• health,  Quinoa,  women

    Blogging from A to Z: Quinoa

    Quinoa – what exactly is it? First, it’s pronounced KEEN-wa. Okay, it was news to me so I figured you’d like to know too! Quinoa is actually made from the seeds of a goosewort (Chenopodium Quinoa), used in Chili and Peru for making porridge or cakes. The term “goosewort” didn’t do a lot to foster confidence in me, either. Keep reading. I’ve been hearing a lot about Quinoa lately – it’s been in almost every recipe or health e-newsletter that I’ve received and it’s been in several magazine articles. I even read an article when I was at my doctor’s office. Here’s the quick down-low on Quinoa: It’s an amino-acid…

  • cookies,  essay,  Girl Scouts,  humor,  life after 40,  memoir,  women

    Cookie monster!

    I’ve gained three pounds since this year’s Girl Scout Cookie sales began. It’s probably not fair to blame my debauchery on sweet little girls whose only goal is to sell mouth-watering cookies to help fund troop activities, earn badges and defray costs. Forget dirty bombs and germ warfare. Our overseas enemies could learn a trick or two from the Little Brownie® Bakers. There is something so seductive about a Samoa cookie wrapped in a warm caramel blanket, hugged by chocolate and toasted coconut. My husband and I are convinced that there must be an addictive ingredient in the Thin Mints which intensifies if you freeze them before devouring. I first…