Recipe of the Day

I'm hoping I can get out here every day to post a new "Recipe of the Day" for your enjoyment.

This first recipe is using some products from Wildtree Herbs (www.wildtreeherbs.com)...a company that I've just become familiar with. It's a quick and easy appetizer recipe that I hope you enjoy.

Artichoke Scampi Crostini Provided by Wildtree from Warwick RI SERVINGS: 8 INGREDIENTS: 8 slices (1/4 inch thick) baguette 2 tablespoons Wildtree Natural Grapeseed Oil 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed and patted dry 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons Wildtree Scampi Blend
PREPARATION: Preheat oven to 350. In a small dish mix Grapeseed Oil with Scampi Blend. Brush each side of sliced baguette with oil mixture. Place on a baking sheet and bake, turning once for a total of 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix artichoke hearts and cheese. Place a scoop of artichoke topping on each toast and serve immediately.

Libertarian / Constituionalist

I've known for years that I wasn't a strict Republican or a strict Democrat. I always just said "I'm an Independent, I vote for the candidate I feel will do the best job regardless of party affiliation." Well, with the latest debacle in Washington, I've decided that I'm no longer going to likely vote Republican or Democrat, that there are other parties out there that I better align with in my ideals and beliefs.

My beliefs align mostly with the Libertarian and Constitutional Party's. I believe that every American has certain rights as guaranteed by the Constitution. I don't believe that I have a right to tell another person how to live their life or what choices they should be making. I firmly believe in advising other people but ultimately allowing them to make their own decisions based on what they feel is the right thing to do. I don't feel that government has a right to tell us which doctors to see, what we can and can't say and whether or not we are allowed to grow our own vegetables and produce in our own gardens free of pesticides and preservatives.

I believe that the bail out of the banks, insurance companies and automobile makers was a huge mistake...even BEFORE they officially bailed them out. If you want to stimulate the economy and get American's to spend again, bail AMERICAN'S out, not the banks that put them in that position by taking advantage of them.

If the banks, insurance companies and automobile makers were allowed to fail, three more businesses in each industry would have popped up to take their place...that's the entrepreneurial spirit that this country was founded on. Such is the story of the founder of General Motors, William "Billy" Durant. William Durant was a successful horse and buggy carriage producer and was the number one horse-carriage company in the world. When Ford introduced gas powered cars, William Durant was skeptical but he saw that his company could not compete with these powered vehicles and eventually formed his own automobile company to compete with Henry Ford. William Durant's company was "allowed" to fail and was better for it. The US economy was better for it, jobs were better for it and the government wasn't involved. Read his story here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_C._Durant it's an inspiring one and one of the many that I believe in.

This is today's rant. Some of my posts will be ranting about this, that, and the other thing, others will be fun posts that I hope you enjoy.