Snake Wine: What a Crazy Drink

Snake wine (in Vietnamese) is an alcoholic beverage that includes a whole venomous snake in the bottle. It originated in Vietnam and can be found around Southeast Asia. The snakes, preferably venomous ones, are usually not preserved for their meat. They are preserved to have the snake poison dissolved in the liquor. However, because snake venom is protein-based, they are unfolded and therefore inactivated due to the influence of the denaturing effects of ethanol.

A large venomous snake can be placed into a glass jar of rice wine, often with many smaller snakes, turtles, insects, or birds, and left to steep for many months. The wine is drunk as a restorative in small shots or cups

Body fluids of snake are mixed into wine and consumed immediately in the form of a shot. Snake blood wine is prepared by slicing a snake along its belly and draining its blood into a mixing vat with rice wine or grain alcohol. Snake bile wine is done through a similar method by using the contents of the gall bladder. Snake meat, liver, and skin can be prepared to accompany the drinks.

Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies

I have made a tradition of baking treats for my children's teachers at the end of the school year. It's a great way to bake with my children and to show appreciation for the wonderful people who teach my kids. I came across this delicious looking cookie recipe on Donna's site. How can you go wrong with chocolate chip cookies with crushed oreos? I knew they would be rich and decadent. My husband tested them and said they were really tasty and I am hopeful the teachers will like them as well. Thanks for an excellent recipe Donna!Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies:Recipe and photos by For the Love of CookingRecipe from My Tasty Treasures
1 stick softened butter
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar
1 egg
½ tsp vanilla
1 ¼ cups flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
8 oreo cookies, broken into pieces
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silpat sheet or parchment paper.In a large bowl, beat together butter, white sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until creamy.In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt in large bowl and mix thoroughly. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet and mix. Add chocolate chips and crushed oreos, stir until just combined.Drop by the spoonful onto the cookie sheet. Bake for 7–9 minutes, or until golden brown, but still soft. Let cool on baking sheet 3 minutes before transferring to cookie rack. Enjoy.

Disadvantages of a HMO

Three nurses died and went to Heaven, where they were met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter.To the first, he asked, "So, what did you used to do back on Earth? Why do you think you should be allowed to come into Heaven?""I was a nurse at an inner city hospital," she replied. "I worked to bring healing and peace to many sufferers, especially poor, helpless children."Very noble," said St. Peter. "You may enter."And in through the Gates she went.To the next, he asked the same question, "So, what did you used to do?""I was a nurse at a missionary hospital in the Amazon basin," she replied. "For many years, I worked with a skeleton crew of doctors and nurses who tried to reach out to as many people across numerous tribes, with a hand of healing and peace, and with the message about God`s love.""How touching," said St. Peter. "You, too, may enter."And in she went.He then came to the last nurse, to whom he asked, "So, what did you used to do back on Earth?"After some hesitation, she explained, "I was just a nurse at an HMO."St. Peter pondered this for a moment, and then said, "Ok, you may enter, too.""Whew!" said the nurse. "For a moment there, I thought you weren`t going to let me in.""Oh, you can come in," said St. Peter, "but you can only stay for three days."