melly

I'm guessing he'll be out of it for a while still?

Sereia, you were both in my thoughts today. I hope it went well.

*eta - in response to how sereia's husband is doing.

I was talking with my hubby about it when I was in Egypt.

We were at a cafe/bakery place in Heliopolis, and there were many people there smoking sheesha. Most of them were men but there were actually several women, and none of them appeared to be Western.

He said it's unusual for women to smoke in public, though they do smoke at home or away from public eyes.

I've heard that there's newer cafe's in Egypt where the younger crowd hang out and many of the girls smoke sheesha but I'm not sure, I didn't see this for myself.

I wish people would just see it for what it is though - a nasty habit that has the very real possibility to kill you, and painfully at that.

By the way, I did smoke myself for many years, so I know how hard it is to quit, and I know how much one can enjoy smoking. I just hate for anyone to further their chances of catching an illness that could in many other ways be avoided.

I found this article on another website and thought I would share.

I know that alot of women here like to smoke shisha but I always worry for them when I think about it.

Smoking isn't good for you, even if it is peach flavored.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20080109/95832495.html

Egyptian scientists warn shishas more harmful than cigarettes

09/ 01/ 2008

CAIRO, January 9 (RIA Novosti) - Medical scientists in Egypt have found that shisha smoking poses a greater health threat than cigarettes, contrary to popular belief among water pipe smokers.

The scientists built a device to test the theory that smoking shishas, also known as hookahs, is safer as smoke is filtered through water before being inhaled. The medics found that shisha smokers inhale more nicotine than cigarette smokers.

The testing device consists of a cylinder imitating human lungs and a piston moving inside to simulate inhalation and exhalation. Smoke in the artificial lungs underwent chemical tests.

The data, which took into account the duration of an average shisha session and the length of time smoke remains in the lungs, was processed electronically. The findings showed that smoking 25 grams of tobacco through a shisha is equal to smoking 60 cigarettes, or three cigarette packs.

Earlier World Heath Organization studies said that even after passing through water, tobacco smoke still contains high levels of toxic compounds, including carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals. Shisha smoking also delivers significant levels of nicotine, the main addictive substance in tobacco.

Shishas originated in India and have been used for centuries in the Middle East and Asia to smoke tobacco. Shisha smoking is becoming increasingly popular among young people in Europe and the United States.

Thanks ME. I'm glad to be home but missing my Omar. This is the 4th time I've left him at that same dog gone airport. At least this time I'm not waiting on some one in the consulate to make a decision as to when he can be with me again!

I see you people are in full swing today with your camel porn!

When we arrived in Casa I saw the diplomatic pouches on the baggage carousel. They looked funny to me, because for all their security, they were like the old money bags tied with rope, with a tag on them that said Diplomatic Pouch, State Department! No one was standing there guarding them. They just spun around with all the other baggage.

And we walked by the consulate (why I dont know) on my last day in Morocco and boy has it changed. They have what look like big blue dumpsters filled with flowers parked on that side of the road, the whole lengh of the block. And you cannot walk on that side of the street or even that side of the median. Gates and guards everywhere!

Its been a busy week, with starting classes again. I haven't done anything the last two years so it will take some adjusting but will help pass the time.

Off to Callif tomorrow for the weekend. Then back to real life. sigh

Hey Maggie, welcome back.

When will Omar be coming back? Sounds like it won't be for a while if you're taking classes to pass the time??

Will love to see pictures when you have them.

Yay Hillary!!

I know many of you don't like her and would never vote for her but I'm happy she's done well tonight.

** eta: pretzels are sooo yummy when dipped in mustard and ketchup. I tried to get my son to try a pretzel dipped in mustard but he looked at me like I was crazy.

Nice.

Yes, I'm embarrassed to admit I just wasn't paying enough attention when I read through the directions.

My son and I made them yesterday. I only had a small bite, but my son had about 5 of them and I brought some in to work and they ate them up. Sooo, I guess they're okay.

"Aussie Bites"

2 cups of oats

2 cups of whole wheat flour

2/3 cup brown sugar

3 1/2 oz shredded coconut (I bought a 14 oz package and just used 1/4 of it)

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup dried fruit (I used raisins, but you could add other kinds, raisin sized)

1/4 cup honey

1 cup unsalted butter

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons hot water

Preaheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine first 6 "dry" (there was my hint about the coconut) ingredients in a bowl.

Melt the honey and butter and set aside.

Mix the baking soda and water and add to the butter mixture.

Pour the butter mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.

Place tablespoons full into mini muffin cups (don't grease).

Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown then cool on wire racks.

I found that they needed more like 8 or 9 minutes but oven temps vary. And i didn't cool them on wire racks, I like to cool baked goods on paper towels to get some of the grease off.

Hope you like 'em.

Wow, I am so sorry to hear about this! *hugs*

I was wondering what your news was but didn't want to prod.

Hopefully you will be able to find someone here who can offer some advice about it regarding the visa process.

I wish you both the best in coping with this.

Disappointing results for the caucus tonight.

Go Hillary go!!!

Yeah dinner is asparagus and ice water!

Seriously, Olivia? That doesn't seem very healthy even if they are vegetables. Not to mention your pee is really gonna reek.

My dad told me that when I was a kid and I never ate asparagus again.

I have actually tried to eat it but find that I don't actually care for the taste and it always seems stringy, which is a bit of a turn off as well.

Best wishes to everyone getting trying to be healthier and lose weight.

Congratulations JP!

Yay for babies!

I hope you have a wonderful and smooth pregnancy with an easy delivery.

Here's the thread.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...02701&st=30

So sorry to hear about your sister. Do you have any other family or friends around to help comfort you?

Great news about the internet Bridget, you must be so excited.

Congratulations to you both!

What wonderful news after all the trouble with the MC.

Wishing you both the best in your new life together.

Good morning everyone.

Jackie, you could distract yourself by telling everyone here more details about your exciting news, since everyone seems to be curious!

Yeah! I'm wondering if she fell asleep or just wants to draw this out.

*btw, happy anniversary

Yeah I'm just not sure. I'll fiddle around with it and see what I can come up with. I know what they should taste like when done, I've just never made them before.

Maybe I'll make them tomorrow.

Thanks for replying Sarah

Still over two hours for me but honestly I really don't care. Tomorrow is just one more paid day off work.

I will still have the same bills as before, the same broken car, and still be 5 million miles away from hubby.

lol

Oh well, happy new year everyone.

Jackie, I'm sure Jenn is waiting quite eagerly! Waiting til the stroke of midnight?

its hard to describe... think a phyllo pastry filled with herbed scrambled eggs, chicken, and almonds, dusted with powdered sugar. its really odd. a lot of americans don't like sweet with meat flavoring but i looooooooooove it!

Yeah, that's definitely not common here as far as I know.

I guess I would be willing to try it. But being that I'm vegetarian (except for chicken shawerma in Egyt, lol), I guess I wouldn't make it just for myself.

I'll see if hubby knows it. Maybe if he likes it I can try it sometime.

I have a recipe that I want to try, but I'm a little confused about one of the listed ingredients.

Here's all the ingredients:

2 cups oats

2 cups whole wheat flour

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 (3 1/2 ounce) can unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup dried fruit (raisins, dates, figs, cranberries, etc)

1/4 cup honey

1 cup unsalted butter

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons hot water

The item in question is the coconut. At first I bought shredded coconut but today when I went to the store I got some coconut milk.

I'm not sure which to use!

The consistency of these baked goodies should be something like a cookie, but they get baked in mini muffin tins.

Anyone?

The bastilla recipes look interesting but not interesting enough for me to make. lol

I'm still trying to figure out what it would taste like.

How's the snow Jackie, getting a lot?

Still waiting for Jackie's sig to change.

At least I have two hours less to wait since I'm on the west coast?

Please everyone going out tonight, be careful. There will be too many people who aren't careful, and everyone needs to be more aware.

I hope everyone has a wonderful year ahead.

Winning the lottery pales in comparison to this.

J

I bet she fell in love with her doctor and they're running off to a tropical island.

Whatever it is, can't wait to see.