Fruits and Fiction

Today's blog is devoted to fruits (The Pomegranate) and Fiction (Kim Edward's new novel, "THE LAKE OF DREAMS".

Have you eaten pomegranates? I like pomegranate juice and I've also tried the arils (juice sacs) but I have never purchased one from the grocery store and cut it open. A listener called the other day wanting to know the proper way to open a pomegranate and in case you've been wondering this as well, here is a 3-step process to go from messy to easy...

1. cut off the crown and cut the pomegranate into sections.

2. Place sections in a bowl of water; roll out the arils (juice sacs) with your fingers and discard everything else.

3. Strain out the water; eat the juicy seeds (arils)!

This fruit is believed to have been brought to California by the Spanish Padres over 200 years ago when they grew them at their missions. Today, the San Joaquin Valley is the only concentrated area of commercially grown pomegranates in America. When purchasing pomegranates look for skin that is hard, shiny and bright red; the heavier the better (this means more juice); and the crown should be firm and not too soft. Pomegranates are only available September through January so now that you know more about them, go out and enjoy one today!

My interview today was with Kim Edwards, the #1 New York Times best selling author of "The Memory Keeper's Daughter". This book spent 122 weeks on the best seller list in 2006 and Kim released her newest novel yesterday. Her new book is "The Lake of Dreams". The book's central character is Lucy Jarrett, who has been traveling the world ever since her father died. After returning home, from a trip to Japan, she discovers a stack of old letters and historical pamplets in her mother's house, which leads her to confront the truths about her family's history. Ms. Edwards explores the history of women's suffragettes as well as the history and art of glass blowing and how some artists embedded secret messages into stained glass windows. I wasn't able to read the book before the interview because we set the interview on very short notice. I am however, looking forward to it.

We also talked about new uses for coffee beans
1. Pie Weights-line bottom and sides of cold pie dough with foil. Fill to the brim with coffee beans and bake according to directions
2. Hand Deodorizer-after chopping onions or garlic; rub a few beans between your palms to eliminate any lingering smell.
3. Candle anchor-fill hurricane vase with beans before adding a pillar candle to help keep candle steady and minimize mess (beans will catch the wax).
4. Nose Neutralizer. Sniff beans between spritzs at the perfume counter to cleanse your “palate” between fragrances.
5. Pore shirker. Place two cups of medium-to light roast beans (these have more caffeine than dark varieties) in a bowl or bathroom sink and fill with hot water. After a few minutes (when water is cooler), splash your face for a tighter complexion.