Pesto Pasta Salad

Now that spring has finally decided to arrive in earnest, I'm loving the idea of salads, salads and more salads. Please share your favorites with me! 

Today, I tried something a little different for lunch. Using Ree Drummond's inspiration, I created my own pesto pasta salad, adding baked salmon for some added protein. It was absolutely delicious! 

Bake salmon in a foil pocket, skin side down, seasoned with a tablespoon of butter and garlic salt, until it separates easily with a fork. Salmon is one of those Baby Boomer must-eat foods, full of omega-3 fatty acids for heart health, memory and cognition.

I used basic egg noodles, but vegetable rotini would be really good. Cook pasta according to directions, rinse with cold water and drain. Add a couple of tablespoons of pesto and toss. Add halved cherry tomatoes, chopped fresh basil, mozzarella pearls and fresh sliced mushrooms. Top with baked salmon pieces.

This is one of those go-with-the-flow dishes... the ingredient possibilities are unlimited. Any number of cheeses would work with it, including Parmesan or Romano. Also, Ree included black olives, another food rich in free radicals, essential for the oxidation of cholesterol, as well as anti-inflammatory benefits. Lord knows we all need those!!

No dressing needed, this salad is simple and filling, with few calories! Perfect for an easy summer meal. I enjoyed this with a nice Chardonnay and seasoned crackers. Perfection!

 

Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

OK, all you red fans, I've got one for you... Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon 2011. Leese-Fitch is a label named for the Leese-Fitch adobe building located in the Sonoma Square. Built in 1836, this historical landmark in Sonoma Plaza was named after Jacob Leese and Henry Fitch, brothers-in-law to General Mariano Vallejo, the founder of the town of Sonoma. The name, Fitch, has a pretty romantic history with the locals. 

But, the vineyard story is interesting, as well. In 1895, Samuele Sebastiani moved to America and began working in a rock quarry outside of Sonoma. He saved his money and purchased a vineyard. During Prohibition, his winery was one of seven allowed by the State of California to produce wine for medical and clerical purposes. The name of the company is The Other Guys — TOG, for short — and is the producer of Plungerhead Zinfandel... one of my favorites! 

Currently, through TOG, siblings Mia and August Sebastiani, are determined to make wines that will continue their family’s reputation for quality wine making for generations to come. They are building this company one handshake at a time, stepping back to the early days when all wine companies were family owned and operated. And through the website, they invite you to learn more about where those wines came from, who they are and what they’re all about.

This 2011 vintage is actually a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Alicante Bouchet and Petit Syrah grapes from all over California, including Monterey, Paso Robles and Lodi. It is very dark garnet in color, almost black, with lots of legs. The aroma is full and immediate. You don't have to put your nose in the glass to whiff this one! I smell white flowers, almonds and coffee. On the palate, there's cherry and cocoa with just a hint of smoke. The finish is nice and long, with perfect acidity to enjoy with food. This is a robust wine that should be enjoyed with savory or spicy foods. It was really good on its own, but I think it would be the perfect summer wine for grilled burgers and BBQ.

I'm already a big fan of Plungerhead Zinfandel and will definitely be purchasing this Cab again. The winery also makes a Pinot Noir and Merlot, which I have placed on my must-try list. Very affordable! I purchased it at my local grocery for around $12 on sale, but would willingly pay more. I haven't found a "expert" rating on it, but consumer ratings place it at 89. And, that's who you want to recommend a wine, anyway, right? 

You sincerely need to try this wine! But, be sure to remove the price tag. Your guests will think you pulled out the good stuff for them!

Age Is Just a Number

Ahhh... those little nuisances that just scream at you, "You're getting old!" I hate them. 

First, there's the medications that keep the old ticker from setting up a blockade on the brain... not to be confused with the kamikaze aneurysm, which, in my mind, would be merciful compared to stroke. 

Then, there's the medication to counteract a lifetime of eating fried food... raised in the South, what can I say? We fried bologna, tomatoes, okra, steak, turkey and, of course, chicken. Hell, they deep fry butter at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, where I grew up! Yeah, it's that bad. I was grown before I ever tasted roasted chicken or a baked potato.  

The changes in the body are the hardest to take. First, there's my eyes... or, rather, my eye lids. I have none, just a fold of fatty skin hanging down so low that if I didn't have lashes to hold up my lids, I probably wouldn't be able to see. And, what the hell happened to my lips? They didn't move, they just disappeared. My butt looks like it shrank as I got older, but I realized it just fell. It's still as big as it ever was, it just that half of it now hangs down to my knees. But, what I lost in a protruding butt, I made up for in a gut that rivals how I looked six months into pregnancy. And, then, there's the boobs... so disgustingly sad, I can't even talk about that. Bette said it best, "Old age ain't no place for sissies."

So, that brings me to the effort of covering up this assault of years and gravity. And, that's the rub... it costs more! I went from spending $10 for a bra to spending almost $50!! I can't use just regular makeup, I have to buy the more expensive waterproof kind because there's all this skin hanging in folds creating moisture. Without the waterproof makeup, by noon I look like a raccoon and there's spackle in my wrinkles. And, gone are the days of just throwing on some lip gloss. Oh no! I have to draw on lips, just to pretend that I still have some. And, to add insult to injury, I can't laugh, sneeze or cough without running to the bathroom.

It takes more time, more money, more effort just to try and keep from looking like a troll. Sing to me, Frank. 

http://youtu.be/emAe6IClGys 

Yeah, it's all good, right? We're BOOMERS! Age is just a number. 

Kung Fu Tuna Salad

I'm a huge fan of the Marvel superhero movies that have come out in recent years, especially the Ironman franchise. I saw the third installment at the theater just a few days ago. If you haven't seen it, one word... DO! In one scene, Tony Stark recites a long list of what he needs to repair his armor, ending with a tuna salad sandwich which, at that moment, sounded so much better than my dry popcorn!

There's a lot of nutrition talk going on these days about the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in a heart healthy diet. Omega-3 is essential for regulating blood clotting and supporting cell health. Unfortunately, the body doesn't produce it, so it's something we have to include in our diets. The good news, for me, is that the number one source of omega-3 fatty acids is cold water fish, such as tuna, salmon and mackerel, all of which I enjoy eating. However, I've shied away from tuna salad recently, to avoid the high cholesterol content found in eggs and, by association, mayo. But, let's face it, sometimes you just gotta give in to those comfort food cravings.

I decided to add a little oomph to my tuna salad creation, but substituting wasabi dressing for the plain mayo and including more crunch with carrots and radishes.

For convenience, I used canned tuna and prepared wasabi dressing (found in the salad dressing aisle). Drain the tuna really well. Add two tablespoons of wasabi dressing and mix well. Add chopped hard boiled egg, celery, radishes, sweet pickles, onions and parsley and carrot matchsticks. Toss to mix well.

Another good addition would be water chestnuts, which I didn't have, and peas, which I thought of after I got to work. Good thing tuna also helps with cognition and memory!

The wasabi gives a nice little kick to ordinary tuna salad. I served it on a quartered tomato, but it would also do well with cucumber boats or on a stack of crunchy chow mein noodles. 

Thanks, Ironman, for the suggestion.

Just one more reason you're my favorite superhero!



Sensual Malbec 2009

I lucked into a 2009 Valentin Bianchi Sensual Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina on sale this weekend. I love this wine. Definitely one of my Top 5 favorite Malbecs as far as taste, Top 2 when it comes to value! Wine Enthusiast rates it 88 and a best buy as it is consistently priced around $14/bottle. 

When you smell this wine, you'll discover plums and violets with just a hint of vanilla. These sensual pleasures carry over to the palate with just a little added tobacco. On the finish, smokey, spicy chocolate... which brings together everything I love in a Malbec. The mouthfeel is full, yet soft, with just enough tannins and a nice, long finish for it to work really well with food.

I've had this wine several times with a wide range of foods. I especially liked it with garlicky Italian dishes and smokey grilled kebabs. And, it works equally well with lighter fare, which tonight happened to be a chef salad. However, it is versatile enough to enjoy with party fare, particularly savory cheeses, or completely on its own while relaxing with a good book or classic movie. Hmmm... I'm thinking it's time to "Play it again, Sam." 

Encore! Encore!

The die has been cast. I've publicly announced my intention to retire next year. I purposely made it a known fact with my employer because I'm the type of person who resists stepping outside of my comfort zone. And, I'm long overdue for a shake-up. By setting it as a declared goal, I am forcing myself to take deliberate steps to achieve it. It's just how the bullish mind works. For more information on that, click here, but I can save you the trouble. I'm methodical, deliberate, plodding... have you ever seen a cow path? Cows follow the same path they took the day before, and the day before that, even though it's not a direct route to their destination. 

However, while sticking with a path that has proven successful, albeit convoluted, succinctly describes a Taurus personality — or at the very least MY Taurus personality — I think it could easily apply to the baby boomer work force as a whole. We are a demographic that challenged the status quo by refusing to follow the straight and narrow line. We boldly chose a path that allowed us to see what was possible if we strayed a little here and there. Sometimes it worked out for the better, sometimes not. But, what's important is we imagined something different. And, we're not quite done with bringing about change. The generation that questioned everything is now reshaping attitudes about aging and, specifically, retirement. 

The attitude of "never growing old" has carried over for some of us, the idea that if we stop moving, we start dying. Medical science has allowed us to expect as much as 25 more years of life than what our parents had. I know I don't think of myself as the same 60+ years old that my parents were. Some of us are still trying to recover from loses sustained by our overconfidence in a fragile stock market. Technology has given the baby boomer generation choices that did not exist previously. All of these factors add up to a completely different concept of retirement. And, while we may not be willing to continue in the same rat race, myself included, we're still not quite ready to throw in the career towel. In the truest sense, a lot of us have reached that fork in the road and are electing to detour from the tried and tested route to take a path less traveled. We're up to the challenge of "what if" just one more time.

There's some really good news in this economically. For one thing, those classified as senior citizens have more wealth than that age group has ever had before. In fact, a recent AARP study showed the numbers of seniors living in poverty has declined by 6% in the past 20 years, while the proportion of older Americans enjoying a "high" income has increased from 18 to 31 percent. That's pretty significant, considering the strain on Social Security may not be as catastrophic as most doomsday preppers have been predicting. 

In fact, according to US News and World Report, some investment firms have proactively taken steps to identify markets that will benefit from the upcoming senior spending trend, which include medical care (of course), travel (certainly) and consumer products that include... don't laugh... Depends, fiber supplements, vitamins and anti-aging products. 

Also, by stepping out of current long-held positions, boomers not only open the door for employers to hire younger employees for a reduced salary, the boomers give themselves an opportunity to follow a passion, learn something new, share well-honed skills and knowledge, volunteer... make a difference, which has been and always will be our legacy. Already there are a number of books and websites dedicated to what is being termed as "Encore Careers."  

The boomers will be the first generation to truly blaze the trail for retirement in the 21st Century. World, are you ready for this?

The Day Country Music Died

Many country artists will tell you that the song, "He Stopped Loving Her Today," is the definitive country song. I happen to agree with them. And, with the passing of George Jones today, we lost the artist who made that song the one song almost everyone thinks of when they think of country music.

Having been born and raised in Texas, I can't even remember a time when there was no George Jones. In Texas, country music was predominant, especially in the 50s and 60s. And, he defined country music. He had a distinctive phrasing style and voice that was recognizable by anyone. His life was plagued with alcoholism and destructive behavior, to the point that he let it affect his performance and he became known as "No Show Jones." But, his artistry was so profound that, even with his irresponsible attitude to his craft and fans, he still was respected as a legend.

RIP, Possum. Country lost some of its originality today. You truly were one of a kind.