In Norway, halibut is served to royalty on special occasions because of its delicate flavor and dense, meaty texture. Halibut can weigh upwards of 600 pounds, and are a member of the flatfish family. A 3.5-ounce halibut portion contains 1000 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids that help our bodies with inflammation. Most experts agree that people should eat at least six ounces of fish per week because the protein is high quality and low in fat, containing many vitamins and minerals.     

Many people are concerned about the mercury content in fish. I believe the benefits far outweigh the risks, especially when you know where the fish were caught or farmed. Interesting research from Purdue University shows that drinking tea with fish can bind some of the mercury present in fish. 

Halibut is easy to cook and does not smell or taste “fishy.” I bake it at 375 degrees in the oven for 20-30 minutes with a sauce or simply with lemon, butter and seasonings. Below are a couple of recipes for easy sauces that complement halibut. Simply mix together, pour over four to six halibut filets and bake in a 375-degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until fish flakes with a fork.

Apricot Sauce

1/2 c. apricot jam
2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. fresh tarragon, chopped

French Sauce

3 tbsp. honey
3 tbsp. Dijon mustard
3 tbsp. rice vinegar

My Thai Kitchen

The farther one is away from the homeland of an ethnic cuisine, the less likely one is to get a taste of food the way it is supposed to taste, usually. Fortunately, My Thai doesn’t cook “down” to its guests. Instead they perfectly balance tastes emerging from Thai staples such as Thai basil, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chilis, fish sauce and coconut milk. The result is a sizable menu with many dishes permitting diners to choose a preparation and a protein to feature. Red and green curries leave some diners seriously wanting to lick their plates clean; the Steam Fish in Thai Herbs shows a masterful hand with seafood; and a Panang beef (or chicken) is one of many good options for those who don’t want any heat at all in their dish. 3023 S. Harvard, Tulsa. 918.794.7093

Big Al’s Healthy Foods

The arrival of the holiday season can have lunchers longing for something on the lighter side. Like, say, a delicious wrap containing avocado and turkey, or a homemade soup with healthy ingredients. Let Big Al’s feed you, then. With today’s emphasis on healthy, clean eating, Big Al’s has never been more relevant in its more than 30 years in operation. Sandwiches, salads, panini, wraps, smoothies – all can be found at the luncheon place in midtown Tulsa. Feeling frazzled? Try a Stress Relief Mix smoothie, which includes the juices of carrots, celery, red bell pepper, parsley and tomato. Or enjoy a warm bowl of soup. Some favorites at Big Al’s are spicy chicken enchilada, tomato basil, Italian wedding soup and hearty vegetable. 3303 E. 15th St., Tulsa. 918.744.5085

S & B’s Burger Joint

S & B’s is slinging burgers, sliders and beer that keep Oklahoma City patrons coming back for more. Most items on the menu can be ordered in slider or traditional burger form, but a few only come in mini format, including the Blue Philly, a slider topped with grilled rib eye, red onions, garlic and blue cheese. The Frenchman is a popular menu item, topped with mushrooms, swiss, fried onions and a French onion sauce. The Lava is topped with Cincinnati chili, sharp cheddar and onions, while the Columbian is an exotic choice, with a sea salt and coffee crusted patty served with smoked cheddar, lettuce, red onion, avocado and cilantro lime salsa. Fries, both French and sweet potato, are available, with an impressive selection of smothered fries. Embrace the season and try the Thanksgiving Fry, sweet potato fries topped with marshmallow cream, dried cranberries and chopped pecans. 5929 N. May Ave., Suite 106, Oklahoma City. 405.843.8777

Oklahomans know about the Dust Bowl displacements and relocations, but in the state’s history, not all sites were abandoned because they were dusty. Sometimes, towns in Oklahoma were abandoned because they were underwater.

The vast majority of Oklahoma’s 38 major lakes are man-made, and in the construction, redirected water caused some towns to become future scuba sites.

Lead park ranger of Kaw Lake, Jim Anderson, says that the towns of Kaw City, Uncas and Washaunga were flooded in the creation of Kaw Lake.

“As the lake rose up, it came into different parts of the community,” Anderson says. “You can still see where some of the streets were. The park’s roads are actually the streets of the towns.”

The occupants of the towns were given the option to sell their property to the government, or the government would pay to have their homes moved to the new town site, the present location of Kaw City, Anderson says.

But although these underwater towns have been abandoned since the impoundment of the reservoir in 1976, they are not forgotten.

“I know that especially the old residents of the towns show an interest,” Anderson says. “The Uncas community has a reunion where the residents reminisce about the days gone by.”

Even some of Oklahoma’s biggest names were impacted. Will Rogers’ ranch on Oologah Lake was relocated to higher ground. North Fork Town, old stomping grounds of outlaw Belle Starr, now lies somewhere beneath Lake Eufaula’s waters. But Starr’s schoolhouse and her burial site are located downstream, operations project manager of Lake Eufaula Jeff Knack says.

Knack also tells how town relocations can give new meaning to the term “ghost towns.”

“Most of the questions we get are about the relocation of cemeteries, and we can help with that,” Knack says. He adds that lake offices can help with questions about old home and burial sites.

Because the entire process of creating a new body of water can take as long as 15 years, almost all structures are either relocated or torn down before the flooding begins, Knack says, but sometimes highways still exist.

Anderson adds that the Tulsa District Corps of Engineers created lakes for flood control, and other benefits include hydroelectric power, water supply and, of course, recreational opportunities.

The most recent lake created was Lake Arcadia, opened in 1987. Today, no new lakes are in the construction process so there needn’t be any worries about fish entering your house. Yet.

Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials – Florence Welch, the delightfully eccentric British performer better known as Florence + the Machine, burst onto the UK music charts in 2009 with the debut album Lungs. The “Dog Days Are Over” singer then jumped across the pond and became a sensation in the U.S. with a breakout performance at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Two tracks from the group’s sophomore album have been released to great response and early reviews indicate that if you liked Lungs, you’ll love Ceremonials.

Miranda Lambert, Four The Record – The Texas native who now calls Tishomingo, Okla. home has had a rise to fame most young artists only dream about. Her first album, 2005’s Kerosene, debuted at No. 1 and went on to produce a string of hits. Her next two albums also went to No. 1 and produced eight chart-topping singles. Lambert’s aversion to “pop-country” in favor a gritty style that pays homage to old school country with elements of blues and rock has won her a legion of crossover fans. Expect more of her signature style and more hits from her fourth studio album.

Kate Bush, 50 Words For Snow – In 1978, 19-year-old Bush became an overnight sensation with her hit “Wuthering Heights.” She went on to produce a series of innovative and widely acclaimed albums, including her 1985 masterpiece Hounds of Love, throughout the 80s and early 90s. Bush’s fans have grown accustomed to waiting a while between albums – she released no new material between 1993 and 2005, and 50 Words For Snow is her first album of new material in six years.

Rihanna, Talk That Talk – The Barbadian bombshell has been a regular on the music charts – amassing 20 top 10 singles faster than any other solo artist – and the media spotlight since her debut 2005 album Music of the Sun. Despite a prolific career – Talk That Talk is her sixth studio release – Rihanna has churned out surprisingly fresh material, experimenting with a variety of musical styles and themes. Her latest inspiration is a fascination with dubstep.