Recipe – Yucca Mangu

This recipe called my name when I saw it on the Goya website, as a healthy new alternative.

I’m thinking this would go nicely with some pollo guisado (stewed chicken), sliced peppers and onions. Hmm, toss that in the crockpot and it cooks itself! In the photo, it appears they served it with some sliced ham or salami (very traditional).

Yucca Mangu

Ingredients

• 2.5 lbs. of Goya Frozen Cassava (5 lbs.)
• ½ tbsp. of Goya Salt
• ½ tbsp. of Goya Adobo with Pepper
• 1 tbsp. of Goya Garlic
• 2 tbsp. of Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ½ cup of Cooking Water

Directions

1. In a deep pot, heat water and salt, bring to a boil.
2. Add the cassava and cook for approximately 20 minutes
3. Drain the water, saving half a cup for later.
4. Mash the cassava and mix with the adobo, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and the half-cup of cooking water.

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It’s Getting Hot Out There

Well, that WAS the weather report all last week, when temperatures topped 90 degrees and the humidity was 70% or higher in the New York / New Jersey area. Some folks without air conditioning may have had problems such as waking up sweaty, and even worse when getting dressed. On  one hot and humid day, almost home from being out, I saw this crayon melting out of its wrapper. The yellow color reminded me of an egg.

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Veggie Patties Recipe

I clipped this recipe from a magazine, in the hopes of trying it with my teen. She took one look, and said “mom, can we use slightly different ingredients?” This is what happens, when you get two mujeres in the kitchen. When we make our variation, I’ll post an update.

For now, here’s a healthy recipe from Maria Menounos’ mom, Stavroula (magazine name and issue date missing).

Veggie Patties

• 1 can (15 oz) white navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 3/4 cup dried bread crumbs
• 1/2 chopped onions
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

Heat lightly greased grill. In food processor, combine all ingredients. Pulse 5 times. Divide mixture into 4 patties. Place patties on grill; grill 4 minutes, turning once. Place on buns, if desired. **** 223 calories, 8 grams of fat, per patty****

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Invade the Park!

Last year I was an active member of the Passaic Indians Alumni Roundup committee. The committee awarded partial scholarships to graduating seniors of Passaic High School, to help them as they moved on to institutions of higher learning. We all know, expenses add up quickly.

The Summer Jam is a celebration for the community, families and graduates. Last year people traveled from Philadelphia and even Florida, to mix and mingle. I recall meeting one woman who graduated Passaic High in the 1950s. You wouldn’t know it, from seeing her dance, laugh and show the younger folks how it’s done.

I promised my teen to never again bring up dancing in the rain, but yes we did the electric slide to close out the event.  Politicians, at least one member of the Board of Education, grandparents and toddlers, everybody got out there. My daughter and I even met a hip-hop artist. (Notice I’m omitting names, to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent)

This Saturday, July 17th it’s happening again. Do you want to hear about it, or come see it for yourself?

AlumniJam

Look really closely, to find me in the left-hand photo.

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Opening Reception – Melting Pot

In October 2009 it was my privilege and honor to serve on the committee for an art exhibit at the Passaic Public Library, Forstmann Branch. My favorite part of the experience was the time spent with Mario Gonzalez and Michele Fornal of the library staff.

Moments ago I received an e-mail from Michelle, providing the details for another art exhibit at the Library. This exhibit, entitled Melting Pot, is sponsored by Hands Help Hands and LaRuche Art.

Exhibited works from multicultural artists celebrate the diversity and the bonds shared by all residents of the US. Please join us for the opening ceremony, hosted by artist Ruby Jurado. Admission is free, with access to the public. Works will continue be exhibited throughout the month.

The opening reception is set for this Sunday, July 18 from 1 to 5 pm at the Second Floor of the Forstmann (Main) Branch, 195 Gregory Avenue, Passaic, New Jersey. I look forward to it, hope to see you there!

Map directions link for 195 Gregory Avenue, Passaic, New Jersey

Further Event Details MeltingPot

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Homemade carpet cleaner

If you have carpet, you probably have odors trapped in the carpet. There are three different recipes for homemade carpet cleaner at Easy Homemade Recipes which looks very easy. Click on the link for all three carpet cleaner recipes, this is the one I’ll be making.

Dry Carpet Cleaner

2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
4 to 5 bay leaves
1 tablespoon cloves

Spot test a small, inconspicuous area of your rug first to test for color stability of the fibers. Put the ingredients through a sifter until blended. Sprinkle lightly on your carpeting and allow to sit several hours overnight. Sprinkle lightly on carpet and let stand for a couple of hours. Vacuum up and enjoy your fresh fragrant carpet. Store dry carpet cleaner and deodorizer in a coffee can.

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Have you been swabbed?

In April 2010, I registered and got swabbed for the DKMS bone marrow registry (paragraph 7, Real Simple event). The paperwork was one page. It took me five minutes to fill in contact information. Afterward, it was a matter of swipe-swipe, both cheeks – less than one minute!

This morning I was watching Wendy Williams on TV and saw her guest announcers sharing about Shannon, who has been on Broadway as young Nala in Lion King. There is a donor drive set for next week, Friday, July 23.

If you can’t make it to this donor drive, the calendar is updated regularly. DKMS makes it easy: search by patient name, city and state. Please take the time, check the website, share with your family and friends. Every person who registers, can save a life. Read about Joshua and Aaron’s story, to see what a difference donors make.

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Happy Birthday, IKEA Paramus

Some people get excited about long summer weekends. I look forward to receiving IKEA’s annual catalog in July, seeing new furniture items and using the catalog as inspiration for how to use furniture in new ways.

This week on Tuesday I got a promotional e-mail that made me smile. The Paramus, New Jersey store is celebrating their seventh anniversary, by giving us all kinds of DEALS.

• Free breakfast, for everyone on Saturday, July 17 between 9:30 and 10:30 AM
• Free kids meals all day, Thursday, Friday AND Saturday
• Free delivery, for purchases of $500 or more

I got the e-mail, squeaked in excitement and then realized we already have almost every piece of IKEA furniture we want. There’s the Leksvik coffee table, the PS laptop workstation, Bekvam kitchen cart, our shoe rack (which I couldn’t find online, so it must be considered a collector’s item).

My teen has no objection to making a trip, even if we don’t need to buy anything. We could go for breakfast on Saturday, and browse the renovated showroom. Hmm, another Sunnan lamp sounds like a great deal. As part of IKEA’s social responsibility program, we bring home one and UNICEF gets one. Pop out the solar cell, charge it up and put it anywhere.

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Girls Rule! Wordless Wednesday

pink car

The license plate frame says “Silly Boys .. Mustangs are for girls” which only made me smile more. I like the idea of cruising on a summer day, in a car like this. Definitely a headturner!

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