Theoretically, a soup can be any combination of vegetables, meat or fish cooked in a liquid. Soups are often garnished with croutons, parsley, dill, grated or cubed cheese or sour cream. They can be served as a first course or as a meal, in which case they’re often accompanied by a sandwich or salad.
Tarator is a cold soup (or a liquid salad), popular in the summertime in Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia. It is made of yoghurt, cucumbers, garlic, walnuts, dill, olive oil and water. It is best served chilled or even with ice.

To prepare “Tarator” you need:

1English cucumber
750g yoghurt
4-5 walnuts (grounded)
1-2 cloves garlic (crushed)
Dill (fennel), mint (optional)
Parsley – finely chopped
Olive oil 1-2 tbsp
Salt, black pepper
Cold water

Preparation:
1. Peel the cucumber and grate or finely chop on a small, tiny dices.
2. Mash the garlic with salt and add to the cucumber.
3. Add ground walnuts, finely chopped fresh dill and black pepper.
4. In a large bowl whip well the yoghurt. Stir and dilute with cold water- the thickness is down to taste.
5. Finally, add the vegetable oil.
6. Stir the mixture again and cool it.

• Tip:
  • To prepare the salad version of tarator, follow the same instructions but DO NOT add water. For thick consistency, the yoghurt can be strained in a cheese cloth or paper filter to remove the whey (strained yoghurt).
  • As a quick alternative use sour cream instead yoghurt.

It’s a perfect light meal for the hot summer days.

Per serving:  only 170 calories

Enjoy!

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• April 22, 2009 -- “Shopska” Salad

This dish has been known for centuries in the Bulgarian national cuisine and is very popular among tourists visiting the country.
In every restaurant in Bulgaria the first thing you will notice on the salad menu is Shopska salad which is Bulgaria’s most famous salad. It is named after the Shoppi, or natives of Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria).

Here is the original recipe:

Ingredients:
(4-6 portions)

4 medium size tomatoes
1English cucumber
2 roasted peppers or raw, sweet-bell pepper (red or green-optional)
2 spoonfuls finely chopped parsley
2 spoonfuls chopped onion, preferably 4-5 sticks of spring onion
White cheese or feta cheese
Salt, black pepper
Vinegar - 1tbsp or lemon juice-freshly squeezed
Olive oil – 3-5 tbsp.
10-12 olives and 2-3 hard boiled eggs

How to make it:

1. Wash well all the vegetables.
2. Cut the tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in small slices or cubes.
3. Season and mix well with the parsley, onion, salt, vinegar and oil.
4.  Stir all vegetables together.
5. For serving, shape the salad into small pyramids on separate plates over each serving and sprinkle the grated cheese on top.
6. The salad can be decorated with a slice of tomato, sprig of parsley, olives, sliced eggs and etc.
Traditionally, they serve with a small glass of Bulgarian ‘Rakia’ – it’s a strong grappa or plum brandy.

Note:
The cheese used in Bulgaria for this recipe is a white brine cheese, similar to feta cheese, usually made from a combination of sheep and cow’s milk.

This salad is very healthy, low calories, rich on calcium and vitamin D, easy to prepare and children love it.

Enjoy!

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• April 22, 2009 -- TARATOR
• March 11, 2008 -- Italian salad with basil
• March 11, 2008 -- Tabouleh

Heidi Klum, who was back on Victoria’s Secret runway show just 8 weeks after giving birth to her child, shared her slimming secrets.
Heidi put in a huge effort to lose more than 30 pounds after her pregnancy, and now she looks better than ever.

German supermodel explained how she was able to get in shape so fast. Her trainer, David Kirsch, put her on a strict diet and exercise regime. “He stocked my fridge with the foods I should be eating and taught me how to cook healthy dishes.”

Her diet consisted largely of vegetables and salads.

Some rules:

1. The first 2 weeks Heidi avoided all foods that cause bloating. That means no dairy and no fruits.

2. Eat really healthy carbohydrates like tuna and tomatoes, lean meats or a bowl of eggs. “Keep a bowl of hard-boiled eggs on hand - eat one every time you feel hungry.”

3. Go to bed earlier.
“Late nights are often the time when people snack, so make sure you’re in bed at a decent hour. Plus make sure you don’t eat after 7:00 p.m. because you won’t have enough time to burn off the food before you go to sleep.”

4. No alcohol, no bread, no starchy carbohydrates.

5. Think positively – very important.
“Make sure you follow the three core tenets of the program: sound eating, sound exercising and sound thinking.”

6. Always plan and organise your meals for the day and only buy the food you need.

7. Cook a lot. Then you can eat it over a couple of days, instead of cooking everyday.

8. Eat five meals a day.
“Eat from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Every 3 hours.  Eat a small, healthy meals. That it’s the best way to lose weight. I’d suggest you follow each day for two weeks.”

A highly intensive, 14 – day training and nutritional program guaranteed to achieve specific optimal results.

Here’s an example of a meal plan:

BREAKFAST: A protein shake.
SNACK: Omelette (whites) with spinach or tomatoes.
LUNCH: A grilled salmon filet with a leafy green salad.
SNACK: Some chopped celery, red peppers, broccoly.
DINNER: This must be very light - chicken with some steamed fresh vegetables.

Also: To achieve her phenomenal weight loss - 90 minute workouts at the gym. Four days a week follows a strict program of cardio, strength training and aerobic exercise.

Heidi Klum is expecting her fourth child. The 35-year-old supermodel said her children - Leni, Henry and Johan as well as her husband – the singer Seal were all thrilled.

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• September 10, 2008 -- Heidi Klum Signing for Fall/Winter 08 Launch of “Heidi Klum by Jordache”
• August 5, 2008 -- Heidi Klum’s Hot Bikini Body
• June 12, 2008 -- Heidi Klum on Children: ‘We Still Have One Coming’
• May 25, 2008 -- Rice Diet
• May 9, 2008 -- Heidi Klum on Losing the Baby Weight:”You Can’t Kid Yourself”
• April 18, 2008 -- Atkins Diet
• April 14, 2008 -- Mariah Carey offers her diet secrets! Don’t miss!
• April 2, 2008 -- Cabbage Soup Diet
• April 1, 2008 -- Lose 15 pounds in 9 days
• March 31, 2008 -- Russian Diet
• March 31, 2008 -- Brazilian Diet
• March 28, 2008 -- Carnie Wilson: I Have Not Gained 79 Pounds!
• March 25, 2008 -- Hilary Swank’s Diet
• March 24, 2008 -- Mariah Carey’s Diet and Fitness Secrets
• March 17, 2008 -- Mono Diet

Trista and Ryan Sutter, who became a beloved American couple after meeting on ABC’s popular reality television show, “The Bachelorette,” will accompany a pair of lucky travelers on a Hyatt Retreats trip to Huntington Beach , Calif. in November, courtesy of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and American Express.

The Hyatt Travel Quiz identified the Sutters as Romantic Travelers.

Travelers who take the quiz before Nov. 7 and also prove to be Romantic Travelers will be eligible to win a two-day, two-night, all-expenses-paid trip with the celebrity couple to the newly redesigned Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, located along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway.

The quiz at www.hyatttravelquiz.com asks 12 questions adapted from an established personality test and categorizes participants into four travel types: Romantic, Balanced, Energetic and Driven. The results offer tips on how to relate to different travel temperaments, along with suggested Hyatt Retreats packages.

Richard Goodis of Celebrity Mound had a chance to chat with Ryan and Trista on Friday about their involvement with Hyatt.

Our first question, Did you think you were Romantic Travelers before you took the Hyatt Quiz?

“No, not necessarily,” said Trista. “I mean certain aspects of our personalities would put us in that category, but we are just as likely to be the Driven and Energetic types depending on where we are going.”

Ryan added, “It just depends on whether we are looking for adventure or relaxation.”

We asked them if they learned anything about each other by taking the quiz. To which Trista answered, “No not really, after five years of marriage we pretty much know each other.

Both Trista and Ryan love traveling and have had the opportunity to travel around the world together. But they definitely love travel that mixes adventure and relaxation.

We asked then what their favorite Hyatt properties are. Ryan chimed in, “We love the Hyatt in Maui and the Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek. Even though Beaver Creek is close to where we live, Trista loves the spa.”

Ryan wanted to let everyone know that they are very much looking forward to Huntington Beach trip with the lucky winners.

Please remember to log on and take the quiz and GOOD LUCK!

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Sources say Madonna’s relationship with Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez was going on a lot earlier than previously thought.

I’ve told you about A-Rod’s multi million dollar ‘love shack’ in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel’s condos over on Columbus Avenue. A-Rod, according to sources, moved in around the middle of March, right before baseball season began.

There’s no question, according to insiders, that Madonna has been a steady presence at the apartment ever since then. She sort of came with the package. According to sources, Rodriguez rented the apartment without ever speaking of his wife, Cynthia. She would have been around seven months pregnant at the time.

The apartment on Columbus Circle would have kept him just five blocks from Madonna’s home base on Central Park West.

Now comes word that Rodriguez is moving out of the sublet on November 1st, and heading possibly three blocks north to the new building known as 15 Central Park West. The former site of the beloved Mayflower Hotel is now Manhattan’s most expensive apartment building, home to dozens of mega-stars and millionaires. It’s just two blocks away from Madonna.

Madonna had better watch out, though. My sources say that the now single Rodriguez is busy meeting ladies “all over the place” - perhaps his own age, or younger, maybe even sans plastic surgery. All his friendship with Madonna may have done is pry him loose of his family so he’s free to roam. On the bright side, little David Banda can get autographs to send back to Malawi.

(source)

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Jessica Simpson performed for thousands of fans at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas Friday night, but made sure one man in the crowd, her boyfriend Tony Romo, was the center of attention.

“Wow, I love Dallas,” the singer told the crowd at the city’s Fair Park, just east of downtown. “Obviously, I love Dallas because I grew up here and this is my home – you guys are my family – but I did find an amazing boyfriend here in Dallas!”

Cheers erupted for the Cowboys quarterback, who smiled, looking on from the sound area. Although some fans were clearly more interested in watching him watch Simpson perform – their backs were to the stage the entire time – Romo didn’t seem to mind the attention. He grinned as Simpson, 28, called him “the calm of the storm in my life” and said, “Whatever I go through, I know I can depend on him to relax and bring me faith again.”

Before singing “My Sunday,” she added, “This is a song I wrote about a certain someone who throws that football really good.” Simpson giggled and Romo, 28, beamed.

Nursing a broken pinky and chatting with Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, Romo bobbed his head with the music and was caught singing along to a few songs. When Simpson hit a powerful note during “Do You Know,” he clapped in awe.

The admiration was mutual. “Sometimes, to find a love as big as that, you have to go through some heartbreak, some ugly ones and some butthead ones,” Simpson told the crowd. “You go through that to really appreciate where you are in life right now.”

Speaking of “buttheads,” she said she wrote the song “Still Don’t Stop Me” about an ex. “For some reason, I kept letting some guy come into my life. I couldn’t understand it until I wrote this song and was like, ‘Jessica, you need to wake up.’”

Midway through the show, Simpson left the stage as her band was introduced. Romo, protected by police, was also escorted backstage. He returned to the sound booth when she took the stage again.

(source)

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Rowan Henchy, Brooke Shields and Grier Henchy

Deborah Gandolfini, James Gandolfini, Michael Gandolfini and Marcy Gandolfini

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Britney Spears is laying the groundwork for a major worldwide tour that amazingly just five months ago would’ve been considered a form of international terrorism. I guarantee the Netherlands would’ve surrendered. E! Online reports:

While the comeback pop princess revealed last month that she was planning on hitting the road next year, a source now tells me that things are getting serious. Spears just signed a deal with the mega huge live entertainment company AEG to produce the whole shebang, my source says.

I can’t think of a better beacon of America’s greatness than showing the world Britney Spears no longer looks like she’s in her second trimester. Sure, China might technically own our entire country, but have you seen Womanizer? U.S.A.!

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• September 26, 2008 -- Britney Spears continues to not look like a total trainwreck who shouldn’t be allowed near children
• September 17, 2008 -- Britney Spears makes a comeback - to Starbucks
• September 17, 2008 -- Is Britney’s label pushing her too hard?
• September 16, 2008 -- Britney Spears’ parents kept a topless portrait of her in their house
• September 16, 2008 -- The Spears girls reunited
• September 15, 2008 -- BRITNEY SPEARS’ CIRCUS GETS EARLY RELEASE
• September 12, 2008 -- Paparazzi get duped by look-alike Spears at LAX
• September 11, 2008 -- Britney Spears: It’s like she’s Rocky, but with a vagina!
• September 11, 2008 -- OK! Cover Story: Britney’s Back!
• September 8, 2008 -- She’s back! Triumphant Britney Spears scoops three MTV Video Music Awards
• September 5, 2008 -- Britney Spears started hitting the bottle at 13, says mom’s book
• September 4, 2008 -- Britney admits her father saved her life
• September 4, 2008 -- BRITNEY SPEARS WILL KICK OFF THE 2008 VMAS! FOR REAL Y’ALL

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