Taste Test Poll: Fave Fruit Gets Chocolate Dipped

TASTE TEST POLL WINNERS:

APPLES & APRICOTS

GET

DIPPED IN CHOCOLATE

By Cal Orey

"Chocolate is a perfect food."

-- Baron Justus von Liebig

Last night a bit of chilly pre-autumn vibes filled the bedroom air despite the fact it's August at Lake Tahoe--the hottest month of the year. The Writing Gourmet's popular Food poll results for the topic "What is Your Fave Summer Fruit?" rolled in... Here are the earthshaking favorites. Surprise! (I thought it would be strawberries. Not so much.)

Juicy Watermelon 25%

Veratile Strawberries 0%

Sweet Apricots 25%

Pretty Plums 16%

I Prefer Apples All-Year Round 33%

Yesterday as I watched the poll come to a close, I fantasized about baking a double crust apple pie or an apricot cobbler. Then, I toyed with apple and apricot muffins. But BAM! Mother Nature took over. After the Earth shook in the Gulf of California--at 11:20 P.M. I, the earthquake intuitive and author of The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes, received a telephone call from Coast to Coast radio program. I was invited to be a guest at 11:30. And I talked quakes, the seismic lull on the West Coast, and the real possibility for notable shakers in the Golden State--known for its abundance of fresh fruit and awesome chocolate--during August.

Today I'm thinking "Why bake? I love fresh summer fruit--as is." Why not celebrate the two winning fruits--apples and apricots--and dip them in chocolate? So I purchased Ghirardelli white chocolate and dark chocolate chips: Classic White Chips and 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips. I love the idea of dipping sweet and tart sliced fiji apples (fiber plentiful) and chewy, plump dried apricots (rich in potassium) into chocolate--white and dark.

Chocolate Dipped Fruit

It's easy as 1-2-3.

1. Pour chocolate chips into a bowl and microwave till melted. Don't overcook! About 30 seconds or less does the trick.

2. Dip fruit pieces--washed and sliced apples and dried apricots or fresh halves into the chocolate.

3. Place each coated fruit on a piece of foil. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes or until the chocolate hardens. Serve on a plate of your choice.

The end results: You, like me, can enjoy the winning fruits without baking. And by adding chocolate you're getting more disease-fighting antioxidants, nutrients, and feel-good compounds with the dark chocolate and bone-boosting calcium with the white chocolate. Congrats to apples and apricots. You'll love the chocolate dipped fruit. I know I will. And just to be different, I'm going to dip some big fresh, organic strawberries because they are still in season and the first chocolate dipped fruit experience I had in an Italian restaurant. It's all good in the summertime.

P.S. Just tried a white chocolate covered dried apricot and fresh apricot. The dried one is like the traditional dark chocolate ones I've tried from chocolatiers; the fresh summer apricot? Ah, it was juicy, sweet, and perfect for warm days and cooler nights.

Chillin' with Hot Guacamole & Olive Oil

Guacamole Shakeup
with Olive Oil
By Cal Orey

"If you pour oil and vinegar into the same vessel, you would call them not friends but opponents."
--Aeschylus

On Sunday I had making gourmet homemade guacamole (all by myself) on my mind. Ironically, today during the proofing process of my September Earth Changes article about Mother Nature being on vacation--a 6.9 powerful quake hit the Gulf of California... I find this eerie because a few days ago I predicted on

http://www.earthquakeepi-center.com/ that the upcoming lunar eclipse/Full Moon may rock the U.S. --this shaker was widely felt in Arizona, Texas, California--and Mexico (a place the popular dip made from avocados orginated).

Rewind to yesterday afternoon after swimming I went to the store shopping for fresh ingredients for this Mexican delight. Lost. Lost. Lost. I didn't know which avocados to pick. (It's been a 30 years since I made guacamole.) So, I latched onto a woman, Lisa with a child (or two) in tow. It was obvious this woman does guacamole. She helped me choose the soft (but not too soft) avocados; find jalapeno peppers, and green onions (I always buy red onions). Oh, she snagged a lime (I was going to grab a lemon but decided to make the switch. It was obvious. This woman can cook.) And she even told me, step by step, how to slice the fruit before mashing it. It is her dream to have a guacamole at-home party--a contest who can make the best mix.

The recipe I'm using is foolproof because my friend Gemma Sciabica let me borrow her recipe in

Cooking with California Olive Oil: Treasured Family Recipes. We spoke the other day and she spoke of the fresh tomatoes and avocados (she lives in Modesto, Central California). I was envious. Growing fruits and vegetables at Lake Tahoe? Nah. Not in this lifetime.

In one of those little mini mags I used to pen, "From Fat to Firm at Any Age!" I wrote: "Avocados--Although avocados are high in fat, most of it is monounsaturated [like olive oil]. That means it tends to improve cholesterol and protect rather than destroy arteries. While avocadoes do have a high calorie count--324 in a whole fruit--they're rich in postassium and low in sodium for protection against high blood pressure and stroke."

Guacamole

Makes 3 1/2 Cups
1 tablespoon fresh coriander, basil or cilantro, chopped [I passed on coriander]
4 avocados (ripe, soft) [I got 3 nice ones]
1 tomato, chopped [I found plump off the vine ones, on sale]

1 jalapeno, minced [I snatched up a green one]
juice of 1 lime or lemon
salt, pepper and paprika to taste
1/4 cup Marsala Olive Fruit Oil
2 green onions (white part) minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon cumin

With fork, coarsely mash avocado with lime juice and garlic. Stir in remaining ingredients, blend. Garnish as desired. Serve with slice toasted bread quartered or tortilla chips.

Now I planned to make my own chips and got whole wheat tortillas to fry up in olive oil (I did this when I lived in Santa Cruz mountains...when I loved to cook amid Mother Nature.) Today, I'm going to turn to the store bought multigrain tortilla chips (150 calories for 11; some iron, magnesium, vitamin B, calcium, and thiamine). Read: I still have the big earthquake on my mind and am distracted. This calls for stress-busting crunchy chips asap.

The Cooking 'n' Tasting Experience

When I began this small adventure my blood pressure was 107/72 (it's gotta be the swimming and walking/jogging with the pooches)...Once I started, well let's say things heated up. To chill I tuned on tunes--Reggae; Classic Rock; and ended up with Soft Rock. Yeah right. Simon and Seth, my two fun-loving Brittanys tried to get involved when I was slicing, dicing, and mashing the avocados. That wasn't fun. I think I got a hot flash (or two) chasing the critters out of the kitchen. Chopping and adding the rest of the fresh ingredients was quick because the dog duo allowed me do it solo.

OK. I did it. All the ingredients were used except I didn't include garlic; and I should have had larger avocados or added a fourth one. (Probably a mistake. Or not. I don't follow instructions, according to my Home Economics teacher in 7th grade. She gave me a D.) But I did add fresh grated Parmesan cheese on top--that did the trick.

I dipped a few chips into my concoction and the flavor of lime, tomatoes, cilantro, and olive oil came alive. You can taste each ingredient. The best part, it is all fresh and you know exactly what you're getting rather than buying it already made or at a restaurant when you don't know what's really in it. The downside: I need new knives. I want new bowls. I crave a new cutting board. So, that's my personal shakeup today in my kitchen--and gosh, my BP feels lower already now that I'm outta of there!

101 Doctors' 7 Secrets to Good Health

101 Doctors' Secrets to Good Health:

How Many Are You Following?

By Cal Orey

"The best doctors in the world are Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet, and Doctor Merryman."

-- Jonathan Swift

It's Sunday--a day of rest, right? The writer's block is over but I decided I want a vacation. Sure, living at Lake Tahoe can be like a vacation year-round. The glitch is, if you're a Type-A author (a demanding go-getter which can raise your risk of heart disease) it's another task to relax...

Speaking of writing, this A.M. after a cup of java and a banana (I'm working on breakfast), in my cozy waterbed with the two Brittanys I glanced over at the nightstand and saw a copy of Doctors' Orders: What 101 Doctors Do to Stay Healthy. Yes, I penned it and interviewed all of 'em. (I was organizing yesterday during the "block" and found the tume.) I just picked it up and flipped to page 333 "A Final Word." The seven secrets...

Go ahead--check out these 7 guidelines that can put you on the doctors' track for life. Find out if you're following the healing experts' preventative strategies.

1. Eat a nutrient-dense diet chock-full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. [Yep, this one I do. No worries. And quality dark chocolate--including hot chocolate with milk (iced chocolate drinks during the daytime in summer) soothes the body and soul.]

2. Avoid processed foods, sugar, and empty-calorie snacks. [Ditto. It's easy if you refer to #1.]

3. Include vitamins, minerals, and herbs to supplement your diet as needed to ensure you're getting adequate nutriton every day and to help prevent illness.

[I did do this during those pre-menopausal years because the holistic docs recommended me to do it. With a potential second round of Swine Flu following us this fall/winter I'm going to put this one on my list (again).]

4. Get preventative physical checkups to maintain your body functioning at its optimum best. [On Friday, I did make a dental appt. for the twice a year cleaning. Note: I love my Sonicare Toothbrush.]

5. Learn how to chill out and enjoy living a longer and healthier life. [Thanks to the recession #5 is tricky. But hey, the best things in life are free, right? And that includes good health.]

6. Exercise regularly to keep your body functioning its optimum best. [No problem. I wish I was a fish 24/7. Swimming almost daily and walking the pooches works for me. Treadmill is in the living room. (Note to self: Will start with Seth, the youngest dog. Soon. Watch "I Am Legend" scene with Will Smith and dog Sam on treadmill for inspiration or "The Dog Whisperer.")

7. Nourish your body, mind, and spirit each and every day. [I must work on the spiritual thing. Yoga? Meditation? [I need a new mantra. Looks like this may be another job for me. I want to find a more Bohemian-type lifestyle like I adopted in the 70s.]

Tally up. How did you do? My short list of things to do: Get a multi-vitamin supplement. Reschedule pap smear. I flaked due to writer's workload. Read the Doctors' Orders chapter on Type A and Type B (you are more calm and less hurried than Type A) Personalities so I can learn how to chill. Like I said, I need a vacation. Well, maybe a good swim at 1:00 P.M., taking the long route home for my fun-loving Type A -B dog(s) walk, and a savoring a soothing cup of gourmet hot chocolate tonight while watching a romantic chick flick will suffice for today. One more thing. I've got my new, improved mantra. Instead of "Fall" (it's coming) this works: "Chocolate. Chocolate. Chocolate."

Bagelwichtuna with an Olive Oil Touch

Bagelwichtuna with an Olive Oil Touch

By Cal Orey

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

-- Henry David Thoreau

It is balmy, a bit cooler but still warm and still outdoors at Lake Tahoe. It makes me sense earthquake weather as I sit here with writer's block. And I don't feel like cooking or baking... My monthly Earth Changes column is due yesterday. And I still can't decide what topic to tackle for September. It seems like Mother Nature is back from vacation.

I'd love to go to the kitchen and create a Food Network-type gourmet meal but that's not in the cards today. It takes a clear head and lots of energy to put your heart and soul into making an elaborate entree or dessert. So, I'm thinking back to my grad school days. In the Student Union there was not only the Baked Potato Bar but in another area we had a Bagel Bar. And yep, that's where you could find me. Bagels of all types and you could order up a sandwich to fit your fancy.

Tonight that is exactly what I'm going to do. It's bagelwich time. Here's the quick, easy and healthy recipe for one (and a pinch for my beloved black cat Kerouac).

Bagelwichtuna

3 ounces tuna (Solid White Albacore In Water)
1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbs. all-natural mayo
A few sliced red onions
2 tsp. sliced black olives (optional)
A few sliced tomatoes
1/4 cup sprouts
1/4 cup romaine or spinach lettuce
1 fresh sesame seed bagel
1 tsp. red wine vinegar
A dash of fresh ground pepper

Mix tuna with oil and mayo. Spread on a lightly toasted large bagel split in half. Top with lettuce, sprouts, tomatoes, and onions. Splash red wine vinegar and pepper to taste. The pickle is optional. (If you want to learn how to make your own pickles, I can take you there. In The Healing Powers of Vinegar (Kensington) on page 226 "Pickling Passion" and recipes follow including "Garden Dill Pickles" made with apple cider vinegar.)

Speaking of Mother Nature and fish...I just heard a thunder bolt. Another one. Another one. Here comes a thunderstorm. And fish? I don't want to go there. Two more of my goldfish died (again). Today, I had the aquarium water tested by the fish store expert in town and all is good. He gave me two freebies. What's up? Gosh, I used to write for Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine. It's raining. My new fish pair--one is orange and the other is white--are swimming. Life goes on...

Blast Belly Fat with Vinegar & VIP Secrets

Blast Belly Fat

with Apple Cider Vinegar

& VIP Secrets

By Cal Orey

"To make a good salad is to be a brilliant diplomatist--the problem is entirely the same in both cases. To know exactly how much oil one must put with one's vinegar."

-- Oscar Wilde

As a former diet and nutrition columnist for Woman's World magazine (touting the latest zany weight loss fad diet for the week--often the big cover story), I can tell you both millions of women (and men)--and popular celebs--want to lose pounds and body fat super fast--and whittle their waistline. Yep, we all want that flat tummy. And these days, on my Web site www.calorey.com I have a Q&A column "Ask the Vinegar/Oil Lady" which splashes me with questions weekly about drinking apple cider vinegar (ACV) solo or with water to lose weight and get that to-die for flat tummy or six pack abs. So, can taking the ACV cure do it alone?

Nope. While ACV does work wonders and can help you lose weight, I know that on this planet it takes more than one magic bullet to shrink your tummy. Here, take a look at some tips to team with that tablespoon of ACV (I prefer Bragg Organic brand) in water a couple of times a day (lemon and raw honey can improve the tart taste), which can help to suppress your appetite. Psst! It's the acetic acid that may boost your metabolism and help to dissolve unhealthy body fat. (I discuss this topic with a nutritional expert in Chapter 16 "Fat-Burning Vinegar" in The Healing Powers of Vinegar.)

* Graze: Eating smaller, more frequent meals is key to a trimmer tummy. (I even feed my pooches their premium dog food in smaller meals. And they've got lean and lanky, elegant bodies--no belly fat which can lead to heart woes to diabetes 2 for both pets and humans. No kidding.)

* Fill Up On Fiber: High fiber diets can help you. Low-fat, fiber rich foods provide bulk, which is filling and promotes regularity. Both add up to a flatter stomach. This is oh-so true year-round.

* Eat High-Potassium Foods: Potassium-rich foods help decrease unwanted water retention--and flatten your tummy. Apples, bananas, cantaloupe, dried apricots, vegetables, salads (paired with lean protein, olive oil and red wine vinegar, fat-burning herbs), and watermelon are high in bloat-busting potassium. They act as natural diuretics, which may reduce what looks like a kangeroo's pouch-type tummy. (Recently, I bought a $4 seedless watermelon and it is so sweet, juicy, and it's amazing. Forget the kind I grew up with with those pesky black seeds! Check out the link above to learn all about this watermelon treasure.)

* Shake The Salt Habit: Salt can cause water retention, which may cause the stomach to look and feel bloated. Read food labels and if you see a food item is too high is sodium, forego eating it.

* Eat Natural Foods: Foods full of chemicals and high in refined sugars are calorie-dense and can pack on abdominal fat.

* Lose The Soda: Carbonated beverages can add to that bloated feeling. Instead, turn to water--it's a natural diuretic, so it'll help you shed bloat. As a past Diet Coke fan, I have learned to stock the fridge and pantry with Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water. You can do it--and you won't want to go back. And, get a move on--drinking water, too, to stay hydrated. Aerobic activity, like these other fat-blasting secrets of the stars, will help you to melt belly fat. It takes 15 or 20 minutes before you start to burn fat. Try a half-hour of walking or swimming.

OK. Sure, ACV can certainly help you stay on the Whittle That Tummy track, but don't forget these other secrets that really work. At 56, to be 57 in two months, I toy with buying a bikini but not sure if it's politically correct at my age as an aging boomer. (Baby boomers work hard to age gracefully and a gourmet's touch can be a godsend.) As a size 4, I can and do wear a Victoria's Secret tankini (exposes partial belly) and a one piece--yep, my tummy is flat on a good belly day. Do these secrets work? Uh yeah.

P.S. Forego overindulging in alcohol or you may be frowning as you peek down at an unsightly "beer belly." Not pretty for guys or gals (at any age).

Heart-Healthy Pancakes with Syrup Rank #1 in Poll

Pancakes with Syrup Rank #1

in

Breakfast Poll

By Cal Orey

He who goes to bed hungry dreams of pancakes.

--Proverb

The heatwave is over...Lake Tahoe is finally having a thunderstorm and the smell of fresh rain lingers this Wednesday afternoon in my living room. The next best scent may just be hot pancakes ... Speaking of pancakes, The Writing Gourmet breakfast poll results are in. Question: Do your prefer pancakes or waffles?


A) Pancakes with syrup


B) Waffles with syrup


C) Both with fruit


D) I'll pass, eggs are my thing


Results: 41% pancakes with syrup; 33% waffles with syrup; 25% both with fruit; 0% eggs

I'm surprised a little bit. I surely thought Belgian waffles would be the winner. Not so much. So, I'm thinking why pancakes? I go straight to wikipedia and it's amazing how versatile and popular pancakes aka "hotcakes" and "flapjacks" are in American and around the globe.

Next thing I know, I start getting images of pancakes cooked up in movies and on TV. Recently, I was watching a competition of chefs making the best breakfast. One chose pancakes and he got frustrated when the first batch didn't turn out perfectly. Tossed it. It slowed him down (they must cook by the ticking clock) and his mistake affected his overall presentation. Yes, there is an art to making the perfect pancake. And romantic? Oh yeah. Last week I watched that edgy program (again) "Nurse Jackie" and a young woman mentioned how her boyfriend made her pancakes in the a.m. When the nurse returned home her husband was whipping up hotcakes for dinner. The film "Something's Gotta Give"? Both Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton wanted to share homemade pancakes for a late night snack. It was a sweet loving gesture but it didn't pan out (pun intended).

So, here I sit thinking simple pancakes sprinkled with confectioner's sugar drizzled with gourmet maple syrup is the way to go. Teamed with orange juice, and a cup of French brew with a big, big splash of organic 2% low-fat milk is a super breakfast--solo, with a mate or family. Tomorrow morning I'll prepare Oat Bran pancakes complete mix --just add water. Yep, these puppies contain no trans fat, are a good source of protein, calcium, and iron. Plus, the box notes you can substitute two tablespoons water with two tablespoons honey. (How cool is that?) And syrup? It's the pricey real gourmet maple syrup I use and recommend using. It's worth it. Once you try it you can't go back to the cheap or generic stuff. It will make you want to move to Vermont (or wherever the syrup makers make their stuff).
One more thing. I use a taste of olive oil (yes, I love Sciabica's oil) in the frying pan so I won't look disgruntled and flustered like the chef on Food Network. I don't want the first pancake or last one to stick to the pan. Lastly, I can see why teaming hotcakes with syrup, juice, and fine coffee--is a winner to start off the day, night or as an afternoon delight. (All this pancake chat has got me thinking French crepes...)