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Just got back from Michigan. I bought a new set of pans and had them delivered to Michigan. They are induction cook ware pans and I bought two burners to go with them. The heat up and cook amazingly fast. While there we had 4 dinner parties. and I used them for each one. You can even bake in them on top of a burner. I tried a few old recipes from my mom and a few new ones. It was a nice time to visit Michigan even though they had snow it was nice weather. Back to the cook wear. It isdesigned for water less and oil less cooking. It took me about 15 min total to make mashed potatoes for 10. and cooked 10 filet Mignon in about 6 min medium rare. The set I bought is costly but they are guaranteed for life. The coffee pot is my favorite. It makes 12 cups in about 4 min I know you people with a bunn or others can makea pot faster but this is a peculator. It can be set on low or really high for fast cooking. I did get to use all the cookwear but I am happy with what I used. They only use 5 watts of power to cook. So you could run them off a car battery or a solar panel, which I am working at getting. It is a fast easy way to cook for those with less time. And with the waterless and oil less cooking it is healthier more vitamins in your veggies and no oils in you other cooking. You do need to use a little oil or cooking spray to bake and cook eggs.

We had a dinner party Saturday night 1/09/10, I was not sure on what I wanted for dessert.  I kept tossing things in the air and changed my mind a few times. I came across this recipe for a vanilla sour cream pie. It is simple and easy. You can either make a homemade pudding or buy a vanilla pudding mix. It is easier with a mix. You make the pudding by following directions on the back of the box but only use half the milk and substitute the other half with sour cream. I then took two fresh limes and squeezed the juice into the pudding. But that in a Graham cracker crust. Sliced a few fresh strawberries any berry will do, put plastic wrap or wax paper pushing all air out. Let chill a few hours and topped it with fresh creme (I use heavy cream whip it add very little sugar and some vanilla.) It was very good and probably a little less calories than cheese cake.  It went very well with the rest of the meal.  We started with a potato leek soup, then had mixed veggies (parsnip, carrots and green pepper) I steamed them to almost done rinsed in cold water to stop cooking.  When dinner was almost done I put them in a pan with olive oil and Braggs seasoning till hot again. We also had Fillet Mignon, cooked outside over real wood (oak) not charcoal it was very delicious.  I also with main entree scampied some shrimp and added heavy cream to it put it over some orzo. Of course we had a couple of nice wines to go with it. A friend brought this wonderful Fetta and roasted pepper dip along with toasted pita chips which was a great starter.

Well I am sure most as well as myself, have indulged a little over the holidays – well its time to detox and get back into shape. Eating more veggies and fruits will help us do that. It help put our systems back in line. As well as clean out toxins in our system and help to lower the acids from all the extra meat and sweets. Eating one or two oranges a day will help, along with low acid veggies like avocado’s and cucumbers. The acid in the oranges is different so it does help to change the PH levels in your body. Getting a little extra exercise will also help (even if it is just parking an extra 50 to 100 feet farther away from stores). Plus your car is less likely to get dinged up from other cars. Eating a well balance meal is always important (fruits veggies, grains and meats but less meats and grains). I know I ate extra beef and sea foods over the holidays. Lots of cookies and desserts and of course-the wine. Its good to take a break from the spicy foods for a while. I like heat but use others like oregano and basil will actually help and is very good for the immune system. Lighten up on the garlic and onions once in a while also (I know it helps the flavor of food but taking a break also helps to). Drinking extra water will help to flush out toxins. I don’t mean drink extra tea or coffee. Just plain ole water does wonders for our digestive system. It also is good to clean the blood and help circulation.
As well as the absorption rate of other foods and vitamins. I find yoga helps with a lot of things. Mental well being, circulation and toning up the body. 1 Hour of yoga is equal to 4 hrs of working out in the gym or running. Also keeps joints flexible. So just keep in mind taking care of your body now will help in our retirement years for a good and healthy life.

Currently I am in California for the winter. It has been busy I have a private chef company. Its been doing well. We have a busy few months ahead of us. I will be going to Arizona for 2 weeks to Quartzite, then home for two weeks and going to Michigan for a week. The Holidays and New Year were spent with family and friends (around work that is) and enjoying life a little. Been trying some new recipes. I am now going to a Chinese doctor who is versed in ancient Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. Using these older medicines are better for everyone.  Making use of acupuncture, warm baths,  herbs,  flowers, wood and bark, etc.  as the medicine. Unlike traditional Western medicines with chemicals that have side effects we only find out by being the test subjects ourselves.  It seems that the side effects or long term effects of Western Medicine is worse than the problem they are trying to fix. In Michigan I see a Holistic Doctor who uses herbs and flower oils rather than pharmaceuticals to treat her patients. Whether it is the Chinese or Holistic tradition – eating right is very important.  I also try to follow a blood type diet (which varies greatly for each of the 4 blood types). When I do follow it about 75 % of the time I feel much better and energized.

Here in Northern Michigan. Its fall here trees are turning the air is getting cooler and all the animals are getting ready for winter. Its beautiful here in Michigan this time of year. The trees getting ready to loose their leaves the water turning a dark gray as it gets cooler. The animals getting thicker coats of fur while others flocking to go south for the winter. And of course the southern vacationers go south also. Some of our Michigan natives go south for the winter to avoid the cold winters here. So it gets very quiet here in Michigan. Then once the snow comes people re appear for the skiing and snowmobiling. Some just come to enjoy the beautiful sites, with snow covered trees and hills. The lake frozen over crisp clean air. I do miss the scenery but not the cold. Which is why I live in California for the winter.

There is a misunderstanding about eating right. You don’t have to compromise taste to eat right. Eating healthy does not mean eating bland boring food. When eating right just use a lot of fresh herbs. Use olive oil instead of vegetable or canola oils. Trim off extra fat off your fish, meat, and poultry. Use fruits and nuts to cook with and on salads. Make your own dressings out of olive oil and fresh fruits and herbs. When using sweeteners I use honey and real sugar from cane. Those artificial sweeteners are more harmful than the sugar. Use sea salt and or herbs instead of iodized salts. Don’t use processed cheese if you can help it. When cooking pasta try and use rice pasta it is just as good. Stay away from anything bleached such as flours, sugars and other ingredients usually bleached. Spelt flour is very good for you. So try using it when baking. If you cant find the spelt use oatmeal flour or other flours rather than wheat. A lot of times we see lower calories and lower fat and cholesterol. That doesn’t really mean it is better for you. Sometimes eating smaller amounts of real butter is better than margarine or canola oil. If you pan fry use olive oil or real butter. Poach your fish instead of frying or broil. You get just as much flavor cooking these ways as when frying. When eating berries and fruit you don’t normally peal, buy organic if possible. If you cant afford organic or it isnt available in your area. MAKE SURE YOU WASH IT WELL, this also goes for organic. If you can or usually peal you fruits and veggies just wash them good first. Eating lots of fruits and veggies helps to keep you digestive track working well along with fiber. When at all possible grill your meats or roast on a rack so the fat can drip away from the food and its not sitting in it while cooking. Ginger, basil, oregano and other herbs help to keep your digestive track working well and even have there own antibiotic properties in them. Fresh mint teas or cooking with mint help gas problems as well as using fresh fennel. Eating pineapple and papaya aids in digestion with their natural digestive enzyme in the fruit. Try putting them on salads or cooking with them it helps the stomach digest your food. I could go on for days on healthy eating I will add more on another day. Eat Well

Don

I am currently in Northern Michigan visiting with family and friends. I grew up in the Upper Penninsula and am enjoying the nice Michigan Weather. Surrounded by lakes where ever I go it is always beautiful even on rainy days. They have a lot of little restaurants and Inns. With some of the best fresh water fish dishes available. You can also get seafood. Most of which use only local grown produce when available.  I rather build a fire outside the cabin and grill some of the local foods. Although finding organic is not always that easy here. It is a nice peaceful area to relax and unwind in. The local attractions are beautiful and a lot of history. I am currently in Mackinaw City which is located at the tip of the mit in Michigan. I am traveling to Detroit this weekend and hopefully going to a favorite spot called Sweet Lorraine’s in Southfield. It is a Louisiana style restaurant.  I will post later and let you know of my next adventure before returning to California.

Thank you for reading

Don Dutcher

I love pizza and to grill it out doors on a real wood fire is absolutely amazing. Although I did cheat a little by buying a pre-made and cooked crust. I sliced my vegetables and brushed with olive oil grilled them. Made a basil pesto with lots of extra garlic, and brushed it on the dough added the veggies and some cheeses. You need a cover to help melt the cheese and it won’t melt all the way because of the excess heat. But it is very delicious and healthy.

I recently visited a little country Inn in Michigan. They have the most wonderful food and great wines. They have a Chefs Charcutery plate which the day I was there consisted of a Turrine made with salmon, shrimp, scallops and shantrel mushrooms. It had the perfect balance of seafood and spices. It went very well with a bottle of Jordan Chardonnay from the Russian River area in California. It is quite possibley the best place I have ever eaten.