SheSue Experience

But that didn’t hold back the citizens of the area who hosted one of the largest gatherings to celebrate Oregon’s centennial in 1959. It was so popular, that the celebration lasted 3 years until 1962 when it became the Little World’s Fair.

The main attraction of the celebration was the Centennial Peace Candle. 21′ tall and 3′ across, the candle was made locally out of chicken wire and cut up oil drums. Area children collected more than 20 tons of colored candle wax was which was melted down and ladled into the giant mold.

The candle was lit on June 14, 1959 and burned for 100 days. In 1962, in honor of the Little World Fair, the candle was replaced with a new one made of steel and concrete. With the exception of a couple of buildings, the candle is the only thing that remains of the Little World’s Fair.

Cardamom - An ancient spice used in desserts, vegetables, curries and pilaf rice dishes. These aromatic seeds contain an oil that helps to stimulate digestion and relieve flatulence.

Cinnamon – This warming spice is a common ingredient in toothpaste, mouthwashes and chewing gum. It is also found in traditional sweets, cakes and desserts as well as many savory dishes. It is useful for improving circulation and has anti-inflammatory and blood thinning properties. Research shows that it may also help to lower blood sugar levels and so may be useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. I use cinnamon on my cereal and oatmeal.

Cloves – Cloves are often used as a pickling spice but can also be added to syrups for poaching fruits or to drinks such as mulled wine. Clove oil is well known as a treatment for toothache, and its antiseptic properties make it an excellent mouthwash. Cloves have also been known to relieve the stiffness and pain associated with arthritis. It is a warming spice which can help reduce congestion and stimulate digestion.

Cumin – Cumin is traditionally used in Asian and Middle Eastern cooking for curries, chillis, stews and breads. It is a good source of iron and manganese and is thought to help digestion and bloating.

Ginger – Ginger is an essential ingredient in Asian and Indian cooking. It is also commonly used to flavor cakes, biscuits and desserts. Ginger contains antioxidants and can help protect against disease. It can help calm spasms and reduce flatulence in the digestive system. It is an excellent treatment for nausea associated with travel sickness, pregnancy and hangovers.

Turmeric – This spice gives curry powder and mustard their deep yellow color. Rich in antioxidants, researchers have discovered that it may help in the fight against cancer as well as containing inflammation fighting compounds which may help to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and joint inflammation. Use in soups, curries and stews.

Oregano – One teaspoon has as much antioxidant power as three cups of chopped broccoli. Add oregano to pasta, pizza sauce or on a grilled cheese sandwich.

Dried Red Peppers - Spices derived from red peppers include cayenne, crushed red pepper and paprika. In addition to adding fiery flavor, these spices may enhance metabolism which increases satiety and stimulates fat burning. Use these spices in hummus, guacamole, cottage cheese or mashed potatoes.

Rosemary – The compounds in rosemary appear to help reduce inflammation in the body which is a trigger and indirect risk factor for many chronic diseases. Rosemary is also being studied for its role in heart health. Include rosemary in marinades for meats and tomato sauces as well as whole grain breads and rolls.

Thyme – In addition to the antioxidant advantages, research is looking at the role of compounds in thyme in relation to respiratory function. Great on vegetables, fish and in stir-frys.

Dairy farming began in this area in 1854 with a few farmers. They built a sailing ship, “The Morning Star” to carry their products to Portland to sell. A replica of this boat stands in front of the factory today and is displayed on the company logo.

Peter McIntosh, a chedder maker from Canada, was hired to bring his skills to the area. His talents and influence soon brought him the name of “Cheese King of the Coast.” In fact his skills began winning dairy product contest all across the nation.

The original Tillamook Cheese factory was built in 1940. In the 1950′s a small cheese shop was opened to the public. In 1979, an expansion included an observation area, an educational slide show, a museum, a deli and fudge counter, and an ice cream dipping counter.

Today you can still observe the cheese making and packaging processes through large viewing windows. Movies shown on television screens tell the history and explain the cheese making process. And what would a factory tour be without a sampling station. The day I went we got to sample pepper cheese, an aged white cheddar, regular cheddar and squeaky cheese. What, you might ask, is squeaky cheese? It’s cheese curds. Tastes kind of like mozzarella. You can find cheese curds in nicer grocery stores.

They also have a nice deli and of course, Tillamook ice cream. My flavor was lemon blueberry. Yummm. Then it was off to the gift shop. They have one of the nicest gift shops I’ve ever been in. There is a food side where you can purchase a wide variety of diary products plus other “made in Oregon” products. Then there’s the non-food side. I found this eco bunny made from a coconut shell. He’s quite adorable as you can see.

Some highlights of Barbie’s history:

1961 – Ken Carson is introduced on a TV ad. Soon after he and Barbie begin dating.
1965 – Astronaut Barbie is the new doll a year after NASA scraps their female training program.
1973 – It’s medical school for nurse Barbie who eventually graduates as a surgeon.
1975 – Barbie wins a gold medal at the Olumpic Games in skating, skiing and gymnastics.
1980 – Enter multiracial Barbie with the first black and Hispanic Barbies as part of the new international collection.
1992 – Mattel gets into trouble when their new teen Barbie whines about math.
1992 – Could it be a sign of the future when Barbie runs for president.
1997 – People with disabilities are introduced with Share-a-Smile Becky in a hot pink wheelchair.
2004 – Barbie and Ken break up after 43 years! No worries, they get back together in 2006.
2009 – At 50, Barbie may be one of the richest women in the world earning $1.2 billion annually.

I remember having many Barbie dolls. My sister and mother used to make clothes for our Barbie and Ken dolls. I also remember the highlight of Christmas one year in a hot pink corvette. The photo here is of the modern Barbie transportation. Do you remember the first bendable legs? Finally, I couldn’t help including this photo of a Barbie cake! Yeah, the bridal Barbie is edible!

Other studies have tried to prove characteristics of each birth order. The oldest children are seen as more ambitious and given more responsibility. However, when brothers or sisters are born, they feel vulnerable and uncertain in difficult situations. Middle children are thought to struggle with finding their place and gaining recognition. Finally, the youngest are thought to receive the most attention and misbehave if they feel ignored.

Unfortunately, for every study done, there are many factors that don’t add up. Instead, studies that are consistent involve family culture, family relationships and the age of the parents. So when you older sibling brags about getting an ‘A’ in a class, don’t fret, you have just as much chance to get the same grade.

But don’t overeat, after all nuts are about 80% fat. The general rule is about 2 ounces or a small handful. Try out a variety of nuts to reap all the health benefits they offer. Here are some of the favorites:

Walnuts – Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to protect the heart, create anti-inflammatory benefits which help with asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema and psoriasis – walnuts are a good source. Walnuts also contain antioxidants that known to help fight cancer. Healthy for the heart, walnuts help lower bad cholesterol, increase the elasticity and help clear up the heart’s arteries.

Almonds – My favorite! Almonds contain about 20% of your daily value of magnesium plus potassium, manganese, copper, calcium, vitamin E and selenium. High in fiber, almonds are also great for the colon. And as with walnuts, almonds help to lower cholesterol.

Cashews – Cashews are high in oleic acid, the heart healthy fat found in olive oil. They are also full of copper, magnesium, zinc, and iron.

Pecans – Pecans are chock full of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin E, several B’s and A, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, copper, and potassium.Pecans are also known to help fight heart disease by lowering “bad” cholesterol.

Brazil Nuts – Studies have shown that brazil nuts may help prevent breast cancer due to the high amounts of selenium. They are are also packed with nutrients including copper, niacin, magnesium, and vitamin E. Brazil nuts also contain protein and fiber.

Macadamia Nuts – Another one of my favorites, macadamia nuts contain protein, fiber, potassium and magnesium. They have also been shown to lower cholesterol levels.These nuts are high in protein, fiber, healthy monounsaturated fats, potassium and magnesium.

Nuts make great snacks, are easy to pack and store and are inexpensive. For more information about these great snacks, check out the Mayo Clinic’s article: Nuts and Your Heart.