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Borrego Springs, CA

Friday, August 30, 2013

A culinary road trip?

Early yesterday morning Emma and I headed out for my a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,MN, for my sometimes annual physical check up.  After several frustrating moments the night before trying to upload the latest maps on my GPS, I was successful and it took me on a slightly different route this time to Rochester.  I guess the upload was worth it as it scooted me around all the construction that is going on in the Twin Cities.

By about 3:00 I arrived at my oldest son Dan’s home, and was surprised to find his wife, Crystal, home.  She has been touring the country most of the summer as a sort of expeditor for a famous singing group.  I wish I could remember their name, but it’s The ‘something’ Brothers.  I hate it when I draw a blank like that.  I’m not familiar with them, but that’s not surprising.  It just came to me that it might be the Jonas Brothers?

Anyway, she is often gone from home pursuing her career.  She is quite a good cook, so this road trip may have more of a culinary trend to it than a medical one.

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Here’s what Crystal whipped up for dinner last night.  Tasty pork loin on a bed of couscous with with roasted green beans and eggplant.  I love it when somebody else cooks, and I’ve never had couscous before.  Made me kind of feel like I was visiting the Food Network channel.  In love

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The multi-talented Crystal with her hubby, Daniel.

I was headed for the Mayo Clinic early this morning without breakfast for my annual check-up.  The Mayo satellite clinic that I go to is about 20 miles away.  That’s where my family doctor, DR. K., that I’ve dealt with for over 15 years, practices.  Even though I tried to get an appointment with her more than a month ago, they said she was not available.  Instead I was scheduled with some young doctor I didn’t know.  I wasn’t thrilled with that since I’d then have to go through all of my history and explain my lifestyle of the past seven years.

It seems Dr. K. is serving in a more supervisory capacity these days with training in new doctors in their residency years.  Imagine my surprise when Dr. K. stepped into the examination room and said, “Judy, how is life going in the motorhome?”  I was thrilled, and we got right down to the nitty-gritty.  I was poked, prodded, got a pneumonia vaccine, had blood drawn for the usual tests, and was on my way in short order.

Then of course, it was off to the Gonda Building at The Mayo Clinic in downtown Rochester for my mammogram.  They’ve streamlined things there as well, and I was in and out in less than a half hour.  I’ve been checked out and given the go ahead to continue living! 

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Late this afternoon, Crystal and I met Dan at the Chau Noodle Restaurant.  I’ve never eaten Vietnamese food before, so this was another culinary first for me.

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We started off with Vietnamese spring rolls as an appetizer.  They are wrapped in rice paper, totally edible, and come with a sauce that we used a spoon to drizzle through the middle of the spring roll since we were sharing the sauce bowl.  (Crystal is the one with experience here to teach me about this cuisine.)

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For the main course, Daniel and I shared an order of PHO TAI.  It’s a beef soup with rice noodles, lemon grass, cilantro, green onions, and thinly sliced beef.  On the side is a plate of fresh basil leaves, bean sprouts, jalapeno peppers and line slices that can be added as you like to the soup.  I, of course, skipped the peppers.  The serving was enormous, and I can’t imagine one person eating this whole huge bowl.  Both of us ate our fill, and still had a quart to take home.  There were also sauces to dip the beef slices into. 

For me, my first impression was that the broth was delicious.  There was a taste, though, that I really didn’t care for.  I eventually figured out that it was the lemon grass.  If I could have this dish without the lemon grass, I would really like it.

This post is getting rather long, but I wanted to mention what I’ll be doing this evening and tomorrow morning.

_MG_9188Remember the furry “Three Musketeers” from my last visit here in July?  Yes, from left to right that’s Buddy, Georgie Girl, and Emma.  I like to think of them as the two young lunatics and one calm old dog.  I’m babysitting them all tonight while Crystal and Dan have a night on the town together.  They will return tomorrow.  I’m thinking this may be more challenging than grandchildren!  Wish me luck…

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

27 comments:

  1. we love the mayo's and love experience a culinary feast as you did...

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  2. Well, it's been years since we've babysat grandchildren... even our great-grandkids would probably be a challange.... but it sure looks like you'll have an interesting time tonight. Glad the Mayo thing went well... that's always a relief..... and I hope the rest of your time there is a good.

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  3. When we lived in Washington, DC, Jim had a good friend from Thailand and he introduced us to many new foods. the only one I really didn't care for was Ethiopian. So much fun to try new things. Good to hear the reports from the doctors. And enjoy the pups - they will definitely keep you on your toes.

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  4. Glad you got the go ahead to go ahead and live... delicious looking food. What an interesting DiL you have ~ The Jonas Brothers? wow.... big stuff. Happy looking couple and great puppy dawgs.

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  5. I don't know who the Jonas Brothers are either! It always feels good for the Physician telly what you already know. I have my checkup scheduled for November when we get home, and I'm wondering why bother....I am felling, doing great.

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  6. I know with kids just give them some antihistamines and they are out like a light :-), don't know
    the equivalent for granddogs...benadryl ? Sam is not at all adventurous when it comes to
    food, personally would like to try some of that looks wonderful. Glad your check up turned out good.

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  7. Sounds like you are having another wonderful visit. Family, food, and dog siting...doesn't get much better than that.

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  8. how wonderful to broaden your culinary horizons. . .yum!

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  9. I'm e vinous your doctor apps are all over... We will be doing the same thing in October. Always a relief to get that behind you!

    I'm sure the pups will be just fine. Thank goodness for a fenced in yard!

    It is fun to try new tastes and different kinds of food. I have heard of the Jonas Brothers...go Crystal!

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  10. I've eaten Pho but it didnt have too much stuff in it besides beef. I think plain Pho is Vietnamese beef soup. I liked it ok but I'm not adventurous when it comes to food. I agree with hating to see a different doctor. And why do you have to start all over when all your info is on your chart. I'd like to go back to having just a plain old doctor I could go to who could refer me if I need a specialist, but I don't like the big medical centers that want to run a zillion tests whether you need them or not.

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  11. Glad you checked out OK--good luck with the dog sitting--I would rather dog sit than children sit any time!!!

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  12. Glad to hear after your medical appointments you're in tip-top shape. Must be the exercise you got from all that post painting.

    Nice visit with your son and DIL. I noticed Dan is bald, did that come from him pulling his hair out trying to solve your computer problems? :cD

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  13. Happy to hear they said you can go on living now. LOL It's good to hear such a wonderful report.

    For me there would have been 2 tastes in the soup I wouldn't like lemon grass and cilantro. or maybe 3 the peppers are out too.

    Hope the dog sitting went well.

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  14. I haven't had couscous in quite awhile, I switched to quinoa which has a firmer texture. It's great in soups, I'll make some today in a side dish with frozen mixed vegetables and vegetable broth and it'll pair up with anything. Lots of protein in addition to the fiber in quinoa, give it a try if you haven't done so. Don't forget to hit Trader Joe's before you leave Rochester like we did! ;)

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  15. Doobie Brothers? Smothers Brothers? Dr. Joyce Brothers? Probably the Jonas Brothers.

    Hope your tests came back favorably!

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  16. You are eating pretty fancy stuff these days. Glad you were able to see your own Doctor and get the o.k. to keep on living.

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  17. Reading your blog got me sooo hungry (it doesn't help having a very fragrant bread in the oven either)!
    Couscous is a staple in our household, I usually make it with a sort of (Moroccan) beef stew. Lemongrass isn't my favorite either but I used to say that about cilantro too and nowerdays I just love that stuff!
    Good to hear you're healthy!

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  18. What a great way to try new things! I'm glad you get to dog sit too...you'll enjoy it (I hope it went ok) and your son and his wife will enjoy a night away! Glad the doctor turned out good too. I've been wondering how full timers get their annual physicals, their twice a year teeth cleaning and the once a year vet visits in!

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    1. The way I have been doing it is to return to my 'domicile' once a year for health, vet and one teeth cleaning by my 'regular' dentist. I then need to find two more places/dentist during the year for two additional cleaning to maintain what periodontal surgery fixed. It requires some advanced planning but can be done.

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  19. Dogsitting your grand dogs sounds like it will be fine. What you must think of my posts if this one of yours seems long to you. Like the others I'm glad you are OK to go on living. Sounds like an easy medical visit. That's always wonderful. Hope mine coming up are just like it.

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  20. That food ALL looked fabulous! I've never tried Vietnamese food either but would love to...if I had a great mentor like you do :)

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  21. Interesting food tour today. I love your header photograph. It is stunning. Good luck babysitting. How nice of you to offer.

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  22. I bet you did some strange dreaming after that new food! Glad your checkup was with your fav DR. Hope all ends well:)

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  23. The food looks fabulous. Glad your check up went well. Enjoy those grand dogs :)

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  24. No wonder you wanted Dr. K. to do your annual physical. What a wonderful physician, to remember a patient. Of course you are a memorable gal!! Hope the dog sitting went well. When I have the grand kids and the dogs all at the same time, it is the dogs that cause the most trouble.

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  25. Glad the report the doctor visit was great. Never had Vietnamese, will have to try that sometime.

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