they have no one to advocate for them in their treatment; a very sad situation.

I’d say that it’s time for the medical field to acknowledge feedback from people directly involved in the daily care of Alzheimer’s patients; people who aren’t doing it as a business or part of their job…..Caregivers! 

Maybe then it won’t take another 27 years for the next light to go on.

 My Mom in 2004
Signature
Filed Under: Dealing with Dementia

Mussels and Fries with Mustard Mayonnaise

April 19, 2011 by 9 Comments

Taking some time from my blog, re-design, battles to share favorite recipe, hope you like it!

Popular in Belgium and northern France, Moules frites is simply Mussels and French Fries served with a tasty dipping sauce; this recipe caught my eye when Bobby Flay did one of his Throwdowns on the Food Network show.  Tried it and loved it!  It’s perfect anytime, especially for a barbeque.

2

4 lbs of black mussels

1 (15- to 16-ounce) package frozen french fries

1/2 oz chopped garlic

1 oz chopped shallots
1 oz chopped parsley
1 oz butter

1 oz olive oil

4 teaspoons dry mustard
4 teaspoons water
1 cup mayonnaise

Salt and pepper
4 oz white wine

Soak the mussels in cold water and clean one by one to make sure all sand and grit are out.
In the meantime, whisk together mustard and water until smooth, then whisk in mayonnaise and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, set aside.Cook french fries according to package instructions and keep warm in oven if necessary.

In a large pot put olive oil and butter and melt under a low heat.Add shallots and garlic and cook on top of stove for 1 minute.
Add the mussels and toss in pot to mix with olive oil and butter mixture. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until mussels just open wide, 4 to 6 minutes, checking frequently after 4 minutes and transferring as cooked to a bowl. (Discard any mussels that remain unopened.)
Add the white wine and allow a minute more.
Toss in the parsley and then pour liquid over mussels in a serving bowl. 
Serve with fries and mustard mayonnaise.
Enjoy!

Signature
Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »