Check out new recipe of the week

Broccoli and tofu in garlic and soy sauce.

At last!

Schools are slowly but surely realizing that school lunches are as important in contributing to good eating habits and nutrition as are our homes.

When was the last time anyone saw a menu as this one? And for this price?

-Vegetarian chili, sofrito brown rice, confetti corn salad, pico de gallo, salad bar, milk. Making the menu even more appealing was the price: $1.50. This is a typical lunch menu of Public School 29 in Brooklyn. Actual student chefs produce and prepare these menus. How many school districts can get that lucky?

Well, eating healty has become quite popular in many schools across the country. They are starting little vegetable gardens to produce their own vegetables and use them for school lunches. However, this percentage is a miniscule. Most schools don't do this. They don't provide the required nutritional calories. Most of the statistics lean totally toward non-nutritious meals such as chicken nuggets, pizza, fries, hotdogs ... you name it. The cost of coming up with nutritious meals 5 days a week is probably part of it. But, I am sure growing the vegetables in the school garden might help in addition to the federal subsidies.

The Vino lovers

There are several types of wine lovers/drinkers. Where do you belong within that range?

For some reason, maybe it's the French influence of style, people who have anything to do with wine think they are wine afficionados. I have seen a range of such people. Some who drink a glass or two everyday; some who think wine is a must when they are with their dates and want to impress them; some who buy and keep buying them but hardly drink them; some who have a temperature controlled wine cellar and think of it as an investment. I could go on and on. Essentailly, some of us love wine while others love those who love wine, or love the wines of others, or love hoarding wine.

Who are you exactly? A drinker, a collector, a hoader, the expert or the amateur?

Just like real people, real food has curves

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, vegetarians can look forward to all the side dishes that are way more exciting than plain old turkey. Can cook any vegetable or a mix of vegetables with a dash of herbs, seasonings and cheeses too! Add to the mix add some sauteed onions and garlic. Then top it off with light cream and black pepper and bake until done. More specific recipes on their way. Stand by.

Where should we store vitamins?

I don't know and sometimes even change spots so that they are not exposed to too much of heat or humidity. I have at times stored vitamins in my refrigerator. And I am glad I have never stored them in the bathroom. So, which is the right place for vitamins?

In any dry place of the house like the bedroom. Any place far away from the constant shift between humidity, heat and cold. So, if you are reading this blog, move them out from your bathroom shelves that are behind the mirror.

Check out recipe of the week - home made buttermilk

Check out the easiest and most nutritious way to make buttermilk. That's the recipe of the week.

Caffeine and Alcohol Drink Is Potent Mix

I have seen a lot of adults do this. After several glasses of wine or scotch,they manage to fit in some coffee as well. Now, it is proven to be really deadly for the young. That's what the research says but what would make it any different for the adults?

"A brand called Four Loko — a fruit-flavored malt beverage that has an alcohol content of 12 percent and as much caffeine as a cup of coffee — has come under particular scrutiny after students who drank it this fall at Ramapo College in New Jersey and Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash., ended up in emergency rooms, some with high levels of alcohol poisoning." If this is followed by coffee the body is tricked and the counter effects of high alcohol don't kick in until late.

The drink apparently was just introduced and is misleading because it looks like any other energy drink but has a high alcohol content. The more shocking part is that it is found in refrigerators because moms think it is a regular drink like iced tea. There are different flavors available and they are cheap as well. So, students buy them cheap and get the high of regular alcohol. Apparently, it doesn't even taste like alcohol.

Mi Lupita

One of my new favorite Mexican restaurants near my home in St. Louis is Mi Lupita. Very cheerful waiters, good service, tasty food. I ordered a plate of grilled veges. with a side of guacamole, and a cheese tortilla. Perfect for lunch.

A glass of red wine a day does a whole lot of good for the heart

They say men are allowed 2 glasses and women 1 a day. I am not a wine drinker or any kind of drinker, but once in a while at a social gathering for instance I'd go for an apple martini or a glass of margarita over wine. Those are my two favorites. The mood though that red wine sets especially when served with chocolates, strawberries or strawberries dipped in chocolote is beyond ordinary. November is almost here, so the rest of November and December I guess are all about wines and chocolates.

Just last week we were at a neighbor's and he took us to their beautiful bar. I initially refused to drink anything and that's when my neighbor reminded me about the good effects of wine and what the doctor recommends nowadays. So, I accepted and continued talking to another guest. My host came up with a glass of wine. Yep a glass except it could hold a gallon of wine instead of a cup of wine. The doctor has recommended a glass, but I haven't read anywhere about how large or small the size should be.

Which is your favorite Indian spice?

Indian spices top all cuisines since they use the most number of spices in their cooking. On my Web site, I have listed I believe almost all of them with some explanations of what they are and how they are used. Obviously, we cannot use all of these spices in our cooking, but combinations of two or more specific ones produce distinct tastes.

Can you tell me which spice is your favorite?