Mesa Verde

Mike and I left Denver Saturday for our sight seeing tour. We drove down the scenic highway thru the San Juan mountains towards Durango. This is a drive Mike has been itching to take since we arrived in CO. The weather was perfect and we had a great time being “on the road again”. After a few hours of driving we realized how hot the sun was and stopped to buy sunblock. The lady at Target told us it was too late as we were both lobster red.

We stayed just outside of Cortez which is were Mesa Verde is. We got up and went to the National Park and was so pleased that our America the Beautiful park pass worked.  We bought it in September went we first went to Rocky National Park for $80. We got our use out of it in by going to Rocky NP and also all the other NPs on this trip.

“Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300.” (website)

We took a guided tour to Cliff Palace (the largest dwelling) and learned a great deal about the way of life for the cliff dwellers. “Ancestral Puebloans began living in pueblos they built beneath the overhanging cliffs. The structures ranged in size from one-room storage units to villages of more than 150 rooms.” (website)

 

“Sandstone, mortar and wooden beams were the three primary construction materials for the cliff dwellings. The Ancestral Puebloans shaped each sandstone block using harder stones collected from nearby river beds. The mortar between the blocks is a mixture of local soil, water and ash. Fitted in the mortar are tiny pieces of stone called "chinking." Chinking stones filled the gaps within the mortar and added structural stability to the walls. Over the surface of many walls, the people decorated with earthen plasters of pink, brown, red, yellow, or white -- the first things to erode with time.” (website).

A sunken kiva, a ceremonial room, was consistently 50 degrees all year round. The Ancestral Puebloans, used it too keep cool in the summer when not being used for rituals and only needed a small fire to warm it up in the winter. Bits of pottery and “kitchen” tools were found when the excavated the area.

 

Recipes

Because the diet eliminates everything I know how to cook I started researching some recipes. These are really good!

Toasted Quinoa Pilaf (My Favorite)

Yield 4 portions

1 1/2 T. Coconut Oil
1 C Quinoa
1/4 C Red onion diced
1 Garlic Clove, large, finely minced
1 1/4 C vegetable stock or water (save the broth from boiled veggies) (if canned make sure no other junk added)
To taste: salt, black pepper
Optional: chopped pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds (non salted)

1. Heat coconut oil over medium heat.
2. Add quinoa and stir periodically until quinoa begins to pop and has toasted aroma. 2-3 minutes.
3. Add onion and garlic until translucent. 1 minute
4. Remove from heat and pour the vegetable stock over the quinoa
5. Season with salt and pepper
6. Return to heat and bring to boil
7. Reduce heat, cover, simmer 12-15 minutes
8. Fluff with fork and let rest for 5 minutes before you serve

Avocado and Tahini "Mayonnaise" (Good for salad dressing, dips, or spreads on meats)

Yield 1 1/2 Cups

2 Avocados ripe (Save the pit for storing to stop mix from turning black)
1/4 C Tahini
2 Garlic Cloves chopped
2 t. Cumin
1 Juice of Lemon (about 3T)
1 t. Toasted Sesame Oil
1/4 C Coconut Oil
To Taste: Hot Sauce, Salt

1. Combine all ingredients in blender until it is smooth (like sour cream)
2. Refrigerate

Rosemary Beans

Yields 8 portions

1 1/2 lb any type of bean will work Flageolet, Kidney, Lima,
2 Bay Leaves
6 Sprigs of Rosemary, whole
2 t. coarse salt, sea
1/4 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1. Cover beans in 4 inches of cold water to soak for 8 hours. Drain
2. Cover with new cold water and add bay leaves. Bring to boil
3. Reduce heat and cook uncovered until beans are tender. 40 minutes
4. Remove from heat (water should be level with beans). Drain excess
5. Stir in rosemary, salt, olive oil and allow to steep for 30 minutes

Roasted Chicken w/ Lemon and Herbs

Yield 4 portions

1 Roasting Chicken, 3 lb
1/4 C Coconut Oil
2 Juice of Lemon
2 t. dried Thyme
1/2 t. crushed Rosemary
1/2 t. Marjoram
2 Garlic Cloves, chopped
1 t. Salt
1/4 t. black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 450 F
2. Combine all but salt and pepper. Brush on the outside of the chicken
3. Rub salt and pepper on outside of chicken
4. Place in oven on a rack on a pan
5. Reduce heat to 375 F
6. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour
7. Basting chicken with pan juices every 10 minutes
8. Remove from oven when internal temp is 155 F

Stir Fried Green Beans w/ Coconut

Yield 6 portions

2 T. Coconut Oil
1 t. Mustard seeds
24 Curry leaves, roughly torn
1 1/4 t. Cumin seeds
3/4 C Coconut, shredded, unsweetened
1 lb. Green beans
1 1/2 t. Kosher salt
1 C water

1. Combine cocunut oil, mustard seeds in a large wok. Heat over medium-high heat until seeds start to pop. 1 1/2 - 2 minutes
2. Add curry leaves, cumin and stir often until curry is browned. 1 1/2 - 2 minutes
3. Add 1/4 C coconut. Cook until toasty brown 15 seconds, Stir constantly
4. Add beans, salt. Stir occasionally. 5 minutes
5. Add remaining coconut and water. Bring to simmer.
6. Cover and reduce heat to medium low
7. Cook until green beans are tender. About 10 minutes
8. Uncover increase heat to medium cook until water evaporates. Stir often. 5-8 minutes

You can substitute any vegetable for the beans.

Diet Did You Know

Did you know...

• You are not suppose to cook with Olive Oil. It turns toxic at a certain temp. Use coconut oil or Ghee instead
• You should not eat a fruit without a protein and an oil. It makes your glucose shoot. You want to maintain blood sugar levels so your body uses the stored reserves. Eat an apple with peanut butter, have some nuts with the fruit, or an avocado with it.
• Stay away from factory farmed animals. They contain hormones that our bodies cannot process. Go Organic
• You are allergic to foods that you eat but do not know it because it is not an outward reaction. Some people's bodies cannot process soy, gluten, dairy. Symptoms could be hives, eczema, upset stomach, etc... things you do not consider allergic reactions.
• Almond butter and sunflower butter are delicious. You can get them at Whole Foods or a similar store. You can grind them yourself. Great with carrot, celery, banana, apple, or mixed in with a grain.

Detox Diet

With the hopes of getting healthier for the move I started to see an acupuncturist on the recommendation from my massage therapist. In our first meeting I discussed my aches and pains and she took care of 90% of them in that first treatment. I was amazed the next day when I awoke from a complete nights sleep without any night terrors, walking or talking in my sleep, waking up, or neck, shoulder or back aches. It was awesome. The next visit she tested me for allergies and then proceeded to rid me of my allergies each visit: chicken, B vitamin, animal danders and pollens. Simply amazing how all of this works.

I decided to try the detox diet that they support. You should not to this with out consulting someone qualified. It has been a week and Mike and I feel great. We have both lost weight (probably water weight, thanks Julie) but who cares how. We have more energy and have kicked our caffeine addiction.

The other 10% of my aliments should be gone in another session.

Will keep you posted as we have 2 weeks to go.

21 Day Elimination Diet

3 phases (phase 1 and 2 repeat)

Phase 1 (Days 1-4 and 18-21)
Breakfast - Protein Shake, Green or Herbal Tea a meal from the foods to eat list
Lunch - a meal from the foods to eat list
Dinner - a meal from the foods to eat list

Phase 2 (Days 5-7 and 15-17)
Breakfast - Protein Shake, Green or Herbal Tea a meal from the foods to eat list
Lunch - a meal from the foods to eat list
Dinner - Protein Shake, a meal from the foods to eat list

Phase 2 (Days 8-14)
NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS
Breakfast - Protein Shake, Green or Herbal Tea a meal from the foods to eat list
Lunch - Protein Shake, Green or Herbal Tea a meal from the foods to eat list
Dinner - Protein Shake, a meal from the foods to eat list

Foods to Eat:

Water, 2 full glasses upon waking up (add lemon or lime to stimulate metabolism)
8-10 glasses a day (tea, and shakes count as water intake)
Herbal Tea
Vegetable juices

Grains: one meal a day brown rice, millet, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, or tapioca
Fruits, Vegetables (1 starch a day, sweet potato, beans, peas)

Animal: wild caught fish (no shellfish), moderate organic chicken, turkey, lamb

Cook with pure organic Ghee (cooking), extra virgin coconut oil (cooking), extra virgin olive oil, flax oil (flavoring for food or dressings)

Nuts: in moderation. Almonds, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, almond and sunflower butter (like peanut butter but no PB)

Supplements: Omega 3 oils, lactobacillus (builds gut bacteria), protein shake, and if needed pure cleanse (elimination process)

Foods to Avoid:

• Food you are allergic to...DUH!
• Dairy, eggs, margarine, shortening, butter
• Prepared prepackaged foods
• Gluten-containing grains like wheat, oats, rye, barley, and most ingredients in pasta, breads, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce
• Oranges and grapefruit
• Nightshade foods: (eggplant, tomatoes (and sauces), peppers, potatoes) Corn, peanuts, p-butter
• Alcohol, Caffeine, Soy or products from soy- soy milk, tofu, soy sauce or Bragg's Amino Acids
• Beef, pork, cold cuts, bacon, hot dogs, canned meats, sausage, shellfish, meat substitutes

Aventures Begin A New

While in Thailand Mike and I went to the International School Services (ISS) job fair to interview for jobs overseas. We decided we missed the life that we lead in Cairo, Egypt and we were not spending any time seeing this region of the US so off we decided to head.

We had a few countries in mind Tanzania, but the job was part time, Hong Kong, New Dehli, and a few others. We had a few Skype interviews with the tech coordinator, 3-5 coordinator, and principal from Taipei American School (TAS), Taipei, Taiwan. After talking to Dustin and Verna we decided this is the place we would go.

When we arrived at the ISS job fair we had another interview with the Lower School principal and then followed up the next day with Director. What a small world. The principal is Irish and the Director is from MA. Her brother actually lives in Worcester. We figured it was fate and signed the contract the next day. First time in my life I will be making over 2.4 million dollars! Well New Taiwanese million. But I'll take it.

So we came back after a great vacation with a new job and a new outlook.

Mike started his graduate program while in Bangkok. He is getting his Masters in Instructional Education with a Technology Certificate through Drexel University. So he will be certified (in PA transferable to ME) to teach Elementary classroom and K-12 Technology. He admired me so that he is following in my foot prints! I hope he is not better at it than me.

The package is great and includes our air fare, shipping, housing allowance, health and dental benefits, and settling in allowance. HR has already contacted me a bunch of time with assistance and send a thick Getting to Know Taiwan book. Very excited about our choice.

We have put the house on the market and waiting anxiously for a buyer. We understand that times are hard but the house is in a perfect location, walking distance to everything and has been completely remodeled.

Mike has is finishing up these two classes and we have both learned a lot.

More adventures to follow.

CRSTE CyberConference 2010

Quoted from their website:

Free registration is now open!The CRSTE CyberConference 2010 is our first online event free to educators promoting the exchange of ideas and opportunities for collaboration across the CRSTE region and beyond. Each evening from between February 21 – March 5, 2010. Plan to attend any and all sessions of interest to you. Can't make a specific presentation? They will be archived online for your future perusal!

It’s free. You can attend any and all of the sessions you want. It’s conducted outside of regular work hours so you can attend at your convenience. All you need is an Internet connection and a browser. You participate from the comfort of your own home. You can attend in your favorite slippers sitting in your favorite chair!

http://crste.org/events/crstecyberconference.html

Ko-Kret

Friday was a great day as we were over our jetlag and ready to go to Ko-Kret, an island in the Chao Phraya River. The island began in 1722 when a canal was constructed to bypass a bend in the Om Kret branch of the Chao Phraya river. The canal was widened several times creating this separate island. The island serves as a refuge to the Mon tribes who dominated central Thailand between the 6th and 10th centuries. The island has a distinct Buddhist identity and make their own pottery.

We took a water taxi for 5 baht over to the island and got off in the middle of a narrow street having no idea where to go. We did not use the “tourist water taxi” 30 baht which we discovered later dropped you into the heart of the island. So we followed the two locals that were on the taxi with us until we figured out the layout of the island.

  

The island is made of concrete pathways that are wide enough for a bike and people to walk but the island is void of cars. I rather enjoyed the lack of motorized vehicles and the simplicity of meandering thru the walk ways. There was the motorbike taxi though that went up and done the strip a million times as we walked for about an hour. He was always busy delivering the people the 2km to their furthest destination.

 

We passed by several homes on stilts. Mostly every place was built up due to the streams running everywhere.

Vendors selling candied fruits.

Chickens and dogs- he was a healthy one

Cemetery for pottery

Old pottery ovens

and plant life

We finally saw a sign and we followed it to a Wat. We were amazed to see the area open up to several temples, schools, and a marketplace. This is were all the people were. The buildings are so beautifully painted or filled with glass pieces to reflect light. The doors always had an elaborate design to them. This location had several golden buddhas outside the temples.

We walked back the way we came and passed our entrance to the island to follow signs to other Wats.

We passed this school/monastery and Mike was recoding the chant that was being played. The monk beckoned me forward from the top middle window. As I approached he threw out 2 milk cartoons for us. It was very generous and I was stunned. I guess I needed the milk versus all the poorer people on the island. I held on to them until we approached a more deserving family than us. They thanked us gratefully.

We passed the community center and wandered around in there for a wee bit until Mike felt the walkway was not safe. A 2x6 laid across bamboo sticks.

Other sites on the trip.

We ran into a Mon making some pottery.

We had a great time wandering and taking in the visually appealing colors and the sounds of the island.

Later we headed to ISB, International School of Bangkok, where our friends teach. We poked around the area and had foot massages that lasted an hour and cost $7, ahh, perfect. We then had super at an Italian restaurant. I had the spiciest Chicken Alfredo ever.

New Year’s Eve

We slept late as jet lag kicked in. Spoke to Dustin and Verna who gave us the head's up of where we were in relation to food, shopping, and sites. I blogged a bit, Mike read a bit.

We ventured out to Carrefour for some staples. The place was jammed packed and you could barely move. They sell everything from clothes, electronics, shoes, jewelry, household junk, to groceries, produce, and fresh meat. We bought some water, diet coke, bread, and peanut butter and jelly! We are so adventurous.

On our return walk we decided to stop someplace to sample the local cuisine. This place was the only one open so we stopped here. The food was terrible and the beer warm. We had the place to ourselves. While there it started to pour so of course we stayed a wee bit longer until it stopped.

The designs inside were intricately designed wood, the outside cables of wire and billboards.

We returned to the house and crashed for a nap. Planned to head into the activities for the New Year. Woke at midnight with fireworks going off in the neighborhood. Another exciting beginning for us.