Great Movies of 2013: Dramas

In continuing with my two earlier blogs I'm summarizing my favorite movies of 2013 and this time it is Dramas.  I realize that there are other common genres of movies including Horror and Animated/Family movies. I'm really not a fan of blood and gore, and as for cartoons I typically see them years later with my nephew and niece.  Can't give an opinion when I'm willfully ignorant.  My next blog will be on my favorite Action movies of 2013.

Dramas:

My favorite drama of 2013 was Dallas Buyers Club, followed by 12 Years a Slave.  I have already previously commented about them in my Top 5 Blog.  

American Hustle

American Hustle (Drama/Crime) - This film combines a good story with a great ensemble cast (Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K., Jack Huston, and Robert De Niro.) This is a fictionalized tale based on the Abscam scandal that occurred in New Jersey during the late 1970's. It tel;s the story of con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), along with his partner in crime (Amy Adams) who are forced to work for a rogue FBI agent Richie Dimaso (Bradley Cooper) who is fishing for corrupt politicians.

This is a fun film to watch for the 70's costumes, hair styles, decor and boat sized cars.  Batman really let himself go in order to get into role and Christian Bale's reportedly gained 40 pounds to play the lead.    Overall acting was great with Christian Bale standing out along with  Louis C.K. who pleasantly surprised. This film is nominated for 10 Oscars which is impressive, but I doubt David O. Russell film will win any other than Costume Design.  This movie did a lot of things well, but was not as exceptional as Dallas Buyers Club or 12 Years a Slave.  His last movie Silver Linings playbook was also great, but with 9 Oscar nominations only walked away with the Best Actress award for Jennifer Lawrence.  Certainly worth seeing and you can still find it in Theaters.
(MY IMDB vote 8/10)

Her 

Her (Drama/Romance) - This movie was impressive and eerie as we are so close to having AI (Artificial Intellgence) that can have a conversation with us.  This movie takes place in the near future when a lonely and recently separated writer (Joaquin Phoenix) develops a romantic relationship with a newly developed operating system voiced by Scarlett Johansson.  Written and directed by Spike Jonze who initially had the idea in the 90's long before Apple's Siri and is his first movie completely written and directed by himself.  What is impressive is the seamless interplay between between Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johannson off-screen voice.  Furthermore that Spike Jonze decided on the editing room floor to completely recast the voice to Scarlett Johansson from actress Samantha Morton who did all the initial voice work.

Joaquin Pheonix demonstrates again that he is a phenomenal actor and shows considerable range compared to 2012's The Master or 2005's Walk the Line.  Other notable actors in the film include Amy Adams, Olivia Wilde and Rooney Mara    After seeing the movie it made me look at my smartphone differently and wonder if the next one will be able to do more than simple commands like the computer on the USS Enterprise.  You can currently see it in theaters. (MY IMDB Vote 8/10)


Other dramatic movies that I enjoyed in 2013 include Captain Phillips and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.   Both have good stories and solid acting, although I think Mandela movie would have been better if it was a mini-series or broken into two long movies.  It suffered from showing too much history into a too short of a movie.

Agree? Disagree?  Should I have waited to watching Philomena or Nebraska before saying my favorites of 2013?  Add your comments below.

Great Movies of 2013: Best Romance and Comedies

This is a follow-up entry to my top 5 favorite movies of 2013.  My wife and I have been busy seeing at least one movie a week since the beginning of December and it is my goal to see the majority of Oscar nominated movies.  At the moment I have seen 6 of 9 best picture nominees and the three that remain are 'Her', 'Nebraska' and 'Philomena'.  Also, I have not seen 'Frances Ha' or 'Inside Llewyn Davis' which have garnered a lot of critical praise.  In continuation of my personal belief that 'spoilers' ruin the fun, I don't go into any significant detail about each movie.  These are my favorite Romance and Comedy movies in alphabetic order.  I will post one more blog on what were my other favorite dramas and action movies of 2013.

Romantic Movies:

About Time

About Time (Romance/Drama/Fantasy) - This is a wonderful story and makes a great movie to watch on a date night.  This is imaginative tale tells the story of Tim an awkward 'ginger' who learns on his 21st birthday that he can travel backward in time.  With this power he decides to make for himself a better life by getting a girlfriend, but this proves harder than you think.  Tim is portrayed by Domhnall Gleeson (son of actor Brendan Gleeson) and his romantic counterpart is Rachel McAdams, who now plays the love interest of a time traveler for third time ('The Time Traveler's Wife' and 'Midnight in Paris.') Overall the acting is convincing and Bill Nighy stands out playing the doting father of Tim.  Australian actress Margot Robbie ('The Wolf of Wall Street') manages to keep herself clothed in this picture and certainly charms.

This is the third movie that Richard Curtis wrote and directed ('Pirate Radio' and 'Love Actually') after a long career of comedic writing.  This movie is not nominated for any Oscars, but I think it is worthy of a best original screenplay nomination and a best supporting actor nomination for Bill Nighy.  This movie is no longer in theaters, but will be out on DVD February 4, 2014. (My IMDB vote 8/10)

Enough Said

Enough Said (Romance/Comedy) - This is the last movie starring James Gandolfini and I was sad to here of his passing in June 2013. This is a story of a divorced woman (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who pursues a man (James Gandolfini) and learns that he is the former husband of her new friend (Catherine Keener).  This is a movie that is clearly directed at Baby Boomers and for Hollywood it is rare love story involving people of the same age.  Both Julia Louis-Dreyfuss and James Gandolfini are born in 1961.  Usually you see the divorced older male chasing someone in their 20's. Toni Collette also appears as the bestfriend to Julia Louis-Dreyfus character and provides levity.

This movie is the fifth feature film written and directed by Nicole Holofcener and like all her movies before stars Catherine Keener.  I can't say I have seen her previous movies, but per IMBD this is the highest rated movie so far in her career.  What made this movie for me was the dynamic between James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the awkward everyday people they portrayed.  It shows the talent of both actors and that James Gandolfini was more than Tony Soprano.  (My IMDB vote 7/10)


Romance is my second least favorite movie genre after horror. I'm not much a fan of silly popcorn Hollywood love stories, but there are two movies from 2013 that still like to see which are 'Her' and 'Before Midnight.'  Other romantic movies I did enjoy from 2013 is 'Don Jon' and Joseph Gordon Levitt did a great job writing and directing this modern love story.  I also saw a few stinkers including 'Drinking Buddies,' 'Admission' and 'The Big Wedding.' Watch these at your own peril.

Comedy:

Blue Jasmine

Blue Jasmine (Comedy/Drama) - The latest Woody Allen movie is a tale of a New York socialite (Cate Blanchett) who falls under hard times and arrives in San Francisco to impose on her working class sister (Sally Hawkins.) This movie is nominated for 3 Oscars (Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Screenplay.)  Cate Blanchett performance is impressive and I think she'll likely garner the Best Actress Oscar over Meryl Streep ('August: Osage County.')  Woody Allen does a great job developing the characters by going forward and backward in time.  The cast also includes Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard, Bobby Cannavale and comedian Andrew Dice Clay in roles that are natural fits with their previous work.

This is also the only movie that I' am recommending that passes the Becdtel Test, although I think 'Gravity' should get pass as Sandra Bullock has the majority of screen time, dialogue and there is no love story.  I strongly recommend seeing this movie where I think Cate Blanchett has delivered her strongest performance yet in her career. This movie can now be found on DVD.   (My IMDB vote 8/10)

The World's End

The World's End - (Comedy/Action/Sci-Fi) - This is the third in a series of movies written by Comedian/Actor Simon Pegg and directed by Edgar Wright.  The first two were 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz,' and if you enjoyed them than you will certainly enjoy this.  What made those two movies great was the comedy combined with the bizarre out there circumstances that Simon Pegg and Nick Frost find themselves in. This story is about 5 mates from high school who try recreate and an epic pub crawl 20 years later.  Of course they all have grown and settled into their careers except for Gary (Simon Pegg) who's development arrested in his teens.  Plenty of English comedy and of course a plot twist that makes these 5 gents the only hope humankind's survival.

Other notable actors appear in the movie include Pierce Brosnan and Rosamund Pike.  This movie received no Oscar nominations and that doesn't surprise me as this movie is an acquired taste.  This movie is certainly a lot more enjoyable than some of the Hollywood comedies of 2013 such as 'The Internship', 'The Heat', 'We're the Millers', 'Identity Thief' or 'This is the End.' (My IMDB vote 7/10.)


On my yet to see list of 2013 movies that are comedies is 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues' and 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.'  If I am a true Oscar completest I'll have to see 'Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa' which is nominated for best Makeup and Hairstyling.

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  What was your favorite Romantic or Comedic movies of 2013?  Please add your thoughts below.

My Top 5 Movies of 2013

With Hollywood's award season now full on and everyone with their list of top movies I thought I would chime in.  Mrs. Shopaholic and I have made a concerted effort the last two months to catch up on movies and have been impressed by many.  Based on what we have seen I compiled my top 5 favorites of 2013 and a few honorable mentions to boot. Sticking to my policy of "No Spoilers," as why ruin a good thing. 

#1 Gravity:

Gravity (Drama/Sci-Fi/Thriller) - This movie is visually stunning!  It has to be seen in IMAX 3D and if you can remember back to the wow factor of seeing Avatar in 3D; this movie takes it to the next level.  Director Alfonso Cuaron and his son took a real NASA concern and turned it into a marvelous thriller.  The combination of the sound effects, musical score and the brilliant animation/cinematography puts this movie heads above the rest.  It is not Sandra Bullock's acting that makes this best picture in my mind, it is everything else. 

Astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson may have exposed all the inaccuracies, but he also said that they got the majority right. Remember their is no sound in space.  

This was the best movie I saw in theaters in 2013 and I would not wait for it come on home video.  (My IMDB vote 9/10)

#2 Dallas Buyers Club

Dallas Buyers Club (Drama/Biography) - Matthew McConaughey was brilliant in this movie and this was the best acting performance male or female that I have seen in 2013.   The movie tells the story of Texas electrician/hustler Ron Woodruff who gets diagnosed in 1985 with AIDS and how he works around the system to get the AIDS medication he needs for himself and others.  One of the others includes Jared Leto who plays a emaciated Drag Queen and his movie return after a 5 year absence from acting.   Both actors lost significant amount of weight and look far from their normal charismatic selves.

  

Matthew McConaughey is nominated for Best Actor and Jared Leto is nominated for best supporting actor and I would not be surprised if they both take home an Oscar.  The movie also features performances from Jennifer Garner, Steve Zahn and Denis O'Hare.  (My IMDB vote 9/10)

#3 Rush

Rush (Action/Drama/Biography) -  This movie dramatizes the rivarly of top 1970's Formula One Drivers Austrian Niki Lauda and Englishman James Hunt.  This movie takes place in era when 1 in 4 race car drivers died on the track and prior to the many safety improvements of the 80's.  This movie shows two large personalities with very different approaches to racing, one James Hunt is an aggressive risk taker and the other Niki Lauda a perfectionist and scientist.  These two personalities are played well by Australian actor Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Spanish actor Daniel Bruhl (Inglourious Basterds) who both have convincing accents.  This movie combines good car action sequences, character development, drama and thrilling moments.  This movie also provides another glimpse into the 1970's like American Hustle with the fashion and hairstyles.  Ron Howard did a great job directing and bringing this story to life.   (My IMDB vote 9/10)

  

#4 12 Years a Slave

12 Years A Slave - (Drama/Biography) - After last year's excessive Django Unchained someone needed to show the reallity of slavery during the antebellum.  This tells the story as written by Solomon Northrup a free black man from upstate New York who was tricked and kidnapped into a life of slavery.  Actor Chiwetel Eijofor gives a brilliant performance as the lead character and brings this story to dramatic life.  Overall the cast delivers exceptional performances including by Michael Fassbender (a slave master), Lupita Nyong'o (slave woman) and Paul Dano (plantation supervisor). Also, look out for other notable actors including Michael K. Williams (aka Old Omar from the Wire), Dwight Henry (Southern Beasts of the Wild), Taran Killam (Saturday Night Live), Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes), Paul Giamatti (John Adams) and Brad Pitt. The latter who helped produce this movie.

English director Steve McQueen deserves great praise for making a movie on such a difficult subject and getting such great performances out of the cast.  This was his third feature movie and it leads the Oscars with 9 nominations.  I doubt Steve McQueen will win the Oscar as I suspect Alfonso Cuaron will win for Gravity.  But, I certainly look forward to seeing his future movies. Similarly, Chiwetel Eijofor was brilliant, but Matthew McConauhey in my mind was just a little more impressive in Dallas Buyers Club.  (My IMDB vote 9/10)

#5 The Way, Way Back

The Way, Way Back (Comedy/Drama) - This is a funny strange comedy that tells the story of shy 14 year-old Duncan who goes on summer vacation with his mother (Toni Collete) and her boyfriend (Steve Carell).  However, Steve Carell is not the source of comedy, but the source of dramatic friction.  What makes this movie truly enjoyable is Duncan's friendship with the local owner of Water Wizz water park (Sam Rockwell) and the ensuing shenanigans.  This movie was written and directed by Jim Rash (aka Dean Pelton on Community) and Nat Faxon (screenplay writer of the Descendants). They both have small roles in the movie along with Maya Rudolph, Allison Janney, Rob Corddry and Amanda Peet.  Allison Janney has particular memorable scenes as the annoying next door neighbor that demonstrates to Duncan he can have a far worse of a mother.  

The title is taken from a colloquialism for the rear seat of a station wagon and initially the movie was suppose to take place in the 70's but because of budgetary constraints takes place in present day.  This movie was my favorite comedy of 2013 (you can't always watch dramas) and was far better than The Internship, Identity Thief, The Heat, Admission, We're the Millers, and This is the End.  Note: I have not seen Anchorman: The Legend Continues (My IMDB vote 8/10)

My next upcoming blog will be on my honorable mentions for other great movies of 2013 that are worth anyone's time.  Comments? Suggestions?  Have a better Top 5?  Please add it below.

Kieran's Favorite Things - January Edition - Yes, I' am Ripping off Oprah

This is my first monthly blog on my favourite things and yes, I'am certainly ripping off Oprah.  No, nobody is winning anything and what is under your chair is dust.   But, you know positivity spreads and saying nice things about stuff can't hurt anybody. I can't say that I have seen more than a few episodes of Oprah (went out of my way to watch the Lance Armstrong interviews), but I know from watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart the gist.

Hooray to Google Image

So, what is Kieran liking in January!

Star Talk Radio:

Star Talk Radio Podcast featuring Neil Degrasse Tyson, who describes himself as "your own personal astrophysicist."   This is a weekly podcast discussing astronomy, cosmology, physics, science-fiction, and space exploration.  Neil Degrasse Tyson is charming, funny and just good spirited person.  You may have seen him on various talk shows as he does the circuit.

He's picking up where one of my previous heroes Carl Sagan left off and he's hosting the 'Cosmos' TV which will air again on the National Geographic Channel and Fox - March 9, 2014.  I started listening to this podcast in Mexico last November and I'am hooked.  He has a revolving cast of New York comedians co-hosting with him and he's able to get great interviews with people such as Jon Stewart, Buzz Aldrin, Joe Rogan, Whoopi Goldberg, astronauts and university professors.  I thoroughly enjoy listening to this on the treadmill at the gym or in the car on a long drive.  One imperfection is that I find it often silly that he discusses with his co-host conversations that are previsously taped and edited of proper interviews.  I can understand editing an interview. Just not discussing what was just said with another person, especially when you are asking for commentary from a comedian on another far more successful comedian. The podcast is available at their website or on Itunes.

Preview of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey

Dried Fruit:

When I grew up Grandma would often have dried figs for Christmas and Winter time.  Now my grandparents live in a senior home and I have fend for my own snacks.  My preferred grocery store had a sale various dried fruits and on impulse I bought them.  Now I'm addicted to Smyrna Figs, California Plums (aka prunes), Malatya Apricots and Tunisian Dates.  They do contain potassium sorbate which is one of those lousy preservatives and should be avoided in large amounts.  Also, they contain fiber, vitamins and minerals.... which is better than a tasty bag of chips I'm trying to avoid. At $4 a bag these are reasonable, tasty and travel well.  We ate half a bag when we walked around the Zoo a few weeks ago.

Messini Authentic Gyros

3 Kinds of Gyro from Their Webiste

Messini Authetic Gyros restaurant on the Danforth - Mrs. Shopaholic and I ate there last Saturday for lunch and we were happily full.  I love a Gyro, but throw in some French Fries as part of the delicious combination of pork, tzatziki, tomato, onion, and toasted pita, and you have a winner.  Sure this bastardized Greek food, but it tastes great and does not cost an arm and a leg.  We had lunch with Greek salad, plate of fries and two ginger ales for $20 with tax and tip.

The restaurant has always been busy when we have went and the decor is not fabulous, but what you are getting is a generous portion at a fair price.  The service was also reasonably quick and our food came hot.  Other favorites on the menu is the plate of home style fries covered in feta cheese and oregano.  In my mind this great fast food time in lieu of the traditional burger.  Bon Apetit!

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  Have a favorite thing to recommend?  Go for it below.

  

Fun Facts - What 4 Hours of Podcasts Recently Taught Us

This weekend Mrs. Shopaholic and I visited friends out of town and got to catch up on our Podcast listening. The road trip was a little scary for us as we experienced brief white outs from blowing snow on the county roads and we slid a couple of times. I ask the Mayor Neustadt to plow your roads!  We also got see the townsfolk of Arthur go to Timmy's on their Ski-doos.   Sights not normally seen by us a city folk.

So, these are some fun facts that are now entered into my brain and likely pushing out something important that now I can't remember.

• Per Freaknomics podcast they asked the question "What's the "Best" Exercise?"  I can save you 20 minutes of listening and answer it is the exercise you willingly do.  Overall the podcast was well done and they utilized a computerized ladies voice asking questions to Stephen Dubner in homage to the movie 'Her.'  The key take away was that 80% of Americans don't meet the basic exercise requirements as set out by American College of Sports Medicine of exercising 30 minutes a day most days of the week.  Economists have measured that walking 30 minutes a day five days a week adds year and a half to your life expectancy.  2 and a half years for exercising at a greater intensity such as jogging or sports.  Per studies done at the University of Chicago and other institutions it has been shown that interval training can lead to greater endurance/strength gains and caloric burn.
• Per another Freakanomics podcast entitled "The Most Dangerous Machine" and it was on death rate of the American driver.  This was a poor choice for in car listening, but it brought up some of the key technical innovations in driving safety.  Also, Ohio City in the State of Ohio was the site of the first recorded car crash in 1891.

  

  Sign Commemorating the First Car Crash

  Apparently approximately 33,000 Americans die a year in vehicle accidents and that you are 3 times more likely to die in rural area then in the city.  I was surprised by the latter, but per the podcast most accidental deaths occur by drivers veering off the road into ditches, trees, pole, etc.  Not by hitting other cars.  Most accidents are caused by driver carelessness or distraction.  So, in reality you are your own worst enemy and it is not the other driver on the road.  A key innovation in driver safety came when a nurse in the early 1900's was sick of treating accident victims and went out and painted the first divided road.  In the early 1950's the seat belt was first introduced in cars, but it took until the 1980's for the majority of people to use them.  Apparently only approximately 91% of Americans use a seat belt or about 1 in 10 do not.  When was the last time you were in a car with someone who didn't put one on?   Who is that 1 in 10?
• Per Stuff the Mom Never Told You podcast entitled "What's the Difference Between Gender and Sex" is that 1 in 2,000 babies are born with a condition that makes the child's gender indeterminate.  The child can be born with severely malformed sex organs or born with a combination of both male and female sexual organs.  These individuals are often labeled as 'transexuals' and Germany (Oct 2013) has been the latest country to recognize legally a third 'other' gender.  Australia and Nepal have previously enshrined in law a third gender.  I know from another podcast 

I hope you enjoyed these 'Fun Facts.  I highly recommend 'Freaknomics Radio' and Mrs. Shopaholic also routinely enjoys 'Stuff Mom Never Told You.'  The latter can be hit or miss for me depending on the topic.  

Pork Persillade (Pork coated in Parsley, Garlic and Olive Oi.)

This is a roast recipe that I have now made several times and it is a simple way to make a Sunday roast.  Persillade is a combination of chopped fresh parsley, minced garlic and olive oil, and is common to french cooking.  You can serve this combination also on chicken, lamb, potatoes or oysters.

Pork Persillade

To make this coating it takes only minutes and can be applied on roast up to 24 hours before hand.  Just keep it refrigerated.   It takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes of cooking time to prepare a 2.5 Lbs roast (1Kg); and that will make about 6 portions.  The general rule of thumb with roasts is a 1/2 lbs (8oz) per person and that is weight before cooking.

Pork Persillade
Combine in a medium size bowl:
	6 Cloves Garlic, minced
	2 TBSP (30ml) Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
	1-1/2 Cups (375ml) Fresh Parsley, chopped (and loosely packed and towel dried)
Other Ingredients:
	1 Pork Rib Roast or Centre Roast (Boneless) -  2.5lbs or 1Kg
	1/2 TSP Salt
	1/2 TSP Fresh Ground Pepper
Steps:
	1) In a medium size bowl combine garlic, parsley and olive oil.   Mix together to create a paste.
	2) Pre-Heat oven to 350 degrees.
	3) Rub Salt and Pepper on the outside of the roast and place on grill pan.
	4) Rub Parsley mixture on the outside of the roast.  Place roast in heated oven.
	5) Cook roast at 350 degrees until it reaches an internal temperature of 170F (71C).  This takes about 1:45 minutes.
	6) Tent roast with aluminum foil on a cutting board and let stand 10 minutes before slicing.  Cut in 1/2 cm pieces and serve.

Tips and Suggestions:

• This recipe can be prepped and done hours before dinner.  So you can coat the roast and have it wrapped in plastic in the fridge until needed.
• Use an electric meat thermometer and take the guess work out.  Electric meat thermometers usually have an alarm that can be set to tell you when the roast is done.
• If you have a convection roast function on your oven use it.  It will take about 20% less time and you'll have a more crispy outside of roast.
• Use a grill pan and the excess grease will drain away.    

Preparation Photos:

The photos you are seeing contains a larger 4lbs (1.9kg) Pork Centre Loin Roast and I split it in half to get more parsley coating on the roast.  Also, so we could have leftovers for tasty next day sandwiches.  

Ingredients for Pork Persillade

Parsley, Garlic and Olive Oil Mixture

Pork Roast prior to Cooking

The Final Product

Variations:

• The parsley coating also goes easily on chicken breasts, lamb roast or pork tenderloin.  Make the coating and rub on. Than cook the meat as you always would. 
• For a Dijon style flair brush a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the outside of the roast and the put on the parsley coating.  This goes very well if you like Dijon mustard and gives the meat even more flavour.  I normally use Maille brand myself as I find it tastes better than Grey Poupon.  

Classic One Liner

• If you really want to go to flavor country.  Wrap the outside of the roast with bacon before coating it with parsley.  Use toothpicks soaked in water to tack the bacon on.  This is really tasty.... Your waistline is not for me to judge.  

Comments? Suggestions? Please share them below.

Provencal Carrot and Parsnip soup with Basil

This is an excellent soup recipe that I have now prepared a few times.  It is a Provencal (Southern France) style of soup with the combination of fresh basil and cream.  Also, although parsnips are not commonly served in Canada they are easily found Winter vegetables at most grocery stores.  Parsnips cost about twice the price of carrots and are normally found near the fancy lettuce and Asian vegetables (at least at Longo's or Loblaw's.)  Europeans have been eating parsnips long before Roman times and they look like white carrots.

Provencal Carrot and Parsnip Soup

This soup takes about 1 hour to prepare and serves 8 portions.  It can easily be made ahead of time and warmed up for dinner.  I suggest serving this soup as a starter for roasts and accompanying it with some fresh baguette.  Bon apetit!

Provencal Carrot and Parsnip soup with Basil
Combine in a stock pot:
	1 Sweet Onion, chopped
	1 Yellow-Flesh Potato, peeled and chopped (Yukon Gold works)
	2 Cups Parnsips, peeled and chopped (3 to 4, about 10oz)
	4 Cups Carrots, peeled and chopped (about 1 1/4 lbs)
	1/2 TSP Ground Pepper
	4 Cups (1L) Sodium Reduced Chicken Broth
	1 Cup Water
Step 3: After Cooking and blending soup
	1 Cup (250ml) 10% or 18% Cream
Finishing Ingredients:
	3 TBSP of freshly squeezed Lemon Juice (1/2 a large lemon)
	1/4 Cup Fresh Basil, chopped TT Salt (1 TSP is my suggestion)
Steps:
	1) In a stock pot bring vegetables, chicken broth and water to a boil.  Then reduce heat to medium-low and cook covered for 25 minutes until vegetables are soft.
	2) Blend with an immersion blender or in batches in a blender.
	3) Reduce heat to a simmer and stir in 1 cup of cream.
	4) Prior to serving soup add lemon juice, basil and salt to taste. Stir soup to mix in.  Serve hot.
Soup will last up to 3 days in the fridge.  When reheating consider adding more water to get to desired thickness.  Soup will thicken overtime.

Ingredients for Soup

Vegetables prior to Cooking

Step 1: Soup with Boiling Vegetables

Step 3: After Blending and Adding a Cup of Cream

Step 4: After Adding Basil

Final Product: Provencal Carrot and Parsnip Soup

What I learned making this soup:

• That the more I eat parsnips; the more I like them.  They are excellent source of dietary fibre, B vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and potassium. 
• Parsnips are also a great addition to stews and work well in combination with carrots.  
• "TT" often used in cookbooks to mean 'to taste.'  Julia Child frequently used this abbreviation in her cookbooks in reference to salt and pepper.  

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  Please add them below.                                

Toronto Zoo is Winter Fun

During the Winter holidays Mrs. Shopaholic, friends, and I visited the Toronto Zoo on a warmer Winter day.  We all love the Zoo, but had never been during Winter.  We were all pleasantly surprised and it was a lot of fun.  If you are looking for a Winter activity and don't mind bundling up then this is great one.

For more information about the Toronto Zoo see their website.  The Zoo is open every day of the year except for Christmas.  Adult admission is $23 a person and parking is $10 a vehicle.  It is possible to get to the Zoo by TTC (Sheppard 85 East Bus from Don Mills Subway Station, bus alone takes 38 minutes per the TTC.  So, I would not recommend it. 

Winter Zoo Fun:

The Zoo bills says that each visit you will see something new.  The following things I have never seen at the Zoo during our usual summer visits:

• The arctic wolves singing and moving about.  We were listening to the Polar Bear zookeeper and the nearby wolves started singing. 

• The Hyenas.  For years I have walked by the Hyenas and have never seen them standing or moving.  In the summer you can only make out vague details of them sleeping in their dens.

Hyena

• Pandas moving.  We saw Toronto Zoos famous addition back on the Victoria Day weekend when they came to the zoo.  Neither of the pandas moved and were not worth the line to see them.  In Winter they were both moving and we ample elbow room too see them.

Lady Panda - Er Shun

• The Giraffes were also active and strangely licking the metal chain link fences.  Don't they know their tongues could get stuck to it?  Everyone had that one kid in primary school who did this.  

Masai Giraffe and her calf born Oct 18, 2013

• The pavilions were a lot easier to get around in and you hardly ever had to line up to view an animal.  One of the highlights was the Australian Great Blue Jay who got up close with us.

• Lastly, the Polar Bears usually put on a good show regardless of time of year.  The key is catching them at Noon when the Zookeeper is feeding them.   

Lady Polar Bear

Arguing over a Salmon

Some other fun facts that I learned about the Zoo:

• On Boxing day they have a Christmas for the animals.  The zookeepers are out and giving special treats for the animals.  It is meant for families and the zookeepers make themselves far more available than usual.  Also, they offer half priced admission.  
• On New Year's Eve they throw a family oriented party complete with stage and show for children.  They have live band, magicians and a proper stage setup in the entrance courtyard of the Zoo.  They do a New Year's eve countdown at 8:00 PM for kids.  
• The Giraffes will be moving in 2014 to Elephants former domain.  
• The Zoo will be re-opening for Victoria Day Weekend the Eurasia loop (Camels, Reindeer, Wild Horses, Snow Leopard, etc).  Although, it will only be accessible by Zoo Mobile.  (*Lame*)  

Reindeer out for a Stroll

Cons of Visiting the Toronto Zoo in Winter:

• Some of the African large mammels (hippotamus, antelopes, zebras, lions and cheetah) were not on display outside or inside.
• The food at the zoo is not that good and over-priced.  Only 2 of the 5 restaurants were open and mind you I think I'd rather go hungry than eat at a Mandarin Express.   I'd suggest bringing a sandwich or snacks.  
• The African penguins were not swimming about as their pool was frozen.  Although, I don't know why a penguin would be indoors for winter.
• In the Malayan Woods pavilion the butterflies must have all been hibernating and not flying about.

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  Do you have a favourite animal to see at the zoo?  Please add your comments below.

Black Bean and Vegetable Soup

Winter has us in its icy grips and in order to please Mrs. Shopaholic and her ever cold feet I often make soup. This soup if full of vegetables and is both nutritious and delicious.  This soup is an excellent source of dietary fiber, vegetable protein, vitamins A, C, folate, calcium and other minerals.

Black Bean and Vegetable Soup

This recipe takes about 45 minutes to prepare and serves 6 adult portions.  You can garnish it up with a dollop of sour cream.

Black Bean and Vegetable Soup
Combine in a stock pot:
	1 TBSP of Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil
	2 Celery Stalks, diced
	2 Medium Carrots, diced
	1 Medium Onion, diced
	2 Cloves Garlic, minced
	1/2 TSP Ground, Cumin
	1 Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
	1/2 TSP Salt
	1/4 TSP Pepper
Ingredients for Step 2:
	2 Cans Black Beans (19oz/540ml), drained and rinsed
	2 Cups (500ml) Sodium Reduced Chicken Stock
	4 Cups (1 L) Water
Ingredients to Finish Soup:
	1 Green Onion, diced
	1/4 Cup Fresh Coriander (loosely packed), chopped
Steps:
	1) In a large stock pot, heat oil over medium high heat with celery, onions and seasonings.  Stirring often about 6 minutes or until vegetables are softened.
	2) Add Black beans, chicken stock and water and bring to a boil.
	3) Reduce heat to a simmer and cover with lid.  Cook vegetables until tender about 20 minutes.  Stirring occasionally.
	4) Using an immersion blender puree the soup until smooth or use a blender and perform in batches.  Simmer soup until needed.
	5) Prior to serving soup add green onion and coriander.  Stir soup to mix in.  Serve hot and with a dollup of sour cream (if desired).
Soup will last up to 3 days in the fridge.  When reheating consider adding more water to get to desired thickness.  Soup will thicken overtime.

Ingredients for Black Bean and Vegetable Soup

Step 1: Frying the Vegetables and Seasonings

Step 2: Add Beans, Stock and Water, and bringing the Soup to a boil

Step 4: After Blending the Soup

The Finished Soup

Additions and Substitutions:

• For spicier soup add 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper.  
• For those who don't like Coriander (aka Cilantro) omit it from the recipe. 

Fun Facts that I learned while 'wiki-ing' some of the ingredients for this recipe:

• Black Beans are also known as Black Turtle Beans and are commonly used in Latin American cooking.  Further there are 6 common sub-varieties: Black Magic, Blackhawk, Domino, Nighthank, Valentine and Zorro.
• Coriander is also known as Cilantro and Spanish Parsley. Approximately, 1 in 10 people have an allergic response to it.  For those who have the allergy the side effects could as limited as horrible taste in ones mouth, swelling tongue and gums, itching throat to abdominal cramping, bloating, vomiting or diarrhea. It is a genetic pre-disposition and if you are allergic to coriander you are also allergic to birch tree pollen.  I could not find an article that I would recommend on the subject from Google.  
• Onions need not be stored in a fridge.  Just a dark, dry and cool place.  However, onions stored in the fridge will release less sulfenic acids, which turn into a gas and irritates the eyes.  Also, cutting onions routinely will reduce the eye irritation.  Another alternative to reduce eye irritation and the smell is too light a candle near the cutting board.