Two friends reunited (via facebook) bridging the time gap of 30 years, the geographical gap - Australia and USA, and the generation gap; by blogging about food, fashion, fotography, fitness, family, and friends.
Renotta ........http://rrtdesigns.blogspot.com/ Web- www.shopatnextdoor.com/ http://projectknitway.blogspot.com/
Clara ........"Developing a fusion of contemporary food with health, fitness and creative ideas.
http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com - Web www.fitinyourjeanscuisine.com/
http://babyboomerconnections.blogspot.com/ Web www.babyboomerconnections.com.au/


Thursday, September 15, 2011

Leafy green vegetables - the 'little black dress' of the vegetable world.

Hi R
Back on track with green leaves which we need to eat heaps of since we are grazers.

Leafy green vegetables are like the 'little black dress' of the vegetable world. They go with just about everything and they’re appropriate for every occasion.  Green leaves are perhaps the most anti-ageing of all foods and since I am passionate about my greens, once I start on them I seem to need to give all the good news. (below)
Hope you and Roberto are eating plenty of fresh green leaves.
Clara

Obviously, the best way to eat greens is uncooked, fresh from the garden, with Spinach or Rocket being my favourites because of their versatility. They can be stir fried in a little olive oil, wilted by steaming for a very short time, but I love them when added to cooked vegetables, at the last minute for extra colour and super nutrition.
'Eat More Green Leaves' because we are grazers
Sichuan Style Spinach or Green Leaves
30g peanut oil
20 black peppercorns
4 dried red chillies
2 garlic cloves
2 bunches English spinach
Sea salt
30ml chinese wine
Dash sesame oil
Heat oil over medium heat, add groundpeppercorns and chilli until fragrant. Remove, add garlic, then wine, salt, spinach and cook until wilted and liquid nearly evaporated. Add seasoning, and chilli.



It was common for our ancient ancestors to eat up to six pounds of leaves per day, ie a grocery bag full of greens each and every day? Calorie for calorie, they are perhaps the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) and vitamins, including vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins. They also provide a variety of phytonutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect our cells from damage and our eyes from age-related problems, can help prevent age-related cognitive decline and may also reduce your risk of skin canceramong many other effects. Dark green leaves even contain small amounts of Omega-3 fats.
Almost Carb-Free, with the carbs that are there packed in layers of fibre, which make them very slow to digest.


Perhaps the star of these nutrients is Vitamin K. A cup of most cooked greens provides at least nine times the minimum recommended intake of Vitamin K, and even a couple of cups of dark salad greens usually provide the minimum all on their own. Recent research has provided evidence that this vitamin may be even more important functions.
Vitamin K
•Regulates blood clotting
•Helps protect bones from osteoporosis
•May be a key regulator of inflammation, and may help protect us from inflammatory diseases including arthritis.

Fat-soluble vitamin, so make sure to put dressing on your salad, or cook your greens with oil.
Quick-cooking Greens
These greens can either be eaten raw or lightly cooked. Six cups of raw greens become approximately one cup of cooked greens and take only a few minutes to cook. Spinach, Chard, Rocket, Beet Greens, Dandelion greens, Sorrel and Cabbage belong in this category.
Greens should be dry or almost dry, after washing; store in a bag with as much of the air pushed out as you easily can. I like to put a barely damp paper towel in for just the right amount of moisture. Then, put them in the vegetable drawer of your fridge.



Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Monday, September 12, 2011

Re the very delicious, very wicked Pear and Almond cake. And real reasons french women don't get fat

Hi R and other skinny jean wearers
Re - the very delicious, very wicked Pear and Almond cake which was posted on http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.com and which you no doubt saw and wondered what was happening.

Clara's first attempt at
Pear and Almond Cake
tasted amazing but didn't look
quite the same as Belinda's

Veronica, http://stantoninteriorstyle.blogspot.com who passed this recipe on to me, commented,
"Clara, the cake is very good but don't eat too much or you won't fit into your jeans! "
And she is absolutely correct! It should have come with a warning so here is a retrospective one. 
What was I thinking? I promise it won't happen again, but here is a little justification via an article in the weekend Telegraph.
The secret - small portions.

"Oui! the secret's out: real reasons french women don't get fat." And the relevant point here follows exactly what Veronica wrote.
"They eat cake and chocolate - Why it works paradoxically: not having a list of forbidden foods can put an end to bingeing, Sainsbury-Salis says. French women only eat small amounts of treat foods- and those foods are available in small portions."
There were a few other hints which I will tell you about in the next blog
Clara
ps I only ate one and a half pieces with low fat, low sugar icecream .......it was a special occasion.......... hmmmmmmmm
pss I hope Roberto didn't see the blog. 


Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Look at me, Nonna!! From the warm fuzzy distance of grandparenting

Nonna tip - don't get the age wrong as I did once
but never   ever again!
Hi R and other grannies out there
It's wonderfully fulfilling to watch grandchildren develop - to witness the ages and stages, be able to give out treats generously, to have fun etc -  from the warm fuzzy distance of grandparenting. 

A big weekend sleepover which felt like Christmas where one's attention is scattered in many directions and the house is full of stuff. 

Now it's quiet and orderly - we return to normality with lovely memories of spontaneous hugs, Poppy makeovers and tricky questions. 
Nonna Clara - Facilitator of Clever Craft and Good Kitchen x

ps - Poppy's snoring was also recorded - something I have always threatened to do  but have never quite been courageous enough. 





Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email

 clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Monday, September 5, 2011

Pears marry well in peppery salads with stronger cheeses

Hi R
Hey, what are you guys eating in downtown Milwaukee?  What is in season in Fall?

I'm continuing my love affair with pears - whether it be the rusty-coloured beurre bosc, yellow-russet josephine to the winter nelis or honey pear. The delicate sweet flavour of pears marries so well with peppery rocket and the stronger Parmesan or Roquefort (blue)  cheeses. 
I think you would enjoy these two salads, as Americans love the sweet and sour combinations of flavour.  You can substitute rocket for any  lettuce but I like to experiment with some of the more robust flavoured varieties.
Clara

Pear, rocket and parmesan cheese salad
Pear, rocket and parmesan cheese salad







1 bunch rocket, trimmed
1/2 small green oakleaf lettuce, washed, dried
(If desired, you can use all rocket if you prefer
125g / 4 oz piece Parmesan, shaved


Witlof, pear and hazelnut salad with roquefort

Serves 4

2 heads witlof - red if possible - or other bitter lettuce, separated, washed and dried
1 bunch rocket, washed and chopped
4 tbsp hazelnuts, roasted skin rubbed off and coursely chopped

180g / 6oz  Roquefort cheese, crumbled
1 tbsp chopped chives
2 firm pears- about 300g such as william or corella peeled, halved, cored with quarters cut into 3 or 4 slices. Place in a salad bowl with 2 to 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar and juice of 1/2 a lemon. Add ground pepper and toss gently.
When ready to serve, add witlof, rocket, hazelnuts and parmesan to bowl with pears, season lightly with salt and toss gently. Finish with crumbled cheese and a sprinkling of chives.


Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Thursday, September 1, 2011

TOMTOM - so where do you want to go, Clara?

I dedicate this blog to my mates, LWL (ladies who lunch) who started at the same school as FIRST-TIME teachers.  Lovely catch up - great communication.  And the reason I purchased my TOMTOM.  All will be revealed..............
LWL - Circa   mid to late 60's- teachers  



It arrived today - my first non book purchase on-line


You are going to help me find my way!

Hi R
Well........ thanks for your somewhat emotional response to my technical question re what is so good about your ipad?  ie "I'm in love with my ipad. It makes me happy just to think about it."

I haven't made any decisions yet re an I Pad or Android but I did make another important purchase.  And here it is.......  A TOMTOM!  Love the name - makes me feel as though it's going to communicate to me how to get where I want to go. 

So where do you want to go, Clara?  

The answer is. "To where I decide to go."  Therein lie choices, not only re destination, but how I want to get there.

OK,  so here's the history - Ladies who Lunch - LWL - destination was via a route I chose not to take.  I don't do expressways anymore  ever since the unfortunate journey via the airport from Artarmon to an address in Artarmon.  Well - I got into the wrong lane - then was afraid to go sideways fearing that I would be lost forever.

So, everyone else was still driving out of their comfort zone,  except me - which was confronting and cost a lot.
After counselling from the group, when I saw a special deal on the net re TOMTOM, I decided to go for it. 

When I told G about it, he said I really didn't need it, because I didn't drive anywhere out of the area.  So I said, "The less I drive, the more fearful I become."  He understood and is supportive  - we had a lesson even, where I drove to IKEA land via GPS and felt good about it.  He agreed to shut up re my other driving habits - Yeaaah!

So - TOMTOM has arrived and I need to read the manual. Hmmmmmm
Clara



Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Pears offer elegant tastes and textures


Corella pears look attractive as a table centre



Hi R
The first day of Spring today.  The early spring garden players are there - fragrant Jasmine, orchids, magnolia and wattle.  Not much in the garden to cut for indoors,  but I love the look of fruit and vegetables as much as all their other benefits.  Pears, pomegranates and quince are my favourites because of their shape, with oranges and lemons for their colour.

Pears are in season at the moment with many varieties to choose from - taste being the best test.  I don't know why the saying goes, 'Everything went pear shaped', with a negative connotation, since the shape of a pear is beautiful.  So many beautiful old paintings feature pears see below  and
one day I want to use pears as a subject for printing or pastels. 

Of course, the best way to serve pears is raw, perhaps cut into 4 and served with almonds, but 'Pears in Red Wine' is an elegant, relatively healthy dessert so long as the cook doesn't drink the rest of the wine! 
Clara

Pears in Red Wine
6 large brown pears
250 ml / 1 cup good quality red wine
150 grams / 5oz - sugar
cinnamon stick
orange and lemon rind

Method
Wash the pears and core, leaving on the stem
Place upright in a baking dish into which they fit tightly
Sprinkle with sugar, add cinnamon and the orange and lemon rinds and pour over the wine
Bake in 190 degrees C (375 degrees F) oven until the wine has almost evaporated. Baste during the baking. Serve with indulgent yoghurt.


Right - 'Pears in Art'




.

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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Should Grannies go for IPads?

Apad 10.2-inch Google Android 2.1 WIFI Touch Screen Tablet PC

R wrote recently - "Treated myself to an iPad, so much fun
Have the day off to play in my studio. Have to lock my iPad away or I will while the day away with it."

When I asked why it was so much fun, she replied, "Well how can I describe my iPad?   I can't. You just have to have one to understand how amazing it is. I stalled on it, kept thinking what could be so great till one night I said what the hell and ordered one on line. The next day I had buyer's remorse but it was too late. Good thing I love it so much." 

And then another friend, a reluctant computer friend who didn't even answer her emails in the past, sends me an email from ............ you guessed it - Her I Pad!  What is happening?  Why am I missing out on all this fun?

Of course, I feel that now I need one too so the journey begins - I-Pad or Android?  Where is the key board?  What is essential and non-essential?  All this from someone who started out teaching not with an I Pad but with a Jelly pad.   What is a jelly pad you ask - not quite as ancient as the stone tablet, it was a simple method of transferring pictures to a child's book as an alternative to the existing printing technology of the guistetner which was super messy.  The jelly pad was simply  a gelatine mixture in a cake tin; you traced over the image with carbon paper, placed it onto the jelly into which it sank.  You then pressed each book onto the pad to make a print.  (A search on Google says it was called a
'hectograph or gelatin duplicator and was used in the 20th century' - remember the 1900's.)
Ok - so we are moving forward  - the question is do I really really need an I pad or an Android?
Clara :)

ps - do you know these symbols yet? A friend passed this on to me - he picked it up from his kids and general chat on FB (Facebook) and Twitter. It's like street slang that has just evolved as people want to type less online and sms.
:) means smile -look at it sideways (tilt head left)
;) means wink smile
:( means sad
:D means big smile
Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Bloom where you are planted

Taking thyme to plant herbs is time well spent



<><><><><> 
Sage is an attractive useful herb

Hi R
I loved your blog re the end of summer  -  changing of the seasons is a truly glorious time. We are coming out of our relatively mild winter compared to yours but we actually do it tough since we ignore the short sharp cold months and heat inadequately. I adore the warm soft sun during these magical days before the heat. Today was a glorious day which had to be spent pottering in the garden. 

My garden is quite Tuscan with rosemary now growing well and flowering; thyme as a ground cover, sage growing wild and lavender of course. Most flowers seem to be of lavender hue and this year I have let the violets grow wild, creating a significant ground cover. 

 Potted geraniums and pergonias flower constantly, gardenias struggle for some reason even though neighbours plants produce beautiful blooms. Reminds me of a saying that a friend and I had – “Bloom where you are planted,” we would quote then break into song on the way to The Rowers, where they had a band every Sunday evening. A well deserved break from the relentlessness of single parenting, dancing and socialising until the wee small hours of 9pm when we turned into pumpkins.

There is a growing community awareness here re the value of growing your own herbs and vegetables, with community gardens springing up on nature strips. In Italy, it is a very serious business to have a strip of land in a community garden and the family lives off the yield. Not quite sure if we have the same commitment yet, since when walking the neighbourhood, a few attempts seem to have ended with what looks like abandonment as weeds take over. One wonders whether the enthusiasm died or whether a few were expected to do the work of many – hopefully with spring in the air they will be revisited.
Clara of green fingers


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Thursday, August 11, 2011

Golden Days

Hi C,

The golden days of summer are drawing to a close here. Yesterday the oppressive heat and humidity was replaced with a cool breeze to let us know that fall is on it's way. It's always bitter sweet as we look forward to summer for so long, only to have it pass so quickly. And yet there is always the anticipation of fall with its beautiful weather,the colorful display nature provides and of course our love affair with all the new fall fashions. Thought you might enjoy a few images of Wisconsin at this time of the year. 

Wish you were here.


R











Monday, August 8, 2011

How to tie your scarf ....... or make it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LYAEz777AU&feature=player_embedded#at=25...
A great site but wait................

Isadona
"I dance what I am!"
The impetus for this particular blog, is the above link to a great video on '25 Ways to tie a scarf'  so it's time to revisit Isadora.

"Who was Isadora?" some may ask. 
She was renowned for being a dancer who was usually adorned with a long scarf (like me) -  her early death was the result of an unfortunate accident involving her scarf and her neck.  Personally I admire her for her amazing spirit, and as with other feminist women, she blazed our trail. "What trail?" our daughters may ask. Another day, another blog, but believe me, "Baby, we've come a long way."

I would love to showcase  my special Isadora, who, as well as being a dancer, has made many many ????? scarves for a great cause.  "I've decided to finish out my year of blogging by knitting as many of these scarves as possible by February 9th, 2011 and donating them to area shelters. You can join me if you like. For more information go to http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/bluedotspecial.html " 

Well done R.
Clara

http://projectknitway.blogspot.com/.


Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Unfinished work at 88

Hi R

Margaret Ollie - 1923 - 2011

Women thrive on connections and are lost without them.
Wisdom of the day (from my desk calendar), "I've always believed that one woman's success can only help another woman's success.".....
Gloria Vanderbilt
I actually feel sad for some men / women who believe that 'winning' is the most important aspect of an exercise.

Margaret Hannah Olley (1923 – 26 July 2011) who passed away this week, is a fine example and was described as "Kind, fearless and a big heart". She will be remembered as an Australian painter of still life but she was also a great philanthropist.
John McDonald - art critic for SMH - "She would have wanted to be remembered as a painter but she was so active and generous it is difficult to sum up the scope of her achievements." ..... "She was a friend and mentor to younger artists..... bought art works for public collections ... helped provide funds for people in need....she had an eye for quality and a nose for bullshit ...... being unfailingly direct in her pronouncements."

She will be also be remembered for being the first recipient of the inaugural Mosman Art Prize in 1947, one of the first of it's kind at the time and was a frequent judge of works over the years. Her final exhibition which she was still working on with Phillip Bacon, will go ahead next year.

Clara
Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Re - a great belly laugh!


Hi R 
 re my last post re dogs' performance,  you said, "Well, that was good for a belly laugh."

We love a good belly laugh.  I actually believe it is the basis of a real friendship when you share a similar sense of humour -  when you really really laugh!!!!!    And it feels sooooooo good.   
Being with babies, toddlers and grandchildren spark this fresh new insight into how we are -  and I adore them.  When my children were at this stage, I smiled so much I was afraid that I would develop eye wrinkles.  But I now know that those laugh lines on my face are an endorsement of my view of life.  So I embrace them.

When my daughter picked up her first phone (the first of many calls!!!!!) she said " BlahBlahblah  HaHaHa BlahBlahblah HaHaHa!!!!  which made me realise that her mimicking was of my phone habit.  Time moved on and phone manners morphed and swayed, but laughter always prevailed with my son and daughter.  It is the glue that holds us together during the good and tough times. With it we move forward with grace -  without it, we can get lost in a self centred focus.
http://www.videobash.com/video_show/baby-laughing-hysterically-15098This little girl knows this already!
Clara




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Saturday, July 23, 2011

Which star from yesteryear is your favourite?

Hi there

Some wonderful photos from our decades. I know that every older generation is convinced that the sun is setting on a golden age, but you have to admit we experienced a giant share of charismatic 'stars', many of whom are still in the limelight.

Favourites among these have to be Elton, with Marilyn and JFK the winner for intrigue. Least favourite is George - he looks much better now.
Clara






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