(by 16 people)
Created by fogluver (contact me)
Everyone looks like their dog...I am of mixed heritage, married to a 3/4 Irishman, have one daughter with long red curly hair and another named Caitli... (more...)
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Whether you're Irish by birth, by marriage, or just by loose affiliation, this is the place to be from now through the end of March!
St. Patrick's Day is the perfect time to celebrate life and possibilities... and to bring a little Irish luck to all those doctors and other ambassadors trying to prevent and cure colon cancer. Because even though March is the month for wearin' of the green, it's also National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!
So let's banish the banshees and colon cancer, too!
Come on -- jump right in -- there's a lot going on here -- and it's always grand to have fun while also "doing good"!
March is Also National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
...or, yes, even leprechauns need colonoscopies (short scopes)
- Colorectal Cancer is Preventable
- I'm dedicating this lens to my mother, who passed away from colon cancer in 2001. I am convinced that if she had early detection she might still be around today. Her cancer was found at Stage 4, after it had spread throughout her lower abdominal areas.
But are you wondering why I've made this odd connection between colon cancer and St. Patrick's Day? The reason is that even though she had approximately .005% (or less?) Irish blood, my mother LOVED St. Patrick's Day, and celebrated it with gusto! Luckily, her contagious enthusiasm for St. Patrick's Day was passed along to me.
Any proceeds generated directly through the "Everyone's Irish" lens will be donated to the Charles A. Kraenzle Colon Cancer Foundation in Arlington, VA. - What's Happening in Colon Cancer Research?
- Leading researchers paving the way for the eventual eradication of colon cancer.
- Donate Today!
- You can donate funds to a number of colon cancer advocacy groups, including the American Cancer Society; however, I find that the personal stories of family members and friends of victims of this disease best express the need for more funding. Learn more about where the money from this lens is going, and also check out the Scope it Out 5K Road Race on Sunday, March 30, in Washington, DC.
Best Things to Do on St. Patrick's Day
...and there are thousands
Which do you think are the best?
Go to a St. Pat's Parade, whether in Boston, NYC, Charleston, or Dublin
4 points
Put on tons of fabulous Irish music - traditional, American Irish, or contemporary
2 points
Helpful Little Links...
...and not so little, too
- Celtic Knots
- For the artsy-craftsy types, this site is very interesting -- check out the Arts and Crafts for examples of projects using the Celtic Knot Fonts available through the site.
- Beer on St. Patrick's Day???
- Everything about brew -- don't go here if you're at work and a sudden thirst has taken over...
- American Cancer Society
- Colon and rectal cancer with the experts.
- ...and Whiskey on St. Patrick's Day?
- You've got to be kidding -- anyhow, this site actually brings you to a Boston Pubs site that explores Irish whiskey and other Irish spirits.
- Hibernians
- Ancient Order of Hibernians in America: Preserving Irish Traditions.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a Catholic, Irish American Fraternal Organization founded in New York City 4 May,1836. The Order can trace its roots back to a parent organization, of the same name, which has existed in Ireland for over 300 years. - The Real St. Patrick
- Learn about the life, faith, and contributions of St. Patrick.
- Collectible Irish
- A very comprehensive collectibles website; the link provided brings you to the Irish gifts section. Hope someone buys me the Waterford ring holder on page 7. My mother, to whom I've dedicated this lens, gave me the set of porcelain ornaments on page 6 - something special to take out each Christmas.
Cooking Up Light on St. Patrick's Day
...or how to keep those little leprechauns healthy
A few recipes for St. Pat's Day weekend and beyond.
- The Traditionalist: Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Okay, so it still has fat and cholesterol -- keep the portions small -- load up on the vegies rather than the meat
- More Traditional: Irish Soda Bread
- Irish Soda Bread - yum - great for breakfast. This recipe uses one half whole wheat flour, raisins (I use currants - more discreet but still very sweet), and buttermilk or yogurt. Have to admit, I have not made it with yogurt. This also has butter in the recipe -- what can I say except Portion Control is the name of the game -- have a small piece of bread and a very large cup of coffee (no, not Irish coffee - at least in the morning).
- Description of Irish Ingredients
- Short on time and want something healthy?
Here's a recipe for Weight Watchers Irish Stew:
Weight Watcher's Irish Stew
Ingredients
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1-1/2 pounds lean boneless lamb, cut into 1-1/2-inch squares 1/2-inch thick (or boneless chuck)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1 bay leaf
6 whole new red potatoes (5 ounces each)
15 ounces small onions, peeled
1 cup Irish ale or beer
1 teaspoon salt
2 tbsp cornstarch
Chopped parsley
6 slices Italian bread (1 ounce each), optional
Instructions
In a large heavy saucepan, heat 1/2 of the oil. Add 1/2 of the lamb or beef and cook until well browned on one side, 5-7 minutes. Stir and cook 1 minute longer; remove meat and set aside. Add the remaining oil, the lamb (or beef) and the chopped onion to the pan and cook until browned, about 8-10 minutes. Return the first batch of meat to the pan.
Add broth and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add thyme and bay leaf; lower heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.
Add potatoes, onions, ale and salt. Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
To thicken stew, add cornstarch to 1/4 cup cold water in a small bowl; stir until smooth. Add to simmering stew; stir gently until thickened. Garnish with parsley; serve with bread.
Yield: 6 servings
Serving (with 1 slice of bread) provides: 1/2 Fat, 1 Vegetable, 3 proteins, 2 breads, 37 calories (if served without bread, subtract 1 bread).
Per serving: With bread: 409 calories, 29 g protein, 9 grams fat, 644 mg sodium. Without bread: 332 calories, 27 gr protein,8 gm fat, 478 mg sodium.
Credits
Recipe from: Weight Watchers Magazine, March 1994
Irish iTunes
Plenty of music here...portion of proceeds going to colon cancer research
An Irish Sym: On The Shores Of Lough Neagh
Price: $0.00
An Irish Symphony/With The Wild Geese/In Ireland
You Don't Have to Be Irish to Be Irish
Price: $0.99
Flight of the Doves - Original Motion Picture Soudtrack
Updates from the student in residence in Cork, Ireland
Our daughter provided her viewpoint as I was writing this lens in 2006, while she was studying aboad in Ireland
This time it's in response to my update of recipes for St. Patrick's Day:
helpful food tips from the researcher who was in residence...
- soda bread is not made with fruit over here. If it is, it's called a fruit soda, and has currants, and sometimes marachino cherry pieces. They don't really have raisins here-- they are usually made from white grapes and called sultanas instead, and are never included in soda breads. Raisins feature prominently in fruit brack, which is a harder loaf more akin to a fruitcake/hardtack (it's gross).
-real tradtional soda bread (in cork, at least) is made with buttermilk (not yogurt) and whole wheat flour, and is shaped in a circle with a cross (think a huge hot cross bun) and dusted with white flour. It's very crumbly.
- most stews here specify using Guinness or another stout like Beamish or Murphy's, not ale (that goes with mussels/fish)
-you should include a recipe for chocolate muffins-- they are huge here. They are more like chocolate cake in a muffin shape, but with a little bit more of a yeast-y taste. Include chunks of cadbury's and drizzle melted milk chocolate on top and let it harden. GREAT for being healthy...
-if you want a more healthy traditional recipe, include a ploughman's sandwich recipe-- most of them here use a heavy Irish cheddar-like cheese (like a thick slice of Dubliner), but you could use reduced fat cheese instead. It is: whole wheat bread (like weight watchers brand) or rye bread, pickles, irish relish (red relish more like ketchup, not like American relish), tomato, lettuce, and slice or two of cheese (the cheese and pickles should be the prominent ingredients), serve cold. It's the traditional "workman's" sandwich-- ever morning you see loads of blue collar workers popping into Spar's or Centra (convenience stores) to grab a pre-packaged Ploughman's and a Lucozade (basically sparkling gatorade). Very portable-- good for parade watching...although I am making an Irish croque-monsieur (sp?) for tomorrow, which I make with 2 slices of reduced fat ham, a slice of dubliner cheese, and sweet chili relish on weight watchers brown bread. They are very good toasted.
helpful food tips from the researcher who was in residence...
- soda bread is not made with fruit over here. If it is, it's called a fruit soda, and has currants, and sometimes marachino cherry pieces. They don't really have raisins here-- they are usually made from white grapes and called sultanas instead, and are never included in soda breads. Raisins feature prominently in fruit brack, which is a harder loaf more akin to a fruitcake/hardtack (it's gross).
-real tradtional soda bread (in cork, at least) is made with buttermilk (not yogurt) and whole wheat flour, and is shaped in a circle with a cross (think a huge hot cross bun) and dusted with white flour. It's very crumbly.
- most stews here specify using Guinness or another stout like Beamish or Murphy's, not ale (that goes with mussels/fish)
-you should include a recipe for chocolate muffins-- they are huge here. They are more like chocolate cake in a muffin shape, but with a little bit more of a yeast-y taste. Include chunks of cadbury's and drizzle melted milk chocolate on top and let it harden. GREAT for being healthy...
-if you want a more healthy traditional recipe, include a ploughman's sandwich recipe-- most of them here use a heavy Irish cheddar-like cheese (like a thick slice of Dubliner), but you could use reduced fat cheese instead. It is: whole wheat bread (like weight watchers brand) or rye bread, pickles, irish relish (red relish more like ketchup, not like American relish), tomato, lettuce, and slice or two of cheese (the cheese and pickles should be the prominent ingredients), serve cold. It's the traditional "workman's" sandwich-- ever morning you see loads of blue collar workers popping into Spar's or Centra (convenience stores) to grab a pre-packaged Ploughman's and a Lucozade (basically sparkling gatorade). Very portable-- good for parade watching...although I am making an Irish croque-monsieur (sp?) for tomorrow, which I make with 2 slices of reduced fat ham, a slice of dubliner cheese, and sweet chili relish on weight watchers brown bread. They are very good toasted.
In April, 2006, we completed our first trip to Ireland
I am working on this link...sorry
Share your stories and experiences on visits to Ireland (particularly if it was your first visit).
- McHugh Ireland Trip
- Our trip to Ireland was wonderful, even when marked by sickness, expired passports, rental car damage, etc. etc.! The beauty of Ireland, especially the west coast, took my breath away. I will update with more information on this, and new photos, when I get a chance!
The Motherland
...is this heaven?
My photos will be posted shortly!
Taken in Dublin, Blanchardstown Church
In the West of Ireland there is the Edge of Ireland Against the Ocean
One of the many colourful Dublin pubs. The Guinness was good, but then the Guinn...
peace and sound of water at Galway bay in a day of september 2005...
Cropped
Giant's Causeway wave. Independance Day 2005
Read and Study more on Irish American history
A couple of learning links
- Irish American History
- This is a very comprehensive list of books related to Irish American history compiled by a professor at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts -- check it out
- Boston, MA -- first city to host a St. Pat's Parade
- While in Boston, walk the Irish Heritage Trail.
For the Wee Ones
St. Patrick's Day Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries, No. 14)
Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 05/17/2008)
Day of Reckoning
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 05/17/2008)
St. Patrick's Day Murder (Christine Bennett Mysteries)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 05/17/2008)
St. Patrick's Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays)
Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 05/17/2008)
St. Patrick's Day in the Morning (Clarion Books)
Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 05/17/2008)
Irish Music Downloads - Free!
Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.
Irish Treasures
How the Irish Saved Civilization
Price: $14.00
Irish Breakfast Tea - 6 Units / 20 bag
Price: $14.99
New Irish Cookery
Price: $24.50
Waterford Crystal Seahorse Candlestick
Price: $135.00
Waterford Crystal Seahorse Bottle Stopper Set of 2
Price: $69.00
Little Irish Baking Book
Price: $10.36
Irish Proverbs
Price: $5.56
Festive Food of Ireland
Price: $4.98
Best of Irish Traditional Cooking
Price: $6.26
A Trifle, A Coddle, A Fry
Price: $5.98
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