Friday, May 28, 2010

Pasta? Trattoria Italiana and Bar

Photo by: http://www.yelp.com/biz/pasta-palo-alto

I was in Palo Alto for a conference this week and  my hotel was a block away from the downtown area, a lot of restaurants... but Pasta? just make me stop, very cute spot in the center of the city, nice and relax ambiance, they speak Italian and the food was great, more than great, I got the Insalata Caprese, fresh tomatoes, great mozzarella, and a topping of pesto sauce, also they added some greens, it was incredible, how fresh it was. For my main course I had the spaghetti Tarantina, fresh pasta with mussels, calamari, garlic and olive oil with a spicy tomato sauce, wow, I am writing and I just want to go back there and eat again, the focaccia bread was incredible, I did not have wine but they have a selection of local beers and a winery.

I did not have space for dessert but they look great, the staff is very friendly and always with a big smile, they make me feel like I was in back in Italy, I recommend this place to anyone is you want to eat authentic Italian southern food.


I visited the location in Palo Alto, 326 University Avenue, check the website, hope you like it.


Photo by Jose Mendoza

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Information about colorectal cancer

I Know I love to cook and eat but we need to worry about some health issues some times, I am dealing with colorectal cancer again, please read some of this information is very important for you own health. Also check the Colon Cancer Alliance  website.

 

Information About Colorectal Cancer

Diagram of the Colon and Rectum
Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short. As the drawing shows, the colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.
Colorectal cancer affects both men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people aged 50 years or older but for the Latino sometimes earlier. For men, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer. For women, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer among Asian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic women, and the third most common cancer among white, black, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.
Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn't have to be. If everybody aged 50 or older had regular screening tests, as many as 60% of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented.
Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure.
If you are aged 50 or older, or think you may be at higher than average risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about getting screened.

Screening Saves Lives

Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.

When Should I Begin to Get Screened?

You should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier or more often than other people if—
  • You or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer.
  • You have inflammatory bowel disease.
  • You have genetic syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.
Speak with your doctor about when you should begin screening and how often you should be tested.

What Is Colorectal Cancer Screening?

Screening is when a test is used to look for a disease before there are any symptoms. Cancer screening tests, including those for colorectal cancer, are effective when they can detect disease early. Detecting disease early can lead to more effective treatment. In some cases, screening tests can detect abnormalities such as polyps, before they have a chance to turn into cancer. Removing polyps in the colon and rectum prevents colorectal cancer from developing. (A diagnostic test differs from a screening test because it is a test used when a person has symptoms. The test is given to find the cause of the symptoms.)

Free or Low-Cost Screening

CDC launched the Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) by providing funding to 26 states and tribes across the United States. The program supports population-based screening efforts and provides colorectal cancer screening services to low-income men and women aged 50–64 years who are underinsured or uninsured for screening, when no other insurance is available. In addition to colorectal cancer screening, the program sites also provide diagnostic follow-up.


Sunday, May 16, 2010

Gazpacho for summer days

What do need

3 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 purple onion, finely chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 sweet red bell pepper (or green) seeded and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
3 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce to taste or chilli powder
4 cups tomato sauce
1 cup of cold water

How to do?

Combine all ingredients. Blend slightly, to desired consistency. Don't place in non-metal use plastic or glass container, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to blend is better the next day and you can store it for 3 days after that it can spoil.

You can serve 10 friends.

Hope you enjoyed.



Friday, May 14, 2010

Social the restaurant in Washington DC


Social is a great restaurant at 1400 Meridian Place, NW, Washington DC 20010, is 3 blocks away from the Columbia Heights metro (green line), this place is relax, clean, and the food honestly is great, fresh, and cooked with love I think,  tapas style but you also can get real plates, I prefer to seat at the bar and enjoy the people around me,  the restaurant also have outdoor area, they opened one month ago, my favorites are what they called micro-dining, the Baby Lamb “Lolli‐Chops”, Black Angus Burger or slides, Chicken Souvlaki with Cucumber Mint but when you go there you most have the Gilroy Garlic Fries, ohh God they are the besttttt fries in this universe, drink are good, I am always basic, so ask Derek about the Ice Tea, he make the best in town, if he say what, tell him Jose told me ask for the special Ice Tea, I have 4 and I am ready for bed, the upstairs floor is very elegant and nice, service is good and the music is nice and relaxing.

Just in case:

Happy Hours…
Tuesday thru Friday 4pm - 8pm

Beverages…
$10 Buckets (7 ponies) of Corona or Corona Light
$18 Pitchers (Margarita, Sangria, or Superfly)
$1 PBR, $2 Bud Light, Miller Light, $3 Stella
$3 rail highballs
$4 house wines

http://www.social14.com/

You most go, in stead of flower offer your date a dinner at Social.

 Hope you have fun or you can blame me : )




Social on Urbanspoon