To the South…

Crawfish and Shrimp Etouffee – Cajun Style

Makes 6 servings

Shopping List:

• 80 ml or 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 30 g or 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced
• 100 gr or 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 30 ml or 2 tablespoons Louisiana-style hot sauce
• 0.6 g or 1/3 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper [optional]
• 20 g or 2 tablespoons seafood seasoning
• 1 g or 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 235 ml or 1 cup fish stock
• 450 g or 1 pound crawfish tails
• 450 g or 1 pound medium shrimp – peeled and deveined

TO MAKE:

1. Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
2. Gradually stir in flour, and stir constantly until the mixture turns ‘peanut butter’ brown or darker, at least 15 or 20 minutes. Use a large fork with the flat side to the bottom of the pan in a side to side motion. This is your base sauce or ‘Roux’. It is very important to stir this constantly. If by chance the roux burns, discard and start over.
3. Once the roux is browned, add the onions, garlic, celery and bell pepper to the skillet, and saute for about 5 minutes to soften. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and fish stock, and season with the seafood seasoning. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Season the sauce with hot pepper sauce and cayenne pepper (if using), and add the crawfish and shrimp. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque.

ENJOY !

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 264
Total Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 196mg
Sodium: 956mg
Total Carbs: 9g
Dietary Fiber: 1.4g
Protein: 24.9g

One week ago…

in a land far, far away… my vacation ended.

Chicago And Beyond – My Vacation 2009 can be found on Picasa. From the original 805 photos over 400 ended up in this file. Have a look and give a comment.

Tonite…

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks returns to the Hudson River for the first time since 2000 to celebrate America’s birthday with the nation’s largest 4th of July fireworks display. On Saturday, July 4, at 9:00 PM, Macy’s will create a showstopper like no other to honor the country’s independence and to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the exploration of the Hudson River by Henry Hudson. ‘American River’, the theme of the 33rd annual Macy’s Fireworks will give more than two million spectators and millions of viewers nationwide America’s most spectacular showcase of brilliant colors, jaw dropping effects and thunderous sound.

This year’s patriotic revelry will feature approximately 40,000 shells exploding in a kaleidoscope of color at a rate of more than 1,500 per minute and will feature eight times more high-level fireworks than last year’s show. The 26-minute display, designed in collaboration with SOUSA Fireworks, will be set off from six barges positioned between 24th and 50th Streets on the Hudson River giving New York City residents a stunning front row seat to America’s biggest Independence Day party. With six barges lined-up end-to-end on the river, this year’s show will mark Macy’s longest continuous show ever. From the West Side Highway to any point in New York City with a view of the sky over the Hudson River, Macy’s Fireworks are sure to thrill and amaze.
“The Hudson River is where Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks was born,” says Robin Hall, executive producer, Macy’s Fireworks, “and we’re excited to return this year to be part of New York City’s larger celebration of the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage of discovery aboard the Dutch vessel, The Half Moon.”

Before becoming an annual tradition beginning in 1976, Macy’s Fireworks made their debut in 1958 on the Hudson River and previously held a special event marking the 350th Anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hudson with a spectacular show in 1959. A half-century later, Macy’s Fireworks are returning to the Hudson to continue to celebrate the fascinating story that culminates with the founding of New Amsterdam by Dutch settlers and to kick-off the City’s NYC400 summer celebrations, which culminate on September 13th with Harbor Day.

“The people of the Netherlands are extremely pleased to see the commemorative return of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks to the Hudson River in honor of Henry Hudson’s discovery and New York City’s 400th birthday,” said Renée Jones-Bos, the Dutch Ambassador in the USA. “It is a symbol of a long-standing friendship between two strongly tied nations, which share the open-mindedness of those Dutch-American pioneers. We are two countries, but one spirit, united by values, history and a vision of the future.”

This year’s big bang on the West Side will be expertly synchronized to a rousing score featuring patriotic standards, classic river-themed works and original music. The legendary New York Pops, under the direction of Steve Reineke, will perform the musical score that features classics from Proud Mary to God Bless America, as well as the original composition American River Suite written by Broadway composer Stephen Flaherty and Macy’s creative director Bill Schermerhorn. Lending their vocal talents to the score will be Broadway superstars Audra McDonald and Idina Menzel with appearances by the Choir Academy of Harlem. Macy’s Fireworks are precisely timed to the musical score which spectators can hear live by tuning in to radio station 1010 WINS.

The showstopper begins as the first shells hit their mark in the night sky. Macy’s Fireworks feature shells from all over the world that create dazzling effects and sounds. New this year will be a few shells that have mysterious qualities. From the “Ghost” shells that appear, disappear and reappear in plain sight to the shape-shifting Saturn shells with their interlocking loops and rings that create shapes then transform to “space dust” and finally to Patriotic Tulips in honor of New York’s Dutch heritage, the newest shells in the Macy’s Fireworks promise to surprise and entertain.

With the new surprises come a few Macy’s Fireworks favorites – with a twist. The famed “Macy’s Golden Mile” is back and ready to cover more than one mile of the river from its horizontal to its vertical planes with a massive shower of golden sparks. To give that fanfavorite more time to be enjoyed, this year the Golden Mile will last longer than ever before as the shells shine for more time while cascading to the water’s edge. Since the Golden Mile is universally beloved by spectators, Macy’s will give them an extra special
treat with the addition of the first-ever “Macy’s Silver Mile.” The newest mile of sparkle is made possible by using Japanese Nishiki-style White Strobbing Kamuro shells that will cover the sky over the Hudson and be featured during the song, Half Moon.

From city streets, rooftops, balconies, parks, and highways, spectators along the West Side will not only have a front row view of the show, but also get a second performance. At 7:30 PM an FDNY Fireboat Water Show will begin with New York’s Bravest sailing two Marine Division fireboats spraying red, clear and blue water arcs up 300 feet in the air in a patriotic salute to America’s independence. Following that tribute at 8:00 PM spectators will enjoy a special flyover by jets from the Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing in the last prelude to the commencement of the fireworks bonanza.

Spectators can catch the action coast-to-coast from the comforts of home by tuning in to Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular broadcast nationally on NBC-TV. The telecast hosted by Natalie Morales and Tiki Barber from the flight deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum begins at 9:00 PM (check local listings). The one-hour star-studded special features a line-up of performances from Rob Thomas, Jewel, and the cast of Broadway’s West Side Story.

Read an article over Macy’s Creative Director Bill Schermerhorn who was born on the 4th of July.

Source: NY400.org

What I miss most…

What I miss most after my tour through the Midwest is…

dark nights and the view of the stars in the sky,

fireflies in the trees,

the horn of the train at each street it crossed [7 in total] in the village

people in the village who greet you even when you don’t know them,

sitting on the porch while doing nothing, unless drinking coffee and reading is an activity,

having someone to talk to,

or just making a cup of coffee or a sandwich for him.

the places where we stayed

Things that stay:

the memories they stay with me for time to come

the photos, I thought I made some 400+ in fact there are over 800!

What I don’t miss is…

the kilos that I have lost during my trip… 4.2 kg or 9.25 lbs within 6 weeks!

Recipes from the New World #6

Spinach and Feta Pita Bake

Makes 6 servings

This is great as a party appetizer or a full meal. Tasty, full of flavor and it’s good for you. The crunchy crust is what I really like! You can play with the veggie toppings and cheeses for a great meal that is fast and delicious!

Shopping List:

• 6 (15 cm or 6 inch) whole wheat pita breads
• 1 (200 gram or 6 ounce) tub sun-dried tomato pesto
• 2 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
• 1 bunch spinach, rinsed and chopped
• 4 fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 75 gram or 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 10 gram or 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 45 ml or 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pinch ground black pepper to taste

TO MAKE:

1. Preheat the oven to 175ºC or 350ºF.
2. Spread tomato pesto onto one side of each pita bread, and place them pesto side up on a baking sheet.
3. Top with tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, feta cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and season with pepper.
5. Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven or until pita breads are crisp.
6. Cut into quarters and serve.

NOTE 1: Substitute grilled chopped marinated chicken in place of the mushrooms.
NOTE 2: If possible, use fresh picked roma\’s and a sprinkling of shredded mozzarella after baking.

ENJOY !

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 350
Total Fat: 17.1g
Cholesterol: 13mg
Sodium: 587mg
Total Carbs: 41.6g
Dietary Fiber: 6.9g
Protein: 11.6g

No Comment…

sevens heaven for nu.nl

Even here…

Micheal Jackson Died…

Even here they can’t leave me alone, those lookalikes…

I’m back home…

The vacation is over and I arrived back home safely and on time. Nothing major has happened while I was away, just a power-cut that left the freezer without electricity for 10 days… the smell warned my Dad something had gone wrong and I’m still out of a phone while my computer works perfectly [!], it all works on the same group.

I just downloaded all my mail to my own PC, 648 messages, 250 mails I could skip without reading them because they are outdated and the rest: 80 comments on TTS, 170 work related ones [most of them I've given a reaction to while on the road] the others I still have to re-read and the rest I still go through when I find time this week. Just like those 400+ photos I took…

The fridge/freezer is restocked, sour cream for the baked potatoes, corn on the cob for Corn on the Cob, Real Whole Wheat Bread that stays only fresh for two, three days and not for a fortnight, Real Gouda not that putty Americans call Gouda. And… Coke, I’m again hooked on that stuff just like 4 years ago when I was in northern Indiana for the first time. Maybe I make myself a Vodka/7-Up with a twist later, another thing I enjoyed.

Tomorrow daily Amsterdam life starts again, while I look back on a wonderful 5 weeks in the US of A.

40 Years Ago Today…

The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City.

They are frequently cited as the first instance in American history when gays, lesbians and transgenders fought back against a government-sponsored system that persecuted homosexuals, and they have become the defining event that marked the start of the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

After the Stonewall riots, gays and lesbians in New York City faced gender, class, and generational obstacles to becoming a cohesive community. Within six months, two gay activist organizations were formed in New York, concentrating on confrontational tactics, and three newspapers were established to promote rights for gays and lesbians. Within a few years, gay rights organizations were founded across the U.S. and the world. On June 28, 1970, the first Gay Pride marches took place in Los Angeles and New York commemorating the anniversary of the riots. Similar marches were organized in other cities; today Gay Pride events are held annually throughout the world toward the end of June to mark the Stonewall riots.

Doing [almost] nothing…

Today was a day of rest after coming home last night from Cherokee [NC]. I slept like a log during the night but had a starter on the last leg of our trip [!]. After waking up and a pot of coffee just for myself and a sandwich, I sat on the porch enjoying the weather and a new book. Around 4 pm I changed clothes because we would go out for dinner in Lafayette with a mutual friend who lives in town too. It’s just a 45 minute drive down the road to Lafayette. Here you’ll find another good restaurant I recommend La Scala just across from the courthouse on Main Street. I had a Shrimp and Crab dip as a starter, Gumbo as a side dish and my main was Vitello Arrostito, veal medallions sauteed with fresh herbs and Fontino cheese in a brandy cream sauce. To top it off the three of us shared a cannelloni with ricotta cheese and cinnamon and drizzled with chocolate…

Tomorrow is my flight home. I had a great 5 weeks in which I visited 6 states and saw places other Dutch tourists [almost] never go to. I had a great guide in Josh who knew a lot of the history behind those places, and got quizzed about it too. Even on the way back from Lafayette this evening when we crossed the Wabash River on Union Street… This bridge is named after…William Harrison the first Governor of Indiana, 9th President of the USA and he originally gained national fame for leading U.S. forces against American Indians at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. [So you see I had a lot to remember of our trip to Vincennes]. I cheated a bit naming first Clark and second Harrison.

Art in the valley…

I just finished the day with a delicious dinner, more about that later. Today was a day of culture and art, we came down from the mountain to the valley, in this case Ashville [NC]. At Pack Place Arts & Education Center we visited the Ashville Art Museum, in the same building there’s a Health Museum for kids, an Earth Science Museumand a theater. The exhibition of Tradition/Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft & Traditional Art attracted me the most. Especially the glassware by Mark Peiser and the native art.

Next stop Grove Arcade, The Grove Arcade, one of Asheville’s architectural jewels, draws visitors to the building who are fascinated with its ornate architecture and curious about the design, original purpose and history of the building. Edwin Wiley Grove became a multi-millionaire by attending to the health of others. His Paris Medicine Company manufactured popular remedies for malaria and the common cold. Grove suffered from bronchitis and insomnia; and when he came to Asheville in 1898, it was on doctor’s orders. Asheville was, according to doctors throughout the nation, a magic mountain.
Grove became enamored with the city and considered building a factory here. He had experience with holiday destinations in Florida and decided instead to build a resort. Partnering with his son-in-law, Fred Seely, he constructed the Grove Park Inn in 1913. He engaged in several other local projects including many that still bear his name: Grovestone, a quarry and gravel factory; Grove Park, a subdivision near the Inn; and Grovemont, a community in Swannanoa. The Grove Arcade would be his final project and he would die before seeing it completed. Officially it would have had a hotel in the middle of the Arcade but because of Grove’s untimely death this part was scrapped. The building served for years as a federal building until the historically renovated Grove Arcade reopened to the public in 2002.

Main Street in Sylva, North Carolina, from the County Courthouse Hill

To finish it off we had finally our fine dining experience, no granola bars tonite! If you are around these parts of the country go and visit Five Fifty Three it’s well worth the drive and if you book in advance they have a cottage to sleep over. The food was great, the staff was friendly and we were sorry we didn’t go here earlier. Maybe a next time when we pass through this area again… Chef/Owner Ross Lorenz is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, SC and has worked in the Hospitality Industry for over 13 years. Ross has worked his way up to Chef, General Manager and Sommelier in many highly respected restaurants. Together, Ross and his wife have created an always changing menu according to the property greenhouse and garden beds, local organic farmers, and global availability of fresh food.

I’ve been taking pictures of most of my food these last few weeks, only this time I forgot to do that with my starter because it smelled so good, I dived right in. You all have to wait for those pix. My starter was Crayfish tails in a beer batter with a spicy sauce, my main dish; Wild mushroom ravioli with a thick cream sauce and roasted pecan-nuts and to finish it of… Cheese cake with a chocolate swirl through it, my first dessert in 5 weeks. [When I heard the list of desserts I almost cancelled my order to have a meal of just desserts]. It was finger licking good.

Recipes from the New World #5

Smokey Black Beans

Makes 4 servings

Shopping List:

• 225 gram or 1/2 pound dry black beans, soaked overnight
• 10 gram or 2 teaspoons bacon drippings
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 5 ml or 1 teaspoon hickory-flavored liquid smoke
• 15 ml or 1 tablespoon dark molasses
• 55 gram or 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 slices pickled jalapeno peppers

TO MAKE:

1. Drain the black beans from their soaking water and place in a slow cooker.
2. Fill with enough fresh water to cover them. Cover and set to High.
3. Heat bacon drippings in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until tender.
4. Stir this into the beans along with the brown sugar, liquid smoke, molasses and jalapeno slices. Stir to blend, then cover and cook on High for 5 to 6 hours, or until beans are tender.

NOTE: Fresh jalapeno could be used but the pickled stuff is what I had on hand.

ENJOY !

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 275
Total Fat: 4.3g
Cholesterol: 2mg
Sodium: 56mg
Total Carbs: 49g
Dietary Fiber: 11.7g
Protein: 11.7g

From the dome to the cove…

Or in better English, from the top of the mountain to the valley.

We started this afternoon at Clingmans Dome, At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. Only Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) and Mt. Craig (6,647), both located in Mt. Mitchell State Park in western North Carolina, rise higher. The observation tower on the summit of Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond for visitors willing to climb the steep half-mile walk to the tower at the top. I saw the view from the parking-lot but Josh went all the way up to the observation tower.

On the way back I suggested to visit Cades Cove instead of driving back to Cherokee and then a few hours later back up again. Cades Cove is a lush valley surrounded by mountains and one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. Deer are almost always sighted in the fields, and observations of other wildlife, including bear, wild turkey, and fox are possible. Only taking pictures of them is a harder task.

A wide array of historic buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries is scattered through-out the cove. These include a grist mill, a variety of barns, three churches, and a marvelous collection of log homes and outbuildings.

Due to heavy traffic, our first jam since on the road, it took us over 4 hours to ride this 11 mile one way trip. Our fine dining we had planned ended in eating a granola bar. That can only mean a heavy breakfast tomorrow.

Off the beaten path…

This morning we left on a tour to see the Smokies from nearby, from Oconaluftee [NC] to Gatlinburg [TN] over the Newfound Gap Road. We made several stops on the way just to admire the scenery and landscape, while in the back there was always the sound of rushing water or the leaves.

Gatlinburg can be compared with Blackpool in the UK or any other tourist-trap you can imagine, think Damrak in Amsterdam [but without the Sex Museum]. It took us a while to figure out where the road to the Roaring Fork Motor Trail started, but finally we got there. We were glad the ranger in Oconaluftee had mentioned it because this is really off the beaten path, most of the road is one way and buses and RVs are not allowed on this road, they just wouldn’t fit. It’s a great area to try out special features on a new camera like I did, rushing water, plant life and still life. I saw a photographer kneeling in the grass to take a shot of a fence and through it, as a real copy-cat I tried the same, first with a wall build of rocks and later of the before mentioned fence.

If you’ve never been to the Smokies than I can advice you to go. Great Smoky Mountains National Park preserves a rich cultural tapestry of Southern Appalachian history. The mountains have had a long human history spanning thousands of years—from the prehistoric Paleo Indians to early European settlement in the 1800s to loggers and Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees in the 20th century.

The park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes, and artifacts that tell the varied stories of people who once called these mountains home.

UPDATE: The photographer is Bill Luton of Smithville, TN. The pictures in this post come from the Internet, maker unknown.

Last week on tour…

I just realized I’ll be stepping on Dutch soil in a weeks time. One or two of the things that is memorable, food-wise, is biscuits and gravy made by Josh, not the stuff you get in restaurants or hotels. Even the French Lick Resort served the stuff made out of a packet, no sausage came anywhere near the gravy. The Red Geranium in New Harmony [part of the New Harmony Inn] only had a crumbled sausage on top.
Another memorable meal was the crab we ate in the kitchen of his home, we both hadn’t eaten it that way or on the road. Just the fun of how to open the shell on the legs to get to the juice bits was fun. J is a great cook, a whole chicken, fresh from the farmers market, on the BBQ… no problem!

Breakfast this morning consisted of a biscuit and gravy [packet-style], grits, warm apples, a french toast and a small pancake without maple syrup[!] and a bowl of melon and pineapple and an unending stream of coffee. Later today we’ll be visiting several of the Cherokee places like the Museum and the Crafts center. For the rest we’ll see what will pop-up.

Where’s my racoon hat?

At the moment I’m in Berea, Kentucky, home of Daniel Boone, at the hotel that’s part of the college here in town. Josh and I toured from northern Indiana via Indianapolis to Cincinnati where I had to taste the world famous Camp Washington Chili. It was delish. We in Europe have an other image of chili when it is served but that doesn’t matter, I’m here to broaden my horizon…

Two hours later we entered the doors of this mansion, with plush seats and sofas and ceiling fans, big oval mirrors, oil paintings and palms. You would expect to see Ms. Scarlett and Rhett walking through the corridors but for that we have to go further south [think Atlanta, Georgia]. Tomorrow is a day of sightseeing, here in town before we go on our way to the Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee Reservation.

Next to the chili I had another crab cake [at the hotel] and now creole style, much better than the Chicago version.

UPDATE: I’m not trying to rewrite American history, Daniel Boone didn’t live in Berea, but maybe he walked the National Forest… The Hotel was called [Daniel] Boone Tavern, that’s where I made the mistake, sorry!

It’s almost OPEN…

Hermitage to open June 20, 2009

Inaugural exhibition At the Russian Court presents more than 1,800 treasures from St Petersburg

From June 20th 2009, 10 a.m., a major new European cultural destination, the greatly expanded Hermitage Amsterdam, will welcome visitors to its elegantly restored 17th-century building in the historic heart of Amsterdam. Founded to bring the richness and grandeur of Russia’s artistic heritage to one of the West’s most charming capitals, this independent cultural institution will inaugurate its spacious new home — ten times the size of the previous building — with the exhibition At the Russian Court, a dazzling display of more than 1,800 treasures from the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg.

Hermitage Amsterdam is the only dedicated, independently managed venue in the West of St Petersburg’s magnificent State Hermitage Museum. At the Russian Court — a scholarly researched exploration of the opulent material culture, elaborate social hierarchy and richly layered traditions of the Tsarist court at its height in the 19th century — will remain on show from June 20th in the new institution until January 31st 2010. Hermitage Amsterdam will then stage two large-scale, temporary exhibitions each year, drawing on the encyclopaedic collections and unparalleled scholarship of Russia’s museums to offer cultural riches that would otherwise be unavailable in Amsterdam.

Recipes from the New World #4

Grilled Aubergines with Prosciutto

Makes 2 servings

A deliciously healthy and alternative salad – a great way to get your vegetables!

Shopping List:

• 1 eggplant, ends trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into rings and seeds removed
• 30 gram or 1 cup spinach leaves, torn into pieces
• 15 gram or 1 (1/2 ounce) slice thinly sliced prosciutto di Parma
• 6 gram or 1 teaspoon sun-dried tomato paste
• 15 ml or 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 15 ml or 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• ½ gram or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• freshly ground rock salt to taste

TO MAKE:

1. Preheat your oven’s broiler to 200ºC or 400ºF.
2. Arrange slices of eggplant and red bell pepper on a baking sheet. Broil for about 7 minutes, until soft.
3. Meanwhile, place the spinach onto a serving plate and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with salt.
4. When the vegetables are done, arrange the red peppers over the spinach.
5. Smear a small amount of sun-dried tomato paste onto each slice of eggplant.
6. Top with a slice of prosciutto.
7. Arrange the eggplant slices over the peppers in an overlapping spiral pattern.
8. Serve immediately.

NOTE 1: You can also sautee the eggplant.
NOTE 2: Replace the eggplant with a sautéed Portobello mushroom

ENJOY !

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 179
Total Fat: 10.1g
Cholesterol: 6mg
Sodium: 362mg
Total Carbs: 20g
Dietary Fiber: 7.4g
Protein: 4.7g

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Mindless Eating…

I promissed Sally my therapist at Novarum to read the book Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink Ph.D. during my vacation and write down some quotes from the book. I’m not going to do the last, but I can tell you it certainly opened my eyes to a lot of other things.

Like a lot of things in life it’s about temptation, temptation and more temptation, but also the choices you make. I was very aware of it during the play last week because during the intermission we could get unlimited amounts of sodas and popcorn. I had only one soda and one packet of fresh popcorn. But while delving my hand time and time again in the popcorn I thought “What am I doing? I grab it, it has a nice salty taste but I do it without thinking.” So I closed the box and put it down next to my seat to throw it away on my way out.

I also so noticed that being less depended from my scooter, my bloodsugars dropped from a regular 12.1 to 6.2 millimol, I’m sure the fish plays a role in it too, but also the daily walking exercises, like walking to Murphy’s [the supermarket], Hopkins Hardware or when we are on tour by visiting places. This is something I have to keep up when I’m back in a couple of weeks.

Yes, dear reader my first 3 weeks of vacation are over but I’ve got still 2 to go, to many of you that is a luxury but for me it is too.