Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 36

Blah, Blah, Blah

“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882)
American essayist

To me, mere words today equal meaningless hype, especially when repeated actions yesterday have proven to be opposite those words. I am not swayed (at least not positively) by verbal platitudes meant to appease sensibilities. Talking a “great talk” falls on deaf ears when we “listen” to what someone has actually been doing or advocating for years.

 

Risky Business

 

“If you risk nothing, then you risk everything.”

— Geena Davis (1956 – )
American actress

Lovely Lizard

September 8th is National Iguana Awareness Day, and these lizards need a little respect. Highly adaptable, they adapt well to environments ranging from rocky streambeds to sandy deserts.

 

 

 

They can blend with their surroundings and change colors to absorb more sunlight when temperatures get chilly. However, they are among the most frequently abandoned pets. Too often, people don’t learn what their care will involve. Vet costs alone can be hundreds of dollars per year, and while they live about 20 years, they can grow to be 6 feet long.

 

 

While Sir Ronald is neither lizard nor well-suited to live in the desert, he has grown to more than 6 feet tall! So, silly, but I also wish him the happiest anniversary today, our 23rd wedding anniversary. Love you, Babe!

Healing

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi

 

“The greatest healing therapy is friendship & love.”

— Hubert H. Humphrey (1911 – 1978)
38th vice-president of the US

Coffee Ice Cream Day

 

For National Coffee Ice Cream Day enjoy your ice cream as it is or with some extra coffee beans or chocolate chips.

 

 

 

 

 

Or mix some into a mudslide… along with some vodka, coffee liqueur, Bailey’s Irish Cream, heavy cream, and some ice. Hello Brainfreeze!

Choose to Use Our Brains

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go.

— Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) (1904 – 1991)
American author & cartoonist
(Adopted the name “Dr. Seuss” while an undergraduate at Dartmouth College)

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

 

For National Macadamia Nut Day, enjoy them raw, roasted, or chocolate-covered.

 

 

 

 

Or try them cooked into a favorite bread, muffin, square, or fudge. They’re also great on chicken, fish, and pork, or tossed on a salad. Or try a little decadence, like my Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Bread.

 

 

Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Bread
Here’s a great way to enjoy the Polynesian flavors of Hawaii any time!

1 c flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
½ c butter, softened to room temperature
½ c sugar (not a substitute)
¼ c brown sugar
2 lg eggs
2-3 T sour cream (full fat)
1 c mashed ripe banana
¼ c milk
1 T grated fresh orange peel
1 T pure vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
1 c flaked, unsweetened coconut
1 c crushed pineapple, drained
1 c chopped macadamia nuts

Topping:
¾ c coarsely chopped roasted macadamia nuts
¼ c finely chopped macadamia nuts
¼ c flaked, unsweetened coconut
2 T brown sugar

Combine flour, salt & baking soda in a small bowl; set aside. Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the sour cream, banana, milk, orange peel, and extracts. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture just till combined. Then fold in coconut, pineapple, and nuts. Spoon batter into well-buttered (or parchment paper lined) 9×5” loaf pan. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle on top, pressing down into the batter slightly. Bake in center of oven at 350°F for 1 hour. Test doneness by inserting a wooden toothpick into center. If it comes out clean, it’s done. (If not, let cook another 10 min. Test again.) Let cool 1 hour on wire rack; then remove from pan and let cool on the rack to room temperature. Store in refrigerator, wrapped airtight.

KISS Tip: I prefer roasted, salted macadamia nuts, but you can use raw, if you prefer.

Pause to Relax

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”

— Mark Black
Canadian author

Go Coconuts!

 

For World Coconut Day enjoy coconut fresh or in a favorite dish. Try adding shredded coconut (or coconut milk or water) to rice, a favorite cookie or cake, in breading for fish, chicken, or shrimp, or in a soup, especially one with a little curry.

 

 

 

 

Or enjoy a coconut beverage, its own water or a fave concoction.

 

 

 

Today, we share Super Simple Apricot Macaroons!

Super Simple Apricot Macaroons
This is a tasty twist on the traditional all-coconut macaroon.

2/3 c sugar (not monkfruit or other substitute)
½ c finely chopped dried apricots
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
½ tsp fine sea salt
2 lg egg whites, lightly beaten
1 T finely grated lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
3 c (about 8 oz) finely shredded unsweetened coconut
Whisk together sugar, apricots, extract, salt, egg whites, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Add coconut, tossing till completely combined. Spoon into 12 mounds on 2 parchment lined baking sheets. Bake in upper & lower thirds of 350°F oven for 6-8 min. Rotate pans and bake for another 5-6 minutes, till the edges are lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

KISS Tips: These can be stored airtight at room temperature for up to a week. You can also substitute another dried fruit, like peaches, pineapple, or mango for the dried apricots. A fun variation is dipping the bottoms of the baked cookies in some melted dark chocolate chips! Simply grease a small microwavable bowl with about 1 tsp solid coconut oil; microwave 1 c chocolate chips for 2-3 20-second intervals, stirring to complete the melting. After dipping cookies, let them cool in the fridge upside down for 15-20 min.

For more recipes, check out my other posts or find my cookbooks, in print and digital formats, online at sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

 

Le Burger Week

 

While we celebrate Labor Day weekend, lots of burgers will hit the grills. Perfect, as we start Le Burger Week in our neighboring Canada. Enjoy!