Costco--to go or not to go, that is the question...

When Sis asked if I wanted to go with her to Costco (so she could pick up a decoration she saw there previously), I said yes, because I had my short list of stuff I was interested in, to do my buying in volume. So, on to Brandywine we go.

Yes, Costco has its Christmas decorations up (although to be fair, there were more at the nearby Target and Jo Ann's Arts & Crafts). Mom, though she says she doesn't like the place, asked me to pick up raisins. OK, fine. But then I also had to get her her honey, because it has the big jug that's cheaper (at $9.59) than the health food store price.

As Sis cruised by the jewelry (and we oohed and aahed over the cheaper and more expensive pieces--it was all I could to do tear myself away from the $59 onyx-pearl necklace), we finally parted ways to do serious shopping. There were way more clothes than last time (not interested), although last time (a few weeks ago), it had lots of regulation Redskins jerseys for $59, which, unfortunately, is fairly cheap for real NFL merchandise.

While it did have the Aveeno, there was no coupon book; currently, it's the going price per bottle (wait, it's a better price, since the twin-pack is for 2 18-ounce bottles, and the stores generally carry the 12-ounce ones--oops), I scooted past this aisle to go to the packaged foods aisle. This was where I saved money, as it had the giant size (9 ounces) of ground nutmeg for $7.39, just in time for holiday baking season. (In a previous visit, I bagged the 16-ounce bottle of vanilla for $5.39--woo hoo--as well as a 4 lb. bag of Wyman's frozen Maine blueberries, for $9.99. Those blueberries seem to be a staple of Costco, but I'm not complaining.)

However, two other bargains (they were truly lower in price than at grocery stores), were for items that I might not normally buy, at least not in those quantities, so I ended up spending more this visit than I planned to, though not a ridiculous amount.

No, you're not going to find 65 ounces of artichoke hearts in oil for $7.85 at any grocery, as they run for $4 for a tiny jar; it was a great deal, since I heart artichokes. However, since I was not expecting to find it, buying it made a slight dent in my budget. This is probably how Costco gets shoppers to spend more than intended--in addition to items it keeps in stock, it also sells a number of "surprise" items that you don't know how long will be there. Fortunately, I was somewhat able to keep this kind of spending under something resembling control, as I had been in local Costcos a couple of times, and have an idea of the kinds of things they keep stocked, although different stores may carry different items. (For instance, the one near the Pentagon stocks Bocaburgers, but Brandywine does not; Brandywine has the three-pack of Silk [at the lower Target-style price], but I didn't notice it at Pentagon. Also, the Pentagon store has beer and wine.)

The big score among these good scores (one of which was Charmin--how cliche, I know), was this find, which I had to brew as soon as I got home...

Matcha green tea, 100 bags, for $12.99, packaged by the Ito En company (a brand recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil), is an absolute steal. (Anytime you see matcha for under $30 is time for celebration.) While it seemed odd that the matcha was bagged (in sturdy polyester bags), the tea is certainly high quality, with a rich taste and deep green color. What more could you ask?

By splitting the membership (the second cardholder doesn't even have to list the address) the damage is only $25 each, you can easily score savings of more than this amount, and find more than Nine things that are worth buying at Costco, even us single folk. However, you want to make sure that, perishable or not, the things that you buy you have the space for, as some things are easier to store than others. However, although I don't have, say, a huge home or stand-alone freezer, the savings has already been worth it, and I don't leave with a huge haul.

However, if you tend to be an impulse shopper, or a clutterbug, it might be a good idea to stay away from these big box stores, as they can be too much temptation for some. As they say, different strokes for different folks.

A good time was had by all...

Last week a good time was had by all at a cousin's wedding. (Even getting there was proof that not all of southern Maryland has been gobbled up by developers, probably the one good thing about the economic downturn. The scene above is across from the reception hall, which was surrounded by farms.)

Anyhoo, with the family harmony and all, the only sour note was the food, as the caterer, like too many others, try to appease the "no sodium" crowd. It's a fraud, I tell you, tempting looking parsley potatoes with no salt, then needing to pour salt upon them to attempt to remedy this foul--doesn't quite work. Strangely enough, there's no "no sugar" edict, as folks might riot if there were no wedding cake. This can't be about cutting costs, either, as there were (tall glass) salt and pepper shakers on each table. Concern about health at a wedding (which is only one meal) always seems suspicious to me...

* * *

I finally got the seasonal flu shot from a local MinuteClinic at a 24-hour CVS, which was quick and convenient enough. As good as such a clinic is for small concerns, like flu shots, their existence cannot be summoned as a good way to provide health care access for everyone, because of the inherent shortcomings of stand-alone clinics. People who want to deflect attention away from health care reform and onto such places as the way to cut health care costs, to paraphrase John McEnroe, cannot be serious.

For instance, I was asked by the nurse practitioner if I were allergic to eggs or chicken, which I am not. I then asked whether people who are allergic to iodine (seafood allergy) can take the shot without problems, and she said that it would be no problem. So far, so good.

However, if you haven't consistently had access to health care, you might not know that you've developed an allergy because you'd have to be tested (mo' money!) if allergy is suspected. And how is allergy confirmed without being previously seen by a medical professional about possible symptoms? What about continuity in health care, is that too much to ask? Continuity is impossible if affordable health care is not available to all Americans.

Sadly, Rep. Alan Grayson's recent quip about the Republican health care "plan," is on point--namely, don't get sick; if you get sick, die off quick. (The ungrammatical ending is mine.)

Car Free DC? Still a ways off...

Today is supposedly Car Free Day worldwide. Unfortunately, traffic may be less in some areas (not enough that I can notice, though) because of the economy. However, it may have been tricky to actually go car-free in DC today, as cabbies were on strike protesting the new meters.

Another impediment from more people going car-free in the area stems from recent transit troubles, such as the latest in a string of suicides at subway stations (causing Metro to begin suicide prevention measures). If only to prevent another suicide like last week's tragedy at the Columbia Heights station, a fifteen year old who decided to end it all in public (I heard the awful thud when it happened; the boy was still alive for a little while after he jumped), such efforts could be worthwhile.

Scene outside the Columbia Heights metro, about 2 pm on Sept. 17, 2009.

Perhaps we need the equivalent of the Tokyo subway's people pushers , whom, by their presence, are another level of eyes and ears in the system, who could also watch out for the extremely distraught.

September is festival month in DC! DC VEGFEST!

September is festival time in these parts--from Adams Morgan Day, to Black Luv Day, the list goes on. So I decided to head over to the DC Vegfest, held at GWU's campus, to see if I'd find out anything new. Not that I was going to purchase anything, as I had determined that it was to be a personal no-buy day. Not that there wasn't plenty of temptation to part with greenbacks, with such a wide variety of everything on display.

Well, there's always something new, or at least interesting, with such a variety of people attending and companies and organizations represented.

Local stores, such as MOM's Organic Market kindly handed over multiple samples of such treats as the Sheese with chives, fruit, etc., and a rep mentioned that they're looking for space to open another location, in DC proper.

Other stores, such as Pangea, were showcasing new items. One of the owners swore that I didn't miss this product when I popped in the store recently--the items below just came in this past week, 'cause I would have stared in open-mouthed wonder if I had seen these, especially the caramel!Plenty of animal rights organizations were represented, such as the sponsors Compassion over Killing and FARM, smaller groups such as United Poultry Concerns, vegetarian groups such as the VSDC, the VRG, and, alas, PETA.
Unfortunately, I missed Michael Greger's talk, but he was gracious chatting at one of the tables. I also missed the bodybuilder (where had all the speakers gone?), but couldn't ignore his poster ...
I'm not quite sure what stunt was going to be pulled after the lady in this costume went milling around the crowd, so I didn't wait to find out (although she's probably glad that this was a breezy day)...
There were also general local environmental organizations there, such as LiveGreen, which asked the following good question...

The rep explained that because so many new wind energy farms have gone on line in recent years, the price is now competitive with energy from other sources, and earnestly mentioned that switching to wind is an easy green thing that could make a big difference. Hmmm...

Local and regional eateries and establishments were represented, from Summer Delights to Sunflower to Senbeb Cafe, to other, newer outfits such as Toscana Green and a raw food education organization, Mojo Juice Club, which was the source of one of the status symbols of the fest, a fresh green coconut with a straw to suck out the coconut water.
Of course, it's all about the sweets, as there's great pent-up demand for vegan desserts. So, yes, Sticky Fingers Bakery was there, and its goods went out so fast as to be a blur. (But I got a coupon for a free cookie, so I'm not mad.) And Baltimore donut diva Emily's Desserts also had its treats on hand, briefly, as well as a preview for the upcoming dessert cookbook, aptly named...
The piece de resistance, however, was the drool-worthy table from Vegan Treats, based in Bethlehem, Pa., which had the longest line at the festival. Wisely, they seem to have brought a great variety of LOTS of desserts, a good thing, since they disappeared quickly enough. (Happily, a rep mentioned that a rep comes to DC on Fridays to deliver orders. Plus, its prices seem quite reasonable as listed on the brochure.)

Oh my! A fittingly sweet ending to a great event. Hope it's bigger and better next year!

* * *
To and fro the festival, on the subway, were plenty of protesters (protesting what, do tell!) with the signs and all, behaving civilly on the Metro. Perhaps the subway being an unfamiliar experience for many of them, as well as being around plenty of people of color while there, presumably another unusual experience for many of them, temporarily put such people on their better behavior (e.g., you couldn't see what was on most signs while there); however, the atmosphere was tense. Such a marked contrast to the good vibes at the Vegfest.

Poste, not haste...

The recent (but apparently well received) meeting of DC food bloggers at Poste Brasserie was, as far as I can tell, a hit. Folks were mingling in the courtyard, and all were as shocked as I was that the turnout was more than 50 people. (And these would just be the ones who bothered to show up!) Most pleasant surprise of all was simply the knowledge that so many people in this area alone who choose to muse electronically about what we put in our mouths. Of course, it also disproves the notion that this town is only composed of policy wonks (but then again, some of them blog on food in whatever downtime they can muster).

Met some interesting folks (including a local rep for Automattic), faces for a couple of blogs I've read on occasion; I'm afraid to read them too often, as many of them have photography to make you drool, food porn for real.

Some of the more interesting sites and their cool people...

Arugula Files--A good, well-known all-around local food blog featuring food spots, recipes, and, of course, great pics.
Macheesmo--Entertaining food experiments, experiences, and other good stuff.
Savory Sights--Some of the finest food porn, with pics sent in from viewers.
Savory Reviews--A sister site to Savory Sights, but includes recipes.
State Dinner--Contrary to the title, an homage to food both homestyle and fancy. With cute recipes for baked goodies.
Gradually Greener--Concentrates on food finds in and around DC, with the pictures to prove it.
Measured Memory--A dessert baking blog, with worthy recipes and photos.
Capital Spice--Food happens.

Hope there are more such get-togethers in the not-too-distant future!

Laboring, for good

Weeding in (non-milagro) beanfields last week, near this gorgeous sunflower cover crop field (which means, incidentally, there are a lot more sunflowers around Clagett than last year--yay!), makes you appreciate work in all its forms--when on the farm, by the people and plants. In essence, the sunflowers are working, just by standing around looking beautiful, because as cover crops, they help prevent erosion and help fertilize the soil, making a type of green manure.

Discouragingly, hard work can seem to be for naught when there are diseases like the tomato blight on the loose, rampaging tomato plants in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, as the tomato harvest is noticeably down from last year. However, I noticed that while most of the tomatoes were adversely affected, the smaller ones, notably the cherries and Sungold held up reasonably well. My guesses as to their durability, particularly the Sungolds, is that the variety is pretty hardy to begin with, as Sungolds have a longer growing season than most other tomatoes. Also, the small size helps the fruits (yes, tomatoes are botanically considered fruit) get more exposure to sun and air than other varieties, as the staked plants are rarely, say, knocked to the ground after a storm as happens much more often with larger, heavier tomatoes. While I wish there were more of the other tomato varieties (such as the supremely tasty Black Prince), I'm glad the little Sungolds are surviving...
Oops! Because I'm not sure which cable station Planet Green is on, I missed last week's episode of Emeril Green featuring Clagett Farm CSA.

* * *
Because summer's coming to an end, and I like sunflowers and Pembroke corgis, a video combination featuring both, with a surprise at the end--a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of the season.

DC Go Boom!

After browsing the international websites today, a habit I got into during the Bush years (to find out how others view Americans), I found this tidbit in the online Toronto Globe and Mail, "Canada to stage mock Afghan attack in Washington," (which garnered many comments, rightfully). That's right, a mock attack by the Taliban is to be staged in town this month, four times during a two-day period, in part to inform Americans of the part Canadians are playing in the Afghanistan war effort. Eh?

Who dreamed this up? This stunt's going to backfire, bigtime, for our Canadian friends. However, what I find even more worrisome is that the local major media outlets have not yet reported on this upcoming turn of events; so far, the only local "media" to mention this is DCist, which only found out about the mock "shock and awe" from the same article. Can you say "blackout before the blowup"?

Keep it simple in the summer...(plus dogblogging Friday follies)

This time of year, I cannot be bothered with any recipe that calls for use of the oven (such as any type of casserole, even if it involves peppers and other summer standbys); if it can't be divided so that it can fit in a toaster oven, it doesn't get baked.

Thus, summer squash (which are not my favorite vegetables anyway, although I will slip finely chopped squash into a gumbo) such as zucchini do not get made into zucchini bread or muffins. Too hot for that mess, tasty as they can be.

However, one great summer recipe for zucchini is for mock crab cakes (Kim O'Donnell's version), which are easy to make and turn out well, especially if you don't make the cakes too big. The result is an easy, scrumptious meal (video via the saminal's flickr stream).

You must, however, use the original Old Bay Seasoning for any mock crab cake recipe; the other brands contain even more salt, and are thus dilute and bland. (I've checked the labels of the pretenders, and they don't even come close.)

Your great reward at the table:

(Photo by Kim O'Donnel of the Washington Post.)

So, don't be too surprised if your cakes are lapped up in double quick time because everyone can't get enough of them (I know I can't)...

One--with passion--made, and makes, a difference...

The death of Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy, whose tenacity over the decades in pressing to improve the lives of many (civil rights legislation, the current healthcare reform, etc.), though he hailed from a wealthy background, makes you think about the impact one passionate person can make in improving the world.

Of course, we cannot forget his sister, recently deceased Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who helped millions lead lives of dignity, particularly those with mental disabilities. One can only wonder what kind of storied dinner table conversations went on in Joe Kennedy's house that propeled so many of his children (and now, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren) to take such prominent public service roles, whether in government or out.

Photo via Wikipedia.

* * *

Until a couple of years ago, I was unaware of the achievements of the late music pioneer Les Paul, and his instrumental role (pun intended) in the development of the modern electric guitar and studio recording techniques. He played 'til he could play no more, as he had a recurring gig at the Iridium Jazz Club, until recently, sharing his talents with the world until the end. The best way to go.

* * *

Still rocking, hopefully for many years to come!

Local music legend, the godfather of go go, Chuck Brown, recently celebrated his 73rd birthday, and even had a street named after him. How many other people can claim to have invented a genre of music? Not only that, but music listened to by Washingtonians of all stripes, an alternative to the overly synthesized bull that too often passes for music on the radio and in clubs.

Thankfully, he doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon, as he has concert dates scheduled for September. Anyway, if go go music doesn't get you dancing, get your pulse taken, 'cause you must be near dead! You've got to move when you hear jams like Chuck baby...


...or the classic, Bustin' Loose...



...and the classic that's all too appropriate nowadays, I Need Some Money...

Wisdom, after more than a week of foolishness

It's safe to assume that anyone who's old enough to get Medicare has lots of time on hand, even after listening to the coarse vocal tics of Limburger. (It would also be true that such people were young adults when Medicare was passed in 1965, and have heard the original debates about that legislation. Which you'd think would be remembered by the town hall yellers who don't suffer from dementia.)

Thus, such folk have enough time to read and listen to various informed opinions, such as a great post (followed by intelligent comments) about healthcare reform from Siditty, who used to be a health insurance underwriter (the horror!), who advises us to get real about healthcare reform.

One of the (many) scary points mentioned:

..."Ask me how often a medical treatment that is considered mainstream and widely used can be considered experimental under regular insurance policies." ... Yikes!

What I don't understand is, don't these folk have children and grandchildren? Don't they want their progeny to have what they have?

All this ranting can't be primarily over health care, else why would you behave like this...

This video of Sen. McCaskill's town hall was obtained by Dem. strategist Peter Glickert. While he can't (and probably wouldn't) claim to be an unbiased source, it is telling that this more complete video was only shown by CNN. Apparently the news editors at ABC, NBC, CBS, and MSNBC (FOX goes without saying) agree with the crowd cheering at the woman dragged out of the town hall. What ugliness.

My puzzled reaction on seeing such raw nuttiness on shocking display is similar to...

Find more videos like this on MyCorgi.com

A good group gathers...

There are many good things about living in the DC area. One of them is the variety of people of various backgrounds that you come across, who even get together from time to time.

One such group met yet again the other night, at Madam's O, and, as usual, a gabby good time was had by all. (Inexpensive drinks, like beers and vodka cranberries for $2.75, tend to help this along.) What's great about DC bloggers is that there's a mix of tech types along with us non-tech types, sharing tips, advice, and straight-up silliness to go with the seriousness. Of course, because you can find at least one of anything in this area, local bloggers also write, pontificate, and bloviate about a variety of topics--or even nothing special at all (as all three readers of this site already know). Here's the most recent mix:

http://thispersonstinks.wordpress.com/ What you didn't know about HR (and sports!)...
http://durosia.com/ Unrestricted thought. Hmm...
http://www.feedbacksecrets.com/ Good tips for online businesses, such as SEO strategies, etc.
http://notionscapital.com/ Thoughts about the random craziness of politics, art, and music in DC (and elsewhere).
http://knightleyemma.wordpress.com/ About old and not-so-old movies. A nice trip down memory lane.
http://www.freeindc.blogspot.com/ About free arts happenings in DC--what could be better?
http://www.autumnrain2110.com/ Science fiction--cool!
www.joelogon.com/blog Fearless!
http://swordandthescript.blogspot.com/ Great advice for those in the PR and marketing fields.
http://jadxia.livejournal.com/ Funny and serious musings from our feisty organizer.

A good mix--and I think I'll be going back for more, if only for continued proof that not everyone in DC with an opinion is a blowhard. (Then again...)

Not for potheads only...

Now that I've trekked to the Amsterdam Falafel House and noshed on its duo of delectable fried treats), it was only logical that I next check out the Capitol Hemp store, which I did yesterday.

The store is small but substantive in the variety of items stocked--books, jeans, shirts, dresses, socks, shoes, shampoo, hemp milk (yuck!), paper--and pricewise, are on the slightly high, but not ridiculous, side. Soon, I'm sure it won't be strange to print business cards on hemp stock or letters on hemp paper, if ordinary U.S. currency is now infested with traces of cocaine! However, I wanted SOCKS, because I've heard of hemp's vaunted durability and I go through socks faster than the cartoon Tasmanian devil creates whirlwinds, but none of the soft footies available were in my size. Bummer.

Reluctant to try the personal care stuff, because I've been underwhelmed by hemp-based products like Merry Hempsters lip balm (doesn't moisturize the kisser nearly as well as other non-petroleum ones, sorry), I decided to risk some dollars on a lip plumper from Phat. (I've been told that this company is not associated with Kimora Lee Simmons.) I guess my score is now 0-2 in the hemp-based lip products, because I've noticed no more plumpness in my lips than before. Oh, and the stuff is strongly scented, like some weird mix of mint and eucalyptus, too medicinal to wear in public. Which is kind of a shame because it's very shiny, more of a lip gloss. Whoops, I noticed that no ingredient list is on this product--although someone kindly (?) placed one on this forum.

Hemp--you can't smoke this stuff!

P.S. Had I seen the website for Phat beforehand, might not have bought the stuff--being that it gives you "sexist" lips and all!

Come on, ring my bell! (Brown, why you gotta get me down?)

Recently I've made a number of orders online. While this innovation is great, frankly I'm surprised that Internet ordering has become as popular as it is, given that UPS is usually the company delivering the goods.

Don't get me wrong--the electronic package tracking system is great, but what good is it if Brown doesn't do one simple thing (which FedEx, which delivered one of my packages, did)--ring your bell (or use your door knocker)--to let you know they delivered your package? I mean, they recently delivered a package when I was at home, with the car in front, and STILL didn't ring my doorbell to let me know that it had arrived; only because I decided to track to see if my package was delivered did I find that it had been delivered a couple of hours earlier. This has happened a number of times, to me as well as to others (a former co-worker had a package delivered, when she happened to be at home, with no notice of course--I had tracked her package and let her know that the person had delivered it to her garage).

Sheesh! I'm sure the FedEx and other deliverypeople occasionally have to haul packages as heavy as anything that Brown's carriers have to, yet still are able to gently take a finger to ring a doorbell, which is probably the easiest thing any of them have to do in the course of a day.

Really, UPS, it's just this easy...



(OK, so this song by Anita Ward is the most annoyingly catchy song ever from the disco era. Still.)

Ah, cooling it...

Even a morning scene like above is not enough to cool you down with brutal temps in the 90s, like today! Thankfully, the a/c was working everywhere I needed to go, as well as at home, and I carried the trusty water bottle around. (I like to freeze three or so partially full water bottles, and fill one up with plain water to take around with me, so the water remains cold for hours. Unfortunately, this only works with Fiji bottles--others are too fragile, and most of the environmentally friendly brands are not transparent.)

After an appointment, I was in the vicinity of a Whole Paycheck, er, Whole Foods, and picked up a couple of things. I was thirsty, but wanted something a bit feistier than plain water, but not too sweet, if possible. I was a bit sickened when I looked in the beverage section, because I saw a few of those *@& vitamin "water" type drinks, or so I thought. Before leaving in disgust, I spied an unusual drink, an herbal water.

I chose the lemon verbena-rose geranium flavored herb water, which, like it says, is simply water with herbal extracts added--just enough to give it a lift without overpowering its wateriness. I like that it's not sweetened and not carbonated, because any drink with carbonation had better have some sweetness or alcohol to keep me from hurling. The presence of carbonation coupled with the absence of sweetness is why I would not be interested in the dry soda put out by a Seattle-based company, as interesting a concept as it is. Much more to my liking is the slightly sweet, mildly carbonated ruby grapefruit juice squeeze put out by Crystal Geyser, which is one of my favorite drinks, when I can find it, that is. (Last place I spotted it was Rodman's.) Ahhh....

Sad but true...

What appears to be a group of trees over a hill in the great distance is just a few trees on the other side of a mound--not so substantial after all. Even less substantial is the so-called health insurance that most Americans have, which led to this week's detailed lament on The Baseline Scenario site, You Do Not Have Health Insurance. That's right, unless you're over 65, you do not have health insurance, for any number of reasons, based on the fact that it's employer based and the health insurance market is not regulated enough. The money quote, ..."you can't count on your health insurer being there when you need it."

Michael Hiltzik's recent article in the LA Times, What's so great about private health insurance?" and Matt Miller's op-ed in the Financial Times (!!!), America's healthcare should no longer be tied to jobs," (based on the models of Holland and Switzerland) are additional wake-up calls regarding the state of health care in America; anytime a major financial publication, which are not known for their liberal ideas, is in favor of universal healthcare, it's time for even Republicans to get the memo (or e-mail).

* * *

The truth is that there's been a limited form of universal healthcare in the U.S. for decades, and it's been a raging success. (I'm not speaking of Medicare, thought that has also been a success, for the most part.) It's rare to hear of an American child falling ill to any of the former "childhood diseases," because almost all American children are inoculated against them. That's because regardless of family income, vaccinations are available and are in fact mandatory before entering public school. Thus, while there are regrettably other forms of infant and childhood death and illness that occur (often because of a lack of prenatal care), the diseases that formerly ravaged children (measles, rubella, mumps) before the age of five are no longer a scourge, because we, as a society, decided that everyone was to be protected from these diseases, and expense was to be no object in providing such protection.

Tuesday treasures...a summer edition

As much as I grouse about summer heat, even I have to admit there's a good side to this time of year. The food!

While the heat gets you down, the good fresh food puts a smile on your face. It's the time of year that makes healthy eating almost effortless. Exhibit A is the haul from Clagett, today's share.

Pictured above are squash, green peppers, rainbow lights Swiss chard (which tastes, and is prepared like, spinach), eggplant, four ears of Luscious corn (a bi-color variety), Hungarian hot pepper, couple of garlic bulbs, and two pounds of various types of tomatoes, including the uber-sweet Sungold and the unctuous Paul Robeson, which tastes as rich as its namesake's baritone. Also pictured are flowers and herbs I picked, the latter consisting of sage, mint, and basil. Time to make a tomato salad (just throwing together sliced fresh tomato with slices of pickled tomato)--sooooooo good.

Summer, and the living is easy? Summer madness...

It's summertime, and summer weather decided to make a comeback...which may not be so good, as it makes me feel like doing this...



Nonetheless, a relative has to interact with the health-industrial complex tomorrow, so along I go. I only hope I can tune out the incessant noise from cable channels, to avoid nausea from hearing their negative spin on healthcare reform while in the waiting room, with their sudden concern about the budget deficit, an invisible concern during the Bush years.

* *

Former CIGNA public relations person, now health insurance industry whistleblower, Wendell Potter, who recently testified before Congress, is sharing his views on the reforms needed now. As he relates,

..."remember this: whenever you hear a politician or pundit use the term "government-run health care" and warn that the creation of a public health insurance option that would compete with private insurers (or heaven forbid, a single payer system like the one Canada has) will "lead us down the path to socialism," know that the original source of the soundbite most likely was some flak like I used to be."

Ouch.

In case you wonder how other industrialized nations have universal healthcare coverage to their citizens and residents, and why, the website of Germany's Ministry of Health and Social Matters mentions this basic reality as a motivation..."a health care system is not a "normal" market." Think about that fact anytime someone raves/lies/spins about the Democratic healthcare reform proposal as taking away choice (as though the insurance company bureaucrats aren't already doing that).

Once more to Potter--he's none too fond of one type of health care insurance "plan" dear to conservatives' hearts, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). He mentioned that while employed at CIGNA, the company forced employees to switch from HMOs and PPOs and into high-deductible plans (euphemistically called "consumer-driven plans"), and that other companies are following this awful trend of forcing employees into these plans (almost rhymes with "scams").

Lastly, all the people smugly crowing about how wonderful their current health insurance plans are should know about all the other folk, who previously also believed that they had solid health insurance before they decided to use it, who unfortunately found out about the nasty practice of "rescission," when an insurance company decides, retroactively, that you are no longer covered for treatment! (Info from the Baseline Scenario site).

* *
Just thinking about this stupidity makes me upset. Time to chill out to the ultimate summer classic from Kool and the Gang, aptly named Summer Madness.

Comfort eats on the cheap--indie edition

(View from the Amsterdam Falafel Shop.)

Sure, most of us have been metaphorically tightening our belts, as money's been tight. But sometimes even budding chefs want to get away from their own kitchens. Of course, there are choices for cheaply treating yourself without picking up food from a national chain, which often don't care what's in their food.

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The hearty aroma of fried food that a family was eating outdoors lured me to the Amsterdam Falafel Shop (although I actually ate elsewhere that evening), so I decided to quaff the in-house lemonade, for three bucks. While waiting for my liquid refreshment, I practially drooled at that giant salad bar, aka toppings bar, with all sorts of unusual things to top the fried garbanzo cutlets--fried squash, eggplant, beets, as well as the usual toppers. I have to go back--fried nutritious food and french fries (to be followed with delicious lemonade)--is too much to resist forever. After all, a half pita filled with three spicy fried bean balls for $5.50--with three kinds of salads, two kinds of sauces, and assorted pickles--this could fill you up for a couple of days.

Instead, I went to the bar down the street, the venerable "dive," Madam's Organ. Of course, the music playing and the company was all great, and it's a decent sized space, but the food and drink are, shall I say, the right price, with considerably sized portions. (What else could you expect from an establishment with its famous mural?) You can mix and match with the veggie plate, so I chose coleslaw (they don't stint with the cabbage, although it's a bit sweet), fried okra (just so-so), fries (I don't care for batter-fried fries), but the homemade cornbread is awesome. All at close to $9. However, cornbread and beer sounds like a good way to pass the time while there, so that's what I'll get next time, although the macaroni and cheese is calling.

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To fortify myself for a rough day, I recently headed to the Teaism at Penn Quarter, this time to get lunch (usually breakfast is my meal there, of ginger scones and anxi oolong tea). The time I came was the sweet spot, early, so it wasn't yet crowded. Thus, it only took five minutes for my sweet Japanese green tea (only $2) and stir-fry seitan (just under $10).

If you're thinking there's a lot of food on that plate, you'd be correct. Spinach, macadamia nuts, chile pepper, seitan, and brown rice, in a slightly sweet and spicy sauce equals yum. Again, no skimping on ingredients (although there was slightly less spinach this time than a previous visit, but I quibble). That also means that after this delicious, filling meal, there was no room for dessert, which was a shame. Maybe next time. (I haven't had the chocolate torte and green tea ice cream in a while. Uh oh.)

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Haven't had pizza in a while, so a craving may be coming on. I normally make my own, but if I eat pizza out anytime soon, I want one of the fantastic pies at Matchbox again. We had the terrific "Fire and Smoke" pizza (which was preceded by tiny brioche balls as appetizers); not only is that pizza rich and smoky, with a thin crust, but the place also has a reasonable (as in, you won't fall down laughing when you see the prices) wine list.

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I did fulfill my craving for Caribbean food when I went to the local chain, Tropicana, to pick up the small size of the brown stew tofu, a rich, mysterious, delicious concoction which comes with rice and peas and cabbage. Did I mention that I got the small size? For under $9, it was enough for dinner for two, plus lunch the next day for one. I'm curious to see how many people the large size could feed for one dinner!

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Of course, you can't forget Chinese food, particularly the lunch specials, when you want good food cheap. I had reason to scoot near, and have lunch at, The Vegetable Garden in Rockville, which was full, as usual, at lunchtime. (And also does plenty of carryout business.)

The weekday lunch special includes a soup--the spicy hot and sour soup is what I always get--along with the moo shi cilantro roll, which is OK, and some type of mysterious homemade bread, which I can forgo without guilt.

I tried a new dish, the emerald bean curd, which was nice and spicy and also seemed to contain bits of crispy mushroom. As usual, tasty and filling, but again, no room for dessert, which would have been the key lime pie, if I weren't concerned that I might explode with additional food.

The only downside to eating there, if it's rainy, is that in supposedly public transportation-friendly lower Montgomery County, you have to gently wade through this muddy mess to get through the strip mall parking lot, when coming from the subway:

Um, can't one of the most affluent jurisdictions in the nation afford to put a few bricks down to make a walkway from a popular subway stop? Way to encourage people to use public transport, MoCo!

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Periodically, the site Wisebread hosts the blog carnival, Carnival of Pecuniary Delights--I have a vintage post there, but there are lots of other good ones there as well, so stop on by. You can never have enough info on saving money, I say.

Gone, but not forgotten...

On the anniversary of Minnie Riperton's passing (has it been 30 years?), a "duet" with Michael Jackson, "I'm in Love Again," released on her posthumous album, "Love Lives Forever."



Nothing else to say but "wow"!

Friday Follies (pre-Independence Day edition)

Oh, to relax on a holiday weekend--after the potato salad, barbecue, watermelon, corn, whatever--and before the fireworks, in a semi-blissful state...



Of course, it's easier to rest if you take steps to make it easier on yourself if having folks over. If you have some vegetarians over, break out those new Morningstar "Hickory BBQ Riblets," as they are chewy and delicious, with a nice smoked barbecue sauce (which is sweet, but not as sweet as many others, and the smokiness is a good contrast). However, for premade veggie burgers, Boca brand is the best, if you put them on a grill after microwaving to make sure they are slightly chewy on the outside. Also, oddly enough, the bulk packages of Boca burgers from Costco not only have more burgers than you can purchase at the grocery (10 in a Costco pack), the burgers themselves are noticeably larger. Because at a barbecue, more is better--isn't that the American way?