Column

 The Outlandish Advantage! 

Lately, I have had a run of crossovers as my test vehicles, all with a variety of options and prices. Some of the more expensive vehicles would be dressed in the fine linens as you would expect. Occasionally, you will find a vehicle dressed for the red carpet; however, available on an import-beer budget. This describes the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander.

The 2016 Outlander totally changed my impression of Mitsubishi. For 2016, the Outlander has really upped their game in technology features in value, presentation, styling, and performance. It was designed for the family value-oriented customer.

Style changes for 2016 could add up to a mid-cycle upgrade including the addition of Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield front-end design styling. The new front styling continues the character flair to the backend with complementary changes throughout. The result is a clean set of sheet metal.

The 2016 Mitsubishi comes in the following trim levels: ES ($23,890), SE ($24,890), SEL ($25,890), and GT ($31,890). The SE and SEL have optional four-wheel drive ($2000), while the GT comes standard with four-wheel drive. All models except for the GT come with a 166 horsepower 2.4-liter engine and an automatic CTV transmission. The GT is packaged with a 224 horsepower 3.0-liter V6 and 6-speed Sportronics automatic transmission.

I was impressed by the clean interior, comfortable seats, and the fact that the Outlander can accommodate a group of seven. If you have fewer people and more stuff to transport, the rear seat folds flat and more than doubles the cargo space. All three rows of seats come with headrests to improve safety. There are plenty of cup holders and storage areas throughout.

My test model was the GT and it included satellite radio and a backup camera, which are all standard. The only option we had was the GT Touring package which comprised of many safety features, such as a navigation system, forward collision mitigation system, adaptive cruise control and a lane departure warning system.

Cool Features:

• Forward Collision Mitigation System (optional feature)
• Hill Start Assist
• Paddle Shifters

Safety on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander begins with the standard package including many safety features. These features include: rear camera, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, active stability control, traction control, side curtain airbags, and front seat mounted side airbags.

In Summary: Mitsubishi is striving to improve its image both in design and quality and become buyer-relevant. Mitsubishi’s hope is that the 2016 Outlander with its major mid-cycle refresh, feature offerings and attractive pricing, will generate enough buzz to deliver the value and benefit message, which in turn, will motivate buyers to add it to their list of choices.

Specifications

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander GT

Base price:                 $30,995 as driven: $35,195 (including destination & optional
features)

Engine:                       3.0-liter MIVEC SOHC 24-valve 6-cylinder

Horsepower:               224 @ 6,250 RPM

Torque:                       215 @ 3,750 RPM

Transmission:            6-speed automatic

Drive:                         AWD Drive

Seating:                      7-passenger

Turning circle:           34.8 feet

Cargo space:               10.3 cubic feet

Curb weight:               3,593 pounds

Fuel capacity:             15.8 gallons

EPA mileage:              City 20/Hwy 27

Wheel Base:                105.1 inches

Warranty:                   5 years/60,000 miles powertrain limited

Also consider:            Honda CRV, Jeep Cherokee, Dodge Journey, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Subaru          Outback

 

Q. I understand that tomatoes don’t need much water. If so how often should I water them?

A. There is no simple answer as to how often to water tomato plants. There are far too many variables such as temperature, size of the plants, the soil preparation, and how quickly the soil drains. In addition, vegetables gardens are not well planned out as far as water needs; hence, gardeners tend to overwater. Tomatoes have a deeper root system than other veggies. It’s very common to find tomatoes planted with squash, cucumbers, peppers and other shallow rooted vegetables. Tomatoes need to be separated from the rest so you can water them efficiently. The shallow rooted vegetables need to be watered more frequently while tomatoes don’t like the constant moisture. It’s fair to say that we fall into a rut and water our tomato plants in August like we did in May. We know to water more when it’s warm but we fail to cut back when it cool, especially those gardens using an automatic watering system. Our summer time temperatures are not constant but vary significantly from week to week. Hence, we need to be flexible with the watering schedule. Here is one method to determine the best watering schedule for your tomatoes planted in the ground with your variables: With new plantings you need to wait a couple of weeks for them to get acclimated and longer for those planted before April 15. Now water your plants thoroughly like you normally would, and mark the date on a calendar. The plants are not watered again until they begin to wilt. The wilt date is recorded along with the average afternoon temperature. A ball park figure will do. The process is repeated two more times. The data is then combined and averaged to form a watering ‘base line’ or norm. This information then answers the question how often do I water my tomato plants? I water my plants ‘X’ (number of days before the plants wilt) minus one to two days when the temperature average is ‘Y’. ‘X’ and ‘Y’ become the norm for your yard. You then adjust the watering schedule based on the norm. When it gets hotter you shorten up the frequency or lengthen it out when it get cooler. Pick any day of the week you like to review the watering schedule for the upcoming week and adjust the frequency. Extended five to seven day forecast are available from any number of sources.  As the plant grows, you increase the volume of water to make sure the entire root system gets wet. In containers, tomatoes are watered more often than those in the ground. Depending on the size of the container, tomatoes are watered several times a week. It may be necessary to water them more often with temperatures in the 90s and above. Tomatoes and other vegetables can be watered with recycled water. You do need to keep the maturing vegetables off the ground and wash them thoroughly after harvesting.

 

Q. I have a five-foot tall Bloodgood Japanese Maple in a large container. Last summer, the hot sun burned the leaves and the tree looked terrible the rest of the year. What can I do now to avoid the brown leaves?

A. You protect the foliage of Japanese Maples from tip burn and leaf scorch by applying Bonide Wilt Stop or Cloud Cover to the foliage. I like to refer to them as ‘Chap Stick’ for plants as they provide a clear protective layer that protects the leaves from excessive moisture loss. Wilt Stop or Cloud Cover are primarily thought of for cold weather protection but they’re just as effective against hot, drying winds. You make two applications about eight weeks apart. Water stress is another contributing factor to burnt leaves that also curl up. I’d suspect that the plant was going dry in between watering. Maples, Citrus, Roses as well as other container plants, suffer when the temperature warm up; hence they require more frequent watering. Many plants that wilt from water stress recover; however, when the leaves turn brown, they never turn green again. Also, older plants suffer sooner than those recently planted. As container plants grow, they displace the soil with roots. The longer a plant stays in the same container the more susceptible it is to water stress early on. I’d have the following suggestions to help water container plants more efficiently. I’d apply EZ Wet from Gro More or a similar product to help with the water penetration. EZ Wet is a soil surfactant that breaks down the surface tension around soil particles  allowing water to flow through the root ball instead of rolling down and out the sides of a container. Next, use a long screw driver and create a half a dozen or more spaces in the rootball and insert a polymer crystal such as Soil Moist. When water is applied the crystals hydrate into a clear gel. The hair roots of plants will then cling to the gel and use it as a back up or secondary water supply. With new planting, the Soil Moist crystals are mixed into the potting soil and then you plant. With Soil Moist, EZ Wet and Bonide Wilt Stop, you have the flexibility to vary your watering pattern and keep the foliage pristine all summer long.

 

 

8 Tips on How to Look Fabulous and Natural for Your Summer Vacation!

It’s almost summer and things are heating up. You’re probably going on trips, exotic cruises and of course, spending a lot more time outdoors. You want to look great, right? Follow these steps below to achieve an absolutely stunning yet completely natural look this summer.

1. Saving Face: Always remember to remove your make-up at the end of the day. Make sure you cleanse your skin twice and day (morning and night). Find out what skin type you have by a professional, and purchase a facial cleanser for your specific skin type, not a “one-size-fits-all” cleanser.  What most women don’t know is that when you cleanse the skin it keeps the surface from dehydration. If you don’t cleanse the skin it will not breathe properly, suffocating the surface, thus wrinkles start forming.

2. Daytime Protection: After your skin is cleansed and toned and moisturized apply a BB cream with sunscreen for extra protection. While it is good to get some Vitamin D from the sun, it can be harmful when you get too much sun and burn. A sun burn will destroy the collagen under the skin, and when you lose collagen the skin wrinkles and sags.

3. Eye Concealer:  Apply a concealer around the eyes for extra protection. Most people don’t think to put sunscreen on the eyelids, so the eyes suffer and wrinkle, looking years older than they are. You can avoid sun damage and droopy eye lids by simply applying concealer. Your eyes will look years younger, bright and youthful.

4. Sun Glow: Bronzers are great to create a beautiful glow to the skin. Apply a red-based bronzer to the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin area. Choose a bronzer that is realistic to your skin tone color. There are many to choose from, so ask a make-up specialist to help you find your perfect summer bronze color tone.

5. Summertime Lips: Use colors that are neutral with a bit of color. I like a lip stick with Vitamin E, with a slight tint. Vibrant lips are very popular this season but not at the beach, so wear your lip color accordingly.

6. Lip Care: Use a good sunscreen on the lips when out in the sun. Sun can burn lips too. Use a lip balm that is organic with vitamin E and with sun protection SPF 20, for optimum benefits.

7. Body Bronze Glow: Self-Tanners are a wonderful product to get that nice summer glow. Many people have sensitive skin and can’t get too much sun, by using a self-tanner you can get that Caribbean glow without ever going in the sun. Yay for self-tanners! Ongrien has the perfect self-tanner because it works with your own melanin in your skin. It will tan you in two hours and the skin will look three to four shades darker than your natural color. We Love This!

8. Dry Body Oils: Dry body oils were designed to give the skin a sheen and a glow. After you use a self-tanner all over the body, the next day you can apply a dry oil to give your body a beautiful sun kissed sheen. Kai has a body glow oil that makes your legs look like you just walked down the red carpet. It looks super silky and gives the legs that perfect sheen.

Have a safe and purely fabulous summer!

 

 

What exactly is restless leg syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by throbbing, pulling, creeping, or other unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable, and sometimes overwhelming, urge to move them. Symptoms occur primarily at night when a person is relaxing or at rest and can increase in severity during the night. Moving the legs relieves the discomfort, which can range in severity from uncomfortable or irritating to painful.

The most distinctive or unusual aspect of RLS that lying down and trying to relax activates the symptoms. Most people with RLS have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Left untreated, the condition causes exhaustion and daytime fatigue. Many people with RLS report that their job, personal relations, and activities of daily living are strongly affected as a result of their sleep deprivation.

Who’s at risk for RLS?

• Individuals with iron deficiency anemia
• Individuals on antidepressant medication
• Pregnant women
• Frequent blood donors
• Those who have undergone gastric surgery
• Chronic smokers and alcoholics
• Children with ADD/ADHD

RLS has been linked to low levels of dopamine. The neurotransmitter, dopamine, is an important messenger in the brain helping to regulate much of our body’s functions, including thinking, behavior, mood, and especially in the case of RLS – rest and movement. Low levels of dopamine can trigger the urge to move our limbs, as found in RLS.

RLS drugs and their side effects

The drugs approved by the FDA for treatment of RLS are Mirapex, Neupro and Requip. These medications (originally developed for treatment of Parkinson’s disease) work by making dopamine more available to receptors. These medications can have side effects from nausea, depression, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, and impulse control disorders. RLS will certainly affect quality of life, but so do these other severe side effects. Research is now revealing the significant role of nutrition, and other natural approaches to RLS.

Key ingredients to reduce RLS

Both iron and folate play key roles in the production of dopamine. In fact, iron deficiency anemia is a known condition associated with RLS. Magnesium and zinc levels also have an impact on RLS.  I personally believe in running specific blood tests in order to zero in on what is deficient in each individual to ensure the most effective outcome.Micronutrient Testing allows a person to know exactly what to eat and specifically what to supplement in order to support the healing oftheir RLS.

Healing your RLS

Conditions like restless legs syndrome can significantly interrupt daily life, but we work to figure out what the body needs, and provide that in a course of treatment. Through natural techniques based in science such as specialty lab testing, personalized supplementation, low force chiropractic to restore nerve function and laser therapy to speed up the healing process we can correct the critical imbalances causing the RLS.There is nothing more gratifying than helping a patient resolve an issue utilizing natural therapies that give them their life and their joy back.

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA.  For more information or to set up a complimentary consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

 

Most of us are aware that something is wrong with the medical industry. Quite frankly, greed has devoured it. The FDA is right there with them as well as the politicians. As a result of the lack of enforcing the existing antitrust laws, millions of Americans are suffering and dying extremely painful deaths that could have been prevented.

In my book, WHY? The Question That Could Save Your Life, I mention a few culprits, one of which is Pfizer, the provider of Lipitor, a drug that lowers cholesterol.  This company found that a protein was discovered in Italy that prevents cholesterol-related heart disease.  Pfizer bought that company and shut it down. There is a lot of evidence that lowering cholesterol really doesn’t prevent heart disease and even causes many other problems. How many millions have died, all while Pfizer, lobbyists and politicians make money?

Cholesterol levels that are too low can negatively affect hormones as well as increase the chance of strokes. But who cares about you and me when there is a ton of money for them?

Another example of this corruption is the story of Dr. Sam Chachoua.  Dr. Sam not only developed a cure for cancer, but a vaccine for HIV. His findings were tested by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and found to be very successful, creating headlines in August of 2001 as, “The most effective treatment for AIDS and cancer in history.” Somehow, suddenly, Cedars-Sinai became quiet and destroyed his vaccines, reversing their statements about these cures. Dr. Chachoua won a ten million dollar judgment against Cedars, but that’s pennies’ against the billions the medical industry makes from our suffering.

Right now, Dr. Burzynski is back in court for curing brain cancer. Our medical methods rarely work, but his do. The problem is that his way takes away the monster profit our system gets from its death producing methods. His methods do not require hospitalization which brings big losses to that industry.

Once again, you might ask why a dentist specializing in Dental Sleep Medicine and TMJ is concerned with this subject. Almost every day, in my practice, I find that legal drug abuse is being done by doctors treating symptoms, not patients.  In my opinion the medical profession is not aware that many of the drugs they prescribe are to cover the side effects of other drugs and, even worse, exacerbating the original problem.

It’s time for everyone to WAKE UP and insist that their doctor treat them, not their symptoms. It is also time to wake up and clean up the corruption in our leadership that actually promotes unnecessary medical problems.

I’ve been reading news articles lately about increased occurrences of patients who have to pay for costly anesthesiology services that are considered “out of network” with their insurance plans. Understandably, people are angry at these unexpected costs above what they’ve already agreed to pay or have paid for their surgical procedures. The insurance companies are taking advantage of all of us. As a doctor, I’m paid consistently less over time for the same hard work and medical expertise and as a patient I know that my insurance premiums and out of pocket costs keep going higher despite the fact that I have no health issues. Apparently, insurance companies are now unwilling to give fair reimbursement contracts to anesthesiology groups for their work and in turn anesthesiologists are deciding to not take less payment than they deserve. This is why the patient then is billed for something that is entirely out of their control and unfairly uncovered by some insurance plans. I believe the answer is to hold insurance companies accountable to offer affordable medical coverage for patients and a fair payment system for all doctors’ services. Something that I’ve also come to realize however, is that few people, even other physicians, understand who and what an Anesthesiologist actually does.

An anesthesiologist is a physician who has completed four years of medical school, four years of residency and in some cases up to three more years of fellowship for a specific specialty such as Pain Management, Cardiac or Pediatric anesthesiology, for example. The anesthesiologist’s role in the operating room is critical. We are there to make sure that you live through whatever surgical or non-surgical procedure you might need. In most cases surgery is a traumatic experience for the body, and depending upon the age, health status and type of surgery involved, the risk of complications or death can be immense. Unfortunately, even a seemingly healthy person can have an adverse outcome during or following surgery.

It is the anesthesiologist’s job to evaluate the patient in relation to the type of surgery needed, then devise a safe plan to successfully take them through the surgery with the least amount of stress, pain and side effects. We’re actually trained to have plans B and C in mind before going into the operating room with a patient to make sure that even the unexpected is expected.

“Putting people to sleep” is what most people know about anesthesiology. This is, in fact, an inaccurate synopsis of the specialty. A good doctor knows when not to put a patient to sleep and oftentimes the safest option is what is called a “regional anesthetic” which puts only the part of the body that is having surgery to sleep. A knee or hip replacement surgery, for example, is often done with an epidural or spinal injection that makes the person numb from the waist or groin down for the duration of the surgery. In this way, the patient is exposed to less anesthetic. An anesthetic is a medication or compound that causes loss of the ability to perceive pain.

All general anesthetics can affect heart, lung, kidney and liver function. In patients who are already ill or elderly, the anesthetic itself can be harmful. Anesthesiologists provide second to second monitoring during the surgery to ensure that a patient’s heart, lungs and kidneys are not being stressed. We are very knowledgeable of various specialties of medicine including cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, and nephrology because we need to anticipate how the body might be affected by surgical trauma and stress and know how to treat any emergencies that might arise to ensure the least possible harm from surgery. We are also real time pharmacologists as it is important for us to know how different drugs interact with each other and with the anesthetics we might need to use in addition to the medications that the patient might normally take.

Obviously, no one goes to the hospital to have anesthesia, but no one wants to have surgery without it either. Anesthesiologist services should never be an additional cost to the patient who needs non-elective surgery. Hopefully, we will eventually find a solution to the ongoing abuse by insurance companies on their insured members and medical providers.

Dear SSHS,

I was out to dinner last week at a fun, new restaurant downtown and my date was rather short with the wait staff who were doing their very best to please her. The drink was too sweet, the tapas too small, I was actually quite embarrassed. She told me she’s going through a difficult time in her life, so do I cut her some slack or is this a red flag?    –Mr. Nice Guy, Walnut Creek

She Said: I’m going to have to go with red flag or at least yellow. The way people treat others is a real indicator of who they are at the core. I don’t change my core when I’m going through a difficult time, do you? If you want to be certain, go ahead and see her again, and make sure you go somewhere where you must interact with service staff. Watch closely. If she’s rude again, you have your answer.

He Said: I agree with Robin but I’ll take it a step further and say that this is a major red flag. Everyone has bad days but that doesn’t mean you should take it out on the staff at a restaurant or complain about everything to the point where it ruins your date. Dating is supposed to be the best part of a relationship and if you’re not enjoying her company on the first couple dates, then the future could be a very rough ride.

Dear HSSS,

My husband and I are divorcing but we still live in the same house until we can make other arrangements. I was gone for a couple of weeks and returned to find evidence that my husband is “entertaining” someone new, in our home! I’m livid but wonder if I have the right to be. I could sure use some perspective.      — Hell Hath No Fury, Orinda

He Said: First off, let’s understand that he’s not YOURS anymore. This means that he’s not YOUR husband, YOUR lover, or YOUR companion. Basically he should be free to do what he wants and doesn’t necessarily need to wait until the ink is dry on the divorce decree. Now, should he have done this in your shared house? It would have been respectful if he hadn’t, but if there was no prior understanding between the two of you regarding this, then I see no problem here. At least he waited until you were out of town.

She Said: I have to wonder about the mindset of the woman who came over and saw all your clothes and makeup lying about. But that’s not what you asked. To Shawn’s point, yes, you might have set up some ground rules while still residing in the same house. It’s not too late to do that. I would have been livid too. You weren’t prepared for a stranger to be poking around YOUR house, and you know she was! It was bad form on everyone’s part, but people do behave badly in divorce. It’s time for a discussion regarding boundaries that must be honored during this very difficult time.

Robin Fahr is a communications specialist and host of Conversations seen daily on Tri-Valley TV, Channel 30 and online at www.trivalleytv.org. Shawn and Robin also host He Said/She Said on      TheTalkPod.com.  Send your questions to www.AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.

Some produce is so perfect in its natural state that it’s almost a shame to mess with it. Take locally-grown strawberries, for instance. Oh sure, you can boil them up for jam or jelly, or toss them with rhubarb for a rosy pie filling that tastes of spring. You can bake them into an airy soufflé or freeze them into icy sorbets. All very nice. Or you can just grab one by its little green cap and pop it into in your mouth… and the taste sensation probably won’t be any less spectacular.

But after staring at unadorned berries on your morning cereal for eight days in a row—no matter how good they are–it’s understandable that you might want to vary your intake. That’s when a show-stopping dessert comes into play.

The following recipe contains three little tweaks that make it stand out from the ordinary:

1. The berries are combined with a splash of orange juice for both its fragrance and its subtle acidity. (If you want to get fancy-schmancy, use an orange liqueur instead of the juice.)
2. A bit of sugar marries the orange with the natural juices from the berries to form a more perfect union. Then some of the berries are smashed to create a saucy texture.
3. Buttermilk makes the orange-flecked biscuits exceptionally tender; and a touch of cornmeal gives them a pleasantly sandy quality to offset the richness of the whipped cream. And that is how you spell perfection.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE L’ORANGE

4 pint-baskets (8 cups)farm-fresh strawberries, rinsed, hulled, and halved
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, to taste
2 cups heavy (whipping) cream, preferably NOT ultra-pasteurized
3 tablespoons powdered (confectioners’) sugar, plus extra for garnish
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 Cornmeal-Buttermilk Biscuits (recipe follows)
Optional: 8 small mint sprigs, for garnish

1. In a bowl, combine the strawberries, granulated sugar, and orange juice. Stir to mix, coarsely mashing about 1/4 of the berries with the back of a spoon. Let stand 15 minutes to dissolve the sugar and let the flavors blend. (This can be made a day in advance; just cover and refrigerate.)

2. Using an electric mixer or a large whisk, whip the cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.

3. To assemble, use a serrated knife to carefully split each biscuit in half. Place the bottoms on 8 dessert plates. Top each with a large spoonful of the berries and their juices, and then a heaping 1/4 cup of whipped cream. Cover with biscuit tops. Place a dollop of the remaining whipped cream over each biscuit, and top with the remaining berries. Dust powdered sugar over all and garnish with mint, if desired. Serve at once. Makes 8.

Cornmeal-Buttermilk Biscuits

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup finely ground yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 4 teaspoons for sprinkling on tops
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Finely grated zest of 1 orange
3/4 cup cold, well-shaken buttermilk, plus extra to brush on the shortcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Process briefly to blend. Add the butter and orange zest. Process, pulsingthe machine on and off, until the dough resemblesvery coarse meal. With the machine running, pour in the buttermilk, mixing only until incorporated. Bits of butter should still be visible.

2. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead once or twice until smooth. Working quickly, roll or pat the dough into a 1-inch thick disk. Using a 3-inch biscuit cutter dipped in flour, cut out as many biscuits as possible. Gently gather together the dough trimmings, pat into another 1-inch thick disk, and cut more biscuits.

3. Arrange the biscuits 2-inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet; brush with  buttermilkand sprinkle with the remaining 4 teaspoons sugar. Bake until golden and firm to the touch, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. These are best served the same day they are made. Makes 8.

Savvy Cook’s Know-How

–Alternatively, the dough can of course be made by hand: In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk gently to blend. Add the pieces of cold butter and the orange zest, tossing to coat with the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender, 2 forks, or your fingertips, quickly cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the buttermilk and proceed as directed in Step 2.

–No buttermilk? No problem. Pour 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or distilled white vinegar into a glass measuring cup; then stir in enough cold milk to make 3/4 cup. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes, until the milk has curdled. (When you reach Step 3 in the biscuit recipe, just brush the shortcakes with plain milk.)

–If you don’t have a 3-inch round cookie cutter, use the similarly-sized rim of a drinking glass, dipped in flour, to cut the biscuits.

–The first biscuits you cut from the dough will inevitably rise the most evenly and be the best looking. Take care when gathering the dough for the second batch, handling it as little as possible.Over-working biscuit dough results in tough biscuits.

–Ultra-pasteurized cream is a favorite with many supermarket managers because it has a ridiculously long shelf-life. Unfortunately it also has a vaguely plastic flavor and takes forever-and-a-day to whip. Forget the “ultra” and opt for pasteurized heavy cream—organic, if possible—and you will be much happier with the result. This is no time to cut corners.

–The simple strawberry mixture is delicious on its own, so you may want to whip up another batch to use in other ways. (That is, in ways other than eating it directly out of the refrigerator.)

For example:

–For a light and lovely dessert, spoon the berries and their juices into a martini or wine glass and top with a dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cream.

–For a sensational sundae, top a fudgy brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and ladle strawberry sauce over the top.

–For the fat-phobic, serve it alongside angel food cake.

–Layer it in parfaits, or use as a topping for French toast, waffles, or pancakes; your favorite ice        cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet.Or, for a special breakfast, drizzle the strawberry sauce over an omelet         filled with a bit of cream cheese or soft goat cheese.

As the season moves on, mix things up by using an assorted berries, like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for your shortcakes.
Berry Good Tips
–Did you buy more berries than you can possibly consume in one day? Here’s a storage secret from one of our growers: Line a plastic container with a layer or two of paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. Gently pile in the unwashed strawberries with their caps intact. Top with another layer of paper towel, seal with an airtight lid, and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

–Wait until just before using to wash strawberries and/or remove their green caps. Washing berries removes their shiny, naturally protective outer layer; and those caps prevent water from soaking into the strawberries and diluting their flavor and altering the texture.

–To wash, place berries in a colander or large sieve and rinse quickly under a gentle spray of cold water. Pat dry with paper towels and remove the green caps, if desired.
The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad and Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at 1-800-949-FARM, or visit their web site at www.pcfma.org. This market is made possible through the generous support of the Town of Danville. Please show your appreciation by patronizing the many fine shops and restaurants located in downtown Danville. Buy fresh. Buy local. Live well!

 

I can’t believe I’m doing this two months in a row.  I tried not to do it but I just had to.  You see, I watched Boyhood.  Afterwards, I was a little down and decided I would watch one of my Grandkids’ favorites, Inside Out.

Boyhood is quite literally one of a kind. Director and Writer, Richard Linklater started this project in 2002. The four main actors in this film remained the same over a twelve year production.  I don’t even remember what I looked like twelve years ago! Linklater gathered a core ensemble cast and filmed for approximately a month every year. He took a few weeks to write the next “chapter” and then spent about the same amount of time filming. He then waited another year and did it again. This process was fascinating.  You quite literally get to watch the characters lose weight, gain weight, get zits and grow their hair, then cut their hair. You get to see Mason, Jr. (Ellar Coltrane) go from a sweet faced six-year old to a tall, lanky eighteen year old.

I’ve often thought that all kids have stages where they—shall I say it?—go through “homely” phases. Of course my own kids and grandkids didn’t but the characters in Boyhood surely did!  This film is like a time capsule. While the premise was brilliant, the script for this fictional family was, in my opinion, just okay.  It’s a little like watching reality TV. Am I glad I watched it? Most certainly. The talented Ethan Hawke, as Mason Sr. was wonderful. In twelve years, he goes from a somewhat deadbeat Dad to a devoted family man.  Patricia Arquette, is Olivia, the Mom trying to make a life for herself and her family. She literally burns through three husbands in the twelve years. The film is often raw, sometimes endearing, but primarily boring.

Director-Writer, Richard Linklater’s daughter, Lorelei plays the fourth member of the ensemble. She is the older sister, Samantha. More of the same.

While interesting, the emotional aspects of Boyhood left me wanting more. It felt like it scratched the surface.

I may have been one of the few people, who hadn’t watched the animated gem, Inside Out.  Quite frankly, I felt that it was somewhat silly to do a movie about little animated characters with names like, Sad, Disgust, Anger and alas, Joy, living in a young girl’s head, I mean “Control Center.” Watching the film, I was engaged with anticipation.  Pixar/Disney did it again! What a beautifully simple way of explaining our emotions and I didn’t have to lie on a couch or spend $400.

Now you get the opportunity to judge me. Richard Linklater hit a homerun with Boyhood.  In the awards arena it had 200 nominations and walked away with 168 wins, including Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Patricia Arquette. The Academy also nominated it for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Ethan Hawke, Directing and writing for Linklater and Best Film Editing. After all that, I may have to turn in my pen.

Having said that, Inside Out walked away with 2016 Best Animated Film.

Both films have a story to tell in very different genres, aimed at totally different audiences.

 

 

At long last, we were blessed with April showers. As we all remember, they bring May flowers. Let’s take a look at some famous “flowers.”

 

1. Although barred from membership in the Baseball Hall of Fame, who had the most lifetime hits in Major League history?

 

2. What the name the great love of his life, who was married to another, of the Great Gatsby?

 

3. What was the name of Lil Abner Yokum’s mother in the classic comic strip?

 

4. In what excellent 1979 movie did Peter Sellers play Chance the Gardener?

 

5. It was the most infamous crime in California of the 1940s and was known by the name of a flower and its color. What was it known as?

 

6. For what 1969 movie did Goldie Hawn win an Oscar?