3.26.2011

The Everglades: A Small Snapshot

Here are a few photographs before/while the canon broke. Most are taken in the Everglades.


Sunset at nine mile pond.

Nine mile pond canoe trip. Heading towards mangrove forests.

Nine mile pond canoe trip. Seagrass marshes.

Nine mile pond canoe trip. Red mangroves.

Nine mile pond canoe trip. American Crocodile.

Mrazek pond, Everglades. Alligator resting in the morning sun.

West Lake, Everglades.

Crocodile at the Flamingo Marina, Everglades

Manatee and baby coming up for air. Flamingo Marina, Everglades.

Campsite in Flamingo, Everglades.

Shore birds on the beach by our campsite. Flamingo, Everglades.

Flamingo, Everglades.


Canon the Camera

While Ly+Alan's trip to the Everglades was awesome the only bad thing that happened was that Ly's trusty canon camera died on the third day of their trip. It just decided to stop working....right when Ly and Alan reached the end of their 3 mile hike to see the nesting area of some rare birds. So not only does Ly not have a picture of that but a lot of the pictures that were taken weren't very good because the camera was having some problems focusing. Sadness.

Ly learned a very valuable lesson that day -- always bring a back up camera with you while on vacation.

And now she gets to get a new camera. Perhaps a Nikon is in her future...

RIP beautiful Canon. You were great while you lasted!


Canon's very last picture...on the 3 mile hike to the bird nest

Alan's First Spring Break

This year for Spring Break, Ly+Alan loaded up the corolla and drove down to the Everglades for five days of camping fun followed by a weekend of luxury on Hilton Head Island. It was exactly what the Doctor-to-be ordered. So much fun and relaxation!

Highlights of the trip included:

- Snorkeling in Key Largo...yes, Ly managed to overcome her fear of the ocean and loved every second of her snorkeling adventure where she swam with tons of fish including a reef shark.

- An early morning ranger guided canoe trip in the Everglades...Ly only got nervous once when they were feet away from an alligator eating his breakfast. But they also saw a ton of rare birds including a bald eagle and a giant (13 ft) American crocodile.

- An afternoon canoe trip in Biscayne National Park...where Ly + Alan spent some quality time with a very inquisitive manatee who hung out so close to the canoe that Ly could touch him.

- Watching the 'gators hunt on a moonlit walk...it was a bit creepy/super cool to see their eyes reflect the light of the flashlights.

- Bird watching in the Everglades...Alan loves the Anhinga birds who dive under the water for their food and live with the alligators.

- A visit to Cape Canaveral National Seashore - one of the most gorgeous beaches ever

- Relaxing on the beach of Hilton Head and then playing in the Atlantic Ocean as the tide came back in

- Riding bikes on the beach...Ly did mange to go a whopping 30 feet in the hour without Alan holding her bike. It was a fun adventure and she vows to learn to ride a bike before their next trip to Hilton Head.

- Really yummy fresh caught seafood.


Anyway the trip was a success and easily one of the best vacations Ly+Alan have been on in a long time.

2.22.2011

The Month of Love

Yikes! Ly+Alan deserve the worse blogger of the year award for not updating for almost an entire month. In our defense, not that much has been going on though - just the normal routine of medical school, studying, church callings, and trying not to go stir crazy from the lack of sunshine. The highlights of the month included some fantastic dates, adventurous eating, and spending time with friends. How has the month of love been for you?

2.01.2011

Practically Perfect Pizza

Last night for dinner Ly + Alan had the best pizza ever. White pizza on homemade pizza crust. Seriously so good. You should make this for dinner tonight. It was easy, fast, tasty and healthy. In fact, 1/4 of the pizza (2 lrg slices) has about 220 calories.


So without further ado, here's the recipe*:

2 1/2 cups all purpose or bread flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 teaspoons sea salt
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
a pinch of powder milk (optional)
**you can also substitute some wheat flour for the all purpose - about 1 cup wheat, 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour**

1. Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a food processor. Turn the machine on and add 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons of the oil through the feed tube.

2. Process for about 30 seconds. If it is sticky add a bit of all-purpose flour. Add more water a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture forms a ball and is sticky to the touch. Never add more than 1/4 cup of water.

3. Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and knead by hand for a few seconds to form a smooth, round dough ball. Put the remaining olive oil in a bowl, turn the dough ball in it, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise in the fridge overnight. This allows the flavor to develop.

4. Preheat the oven to 500F. Roll or lightly press the dough into a flat round lightly flouring the work surface and the dough as necessary. Let it sit for a few minutes to rest. Put olive oil on a pizza pan and shape the dough on the pan.

5. Top the pizza with your choice of toppings. Suggested: sprinkle with 1 T olive oil, 2 T chopped garlic, chopped fresh rosemary, fresh basil, fresh reduced fat mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, and 2 T fresh Parmesan cheese.

6. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.

*adapted a bit from Mark Bittman's awesome cookbook, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

1.31.2011

Meatless Monday: Curry Spiced Noodles

Ly's adventures with Meatless Mondays have so far been successful...in fact she has even inspired some friends in the Richmond area to go veg! Earlier this week they came over and made Chili non Carne (aka vegetarian chili). Everyone seemed to enjoy it and Ly even tried a few bites. She still despises beans, but at least she willingly put some in her mouth. It's a step in the right direction.

curry spiced noodles

And as further evidence of her expanding horizons, for dinner the other day they had curry spiced noodles. The dish included mushrooms, red peppers, green peppers, and lots of other veggies that aren't particularly high on Ly's vegetables she'll eat list. And yup, Ly ate all of it. It wasn't bad. In fact if you want the recipe let us know. So for all of you wondering, yes progress has been made in the Ly eating vegetable department. Although tofu has yet to make an appearance on the menu.