Photography: Adventure Under the Sea

A photo journey of the Birch Aquarium.

Print available  here 

Live to Eat: Broccoli + Cheese = a winning combination

Impossible Broccoli and Cheddar Pie

Recipe adapted from Alicia's Recipes (my changes are in red; to make the pictured pie I doubled the recipe):   

2 (10 oz.) pkgs. frozen chopped broccoli - I have used fresh steamed broccoli and I have frozen my own broccoli to use (bought the huge costco bag, steamed it, drained the water, put in a Ziploc bag and stuck in the freezer).  I use enough to cover the dish and about 1-1.5 inches high.
3 c. shredded cheddar cheese (12 oz.) - I use a mix of extra sharp aged cheddar and a shredded Mexican blend both bought at Costco.  I also like cheese a lot so I tend to add more than the recipe calls for.
2/3 c. chopped onion - I can't eat onions so I have substituted leeks or just left them out completely
1 1/3 c. milk - I use slightly less milk (when I doubled the recipe this time I used 2.5 instead of 2 2/3 cups)
3 eggs
3/4 c. Bisquick baking mix
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease pie plate (10 x 1 1/2) or glass baking dish. Rinse broccoli under running cold water to thaw; drain thoroughly. Mix broccoli, 2 cups of the cheese and onion in plate. Beat milk, eggs, baking mix, salt and pepper until smooth, 15 seconds in blender on high or 1 minute with hand beater. Pour into plate. Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean, 25-35 minuets (if doubling cook for about 45 minutes at 425-450 degrees. Top with remaining cheese. Bake just until cheese is melted, 1-2 minutes longer - turn off oven, it will be hot enough to melt the cheese. Cool 5 minutes. Yield 6-8 servings.

Cameron's Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This is Cameron's recipe that has been refined through trial and error.


1 ¼ cup of vegetable stock

1 ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream

1 - 1 ½ cup of steamed blended broccoli

2 cloves garlic

1 cup extra sharp aged cheddar cheese

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

salt to taste

Steam broccoli and add to blender with ¼ cup vegetable broth and process till well blended OR food process steamed broccoli without vegetable stock (add the extra 1/4 cup of vegetable stock to the cup of vegetable stock that is mixed later). Melt butter in pot and add crushed garlic. Stir for a couple of minutes and then add flour to make a rue. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of vegetable stock and 1 ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream. Bring to slight boil and mix in 1 - 1 ½ cup of steamed blended broccoli. Simmer for 15 minutes. Turn heat off, mix in cheese and salt to taste, stir. Allow to cool down before serving.  Serves 2 with some left overs!

Biopsychology photo project

Here's a selection of photos that are part of a photography project I did for a biopsychology course.  The requirements were to take photos that were related to/represented concepts in biopsychology.

Ekman's 6 primary emotions

Dendrite

Amygdala (almond-shaped)

Myelin on axon

Activation of sympathetic nervous system includes goosebumps (fight or flight)

Smell (vs. other senses) has the strongest link to memory

Change blindness

Old view of receptor and neurotransmitter binding - fitting together like the right key in the lock to open the channel

Vintage shop now open!

Adventurous Vintage is now open for business!  So far I have vintage jewelry, buttons, and glass goblets for sale.  I have more items I'm in the process of getting ready to sell and will be adding new items as I hunt them out!  Here's a look at what is currently for sale:

Fresh Necklace Styles

Introducing the Solh and Gaia necklaces. The Solh (peace in Farsi) necklace has seed beads with four gold colored nugget beads that are offset to one side.  The Gaia necklace is similar, but features hematite cube beads instead of gold nugget beads.  These necklaces are light weight, can be worn as a single strand or layered with other necklaces, and can easily be dressed up or down. Visit The Adventurous Rabbit on Etsy for purchasing.

Adventurous Rabbit Jewelry Now Available on Etsy!

Necklaces ranging from $16 to $22 now available here!

Hot Finds: Target Swimwear

Loving the new patterns and styles for swimwear...all available at Target.

Photography: Fun with rocks