IMPORTANT!

From the AP, By ERICA BULMAN, Associated Press Writer:
The most common type of gorilla is now "critically endangered," one step away from global extinction, according to the 2007 Red List of Threatened Species released Wednesday by the World Conservation Union. The Ebola virus is depleting Western Gorilla populations to a point where it might become impossible for them to recover. Commercial hunting, civil unrest and habitat loss due to logging and forest clearance for palm oil plantations are compounding the problem, said the Swiss-based group known by its acronym IUCN. "Great apes are our closest living relatives and very special creatures," Russ Mittermeier, head of IUCN's Primate Specialist Group, told The Associated Press. "We could fit all the remaining great apes in the world into two or three large football stadiums. There just aren't very many left."

I can't describe how upsetting this is to me. I can't even read the whole article because I keep crying. Check out this site and please do what you can to save the gorillas. I'm sorry I had to jump on my soapbox again but this is really important. Please donate what you can and spread the word. Gorillas are amazing creatures and very much like us. It's our responsibility to make sure they thrive.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

This Week So Far...

Well, it's only Tuesday but I have news, news, news! For one, my company, (more specifically the owner and lead Director of my company,) won an EMMY for Outstanding Directing for the AMEX/ Ellen Degeneres spots. Yay!

You've seen them I'm sure. The ones with all the animals as her coworkers. And the one where I was faxed the woodpecker's contract. You haven't had a giggle until you see what a woodpecker's day rate is.

He came in holding the statue and let us all ogle it before thanking each one of us for our participation in the win. Then he set the statue on the Production Manager's desk for the rest of the day. (For those of you who work in production, you know the UPM has pretty much the hardest job next to... well, no one in my opinion.)

This is what it looks like!
In other work-related news, Mr. Feesh, my savior at the office, has got new digs! I bought him a new tank and gravel! "Well we're movin' on up, mooooooovin on up..."

He's got a swingin' new bachelor pad to swim in and it looks very DWELL if you don't mind me saying. I put in his favorite "tree" and his very first "plant" and tomorrow will add the new shell I bought for him to get some privacy. (He is quite the ladies man.)

Here's Feesh's new crib, sans the shell.
The more I look at this, the more I realize I need help in the ole' photo department. I take the worst pictures of him!

Speaking of crappy pictures, this week has been filled with culinary adventures. But I can't quite capture yuminess on film. Trust me when I say I made two knock-out meals this week, and again, it's only Tuesday!

Our friends "the Moneys" just returned from Rome and Florence, and Callie brought me some spices to make my own marinara sauce. I was a bit intimidated since the directions read a little something like this:

Fry up bacon.
Add spices and saute for 5 minutes.
Add tomatoes and sauce.

A far cry from the very detailed recipes I'm used to on Epicurious and Foodnetwork. How many tomatoes? Canned or fresh? Is the sauce separate? What else do I add and for how long do I cook it?

But this little Italian girl ended up making a DELICIOUS sauce with perfect consistency and flavor. I sauteed up some prosciutto, (since I didn't have pancetta and I'm sure the recipe didn't mean Oscar Meyer bacon,) and added the spices. Then I added a large can of diced tomatoes, a small can of tomato sauce, about a tablespoon of tomato paste, salt and just let it simmer. Then I seasoned according to taste. A little sugar here, a little oregano there. Some chili flakes because Hubbie likes it spicy. It turned out fantastic and I felt like I made my Italian grandmother proud.

Here's what my first attempt at homemade sauce looked like:


Tonight I made my famous turkey burgers. Despite what my mother would say, turkey burgers can be superb. Sometimes even better that regular hamburgers. And healthier! Even though this isn't a food blog, I'm just so damned impressed with this recipe I've concocted, I thought I'd share it with you valued readers. It couldn't be easier AND it's Weight Watchers friendly.

1 lb - 1.25 lb of ground turkey breast
3-4 roasted red peppers packed in oil, diced
1 pkg of non-fat feta cheese (Feel free to use regular if you're not on a diet like me.)
1 tbs of lemon pepper (More if you like. I use a lot.)
Salt & pepper to taste. (Sea salt is best.)

Mix together all the ingredients and divide into four burgers. Spray a non-stick pan with Pam, (or if you're not on a diet and can afford the calories bitches, use olive oil.) Fry the burgers about 4-5 minutes a side, ensuring they are done by pressing the spatula on the center. Should be firm. Nobody likes undercooked turkey. Nobody likes a visit to the ER either.

Serve burgers with your choice of condiments. The usual suspects: lettuce, tomato, pickle and mayo are good but feel free to be adventurous. Chopped Spanish olives or some capers instead of pickle is tasty as well. For those of you starving, ahem, I mean dieting like me....... you can use a WonderLight bun and fat free mayo, making the burger only 7 points. Without mayo, 6! (But I loves me some mayo so I'll take the extra point thank you very much.)

Here's a picture of what my burger looked like:


Again, sorry for the craptastic picture. I'm working on it. I'm thinking I'll be adding a few more foodie things to the blog so feel free to add your two cents. Recipes, suggestions etc.