Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 77
July 23, 2023
Hope!
Photo by Faris Mohammed
“He who has health, has hope.
And he who has hope, has everything.”
— Arabian proverb
July 22, 2023
Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day
Who knew there was such an “official” day? I certainly did not. However, I think some of us could use one of these at least once a week.
I just know that second-guessing our actions after the fact is like trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube, teach a pig to sing, or un-ring a bell. Frustratingly silly. Let’s take control of our future by avoiding dwelling on our past mistakes.
July 21, 2023
This is Racial Harmony Day.
We humans are slow to evolve. While harmony is difficult to achieve, it remains a worthy goal. Recognize progress toward becoming a racially peaceful society, as we continue the long trek toward it… along with dealing with our discrimination based on religion, sex, age, etc., etc., etc.
July 20, 2023
National Pennsylvania Day
July 20th is the date in 1776 that Pennsylvania became the 2nd state to join the union. Geographically centered among the 13 original colonies, the Keystone State is where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed.
PA was home to the likes of Daniel Boone, Betsy Ross, and the 15th President of the U.S., James Buchanan. The same is true for “Little Women” novelist Louisa May Alcott, pro golfer Arnold Palmer, and baseball star Reggie Jackson. Of course, Punxsutawney, PA is home to the Spring forecasting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.
In 1775 the first piano built in the U.S. was built in Philadelphia. In 1784 Philadelphia was also home to the nation’s first daily newspaper. And in 1909 the country’s first baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh. And here’s a perhaps long-forgotten spots tidbit: Due to the loss of many players serving in WWII, for 1 season in 1943, the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Stealers merged to form 1 team, the “Steagles.”
Unable to overlook culinary interests, Pennsylvania is home to many food favorites. Hershey is called the Chocolate Capital of the US, and Kennett Square is the Mushroom Capital of the US. From the Pennsylvania Dutch culture, came food favorites ranging from pot pies and sauerkraut to whoopie pies and funnel cakes. Philly Cheesesteak fans revel in the classic Italian roll heaped with sliced beef ribeye, sauteed onions, mushrooms, and peppers, and plenty of melted cheese. This famous sandwich was created in the 1930s by hot dog vendor Pat Olivieri.
Celebrate Pennsylvania today!
July 19, 2023
Welcome to National Daiquiri Day!
Daiquiri is a great cocktail, but it is also the name of a beach and town on the southeastern tip of Cuba… and an iron mine near Santiago de Cuba. “They” say that the Daiquiri was invented in 1898 by American mining engineer Jennings Stockton Cox who was in Cuba at the time of the Spanish-American War. They say he went to the store when he ran out of gin, but he found only rum. To not disappoint his guests, he made a punch. The Daiquiri was born and made its way to Washington in the US a decade later. Sometime in the 1920s or 30s, a bartender in Havana is then credited with perfecting the Frozen Daiquiri by whirring the ingredients with shaved ice in an electric blender.
No need to mess with perfection. Here’s the basic recipe.
Daiquiri
2 oz light rum
1 oz (or up to 1 extra tsp) freshly squeezed lime juice
¾ oz sugar syrup
Lime twist
Shake rum, juice, & sugar syrup over ice and pour into a lovely stem glass. Garnish with the lime twist & enjoy!
For a Strawberry Daiquiri, add fresh strawberries & whir it all up in a blender. Yum!
July 18, 2023
Nelson Mandela International Day
Today is dedicated to Nelson Mandela, who set the pace with his peaceful and powerful beliefs, such as using education to change the world. He successfully led the resistance to South Africa’s policy of apartheid in the 20th Century, during which time he was imprisoned from 1964 – 1982. He went on to serve as the country’s first black head of state 
and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. Today, in remembrance of him, we celebrate each individual’s power to transform the world.
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”
— Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013)
President of South Africa (1994 – 2013)
July 17, 2023
Rain, Rain Go Away
“The nicest thing about the rain is that it always stops. Eventually.”
— Eeyore (character from “Winnie-the-Pooh” books)
A.A. Milne (1882 – 1956)
British author
July 16, 2023
Celebrate Fresh Spinach Day the Easy Way!
Hubby is a huge fan of spinach… in salad, omelets, pasta, or whatever. His favorites are creamed or sauteed spinach. Skip frozen or canned spinach (sorry, Popeye).
After preparing in traditional ways for years, we learned that we both prefer it just wilted, with some texture still remaining. After preparing it in the microwave, we will never go back to traditional methods.
Super Simple Sauteed Spinach
Fresh baby spinach leaves (with or without stems, as you prefer)
Butter (or olive oil, if you prefer)
Garlic powder
Salt
Put a 1” layer of spinach in a deep, microwavable baking dish. Dot with butter & sprinkle with garlic powder & salt. Repeat, pressing down, till bowl is full. Cover and microwave on high 1-2 minutes, stir & microwave 1 more minute. By the time you get it to the table, the wilting will be complete! Serve hot.
KISS Tips: I often prepare the baking dish ahead of time and just keep it in the fridge and cook at serving time. You can also sass spinach up any way you like. For example, add a layer (or 2) of grilled, sauteed, or roasted sliced mushrooms… and/or sauteed chopped sweet onions… or sprinkle crispy fried onions on top to serve. Or sprinkle a couple of layers of spinach with sesame seeds and give it a drizzle of sweet Thai chili sauce. Or sprinkle a couple of layers with shredded or grated Parmesan cheese. Or add a layer of sliced, roasted red peppers… or a layer of diced fresh peaches.
July 15, 2023
We’re Horsing Around Today
Celebration of the Horse Day & National I Love Horses Day both fall on July 15th every year. Horses have long been revered for being gorgeous, but they have also had economic, cultural, and historical impacts on our history.
For example, I had not realized that horses were domesticated in 6000 BC. in the Americas some 8-10,000 years ago, before going extinct. They were then re-introduced to the Western Hemisphere in the late 1400s and to Florida in 1538. Many were released into the wild, and some 33,000 feral horses, known as mustangs, still roam our plains.
The life expectancy of a horse is between 25 and 30 years, but a horse named Old Billy was said to have lived to the age of 62.
Want some more little-known facts about horses? Scientists say horses have the IQ of a 3-year-old child when compared to humans.
Most horses can recognize themselves in the mirror, learn complex orders or tricks, and comprehend human emotions. Horses only breathe through their mouths, and they can fall asleep standing up. Horses have an amazing field of vision, reaching almost 360°.
July 14, 2023
Kebab Day
Shish kebab refers to skewered and grilled meat chunks, while kofta kebabs are made from finely ground or minced meat. You can also skewer up seafood, or veggies.
Then roast or grill up those bad boys! From tapas to entrees, kebabs offer a festive and fun way to serve up food favorites. Kebabs are part of virtually every culture, too. Try something new, a family favorite, or an old traditional kebab.
Super Simple Kufta/Kafta/Kofta Bites
Every Mediterranean culture has a variation on these gems. In Armenia, my ancestors had an additional stuffed and boiled variation that was often served in soups.
½ c finely chopped sweet onion
1-2 lg eggs, beaten
½ tsp garlic powder
2 T chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp each: cumin & thyme
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ginger
2 tsp sea salt
¼ – ½ tsp black pepper
2 lbs ground lamb
After mixing all other ingredients, mix in lamb. Form 18 balls and then shape into ovals (long for entree or short for tapas). Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 24 before cooking over med-high grill heat. (Cook or at least serve on skewers.)
KISS Tips: Add 1 tsp ground sumac for a true Mediterranean essence. If grilling on bamboo skewers, be sure to soak in warm water for at least 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning. These are nice served as they are or with a yogurt, cucumber, tahini or other sauce for dipping.
These are great served with a Tzatziki Sauce for dipping.
Super Simple Tzatziki Sauce
1 c Greek yogurt
½ c finely diced or shredded English cucumber (peeled)
1 -2 tsp finely minced garlic
1 T lemon juice
1 tsp dill
½ tsp sea salt
