Food and Health

Good Night, Sweetheart

A good nights’ sleep is a necessity – not a luxury.  To rest easy, forget the sheep.

Start a regular sleep schedule and try to stick to it, even on the weekends.
If you have to nap during the day, limit it to 20-30 minutes, early in the afternoon.
Avoid alcohol in the evening, as it can disrupt sleep.
Don’t eat a big meal just before bedtime, but don’t go to bed hungry either.  Eat a light snack before bed, if needed, preferably one high in carbohydrates – I like a slice of raisin bread with a little natural peanut butter.
If you use medications that are stimulants, take them in the morning, or ask your doctor if you can switch to a non-stimulating alternative.  If you use drugs that cause drowsiness, take them in the evening.
Get regular exercise during the day, but avoid vigorous exercise within three hours of bedtime.
If pressing thoughts interfere with your falling asleep – write them down (keep a pad and pen next to the bed) and try to forget about them until morning.
If you are frequently awakened by a need to use the bathroom, cut down on how much you drink late in the day.If you smoke, quit. Amoung other hazards, nicotine is a stimulant and can cause nighmares.
Avoid beverages and foods containing caffeine after 3 p.m.  Even decaf versions have some caffeine, which can bother some people.

ls
www.thenewyorktimes.com

T.V.

Goodbye Columbo, The Detective

“Excuse me, Excuse me, ” says the detective called Columbo as he enters a room filled with suspects.  Peter Falk was thee quintessential detective called, Columbo.  If you never had the opportunity to watch Peter Falk as Columbo you are missing a detective show that was one of a kind.  Rent the DVD and watch one, and see why Columbo was one of the best detective’s of all time.  The show’s premise was based on this simple, seemingly stupid detective.  Always scratching his head, cigar in hand or  mouth, if I remember correctly never lite, this is because he could never find a match.  Columbo fumbled over his words, jotting down notes in his notepad, always  giving the impression  that this detective may not know what he is doing and giving the killer the idea that he was a bumbling fool.  How did he ever become a cop let alone a detective, I would assume the killer would think.

This simple minded performance was how Columbo caught his killer or killers.  Never underestimate a cop in a terribly wrinkled trench coat and an itchy scalp.

To add to his one of a kind look, Peter Falk had a glass eye.  The eye had been removed when he was only  3 years old due to cancer.

Columbo always knew who done it and never would give a hint to his killer or to his audience.  The killer of course was always fooled into believing that this detective would not, could not, be smart enough to figure out how to open an aspirin bottle let alone solve a murder.  Oh, but what a show Columbo put on, for you see stupid is what stupid does, and the killer was always foolishly stupid.

In my book no one could have performed Columbo better than Peter Falk.   Peter Falk died last week at the age of 83.  Thanks for leaving us your signature mark, Detective Columbo.                                    http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/06/24/obituaries/20110625_FALK-8.html

mb

recipe, Time of the Season

American Eagle Macaroni Salad

This is what I will be making for our Fourth of July Celebration!!

Red White and Blue  Macaroni Salad

1 lb any macaroni
1/2 Cup diced RED pepper
1/2 Cup diced WHITE onion
1Cup BLUE berries – rinsed
2 Stalks celery – diced
3/4 Cup lowfat plain yogurt
1/4 Cup low fat mayo
1Tb Dijon  mustard
1 1/2 tp Salt
Fresh ground pepper

Cook maraconi according to package. Drain and rinse under cold water.

Mix yogurt, mayo, mustard.  salt and pepper and mix in large bowl.

Add cooled pasta and all the vegtables in bowl with yogurt  mixture and toss

Add blueberries and fold in gently – so not to break blueberries

Cover and cool in refrigerator for at least one hour.

Note: I mixed and matched recipes from www.foodnetwork.com to fit what I found in my refrigerator.

Last one in the pool is a rotten egg!!

ls