salad-n-noodles’ blog

Today is Memorial Day, it's also a day of national BBQ. I'm bringing a mixed grains parsley salad and brownies to the BBQ party I'm going this evening. :)

Here's my recipe for the mixed grains salad, enjoy!!

Ingredients:

• 1 bag Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Blend grains (you can substitute 2 cups of couscous or other mixed grains)
• 1 can of Garbanzo bean, or any other white beans you have in your pantry
• 2 cups of Italian parsley
• 2 tbp of olive oil
• 2 tbp of apple cider vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste (I prefer sea salt to table salt, but you can use whatever salt you have available)

Preparation:

Cook the mixed grains per instructions on the box. Rinse the garbanzo bean, set aside. Finely chop the Italian parsley and mix the olive oil with apple vinegar, set aside.

When the mixed grains is cooked, let cool and transfer to a big salad bowl or serving bowl.  Mix in chopped Italian parsley and garbanzo beans. Toss well, drizzle the olive oil vinegar dressing over mixed grain salad. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Optional: sprinkle some toasted almonds or other crunchy nuts for another layer of texture.

Serves 6.

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I'm stressed, my neck is tense, my upper back is full of knots... just because I have been on the phone all morning talking to not one, not two, but three phone companies. Ok, maybe they are not exactly phone companies in the traditional sense, they are companies that forward toll-free calls to your designated phones.

Few weeks ago I reserved a toll-free number for my consulting business, I tested it and it worked fine. Today,I called the number again, to my horror, it didn't work. Worse, the voice on the other side of the line asked me to dial 10.15.15.8000 for more information. What happened???? A quick search online showed that this could be a scam number. How did my toll-free number get connected to this scam number? Afterall, I reserved this number with Accessline who partners with Office Depot, I would think that they are a reputable company that can provide reliable services.

Obviously I cancelled it.

Through my friend's recommendation, I now signup with GotVmail. After reading all the press coverage and watching a video of its CEO's interview with Fox/Entrepreneul, I have a little more confidence in their service. Let's hope this new toll-free number brings me lots of business and not troubles!!

Now I need to breathe deeply and get a nice masage!!

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Taiko drummers performing at the Cherry Blossom festival in San Francisco. Makes me want to take up Taiko drumming!

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