DreamFields Pasta

This pasta is a boon for diabetics.It has only 5 carbs that have any effect on your sugar levels.The other carbs are called digestible carbs and do not affect blood sugar.
My husband is diabetic and we experimented on him.we checked his blood sugar 2 hours after eating and it rose the normal amount.
The website has great coupons.

If The Shoe Fits

The shoe inserts pictured here were purchased as a way to "spend" down Ms. A.'s flex account. Orthotics are an important part of this forty-something female's footwear philosophy. There was a shortage of support for casual and dress shoes, so it made sense to spend on some form of support that could be used with flats and moderate heels.

The athletic inserts that go in Ms. A.'s sneakers run about four hundred bucks -- generally not covered by insurance. The high price was part of the reason that a dress variety was not sought. However, sore knees and arches signaled that it was time to do something.

Lacking a lot of time to get to the podiatrist, but still wanting a quality pair of inserts, Ms. A. went to a local Good Feet Store. The inserts she picked were just around $230. The carbon soles were included. An additional purchase was a device called a "Strassburg Sock." This will help stretch out tight instep muscles that can cause plantar fascitis -- a condition this fit female encounters in the warm months when running mileage is increased.

While cheaper insoles can be bought in shoe stores and drug stores, Ms. A. opted to spend more for this set. They should last indefinitely and because the expense was reimbursable, it made sense to spend rather than lose the funds all together.

Anyone looking to spend down a flex account might want to consider arch supports. They are rather costly -- but they also do a great job of relieving foot and knee pain, back strain and other pesky issues which crop up in middle age.

The Little Owl. New York City

Located in New York City in the West Village and it is (Highly Recommended.

I've been wanting to dine here for a while now, especially considering that their meatball sliders were featured in nearly every food publication last year. I ended up taking an unexpected lunch reservation and running into a old friend of mine who happened to be our waiter . I will admit that knowing the server DOES alter the dining experience. The menu is fairly small, but all the options sounded amazing.

I was there with two business companions and we shared three appetizers, the ricotta cavatelli, a duck breast salad and the meatball sliders. The kitchen was nice enough to split the three dishes up for us so we each had a slider and a small portion of pasta , we shared the salad family style which is easy enough with that type of dish. The meatball was worth the raves, perfectly balanced meatiness enrobed in sweet, rich sugo, The proportion of bread to sauce to meat was perfect; I could have easily put away more than one. The cavatelli was outstanding as well, nice al dente fresh pasta enhanced with a fluffy ricotta base. The bacon flecked red sauce was a winning accompaniment. I can't honestly speak to the duck breast, as I did not partake, but my dining partners were less enthused with this course.All three of us had the burger as an entree and I'm so happy I did. I love a good burger, and when I find one that is perfectly cooked and appointed, it is a true pleasure. This burger was flowing with fatty goodness, beefy juices flowed with each bite. The flavor of the meat was fantastic and so were the fixings and fries.

We also ordered their pork chop, which supposedly is one of their trademarks and we were not dissapointed.

This is a great spot, unpretentious and well-executed dishes in a charming space...in a charming neighborhood. We all left wanting to come back for dinner.

I know this is sort of a dull blog to read because I do not have a bad word to say about the menu or the service or the food other than it is too small. But its size does add to its charm. So yes, The Little Owl is a new favorite restaurant. It appeals to me first and foremost because the food rocks. Then it gets me cause of the energy for its soul and the welcome you get from all the people when you dine there. But then, I also like it because it is a dream come true . And while my job here is review a restaurant’s food, and to tell you about it.. I think it’s appropriate, once in a while, to take a moment to appreciate more than the food, and to acknowledge the effort and the dreams and the hard work of someone’s accomplishments.

Grand Szechuan has opened up a great new restaurant on 7th Ave. NYC

Dumplings at the Grand Szechuan.

I went here on the advice of New York foodie and TV Food critic Ed Levine, because I find I agree with the majority of his reviews. This place is a definite find. In Midtown too, the so called foodie graveyard of Manhattan. This is the kind of food that will linger in your brain for days after eating it. The incredibly silky tofu comes with a smokey, fiery pepper sauce with ground pork, the perfect dish to spoon on rice. The wok fried chicken with almonds and green onion was like a dish of the most incredible fried chicken you can imagine cut into bite sized pieces wok tossed with chili peppers and sliced almonds and green onion. Sounds simple enough but this is not your father's Chinese food.
I can't wait to go back. I'm addicted to spicy foods, and this place is like heaven. I'm glad to finally have somewhere like this nearby (rather than having to travel all the way to Flushing and back for Spicy Tasty or Little Pepper). My meal: Ox Tripe and Tongue (spectacular! amazing spice, mouth-numbing, everything was so crisp and fresh), Dan Dan Noodles (not the best I've had, of this standard szechuan staple.. i wanted a little tartness or tang, but it was still really good), Scallion Pancake (SO good, surprisingly. it was light and flaky, delicious. Not at all, thankfully, the typical soggy dense greasy version), Braised Lamb Fillets with Napa Cabbage and Roasted Chili (amazingly spicy! the lamb was extremely tender. all the different little vegetables were all cooked perfectly. the only negative thing i could say is perhaps it could use a little less salt)... I keep looking over the menu, planning my next visit (Spicy Sesame Noodles, Beef Tendon, Chef's Ma Paul Tofu, Double Cooked Sliced Pork Belly...) The restaurant decor is nothing special, kind of standard, it could be Cleveland in 1980, but nothing is dirty or tacky. The service was as helpful as they could possibly be. There was a cute moment where the server asked if he could take my plate and I sort of went yeah but no but yeah it's so hard to say goodbye!, we both laughed. The clientele was varied -- a Hispanic couple who ordered safe dishes and pushed things around, not eating much. a Jewish couple with sleeping infant who ordered safe (and a lot!) but loved every bite. a few Chinese couples who were really enjoying themselves, and me... At one point the Chinese couple next to me complimented me, saying I really knew how to order the good stuff (aka I eat like them), and it's surprising how i could handle the extreme spice (which was too hot even for them).

Italian Christmas Cake

Almost every Town or Village in Italy has some sort of Christmas cake, cookie, or pie. A very popular one is Panettone which is essentially a sweet bread, which is traditionally eaten around Christmas.
Panettone is the traditional Christmas Cake of the Milanesi, and has become the most common Christmas cake in Italy. Originating from Milan this delicious treat is great curled up with an indulgent long coffee! Their are many variations to the traditional citrus zest flavor such as with chocolate chips or completely plain - but I think the original is the best! It can be enjoyed as breakfast, afternoon tea or dessert...the perfect Italian treat!

Ingredients-

7 g active dry yeast
235 ml warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
50 g white sugar
2 eggs 120 ml
Low fat plain yogurt
5 ml vanilla extract
6 g grated lemon zest
2 g salt
500 g unbleached all-purpose flour
70 g dried currants
50 g raisins
8 g confectioners' sugar
15 g butter, melted (optional)

Directions-

In a medium bowl, combine yeast, sugar and water. Cover and let it stand 10 minutes, or until foamy.Add eggs, yogurt, vanilla, lemon zest, and salt. Mix well.

Stir in flour 1/2 cup at a time until dough forms into a manageable ball shape.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary, until dough is soft and pliable, but not sticky. (May need up to 5 cups flour.) Place dough in a large, lightly pan-sprayed bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This should take about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees ) and lightly grease a round 8-inch cake pan with butter. In a small bowl, toss dried fruit with confectioners' sugar. Punch down dough in bowl, transfer to floured surface, and knead in the fruit. Form the dough into a ball, place in prepared cake pan, cover it loosely with a dish towel, and let it rise for 30 minutes. (The loaf will rise above the pan sides.)

Brush with melted butter.Bake for 45 minutes, or until loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

You can find this in any of the Italian restaurants in Little Italy in New York .... as well as the famous other Italian pastries such as my other favorites cannolis, chocolate mousse and Italian cheesecake. ... my favorite is Sfogliatella

Happy Christmas or Buon Natale!

The Drinks Are On Me

Drink Up My Friends, the drinks are on me! Ho, Ho, Ho...

The holidays are a great excuse to drink up and be jolly.
As a vodka aficionado I am always searching for the most enjoyable vodka that I could find. And I am proud to say Titos vodka has become one of my former favorites. Of course Kettle One is still my Numero Uno.
I mostly drink Vodka in straight on the rocks or in martini's where I usually use Ketel One. Tito's has a very distinct flavor to it which I really like in my Martini's. And by the way, it's made right here in the USA.... in Austin at Texas.
Give it a try.

Eclipse di luna-Atlanta

I love Tapas Bars.Its great to go out with friends who share the same taste in food.


(All pictures belong to the restaurant website)
Eclipse di luna (Miami Circle) is a neat place.Very loud and full.I never saw an empty table all evening.

There seemed to be just one waitress and yet we were not neglected.Service was great,though there may have been other waitresses and I failed to see them !

Everybody talked about the Patatas Bravas con Romesco (Spiced Potatoes with Romesco) so it was the first thing I tried.It was a tad bit dry but the dip was great.The others at the table loved it so it may have been just me !
Another recommendation was the Ejotes Crujientes(Crispy Green Beans with sea salt) and this was perfection.Cooked thro and crispy.

My father-in-laws favorite was Calamares Fritos (Lightly Fried Calamari & Pico de Gallo ).The pico de gallo was to die for,seriously...the tomatoes just melted in your mouth!
My mother-in-laws favorite was the Costillas Espanolas(Spanish-Style Ribs in aged balsamic vinaigrette).They were very tender and fell off the bone.

A popular recommendation was the bottomless sangria and the paella that we did not try but everyone talks about it.

Prices range from 3 bucks to 6 bucks.Our total bill for 5 people came upto 80 bucks and we ate a ton !