February 2010
I found some time today to go support the lady riders who entered the Sartso Women's Cup at XDL on the Daytona Speedway. Three ladies competed, which I feel was a great turn out considering this is the first time XDL has offered a women's division. It's going to be a great season for ladies and hopefully our being in the spotlight will inspire more girls to take to the lots and practice stunting. I was a little depressed I could not compete, but look forward to a summer full of competing. Congratulations to all the girls who competed!
Today Mom and Dad decided to drive down from the mountains to visit us in Brooklyn. Since retreating to the mountains 2 years ago, they have not had cells phone which makes trips slightly difficult to time. I knew the general time they would be arriving, but telepathically rounded the corned in my hood right as they were pulling into a parking spot.
The brought their cat Richard, so Venus showed off her house and city lifestyle to him. He curiously sniffed every inch of the apartment (granted there aren't too many inches) throughout his stay. I made a quinoa cranberry winter side and salmon patties -with Mom-made tartar sauce. Then after a brisk walk in the winter sunshine I made a pecan-apple crisp and homemade vanilla ice cream. Unfortunately the long winding road up to my parents house doesn't permit these visits as often as one would like, it's always good when we do get to see each other.
The brought their cat Richard, so Venus showed off her house and city lifestyle to him. He curiously sniffed every inch of the apartment (granted there aren't too many inches) throughout his stay. I made a quinoa cranberry winter side and salmon patties -with Mom-made tartar sauce. Then after a brisk walk in the winter sunshine I made a pecan-apple crisp and homemade vanilla ice cream. Unfortunately the long winding road up to my parents house doesn't permit these visits as often as one would like, it's always good when we do get to see each other.
I love, love, love making omelets in the morning. The great thing about omelets is if you have eggs, you can nearly always have enough other ingredients to make and amazing egg-pocket breakfast! I start with a light brush of olive oil on the pan and pour my whisked eggs and milk in, cooking slowly on medium-low. After about 30 seconds I start to add the ingredients so they cook into the eggs a bit. Once it is packed sufficiently, I fold the omelet in half, top with a cheese and broil to seal the deal.
This omelet has steamed spinach, corn and a bit of dolce gorgonzola -not a bad breakfast considering our fridge was nearly empty. I just love omelets.
This omelet has steamed spinach, corn and a bit of dolce gorgonzola -not a bad breakfast considering our fridge was nearly empty. I just love omelets.
The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care
Posted February 20, 2010 in
Leave a comment
The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care by T.R. ReidMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Healing of America is a book every American needs to read. Period.
Truthfully, I finished the book last night and my head is spinning from it. The sad thing is, I was aware of most of the information in it, I guess having it all in 256 pages is a lot for even forward thinkers to handle. The thing about America that always puzzles me is the amount of "curtains drawn shut." Growing up on a farm and being intimately close to the earth and how things grow and develop, I always had opportunity to be shocked when none of me "city friends" understood where their food came from. And FOOD of all things is something you put directly into your body multiple times a day, How you you not ask? How could you not care? -It seems the everyday things are the things we take most for granted.
Point stated, I never went to doctors growing up. So the whole line-waiting, magical-fee generations and insurance cluster-f*%$ filled me with questions (perhaps rage is the better adjective), I never got answers to, and made me wonder why I was the only non-cow-like agitated(or crazy) person at the dentist! HOW DO THESE PEOPLE PUT UP WITH THIS?! THIS IS NOT NORMAL!
T.R. Reid truly put my mind at ease. It's not normal, it's not right and frankly, it's embarrassing. The author searches the world for health care options, finding tons and on the scale next to America -they are way better. He presents logical cases of countries who have revamped or totally re-hauled their systems, with success. I would hope the Americans who are proactive enough to open this book, start having the same mind-blown, offended feelings in the waiting rooms of American doctors. Truthfully most Americans have plopped down on their lazy boy in Plato's cave, unaware and unquestioning, as to what lies outside of the only thing they have known their whole life. ASK QUESTIONS PEOPLE!
Note: I probably should start giving myself a one week cool-down period before I review books...
View all my reviews >>
Everyone has their favorite take out place. The place you call after a long day, when the last thing you want to do it think about turning on the stove and dirtying dishes. Our favorite place was called the Noodle Studio, which shamefully, was literally two doors down from us and we would still get it delivered. Tragically the Noodle Studio closed doors a few months ago and Venus, Anthony and I still mourn as we pass it -smells the lingering smell of the best Pad Thai known to man. So tonight I made a delicious Noodle Studio inspired "quick meal," in hopes of recapturing their fabulous ingredient palate.
First I sauteed minced garlic and ginger in olive oil. Then added about 4 cups of veggie broth. Then I added sliced cabbage and carrots in addition to the following liquids:
Dash of soy sauce
3 Tbl of tomato paste
Dash of rice vinegar
Dash of fish sauce
As the broth simmered together I poured it over the noodles and topped with crushed peanuts and cilantro.
First I sauteed minced garlic and ginger in olive oil. Then added about 4 cups of veggie broth. Then I added sliced cabbage and carrots in addition to the following liquids:
Dash of soy sauce
3 Tbl of tomato paste
Dash of rice vinegar
Dash of fish sauce
As the broth simmered together I poured it over the noodles and topped with crushed peanuts and cilantro.
We got a big snow storm today! Anthony and I took our time getting into work and hiked around the city catching scenes from the storm.
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide
Posted February 07, 2010 in
Leave a comment
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. KristofMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I've read a lot of books that are a sociological observation of oppression, discrimination, disease and poverty. I will be the first to admit my love-hate relationship with books of this nature, as they are the prime source of my maniac-depressant outlook on life, reality and humanity. While I drink these issues and predicaments up -I feel pushed closer to the brink of helplessness sitting in my tiny Brooklyn apartment, myself both struggling to pay rent and keep a job.
While some humanitarian books are overflowing with knowledge and facts, I come to the final chapter full of anxiety and pain -what can I do about this? I feel the great burden of guilt while purchasing food, clothes or sleeping in a pretty comfortable bed. My life becomes a mirage of guilt, I look through the eggplant I am cooking to the oppressed farmer in Chile, his wife and his family. I look through my Nike running shoes to the child seamstress in China, her life and her village. Where is a person to start?
In "Half the Sky" Mr. Kristof quoted Gandhi "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Not only did he quote Gandhi, he truly has lived this and also created this book as a manual for others to do the same. Through tales of women from around the world the author comes full circle from extreme human hardship, abuse or sometimes death; to success and happiness. He highlights hope and a good side of human beings, despite the horrid role numerous humans play as the villain in these stories. Unlike many privileged Westerners who posses a broad understanding of how people truly live around the world, he never gets preachy or elitist. He remains down here on earth, bluntly admitting failures even with the best intentions. These highlights of how "helping" is not always the definition one might think it would be was my primary area of praise for this book. He genuinely realizes the delicate nature of helping others and how respect and a open mind are two vital necessities to promoting any change at all.
Support and education seem to be the two most effective promoters of change and progress. Although support didn't always mean a cash flow or new possessions, a network of people who can assist morally and sometimes economically is crucial. And above all education is the key part of change. To give people knowledge and allow them to make educated decisions from their own perspectives. Education is the tool that allows everyone to see their worth and truly make CHOICES that allow them to live how they desire.
View all my reviews >>
OneWheelNeal's mother was so nice as to make Venus some fancy new outfits for the NYC winter. She got a cute little knitted vest, which she will model soon and a monkey print, snuggy-style, lounge outfit.
She wore her vest to the pet store today, where she made some friends and picked up a bag of her favorite treats: Stella and Chewy's. And she spent the rest of her Sunday reading "Half the Sky" with me...in her monkey suit.
She wore her vest to the pet store today, where she made some friends and picked up a bag of her favorite treats: Stella and Chewy's. And she spent the rest of her Sunday reading "Half the Sky" with me...in her monkey suit.