All About Oyster Rockefeller that you Need to Know

This photo was my first attempt to cook Oyster Rockefeller at home 3 Years Ago, Fair Oaks, CA 💗

In our recent Lunch Excursion at Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay,  I did not hesitate to order my favorite seafood Dish-Oyster Rockefeller. As a matter of fact, one of the THD residents in our Lunch Group mentioned that the reason why I went to Sam's was just to order the dish and he is correct in his statement. 

My 2 beautiful Lunch Dates- Mary Ann DeWald and Linda Lachick

The other members of our lunch group asked me what is Oyster Rockefeller and I simply told them it has spinach, cheese, garlic, onions,  breaded and baked.  However, the link below is the complete and detailed of the history and variations of these delightful dish for your reading pleasure and information in case you are not familiar with this dish.💚💚

Oysters Rockefeller is a classic seafood recipe originating from the United States, and it has become an iconic dish in American cuisine ever since. The name “Oysters Rockefeller” is derived from John D. Rockefeller, one of the wealthiest individuals in the history of the United States. While there are numerous stories about its origin, one thing is sure - it’s a delicious delicacy everyone should enjoy! 

The original Oysters Rockefeller recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but some common elements are prominent in most contemporary versions. Fresh oysters are the dish's centerpiece, nestled within their half shells and topped with a delectable blend of creamed spinach, butter, breadcrumbs, herbs, and a generous splash of liquor. The concoction is then broiled or baked to create a delightful warm crust, enhancing the natural flavors of the oysters with unparalleled richness. In some recipes a dash of Pernod Absinthe or White wine is added to the sauce during the cooking of the spinach/'herbs/onions/garlic sautéed mixture.

The luxurious flavors of Oysters Rockefeller pair beautifully with a range of drinks and dishes to provide an elegant dining experience. Sparkling wines or champagne often complement the rich oyster flavors, while a classic white wine, such as Sancerre or Sauvignon Blanc, can balance the sauce's richness. 

My first experience of this dish was several decades ago. Macrine (my late spouse) and I enjoyed it for the first time when we visited New Orleans in the 1980's. Macrine who was an excellent cook was curious and she decided to cooked it with her own variations after that. When Macrine joined her Creator in 2020, I started cooking it myself.  Here are the links ( postings) I wrote previously on Oyster Rockefeller.       

💗https://myfavoritepinoydishes.blogspot.com/2019/09/i-feel-like-cooking-oyster-rockefeller.html

💖https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/07/i-cooked-oyster-rockefeller-yesterday.html

Here are the raw ingredients, I normally used in cooking Oyster Rockefeller or Oyster Bienville.  

Origin of Oyster Rockefeller and Oyster Bienville

Oysters Rockefeller, according to legend, were created about in New Orleans. They were invented to mark the occasion of a visit by industrialist John D. Rockefeller to the Crescent City.

Oysters Bienville, on the other hand, also comes to us from New Orleans. It was named in honor of an early governor Louisiana, Jean de Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville.

These two are very elegant dishes . They are the epitome of style and sophistication and the very embodiment of living the good life.

💚💚https://www.rockefellerscottsdale.com/post/all-about-oysters-rockefeller#:~:text=Pairing%20and%20Serving%20Suggestions,-The%20luxurious%20flavors&text=A%20cold%20beer%20also%20works,for%20a%20more%20casual%20pairing.&text=As%20a%20side%20dish%20or,the%20star%20ingredients%20to%20shine.

Meanwhile Here are the Restaurants in the Walnut Creek Area that Has Oyster Rockefeller in their Menu.    

https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Oysters+Rockefeller&find_loc=Walnut+Creek%2C+CA

My personal recommendation is the Walnut Creek Yatch Club, two blocks from THD, a 3 to 5 minute walk. Be sure to call for reservations, however.   

Is Age Reversal Possible?

Yesterday's blog was about the Chemistry of the Aging Process. Today is about Age Reversal. Is Age Reversal possible? Please read and judge it for yourself.

Researchers from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered that T cells in the body can be reprogrammed to slow down and even reverse aging. Using a mouse model, scientists found T cells can be used to fight off another type of cell that contributes to aging.

💜💜Age reversal is real and you'll not be able to change my mind...

Fasting gives the body enough time to recharge and heal. Keith Mitchell helped me understand during my time in Mexico, that each time I eat a meal, 60% of my blood is now assisting the body with digesting for roughly 6 hours and NOT with healing. Eat 3 meals a day and now 18 hours, or 84% of the time, your bodies blood (literally the life force of the body) is simply digesting mostly nutritionless food.

Then I consumed Bruce Lipton 's book Biology of the Cells and WOW. It turns out each time my body is in a state of stress, my blood reaches the external extremities of the body, again, not healing or recharging the body. He gives the example of a small city being under attack, all the farmers and producers hide (healing and recharging) and all focus goes on the defense. Whether the attack happens or not, you haven't produced anything new and have only consumed energy.

So, if you live in a state of stress and never fast, know that your not giving your body enough of a chance to recharge and heal, and this is when disease enters your body. 

This is why intermittent fasting and living a stress free life allows your cells to recharge and heal, and you will literally age slower, if not reverse your age if you've never done this before. You will LOOK younger because you're going to finally give your body a bloody break!

To say less, my body is SO happy I'm finally doing this. I hope this inspires you to do it too.

For Additional Details Read:

💗💗https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2023/11/29/new-xprize-will-award-101-million-to-innovators-who-can-reverse-aging/?sh=245164ea3aa2

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of the Coconut Palm Trees in the Philippines. What Do you see besides the coconut palm trees?  

This is Natures Painting and Drawing at its Best!  The Face of Jesus? Do You Agree?

The Chemistry of the Aging Process

This week my post had been about Aging and Senior Citizens Issues. Yesterday, I wrote about Senior Citizens boosting the US economy and the Super Seniors Here at THD. Today I'm posting on the chemistry of Aging. Tomorrow I plan on writing about age reversal or at least retardation of the aging process. Keep in tune!     

My professional knowledge was Analytical Chemistry when I was employed by three private companies here in the US (1965-1989). Later when I moved to the Food and Drug Administration ( 1990-2002) my expertise(GS-14) was in the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control( CMC) for the approval of New Drugs  in the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products.  So my knowledge of the Chemisty of aging is zero. 

However,  The Chemistry of Aging had always aroused my curiosity and I have the thirst for additional knowledge on this subject.  If you are not into chemistry my apology, but please keep reading.    Here's what I learned.  

💚💚Why Do We Age?:  Scientists are investigating how our biology changes as the years add up, and whether there are ways to stop it or at least slow down or retard the aging process( Details in my blog tomorrow). 

"Accumulating evidence now indicates that the sum of the deleterious free radical reactions going on con- tinuously throughout the cells and tissues constitutes the aging process or is a major contributor to it. In mammalian systems the free radical reactions are largely those involving oxygen. The accumulation of molecular damage together with modifications in the epigenetic landscape, dysregulation of gene expression, and altered endocrine communication, drive the aging process and establish age as the main risk factor for age-associated diseases and multimorbidity.

There is much debate among researchers about the mechanisms that contribute to the ageing process. However, it is widely accepted that damage to genetic material, cells and tissues that accumulates with age and cannot be repaired by the body is the cause of the loss of function associated with ageing.

• By Dana G. Smith

  Read the Link Below from New York Times for complete details.
  
  

A Guide to Aging Well

Looking to grow old gracefully? We can help.

---

• You need more than strength to age well — you also need power. Here’s how to measure how much power you have and here’s how to increase yours.

• Ignore the hyperbaric chambers and infrared light: These are the evidence-backed secrets to aging well.

• Your body’s need for fuel shifts as you get older. Your eating habits should shift, too.

• Older people are using cannabis more than ever. Here’s what to know about the potential medicinal benefits and the side effects.

• People who think positively about getting older often live longer, healthier lives. These tips can help you reconsider your perspective.

• The sun’s rays cause the majority of skin changes as you grow older. Here’s how sunscreen helps prevent the damage.

  
  
  

  
  

  💚💚https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/well/live/aging-biology-dna.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20240323&instance_id=118344&nl=the-morning&regi_id=98912391&segment_id=161569&te=1&user_id=6a2b65514e3273feff667ab0f9467718

  Lastly, this Poem from My Face Book Page: 

  I Bet This Will Blow Your Mind  · 

  Sanuli Gunarathna  ·   · 

  AGING....

  You grow old, they told me, you are no longer you, you become distant, sad and lonely.

  I didn't answer...

  I don't get old, I get wise.

  I stopped being what others like me to become, but what I like to be.

  I stopped seeking the acceptance of others and accepted myself.

  I have left behind the lying mirrors that deceive mercilessly.

  - No, I'm not getting old.

  I just become more selective with places, people, customs and ideologies.

  I have let go of attachments, unnecessary pain, toxic people, sick souls and rotten hearts... bitterness and unhappiness are not for me, I release them for my health.

  I'm ditching party nights for learning and embracing insomnia.

  I stopped living stories and started writing them, I threw aside the imposed stereotypes.

  I no longer carry eyeshadow in my bag, now I have a book that beautifies my mind.

  I exchanged wine glasses for coffee cups, forgot to idealize life and started living it.

  - No, I'm not getting old.

  I carry freshness in my soul, innocence in my heart, and it discovers me daily.

  I have in my hands the tenderness of a cocoon that, when opened, will spread its wings to other places unreachable for those who seek only the frivolity of the material.

  I have that charming smile on my face when I observe the simplicity of nature.

  I carry in my ears the chirping of the birds that delight me and accompany the walk.

  - No, I'm not getting old.

  I become selective, betting my time on the intangible, rewriting the story I've been told, rediscovering worlds, saving those old books I've forgotten half open.

  I'm becoming more cautious, I've stopped the outbursts that teach me nothing, I'm learning to talk about transcendent things, I'm learning to cultivate knowledge, plant ideals and falsify my destiny.

  - No, I'm not getting old.

  I begin to live who I really am......

Senior Citizens Contribution to the US Economy-The Super Seniors

OUR SATURDAY ZUMBA GROUP WITH SABRINA MONAHAN OUR DANCE GURU. 

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:  MARTHA MELENDEZ, LINDA ESNER, ME, SABRINA, MARSHA KEFER, RICHARD BOTTON AND NORMAN NELSON. 

ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO DURING ONE OF OUR MEAL TIME CONVERSATIONS HERE AT THD, THE TOPIC OF HOW SENIOR CITIZENS LIKE US IS STILL A BIG BOOST TO THE US ECONOMY CAME UP. 

 IT REMINDED ME OF MY PREVIOUS POSTINGS ON THE SUBJECT ELEVEN YEARS AGO THAT I AM REPOSTING FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012

Senior Citizens-A Big Boost to the US Economy

 Last Sunday, Macrine (my spouse of 55 years) and I attended a birthday celebration of one of our oldest couple friends here in Northern California. The couple are both retired physicians and are celebrating their 85th( wife) and 90th(husband) birthdays as well as their 57thWedding Anniversary. The last time we saw them was in the mid 1980's, although we received Christmas greetings from them annually. Thus, we were delighted to be invited and are still healthy enough to attend. This is an example that senior citizens are still a major boost in the economy of the US.

The party was held in the 14th floor of the Hilton Garden Hotel in Emeryville, California. There were about 100 guests about 90% senior citizens. The party started with a Thanksgiving Catholic Mass and followed by a lunch reception of either filet mignon or salmon steaks. At the party we also had a chance to get reacquainted with several of our former couple friends and neighbors in Pinole who were members of the Filipino-American Association and also friends from church in the mid 1980's. Of course all of them are retired.

The couple celebrant have also a similar lifestyle with us-that is they are also snow birds. Like us, they spend their winter months in the Philippines. What was outstanding was the entertainment after lunch that children and grandchildren offered to the guests. I was also surprised that both couples were still lively and strong. Not one of them needed assistance in walking and none of them had suffered a serious illness. Their goal is to reach their 100 birthdays. I have a feeling, they may be able to achieve this goal. Incidentally, the nonagenarian celebrant is our compadre. He is the godfather of our youngest son confirmation about 40 years ago. Our son is now 50 years old.

I also got to chat with another guest who was our former primary-care physician in the 1980's. He told me, he is still working part time and still a practicing surgeon part time that is two times a week. I am a little envious of his situation since we are about the same age.

It was indeed fun to reminisce our younger days. The above experience reminded me of the following article I am reading today from CNN money magazine as follows:

Retirement age must rise - OECD By Emily Jane Fox :

Gradually increasing retirement ages may be the only way governments can keep up with people living longer, a report said on Monday.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- As life expectancy continues to rise, a new report suggests that governments need to raise the age of retirement in order to keep up. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development said that by 2050, the average woman and man can expect to live roughly 24 and 20 years beyond retirement age respectively, up from 20 and 17 years in 2010. At the same time, retirement ages across many countries have stayed the same.

Without a change, the Paris-based economic think-tank said governments won't be able to pay for more people needing retirement funds for longer periods of time. "Extending working lives in a situation of slowly growing or declining workforces should provide an important boost to economic growth in aging economies," according to the report, which was released Monday.

The United States could use a boost. Social Security has already begun paying out more in benefits than it takes in from workers' payroll taxes. The trustees of the Social Security program reported in April that the program projects a $165 billion deficit in 2012. Social Security could pay promised benefits in full through 2033, the report said.

Raising the full retirement age gradually to 70 years-old could help plug this deficit by reducing Social Security outlays by 13 percent, the Congressional Budget Office reported in January. "With the fact that people are living longer, they should be partly responsible for meeting the cost of longer life expectancy," said Juan Yermo, head of the private pensions unit at OECD.

Today, the full retirement age in the United States is 66, up from 65 a decade ago. It is scheduled to increase by two months a year starting in 2017 until it reaches 67 in 2022. Meanwhile, 62 remains the age at which those who retire early can collect a percentage of their full benefits. The OECD suggested, however, that "67 or higher is becoming the new 65." "Extending the period over which you're contributing to the pension system would be less of a burden for everyone," Yermo said.

When will you be able to retire? Experts say that the benefits of keeping people in the work force could spread beyond social security.

"People today in their sixties are not only living longer, but they're healthier," said Don Fuerst, senior pension fellow at the American Academy of Actuaries. "They can be a productive part of our society, and our economy needs for them to be productive. They could give our economy a boost."

I can not end this article without telling you that I did asked my octogenarian and nonagenarian friends what is the secret of their longevity: They both answered: We tried to be active both socially and physically and we never stop smiling...