Friday, October 28, 2011

DIY "Cheesy Taste"

Processing/blending cashews, nutritional yeast, and red bell pepper will make your dish taste cheesy.

Feeling lazy?  Just use the nutritional yeast and maybe some type of fat but the above combo actually tastes like cheese.

I don't digest nuts very well but if you can this is yummy.
Refrigerate for  Hard cheese


  • 1 cups cashews, soaked 12 to 14 hours

/ grind
  • add
  • 1 tablespoons nutritional yeast

  • 1/4 red Bell Pepper/ ground

Monday, October 24, 2011

Why do green peppers cause indigestion?



Why do green bell peppers even exist?  Green bell peppers are cheaper and more common in restaurants than other bell peppers.  How many times have you ordered Chinese and been left with a pile of uneaten green bell peppers in each dish?  Green bell peppers are bitter and hard to choke down.  If you are sensitive to unripe fruit and produce, you might want to steer clear of green bell peppers for better digestion.  


All green peppers, not just bells, are simply unripe red, yellow, orange, etc.  peppers.  Ripe peppers even have more vitamins and antioxidants than green.   If you buy green bells and they are more mature, they can possibly ripen and turn color on your countertop.  The sweetest are fruit allowed to ripen fully on the plant in full sunshine, while fruit harvested green and after-ripened in storage are less sweet.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

People Who Don't Say, "Thank You."


Today I got a beautiful thank you note in the mail from a friend.  I admit, I don't usually take thank you's to this level, but it was really nice.  It's not so much that I want to be appreciated as I want to know you aren't out of your fucking mind and we can be/continue to be friends.  The number of people inhabiting the Earth that don't say "it," frightens me.  No extra points for enthusiasm.  A straight-faced monotone "thank you" is fine.  An email.  It doesn't even have to be timely.  I'm not talking about going OD like a  "thanx for the add" on a social network.

It may seem trite but, repeatedly not saying "thank you," is very telling.  It shows a lack of "thoughtfulness" and for me it triggers thoughts of the potential harm that not thinking of others can cause.  These are people, nice or not, that I don't feel safe building with.  It's being entitled and not being civil.  You're disrespecting the person who was trying to make your life a little better.  I got plenty o' flaws but frankly, I am often much more comfortable with blatant self-importance than thoughtlessness.  It could be just because I relate more.  Or maybe b/c thoughtlessness is arrogance squared?  #Idon'tfronothingatall.

This rant might just be for me and you.  B/c I've realized, these people have no idea how they affect others.  Knowing your flaws is liberating.  Be your own Moses.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Totally Edible: Vegan Stuffed Tomatoes


No Dairy.  No meat.  Less than Tsp. of oil.  Pinch of salt.

You can add beans, ground meat and/or cheese.  Or spinach.

Tip:  You can easily split into two batches and make one with meat and one without at the same time.  Adding the cooked meat during the final mixing process before baking.  Add cheese on top before baking.

Ingredients:
5 or so Tomatoes
1 1/2 Cups steamed or otherwise cooked brown rice.
1/2 onion
10 garlic cloves
1/2 jalapeño
cilantro or another fresh herb
Spicy Savory Seasoning like Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime and/or Extra Spicy
1 tsp of nutritional yeast if you have it. not necessary.  A thickener.
1 tsp olive oil
pinch of sea salt (or whatever kind you want)
Baking Pan (you may want to line it in foil for easy cleanup)

Instructions:
Peel and roast some (about 10) garlic cloves in the oven to add later.  15 minutes or until brown.  I like them crisp but not dry.
Take 5 large tomatoes and cut out the core but do not puncture the bottom of the tomato.
Now for the stuffing.
Scoop out the tomato insides into a mixing bowl.
Add a finely chopped 1/2 an onion or scallions into the bowl.
Remove the seeds! from half a jalapeño and add it.  Taking out the seeds keeps it from being hot as hell.
Add a cup and a half of cooked brown rice and add it to the  mix.
Add fresh cilantro or basil or the fresh herb/s of your choice.
Add a spicy seasoning.  I used 2.  Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime and Extra Spicy (both Salt-free.)  To your preferred taste.
Add nutritional yeast if you have it. not necessary.
Flatten the roasted garlic with the side of a knife and add.
Stir it up.
Add a pinch of sea salt and stir again.
Stuff the tomatoes and put in a shallow baking pan.
If you have any extra stuffing put it in the pan to bake around the tomatoes.
Drizzle just a tsp. of olive oil over everything
Bake on 350*F for 20 minutes or until a little brown.
And Viola Davis!
Serve

Staying Together Episode 2

Watch Episode 2 Here

Staying Together Episode 2 "Looking Toward The Roots of Fractured Staying Together Episode 2 "Looking Toward The Roots of Fractured 

Families" 



Staying Together is a web series that takes place within the film, "Let's Stay Together," by joshua bee alafia. In Episode Two, we reflect on the effects of slavery and the lost sense of identity through middle passage trauma. We begin the inquiry of the root of our departure from strong family units. Why are we having such a hard time staying together and raising these youth? Please joint the conversation! Share the link, leave a comment, and subscribe!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Public Masturbation :/ and Shifting Culture Through Creativity

In my blogpost K.I.M. (Keep it Movin',) I suggested saving your vocal chords when it comes to walk-by street harassment.  But this isn't any more satisfying or productive than standing alone and shouting at the back of someone's head.  Emily May started Hollaback, a new movement combating street harassment.  Hollaback uses cellphone technology that links your cellphone camera directly to 311 to move forward with typically unenforced public policy.  And can potentially be used to address more types of discrimination. 


Hollaback is a limited and controversial example.  Now, I am not for locking up more people involved in what she describes as a non-racially/ non-economically specific crime.  She claims street harassment happens "surprisingly" in all "densely populated areas (Hmmm.  What areas are more densely populated than the hood???)"  Although she is right, no black man has yet to publicly masturbate to me.   They were latino.  JK.  Same thing.  Gender warfare is one of the symptoms of inequity.  I don't want more poor blacks and latinos in prison.  Period.  That's me.  At the same time, victims of sexual harassment should not take one for the team!  But what's most intriguing and impressive to me about Hollaback is not the punishment aspect but the concept of changing culture through raising awareness.  Raising the awareness of 311 to harassment issues that are laughed at and ignored by law enforcement.  And the awareness of offenders,  At this point the goal is to raise awareness that this behavior isn't cool.  If you harass.  Your pic gets snapped.  Etc...  The etc. being the tricky part.  Also, neither is very cultured but harassment and appreciation are two different things.  


In any event, like Obama's election (good, bad, or indifferent,)  like OWS (Yes, I'm linking them again,) this movement shows the power of people who really want to change culture.  Whether in the government or in their lives.  Hit and run sexual harassment can be a very isolating experience.  And by the second time someone is publicly masturbating to you on public transport or giving you the serial killer eyes that say you'd make an excellent throw rug, you may not want to punish them but, "so over it," is also an understatement.  You want to act!  Now I'm not saying get out and vote.  Although, I'mma do that too.  The times are calling us to start and to continue being creative with activism and every aspect of life.  Using our brains, in groups and alone to make change.  People accuse OWS for lacking practicality at this point.  But the creativity and heart is undeniable.  And protesters are utilizing technology and art to spread awareness.


Power of the population.  Or as they used to say, power to the people!



Here is the video


The website: http://www.ihollaback.org/the-movement/

Primary Schmimary. Gag me.

If you are not voting Republican I implore you not to waste your time following the campaigns of the prospective Republican candidates for President.  It's more trashy than Sarah Palin's ascent to reality star status.  If I see one more facebook post about Herman Cain or Mitt  Romney...  How much closer does one need to keep their enemy?  By now we know it is a racist (People of color can't be racist but Cain is giving it the old college try), sexist, "elitist" freak show.    For non-Republicans and I'm sure many Republicans it has become merely the basest level of entertainment.  Look away!  Look away!  There is nothing to be learned and not enough time in the day.  Forgive me if this is obvious but clearly it isn't obvious enough, ya know?

Friday, October 14, 2011

Word of the day: Effortlessness

Noun1.effortlessness - the quality of requiring little effort; "such effortlessness is achieved only after hours of practice"

achieved with admirable ease.

"a difficult feat performed with casual mastery"; "careless grace"

like water off a duck’s back

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Miss Representation: Women in the Media

"You can't be what you can't see."


Can't wait for this.


Watch Long version here.

Slow Down: Stillness Training


Stillness is wonderful.  Acquiring greater stillness doesn't stop you.  It lets you move profoundly in the world.

Stillness training is a big part of acting training.  The idea is that stillness is at the core of all skillful action.  We talk about "being present."  It has been the most elusive part of acting and life for me.  Probably because I'm trying to quickly and blindly perform a task to get instant gratification (even where there is none to be had.)  Or on my best days, I'm trying to be still.  I've learned that trying to be still is actually counter-productive.  You can't just think "still" or think "focus."

Stillness is a skillful practice and discipline.  The best way to attain stillness is to perform the action of slowing down.  Slow down your actions.

Life is full of signals.  Striving striving striving you may be able to get things done.  But it is exhausting.  Or worse.  We can be so obsessive that we get tunnel vision and move so fast that we can strive right passed the moment and miss a lot of these (obvious) signals.  Missing the mark.

What's helped some with the slowing down is that I've been trying to shake the"life is about getting good grades" mentality from my youth.  Acquiring stillness will help your relationships, friendships, creativity, health, physical exercise, and every other aspect of life.    Some improvements you may notice when you slow down and actively connect to what you are doing or who you are talking to (look them in the eye and listen/talk) are that stillness leads you to greater listening skills, clarity of thought, and less social discomfort.

Seasonal Fruit: Apple Season!

I just ate an apple that tasted like apple cider.

It was an Organic Fuji Apple from the regular grocery store.  Actually I had 3 today.


This helps with my fruit enthusiast ambitions.

Divide and Conquer: Healthy Eating Little by Little

A lot of us want to eat healthy but we don’t know where to start or where our personal goals end.  Trying to do everything is unnecessarily intimidating.

These are not 10 steps.  But #1 is #1!  In fact you can probably stop right there.  The others I find helpful and are in no real particular order.  Don't be general.  Listen to YOUR body.  See what works for you. Divide and conquer (in the name of good)!

For example:  Try one or two of these this week.

1.  Eat more fruits and veggies.  Veggies hard to swallow?  Investigate green juices and green smoothies.  Also, fruit smoothies are a good quick breakfast/snack.

2. You can go veg or part-time veg.  You could start with incorporating a meatless Monday into your week.  It is movement sweeping the world.  Cuts down on saturated fat and makes your footprint smaller.

3.  Switch to whole grains.

4.  Eat more organic foods and less GMO food (Genetically Modified.  All too common.  Yikes.)  See Dirty Dozen post for 12 organic produce items to start with.

5.  Sugar.  Switch out your table sugar for (lower glycemic)
-Cane Sugar (before Christ; not raw sugar which is processed) or
-Maple Syrup (sweeter than table sugar) and/or
-Stevia Leaf (no calories)
These are all more nutritious and less sugar spikes in your day followed by sugar drops and lows.
-investigate alternatives.  Brown rice sugar, honey, etc.

6.  Reduce salt intake.  Your body only needs a little to stay healthy.  (The most visible benefit is your face will be less swollen.)

7.  Use less oil in your cooking.  When cooking use a Tsp for every Tbsp of oil.  

8.  Investigate gluten free if you are interested or have digestive/fatigue issues.

9.  Still bloated?  Try reducing your soy intake by cutting out tofu.

10.  Read labels.  Is it a sweet food?  No?  Then why is there added sugar?  They put sugar in the strangest places.  Put it back.   If you are gonna eat junk food like chips, try to keep it healthy.  Make sure it is organic and uses natural sugars like cane sugar for sweetening.  Watch out for MSG.


Our eating lifestyles evolve and I suggest some experimentation.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Dirty Dozen: Foods that absorb the most pesticides

I'm making an effort to eat more organic foods (and use the microwave less.)  If you are trying to go organic or more organic, these are the top 12 foods to avoid when you are eating non-organic food.  And they are some of the organic foods you may like to start with at the grocery.  These are the foods that absorb the most pesticides.

1.  Apples
2.  Celery
3.  Strawberries
4.  Peaches
5.  Spinach
6,  Nectarines
7.  Grapes
8.  Sweet Bell Peppers
9.  Potatoes
10.  Blueberries
11.  Lettuce
12.  Kale

I grew up with the mindset that healthy and organic foods were too expensive.  But if you cook for yourself you are saving some money.  Your health is worth it.  And it is important to support Farmer's Markets.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Emotional Stability

Do you have it?  I feel like I'm close.  Not that I'm emotionally stable but I finally understand what it is and what it is not.

Emotional stability is something that you have to want.  If you are a perpetual victim or enjoy being a bully it's going to be harder to get there.  Because you are holding other people entirely accountable for your feelings.  First you have to recognize that you are probably not one of the good guys.  Almost everyone is somewhat selfish and has people who can't stand them for legitimate reasons.  Realizing and accepting that everyone isn't going to like you (not ever) is part of being an adult.


I ruminate on being emotionally stable.  Very recently, I've started thinking about it when I am interacting with people.  Usually at the start of the conversation.  This helps me enjoy people a lot more than in the past.  When I can execute it, taking a thoughtful moment helps me not take things too personally while still being in the moment.  You don't want to be robotic but you don't want to be volatile and unpredictable.  Passion is great and important.  But a lot of crazy people are passionate too.

Reflection is another part of pursuing emotional stability.  Think about your more difficult interactions with others and the role that your emotional stability or lack of it plays.  Would being able to be more even-keeled in some situations help you communicate better (communication skills are crucial to feeling stable?)  Help you give and ACCEPT criticism and move on?  Write.  Reflect.  And ask people you admire and trust for their help.

Disclaimer:  I have a master's in acting

Paleo Propaganda: Telling you good things about your bad habits

These people's marketing strategy is good.  It is based on affirmation.  They tell you good things about your bad habits.  Eat lots of meat to experience good health?  I'm not anti-meat or slaughter (although the meat and dairy industries are abominable.)  But most people could probably agree that permission to eat tons of red meat does not even sound healthy.  You do not have to have a meat heavy paleo diet but the allowance is much of the appeal.

They are making a fortune.  The diet calls for you to buy tons of supplements that you can find on the gurus' websites.  Does that even sound right?

Up your fruits and veggies and whole grains.  Because it's not a heart attack waiting to happen.  Or a messed up colon.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Let's Stay Together

One of my artsy facebook friends posted this and it was moving.  It's cool to hear what people are thinking.  Note:  Today I was listening to Maxwell that another facebook friend had posted.


Director:  Joshua Bee Alafia

Here's the Maxwell: "Maxweeeell!"
My look-a-like sister had the fro before the fro and that's what guys would yell down the street to her to get her attention.  Not quite not a compliment.

How to: Lose Weight in Bed

Or just get healthier.  Even better.  (Better poops.  Just Sayin.)  And you don't have to cook.  Putting out is optional as always.

Want more nutrients in your life but you are lazy?  JK!

You're fuckin busy!  Fuckin' busy workin.  Tryin to provide for your family!!!  Raisin' these bad-ass ungrateful kids!  Trying to make a life for YO-self!  Trying to please every goddamn body!  Being bombarded by "sick food" with corporate backing!

Woooooooooo!  "It feels good.  YEah!" - lyrics from that song.

Dump whatever you are eating (no shame!) on a huge bed of lettuce or baby spinach.

Even if it' fuckin potato chips.
Beans and rice.  Do it.
Takeout fried rice?  Dump that shit!
Pizza salad?
Hummus and chips= Mediterranean salad
Pasta?  Manga!
Fries?  Surprise!
Burger King?  Keep bags of lettuce in your purse!
Soup?  Put the spinach in it.

Then I tell myself "Eat it!  If it were cake, you wouldn't be full."  Lol.  Pretty yum though.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Take Action: Sign to stop the deportation of Ruben Quinteros

Let the government know that you care about real people getting deported.

A very sad story.  A friend of friends is facing deportation.  Read story below and please take 2 minutes to send a letter to the Obama Administration.

Send a letter right now to President Obama, the Department of Homeland Security and members of Congress to stop the unjust deportation of Ruben Quinteros. 


"President Obama recently announced a policy change, stating that ICE would prioritize the deportation of "dangerous criminals" and refrain from focusing on undocumented immigrants who contribute productively to society. Yet, Ruben now sits in a deportation holding cell in one of the most isolated, difficult detention centers in the country, not knowing if or when he and his family will be ripped apart."








Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Rice Pizzasagna with Daiya Recipe

Tonight's Dinner

HellFoods didn't have a gluten-free pizza crust so I:

Lined a loaf pan in foil
Put in a layer of cooked brown rice from the big pot in my fridge
Some Daiya
Some red onion on top of that
Crushed fresh garlic clove
another layer of brown rice
Daiya
Pasta Sauce
Basil and spinach
1 diced Tomato
more garlic
and another sprinkle of Daiya
A little sea salt and pepper

Baked on 350* for 20 minutes.

Daiya Review: Nacho Usual Nasty Vegan Cheese

Mitch: Beanie, you remember Cheese, Rodney's kid brother? 
Dean Pritchard: Actually, my name's not Cheese anymore. It's Gordon Pritchard. 
Beanie: Oh yeah. Cheeeeeese. Yeah, didn't we lock you in a dumpster one time?
Old Skool (classic)


I don't usually like to eat animal product imposters because they are usually full of junk.  But I started to crave cheese when I first heard of Daiya.  I didn't go the dairy route for several reasons.  Including intolerance.  Some comedian said "Black people can't even walk down the dairy aisle."  A quick way to tell if you are lactose intolerant.  Do you like milk?  Ice-cream doesn't count.  Neither does cheese.  Because I say so.  They are delicious.


And like Daiya, I'm soy free.  And Gluten free.  One word.  Gas.


"So what do you eat?"  Lots of rice, potatoes, corn products, rice products, quinoa, vegetables, fruit.  Sometimes beans.  But they should ideally be soaked for a day before cooking.  Otherwise ,"Mylanta can help!"  Rarely, wheat products like regular pasta and bread.  Eating out:  Easiest are Mexican, Ethiopian, Asian.  Lol.  


So I decided to try Daiya, a relatively new product out on the market.  It is almost organic.  Daiya say, " It is still somewhat difficult to source organic gluten-free flours, it makes sense that not every gluten-free product, especially those that are sold on a large scale, is fully organic."  But soon it will be!


So delicious and relatively healthy.  Where most vegan cheeses are soy based and taste like "Whodoneit?"  Some of which don't even melt!  SMH.  It comes in Cheddar, Mozzarella, and PepperJack.  And you can freeze it!  Joy!  Some specialty pizza shops offer a vegan pizza using Daiya with a gluten-free crust option.  Like Pala in NYC.


Con: Remember that cheese commercial where the whiney kid lamented that Kraft's competitors were "made mostly of oil and waahter?"  Well that's one of the few drawbacks including that it's processed and the price.



Daiya is made entirely from plant-based ingredients and is:
  • Cholesterol free
  • Trans Fat free
  • Dairy free
  • Free of all animal products (Vegan)
  • Free of common allergens including:
    • Dairy (casein and lactose), soy, gluten, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts (excluding coconut)
  • Free of Artificial Ingredients
  • Free of Preservatives
  • Free of Hormones & Antibiotics
  • Kosher
The full list of ingredients are as follows:
Filtered water, tapioca and/or arrowroot flours, non-GMO expeller pressed canola and /or non-GMO expeller pressed safflower oil, coconut oil, pea protein, salt, vegan natural flavors, inactive yeast, vegetable glycerin, xanthan gum, citric acid (for flavor), titanium dioxide (a naturally occurring mineral).




Daiya.  What a cute baby name?

True Life: I'm Afraid to Protest the Government

As if cops weren't scary enough, as a member of the most reviled race with arguably the most distinguishing racial feature on earth, afro-texured hair.  I like a lot of people am scared to protest.  Especially with my short natural (and in my case, deep colored skin.)  I have had enough encounters with the police to know that they don't care for black bourgie women and probably even less for petite ones, who, in a crowd could be mistaken for pubescent little black boys (look mom, no hips :(.  lol!)  But I can't fight like one.

I have a friend who was pulled over late at night because she was mistaken for a man.  She was wearing a baseball cap (cuz her hair wasn't did/clearly a friend of mine.)  My mom (not having been mistaken for a man) was recently pulled over (for what? driving slow?) and she is in her 60's!  My dad used to routinely get pulled over in our white neighborhood because they thought his car was stolen until all his hair turned gray.  Luckily, like mine, it went prematurely.

It's scary when you know that if you went missing, were shot by a cop, or if you were wrongfully convicted of a crime in another country that nobody would care or be spending any government money to come and get your ass.  Aww.  I know you'd care.  Thank you.

Also, as an actor who has come fairly close to making a lot of money off of my face, I especially do not want to get fucked up.  But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.  I'm not sure when but pretty soon like Badu, "I'm gonna be here with my make-up on! (and maybe a dress :/)"  Wherever here is.  Because fear is reason enough to act.  This moment should not pass.

Monday, October 3, 2011

They Done Fucked Around and Gave Leftists the Internet




Unfortunately for the right wing, there are a lot of well-spoken, well-versed leftists (at least partially because it's easier to talk when you are telling the truth.)  Unfortunately for the rest of us, the right wing is mad!  Fortunately, the left is getting mad too.  But this guy manages to keep his composure to handle Fox News.


Sunday, October 2, 2011

Caught You White People!

Yesterday I went with my love to the Chile Pepper Fiesta (notice the use of "fiesta") in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.  It was one of those "Caught you white people in your natural habitat enjoying yourselves!" moments that we like to enjoy as a couple.  There were all the typical white metro-"yippy" treats.  Classic reggae (now completely appropriated.)  Healthy food.  Good moods.  Androgynously dressed children with androgynous names.  Nature.  Armed Police.  And all with one added ingredient, Chile Peppers!  The Horman's Pickles were yummy and hot!

Then we added some balance to the day with the awesome documentary, The Black Power Mixtape about the Black Power movement (and some chinese food.)  Which is awesome and out now in independent theaters.  And I think I  learned that Black Power is a tool.  Knowledge is the power (but unfortunately ignorance is bliss for some.)  Awesome (Oh no, that's three awesomes) day.

Frustration Hydration Connection



If you are frustrated or in a bad mood the first thing to do is drink water.  You might just be dehydrated.  Drinking enough water is something you need to actively pursue.  And make a priority.  We are water beings.  Lol.  Seriously.

Inner-peace can start with making sure you are hydrated and nourished.  For example:  Anxiety is sometimes us wanting so badly to be "good people."  At the base level we need fuel to have the body balance and energy to step out of the mind.  Step back.  And start observing how our mind works.  To see where the anxiety comes from.  That way we can work on this anxiety and try to cut down on how much time we spend (waste) beating ourselves up over stuff like not being socially astute and saying the wrong thing.  If you are open to it, saying something stupid and addressing it can even be an opportunity to grow closer to someone and receive their compassion.

Whatever your personal goals, make sure you are getting enough water.

This might be kind of a stretch.  But it's good to stretch.