This is a good dish to make if you have any leftover chicken (be sure to shred it off the bone if not boneless). Or, if you want to start from scratch, then stir fry chopped boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, depending on which part of the chicken you prefer. In either case, you will need at least a pound of chicken, and not more than two, depending on how meaty you want your casserole to be. Continue reading
The Gambler (a movie review)
Even though the storyline of a movie could be better crafted, I will sit through the movie because I like the cast. Such is the case in The Gambler, which is about an English professor, played by Mark Wahlberg, who leads a double life going to an underground casino and gambling on borrowed money. Certain scenes did not seem to fit in the movie, and the events that lead to an ending that explains the main character’s motivation seem exaggerated in their gravity. Continue reading
A Vent on Glyphosate
Take the spotlight away from Deflategate and aim it at glyphosate, an active ingredient in Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup since the 1970s. Around for over 40 years, glyphosate has found its way into our drinking water like many other toxic byproducts from the creations of our esteemed chemists. I am not denigrating innovation, I am just venting my frustration over the paradoxical mess we, as a society, have gotten ourselves into. We want to make great discoveries, such as controlling the growth of our crops to feed the masses. But like mass production of clothes, quality can be compromised. Continue reading
True Patriot?
Tom Brady’s retort to Well’s Report, “Absolutely not.” Chiseled jaw, sinewy abs, Tom’s a lady’s man. Fleet feet, touchdown–a man’s man too. Accused as a cheat, treated with too much heat. He doesn’t beat his wife, snort coke all night, or kill another player. Compared to others, letting out a little air is nothing more than passing gas. But why couldn’t you hold it?
©2015 Karina Pinella
Who’s Laughing?
The call for a cartoon to lampoon Muhammad’s visage launched a thousand bullets, no mercy for Allah non-believers. No borders for breeders of hate. Not just in Yemen and Khartoum do they now originate. Garland in America heard the hiss of ISIS.
©2015 Karina Pinella
Oatmeal w/Nuts, Seeds, and More
A convenient way to make oatmeal is to use a slow cooker; I find either the 2.5 qts. or 3 qts. as the ideal size. You can use thick rolled oatmeal or steel cut oat groats and mix it with oat bran, if you wish. Refer to the oatmeal packaging’s cooking instructions for the oatmeal-water ratio and add another 1/4 cup of water. Over time, you can adjust the ratio based on the consistency you like.
Depending on how many people you will feed or how many days of the week you want to eat oatmeal, put in your desired amount of oatmeal, oat bran (optional), and the required amount of water into the slow cooker. Stir in a couple of dried, unsulfured apricots if you want to add a sweetener while it is cooking. Remember to turn the slow cooker on to low and go watch TV, read my blog, or go to bed.
Or, you can prepare the topping mix that you will add to the cooked oatmeal the next day. I usually make a batch in a glass Pyrex that comes with a lid and refrigerate the mix, which you can have as a snack by itself during the day. Continue reading
Ghoul Movies Ranked
When the main scare is a ghoul that teases its way in and out of the scenes, I would classify such a horror film as a ghoul movie. Expressionist artist Edvard Munch’s The Scream embodies the basis of a ghoul for me—a creature with a long, pale face racked in pain. With that foundation, add to it long hair straggled over the face, or eyes sewn, or even an eery expression. Then, have the ghoul pop out at the least expected moment and you’ve got its grisly image burned into your psyche. I ranked below (1 – the best, the last – the worst) such movies I’ve seen to date, and will update if I recall or view another ghoul movie, so periodically check in by clicking the “ghoul movies” tag.
1. The Ring
2. Ringu
3. Sinister
4. Insidious 2
5. Insidious
6. Insidious 3
7. Out of the Dark
8. Woman in Black
9. Woman in Black 2
Bruce
Bruce made quite the news
‘Cuz he’s the Jenner gone transgender,
Nothing to do with glamour or glory.
He told the truth on TV.
He’s already in his mid-sixties,
Served time under his self-imposed penalties.
But his message is not just about him,
It’s to shine light on a subject so dim
That so many have suffered much abuse–
Perhaps Bruce’s message will help spread the news:
That you can be yourself without fear or shame,
For underneath we are all the same.
©2015 Karina Pinella
Falafel Sandwich w/Tzatziki, Hummus, and Tahini
Using Pain de Campagne to hold the falafel instead of pita bread may go against the grain, but you be the judge. How to make a falafel is another recipe. Here we will use pre-made falafel. I buy mine that is made from sprouted garbanzo beans because sprouts provide boosted nutrients. You can find this at Whole Foods. Pre-made falafel may be frozen or fresh, and they look like mini patties. Prepare them according to the package instructions. Continue reading
Zombie Movies Ranked
I am not much of a discriminating viewer. If the synopsis sounds interesting, I will watch it. I’ve sat through more movies than walked out on them. I think it’s because either the story is so interesting that I forgive some bad acting, or the acting is so good that I overlook the thin story line. Here I’ve ranked the zombie movies according to which is the best I’ve seen to date (1 – the best, last – the worst). Continue reading
Karina Pinella 
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