Thursday, November 27, 2014

Fast & Easy & Spicy (Oh My) Pumpkin Seeds

  • 2 cups raw pumpkin seeds
  • 1½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt (crushed)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (crushed)

  1. Preheat oven to 250°
  2. Crush the salt and red pepper flakes using your mortar and pestle
  3. Combine all spices in a small bowl
  4. Toss raw pumpkin seeds in oil/hot sauce mixture
  5. Add spice mixture to seeds, tossing all as you pour
  6. Bake seeds on foil covered cookie sheet for 50 minutes, tossing the seeds with a spatula every ten minutes or so
  7. Refrigerate water with ice cubes for medicinal purposes

Sunday, November 9, 2014

A Brief History of Plastic Surgery in Hollywood

1927

In 1927, Hal Roach releases Anything Once a Mabel Normand short in which Nora Hayden plays the rich Mrs. De Puyster who has a face lift in anticipation of presenting herself at the costume cotillion. Ms. Normand plays the dry cleaner's assistant saddled with the task of bringing the cleaned costume to Mrs. De Puyster's home. Knowing how Mabel can be, hijinks ensue.


See Mabel Normand in the two reeler on archive.org.

1973

In 1973, Elizabeth Taylor has a face lift in the hopes of saving her marriage (to Henry Fonda in a small, yet pivotal role). The film was considered quite controversial back in the day for its interpolation of graphic footage of a face lift procedure.


See Elizabeth Taylor in Ash Wednesday on YouTube
or email me for a link to download a VHS rip.

2014

In 2014, Renée Zellweger walks the red carpet after years out of the spotlight.


Bonus: Totie Fields Talks Plastic Surgery

In what looks to be the late 1960s Merv Griffin had discussions with plastic surgeon Dr. Kurt Wagner on his eponymously titled talk show. Guests included Victor Borge and Totie Fields. Totie Fields is a big supporter of plastic surgery. Interestingly many believe that it was the plastic surgery she had on her eyes which initiated the health issues that lead to her death. For more information on the life and career of comedian Totie Fields, see Totie Fields: A Blography.