Bizzare Foods…..sometimes I’m a bit squeamish!

Has anyone watched the new foodie show on Discovery’s Travel Channel? If not you don’t know what your missing!

“Watch Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern

 

Watch all new episodes of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern starting Monday, Feb. 26, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Unmasking an aspect of dining out that will make you think twice before ordering off the menu, and utilizing his knowledge of all things edible, Andrew Zimmern is on a quest to find the world’s most bizarre foods.

Andrew knows that one man’s poison is another’s delicacy but he isn’t afraid to poke a little fun at the local fare or himself. Our energetic food-a-holic infiltrates markets and restaurants taking viewers behind the scenes to savor the local cuisine – even if that means chewing on eggs with legs, gulping down a beating frog heart or polishing off a lamb’s eyeball.

Andrew is game for anything and knows the most interesting food is found closest to the source. So whether he’s chasing down large water rodents in the Louisiana bayou, fishing for piranha in the Amazon or flushing out cave bats in Malaysia, you can be sure the guy with the iron stomach will dish up the unimaginable.” http://travel.discovery.com/tv/bizarre-foods/show-description.html

The show is definately a winner! I remember the first time we walked ino the Mercato Centrale in Florence….I must admit to being a bit shocked over some tof the horrific food scenes I saw. Animal heads and other body parts set up for sale. When we left the market I had to force myself to eat the rest of the day. But as years have passed we now enjoy a visit to this wonderful cultural experience! Check out this link!

http://www.igougo.com/travelcontent/JournalEntryActivity.aspx?entryID=13843

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CBS’s Amazing Race!

Make sure not to miss this week’s episode fo the Amazing Race, tonight at 8pm! This is my hubby and my favorite reality TV show! We have discussed sending in a tape to try out for the next season……well not that anyone would enjoy our tavelling squabbles. Especially D’s drving in the Alps….last years episode of the Rountree’s Travels! The next season starts June 9th 2007….be prepared for a new european adventure!

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My furry friends…..un gatto!

Here are some of my cats discovered over the years inItaly.

Venice

Venice

Fiesole

Florence

And then there’s my Callie….at home!

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Planning for another Italian Adventure!

Finally all of this summer’s travel plans are in place. All flights booked with help of Sky Miles….hehehehehe.  Auto transportation plans are made as well. Final touches are being made to our itinerary.  This year we have travel buddies. Don and I have never travelled with any other people before….so I’m a bit anxious over this. Don and I like our time alone together….so when we travel we have very similar interests and schedules. Usually up early and out of the hotel, then hit the road for day time adventures!  We really like to enjoy the local cultures and experience the local life as well!

I must say however, that my culianry desires are much more curious than those of my husband’s. So perhpas having others with us will allow the cahnce to try different foods.  Italy is certainly a culinary delight…..filled with Tuscan treasures such as pasta, pizza, seafoods, risotto, and of course at least two gelato stops per day!  Our home base will be in Florence, our favorite city, but with side trips to Venice, Rimini, Bolzano, San Gimi, and probably Cortona and soem other hilltop towns!

I can’t wait…isn’t it terrible to waste such a vast amount of time day dreaming about travel?  I guess I must admit to being a full blown travelaholic!   Ciao for now! 

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Niece Grande Emma Di Buon Compleanno!

Happy Birthday to you!

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I do, I do, I do love chocolate

Well I have been craving something chocolate this week. Chocolate has been linked to new health benefits, so I guess that will give me a reason to eat more of it. I discovered this recipe for brownies that I’d like to share. They sound incredible….let me know what you think!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
• 2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 pinch salt
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 inch square baking pan.
2. Sprinkle pecans on cookie sheet and toast in oven until lightly colored. Set aside to cool.
3. In saucepan over low heat, melt unsweetened chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally. Let cool.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Fold in the melted chocolate. Sift together the flour, and salt and add to mixture, stirring lightly. Chop the semisweet chocolate into coarse chunks and add to mixture, along with pecans. Mix until just blended. Pour batter into pan and smooth top.
5. Bake about 25 minutes. Let cool before cutting into bars.

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Daily Rant…..

Well today is yet another opertune day to rant. Once again, I’ll climb up on my soapbox and exclaim my frustrations with those with less sense than I have.

Let me begin by stating that my intentions are good, but sometime people just don’t get it. Perhaps its just hose in close proximity that don’t understand their need to drain other’s completely from emotion. As is the case recently. I often find myself under the door mat. It is known as “The Doormat Syndrome” in the case, this has been studied tremendously in my educated background. This syndrome often manifest’s itself when others find the opportunity to suck the life out of you and then proceed to wipe their feet on you.

For those of you out there that perhaps are guilty of this notion….perhaps you should reevaluate your life. For those like myself…perhaps we should hang a “do not disturb” sign around our necks…as if to say “we are busy”. The treatment of this condition relys solely on the lack of modern medicine to find a cure other than extensive travel and escapism.

Travel can provide a healthy outlet to rid one’s self of such shameless humiliation.

“Thou shall not walk or wipe thy feet on the doormat of others!”

“Thou shall not suck the life from others!”

and lastly “Thou shall be responsible for thou own actions in life!”

And remember whenever you take on the responsiblity of emptying one’s emotional bank account…please repay with INTEREST! Enough said! Ciao!

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The 2nd Birthday of Emma!

Well yesterday was indeed a long day. A three hour trip provided me with a visit of my niece and great niece Emma. Emma is celebrating her 2nd birthday week. It seems like yesterday I was swaddling the new bambina and now she is at the “terrible two” stage! Indeed a handful. Besides the long ride, the weather was cooperative for the long journey south. A six hour round trip but well worth the drive. I supplied Emma with a “Princess” birthday cake and some decorations. Whiel her mother supplied the pizza and other goodies for the party. A great day was had by all in attendance! Buon Compleanno Emma!

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The Amazing Race All-Stars!!

Tonight another Amazing Race Season begins….Don and I will anxiously be awaiting the next adventure just the way we like…..action-packed, suspensful, and a race to the finish line! Don forget to join int he fun…….tonight at 8pm ET. on CBS.

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My weekend visit with Emma Leigha!

Well after this week’s blizzard, I’ll be happy to drive to the “south” to visit my niece and great-niece Emma Leigha…to help her celebrate her 2nd birthday. She is indeed a handful!

We will be celebrating her birthday on Monday, even though her birthday isn’t til Thursday Feb 22. SO this will be the highlight of my week.

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