As to an EMULSIFIER, soy based 'lecithin' in liquid, granulated, or powder is great to get oils and water mixed with less seperation. This is used in some dressings as opposed to the natural amounts in eggs. The name is XANTHAN gum, as I read on the package, not XANTHUM gum. Watch it closely as to a measurement as it is really FAST ACTING and thickens in TWO seconds compared to a starch or instant starch. The viscosity does change a little once it sets, but even for that, after I made mine and the dried herbs and vegetables had soaked up a bit more liquid. The dried garlic I used was both minced and granulated, and once in a blender its all mixed well together. If your looking for powdered tomato, it an be bought from Bulk Foods. Tomato powder is really great in a tomato sauce too as a 1/4-1/3 cup is more than a small can of tomato paste. I also buy dried sweet pepper flakes, and these will sometimes se a small coffee grinder (blender type) so they are nearly a powder and easier to rehydrate.

I'm writing to keep myself in check, that I do everything that needs doing today. I haven't hardly done anything the past 3 days after work. Last night, DD and I went out to dinner and for a walk along the dyke. We had a really nice time out together. I should have mentioned that DD's disability is a neuropathy of the digestive system which happened because of her life long diabetes type 1. She has to live with constant chronic pain while trying to manage her very brittle diabetes. Most days, she cannot eat but on the odd day she feels well enough to try to eat. Last night was one of those nights. Before supper, we went to a couple of furniture stores, just to look. My mind is made up about my dining room set - it's got to go. We saw an espresso table with a butterfly leaf (and chairs) that was pretty small, oval shaped, so it will fit sooooo much better in a small condo. Seeing that table put everything in focus for me. I didn't buy it but I will, I think, if I get this condo. I had been fretting about the stereo equipment and speakers. DD is engaged but her fiance doesn't live here. The marriage could be in a couple of years. She said that she wouldn't be able to buy the quality of the 2nd set that I was going to sell so we decided to store it for her. If there's room in her bedroom, she could use it now. She wants to keep my computer desk for now so maybe that's not going to be for sale, either. In return, she's almost made the decision to sell her large all wooden dresser. So, I am selling a big screen TV, dining room set, professional 5-drawer filing cabinet, king-size bedroom set (might give this away), washer & dryer, hardly used elliptical machine, carpet shampooer (used twice), sideboard (credenza) - not sure what people call it here, an end table, tools, etc. I might sell DD's dresser, desk, teak cabinet that holds stereo equipment, a table that goes behind a couch and a 4-shelf metal shelving unit that I had bought for the kitchen here to hold the microwave, etc. that perhaps could be used in a storage locker to hold boxes. There's also some lamps I might sell. I also have 4 large drawers of wires that DH would never let me throw out but I did keep organizing them. I have no idea if I should just throw it all in a bag and put it in the garbage or should I show people and let them take it. Some of the wiring is very expensive but DS says that in the past decade, even wires have changed. I still have boxes of books that might be worth something, music DVD's and CD's to sell as well as unopened expensive puzzles and models to sell. We decided that after we move, we'll figure out which ones are worth something and put them on E-Bay. I was going to try to find a CD store that would just take them all at hopefully $1 or $2 a piece but DD knows that DH had purchased quite a few from overseas that were very hard to find and were not cheap. It's worth waiting on these. I could always drag them to a store to get rid of. So today, I have to pack the stereos. I don't know if the speakers need packing. I also need to pack or throw out odds & ends from various surfaces around the house, move the boxes for future selling to one room, pack my night table (which I'd already gone through), do laundry, move the sideboard to the living room where I'd already put the dining room table and chairs, start sorting out clothes, etc. for taking with us while the stuff's in storage, pack up the bathroom (already sorted into containers), etc. So, these are the things I MUST tackle today. But I'm sitting at the computer not wanting to end this entry because I know I'll have to shut down the computer for at least a few hours while I get to it. Wish me luck!

"Posted by foodonastump ------------ Wow, dcarch, if there's a book that screams your name, this one is it! Accordingly, I expect it will stir up a lot of controversy. Which all the more makes it perfect for you. ;-) Just from the Amazon review I'd question some ideas, but I'm definitely intrigued. ------- I always forget how to embed hyperlinks, but adding a link at the bottom of a post is a fairly mindless procedure." If there is a Nobel Price to be given in the cooking world, Nathan Myhrvold should be the one to get it. He has contributed so many revolutionery ideas in the art and science of cooking. No. Don't waste your time and money to buy his book, if all you are interested in is more recipes. What a crazy brain this guy has! I absultely urge everyone, expecially if you have children or grandchildren, to look him up in YouTube and see him in action. What this country needs is more people as creative as he is. I have corresponded with him in another WEB site. He is a geek with a great sense of humor also. Regarding links. I admit I have been lazy. I post in a few other forums. Each one has a different way of doing things. I just don't bother trying to remember. Also, sometimes I post from different locations and I don't always have my files with me. Please check out this web site: http://modernistcuisine.com/ dcarch

Definitely, back into counseling for this little guy. He's got so much to deal with and needs to learn effective coping strategies to replace the ones he's using now. One specific suggestion for the mean outbursts: Help him phrase his statements/requests/complaints in ways that are more positive and less hurtful. If he mutters "Move your fat butt!" respond "That didn't come out right. Please try it again using nice words and a nice voice." (Adjust to your child's age and understanding.) The key is to keep it short, NOT negative (he's already in a foul mood), but get him to express himself in ways that are socially acceptable. Help him find the words to say what he means, but in ways that are kind and polite. If he actually says the words (with proper inflection), it'll make a big, big difference. It's really hard to stay angry when your tone of voice has to be pleasant. The first few times, you may need to add explanations like "Your words and tone of voice were rude and hurtful. When you're asking someone to do something for you, you need to ask nicely" - but not for long. If SS sees you and Dad speaking kindly and respectfully to each other, he will know what's acceptable. He'll just need to be reminded that it applies to him also. When he rephrases his request nicely, praise him. If it's only marginally acceptable or still rude, have him try it again. Seriously! It'll get boring and ridiculous fast, but so what? The idea is for the kid to learn that if he asks nicely, he gets what he wants. If he's rude, he doesn't, and he has to try again (over and over) until he does ask nicely. (My kids are rarely rude to me anymore because it's just such a pain in the behind for them if they are.)