This is an eye opener short talk at TEDx from Joe Smith. Consider this: Americans use 13 billion lbs of paper towels every year. If we can reduce by 1 paper towel per person per day, that would be equivalent to 571,230,000 million lbs of papers not used. That’s a lot of trees that we can potentially save.

Tip: At home we use those micro fiber detailing cloths. It’s absorbent, reusable and washable.

You use paper towels to dry your hands every day, but chances are, you’re doing it wrong. In this enlightening and funny short talk at TEDxConcordiaUPortland, Joe Smith reveals the trick to perfect paper towel technique.

R. P. Joe Smith served as a District Attorney in Umatilla County and nearly won a race for Oregon Attorney General without taking a single contribution over $99.99. He is a former chair of the Oregon Democratic Party and is active with several local nonprofits.

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We have two ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ posters in our apartment. We have two coffee mugs with the same slogan. I have a number of notepads that says the same. But what is the real story behind “Keep Calm and Carry On”?

The luxury of weekend is when I can cook “real” breakfast for the family. A fluffy pancake, uncured turkey bacon and eggs make everyone satisfied and happy. This goes especially for my daughter who feels her day is complete having pancakes for breakfast.

I am sharing this Basic Pancakes Recipe from The New York Times Cook Book (Copyright 1961 by Craig Claiborne) which I’ve been using now for more than a decade. We’ve not been relying on pancake mix on a box for a long time now.

The ingredients I’m sure are in your pantry. Try this recipe and you will not be disappointed. I promise it will be fluffy and good.

Basic Pancakes

1 1/2 cups sifted flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/4 cups milk, approximately
3 tablespoons shortening, melted and slightly cooled or vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
2. Mix egg, milk, and shortening or oil. Three-quarters cup milk will make thick pancakes; one and one-quarter cups of milk will make them thin enough for rolling.
3. Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients and stir only enough to moisten the dry ingredients. Do not beat or the pancakes will be tough. (For thinner pancakes, add more milk and mix lightly).
4. Bake on a hot griddle, lightly greased if necessary. Turn pancakes only once.

Blogging Mama’s tip:

1. You may use a non stick pan or a well seasoned cast iron pan. I made sure to lightly butter (vegetable oil) the pan or griddle. Wipe off with a paper towel until no butter or oil is visible. Repeat this step every time you pour the pancake batter.

2. Use a 1/4 cup to measure the pancake batter and gently pour in the hot pan or griddle.

3. Do not over mix pancake batter. No need to worry about lumps since it will just dissolve during cooking. Too much mixing results in a tough pancake.

4. Flip the pancakes if bubbles begin to set around the edges of the pancake.

5. Fruits like blueberry, banana and even chocolate chips may be added to the pancake batter for variation.

Here’s a bonus rap video for you. I said, for you. Not for your kids…

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The United States isn’t broke. It remains as one of the richest country. But we are making some pretty dumb choices. Go watch the The Story of Broke: Why There’s Still Plenty of Money to Build a Better Future.

Why do I like The Story of Broke? Because I was part of the millions who watched The Story of Stuff.

You only need four basic ingredients to make Banana Turon or Banana Lumpia. Nothing fancy here, only banana (saba, or plantain), lumpia wrapper or spring roll wrapper, brown sugar and vegetable oil. But one can be as adventurous to bring this simple dessert or snack to the next level. You may add chunks of chocolate, slices of either ripe jack fruit, mango, cheese, and even coconut.

As for me, I toasted some sesame seeds and added it to my banana and sugar filling. The sesame seeds just add a rich nutty flavor which compliments well with the rest of the simple ingredients. If you want it fancy then drizzle it with caramel sauce while the Banana Turon is still hot. This crunchy, addictive dessert is perfect also with vanilla ice cream.

I like making this for the family because not only is it easy to make, but very budget friendly as well.

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On my way home today from my doctor’s appointment, I passed by Zuccotti Park where the Occupy Wall Street protestors gather and live. One thing I noticed: there’s the group of protestors, group of homeless people, group of hippies, media people, police, tourists…

And then, there’s the hula hoop lady.

My friends often ask me where I buy my baking supplies. Aside from online sources, my favorite is N.Y. Cake & Baking in West 22nd between Fifth and Sixth Avenue. You can also reach them online at nycake.com.

And this video? One of the most boring and shortest video that you can find.