Day 19 - United in difference

I hadn't realised until I came here just how strange a place the USA is. And I don't mean the people, or the food, or even the culture. I mean the concept of a United States. Somewhere around 330 million people live in the 50 states and 1 district, but I hadn't understood just how different that country feels and looks as you move across it. Again, I don't mean physically. It is more about how where you are can have a huge impact on your life. I know that is true for anywhere, but there is so much variety within this country that it somehow feels more unique.

Did you know for example that county in which Jack Daniels Tennessee Whisk(e)y is made is actually dry? Yep that's right. Moore County, Tennessee does not permit the sale of alcohol. You can buy a commemorative bottle at the distillery but can't drink it until you cross the county lines. 

In fact if you look at the map below you'll see that a vast majority of the counties that don't permit alcohol sales (in red) are in the southern states of Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee. Prime bourbon and moonshine country I thought. 

By File:USA Counties with FIPS and names.svg:File:USA Counties with names.svg: User:Mr. Mattéderivative work Kbh3rdderivative work: Fry1989 - This file was derived from: USA Counties with FIPS and names.svg:, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18798115

And if you look at the yellow ones you'll see huge swathes of Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina (to name a few) that have some restrictions on them. And you can see the definition on a state-by-state basis.

Contrast that with the Western states where there is only one county in the Pacific and Mountain Time Zones where you can't buy alcohol with very few restrictions.

Doing a bit more digging and it really comes down to the control individuals states have over certain local laws. The alcohol one for example came down to the way the 21st Amendment was was written out in 1933. Individual states were still able (as they often are in the USA) to interpret the amendment in multiple ways, which leads to this type of governance. 

Everything is the same, except where it is vastly different! 

This is in direct contrast to the way I'm used to seeing things - single point of Government sets laws for all and it is only really budgets that vary across the country. Legal age for drinking in the UK is the same everywhere. To us the US model seems very strange. I mean, can you imagine not being able to get a beer in Yorkshire and having to pop over the Pennines to get one?!

You'll see a similar pattern with marijuana legality, the ages at which certain things (such as tobacco, guns, lottery tickets etc.) can bought - and so on. Hell, even income tax varies by state to state, from 14%ish in California to nothing in Texas. This sits on top of federal income tax - and perhaps explains why the state of Texas rarely struggles to encourage those in higher income professions (e.g. Oil & Gas) to move there!

So although the country is United under one (star-spangled) banner - and a more patriotic nation I have yet to spend time in - it really is staggering how vast the differences in people's day-to-day lives are. And the surface is barely scratched here.

This just makes me even more determined to go out and see as much of it as I can. I knew it was a really melting pot of cultures, local traditions, lifestyles etc., but now it is an even bigger adventure than I first thought.

Till tomorrow,

Tom

Ps - Oh, tonight's food was Creole Spiced Tilapia with Sweet Potato Mash, Sprouts, Spinach and Asparagus. It was particularly delicious even if I do say so myself!

Day 16 - To work!

First day officially in office. Everything that has been in the works (from a career point of view) over the last 18 months or so is finally in place. It has been a long, and often painful, ride but I am here - and ready to work. 

Panorama Action

Got myself a nice little cubicle - complete with my own whiteboard, drawing desk and noticeboard. Wasted no time adding Katie's artwork to the noticeboard, including he collage of "things I want to do which you will have to work hard for Daddy". 

I wouldn't change that for the world, being able to help her realise her dreams is a big motivation for what I do. 

I know I keep going on about it but being a Dad really change my whole perspective on things. It helped me to understand what is truly important, and I genuinely consider it the greatest blessing I've had.

Also thought I'd share my cooking exploits with you all tonight. As the video says, I've been working on this new philosophy called Noom. It has really helped me to make better (if not always good!) decisions on food - particularly around portion size and understanding how to feel fuller on less calories. Food wise its pretty simple and very unrestrictive, which suits my style.

Evening meal generally need to consist of a protein, a non-starchy veg, a low-carb option and a healthy fat. The custom meal plan they provided gives. me recipes but also provides suggestions as to what each of the above might entail - to allow you to make your own recipes options.

Today's is Tom's Pesto Chicken:

200 g Chicken (the protein)

1 cup roasted squash (the low-carb)

1/2 cup sprouts (the non-starchy veg)

1 1/2 tsp pesto (the healthy fat)

Bit of spinach/kale (filler)

Clocking in at 400-450 calories according to my app, it was excellent. And a bit of forward planning means I have plenty for lunch.

Till tomorrow, Tom,

Recipe #4 - Raspberry and White Chocolate Trifle

This might be the greatest dessert ever made. It is trifle but not quite as you know it. There isn't a hint of fruit nor jelly but there is raspberry swiss roll, white chocolate custard and a wee bit of alcohol in there if you fancy it.

I'm not sure how many it serves to be honest, but it doesn't usually last long. Like all trifles there is some fiddling around and you'll probably use most of the baking implements you own - but boy is this worth the effort. Simply delectable.

Ingredients
300g raspberries
juice 1/2 lime
1tbsp vodka or framboise liqueur
2 tbsp icing sugar
3 small swiss rolls
125g white chocolate
100g double or whipping cream
About 700ml fresh custard (cartons)

A straight sided glass bowl is the ideal serving dish for this.

Method

1) Place 100g raspberries in a sieve and squeeze their juice through into a bowl using the back of a spoon. Scrape the sieve to collect as much of the juice as you can, leaving the pips behind.

2) Add the lime juice and alcohol as well as 1tbsp of the icing sugar. Stir well.

3) Slice the swiss roll into 1cm thick slices and cover the base of your bowl. Also make a single layer up the side.

4) Pour about half of the raspberry juice mixture onto the slices and add about 100g of raspberries.

5) Break about 100g of the white chocolate and melt in a bowl over a boiling pan of water (known as a "bain marie").

6) Stir 1tbsp of cream into the chocolate when melted and add the whole mixture to the custard.

7) Pour half of this white chocolate custard mixture over the swiss roll slices.

8) Add another layer of swiss roll slices on top and cover with the rest of the raspberry juice, white chocolate custard and the remaining raspberries (save about 10 for the top).

9) Whip the rest of the cream up until stiff and add to the top. Lift up with a fork to decorate.

10) Add the leftover raspberries, grate the remaining white chocolate and dust with the other 1tbsp of icing sugar for decoration.

11) Cover with clingfilm and chill for a minimum of 2 hours (best overnight up to 24 hours).

12) Enjoy!

Today's #randomfactoftheday - Grapes, avocados and bananas are all technically "berries". Neither raspberries nor strawberries are however.

Today's #badjokeoftheday - Q: What do you call an Irishman who keeps bouncing off walls? A: Rick O'Shea.

Today's #websiteoftheday - The Tree of Life web project. A fascinating look into the biodiversity and evolutionary history of our planet (http://tolweb.org/tree/).

On this day; Every year, St. Patrick's Day results in a ridiculous amount of Guinness being drunk throughout the world by anyone with any connecting (no matter how remote) to Ireland. Slainte!

Till tomorrow,
DT

Recipe #3 - Fruity Tea Loaf (and a bit of charity stuff!)

It has been another really bad week in terms of finding stuff to blog about. Definitely seem to have hit a really large wall in terms of topics. Well, I have plenty of topics but I've actually covered most of them already so I don't want to redo them!! However, I think I may have come up with a few things to chat about so hopefully next week I'll be back on form.

One thing I did want to mention is next Saturday. It is Challenge #11 of Tom's Many Silly Adventures - The Mighty Deerstalker. Please check out a few links to see what I am doing and why I am doing it.

There is my challenge website here and the Friends of Serenity Charity Website which details all about the charity, the causes and the aims of the work that we are trying to do. Every bit of exposure helps and the more we can spread the word about Trisomy 13 (and other chromosomal abnormalities) the better. Thanks in advance folks.

So, back to food. This is basically THE nicest tea loaf I have ever had. It is full of fruit, juicy and pretty good for you (as long as you don't eat the entire thing which is very possible). This makes about 10-12 servings and needs a long soak beforehand.

Fruity Tea Loaf

Ingredients
1 tea bag
100g chopped dried prunes
100g chopped dried apricots
100g sultanas
225g self-raising flour
2 tsp mixed spice
150g demerara sugar
1 medium egg, beaten
3 tbsp skimmed milk

Method
1) Mix all the dried fruit in a bowl with 250ml of tea (leave the tea bag in). Leave to soak for 4-5 hours (or overnight).
2) Grease a 2lb loaf tin a line with baking parchment. Preheat the oven to 180C (fan assisted 160C).
3) Sift the flour, spice and a pinch of salt into the mixing bowl. Reserve 1tbsp of the sugar and add the rest.
4) Mix the soaked fruit mixture (including any unabsorbed liquid) with the egg and milk.
5) Add to the flour mixture and form a batter.
6) Pour into the tin and sprinkle the excess sugar on top.
7) Cook for 50-60 minutes (or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean).
8) Tuck in!

Today's #randomfactoftheday - The first sports event broadcast in the UK was a rugby match between England and Wales from Twickenham in 1927.

Today's #badjokeoftheday - Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana

Today's #websiteoftheday - The Mighty Deerstalker website (http://www.mightydeerstalker.com/)

On this day; 1842, the first documented discovery of Gold in California occurs in Rancho San Francisco.

Till next time,
DT

Recipe #2 - Banana Oat Bars

I have no energy today. Mainly due to a lack of sleep but also due to running around a muddy field for 47 minutes yesterday. The lake dip probably didn't help either! So I basically don't have enough energy to write a proper blog. HOWEVER, how about a very tasty recipe for some energy intensive Banana Oat Bars which will keep you going even when you feel like me?

The below recipe makes 10 of these crackers.
They take about 10-15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
Enjoy!

Ingredients
100g porridge oats
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
2 medium eggs, separated
150g low fat plain yoghurt

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180C (160C for a fan)
2. Lightly grease a square 8in baking tray and line with greaseproof paper
3. Reserve 1tbsp of oats for later and "powder" the rest, preferably in a food processor
4. Mix oats, sugar, tartar, cinnamon together in a bowl
5. Add mashed banana, eggs and yoghurt
6. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks (recommend using an electric whisk if you are short of time)
7. Stir a spoonful of egg whites into banana oat batter, then fold the rest in carefully
8. Pour into tin, scatter reserved oats on top
9. Bake on centre shelf of oven for about 30 minutes until firm and springy
10. Cut into fingers and store in a Tupperware container
Alternatively, wrap in clingfilm and freeze

So there you have it, tasty energy-rich bars which you can have for breakfast or whenever you need a boost. A fraction of the cost of "power bars" on sale in the shops.

Today's #randomfactoftheday - In 2011, 145 million metric tonnes of bananas were produced!

Today's #badjokeoftheday - Q: What kind of key opens a banana? A: A monkey

Today's #websiteoftheday - List of Current Impact Risks for Earth. There are a lot actually, though all either (a) won't happen or (b) won't be big impacts at all (http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/risks/).

On this day; 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduces the Gregorian Calendar. Still the most widely used civil calendar in the world.

Till tomorrow,
DT

Recipe #1 - Pumpkin Puree Enchilladas

Yeah that's right, this is now a foodie blog too! I'd like to say that I'm a really good chef who can dazzle you all with my skills but that's not entirely true. I'm not a bad cook but I don't get to do it very often. Plus I like food

The main reason for going foodie on you tonight though is that I've only just thought of a topic for my blog and it'll take too long to do the necessary research this evening. Instead you get it tomorrow.

So, in the meantime I am starting my Recipe of the Week theme. Yes, I know I already have Website of the Day, Fact of the Day, Joke of the Day and Historical Event of the Day but I like things like that so I'm all good.

Therefore, may I now present to you; Recipe #1 - Pumpkin Puree Enchilladas
Recipe serves 4 and takes about an hour to make

Ingredients
800g pumpkin (or butternut squash) - peeled, deseeded and "chunked"
1 bunch spring onions finely chopped
200g soft cheese
1 tbsp whole grain mustard
1/2 tsp chilli powder (or to taste)
1 can chopped tomatoes
25g cheddar (though mexican cheese also works nicely)
Handufl fresh coriander (though marjoram or oregano also hits the spot)
8 soft tortillas

Method
1) Steam the pumpkin for 15 minutes
2) Place pumpkin in a large mixing bowl with onions, low fat cheese, chilli powder and mustard
3) Mash
4) Preheat oven to 180 C
5) Pull a couple of spoonfuls of mixture in each wrap and roll
6) Place wraps in an ovenproof baking dish, side by side
7) Tip over chopped tomatoes, grated cheese and coriander
8) Bake for 20 mins
9) Eat

I appreciate that this is a relatively lazy blog today but I've had one of those busy evenings so there we are. Give them a try though, they really are cracking and pretty healthy provided you don't eat them all to yourself.

Oh and for the record, tomorrow's blog will be very very interesting - honestly!!

Today's #randomfactoftheday - The world record holder for the largest pumpkin ever grown belongs to Mr Ron Wallace who produced a 2009lb (911 kg) whopper in 2012.

Today's #badjokeoftheday - Q: What is a pumpkin's favourite sport? A: Squash

Today's #websiteoftheday - I'm sorry. I might have just distracted you forever (http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/)

On this day; 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovers Pluto

Till tomorrow,
DT