Remembering Karl Malden

Karl Malden was a great actor. Here are two very different scenes from early in his career.

His brilliant speech from On the Waterfront

As a great listener in A Streetcar Named Desire with Vivien Leigh

Mmm, Homemade Bread

Next time you’re at the supermarket, read the ingredients on a loaf of bread.

Not only will you find a list of words you can’t understand, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find bread made without the evil high-fructose corn syrup.

In my continuing effort to completely block HFCS from my diet and avoid eating processed white flour, I bought a bread machine.

I know too much bread can be fattening if you don’t work off those carbohydrates. So, I’m trying the recipes that contain alternate flours. So far I’ve only ventured into whole wheat flour territory, making classic honey wheat bread, wheat pizza dough, and wheat rolls with kalamata olives.

The machine makes it so easy. It does everything for me, mixes, kneads, rises, and bakes. I made perfect bread from my first try. All you have to do is follow the instructions and measure correctly. Recipes are included for all kinds of breads, rolls, dessert breads, even jam.

I ordered this Cuisinart breadmaker from jcpenney.com

Cuisinart® Stainless Steel Breadmaker – $129.99

Have you ever made your own bread?

Portion Control

In this age of supersized foods, here’s how to use your hands to measure out reasonable portions of foods, without needing a scale.

Make a fist. This represents about one cup. When eating pasta, try to eat a fist or maybe a fist and a half of cooked pasta.

Stick up your thumb. This is about one ounce. This should help you measure fatty foods like cheeses.

Read your palm. Without counting your fingers, the size of your palm is about 3 ounces. Try to limit meats, poultry and fish to about 3 ounces per meal.

Cup your hand. You can probably hold about two ounces of snacks in one hand. Use this as a guide when eating pretzels or nuts.

Source: weightwatchers.com

Dreaming of Paris

I happened upon this photo today. It makes me dream of going back to Paris.

In the late 1990s, I visited Paris with some good friends. We stayed in the apartment of an Italian friend who was living in Paris in the 12th arrondissement.

I remember our Metro stop was Nation.

Because we were visiting someone who knew their way around, we hung out in some great places we would never have found as tourists.

Ah someday, Paris, I will come back to you.

Vote for Max

Vote for Max.

What are you waiting for?

Vote Now!!!

Don’t you know writers need wine and lots of it.

Vote. Vote. Vote.

Covet: Alexander McQueen Drop-Waist Dress

Alexander McQueen Silk Dress – 50% off

Black sable silk slashed neck dress with a slight cowl back. Alexander McQueen dress has a drop waist, asymmetric shoulder straps with an attached sash that spirals round the body to form a self-tie waist belt, a hidden side zip and falls above the knee. 100% silk. Dry clean.

Original Price $1,345 – NOW $672.50 at The Outnet

Happy Father’s Day 2009

From the brilliant Web site icanhascheezburger.

What Do Your Shoes Say About You?

One of my favorite shopping Web sites is Forzieri, home of fine Italian goods.

In this month’s newsletter, the editors of Forzieri have this to say about you and your footwear:

Pointed-toe shoes: symbolize the desire to dominate. They elongate the form of the foot for a look that commands attention.

Round-toe shoes: indicate sweetness and the willingness to help others.

Open sandals: – the more revealing, the more confident that person is, maybe even a bit of a show-off.

Boots: worn by those who are slightly more reserved, traditionalists or goal setters always planning for the future.

Sneakers: appeal to the Peter Pan in all of us, the ideal symbol of adolescence, never wanting to grow up.

What shoes are you wearing today?

Finding a Red Lipstick You Love

Red lips are so glamorous. A woman who wears red is daring and confident.

But there are many shades of red. How do you choose the correct one for your skin tone?

If you have fair skin, choose a cool red with a bluish cast to it. Stay away from warm reds.

Olive skin looks good in warm brownish reds, like brick. Stay away from reds that are too orange.

Dark skin tones look good in dark reds with blue tones or deep brownish reds. You should also stay away from orangey reds.

If you’re afraid red will be too overpowering for your face, try applying lipstick with your fingertip instead of from the tube. This way you can dot on as much or as little color as you like and it will stay sheer.

Here are some examples in a range of colors from Nars:

Fair

Afghan Red (satin garnet)

Fire Down Below (semi matte pure blood red)

Jungle Red (semi matte bright red)

Olive

Manhunt (sheer poppy red)

Sephora Flame (semi matte deep red brown)

Shanghai Express (semi matte warm brick red)

Red Lizard (semi matte full powered red)

Dark

Scarlet Empress (semi matte blue red)

Tamango (glistening cabernet)

Viridiana (rich burgundy)

All Nars shades are available at Sephora.com for $24.

Summer Pasta

Here’s a quick and easy recipe for a light summer pasta dish for two.

Boil two cups of dried pasta according to the package instructions. I used multigrain pasta because it is healthier for your heart than regular semolina pasta.

While you are waiting for the water to boil, chop two plum tomatoes, retaining all of the juice, and put into a bowl. Add a large clove of garlic, crushed. Grind in some fresh black pepper and salt to taste. Add dried oregano and a splash of olive oil. Toss it all until well blended.

When the pasta as cooked, drain and add to the tomato mixture. Take a small can of tuna packed in olive oil. Drain out most of the oil and dump the whole can into the pasta mixture. Sprinkle in some grated cheese. Toss until everything is blended through. Serve.

This meal is very tasty and easy to make. Serve with a glass of red wine.

Yummy.