Aa-broeken Ice Thickening

Tuesday, 31-January-2012 - Veghel - It's the Queen's birthday today. After breakfast, I raised the flag. Rode my bike to check the ice at the Aa-broeken. There, I met Astrid who was also checking on the ice. We remembered how it was last year. No open water pockets today. The ice was only about 2 cm thick, but very smooth. Here is the ice thickness forecast. I'll be back again tomorrow to check progress. pics (42)

Mole Hill Weather Forecast

Saturday, 28-January-2012 - Veghel/Helmond - Saw these fresh mole hills on my way to Helmond today. This is telling me that freezing weather is approaching. Why? Because moles eat earthworms, and earthworms react to advancing colder winter weather by burrowing deep (up to two meters) in the soil to avoid the extreme cold. The moles are simply following the food. Here's the official forecast. I'm excited that I'll be able to ice skate outdoors next week--the first time this winter.
PS. I was good for 45 km. pics (35)

gps-tracked route--part 1
gps-tracked route--part 2

Premiere Bloemfontein

Thursday, 26-January-2012 - Gemert - Fun-on-Wheels skating friend Johan van Zelderen made his debut as Bloemfontein singer at cafe and restaurant Dientje.

Ron's Birthday

Sunday, 22-January-2012 - Uden - I was invited to celebrate volleyball teammate Ron's birthday. Teammate Hans was practicing a new song on the guitar. pics (5)

Biking to Helmond Market

Saturday, 21-January-2012 - Helmond - Rode my mountainbike to the Helmond Market today. Said hello to Marij, John, Gilbert, Luis, and their neighbors (pic). I was good for 45 km. pics (26)

Low-cholesterol Pancakes

Friday, 6-January, 2012 - Veghel - Last November, I promised Cody (first cousin twice removed) I'd give him the recipe for my pancakes. Well, here it is below. My Aunt Bertha taught me how to fold beaten egg whites after the batter was mixed. Until today, I used an electric beater. I didn't realize how effective a whisk (garde in Dutch) is. My cousin MaryAnn simply uses a fork. She teaches using human energy whenever practical. pics (21) Pancakes Yield: 8 large pancakes (approx 7-in dia) Cholesterol per pancake when served with margarine and strawberry jam or maple syrup: 2.5 mg. Ingredient, Unit of Measure, Qty Baking soda tsp 2 Egg white each 2 Flour cup 2 Milk cup 1 Oil, vegetable Salt tsp 1 Sugar tsp 2 Water cup 1 Directions 1. Separate egg whites and yolks, and set aside. 2. Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. 3. Add milk and water, leaving out egg yolks (see note 1). Mix well (whisk or beater), adding water as needed to thin batter. 4. Beat (or whisk) egg whites in separate bowl, whites at room temperature until stiff. 5. Fold in egg whites to make a fluffy batter (see link). 6. Heat a lightly-oiled griddle (or large frying pan) over medium-high heat (see note). 7. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/2 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides, and serve hot. http://video.about.com/gourmetfood/Fold-Egg-Whites-Into-Batter.htm Note 1: Leave out egg yolks for a low-cholesterol meal. Each egg yolk contains 200 mg of cholesterol! Note 2: The pancake cooking temperature is approx 375 Deg F (190 Deg C). When you let a drop of water fall onto a hot pancake griddle, the water drop will dance around and stay in its droplet shape while it skitters across the surface.http://EzineArticles.com/4630664 Note 3: The American Heart Association recommends healthy individuals consume less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day. A person with heart disease should eat a low-cholesterol diet and aim at 200 mg of cholesterol daily.http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/PreventionTreatmentofHighCholesterol/Know-Your-Fats_UCM_305628_Article.jsp Note 4: General cholesterol health information: http://www.siumed.edu/medicine/gim/cholesterol.htm Note 5: Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol?