The weather was hot but the breeze was perfect as we toured the city. Philadelphia plays an important role in the history of our country so it was fun to see some important landmarks. We learned that the city of Philadelphia was founded by Quakers, was designed by William Penn, and is situated between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. We stayed on the bus for most of the tour but did get off at Reading Terminal market for lunch. The market sells seafood, fresh vegetables, baked goods, and also has a cookbook stall, flower market, crafts, etc. Once back on the bus, we headed toward Chinatown (the third largest in the US, after New York and San Francisco), the Rodin Museum, Logan Circle, the "Rocky Steps" and statue, the Philadelphia Zoo, and some other landmarks. Once we were done the tour, we decided to head the Philadelphia Firemen's Hall Museum. An interested place with lots of old fire fighting equipment, pictures, and memorabilia. To see some pictures, check out the link to the right!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Philadelphia Day Trip
On Saturday, Kerri, Sergio and I decided to head to Philadelphia. We arrived in Philly, toured the Liberty Bell, and then jumped on a double decker bus tour so that we could get a tour of the city.
The weather was hot but the breeze was perfect as we toured the city. Philadelphia plays an important role in the history of our country so it was fun to see some important landmarks. We learned that the city of Philadelphia was founded by Quakers, was designed by William Penn, and is situated between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. We stayed on the bus for most of the tour but did get off at Reading Terminal market for lunch. The market sells seafood, fresh vegetables, baked goods, and also has a cookbook stall, flower market, crafts, etc. Once back on the bus, we headed toward Chinatown (the third largest in the US, after New York and San Francisco), the Rodin Museum, Logan Circle, the "Rocky Steps" and statue, the Philadelphia Zoo, and some other landmarks. Once we were done the tour, we decided to head the Philadelphia Firemen's Hall Museum. An interested place with lots of old fire fighting equipment, pictures, and memorabilia. To see some pictures, check out the link to the right!
The weather was hot but the breeze was perfect as we toured the city. Philadelphia plays an important role in the history of our country so it was fun to see some important landmarks. We learned that the city of Philadelphia was founded by Quakers, was designed by William Penn, and is situated between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. We stayed on the bus for most of the tour but did get off at Reading Terminal market for lunch. The market sells seafood, fresh vegetables, baked goods, and also has a cookbook stall, flower market, crafts, etc. Once back on the bus, we headed toward Chinatown (the third largest in the US, after New York and San Francisco), the Rodin Museum, Logan Circle, the "Rocky Steps" and statue, the Philadelphia Zoo, and some other landmarks. Once we were done the tour, we decided to head the Philadelphia Firemen's Hall Museum. An interested place with lots of old fire fighting equipment, pictures, and memorabilia. To see some pictures, check out the link to the right!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
DC Moments
Today I had the opportunity to hear Al Gore speak at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall. As I walked back to the office, passing the White House and the Washington Monument, I had another of those 'DC Moments' where I realized just how much I really do enjoy living in this area.
Al Gore spoke about climate change, and issued a challenge to our nation - to commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years.
His speech was full of quotable moments and there are two that really made me sit up and listen:
"We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet. Every bit of that's got to change."
It was an interesting speech but I was a bit disappointed and left feeling like we had just heard one of his political stump speeches that we heard during his run for the White House in 2000. Regardless, the speech was filled with content that we need to pay attention to.
Check out http://www.wecansolveit.org to find out more about his challenge and the 'We' organization.
Al Gore spoke about climate change, and issued a challenge to our nation - to commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years.
His speech was full of quotable moments and there are two that really made me sit up and listen:"We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet. Every bit of that's got to change."
and
"When we send money to foreign countries to buy nearly 70 percent of the oil we use every day, they build new skyscrapers and we lose jobs. When we spend that money building solar arrays and windmills, we build competitive industries and gain jobs here at home."It was an interesting speech but I was a bit disappointed and left feeling like we had just heard one of his political stump speeches that we heard during his run for the White House in 2000. Regardless, the speech was filled with content that we need to pay attention to.
Check out http://www.wecansolveit.org to find out more about his challenge and the 'We' organization.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Recipe - Penne with Creamy Walnut Sauce
I tried this last night .. the color is a bit overwhelming (bright green) but the taste is great!
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Penne with Creamy Walnut Sauce
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
10 ounces fresh spinach
1/2 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped*
2 cups low-fat cottage cheese
1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup loosely packed chopped fresh basil
Ground black pepper to taste
1 to 1 1/2 pounds penne (tubular pasta)
1 head broccoli
*Toast walnuts in a single layer on an unoiled baking tray in a conventional or toaster oven for about 10 minutes until fragrant and golden brown.
Bring a large covered pot of water to a rapid boil.
While the water heats, wash the spinach and transfer it to a separate large pot. The water clinging to the leaves should provide enough moisture to steam it. Cover and cook the spinach on medium-high heat for about 4 minutes, until wilted but still bright green. Drain.
In a food processor or blender, combine the spinach, walnuts, cottage cheese, garlic, Parmesan, basil and puree until smooth, working in batches if necessary. Add pepper to taste and set aside.
When the water boils, stir in the pasta, cover, and return to a boil. Then uncover the pot and cook until the pasta is al dente, about 7 minutes.
While the pasta cooks, cut the broccoli in to spears and steam until it is just tender, about 5 minutes, and set aside.
Drain the pasta and serve immediately, topped with spinach-walnut sauce and several steamed broccoli spears.
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, if you wish.
Serves 6
Source: Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites
Bring a large covered pot of water to a rapid boil.
While the water heats, wash the spinach and transfer it to a separate large pot. The water clinging to the leaves should provide enough moisture to steam it. Cover and cook the spinach on medium-high heat for about 4 minutes, until wilted but still bright green. Drain.
In a food processor or blender, combine the spinach, walnuts, cottage cheese, garlic, Parmesan, basil and puree until smooth, working in batches if necessary. Add pepper to taste and set aside.
When the water boils, stir in the pasta, cover, and return to a boil. Then uncover the pot and cook until the pasta is al dente, about 7 minutes.
While the pasta cooks, cut the broccoli in to spears and steam until it is just tender, about 5 minutes, and set aside.
Drain the pasta and serve immediately, topped with spinach-walnut sauce and several steamed broccoli spears.
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, if you wish.
Serves 6
Source: Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites
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