Recalls and The Kentucky Derby

Recall.........

McCormick & Company has announced a vountary recall of Lawry's Fajitas Spices & Seasonings packages with UPC Code 2150022500 and a "best if used by" date of OCTO110PX62. Packages were distributed to grocery stores nationally beginning on October 17, 2008. The product is available in 1.27 oz. pouches, and the date code is found printed in black on the back, bottom center of the pouch. The recall was initiated after it was discovered milk was not listed as an ingredient. No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date. Consumers do ot need to return the product to the store where it was purchase. Instead, contact Lawry's Consumer Affairs team at 1-800-952-9797 for a replacement or full refund.

Kentucky Derby..........

It's Kentucky Derby time this Saturday, May 2nd in Louisville, KY. I've had the pleasure of
visiting Churchill Downs twice and what a thrill to see the paddocks, the track, the grandstands and all the hoopla that goes with attending the biggest event held in May in Kentucky, the Blue Grass State. If you ever get a chance to visit Churchill Downs, check out the Derby Museum and Gift Shop. Try riding the mechanical horses - it will be a thrill and you'll understand why jockeys are the world's best athletes. Last week I mentioned in my blog that my pick for the Derby is
"I Want Revenge". I'm still sticking with that horse. We'll see.

I would fit right in with the ladies wearing those fancy hats to the Derby. I love big hats!
Speculation has it that when the Derby was first brought to Louisville, they wanted it to be a social affair. They went around to all of the women's clubs in town and invited the women to dress up in their finest to come to the Derby. Of course at that time, the hat was essential and the hat just carried through. I also found out that wearing a hat to the Kentucky Derby is believed to bear good luck!

The Mint Julep has an interesting story........Mint Juleps were first served in the early to mid 1700's in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. They were described as "a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint in it, taken by Virginians in the morning." A sweet concoction that may have been a vehicle for medicine. The tradition of sipping mint juleps migrated westward to Kentucky and soon became associated with horse racing. A Derby party anywhere is not really a Derby party without mint juleps.

Mint Juleps

2 fluid ounces Early Times® Kentucky Whisky
1 tablespoon simple syrup
Mint sprigs
Crushed ice

Simple Syrup:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 bunch fresh mint sprigs

DIRECTIONS
Crush a few mint leaves in the bottom of an 8-oz. glass, then fill with crushed ice. Add one tablespoon of simple syrup and one tablespoon of water. Add 2 ounces of Early Times. Stir gently until glass frosts. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, sip and enjoy.
Simple syrup directions: Combine sugar and water. Boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Pour mix over a handful of mint leaves, and gently crush the mint with a spoon. Refrigerate overnight in a closed jar. Remove mint leaves, but continue to refrigerate. Stays fresh for several weeks.

Sturgeon Season

Hello,

It's that time of year - sturgeon spawning. You can view the sturgeon at www.wolfrivercam.com. It's amazing to see those huge fish dating back to the prehistoric times.

An up-date on my friends psycho robin. He's still flying into her windows. I hope he knocks some sense into his head and stops these silly antics.

Join me tomorrow at Krueger's True Value Hardware at 999 W. Winneconne Ave. in Neenah for the first grill out of the season. The chef's from Fox Valley Tech will be grilling up brats and hot dogs and you're invited. I'll be doing my show outside in the warm sunshine. Stop by and say hi.

The Kentucky Derby is right around the corner. May 2nd is the big day and I've been to Churchill Downs twice now. What an exciting place and beautiful grounds. Be sure to check out the museum when you are there and ride the mechanical horses. Quite something. "I Want Revenge" is the horse I have picked out to win the Kentucky Derby. We'll see.

Enjoy the warm weather. Go out and make it a great day.

Robin Dilemma

Hello,

What a beautiful day - blue sky, sunshine and temperatures in the high 60's. Can't ask for anything better this time of year.

I have a friend who's having a real dilemma with a crazy robin. I say "crazy" robin because he insists on flying into her windows and knocking himself down but manages to dust himself off and tries it all over again, and again and again. The theory behind this weird behavior is
it's mating season and he's trying to get rid of his "competition". A number of Good Neighbor listeners called in today with some good suggestions.
1. Put lattice up over the window
2. Place a plastic owl on the window sill
3. Hang a towel on the outside of the window so he doesn't see the glass
4. Put silhouettes of crows or buzzards up
5. Hang pie tins or steamers across the window
6. Get a cat

Let's hope this poor robin finds a mate soon before he does himself in.

Get out and enjoy the nice warm weather. We'll chat again soon.

Dr. Helen Pensanti

April 9, 2009

Hello and welcome to my blog.

I certainly hope Spring is here and Mother Nature will warm the earth for the Spring flowers to grow and bloom.

Today on the Good Neighbor Show, Dr. Helen Pensanti was my guest. We talked about a number of issues including restless leg syndrome, leg cramps and sleeping problems. I've had several calls from listeners with a suggestion that sounds out of this world but seems to work for most. Put a fresh bar of soap under the sheets in your bed. Unwrap the bar of soap and place it between the mattress pad and the bottom sheet. Place it near the foot of the bed. It sounds funny but hey, try it, it just might work for you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Dr. Helen will be on the Good Neighbor Show Tuesday, May 12th and will spend time discussing restless leg syndrome and leg cramps. For more information about Dr. Helen, please visit her website at: www.askdrhelen.com

Wishing you all a Happy Easter. We'll chat next week.