Hello again!

It has been nearly a month since I last posted.  My how time flies!  We were in Kauai with some of our family for two weeks so posting on my blog wasn't a priority :o).  And then with Thanksgiving and decorating the house for Christmas right after we returned,  I have been busy!

It was certainly beautiful in Kauai!  The temp was in the 80's every day and 70's at night.  Even though it rained often we did lots of fun things:  Kayaking and a hike to a waterfall, a raft trip to see the Napali Coast, tubing down irrigation canals, riding side by sides on a ranch, exploring a cave, hiking in Waimea Canyon, snorkeling, a tour of Grove Farm to learn about the history of the sugar plantation, and we even had a little time for reading and relaxing on the beach!

A few photos to illustrate:

 

Jalapeno Mushrooms Revised

     I made the Jalapeno Mushrooms again the other day because I still had all the ingredients, except the mushrooms.  I picked up a package of the large ones at the grocery store.  (The first time I made them I had used smaller mushrooms because that's all there were at the store that day, but the larger ones are best.) The Mushroom recipe reminded me of a recipe I found many years ago, Jalapeno Popper Spread, which when I make it someone always asks for the recipe. That recipe can be found under Appetizers in the Recipes #1 page of this blog, if you want to try it.
       Even though I thought the Mushrooms were really good, the cream cheese seemed a little over-powering so as per the Popper Spread, I added mayonnaise (about 1/4 c.) and Parmesan cheese (approx. 3 T.)  to the ingredients.  I also used canned jalapeños (about 1/4 c., I think).  This made the Mushroom recipe superb, IMHO!
       Therefore, I am revising the recipe to include these ingredients from now on.  I highly recommend this!  Just in time to try a new appetizer for the holidays!

Dr. Mercola: Lard Rated One of the Top 10 Healthiest Foods

If you are one who has bought into the idea of eating low fat by substituting processed vegetable oils for natural fats like lard because you have been told it is healthier, you might want to read this informative article.

Lard Rated One of the Top 10 Healthiest Foods