Sunday, March 16, 2014

Relaxing Music

I am always in search for music that either relaxes my soul or anything that excites my ears.  Unfortunately, I feel like I have to search through dozens of songs before I find one worthy of a whole listen to and hundreds to find one that respects a repeated listen to.  Then, there are songs like this one that captures an emotion in my mind that I cannot describe.  I recently was searching on YouTube for "green tea music" and this was my search result.  I have played it a few times each evening here at home and I have yet to tire of it. 

I ask that you take a few moments out of your chaotic and stressful day to listen to this song.  I would love to download this song so that the artist would be rewarded for their creation and I would also love to cite the artist but the name is in Chinese so I am unable to identify and provide that person's name for you.  My apologies for this.


Find a comfortable place to sit or lay....close your eyes........and allow your mind to wander wherever this music directs it.      I truly hope that you enjoy this song as much as we do.






Saturday, March 15, 2014

Jackfruit BBQ 'Pork'

*Casie Here*
Prepare to have your mind BLOWN!
If you think going Vegan/Vegetarian means you have to give up Pulled Pork Sandwiches, think again. This my friends is THE closest thing to it....and it's a FRUIT!!!! That is right, fruit! So, weird I know, but trust me on this one.
 This is what you go buy in the Asian market: Young Green Jackfruit in WATER (not brine or syrup). It's about a $1 a can. We got 9 cans for a pretty big crockpot that would feed 20-25 people with extra left over.
 I wanted my pulled 'pork' sandwiches to have onions in them too. So I sautéed up some onions and minced garlic. I put that in the crock pot after it was browned lightly. You can skip this step if you are not an onion fan. You could also chop up some peppers or anything else you like in your pulled pork sandwiches. 
 I just drained and dumped all 9 cans into the crock.
 Actually I took out most of these seeds in the fruit, but I think you would be ok if you didn't.
 Straight out of the can. Looks like pork already.

 Dump your favorite BBQ sauce all over it. I used Stubs and I liked it. It has a little kick at the end, but I don't like spicy and it was definitely bearable. You turn it on high for at least 10 hours. 
 Once it has gone for 10 hours or so (you can do this anytime after it is tender really), you can take out and shred the jackfruit just like you would the pork with 2 forks. Put it all back in, mix really good together and add more sauce or other seasonings you would like. And that is it! It is a little 'fatty' tasting like pork and a little chewy like pork. It is delicious.
*BIGGEST TIP of the NIGHT* 
We found out that day 3 and 4 are the BEST days to actually eat it. So, make it on lets say a Sunday evening let it cook overnight. The next morning shred it and add more sauce, then put it in the fridge for 1-2 days. Add more sauce if it gets dried up. Then enjoy! All the flavors had time to come together and that spiciness that I was talking about was completely gone. 
Get yourself some really good buns and get ready to FAKE any one out. I would love to hear comments under this post of people who try this and what them and other though of it. Have fun tricking anyone, even a avid pork lover.

Ha Ha!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

It is your choice.

I love this video.....and I think you will, too.


Do you or someone you know use a tanning bed? If so, please watch:




Thank you to K.L. for bringing this video to my attention.

Vegetable Rankings.

This is a ranking of vegetables that I really like because it includes lutein.  Studies on lutein's health benefits suggest that dietary intake of lutein may help protect against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. 


The grid is difficult to read as it is presented on the page.  If you click the ranking grid, it will enlarge for you to view.  Note the key at the bottom to assist you in interpreting the grid.