Dinner and a Movie

With ‘flu season around the corner, something light, warm and easy on the tummy seems appropriate. This is easy enough that you can prepare it even if you are the one feeling puny. It isn’t really traditional, but you can also swirl in some fresh ground ginger – which has been found to reduce nausea in many people.

Egg Drop Soup
Pour the beaten eggs through a sieve into the simmering broth to create the characteristic ribbons in the soup.

Ingredients

4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons chopped green onions
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Place broth in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; place a wire mesh sieve over saucepan. Strain eggs through sieve into pan. Remove from heat; stir in onions and salt.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 cup)


A Man Named Pearl (2006) Length: 78 minutes

This documentary is about a factory worker and self-taught topiary artist from South Carolina who transformed his once-average yard into a wondrous garden that now draws tourists from across the country.

When Pearl Fryar first moved into his South Carolina home, the people of the neighborhood feared that he wouldn't maintain his yard.

Pearl wasn't willing to let an obstacle born from racial stereotypes determine the outcome of his life, and vowed to win the "Yard of the Month" award from the Iris Garden Club. Years later, tourists from all 50 states flock to the yard of a man who had no prior gardening experience before creating his masterpiece. More than just a yard, Pearl's awe-inspiring landscape creates a feeling in visitors that they didn't have before they set foot on the grounds.

We watched this on October 6 while doing a vicious set of intervals (somebody really needs to talk to the idiot [me] who is putting together our workout plans . . . more on that later). This falls into the “inspiring true story” category of movies we watch.

Pearl and his creations have been profiled in the New York Times and virtually every gardening journal in print.

Sit back and prepare to be amazed & inspired. I might even get a little bonsai tree to mutilate . . . er, sculpt, I mean.

4 Stars. Uplifting, entertaining and educational.