Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Eighteen

Appetizer
Do you believe there is intelligent life on other planets?

• Yes I do. The universe is so vast, that I feel there is life, somewhere out there in the universe. And, if the most popular cosmological model today is actually true, then we all have a twin in a galaxy so far away that it is hard to imagine. Check out the Scientific American article Parallel Universes (parallel universes aren't just science fiction!)
  

Soup
What is one thing you said you'd never do, but you eventually did?

• Skydiving. I'm so glad I did it - it was an incredible experience! We went with Skydive Gananoque and did a tandem jump, which meant I was strapped on to an experienced instructor, who handled all the details of the jump. I didn't have to worry about anything! We even had a video taken of my jump. I didn't enjoy freefall (I thought I was going to be sick throughout the freefall) but once the parachute opened and we were under canopy, it was an incredible experience. It is so quiet and peaceful up there, and seeing the landscape around me from up in the air was just amazing.
  

Salad
Who is the teacher that influenced you the most in school?

• Mr. Durnin, at St. Pius X High School, in Ottawa, Ontario. He was the teacher in charge of the gifted programme when I was in grades 10 through 12. He was a great teacher, who challenged us, and he was also kind, caring, and compassionate.
  

Main Course
If you could trade places with anyone for one day, who would it be and why?

• One of the astronauts on the International Space Station. I would love to travel to space and see what the Earth looks like from up there. I also think it would be an incredible experience.
  

Dessert
What is your favorite dish to prepare?

• Chili
  
  Ingredients:
  1-2 tsp olive oil
  2 bell peppers (red, yellow or green), diced (optional)
  1 medium onion, chopped
  1 clove garlic, minced (or use pre-minced garlic from a jar)
  12 ounces extra lean ground sirloin (or ground beef) (optional)
  1 tblspoon chili powder (or more to taste)
  1 tsp ground cumin
  1 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes (no sugar added)
  1 15-ounce can of black beans, rinsed and drained
  1 15-ounce can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  1 15-ounce can tomato sauce (no sugar added)
  
  Directions:
  Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add peppers, onion, garlic and cook until they soften. Add ground sirloin. Cook thoroughly until there is no pink left. Add remaining ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  
  Top with grated low-fat cheese if desired (Monteray Jack or Mozerella work well) and serve with sourdough bread.
  

Tags: memes, Friday's Feast