Maramia

So Cheryl also sent me this link to herb garden information because she thought it might be interesting for Gran. It no doubt will be, but it also got me interested in what herbs would be recommended for lung health.

Unsurprisingly the clear winner is sage. The article on it states:

"Sage,(Salvia Officinalis), is referred to as the herb of longevity. Although best known as an ingredient in poultry stuffing, Sage(or edible sage/garden sage) has been used medicinally for thousands of years. In the Middle ages, Sage was thought to promote longevity. One legend says its healing comes directly from the Virgin Mary. 

Native to the Mediterranean region, its name comes from the Latin Salvare, which translates roughly as "to rescue" or "to heal." Sage is often used as a remedy for respiratory infections, congestion, cough, sore throats, appetite stimulant, indigestion and is said to have a beneficial effect on the liver. It is also given for fever, night sweats and urinary problems. Some women even find that it helps with menopausal symptoms." [Editor's Emphasis ]

So this got me thinking some more. Gran is drinking tea these days. My favourite tea in the Middle East is Maramia Tea*. And Maramia Tea is sage tea. Not only is it wonderful with sugar, but it beats the awkward conversation you could have on the Res asking about smudge sticks and chanting.

*yes, I am that pretentious.

A Refreshing Beverage Repleat With Doily

Mom, I think you know what you have to do. No, not fly to BC with smudge sticks... silly.


I'd like to conclude this post by drawing attention to this line of the above quoted text.

"Some women even find that it helps with menopausal symptoms."

Some women know who they are. Just sayin' - maybe you want to give it a shot. (Insert winky face here.)

Old Age Sex Guide

Hot.

This link from Cheryl is guaranteed to make you laugh, or if you're me, cringe a little too.

Yoga Would Really Be Great For That

I was just talking to my Aunt Ruth today about how I would probably like Yoga if I gave it a shot, but the people who actually DO Yoga really, really put me off it. Between their motivational facebook statuses and zen-like profile pics, their $100 lululemon sweat pants, and their endless complaints about how they just feel SO out of shape because they haven't been to yoga for a day - I just pretty much just want to gag all the time.

How I Feel About Yoga

Anyway, Ruth assured me that resistance to cliche is basically futile, so I probably shouldn't avoid doing things that are good for me because of it (Thanks Aunty - ever the font of encouragement and wisdom.) As true as that may be, I was still cringing at the thought of mass-produced yoga bimbos, when I stumbled upon this article. This chick also get's it, and promises that even if I get into Yoga, I don't have to be one of those people who compulsively recommends it to everyone else in a condescending, self-righteous tone. And she may have even convinced me to give it a go.


Yoga is supposed to be good for breathing & lung capacity afterall, a benefit which as a (very) recent ex-smoker, I could use. I literally run a minute before my lungs burn prohibitively. Ironically, it's always been Gran that runs and does Yoga. So, I'll give it a go for a while when I get back to T.O. and I swear I won't tell any of you how awesome it is unless you explicitly ask.

Because How Could This Even Be A Story?

I'm sure the Media has covered more ridiculous things, but this is still pretty silly.

But let's let the public (/the 4 people who read this) decide.

The question: Did Prince Williams balding hasten his engagement?

a) Yes - He could have done better but his self esteem was incapacitated so completely, the FUTURE KING OF ENGLAND settled for what he could get (namely - a gorgeous, and by all acounts lovely girl.)
b) Yes - Bald men are fugly and Prince William is no exception.
c) No - Don't be a fool.
d) Why on earth would anybody care?

Shout out to Lynn for another excellent contribution. If YOU have something you'd like to share, please feel free to email me at rebekka.unrau@googlemail.com.

Someone Said Something Funny

Thank you Libby for this great picture of the four of us Cracking the frack up.

I LOVE IT.

That Dean Martin Was a Knock Out

See this and other Rat Pack gems like it here. Many thanks to Lynn for this link and for the Five O'clock Shadow post as well.

A Way To Start Your Morning?

Indulgent, Savoury Breakfast...

Check out the following amazing breakfast recipes. These are lovely warm options for winter, that add some variety to the bacon & eggs or porridge dilemma. Also, not being a massive fan of an overly sugary breakfast myself (I will alway choose a breakfast sandwich over pancakes), these dishes would completely hit. the. spot.

The Morroccan Mergues Ragout with Poached Eggs looks absolutely delicious and I will be trying this recipe when I get home. Since the likelihood of me going out and finding these fancy North African spices is about nil, I might make it more Spanish or Italian than it is here.

The Savoury Bread Pudding is an awesome take on a favourite classic. Bread pudding + Bacon = Heaven. And it only takes 25 minutes in the oven!

This Crisp Salt & Pepper French toast looks divine and edible at any time of day. Probably the easiest to whip up, and there's likely a million ways to alter or serve it (different herbs, cheese, bruchetta topping, etc, ) depending what's in your fridge.

Which is very little in my case, but I would pair it with a favourite (can of) soup.

Singapore Laksa

There's only 700 ingredients in this recipe but boy does it look good!

Beautiful Women and their Five O'clock Shadows

That's right, according to this report Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and other bombshells of the day actually shaved their faces. The chick interviewed says it's a myth that the hair will grown back coarser and darker - Well, that's good for you Ms. Unknown Expert, but I'm still not going to be the first to test the theory.

Jaxson

And to follow that...

Classy. Thanks Mom.

Autumnal Collage

Aunty also sent be these beautiful images she thought Gran would like. I would certainly like option A.

Greasy Rod

Smooth talkin' DJ: This song is comin' at afrom cherylmueller22. Cheryl says: "Gran loves Rod Stewart" so this one goes out to you, Sheila Brucker, from your eldest, and she would say favourite, child. Hope you enjoy it.

Aside: Ever noticed how Gran and Rod have the same cheek-bones?

How to Poach an Egg: The Gourmet Microwave Edition

When people think of the recipes that have been passed down to them through generations, they usually think of perfect pies, stews, or classic national dishes. I think of microwaveable poached eggs.

When you are sick, there is nothing better. They are fast, healthy and comforting. This video is really much fancier than the crack and zap method I've inherited, but it might be worth a try.

Mere Curiosity

I've just read this insightful little editorial by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, addressing what to do when you feel you can no longer do the thing you do. Or, how to get your passion back. She explains that when faced with a sudden aversion to writing, she picked up an interest - gardening - something she was curious about but involved no pressure to do, and did that until she found she could write again.

I do this all the time. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've led a life of exploring curiosities. I find though, that not only is this excellent for when you have lost your passion, but is distracting and nourishing when faced with any kind trauma or dilemma, which is why I am posting it here. For Gran, but also for the rest of us, who in our love for Gran, feel like we've little lost a little of ourselves at the moment. Misplaced, is probably a better term, and like the name of that person you just can't remember, it'll come back if you can take your mind of it a bit.

Guest Book

Dear Loyal Followers (/the 4 of you who have read it today - the only day it's been up),

Please note the Guestbook now available at the bottom of the page. You will need to create a new username and password for it but please do so and feel free to post notes to Gran of support, encouragement and inspiration.

We're all behind you Gran.

The Last Thing You Ever Want to Hear...

... is your Great Grandmother's views on male genetalia in terms of sexual fulfilment. Yes, word on the grape vine is that Rose Brucker is on a crusade against male infant circumcision because it desensitizes men to sexual pleasure. Or is she for it because it increases womens pleasure? Oh God, either way, someone clean my ears out with bleach, please.

Things I wish I never heard aside, objectively it's quite an interesting discussion as demonstrated by this article. Check it out.

No pictures for this post.

Smoky Ministrone with Tortellini and Parsley or Basil Pesto

This looks healthful and hearty and SUPER delish.

In related news, I'm starving.

Always Ahead Of Her Time

For some reason Mom and I both looked at this and thought of this blog. Maybe because it's red. Maybe because it makes us laugh a lot.

Maybe because we both know undoubtedly, that at some point, Gran's hair must have been this particular shade of Raggedy-Ann, Cherry Koolaid red, likely leading to hours on the phone to the Loreal colour correction hotline. I suspect mine has too.

Rihanna's new do

Gran, Can We Please Have These?

Mom found the recipe for CARROT CAKE COOKIES.

An idea that good deserves all caps.

The Thing About Virgos

So, it turns out our astrological signs aren't actually changing and thank God, because of all the things going on in the world that might just be the thing that does me in. The proverbial straw, if you will. What if all those guys I've fobbed off due to celestial imcompatibility were actually nice, generous, understanding men? What if one was my soul mate?* But no, thankfully nothing's changed - they were all jerks and I'm still a Gemini.

Anyway this cool site has analysed the most common words in horoscopes for each sign. The words in red are those that uniquely appeared in the to 50 words for each sign.

This is Gran's:

Totally perfect. I wonder what her children would say to that?!

(PS: This is also my mother's sign, which is why I ask!)

* note: I do not actually dump people based on horoscopes. Appearence, height and taste in television definitely, but not horoscope.

A Young Regis Philben

No one can make me laugh like Betty White.

Girls in Red Dresses and other celebrity news

http://www.people.com/

This link is brought to you by Lynn because Gran "loves to check it every day and cuz it make her happy" which is indeed in the spirit of the blog!


I'm not really sure I like any of those dresses though I love the women in them. Christina Hendricks and January Jones are my fave but that's just because I heart Mad Men in a big way. The female characters are all strong and played SO WELL... not to mention the fact that I swoon for Don Draper (who doesn't?)

CTV has seasons 1 & 2 free online here

Hubba Hubba

I'm going to start us off with a little bit of this somethin' somethin'. Who amongst us doesn't like us a little bit of George?