Don't LEED Us Astray

Today in class we talked about LEED certification. I found a media article that discussed how wonderful the program is, but explains that a building’s LEED rating is more like a snapshot taken at its opening, not a promise of performance. The article address the need for an frequent renewal process to ensure that the building is remaining energy efficient. It is a great extension about what we talked about in class. Here is the link.

Searching For American ginseng

Today I want with 5 other students to Dr. Eskew's house in Virginia. We enjoyed a day of hiking around her property looking for American ginseng, a medicinal plant we are researching. It was a spectacular day and I had a lot of fun. I also took a bike ride this week on the Salem Creek Trail. With finals fast approaching and lots of things to do, its hard to find time to get in a good bike ride!

Tomato Pie

My favorite thing to eat in the summer are fresh tomatoes, so I thought I would give share one of my favorite recipes. While this recipe is not very health, it is extremely delicious. This recipe serves 6.

Tomato Pie

Ingredients

• 4 tomatoes, peeled and sliced
• 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped green onion
• 1 (9-inch) prebaked deep dish pie shell
• 1 cup grated mozzarella
• 1 cup grated cheddar
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the tomatoes in a colander in the sink in 1 layer. Sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for 10 minutes.

Layer the tomato slices, basil, and onion in pie shell. Season with salt and pepper. Combine the grated cheeses and mayonnaise together. Spread mixture on top of the tomatoes and bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

To serve, cut into slices and serve warm.