Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 90

National Peanut Butter Day!

In a salute to National Peanut Butter Day, let’s simply eat some straight out of the jar! I go for Super Chunk, personally. You should enjoy whatever version is your favorite… from homemade, all-natural to creamy extreme. Have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich… or pop some peanut butter between 2 Ritz crackers or a couple of pretzel flats… or melt it down and drizzle peanut butter over ice cream… or make a splendid Asian peanut sauce to toss with some rice noodles, veggies, and a fave protein.

Of course, there is the goofy recipe for No Bake Peanut Butter Balls that, while Super Simple, somewhat silly, and gluten-free, is actually quite good!

2 c smooth peanut butter

½ c 100% pure maple syrup or honey (or other, of your choice)

¾ c coconut flour

Combine ingredients (adding a touch of milk or water, if it is too thick to handle) and use your hands to form into small balls, placing them in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined plate. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Store in the fridge or freezer.

Hope

Photo by Joshua Earle

 

 

 

“Hope is the golden thread that should be woven into every experience of life.”

— Unknown

Progress

Photo by David Troeger

 

“Be like the turtle. If he didn’t stick his neck out, he wouldn’t get anywhere at all.”

— Harvey Mackay (1932 – )

American businessman and author

Ignorance and Confidence

“All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.” 

(also quoted as):

“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”

— Mark Twain (pen name for Samuel Langhorne Clemens) (1835-1910)

19th Century American author and humorist

Ethics and Virtue

 

“Confidence in another person’s virtue is no light evidence of your own.”

— Michael Eyquem De Montaigne (1533-1592)

French philosopher, essayist

National Popcorn Day!

I love popcorn. Favorite memories seem to often go hand-in-hand with popcorn. I remember sitting at the bonfires on Lake Newfound as a kid, as my Dad popped corn in a big, square, metal pan. We popped corn for every skating party and movie night. I still pop corn several times a week, and I have been known to enjoy it for breakfast, too.

Something I did not previously know: In Old English, the word “corn” means “grain.” Specifically, it referred to a region’s most prominently grown grain. Thus, when Native Americans introduced their most common grain, maize, the European settlers, naturally applied their word… “corn.”

Aztecs used popcorn in ceremonial headdresses to honor their god of maize and fertility. Early Spanish settlers had never before seen this corn that burst into white floral shapes.

In the late 1800s, Louise Ruckheim added peanuts and molasses to popcorn. The much beloved Cracker Jacks were born.

Whether you like it plain, sweet, drizzled in dark chocolate, sprinkled with cheese, caramelized, or simply buttered and salted, celebrate today with some popcorn! Make it a movie night, or enjoy it for breakfast… today or any day!

National Gourmet Coffee Day

Photo by Nathan Dumlao

So, go ahead and splurge on your favorite. Snag that caramel macchiato with coconut milk or an iced signature latte with cake batter flavor.

If you’re grabbing your coffee at a take-out, here’s Thrillist’s latest list of the best:

The Midwest go-to spot, Culver’s got first place with its Blue Spoon Blend coffee. 2nd place went to Chick-fil-A with its sustainably sourced beans from Thrive Farms. McDonald’s slides into the Top 3 with its McCafé coffees. Wendy’s comes in 4th, and the Top 5 gets rounded out by Sonic, which serves Green Mountain Coffee.

Of course, there are lots of “best of” lists out there. RestaurantClicks.com’s list gives Starbucks the top spot, followed closely by Dunkin Donuts. McDonald’s still holds 3rd place, with its hot and iced mochas, lattes, cappuccinos, and regular coffee.

Personally, I am not into coffee, tea, or soft drinks, though that may sound downright un-American. I don’t even like coffee as a flavor in desserts, ice cream, candy, or liquor. That said, it is the All-American beverage, so I encourage all coffee fans to celebrate this day with their personal favorite gourmet coffee.

 

“Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death, and as sweet as love.”

— Turkish proverb

Fuhgeddaboudit!

Photo by Corey Hearne

Sometimes I get the urge to post something that will cause some folks to say, “Well, yeah! Of course!” And it will cause other folks to say, “No way! Fuhgeddaboudit!”  (Best to pronounce that with a New York or North Jersey accent.)

Just always remember that if someone wants to live happily, they will find ways to see a silver lining. If someone is hell-bent on raging through a stormy life, there is little we can do to part the clouds for them. Whether we want to think UP or think DOWN is 100% in our control.

“A positive mental attitude is the right mental attitude.”

Napoleon Hill (1883 – 1970)

American writer; author of “Think and Grow Rich” (1937)

Preparation

Photo by Torsten Dederichs

 

“Don’t tell me how rocky the sea is; just bring in the ship.”

— Vince Lombardi (1913 – 1970)

American football coach

Celebrate National Bagel Day

Bagels are boiled for 30-60 seconds before they are baked to “set” the crust before they hit the oven. Boiling water gels the starch on the outside of the bread. The length of time they boil impacts the thickness of the crust and the interior “chew.”

Unfortunately, bagels are generally made from refined wheat flour. This means the high calorie count (245 for a plain one) is all refined carbohydrates and lacking in protein and nutrients. But if you are a bagel fan, well get yourself a genuine beauty and enjoy every morsel.

A couple of years ago, with the gluten-free craze still on the grow, I developed a very satisfying bagel, gleefully lacking in refined carbs. Hey, if I’m going to consume mega calories, I prefer they come from complex carbs and other high nutrient ingredients. Enjoy as you would any other bagel, with a favorite spread or in a breakfast sandwich.

Sesame Bagels

My husband’s first choice in a bagel is always sesame.  These are most satisfying and can even be toasted up on a buttered grill.

2 oz cream cheese, softened to room temp

2 ½ c shredded mozzarella cheese

2 c almond flour, sifted with 1 T baking powder & 1 tsp xanthan gum

2 lg eggs, lightly beaten

3-4 T sesame seeds

Microwave cheeses together for 2 min, stirring halfway through.  Stir again at end until melted.  Quickly stir in flour mixture and egg completely.  Though sticky, divide into 6 parts and roll each into narrow logs.  Curl each into a bagel shape.  Sprinkle the top of each generously with sesame seeds.  Bake on parchment paper-lined baking sheet at 400ºF for 10-14 min.  Let them cool a few minutes before removing from baking sheet.  Makes 6.

KISS Tips:  I add a bit of water to the cup in which I beat the eggs to create an egg wash, which I use to brush on the bagels before sprinkling on the topping.  For great variations sprinkle the tops with dry onion soup mix or Everything Bagel seasoning.