Happy May

Greetings:

The first day of May brought snow in Denver, which didn't make it seem like Spring has Sprung. The weather like life is unpredictable. It can change on a dime!

Speaking of change my favorite radio station, 104.3 FM Smooth Jazz has changed to a Sports Talk station. The Jazz station can still be heard on HD Radio, something I am not that familiar with. Again just a sign that change happens and at a rapid speed.

However some things are constant and one of those things is the Holiday's that each month brings. I love to look at all the special days each month offers for unlimited celebration. Not that you need to have a reason but sometimes it is just fun to have a quirky holiday to get the fun rolling.

National Asparagus Month -
"Many vegetables sprout in May. One of these healthful treats is asparagus. And wouldn't you know it? May is national asparagus month." To learn all you want to know about Asparagus check out the website Georgia Faces sponsored by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. There is a great Asparagus article by student writer Morgan Roan.

My favorite way to eat asparagus? I have to tell you it is right out of the can. I can open up a can of asparagus and just snack on it. If it is fresh I prefer that it is drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and then grilled. As Alton Brown would say, "That's Good Eats."

National Salad Month! Okay no surprise this Holiday is sponsored by the Association for Dressings & Sauces! I love salad and I would highly recommend celebrating National Salad Month at Sweet Tomatoes, my favorite salad bar restaurant.

When eating Salad watch the dressing and sauces you put on it (I know not with keeping with the sponsors of the holiday). You can take a perfectly healthy meal and jack up the calories by drowning it is dressing. I like to use Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil. Yummo!



For information on how to create a well dressed salad visit the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County's website Food Reflections.

National Strawberry Month - Strawberries are my favorite fruit. I will be celebrating this holiday all month long!


I have to admit that I have been known to pick out all the freeze dried strawberries out of my husbands morning cereal! However when I am not robbing my husband's cereal box my next favorite thing to do is make Strawberry Shortcake. My favorite shortcake recipe is from my Grandma Glotzbach. Although I am not sure what Grandma would think about me sharing her recipe with the world, but hey, it is the Holiday!

Shortcake

Mix together:

2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar

Cut in:

1/2 cup shortening

Combine:

6 tablespoons milk
1 egg well beaten

Add:

Liquid to dry ingredients and mix only until all flour is dampened. Kneed gently on floured surface for a few seconds. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness cut into rounds. Brush lightly with melted butter. Place in pairs, buttered sides together on ungreased baking sheet and bake in 375 degree oven for 12 minutes. Remove top half, place on plate, add strawberries. You can also bake as single cakes if you like them crusty. (this is how I bake them)


National Tavern Month - "This will be the 55nd consecutive year in which National Tavern Month has been celebrated" Hey have a Strawberry Daiquiri at your favorite Tavern and you can celebrate two holiday's at once!


May is also The Month of Peace. Years ago I discovered the Peace Pilgrim, an amazing woman and an inspiration.

"From 1953 to 1981 a silver haired woman calling herself only "Peace Pilgrim" walked more than 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace. She vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food." In the course of her 28 year pilgrimage she touched the hearts, minds, and lives of thousands of individuals all across North America. Her message was both simple and profound. It continues to inspire people all over the world:

"This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good,
and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love."

Peace Pilgrim, An American Sage"



For more information about Peace Pilgrim go to the website and watch the video. It is just amazing what she did in her life!

Lots to celebrate this month.

Here's to taking action,

Rachelle