Organic v non "dirty dozen"

Apparently there are better and worse fruits and veggies to eat, in terms of pesticide residue and other noxious substances. So the dirty dozen especially are things that you are going to want to buy organic.

"Dirty Dozen," and (starting with the worst) they are:

celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries (domestic), nectarines, sweet bell peppers, spinach, kale/collard greens, cherries, potatoes and grapes (imported).



And you can feel good about buying the following 15 conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that
the EWG dubbed "The Clean Fifteen," because they were shown to have little pesticide residue:

onions, avocado, sweet corn (frozen), pineapples, mango, sweet peas (frozen), asparagus, kiwi fruit, cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe (domestic), watermelon, grapefruit, sweet potatoes and honeydew melon.

HIlarious things: v. Craigslist

A LARGE OVERWEIGHT ATTRACTIVE WOMAN--50ish

Hello!

I am dating to find you. I am complicated, but in a good way. I am emotional in an awareness way. I am intelligent until I am neck deep in my fear of snakes. I am annoyed by loud noises and loud talking inconsiderate people. My saracastic wit for the most part is welcomed at other's expense. I exercise tact and and political correctness with compassion and respect. I stop at stop signs. I don't file, I pile, however, I know where everything is. I watch mindless T.V. programs to decompress from my counselling profession. I have expensive toys, but they are not my identity, however they own me, particularly my dream car--BMW 325ci.

I was a human to a Beagle dog who now resides in doggie heaven. I am open to good garden variety sex when my partner finds or knows how to open the gate to my garden. I am a DeNiro and Pacino fan. Yes, they have aged, but then who hasn't? I am electronically intelligent and keep up with current technology. I am a homie only in the Canucks playoffs--no, I don't put a flag on my BMW. I have a gaggle of six women who are challenging close gal pals. I don't have kids, nor am I looking to mother yours. At best, I would hope to become a friend to yours.

My figure is in proportion, albeit a BBW, 5'7", green eyed, and my fashion consists of being figure flattering, it fits, and I am comfortable in it. No, I do not wear spandex. High heels are a dim memory of the past, but I can be persuaded back into the tormentors. Marilyn Monroe red lips and same colour nail and toenail polish. Always French perfume. I have educated words that tumble out of my mouth, with several overused, known to all expletives for necessary emphasis. I am not humourless, but the humor has to have a bit of satire or bite to it. I enjoy unpredictable movie plots, and please would they retire Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts.

What about you? OMG! Well, be within driving distance of my house and be female free. If you need clarification on what I mean about that, well, hmm...I will leave that with you to figure out. I think the first thing that would get my attention about you would be that you can handle me without handling me. I have large energies. I feel the highs the lows of life and all in between. In car terms, I consider myself a Ferrari---well tooled, needs regular maintenance otherwise becomes very expensive to fix unlike a Taurus car, although my sign, sigh, is Taurus.

I will also notice if you are groomed--albeit in your own style. Yes, I enjoy a metrosexual style, however, understated. Men's shoes get my attention. Sorry, runners, tennies, jesus beach shoes do not get thumbs up. Then, I would notice your voice and how you use your words. I would notice if your car is clean or if there are candy rappers and old MacDonald's bags inside. Yes, I frequent MacDonald's. MacDonald's is not the point. I would see how and what excites you about your life, your work, your interests, and your friends.

I am not at ease around a James Dean pouter, nor a Tony Robbins freakin' save the world kinda guy. A suit through the week and a weekend warrior can work. I am always up for a good debate on differences. Politics can evoke lively entertainment type discussions but become boring if either is looking for justice in that system. OK, how many more words .....it's late 2:23 a.m.....oh, yes, I am a night owl

Looking forward to inviting you into my life ....and being in yours! Respond with current pictures

Barbara

******Gardening!

Gardening:
Herbs I have enjoyed growing:
basil, oregano, chives, parsley, thyme, sage, thai basil, lemon balm, chamomile
rosemary, lavendar

Flowers I love growing:
poppies, borage

Flowers to try growing:
Mandrake, forget-me-not, lupine

Green goddess pasta salad and Asian influenced peanut sauce marinade

To do tomorrow: mix marinade, get chicken into bags, bring some veggies and get fruit packed up.

Add herbs to dressing, cook pasta, shred cheese and slice vegs.

Don't forget rum and coke.

Green Goddess Dressing:

1/2 cup light mayo
1/4 cup light sour cream
1 TB scallions (or chives), minced finely
1 TB tarragon, minced finely
1 TB watercress (or spinach), minced finely
1 TB cup parsley, minced finely
1 tsp oregano, minced finely
1 fillets white anchovy, minced (sub 1 tsp fish sauce for the more squeamish)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 TB lime juice
1/2 TB white wine vinegar (or just double up on lime)

Stir together mayo and sour cream with all the green herbs. In a small bowl mix the anchovy, garlic, lime juice and vinegar and whisk into the sour cream and mayo mixture. Salt and pepper to taste.

Goddess Pasta Salad: 

For 1/2 lb macaroni or other favored pasta salad noodles

1 large cucumber, sliced into thin rounds and then quartered
1 package cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered
1 small bunch green onions (5-6), sliced into thin rounds
1/2 lb cooked chicken, shredded or cut into chunks (shrimp is also an excellent substitute)
2-3 ripe avocados
1/2 cup spinach, roughly chopped
1 TB fresh tarragon, chopped
1 TB parsley, chopped
1/2 TB cilantro, chopped (opt.)

Stir together noodles and 1/2 cup of dressing. Add all veggies and herbs and stir well. Add remaining dressing just before serving.

Note: I have updated this to include tarragon which I used to not be super into, but have since grown to love it. A few years ago one of my friends gifted me a tarragon plant and I popped it into my garden because I can't just go murdering innocent baby plants because I "am still learning about" their flavors. I was absolutely shocked about how well it did and how it kept coming back every year (as perennials are wont to do), growing in wonderful harmony right up next to--and all up in--my sage plant.


Peanut Marinade:

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/8-1/4 canola oil
3-4 TB creamy PB
1 TB miso
2 TB white wine, sake or even beer in a pinch
1/2 lime squeezed
3 clvoes garlic, pressed or minced very fine
3 slices ginger about 1/4 inch thick, minced

Mix toether and store in a snapple bottle to pour onto chicken once it thaws.