Archives for June 2014

Smokey Spinach

This is a truly simple recipe that can be whipped up as a side dish or main course in about 25 minutes.

1 lb. thick cut bacon
1 large bag fresh whole spinach leafs (approximately 1lb)
1 large onion, chunky chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped fine
¼ t pepper
Salt to taste*SmokeySpinach

 

  • In a large fry pan, cook the bacon on medium heat. Some people like to eat their bacon extra crispy—I don’t recommend that for this recipe, rather, keep close watch on your bacon to achieve nicely browned bacon without the blackened crisp.
  • Chop the onion and garlic.
  • Once the bacon has started to brown and leak grease to coat the pan bottom (about 10 minutes), add onion and garlic and cover with the bacon grease, stirring occasionally and cook until onion begins to wilt (about 3 minutes).
  • Turn the heat down to medium low.  Fill pan with about half the spinach, mix to combine all ingredients with the bacon grease, and cover the pan for about 2 minutes.
  • Check spinach—it should have wilted down to half its size.
  • Add remaining spinach and pepper, mix to combine with grease and cover the pan for about 5 minutes. Check once during that time to cover ingredients with grease.  Keep in mind the goal is not to turn the spinach to mush, but to wilt and warm it into the mixture.
  • Transfer to serving plate and provide salt on the table to add as desired.  Smokey Spinach makes a lovely compliment to chicken fettuccini.

Serves 4-6

*Because bacon provides a somewhat salty flavor naturally, I don’t add salt while cooking.

Variation

Turn this smoky dish into a main course meal:
Chop up two large Roma Tomatoes into large cubes and add to the mixture with the first half of spinach.  Serve over Basmati Rice.
 
 

The Icy Igloo

Convenience. What a big word, and tall order when you don’t have any, aren’t near any, but would like some.  What was ‘convenience’ to our forefathers?    What is ‘convenience’ to people today living in third world countries?  What is convenience to you?

For me, it takes on many meanings.  Some are more vain than others, from keeping a hairbrush on the lower level and the upper level at home, to my recent upgrade from traveling the country with minimal gear to pulling a fully stocked “home on wheels”.  And now it also IcyIgloo2means not having to drive 30 miles to town for ice every day.

Even with the all the amenities that come with having an RV, one thing is for certain:  The fridge and freezer are too, too small!  After the upgrade, I still found myself keeping all liquids outside in coolers, and driving to town for ice every day.  How inconvenient!

But all that has changed now.  I found the magic answer at Walmart for $99.00 plus tax.  The Igloo ice maker has been my Florida winter savior!

This little machine cranks out a serving glass of beautifully roundedIcyIgloo3 ice cubes every 10 minutes or so.  Even out in the elements in 80 plus degrees!  It is compact, stylish, and quiet running.  It tells you when it’s out of water.  It provides the option to generate big cubes or mini cubes.  As long as the water reservoir is kept full of water, the Igloo will provide perfect ice cubes continuously.

For me, that meant 3 months straight, rain or shine and no matter how tropical the temperature got.  I have done the happy dance more than once because of my Igloo.  It paid for itself in one season, simply by me not having to drive and purchase ice elsewhere.  The sound of brand new ice cubes dropping into the tray makes me smile—my Igloo tells me when the ice tray is full, and if I don’t retrieve the ice promptly it will simply melt away, and re-circulate, creating fresh new ice cubes once again.  Guaranteed, any time I do set up a minimal gear trip where there is electric provided at a campground, my Igloo ice maker will come with me.  What a difference this will make in menu choices and keeping food, plus, no more driving to get ice!

IcyIgloo1Visitors are always surprised and somewhat in awe at my sturdy little ice making machine.  What an amazing convenience! Unfortunately the raccoons think so too.  But how convenient to discover this cute wooden crate for $7.00 at Home Depot that fits perfectly over the Igloo to ward off those masked scavengers?

Warm weather winter life is good when there is ample ice in it.

Since returning home, I noticed there was something missing.  I couldn’t quite put my finger on it at first.  Then it hit me—one day I went out to the Toy Hauler, retrieved my Igloo, and set it up in my kitchen. The sound of that first set of brand new ice cubes dropping into the tray, once again made me smile.  Images of palm trees, beaches, sunsets, and tall cool drinks all came rushing to mind.

Life is good when there is an Igloo ice maker in it any time.

Why would you through the summer without one?

 

 

 

Something To Say

Long, long ago, in a galaxy far away (well it seems like it now, anyway) I crossed one of my many “rules of relationships” lines back then, and became “more than friends” with a business acquaintance I had known for years.  We sailed through the 3 month “honeymoon phase” like champions.  Toothbrushes were involved.  His kids were involved.  We clicked like magic.  We were quite the perfectly happy tribe.  Then on the first day of the 4th month—he was gone.

Abandoned.  Angry.  Perplexed.  Confused. Used.  Betrayed.  Violated.  Disregarded…and… DUMPED are just a few of the descriptive words I would choose to articulate how I felt that day.  And the next day.  And the next….

There was no phone call.  No “last talk”.  No “thanks for the memories” or “things have changed.”  No nothing.  Just gone.  Of course, I couldn’t let things go without doing something, and this was all I could think of to do at the time, way back??????????????????????????????? when.

 

Dear ??????

Although it seems you can coast through life without bringing closure to situations and circumstances, I can’t, and I have something to say……

I think it is terrible of you to not at least offer an explanation to me of what changed for you, and why you’ve up and left.  It devastates me to learn that you apparently feel so little for me that you are willing to throw everything away, including any chance of remaining friends.

What changed? I have no idea what has happened between us.  I sure would like to know.  Was everything you said to me a complete lie?  Was our entire relationship all just some game for you?  Was I a complete fool to believe in you?  I thought we had something real; something special.  Silly me.

How could you say all those things you said, worked so hard to convince me how you felt, and then betray it all, my faith and trust in you and my feelings for you this way?  How dare you take advantage of me like that!  Why ??? Why?  Are you ever going to come forward and tell me?  Or just take the easy immature way out and not ever communicate the truth?  How could you do this?  Why? And why did you pick ME?

I don’t understand.  I want to understand.  You have not been fair.  As angry and hurt as I am, I cannot bring myself to hate you.  I simply feel sorry for you.  I feel so sorry for you.  I hope you someday figure out what it is you are looking for.  And, I’d really appreciate you at least giving me a clue what went wrong.

Wherever life leads you next,  ?????   , please try to learn this one simple phrase…

Respect for Self

Respect for Others

Responsibility for All Actions

 

The Art of Listening, Part 2 Human Nature—Pick me! Pick me!

While human beings are social animals, we are also ego driven.  We want to be thought of as smart.  As right. As having the answers. We want to be the one to be picked. The one to be looked up to.  But without proper training, when provided limited or general information, our natural instinct is to reach conclusions based on our own existing knowledge or biases, to ‘show what we know’.  It is much easier than doing the work required to actually get the whole story which may, or may not, lead to an opportunity to ‘show what you know’. The required work is a learned skill.  The skill of listening.

We would all like to think we have amazing empathy and self-control when engaged in interpersonal communications. The reality is, most of us are so wrapped up into our own heads, wants, needs and perceptions, we don’t hear a thing.  The reality is, we often respond to others impulsively and based on what we think, not on the content of the information being given to us.

We place a far higher value on what we have to say than what we have to hear.

“Look at how much I know!”

Poor listeners miss great opportunities.

The most effective communicators spend 80% or more of their efforts asking probing questions and listening to the answers, before they ever venture an opinion or recommendation.  They have discovered a most important piece to effective listening: You can’t give out an accurate response to someone until you allow the other persons information to get in.

A real life example of ineffective listeners:

Jan is sitting at a local coffee shop catching up on computer work.  Bert, John, Kate and Terry enter the building together and join Jan.  After shared greetings, a conversation begins.

Jan: “Today I decided that I can’t be going on any more extensive, multi-day hikes that require packing in all the gear, tent, water and food,”

Bert, interrupting:  “There are plenty of day hike areas I can share with you.”

John, interrupting:  “It’s all about the type of equipment you use, you should be using a pack designed for your frame.   What kind of pack do you have?”

Jan: “Actually, my pack is fine, John, I just can’t carry it once I get it fully packed.”

Bert, interrupting: “I know a couple places just a few miles past city limits with nice groomed trails so you wouldn’t have to carry gear very far.”

John interrupting: “well what are you packing that’s so heavy? You need to make sure your gear is ultra-light and made specifically for backpacking. My tent is only 1.5 lbs.  What kind of tent are you carrying?”

Jan, becoming slightly frustrated: “John it’s not the tent, it’s more of…”

Bert, interrupting: “hey, did you see that special on hiking the lower trails last week?  They had all sorts of super ultra-light accessories.”

Kate, answering/interrupting: “Oh, yeah, I saw that too.”

Terry, interrupting: “Is that a caramel latte?”

Jan: “I have ultra light gear, that’s not the point.  I can’t even manage barely 15 pounds from the car to the house now.”

John: “If you can’t carry 30 lbs you need to get an MRI done. There is something wrong.”

Terry, interrupting:  “I’ve been going to Pilates lately, it’s been pretty good!”

John, interrupting, back to Jan:  “Well are you working out?  You need to keep up core work to carry that frame pack any distance, you know.  Are you working out?”

Jan, irritated by Johns suggestion she is weak: “John, of course I work…”

Terry, interrupting:  “hey, we should all go on a day hike with Jan on Saturday so she sees how fun that area is.”

Jan exasperated with the group of people “Terry, I really don’t want to go on a day hike Saturday either, since….”

John, interrupting: “Well it’s important for women to focus on upper body, especially.”

Jan, now over the top of aggravated, stands up:  “Guys!  Guys!  I can’t walk! I have a sprained foot.  I’m in a BOOT!”

The group freezes, mouths open, starring down at Jan’s foot.

Jan was frustrated by the group’s constant interruptions as she tried to share what had happened to her.  She wasn’t asking for a solution, or an evaluation.  She found their behavior rude and disrespectful, and rightly so.  But the various assumptions made, especially the ones made by John made matters much worse. She found his participation insulting condescending, and insensitive. Jan was an avid, highly experienced hiker and he treated her as though she was a clueless beginner, in front of other people. John, on the other hand, wanted to be viewed as knowledgeable, helpful, and right.

There are several problems that can arise when scenarios like this one occur:

  1. The speaker does not speak up about showing some respect as they are trying to speak; the poor listener has no idea their behavior is unacceptable, thereby reinforcing the bad behavior over and over.
  2. The poor listener offends the speaker to a point where the speaker simply becomes silent, and no longer tries to communicate around them.
  3. Both parties can possibly loose an opportunity.

How many effective communicators have you met? How many ineffective ones? Which are you?

The Art of Listening, Part 3 will talk more about becoming a better listener.

“To say the right thing at the right time, keep still most of the time.”

John W. Roper

Contact PR Brady AdVentures for details on developing better listening skills for you or your team.

Egg Bagels

A perfect start to the day often includes devouring one of these treasures.  There are many variations you can experiment with, too.  Every day can be a new adventure in breakfast, or any time!

The key is to obtain a cute little “Egg Pan” for starters.  I got mine at Walmart for about $4.00.Bagel1 Great investment, I use it all the time!   Have a can of “Pam” or other no-stick agent at the ready.

  • 2 Whole Wheat Thomas Bagel Thins (I prefer the “Everything” flavor)
  • 4 slices thin sliced honey ham
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 t fresh tarragon–chopped
  • 1 Roma tomato, chopped fine
  • 2T  onion, chopped fine
  • S&P to taste
  • 2 Thin sliced sandwich size pieces Monterey jack or cheddar cheese

 

Bagel2For each Egg Bagel:

Lightly spray bottom of pan with spray.
Crack 2 eggs into pan and stir.
Add 1 t tarragon.
Add 1 T onion.
Add half of the tomato.
Add S&P to your taste, and stir to combine with the egg mixture.
Place pan on low heat, cover, and cook until egg mixture expands to the top of the pan, and when lightly shaken, the eggs appear to be cooked solidly through like an “Egg Pattie”.  It should easily lift away from the pan. This should occur within 5 to 7 minutes on a low heat setting.
Open  bagel in half, and place 1 cheese slice on the bagel top.
Place the honey ham on top of the cheese
Dump the Egg Pattie onto the bagel top, and place the bottom on the Pattie.
Flip bagel over onto the serving plate, and cover with your hand, a bowl, or a paper towel to melt the cheese and warm the ham .
Repeat steps with remaining ingredients to make the second bagel.Bagel3

Serves 1 – 2 depending on how hungry you are!

Here are just a few of my favorite versions to try:

Variation 1)
Omit honey ham
Add about 1 – 2 tablespoons of your favorite summer sausage—chopped small– into the egg mix
Variation 2)
Replace ham with 2 – 4 perfectly cooked strips of your favorite bacon
Variation 3)
Replace ham with a sausage or turkey Pattie (usually pre- cooked, just heat in the microwave a minute!)
Replace Tarragon with 2 t Italian seasonings
Variation 4)
Omit ham
Replace Tarragon with 2 t Cumin
Add 2 t Tajin Mexican Spice
 
Enjoy!
 
 

All You Can Be

Do you wake up each day feeling inspired to live the day to its fullest?

Do you love what you do for work?

Are you at peace with your world?

Are you being all you can be? All you want to be?

 

If not, why not?

 

Routine can be paralyzing.

Self- doubt can be paralyzing.

Faulty belief systems can be paralyzing.

Environment can be paralyzing.

Structure and procedure can be paralyzing.

Even the people we surround ourselves with can be….paralyzing.

You’re not alone.  Scores of people go through life without even realizing they are paralyzed.

“There’s nothing wrong with my life.  Everything is good.”

Is it really? Or are you going through the motions?

 

We choose.

We choose to be.

We choose how we will be.  All day, every day.

We choose.

 

Think about your world right now.  How do you arrive at the decisions and choices you make?  Out of joy, inspiration and contentment?

Any regrets?

“If only I….”

“I wish I….”

“I should have….”

Imagine your world in five, ten, or twenty years from now.  Can you picture the path you are going to follow, to live your life with purpose and passion?

Maybe it feels a little uncomfortable.  Perhaps you just don’t know how to pull away from your current routine.  Yes, it is interesting to ponder.

Change is never easy.

Facing fears, foes, or faulty perceptions is never easy.

But if you find the courage to face the things holding you back, and change, youAllUCanB will harness a whole new lease on life.  Imagine waking each morning with joy in your heart, excited to start the day, eager to experience and share your passion for life with the world.

It’s up to you to choose.

You Can.

Be all you can be.

 

PR Brady AdVentures is always ready to help you get there.  Contact us today to start your new life!

Tortamus

Above them, the blackness is heavily sprayed with twinkling diamonds.  Three women lay, side by side, on an old comfortable blanket on the bank, gazing at the star studded sky.

“It’s so beautiful.”

“Yes it is.”

They are mesmerized.

“Look!  A shooting star!”

And their heads all turn right to follow the streak across the sky.

A new game has begun.  Watch for a shooting star.  They stare intently in silence.

Oh, how their friends are missing out.

This is the place to be.  At one with this vast universe.

Three friends, bonding under the stars.  At one with the cosmos.

“Who’s on first?”  Another round of Wild Turkey Honey shots magically appear. They prop up on elbows and drink.

“There’s one!”

And the three heads turn to follow the streak across the sky.

“Oh it’s so amazing up here.”  The ‘Right Woman’ sighs.

“Yes.  Look at those stars.  Doesn’t that cluster there look like a turtle?” Says the ‘Middle Woman’.

A loud silence spreads across the blanket as the three women stare intently at the bright lights, looking for a turtle.

“Oh, yes, that’s Tortamus.” says ‘Left Woman’.

“Tortamus?” questions ‘Middle Woman’.

“Yes, the constellation Tortamus”.  Left  affirms with a sly, undetected smile.  “After the Greek God, Tortamus.”

“Wow.  How do you know that?”  Middle Woman says with awe.

The three lay there on the blanket on the bank, contemplating life, watching for shooting stars, imagining a Greek God-Turtle-being.

Right W — What’s that over there?  Doesn’t that look like… like….like a fish?”

Middle W — Where?  Where do you see that?

Right W– “There.  See?”

Middle W– “No.  Oh, over there?”

Left W — “Oh, yes.  Yes.  You know what that is?”  She sits up, distributing another round of Wild Turkey Honey.

They drink.

Right W — “This is really good.”

Middle W — “So what is it”?

“Why, that’s the constellation Wallarious”.  Left Woman says in a very calm, controlled voice.

Right W — “Wallarious?

Left W — “Yes, after the Greek God of Fresh Water Fishing.”

Middle W — “Wow.  Really?  I never knew that! How do you know this stuff?”

Right W – “you mean, like Walleye?”

Left W — “Exactly.”

Loud silence once again, as two of the three contemplate the fish constellation, Wallarious. The third, desperately trying to hold back the need to burst out in gut wrenching laughter.

“No…no way.  You are joking, right?” Says ‘Right’.

‘Left’ smiles, thoughtfully planning her next words.  “What do you mean?  Of course I’m serious.  Look there, Wallarious is directly above the constellation Bassoleeus….”

Their shared space becomes very, very still.

Suddenly, three women burst into giggles and roll about on their soft blanket, launching into a hysterical laughter, echoing  across the great waters in front of them, and up to Greek Fish Heavens above.

Fishy Business

Retirement: the American dream.  The tasty carrot dangling at the end of a career.  The gold ring. That hard earned life of leisure we work our whole lives to enjoy.

What do people do with all that newfound free time?  Some go golfing.  Some spend time up north at the cabin.  Some putts around the house fixing things up.  Some maintain every blade of grass in their yards to shear (get it?) perfection.

Fishy2And then there is Dennis.

He has a very different view of retirement.  It may seem like he and his wife lead a quiet, caring life of faith and community.  But on top of all that, in an effort to make good use out of the scrap wood in his commercial woodshop,

Dennis is into some fishy business.

Dennis has decided to devote his energy into making fish.  Not as in a fishery;  not as in serving fish at a restaurant.  No, we’re talking about a scrap of solid wood, carved into a fish shape.  Not just any shape, a shape with meaning.

How cool to make a few here and there.  You know, give them out to people like friends, and family.  A truly non-denominational expression of faith.

But oh no, that’s not where it stops for Dennis.  He is into this fishy business to the tune of about 200 fish in a batch, about 30 fish per day until the batch is complete.  What started as a cute fish idea, has grown into supplying churches in 16 states across the UniteJesusd States, and in four other countries.  All hand drawn, cut and finished.  He’s casting out a faithful message with wooden fish into the world.  Annual volume ranges right around two thousand per year.  Every stranger he encounters is presented a fish.  I treasure mine, indeed!  Calls come from all corners of the country—of the world–for fish orders.  All word of mouth orders.  One of his recent Church orders called for 350 fishes.

Now that’s a bunch of retirement fish!

Dennis and Carol lead a very busy life besides being up to the gills in fishy business.  They travel south in the winter to help communities in need of housing assistance.  His carpentry skills are put to great use rebuilding homes still waiting for “post Katrina” repairs. His wife works by his side, sewing, cooking cleaning, and prepping for the next work project to be done.

What an admirable couple on a mission of faith and fish.

Sometimes, when I am distracted, restless, or just not feeling up to par, I find myself reaching for my fish.  Yes, I am hooked.  I never seem to tire of examining its curves, the deep cut lettering, the way it fits so perfectly in my hand, or the simplicity of its message. It certainly reels me in.  As I clutch it tightly into my palm, I smile and think about Dennis, a man in a very Fishy Business.

If you’d like to cast a net full of these awesome fish, contact PR Brady AdVentures for more information.

Some People

They pick. They push. They meddle. They demand. They expect. They complain. They badger. They argue. They judge. They obsess.

They aren’t happy with anything around them. They pounce on the slightest opportunity to cause others angst.  They act on the most petty, inconsequential circumstance to call out a grievance with their co-worker or neighbor, or complete stranger.  They look for ways to stir the pot.  They look for reasons to draw a line in the sand.  They are not interested in working and playing well together with others.  No, not at all. They have determined their mission in life is to be the festering wound that will never heal.  The agitation that never goes away.  They pride themselves on being malevolent.

Why?

Have you ever encountered someone like this?  What was it like? How did it make you feel?  How did you deal with the situation?  I’ve heard many stories. Crazy, senseless struggles between co-workers, neighbors, and even family members.  Each tale leaving me with deeper appreciation that it hasn’t ever happened to me.

Recently I was at an outdoor community function on a less than perfect day.  Because the rains refused to hold off, the volunteers quickly moved the “free doughnut” table up under the handicap canopy walkway to keep everything from getting soaked the last hour of the event.  Within moments, a wheel chair visitor approached the walkway to also get out of the rain.  A woman behind her began bellowing “you can’t have those things there—there are ordinances—you need to clear that path!”, as the woman on wheels effortlessly rolled past it all.  And after she was gone, that bellowing woman was still complaining about ordinances and that doughnut table.

Why be the one to be that way?

Another woman shared her story about a negative work mate ‘across the cubes’.  Luckily their jobs required very little communication, most of their work was done on computers.  She had no problem keeping up with her responsibilities, and was a good employee.  But her co-worker was always picking at her for something; the style of her shoes, when she left to use the restroom, where she hung her coat…anything she could find to complain about. She began reporting her for taking phone calls—something that had no bearing on either of their abilities to do their jobs. This co-worker couldn’t hear any of the conversations, but knew calls were being taken.  Turns out, the woman’s family was going through a very difficult time for a few weeks, requiring her to take some important calls–she was trying to be discreet.  But bringing the situation to their superior’s attention almost cost the woman her job, even though her performance was not suffering, simply because a complaint was made and they had to follow policy.

Why, why, why be that way?

A story from a man who was given a rescue dog to keep him company after barely surviving a DogSigntraumatic accident—now wheelchair bound for life. He started taking the pooch to a nearby fenced in ball park when no one would be around, just to be able to let his furry friend run and fetch a ball more than 5 feet away for a few minutes.  The dog was thrilled with this new game!  He was extremely obedient and well behaved—always retrieving the ball and bringing it right back to the man.  The dog never once did his business in that park, either. A resident whose home faced that park watched the man and the dog for several days. Then one day, the man was met by local Police at the park, and told they received a complaint. He couldn’t let his dog run free again or he would be fined.  Days later, a sign went up stating no dogs allowed in the park.

Why in the world take away that man and that dogs simple 10 minutes of daily joy? Really? Why be the one?

Then there’s the story of the family of five.  Both parents laid off within 6 months of each other, barely scraping by to make ends meet.  He had an opportunity for a new and better job, but would need transportation. They got a deal on a second vehicle but it needed work.  Their other car was equipped for their special needs child, and was the wife’s main transportation. The husband could do the work, but needed money for parts, which was taking time to earn. She just started a part time job. Their neighbors half ways down the block didn’t like the looks of that family or the vehicles in the driveway, so they reported them over and over for the 2nd car being parked there, how it was parked, being loud, questioning if it was licensed, and on and on. The money they were forced to spend on several fines could have been spent on getting those car parts, not to mention getting food for their 3 kids.  It only took one complainer to keep them set back, and make their life hell for months.

Seriously, what causes a person to be that way?  Why be the one?

Sure there are rules.  Sure there are ordinances.  Sure there is a need to maintain a certain level of control over ‘the masses’ to keep the sanity of our workplaces and world in check.  But come on, people, pick and choose those battles!  There are also a million and one reasons to turn the other way, find some levity, mind your own business, and show some community and grace.  Why be the one to hide in the shadows and drop that negativity bomb?

Why be the one?

Imagine the energy it must take to muster up enough effort to be the thorn in the world’s side.  Wow.  Now there’s something to be proud of.  Not!  What ever happened to “live and let live”?  What happened to co-workers getting along, helping your neighbor instead of filing complaints, and random acts of kindness? You never know what the other guy is going through.  What you do or don’t do, could be the one pivotal action that makes or breaks his/her entire day—or world for that matter.  How selfish to not consider or respect that. How insensitive, how petty.

Ahhh, but I’ll bet their response would go something like “yeah, well what about me and how I feel about it?”  Oh get over yourself.

Perhaps there is such a gaping hole of emptiness in some peoples’ lives that they just don’t know how to heal it, and are lashing out at the rest of the world.  Perhaps they are so full of themselves that they feel entitled—or that everyone should live like them.  Or maybe they truly never learned what it means to be kind or compassionate.  Maybe they themselves have been so badly hurt that this is their way of screaming out for attention…or, or….or?  Speculation is about as good as hind sight, and in this case, a sure energy waster.  One thing that is true regardless is: being that way is a choice. What a sad choice.

Thank goodness these malevolent people seem to be the exception, and not the rule, or so we hope.

Although right this minute, and for the first time in my life I do find myself being put to the test of enduring a case of “some people”. I swear to God I will never become one of those ornery haters that feels the need to be so downright nasty. Unfortunately, I am just as vulnerable to reacting in a ‘fight or flight’ mode as anyone, but no matter how hard I may be pushed, I will not succumb, nor will I ever condone that behavior.  At least that’s my aspiration at the moment.

In fact, I challenge all of those “some people” out there to accomplish one simple thing:

I dare them to let it go and not be the one.

Crazy Good Mexi Corn

MexiCornI was first introduced to this amazing taste sensation at a Hispanic Flea Market.  The line for this corn was three deep and several dozen long.  One ear of corn and I was hooked for life!

 

  • 12 ears of corn in the husks
  • 1 C Mayo
  • 3 C Sour Cream
  • 1/3 C finely chopped fresh Cilantro
  • 2 ½  C grated parmesan cheese (fresh grated is best by far, but a tall container of Kraft is super handy)
  • 1 container Red Chili Powder 3 limes (cut into wedges)

Two “Sure Fire” Corn Cooking Methods:

Boiled:     Place corn in a large container of boiling water for approximately 15 minutes, until tender. Pull back husks when cooked, using the husk and core for a handle.

Grilled:     Soak corns in water for several hours, then place on grill with husks on, until husks become crisp and slightly blackened, turning frequently for even cooking.  Pull back husks when cooked, using the husk and core for a handle.

  While corn is cooking:

  • Now is when you would fresh grate your cheese into a bowl, or have your Kraft container ready.
  • Mix mayo, sour cream and cilantro and place in a long shallow container you can effectively roll an ear of corn in.
  • Have two plates side by side in front of you, next to the mayo sauce, ready to work with.  Have your cheese and chili powder next to the plates.
  • Roll the ear of corn in the Mayo mix to coat thoroughly.  Paint with spoon or brush if needed.
  • Hold ear over the first plate, and shake cheese to cover the ear of corn.
  • Hold ear over the second plate, and shake chili powder to lightly dust ear of corn.

Because you have kept them separate with plates, you can re-use your remaining ingredients in your “assembly line” easily.

Hand out with lime wedges to squeeze over corn.

Serves up to 12